Christians to Gather on Steps of the United States Capitol for Worship and Prayer Service After Federal Court Victory In an Historic Free Speech Victory, Washington, DC Chief Federal Judge Opened the Steps of the United States Capitol to 1st Amendment and Free Speech Activities NEWS PROVIDED BY Christian Defense Coalition June 22, 2024 WASHINGTON, June 22, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christians plan to gather on the steps of the United States Capitol for worship and prayer service after a federal court victory. The service will be on Sunday, June 23 at 3:00 PM, on the southeastern steps of the Capitol, (the House of Representative steps). James E. Boasberg, Chief Judge of the United States District for the District of Columbia, issued a permanent injunction against the United States Capitol Police Board barring them from prohibiting free speech and 1st Amendment activities from being held on the lower portion of the eastern steps of the US Capitol. See Chief Judge Boasberg's order here. Chief Boasberg's decision came after Rev. Patrick Mahoney filed a federal lawsuit when he was arrested on the steps of the US Capitol. Rev. Patrick Mahoney was arrested in August of 2021, with several others, for a peaceful demonstration and prayer vigil on the steps of the US Capitol. Rev. Mahoney was arrested in the exact spot where Congresswoman Cori Bush, the week before, protested and camped out on the Capitol steps. Over the years, members of Congress could hold demonstrations on the Capitol steps with impunity and people could gather on the steps for photographs and a host of other activities. However, peaceful 1st Amendments activities like prayer vigils and demonstrations were banned and participation in them would result in arrests. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, states: "We celebrate this historic 1st Amendment victory and are thankful for the 'The People's House' being returned back to the people. The 'People's House,' as the US Capitol Building is so rightly called, must be a place where all Americans are afforded the right to come and peacefully celebrate and express their First Amendment Rights and not be reserved exclusively for political elites. "The First Amendment ensures every American the right to peacefully express their views in the public square free from government intimidation, harassment, or favoritism. This should be especially true at the United States Capitol building. "This federal court victory sends a powerful message to government officials that the banning and prohibiting of peaceful free speech and religious freedom will not be tolerated. As we come together for this historic prayer and worship service on the steps of the US Capitol, we will be asking God to bring healing and spiritual awakening to our government and nation. Our gathering is a powerful reminder the future of America rests in the hands of God and not politics. For more information or interviews contact Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741 SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 China, Luxembourg agree to deep green cooperation Xinhua) 10:09, June 22, 2024 Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden, in Luxembourg, June 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) LUXEMBOURG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden have agreed to deepen green cooperation during a meeting here on Thursday. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Luxembourg is a friendly partner of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 50 years ago, both sides have adhered to mutual respect and trust, setting an example of mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. China is ready to work with Luxembourg to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in finance, the steel industry, and the green economy, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to elevate China-Luxembourg friendship to new heights and bring benefits to both countries and their peoples, Ding said. Noting that today's world is in turmoil and various risks and challenges continue to emerge, Ding stressed that China and the European Union (EU) should remain partners and properly handle trade frictions through dialogue and consultation. "Protectionism will inevitably harm others without benefiting oneself," he said, adding that China hopes Luxembourg will actively promote the EU's opening up and cooperation with China, fostering the steady and sound development of China-EU relations. Frieden said that Luxembourg and China enjoy a long history of friendship and share deep friendship between their peoples. The new government of Luxembourg will continue to uphold a friendly policy towards China, adhere to the one-China principle, further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, and inject new momentum into bilateral relations. He added that Luxembourg firmly supports multilateralism and free trade, appreciates China's achievements in scientific and technological development, and is willing to work with China to promote green transformation. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Home News Robert Morris scandal: James Robison refutes claims he met with victim's family, knew she was 12 Days after Robert Morris resigned from Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, televangelist James Robison has refuted reports he accompanied Morris to meet with the family of the woman who claims she was abused at age 12. Robison, with his wife Betty by his side, addressed the allegations in a video posted on X late Friday. He vehemently denied any prior knowledge of the meetings between Morris and the victim's family or of the victim's age during the abuse in the 1980s. Morris, who resigned Tuesday from his megachurch attracting around 100,000 worshipers weekly across its campuses, has admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady" over 35 years ago. Morris' confession followed allegations that he sexually abused Cindy Clemishire over multiple years, starting when she was just 12. 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 "People have been asking questions about my relationship with Robert. Some people are claiming that I was present when Robert met with the victim's family in 1987, and I knew the girl's age when these incidents took place. This is false. It is, in fact, a lie," said Robison, the president of Life Outreach International. The televangelist said that the victim corrected the record after the initial news report. Robison stated he possesses a statement from the victim's attorney affirming that he was not present at any meetings Morris had with the victim's family. He also mentioned that he only learned about the victim's age after news reports emerged last week. "I was stunned," he said. "I was aware that Robert had had moral failures in his past. But I had no idea it was crime involving a child. This is totally unacceptable. The way Robert handled it was absolutely incorrect. It was wrong. Abuse of a child should not be tolerated. I would do anything to appeal to Cindy and her family. Betty and I are praying for everyone who's been hurt by these terrible events." In his 2011 book, Morris recalled how he began to travel with James Robison within a year of becoming a Christian. Morris said he eventually earned the title of associate evangelist at age 20. Morris added that he got a job with Robison's prayer center about a month after he stepped away from ministry in the 1980s because "Lord orchestrated the circumstances for me to step out of ministry." He didn't disclose the circumstances leading to the temporary departure from ministry but admitted that he struggled with pride. "After a month of working nights as a security guard at Motel 6, I felt I had made great strides toward humility. I decided that perhaps I was ready to return to ministry," he wrote. "So I checked back with James Robison's ministry to see if they had any job openings. I was happy to discover that they needed a morning supervisor at their prayer center, from 5 A.M. to 2 P.M." Clemishire first alleged to The Wartburg Watch that Morris began sexually abusing her on Dec. 25, 1982, and continued for four-and-a-half years. She confirmed those details with The Christian Post. She stressed the severity of the abuse, which included inappropriate touching and penetration. In a statement to CP before his resignation, Morris confessed to being involved in "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying," which continued over years. Saying it only involved "kissing and petting and not intercourse," he admitted he was in the wrong. He claimed the situation had been brought to light in 1987 and that he repented and stepped away from ministry roles to undergo counseling, alleging he had returned to ministry in 1989. Clemishire pushed back on Morris' description of the events, saying she was only 12 when it started, that he touched every part of her body and even digitally penetrated her. She also denied that her father gave the blessing for Morris to return to ministry. The Wartburg Watch had previously reported that Robison accompanied Morris and his wife to Oklahoma to speak with Clemishire's father. The outlet corrected its reporting to clarify that Robison didn't join the couple on that trip nor participated in any meeting Morris had with Clemishire or her family. Clemishire said she retained an attorney in 2005 to file a civil lawsuit, but Morris' attorney suggested she caused the abuse on herself because she was "flirtatious." She said she asked for $50,000 to cover the cost of her counseling stemming from the abuse. She said they offered her $25,000 if she signed a non-disclosure agreement, but she refused. On Friday, the Gateway Church Board of Elders sent a letter to members addressing the situation. The church reiterated its claim that it was not aware of Clemishire's age when the alleged abuse occurred and pledged full cooperation as it has hired a law firm to investigate Morris' behavior between 1982-1987. "Regrettably, prior to Friday, June 14, the current Elders did not have all the facts," the letter reads. "The Board of Elders is deeply committed to walking in integrity and finding the truth, Having this inquiry done by an independent and unbiased outside law firm is best practice." In a statement released Tuesday night by her lawyer, Clemishire claimed that she informed Gateway leadership of the allegations in an email she sent in 2005 directly to Morris' email address. She stated that former Gateway elder Tom Lane responded to the email. Richard Harmer, a spokesperson for Lane, told The Dallas Morning News that Lane did respond to one of Clemishire's emails but was only forwarded a specific message by Morris' assistant that didn't include a reference to her age. Harmer stated that Lane had never seen any other emails. On social media Friday, Lane posted a statement saying he was unaware of the "severity and specifics" of the allegations and was led to believe it involved consensual infidelity with a "young lady." It was Lane's understanding at the time that Morris underwent a two-year restoration period overseen by the elders of Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie. When Clemishire came forward in 2005, Lane believed that the necessary restoration actions had already taken place and the situation was "appropriately resolved." "Given the facts that have now emerged, it is evident that more could have been done to support and protect Cindy, and for that, I am deeply sorry," Lane said. Home News Vatican Calls Pope Francis Sex Abuse Cover-Up Accusations by Archbishop 'Monstrous, Blasphemous' After months of silence, the Vatican has issued an official response to the accusations from a former top official that Pope Francis covered-up sex abuse in the church. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, published on Sunday an open letter on behalf of the Holy See, where he refuted Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano's allegations in August that Francis knew of abuse but covered it up. "First of all, allow me to say to you with complete sincerity, by virtue of the good collaborative relationship that existed between us when you were the Nuncio in Washington, that your current position appears incomprehensible and extremely deplorable to me, not only because of the confusion that it sows in the People of God, but also because your public accusations seriously damage the reputation of the Successors of the Apostles," Ouellet declared at the outset. 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 Later on, he accused Vigano of "mocking and casting doubt" on Francis' faith, which he said seems to him to be "blasphemous." "Such a thing cannot come from God's Spirit," he insisted. In August, Vigano, who previously served as the Vatican's ambassador to the United States in one of the top diplomatic positions, released an 11-page letter, claiming that "corruption had reached the very top of the Church's hierarchy." He specifically accuses Francis and other Vatican officials of having long been aware of the serious accusations against former U.S. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, including that he took sexual advantage of young seminarians. Vigano claimed that Pope Benedict XVI imposed sanctions on McCarrick in 2009 or 2010 over the alleged sex abuse, yet Francis decided to cover for him, and put him in a position of a trusted counselor. Francis "knew from at least June 23 2013 that McCarrick was a serial predator," Vigano argued in the letter. He adds that even though the pope "knew that he was a corrupt man, he covered for him to the bitter end." He went on to call for Francis and all those who covered up McCarrick's abuses to resign. In the response on Sunday, Ouellet disputed Vigano's account that Pope Benedict XVI had sanctioned McCarrick or that Francis had revoked him. He said that at the time, McCarrick had been advised not to speak publicly, but all that was known was yet unproven rumors about his alleged actions. "After re-examining the archives, I can ascertain that there are no corresponding documents signed by either Pope, neither is there a note of an audience with my predecessor, Cardinal Giovanni-Battista Re, giving Archbishop Emeritus McCarrick an obligatory mandate of silence and to retire to a private life, carrying canonical penalties," he wrote. "The reason being that at that time, unlike today, there was not sufficient proof of his alleged guilt. Hence, the position of the Congregation was inspired by prudence, and my predecessor's letters, as well as mine, reiterated through the Apostolic Nuncio Pietro Sambi, and then also through you, urging a discreet style of life, of prayer and penance for his own good and that of the Church." Ouellet recognized "the defects in the selection process" when it comes to McCarrick, who was promoted on several occasions, and even reached the highest function of Archbishop of Washington and Cardinal. "Without entering here into the details, it needs to be understood that the decisions taken by the Supreme Pontiff are based on information available at a precise moment, which constitute the object of a careful judgement which is not infallible," he positioned. "It seems unjust to me to conclude that the persons in charge of the prior discernment are corrupt even though, in this concrete case, some suspicions provided by witnesses should have been further examined. The prelate in question knew how to defend himself very skillfully regarding the doubts that were raised about him." Ouellet accused Vigano of generalizing as to who is responsible for the failings, and of including Francis among the guilty. "I tell you frankly that I believe it is incredible and unlikely from many points of view to accuse Pope Francis of having covered up after having full knowledge of the facts of this presumed sexual predator, and therefore of being an accomplice in the corruption rampant in the Church, to the point of considering him unfit to continue his reforms as the first Shepherd of the Church," he continued. "I cannot understand how you could have allowed yourself to be convinced of this monstrous accusation which has no standing. Francis had nothing to do with the promotion of McCarrick to New York, Metuchen, Newark or Washington. He divested him from the dignity of Cardinal when a credible accusation of the abuse of a minor became evident. I have never heard Pope Francis allude to this self-styled advisor during his pontificate regarding nominations in America, though he does not hide the trust that he has in some of the Bishops," he insisted. Home Opinion The threat to the SBC: Progressive Liberalism or Fundamentalism? Just last week, the Southern Baptist Convention gathered together for their annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana to conduct business and make decisions as a group of churches on a variety of issues. During their time together, they were faced with the typical list of amendments and the reports from their various entities. Over the last number of years, a couple of big issues have caught major attention for the SBC, and at the top of the list are the issues of egalitarianism and abortion. If you consider the way progressive debate tactics function, there is typically the thesis which is a starting point in the conversation. This is followed by an antithesis which is a reaction or negation to the suggested idea. The debate typically ends with a synthesis which is the outcome. Progressive political strategy will often employ this tactic to move in a progressive direction which results in small compromises over time that eventually achieve the overall goal. Depending on what news source you read, either the Southern Baptist Convention is moving in a leftward or progressive liberal direction, or its being threatened by a growing fundamentalist position that will hinder the work of the churches of the SBC. Which one is correct? 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 Recognizing the bogeyman language It has become a popular tactic among certain evangelical circles to discredit conservatives by labeling them as fundamentalists. This is a means of labeling them with a Scarlet F in order to discredit their positions and muzzle their voice. That word has gone through an etymological shift through the years to take on the idea of people who are narrow-minded and find joy in separating over non-essential matters. David French, in an article that described the 2021 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention referred to a specific group of conservatives as fundamentalist pirates. In fact, that was the title of his article: Under Attack from Fundamentalist Pirates, Evangelical Baptists Refused to Give Up the Ship. He also used the language of toxic fundamentalists as he created two categories: evangelicals v. toxic fundamentalists. In a similar vein, Thomas S. Kidd writing for The Gospel Coalition concludes: And our current problems reflect yet another instance of people in churches being discipled far more by cable news and social media than by the Church. The spirit of fundamentalism tells us that no difference, politically or theologically, is tolerable, and that our enemies must be destroyed. The spirit of Christ offers a better way: robust truth and robust kindness. Just last week, Sam Rainer, who is the son of Thom Rainer, who is the former CEO of Lifeway, posted this on X: The SBCs decline corresponds with the shift towards fundamentalism and away from evangelicalism. What was a big-tent conservative group is becoming a narrow fundamentalist group. I do not anticipate the SBC changing course any time soon. Thus, declines will continue. #SBC24 It should be noted that Sams post employs two opposing categories which happen to be the same two categories purported in David Frenchs article back in 2021: evangelicals and fundamentalists. Is this a true statement or is it merely a caricature of people who happen to be more conservative on specific issues than Sam Rainer, Thomas Kidd, and David French? Rejecting abolitionism The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) is the political arm of the SBC that provides engagement in the public sphere on a variety of social issues. After the rise and fall of Russell Moore, Brent Leatherwood has been leading the ERLC as president since 2022. Over the last number of years, the messengers of the SBC from local churches have sought to make it clear that the SBC is against abortion and in favor of equal protection and equal justice for all including the preborn. These initiatives have been led by a group of messengers who hold to a firm abolitionist position on the issue of abortion. During the report of the ERLC at the 2024 SBC, Brian Gunter, a pastor from Louisiana, asked an important question from the microphone that gave Brent Leatherwood an opportunity to provide clarity regarding his position and the position of the SBC on the issue of ending abortion and providing equal justice for all. In his answer[1], Brent Leatherwood made it clear that he and the ERLC (along with the SBC) are engaged in the pro-life movement where they stand opposed to abortion but never stand for the criminalization of women. In other words, Leatherwood made it clear that he would not support any bill for equal protection and equal justice for the preborn across the nation because it would go against the pro-life industrys commitment to protect women from being charged with the crime of murder if abortion is outlawed and the woman is caught murdering her preborn child. Our culture continues to teach women the progressive mantra: My Body, My Choice! The Bible teaches the exact opposite. Life is a gift from God and he alone has the sovereign authority to govern over the life and death of individuals. From conception until natural death, the church of Jesus must continue to stand without wavering upon the sanctity of human life. Is the call for the full and complete outlaw of abortion and equal justice for the preborn a fundamentalist cause or is it a principle that flows straight from the pages of Scripture? Is the commitment to stand against abortion while at the same time standing against the prosecution of women who murder their babies a progressive liberal position or a fundamentalist position? Rejecting the Law Amendment Much ink was spilt over the last two years regarding the Law Amendment that passed in the 2023 SBC and had to pass a second time in the subsequent annual meeting according to the governing documents of the SBC. In short, it failed to get a 2/3 vote at the 2024 SBC and failed to be adopted by the messengers of the SBC. The Law Amendment made it clear that the churches of the SBC believe the Bible is clear that only men should hold the office of pastor, elder, or overseer (depending on the choice of biblical vocabulary used for the single office of pastor). The Law Amendment was a simple sentence to add clarity to the current section of the SBC constitution under Article 3, Paragraph 1 concerning Composition that reads: Affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture. According to the website devoted to the Law Amendment: As our culture seeks to erase the distinctions between men and women, many churches in our convention are openly rejecting this part of our statement of faith and the Bible. Sadly, this number has been increasing. This is why the amendment is so important. Amending the constitution which carries a greater binding authority than the Baptist Faith & Message (2000) would clearly define who is and is not part of the SBC. Such an amendment could add stability to our convention for decades, and guard us from the drift toward liberalism. Is this true? Is the evangelical culture drifting in the direction of liberalism? In 2017 Barna Research Group pointed out that there was a distinct rise in women pastors. According to their study, One of every 11 Protestant pastors is a woman triple as many as 25 years ago. According to the statistical report titled, State of Clergywomen in the U.S.: A Statistical Update the numbers indicate that within most Mainline denominations, the percentage of clergywomen has doubled or tripled since 1994. In 2022, Rick Warren appeared before the SBC to defend his egalitarian position. In 2023, a major stand was taken by Rick Warren who fought to spare his church from being disfellowshipped from the SBC on the basis of violating the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 on women serving in the office of pastor. In 2024, the SBC spent much time and energy debating the issue only to fail in passing the Law Amendment. This failure comes at a time when there are more than 1,000 churches in the SBC that have female pastors serving on their staff. Not only is this practice in direct opposition to the governing documents of the SBC, but its in clear violation of Gods Word on the matter which is abundantly clear (1 Tim 2:1213; 1 Tim 3:17; Titus 1:69). With the decline of the SBC and fractures that are currently taking place is this decline caused by a rise of fundamentalism or is it precipitated by a rise of progressive liberalism? Certain voices would have you believe that this decline in the SBC is being caused by a group of narrow-minded fundy pirate-pastors who find more joy in fighting over non-essential and non-biblical issues than spreading the Gospel to the ends of the world. In fact, Bruce Frank who was one of several presidential nominees for the SBC in 2024, went on record during the Presidential Forum at the SBC to say that in 100 years from now, although doctrinal precision is important, it will be igniting passion for evangelism in the local churches and having people bring people to Christ that matters most. I would argue that although I am no longer within the SBC, the decline is based on the liberal drift of the SBC that has been in progress for a number of years. For many years, pastors have been sounding an alarm and seeking to work for change in the SBC to avoid this liberal move. When our local church exited the SBC at the end of 2021, I wrote an article that detailed the concerns that have only become more severe since our departure. It should be plain and clear that the current downgrade of the SBC is not based on a fundamentalist drift, but rather a clear liberal drift of the SBC. There are good pastors, missionaries, professors, and good churches within the SBC, but unless there is a true course correction that begins with firm unwavering and unflinching leadership who refuses to capitulate on Gods holy Word the decline of the SBC will only continue to increase speed until it completely derails like the Presbyterian Church of United States of America (PCUSA) and the United Methodist Church (UMC). References 1. You can see the full interaction published by Dusty Deevers on X: https://x.com/DustyDeevers/status/1801007499933356380 Originally published at G3 Ministries. Home Opinion Tolerance is not a virtue As a minister, I am duty-bound to accurately present the content of the Bible. A true call from God will result in a desire to help people understand Scripture and apply it to their lives. But a faithful opening of timeless Scripture can generate some visceral pushback from audiences today. When I call out sin, point out errors in interpreting the Bible, or suggest that biology rather than emotions should dictate the discussion on human sexuality, Im told that I need to be more tolerant. What exactly is tolerance in todays society? Tolerance is a manufactured, secular, socially manipulated and weakly constructed excuse for a sentiment. It is not a Christian virtue, a Fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 6) or a command of Jesus. Only the sparkle creed suggests otherwise, and it is not a religious orthodoxy; it is a perversion of a traditional Christian statement of faith. What is tolerance? The way the world imposes and enforces it, tolerance is a fabricated counterfeit of Christian love and genuine human compassion. 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 Instead of, Let me help lift you out of your mess, tolerance says, I support your right to live as a disaster. A life-changing encounter with the Son of God promises, You dont have to stay this way, theres a better, higher Way to live. Tolerance says, I embrace the fact that youre broken. I will agree to underwrite the lie you can't ever change. Instead of offering hope, rescue and peace, tolerance says, I celebrate the falsehoods you've been told. I will also lie and tell you that the fatal, degrading, noxious Hell youre living in is a valid, alternative lifestyle. The recipe for tolerance could be, two parts guilt, a dash of pity, one-part spiritual blindness, with heavy doses of naivete. Mix in all oblivious ignorance available. It is never the path to freedom; it is a guarantee of further torture, deeper debauchery and spiritual slavery. Tolerance traps individuals and emboldens groups into a spiral toward physical torment and eternal death instead of telling them they can be free and have a new life in Christ. I grew up on a North Carolina farm that my family operated successfully for 68 years. Any farmer can tell you if you tolerate weeds, you dont get more compliant weeds. Weeds wont agree to give your crops equal room, water, and sun. If you tolerate weeds, they grow faster and spread more. Weeds must be eliminated, have their roots exposed to the sun, and be uprooted and replaced with something better. If you tolerate weeds, sin, the alphabet mafia, defund police, abortion as healthcare, legalized drug use or accept any form of lawlessness, the only thing you guarantee is more and worse lawlessness (Romans 4:7). Jesus said that the increase in tolerance and various forms of lawlessness are signs of the last days (Matthew 24:12). Ignorance is another sign that we are nearing the end (1 Timothy 4:1-4; 1 Peter 3:3). We have the Bible, and for those who admit it, we have medical science and human biology; the facts are irrefutable. We cannot claim ignorance, only compliance. We dont have any biblical basis for being the worlds version of tolerant. Avoid that slippery slope; it leads to moral and societal destruction. The world will get darker and darker. We are commanded not to cooperate with the darkness and evil but to expose and avoid it (2 Corinthians 6:14). We can either be a brighter light in the darker dark or agree to spread the lie that the definition of dark suddenly changed dark isnt really dark. Redefining sexual perversion in the name of tolerance is still perverse, degenerate, immoral and depraved. The only difference is that now, pride has three months of celebration on the calendar. As an ordained minister, I am called to be a light. But this responsibility is also on the shoulders of all Christians. Christs church is a messenger with an assignment to courageously spread truth in a world of lies. We must be bold and speak facts when its not considered tolerant. Scarred, bleeding and under fire, Id rather be a doctor of souls on the front lines of the war than a satisfied spiritual mortician watching the world die in darkness. Tolerance is a polite way of saying, Im OK that people will spend eternity in hell. God forbid. The need for Christian parliamentarians I wonder if you've ever had a tour of the parliament at Westminster? Back in 2015, after the General Election that year, I was fortunate enough to be shown round by a great friend who was working for a Christian MP at the time. We went through Westminster Hall, across Central Lobby, into the House of Lords, then back and into the House of Commons. I stood at the Despatch box and was struck, as so many are, by how small the place feels! The tour was fascinating and a reminder that the Parliament is a stunning and beautiful place on the outside. The Palace is impressive, the corridors full of grandeur and you cannot help but breathe in the history of the place. It was on this site that Parliament asserted its sovereignty over the tyrannical King Charles I. It was here that wartime leaders like Winston Churchill made epic speeches to galvanise the nation. But for all the beauty of the exterior, what about what actually happens inside the Parliament? After all, the Lord looks at the heart. He's utterly uninterested in external appearances. I suspect your awareness of what happens in Parliament might be limited to social media clips from different debates, what's shown on the news and maybe, if you're more into it, Prime Minister's Questions every Wednesday. If that's how you interact and view what happens in Parliament, I'd not be at all surprised if you have a negative view of the place. PMQs is often just Punch and Judy politics of the worse kind. Social media inevitably captures the most sensationalist clips, without any real context on them. Add in the growing list of scandals and suspensions due to improper behaviour, plus the deadlock created by the Brexit debates in 2017-19 and it's little surprise many have a dim view of what goes in Parliament. Yet beyond this media image, there is so much that happens that we do not see and not all of it is unrighteous! There are genuinely important debates of substance on vital pieces of legislation. There is the work of improving Bills as they progress through the parliamentary process. There is the work of select committees and other committees, which offer detailed scrutiny and highlight problems within our communities. Parliament is a place where good is done. Take the Online Safety Act, for example. Here is a law that will ensure porn sites are behind age gates for the first time ever! But Parliament is also a place where bad ideas can be diluted or even stopped. For example, in 2015, MPs rejected an assisted suicide bill after a moving and excellent debate. My point here is that what happens in Parliament is of huge significance for our lives, our fellow churchgoers' lives, and the lives of our neighbours and family as well. And it is because of this reality that I'm so grateful that there are, in both the Commons and the Lords, born-again followers of Jesus who are working diligently to serve well in their respective roles. I cannot imagine Parliament without this vital witness. Jesus told his disciples that they were the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This is part of our calling to go into every sector of society. We need Christians in business, sport, drama, the arts, academia and so on. And, given the sheer importance of what it does, we need Christian parliamentarians as well! In the Bible we see clear examples of God's people being raised to positions of public significance and influence. Think of Joseph, Queen Esther, and Daniel. Or think of John the Baptist speaking truth to King Herod, or Paul before King Agrippa. Part of our work at CARE is supporting Christian parliamentarians. I've observed two distinct ways they prove their incredible value. Firstly, Christian parliamentarians are often willing to raise issues no-one else wants to touch. For example, attempts to clarify that sex-selective abortion is wrong were led by a Christian MP. Or what about the first ever legislative attempt to ban prostitution adverts? It was led by a Christian peer in the House of Lords. Secondly, Christian parliamentarians are able to bring the Biblical worldview into every debate they speak at. They bring the great truths of God's plan for human flourishing to the committees they sit on, to the questions they ask, and to the conversations they have with colleagues and constituents. MPs have an incredible platform and Christian MPs can bring the flavour of Christ to help season the world around them in a unique and invaluable way. This is not to say that non-Christian parliamentarians cannot do good. Of course, by God's common grace they can and do! But knowing that there are fellow followers of Jesus seeking to uphold God's truth in the corridors of power gives me confidence and hope. So yes, we need Christian parliamentarians. They help make the work that goes on inside Parliament more beautiful. One of my prayers this election time is that God might raise up more Christians to take their place at Westminster. Find a range of resources to help you think, act, and pray before you cast your vote at CARE's dedicated election website: engaGE24 James Mildred is CARE's Director of Communications and Engagement. What does it mean to love the stranger? Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on the concept of the stranger and what it means to love them in Judaism. Who is the stranger in Judaism? A clue may be given by one definition of 'neighbour' discussed in my previous article on the subject. Loving your neighbour as yourself may in fact mean loving the neighbour who has shown him or herself to be a true human being, a 'mentsch', as you hope that you are yourself. This is a very tall order. Often we don't have a clue about our neighbour, let alone the 'stranger'. In Judaism there are a number of different words for 'stranger', one at least often translated as 'alien'. This word, nochri, in Hebrew, has a negative connotation in English, and in this country in particular. So many great grandparents, having arrived here from the pogroms in Russia and Eastern Europe, had to contend with the Edwardian Aliens Act of 1905, aimed at preventing their emigration to the UK from certain death. An 'alien' to the British then was an 'undesirable immigrant'. And this was how the word nochri was has also often been translated in academic and popular Jewish literature. For example, the great Israeli Bible Scholar, Yehezekel Kaufmann's (1889-1963) first major book, Golah ve-Necher (1928-32), was translated into English as Exile and Alienhood. A more accommodating translation would have been something like On Being a Stranger in Diaspora, which is more redolent of quirky trips abroad. But the more honest and striking translation stood. The term 'alienhood' doesn't sit very well with us, and maybe for very good reason. The book itself deals with the alienation felt by the Jew in Diaspora, the Exile situation from the Jewish homeland, and therefore, for us in 2024, the absolute imperative for Jews to have a Jewish homeland that Jews can call their own. The fact that Jews are still not regarded as an ethnic minority in the UK, for example, is a scandal, since it means that Jews have no legal rights in this country and are therefore regarded as 'alien'. Maybe that is why peaceful Jews are either ignored, or arrested by the police during the current London marches against the Jews. If you don't exist as a legal ethnic entity, unlike Muslims for example, then you are no better, as Kafka argued of the Jewish condition, than insects, and that is exactly how Jews are being treated here at present. But when the Bible describes the stranger, often it uses another term, 'ger', which, in Hebrew, hints at the possibility of 'conversion'. And the two phrases given are 'ger toshav' and 'ger tzedek'. A ger toshav is a person living in the Land of Israel in Bible times who maintains a broad association with the Jewish people, without actually becoming Jewish. A ger tzedek is, however, a very special person, who takes on the yoke of Judaism, and can therefore become Jewish and be regarded as Jewish. But this is not so much to do with belief in the accepted Western sense inherited from Christian doctrine, as with deeds and practice. The best recent description in English of these two groups of people, the ger toshav and the ger tzedek, has been given by Rabbi Haim Angel of the US-based Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals. And I am therefore delighted at his timing and link to his article on this subject here. It should be emphasized however, and should indeed be evident to all, that following Jewish practice must of necessity incorporate belief in that practice. People are not coerced to become Jewish. Authenticity is more important in Judaism than 'numbers on seats.' I recently asked the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, for his interpretation of the Good Samaritan story, which only appears in the Book of Luke chapter 10, and is related in the form of a parable. He shared an interesting interpretation of this Gospel story in the context of 'universal love' and the fact that some thinkers interpret the so-called 'radical' views of both Jesus and Paul on 'universal love' as due to the impending 'end times' assumed in NT teaching: 'As to universal love: it's true that the sense of an impending end makes Jesus and Paul radical in many ways. But I *think* the point in Jesus' teaching is a bit more complex. The parable of the Good Samaritan is not (despite any number of sermons!) about who the neighbour is that you're supposed to love, but whether you can recognise and receive 'neighbourly' love from people outside the expected circle. Jesus is saying, I think, 'It's possible that even the most respectable religious members of your own kin - priest and Levite - may fall short in their duty; others may unexpectedly step in. Be grateful for this, and return that care as best you can.' 'All of which is, in my view, something other than a universalist as opposed to a particularist view of love. Jesus isn't advancing a theory in which Jewish distinctiveness is being overthrown; it's more like the way in which in Hebrew scripture there is a consistent reminder that people outside the kindred may still have a role in the divine purpose for that people (Jethro, Ruth, Cyrus...). So as I read it, Jesus is answering the 'Who is my neighbour?' question not by saying simply 'Anyone and everyone'; the parable takes for granted that the priest and Levite have real obligations to a fellow-Jew that they are not fulfilling. God provides even when people fail in those obligations; and because of this, we understand that our obligations don't stop with kindred, since something is owed to the righteous 'outsider.' The imperative laid upon Israel becomes something that the non-Jew is irresistibly drawn to (Paul seems to assume this in Romans), and in this process enters the community of mutual service and protection that is the people living under Law.' As a Jew, I read Baron Williams' interpretation as taking for granted that the 'priest' and the 'Levite' are supposed to act as role models for the Jewish people and are therefore cited first as being obliged to take appropriate action and assist a fellow human being. This is very different from the Jewish interpretation of the role of the priest or the Levite who in Judaism had a very circumscribed role as purveyors of ritual Temple behaviour and were therefore not regarded as role models for ethical behaviour in the sense of the prophets, and even the king/judges of Israel, who were tasked with these everyday decisions. But to get back to the concept of stranger as 'ger', is the sojourner, or non-Israelite foreigner resident in the Land of Israel, who has no family or clan to look after him, and is therefore vulnerable to social and economic exploitation. This term has now been extended by some to include a Jewish person who has been dislocated for one reason or another and is therefore in Shai Held's words: 'a vulnerable person from outside the key family.' Contemporary examples of these would be those Israelis who are currently refugees in their own land, having been displaced for over eight months due to the war with Hamas and Hezbollah, both proxies of Iran. These people have had to move from the south and north of the tiny country, often into the unknown, and have become dependent on the good-will and generosity of others, who have magnificently stepped up to the plate. Then there are the 'lone soldiers', people, both men and women, who emigrate to Israel from other countries in order to fight for her. These 'lone soldiers' are also increasingly being looked after by 'adopted' Israeli families. Always in Judaism the love of the 'ger' starts with love of your own family, your own neighbour, and then works outwards to anyone who doesn't fit in but still demonstrates basic human norms. As an example of this, Menachem Begin was the first Prime Minister to take in the Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s when they had nowhere else to go. They were very grateful, including some who eventually left Israel, but many opted to stay. Then there are the two million Arab Israelis living in the State of Israel, with some of whom I've worked, and who feel part of the Israeli story. This Arab identification with Israel was confirmed to me many times when, at the end of February, I visited Jerusalem, where 40 per cent of the population of the entire city is Arab (both Muslim and Christian). The Israeli Arabs I met and conversed with in Hebrew were proud of the achievements of their country, the State of Israel, to which they have contributed so much and continue to do so. This is very different from the Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank who call for the destruction of not only Israel, but of the Jewish people entirely. The Israeli Arabs are a huge success story as a minority. By contrast, the Jewish community of the UK have no legal protection as a minority, and, by refusing to insist on this, the so-called Jewish leadership of the UK has rightly been accused of indifference and worse. It is helpful also to consider the Book of Deuteronomy on the mitzvah of loving the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:17-19): 'For the Lord your G-d is G-d of gods and Lord of lords, the great G-d, the mighty, and the awe-inspiring, who shows no favour and takes no bribes. He upholds the cause of the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger (ger), by providing him/her with food and clothing. Therefore, you too must love the stranger, seeing that you yourselves were strangers in the land of Egypt.' The orphan and the widow are bereft of both social standing and social support. Their entire world has collapsed and, if no help is given, they will go completely under. The stranger (ger) is simply a continuation of that list. He or she is not contrasted with the Jewish victims of death in the family, but is part of this list. And truly, so many 'strangers' living and/or working in Israel who associated with the Jewish State on October 7th behaved heroically. These include carers from abroad, as well as the now well-documented story of young fleeing Israelis and their (also Israeli) Bedouin Arab helper, who, on October 7th, directed Hamas in the opposite direction, whilst hiding the young fleeing Israelis in his home/workplace. This was of course at risk to his own life. The Bedouin Arab whose religion and customs differs from that of the young Israelis seeking succour, took the snap decision to recognize in himself that he identified with the Jewish State of Israel which has given so much to the Bedouin community. At risk to his own life, he preferred the rough and ready young Israeli Jews to his own powerful co-religionists, also Arabic speakers, who had the power of life and death over him. It would have been so easy for the Bedouin Arab to comply with the Hamas demand. However, in these minutes, by showing that he truly loved the stranger, the Bedouin Arab also exemplified the Jewish biblical injunction, to 'love your neighbour as yourself'. So, ironically maybe, loving the stranger can actually equate with loving your neighbour as yourself. With all the recent Liberal goodwill so far failing to move the needle their way, the whispers about a change in leadership are growing louder. Mondays byelection result could prove pivotal in Justin Trudeaus decision. In early 2024, Jada Stratman, 25, was searching for retail space for her candle business, Brite Candle Co. That's when she found Culdesac. "[It's] the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the U.S.," Culdesac CEO Ryan Johnson tells CNBC Make It. Cars are not allowed on the Culdesac's streets, and residents can't park their own vehicles on site. Residents are offered discounts on transportation services like Waymo, a self-driving taxi. "Our communities prioritize biking, walking, and transit over cars and parking," the website says. The community, located in Tempe, Arizona, has 180 residents with plans to grow to over 1,000. Apartments there range from studios to three-bedroom units, and prices start at around $1,400 a month. "Since moving to this walkable community, I feel like I've definitely gotten a lot more out of my comfort zone," Stratman tells CNBC Make It. "They're not against cars; they're just against car dependency." Culdesac is "the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the U.S.," Ryan Johnson, CEO of Culdesac tells CNBC Make It. Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make It Stratman moved into one of Culdesac's live-work spaces in February. The Brite Candle Co. shop is housed up front and Stratman's bedroom and other living spaces are in the back. The unit features a walk-in closet and a washer and dryer. "I'm able to actually have a retail front-facing shop to the public and also make money out of my apartment," she says. "At first, it was a bit uncomfortable just having so many people in my living space, but over time, I've gotten really used to it. I'm actually really excited for people to come and make candles." Stratman pays $1,472 in monthly rent and an additional $140 for utilities and Internet. Stratman's upfront costs included a $1,000 security deposit. Stratman uses the front room of her apartment in Culdesac as a retail space for her candle business. Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make It Culdesac offers Stratman and other residents access to a pool, a fully equipped gym, rental cars, and light rails. Each resident is also given a free e-bike. The community has several shops and a supermarket on the grounds. Though car-free, Culdesac still has parking spaces for visitors and the residents who need them. Stratman does own a car and keeps it off property, as required, but says she has "actually become less dependent on my vehicle, although I use it for business purposes." Stratman's unit features a walk-in closet and a washer and dryer. Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make It Stratman doesn't see herself leaving the neighborhood any time soon. "I've always grown up so introverted and just to myself," she says. "So coming here and meeting all the friendly people that I have met and the connections that I've made is why I chose Culdesac." "Having a live-work space has actually saved me a lot of money," she says. Since moving in, Stratman has seen her business grow and wants to eventually move into a larger retail space there. "Having [my work and home] integrated into one has been so helpful, especially for a small business owner who's not making thousands of dollars." Stratman's live-work space also has a patio that she uses to relax and store the electric bike she got when she moved in. Mickey Todiwala. Photo by CNBC Make It The S & P 500 is having a hot 2024, but a few names could be poised to fall from grace in the second half of the year. The broad market index briefly breached the 5,500 level for the first time on Thursday , with artificial intelligence darling Nvidia initially carrying the benchmark to new heights. However, the de facto market leader and other high-flying stocks on Wall Street could face pressure after their huge runs, based on consensus price targets. CNBC Pro used its Stock Screener tool to search for S & P 500 constituents that average analyst price targets suggest could slip 10% or more moving forward. Data in the table below is current as of Thursday, June 20, at 9:45 a.m. ET. Nvidia Investor sentiment surrounding artificial intelligence has lifted Nvidia shares through 2024, as the stock has more than doubled this year. On Tuesday, the chip company's market cap temporarily surpassed that of Microsoft, making it the most valuable public company at the time. NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia stock has climbed 155% in 2024. But Nvidia could find less room to run if analysts' forecasts hold water. While the consensus rating from analysts surveyed by LSEG is a buy, their price targets have already been exceeded and could imply a nearly 11% pullback. Some commentators on Wall Street and analysts alike have cautioned that rising competition in the AI boom could weigh on Nvidia moving forward, although the stock remains a favorite on Wall Street. Qualcomm Chipmaker Qualcomm has also benefited from the AI boom in 2024, with the stock climbing nearly 47%. The company issued better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results and robust guidance last month. Qualcomm also highlighted strong demand for its "premium tier" smartphones that require the most advanced chips, particularly in China. QCOM YTD mountain Qualcomm stock. Still, analysts' price targets suggest that the stock may have gotten ahead of itself, reflecting a nearly 14% decline moving forward. This comes as chip stocks remain robust through June, with the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) surging 51% in 2024. Other stocks that could be in store for a pullback include Garmin and Teradyne . No 5. Australia | Australia's vast and diverse landscapes, including the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera House, attract tourists from around the globe seeking adventure and natural beauty. (Image: Reuters) China and Australia have agreed to introduce reciprocal five-year multiple-entry visas for tourism and business purposes, signaling an improvement in bilateral relations. The Chinese foreign ministry announced on June 21 that this decision followed a visit by the country's Premier Li Qiang to Australia earlier in the week, marking a stabilisation in diplomatic ties following strained relations.Previously, Chinese citizens could obtain visas for up to one year to travel to Australia, with options for up to 10 years for frequent travelers. The new arrangement reflects efforts to enhance travel convenience and deepen economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.In response to the announcement, searches for flights, hotels, and related services for Australia surged by over 200% on Chinese travel platforms, indicating strong interest among Chinese tourists and business travelers.China has been progressively relaxing entry requirements for visitors from various countries since last year, aiming to facilitate international travel after stringent COVID-19 restrictions were imposed for three years, effectively sealing its borders.During Premier Li's visit to Australia, he also announced that China would include Australia in its visa waiver program, allowing Australian passport holders to visit China for up to 15 days without needing a visa. These measures are expected to further boost tourism and foster closer ties between the two nations.Meanwhile, ,China's international air passenger traffic recovered to over 80% of pre-Covid levels in April, reflecting efforts by Beijing to attract more overseas visitors to the Asian country's shores and a growing propensity of Chinese to travel abroad post the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. In just 12 days, the nation will have its say in one of the most consequential general elections of modern times. For many disillusioned Conservatives, the prospect of voting for another party or even not bothering to trudge to the ballot box will be a tempting one. But while the Mail understands such sentiments, we urge readers to resist them. Because there are just days left to avoid the many dangers of a Labour 'supermajority'. If the polls are correct, the Tories are facing 'Starmergeddon' a defeat so mountainous that it will make Tony Blair's victory in 1997 look like a molehill. There are just days left to avoid the many dangers of a Labour 'supermajority'. (Keir Starmer speaks during the four party leadership Question Time Election special) If only a few dozen Tory MPs are left standing, who will try to temper the excesses of a Labour administration intent on fundamentally reshaping the nation? Tory voters should imagine the sinking feeling in their stomachs, come the early hours of July 5, if Sir Keir Starmer secures a margin of victory of 200-plus seats. The consequences would be truly disastrous. Our unwritten constitution requires the government of the day to be held to account in Parliament by the Opposition. That scrutiny helps create better legislation. If only a few dozen Tory MPs are left standing, who will try to temper the excesses of a Labour administration intent on fundamentally reshaping the nation? Such undiluted power would be alarming for another reason. Sir Keir's plans are so opaque and his manifesto so hollow on detail that no one can be entirely sure what they are voting for. The avowed socialist claims to have had a Damascene conversion to the benefits of wealth creation. But he has failed to spell out exactly how this will be achieved. Until recently, Labour's spiteful plan to impose VAT on private schools fees was the clearest evidence of its real agenda squeezing those it believes are too wealthy. Same old politics of envy. But in the past week, the party's mask has slipped and what we see is worrying, indeed, for those of a conservative mindset. Last Sunday, Labour health spokesman Wes Streeting admitted its manifesto did not make up the 'sum total' of its revenue-raising plans. Next, a secret dossier revealed MPs are demanding punishing new taxes on Middle England. And Sir Keir blurted out he doesn't consider those with savings to be 'working people'. The piece de resistance? In the BBC's Question Time debate, Labour's flustered leader insisted former boss Jeremy Corbyn would have made a better prime minister than Boris Johnson. Does he really believe that? Corbyn was an unreformed Marxist who described the murderers and rapists of Hamas as 'friends', who would have ruined the economy and pulled us out of Nato. Yes, the thought of giving the Tories a bloody nose is an alluring one. But doing so threatens to turn Britain into an elected one-party socialist dictatorship Sir Keir blurted out he doesn't consider those with savings to be 'working people' Of course, we share the frustration of so many who voted Tory in 2019 and understand why they might want to punish the party. They voted for Mr Johnson, but Tory MPs idiotically toppled him. The electorate demanded controlled immigration, only to see it soar to record levels. While the Reform party might have superficial appeal, how can we trust the judgment of Nigel Farage who in a BBC interview last night claimed the West is to blame for provoking Putin's invasion? Meanwhile, it is a simple fact that in many constituencies, a vote for Reform does nothing except increase the chances of a Labour supermajority. Then we can expect open borders, ever-higher taxes, untrammelled wokery and gerrymandering of the electoral system to keep it in office for who knows how long. Yes, the thought of giving the Tories a bloody nose is an alluring one. But doing so threatens to turn Britain into an elected one-party socialist dictatorship. A man who wants to be prime minister can no longer just say anything he feels like saying. From the moment he lets that ambition be known, he is judged by far more severe and intrusive standards than before. He does not just need to be careful in future he needs to have been careful in the past. He must expect things he has said years ago to be rigorously examined. This has now happened to Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK. Mr Farage was perhaps a little dizzy with success when he recently proclaimed on Radio 4 that he planned to make a bid for Downing Street at the next election, presumably in 2029. He explained that he hoped to use the current contest, in which Reform UK is unlikely to win many seats, as a springboard. Nige Farage said he would not apologise after political leaders criticised his claim that the West provoked Putin into invading Ukraine Writing in the Telegraph on Saturday, Mr Farage said he was not an 'apologist or supporter of Putin' and described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as 'indefensible', but claimed the West had made 'catastrophic' errors during the conflict Mr Farage did not behave as most politicians do when faced with questions about his high hopes. He did not seek to avoid the issue or pretend that he has no desire to occupy No 10. He has watched his friend Donald Trump climb to the Oval Office through sheer outrageous nerve and by breaking all the rules. So why not him? Well, that might work in the US presidential contest. But perhaps Mr Farage, for years a gadfly and a guerrilla, does not fully understand just how many obstacles and safety devices our parliamentary system puts in the way of a lone maverick. Mr Farage never much minded the limelight. But can he withstand a searchlight? It looks as if he cannot. The BBC's Nick Robinson did not even need to lure him into danger when he asked about Mr Farage's statements on the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. He was in danger already. For some time now, even before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, it has been common ground across all major parties that support for Ukraine against Moscow's aggression is a requirement for anybody who seeks to be entrusted with national security. Although we are not actually at war with Russia, we are closely allied with Ukraine and have been subject to Russian crimes on our territory. So we need to maintain a united front against the Kremlin and its propaganda. And this has not just been the view of the elite. British public opinion is overwhelmingly on the same side. Sympathy for Putin, or even an attempt to explain his actions, is regarded as not much better than sympathy for Hitler, as Reform UK will find out in the coming days. Mr Farage has baggage on this going back a very long way. His fierce opposition to the Brussels establishment while he was in the European Parliament led him into some dangerous territory, where millions of his current supporters will not wish to follow him. It may once have seemed to him that anti-EU feeling led logically to sympathy with Russia's position on the westward expansion of both the EU and Nato. Now the expansion is heading the other way, and being conducted with tanks and bombs rather than diplomacy and subsidy. As a result, his long-ago positions, which he still seeks to defend, look like a grave liability. They also cause voters to wonder how much else about the Reform leader and his party needs to be carefully examined. What does he actually stand for, apart from a vague, cheeky opposition never tested in government? Reform is still astounding the nation by its choice of unfit candidates, presumably picked because nobody believed they would have the slightest chance of winning. It looks as if they were right about this. Mr Farage has suffered a heavy blow, and he has only himself to blame. A young woman from California has revealed how she raked in nearly six figures in just six months simply by taking photos while traveling the world. Alexandra Hallman, 25, has spent much of the past few years globetrotting after she discovered the ultimate strategy to making money while on vacation. She snaps photos of her surroundings, and then sells the images to companies to use across various marketing platforms - like social media, websites, and other advertising paths. While chatting with DailyMail.com about the method, she revealed that not only does she earn thousands a week from it, but that she is also often rewarded with perks like free hotel stays or products. Speaking exclusively DailyMail.com, Alex said that, after majoring in film production at the University of Seattle, she began creating content for businesses including local coffee shops and restaurants, as well as mega-brands like Virgin Galactic and L'Oreal. Alexandra Hallman, 25, raked in nearly six figures in just six months simply by taking photos while traveling the world She snaps photos of her surroundings, and then sells the images to companies to use across various marketing platforms - like social media, websites, and other advertising paths She'd initially dreamed of working in film, but became disheartened after struggling to find full-time work. 'I was barely scraping by, working three exhausting jobs to pay rent and afford groceries,' she recalled. So, she started thinking bigger. 'I always loved creating content,' she said. 'It never had to be, like, me modeling. I think that's what gets confusing with people on TikTok. 'They always think, "Oh, it's just for pretty people to do." But I was never in the photos; it was always photos of the food that the restaurants had. And they would use them on their menus.' 'So I got really good at photography,' she continued of her early professional experiences. A few years ago, Alex, who admits that she's never been keen on the idea of a rigid 9 to 5 job, found herself kite-surfing in Zanzibar. 'I love taking pictures. And I noticed that any item or product or surfboard that I held over this beautiful bright blue ocean - a pair of sunglasses, or a coconut or even a banana - anything just looked gorgeous with the view behind it,' she said. 'I was like, "Wow, these look like magazine covers, brands should be using this." And brands need photos in order to sell anything. Especially hotels, you want to know where you're staying.' From there, she starting posting scenic photos she took on her Instagram for free and tagging companies that could be interested. While chatting with DailyMail.com about the method, she revealed that not only does she earn thousands a week from it, but that she is also often rewarded with perks like free stuff Alex has spent much of the past few years globetrotting after she discovered the ultimate strategy to making money while on vacation 'And then these brands started picking up my photos and sharing them from all different countries,' she elaborated. 'And so my work was then getting spread internationally. In some of my all time favorite companies were then asking to use my photos to share on their socials.' This evolved into cold-emailing companies - for instance, the Hilton in Cabo - with relevant photos. Eventually, she began getting commissions for specific types of content from the likes of L'Oreal and more. 'The creator is making 100 per cent of the profit,' she emphasized, given that she works sans an agent or management team. 'You're not working a 9 to 5 for someone else.' 'And I can pick wherever I want to go,' she added, also mentioning that she was thrilled to recently make it to Sweden to see Taylor Swift in concert. She's also been able to visit Rome, where she was put up in a luxurious penthouse for a week. After years, her hard work has paid off, and she reported to DailyMail.com that she's brought in nearly six figures off her photos within the past six months alone. Alexandra often documents her travels on TikTok, where she has racked up more than 93,000 followers. But when some on social media began questioning what she'd done to achieve what looked to be an idyllic, carefree life, she bristled at the fact that the backbreaking labor she'd put in was going unacknowledged. It was on a kitesurfing trip to Zanzibar that she realized she could seemingly hold up anything in front of the blue ocean, snap a pic, and it would turn out like a 'magazine cover' In the years since, Alex has worked incredibly hard to build up her portfolio and clientele as a freelancer, and has racked in nearly six figures in the past six months That feeling ultimately compelled her to write a book detailing how she earns her income, called The Sleepy Millionaire: How To Get Paid To Travel, which she then followed up with a second one, entitled, No Clocking In: Profit 24/7 From What You Love. 'The book has done way better than I ever could have imagined,' she told DailyMail.com. And she's received overwhelming positive feedback, with people writing her from around the world to thank her for her insight. 'I'm waking up every morning crying, getting so many messages from young girls, and moms, even guys in college,' she shared. 'I'm just getting flooded with messages from people saying that I've changed their lives.' In a recent video, Alexandra, who goes by the The Sleepy Millionaire on her TikTok and Instagram, revealed that she made $12,000 alone during a trip to Aubra. 'I'm 25 years old, and I'm making $12,000 being in Aruba right now,' declared Alexandra. 'You do not need to be in [the photography industry]. Like, if I sit here and I take a picture of my hand holding this Corona with the ocean behind me, [I can] sell that photo,' she continued. 'It is so much money. Every single company needs photos.' In her TikTok, she reiterated that she broke down the steps of how she's built up her portfolio and clientele as a freelancer in her book. She explained on the video streaming app that her tome details everything from how to handle pricing, licensing rights, contracts to what to say in emails. 'Just copy and paste my email and send it to as many companies as you want, OK?' she went on. 'Everyone's overthinking this. It's like, send it to as many companies as you want. There is no limit. 'And like, whatever money you're making, it's not gonna change what I'm doing, because there's a billion companies in the world, there's so many hotels in the world, there's so many vacations to go on, so many countries, so many cities.' 'And you don't have to do it for travel,' she added, swearing that someone could even make money from photos they take on their 'couch at home.' The Los Angeles Times previously outlined how individuals can make passive income off of stock imagery. 'Although you normally won't earn a lot on any given sale, you can sell the same photo many times and in many different ways,' the paper reported. Among the most reliable recommended platforms were Adobe Stock, Shutterstock and iStock, Alamy and Foap. The rates vary widely, but generally are on a per-usage basis. The LA Times also warned against uploading your photos to sites that required exclusive rights on selling your images. Meanwhile, photographers can also sell their work to Etsy or 'print-on-demand' shops such as FineArtAmerica, RedBubble or Society6; through such platforms, images can be licensed to use as prints on a wide variety of consumer goods, such as puzzles and T-shirts. Since it came out in 2016, TikTok has become a platform for quite literally everything; whether you want to laugh, cry, learn how to bake a souffle or how to change a tyre. The social media app has been the medium through which millions of people across the world have launched a career, sharing content and receiving a salary through ad revenues and sponsorship deals. Lately, British blue-collar workers have been banking in on the money-making app, posting unexpectedly popular videos of different trades. A study from Bionic even found that tradespeople and small business owners could be making up to 11,000 per post as well as 1million per year. One popular TikToker, 'The Pool Guy', who is well known for his swimming pool cleaning videos, has amassed a whopping 14.8 millions followers on the app as well as 20 million total on his social media platforms which include YouTube and Instagram. Pink Plumbing has 36.5K followers and 225.7K likes and describes herself as 'just a plumber/gas engineer that loves Pink' The labourer, Miles Laflin from Bedfordshire, started making videos after being offered a permanent role as swimming pool apprentice. His website reads that he is skilled in: 'Everything from opening and closing, general maintenance, plumbing, and chemical balancing.' 'No job is too big and the dirtier the pool, the better!' he added. His content has become so popular that he's landed a number of celebrity clients including Stacey Solomon. A few years ago, it was estimated that the social media cleaning star could be earning up to 1.3million in year from sponsorships, significantly more than the figure suggested of 17,560 per year for an apprentice. Another popular trader who has started making cash from trade videos is the Paint Warrior, aka Kevin Tingley, who features clips showing how to get the most out of painting houses. The Surrey based painter has amassed over a million followers and 29.4 million likes on his videos, showing users things from how to wet a roller properly and how to get the cleanest paint job. The rate of earnings for decorators can vary significantly, with the salary from a newly qualified worker coming to 16,682 per year, a figure that is no doubt topped up by the trader's one million followers. Glyn Britton, Chief Customer Officer explained the new trend to Bionic: 'Social media, particularly TikTok, can be such an impressive tool for small businesses to use. Ryan Davis is a London based electrician with 343.4k followers and has 10.3 million likes on his channel Ryan, pictured, shares videos of his electrical workings, vlogs of his day and even the occasional ASMR video Jess Lorrio is an Only Fans model who recently turned her attention to carpenter TikTok where she uploads videos of her craftsmanship 'It allows them to share genuine footage of their day to day processes and jobs - giving people a glimpse "behind the scenes". 'Much of the video content we can see being created now is roughly filmed on smartphones by people with no formal social media experience. 'However, the authenticity, personality and craftsmanship being showcased is why the public readily engage time and time again.' No trade is left untouched as electrician, Ryan, from London, has proved with his popular TikTok account which brings in 343.4k followers and has 10.3 million likes. He documents his work life, sharing videos of his electrical workings, vlogs of his day and even the occasional ASMR video. His 300,000 followers likely provide a cash top up from his usual wage, which is 33,636 for the average UK electrician. And it's not just men profiting from the satisfying videos: a woman, called Pink Plumbing, has 36.5K followers and 225.7K likes and describes herself as 'just a plumber/gas engineer that loves Pink.' Real name Helena Szmalec, the labourer works for a female led plumbers with the same name which is based in Derby. She regularly posts videos of her installing pipes in mucky paint splattered worker trousers, along with a branded pink t-shirt with the company name on. Miles Laflin, pictured, from Bedfordshire, has 14 million followers on TikTok who all love to watch his cleaning transformation videos Paint Warrior, Kevin Tingley, has millions of followers on his account which shows him decorating houses The content creator's videos tend to show more typical TikTok clips with a sound or dance attached, rather than explainer videos of the work being done. Nevertheless, the allure of the trade has still helped her collect a strong following on the app, which no doubt helps put pounds in the pocket. The wage for a plumber in the UK would normally be around 28,974 for a working professional. Jess Lorrio is another who has realised the potential of profiting from working videos, though, it isn't her main source of income. The American OnlyFans model describes herself as a 'Finish Carpenter Model Momma' and regularly posts to her 68.8k followers, videos of her sawing through palettes and building decking. The blonde model appears scantily clad in videos shared to her TikTok account where she shows off her many talents, including installing a drop ceiling, tiling her own shower or re-doing her own stairs. The salary for a UK based carpenter would be 18,000 for an apprentice. Whether it be explainer videos on tricks of the trade or simply the satisfying end result of a job, trades people videos are popular and are likely helping labourers bulk out their wallets. One explanation for why users enjoy content which shows a before and after could be the popularity of videos where a task is completed or satisfied. 'Oddly satisfying videos' on the app have pulled in 3 million views. The Queen was snapped enjoying a chat with former ballerina Dame Darcey Bussell at Royal Ascot on Friday - the penultimate day of the summer society event. Camilla, 76, revealed earlier this year that she is 'one of the greatest fans of Strictly Come Dancing' - which Darcey was a judge on. In addition, the Queen is patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, of which Darcey is the president. So no doubt the two women had much to talk about when their paths crossed at the horse racing event today. Both women attended with their husbands - at one point, Darcey looked like she was about to break into a dance with Angus Forbes, with whom she tied the knot in 1997. King Charles and Queen Camilla appear happy as they speak with Dame Darcey Bussell and her husband Angus Forbes The former dancer looked chic in a fuchsia midi dress, which she paired with a cream fascinator and tortoiseshell sunglasses Dame Darcey Bussell (pictured, left) speaks with a smiling Queen Camilla (pictured, left) at Royal Ascot today The former ballerina looked extremely chic in a fuchsia midi dress, made from a light fabric that skimmed her elegant frame. Queen Camilla, 76, who had arrived by carriage earlier in the day, accompanied by Lord and Lady Bamford, was equally chic. She opted for a light blue suit, with her statement feathered hat caught at times by the afternoon breeze. And King Charles, 75, cut a dapper figure in a pale grey morning suit with a pink waistcoat and pink and blue gingham shirt. The Queen famously loves Strictly Come Dancing, and has previously joked about taking up tap dancing in her 'dotage'. Meanwhile, former Strictly judge Darcey is a fan of Queen Camilla: when the 76-year-old was announced as patron of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) earlier this year, Darcey branded the news 'wonderful'. She added: 'Queen Camilla has been such an engaged supporter of the RAD for many years. 'Her patronage will make such a difference to the members of the RAD and she will help encourage all generations to benefit from the many attributes dance .' Former Strictly judge Dame Darcey Bussell is pictured arriving by carriage on day four of Royal Ascot The former ballerina was pictured joking around with another racegoer during her outing today in Berskhire King Charles, resplendent in grey tails and a pink waistcoat was pictured doffing his top hat while chatting to Darcey The King, 76, looked dapper today, pairing his grey suit with a pink waistcoat, blue tie, and top hat (pictured with Darcey Bussell) Darcey Bussell and her husband Angus Forbes cut a dashing couple today as they attended Royal Ascot Queen Camilla and Darcey Bussell appeared to be enjoying their interaction during the penultimate day of Royal Ascot The King cut a dapper figure in a pale grey morning suit with a pink waistcoat, and Queen Camilla matched the monarch in the style stakes, wearing a light blue suit and a statement feathered hat at Royal Ascot on Friday The King's pastel pink and blue gingham shirt perfectly matched the small carnation on his lapel King Charles offered a wave of his black top hat as the first carriage made its way through the spectators The royals have enjoyed the summer society staple all week, and looked to be ready for another flutter on Friday afternoon Two footmen expertly manage the open-topped carriage as it makes its way to the royal box Keep your hat on! Queen Camilla, wearing a beautiful brooch and diamond bracelet, keeps her feathered headwear in place Camilla has attended every day so far at Ascot, with the King missing Wednesday's carriage procession The King and Queen's carriage was closely followed by Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo 'Edo' Mapelli Mozzi and Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, who travelled together in the procession. Princess Beatrice, 35, donned a 2,995 Emilia Wickstead green Brita dress, teamed with a lemon clutch bag and heels. The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York wore a Juliette Botterill percher headwear, also in lemon. And husband Edo made sure he was co-ordinating with his wife, wearing a lemon waistcoat under his morning suit. Former Prima Ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing star Dame Darcey Bussell, wearing a striking shade of magenta, also enjoyed a ride to the royal enclosure, alongside her husband Angus Forbes. The couple chatted to the King and Queen, and at one point looked as if they might break into one of Darcey's trademark dances. Elsewhere, love was very much in the air as Peter Phillips put on a tactile display with his new girlfriend, NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. In the pink: King Charles chats to Dame Darcey Bussell, who looked chic in a bright magenta pink dress and grey suede heels Charles, with an umbrella in hand, strolls alongside Queen Camilla as the King and Queen arrive for the fourth day of action at Royal Ascot Promenading: The King and Queen walk close to Dame Darcey and her husband Angus F Shall we dance? Former Prima Ballerina Darcey Bussell clasps hands with her husband in a sweet moment Princess Anne's son, 46, had embarked on his new romance with Harriet, who is an NHS nurse, just weeks after separating from his partner of three years. In May, the couple spent the weekend together at the Badminton Horse Trial where they were spotted strolling hand in hand. And the pair didn't hold back on affections this afternoon either as they were snapped leaning into one another and sharing sweet glances. The loved up couple shared a tender kiss as they mingled in the royal enclosure. Wearing a similar hat to the Queen, Sophie Winkleman, aka Lady Frederick Windsor, opted for a 50s style powder blue jacket dress. The former Peep Show star was spotted chatting to Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo, alongside husband Lord Frederick Windsor. Princess Beatrice opted for a green Emilia Wickstead dress, which retails at 2,995, with a pale lemon clutch bag that coordinated with her hat Edo offers an admiring glance at this wife, who looked elegant in the lemon and green ensemble All eyes on the course: Beatrice and Edo look focused on their horses Standing with friends, the couple soaked up the action on the penultimate day of racing action Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor pictured mingling with Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo in the royal enclosure Wearing a similar hat to the Queen, Sophie Winkleman, aka Lady Frederick Windsor, opted for a 50s style powder blue jacket dress Seated next to Princess Beatrice in the second carriage in the procession, Sophie Winkleman offered a broad grin as she bypassed spectators Later, in the stands, the King and Sophie Winkleman chatted as they watched the runners and riders Peter Phillips arrived holding hands with NHS nurse girlfriend Harriet Sperling, who looked chic in a pastel pink outfit, teamed with a geometric clutch bad and coordinated oversized bow headwear Friday feeling: The new couple looked delighted to be enjoying an afternoon at the races ...and even shared a kiss as they mingled with other society movers and shakers Later NHS worker Harriet could be seen enjoying a chat with Queen Camilla as the royals waited for the races to begin The Queen put a gloved hand up to steady her hat which was caught by the breeze The King and Queen looked on fine form as they chatted to fellow Royal Ascot-goers in he royal enclosure on Friday afternoon Meanwhile, revellers attending put on their best attire, creating a beautiful sea of vibrant colours and fabrics as they showed up for day two of the Royal Ascot this morning. As ever, flamboyant hats and gowns were front and centre as the society event in Berkshire kicked off on Friday. Dressed to the nines, groups of classy racegoers opted to coordinate their attire for the annual occasion, rather than wearing their ensembles solo. A band called The Tootsie Rolls proudly stepped out in the same blue and white gingham petticoat dress and donned similar fascinators. A duo brought the sunshine to the track in Berkshire as they arrived dressed in similar yellow dresses, buttermilk-coloured heels and lemon floral headwear. Peter Phillips points out a potential winner to his fellow guests in the royal enclosure Sporting sunglasses, Princess Anne's son enjoyed a glass of champagne at the summer diary must Some racegoers brought the sunshine by donning bright yellow ensembles with matching fascinators Lady in red! Two women sported similar cherry red frocks and matching shoes at the races today It appears there is an increasing number of pals wanting to arrive at the society event and put on a strong sartorial display. Athlete-turned-personal-trainer Jennifer Pacey turned heads in a bright red dress paired with a Louis Vuitton bag and posed for a picture with her friend who also sported the exact shade. A trio posed for a picture donning the same fascinator but in differing colours that incorporated what each of them was wearing. Standards have not slipped from yesterday's display of elegant fashion as revellers arrived dressed in all their finery. Elsewhere, fashion designer Louise Roe kept things simple but sophisticated in a pale blue dress with corset-style detailing and a matching hat. Television presenter Charlotte Hawkins sported an emerald green vine print white frock with a bow on the front, along with a matching pair of pointed heels. Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, started on Tuesday with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday. This year's meeting will have an overall prize-money pot of 10million. This is a record amount for Royal Ascot. The minimum winnings for all eight Group 1 races will be 650,000. It was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for 'horses to gallop at full stretch' and has today become a major social event as well as a sporting attraction. For the first time in its 313-year history, Ascot Racecourse announced this year the appointment of a creative director. A band called the The Tootsie Rollers rocked matching vintage chic dresses for Ascot Three pals opted to wear bright and colour matching fascinators with love hearts on the top Rosie Tapner looked elegant in a long pleated cream dress with a large pink floral fascinator One woman stepped out and donned a hot pink floaty dress and fluffy neon green fascinator Two women posed for pictures at the Berkshire racecourse today as day four kicks off Two pals showed up for the event dressed white and pastel-coloured dresses Revellers put on their best attire, creating a beautiful sea of vibrant colours and fabrics as they showed up for day two of the Royal Ascot this morning One reveller looked stunning as she donned a monochrome gown embroidered with flowers and sheer mesh sleeves The event was a sea of colour today, with one racegoer donning a white and blue mesh dress with a box bag and a Vivienne Westwood pearl necklace Another chic racegoer looked stunning in black and white suit paired with a Gucci Dionysus bag British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher was responsible for the creation of the annual Lookbook and Millinery Collective in 2024, which set the style tone for the year and often inspire racegoers' outfits. He's known for his classically tailored silhouettes and modern gender-fluid clothes; his Spring/Summer 2023 collection included corset designs for both men and women. The Cheshire-born designer, whose first customer was the eccentric Harry Styles, told GQ in 2023: 'The idea of an item of clothing being for a specific gender is such a funny one. 'I understand that something like a bra is designed for function, but when it comes to a shirt, why would we apply gender to something like that? And for me, the same applies to the corset.' Former One Direction member Harry whose style has included jumpsuits, feather boas, skirts and dresses, became Daniel's first customer after buying all the boxy short-sleeved shirts from the designer's graduate collection in 2015. 'Harry had a huge impact on my career,' Daniel admitted to GQ in 2020. 'At 24 years old I couldn't believe what was happening.' Since then, the designer's career has gone from strength to strength, with A-listers including James McAvoy, Robert Pattinson, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Corrin and Emerald Fennell wearing his looks. The Central Saint Martins graduate has also designed for some of the world's most prestigious houses including Louis Vuitton, Lanvin and JW Anderson and held the role of Artistic Director for Italian label Fiorucci between 2019 and 2023. A group of boys look in high spirits as they pour themselves an Appletiser beverage A racegoer dressed in a sapphire blue ensemble poses for a picture at Royal Ascot in Berkshire today Racegoer Charly Blackburn looked elegant in a ruffled blue and yellow gown, a wired fascinator and a hamper style box bag Boys in top hats were snapped drinking Appletiser as they enjoy a picnic in the car park Vintage style! This retro band called the The Tootsie Rollers stepped out in blue gingham petticoat dresses One racegoer upped the style stakes by wearing a creative wide-brimmed hat with two champagne flutes on top of it Former MP Gyles Brandreth looks dapper as he arrives at Royal Ascot with his wife Michele As ever, flamboyant hats and gowns were front and centre as the society event in Berkshire kicked off on Friday Two racegoers show off creative ensembles at Royal Ascot today, with one donning satin leopard print and another opting for a white dress Television presenter Charlotte Hawkins arrived for day four of Ascot in a white and green floaty frock Men sporting three-piece suits and top hats arrive at the racecourse in Berkshire today A bit of all white! One reveller went for classic chic and donned a buttoned-up waistcoat, a pleated skirt and some gold heels Fashion and celebrity stylish Nana Acheampong opted for a pale blue gown with a matching fascinator, silver bangles and a crocodile bag Fun designs, textures and floral displays dominated the fashion today as day three kicked off at Ascot Revellers were dressed to the nines as they enjoyed an early start to the weekend at Royal Ascot today He was nominated for the LVMH prize in 2017, was a winner of the European Semi- Final of the International Woolmark Prize and named Breakthrough Designer of The Year in the 2020 GQ Men of The Year Awards. After many successful seasons showing his collections on the London Fashion Week schedule, Daniel took part in Netflix's 'Next In Fashion' series which saw him make it to the final. The history of fashion at Royal Ascot Late 1700s It was Beau Brummell, a close friend of the Prince Regent, who decreed that 'men of elegance should wear waisted black coats and white cravats with pantaloons' and this set the tone for the dress code that is still adhered to by men in the Royal Enclosure. 1830s Queen Victoria's visit to Royal Ascot saw her arrive in a pretty lace dress with a full bell skirt and shawl. She also started a craze for the porter bonnet, shielding the wearer from male eyes. 1890s As the dawn of a new century arrived, fashion took on an almost celebratory tone. Skirts were less full, but silhouettes made a greater statement with angular hips and puffed sleeves. Hats were large and full of feathers and adornments. 1900s One of fashion's most iconic images; that of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady was inspired when costume designer Cecil Beaton saw images of Black Ascot, The 1910 Royal Ascot meeting was in full mourning over the death of King Edward. 1920s Hemlines were shorter and cuts were smaller in the 1920s reflecting a post-war generation's rebellion against old traditions. Pearls and furs were the accessories of the day. 1950s Christian Dior's New Look, a small waist and full skirt, was proving popular however it was when the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth and her stylish sister Princess Margaret wore the style at Royal Ascot that it was cemented in history. 1960s Royal Ascot's glamorous profile elevated when Italian actress Sophia Loren was photographed in the Royal Enclosure. In modern times some of the biggest names in Hollywood and fashion have attended. 1970s Trouser suits became more popular following their introduction to the dress code in 1971. Gertrude Shilling, The Ascot Mascot, delighted the press with her extravagant outfits. One year, one of her son David's millinery designs outgrew the Shilling's long-wheel-based Rolls Royce, so the hat had to follow in a van behind. 1980s Sharp lines and bright colours took centre stage during this decade. With statement hats and pointed heels, there was little room for floaty florals in 1980s glamour. 2012 Royal Ascot officially launches its Style Guide to racegoers outlining dress code regulations for the Royal Enclosure and Queen Anne Enclosure (formally known as Grandstand). 2017 The jumpsuit is formally accepted in the Royal Enclosure Dress Code and the Queen Anne Enclosure Dress Code is extended to the new Village Enclosure. 2018 Royal Ascot introduces Style Guides for the Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure. 2020 Royal Ascot runs behind closed doors for the first time in the event's history during the global COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 Navy morning suits were permitted in the Royal Enclosure. Source: Royal Ascot Advertisement Of his latest appointment, Daniel said: 'I'm thrilled to be appointed as Ascot's first Creative Director and have thrown myself into the new role. 'I'm keen to encapsulate the rich heritage of the racecourse while embracing the unique dress codes, adding a contemporary twist to bring a flair that Ascot hasn't seen before. Two dressed-up women pose for selfies at Royal Ascot in Berkshire today Racegoers picnic behind the boot of their car in the car park at the racecourse in Berkshire today Flamboyant hats and gowns were front and centre as the society event in Berkshire kicked off on Friday Fabulous florals! A racegoer is snapped wearing a chic yet modest ensemble featuring a rose skirt and a cream blouse Athlete Jennifer Pacey turned heads in a bright red dress paired with a Louis Vuitton bag Satin ensembles seemed to be a popular choice for racegoers, who wore the material from head-to-toe A woman opted to wear a navy dress with a hot pink clutch bag and a large pink floral fascinator 'For 2024, I want to inspire racegoers to push the boundaries with their own unique style and immerse themselves in the opportunity to embrace their own creativity and what better occasion than Royal Ascot! 'I'm super excited to reveal the next evolution of style direction for the world- renowned brand and can't wait for the vision to become a reality.' The Best of British Edit takes inspiration from Daniel's lifelong fascination with British Heritage and features clashing stripes and ties worn with whimsical silk dresses. He said the New Guard Edit is dedicated to the next generation of independent brands and designers, with a new take on occasion dressing. The Conscious Edit aims to showcase how racegoers can dress up whilst thinking about the impact their fashion choices have on the environment. This includes a custom suit designed and made in London by Fletcher using a deadstock lightweight tweed. Fletcher said the Luxury Edit is for racegoers who are looking to elevate their look and add a touch of glamour. Some pieces included have intricate and unique elements to the designs, for example, the intarsia knits in Missoni dresses, to pleating from Zimmerman, and draping from Marc Jacobs. Whilst the designer says you can never go wrong with a classic Top hat and Tails, the Tailoring Edit highlights other ways to incorporate tailoring into race day dressing. The Albany Stakes, The Coronation Stakes, The Sandringham Stakes and The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, The King Edward VII Stakes, The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup will all take place today. Queen Mary hosted the Maratonsang event at Vartov College in Copenhagen Queen Mary of Denmark looked typically chic as she made a special appearance at a university in Copenhagen yesterday. The 52-year-old royal hosted the Maratonsang event at Vartov College in the centre of the city. Maratonsang is an annual tradition which held on the longest day of the year. It sees hundreds of people gather in the courtyard of Vartov College to sing together, from early morning to late evening. The Australian-born Queen appeared delighted to be hosting the event, and was photographed smiling and waving at the assembled crowds. Queen Mary of Denmark arrives at Vartov College as she hosts the Maratonsang Event on June 21 The popular royal was snapped smiling as she waved at the crowds who'd come to see her arrive at the event Mary arrived at Vartov College looking stylish as always, in an orange maxi dress feating a white floral print. The long-sleeved frock had long sleeve, a round neckline, and a white seam which cinched in the waist. Her frock was created by Australian sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann's eponymous brand which they founded in Sydney in 1991. She paired the dress with pointed, heeled Mary Jane style pumps, which had two thin straps across her foot, and were the same hue as her dress. Mother-of-four Mary styled her shiny chestnut locks into a half-up, half-down do, which allowed her to show off a pair of dangly green and orange statement earrings, while still leaving some of her tresses flowing loosely down her back in gentle waves. When it came to her make-up, the popular royal looked radiant, with fresh, dewy skin and peach blush. She paired her base with a light smokey eye, using brown shadow for definition, and a natural pink lip. During the event, Queen Mary led part of the service with several songs, which had a Denmark theme. The 52-year-old royal donned an orange frock with a white floral print by Australian design brand Zimmermann Queen Mary of Denmark was originally born in Australia. She is highly popular with the Danish public Queen Mary (pictured) arrives at Vartov College looking stylish as always, in her Zimmermann frock The royal paired her dress with a pair of dangling statement earrings, featuring green and orange stones Earlier this month, Queen Mary and her husband King Frederik X made a joint engagement as they marked the 175th anniversary of the Constitution in Copenhagen. Mary and her husband put on a united front, appearing in high spirits despite having been plagued with rumours of marital struggles since the King was pictured enjoying an evening out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova last year. The publication of the photos resulted in Genoveva, 47, issuing a statement denying a romantic relationship between herself and the royal and slamming the 'malicious' rumours. That appearance came after King Frederik and Queen Mary appeared on the Amalienborg Palace balcony for the monarch's birthday. The father-of-four celebrated his first birthday since he ascended the throne on 26 May and greeted crowds of royal fans who had gathered outside the residence. Frederik and Mary were joined on the balcony by their four children Crown Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 17, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 13. The Queen looked radiant and fresh faced as she attended the annual event in Copenhagen yesterday She wore a microphone as she lead some of songs which had a Danish theme during the annual event Despite being born in Australia, Mary has embraced the Danish language and culture, making her very popular The family-of-six were joined on the balcony by Queen Margrethe, 84, who abdicated in January following a 52-year reign. The mother-of-two looked glamorous in a bright pink midi dress with short sleeves. Earlier that day, the Danish Royal Household released a new portrait of King Frederik to mark the monarch's 56th birthday. Australian-born Mary and Frederik's 23-year romance was often dubbed a 'real-life fairytale' after they met in a Sydney pub. But pictures emerged of the monarch having an evening out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova - the former daughter-in-law of the billionaire Duchess of Alba - in November last year. The pair were seen walking through Madrid before heading to her apartment building, changing clothes and heading out again for the evening. Queen Camilla was photographed meeting Henry Winkler as she attended Royal Ascot on Saturday. The actor, who beamed as he shook hands with the royal, is best known for his role as The Fonz on Happy Days. His appearance comes as the five-day event in Berkshire, which is a highlight of the social calendar, draws to a close. There has been a strong royal presence at Ascot this year, with the King, 75, only missing one day (Wednesday) due to his ongoing cancer treatment. However, the Queen, 76, was on hand to lead the procession until the monarch returned on Thursday. HAPPY DAYS: Queen Camilla is pictured meeting Henry Winkler, best known for his role as Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli The US actor and director was seen doffing his top hat as he shook hands with Queen Camilla Queen Camilla and King Charles look tense as they watch the horse racing during day five of Royal Ascot Camilla, who has been praised for her stylish ensembles throughout the event, wore a very pale blush coat for the fifth day of the races. She paired it with a cream hat and pair of gloves, finishing her look with a statement choker featuring three strands of pearls. The eye-catching piece, which features a purple centre stone, used to belong to the Queen Mother. Meanwhile, the King, opted for a classic top hat and tails look, pairing a grey suit with a complementary pale grey waistcoat and lavender tie. He finished off his outfit with black shoes, a large black umbrella, and a black top hat. The royal couple led the carriage procession alongside Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar, and Lady Charles Spencer-Churchill. This year's Royal Ascot has been an eventful one, with a number of high-profile guests attending. Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Eugenie, Princess Anne and others were snapped watching the races. DAPPER: the King and Queen look stylish as they attend the final day of Royal Ascot in Berkshire today The King has attended four of the five days of Royal Ascot, only missing one due to his ongoing cancer treatment The couple led the carriage procession, alongside Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Lady Charles Spencer-Churchill Racing manager John Warren and Queen Camilla (both pictured) watch racing through binoculars The American actor and director (pictured, left) appeared to be delighted at meeting Queen Camilla today (pictured, right) At one point, Henry Winkler was seen clutching his phone and smiling, as it appeared he was taking a picture Mrs Dominic Spencer-Churchill (pictured, right) attends day five of Royal Ascot on Saturday Also in attendance was Lady Gabriella Windsor, who made her first official public appearance at the event, following the tragic death of her husband earlier this year. And the Princess of Wales' mother and father - Carole and Michael Middleton - attended the second day of Royal Ascot. The outing marked their first public appearance since their daughter's cancer diagnosis was made public. While Prince William was seen spending time with his in-laws that day, his wife Kate Middleton was not present, due to her ongoing treatment for cancer. However, several days earlier, Kate had made her own spectacular return to public life, at Trooping the Colour on Saturday. The dapper couple appear to have enjoyed this year's event, with Camilla attending all five days King Charles (pictured) only missed one day of Royal Ascot this year, which was due to his ongoing treatment for cancer Despite concerns that Royal Ascot might lose some of connection with the Royal Family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the King has been a strong presence at both of the events so far during his reign Dressed in their finery, the beaming Middletons looked in good spirits as they arrived side-by-side for the prestigious event at the Berkshire racecourse. Prince William, who led the royal carriage procession along side Queen Camilla in the absence of his father on day two of the society event, spent time chatting to his mother and father-in-law ahead of the races beginning. Royal Ascot was established in 1711 by Queen Anne, who described Ascot as the perfect place for 'horses to gallop at full stretch'. It has been a highlight of the racing calendar since, as well as the royal calendar. The event a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who rarely missed it. After her death, some thought its connection with the Royal Family may have been affected. However, King Charles has been to Royal Ascot both of the years he has been monarch, even seeing his horse Desert Hero clinch an unlikely victory in the King George V Stakes last year. A sun-loving young woman who was diagnosed with skin cancer at just 20 years old admits she was 'naive' about how deadly the harsh Australian sun can be. Teisha Ward, from Melbourne, loved soaking up the sunshine by tanning at the beach or poolside - but was unaware of the irreversible damage being done. Speaking to FEMAIL, the now 25-year-old executive assistant said she was far too 'blase' after being diagnosed with stage three melanoma skin cancer and was certain doctors could simply 'cut it out'. 'My older sister Georgia noticed I had a small, dark freckle on my back that had risen above the skin. It had become itchy and would bleed when scratched and she encouraged me to get it checked out,' Teisha said. The life-changing diagnosis came four years after Teisha broke her back in a horrid motorbike accident where she needed to learn how to walk again. Teisha Ward, from Melbourne, was diagnosed with skin cancer at 20 Recalling the day she saw her GP about the freckle, Teisha said: 'I went to the doctor's appointment pretty blase about the whole situation. As soon as they looked at it, they said: "Yeah we're 99 per cent sure that's melanoma". 'But even after I heard those words it didn't hit me how serious it was.' After the appointment she hopped back in the car with her dad and sister and told them the news. Her dad instantly became very worried and stopped the car, turned around and went back to the clinic with Teisha to find out more. He asked doctors for more details and was informed the freckle needed to be removed right away. The sinister spot was cut out two days later and a biopsy on the cells was conducted, then Teisha was referred to an oncologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. That's when it hit her. The freckle can be seen on her shoulder blade. It was small yet had raised above the skin and bled when she scratched it Her older sister Georgia (right) noticed a small freckle on her back that had risen, felt itchy and would bleed when scratched. Georgia urged Teisha to go to the doctor 'It's been a long journey for my health so dad was worried for me. We basically lived at the Royal Price Alfred so going back there brought back bad memories,' she said. The biopsy results showed the cancer had already moved under the skin so Teisha required an operation to remove more of the surrounding area. 'When I was diagnosed it was a shocking but I was more hurt for my parents - it was so hard seeing what it did to them emotionally and mentally,' Teisha said. 'Given I had the motorbike accident four years prior, I couldn't believe we were going to need to spend more time in the hospital because of cancer.' Doctors also needed to conduct a 'lymph node test' that involved inserting dye into Teisha's body to highlight any other cancer cells. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes under her arms and 11 lymph nodes were removed in total. 'That was probably the hardest surgery I had because I couldn't put my arms down and sat with my arms up for a week,' she explained. Biopsy results showed the cancer had already moved under the skin so Teisha required an operation to remove more of the surrounding area. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes under her arms and 11 were removed from her armpits While on treatment she lost some of her hair, felt extremely weak, had no appetite, and her skin was super dry. At the time she was working in real estate but couldn't continue and started dating her boyfriend, AFL player Dylan Clarke Shortly after surgery, Teisha started oral chemotherapy and doctors were confident it would work at fighting the cancer. While on treatment she lost some of her hair, felt extremely weak, had no appetite, and her skin was super dry. At the time she was working in real estate but couldn't continue and started dating her boyfriend Dylan Clarke. Her chemotherapy continued for 18 months and it was successful. Now Teisha has regular check-ups to ensure the cancer hasn't returned. The hardest part of the entire ordeal wasn't the cancer itself but was watching loved ones suffer in support. 'My partner Dylan has been my rock the entire time and helped me through everything,' she said. 'Still to this day my family struggle worrying about the unknown and if it'll come back. It's a waiting game for now.' Chemotherapy continued for 18 months and it was successful. Now Teisha has regular check-ups to ensure the cancer hasn't returned What are the different types of a skin cancer? There are three main types of skin cancer: melanoma (including nodular melanoma), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma Melanoma: Most deadly form of skin cancer and if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Appears as a new spot or an existing spot that changes in colour, size or shape. Basal cell carcinoma: Most common, least dangerous form of skin cancer. Red, pale or pearly in colour, appears as a lump or dry, scaly area. Grows slowly, usually on areas that are often exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma: A thickened, red scaly spot that may bleed easily, crust or ulcerate. Grows over some months, usually on areas often exposed to the sun. More likely to occur in people over 50 years of age Advertisement 'I feel like this has definitely shaped me into a better person who's stronger and more empathetic. It just goes to show you have no idea what people are going through,' she said. 'If you looked at me when I was sick you wouldn't necessarily think I had cancer, but I did.' Teisha said she's also been given a 'whole knew perspective on life' and she now wears sunscreen daily. She also blamed the schooling system for a lack of education in Australia about being sun safe and the consequences that can occur from not doing so. The experience inspired Teisha and Georgia to launch a self-tanning brand GT Skin in 2021 to encourage other Aussies to be aware of the deadly sun. 'Don't tan in the sun - it's not worth it,' Teisha warned. 'When I was a kid it was cool and attractive to be tanned. I think there's a big lack of education about sun safety too hence why we started GT Skin.' Currently the brand offers face tans, body tans and hats but are planning to expand into sunscreen products. A young woman has spoken about how a single text message saved her life after an NHS GP missed the early signs of breast cancer. Romilly Smith, from London, went to her NHS GP in September 2021 as she was experiencing discharge from her nipples. But the 33-year-old claimed the doctor did not check her over and instead said: 'You're really young, it's just because you're on the pill.' However, a few months later she received her regular text message from the charity CoppaFeel, reminding her to check her breasts. Romilly then checked herself and found a lump in her breast and two months after her appointment, she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer in November 2021. Romilly (pictured before her diagnosis) froze her eggs a month after she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer Speaking about the GP, Romilly told FEMAIL: '[I felt] incredibly, incredibly frustrated and upset because if I hadn't checked, I might not be here today. 'That's definitely scary to be let down in that way, especially when you put your trust in doctors and health professionals. 'I feel lucky that I checked and found the lump myself because I might not be here talking to you right now. 'The text message is genuinely what saved my life because I was just getting those texts randomly because I had signed up one day.' Romilly has since registered with a new NHS GP, who she described as 'amazing', and does not see the one who she claims missed her cancer anymore. She believes everyone should push medical professionals if they feel like something is wrong with their body. She said: 'It's best to think you're a bit of a hypochondriac or that you're fussing at your doctor, and survive than to [think] I better not push or I'm too scared to do that. 'I think often, especially as women, we're made to feel like [like we are] overreacting because I found this nipple discharge, but actually, I had cancer.' She said the GP practice did a full three month investigation into her case and organised them to have training in womens health afterwards. Romilly, who has been cancer-free since July 2022, recalled the moment she was told that she had the disease. The producer said she 'froze up' and added that she still has not fully processed that she battled cancer. Romilly (pictured before being diagnosed with cancer) said symptoms such as hot flushes and a loss of sex drive have impacted her life Romilly (pictured during her cancer treatment) said she changed her GP after they missed her cancer diagnosis and urged others to push doctors if they feel like something is wrong Romilly (pictured during her cancer treatment) said she feels lucky that she checked her breasts after getting a message as she said she may have not 'been here today' 'It's kind of pure disbelief. I went into my meeting thinking that I was just going to pop into the hospital and they were going to say it was just a cyst,' she said. 'But it was that pure shock of 'what the f***, I can't believe this is happening' basically.' As Covid restrictions were in place at the time, the hospital told her not to bring anyone to the appointment, but Romilly requested that her mother be there with her. 'Thank God [she was there]. If I had listened to them, I would have been there finding out that information on my own, which is pretty horrendous. I know a lot of other people went through that as well,' she added. She went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had lumpectomy surgery over the course of 10 months. Romilly said that doctors were quick to start treatment but Romilly said that medics did not inform her about what it would mean for the future, as she is currently experiencing menopause in her early thirties. Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels and it usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. She said: 'It's almost like we do the chemo and then the next step and it's not really until after your surgery that they [tell you] to take these tablets for the next five to ten years. Romilly is pictured in hospital during her treatment for breast cancer in 2022 after finding a lump She went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had lumpectomy surgery over the course of 10 months The 33-year-old producer from London is experiencing menopause symptoms after beating cancer Romilly said she was glad that her mother was able to be there in the appointment with her so that they could process the diagnosis together 'You get told the good news and then you've got all this to face. A lot of people think the journey stops when your hair has grown back and you're not in an illness phase but there's a lot they don't necessarily see.' A month after her diagnosis, Romilly decided to freeze her eggs before going for chemotherapy in January 2022, which lasted around four months. Breast cancer - what are the signs and symptoms? Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. It is most common in women over 50, but in rarer cases, younger women and men can also get it. If its treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. Symptoms of breast cancer include: A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts Discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood) A lump or swelling in either of your armpits Dimpling on the skin of your breasts A rash on or around your nipple A change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast Source: NHS inform Advertisement Before starting chemo, she began taking Letrozole, a daily tablet, and Zoladex, a monthly injection, together. Doctors say it is unclear whether her body is going through menopause or whether it is medically induced and she is just experiencing symptoms. 'We don't know if my ovaries survived chemo. We won't know until I either take a break or at the end of my five to ten years on medication,' she said. 'They say it'll cause hot flushes but they don't really talk about what that means. It feels so isolating because your mum's friends and older women [understand] what those hot flushes are like and that's your only reference point. 'But I'm 33 now, this is my prime time to think about babies, my life and my sex life. You think, who can I talk to about this?' Romilly believes she experienced menopausal symptoms during her treatment but only realised it after she was cancer free. According to the Menopause and Cancer organisation, cancer treatment triggers permanent menopause for 40 per cent of women under 40 and between 70 to 90 per cent of women over 40. Romilly said symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness and a loss of sex drive have impacted her life. She experiences an 'awful crawling, creeping sensation' through her body whenever a hot flush is about to come on. 'They really make you feel sick and sometimes a bit dizzy and then it's an intense burning mainly in my cheeks. 'That's definitely the worst one because obviously at nighttime, it gets even worse and then you then lose sleep. 'The vaginal dryness is a difficult one because that means you're getting cystitis or you're having problems with having sex. 'Generally, libido has been a big one for me. Losing that, at my age, generally is pretty awful. 'I was in a new relationship, just as this was all happening. So in a way, it was quite good, because he came along on that journey with me. 'He's amazing, super understanding and brilliant with it but obviously, it comes with its own issues as well.' Romilly said losing her libido in her thirties has been a big thing for her, but her partner is 'super understanding' The organisation also says that 88 per cent of women in their community have said they have not had any support in helping them manage menopause after cancer. Romilly said: '[It feels like] you're in a no man's land between your GP, your oncology team, who [say] you're cancer free so you're not really [their] problem anymore. 'Then the GPs are scared to do anything without the oncology team, so it feels bit like where do I go? ' She is receiving therapy to help her navigate her thoughts and feelings about the process but has also praised the Menopause and Cancer charity's podcast because it made her feel 'less alone' with her situation. When asked what advice she had for those who have just been diagnosed with cancer, Romilly said: 'Definitely lean on your nearest and dearest, as much as you can, and build that little support network around yourself. 'Take it day by day, hour by hour, if you need to. Try to not focus too much on the bigger picture. [Think] what do I have to do today? I have to walk the end of the road and just set yourself those little small wins every day. 'Try not to focus too much on [asking the questions] "Oh god, what's going to happen? Will my treatment work?".' For those going through early menopause or experiencing these symptoms, she said to research and find the resources that work for you and take advantage of the services that the hospital provides. I was 15 years old when they locked me up in a psychiatric hospital. I spent 353 days away from my teenage life, forced to spend up to 12 hours a day sitting on a chair and staring at a wall. The experience set me up for a lifetime of traumatic memories, which still haunt me now, at the age of 52. My disease? According to my doctors, I had major depressive disorder and was a risk to myself. This came as a shock to me, given that I did not feel depressed. Six years after my year-long hospital admission, my suspicion that I was falsely imprisoned was validated. I learned that the ordeal was part of a money-making scheme dreamt up by the Texas hospital. A subsequent legal investigation revealed that the hospital kept kids in the unit so it could collect insurance money. School counselors were given financial rewards for sending kids like me to the psych unit. Still, all these years later, now that I am happily married and have a job as a backpacking guide, I often wonder, how could this have happened to me? The ordeal began in 1987, with a skateboard. My friend at school had broken his and, wanting to be a good friend, I offered him mine and bought a new one, in the hope it meant we could continue to skate together. Bizarrely, the school counselor thought my sudden burst of generosity was a sign of declining mental health. I was parting with my 'most prized possession,' she told my mother. I guess this out-of-character gesture wasn't helped by my 'skate punk' phase, which I entered around the time of my parents divorced several years earlier. Perhaps it was a response to my mom treating me like a reminder of her ex-husband and the life she wanted to leave behind, passing me from relative to relative. Even so, my moods were nothing you wouldn't expect from a hormonal teenager. Despite this, my guidance counselor somehow convinced my mother that I was at risk of suicide because I had given my skateboard to a friend after buying a new one. In just 24 hours, the whole thing had been blown completely out of proportion and I found myself being taken to a psychiatric hospital. 'Its only for two weeks,' my mom said, giving me a hug. 'For an evaluation.' Banning Lyon was 15 years old when a counselor falsely reported that he was suicidal, leading him to be locked up in a psychiatric hospital for nearly a year Now 52, Banning has released a new book, The Chair and the Valley, that details his ordeal in the hospital and coming to terms with the trauma. Pictured: Banning guiding in Yosemite National Park in 2012 On the first night, I was told to sleep in a tiny room with an adult roommate. For three weeks, I'd have intermittent sessions with a doctor, lasting maybe 10 minutes at a time, for assessments. He assigned me a battery of personality tests. Finally, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), and the doctor insisted I needed to stay in an 'adolescent long-term unit' at the same facility. The unit was far worse than I ever could have imagined, and a disturbing world to be thrust into. With no access to the outside or even a phone, I was surrounded by a dozen teenagers, many of whom had been strapped to wheelchairs or beds for weeks or months at a time. I shared a room with a kid who slept with his hands and feet shackled to the bed and spent his days restrained in a wheelchair. Another kid, who I eventually became friends with, spent 333 days restrained to his bed. GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: health@dailymail.com Advertisement The hospital also forbade us from speaking to each other privately. Even my roommate and I had to stay six feet apart. We resorted to teaching each other sign language or tapping on the walls after lights out just to communicate. Even if we got discharged, we were not allowed to swap phone numbers or addresses. It was a trauma bond, and at times it felt like family. Every aspect of our lives had to be approved by the doctors. Our clothing. The books we read. Our weekly visits with our parents. Everything was supervised. I was only permitted to be alone when I used the shared restroom. Our doors had to be closed at all times if no one was in our room. I kept forgetting this on account of being 15, and I'd be given a disciplinary 'test mark.' This meant 30 minutes of 'chair' - being forced to sit in a chair, feet flat on the floor, staring at the wall. There were other tiny infractions that seemed to build up. One day, I went into my room and jumped on to my bed. A voice coming from the hall scolded me: 'Banning, that's a test mark.' Jumping, apparently, was only for recreation time. 'We noticed your being needy lately, and jumping indoors at an inappropriate hour is attention seeking,' the staff member said. When I apologized, he said I was, 'being too compliant.' In therapy sessions, I kept asking when I could go home and why I was here, to which doctors kept blaming my 'depression.' Eventually, I misbehaved enough that I was given 'permanent chair.' For up to 12 hours a day, I would have to sit in a chair in my room, feet on the floor and hands in my lap. No talking, no eye contact, no escape other than for 'school' and group therapy. Despite every attempt at being on my best behavior after that, I stayed on the chair until the day I left. After he was finally released from the hospital, Banning was sent to a halfway house for six months before moving back in with his mother. He spiraled into depression and suicidal thoughts but did not see a therapist officially until age 39. Pictured: Banning during his senior year of high school Group therapy often felt like a way to humiliate us even further. Each session lasted an hour, but sometimes we were subjected to six a day as staff said we had 'a lot to work through'. During one of these sessions, the staff forced a 14-year-old girl to admit, in front of me and at least a dozen other people, that she had a crush on me. She cried. It was the opposite of therapy. School, meanwhile, involved a teacher from my district visiting for a few hours several days a week, while the rest of the week was spent in a bedroom-sized 'classroom' with all of the other kids and one teacher. My dad visited only twice throughout my year-long stay, despite the fact that his insurance was paying for it. My mother visited every week, but it was under the watchful eye of a staff member. We had just 15 minutes, but if at any point I asked my mom to pull me out of the hospital, staff would shut down the visit immediately. Oddly, the only way anyone seemed to get discharged was if their insurance ran out. There were kids stuck in the unit for three years because their parents' policies kept paying for it. At some point, I realized that if my dad's insurance was going to run out, I would have to play the part of the good little patient. I tried to talk about anything that make it sound like I was making progress. Whether it was my parents' divorce or girl trouble, I needed something, anything, to talk about. Finally, 353 days after being dropped off at the hospital, my father's insurance decided I didn't need to be there any longer. Instead of going home with either of my parents, I was sent to a halfway house for six months. 'Itll help you transition back to the outside world,' my therapist said. Again, I was surrounded by kids by age, but at least I was allowed to befriend them and attend public school. I loved my time there, and it became a rewarding experience. But after I left and moved back in with my mother, I started to realize the damage that had been done. The outside world seemed impossible to tolerate. Nothing made sense anymore. People laughed and shouted. They argued and yelled at one another. Music and lights were everywhere. Something as simple as walking into a grocery store left me feeling like Id fall to pieces. At school, I started fantasizing about killing myself. I grew bitter and resentful. All that was left were the memories of my friends screaming and crying while the staff pinned them down and tied them to their beds. My anger and fear drove me inward, away from people and the world. I felt myself unraveling. The hospital ruined me, and I didn't understand why. Banning married his wife Regina in 2017 atop the mountains at Yosemite - and Regina hiked three miles in her dress for the above shot. The couple now has a three-year-old daughter Banning now works as an outdoor guide in California, his home state. He said that he now has an obligation to go to therapy and be proactive with his mental health for his wife and daughter's sake. Pictured: Banning backpacking in Kings Canyon National Park in California in 2011 And then, several years later, I learned the truth of what had happened to me. One day, while mom and I were out to lunch, she told me what happened after she visited us at the hospital. Once we all went back to the unit, the doctors would tell the parents that their child would likely die by suicide if they were to take them home. My mom told me: 'I would die, honey. Youre my little boy.' Within a couple of weeks, I'd discovered that two friends from the hospital were suing the company that owned it for insurance fraud. A lawyer told me that the state of Texas had fined the company for paying bribes and kickbacks to school counselors who referred patients to the practice. I joined the lawsuit with more than 60 other former patients. Everything was settled out of court, though the company eventually had to pay a $379million fine, one of the largest ever for healthcare fraud. A few years later, the doctors sued us and our lawyer back for libel, though that suit was dismissed - not before I was saddled with such a massive bill that I had to file for bankruptcy. During our lawsuit against the hospital, our lawyer took me and a friend to Bellevue Hospital in New York City to meet with a doctor to potentially be an expert witness in our case. After speaking with him for several hours, he looked at me and asked: 'Do you want to know what I think?' He said: 'You suffer from PTSD and you need treatment for it. What you went through in the hospital is horrific. That was not therapy.' I was 39 when I finally decided to give therapy a try. I had just moved back to my home state of California and was having frequent flashbacks to my time in the hospital. I interviewed a slew of therapists before finding one I liked, and I've been with her for 13 years. I still don't like therapy, but I know I need it. I think of it like going to the gym. I don't enjoy the process, but I enjoy the results. Now, at 52 and as a father, I have an obligation to people other than myself to be as good and healthy a person as I can be. There's still some core identity that I have inside of me that is somehow convinced that what happened in the hospital is my fault. And I have to fight that urge every day. - The Chair and the Valley: A Memoir of Trauma, Healing, and the Outdoors by Banning Lyon is now. Aussies are being urged to stay home if they are unwell as influenza cases spike across the country. Hospitals across Victoria have been put on high alert due to a surge in flu cases. Flu cases have risen by 28 per cent in Victoria over the past two weeks, with experts warning of more variants and low vaccination rates as the cause for the high numbers. New South Wales has also seen a 33 per cent spike in serious cases, according to the latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report. Aussies who come down with a sniffle will know within 24 hours whether it's the flu, Covid, a common cold or one of 14 different respiratory viruses, thanks to a new Aussie test. The results of the pathology test will allow people to act quickly to purchase antiviral medication that could shorten the length and severity of the flu or Covid. Epidemiologist, Professor Adrian Esterman, points to fatigue over Covid-era rules as a key reason for the high case numbers. 'Fewer and fewer people are protecting themselves with face masks and handwashing and because of that, people are more exposed to the flu than this time last year,' he told 7NEWS. Aussies who come down with a sniffle will know within 24 hours whether it's the flu, Covid, a common cold or one of 14 different respiratory viruses, thanks to a new Aussie test 'The second reason is there's been a bit of an early start to the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere. The current strain of influenza that's circulating now is identical to that (which) was seen in last winter in the Northern Hemisphere. 'And of course we're seeing more and more people travelling internationally, so they're bringing that strain back.' Dr Max Mollenkopf has urged people stay home if they feel unwell. 'When you are sick just stay at home, the office doesn't need you that badly. We can just help everyone to stay well,' he told the Project. He also encouraged Aussies to get vaccinated against COVID and influenza. He said it was important for kids to get vaccinated too. 'So many younger kids, they're eligible for free flu vaccines and really they're the ones bringing it from daycare and school and they're the ones spreading it throughout the community.' Prior to winter, Victorian chief health officer Clare Looker encouraged residents to get their flu shots to help protect against influenza. 'The flu can be deadly -getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones,' Dr Looker said. Vaccinations for influenza are recommended for anyone six months and older, and is free for those considered to be at higher risk thanks to the National Immunisation Program 'The influenza virus changes throughout the year so new vaccines are developed for each season, which is why it's critically important to stay up to date with your shots.' Vaccinations for influenza are recommended for anyone six months and older, and is free for those considered to be at higher risk thanks to the National Immunisation Program. Those considered to be at risk include children aged six months to under five years old, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older, people aged 65 and over, and people with medical conditions. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the number of deaths from influenza as of March 2024 is 59, 20 of those deaths in NSW, 12 in Victoria and 16 in Queensland. Thousands of children and young adults in the UK with serious mental illness are being denied the help they need because doctors label them as difficult and attention-seeking, experts claim. Leading medics are now calling for an immediate ban on youngsters being classed as having borderline personality disorder (BPD) a condition in which they are often considered emotionally unstable and even manipulative. Experts say the diagnosis although recognised as a medical condition encourages mental health staff to treat patients as troublesome rather than in need of specialist psychiatric care. They add that in some cases doctors ignore warnings that patients with BPD are planning to harm or kill themselves because they believe they are 'making it up'. As a result, many are denied treatment with drugs or counselling that might help. This is despite the fact that studies show up to one in ten people with BPD symptoms end up committing suicide. Now hundreds of senior medics have signed a letter to Health Secretary Victoria Atkins demanding the term be scrapped. It warns that doctors are telling young patients they have a flawed personality when many actually have severe mental illness triggered by trauma. Liv Johnson's borderline personality disorder diagnosis meant she didn't get therapy The letter, signed by former Health Minister Sir Norman Lamb as well as leading psychiatrists, psychotherapists and mental health nurses, states: 'Until there is conclusive proof that this diagnosis does not harm children, we say it should not occur in the UK.' An estimated 8,000 patients a year in England alone are treated on the NHS for suspected BPD. Sufferers find their emotions confusing and hard to control, they struggle with relationships and experience disturbed thoughts. They often have a deep-rooted fear of being abandoned and can act impulsively. It is diagnosed by a nine-point symptom list if patients have five or more, they are labelled as having BPD. An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK meet BPD criteria. But research shows many mental health professionals treat them differently to those they consider to have a 'genuine' problem. In a study, University of Wisconsin researchers interviewed 22 psychiatrists to get their views on BPD patients. The results, published in the journal Social Science And Medicine, found most described them as 'difficult' and did their best to get them out of their clinics as soon as possible. One even told researchers: 'In professional circles, borderline is often synonymous with 'pain in the ass.' ' In 2022, the Royal College of Psychiatrists advertised a course for its members which described personality disorder as 'a thorn in the flesh of many clinicians'. 'These people are treated really badly,' says Keir Harding, an occupational health therapist and mental health specialist who has campaigned for several years for the BPD label to be scrapped. 'Yet many have lived through neglect, trauma and abuse. Mental health services are letting them down.' Liv Johnson, 25, from Herefordshire, has experience of this. She suffered abuse as a child which led to an eating disorder in her teens. At 15 she was admitted as a psychiatric inpatient after self-harming and taking an overdose. It was only when she got her discharge letter two months later that Liv realised doctors had labelled her as having BPD. 'I don't remember any assessment for it, or it ever being mentioned by staff,' she told The Mail on Sunday. One time she self-harmed, she says, A&E staff denied her medical treatment due to her BPD diagnosis. 'They said they wouldn't stitch my wound because I was a self-harmer who wanted the attention of having stitches,' says Liv, who now works as a mental health peer support worker. When she was 22, doctors finally changed her diagnosis to Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to take account of her childhood traumas. It meant she could finally access the therapy she was denied as a BPD sufferer. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has been urged to scrap the term borderline personality disorder Angela Mays, 73, from Hull, lost her 22-year-old daughter Sally to suicide in 2014 after staff at an NHS mental health unit refused to admit her even though she tried to strangle herself in front of them. A hearing was later told that one of the nurses said: 'Leave her she will faint before she dies.' Sally, who had a history of eating disorders and depression, ended her life at home a few hours later. Retired management consultant Angela insists her daughter was not taken seriously because she had been diagnosed with BPD. 'It's a stigmatising term. Most doctors think of it as a behavioural disorder. I was told by an NHS psychotherapist that my daughter wasn't really ill at all even though she'd been in and out of hospital for three years.' Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: 'The care of children with mental health needs is of paramount importance we work with experts to ensure they get the best high-quality mental healthcare possible.' The Department of Health and Social Care was approached for comment. When a group of female NHS nurses complained to hospital bosses about the intimidating behaviour of a trans colleague in their shared changing room, they may have expected a sympathetic hearing at least. But not only did officials dismiss the concerns of the long-serving staff members, they allegedly told the nurses they needed to get educated and broaden their minds. It was, the nurses say, an offensive response to their legitimate complaints that their colleagues presence was degrading and humiliating. They also told the HR department that the 26-year-old stared at their breasts when they were getting undressed and lingered longer than necessary in the changing room. The nurses say their colleague who is understood not to have had gender reassignment surgery had told fellow workers at Darlington Memorial Hospital they had stopped taking cross-sex hormones because they were trying to get their girlfriend pregnant and therefore is a sexually active biological male. Now, after being dissatisfied with the response from bosses, eight of the nurses are launching an unprecedented employment tribunal against the NHS Trust that employs them, claiming harassment, indirect discrimination, victimisation and human rights violations. Today, four of them have bravely chosen to speak to the Mail to describe how they are taking their legal action to stand up for womens rights. Bethany Hutchison, 34, a surgery nurse, said: Its disgraceful that nurses are ending up in tears prior to their shifts. We are there to be an emotional support for patients who are about to undergo surgery, and its very difficult to do that if youre in a state of distress from having to change in front of a male. I think women need to stop being fearful about this and use their voice. We have fought for so long to get womens rights but its just gone backwards, and Im not prepared to see that. Their legal claim, seen by the Mail, says that since August 2023 they have repeatedly raised concerns with hospital managers about the trans nurse, called Rose, who has been given access to the female changing room. The nurses allege that Rose stares at female colleagues, in particular at their breast area, as they are getting changed. A formal complaint, signed by 26 nurses, was sent to bosses at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in April. But a human resources manager allegedly dismissed their concerns, and said the nurses needed to broaden their mindset, be more inclusive and be educated. Ms Hutchison said: It is so offensive to us because we are all educated we need a degree in order to do this job and some of us have multiple degrees. Weve got very intelligent people on our ward so it was disgusting for them to say something like that to us. Were not transphobic and were not fearful of trans people we believe they need their own changing space thats safe for them. Tracey Hooper, Annice Grundy, Lisa Lockey and Bethany Hutchison have bravely spoken out Lisa Lockey, 51, another claimant, said: We get transgender patients through our unit and we look after them. Were nurses, we care about people, thats our job, so it is an insult that weve been made to feel like were bigots. The nurses want hospital bosses to find an alternative room for Rose to change in. National NHS policy allows its staff to identify as the gender of their choosing and access the relevant single-sex facilities, but say that alternative arrangements must be provided if this is deemed inappropriate. Some of the nurses taking legal action want to remain anonymous, but four of them decided to break cover last night. Ms Lockey said: Weve all been really uneasy about [coming forward]. We know theres a lot of trans activists who will probably hate us for what were doing. But its not against trans people. This is about protecting a females space. Its not to hurt anybody, we want a safe policy. Tracey Hooper, 45, another claimant, said sharing the changing room with Rose makes me feel on edge, adding: You scan the changing room before you start to undress. Its just very uncomfortable. I dont want to get changed in front of a biological man, and I dont want to see him getting changed either. READ MORE: After pelvic mesh scandal, women now face a new risk from surgical mesh used in breast reconstruction Advertisement Were not asking for him to go in the male changing room either, he should be provided for. Everybody should be provided for so they feel comfortable and safe. As an infection control measure, the nurses must change their clothes at the hospital before and after their shift. Its claimed many female staff members now use toilet cubicles instead of the changing room to avoid Rose. A fourth claimant, Annice Grundy, 54, said: I wont get changed in that changing room any more Ive found somewhere else to change, which I dont feel I should have to do. My issue, now I know the Trust policy, is anybody can be in there anyone who identifies as female can use that changing room. Last month, nurses told this newspaper just how uncomfortable Rose made them feel in the dressing room. One said: We dont feel safe because we strip down to our underwear and Rose doesnt just stay by his locker. He walks around in his boxer shorts. Another nurse said she was close to tears during one incident. She said: I was rummaging in my bag trying to find my lanyard and keys for the locker when a mans voice behind me said, Are you not getting changed yet? The woman who was sexually abused as a child, has post-traumatic stress disorder and struggles to be alone around men added: He stood there, two metres from me, with a scrub top on and with tight black boxer shorts with holes in them and asked [again] whether I was getting changed yet... I felt glued to my seat, I could not move. My hands started to sweat. I was petrified and felt sick and began hyperventilating. Today the nurses also say they are worried about the impact on foreign-born hospital staff with different religious backgrounds, who had taken to wearing leggings and tops underneath their uniforms to avoid their bodies being seen, despite the discomfort this causes during work. Ms Lockey said: It made me really angry. Theyve come over here to help the NHS and have not been treated fairly by our Trust. The NHS has long been the subject of criticism regarding its approach to single-sex spaces, particularly single-sex wards. Under current NHS England guidance, trans people are allowed to be accommodated on a ward which is in line with their stated gender identity and this does not depend on having a gender recognition certificate or legal name change. However planned changes to the NHS Constitution will mean a trans woman would not be put on an all-female ward. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also published guidance saying single-sex spaces could exclude transgender people if it was considered a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, such as privacy or safety. But cases such as that of the Darlington nurses shows how unclear some employers are about how to handle self-identification guidance. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is backing the nurses claim, said: This case demonstrates as clear as day that this is an issue of biology not ideology. Once we lose a sense of physical reality all kinds of real and dangerous consequences emerge. Darlington Memorial Hospital says the allegations are being investigated Legislating to protect and promote gender identity places women at risk, which is so strikingly evidenced in this case. There should be no place in workplaces for transgender ideology that denies science and biological reality, and which is exploited in this way. The nurses in this hospital have spoken out with fear and trepidation. Between them they have decades of experience on hospital wards, and they are the ones that should be protected and comforted as they simply seek to do the job they love without fear of retribution for speaking up. We stand with this dedicated group of professionals and will pursue this matter until common sense prevails and justice is done. A spokesman for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: The Trust would like to emphasise that at this stage the claims being made are allegations which need to be fully investigated and reviewed. The Trust has initiated this through its internal processes and this work continues. However, as the allegations are now also subject to active legal action, it would not be appropriate for the Trust to comment further at this stage. Rose was approached for comment, but did not respond. Baby Amelia Kan had not even been born when doctors spotted she had a tumour that would grow to the size of a lemon crushing her tiny heart by the time she came into the world. Her mother, Hui-Zhi, 36, from Borough Green, Kent, was told that Amelia would likely die during pregnancy or at birth, and a termination may be the best course of action. However, thanks to a pioneering drug treatment and two open heart surgeries Amelia is now four and happily preparing to start school in the autumn. 'When I look back to my pregnancy it seems impossible that we are at this point, getting ready for Amelia to start school,' says Hui-Zhi, an administrator for an electrical goods company, where her husband, Chi Wing Kan, 36, also works as a sales manager. 'Every pregnancy scan we had, the tumours kept growing and every update got worse. It was horrible. But she was moving and wriggling all the time. She was fighting, and I knew we had to fight for her. Amelia Kan (pictured today at age four) had not even been born when doctors spotted she had a tumour that would grow to the size of a lemon 'It was such a hard time I couldn't let myself picture us together as a family of three as it seemed so unlikely to happen.' In 2019, Hui-Zhi had her routine 12-week check. However, doctors spotted a tiny dot on the left-hand side of her baby's heart, and Hui-Zhi was asked to come back for another check a month later. This second scan confirmed the worst there was a rapidly growing tumour in Amelia's heart. Doctors explained that Amelia had a rare genetic condition called tuberous sclerosis complex, which causes mainly non-cancerous tumours to grow in different parts of the body. In the UK about ten children a month are born with it, and it can affect them in very different ways. Some may not realise they even have it, while for others, like Amelia, it can be life-threatening. Her lemon-sized tumour was the largest of a number that was clustered around and within the muscular walls of her heart, crushing the chambers which fill with blood to be pumped around the body. The tumours were also pressing on her lungs, raising fears they wouldn't be able to expand to allow her to breathe. Aaron Bell, consultant paediatric cardiologist at Evelina London, a specialist children's hospital that is part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, says many children born with similar tumours from the condition do not survive. 'Amelia's outlook was very bleak,' he says. 'The tumour completely dwarfed her heart she had some of the biggest tumours we had seen from this condition.' Despite these warnings, Hui-Zhi was sure she wanted to go through with the pregnancy. So when Amelia was born in November 2020 at 36 weeks by a caesarean section at St Thomas' Hospital, she was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit and put on a breathing machine. She was swiftly started on an anti-tumour drug called sirolimus, in order to rapidly shrink the tumours so that her heart and lungs had space to work. While the medicine has been given to adults for some time, Dr Bell says that Amelia was one of the first newborns with heart problems to receive it in the UK. Baby Amelia with her mother Hui-Zhi being treated in hopsital 'We really had no other options,' he says. 'We read some research about it being used overseas, and decided to try it.' The tumours responded well to the treatment, virtually disappearing after about eight weeks of the drug. By May, Amelia was well enough to go home. However, within weeks, there was more worrying news. 'Normally the tumours grow while the baby is in the womb, and then shrink when the baby is born,' says Hui-Zhi. 'But by the summer, we were told that Amelia's were starting to regrow in her heart.' In October, Amelia went off her milk and food, and then started to be sick. 'We took her to our local A&E and were told she had a sickness bug. 'But I could just tell it was more than that, and when they finally X-rayed her chest they could see something was wrong with her heart.' A specialist team came by blue-light ambulance to transport Amelia, who was deteriorating rapidly, back to the Evelina. 'The doctor on this team kept preparing us for the worst,' Hui-Zhi says. 'She was on the brink of death.' Cardiologists discovered the regrowing tumours had damaged Amelia's heart. She was put into a medically induced coma, started chemotherapy to shrink the tumours again, and had her first open heart surgery in November 2020 to try to repair the damage. When this repair didn't work, again her life hung in the balance. 'We saw her surgeon before her second surgery, and he said she had a one-in-three chance of not surviving the operation,' adds Hui-Zhi. 'But we knew it was her best chance.' Amelia then needed a third operation shortly afterwards to install a pacemaker. The family went home early in 2022, but during a check-up that March Amelia's heart was again struggling to work as well as it should. Doctors feared she may need a heart transplant, but cardiac medication has since improved how it is working. Last year, a rare type of tumour was discovered on her kidney that involved further surgery to remove a section of the organ. Amelia was born in November 2020 at 36 weeks by a caesarean section at St Thomas' Hospital (pictured) Amelia now tires more quickly due to her weakened heart, and takes four cardiac drugs a day. However, while remaining under regular monitoring from doctors, she is a happy child who loves nothing more than playing with dolls, her toy kitchen and dressing up as a princess. 'While there is uncertainty, we're hoping that her future is bright and we are living for now,' Hui-Zhi says. 'She enjoys all the things that other children her age do, and loves going to pre-school. 'She's a crazy little monkey who doesn't always like to listen, but we know her strong character has helped see her through so much. She is my hero. We named her Amelia as it means warrior, and she is such a fighter.' Our will mine and my wife Sarah's is so old that it doesn't even exist online, only as a fading document in a rarely opened drawer. And it is a thing of beautiful simplicity, which says that if I go first, she gets everything, if she goes first then it all comes to me, and if that balloon trip over Monument Valley goes horribly wrong, then it all gets divided equally between our three daughters. Aged 34, 31 and 27, they are all grown up now, so the stuff about who would be their guardians is obviously redundant. So that's it. Or rather, that was it. To be honest, I'd never given it a moment's thought since we had it drawn up just before the turn of the millennium, but not long ago Sarah said we should update the will and I agreed, imagining we just needed to bring it into the 21st century, a bit like renewing a library card. The family gathers for the reading of Harlan Thrombey's will in the 2019 whodunit Knives Out It transpired that Sarah had been giving it some consideration and wanted us to think about a new provision. What she wanted if possible was a stipulation that the surviving spouse would be obliged to pass on the whole estate to our children. I was a little nonplussed. I certainly didn't require such a provision, for two reasons. First, I'd never once considered that I'd outlive my wife. And not just because she's 63 and I'm 69, but because her robust good health is a wonder to family and friends, her father lived to the age of 95 and her mother is very much still alive at 97 (there's something indestructible about the Welsh once they pass 70); whereas my dad only made it to 78, my mum to 82 and my grandparents did even worse. Second, it never occurred to me that Sarah would do anything other than the right thing when it came to the children. A late-life razzle involving a Ferrari, a toyboy and an occasional jig on my grave would seem very out of character. She'd probably insist on living on beans on toast while babysitting the future great-grandchildren. In fact she wasn't guarding against what she might do in the widowed hereafter, but what I might do. After all, hadn't my own father contrived to leave most of his estate to his girlfriend (with whom, it should be said, he lived for 25 years), bequeathing 25,000 to each of his children? A complication here was that my mother was still alive, and they had never divorced and, looking back on it, I think his will may have been contestable. But contesting wills is not my family's way. Sarah had seen other cases of children losing their inheritance to new spouses and their family. My Canadian friend Jeff and his siblings found themselves effectively disinherited by their father's late-life fling with a Miami widow, who had expensive tastes and a conscience-defying line in self-pity. David isn't sure whether to feel flattered or worried about his wife's change of heart Fran got the lot; they were left with the funeral expenses. Other people we knew had also had husbands who disengaged from the family and set up with new partners and new babies, and were worried about what would pass to the children. Come on, I said to Sarah, this is me you're talking about here, not Peter Stringfellow (the first example of a late-life Lothario that came to my mind). So, I was a little indignant. What kind of a man did she take me for? I was becoming disturbed. Who else did she think I'd leave my worldly goods to? Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, in a fit of nostalgia for our lost dogs of yesteryear? Or, even needier with their big mournful eyes, the Liberal Democrats? Then I wondered whether I shouldn't find it rather flattering. Was it possible that in her mind I had remarkably survived and in such a condition as to attract another spouse, herself so attractive I might go gaga over her? What about a gold-digger like Fran, perhaps? An insinuating floozy with no money, a good lawyer and a brood of parasitic sprogs from previous marriages? It's happened to worse men than me. But then, if we are imagining these unlikely futures, why not one in which this Other Woman turns out to be a much-married contessa whose last late husband left her a castle in Umbria? That's happened to worse men than me, too. Now Sarah tacked. It wasn't what I'd do with the estate after my own sad departure, she elaborated, so much as what I might do with her half of it while I was still alive. I might eschew the baked beans and baby-dandling, flog the house (like most Londoners, that's where all our wealth is) and set up in a Cannes hotel, going out each evening to the casino to smoke cigars and faites les jeux. (Actually, I have no idea what she imagined I might do in my dotage to dissipate our children's inheritance, because she wouldn't say.) I was entirely relaxed about this at first. Partly, as I said, because it's my intention to go first, not least because I don't know where anything is in the house. But then I started doing a little research, which turned out to be a mistake. Sarah had opened up a Pandora's box full of possibilities and, once your mind begins to work on a question like this, all kinds of things begin to occur to it. In essence, I realised, what Sarah was contemplating was a kind of postmortem divorce, in which I get half and her ghost gets half her half belonging immediately to the children. And there are ways of doing this legally, by becoming 'tenants in common' of our property rather than 'joint tenants'. So, the moment the will is effected I find that I'm sharing ownership of the house I live in with my three girls, who I love to bits and would trust with my life. As law firm Barcan & Kirby's website puts it, ominously: 'However much we plan for the future, circumstances can change in ways we would never envision. Whoever inherits your house will also be handed the responsibilities, and the possible disputes, that come with it.' Out of Pandora's box floats the story of King Lear. You think you have three Cordelias and then ancient and bereaved discover they're a couple of Gonerils and a Regan. 'Yes, Dad,' they say, 'we know you love living here surrounded by the memories of your beloved late wife, but the place is too big and we have outgoings.' They reason the need and discover that you need very little, but there's a rather nice-looking retirement village near Nuneaton that Goneril found online in which the inhabitants all look very happy, at least in the artist's impression. At which point you have to tell yourself to get a grip. It probably won't happen and, if it does, I trust my girls. So, I'll do whatever Sarah wants because, frankly, that's a rule that has served us all well over the years. I was born in New York City, and when I was very young I used to stay at my Italian grandmothers house. Being the first grandson in an Italian family I had an exalted position. When she cooked, no one was allowed in the kitchen except me, and she would always give me the first meatball. That was something that stuck with me for ever. She would also make lasagne, laying out the pasta flat on a bed sheet. I always remember the smell of that flour in her bedroom. My mum wasnt that much of a cook everyone gravitated towards my grandmother. In later years she moved into my aunts house in New Jersey. The whole family would gather for holiday celebrations in the basement. Half of former rock-soul duo Hall & Oates, John Oates, 76 We never had turkey for Thanksgiving, it was always Italian: lasagne or a big baked ziti [penne-style pasta]. My uncle served his homemade wine in little milk glasses. When I was four we moved to Pennsylvania for my fathers job [designing electronic servers for aircraft guidance systems]. We were New Yorkers transplanted to this kind of rural Pennsylvania Dutch community. There was lots of German food: soft pretzel with mustard, scrapple [pork scraps, offal and spice in meatloaf form], souse [pigs head terrine] and philly cheesesteak sandwich, the haute cuisine of Philadelphia! It didnt appeal, though. For me, Italian is the only food you could eat for the rest of your life and never repeat a dish. On tour I enjoyed looking for local delicacies. Hall & Oates went to Japan in the late 1970s and were one of the first Western groups popular there. There werent a lot of Westerners. You have that unique opportunity when youre touring because youre travelling to these places, whether a small town in Nebraska and youre having an amazing steak or down south eating barbecue or incredible creole food in New Orleans. New York was the source of some of my greatest meals ever. Living there in the 70s and 80s was fantastic. We would go to Little Italy, and there was a restaurant called Joes. It was filled with real characters colourful mob guys. There was a great restaurant called Marylous in Greenwich Village owned by a friend, kind of an 80s hangout. I got inspired to write Maneater while sitting in that restaurant. John used to love dining in Greenwich Village I love living in Nashville, which is where I am right now. Its an amazing city. Back in the 90s, when I first went with my wife Aimee, a floral designer, she would say, God, we cant get anything to eat. There was meat and three [a dish of fried chicken or meatloaf with a side of collard greens, mac and cheese or green beans]. Now the city is growing like crazy, and with that comes a demand for a higher quality of food. Meatballs were a childhood treat Im not a fan of Indian food. Im a wimp when it comes to heavy spicing or chilli heat. I dont like coriander either. I love ice cream but I cant eat it any more, for many reasons, including what it does to my voice. Its really sad. My wife is on a health food kick so we have a lot of non-gluten things in the fridge, along with various cheeses, some salamis and a lot of fruit. The cherries are in season, from Washington, so Im substituting fruit for the sweets that I used to eat. I love chocolate but am trying to avoid it. Listen, man, Im in my 70s. ve got to do the best I can! My last dinner would be lasagne or baked ziti. And Italian sausage. If I was going nuts, Id probably have a pork chop with apple sauce. And for dessert, I would go absolutely banana-split nuts with an ice-cream sundae! Reunion, the new album by John Oates, is out now Wizz Air faces another shareholder revolt over boardroom pay as it plans to give top managers millions of pounds of free shares just for staying with the low-cost carrier. Investors rebelled last year against an extension to a scheme to give CEO Jozsef Varadi a bonus of up to 100million if Wizz Airs volatile share price soared. The latest plan, which the companys own pay committee chairman admits is unusual, applies to around 15 senior managers, but not Varadi. It comes with no performance strings attached. Pay spat: Wizz Air faces another shareholder revolt over boardroom pay All the executives have to do to hit the jackpot and share in around 15million is to stay with the company until 2028. It means Wizz Air recently named the UKs worst airline for delays for the third year running is on course for another clash with shareholders at its annual meeting later this summer. Like other carriers, its shares slumped during the pandemic when planes were grounded, but they have recovered as passengers returned to flying. Tim Bush at shareholder consultancy Pirc said bonus schemes like the one proposed by Wizz Air were flawed because in this case it rewarded bosses when the share price bounced back after a fall not for exceptional performance. It makes as much sense to reward the chief executive for a rollercoaster (share price) ride as it would giving a pilot a bonus for doing the same thing in the air, he said. This is just an egregious example, Bush added. A quarter of Wizz Airs shareholders voted against Varadis package after he was given an extra two years to hit targets. The revolt put the company on the official list of shame register run by trade body the Investment Association, which lists firms where more than a fifth of shareholders voted against executive pay. In response, Wizz Air vowed to continue to consult with major shareholders about its pay policy but experts say the airline appears to have doubled down instead. Details of the new scheme are contained in Wizz Airs latest annual report. Barry Eccleston, chair of the carriers pay committee, said the one-off award, while unusual, was appropriate given the challenges Wizz Air faces. It has been hit hard by the war in Ukraine, where it was the biggest operator, and turmoil in the Middle East. The airline flies more planes into Tel Aviv than any other. Wizz Air has been impacted by an unprecedented level of external challenges in the last 12 months, a spokesman said. 'The carrier, which recently returned to profit, had to ground a fifth of its fleet after US manufacturer Pratt & Whitney recalled some of its engines.' The new scheme was essential to attract and retain management talent so that they were rewarded and incentivised for their positive contribution to Wizz Airs future success, he added. Labour's VAT raid on private schools could push up house prices by up to 20 per cent near good state schools, according to the estate agent Winkworth. Speaking on the Property Exchange podcast, Dominic Agace, chief executive of Winkworth claimed Labour's plan to charge VAT on private school fees will create unprecedented competition among families looking to secure a home in popular catchment areas. Rachel Reeves yesterday vowed to slap VAT on private schools within weeks if Labour wins the election. The shadow chancellor said the measure would be in her first Budget, which could come as early as September. The threat of VAT on school fees will create unprecedented competition for families looking to move into an area with a good state school, according to leading estate agents Winkworth. This would result in private school fees being hit with 20 per cent VAT and scrapping the relief schools receive on business rates among other benefits. Most are expected to pass these costs on to parents. Raising fees in the middle of the school year would be hugely disruptive, which suggests that the most likely date will be September 2025. The added VAT is also expected to be introduced incrementally, rising over five years to the full 20 per cent standard rate, though this is not confirmed in the manifesto. Speaking on the Property Exchange podcast, Winkworth's Dominic Agace said: 'Some people are downsizing to release funds to cover school fees. 'We will also start to see people investing in what they would have paid in school fees into a house near a good state school. 'We will see a premium stretch to buy a house in the right location, whether that's for primary or secondary. 'We could see up to a 20 per cent premium for homes in the catchment areas of good schools. We will see people moving around the country to areas with good local state schools 'We will also see people moving around the country to areas with good local state schools where they can still connect into London or where they will get more for their money, enabling them to still afford school fees.' Agace urged parents who might be impacted by Labour's private school VAT changes, to think about moving home now to avoid the potential frenzy. 'Parents are facing a big squeeze in all directions,' added Agace. 'A home with some space for children while factoring in education and increased mortgage costs, while trying to save some money for retirement it will cause stress. 'The schools factor is going to be a long term trend and buyers need to think about making that move now as demand will increase.' Acting swiftly: Rachel Reeves yesterday vowed to slap VAT on private schools within weeks if Labour win the election Which areas have the best state schools? On the podcast, the Georgian market town of Farnham in Surrey was singled out as one location that could see house prices surge due to it being surrounded by excellent state and private schools. Henry Griffin, sales director of Winkworth's office in Farnham, told the podcast: 'It is extraordinary the lengths parents will go to in order to get their children into an outstanding state school. 'We had a family who were outside the catchment area of Weydon Academy, which is rated number one in Surrey and sixth in the country. 'They rented out their house and then rented a house in the Weydon catchment to secure the place before selling and making the move permanent. 'The average price of a detached property in Farnham is around 850,000. Within the catchment of the highly popular South Farnham Junior School and Weydon Academy, the price is more likely to be 1million to 1.25million.' Sought after: The market town of Farnham in Surrey was singled out as one location that could see house prices surge due to it being surrounded by excellent state and private schools Competition already on the up near good state schools Every state school has a limited number of pupils it can admit each year. Catchment areas exist so that when too many children apply, the school can use their geographical location to narrow down the pupils they will admit. Essentially, the closer someone lives to a school, the greater the chance they have of their child being admitted. While the wealthiest families will likely stomach the cost of Labour's VAT changes on private schools, it is predicted that more middle class parents will fall back on the state system at a time when household budgets are already under pressure. Since the Labour leader announced this plan back in 2021, the market has already been adjusting, according to the property firm Hamptons. It says it has seen more competition for homes near state schools with an 'outstanding' Ofsted rating. More than a quarter of homes sharing a postcode sector with an outstanding school were sold after a bidding war so far this year, according to Hamptons, having received offers from three or more buyers. In contrast, it says that less than one in five (17 per cent) of homes near schools rated 'inadequate' were subject to the same levels of competition. Homes that are close to top-rated state schools have also seen smaller price falls, according to Hamptons. In 2023, the average price of a home near an 'outstanding' secondary school sold for 1.5 per cent less than the year prior, outperforming the rest of the market. The same type of home near an 'inadequate' rated school sold on average for 5.5 per cent less than in 2022. With more people expected to be unable to send their children to private schools after Labour's changes, the competition for outstanding Ofsted schools is expected to intensify Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons said: 'Households have already been adapting to Labour's proposals. 'The introduction of VAT on private school fees would increase costs for some families significantly, at a time when household budgets are already under pressure. 'In a bid to pre-empt this change, we've seen demand for homes near top-rated state schools rise over the last year which has put a floor under prices unlike in other areas. These areas already come at a premium, and with affordability stretched, this may mean having to compromise on their new home 'If the Labour Party win and this proposal becomes policy, it's likely we'll see that trend accelerate, with families who can't afford the extra school fees moving closer to good state schools. 'These areas already come at a premium, and with affordability stretched, for some, this may mean having to compromise on their new home.' Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and former residential chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has also noticed a similar trend of late. He added: 'We have already noticed competition for properties close to state schools increasing since it became fairly self-evident that Labour would have a good chance of winning the election. 'This could push prices quite a bit higher, although what people are prepared to pay will be impacted by the local market as it can't go too much out of kilter. 'Competition for properties in those areas is intensifying and this is likely to continue in coming weeks and months.' Expert: Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, says they've seen demand for homes near top-rated state schools rise over the last year The house price premium near outstanding schools The property firm Savills has run its own analysis on the premiums paid by home buyers to live near outstanding schools. It found that on average, people are paying 21 per cent more when buying within close proximity of schools with outstanding Ofsted ratings compared to those with good ratings. Close proximity is defined as 500 metres in London and 2 kilometres elsewhere in England. When looking at the premium paid for homes close to outstanding secondary schools, Savills detected a 46 per cent difference when compared to secondary schools with an inadequate rating. Average second hand sale price of property within proximity (500m in London 2km elsewhere across England) to schools of different Ofsted ratings Ofsted rating Average sale price near primary schools Average sale price near secondary schools Outstanding 327,481 362,452 Good 291,350 300,548 Inadequate/requires improvement 267,701 248,924 Source: Savills Research using Land Registry It's a similar story for primary schools. The premium paid to live within close proximity to outstanding primary schools is 12 per cent compared to good primary schools, and 22 per cent when compared to inadequate rated primary schools. Frances McDonald, director of research at Savills said: 'Good schooling has long been a key driver of demand across the housing markets of the UK with many families deciding to move home when their children are approaching primary school age. 'While the quality of a single favoured school is important to some, the availability of a variety of good state, independent, primary and secondary schools provides a wider range of options for parents. 'This is particularly true for those who may be concerned about whether their child will get a place, often supporting demand for homes beyond a single school catchment area. 'Labour's plans to introduce VAT on private school fees could see more demand filtering into the state and grammar school systems which may in turn increase the house price premiums we already know are evident around high performing state schools. 'This is likely to be most keenly felt in places with both a high proportion of pupils currently attending an independent school and the fiercest competition for state school places.' It was one of the most meaningful statements in the history of fashion - and the Royal Family. Nearly 30 years ago, on the night Prince Charles admitted to his affair with Camilla, his estranged wife Princess Diana slipped on a little black number to relay her own powerful, if silent, message. On June 29, 1994, as the nation sat down to watch the future King confess to presenter Jonathan Dimbleby, Diana wore the 'Revenge Dress' - as it was quickly dubbed - for her attendance at a glitzy fundraising dinner at the Serpentine gallery. The Princess wowed everyone in the Christina Stambolian black silk crepe cocktail gown with an asymmetric ruched bodice and side sash. She teamed it with her sapphire, pearl, and diamond choker - which matched her engagement ring - and scarlet nails. But, according to Stambolian, Diana nearly didn't buy the 900 dress as she thought it too risque; originally wanted it in cream; and only wore it that night in a fit of pique after rival designer Valentino leaked that she was going to wear his dress. Slide me On June 29, 1994, the night Prince Charles admitted to his affair with Camilla, his estranged wife Princess Diana slipped on what became known as the 'Revenge Dress'. Designer Christina Stambolian revealed that the royal originally wanted the dress to be cream, but she was persuaded it would look better in black Diana even wore red nail varnish which was something she hadn't done before The infamous Panorama interview with David Dimbleby where Charles admitted adultery with his now wife, Camilla Parker Bowles One press report described it as 'the piece de resistancethe brave, wicked, historic little Serpentine Cocktail possibly the most strategic dress ever worn by a woman in modern times'. 'This was the devastating wisp of black chiffon with which Diana flipped her husband clean off the front pages the morning after his damaging televised interview. 'This is a dress that shows Diana, Princess of Wales, fully in command of a sense of her own value'. Stambolian, who was born in Greece and trained in Athens, vividly remembers the day that Diana walked into her shop, in London's Beauchamp Place, after having lunch with her brother Earl Spencer at her favourite restaurant San Lorenzo. 'Diana bought a black-and-red short, day dress, a yellow silk blouse and a small cream sleeveless blouse which added up to about 400,' she previously recalled. She said Diana told her: 'I want a special dress for a special occasion. It doesn't matter if it is short or long. It has to be something special.' 'We sat down, and I drew a few sketches on a piece of paper,' Stambolian continued. 'The dress was revealing, quite short and showed quite a bit of leg and flesh. Diana was not sure about it. She thought it was a bit risque. She wanted everything more covered up, longer and the neck higher. 'I told her she had good legs, and she should show them. "Why not be daring?" I said. She asked her brother [Charles] and he said: "Do what you think is right." Finally, she said "yes" to the style then we moved on to the colour. 'I had black in my mind, but she wanted cream. To me Diana was a black and white sort of person. I didn't like her in the pale pinks and blues with lots of beading.' Two dressmakers took more than 60 hours to make the dress as the finely pleated bodice had to be hand pinned and sewn, while the chiffon skirt had to be carefully draped. For three years the hand-stitched dress, with its flirtatious hem, hung unworn in Diana's wardrobe and Christina began to fear that it might never be seen in public. 'I was very disappointed,' she said. 'Then I realized she had been waiting for the right occasion. 'She had gone to Valentino to get a dress for that particular date. Then Valentino rang all the newspapers saying she's coming out with my dress tomorrow. 'She heard that and Diana said: "There's no way I'm going to do him a favour. I'm going to wear another dress." Christina sketched out the dress with Camilla present and originally wanted it in cream Princess Diana didn't meet Christina again until the reception at the Christie's Auction in 1997 Princess Diana wearing a pale blue Catherine Walker dress whilst chatting to the designer of the 'Revenge' dress, Christina Stambolian in 1997 Two dressmakers took more than 60 hours to make this as the pleated bodice had to be hand pinned and sewn A tense Princess Diana in a cream silk gown with Prince Charles during a visit to Paris in 1988 Referring to one of Diana's favourite ballets, Swan Lake, Stambolian added: 'I was thrilled to see Diana wear it on that night of all nights. 'She chose not to play the scene like Odette, innocent in white. 'She was clearly angry. She played it like Odile in black. She wore bright red nail enamel, which we had never seen her do before. She was saying: "Let's be wicked tonight." Stambolian did not see Diana again until the reception for the Christie's auction, in June 1997, when Diana auctioned 79 of her most iconic evening gowns. She whispered to Stambolian: 'By the way, that little black dress - I had a job to squeeze into it.' 'What she meant was she wore it after two years and had put on weight,' the designer explained. 'In fact, she looked in the photographs a bit squashed into it. But she had beautiful shoulders and good legs.' The dress was bought for 44,511 by Scotsman Graeme Mackenzie and his wife Briege, who owned the Body Shop franchise in Scotland. They planned to exhibit it to raise money for Scottish charities. After the princess' death, the couple, from Bridge of Wier, in Renfrewshire, who had three sons, wrapped it in tissue paper and put it in a bank vault. 'The only noble thing to do was not to use it,' he said at the time. 'It would have been inappropriate.' Since then, it has appeared fewer than a dozen times in public. But it has raised more than 39,000 for the charity Children's First by gracing luncheons in Aberdeen, balls in Stirling, evening functions in Elgin and fashion shows at Bo'-ness and Edinburgh. 'The notoriety of the dress was part of the reason why we were interested in buying it,' Mr Mackenzie previously said. 'It has an intrinsic value because she wore it only once and she wore it on that particular night. It's a little bit of history. 'We were lucky enough to meet the Princess at the auction preview in Christie's in London and told her our intentions of using the dress to raise money for charity. 'At the time charities were complaining that the National Lottery was impacting on their donations. 'I thought the dress would be a way of attracting people to events and that its fame could only help that aim.' A replica, which Stambolian made in 2010, is in the Museum of Style Icons, in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. 'The replica was made later on,' explained Stambolian. 'I was staying in Greece, and I had nothing to do so I thought: "I'm going to make that dress again." 'I knew the dress very well, so I made a very, very, good copy.' Claudia Joseph is the author of Diana: A Life in Dresses, 40 at ACC Art Books. On July 4, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is already staring down the barrel of the largest Conservative defeat in 200 years and potentially losing his seat, will suffer another ignominy: sharing a stage with Count Binface. The comedy character has been competing against Prime Ministers in elections since 1987, however back then he was known by a different name: Lord Buckethead. Shrouded in an enormous black cape and sporting a huge spherical head, Lord Buckethead was politics' version of Darth Vader - a character he was partly parodied on. His origins stem back to American Sci-Fi writer Todd Durham's 1984 film Hyperspace which was a send up of George Lucas's recently released Star Wars. Three years after the film was released, British home video director Mike Lee stood against Margaret Thatcher in her Finchley constituency dressed in the character and a legend was born. Shrouded in an enormous black cape and sporting a huge spherical head, Lord Buckethead was politics' version of Darth Vader (pictured in 2017) His new form, Count Binface, has announced he will stand against Rishi Sunak in the General Election The Prime Minister will battle Binface for control of the Richmond and Northallerton constituency Lord Buckethead would go to contest the 1992 election before reappearing in 2017 when comedian Jon Harvey took up the helmet. resulting in a legal squabble for the ages. After Harvey's appearance as the dark lord interest in the parody skyrocketed which led to Durham reinstating his control of the character and taking over Harvey's Twitter account. Speaking to the Guardian at the time, the comedian recalled: 'Todd said that the Twitter account I created wasnt legal as it stood, and that to rectify it I needed to give him the password to the account. I didnt know then and still dont know now what my rights were and I couldnt find an affordable way to find out, so eventually I acquiesced.' Channeling his frustration, Harvey created a new character of Count Binface, an intergalactic lefty space warrior and a new chapter in British political satire was born. Now, as the Count prepares to fight against Rishi Sunak for control of the Richmond and Northallerton constituency, MailOnline breaks down the chequered history and electoral misfortunes of 'the man who would be bin'. 1987: Lord Buckethead challenged Margaret Thatcher in the last General Election she fought 1992: Five years later, her successor John Major was also challenged by the dark lord 1987 - Toe to toe with Margaret Thatcher In 1987, a bullish Margaret Thatcher was looking nailed on to secure a third term as Prime Minister. With the backing of the media and promising lower taxes, Thatcher's government were looking set to maintain their majority over Neil Kinnock's Labour party however they didn't bank on Buckethead. Out of nowhere, it was announced that a man dressed in black with a large plastic receptacle on his head would contest Thatcher's Finchley seat. The man behind the mask, Mike Lee, was at the time the head of the independent home video label VIPCO, and saw the stunt as a golden opportunity to gain some publicity. Among Buckethead's pledges was an outrageous plan to demolish Birmingham and create a spaceport in its place. Buckethead would go on to win 131 votes which wasn't enough to unseat Thatcher who retained her position with over 20,000 votes. 1992 - Battling John Major Four years later, Buckethead took on John Major who had deposed Margaret Thatcher and was now head of the Tories. This time the battleground was Major's seat in Huntingdon and although he fought hard Buckethead was unable to repeat his electoral success of five years previously. In the count, the Lord of the bins received just 107 votes (0.1%) of the electorate. As a result he lost his deposit and went into hiding for a number of years. Major's Conservative party went on to win the election albeit with a drastically reduced majority. 2017: After 25 years on the sidelines, comedian Jon Harvey decided to revive the dark Lord and ran against Theresa May in Maidenhead Despite his clear novelty status, Buckethead put a lot of effort into his campaign, distributing 4000 leaflets throughout Maidenhead 2017 - Returning to fight Theresa May After 25 years on the sidelines, comedian Jon Harvey decided to revive the dark Lord in 2017 and ran against Theresa May in Maidenhead during the Brexit years. Despite his clear novelty status, Buckethead put a lot of effort into his campaign, distributing 4000 leaflets throughout Maidenhead. In his Manifesto, he had a slew of amusing promises, including the nationalisation of Adele. And after collecting a grand total of 249 votes in Maidenhead, Lord Buckethead even basked in international fame. The eccentric candidate, from hyperspace, was flown over to New York City to appear on John Oliver's HBO show 'Last Week Tonight'. As he lifted off on a podium, Oliver implored Theresa May to send him to Brussels. He said: 'Theresa May, if you are still Prime Minister by the time this show airs, I implore you, send the dark lord to Brussels. 'Is it an absurd idea? Yes, but it would not even be close to the stupidest thing that you have ever done.' 2019: Boris Johnson's Conservative's secured a shock landslide victory but the two bins fared less well with Binface securing just 69 votes to Buckethead's 125 2019 - Buckethead and Binface take on Boris Johnson Following his 2017 revival, interest in Lord Buckethead peaked but behind the scenes trouble was brewing in the shape of a copyright dispute. Buckethead's creator Todd Durham announced that he was reclaiming ownership of the comedy character meaning if Harvey was to stand again a new characther had to emerge from the shadows. And thus, Count Binface was born. Harvey announced he would contest Boris Johnson's constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip as Count Binface, citing 'an unpleasant battle on the planet Copyright' as the reason for his regeneration. Marketing himself as an 'independent space warrior' and 'Leader of the Recyclons' Binface would go on to campaign to bring back Ceefax, as well as fighting for 'a cleaner, greener galaxy.' Intriquingly, Lord Buckethead also stood at the election fighting the same seat as a representative of the Monster Raving Loony Party. Reacting to the news, Binface said he looked forward to 'challenging [him] to take part in a receptacle-to-receptacle debate.' At the count however as Boris Johnson's Conservative's secured a shock landslide victory, the two bins fared less well with Binface securing just 69 votes to Buckethead's 125. 2021: On polling day, it went down to the wire but Laurence Fox emerged victorious with 47, 634 votes to Binface's 24,775 Neither candidate progressed past the first round of voting 2021 - Laurence Fox's faltering mayoral campaign is overshadowed by Binface Two years later in a change from previous form, Count Binface announced he would be running in the 2021 Mayoral Elections against Sadiq Khan and actor turned right wing firebrand Laurence Fox. Running on a manifesto that pledged 'fiscal responsibility, social awareness, and not being an anti-vaccine nutjob.' Fox's reclaim party meanwhile promised to end the divisive and discriminatory wokery that has infected [London]' and pledged to celebrate London with a 'Festival of London.' Undeterred by his big money backed opponent, Binface unveiled a raft if counter policies including for London to rejoin the EU and for loud snacks to be banned from theaters. On polling day, it went down to the wire but Fox emerged victorious with 47, 634 votes to Binface's 24,775. Neither candidate progressed past the first round of voting. 2024: Three years later, Binface again contested the London Mayoral Election, losing to Sadiq Khan 2024 - Binface gives Britain First a bloody nose Three years later, Binface again contested the London Mayoral Election, albeit this time not against Laurence Fox who wasn't allowed to stand due to 'paperwork issue'. An end to VAR and the Birmingham spaceport: The idiotic pledges of Binface and Buckethead over the years Sending 1 trillion a week to the NHS Returning 20,001 police officers to the street, a reference to the Conservative pledge of 20,000 more police officers Nationalising model railways Bring back Ceefax All government ministers' pay, including that of the mayors, should be tied to that of nurses for the next 100 years Finish Crossrail Demolish Birmingham and build a spaceport The complete abolition of VAR Nationalise Adele Giving free broadband to everyone Allowing any Czechs on the Irish border to remain Advertisement As with 2021, Binface ran on an absurd manifesto which promised to rename London Bridge after Phoebe Waller-Bridge and force Thames Water managers to swim in the Thames. But, despite pledging to cap the price of croissants at 1.10 and grant Grade 1 listed status to Claudia Winkleman's fringe, Count Binface finished 13th. The wacky political figure, who claims to be a 5,072-year-old intergalactic space warrior, won 24,260 votes (0.98%) compared to Sadiq Khan's 1,088,225 (43.8%). However, it appears it was not all bad for Binface who defeated Britain First candidate Nick Scanlon, who won 20,519 (0.83%) of the vote, which was nearly 4,000 less. After discovering his victory over Mr Scanlon, he said 'down with fascism, up with Ceefax'. It looks like I have defeated Britain First in an election,' he told reporters at City Hall. 'Come on, you have to cheer about that...down with fascism, up with Ceefax, what can I say?' 2024 - Binface announces he will run against Rishi Sunak in Yorkshire Last week, the count of no fixed abode announced he would be standing against Rishi Sunak in his Richmond and North Allerton seat to cap off what has so far been a tough campaign for the Conservatives. Announcing his candidacy and taking the fight directly to Sunak, the count bullishly said: 'You shirked D-Day Rishi, you can't miss the B-Day.' In Binface's new manifesto, entitled Bloody Loyal to Wherever Im Standing for Election, the joke candidate has pledged to build a 'space bridge' to clear up Northallerton High Street's traffic problems. He has also vowed that if elected, all former Prime Minister's will be forced to do National Service in response to the Conservatives controversial vision for the nation's youth. The nation now waits with baited breath for July 4 when the next chapter in the never ending saga will be written. An impressive barn conversion nestled in the Cornish countryside, which boasts stunning far-reaching views, is up for grabs for around an eye-watering 800,000. The lavish home not only has two minimalist bedrooms, it also possesses a one-bedroom barn annex for potential future guests. Situated in Trevellas - a sleepy village near the cliffs of the north Cornish coast - the property also has an ex-tractor shed turned studio and workshop. But this home doesn't only have a myriad of mod cons, including ground-mounted solar panels and a polytunnel - a rich history also comes with its staggering price. There is more than what meets the eye when it comes to this contemporary barn conversion, as it was formerly a 50-person World War II air raid shelter. An impressive barn conversion (pictured) located in the beautiful Cornish countryside is currently on the market for a staggering 799,950 Located in the sleepy village of Trevellas, there is much more to this lavish property than meets the eye The land where the property is located was previously functioned as an RAF Barracks in Nissen huts. The remnants of the site's rich background can be seen to this very day, with two tumbledown ablution blocks as well as the underground air raid shelter. It is also only four-miles away are the Perranporth Airfield, which was functional during the Second World War and acted as a Spitfire base. Brimming with possibilities for potential future owners, there is also the possibility of renting out the annex and even built upon the original property. A comfortable and chic home - the conversion boasts an open plan living space sandwiched between two en-suite bedrooms. Overlooking beautiful Cornish countryside, the building is not short on energy saving with either. A burning stove keeps the former tractor shed lovely and warm whilst the 4kw solar panels collect plenty of energy. A stone-throw away from Cornwall's word-class beaches, this property is perfect for those who want to relax in the comfort of mother nature. The home is only a couple of miles from the village of St Agnes as well as Trevellas. This comes shortly after a bungalow nestled on cliffs boasting a stunning postcard view of an iconic Cornish beach went on the market for the first time in a century. The one-bedroom property, which is on sale for a guide price of 395,000, has a feature stone wall and is built into the cliffs of Porthscylla in Cornwall. Overlooking Porthcurno beach - there it is no wonder the cosy cottage has stayed in the same family for over 100 years. Boasting a rich history, the minimalist barn conversion also has a 50-person World War II air raid shelter (pictured) Brimming with possibilities for potential future owners, the barn conversion also has an annexed ex-tractor shed as well as solar panels However, it isn't only sensational views that will entice buyers, with the famed Minack Theatre nearby Poldark fans may be tempted to set up roots here. While future residents can enjoy the peace and quiet of Porthscylla, they are only a stone's throw away from Penzance. Only a 22-minute drive down the road, potential future residents can also head to West Cornwall's biggest town and enjoy the hustle and bustle. Even though the property may have a slew of tempting amenities such as a patio as well as 1.94 acres spanning across the cliff - there is a catch. Although the one-bedroom chalet-style bungalow has remained in the same hand for decades - it needs quite a bit of work. The final death row letters from the world's most infamous serial killer reveal that he tried to convince his family he was innocent as he neared execution. Newly-released handwritten letters show how Ted Bundy berated relatives for believing 'innuendo, gossip and accusations' about his crimes - and urged them to ignore the slew grisly evidence against him. In one extraordinary letter, he even compared his time behind bars to the struggles of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. Bundy's cousin Edna Cowell Martin, now in her 70s, spoke to DailyMail.com ahead of the release of her upcoming book 'Dark Tide: Growing up with Ted Bundy'. The book contains the letters she exchanged with Bundy as he awaited execution for several murders, with investigators believing his true number of victims far exceeded the 30 he eventually confessed to hours before he died. 'I will tell you this much, I have not killed anyone,' Bundy, who Martin described as more of a 'brother', said in one death row letter. 'I have no guilt, remorse or regret over anything I've done. 'What's done is done.' Edna (riding a horse) during her childhood in Tacoma, Washington, alongside her brother John (left), a family friend (right), and her cousin, serial killer Ted Bundy (center) Bundy, seen in his final interview the day before his execution in 1989, maintained his innocence throughout his time on death row - and only confessed to dozens of murders in the hours before he was sent to the execution chamber 'Realizing he had done it was awful, it was sickening,' Edna said, after recalling their happy, 'normal' childhoods growing up together. 'It was not the Ted that I knew and loved, I felt betrayed and manipulated by him.' Edna is the first family member who grew up with Bundy to detail what it was like to have the world's most notorious serial killer as a family member. Now, 50 years on from his initial arrest in 1975, she has decided to tell DailyMail.com the stories she 'bottled up inside' for decades. Ted's first known victim, Washington ski reporter Lisa Ann Healy, was murdered in 1974. Edna reveals she met her several times while studying at the University of Washington. Dozens of women were killed or disappeared before he was first charged with murder in 1976. An original copy of a letter sent by Ted Bundy to his cousin Edna on November 13, 1986, where he told her he had 'no guilt, remorse or regret over anything I've done' Bundy's cousin Edna Cowell Martin (pictured in her youth) has now become the first person who grew up with Bundy to write about her infamous cousin 50 years on from his initial arrest, telling DailyMail.com the stories were 'bottled up inside' for decades He then managed to escape prison in Colorado in 1977, and carried out several more murders, including two sorority sisters and a 12-year-old girl in Florida. For this crime he was sent to the electric chair. In her letters, Edna pleads with Ted to confess before he is executed, hoping their childhood spent together in Tacoma would convince him. 'All these years I have written you 100s of letters in my mind only to tear them up in shreds of frustration,' she began in a letter dated May 31, 1986, days after Ted's first execution date was set. 'Ted, it took me a long time to accept the fact that someone I considered not only a close friend but occasionally a confidant capable of ever committing the acts of violence you are guilty of. 'Like everyone else near you, I saw only one side of you.' Ted Bundy (pictured with his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall in 1974) only confessed to some murders directly before his execution, and newly revealed letters show he furiously denied his crimes to family members while languishing on death row An original copy of the May 31, 1986 letter from Edna to Ted, as his execution date neared 'What happened to you, Ted, that you would develop such a deep rage... a deep hatred that you would feel overwhelmed to such an extent that you killed ruthlessly, in cold blood without mercy?' 'For the sake of your family and especially the families of your victims will you please explain what happened,' she wrote. 'Some of the women you murdered have never been found.' In the letter (seen in a DailyMail.com rendering), Edna was remorseful over how she missed her cousin's murderous rage, admitting to Bundy that she 'saw only one side of you' Edna pleaded with Bundy to finally reveal the locations of his victims, as she told DailyMail.com that she 'really was trying to go after him to do the right thing' Edna's letters offer a chilling insight into Bundy's life on death row in Florida, at the time after he married Carol Ann Boone (pictured in 1982 with their daughter Rose) Edna revealed secrets of her childhood with Ted Bundy to DailyMail.com ahead of the release of her upcoming book 'Dark Tide: Growing up with Ted Bundy' Edna revealed how her correspondence with Ted - whose true number of victims remains a mystery - ramped up as he neared his execution on Florida's death row. 'I really was trying to go after him to do the right thing,' she told DailyMail.com this week. 'They had moved him right next to the execution chamber and his time was short... he could have at least given the families an opportunity to know where some of their daughters were buried.' By June 10 of that same year, Edna received no response - so she wrote another letter, attempting to dig into Bundy's motivations. 'By the way, Ted, how did you, and how do you, justify murder? Did you say Well, these girls deserved it because they came on to me?' she asked. 'I'd like to know what it was that made you cross the line. Or did it really start much sooner than anyone knows? Did you start off killing paper girls in your spare time to practice or what?' An original copy of Edna's follow up letter on June 10, 1986, after Ted ignored her first Edna again pleaded with Bundy to offer some closure to his victims' families She attempted to delve into what may have motivated her cousin to murder, questioning whether it 'really started much sooner than anyone knows?' Bundy was known as a charming and charismatic individual who had the ability to dramatically change his look, which also helped him evade capture for many years In his death row letters, Bundy insisted to his cousin: 'I have not killed anyone' Offering a glimpse inside the mind of Bundy as he sat on death row, at a time he was already one of the most notorious killers in American history, Edna shared Ted's eventual response. In August 1986, he admitted to not replying for some time because after writing a letter, 'I wasn't sure it said what I wanted it to say.' 'I won't disregard your accusations completely. I will say this much, I have not killed anyone,' Bundy wrote, before adding two bible verses. Bundy had an infamous ability to mask his evil - as Edna wrote in one letter that she 'saw only one side of you' 'Let the dead bury the dead (Luke 9:60) for he is not a God of the dead but of the living: for all live unto him (Luke 20:38).' It emerged that his initial lack of response was because his letter was held by prison staffers. But in the letter, Bundy claimed that his cousin never really 'knew me.' 'What you seem to be basing what you said in your letter on is an assortment of random recollections and a multitude of impressions which have been drawn from years of being exposed to the sensational publicity, the rumors, the gossip about some character named Ted Bundy,' he wrote. An original copy of Ted's letter to Edna on August 1, 1986, where he berated her for believing 'innuendo, gossip or accusations' against him Bundy said in the letter that his Friday nights on death row consisted of the choice between writing to her, or watching Miami Vice and The Love Boat Despite already being one of the most notorious serial killers in history, Bundy insisted to his cousin 'I have no killed anyone' Talking of his daily life on death row in another letter on November 13, 1986, Ted even compared himself to Gandhi, writing: 'What's life like here? I live in a 9x12 foot space. There is a bunk and toilet and sink. 'We're down to basics here. It's like most everything the experience of being in prison can liberate or entrapped [sic]. Gandhi found his jail experiences to be uplifting, humbling. 'I'm stripped of so many things and being thus deprived I am free to see myself as I was not able to before. I was awakened at 5:30 a.m. for a breakfast of cold scrambled eggs, grits, white bread, milk. 'I'm in the cell all day. Sometimes I run back-and-forth and do sit ups and other exercises. Sometimes yoga. I usually take a nap around noon. I sleep well.' An excerpt of Bundy's November 13, 1986 letter (pictured), where he offered a glimpse inside his daily life on death row in Florida and compared his struggles to Ghandi Bundy detailed his day-to-day routine, including being woken up at 5:30am for 'cold scrambled eggs' and filling his time by exercising in his cell Throughout her childhood in Washington, Edna said she remembered Ted being a charismatic, warm person, traits that she went on to fear as they evidenced his eerie double life. But her closeness to her cousin was still seen in a number of letters behind bars, including one in July 1986 where she told Bundy her family were 'sighing with relief' when his scheduled execution was postponed. 'My dad and I tried to call your mother last night we wanted to let her know that we are still a family and we care,' she wrote. Like many of Bundy's friends and family, Edna also admitted she once believed his cries of innocence for years, choosing only to remember the cousin she grew close to. A letter from Edna's father to her on October 4, 1975, where he says he was 'really feeling sorry for Ted' after his arrest Ted wrote to Edna's parents Eleanor and Jack following his arrest in 1975, where he gave a surprising insight into his calm demeanor Ted wrote to Edna's parents Eleanor and Jack following his arrest in 1975, where he gave a surprising insight into his calm demeanor. 'I am less preoccupied about the nuances of prison life than I was initially,' he wrote. 'I know the ground rules and they are the ground rules which apply to my group of people confined under stress.' Despite the crimes he was under suspicion of at the time, he said he was merely '(doing) my own thing', including 'mental calisthenics' and 'absorbing myself in a book.' 'The mind if strong. The fighting spirit lives' he concluded. In letters sent by her parents in 1975 immediately after his first arrest, the serial killer was referred to as 'poor Ted', and they told Edna how 'sorry' they were for him. 'Oh my God! Cousin Louise just called me. Ted is being held in Utah for the murder-disappearances of a number of women out there,' her father, John, wrote in one dated October 4, 1975. 'They are also trying to pin the murder of 8 women in King County on him. I will send you more info. I am really feeling sorry for Ted. This is really bizarre and terrible.' Days later on October 8, they said in another letter: 'I called Ginnyshe's gasping about poor Ted... Try to stay very positive and not brood over Ted. Everything will be done.' The family also shared on November 3, 1975, their joy at finding out Ted's bail was reduced from $150,000 to $15,000, feeling that 'it means they didn't have a real case.' 'We talked a long time about Ted's bail being reduced 10 times,' Edna's parents, who helped raise Bundy, wrote to her. 'It shows they don't consider him a mad killer anymore.' Bundy's time on death row captured national attention, with Americans drip-fed pieces of information on his daily life over the years, such as his unauthorized conversations with John Hinckley Jr, who shot Ronald Reagan. His initial execution was set for 1986 - an unusually short time frame following conviction due to the public outrage at his crimes - although several stays and delays meant it was ultimately carried out on January 24, 1989. In a final interview the day before he died, Bundy blamed his crimes on an obsession with pornography, which experts have since theorized was another attempt to deflect responsibility. Crowds gathered outside Florida State Prison on the day of his execution, holding signs such as 'Fry Bundy, Fry!' and setting off fireworks when the news of his death was announced. Following his cremation, Bundy's last wish was granted as, per his will, his ashes were scattered along a mountain range in Washington State, where he buried a number of his victims. 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Jill Clark, 25, has opened up about how her vaping addiction left her with fluid in her lungs, a nasty cough and struggling to walk up stairs. Ms Clark vaped for about three years before going cold turkey in January. When she picked up the habit again in May she was struck down with an illness and constantly coughing. She quit vaping again last week after going to the doctor who told her she had damaged her lungs. Jill Clark, 25, has opened up about how her vaping addiction left her with fluid in her lungs, a nasty cough and struggling to walk up stairs Ms Clark, who also works in corporate sales in Sydney, was put on a two-week course of antibiotics and given cough syrup Rikodeine. She also now needs to take an inhaler wherever she goes despite never having asthma before. 'I was an absolute chain vaper, it was the first thing I did in the morning, and last thing at night and just constantly all day,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Clark said that after taking a five-month break from e-cigarettes she picked the vape up again after a stressful week. 'Unfortunately instead of dealing with the stress in a productive and healthy way, I went back to the thing I thought was a quick fix for it,' she said. Ms Clark said she had the cough for about four weeks and it was only getting worse before she went to the doctor. She said she was still vaping at the time she developed the cough but hasn't touched it since. 'It's definitely scared the s**t out of me to be honest,' she said. Ms Clark vaped for about three years before going cold turkey in January 'It's maybe one of those things that you don't realise is so bad until your health is affected, like not being able to breathe. I 100 per cent won't go back to it.' While Ms Clark is responding well to the antibiotics, she said if there were no signs of improvement she would need to go to hospital and undergo X-rays and ultrasounds. Her doctor is confident her lungs have not been permanently damaged but daily tasks are now much harder for the 25-year-old. 'It'll be about six months before my breathing is back to normal,' she said. 'It's becoming a struggle to hold conversations and walking up stairs is difficult. 'I can even feel this conversation now is making my chest really tight.' Ms Clark said any movement that required a spike in heartrate was difficult and exercise was off the table. The TikTokker has encouraged her followers who vape to kick the habit The 25-year-old said she acknowledged her health issues were her 'fault' but is committed to quitting vaping for good. On top of being sick, she's also suffering nicotine withdrawals. 'Addiction is tricky because the intention to quit can be there but even last time if you told me I would've gone back to vaping, I wouldn't have believed you,' she said. 'But I don't think I'll go back and if other people really want to quit, they've really got to want it for themselves. 'Take it one day at a time and remove the shame of it.' Ms Clark has also been sharing her journey with her vaping addiction to TikTok. '[Rikodeine] gives me about 15 minutes respite when I'm trying to sleep, which allows me enough time to actually fall asleep before I start coughing to death,' Ms Clark said. 'But then of course, I'm waking up through the night because there feels like there's something quite literally pressing down on my chest and I actually can't breathe. 'I've never needed [an inhaler] before, never had issues, never had asthma or anything of the sort. I have one, it comes with me everywhere I go because I can't breathe.' The influencer told her social media followers she hoped her experience scares them and urged those who vape to use her video as a sign to quit. She added people who vape do have the mentality that 'it will not happen to me', admitting she once had thought the same. 'If you're looking for a sign to quit or you're looking for a reason to quit while you're ahead, for the love of God have this be it,' Ms Clark said. 'I never thought it was going to be me. I never once thought I would be the person that got sick from [vaping]. Never once.' An 82-year-old grandfather committed suicide after losing his life savings to cruel scammers posing as a mystery love interest on Facebook. Dennis Jones fell victim to a con known as 'pig butchering' whereby fraudsters 'fatten' their victims up with a fake online romance before encouraging them to invest in bogus cryptocurrency schemes. Jones' family said he died 'embarrassed and ashamed' on March 4 after becoming infatuated with the woman called 'Jessica' - despite never meeting her. Heartbreaking final messages shared by his children reveal the loving father and grandfather, from Maryland, had become increasingly depressed about his financial losses. He wrote in one exchange to 'Jessica': 'I have been having dark thoughts about my life and it being over. Certainly, it looks like my financial life is done. Bankruptcy, legal and all that BS. It will be very painful and I'm not sure I can stand it.' Dennis Jones, 82, unexpectedly took his life on March 4 after falling victim to a 'pig-butchering scam' after befriending a woman named Jessica on Facebook His heartbroken children, Matt Jones (right) and Adrianne Gruner (left), had planned to meet with their struggling father on the day he died to help him recover from the massive scam It comes as more and more Americans fall victim to the cruel con, thought to be predominantly run by Chinese gangs. Earlier this year, the Secret Service said it was seeing a 'ton' of cases. It comes as more and more Americans fall victim to the cruel con, thought to be predominantly run by Chinese gangs. Earlier this year, the Secret Service said it was seeing a 'ton' of cases. Devastated children Matt Jones and Adrianne Gruner said they had planned to meet with their dad on the day he died to help him recover after he confided in them about the scam. Adrianne added he was supposed to move in with her family on her farm in Virginia to rebuild his life. Matt was stunned to see cops show up to his door an hour after their planned meeting informing him Jones had taken his own life. The family assumed he was out for a long run - something he loved to do. 'Our father was, from the day I was born until six months ago, always a positive, happy person,' he told CNN. 'This was literally the only thing in his life that had happened, to where it changed him, and it just crushed him.' So-called 'pig butcherers' operate on various social media, dating and messaging sites such as Facebook, Tinder, WhatsApp and LinkedIn - among others. After entering their lives and making the victims like Jones comfortable, the scammers convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and even 'phantom properties' that don't exist. The women convinced Dennis to drain his life savings, and even when he had nothing left to give and told her about his deteriorating mental health, she demanded more Adrianne said that he was supposed to move in with her family on her farm in Virginia to rebuild his life. (pictured: Dennis (right) with his kids and grandchildren) In messages shared by the family, Jones told 'Jessica' that he would 'have 9000 in my trust wallet by Saturday.' 'Transferring 2500 per day into uphold and had 1525 in it. So, 4000 in it now 65000 tomorrow and 9000 Saturday.' 'Jessica' replied: 'Is there any limit on transferring to wallet now?' In another message to 'Jessica', Dennis told her how guilty he felt for 'betraying his family' by giving up all of his money. 'He's saying, 'these are basically evil people, I did not know such evil people existed'' Jones wrote in a message that Matt read. 'The ultimate pain here is that I've betrayed my family's trust, this is unbearable,' he added. Despite all of the pain her father endured, Adrianne believes that he truly cared for 'Jessica'. 'I do believe he loved the person that he believed was behind that profile,' she said. Matt added he knew something was off once he was told how his father died. 'As soon as I found out that it was a suicide, I was 100% sure that it was the scam,' he told CNN. In messages shared by the family, Dennis told Jessica that he would 'have 9000 in my trust wallet by Saturday' His family described him as 'a bit of an activist' who frequently debated about politics online, and 'had a boundless curiosity for current events.' (pictured: Dennis with one of his grandchildren) According to his obituary, Dennis was passionate about photography, sailing, playing the guitar, and volunteering. He served in the US Coast Guard after graduating from Georgetown University. He then embarked on many careers, including work in the marketing, sales and real estate industries. His family described him as 'a bit of an activist' who frequently debated about politics online, and 'had a boundless curiosity for current events.' He was married to his late ex-wife and mother of three of his children, Martha B. Hague. 'You know, he died embarrassed, ashamed, you know, financially devastated and heartbroken,' Adrianne said. 'If sharing our story helps somebody else or another family, then it's worth it.' In August, another loving father from New Jersey fell victim to scammers and nearly took his life. Real estate agent Michael Holloway, 62, was conned out of $500,000 by online fraudsters, who lured him in with fake relationships before persuading him to drain his entire retirement pot. Holloway was so distraught from the cruel scam that he hit 'rock bottom' and was 'ready to end his life' - and ultimately ended up being rushed to hospital by his concerned daughter. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Holloway explained how he was targeted on social media - and was initially wary of would-be scammers reaching out to him. 'If I made a successful deal I would post it on social media, and I started getting random people hitting me up - and they would always mention cryptocurrency investment. I would tell them to forget it - I knew what they wanted and I was onto them,' he said. 'I do believe he loved the person that he believed was behind that profile,' Adrienne said But in early December 2022, a woman called 'Hui Hui', who said she was from China, reached out to him. 'I was complaining to her that so many people were trying to get me to invest. It kept on like a friendly chat at first,' he said. Holloway admitted that he was having some trouble with his marriage at the time and he was in a vulnerable mindset. The online conversation turned romantic - with plans for the pair to potentially meet. Several other female victims have also shared their stories with DailyMail.com Law enforcement sources have predicted that losses related to online scamming will continue to grow in the next year, as the criminals remain out of reach. The industry has established factories and secure compounds where scammers are reportedly held against their will and forced to con people out of all they have. Last year, the FBI estimates, pig butchering scams stole nearly $4 billion from tens of thousands of American victims, a 53% increase from the year before. Americans lost a record $2.57 billion to cryptocurrency investment fraud in 2022 alone, according to the FBI, which is almost three times the amount stolen in 2021. It might have originated as fiction, but many of the disturbing and dystopian elements of Netflix's sci-fi series Black Mirror are already encroaching into our lives, thanks to untrammelled recent advances in science and technology. These include killer robot dogs, a social credit rating system in China, autonomous pizza delivery and even reports of families microchipping their kids. Black Mirror made its debut in 2011, but with a seventh series not expected until 2025, MailOnline has compiled a list of the creepy technologies highlighted by previous episodes of the show which are slowly entering our everyday lives. VR Memories Episode The Entire History of You describes a world where people can access their memories through an implant that records everything they see. The technology allows them to rewind, zoom in and sift through the scenes of their lives. Google is currently working with health giant Novartis to produce groundbreaking smart contact lenses that are not a million miles away from this concept. The two businesses will launch the technology with a glucose-monitoring lens for diabetics, and another one to treat farsightedness. The VR app echoes 'The Entire History of You,' which features recordings of people's lives The VR app transforms footage taken by a smartphone and uploads them into virtual reality On top of this Snapchat debuted its Spectacles gadget in 2016, which shoots videos akin to human vision because the lenses have an angle of 115 degrees. It has since released three versions. Spectacles 3 hit the market in 2019 with dual cameras to add depth and dimension to photos and videos. And the most recent technology that appears to pull inspiration from the Black Mirror episode comes from startup Wist. The company is developing a smartphone application to record unforgettable moments, that are then uploaded to a virtual reality headset, allowing users to interact with their once-lived experiences. The VR app, called Vivid, is available for beta on iOS, but pairs with a Quest VR headset and lets users invite friends to join them in their memories. Killer Robot Dogs In infamous episode Metalhead, viewers are transported to a time when robot dogs have taken over the world and are hunting down the remaining humans. The robots are autonomous robotic quadrupeds equipped with lethal weapons, including explosives, built-in firearms, data probes and solar charging - allowing them to stay powered indefinitely. The episode was released in 2017, and at the time most saw it as simply science fiction. But today, nations worldwide are building killer robodogs that will soon be released on the battlefield. Viewers see a time when robot dogs have taken over the world and hunt down humans But art appears to have anticipated life, as in this new autonomous weapon system combining a quadruped robot with a sniper rifle Philadelphia-based Ghost Robotics and arms manufacturer SWORD International of Sparks showed off a robot dog design armed with a 6.5 mm Creedmoor sniper rifle capable of precisely hitting targets from 3,940 feet away. A different video released last year was also reminiscent of the Black Mirror episode. It showed a robot dog opening fire with a submachine gun strapped to its back. Alexander Atamanov, the founder of a Russian hoverbike company, uploaded the viral video, which shows a Unitree Yushu killer machine, that retails for about $3,000, shooting at snow-covered hills. Immersive Games In the episode Playtest, Cooper, an American who tests an upcoming game in London, is strapped to a device to transport him to the digital world. The device is able to access his brain and target his fears. The device ultimately kills the protagonist - which happens to be the theme of a supposed VR headset created by 30-year-old Oculus founder Palmer Luckey. Luckey claims his NerveGear instantly 'destroys the brain' of the user when they 'die' in a virtual game. Cooper is strapped to a device to transport him into a dangerous digital world Palmer Luckey claims his VR device 'destroys the brain' of the user when they 'die' in a game The device looks like a regular headset apart from the three terrifying 'explosive charge modules' pointed at the user's skull. When the user dies virtually during gameplay, the modules fire at their head, killing them instantly. Luckey admitted the device is not quite finished, and he will likely have trouble getting clearance to use it even when it is. His tongue may have been in his cheek when he said: 'It is also, as far as I know, the first non-fiction example of a VR device that can actually kill the user. It won't be the last.' Personality Ratings In episode one of season three, Nosedive, Black Mirror introduces us to Lacie Pound, who lives in a world where anyone can rate your personality out of five stars, from friends to strangers you meet on the street. In Nosedive, people have a social score that updates in real-time as people perform actions A celebrity-filled music video was part of China's effort to win support for the credit system In a similar move, China has rolled out a controversial social credit system, which rates its 1.4 billion citizens based on their daily behaviour. People are given a social credit score, and those with high ratings get rewards - such as being allowed on the subway first or getting discounts for shopping - while punishments are given to those with low scores - for example, being banned from public transit. The system, which launched in 2020 after being unveiled in 2014, assesses individuals, enterprises and government agencies on credit in four areas - administrative affairs, commercial activities, social behavior, and the judicial system, according to an outline issued by the State Council in 2014 cited by Global Times. The social credit score is made possible by China's ever-expanding surveillance network, which currently boasts 200 million AI-powered cameras. Pizza Trucks The third episode in season four, Crocodile, follows Mia 15 years after she helped her friend Rob cover up a hit-and-run death. Mia and Rob are shown arguing inside her hotel room because he wants to write an anonymous letter to the victim's wife. During the argument, Mia breaks Rob's neck, killing him. Mia then looks out the window and witnesses a self-driving pizza delivery truck hitting a pedestrian. The episode aired in 2017 and, one year later, Pizza Hut announced a fully autonomous delivery concept vehicle that looks eerily similar to the one in Black Mirror. In Crocodile, Mia notices a self-driving pizza delivery truck hit a pedestrian in a collision Domino's took the next step in autonomous delivery by partnering with Nuro to deliver pizzas Domino's also uses robotic pizza delivery machines to deliver its pies in select US states. The robot vehicles, made by the well-funded startup Nuro, are entirely self-driving and can cart their cargo - in this case pizza - via in-unit storage. Once the robot arrives at its destination, customers must meet the vehicle and use a special PIN provided to them when they ordered to unlock the hatch and collect their delivery. Chipped children A teenage Reddit user claims that her overprotective mother got her microchipped like a pet when she was a baby. One commenter cheekily suggested she sue Black Mirror stealing her life story for the episode 'Arkangel,' about an overprotective mother who tracks her daughter with an implanted device. 'I'm a forgiving person. More forgiving than a lot of people,' the 17-year-old wrote in a thread on the r/AMA (Ask Me Anything) subreddit, where users invite others to ask them questions. 'And even I severely resent my mom's decision.' Reddit does not verify user accounts, but the original poster identified herself as a 17-year-old female. The teen claimed her uncle, a veterinarian, used a inserted the chip under the skin between her shoulder blades when she was a baby. This is the same location where veterinarians usually chip dogs and cats. Besides this account, Elon Musk's ambitious Neuralink is also exploring the possibilities of chip implants in the human brain. The implanted technology allows mum Marie to track daughter Sara's location in the episode China's chokehold over U.S. military supplies leaves the West at the mercy of Beijing in the event of an all out war, a former army general has warned. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, retired U.S. Army Major General John G. Ferrari said he had 'grave concerns' about America's ongoing reliance on China to equip its military. Chinese manufacturers are deeply embedded in U.S. defense systems, providing critical technology and raw materials used in everything from air-to-air missiles to fighter jets. General Ferrari, who served as a deputy commander for NATO in Afghanistan, admitted that Beijing could cripple America's ability to arm itself by cutting off supply lines. 'If we were in a war with China and it stopped providing parts, we wouldn't be able to build the planes and weapons we needed,' he said. In 2022, the Pentagon suspended deliveries of its flagship F-35 fighter jets after it was discovered that they contained a component made with a banned Chinese alloy In 2012, the Senate Armed Forces Committee found that counterfeit parts from China were being integrated into the U.S. Army's Stryker Mobile Gun (pictured above) Retired U.S. Army Major General John G. Ferrari told DailyMail.com he had 'grave concerns' about the American military's ongoing reliance on China to equip its military His stark warning comes amid growing fears of a military confrontation with China over Taiwan. The former general, now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, added: 'We need to start to prepare our supply chains now for a potential war.' No quick fix A startling report released earlier this year revealed Chinese firms have a stranglehold across 12 critical technologies that are vital to US national security, including nuclear modernization, hypersonic and space technologies. The study, which was carried out by defense software firm Govini, delivered a damning indictment on the American armaments industry. 'U.S. domestic production capacity is a shriveled shadow of its former self,' the report said. 'Crucial categories of industry for U.S. national defense are no longer built in any of the 50 states.' Perhaps most worryingly, Govini found that more than 40 per cent of the semiconductors that sustain Department of Defense (DoD) weapons systems are now sourced from China. Advanced semiconductors are crucial components of missile guidance systems, cyberware and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. It has sparked fears that Beijing has been left with an array of tools to sabotage American defenses, from planting defective chips into air-to-air missiles to embedding spyware into DoD systems. Ferrari, however, warned there was no quick fix. In anticipation of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the US military has been carrying out ominous war games in the Philippines (pictured during a joint exercise with the Philippine military on May 6, 2024) Chinese President Xi Jinping has made no secret of his desire to reunify Taiwan with mainland China, but has kept rivals in the dark over when he could deploy a surprise attack 'You can't just turn around on a dime because the [manufacturing] capacity doesn't exist here,' he said. He added that it could take 10 to 15 years for the U.S. to disentangle itself from China. But the former general, who was also a strategic planner for a Combined Joint Task Force in Iraq, hit out at Washington for being slow to react. 'We're into our third administration of trying to solve this problem. The Obama administration sounded the alarm, but they didn't know what to do about it. 'The Trump administration went hard at the problem with tariffs and trade restrictions. 'Then Biden has come in and built upon that. We now have something of a bipartisan consensus. 'But we are still not pushing hard enough. With both Trump and Biden, you hear "America First". I don't believe that's a good solution. 'It should be "Buy Allies", because the U.S. does not have the capacity to solve the problem on its own.' The Biden administration has been criticized for its sclerotic response to the crisis, with experts citing a mealy-mouthed 'non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT)' to provide $162million in federal funding to support the onshoring of semiconductor technology as demonstrating a lack of urgency on the matter. General Ferrari has also said that the recently passed 2024 National Defense Authorization Act 'barely affects' the timeline for eliminating the Pentagon's dependence on China. Driven by profit The DoD has long known that US supply chains are dominated by Chinese manufacturing. In 2012, the Senate Armed Forces Committee found that counterfeit parts from China were being integrated into several critical systems, putting national security at risk. These included AI capabilities in the Air Force's Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft, the Navy's Integrated Submarine Imaging System, and the Army's Stryker Mobile Gun. A decade later, the Pentagon suspended deliveries of its flagship F-35 fighter jets after it was discovered that they contained a component made with a banned Chinese alloy. The Air Force eventually resumed supplies after determining that the parts wouldn't affect safety, but the scare underlined concerns about how the complexities of the military supply chain could allow Beijing to slip in defective parts or spyware undetected. Counterfeit parts from China were also found in AI capabilities of the U.S. Air Force's Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft (pictured above) The US built up its reliance on Chinese manufacturing during an era of relative harmony between the two nations following the 1990s. American contractors were encouraged to do business with China, which was able to offer cheap manufacturing and ready access to raw materials. But defense officials have become increasingly uneasy about the integration of supply chains in the wake of increased tensions with Beijing. Yet the DoD's reliance on Chinese equipment has continued to grow. Between 2014 and 2022, American dependence on Chinese electronics increased by 600 per cent, according to Govini. Courtney Manning, senior research scientist at the nonpartisan American Security Project, said the trend has been 'driven by profit'. 'American defense contractors have obtained extremely lucrative contracts that are hard to break out of,' she told DailyMail.com. 'They are given a lot of agency and who they're able to work with. For many of them, sourcing their components from China or Taiwan is a lucrative way to get their high tech needs met without spending a fortune on manpower here in the US.' No alternatives But contractors have pointed to a dearth of domestic options, with U.S. manufacturing in terminal decline. Jeff Ferry, chief economist at the non-profit Coalition for a Prosperous America, said drone manufacturers were desperately but largely unsuccessfully seeking American components. 'There's possibly a few hundred parts that go into a drone,' he told DailyMail.com. 'The majority of them are made in huge volumes in China.' Drones run on lithium, a mineral China has a monopoly on. Semiconductors, meanwhile, require materials, including gallium, arsenic, and neon - much of which are produced in Russia, China, and Ukraine. The US does not produce gallium and Russia's invasion of Ukraine halved the world's supply of semiconductor-grade neon. The war in Ukraine has exposed widespread problems in the American armaments industry. U.S. weapons inventories have fallen to perilously low levels after sending Ukraine billions of dollars of military equipment and supplies. But defense companies are not equipped to replenish them rapidly. A study by think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies has said the conflict in Eastern Europe has highlighted how quickly the U.S. military would run out of munitions in a potential conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific. Following the death of Hollywood legend Donald Sutherland, the world has been looking back on his iconic career both on and off-screen. The Canadian actor, most recently known for his role as the evil overlord president Snow in the Jennifer Lawrence-led Hunger Games series, is also the star of one of the most controversial movie sex scenes of all time. Don't Look Now, released in 1973, saw Sutherland and co-star Julie Christie engage in a near-five minutes romp so steamy that it was cut from various TV adaptations and international showings. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) at the time said it went beyond what it would normally pass, re-defining boundaries of how sex is shown on the big screen. In the many decades since, steamy scenes have become more than commonplace across TV and film as directors and executives continue to use sex as a tool to gain eyeballs. Nowhere has this been more clear than with Netflix smash hit Bridgerton. Your browser does not support iframes. The raunchy period drama, known for the sex scenes that lurk around every corner, recently showed the longest, steamiest sex scene in the shows history. Leading lady and socialite Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) declared their love for each other at the end of the first half of the series. And to welcome viewers back, the pair offered up a six-minute romp in the fifth episode that made all the use of the sets period furnishings. MailOnline went back through the archives and recorded the lengths of some of the most notable sex scenes across film and television. From the 1980s up to last month, the analysis shows that across the cliffs of Westeros to downtown Manhattan, young Donald Sutherland to Sydney Sweeney, the most well-known romps are all different. Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie in Don't Look Now's controversial love scene. Initial promo for the film, directed by Nicolas Roeg, saw it dubbed 'one of the frankest love scenes ever to be filmed'. Steamy scenes have become more than commonplace across TV and film as directors and executives continue to use sex as a tool to gain eyeballs. Nowhere has this been more clear than with Netflix smash hit Bridgerton. Leading lady and socialite Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) declared their love for each other at the end of the first half of the series The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle's steamy file room encounter with Patrick J. Adams in US legal drama Suits features in our list The film category boasts entries from Hollywood royalty. Nicole Kidman (The Hours), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), Michael Douglas (Wall Street) all took home best actor Oscars during their careers, while Natalie Portman won the Best Actress statue for her role in Black Swan. Also thrown into the list are a couple of our teams favourites, including Palme D'or-winning drama flick God's Own Country starring The Crown's Josh O'Connor. The TV side features former royalty too, with the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle's steamy file room encounter with Patrick J. Adams in US legal drama Suits. Irish actor and star of last summer's blockbuster Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy, gets a nod for a scene in his role as Peaky Blinders' Tommy Shelby. Earlier this month it was confirmed that Murphy will reprise the role in a feature-length Peaky Blinders film, set to begin filming in September of this year. High school students hoping for a discount on their college tuition may have to look no further than their last name. One of the unlikely endowments being offered by some universities is a full-ride scholarship based on a students surname - even if there is no relation to its benefactor. North Carolina State University graduate Derek Gatlin told The Wall Street Journal what it was like to learn about the unique last name loophole. A teacher told Gatlin to get serious about his education while he was in middle school and that he could potentially earn a college scholarship because of his name. Derek Gatlin asked individuals were Raleigh was after he received a full scholarship to North Carolina State University Gatlin's last name is similar to that of Raleigh businessman John Gatling. The John Gatling Grant is awarded to prospective students whose last names are Gatling or Gatlin Although he was skeptical, Gatlin easily managed to earn a full ride to North Carolina State in 2001. The school noted two reasons: his last name and strong SAT scores. 'It was the golden ticket, like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Gatlin told WSJ 'Then I asked: Where is Raleigh, North Carolina.' NC State University currently offers a John Gatling Grant, which Raleigh businessman John Gatling established for students with the surname 'Gatling' or 'Gatlin.' Prospective students who apply for the grant only need to maintain a 2.0 GPA and satisfactory academic progress -- in addition to providing a copy of their birth certificate to prove their last name. The California native graduated from NC State in 2009 and was featured in the school's Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) career spotlight in 2020. Derek Gatling, a 1991 NC State graduate and New Jersey pastor, was also lucky enough to receive the scholarship. The scholarship even caught the attention of a Reddit user, who wrote in 2018: 'Brb. I'm going to change my last name.' The NC State graduates are only two of likely hundreds of prospective students with a unique last name. Loyola University Chicago offers the Zolp Scholarship, which Catholic priest Rev William Zolp established in the 1970s Loyola University Chicago offers the Zolp Scholarship, which Catholic priest Rev William Zolp established in the 1970s. Students who are qualified to apply for the scholarship must be admitted into the school, have the last name Zolp, and be Roman Catholic. Anyone interested in attending the University of California, Irvine, and a direct descendant of Miguel Velez's family can apply for the scholarship named after him. The Miguel Velez Scholarship provides financial support, but its recipients must be citizens of a Latin American country with a preference for Columbia. However, students with the last name Dudley would likely have a good chance of being offered a full scholarship to Harvard University. The Ivy League university will likely offer a full scholarship to a prospective student who is a descendant of Thomas Dudley, a governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony in the 1600s. Future college students who want to attend a Northeastern school may be eligible for one of 38 scholarships the University of Maine offers to descendants of a particular individual or family. Although this may be an uncommon last name, Scarpinato is the name that could help someone get a scholarship offer from Texas A&M University. All someone would need to do is be any kind of student whose last name is Scarpinato, either by marriage or by blood. Prospective students with the last name Dudley will have a high chance of being offered a scholarship from Harvard University due its connection with a former governor from the 1600s Dudley is not the only last name that Harvard University pays attention to while admissions review applications. Prospective students with the last name Downer will likely have a leg up for Harvard University due to the Charles Downer Scholarship Fund. Incoming or current Harvard students whose last name is Downer or are descendants of Joseph or Robert Downer of Wiltshire, England, or members of the Harvard Class of 1889 are allowed to apply. Admission committees from Yale University and Hamilton College may be excited to receive an application from a high school student whose last name is Leavenworth. The Leavenworth Scholarship, established by lawyer and politician Elias W Leavenworth in 1882, is offered to students from those two Connecticut and New York schools if their last name is Leavenworth. Unfortunately, Leavenworth is a rare last name, and Yale even put out advertisements in an effort to invite men with that last name to apply to the university, according to a 1938 article in the Yale Daily News. The Leavenworth Scholarship, established by lawyer and politician Elias W Leavenworth in 1882, is offered to students at Yale and Hamilton if their last name is Leavenworth Yale University put out an advertisement in an effort to attract me with that last name to apply to the school, according to a 1938 article in the Yale Daily News 'It seems that no Leavenworth can be found in the student body and, in this embarrassing predicament, the scholarship requires advertising,' the article read. 'All Yalemen who are contemplating changing their name in order to capture this award are cautioned that such a procedure would be frowned upon by authorities, although the legality of the action is possibly beyond reproach.' A Hamilton College administrator made a successful PowerPoint pitch nearly 20 years ago about hosting a Leavenworth family reunion in Kansas. Since then, prospective students bearing the surname Leavenworth popped up, and the most recent scholarship was given to an individual from Hamilton in 2015. It was the first Leavenworth scholarship given out by one of the universities in over 20 years. 1994 Hamilton graduate Benjamin Leavenworth also received the scholarship, and he revealed to the WSJ that he had been aware of it since elementary school. Before Benjamin, his father and grandfather received Leavenworth scholarships to attend Yale. However, the scholarship, which came with financial aid that covered more than half of his tuition cost, ended up playing a major role in deciding where he'd attend college. The innocent baby cops say was killed by his Ph.D.-student babysitter has been pictured for the first time along with the twin brother she is also accused of injuring. Nicole Virzi is charged with the murder of six-and-a-half-week old Leon Katz at his home in Pittsburgh, on what was his dad's first Father's Day -- and his parents' first wedding anniversary. Virzi, 29, was a 'trusted friend' of the babies' parents Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts. Police say she allegedly killed the infant while they were at the hospital with his twin brother Ari, who they allege Virzi also assaulted. A GoFundMe set up for the devastated couple says Leon was 'tragically killed under horrific circumstances' and that a 'trusted family friend' has been arrested. Virzi is charged with homicide, child endangerment, and aggravated assault but denies any wrongdoing. Six week-old Leon Katz was murdered by a P.hD student babysitter hired by his parents, police say Leon's alleged killer Nicole Virzi, 29, was a trusted friend of the infant's parents Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts Ethan and Savannah are pictured with Leon and his twin brother Ari, who Virzi is also accused of attacking Nicole Virzi is charged with the murder of six-and-a-half-week old Leon Katz at his home in Pittsburgh 'Leon will always be remembered as a happy, smiley, goofy baby boy. His untimely and tragic death has deeply impacted the Pittsburgh community, ' the GoFundMe reads. Pictures taken just days before the tragedy show twins Leon and Ari side by side in matching onesies. Virzi has denied any wrongdoing and her lawyer maintains her innocence. 'Our client denies these allegations. She is a loving person and a friend to these people and would never harm anyone's child, let alone theirs,' her attorney David Shrager told Pittsburgh's WTAE. The accused killer was continuing to babysit tiny Leon while his parents were at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh with his twin, Ari, after Virzi said she spotted an injury on his groin area, police said. This picture of the twin brothers was taken shortly before Leon's horrific murder and the attack on Ari The baby's killing came as their father celebrated father's day, which also fell on the boys' parents' first wedding anniversary She told cops that she had gone into the kitchen to get Katz a bottle when she suddenly heard screaming. When she returned she said the baby had fallen out of his bouncer chair. She then called 911. 'The injuries sustained by both (twins are) consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental,' a doctor told investigators, according to court filings. Virzi is being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail. She faces a preliminary hearing on June 28. Her LinkedIn profile indicates she is a fifth-year clinical psychology candidate on the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program. Virzi, 29, seen in her booking photo, was babysitting the child while his parents were at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh with his twin after Virzi said she spotted an injury on his groin Virzi told cops that she was getting Katz a bottle when she heard screaming and saw he had fallen out of a bouncer 'She's going to be 30 years old. She's a Ph.D. student. She is long-term friends with the family in this situation,' Shrager said. 'As I've said, it doesn't show any criminal history in her background and we're anxious to get our day in court. 'Right now, she's charged with a general count of homicide, which, for the most part, bond is not available. 'Of course, we're going to be doing our due diligence on that end and see if we can make some changes there.' Outraged neighbours in an Adelaide suburb have demanded their local council clean up a home piled so high with hoarded items the owner can't even live in it. Residents say the shocking hoarding all around the home in the city's south is putting their safety at risk and something needs to quickly be done about it. Next door neighbour Ray Lovell said he is worried about the chances of a blaze, with all the junk piled so high. 'If there's a fire in that house, how are they going to fight it? If the house next door catches fire, who is to blame?' he told 7News. The homeowner lives in a caravan in front of their property because the house has become uninhabitable due to the extreme hoarding. Outraged neighbours in an Adelaide suburb have demanded their local council clean up a home piled so high with hoarded items (pictured) the owner can't even live in it The house was cleaned up last year, but the junk soon started to pile up again, locals said. The householder said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after her brother was murdered in 2010. Hoarding is considered to be a mental health illness that requires specialist intervention and support. Angela Esnouf, of a company called Hoarding Home Solutions, trains people to help those who are compulsive hoarders. Holding on to an excessive amount of items increased the risk of fire, bacteria, mould and rodent and insect infestations, she said. The City of Onkaparinga Council said it has spent a lot of time trying to help the homeowner, but without lasting success. It has now given given her until the end of June to clean up the property. 'Once the deadline of the notice has passed, the council will inspect the land to determine if compliance has been forthcoming,' a council spokesperson said. 'Should the matter not be resolved, we will undertake the required works, as we did in May 2023.' Ms Esnouf said without proper support for the hoarder, talking away the items they have accumulated can be very distressing. 'It builds another layer of distrust, another trauma for somebody to try to get over. It's never going to be a positive experience,' she said. Hoarding is often linked to anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses, Ms Esnouf added. 'Some people want to create a little nest for themselves (to) keep them barricaded inside their home, it might have been the result of some trauma to them ... that they want to make themselves feel safe,' she said. Residents say the shocking hoarding (pictured) all around the home is putting their safety at risk and something needs to quickly be done about it 'It may make them feel like they're contributing to society because they're rescuing things from landfill.' She said the homeowner will need support if the council does removed the hoarded items, because they don't understand the difference between junk and something valuable. 'You have to be really, really specific in laying out what to expect (from them) and following up with lots of support to be able to make that happen,' Ms Esnouf said. 'The best cases are when there's a slow and steady change process going on where you're helping them to declutter, then you're bringing in skills, habits and routines to help them live in a more functional way.' Horrifying new details have been revealed in the murder investigation of a 12-year-old girl who was found strangled in a Texas creek only hours after sneaking out of her home. Jocelyn Nungaray's body was found floating in a bayou near to her Houston home on Monday, after she snuck out of the house at 10pm. Two suspects, Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, have been charged with capital murder. Police have revealed the pair, who were in the U.S. illegally from Venezuela, allegedly lured Jocelyn under a bridge, where they held her for more than two hours, possibly gang-raping her after they tied her up and took her pants off. When the duo were done with their depraved deeds, they allegedly killed the child by strangling her, before throwing her body into Greenpoint Creek. Prosecutors say the case would not qualify for the death penalty unless evidence is found that shows that the girl was sexually assaulted. Investigators are still awaiting the result of tests to confirm whether Jocelyn was raped. Jocelyn Nungaray's body was found floating in a bayou near to her Houston home on Monday after the 12-year-old snuck out of the house at 10pm on Sunday night Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, 22, has been charged with capital murder. He was previously arrested close to El Paso on March 14 but was let go with a notice to appear at a later date Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, has also been charged with capital murder. Ramos had previously been arrested on May 28, near El Paso, but was released Both Rangel and Ramos had both been arrested within the last few months by U.S. Border Patrol but were released. It is not clear when the pair entered the country. According to ICE, Border Patrol stopped Rangel near El Paso on March 14 only to be let go with a notice to appear. Months later, Ramos was also arrested on May 28, near El Paso. A judge ordered him to appear in court later. Both men are now in the Harris County Jail. The Harris County District Attorney's Office is requesting bail be set at $1 million each. Police had issued images of two persons of interest seen with the Jocelyn hours before her death after she had crept out of her home late on Sunday night. This final image of Jocelyn shows her entering a convenience store close to her home. It is there where she ran into the two men allegedly responsible for ending her life It is believed Jocelyn first encountered the two men when she went to a convenience store Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, pictured, have now been charged with capital murder following a manhunt for the suspects Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 22, is pictured during his arrest. Police said the suspects resided within the same apartment complex as the victim Then men are alleged to have subjected Jocelyn to a two hour ordeal before throwing her into the creek below the bridge Officers said the suspects lived on the same block as the girl and bumped into the pre-teen, walking with her to a convenience store. Surveillance footage sees her calling her 13-year-old boyfriend from the convenience store at around midnight that night and later walking into the store itself. Speaking to ABC13, passerby Billie Jackson explained how he found the girl's body. 'I drove past, and when I looked up the creek, I thought it was a mannequin. I did a U-turn, and I stopped on the bridge, put my flashers on, looked down, and realized it was someone. I parked right here and called 911 immediately.' Jocelyn's grieving mother, Alexis Nungary, is struggling to process what happened. 'It's like it's not real,' she told Click2Houston. 'I keep hearing everything, and I hear it and it's not registering.' She recalled telling her daughter on Sunday not to stay up too late, as she was joining her at work the next day. It was the last words ever spoken to her daughter. By 3am on Monday, Alexis said she noticed Jocelyn's cat was 'going crazy,' but assumed the cat was with her daughter, who always slept with her pet at night. It wasn't until she woke up at 6am and started her normal routine to wake up her five-year-old son and Jocelyn that she noticed her daughter was missing. Alexis also said that she does not know why Jocelyn snuck out of the house, though she noted that she has struggled in recent months with her mental health. 'I don't know why, what possessed her to walk around late at night in this area out of all places,' Alexis said. 'I always told her to never leave the house, never leave unattended, always be safe. There's people around here that are crazy. I don't think she ever thought it would face her.' She and other family members have described the preteen as a loving and caring child. Family members have described the preteen as a loving and caring child Her grieving mother, Alexis Nungaray, pictured, is struggling to process what happened Police in Houston had issued a notice saying both men were persons of interest in the case Jocelyn's body was found in a creek close to her Houston home Her uncle Joamel said: 'Jocy was a smart, loving, nurturing young lady, She brightened up the room every time she came by and was loved by everyone around.' Alexis also described her as the 'greatest friend' who was 'very goofy. 'She had aspirations for life,' Alexis said. 'She loved everyone, was so kind.' Alexis said she suspects the two men either live in the apartment complex or may have walked to the store from a nearby state park. 'I want karma to hit them, I'm angry,' Alexis added. 'They took advantage of her. 'She's so young, she's 12. I want justice. I want whoever has seen them to please call police. They took my baby away.' A GoFundMe has now been set up to pay for Jocelyn's funeral which as of Friday evening had raised almost $40,000 dollars. 'Her family was not prepared for such a loss, and [need] help to give her daughter the memorial she deserves, to honor her memory and to say our last goodbyes,' it says. Women have boosted support for Marine Le Pen's hard-Right party, a French poll suggested yesterday. A third of women said they had voted for National Rally (RN) in the European Parliament elections earlier this month, compared with 21 per cent in the 2019 vote. The level of support from women for the anti-immigration party bucks a trend that has seen men more likely to vote for hard-Right parties. It comes as France prepares for a snap general election ordered by president Emmanuel Macron after his party was humiliated in the European election. French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) leader Marine Le Pen poses for a selfie with a mother and child Supporters with French national flags during a National Rally European election campaign event in Paris A woman holding frenchs flags from a balcony at the grand Rassemblement National meeting with Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella The poll, for Les Echos newspaper, found that 33 per cent of women and 30 per cent of men had voted for the nationalist party. (Marine Le Pen leaves the voting booth on the day of the European Parliament election) His centrist Renaissance party won just 14.6 per cent of the vote, against almost 32 per cent for RN. The poll, for Les Echos newspaper, found that 33 per cent of women and 30 per cent of men had voted for the nationalist party. By contrast, the hard-Right Alternative for Germany party received support from 19 per cent of men and 12 per cent of women in the most recent European election. If RN were to win France's two-round election on June 30 and July 7, it would form the first hard-Right government in the country's recent history. Commentators said it has sought to portray itself as defending women's rights while pursuing anti-Islam and anti-immigration policies. But women's rights organisations have called on voters to 'stop the far-Right'. King Charles is set to scale back his tour of Australia and cancel his trip to New Zealand all together over health concerns as he continues his cancer recovery. He had planned to tour Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla, before continuing on the New Zealand however concerns have been raised that the Monarch is doing 'too much'. In January the 76-year-old was admitted to hospital to undergo 'routine treatment' for an enlarged prostate. However, doctors soon discovered an unspecified form of cancer after tests in February, he has been undergoing chemotherapy since then. A source told the Mirror: 'Naturally, it will be a bitter disappointment on both sides to not have the opportunity for the King and Queen to visit New Zealand, but of course all are aware of the King's ongoing health and the need for him to pace himself. 'It's very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future.' King Charles is set to scale back his tour of Australia and cancel his trip to New Zealand all together over health concerns as he continues his cancer recovery He had planned to tour Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla , before continuing on the New Zealand however concerns have been raised that the Monarch is doing 'too much' The Mirror reported that the Australia leg of the tour will be scaled back to around six days, with a break lasting up to two days before the King and Queen travel to Samoa for three days. While the trip around New Zealand is likely to be axed all together. The visit by the King and Queen would be the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch since 2011. The last such visit was when Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. King Charles has already made 15 visits to Australia, his last being in 2018 to open the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and to visit parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory. The King has previously travelled to every state and territory, and it's expected all jurisdictions will make requests for the monarch to visit them. In January the 76-year-old was admitted to hospital to undergo 'routine treatment' for an enlarged prostate. However, doctors soon discovered an unspecified form of cancer after tests in February, he has been undergoing chemotherapy since then The visit by the King and Queen would be the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch since 2011 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said plans were already under way on possible logistics for the visit. 'The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis,' he said. 'The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family are always welcome in Australia.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the King had a long connection with Australia, extending from his time attending Geelong Grammar. 'There is an affection for King Charles, I know King Charles has a deep affection for Australia,' he told ABC TV on Monday. 'A royal visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla later in the year would be a really, really tremendous and popular event and I do think that Australians would very much welcome seeing King Charles in our country.' Sources in the country say state and territory leaders have been asked to deliver bids to host the royals aligned with two main themes, Charless first visit to Australia as King and his deep interest in climate and sustainability. Police searching for a power tool were led to an address - where they discovered a 3,500-strong stash of suspected stolen goods worth a staggering 1million. A tracker fitted to a stolen drill directed officers to a property in rural Kent, where a raid was carried out in late April. There they found the huge haul of goods believed to have been stolen from across Britain - which police now hope to return to the rightful owners. Officers discovered a variety of power tools as well as a quad bike and caravans taken from as far away as Bristol, Staffordshire and Wales. A search for one power tool with a tracking device led to the seizure of over 3,500 suspected stolen items for which officers would now like to identify owners Officers have finished cataloguing the items since recovering them on 26 April 2024, and the latest estimate of their combined value is believed to exceed 1million Five local men, aged between 18 and 44, were arrested alongside a 19-year-old woman and 17-year-old boy on suspicion of multiple offences relating to theft. They have since been bailed pending further investigations. Kent Police said: 'A search for one power tool with a tracking device led to the seizure of over 3,500 suspected stolen items for which officers would now like to identify owners. 'Officers have finished cataloguing the items since recovering them on 26 April 2024, and the latest estimate of their combined value is believed to exceed one million pounds. 'The victim of a theft of power tools, who had previously been targeted by thieves, attached trackers to their tools. 'A tracker on a stolen drill led officers from Kent Police's Rural Task Force to obtain and execute a warrant, assisted by colleagues from Thames Valley Police, at an address in Swattenden. A tracker on a stolen drill led officers from Kent Police's Rural Task Force to obtain and execute a warrant, assisted by colleagues from Thames Valley Police, at an address in Swattenden 'In the search for the tracked item, officers uncovered a large haul of suspected stolen goods, including a quad bike confirmed to be stolen from Ashford, and six caravans stolen from locations nationwide including Bristol, Wales, Southampton, Staffordshire and Sussex.' Members of the public who have been victims of power tool thefts are being encouraged to look at the below list of items and manufacturers and get in contact if they believe their property may have been recovered as part of this operation. To claim an item, applicants need to email Op.Thames@**kent.police**.uk with either proof of purchase, serial number(s), and/or details of unique identifying features. If the item has been reported stolen, the crime reference number and/or date and location of the theft should also be provided. The email address will remain open until 11.59pm on July 21, 2024. The items that have been recovered and catalogued include: Brands of items include DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, Hitachi and Stihl. Until just recently a summer washout seemed a certainty, with June nicknamed Juneuary because of its low temperatures and wet weather. Yesterday, however, as thousands gathered at Stonehenge to mark the solstice, sunshine prevailed over much of Britain. And despite a downbeat start to this weekend, a heatwave is on its way, with temperatures as high as 27C (81F) for next week's Glastonbury Festival, forecasters have said. The Met Office said there would be a 'greyer start to the weekend' today, ahead of a 'mainly nice day' tomorrow. But next week will see the mercury finally soar as temperatures climb to possible heatwave levels in central and southern England, according to the forecaster. People enjoy the warm weather at Clacton beach in Essex as they play on the sand People enjoy the warm weather on the beach in Bournemouth, Dorset Sunbathers make the most of the weather by reading in Newcastle city centre People on rowing boats underneath the Knaresborough Viaduct in North Yorkshire On Monday, the temperature is expected to reach a maximum of 27C (81F) in the North and 28C (82F) in the South and South East. Most of England will experience the hottest temperatures of the year so far next week, forecasts said. It signals good news for the hundreds of thousands of revellers planning to attend Glastonbury Festival, with the scorching weather expected to last until next weekend although forecasters warned it could be mixed with rain. Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: 'Some areas are likely to see temperatures approaching the values needed for heatwave conditions. 'Heatwave conditions need to remain in situ for three consecutive days, and by the middle of next week it is possible that some parts of the UK could be reaching heatwave thresholds but the majority of the UK will experience the finest conditions and highest temperatures so far this year.' Today temperatures will reach around 22C (72F) for many central and eastern areas with the odd risk of showers in the morning. Sunday is expected to be drier with temperatures as high as 24C (75F) in the South East. As thousands gathered at Stonehenge to mark the solstice, sunshine prevailed over much of Britain Next week will see the mercury finally soar as temperatures climb to possible heatwave levels in central and southern England, according to the Met Office Thousands woke up bright and early to watch the sun rise over Stonehenge Police officers stand among revellers at during the Summer Solstice festival A woman dressed in red with a flower crown enjoys herself at Stonehenge Skinny dippers enjoy the water with their dog at Warleigh Weir on the River Avon near Bath in Somerset Yesterday, approximately 15,000 people flocked to Stonehenge to watch the solstice sunrise, just days after the 500-year-old monument was sprayed with orange paint by eco-zealots. Sun-seekers were quick to seize on the improved conditions on the longest day of the year, including skinny dippers at the Warleigh Wear on the River Avon near Bath in Somerset. The sunny spell will bring much-needed relief after a cold and wet start to the month, which raised fears Britain was facing a second consecutive summer of rain-drenched misery. Another chilly weekend has hit NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Canberra, with some showers sprinkled in to confirm the proper arrival of winter. The Bureau of Meteorology says low pressure areas that have been sitting along the Tasman Sea all week will continue to bring cool, southerly winds along Australia's lower east coast on Saturday. 'It's going to be another cool and frosty weekend for many areas,' meteorologist Angus Hines warned. 'On Saturday, those winds will be carrying a few showers for eastern Victoria and the NSW coast. 'On the other side of the country, we've got a cold front arriving in Perth early on Saturday morning ... a spell of showers with a possible thunderstorm, maybe a little bit of hail and some cool gusty winds pushing through.' Another chilly weekend has hit NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Canberra, with some showers sprinkled in to confirm the proper arrival of winter Rainfall is also expected on the Queensland coast on Saturday afternoon, from Brisbane all the way to Cairns. The chilly weather will bring low single digit temperatures to places such as Dubbo and Moree in NSW, Adelaide, Canberra, and Roma and Mount Isa in Queensland. Launceston in Tasmania will be literally freezing, with the area forecast to hit -1C on Saturday morning. 'No surprises that it will be another chilly start to Saturday morning. Frost temperatures are expected on the east coast,' Mr Hines said. 'Don't expect to get higher than 16 or 17 degrees if you live in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, ACT and even South Australia.' Freezing temperatures and frost are expected to hit eastern parts of Australia over the weekend NSW Minor flood warnings have been issued for the Hastings River, the Cooks River and the St George Basin for Saturday and Sunday. The bureau is expecting the Hastings River at Settlement Point to reach the minor flood level of 1.2m. Strong wind warnings have also been issued for the Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts for Saturday. In Sydney, it's partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and a maximum temperature of 16C. Victoria A frost warning is in place for parts of Victoria on Saturday morning, with places such as Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country and North East districts expected to hit -1C. In Melbourne, it will be cloudy with a slight chance of showers and a maximum temperature of 14C. The Bureau of Meteorology says low pressure areas that have been sitting along the Tasman Sea all week will continue to bring cool, southerly winds along Australia's lower east coast on Saturday. A woman is pictured rugged up for the cold weather Tasmania A road weather alert has been issued for drivers in Tasmania, with icy conditions making it dangerous to drive on Saturday morning. Affected areas include the Central Plateau, North West Coast, Central North, North East and the Western districts. In Hobart, it's cloudy with a medium chance of showers and a maximum temperature of 13C. Queensland Strong wind warnings have been issued for the South East Gulf of Carpentaria for Saturday. The sunny weather continues in Brisbane, with the bureau warning of a chance of smoke haze to hit the area. A maximum temperature of 20C is forecast, with showers expected to hit on Saturday. The chilly weather will bring low single digit temperatures to places such as Dubbo and Moree in NSW, Adelaide, Canberra, and Roma and Mount Isa in Queensland Western Australia Showers are expected to hit Western Australia's southwest, with gale warnings put in place for the Albany and Esperance coasts on Saturday. In Perth, the weather is partly cloudy with a maximum temperature of 19C. South Australia Frost warnings are in place for parts of SA, where temperatures are forecast to hit -1C in the Mid North Riverland, Murraylands, Upper Southeast and Lower Southeast districts on Saturday morning. Adelaide will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. A maximum temperature of 15C is forecast. Cloudy weather is forecast for Canberra, with medium chances of showers and a maximum temperature of 13C. People are pictured wearing winter jackets ACT/Southern NSW The bureau has issued a warning to any sheep graziers about the incoming cold temperatures, showers and south-westerly winds expected to hit on Saturday. Areas affected include the Northern Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and the Snowy Mountains. Cloudy weather is forecast for Canberra, with medium chances of showers and a maximum temperature of 13C. Northern Territory A strong wind warning has been issued for the Beagle Bonaparte and Roper Groote coasts for Saturday. The sun is shining in Darwin and is set to continue for the next few days, with Saturday's maximum temperature to hit 32C. The Tories have to stop shooting themselves in the foot, a former minister has said as a poll showed the election betting scandal had cut through with the public. Ex-minister for London Paul Scully said the Tories faced a 'punishment election' but gaffes during the campaign were 'making it easy for [voters] to punish us even further.' A YouGov poll found the story about several senior Conservatives and a police officer betting on the date of the election had been noticed by voters. It was the story people were most likely to have heard about over the past few days, with just two weeks to go until the election, the poll showed. Rishi Sunak is under significant pressure after it emerged that the Gambling Commission is investigating several Tories, while a policeman has been arrested. Ex-minister for London Paul Scully (pictured) said the Tories faced a 'punishment election' Tory candidate for Bristol North West Laura Saunders with her partner Conservative Party's director of campaigns, Tony Lee. They are both accused of placing bets One of Mr Sunak's close protection officers was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. (Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends the launch of the Welsh Conservatives General Election manifesto) The Prime Minister's parliamentary aide Craig Williams, his campaign director Tony Lee and the director's wife, Laura Saunders, who is standing to be a Tory MP, are accused of allegedly placing bets. One of Mr Sunak's close protection officers was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and suspended from his duties after allegedly placing a bet. There have been suggestions that others could be involved in the betting scandal. Mr Sunak yesterday refused to deny that any members of his Cabinet had put money on the date. He repeated that anyone found to have broken the rules should be 'booted out' of the Conservative Party. Asked about the scandal yesterday, Mr Scully told GB News: 'It feels like we're shooting ourselves in the foot and we're not millipedes. We've only got two feet.' He added it was 'effectively a punishment election' and voters were 'looking under the microscope at what we do and we're making it easy for them to punish us even further'. JK Rowling says she will not vote for Labour in the General Election after accusing Sir Keir Starmer of 'abandoning' women. The Harry Potter author considers herself Left-wing and previously donated 1 million to Labour under Gordon Brown. But Ms Rowling, 58, says she is now more likely to vote for an independent candidate standing in her constituency. In an article for The Times, she reeled off quotes from Labour MPs that she feels will have 'real world consequences of gender ideology', including the time Sir Keir criticised fellow MP Rosie Duffield, an outspoken women's rights campaigner, for saying 'only women have cervix'. Ms Rowling said: 'As long as Labour remains dismissive and often offensive towards women fighting to retain the rights their foremothers thought were won for all time, I'll struggle to support them. JK Rowling says she will not vote for Labour in the General Election after accusing Sir Keir Starmer of 'abandoning' women Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire from the bestselling author for the time he criticised fellow MP Rosie Duffield, an outspoken women's rights campaigner, for saying 'only women have cervix' The women who wouldn't wheesht [be quiet] didn't leave Labour. Labour abandoned them.' In the 2000-word essay, she criticises the Labour leader, as well as shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, shadow equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy and shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry. The bestselling author has been outspoken in her belief that biological women should be able to have separate spaces, and trans women - should not be allowed access them. In recent years she has been criticised for her beliefs, which have included that she would rather go to jail than refer to a trans person by their preferred pronouns. In the essay, she writes how she initially thought she 'misheard' Sir Keir in 2021 when he criticised Labour candidate Rosie Duffield for saying only women have a cervix. It comes as Labour candidate Rosie Duffield has mocked Sir Keir Starmer for backtracking on previous comments about women. In the essay, she writes how she initially thought she 'misheard' Sir Keir in 2021 when he criticised Labour candidate Rosie Duffield (pictured in March) for saying only women have a cervix JK Rowling with Rosie Duffield MP together at lunch In the 2000-word essay, she criticises the Labour leader, as well as a number of shadow cabinet figures The party leader said this week that he 'agreed with Tony Blair' about men having penises and women having vaginas. But last year, he said that '99.9 per cent of women' do not have a penis. Sir Keir had said on Thursday's Question Time's leaders' special that 'there are some people who don't identify with the gender that they are born into and they go through a lot of anxiety and distress, and my view in life is to respect and give dignity to everyone, whatever their position'. Ms Duffield posted on X that she would now filter views through Sir Tony. 'So, from now on, I shall be submitting my every comment and thought (particularly those mainstream views which most people agree with) to the former Labour prime minister so that it may officially be de-toxified.' Rowling wrote in her essay in The Times that she felt the Labour leader gave 'the impression that until Tony Blair sat him down for a chat, he'd never understood how he and his wife had come to produce children'. Rowling wrote in her essay in The Times that she felt the Labour leader gave 'the impression that until Tony Blair sat him down for a chat, he'd never understood how he and his wife had come to produce children' Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy was criticised by JK Rowling Shadow equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds also came under fire She claims she wanted to give the Labour leader the 'benefit of the doubt' since she has been a Labour vote, a member (no longer), donor (not recently) and campaigner (ditto) all her adult life. Rowling writes that the debate for 'left-leaning' women like herself 'isn't, and never has been, about trans people enjoying the rights of every other citizen, and being free to present and identify however they wish'. Instead, she argues it is 'about the right of women and girls to assert their boundaries'. She writes: 'It's about freedom of speech and observable truth. 'It's about waiting, with dwindling hope, for the left to wake up to the fact that its lazy embrace of a quasi-religious ideology is having calamitous consequences.' She concludes: 'As long as Labour remains dismissive and often offensive towards women fighting to retain the rights their foremothers thought were won for all time, I'll struggle to support them.' Earlier on Friday, Sir Keir ruled out lifting the block on the Scottish government's controversial gender reforms which Scottish Labour had voted through the Scottish Parliament along with the SNP and Greens. Moderators of a Facebook search group have had to beg online sleuths to stop posting conspiracy theories about the missing teenager. 'Jay Slater Missing' now has 476,200 followers and while the majority are working to support the family in this 'living nightmare', a few are posting wild speculative theories on the whereabouts of the 19-year-old. Some speculated that Jay has been kidnapped while others suggested he is simply hiding, another user accused the Spanish police of keeping discoveries 'secret'. Now in an attempt to quell the trolls and the misinformation, one of the moderator of the group has had to step in claiming it is 'cruel', 'soul destroying' and 'torture' for the family. Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday at 8.50am Ophelia Medina Hernandez is believe to be the last person to see him, when he asked her what time the next bus to Los Cristianos was on Monday morning British police have offered to help in the hunt for missing teenager Jay Slater but their offer has been declined by Spanish counterparts. The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday after an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. Ophelia Medina Hernandez is believe to be the last person to see him, when he asked her what time the next bus to Los Cristianos, where his accommodation was, on Monday morning. She told him it would be in two hours time, and rather then wait it is believe he set off to walk. Speaking to the Times she said: 'People don't get lost here. There are paths everywhere. People round here don't get lost. And he was going along the road. But after that I don't know where he went. But he was going along the road when I saw him for the last time. He was walking normally but a bit quickly.' Spanish police are scouring a secluded mountain pass in Masca which is the last known location of the 19-year-old after he made a phone call to his friend Lucy, 18, at around 8am that morning. The force has now declined an offer from Lancashire police to send support to help find the missing teen. Spanish police are scouring a secluded mountain pass in Masca which is the last known location of the 19-year-old after he made a phone call to his friend Lucy, 18, at around 8am that morning Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife, search for missing teenager Jay Slater A police officer overlooks the village of Masca, Tenerife, as the search continues on June 21 In a statement released late on Friday the UK police force said it had 'made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil' but this was declined after local cops said they were 'satisfied that they have the resources they need'. Search teams on the island have been pictured using sniffer dogs and drones to aid their search which entered its fifth day on Friday. Lancashire Police released a statement regarding Jay's disappearance earlier today, saying it had offered to provide additional support to officers on the island. 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with Jay's family at this time. 'They must be going through the most distressing ordeal not knowing what has happened to their loved one. 'We have specialist officers who are continuing to support Jay's family. 'Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. 'They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change. 'Once again, our thoughts remain with Jay's family and friends at this distressing time.' It comes as Lucy today blasted the local Spanish police for 'not doing a good enough job' in finding the missing Brit. 'We are having to do this all by ourselves as Spanish police are not doing a good enough job. They don't even speak English. It's been a very slow process here so we need the British police to come out and help them,' she told The Times. Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route Sniffer dogs have been deployed in the search for Jay Slater in north-west Tenerife on June 19 Rescue teams confer as they continue to search for Jay on June 21 Search and rescue are out in force this evening with man power and drones surveying the scene A drone can be seen flying over the area in Tenerife where Jay is believed to have gone missing Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife as the search enters day five Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife on June 21 Meanwhile the owner of holiday rental, Casa Abuela Tina - where Mr Slater is understood to have stayed with two acquaintances - today voiced her worries about the teen after spotting him walking alone down the hills on Monday. She said: 'It's dangerous walking around here, it's easy to lose yourself. He walked up the road when I saw him for the last time. 'He was alone. He was walking normally, though he was fast.' Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route. She aired her concerns about the teenager, but in the height of the media frenzy she stated: 'We are not to blame.' The property, which is listed online as a holiday home, is believed to have been rented by two men Jay was with the night before whilst attending the NRG festival. It is believed the main area of focus in the search for Mr Slater has been around the Parque Rural de Teno, with his family and mother Debbie, have flying out to the Spanish island to assist officers. The Civil Guard confirmed to the Manchester Evening News on Friday there had been 'no developments' in the search for the 19-year-old. In a post on the Facebook page 'Jay Slater Missing', the administrator of the group Rachel Louise Harg said family and friends of Mr Slater were in a 'living nightmare'. She said: 'There isn't an update for anyone unfortunately. 'Struggling to find words at this time but all I can say is we are looking still and everyone is doing all they can. 'We are drained beyond words - I just can't say no more, I wish I could. I wish this would end now, this living nightmare. 'Searches are ongoing and we remain positive. 'Thanks to you all supporting and helping we can't thank you any more, much love.' Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare' June Duncan, grandmother of missing person Jay Slater, spoke of fears for her grandson Museo is the last known location of apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater Authorities also went to the hotel apartments Paloma Beach where Jay was staying in Los Christianos His friend Lucy has called for the British police to assist with the investigation and slammed the local efforts. She said she wants to 'bring him home to his family'. 'That is all that we want, all that we need,' she told the BBC. On Friday, search and rescue personnel joined officers from the island's Guardia Civil near the village of Masca where they appeared to focus on a specific area of overgrown terrain. Some officers used binoculars to survey the landscape before heading towards the bottom of the hillside. On Thursday, a helicopter flew over Rural de Teno park in the south of the Spanish island as search teams followed various footpaths in the area. Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from the helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the force's X account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, travelled to the Canary Islands for a musical festival with pal Lucy and another friend last week A MailOnline graphic detailing the timeline of events from when Jay attended the three-day NRG festival to his location when his phone died at around 8.50am on Monday A screenshot of Jay's last known location where his phone battery died The teenager posted a Snapchat image on the morning he went missing in Spain The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police have been searching The setting is surrounded by spectacular mountains and rocky roads Authorities searching for missing teenager Jay along the ravine on June 20 Police officers also searched in the Masca ravine for Jay on June 19 The walk from Mr Slater's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. The search area was quiet on Friday, with only a handful of police cars stationed at Rural de Teno park. Mr Slater's friend Lucy, who attended the NRG music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was 'lost in the mountains, he wasn't aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%'. Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare'. Ms Duncan told ITV News: 'He's the life and soul, he's a beautiful boy.' Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and a black bag. A fundraiser set up by Mr Slater's friend Lucy to 'get Jay Slater home' has since received more than 23,500 in donations. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.' Today, the search is continuing for the fifth day to find the teenager, 19, who disappeared in Tenerife. The search mission has entered its fifth day. Pictured: Rescuers on June 19 Police officers and a sniffer dog are pictured in the search for Jay on June 19 Police officers and firefighters talked while searching for the missing 19-year-old on June 19 Friends and family members have flown over to the Canary Islands to join in with the search for Jay who has not been seen or heard from since Monday. His last known location was in the mountainous area of Teno Rural Park, some 10 hours' walk away from his accommodation in the southern part of the island. A GoFundMe which was set up yesterday has raised 23,723 as of this morning. Police using a helicopter, sniffer dogs and a drone, as well as mountain rescue units have been scouring countryside close to an Airbnb he went to with two British men. The isolated farmhouse was an hour's drive from the popular hotspot of Playa des Los Americas in southern Tenerife, in the village of Masca, 19 miles away. Speaking from the family home in Oswaldtwistle, Jay's stepfather Andy Watson said the teen was reluctant to go on holiday. He said that Jay's friends had 'talked him into going' and his mother Debbie added he 'wasn't really that keen'. She told ITV that looking back, she wished she hadn't 'encouraged him'. One of the men involved in the murder of Stephen Lawrence has applied for early release after serving just 12 years of his sentence. David Norris was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years and three months after he and another suspect, Gary Dobson, were finally convicted in 2012 of murdering Stephen, 18, at a bus stop in south-east London in April 1993. Stephen, an aspiring architect, was murdered on his way home with his friend Duwayne Brooks in an unprovoked attack by a gang of racists in Eltham. Norris and Dobson, who was also sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and two months, are the only ones of the five or six attackers to have been brought to justice. Norris has reportedly made a request for parole and a hearing is now expected to take place in the next few months, The Mirror has reported. Despite having served just 12 years of his sentence, the 47-year-old has been able to apply for parole as the time spent he spent on remand means his minimum term will end in December this year. Stephen, 18, (pictured) was murdered on his way home in an unprovoked attack by a gang of racists in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993 David Norris (pictured) was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years and three months after he and another suspect, Gary Dobson, were finally convicted in 2012 of murdering Stephen Norris and Dobson (pictured), who was also sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and two months, are the only ones of the five or six attackers to have been brought to justice Stephen's father Dr Neville Lawrence told The Mirror that he wants to be there at the parole hearing so he can face his son's murderer. He said: 'I want to know if he has any remorse for what he did. If he is freed, is he going to live an ordinary life and not commit further crimes? 'Is he sorry for what he has done? 'People in prison should show remorse seeing as these people have taken 31 years of my life. 'He needs to say to the family he is sorry for the pain he has caused us. And he should say who else was involved, he should name them.' The original investigation into Stephen's death was hampered by institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police, and claims that corrupt officers had sought to protect Norris, whose father Clifford Norris was a notorious drug dealer. Last June, the BBC named Matthew White, who died aged 50 in 2021, as the sixth suspect in the case - decades after Stephen's murder - and outlined the bungled handling of the evidence against him. Two witnesses said White had confessed to being present during the attack, one of whom, his stepfather, was not spoken to by police until 20 years after the murder because officers had previously misidentified him. The Met said White was arrested twice in connection with the murder, but on both occasions there was not enough evidence for a prosecution. Commissioner of Police of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, issued an apology to Stephen's mother Baroness Doreen Lawrence for not fulfilling a promise to answer questions stemming from the BBC investigation last year. Stephen's father Dr Neville Lawrence (pictured) said he wants to be there at the parole hearing so he can face his son's murderer Baroness Doreen Lawrence (pictured) was promised an explanation after the BBC last year named Matthew White as the sixth suspect in the case - decades after Stephen's murder Sir Mark previously admitted the force has 'racists, misogynists and homophobes' in its ranks as former Home Secretary Suella Braverman blasted 'serious failings of culture, leadership and standards' at Scotland Yard. Ms Braverman said at the time: 'I had a frank conversation with Sir Mark Rowley today. He'll be asking a separate police force to look into the assessment that the Met Police have made in relation to the fresh evidence. 'I'm hoping that reassures the Lawrence family, Doreen in particular, that under the new leadership in the Met Police service, they will redouble their efforts to make sure that Doreen and the family think that this police service has learned the lessons from yesteryear.' British holidaymakers have been warned to watch out for certain car hire companies this summer. Spanish firm Goldcar, which operates widely in countries such as Spain, Portugal, France and the US, came last in a customer satisfaction survey by consumer group Which? The company was awarded just two stars out of a possible five for value for money, car description matching reality, record given of damage to car, and customer service. A fifth of respondents who used Goldcar said they had issues with the condition of the car, while a quarter reported being charged extra either when they picked up or returned the car. Which? said its previous investigations found cases of the business engaging in 'pressure selling tactics' to encourage customers to buy extra insurance at the desk. Spanish firm Goldcar was awarded two stars out of five for value for money, car description matching reality, record given of damage to car, and customer service in a Which? survey Canaries-based AutoReisen has come top in the Which? annual survey of car-hire firms The report from Which? surveyed over 2,000 members of the public on customer satisfaction over car hire companies One respondent told Which?: 'The lady at the desk was adamant that I needed to take out extra insurance, I was in a hurry so I conceded', while another said: 'We were given the strong impression there was no other option.' A separate Which? analysis of car hire insurance policies found Goldcar's to be among both the most expensive and poorly-rated of any it checked. American-owned Dollar was the second worst-rated company in the report, which surveyed over 2,000 members of the public, followed by Record Go, Budget, and Sixt. Canary Islands company AutoReisen came top in the rankings, with respondents calling it 'consistently excellent'. The firm was awarded five star ratings for communication, clarity of extra charges, ease of opting out of extra charges, clarity of final hire cost, clarity of fuel policy, age, condition and mileage of the car, and value for money. At a reported average price of just 21 per day, AutoReisen was the cheapest firm in the survey - showing that excellent service doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. Which? travel editor Rory Boland, said: 'Booking car hire should be straightforward, but all too often it feels like the wild west, with travellers lamenting fraught experiences, poor customer service and spurious fees. 'Goldcar in particular is best avoided, with customers repeatedly reporting serious issues from pressure selling to poor customer service. 'To ensure you have the best possible experience this summer, make sure you book with a reputable firm.' A spokesperson for Goldcar, which is owned by Europcar Mobility Group, said: 'Goldcar is of course disappointed about the results of the Which? report. 'The company takes customer care very seriously with a code of ethics for counter sales and a guide of good sales practices, both of which are reviewed annually based on customer feedback. Cicar was awarded five stars in categories including: clarity of extra charges, clarity of final car hire cost, clarity of fuel policy, and it received four stars for customer service 'We offer very attractive prices, making travel affordable while giving our customers the freedom to choose additional options including premium insurance cover for a seamless process should damage occur during their rental.' The spokesperson added: 'We are committed to investigating any incidents where a customer believes they have received a service that does not match expectations for a low-cost brand and continue to invest in staff training and best practices.' Aer Lingus has accused its pilots of inflicting 'as much pain as possible' on passengers by declaring an eight-hour strike next Saturday, in a major escalation of the pay dispute. The airline yesterday announced the cancellation of 124 flights with more expected over the first five days of the indefinite work-to-rule protest, which starts on Wednesday. It said the cancellations will affect up to 20,000 passengers, but this was at the lower range of the 10 to 20 percent of cuts it said it was forced to make. Under the work-to-rule action, members of the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) will refuse to work overtime or beyond their contract hours. The airline yesterday announced the cancellation of 124 flights with more expected (Aer Lingus jets at Dublin airport) Following the decision to declare a full-scale strike, Donal Moriarty of Aer Lingus described the move as a 'disgraceful escalation' (stock photo of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport) The IALPA said cancelling up to 20 percent of flights, because its members will not come in on their days off, raises serious questions about the management of the airline. Further disruption for holidaymakers was announced yesterday when the union confirmed it will not fly from 5am to 1pm on Saturday, June 29, after claiming Aer Lingus had escalated the dispute over pay. IALPA president Captain Mark Tighe said: 'We have been forced to escalate this dispute following a campaign of antagonism by Aer Lingus management directed toward our members. 'Rather than meeting with IALPA for direct negotiations to resolve this dispute, the airline is sending letters to IALPA threatening to cut members' terms and conditions by unilaterally terminating collective agreements. 'Aer Lingus's legal representatives have also written to each member of the IALPA executive committee this week, in their personal capacities, threatening to issue proceedings in the High Court for alleged unlawful conduct regarding an alleged increase in pilot absence due to illness. 'IALPA refutes this allegation in the strongest terms.' Captain Tighe, who has flown with Aer Lingus for more than 30 years, added: 'Aer Lingus has not sought any meetings since the notice of work-to-rule was served earlier this week. 'The company has made no effort to negotiate a settlement to avert action commencing on Wednesday.' The company stated that these cancelled flights alone will impact approximately 4,000 customers per day and 20,000 over the course of the five days (stock photo) On Thursday, Simon Harris accused the union officials of using children as pawns in the dispute (stock photo of travellers waiting in a long queue at Heathrow on June 1, 2022) IALPA members rejected a Labour Court recommendation last week, stating that pilots should receive pay increases totalling 9.25 percent as part of an interim settlement. However, the sum is significantly lower than the 23.8 percent Aer Lingus pilots are seeking. Following the decision to declare a full-scale strike, Donal Moriarty of Aer Lingus described the move as a 'disgraceful escalation' of the industrial action. 'It's quite clear that IALPA have total disregard for Aer Lingus customers and for the travelling public as they set off on their summer holidays,' he told RTE News. 'This is a very deliberate escalation by IALPA in order to inconvenience as many customers as they possibly can.' He added the legal letter sent to the union was regarding a 'significant spike' in sickness among pilots in the last number of months. He continued: 'Aer Lingus has had to cancel 56 flights since the start of the year because of short-notice pilot sickness. Last weekend alone we had to cancel 14 flights because of short-notice pilot sickness. We simply wrote to IALPA to explain that.' Mr Moriarty also said Aer Lingus is willing to enter discussions with the union this weekend, but claimed the IALPA is refusing to enter the Labour Court and Workplace Relations Commission. The 124 cancelled journeys so far include short-haul flights from Dublin to Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam, Lyons, Berlin, Birmingham, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Rome, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Manchester, Munich and Vienna, along with flights from Cork to Heathrow. Long-haul flights from Dublin to New York JFK are also impacted. Niall Shanahan of Forsa, which is the umbrella union of the IALPA, told the Irish Daily Mail Mr Harris's comments were 'very inflammatory' (stock photo showing travellers in a long queue at Heathrow on December 19, 2006) The company stated that these cancelled flights alone will impact approximately 4,000 customers per day and 20,000 over the course of the five days. 'The level of cancellations is currently at the lower end of the 10-20 percent range. However, given the form of the industrial action, there may be additional cancellations which happen close to the time of travel,' Aer Lingus stated. On Thursday, Simon Harris accused the union officials of using children as pawns in the dispute. The Taoiseach said: 'The idea that passengers children due to go on their summer holiday would be used as pawns in an industrial relations dispute that has already been considered by the Labour Court is utterly reprehensible, and people need to step back from the brink.' Niall Shanahan of Forsa, which is the umbrella union of the IALPA, told the Irish Daily Mail Mr Harris's comments were 'very inflammatory'. 'To be accused of treating children as pawns is a little beyond the pale,' he said. Britain risks relying on 'very unstable' nations for energy following a court ruling that will make it much harder to exploit domestic oil and gas supplies, a senior Conservative warned yesterday. David TC Davies, the Welsh Secretary, hit out at the Supreme Court judgment on a planning application to drill for oil at Horse Hill in Surrey. The decision, which was made by a majority of three judges to two, means any new oil, gas and coal projects face far tougher environmental impact assessments than made previously. The court ruled that any assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by an oil or gas project need to take into account the fuel being burnt by the end users such as motorists using petrol. Asked on Radio 4's Today Programme what the impact of the decision would be, Mr Davies said: 'We need to have access to oil and gas in the North Sea and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. David TC Davies, the Welsh Secretary, hit out at the Supreme Court judgment on a planning application to drill for oil at Horse Hill in Surrey The decision, which was made by a majority of three judges to two, means any new oil, gas and coal projects face far tougher environmental impact assessments than made previously The court ruled that any assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by an oil or gas project need to take into account the fuel being burnt by the end users such as motorists using petrol 'If we can't access that, then we're going to become more dependent on other nations for our oil and gas, many of which are very unstable. 'We will lose at least 100,000 jobs that are in the industry, and we will see energy bills go up.' Mr Davies did not specify which countries he views as 'unstable'. But the UK imported around 4 per cent of its oil, 9 per cent of its gas and 22 per cent of its coal from Russia in 2021, before Russian energy imports to the UK were banned. Mr Davies also rejected claims by former Conservative MP Chris Skidmore and who claimed that the PM, Rishi Sunak is now 'siding with climate deniers'. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner told Today that her party would not revoke oil and gas 'licences that have already been approved' - but she restated the policy position that it 'will not be issuing new licences'. The UK imported around 4 per cent of its oil, 9 per cent of its gas and 22 per cent of its coal from Russia in 2021, before Russian energy imports to the UK were banned. Putin pictured on Thursday Robin Allan, chairman of Brindex, the Association of British Independent Exploration Companies, that 'the decision from the Supreme Court risks a material knock-on impact for the UK's oil and gas industry' Mel Evans, Greenpeace UK climate team leader, said they expected that the ruling would results in new developments, such as the Rosebank oil field off the coast of Shetland and the Whitehaven coal mine in Cumbria, losing legal challenges they face in the courts. 'Following the Supreme Court judgement, Greenpeace would expect authorities to concede those cases', she said. Robin Allan, chairman of Brindex, the Association of British Independent Exploration Companies, that 'the decision from the Supreme Court risks a material knock-on impact for the UK's oil and gas industry. 'However, it should not be misinterpreted: the decision does not state that further UK oil and gas production is incompatible with the UK's net zero targets.' 'Regardless, this decision is yet another act which increases the levels of hostility faced by the UK oil and gas sector. Oil and gas are essential in the transition to net zero, and imports offer none of the economic, environmental or geopolitical benefits offered by domestic production.' A man who was accidentally decapitated by a city truck while at a Brooklyn crosswalk was a former acting captain for the Genovese crime family. Anthony Conigliaro, 86, was known by a number of dessert-themed nicknames including 'Tony Cakes' and 'Tony the Dessert Man'. He was killed earlier this month, on June 12 when a city Department of Transportation truck accidentally struck him and he was making a right turn. Horrific footage captured the aftermath and saw Conigliaro's head lying several yards away from his body on the New York City street. Anthony Conigliaro, 86, a former acting captain for the Genovese crime family was accidentally decapitated by a city truck Conigliaro had been crossing Dahlgren Place against a 'don't walk' sign in a marked crosswalk The 31-year-old truck driver is seen being consoled by a member of the public as he is seen down on his knees in the middle of the road The driver of the truck could be seen explaining to officials what had happened Conigliaro had been crossing Dahlgren Place against a 'don't walk' sign in a marked crosswalk when the 31-year-old driver of a Ford F550 truck was turning on a green light and hit him. The octogenarian was pronounced dead at the scene. The DOT driver remained at the scene and appeared devastated following the accident. Footage shot by a member of the public sees the driver getting down on his knees, possibly praying, whilst being consoled by another passerby. No arrests have been made, police said. 'He spent his life looking over his shoulder but forgot to look both ways before crossing the street,' a police source quipped to the New York Post. Prior to his untimely death, Conigliaro had long left his life of crime behind and was living a quiet life in a small apartment building in the Bay Ridge area. One neighbor, completely unaware of his crime riddled past and mafia connections, told The Post that he was always looking out for others. Police are seen on the scene following the decapitation of the 86-year-old man Surveillance footage sees the truck driver immediately pulling over to the side of the road following the crash The accident happed at this intersection in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn as Conigliaro was crossing the road The driver of the truck which hit Conigliaro was see being consoled in an FDNY ambulance 'We miss him. Everybody misses him,' they said. But almost 20 years ago, things were very different with Conigliaro linked to a huge racketeering case involving the mafia. ederal prosecutors in Brooklyn accused Conigliaro of being a soldier in the Genovese crime family. He eventually pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge and served a 13-month sentence. Conigliaro also served as a loan shark for the Genovese family and in 1999 he was also arrested for criminal usury - a crime that saw him charging an excessive rate of interest on a loan. He was also arrested in 2006 - this time in a grand larceny case. Following his release from prison he began to work in the wholesale cake business. Conigliaro sold sweets throughout New York City and ran an Italian ice and gelato stand in Little Italy. Aside from a sweet tooth, it earned him the colorful nickname 'Tony Cheesecake'. A memorial has been set up at the roadside where the accident took place. The Genovese family is known as one of the Five Families that are part of an Italian American syndicate that have long dominated organized crime in New York City, with the Gambino, Lucchese, Bonanno and Colombo families being the other four. At the time, f Labour is drawing up plans to raise up to 10 billion in tax rises, it was claimed last night. The party is said to be looking at options including increasing the likes of capital gains and inheritance tax to 'unlock' funds for public services. The Guardian, which has previously reported that Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering up to a dozen tax hikes in her first budget, said it had seen internal Labour documents discussing hikes on the sales of assets and making it more difficult to 'gift' money, property and land to relatives. Labour has faced repeated questions about which taxes it will increase after experts questioned how it will fund public services in the future. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), an influential think tank, has accused all major parties of a 'conspiracy of silence' over how they will address the shortfall. Senior Labour figures have admitted that its election manifesto is not the 'sum total' of its spending plans, and that it hopes to do more if the economy improves. The party has only ruled out increasing income tax, national insurance and VAT, as well as capital gains tax (CGT) on primary residences. Labour is drawing up plans to raise up to 10 billion in tax rises, it was claimed last night Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering up to a dozen tax hikes in her first budget Sir Keir Starmer and his frontbench team have repeatedly refused to rule out changes to other taxes, prompting the Tories to claim they are not being honest with the public. The Guardian claimed the party could increase CGT in a bid to raise 8 billion and change inheritance tax to raise a further 2 billion. Labour could make it more difficult to 'gift' money and assets, such as farmland, tax-free as part of a review of inheritance tax, it reported. The party would consult on radical changes such as scrapping or updating the rules on agricultural land and business relief, it added. A senior Labour source told the paper: 'We are starting from ground zero with our public services and infrastructure. We have to show we are serious about borrowing and raising revenue from taxes if investors are going to walk in step with us. These measures are part of unlocking wealth and putting it to work.' Free NHS plan may cost 50bn Angela Rayner insists Labour's plan to save the NHS might cost nothing despite experts warning it could need 50billion. The party's manifesto commits it to continuing with the Government's NHS workforce plan over the next 15 years. The workforce plan will involve doubling medical school places in England from 7,500 to 15,000 and investing an extra 1billion in training staff. Asked if delivering it would be cost-neutral Ms Rayner said: 'With our proposals to bring down the waiting lists with 40,000 more appointments, by ending the non-dom status. 'I actually think by having that workforce plan... I actually think we could save money if we can do those reforms.' However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said the plan will increase health service spending by around 2 per cent of GDP or an extra 50billion a year. The IFS said it was 'impossible to judge whether meeting these commitments is credible' because of the lack of detail. Advertisement Labour is expected to present a range of options to the Office for Budget Responsibility for analysis, after gathering costings on individual measures from HM Revenue and Customs. The paper also suggested a budget could come in early October, as soon as party conferences are over. At present, profits from the sale of second homes or shares in businesses are taxed at a much lower rate than wages under CGT rules. A beneficiary can also claim up to 100 per cent relief on the inheritance of agricultural land if it is farmed, raising concerns in Labour that wealthy people are using this to avoid paying taxes. Labour is also said to be looking at wider changes to the inheritance tax rules that allow people to make 'gifts' without paying duties as long as they live for more than seven years after they are made. It came as Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner raised fears that Labour could increase council tax in the future after saying the party has no plans to do so 'at the moment'. Asked if Labour could look at council tax bands, she told BBC Radio Merseyside: 'Well, look, you know, I think at the moment, if I'm really honest to your listeners, we've got a lot on our plate... our priority is not to do anything with the council tax banding at the moment.' Senior Labour figures have contradicted each other over whether or not there will be changes to council tax if they win the election. Last week, Mr Starmer failed to rule out a council tax increase. Earlier in the week, frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth said Labour would not look to revalue council tax bands. Ms Reeves did not rule out looking at bands again, but said it wasn't where she was going to put her 'political energy'. A Labour spokesman said: 'Keir and Rachel have made clear that our priority is growing the economy, not increasing taxes. 'We have set out fully costed, fully funded plans, with very specific tax loopholes we would close. Nothing in our plans requires any additional tax to be increased.' Labour sources said the party did not recognise the memo detailing how much the taxes could raise which was quoted by the Guardian. A man charged with manslaughter following an alleged fatal road rage incident in western Sydney is alleged to have 'intentionally and forcefully' held the victim against his moving vehicle, according to court documents. Bradley Wilkinson, 39, appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday morning just a day after handing himself in at Mount Druitt Police Station. Police allege Rhyce Harding, 27, was killed when he was dragged 100 metres down a busy road by a utility vehicle and left to die. The fatal incident on Jersey Rd, Blackett on Thursday morning sparked a police manhunt and public appeal for information. Rhyce Harding was the victim of an alleged road rage attack. Picture: Supplied. On Friday morning, Wilkinson handed himself in at Mount Druitt Police Station before he was charged with several offences including manslaughter, failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death and dangerous driving occasioning death. Mr Wilkinson was beamed into court from Amber Laurel Correctional Centre in western Sydney where he appeared on screen via videolink wearing a black hoodie. He was supported in court by two men who later exited with Mr Wilkinson's solicitor Javid Faiz. Inside the court, Mr Faiz did not make a bail application as the matter was adjourned for three weeks. Mr Faiz asked if Mr Wilkinson could be provided his medication while in custody before Mr Wilkinson interjected. 'They gave it to me ... The nurse is looking after me here, they're very professional,' Mr Wilkinson said, clasping his hands together. Police appealed for information about a white ute. Picture: NSW Police. In documents tendered to the court, police say Mr Wilkinson is accused of 'intentionally and forcefully holding the victim against a moving vehicle'. Mr Faiz told the court he was waiting to see if prosecutors would proceed with the manslaughter offence. Police also seized a white Toyota Hilux on Mileham Street, Windsor and it will undergo forensic examination. Earlier, police had appealed for information about a white utility with a metal tray and black canopy. The fatal incident on Jersey Rd, Blackett on Thursday morning sparked a police manhunt and public appeal for information It is alleged that Mr Harding exited his car after he was allegedly threatened by the car following him, police have said Police have said they will allege that Mr Harding and Mr Wilkinson spoke before the fatal incident. It is alleged that Mr Harding exited his car after he was allegedly threatened by the car following him, police have said. Paramedics desperately attempted to save Mr Harding, who was wearing high-visibility workwear, but he died at the scene. Mr Harding was described as kind and humble, in a social media post by World Gym Marsden Park where he was a member. 'Staff and members here at World Gym Marsden Park are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of our beloved members, Rhyce Harding,' the post said. 'Rhyce was a much loved member of our club, who will always be remembered for his kindness, humbleness and dedication to his training. 'Our condolences go out to Rhyce's family and loved ones. He will be sorely missed.' The matter will return to court on July 17. A longtime wildlife photographer has been able to capture rare pictures of a few great white sharks smiling near Santa Cruz County beaches. Eric Mailander, a professional marine lensman has photographed over 20 young great whites swimming near New Brighton State Beach with a GoPro. Last week, the photographer went out on a boat to an area nicknamed 'Shark Park' where this particular species appears annually. He attached his action camera to a pole and lowered it into the water to document the sharks dorsal fin identification numbers. Eric Mailander, a professional marine photographer was able to capture rare pictures of a few great white sharks smiling near Santa Cruz County beaches But much to his surprise, the younglings were intrigued by the pole and swam towards it - allowing Mailander to capture the unique shots. 'We have all seen the aerial views of the dark shark shadows close to shore. 'It looks like they are smiling. I wanted to show what they look like under the water,' he told KRON4. Mailander also used a drone camera to capture the young sharks' movement in the water. Talking about the footage, he said: ''I took this footage a few hours ago at Shark Park and it is amazing. I was filming this 7-foot white shark with my drone when all of a sudden a pup salmon shark [we think] popped up and this white shark had a go of it. 'Not sure of the outcome but the white shark resurfaces near the end of clip with no shark in its mouth.' Mailander has been helping scientists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium track populations off the coast of Central California when the one-of-a-kind occurrence happened. Mailander, a professional marine lensman has been picturing over 20 young great whites swimming near New Brighton State Beach with a GoPro Mailander has been helping scientists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium track populations off the coast of Central California when the one-of-a-kind occurrence happened The release of these pictures comes months after pictures of the first sighting of a newborn great white shark had been revealed that captured a five-foot-long predator swimming of the coast of California. The newborn great white shark was believed to be just hours old when scientists spotted it only 1,000 feet from the beach in Santa Barbara. Researchers at the University of California - Riverside captured the amazing photograph, revealing the newborn was shedding its embryotic layer in January. Where great white sharks give birth has always been a mystery as scientists have been unable to track their location, but on July 9, 2023, luck smiled on two filmmakers who were scanning the area for sharks. A newborn great white shark believed to be only hours old was filmed off the coast of Santa Barbara, California in 2023 'Where white sharks give birth is one of the holy grails of shark science,' said Wildlife filmmaker Carols Gauna, who took the photos alongside UC Riverside PhD student Phillip Sternes. 'No one has ever been able to pinpoint where they are born, nor has anyone seen a newborn baby shark alive. 'There have been dead white sharks found inside deceased pregnant mothers. But nothing like this.' Gauna has observed the coast of Santa Barbara for years and has filmed likely pregnant great white sharks, but while the area is proposed as a possible birthing site, this is the first time there is evidence. A venue run by an ex-Masterchef star is suddenly shutting its doors just days after winning a major award in the latest grim sign for Australia's hospitality industry. Jamie Fleming's venue Alba Bar and Deli in Burnett Lane, Brisbane made the announcement on Instagram that Saturday night would be its last night of operating. He was a contestant in Season 6 of MasterChef in 2014 and opened the Brisbane venue in 20219, shortly before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Unfortunately economic pressures as well as having terrible timing with opening (just before the pandemic) means we have had to make this heart wrenching decision,' the post said. 'We are a small team and always tried to offer the best quality service and produce. Jamie Fleming's (pictured) venue Alba Bar and Deli in Burnett Lane, Brisbane made the announcement on Instagram that Saturday night would be its last night of operating The closure announcement said 'We are a small team and always tried to offer the best quality service and produce.' Samples of its fare are pictured 'Unfortunately with prices of everything going up and little support, there is unfortunately only one clear end.' Alba's closure follows just days after it was named Queensland's best bar by hospitality website Boothby. The outlet's farewell statement thanked 'everyone that has helped bring Alba to life. From the team members, suppliers, friends and anyone who came through the door, you have helped bring something amazing to life.' In a reference to the very difficult times the industry is facing due to the cost of living crisis, Alba acknowledged others in the business who are also doing it tough. 'We have always had huge support from those we respect and love the most, our peers. 'Without your support, Alba would have been another statistic and instead, we have been given the opportunity to swing for the fences and continue to hit the mark.' Alba said it had been its 'pleasure serving, feeding, laughing and dancing with every single one of you. 'Whether we are a bar you eat well at, or a restaurant you get lit at we still don't know. What we do know is we are Alba and we have never been anything else.' The emotional statement ended by saying 'This won't be the last you see of us. Promise ... Peace out.' Alba Bar and Deli (pictured) said it had been its 'pleasure serving, feeding, laughing and dancing with every single one of you' The Brisbane venue is the latest in a string of high-profile casualties in the restaurant business in recent months. In May, beloved Sydney restaurant Tetsuya's announced it would be permanently closing down after 37 years of delighting Australian foodies. The fine dining spot will close its doors permanently on 31 July, 2024, despite originally hoping to relocate elsewhere. Following that blow, Kylie Kwong revealed she was closing down her iconic restaurant Lucky Kwong after being open for 24 years. Young children are among those injured when a minibus is believed to have flipped on a road north-west of Sydney. The crash occurred on Saturday morning at around 9am on Putty Rd in Colo Heights, a one hour and 45 minute drive north-west from the Sydney CBD. Seven people are treated at the scene by emergency services, including kids aged between five and 13-years-old. A 49-year-old man has a broken arm, and a 13-year-old girl was treated for a laceration to her shoulder, NSW Police told 7News. A 40-year-old woman, three boys and a girl were taken to Westmead Hospital for assessment. The crash occurred on Saturday morning at around 9am on Putty Rd in Colo Heights, a one hour and 45 minute drive north-west from the Sydney CBD Police investigations are underway. More to come. A grieving mother, whose 19 year-old son was killed by a 'closeted' Neo-Nazi, fled a Santa Ana courtroom in tears as the killer went into graphic detail as to how he carried out the murder. Samuel Woodward, now 26, gave the chilling account during his fourth day testifying in his trial on a charge of murder with an enhancement for a hate crime in the death of Blaze Bernstein. Bernstein, who was Jewish and gay, was home visiting family in California on winter break six years ago when he went out with Woodward and disappeared. The body of the University of Pennsylvania student was found days later, buried in a park. The two men attended the same high school, the Orange County School of the Arts and reconnected on the dating app Tinder only months before the attack while Bernstein was home, according to testimony from the months-long trial. Samuel Woodward testifies in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana, California Woodward is charged with killing a gay University of Pennsylvania student, Blaze Bernstein, pictured here with his father and mother, who said their lives became a waking nightmare after their son's killing At first told Bernstein he was on the app looking for a hunting partner. However, the conversation turned flirtatious, which at first scared Woodward off, but months later prompted him to tell Bernstein: 'I might make an exception for you.' 'I had been looking for people for a long time to spend time with or talk to,' Woodward said. Screenshots of their conversations have been shown during the trial. The pair eventually met up one night in January 2018 and went to Borrego Park in Lake Forest, California in Orange County, after which Bernstein was never seen again. He told how he had then repeatedly stabbed the college sophomore after trying to grab a cellphone he feared had been used to photograph him. Woodward, whose long hair partly covers his face has been repeatedly asked by his lawyer to push it aside so jurors could see him properly. Sam Woodward brushes away the hair from his face after his attorney Assistant Public Defender Ken Morrison asked him to do so during his testimony Blaze Bernstein, 19, the gay, Jewish teen who was allegedly murdered in Southern California by his closeted neo-Nazi former classmate, was stabbed 28 times in the head and neck Taking long pauses before answering questions and often sitting with his eyes closed, according to the Orange County Register, he testified how during the evening he smoked marijuana and felt something on his leg as he was lying on a sleeping bag. He said that he saw his pants were unbuckled and that Bernstein had a cellphone. Woodward said he felt Bernstein get close, but thought the 19-year-old was getting something from a bag. He then told how he began feeling something on his inner thigh and thought he had urinated himself because of the drugs. Woodward then said that he decided to lie still in order to not bring any attention to himself. Suddenly, opened his eyes and was immediately in a state of terror after seeing his pants had been undone. One of Bernstein's hands was touching him, while in the other, he held a cellphone. Bernstein, pictured, was found in a shallow grave with 28 stab wounds days after disappearing from his parents house on a night when Woodward picked him up their house The alleged murder weapon submitted to evidence in Orange County Superior Court. Woodward was arrested two days after it was found in his room 'When I looked at him and I saw him and I saw the light of the phone and I realized what he had in his hand, I just I went and I just I just came undone,' Woodward said. 'I went in a state of terror. I remember just asking, "What are you doing, what are you doing?" I just remember asking again and again, "What are you doing?"' 'I can't remember if he said something like "Calm down" or "It's not a big deal,"' Woodward went on. Woodward said Bernstein kept repeating the words, 'I got you. I got you.' Woodward said he was worried Bernstein might have sent an explicit photo of him to someone else. When asked what he was afraid of by his he defense attorney, Woodward simply said, 'My father.' 'There is no way people like him, people in our community, people in our neighborhood just the look on his face if he heard about something like that, if it got out somehow,' Woodward said. 'I couldnt fathom something like that.' Scenes from the alleged murder have been presented to the jury during the trial. Bernstein's shallow grave is seen here The teens are spotted on camera entering the park where Blaze's body was eventually found Woodward claimed he began yelling and tried to grab the phone but Bernstein pushed him back. Woodward then took out a pocket knife he was carrying. 'From that point I literally just reached for the phone any way that I could. I couldn't stop going at the phone. I couldn't see what was going on,' Woodward said on the stand. 'At that point the phone wasn't even in the way anymore. Nothing was in the way anymore. I just kept driving and driving and driving the knife down,' Woodward told the court, adding he felt 'an anger like nothing I had ever felt in my whole life' and later smashed the phone. 'When you say driving the knife down, Sam, were you stabbing Blaze?' Assistant Public Defender Ken Morrison asked. 'At that point, yes I was,' Woodward answered. Such was the level of detail in Woodward's recounting of the attack, Bernstein's mother could take no more and rushed out of the court. Other family members could be seen wiping away tears as they heard how their loved one was killed. Woodward said Bernstein attempted to fight back as he scratched and bit him. 'I only remember trying to get the phone and during that time and the ensuing tumble I just remember I felt nothing other than being clawed and bitten,' Woodward said. But it was all in vain as Woodward allegedly went on a frenzied knife attack, stabbing Bernstein 28 times in the face and neck. Woodward, who was 20 at the time of the murder, said he did not recall how many times he stabbed Bernstein. 'What were you thinking?' the defense attorney asked. 'Do you remember what you were thinking when you were driving the knife down again and again and again?' 'Anger like nothing I had ever felt in my whole life,' Woodward said. Bernstein died soon afterwards leaving Woodward to move his body across the park and bury him in a shallow grave with which he used his own hands to dig out. 'Everything was just one big flood,' Woodward said. 'I just remember losing my mind. I remember not knowing what to do.' After Bernstein missed a dentist appointment the next day, his parents found his glasses, wallet and credit cards in his bedroom and tried reaching him but he didn't respond to texts or calls. Woodward was arrested two days after the folding knife with the bloody blade used was found in his room at his parents' house in the upscale enclave of Newport Beach. Authorities launched an exhaustive search and said that Bernstein's family had scoured his social media and saw he had communicated on Snapchat with Woodward. Bernstein's body was found a week later. DNA evidence connected Woodward to the murder, a theory bolstered by the trove of anti-gay, anti-Jewish material found on his phone. Blaze Bernstein (pictured) went missing after a trip to a park in Lake Forest with Woodward. The pair had both attended the Orange County School of the Arts and connected via Snapchat Blaze Bernstein's parents read a statement at a press conference in front of the Orange County Sheriff's department after their son's body was found a week after he had disappeared Assistant Public Defender Ken Morrison questions Sam Woodward during his testimony in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana, California The question during the trial has not been whether Woodward killed Bernstein but the reasons for the killing and circumstances under which it occurred. Prosecutors allege that Woodward singled out the gay, Jewish college sophomore after joining the violent, anti-gay, antisemitic group known as Atomwaffen Division. Woodward claims he was never a full-fledged member and simply joined because he had a 'desire to form a meaningful connection with a group.' He said he was looking for 'brotherhood.' During his testimony, however, Woodward acknowledged he had read excerpts of the book 'Siege' - a text promoted by the far-right group - and had contacts with and met up with members of the group. Defense attorney Ken Morrison asked Woodward if he planned to kill him that night or if he hated him because he was gay or Jewish. 'Not at all' Woodward responded. The district attorney claims Bernstein's murder was a hate crime because he was gay. Woodward's lawyer had stressed he didn't plan to kill anyone, nor did he hate Bernstein. His defense have argued Woodward struggled to form personal relationships due to a long-undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder and was questioning his own sexuality while growing up in a devout, conservative Catholic family, where his father openly criticized homosexuality. Samuel Woodward, 26, enters court. He is on trial in Orange County for the murder of gay Jewish teen Blaze Bernstein back in the winter of 2018 Woodward will take the stand again on Monday for cross-examination by prosecutors, who have alleged that he repeatedly targeted gay men online by reaching out to them before abruptly breaking off contact while keeping a hateful, profanity-laced journal of his actions The prosecution say it is within that family where Woodward is said to have developed homophobic and antisemitic ideals. Some of the questions Woodward was made to answer during his four days of testimony under oath focused on his sexuality. He told the court he'd had a short-term relationship with a woman but said he had never experimented with men. Defense attorneys asked their client about his internet search history, which included visits to gay porn websites in 2015 and 2016. Woodward said he had consulted the websites for the sole purpose of gathering images. He claimed intended to use the photos to antagonize other users in an online group he was a member of. Woodward's testimony has moved slowly, with him taking long pauses, sometimes as long as 30 seconds, before answering his attorney's questions. The trial has also involved numerous witnesses including relatives, friends and authorities. The case has taken years to come to court. Woodward is seen here with a markedly different appearance at a court hearing in January 2018 Woodward is seen again in a photo from a court hearing in August 2018 The case took years to go to trial after questions arose about Woodward's mental state and following multiple changes in defense attorneys. Woodward was deemed competent to stand trial in late 2022. Woodward will take the stand again on Monday for cross-examination by prosecutors, who have alleged that he repeatedly targeted gay men online by reaching out to them before abruptly breaking off contact while keeping a hateful, profanity-laced journal of his actions. Aside from the folding knife, prosecutors also said they found hate group materials among Woodward's belongings including a black Atomwaffen mask with traces of blood. They have attempted to portray Woodward as an angry, homophobic teen with violent tendencies. If convicted Woodward faces life in prison. A gorgeous period home in one of San Francisco's most desirable neighborhoods has listed for just $488,000 - a third of what it's worth. But while the 1924 multi-story home in Russian Hill may seem like a steal to many, it comes with a massive catch. The 1,100 square foot house boasts three bedrooms, a garage and a fireplace in the living room. It also features a driveway, one bathroom and one 'unwarranted and maybe illegal half bathroom,' as well as a fenced-in back yard. A one-of-a-kind Edwardian styled property in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood priced nearly $500,000 has just hit the market But the buyer of this property may not be able to set up residence till 2053. According to the San Francisco Standard, 83-year-old Sandra Lee and her daughter Cheryl Lee, 66, are the home's current tenants. But it is Sandra's son, Todd Lee who actually owns the property - meaning whoever buys the home will be his mother's landlord. Todd's grandparents, Florence and Kenneth Goo, were the original buyers of the house in the 1970s for $52,000 and lived there until they died in the home in 2006 and 2018 respectively. Florence and Kenneth Goo were the original buyers of the house in the 1970s for $52,000 and lived there until they died in the home in 2006 and 2018 respectively The current listing states that Sandra and her daughter will continue to live there and pay the same amount of rent, set at $417-a-month, every month to the new owners for the next 29 years. The pensioner mother explained that Todd and her own brother, Cedric Goo have taken advantage of her and her daughter. She claims that by commandeering her adopted stepfather's trust, fabricating lawyer fees and listing the home for sale while she lives in it, they have tried to take over. Based on a secret lease written by her stepfather, Sandra is granted long-term rental rate of $416.67 - excluding utilities - until 2053. Sandra further said that if 'she had it her way, the home would not be for sale'. The Russian Hill is an upscale residential community known for the famously crooked Lombard Street - a major tourist destination 'We had a large family. Now we're destroyed. If it wasn't for the lease that [my son] didn't know about that was made in 2018, I don't know where we'd be. 'It's unfathomable, the deception, the betrayalthis is my son doing this to me,' she lamented. A neighbor named Ilia Smith told ABC: 'Thirty years. I don't think I'll be around for that. Her husband, Tim added: 'The new owner would have to buy the house subject to a very long rental lease that is currently being offered to an individual.' When asked how such a lease was possible, attorney Steven MacDonald explained that the planning was a 'sloppy way of the owner leaving some security for a person.' 'For some reason, they gave this person a 30-year right of possession. I've seen that before. It's kind of a sloppy way of estate planning. "I want to leave some security to this person so they don't have to worry about where they are going to live." They can do it that way. I think they should have done it a different way,' he exclaimed. The Russian Hill is an upscale residential community known for the famously crooked Lombard Street - a major tourist destination. Despite the very awkward catch, local realtors say they expect a bidding war which could drive the price of the property as high as $1 million. They insist that anyone willing to play the long game will end up with a bargain which should only increase in value even more as the years roll on. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told Liberal Party faithful Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was 'a child in a man's body' in a highly personal attack on Saturday. Mr Dutton spoke to a federal council meeting of Liberal Party politicians, administrators and members in Sydney in which he painted Mr Albanese as 'weak' and a leader who told people 'what they want to hear, not what needs to be said'. 'He's a man with a mind still captured in his university years; he's a child in a man's body,' Mr Dutton said. 'I think Mr Albanese is a decent man who cares deeply about his country, but I believe he is completely out of his depth as prime minister.' The opposition leader has cast the next federal election as defining Australia's 'future and fate' with voters to decide the nation's path forward on energy. Mr Dutton delivered a speech to a federal council meeting of Liberal Party politicians, administrators and members in Sydney on Saturday in which he painted Mr Albanese as 'weak' and a leader who told people 'what they want to hear, not what needs to be said' 'He's a man with a mind still captured in his university years; he's a child in a man's body,' Mr Dutton said of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured). 'I think Mr Albanese is a decent man who cares deeply about his country, but I believe he is completely out of his depth as prime minister' Australians will decide their energy future at the next election, says the opposition leader while slamming the government's 'reckless' renewables policy and spruiking his nuclear pledge. 'The next election will not only define the next political term, it will define the future and fate of this nation,' he said. Voters will have to choose the path they want to take including the nation's energy future amid soaring power costs, Mr Dutton said. 'A choice between Labor's reckless renewables-only policy that will see the energy bills of Australians soar even more,' he said. 'Or the coalition's plan for cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy, which includes our visionary plan to become a nuclear-powered nation and to do the right thing by the environment.' It follows the coalition on Wednesday unveiling plans for seven nuclear reactors across five states on the sites of coal-fired power stations, should it win government. The plan prompted safety concerns in regional areas where the reactors are due to be built, as well as criticism over the coalition not releasing any costings. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was panned for adhering to 'unachievable' renewable emissions targets, which the opposition said are blowing the budgets of Australians. 'He's more interested in appeasing the international climate lobby than sticking up for the interests of everyday Australians,' Mr Dutton said. 'I will be someone who doesn't shirk the hard and necessary decisions which must be made in our national interest in these tough and precarious times.' 'The next election will not only define the next political term, it will define the future and fate of this nation,' Mr Dutton told the Sydney audience Opposition frontbencher Paul Fletcher dismissed fears the nuclear policy could make metropolitan electorates harder to win at the next election, saying it demonstrated the party's commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. The coalition faced significant challenges at the 2022 federal election in blue-ribbon, inner-city seats from teal independents, who pledged greater action on climate change. While the reactors would be built in regional locations, Mr Fletcher said those in inner city areas would also embrace the idea of nuclear. Under the plan, it would take until 2035 to 2037 at the earliest for the first facility to be built. Assistant Climate Change and Energy Minister Jenny McAllister hit out at the nuclear policy which she said was expensive and risky. 'Today Peter Dutton could've answered the many questions Australians have about his risky nuclear plan but all they got was more of the same nasty negativity and politics,' she said. 'Peter Dutton demands a mature debate but instead launches personal attacks. Peter Dutton demands lower power prices but opposes energy price relief and is unable or unwilling to say how much his nuclear plans will cost Australian taxpayers. 'Australians deserve better.' Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was the latest and perhaps highest-profile Democrat to slam Joe Biden's re-election campaign. Cuomo - who was forced to resign from the governor's office in 2023 over sexual harassment claims, which he has adamantly denied - was critical of the president and his fellow Democrats on several issues on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher Friday. Maher - who qualified that he feels 81-year-old Biden is too old and should've dropped out - wanted Cuomo's analysis of the campaign he's running now that it appears he's staying in the race. 'I don't think he's running an especially good campaign, frankly,' Cuomo said. 'I think there's a big question that he has to answer which is about his age, viability.' Cuomo, 66, said that the campaign and Biden's advisors need to get the president out in the open if they've got any shot at convincing the public he's capable of serving another term. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was the latest and perhaps highest-profile Democrat to slam Joe Biden 's re-election campaign You could hear a pin drop as Andrew Cuomo criticizes the Biden campaign for hiding Joe Biden from the cognitive decline question: Bill Maher: "Is he running a good campaign? What would you do to run it better?" Cuomo: "I don't think he's running an especially good campaign, pic.twitter.com/vJm1aYRYYU Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) June 22, 2024 'I think the only way you answer that is by getting out there, and letting people see you,' he said: 'That's the only way you put it to rest. I don't think you can hide from that.' Despite being slightly older than 78-year-old opponent Donald Trump, Biden has constantly faced questions dogging his age and health. The president has faced criticism from the media and his opponent Trump for a series of recent blunders, including several public moments where Biden appeared to freeze up completely. Only 38 percent of likely 2024 voters believe President Joe Biden will be alive at the end of another four-year term, according to an exclusive poll for DailyMail.com. And that means one thing: Vice President Kamala Harris is just as likely to be in the top job as Biden come January 2029 if he wins reelection. Some 36 percent of likely voters believe Harris will be president at the end of the term. The exact same proportion as think Biden will be in the job. The results show how the 81-year-old president's age will be a major factor on November 5 when voters pick the commander in chief they want for the next four years. Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term. Donald Trump, his Republican rival, is only slightly younger but voters harbor fewer doubts, with Trump widely-regarded as having a more youthful energy. Cuomo, who was forced to resign from the governor's office in 2023 over sexual harassment claims, was critical of the president and his fellow Democrats on several issues on HBO 's Real Time with Bill Maher Friday Former President Barack Obama had to grab Biden by the arm and lead him off stage when he froze during a fundraiser in Los Angeles on June 15 Cuomo also attacked Biden and fellow Democrats Kathy Hochul - who took over his job as governor of the Empire State after he resigned - and New York City Mayor Eric Adams over immigration. '[Biden's] immigration policy was a mistake,' Cuomo said. 'How you do it makes all the difference in the world.' 'To just open the borders with no plan, you don't know where they go, you don't know who's going to pay for them. Who did you even help?' He criticized Adams and Hochul for not saying no to any of Biden's ideas without a plan in place. 'Now we're finding out 200,000 people later, you needed a plan, you needed to know what to do with these people.' He also criticized the Manhattan DA's office for bringing its case against Trump, which resulted in convictions on all 34 counts. Cuomo has faced his own issues with a Democrat-run justice system stemming from the harassment scandal that cost him his job. He allegedly subjected at least 13 women to a sexually hostile work environment, a DOJ investigation released in January found. Cuomo also attacked Biden and fellow Democrats Kathy Hochul - who took over his job as governor of the Empire State after he resigned - and New York City Mayor Eric Adams over immigration Pictured: Joe Biden, Dough Ehmoff, Kamala Harris, Philonise Floyd, Keeta Floyd. Biden sparks concerns as he appears to freeze during the Juneteenth celebration concert at the White House alongside a dancing Kamala Harris - before Floyd - brother of the late George Floyd - wraps his arm around him The disgraced ex-leader 'repeatedly' harassed staff members and retaliated against those who reported it. Investigators found that Cuomo made 'unwelcome, non-consensual sexual contact' including 'ogling; unwelcome sexual comments; gender-based nicknames; comments on their physical appearances; and/or preferential treatment based on their physical appearances'. In response to those claims, a rep for Cuomo told the DailyMail.com, 'That report was complete horses**t and an embarrassment to anyone who cares about a fair and functional government. It was a finding with no investigation, no interviews with the governor, his senior staff or even his accusers and no facts whatsoever. Five DAs looked at these allegations and put them in the garbage where they belonged and to this day DOJ hasnt shown any of their homework or answered a single question about this sham agreement.' Cuomo - hailed as a hero for much of 2020 over his cool-headed response to the COVID crisis - was once touted as a potential presidential candidate. The sex pest allegations seemed to put end to Cuomo's political career - but he has been maneuvering back into the spotlight in recent months. Cuomo's lawyer Rita Glavin dismissed the findings of the report, saying he hadn't been contacted for a comment and that he did not sexually harass anyone. She told the New York Times: 'This is nothing more than a political settlement with no investigation.' Cuomo has sued to try and get New York State Attorney General Letitia James to release the full paperwork of her investigation into him. Friends of a popular businesswoman with two young children have rallied around her 'with heavy hearts' after she was recently diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. The organisers of a GoFundMe campaign for 38-year-old digital marketer Vanja Wilson wrote that she had recently been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. 'We are reaching out to you with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits,' Ms Wilson's friends wrote, adding that she is 'a loving wife to Calum, and a devoted mother to their two beautiful little girls, Mila, 8, and Misha, 4'. Ms Wilson, who lives with her family in Dee Why on Sydney's northern beaches, got the shocking diagnosis just a few weeks ago and is currently recovering from a six-hour abdominal surgery. Her friends said she has 'a long and arduous road of treatments and therapies to fight this insidious disease' ahead of her. Friends of popular businesswoman Vanja Wilson (pictured, right, with her husband and two young children) have rallied to her side after she was recently diagnosed with cancer 'As they prepare for the battle ahead, and with both of their wider families based overseas, we are coming together as their Aussie "family" to support them in every way we can,' the fundraisers wrote. They said they had started the fund raiser because 'Cancer treatment is not only physically and emotionally draining, but also comes with a significant financial burden. 'Our goal is to alleviate some of the stress by helping with out-of-pocket medical costs, as well as indirect costs due to a change in working circumstances for both Vanja - as she undergoes treatment; and Calum as he does whatever is needed to be by Vanja's side and look after their precious girls.' Ms Wilson's friends pointed out that many people had been asking how they could help 'during this unimaginably scary time' and said the GoFundMe page 'is a wonderful way to do it'. 'Your donation will allow the Wilson family to focus on what truly matters: Supporting Vanja and the family through this period of immense stress and uncertainty, and allowing them to spend precious time together as a family as she undergoes treatment.' A Sydney train has been evacuated after a passenger lit a fire in one of the carriages. Fire crews rushed to Bankstown station where the train was stopped about 12pm Saturday. A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the passenger brought an item, understood to be insulation, on the train and set it alight. Fire and Rescue NSW were called to Bankstown station after reports a passenger brought an item onto a train and lit it on fire 'A patron brought something on the train and lit it on fire,' the spokesman said. The fire was put out and there were no injuries. Trains in the area are running normally once more. President Zelensky's office has suggested that Nigel Farage has been 'infected by the virus of Putinism' after he said the West was to blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It comes as Rishi Sunak said today that Mr Farage's comments were 'completely wrong and only play into Putin's hands'. The Reform UK leader has been blasted by politicians and army veterans for 'echoing Putin's vile justification' for the conflict in an interview for the BBC's Panorama election specials. Grilled by presenter Nick Robinson, Mr Farage insisted the eastward 'expansion' of the Western alliance and political bloc had 'given a reason' for the Russian president to attack. The Reform UK leader also spoke of his 'admiration' for Putin as a 'political operator' but insisted he disliked the Russian leader as a person. Although there has been no official reaction from Kyiv, a source from President Zelensky's office told the BBC: 'The virus of Putinism, unfortunately, infects people.' Nigel Farage has been blasted for 'echoing Putin 's vile justification for the Ukraine conflict after he suggested the West was to blame for Russia's invasion The dramatic intervention creates a clear divide between Mr Farage's party and the Tories over how to handle the rising threat from states like Russia and China Mr Sunak said: 'What he said was completely wrong and only plays into Putin's hands. 'This is a man (Mr Putin) who deployed nerve agent on the streets of Britain, who is doing deals with countries like North Korea, and this kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britain's security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and only emboldens Putin further.' Home Secretary James Cleverly accused Mr Farage last night of 'echoing Putin's vile justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine'. He was also criticised by Guy Verhofstadt, a prominent Belgian MEP, who said Farage was repeating 'Kremlin talking points'. 'In the European Parliament, Farage always defended Putin', he said. 'Every vote for Farage is celebrated in Moscow!' Labour leader Sir Keir called the remarks 'disgraceful' and said anyone standing for Parliament should make clear Russia is the aggressor. And Lib Dem leader Ed Davey told broadcasters on a visit to south east England: 'It is Putin and Russia who are to blame for this, no one else. 'I strongly support the efforts that Britain has made to support Ukrainians. I wish we had done more actually, and I think British people would be shocked if we do anything else.' Mr Farage, however, doubled down on his comments last night as he posted on X: 'I am one of the few figures that have been consistent and honest about the war with Russia. Rishi Sunak said today that Mr Farage's comments were 'completely wrong and only play into Putin's hands'. 'Putin was wrong to invade a sovereign nation, and the EU was wrong to expand eastward. 'The sooner we realise this, the closer we will be to ending the war and delivering peace.' The row comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky said last night that his country had marked 'a significant milestone' on their path toward EU membership as a negotiating framework was approved. Zelensky said: 'These are truly historic moments. Ukraine is and will always be part of a united Europe.' Former Nato Secretary General Lord Robertson further criticised the Reform UK leader for 'parroting the Kremlin Line' and 'producing new excuses for the brutal, unprovoked attack'. Mr Farage claimed during the interview that Lord Robertson had agreed the Ukrainian conflict was caused by the expansion of the EU. But speaking to BBC Radio 4, the Labour peer refuted Mr Farage's comments, describing them as 'complete nonsense'. 'Saying that we provoked Russia is like saying that if you buy a burglar alarm, in some way you provoke burglars', Lord Robertson said. Retired British Army Officer Richard Kemp said that Farage's analysis of the cause of the Ukrainian conflict could 'hardly be more wrong'. He wrote in the Telegraph: 'He claims that Nato and EU expansion was provocative. 'In fact it was Western weakness and timidity that encouraged Putin's aggression in 2022.' Mr Kemp added that Farage's comments had just proven that he is 'not a serious leader'. Vladimir Putin takes part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexandrovsky Garden near the Kremlin wall in Moscow on June 22 Rishi Sunak recently helped negotiate a new international 39billion package to help Ukraine fight invading Russian forces (pictured with Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 last week) Vladimir Putin (pictured on a visit to Vietnam this week) launched a renewed offensive in Ukraine in February 2022 Labour shadow defence secretary John Healy said Mr Farage would 'rather lick Vladimir Putin's boots than stand up for the people of Ukraine' and added: 'These are disgraceful comments, which reveal the true face of Nigel Farage: a Putin apologist who should never be trusted with our nation's security. 'Up until now, there has been a united front amongst Britain's political leaders in supporting the people of Ukraine against the unprovoked and unjustifiable assault they have suffered at the hands of Vladimir Putin.' Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told the Daily Telegraph: 'Churchill will be turning in his grave. 'Putin, already enjoying how Farage is disrupting British politics, will be delighted to hear this talk of appeasement during our election debate.' Mr Farage's comments indicate a clear divide between Reform and the Tories over the Ukrainian conflict and how to handle the rising threat from states like Russia and China. Rishi Sunak - who is scrambling to stop the insurgents splitting the right-wing vote on July 4 and gifting Keir Starmer the keys to No10 - recently helped negotiate a new 39billion international package boosting Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian aggression. Boris Johnson and Liz Truss also staunchly supported Volodymyr Zelensky with weaponry and other aid. Mr Farage claimed earlier this month that Ukraine will eventually have to seek a peace deal with Russia - but his comments on Panorama last night go further. In the Panorama interview, Mr Farage was challenged by Robinson that in February 2022, as the latest intense phase of the invasion began, he posted on social media that 'it was a consequence of EU and NATO expansion'. Mr Farage replied: 'I stood up in the European Parliament in 2014 and I said, and I quote, ''there will be a war in Ukraine''. 'Why did I say that? it was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say, ''They're coming for us again'', and to go to war.' Pressed on whether he stood by that assessment, Mr Farage said 'we provoked this war'. 'It's you know, of course it's his fault, he's used what we've done as an excuse,' he said. Grilled by presenter Nick Robinson last night, Mr Farage insisted the eastward 'expansion' of the Western alliance and political bloc had 'given a reason' for the Russian president to attack The Reform UK leader also spoke of his 'admiration' for Putin as a 'political operator' but insisted he disliked the Russian leader as a person Home Secretary James Cleverly accused Mr Farage, however, of 'echoing Putin's vile justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine Mr Farage claimed during the interview that Lord Robertson had agreed the Ukrainian conflict was caused by the expansion of the EU Mr Farage claimed earlier this month that Ukraine will eventually have to seek a peace deal with Russia - but his comments on Panorama last night go further Braced again on whether he believed the West had 'provoked' the invasion, Mr Farage said: 'Yes, and very interestingly, once again, 10 years ago when I predicted this by the way, I'm the only person in British politics that predicted what would happen - and of course everyone said I was a pariah for daring to suggest it.' He added: 'My judgement has been way ahead of everybody else's in understanding this.' Mr Farage denied that he was 'echoing' Putin's rhetoric about Russia being threatened by the West, claiming he had 'been saying this actually since the 1990s, ever since, before the war'. Asked if Reform backed the idea of continuing to fund Ukraine's efforts, Mr Farage said: 'We would go on sending money to them but I think both sides need to be told that at some point wars either end in negotiation or catastrophe, and this one looks like going on for many, many, many years and at an horrendous cost of life. 'At some point there have to be face-to-face talks. 'I'm not suggesting that it'll happen quickly, but at some point that's what we'd like to see.' Pressed on whether that would mean Ukraine having to give up land, he appeared not to rule it out, adding: 'The tough negotiation has to be over Crimea. That is clearly going to be very tough.' Mr Farage predicted that if Donald Trump was re-elected US president this year then Ukraine premier Volodymyr Zelensky could soon be forced around the table with Vladimir Putin. The Panorama Interview with Nick Robinson is available on BBC iPlayer Business secretary Kemi Badenoch has warned right wing voters considering abandoning the Tories for Nigel Farage's Reform party that they will risk the future of Brexit. Ms Badenoch, who refused to rule out whether she will run for leadership of the Conservative Party in the event of a historic defeat on July 4, claimed that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wanted to reverse Brexit. Acknowledging the lack of any visible Brexit benefits, she asked people to wait a further 10 to 20 years to see a positive boost from leaving the European Union. In an interview with The Telegraph, she said she understood the frustration of right wing voters but urged them to back Rishi Sunak's team on July 4, claiming backing Reform in the ballot box was a wasted vote. Ms Badenoch said: 'One of my biggest challenges is the criticism on the Right that we haven't done things that we actually have done they are trying to tell people that it has not been a success. Business secretary Kemi Badenoch, pictured, has warned former Tory voters that supporting Nigel Farage's Reform Pary next month will hand the keys of Number 10 to Sir Keir Starmer Ms Badenoch advised voters that Brexit was a 10 or 20 year project so they will have to wat for the long term benefits of leaving the European Union become apparent 'This is a 10 or 20-year project. We've just started. It's like building a house and someone comes in and says oh, it's not done yet, he's failed. Or you're cooking something and, five minutes later, it's not cooked yet, it's not working, let's stop. 'Making sure everyone is focused on getting those benefits is absolutely critical. I think that's one area where I've tried to do as much as possible, but we need more of that strategy.' Poll Do you think Reform will get more votes than the Tories in the general election? Yes No Do you think Reform will get more votes than the Tories in the general election? Yes 1302 votes No 391 votes Now share your opinion Ms Badenoch accused Labour of wanted to 'unravel the Brexit vote' and bring in a host of Brussels friendly regulations that will stymie British businesses. Rishi Sunak has faced further questions on gambling by Conservative candidates on Friday as he sought to move on from the scandal, telling voters not to 'sleepwalk to July 4'. The Prime Minister launched the Tories' Welsh manifesto where he acknowledged voters' 'frustrations' but told them the General Election is too important to be used to send the party a negative message. In the Labour camp, Sir Keir Starmer has faced questions about his support for Jeremy Corbyn, after the party's leader said his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn 'would be a better prime minister' than 'what we got - Boris Johnson, a man who made massive promises and didn't keep them'. Sir Keir Starmer, pictured, is on the verge of a historic election victory on July 4 He continued to face questions about his positions as Saturday's newspaper headlines emerged, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling telling The Times she has a 'poor opinion of his character'. On the campaign trail in Wales, Mr Sunak said: 'I warn you, don't fall into Labour's trap, don't sleepwalk to July 4. 'I know you want to send us a message, but this is not a by-election.' He also said: 'They want to give 16-year-olds a vote not because on principle they think that they are adults, but because they think they'll vote for them. 'Once they have got power they will change every rule to make sure that they keep it.' The Prime Minister took questions from journalists about allegations a string of people with links to the Conservative Party or Number 10 bet on the timing of the contest before he announced it. Mr Sunak refused to be drawn on whether he is aware of other Conservative candidates or officials who placed bets on the date of the election, saying there are 'multiple investigations' under way that are 'independent' and 'confidential'. He added: 'What I can tell you is, as I said, if anyone is found to have broken the rules, they should not only face the full consequences of the law, but I will ensure that they are booted out of the Conservative Party, too.' Craig Williams, the party's candidate in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr and Mr Sunak's parliamentary aide, admitted to having 'a flutter' on the date of the election after it was disclosed he was under investigation by the Gambling Commission. It has since been reported that another candidate, Laura Saunders, and her husband, Tory director of campaigning Tony Lee, were also facing a Gambling Commission investigation, while a member of Mr Sunak's close protection team has been arrested and removed from operational duties over similar allegations. The matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which said, at this stage, the Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards should investigate. Rishi Sunak, pictured, has refused to comment on whether more members of his party and inner circle have used information about the upcoming election to cash in on insider knowledge Ms Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, said she 'will be co-operating with the Gambling Commission' investigation, while Mr Lee took a leave of absence from his role with the party on Wednesday, just 15 days before the polls open. Labour has called for both Mr Williams and Ms Saunders to be suspended as candidates. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of a 'total lack of leadership' over his decision not to suspend either candidate. He said: 'Of course, he should suspend these candidates. If they were my candidates, they'd be gone by now, out of the door. He needs to take tough action. He's not even saying today whether there are more involved.' The Gambling Commission confirmed its probe is into potential criminal offences, with a spokesperson saying: 'Currently, the commission is investigating the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election.' The watchdog noted that if someone uses confidential information in order to gain an unfair advantage when betting, this may constitute an offence of cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act, which is a criminal offence. Former prime minister Boris Johnson waded into the row over Sir Keir's statements about Mr Corbyn, who is contesting the Islington North seat. He wrote in his Daily Mail column: 'Starmer must now be put remorselessly on the spot. He must take it back. You can't back Corbyn and back Ukraine at the same time.' Sir Keir set out his position in a GB News interview which aired on Friday evening and said: 'Well, look, the last election, we had a very poor choice in 2019 and what transpired was obviously Jeremy Corbyn got rejected by the electorate - not the right person - and we've expelled him now from the Labour Party, so that's how far we've changed the Labour Party. 'Boris Johnson was elected as prime minister and a number of years later was booted out of Parliament for breaking the rules. 'That's why I've been so determined to change the Labour Party, to always say country first, party second, and make sure at this election there is a real choice between continuing with the Tories or now turning a page and rebuilding the country with Labour.' Towards the end of the week, on Saturday's front pages, it emerged JK Rowling accused Labour of turning its back on women. She wrote in the newspaper: 'The women who wouldn't wheesht (be quiet) didn't leave Labour. Labour abandoned them.' Sir Keir had said on Thursday's Question Time's leaders' special that 'there are some people who don't identify with the gender that they are born into and they go through a lot of anxiety and distress, and my view in life is to respect and give dignity to everyone, whatever their position'. On Brexit, Ms Badenoch told The Telegraph: 'This is a 10 or 20-year project. We've just started. It's like building a house and someone comes in and says oh, it's not done yet, he's failed.' The Labour Party manifesto commits to 'no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement'. The Jay Slater search team is scouring a 2,000ft-deep ravine in a bid to find the missing 19-year-old as a 'mystery person' logs into his Instagram account. As it enters the sixth day of searching for the British teenager, police are now searching a ravine in the remote, desert-like Teno Nature Reserve. His worried friends said on behalf of his mother Debbie that an unknown person is using his Instagram as it's been frequently active, but it isn't Jay. They also claim that Jay's friends and family have had their accounts hacked and false information shared. It comes after British police offered to help in the hunt for Jay Slater but their offer was declined by Spanish counterparts. The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday after an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, travelled to the Canary Islands for a musical festival with Lucy Law and another friend Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday at 8.50am Search and rescue were out in force on the evening of June 21 A search team member with a sniffer dog near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, June 22 Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife, search for missing teenager Jay Slater A police officer overlooks the village of Masca, Tenerife, as the search continues on June 21 The admin of the Facebook page called Jay Slater Missing, Rachel Louise Harg, wrote: 'Some people are actually this sick in the head, there are people hacking my accounts and Jay's family's, making it pure lies and pretending we are all in it.' She said Debbie is 'broken' and slammed the mystery person using the account as 'cruel'. The police are currently searching for Jay in the Teno Nature Reserve, referred to as 'malpais' by locals a word that translates into English as 'bad land' according to The Sub. Spanish police yesterday searched a secluded mountain pass in Masca which is the last known location of the 19-year-old after he made a phone call to his friend Lucy, 18, at around 8am that morning. The force declined an offer from Lancashire police to send support to help find the missing teen. In a statement released late on Friday, the UK police force said it had 'made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil' but this was declined after local cops said they were 'satisfied that they have the resources they need'. Lancashire Police released a statement regarding Jay's disappearance earlier that day, saying it had offered to provide additional support to officers on the island. 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with Jay's family at this time. 'They must be going through the most distressing ordeal not knowing what has happened to their loved one. 'We have specialist officers who are continuing to support Jay's family. 'Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. 'They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change. 'Once again, our thoughts remain with Jay's family and friends at this distressing time.' It comes as Lucy today blasted the local Spanish police for 'not doing a good enough job' in finding the missing Brit. 'We are having to do this all by ourselves as Spanish police are not doing a good enough job. They don't even speak English. It's been a very slow process here so we need the British police to come out and help them,' she told The Times. Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route Search and rescue are out in force on June 21 with man power and drones surveying the scene Sniffer dogs have been deployed in the search for Jay Slater in north-west Tenerife on June 19 Rescue teams confer as they continue to search for Jay on June 21 Search and rescue are out in force this evening with man power and drones surveying the scene A drone can be seen flying over the area in Tenerife where Jay is believed to have gone missing Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife as the search enters day five Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife on June 21 Meanwhile the owner of holiday rental, Casa Abuela Tina - where Mr Slater is understood to have stayed with two acquaintances - today voiced her worries about the teen after spotting him walking alone down the hills on Monday. She said: 'It's dangerous walking around here, it's easy to lose yourself. He walked up the road when I saw him for the last time. 'He was alone. He was walking normally, though he was fast.' Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route. She aired her concerns about the teenager, but in the height of the media frenzy she stated: 'We are not to blame.' The property, which is listed online as a holiday home, is believed to have been rented by two men Jay was with the night before whilst attending the NRG festival. It is believed the main area of focus in the search for Mr Slater has been around the Parque Rural de Teno, with his family and mother Debbie, have flying out to the Spanish island to assist officers. The Civil Guard confirmed to the Manchester Evening News on Friday there had been 'no developments' in the search for the 19-year-old. In a post on the Facebook page 'Jay Slater Missing', the administrator of the group Rachel Louise Harg said family and friends of Mr Slater were in a 'living nightmare'. She said: 'There isn't an update for anyone unfortunately. 'Struggling to find words at this time but all I can say is we are looking still and everyone is doing all they can. 'We are drained beyond words - I just can't say no more, I wish I could. I wish this would end now, this living nightmare. 'Searches are ongoing and we remain positive. 'Thanks to you all supporting and helping we can't thank you any more, much love.' Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare' June Duncan, grandmother of missing person Jay Slater, spoke of fears for her grandson Search parties are scouring Tenerife for signs of the missing teenager Authorities also went to the hotel apartments Paloma Beach where Jay was staying in Los Christianos His friend Lucy has called for the British police to assist with the investigation and slammed the local efforts. She said she wants to 'bring him home to his family'. 'That is all that we want, all that we need,' she told the BBC. On Friday, search and rescue personnel joined officers from the island's Guardia Civil near the village of Masca where they appeared to focus on a specific area of overgrown terrain. Some officers used binoculars to survey the landscape before heading towards the bottom of the hillside. On Thursday, a helicopter flew over Rural de Teno park in the south of the Spanish island as search teams followed various footpaths in the area. Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from the helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the force's X account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. A MailOnline graphic detailing the timeline of events from when Jay attended the three-day NRG festival to his location when his phone died at around 8.50am on Monday A screenshot of Jay's last known location where his phone battery died The teenager posted a Snapchat image on the morning he went missing in Spain The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police were searching The setting is surrounded by spectacular mountains and rocky roads Authorities searching for missing teenager Jay along the ravine on June 20 Police officers also searched in the Masca ravine for Jay on June 19 The walk from Mr Slater's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. The search area was quiet on Friday, with only a handful of police cars stationed at Rural de Teno park. Mr Slater's friend Lucy, who attended the NRG music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was 'lost in the mountains, he wasn't aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%'. Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare'. Ms Duncan told ITV News: 'He's the life and soul, he's a beautiful boy.' Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and a black bag. A fundraiser set up by Mr Slater's friend Lucy to 'get Jay Slater home' has since received more than 25,000 in donations. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.' Today, the search is continuing for the fifth day to find the teenager, 19, who disappeared in Tenerife. The search mission has entered its fifth day. Pictured: Rescuers on June 19 Police officers and a sniffer dog are pictured in the search for Jay on June 19 Police officers and firefighters talked while searching for the missing 19-year-old on June 19 Friends and family members have flown over to the Canary Islands to join in with the search for Jay who has not been seen or heard from since Monday. His last known location was in the mountainous area of Teno Rural Park, some 10 hours' walk away from his accommodation in the southern part of the island. A GoFundMe which was set up has raised 25,000 as of this morning. Police using a helicopter, sniffer dogs and a drone, as well as mountain rescue units have been scouring countryside close to an Airbnb he went to with two British men. The isolated farmhouse was an hour's drive from the popular hotspot of Playa des Los Americas in southern Tenerife, in the village of Masca, 19 miles away. Speaking from the family home in Oswaldtwistle, Jay's stepfather Andy Watson said the teen was reluctant to go on holiday. He said that Jay's friends had 'talked him into going' and his mother Debbie added he 'wasn't really that keen'. She told ITV that looking back, she wished she hadn't 'encouraged him'. The grieving parents of a woman allegedly killed by her ex-husband say they feel 'cheated' after he took his own life while behind bars. Troy Armstrong, 36, had been charged with murdering Kristy Armstrong when he allegedly drove his ute towards her sedan at 140kmh in Molong near Orange, in central-west NSW, on June 9 last year. Kristy was killed instantly while Armstrong sustained serious brain and spinal injuries which left him unable to walk or take himself to the toilet. The couple's two daughters, aged eight and 13, had been in the back of Kristy's sedan and were left with minor injuries. Armstrong had not yet entered a plea when he killed himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in Silverwater, in Sydney's west, on June 4. Kristy (pictured left) and Troy Armstrong, who allegedly killed his wife by ramming her car at high speed Kristy's parents, Peter and Donna Thornell, have said they will be forever haunted by the death of their daughter, with the crash happening just down the road from where they live. 'The detectives came out to tell us (Armstrong had died) and my first thought was one of relief, for the simple fact that the poor witnesses wouldn't have to relive all these horrible things' Mrs Thornell told the Daily Telegraph. 'My second thought was: ''you selfish piece of work'' 'To do it five days before Kristy's anniversary, he took the easy way out, because there was so much evidence.' Kristy had taken out a restraining order against her husband Kristy's parents Donna and Peter Thornell (pictured) said they 'felt cheated' Armstrong took his own life in prison Mrs Thornell said Armstrong had acted aggressively towards their daughter for years and kicked her out of the family home in April, 2021. She said when her daughter had asked how it could be possible for her to leave the home, Armstrong replied 'I don't care if it's in body bags'. Kristy eventually took an AVO out against her husband but her mother said 'they mean nothing' and the court order didn't prevent him from allegedly taking her life. Mr and Mrs Thornell are now raising Kristy's two children and say they are the reason they wake up each morning. Police allege Armstrong purposely ran his ute into Kristy's sedan while travelling at 140km/h following an argument at their children's primary school. During an unsuccessful bail application last year, Armstrong's lawyer Drew Hamilton told the court he posed little risk to the community as he had part of his skull removed and could no longer walk. Police allege that Armstrong drove his ute at speeds reaching up to 140kph to cause the crash (pictured) But police prosecutor Carl Smith said Armstrong was 'an extremely dangerous person' who had left his two daughters living in fear, despite his injuries. '(They) were terrified before this incident, they're even more terrified now,' Sergeant Smith told the hearing. 'He knew driving 140km/h into a car of the likelihood that he'd be killing his wife, but (also) anyone else in that motor vehicle.' He had not entered any pleas at the time of his death and was due to face a committal hearing on July 11. LIFELINE 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT Three passengers requiring wheelchair assistance were left behind after an EasyJet flight took off without them. Liz Weir was one of three wheelchair passengers who were left stranded at Belfast International airport after their flight to Edinburgh flew off with their luggage. She said she was sitting on the tarmac waiting to be boarded after other passengers, when the doors were closed and the plane left. Ms Weir was meant to be flying to the Scottish capital for a storytelling session at an arts festival in Midlothian, but missed the event after easyJet failed to board her and other passengers requiring assistance. EasyJet indicated that it would provide compensation to Ms Weir and the other stranded passengers and said the matter was being investigated. Three wheelchair passengers were left stranded at Belfast International airport after their flight took off without them Liz Weir was one of the passengers left on the tarmac after their plane to Edinburgh left without them but with their luggage The woman, from County Antrim, said she had allowed plenty of time to check in for her flight and had been escorted to the steps of the aircraft for the flight, EZY55, at 1pm on Friday, BBC News reported. But she said that rather than being allowed to the board the flight, the pilot gave a signal to suggest that she wouldn't be able to get on after the doors had already been closed. She described her ordeal as 'exhausting' and 'distressing'. Ms Weir later shared a post of her ready to leave on a flight to Scotland yesterday evening. She wrote: 'Trying again on a flight leaving at 8 50. It's bad enough when a bus leaves you at the stop but when a jet leaves you on the tarmac.how often do people say 'they won't go without us!' Except they did!' EasyJet said it would compensate the stranded customers and said it was investigating the incident, which took place at around 1pm yesterday In a statement, EasyJet said: 'We are very sorry that flight EZY55 from Belfast to Edinburgh on Friday 21 June departed without three passengers who were being accompanied by the airports special assistance provider. 'We have urgently raised with the provider and our ground-handling team to understand why this happened. 'We are doing everything possible to assist the passengers, arranging for flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh later this evening to get them to their destination as quickly as possible. ''Our team looked after them throughout and provided them with refreshment vouchers while they waited for their new flight. "We will also be processing the compensation they are due.'' Killer nurse Lucy Letby told police the hospital she was working in was understaffed and denied dislodging the breathing tube of a very premature baby in a bid to murder her, a court heard on Friday. The jury was shown video of interviews conducted by detectives after she was arrested on three occasions between 2018 and 2020. In the latest episode of our podcast The Trial of Lucy Letby: Baby K, hosts Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull hear the moment Letby denied dislodging Baby Ks breathing tube to police. Listeners can hear the audio voiced by actors for the podcast. Letby, Britain's most prolific child killer, was last year sentence to life in prison after she was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more while working as a neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, in the North West of England. There were six charges the jury in the original trial couldnt decide on, so Letby is back on trial with a different jury for one of those charges - the attempted murder of a premature baby girl who was born 15 week early, known as Baby K. In the latest episode of our podcast The Trial of Lucy Letby: Baby K, hosts Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull hear the moment Letby denied dislodging Baby Ks breathing tube to police Letby, Britain's most prolific child killer, was last year sentence to life in prison after she was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more while working as a neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, in the North West of England Baby K was born 15 weeks early aged 25 weeks in February 2016 when her mother went into labour unexpectedly. She weighed just 1lb 8oz. In episode four of the Mail's podcast which focuses on this retrial Caroline and Liz see, for the first time, the footage of Letby facing questions from Cheshire Police detectives which was shown to the new jury yesterday as part of the prosecution case. In the three separate video clips Letby denied dislodging Baby Ks breathing tube and she said she could not remember the baby girl collapsing. She also told officers the unit could not cope with the number of babies and Baby K was so premature that she would have needed one to one care. The first interview took place around 2.30pm on July 5, 2018 - two days after Letby was arrested for the first time. The officer asks her about what she remembers from the night Baby K collapsed and presses her on why Dr Jayaram felt uncomfortable knowing she was with the baby girl. The second video shown to the jury shows Letby being interviewed around 10am on June 12, 2019 - almost a year after her first arrest. Killer nurse Lucy Letby, 34, told police the Countess of Chester Hospital where she was working in was understaffed and denied dislodging the breathing tube of a very premature baby in a bid to murder her, a court heard Letby's convictions, including the names and birth dates of the 13 babies she murdered or tried to murder between June 2015 and June 2016, were read to the jury at Manchester Crown Court She was asked again about the moment Baby K collapsed and what would have happened to Baby K if Dr Jayaram had not walked in when he did. The third interview took place at 8.45pm on November 10, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. She was shown a text message she had sent to her best friend, another nurse who worked on the unit, at around 9.15pm on the day Baby K was born. On Friday, Letby's convictions, including the names and birth dates of the 13 babies she murdered or tried to murder between June 2015 and June 2016, were read to the jury at Manchester Crown Court. The six men and six women were also told the jury in her original trial were discharged after failing to reach a verdict in Baby K's case, before a retrial was ordered. Letby, formerly of Hereford, denies attempted murder of Baby K. Her barrister, Ben Myers KC, said the child was 'clinically fragile' due to her extreme prematurity. Listen to The Trial of Lucy Letby: Baby K, wherever you get your podcasts now. A packed Virgin Atlantic Boeing jet's windscreen 'cracked at 40,000 feet' while flying from Heathrow to San Francisco. Photos show a dented central window pane with cracks in multiple areas but the cause of the damage has left investigators scratching their heads. The crack in the four-layer thick glass left cockpit crew terrified as the plane made its transatlantic voyage. The incident occurred three hours into the flight as the jet flew between Greenland and Iceland and forced Virgin Flight VS41 to make a U-turn and fly back to the UK on May 27. Experts have said that the plane's altitude meant it could not have hit a bird and no immediate other course have been highlighted but temperatures outside the aircraft were -50 degrees Celsius. A cracked front windscreen forced Virgin Flight VS41 to make a U-turn and fly back to the UK on May 27 after cockpit crew were left terrified by the smashed glass (Stock image) Despite the huge crack, pilots tried to calm fears that the cabin had suffered from any decompression and the airline apologised to passengers. Following the return to the UK, travellers were offered accommodation and were able to fly to San Francisco the following day The Sun reported. The terrifying crack is the latest issue to plague the already troubled Boeing manufacturer. Earlier this month a passenger jet carrying 163 passengers and nine crew cleared the end of a runway by just ten feet after a software glitch allowed it to take off using too little power. The TUI Boeing 737-800 was taking off from Bristol Airport's 1.2-mile runway 9 to Gran Canaria on March 4 when it struggled to take off. The 15-year-old jet eventually managed to get airborne but passed over the nearby A38 road at less than 100 feet before making its way to the sunny island. Just last month a Boeing plane's tyre burst during a landing in Turkey making it the third passenger aircraft built by the manufacturing giant to suffer a technical problem or crash in just two days. Just days earlier a Boeing 767 cargo plane operated by FedEx made an emergency landing at Istanbul Airport after its front landing gear failed and terrified passengers fled a burning Boeing 737-300 jet carrying 78 passengers after it skidded off the runway and caught fire during take-off in Senegal. Following the terrifying and sometimes near fatal incidents, flyers have been taking to TikTok to say they will be changing their flights from Boeing aeroplanes and travelling with anti-anxiety medication as the aircraft manufacturer battles an ongoing safety crisis. One TikToker posted a video of himself onboard a Boeing flight at Heathrow Airport, with the caption 'About to hop on a Boeing flight drunk, wish me luck'. Meanwhile, one person tweeted: 'Might miss my flight for the first time ever. Not tripping though cos it's a Boeing. Might be dodging a bullet here.' A Virgin Atantics pokesperson said: 'On 27th May 2024, our flight, the VS41 from London Heathrow to San Francisco returned to Heathrow due to damage to the outer layer of the cockpit windscreen. 'At no point was the safety of the aircraft, our customers or our cabin crew compromised and the Captain made the decision to return to Heathrow, where we had the replacement parts and tooling in place to fix the issue and avoid further impact to our customers and our schedules. 'We always work well above industry safety standardsand the aircraft was back in service within 24 hours of the event. We'd like to apologise to the customers involved, for the delay to their journeys.' Ceremonies worshiping mythical Chinese ancestor Fuxi held on both sides of Taiwan Strait Xinhua) 10:17, June 22, 2024 Actors perform at a ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin) LANZHOU, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Friday in the city of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province. At 9:50 a.m., the ceremony began in front of the city's Fuxi Temple to the sounds of drums and tolling bells. This was followed by a series of customs and rituals, including the reading of a eulogy. More than 500 people from home and abroad were in attendance. A similar event was held at the same time in the Taiwan region's New Taipei City, marking the 11th year that the legendary figure has been commemorated simultaneously on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. "The commemoration is an important carrier of Fuxi culture and, I think, the broad and profound traditional Chinese culture. It also strengthens the bonds between Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," said Kao Tianlong, who traveled from Taiwan to Tianshui to attend the ceremony. Fuxi is believed to have taught people fishing, hunting and animal husbandry. Tianshui is said to be the birthplace of the mythical figure. According to historical records, the annual commemoration of Fuxi has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was listed as a form of national intangible cultural heritage by the State Council in 2006. Actors perform at a ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) NEET row, Bihar top cop to meet Union Education Minister today Amid the ongoing investigation into the NEET paper leak case by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police, its Additional Director General (ADG) Nayyar Hasnain Khan will give probe details to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi on Saturday. ADG Khan will be reaching the national capital where he will present the probe status report to the Union Education Minister. On Thursday, the Union Education Ministry summoned Nayyar Hasnain Khan to report on the development of the case. The EOU of the Bihar Police is investigating the NEET question paper leak case in the state and has arrested 14 accused, including one of the masterminds Sikandar Yadvendu. The arrested also includes four candidates and three parents On Friday, the EOU arrested a person named Rakesh Kumar from Ekangarsarai block in Nalanda district. He confessed that he was part of the solver gang related to the NEET question paper leak case. After EOU started the investigation of the NEET examination, new revelations are coming to the fore almost on a daily basis. Earlier, one of the candidates Anurag Yadav, son of Sikandar Yadvendu's brother-in-law confessed that he got the question paper and answers a day before the examination. Now, another candidate Ayush Kumar has also confessed that Sikandar Yadvendu provided him with question papers and answers a day before the examination. The NEET examination was held on May 5 and the examination mafias obtained the question papers on May 4. Missing Jay Slater's mother has vowed to stay in Tenerife for 'as long as it takes' - as it emerges a new sighting of her son is being investigated. The rescue teams are scouring a 2,000ft-deep ravine in the remote, desert-like Teno Nature Reserve in a bid to find the missing teenager on the sixth day of searching. His concerned mother Debbie Duncan said she still believes her son may have been kidnapped. Speaking to MailOnline, Debbie, 55, revealed that there has been a new sighting. She said: 'Someone has come forward to say they saw someone who they thought was Jay walking back down the road sat on a bench. 'He was with two men looking a bit worse for wear, and they were by a church, this guy has come forward and told the police about it and they are looking into it. We don't know if it was Jay for sure, but it's a start. 'They said it was about 6pm which is ten hours after he was seen by the lady in the village. But if it was him what was he doing there and who are these two men? 'All I know is that I am going to stay here for as long as it takes, I'm not going home unless it's with Jay. I'm not going anywhere until they find him.' The sighting has not yet been officially confirmed. A GoFundMe which was set up to help look for Jay has raised 25,000 as of this morning, speedily approaching its 30,000 target. Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday at 8.50am A search team member with a sniffer dog near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, June 22 The last confirmed sighting of Jay was at 8.15am on Monday when a woman saw him walking through the village of Masca, 19 miles from the party resort of Playa de las Americas. But Ophelia Medina Hernandez, the last person to see Jay, told The Times: 'People don't get lost here.' She saw him next to a bus stop, adding: 'He was walking normally but a bit quickly.' Yesterday, British police offered to help in the hunt for Jay but their offer was turned down by Spanish counterparts. When asked how she felt that the offer from British cops to help had been declined, Debbie told MailOnline: 'I had a screaming and shouting day when I had the meeting with the police. 'I know the Spanish police mean well, but the problem we are having is the language barrier, we just don't seem to be getting told. I'm sure they are doing their best. 'They told me they had used dogs and drones and then they said Lancashire police had offered their resources but they turned it down, but I think that would have really helped. 'I would feel happier if our people were over helping. It's just so difficult not knowing where he is, the area and the terrain is rough, but the police were saying that now there are too many people up there and it could interfere with their investigation. 'I've said to you before if someone does have him, I don't really want to say anything and it's something the police are looking at but we just don't know what's happened. 'I've seen some things on social media but now I'm staying off that, I'm just shattered, I'm so exhausted, I'm slumped her in a chair absolutely drained, I fainted as well earlier. 'Some of Jay's friends and ex-girlfriends are coming over as well to help look for him but I still can't face going up there. His dad and brother are going to go up to where they are searching.' Debbie added:'My energy levels are just zero, I am going through every emotion, screaming, crying, I've just not slept for days. 'It's just so upsetting for all the family, we just don't have any ideas, there are just so man stories flying around about what might have happened and I don't want to know. 'I'm ignoring all of them and I don't want to say anything just in case he is being held against his will.' Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare' Firefighters near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, on June 22 as the search enters Day 6 Search and rescue were out in force on the evening of June 21 Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife, search for missing teenager Jay Slater It has also emerged his friend Lucy Law has been questioned again at length by Spanish police separately with officers wanting to go through timings once again with her although there is no suggestion of anything untoward. It comes after his worried friends said on behalf of his mother that an unknown person is using his Instagram as it's been frequently active, but it isn't Jay. They also claim that Jay's friends and family have had their accounts hacked and false information shared. The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday after an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. The admin of the Facebook page called Jay Slater Missing, Rachel Louise Harg, wrote: 'Some people are actually this sick in the head, there are people hacking my accounts and Jay's family's, making it pure lies and pretending we are all in it.' She said Debbie is 'broken' and slammed the mystery person using the account as 'cruel'. The police are currently searching for Jay in the Teno Nature Reserve, referred to as 'malpais' by locals a word that translates into English as 'bad land' according to The Sub. Spanish police yesterday searched a secluded mountain pass in Masca which is the last known location of the 19-year-old after he made a phone call to his friend Lucy, 18, at around 8am that morning. The force declined an offer from Lancashire police to send support to help find the missing teen. In a statement released late on Friday, the UK police force said it had 'made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil' but this was declined after local cops said they were 'satisfied that they have the resources they need'. Lancashire Police released a statement regarding Jay's disappearance earlier that day, saying it had offered to provide additional support to officers on the island. Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route Search and rescue are out in force on June 21 with man power and drones surveying the scene 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with Jay's family at this time. 'They must be going through the most distressing ordeal not knowing what has happened to their loved one. 'We have specialist officers who are continuing to support Jay's family. 'Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. 'They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change. 'Once again, our thoughts remain with Jay's family and friends at this distressing time.' It comes as Lucy today blasted the local Spanish police for 'not doing a good enough job' in finding the missing Brit. 'We are having to do this all by ourselves as Spanish police are not doing a good enough job. They don't even speak English. It's been a very slow process here so we need the British police to come out and help them,' she told The Times. Sniffer dogs have been deployed in the search for Jay Slater in north-west Tenerife on June 19 Rescue teams confer as they continue to search for Jay on June 21 Search and rescue are out in force this evening with man power and drones surveying the scene A drone can be seen flying over the area in Tenerife where Jay is believed to have gone missing Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife Meanwhile the owner of holiday rental, Casa Abuela Tina - where Mr Slater is understood to have stayed with two acquaintances - today voiced her worries about the teen after spotting him walking alone down the hills on Monday. She said: 'It's dangerous walking around here, it's easy to lose yourself. He walked up the road when I saw him for the last time. 'He was alone. He was walking normally, though he was fast.' Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route. She aired her concerns about the teenager, but in the height of the media frenzy she stated: 'We are not to blame.' The property, which is listed online as a holiday home, is believed to have been rented by two men Jay was with the night before whilst attending the NRG festival. It is believed the main area of focus in the search for Mr Slater has been around the Parque Rural de Teno, with his family and mother Debbie, have flying out to the Spanish island to assist officers. The Civil Guard confirmed to the Manchester Evening News on Friday there had been 'no developments' in the search for the 19-year-old. In a post on the Facebook page 'Jay Slater Missing', the administrator of the group Rachel Louise Harg said family and friends of Mr Slater were in a 'living nightmare'. She said: 'There isn't an update for anyone unfortunately. 'Struggling to find words at this time but all I can say is we are looking still and everyone is doing all they can. 'We are drained beyond words - I just can't say no more, I wish I could. I wish this would end now, this living nightmare. 'Searches are ongoing and we remain positive. 'Thanks to you all supporting and helping we can't thank you any more, much love.' Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, travelled to the Canary Islands for a music festival with Lucy Law and another friend June Duncan, grandmother of missing person Jay Slater, spoke of fears for her grandson Museo is the last known location of apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater Authorities also went to the hotel apartments Paloma Beach where Jay was staying in Los Christianos His friend Lucy has called for the British police to assist with the investigation and slammed the local efforts. She said she wants to 'bring him home to his family'. 'That is all that we want, all that we need,' she told the BBC. On Friday, search and rescue personnel joined officers from the island's Guardia Civil near the village of Masca where they appeared to focus on a specific area of overgrown terrain. Some officers used binoculars to survey the landscape before heading towards the bottom of the hillside. On Thursday, a helicopter flew over Rural de Teno park in the south of the Spanish island as search teams followed various footpaths in the area. Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from the helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the force's X account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. A MailOnline graphic detailing the timeline of events from when Jay attended the three-day NRG festival to his location when his phone died at around 8.50am on Monday A screenshot of Jay's last known location where his phone battery died The teenager posted a Snapchat image on the morning he went missing in Spain The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police were searching The setting is surrounded by spectacular mountains and rocky roads Authorities searching for missing teenager Jay along the ravine on June 20 Police officers also searched in the Masca ravine for Jay on June 19 The walk from Mr Slater's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. The search area was quiet on Friday, with only a handful of police cars stationed at Rural de Teno park. Mr Slater's friend Lucy, who attended the NRG music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was 'lost in the mountains, he wasn't aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%'. Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare'. Ms Duncan told ITV News: 'He's the life and soul, he's a beautiful boy.' Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and a black bag. A fundraiser set up by Mr Slater's friend Lucy to 'get Jay Slater home' has since received more than 25,000 in donations. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.' Today, the search is continuing for the fifth day to find the teenager, 19, who disappeared in Tenerife. The search mission has entered its sixth day. Pictured: Rescuers on June 19 Police officers and a sniffer dog are pictured in the search for Jay on June 19 Police officers and firefighters talked while searching for the missing 19-year-old on June 19 Friends and family members have flown over to the Canary Islands to join in with the search for Jay who has not been seen or heard from since Monday. His last known location was in the mountainous area of Teno Rural Park, some 10 hours' walk away from his accommodation in the southern part of the island. Police using a helicopter, sniffer dogs and a drone, as well as mountain rescue units have been scouring countryside close to an Airbnb he went to with two British men. The isolated farmhouse was an hour's drive from the popular hotspot of Playa des Los Americas in southern Tenerife, in the village of Masca, 19 miles away. Speaking from the family home in Oswaldtwistle, Jay's stepfather Andy Watson said the teen was reluctant to go on holiday. He said that Jay's friends had 'talked him into going' and his mother Debbie added he 'wasn't really that keen'. She told ITV that looking back, she wished she hadn't 'encouraged him'. Three Columbia University deans have been placed on leave after being caught exchanging shocking text messages during a panel on anti-Semitism. Images captured by an attendee showed Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick and Cristen Kromm firing off dismissive texts about the conference on hostility targeted at Jews on campus on May 31. As speakers spoke of the rise in anti-Jewish sentiment following Hamas' October 7 terrorist attacks, the deans sent each other vomiting emojis and inferred that speakers were only there for the event's 'fundraising potential.' In an apology to Columbia's Board of Visitors, dean of the University's Columbia College Josef Sorett - who was also part of the texts but has not been disciplined - said the texts 'don't indicate the views of any individual or the team.' Sorett's apology also slammed the alumni in the audience who caught the texts over Chang-Kim's shoulder, who he said was guilty of an 'invasion of privacy.' Three Columbia University deans have been placed on leave after being caught exchanging shocking text messages during a panel on anti-Semitism, including sending vomiting emojis Deans Susan Chang-Kim, (left), Cristen Kromm (center), and Matthew Pataschnick (right) have been placed on leave after their texts were exposed The emergence of the texts has sparked outrage on the campus, which was rocked by months-long anti-Israel protests in the wake of its war with Hamas. To tackle the crisis, Columbia staged the event to bring together a number of voices on Jewish life at the institution, including Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbias Kraft Center for Jewish Life and former Columbia Law School dean David Schizer, co-chair of the elite schools antisemitism task force. The speakers also included one Jewish alumna breaking down in tears when she described her sophomore daughter's experience on campus. But as they spoke, the three deans disparaged their efforts, in text messages first reported by the Washington Free Beacon. In one set of texts, Kromm showed his distaste for a 2023 Spectator op-ed titled 'Sounding the Alarm,' written by Columbia's campus rabbi Yonah Hain, by referencing the article with vomiting emojis. As the mother burst into tears, he quipped, 'And we thought Yonah sounded the alarm.' 'This panel is really making the administration look like jokers,' another text read. In one exchange, the deans cast doubt on the motivations of the Jewish speakers at the event, noting that it had 'huge fundraising potential' The administrators also dismissed stories from Jewish speakers about the experiences of anti-Semitism in the student population, questioning if any had been kicked out of clubs based entirely on their religion 'This panel is really making the administration look like jokers,' another text read The deans were also caught implying that the speakers had other motives outside of raising awareness of anti-Semitism on campus, and were exploiting the situation for their own gain. 'He knows exactly what hes doing and how to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential,' Pataschnick, the associate dean for student and family support, texted Chang-Kim. 'Double urgh,' Chang-Kim responded. The administrators also cast doubt over stories from Jewish speakers about the experiences of anti-Semitism in the student population. Schizer told the auditorium that he was dismayed at how 'you could be an undergraduate who (wants to join a club) and all of a sudden you find out that actually, because you're a Zionist and you're proud of your ties with Israel, that you're either explicitly kicked out or you're just not welcome. 'And to my mind, that is utterly unacceptable.' 'Did we really have students being kicked out of clubs for being Jewish?' Chang-Kim questioned, to which Pataschnick said 'to my knowledge no one was actively kicked out.' The emergence of the texts has sparked outrage on the campus, which was rocked by months-long anti-Israel protests in the wake of its war with Hamas After the text messages sparked backlash on the campus, Sorett apologized in an email the the Board of Visitors for the 'harm' the exchanges caused. He insisted that the comments 'don't indicate the views of any individual or the team,' and 'reiterated his commitment to learning from this situation and other incidents over the last year to build a community of respect and healthy dialogue.' A Columbia spokesperson added to the New York Post: 'We are committed to combatting antisemitism and taking sustained, concrete action to ensure Columbia is a campus where Jewish students and everyone in our community feels safe, valued, and able to thrive.' Following the exposure of the texts, Columbia University placed the three deans on leave. 'The Dean of Columbia College informed his team today that three administrators have been placed on leave pending a university investigation of the incident that occurred at the College alumni reunion several weeks ago,' the college told the Washington Free Beacon. Sorett added to the outlet that after his own participation in the texts, he 'reiterated his commitment to learning from this situation and other incidents over the last year to build a community of respect and healthy dialogue.' Pro-Palestinian students have sprayed red paint over Cambridge University's historic Senate House in protest of the Israeli bombing of Gaza. Cambridge students, in collaboration with Palestine Action, sprayed the front of the 18th century graduation hall, demanding the University of Cambridge 'divest from genocide'. It comes just a week before the Senate House is set to host graduation ceremonies for students. Palestine Action tweeted this morning: 'BREAKING: Cambridge Students, in collaboration with Palestine Action, spray historic hall red demanding the University of Cambridge divest from genocide. 'The action took place ahead of planned graduations at the University's Senate House.' Pro-Palestinian students have sprayed red paint over Cambridge University's historic Senate House in protest of the Israeli bombing of Gaza Cambridge students, in collaboration with Palestine Action, sprayed the front of the 18th century graduation hall, demanding the University of Cambridge 'divest from genocide' It comes just a week before the Senate House is set to host graduation ceremonies for students Last month's graduation ceremonies had to be moved from the historic hall, where they have been held since the 18th Century, to a secret location following a protest against the war in Gaza. The Cambridge for Palestine group set up tents outside King's College and later moved to the lawn outside the Senate House in protest. Earlier this week, on Monday, protesters from Palestine Action forced their way into the Instro Precision factory at Sandwich Discovery Park in Kent. Eight people arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary have been bailed and a police investigation is now underway. 'Palestine Action's decommissioning of Elbit Systems' electro-optics weapons sights factory in Kent has left the Instro Precision site immobilised, unable to produce weapons parts for export to Israel,' a spokesman said. At the beginning of May, Oxbridge students set up encampments in front of Britain's most prestigious universities in solidarity with Gaza - as campus protests continue to sweep across the UK. On Early May Bank Holiday Monday, Students pitched tents outside the Pitts Rivers museum in Oxford as they demanded an end to violence in Gaza and the release of hostages. At the same time, Cambridge students armed with tents, gazebos and sleeping bags set up on the front lawn of King's College in protest against 'Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza'. CAMBRIDGE: Students set up an encampment in solidarity with Gaza at the beginning of May OXFORD: Students put up a sign listing their six demands at their 'Liberated Zone' camp The sit-in protests, which echo protests seen in the US, have sprung up at other British universities including Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle over the few months. At Oxford's camp, named the 'liberated zone', students pinned up a board of six demands including calls to boycott Israeli genocide, stop banking with Barclays and help rebuild Gaza's education system. Cambridge for Palestine said it will 'not move' from the encampment until the university agrees to four demands including disclosing financial ties with complicit organisations and protecting students at risk. Footage captured the shocking moment a 'selfish' driver sped the wrong way down the M25 in a stolen van, killing two people. Barancan Nurcin, 22, was handed an 18 year prison sentence - the longest ever imposed for death by dangerous driving- after speeding the wrong way down the busy motorway without a licence in a stolen vehicle. The shocking footage shows the van speeding contraflow on the inside lane of the Orbital motorway. At around 3.40am on February 4 police were alerted by an ANPR camera to a white Citroen Dispatch van which had been reported as stolen. They found the stolen van travelling southbound at Junction 6A of the M1, where it failed to stop and a police pursuit was authorised. A 'selfish' driver sped up the wrong way down the M25, killing two people Barancan Nurcin has been sentenced to a record 18 years in prison after speeding contraflow without a licence Police were alerted to his stolen Citroen Dispatch van on the M1 before it came off the carriageway using an emergency access exit and then rejoined the road in the wrong direction Pictured: The scene of the crash between Junction 21A and 22 of the M25 Two other vehicles, a Skoda Superb and a Peugeot 5008, collided with debris following the crash on the Orbital motorway Police pursued the van as it took an emergency access road off the main carriageway, before it headed back on to the motorway - this time travelling towards oncoming traffic. Officers were forced to abandon the pursuit for public safety, before the vehicle was spotted again in Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, where it again failed to stop. The van was then seen a short time later travelling against the flow of traffic on the M25. At around 4:08 am it collided between Junctions 21A and 22 with a silver DFSK 580 Glory. Both Zoe Hawkes, 39, and Fahad Dek died at the scene. Mrs Hawkes, from Essex, was travelling to Luton Airport to go on holiday for her 40th birthday with her husband, who sustained broken bones, severe face damage and bleeding to the brain. Dek was sitting in the passenger seat of Nurcin's van when he died. Nurcin was already on bail for a grievous bodily harm assault, for which he was given a suspended 15-month prison sentence which has now been activated. He will also concurrently serve an additional five-month sentence for a separate public order offence in London. Two other vehicles - a silver Skoda Superb and a black Peugeot 5008 - collided with debris, causing five people to sustain injuries. The Peugeot contained another couple who being driven by a friend to Heathrow for a holiday to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. All three are still recovering from their injuries. The two occupants of the Skoda both sustained injuries and bruising. Officers located Nurcin nearby and he was taken to hospital with serious injuries, where he was later arrested before being taken into custody. His licence had already been revoked in 2021 when he was caught driving on cannabis. The DVLA was notified of a health issue relating to Nurcin's drug use. He would otherwise have been eligible to re-apply for his licence next year. On Tuesday 26 March, Nurcin, from Tottenham, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst unlicensed, causing death whilst uninsured and four of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced on Friday at St Albans Crown Court to 18 years in prison. Zoe Hawes, 39, was on her way to Luton with her husband for a holiday to celebrate her 40th birthday when Nurcin's van crashed into her car Nurcin's passenger Fahad Dek, 23, also died on the scene Chief Inspector Steve O'Keeffe, from the RPU, said: 'Although nothing can make up for the pain Nurcin has caused, I am pleased with today's result. Nurcin's actions have had catastrophic consequences causing the deaths of two innocent people. 'Many more lives have also been destroyed through the trauma and heartache he has caused. The impact of this dreadful collision cannot be overstated and my thoughts are with the victims' loved ones. 'Zoe Hawes was a much loved mother and grandmother whose life was cruelly cut short because of Nurcin. Zoe's husband will require intensive therapy for a long period of time to assist with physical movement, communication and cognitive skills. He currently has no sight in one of his eyes. 'Fahad Dek was just twenty-three, with his whole life ahead of him. He was described by his family as a pillar of strength and they dearly miss him. 'That Nurcin left Fahad in the vehicle, whilst trying to evade officers, speaks volumes of his character. 'Nurcin had plenty of opportunity to safely pull over for police. Instead, he ignored our officers and made the incomprehensible decision to drive towards oncoming traffic, knowingly putting the public at risk. 'I hope today's result goes some way in easing the pain of all those affected by the utterly selfish and dangerous actions of Nurcin.' One of Donald Trump's spiritual advisors claims she told him God wanted him to run for president - but there would be a 'price' to pay. Televangelist Paula White has known the ex-president for 22 years after he saw her on TV, called her and brought her to Atlantic City for private Bible studies. She is one of several faith advisors to Trump, including Robert Morris, who resigned as pastor at his megachurch this week after admitting to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. White lavished praise on Trump in a speech at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on Friday. Paula White lavished praise on Trump in a speech at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on Friday White claimed she told Trump God wanted him to run for president - but there would be a 'price' to pay She said Trump told her in 2011 he didn't 'like the way this country is going' and asked her what she thought of him running for president. 'And then, he turned around, and he said, "Well, what does God say?"' she recalled. White said she prayed with '30-something' friends and later told Trump: 'Sir you're going to be president one day. 'And a tear ran down my eye and I told him, "I hate the price that you're going to pay." 'Little would any of us have imagined the price this man, his family and many of you - many of us - have paid.' But White said she believed it was 'worth it,' due to the pro-religion laws Trump passed during his four years as president. 'I'm going to be president, and you're going to be faith director,' she said Trump told her in 2014 when he decide to run for the 2016 election. 'I'm not sure either one of us knew what we were doing, but I know God was with us.' White has known the ex-president for 22 years after he saw her on TV, called her, and brought her to Atlantic City for private Bible studies White led Trump's Evangelical advisory board during his campaign and gave the invocation prayer during his inauguration. She was later given an official White House job as an advisor for the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiative. White on Friday claimed religious freedoms were under attack 'as never before' during Joe Biden's presidency, and this was frightening because religious freedom was 'the bedrock which all our other freedoms fall upon'. She then listed various incidents she claimed amounted to attacks on religious freedom. 'Something is wrong and we have to stop it and this November we will absolutely make our voice heard,' she said of the upcoming election. White added that people in the room would say 'devil, we've had enough... this is an ideology that is against God, against our faith, and against our rights'. White, who is the senior pastor at City of Destiny Church in Apopka, Florida, has been a consistent supporter of Trump through his legal woes. White on Friday claimed religious freedoms were under attack 'as never before' during Joe Biden's presidency She called his 34 felony convictions 'a sad day for all Americans as we watched firsthand the judicial system weaponized to go after President Trump for political gain'. During his reelection campaign she claimed 'Christians that don't support President Trump will have to answer to God'. After he lost the election, she repeatedly called for 'angelic reinforcement' to overturn Trump's defeat. Weeks later, she gave the opening prayer at a Trump rally that prompted the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. Earlier in 2020 she declared: 'We command any satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now! 'We declare that anything that's been conceived in satanic wombs that it will miscarry, it will not be able to carry forth any plan of destruction, any plan of harm.' White is a controversial figure even among other religious conservatives for some of her beliefs, and faced legal scrutiny over one of her churches. White led Trump's Evangelical advisory board during his campaign and gave the invocation prayer during his inauguration (pictured) White speaks during a Donald Trump campaign event courting devout conservatives by combining praise, prayer and patriotism The Senate Finance Committee in 2007-11 investigated her former megachurch Without Walls International Church for alleged financial improprieties. The investigation's report found the church collected $150 million in donations in 2004 to 2006 and spent almost $900,000 in tax-exempt funds helping to pay for White's waterfront mansion. Without Walls also used the tax-free cash to pay salaries to members of her family, and for her private jet. The church, which she founded with her then-husband Randy White, at its peak boasted 20,000 members but from 2008 fell on hard times. Without Walls put both its Tampa and Lakeland, Florida, buildings up for sale citing financial difficulties, but managed to stay afloat by selling some of its land instead. Both buildings were again at risk of foreclosure in 2011, and services ceased after the electricity was cut of over $50,000 in unpaid power bills. Ralph Reed, from right, Dr Alveda King, Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain, and personal pastor to the president, Paula White Cain, and others pray on stage during a Donald Trump campaign event White left the church in January 2012 for City of Destiny Church, allegedly taking church equipment with her. Without Walls went bankrupt in 2014 with the Evangelical Christian Credit Union claiming it was owed $29 million. White in 2017 denied responsibility for the church's bankruptcy as she had left by that time. 'I have been called a heretic, an apostate, an adulterer, a charlatan, and an addict,' she said in a CNN interview. 'It has been falsely reported that I once filed for bankruptcy and that I deny the Trinity. My life and my decisions have been nowhere near perfect, though nothing like what has been falsely conveyed in recent days.' A 23-year-old nurse and a 63-year-old grandmother have been named as two of three victims who were fatally shot in an Arkansas grocery store. Seven other shoppers were injured in the tragic shooting on Friday, where accused gunman Travis Posey, 44, allegedly opened fire before being hit in a police shoot-out. Tributes have poured in for young mother Callie Weems and grandmother Shirley Kay Taylor, who were killed at the scene along with a third deceased victim yet to be named. Posey, who owns a tree service company, was taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in a shoot-out with police, while terrified witnesses hid in freezers during the shocking episode. Callie Weems, pictured with her 10-month-old daughter Ivy, was tragically killed in the mass shooting in Fordyce, Arkansas, where two others were killed and seven more were injured Grandmother Shirley Kay Ivey, 63, was also killed in the senseless shooting, with a third unnamed man - who is reportedly related to Weems - also shot dead Posey allegedly began the mass shooting at around 11:30am, as witnesses said he shot out the grocery store's front windows before rapidly firing a number of bullets inside. Cellphone footage captured Posey in the parking lot with a long gun, allegedly shooting into the Mad Butcher store and at police arriving on the scene. A total of 10 people were shot, with authorities saying the motive for the massacre remains unclear. Weems' devastated mother, Helen Browning, said that she initially believed her daughter was safe, because she turned on her location tracker when she heard of the mass shooting and saw she was at the hospital. 'I'm thinking, "Shes at work. She came in to help,"' Browning told Fox16. But she said her fears were raised when she couldn't get hold of her daughter, and said the tragic truth dawned on her when she raced to the scene with Callie's stepfather, Bruce Grice. 'My best friend was standing right there and I said, "Kristie, tell me my babys OK." and she said, "I cant,"' Browning said. 'And thats when I just broke.'' Travis Posey, 44, has been identified by law enforcement as the alleged gunman in the shooting. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being hit in a shoot-out with cops A total of 10 people were shot, with authorities saying the motive for the massacre remains unclear Callie Weems' heartbroken mother revealed that she initially thought her daughter, who is a nurse, was safe because she saw she was at the hospital Shirley's tragic death was announced by her daughter Helen lamented the loss of Callie, the mother of 10-month-old daughter Ivy, and revealed that she had known Posey since he was a child. 'I just want to know why Joey Posey woke up this morning and decided he needed to go ruin families' lives,' she said. The stricken mother revealed that her niece's father was the third victim killed in the shooting, who has not been named publicly, and said his loss is a 'double whammy to our family.' Alongside the two family members shot dead, 63-year-old Shirley Kay Taylor was also killed in the senseless mass shooting. Her daughter Angela Atchley revealed the heartbreaking news on Facebook, where she said her mother was a 'great woman' who 'didn't deserve this.' Witness Katrina Doherty told CNN that she was shopping with her 18-year-old daughter and four-year-old son when bullets rang out across the store. She fled into a freezer with other shoppers and staff at the back of the building, as her family 'still heard gunshots going off.' 'It was like slow motion my daughter was like "Mama, pinch me this can't be real", and I was like, "Baby, its real."' Doherty said they remained trapped inside the freezer while the shooter rampaged outside the store, and were unable to call 911 with no cell service inside. She said the group in the freezer were all in 'panic mode', and when her son began crying, they 'finally got him calmed down because I didn't want the shooter to hear.' 'We were just sitting there and praying. I was in panic mode. My son about froze to death,' she said. Callie's heartbroken mother said after her death: 'I just want to know why Joey Posey woke up this morning and decided he needed to go ruin families' lives' Damage can be seen to a front window law enforcement officers work the scene on Friday 'We tried to get him quiet, but he was saying he wanted his daddy. It felt like we were in there forever. 'I was asking the Lord to protect over everybody. I was just praying. The other lady, she was praying. She was crying.' The group only emerged once police cautioned them it was safe, following a shoot-out with the gunman that left two officers wounded. Arkansas State Police said Posey is in a nearby hospital but is expected to be charged with three counts of capital murder, with additional charges also likely. A woman is suing American Airlines over claims it failed to protect her from an 'uncontrollably drunk' passenger who allegedly sexually harassed her. Gretchen Stelter, 42, was sat in business class on board a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Chicago on October 29 when she engaged in small talk with the man next to her. But she said he increasingly got drunk and she grew uncomfortable as he allegedly repeatedly touched and tried to kiss her. Stelter claimed he also grabbed her buttocks while she was moving to exchange seats with a sympathetic passenger, according to a lawsuit filed in Illinois on May 22. She has accused American Airlines of not taking action to protect her and alleged employees 'victim-shamed and blamed' her. Gretchen Stelter is suing American Airlines over claims it failed to protect her from an 'uncontrollably drunk' passenger who allegedly sexually harassed her The 42-year-old was sat in business class on board a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Chicago on October 29 when she engaged in small talk with the man next to her Stelter was on her way back from Mexico following a trip with friends and was editing a book manuscript before the incident. But the man next to her began chatting to her and she decided to engage in small talk. 'It was pretty clear right away that he wanted to chat,' she told the Chicago Tribune. 'He just kept talking.' She said they were speaking about ordinary things before he got progressively drunk on the flight. Stelter claimed he complimented her appearance and said he wished his girlfriend was more like her. But she continued to rebuff his advances and told him she was 'happily married.' There were two flight attendants in the area when he 'made vile, offensive and harassing comments' to Stelter, according to the lawsuit. He allegedly told her he was going to perform a sex act and would 'wear her down' and 'f***' her. 'Honestly, I was trapped,' she said. 'I was in 3A. He was in 3B. My only way to get out of that seat was either to have some sort of help or to clamber over him, giving him full access to parts of my body that I did not feel like giving him access to.' She added that the man told a flight attendant he was just 'having fun' and the employee took 'no action to protect' her. 'He walked away, allowing the assailant to keep the alcohol (that) was left in his glass as well as the bottle of vodka then remaining in plain sight on his tray table,' the lawsuit claimed. She has accused American Airlines of not taking action to protect her and alleged employees 'victim-shamed and blamed' her Stelter claimed the man's behavior got worse as he tried to touch her, hold her hand and kiss her before spitting on the floor. Her lawsuit insists two flight attendants witnessed the passenger's actions but did nothing to help her despite her complaints. But they allegedly warned him not to touch the other passengers. 'I think I was in a little bit of shock that no one was helping me,' Stelter said. 'I wanted to curl into a ball and be as tiny as possible because I didnt want to be touched anymore.' She added that she went to swap seats with another passenger who saw she was uncomfortable when the man allegedly grabbed her buttocks as she stepped over him to leave. Police removed the man from the plane upon landing because he was 'too drunk to move safely,' according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Stetler was 'chastised and blamed' by gate agents following the incident. She was reportedly told she did not do enough to stop the man's behavior and she decided to file a complaint with American Airlines. She said the man increasingly got drunk and she grew uncomfortable as he allegedly repeatedly touched and tried to kiss her Stelter claimed he also grabbed her buttocks while she was moving to exchange seats with a sympathetic passenger, according to a lawsuit filed in Illinois on May 22 Her lawsuit insists two American Airlines flight attendants witnessed the passenger's actions but did nothing to help her despite her complaints A customer relations worker called her and allegedly yelled and blamed her for the incident. 'After explaining that she had alerted the American flight attendants to the assailants behavior and they had not taken any action in response, the American customer relations employee yelled at and blamed (Stelter) for the incident, leaving (her) in tears,' the lawsuit states. But Stelter said she received another call from someone on American Airlines' executive team who admitted the other employee did not handle the situation properly. She claimed she was told a member of the global investigations team would reach out to her, but this apparently did not happen. The passenger next to her was not named in the lawsuit, and it is not clear if he is facing criminal charges. Stelter said she signed a complaint against him and has been in touch with the FBI. DailyMail.com has contacted American Airlines for comment. Australians have been given an urgent warning about leaving on electric blankets during the winter months after a house nearly went up in flames. A woman living in the Sutherland Shire, in Sydney's south, was left horrified after she went into her room on Friday night to see her bed on fire. She immediately called Triple Zero and closed the door, with her quick-thinking saving the rest of the house from catching alight. Electrical business, Bhamtech Data and Electrical, which specialises in cabling for phone and internet services, shared photos of the bedroom that was left completely destroyed following the blaze. The business was called in to assist the customers following the inferno. A woman living in the Sutherland Shire, in Sydney's south, was left horrified after she went into her room on Friday night to see her bed on fire after an electric blanket caught alight 'Everyone is safe, thankfully. It's a devastating sight, even still,' the business said in a post. 'Please make sure you understand all the safety measures associated with your electrical appliances.' Shocking photos show the bedhead completely scorched while the bedroom walls were also charred from the fire. Another close up photo showed all that was left of the electric blanket were some melted leads and wiring. It's understood nobody was injured in the blaze. Fire and Rescue NSW was contacted for comment. Dame Emma Thompson backed Just Stop Oil only days after they defaced Stonehenge. The actress, 65, led thousands of people on a march in London aimed at persuading politicians to prioritise nature and climate. More than 350 charities, businesses and direct action groups were taking part in the Restore Nature Now march on Saturday, along with Dame Emma, businessman Dale Vince and naturalists Chris Packham and Steve Backshall. Asked whether she backs the controversial group, which this week attacked Stonehenge with orange paint, the actress said: 'I think I support anyone who fights this extraordinary battle. 'We cannot take any more oil out of the ground. I mean, there's much argument about it. And I know there's a lot of very complicated economic arguments about it. Dame Emma Thompson leading a climate march in London along with Just Stop Oil The actress walking at the front of the march, clinging on to a banner which read restore Nature Now as she marches alongside Dale Vince and former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas Demonstrators marching during the Restore Nature protest in central London. Protesters carried banners and placards and one even wore a bird's nest bike helmet The Red Rebel Brigade walked alongside other climate protesters in the march in Central London that was endorsed by actresses Emma Thomson and Dame Judi Dench Dame Emma posing with activists who held up signs saying 'Stop killing our life support system' '... we have to leave all the resources in the ground, we cannot bring them out of the ground.' The actress told Sky News that the UK is one of the most nature depleted country in the world. She added: 'This is our country and our commons and we need it to survive.' 'We passed the tipping point a long time ago and if we don't act we won't be able to claw back our wilds so we really really need to deal with intensive agriculture.' The march began at Hyde Park at 12.30pm and protesters walked calmly in a line, led by the Love, Actually actress and Packham who held a banner reading Restore Nature Now. Other banners reading There's No life Without Wildlife, There Isn't A Reset Button and Make MPs A Rare Species were visible in a sea of green foliage and wildlife cut-outs as people marched past Hyde Park and towards Whitehall. Two 3D birds hovered at the front of the march, along with a bright blue butterfly and umbrellas coated in green mock foliage. People carried soft toy birds, wore animal masks and waved flags as the march processed. Chants of 'Restore nature now' echoed down the line of protesters, as people rang bells, whistled and cheered. Packham said it was the first time organisations across the entire spectrum of campaigning and conservation have united, from the National Trust to Just Stop Oil. Hundred of protesters walked across London carrying signs that read 'Give nature her rights' and 'restore nature now!' As well as carrying banners Climate activists sported homemade hats featuring British wildlife including foxes and badgers Dame Emma posing with a peace sign at climate protests in 2019 that brought chaos to London Despite Emma's outspoken stance on the climate, the national treasure has previously been accused of hypocrisy for her first-class flying habit. The left-wing actress was spotted jetting to New York in 2019 just days after backing climate protests that brought chaos to London. The Labour supporter took her personal booth in the luxury cabin of a British Airways flight from Heathrow to JFK despite previously demanding: 'We should all fly less.' First-class BA flights to New York cost up to 18,000 and generate nearly two tons of carbon dioxide the main driver of climate change for each passenger in the elite cabin. Onlookers claim the multi-millionaire activist also drank Laurent-Perrier champagne and dined on beef carpaccio even though cattle farming is also a major contributor to greenhouse gasses. Dame Emma has also previously called on people to eat less meat in the name of 'preserving the planet'. While at the march today, Dame Emma was asked about global pop-star Taylor Swift's jet setting which has garnered criticism for its carbon foot print. The actress replied: 'That's a matter for her conscience.' Dame Emma was previously criticised after flying 5,400 miles from her 60th birthday party in Los Angeles to join protests over the 2019 Easter weekend. At the time, the group defended its celebrity backer. It insisted that the tons of carbon her flight produced for her to be at their protest was an unfortunate cost in our bigger battle to save the planet. More than 1,200 migrants crossed the English Channel on 20 small boats over the past seven days, new Home Office figures have shown. Since Rishi Sunak called the July 4 election on May 22, almost 3,000 people have made the crossing on 50 boats. So far this year, 12,655 migrants have successfully made it to Britain, compared with 10,601 in 2023 and 11,739 in 2022 which saw a record number of crossings. Since the passing of the Government's Rwanda act on April 22, 6,390 people on board 122 boats have arrived in the UK. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. More than 1,200 migrants have arrived in Britain over the past seven days according to new figures released by the Home Office. Pictured a UK Border Force vessel arriving in Dover yesterday afternoon So far this year, almost 13,000 migrants have arrived on small boats On the morning after the bill passed on April 22, Home Secretary James Cleverley said the legislation would allow for the speedy removal of migrants, suggesting the first flights could depart in July. He said: 'This vital legislation means we can now proceed with our Rwanda plan and begin removing people with no right to be here. 'The only way to stop the boats is to eliminate the incentive to come by making clear that if you are here illegally, you will not be allowed to stay. 'Our policy does exactly that and plans are well under way to begin flights within 10 to 12 weeks.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 'The passing of this landmark legislation is not just a step forward but a fundamental change in the global equation on migration. 'We introduced the Rwanda bill to deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings and break the business model of the criminal gangs who exploit them. The passing of this legislation will allow us to do that and make it very clear that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay. 'Our focus is to now get flights off the ground, and I am clear that nothing will stand in our way of doing that and saving lives.' Your browser does not support iframes. The RNLI were also involved in rescue operations off the coast of Dover yesterday Mr Sunak had earlier said the first flights to Rwanda would take off before the election, but that plan was scrapped when he announced the snap poll date. In an interview with Sky News, Mr Sunak said the first flight was scheduled for July 24 - almost three weeks after July 4's election. Mr Cleverley said the human trafficking gangs smuggling migrants into the UK would be 'rubbing their hands with glee' if Sir Keir Starmer replaces Mr Suank as prime minister on the morning of July 5. He said: 'A Labour government led by a man with a history of being weak on immigration, and the scrapping of the Rwanda scheme will be used as a selling point around the world. 'Labour's immigration plan is just a rebranding of existing Home Office teams, and the scrapping of our key deterrent. 'The smugglers will be rubbing their hands with glee if Labour win this election.' However the Labour Party insist that the government's current immigration is a 'shambles' and incredibly poor value for money for the taxpayer. Labour said: ' The Tories Rwanda law is an extortionately expensive gimmick rather than a serious plan to tackle dangerous boat crossings. Sunaks failing Rwanda plan will cost 2 million per person removed more than half a billion pounds for just 300 people when over 30,000 people arrived in small boats last year. That means this scheme will cover less than one per cent of arrivals. Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants. A senior Archbishop is going to make an unprecedented appearance in a British court to be cross-examined over a 350m London property fraud case that saw Pope Francis authorise wire-tapping. In previous British legal proceedings the Vatican has claimed diplomatic immunity and refused to allow officials to appear as witnesses. But now Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, a close aide to the Pope, will make an appearance in the Vatican's 'trial of the century'. At the heart of the trial is the 350-million-euro purchase of a luxury property in London which used to be a car showroom and garage for Harrod's. Raffaele Mincione, a London financier, sold the property at 60 Sloane Avenue, in Chelsea, to the Holy See in dealings that began in 2014 and ended up costing the Vatican about 140 million euros (118 million). Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra (right), a close aide to the Pope (left), will make an appearance in the Vatican's 'trial of the century' Raffaele Mincione (pictured), a London financier, sold the property to the Holy See in dealings that began in 2014 The Times reported that in a case to open in the High Court next week, Mincione is seeking a declaration that he acted properly and in good faith. Mincione, 58, was one of a string of defendants on trial in December last year accused of fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion, corruption and abuse of office. He was found guilty of embezzlement in the historic trial and sentenced to five years and six months in prison. At present Mincione is free pending an appeal and claims the investigation and trial were illegal under international law and breached his human rights. During the investigation the Pope used his powers as absolute monarch to pass decrees to authorise phone tapping, email interception and arrest. Mincione's phones and computers were seized in Rome and he and his lawyers were followed. Archbishop Parra liaised with the Pope over the case and his WhatsApp messages were disclosed to Mincione's lawyers despite the Vatican trying and failing to stop this. At the heart of the trial is the 350-million-euro purchase of a luxury property in London (pictured) It ended up costing the Vatican about 140 million euros (118 million) Mincione denies the allegations of embezzlement and stands by the property valuation which he says was provided by independent experts. He also says the Vatican has provided no evidence of his alleged wrongdoings or of its monetary loss. He wanted to bring civil action in the UK in order to counter publicity and protect his reputation. Vatican lawyers argued that any UK hearing could interfere with criminal proceedings and 'legitimate acts of a foreign state'. But Mincione won a significant victory in the Court of Appeal, which has agreed that English courts have the right to examine a property transaction and rule whether he and his company, WRM, acted in good faith. The Court of Appeal found that any English civil case would not interfere with the criminal proceedings in Vatican City. Mincione set to argue in the High Court that he was unfairly tried by the Vatican court in contravention of international law and in breach of his human rights. One of the things which will be crucial for Mincione's argument is that towards the end of the case the criminal charges against him had been 'requalified' and he was convicted under canon, or religious law. He was accused of breaking Canon 1284 of the Code of Canon Law, which states that 'all administrators are bound to fulfil their function with the diligence of a good householder'. During the investigation the Pope used his powers as absolute monarch to pass decrees to authorise phone tapping, email interception and arrest In a case to open in the High Court (pictured) next week, Mincione is seeking a declaration that he acted properly and in good faith He argues this doesn't apply to him as he doesn't have a position in the Roman Catholic Church. Leading international law barrister Rodney Dixon said: 'Mr Mincione is not an office-holder in the Roman Catholic Church. Unsurprisingly in that context, Mr Mincione was not aware of Canon 1284 before the date of his conviction by the Vatican Tribunal.' The financier also lodged a complaint with the United Nations claiming that his rights were abused by the Pope and the Vatican due to how the trial was handled. America is set to feel the heat this weekend with more than 100 million people under deadly heatwave alerts and temperatures set to hit record highs. The sweltering heat will be felt over much of the highly populated Interstate 95 corridor and the humidity will only make matters worse. Temperatures are expected to be around 95 degrees from the central and southern Plains to the East Coast. This combined with the humidity will push the heat index to as high as 110 degrees, placing millions of Americans under heat alerts. People are being warned to take the impending heatwave seriously and stay cool as temperatures will not drop much during the night. The sweltering heat will be felt over much of the highly populated Interstate 95 corridor and the humidity will only make matters worse America is set to feel the heat this weekend with more than 100 million people under deadly heatwave alerts and temperatures set to hit record highs. Pictured: Victim of heat stroke in Philadelphia There is a heat emergency in Washington, D.C., where temperatures could surpass 100 degrees for the first time since 2016. The dangerous heat will be felt over parts of the mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley and it will expand into other areas as temperatures hit record highs. There are alerts in southern and central California, which includes Colusa County, where firefighters are battling a fire, which spans across 19,100 acres. Temperatures there are expected to be between 100 and 106 degrees, which will not help fire crews. There won't be much respite from the heat during the night, a factor that will only increase health risks. D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the extended heat emergency will remain active over the weekend and into next week. Thennie Freeman, director of the department of Parks and Recreation, said they are asking people to avoid overheating. 'Heat exhaustion is a real thing. And so we want our residents to be safe from extreme heat,' he told CBS News. 'Drink plenty of water, wear loose fit clothing, wear a hat, stay out. Avoid the heat in the sun during these peak hours as much as possible.' While Maryland governor Wes Moore signed a state of preparedness declaration on Thursday due to concerns over the heatwave as temperatures will feel up to 110 degrees. There is a heat emergency in Washington DC where temperatures could surpass 100 degrees for the first time since 2016 The high temperatures combined with the humidity will push the heat index to as high as 110 degrees, placing millions of Americans under heat alerts New York City will experience temperatures of 90 degrees and higher this weekend and early next week. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the city for the first time this year. Chicago broke a 1957 temperature record at a high of 97 degrees on Monday with the city's heat index expected to peak near 100 degrees later this week. More than 100 cooling centers have been opened around Phoenix, Arizona, including two all-night services, after temperatures hit 112 degrees last Saturday. A record 645 people were killed by the heat in the city last year, and weather service forecasters say the first two weeks of June were the hottest start to the month there in history. As temperatures soar across the US, experts are warning of the dangers of deadly heat stroke which can start to develop after just 10 minutes of sitting outdoors in many parts of the country. More than 100 cooling centers have been opened around Phoenix, Arizona, including two all-night services, after temperatures hit 112 degrees on Saturday People are being warned to take the heatwave seriously and stay cool as temperatures will not drop much during the night Already the leading weather-related killer in the US, the heat is leading officials to warn the millions in the heatwave's area to take the next few days' climate 'seriously,' or risk becoming one of the 700 Americans who die from it each year. This week, two tourists, including one American, were found dead in Greece amid a 'history making' heat wave, with temperatures topping 109 degrees. The human body has a narrow temperature window within which it can carry out vital functions, between roughly between 98 and 100 degrees. Experts have told DailyMail.com that the 'cascade of events' leading to heat stroke start within seconds of being exposed to extreme heat over 90 degrees including sweating, fast heartbeat, and dehydration. In just five to 10 minutes, the heat strips blood away from vital organs like the brain, leading to confusion, dizziness, and passing out. And it takes only 15 minutes for the body to fully enter heat stroke and 'a complete loss of body function.' A new picture of missing teenager Jay Slater shows the 19-year-old in a nightclub in the early hours with his female friend just hours before he disappeared in Tenerife. Lucy Law, 18, was the last person to speak to Jay when he called her at around 8am on Monday morning from a secluded mountain pass in Masca. The walk from Jay's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. Lucy, who attended the NRG music festival with Jay, said he called and told her he was 'lost in the mountains, he wasn't aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on one per cent'. The bombshell image is the last known photograph of Jay and is thought to have been taken at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Americas in the early hours of Monday morning. It shows Jay in the grey sport top with green shoulder edging that he was wearing when he went missing, with Lucy alongside him. This morning it emerged that she has been questioned again at length by Spanish police separately with officers wanting to go through timings once again with her although there is no suggestion of anything untoward. A new picture of missing teenager Jay Slater shows the 19-year-old in a nightclub in the early hours with his female friend Lucy Law just hours before he disappeared in Tenerife Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday at 8.50am A MailOnline graphic detailing the timeline of events from when Jay attended the three-day NRG festival to his location when his phone died at around 8.50am on Monday Lucy, who attended the NRG music festival with Jay, said he called and told her he was 'lost in the mountains and he wasn't aware of his surroundings It comes as a GoFundMe set up by Lucy to help look for Jay has raised 27,000, speedily approaching its 30,000 target. The rescue teams are currently scouring a 2,000ft-deep ravine in the remote, desert-like Teno Nature Reserve in a bid to find the missing teenager on the sixth day of searching. This morning, his concerned mother Debbie Duncan said she still believes her son may have been kidnapped. It follows Jay's mother vowing to stay in Tenerife for 'as long as it takes' - as it emerges a new sighting of her son is being investigated. Speaking to MailOnline, Debbie, 55, revealed that there has been a new sighting. She said: 'Someone has come forward to say they saw someone who they thought was Jay walking back down the road sat on a bench. 'He was with two men looking a bit worse for wear, and they were by a church, this guy has come forward and told the police about it and they are looking into it. We don't know if it was Jay for sure, but it's a start. 'They said it was about 6pm which is ten hours after he was seen by the lady in the village. But if it was him what was he doing there and who are these two men? 'All I know is that I am going to stay here for as long as it takes, I'm not going home unless it's with Jay. I'm not going anywhere until they find him.' The sighting has not yet been officially confirmed. The last confirmed sighting of Jay was at 8.15am on Monday when a woman saw him walking through the village of Masca, 19 miles from the party resort of Playa de las Americas. The teenager posted a Snapchat image on the morning he went missing in Spain The search is entering the sixth day. Pictured are search teams on June 22 A search team member with a sniffer dog near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, June 22 But Ophelia Medina Hernandez, the last person to see Jay, told The Times: 'People don't get lost here.' She saw him next to a bus stop, adding: 'He was walking normally but a bit quickly.' Yesterday, British police offered to help in the hunt for Jay but their offer was turned down by Spanish counterparts. When asked how she felt that the offer from British cops to help had been declined, Debbie told MailOnline: 'I had a screaming and shouting day when I had the meeting with the police. 'I know the Spanish police mean well, but the problem we are having is the language barrier, we just don't seem to be getting told. I'm sure they are doing their best. 'They told me they had used dogs and drones and then they said Lancashire police had offered their resources but they turned it down, but I think that would have really helped. 'I would feel happier if our people were over helping. It's just so difficult not knowing where he is, the area and the terrain is rough, but the police were saying that now there are too many people up there and it could interfere with their investigation. 'I've said to you before if someone does have him, I don't really want to say anything and it's something the police are looking at but we just don't know what's happened. 'I've seen some things on social media but now I'm staying off that, I'm just shattered, I'm so exhausted, I'm slumped her in a chair absolutely drained, I fainted as well earlier. 'Some of Jay's friends and ex-girlfriends are coming over as well to help look for him but I still can't face going up there. His dad and brother are going to go up to where they are searching.' Debbie added:'My energy levels are just zero, I am going through every emotion, screaming, crying, I've just not slept for days. 'It's just so upsetting for all the family, we just don't have any ideas, there are just so man stories flying around about what might have happened and I don't want to know. 'I'm ignoring all of them and I don't want to say anything just in case he is being held against his will.' Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare' Firefighters near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, on June 22 as the search enters Day 6 Search and rescue were out in force on the evening of June 21 Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife, search for missing teenager Jay Slater It comes after his worried friends said on behalf of his mother that an unknown person is using his Instagram as it's been frequently active, but it isn't Jay. They also claim that Jay's friends and family have had their accounts hacked and false information shared. The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday after an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. The admin of the Facebook page called Jay Slater Missing, Rachel Louise Harg, wrote: 'Some people are actually this sick in the head, there are people hacking my accounts and Jay's family's, making it pure lies and pretending we are all in it.' She said Debbie is 'broken' and slammed the mystery person using the account as 'cruel'. The police are currently searching for Jay in the Teno Nature Reserve, referred to as 'malpais' by locals a word that translates into English as 'bad land' according to The Sub. The force declined an offer from Lancashire police to send support to help find the missing teen. In a statement released late on Friday, the UK police force said it had 'made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil' but this was declined after local cops said they were 'satisfied that they have the resources they need'. Lancashire Police released a statement regarding Jay's disappearance earlier that day, saying it had offered to provide additional support to officers on the island. Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route Search and rescue are out in force on June 21 with man power and drones surveying the scene 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with Jay's family at this time. 'They must be going through the most distressing ordeal not knowing what has happened to their loved one. 'We have specialist officers who are continuing to support Jay's family. 'Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. 'They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change. 'Once again, our thoughts remain with Jay's family and friends at this distressing time.' It comes as Lucy today blasted the local Spanish police for 'not doing a good enough job' in finding the missing Brit. 'We are having to do this all by ourselves as Spanish police are not doing a good enough job. They don't even speak English. It's been a very slow process here so we need the British police to come out and help them,' she told The Times. Sniffer dogs have been deployed in the search for Jay Slater in north-west Tenerife on June 19 Rescue teams confer as they continue to search for Jay on June 21 Search and rescue are out in force this evening with man power and drones surveying the scene A drone can be seen flying over the area in Tenerife where Jay is believed to have gone missing Emergency workers near the village of Masca, Tenerife as the search enters day five Meanwhile the owner of holiday rental, Casa Abuela Tina - where Mr Slater is understood to have stayed with two acquaintances - today voiced her worries about the teen after spotting him walking alone down the hills on Monday. She said: 'It's dangerous walking around here, it's easy to lose yourself. He walked up the road when I saw him for the last time. 'He was alone. He was walking normally, though he was fast.' Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route. She aired her concerns about the teenager, but in the height of the media frenzy she stated: 'We are not to blame.' The property, which is listed online as a holiday home, is believed to have been rented by two men Jay was with the night before whilst attending the NRG festival. It is believed the main area of focus in the search for Mr Slater has been around the Parque Rural de Teno, with his family and mother Debbie, have flying out to the Spanish island to assist officers. The Civil Guard confirmed to the Manchester Evening News on Friday there had been 'no developments' in the search for the 19-year-old. In a post on the Facebook page 'Jay Slater Missing', the administrator of the group Rachel Louise Harg said family and friends of Mr Slater were in a 'living nightmare'. She said: 'There isn't an update for anyone unfortunately. 'Struggling to find words at this time but all I can say is we are looking still and everyone is doing all they can. 'We are drained beyond words - I just can't say no more, I wish I could. I wish this would end now, this living nightmare. 'Searches are ongoing and we remain positive. 'Thanks to you all supporting and helping we can't thank you any more, much love.' Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, travelled to the Canary Islands for a musical festival with Lucy Law and another friend June Duncan, grandmother of missing person Jay Slater, spoke of fears for her grandson His friend Lucy has called for the British police to assist with the investigation and slammed the local efforts. She said she wants to 'bring him home to his family'. 'That is all that we want, all that we need,' she told the BBC. On Friday, search and rescue personnel joined officers from the island's Guardia Civil near the village of Masca where they appeared to focus on a specific area of overgrown terrain. Some officers used binoculars to survey the landscape before heading towards the bottom of the hillside. On Thursday, a helicopter flew over Rural de Teno park in the south of the Spanish island as search teams followed various footpaths in the area. Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from the helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the force's X account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. A screenshot of Jay's last known location where his phone battery died The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police were searching The setting is surrounded by spectacular mountains and rocky roads Authorities searching for missing teenager Jay along the ravine on June 20 Police officers also searched in the Masca ravine for Jay on June 19 Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare'. Ms Duncan told ITV News: 'He's the life and soul, he's a beautiful boy.' Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and a black bag. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.' The search mission has entered its fifth day. Pictured: Rescuers on June 19 Police officers and a sniffer dog are pictured in the search for Jay on June 19 One of Scotlands top state schools has prompted an angry backlash after its head girl was replaced with a boy in what was supposed to be an inclusivity drive. Williamwood High School scrapped its traditional positions of head boy and head girl and replaced them with two gender neutral captains elected by other pupils. However, the move backfired after both posts were secured by male candidates, while none of four girls who put themselves forward were chosen. Securing one of the posts is viewed as a significant moment in a pupils career, and can boost university applications and lead to other openings, such as opportunities for public speaking. Parents and female pupils claimed girls at the school, located in one of Scotlands most affluent areas, were being denied opportunities as a result of the supposedly progressive policy. Preoccupied with gender: Williamwood is trying to gain special LGBT status Williamwood, in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, is one of Scotlands best performing schools, as well as one of the biggest, with a roll of around 1,700 pupils. The school is applying for charter status from controversial SNP-funded charity LGBT Youth Scotland, which advises against use of words such as boy and girl in classrooms, althogh the local council denied there was any link between this and the move towards captains. East Renfrewshire council, which has responsibility for the school, said the move away from head boys and girls was part of a national trend designed to allow for greater equality. However, parents pointed out the move appeared to have achieved the opposite of its objective, while feminist campaigners claimed the move would limit opportunities for female pupils while handing an advantage to males. One parent, who did not wish to be named, said: If this was a move towards equality then it has backfired. If you are going to have two positions, then clearly a move such as this brings the possibility that the vote will end with two boys or two girls, whereas before you were guaranteed a boy and a girl. The whole thing is utter stupidity. Another parent, writing on social media, claimed girls had been left furious and that teachers had dismissed their concerns by telling them thats what you voted for. High achievers: The school badge Another posted: So, girls are excluded. How very inclusive. Marion Calder, a director at the For Women Scotland campaign group, said: This is yet another misplaced policy in the guise of equality which in reality leads to the erasure of females and denies girls opportunities. It is no wonder that parents are up in arms. This school and any others that have adopted this regressive change should scrap it and return to a system that has served them well for decades. There have been multiple studies which show that in this type of election, girls are perfectly willing to vote for boys but boys will typically only vote for other boys. LGBT Youth Scotland advises schools that terms such as head pupil are more inclusive as alternatives may distress pupils who identify as transgender or non-binary. The charity, largely funded by the SNP government, requires schools to rewrite and update policies to achieve accreditation. Williamwood boasts the eighth-best exam results in Scotland, out of 361 state schools, and was last year named Secondary School of the Year in Scotland by The Sunday Times. The school was rebuilt in 2006 and, three years later, became the first in Scotland to be awarded the maximum possible score, five excellent ratings across pupil attainment and teaching standards, from education inspectors. Williamwood has also consistently achieved very high levels of pupil success in national exams. The council said the captains system at Williamwood had been brought in four years ago, replacing the head boy and girl titles, and that this year was the first that two pupils of the same gender had been elected. An East Renfrewshire council spokesman said: Many schools across Scotland are moving away from a Head Boy and a Head Girl to appointments of School Captains to allow for greater equality. The process for appointing School Captains at Williamwood High has been in place for several years and, following a vote, on this occasion two male pupils have been appointed for the year ahead. The wider pupil leadership team within the school will be made up of both boys and girls to ensure a wide range of views are put forward. It is wrong to suggest this approach to appointing School Captains is in any way linked to attempts to gain charter status from LGBT Youth Scotland. Donald Trump claims the U.S. is 'finished' if he loses the election and 'crooked Joe' Biden stays president. The former president talked up his rally on Saturday night in a video message recorded from his private jet, 'Trump Force One.' Trump said he was on his way to Washington, D.C., for a Faith and Freedom Coalition event where he would give a speech to Christian voters. Straight afterward, he would get back on the plane and hop to Philadelphia for a rally, which he said would be on most TV channels. 'It's very simple, if you get ratings they (TV stations) pick it up, if you don't get ratings they don't pick it up,' he said. Donald Trump talked up his rally on Saturday night in a video message recorded from his private jet, 'Trump Force One' The Republican candidate would later speak at the Faith and Freedom Coalition event in D.C. Trump then bragged that a new poll had him 10 percent ahead of 'crooked Joe Biden, the worst president in history'. 'November 5th will go down as the most important, most consequential day in the history of our country,' he said of election day. 'We have to win, if we don't win, this country is finished.' Trump was referring to a Rasmussen poll released on Friday that had him ahead 46 percent to Biden's 36 percent in a five-way race. Independent candidates Robert F Kennedy Jr and Cornel West had nine and two percent each and Jill Stein of the Greens had just one percent. Pictured: Trump delivers his address to the largely Christian attendees at the event Trump's visit to the City of Brotherly Love comes after he was reported as leading Biden 49 to 40 percent in the latest Rasmussen poll Trump was also ahead 49 to 40 percent in a two-way race with Biden, with seven per cent saying they would vote for someone else and four percent undecided. Rasmussen historically skews to conservative candidates and the poll is an enormous outlier compared to other recent results. Biden has a tiny lead in the FiveThirtyEight average of recent national polls, while Trump has slender advantages in the more sporadic polls of battleground states. The president is locked in five days of debate preparation at Camp David before the two rivals go head-to-head on Thursday night. John Swinney has been dragged into the row over claims the SNP has used taxpayer-funded stamps for election campaign purposes. Explosive messages obtained by The Mail on Sunday show the First Ministers office manager was also involved in discussions about the use of stamps allegedly paid for by the public purse. In one WhatsApp message sent to an SNP group chat, Mr Swinneys assistant wrote: The stamp fairy is very useful when it comes to campaigns! The SNP is under investigation by the Scottish parliamentary watchdog amid allegations postage stamps were bought using MSPs expenses and passed to election candidates for campaigning. Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney attended Edinburgh Pride MSPs have up to 5,500 a year to spend on postage and stationery but rules state they must be used only for parliamentary duties and must not be used for any other purpose, including party political purposes. Parliament officials have confirmed they are investigating the allegations. Last night, Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: These are deeply concerning allegations and they must investigated fully. The SNP has a long record of failing to treat public money with respect and uphold the standards of transparency we all expect. A Scottish Conservative spokeswoman added: The rules are clear. Its for the SNP to answer if they have stuck to them. An initial complaint, made by someone who appears to be an SNP staffer, was sent to Holyroods Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone on Thursday along with a number of screenshots from a WhatsApp conversation called Office Manager Chat. Participants in the discussion included the office managers of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, SNP depute leader Keith Brown, Bill Kidd and social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville. One staffer asked: Guys, the new stamps. Can they be traced? Someone from former First Minister Nicola Sturgeons office replied: Like who purchased them and what theyre being used for? A third person, said to work for deputy leader Keith Brown, wrote: I asked [name of non-SNP parliamentary worker] at the mailroom and he said no. There was another question about tracing stamps back to the person who bought them, to which the consensus was no, before an employee at Ms Somervilles office added: If they can, then a few people may be up in front of corporate body. Now, a new chain of messages obtained by this newspaper shows someone named Marianne speaking of having a lot of second class stamps, a comment which elicited a laughing emoji by another member of the group. John Swinneys office manager then responds with the message: The stamp fairy is very useful when it comes to campaigns! followed by a winky face emoji. Marianne then responds: Hahaha [emoji] I know, even that wont make a dent in them! Ill whisper the amount I have next time we meet. One person responded to that final message with a cry-laughing emoji, and another with a shocked face emoji. The SNP Holyrood group previously dismissed the seriousness of the complaint and told the BBC the rules were crystal clear. However, a complainer emailed the presiding officer on Thursday with concerns that the rules had not been followed. They said: I am anonymously sharing a screenshot from the SNP office managers WhatsApp group chat due to my concerns that several MSPs are using stamps paid for by Scottish parliament expenses to pass to UK parliament election candidates for campaign activities such as sending target letters to hard-to-reach addresses. Im concerned about this open discussion involving several members offices. When the allegations first surfaced at the end of last week, a Scottish parliament spokesman said: We take the use of publicly funded resources very seriously. Officials are investigating the matter to establish whether there has been any misuse of parliamentary resources. Latest accounts show the SNP plunged to an 800,000 financial loss as membership numbers slumped and donations dried up. But John Swinney has repeatedly insisted his party has enough funds to fight the General Election. He told the Mail on Sunday earlier this month: Were really fortunate to have a party membership which dwarfs the membership of every other political party in Scotland. We rely on all of these wonderfully devoted people around the country making their financial contributions to the party and theyre doing that and Ive made appeals to the party membership to contribute money. Thats what we do at every election campaign, this ones no different and people are making their donations and Im really grateful to them for doing so. A spokesman for the SNP Holyrood Group said: "The Parliamentary rules are crystal clear that materials, including stamps, can only be used for Parliamentary purposes such as representing constituents and campaigning on their behalf. "These exchanges, whilst obviously light-hearted, are being investigated as is appropriate and we would expect the offices of MSPs of all parties to cooperate with the Parliamentary Corporate Body." The mother of Israeli hostage Naama Levy has written 'I speak to you in my heart every day' in a heartbreaking letter to her daughter on her 20th birthday in captivity. Ayelet Levy Shachar, 50, wrote that she 'cannot unsee' graphic images of 'the monster' dragging Naama by the hair and forcing her into a car on October 7. That footage was the most harrowing of the Hamas terror attack which sparked global outrage - but 260 days later 120 hostages remain in Gaza. Dr Levy Shachar wrote in an open letter to her daughter in the New York Post: 'My Naamonet, I speak to you in my heart every day. Do you hear me? 'When I close my eyes, I see you in front of me smiling. Do you see me? Every day I sit with my thoughts and am overcome by unspeakable anguish and pain. I ask myself, how did we reach this point? And today that pain is even sharper.' Ayelet Levy Shachar, the mother of Israeli hostage Naama Levy, wrote a heartbreaking letter to her daughter on her 20th birthday in captivity and said: 'I speak to you in my heart every day' Dr Levy Shachar said that she 'cannot unsee' graphic images of 'the monster' dragging Naama by the hair and forcing her into a car on October 7, 2023 'Stop the world and bring everyone home': The mother of Naama Levy, who was kidnapped into Gaza 264 days ago has pleaded for all the hostages to return back to Israel Amit Levy, the elder brother of Naama, sits on her bed at their home in Raanana, Israel On Saturday evening Dr Levy Shachar led thousands through the streets of Tel Aviv holding giant posters of her daughter and balloons to mark her birthday. The procession was both uplifting and heartbreaking as the crowd chanted in unison: 'Nothing is more important than bringing Naama home. 'This is the right time to bring her home. Accept the deal to bring her home. 'Without Naama this country's not complete. A special protest march was held through Tel Aviv on hostage Naama Levy' 20th birthday On Saturday evening Dr Levy Shachar led thousands through the streets of Tel Aviv holding giant posters of her daughter and balloons to mark her birthday Naama's mother made a plea for all the hostages to return to Israel and said: 'Stop the world and bring Naama home. Stop the world and bring everyone home' The procession marched to Hostage Square where Naama's classmates gave speeches and performed her favourite song, Cover Me In Sunshine by P!nk Families placed 120 teddy bears, each representing someone in captivity on the Shabbat table installation in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv A woman wears accessories engraved with 'Bring them home now' and a badge with a yellow ribbon, as part of a campaign not to forget the plight of the hostages 'Stop the world and bring Naama home. Stop the world and bring everyone home.' While a ceasefire deal still feels distant, two weeks ago special forces succeeded in rescuing four hostages including Noa Argamani, 26. Naama's father, Yoni Levy, 52, told the Daily Mail that they drew strength from the fact those freed had seen people fighting for them on news reports in captivity. The engineer said: 'This is why we have all this media and all these signs and posters. 'Today she will know that this is her birthday, and maybe, just maybe there is a chance that she will see this. 'Even if it is just one per cent, that is enough to do it - to give her hope and optimism. 'There was so much love and energy and hope on that march. We are sending this to her on her birthday. 'I hope that somehow she gets some of this, to give her the strength to continue and be strong.' The procession marched to Hostage Square where Naama's classmates gave speeches and performed her favourite song, Cover Me In Sunshine by P!nk. Cupcakes with birthday candles were then passed round the crowd and balloons were released as they lit them. Ayelet Levy Shachar breaks down in tears and is comforted by her son, Amit, at the event Marchers held placards with photos of Naama and a '20' stuck over the top to commemorate the Israeli hostage's birthday on Saturday Loved ones also filled in a mandala sketch after learning that Naama has been sketching the geometric shapes in captivity Asked what his message would be to Naama if she could hear him, Mr Levy addressed his daughter and said: 'First of all, we are sorry. Sorry that it has taken so much time. 'But on the other end I want to give you the energy. To give you the energy that with your wisdom you will continue and survive - continue and fight. Protestors on Saturday's march held up placards of other hostages who were taken to Gaza, including 19-year-old Oz Daniel Anguish: Thousands gathered to unite in their call for a hostage swap deal with Gaza and the dismissal of the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu Some in the crowd held photos of kidnapped Naama Levy and poignantly, silver balloons to mark her 20th birthday A marcher holds their hands and wears a silver chain bearing the words, 'Bring them home now' Two young women look solemn as they listen to speeches at the rally, held in Tel Aviv on Saturday After sunset, the protestors lit a bonfire and called on the Israeli cabinet to sign a hostage deal 'Don't break. We are here doing whatever we can to finish this and bring you back to us. 'So please, continue to fight.' Naama's brothers, Amit, 21, and Omri, 11, as well as her sister Michal, 16, were also at the rally. Last month horrifying footage was released showing the moment Naama was captured along with four other teenage girls. She was on compulsory national service as an unarmed observer for the IDF alongside Liri Albag, 19, Daniela Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 19, and Agam Berger, 19, on October 7. Each of their mothers made the agonising decision to release the horrifying three minute Hamas Go Pro video in a desperate bid to get politicians to fight for them. It shows the young women limping, injured and bloodied as their hands are bound. They are lined against the wall by Palestinian terrorists having been taken from Nahal Oz base during their mandatory National Service as unarmed observers. 'You dogs, we will step on you.' one screams at the girls. Another of the terrorists is seen pointing at the girls calling them 'Sabaya', an ancient islamic term that can mean female sex slave, before leering over Karina in her snoopy pyjamas, saying: 'You are so beautiful.' The shocking footage sparked renewed efforts at a hostage deal, but Hamas rejected the proposal. The Egyptian government revealed it is set to prosecute travel agents over hajj 'fraud' following the deaths of more than 1,100 who took part in the pilgrimage over the weekend. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly ordered 16 tourism companies to be stripped of their licences and referred their managers to the public sector on Saturday over the illegal pilgrimages to Mecca, the cabinet stated. An AFP tally published on Friday, compiled of official statements and reports from diplomats involved in the response following the tragedy, revealed the death toll had hit a staggering 1,126 - with more than half of the victims from Egypt. Arab diplomats stated earlier this week that Egyptian nationals accounted for 658 deaths, with 630 of them unregistered pilgrims. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had ordered that a 'crisis cell' headed by Madbouly follow up on the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims. The Egyptian government has ordered 16 travel agents to be stripped of their licences after 1,100 people died during the hajj Mecca pilgrimage over the weekend Muslim pilgrims were forced to use umbrellas to shade themselves from the scorching sun Medical team members evacuate a Muslim pilgrim, affected by the intense heat, at the base of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the annual hajj pilgrimage on June 15, 2024 'The prime minister has ordered the licences of these companies to be revoked, their managers to be referred to the public prosecutor and the imposition of a fine to benefit the families of the pilgrims who died because of them,' the cabinet statement said. It is said the horrific number of deaths was partially due to some 'fraudulent' companies which 'organised the hajj programmes using a personal visit visa, which prevents its holders from entering Mecca'. The government said that over 500,000 Egyptians joined the holy pilgrimage officially, and that there were '31 deaths as a result of chronic diseases'. It is said the travel firms accused of arranging the unauthorised hajj visits did not provide adequate services, 'causing unregistered pilgrims to be exhausted as a result of high temperatures'. On Tuesday, one diplomat said: 'All of them (the Egyptians) died because of heat' except for one who sustained fatal injuries during a minor crowd crush'. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and all Muslims with the means must complete it at least once. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery. Each year tens of thousands of pilgrims attempt to perform the hajj through irregular channels as they cannot afford the often costly procedures for official hajj visas. Masses of Muslim pilgrims arrived to perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mina on June 16, 2024 Muslim pilgrims gathered at the top of 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 Tuesday, one diplomat said: 'All of them (the Egyptians) died because of heat' except for one who sustained fatal injuries during a minor crowd crush' This places these off-the-books pilgrims at risk as they cannot access air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities along the hajj route. The 'fraud' route, which can save pilgrims thousands of pounds, has become increasingly popular since 2019 when Saudi Arabia introduced a general tourism visa making it easier to enter the Gulf Kingdom. A senior Saudi official said the government had confirmed 577 deaths for the two busiest days of hajj: Saturday, when pilgrims gathered for hours of prayers in the blazing sun on Mount Arafat, and Sunday, when they participated in the 'stoning of the devil' ritual in Mina. 'This happened amid difficult weather conditions and a very harsh temperature,' the official said, acknowledging that the 577 figure was partial and did not cover all of the hajj, which formally ended on Wednesday. The pilgrimage is increasingly affected by climate change, according to a Saudi study published last month that said temperatures in the area where rituals are performed were rising 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) each decade. Temperatures hit 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Monday, the Saudi national meteorology centre said. Earlier on Tuesday, Egypt's foreign ministry said Cairo was collaborating with Saudi authorities on search operations for Egyptians who had gone missing during the hajj. The devastating incident comes after a travel agent sold bogus Mecca pilgrimage travel packs to Muslim customers who lost thousands of pounds after he cancelled at the last minute, a court heard in January. Hasib Chowdhury, 50, was accused of 'making false representations' to customers from his Zamana Travels unit in Yardley by taking payments without booking flights, accommodation or applying for visas. Mark Jackson, who prosecuted on behalf of Birmingham City Council trading standards, said: 'In July 2017 trading standards officers visited the business and spoke to the defendant. He told officers he was no longer trading as a travel agent. We say he wasn't being honest with the officers.' He told the court analysis of his 'various' bank accounts demonstrated he had been taking money from customers including sums of 3,000 and 2,000 from different people in December that year. Mr Jackson continued: 'He's taking thousands and thousands and thousands of pounds off people and he provided them with no service, no flights, no hotels, no nothing and he kept their cash. 'Some of them got some money back in dribs and drabs, mostly after he was before the court.' The ex-husband of kidnapping faker Sherri Papini has revealed further details about their relationship and how he thought her lie did not make any sense. Sherri Papini disappeared while out for a jog a mile from her house on November 2, 2016 before resurfacing three weeks later on Thanksgiving. But the 41-year-old mother was jailed in 2022 for the Gone Girl-style plot after it became clear she lied to police and gave herself injuries in an elaborate ruse to match the faux abduction. Now Keith Papini has opened up about his marriage with Sherri and the moment he questioned his wife's claims when she returned following her disappearance. 'There were many things that just didnt add up, but I wanted to support my wife,' Keith told Fox News Digital. The ex-husband of kidnapping faker Sherri Papini has revealed further details about their relationship and how he thought her lie did not make any sense 'If you cant trust your wife, who can you trust? I just kept saying to myself, "Im going to do everything for my wife." 'I was led to believe that she was happy with us and that she didnt want any other life with anyone else. 'I just wanted to support her at all times that we were together. With that being said Ill never know all of the truth.' 'I never felt unloved by her,' he admitted though of their time together before the hoax. 'She would tell me how happy she was in our marriage and how we would never get a divorce.' Keith insisted he and Sherri were in love and had enjoyed a happy marriage up until her disappearance. Sherri Papini disappeared while out for a jog a mile from her house on November 2, 2016 before resurfacing three weeks later on Thanksgiving But the 41-year-old mother was jailed in 2022 for the Gone Girl-style plot after it became clear she lied to police and gave herself injuries in an elaborate ruse to match the faux abduction 'She would write songs, she would write me notes constantly,' he said. 'She would tell me how happy she was in our marriage and how we would never get a divorce. 'She was just so in love with me, and I would repeat those things back to her.' He added: 'There was no part of me that ever thought she would fake injuries and have this whole hoax to the extent that she did. 'I could not foresee that. But I did think we had a happy life. We do have amazing children. I was blindsided.' Sherri's scheme captivated the nation and has been the center of true crime documentaries and podcasts. She was reported missing in November 2016 when she suddenly vanished after going out for a jog. Sherri, who was 34 at the time, appeared 'dazed, battered and bruised' three weeks later on Thanksgiving about 145 miles away from where had been last seen. Now Keith Papini has opened up about his marriage with Sherri and claimed he never saw her committing this elaborate hoax Sherri's story unraveled when officers found her ex-boyfriend's DNA on her clothes in 2020 and discovered she had been holed up with him the whole time she had been pretending to be missing Keith continues to look back and question why his ex-wife faked her own kidnapping. 'I do believe the core thing would be attention,' he said. 'I think she likes it when people feel for her and look at her as a victim at anyones cost. 'To be honest, I dont think shes capable of seeing what she did and the lives that it affected, the ripple effect, how much pain she caused so many people. 'I always think about all the people [who tried to help] during those 22 days [she was missing]. 'All the kids that probably werent allowed to ride their bikes anymore, all the women that probably didnt go jogging anymore I dont think she has any understanding of how detrimental it was.' He tried to shield his children from the possibility that Sherri's kidnappers could come back for them. 'We lived in a sense of fear that somebody was after us,' Keith added. 'If the kids were outside playing, and they saw anybody, it was almost like they were taught to run inside. 'Theres a part of me that knows that those six years of their childhood were almost stolen away by Sherri.' He filed for divorce from her in April 2022 and sought to maintain custody of their two children following her release from prison. 'This wasnt just some lie she told that ended when she got arrested,' Keith said. Sherri's ex-husband Keith, with whom she shares children Tyler, 11, and Violet, 9 filed for divorce in April 2022 and sought to maintain sole custody after her August 2023 release 'This was a lie she told every day, every minute Maybe being a stay-at-home mom wasnt fulfilling her She has never apologized to me or the children She acts like it never existed.' There were claims from Sherri in a new Hulu docuseries titled Perfect Wife that Keith had been an abusive and controlling husband, which he strongly denies. He said: 'She was saying I was beating her and that the cops wouldnt do anything. '[When it came to] our mutual friends it was a totally different story It was hurtful to hear those things at the moment because Im not sleeping, Im not eating. 'Im fighting for my wifes life. And to know that she was going around saying these untrue things, its hurtful But you can see a pattern here.' Officers discovered Sherri with a chain around her waist, multiple injuries and a brand on her shoulder. Over the following weeks she crafted an elaborate ruse, telling officers that she had been abducted by two Hispanic women who had beaten and branded her. But her story unraveled when officers found her ex-boyfriend's DNA on her clothes in 2020 and discovered she had been holed up with him the whole time she had been pretending to be missing. It emerged that her injuries were all self-inflicted to back-up the kidnapping story. Keith spent the time she was missing desperately searching for her while also being treated as a suspect in her disappearance. After her trial and imprisonment, he was given full custody of the children. Sherri is currently battling for more access to their children Tyler and Violet while Keith wants her to undertake a psychological evaluation and be barred from seeing them unsupervised. She is also demanding he hand over an array of items from the marital home in Redding, among them Grandpas truck, an inflatable water slide, a leaf blower and a smart TV'. An expense declaration obtained by DailyMail.com shows that the petite blonde claims to have an income of just $1,000-a-month, half of which she says she pays out in rent. A besotted Sherri Papini was spotted sharing a passionate smooch with her new boyfriend Shawn Hibdon outside a local Starbucks in Orland, California on Monday Sherri is said to have begun dating the recently widowed businessman before her 10-month stint in prison in Victorville, California, which ended last August She was previously awarded just $10,000 in her divorce and ordered to pay half of a $3,000 debt she racked up on a BestBuy credit card after she was arrested in April 2022. Last week, exclusive DailyMail.com photos showed Sherri locked in an embrace with her auto dealer boyfriend Shawn Hibdon, 49, following an amorous encounter in the backseat of her white Jeep SUV in a Starbucks parking lot in Orland, California, on Monday. After an hour in the car with Hibdon, who arrived separately in a gray Hyundai with distinctive dealer plates, she emerged giggling and dressed in a pink tank and flashy tie-dye leggings. The pair then enjoyed a smooch having first checked the parking lot to make sure no one was watching before leaving in different cars. Hibdon has been single since losing his wife Brittany unexpectedly at the age of 36 in September 2021 and is a single father to their two sons Houston, 16, and Westley, 14. A source told DailyMail.com the relationship began prior to her 10-month stretch at FCI Victorville, with the pair meeting in Chico a town located an hour south of Sherri's former home in Redding. She briefly lived in the area after being thrown out by her ex following her arrest. Her sister Sheila also resides in the town. Shocking images show the moments after a car smashed through the wall of a busy McDonald's restaurant in Doncaster. Pictures show a white Vauxhall hatchback with its front smashed in and debris all around as police inspect the dramatic scene. The car hit the McDonald's with such force that it ended up by the condiments section near the counter inside the restaurant. Footage on the internet shows a seeemingly disorientated man being handcuffed at the scene while shouting, 'What's going on?' Video still of the aftermath of the crash. A police officer tries to put a pair of handcuffs on the driver The video shows the driver shouting 'What's going on?' He seems disorientated and the officer struggles to get the cuffs on Pictures show a white Vauxhall hatchback with its front smashed in and debris all around as police inspect the dramatic scene Other videos show a huge gaping hole in the building's side after the car apparently crashed into a glass panel. A 37-year-old man has been taken to hospital following the crash while a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Fortunately, the 37-year-old's injuries are thought to be non-life-threatening. Emergency services were called to the scene on Thorne Road at 4pm today including firefighters, the British Transport Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said: 'We were called around 4pm today (Saturday, June 22) to reports of a road traffic collision at McDonalds on Thorne Road, Doncaster. Another picture from the scene which shows a huge hole in the wall after the car apparently crashed through a glass panel Emergency services were called to the scene on Thorne Road at 4pm today 'It is reported that a white Vauxhall Astra collided into the side of the restaurant building. 'Officers have attended, supported by officers from British Transport Police, and the fire and ambulance service. Mcdonald's has been evacuated as a safety precaution. 'A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. 'A 37-year-old man has been taken to hospital where his injuries are thought to be life-threatening. 'We are please asking people to avoid the area which emergency services conduct their work.' Pro-Israel supporters and pro-Palestinian supporters are seen during an interfaith rally against terror at White Plaza at Stanford on May 12. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle People photograph graffiti near the Main Quad at Stanford University after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters briefly occupied the university presidents office, as seen on June 5. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Two long-awaited reports from Stanford University published this past week attempt, in 150 pages each, to convey the escalating mistrust and emotional anguish felt by two campus groups this year: Jews, and those who identify as Muslim, Arab or Palestinian. Stanford on Thursday released the extraordinary documents, which contain hundreds of hours of testimony from students, employees and alumni about their experiences at the university since last fall. Their stories include hate speech, physical attacks and threats made against people on campus or social media because of who they are, who they appear to be, or how they think. And they document the sense among many of those interviewed that the university itself, too often, didnt care. The reports are the work of two committees established at Stanford after Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing and kidnapping hundreds of Israelis. That triggered the war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinian people and prompted a social crisis on college campuses across the United States. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The reports are intended as a springboard for campus change, and include a range of short- and long-term recommendations. But the work wont be easy, as the report on the Muslim, Arab and Palestinian experience reveals in its first sentence: This report details a substantial rupture of trust between students, staff, and faculty in the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian (MAP) communities this year. These communities have felt afraid for their safety, unseen and unheard by university leadership, and silenced through a variety of formal and informal means when they assert the rights and humanity of Palestinians. Palestinian demonstrator Mohammad Elsheik waves a Palestinian flag during a rally at a student encampment in White Plaza at Stanford on May 12. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle It cites a history of prejudice against MAP groups on campus that stretches back years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So does the report on the Jewish experience, which lists nearly a decade of examples, including swastika graffiti and campus debates about whether Jews control the media. The interviewers conclude that antisemitism persists today. Some of this bias is expressed in overt and occasionally shocking ways, but often it is wrapped in layers of subtlety and implication, one or two steps away from blatant hate speech, they wrote, noting that many Stanford departments appear free of the problem, while it is prevalent in others. Anti-Zionism, or opposition to Israel as a Jewish state, is a tenet of the pro-Palestinian movement at Stanford and at every other campus. The committee acknowledged that criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic. Yet anti-Zionism and antisemitism are in fact closely intertwined, the report said. The committees delivered the reports on May 31 to outgoing President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez, who made them public Thursday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are committed to a campus climate at Stanford that is welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds, faiths, nationalities, and points of view, Saller said in a statement. The painful events of the last several months have made clear that we have much work to do in achieving that aspiration. The Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Communities Committee is co-chaired by Abiya Ahmed, associate dean of students and director of the Markaz Resource Center, and Alexander Key, associate professor of comparative literature. The Jewish Advisory Committees Subcommittee on Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias is chaired by Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and at the Hoover Institution, and by Jeff Koseff, an engineering professor and senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. At least 600 pro-Israel supporters attended an interfaith rally against Hamas at White Plaza, a few feet from the student encampment in Stanford on May 12. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle Each committee underscored their conclusions by citing actual incidents, including these: Advertisement Article continues below this ad An Arab Muslim student who was hit by a car at Stanford University in November as the driver shouted, Fyou and your people! Two students who reported being followed, then shoved, by an undergraduate as they put up posters at the pro-Palestinian encampment at White Plaza on campus. A post on the anonymous social media site FIZZ that asked this question about a candidate who qualified to run for the student senate: How are almost all of the 100+ signatories Jewish? A Jewish student who wrote an article in a national magazine describing tensions at Stanford during the escalating war in Gaza reflected on death wishes he received, including that he should be cooked alive. The MAP committee also pointed an accusing finger at the university itself, suggesting that Stanford accepted a diversity of speech except when it was about Palestinian rights. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The report focused in particular on what it described as the arbitrary nature of discipline meted out by campus officials against pro-Palestinian protesters and said that some students received disciplinary letters while others did not. Some had actively participated in the (pro-Palestinian) encampment, while others had limited or even no involvement at all, the report said. One student who got a letter had been out of town during a rally cited in the letter. These decisions have also sent a message to the whole university that Palestine is an exception to Stanfords stated mission: a topic that one cannot study, discuss, or teach without potentially damaging ones future, the committee wrote. Among many recommendations to better protect the MAP community are that Stanford eliminate the Palestinian exception to free speech, provide more training to employees and regularly review disciplinary procedures to ensure they are enforced in an unbiased manner. A sleepy North Carolina street is living in fear after a mob of masked intruders broke into a family home and tortured the parents and children inside. Residents on the street in Harnett County say they are beefing up their home security after the Morales-Torres family were brutally attacked this month. Investigators say they are still unsure why the family was targeted so viciously, with the masked intruders stealing a cache of items after the two parents and three young children were tortured. According to Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats, the burglars tormented the family with an agonizing method of heating up a knife on the stove and sticking it to their bodies. Masked intruders terrifyingly targeted this family-of-five's home in North Carolina, torturing the parents and children as they ransacked the property Maricela Morales, her husband and three children were all targeted in the horrific ordeal, which her sister said left them 'suffering physically, emotionally and mentally' The terrifying ordeal came as the family-of-five were sat in their garage at 2 am with the door open, and the intruders were staked out nearby. The group then stormed the home and held the family at knifepoint, forcing Maricela Morales, her husband Arturo Torres, and their three children inside before carrying out the sickening episode. Coats said the savage torture method was the worst he had ever seen in his career, and was an attempt 'to get (the family) to tell them where their money and guns were.' The home was ransacked, and the group stole a number of items, but reportedly did not find any money or guns inside the property. After leaving the family injured and terrified inside the home, the masked mob fled the scene in two stolen vehicles. Police have made no arrests at the time of writing, and did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the investigation. A GoFundMe has been launched by Morales' sister to help the family deal with the medical costs and to repair their lives. 'Words cannot describe the pain and devastation that our family is experiencing right now,' the fundraiser read. 'My sister and her family unit are suffering physically, emotionally and mentally. Our extended family and close friends are devastated. Their home was vandalized and their peace of mind and safety will never feel the same.' Residents on the street say they are terrified as the suspects remain at large, and are splashing out on new home security measures With the suspects still at large, the sleepy North Carolina street where they were attacked has remained on edge. Their neighbor Jeffery Miller told WRAL that he plans to beef up his home security, and said he feels 'just so sorry for their family.' 'Yesterday I had security installed,' he said. 'I thought I was the security, but now I need to have a camera.' Anyone with information is urged to contact the Harnett County Sheriff's Office tip line at 910-893-0300. He immediately knows a Sancerre from a Sauvignon and sells eye-wateringly expensive vintages but even this expert enjoys a supermarket wine. Joel Bastian, recently declared Scotlands best sommelier, is originally from Alsace in France, and is head of wine for the restaurant group founded by Scots chef Tom Kitchin. It includes the Michelin-starred The Kitchin in Edinburgh. But despite compiling a luxurious wine list featuring bottles costing upwards of 3,000, Mr Bastian also has tips when it comes to supermarket plonk. His choice from the aisles? A bottle of rose costing just 8.50 in Tesco. EXPERTS CHOICE: Joel Bastian and the 8.50 Tesco La Vieille Ferme rose he loves He said: On a late summer evening a glass of La Vieille Ferme rose is a very simple, quaffable rose from the Luberon region of France its very enjoyable for a supermarket wine. Mr Bastian was named in this years Sommelier Edit Magazines top 100, taking fifth place and the highest ranking in Scotland. He said that making the list was a surprise and a privilege. My role is something I am really passionate about and I enjoy discovering new things in the world of wine, he said. Its nice to be recognised and always good to be able to champion Scotlands food and drink scene. The tasting menu at The Kitchin is renowned for its paired wines, chosen by the head sommelier to perfectly complement the dish. Mr Bastian said: We have been fortunate over the years to serve some very rare bottles of wine such as over a hundred years old bottles of prestigious Bordeaux estates, which creates a great buzz in my team and is something that not everyone gets to experience. Sommeliers Sumith Alahakoon of Sushisamba, Stuart Skea at Michelin-starred Lyla and John Power of the Witchery, Prestonfield House and Rhubarb all in Edinburgh were also among the top ten. The father and brother of missing teenager Jay Slater have paid an emotional visit to the Tenerife beauty spot where search teams are focusing their hunt for him. Warren Slater and his son Zak, 24, were joined by other family and friends at the remote mountain spot where his mobile phone last pinged on Monday morning. The remote gorge above the village of Masca, 19 miles from the party resort of Playa de les Americas at an altitude of 3000ft, has been the focus of attention all week by police. Warren and Zak looked on as mountain rescue teams and civil protection units with high powered binoculars scanned the cactus strewn ravine looking for clues. Friends of Jay who had flown in from Britain were also among the group and they spent several hours at the scene as search teams explained what they were doing. Warren Slater and his son Zak, 24, were joined by other family and friends at the remote mountain spot where his mobile phone last pinged on Monday morning Jay Slater, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, has been missing for six days Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday at 8.50am A MailOnline graphic detailing the timeline of events from when Jay attended the three-day NRG festival to his location when his phone died at around 8.50am on Monday Both father and son appeared to be in tears as they hugged each other at the isolated spot and Warren simply said: 'I just want the boy back.' They also visited the Air BnB where Jay had gone after the festival with two mystery British men and from where he had sent two Snapchat messages to his friend Lucy Mae Law. His mother Debbie Duncan said: 'The last few days have been awful. I just need him back. He is a handsome lad from Lancashire and he shouldn't be missing in Tenerife. 'People keep saying on social media why aren't I up there and calling me the new Karen Matthews, I just can't face it. 'I don't want to go up there in case I see something that I don't want to. I'm just hoping everything will turn out for the better. If I went up there I would just break down.' The family gathering comes six days after Jay disappeared in Tenerife on Monday morning. Lucy Law, 18, was the last person to speak to Jay when he called her at around 8am on Monday morning from a secluded mountain pass in Masca. Warren and Zak looked on as mountain rescue teams and civil protection units with high powered binoculars scanned the cactus strewn ravine looking for clues Both father and son appeared to be in tears as they hugged each other at the isolated spot and Warren simply said: 'I just want the boy back' Firefighters search near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, on Saturday, June 22 A new picture of missing teenager Jay Slater shows the 19-year-old in a nightclub in the early hours with his female friend Lucy Law just hours before he disappeared in Tenerife Lucy, who attended the NRG music festival with Jay, said he called and told her he was 'lost in the mountains and he wasn't aware of his surroundings The search is entering the sixth day. Pictured are search teams on June 22 Firefighters near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, on June 22 as the search enters Day 6 The walk from Jay's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. Lucy, who attended the NRG music festival with Jay, said he called and told her he was 'lost in the mountains, he wasn't aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on one per cent'. Earlier today a bombshell image which is the last known photograph of Jay was uncovered. It is believed to have been taken at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Americas in the early hours of Monday morning. It shows Jay in the grey sport top with green shoulder edging that he was wearing when he went missing, with Lucy alongside him. This morning it emerged that she has been questioned again at length by Spanish police separately with officers wanting to go through timings once again with her although there is no suggestion of anything untoward. It comes as a GoFundMe set up by Lucy to help look for Jay has raised 27,000, speedily approaching its 30,000 target. A screenshot of Jay's last known location where his phone battery died The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police were searching The teenager posted a Snapchat image on the morning he went missing in Spain Ophelia, the last person to see Jay, shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route The rescue teams are currently scouring a 2,000ft-deep ravine in the remote, desert-like Teno Nature Reserve in a bid to find the missing teenager on the sixth day of searching. This morning, his concerned mother Debbie Duncan said she still believes her son may have been kidnapped. It follows Jay's mother vowing to stay in Tenerife for 'as long as it takes' - as it emerges a new sighting of her son is being investigated. Speaking to MailOnline, Debbie, 55, revealed that there has been a new sighting. She said: 'Someone has come forward to say they saw someone who they thought was Jay walking back down the road sat on a bench. 'He was with two men looking a bit worse for wear, and they were by a church, this guy has come forward and told the police about it and they are looking into it. We don't know if it was Jay for sure, but it's a start. 'They said it was about 6pm which is ten hours after he was seen by the lady in the village. But if it was him what was he doing there and who are these two men? 'All I know is that I am going to stay here for as long as it takes, I'm not going home unless it's with Jay. I'm not going anywhere until they find him.' Rescue teams confer as they continue to search for Jay on June 21 A drone can be seen flying over the area in Tenerife where Jay is believed to have gone missing The sighting has not yet been officially confirmed. The last confirmed sighting of Jay was at 8.15am on Monday when a woman saw him walking through the village of Masca, 19 miles from the party resort of Playa de las Americas. But Ophelia Medina Hernandez, the last person to see Jay, told The Times: 'People don't get lost here.' She saw him next to a bus stop, adding: 'He was walking normally but a bit quickly.' Yesterday, British police offered to help in the hunt for Jay but their offer was turned down by Spanish counterparts. When asked how she felt that the offer from British cops to help had been declined, Debbie told MailOnline: 'I had a screaming and shouting day when I had the meeting with the police. 'I know the Spanish police mean well, but the problem we are having is the language barrier, we just don't seem to be getting told. I'm sure they are doing their best. June Duncan, grandmother of missing person Jay Slater, spoke of fears for her grandson 'They told me they had used dogs and drones and then they said Lancashire police had offered their resources but they turned it down, but I think that would have really helped. 'I would feel happier if our people were over helping. It's just so difficult not knowing where he is, the area and the terrain is rough, but the police were saying that now there are too many people up there and it could interfere with their investigation. 'I've said to you before if someone does have him, I don't really want to say anything and it's something the police are looking at but we just don't know what's happened. 'I've seen some things on social media but now I'm staying off that, I'm just shattered, I'm so exhausted, I'm slumped her in a chair absolutely drained, I fainted as well earlier. 'Some of Jay's friends and ex-girlfriends are coming over as well to help look for him but I still can't face going up there. His dad and brother are going to go up to where they are searching.' Debbie added:'My energy levels are just zero, I am going through every emotion, screaming, crying, I've just not slept for days. 'It's just so upsetting for all the family, we just don't have any ideas, there are just so man stories flying around about what might have happened and I don't want to know. Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was 'an absolute living nightmare' 'I'm ignoring all of them and I don't want to say anything just in case he is being held against his will.' It comes after his worried friends said on behalf of his mother that an unknown person is using his Instagram as it's been frequently active, but it isn't Jay. They also claim that Jay's friends and family have had their accounts hacked and false information shared. The apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday after an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. The admin of the Facebook page called Jay Slater Missing, Rachel Louise Harg, wrote: 'Some people are actually this sick in the head, there are people hacking my accounts and Jay's family's, making it pure lies and pretending we are all in it.' She said Debbie is 'broken' and slammed the mystery person using the account as 'cruel'. The police are currently searching for Jay in the Teno Nature Reserve, referred to as 'malpais' by locals a word that translates into English as 'bad land' according to The Sub. The force declined an offer from Lancashire police to send support to help find the missing teen. In a statement released late on Friday, the UK police force said it had 'made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil' but this was declined after local cops said they were 'satisfied that they have the resources they need'. Firefighters search near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, on Saturday, June 22 Search and rescue were out in force on the evening of June 21 Lancashire Police released a statement regarding Jay's disappearance earlier that day, saying it had offered to provide additional support to officers on the island. It comes as Lucy today blasted the local Spanish police for 'not doing a good enough job' in finding the missing Brit. 'We are having to do this all by ourselves as Spanish police are not doing a good enough job. They don't even speak English. It's been a very slow process here so we need the British police to come out and help them,' she told The Times. Meanwhile the owner of holiday rental, Casa Abuela Tina - where Mr Slater is understood to have stayed with two acquaintances - today voiced her worries about the teen after spotting him walking alone down the hills on Monday. She said: 'It's dangerous walking around here, it's easy to lose yourself. He walked up the road when I saw him for the last time. 'He was alone. He was walking normally, though he was fast.' Ophelia shared that Jay has also asked about catching the bus from the area before making the journey on foot - which was the only route. She aired her concerns about the teenager, but in the height of the media frenzy she stated: 'We are not to blame.' The property, which is listed online as a holiday home, is believed to have been rented by two men Jay was with the night before whilst attending the NRG festival. A major Russian cyber attack on the NHS is believed to be much worse than feared and led to the theft of private medical records of patients treated at hundreds of hospitals and clinics. An analysis by The Mail on Sunday of the stolen medical data leaked online discovered information from 600 clinics, including patients' names, addresses and details of clinical tests. Records of some 300 million appointments were obtained in the devastating hack on an NHS contractor, which has led to thousands of operations being cancelled at seven London hospitals. But this newspaper has found data that suggests that hundreds of hospitals all over the country are also affected. Russian hacking group Qilin this month shut down IT systems at private pathology lab Synnovis, which analyses blood, urine and tumour samples for the NHS. Russian hacking group Qilin this month shut down IT systems at private pathology lab Synnovis, which analyses blood, urine and tumour samples for the NHS (Stock Image) Mail on Sunday has found data that suggests that hundreds of hospitals all over the country are also affected (Stock Image) The criminal gang threatened to release the stolen data unless a 40million ransom was paid. It started leaking thousands of files of data on the internet on Friday when the demand was not met. Just one spreadsheet from the hack, seen by The Mail on Sunday, contains blood test data of tens of thousands of patients treated at 138 UK hospitals and clinics, going back more than a decade. The hack has already caused serious disruption for seven hospitals run by King's College Trust and Guy's and St Thomas' Trust, in London, where 1,134 planned operations, including cancer and transplant surgery, were cancelled and 2,194 outpatient appointments postponed. Philip Ingram, a former British military intelligence colonel, urged Synnovis to be 'fully transparent' about the extent of the breach. He said: 'If there is evidence that this hack goes beyond the one hospital trust, then Synnovis needs to say exactly what data it suspects has been accessed.' The National Crime Agency is weighing up taking retaliatory action and the NHS has set up an emergency helpline to answer patients' queries. NHS England said: 'We understand that people may be concerned by this and are continuing to work with Synnovis, the National Cyber Security Centre and other partners to determine the content of published files as quickly as possible.' Synnovis said: 'We know how worrying this development may be for many people. We are taking it very seriously and an analysis of this data is underway.' A service of celebration for the life of Lady Gabriella Windsor's late husband was held in Kensington yesterday. Lady Gabriella, daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, lost Thomas Kingston, 45, in February when he died from a 'catastrophic head injury'. Close friends and family of Mr Kingston, including some members of the Royal Family, attended yesterday's service at St Mary Abbots church in West London. The King and Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, were not present. A spokesperson for the family said: 'Lady Gabriella and the Kingston family have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love, kindness and support they have received over the past difficult months. They were grateful today for the chance to celebrate and give thanks for the life of a wonderful man, among so many of those who knew and loved him too.' Earlier this week Lady Gabriella, the King's second cousin, was hugged by Zara Tindall during a day at Royal Ascot after she joined the traditional carriage procession. Lady Gabriella Windsor pictured at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. A service of celebration for the life of her late husband was held in Kensington yesterday Lady Gabriella, daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, lost Thomas Kingston (pictured, with Lady Gabriella in London in September), 45, in February when he died from a 'catastrophic head injury' Lady Gabriella pictured with Anne, Princess Royal, at Ascot on Tuesday. It was her first major public appearance since her husband's death It marked her first major public appearance since the death of Mr Kingston, who was a director at finance firm Davenport Capital in London. He had also worked in Baghdad as a hostage negotiator after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office. Mr Kingston was laid to rest in a private service on March 12. Around 140 close friends and family, including Prince William, Lady Gabriella's parents Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and Princess Alexandra, gathered at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace in London for the funeral. Buckingham Palace faced uproar last night after it was revealed that a boss of the Japanese firm behind the Post Office scandal has been invited to a lavish Royal banquet in London. The Mail on Sunday has learned that the Fujitsu representative will join the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the Guildhall during the current state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Victims of the scandal reacted with fury, with one, Seema Misra, calling the decision to include the technology giant 'simply terrible'. Mrs Misra, a former sub-postmistress wrongly jailed while she was pregnant, said: 'There's no way Fujitsu should be invited. They have a lot to answer before they do anything else.' Fujitsu developed the Post Office's faulty Horizon IT system, which led to hundreds of postal workers being wrongly accused of theft and false accounting. The Mail on Sunday has learned that a Fujitsu representative will join the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the Guildhall during the current state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan (Stock Photo) Former sub-postmaster Sir Alan Bates (pictured, in February), knighted for his campaign for justice on behalf of his fellow Post Office workers, said he hoped Prince Edward will take the chance to raise the scandal with Fujitsu's representative Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako pictured at Stansted Airport on Saturday. Emperor Naruhito is attending Wednesday's banquet as part of an eight-day visit The system was introduced in 1999 to simplify accounting and stocktaking. Within days a helpline was receiving calls complaining about financial anomalies, yet these were not taken seriously. Instead, in what has been called the UK's most widespread miscarriage of justice, more than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted for stealing. Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells was eventually forced out of office over the scandal, but Fujitsu, which supported the prosecutions, has largely escaped public accountability. Former sub-postmaster Sir Alan Bates, knighted for his campaign for justice on behalf of his fellow Post Office workers, said he hoped Prince Edward will take the chance to raise the scandal with Fujitsu's representative. 'I think it's very important because it's affected an awful lot of lives in this country,' Sir Alan said. 'It's a major scandal. I would be delighted if he asked what they are prepared to do to redress it.' Last week a series of Fujitsu bosses gave evidence at the inquiry in London into the Post Office's warped crusade, which ruined so many people's lives. Despite campaigns, it took decades for the organisation to admit that faults with Horizon were behind many of the financial shortfalls in branch accounts. Varchas Patel, whose ex-postmaster father Vipinchandra, 70, was wrongfully convicted of stealing 75,000 before his conviction was quashed in 2020, said nobody from Fujitsu should 'mingle with Royalty until each and every sub-postmaster and mistress [case] has been fully settled'. Emperor Naruhito is attending Wednesday's banquet as part of an eight-day visit. Fujitsu has confirmed that one of its representatives will be there 'by invitation'. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but a source confirmed the Guildhall banquet 'is part of the formal state visit' The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh pictured at Royal Ascot on Wednesday Founded in 1935, Fujitsu is worth 58 billion, with its UK arm having sales of 1.3 billion last year. As the Government has grown ever more dependent on the firm's software, its interest in pursuing Fujitsu staff who insisted Horizon was infallible has remained low. It is also keen to preserve the 7,000 jobs created by the company. The City of London Corporation said: 'We are proud to host the Banquet at Guildhall during the state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan. This event marks the historic and strong ties between our two nations and is an important moment for the City, London and the whole country. Guest lists for state-visit banquets are compiled alongside Government departments and relevant embassies. We do not comment on individual guests.' Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but a source confirmed the Guildhall banquet 'is part of the formal state visit'. A spokesperson for Fujitsu said: 'The State Visit by Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to the United Kingdom is an important recognition of the strong bond of friendship between the two nations. 'It is a significant cultural moment for the Japanese Community across the country. A Japanese Fujitsu representative will, by invitation, be attending two events held in honour of the visit: one hosted by The Japan Society and one hosted by The City of London Corporation.' A woman has been arrested by police investigating claims by Princess Diana's brother that he was sexually abused by a matron while at boarding school. The 67-year-old woman was arrested a day after Northamptonshire Police announced they had opened a criminal investigation into Earl Spencer's allegations that he was molested, aged just 11, at Maidwell Hall preparatory school in the 1970s. In his powerful memoir, A Very Private School an extract of which was published by The Mail on Sunday in March Earl Spencer, 60, told how an assistant matron, whom he branded a 'voracious paedophile', groomed him and other young boys. He said that she was 19 or 20 at the time. The Earl candidly wrote how the matron, whom he did not name, had first 'kissed me on the lips' before she 'promoted me to the second rank of her reverse harem: those she intimately touched'. The 67-year-old woman was arrested a day after Northamptonshire Police announced they had opened a criminal investigation into Earl Spencer 's allegations that he was molested, aged just 11, at Maidwell Hall preparatory school in the 1970s. In his powerful memoir, A Very Private School an extract of which was published by The Mail on Sunday in March Earl Spencer, 60, told how an assistant matron, whom he branded a 'voracious paedophile', groomed him and other young boys Charles Spencer aged 12, reading up on the Battle of Blenheim in the War of the Spanish Succession A young Earl Spencer, three, is pictured with his sister, Diana, in 1967 before he was sent to boarding school Excerpts from Charles Spencer's memoir were published exclusively by the Mail Earl Spencer (left), Prince William, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales waiting as the hearse carrying the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales prepares to leave Westminster Abbey in 1997 Northamptonshire Police announced they had opened an investigation on June 10 and detectives arrested a Stafford woman the following day. A police spokesman said: 'We are in the early stages of investigating a number of non-recent allegations of sexual abuse at Maidwell Hall school. 'As part of this investigation we have arrested a 67-year-old woman from Stafford. She has been released on conditional bail while we continue our enquiries. 'Northamptonshire Police takes all allegations of abuse very seriously and where reports are made to us, we will pursue all available lines of enquiry to help bring perpetrators to justice.' In his memoir, the Earl, who attended Maidwell Hall near Market Harborough between the ages of eight and 13, stated that the matron abused boys in their dormitory beds at night. He described how the alleged abuse, and the emotional confusion it caused, led to him self-harming and wanting 'full sex from a too-early age', with him losing his virginity aged 12 to a prostitute in Italy. Maidwell Hall has previously urged anyone with similar allegations to Earl Spencer's to come forward and contact the police or the local authority. Northamptonshire Police have also encouraged 'anyone who has suffered abuse' to contact them and stressed that people reporting sexual abuse have the legal right to lifelong anonymity. One of Nigel Farage's most prominent supporters has repeatedly called for closer ties with the Kremlin, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Jonathan Mappin who this weekend hosted a Reform rally where candidates were 'all cheering' Farage's controversial comments about the West being to blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine has said 'being friends with Putin is very smart. We love him'. Mappin, 59, an heir to the Mappin and Webb jewellery family and a practising Scientologist, has previously employed Farage on the advisory board of his company, Dutch Green Business. He owns the three-star Camelot Castle hotel in Tintagel, Cornwall, which hosted Friday's Reform rally and told this newspaper the roomful of candidates 'were all cheering' when they heard Farage's controversial comments. After Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Mappin said it was a 'gift for the freedom of the world' and that he stands with the 'Russian Bear'. And last June, Mappin and his wife Irina attended a private event hosted by Andrey Kelin, Russia's ambassador to London, at his residence in Kensington, and later said 'we were extremely warmly welcomed'. One of Nigel Farage's most prominent supporters has repeatedly called for closer ties with the Kremlin Jonathan Mappin, 59, this weekend hosted a Reform rally said 'being friends with Putin is very smart. We love him'. Last night Mappin told the MoS: 'I've said what I've said about the issue to be helpful to this country. I'm not paid by Reform or Farage, I'm just a friend, and I'm an independent thinker.' Outrage over Nigel Farage's claim that the West was to blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine also deepened last night with President Zelensky's office accusing him of being infected by the 'virus of Putinism'. The extraordinary intervention adds force to the growing backlash against the Reform leader's claim that EU and Nato expansion had given Vladimir Putin a reason to justify war. He has also branded Volodymyr Zelensky 'murderous' and said the Ukrainian leader forced 'every Nato citizen... to fund his Nazi operations'. This newspaper has also compiled a damning dossier of 22 Reform candidates who have expressed sympathies for Putin and his invasion, or endorsed false claims aligning with Moscow's propaganda machine. After being condemned by Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, Farage compared the row over his comments made during an interview with the BBC to the 'Russia hoax' the term used by former US president Donald Trump to dismiss claims he had colluded with Moscow. In an address to supporters in Clacton, Essex, where he is standing, Farage said: 'We are back to the Russia hoax, just as we have been in America for year after year.' Although there has been no official reaction from Kyiv, a source from President Zelensky's office told the BBC: 'The virus of Putinism, unfortunately, infects people.' Farage's controversial comments were condemned by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Pictured: Mr Sunak shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, to announce a major new package of 2.5billion in military aid to the country over the coming year, on January 12, 2024 In other election developments: Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick uses a Mail on Sunday article today to effectively launch a bid to succeed Rishi Sunak, calling for the Tories to meet the threat of Reform by tackling 'unsustainable' immigration and bringing back Boris Johnson but said Farage should have no place in the party; Farage told the MoS that he would be prepared to join forces with Jenrick and former Home Secretary Priti Patel but not with Boris unless he apologised for mass immigration and net zero; Starmer's chief of staff Sue Gray is said to be planning to keep control of Labour's 'supermajority' of MPs by shutting the Commons bars; Fears were raised that Labour's 'hidden tax rises' could spark a 1970s-style 'brain drain' amid claims wealthy executives are already quitting the UK. In his BBC interview with Nick Robinson, Farage also spoke of his 'admiration' for Putin as a 'political operator' but insisted he disliked the Russian leader as a person. The Reform leader sent a video message to the Cornwall event apologising for his absence. The MoS dossier of Reform candidates who have expressed sympathies for Putin includes Andrew Husband, standing in North Durham, who has branded President Zelensky 'evil and corrupt' and 'a dictator'. He has also falsely claimed Ukraine is 'the child trafficking capital of Europe' and that the country had committed an eight-year 'genocide' against Russian speakers. In another post he shared false claims that Alexei Navalny, the late Russian opposition leader and Putin's fiercest critic, died due to a blood clot caused by the Covid vaccine. Angela Carter-Begbie, who is standing in Queen's Park and Maida Vale, has said 'Putin wants peace it's the West that don't', that 'Ukraine was horrible to the Russians first' and that 'Putin put his people first'. John Clark, standing in Bangor Aberconwy, described Putin as 'sane and reasonable'. He has also said supporting Ukraine was 'not in Britain's interests' and replied to Lord Cameron's support for Ukraine by saying: 'You are asset-stripping our country to pay for your globalist friends to expand their empire.' Hamish Haddow, in Chipping Barnet, falsely claimed Boris Johnson 'stopped the Ukraine peace talks on request by [Joe] Biden' and said 'every Ukrainian death [is] firmly on Boris'. Teresa DeSantis, in Chichester, said Boris was 'acting like Zelensky's rent boy, touting for war' while Jack Aaron in Welwyn Hatfield called Putin's use of force in Ukraine 'legitimate' and likened him to Churchill. Malcolm Cupis, in Melksham and Devizes, compared calls for Ukraine refugees in the UK to be exempt from car registration fees to 'ethnic cleansing'. Peter Morris in Melton and Syston, claimed the war was about 'the US defence budget' while Jack Brookes, in Birmingham Erdington, claimed Boris 'kept the war going'. In a statement clarifying his position, Farage said: 'Putin was wrong to invade a sovereign nation and the EU was wrong to expand eastwards.' And in today's Sunday Telegraph, he said he would not apologise for 'telling the truth' and that he was the victim of a 'slur' by the 'political establishment'. He wrote: 'I am not and never have been an apologist or supporter of Putin. His invasion of Ukraine was immoral, outrageous and indefensible. I have never sought to justify Putin's invasion in any way. But that doesn't change the fact that I saw it coming a decade ago. What I have been saying for the past ten years is that the West has played into Putin's hands, giving him the excuse to do what he wanted to do anyway.' Home Secretary James Cleverly said Farage's remarks were 'echoing Putin's vile justification', while Sunak said: 'What he said was completely wrong and only plays into Putin's hands.' Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace likened Farage to the 'pub bore... who often says 'if I was running the country' and presents very simplistic answers to... complex problems.' He changed the landscape of British music when he launched his talent shows The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. But now Simon Cowell fears the UK is not finding enough breakthrough talent, saying record labels are not signing enough new stars, who face too much competition online. The music mogul, who had global success with One Direction and Westlife, is determined to change that with a new project in which he holds auditions for a new band. Cowell, 64, said: 'Right now record labels aren't signing enough new talent. 'So the amount of UK artists who are breaking worldwide has literally fallen off a cliff because I think there is too much competition online. Simon Cowell (pictured) fears the UK is not finding enough breakthrough talent The last British pop act to find global success was Dua Lipa (pictured), who was signed by Warner Records in 2014 'People don't knock on your door saying, "I've got a new band". It doesn't happen. You've got to go out there yourself and do it. So that's what we are doing.' The last British pop act to find global success was Dua Lipa, who was signed by Warner Records in 2014. In contrast, in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s there was no shortage of world-beating musical acts such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Wham! and Take That. Music industry insiders say this was a contributing factor behind Glastonbury organisers' struggle to find big enough headliners for this year's festival. Ms Lipa, 28, is top of the bill at the Pyramid stage on Friday, with Coldplay being the Saturday headliners for the fifth time. The American artist SZA will headline on Sunday night. Coldplay (pictured) will be the Saturday headliners at Glastonbury for the fifth time An industry insider said: 'When you stop and think about it, there hasn't been anyone huge in the last decade who has gone on to have huge international success. 'It's something you really notice when you look at something like Glastonbury.' Cowell launched his new series, Simon Needs You, this month when he painted his own billboard to promote it. He has yet to reveal which TV broadcaster will screen it or which record label his band will sign to. The Tories raised fears last night that Labour's 'hidden' tax rises could spark a 1970s-style brain drain of the wealthy amid claims that top earners are already quitting the country. Sir Keir Starmer was challenged to admit he would unleash new levies on rich entrepreneurs and well-off investors that would drive them out of the UK. The claims came with some experts already saying that rich individuals are leaving the UK before a high-tax Labour government got in. Miles Dean, head of international tax at consultants Andersen, told the Financial Times: 'People are leaving because of Labour. Tax is clearly the key weapon they have and they're going to use it to level down.' But Labour said last night that plans to scrap the 'non-dom' (non-domiciled) tax-exemption status for wealthy individuals were first unveiled in the last Tory budget. Sir Keir Starmer (pictured, on a BBC Question Time special on Thursday) was challenged to admit he would unleash new levies on rich entrepreneurs and well-off investors that would drive them out of the UK Only yesterday, the Tories claimed to have uncovered a new 2 billion 'black hole' in the very first year of an incoming Starmer government partly because Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) has said Labour will not introduce VAT for private schools in their first year Non-doms are those living in Britain but with their home overseas for tax purposes who don't pay UK tax on money they make elsewhere. Sir Keir has also insisted that apart from closing specific tax loopholes, nothing in his manifesto requires additional tax rises. But Conservative critics say Labour's plans cannot be delivered without unleashing tax hikes yet to be declared to voters. Only yesterday, the Tories claimed to have uncovered a new 2 billion 'black hole' in the very first year of an incoming Starmer government partly because Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said Labour will not introduce VAT for private schools in their first year. Ex-business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'If Sir Keir gets in, he will repeat the mistakes of the 1970s Labour government and provoke a brain drain of wealthy people our economy needs.' And a Cabinet minister warned that a Starmer government would 'soak the rich'. Left-wing MPs will lay down amendments to the private schools legislation to make the tax hike 25 per cent instead of 20 per cent, the minister told The Mail on Sunday. Ex-business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured) said: 'If Sir Keir gets in, he will repeat the mistakes of the 1970s Labour government and provoke a brain drain of wealthy people our economy needs' Other tax hikes will be brought in through amendments. 'The 'soak the rich' element of Labour will be high in number,' the minister said. 'The unions will also pile pressure on them to amend Starmer's proposals. He will have to start facing down his own MPs.' Last night Labour said: 'Nothing in our plans requires any additional tax to be increased. 'Labour is committed to closing the loopholes in the Government's plan to end the non-dom status and to invest that money in our NHS because if you make Britain your home, you should pay your taxes here too.' The King is set to scrap plans to visit New Zealand and Fiji in October, amid concerns from doctors that he needs to 'pace himself'. Prior to his cancer diagnosis, King Charles had been expected to visit Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October. However, reports yesterday suggested that a visit to New Zealand is likely to be shelved on advice from the King's medical team. The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that courtiers are no longer hoping to extend the tour to neighbouring Fiji, which is also a member of the Commonwealth, for similar reasons. A source said: 'Officials first decided to drop Fiji and then New Zealand, because a trip like that is quite strenuous. The King is set to scrap plans to visit New Zealand and Fiji in October, amid concerns from doctors that he needs to 'pace himself' What A Day! On Ascot's final day yesterday, the only appearance perhaps more impressive than the King's was that of Happy Days star Henry Winkler, aka The Fonz, who presented the prize for the Jersey Stakes 'The tour will probably last around ten days, covering Australia and Samoa. 'Republicanism by stealth' portrait row Australians are accusing its government of 'republicanism by stealth' for failing to share a free portrait of King Charles. Pictures and paintings of the late Queen Elizabeth adorned government and civic buildings, private clubs and societies in Australia for decades. But the country is still without an official portrait of their head of state more than year after his Coronation. The Australian Monarchist League (AML) is helping out by distributing thousands of licensed copies of the portrait by Jonathan Yeo, depicting the King against a blood-red backdrop. Philip Benwell, chairman of AML, says: 'We strongly believe that the government's failure to make an official portrait available is republicanism by stealth to promote their anti-monarchist agenda.' Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously campaigned on a promise to put the future of the monarchy to a referendum. But the King's representative in Australia has said the government is merely waiting for Buckingham Palace to issue an official portrait. The Palace declined to comment. Advertisement 'Palace officials will not be drawn on the topic, except for insisting that any plans would be announced officially by Buckingham Palace. But courtiers do concede that planning for what they are calling 'the Autumn tour' continues subject to medical advice and any 'necessary modifications'. In March, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla would be visiting the country in October as part of a long-haul tour, depending on the King's health and cancer treatment. When the King returned to public duties in late April, sources hinted that he was 'hopeful' the visit to Australia would go ahead. On Friday, sources told The Mirror that the scaled-back plans to skip New Zealand would be 'a bitter disappointment on both sides', with the King, 75, keen to 'make up for lost time'. New Zealand's opposition MP Adrian Rurawhe told the MoS: 'I was in Samoa recently and the organisation for the visit is quite advanced. 'There is a lot of excitement in the country and a huge operation in preparation. Nothing has been announced so far over here, but if the royal visit is cancelled, New Zealanders will be typically reasonable about it.' Since his return to public duties, King Charles's busy summer schedule has raised some eyebrows in royal circles with some fearing that his zeal for work is causing tension with his doctors. The court circular suggests that the King has taken only three days off over the past two weeks, cramming in audiences, receptions and key events such as Royal Ascot where he missed only one day. On Ascot's final day yesterday, the only appearance perhaps more impressive than the King's was that of Happy Days star Henry Winkler, aka The Fonz, who presented the prize for the Jersey Stakes. Happy Henry: The actor seemed in good spirits at Royal Ascot on the final day of the event Palace sources say the King's diary is adapted on medical advice, but the full schedule echoes the words of friends who told the Sunday Times in May that Charles was a 'bloody caged lion'. Buckingham Palace declined to comment. For many of us, being late is considered the height of rudeness a sign of disrespect, even contempt, for those you keep waiting. But not so for Generation Z, who believe showing up ten minutes late is as good as being on time. Almost half 46 per cent of those aged 16 to 26 say being between five and ten minutes late is perfectly acceptable, just as good as being punctual. Tolerance for tardiness decreases with age, however. Around 39 per cent of millennials those aged 27 to 42 forgive friends or colleagues for being up to ten minutes behind schedule, dropping to 26 per cent for Generation X (43 to 58) and 20 per cent for Baby Boomers (59 and over). Almost half of Gen Z 46 per cent of those aged 16 to 26 say being between five and ten minutes late is perfectly acceptable, just as good as being punctual (stock image) Around 39 per cent of millennials those aged 27 to 42 forgive friends or colleagues for being up to ten minutes behind schedule, dropping to 26 per cent for Generation X (43 to 58) and 20 per cent for Baby Boomers (59 and over) Indeed seven out of ten Boomers said they have zero tolerance for any level of tardiness, with 69 per cent saying 'late is late'. Just 21 per cent of Gen Z agreed with that. It's the latest example of a generational divide on social norms. As The Mail on Sunday revealed earlier this year, an incredible 93 per cent of Gen Z job applicants said they had simply not turned up for an interview. And, being Gen Z, they have made their inability to be punctual into a syndrome, with many claiming 'time blindness' as a condition, linked to attention deficit disorder. In the latest study, online meeting company Meeting Canary asked 1,016 British adults about their attitudes to punctuality. Overall, just 38 per cent of all age groups agreed with the old adage that Match Of The Day's Alan Shearer lives by: 'To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. And to be late is unacceptable.' The Match Of The Day's Alan Shearer lives by the old adage: 'To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. And to be late is unacceptable' Across all ages, 33 per cent would accept someone being five to ten minutes late. And nine per cent find being between 11 and 15 minutes late acceptable. Meeting Canary founder Laura van Beers said: 'It appears that being ten minutes late is now the equivalent of being on time, especially for the younger generation who are clearly more forgiving about time-keeping. 'Their attitudes have brought a new interpretation to the meaning of punctuality and for them good time keeping is a flexible proposition within reason. 'Older people are much more likely to arrive five minutes early to make sure they are on time whereas younger people seem to aim to be not more than ten minutes late in order to be on time.' Top Labour 'enforcer' Sue Gray would try to keep control of hundreds of new MPs in a massive 'Starmer super-majority' by shutting every Commons bar, it was claimed last night. Sources said Sir Keir's formidable chief of staff wanted to close permanently all of Westminster's watering holes including the famous Strangers' Bar to stop novice MPs falling prey to the historic drinking culture. Ironically, Ms Gray who as a senior civil servant carried out the 'Partygate' investigations into alleged Covid rule-breaking while Boris Johnson was in No 10 is a former pub landlady. But one source said: 'Sue's approach to the dangers of alcohol and the Commons bars is simple. She says, 'I'd shut all of them.' ' The claim comes amid predictions that the Parliamentary Labour Party could soar from just over 200 MPs now to more than 450 after the election posing a huge 'discipline' problem for the party's whips. Top Labour 'enforcer' Sue Gray would try to keep control of hundreds of new MPs in a massive 'Starmer super-majority' by shutting every Commons bar, sources say Sources said Sir Keir's formidable chief of staff wanted to close permanently all of Westminster's watering holes including the famous Strangers' Bar to stop novice MPs falling prey to the historic drinking culture Shutting the bars would also strike a chord with the damning verdict of a standards watchdog report last year that said drinking in Parliament's bars often led to incidents involving 'intimidating behaviour'. However, last night, Labour's Jess Phillips who is standing again in the Birmingham Yardley constituency where she was first voted in as MP in 2015 said that although there was a 'problematic' drinking culture at Westminster, she did not think 'banning was the answer' or that it would reduce the 'sex pest' problem. And she added that Ms Gray would have 'more chance of sprouting wings' than getting a complete bar ban introduced. Other politicians also privately pointed out that although the bars could cause problems, closing them and forcing MPs to drink off the parliamentary estate would actually make the Labour whips' jobs harder, not easier. One said: 'At least with the Strangers' Bar, it's a stone's throw from the Chamber. It's much easier to keep tabs on people misbehaving there than if the troublemakers have adjourned to a distant pub.' Of the number of bars and restaurants at the Palace of Westminster, the Strangers' Bar, which adjoins the Commons Terrace, is the most notorious. In 2012, police were called there after Labour MP Eric Joyce headbutted a Tory MP and assaulted several other politicians. Mr Joyce, who had earlier complained loudly that the venue was 'full of f*****g Tories', quit the Labour Party after being fined 3,000 for assault and given a three-month pub banning order. Last year, Labour MP Neil Coyle was suspended from the Commons for making racist comments in Strangers towards a journalist and engaging in 'foul-mouthed and drunken abuse' of a Labour aide. No plans: Labour has denied Sir Keir Starmer's 'enforcer' wanted to shut all the Commons bars In 2010, Tory MP Mark Reckless admitted having so much to drink on the Commons Terrace that he missed a vote on the Budget. In October, the annual report of the Commons' Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) said that alcohol was a 'frequent factor' in its investigations. The ICGS was set up in 2018 in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against MPs. Labour insiders pointed out that while Ms Gray was set to take up a key role at No 10 if Sir Keir Starmer wins the election next month, she would have no jurisdiction over running the Commons. Last night, Labour denied Ms Gray had said she wanted to shut all the Commons bars. A spokesman added that organising Parliament's refreshment facilities 'isn't a power the Government has anyway'. 'It is like Rorkes Drift out here, says one Tory candidate in what should be a safe seat in the Home Counties. The candidate is defending a majority of close to 25,000 votes: in any other election, even 1997, it would be a banker seat for Tory HQ. But the mood in the shires is ugly and fearful, with campaigning focused on the protection of heartland constituencies in which the rebuild of the party can start on July 5. The mission station of Rorkes Drift was successfully defended in 1879 by 150 British troops against the attacks of some 4,000 warriors in the Anglo-Zulu War, leading to the award of 11 Victoria Crosses for bravery. In the 2024 equivalent, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is nowhere to be seen in most constituencies at the request of his candidates. Several have turned down the offer for him to campaign in their seats, with one telling The Mail on Sunday: He is better off out of it, I dont want to be tainted by him. Another said: It would go down better if you had Boris here. And if not Boris, then Priti [Patel] or Penny [Mordaunt]. People in my patch have forgiven Boris for his indiscretions. The beleaguered Tory soldiers are running uber-local campaigns, distancing themselves from team Rishi and the past 14 years of government. Michael Caine in Zulu, the 1963 film about the Battle of Rorke's Drift For one this means: Putting pictures of my family all over my literature. I havent wanted to use them before, but its much better than having the PM. For others, it means disowning the scandals that have mired the campaign. Former Olympic rower James Cracknell, who is standing as the Tory candidate in Colchester, yesterday uploaded a video on social media describing the Conservative Party as shower of s*** and said he isnt afraid to drive the Conservative Party back to where it should be. To make matters worse, the money is running out donors have pulled their funding, while many members have ripped up their cards. People like backing winners, one insider said. They dont want to part with their money until they can use it to exert influence over the next leader. One Conservative Association officer said their membership has fallen by a fifth in two months. In Basildon where party Chairman Richard Holden was parachuted in as a candidate a source said even more have quit the party. Its an absolute debacle, they added. We are losing our membership. They feel they dont have a say. Rishi Sunak during the BBC Question Time election special filmed in York last week The Prime Minister speaks to journalists on the Tory battle bus in North Wales Tory candidates who are going rogue and defying No 10 on swinging further to the Right in their promises to voters say it has helped raise money individually. But a lurch in that direction presents its own problems. The Mail on Sunday spoke to a One Nation Tory who said that if Sunak is replaced by someone too extreme, they will quit the party and sit as an Independent. Curiously, the candidate also said they would be happy with Priti Patel in the top job a sign the former Home Secretary has succeeded in broadening her support. Priti brings together a broad church and appeals to the edges of the One Nation group, the insider added. Im One Nation, Im Conservative. I was worried Priti was too extreme, but she has got the right balance. Others have been irritated by the manoeuvring for the post-election leadership: The enemy is in front of us and theres a general election on. The fight of our lives is with Labour given all the taxes theyre going to impose, said one ex-cabinet minister. Colleagues should be spending time fighting our political opponents, not jostling for the crown. MPs and members arent stupid. When youre being urged to stand, we know its just a couple of your mates who dont have a vote. Lets all focus on saving the country from a Labour supermajority and taxes that will make our eyes water. In the North-West, there are dire predictions that after July 4, not one seat will still be true blue. Across what was the historic county of Lancashire, bricks are already falling out of the red rose part of Boris Johnsons famous Red Wall. Just a few weeks ago, Mark Logan whose shock victory in Bolton North East by just 378 votes in 2019 was one of the highlights of Tory northern gains dramatically quit the party and promptly endorsed Labour. In the Ribble Valley, former Commons Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans appears to be hanging on by his fingernails in a seat he has represented since 1992. Seat after seat, Reform UK looks set to eat into the traditional Tory vote even potentially pushing the Tory candidate into third place in some cases. There are no great signs of enthusiasm for Sir Keir Starmer just disillusionment with the PMs Conservatives. One former North-West MP last night said: Its like Scotland, where Labour held the same seats for decades but took them for granted. And then one day, they lost them. A sprawling Native American city stretching six square-miles and home to roughly 20,000 people disappeared from the Mississippi river valley over 600 years ago. And while the 'Cahokia' tribe mysteriously vanished, archaeologists have uncovered artifacts from the society that could provide clues about the group their culture, language, and even their downfall are all still lost to history. The team of university researchers recently discovered pottery, tools, like 'micro-drills,' and wall trenches at the Illinois site, dating back approximately 900 years. Wood particles were also analyzed at the site as experts hypothesize the Cahokia cut down forests for their construction projects, which degraded the soil and may have caused flooding: an event that could have led to the tribe abandoning the city. A team of university researchers recently discovered pottery (pictured), tools, like 'micro-drills,' and wall trenches at the Illinois site, which dates back approximately 900 years At their apex, this indigenous civilization had constructed an estimated 120 earthen mounds: the largest city north of Mexico prior to the arrival of European settlers (artist impression) The excavation is being conducted by students from Saint Louis University (SLU) and neighboring colleges, who are working toward a career in archaeology. Students dug out rectangular holes at the site, carefully shaving out dirt to uncover new discoveries while protecting this UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Mary Vermilion, an associate professor and archaeology at SLU, told 5OnYourSide: 'The structures that we're finding here and the pottery that we're finding here seem to date to the Sterling Phase of the Mississippian Period which is approximately 1100 AD to 1200 AD which is a critical point in the development of the chiefdom because it's like the apex.' The finds join hundreds of other sophisticated tools uncovered at the site, including shells and beads precision-drilled for various purposes, including as 'conduits for human souls on their way to the afterlife,' according to scholar Dr Laura Kozuch. Distinct from the Maya or Aztec people to the south, the Cahokia emerged in the Mississippi Valley over a thousand years ago, around 700 AD in what is now the state of Illinois, across the river from the present day city of St. Louis, Missouri. Above, an artist's conception of the Cahokia Mounds Site. The illustration shows the large Monks Mound at the center of the site with the Grand Plaza to the south. The site includes land across the Mississippi River from present day St. Louis, Missouri in south-western Illinois While the 'Cahokia' tribe mysteriously vanished, archaeologists have uncovered artifacts from the society that could provide clues about the group - their culture, language, and even their downfall are still lost to history. Pictured is a tool found at the site The hundreds of microdrills and six cores in this picture were all surface collected many years ago by Gregory Perino on the Kunnemann tract on the Cahokia Mounds site in southern Illinois. The drilled shells and beads were all found on and near this same Mississippian site At their apex, this indigenous civilization had constructed an estimated 120 earthen mounds: the largest city north of Mexico prior to the arrival of European settlers. Many of the mounds might be better described as great pyramids, cornered square at the bottom and smoothed level at their highest points. Anthropologists believe these mounds including the lost city's largest, the 100-foot Monk Mound served as high ground to elevate, honor and protect homes of the Cahokia's civic leaders. But by 1350 the society that build these impressive structures had vanished without explanation, just about a century before Columbus sailed into the Americas. In addition to searching for artifacts, the SLU researchers teamed up with the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to map key Cahokia sites via a 'Light Detection and Ranging' (LiDAR) aerial drone just like tech used in the spy agency's official work. 'The best part was applying our tradecraft in a way that is not the norm for us,' as agency surveyor Stacy 'Craig' Ackermann put it, 'in this case it was archaeology.' At their apex, the Cahokia had constructed an estimated 120 earthen mounds: the largest city north of Mexico prior to the arrival of Europeans. Many of the mounds might be better described as great pyramids, cornered square at the bottom and smoothed level at the top Distinct from the Maya or Aztec people to the south, the Cahokia emerged in the Mississippi Valley over a thousand years ago, around 700 AD - in what is now the state of Illinois, across the river from present day St. Louis, Missouri (mapped above) The Cahokia Mounds aerial survey conducted flybys over more than 490 acres of the site, the largest single area that NGA has ever surveyed via drone with LiDAR technology. This data was also used to build a photogrammetric 3D foundational mesh model of Monks Mound (above) Above, and aerial photograph of ancient Cahokia's major city landmark, Monks Mound NGA and SLU also surveyed the wilderness outside the lost city's known mounds, to determine whether more mounds or other viable archaeological sites might be hidden within the dense forests and marshlands surrounding Cahokia. 'You can't really even walk through some of that part,' as the intelligence agency's drone program manager, Philip 'Casey' Shanks, noted. 'That's why the UAS is the right tool for the job,' according to Shanks, who works our of the agency's Office of Geomatics. The collaborative Cahokia Mounds aerial survey conducted flybys over more than 490 acres of the site, the largest single area that this air-based US spy agency has ever surveyed via drone with LiDAR technology. LiDAR is a remote sensing tech that can measure the distances and contours of surfaces by beaming a laser at its target and analyzing the light reflected back. The data collected was then used to build a photogrammetric 3D foundational mesh model of the ancient city's most impressive landmark, the Monks Mound. 'There are a lot of questions about Cahokia's past that can be answered by remote sensing and LiDAR data,' said Justin Vilbig, a geospatial data scientist at the Taylor Geospatial Institute and the doctoral student at SLU leading the project. 'This gives the full landscape where features were in context with each other and what were the priorities of the Cahokians,' Vilbig said. Above, a replica of a Cahokia style home Above an NGA drone equipped with a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanner perched for takeoff on a tarp within the Cahokia Mounds Historic Site in Illinois A total of 11 students studying anthropology, archeology, geological surveying and other related disciplines are participating in Vermilion's Cahokia collaboration. Each is bringing their own unique scholarly focus to the endeavor for the potential future drafting of a senior thesis. 'I'm looking at wood usage,' University of Vermont student Hal Nalamliang told local news. Nalamliang spent a month visiting SLU to work on the dig. 'There's sort of a commonly accepted hypothesis that the people of Cahokia used a lot of wood from their area,' as he explained his wood research, 'and that caused degradation to the soil, which caused flooding.' Gus Krussel, an undergraduate junior at LSU, said the experience of excavating the Cahokia site has already led him to want to become a professional archaeologist. 'You can learn a lot about past cultures doing this,' Krussel said, 'that's what got me hooked.' He added: 'It'll keep me in good shape, keep me active. I wouldn't want a desk job.' A destructive and epically proportioned dust storm, over 200-miles-long, barreled through New Mexico on Wednesday, kicking up clouds of debris visible from space. The extreme storm, which also extended into the north of Mexico, put 18 motorists in the hospital after its rolling opaque clouds caused multiple crashes on Interstate 25. The storm's massive wave of dust was captured in vivid color via a satellite operated jointly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Colorado State's Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA). 'Less than a 1/4-mile visibility southeast of Deming,' the National Weather Service's El Paso office warned residents near the state's southern border as the storm raged on. Gusts of high-speed wind up to 94 miles per hour tore through southern parts of the state as the Albuquerque area was left with piles of icy hail from the storm which also caused mudslides and flooding near New Mexico's Sierra Blanca mountains. A massive and destructive dust storm - over 200-miles-long - barreled through New Mexico on Wednesday, kicking up clouds of debris that were visible from space - via satellite imaging managed by Colorado State's Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (above) Gusts of high-speed wind up to 94 miles per hour tore through parts of southern New Mexico as the Albuquerque area was left with piles of icy hail from the storm - which also caused mudslides and flooding near the state's Sierra Blanca mountains This type of dust storm which is caused by an air pressure shift in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm is technically known to meteorologists as a 'haboob,' from the Arabic word for 'blasting.' In the run-up to a developing thunderstorm, wind flows from all directions toward the cloud formation, but the damn breaks as the storm's heavy rains begin to flow. Soon an intense 'downburst,' a cold dense outflow of air, pushes up loose soil, sand, dust and debris as it rushes out of the thunderstorm in progress. The resulting 'haboob' dust storm is capable of blasting these particles as high as 5,000 feet into the air. And the ensuing wall of small particles can not only obstruct vision, but can also lead to health issues, as the particles hold a mixture of fungi, pollutants, chemicals and more. Haboobs can occur anywhere in the United States, but tend to happen most often in the southwest. They are also common to the Middle East and, in recent years, Australia thanks to increasingly dry conditions on the continent induced by global climate change. But New Mexico's haboob on Wednesday surprised scientists with its size and strength, according to the Washington Post, and civilians were left equally in awe. One airline passenger photographed the advancing wall of dust from 30,000 feet above the state, posting to social media site X, 'Crazy to see a haboob from this POV' One airline passenger photographed the advancing wall of dust from 30,000 feet above the state, posting to social media, 'Crazy to see a haboob from this POV.' UCLA climate scientist Dr Daniel Swain attributed the storm's ferocity to the climate change-intensified hurricane and tropical storm season, which began this month. 'Remnant moisture and 'spin' (vorticity) from former Tropical Storm Alberto has brought a litany of unusual weather (early-season rain, severe thunderstorms, flash floods, and a major dust storm/haboob) to TX, NM, AZ, and northern MX over the past 3 days,' Dr Swain explained Friday. Dr Jonathan Overpeck, an expert on climate change who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his role in helping to lead the United Nations' IPCC analysis of global warming, agreed but added a dire prediction. 'As climate change dries out the US Southwest,' Dr Overpeck wrote, 'huge dust storms will become more common.' Picking a Greek island getaway is a daunting task - after all, there are dozens and dozens of options from the country's 227-strong list of inhabited islands. Luckily for you, a German couple is working their way through them - and they've shared their favourite spots with us. Marina (30) and Alexander (31) Kaulartz have so far visited 15 islands - and post videos and pictures of them on Instagram at @kykladengriechenland. Here they reveal their favourite four. There's the one with a stunning lunar landscape, the one with 'the most beautiful sunset we've seen in the Cyclades', the one that's an 'all-rounder', and a secret entry with a population of just 810 that's home to 'the most beautiful beach in the Aegean'. They also reveal the island to avoid. Read on to have your wanderlust for Greece ignited... Naxos Marina, 30, and Alexander, 31, (above) from Germany, have so far visited 15 islands in Greece - and shared their favourite ones The couple describe Naxos as an 'all-rounder', picking out its temple gate (left) as its most famous sight. The island (right) also has 'beautiful villages' and beaches that are 'a major bonus' Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and Alexander's number one choice. They told MailOnline Travel: 'Naxos is the all-rounder among the islands: long sandy beaches, tavernas right on the beach, cute little villages and good food. Naxos is also a great starting point for visiting the 'Small Cyclades', such as the island of Koufonisia. 'Probably the most famous sight on Naxos island is the Portara (temple gate), Naxos city's landmark. It is located directly at the harbour, in the Chora (main town), and is particularly popular at sunset. 'We think its also worth taking a look after sunset, as the Portara itself and the town behind it are then beautifully lit up.' The couple also suggests exploring some of the island's 'beautiful villages'. They explain: 'Our favourite is the mountain village of Chalkio. The small village is not only idyllic but also hides many good tavernas. For example, you should go to Caffe Grecco if you want to try the typical, really tasty orange pie. Marina and Alexander pick out Alyko beach (above) as a top strip of sand on Naxos 'If you are looking for a special beach [on Naxos], a day trip to Panormos Beach (also known as Palm Beach - left) is well worthwhile,' the couple say. Pictured right - Plaka beach 'From there, you can continue on to the Kitron Distillery. Kitron is a Greek liqueur that is produced on Naxos. At the distillery, you can sample the various liqueurs and, if you wish, take a short free tour of the production process.' They add that the beaches are a major bonus on Naxos. Marina and Alexander say: 'When we talk about Naxos, the beaches should of course not be forgotten, as the island has a number of beautiful beaches such as Plaka and Alyko. 'If you are looking for a special beach, a day trip to Panormos Beach (also known as Palm Beach) is well worthwhile. 'To round off the day perfectly, a dinner on the beach is definitely a must on Naxos. And we dont just mean a meal with a sea view, because there are tavernas in Naxos where you can actually sit in the sand right by the sea.' Milos 'The island of Milos is famous for Sarakiniko beach (pictured), which is reminiscent of a lunar landscape,' the couple say The German duo says: 'Plaka Castle (pictured left) is located high above the village, from where you have a magnificent view over the island and the Aegean Sea.' The couple are also particularly fond of the colourful boathouses in the small village of Klima (right) Milos, a volcanic island in the Aegean just north of Crete, is Marina's top Greek-island choice - and it's where the duo got engaged. The couple say: 'On Milos, you feel like youre in another world. 'The island is simply an absolute eye-catcher and a paradise for explorers. 'The island of Milos is famous for Sarakiniko beach, which is reminiscent of a lunar landscape. 'We particularly like to come here with a coffee to go in the morning and enjoy the quiet hours. For the more adventurous travellers, you can also go cliff jumping. The couple says: 'On Milos, (pictured) you feel like youre in another world. The island is simply an absolute eye-catcher and a paradise for explorers' 'Another thing we absolutely love about Milos: the colourful boathouses. There are particularly beautiful ones in the small village of Klima. 'If you want to have the place to yourself, its best to come to Klima at midday or early afternoon. 'We are always drawn to Plaka at sunset. Plaka Castle is located high above the village, from where you have a magnificent view over the island and the Aegean Sea. Plaka Castle is our top sunset spot on the island of Milos.' Kimolos Prasa Beach (above) on the island of Kimolos is 'the most beautiful beach on the Aegean' The two images above are drone shots taken by the couple of Prasa Beach. They add: 'We have never seen such crystal-clear sea in combination with a fine, white sandy beach anywhere else in the world' The couple continue: 'And last but not least, a little insider tip from us: from Milos, you can take a day trip to the small island of Kimolos [population 810], which is home to the most beautiful beach on the Aegean - Prasa Beach. 'We have never seen such crystal-clear sea in combination with a fine, white sandy beach anywhere else in the world.' Folegandros Folegandros and 'the islands breathtaking landmark, Panagia Church, with its zig-zag path leading out of the town' (pictured) 'If you like travelling by boat, you should take a boat trip to Livadaki Bay (pictured),' says the couple The travellers note: 'Folegandros impressed us at first sight with its colourful and cosy Chora [main town]. 'The islands breathtaking landmark, Panagia Church, with its zig-zag path leading out of the town, is right next to the chora. 'The sunset from the church is one of the most beautiful we have seen in the Cyclades. Our tip: a walk in the morning is also worthwhile, as it is much emptier. 'Folegandros offers a wonderful combination of short hikes for explorers and the pure enjoyment of sunbathing and swimming. We particularly love the hike to Katergo Beach. 'Folegandros offers a wonderful combination of short hikes for explorers and the pure enjoyment of sunbathing and swimming.' Above - Agali Beach Marina at Katergo Beach, Folegandros (left). 'In addition to its beauty, Folegandros is also a culinary delight,' say the couple. Pictured right, Marina in Folegandros 'Even the first view of the bay from the top is magnificent and on arrival, you have truly earned a dip in the crystal-clear sea. 'If you also like travelling by boat, you should take a boat trip to Livadaki Bay. 'In addition to its beauty, Folegandros is also a culinary delight. Matsata is a typical island pasta dish, which you can enjoy at the Sinadisi Taverna in Anomeria.' One to avoid The travellers say: 'Unfortunately, we personally dont like Mykonos [above] because it is very crowded and expensive and for us the former charm of the islands has been lost' Sadly, for those who are considering Mykonos for their next holiday - Marina and Alexander say to avoid it. The travellers say: 'Unfortunately, we personally dont like Mykonos because it is very crowded and expensive and for us the former charm of the islands has been lost.' They do not have the same opinion of Santorini though - as one town surprised them. They recall: 'Many people only think of Oia and probably crowds when they think of Santorini. 'We were very pleasantly surprised by the small town of Pyrgos. Beautiful, relaxed and not so well known for a long time. The place is a highlight, especially at Easter.' TOP TRAVEL TIPS Marina and Alexander offered the following advice for tourists travelling the Greek Islands. 'Dont let yourselves get stressed as everything is very relaxed here'. Order Greek salad with the local cheese not Feta. Remember 'winds are simply part of the Cyclades and rarely last all day'. If you're taking a boat, be at the port 'one day before departure' in case 'a ferry does not run as planned'. Advertisement Alexander and Marina, who are currently in Iraklia, travel to the Greek Islands every June and September and hope one day to live and work in Naxos. They plan to visit every island in the Cyclades as well as a number of other Greek havens after seeing so many beautiful spots throughout the Aegean. The couple explain: 'We are relaxed from the second we arrive and we just love the lifestyle on the Greek islands. 'We were immediately captivated by the friendliness of the islanders, the Greek serenity and, of course, the sheer beauty of the islands. 'There are so many islands to discover that we certainly never get bored exploring them!' You can follow Alexander and Marina, who post about their Greek island holidays on social media, on Instagram under the username @kykladengriechenland (that's German for Cyclades Greek Islands). The new series of Doctor Who will finally reach its conclusion on Saturday, with fans eagerly hoping that this year's biggest mystery will finally be solved. For weeks fans have speculated about the identity of The Doctor's companion Ruby Sunday's birth mother, and its hoped that the series' eighth and final episode will provide answers. Saturday's penultimate episode left fans aghast as it was revealed that the repeated appearances of Susan Triad (played by Susan Twist), were a terrifying plan by the God of Death Sutekh, who famously appeared during the show's classic era. The shocking twist left The Doctor and Ruby in the fight of their lives, as they battle to save Earth from being turned to dust. Ncuti Gatwa's first full series as The Doctor - and Russell T Davies' first since returning has showrunner - has already earned praise from die-hard fans. It's also been packed with memorable moments, including The Doctor's viral same-sex smooch with dishy bounty hunter Rogue (played by Jonathan Groff), and a 1960s-inspired musical number. So, as the final episode of Doctor Who's new series hits screens, MailOnline takes a look-back at the most dramatic moments so far... The new series of Doctor Who will finally reach its conclusion on Saturday, after the penultimate episode's explosive cliffhanger left Earth in mortal peril Space Babies - The Doctor and Ruby Sunday's first adventure takes a child-like turn After entering the TARDIS for the first time, Ruby and The Doctor travelled to an unlikely baby farm, where the babies were haunted by a nasty creature called The Bogeyman The episode worked to set the stage for new fans tuning into the show for the first time, after being given a big-budget makeover thanks to a new deal with Disney+ After entering the TARDIS for the first time, Ruby (Millie Gibson) and The Doctor travelled to a spaceship thousands of years into the future, and were shocked to discover a baby farm, run by the babies themselves. The episode worked to set the stage for new fans tuning into the show for the first time, after being given a big-budget makeover thanks to a new deal with Disney+. While The Doctor and Ruby encountered these bizarre talking infants, it was also revealed that they were being haunted by a nasty creature called The Bogeyman. However, it was soon revealed that the creature was actually a creation of the babies themselves, and the Time Lord vowed to save the doomed creature. Elsewhere in the episode, The Doctor - and viewers - were given their first warning of the dangers around searching for the truth about Ruby's past, after snow followed the pair at every turn. It was a hint that helped set the stage for this weekend's finale, and also cemented Ruby's relationship with The Doctor as he convinced her to join him for more intergalactic travels. The Devil's Chord - A surprise musical number leaves fans floored As part of the two-episode series premiere, Doctor Who's second episode saw the TARDIS duo travel back to 1963, with snazzy outfits to match As part of the two-episode series premiere, Doctor Who's second episode saw the TARDIS duo travel back to 1963, with snazzy outfits to match. Landing the TARDIS on the iconic Abbey Road, the pair hoped to witness The Beatles recording their first album, but instead found a world where music was a thing of the past, thanks to the work of terrifying villain Maestro (played by Drag Race star Jinx Monsoon). Warned that the world would reach a premature end if Maestro wasn't stopped, the due needed a touch of musical prowess to stop them, and a bit of help from the famous four themselves. Having thwarted Maestro's plans, the episode ended on a jaw-dropping note, with a musical number aptly warning that there is always a twist at the end. Boom - Steven Moffat's return leads to a companion's early debut Steven Moffat's return to the Whoniverse with Boom saw The Doctor trapped on a landmine on a war-stricken planet Viewers were given a surprise glimpse at one of the show's future companions, with Varada Sethu appearing a year ahead of her planned debut in 2025 Weeks before Doctor Who's new series hit screens, it was revealed that former showrunner Steven Moffat would be returning to pen a new episode. He had previously fronted the series from 2010 until 2017, and was the mind behind some of the show's most iconic episodes. Hinting that his latest episode would put tension at the forefront, the episode saw The Doctor frozen with fear after stepping on a landmine in the middle of an intergalactic war. While he and Ruby came up with a plan to dismantle the weapon, viewers were given a surprise glimpse at one of the show's future companions, with Varada Sethu making her first appearance as Anglican soldier Mundy Flynn. It had already been reported that the Star Wars actress would be joining the show as The Doctor's new companion in 2025, so this early debut came as a surprise to many fans. Russell has been tight-lipped about the reason behind this one-episode cameo, but did confirm Varada would be boarding the TARDIS full-time as a different character, alongside Millie and Ncuti next year. 73 Yards - Ruby Sunday's curse leads to a huge twist ending In an episode that was compared by many fans to Russell's series four instalment, Turn Left, Millie Gibson was placed front and centre as The Doctor barely made an appearance After accidentally stepping on a fairy circle in Wales, Riby finds herself followed by a mysterious woman, who ostracises her from her loved ones In an episode that was compared by many fans to Russell's series four instalment, Turn Left, Millie Gibson was placed front and centre as The Doctor barely made an appearance. After accidentally stepping on a fairy circle in Wales, Ruby found that The Doctor had mysteriously vanished, and soon noticed that she was being followed by a strange woman, who always kept a fixed 73 yards distance from her. To make matters worse, Ruby learned that anyone who spoke to the woman would run away from her in horror, leading to her being alienated from her loves ones and even UNIT after seeking their help. Drawing comparisons to Russell's acclaimed BBC drama Years and Years, Ruby decided to use her newfound life to stop a rising politican, who The Doctor had previously warned would come close to plunging the UK into a nuclear war. The episode then concluded with a jaw-dropping reveal in its final moments, that the woman in question was Ruby herself, sent to her as a warning to stop The Doctor from stepping on the fairy circle, and thuse setting the episode's events in motion. Actress Millie earned praise from fans for leading the episode, with many also noting that it left several questions unanswered, sparking more theories as the countdown to the finale began... Dot and Bubble - The Doctor's rage is revealed in shocking final act Taking the show in a Black Mirror-inspired direction, Dot and Bubble saw The Doctor and Ruby attempt to save the bratty Lindy Pepper-Bean from mysterious slug creatures However the episode's final moments take a dark turn, with The Doctor's help is refused by the Finetime citizens he'd saved, as they he 'wasn't one of them' It was the first time that this Doctor encountered such stark racism, and Ncuti's performance in emulating the Time Lord's rage earned praise from viewers Taking the show in a Black Mirror-inspired direction, Dot and Bubble saw The Doctor and Ruby attempt to save the bratty Lindy Pepper-Bean from mysterious slug creatures that had invaded the idyllic town of Finetime. Set in the distant future, residents of Finetime are bound by a literal social media bubble, unable to take a single step forward without guidance from the virtual presence that surrounds them. While the episode opens with the warning that these human-eating slugs are the real threat, it soons reveals that the humans that The Doctor and Ruby attempt to save are far more sinister. The Doctor and Ruby guide Lindy to safety - unaware that she happily allows her idol Ricky September to be killed by the now-evil AI that the social media system came from, in a bid to save her own skin. The Time Lord is then floored when she and other residents of Finetime refuse his help, insisting he 'wasn't one of them.' It was the first time that this Doctor - played by a black actor for the first time in the show's history - encountered such stark racism, and Ncuti's performance in emulating the Time Lord's rage earned praise from viewers. Rather than conclude the episode on a happy note, it ended with The Doctor angrily returning to the TARDIS, having accepted that Lindy and other residents on Finetime would rather die than accept his help. Rogue - The Doctor shares his first same-sex kiss Anticipation for the sixth episode of Who's new series was high after Jonathan Groff joined the cast as the mysterious bounty hunter Rogue Sparks soon fly beween Rogue and The Doctor, and the pair share a historic kiss, with fans hoping that the episodes' final moments hint the handsome hero may return in the future Even before Who's Bridgerton-inspired romp hit screens, anticipation was high as it had been previously announced that Broadway star Jonathan Groff would be joining the cast. The episode sees The Doctor and Ruby travel back to 1813 to attend a Regency Ball, and the Time Lord's head is quickly turned by an intergalactic bounty hunter named Rogue, who is hunting the alien race The Chuldur. Sparks soon fly between the pair, and after confirming to Rogue that he was not the alien assassin that he was looking for, the Time Lord bonds with the space anti-hero over their shared losses. It leads to a charged moment in the TARDIS, where The Doctor invites Rogue to travel with him, before they join forces to stop the bird-like Chulder. The episode was packed with odes to the racy Netflix drama, including a dramatic dance scene where Rogue proposes to The Doctor to catch the Chulder's attention, after discovering their penchant for cosplaying. But The Doctor's new romance is short-lived, as he is forced to choose between sending the Chulder to a barren dimension, and saving Ruby after she becomes trapped in the transport gate. Admitting he can't let his friend go, The Doctor and Rogue share a passionate kiss, the first time the Time Lord has shared a same-sex smooch in the show's history. Rogue then sacrifices himself to save Ruby, with his final words to The Doctor being 'find me,' and fans have already called for Rogue's return in the future. The final scenes certainly hinted at the possibility that The Doctor and Rogue could reunite in a later series, as the episode concluded with the Time Lord wearing the ring that Rogue proposed with, hopefully cementing a reunion in a series to come. The Legend Of Ruby Sunday - The One Who Waits is FINALLY revealed In Doctor Who's penultimate episode, fans were floored when it was revealed that the God Of Death Sutekh had returned In a shocking cliffhanger, it was revealed that the mysterious woman who stalked The Doctor's travels was little more than a pawn in the God's game The episode also finally began to offer answers about the identity of Ruby's birth mother, with the hope that this mystery will finally be solved in this weekend's finale In the series' penultimate episode, Doctor Who fans hoped that they would finally discover the truth about the mysterious woman who had appeared in multiple incarnations throughout the TARDIS' adventures. Played by actress Susan Twist, the woman appeared as a variety of characters, from a 60s tea maid and an AI-generated ambulance, to finally, the modern tech mogul Susan Triad. In the episode, The Doctor and Ruby sought help from UNIT to find out the truth about the woman, and answers about the companion's birth mother, who abandoned her daughter at a snow-covered church on Christmas Eve. The return of UNIT also saw Bonnie Langford reprise her role as companion Mel, along with Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. The opening scenes were quick to address the theory that Susan could be the Doctor's long-absent granddaughter, hinting that it could be a giant red herring. The Doctor tried to identify Ruby's mother by reconstructing CCTV footage using a time window, but they were unsuccessful. A dark red cloud then appeared to engulf the TARDIS itself, before breaking into the real world, revealing that Susan Triad was just a pawn in the plans of a far more terrifying villain. In some of the show's scariest scenes yet, it was revealed that the long-imprisoned God Of Death Sutekh had been waiting in the TARDIS, and finally unveiled himself and his plot to turn the universe to dust. It remains to be seen whether The Doctor can bring an end to this threat, and finally reveal the truth about her birth mother. Doctor Who's series finale will be released at midnight on Saturday on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and will air at 6:40pm on BBC One that evening. The series is available to stream internationally on Disney+. Kevin Bacon has shockingly revealed that he has not attended The Oscars since his role in Footloose over 40 years ago. The 65-year-old actor who recently shared throwback photos from the set of Hollow Man made the wild admission during an interview with ET on Thursday. He explained: 'It was crazy. I was thinking about it I have never been to the Oscars since 1984.' Kevin recalled that was 'It Boy of the Year' following his performance as Ren McCormack that same year. 'Footloose was sort of the thing that entered me into the world of Hollywood, if you will. You know? So it was a big year for me,' he said. Kevin Bacon has shockingly revealed that he has not attended The Oscars since his role in Footloose over 40 years ago; he is seen in April 1984 The 65-year-old actor told ET on Thursday, 'It was crazy. I was thinking about it I have never been to the Oscars since 1984' In April, the actor returned to the filming location of Footloose in Utah and said, 'Its been a long time 40 years that just blows my mind, you know. Things look a little different around here. Id say the thing that looks the most different is me.' The National Lampoon's Animal House actor met his wife Kyra Sedgwick on the set of 1988's Lemon Sky. The film was based on the 1968 play by the same name. After a nine month engagement, the couple tied the knot on September 4, 1988. The successful Hollywood pair share daughter Sosie, 31, and son Travis, 34. Their daughter now finds work, following in her parents footsteps, as an actress. She appeared in Narcos: Mexico. Kyra and Kevin later appeared together in 2004's Cavedweller and the 2004 drama The Woodsman. Since then, Kevin directed Kyra in 2005's Loverboy, and she directed her husband in 2022's Space Oddity. The couple is set to work together on screen again as they star alongside each other in Connescence. 'We are so excited to work together on screen again for the first time in 20 years in such a funny, moving and original script,' they said in a statement. 'Footloose was sort of the thing that entered me into the world of Hollywood, if you will. You know? So it was a big year for me,' he said In April, the actor said, 'Its been a long time 40 years that just blows my mind, you know. Things look a little different around here. Id say the thing that looks the most different is me' T he National Lampoon's Animal House actor met his wife Kyra Sedgwick on the set of 1988's Lemon Sky The successful Hollywood pair share daughter Sosie, 31, and son Travis, 34 The couple is set to work together on screen again as they star alongside each other in Connescence Although there is no official release date, production for the film began in February. The couple told PEOPLE that one of the most important things in their marriage is their ability to make each other laugh. 'A sense of humor is crucial,' Sedgwick admitted, 'He is very freaking funny.' When asked about being on set around her husband, she said: 'I remember waking up and going, "I feel like home," I realized, "Oh, that was him."' Willie Nelson is sitting out of the opening dates of his Outlaw Music Festival Tour after his team announced he's 'not feeling well' in an Instagram post on Friday. 'We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctor's orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days, the Grammy Award winner's, 91, team wrote in the statement. 'He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week. In the meantime, Lukas Nelson and the Family Band, along with a few guests, will perform a special set to include Willie's classics and other songs.' Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse are still expected to perform at the festival as scheduled. The Outlaw Music Fest Tour kicks off Friday in Alpharetta, Georgia, before wrapping up September 20 in Gilford, New Hampshire. Willie Nelson is sitting out of the opening dates of his Outlaw Music Festival Tour after his team announced he's 'not feeling well' in an Instagram post on Friday; seen in 2019 Nelson previously had to cancel his 2019 tour with Krauss, 52, as he announced 'a breathing problem' he had to have treated. The cannabis connoisseur revealed later that year that he gave up smoking weed following the health scare. 'I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days and I have to be careful,' he told San Antonio TV station KSAT. 'I started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever. And that almost killed me, added Nelson. 'I don't smoke anymore take better care of myself.' Although he's given up smoking, a rep later clarified Nelson 'has not quit cannabis' as he still partakes in edibles, vapes and other THC products. Nelson has previously had to cancel other shows due to illness in recent years. The Bluegrass artist rang in his milestone 90th birthday last April with a show at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring the likes of Snoop Dogg and Sheryl Crow. In 2020, Nelson shared his secrets to living a long life, while admitting he 'didnt ever think Id get this old.' Nelson previously had to cancel his 2019 tour with Krauss as he announced 'a breathing problem' he had to have treated; seen in April 2019 The cannabis connoisseur revealed later that year that he gave up smoking following the health scare, but he still partakes in other forms of cannabis; seen in 2006 In 2020, Nelson shared his secrets to living a long life, while admitting he 'didnt ever think Id get this old'; seen in 1974 'Having no fear is a pretty good thing,' he told Slate at the time. 'I still try to do a little workout every day just to pay for the day. That's what I call it: You have to do something to pay for the day. 'So I'll get up and do a little walking or jogging or whatever, just enough to keep the heart going,' added Nelson. Nelson also credited cannabis as 'a good medicine and I'm glad that it's being accepted around the country, and I'll be glad when every state in the union legalizes it, because I think it will be healthy for everybody.' In addition to releasing his 75th solo studio album The Border last month, Nelson was also recently featured on the 'Smoke Hour' interludes of Beyonce's highly-anticipated Cowboy Carter album. Bicyclists use the Valencia Street center bike lanes in San Francisco on July 23, 2023. A new report says there is no link between the center bike lanes and the corridors slow economic recovery. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Valencia Street has had one of the worst post-pandemic economic recoveries among San Franciscos commercial corridors. But the controversial center-running bikeway isnt to blame for the corridors financial woes, according to a new study. A report from the City Controllers Office used San Francisco sales tax data to probe how the center bikeway impacted businesses. The report, published this past week, found there is no statistical basis for linking the two. Unrest from Valencia Street merchants irate over the bike lane fueled the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agencys decision to swap the center bikeway with protected bike lanes that run along the corridors sides. The agency is moving forward with a plan for side-running bike lanes that would let merchants with parklets decide whether the lanes snake outward around their parklets or toward the curb. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Valencia merchants largely blame the center bikeway, which the transportation agency launched last year as a pilot, for declines in foot traffic to their storefronts and say the project made it harder to unload delivery trucks. They also have criticized the project for removing dozens of parking spots on the corridor. One merchant went on a month-long hunger strike earlier this year, blaming the bikeway for plummeting sales and the closure of dozens of Valencia businesses. It doesnt mean that Valencia Street isnt suffering. It clearly is a weak recovery, Ted Egan, the citys chief economist, told the transportation board Tuesday. Its just that that weakness is due to other factors and predates the bikeway improvements of the second half of last year. The study noted that businesses on the Valencia corridor have only recovered about 70% of their sales levels from 2019, compared to about 90% of the businesses in 29 other commercial corridors across the city included in the analysis. Egan said the analysis came with a big caveat. The study examined Valencia businesses in the aggregate and didnt probe the bikeways impact on individual businesses on the corridor. Some Valencia businesses may have been negatively affected by the center bikeway, Egan said, but those adverse impacts werent enough to sway the studys conclusion that the project had no harm on the corridor as a whole. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Valencia Corridor Merchants Association endorsed the SFMTAs pivot to side-running lanes. The association said in a statement that the citys study presents a limited view by focusing solely on aggregate sales tax data and doesnt capture the full impact on individual businesses. Factors like foot traffic, parking availability, and delivery logistics are crucial for understanding how the bike lane impacts businesses, the merchants association said in its statement. Many of our merchants have reported a loss in customer visits due to parking and access due to the current configuration. Its unclear when, exactly, the transportation agency will begin construction on the new bike lanes, though officials say the switch is likely to lead to a reduction in parking spaces. Emma Stone has had a hectic week as she's been promoting her new film Kinds Of Kindness all over New York City. And the two-time Academy Award-winner, 35, was back at it again on Friday as the Yorgos Lanthimos-directed film made its debut in theaters. Stone who attended the star-studded Kinds Of Kindness premiere the day prior made her way to the Robin Williams Theatre in Midtown Manhattan, where she took part in a SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Conversations event with her co-stars. Looking effortlessly chic, posed up a storm at the event while rocking a flirty off-white tweed miniskirt with a matching jacket. She was joined at the theatre by co-stars Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Mamoudou Athie and Joe Alwyn, who all sat together on the panel that was moderated by journalist and critic Esther Zuckerman after the Kinds Of Kindness screening. Emma Stone was a stylish presence this Friday at a SAG-AFTRA Foundation event for Kinds Of Kindness, her latest collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos The Easy A starlet strolled to a nearby chauffeured vehicle in strappy white heels that wound around her ankles. She carried her essentials in a pricey Louis Vuitton monogram purse. Stone's signature red hair flew around in the breeze in loose waves as she offered a smile to passersby before getting in her car. As for her makeup, the acclaimed actress opted for a bold berry lip that complimented her radiant, fair complexion. Stone was accompanied by a slew of security guards who helped her along the sidewalk. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, 50, who worked from a screenplay he co-wrote with Efthimis Filippou, Kinds Of Kindness marks the fifth time he's worked with Stone on a feature film. Along with the five actors who attended the Q-and-A premiere, the main cast for the series also features the likes of Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, and Hunter Schafer. The film follows three distinct but loosely connected stories: 'a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader,' according to a Searchlight Pictures website. Thursday was much the same for Stone, who was out and about promoting the film. As for her makeup, the acclaimed actress opted for a bold berry lip that complimented her radiant, fair complexion She was joined by her co-stars Joe Alwyn, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons and Mamoudou Athie on the red carpet of the event, and later onstage for an interview Emma has had a hectic week as she's been promoting her new film Kinds Of Kindness all over New York City And the two-time Academy Award-winner, 35, was back at it again on Friday as the Yorgos Lanthimos-directed film made its debut in theaters The Oscar-winner, who flashed an infectious smile before leaving, has been in full promo mode the last few weeks for Kinds Of Kindness Looking effortlessly chic, Stone exited her NYC hotel rocking a flirty off-white tweed miniskirt with a matching jacket She made a stop at the NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of Manhattan for an appearance on Today. Decked out in a brown, patent leather dress with matching open-toe heels, the Scottsdale, Arizona native was asked by host Craig Melvin to clarify what to call her in the wake of an interview she did in May. 'Are we still going by Emma, or Emily?' Melvin, 45, asked. 'There's been some confusion over your name.' 'I'm fine either way," Stone replied. 'I really am. My real name is Emily, though.' When asked why she never corrected people who call her Emma, the actress revealed that she made the change when she found out it her real name of Emily Stone had already been used by another actress. 'It was taken at Screen Actors Guild,' she said of her name. 'It's sort of like when you register a business and you can't have the same name as someone else.' The Crazy, Stupid, Love star went on to share that she's been 'saying Emily my whole life ... you can call me whatever you want," she told Melvin. 'You can make up a name!' Thursday was much the same for Stone, who was out and about promoting the film She made a stop at the NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of Manhattan for an appearance on Today Kinds of Kindness marks the fifth time Stone has worked with director Yorgos Lanthimos; they are seen together at the 77th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 17 She went on to share that she been 'saying Emily my whole life ... you can call me whatever you want,' she told Melvin. 'You can make up a name!' The name game popped up last month when a reporter referred to her by her birth name of Emily when she made an appearance at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival to promote Kinds Of Kindness with Lanthimos. After premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, Kinds Of Kindness premiered in theaters in the U.S. on Friday, June 21, and will then debut in the Uk and Ireland on June 28. DJ Paul Fisher and his wife Chloe have welcomed their first child together. The former model gave birth on Thursday, June 20, to a baby girl they have named Bobbi Maree. Taking to Instagram on Saturday morning, the pair were thrilled to share the exciting news. 'HELLO WORLD, meet our baby girl,' they captioned their joint post. 'Bobbi Maree Fisher. Born 20 June 2024. "The happiest day of the year."' DJ Paul Fisher and his wife Chloe have welcomed their first child together The former model gave birth on Thursday, June 20, to a baby girl they have named Bobbi Maree The couple were met with warm wishes from their friends and family who took to the comments to congratulate them. 'Oh she is gorgeous. Massive congratulations to you both,' former MAFS star Martha Kalifatidis wrote. 'CRYING HAPPY TEARS FOR YOU ALL!!!!! SHE IS PERFECTION Welcome Bobbi!!!!' added DJ Tigerlily. Taking to Instagram on Saturday morning, the pair were thrilled to share the exciting news The couple were met with warm wishes from their friends and family who took to the comments to congratulate them 'Nothing better! Congratulations,' Channel Seven star Sam Mac said. It comes after Fisher cancelled his scheduled concerts in New York last month after his pregnant wife was taken to the hospital with possible pre-term labour. The Australian music producer, 37, who in December announced the couple were expecting their first child, shared the worrying news to his Instagram. Fisher and his wife said it was 'the happiest day of the year' It comes after Fisher cancelled his scheduled concerts in New York last month after his pregnant wife was taken to the hospital with possible pre-term labour 'Our baby is due in June. However, last week my wife Chloe was admitted to hospital in Australia with possible pre-term labour on the horizon,' he explained. 'Chloe and the baby are in good health and are being monitored. However, I need to be with her in Australia until we know further details.' The Gold Coast-born star said he had to reschedule his upcoming New York shows so he could be by his wife's side. 'The shows will be moved to July 5 and 6. All tickets previously purchased will be honoured for these new dates. Appreciate everyone's support and understanding,' he added. The Australian music producer, 37, who in December announced the couple were expecting their first child , shared the worrying news to Instagram In December, it was reported that Fisher was expecting his first child with wife Chloe Chapman. The house DJ, who performs under the moniker DJ Fisher, and his wife of three years shared the good news to Instagram on Christmas Eve. 'The greatest gift of all. I've waited my whole life for you,' Chloe wrote on Instagram alongside an image in which her husband cradled her bump. 'The most wanted and loved baby Fisher will be joining the tour in 2024, we are still pinching ourselves that we've finally been chosen to become parents. 'WE DID IT @followthefishtv. I love you so so much!' Chloe added, saying it was 'the single most happiest moment in my life'. Chloe, who has previously had four miscarriages, took a moment to share her empathy for those struggling with infertility and revealed she had battled for several years to conceive via IVF. 'After 4 years of trying to convince, 1000s of needles, eight rounds of IVF, multiple surgeries, I've lived this nightmare and I know this pain and suffering all too well,' she said. 'NO ONE deserves to endure this feeling. I feel you all, I see you all and completely understand the disappointment and sadness you are all feeling. Please stay positive and manifest your healthy baby I pray you hold your miracle in your arms soon'. Chloe is a model and swimwear designer and the founder of Australian brand Aloe Swimwear. June Squibb is making her first-ever starring role in a feature film with the release of the action-comedy Thelma in a moment 94 years in the making. It's quite the milestone considering she's 94-years-old and has been acting since 1948, which translates to 76 years in the business, although there were gaps of inactivity over the years. Squibb, who has mainly been a character actor in supporting roles, plays Thelma Post in her jump to the top of the marquee in the film which was released on Friday. 'I always loved what I was doing,' she told Vulture about playing supporting roles. 'I just wanted to work. And I think it's true that as you work, the more you work not always but most of the time the roles do get bigger.' At 94-years-old, June Squibb is making her first-ever starring role in a feature film with the release of the new action-comedy Thelma on Friday, June 21 Squibb stars as Thelma Post, a iron-willed grandmother seeking revenge after she gets swindled out of $10,000 by a scam caller posing as her grandson, with the help of a friend Ben, played by Richard Roundtree, who gets around with a scooter In the movie, the Vandalia, Illinois native plays a grandmother seeking revenge after she gets swindled out of $10,000 by a scam caller posing as her grandson. With the help of a friend Ben (Richard Roundtree), who travels around on an electric scooter, the iron-willed senior citizen attempts to quench her thirst for vengeance and recover her stolen funds. Along with Squibb and Roundtree, the cast also features the cast features Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg and Malcolm McDowell, among others. Her role in the film, which was written and directed by Josh Margolin, required a lot of physically demanding movements and stunts. But in the end she remained committed to doing all of her own stunts throughout the production. It turns out Squibb was Margolins first choice to play Thelma, according to USA Today. 'She's great at using the kind of sweetie-pie presentation as a weapon,' the filmmaker said. 'Its a wonderful role,' Squibb chimed in to the conversation. In the end, the actress only had to read the script once through before she realized she was perfect for the part. In the movie, the Vandalia, Illinois native plays a grandmother seeking revenge after she gets swindled out of $10,000 by a scam caller posing as her grandson 'I always loved what I was doing,' the actress told Vulture about playing supporting roles over the many decades. 'I just wanted to work. And I think it's true that as you work, the more you work not always but most of the time the roles do get bigger.' The leading lady literally and figuratively took center stage at the premiere of Thelma at the Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on June 14 Squibb talked about how she was able to pull off all of the physically demanding movements and stunts throughout the production While she began acting in the late 1940s as a teenager, Squibb didn't make her professional debut until she landed a part in the Broadway production of the musical Gypsy (1959)a after moving from Cleveland to New York City in 1951. During that time she took up various part-time jobs she could find to help pay the bills, such as a Santa's helper at Lord & Taylor during the Christmas season. She also modeled for magazines and book covers. Once she was able to join the Screen Actors Guild in 1985, she began to steadily get roles in both film and television. More than two decades had passed until she finally made her onscreen debuts, appearing in an episode of the anthology series CBS Schoolbreak Special (1985) for TV and in the Woody Allen romantic comedy Alice (1990) for film. Some of her most notable supporting roles include the films The Age Of Innocence (1993), In & Out (1997), Meet Joe Black (1998), About Schmidt (2002), and Far From Heaven (2002). Squibb got her start in local theater in the late 1940s when she was in her twenties, ultimately making her professional debut on Broadway in the musical Gypsy (1958); the actress didn't make her debut in TV until 1985 and in film in 1990 She went on to have a huge breakthrough performance in the comedy-drama film Nebraska (2013), alongside Bruce Dern and Will Forte, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Over the course of the last decade she's appeared in such films as I'll See You In My Dreams (2015), Love the Coopers (2015), Other People (2016), Father Figures (2017) (2017), Blow The Man Down (2019), Palm Springs (2020), Hubie Halloween, Palmer (2021), The Humans (2021), and Family Squares (2022). 'My career certainly has been rewarding,' Squibb confessed to USA Today. 'I'm not naive: I know its unusual to be 94 and still working; to still be doing anything, let alone this job! And Im pleased that I can do what I do physically, and that my health is good.' After making its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, Thelma made its premiere in theaters in the U.S. on Friday, June 21. Rebel Wilson, 44, has opened up about a terrifying brush with death that occurred when she was a teen. The Hollywood actress revealed the trauma happened when she contracted malaria at age 18 while travelling through Mozambique. She said that she caught the life threatening disease after being bitten by 'hundreds' of mosquitos. 'When I was 18, I got malaria. I woke up one morning in an African bush and I had like 100 mosquito bites on my face,' the Bridesmaids star said in an interview with Us Weekly. 'I was in hospital for two weeks, she added. 'I could have died from it, it was very, very bad.' Rebel Wilson , 44, has opened up about a terrifying brush with death that occurred to the Bridesmaids star while she was still a mere teen. (Rebel pictured with her fiancee Ramona Agruma) Elsewhere in the chat, Rebel joked that the incident was part of why she suffers from 'bugs-xiety'. 'I have always had bugs-xiety [since] growing up in Australia, where we have a lot of bugs,' she said. Discussing the frightening experience back in 2019, Rebel said she failed to take precautions against contracting malaria - which is transmitted via mosquito bites. The Hollywood fan favourite revealed the trauma occurred when she contracted malaria after being bitten by mosquitos at age 18 while travelling through Mozambique. Pictured: Rebel at he Australian Theatre for Young People in 2002 Rebel told Us Weekly that after being bitten by 100s of mosquitos on the face she was hospitalised for two weeks and that she 'could have died'. She was working with a charity in Africa at the time when caught malaria which can present symptoms such as high fever, and seizures. 'They tried to give me pills but I heard they can cause mental problems - so I ended up being the stupid person who got it (malaria),' she said in an episode of the Aussies in Hollywood podcast. It comes after Rebel revealed she is yet to meet fiancee Ramona Agruma's parents for a heartbreaking reason. During an interview on the Today show in the US, Rebel, who started dating Ramona in June 2022 before the pair got engaged months later, explained her partner comes from a conservative background. 'Ramona was born in Latvia, and it's not as LGBTQ+-friendly as other countries are,' she said. Rebel recently revealed she is yet to meet fiancee Ramona Agruma's parents. The lovebirds are pictured with their child Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson 'There are still parts of the world that aren't as accepting.' She added that the couple will be soon heading to Europe for a holiday and she hopes this will allow her to finally meet her future in-laws and introduce their 19-month-old daughter Royce to them in person. 'I'm really excited to meet them because I know they are very smart. Ramona's mother is a doctor. Roycie is the real icebreaker. They've been FaceTiming with her.' Earlier this month, Rebel admitted while she feels 'lucky' her family were accepting of her relationship, her partner hasn't had such a comfortable ride. Rebel and Romona welcomed Royce via surrogate in 2022. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs' program, Rebel said: 'I'm lucky in my case, it went very, very well... My grandparents, who are in their 90s, so cool with it.' 'Ramona's family, not as much. Her mum has luckily come around now, her father still doesn't talk to her, but we're hoping that will change,' she added. The actress had been in the process of using a surrogate to have a child when she first met Ramona, and was thankful her partner was quickly accepting of her family plans. 'I'd already been planning to use a surrogate to have a child and I'd done several rounds of IVF and I had one embryo transfer, which sadly didn't work.' 'Almost right at meeting Ramona, I was planning on the second embryo transfer and I was like, 'Babe I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm going to have a child kind of around November',' she said. 'Ramona just looked at me and said, 'Well, I love you and if you have a child, I'm going to love your child exactly the same way.'' The SAG Award nominee and her fiancee Ramona Agruma welcomed Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson via surrogate in 2022. She's known for her incredibly youthful visage and glowing complexion. And Sonia Kruger showed off her age-defying beauty on Friday when she stepped out from an event in Sydney. The 58-year-old television presenter, who was celebrating her recent collaboration with self-tanning brand Three Wolves, looked stylish in a cream strapless top and trousers matched with a smart blazer. Her blonde hair was styled in loose waves with a middle part and she opted for a bronzed makeup palette with a nude lip to hilight her tanned skin. Sonia accessorised with gold-framed aviator sunglasses and a chunky gold chain necklace. Sonia Kruger showed off her age-defying beauty on Friday when she stepped out from an event in Sydney The 58-year-old television presenter, who was celebrating her recent collaboration with self-tanning brand Three Wolves, looked stylish in a cream strapless top and trousers matched with a smart blazer Last month, Sonia revealed the secrets to maintaining her flawless face and body in the cold winter months. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the popular TV host said she swears by rich moisturisers and LED light masks, as well as a good fake tan to give you a year-round glow. She insists the key to smooth and plump skin is hydration, hydration, hydration. 'Winter can also be harsh on your skin, hair, and overall beauty routine,' she said. 'Incorporate hydrating face masks and LED light masks into your routine once or twice a week to boost moisture levels.' Her blonde hair was styled in loose waves with a middle part and she opted for a bronzed makeup palette with a nude lip to hilight her tanned skin Last month, Sonia revealed the secrets to maintaining her flawless face and body in the cold winter months Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the popular TV host said she swears by rich moisturisers and LED light masks, as well as a good fake tan to give you a year-round glow Sonia swears by a humidifier for added moisture in the air of your home, which also helps prevent your skin from drying out. The mother-of-one also suggests cutting out things that suck moisture from the skin and hair, such as limiting heat styling. 'Reduce the use of heat styling tools to prevent further drying out your hair. In the wintertime, experiment with styles and air drying,' she said. 'Wash your hair less frequently to retain natural oils and moisture.' And while she never bakes in the sun, Sonia recommends a year-round glow courtesy of top quality fake tan to make you feel and look good. Sonia's go-to fake tan is Three Warriors, an Australian-born product by founder Corbin Halliday. Halliday's mission was to reformulate the beauty industry with certified organic, high-performing formulations containing luxe, nutrient-rich ingredients for glowing, radiant skin. Sonia recommends a year-round glow courtesy of top quality fake tan to make you feel and look good Her go-to fake tan is Three Warriors, an Australian-born product by founder Corbin Halliday The mother-of-one also suggests cutting out things that suck moisture from the skin and hair, such as limiting heat styling Three Warriors fake tan was created to eliminate the harsh chemicals found in fake tanning products, replacing them with natural ingredients, prioritising health and wellbeing without compromising on colour. To cut back on makeup on her days off, Sonia opts for a spritz of Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist - an organic water based face tan mist. And in the winter months she swears by Three Warriors Gradual Tan, which is loaded with olive oil and is incredibly moisturising. Ryan Paevey, who shot to fame as the dashing Nathan West on General Hospital, has finally revealed why he has withdrawn from acting. The 39-year-old announced in April that he was stepping back from Hollywood but was vague about his reasons, leading to a blizzard of speculation. He deleted his accounts on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter, this Wednesday, explaining that he had grown fed up of 'scammers' who had apparently been impersonating him to swindle fans out of money. On Friday he finally explained that showbiz has taken a toll on his 'mental health,' bringing him to a 'dark place' he felt he had to escape. He added that he had to move away to Los Angeles in order to care for his mother during her battle with lung cancer, in a statement provided to Heavy. Ryan Paevey, who shot to fame as the dashing Nathan West on General Hospital , has finally revealed why he has withdrawn from acting; pictured 2021 Ryan, who in recent years has been known for Hallmark movies, revealed this April that he 'may take 2024 off from filming, unless the project is with friends.' Writing on X, he explained: 'The last 8 months of life in this industry have left a pretty bitter taste in my mouth, and i need some time away from a world so full of fake friends and empty promises. I'm weary.' Conjecture went into overdrive, to the point that this week Ryan found himself issuing a statement clarifying his position. He expressed his frustration with the 'speculation from third parties that have taken my words and expanded upon them to meet their narrative, or flat out misrepresented my words or misconstrued their meaning.' Pointing out that 'social media makes it very easy to twist one's words,' he shared that he will occasionally get messages from his team 'in a panic' over a rumor. Ryan disclosed that he 'felt' he ought to pull back from acting 'for a while now,' and over 'the past few weeks' he determined the move was 'absolutely necessary.' 'The industry hasn't felt like the place for me in quite some time now, and my mental health has suffered from it. It's taken me to a bit of a dark place, made me into a version of myself I don't like very much. I've vented some of my anger and frustration publicly, and for that I apologize,' he said. 'I've had many years of smooth sailing, and am very lucky to be able to say that, but the waters have been much rougher the last year or so,' he added. 'I've had bank accounts hacked, money embezzled, investments stolen.things that, while difficult, can be recovered from.' When he learned of his mother's cancer, however, he 'left Los Angeles to be closer to her' and to 'devote more of my time, energy, and resources closer to home.' Ryan previously revealed that the slings and arrows of social media eventually drove him to quit his role on General Hospital in 2018; pictured on the soap opera with Kirsten Storms In recent years Ryan has been known for a string of Hallmark movies, including the 2019 production From Friend To Fiance, in which he is pictured with Jocelyn Hudon He expressed his warm gratitude 'to General Hospital for giving a green actor a chance and tolerating his learning curve, to Hallmark for changing my life and taking me to places that have become my favorite on Earth,' among others, but noted that he was 'simply shifting focus closer; to family.' Professionally, he is redirecting his attention to Fortunate Wanderer, a website where he sells handcrafted jewelry that he also advertises on his Instagram. Ryan previously revealed that the slings and arrows of social media eventually drove him to quit his role on General Hospital in 2018. 'It's why I bowed out years ago,' he wrote on X in April. 'Soap Twitter was one of the most caustic online environments I've ever experienced' He slammed the 'Droves of armchair judges with no ability or experience standing in judgment of people out there working hard to entertain. Don't miss it at all.' Snoop Dogg has come out to crown Kendrick Lamar 'King of the West' following the success of his Pop Out - Ken & Friends concert this week. From a hotel room in Canada, the legendary rapper took to his Instagram page early Friday morning, June 21, to give a special shout-out to Lamar for the peace and unity displayed at the Juneteenth (June 19) show. 'Top of the morning, big Snoop Dogg coming at you here live from Canada,' the Gin And Juice star said while staring directly at his computer screen. 'Sending a big shout-out to K.Dot [Kendrick Lamar] and all the homies from the West that stood together unified, organized in peace and love,' he said while complimenting Lamar (born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth). 'That was beautiful. That was fun to watch.' Snoop concluded, 'Beautiful to see all of my peoples coming together and K.Dot you are the King of the West. That's the kind of s**t kings do; we unite; we bring our people together.' Snoop Dogg has come out to crown Kendrick Lamar (pictured) 'King of the West' following the success of his Pop Out - Ken & Friends concert this week From a hotel room in Canada , the legendary rapper took to his Instagram page early Friday morning, June 21, to give a special shout-out to Lamar for the peace and unity displayed at the Juneteenth (June 19) show Rounding out the post, Snoop (born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.), 52, wrote, 'Peace love and soul,' in the caption. Often regarded as one of the one of the greatest rappers of all time, Lamar had a lot of organizing and planning involved to pull off the Pop Out show with all the different performers who hit the stage on June 19. While Lamar held his Pop Out show at the Kia Forum in the Inglewood neighborhood of Los Angeles, he also had it live-streamed by Twitch. The show featured an opening set from DJ Hed, which was followed by Mustard and a host of performances including Tyler, The Creator, YG, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla $ign, a surprise reunion from Black Hippy featuring Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and ScHoolboy Q. By the time the Pray For Me rapper made his grand arrival for his set he began with his song Euphoria before diving into more of his hits, according to XXL. Dr. Dre would go on to introduce the headliner's chart-topping Drake diss track Not Like Us, which Lamar, 37, went on to perform five times. As a duo, Dre and Lamar performed the classic tunes Still D.R.E. and California Love, to the satisfaction of the fans. For the conclusion of the unifying show, all of the various musical artists returned to the stage for a group photo, followed by one last performance of Not Like Us. 'Sending a big shout-out to K.Dot [Kendrick Lamar] and all the homies from the West that stood together unified, organized in peace and love,' Snoop said while complimenting Lamar (born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth). 'That was beautiful. That was fun to watch' Lamar made his grand arrival for his set at the Kia Forum with his song Euphoria before diving into more of his hits, according to XXL, on Wednesday night at The Kia Forum Snoop was impressed with the unifying sense of peace and love at the concert that featured a slew of top musical artists For the conclusion of the unifying show, all of the various musical artists returned to the stage for a group photo, followed by one last performance of Not Like Us Snoop had previously ordained Kendrick Lamar as a leader in hip-hop after one of his early performances about a month after he released his debut studio album, Section.80 (2011); the duo are pictured in Atlanta in September 2016 Snoop actually ordained Kendrick Lamar as a leader in hip-hop many years ago after one of his early performances about a month after he released his debut studio album, Section.80 (2011). 'I'ma say this and I'ma mean this. Ni**a, you got the torch,' Snoop Dogg said at the time. 'You better run with it, ni**a, because it's yours.' Section.80 received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release, while debuting at number 113 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Ultimately his debut was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 500,000 units. A concept album, the lyrics feature such themes as racism, the crack epidemic, and the medication tolerance of Generation Y. Lamar has since gone on to release four more studio albums, including Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), To Pimp A Butterfly (2015), Damn (2017), and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022). Among his many accolades, kendrick Lamar has won 17 Grammy Awards out of 50 nominations during his career. An Australian influencer has captured the heartwarming moment she reunited with her pet cat after it was 'stolen by someone she knows'. Gold Coast model Olivia Mathers broke down in tears as she cuddled her beloved Bengal cat named Haukie who had been missing for two months. In a post shared to her Instagram account, Olivia said she couldn't be more grateful for those who helped in the search for the feline. 'SHE'S HOME !!!! After 2 helpless months a beautiful couple not far from home posted about a bengal visiting frequently. The photo was undeniably Haukie,' she captioned her post. 'We hit the ground running over the last 3 days, walking the streets, staking out the house, clinging to new hope. Tonight she followed our voices and ran back to me!!!!' Gold Coast model Olivia Mathers broke down in tears as reunited with her pet cat after it was 'stolen' and missing for months In a post shared to her Instagram account, Olivia said she couldn't be more grateful for those who helped in the search for the feline Olivia added: 'Turns out the lady that spotted her was our kindy teacher (and the kindest soul you could imagine) a heart warming coincidence that made the reunion so much more surreal. 'Thank you to everyone that helped/ kept her relevant while we searched for answers.' Last month, Olivia issued a desperate call out to her 763,000 followers on Instagram asking to keep an eye out for the feline named Haukie. Speaking with Daily Mail Australia at the time, Olivia said she simply wanted answers and for her 'family member' to be returned home. 'SHE'S HOME !!!! After 2 helpless months a beautiful couple not far from home posted about a bengal visiting frequently. The photo was undeniably Haukie,' she captioned her post Last month, Olivia issued a desperate call out to her 763,000 followers on Instagram asking to keep an eye out for the feline named Haukie 'Malibu (my dog) and I are missing 3kgs of sass at home and can't wait to have her back,' she said. Olivia shared several photos of the four-year-old Bengal cat she has owned since she moved out of home on Instagram, revealing she was 'taken' on Saturday, April 27. 'Haukie has been admittedly taken,' she wrote alongside two photos of her pet. 'We believe they're trying to sell her. Please keep an eye out marketplaces/in general.' Shortly after, Olivia revealed she had 'found' the people who stole her pet. Olivia shared several photos of the four-year-old Bengal cat she has owned since she moved out of home on Instagram She said the alleged thieves, who claimed to have 'found' the cat, have been changing their story. 'We have a timeline of events and substantial evidence that they've done something with her,' she said. 'They deflect, refuse info and are awfully inconsistent with their story upon any direct attempt to get answers.' Olivia shared a text exchange between a person who said they dropped Haukie off at a pound in Coombabah on the day she was missing. But when the model arrived at the pound, staff had no record of her being dropped off. 'Can you confirm what day she was dropped off and when she was dropped off?' Olivia asked the person via text, before asking for confirmation she had the right pound. The Gold Coast model said her Bengal cat was 'taken' on Saturday, April 27 Olivia said she believes she knows who has stolen her cat or who is involved in its disappearance The person replied confirming it was the right location, claiming their father dropped the cat off and a lady working there said staff would 'scan for a chip to contact the owner'. In a later message, the person claimed the cat never made it inside the pound and escaped from the car before their father dropped it off. 'I've talked to my father and he didn't tell me but as he went to take the cat out of the car, it escaped and he freaked out and didn't tell me,' the person wrote. In her post, Olivia called on her followers and Queensland residents to be on the lookout for her beloved family pet. 'Please reshare to keep the word up while her disappearance is still fresh,' she pleaded in her caption. Olivia shared a text exchange between a person who said they dropped Haukie off at a pound in Coombabah on the day she was missing. But when the model arrived at the pound, staff had no record of her being dropped off Haukie (left) and Oliva's dog, Malibu (right), have been very close companions She also said Queensland Police have been notified 'but no action has been taken yet', and now believes the cat has been sold and taken to Brisbane. Last Wednesday, Olivia said she's offering a reward for 'any sufficient information' as well as for Haukie's return. Purebred Bengal cats cost upwards of $2000 and are a popular breed known for their high intelligence, loyal personality and thick, spotted coats. In the comments of her post, several notable influencers and television stars shared their heartbreak over the devastating news. 'Hope you get your baby back soon,' former Bachelor star Bella Varelis wrote. 'Omg this upsets me so much for you!!' ex-Married At First Sight star Ella Ding added. 'This is beyond!! I am so sorry you're going through this, I hope she's home soon,' another user commented. Fitness influencer Ashy Bines also shared her own experience of having her cat stolen 'I'm so sorry your going through this, Will continue to share, my heart breaks for you,' she said. 'Someone stole my cat years ago and I never got him back so I know the feeling and it's gut wrenching. Sending you strength.' Elizabeth Debicki looked effortlessly stylish on Thursday when she was spotted running errands in New York City. The Crown star, 33, rocked a slick monochrome look in a sheer white blouse paired with baggy black trousers and matching flats. The Australian actress accessorised with stylish sunglasses and a designer black clutch and had her hands full with her smartphone and a boxed water. She wore her blonde hair styled perfectly straight around her shoulders and highlighted her natural beauty with a light layer of nude makeup. Debicki exuded confidence and style as she made her way down the scenic street and looked focused as she ran errands during some down time. Elizabeth Debicki (pictured) looked effortlessly stylish on Thursday when she was spotted running errands in New York City The stunner looked to be having fun as she shopped for some new outfits, and was spotted exiting the upmarket women's fashion store AWET with a brown gift bag. Elizabeth is no stranger to the spotlight after receiving numerous accolades for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the Netflix series The Crown. However, despite often turning heads on the red carpet, the Hollywood star has managed to keep her love life incredibly private. Little is known about her mystery man Kristian Rasmussen, whom she was first spotted holding hands with in London by Daily Mail Australia in November 2022. The Crown star, 33, rocked a slick monochrome look in a sheer white blouse paired with baggy black trousers and matching flats Debicki exuded confidence and style as she made her way down the scenic street and looked focused as she ran errands during some down time But while the award-winning actress keeps her love out of the spotlight by walking red carpets alone, it seems Kristian isn't above sneaking into prestigious events to support her. Elizabeth's rarely-seen boyfriend - who bears a curious resemblance to The Crown's former Prince Phillip, Matt Smith - allegedly sneaks into award shows to cheer her on from the crowd. In an effort to avoid cameras and reporters, he flies under the radar as his glamorous girlfriend poses on the red carpet and takes to the stage to accept her awards. The happy couple were last spotted in February last year as they wandered the streets of London not long after attending the SAG Awards together. While Elizabeth walked the red carpet as per usual, she hinted during her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress that Kristian was in the crowd. 'Thank you to the creatives of this show for trusting me with this part, to our cast and crew, to my mom and my dad. My partner Kristian who said don't thank me so that I'm not on television but I'm gonna thank you anyway,' she said. Fine art, good food, wonderful wine and breathtaking Gaudi architecture - Barcelona certainly ticks all the right boxes for anyone planning a romantic getaway. Just ask Eamonn Holmes, who arrived in the Catalan city on Sunday accompanied by his attractive new girlfriend Katie Alexander. The Irish presenter, 64, has known Alexander, 42, for several years and despite the obvious generational gap - for she is 22-years younger than Holmes - the pair have developed a closer relationship over recent months. It's understood that Alexander is 'smitten' with the charismatic former Good Morning Britain star, who is attempting to move on following a turbulent split from Loose Women panellist wife Ruth Langsford in May. And the couple are now enjoying a welcome break on Spain's north-east coast - the latest stop on their European cruise - with Alexander pictured walking alongside Holmes, who was confined to a mobility scooter, in Barcelona over the weekend. So who is she? Here is everything we know about Eamonn Holmes' new girlfriend... Eamonn Holmes was pictured with new girlfriend Katie Alexander in Barcelona on Sunday It's understood that Alexander is 'smitten' with the charismatic former Good Morning Britain star, who announced his separation from wife of 14-years Ruth Langsford in May Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford, both 64, recently revealed they are headed for divorce after work commitments 'took their marriage in different directions' WHO IS KATIE ALEXANDER? Alexander works as a relationship counsellor and her website says that she takes 'a holistic approach to counselling'. She offers in-person, telephone and online therapy services, at a price of 45 for a 50-minute session. The site also states: 'I work with person-centred modality and take a holistic approach to counselling, focusing on you, the client. This means that you have the voice and the space to express yourself fully without judgment. 'My belief is that you, the client, are capable of, and hold the power of achieving what it is that you want out of life. It is my job to try and help you make sense of what can sometimes be difficult to do alone.' One anonymous review also praises Alexander's services, saying: 'Katie made me feel so comfortable throughout the sessions, speaking to her with no judgement and her allowing me to look at certain things in a completely different light. 'My confidence has grown massively and I would highly recommend Katie especially for anyone feeling unsure if therapy is right for them.' However, she also has a fun site, with her personal Instagram bio claiming: 'Kitchen dancer with a soul too glam to give a damn.' Elsewhere she has an Instagram account dedicated to her love of photography. The bio reads: 'Just a photography loving Yorkshire girl taking some pictures!' Alexander works as a relationship counsellor and her website says that she takes 'a holistic approach to counselling'. According to her Instagram bio, she's also a 'kitchen dancer with a soul too glam to give a damn' In her spare time she also has a passion for photography and has her own account dedicated to her work DOES SHE HAVE ANY CHILDREN? Alexander is divorced and a mother to three children. As previously revealed by MailOnline, they include a grown up son with a retired coach driver almost 40 years her senior. She was 19 and working as a shop assistant when she fell for 59-year-old Michael Devine. Despite the age gap, the couple spent five years together and have a son called Ben, 22. Now aged 81, Devine fondly remembers their time together and said it was 'brilliant' that she has found love with GB news presenter, Holmes. Striking blonde Alexander has often been seen with Holmes and sparked engagement rumours when she was seen earlier this week sporting a diamond ring on her engagement finger. She later confessed it was costume jewellery. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Devine said his son told him the couple were an item. He said: 'Ben told me Eamonn and Katie were together, but he doesn't say much, he's more interested in kicking a football around.' Devine, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, added that he has a close relationship with his son and sees him at least once a week. Even though he and Alexander split almost two decades ago he remains on good terms with her. 'We've been split up for a lot of years now, but I see my son regularly, maybe once a week, he said. 'I do see Katie now and again, but she is down in London. There are no hard feelings whatsoever towards Katie, she's a nice woman, she really is. 'I wish her well. Absolutely brilliant, is Katie.' Devine said his work as a coach driver meant he spent long periods away from home which put a strain on the relationship. Alexander was 19 and working as a shop assistant when she fell for 59-year-old Michael Devine, now 81 (pictured). The couple spent five years together and have a son called Ben, 22 'I do see Katie now and again, but she is down in London. There are no hard feelings whatsoever towards Katie, she's a nice woman, she really is,' he told MailOnline He took the blame for the break up adding: 'It was me working away that caused the break up. I was freelance and transporting people and that was that.' Their son was born at Dewsbury District Hospital on August 10th and took the surname of both parents with his last name listed as Robshaw-Devine. His birth certificate shows that Alexander was working as a clothing sales assistant while Devine listed his occupation as a coach driver. The couple were living in the village of Heckmondwike in West Yorkshire when they registered the birth. Alexander is understood to have had two other children and a divorcee. Her ex husband George Alexander was 11 years her senior HOW DID SHE MEET EAMONN HOLMES? The pair reportedly met several years ago but have struck up a close friendship over the past couple of years. They originally got in contact via Twitter after both being involved with a mental health charity. Alexander commented on a post and it sparked a conversation between the pair. Most recently, Katie has been seen visiting Holmes at his rented apartment in South West London, after he moved out of his home with Ruth in Surrey, from her home in Yorkshire. WHAT IS THEIR RELATIONSHIP STATUS? Friends have told MailOnline that she and Holmes are so close she's 'in love' with him. She apparently grew close to the star after a 'string of outings' together, and has reportedly said she is 'in it for the long haul.' A source previously told The Mirror: 'She is helping Eamonn through the tough times but doesn't want to be seen as a marriage wrecker. 'The friendship has grown in recent months but Eamonn's marriage has been over for some time.' The publication claims Holmes has taken her on a safari park trip, to a Manchester United game, a Beyonce concert and has spoiled her with gifts. He has also endorsed a charity linked to her work and helped to host a fund-raising event free of charge. Friends explained that the woman's counselling skills include coping with 'feeling sad' and 'separation and divorce' therefore it seems fitting she will be supporting Holmes at this time of uncertainty. While his friendship with Katie is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown it is understood that Ruth was unaware of her until recently and has decided to take time off work Holmes and Langsford tied the knot in 2010 after 13 years together, in a lavish ceremony at the grand 19th century Hampshire hotel, The Elvetham DOES SHE KNOW RUTH LANGSFORD? While his friendship with Alexander is not said to be a reason for the marriage breakdown it is understood that Langsford was unaware of her until recently and has decided to take time off work. A source told The Sun: 'Ruth was obviously aware that her marriage was crumbling, but as details emerge, her upset has turned to anger. 'Eamonn's friend is bowled over by being lavished with attention and kindness from him.' One pal then told The Mirror: 'Ruth was hurt when she learned about Eamonn's friendship with another woman but she is strong and she will be back soon with a smile on her face, putting her best foot forward, as she always does. 'She needs a bit of time to regroup after everything that's gone on, which is understandable, but she plans to return to Loose Women, with renewed vigour, in July.' The friend also insisted that there was 'no chance whatsoever' that the pair would ever get back together. Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese owned by Ann Lewis of North Bend, Ore., took first place Friday in the Worlds Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Sonoma-Marin Fair The winners of the Worlds Ugliest Dog contest take the stage Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Sonoma-Marin Fair With his undeniable charm, an 8-year-old Pekingese named Wild Thang won the Sonoma-Marin Fairs annual Worlds Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma on Friday. The dog, whose owner, Ann Lewis, is from North Bend, Ore., took home the title and the $5,000 prize after entering the contest five times. Wild Thangs long, frizzled brown and white fur and floppy, bright pink tongue that rests comfortably out of the side of his mouth, like a childs sketch of a dog come to life, sealed the deal. Despite facing numerous challenges, including surviving distemper as a puppy, Wild Thang has emerged as a healthy and happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy, a news release from the fair said. His mission in life is to raise awareness about the importance of pet vaccinations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wild Thang will travel to New York to appear on the Today show Monday, contest organizers said. Rome, a 14-year-old pug owned by Michelle Grady of Rohnert Park, won second place Friday in the Worlds Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Sonoma-Marin Fair Two Bay Area dogs were the runners-up in the contest. Rome, a 14-year-old pug from the Pug Hotel in Rohnert Park, took home second place and $3,000. The Sonoma County dog, who uses a wheelchair, is a member of the Wheeling Pug Relay team, which raises money to provide wheelchairs for other dogs who need them, visits hospice patients, and educates children about the importance of adopting senior pets. Hes a sweet old man in a tiny pug body who has captured the hearts of many with his endearing personality and happy feet, the release said of Rome. Despite his bowed legs, Romes zest for life is evident in his tippy tap dance moves. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Daisy Mae, owned by Elizabeth Whitehouse of Lafayette, took third place Friday in the Worlds Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Sonoma-Marin Fair In third place was 14-ish-year-old rescue dog with wispy white fur: Daisy Mae of Lafayette, described as a true queen of unconventional beauty. Rescued from the streets at a young age, Daisy has overcome adversity and blossomed into a confident and spunky pup, the release said. Daisy took home $2,000, thanks to her canine charisma. The Worlds Ugliest Dog contest continues to celebrate the beauty of individuality and the unbreakable spirit of these remarkable canines, contest organizers said. These dogs remind us that true beauty is not defined by conventional standards but rather by the love, joy, and resilience they bring into our lives. Hugh Jackman has a reputation as one of the nicest guys in showbiz. But the Australian actor has admitted that he's not always as lovely as he seems, and is 'not proud' of some of his past behaviour on film sets. 'I'm not always nice,' the 55-year-old confessed in a candid interview with The Guardian last year, which has resurfaced this week on social media. 'I've had my moments on set, for sure, when I haven't been nice' the Wolverine star continued. 'And I've behaved sometimes on set where I've yelled a bit or done something where I've been angry that I'm not proud of.' Hugh Jackman (pictured has a reputation as one of the nicest guys in showbiz. But the Australian actor has admitted that he's not always as lovely as he seems, and is 'not proud' of some of his past behaviour on film sets Hugh says that he always feels regretful if he behaves in ways that do not align with how he was raised. 'I had a great example, particularly from my father, of always trying to be respectful. Everyone is trying their hardest' he said. 'And my experience is if you turn up, you give everything, you act respectfully, then that's generally what you get from other people.' It comes after Hugh revealed the toughest part of returning to his role as superhero Wolverine in the latest Deadpool film. The Australian actor reprises the role that made him a household name for the latest installment in the franchise, Deadpool & Wolverine. 'I'm not always nice,' the 55-year-old confessed in a candid interview with The Guardian last year, which has resurfaced this week on social media. Pictured in Deadpool & Wolverine He says 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. Hugh announced his shock split from his Deborra-Lee in September 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. 'And I've behaved sometimes on set where I've yelled a bit or done something where I've been angry that I'm not proud of' he added '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. 'Hugh and Deborra-Lee are both on different pages and in separate chapters of their lives,' they said. 'They felt like it was time to divorce, but they still maintain a happy and cordial friendship.' The source went on to say that Hugh and Deborra-Lee are 'appreciative of their many years together and children.' 'At the end of the day, it was their collective agreement to go their separate ways and do the healthiest thing for everyone involved,' they added. Robert Irwin has a deep love of his home country. And the 20-year-old conservationist has revealed his two favourite places to holiday in Australia. The Wildlife Warrior said that he likes to head to either Far North Queensland or Tasmania to relax. 'I know what you're thinking two of the most polar opposite places, but they both have such rugged and raw natural beauty,' he told news.com.au this week. When in Tasmania, he loves to visit Cradle Mountain, an iconic site rife with natural beauty. Robert Irwin (pictured) has a deep love of his home country. And the 20-year-old conservationist has revealed his two favourite places to holiday in Australia 'There are so many stunning hikes and incredibly friendly wildlife,' Robert explained. 'I also enjoy the Tasman Peninsula, Launceston, Swansea and the stunning Tarkine Wilderness just to name a few spots.' In the Far North Queensland he likes to visit the mangroves and estuaries, as well as taking various mountain biking trails. 'At a good distance away from the water's edge of course,' he joked, referring to the many crocodiles in the area. The Wildlife Warrior said that he likes to head to either North Queensland or Tasmania to relax. When in Tasmania, he loves to visit Cradle Mountain (pictured) In the Far North Queensland (pictured) he likes to visit the mangroves and estuaries, as well as taking various mountain biking trails This past week, Robert posted to Instagram with a humorous video showing himself in bed. Robert, dressed in his Australia Zoo khakis, opened his eyes and asked the camera, 'do you ever get that strange feeling when you wake up that you're being watched?' He then panned around his bedroom to show a boom mic operator, a camera man, and various other film crew-members in the room with him. In the caption, the newly-minted I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! host wrote, 'Tell me you do reality TV without telling me. And yes...I sleep in my khakis.' 'I also enjoy the Tasman Peninsula, Launceston, Swansea and the stunning Tarkine Wilderness just to name a few spots' he said. Pictured: The Tasmanian coastline Followers were excited by the prospect of a new season of reality show Crikey! It's The Irwins that Robert seemed to tease in the clip. The reality show, which followed Robert, his mum Terri and sister Bindi as they worked at Australia Zoo, premiered on Animal Planet in 2018, with its fourth season wrapping up in 2022. 'Please be a new season of Crikey! It's the Irwins!' wrote one fan. 'Ahhh yes, the only reality tv I'm willing to waste my life on,' wrote another. 'A new season of Crikey It's the Irwin's???? Finally!!!' someone else said. Robert Irwin arrived back home in Australia on Saturday after threating to sue Pauline Hanson over a satirical cartoon. The conservationist, 20, was accompanied by his mother, Terri Irwin, as he touched down at Brisbane Airport. The television personality appeared in low spirts as he left the terminal and loaded his luggage into a waiting car. Robert kept his eyes to the crowd as he made his way out of the airport carrying a large amount of luggage. The young star has been embroiled in controversy as Hanson holds firm in her refusal to take down a satirical cartoon about Robert after he threatened legal action. Robert Irwin (pictured) arrived back home in Australia on Saturday after threating to sue Pauline Hanson over a satirical cartoon The conservationist, 20, was accompanied by his mother, Terri Irwin, as he touched down at Brisbane Airport Senator Hanson's 'Please Explain' animated video series featured a likeness of the youngest Irwin alongside famous cartoon dog Bluey in its latest episode earlier this month. The episode, titled 'The State of Queensland', satirically depicts Irwin and Bluey exploring the state after the pair were unveiled as the faces of its new $9.2million tourism campaign. However, just hours after the video was published, FC Lawyers on behalf of Irwin sent a cease and desist letter to StepMates Studios, the series' production team. Daily Mail Australia understands that FC Lawyers gave a deadline of 5pm on Monday, June 17 to remove the videos from all social media platforms. The television personality appeared in low spirts as he left the terminal and loaded his luggage into a waiting car Robert kept his eyes to the crowd as he made his way out of the airport carrying a large amount of luggage The young star has been embroiled in controversy as Hanson holds firm in her refusal to take down a satirical cartoon about Robert after he threatened legal action But Senator Hanson has refused to comply, instead urging the wildlife warrior to see the funny side of the video which has now been viewed over half a million times. 'I can confidently say we won't be taking the episode down and I'm hoping Robert decides to lighten up a bit,' she wrote on social media. Senator Hanson added: 'I look forward to the day when Robert and I can have a good laugh over this and turn our focus to making Queensland a better state.' Her lawyers branded the threatened legal action 'misconceived' and 'nonsensical' in a letter on Monday. It comes as a top lawyer encouraged Irwin to take Senator Hanson's advice to 'lighten up' because he had 'absolutely' no chance of success with the threatened defamation suit. The episode, titled 'The State of Queensland ', satirically depicts Irwin and Bluey exploring the state after the pair were unveiled as the faces of its new $9.2million tourism campaign Daily Mail Australia understands that FC Lawyers gave a deadline of 5pm on Monday, June 17 to remove the videos from all social media platforms Justin Quill, media and litigation partner from Thomson Greer Laywers, said it was 'clear that this is a joke'. 'I dont think it's defamatory in the first place and even if it is I think there's two really obvious defences - one is opinion and the other is political discussion,' he told Today. 'I doubt it's going to court.' In any event, One Nation's chief of staff James Ashby confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that he had drafted in defamation expert Sue Chrysanthou SC. Senator Hanson (pictured) has refused to comply, instead urging the wildlife warrior to see the funny side of the video which has now been viewed over half a million times Daily Mail Australia approached FC Lawyers for comment. In the episode, the enthusiastic Irwin character attempts to show Bluey all the positive things the Sunshine State has to offer. But the pair are met with the very same problems residents there are struggling with everyday. The duo at one point mistake a long queue at the famed Movie World theme park for a rental inspection, highlighting Queensland's dire housing crisis. They are also targeted by foul-mouthed delinquents who steal their vehicle and 'bash' Bluey. When he is taken to hospital, they are told it will be a 'six-month' wait. The firebrand senator's YouTube series featured an episode where Irwin and the ABC children's cartoon character Bluey are satirically depicted (pictured) The episode ends with a downbeat Irwin, saying 'I can't believe this is the state of Queensland'. On Monday, Hanson said the episode 'highlighted the struggles many Queenslanders are facing due to the serious failures of the Miles Labor state government'. She added: 'We won't let that message be shut down.' Ordinary Aussies have since weighed in, with some calling Irwin a 'sook' who needs to 'grow up', while some have defended him and condemned Hanson. 'Your dad would [have] had a good laugh at Pauline's cartoon. Grow up, stop being a snowflake!' one person said. 'I can't believe Robert Irwin is threatening One Nation with legal action over a (fabulous) satirical cartoon. How pathetic and un-Australian. Grow a sense of humour, mate,' wrote another. Ordinary Aussies have since weighed in, with some calling Irwin a 'sook' who needs to 'grow up', while some have defended him and condemned Hanson 'Robert Irwin is very thin skinned he needs a laugh,' a third person commented. 'Robert Irwin doesn't appear to have thought this through. By taking action, he has not only started trending on X, but so many more people have now seen the video than might have otherwise,' one more wrote. Others took aim at Hanson and defended Irwin. 'It is Pauline Hanson who is the politician and she has a record of trying to sue others when offended,' one wrote. 'She likes to dish it out but cant take it which will cost her at the ballot box!' Another added: 'What about when Pauline Hanson threatened legal action over Pauline Pantsdown.' Isla Fisher looked the picture of summer as she attended Day One of the Zimmermann St Barth VIP Trip on Friday. The actress, 48, wowed in a stunning pale yellow and pink floral midi dress as she smiled in front of the stunning sea backdrop. The star, who recently broke her silence following her separation from Sacha Baron Cohen after 14 years of marriage, completed the look with some gold strappy wedges. Throwing on a pair of stylish shades, Isla beamed in the snaps while her strawberry blonde hair was styled in beach wave curls. She was joined by her friends Australian journalist Laura Brown and lifestyle brand owner Malcolm Carfrae as they hung out at the NAO Beach in Saint Barthelemy. Isla Fisher wowed in a summery floral print dress as she attended Day One of the Zimmermann St Barth VIP Trip on Friday The actress, 48, who recently broke her silence following her separation from Sacha Baron Cohen after 14 years of marriage, completed the look with some gold strappy wedges and stylish shades The trip comes after reports earlier this month revealed that Isla is currently house-hunting in Hampstead, north London. The star, who shares three children with Sacha, has been living in her native Australia with the British actor. However she is now planning to move to the UK, an indication that the couples split is being handled with an exemplary lack of animosity. Sources told The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff that she has a budget of 13 million, give or take, and is searching for a forever family home for her and their three children. Sacha is believed to be in the process of buying a London house of his own. A friend said: Its all about the kids and what is best for them; there seems to be no drama at all. 'Judging by the size of the budget, the family will now be based in London. But Isla is going to keep her place in Australia. Isla is currently in the UK filming for the upcoming Bridget Jones film, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. She was joined by her friends Australian journalist Laura Brown and lifestyle brand owner Malcolm Carfrae as they hung out at the NAO Beach in Saint Barthelemy The two women wore matching dresses with different coloured floral prints Sacha is believed to be in the process of buying a London house of his own and a friend said: Its all about the kids and what is best for them' (pictured with Sacha) The fourth in the series, this will mark Isla's debut in the franchise as she plays a single friend of the iconic heroine played by Renee Zellweger. The star is reportedly channelling her single life following split with husband Sacha Baron Cohen into her latest role. According to WHO Magazine, the actress is drawing from her own personal experience to bring authenticity and depth to her character. 'Isla's real-life is inspiring her,' a source told the publication. 'She's drawing on her own experiences and channelling them into this character.' Isla and Sacha, 52, announced in April that they had quietly separated last year. The couple first met in 2001 and tied the knot in 2010. They are parents to three children. Insiders claim the marriage had been shaky for years, with Sacha reportedly struggling after making the sacrifice to relocate their family to Australia in 2020. They moved from Los Angeles to Sydney, then on to Perth where Islas family live in September 2021, to escape Sydneys strict Covid lockdown rules. It is thought Sacha will keep a house in Los Angeles for work. The split announcement came shortly after actress Rebel Wilson made claims about Sacha in her memoir, Rebel Rising, which he has denied. Rebel hit the headlines after she made several claims against her former Grimsby co-star Sacha, accusing him of inappropriate on set behaviour. Insiders claim the marriage had been shaky for years, with Sacha reportedly struggling after making the sacrifice to relocate their family to Australia in 2020 (pictured 2017) Isla has refused to comment on Rebel Wilson's claims against her estranged husband after she accused him of inappropriate on set behaviour (pictured in 2016's Grimsby) In the book Rebel Rising, the actress wrote she 'rues the day' she met the actor, who she had described as her 'idol', first meeting at a dinner party hosted by Little Britain star Matt Lucas. A year later Sacha offered her a role in 2016 film Grimsby as Dawn, the wife of his character Nobby. Ahead of her memoir's release, Rebel named Sacha as the celebrity responsible for making threats over the book after which his representatives hit back. Taking to Instagram to confirm the identity, she wrote: 'I will not be silenced by high priced lawyers or PR crisis managers. The a****** I am talking about in ONE CHAPTER of my book is: Sacha Baron Cohen.' In the wake of her statement, Sacha spoke out to TMZ via representatives, saying: 'While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence... '[With] contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby.' The book was published in the US last month, and featured a chapter titled Sacha Baron Cohen And Other A**holes, where Rebel makes the claims about his alleged behaviour during the filming of Grimsby. However the UK copies feature the wording crudely blacked out due to what Rebel branded 'peculiarities' of English law. Isla has refused to comment on Rebel's claims against her estranged husband. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori made headlines earlier this week when she debuted a curly pink bob while attending Paris Fashion Week alongside the rapper. The Australian beauty, 29, who was once again slammed over her 'outrageous' outfit, seems to have make a strategic move with her bold hairstyle. And as women often turn to change their hair in sight of a new start, a psychologist told The Sun this could be the case for Bianca, who might want to show the world her 'rebellious' side. The former Yeezy architect debuted the bright, youthful locks at the PROTOTYPES Menswear spring/summer 2025 show on Wednesday. Bianca - who has already been a brunette and a blonde in the past - sported her hair in loose, slightly wavy tendrils - although the new do may have been a convincing wig. Kanye West 's wife Bianca Censori, 29, made headlines earlier this week when she debut a curly pink bob while attending Paris Fashion Week alongside the rapper (pictured on Thursday in Paris) The Aussie beauty, 29, who was once again slammed over her 'outrageous' outfit, seems to have make a strategic move with her bold hairstyle (pictured with Kanye West at MFW in February) But once again her ensemble raised eyebrows and the media personality came under fire for stepping out in a backless and sheer nude thong leotard, adding knee-high stockings with heels. The very revealing number left very little to the imagination, as she walked to the front row of the fashion show late with the rapper, 47, by her side - whom she married in 2022. Psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman suggested to the publication Bianca's bold change was a 'significant' move. 'This was a messy pink wig which signified a desire to stand out,' she told The U.S. Sun, suggesting that the new 'do isn't a dye job but just temporary. 'The statement symbolised a fresh start in Bianca's life. 'Psychologically, changing hair colour to something as striking as pink can reflect a need for self-expression and individuality,' The expert also explained it could symbolise a way 'to carve out her identity' so she can separate herself from Kanye and his influence. Bianca's latest hairstyle choice 'suggests rebellion', according to Dr. Spelman, and 'a willingness to defy conventional beauty norms'. 'This was a messy pink wig which signified a desire to stand out. The statement symbolized a fresh start in Bianca's life,' psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman said Bianca has already been a brunette and a blonde in the past (pictured at MFW in February) But once again her ensemble raised eyebrows as she wore a backless and sheer nude thong leotard, adding knee-high stockings with heels (pictured on Wednesday with Kanye in Paris) The very revealing number left very little to the imagination, as she walked to the front row of the fashion show late with the rapper, 47, by her side - whom she married in 2022 The psychologist explained pink is often associated with playful, feminine energy and therefore could be a way for the star to show her 'softer side' amidst her otherwise bold fashion choices. Young Parisians have expressed concern at the behaviour of Bianca in the French capital after she was seen wearing a revealing outfit made only from tape earlier this week. It follows fears that the Australian architect is being 'controlled' by her husband Kanye as she steps out in a range of skimpy outfits. The outfit, one of Bianca's most revealing to date, saw her wear bandage-like halter suspenders that only covered her nipples while out with her stylist Gadir Rajab. She had on a pair of beige low-rise pedal pushers, constructed from strips of beige tape wrapped around her legs, with slight gaps opening up as she walked toward the restaurant. Bianca's loved ones have expressed their fears after she married Kanye - with some going as far as staging an intervention, while her father Leo was reportedly keen to confront the rapper over his daughter's X-rated clothing. Speaking to MailOnline on Friday some Parisians deemed her outfits to be 'worrying' and claimed Kanye's 'publicity stunts' were both 'strange' and 'dangerous.' Sarra Sean, a 20-year-old linguist, said: 'She's free to do what she wants with her own body, but it's a bit weird. 'I'm not that into celebrities, but there clearly has to be some concern if a famous person is acting strangely. Some of Kanye's political statements have been very worrying lately.' San Zaya, 18, a student, said both Bianca and Kanye had a responsibility to 'be a good example to young people.' She explained: 'Kanya in particular is world famous, and a very influential artist, so anything he does is copied everywhere. 'People can dress how they look, but if they are being forced to behave in a certain way for the cameras, then that can be very dangerous. 'These two are followed massively on social media. I like Kanye West's music, but I don't like some of the publicity that has surrounded him lately.' Eli Sanne, 21, said: 'Some of the photos have certainly looked pretty worrying Kanye is good at what he does, but his behaviour can be strange.' Abdoulaye Bamba, 18, added: 'I like Kanya's music a lot it's been very popular for many years, but I'm not interested in his publicity stunts.' Bianca's latest hairstyle choice 'suggests rebellion', according to Dr. Spelman, and 'a willingness to defy conventional beauty norms' (pictured in Paris earlier this week) The outfit, one of Bianca's most revealing to date, saw her wear bandage-like halter suspenders that only covered her nipples while out with her stylist Gadir Rajab There had been claims that Bianca's risque outfits might see her arrested for public indecency, but Paris lawyers have since said 'this is a ridiculous idea' More recently, insiders claim Bianca's family are concerned Kanye is 'dragging her into the adult film world' and using her to promote his new Yeezy Porn venture (pictured in February at MFW) In March this year, Bianca's mother flew from Australia to the US last week with the intention of 'saving' the Yeezy designer, according to insiders, who claim she is taking time 'to see for herself' whether her daughter truly does have everything under control. 'Bianca's mum had to see for herself after Bianca told her family she has this under control,' a source told DailyMail.com. 'This has been a wonderful opportunity for Alexandra to get to spend time with Bianca and assess the situation for herself.' Bianca's concerned mum rushed out to try and 'save' her daughter, but has reportedly had her fears eased during this time together. The insider continued: 'Right now is a pivotal time and Alexandra was lowkey believing she would come to save her daughter. But this is not the case. 'Kanye has started to turn things around since the release of Vultures in the sense that he is not going off on as many unhinged rants. 'He also knows how to sweet talk a mom. This has been really a good experience, and everyone is so relieved to see her with Alexandra.' Giovanni Pernice was seen back at work on Friday as he left the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells alongside his Strictly pal Lauren Oakley. It is the first time the former Strictly professional, 33, has been seen since breaking his strict pro-dancer routine earlier this week when he was spotted chain-smoking following a visit to Silver Time Casino as well as Admiral Casino and Slots. He also nipped into Paul's Bakery for a pastry, which he ate out of a brown paper bag. And now The Sun has revealed that Giovanni is a regular at Silver Time Casino and often frequents the fruit machines during his visits. He spent nearly an hour inside on Monday, but sources told the publication he visited on three separate occasions last week. Giovanni Pernice is back to work as was seen leaving the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells theatre with pal Lauren Oakley on Friday - amid reports he is set to join Italian version of Strictly Earlier this week the former Strictly professional, 33, was seen breaking his strict pro-dancer routine as he visited Silver Time Casino as well as Admiral Casino and Slots, before nipping into Paul's Bakery for a pastry 'Giovanni comes in quite often and at all times of the day, not just the morning. An insider said:He'd not been seen for a while but came in three times last week. 'He was spending up to 300 a time and he always plays on the same four fruit machines, betting 2 a spin. Sometimes he loses, but he wins too. 'Sometimes he'll just come in to have a coffee and a quick bet, then go.' MailOnline have contacted Giovanni's representatives for comment. Giovanni was also seen chain smoking outside this week before treating himself to a pastry amid reports he is in advanced talks to join the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing. It was confirmed earlier this month that Giovanni would not be returning as a professional on the 20th anniversary series of Strictly this year. The BBC have launched an investigation after the dancer was accused of 'threatening and abusive behaviour' while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore. However, MailOnline have exclusively revealed that Giovanni is preparing to begin a new role on Dancing with the Stars in Italy, in a tactical move he hopes will give him the chance to carry on performing. A source told MailOnline: 'Giovanni is in advanced talks to join the Italian version of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars. 'Bosses are really keen to sign him as a judge given his fame and status in the UK but are also open to the dancer performing as a professional, if he still wants to compete. 'It's a great move for Giovanni, who has weighed up the possibility of doing shows like I'm A Celeb, but dance will always be his passion. 'All he wants is a fresh start and to join Dancing with the Stars in Italy will certainly give him the new chapter he's been hoping for.' Giovanni was joined by his pal and Strictly professional dancer Lauren Oakley Giovanni kept it low key as he wore a black bomber jacket and black jeans while leaving the theatre An insider told The Sun: 'He was spending up to 300 a time and he always plays on the same four fruit machines, betting 2 a spin' The BBC have launched an investigation after the dancer was accused of 'threatening and abusive behaviour' while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore MailOnline have exclusively revealed that Giovanni is preparing to begin a new role on Dancing with the Stars in Italy, in a tactical move he hopes will give him the chance to carry on performing him a 'perfect gentleman', amid his shock exit from BBC show amid workplace misconduct probe. Elsewhere, Giovanni was also defended by Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas, 63, this week after she called For weeks executives have been investigating claims that Giovanni behaved 'abrasively' to his most recent celebrity partner Amanda. Shirley has hailed Giovanni saying they socialise outside of work and she has only had positive experiences with him. Speaking at Q&A for her new crime novel, according to The Sun, she said: 'He is coming to my party on Sunday. You know, I can only talk from my own perspective. 'I have known Giovanni for ten years. He has always been to me, and I will make that clear, to me a perfect gentleman. 'I don't condone bullying on any path. But I don't believe gossip because things are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball.' Shirley added that her mother Audrey 'loves' Giovanni and always makes time to say hello to them. She said: 'It does not matter when he is on tour, or where he is or what he is doing, he will make his way across and he will say 'Lovely to see you Shirley. Lovely to see your mum.' Lauren was greet by a fan as she left the theatre The pair embraced in a sweet hug as Lauren chatted to the member of the public The TV personality said she will not judge anyone until the investigation has been fully carried out and added Giovanni 'will be missed' on the show this year. Elsewhere, Shirley described Giovanni as a 'hard worker' who always tries his best. She told Best magazine: 'I think everybody in the Strictly cast is fantastic and I've known Giovanni a long, long time. I've known him probably longer than a lot of people have known him and I can only talk from personal experience. 'He's got a work ethic that is the same as mine. He works hard and he wants the best for anybody who wants to learn. He's a true gentleman and, of course, he always looks drop-dead gorgeous.' Shirley noted that Giovanni is an incredibly considerate person in general who goes out of his way to make someone feel 'super-special'. This week Shirley Ballas defended Giovanni, calling him a 'perfect gentleman' Head judge Shirley, 63, has hailed Giovanni, 33, saying they socialise outside of work and she has only had positive experiences with him For weeks executives have been investigating claims that Giovanni, who recently lost his spot on the show, behaved 'abrasively' to his celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington Shirley said: 'I have known Giovanni for ten years. He has always been to me, and I will make that clear, to me a perfect gentleman' She added: 'I don't condone bullying on any path. But I don't believe gossip because things are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball' (Giovanni, right, pictured with Anton Du Beke) She added: 'He always puts his best foot forward and is always on time, he's one of those very thoughtful people. He called me the other day to invite my mum to a show he was doing because they love each other. As popular as he is, he will always try and make his way to any fan who wants to see him and will always make them feel super-special.' Despite the furore, head judge Shirley has stood by the under-fire pro and will join him in hosting a number of dance classes in London next month. Named Ballando, the one-day event is led by Shirley, Giovanni and Anton Du Beke as they share their expertise with fans. Giovanni's absence from the Strictly line-up was revealed when the BBC shared the names of the professionals appearing this year. This season will see the return of Amy Dowden , who was treated for breast cancer last year, alongside Dianne Buswell , Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk. Joining them on the dancefloor are Jowita Przystal , Johannes Radebe , Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola. The BBC also confirmed the return of judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke. Executive producer Sarah James said in a statement: 'This year Strictly marks two decades of entertaining the nation and we will be back with a bang in September as we celebrate in style with our incredible team both on and off screen.' Strictly head judge Shirley said: 'My feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out' Despite the furore, head judge Shirley has stood by the under-fire pro and will join him in hosting a number of dance classes in London next month alongside Anton Du Beke Giovanni returned to social media for the first time on Thursday after the BBC confirmed he would not be returning to the show It comes after the Daily Mail revealed BBC bosses are 'furious' that leaks of confidential details of the probe have been made public. It was reported that claims Giovanni would 'grab his crotch' when one of his partners did well have been heard by investigators. The Sun newspaper also told how Amanda said her foot was bruised after Pernice stood on it. BBC bosses are said to be 'concerned' and are wanting to find out how this information is being released. They are also worried that the leaks mean that Giovanni, who quit Strictly in April after nine years, is being vilified by the public. One insider at the corporation told the Mail: 'We are talking about a confidential, internal inquiry here yet there are several elements finding their way into the public domain now. 'While it isn't an HR issue, it is an investigation which the BBC are taking seriously. 'The bosses want to know why this is happening. They want to find the leak. If you are Giovanni here you might be thinking that this is highly unfair. 'It also seems quite rum that it is all anti-Giovanni. There is nothing coming out in his favour at all. It's all very strange.' The inquiry began last month and the outcome is expected within a few weeks. It all began when Amanda revealed to The Sun in January that she had got post-traumatic stress disorder after appearing on Strictly last year when she was paired with Pernice. She also asked for video footage of her rehearsals with the Sicilian dancer. After he was offered a contract to return to the series, which starts in September, Ms Abbington instructed London-based legal firm Carter-Ruck to represent her along with two other female stars who have appeared on Strictly. Three women, including actress Amanda Abbington (pictured), have hired 700-an-hour lawyers at leading London law firm Carter Ruck to pursue claims against Giovanni and the BBC Ms Abbington reportedly met up with Laura Whitmore and Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also former partners of Pernice to discuss his so-called bad behaviour. Giovanni responded by hiring rival firm Schillings, which has represented royals such Prince Harry and Meghan, as well as J. K. Rowling and Ryan Giggs. He has vowed not to be cancelled and is fully co-operating with the investigation. In the last fortnight he has begun to engage with the BBC. He expects to be exonerated. In a statement, the dancer said: 'Giovanni is fully committed to clearing his name and defending his reputation against all false and misleading accusations against him.' On Instagram yesterday Pernice, who is currently on tour across the country with Strictly star Anton Du Beke, branded allegations about his teaching methods 'simply false'. He wrote: 'Every week, there are totally untrue stories about me in the media. 'As you know, I have always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour. The latest accusations are simply false. 'I am co-operating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. 'As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth.' As the investigation into Giovanni 's alleged inappropriate behaviour continues the BBC have reportedly brought in two ex Met officers to conduct the interviews. And it is understood they have already interviewed at least one female complainant, The Sun has revealed. The other two are due to be seen in the coming days as the organisation continue to reportedly scour nine years of footage from Giovanni's training sessions. A source told the publication: 'The BBC is taking this extremely seriously. 'Two ex-Met cops are conducting all the interviews and have been tasked with gathering evidence including texts and screenshots which they will present to corporation executives. 'Giovanni has not yet been spoken to.' MailOnline have contacted Giovanni's representatives. The BBC chose not to comment when approached for a statement. Giovanni returned to social media for the first time on Thursday after the BBC confirmed he would not be returning to the show. The dancer shared a video to the Ballando Instagram account in which he could be seen taking charge in leading a series of group dance sessions. Earlier this week a male celebrity reportedly joined the group of women making complaints about Giovanni 's behaviour (pictured with previous dance partner Ranvir Singh) The Sicilian dancer is accused of 'threatening and abusive behaviour' while working with celebrity contestants on the show (pictured with Laura Whitmore in 2016) Keeping his words to a minimum, he simply added three love heart emojis to the post - proving that he still has a passion for dance. The dancer is set to return to the stage for his show - The Anton and Giovanni Together live tour - on Friday alongside Strictly judge Anton Du Beke. The BBC's announcement of which dancers would be competing in this year's show is a routine procedure by show bosses and does not mark the end of the probe into Giovanni's behaviour. A show insider said: 'Giovanni's case is very much ongoing. The announcement is circulated when Strictly have finalised the contracts of the pros who are able to compete. 'Giovanni's absence has been known for some weeks, he won't have anything to do with the 2024 season. 'But the investigation into his alleged wrongdoings will continue to develop alongside preparation for the upcoming series.' Austin Butler has shared fond memories of his mother, Lori, who died when he was still in his 20s. The former Disney channel star, 32, carries ongoing heartbreak over losing his 'best friend' when he was only 23. 'If I describe her, she was a person who was just so kind to everybody that she came in contact with and I hope to be even just a little bit like her in that way' the American actor tells Adelaide Now. 'If you came into contact with her... your day was a little bit better. She was such a bright light and so I think there's a lot of things that I learned from her that I admire so much. And my dad's the same way, he's just always kind.' He added: 'I just have to credit my parents you know, my mum was my best friend.' Austin Butler (pictured) has shared fond memories of his mother, Lori, who died when he was still in his 20s. The former Disney channel star, 32, carries ongoing heartbreak over losing his 'best friend' when he was only 23 Austin previously revealed that he had started filming a project shortly after his mother's passing, which was caused by a battle with cancer, and that he would 'cry every night.' The Elvis actor, who has received a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of the King of Rock n' Roll, also credited his mother for supporting him in his career, stating to The Hollywood Reporter, 'I owe her for everything.' The Carrie Diaries actor expressed that he first began acting when he, 'stumbled into extra work,' adding that he had been, 'an incredibly shy kid.' He explained that his mother, Lori, had seen his passion for acting early on. 'My mum saw that in me, and I owe her for everything because she quit her job and drove me to auditions and took me to acting classes. Then I started working' he said. 'I just have to credit my parents you know, my mum was my best friend' he said. Austin is pictured with his family and mother (upper right) when he was a child However, after landing larger roles, his mother passed away in 2014 after battling cancer. 'After my mum passed away, I'd never experienced pain like that before, and I started to question,' Austin admitted during the interview. The star stated that after spending time in hospitals and around doctors, he began to ask himself if acting was 'a noble profession.' Austin expressed that following his mother's death, he flew to New Zealand to film a series that was cancelled after two seasons. He explained that although the show was enjoyed by viewers and that he himself had 'fun' shooting, 'I'd go home and cry every night.' 'If I describe her, she was a person who was just so kind to everybody that she came in contact with and I hope to be even just a little bit like her in that way' the American actor said 'I was dealing with grief, but it was also this feeling that I wasn't aligned with something that felt truly fulfilling,' he added, revealing that he was around 24-years-old at the time and was ready to take a break from acting. 'I thought, "I've got a little bit of money in the bank. I'll just take time off"' he explained. 'Then I started sinking into a deeper and deeper depression. It was about six or eight months of that.' However, he later sent in an audition tape for the Broadway show, The Iceman Cometh, which also starred Denzel Washington. The Elvis actor also credited his mother for supporting him in his career, stating, 'I owe her for everything.' Pictured in 2012, two years before mother's passing Austin explained after being cast, that was, 'the moment that changed my career.' He has previously credited and paid tribute to his mother, including his appearance as host of Saturday Night Live in 2022. During his opening monologue, the former Nickelodeon actor stated to the audience that when he was younger, he had a 'crippling shyness,' but when he was with his mum, 'I'd just do anything to make her laugh,' including a Gollum impression. 'But, really, being silly with her is what broke me out of my shell and the core of what started me in acting.' Being on SNL had made the star think about his mother, and that he could imagine, 'how proud she'd be of her son, who used to not be able to order food for myself at a restaurant, is now standing on this stage.' To conclude his monologue, Austin then dedicated each 'silly voice' or a 'funny face' he did on the show to his later mother, emotionally adding, 'That's for you, mum.' Rebel Wilson's little girl is quickly turning into her mini-me. The toddler, Royce, 19 months, is already running laps around her famous mother as Rebel proved in an Instagram Stories post on Saturday. The 44-year-old, who is enjoying a vacation in Europe, shared a photo of the beaming tot by the pool. 'Royce loves Greece!' the Bridesmaids star wrote in her caption across the image. Rebel also shared several images from her holiday, which she's on alongside fiancee Ramona Agruma and a group of friends. Rebel Wilson 's little girl is quickly turning into her mini-me. Rebel is pictured The toddler, Royce, 19 months, is already running laps around her famous mother as Rebel proved in an Instagram Stories post on Saturday 'Greek life!' she wrote in her caption alongside an album of photos which showed her living it up. In one image, Rebel posed in front of a luxurious pool, while in another, she cuddled up to Ramona with a stunning sunset in the background. Further photos showed Rebel jumping for joy and partying with her friends in the stunning country. It comes after Rebel revealed she is yet to meet Agruma's parents for a heartbreaking reason. During an interview on the Today show in the US, the Pitch Perfect star, who started dating Ramona in June 2022 before the pair got engaged months later, explained her partner comes from a conservative background. The 44-year-old is enjoying a vacation in Europe Rebel shared several images from her holiday, which she's on alongside fiancee Ramona Agruma (left) and a group of friends In one image, Rebel posed in front of a luxurious pool, in another, she partied with friends 'Greek life!' she wrote in her caption alongside an album of photos from the trip 'Ramona was born in Latvia, and it's not as LGBTQ+-friendly as other countries are,' she said. 'There are still parts of the world that aren't as accepting.' She added that the couple will be soon heading to Europe for a holiday and she hopes this will allow her to finally meet her future in-laws and introduce their 19-month-old daughter Royce to them in person. 'I'm really excited to meet them because I know they are very smart. Ramona's mother is a doctor. Roycie is the real icebreaker. They've been FaceTiming with her.' Earlier this month, Rebel admitted while she feels 'lucky' her family were accepting of her relationship, her partner hasn't had such a comfortable ride. The SAG Award nominee and her fiancee welcomed Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson via surrogate in 2022 Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs' program, Rebel said: 'I'm lucky in my case, it went very, very well... My grandparents, who are in their 90s, so cool with it.' 'Ramona's family, not as much. Her mum has luckily come around now, her father still doesn't talk to her, but we're hoping that will change,' she added. The actress had been in the process of using a surrogate to have a child when she first met Ramona, and was thankful her partner was quickly accepting of her family plans. 'I'd already been planning to use a surrogate to have a child and I'd done several rounds of IVF and I had one embryo transfer, which sadly didn't work.' 'Almost right at meeting Ramona, I was planning on the second embryo transfer and I was like, 'Babe I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm going to have a child kind of around November',' she said. 'Ramona just looked at me and said, "Well, I love you and if you have a child, I'm going to love your child exactly the same way"'. The SAG Award nominee and her fiancee welcomed Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson via surrogate in 2022. Jerry Seinfeld has again shut down pro-Palestine protesters during one of his Australian comedy shows after the group started heckling him while he was on stage. The comedian was performing stand-up to thousands of fans at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night when he was met with a handful of pro-Palestine hecklers. Towards the end of his set, the group started chanting 'From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free'. In response to the interruption, Seinfeld immediately hit back at the protesters who'd paid to attend his show. Jerry Seinfeld has shut down pro-Palestine protesters during one of his Australian comedy shows after the group started heckling him while he was on stage 'I think you need to go back and tell whoever is running your organisation: ''We just gave more money to a Jew'',' he said, as the crowd erupted with laughter and applause. 'That cannot be a good plan for you. 'You gotta come up with a better plan.' The protesters were then escorted out of the arena by police. Earlier in the night, just over a dozen Palestine supporters were seen outside the venue with signs reading 'F**k Jerry Seinfeld'. There was also a heavy police presence with officers manning the entrances of the arena. It comes after the comedian was heckled during one of his Sydney shows on Tuesday night. The legendary comedian was performing his second show at the ICC Sydney Theatre when two men stood up and began chanting 'free Palestine' while waving the Palestinian flag, in footage captured by The Australian Jewish Association. They were also heard calling him a 'hack' and a 'fraud'. The audience quickly responded with boos and it wasn't long before the TV veteran zeroed in on the hecklers. 'You're doing great. You're getting them on your side, can you hear it? It's working,' said Seinfeld, 70, as security moved in to handle the situation. 'You have strong political feelings but you don't know where to say them. Seinfeld, who has said he stands with Israel, has been heckled by pro-Palestine supporters during his time in Australia 'You think that ruining the night it doesn't affect me. All these people, you're ruining their night.' Seinfeld, who is Jewish, made a solidarity visit to Israel at the end of 2023. He also met with families of hostages taken by Hamas. He has said he will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Last Sunday night at Qudos Bank Arena, another incident unfolded when an audience member interrupted Seinfeld with a provocative chant. As he performed for the crowd, the heckler shouted, 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' The outburst prompted immediate reactions from the audience who demanded the protester 'get out' before chanting 'Jerry, Jerry'. Security quickly intervened, escorting the heckler out as the audience erupted in boos. 'We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East [crisis],' Seinfeld said. Eva Longoria has a reputation for hard work, but the actress and director also likes to party hard too. The former Desperate Housewives star, 49, reveals she boogied all night long when she attended Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party in April. 'I danced all night and I was sore the next day,' she said. 'I was like, "Oh my god,"' she told People. Longoria, met Beckham and her husband David, 49, when she was married to her ex-husband, Tony Parker, and is godmother to their daughter Harper, 12. Spice Girls music was included on the party playlist Longoria revealed. Eva Longoria, 49, boogied all night long when she attended Victoria Beckham 's 50th birthday party in April. 'I danced all night and I was sore the next day,' she said. 'I was like, "Oh my god,"' she told People Guests were also treated by a special performance when all of the former girl group members, Gerri Halliwell, Melanie 'Mel B' Brown, Melanie 'Mel C' Chisolm, Emma Bunton and Beckham sang their 1996 hit Mama. 'They all got up and sang their songs,' she gushed. The busy Longoria was in Paris Saturday where she is promoting her Casa Del Sol Tequila at Vogue World during Fashion Week. Video posted in the Casa Del Sol Instagram Stories shows the entrepreneur walking through the city past the past the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, wearing a black T-shirt and billed cap promoting the brand. 'Bon jour Paris,' the Flamin' Hot director said into the camera. 'Casa Del Sol, Sacre Coeur. It's a beautiful day in Paris.' The next clip shows Longoria working behind a bar, stocking shelves. 'Eva, what are you doing?' a man asks. 'Eva, you don't need to do that,' a woman tells her. 'I'm working Kenny, I'm working,' the boss tells him. 'I see this,' he answered. Longoria met Beckham when she was married to ex-husband Tony Parker and is godmother to her daughter Harper, 12 The actress and entrepreneur was in Paris Saturday, and shared a video of herself walking past the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. 'Bon jour Paris,' the Flamin' Hot director said into the camera. 'Casa Del Sol, Sacre Coeur. It's a beautiful day in Paris' she said The next clip shows Longoria working behind a bar, stocking shelves at Vogue World, part of Paris Fashion Week. 'I'm the stock girl,' Longoria explained to the camera Longoria stars in and executive produced the upcoming Land of Women which debuts on Apple+ June 26 'I'm the stock girl,' Longoria explained as she continued her work. The busy actress is starring in the upcoming romantic comedy Land of Women as a woman whose seemingly perfect life is turned upside down when she discovers her husband owes millions to the mob. The series is based on the novel La Tierra de las Mujeres by Sandra Barneda. Longoria is also serving as an executive producer on the show which will debut on Apple+ June 26. Smoke rises from the Sites Fire in Colusa County on Friday. Cal Fire Crews work work Thursday to secure a line around the Point Fire in Sonoma County. Cal Fire Firefighters battling the Sites and Point fires in Northern California prepared for high temperatures Saturday as they worked to control the spread, according to Cal Fire. The Sites Fire in Colusa County had burned more than 19,200 acres and was 38% contained Saturday night, the agency said, up from 25% Friday. Temperatures surpassed 100 degrees in the area Saturday for the second straight day. Firefighters are aggressively mopping up the area and continue to improve control lines. A hot and relatively dry airmass remains across the fire area, a Cal Fire status update said Saturday night. Hot conditions will continue Sunday, along with gusty afternoon winds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad All but one evacuation order in the area, Sites Lodoga Road from Sites to Lodoga, had been downgraded to evacuation warnings, meaning the fire posed a potential threat to life and property. The Point Fire in Sonoma County had burned more than 1,200 acres and was 85% contained Saturday night, up from 75% Friday. Temperatures surpassed 90 degrees Saturday, and crews continued to mop up and secure a line around the fire. Jay Blades finally broke his silence on Saturday following his shock marriage split from estranged wife Lisa Marie Zbozen. The Repair Shop star, 54, fondlY marked Windrush Day as he took to his Instagram page with a very heartfelt message. He graced his followers' feed as the BBC alum came back on the platform following a social media break. Jay paid a tribute to his beloved grandmother and great aunt who both belonged to the Windrush Generation which bravely came all the way from Barbados to England. He penned the lengthy message: 'Ive taken a pause from social media and Ive decided to come back on this day. Jay Blades has finally broke his silence on Saturday following his shock marriage split from estranged wife Lisa Marie Zbozen The Repair Shop star, 54, fondly celebrated the Windrush Day as he took to his Instagram page with a very heartfelt message 'Today is a celebration of the Windrush Generation as my Grandmother and my Great Aunt took that journey from Barbados to England. I dont know if they understood the impact that they would have, in helping to rebuild the nation after the Second World War. 'I wanted to pay homage to all of the Windrush Generation, and say a very BIG thank you. The Windrush Generation holds a significant place in the history of the United Kingdom. 'Arriving from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1971, these individuals, including my grandmother, came to the UK to help rebuild the nation after World War II. Their contributions were instrumental in shaping modern British society, bringing cultural diversity, enriching the workforce, and influencing various facets of daily life. He continued gushing proudly over his ancestors: 'Despite facing challenges and discrimination, the resilience and determination of the Windrush Generation have left an indelible legacy. 'They not only contributed to the economic growth of the UK but also brought vibrant cultural influences that have become integral to British identity. 'The courage and perseverance of my Grandmother and her peers are a testament to their enduring spirit and significant impact on the nations fabric and also to me. 'From the Bottom Of My Heart, I Just Want To Say Thank You ,' Jay finished up emotionally. Jay was seen back on the set of The Repair Shop for the first time earlier this month since his shock marriage split. Jay paid a tribute to his beloved grandmother and great aunt who both belonged to the Windrush Generation which bravely came all the way from Barbados to England He graced his followers' feed as the BBC alum came back on the platform following a social media break He returned to work as he was spotted without his wedding ring on after his wife Lisa announced in May that the couple had split. It was announced that Jay would be taking time away from TV in light of the split, however it seems he's seemingly been permitted by the BBC to resume work. He looked delighted to be back with the crew as he beamed in snaps while filming scenes at the Bournemouth set. Sources close to the production reportedly told Click News, that his presence back on set has brought back a sense of 'normalcy' after he took time away from the show. Lisa walked out on Jay last month, saying their 18-month marriage 'just got worse and worse, until I grabbed a bag of a few things and I left'. It came soon after the murder of his uncle who tragically died in April. Taking to Instagram, Lisa announced her split from the TV star who she married in November 2022, in an emotional post. She said: 'I have been quiet until now, but the papers seem to be picking up this story, but some parts have been definitely missed, so it's forced my hand... 'This was the whole post on a private forum: I don't know how to say this because it's still really raw. 'I probably should be really angry but I'm just incredibly sad about the whole thing right now. I don't think I've ever cried so much. 'I wanted my husband to love me & keep me safe, and I would love him right back, but it just got worse and worse, until I grabbed a bag of a few thing's & I just left. Anyway, That's why there's been no new wkouts [workouts].' In another post, she said: 'I will admit I'm crying as I type this as I can't believe this is even real. I hope you don't mind if I just have a few days trying to figure out my life as I'm currently in a spare room with a few essentials. 'I don't know what else to say. All my love, A very broken Lisa-Marie x.' It all came as Jay was expected to be back filming the hugely-popular BBC show The Repair Shop but had reportedly been absent on set. MailOnline revealed that Jay would be 'given the time' he needed to deal with personal issues impacting his life. Amid reports that Jay had thrown BBC's The Repair Shop filming into chaos, a source has confirmed to MailOnline that the presenter is being 'given the space' he needs to get 'his head straight'. The insider said: 'Jay is a much-loved member of the team on The Repair Shop. It is a really close-knit group, who are like a family. 'Jay will be given the time he needs to deal with things and sort out what he needs to get sorted. 'He's been through a really difficult time with his uncle and now he is having to deal with the breakdown of his marriage. Jay returned to work as he was spotted without his wedding ring on after his wife Lisa announced in May that the couple had split Lisa walked out on Jay last month, saying their 18-month marriage 'just got worse and worse, until I grabbed a bag of a few things and I left' (pictured September 2023) Lisa announced that she had ended her marriage with Blades with a surprise post on social media last month (seen on wedding day) In a statement posted on Instagram, Lisa said: 'I don't know how to say this because it's still really raw 'The BBC fully expect Jay to return but they won't be rushing or pushing him to come back before he is ready and he'll be given the space to sort things out and get his head straight.' Reports recently suggested that the Christmas special of the Repair Shop was in jeopardy due to Jay's absence. But MailOnline later understood that this was not the case and with Jay back filming it seems the show's filming schedule has resumed. Jonathan Majors tearfully accepted the perseverance award at Friday's Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards. The actor, 34, who has been living quietly since he was convicted in December of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, was honored as 'an individual who has shown that no matter what adversity they face, they will continue to aspire to inspire.' As part of his sentence, handed down in April, The Harder They Fall star was ordered to attend a 52-week in-person domestic violence intervention program. The ceremonies were hosted by Tiffany Haddish and the awards were founded by Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee. Jonathan Majors, 34, tearfully accepted the Perseverance award at Friday's Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards. He was honored for continued 'to aspire to inspire,' following his December 2023 conviction on domestic abuse charges 'I reckon folks want to know about the last year,' Majors said as he began his 17-minute speech, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'As a Black man in the criminal justice system, I felt anger, I felt sadness, hurt, surprise. When they snatched me up out of my apartment in handcuffs, I didnt feel like all that,' he said, gesturing to a screen that had just played highlights from his various performances. 'I didnt feel like Jonathan Majors, Mr. Creed, Mr. Kang; I felt like a little scared, weak boy,' he explained, adding, 'despite the support and evidence that was in my favor, I knew s**t was bad. And it was bad because of who I was and what I am. This is what happens to Black people all too often.' Majors said he persevered through his faith. 'The God I serve has put me in a position where Ive had to embody that word more than I wished or wanted to.' 'We live in a world where men, Black men in particular, are propped up as either superheroes or super villains, but I've come to realize, me personally, I ain't none of that.' 'I'm imperfect. I have shortcomings, I acknowledge them. I love my craft.' 'I've sat in that pitch black,' he shared, 'and what I've learned is that we catch a glimpse of light, you run as hard and as fast as you can towards it.' The Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards were founded by Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee. Majors' girlfriend, Meagan Good, 42, accompanied him to the ceremonies Majors was convicted on misdemeanor domestic violence charges involving his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari in December 2023. In April, he was ordered to attend a 52-week of in-person domestic violence intervention program During his speech, Majors said his faith had helped him persevere. 'The God I serve has put me in a position where Ive had to embody that word more than I wished or wanted to' The Creed III actor also thanked some of his A-list friends for their support, recalling 'the midnight text from my brother Will Smith, letting the homie know, "Hey Im thinking about you man."' He revealed 'Tyler Perry breathed life into me, just supporting and loving on people the way he does.' 'David Oyelowo and his whole group of threads I think maybe some of yall are on that thread,' he said the the crowd, adding, 'I dont participate because its crazy but I feel the love.' 'Courtney B. Vance has been with me from Lovecraft Country,' calling the actor, 'my Uncle George forever.' Other supporters included Whoopi Goldberg 'breathed this light of wisdom and understanding and caring onto me and my queen (girlfriend Meagan Good). It was Whoopi who allowed us to understand the support of community.' He thanked his mother Terri, who 'brought me into this world on September 7, 1989, in Lompoc, California, on a military base and stood behind her 34-year-old son as she heard him say, "Guilty.'" Majors repeatedly told Good, 42, who was also crying, 'I love you, I love you beyond all limit, with all my strength, with all my heart I love you.' The Emmy nominee added, 'I receive this award not just as an acknowledgment that I have persevered, but as a command to be there for others and help them when and if their trials come.' Majors thanked many of his A-list friends for standing by him during his legal problems, recalling 'the midnight text from my brother Will Smith, letting the homie know, "Hey Im thinking about you man"' (Pictured in Los Angeles in May) 'Tyler Perry breathed life into me, just supporting and loving on people the way he does,' Majors say of the media mogul (Pictured in New York in February) Majors said 'Courtney B. Vance has been with me from Lovecraft Country,' calling the actor, 'my Uncle George forever' (Pictured in Beverly Hills in September 2023) 'Perseverance rests on the shoulders of many; I command myself to be shoulders to our community, to my queen, to our industry, to our culture.' He then spoke to his nine-year-old daughter, 'And just to Ella, my baby girl, were gonna be alright. Your father loves you.' Majors closed by saying, 'I love yall, I thank you for this. To be in this room with these great entertainers, these great Black artists, woo. Aint no place like home.' Cardi B, Sharon Stone, Fat Joe, Da Brat and wife Jesseca Harris-Dupart, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, and Christian Louboutin were also honored. Suri Cruise looked overjoyed after receiving her diploma from LaGuardia High School on Friday. While attending her high school graduation, with her mom by her side, the 18-year-old daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, who is expected to attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh this fall, looked absolutely beautiful as she celebrated her latest milestone, without her father present. For the ceremony, which took place at the United Palace Theatre in the Washington Heights, the teen wore a long white dress under a bright red graduation robe, open-toed heels and her long hair down. For the special occasion, her mom, 45, opted to rock a yellow long sleeve shirt and matching pleated pants. Suri's Graduation Booklet displays her name as Suri Noelle. Katie Holmes and daughter Suri Cruise were spotted at Suri's high school graduation in New York City on Friday While attending her high school graduation, with her mom by her side, the 18-year-old daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, who is expected to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh this fall, looked absolutely beautiful as she celebrated her latest milestone, without her father present For the ceremony, which took place at the United Palace Theatre in the Washington Heights, the teen wore a long white dress under a bright red graduation robe, open-toed sandals and her long hair down This marks another example of Suri opting to use her mothers middle name in place of father's last name, Cruise. On Saturday, Cruise was spotted attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, according to ET. Despite her dad's absence, Suri was surrounded by loved ones and classmates, who she could be seen exchanging friendly hugs with following the ceremony. Suri's high school is LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, often referred to simply as LaGuardia, which is a public high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts. Suri, whose famous father has had no part in her upbringing, has always been determined to forge her own way. She applied to a host of colleges with the artistic teen 'leaning towards' studying fashion. Carnegie Mellon's School of Design is one of the oldest and most highly ranked programs in the country. Now, with her acceptance into its hallowed halls, a notably chic mother and a wardrobe said to be worth $5million, Suri is off to the best possible start if that is her chosen path. One insider told DailyMail.com: 'She is a smart girl, and she is turning into a very intelligent mature young woman. She has a very close group of loyal friends, and she knows exactly where she comes from.' Suri and Katie were seen sharing a sweet hug outside Manhattan's prestigious United Palace Theatre For the special occasion, her mom, 45, opted to rock a yellow long sleeve shirt and matching pleated pants Katie and Suri's resemblance to each other was uncanny Suri's high school is LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts Suri rocked a pair of Converse high tops for her big day Suri is expected to attend Carnegie Mellon's School of Design which is one of the oldest and most highly ranked programs in the country She applied to a host of colleges with the artistic teen 'leaning towards' studying fashion Katie looked sophisticated chic in her summer ensemble Suri's Graduation Booklet displays her name as Suri Noelle But though Holmes will surely be proud of her daughter's stellar achievement sources say she is 'overwhelmed' at the thought of sending her little girl off to college. Speaking recently, one told DailyMail.com: 'Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely overprotective.' Perhaps it's little wonder given that, for the past 11 years, Holmes has effectively raised Suri solo. Sixty-one-year-old Cruise's only input to his daughter's life has been financial and he hasn't been seen with his daughter since 2013, after Holmes quit both the marriage and the Church of Scientology the religion to which Cruise is so devoted. According to their divorce settlement, Cruise agreed to pay Holmes $400,000 a year until Suri turned 18 and will continue to pay for her college fees as well. Under the terms of their agreement, though he may be physically absent from his daughter's life, he has and will continue to cover, 'medical, dental, insurance, education, college and other extracurricular costs.' But despite having little if any relationship with her dad, Suri is, according to sources, a happy and well-adjusted teen who has loved growing up in New York City. Katie and Tom married in a Scientologist ceremony in Italy in 2006 when the Dawson's Creek actress was 27 and the Mission Impossible star was 44. Tom Cruise was spotted attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London while Suri graduated; (pictured in 2008) One insider told DailyMail.com: 'She is a smart girl, and she is turning into a very intelligent mature young woman. She has a very close group of loyal friends, and she knows exactly where she comes from' Though Holmes will surely be proud of her daughter's stellar achievement, sources say she is 'overwhelmed' at the thought of sending her little girl off to college Suri is almost as tall as her Hollywood star mom A source told DailyMail.com: 'Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely overprotective' The gorgeous mother-daughter duo took over the sidewalks However, during the six years they were married sources close to Katie suggested she felt increasingly intimidated by the church, in which Tom remains a powerful figure today. When the couple split in 2012, it was reported that Katie had chosen to end the couple's marriage over fears about raising her daughter as a Scientologist - a religion that Tom is incredibly dedicated to. Her decision to quit the religion, as well as the marriage, caused a major rift between the former spouses. Tom and Suri's relationship become increasingly distant over the years. MailOnline revealed in 2016 that Katie feared she would lose Suri to Scientology, after seeing how Tom's first wife Nicole Kidman became distanced from the children she adopted with him, Bella and Connor, when they remained within the church after she left. It was reported that Katie's final straw came when members of the Church of Scientology moved into the couple's home. Ron Miscavige, the father of Scientology leader David, who himself renounced the religion, told DailyMail.com that there is a 'toxic' policy of 'disconnection' operating within the church - which is something Katie feared would be implemented to keep her away from her daughter. Speaking to the website in 2016, five years before he passed away, Ron (who was estranged from David) explained that the disconnection policy sees Scientologists cut off contact with any family member who leaves the church. He claimed it happened to him, not only with son David, but also with his two daughters, Denise and Lori. Suri appeared to be in high spirits as she shared a laugh with her mom Suri flashed her stunning smile as she appeared to enjoy the conversation with friends following the ceremony The famous mom and teen share the same winning smile Katie appeared at ceremony with her parents, Martin and Kathleen Holmes Katie added a chic bag and set of necklaces to the mix The Dawson's Creek alum hit the Big Apple pavement in a set of designer heels as she held the graduation program Suri embraces her mom as they pose for a photo together He claimed members of the church's staff, known as Sea Org, moved in with Cruise and Holmes. The move was to make sure the organization's most valuable celebrity was being properly taken care of. 'That didn't sit so well with Katie, of course, and it hurt the marriage,' he said. 'She and Tom had big differences about the way life should be lived.' He added Katie was concerned about the prospect of raising Suri in the church. Although breaking free from the Church and divorcing its most influential member was a risky business, Katie Holmes had a secret weapon - her divorce attorney father, Martin Holmes. People magazine reported Katie turned to Martin for advice before making any moves to split from Tom and that he 'helped orchestrate his daughter's sudden split' from the actor. 'Marty is very rigid it's his way or the highway,' a Toledo attorney who has worked with Martin told the magazine. 'Marty believes there are only two sets of rules: the rules of the court and his rules, and he carries himself that way.' When Katie and Tom split in 2012, it was reported that Katie had chosen to end the couple's marriage over fears about raising her daughter as a Scientologist The principal of Suri's high school is Deepak Marwah On Saturday, Cruise (pictured in April) was spotted attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, according to ET Tom Cruise at Taylor Swifts The Eras Tour in London. (via @andrewnavs) pic.twitter.com/N9jZoE1r7q Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) June 22, 2024 He was among the many stars in the audience as Swift took the stage at Wembley Stadium over the weekend Katie was granted sole custody of their daughter while Tom was allowed 'meaningful' visitation rights. However, Tom has not been seen out in public with his daughter for around a decade, and sources have claimed he now has little involvement in her life. The last photo of the Top Gun actor out and about with his daughter was a trip to Disneyland in 2012, the year his divorce from Katie was finalised. That same year, the Hollywood titan was reported not to have seen his daughter for more than 100 days, between a holiday they took in August and Thanksgiving in November. James Franco and his girlfirend Isabel Paksad put on a loved-up display as they attended the closing ceremony of the Nouvelles Vagues International Biarritz Film Festival on Saturday. The actor, 46, was all smiles as he wrapped an arm around his stunning girlfriend, 28, while they walked the red carpet in Biarritz, France. James cut a dapper figure for the evening in a black blazer and matching trousers which he paired with a black crew neck top. The film star also wore a pair of designer sunglasses as he posed for the cameras. Isabel put on a leggy display in a black sleeveless mini dress with an a-symmetric hemline. James Franco and his girlfirend Isabel Paksad put on a loved-up display as they attended the closing ceremony of the Nouvelles Vagues International Biarritz Film Festival on Saturday James cut a dapper figure for the evening in a black blazer and matching trousers which he paired with a black crew neck top Isabel put on a leggy display in a black sleeveless mini dress with an a-symmetric hemline The garment, which also featured a sweetheart neckline, showed off Isabel's incredible figure. Letting her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders, Isabel completed her look with a pair of hoop earrings. Actress Zoey Deutch was also in attendance at the closing ceremony and looked incredible in a multi-coloured check co-ord. The outing comes after James reurned to the red carpet at Cannes in May - five years after being accused by his students of behaving inappropriately towards them. The 127 Hours actor smiled as he joined his partner of seven years at the premiere of Kinds of Kindness - after disappearing from the limelight in 2019. James wore a black suit and bow tie while actress Pakzad went braless beneath a plunging black blazer adorned with metal chains. She paired this with split flared trousers and heels as she supported her boyfriend. Having not worked on a project since the accusations, James was in Cannes to promote his new film with director Tommy Lee Jones. The new film, The Razor's Edge, debuted at Cannes with a hope to attract buyers and filming is expected to begin later in June. Actress Zoey Deutch was also in attendance at the closing ceremony and looked incredible in a multi-coloured check co-ord The outing comes after James reurned to the red carpet at Cannes in May - five years after being accused by his students of behaving inappropriately towards them It will be his first film appearance since The Deuce in 2018 unless you count his voiceover work in Arctic Dogs the following year. In 2019 James was accused and sued by five of his students that attended his film school, Studio 4, for behaving inappropriately and sexually towards them one accused him of forcing her to perform oral sex. James' attorney denied the allegations at the time, and eventually he settled the suit. In a podcast interview late last year, Mr Franco reiterated his belief that any sexual contact between him and his students had been consensual. Over the course of my teaching, I did sleep with students, and that was wrong, he said, Having previously played leading roles in the likes of Spider-Man, Pineapple Express and 127 Hours, James was once a regular at parties alike. Emily Ratajkowski showed off her abs in a silver studded black crop top as she attended a Vans event in Paris on Friday. The American model 33, teamed the backless halterneck with baggy green trousers and a brown pair of Vans. Emily layered silver necklaces and she carried a red handbag, covered in silver studs much like her top. The Blurred Lines finished off her look with a yellow pair of sunglasses, earrings and wore her hair in soft waves. The star wore a similar sleeveless top on Thursday, when she enjoyed some lunch at Paris's L Avenue. Emily Ratajkowski showed off her abs in a silver studded black crop top as she attended a Vans event in Paris on Friday The American model 33, teamed the backless halterneck with baggy green trousers and a brown pair of Vans Emily layered silver necklaces and she carried a red handbag, covered in silver studs much like her top She also paired the beige shirt with the same dark green cargo pants and yellow sunglasses that she wore on Friday. Friday's event was named Vans Celebrates Go Skateboarding Day & Fete de la Musique, and it took place in Sacre Coeur. Emily turned 33 on June 7, and celebrated her special day in Italy with a group of female friends. The model was married to film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard from 2018 to 2022, and they share son Sylvester, three. As well as modelling, Emily has written a book of woman-centred essays, 2022's My Body, and has appeared in several films and television series. She can be seen in Gone Girl, I Feel Pretty with Amy Schumer, and Nickelodeon children's show iCarly. Emily has appeared in music videos for Travis Scott, Maroon 5, and, most notably, Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I. The three men sang Blurred Lines, and that was the production which launched Emily into the public eye. Emily also hosts her own podcast, High Low with EmRata. The star wore a similar sleeveless top on Thursday , when she enjoyed some lunch at Paris's L Avenue The Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police has obtained NEET reference question papers to compare these with documents recovered during a search operation last month from a flat here and is also exploring the "possibility of conducting narco analysis and brain mapping tests" of accused in the case, sources said on Saturday. They also indicated that the Enforcement Directorate might investigate the money laundering aspect of the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination -the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET, conducted by the National Testing Agency in May. "We had requested the NTA for the reference question papers after we began the probe last month. Finally, they did the needful. We will tally these papers with partially burnt papers seized from a Patna flat last month. This exercise is likely to be done before a forensic examination of such documents," an EOU source said. Top officials of the EOU are likely to visit Delhi on Saturday to "discuss certain aspects of the ongoing probe with the senior officials of the Union Education Ministry and other concerned wings", he said. "Based on EOU's FIR, the Enforcement Directorate may probe into the matter under several sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Central agency is expected to identify proceeds of crime and initiate proceedings to attach properties belonging to the accused or suspects," said another source of the Economic Offences Unit. Commenting on the development, Abhayanand, former director general of police (DGP), Bihar, told PTI: There is no doubt that grave offences have been committed in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. Prima facie, it appears that the paper was leaked Evidence collected so far is also suggestive of the paper leak. The case must be probed under the provisions of the PMLA as black money is involved in it." The arrested accused in the case are providing conflicting statements or changing their statements during interrogation, an EOU source said. "Officials are contemplating conducting brain mapping and narco-analysis tests. These scientific tests may provide certain fresh leads to investigators," the source said. A narco-analysis test involves intravenous administration of a drug that causes the subject to enter into a stage of anaesthesia, during which the person becomes less inhibited and is more likely to divulge information, which would usually not be revealed in the conscious state. Brain mapping uses neuroscience to determine whether a person has specific knowledge related to a crime. This is done by measuring EEG signals in the brain. Brain mapping and narco-analysis tests are illegal without the subject's consent. The EOU has also started investigating the role of some more private professional colleges in Bihar who allegedly sent solvers on behalf of real candidates in the NEET exam. It is suspected that solvers of private colleges/institutes were allowed to appear on behalf of real candidates in connivance with officials of the examination centres, where the exam was held on May 5, a source said. It is also suspected that officials were bribed so that an undeserving candidate could sit strategically next to a brilliant dummy candidate who was also paid money. Search operations were conducted to nab a few suspects in Nalanda district, sources said. The EOU, which is probing the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case, last month arrested 13 people as part of its investigation into the alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. The arrested accused included Sikandar Yadavendu, the prime suspect who is a junior engineer at the Danapur Municipal Council, aspirants and their parents. India and Bangladesh on Saturday here reviewed the entire gamut of their bilateral ties during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Sheikh Hasina. They agreed to start negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and prepared a futuristic vision for boosting overall relations. . Hasina is the first foreign dignitary to pay official visit to New Delhi since Modi assumed charge for the first time earlier this month. She was among the seven top leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Modi and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9. Addressing a joint news conference with his Bangladesh counterpart after talks at Hyderabad House, Modi announced that India will commence an e-medical visa facility to facilitate Bangladeshis seeking medical treatment to come to India. He also said both countries have agreed to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur for the "convenience of the people of the North West region of Bangladesh." Modi said the two countries are focusing on connectivity, commerce and collaboration. He said the two nations will enhance focus on digital and energy connectivity to spur their economies. Hasina said India is Bangladesh's major neighbour and trusted friend. "Bangladesh greatly values its relations with India," she said and invited Modi to visit her country. "Come to Bangladesh to witness what all we have done and plan to do," she said. Modi said after parleys with Hasina they discussed furthering defence ties, defence production, cooperation on counter-terrorism, management of the border and other issues, in their bilateral talks in New Delhi. He said the neighbouring country is situated at the confluence of New Delhi's Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, Vision Sagar and Indo-Pacific Vision. "To further strengthen our defence ties, we had detailed discussions from defence production to modernisation of armed forces. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation over counter-terrorism, fundamentalism and peaceful management of the border. Our vision for the Indian Ocean Region is the same. We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. We will continue our cooperation at BIMSTEC and other regional and international forums," Modi said. He further said the two countries have together completed many important projects for public welfare. "Trade in Indian rupees has started between the two countries. The world's longest river cruise on the Ganga river between India and Bangladesh has been successfully completed. The first cross-border friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh has been completed. Export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid has become the first example of sub-regional cooperation in the energy sector. Implementing such a big initiative in so many areas in just one year reflects the speed and scale of our relations," he said. The Prime Minister said the two countries are focusing on connectivity, commerce and collaboration. He said the two nations will enhance focus on digital and energy connectivity to spur their economies. "Both sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to take our economic ties to new heights...54 rivers connect India and Bangladesh we have cooperated over flood management, early warning and drinking water projects. We have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. For the conservation and management of Teesta river in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon," he said. Modi said India and Bangladesh have prepared a futuristic vision, which includes green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy and space. "We have met 10 times in the last one year. However, this meeting is special because Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is the first state guest after the third term of our government, he added. "Bangladesh is India's largest development partner, and we give utmost priority to our relations with Bangladesh," he said. Sheikh Hasina was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. After arriving in New Delhi on Friday, Hasina met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and had a discussion on several bilateral issues. Posting about the meeting on X, Jaishankar said, "I am delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her state visit to India underlines our close and abiding ties. I appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership." The overall strategic relationship between India and Bangladesh has been on the rise for the last few years. Under India's "Neighborhood First" policy, Bangladesh has been an important ally of the nation, and the cooperation between the two countries extends to several important areas, including security, trade, commerce, energy, connectivity, science and technology, and defense, among others. The achievements in the connectivity sector include Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Maitri Setu bridge over the Feni River in Tripura and thus launching the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link. Bangladesh is India's largest development partner with nearly one-fourth of New Delhi's commitment under the Line of Credit has been made to that country. The neighbouring country is India's biggest trade partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh in Asia. India is Bangladesh's largest export destination in Asia, with approximately USD 2 billion of Bangladeshi exports recorded to India in 2022-23.The two countries share 4096.7 km of border -- the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbours. There is active cooperation between various agencies of both countries to cooperate on police matters, and anti-corruption activities and to combat illicit drug trafficking, fake currency, and human trafficking, among others. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal on Saturday upheld the orders passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs declaring Jammu and Kashmir-based organisations Muslim League (Masrat Alam faction) and Tehreek-E-Huriyat as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These organisations had been formed by late Kashmiri-separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The Muslim League Jammu Kashmir was formally banned for five years by Union Ministry of Home Affairs on December 27, 2023, for alleged involvement in anti-national and secessionist activities in the region while, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) was outlawed for five years on December 31, 2023 for fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda in Jammu and Kashmir. In last five years, the Centre has banned 10 separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir under the UAPA. The one-member tribunal of Delhi High Court judge Sachin Datta was constituted under the stringent anti-terror law in January to assess whether there was "sufficient cause" behind the imposition of the ban. The tribunal upheld the Central Government's ban on these organisations and extended it to continue to hold force for next five years. The Tribunal also upheld the Central Government's contention that these organisation were acting on behalf of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) of Hafiz Sayeed, Jamaat-ud-Dawa of lftikhar Hyder Rana and Hizbul Mujahideen of Syed Salahuddin and were given constant on-ground support by such terrorist groups to carry out militant operation in the valley. Upholding the ban, the Tribunal held the two organisations were carrying out secessionist activities in the valley with help from across the border to realise the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and establish Islamic rule in the Union Territory. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati and advocate Rajat Nair represented the Government before the tribunal. The Union Home Ministry, while imposing the ban, had said the leaders and members of TeH have been involved in raising funds through various sources, including Pakistan and its proxy organisations, for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities and sustained stone-pelting on the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry had said TeH and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country and have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country. Earlier, On February 28, 2019 the MHA banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu & Kashmir, a cadre-based organization with pan-Kashmir presence. Nearly a month later, on March 22, 2019 the MHA declared JKLF as an unlawful association for supporting extremism and militancy and indulging in anti-national activity. On March 12, 2023, the government banned the Jammu & Kashmir National Front over charges of indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, and security of the country. On October 5, 2023, the Union Home Ministry banned jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shahs Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan activities. Two months later, on December 28, 2023, the MHA banned the Masarat Alam-led Muslim League, a separatist organisation, for anti-national and secessionist activities in J&K. On December 31, 2023, the MHA banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) which was earlier headed by deceased separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. On February 28, 2024, the MHA first banned the Muslim Conference Jammu & Kashmir (Sumji faction) and Muslim Conference Jammu & Kashmir (Bhat faction) over terror charges. They were respectively part of Hurriyat (G) and Hurriyat (M) before August 5, 2019. On March 16, 2024 the Government of India banned four factions of Jammu & Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL) and Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Freedom League (JKPFL). Further the MHA declared factions of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL), namely, JKPL (Mukhtar Ahmed Waza), JKPL (Bashir Ahmad Tota), JKPL (Ghulam Mohammad Khan @Sopori) also known as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Political League and JKPL (Aziz Sheikh) led by Yaqoob Sheikh, as unlawful associations under the UAPA. On the same day, the Centre banned Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Freedom League headed by Farooq Rehmani. After bomb threats over email to schools, hospitals and other establishments in the national capital, the Delhi Police has planned to expand its bomb detection, disposal and dog squads in each of its district for swift action, official sources said. There are five bomb disposal squads, 18 bomb detection teams and one dog squad with 70 canines for Delhi's 15 police districts. All three units are under the Crime Branch. In the past two months, there have been at least seven instances of hospitals, schools, colleges, museums, railway establishments, prisons and government offices getting bomb threats via email that were sent using virtual private networks (VPN) or proxy servers. The threats were later found to be hoaxes and are being investigated by the Special Cell. The sources said whenever such a threat is received, the entire machinery of the administration is tasked with sweeping the premises. After the local police, the bomb detection, disposal and dog squads are first responders in such emergencies, they said. But due to the limited resources available with these units, the personnel are overworked and that leads to a higher probability of mishaps, they added. An official source said there is a plan to increase the strength of these squads and setting up dedicated units for each police district of Delhi. This will help the force act swiftly during emergencies, the source said and added that a plan has been drafted and the files sent to the higher authorities for approval. According to the proposal, the bomb detection, disposal and dog squads will be divided with the induction of more personnel. There is a proposal to buy gadgets for bomb detection, disposal as well as bulletproof jackets. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has given instructions for a high-level investigation into the cow slaughter in Seoni. He said that no crime against Gaumata will be tolerated in Madhya Pradesh. He has also asked the senior administrative and police officers of Jabalpur division to keep an eye on the entire matter. In line with the instructions of CM Additional Director General of Police (CID) Shri Pawan Srivastava and the team are reaching the field. 5 accused of cow slaughter have been arrested. Action has been taken against two accused under the NSA. Along with this, strict action is being taken against every accused found involved in this incident. Meanwhile, office-bearers of the Private Hospital and Nursing Home Association, Ujjain paid a courtesy call on CM today at Samatva Bhawan, Chief Ministers residence. The officials of the association presented angavastram to Chief Minister Dr. Yadav. Those present included Dr. Rajendra Bansal, Dr. Katyayan Mishra, Dr. Sushil Gupta, Dr. Mahendra Patidar, Dr. Harsh Mangal, Dr. Rupesh, Dr. Shripad, Dr. Mayank and Dr. Hemant, etc. Rescuers carry Christian Ramirez, 4, to his parents on Friday morning after a night of searching in the Sierra National Forest. Fresno County Sheriff's Office Rescuers found Christian Ramirez, 4, tired and hungry under a tree near Huntington Lake in the Sierra National Forest on Friday morning. Fresno County Sheriff's Office A 4-year-old who was missing for nearly a day was found sitting under a tree Friday in the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno, authorities said. Christian Ramirez, 4, was found around 8 a.m. after more than 50 deputies and volunteers searched through the night to find him. He was near Huntington Lake, about a quarter-mile from where he reportedly disappeared 22 hours earlier, according to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office. It is unclear what led to the boys disappearance. His family called for help from the Rancheria Campground, on the eastern shore of Huntington Lake in the Sierra National Forest, after searching for him for about an hour, deputies said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Christian was found by members of the Tulare County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue Team, which assisted in the search. He was reportedly found in good condition, besides being tired and hungry. Photos shared by Fresno County and Tulare County officials show him under a tree holding what appeared to be a crustless peanut butter sandwich with a small bite mark. He was reunited with his parents soon after rescuers found him. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the bravehearts who sacrifices their lives during the freedom movement will always be respected by society. It is necessary to make todays generation aware of their sacrifices. Along with the programme being organized in Jabalpur on the Balidan Divas of Rani Durgavati on 24th June, various events should also be organized on her birth anniversary on 5th October. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was reviewing the preparations for the programme to be held in Jabalpur on June 24 from Samatva Bhawan on Saturday through video conferencing. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was informed about the preparations for the programme by Tribal Affairs Minister Dr. Vijay Shah and Collector Jabalpur. CM Yadav to take part in Balidan Divas programme Chief Minister Dr. Yadav along with other public representatives and citizens will participate in the programme being organized at Narrai Nala, Jabalpur on 24th June, on the Balidan Divas of Veerangana Rani Durgavati. Rani Durgavati will be honoured at her Samadhi. A dance drama based on the life of Rani Durgavati will be presented by the Culture Department at the Veterinary College, Jabalpur in another programme on the occasion. A photo exhibition will also be organized by Swaraj Sansthan. Programmes me will be held every month under the 500th birth centenary celebrations of Rani Durgavati It was informed in the meeting that this is the 500th birth centenary of Rani Durgavati. On the occasion of her Panch-Shatabdi birth anniversary, essays, quizzes as well as cultural programmes will be organized in schools located in tribal-dominated districts of the state on 5th October. Various programmes me will also be held at the district panchayat level. Programmes will be held in Chhindwara in July, Shahdol in August, and Mandla in September. The main programme will be held in Jabalpur on October<05, in which many dignitaries will participate. Along with Madhya Pradesh, Shaurya Yatras from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh will reach Jabalpur. Chief Secretary Veera Rana, Additional Chief Secretary Chief Ministers Office Dr. Rajoura, Principal Secretary of Chief Ministers Office Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Principal Secretary of Tribal Affairs Department Dr. E. Ramesh Kumar, and other officers were present. The Delhi Police has done a major crackdown against different criminal gangs active in the national capital and neighbouring states by arresting a total of 16 gang members of different criminal gangs during a recent drive. According to the police on Saturday, a surge in the criminal activity of organised gangs was noticed. Since then, the Special Cell has been working relentlessly to pursue these crime syndicates in order to avert the dangerous situation that poses a threat to the law and order of the city. During the course of hunting down the crime syndicate barons, a large network of intelligence was invoked, and teams were briefed and deployed strategically for dismantling the nefarious network of dreaded gangs which are being operated from foreign based gang leaders and the ones lodged in jail, the DCP Special Cell Amit Kaushik said. A total of 10 Pistols and 56 live cartridges were recovered while heinous crime including murders and firing for extortion was averted by the crackdown. During this drive to neutralise the threat posed by organised gangs, monitoring was done through technical means to identify the means of communication since most of the surge in these criminal activities has its origin through foreign soil and generates potential intelligence, the DCP said. He added that during the drive it was noticed that gang leaders who have settled abroad in supposedly safe havens or incarcerated in different jails recruit juveniles and young boys without prior records or involved in minor cases to avoid detection. While three of the arrested persons are shooters the other two of them including a woman were engaged in recruiting gang members through social media and passing on instruction to the shooters on behalf of gang leaders and they also arrange weapons, said an officer who arrested three gang members. Social media and popular songs glamorising gang life attract more youth to join their gang members lodged in different jails in India or settled abroad. The gangsters usually lure these youths with immature minds in incidents of firing and even murders and later dump them for they easily manage to find more such youth available for exploitation, the DCP added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the power utility UP Power Corporation Limited to ensure timely delivery of error-free electricity bills to the consumers. He said the consumers should not be harassed by delayed delivery of faulty bills. Presiding over a review meeting of the Energy department on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised the importance of raising public awareness about timely payment of electricity bills. A presentation about the projects under implementation and future plans was also made before the chief minister. The chief minister asked the UPPCL to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign on one time settlement (OTS). He said the focus was on infrastructure development in the first five years and now it should be on quality maintenance of the power distribution infrastructure. He noted that just as people pay their mobile bills on time, they should also be encouraged to do the same with their electricity bills. To achieve this, he asked the department to establish a robust digital technology-based mechanism. The chief minister also stressed the importance of installing smart meters across the state, highlighting that the public should be prepared for this transition as smart meters are essential for modern needs. The chief minister directed that electricity bills should reach every consumers home on time and without any errors. He added that it is crucial to hold meter readers accountable for this. The chief minister emphasised the need to educate consumers about the one time settlement (OTS) scheme so they are fully aware of the options available for settling outstanding electricity bills. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath insisted that consumers should not be harassed over electricity bills under any circumstances. He emphasised that if power is cut for maintenance, the consumers must be given prior notice about when and for how long the power supply will be disrupted. He advised using social media extensively for this purpose. The chief minister emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of smart meters, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing ease of living and providing genuine relief to consumers. The UPPCL informed the chief minister that there has been an increase in the hours of power supply in the state. Despite the intense heat, except for minor local faults, the government has effectively ensured uninterrupted 24-hour power supply since March 15, with no electricity shortages reported anywhere in the state. According to the officials, there are 3.45 crore electricity connections in the state, with an increase of 30 lakh connections over the past two years. They point out that as of 2024, the revenue generated amounts to Rs 70,000 crore, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, consumer turnover stands at approximately 92 per cent in urban areas and 51 per cent in rural areas. The chief minister was apprised that in the state, 40 per cent of electricity bills are provided online, 32 per cent are paid at counters, and 30 per cent are processed through various e-wallets. Online services have been strengthened to include facilities such as increasing load capacity and updating personal details like name and address through the app. Additionally, an average of seven SMS reminders are sent each month to prompt payment of electricity bills. The chief minister was briefed that Maintenance Month was observed during October-November, 2023, yielding positive outcomes. Officials highlighted that the average electricity demand has surged during April, May and June in the state. On normal summer days, the demand ranges between 27,000 MW to 28,000 MW, whereas during intense heat, it has peaked to 33,000 MW to 35,000 MW. It is anticipated to decrease following the onset of the monsoon season. The UPPCL officials said that the installation of 10 thermal power units with a total installed capacity of 5,255 MW in the state was under progress. Work is also going on three big projects of 5,120 MW, Obra D, Anpara E and Meja II. Furthermore, efforts have been made to minimise transmission losses of electricity in the state to 3 per cent, achieving a considerable reduction. Moreover, officials informed the chief minister about several major departmental projects scheduled to commence in Noida, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Kanpur and Lucknow. Additionally, as part of the first phase of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Project, one crore solar rooftops are planned nationwide, with 25 lakh in Uttar Pradesh alone. For this, 16.97 lakh registrations have been completed. The chief minister emphasised the need for expeditious implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. The 10th International Yoga Day was celebrated with lot of enthusiasm at NTPC Coal Mining Headquarters/NML , Ranchi on June 21,2024 with the theme Yoga for Self and Society The event was graced by Chief Guest, Sivam Srivastava, Director (Fuel), NTPC Limited and Chairman , NTPC Mining Limited (NML) & Animesh Jain ,Regional Executive Director (Coal Mining ) & CEO,NML as Guest of Honour. As part of Yoga Day celebration, employees participated in a Yoga Session led by Director (Fuel), NTPC Limited. The yoga session was conducted by Yoga Guru, Smt Renu Pandey as per Yoga Protocol. Addressing the participants, Director (Fuel), Srivastava said Yoga has now got worldwide recognition by our Honourable Prime Minister Modi and has been It is treated as preventive medicine to avoid lifestyle diseases with regular practice. He added Yoga is beneficial and helps us to keep us fit, it is universally accepted and practiced by all worldwide, one has to practice yoga to get the benefits. Speaking on the occasion, Regional Executive Director (Coal Mining) Jain said that generally we have the intent to do yoga but with the busy lifestyle gets sidelined, but yoga should be part of our life as it promotes physical & mental benefits. He thanked the HR team for organising the yoga session which acted as a refresher course and employees for their participation. On the occasion Naveen Jain, CGM, C&M, Rajnish Rastogi,HR, Heads of the department, Senior officials and employees in large numbers were present to celebrate the yoga day. Chola Mandir police have booked a man for sexually assaulting a divorced woman. The accused develop relationship in the name of help. After this, he made relations with the woman by promising marriage. Recently, when the woman started pressurizing him for marriage, the young man refused to marry her. The woman reached Chola Mandir police station on Friday night and complained about the matter. The police have started investigation after registering a rape case. According to information received from the police, the 32-year-old woman lives in Chola Mandir police station area. About five years ago, she was having a tiff with her husband. Her husband used to beat her. After this, she divorced her husband and started living alone. During this time, she came in contact with a young man named Mahendra Chaurasia, who lives in the same area. When the two started talking, the woman also started sharing her family's personal matters with Mahendra. The accused had instigated her for divorce When she told Mahendra about her tiff with her husband, the young man assured her of help. After this, he helped and grew closer to her. The young man started convincing the woman that you should divorce your husband, I will marry you. Believing the words of the young man, the woman divorced her husband. After this, the young man started raping the woman and sexually exploiting her. He took the woman to Indore. He continued to have physical relations with her even while living together here. Recently, the woman and the young man came back to Bhopal. Here, when the woman pressured the young man to marry her, he first avoided it and later refused to marry her. The woman reached Chola Mandir police station on Friday and complained about the matter. The police have registered a case of rape and started investigation. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that according the need of a new traffic plan for the big cities of the state, the state government is going to take important steps. The most important step in this direction includes the decision to operate the metro train between Indore and Ujjain, which will also be useful in terms of transportation facilities for the devotees in Simhastha 2028. The report of the feasibility survey related to running the metro between Indore-Ujjain has been received. In the coming time, the Vande Metro facility from Indore Airport to Mahakal Temple will be an important gift for the people of the state and the tourists and devotees coming from India and abroad. Different cities will be able to connect in a better way. Information given in review meeting that the work of preparing the metro line from AIIMS to Karond intersection in Bhopal with a total length of 16.74 kilometers will be completed in three phases. The first phase is seven kilometers, which includes 8 stations (elevated). On the progress of Indore Metro, it was informed that work is being done on a total of 31.32 kilometers. A total of 28 stations will be built in Indore. Yadav, after reviewing the progress of the metro project of Bhopal and Indore in a meeting held at Samatva Bhawan located in the Chief Ministers residence office on Saturday, said that for easy transportation, big cities of the state like Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Ujjain along with the metro, Vande Metro, rope-way, electric-bus and cable-car will be used. Given the upcoming requirements, necessary arrangements will be made by taking the local public representatives into confidence. On the use of transport options, necessary decisions will also be considered and taken for the Ujjain to Omkareshwar route, Bhopal to Indore, Jabalpur to Gwalior. Yadav said that as per a recent discussion with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, it has been agreed upon to run the Vande Metro in place of the old metro for various cities in Madhya Pradesh. Vande Metro Circle Train will be a great gift for the citizens. In cities where traffic pressure is increasing, it has been agreed to start the facility of circle trains for integrated planning of metro train operations. The Chief Minister also had discussions with the Railway Minister regarding the operation of Vande Metro, which runs faster than the metro train, the use of modern technology, and benefiting industrial areas like Pithampur-Dewas. Regarding the use of narrow-gauge and other rail lines available in some cities of the state, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that its survey and study should be completed so that the rail tracks that are currently not in use can be used. Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing Smt. Pratima Bagri, Chief Secretary Smt. Veera Rana, Additional Chief Secretary Chief Ministers Office Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, Principal Secretary of Chief Ministers Office Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Principal Secretary Urban Development and House Neeraj Mandloi and officials of Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited were present. Metro train operation in Bhopal has also been tested in October. A total of 16 stations will be built in the Orange Line, of which 14 will be elevated and 02 will be underground. In the second phase, a total of 14 elevated stations will be built from the Bhadbhada intersection to Ratnagiri Tiraha length of 14.21 km (Blue Line). The third phase includes work of 9.74 kilometers from Subhash Nagar to Karond intersection. Subhash Nagar has a joint metro rail depot and Pul Bogda, an interchange station between the two lines. Newly elected Lok Sabha MP from north Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid, arrested in a 2017 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case, failed to secure interim bail on Saturday with a special court here adjourning the matter till July 1. The court asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file a response to to his plea and also inform it about when he could take an oath as an MP. The newly elected Lok Sabha MPs are scheduled to take oath on June 24, 25 and 26. During the hearing, Rashid's counsel sought custody parole for him to take oath and cited a recent order where AAP leader Sanjay Singh, an accused in the Delhi excise "scam" money laundering case, was allowed identical relief to take oath as a Rajya Sabha MP recently. Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Gupta, however, observed that the charges levelled against Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, were on a different footing from those faced by the AAP leader. The NIA submitted it is in the process of consulting Parliament and Tihar jail authorities "regarding the prayer sought by the applicant for his oath ceremony." "Let reply, if any, be filed by NIA on 01.07.2024 before the concerned Court. As directed vide order dated 18.06.2024, NIA is also directed to apprise the court about the date on which the applicant / accused may take Oath as Member of Parliament. "Put up for consideration before the concerned court on 01.07.2024 at 11 am," the judge said the its order. The judge allowed the NIA's prayer for time to file its reply. Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi argued for releasing Rashid on bail, asserting, "He is the person who won the election with a vast majority. People love him and want him to fight in parliament democratically. "It is my (Rashid's) constitutional duty to take oath. I am compelled to beg before them for taking an oath. This is really shameful. The court may direct the jail authorities to contact the Lok Sabha Secretariat, direct NIA to contact the Lok Sabha Secretariat, or direct the Lok Sabha Secretariat to specify the date on which Rashid may take oath," the counsel said. Rashid has moved the court seeking interim bail, or custody parole in the alternative, to take oath and perform his parliamentary functions. Rashid has been in jail since 2019 after he was charged by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in a terror funding case. He is currently lodged in Tihar jail. The former MLA's name cropped up during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who the NIA had arrested for allegedly funding terrorist groups and separatists in the Kashmir valley. The NIA had filed a charge sheet against several individuals, including Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin in the case. Malik was awarded life imprisonment by a trial court in 2022 after he pleaded guilty to the charges. Three new facilities were inaugurated on Saturday at AIIMS Bhopal by Apurva Chandra, Secretary Health, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in presence of Dr. Jaideep Mishra (ICAS), Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Professor (Dr.) Ajai Singh, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Bhopal:- Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases, AIIMS Bhopal, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Skill Lab, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight mass spectrophotometry (MALDI-TOF MS). With the starting of these facilities, AIIMS Bhopal has not only further expanded the scope of services that are being provided at the institute, but also reiterated its strong commitment to providing exemplary healthcare to the people of the region. A brief description of these facilities is as under: Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recognized AIIMS Bhopal as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Rare Diseases, marking a significant milestone for healthcare in Central India. AIIMS Bhopal is the first such centre in Central India, dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of rare diseases. MoHFW has sanctioned a grant of ?3 crore for the procurement of drugs for rare diseases and ?5 crore for the purchase of medical equipment. The CoE for Rare Diseases at AIIMS Bhopal aims to address the critical need for specialized healthcare facilities in Central India, particularly for genetic disorders prevalent in the region, such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and muscular dystrophy. With approximately 20% of the local population being tribal, there is a significant burden of these genetic disorders. The centre will target various beneficiaries, including pregnant women, newborns, and individuals suffering from rare disorders, providing screening for approximately 10,000 individuals per year and diagnosis and management for around 1,000 patients annually.The centre will carry out the teaching and training of medical personnel and patients to increase awareness about these disorders, leading to screening, prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of rare disorders. In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Skill Lab: The IVF Treatment Facility is expected to start very soon at AIIMS Bhopal, making it the first government facility offering IVF treatment in the state. The IVF Skill Lab is a training facility with several high-fidelity digital simulators that enable doctors to practice the various procedures required for infertility treatment and IVF, such as hysteroscopy, Ovum pick-up and Embryo Transfer as part of IVF training. These simulators are based on modern digital & AI technology and incorporate a wide variety of procedures and cases with varying difficulty levels for the trainees. This allows the doctors to practice the procedures several times safely on the simulator before performing on real patients. This is a very important aspect towards ensuring patient safety. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrophotometry (MALDI-TOF MS): MALDI-TOF MS has emerged as a potential tool for microbial identification and diagnosis. It can identify pathogens, including rare microbes, within 15-30 minutes, in comparison to 18-24 hours with other automated systems. AIIMS Bhopal has procured this machine at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The recurring expenditure of this machine is also less than one eighth (1/8) of other automated identification systems. Hence, this equipment is hugely beneficial in providing treatment with a much shorter turnaround time and a lesser cost to patients suffering from infections. Visit to the 3 D Bioprinter Facility: After the inauguration of the various facilities, and a round of the AIIMS Hospital, the dignitaries and delegation of officials from MoHFW (GOI), visited the recently established 3-D Bioprinter facility at the Tissue Engineering Facility in the Department of Translational Medicine at AIIMS Bhopal, supported by Vardhman Group under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. On the initiative of MP Transco (Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company) and with the cooperation of Municipal Corporation Indore, a remarkable work has been done to remove unauthorized and unsafe constructions built near and below the extra high tension lines in the city, so that the possibility of a widespread loss of life has been avoided. A few days ago, in MP Transco's South Zone Indore - Mahalaxmi 132 KV line two accidents had occurred due to coming in contact with the extra high tension line, in which two men and a woman were seriously affected. This extra high tension line passes through the residential area Idris Nagar, Musakhedi. During patrolling of the extra high tension line, it came to notice that the Some residents near location no. 117 and 118 had built boundary walls and other constructions very close to the roof of their houses. These accidents occurred due to the residents are coming into the induction zone of 132 KV extra high tension line. The said accident occurred due to non-removal of hazardous construction despite warning and notice. A few days ago, some unauthorized constructions located at these locations in Indore, which had become a threat to human life, were removed and yesterday, more than half a dozen constructions located near these locations 102 and 103 were also demolished by the residents themselves, considering them a danger. However, the concerned In the past too, notices had been given to the landlords, warning them about the danger. Indore based M.P. Transco's Superintending Engineer Rajeev Aggarwal, Neelam Khanna and Pradeep Raghav met District Collector Ashish Singh and informed him about the possibility of serious accidents due to these and other unsafe construction works near the extra high tension line in Indore. MP Transco officials had requested them to immediately remove these dangerous constructions for to safe the human life in Indore city, acting on which, in the presence of the Municipal Corporation administration, the landlords got these dangerous and hazardous constructions demolished. . MP. Transco Chief Engineer Sandeep Gaikwad said that through loud speakers, personal contacts and meetings, they have informed the citizens through visual clips near/below the extra high tension line not to carry out construction work which is unsafe and risky for human life in Indore. Warned about the dangers of such construction and advised not to do such construction. This campaign of MP Transco to alert the citizens about the constructions built near the Extra Hightension Line which are unsafe for human life and to remove them, will continue in other places of Madhya Pradesh including Indore. The Delhi Police on Saturday used a water cannons to disperse BJP workers demonstrating against the AAP Government over water shortage in the the national capital. Led by the BJP's former South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri, the protesters gathered outside a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) office in Okhla and raised slogans against the AAP government. The police dispersed them with a water cannon after they refused to move. Amid a punishing heat wave battering the city, Delhi is facing a severe water shortage while the BJP and AAP continue to blame each other for the crisis. Addressing the protesters, Bidhuri alleged that the DJB, which had profits of Rs 600 crore, is now facing losses of Rs 60,000 crore due to corruption. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla attacked the AAP, saying that Haryana is sending enough water and the Supreme Court has also acknowledged this. A California appeals court says a motorists employer and insurer can be notified that their drivers license has been suspended for driving while drunk, even if the driver has not been criminally prosecuted or convicted. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle A state appeals court says a motorists employer and insurer can be notified that their drivers license has been suspended for driving while drunk, even if the driver has not been criminally prosecuted or convicted. The Department of Motor Vehicles practice of disclosing the reason for the license suspension to a drivers current or prospective employer, insurance company and others who have requested the information had been blocked by an Alameda County Superior Court judge, who ruled that it violated the right to privacy. The 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco disagreed Friday, saying privacy rights protect a driver from disclosure of information related to an arrest but not from a license suspension. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although drivers are usually arrested before being tested for alcohol, the court said, their licenses can be suspended only after an independent investigation by a branch of the DMV. And the fact that a driver has been arrested is not, by itself, enough evidence of wrongdoing to justify a license suspension, Justice Mark Simons said in the 3-0 ruling. While an officer can arrest a driver based on probable cause of driving while drunk, Simons said, the DMV must meet a more-demanding standard to suspend the drivers license, requiring a showing of wrongdoing by a preponderance, or majority, of the evidence. And unlike someone facing arrest, he said, a driver can challenge a license suspension in advance with an appeal to a DMV office. The rights to privacy set out in our state Constitution and various statutes are among our most cherished. But they are not without limit, Simons wrote. Licenses can be suspended for between four months and three years, depending on the nature of the wrongful conduct and the drivers record. Suspensions for driving influenced by alcohol, without a criminal prosecution or conviction, remain on the drivers record for three years after the license is restored. Suspensions for criminal convictions of drunken driving can be disclosed for up to 10 years. The suit challenging disclosure of the reasons for a license suspension was filed by anonymous plaintiffs in 2016. After a nonjury trial, Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman barred the DMV in February 2022 from issuing the disclosures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under state law, employers of some commercial drivers, such as cab and bus drivers, taxi drivers and tractor-trailer operators, receive their DMV records each year and are notified of any driving-related conviction, suspension or accident, the court said. Those businesses are subject to criminal prosecution for employing a driver with a suspended license. Other employers and insurers with legitimate business needs for the records can set up accounts with the DMV to obtain them. The records can also be requested by others who need them for business purposes or in connection with a legal case. Fridays ruling entitles those users to learn the reason for a license suspension if it was alcohol-related. The court said witnesses testified they had been denied jobs for example, as an Uber driver, and as a receptionist who was required to drive from one job site to another after disclosure that their licenses had been suspended for driving while drunk. (): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari that the government would take steps to address the key allys reservations on multiple issues by forming a committee after tensions rose among ruling coalition partners over the budget. A delegation of the PPP headed by Bilawal on Thursday met Prime Minister Sharif to sort out differences over the budget which was presented in Parliament last week. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the federal budget on June 12 but the PPP, which is the major ally of the government, was not happy as it was not consulted when the budget was being prepared.As the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government lacks a majority, there is a genuine concern that the government may not be able to get the budget passed in Parliament if not supported by the PPP.Geo News reported that Sharif assured Bilawal Bhutto of taking steps to address the key concerns.The Dawn newspaper quoting sources said that the differences have been settled, with both sides agreeing to support each other and cooperate on issues of mutual concern. According to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, some minor reservations had been expressed by the PPP, which would be resolved by the government through talks. He said the government also formed a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to take up the issue with the PPP and would take the dialogue forward in light of the meeting between Sharif and Bilawal. On the other hand, PPP sources said the premier agreed with the party chairperson on most issues as the latter expressed annoyance with him for bypassing his party on budget matters. Bhutto complained that the PPP had joined the government under an agreement with which the PML-N did not comply. The Prime Minister has also formed a committee to resolve the disagreement.Officials said the PPP delegation also included Chairman Senate Yusuf Raza Gilani, former premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and senior leaders Syed Khurshid Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman.The discussion focused on the national political issues and it was agreed that further consultation would be held with the PPP regarding the budget 2024-2025, sources said. It was also decided that further consultation on the budget would continue through committees of the parties. Bilawal complained about the alleged neglect towards some projects in his home province of Sindh and that his party was not taken on board with the Public Sector Development Programme. The prime minister on his part said that positive news was coming with regard to the economy, as the historic boom in the stock market was an endorsement of the budget. He urged all political parties to work together for national development, according to the sources. Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervez Malik and former minister Khawaja Saad Rafique were also present in the meeting. The government must get the budget passed by June 30 when the current fiscal year would end, making way for the new 2024-25 fiscal year. Although the PPP has not become part of the federal cabinet, the party supported the PML-N-led in forming government after the February 8 elections. Earlier, the PPP censured the PML-N-led government in the Centre for taking a solo flight and not taking it into confidence over the budget. The Bilawal-led party had even announced boycotting the budget session last week a decision the party recanted after Deputy Prime Minister Senator Dar held multiple meetings with the PPPs top leaders to convince them otherwise last week on June 12. David DePape, left, shown in a courtroom sketch with court clerk Jeffrey Miller and Judge Harry Dorfman, was convicted Friday on state felony charges related to breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosis San Francisco home and attacking her husband with a hammer. Vicki Behringer/Special to the Chronicle David DePape, shown in Berkeley in 2013, was found guilty Friday on state felony charges related to breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosis San Francisco home and attacking her husband with a hammer. Michael Short/The Chronicle 2013 Body-camera footage captured what happened after San Francisco police officers arrived at the Pacific Heights home of Nancy and Paul Pelosi just after 2 a.m. on Oct. 28, 2022. San Francisco Police Department 2022 David DePape, who broke into the San Francisco home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, was convicted by a California court Friday. DePape was separately convicted in federal court last year and given a 30-year sentence for charges related to the 2022 attack. The defendant faced five felony charges in his state trial in San Francisco Superior Court: residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping, attempting to sway a witness, false imprisonment, and threatening a family member of a public official. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The case went to jurors Tuesday, and they finished deliberating Friday afternoon. DePapes attorney had argued that his client should be found guilty on only three of the five charges, but should be acquitted of the charges related to threatening a family member of a public figure and false imprisonment. The prosecution did not sufficiently prove the remaining charges, the defense argued. However, jurors decided DePape was guilty of all charges. Judge Harry Dorfman, who presided over the case, thanked jurors before dismissing them. This has been an important trial for the community that couldnt have happened without your service, Dorfman said. Speaker Pelosi and her family remain in awe of their Pops bravery, which shone through again on the witness stand in this trial just as it did when he saved his own life on the night of the attack, Pelosis office said in a statement Friday. For nearly 20 grueling months, Mr. Pelosi has demonstrated extraordinary courage and fortitude every day of his recovery. Advertisement Article continues below this ad DePapes defense attorney, Adam Lipson, said he was disappointed by the verdict and planned an appeal. He added that his client had got wrapped up in an ideological conspiracy situation. A former pro-nudity activist, DePape appeared to have an obsession with right-wing conspiracy theories on the internet and maintained a blog that sought to rally against censorship by tech companies, government officials and media outlets. Dorfman asked the lawyers to return to court Aug. 6 to let the prosecution present evidence of the aggravating factors including great bodily injury, using a deadly weapon and crimes against the elderly. Any sentence imposed by California will take place after the Canadian-born DePapes 30-year federal sentence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad China Grand Canal Museum fuels Yangzhou's transformation from industrial hub to cultural hotspot People's Daily Online) 13:42, June 22, 2024 The China Grand Canal Museum in Yangzhou, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, was bustling with visitors as noon approached on June 18. "Today's queue is manageable, but on weekends and holidays, the line often stretches from the ticket check to the main entrance, spanning tens of meters," said Sun Yuxia, a sanitation worker at the museum, which is located on the bank of the Sanwan section of the Grand Canal. Tourists line up to enter the China Grand Canal Museum in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Dandan) Yangzhou, a scenic city through which the Grand Canal runs, has recently planned nearly 100 projects to preserve cultural relics, with the Sanwan area, home to the museum, standing out as the most eye-catching. However, the area was Yangzhou's largest industrial zone in the 1980s and 1990s, with over 80 factories producing pesticides, leather products, and cement lining both sides of the canal, leading to deteriorating water quality, silted waterways, and prominent environmental issues. "There were no tourists then. Even locals wanted to move away as soon as possible," Sun recalled. The Sanwan area's first "rebirth" came in early 2010 when local authorities designated its planning and development as a crucial initiative to improve southeast Yangzhou's ecological environment. The first step was relocating 89 industrial enterprises, which were successively closed or moved. Additionally, 680 mu (45 hectares) of wetlands were restored. In September 2017, a brand-new Sanwan area was unveiled, transforming from an "urban scar" into a scenic ecological wetland. But for Yangzhou, this was far from enough. Photo shows crowds of tourists visiting the China Grand Canal Museum in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Dandan) "The Grand Canal is of extraordinary significance to Yangzhou. Inheriting and utilizing the valuable cultural heritage bestowed by the Grand Canal is ingrained in our city's DNA," said Xu Guobing, an official with Yangzhou's cultural heritage administration. "While protection is fundamental, Yangzhou is constantly exploring ways to pass on the Grand Canal's culture," he noted. The listing of the Grand Canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site marked a new era for the protection, inheritance, and utilization of its cultural heritage. The opening of the China Grand Canal Museum in the Sanwan area allowed the district to have its second "rebirth." After two years of construction, the museum officially opened in June 2021, comprehensively showcasing the Grand Canal's profound heritage and appealing to the aesthetic sensibilities of residents and tourists alike. It has become a window for visitors to learn about the Grand Canal's cultural heritage. The second phase of a China Grand Canal cultural park is under construction in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Dandan) The museum, now a national first-class institution, has received over 8.3 million visitors. As the "internet-famous museum" becomes Yangzhou's new tourism draw, officials are exploring how to transform foot traffic into economic growth. The Sanwan area's third "rebirth" is underway, with a commercial district focused on cultural tourism consumption rapidly taking shape. The ancient Sanwan section of the Grand Canal demonstrates Chinese wisdom in water control. Here, ancient Chinese engineers made three intentional turns to make the water safer. Today, the area showcases Yangzhou's transformation and the canal's revitalization. The story of the canal benefiting the public continues, with the Grand Canal's cultural heritage expected to bring increasing happiness to Yangzhou's citizens. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Narsai David, shown tasting a pot of soup stock in the kitchen of his Berkeley home in 1999, started in the Bay Area culinary business in the 1950s. Michael Maloney/The Chronicle 1999 Chef and Bay Area broadcast personality Narsai David has died after complications from a fall in his home that occurred last year, his former radio station, KCBS reported Friday. He was 87 years old. The son of Assyrian immigrants, David got his start in the Bay Area culinary industry in the late 1950s at Henry Rubin and Ed Browns Pot Luck Restaurant in Berkeley. In 1970, David opened his own restaurant in Kensington, followed by a specialty market in 1978. During that time, he also appeared as a guest on PBS nationally syndicated series Over Easy. During his years as a restaurateur and market owner, David was known for catering to a list of high-profile clientele including the late concert promoter Bill Graham, as well as the Napa Valley Wine Auction and San Francisco Symphony. Although both the market and restaurant closed in the mid-1980s, Davids culinary career continued to evolve. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Narsai David, shown with chef Justine Miner, served as host and president of the Assyrian Aid Society. His seventh annual Taste of the Mediterranean event raised $200,000 in proceeds to displaced Assyrians in Iraq. Eliot Khuner/Special to the Chronicle 2008 From 1984 to 1995, David penned a California cuisine-focused column for the Chronicle, and in 1987, he published a collection of recipes in the cookbook Monday Night at Narsais: An International Menu Cookbook from the Legendary Restaurant. Most recently, he served as the food and wine editor for KCBS radio. David was also an avid wine collector and planted a vineyard in Napa Valley in 1981, which became the source for his Narsai David Estates wine label. In addition to his culinary work, he was active with numerous Bay Area organizations, including serving as the president of the board of the Assyrian Aid Society of America, as well as hosting annual charity dinners including Alameda Countys Meals on Wheels event and Narsais Taste of the Mediterranean, which benefited the Assyrian Aid Society of America. He was an authority in food journalism like few others ever were, said Liam Mayclem, who worked with David as food radio host on KCBS. He worked the line, he grew his own vegetables, he made his own wine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He didnt just speak of it on the radio, he lived it. And he shared it with all of us, all of these years. How lucky are we? David is survived by his wife, Venus David, and son, Daniel David. Caleb Pershan contributed to this report. Allies of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, center, have not spoken up on her behalf after an FBI raid on her home, including City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, left. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2023 What a horrible week for Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. On Tuesday, she learned she would face voters in a recall election in November. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Wednesday, at least 15 people were shot near Lake Merritt while thousands were celebrating Juneteenth. On Thursday, FBI agents raided her home along with those of the Duong family, who had organized a trade delegation trip to Vietnam with her last year and are major political players in Oakland. Perhaps the worst news for Thao politically came Friday. Thats when few of her friends publicly stepped up to defend her. Or vouch for her. Or condemn the recall and raid. Not her friends in labor. Not her friends in office. Not even her friend and political ally, Nikki Fortunato Bas, the Oakland City Council president and candidate for Alameda County supervisor. Fortunato Bas wasnt alone. Several of Thaos supporters who are currently running for office are treating the mayor like political uranium. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In politics, when you dont have friends in bad times, you dont have friends. She has a very binary choice right now. She can fight for political survival or resign, said Jim Ross, a veteran Bay Area political consultant who has long worked with labor. Thats the choice she has. I dont think either of those is an easy one to make. Friday was the first major pushback on behalf of Thao, and the bad harbinger for the mayor is that it came from her attorney, Anthony Brass. He said federal officials did not give him any indication that Thao was the target of the raids. And now, the optics of an elected official having a search warrant executed on her residence suggests wrongdoing, Brass said. I hope that everyone will reserve judgment until this can be sorted out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Reserving judgment is as rare as a pink llama in politics. There is no doubting Thaos toughness. She is the seventh of 10 children born to immigrants and refugees from the Vietnam War. Shes lived in public housing, been a single mother, been homeless with her child and survived domestic violence. In roughly 10 years, she rose from living in her car to being mayor of a major city, the first Hmong American to do so. Its an incredible story of resilience and determination. But that meteoric rise could also be a liability. Thao, 38, had run only one City Council race before winning the mayors office. There isnt a deep well of supporters who can say theyve been with her during every race shes won for years and theyre sticking with her now, damn it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What propelled Thao to victory in 2022 was the near uniform support of organized labor, which is huge in the Town, where 60% of voting households contain at least one union member. Labor raised more than $800,000 for Thao. Many in labor were frustrated that Thaos predecessor, Mayor Libby Schaaf, wasnt more union friendly and took note when Schaaf endorsed Thaos opponent, Council Member Loren Taylor. Many labor leaders thought Thao, a progressive who is more politically transactional than ideological, could be easier to deal with. But now after Thaos worst political week ever many of her friends in labor are quiet. At this time everything about (Thursdays) events is unclear. We are awaiting the facts, Keith D. Brown, executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, which represents 135,000 workers and supported Thao in 2022, told me. Zac Unger, who supported Thao through an independent group backed by the International Association of Fire Fighters two years ago, declined to comment. He is running for City Council in Oakland. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Andreas Cluver, secretary-treasurer for the Building Trades Council of Alameda County, told me that until there is more information on the investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment. SEIU 1021, the powerful union that boasted that its members help(ed) elect Sheng Thao, declined to comment. Its not just labor leaders who are quiet. So are Thaos friends in Sacramento. Attorney General Rob Bonta swore Thao into office when she was inaugurated. But Bontas office didnt answer the question of whether he still supports her or what he thought of the recall: We are aware of the matter. We suggest reaching out directly to the FBI who is handling the investigation. Bonta is strongly considering a run for governor. A spokesperson for Bontas wife and Thao supporter, Assembly Member Mia Bonta of Alameda, wasnt standing much closer to Thao: Our team is monitoring these developments. I recommend contacting the FBI directly, which is handling this investigation. Thank you for your inquiry. Assembly Member Liz Ortega of San Leandro did not respond to texts, emails and calls to her office. Just last year, Thao posed for a photo on her Instagram with Rob Bonta and Ortega at the Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIOs 2023 Unionist of the Year dinner. Three years ago, Cluver and Ortega were featured in online ads as co-leaders of a labor-led grassroots effort to fight off this costly, dangerous recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom. This Republican recall is a waste of money, bad for working families, bad for the Bay Area, and bad for our state. Cluver told me Friday that we oppose recalls on principle, but have not taken any position as of yet. The reaction from Thao ally Fortunato Bas, the Oakland council president, wasnt any more passionate. She pointedly avoided a key word in her statement to me: Thao. As Council President my sole focus is to ensure that the business of our government to serve our communities continues without interruption for the people of Oakland, who expect and deserve no less. As for (Thursdays) FBI raids, I share the shock felt by many, and I call on all of us to remain focused on the important work of realizing a safe, connected and thriving town, she said. The Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, a large political club in the East Bay, said it was 100% behind Mayor Thao after the recall qualified, but didnt respond to my inquiry about where it stood after the FBI raids. Thao hasnt said anything publicly since the raid. In the absence of Thao or her pals talking, others are. Whats really challenging is that not only the absence of the mayor, but the absence of other city leaders stepping up in this moment to make sure that residents and people in the city of Oakland know that leadership is in place and working to help solve some of these problems, said LeRonne Armstrong, the former Oakland police chief whom Thao fired and is now running for City Council. Retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte, the leader of the Thao recall campaign, was more pointed: She should do the honorable thing, and resign. The FBI raid is going to be a distraction, no matter which way you cut it, Harbin-Forte told me. Even if shes not charged, its going to be a distraction trying to manage this investigation and try to lead a city. The distractions have already led to rumors about who would run for mayor if Thao is ousted. One name making the rounds: Rep. Barbara Lee. After giving up the House seat she has held since 1998 to run unsuccessfully for the Senate, Lee will be looking for work after November. She has been campaigning across the country for President Joe Biden. If Biden is reelected, Lee will have options. Maybe an ambassadorship or a place in the administration. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently touted Lee as a potential secretary of Housing and Urban Development. And even though Lees political mentor, Ron Dellums, returned to become Oaklands mayor after a long career in the House, the gig isnt on Lees radar yet. A source familiar with Lees thinking who asked to remain anonymous to freely discuss a politically sensitive topic said: Its not been discussed yet. Lee wouldnt be alone if she decided to run for a vacant mayors job. But that job might not be open if Thao and her alleged friends mounted a more forceful defense. Brass said Thao will cooperate with the investigation and release a public statement next week. 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Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Campbell carefully carries a rehabilitated pigeon out of a box for release at the corner of Polk and Fern streets. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Jordan, a pigeon rescued from a family in nearby Chinatown, stands on top of a book shelf at rescuer Campbells home. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Campbell checks a rehabilitated pigeon before releasing it back to the wild outside City Hall. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A rescued pigeon flies above Fern Street after it was released by Campbell. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Dion Campbell popped open the cardboard box at her feet, and there sat one of the most loathed creatures in San Francisco. A winged rat. Noisy pest. Filthy scavenger spraying poop on every sidewalk. It was, of course, a pigeon. To Campbell, it was one of the most beautiful creatures on Earth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She gingerly pulled out the fidgety little bundle of gray feathers with its green throat, and after peering into its eyes for a moment she tossed it into the air. With a furious flapping of its wings followed by a landing 20 feet ahead on the grass outside City Hall, the deed she had come to do was done she had saved yet another pigeon from being gobbled by hawks or dogs. This is what she does. Campbell, 40, is the foremost pigeon rescuer in San Francisco, and with the lengthy days of summer affording more hunting hours to predators, shes extra busy. How can your heart not go out to them? Campbell said, chuckling as a male pigeon strutted over to preen and puff up its chest for the newly freed lady birds attention. They are just wonderful beings, and most people know nothing about them. They misunderstand them, and every day pigeons die because they are neglected and scared. Weve got to protect these little guys. Theyre small and harmless, and theyre beautiful. A rehabilitated pigeon flies away from Campbell as it is being released outside City Hall. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Pigeons are so generally loathed that there are more campaigns to wipe them out or chase them away that a person can count. Efforts over the years have included BART posting a hawk to scare them off, San Quentin Prison having them shot, and sewage plant workers in Contra Costa County wringing their necks. Woody Allen called them rats with wings in his movie Stardust Memories and Herb Caen, the Chronicles late Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, hated them so much he called them feathered rats, and proposed starting an organization called CRAP (Citizens Revolt Against Pigeons). Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its all a bad rap, Cambell says. The reviled pigeon is actually one of the oldest domesticated animals in the world, first tamed 10,000 years ago. Persian kings once measured their power by the size of their pigeon flocks, and carrier pigeons were the pre-telegraph worlds version of email. They were beloved pets, and bigger strains were raised as squab succulent tasties for fancy dinner tables. But somewhere around the 1930s, the sheen wore off. Pigeons got literally kicked to the curb by humans, becoming feral like lost cats not actually wild and theyve struggled ever since. They never fully adapted as independent wildlife, depending on garbage for their meals because they dont know how to find the grains and seeds they naturally need. As such, pigeons scarf up discarded hamburger rolls, doughnut crumbs or any of the other zillion things people drop on the sidewalk. Campbell displays scar marks on a pigeons foot after it was entangled with strings in the city. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Today, hefty king pigeons are still slaughtered as squab, and in some countries including Britain they are forced to fight in battle rings, similar to cockfights. Racing clubs from the Bay Area to the East Coast raise and release pigeons by the hundreds in contests for whose birds can fly hundreds of miles back to their home base but many never make it back and get lost or eaten. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And then, of course, there is the poop factor, reviled by anyone whos ever taken a hit from the sky or slipped on a whitish-blackish sidewalk mess. All of that is considered nothing more than abuse and crummy PR to Campbell and her pigeon-loving pals. Campbell founded the nonprofit Be Nice to Pigeons a year ago to encourage kindness for the cooing creatures by selling stickers, key chains and buttons saying, naturally, Be nice to pigeons. Proceeds of her sales all over the world, from Australia to Iceland, go to the Palomacy nonprofit in San Francisco, the only significant pigeon rescue organization on the West Coast. Pigeons are really just like house cats, Campbell said. Theyre creatures of leisure. They like to be clean, not dirty like what happens to them in the street. They just want to be fed, be at home with their flock and chill out. How can you not love them? Pewpew, a blind rescue pigeon, stands on the edge of a cup at rescuer Campbells home. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Before going all in on pigeons, Campbell was a bartender. When that work dried up in the pandemic, she started working at WildCare rescue in San Rafael, which heals injured wildlife and shortly after that, in 2020, is when her life changed. She was walking along Van Ness Avenue when she found Pete she named him sprawled out, disabled with a wrecked shoulder and waiting to die. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I called around everywhere, and found that theres really not a lot of help or understanding for pigeons, she said. But thats how I eventually connected with Palomacy. I got hooked, and now Im the main person rescuing them in San Francisco. Today, she runs the hotline for Palomacy, meaning every day shes coordinating rescues or launching off to fetch injured or stranded pigeons that people call in. Hundreds wind up in volunteers homes, where they are nursed back to health or adopted as pets, and others she takes to work which didnt do much with pigeons until Campbell came on staff, but now sees about 700 pigeon patients a year. Once you get to know them, you love them, she said. But there are so many bad things people think about pigeons that arent true. When something gets in peoples minds, its hard to get rid of it. Its so unfair. Pigeon-themed pins adorn rescuer Dion Campbells bag. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Elizabeth Young founded Palomacy 17 years ago after volunteering at an animal shelter and finding a king squab pigeon. It had been bought by a kindly soul at a poultry market and set free which actually was cruel, Young said, because squab-bred pigeons have the flight skills of a toaster oven and often get devoured by the first predator that sees them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everybody had at least one rescue organization guinea pigs, kittens, rabbits, senior dogs, you name it but there werent any for pigeons, Young said. It was the only group like that. So I filled the gap. At the moment, she has about 100 volunteers working with her and 259 pigeons and doves, a similarly neglected bird, she says in 49 foster homes all over the Bay Area being prepared for release or anyone who can take them as pets. The pigeon Campbell set free at City Hall the other day was found in late April with her throat torn open, sitting helplessly on that same grass. Bringing the bird back was a must because pigeons are so devoted to their flock (they also mate for life) that nowhere else outside would do. The bonus for this lucky bird is that while she was healing, she got to hang out at Campbells pigeon heaven, otherwise known as her apartment. At times shes had 17 pigeons swooping around the rooms, perches and cages, but right now there are three: Pickles, adopted after WildCare healed him; Jordan, from a family that got exasperated after one of the kids brought him home; and Pew, a blind pigeon from WildCare. Pewpew, a blind rescue pigeon, stands on the edge of a cup while wearing a flyper, a specialized diaper for pigeons. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle They all wear flypers, diapers designed like overalls. They strut around like they own the place. Watching them clamor for Campbell to stroke their heads and feed them seeds is like watching puppies snuggle up for petting. The word on the street is that Chavs from the Tony Blair Labour era are readying themselves for a comeback when Labour wins the election. This event would be another cultural shift backwards for British society, but would be embraced by the Labour government in no uncertain terms. Class War It is inevitable that under the new Labour regime, class war will once again rear its ugly head in the UK. Of course, it will be interspersed with race war and the usual LGBTQP agenda. The underclass subculture of the chavs will reassert its hold on the psyche of the British people once again. What defined the torrid Blair years; things like the introduction of speedy mass unfettered immigration from some of the poorest EU countries, the Iraq war, debt, youth knife crime, happy slapping, bad fake tans, Burberry, ASBOS and chavs, will no doubt be mirrored by Keir Starmers upcoming reign of terror. Sadly, the Blair era ASBO is now a mere forgotten memory but may instead be replaced with another acronym, maybe something like ASDA. Education, education, education! What will be the Keir Storming Starmer mantra of the new era? Repeating the word education three times sort of gave away Blairs penchant for indoctrination more than anything else. His Labour government did not want the citizen to think for themselves, but merely to follow without question. Latin for Chavs There will be no Borisian amo, amas, amat but under Labour, it will be chavo, chavas, chavat. Britains subclasses are a very important part of Labours growth plan because they are the only section of the population who are breeding. This mass breeding by the Untermensch subclasses coupled with mass migration are the only things propping up the country according to Labour masterminds who will run Britain further into the ground. A recent disclosure in public records that San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Farrells campaign committee and his ballot measure committee are pooling money to share some staffing costs and other expenses is drawing criticism from his opponents. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle When San Francisco mayoral hopeful Mark Farrell created a candidate-controlled committee to support a proposed ballot measure to reform City Hall, the move was fairly run-of-the-mill. Such political action committees can boost a candidates name recognition and help them reach voters. But a recent disclosure in public records that Farrells campaign committee and his ballot measure committee are pooling money to share some staffing costs and other expenses is drawing criticism from his opponents. Thats because individual contributions to candidates are capped at $500, but donors can give unlimited amounts to PACs like the one that Farrell set up. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While its common for San Francisco elected officials to set up committees in support of ballot measures, sharing some costs with their campaign appears to be a more unusual arrangement. The measure in question is being promoted by the moderate advocacy group TogetherSF Action, which previously faced scrutiny over its close ties to Farrells campaign. If the group gathers enough signatures to make the November ballot, the proposal would ask voters to halve the number of city oversight commissions in a bid to trim red tape and make San Franciscos bureaucracy function more smoothly. The measure would also cap commissions at 65, while giving the mayor more power to appoint or remove commissioners and hire or fire department heads. Farrell, a moderate former supervisor and interim mayor who is one of the four leading challengers to Mayor London Breeds reelection bid, has so far raised nearly $400,000 in support of the TogetherSF Action measure. The committee has reported spending about $82,600 much of which was categorized as shared expenses with Farrells campaign for mayor. This month, the committee received $45,000 from Oberndorf Enterprises LLC, which is affiliated with William Oberndorf, a conservative billionaire who has spent heavily to influence San Francisco politics in recent years. Oberndorf is a backer of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, the top donor to the 2022 campaign that recalled progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the same time, Farrells ballot measure committee reported spending more than $57,000 on shared expenses with the Farrell mayoral campaign, with the money mostly going to payroll but also funding office space, a contractor and insurance. Farrells mayoral campaign has not yet had to report its fundraising or spending for the same time period. Farrells campaign said donations to the ballot measure committee will not directly fund his bid to unseat Breed. The pooled payments included costs for canvassers who were trained by Farrells mayoral campaign staff to educate voters about the ballot measure, the campaign said. Canvassers also used Farrells office space. We need bold reforms to our commissions and governance systems because it is holding us back from making the progress our residents, businesses, and visitors deserve and expect to see, Farrell said in a statement. Politicians cannot use ballot measure committees to skirt legal restrictions on individual contributions to their campaigns, said Brian Hildreth, a Sacramento campaign finance lawyer, who stressed he did not have enough information to comment on Farrells committee. The legal rule is, a candidate is not allowed to open a ballot measure committee and use that as a slush fund to support their election to office, Hildreth said. Some of Farrells rivals in the mayors race think thats exactly what is happening that money from the PAC will directly support the candidates mayoral campaign. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Joe Arellano, a spokesperson for Breeds reelection campaign, noted that in 2016, Farrell paid $25,000 to settle allegations that he had illegally coordinated with a political action committee while running for the Board of Supervisors in 2010. While Farrell did not know about the misconduct, he took ultimate responsibility anyway, according to the settlement. Arellano said Farrell apparently didnt learn his lesson. In a statement, he said, Fast forward to 2024 and hes using a loophole to skirt campaign finance limits and receive endless amounts of cash for his campaign. Jim Stearns, a political consultant for Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskins mayoral campaign, called the shared expenses outrageous, saying, I would just say that, when a candidate whos been busted for ethics violations starts playing fast and loose with campaign finance laws again, watch out. Farrell said Peskin has underscored the urgency of passing the TogetherSF Action measure by introducing a rival proposal that he is trying to put on the November ballot. Peskins proposal calls for establishing a task force to recommend ways to cull the number of city commissions, but it wouldnt cap the number of commissions. Farrell called it an ineffective, poison-pill counter measure. Voters need to be informed about the initiative that will deliver real reforms, so that they arent fooled by Peskins petty political ploy, and choose the better policy for our City, Farrell said in his statement. Stearns compared the TogetherSF Action proposal to a blank check that you give and hope that somebody does the right thing. Aarons measure keeps voters in control of their government, he said. The Medical Examiner wheels the body of a man, who was believed to have overdosed, through the lobby of an SRO building on Natoma and Eighth streets in San Francisco on Dec. 19, 2023. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle San Francisco continued to see high drug overdose deaths last month, with 66 fatalities in May, according to preliminary findings released Friday by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Of those 66 accidental overdoses, 48 people had the super powerful opioid fentanyl in their system. The May number is a small increase from April, which saw 59 people die from accidental overdoses, but a slight decrease from March which saw 69 accidental overdoses. San Francisco is on track to see slightly fewer overdoses this year than in 2023, but still more than any other recent year, including 2020 when deaths began to spike. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dr. Hillary Kunins, director of behavioral health services for the Department of Public Health, said at a press briefing Friday that its important that the public knows that highly effective and life-saving medications are available in San Francisco to treat people with addiction to fentanyl and other opioids. The numbers come as the citys drug crisis continues to be an issue in the upcoming mayoral election. Elected officials feeling pressure to address the issue continue to propose new ways to get more people into treatment. This past week, two supervisors proposed legislation to create more sober-living housing options for the formerly homeless, saying that the city needs to do a better job of helping those who want to get into recovery. The preliminary report also comes about four months after the city rolled out a pilot program that connects unhoused people with immediate medication prescriptions at night through a telehealth meeting. Whenever possible, those who go through the telehealth visit and receive a prescription are given shelter that night. Departmental staff or community partners assist with transportation to the pharmacy or deliver the medication to those placed overnight. The telehealth patients are also given support through a caseworker the next morning to ensure that the medication is taken. The department touted the program on Friday as an example of how its pushing to help more people. From March through May, the program conducted about 440 nighttime health visits. Many of the individuals connected through these telehealth visits are now being connected to a microdosing treatment that uses buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, according to Dr. Joanna Eveland, chief medical examiner at the Department of Public Health who is also overseeing the pilot program. Of the 440 people, 369 of those were prescribed buprenorphine, and around 295 of those prescribed buprenorphine opted for the microdosing treatment. In this treatment, individuals are given small doses of buprenorphine and then those doses are gradually increased over several days to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. You can think of this like gradually turning the sound up on your stereo, rather than cranking up the volume all at once, said Eveland, who is also frequently on the other line answering calls from people seeking help through the pilot program. While microdosing for opioid treatment is not new, it is a method that the Department of Public Health is using more frequently to help treat fentanyl users and ease the effects of withdrawal. The microdosing method for buprenorphine is also offered in treatment settings across the Department of Public Health system. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police in Derry made five arrests following a disturbance in city centre yesterday evening, Friday 21st June. Police attended a report of BB/pellet guns being fired at members of the public in a shopping centre at 7.15pm. Inspector Craig said: Whilst in attendance, three police officers sustained injuries after being assaulted by a number of people. One officer was kicked, whilst a second hand officers hand was stamped on, requiring hospital treatment. A third officers arm was injured after the door of a police vehicle was slammed on it. Two teenage girls were arrested on suspicion of offences including assault on police, disorderly behaviour, and attempted criminal damage to a police vehicle. A teenage boy and a young boy were arrested on suspicion of offences including possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, common assault, criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, and assault on police. All four have been bailed to return for interview at a later date. A man in his 30s was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour. He remains in police custody at this time, assisting with enquires. Inspector Craig continued: Our enquiries remain ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone with any information which might assist us to get in touch via 101, quoting reference number 1460 of 21/06/24. Although a BB/pellet gun is legal to sell, purchase and possess, and a firearm licence is not required, owners have a responsibility to use them safely. The use of BB/Pellet guns in a public place can cause injury or damage to property, which may constitute a criminal offence. Police remind anyone who owns one to be responsible because when they are used recklessly they have the potential to cause serious injury. Inspector Craig concluded: I would also reiterate the message that assaults on police are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated as simply being part of the job. Our ask is that officers and the work they do should not be taken for granted no one should be treated the way these officers were last night. Information can be passed on using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/ makeareport/ or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/. 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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 There are seventy-one fewer nurses than there should be at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda according to Louth Labour TD Ged Nash. It comes as twenty-four people are waiting on trolleys in the hospital this morning after thirty-three people were waiting on both Monday and Tuesday this week. Deputy Nash was speaking in the Dail yesterday where he asked Taoiseach Simon Harris when will the health service recruitment ban be lifted? He said: It is affecting real people, especially the over-75s. It is June, yet, yesterday morning 33 people were on trolleys in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. That number, unfortunately, has repeated itself today. There are 43 in Cork today and 34 in Galway, which is unprecedented for June. This is because these hospitals are not allowed to recruit the nurses who have actually been cleared to take up roles in hospitals such as Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. There is a deficit of 71 whole-time equivalent nursing professionals in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. That is 71 fewer nurses than there should be. Management, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and SIPTU are firefighting to support patients and to support stricken staff. Bernard Gloster, the head of the HSE, is in the media today talking up the possibility of the removal of the recruitment ban and saying that it will be lifted soon. When will the HSE recruitment ban be lifted? In response the Taoiseach said: We are having a meeting of the Cabinet committee on health in early July, I believe, and I look forward to seeing whether we can bring progress to that issue of the pay and numbers strategy there because discussions are ongoing between the HSE and the Department of Health. However, there is broad agreement in relation to the pay and numbers strategy. The Minister has approved the allocation of the 2024 new development posts, along with the roll-out of safe staffing through the conversion of 418 agency staff. I can get specific figures in relation to the Deputy's local hospital. Last week the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) called on management at Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda to take urgent action on hospital overcrowding. 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. Four Louth schools alongside four schools from across Northern Ireland came together today, to mark their achievements in the Advance Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project funded by the International Fund for Ireland, through their Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP). The cross community, cross-border initiative is delivered by Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre (BURC) and Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) with the Education provider - FIT (Fastrack into Information Technology) and brings together eight schools from across Belfast, Drogheda, and Dundalk. The IFIs Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP), which funds this project, is focused on embedding lasting relationships on a cross-border basis by supporting cooperation and innovation between groups and organisations North and South on projects that have a meaningful benefit for local communities. During the event, several students were awarded prizes as part of the project challenge including for Best Design and Best Innovation with all schools receiving certificates for their participation. The eight schools who took part include Bush Post Primary School Dundalk, Colaiste Chu Chulainn Dundalk, OFiaich College Dundalk, Scoil Ui Mhuiri in Dunleer, Belfast Boys Model School, Mercy College Belfast, St. Louises College Belfast and Dundonald High School, Paddy Harte, IFI Chair attended the event and said, This initiative demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration and partnerships. Working with industry experts we can deliver a project that offers practical support and guidance for young people, whilst continuing to deliver on a key objective of the IFIs Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP) embedding lasting relationships on a cross-border basis. The uniqueness of this type of project is its dual focus of providing an important foundation for young people to develop important skills in advanced manufacturing, whilst offering the opportunity to develop important cross-border engagement between local communities. Getting the opportunity to hear from students who have been taking part in the project over the last twelve months and about their experience of the initiative is what makes these projects worthwhile. The project offered opportunities for more than 200 students to learn about developing career opportunities in advanced manufacturing, acquiring key skills which they can use in their future career development. Participating in the project also offered teachers CPD Training, which was delivered by Queen's University Belfast, and provided students and teachers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with cutting edge technologies in their own School, in the AMTCE (Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence) Dundalk, and Queen's University Belfast, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) Belfast. Nanette covers California's public universities - the University of California and California State University - as well as community colleges and private universities. She's written about sexual misconduct at UC and Stanford, the precarious state of accreditation at City College of San Francisco, and what happens when the UC Berkeley student government discovers a gay rights opponent in its midst. She has exposed a private art college where students rack up massive levels of debt (one student's topped $400k), and covered audits peering into UC finances, education lawsuits and countless student protests. But writing about higher education also means getting a look at the brainy creations of students and faculty: Robotic suits that help paralyzed people walk. Online collections of folk songs going back hundreds of years. And innovations touching on everything from virtual reality to baseball. Nanette is also covering the COVID-19 pandemic and served as health editor during the first six months of the crisis, which quickly ended her brief tenure as interim investigations editor. Previously, Nanette covered K-12 education. Her stories led to changes in charter school laws, prompted a ban on Scientology in California public schools, and exposed cheating and censorship in testing. A past president of the Society of Professional Journalists' Northern California chapter, Nanette has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a B.A. in sociology from Queens College. She speaks English and Spanish. June 21, 2024: The Marines have decided to use the newly developed vehicle-based Madis (Marine Air Defense Integrated Future Weapons System) AUD (Anti UAV Defense) systems. Madis is transported in two Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JTL) vehicles, which replaced the smaller Hummer. Between them the two vehicles carry sensors, including radar and fire control equipment to detect targets. Weapons consist of two 30mm autocannon, with coaxial (adjacent and aimed at the same target) M240C 7.62mm machine-guns. The vehicles are also configured to use Stinger air defense missiles as well. These weapons are part of a RWS (Remote Weapons Station) and are operated by marines inside the enclosed vehicle. Madis is an upgraded version of the older L-Madis that was developed for ship defense and used successfully in 2019 when it shot down an Iranian UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), otherwise known as a drone. The marines expect to start receiving Madis, as well as an updated L-Madis in 2025. Ultimately the marines expect to receive 21 L-Madis and 190 Madis systems. The marines are not the only American military personnel seeking more AUD systems. U.S. forces in the Middle East have requested more AUD systems to protect U.S. personnel from the growing UAV threat. UAVs are cheap, plentiful and can be armed or equipped with more capable video cameras, sensors, and communications capabilities. These accessories are relatively cheap and available from commercial outlets. The cheap and available angle has not only led to a lot more UAVs being used in wartime, with Ukraine being the combat situation where this is demonstrated in what is known as near-peer combat where two adversaries with roughly equal weapons and equipment fight each other. There has not been such a war since World War II. While many aspects of the two forces are similar to the World War II experience, there is a lot of new technology. Some of this new tech is cheap, widely used by both sides and continually evolves for as long as the fighting lasts. When peace returns, evolution will slow down and often stop. The reason for this is cost. Right now, the fighting in Ukraine has led to a growing number of new AUD systems and one of these is the U.S. Navy system called EAGLS (Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System) for ships. EAGLS can also be used by ground forces and that is the case for the EAGLS systems sent to protect American forces stationed in the Middle east. Currently, each EAGLS system costs about five million dollars. EAGLS provides similar functions as the earlier Vampire AUD System that has already been sent to Ukraine and performed admirably. Like Vampire, EAGLS uses APKWS II, or Advanced Precision Killer Weapon System II 70mm laser guided rockets. APKWS 70mm laser-guided rockets weigh only 15 kg and have a range of about five thousand meters when fired from the ground. EAGLS can detect and fire APKWS laser guided rockets at air and even ground targets. Any UAV, cruise missile or helicopter within range is vulnerable. EAGLS is a self-contained system with three components. There is a CROWS II (Commonly Remotely Operated Weapon Station II) equipped with a four-round 70mm rocket launcher loaded with laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets, a sensor turret with electro-optical and infrared cameras, and a small radar array. The system is designed to be used from an immobile pallet on the ground or mounted in the back of a Humvee configured as a pickup truck. Any other similar truck will do and the Ukrainians undertake such improvisations quickly. EAGLS uses a DRS RPS-40 radar which can detect targets ten kilometers away and track them until they come within the five kilometer range of the APKWS rockets. To deal with that EAGLS also has an optical sight that enables the system operator to fire at targets within visual range. With a heat sensing (infrared) option EAGLS can detect and fire on targets at night. It is possible for enemy forces to detect the radar signals emitted by the EAGLS radar and fire a guided missile at a stationary EAGLS system. Thats why EAGLS is usually mounted in the back of a truck or Humvee. A new version of the APKWS II is being developed with a range of 12 kilometers. This is a major improvement over the current five kilometers. The U.S. Navy is equipping some of its destroyers with EAGLS to increase anti-aircraft capabilities while also providing a land attack option as well. APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System) is a 15 kg 70mm rocket, with a laser seeker, a six pound warhead and a range of about six kilometers. Laser designators on a helicopter, or with troops on the ground, are pointed at the target, and the laser seeker in the front of the APKWS homes on the reflected laser light. APKWS was developed from the 2.75 inch (70mm) rockets used during World War II as an air-to-air weapon for use against heavy bomber formations. The Germans had developed a similar, and very successful weapon, the R4M, but before long it was noted that neither the Japanese nor the Germans had any heavy bombers, so the U.S. 70mm rocket was switched to air-to-ground use. Actually, the 70mm rocket was retained for air-to-air use into the 1950s, but it was never successful in that role. The 70mm rocket became very popular in the 1960s, when it was discovered that the weapon worked very well against ground targets when launched from multiple 7 or 19 tube launchers mounted on helicopters. The 107-140 centimeter long rockets could be fired singly or in salvoes and gave helicopter pilots some airborne artillery for supporting troops on the ground. There are many variations in terms of warheads and rocket motors. Some versions can go over 10 kilometers. The United States has also sent six hundred Coyote UAV interceptors to protect American troops in the Middle East. Coyote is launched from an aircraft and weighs 5.9 kg and is a 60 centimeter long UAV with a wingspan of 247 centimeters. Coyote is launched from a pneumatic tube and the wings extend and the Coyote is directed to search for or attack a target by its remote operator who can be over 100 kilometers away. Coyotes can remain airborne for two hours while seeking a target. Cruising speed is 102 kilometers an hour, with a top speed of 130 kilometers. In 2022 the reusable Block 3 Coyote was introduced. Each one carries devices that enable it to destroy up to ten UAVs before landing to be rearmed and have its battery recharged or replaced with an already charged battery. Cork has around 30 beaches, but which is the finest? As part of our Cork Coasts series, the Peoples Republic of Cork have picked out their favourite 16. They have concluded the countdown from No.16 to No.1 - and readers now get the chance to have their say. Over the next few weeks, our Cork coastlines will battle it out to see who will be crowned Cork's best beach, by you, our readers. In the last round of our competition, we saw Garrylucas, Garretstown go head-to-head with Blind Strand, Courtmacsherry. This week Inchydoney takes on Red Strand. Read More What is the best beach in Cork? Cast your votes for Battle of the Beaches below: A FUND to support the family of a pioneering fundraiser whose work helped untold thousands of people has reached almost twice its target. Micheal Sheridan, chief executive of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, passed away at the start of the month after a brief battle with cancer. Mr Sheridan, who was 51, was well known in Cork for his work with the charity, where he helped to raise millions for the hospitals cancer services. He first joined the foundation in 2007 as its first employee, and a spokesperson for the foundation said he had seen it grow to become one of the leading hospital foundations in the country. In 2021, he left the foundation to become chief executive of Irish Community Air Ambulance, where he spent three years. Earlier this year, Mr Sheridan returned to the Mercy foundation, where he was appointed its chief executive. After Mr Sheridan passed away, a family friend, Ed Hurrell, set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to help Mr Sheridans family, with an initial target of 10,000. Two weeks on, the page is set to close, having raised by Friday morning almost 20,000. On the GoFundMe page, Mr Hurrell stated that Mr Sheridan had worked tirelessly all his life to help people in some of the most difficult times in their lives. We want to come together to support his family at this time. Nothing was more important to Micheal than his familyhis wife Claire and their four sons Eanna, Rian, Finn and Caelan. On Tuesday, Mr Hurrell posted a note on the page: Thanks so much for your generosity and helping us reach 15,000 for the Sheridan boys education. We will be transferring the funds to the family who are so very grateful to you. On Friday morning, the GoFundMe had reached 19,305. Separately, on July 14, this years Make Your Mark on Cancer charity walk will honour Mr Sheridan, when hundreds of walkers will take to the road for the 22km journey from The Viaduct to the Town Hall in Bandon. Funds raised will go towards the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre. AN Uisce Eireann official told an Oireachtas committee the company is hopeful it will have completed flushing operations to resolve the issue of discoloured water in a number of areas in Cork city between mid-November and the end of the year and even then the problem might recur because of the age of the cast iron pipes in the city. Margaret Attridge, the head of water operations at the utility, was responding to queries from Cork North Central Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould, who had asked during a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government, and Heritage this week when the people on the northside of Cork city would have a supply of water that was clear and safe to drink. In her response, Ms Attridge said that seven key areas for extensive flushing in Cork city had been identified. Hopefully these will be complete by the middle of November this year, she said. It is early days, but we are seeing a positive trend in the areas we have gone into. If this trend continues, the flushing programme should make a huge difference in the worst impacted areas in Cork city. Ms Attridge said the company had its best scientists out in the new treatment plant looking at it and the water chemistry to see if it was impacting the old network in the city. She said that minor adjustments which would require minor investment were being made. We are currently going through the procurement process and installation of those minor adjustments to condition the water should, hopefully, be completed by the end of the year this is our timeline to resolve, hopefully, the worst of the water quality issues in Cork city, albeit it is still [a] very old network and when we do have breakages or any problems like this in it, we will have periodic discolouration issues. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Gould said he had brought to the committee a bottle of water which had come from a tap in a home in Gurranabraher and while the water looked clear, there was rust and dirt settled at the bottom. I am really concerned that people are drinking this kind of water, he said. He also reiterated calls for bottled water to be provided by Uisce Eireann through community groups and GAA clubs. Dirty brown and orange water is not acceptable Tanora should come in a bottle, not from peoples taps! Uisce Eireann has been asked for further comment. June 21, 2024: Ukrainian air force pilots are seeking better equipment and weapons to deal with Russian air defenses. The NATO nations supporting Ukraine have also been working on that and began back in 2016 when representatives of NATO air forces met to work on reviving and sharing Cold War era knowledge of sending aircraft into heavily defended air space. The presence of modern Russian anti-aircraft weapons in Syria and the hostile relations between Russia and NATO member Turkey made it useful to review SEAD (suppression of enemy air defenses) capabilities. Going after air defense systems, otherwise known as SEAD, rather than the World War II phrase "flak suppression", is an expensive task and a high priority one during the Cold War. Shutting down air defenses is only undertaken if the target being defended is important enough to warrant such an expensive application of air power. After the Cold War ended the growing number of precision missiles seemed to be a more efficient way to go after heavily defended targets. This spurred development of air defense systems that can hit missiles. The US Patriot SAM (Surface to Air) missile's ability to intercept SCUD missiles was the first combat example of this technique. While crude, the Patriot showed that it could be done in 1990. Since then the similar Russian S-300 system has acquired anti-missile capabilities. That said, nearly all the NATO aircraft losses in combat since the 1990s were from low tech weapons like machine guns and small SAMs. The last time the United States had to do any serious SEAD was in 2003 during the invasion of Iraq. This was against second-rate Russian Cold War era systems sold to foreign customers. But the Russians have their most modern equipment in Syria and there is a possibility NATO aircraft may have to deal with it. So the 2016 meeting was a first step in figuring out how to handle a SEAD challenge not seen since the 1980s. Flying into heavily defended enemy air space is a risky business. High and low altitude anti-aircraft defenses are numerous. Radars are all over the place. One approach is to sneak in with small groups of up to four planes. Coming in low, a few hundred meters high or low enough to singe the treetops, the enemy has little time to react before you are past him. Zipping along at 200 meters a second, there is not much for the enemy to see, or shoot at. Using electronic mapping and navigation devices, the target is found, most of the time, the munitions released and an equally rapid exit made. Few aircraft are capable of this approach and the most modern detection and weapons systems, like what Russia had in Syria, are designed to handle it. The Russians also claim they can detect American stealth aircraft. Designing aircraft for maximum resistance to detection to produce stealth capability was pioneered by the U.S. in the 1970s from a Russian concept that the Russians could not turn into a workable aircraft. Such an airplane had a reasonable chance of penetrating enemy defenses to hit targets with a high degree of surprise. This is important, as the damage done goes down with the amount of warning the target has. Five minutes of warning can reduce air base damage 40 to 80 percent depending on how many concrete aircraft shelters the base has. Stealth, using an F-117 aircraft worked for the U.S. in the 1990 and 2003 campaigns in Iraq but in case the Russians can detect and hit stealth aircraft you must be prepared to send in larger groups of aircraft, led by lavishly equipped electronics warfare planes, to ensure successful SEAD and destruction of the target. Since this process tends to destroy a lot of enemy ground defenses along the way that makes it easier for subsequent raids. The package of fighters and support aircraft using SEAD to reach a target is led by Wild Weasel aircraft. These have radar detection and jamming equipment which can either hide the group from enemy radar or prevent the enemy from making accurate use of their ground-to-air missiles. You will need fighters to deal with enemy interceptors. Thus the battle can range from 10,000 meters up down to ground level. The Wild Weasels carry missiles that home in on enemy ground radars. The most dangerous opposition comes from enemy guns, which often can fire without radar in clear weather. For this reason, raids at night and in bad weather are often preferred. If all goes according to plan, the Weasels will protect the electronically less sophisticated strike aircraft to the targets, where they release their loads. Everyone then fights their way home past a thoroughly alerted enemy. The stealth aircraft are well suited to perform the Wild Weasel role and have done so. This has become a common mission as there are still a lot of non-stealth strike aircraft and a need to suppress anti-aircraft defenses. For targets where surprise is not critical, stealth led raids are the norm. This was the case in the 1990 and 2003 Gulf Wars. Russia was striving, with some success until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, to catch up with Western strike aircraft in overall sophistication and effectiveness. Some of their new generation of strike planes, which have now been seen under combat conditions, were effective but not to the extent Russia hoped. Russia has its own AWACS and Wild Weasel aircraft, but both are somewhat tame compared to Western models. Russian pilots, by and large, are not as expert, experienced or audacious as their Western counterparts. Israel and Sweden, however, produce very capable AWACS, mainly for export, that are superior to anything the Russians have. If the Russians in Syria do become a target, NATO allies have to know if the U.S. is ready to try using its latest stealth aircraft (F-22 and F-35) and how that would work in cooperation with other NATO warplanes, especially the most modern ones like Typhoon and Rafale. It is unclear how much has been decided about all this, but then details regarding SEAD and stealth capabilities and plans tend to be kept secret. Meanwhile the Ukrainians are using equipment and weapons provided by NATO countries to equip some aircraft as Wild Weasels for use against the Russian air force and air bases across the border in Russia. A CORK school celebrated its 50th anniversary yesterday with a family fun day for students, parents, and faculty. St Marys School, in Rochestown, marked the milestone with a dedicated event, complete with a visit from an ice-cream van and Corks own Stevie G. Carol Boyton and Una Papazion at the St Mary's School 50th anniversary celebration in Rochestown, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Principal Kerri Hollywell and guest speaker and former lord mayor Kieran McCarthy addressed attendees and spoke about the schools history and its achievements in its 50 years. Speaking to The Echo, Ms Hollywell said: Weve been looking forward to this all year. It is a celebration of the school and everything its achieved, to highlight the fact that we made it to 50 years, and the changes that have happened during that time. As part of the ongoing celebrations, several projects have been undertaken by students and staff, including the incorporation of the history of St Marys into the school curriculum. Chelsea Dunne, Sarah Morrissey and Hayley Ryan with the school dog Begley at the St Mary's School 50th anniversary celebration in Rochestown, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Another project undertaken by the school was the creation of a community book depository, which was erected outside the Cinnamon Cottage Cafe in Rochestown earlier this week. Sandra Cronin, Catherine Sisk and Cathy Davis at the St Mary's School 50th anniversary celebration in Rochestown, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan The school caters for 75 children with special-education needs. It is expanding its service offerings ahead of the 2025 academic year, which will see an additional five students enrolled, as a result of a number of fundraising efforts. On June 30, 15 members of faculty, including teachers, SNAs, and secretaries will take part in a fundraising skydive, in the hopes of raising 12,000 for a new sensory room. Funds from the skydive will go towards covering the cost of padding for the walls and floors, and the installation of electrical equipment, interactive lighting, and projections. As we have more students, we need a new sensory room, said Ms Hollywell. The former Lord Mayor Cllr. Kieran McCarthy with the Lady Mayoress Marcelline Bonneau and Senator Jerry Buttimer at the St Mary's School 50th anniversary celebration in Rochestown, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan One room isnt enough, [and] the new room would be used by everyone, but it will be bigger to accommodate our older pupils. Kerri Hollywell, school principal with the former Lord Mayor Cllr. Kieran McCarthy and the former Lady Mayoress Marcelline Bonneau at the St Mary's School 50th anniversary celebration in Rochestown, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan An iDonate page has been set up ahead of the skydive, which stood at 11,907 at the time of printing. To donate to the cause, visit:idonate.ie/fundraiser/skydiveforstmarys A CRACK cocaine addiction prompted a man, aged 37, to ask a sentencing judge to send him to jail so that he could get himself clear of the drug. Leonard Geasley was caught with two wraps of diamorphine (heroin) in his sock when he was searched by gardai on August 30, 2023, and now Judge Mary Dorgan has sentenced him to four months in prison. Geasley, of Sunview Court, Sunvalley Drive, Fairhill, Cork, told Judge Dorgan that since he was caught with the heroin, he had come off this drug. Basically, I was on 80ml of methadone and that is down to 15ml now [in getting off heroin], he said. I am addicted to crack cocaine. I was hoping you could give me a minimum sentence just to get clean, Geasley said. The accused man had numerous previous convictions, including 11 counts of having drugs for his own use previously. Judge Dorgan sentenced him to four months for having the heroin last August. Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the accused would serve that time and he had no intention of appealing the sentence. The background to the detection of the offence on August 30, 2023, was that Garda Shane Hayes observed him acting suspiciously and carried out a search. When searched, he had two small wrappings of brown powder substance in the right sock. He admitted it was heroin for his own use. His address on the charge sheet was Sunview Court but there was evidence of an address also at Deerpark House on Friars Walk. IT hasnt been a great week for the Green Party, losing as it did its leader and deputy leader, but Cork looks set to offer it some sunshine. At its AGM last night, Cork City Council elected Green Party councillor, Dan Boyle, as the new Lord Mayor. Born in Chicago in 1962, in 1991 he became the first Green Party member of Cork City Council, and now has made history as Leesides first Green Lord Mayor. Elected to Dail Eireann for Cork South Central in 2022, he was party whip and finance spokesperson until he lost his seat in 2007. He helped negotiate the deal which brought the Greens into government in 2007, and he was nominated to the Seanad by then taoiseach Bertie Ahern. An early adopter of Twitter, his was a prominent voice during the Greens time in office. He ran, unsuccessfully, for Europe in 2009, and for both the Dail and Seanad in 2011. In 2014, he failed in a bid to return to Cork City Council, but he was elected to City Hall in 2019 and earlier this month he was re-elected. The author of three books, he is also a keen musician, and in 2011 he released an album called Third Adolescence. This week, in the wake of Green Party leader Eamon Ryans decision to stand down, a picture from 2002 did the rounds, showing Mr Ryan, Mr Boyle, recently defeated former MEP Ciaran Cuffe, and then party leader Trevor Sargent chained to a tree in Dublins OConnell Street. With Mr Ryan not standing at the next election, and the other two already gone from public office, Mr Boyle, wearing a different type of chain now, might be tempted to sing a bar two of Tom Waits Im the Last Leaf on the Tree. A likeable and popular figure during his 16 years in City Hall, he says he has only waited to wear the chain through all of the 33 years since his first election. His deputy lord mayor, first-time councillor for Cork City South East Honore Kamegni has already made history as the first black person to be elected to City Hall. A father of two, he came to Ireland seeking asylum from his native Cameroon in 2002. He has worked in Douglas and Rochestown as a postman for the past 14 years, and knowledge of that beat no doubt served him well during his year-long canvass. When he was elected earlier this month, Mr Kamegni told The Echo that he had been inspired to run when he saw a video of a meeting of Cork City Council, deciding there and then that it could use a bit of diversity. EXPRESSIONS of interest are being sought from biomethane producers who could supply a new Gas Networks Ireland facility in Mitchelstown. The aim is to develop a co-operative-style farm-based renewable gas industry in the North Cork region. Construction of a 30m central grid in the town is scheduled to get under way later this year and, at full capacity, the facility will be capable of injecting up to 700 GigaWatt hours of renewable gas into the national gas network annually. Gas Networks Ireland say this volume represents 1.2% of Irelands total gas demand and equates to 12% of the Governments biomethane production target for 2030. The head of business development for Gas Networks Ireland, Karen Doyle, said it was an exciting time for Irelands nascent biomethane industry and referred to the Governments publication of a national biomethane strategy in May and a partnership that Gas Networks Ireland had entered into with Bia Energy. We are delighted to be in a position to begin the process of booking capacity for the Mitchelstown CGI facility, said Ms Doyle. Our previous market-testing exercises, and research, have revealed Irelands potential to replace more than a quarter of natural gas on the network with biomethane, creating significant, new agri-income streams and reducing Irelands total emissions by nearly four million tonnes annually, she said. With over 170 potential biomethane producers eager to contribute, there is the potential to achieve, and possibly exceed, the States current target of 5.7 TWh. The Mitchelstown CGI facility is the centrepiece of the much wider 30m Green Renewable Agricultural Zero Emissions (GRAZE) project in the North Cork town. GRAZE is designed to showcase large-scale agricultural biomethane clusters that can be replicated in other locations throughout the State and is aiming to source biomethane from a number of local suppliers. Led by Gas Networks Ireland, the GRAZE project is supported by more than 8.4m in funding from the Climate Action Fund, as part of the Governments National Energy Security Framework. Biomethane is compatible with the existing national gas network, appliances, technologies and vehicles, and will ultimately replace natural gas to reduce emissions in heating, industry, transport, and power generation, while also supporting the decarbonisation of the agri-food sector. THOUSANDS of people gathered in Cork, Dublin and Limerick to show their solidarity with a woman who was assaulted by an Irish soldier. Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, was given a three-year suspended sentence for the assault on Natasha OBrien. The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms OBrien in Limerick in 2022. Ms OBrien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. There has also been criticism of Judge Tom ODonnell, after he told the court earlier this week that if he imposed a custodial sentence, Crottys army career would be over. Many people taking part in Saturdays protest criticised the suspended sentence. Outrage Hundreds of people gathered at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. The demonstrators marched from The Spire on OConnell street to the Department of Justice at St Stephens Green. Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group, Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the courts decision. Attending the protest in Dublin, Ms Coppinger said: He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. His career was placed above the impact on her of the violence and that just says it all about the misogynistic rulings that were seeing in courts, to be honest, every day of the week, this is not unusual. We actually have to get that out there. These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well. It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence." Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: Womens Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. Thats how wide spread domestic violence is. 'Epidemic of gender-based violence' Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms OBrien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. I need to be particularly careful in that context. But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence. In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case. TO SOME people, sea glass and shells are just that. But to Cork creative Julie Tomlin, they are the crown jewels of our coastline. Julie (52), a mother of two and part-time senior medical receptionist, started her business BeachJuls in 2016 after discovering her undoubted talent for spotting a diamond in the rough. Using creative wit and well-known phraseology, she combines the art of words with the adaptation of coastal materials to create unique framed imagery. Varying in theme, topic and time of year, each product boasts a one-of-a-kind status as no one pebble or stone is the same, says Julie. Detailing the beginning of her business venture, Julie said her sister, who was attending an art exhibition in the RDS, encouraged her to sell the frames, and took some stock with her for her trip. She said just give me a couple of bits of your stuff and well see. I only gave her six, and they sold before it [the exhibition] started to the other exhibitors, said Julie. I had just been giving them away as gifts to friends and family, but you can only fill your wall with so much, so thats how it started. Theres obviously a play on my name. My friends call me Jules and to me the beach jewels are shiny pebbles and sea glass and all of that sort of stuff. I have perfected it a bit better since then. I have a signature blue forget-me-not flower on my pieces now, and the quirky quotes. Describing her love for the water, and the inspiration that comes from it, Julie said that growing up near the coast in Dublin had a big part to play in what she does now. I grew up in Dun Laoghaire [and] Ive been collecting sea glass for as long as I can remember, I was always head down rummaging around in the pebbles and seaweed. Creativity is in my bones, art has always been in my family. My dad is a stained glass artist in Dublin, and my sister is an acrylic artist, so it has always been there in the background. I went to college in Dublin to do outdoor education, I learned to windsurf, sale, kayak, rock climb and became a teacher in that, so most of my life has been spent on, in, or near the water. I never did art in my Leaving Cert, but I went back to the Kinsale Further Education College in 2019, and did art there. As the Irish might say, I have a gra for it, said Julie. My kids have been on many trips with me down to the beach when they were smaller, and I would give them 10 cents if they found any blue sea glass. So its just a love of the water for all of us. My father instilled it in me, [and] I think Ive instilled it in my children. Theyre windsurfers and sailors now, and we go on surf holidays, so I wouldnt know any other way. Finding treasure BeachJuls offers a vast range of pieces to customers, with non-commissioned stock available from three locations across Cork, the Boat Head Gallery in Kinsale, the Yellow Door Gallery in Baltimore and the West Cork Crafts store in Skibbereen. With her at-home studio nestled in the idyllic countryside of Kilbrittain, Julie spends her time creating her coastal art with a picture-perfect view of Coolmain Beach. Im involved in a lot of beach cleanups here and biodiversity groups, she said. I love beach clean-ups because I find all sorts of treasures. Half of the rubbish goes into my pocket, so I have one bag for the proper rubbish and another bag for oh, thats an interesting shell or stone. As a part-time worker, she says she experiences the perfect work-life balance, with plenty of time to spend scouring the coastline for her next project. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I go to Garretstown, Coolmain and Dooneen. It wouldnt be every day, but definitely twice if not three times a week I get out and walk along the beaches, she said. Its not necessarily going down specifically for something, but Ive never come back empty handed, [and] Im not the only crazy person with jars of glass and bags of sticks. I find Dooneen Pier, by the Speckled Door, [is] a great spot for sea glass and washed up pottery, Garretstown then is great for pebbles, and Coolmain has lovely delicate pink and yellow shells. Its generally the wild Atlantic Way that I would be looking on, I do holiday on the coast as well, but they would be my local favourites. Different beaches have different sources for inspiration, she added. 'Simple but effective' Using her precious finds, Julie offers both commissioned and non-commissioned creations, including her family rocks and love birds lines, which can be tailored to match the needs of the family or a couple purchasing the piece. People enjoy that, it makes it all the more personal, she said. I get a lot of repeat business for personalised gifts. Its simple but effective. These particular lines centre around composing pebble shapes and colours to emulate each family member or individual and can be ordered online by contacting BeachJuls on Facebook or Instagram. While re-producing popular products maintains a steady workflow, Julie said she also enjoys the chaos of creative control and often explores new themes after finding a particularly odd shaped pebble or shell. Its in the piece when you find it, she said. I dont just see a pebble or a bit of sea glass. Im like oh, thats a bird. I dont know what I would have done with my time if I wasnt doing this. I love how it makes people feel, [that] theyre getting a sense of creativity. The pride, that somebody will have this hanging in their wall too, it makes me feel great. BeachJuls offers a vast range of pieces to customers, with non-commissioned stock available from three locations across Cork, the Boat Head Gallery in Kinsale, the Yellow Door Gallery in Baltimore and the West Cork Crafts store in Skibbereen. Prices for the standard pieces vary between 60 and 70. Commissioned pieces ordered directly from Julie can vary between 55 and 65. I need the shops to survive and the commissions obviously take a lot longer, [but] I like a challenge, she said. LIKE, hey man, what on earth are we going to do about cannabis? On the one hand, a large proportion of us - and I would include myself in this - would like to see the soft drug legalised. On the other hand, whether we legalise it or not, there is certainly a cast-iron case for a campaign to be introduced to discourage people from ever using the drug, since it is clearly capable of causing users great harm. Now how thats for a paradox? Have I lost my mind? But hold your wisht until I explain myself. First, the legalisation bit. The problem with cannabis is, the genie is out of the bottle and it isnt ever going away. Its usage is widespread among all ages. One of the reasons it is so popular recreationally, among younger people in particular, is the kudos behind it. It remains an offence to cultivate, export, produce, supply, and possess cannabis, and those using it get to feel a bit like the kids who used to smoke behind the bike sheds at school. Legalising it would remove that frisson of devilment. It would hopefully also act as a drag (sorry) on the fact that popular culture - from pop stars to artists, models to actors - paints cannabis as a harmless, even a creative, drug for the cool dudes. There is societal pressure on people to accept cannabis as just another version of cigarettes, vapes, and alcohol, which are all addictive, and harmful themselves if used often enough and long enough. Then there is the huge amount of police and court time taken up prosecuting people caught up in the cannabis chain, from the dealer down to the occasional smoker. Imagine if cannabis was legalised, at a stroke the guards and courts would free up much more time to tackle and prosecute harder drug offences, and other serious crimes. Moreover, legalisation of cannabis would enable the introduction of checks and balances regarding its ingredients, and help to eradicate bad and ultra-strong batches of the drug, which can be an even more serious health risk. Factor in the huge taxes that the Government would rake in, and you can see why legalisation of cannabis is at least an option that should be considered. A recent poll showed that a third of Irish people believe legalisation is the way forward, and this figure rose to more than half among the 15-24 age group. The recently re-elected MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, a campaigner against the criminalisation of cannabis use, has stated that legalising the drug would be worth 476m a year to the Irish economy in revenue through taxation and savings to the criminal justice system. Money currently ends up in the pockets of criminals and it would be better spent in the health service, he said at a rally calling for the legalisation of cannabis for all over 18s. Ireland would hardly be breaking new ground here either; as well as the well-known example of the Netherlands, other places where cannabis is legal include Canada, Germany, Spain, and South Africa. This is all without mentioning the proven medicinal benefits of cannabis for some health conditions, an issue which currently presents all sort of headaches for the authorities. So, you legalise the drug, then what? Turn on the tap to an even greater proportion of users, and exacerbate the health problems attached to cannabis use? Well, hopefully not. It might sound ike its turning logic on its head, but legalisation might actually reduce the numbers smoking it, for the reasons outlined above, and also lead to a greater awareness of its dangers. Legalisation would allow the authorities to do their damnedest to try to turn as many people off the drug as possible. We could put health warnings on the packaging, run public information films and adverts telling people of all the damage regular use of cannabis may do. We could also charge as much for it as we can, as long as we dont risk opening the door to a black market by the same criminal gangs who have lost their power base. Look at how the price of cigarettes has soared in recent years through taxation, surely that acts as a brake on smokers, reducing their habit accordingly? The same could be done with cannabis. Eventually, once cannabis is de-stigmatised and has lost its cool vibe, we could start to ratchet up the legal age for using it, or even copy what the UK has done with cigarettes, and start raising the legal age for use every year. I know, I know, it sounds a bit cracked, like I have been taking a few too many drags of weed myself (Im not a user, by the way). But it just might work... and there are too many benefits to this policy for us not to give it serious consideration. Because the harms that cannabis, despite being illegal, are currently doing to people are many and varied. Earlier this month, The Echo reported that hundreds of Cork people had been hospitalised with mental and behavioural disorders due to cannabis use in the last five years. Figures from the HSE showed there were 115 Cork in-patient and day-case discharges from acute hospitals in 2023, compared to 76 the year before. As well as the human cost, thats putting huge pressure on our over-worked health services too. A HSE spokesperson said people who use cannabis in their teens have an increased risk of developing a significant mental health problem such as psychosis or schizophrenia, and that those who use cannabis regularly are more likely to experience episodes of depression or anxiety. A study found that young people who smoke cannabis regularly are three times more likely to attempt suicide than people who never use it. Long-term cannabis users are more likely to report thoughts of suicide than non-users. The drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions. A study in New Zealand showed that people who had started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens lost an average of 8 IQ points in the next two decades. The lost mental abilities didnt fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults. Studies have also shown that people who use cannabis regularly have lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, and more relationship problems. I appreciate that this wealth of evidence would normally be good reason to crackdown on the drug, but that has proven not to work for the past 50 years or more. Bringing the subject out into the open, and then warning people of the serious dangers of the drug, might just be the answer. Its got to be worth a try. By Cate McCurry, PA More than a thousand people have gathered in protests in Dublin and Cork in solidarity with a woman who was viciously assaulted by an Irish soldier. Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court after he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha OBrien. The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms OBrien in Limerick in 2022. Impromptu march to dept of justice in solidarity with Natasha #thisisnotjustice pic.twitter.com/QemMA8KW7O ROSA - Socialist Feminist Movement (@RosaSocFem) June 22, 2024 Ms OBrien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. There has also been criticism of Judge Tom ODonnell, after he told the court earlier this week that if he imposed a custodial sentence, Crottys army career would be over. Many people taking part in Saturdays protest criticised the suspended sentence. Hundreds of people gathered at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. Men, women and children of all ages carried placards calling for an end to victim blaming in courts and justice for Ms OBrien and other victims of gender violence. The demonstrators marched from The Spire on OConnell street to the Department of Justice at St Stephens Green. Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group, Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the courts decision. Attending the protest in Dublin, Ms Coppinger said: He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. Marie Clynes, a retired teacher from Dublin and Tristan McCall who travelled from Co Wicklow to attend the protest in Dublin on Saturday (Cate McCurry/PA) His career was placed above the impact on her of the violence and that just says it all about the misogynistic rulings that were seeing in courts, to be honest, every day of the week, this is not unusual. We actually have to get that out there. These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well. It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence. Maybe lets start by suspending a few judges who dont understand the impact of violence against women or girls or LGBT plus people or in general on victims. We absolutely need dramatic change. Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: Womens Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. Thats how wide spread domestic violence is. Campaigner and womens rights activist Ailbhe Smyth said: This will not be the only time that we will be standing here or marching through the streets of Dublin on the issue of violence against women. Quite frankly this is enough. We have had enough. We will absolutely not take anymore. We will not watch a young woman who has already been traumatised, injured who said I will not be the same again. How sad can that be. Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: A few months ago I criticised a judge in the Dail and you would think the sky had fallen in. The Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee), the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach all said you cant say that, you cant criticise the judiciary. I was dragged over the coals for it. To criticise a judge in this establishment is, to them, a mortal sin. They appoint them. And because they appoint the judges, we have to judge them and we will judge them at the next election and tell them they have had their day. Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms OBrien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. I need to be particularly careful in that context. But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence. In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case. June 22, 2024: U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) is shrinking again and must lose 5,000 personnel over the next five years. Instead of just reorganizing units to include fewer people, SOCOM is retraining its remaining personnel to handle more technology as well as new weapons and equipment. SOCOM is also noting how Ukrainian special operations forces have adapted during more than two years of fighting the Russians. SOCOM does not have any personnel in Ukraine and the number of active combat zones where SOCOM once operated has diminished. There are no longer SOCOM personnel in Afghanistan and far fewer in Iraq and Syria than in the past. Most of the reductions are taking place through attrition. As existing SOCOM operators retire or resign, they will not be replaced. Over the last decade SOCOM has greatly reduced its spending on counterterrorism and that alone greatly reduced expenses. More importantly, SOCOM personnel spent less time overseas in combat zones. This was good for morale and necessary so training for new tasks can take place. SOCOM is returning to its traditional (pre-2001) missions that included training foreign special operations forces and developing relationships with military forces and civilians in foreign nations. This often involved working with the CIA and Department of Defense intelligence agencies. The SOCOM personnel spoke the local language and had learned about local customs. SOCOM personnel were often the best source of what was going on in nations where SOCOM was invited in to help with training and organizing forces to carry on the fight if that country was overrun by an enemy. After 2014 this applied to Ukraine and as is customary in such situations, details of SOCOM assistance in Ukraine were not publicized. It was understood that the SOCOM assessment of Ukrainian readiness for a war and willingness to fight the Russians was the most accurate available to NATO nations. SOCOM also passed on assessments of Russian forces in Donbas and the Russian military in general. SOCOM shared and compared assessments of Russian forces. All of this was done quietly, as was customary for this sort of thing since the 1950s when SOCOM did not exist yet. There was just the U.S. Army Special Forces component. American military personnel were withdrawn from Ukraine after the 2014 Russian seizure of Crimea. Some SOCOM personnel remained nearby, attached to the U.S. embassy staff for a while as the rest moved across the border to Poland and Romania where there were already SOCOM contingents doing what they usually do. Many details of SOCOM activities in Ukraine after 2014 and especially after the Russian 2022 invasion were kept secret. SOCOM wasnt doing any fighting but were often the best qualified NATO personnel to coordinate American and NATO support for Ukrainian forces fighting the Russians. SOCOM greatly expanded after 2001 and evolved considerably. After 2001 SOCOM personnel strength increased from 42,000 to 73,000 in 2020. The budget went from $3.1 billion to nearly $13.7 billion dollars a year before declining after 2020. The 2022 budget is $12.6 billion for 70,000 personnel. Before 2001 SOCOM specialized in training troops of allied nations that needed to improv their ground forces. That was one task SOCOM has been dealing with since its beginning. One of the World War II organizations SOCOM evolved from was OSS (Office of Special Services) which, among other things, provided needed training and support for resistance units in enemy (German and Japanese) territory. Many countries are still threatened by Islamic terrorists, drug gangs and Chinese aggression and want to quickly upgrade their ability to deal with this. SOCOM has always had the ability to do that and the demand is stronger than ever. SOCOM personnel were 1.9 percent of Department of Defense personnel in 2001 and that rose to nearly three percent by 2020. But when you factor in the additional support and personnel involved, SOCOM was getting the use of over five percent of Department of Defense personnel. Spending on SOCOM is actually higher if you consider additional spending on American special operations are not part of the SOCOM budget. This non-SOCOM spending on SOCOM operations varies but, in some years, went as high as $8 billion a year. The reason for this is that other services were always obliged to provide SOCOM with things like supplies, transportation, artillery and air support when SOCOM is carrying out a mission that aids the regular forces, or simply because SOCOM needs the extra help to get the job done. One of the more telling statistics is the average number of SOCOM deployed on operations. In 2001, before September 11, it was 2,900. By 2014 it was 7,200. While overall SOCOM personnel has increased 48 percent the number of operators overseas has gone up three times as much. This has made it more difficult to keep the fighters, known as operators, in uniform since more frequent trips to combat zones make married life difficult and increased the incidence of stress-related problems. At the same time, the greater number of SOCOM operators out there in combat means SOCOM more frequently must call on non-SOCOM units for support. While SOCOM does have its own support troops, SOCOM cannot afford to maintain such support forces for the high intensity of operations in wartime. Since 2001 the fighting has been the sort that SOCOM does best at, which is why SOCOM is so much in demand and non-SOCOM army, air force, navy and marine units are willing to help out. This is often because the supporting organization called on SOCOM to provide specialized troops to deal with a local situation. While SOCOM strength has increased, the need for the kind of specialists SOCOM had was even greater. So is the need to provide SOCOM operators with more dwell time at home with families or just away from a combat zone. While back in their American home bases the SOCOM personnel also have the opportunity to acquire new skills and help train new operators. It is also important to keep the twelve-man ODAs or A-Teams together and all this is easier to achieve if you dont have chronic personnel shortages. As part of the conversion to more traditional roles, in 2020 SOCOM ordered the disbanding of the five CRF (Crisis Response Force) companies. These units were established after September 11, 2001, and were based on small units Special Forces Group commanders had already created for emergency situations that involved classical commando-type skills. This included Direct Action, as in hostage rescue or difficult raids or any operation that would involve combat situations where success was very important but difficult to achieve. The CRF companies were small, under a hundred men, and were heavily used for about a decade. But after American troops left Iraq in 2011 the war on terror, while not over, saw less demand for the skills that the CRF operators had in abundance. Acquiring those skills was time consuming and expensive. CRF members had to attend a number of special courses and excel in all of them. At the same time after 2011 counter-terrorism technology and tactics changed. There was more use of SOCOM operators for collecting intelligence and letting a missile-armed UAV take care of the direct action. The few CRF type missions were easily taken care of by the two elite direct-action units; Delta Force and SEAL Team 6. These included the raids that killed Osama bin Laden and ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Same with hostage rescue and unexpected threats to embassies, where security had been improved since 2001 and other types of emergencies that did not occur as much anymore. As a result, the several hundred CRF personnel were used to fill key vacancies in Special Forces units. Perplexity, a company that describes its product as "a free AI search engine," has been under fire over the past few days. Shortly after Forbes accused it of stealing its story and republishing it across multiple platforms, Wired reported that Perplexity has been ignoring the Robots Exclusion Protocol, or robots.txt, and has been scraping its website and other Conde Nast publications. Technology website The Shortcut also accused the company of scraping its articles. Now, Reuters has reported that Perplexity isn't the only AI company that's bypassing robots.txt files and scraping websites to get content that's then used to train their technologies. Reuters said it saw a letter addressed to publishers from TollBit, a startup that pairs them up with AI firms so they can reach licensing deals, warning them that "AI agents from multiple sources (not just one company) are opting to bypass the robots.txt protocol to retrieve content from sites." The robots.txt file contains instructions for web crawlers on which pages they can and can't access. Web developers have been using the protocol since 1994, but compliance is completely voluntary. TollBit's letter didn't name any company, but Business Insider says it has learned that OpenAI and Anthropic the creators of the ChatGPT and Claude chatbots, respectively are also bypassing robots.txt signals. Both companies previously proclaimed that they respect "do not crawl" instructions websites put in their robots.txt files. During its investigation, Wired discovered that a machine on an Amazon server "certainly operated by Perplexity" was bypassing its website's robots.txt instructions. To confirm whether Perplexity was scraping its content, Wired provided the company's tool with headlines from its articles or short prompts describing its stories. The tool reportedly came up with results that closely paraphrased its articles "with minimal attribution." And at times, it even generated inaccurate summaries for its stories Wired says the chatbot falsely claimed that it reported about a specific California cop committing a crime in one instance. In an interview with Fast Company, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas told the publication that his company "is not ignoring the Robot Exclusions Protocol and then lying about it." That doesn't mean, however, that it isn't benefiting from crawlers that do ignore the protocol. Srinivas explained that the company uses third-party web crawlers on top of its own, and that the crawler Wired identified was one of them. When Fast Company asked if Perplexity told the crawler provider to stop scraping Wired's website, he only replied that "it's complicated." Srinivas defended his company's practices, telling the publication that the Robots Exclusion Protocol is "not a legal framework" and suggesting that publishers and companies like his may have to establish a new kind of relationship. He also reportedly insinuated that Wired deliberately used prompts to make Perplexity's chatbot behave the way it did, so ordinary users will not get the same results. As for the inaccurate summaries that the tool had generated, Srinivas said: "We have never said that we have never hallucinated." June 22, 2024: The Philippines is facing numerous problems in 2024, as it deals with the territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, the persistent threat of terrorism and insurgency, and changes caused by the 2022 the presidential election made Ferdinand Bongbong Romualdez Marcos Jr. the new leader. Nicknamed Bongbong, the new president was the son of an ousted prior Filipino president. Bongbong was a populist reformer who delivered on his campaign promises to reform the laws that made it difficult for Filipino farmers to make a living. Bongbong also upgraded and reinforced the armed forces, as well as military alliances with the United States and local nations that were also threatened by China. The Philippines has increased its military presence and activities in the South China Sea, especially around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, where it claims sovereignty over parts of the disputed waters and features. The country has also received support from its allies, such as the United States, Japan, and Australia, in conducting joint exercises and patrols, as well as providing military assistance and equipment. However, China has also intensified its operations and use of coercion in the region, deploying more ships, aircraft, and missiles, and building new structures and facilities on the artificial islands it occupies. The risk of miscalculation and escalation remains high, as China continues to ignore a 2016 ruling by the international Permanent Court of Arbitration that China has no legal claims on any part of the South China Sea, especially those that are legally controlled by the Philippines as part of their sovereign territory according to international law. China had previously agreed to abide by these terms but would deny knowledge of any previous agreement when the Philippines resisted Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. The Philippines continues to deal with some problems with terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State-affiliated Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. These two groups had been much reduced after years fighting Filipino soldiers, marines and special operations forces. These two groups were no longer much of a threat and spent most of their time just trying to survive. The communist New People's Army, or NPA, was even more diminished and in most of the country was a dim memory and in the few places where NPA still operated, they were regarded as bandits with political pretensions. The Moslem resistance in the south had been settled by the 2019 Bangsamoro Organic Law, which granted greater autonomy and representation to the Muslim-majority areas in the south, as part of the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest rebel group that renounced violence and joined the political process. By 2023 Islamic terrorists and communist rebels were much less active because there were a lot fewer of them and there was much less popular support. The government received record high approval ratings from the voters even as local and foreign critics accuse the government of atrocious behavior. The Philippines has maintained a balance between its alliance with the United States and its economic ties with China. The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States, which provide for mutual defense and security cooperation, as well as access to military bases and facilities. The country has also welcomed the U.S. support for its maritime claims and rights in the South China Sea, as well as the U.S. sanctions against Chinese officials and entities involved in the disputes. However, the Philippines has also sought to improve diplomatic relations with China, which is its largest trading partner and a major source of investment. The Philippines sought to manage and resolve the territorial disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, rather than confrontation and arbitration, as it did in 2016 when it won a landmark case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. After many weeks of grueling labor to prepare all the materials needed for the construction of a permanent shelter for both man and beast on the frontier of the Ohio Country, the time for the actual raising was at hand. It was an event that, at least outwardly, seemed the true embodiment of the old axiom Many hands make light work. And while that phrase trips lightly off the tongue, there was, in fact, nothing light about the work of raising a log structure. It was a difficult job at best; deadly at worst. The first task was to set a date for the event and put the word out to the neighbors in the surrounding area that the raising was to take place. Since a number of parts had to be set in motion to help ensure the success of the event, it was usually announced a couple of weeks ahead of time. Word was often put out through an announcement at church or by posting notice at the local general store. More often, however, it got around the community just as quickly through word of mouth. Gathering tools Various tools had to be procured. One of these was the rope spool which had to be transported to the site ahead of time. In many developing communities there was often a large spool of heavy rope mounted in a sturdily constructed frame that was utilized wherever it was needed. The rope would be used in conjunction with various pulleys to hoist the huge logs up and into proper position in the structure. That hoisting would be done by both men and animals, so it was necessary to arrange for several strong teams of horses, mules and oxen to be present to both lift the logs and drag others around the site to the locations where they would be needed. Also needed would be a number of long wooden pike poles. These poles usually about 15 feet in length were made from sturdy saplings which had the bark shaved off and were mounted with a heavy wrought iron spike set into the end. The pike poles were used to help control the long heavy logs and to guide them into position as the structure rose. Constructing corners Another important part of the raising was scheduling the services of the local corner man. The corner man was somebody in the community who possessed the mathematical acumen needed to figure the geometry of the interlocking corners of the main structural box or crib. The corner man would guide the notching of the corners of the logs so that they interlocked, while at the same time keeping the structure level as it was built upward. In this way the entire crib could be assembled without the use of a single nail, since nails were rare at the time. In the early Ohio Country three types of corner dovetailing were used, the style on any given dwelling often being determined by the ethnicity of the owner or the group performing the work, or just by local tradition. Those styles were steeple-notched dovetailing, dovetailing or half-dovetailing. The overwhelmingly most popular style across the Ohio Country was the steeple-notched dovetailing because of the predominance of the German population which brought the technique from their homeland. The style derived its name from the fact that the tops of the dovetails were sharply peaked, appearing to some like a church steeple. A fourth style of construction seen far less often involved setting large sturdy hewn posts vertically at each of the corners, into which were cut mortise holes. In this technique the logs that comprised the walls were tenoned on each end, mounted into the mortise holes and permanently secured in place by a tree nail (wooden peg) or trunnel, as it was usually pronounced. Once the dovetailing style was determined, the corner man marked out the proper angles and scribed the lines to which the corners needed to be cut for proper fit. Then the other workmen would use their axes, hatchets, chisels and drawknives to pare down the ends of the logs to the proscribed tolerances. A typical log crib for a structure like the one in question would be about 24 feet wide and 30 to 40 feet deep. It would be 12 logs high on the front and back sides with a series of joists across the middle to support the second floor. Usually, those joists would be mortised or notched into the seventh course of logs. If one allowed for the creation of a cantilevered overhang on one end of the structure to provide protection for a wagon and other materials, the overall construction not counting the roof poles would have encompassed about 75 individual logs. Other supplies Other things that needed to be in place for the raising social were a good supply of whiskey to be provided to the volunteers by the owner, as well as a number of sets of legs. Legs? Because of the large number of people that needed to be accommodated and the accompanying necessity of table space both for the food being brought in as well as a place for the workers to eat, table legs were part of everyday life. These were regular table legs, but instead of being permanently fastened to a tabletop, they were crafted with wooden screws on the ends. Thus, they could easily be attached to a plank of any size, instantly converting it into a table. The term groaning board derives from a table laden with food, served atop a long board supported by these temporary legs. These legs also found plenty of use for family reunions, neighborhood picnics, church gatherings, various bees and socials and more. Today most of these artifacts have been lost or their purpose is generally unrecognized. When found, they are usually mistaken for some type of wood clamp or viewed as legs saved from a table that had met an untimely fate. Socializing Other makeshift dining tables could easily be assembled in a similar manner. A number of sets of legs were required for the large meal which was the true highlight of the occasion Around the tables neighbors could get to know one another, exchange news of the day and women could showcase their best pies, cakes, seasonal fruits and vegetable dishes to reap the compliments and acclaim of the diners. Participants brought their own table service and benches. Sometimes the day was capped off with a square dance in the newly built structure that allowed young men and women in the community a chance to get to know one another better. Dining was typically done in two seatings with the men eating first so that they could return to the job at hand. Women ate second so that they could visit more leisurely before clearing the tables. Work, which commenced early in the morning, continued after the lunch with ropes being attached to pulleys and the teams of animals pulling the logs up into position to interlock the previously cut dovetails. It was all hot, dirty and downright dangerous work, but by the end of the day the basic crib was usually constructed with the roof poles and sheeting boards in place. The chinking, shingling, clapboarding and other work needed to more fully enclose the structure was typically left for another day. By the time everyone departed for home, the pioneer family had the beginnings of a shelter that would serve their needs until such time as a more permanent, fashionable house in line with their economic means could be constructed. In the meantime, however, an incredible amount of work still needed to be done not only to make the new residence livable, but to create the prosperous farmstead the family envisioned. But much of the initial step had now been accomplished. For the first time in months the members of the family could take a fleeting moment to catch their breath. Justin Timberlake admitted that he has been through a "tough week" as he thanked fans at his first concert since his arrest. Justin Timberlake admitted that he has been through a 'tough week' since his arrest The 43-year-old star was apprehended earlier this week on charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and appeared to express regret about the incident during his performance in Chicago on Friday (21.06.24) night. Justin told the crowd: "It's been a tough week. "I know sometimes I'm hard to love, but you keep on loving me and I love you right back." Timberlake was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday (18.06.24) after his car was pulled over in Sag Harbor, New York. According to the paperwork, the arresting officer observed the 'Mirrors' hitmaker's eyes were "bloodshot and glassy, a strong odour of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardised field sobriety tests". Justin is said to have apologised to his tour crew in the wake of his arrest and assured them that the incident will not affect his upcoming world tour. An insider told The U.S. Sun newspaper: "He made sure that this arrest didnt create tension in the crew, he reacted like a boss, like someone who owns his s***. "He said sorry for bringing this kind of attention to the team. Everyone was happy to hear what he said." Timberlake's legal team have also promised to "vigorously defend" him in court. His lawyer Edward Burke Jr. told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column in a statement: "[We] look forward to vigorously defending Mr. Timberlake against these allegations. We will have a lot to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full discovery from the DAs office." King Charles is set to scale back his visit to Australia amid his ongoing treatment for cancer. King Charles will go on a scaled back tour of Australia The 75-year-old monarch and his wife Queen Camilla are due to tour Australia in the autumn but plans for a trip to New Zealand are set to be scrapped amid fears that the King is doing too much after being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of the disease in February. A source told The Daily Mirror newspaper: "Naturally, it will be a bitter disappointment on both sides to not have the opportunity for the King and Queen to visit New Zealand. "But all are aware of the King's ongoing health issues and the need for him to pace himself. It's very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future." Insiders say that the Australian leg of the tour will be reduced to six days - with a two-day break before Charles and Camilla travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. An itinerary for the Australia visit includes the King meeting people affected by devastating floods caused by Cyclone Jasper in January and the country's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that logistical planning for the royal tour is well under way. He said: "The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion for the King following his cancer diagnosis." Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles added: "There is an affection for King Charles. I know King Charles has a deep affection for Australia." Charles has a long connection to Australia dating back to the 1960s and would become the first sovereign to visit the country since his late mother Queen Elizabeth did so in 2011. A palace source said: "Planning for an autumn tour continues subject to doctors' advice and any necessary modifications." A glimpse of low-altitude economy exhibition at World Intelligence Expo 2024 in Tianjin Xinhua) 13:49, June 22, 2024 A visitor looks at a drone at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Visitors look at drones at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Visitors look at an aircraft at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) A visitor looks at an aircraft at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A low-altitude aircraft is seen at National Convention and Exhibition Center in north China's Tianjin, June 19, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Visitors look at a drone at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Visitors learn about an emergency rescue drone at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) German exhibitors demonstrate simulated flying of aircraft at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) People look at an aircraft at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Visitors look at an aircraft at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) A visitor looks at a delivery drone at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Li Ran) This photo shows an agricultural drone at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) People take photos of a delivery drone at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Li Ran) A visitor experiences simulated flying of aircraft at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Visitors look at a helicopter at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Visitors sit in an aircraft at the low-altitude economy exhibition area at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 20, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A low-altitude aircraft is seen at National Convention and Exhibition Center in north China's Tianjin, June 19, 2024. The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin, and exhibition of low-altitude economy has won much attention. The growing low-altitude economy has led to the development and application of various types of innovative aerial vehicles for logistics, commuting, tourism and even sports. It covers a chain of industries, including aircraft research and development, infrastructure construction and operation, and services for flight activities. (Xinhua/Li Ran) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2024) - Deveron Corp. (TSXV: FARM) ("Deveron" or the "Company"), a leading agriculture services and data company in North America, is pleased announce that, further to its press releases of May 10th, 2022, May 18th, 2022 and May 28, 2024, it has settled an aggregate of $701,050 of indebtedness owed to the holders of the 7.0% unsecured convertible debentures (each, a "Debenture"), representing the accrued interest for the second year of the Debentures (the "Debt Settlement"). In connection with the Debt Settlement, the Company issued an aggregate of 6,146,341 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company, at a price of $0.11406 per Common Share. All securities issued in connection with the Debt Settlement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About Deveron: Deveron is an agriculture technology company that uses data and insights to help farmers and large agriculture enterprises increase yields, reduce costs and improve farm outcomes. The company employs a digital process that leverages data collected on farms across North America to drive unbiased interpretation of production decisions, ultimately recommending how to optimize input use. Our team of agronomists and data scientists build products that recommend ways to better manage fertilizer, seed, fungicide, and other farm inputs. Additionally, we have a national network of data technicians that are deployed to collect various types of farm data, from soil to drones, that build a basis of our best-in-class data layers. Our focus is the US and Canada where 1 billion acres of farmland are actively farmed annually. For more information and to join our community, please visit www.deveron.com/investors or reach us on Twitter @Deveron . Philip Linton VP Corporate Development plinton@deveron.com Tel: 647-622-0076 This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of agricultural commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in agriculture, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward-looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties we face are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial results and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213933 SOURCE: Deveron Corp. Agoura Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2024) - Cydcor, a leading provider of outsourced sales solutions, has once again received DIRECTV's highest award for door-to-door sales. Cydcor CEO Vera Quinn proudly announced that the company has earned DIRECTV's Revolution Award as Dealer of the Year for the eighth consecutive year, demonstrating Cydcor's consistent ability to deliver outstanding results. Cydcor, door to door sales To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10205/213649_img1.jpg Known for helping grow market share through high-quality and satisfied customers, Cydcor won the notable Dealer of the Year award, beating out hundreds of dealers nationwide. The Dealer of the Year Revolution Award recognition is one Cydcor's internal team and network of sales offices work tirelessly to maintain. Cydcor has continuously met or exceeded targets, delivering high-quality customers, and helping drive growth for DIRECTV while ensuring long term success of Cydcor. Cydcor was recognized as DIRECTV's top performer in sales, quality, and retention categories including: DIRECTV Dealer for 10 years #1 in Low Risk at 99% #1 Cancel Rate at 15% 8x Revolution Dealer of the Year #1 in Door-to-Door Volume "We are honored to be named the 8x Dealer of the Year for door-to-door sales," said Vera Quinn, CEO of Cydcor. "This esteemed recognition is evidence of our unwavering commitment to excellence and the exceptional performance of our team. It proves our ability to reliably deliver outstanding results for our clients. We are grateful to DIRECTV for recognizing our efforts and look forward to continuing our relationship and furthering our impact on DIRECTV's growth." DIRECTV, Assistant Vice President Eric King, also commented on Cydcor's sales excellence, saying, "Cydcor's commitment to sales excellence is unparalleled, and we are proud to have them as a dealer. Their ability to reliably deliver outstanding results in sales volume, quality, and retention is truly impressive, and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve even greater success." Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Cydcor has a reputation for providing innovative solutions that drive growth and deliver tangible results, earning the trust and loyalty of clients. About Cydcor: Cydcor provides customer acquisition solutions to Fortune 500 and emerging companies across a wide range of industries. Through a unique combination of in-person sales, call center, and digital marketing services, Cydcor has mastered the art of building relationships with consumers while leveraging technology to acquire, grow, and retain customers for its clients. Founded in 1994, the privately held company is based in Agoura Hills, California. For more information about Cydcor, visit www.cydcor.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Gail Michalak gmichalak@cydcor.com 805-277-5525 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213649 SOURCE: Cydcor LLC MUNICH, June 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 19, CATL unveiled TENER, the world's first mass-producible energy storage system with zero degradation in the first five years of use. CATL unveiled this breakthrough technology at ees Europe, the largest and most international exhibition for batteries and energy storage systems in Europe. Powering Innovation The TENER energy storage system achieves zero degradation in power and capacity over five years through advanced bionic SEI and self-assembling electrolyte technologies, helping to ensure long-term stability and safety by addressing lithium metal reactivity and thermal runaway risks. Utilizing CATL's L-series cells with an energy density of 430Wh/L, TENER boasts a 6.25 MWh capacity in a 20-foot container, enhancing energy density per unit area by 30% and reducing overall station footprint by 20%. CATL also established a dedicated, end-to-end quality management system for TENER, which includes technology development, proof testing, operation monitoring, and safety failure analysis. The management system sets safety goals for different scenarios and develops technologies to meet them. CATL continuously monitors the system's operation through AI-powered risk monitoring and early warning measures to verify and continuously optimize its safety design goals. With its exceptional all-round safety performance, five-year zero degradation and robust 6.25 MWh capacity, TENER is set to propel global energy storage technology into a new era of high efficiency and widespread adoption. Supporting Customers Globally "I am thrilled to announce that Rolls-Royce and CATL have entered into a strategic cooperation to bring CATL's innovative TENER product line to the European Union and the United Kingdom," said Perry Kuiper, SVP Sales of Sustainable Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. "This partnership not only underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, reliable, and efficient energy storage solutions but also strengthens our ability to support the energy transition with sustainable and robust infrastructure." "The TENER product represents a leap forward in battery technology. It offers enhanced performance, efficiency, and sustainability," said Marco Roeleveld, Chief Executive Officer of Alfen. "We are excited about the potential TENER holds and how it can complement our own solutions, from smart grid solutions to energy storage systems." Leveraging a global network of over 700 service stations, CATL harnesses the synergistic advantages of logistics partners and comprehensive ecosystem support to deliver professional, efficient, and reliable overseas services. This robust infrastructure ensures seamless supply chain management, customized solutions, and continuous technical support for each partner. CATL has forged and strengthened partnerships with top-tier global players in the industry such as NextEra, Fluence, Wartsila, Tesla, Powin and FlexGen, implementing over 1,000 energy storage projects in over 40 countries and regions with its advanced energy technologies so far. In 2023, for the third year in a row, CATL was ranked first in market share of global energy storage battery shipment. The company holds a market share of 40% with 69 GWh of shipment. CATL will expand cooperation with more partners to promote energy transition and contribute to global efforts for carbon neutrality. Committed to Europe's Sustainable Future CATL's dedication goes beyond providing energy solutions-it seeks to support the wellbeing of the communities it operates in. In 2023, the company donated 1.5 million forints to build a medical salt room in Debrecen, 20,000 euros to the Pediatric Clinic of the University of Debrecen, and 30,000 euros for the treatment of a Hungarian boy with genetic disease. These milestones all underscore CATL's commitment to supporting Europe's sustainable development. Recognizing the importance of nurturing future talent, CATL has also actively supported employee careers and educational initiatives. A strategic partnership with the Vocational Training Center in Debrecen in 2024 aimed to align vocational training with industry needs, ensuring the development of prepared, motivated, and highly qualified professionals for the future. Environmental stewardship is another cornerstone of CATL's ethos. The company is undertaking a reforestation project in Thuringia. In 2023, CATL helped to plant 4,800 trees-a sign of its steadfast commitment and dedication to restoring and enriching the natural world, enhancing biodiversity and supporting forest resilience. CATL's steadfast commitment to sustainability is poised to leave an enduring impact on Europe, fostering a future where progress is harmoniously intertwined with environmental and social prosperity. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2445464/CATL_booth_ees_Europe.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2445465/Hank_Zhao__CTO_of_ESS_Europe__CATL.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2445466/Perry_Kuiper__SVP_Sales_of_Sustainable_Power_Solutions.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2445467/Marco_Roeleveld__Chief_Executive_Officer_of_Alfen.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/catls-tener-energy-storage-system-unveiled-at-ees-europe-2024-showcasing-breakthrough-technology-302179549.html GIST Impact, a Zurich, Switzerland-based provider of impact data and analytics, received an investment from UBS Next, the universal Swiss banks venture and innovation unit. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to support the further expansion of its product integrations with partners and development of proprietary impact data and software solutions, including preparations for CSRD and TNFD requirements where clients require most support. Co-founded b Pavan Sukhdev and Andre Hoffmann, GIST Impact delivers actionable impact intelligence to companies and investors, helping them easily measure their environmental and social impacts. The firms data and software are founded on a science-based, location-specific and standards-aligned approach, drawing on over 16 years of experience measuring and valuing impact. With a team of 120+ data scientists, engineers, ecologists and economists, GIST Impact delivers location-specific impact data covering 14,500+ companies. Since 2021, the firm has automated its systems to provide investment portfolio impacts, and its clients include investors representing over $8 trillion in assets under management as well as leading global corporations. GIST Impact also partners with some of the largest consulting firms, business networks, and fintech platforms to enable impact measurement and reporting across global markets. Clients include banks, sovereign wealth funds, and technology firms. FinSMEs 22/06/2024 Over the past few months, foreign airlines with set-ups in India have been sent GST notices over the non-payment of tax on import services by Indian entities read more Planning an international trip soon? Your ticket to a foreign land might get cheaper after Saturdays GST Council meeting. Several reports suggest that the Goods and Sevices Tax Council is likely to give tax relief to foreign airlines in terms of certain services provided by them. Over the past few months, foreign airlines with set-ups in India have been sent GST notices over the non-payment of tax on import services by Indian entities. Advertisement What all will be exempted from taxation? As per a report by Business Standard, the GST Council is likely to take a call on exempting tax on services like aircraft lease rentals, maintenance, and crew salaries. Notably, Maintainance, Repair and Operations (MRO) services are provided by the head offices of foreign airlines to their Indian operations. Tax authorities say that since these services were rendered by the headquarters to the local entities in India and from one legal entity to the other, they are liable to tax. A government official told Moneycontrol, When airlines import MRO services from their parent company outside India, under GST, the related party transaction is taxable at 18 percent and its compliance is very stringent for foreign companies. For ease of doing business, the fitment committee has suggested giving tax relief, which will be discussed by the GST Council in the June 22 meeting. Foreign Airlines Association knocks on Fin Min doors After receiving GST notices, the International Air Transport Association took up the issue with the finance ministry and their respective embassies, warning them that operations in India might get hampered if the issue is not resolved. They argued that since the place of service is based in both the head office and branch office, airlines should be liable to pay only what is taxable in India. It is (whether the service is taxable) required to be determined on the basis of each transaction, which can be a complicated process, especially for these two sectors, an official told ET. Advertisement Meanwhile, the fitment committee that includes revenue officials from the central government as well as from state governments is believed to have taken the issue into consideration. The recommendations of the committee will be made during the GST Council meeting on July 22. What else is on table? The GST Council is likely to deliberate on issues including taxation on online gaming and the Parliamentary standing committees recommendation for lowering tax on fertiliser. The 53rd meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising her state counterparts, is also likely to discuss the progress of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on finalising the report on Goods and Service Tax (GST) rate rationalisation and amendments to GST laws based on previous decisions of the council. Advertisement The council may also discuss the recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers in February to reduce GST on nutrients and raw materials in the interest of fertiliser manufacturing companies and farmers. Currently, GST at a 5 per cent rate is charged on fertilisers, while raw materials like Sulphuric Acid and Ammonia face a higher GST at 18 per cent. The issue of further reducing tax on fertilisers was placed before the GST council in its 45th and 47th meetings held in September 2021 and June 2022, though the council did not recommend any change in rates. Saturdays Council meeting will be held after a gap of eight months. The 52nd GST Council meeting took place on October 7, 2023. Advertisement With inputs from agencies A massive controversy has erupted over Bhartruhari Mahtabs appointment as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. The Congress, backed by other Opposition parties, argue that the move deviates from the conventional practice of selecting the seniormost Lok Sabha member for the role. The BJP responded to the controversy by saying the appointment is as per rules read more Mahtab, a seasoned parliamentarian from the BJP, was appointed to the position on 20 June by President Droupadi Murmu. PTI The BJP and the Congress are at odds again. This time over Bhartruhari Mahtabs appointment as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. Mahtab, a seasoned parliamentarian from the BJP, was appointed to the position on 20 June by President Droupadi Murmu. According to the Opposition parties, the move deviates from the conventional practice of selecting the senior-most Lok Sabha member for the role. They also allege that the ruling party is anti-Dalit for not selecting Congresss Kodikunnil Suresh for the post. Advertisement Threat to parliamentary democracy In the past, the pro-tem Speaker has typically been the most senior member of the House. They are responsible for supervising the proceedings until a permanent Speaker is chosen, as well as giving the oath to newly elected members, according to The Times of India. In this case, though, Mahtab, who won the Cuttack parliamentary seat for a seventh time, was selected even though he is not the most senior member. The Congress expressed its disapproval, pointing out that Kodikunnil Suresh has served eight terms in the Lok Sabha. The BJP-led administration, according to Congress leader KC Venugopal, is trying to destroy parliamentary norms. In yet another attempt at destroying parliamentary norms, Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP, has been appointed the pro-tem Speaker, superseding Kodikunnil Suresh, who will be entering his eighth term, he said on X. First session of 18th Lok Sabha will begin on 24 June and conclude on 3 July. PTI Congress general secretary Jairam Ram, as per TOI, said, By convention, the MP who has served the maximum terms is appointed Speaker pro-tem for the first two days when the oath is administered to all newly elected MPs. The senior-most MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha are Kodikunnil Suresh (INC) and Virendra Kumar (BJP), both of who are now serving their eighth term, he added. Amid this, Suresh claimed that, as the oldest member of the Lok Sabha, he should have been appointed pro-tem Speaker in accordance with norms. Advertisement This decision amounts to threatening parliamentary democracy in the country, he told reporters. The anti-Dalit allegations The Congress questioned whether Sureshs denial of the position was because he belongs to the Dalit community, accusing the government of having anti-Dalit sentiment. One more reason (for not giving the post to Suresh) that comes to mind is that Narendra Modi is anti-Dalit. Suresh is a Dalit, Ramesh said. In support of the party, the CPI(M) bloc in the INDIA bloc claimed that upper caste politics may have been involved, according to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In a statement, Vijayan said, The Union Government should make clear why Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh was neglected in the appointment despite him serving the longest serving member of the House. Has BJP got an answer to those who suspect that Sangh Parivars upper caste politics had worked behind this decision. Advertisement He claimed that the BJP showed a arrogant disregard for parliamentary democratic norms and precedence by appointing him. The CM further emphasised that the position of Deputy Speaker, which typically belongs to the Opposition, had been deliberately left empty for the duration of the 17th Lok Sabha. It shows that the BJP will not accept anyone in Opposition. It can be seen only as a challenge to Indian democracy, he said. Link to BJPs win in Odisha The dispute has also been connected to the BJPs electoral victory in the Odisha elections, which came about when the party took office in the state for the first time. Advertisement Some have viewed Mahtabs BJP selection as a reward for his performance in the states elections, as per TOI. Shortly before the Lok Sabha elections, Mahtab went from the BJD to the BJP. BJPs response Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at the Opposition over the controversy. Rijiju said, according to NDTV, I have to say it with great regret I feel ashamed that Congress talks like this. I was hoping that this Lok Sabha session would start with a good mood and that we can have a productive and cooperative parliament meeting. But what I have been seeing since yesterday, especially the issue that Congress has created regarding pro-tem speaker Congress is doing so many wrong things it is trying to mislead people. Advertisement #WATCH | On BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab appointed pro-tem Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "...I have to say it with great regret that I feel ashamed that the Congress party talks like this. First of all, they created an issue about the pic.twitter.com/iKwodsMRg3 ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2024 He told press, The concept of pro-tem Speaker here is inspired by the Westminster system. As per the system, the longest serving member usually the consecutive longest serving member is called Father of the House there. Mahtab, he said, is a seven-time Lok Sabha member without any break. At this time, if we leave out the ministers, he is the longest-serving member. They talked about K Suresh ji. His total terms are eight, but in 2004 and 1998 there were breaks. From 2009, he has had four consecutive terms There is no violation. Only those will feel (that there is violation) who havent read the system or its rules. He stated that Congress did not need to raise the matter because the pro-tem Speaker position is a temporary one. First, they tweeted and then tried to make it a nationwide campaign. First of all, pro-tem Speaker is a temporary, two-day post meant for the oath-taking of members. On the third day, the new Speaker is election. No business transaction is done during those two days, he said. The first session of 18th Lok Sabha The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on 24 June and conclude on 3 July. The newly elected members will take oath on 24-25 June. The election of the Speaker is scheduled to take place on 26 June. Further, the 264th session of Rajya Sabha will commence on June 27 and conclude on June 3. President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on 27 June. She is likely to outline the new governments roadmap for the next five years. PM Modi is expected to introduce his council of ministers to Parliament after the Presidents address on 27 June, according to PTI. An active INDIA bloc opposition is predicted to attempt to corner the NDA government on a number of topics during the debate on the Motion of Thanks over the Presidents address, as per Mint. The debate in both Houses of Parliament on the Motion of Thanks for the Presidents address will be addressed by the prime minister. With inputs from agencies On Friday, the NTA issued a notification postponing the CSIR UGC-NET examination due to unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues. However, as per media reports, the move comes after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan received information about rumours circulating on a messaging app that the question paper has been leaked on the darkweb read more Aspirants search their roll numbers for seats before entering an examination centre to appear in the exam, at AN college in Patna. PTI The National Testing Agency (NTA) is currently embroiled in multiple controversies. On Friday, the agency issued a notification postponing the CSIR UGC-NET examination due to unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues. The development comes two days after the Education Ministry cancelled the UGC-NET exam as the paper was leaked on Darknet. Moreover, at the same time, the NTA is facing allegations of irregularities in the medical entrance examination NEET. The CSIR UGC-NET exam cancelled Issuing a statement on 21 June, the NTA said, The candidates are hereby informed that the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination June-2024 which was scheduled to be held between 25 June 2024 to 27 June 2024 is being postponed due to unavoidable circumstances as well as logistic issues. Advertisement The revised schedule for the conduct of this examination will be announced later through the official website, it added. The CSIR-UGC NET exam has been cancelled as a matter of abundant precaution, according to a report by The Indian Express. The Education Minister reportedly received information about some rumours circulating on a messaging app that the CSIR-UGC NET paper had been leaked on the darkweb on Friday. However, the ministry had not received any input along these lines from the Home Minister or 14C (MHAs centre for fighting cybercrime), unlike in the case of UGC-NET. The report states that the move comes after UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar and Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba engaged in a series of lengthy discussions led by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. It is pertinent to mention here that on the same day, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024, a new anti-paper leak law that was passed by Parliament in February, was notified to the Centre by the Department of Personnel and Training. The newspapers sources said that the exam must be rescheduled to make sure there is no possibility of doubting the papers integrity. The NTA has now been requested to conduct the exam after setting up a new question paper. About the exam The Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) UGC-NET is a biannual exam held in June and December. Advertisement According to the UGCs eligibility requirements, the exam acts as a qualifying test to determine an Indian nationals eligibility for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), Assistant Professor jobs, and PhD admissions, according to The Hindu. The official website of Joint CSR UGC NET states, CSIR covers a wide spectrum of Science and Technology from oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology. It offers significant advances in technology in several societal endeavour areas, such as energy, food, housing, agriculture, health, drinking water, environment, and non-farm sections. CSIR-UGC NET is recognised by esteemed establishments such as the Indian Institute of Science and even the IITs as a qualifying qualification for PhD applications. Advertisement On the other hand, the UGC-NET is a requirement for admission to PhD programmes and for securing positions as entry-level teachers in higher education across all subject areas except the sciences. There are three parts of the CSIR-NET exam. General aptitude questions make up Part A, while questions based on the candidates chosen disciplines from chemical science, earth science, life sciences, mathematical science, and physical science comprise Parts B and C. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has entrusted the National Testing Agency (NTA) with the task of conducting the Joint CSIR-UGC NET exam. Almost two lakh students were anticipated to take the exam this year, media reports say. Advertisement UGC-NET cancelled The central government ordered the UGC-NET exam cancellation on 19 June over concerns regarding the exams integrity. On 20 June, the Union Education Ministry handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation. Students during a protest against the Central government over the cancellation of UGC-NET 2024 exam, outside Lucknow University, in Lucknow, on 20 June, 2024. PTI The administration believes the exam has been tampered with, according to Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary of the Education Ministry, as per the Indian Express. No complaints were received but the inputs we received from agencies indicated that the integrity of the exam has been compromised. The action was taken suo motu to safeguard the interest of the students, Jaiswal added. In the UGC-NET exam paper leak case, the CBI filed a formal complaint on the same day, alleging criminal conspiracy and cheating. Depending on how the matter is investigated further, more sections might be added. Advertisement The NEET row Several irregularities were discovered in this years NEET-UG exam, which took place on 5 May, and almost 2.4 million candidates applied for undergraduate medical seats. The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, paves the way for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. Results were made public 10 days ahead of time, amidst rumours of leaks and erroneous grace mark distributions that affected more than 1,500 students. Six of the 67 students who achieved a perfect score of 720/720 are from the same Haryana centre. NSUI members stage a protest demanding re-examination of NEET-UG Entrance Exam 2024 over alleged irregularities in its results, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. PTI Numerous students are uncertain about their chances of obtaining a medical college seat due to the high cut-off this time. Bihar Police have arrested 13 people, including four candidates who took the NEET, as well as their parents and members of an organized gang that allegedly gathered 35 candidates before the exam at a school under the jurisdiction of Ramakrishna Nagar police station and conducted a mock exam. In addition to causing a public outcry, the issue has gained political traction as Opposition parties blame the government for corruption and negligence. BJP-ruled states have come under fire from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who referred to them as the epicentre of paper leaks. Although the Union government was initially defensive on Thursday, Pradhan, for the first time, acknowledged that there have been some errors limited to specific regions, referring to Bihars investigation into allegations of a paper leak. He also took moral responsibility for the loss of faith among youth and students. He announced that the government would decide on the fate of the NEET-UG 2024 exam after receiving Bihar Polices final report on the status of its investigation. With inputs from agencies What makes Hindujas different from other billionaire families is its century-old legacy. While the family is known for sticking together and building a strong empire, it is not free from controversies read more Namrata Hinduja, left, and Ajay Hinduja, second right, at the courthouse in Geneva on Jan. 15. Source: AFP A court in Switzerland handed jail sentences to the four members of Britains richest family for exploiting Indian staff at their mansion in Geneva. While the members of the rich and famous Hinduja family were acquitted of human trafficking, they were convicted of other charges. In the historic verdict that came out on Friday, Prakash Hinduja and his wife, Kamal, were each sentenced to four years and six months in prison, while their son Ajay and his wife, Namrata, received four-year terms each. Advertisement The verdict stirred major headlines in the UK since the familys fortune stands at 37 billion and their business has expanded across several countries. What makes Hindujas different from other rich and famous families is its century-old legacy. While the family is known for sticking together and building a strong empire, it is not free from controversies. Heres a look at the history of the Hinduja, what the case is about and what happens next. Who are the Hindujas? The family started building an empire back in 1914 when Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja set up a commodities-trading business in British Indias Sindh region (now in Pakistan). P. D. Hinduja is credited with establishing trade links between India and Persia. Initially operating in Shikarpur (now in Pakistan) and Bombay, he set up the companys first international operation in Iran in 1919. Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja with wife Jamuna Hinduja. Source: Hinduja Group Interestingly, the headquarters of the Hinduja company remained in Iran until 1979, when the Islamic revolution forced them to Europe. PDs two oldest sons former Group Chairman Srichand Hinduja and his brother Gopichand, also Co-Chairman, moved to London in 1979 to develop the export business. Meanwhile, the third brother Prakash Hinduja, who was sentenced to prison, managed operations in Geneva, Switzerland while the youngest brother, Ashok, oversaw the Indian interests. Advertisement Interestingly, the Hinduja group also found success in distributing Bollywood films internationally. After the oldest son of P.D. Hinduja, Srichand passed away in 2023, the helm of the company was handled by the three brothers. The multi-billionaire family has interests in finance, media, and energy sectors and owns stakes in six publicly traded Indian companies. Not only this, they are one of the wealthiest families in the world. The UK-based familys group of companies, currently headed by chairman G.P. Hinduja, operates in 48 countries and across several sectors. What was the case about? The conviction stemmed from a case filed in 2018. When Swiss prosecutors acted on a tipoff and raided their Geneva villa, Bloomberg reported. The prosecutors accused the family of bringing servants from their native India, exploiting them and paying them one-tenth of the wages, that the state mandates. Advertisement The family was accused of confiscating the staffs passports once they had arrived in Switzerland. The Hindujas allegedly gave their staff little to no freedom and the staff was kept in inhumane conditions. From the very beginning of the case, the Hindujas have denied the allegations. However, it was reported that the family reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the three employees who had made the accusations against them. Despite the settlement, the prosecutors decided to move forward with the case given the gravity of the situation. The Geneva prosecutor Yves Bertossa requested custodial sentences of five and a half years for Prakash and Kamal Hinduja. Both had been absent since the start of the trial for health reasons. In his closing address, Bertossa accused the family of abusing the asymmetrical situation between powerful employer and vulnerable employee to save money. Advertisement Theyre profiting from the misery of the world, Bertossa told the court. The Hinduja Familys defence lawyers argued that the three plaintiffs received ample benefits and were not kept in isolation. The defendants argued that the staff members were free to leave the villa whenever they wanted. We are not dealing with mistreated slaves, Nicolas Jeandin told the court. The infamous family feud The family is famously touted as inseparable, in fact, they were so close that three of the brothers sons had their wedding on the same day in Mumbai. However, this is not the first time the world has seen the Hindujas in a bad light. The trouble between the family started brewing in 2016 when Srichand insisted that the family assets should be separated. Advertisement By 2018, the brothers started lobbying in the Switzerland-headquartered Hinduja Bank, which was headed by Srichanda at that time and claimed that the oldest brother lacked the capacity to handle the private bank. The Hinduja Family Tree. Source: Firstpost In November 2019, Srichand approached the Business and Property Court in London against his brothers overtaking the bank under a 2014 family agreement. In return, the brothers stated that Vinoo, SPs daughter, shouldnt be representing her father in the proceedings. At that time Srichand was suffering from Lewy Body disease, a form of dementia. Ultimately the court favoured Vinoos appointment and she still heads the bank. What happens next? Shortly after the sentencing, the Hinduja family said that they were appalled by the ruling. They also mentioned that they have filed an appeal in a higher court challenging the verdict. Our clients have been acquitted of all human trafficking charges. We are appalled and disappointed by the rest of the decision made in this court of first instance, and we have, of course, filed an appeal to the higher court, thereby making this part of the judgement not effective, reads the statement signed by lawyers Yael Hayat and Robert Assael and Roman Jordan, representing the family. Lawyers of the accused, Nicolas Jeandin, left, and Robert Assael, right, leave the courthouse after a break in the reading of the verdict, during the trial against members of the billionaire Hinduja family, in Geneva, Switzerland. Source: AP Under Swiss law, the presumption of innocence is paramount till a final judgement by the highest adjudicating authority is enforced. Contrary to some media reports, there is no effective detention for any members of the family, they furthered. The lawyers also pointed out that it should also be recalled that the plaintiffs in this case had withdrawn their respective complaints after declaring to the court that they had never intended to be involved in such proceedings." They ended the letter with the assurance that Truth will prevail. With inputs from agencies. Suborno Bari will receive his diploma from Malverne High School on 26 June before he starts his next journey at New York University in the fall. The 12-year-old Lynbrook native has already authored two books and given lectures at Indian universities read more In the fall, Suborno Bari will receive his diploma from Malverne High School on 26 June before he starts his next journey at New York University in the fall. Image Courtesy: @EinsteinOfOurTime/Facebook A 12-year-old genius will soon graduate from Long Island High School at the youngest age ever. Suborno Bari will receive his diploma from Malverne High School on 26 June before he starts his next journey at New York University in the fall, as per the New York Post. Thrilled to meet Suborno Isaac Bari, the 11-year-old prodigy and youngest professor in the world! His remarkable talent in Maths and Science is awe-inspiring. He returns to India for another stimulating trip during which he will interact with students from several schools & pic.twitter.com/vRDHRi1FwL India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) December 27, 2023 Advertisement Heres all we know about him. Who is Suborno Bari? Suborno Isaac Bari hails from Lynbrook, New York, in the United States. The child prodigy shared about his achievement in a Facebook post while expressing gratitude towards his parents. Suborno Bari wrote, At 12 years of age, Im in Grade 12 at Malverne High School. Next month is my graduation. Today, we had a graduation rehearsal at Malverne High School. I will be the first American (from Indian Subcontinent) who will be graduating from High School at 12 years old. Former US President Barack Obama acknowledged him at the age of four and gave him praise for his achievements in science and math. When Bari was nine years old, Harvard University identified his ability for problem-solving and admitted him to the gifted and talented programme in New York City. He was also a student at Stony Brook University. Suborno Bari hails from Lynbrook, New York, in the United States. Image Courtesy: @IndiainNewYork/X He has already authored two books, including one titled The Love, at the age of seven. Thanks to his remarkable academic prowess, Bari was able to accelerate his schooling by moving up from the fourth to the eighth grade and then the ninth to the 12th grade. Looking back on his high school career, Bari revealed that even though he was considerably younger than his peers, he considered most students and facultys support to be encouraging. His AP chemistry teacher, Patrick Nolan, describes him as a truly unique case. As per ABC7, he made headlines all over the world when, at the age of 11, he achieved a flawless SAT score of 1500, setting a new record. Known as the youngest professor in the world, he received an invitation to give a guest lecture of physics at Mumbai University. He has been awarded a full scholarship to study at New York University thanks to his achievement in math and physics. His goal is to follow his passion for teaching and helping people understand math and science by becoming a professor. Bari plans to complete his Bachelors degree by 14 and earn a Doctorate by age 18. With inputs from agencies Bangladeshs prime minister Sheikh Hasina is on her second trip to India in two weeks and her first overseas state visit since she began her fifth term in January. Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet on Saturday and are likely to discuss the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, the management of the Mongla Port, and a potential trade deal read more Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina receives a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. @MEAIndia Bangladeshs prime minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi on Friday. The Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her retinue landed at Palam Airport in New Delhi around 3.30 pm. Hasina is on a two-day state visit her second trip to India in less than two weeks. Hasina attended Prime Minister Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on 9 June. But what can we expect from Hasinas visit to India? And why does it matter? Advertisement Lets take a closer look: What can we expect? Hasina on Friday met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed various bilateral issues. Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her State visit to India underlines our close and abiding ties. Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership, Jaishankar said on X on Friday. Today, she was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan where she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A ceremonial welcome for a special partner! PM @narendramodi received PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India. pic.twitter.com/wWxI3nHVrX Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 22, 2024 Modi and Hasina will then hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House. Hasina is set to hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Several agreements covering various key areas are expected to be firmed up during the talks, a source told PTI. The talks between the two leaders are expected to focus on taking the bilateral ties to new heights, another added. Advertisement Hindustan Times quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that the bilateral relationship would be discussed. Several schemes to increase road, rail and energy connectivity will also be examined. Subjects such as the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty a 30-year deal signed in December 1996 Bangladesh wanting to develop its part of the Teesta River, and Dhaka wanting a steady supply of onions, ginger, rice and wheat are also likely to be discussed. Though China has offered to take on the $1 billion project to develop the Teesta River, the Indian side is wary about the prospect of such a deal. Modi and Hasina will also likely discuss the situation in Myanmar, as per Hindustan Times. Advertisement A soldier from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) carries an RPG launcher at a Myanmar military base at Thingyan Nyi Naung village on the outskirts of Myawaddy, the Thailand-Myanmar border town under the control of a coalition of rebel forces led by the Karen National Union, in Myanmar. Reuters File New Indian Express reported that the management of Mongla Port the second busiest port in Bangladesh will also be discussed. India is mulling developing the port in the vein of Irans Chabahar Port or Myanmars Sittwe Port. The Business Standard quoted sources in Bangladeshs foreign ministry as saying a potential trade deal could be in the offing. Deepening the defence partnership could also be talked about. India has offered Bangladesh a 500 million line of credit for its defence sector which remains unused. Why does it matter? This is Hasinas first overseas state visit since she began her fifth term in January. This is also her third trip to India since September which shows the importance she ascribes to ties between the two nations. Advertisement Hasina is also Indias first state guest since Modi took power for a third time. According to The Business Standard, India getting to manage Mongla Port which would be its third international port operation after Chabahar and Sittwe will cement its status as major player in the regions security architecture. Economic Times reported that a joint military exercise is also in the pipeline. Advertisement The newspaper last week that the Bangladesh military was inundated with complaints from its branches about faulty spare sparts with regard to Chinese imported defence equipment as well as technical challenges. Hindustan Times quoted people in the know as saying that Bangladesh was eager for Hasina to visit India before her trip to China in July. This is Sheikh Hasinas first overseas state visit since she began her fifth term in January. This is part of Dhaka wanting to maintain good relations with both India and China. Hasina was among the top leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Union council of ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 9 June. The leaders who attended the ceremony included President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives president Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Prime Minister of Bhuta Tshering Tobgay. Leaders of Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan were accompanied by ministers. Modi briefly met all the leaders after the swearing-in, as per Hindustan Times. The overall strategic ties between India and Bangladesh have been on an upswing in the last few years. Bangladesh is an important partner for India under its Neighbourhood First policy and the cooperation extends to areas of security, trade, commerce, energy, connectivity, science and technology, defence and maritime affairs among others. The achievements in the connectivity sector included the inauguration of the Maitri Setu bridge over river Feni in Tripura and the rollout of the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link. Bangladesh is Indias largest development partner with nearly one-fourth of New Delhis commitment under the Line of Credit has been made to that country. Bangladesh is Indias biggest trading partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest trading partner of Bangladesh in Asia. India is Bangladeshs largest export destination in Asia, with approximate $2 billion of Bangladeshi exports to India in 2022-23. In 2022-23, the total bilateral trade has been reported as $15.9 billion. With inputs from agencies The National Testing Agency (NTA) has come under scanner over the paper leak cases involving two entrance-level examinations NEET-UG and UGC-NET. While the NET test has been cancelled, similar calls are being raised for the medical entrance exam. Heres all about this row and more in our weekly round-up of explainers from India read more Students raise slogans during a protest over the alleged irregularities in NEET 2024 results, in Bhopal, on 14 June 2024. PTI File Photo It has not been a great week for India. The controversies surrounding two entrance-level examinations NEET-UG and UGC-NET have stunned the country. The question paper leak scandal has brought the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exams on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC), to the centre stage. India saw another train tragedy this week as at least 10 people died and over 40 were wounded after a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal. Advertisement The deadly heatwave in Delhi also grabbed headlines again amid the water crisis in the city. As we wrap up the week, heres a round-up of the stories in India to keep you up-to-date with the important developments. 1. The NEET 2024 exam is mired in controversy. The entrance exam, conducted by the NTA, is for students seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses in medical institutions. While the exam was held in May, the results declared on 4 June created a huge uproar among students with allegations of paper leak coming to light. Grace marks to 1,500 students and a steep rise in merit further posed questions. Several arrests have been made, including aspirant students, in the NEET paper leaks case. The matter is currently in the Supreme Court. The heat over the NEET issue was not over when another row erupted as the education ministry itself cancelled the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) examination after lakhs of students had appeared for it. The Opposition, which has been targeting the government over the NEET row, further increased the pressure. As NTA has come under the scanner, heres our story on the autonomous body and its record. 2. The train accident in West Bengal evoked tragic memories of the incident last June when over 288 passengers lost their lives in the ghastly train accident in Odishas Balasore district. The collision involving the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train also triggered questions about the lack of deployment of the anti-collision system Kavach. Advertisement Rescue workers along with people gather at the site of a train collision after the accident in Darjeeling district in West Bengal on 17 June 2024. Reuters File Photo Despite the Centre investing tens of billions of dollars in the Railways, why do train-related deaths continue happening? What about the safety measures? Read our explainer to find out. 3. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals respite was short-lived. A day after he secured bail from a trial court in a money laundering probe related to the Delhi excise policy case, the Delhi High Court stayed his release from jail till next week. This came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) approached the High Court on Friday (21 June), challenging the bail order. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals bail order has been put on hold by the High Court. Reuters File Photo The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, who has been in Tihar jail since April, had walked out of prison last month to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. The lower courts release order was a big relief for Kejriwal and his party, especially after the AAPs dismal performance in the general elections. We explain in our story why bail is significant for the Delhi CM and his party. Advertisement 4. It was not all gloomy this week in India. Maharashtra has a reason to rejoice as it is set to get a new major port. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has green-lit the development of an all-weather greenfield deepdraft major port" at Vadhavan, located around 130 kilometres from Mumbai. The port, which will cost Rs 76,200 crore, will boost economic progress and also create employment opportunities on a large scale, Modi said on X. Heres our report on why the Vadhavan Port can be a game-changer for India. 5. The brutal heatwave has killed dozens of people in Delhi. Until Thursday, The National Capital had been witnessing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius for days. Advertisement A person drinks water as others rest under the shade of trees as the city continues in the grip of a heat wave, in New Delhi, on 18 June 2024. AP File Photo It was not just daytime temperatures baking Delhi but also warm nights that were increasing peoples woes. Delhi reported its warmest night in at least 12 years, with the mercury touching 35.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Experts have raised alarm about the city experiencing warm nights after scorching throughout the day. Read our story to find out why high nighttime temperatures are a cause of concern. 6. Weeks after the Pune Porsche case, another high-profile hit-and-run incident came to light, causing outrage among people. The daughter of a YSR Congress Party Rajya Sabha MP has been accused of driving her BMW over a man sleeping on a footpath in Chennai. Advertisement While the man succumbed to his injuries, Madhuri, the daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Beeda Masthan Rao, got bail. Heres our story on what occurred and why she secured bail. Thats it from us this week. If you like the way we explain topics, you can bookmark this page to stay updated. Later in the day, the two leaders will hold bilateral talks. This is Hasinas second trip in a month as she flew to the national capital earlier this month to attend PM Modis oath-taking ceremony read more Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during her official visit to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Bangladeshi leader at the presidents estate. Later in the day, the two leaders will hold bilateral talks. This is Hasinas second trip in a month as she flew to the national capital earlier this month to attend PM Modis oath-taking ceremony. #WATCH | Delhi: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/RendvCizhn ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024 Advertisement #WATCH | Delhi: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrives at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives her. pic.twitter.com/clemO28zXw ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024 The Bangladeshi prime ministers official visit to India will be the first bilateral held by India under the Modi 3.0 government. During the visit, both the leaders will hold a one-to-one meeting followed by delegation-level talks, and Dhaka and New Delhi will sign several agreements and MoUs to strengthen the existing bilateral ties further, it said. Additionally, discussions on a potential trade pact are expected. Over the past decade, numerous cross-border initiatives have been launched as part of a robust regional partnership plan. #WATCH | Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet ministers and delegates from each other's countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/0HcnpwkbsD ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024 Advertisement According to a report by the Economic Times, the two sides will also discuss holding a joint military exercise. India has already offered a $500 million line of credit to Dhaka which is yet to be utilised. PM Modi and Hasina will also review the overall bilateral relationship along with assessing the various developmental projects undertaken by both countries including road, rail and connectivity. Since he came to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met the Bangladeshi leader several times. Last year, the two leaders met at least 10 times, symbolising the deepening relationship between the two countries that share borders and history read more Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in India to meet her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi. From trade to border connectivity to defence cooperation, the two leaders held extensive bilateral talks on Saturday as part of the two countries efforts to cement ties. Since he came to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met the Bangladeshi leader several times. Last year, the two leaders met at least 10 times, symbolising the deepening relationship between the two countries that share borders and history. Advertisement Bangladesh has never shied away from calling India its true friend and the frequency at which the leaders meet each other is a testament to it. In fact, this is Hasinas second in a month as she also attended PM Modis swearing-in ceremony earlier this month. PM Modi, during a joint address with Hasina, called her visit to India special. Though in the last 1 year, we have met 10 times, todays is a special meeting as PM Sheikh Hasina is our first State Guest in our third tenure, he said. #WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina issue a joint press statement. PM Modi says, "...Though in the last 1 year, we have met 10 times, today's is a special meeting as PM Sheikh Hasina is our first State Guest in our third tenure." pic.twitter.com/7fshTAL5JZ ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024 PM Modi-led National Democratic Alliance formed the government earlier this month and PM Hasinas visit was the very first state visit by a foreign leader in the third term. Meanwhile, PM Modis first overseas trip after forming the government for the third time was to Italy. At the same time, this was also Hasinas first bilateral visit to any country after she formed the new government in Bangladesh in January 2024. This is my first bilateral visit to any country after Bangladeshs 12th parliamentary elections and the formation of our new government in January 2024. India is our major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner, PM Hasina said. Advertisement #WATCH | Delhi: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina says, "This is my first bilateral visit to any country after Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections and the formation of our new government in January 2024. India is our major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner. pic.twitter.com/nLDv52LJJz ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024 India and Bangladesh on Saturday agreed to start negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and prepared a futuristic vision for boosting overall ties. The two sides inked a raft of agreements to further broad-base relations, including in areas of the digital domain, maritime sphere and railway connectivity. After the Modi-Hasina talks, India and Bangladesh inked a document finalising a shared vision for a green partnership. With inputs from agencies After the Modi-Hasina talks, India and Bangladesh inked a document finalising a shared vision for a green partnership. The agreement on maritime cooperation and the blue economy is also considered significant. In his media statement, Modi said both sides agreed to start talks on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to take forward economic ties. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India and Bangladesh agreed to start negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and prepared a futuristic vision for boosting overall ties. After holding talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, PM Modi said Bangladesh is Indias largest development partner and New Delhi attaches the highest priority to its relations with that country. Today, a futuristic vision for India-Bangladesh cooperation in new areas was prepared, he said in the presence of Hasina. The two sides inked a raft of agreements to further broad-base relations, including in areas of digital domain, maritime sphere and railway connectivity. Advertisement | A relationship serving as a role model for neighbourhood partnership! PM @narendramodi and PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh held talks to further deepen historic ties between the two countries. The talks covered a range of areas of bilateral cooperation including pic.twitter.com/O2gpB0qQnF Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 22, 2024 After the Modi-Hasina talks, India and Bangladesh inked a document finalising a shared vision for a green partnership. The agreement on maritime cooperation and the blue economy is also considered significant. In his media statement, Modi said both sides agreed to start talks on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to take forward economic ties. The prime minister also said extensive discussions were held on boosting defence cooperation, including in areas of defence production and modernisation of the armed forces. We welcome Bangladeshs decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Modi said. Explaining the importance that India attaches to its relations with Bangladesh, he said the country lies at the confluence of New Delhis Neighbourhood First policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR and Indo-Pacific vision. Prime Minister Modi said he reiterates Indias commitment to realising Bangabandhus vision of a stable, prosperous and progressive Bangladesh. In her comments, Hasina said, India is our major neighbour and a trusted friend and Dhaka greatly values its relations with New Delhi which were born in our war of liberation in 1971. The demonstrators, led by former South Delhi MP for the BJP Ramesh Bidhuri, assembled in front of an Okhla Delhi Jal Board (DJB) office and chanted anti-AAP chants. When they would not move, the cops deployed a water cannon to scatter them read more Delhi is experiencing a serious water deficit as a blistering heat wave lashes the city, and the BJP and AAP are still blaming one other for the situation Image Courtesy PTI In an effort to disperse BJP supporters protesting the AAP government about water shortages in the nations capital on Saturday, the Delhi Police utilized a water cannon. The demonstrators, led by former South Delhi MP for the BJP Ramesh Bidhuri, assembled in front of an Okhla Delhi Jal Board (DJB) office and chanted anti-AAP chants. When they would not move, the cops deployed a water cannon to scatter them. Delhi is experiencing a serious water deficit as a blistering heat wave lashes the city, and the BJP and AAP are still blaming one other for the situation. Advertisement Speaking to the demonstrators, Bidhuri claimed that corruption had caused the DJB, which had previously made profits of Rs 600 crore, to now be losing Rs 60,000 crore. VIDEO | #Delhi water crisis: BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri leads a protest at Jal Board filling pump, Okhla. Police use water cannon on protesters. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/THrwjXZgg6 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2024 Later, he gave a DJB engineer a note addressing the severe water deficit in the Tughlaqabad assembly constituency. On Saturday, Delhi Water Minister Atishi began his indefinite hunger strike in protest at Haryanas withholding of the citys rightful share of Yamuna water. When Atishi began her hunger strike, she blamed the BJP administration in Haryana for halting the supply of 100 million gallons of water per day (MGD) to Delhi, claiming this had an impact on 28 lakh residents of the city. National Testing Agencys (NTA) Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi is the former head of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) read more The Centre has appointed Pradeep Kharola, an IAS officer, as the Interim Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA). He will report to NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi. Kharola was appointed after the NTAs DG Subodh Kumar was sacked amid allegations of paper leaks and widespread irregularities in the holding of exams like NEET-UG and UGC-NET. Probes in the alleged irregularities in both the exams have been handed to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Advertisement Joshi is the overall chief of the NTA, the federal government body that conducts most of the public examinations in the country. He is the former head of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Who is NTAs Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi? NTA Chairperson Joshi is an academic who has held numerous administrative posts throughout his career. He has also been part of numerous government committees. Prior to NTA, Joshi was appointed as a member of the UPSC in 2020. He assumed charge as the Chairman of UPSC in 2020. Before NTA and UPSC, Joshi served as Chairman of Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission and also as the Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission. He was also the Director of National Institute of Educational Planning & Administration (NIEPA) under Ministry of Human Resources Development. Joshi brings with himself teaching and research experience of more than 28 years. He has expertise in fields of Financial Management, Financial Control, Management Accounting, Taxation, Rural Development Management, Management in Panchayati Raj Institution & Khadi Gramodyog etc. Joshi is an alumnus of the Kanpur University, Kanpur. He did his postgraduation in commerce in 1977 and received his Ph.D in commerce in 1981. As an academic administrator, Joshi has served as the Chairman, Board of Studies, and Chairman, R.D.C. in Business Administration at Rani Durgavati University in Madhya Pradesh. Previously, he had also served in the Department of Business Administration at Rohilkhand University in Uttar Pradeshs Bareilly and in Bareilly College as Reader. Advertisement In his long academic and administrative career, Joshi has also been part of the following state- and national-level committees: The West needs India, but it cannot let New Delhi become too powerful; hence the need for leverage read more The Khalistan issue, a sensitive, festering sore for New Delhi, has presented a handy opportunity for the Western intelligence network to put India under the cosh. Image: Reuters One of the key concepts in Sanatan Dharma is maya. Nothing is what it seems. This illusory nature of maya leads us into delusion and prevents us from understanding the true nature of things. In the material world, for instance, that which appears spontaneous, coincidental, unrelated at first glance might have an underlying connection that eludes the naked eye. Take for example, foreign interference in Indian elections, or the illegitimate intrusion of international lobbies in Indian domestic politics. Foreign interference is a serious issue that compromises the sovereignty and integrity of a nation. Chinese manoeuvring in Australian domestic politics led the bilateral relationship almost to a point of no return. The US Senate formed a high-powered intelligence committee to probe allegations of Russian efforts to influence 2016 presidential elections. Advertisement Despite a restive debate in India that has led the external affairs minister and even the prime minister to comment on the topic bang in the middle of general elections, it is difficult to pinpoint the nature of the meddling, the source, and the way public discourse is being subtly remodelled to build and suit narratives by influence operations. There is no fixed template for foreign interference. Given its amorphous nature, it becomes even more difficult to combat such information warfare in an open society like India that has a democratic political system, a complex, rambunctious polity and a discursive tradition of argumentation and debate. Swirling allegations in India of western interference have always been met with layers of incredulity and plausible deniability. If we cant pinpoint the players in this murky game of shadows, if we cant access their motives, mitigating the challenges becomes nearly impossible. We often hear about Western Deep State and foreign lobbies that are opposed to the so-called Hindu nationalist regime in India, working to subvert the democratically elected government, or even trying to shape electoral outcomes. What is this Deep State? How does it operate? What is its motive? Is it a signifier for the shape-shifting aggregation of western intelligence agencies, perma-bureaucracy, academia, major foundations, multinational corporates, civil society, political activists, human rights organizations, democracy rating agencies, media outlets and think tanks that further each others interests and all curiously end up advancing the major goals of American foreign policy, neoliberals and globalists? Advertisement It all sounds very far-fetched and fantastic, and therein lies its effectiveness. Diffusion is an instrument of statecraft. Tracing the source of influence operations led by the Deep State could be a bit like tracing hackers who keep their IPs bouncing around the globe. And if you cant trace it, you have no case. The omnipotence and omniscience of this ambiguous clique of vested interests paint a mayajaal (an illusory network) of narratives in a way that not only pushes and establishes preset western notions/ interpretations, but also make the viewpoints and perspectives seem organic and even indigenous. It also makes targeted action difficult and open to criticism. Advertisement If a foreign journalists visa is not renewed by the Indian government, the focus is likely to be on the controversy. The government will inevitably be painted as a thin-skinned bully and the fact that a foreign national working in India may have wilfully blurred the line between journalism and political activism will be silently glossed over. Itll invite even more charges of democratic backsliding and repression, no matter how ill-placed and misleading those charges are. There have been allegations that the major narrative weapons in the Oppositions armoury, such as caste census, in the just concluded general elections where the Narendra Modi-led BJP saw an erosion in power, were provided by shadowy figures of this nebulous foreign adversary. Advertisement According to painstaking research by Disinfo Lab, an independent OSINT-based research organization, that went after the hydra-headed money trail, it appears that liberal philanthropy funds were pumped out to various fronts, think tanks, western media outlets, and members of academia in nations such as France and the US to influence public discourse in India through a tsunami of macro, micro and meta narratives and impact voter mindset. The pattern of funding, according to their findings, suggests an aim to invalidate the legitimacy of Indian electoral process and undermine Indian democracy, the worlds largest where 642 million Indians recently exercised their voting rights. Advertisement Former Prasar Bharati chief Shashi Shekhar Vempatis compilation of some of these media headlines are worth a look, if only to have an idea about the depth and scale of the seemingly uncoordinated operations. As I said, mayajaal'. These patterns are visible, however, with a degree of effort. For instance, there has been a lot of noise of late over a report by Australian government-funded ABC Newss Four Corners report that highlighted Indias alleged actions against Khalistani terrorists based in Australia, one of the nations in the Five Eyes (FVEY) Anglosphere intelligence network comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the US. India is already involved in major controversies with Canada and Washington over the issue of Khalistani terrorism, and the report, named Infiltrating Australia, claims that the Indian government is prying into the lives of the Indian diaspora to smoke out the Khalistani network, and that at least four Indian diplomats were asked to leave by the Australian government on charges of spying. Interestingly, while the Australian government has sought to play down the controversy the media discourse has turned more antagonistic towards India, and the Australian political establishment has been accused by its own media of cozying up to India for economic gains. The same pattern is visible in the American and Canadian media discourse, though in the case of the latter the Justin Trudeau government has appeared more incendiary and confrontational. However, by and large, it is possible to discern a difference between the countries political establishments and a narrative targeting the Modi government over Khalistani terrorism, which according to the Anglosphere media playbook is a case of transnational repression and India must pay the price. The Biden administration, for instance, has received flak for inviting Modi on a state visit to Washington, and that was even before the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun case exploded in public view. Since then, the Pannun case, spearheaded by the FBI and US Department of Justice, has been taken forward by drip, drip, revelations in American media and it is anybodys guess how much of this narrative is being driven by the Deep State using media as the cats paw. It is equally possible (and plausible) to argue that regime media is just an extended arm of the government with a degree of imperceptible distance thrown in. The ambiguity of these operations is part of the feature, designed to escape accountability. In the cases involving Khalistani separatists in Canada and Australia, Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury has shown in Economic Times how there are uncanny similarities in the reportage of ABC News of Australia and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on revelations of Modi governments infiltration in their societies. . If this suggests the role of Deep State led by the FVEY alliance, the apparently disjointed moves become clearer if we observe the pattern underneath. As Disinfo Lab has pointed out in a series of posts, the latest revelations in Australian media do not happen in medias res but occur in conjunction with a series of seemingly disconnected events across the Anglosphere. Around the time that ABC News came out with its report written by journalist Avani Dias who was found to have violated visa rules while in India and was accused of faking visa denial, the Czech Republic police in an unusual move released a public video of Nikhil Guptas extradition to the US, who is allegedly behind the plot to take out Pannun on American soil, and Canadian Parliament observed a moment of silence for slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Od patku je cizinec podezrely v USA ze spiknuti za ucelem spachani najemne vrazdy v rukou americke justice. Spoluprace policistu cizinecke policie, reditelstvi pro mezinarodni policejni spolupraci a kolegu z USA umoznilo bezpecnou extradici z prazskeho letiste. #policiepp pic.twitter.com/492NKyltjd Policie CR (@PolicieCZ) June 17, 2024 As Disinfo Lab points out, All these events independent of each other, all organic just happened to be in the same timeframe to generate maximum impact. All using same terminologies, the approved narrative of #TransnationalRepression, mainstreaming Khalistani activists! Meanwhile, Politico, an American media outlet, came out with a report on June 18, a day after the ABC News investigation was published, admonishing the Biden administration for sending US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other high-ranking US officials to shore up ties with India at a time when an alleged murder-for-hire plot linked to an Indian official plays out in the United States. The article also advises the Biden administration to invoke what it itself terms an obscure law to uphold military consequences for India and other countries that conduct nefarious plots on American soil. While this info warfare is playing out on public domain, a curious interplay was evident in India-US relations in the same week. A visiting US Congressional delegation, led by US lawmaker Michael McCaul and former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, met the Dalai Lama. Pelosi followed it up with a no holds-barred speech against China, and then the bipartisan delegation also met prime minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar. Simultaneously, Sullivan held multiple rounds of talks in New Delhi with his counterpart Ajit Doval on deepening defence and technology cooperation through the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) and set the vision for the next chapter of strategic technology partnership. Sullivan and Doval, according to the White House readout, also convened an industry roundtable that brought together CEOs and thought leaders from both countries as the US and India mobilize private sector investment and partnerships across strategic technology sectors. According to the New York Times, Sullivan and Dovals extensive discussions, coming weeks after PM Modi won a third term in office, indicate how much Washington prioritizes the relationship with India, with American officials increasingly speaking of New Delhi as a counterweight to Beijing. A week before he left for India along with Sullivan, Kurt Campbell, the second-highest ranking diplomat in the US, had said that we are very confident and comfortable about the state of our bilateral relationship with India. While you chew on this apparent bonhomie, consider also the fact that in the same week that all this diplomatic schmoozing is taking place, Gupta is appearing at a court in New York to face trial on Pannun case, and a group of American lawmakers Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, Bernie Sanders, Tim Kaine, and Ron Wyden have sent a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for a strong diplomatic response following credible allegations of the Indian governments involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate an American citizen on U.S. soil, and demanded that the Biden administration match words with actions to hold Indian officials involved in the plot accountable, and to send a clear message that there will be consequences for transnational repression. Observe the repetition of the particular expression. FBI chief Christopher Wray has also chipped in, saying that the US federal probe agency wont tolerate attempts by foreign nationals, or anyone else for that matter, to repress constitutionally-protected freedoms. It is not my case that the Biden or Anthony Albanese administrations are hatching elaborate conspiracies to put India on the mat. But there certainly seems to be vested interests at work that operate behind the scenes to tamper with the pace and depth of engagement or, even more importantly, look for leverage over a rising power. Given its young demography, abundance of human resources as the worlds most populous nation, and robustly growing economy, its reasonable to expect that the worlds fifth-largest economy will achieve its great power ambitions since wealth and population are translatable to military strength. Add to that a strategic culture of being autonomous and aspirations of being a pole in its own right, and suddenly the balance of power shifts from West to the East with Indias neighbour and great adversary, China, already breathing down Americas neck. As former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal writes in NDTV, Indias rise inevitably means accelerating the shift of power from the West to the East. The rise of a power that seeks multipolarity, eschews alliances and seeks a greater role in international governance cannot but affect the strategic calculations of established powers on handling the global system in ways that allow them to safeguard their traditional dominance. This puts the Western powers in a quandary. Indias role as Chinas democratic counterbalance necessitates the West to purse a policy of engagement, but it also runs the risk of letting India become another powerful, independent competitor that may eventually undermine their dominance. Hence the relentless urge of the Anglosphere, led by the FVEY alliance, to gain and maintain leverage over India. The Khalistan issue, a sensitive, festering sore for New Delhi, has presented a handy opportunity for the Western intelligence network to put India under the cosh and crank up the pressure when needed, while letting the political establishment get on with the policy of engagement. What will be Indias countermeasure in this great game? Thats a question for another day. The author is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets @sreemoytalukdar. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The Russian presidents visit to North Korea holds a lesson for the West on what happens when a power is pushed to the brink read more President Vladimir Putin completed a state visit to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea on Wednesday. This was his first official visit to the isolated nation in 24 years, where he was received at the airport by Kim Jong Un himself. The last time Putin visited Pyongyang was in 2000 for a summit meeting with Kim Jong Il, the father of Kim Jong Il. On the occasion of this visit, Pyongyang city was decked out with Russian flags and portraits of Putin. The state media played Russian music to the leaders delight. Advertisement The warmth extended by Kim Jong Un is a signal to the world that Putin is not isolated; his patronage is still prized in some parts of the globe. This visit also marks a key moment for Kim for two reasons: first, he received Putin for the very first time in North Korea, where on two previous occasions, both the leaders met at Vladivostok in the Russian Far East. Second, Kim had not hosted any of the world leaders of significance since the beginning of Covid-19. Therefore, Putins state visit, considering the current state of the global order, holds strategic significance not only for the North Korean leader but also for Russia. Fragile World Order Fosterning New Alliance The world order is in a major shift. After three decades of unipolarity, there are signs of multipolar world order on the horizon. The Russian Federation is being isolated globally by the West on the issue of Russian-Ukraine conflict. Sanctions from the West, especially from the US are tightening, and Russian assets are being frozen by the G7 countries thereby making its economy hang by a thread. In this context, Russia needs to hold on to its traditional allies and search for new ones. The current geopolitical landscape is characterised by a multifaceted hegemonic competition between the United States and China, manifesting across political, economic, and military domains. This rivalry is exemplified by the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations and the recent congressional statements concerning Tibet. Concurrently, the deliberate decision by the US to pursue Ukraines admission into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an action perceived as antithetical to Russias national interests due to Ukraines role as a buffer state between NATO and Russia, has catalysed the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Advertisement Moreover, exacerbated by the stringent sanctions against them in response to their nuclear aspirations, the US has inadvertently facilitated the convergence of Iran and North Korea with China and Russia, leading into an emergence of anti-Western alignment. Putin understands the significance of North Korea in the Pacific, which can keep the US busy in the Pacific and may act as a deterrent. Putins strategy is to counter the West, which can be done by gathering all common enemies of the West. Therefore, Putins visit holds a lesson to the West on what happens when you push a country to the brink. Win-Win Agreement Advertisement The highlight of the summit was the signing of a landmark agreement between two countries. The new agreements replace the agreements signed in 1961, 2000 and 2001. In a significant move both countries elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic level, akin to an Alliance. The document proposes a comprehensive partnership agreement covering political, military, economic and cultural cooperation founded on principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, and equality while working towards global strategic stability and fair international order through strengthened cooperation. It outlines activating communication channels and providing assistance in case of aggression or war while prohibiting treaties that infringe on each others core interests or allow violations. It allows for the preparation of joint actions to strengthen defence capabilities for maintaining peace and prosperity, and expanding collaboration across trade, economy, investment, science and technology. Advertisement The agreement supports regional and cross border economic cooperation, direct trade links, mutual recognition of product standards and certifications, as well as protecting each others legal entities and citizens through legal assistance and asset recovery. It promotes cooperation in tackling terrorism, transnational crimes, information security, equal rights in network management, public affairs, publications and disseminating objective information while combating false propaganda. The agreement also emphasises depper exchanges between legislative and law enforcement institutions, opposing unilateral coercive measures and collaborating in areas such as agriculture, education, health, sports, culture, and terrorism. The clause on military assistance catches the worlds eye. Russia and North Korea have agreed to provide immediate military assistance if either country faces aggression or is pushed into a state of war. Advertisement The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has pledged unwavering support and solidarity to Russia in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Over the years, the North Korean economy has been crippled by the imposition of Western sanctions, leaving Kim in need of securing essential resources such as food and fuel for his people. Coincidentally, Russia is a preeminent global exporter of wheat and a major energy supplier, presenting an opportunity for mutually beneficial cooperation. Furthermore, the sanctions regime has restricted countries from engaging in the transfer or sharing of strategic military technologies with North Korea, a void that Russia may potentially fill. The official visit and the consequent agreement between the two nations signify a convergence of interests, fostering the potential for collaborative efforts aimed at evading Western sanctions through mutual cooperation and giving rise to new Asian security architecture. The author is a Research Assistant at Pondicherry University. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Indias Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson marked the talks as an opportunity to deepen the historical ties between the two neighboring countries, describing the relationship as a model of partnership within the region read more Bangladesh and India solidified their bilateral relationship Saturday with the signing of 10 memorandum of understanding (MoUs), in significant talks between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indias Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The key meeting in diplomacy between the two nations, saw the renewal of three previous agreements alongside the signing of seven new MoUs aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors. Indias Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson marked the talks as an opportunity to deepen the historical ties between the two neighboring countries, describing the relationship as a model of partnership within the region. Advertisement Prime Minister Modis third-term inauguration on June 9 set the backdrop for this two-day visit, marking the first official visit by a head of government to India since the formation of new government. Key highlights of the MoUs include agreements in the fields of Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region, joint research on oceanography between Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute and Indias Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and collaborations in digital and green partnerships for sustainable development. Additionally, agreements were reached on enhancing rail connectivity, initiating joint projects in space technology, and fostering military education cooperation. Other MOUs that were renewed were made in fisheries, disaster management, and health sectors. The MOUs marked a mutual commitment to strengthening economic, technological, and strategic cooperation between Bangladesh and India, paving way for a new chapter in their diplomatic relations. The European Union and United States, the top funders of the AU force in Somalia, have sought to reduce the peacekeeping operation due to concerns about long-term financing and sustainability. read more The African Union agreed to the formation of a new force to replace more than 13,000 troops due to leave Somalia by year-end, amid fears that al Qaeda terrorists are growing in power in the country. Troops from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi and Djibouti, part of the so-called African Union Transition Mission, are due to leave by the end of December. Theyve fought al-Shabaab since 2006 as the Islamist group tries to overthrow Somalias government, Bloomberg reported. Advertisement The African Union backed Somalias request to slow the withdrawal of its troops fighting Islamist militants and called for a new international force to replace the AU peacekeeping mission. Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has been waging a deadly insurgency against the fragile central government in Mogadishu for more than 17 years. UN resolutions called for forces in the African Union peacekeeping mission, known as ATMIS, to be reduced to zero by December 31 with security handed over to the Somali army and police. The third and penultimate phase was to see the departure of 4,000 soldiers out of a total 13,500 ATMIS troops by the end of June. But, following a request from Somalias government to see only 2,000 troops leave in June and the remaining 2,000 withdraw in September, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) said in a statement Thursday that it strongly supports a phased approach to the drawdown. Worried Neighbors With the departure of peacekeeping forces from Somalia, Uganda and Kenya, which had contributed troops to the mission, are expressing serious concerns. Ugandas state minister of foreign affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, noted that despite extensive training, Somali troops may struggle to sustain a prolonged military confrontation against insurgents. He warned against a scenario similar to the chaotic withdrawal seen in Afghanistan, where forces were overwhelmed by insurgent takeovers. Oryem emphasized that while Kenya accepted the drawdown requested by the U.S. and EU, the concerns of the contributing countries need to be acknowledged and addressed. Advertisement Kenyan President William Ruto echoed these worries during a recent press conference in Washington, stating that a withdrawal without considering the ground realities would allow the terrorists to take over Somalia. In response to these concerns, an EU spokesperson mentioned that their focus is on strengthening domestic security capabilities in Somalia. They also support, in principle, a Somali government proposal for a new, scaled-down mission. A U.S. State Department spokesperson added that the force must be sufficiently large to prevent a security vacuum. Washington has consistently backed the AUs requests to adjust the timeline for the drawdown, emphasizing the need to avoid security gaps and unnecessary costs associated with changing troop contributors. Advertisement Setbacks Two years ago, a military offensive in central Somalia successfully reclaimed significant territory from the al Qaeda-linked group, al Shabaab. However, in August, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamuds bold declaration to eliminate al Shabaab within five months faced a severe setback. Al Shabaab launched a counter-attack, recapturing the town of Cowsweyne, inflicting heavy casualties on the Somali military, and committing brutal acts against civilians accused of aiding the army. The Somali government has not disclosed the death toll from the Cowsweyne battle. Reports from soldiers and local militiamen reveal that despite having over a battalion present, the troops were poorly organized and lacked adequate defensive structures to fend off attacks, including car bomb assaults. Advertisement Following this and other setbacks, military operations have stalled in recent months, with local sources reporting no significant activity against al Shabaab. Although Reuters could not verify the extent of territorial losses, National Security Adviser Sheikh-Ali maintained that most gains have been retained. The withdrawal of peacekeepers complicates the situation further. Despite the Somali governments claims of being capable of handling al Shabaab with minimal external support, the countrys forces, estimated at 32,000, face a shortfall of around 11,000 trained personnel. This shortage is due to high operational demands and attrition. While Mogadishu, the capital, has seen security improvements with bustling streets and new businesses, the threat from al Shabaab remains significant. An assessment by the Combating Terrorism Center at the United States Military Academy suggested that a collapse akin to Afghanistan is unlikely, partly due to continued external support, including the presence of about 450 U.S. troops in Somalia who provide training and conduct drone strikes against militants. Advertisement International Support Somalias security has relied on international support since Ethiopias 2006 invasion, which ousted an Islamist administration but fueled an ongoing insurgency. The U.S. has invested over $2.5 billion in counterterrorism efforts in Somalia since 2007. This figure excludes additional undisclosed military and intelligence expenditures. The EU has contributed approximately $2.8 billion to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and its predecessor. Countries like Turkey, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern nations also provide significant security assistance. However, funding is becoming strained. The EU, which covers most of ATMISs $100 million annual budget, plans to shift towards bilateral support and reduce its overall contributions over time, influenced by competing financial priorities such as Ukraine and Gaza. Diplomatic sources revealed that the U.S. and EU aim to scale back peacekeeping operations in Somalia, pushing the country towards self-reliance in its security efforts. Some European nations propose financing the new mission through assessed contributions from U.N. member states, potentially increasing the financial burden on the U.S. and China. A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed skepticism about the feasibility of implementing such a system by next year, although they affirmed strong international support for a follow-on mission. The EU did not comment on the financing specifics for the replacement mission. Agreement on the size and mandate of the new mission is a prerequisite for addressing its funding formally. With inputs from agencies. Images from reporters on the scene showed a slew of bullet holes in the grocery stores window and spent shell casings strewn throughout the parking lot. In video footage, local and state agencies could be seen responding to the scene, with at least one medical helicopter landing nearby read more Damage can be seen to a front window law enforcement officers work the scene of a shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store. AP In another incident of mass shooting, a man in Arkansas opened fire at a supermarket, killing three and injuring several others as shoppers and bystanders ducked for cover both inside and outside the shop. Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hagar said that the shooter, Travis Eugene Posey, was also left injured during a shootout with police. The wounded included two law enforcement officers who exchanged fire with and shot the suspect, state police said. The shooting occurred about 11:30 a.m. at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, a city of about 3,200 people located 65 miles (104 kilometers) south of Little Rock. Advertisement Unfortunately, we can confirm that 11 innocent civilians were shot, and three of those are deceased. Two law enforcement officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire. The suspect was also shot and taken into custody, Hagar said. Meanwhile, Posey, 44, has been arrested and charged with three counts of murder while some of his other charges are still pending. Poseys or the two officers injuries were not life-threatening, officials have said while Civilian injuries ranged from non-life-threatening to extremely critical. The police, however, have not yet confirmed whether the shooting took place inside or outside the grocery store. They have also not identified the motive behind Poseys shooting spree and neither have confirmed the identity of the victims. Images from reporters on the scene showed a slew of bullet holes in the grocery stores window and spent shell casings strewn throughout the parking lot. In video footage, local and state agencies could be seen responding to the scene, with at least one medical helicopter landing nearby. With inputs from agencies ICRC said 22 bodies and 45 wounded people were taken to a Red Cross field hospital after shelling with heavy calibre projectiles near its Gaza office, which was surrounded by displaced people living in tents. Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and humanitarians at risk, read more People gather at the site where two Palestinians were killed during an Israeli operation in Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank on June 21, 2024. AFP The International Committee of the Red Cross said 22 people were killed in shelling that damaged its Gaza office Friday, as the Israeli army intensified strikes in the besieged Palestinian territory. Exchanges of fire across the Lebanese border between Israel and the powerful Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah have also escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of an even wider war. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the cross-border hostilities must not turn Lebanon into another Gaza, warning of the risk of triggering a catastrophe beyond imagination. Advertisement His warning came as Israel stepped up its strikes in the Gaza Strip, where one hospital in Gaza City reported at least 30 dead. Further south, the ICRC said 22 bodies and 45 wounded people were taken to a Red Cross field hospital after shelling with heavy calibre projectiles near its Gaza office, which was surrounded by displaced people living in tents. Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and humanitarians at risk, the ICRC said on social media platform X. The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory blamed the shelling on Israel, saying there were 25 killed and 50 wounded in the Al-Mawasi area near the ICRC office, not far from Rafah. An Israeli Defense Force spokesman did not acknowledge any role in the incident but said it was under review. - A difficult and brutal day - In the north of the Strip, the director of Gaza Citys Al-Ahli hospital was quoted by the territorys health ministry as reporting 30 dead in strikes. It has been a difficult and brutal day in Gaza City. So far, around 30 martyrs have arrived at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, doctor Fadel Naeem was quoted as saying. Civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Basal said five municipal workers died when a garage in the city was bombed. Israels military reported operations on Friday north and south of the Central Gaza Strip Corridor. Advertisement The operations around Gaza coincided with flaring hostilities along the Lebanese border. Lebanon-based Hamas ally Hezbollah said it had fired dozens of rockets at a barracks in northern Israel on Thursday in retaliation for a deadly air strike in south Lebanon. Israel said a Hezbollah operative was killed in that strike. Hezbollah also claimed a number of attacks on Israeli troops and positions near the border on Friday, including two using drones. The Israeli army said it had carried out multiple retaliatory strikes on both days. Israeli jets on Friday struck a Hezbollah military structure in the area of Khiam, a Hezbollah military post in the area of Meiss El Jabal, and Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the areas of Taybeh and Tallouseh in southern Lebanon, the army said in a statement. Advertisement Experts are divided on the prospect of a wider war, almost nine months into Israels campaign to eradicate Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Amid the escalating exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah, Israels military said Tuesday that plans for an offensive in Lebanon had been approved and validated. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said no place in Israel would be spared our rockets in a wider war, and also threatened nearby European Union member Cyprus. Citing the bellicose rhetoric on both sides, UN chief Guterres said Friday that the risk of all-out war was real. One rash move - one miscalculation could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border, and frankly, beyond imagination, he said. Advertisement Israels ally the United States has appealed for de-escalation. - Nothing left - The violence on the Lebanon border began after the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza. That attack resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. The militants also seized hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza although the army says 41 are dead. As of Thursday, Israels retaliatory offensive had killed at least 37,431 people, also mostly civilians, according to Gazas health ministry. Months of negotiations towards a truce and a hostage release have failed to make headway, but mediator Qatar insisted Friday it was still working to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas. Advertisement The war has destroyed much of Gazas infrastructure and left residents short of food, fuel and other essentials. On June 16 the army said it would implement a daily tactical pause of military activity in a southern Gaza corridor to facilitate aid delivery. But on Friday Richard Peeperkorn of the World Health Organization said we did not see an impact on the humanitarian supplies coming in. Hisham Salem in Jabalia camp told AFP: The markets used to be full, but now there is nothing left. I go around the entire market and I cant find a kilo of onions, and if I do it costs 140 shekels ($37). Doctor Thanos Gargavanis, a WHO trauma surgeon and emergency officer, said the UN in Gaza was trying to operate in an unworkable environment. According to the WHO, 17 of the 36 hospitals in Gaza are operational, but only partially. It said that as of May 17, just 750 people remained in Rafah city, where previously 1.4 million people had been sheltering. - Two soldiers killed - Israels military on Friday identified two more soldiers killed in Gaza, bringing the number killed since ground operations began to at least 312. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, which he denies, faces regular street protests demanding an agreement to free the hostages and accusing him of prolonging the war. But Netanyahu told relatives of captives killed in Gaza: We will not leave the Gaza Strip until all of the hostages return. The war has revived a global push for Palestinians to be given a state of their own. Armenia on Friday declared its recognition of the State of Palestine, prompting Israel to summon its ambassador for a severe reprimand. Notably, 20 of the crew members were Indian nationals. They were on board the MV Dali Cargo, which struck the pillars of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge resulting in its collapse and the death of six construction workers in the tragic incident read more A drone view of the Dali cargo vessel, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse, in Baltimore. Reuters The eight Indian crew members on board the cargo ship Dali that rammed into the Baltimore bridge in the US three months ago are finally on their way back home. According to Baltimore Maritime Exchange, four of the 21 crew members are still on board the 984-foot cargo ship MV Dali, which is tentatively scheduled to leave Friday evening for Norfolk, Virginia. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew members have been lodged in a service apartment in Baltimore and will be required to stay there until the investigation into the bridge accident is completed. Advertisement About the Indian crew Notably, 20 of the crew members were Indian nationals. They were on board the MV Dali Cargo, which struck the pillars of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge resulting in its collapse and the death of six construction workers in the tragic incident. The departure of eight Indian crew members including a cook, a fitter and seamen follows a deal approved by the judge. None of these are officers. The rest 13 would remain in the US, mainly because of the pending investigations. Theyre anxious, under considerable stress considering they dont know the future. They dont know when theyll see their family again or how theyll be treated here, Rev. Joshua Messick, director of the Baltimore International Seafarers Center and chaplain for the Port of Baltimore told CNN. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the Director of the Apostleship of the Sea, Middleton, revealed that 21 out of 22 crew members were from India and one of them was from Sri Lanka. He mentioned that the majority of the crew member were from the state of Kerala and their age ranged from the early 20s to the late 50s. About the accident The Singapore-flagged container vessel named Dali, heading out of Baltimore Harbor bound for Sri Lanka, plowed into a support pylon of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the mouth of the Patapsco River in March. Dali reported a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure which was however rectified in June last year. Advertisement The cargo ship experienced a momentary loss of propulsion just before it ran into the bridge moments before it ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed and blocked the commercial harbour, eventually leading to the collapse of the bridge. With inputs from agencies Hotels stand to benefit from the move. The opening of new hotels in the citys most popular areas was banned by a far-left party governing Barcelona between 2015 and 2023, but Collboni has signalled he could relax the restriction read more Barcelona, a top Spanish holiday destination, announced on Friday that it will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for residents. The citys leftist mayor, Jaume Collboni, said that by November 2028, Barcelona will scrap the licences of the 10,101 apartments currently approved as short-term rentals. We are confronting what we believe is Barcelonas largest problem, Collboni told a city government event. Advertisement The boom in short-term rentals in Barcelona, Spains most visited city by foreign tourists, means some residents cannot afford an apartment after rents rose 68% in the past 10 years and the cost of buying a house rose by 38%, Collboni said. Access to housing has become a driver of inequality, particularly for young people, he added. National governments relish the economic benefits of tourism - Spain ranks among the top-three most visited countries in the world - but with local residents priced out in some places, gentrification and owner preference for lucrative tourist rentals are increasingly a hot topic across Europe. Local governments have announced restrictions on short-term rentals in places such as Spains Canary Islands, Lisbon and Berlin in the past decade. Spains Socialist housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez, said she supported Barcelonas decision. Its about making all the necessary efforts to guarantee access to affordable housing, she posted on X. Vacation rental platform Airbnb, which hosts a significant number of Barcelona listings, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Collboni is making a mistake that will lead to (higher) poverty and unemployment, Barcelonas tourist apartments association APARTUR said in a statement, adding the ban would trigger a rise in illegal tourist apartments. Hotels stand to benefit from the move. The opening of new hotels in the citys most popular areas was banned by a far-left party governing Barcelona between 2015 and 2023, but Collboni has signalled he could relax the restriction. Advertisement Barcelonas hotel association declined to comment on Fridays announcement. Those 10,000 apartments will be used by the citys residents or will go on the market for rent or sale, Collboni said of the measure. Barcelonas local government said in a statement it would maintain its strong inspection regime to detect potential illegal tourist apartments once the ban comes into force. No new tourist apartments have been allowed in the city in recent years. The local government has ordered the shutting of 9,700 illegal tourist apartments since 2016 and close to 3,500 apartments have been recovered to be used as primary housing for local residents, it said. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province and is committed to its reunification with the mainland China read more China could occupy Taiwan without firing a single shot with its quarantine strategy, according to a top think tanks report. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province and is committed to its reunification with the mainland China. It has not ruled out the use of force for the reunification. In recent years, Beijings military provocations have increased around Taiwan as exercises simulating invasion and takeover of Taiwan have become more and more aggressive. Advertisement Just this morning, Taiwans Defence Ministry said that 41 Chinese aircraft and seven naval vessels were spotted around Taiwan. Of those, 32 aircraft had entered the air defence identification zone (ADIZ) of the self-ruled island. Amid such tensions, the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has published a report that says that China may deploy quarantine strategy to take Taiwan without an invasion. The report is based on in-depth research, tabletop exercises, private consultations, and expert surveys, according to the CSIS. Whats the quarantine strategy? The quarantine strategy includes deploying a blockade-like net around Taiwan to make it surrender to Beijings terms. While a blockade would involve the regular miliary, the quarantine strategy would include law-enforcement elements of Beijings security apparatus. The Beijings quarantine strategy would include an operation to control maritime or air traffic around Taiwan, according to CSIS. Instead of completely sealing off Taiwan, the quarantines objective would be to assert Beijings control over Taiwan by setting the terms for traffic in and out of the island, as per the report. It would mean that China would decide how, when, and on what terms countries and companies could access Taiwan and how, when, and on what terms Taiwan would have access to the outside world. Advertisement The CNN reported that the China Coast Guard, Chinese maritime militia, and various police and maritime safety agencies could be part of such an operation. Quarantine could put Taiwans partners in tough spot As the quarantine strategy would be a law-enforcement operation in the seas, if US Navy or other partners intervene on Taiwans behalf, they would be considered the aggressors and Beijing would then put the onus of any escalation on them. Moreover, the objective of the quarantine is to dictate the terms of Taiwans engagement with the outside world and the outside worlds engagement with China. The threat of having ships seized by China could deter maritime trade with Taiwan and hit the countrys economy. Advertisement For example, if the quarantine targets just the port of Kaohsiung, up to 57 per cent of the countrys trade could be affected, according to CNN. Such pressure on the economy, and possible imposition of requirements like the customs checks of ships by Chinese inspectors before entering Taiwan, could make Taiwan as well as the wider world bow to Chinas pressure, suggests the report. DePape was convicted of aggravated kidnapping, as part of a state trial that could put him behind bars for life read more David DePape, the man who attacked US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul Pelosi, was found guilty in the second trial of the infamous hammer attack. He was convicted of aggravated kidnapping, as part of a state trial that could put him behind bars for life. DePape was previously found guilty in a federal trial over the 2022 attack last month. He was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison at that time. Advertisement In the Friday hearing, the San Fransisco jury found him guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening a family member of a public official, dissuading a witness to the charges and aggravated kidnapping. DePape stirred a storm in 2022 after he barged into Pelosis San Francisco residence and attacked her husband with a hammer. In the closing argument, DePapes public defender, Adam Lipson, told the jury that DePape was guilty of three additional charges in the state trial but the prosecutors had not presented evidence to convict him. How public defender got rid of some of DePapes charges Lipson went on to argue that the state trial represented double jeopardy following the federal conviction. He mentioned that though the criminal counts are not the same, the two cases stem from the same act. The San Francisco superior court judge, Harry Dorfman, agreed to Lipsons argument and dismissed the state charges of attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. Meanwhile, the prosecutors argued that the valuable thing DePape wanted from the kidnapping of Paul Pelosi was to get a video of Nancy Pelosi confessing to crimes he believed she had committed. In counter-argument, Lipson stated that the video did not exist and that if it did, it would not have had any value. When he broke into the Pelosis home, his intent was to confront and potentially hurt and assault Nancy Pelosi. That was his intent at that time; that has nothing to do with Mr Pelosi, he said. In her rebuttal, Assistant District Attorney, Phoebe Maffei, pointed out that DePape told a detective and testified in federal court that he had planned to get Pelosis video. There is inherent value in a video of the speaker of the House confessing to crimes in her own home, Maffei averred. Advertisement While commenting on DePapes psyche, Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that before the attack, DePape had been living an isolated, lonely life and went down the rabbit hole of propaganda and conspiracy theories. With inputs from agencies. The leftist Social Democratic Party (SPD) of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was beaten by the far-right AfD party in the recent European parliamentary elections read more Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz has sought to reach out to the youth after a drubbing in the European parliamentary elections. It is understood that large sections of the youth have turned to the far-right in recent years in the wake of a series of crisis that Europe has faced, ranging from immigration to employment and culture wars. Speaking at an event at a progressives summit in Berlin, Scholz said the best way to deter the youth from turning to the far-right is giving them hope. Advertisement The best way to win back young voters from the hold of the far-right is by giving them hope, security, and respect that everyone from an untrained Amazon worker to Elon Musks son can live without fear of the future, said Scholz, as per The Guardian. In the recent European Parliaments elections, the far-right AfD secured 15.9 per cent votes as against 13.9 of Scholzs ruling SPD. The AfD has frequently been associated with the neo-Nazi movements. Ahead of the EU elections, it was expelled from the Identity and Democracy (ID) bloc of Europe, which is led by Marine Le Pen of Frances National Rally party. We have to work very hard Scholz said that hard work is required to deter the youth from turning to far-right and make a world they can rely on. We have to work very hard to give security to people about the future and we have to tackle all the relevant questions that are important for them, said Scholz. The questions they need to address for the sake of the young voters are those of labour rights, global security, climate protection, artificial intelligence, and a world order they can count on, said Scholz, as per The Guardian. Scholz further said, The young are not supporting the far right some of them did. So I would say we have to discuss these topics and develop a perspective where things are running in the right directionIm working for this. Advertisement Schols zeroed in on the uncertainty about the future thats driving the surge of far-right and other right-wing populists in Europe. He went on to say that the lack of economic disparity and an increased sense of security are therefore responsible to prevent the march of far-right among the youth. Support for far-right as protest vote While there is indeed support for the right-wing extremists in some sections of Europe, the support for the right is also seen as a protest vote in Europe. Following a string of crisis, ranging from the questions of immigration and security to the economic policies, that the centrists and left-wing leaders of Europe could not manage well over the years, the voters have started turning to the right in protest to the status quo and not necessarily in commitment to the far-right ideas. Advertisement Ankita Dutta, a scholar of the European right-wing politics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), earlier told Firstpost that this protest vote should, however, not be mistaken as a momentary development as these parties have developed a dedicated base and have build a full-fledged politics of resentment. These issues added to the disillusionment and insecurity of people and fortified their beliefs that these issues have not been tackled properly by mainstream parties. Therefore, it is more of a protest vote. But that should not be taken as a momentary development because these parties now have a dedicated base among the lower economic sections of the society who have faced the brunt of economic slowdown and increasing migration, said Dutta, an Assistant Professor at the Centre for European Studies of JNUs School of International Studies. Advertisement The protest vote is also expected to be seen in the United Kingdom in the next months general elections where the Conservatives are expected to be routed by the Labour Party. While the voters in Europe turn to the right in protest, the British voters are expected to turn to the left in a protest against the status quo. Based on data from the security ministry, since the attack, 42,000 women have applied for gun permits; of them, 18,000 have been granted, more than double the number of women who held licenses prior to the war read more More than 15,000 women civilians now own a firearm in Israel and the occupied West Bank, with 10,000 enrolled in mandatory training Image Courtesy AFP Following the historic October 7 attack by Hamas, many Israelis are feeling extremely insecure. As a result, the number of women requesting gun permits has increased dramatically, despite criticism from feminist organizations on the hasty adoption of firearms. Based on data from the security ministry, since the attack, 42,000 women have applied for gun permits; of them, 18,000 have been granted, more than double the number of women who held licenses prior to the war. Advertisement The relaxation of firearms regulations under the far-right security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Israels right-wing government has made the increase possible. More than 15,000 women civilians now own a firearm in Israel and the occupied West Bank, with 10,000 enrolled in mandatory training, according to the ministry. I would have never thought of buying a weapon or getting a permit, but since October 7, things changed a little bit, political science professor Limor Gonen told AFP during a weapons handling class at a shooting range in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. The October 7 attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed at least 37,431 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the territorys health ministry. We were all targeted (on October 7) and I dont want to be taken by surprise, so Im trying to defend myself, Gonen said after the class, an obligatory step for acquiring a permit. While the immediate trigger for the surge in gun buying was the Hamas attack, Ben Gvir was already pledging to reform firearms legislation when he became security minister in late 2022. He promised to raise the number of civilians holding weapons and increase self-defence capacity. Under Ben Gvir, the process for getting a gun license has been sped up, with Israeli media reporting that in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attack the authorities were often clearing hundreds of permits per day. Advertisement Eligibility criteria for gun ownership in Israel now include being a citizen or permanent resident over the age of 18, having a basic command of Hebrew and medical clearance. The full list of requirements makes it nearly impossible for non-Jews to obtain a permit. In March, Ben Gvir, who is himself a settler in the West Bank, hailed civilian weapon ownership passing the 100,000 mark, while showing off his own gun at a rally. But his rush to put deadly arms into the hands of ordinary Israelis has drawn criticism too. The Gun Free Kitchen Tables Coalition, an Israeli initiative founded by feminist activists, condemned the civilian arms race. Advertisement It is a strategy of far-right settlers to consider the arming of women to be a feminist act, a spokesperson for the group of 18 organisations told AFP. The increase of weapons in the civilian space leads to an increase in violence and murder against women. Its time for the state to understand that individual safety is its responsibility. The Gaza health ministry said at least 25 Palestinians had been killed in Mawasi in western Rafah and 50 wounded. Palestinians said a tank shell hit a tent housing displaced families read more Firing from planes, tanks, and ships off the coast caused more people to flee the city, which a few months ago was sheltering more than a million displaced people, most of whom have now relocated again Image Courtesy Reuters At least 45 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces shelled Rafah in southern Gaza on Friday, along with other sections of the territory. Residents and the Israeli military stated that the fighting was close to close quarters. According to locals, the Israeli attack on Rafah, which borders Egypt and has been the target of Israeli activity since early May, seems to be an attempt to complete the takeover of the area. After taking control of the east, south, and center of the city, tanks were now attempting to make their way into the western and northern sections. Advertisement Firing from planes, tanks, and ships off the coast caused more people to flee the city, which a few months ago was sheltering more than a million displaced people, most of whom have now relocated again. The Gaza health ministry said at least 25 Palestinians had been killed in Mawasi in western Rafah and 50 wounded. Palestinians said a tank shell hit a tent housing displaced families. Two tanks climbed a hilltop overseeing Mawasi and they sent balls of fire that hit the tents of the poor people displaced in the area, one resident told Reuters over a chat app. The Israeli military said that the incident was under review. An initial inquiry conducted suggests that there is no indication that a strike was carried out by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) in the Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi, it said. Earlier, the military said its forces were conducting precise, intelligence-based actions in the Rafah area, where troops were involved in close-quarter combat and had located tunnels used by Hamas. Over the past week, the military said, troops targeted a university that served as a Hamas headquarters from which Hamas operatives fired on soldiers and found weapons and barrel bombs. It did not name the university. In the central Gaza area of Nusseirat, the military said soldiers killed dozens of operatives over the past week and found a weapons depot containing mortar bombs and military equipment belonging to Hamas. Some residents said the Israeli onslaught on Rafah had intensified in the previous two days and that the sounds of explosions and gunfire had hardly stopped. Advertisement Last night was one of the worst nights in western Rafah: Drones, planes, tanks, and naval boats bombarded the area. We feel the occupation is trying to complete the control of the city, said Hatem, 45, reached by text message. They are taking heavy strikes from the resistance fighters, which may be slowing them down. More than eight months into the war in Gaza, Israels advance is now focused on the two last areas its forces had yet to seize: Rafah on Gazas southern edge and the area surrounding Deir al-Balah in the centre. The entire city of Rafah is an area of Israeli military operations, Ahmed Al-Sofi, the mayor of Rafah, said in a statement carried by Hamas media on Friday. Advertisement The city is living through a humanitarian catastrophe and people are dying inside their tents because of Israeli bombardment. Sofi said no medical facility was functioning in the city, and that remaining residents and displaced families lacked the minimum daily needs of food and water. Palestinian and U.N. figures show that fewer than 100,000 people may have remained in the far western side of the city, which had been sheltering more than half of Gazas 2.3 million people before the Israeli assault began in early May. In nearby Khan Younis, an Israeli air strike on Friday killed three people, including a father and son, medics said. Advertisement In parallel, Israeli forces continued a new pushback into some Gaza City suburbs in the north of the enclave, where they fought with Hamas-led operatives. On Friday, an Israeli air strike on a Gaza City municipal facility killed five people, including four municipal workers, the territorys Civil Emergency Service said. Rescue teams were searching the rubble for more missing victims. In the nearby Beach camp, an Israeli air strike on a house killed at least seven people, medics said. Palestinian health officials said at least 45 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Friday. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its Gaza office was damaged when heavy-calibre projectiles landed nearby, in an area where hundreds of displaced Palestinians are living in tents. Advertisement This grave security incident is one of several in recent days; previously stray bullets have reached ICRC structures, the organization said in a post on X on Friday. We decry these incidents that put the lives of humanitarians and civilians at risk. Israels ground and air campaign was triggered when Hamas terrorists barged into southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The offensive has left Gaza in ruins, killed more than 37,400 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and left nearly the entire population homeless and destitute. The United Nations said on Friday it is Israels responsibility - as the occupying power in the Gaza Strip - to restore public order and safety in the Palestinian territory so humanitarian aid can be delivered, amid warnings of imminent famine. The case, known as Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, made history as the worlds first constitutional climate lawsuit led by youth. The plaintiffs, represented by Our Childrens Trust and Earth justice, argued that Hawaiis reliance on fossil fuels for transportation violated their constitutional rights to a clean and healthy environment read more Young climate activists pose for a photograph ahead of court hearing in January. File Photo. Couresy: Earthjustice Hawaii has committed to a sweeping climate action plan after losing in a legal battle against thirteen children and teens who were frustrated about the states response to climate change. The settlement, reached approximately two years after the lawsuit was filed, mandates significant changes to Hawaiis transportation sector with the aim of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. The case, known as Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, made history as the worlds first constitutional climate lawsuit led by youth. Advertisement The plaintiffs, represented by Our Childrens Trust and Earth justice, argued that Hawaiis reliance on fossil fuels for transportation violated their constitutional rights to a clean and healthy environment. The settlement, signed by Circuit Court Judge John M. Tonaki, requires Hawaii to overhaul its transportation infrastructure comprehensively. This includes not only ground transportation but also sea and interisland air travel, aiming for complete decarbonisation within the next two decades. Within one year, the state must draft a detailed plan outlining how it will achieve these ambitious goals, says the settlement. Key provisions of the settlement also demand immediate action: Hawaiis Department of Transportation must prioritise the expansion of public electric vehicle charging networks, with a minimum investment of $40 million by 2030. Additionally, within five years, the department must complete integrated pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks across the states counties. Andrea Rodgers, an attorney with Our Childrens Trust, noted the significance of Hawaiis geographic vulnerability to climate disasters in an interview after the historic win. She described the state as being on the front lines of climate change impacts. She highlighted the necessity for Hawaii to protect its residents and natural heritage through proactive climate policies. The settlement, while celebrated as a victory for climate advocates, was not easily won. The state initially resisted the lawsuit, spending nearly $3 million in legal fees before agreeing to settle. Advertisement Governor Josh Green and Transportation Director Ed Sniffen eventually opted to collaborate with the youth plaintiffs rather than continue litigation. Looking ahead, Rodgers stressed the importance of ongoing commitment and collaboration between Hawaiis leadership and its younger generation. I think once people start seeing the investments that are needed to be done into the bike, pedestrian and transit assets, people are really going to start seeing that this is a system that works better for Hawaii and for the community, Rodgers said. Having youth voices a part of this process will be essential, she added. More Such Lawsuits In addition to her involvement in the Hawaii case, Andrea Rodgers is engaged in similar legal battles in Montana and Oregon. Advertisement In Montana, a significant legal victory was achieved when a judge ruled last year that state agencies were breaching the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment by permitting fossil fuel development. Despite the state Supreme Court declining to halt the ruling pending appeal earlier this year, oral arguments, in this case, are scheduled for July 10. Meanwhile, in Oregon, a federal appeals court panel recently dismissed a longstanding lawsuit filed by young climate activists challenging the U.S. governments responsibility in climate change. The case is currently under review at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In Portugal, six young adults and children are taking their case before the European Court of Human Rights. Advertisement They argue that governments throughout Europe are failing to protect their populations from the impacts of climate change. With inputs from agencies The state visits programme will also include a Guard of Honour ceremony, a carriage procession at Buckingham Palace, and visits to museums and the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research centre in London read more After arriving on a plane from Japan, the royal couple will attend private events on Sunday and Monday before the formal schedule kicks up on Tuesday Image Courtesy AFP A three-day state visit, which is being hosted by King Charles III, begins on Saturday when the Japanese emperor Naruhito and empress Masako land in Britain. After arriving on a plane from Japan, the royal couple will attend private events on Sunday and Monday before the formal schedule kicks up on Tuesday. The main event will be a state dinner at Buckingham Palace, where everyone will be watching for a potential appearance by Prince Williams wife Catherine, who has been undergoing cancer treatment and hasnt been seen much lately. Advertisement In September 2022, Naruhito, 64, and the empress, 60, attended the state burial of Queen Elizabeth II. They will also lay a wreath on her tomb at Windsor Castle, west of London. The meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was not immediately confirmed, given that Britain is now engaged in a general election campaign. Traditionally, visiting heads of state have addressed parliamentarians or had discussions with the opposition leader and premier. However, since parliament was dissolved prior to the July 4 election, there are no MPs. After visiting Indonesia in the previous year, this will be the emperors second formal state visit since taking the throne in 2019. It will be the third state visit that 75-year-old Charles has held since taking the throne when his mother passed away. He was given a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, just like Catherine, but he has only recently resumed limited public appearances. This week, he was spotted at the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting with his wife, Queen Camilla. Future queen Catherine, better known by her stage name Kate, is presently receiving chemotherapy and has withdrew from public life to facilitate her recuperation. Last week, she made a tentative comeback to the public eye by participating in a military parade in London to commemorate Charles formal birthday. Advertisement During her 70-year reign, which started in 1952, Elizabeth hosted two state visits from Japan: Emperor Hirohito in 1971 and his eldest son, Emperor Akihito, who was also Naruhitos father, in 1998. Before leaving for the trip, in Tokyo, Naruhito remarked that during his 1980s study in England, he was treated like family by the British royal family. Naruhito remembered that he had been invited to spend a few days at Balmoral Castle in Scotland during his two years at Oxford University. I have very fond memories of the queen driving a car and inviting me to a barbecue and Prince Philip showing me around by driving a carriage himself, he told reporters in a rare press conference. Advertisement The state visits programme will also include a Guard of Honour ceremony, a carriage procession at Buckingham Palace, and visits to museums and the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research centre in London. Before leaving on Friday the Japanese emperor and empress will visit Oxford, where they both studied, for private engagements. Nevada Judge Mary Kay Holthus who was presiding over the case, dismissed the indictment because the state prosecutors chose the wrong venue to file the case read more Nevada GOP chair Michael McDonald, right, shakes hands with Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a campaign event. Source: File Image / AP A Nevada state court dismissed a criminal indictment against six Republicans who were accused of submitting certificates to Congress falsely declaring former President Donald Trump the winner of the states 2020 presidential election. The controversial judgment which came on Friday potentially killed the case against Trumps aide. Nevada Judge Mary Kay Holthus who was presiding over the case, dismissed the indictment because the state prosecutors chose the wrong venue to file the case. After the hearing, Nevadas Attorney General Aaron Ford vowed to take the case to the Nevada state supreme court. Advertisement The judge got it wrong and well be appealing immediately, Ford told reporters afterwards, the Associated Press reported. He declined any additional comment. Meanwhile, Defense attorneys bluntly declared the case dead, insisting that to bring the case to another grand jury in another venue such as Nevadas capital, Carson City, would violate a three-year statute of limitations on filing charges that expired in December. Theyre done, said Margaret McLetchie, attorney for the Clark County Republican party chairman, Jesse Law who was one of the defendants in the case. The issue of the wrong venue The judge also called off the trial which had been scheduled for next January. Some of the defendants in the case included the state GOP chairman, Michael McDonald; national party committee member Jim DeGraffenreid; national and Douglas county committee member Shawn Meehan; and Eileen Rice, a party member from the Lake Tahoe area. Each of them was charged with offering false instruments for filing and uttering a forged instrument, felonies that carry penalties of up to four or five years in prison. Defence attorneys contended that Ford improperly brought the case in Las Vegas instead of Carson City or Reno, northern Nevada cities, the areas that are closer to where the alleged crimes have occurred. The attorney also mentioned that the defendant had no intention to commit a crime. The Defense attorneys went on to accuse prosecutors of failing to present to the grand jury evidence that would have exonerated their client. It is important to note that Nevada was one of the seven presidential battleground states where slates of fake electors falsely certified that Trump had won in 2020, not current US President Joe Biden. Advertisement The other states where similar cases were filed include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Criminal charges have been brought up in the state of Michigan, Georgia and Arizona. Trump lost Nevada in 2020 by getting 30,000 votes less than Biden and the states Democratic electors certified the results in the presence of Nevadas secretary of state, Barbara Cegavske, a Republican. Her stance that the results were accurate led the GOP to censure her, but Cegavske later conducted an investigation that found no credible evidence of widespread voter fraud in the state. With inputs from the Associated Press. An Iraqi member in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq was killed, and two others were injured in a preliminary toll, as a result of an unknown airstrike, the Observatory said, referring to a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups read more An Iraqi fighter from an Iran-backed group was killed in an overnight airstrike in eastern Syria near the Iraq border overnight, the group and a war monitor said on Saturday. The strike occurred in Deir Ezzor province, where Iran wields significant influence and which is regularly targeted by Israel and the United States, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. An Iraqi member in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq was killed, and two others were injured in a preliminary toll, as a result of an unknown airstrike, the Observatory said, referring to a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups. Advertisement The Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, said an explosion was heard coinciding with the strike in Albukamal countryside a few kilometres away from Syrian-Iraqi borders. Iraqs Sayyed al-Shuhada Brigades announced the death of a fighter in a strike on Friday which targeted his vehicle during a reconnaissance patrol on the Iraqi-Syrian border, accusing the United States of being behind the attack. Responsibility for the strike was not immediately claimed, but a spokesperson for the US-led military coalition formed in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group told AFP that neither the coalition nor US forces carried out overnight strikes in Deir Ezzor. The Observatory said that several hours before the strike, drones flew over the area. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes primarily targeting pro-Iran groups which it rarely comments on publically. In late March, 16 Tehran-affiliated fighters, including an Iranian military advisor, were killed in strikes on eastern Syria. The strikes also killed one civilian working for the World Health Organisation. Iran has long been a key ally of the Syrian government, most notably providing military advisors. Kharkiv is close to the border with Russia, which launched an offensive in the region in May, taking significant territory. It has increasingly targeted the city with air launched bombs read more In southern Zaporizhzhia, Russian shelling killed one civilian and destroyed residential buildings and infrastructure, according to the regional military administration Image Courtesy AFP As part of its stepped-up hostilities, Russia bombed a residential building in Kharkiv, in northern Ukraine, on Saturday, leaving three people dead and almost thirty wounded. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, shared pictures of an apartment buildings damaged front and an open pit outside. Russian terrorists have again hit Kharkiv with guided bombs, he wrote on Telegram after the latest attack on Ukraines second largest city, announcing three dead while rescuers still cleared debris. Advertisement Interior minister Igor Klymenko said there were 29 injured. Regional governor Oleg Synegubov said two children had been hospitalised and only civilian infrastructure was damaged. Kharkiv is close to the border with Russia, which launched an offensive in the region in May, taking significant territory. It has increasingly targeted the city with air launched bombs. In May, a guided bomb attack on a hardware store killed 16 people and wounded dozens. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said last month that Russia has dropped almost 10,000 guided bombs on Ukraine this year. This Russian terror with guided bombs must be stopped and can be stopped. We need strong decisions from our partners so that we can destroy Russian terrorists and Russian combat aircraft where they are, Zelensky said. Russia also launched 16 cruise missiles and 13 attack drones at energy infrastructure in several regions, Ukraines military said. The Ukrainian energy ministry said this was Russias eighth massive, combined attack on energy infrastructure facilities in three months. More than two years into the Russian invasion, missile and drone attacks have crippled Ukraines electricity generation capacity and forced Kyiv to impose blackouts and import supplies from the European Union. Russia said its troops carried out a group strike with long-range high-precision weaponry from air and sea and also drones on Ukrainian energy facilities that power arms production. The defence ministry said strikes also targeted warehouses containing munitions and air-launched weapons provided to the Ukrainian military by western countries. Advertisement All the set targets were hit, the ministry said, justifying the strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russias energy network. Ukraines energy ministry said equipment at operator Ukrenergo facilities in the Zaporizhzhia and Lviv regions was damaged. Maksym Kozytskyi, governor of the Lviv region, said one Russian attack started a fire at a critical energy infrastructure facility. Ukrenergo said two employees were wounded and hospitalised in Zaporizhzhia, where Europes biggest nuclear plant is located. Russian attacks have destroyed half of Ukraines energy capacity, according to Zelensky. He has repeatedly urged allies to send more air-defence systems to protect the countrys vital infrastructure. In southern Zaporizhzhia, Russian shelling killed one civilian and destroyed residential buildings and infrastructure, according to the regional military administration. Advertisement Russia controls a part of the region,including its nuclear plant. The Russian-appointed administration said Ukrainian attacks had damaged a substation linked to the plant but did not compromise nuclear safety. Frontline clashes were reported Saturday in the Donetsk region area near the towns of Pokrovsk and Toretsk, where Moscow continues to increase the pace of offensive actions, deploying significant forces, Kyivs military said. Russias defence ministry said troops had improved positions in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions and the Kharkiv region. Five civilians were killed by Russian shelling in frontline areas of the Donetsk region, regional head Vadym Filashkin said. In the southern Kherson region, a policeman manning a checkpoint was killed by a drone, Ukraines police said. Advertisement The head of Russian authorities in the Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin, said the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk and the nearby town of Gorlivka had come under heavy attack from Ukraine. Three men working for a construction firm were killed by a rocket releasing cluster munitions, he said. Three more were wounded by a drone attack on a civilian minibus, Pushilin added, and another man was wounded by an anti-personnel mine. In Russias southern Belgorod region, a man was killed in the shelling of an business near the border with Ukraines Kharkiv, said governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said, The credibility of this meeting will be in tatters if it doesnt adequately address the human rights crisis in Afghanistan and fails to involve women human rights defenders and other relevant stakeholders from Afghan civil society read more The United Nations top official in Afghanistan defended the failure to include Afghan women in the upcoming first meeting between the Taliban and envoys from 22 countries, insisting that demands for womens rights are certain to be raised. U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva was pummeled with questions Friday from journalists about criticism from human rights organisations at the omission of Afghan women from the meeting in Qatars capital, Doha, on June 30 and July 1. Advertisement The Taliban seized power in 2021 as United States and NATO forces withdrew following two decades of war. No country officially recognizes them as Afghanistans government, and the U.N. has said that recognition is almost impossible while bans on female education and employment remain in place. Human Rights Watch Executive Director Tirana Hassan said that, in the face of the Talibans tightening repression of women and girls, the U.N. plans to hold a meeting without womens rights on the agenda or Afghan women in the room are shocking. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said, The credibility of this meeting will be in tatters if it doesnt adequately address the human rights crisis in Afghanistan and fails to involve women human rights defenders and other relevant stakeholders from Afghan civil society. Otunbayeva, a former president and foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan, insisted after briefing the U.N. Security Council that nobody dictated conditions to the United Nations about the Doha meeting, but she confirmed that no Afghan women will be present. U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo will chair the meeting, Otunbayeva said. She will attend, and a few of the 22 special envoys on Afghanistan who are women will also be there. The meeting is the third U.N.-sponsored gathering on the Afghan crisis in Doha. The Taliban werent invited to the first, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said they set unacceptable conditions for attending the second in February, including demands that Afghan civil society members be excluded from the talks and that they be treated as the countrys legitimate rulers. Advertisement Undersecretary-General DiCarlo visited Afghanistan in May and invited the Taliban Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to attend the upcoming meeting. The Taliban accepted and said they are sending a delegation. We do hope that delegation will be led by de facto Foreign Minister Muttaqi, Otunbayeva said, but the Taliban may send another minister. Just before the Doha gathering, there will be a hybrid meeting with Afghan civil society representatives from inside and outside the country, Otunbayeva said. And on July 2, immediately after Doha, well be meeting all the civil society people. The Taliban have used their interpretation of Islamic law to bar girls from education beyond age 11, ban women from public spaces, exclude them from many jobs, and enforce dress codes and male guardianship requirements. Advertisement Otunbayeva said the upcoming gathering will be the first face-to-face meeting between the Taliban and the envoys and will focus on what she said were the most important acute issues of today private business and banking, and counter-narcotics policy. Both are about women, she said, and the envoys will tell the Taliban, Look, it doesnt work like this. We should have women around the table. We should provide them also access to businesses. She added that if there are, lets say, 5 million addicted people in Afghanistan, more than 30% are women. Otunbayeva told the Security Council the U.N. hopes the envoys and the Taliban delegation will speak to each other, recognize the need to engage, and agree on next steps to alleviate the uncertainties that face the Afghan people. Advertisement The U.N. expects a continuation of the dialogue at a fourth Doha meeting later in the year focused on another key issue: the impact of climate change on the country. Lisa Doughten, the U.N. humanitarian offices finance director, told the council that the particularly acute effects of climate change are deepening Afghanistans humanitarian crisis, saying over 50% of the population some 23.7 million people need humanitarian aid this year, the third-highest number in the world. Extreme weather events are more frequent and more intense, she said. Some areas in Afghanistan have warmed at twice the global average since 1950 with the country experiencing increasing droughts and deadly flash flooding. Advertisement Otunbayeva said another outcome from the Doha meeting that the U.N. would like to see is the creation of working groups to continue talks on how to help farmers replace poppies producing opium with other crops, how to provide pharmacies with medication to help addicted people, and how to address crime and improve banking and private businesses. As for what the U.N. would like to see, she said, we need badly that they will change their minds and let girls go to school. Otunbayeva said Afghanistan is the only country in the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation that doesnt let girls go to school, which she called a big puzzle. Afghanistan has been very male-dominated and we want to change the minds of young people from such a traditional society towards women, Otunbayeva said. The humanitarian offices Doughten told the council the ban on girls education is fueling an increase in child marriage and early childbearing, with dire physical, emotional and economic consequences. She also cited reports that attempted suicides by women and girls are increasing. Russia has said that talks with the United States are very much required as problems with global ramifications are piling up read more Russia has said it is open to dialogue with the United States but has laid down conditions. Following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the relations between Moscow and the West have plunged to their worst since the Cold War. The Russian aggression has plunged Europe in the worst security crises since the World War II and has provoked a rethinking of the continents collective security. Now, after more than two years of the invasion, Moscow has said that it is open for security talks with Washington DC but the talks must include Ukraine. Advertisement Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has maintained that the attack was necessitated by Western activities such as the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the removal of a buffer between the West and Russia with the integration of Ukraine in the purported Western bloc against Russia. Were ready for comprehensive talks, says Russia Russia is ready for comprehensive talks with the United States but discussions on Ukraine must be on the table, said Russian presidencys spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to Reuters. It is impossible to rip out any individual segments from the general complex of accumulated problems, and we will not do this, said Peskov on the question of US-Russia talks on nuclear risks. Peskov further said, So we are open to dialogue, but to a broad comprehensive dialogue that covers all dimensions, including the current dimension related to the conflict around Ukraine, related to the direct involvement of the USA in this conflict. Peskov said that the talks are very much required as problems with global ramifications are piling up. Overall, this dialogue is very much required. It is needed because problems are piling up, and there are a lot of problems associated with the global security architecture, said Peskov. The financially struggling Post had announced Winnett would take over as editor of the core newsroom functions after Novembers presidential election, while it was also setting up a third newsroom devoted to finding new ways for its journalism to make money. read more British journalist Robert Winnett will not be joining the Washington Post as its editor. Instead, he will remain at the Daily Telegraph in London after controversy erupted at the US newspaper over his appointment. Post publisher Will Lewis had named Winnett, a former colleague who serves as deputy editor of the Daily Telegraph, to the role earlier this month after the exit of Sally Buzbee, the first woman to lead the storied newsroom. The reversal means Winnett will remain at the Daily Telegraph, which he joined in 2007. Advertisement The New York Times wrote that both Winnett and Lewis were involved in stories that appeared to be based on fraudulently-obtained phone and business records. It sparked a newsroom revolt at The Post. David Maraniss, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner who has worked at the newspaper for four decades, said this week that he didnt know anyone there who thought the situation with the publisher and supposed new editor could stand. It is with regret that I share with you that Robert Winnett has withdrawn from the position of Editor at The Washington Post, Lewis said in the memo on Friday. The financially struggling Post had announced Winnett would take over as editor of the core newsroom functions after Novembers presidential election, while it was also setting up a third newsroom devoted to finding new ways for its journalism to make money. Three weeks ago, then-executive editor Sally Buzbee said that she would quit rather than take a demotion to head this revenue-enhancement effort. Besides Winnetts hiring, former Wall Street Journal editor Matt Murray was brought on as her interim replacement and future leader of the third newsroom. Since then, several published reports had raised questions about the journalistic ethics of Lewis and Winnett stemming from their work in England. For example, both men worked together in a series of scoops about extravagant spending by British politicians fueled by information that they paid a data information company for a practice frowned upon by American journalists. Advertisement Daily Telegraph editor Chris Evans said in an internal memo, Im pleased to report that Rob Winnett has decided to stay with us. As you all know, hes a talented chap and their loss is our gain. The Posts memo showed that it has started a search for a new editor and that Matt Murray, former editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, will lead the newsroom and continue in his role as executive editor until after the U.S. elections. The newspaper, owned by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, is one of many news outlets struggling to maintain a sustainable business model in the decades since the internet upended the economics of journalism and digital advertising rates plummeted. Advertisement Executives at the Post last year offered voluntary buyouts across the company to reduce employee headcount by about 10% and shrink the size of the newsroom to about 940 journalists. A report in the Post last month said the newspaper was planning to create new subscription tiers called Post Pro and Post Plus to draw more money from its readers after losing $77 million over the past year. With inputs from agencies. MBABANE A filling station manager has been arrested for allegedly stealing over E232 000 at work. Nduduzo Dlamini (27) of Ngwenya under Chief Nsukumbili, allegedly committed the offence of theft between August 27, 2023 and May 22, 2024. He was employed by Eagles Transport and Logistics as a manager. The accused was entrusted with the custody and care of money which belonged to the employer, or money which came to be in his possession on account of the employer. Dlamini appeared at the magistrates court and was remanded in custody. He applied for bail at the High Court. He was represented by Sipho Gumedze of VZ Dlamini Attorneys. In his application for bail, Dlamini submitted that he was called by Mankayane police on June 18, 2024. He was then arrested on allegations that he had stolen from his former employer, Eagles Transport (Proprietary) Limited trading as Cobonga Filing Station at Mankayane. Dlamini said the police told him that the offence was committed on various dates in 2024. He disputed the offences. I did not steal from my previous employer, as it is alleged by the police. I intend to plead not guilty to the charge during trial. Guilty He pleaded with the court to grant him bail. The accused alleged that he was not guilty of the offence. I did not commit the offence with which I am charged. Dlamini submitted that special circumstances existed for him to be admitted to bail. He told the court that he was currently employed by Lucky Malinga as an accountant in his business of selling motor vehicles. He argued that his continued incarceration may lead to him losing his job. The work that I do for my employer demands that I should be present at all times, as the business requires an accountant to be always present. My employer cannot keep the position vacant until such time that my case is concluded in court, Dlamini told the court. He submitted that if he was granted bail, the safety of the public or any person for that matter would not be endangered.It is my further submission that, if released on bail, I will not commit any of the offences listed in Part II of the First Schedule in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, 1938 (as amended). Further, I submit that if admitted to bail I will not attempt to evade trial. I humble submit that I will not attempt to influence or intimidate witnesses. I will not conceal or destroy evidence for the Crown. He also told the court that he would not undermine or jeopardise the objectives or the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, including the bail system. Disturb Further, he told the court that his release on bail would not disturb the public order or undermine the public peace or security. The accused said he was aware that he was facing a serious charge. However, he said he believed that it was not just the seriousness of a charge that mattered, but the evidence against the person that was crucial. He argued that there was no evidence against him that could influence him to flee the country. Though I have been charged with an offence where stealing is a subject matter, I have no propensity to steal property. I have not previously stolen from anyone. I am a young adult who has a bright future ahead of him. I do not want to jeopardise my future. I also have minor children who are dependent on me as the mother is unemployed. The accused informed the court that he could afford bail amounting to E3 000 which he had raised with the assistance of his father. Judge Bongani Dlamini heard the accuseds bail application. The court granted his application and he was ordered to pay E6 000 of his E50 000 bail and provide surety for the balance. 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. MBABANE Nearly 27 years after he was shot, the pain still lingers for Sibusiso Kunene, a resident of Luhlangotsini near Piggs Peak. The shooting incident, which occurred around October 1997, has left an indelible mark on his life, altering its course in unexpected ways. According to a document that was written by a lawyer he had approached after the incident, Kunene alleged that he was shot by police officers who also later assisted him to go to the hospital. The alleged shooting is said to have happened around October 5, 1997. I was 20 years old at the time, Kunene recalls, his voice tinged with the weight of living with the consequences of the alleged shooting. Kunene recounted the events that unfolded, said that on the day of the incident, he was with some friends, seated inside a vehicle. Kunene revealed that he had knocked off from work and visited some friends around a place known as Plantation, about three kilometres from Piggs Peak. He said he was inside a vehicle with friends when suddenly gunfire shattered the air around them. Moments after the chaos, police officers approached the vehicle and enquired if anyone had been injured. Shocked at what had happened, Kunene stated that he told the police officers they were all fine. I did not realise I was hit until I felt weak and noticed I was bleeding, Kunene recounts. He said despite feeling the pain, he obliged when a police officer asked if they could all get out of the vehicle. Kunene said it was when he alighted from the vehicle when he realised that the injury to his leg was bigger than he had imagined. He said the severity of his injury quickly became apparent, as he collapsed upon trying to stand after alighting from the vehicle. Noting that he had been injured, one of the officers is said to have assisted him by carrying him on his back. He said the officer carried him to a nearby police van and that this was also the vehicle which was used to transport him to the Piggs Peak Government Hospital. Job Little did he know then that this injury would alter the trajectory of his life forever as after the incident, he lost his job. At the time of the shooting, Kunene said though he was only 20 years old, he was a father of two children. He said he was employed at a restaurant but he was advised that with his injury, he could not continue working there. He said the toll of the injury and its lingering effects on his mobility meant that his ability to provide for his growing family was significantly compromised. Also, Kunene revealed that he had spent about two days at the Piggs Peak Hospital before being transferred to Mbabane, where he later received more expert treatment to the injury. He was then discharged on November 3, 1997. He said to this day, the reason for the shooting was never explained. Kunene revealed that though it appeared that he had physically healed, his leg has never been the same, as he is usually in pain due to the bullet fragments left inside the limb. He also said the injury has resulted in other ailments such as a swollen toe, which he added was affecting him and preventing him from doing other activities such as running. Meanwhile, in a letter which was written by a legal firm, addressed to the Mbabane Government Hospital, Kunenes lawyer alleged that Kunene was shot by members of the Swaziland Police Service which is now the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The lawyer further stated that his client was injured and had fragments of metal embedded in his leg. The letter further requested the hospital to release his medical records. Kunene said he had instructed his lawyers to request the records because he needed to use them to prepare documentation for compensation, as he struggled to reach out to the police after the incident. Charles has hosted two previous state visits since he came to the throne in September 2022 MBABANE My son, how long after this judgment will we get our money? The wait has been unbearable. One of the investors in Ecsponent Eswatini, now known as Eswatini Investment Group (ESWIG) posed this question to this reporter yesterday at the High Court, where the investors were attending yet another of their matters. This was the matter in which they sought an order to attach assets belonging to Dave Van Niekerk and Edwin Soonius. Van Niekerk and Soonius are among the parties that were ordered to pay the investors E335 240 000 on Thursday by Judge Khontaphi Manzini. Others are Ecsponent Limited South Africa, GetBucks (Pty) Limited South Africa and Anthony Hay. The application to attach their assets depended on the matter in which the investors were demanding the payment of their investment in ESWIG. The order to attach being sought by ESWIG, was pending finalisation of the matter in which they obtained the default judgment that they be paid. Since that matter was concluded, the application to attach, in which an interim order had been granted in December 2023, became academic as a result. Judge Zonke Magagula discharged the interim order and removed the matter from the court roll. He ordered that each party must pay its own costs. Over 100 of the investors, buoyed by the judgment directing that they should be paid their lost investments, descended to the High Court. A majority of them are senior citizens. The common question they asked was when they would receive their monies, now that the High Court has ordered that the respondents should pay the E335 240 000 they invested. Hard I am asking this question because I invested everything with the hope that I would get something in the end. Just take a look at me. Ask anyone who knew me before. I am sure people I knew from way back will have a hard time recognising me. This is not what I used to be like. The disappearance of our monies took a serious toll on me. I am struggling to make ends meet. I am raising children and sometimes I have no idea what we will eat at home. I am living under enormous stress. Sometimes you feel its better to die but then again, what is going to happen to my dependants? Who is going to take care of them? Yemntfwanami, do the people who stole our money have a soul? Ase usibutele (find out for us)? I will not be surprised if they appeal this decision, said one of the elderly women, who identified herself as Make Matsebula. Themba Lukhele (63) of Mpolonjeni, said he would not mind getting back what he invested. He said he had suffered enough and was prepared to forgo the interest he was entitled to. You see, when you have dependants, its even harder. It difficult to sleep at night not knowing what you will give them the following day. Our children are suffering because of the people who stole our money, he said. Lukhele said it bothered him that the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), instead of being on the investors side, decided to oppose their application to be paid. How do you describe this? FSRA granted these people a licence to collect our monies. Hundreds of millions of our investment disappeared at the hands that the FSRA permitted to collect money from members of the public. Should FSRA not be on our side and help us to get back our money. Why did FSRA oppose us when we demanded our money from these people, Lukhele wondered. Impact Lawyer Sidumo Mdladla, who appeared on behalf of ESWIG, told the court yesterday that: As we speak, the impact of what actually happened is hitting hard. As we speak, last week another of the investors passed away. Mdladla submitted that the matters need to be finalised at some point. Mdladla was addressing the court on what should happen to the matter in which ESWIG wanted to attach Van Niekerk and Soonius assets, pending the matter that was concluded on Thursday, where Judge Manzini granted a default judgment for the payment of the E335 240 000 to ESWIG. Judge Magagula, who was seized with the application to attach, asked what the point of continuing with the matter was, since Judge Manzini had granted the default judgment in the matter the former one hinged on. The parties addressed the court on whether the interim order granted in December last year to attach the South Africans property should be discharged or extended. Advocate Thakane Mofokeng, who was appearing on the instruction of Mdladla of S.V. Mdladla and Associates, informed the court that the respondents wanted to keep this matter alive by extending the operation of the interim order, while they seek a rescission of Judge Manzinis judgment. Why is it alive because it was sought pending finalisation of the matter (decided by Judge Manzini), which has been finalised yesterday (Thursday)? Extending the rule is of no use once the matter has been finalised. Rather confirm it; thats our position, said Advocate Mofokeng. On the other hand, Advocate Louis Hollander, who appeared for Van Niekerk and Soonius, argued that the December 2023 interim order to attach his clients assets, should be discharged. He agreed with the applicants that the order was pending finalisation of the matter that was decided by Judge Manzini. We support the discharge of the order, said Advocate Hollander. Judge Magagula discharged the order and removed the matter from the court roll, and each party is to pay its own costs. Supreme Court upholds High Court verdict in military espionage case ROC Central News Agency 06/21/2024 09:41 PM Taipei, June 21 (CNA) The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the sentences given to two retired Air Force officers who helped or attempted to help a Chinese Ministry of State Security agent recruit intelligence assets in Taiwan. Lieutenant Colonel Wei Hsien-yi () was given a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay a penalty of NT$3 million. Former Major General Chien Yao-tung () was given a suspended 16-month prison sentence and a NT$1.5 million fine. The court also ordered Chien and Wei to attend five and 10 classes, respectively, on Taiwan's law. According to the prosecutors, Chien and Wei accepted gifts and all-expenses-paid trips to China on multiple occasions from a Hong Kong man surnamed Tse () -- who had told Chien and Wei he was working covertly on behalf of the Chinese government -- in exchange for connecting Tse with fellow retired officers. Chien and Wei provided introductions for Tse to at least five high-ranking former or current officers -- including Chang Che-ping (), who served as deputy defense minister in 2019, prosecutors said. At the time Chien and Wei approached Chang, the ex-minister held a high-ranking position in Taiwan's Air Force Combatant Command. Tse, posing as a businessman, was actually working for a front organization set up by the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission to gather intelligence about Taiwan's military and politics and conduct counterespionage, prosecutors added. Chien and Wei continued to arrange banquets and accept gifts from Tse to arrange meetings with retired officers, until Tse, fearing his cover had been blown, abruptly ceased his visits to Taiwan in 2019, according to prosecutors. An initial ruling by the Taipei District Court found Wei guilty of espionage, and Chien guilty of attempted espionage. The judges ruled that as retired military officers of Taiwan, Wei and Chien neglected their loyalty to their country. (By Hsieh Hsing-en and James Lo) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu At the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding On Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State June 21, 2024 SECRETARY BLINKEN: Please be seated. Good morning, everyone. It's a great pleasure to have you all here and especially to have my friend, the foreign minister, here as I think powerful evidence of the strong partnership between the United States and Romania. We're, of course, Allies in NATO and leaders in an Alliance that is stronger, bigger, more fit for purpose than it's ever been. Romania has played a critical role in making sure that the Alliance is focused everywhere it needs to be focused, including on our eastern flank. And we're grateful for that. I'm particularly grateful for President Iohannis and his leadership and making sure the Alliance is appropriately focused. Of course, we've also stood very strongly together in defense of Ukraine and against the ongoing Russian aggression. And here, what Romania has done from day one in making sure that Ukraine had the support that it needs to fend that off - fend off that aggression is quite remarkable. And that's continued to this very day, including with the donation of a new Patriot air defense system - something that is in critical need in Ukraine - and we are very grateful for that. We've also worked very closely together on Black Sea security, and this, too, is an area where Romania has brought critical focus to the Alliance, to a number of countries. The work that's been done to ensure that food products - grain, wheat - could continue to get out of Ukraine and feed the world as it did before February of 2022 has been critical, and this, too, is an area where we will continue to work very closely together. We're also working together to advance progress in the energy sector. Romania is a leader in civil nuclear cooperation, and the work that we're doing together - indeed pioneering together - I think will be critical, not just to the United States and Romania but quite literally to the world as we advance new technologies, including small modular reactors. We are coming together as well today for our Strategic Dialogue. We've now had over 25 years of strategic partnership. One of the hallmarks of the partnership, both through the Alliance and bilaterally, is making sure that we continue to adapt and adjust to new challenges as they arise. And one of the most critical challenges that we face together and that all Allies face - and, indeed, countries in other parts of the world face - is misinformation and disinformation, a tool that's been increasingly weaponized, particularly by Russia as it seeks to advance its interests. Just recently, thanks to very good work that we were able to do with Canada, the United Kingdom, we exposed a plot in Moldova with using misinformation, disinformation by Russia to try to overthrow the government. And one of the most important things that partner countries can do is to work together, both to share information about misinformation and disinformation, to share best practices, and to combine forces to combat it. Over the last year or so, we've established a very important framework for doing just that. And we're about to sign an agreement of cooperation on misinformation and disinformation. Romania will be the 19th country to sign this framework. There is great power in this collaboration, because this is something that we all have a challenge with. The more we're able to put our resources, our information, and our actions together, the more effective we're going to be in combatting it. So I look forward to signing the agreement in a minute, but first let me turn it - Luminita, let me turn it over to you. Thank you. FOREIGN MINISTER ODOBESCU: Mr. Secretary, dear Tony, thank you for the invitation to the State Department and for your kind words. The strategic partnership between Romania and the United States is stronger than ever following the meeting between our presidents last month and ahead of the ninth round of the Strategic Dialogue between Romania and the United States. We will focus our dialogue today on security in our region, preparation for the Washington summit, energy cooperation, and trade and investment. We will also address the admission of Romania into the visa waiver program. We have to continue our work for this common objective, as the Romanian citizens expect us to finalize this process soon. As we meet today, Russia and its neighbors continue to undermine the security of the Black Sea regions, a region of strategic importance for NATO. The Black Sea is a geopolitical inflection point. Together with the EU and NATO, the U.S. remains an essential partner for a secure, prosperous, free, and connected Black Sea region. I look forward to our work on further developing our cooperation in support of this joint objective. As you know, Romania will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, ranging from the transit of grains to military support. Yesterday's decision speaks for itself. We express our appreciation for the continued leadership of the United States in supporting Ukraine and therefore European security. At the same time, we continue to count on your active engagement in strengthening the defense and deterrence on the eastern flank, including at the Black Sea. In a few weeks, the NATO summit in Washington will provide an excellent opportunity to adopt meaningful decision in this respect. As you said, we are also fighting a hybrid war. As this says, the Memorandum for Understanding we are signing today expands our voluntary cooperation. It signals our common commitment to work together against state information manipulation, to counteract state-led misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda efforts. It is founded on the clear and shared values between Romania and the United States, including respect for democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. Mr. Secretary, dear colleagues today in the Black Sea region, Romania is and will remain your closest and most reliable Ally and partner. I'm looking forward to our discussion. Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks very much. (The memorandum was signed.) MODERATOR: Today U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Romania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminita Odobescu are signing a Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Cooperation between the United States and Romania on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation. In shared recognition of the threat of foreign disinformation, the United States and Romania intend to expand bilateral cooperation and align government policies along the five key action areas established by the U.S. Department of State's Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation. This expanded cooperation will help to ensure a free, open, and fact-based global information environment. (Applause.) SECRETARY BLINKEN: Our work is done. (Laughter.) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Valiant Shield 24: CLB-13 Establishes the First Role II Medical Field Hospital in Palau US Navy 19 June 2024 From Sgt. Nello Miele CAMP KATUU, Palau -- U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, established the first Role II medical field hospital in Palau during exercise Valiant Shield 24 at Camp Katuu, Palau, June 7-18, 2024. When Navy corpsmen and Marine Corps engineers combine their efforts, they can swiftly convert an empty field into a fully equipped medical field hospital. "Once we touch the ground, the Role II is operational in four hours and can support a regiment for up to 60 days," said U.S. Navy Lt. Jenniffer Katekintha, the officer in charge of the Role II medical field hospital and an emergency room nurse with CLB-13. The mobile hospital was shipped to Palau in quadcon dry shipping containers. It is expedient and tactical outfitted with camouflage netting but has a comprehensive array of medical supplies and essential utility equipment. This setup enables the CLB-13 medical staff to deliver crucial life-saving care in challenging field conditions. The Role II medical field hospital consists of both a Shock Trauma Platoon and a Forward Resuscitative Surgical System. This mobile medical facility can provide laboratory services, X-rays, dental support, damage control surgery, resuscitative surgical support, holding, and en route care capability, explained Katekintha, a native of Anaheim, California. The medical staff works around-the-clock, ready to respond to medical emergencies at a moment's notice, ensuring the highest level of readiness and critical care for service members operating in isolated areas. The operating room and the supply of tested and type-verified blood grant the facility its Role II classification. Verified blood is essential for stabilizing patients and reducing the risk of adverse reactions from transfusions. Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Robinson and Petty Officer 2nd Class Wyatt Koenig, both laboratory technicians with CLB-13, meticulously verified the accuracy of the blood using Eldon Cards. These cards are made of special plastic with dried antibody formulations, widely used by hospitals, blood banks, blood centers, and forward field medical facilities. After verifying the blood, the medical facility was officially designated as a Role II, marking a historic first for Marines and Sailors operating in Palau. "We are setting the precedence for Navy medicine by combining different units together to make a Role II," Katekintha said. On June 8, the CLB-13 medical team initiated a walking blood bank to increase their supply of verified blood without relying on the transported blood. Following a major injury, blood transfusions can save a service members life, but transporting and storing prepared blood is logistically difficult even in the best of circumstances. Low titer type O blood is also critical to the balanced resuscitation of a patient. Low titer means that the likelihood of an adverse reaction to an O blood transfusion is low. The walking blood bank establishes a plan for pre-screened volunteers with type O blood to donate during emergent needs prior to a patient being transported for extended medical care. The Role II medical team screened each volunteer donor and entered their name in a database. Using the walking blood bank, blood can be obtained and given to critically ill patients in an emergency setting with simplified logistics and minimal risk to the patient. The ability to identify low titer type O Marines and Sailors provides an agile and flexible approach to accessing the lifesaving measures that whole blood provides, said Katekintha. The Role II medical field hospital team put their skills to the test during a mass casualty exercise on June 16. During the event, simulated casualties were transferred from the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) to the Role II medical field hospital where they were swiftly triaged and treated. The joint training evolution demonstrated the joint force's ability to cohesively respond to incidents exceeding any unit's normal emergency response resources available, and quickly transfer and track patients across the western Pacific. This CLB-13 medical team's achievements during Valiant Shield 24 underscores the collaboration of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, demonstrating their capability to provide advanced medical care in austere environments and respond to crisis when called upon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allies Participate in Joint Personnel Recovery Exercise US Navy 19 June 2024 From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mario Coto, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) BALTIC SEA -- Service members assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, in coordination with British and Lithuanian allies, participated in a personnel recovery exercise June 10, 2024, in the Baltic Sea. The exercise consisted of a two-part training plan, with the Royal Navy and their Lithuanian counterparts working hand in hand with HSC-28, as well as enacting practices that would help develop valuable skills while validating response capabilities and interoperability during personnel recovery operations. The scenario involved a recovery of isolated personnel from the Baltic Sea, and simulated the ejection of two Swedish pilots into the sea. Royal Navy small craft placed two individuals in the water, a dummy and one live person, a SERE Specialist, to simulate the lost pilots. While the Lithuanian Navy Ship LNS Skalvis (P14) recovered the dummy, a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to HSC-28 deployed a rescue swimmer into the water and recovered the live survivor, who then was dropped off onto one of the Royal Navy vessels, HMS Example, and completing the evolution. "The exercise went very well overall. We were able to flex our communication lines between NATO partners to meet the challenges of a joint personnel recovery in a semi-contested environment," said Lt. Alec Ferley, one of the participating pilots assigned to HSC-28. "On a unit level, it allowed HSC-28 an opportunity to hoist personnel to small unfamiliar vessels in rough seas. This provided an invaluable training opportunity in a highly dynamic environment." One of the main goals of this personnel recovery exercise is precisely to test this joint operation between NATO allies, integrating with U.S. helicopters and conduct similar training with other partner nations during a variety of weather and sea state conditions. "We are looking forward to building on this exercise to form more cohesive partnerships, and integrated lines of communications with NATO partners to effectively execute exercises like the joint personnel exercise," said Ferley. Exercises such as this one showcase one of many partnership efforts between countries in the NATO Alliance, giving the nations in the region chances to learn and hone skills that have an impact on potential future operations. Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, homeported in Gaeta, and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners. For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and Partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. BALTOPS24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. and NATO Allies conduct MCM during BALTOPS24 US Navy 19 June 2024 From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Klineizquierdo PUTLOS, Germany -- U.S. and Allied forces are conducting mine hunting and mine detonation exercises in the Baltic Sea as part of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2024, the premier maritime-focused annual military exercise in the Baltic Region. Mine countermeasure (MCM) exercises, conducted by personnel at Truppenubungsplatz Putlos and Hohn Air Base in Germany, commenced June 7 and culminated in an MCM combat rehearsal, June 18. The Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) directs all MCM exercises within BALTOPS, including surface MCM vessels, MCM capable aircraft, and explosive ordnance disposal. About 700 personnel, more than 20 surface ships and units, and 20 unmanned systems, including unmanned surface and underwater vessels, and two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters are involved in BALTOPS mine countermeasure efforts. "This is our chance to flex our MCM muscles and show what we have been practicing and working towards," says Capt. Scott Hattaway, director of SMWDC. "During BALTOPS24, we put all the chips on the table and lay our cards down, and show that we know what we're doing and that we're good at it." Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO ONE (HSC-21) Detachment THREE, based in San Diego, California, under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), provided two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters configured with Airborne Mine Neutralization Systems. "HSC-21 is executing multiple BALTOPS24 events to advance helicopter tactics in offensive mine countermeasures," said Lt. Cmdr. Rob "OG" Swain, HSC-21.3 Officer-in-Charge. "These include employing the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS), working with U.S. Navy and NATO nation special forces, and closely integrating with our German host nation allies. The participation of HSC-21 in BALTOPS24 demonstrates cross-combatant command operational readiness and the joint forces' ability to rapidly move strategic mine countermeasures assets from the Indo-Pacific to anywhere in the world ready to execute with agility, reliability, and aggression." The culminating MCM event is a combat rehearsal for NATO's ability to combat adversary floating mines. The mines were first located by NATO surface MCM ships. Once detected, a combined NATO Special Forces team of Norwegian and French casted into the water by two MH-60S helicopters from HSC-21 dove below the surface, rigged charges, and detonated the inert training mines after being recovered by the MH-60S helicopters. "The underwater detonation captures the full combined strength of NATO MCM," Swain says. "French, Norwegian, and Dutch special forces coordinated closely with U.S. Navy Helicopter Offensive Mine Countermeasures aircrew to plan a live underwater detonation of a floating mine laid by Norwegian Oksy-class minehunter Hinny (M343). The French Navy Vulcain-class mine clearance diver vessel FS Styx (M614) will provide diving and medical response." BALTOPS 2024 brings the largest assembled coalition of amphibious and mine countermeasure forces in exercise's history. Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "This is a chance to enhance multinational interoperability," says Estonian Defense Forces Cmdr. Meelis Kants. "It brings us together, builds mutual trust and understanding, and it strengthens our collective defense capabilities. Working together allows us to promote shared security objectives and foster long term allied partnerships." There are areas of the Baltic Sea that still contain mines, ammunition and chemical weapons originating from the two world wars. "This is an opportunity for us to practice our mine countermeasures in historically mined waters...BALTOPS allows us to sharpen the sword of our MCM capabilities, but also brings together all of the NATO partners that may go in and remove that mine threat. No one country goes into a MCM operation by themselves," Capt. Hattaway says. "We practice now as an international cohort in order to prepare for when we do it for real." BALTOPS, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Central Command personnel reestablish temporary pier in Gaza to deliver humanitarian assistance U.S. Central Command Press Release | June 20, 2024 USCENTCOM June 20,2024 Release Number 20240620-02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- At approximately 8:52 a.m. (Gaza time) June 19, United States Central Command (U.S. CENTCOM) personnel supporting the mission to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, re-anchored the temporary pier to the beach in Gaza. The temporary pier had been relocated to avoid forecasted high seas and to ensure the structural integrity of the pier and safety of our service members. At no time during this event did U.S. troops enter Gaza. Trucks carrying humanitarian assistance across the temporary pier began delivery again today, June 20, and approximately 656 metric tons (1.4 million pounds) of aid were delivered to the beach in Gaza. This is the largest single day delivery of aid to date. To date, over 4,160 metric tons (9.1 million pounds) of humanitarian aid have been delivered from the pier to the marshaling area where they can be collected by humanitarian organizations for onward delivery. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Permanent Secretary Salm in Paris: Defence relations between Estonia and France are at an all-time high Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 20. June 2024 Today, meeting in Paris with leaders in the French defence and security sectors, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kusti Salm noted that relations between Estonia and France in defence matters are at an all-time high. "Our understandings of the threat posed by Russia, the challenges facing NATO, and the continuous assistance to Ukraine are very similar. Estonia has been an active contributor to French-led operations in Africa, and since 2017, France has made a strong contribution to the NATO Battlegroup stationed in Estonia. The agreements signed yesterday between Estonia and France for the acquisition of Mistral missile systems and missiles, as well as Caesar self-propelled howitzers, further deepen our defence cooperation," said Salm. Salm met with Patrick Pailloux, Chief of Staff to the French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, and Admiral Pierre Vandier, Deputy Chief of the French Armed Forces, who is soon to lead NATO's Allied Command Transformation, one of the alliance's two strategic level commands. "I am pleased to note that Admiral Vandier shares Estonia's understanding that NATO's capability development processes must become significantly faster to eliminate the alliance's critical capability gaps," said the Permanent Secretary. Salm also met with President Emmanuel Macron's strategic advisor Xavier Chatel and Bertrand Buchwalter, advisor for continental Europe and Turkey, to discuss the developments of the war in Ukraine and the challenges facing NATO and the European Union. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Federal Foreign Office statement on incidents in the South China Sea Germany Federal Foreign Office 20.06.2024 - Press release A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (20 June) on the latest incidents between Chinese and Philippine units in the South China Sea: The German Government is watching China's conduct in the South China Sea with deep concern. The reports, images and videos now available on the latest incident early this week are disturbing. Philippine boats were blocked, rammed and boarded by force by Chinese vessels during a routine supply mission. Several Philippine crew members were injured. We wish all of them a speedy recovery. The incident took place in the waters around the Second Thomas Shoal, which are part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone according to the binding award of 2016 in line with the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Dangerous and irresponsible manoeuvres and actions such as the incident on Monday run contrary to UNCLOS and increase the risk of further escalation. Together with its international partners, Germany will continue to advocate the comprehensive implementation of UNCLOS, freedom of navigation, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the preservation of peace and stability. Background information: China claims for itself large stretches of the South China Sea, as well as island and land formations within it. It also claims "archipelago rights" over remote island groups, as well as supposedly "historical" maritime areas. These claims have no basis under international law. For years now, China has been stepping up its efforts to create artificial islands and increase its military presence. Chinese ships are entering the waters of other states bordering the South China Sea ever more frequently. For months, there has been a growing number of dangerous manoeuvres to force vessels away, while lasers and water cannons have been used against Philippine boats and, more recently, there have been several collisions. The boarding of Philippine boats on Monday, the wilful damage done to the boats and equipment using dangerous instruments as well as the illegal seizure of objects, which we see in the recently published videos, represent a new level of escalation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address K2 tanks will be produced in Poland Poland - Ministry of National Defence 20.06.2024 "We have full confirmation of the will to cooperate and provide all technical information as soon as possible so that Polish armament industry can prepare for the production of K2 tanks in Poland. (...) This is a huge effort of the Polish Armaments Group. All efforts and resources are directed towards commencing the production as soon as possible. We are talking about another executive contract for 180 K2 tanks, which we want to sign during Kielce defence industry exposistion. The goal is for tanks to be produced in Poland starting with current tranche," said Deputy Prime Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz after the end of Thursday's talks with the South Korean delegation. Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz and Shin Won-sik, Minister of Defense of South Korea, took place at the Representative Center of the Ministry of National Defense met in Pruszkow on June 20 2024. "Why is cooperation with South Korea strategic? Because South Korea already delivers equipment to Poland. This is an FA-50 aircraft, these are Chunmoo launchers, K9 howitzers and K2 tanks. All these types of equipment are already in Poland. Minister Pawe Bejda in South Korea signed a contract for further Chunmoo launchers delivery under umbrella of HOMAR-K program and they will come to Poland. Product's polonization of the is very important to us. For us, this is keeping an election promise that 50% of production and purchases for the Polish Armed Forces will take place on the territory of the Republic of Poland. "It cannot be fulfilled solely with your own plants, but with investments comingto Poland" - emphasized the head of the Ministry of National Defense. The delegation's talks concerned, among others, cooperation in the military sphere, in particular in the defense and armaments' field. The ministers co-chaired a meeting of the joint ministerial committee on bilateral cooperation in the field of defense and armament industry. During the meeting, the Korean Peninsula stabilization activities and prospects for cooperation developement and fostering of military relations between the two countries were also discussed. "We have full confirmation of our will to cooperate. (...) Of course, preparing the production line, technology preparation and adaptation to Polish environment takes time. Unfortunately, we have inherited major delays in this area, but we are making up for it. I want it to be as soon as possible. I am very happy with such a forward-leaning declaration by the Minister of the Republic of Korea, who said that any problem with our companies, with the information sharing will be solved immediately. It meets our expectations. This was the goal we have set for us prior to today's visit - confirmation of contracts, their feasibility and timeliness as well as transfer of technology to Poland" - noted Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz after the meeting. As Deputy Minister Pawe Bejda noted after the talks, the discussion concerned not only Korean equipment purchased for the Polish Armed Forces, but also the offer of the Polish armament industry. "Today we talked with Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, among others, about financing military equipment purchased in South Korea for the Polish Armed Forces, but importantly, we have also presented the offer of the Polish armament industry of possible interest for the Korean side" -noted the deputy minister. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MBABANE If you are being assaulted and you call the police, what are the chances police officers will promptly show up? The answer is very unlikely, according to some police officers, transport is a huge challenge, so much so that they were now finding it nearly impossible to respond promptly to criminal activities, especially for matters relating to gender-based violence (GBV) In Eswatini, GBV cases are said to be on a continuous rise, with some groups calling that it should be declared a national disaster, as this could give more resources to authorities to tackle it. Recently, this publication reported a GBV matter that resulted in the death of a woman who was allegedly killed by her husband, who then also forced their minor child to consume a poisonous chemical before killing himself. Disgruntled In a startling revelation, disgruntled police officers from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) have come forward to express their concerns regarding the challenges they face in combating GBV. Speaking on condition of anonymity, some police officers shed light on the dire situation they normally encounter daily while working on GBV cases, due to a lack of necessary tools and resources. They said these concerns resulted in them struggling with the ability to effectively address GBV cases. One officer *Jomo, highlighted the inadequacy of resources, particularly in the form of specific vehicles for their duties. They explained that REPS mostly use vans, typically used for apprehending criminals or transporting corpses. Jomo said, however, these vehicles are not suitable for transporting survivors of abuse or survivors of violence, and rape victims, to the police station or hospital for medical check-ups. As a result, officers are forced to rely on public transportation, further compromising the well-being and safety of the survivors. Contaminated Also a legal expert stated that one of the major reasons it was not advisable to transport survivors in the same vehicles as perpetrators was that they could become contaminated. Explaining this, the legal officer stated that if a person commits rape and is transported in a vehicle, that vehicle becomes contaminated with the alleged rapists DNA. If we then use the same vehicle to transport the survivor of the same alleged rape, then its possible that the survivor could carry some DNA of the alleged perpetrator left behind in the vehicle. Another pressing issue raised by more police officers is the scarcity of appropriate winter uniforms. With the onset of colder weather, some police officers have resorted to wearing their own jerseys over their uniforms instead of having proper police winter attire. Undermines This lack of adequate clothing, not only affects their comfort, but also undermines their professionalism and credibility while carrying out their duties. It also makes it hard for people to recognise them as legitimate police officers. The officers said working without proper clothes to keep warm made it difficult to focus, especially during night-time. They revealed that some who were fortunate to have vehicles ended up spending a large part of the evening sitting inside their vehicles to make use of the heaters. These revelations have caused concern among the officers, who asserted that their ability to effectively fight GBV was severely compromised by the lack of essential tools and resources. The situation is particularly dire in rural communities, where GBV cases appear to be on the rise. Challenges The absence of appropriate vehicles for transporting survivors and suspects further exacerbates the challenges faced by the police in these areas. Asked why the vans were not good enough. Jomo explained that most of the vans used in criminal cases were not in good condition for transport, for example someone that has been physically assaulted. Imagine putting someone that has sustained injuries from assault in the back of a van on the steel floor? It is not right, he said. *Not real name. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on NATO countries' defence expenditure report 20 June 2024 18:24 1167-20-06-2024 On June 17, the North Atlantic Alliance published an updated version of collected defence expenditure data from its member states. According to the report, the number of states that expect to meet the alliance's target of allocating at least 2 percent of GDP to defence will reach 23, with a cumulative total of $1.474 trillion this year. In simple words, the champions of democratic values, which the members of the bloc consider themselves to be, have been inflating financial resources they channel to destabilise global security for ten years now. And all along, NATO governments continued to lie to their own citizens while using their taxes to escalate the military situation in Europe and beyond. They have been indoctrinating taxpayers for years, maintaining the myth of an alleged threat posed by Russia and China just to remove handsome amounts from their wallets. This disinformation underlies NATO military plans, and armies are being prepared for an eventual confrontation with their "major enemy." It has long become clear to many representatives of the international community, including our country, that the main beneficiary of these policies is the United States and its defence companies. Most of the funds allocated by other NATO members will be used to pay for their products. Unfortunately, the European members of the alliance continue to obediently adopt policies dictated by Washington, while undermining their own economic and social progress, inducing an even deeper crisis. In this context, it is symbolic that the NATO defence expenditure update was published on the same day when outgoing Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with US President Joe Biden. The idea was for Stoltenberg to deliver a performance report to his "boss" in the hope that his accomplishments would be considered for his future employment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada imposes sanctions against Haitian gang leaders Global Affairs Canada News release June 21, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations to address the escalating gang violence in Haiti, which continues to have devastating effects on the Haitian population. These latest sanctions target three Haitian gang leaders: Luckson Elan, Gabriel Jean-Pierre and Ferdens Tilus. Canada has reason to believe that these individuals, as criminal gang leaders, have engaged in activities that have undermined the peace, security and stability of Haiti and that have contributed to acts of gross and systematic human rights violations in Haiti. Criminal gangs in Haiti operate with impunity, often with the protection of political and economic elites. They have deliberately killed, injured and committed acts of violence, including sexual violence, as a way to expand territorial control and terrorize the population. Canada will continue to work with international partners and Haitian authorities to find a solution to the crisis in the country, including through sanctions and other measures that target those who support violence and insecurity in Haiti. Since 2022, Canada has committed more than $400 million in international assistance funding to Haiti. This assistance includes the provision of emergency food and nutrition, logistical support, water, sanitation and hygiene, health, and protection services, particularly in response to gender-based violence. Canada's $400 million in international assistance funding includes an investment of $80.5 million, announced by Minister Joly in February 2024, to support the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti, and $100 million in support of the Haitian National Police. Quotes "Canada will not remain idle while criminal gangs in Haiti commit unspeakable violence, terrorize vulnerable populations with impunity and undermine efforts to restore law and order in the country. We will continue to unequivocally support Haiti and its citizens, who have shown incredible strength and resilience amid complex challenges in their country." - Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Quick facts Canada and Haiti officially established diplomatic relations in 1954 and have continued to maintain strong diplomatic ties ever since. For nearly 30 years, Canada has contributed to every UN peace mission to Haiti to support stabilization and reconstruction efforts. Contributions have included financial assistance and the deployment of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, of the RCMP and of over 30 Canadian partner police agencies, as well as correctional officers. Canada is taking a lead role in coordinating international efforts to strengthen the Haitian National Police. Since November 2022, Canada has imposed autonomous sanctions against 28 Haitian citizens. With the latest sanctions announced today, this brings the number to 31 individuals sanctioned under the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Backgrounder: Canada announces sanctions against Haitian gang leaders Global Affairs Canada News release Backgrounder Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against three Haitian gang leaders believed to have committed and led violent criminal acts and human rights violations that undermine the peace, security and stability of Haiti. Canadian measures The Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations impose a dealings prohibition related to listed individuals that effectively freezes any assets they hold in Canada. These sanctions also render the listed individuals inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The specific prohibitions are set out in the regulations. The names of the individuals added to the schedule of these regulations are the following: Luckson Elan, leader of the Gran Grif gang Gabriel Jean-Pierre, leader of the Nan Brooklyn gang and the G-Pep alliance Ferdens Tilus, leader of the Kokorat San Ras gang NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 21, 2024 Release Readout of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William LaPlante and Ms. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Engagements at the 22nd Australia - United States Ministerial Defense Advanced Capability Committee Pentagon spokesperson Jeff Jurgensen provided the following readout: Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and Ms. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, co-chaired the Australia - United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) Defense Advanced Capability Committee (ADACC) meeting, June 13-14, in Washington, DC. The Deputy Secretary of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Mr. Christopher Deeble AO, CSC; and the Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, served as their Australian counterparts. The U.S. and Australian delegations welcomed robust and insightful discussions regarding ongoing efforts and new opportunities for co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment in pursuit of delivering operationally relevant and strategically significant capabilities. Plenary sessions covered a range of science, technology, acquisition, and sustainment topics, as well as industrial base cooperation and the publication of both the U.S. National Defense Industrial Strategy and Australia's Defence Industry Development Strategy. Specific capability cooperative areas discussed included guided weapons and explosive ordnance; maintenance, repair, and overhaul opportunities, including the identification of a co-sustainment pilot project under the U.S. Regional Sustainment Framework; integrated air and missile defense; and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense. The talks reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to strengthening cooperation in co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment to more efficiently and effectively transition capabilities to the warfighter in support of a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. The annual ADACC meeting is one of the primary events that informs the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) between the U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State and the Australian Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs. The forum was formerly known as the AUSMIN Defense Acquisition Committee (ADAC), but was changed to ADACC with the signing of a new Terms of Reference (TOR) to more accurately reflect commitment to pursue efforts that seamlessly transition across the co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment spectrum. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3813437/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USEUCOM-Lithuania hold first-ever military staff talks The trip underscored USEUCOM's commitment to security throughout the Baltics, notably Lithuania, a frontline NATO Ally on Europe's eastern flank. By U.S. European Command Public Affairs , United States European Command Lithuania Jun 21, 2024 As part of a two-day official visit to Lithuania, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, deputy director of U.S. European Command's J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate, and Chief of the Lithuanian Defense Staff Maj. Gen. Mindaugas Steponavicius, hosted the first-ever USEUCOM-Lithuania military staff talks June 13-14, 2024, in capital city Vilnius. During the trip, the two senior military officials also surveyed the surroundings from the Queen Louise Bridge, a bridge over the Nemunas River on the Lithuanian-Russian border, and conducted aerial reconnaissance of the Suwalki Gap, a sparsely populated area between Lithuania and Poland that critically serves as the only land route between the Baltic states and the rest of NATO. The trip underscored USEUCOM's commitment to security throughout the Baltics, notably Lithuania, a frontline NATO Ally on Europe's eastern flank. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exclusive: Philippine personnel ram Chinese boats, spray unknown liquids at China Coast Guard during illegal intrusion near Ren'ai Jiao Global Times By Fan Wei Published: Jun 21, 2024 09:36 PM More details about Philippine vessels' illegal intrusion into waters near China's Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) in the South China Sea on Monday have been unveiled. Contrary to Manila's accusations and smears, the actual situation was that, in the face of normal law enforcement actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG), Philippine military personnel engaged in repeated aggressive actions, such as ramming CCG enforcement boats and spraying unknown liquids at CCG enforcement personnel, the Global Times has learned. On Monday, the Philippines broke its commitment by sending a supply ship and two inflatable boats to illegally enter the waters adjacent to the Ren'ai Jiao of China's Nansha Islands, in an attempt to deliver supplies to its illegally "grounded" warship. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela had earlier publicly stated that it was purely a military operation, while a "source" from the Philippine side also told the media that this operation was led by the Philippine Armed Forces. Images obtained by the Global Times also show that the Philippine vessels that intruded into Ren'ai Jiao were mostly equipped with Philippine navy equipment, including high-speed assault boats of the Philippine navy special forces that can be armed with heavy machine guns. Philippine media reports also admitted that the Philippine military carried eight American-made AR-15 automatic rifles during this operation, which were confiscated by the Chinese side. Although the Philippines deployed quasi-military forces, including naval special forces, to participate in the infringement actions, China still maintained its countermeasures within the scope of law enforcement. The CCG law enforcement personnel involved in this operation only carried normal law enforcement tools and did not carry offensive weapons, unlike the Philippine side. In the process of law enforcement to safeguard rights, they acted reasonably, legally, and in accordance with regulations, demonstrating a high level of professionalism, the Global Times has learned. Sources familiar with the situation told the Global Times that during this operation, Philippine military personnel appeared to be very arrogant, not only driving high-speed assault boats to evade the CCG's monitoring and inspection, but also making dangerous maneuvers, ramming into CCG vessels multiple times. The CCG personnel eventually managed to board the vessels and conduct inspections. During the law enforcement process, Philippine personnel resorted to stubborn resistance by throwing metal objects and other heavy items at the CCG law enforcement officers, as well as splashing them with unknown liquids, which constituted malicious attacks. After the infringement action was thwarted by the CCG, the Philippines subsequently started trying to stir up domestic public opinion and gain international sympathy through "playing the victim." The Philippine military recently released a series of videos through the Philippine media on the incident, and claimed without any evidence that "Chinese personnel fired tear gas and waved knives at Philippine personnel." The Philippines lied about its mission, which it said was for supplying living necessities to the military vessel grounded at Ren'ai Jiao, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at Thursday's regular press conference. As China has pointed out multiple times, the Philippines has been sending construction materials, and even weapons and ammunition, to the illegally grounded military vessel in order to repair and reinforce it on a large scale so that it can permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao. The Philippines' moves seriously violate China's sovereignty. China absolutely rejects them and will resolutely respond in accordance with laws and regulations, Lin said. "I would like to stress again that what led to the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao is very clearthe root cause is that the Philippines breached its commitments, refused to tow away the warship illegally grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for 25 years and kept sending it construction materials to reinforce the warship," he said. "This warship stands as solid evidence of the Philippines' persistent provocations and infringement against China in the South China Sea over decades, its bad faith and breach of the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and its damage to the eco-environment in the South China Sea." China urges the Philippines to stop making provocations and infringing on China's sovereignty at once, and return to the right track of properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation as soon as possible. China is firmly determined to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, according to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas hails Arminia's recognition of Palestine IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 21, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Hamas Movement has appreciated an announcement by Yerevan to recognize Palestine as a sovereign country. In a statement on Friday, Hamas welcomed the move by Armenia as a significant step in the path of recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people by the international community which could pave the way for the end of the occupation of Palestine from the "Nazi Zionists" and the establishment of an independent sovereign country with Quds as its capital. Hamas called on other world countries to take similar measures to support the Palestinian struggles against the occupying regime of Israel and isolate this criminal regime which continues with its genocide and ethnic cleansing in Palestine. Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday which recognized the Palestinian country. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas welcomes UN inquiry results as 'another' confirmation of Zionist crimes in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 21, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Hamas Movement has welcomed the results of a UN Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territories, which has concluded that the Zionist regime has committed war crimes in Gaza. In a media statement, Hamas said that the commission's outcomes are yet another international confirmation of the Zionist crimes against the Palestinians. "A new confirmation from a high-ranking international body of what the criminal Zionist occupation army has committed and continues to commit in the Gaza Strip and all our occupied territories, which are crimes and violations that have no justification other than the application of genocide and ethnic cleansing and displacement against our Palestinian people," the statement said. However, Hamas expressed regret at what it called "equating the victim with the executioner." Hamas has called on the international community, the UN and all human rights bodies to stop the Israeli crimes against the Palestinians, stressing that it is a collective responsibility and a legal and moral duty to stop the crime of genocide that is being carried out in full view of the entire world. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary General concludes visit to United States and Canada, preparing for NATO's Washington Summit NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 17 Jun. 2024 - 21 Jun. 2024 On Friday (21 June 2024), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrapped up his trip to the United States and Canada, in preparation for the upcoming Summit in Washington D.C. in July. During his visit, Mr Stoltenberg unveiled new defence expenditure figures across the Alliance, highlighting the biggest increase in defence spending across European Allies and Canada for decades - up 18 percent this year. He further announced that 23 Allies will invest at least 2 percent of GDP in defence this year. On Monday, Mr Stoltenberg met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House where he announced the new defence spending figures and outlined priorities for the upcoming Summit, including urgent support to Ukraine. He also delivered a speech at the Wilson Center, emphasising that keeping Europe safe and NATO strong is in the vital national interest of the United States. On Tuesday, at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington D.C., Mr Stoltenberg welcomed an historic improvement in burden sharing within NATO. He outlined that since 2014, Europe and Canada "have added over 640 billion extra in defence spending." The Secretary General also met with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and members of the Senate NATO Observer Group. On Wednesday in Ottawa, Mr Stoltenberg thanked Canada for its many contributions to NATO, and stressed the importance of Allies spending at least 2% of GDP on defence. He met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, and delivered a speech at an event hosted by the NATO Association of Canada and the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association. On Thursday, Mr Stoltenberg met with U.S. National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. Their discussion focused on strengthening Allied resilience, further boosting transatlantic defence industry and supporting Ukraine for the long term. He also met with Congressman Mike Turner and Congressman Gerry Connolly. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PCG: China harassment delayed rescue of AFP personnel in Ayungin Philippine News Agency By Filane Mikee Cervantes June 21, 2024, 6:14 pm MANILA -- Due to "dangerous maneuvers and harassment" by the China Coast Guard (CCG), it took the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) about 12 hours to rescue Filipino troops during the June 17 ramming incident in Ayungin Shoal, an official said on Friday. National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the PCG deployed its multi-role response vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Bagacay to recover the rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) towed by the CCG and to perform medical evacuation for the injured military personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. "It's because we learned about the injured AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) personnel as early as 10 a.m. We were able to retrieve the damage RHIB around 12 noon. So it took us two hours for us to really safekeep our damaged RHIB," Tarriela said in an interview at Malacanan Palace in Manila. "And then for the AFP personnel who were injured, it's only around 10:30 (p.m.) na nakuha natin 'yung injured nating (that we reached our injured) AFP personnel," he added. Tarriela noted that despite the PCG's efforts to coordinate with the CCG to retrieve the injured Filipino soldier, they were still subjected to dangerous maneuvers and harassment. "We were also coordinating with CCG informing them that there are injured AFP personnel onboard BFP Sierra Madre, and that we intend to carry out a medical evacuation, but still despite that advisory and radio call on the part of Philippine Coast Guard vessels, we were still subjected to those harassment from the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy and Chinese Coast Guard," he said. The June 17 resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) was disrupted by the CCG officers who boarded, looted and damaged the Philippine military's RHIBs; destroyed the communications and navigation equipment of one of the crafts, along with some personal items of its crew members; and threatening Filipinos with pointed and bladed weapons. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said China's increasingly aggressive actions will not prevent the Philippines from carrying out rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to its troops in the WPS. "That is our obligation and that is our right. We will not leave Ayungin Shoal," Brawner said in a message to reporters. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In pics: aftermath of continuous rainfall in parts of China Xinhua) 14:49, June 22, 2024 Children relocated from a flood-hit area play at a resettlement site in Renju Town of Pingyuan County, Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, June 21, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) Villagers check a road damaged by landslide in Guilin Town of Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 21, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Du Yu) An aerial drone photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows landslide caused by heavy rainfall in Guilin Town of Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Du Yu) An aerial drone photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows flood water in Qi River, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) People relocated from flood-hit areas have lunch at a resettlement site in Renju Town of Pingyuan County, Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, June 21, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) An aerial drone photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows flood water under Yuanjiang Bridge in Wuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming) A bulldozer removes fallen rocks in Huicheng Town of Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 21, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan) An aerial drone photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows submerged area in Wuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming) An aerial drone photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows the site of a landslide caused by heavy rainfall in Guilin Town of Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Du Yu) A villager clears mud in Huangtan Village, Lanxi Town of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province, June 21, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Zhou Yi) An aerial drone photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows flood water in Qi River, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Villagers cleas mud at home in Rentian Town of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province, June 21, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Zhou Yi) A bulldozer clears mud on a road in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 21, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan) Bulldozers clear mud in a farmers' market in Lanxi Town of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province, June 20, 2024. Continuous rainfall has impacted many parts of eastern and southern China, claiming lives, damaging crops and cutting off roads. Local authorities have raised emergency response levels to minimize the impact of the extreme weather conditions. (Xinhua/Zhou Yi) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) PH's 1st missile corvette launched in S. Korea Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno June 21, 2024, 2:17 pm MANILA -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led the launch of the Philippines' first guided missile corvette built in South Korea. Teodoro and key Philippine defense and military officials graced the launch of the BRP Miguel Malvar (FF-06), at the shipyard of South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in the city of Ulsan on June 18, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a news release Friday. The vessel is the first of two guided missile corvettes to be acquired by Manila through the Philippine Navy's Corvette Acquisition Program. Andolong said the guided missile corvette was named after a Philippine revolutionary general and hero. "Mrs. Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, special envoy to the United Nations Children's Fund, (also) led the ceremonial launching of the ship. Mr. Lee Sang Kyun, CEO (chief executive officer) of HHI, was also in attendance, underscoring the collaborative effort between the two nations," he said. The DND chief emphasized the Philippines' commitment to partnering with companies from countries that are considered strategic allies, which include South Korea. "He (Teodoro) highlighted the proven quality and reliability of South Korean products and noted that future acquisitions would adhere to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. Key considerations for these acquisitions include supply chain reliability, redundancy, corporate good governance, and the overall value for money," Andolong said. He said Teodoro also stressed that the acquired capabilities must significantly contribute to establishing a credible deterrent posture for the Philippines. "Secretary Teodoro expressed his desire to instill the Korean value of 'Indomitable Spirit' or 'bulguleui jeongsin' within the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). This value, characterized by standing up for what is right and showing unwavering resilience, has been pivotal in the progress and prosperity of South Korea. He believes it can similarly inspire the Philippines to reach its full potential," he said. Teodoro thanked Seoul for its support of Manila's position in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in opposing unilateral aggression and illegal actions by China. The DND and HHI signed the PHP28 billion contract for two brand-new corvettes, which are capable of launching anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare missions on Dec. 28, 2021. The first missile corvette is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippines in 2025 while the second is set for delivery in 2026. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH Navy to operationalize anti-submarine capabilities this year Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno June 21, 2024, 1:30 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) is bent on operationalizing its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities as it is now integrating its most modern naval and air assets to ensure development by this year. "The focus of the commander, Philippine Fleet (Rear Admiral Renato David) this year, is to fully develop the Navy's ASW capabilities, so specifically on the integration of the JRCFs (Jose Rizal Class Frigates) and the AW-159s (Wildcat ASW helicopters)," PN spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said in an exclusive interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Friday. Without divulging operational details, Alcos said they are now holding ASW exercises between these assets. "Now it's well underway, but like any warfighting capability it takes a lot of time before we fully develop these capabilities, what is important is, the interoperability between the newly-acquired platforms is well underway and proceeding as scheduled," he added. These frigates and helicopters are the PN's first platforms to have a dedicated ASW capability. Currently, the PN has two JRCFs -- the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), which were both delivered and commissioned in 2020 and 2021, respectively. It also has two AW-159s in service and these aircraft were acquired in 2019 to beef up the submarine detection and neutralization capabilities of the JRCFs. While the JRCFs and AW-159s are capable of doing ASW missions autonomously, Alcos said ensuring that these platforms are able to operate with each other will further enhance their capabilities aside from increasing their range. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen says makes rapid headway in drone production, will cease operations if Gaza war ends Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 7:11 PM A spokesman for Yemen's Ansarullah popular resistance movement says the country's drone industry and military capabilities have rapidly advanced, vowing that the retaliatory operations conducted in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip will continue until the Israeli aggression stops. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, who is also the head of the Yemeni national negotiating delegation, told the Al-Mayadeen television network on Thursday "Yemen has achieved what was impossible, and benefited from the experience of some of the nations of the axis [of resistance] in manufacturing." Yemen's drone industry has become "very advanced," he said, adding the country also made progress in the manufacture of ballistic missiles and the technical, logistic and intelligence capabilities. Referring to Yemen's pro-Gaza operations, the spokesman said they "achieved its goals at all levels", including distracting the Western allies of Israel, the US and the UK. Abdul-Salam noted that the US-Britain attacks on Yemen aimed "to protect Israel" after Sana'a conducted "effective" operations against "the Israeli ships and Israel-bound ships." He, however, downplayed the anti-Yemen attacks, saying they target areas that have been hit dozens of times during the Saudi war that launched in 2013, stressing, "They will fail as they failed in Gaza." The spokesman noted that the pro-Gaza operations have shown "Yemen's potential." "The effective operations prove that there are technical and qualitative capabilities and a great development of the military capabilities despite the siege" and the hostile attacks, he said, adding Western military officials recounted "the horror they felt on the high seas." The Yemeni spokesman vowed that his country's pro-Gaza operations will continue until Israel ends its aggression on Gaza, despite the "great" pressure exerted on Yemen. He stated that Yemen received messages from the US, through some mediators, stating that it doesn't seek expansion of the conflict, but Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said, "Whoever seeks no expansion of the conflict must stop the Zionist aggression." He added that Yemen also received threats of economic restrictions after the anti-Yemen attacks failed to stop the retaliatory operations. However, he said, "We can't abandon our stance unless the aggression on Gaza stops. We are ready to halt our special operations if the criminal aggression against the Palestinian people ceases." Since October last year, the Yemeni armed forces have been launching attacks on targets in the occupied territories, and targeting ships in the Red Sea with owners linked to Israel or those going to and from ports in the occupied territories in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. Tel Aviv has also blocked water, food, and electricity to Gaza, plunging the coastal strip into a humanitarian crisis. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 37,431 Palestinians and injured tens of thousands more. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel bombs tents in Rafah humanitarian zone, kills 25 Palestinians Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 4:15 PM Another indiscriminate attack by the Israeli regime on a "humanitarian zone" in the besieged Gaza Strip has killed at least 25 Palestinians and injured 50 others. Media reports say the casualties were caused by Israeli shelling of tents in the Al-Mawasi area, which the regime had designated as a "humanitarian safe zone." The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that, "Our crews are dealing with a large number of martyrs and injuries after an Israeli bombing of the tents of displaced persons in the Al-Mawasi area, west of the city of Rafah." After launching sound bombs to attract people around one of the local makeshift hospitals in al-Mawasi, near Rafah, Israeli forces fired an explosive shell at the area, killing at least eight Palestinians, Al Jazeera quoted eyewitnesses as saying. There are between 60,000 and 75,000 Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi area, where many Palestinians have taken refuge since the start of the Israeli invasion of Rafah. In a separate attack, at least 10 Palestinians were killed and 17 wounded after Israeli forces bombed a house in al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. The dead and wounded were taken to Al Ahli Baptist Hospital on Friday afternoon. The Israeli war machine began the genocide in Gaza in early October after the Gaza resistance launched Operation al-Aqsa Storm in reaction to intensified Israeli violence against Palestinians and repeated acts of desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The regime has committed numerous massacres over the past nine months, killing nearly 37,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 85,500 since. On June 8, Israeli forces killed at least 274 Palestinians and injured over 500 others in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza to free four Israeli captives. Despite the mass killings, the regime has so far failed to achieve its stated objectives of eliminating the Hamas resistance movement and securing the release of its captives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah fires squadron of kamikaze drones with 'pinpoint accuracy' at Israeli naval base Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 2:51 PM The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says it has fired a squadron of attack drones on an Israeli maritime site as its anti-Israel operations escalate. In a statement, the movement said it attacked the Ras al-Naqoura site, 'accurately' hitting buildings used by Israeli officers and soldiers, causing confirmed casualties and destroying part of the site. The statement said the operation was carried out in support of the steadfast Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza, and in response to the Thursday Israeli attack on the Lebanese town of Derkiva, that killed a Hezbollah member. In separate statements, the movement said it also fired rockets at the Ruwaisat al-Qarn and Zibdin sites in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms and also the Ramtha and Al-Samaqa sites in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba hills. The movement has been launching anti-Israel operations since October 8, a day after the Gaza resistance launched its Al-Aqsa Storm operation in reaction to escalated Israeli violence against Palestinians under the extremist cabinet of Benjamin Netanyahu and repeated desecrations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Hezbollah escalated its anti-Israel operations last week after the regime killed a senior commander of the movement, Taleb Sami Abdallah. Concerns have been growing over the past week about a wider conflict in the region as some Israeli officials have threatened to launch a war on Lebanon. On Tuesday, the Israeli military said that plans for an offensive in Lebanon "were approved and validated." The same day, Hezbollah published a video showing drone footage it recorded over northern parts of the Israeli-occupied territories, including parts of Haifa's city and port. On Wednesday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said "no place" in the Israeli-occupied territories would "be spared our rockets" in a war, and also threatened Cyprus with attacks in case it assists an Israeli invasion of Lebanon. On Thursday, Hezbollah said it fired dozens of rockets at an Israeli barracks in the northern part of the Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation for a deadly air strike in south Lebanon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US daily says 'Israel Caught off guard' by Hezbollah drones Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 11:01 AM The Israeli air defense systems were "caught off guard" by simple and low-tech drones used by Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement and its allies in the region, an American newspaper reports. The Washington Post made the acknowledgement after Hezbollah released a 9-minute video captured by a drone showing strategic locations in the northern part of the occupied territories, including sea and air ports in the city of Haifa. Hezbollah said its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) returned to Lebanon unimpeded, challenging Israel's capability to intercept drones. "Israel received a shock Tuesday when Hezbollah released drone footage ..., showing off its drone abilities," the report said. "As these unmanned aircraft hit military sites and private homes in Israel, they are also resurfacing debates around the decade-old air defense system, which many worry provides an imperfect shield against Israel's many enemies especially as they experiment with new weapons and new ways of using old ones." Onn Fenig, the CEO of R2, an Israeli signal processing and machine learning start-up, said the drone footage was probably the latest in a string of similar cases, adding that it was made public only because "people actually saw it in the sky," and because Hezbollah publicized it as a piece of psychological warfare. "Many times, Israel's enemies challenge it with low-tech, or no-tech," said Liran Entebbe, a researcher of the link between technology and defense at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. 'Israel hasn't found way to deal with Hezbollah drones' Israeli newspaper Haaretz published an article on Hezbollah's success in challenging the occupation's air defense system. It said Hezbollah - thanks to the technology and precise weapons it possesses - "has turned into a smart army with neat capabilities that enable it to collect intelligence and carry out attacks in a way that threatens the Israeli army and vital infrastructure." "The Israeli army still has not found the [right] way to deal with the threat of [Hezbollah's] drones," which are "wreaking great destruction in the north, crushing the sense of security of tens of thousands of settlers, who are scared to return," it added. Haaretz stressed that Hezbollah's capabilities have put Israel's ability to confront in "desperate straits." Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging deadly fire since early October, shortly after the regime launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip following a surprise operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group. Hezbollah has vowed to keep up its retaliatory attacks as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its Gaza onslaught, which has so far killed at least 37,431 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 85,653 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Niger cancels French operating permit for major uranium mine Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 7:02 AM Niger has canceled the operational permit of French nuclear fuel producer Orano at one of the largest uranium mines globally amid the African country's strained relations with the West. The company announced on Thursday that it was not included in the operations at the Imouraren mine in northern Niger, where approximately 200,000 tons of the metal are located, primarily utilized for nuclear power and weaponry. "Orano takes note of the decision by the Niger authorities to withdraw from its subsidiary Imouraren SA its license to work the deposit," the company said in a statement. The decision came after Niger made a commitment to reassess mining agreements within the nation. The mining ministry had issued a cautionary statement stating that Orano's license would be revoked if progress on development had not commenced by June 19. Imouraren was scheduled to commence mining operations in 2015; however, progress was halted due to the decline in global uranium prices following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. The presence of the French company in Niger dates back to 1971. While the uranium mine at Arkokan has been shut down since 2021, Orano continues to operate another uranium mine in the northern region of Arlit, despite the challenges it refers to as "logistical" in nature. The country situated in West Africa, possesses the highest-quality uranium ores on the African continent. Additionally, it holds the position of being the seventh-largest producer of uranium globally. In 2022, Niger supplied approximately 25% of the natural uranium to European nuclear power plants, as reported by Euratom. Niger's military led by General Abdourahamane Tiani ousted the Western-backed former president Mohamed Bazoum last July, and formed a government that has strained relations with some Western countries. The Nigerian government has also taken a stance against France by expelling French troops stationed in the country, slamming the colonial history of the European state in their country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICC prosecutor biased towards Israel: Hamas Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 1:43 AM Hamas has strongly criticized the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for applying for arrest warrants against the senior leaders of the Palestinian resistance movement out of bias in favor of the Israeli regime. The movement issued the remarks in a press release on Thursday in reference to Karim Khan's requesting the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Court to issue the warrants last month. The press release denounced Khan for overlooking realities on the ground as well as "bias in favor of the occupying regime, which practices genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip." It was referring to a genocidal war that the regime has been waging against Gaza since October 7 in response to a retaliatory operation by the territory's resistance groups. Around 250 people were taken captive during the operation. The war, however, has so far killed and injured upwards of 120,000 Palestinians and destroyed more than 70 percent of the coastal sliver's buildings, especially healthcare and educational structures. Hamas noted that the prosecutor had considered the regime to be entitled to the "right of self-defense," but had overlooked the fact that "the major crime from which all tragedies stem is the occupation, which is considered a crime under international customs and laws." "We reiterate that it is the right of our people, rather their duty, to resist the occupation by all possible means, including [through] armed resistance, which is affirmed by international laws but was overlooked by the prosecutor," the movement asserted. It reminded that the occupation towed a 76-year-long history that had featured four devastating wars against Gaza and a 2006-present crippling blockade targeting the territory. In the same context, Hamas cited United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as noting previously that "the events of October 7 did not happen in a vacuum." Hamas, meanwhile, lambasted Khan for crediting the regime's allegations against the group of planning "systematic sexual assaults," for which Tel Aviv had failed to produce "a single piece of evidence." "The Prosecutor and the ICC are facing a historic test of their credibility," the press release said. It also advised the court to resist pressure applied to it by the Israeli regime's Western backers, including the United States. "The world needs real equality and prompt justice, free from the dominance, influence, and arrogance of great powers." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam asks Philippines to respect its interests and consult on sea boundary Manila is seeking to extend its continental shelf in the South China Sea. By RFA Staff 2024.06.21 -- Vietnam has asked that the Philippines discuss with it an extended continental shelf claim that Manila sent to the United Nations last week. Philippine diplomats submitted a package of documents to the U.N. on June 14 to "register the country's entitlement to an extended continental shelf" in the West Palawan region in the South China Sea. According to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, the extended continental shelf is the stretch of seabed that extends to a maximum of 350 nautical miles (648 km) from the shore of a coastal state, which has exclusive rights to explore it or exploit its natural resources. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the Philippines "is entitled to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf," and that the seabed and subsoil hold "significant potential resources that will benefit our nation and our people for generations to come." The U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf said it would look at the submission in a session between January and March next year. The submission could bring legal challenges from Vietnam and Malaysia as they see their extended continental shelves overlapping with that claimed by the Philippines. A Vietnamese foreign ministry's spokesperson said on Thursday that while coastal states had the right to determine their outer continental shelf boundaries under UNCLOS, when submitting their claims "they must respect the legal and legitimate rights and interests of other relevant coastal nations with opposite or adjacent coasts." "Vietnam stays ready to discuss with the Philippines to seek and achieve a solution that is mutually beneficial for both countries," spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said. Overlapping claims Malaysia has yet to say anything publicly but will likely submit a diplomatic protest to the U.N., according to Malaysian sources. China, which claims most of the South China Sea despite regional countries' objections, has rejected the Philippine submission, saying it infringed upon China's sovereign rights and jurisdiction and violated international law. Beijing said the submission should not be recognized nor considered. In 2009, when Vietnam and Malaysia made a joint submission on their extended continental shelves, both China and the Philippines protested. The submission, however, was considered by a U.N. body and that may have led to a Vietnamese proposal to make another joint submission, this time with the Philippines. At a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Jan. 30, the Philippine leader "acknowledged Vietnam's interest" in pursuing a joint submission on the extended continental shelf, according to a Philippine statement. Marcos was quoted as saying that the Philippines was willing to work with Vietnam for a joint submission "at the appropriate time." Questions remain over why Manila decided to make its submission unilaterally now, especially when it is facing an escalating confrontation with China in the South China Sea and seeking the support of the ASEAN regional grouping. 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 In Tibetan region, Xi Jinping calls for ethnic unity The visit comes as a US congressional delegation meets with the Dalai Lama in northern India. By Pelbar and Chakmo Tso for RFA Tibetan 2024.06.21 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping this week visited Tibetan-populated areas of western China, where he called for national unity, state media reported, asking Tibetans there to help promote religious, social and ethnic harmony and advance China's modernization. Xi visited Golog Middle School a boarding school for young Tibetans and the Tibetan Buddhist Hongjue Temple in Xining, capital of Qinghai province, on Tuesday. But Tibet watchers said his trip only reinforced China's efforts to Sinicize Tibetan identity, culture and language, and did nothing to help Tibetans. Xi's visit to a Tibetan school and monastery appeared to be "a deceptive display aimed at misleading the world," given ongoing international concern over human rights in Tibet, said Sangay Kyap, a Tibetan rights analyst. Xi has visited Tibet three times since he became leader of the Chinese Communist Party, and the Beijing-appointed Panchen Lama has made multiple visits, said Dawa Tsering, director of the Tibetan Policy Institute in Dharamsala. "However, these visits consistently place Tibetans under intense scrutiny and severe restrictions, subjecting them to various forms of interrogation," he said. "It does not help the Tibetans and is just a routine by these leaders." Tibetans in Xinjing were alarmed when authorities abruptly closed all streets on June 17-19 and blocked off and cleared a parking lot the next day, said a Tibetan from Tibet, who like others in this report spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. "We only learned about Xi Jinping's visit to Xining city through the news," he said. Authorities also told the Red Cross Hospital to keep its windows closed during Xi's visit, and forbade food delivery orders in the city, another Tibetan from Tibet said. US lawmakers visit Dalai Lama Xi's visit occurred as a delegation of U.S. lawmakers, critical of China's repression in Tibetan areas, visited the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India on Wednesday. They told the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism that the recent passage of a new policy bill on Tibet was a significant step toward ensuring the self-determination of the Tibetan people. The lawmakers also pledged to resist China's interference in his succession and urged Beijing to engage in dialogue with him. China, which annexed Tibet in 1951, says only Beijing can select the Dalai Lama, as stated in Chinese law, but Tibetans believe that their spiritual leaders are determined by reincarnation. While in Xining, Xi inspected local efforts to enhance education for a strong Tibetan community, emphasizing patriotism. Since 2020, the Chinese government has increased its control over language rights in Tibet by shutting down private Tibetan schools and forcing students to attend government-run boarding schools to culturally, religiously and linguistically assimilate them. Golok Middle School, established in 2017 and financially supported by Shanghai city, operates as what some activists and U.S. lawmakers call "colonial-style" boarding schools, where Tibetan children are separated from their families and taught a Chinese-language curriculum. Since September 2019, the school has enrolled students mainly from six counties in the province's Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and currently has about 800 students. Two Panchen Lamas The Hongjue Temple, where Xi also stopped, has long been a vital channel for communication and engagement between China's central government and Tibetan Buddhist leaders. It was the site of a December 1951 meeting between Xi's father, Xi Zhongxun, then the Chinese Communist Party's deputy secretary of the Northwest Bureau, and the 10th Panchen Lama whose spiritual authority is second to that of the Dalai Lama. The elder Xi wanted the Panchen Lama at that time, Erdeni Chokyi Gyaltsen, to return to Tibet from Qinghai province as part of a treaty signed by Beijing and Tibet that year to establish him up as a rival to the Dalai Lama. He agreed to go. In 1995, China appointed its own chosen Panchen Lama to replace a candidate selected as a young boy by the exiled Dalai Lama, and who vanished into Chinese custody together with his family and has not been heard from since. The Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama, named Gyaltsen Norbu, also traveled to several Tibetan-populated areas in Qinghai province. Restrictions were pervasive during Norbu's visit, according to three sources from Tibet. In Rebgong and Malho counties, military vehicles were stationed on streets for security purposes. People were not permitted to move freely and were randomly interrogated, they said. Police and plainclothes individuals checked identity cards when Norbu visited Lakha Monastery on June 18 to give a religious teaching, one Tibetan from Tibet told RFA. When Norbu traveled to Sok county, the Chinese government organized a welcome party of lay people riding horses and carrying red flags. A video of Norbu's visit to Machu county was posted online and drew comments from the Chinese. One read: "Gyaltsen Norbu is a pro-national lama, and we should all support him." Another said, "All dissidents who do not believe in Gyaltsen Norbu should be expelled from the country." Additional reporting and translation by Tenzin Dickyi. 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 New Delhi, June 22 (UNI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and separately on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Presidents House in a post on X said that during the call, President Murmu said that India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and are entering into new sectors also. Welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the President said that she was delighted to meet her again, just a few days after the swearing in ceremony of the new government. She said these regular interactions reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and cooperation, that began with the journey of Bangladeshs Liberation War of 1971. The President was happy to note that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress. The President noted that India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and are entering into new sectors also. She expressed confidence that this will chart the future course of the India-Bangladesh relationship. During a warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders agreed to work together to enhance the relationship across all domains including economic ties, development partnership, defence cooperation, energy security, and connectivity. This is the first State Visit hosted by India after the formation of the new government on June 9, 2024, a statement said. On Sheikh Hasinas call on Vice President Dhankhar, the VPs office posted on X: Both sides underlined their deep-rooted historical ties as they shared views on various issues including economic and developmental partnership, regional connectivity, green energy, digital linkages, space collaboration among others. Her call on the President of India and Vice President were among her final engagements in India before Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina emplaned for Dhaka. UNI RN The Azadi Briefing: Sharp Rise In The Number Of Afghans Executed In Iran By Abubakar Siddique June 21, 2024 The Key Issue Human rights groups have documented a sharp rise in the number of Afghans executed in neighboring Iran. At least 13 Afghans have received the death penalty in the Islamic republic so far this year, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR). Another NGO -- the Norway-based group Hengaw, which closely tracks human rights violations in Iran -- put the number at 14. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of IHR, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that the number is double compared to the same period in 2023. Amiry-Moghaddam said seven of the Afghans executed this year were convicted of murder. The rest, he said, received the death penalty over drug-related offenses. Amiry-Moghaddam said many Afghans do not get fair trials. Thousands of Afghans are believed to be on death row in Iran. Why It's Important: The spike in the executions comes amid a mass deportation drive targeting members of Iran's large community of Afghans. An estimated 4.3 million Afghans currently live in Iran, according to the UN. More than 1 million have been deported in the past year. Afghans suffer widespread abuse and discrimination in Iran, where they have often been blamed for insecurity and unemployment. Activists have said the sharp rise in the executions of Afghans could be aimed at instilling fear in the community and discouraging other Afghans from fleeing to the Islamic republic. An estimated 70 percent of the estimated 3.6 million Afghans who have fled their homeland after the Taliban seized power in 2021 moved to Iran. Already one of the world's biggest executioners, Iran has intensified its use of the death penalty by carrying out at least 853 executions in 2023, a 48 percent rise from the previous year, Amnesty International said in a report released last month. What's Next: Iranian authorities appear unlikely to significantly decrease their use of the death penalty, which rights groups say is aimed at creating fear in the population and tightening their grip on power. As one of Iran's most marginalized and impoverished communities, Afghans are likely to continue to be the target of executions. What To Keep An Eye On A new World Health Organization (WHO) report says at least 25 people have died from cholera in Afghanistan so far this year. The WHO says in 2024 there have been nearly 47,000 cases of the bacterial disease, which spreads through contaminated food and water. Afghanistan is among the top five countries globally with the most cholera cases, alongside neighboring Pakistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Congo. The WHO says diminishing stocks of cholera vaccines as well as population growth, natural disasters, and climate change have led to cholera outbreaks. Why It's Important: Afghanistan's heath-care system, which was propped up by foreign aid for nearly two decades, has been in crisis since the Taliban takeover. The militants' seizure of power led international donors to immediately cut financial funding. Hundreds of health facilities have been closed in the past three years, with no funds to pay the salaries of doctors and nurses. Hospitals that are still open suffer from severe shortages of medicine. While some foreign aid organizations continue to operate in Afghanistan, many of them have been forced to curb their work as international funding diminishes. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-iran-execution- afghan-refugees/33003803.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Chairman Of Tajik Parliament Reportedly Detained Amid Arrests By RFE/RL's Tajik Service June 21, 2024 DUSHANBE -- The former chairman of Tajikistan's parliament, which was known as the Supreme Council until the early 1990s, has reportedly been detained on unspecified charges. Several sources told RFE/RL on June 21 that Akbarshoh Iskandarov was summoned to the Prosecutor-General's Office for questioning on June 13 and 14 and has been held in custody since the second visit. They added that about 50 people in total were summoned to the Prosecutor-General's Office at the time, all of whom were released but ordered not to leave Dushanbe. Neither Tajik officials nor Iskandarov's relatives would comment on the situation. The 73-year-old veteran politician briefly served as the acting president of the Central Asian nation in the wake of uprisings in the early 1990s that led to a devastating five-year civil war that started in 1992. Recently, Iskandarov worked at the Tajik Science Academy's Institute of Philosophy, Political Sciences, and Law. In the past, he served as Tajikistan's ambassador to Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Turkmenistan. RFE/RL's Tajik Service sent an official query to the Prosecutor-General's Office asking for comments regarding the case but did not receive a response. A day earlier, several other sources told RFE/RL that Tajik authorities had detained former Foreign Minister Hamrohkhon Zarifi on unspecified charges last week. One source close to law enforcement said Zarifi was suspected of financial crimes related to the construction of the Foreign Ministry's new building. Zarifi served as the tightly controlled former Soviet republic's foreign minister from 2006 to 2013. From 2015 until his retirement in 2018, Zarifi served as Tajikistan's ambassador to Japan. Last week, investigators also arrested lawmaker Saidjafar Usmonzoda on a charge of "usurping power." No further explanation of the charge was given, and it remains unclear if the arrests are linked. On June 14, Tajik Prosecutor-General Yusuf Rahmon publicly said that "Usmonzoda and other individuals" are suspected of attempted power seizure. Rahmon did not specify who the "others" were. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/former-chairman-of- tajik-parliament-reportedly-detained/33004077.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-Friendly Radev To Co-Lead Bulgaria At NATO Summit In Washington By RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service June 21, 2024 SOFIA -- Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and Russia-friendly President Rumen Radev will jointly represent Bulgaria at the NATO summit in Washington next month that is likely to discuss plans for further aid to Ukraine in its fight against the Kremlin's forces. The announcement appears to be somewhat of an awkward compromise of a dispute between Bulgaria's Council of Ministers and the presidency just ahead of the June 21 deadline for delegations to register for the July 9-11 NATO gathering. As a parliamentary republic, Bulgaria traditionally would be represented by the head of government, the prime minister. However, Glavchev, serving in a caretaker role, asked parliament to decide whether he or the president should go to the summit. The parliament, led Boyko Borisov's GERB party, declined to make a decision in the dispute, leading Glavchev to announced that both will attend. "It was decided that the National Assembly will not take a position. Glavchev should decide for himself what he intends to do -- whether he should go, whether the president should go," said Tsoncho Ganev, deputy chairman of the parliament, according to BTA. Radev has long taken what critics say is a Kremlin-friendly position following Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He has argued that sending military aid to Kyiv only prolongs the conflict and that those supporting further aid to Ukraine are "warmongering." Radev's attendance was supported by the pro-Russia Socialist and Revival parties. The president's backers say Radev, as commander-in-chief of the military, should represent Bulgaria at a NATO summit, while opponents say that role is only effective during time of war. Delyan Peevski, head of the liberal Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party, said Glavchev should represent Bulgaria to prevent Radev from pressing any pro-Russia positions at the summit. "Radev should not be allowed to use this highest NATO forum to spread Russian propaganda and instill fear in Bulgarian society, which we have witnessed in scandalous cases," said Peevski, who has been sanctioned by the United States and Britain for alleged corruption but positions himself as a guarantor of "Bulgaria's unwavering value of belonging to Euro-Atlanticism." Former Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov of the reformist We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition, also called for Glavchev to represent the country at the summit. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-nato-radev-glavchev-russia- ukraine/33004101.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 EU To Open Accession Negotiations With Ukraine, Moldova On June 25 By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 21, 2024 The European Union will start accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova next week, the EU's Belgian presidency announced on June 21, a move that will mark a watershed moment for the two countries' aspirations to eventually join the bloc. "The EU Council adopted the general EU positions, including negotiating frameworks, for accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, it said in a message on X, adding, "This opens the way for launching the negotiations on Tuesday, June 25, in Luxembourg. The EU Council groups representatives of the governments of the 27 states that make up the bloc. The official opening of the negotiations with Ukraine will take place first, at 3:30 p.m., followed by Moldova at 6 p.m., the message said. The announcement comes two weeks after the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, recommended opening the process, saying the two countries are sufficiently prepared to engage in negotiations with the EU -- an arduous journey that could take years. Ukraine and Moldova submitted their candidacies shortly after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and obtained candidate status in June 2022, gaining the conditional green-light for the start of negotiations in December. Shortly after the announcement by the Belgian EU presidency, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed the move, saying on X that he was "grateful" for the bloc's "robust political will." "Millions of Ukrainians, and indeed generations of our people, are realizing their European dream. Ukraine is returning to Europe, where it has belonged for centuries, as a full-fledged member of the European community," he said, while also hailing Moldova's inclusion in the accession talks. Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on X that she had signed the document that envisaged the opening of membership talks with the bloc. Shortly after the announcement by the Belgian EU presidency, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on X that she had signed the document that envisaged the opening of membership talks with the bloc. "Today, I signed the Decree on initiating Moldova's EU accession negotiations. Becoming an EU member is our path to peace, prosperity, and a better life for all citizens," Sandu wrote. "Wishing our delegation every success as they officially launch negotiations in Luxembourg next week." Pro-Western Sandu, under whom Moldova made an abrupt U-turn from Russia to Europe, is up for reelection later this year after handing an upset defeat to Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in 2020. With Sandu at the helm, neutral Moldova also strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, firmly aligning itself with Kyiv while tightening its ties with its Western neighbor, EU and NATO member Romania, with whom Moldova shares a common language and history. Sandu has said Moscow plans to undermine the former Soviet republic's stability and throw it off its path toward European integration ahead of the presidential elections and a referendum on membership in the European Union scheduled simultaneously in the fall. In reaction to Brussel's announcement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on June 21 that pursuing EU integration was a sovereign matter for Chisinau, but said there were "many Moldovans" who also desired close ties to Russia. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-accession-talks-moldova-ukraine- sandu/33003811.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 UN Chief Urges Israel, Lebanon to Immediately Return to Cessation of Hostilities Sputnik News 20240621 UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on Israel and Lebanon to immediately renew their commitment to Security Council resolution 1701 and return to a cessation of hostilities. "The parties must urgently recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities," Guterres told journalists. UN peacekeepers are also on the ground trying to de-escalate the tense situation, he added. "Let's be clear: The people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza," Guterres noted. Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire almost daily since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the Israeli assault on Gaza. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said it had approved and validated operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon as part of a situational assessment. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said later that Israel was very close to reaching a decision to "change the rules" against Hezbollah. Katz warned that an all-out war will destroy Hezbollah and severely hit Lebanon. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines Gets 1st Batch of BrahMos Cruise Missiles Sputnik News 20240621 KRONSTADT (Sputnik) - The first batch of Russian-Indian cruise missiles BrahMos have already been delivered to the Philippines, the co-director of the BrahMos Aerospace missile maker, Alexander Maksichev, told Sputnik on Friday. "The first BrahMos cruise missiles have already been delivered to the Philippine armed forces. The country's military leadership has thanked the company for the timely fulfillment of the contract, which covers both missile delivery and personnel training," he said on the sidelines of the Fleet-2024 International Maritime Defense Show outside of St. Petersburg. The Russian-Indian joint venture signed a $375-million deal with the Defense Ministry in January, pledging to equip three regiments with BrahMos missiles. Indian co-director Atul Rane told Sputnik last week he expected the Philippines to place another order. BrahMos Aerospace produces ground-, air-, sea-, and submarine-launched supersonic cruise missiles. It was established in 1998 and named after the rivers of Brahmaputra and Moscow. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson June 21, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages. The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for Kuwait's constructive role in getting humanitarian assistance into Gaza and discussed continued measures to ensure more humanitarian aid reaches those in need. They also discussed plans for post-conflict governance, security, and reconstruction. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister agreed on the need to prevent further escalation and to expand bilateral cooperation in the interest of regional peace and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Romanian Foreign Minister Odobescu US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson June 21, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu today in Washington on the occasion of the U.S.-Romania Strategic Dialogue. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Odobescu reaffirmed the importance of supporting Ukraine against Russia's aggression and committed to working together as NATO Allies to strengthen security and energy resilience across the Black Sea region. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in combating foreign state information manipulation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Taliban must reverse policies restricting human rights: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Political Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. 21 June 2024 First, while it is welcome that the Taliban have signalled their intention to attend this meeting in Doha, they must also show their intention to change how they are acting and to listen to the concerns of the Afghan people. The international community should remain united and clear on the urgent need for the Taliban to meet their obligations and reverse all polices restricting human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, not least for women and girls. This includes the Taliban's decree banning girls from secondary school, now over 1,000 days since its pronouncement. This is 1,000 days too long with half the population left behind. It is a wholly unjustifiable and self-defeating policy. Addressing these restrictions must remain front and centre for the international community in all of our engagement, as Ms. Wafeq said. Second, with the 2024 Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan only 20% funded, we urge the international community to increase their support. The United Kingdom is on track to deliver over $190 million dollars in aid this year, helping to meet basic needs, including through the provision of lifesaving food, clean water, and sanitation. And in light of continued restrictions by the Taliban, we continue to support delivery of education through bilateral and multilateral contributions to NGOs and UN partners. Finally, nearly six months since the adoption of Security Council resolution 2721, we call on the UN to continue to drive forward progress on the recommendations set out in the Special Coordinator's independent assessment. A Special Envoy is urgently needed to bring together the international community and to minimise the risk of Afghanistan's challenges spilling over into the region and beyond. The United Kingdom stands ready to work constructively with all parties and stakeholders - in Afghanistan and beyond - in this shared endeavour towards an Afghanistan at peace with itself, its neighbours, and the international community. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'World cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza': Guterres 21 June 2024 - The UN Secretary-General on Friday voiced profound concern over escalating violence and "bellicose rhetoric" between Israel and Hezbollah militants across the frontier with Lebanon, warning that one false move could trigger a catastrophe for the whole region and beyond. The situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israeli and Lebanese armed forces, has been deteriorating since Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip following the brutal 7 October attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups against communities in the country's south. On Thursday Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly issued a stern warning to Israel amid reports that the Israeli military has approved plans for an offensive on southern Lebanon. Prevent a catastrophe Speaking to the press at the UN Headquarters, in New York, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored that a widening of the conflict in the Middle East must be avoided. "Let's be clear: The people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza," he stressed. "One rash move - one miscalculation - could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border, and frankly, beyond imagination," he said. The UN chief also highlighted that on both sides of the Blue Line, many people have already lost their lives and been driven from their homes and livelihoods. De-escalation now He urged both sides to "urgently recommit" to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities. Adopted in 2006, the resolution set in motion a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the establishment of demilitarized zone. "The world must say loudly and clearly: immediate de-escalation is not only possible - it is essential," Mr. Guterres said, declaring that "there is no military solution." He also underscored the need to protect civilians, ensure that children, journalists and medical workers are not targeted, and ensure the displaced can return to their homes. UN peacekeepers on the ground The Secretary-General also emphasized that the UN is "actively engaging" to promote peace, security and stability, in line with resolution 1701. "UN peacekeepers, UNIFIL, are on the ground working to de-escalate tensions and help prevent miscalculation, in an extremely challenging environment" he said, adding that the Organization fully supports diplomatic efforts to end the violence, restore stability and avoid even greater human suffering in the region. "And we do so as we continue to press for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and a real pathway to a two-State solution," Mr. Guterres concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi, June 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina sat down for bilateral talks on Saturday that will see the two sides ink a number of MoUs. The MEA spokesperson said on X: Deepening India-Bangladesh Maitri! PM @narendramodi extended a warm welcome to PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at Hyderabad House ahead of their bilateral discussions. The two leaders have met each other ten times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship. Earlier, in the morning Sheikh Hasina, who is on a two-day state visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. She later went to Rajghat to offer a floral tribute at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. This is the second meeting between the two prime ministers in less than two weeks, as the Bangladesh PM attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi on June 9. While PM Modi has formed the government for a third consecutive term, PM Hasina came to power for the fourth successive term following the January 7 elections in her country. Trade and economic cooperation, security and border management, connectivity and infrastructure, water sharing and environmental issues, and cultural and people-to-people ties are some of the areas that are set to be on the agenda of talks On Friday evening, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Bangladesh PM at the Taj Palace hotel. PM Sheikh Hasina on Friday invited Indian businesspersons to invest in Bangladesh, stating that she prioritises neighbouring countries. "You come to Bangladesh and make investment," she said while interacting with a delegation of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) which called on her in New Delhi on Friday evening. UNI RN Gaza is more than two million stories of loss: UN agencies 21 June 2024 - Gaza is "a world of devastation" and still in the grip of war after nearly nine months of conflict, UN humanitarians just back from the enclave reported on Friday, as they described widespread destruction and stories of pregnant mothers forced to request preterm C-sections out of desperation and fear. "The population has been almost entirely dispossessed of the means and capacities to ensure food security, shelter, health, and livelihood," said Maryse Guimond, UN Women's Special Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. "Women were asking me, 'When can we go back to our homes?' Each displacement has brought more loss and fear." Dignity, privacy gone Speaking to journalists in Geneva via video, veteran humanitarian worker Ms. Guimond described seeing people "crammed" into makeshift shelters and lacking even the most basic essentials. At one school-turned-shelter run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), there are only 25 toilets for the 14,000 people seeking safety inside the compound and the 59,000 others camping outside, she noted. Pointing to the "enormous" problems of access to Gaza's last functioning hospitals today, Dr Rik Peeperkorn from the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the enclave's health workers, obstetricians and doctors now treat far higher levels of low birthweight babies than before the war. C-section desperation "We see a lot of preterm babies and low birthweight babies and you see that often in times of conflicts, war...but we even had the stories where women were going when they had access to the hospital would ask for an early Caesarean to make sure that they deliver and deliver safely because they were completely unclear and they were scared about the access, if they would be able to access the hospital later, because of the volatile security situation and the constantly changing situation." Beyond the risks of giving birth in Gaza today for mothers and their babies in a place where "there is hardly any antenatal care", the WHO medic highlighted the "amazing" amount of trauma cases, amputees and patients with chronic health conditions who urgently need to be evacuated out of the enclave for treatment. Medivac appeal Since war erupted on 7 October after Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel, roughly 4,800 patients have been evacuated out of medical necessity from Gaza, most to Egypt and elsewhere in the region. But "at least another 10,000 patients" now need specialist treatment outside the enclave, Dr Peeperkorn said - "half of them related to the war and half of them related to what we call the chronic diseases: ...cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases, including severe mental health cases". Some 50 to 100 medical evacuations used to happen regularly from Gaza to hospitals in the West Bank before the war, the WHO official explained, as he appealed for the reopening of Rafah border crossing in the south of the enclave, or for nearby Kerem Shalom to be used instead. The UN health agency also pushed back at Israeli Defense Force (IDF) claims that recently announced pauses in fighting have led to an improvement in the humanitarian situation. "And the reason is that this humanitarian pause was not reflected on the ground; there was not a single day where we could be able to say we are going to take advantage of this humanitarian pause...to bring from Kerem Shalom the supplies that are waiting for us," said Dr Thanos Gargavanis, WHO trauma surgeon and emergency officer. The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, echoed those concerns and insisted on Israel's responsibility under international humanitarian law as the occupying power to ensure that relief supplies including fuel reach those who most need it, including by addressing the "complete destruction of law and order" and reports of looting. "Of course, we welcome any initiative that aims at facilitated aid delivery and we did reach an understanding with COGAT on coordinated movements intended to facilitate safe movements of humanitarian aid," said spokesperson Jens Laerke, referring to the Israeli body overseeing deliveries. "In reality, as we hear from the ground, it has come to very little. Fighting in the area might have reduced as a result of those coordinated movements but it is not the only impediment for our colleagues to pick up aid in the area between Kerem Shalom and the Salah Al Din road." Fractional benefits Echoing those concerns, WHO's Dr Gargavanis said that the impact of the closure of the Rafah crossing, the increase in fighting and the continued forcible displacement of Gazans meant that what is achieved in Gaza "is only a fraction of what we should be doing". He added: "I know that we are saying this repeatedly over and over again. However, everybody needs to understand that for every international (worker) that is now entering in the Gaza Strip, the process is long, risky, and it requires a huge amount of resources". "Right now, through Kerem Shalom, we have to lead ourselves, we have to drive the armoured vehicles ourselves to make sure that international community continues to go in and rotate out of the Gaza Strip. This is just one of the major issues that we're facing." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Doha Meeting on Afghanistan Provides Critical Opportunity to Discuss Women's Rights, Speaker Tells Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 9663rd Meeting (AM) SC/15740 21 June 2024 Engagement with De Facto Authorities Does Not Mean Legitimization of Taliban, Special Representative Underlines With preparations under way for a United Nations-hosted meeting between the Taliban, Member State envoys and other stakeholders, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, briefing the Security Council today, called for greater flexibility while stressing that engagement is not normalization. Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), noted that the upcoming meeting in Doha, the third one in this format, is scheduled to take place in nine days and the de facto authorities have stated that they are preparing to attend. "We hope that in Doha, key stakeholders will convene around the table, speak to each other face to face, reinforce the principles underlining the consensus to engage, and agree on next steps to alleviate the uncertainties that face the Afghan people," she said. But, she warned, Doha "has generated significant expectations that cannot realistically be met in a single meeting". While there is no substitute for engagement with Afghanistan, "it cannot be repeated enough that this sort of engagement is not legitimization or normalization", she added. While the Taliban have maintained political stability, they continue to place severe restrictions on women, and there is little space for internal dissent. Stressing the need for internal political legitimacy, she added that although more than $7 billion have been provided for humanitarian assistance, "Afghanistan remains beset by massive poverty." The Council also heard from Lisa Doughten, Director of Financing and Partnerships Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who outlined the bleak situation in the country with over 50 per cent of the population some 23.7 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2024. Nearly 3 million children are experiencing acute levels of hunger, she said, expressing concern that her Office has received just $649 million 21 per cent of the $3 billion required to meet the enormous levels of humanitarian need. Extreme weather events are deepening the humanitarian crisis. It has also been more than 1,000 days since girls over the age of 11 were banned from attending secondary school, she said, warning that this could lead to a future without Afghan women doctors, teachers or engineers. Manizha Wafeq, Co-founder of the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said it was working to support women's entrepreneurship by facilitating the transition of informal businesses to the formal economy. "Now, that is not the case," she reported, noting that the organization has lost its autonomy 42 per cent of businesses owned by women have closed. Almost three years under Taliban rule has all but destroyed the economy because of lack of inclusive governance, while excluding women from certain employment sectors has resulted in an annual national economic loss of $1 billion, she said. "There is no future for this country without us," she stressed, adding that the upcoming meeting in Doha will be a critical opportunity to prioritize human and women's rights. The representative of Afghanistan also expressed disappointment that the agenda of the third Doha conference does not include crucial issues such as the political process and human rights. This will be viewed as "signaling a normalization without any tangible changes on the ground", he said. "The Taliban are only one internal stakeholder and do not and cannot represent the people of Afghanistan as a sole entity," he underscored, adding that its repression has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the country. Noting that "the representatives of civil society and women will not be present at the table", he cautioned that this will be perceived as a shift away from the issues deemed essential to the people of Afghanistan. "Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are barred from attending secondary and higher education," he said, calling on the international community to not normalize a gender apartheid regime. The ensuing discussion among Council members and regional countries demonstrated the divisions concerning how the international community should engage with Afghanistan. While some speakers set out expectations for the Doha meeting and stressed the need to prioritize human rights, others pointed to the need for engaging without undue pressure. "The Doha format is the only platform we have for moving this process forward," Japan's delegate acknowledged, calling on the Taliban to acknowledge that education and employment of women are crucial for the development of the country. His country will not compromise on the human rights of women and girls, he pledged. The representative of the United States said "the harm caused by the Taliban's restrictions on women and girls cannot be overstated". The Secretary-General should appoint a UN focal point to begin producing a road map, as called for in resolution 2721 (2023), he said, emphasizing the UN's role in Afghanistan's reintegration into an international system. Legitimacy comes from the well-being of people, said the Council President, the representative of the Republic of Korea, speaking in his national capacity, and the well-being and human rights of women and girls "cannot be sidelined or avoided" at the upcoming Doha meeting. While engagement is an important tool for pursuing a peaceful Afghanistan that meets its international obligations "engagement is not, and should not, be the goal in itself", he stressed. However, the representative of China said the Doha meeting will be an opportunity to communicate with the Afghan Government and unleash a new chapter of international engagement. The international community must respect the political reality in that country and push the Government "to gradually become more trusting to the outside world", he said. He also rejected the illegal unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan that have seriously disrupted its financial systems. "The Council should support dialogue and engagement with the Afghan interim Government," he underscored. The Russian Federation's delegate emphasized the need to consider the Afghan people's needs and engage "without pressure and blackmail" in dialogue with the de facto authorities. The country has gone through a 20-year-long war, and "the loud promises of the invaders to build long-awaited peace remain empty words", he said. The de facto authorities have managed to strengthen regional cooperation and restore socioeconomic potential, he said, calling for international cooperation in tackling the terrorism and drug challenges in Afghanistan. Representatives of neighbouring countries also addressed the Council today, with Pakistan's delegate reiterating the need for sustained engagement with the Afghan interim authorities. Both they and the international community must "be clear about the overall objectives they seek" at the upcoming meeting in Doha, he said, adding: "Unless we know where we are going, we will never get there." He also emphasized the need to eliminate terrorism, within and from Afghanistan. The representative of India, too, stressed that Afghanistan's territory must not be used to encourage extremist ideologies or spread instability in the region, while Iran's delegate called for increased international support in dealing with drug trafficking, noting that his Government seized more than 1,000 tons of Afghan narcotics in the past year. THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN Briefings ROZA OTUNBAYEVA, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), stressed that "we are still in a crisis management mode", despite the stability that the de facto authorities have continued to maintain in that country. While noting that the business environment has improved, due to better security and reduced corruption, she pointed to the challenges posed by the lack of a clear legal framework, low demand and difficulties in accessing international banking and markets. Although more than $7 billion have been provided for humanitarian assistance since the Taliban took power, "Afghanistan remains beset by massive poverty", she said, adding that while the country has a near-zero carbon footprint, it is the least prepared to address climate shock. Also underscoring "the cooperation that actually exists between Afghanistan, the region and the wider international community", she said many outside Afghanistan tend to underestimate the positive developments that have taken place there, "while the de facto authorities tend to underestimate the contributions of the international community to the successes they claim". Despite political stability, there is little space for internal dissent, and political parties and civil society organizations have been banned. The media faces constraints on what it is allowed to report, she said, also highlighting several popular protests against the policies of the de facto authorities, including against the ban on opium cultivation. The protests demonstrate the lack of institutions where people can offer feedback to the Government, she said, adding that such institutions are essential for internal political legitimacy. Expressing concern about the continued application of corporal punishment often for crimes against rigid definitions of morality and the public executions of individual sentenced to the death penalty, she also noted the ongoing restrictions on women and girls, "who have now endured more than 1,000 days out of school". This has resulted in growing levels of depression among women, she said, adding that such restrictions deprive the country of vital human capital that it needs to implement the Taliban's own policy of self-reliance. They also contribute to brain drain and block diplomatic solutions. While the Mission raises these arguments on every occasion with the de facto authorities, it receives only "vague and increasingly unbelievable promises", she said. Turning to the third meeting in the large group Doha format, scheduled to take place in nine days, she said it "has generated significant expectations that cannot realistically be met in a single meeting". It is essential that the de facto authorities participate at Doha, she said, welcoming recent statements from them that they are preparing to attend. While there is no substitute for engagement with Afghanistan, "it cannot be repeated enough that this sort of engagement is not legitimization or normalization." "We hope that in Doha key stakeholders will convene around the table, speak to each other face to face, reinforce the principles underlining the consensus to engage, and agree on next steps to alleviate the uncertainties that face the Afghan people," she said, calling for greater flexibility among all stakeholders and a clearer political willingness on all sides to move beyond crisis management to addressing the larger problems. LISA DOUGHTEN, Director of Financing and Partnerships Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , said that humanitarian needs in Afghanistan remain alarmingly high, with over 50 per cent of the population some 23.7 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2024, the third highest number of people in need in the world. Half the population lives in poverty and nearly 3 million children are experiencing acute levels of hunger. Since 15 September, more than 618,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan almost 80 per cent are women and children and many of them need humanitarian assistance. Moreover, the acute effects of climate change are deepening the humanitarian crisis, she observed, adding that extreme weather events are more frequent and intense. In April and May, almost 120,000 people were affected by flash flooding and mudslides entire villages were destroyed, and more than 340 people were killed. "Afghanistan remains wholly unprepared to deal with these increasingly persistent threats and will require significant investments in early warning and early response systems," she stated. Afghanistan will soon enter its fourth year under the Taliban de facto authority, she said, stressing that "no one has felt the impact more profoundly than women and girls". It has been more than 1,000 days since girls over the age of 11 were banned from attending secondary school "this is equivalent to the amount of time needed to obtain a university degree, a warning of an inconceivable future without Afghan women doctors, teachers or engineers". The ban on girls' education is fuelling an increase in child marriage and early childbearing, with dire physical, emotional and economic consequences. Reports of attempted suicides among women and girls are also increasing. "Despite restrictions on their ability to work, as well as the risk to their safety, Afghan women continue to participate in the humanitarian response," she said. She underscored that resolution 2615 (2021) continues to play a critical role in enabling life-saving humanitarian action, which in 2023 allowed some 28 million people more than 60 per cent of the population to receive assistance. The humanitarian exception covers essential eligible expenditures that are necessary to deliver that assistance, including rent on State-owned premises and warehouses; withholding tax on national/international non-governmental organization staff income, rent and suppliers; visas and work permits for national/international non-governmental organization staff; and utilities such as water and electricity. The nature and modality of payments made under the exception have not changed in the last three years, she observed, noting that they are identical to those made under the pre-August 2021 Administration. The resolution has also helped reduce difficulties with processing payments and transferring funds into Afghanistan for these humanitarian purposes. To strengthen and expand risk management procedures in Afghanistan, a Contractor Information Management System is now up and running, facilitating information sharing on the partners, contractors, and other providers of goods and services used by various UN agencies in Afghanistan, she continued. Steps are taken in the operations' assessment, planning, distribution and monitoring phases, including direct monitoring and third-party monitoring to correlate reported performance delivery with actual outputs and reported expenditures. Despite the many challenges, 9.9 million people in Afghanistan received at least one form of assistance from January to March 2024. However, six months into 2024, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has received just $649 million 21 per cent of the $3 billion required to meet the enormous levels of humanitarian need she cautioned, stressing that life-saving programmes have had to close due to the lack of funds, including 150 mobile health and nutrition teams. A further 40 teams are at imminent risk, potentially depriving 700,000 children under five of vital nutrition treatment services for severe acute malnutrition. "Millions of people depend on humanitarian assistance for their everyday survival," she stated, urging donors to fully fund the appeal for Afghanistan. MANIZHA WAFEQ, Co-founder of the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry , cited World Bank reports that Afghanistan's economy experienced an "unprecedented contraction" of 27 per cent by the end of 2022. "Almost three years under Taliban rule has all but destroyed the economy because of lack of inclusive governance and declining international and development aid due to the Taliban's egregious human-rights record," she observed. This has hampered essential public services, exacerbated poverty and unemployment and led to food insecurity for millions of Afghans, and an estimated 27 million people more than half the population will require humanitarian assistance to survive 2024. Spotlighting the Taliban's enforcement of "gender apartheid", she pointed to UN data showing that excluding women from certain employment sectors has resulted in an annual national economic loss of $1 billion. She also emphasized that such exclusion has increased women's economic dependence on men, leading to detrimental effects on their mental health and human dignity, increased domestic violence and loss of agency. Further, it causes Afghan society to "remain in unending intergenerational poverty" and a continued contraction of national gross domestic product (GDP), she said. "Afghan women have always been the backbone of the economy," she stressed, detailing her organization's work to support women's entrepreneurship by facilitating the transition of informal businesses to the formal economy thereby contributing to economic growth. "Now, that is not the case," she reported, as her organization has lost its autonomy and 42 per cent of businesses owned by women have closed. Stressing that enhancing women's economic participation to revitalize the national economy is "directly tied to restoring their rights", she said these include access to education, freedom of movement and the ability to work in all sectors and contribute to decision-making at all levels. "It has been three years since we have had any female high-school graduates who could have pursued higher education and the professions needed in Afghanistan's social and economic affairs," she said, while recalling the adoption of resolution 2681 (2023) that called for a swift reversal of all restrictions on women's rights in that country. The Taliban must respect the human rights of all Afghans, and the international community including the Council must hold them accountable. "Afghan women need and deserve the full support and solidarity of the international community in their struggle," she stressed, adding: "There is no future for this country without us." In the private sector, where there are currently no restrictions on female employment, efforts should be made to expand opportunities for women. Additionally, women and youth entrepreneurship should be promoted through capacity-development initiatives, business-management training and mentorship programmes. Spotlighting the upcoming meeting in Doha as a critical opportunity for Member States to prioritize human and women's rights, she said that women's participation therein will be crucial for ensuring the legitimacy of decisions made there. As the Council again discusses the situation of Afghanistan's women, she said that "millions of Afghan women and girls are imprisoned in their homes in a state of despair" and added: "It has been three long years let's restore Afghan women's rights, dignity and freedom." Statements The representative of Japan , noting improvements to the security situation in Afghanistan, expressed concern about its human rights situation as well as the humanitarian scenario. Expressing condolences about the large number of casualties caused by floods in May, he noted the impact of climate change on the people of Afghanistan, in addition to its other problems. The challenges faced by the country cannot be faced by it alone, he said, calling for confidence-building measures between the international community and Afghanistan. "The Doha format is the only platform we have for moving this process forward," he said, hoping for a candid exchange of views there. The voices of women are especially important, he said, adding that his country will not compromise on the human rights of women and girls. The Taliban must acknowledge that education and employment of women are crucial for the development of the country, he said, reaffirming support for UNAMA. The representative of Guyana , also speaking for Algeria , Mozambique and Sierra Leone , said that the people of Afghanistan continue to face increasing climate and economic challenges, deepening inequalities and a dire humanitarian situation. To achieve sustainable development and durable peace in the country, an inclusive approach underpinned by respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights for all must be guaranteed, she stressed, voicing concern over the shrinking political and civic spaces and that the Taliban is limiting freedoms of speech and association. Women in Afghanistan continue to be excluded from public life and the right to work, and their freedom of movement remains significantly restricted. Accordingly, she called on the Taliban to swiftly reverse all policies and practices that discriminate against women and girls, infringe on the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms and limit their ability to contribute to Afghanistan's development. She also expressed concern that the fundamental right of girls in Afghanistan to quality education remains curtailed, resulting in irreversible learning losses. "We call upon the Taliban to swiftly reopen all schools and universities for women and girls to have access to all levels of education," she stated. Moreover, the security challenges in Afghanistan remain concerning, she cautioned, noting the increase in insecurity incidents compared with 2023, including a 97 per cent increase in narcotics-related incidents. Continued efforts must be made to eradicate the opium poppy cultivation, she added. She also drew attention to the increased armed clashes near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, calling on all to show restraint and respect the protection of all civilian populations and infrastructure. Equally concerning is the high number of children killed and maimed, including by explosive ordnance, she observed, urging all parties to immediately take all preventive and mitigating actions necessary to better protect children. On the climate challenges faced by Afghanistan, she emphasized the critical importance of investment in mitigation and adaptation efforts. The representative of Slovenia welcomed UNAMA's work on human rights, humanitarian assistance and continued political dialogue with the Taliban. Stressing Afghanistan's vulnerability to climate change, he observed that pressure around scarce natural resources prompts local competition and elevates risks for already marginalized communities. Therefore, inclusive and effective early warning systems for droughts and floods should be prioritized. "The plight of Afghan women and girls is the starkest example of ongoing repression," he went on to say, noting that Council members are united in demanding the rescission of restrictive policies. Also expressing support for the centrality and long-term engagement of the United Nations, he said that the upcoming meeting in Doha "can be an opportunity to start making progress" and that the scope of the UN's approach "could be cautiously widened". Women should have a voice in these processes, as well as a central place in any intra-Afghan dialogues, he added "as their fate represents Afghanistan's future". The representative of Switzerland , noting the restrictions that the Taliban continue to impose, particularly on women and girls, said that without respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, "there will be no path to an Afghanistan at peace with itself". Turning to climate change, she said that frequent droughts, flash floods, melting ice and land degradation are displacing millions of Afghans and weighing heavily on an already fragile economy. Pointing to the growing competition for water in the region, she said it is crucial to strengthen regional and international cooperation and combine this with support for local communities. Stressing that the Afghanistan's people in all their diversity, particularly Afghan women, must be involved in the processes related to the future of the country, she said human rights discussions must be given adequate space at the Doha meetings. The representative of the United States echoed the Secretary-General's call for unimpeded access to aid workers, noting that "assistance must go to the designated beneficiaries". On the serious deterioration of human rights in Afghanistan, he said that separate and independent UN bodies are now calling out the Taliban's systemic human rights abuses and their absolute disregard for the Charter of the United Nations. These include institutionalized efforts to erase women from society, sweeping gender persecution and human rights abuses against members of ethnic and religious minorities. "We must insist on reversing these oppressive measures," he stressed, adding that human rights cannot be "deprioritized". Also, "the harm caused by the Taliban's restrictions on women and girls cannot be overstated", he continued, noting that it has now been over 1,000 days since it banned girls from secondary schools. If these types of restrictions are allowed to continue, their pervasive and harmful effects will affect Afghans across the country "for many years to come". Spotlighting the UN's role in Afghanistan's reintegration into an international system, he emphasized that the Secretary-General should appoint a UN focal point to begin producing a road map, as called for in resolution 2721 (2023). The representative of Malta stressed that women's participation in society "would help create a more resilient Afghanistan". She also expressed support for UNAMA's work jointly with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to counter narcotics in Afghanistan. Malta remains committed to addressing disorders related to drug use in Afghanistan, especially through evidence-based drug-treatment services to which her country has financially contributed. Noting the upcoming meeting in Doha, she emphasized that a solution for Afghanistan's present or future "is not possible" without a legitimate and inclusive political process, in which the rights of women and girls are addressed substantively and the diversity of Afghans is represented. "Clear strategies and human-rights-based parameters should also guide our interactions with the Taliban," she said. Further, she urged that appropriate mechanisms be established to ensure the full, equal, meaningful and safe engagement of Afghan women, human-rights defenders and civil society in all related political processes. The representative of France , noting the lack of education for women in Afghanistan and other restrictions on their fundamental freedoms, expressed concern that the salaries of women public servants are being cut in half. Such segregation policies will have disastrous consequences, she said, adding that the rights of Afghans are being flouted daily, with the return of corporal punishment. The security situation is also fragile with terrorist groups remaining active, she said, also noting the problem of drug trafficking. Highlighting France's humanitarian assistance to the country, she said the dialogue process in Doha must be in service of all Afghans, men and women. "The architecture of this process must be inclusive," she said, commending UNAMA for its work. The representative of China expressed support for the third meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in Doha from 30 June to 1 July, as it presents an opportunity to exchange communication with the Afghan Government and produce results-oriented outcomes in areas of microfinancing and enterprise development and unleash a new chapter of international engagement. "The Council should support dialogue and engagement with the Afghan interim Government," he underscored, adding that the international community must respect the political reality in the country and push the Government "to gradually become more trusting to the outside world". Concurrently, the Council should urge donors to continue their assistance to the country, refrain from cuts in funding and effectively turn their concern for the Afghan people into meaningful action. He underscored that "regional cooperation alone cannot adequately address Afghanistan's funding gaps" or fully integrate the country into international economic, political and financial systems. He rejected the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by certain countries on Afghanistan as they have seriously disrupted its financial systems, interfered with international trade and economic exchanges and impeded the country's development. The representative of Ecuador , stating that the reality for women and girls in Afghanistan is "ever more bleak", noted that they are still prevented from enjoying the most basic rights to education, employment and participation. "For over 1,000 days, millions of Afghan girls and young women have been prevented from attending secondary school and university", he observed, which renders them more vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage and domestic abuse. It is therefore a matter of urgency to reverse the edicts that limit their return to the classroom. The upcoming meeting in Doha will provide an opportunity to promote intra-Afghan dialogue involving the substantive and safe participation of women and ethnic minorities, he went on to say. Further, it will motivate bilateral and regional cooperation to improve the population's living conditions and explore real possibilities for overcoming the Taliban's restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms. The representative of the United Kingdom said while it is positive that the Taliban have signalled their willingness to attend the meeting in Doha, "they must also show a willingness to change their behaviour". The international community must remain clear that the Taliban must reverse all polices restricting human rights and fundamental freedoms, he said, including the Taliban's decree banning girls from secondary school, now over 1,000 days since its pronouncement. "This is 1,000 days too long since half the Afghan population have been left behind," he said, adding that his country will deliver over $190 million in aid in 2024 to the country. "In light of continued restrictions by the Taliban, we continue to support delivery of education through bilateral and multilateral contributions to NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and UN partners," he said, also stressing the need for a Special Envoy to coalesce the international community. The representative of the Russian Federation , supporting the UN's efforts in Afghanistan, recalled that the country has gone through a 20-year-long war, which resulted in its collapse. "The loud promises of the invaders to build long-awaited peace remain empty words," he stated, noting that the Afghani people must tackle all their own challenges under the situation of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Despite the Western prediction of their inevitable collapse, the de facto authorities have managed to assess the situation, strengthen regional cooperation and restore socioeconomic potential. Voicing concern over the security risks in that country, he observed that despite the efforts undertaken by the de facto authorities the terrorists are destabilizing the country. The drug problem is closely linked to terrorism, he said, calling for comprehensive international and regional cooperation, including through UNODC. He underscored the need to consider the Afghan people's needs and engage "without pressure and blackmail" in dialogue with the de facto authorities on a broad spectrum of urgent issues. The representative of the Republic of Korea , Council President for June, spoke in his national capacity to convey to all Afghan political actors mainly the Taliban that "legitimacy comes from the well-being of people". There is no logic in forcing girls out of school and, noting that his country has provided $74 million in aid over the past three years, he underscored that increasing interference in humanitarian activities is "utterly unacceptable". On the upcoming meeting in Doha, he stressed the need to "make clear" that the well-being and human rights of women and girls "cannot be sidelined or avoided in this forum". Addressing those present, he then said that while engagement is an important tool for pursuing a peaceful Afghanistan that meets its international obligations "engagement is not, and should not, be the goal in itself". And, to the people of Afghanistan, he emphasized that the international community's upcoming discussions "will always put the sufferings and specific needs of the Afghan people in the centre". The representative of Afghanistan , expressing concern about a "diversion from the primary objective of the previous two Doha meetings", recalled that the past two Doha meetings had underscored the need for increasing international engagement in a coherent, coordinated and structured manner. "This objective cannot be realized without addressing the issues of legitimacy, political process, humanitarian crisis and the human rights situation," he said. Stressing the need for an inclusive and representative political system, he said the political process must include engagement with all Afghan stakeholders. It is disappointing that the agenda of the third Doha conference does not include the political process and human rights as two crucial issues in the thematic discussions, he said, noting that "representatives of civil society and women will not be present at the table". That will be perceived as a shift away from the issues deemed essential to the people of Afghanistan, he said. Warning that this will be viewed as "signaling a normalization without any tangible changes on the ground", he said Afghan woman must be included in all political discussions, including the Doha process. International engagement should be principled and aligned with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, he said, adding that any discussions on the future of the Afghan people will not yield tangible outcomes without addressing core issues, such as national legitimacy, the fundamental human rights of all citizens, including women, girls and minority groups, and security threats such as extremism, terrorism and narcotics. Experience has taught that without ensuring inclusivity, there can be no peace and stability, he said, adding that "the Taliban are only one internal stakeholder and do not and cannot represent the people of Afghanistan as a sole entity." The international community must not normalize a gender apartheid regime in Afghanistan, he said, adding that the Doha process should consider the recommendations of the Independent Assessment report and focus on forging consensus among all stakeholders. "The people of Afghanistan are tired of conflict and war," he said, reiterating the call for the appointment of a Special Envoy to ensure coordinated international engagements with the country. Turning to the humanitarian crisis, he said it is worsened by the Taliban's oppressive policies, and noted the impact of war, displacement, underdevelopment, natural hazards and climate change. Noting also that millions of Afghan refugees and migrants are in need of support in neighbouring countries, he expressed regret that the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan is severely underfunded. "Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are barred from attending secondary and higher education," he said, pointing to various human rights violations, from civil society restrictions to corporal punishment. These policies and practices are against true Islamic tenets, he said, underscoring that they also undermine the potential for Afghanistan to achieve social and economic progress. The representative of Iran highlighted Tehran's commitment to supporting Afghanistan, noting that it is keeping its borders open to Afghan displaced and refugees during critical times, hosting more than 6 million Afghans. Additionally, Iran has provided education to 700,000 Afghan students residing in the country. To promote peace and stability and strengthen the Afghan economy, Tehran continues its economic and commercial ties with the country, focusing on projects like the Chabahar port, railways and alternative crop cultivation to curb drug production. However, Iran faces significant challenges with illegal immigration and drug trafficking, he stressed, calling for increased international support. It seized more than 1,000 tons of Afghan narcotics in the past year, with many Iranian law enforcement officers losing their lives. Furthermore, due to the challenging economic conditions caused by Washington, D.C.'s illegal sanctions and the lack of international aid, Tehran cannot manage the influx of Afghan refugees and drugs alone, which impacts the entire region. He also underscored that continuous international engagement with the de facto authorities is crucial for regional peace and stability. The representative of Pakistan said that his country has consistently advocated for sustained engagement with the Afghan interim authorities to normalize the situation in that country. While welcoming such authorities' announced decision to participate in the upcoming meeting in Doha, he underlined the need for both the international community and the Afghan interim Government to "be clear about the overall objectives they seek". He observed: "Unless we know where we are going, we will never get there." For its part, the international community is obliged to help the 23 million Afghans who need urgent aid and to take adequate measures to bolster Afghanistan's economy including reviving the national banking system and restoring commercial activity. The interim Government must also take steps to abide by its international obligations, he said, noting that "the world remains concerned" about restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan. These conform neither with international law nor the tenets of Islam. He added that the "highest priority" for the international community, Afghanistan's neighbours and Afghanistan itself "remains the elimination of terrorism within and from Afghanistan" especially with regards to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SECNAV Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Galvez (FFG 67) US Navy - Press Release 21 June 2024 MADRID -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that a future Constellation-class Guided Missile Frigate, FFG 67, will be named USS Galvez, June 21. Secretary Del Toro made the announcement while joining U.S. Ambassador to Spain Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon and Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, Admiral Antonio Pineiro, in Madrid, Spain, for the U.S. Embassy's Fourth of July Celebration. The future USS Galvez honors Conde Bernardo de Galvez y Madrid and his service during the American Revolutionary War. This will be the first U.S. Navy vessel named for Galvez. "Galvez wasn't just a supporter from afarhis actions directly influenced the course of the war and helped secure American Independence," said Secretary Del Toro. "That is why, in his homeland, I am incredibly pleased to announce that our next Constellation-class frigate, FFG 67, will be named the USS Galvez." During the American Revolution, Galvez provided supplies, intelligence, and military support to the American colonists and led military victories for Spain against Great Britain. As governor of Spain's territory in Louisiana, he covertly worked with American agent Oliver Pollock in 1777 to transfer money, gunpowder, and vital supplies to colonial forces. In his direct service to Spain, Galvez recruited an army of 7,500 men made up of Spanish, French, African American, Mexican, Cuban, and Anglo-American forces. In 1779-1780, his forces defeated the British at Battles in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Natchez, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. In 1781, he successfully seized Pensacola, Florida, and was wounded during the fighting. His contributions were recognized by George Washington as a decisive factor in the outcome of the Revolutionary War. After the Revolutionary War, Galvez led an effort to chart the Gulf of Mexico, including Galveston Bay, and served as the viceroy of New Spain. In 2014, the United States Congress passed Public Law No. 113-229, granting him honorary citizenship of the United Statesmaking him one of only eight honorary citizens in U.S. history. The future USS Galvez, the sixth of the new Constellation-class frigates, was appropriated in 2024. The other ships in the class are USS Constellation (FFG 62), USS Congress (FFG 63), USS Chesapeake (FFG 64), USS Lafayette (FFG 65), and USS Hamilton (FFG 66). Secretary Del Toro named the future USS Lafayette (FFG 65) in 2023 and the future USS Hamilton (FFG 66) in May 2024. Along with the ship's name, Secretary Del Toro announced the sponsors for the USS Galvez will be Ambassador Reynoso Pantaleon and Spanish Ambassador to the U.S. Angeles Moreno Bau. They, in their role as sponsors, will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew. "Honoring Bernardo de Galvez in this way at our Independence celebration marks not only the close, enduring, and historic partnership between the United States and Spain, it also recognizes his and Spain's critical role in the war for America's Independence almost 250 years ago," said Ambassador Reynoso. The Constellation-class guided-missile frigate represents the Navy's next generation small surface combatant. This ship class will be an agile, multi-mission warship, capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments, providing increased combat-credible forward presence that provides a military advantage at sea. The Constellation-class will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Africa defense chiefs to gather in Botswana for US military conference By Mqondisi Dube June 21, 2024 Defense chiefs from 30 African countries will gather in Botswana next week for a two-day military conference to discuss the continent's security and stability challenges. The meeting, organized by the United States Africa Command, or AFRICOM, will be the first to be held in Africa since the inaugural conference in 2017 "The aim [is] to tackle the pressing security challenges on the African continent and to find ways to work together for a safer, more secure Africa," said Lt. Commander Bobby Dixon, a spokesman at AFRICOM. "From counterterrorism efforts to cyber threats and peacekeeping missions, this conference will cover it all. Experts and military leaders will share insights, strategies, and forge partnerships that will strengthen the collective defense capabilities for all of Africa. This is more than just a conference it's a significant step towards a unified approach in safeguarding the African continent." AFRICOM says the meeting will build on the success of previous conferences. Last year's meeting held in Rome, Italy, attracted the highest turnout, with 43 countries in attendance. "It is evident that Africa faces a series of challenges," said Jakkie Cilliers, a political scientist at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. "It is not always clear that the model that the U.S. presents is appropriate for Africa. In recent years, we have seen a variety of coups in Africa, sometimes executed by African forces that have been trained in the U.S., the U.K. and France. And it is also evident that a number of U.N. peacekeeping missions, such as that in the DR Congo and Mali, are withdrawing from Africa. "On the other hand, the role of Russia and the so-called Africa Group [pls check the audio; it is usually called the Africa Corps] is expanding. So, it's clear that Africa is facing a security challenge, and partners can and should do as much as possible to help." Cilliers added that there is a need for the Gaborone conference to come up with effective solutions to the continent's security challenges. "Are we seeing a new model developing where African governments are considering alternative security arrangements, mostly by other African countries?" he said. "And of course, the role of private companies is also increasing. These events occur at a time of significant shifts in the global balance of power, and Africa again is an area of competition. One hopes all these issues will be discussed at the upcoming conference in Gaborone, and that real solutions will come to the fore." In March, following its Peace and Security Council meeting, the African Union expressed "deep concern" over the scourge of conflicts on the continent and their impact on socioeconomic development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces continue pounding central, southern Gaza By VOA News June 21, 2024 Israeli military forces pounded central and southern Gaza on Friday, according to residents and the Israeli army. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said at least 25 people were killed and 50 were injured in an attack on tents housing displaced people in Mawasi in western Rafah. Israel's military said the incident was under review, but it also said a preliminary look at the events "suggests that there is no indication that a strike was carried out by the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] in the Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi." Palestinians said that attack came from tank shelling as Israeli forces pushed deeper into western and northern Rafah, the parts of the city they had yet to capture. As Israeli ground forces engaged with Hamas fighters, the bombardment from tanks, planes and ships off the coast prompted a wave of Palestinians to flee the city. Israel has quickened its pace in recent days, some Rafah residents told Reuters. "Last night was one of the worst nights in western Rafah, drones, planes, tanks, and naval boats bombarded the area. We feel the occupation is trying to complete the control of the city," Hatem, 45, told Reuters by text message. "They are taking heavy strikes from the resistance fighters, which may be slowing them down," Hatem added. Israel began its operation against Hamas in Rafah in early May. Israel is also focusing on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Health officials said 45 Palestinians were killed Friday, including the deaths in Mawasi and in Gaza City, where the Palestinian civil defense agency said five people were killed when a municipal garage facility was hit by an Israeli airstrike. Speaking to reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded to a question regarding the latest fighting by calling again for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. "Going on with a military operation that has a dramatic impact on civilians is not solving any problem," he said. The secretary-general also commented on the lawlessness inside Gaza that is preventing aid from getting into the enclave and reaching the people who need it. Guterres said a breakdown in law and order within Gaza has allowed most of the aid trucks to be looted by armed gangs of Palestinians. Guterres said the war in Gaza is unlike other wars, in that Israel attacks and bombs an area, then moves on instead of occupying and securing it. The result is there is no authority in much of Gaza. He said there must be a minimum of law and order in the region, which is why a cease-fire is so badly needed. The secretary-general called the news briefing to warn about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah militants along Israel's northern border with Lebanon. The two sides have been exchanging attacks on either side of the border since the conflict in Gaza began in October. He said they have exchanged "bellicose" rhetoric as well, "as if all-out war was imminent." He said the risk for the conflict in the Middle East to widen is real and must be avoided. "Let's be clear," Guterres said, "The people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza." The war in Gaza was sparked when Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military response in Gaza has destroyed much of the territory, killed more than 37,400 people and injured more than 85,600 others, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Some information in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armenia recognizes a Palestinian state By VOA News June 21, 2024 Armenia said Friday it is officially recognizing a Palestinian state, the latest country to do so despite criticism from Israel. "Confirming its commitment to international law and the principles of equality, sovereignty and peaceful coexistence of peoples, the Republic of Armenia recognizes the State of Palestine," Armenia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry summoned the Armenian ambassador for a "harsh reprimand conversation," according to a ministry spokesperson. In recognizing a Palestinian state, Armenia joins approximately three-quarters of the 193 United Nations member states that have already done so. Armenia has previously joined U.N. General Assembly resolutions that have called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, and the Foreign Ministry said in its statement Friday that a two-state solution is the only way that peace can be reached. The Palestinian Authority, which has limited rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said in a statement it supported Armenia's recognition of a Palestinian state. "This recognition contributes positively to preserving the two-state solution, which faces systematic challenges, and promotes security, peace and stability for all parties involved," it said. Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized a Palestinian state last month, prompting Israel to pull its ambassadors from each country. Since then, Slovenia and the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda have followed suit. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines did not consider invoking US pact over South China Sea clash By VOA News June 21, 2024 The Philippines says it did not consider a confrontation with China's coast guard in the South China Sea earlier this week that saw one sailor lose a thumb as an armed attack or a reason to invoke a 1951 mutual defense treaty with the United States. The incident resulted in "serious injuries" for a Philippine navy sailor from what the Philippine military called an "intentional-high speed ramming" by the Chinese coastal guard. The Philippine military also said the Chinese coast guard confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment. In the wake of the clash on Monday, Manila released video footage that showed Chinese coast guard sailors with knives, an axe and other weapons as they attempted to stop a resupply mission for an outpost on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. Philippine authorities say a sailor a lost thumb during the confrontation. China's foreign ministry has disputed the Philippine account of the incident, claiming that the necessary measures taken were lawful, professional, and beyond reproach. On Friday, Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told reporters the incident "was probably a misunderstanding or an accident" and that the matter could be easily resolved if China wants to work with them. Bersamin, who also chairs the national maritime council, added that the Philippines is "not yet ready to classify this as an armed attack." According to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the United States is obligated to help defend the Philippines during major conflicts. Earlier this week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell explained that the treaty, "extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft including those of its coast guard anywhere in the South China Sea," according to Matthew Miller spokesperson at the U.S. State Department. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a call with Philippines' foreign minister on Wednesday, where he emphasized "the United States' ironclad commitments to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty." Moving forward, the Philippine national maritime council has advised President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to schedule resupply missions to the disputed shoal regularly. The council also advised Manila to publish the missions in advance with hopes that China will act in a more restrained manner. Vietnam, who like China, also has overlapping claims to parts of the South China Sea, said it is ready to hold talks with Philippines over the contested area, according to official Vietnamese media reports on Friday. Vietnam "stays ready to discuss with the Philippines to seek and achieve a solution that is mutually beneficial for both countries," said Vietnam Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang on Thursday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN confirms Doha talks with Taliban will exclude Afghan rights defenders By Ayaz Gul June 21, 2024 The United Nations confirmed Friday that a rare meeting of global envoys with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers this month will not address concerns about Afghan civil society and women human rights defenders. Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, emphasized the importance of the world community opening a direct dialogue with the Taliban, suggesting it could create opportunities for Afghan women to participate in future talks. "This is what is possible today. ... It is a process. Let's start to speak," she told reporters in New York after briefing a U.N. Security Council meeting on the Afghan situation. The two-day U.N.-hosted meeting will commence in Doha, Qatar, on June 30. It will be the third session of what is referred to as the "Doha process," and the Taliban have agreed to attend for the first time. "For the first time, special envoys of all the countries would meet face to face with the Taliban. They would tell them that, 'Look, it doesn't work like this, and we should have women around the table, and also provide them with access to the business,' " Otunbayeva said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched and hosted the Doha process in May 2023 to establish a coherent and unified global approach to engagement with the Taliban government, which has yet to be formally recognized by the world. Guterres did not invite de facto Afghan authorities to the first meeting. The Taliban refused an invitation to the second round of talks in February unless their delegates could be accepted as the sole representatives of Afghanistan. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticized the U.N. for inviting the Taliban to the Doha huddle rather than holding them accountable for "crimes" against Afghan women and girls. Otunbayeva responded to the criticism Friday, saying the U.N. would consult civil society representatives from inside and outside Afghanistan before the June 30 meeting. They also will speak to special international envoys on July 2, a day after the meeting with the Taliban ends, she noted. Help for businesses, farmers The UNAMA chief explained that discussions at the third Doha meeting will focus on helping Afghan private businesses, addressing financial and banking sector issues, and finding alternate livelihoods for farmers affected by the Taliban's nationwide ban on opium poppy cultivation. She said all these issues are related to women: "There are 5 million addicted people in Afghanistan. More than 30% [of them] are women." Otunbayeva said the Taliban expect international assistance and capacity building in the security, agriculture and health sectors. "What do we need [in return]? We need them to change their minds and let girls go to school. I don't understand what is the reason why they don't let girls go to school. There is no Islamic country out of 57 where girls don't go to schools." The Taliban regained power in Kabul in August 2021 as U.S.-led NATO troops withdrew from the country after nearly 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war. The fundamentalist authorities have since barred girls aged 12 and older from attending secondary school and have suspended female students from universities as well as other higher education. Most Afghan women are prohibited from public and private employment, including the U.N., and they are not allowed to visit public places such as parks, gyms and bathhouses. Women are required to undertake road or air trips only when accompanied by a male relative. The Taliban dismiss criticism of their policies, insisting they are aligned with Afghan culture and Islamic law. Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general at Amnesty International, said in a statement Friday that the credibility of the Doha meeting "will be in tatters if it doesn't adequately address" the Afghan human rights situation and fails to engage Afghan women rights defenders. "Sidelining critical discussions on human rights would be unacceptable and set a deeply damaging precedent," Callamard said. She urged the international community to adopt a clear and united stance to protect the rights of Afghan women. "Caving into the Taliban's conditions to secure their participation in the talks would risk legitimizing their gender-based institutionalized system of oppression a system that has sought to erase women and girls from society by callously stripping them of their most fundamental rights," she said. Tirana Hassan, the executive director at Human Rights Watch, described the exclusion of Afghan women from the upcoming Doha talks as shocking. "Excluding women risks legitimizing the Taliban's abuses and triggering irreparable harm to the U.N.'s credibility as an advocate for women's rights and women's meaningful participation," Hassan said in a statement issued Friday. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN documents surge in anti-Taliban attacks in Afghanistan By Ayaz Gul June 21, 2024 A quarterly report on the situation in Afghanistan by the United Nations has documented a surge in attacks by armed groups fighting Taliban rule. It also noted "persistent" internal tensions among de facto Afghan leaders. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, released the assessment Friday, noting that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently submitted it to the Security Council. The report stated that the armed opposition "did not pose a significant challenge" to the Taliban's hold on territorial control since they regained power in August 2021. "Two opposition groups conducted verified attacks during the reporting period: the Afghanistan Freedom Front [AFF] and the National Resistance Front [NRF]," the document stated. The U.N. said both groups focused on attacking Taliban security forces in the capital, Kabul. The report stated that the NRF carried out "29 confirmed attacks" in the past three months, with 20 in Kabul and the rest in the northern Afghan provinces of Takhar, Baghlan and Parwan. The AFF conducted 14 attacks, all of which took place in the national capital. "Both groups used hit-and-run tactics against de facto security forces, throwing grenades in 22 attacks and using improvised explosive devices in seven others," said the U.N. report. It stated that an NRF-claimed attack on February 26 targeted the Taliban-run military zone of Kabul International Airport, firing three mortars on the installation but causing no confirmed damage or casualties. A spokesman for the NRF disputed the U.N. assessment, saying it is "deeply disappointing" to see the world body downplaying the security and other crises in Afghanistan. "Notably, the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan has conducted over 160 successful operations in Kabul and various provinces this year, yet only 29 have been reported," Ali Maisam Nazary said on social media platform X. "This lack of accurate reporting undermines the true situation on the ground and does a disservice to the people of Afghanistan," he wrote. The U.N. findings come as the Taliban's crackdown on media has made it extremely difficult for reporters to access authentic information and to verify insurgent claims. Taliban officials have not yet commented on the U.N. report. The Afghan rebel groups, NRF and AFF, are made up of political and military officials of the internationally backed government in Kabul that was ousted from power by the then-insurgent Taliban. Taliban authorities also have played down the armed insurgency, claiming they have restored peace through war-torn Afghanistan with public support and they have established control over all 34 of the country's provinces. The male-only Taliban government is internationally isolated and condemned for its sweeping curbs on Afghan women's and girls' access to education and employment. No country has formally recognized the Taliban leadership, nor has any foreign government, including the United States, encouraged a war against the de facto Afghan rulers. IS threat The U.N. report also documented six attacks by an Afghan-based Islamic State affiliate, known as Islamic State-Khorasan, in the reporting period. The violence was mostly targeted at the Taliban, including a suicide bombing outside a bank in southern Kandahar city on March 21. The Kandahar blast killed at least 25 Taliban security forces and wounded 45 others, along with five Afghan civilians, according to the U.N. report. Taliban officials had formally confirmed only three fatalities, saying the attack injured about a dozen people, though they did not identify the casualties. U.S. military commanders and intelligence chiefs have described IS-Khorasan as the most potent threat to Taliban rule in Afghanistan and beyond. The Kabul government maintains that its sustained counterterrorism operations have significantly degraded IS-Khorasan's presence in the country, along with its ability to launch attacks internally or externally. Taliban rifts The U.N. report released Friday also observed "some divergent views" within the Taliban over governance issues. "The de facto authorities maintained public unity and exerted authority over the entire national territory, although some internal tensions persisted within their structure. They continued their outreach with communities to bridge gaps and elicit their support while reducing the space for men and women to conduct civil and political activities," the quarterly assessment stated. Taliban officials repeatedly have dismissed as Western propaganda allegations of internal rifts involving their reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. "These are just rumors, not true," Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's Qatar-based political office, said in a brief statement Thursday when asked for his comments on the reported divisions NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Analysts worried by report of Sahel militants crossing into Nigeria By Timothy Obiezu June 21, 2024 Regional security analysts are warning Nigerian authorities to take caution following a new report that armed militants operating in Africa's volatile Sahel region have a found their way into northwest Nigeria through the borders of the Republic of Benin. Wednesday's security report, "Dangerous Liaisons" by the Dutch research think tank Clingendael Institute, is the latest indicator that militants are migrating from the Sahel to wealthier coastal nations in the region. The 81-page report says extremists believed to be linked with al-Qaida in the last year have migrated from the Republic of Benin and settled in northern Nigeria, including around Kainji National Park. If not addressed, the trend could escalate attacks in both countries already struggling with lethal violence from groups, the report indicates. Security analyst Chidi Omeje said the discovery is no surprise. "It's not surprising if such happens, because of course you know the nature of our very porous borders," said Omeje. "Those ones coming through the Sahel to me are purely for economic pondering, I'm not sure they're ideological based. [But] it's a dire situation, it's quite concerning, it's frightening." The report also says the search for economic opportunity and high poverty levels contribute to the recruitment and expansion of various armed groups in the region. Africa's Sahel the vast expanse south of the Sahara Desert is a global terrorist epicenter, according to the 2023 World Terrorism Index. Experts say the wave of coups in the region in recent years has affected its security situation and response to regionally based militants. In April, Nigeria hosted more than 400 delegates from across Africa at a summit on counterterrorism. In an address at the summit, Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu spoke about factors driving terrorism. "Terrorism in Africa is driven by factors such as foreign terrorist fighters, organized crime, prolonged conflict, drug trafficking, illicit arms trade, high youth unemployment and inadequate policing," said Ribadu. "Effective strategies require comprehensive approaches that address these drivers, promote socioeconomic development, enhance governance, resolve conflict and strengthen regional and international corporation." Security analyst Senator Iroegbu said local authorities need to secure their country's borders while planning for more robust regional action. "There's a lot of volatility on the northern fringes of Nigeria," said Iroegbu. "The insecurity is a fertile ground for all these groups to easily crisscross the boundaries and establish themselves. These jihadist groups ... their target is also to move to the coastal side of Africa. It's now left for the security agents and Nigerian government, how they respond to this. In fact, a contingency plan should've been in place all along." This week, Nigeria announced plans to acquire 50 military aircraft to combat terrorism especially in the country's northwest region. But analysts warn that unless those plans are supported by schemes to alleviate poverty and reduce vulnerability of locals, the problem may persist. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi, June 22 (UNI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday held pre-Budget consultation with finance ministers of states and union territories (with legislatures) to gather suggestions from them for the forthcoming Budget. "Most Ministers appreciated the Government of Indias 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment' and gave some suggestions for further improvement. The participants also gave several valuable suggestions to the Union Finance Minister for inclusion in the Union Budget for FY 2024-25, along with some State-specific requests," an official statement said. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Ministers of Goa, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana, State Finance Ministers and other Ministers, and senior officers from the states and the central government. During the key meeting, Sitharaman underlined the central government's support to states through timely tax devolution, Finance Commission grants, and arrears of GST Compensation being provided for providing stimulus to growth. Regarding the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, she stated that while most of the loans are untied, a part of it is conditional-linked to citizen-centric reforms by states and sector-specific capital projects and requested the states to avail these loans by fulfilling requisite criteria. UNI NK ING Military paper moves to defend its 1st Amendment rights By Liam Scott June 21, 2024 Supporters of the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes are using a public consultation period on the outlet's regulations to try to roll back what they say are restrictive rules. Funded in part by the Department of Defense but editorially independent by order of Congress, the Stripes has operated under the same Federal Register regulations since 1993. But with updates to those rules open to public comment until Monday, journalists and media analysts are drawing attention to three longstanding articles they believe should be relaxed or scrapped entirely. These include vague wording that doesn't explicitly authorize reporters to ask questions of Defense Department officials, as well as regulations that block the paper's staff from filing Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, requests or from publishing classified information that was legally obtained. With the opportunity for change, some staffers and experts are calling for the rules to be relaxed in favor of an environment that better supports press freedom. Doing so, they say, would benefit the American soldiers who rely on the Stripes for information they can't get from other news outlets. The paper's ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, told VOA that the current regulations hinder the newspaper and threaten its independence. Others have pointed to the unique audience the paper serves. "Stars and Stripes is really the most powerful weapon our troops carry into battle. And the reason I believe that is because it is a terrific representation of the good old American value that you can speak truth to power," Kathy Kiely, chair in free press studies at the University of Missouri, told VOA. "But it's a constant struggle to maintain that independence," she said. "There have been people who have been trying to mess with this since the beginning of the paper." The Stripes has existed in some form since 1861, and it has been published continuously since World War II. With staff in 18 locations around the world, it offers in-depth coverage to the U.S. military community. Brian Brooks, who was editor of the European edition of Stripes in the late 1990s, emphasized that Congress mandated that the paper be a First Amendment publication. "So, any attempt to invoke rules that would restrict Stars and Stripes reporters, is, in my opinion, a direct affront to Congress," Brooks told VOA. Some media rights advocates see the regulations as interference in the paper's editorial independence. "The government should not use its unique leverage over Stars and Stripes to restrict the First Amendment rights of its journalists," Seth Stern, advocacy director at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, told VOA. A Defense Department, or DoD, spokesperson told VOA that while the paper is editorially independent, its staff are DoD employees and so must "adhere to applicable DoD policies and federal laws and regulations, such as those regarding legal and ethical standards of federal employees and unauthorized disclosure of classified information." For Smith, the most concerning regulation is that Stripes reporters aren't explicitly authorized to ask questions of Defense Department officials. "It gets to the very heart of reporting, and reporters' ability to move around and ask questions unhindered," said Smith, who is based in Connecticut. As the ombudsman, Smith acts as both a reader representative and a watchdog to ensure the newspaper's First Amendment rights are respected. She cited examples of Stripes reporters who have been barred from covering events on bases without a military escort which she said isn't required. Stripes reporters are also not permitted to submit FOIA requests, under the claim that they are exempt because they are classified as federal employees. Brooks, who is now a professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism, described that regulation as tantamount to censorship. Jennifer Svan, a reporter at the newspaper for about two decades, said that while government agencies on occasion have overlooked the FOIA prohibition, it more often makes reporting much harder. "Then we're just relying on what the military is telling us about a particular issue, rather than seeing the documents that really paint the true picture of something that happened," Svan, who is based in Germany, said. "It's definitely been a challenge the whole time that I've been with Stars and Stripes." The regulations imposed on the newspaper indicate a tension between whether the Defense Department wants to treat Stripes like the legitimate news organization it's Congressionally ordered to be, according to Kiely. That tension has been the subject of a prior court ruling with a U.S. district court in 2003 ruling in favor of the paper in a case involving reporter's privilege. The judge in that case found that although the paper is under the Defense Department's purview, its staff and the audience they serve "enjoy the full protection of the First Amendment." While analysts say such regulations threaten the newspaper's independence, the community affected the most is the soldiers and their families who read the newspaper. "The people this hurts are the members of Stars and Stripes' audience, are the men and women who are working every day to protect us," Kiely said. The public comment period concludes on June 24. After that, the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense reviews the comments. The Stripes would have the opportunity to be involved in any proposed updates. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zambia wants SADC, AU to mediate deteriorating relations with Zimbabwe By Columbus Mavhunga June 21, 2024 Zambia says it has called on two regional bodies the African Union and Southern African Development Community to mediate talks with neighboring Zimbabwe. Zambian officials say the diplomatic fallout with neighboring Zimbabwe stems from remarks that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a recent visit to Russia. Namely the accusation that the U.S. has been militarizing Zambia to consolidate power in the region and isolate Zimbabwe. In a televised speech in parliament Thursday, Zambia Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe rejected Mnangagwa's statement as "an unwarranted attack on Zambia's sovereignty." He also said Lusaka, which has historically strong ties with its neighbor, wants to maintain cordial relations with it, the U.S. and Russia. "For example, in March this year, Zambia was one of the first countries, that called the United States of America, and the European Union to remove sanctions against Zimbabwe when the United States of America imposed new sanctions." Haimbesaid. "Regrettably, however, madam speaker, the sentiments expressed by his excellency President Mnangagwa do not appear to accord with the warm relations highlighted above." Both the Southern African Development Community and Africa Union, to which both Zambia and Zimbabwe are members, could not be reached for comment Friday. Jenfan Muswere, Zimbabwe's information minister, played down any deteriorating relations between Lusaka and Harare when reached for comment Friday by VOA. "We are a friend to all and an enemy to none. Zambia is our neighbor, and a geographical reality with a long history from the federal days, all the way to the contributions that we were together during the liberation struggle," Muswere said. "And at the same time that we are Siamese twins, I might be able to be aware of some of the questions that he (Haimbe) refers to. But we are a friend to all and an enemy to none." Dr. Alexander Rusero an international relations professor at Africa University in Zimbabwe said Zambia is simply retaliating and expressing displeasure to President Mnangagwa's comments. "But there is absolutely nothing wrong diplomatically with regards to what President Mnangagwa did," he said. "Zimbabwe has every reason to worry, against the realities of a Zambia that is being militarized. And every neighbor should be worried when such developments happen. And remember, Zimbabwe and United States of America's relations, they are somehow still very frosty. So, whenever there are developments next door, Zimbabwe has to be worried. But with regards to the utterances President Mnangagwa made, it's the public leak which maybe erroneous. But not the utterances themselves because it was a head of state expressing security concerns with regarding a neighbor being militarized by Zimbabwe's adversary so to speak." Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has denied that his country is being militarized by the U.S. He says Zambia's army has exchange programs with a number of countries including the U.S., and that that should not be mistaken for the U. S. setting up a base in Zambia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exclusive: Video footage shows Philippines secretly reinforcing illegally grounded vessel in Ren'ai Jiao Global Times By Liu Xin and Fan Wei Published: Jun 21, 2024 11:17 PM Updated: Jun 22, 2024 12:15 AM The recent revelation that the Philippines secretly transferred materials to reinforce the dilapidated military vessel illegally grounded at Ren'ai Jiao underscores the root cause of the current tense situation in the South China Sea - the Philippines' ongoing provocations with US support. Analysts said that the law enforcement measures taken by the China Coast Guard to safeguard China's national interests are legitimate and justified. Multiple pieces of video footage obtained exclusively by the Global Times also showed that aside from dispatching military personnel, the Philippines arranged for so-called "fishermen" to transport construction materials to reinforce the military vessel illegally grounded at Ren'ai Jiao, and Philippine military personnel openly conducted reinforcement work on the "grounded" warship during the daytime. In a report released on Thursday, the Financial Times cited six people as saying that the Philippines "has reinforced" the illegally grounded military vessel at Ren'ai Jiao to "extend its life." The report also noted that "the US Indo-Pacific Command last year proposed sending army engineers to bolster the ship." China has criticized the Philippines for dispatching vessels to send construction materials to the dilapidated vessel, which has been illegally grounded at Ren'ai Jiao in the Nansha Qundao for over 20 years, while the Philippines claimed its missions are sending "humanitarian supplies" to the site. The Global Times has learned from sources that out of humanitarian concerns, after notifying China in advance, the Philippines was allowed to transport essential humanitarian supplies such as food and water to the illegally grounded warship at Ren'ai Jiao. However, since February 2023, the Philippine government has disregarded China's goodwill and ignored the "gentleman's agreement" reached between the two countries during the Duterte administration, and people claiming to be "fishermen" secretly transported large quantities of construction materials to the illegally grounded warship, aiming to repair and reinforce it to turn it into a permanent facility. Video footage taken around the Ren'ai Jiao recently and obtained by the Global Times showed that in addition to openly dispatching large transport ships to participate in illegal resupply activities, the Philippines has also repeatedly sent so-called "fishermen" on multi-functional fishing boats to the illegally grounded warship, transporting construction materials. These so-called "fishermen" operated at dusk and dawn, attempting to evade surveillance by China Coast Guard (CCG) during the night, while transporting and hoisting large building materials to the illegally grounded warship. Meanwhile, Philippine military personnel conducted welding and reinforcement work on the illegally grounded warship during the daytime. These "fishermen" are highly organized in their illegal transporting and resupply activities, and they are experienced and well-trained, employing strategies such as placing fish catches on their boats to disguise their operations as fishing activities. They also conducted high-speed operations in the lagoon of Ren'ai Jiao during the late hours, using reflective materials to obstruct nighttime monitoring by CCG. However, these actions cannot evade the comprehensive law enforcement and evidence gathering efforts of CCG throughout the day and night. The relevant reports once again confirm that the Philippines' claim of transporting only living supplies to its illegally grounded warship at Ren'ai Jiao is completely false, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference on Friday. As China has pointed out multiple times, the Philippines has been sending construction materials, and even weapons and ammunition, to the illegally grounded military vessel in order to repair and reinforce it on a large scale so that it can permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao. The Philippines' moves seriously violate China's sovereignty. China absolutely rejects them and will resolutely respond in accordance with laws and regulations, Lin said. Lin also emphasized that what led to the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao is very clear - the root cause is that the Philippines breached its commitments, refused to tow away the warship illegally grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for 25 years and kept sending it construction materials to reinforce the warship. This warship stands as solid evidence of the Philippines' persistent provocations and infringement against China in the South China Sea over the decades, its bad faith and breach of the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and its damage to the eco-environment in the South China Sea, Lin said. "We urge the Philippines to stop making provocations and infringing on China's sovereignty at once, and return to the right track of properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation as soon as possible. China is firmly determined to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said the spokesperson. The falsehoods perpetrated by the Philippines on the South China Sea have been exposed in the face of facts. Since the grounding of its warship on Ren'ai Jiao, the Philippines has consistently transported construction materials to the reef through various means with the aim of permanently occupying it and developing it into a military outpost, Ding Duo, a deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Friday. These developments also highlight the justification for China's strict law enforcement. In the face of the Philippines' provocations, CCG's rigorous enforcement not only defends national sovereignty and territorial integrity but also makes a significant contribution to safeguarding international law and regional peace and stability, said Ding. The China Coast Guard on Monday took control measures in accordance with the law, including issuing warnings, intercepting, boarding and conducting inspections, when three Philippine vessels illegally entered the waters off Ren'ai Jiao. The incident was the Philippines' latest provocation as the situation has become more strained in the South China Sea in recent months. Ding said that the root cause for this round of tensions in the South China Sea is the Philippines' continuous provocation with the support of the US. The support and incitement from the US and certain other Western countries have emboldened the Philippines to act more provocatively on the issue of Ren'ai Jiao. During his call with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the US' "ironclad" commitments to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty, the US State Department said. The Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines, whether interpreted in the 1950s or the 1970s, has consistently been domestically understood in the US to apply strictly within Philippine territory. Despite occasional US threats of using the treaty as leverage, engaging in legal proceedings would require both time and a thorough interpretation of the treaty, which means the US is unlikely to enter into a large-scale conflict with China over islands or reefs in the South China Sea for the Philippines, said Ding. While the US may articulate its commitments, in practice, it often relies more on rhetoric and threats to bolster the Philippines. The commitments from the US that the Philippines often cites are likely just hollow promises, said Ding. Analysts also noted that the Philippines' ongoing collusion with external countries in the South China Sea, including joint patrols and military exercises, heightens maritime risks and could lead to increased unpredictability and incidents at sea. If the Philippines continues its provocations, more serious incidents could arise in the future. Analysts warn that the Philippines may ultimately bear the consequences of destabilizing the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Budapest Convention reaches 75 Parties Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Strasbourg 20 June 2024 Benin, Fiji and Kiribati have acceded to the Convention on Cybercrime. With these new accessions, made in Strasbourg on 20 June in the presence of Deputy Secretary General BjArn Berge, 75 States are now Parties, two have signed it and 18 have been invited to accede to the Convention. Additionally, Benin acceded to the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems. The Protocol entails an extension of the Cybercrime Convention's scope, including its substantive, procedural and international cooperation provisions, to also cover offences of racist or xenophobic propaganda. This first Protocol now has 36 Parties. Lastly, the Czech Republic and Sierra Leone signed the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence. With these, 44 States have signed it, and two more are already Parties. The Second Additional Protocol on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence was opened for signature on 12 May 2022 within the framework of an international conference in Strasbourg, France. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Citizen Detained In Montenegro At U.S. Request Over Alleged Election Interference By RFE/RL's Balkan Service June 21, 2024 A Russian citizen has been detained in Montenegro at the request of U.S. authorities on suspicions of having illegally interfered in the 2020 U.S. election, according to Russian and Montenegrin media on June 21. The person detained was identified only as "A.M." Montenegro's Justice Ministry declined to comment on the matter when contacted by RFE/RL. The DAN media portal of Montenegro reported that Justice Minister Andrej Milovic approved the "temporary detention" of the Russian citizen for alleged illegal interference in the U.S. election and unlawful financing in the United States. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegro-russia-us-2020- election-interference/33004302.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 Designating Kaspersky Lab Leadership in Response to Continued Cybersecurity Risks US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson June 21, 2024 The United States is determined to protect and preserve the integrity of our information and communication technology from cyber threats. Today, the Department of the Treasury is designating 12 executives or senior leaders of AO Kaspersky Lab, a Russian cybersecurity and anti-virus company. Yesterday, the Department of Commerce issued a final determination that prohibits Kaspersky Lab, Inc., its affiliates, subsidiaries and parent companies from directly or indirectly providing anti-virus software and cybersecurity products or services in the United States or to U.S. persons due to the risks these products pose to U.S. national security. In addition, Commerce designated AO Kaspersky Lab and OOO Kaspersky Group (Russia), and Kaspersky Labs Limited (United Kingdom) on Commerce's Entity List for their cooperation with Russian military and intelligence authorities in support of the Russian government's cyber intelligence objectives. These activities are contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. Kaspersky's cybersecurity products and solutions provide broad access to files and elevated privileges to the computers on which the software is installed. Kaspersky is subject to the jurisdiction, control, or direction of the Russian government, which could exploit the privileged access to obtain sensitive data, including personal information, or bypass cybersecurity measures, thereby posing an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety and security of U.S. persons. Today's action demonstrates the U.S. Government's determination to use the tools at our disposal to safeguard the United States' information and communication technology supply chain and notify the public of the risks presented by Kaspersky Lab technology. The Department of the Treasury is designating the 12 individuals pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, as amended, for operating in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. The Department of Commerce issued its final determination pursuant to E.O. 13873. The Entity List designations will take effect on June 24, 2024. For more information on these actions, see Treasury's Treasury's press release and Commerce's press release. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Sanctions Kaspersky Lab Leadership in Response to Continued Cybersecurity Risks U.S. Department of the Treasury June 21, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated twelve individuals in executive and senior leadership roles at AO Kaspersky Lab (Kaspersky Lab). "Today's action against the leadership of Kaspersky Lab underscores our commitment to ensure the integrity of our cyber domain and to protect our citizens against malicious cyber threats," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States will take action where necessary to hold accountable those who would seek to facilitate or otherwise enable these activities." Yesterday, the Department of Commerce issued a final determination pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13873 prohibiting Kaspersky Lab, Inc., its affiliates, subsidiaries and parent companies directly or indirectly from providing anti-virus software and cybersecurity products or services in the United States or to U.S. persons. Commerce reached this determination after an investigation found transactions involving the products and services of Kaspersky Lab, Inc. and its corporate family pose unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety and security of U.S. persons, as outlined in E.O. 13873. In addition, the Department of Commerce has designated AO Kaspersky Lab and OOO Kaspersky Group (Russia), and Kaspersky Labs Limited (United Kingdom) on the Entity List for their cooperation with Russian military and intelligence authorities in support of the Russian government's cyber intelligence objectives. These activities are contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. Previously, the Department of Homeland Security issued a binding operational directive that required Federal Executive Branch departments and agencies to discontinue use of and remove Kaspersky Lab-branded products and services, as defined, from their information systems. This action was based on information that identified the security risks presented by the use of Kaspersky Lab products on Federal information systems. Kaspersky Lab's anti-virus products and solutions provide broad access to files and elevated privileges on the computers on which the software is installed, which can be exploited by malicious cyber actors to compromise those information systems. Kaspersky Lab Board of Directors and Senior Executives and Leadership All the individuals below were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. Andrei Gennadyevich Tikhonov (Tikhonov) is a member of the boards of directors of Kaspersky Lab, its parent organization OOO Kaspersky Group (Kaspersky Group), as well as the United Kingdom-based holding company Kaspersky Limited. Since January 2012, Tikhonov has served as Kaspersky Lab's Chief Operating Officer (COO), a position that is responsible for the global administrative functions of the company. The COO is a member of Kaspersky Lab's Executive Team and is directly subordinate to the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Daniil Sergeyevich Borshchev (Borshchev) is a member of the boards of directors of Kaspersky Lab, Kaspersky Group, and Kaspersky Limited. In March 2017, he was appointed Kaspersky Lab's Deputy CEO of Strategy and Economics, which is responsible for long term economic strategic issues, developing the company's global economic landscape, and internal audits. The Deputy CEO of Strategy and Economics is a member of the company's Executive Team, which is directly subordinate to the CEO. Borshchev has also served as Kaspersky Lab's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Deputy CFO. Andrei Anatolyevich Efremov (Efremov) is a member of the boards of directors of Kaspersky Lab and Kaspersky Group and is also the company's Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO). The CBDO is responsible for the technological development and business results of Kaspersky Lab, and is a member of the company's Executive Team, which is directly subordinate to the CEO. Igor Gennadyevich Chekunov (Chekunov) is a member of the boards of directors of Kaspersky Lab and Kaspersky Group and is the company's Chief Legal Officer (CLO). The CLO is responsible for the legal oversight of all the company's activities, and certain departments, such as the Computer Incidents Investigation, Security, and Intellectual Property Control, operate under the CLO's leadership. The CLO is also a member of Kaspersky Lab's Executive Team and is directly subordinate to the CEO. Andrey Petrovich Dukhvalov (Dukhvalov) is Kaspersky Lab's Vice President and Director of Future Technologies. The Vice President is a member of the company's Executive Team and is directly subordinate to the CEO. Andrei Anatolyevich Suvorov (Suvorov) is Kaspersky Lab's Head of Kaspersky Operating System Business Unit, a role which is a member of the company's Executive Team and is directly subordinate to the CEO. Denis Vladimirovich Zenkin (Zenkin) is the Kaspersky Lab's Head of Corporate Communications, a role which is a member of the company's Executive Team and directly subordinate to the CEO. Marina Mikhaylovna Alekseeva (Alekseeva) is Kaspersky Lab's Chief Human Resources (HR) Officer (CHRO), a role which is a member of the Executive Team and directly subordinate to the COO. As CHRO, Alekseeva is responsible for Kaspersky Lab's HR strategy on a global level and overseeing "Kaspersky Academy," which provides training for the company's employees, customers, and partners. Mikhail Yuryevich Gerber (Gerber) is Kaspersky Lab's Executive Vice President of Consumer Business, a role that is part of the company's Executive Team and is directly subordinate to the CBDO. He is responsible for the development of Kaspersky Lab's business-to-consumer products on several operating systems. Anton Mikhaylovich Ivanov (Ivanov) heads Kaspersky Lab's research and development department as the company's Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The CTO is part of the company's Executive Team, directly subordinate to the CBDO. Kirill Aleksandrovich Astrakhan (Astrakhan) is Kaspersky Lab's Executive Vice President for Corporate Business, a position which is part of the company's Executive Team and subordinate to the CBDO. In this role, Astrakhan is responsible for leading the development and growth of the company's corporate sales. Anna Vladimirovna Kulashova (Kulashova) is Kaspersky Lab's Managing Director for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a position that is part of the company's senior leadership team and is directly subordinate to the Executive Vice President for Corporate Business. Kulashova is responsible for developing the direction of corporate sales and strengthening the company's position in the field of protection against complex cyber threats in Russia and CIS countries. Tikhonov, Borshchev, Efremov, Chekunov, Dukhvalov, Suvorov, Zenkin, Alekseeva, Gerber, Ivanov, Astrakhan, and Kulashova are designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. OFAC has not designated Kaspersky Lab, its parent or subsidiary companies, or its CEO. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. In addition, foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate significant transactions or provide any service involving Russia's military-industrial base run the risk of being sanctioned by OFAC. For additional guidance, please see the updated OFAC advisory, "Updated Guidance for Foreign Financial Institutions on OFAC Sanctions Authorities Targeting Support to Russia's Military-Industrial Base," as well as OFAC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1146-1157. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list. For identifying information on the individuals and entities designated today, click here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address First group of Australian submarine workers depart for Pearl Harbor AUKUS training The Hon Richard Marles MP Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Defence 22 June 2024 The Albanese Government continues to progress AUKUS with the first cohort of skilled submarine workers from ASC departing for Pearl Harbor in the United States for comprehensive sustainment training. Around 30 skilled ASC Pty Ltd workers are the first to deploy to the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to directly participate in training in the maintenance of US Virginia class nuclearapowered submarines alongside their US counterparts. These ASC workers from South Australia and Western Australia comprise mechanical fitters and electricians as well as electrical, mechanical and safety engineers and submarine maintenance and battery crew. This is another exciting step towards Australian workers acquiring the knowledge and knowhow that will be essential to build, operate and sustain our future nuclearapowered submarines. The international placements reflect the strength of the AUKUS partnership and follow the Albanese Government's announcement in March that it had selected ASC as a strategic partner in the sustainment and joint build of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines in Australia, starting with the sustainment of the Virginia class and followed by the build and sustainment of Australia's SSN-AUKUS submarines. In total, more than 100 Australian shipyard workers at ASC are expected to depart by mid-2025 for naval propulsion skilling at Pearl Harbor. Once they have completed their overseas training - a mix of classroom and on-the-job learning - they will take up key roles in Western Australia as part of Submarine Rotational Force-West, where they will lead the sustainment of rotating US and UK nuclear-powered submarines. They will also pass on their skills and train other ASC workers through their lead roles. One UK Astute class submarine and up to four US Virginia-class submarines will be involved in a rotational presence through Submarine Rotational Force-West. ASC employees already have decades of combined experience maintaining Australia's Collins class submarines, which will continue operating as Australia transitions to its future nuclear-powered submarine capability. All work by Australian personnel in the US or the UK will remain consistent with Australia's domestic and international legal obligations, including its non-proliferation obligations and commitments. Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP: "This is another exciting step when it comes to developing the workforce we need for the AUKUS program which presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Australians to take advantage of unique and exciting education, training and career development programs, both here and overseas. "These highly skilled workers already have decades of combined submarine experience having sustained our Collins class submarines and now have the opportunity to be upskilled by our US counterparts in sustaining nuclear-powered submarines. "Such unique education and training opportunities for Australian workers reflect the rock-solid commitment of our US and UK partners to our nation-building AUKUS program." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China takes countermeasures against Lockheed Martin Global Times By Global Times Published: Jun 21, 2024 11:22 PM China's Foreign Ministry on Friday announced countermeasures against US arms dealer Lockheed Martin, including its senior executives, following the company's arms sales to Taiwan island. The US recently announced once again the sale of weapons to China's Taiwan island, which seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, seriously interferes in China's internal affairs, and seriously undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In accordance with China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, China decided to take countermeasures toward Lockheed Martin's relevant entities and senior executives, the foreign ministry said in a statement released on Friday. The entities include Lockheed Martin Missile System Integration Lab, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, said the statement. All of their movable and immovable properties, and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen, said the statement. The senior executives under sanction include James Donald Taiclet, chairman, president and chief executive officer; Frank Andrew St. John, chief operating officer; and Jesus Malave, chief financial officer. The executives' movable and immovable properties, and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen, and it has been prohibited for any organizations or individuals within China to engage in any transactions, cooperation, or activities with them. They shall also be denied visas or entry into China, according to the statement. Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, on Friday urged the US to honor its commitment to not support "Taiwan independence" and stop arming Taiwan in any form. The newly approved US arms sales to Taiwan were reportedly worth about $360 million. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on June 21, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-06-21 19:48 Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will attend the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian on June 25. Premier Li Qiang will deliver a special address at the meeting, meet with Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab and foreign guests, and have a conversation with representatives of the foreign business community. President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh will attend the meeting. Over 1,600 representatives from the political, business, academic and media communities of close to 80 countries and regions will also take part in the meeting. CCTV: We noted the celebration event marking the 60th anniversary of the Group of 77 was held in Vienna yesterday. The Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna participated in the event. What's your comment on the cooperation between China and the Group of 77? Lin Jian: The Group of 77 (G77) is an important force in upholding the common interest of developing countries and improving the global governance system, and also a cornerstone in defending multilateralism. It plays an irreplaceable role in international affairs. China is the closest cooperation partner of the G77. We greatly value the Group of 77 and China (G77+China) cooperation mechanism and always firmly stand with G77 in safeguarding international fairness and justice, and in defending and expanding the common interest of developing countries and countries around the world. Since last year, several important international conferences, such as the Havana Summit of the Group of 77 and China, and the Third South Summit, were successfully held, where China and the vast developing countries sent a strong message of enhancing solidarity and cooperation and reaffirmed our commitment to increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance. As the largest developing country, a partner of the Non-Aligned Movement and a member of the Global South, China will always work with fellow developing countries to share weal and woe like passengers in the same boat. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China looks forward to working with fellow developing countries to carry forward and champion this widely-recognized basic norm in international relations and basic principle in international law under the new circumstances, actively advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization for common development and rejuvenation as well as a community with a shared future for mankind. Global Times: The Financial Times reported that according to six people familiar with the operation, the Philippine military had conducted missions to reinforce the Sierra Madre and secretly reinforced the dilapidated warship on Ren'ai Jiao to prolong its service life. What is China's comment? Lin Jian: The report adds to the proof that the Philippines lied about its mission which the Philippines says is for supplying living necessities to the military vessel grounded at Ren'ai Jiao. As China has pointed out multiple times, the Philippines has been sending construction materials, and even weapons and ammunition, to the illegally grounded military vessel in order to repair and reinforce it on a large scale so that it can permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao. The Philippines' moves seriously violate China's sovereignty. China absolutely rejects them and will resolutely respond in accordance with laws and regulations. I would like to stress again that what led to the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao is very clearathe root cause is that the Philippines breached its commitments, refused to tow away the warship illegally grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for 25 years and kept sending it construction materials to reinforce the warship. This warship stands as solid evidence of the Philippines' persistent provocations and infringement against China in the South China Sea over the decades, its bad faith and breach of the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and its damage to the eco-environment in the South China Sea. We urge the Philippines to stop making provocations and infringing on China's sovereignty at once, and return to the right track of properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation as soon as possible. China is firmly determined to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Reuters: Japan's foreign ministry announced today that it has imposed trade restrictions on China-based companies as part of the fresh round of sanctions against individuals and groups supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. Would the Ministry like to comment on this matter? Lin Jian: We noted the reports. China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law. It is China's lawful right to carry out normal trade and economic cooperation with Russia on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Such cooperation shall not be disrupted or undermined by other parties.aa Japan, in disregard of China's just position, followed certain country's suit by imposing illicit unilateral sanctions. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this. We will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard our legitimate and lawful rights and interests. Bloomberg: We've seen reports that the US and China held informal nuclear talks in March. Apparently, Chinese representatives told their US counterparts at the meetings that they wouldn't resort to atomic threats over Taiwan. Can you confirm that these talks happened? We are curious were they Track II talks? And do you have any other details? Lin Jian: I will not comment on China-US Track II talks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Imposes Sanctions Against Lockheed Martin Over Arms Sale to Taiwan Sputnik News 20240621 BEIJING (Sputnik) - China has imposed sanctions against the US military-industrial company Lockheed Martin over the sale of weapons to Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. Earlier this week, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has said that the US State Department has approved a potential $60.2 million sale of Switchblade 300 (SB300) Anti-Personnel and Anti-Armor Loitering Missile Systems and a possible $300 million sale of ALTIUS 600M-V Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Taiwan. "China has decided to take countermeasures against the relevant departments and top management of Lockheed Martin," the ministry said, adding that this is due to the fact that the United States recently "re-announced the sale of weapons to the Taiwan region of China," which seriously violates the principle of "one China." The sanctions have been imposed against such companies as Lockheed Martin Missile System Integration Lab, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, while also against the company's employees Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet, Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John, as well as Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave. The property of the relevant companies and employees will be frozen in China, the individuals are prohibited from entering the territory of China and will not be issued entry visas. Organizations and individuals in China will not cooperate or conduct other activities with relevant individuals and companies, the ministry said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Statement of Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK Kim Yo Jong Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press statement on June 21: The border area of the DPRK was again littered with dirty wastepaper and things. Those were found on farm fields, the margin of reservoirs and orchards near the border. There is also a possibility to find such things in addition. Disgusting defectors from the DPRK to the ROK, human scum, did not hide via report the fact that they sent leaflets over the border to our country. Those human scum would be condemned by population of the ROK. It is natural that there would be something trouble to happen as they did again what they had been urged not to do. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A US Congressional delegation calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi India - Ministry of External Affairs June 20, 2024 A seven-member US Congressional delegation led by Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today. The other members of the delegation included Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Rep. Amerish Babulal "Ami Bera" and Rep. Jim McGovern. The delegation members congratulated Prime Minister on his election for the historic third consecutive term. They expressed deep appreciation for the scale, fairness and transparency of the recently concluded world's largest democratic electoral exercise in India. The delegation described India- US relations as the most consequential one and expressed their strong support for further deepening Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership in all areas, including trade, new and emerging technology, defence, people to people exchanges. Prime Minister highlighted the significant role played by the consistent and bipartisan support of the US Congress in advancing India-US ties, which are based on shared democratic values, respect for rule of law and strong people-to-people ties. He reiterated commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations for the global good. Prime Minister recalled his State Visit to the US in June last year during which he had an opportunity to address a Joint Session of the US Congress for a historic second time. New Delhi June 20, 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 21, 2024 Release U.S.-India INDUS-X Initiative Marks One-Year Anniversary On June 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) during Prime Minister Modi's official state visit to Washington, D.C. In its first year, INDUS-X has advanced both countries' commitment to build a defense innovation bridge under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). INDUS-X has strengthened private sector cooperation between the United States and India by facilitating partnerships among defense technology companies, investors, and researchers. The White House recently announced that the third INDUS-X Summit will take place in Silicon Valley in September 2024 with a focus on harnessing private capital for defense innovation. The summit will be co-hosted by the U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3814180/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (June 21, 2024) India - Ministry of External Affairs June 21, 2024 Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Namaskar, good afternoon friends. Let's begin this Press engagement. Today happens to be 21st June, so Happy International Day of Yoga. I did perform yoga in the morning, participated in the yoga celebration here at the Ministry of External Affairs and there is yoga all over the world today. Anyway, Happy International Day of Yoga to all of you. Let's begin the session. With that I open the floor. Yeshi: This is Yeshi Seli from The New Indian Express. I have two questions. One is what is the death toll of Indians in the Haj and also there is this French journalist who said that his visa has not been extended and he had to leave after 13 years. Any clarity on what happened? Kadambini: Kadambini Sharma from NDTV. Sir hamara sawal yahi hai ki exact number jo Haj mei Bhartiya maare gaye hain unka kya hai, aur kis prakar se yahan par unke pariwaron ko assist kiya ja raha hai MEA ki taraf se ya sarkar ki taraf se? [Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Kadambini Sharma from NDTV. Sir, our question is that what is the exact number of Indians who have died during Haj and how are their families here being assisted by the Ministry of External Affairs or the Government? Madhurendra: Sir Madhurendra, main News Nation se. Main janna chahta hoon ki Galwan ke chaar saal beet chuke hain, is beech disengagement ka process jo hai woh as it is ruka hua hai, kya us par koi update hai, back channel se India aur China ke bich kuch batchit aur koi hum naya breakthrough dekh sakte hain aanewale dinon mei? [Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Madhurendra from News Nation. I want to know that four years have passed since Galwan incident, and the disengagement process has been stalled. Is there any update on this? Is there any back-channel communication going on between India and China, and can we expect any new breakthrough in the coming days? Sidhant: Sir, Sidhant from WION. My question is on the Canadian Parliament, they honoring Nijjar, who is a listed terrorist here in India. Your reaction? And my second question is on China. There have been reports of China keen on the direct plane service. What has been the Indian reaction on that? Krishn: Hi sir, this is Krishn Kaushik from Reuters. There was a delegation of US lawmakers recently that met the Dalai Lama. I wanted to check if India has any comment on that. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Any more questions on the US delegation, so that we can all answer it together? Speaker: Khaas taur pe sir aapka dhyan China ki taraf se aane wale bayanon ki taraf khichna chahunga, jismei unhone jo core interests hain china ke uska dhyan rakhne ke liye America ko kaha hai, aur aise mei jab ki wahan Dharamshala mei Bhartiya Videsh Mantralaya ki taraf se ya hamari sarkar ki taraf se koi maujood nahi tha, kya jo bayaan hai Nancy Pelosi ke unse Bharat apne aap ko disassociate karta hai? [Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I would specifically like to draw your attention to the statements coming from China, where they have asked America to consider China's core interests. In this context, when there was no representation from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs or our Government there in Dharamshala, does India disassociate itself from the statements made by Nancy Pelosi? Rishabh: Good evening sir. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, the Congressional delegation also met External Affairs Minister as well as the Prime Minister. If we can have details on what was discussed and also India's stand on the statements made by Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker of US Congress. Sudhi: Sir Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg, sir. We have seen the American delegation's statements in Dharamshala, saying that US policy on China has changed, and the bill, kind of, shows that there is a distinct change in US policy. What is India's policy towards China? Does 'One China' policy still stand? Manash: Good evening, Manash from PTI. Dalai Lama's succession is becoming an important geopolitical issue. Almost all the major powers have spoken about their position, including US. So, what is India's position on Dalai Lama's succession? Thank you. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: With that, we have rounded up the questions on the visit of the US Congressional delegation, I hope. Let me begin first with answers to the question on US delegation which visited Delhi and Dharamshala recently. It was a seven-member Congressional delegation which visited India from 16th to 20th. It was led by the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Michael McCaul. They visited Dharamshala, as you know, on 18th and 19th, and thereafter they also had a call on the Prime Minister. They also met with the External Affairs Minister, and the Commerce and Industry Minister. Various aspects of India-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership were discussed in the meetings with the Prime Minister and with the External Affairs and Commerce Ministers. More on that, you would have seen there is a Press Release also which was issued after the call on the Prime Minister. So, I will refer you to that. As far as the question of Dalai Lama is concerned, I would like to reiterate what our position is. The Government of India's position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been very clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. His Holiness is accorded due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities. As regard the statements made by the US Delegation, I would say that you take your questions to them because they will be in a better position to answer as to what they mean by it and it is for them to answer these questions. So with that, I will come to other questions. Yeshi, to begin with yours, death toll in Haj, large number of Indian pilgrims visit Haj every year. This year, 1,75,000 Indian pilgrims have visited Haj so far. The core Haj period is from, I think, May 9th to 22nd of July. So far, we have lost or there are 98 Indian pilgrims who have died in Haj. Let me get the figures right, please. I was talking about... each year, we have a large number of Indians visiting Haj for pilgrimage. This year, we have 1,75,000 Indians who have already visited Haj. The core Haj period is from 9th May to 22nd of July and so far we have lost 98 of our citizens. These deaths have happened on account of natural illness, natural causes, chronic illness, as also old age. On the day of Arafat, 6 Indians died and 4 Indians have died on account of accidents. I would also like to tell you that last year, the figure of Indians who died in Haj was 187. Kadambini, aapka sawal ki hum log kya kar rahe hain, wahan jo hamara Haj Mission Jeddah mei hai, woh bade paimane pe kaam karta hai. Wahan par medical mission hain, hospitals hain, ambulances hain, aur jo saari vyavastha hai woh hamare logon ki dekhrekh ke liye hai. Aur jo bhi wahan par kuch is prakar ka hadsa hota hai, hum turant unke pariwarjano se logon se milte hain, aur jo bhi karyawahi ki ja sakti hai woh kaam hum log karte hain, unka sabka dhyan rakha jata hai. Agar aap jo Haj Mission ke social media handles hain, ya uske alawa jo Press Vigyapti wahan se jari hoti hain, usko dekhenge toh aapko pata chalega ki kitni vistaar se intezam wahan par kiya jata hai logon ke liye. Is baar suna hai ki kyuki bahut garmi rahi aur khaas kar Arafat ke din, jis din wahan par jyada shradhhalu aate hain, kafi log us din heatwave ke karan hatahat hue. Kai ek dusre deshon ke log usmai hatahat jyada hue, hamare yahan se 6 log day of Arafat ke din unka nidhan hua. [Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Kadambini, regarding your question on what we are doing, our Haj Mission in Jeddah operates on a large scale. We have medical mission, hospitals, ambulances, and all necessary arrangements there to take care of our people. Whenever such incidents happen, we immediately reach out to their families and take all possible actions to take care of them. If you look at the social media handles of the Haj Mission or the Press Releases issued from there, you will get to know the extensive arrangements made for the people. This time, due to the extreme heat, especially on the day of Arafat when the maximum number of pilgrims visit, many people were affected by the heatwave. Several people from other countries were affected, and from our side, 6 people died on the day of Arafat. On the French journalist, yes, Mr. SAbastien Farcis, he's an OCI card holder. If you are an OCI card holder, you need permission or work permit to carry on your journalistic activities. To the best of my knowledge, he applied in May of 2024. And his application is still under consideration. The question of his leaving the country, that is a decision that he has to... it's for him to take. If he has taken, that's fine. But, his work permit application is still under consideration. He had reapplied it here in May of 2024. Madhu aapka sawal Galwan ko lekar hai. Galwan ko lekar hum logon ne pahle bhi kaha hai ki do tarfa hum logon ki baat chal rahi hai, ek military-to-military level pe aur dusri rajnayik level pe. Jyon jyon hamari ye batchit chalti rehti hai, is manch se aur uske alawa press vigyapti ke jariye aapko batate hain ki kya progress ho raha hai. Lekin hum log chahte hain ki jo seemavarti kshetra hai, us par shanti bahal ho taki chizain aage ja sake. [Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhu, your question is regarding Galwan. As we have mentioned before, discussions are ongoing on at two levels: military-to-military level and diplomatic level. As these discussions happen, we keep you informed about the progress through this platform and through Press Releases. We desire restoration of peace in the border areas so that things can move forward. Sidhant, your question regarding Canadian Parliament observing two-minute silence, see, we naturally oppose any moves giving political space to extremism and those advocating violence. So that is our position on this particular issue that you raised. Madhurendra: Sir, isko Hindi me. [Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, in Hindi. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Canada ke parliament mei jo wahan par gatividhi hui, usko lekar hum log ye kehna chahte hain ki jo rajnitik space diya jata hai extremists ko aur jo log hinsa bhadkane ka kaam karte hain, in sab chizon ko hum oppose karte hain. [Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Regarding the developments concerning Canadian parliament, we would like to state that we oppose any moves giving political space to extremism and those advocating violence. Sidhant, also to answer your question regarding economic links, linkages, business, etc., on that we have been very consistent in our articulation. I have spoken from this platform, our External Affairs Minister has spoken, our leadership has spoken that peace and tranquility on the border is important for our ties with China to become normal. Krishn, I did answer your question. Samira: Hi, Samira Hussain from BBC News. There is an upcoming debate in the United States between President Biden and President Trump. I am wondering what the Indian take is on the upcoming presidential election and what you may or may not be anticipating in terms of whichever person comes into power again. Rezaul: Rezaul from Hindustan Times. Following the deaths of two more Indians serving with the Russian military, India had asked for a verified stop to the recruitment of Indians. Have we heard back from the Russians on this? Do we have any figures of how many Indians are actually serving with the Russian forces and how many have asked to come back? Sudhi: Sir, Sudhi Ranjan again and thank you for allowing me another question, sir. Sir, External Affairs Minister was in Sri Lanka. If you could give us some more details on his discussions because he met a lot of political leaders across the spectrum. Also wondering, did India raise the Katchatheevu issue which we saw being raised a couple of weeks ago? And therefore, what was Sri Lanka's response? Srinjoy: Sir, in these last few weeks and more, more than one dossier on Khalistani terrorists have been given from different sections of the government to Canada. Have we got a reply? And if there is a reply, what is it? Manash: Manash from PTI. Since April, we have seen media reports in the Australian media about expulsion of Indians, unspecified number of Indian spies from Australia. Since reports of 'nest of spies' came out in 2020. So could you verify whether four Indians have been expelled by Australia as reported by the Australian media? And has there been any reciprocal action by India? Have we also expelled any Australian personnel operating from Delhi since Australia expelled our personnel? Thank you. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Samira, your question on the debate. Well, the United States is a democracy like India is a democracy. What United States chooses or will choose is for the people of United States to decide. As far as we are concerned, there is bipartisan support on India-US relationship in the country and it was very well demonstrated by the visit of bipartisan CODEL which came to India recently as well. So that is how we look at it. It's for the people of United States to decide what sort of democracy, what sort of political formation they would like to have as a government. Rezaul, your question on the two deaths, we have again taken up the issue and we have been continuing with this process. We are engaged with the Russian authorities both here in New Delhi as also in Moscow. So that people who are serving in the Russian army, they can be released and repatriated to India as soon as possible. The number of people who have contacted us so far, as I told you earlier, is between 20-25 people who contacted us, as they wanted to be released. Of those, 10 people have actually been released and repatriated back to India. Of the two people who died recently, we are in touch with their family members. We also are in touch with the Russian Defence Ministry and the Foreign Ministry so that their mortal remains can be brought to India as soon as possible. On the verified stop, yes we had sought verified stop to recruitment and we have taken up this issue with all sincerity with the Russian authorities with the expectation that they are going to act. It's a matter of utmost and deep concern to us and the Russian authorities will act on it soon. Sudhi, on the Sri Lanka visit, External Affairs Minister had visited Sri Lanka yesterday. This was his first bilateral visit to any country after being sworn in as External Affairs Minister yet again. We had given a Press Release yesterday. It's a detailed one which I would urge you to have a look at. External Affairs Minister's visit underscores India's primacy that we accord to Sri Lanka in our 'Neighborhood First' policy, as also 'SAGAR vision' policy. External Affairs Minister called on the President of Sri Lanka, he also called on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena. Thereafter, they had delegation level talks in which several ministers from the Sri Lankan side were present. President Wickremesinghe and External Affairs Minister, they jointly handed over 48 houses under Model Village Housing Project in Colombo and Trincomalee. I would also like to point attention that during the visit, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, which is a very important platform for search and rescue operation at sea, which was established with India's grant of $6 million, was also jointly commissioned in a virtual ceremony. Apart from that, External Affairs Minister called on Leader of Opposition. He also had separate meetings with former President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, and a broad range of leaders from across political spectrum and parties. For more details, I would urge you to look at the Press Release. It has more details in regard to the visit. It was a one-day visit. This is External Affairs Minister's fifth visit, I would recall, in the recent past. Four times that he visited was in January of 2021, March of 2022, January of 2023 and October of 2023. The series of these visits underscores the kind of importance that we attach to our neighbourly relations with Sri Lanka. Srinjoy, regarding your question on terrorism, time and again, we have said that this is a matter of serious concern for us, khalistani activities. We have been repeatedly calling upon the Government of Canada to take action. We have said that political space that is provided to extremist anti-India elements and those advocating violence must stop and they must take action. Manash, your question regarding the documentary, you have asked some very specific questions. It is a documentary and I would like to respond to the documentary per se, because the documentary has several elements to it and it contains blatant untruths. I would urge you to please have a look at the documentary. It is biased and reflects unprofessional reporting. It appears to serve a particular agenda to malign India. We obviously oppose any such attempts to condone, justify or even glorify terrorism. So I would urge you that this particular documentary needs to be seen in light that I have just said. Manash: Was there any reciprocal action from India? Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: This is a documentary where she has talked about several issues. I don't want to go into all those issues. As far as we are concerned, I have told you the very basis of this documentary is something which is questionable. It is based on blatant untruths. Let me repeat, blatant untruths. It has unprofessional reporting. It is biased and it reflects of a certain agenda. Sahil: Sir, I am Sahil from ANI. My question is that what is India's take on Khalistan extremists holding a so-called 'Citizens Court' in Canada? Rishabh: Sir, Rishabh again from Times Now. So last week, we saw this tragedy unfolding in Kuwait. Now, the new report suggests that Kuwaiti authorities have also offered ex-gratia of $15,000 per deceased for the family. If you can the same? Abhishek: Sir, Abhishek Jha from CNN News 18. My question is regarding we are going to observe the 39th anniversary of Kanishka bombing. And I believe there has not been any concrete proof or evidence that would suggest the blame on who did that. But we believe that Khalistani elements were behind that. In the wake of recent resurgence of Khalistani activism in Canada, how do you see the overall security situation? Especially, they have now threatened Indian citizens, also not to board the Indian Airlines plane, especially on 23rd June. So does that also amount some kind of terrorist threat? Rajesh: Thank you, sir. This is Rajesh Mishra from Kantipur Media Group, Nepal. Sir, in the third term of Modi Ji government, will the 'Neighborhood First' policy come in more effectively? Second query is, this time, from which neighboring country is Modi Ji making his first visit? Thank you. Neeraj: Sir main Neeraj Dubey, Prabhasakshi se. Sir mera sawal Jaishankar ji ki jo Sri Lanka yatra thi usiko lekar hai. Usmai aapne jo abhi vistaar se jankari di, toh aap usko jara hindi mei dohra dijiye, aur main ye janna chah raha hoon ki kya Katchatheevu ko lekar bhi batchit hui thi, kyuki Lok Sabha chunav ke dauran woh mudda kafi utha tha. Pradhan Mantri ji bhi Sri Lanka jane wale hain, aur kya padosi deshon mein pehla Sri Lanka hi hoga jahan par Pradhan Mantri jayenge? [Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. My question is about Jaishankar ji's visit to Sri Lanka. You just gave detailed information, so could you please repeat that in Hindi? Also, I would like to know if there were discussions about Katchatheevu, as that issue was raised during the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister is also going to visit Sri Lanka; will Sri Lanka be the first neighboring country he visits? Yeshi: Is PM likely to go for the SCO Summit in Astana next month? Rezaul: Thank you for allowing a second question, Rezaul from the Hindustan Times. I was just wondering, do we have an update on the issue of Nikhil Gupta now that he has been extradited to the US? Are we going to seek consular access or has he asked for consular access? Shivnarayan: Shivnarayan from Newslaundry. I have follow-up question on French journalist SAbastien Farcis. Has the French government taken up this, taken up this issue with India? Gautam: I am Gautam Lahiri. Within the span of only 10 days, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is visiting India. I know that tomorrow is a bilateral meeting. But the point is what is the expectation of India? It seems there is some kind of an urgency to talk with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Sahil your question regarding 'Citizen's Court'. We have strongly protested with the Canadian High Commission here. Such courts or such gathering is not helpful at all. It undermines... and we have strongly taken it up with them and told them to take action as appropriate in the matter. Rishabh, your question is regarding Kuwait, compensations... This fire tragedy happened on 12th of June. 45 Indians have passed away, died. Their mortal remains were brought to India on 14th. There are still 17 Indians who are injured and in hospital, but they are all stable. The Embassy is making daily rounds. The Embassy is in touch with local authorities, the hospital authorities, and even the patients and their family members to ensure their well-being. As far as compensation is concerned, you would have seen reports that Prime Minister has announced that very day on 13th, an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakhs for people who died and Rs 50,000 for people who were injured. In addition, different state governments have also announced their compensation for those who have died in this tragedy. On the part of the Kuwaiti government, the Emir has announced US dollar 15,000 as compensation to people who have died. The company has announced payment of Rs 8 lakhs to the next of kin for people who have died. In addition, the insurance money also will come from the insurance company. The company is also providing a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs to all those who are injured plus their medical expenses are being covered by the company and the company will also undertake rehabilitation of those who are injured. So that was on the compensation part. Abhishek, on Kanishka bombing, we have told you that the question of political space being given by Canada to extremists, to people who advocate violence, people who advocate anti-India agenda is a real problem and therefore we have, time and again, been insisting that the Canadian authorities take strict action against them. The question that you raised must be seen in that context. Rajesh, 'Neighborhood First' policy of course is very important for us. It was on display when the swearing-in ceremony happened. We had the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Nepal participating in the swearing-in ceremony. That itself reflects the importance we attach to our neighboring countries including Nepal. We have a very special relationship with Nepal and these ties will continue to be strengthened in the days ahead. Neeraj, aap Videsh Mantri ke Sri Lanka duare ke baare mei puch rahe the, toh kal ka daura raha unka, ek divsiya daura tha, lekin pichle kuch saalon mei ye paanchva daura hai Videsh Mantri ka. Isse aapko pata chal sakta hai, ye saaf zahir hai ki kis prakar ka rishta hamara Sri Lanka ke sath hai. Wahan par videsh mantri ki batchit wahan ke Rashtrapati se hui, wahan ke Pradhan Mantri se hui, uske alawa unhone sath mei milke wahan apne jo Videsh Mantri hain Sri Lanka ke unse baatchit ki, delegation level batchit hui. Uske alawa unhone kai ek saare development projects, housing projects ko jointly inaugrate bhi kiya, wahan ke Rashtrapati ke sath aur ek jaise maine bataya ki Maritime Rescue Center, uska bhi udghatan virtual tarike se kiya gaya. Ye ek bhartiya grant diya gaya tha 6 million US dollars ka uske tahat banaya gaya hai ye center. Videsh Mantri yatra ke dauran wahan ke purva Rashtrapati se bhi mile, uske alawa wahan par jo Leader of Opposition hain unse mile aur wahan ke anya jo political parties hain, unke jo netagan hain unse bhi mile. Isse saaf zahir hota hai ke Bharat-Sri Lanka maitri, Bharat-Sri Lanka rishtey par wahan par ek bipartision support bana hua hai aur ye hamare rishton ke liye bada badhiya hain. [Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Neeraj, you were asking about the External Affairs Minister's visit to Sri Lanka. His visit took place yesterday and it was a one-day visit. However, this was his fifth visit in the past few years, which clearly indicates the nature of our relationship with Sri Lanka. During his visit, the External Affairs Minister had discussions with the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He also met with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister and had delegation-level talks with him. He also jointly inaugurated several development projects, housing projects with the President of Sri Lanka. As I mentioned, a Maritime Rescue Center, built under a 6 million USD grant from India, was also virtually inaugurated. During his visit, the External Affairs Minister also met with the former President of Sri Lanka, the Leader of the Opposition, and other political leaders from various parties. This clearly shows the bipartisan support for India-Sri Lanka friendship and India-Sri Lanka relations there, which is very good for our ties. Yeshi, on your question regarding Prime Minister's visit, we will let you know of the visit as and when these things are finalized. As you know, we announce these visits closer to the date, still some distance away. So you will come to know of our participation in SCO. Rezaul, on Nikhil Gupta, he was extradited to the United States on 14th of June. We have so far not received any request for consular access from Mr. Gupta, but his family has got in touch with us and we are in touch with the family members and we are looking at the matter as to what can be done on their request. On SAbastien, Shiv, what was your question? Shivnarayan: Has the French government taken up this? Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, that question you must take to the French Government. Whether the French Government has taken it up with us, you must take that question with them, whether they have taken it up with us or not. Shivnarayan: Because it happened in the... Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: See, this gentleman, he reapplied for his work permit in May of this year. Shivnarayan: That was not the first time. First time was in August last year. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: That's fine, but he's again reapplied and the matter is under consideration. That is the information I have. Samira: He said he was denied. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: But he's again reapplied. So the matter is under consideration. Samira: [Inaudible] Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: As far as I know, he has reapplied and his reapplied application is under consideration. Samira: But his previous one was... Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: He had made an application. There may have been other issues, I don't know, but his application, he has reapplied for journalistic permission. If you look at his letter that he has put in the public domain, it also says that he has reapplied and it is under consideration. He also thinks that it will be granted. Please have a look at his letter. You know, we have this tendency of going overboard without going into details of what the literature is in the letter. Gautam, your question regarding the visit, the State visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh is to happen. She is to arrive shortly. She was to arrive at 4 O'clock. We are waiting at the airport. We have a full delegation waiting at the airport to receive her. The State visit will commence today. It's a very important visit for us, the first State visit from the neighboring countries. Both sides have a lot of expectation because the relationship is so special and so friendly. Tomorrow, you'll get more details of all the things that are there in the offing, the discussions, the MoUs, the agreements, all that will be signed. Both sides are committed to deepen and strengthen this very special partnership that we have with Bangladesh. Speaker 2: Thank you, [Inaudible] from [Inaudible]. My question is regarding yesterday, President of Russia, Putin, was speaking of reviewing the nuclear doctrine of Russia, especially following the dismantling all the agreement of the United States. Do you have any comment on this, and if India is, in the near future, also thinking of reviewing its nuclear doctrine? Thank you. Keshav: Thank you, my name is Keshav, I'm from the Print. My first question is regarding the visit of Sheikh Hasina. Is there any movement on the tripartite power pact with Nepal and Bangladesh, and is that expected to be discussed tomorrow? And the second question is, yesterday our Prime Minister spoke with the President-elect of Indonesia. Were discussions on the Sabang Port deal possibly discussed, and are there any details on that? Thank you. Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Keshav, first on the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister, the details of the visit you will come to know tomorrow. 3 O'clock tomorrow we have a Press engagement where a Special Briefing by the Foreign Secretary will be done, post-discussions of the Prime Minister with our Prime Minister. So you will come to know of all that we together agree to do on trade, on defence, on connectivity, so on and so forth. So, cordially you are invited. On the question of the telephone call between President and Prime Minister, we have warm and friendly relations with Indonesia, we want to do very many things with them. This was an introductory call, first call after Prime Minister was sworn in, in his historic third term. So it's a good beginning, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Indonesia, a G20 country and a very multifaceted partnership that we have with that country. On your question on nuclear doctrine, India's nuclear doctrine, we are very clear and our guidelines are laid down. As far as nuclear doctrine of third country is concerned, we would not like to comment on it. With that, let us come to a close. Thank you very much. Hope to see you tomorrow for the Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India's pursuit for Aatmanirbharta in Defence crucial for achieving Strategic Independence: CDS India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Gen Anil Chauhan inaugurates the maiden Armed Forces BEML Synergy Meet 2024 Posted On: 21 JUN 2024 7:59PM by PIB Delhi India's pursuit of defence indigenisation and self-reliance is crucial for achieving strategic independence in the defence sector. This was stated by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan while addressing the maiden Armed Forces BEML Synergy Meet 2024 on June 21, 2024 in New Delhi. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari along with senior officials from Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard also attended the event. Underlining the objectives of Aatmnirbharta in defence, Gen Anil Chauhan said, "The concept of Atmanirbharta underscores our aim to attain autonomy in defence production and establish an ecosystem that positions India as a leading global defence exporter." This first of its kind event was aimed at deepening understanding and delivering cutting-edge solutions to meet military needs in the near future and to further strengthen Aatmnirbharta in defence. Gen Anil Chauhan commended BEML for their efforts and endorsed the collaborative development of indigenous defence equipment. He emphasized the importance of joint integration to achieve synergy in line with the Government of India's agenda for military modernization. The event served as a platform for open interactions, strengthening the relationships between BEML and the armed forces. These discussions were aimed at fostering mutual growth and ensuring that the defence sector can meet the evolving challenges and demands of modern military operations with the equal collaboration from Defence PSU like BEML. CMD BEML Shri Shantanu Roy in his address reiterated the commitment of the defence PSU to enhancing the nation's indigenization efforts in army vehicles and solutions. He said, the synergy meet will provide valuable insights into the evolving needs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and we stand ready with our research and execution capabilities to meet these requirements." The synergy meet paved the way for future collaborations, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of defence solutions and contributing to the nation's security and technological advancement. ******* ABB/Anand (Release ID: 2027734) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran protests Canada's anti-IRGC measure IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 21, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Following a hostile measure by the Canadian government in describing IRGC as a terrorist entity, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Italian ambassador in Tehran as Canada's interest section in Tehran. Iran expressed strong protest to the illegal measure of the Canadian government which it said goes against the international law, warning against the consequences of such measure. Iran said it reserves the right to take the necessary actions and reciprocal measures. The Italian ambassador also said that he will convey Iran's protests to the government of Canada. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada's terrorist designation of IRGC 'utter servility' to Israel: Iran Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 1:58 PM The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says Canada's unlawful decision to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group is "utter servility" to the Israeli regime. In a social media post on Friday, Nasser Kan'ani said the Canadian government's move against the IRGC is not under recognized principles of international law and will bear no fruit. It is not strange that the agents and allies of the Israeli regime designate the world's largest anti-terror force as a terrorist group at a time when the criminal regime is conducting the largest genocide against the people of Palestine in Gaza, he wrote. "History and awakened human consciences will remember these self-proclaimed defenders of human rights and real accomplices to crimes against humanity along with the Zionist criminals and terrorists," the Iranian spokesman said. Kan'ani expressed confidence that the IRGC will become more powerful and honorable and will remain a "thorn in the eyes of the enemies of Iran and Islam." In a hostile move against Iran, Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc Ottawa on Wednesday listed the IRGC as a "terrorist entity" under the Criminal Code and called on Canadians in Iran to leave. Last month, the Canadian House of Commons adopted a non-binding resolution calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to blacklist the IRGC and expel an estimated 700 Iranians. The move makes Canada the second country in North America after the United States to blacklist the IRGC. Iran's Interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani said on Thursday that the Canadian government's move against the IRGC was a senseless gift to the bloodthirsty Israeli regime, terrorists and enemies of peace and stability in West Asia. His comment came after Kan'ani in a statement said that Iran reserves the right to reciprocate with a "proper" response to Canada's unlawful act. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN report condemns executions, hijab crackdown in Iran By Lisa Schlein June 21, 2024 A report by the United Nations secretary-general condemns the high number of executions carried out in Iran last year and the government's violent crackdown against women and girls for defying the country's mandatory hijab law. U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif, who on Thursday presented the report at the U.N. Human Rights Council, said, "At least 834 individuals were executed in 2023, which represents a 43% increase from the previous year." "Especially troubling is the 84% increase in executions for drug-related offenses in 2023, the highest figure in nearly a decade," she said. The nongovernmental organization Iran Human Rights puts the number of people reportedly executed for drug-related charges last year at 471. It says that executions are continuing to surge this year, with "at least 243 people, including 10 women [who] have been executed in 2024, so far." Al-Nashif told the council that minorities continue to be disproportionately affected by executions, "with 20% of all executions in 2023 affecting the Baluch minority." "While noting an overall decline in the sentencing of children to death since 2024, the report deplores the execution of two child offenders in 2023 and urges the government to introduce an immediate moratorium on the death penalty," she said, adding that two men also were executed last year "in relation to the September 2022 nationwide protests," bringing the total to nine. "Serious allegations of torture-tainted confessions and due process violations have permeated these cases," she observed. Mahsa Amini The September 2022 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in morality police custody for allegedly incorrectly wearing a hijab sparked nationwide protests. While mass protests forcing women to wear a hijab have ended, the secretary-general's report notes that the government's determination to enforce and even strengthen its hijab law has not. The report expresses continued concern in relation to a chastity and hijab bill, "which seeks to reinforce mandatory public hijab requirements for women and girls and introduces severe penalties for noncompliance." The report describes Iran as an extremely repressive regime, which rules its people through intimidation and coercion. It says civic and democratic space online and offline are severely restricted; access to information is tightly controlled by the government, "including by blocking access to social media platforms," and journalists, writers and artists are "targeted for exercising their freedom of opinion and expression." The report finds Iran's economic crisis has been exacerbated by unilateral coercive measures and government economic mismanagement, which have adversely affected "living conditions and access to health, food and water." Al-Nashif welcomed the government's directive instructing judges "to align their decisions with the international human rights obligations" of Iran. She also acknowledged some positive aspects of the summary findings of the special committee charged with investigating violations related to the 2022 protests. "While efforts toward accountability are welcome, concerns remain over the independence of the special committee and the lack of information on steps taken to prevent future violations and address long-standing human rights grievances," she said. Fact-finding mission The deputy high commissioner called on the government to "fully cooperate" with the fact-finding mission on Iran and the special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, both of which are mandated to investigate alleged human rights violations in Iran. Ali Bahreini, the Iranian ambassador to the U.N. mission in Geneva, poured cold water on that suggestion. He said Iran was opposed to selecting mandates of the Human Rights Council that contain "falsified and inauthentic reports and mechanisms" based on malign political intentions. "Such prejudicial approaches have nothing to do with the promotion and protection of human rights and is detrimental to the credibility of the human rights values and its structures," he said, adding that "genuine promotion of human rights can be obtained and secured by cooperation, not confrontation." He rejected the secretary-general's criticism of Iran's use of the death penalty and his call for a moratorium, noting that "the abolition of the death penalty is not supported by any consensus." "Iran implements this punishment only for very serious crimes such as murder, major drug trafficking and terrorist crimes, which endanger the security of the community as a whole." He concluded by saying that in next week's presidential election, "the voice of the people will prove once again" that Iran rigorously promotes democracy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea Summons Russian Envoy Over Defense Deal With Pyongyang By RFE/RL June 21, 2024 Russia's Ambassador to Seoul, Georgy Zinoviev, was summoned to the South Korean Foreign Ministry on June 21 to protest a defense deal signed earlier this week by Russian President Vladimir Putin with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Putin and Kim signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" on June 19 during the Russian president's first visit in 24 years to the secretive Stalinist state, South Korea's archfoe. Though full details of the deal are not known, the agreement calls for mutual assistance in the event of an attack by a third country and is intended to take cooperation between the two states to a new level. First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun delivered Seoul's position on the pact and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea to Zinoviev, the Foreign Ministry said. Kim urged Russia to "act responsibly," telling Zinoviev that Moscow's pledge of military aid for the North endangers Seoul's security. He told Zinoviev that the move would have "negative impact" on relations between Russia and South Korea, the ministry said, adding that the Russian diplomat had promised to convey Seoul's message to Moscow. In response, Zinoviev "emphasized that threats and attempts to intimidate the Russian Federation are unacceptable. The ambassador said that cooperation between Russia and North Korea is not aimed at third countries," the Russian Embassy in Seoul said in a post on X. Putin has said Russia does not rule out military and technical cooperation with Pyongyang, or supplying it with weapons, moves that would violate UN sanctions against North Korea. The office of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has condemned the deal as a threat to national security in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Seoul also said that, in response, it would consider sending weapons to Ukraine, which Putin said would be a "big mistake." The White House said the North Korea-Russia pact is unsurprising and a sign of Russia's desperation. In a phone call on June 20 with South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the deal and said that Washington supports Seoul's responses to the security threat prompted by the treaty, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said in a statement. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and Yonhap Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/north-south-korea-putin- kim-jong-un/33003652.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 Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson June 21, 2024 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. The Secretary condemned deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including ongoing arms transfers that violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and reaffirmed the vital importance of the ironclad U.S.-ROK alliance in promoting peace, security, and prosperity around the world. Secretary Blinken thanked Foreign Minister Cho for the ROK's continued support of Ukraine. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Cho also agreed to continue working together to address the complex and evolving security challenges posed by the DPRK, as well to support peace and stability in the South China Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gala reception for the President of Russia President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam hosted a gala reception in honour of the President of Russia at the Hanoi Opera House. June 20, 2024 17:00 Hanoi Speech by the President of Russia at the gala reception President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrade To Lam, friends, First, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our Vietnamese friends for their hospitality and the warm welcome accorded to our delegation, for a constructive and candid dialogue, and for our fruitful joint work. This is my fifth visit to Vietnam, and I can see how dynamically your country is developing and how confidently it is achieving success in strengthening the national economy, industry, infrastructure and the social sphere. It is with good reason that Vietnam has become a respected development leader in the Asia-Pacific Region. We pointed out many times today that this visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on the Principles of Friendship and Cooperation between Vietnam and Russia, which we marked on June16. The treaty opened up new horizons for our bilateral ties, but their history goes back to the mid-20th century, when the heroic Vietnamese people embarked on the difficult path of fighting for their freedom and independence. We are proud that during that difficult time, we helped our Vietnamese friends achieve the long-awaited victory and that afterwards we contributed to the post-war revival of their country. It was in that period that we laid the foundations for a lasting friendship and mutual support, which our countries are using today to address the most challenging goals. Ho Chi Minh, a great Vietnamese statesman, once said: "In any endeavour, put your compatriots and your nation first, not yourself. Take the lead during challenging times, but be humble when it is time for recognition." We will certainly heed this wise advice in our relationship with our Vietnamese friends. All our joint efforts are focused on improving the well-being of our citizens. We will continue to work together in the interests of our nations and for the sake of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. I would like to propose a toast to stronger friendship and closer mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Vietnam, to prosperity and the further development of our relations, to the health of Comrade To Lam and all Vietnamese leaders, and to the people of Vietnam. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Answers to questions from Russian journalists In conclusion of his state visit to Vietnam, Vladimir Putin answered questions from Russian media. June 20, 2024 19:20 Hanoi Pavel Minakov: Russia and the DPRK have signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which envisages, among other things, cooperation in the military-technical and defence spheres. The last clause in the defence part provides for mutual assistance of the parties to this treaty in the event of an attack by a third party. I have a question on this, but it will consist of several parts. First, in what cases is this part of the agreement to be invoked? Second, does this apply to the situation in Ukraine? Do you admit thr possibility of volunteers and soldiers from the DPRK taking part in the special military operation? My third question is about the development of the military-technical sphere. Russia and the DPRK are the only ones who have so many sanctions imposed on them. Does Moscow intend to ignore all restrictions, including those imposed through international sanctions, and develop full cooperation with the DPRK in the military-technical sphere? President of Russia Vladimir Putin: You have a whole set of questions, so let's break it in parts. First, under what conditions will the parts of the treaty relating to mutual assistance in the military sphere be invoked, am I right? First, I would like to say is that for some reason analysts... well, perhaps they noticed, but I did not see and, to be honest, did not have time to look, but still let me note one thing: this treaty is nothing new. We signed this agreement because the old agreement expired, and all the clauses were the same in our previous agreement, which I think was signed in 1962. There is nothing new here. Of course, in today's conditions this looks especially resonate, however, we have changed almost nothing, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has similar agreements with other countries. This is my first point. Furthermore, regarding mutual military assistance, it is written there that it will be provided in the event of an aggression, a military aggression. As for Ukraine, the Ukrainian regime began aggression against Russia, it started aggression against the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics before they became part of the Russian Federation. Now let us talk about how to use each other's capabilities in this conflict. We are not asking anyone to do this, and no one has offered this to us, so there is no need for it. What else did you ask? Pavel Minakov: Regarding sanctions. Vladimir Putin: As for sanctions, I have already said at a meeting with your colleagues, I believe, with heads of global news agencies. I said there that some sanctions introduced against North Korea were, to put it mildly, strange. As you know, I was born in Leningrad. Everyone knows how Leningrad suffered during World War II. I mean the siege, when people were starved to death. As you know, my family also lost someone: my brother died from starvation during the blockade; he fell ill and died. What is happening to North Korea now? You can think of the regime whatever you like but introducing restrictions on, say, labour migration looks somewhat odd. What will this result in? It will result in families, even those in a very difficult financial situation, not having the opportunity to earn money somewhere to feed their children. Does this remind you of anything? Is this humane? Therefore, the sanctions that are introduced, first of all for political reasons in this case, must correspond to the current level of humanity's development. This is why I sincerely said in Pyongyang that we all need to think together about how and what needs to be changed in this sanction regime, and whether it generally meets the requirements of today. Konstantin Kokoveshnikov: As a follow-up on the Ukraine topic. Vladimir Putin: Yes, please. Konstantin Kokoveshnikov: Good afternoon, Zvezda TV Channel, Konstantin Kokoveshnikov. Tell us, please, how could you comment on the response of Western countries, or actually on the rejection of the conditions you proposed to peacefully put an end to conflict in Ukraine? After all, you could hardly fail to expect such a reaction. And still, what was behind your decision to publicly announce the conditions for a peaceful end to the conflict, which were supposed to be the subject of behind-the-scenes negotiations? Or is it that your hopes for them have now finally failed to materialise? Vladimir Putin: You know, we held such behind-the-scenes talks, and our hopes have yet to be realised. As for the response from our so called western partners, you said I apparently wasn't expecting. No, on the contrary. I was expecting exactly this kind of reaction, at the first stage. But time will tell what will happen later. Everything will depend on how the situation changes on the ground. I think that some level-headed politicians will think about whether my proposals are realistic enough, unbiased, and in accord with the interests of all contracting parties and all of Europe, including, if it really wants an end to the conflict in the centre of Europe. Well, we'll see. I am not sure that this attitude towards the proposals we have made will last forever. We are already hearing voices from some politicians who are saying that yes, it may be an ultimatum, yes, the demands may be excessive, but we cannot refuse them, we need to think it over and sort it out. Isn't what our partners presented an ultimatum? Some wordings were invented, although we have a result of our talks in Minsk and Istanbul. Why doesn't anyone remember it? There, I have said about it a hundred times,if we agreed back then and have the signature of the head of the Ukrainian negotiating team that the agreements reached in Istanbul were, in principle, acceptable to the Ukrainian side. What has happened on the ground, on the battlefield, that allows them to advance some additional conditions that are in no way related to our agreements in Istanbul? There is nothing that could have somehow changed the position of the other side, in this case Ukraine. This is why I don't think that such nihilism regarding our proposals would last forever. I am sure that something will change, including our conditions that will change depending on the situation on the ground. Pavel Zarubin: Pavel Zarubin, Rossiya TV channel. How long can these terms continue to apply? After all, numerous signals and statements were made at the conference in Switzerland that Russia should be present at the next conference, if it takes place. Clearly, there are a lot of nuances, but nevertheless, would Russia respond? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: Yes. As I said, we were not the ones who refused to negotiate. The Ukrainian side has forbidden itself to negotiate. Not us. We are in favour of it and have never given up on it, but not on the basis of some ephemeral forms but rather on those agreements - I want to repeat this again - that were reached after almost a month and a half of difficult negotiations in Istanbul and Minsk. It is the basis on which we are ready to continue our dialogue with the Ukrainian side. It does not matter where they take place: in Minsk, Istanbul or Switzerland. Pavel Zarubin: How long will these conditions remain in force? Vladimir Putin: This proposals from our side are on the table. This does not depend on us when all the actors interested in negotiations will take what's on the table and get down to negotiating. They can do it tomorrow, but it is up to them when they bother to do it. But, let me reiterate, everything will depend on the developments in real life. This is what we will proceed from. This is the principled approach we will follow. Yekaterina Lazareva: Mr President, good afternoon. Yekaterina Lazareva, URA.RU. I have a question on nuclear weapons. You have said recently that could be made in our nuclear doctrine. I would like to understand what circumstances make it possible. What conditions must emerge for this to happen? Do you admit that our nuclear doctrine can include a clause on the possibility of launching a preventive nuclear strike? Vladimir Putin: You know, I think I have said that we are still thinking about what can be changed in this doctrine and how. This is because new elements are arising (at least we know that the potential adversary is working on it) related to lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons. In particular, ultra-low-power nuclear explosive devices are being developed, and we know that expert circles in the West are entertaining the idea that such weapons could be used, and there is nothing particularly terrible about it. It may not be terrible, but we must be aware of this. And we are. This is what my statement that we are thinking about possible changes in our strategies is related to. Yekaterina Lazareva: What about a preventive strike? Vladimir Putin: We do not need a preventive strike yet, because the enemy will be guaranteed to be destroyed in a retaliatory strike. Konstantin Panyushkin: Konstantin Panyushkin, Channel One Russia. You have just said that the DPRK has not made any proposals to send soldiers and you did not make any requests to this effect. Nevertheless, as far as we understood, the treaty's Article 4 does provide for ensuring collective security. Vladimir Putin: In case of aggression. Konstantin Panyushkin: Yes, in case of aggression. But in a situation when Russia is already facing... Vladimir Putin: I have already answered this question. The Kiev regime perpetrated an act of aggression against two republics that were not recognised by us then. Konstantin Panyushkin: But what was the decisive factor for Kim Jong-un to sign this treaty in such a challenging environment, when Russia is facing an undeclared war? And what compelled you to take this step? Vladimir Putin: Go ahead and ask him. How would I know? As for the gist of the matter, I have already told you that this treaty largely replicates the expired treaty. Therefore, there is nothing new about it. Konstantin Panyushkin: But there is also the simmering Korean crisis, which also has the potential, at least hypothetically, to escalate into an all-out military confrontation. Considering these circumstances, what was the decisive factor for you to sign this treaty? Vladimir Putin: I have said this twice already, but I can repeat it the third time. We replicated the 1960, or the 1962, treaty after it expired. Yes, the Korean crisis is indeed simmering, but we proceed from the premise, and we do hope that our agreements with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will also serve as a deterrent to prevent this crisis from escalating into a real war. Andrei Kolesnikov: Kommersant newspaper, Andrei Kolesnikov. Can the use of Western long-range weapons be viewed as an act of aggression? Overall, can the shelling of Belgorod and Russian territory in general be viewed as an act of aggression? Vladimir Putin: This matter requires further investigation, but it is close. We are looking into it. What are we dealing with in this case? Those who supply these weapons believe that they are not at war with us. As I have already said, including in Pyongyang, we reserve the right to supply our weapons to other regions of the world. I would not rule out this possibility in terms of our agreements with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We can also adopt the same position on the question of where these weapons end up. Take the West, for example. They supply weapons to Ukraine, saying: We are not in control here, so the way Ukraine uses them is none of our business. Why cannot we adopt the same position and say that we supply something to somebody but have no control over what happens afterwards? Let them think about it. Therefore, at this stage, our primary objective is to defend against these strikes. Anastasia Savinykh: Mr President, TASS News Agency. I would like to shift from the political agenda to economic matters. How do you assess the trade and economic outlook following the talks in Hanoi, considering that the United States continues to exert dictatorial pressure on Vietnam and other regional countries? In addition to this question, I would like to ask the following. You said today that Russia is ready to start direct long-term deliveries of hydrocarbons, including LNG, to Vietnam. What projects could Novatek undertake in this regard? Will this involve infrastructure projects or will it join production projects? Vladimir Putin: You should ask Mr Mikhelson; he will share the details. There are several possibilities. We could take part in the construction of relevant liquefaction facilities, or we could deliver our LNG from Russia. Both options are feasible. There are promising projects and facilities for producing liquefied natural gas here. As for the pressure exerted by Washington and other Western countries, some countries feel its impact, while others seem unaffected. However, I want to emphasise - trust me, this is the reality - that the arrogance with which the US authorities approach this matter do not always work in their favour. In fact, it harms them in the strategic perspective, because nobody likes such arrogance, and it will not be forgiven even in the medium-term historical perspective. We have learned how to overcome this; we really have. Look at how fast we are increasing production. Oil production has declined slightly, but it is because of our voluntary obligations within OPEC+. The goal is to maintain oil prices at a reasonable level. Overall, we are doing well. There may be some challenges, but we have found ways to deal with them. Viktor Syneok: Viktor Syneok, Izvestia Multimedia Information Centre. Mr President, Ukrainian diplomat Kuleba was asked in a recent interview why Ukraine was not taking any action to have a legitimate president and why it was not holding elections or following the correct procedure, although it was obvious that he [Zelensky] was illegitimate. He responded by saying that "Russia should pull out its troops and things will return to normal in Ukraine." What is your comment? It seems that we are more concerned about their leader's legitimacy than they are. And, with your permission, a second question - quickly. Vladimir Putin: Let me first answer your first question, and then I will address the second one. Generally, I prefer not to comment on anyone's remarks, especially those made by second- or third-tier officials. But in this case, I cannot refrain from saying the following: If the condition for negotiations is the withdrawal of Russian forces, something that the Kiev regime is dreaming of, then, judging by all indications, this will never happen. The Kiev regime is reluctant to relinquish power or hold proper elections in accordance with the Ukrainian Constitution. This means that they will delay a ceasefire indefinitely. They have a vested interest in the Russian forces remaining in those territories because they are not interested in holding elections. That is the bottom line. What is the second question? Viktor Syneok: I wanted to ask about your agenda in the DPRK. Did you anticipate such a large-scale and impressive reception? Vladimir Putin: No, I did not. Viktor Syneok: The informal part had a powerful ending, with you driving in the Aurus and saying long goodbyes at the airport... What kind of relationship have you developed with the DPRK leader? In your opinion, what is it based on? Vladimir Putin: First of all, I did not expect that. I imagined, of course, approximately, what it would be like. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has specific protocol standards, and I am familiar with them. But I did not expect that it would be on such a grand scale. Certain things were totally unexpected - I am referring to the private programme. What unites us? These are issues related to interstate cooperation and the development interests of the DPRK and the Russian Federation in various areas, including security and the economy. Dmitry Laru: Dmitry Laru, Izvestia newspaper. The Republic of Korea is already saying that the new treaty between Russia and the DPRK is a threat to their security. The media are saying that Seoul can revise its stand on lethal weapons deliveries to Kiev. Do you have any plans, and is it possible to speak with the leadership of South Korea on the phone and discuss everything in detail? What is Moscow's current overall perception of ways to resolve the Korean issue? Vladimir Putin: Speaking of concerns voiced by the Republic of Korea, I will proceed from what you have said. South Korea, the Republic of Korea, has nothing to worry about because assistance in the military sphere under the treaty that we have signed will only be provided in the event of an aggression against either signatory party. To the best of my knowledge, the Republic of Korea is not planning to launch an aggression against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Consequently, there is no need to fear our cooperation in this sphere. Regarding possible deliveries of lethal weapons to the combat operations zone in Ukraine, this would be a grave mistake. I hope that it will not happen. If it happens, we will also make the necessary decisions that the leadership of South Korea will hardly welcome. Donald Courter: Donald Courter, Russia Today. NATO is now openly discussing the combat readiness status for nuclear warheads. How does Russia perceive this move and what impact will it have on global stability and security? Vladimir Putin: The Russian Federation always maintains its strategic nuclear forces in a state of permanent combat readiness. This is why we are not greatly concerned about the current actions of Western countries. However, we are, of course, closely monitoring the situation, and if the threat grows, we will respond appropriately. Alexander Yunashev: Alexander Yunashev, Life. You have repeatedly stated that Zelensky is illegitimate, and that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is the only legitimate body. Has any of the deputies attempted to send a signal or enter into talks with you? Are we negotiating with anyone behind the scenes? And, off the record, how much sleep have you been getting lately? Vladimir Putin: Do you mean deputies of the Verkhovna Rada? Alexander Yunashev: Yes. Vladimir Putin: I know nothing about this. You said that I have "repeatedly stated." I did not say anything. I simply analysed the situation, or rather, our lawyers analysed the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine. I mentioned its articles, specifically, Article 83, which explicitly states that the presidential term should not exceed five years. Articles 109, 110 and 112 state that the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada shall assume powers, including those of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, in the event of martial law. Everything is clearly stated there. The martial law act also states that no presidential elections shall take place. But it does not say that the president's powers shall be extended, and this means that his term has expired. Finally, the Constitutional Court issued a decision in 2015 stating explicitly that the presidential term shall not exceed five years. So what are we talking about? The West simply does not want to replace him today because apparently, it is not the right time. I have already said this, and I believe that it should be obvious to everyone. He will be blamed for all unpopular decisions, including the reduction in the draft age, and he will be replaced later on. I believe that this will happen somewhere in the first half of 2025. Olga Samsonova: RIA Novosti. Mr President, good afternoon. I know you have already been asked about this during the news conference, but the West keeps ratcheting up tensions, always escalating the situation. Vladimir Putin: Yes, that is what they do. Olga Samsonova: What do you think they are trying to achieve? What is their goal? Is this perhaps a provocation, daring you, trying to get a reaction? Vladimir Putin: Indeed, that is what we see. As you said, they are always ratcheting up tensions and escalating the situation. Apparently, they expect us to back down at some point. But at the same time, they keep saying they want to defeat us on the battlefield by inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia. What would this mean for Russia? For Russia, it would mean the loss of its statehood. It would be the end of the thousand-year history of the Russian state. I think this should be clear to everyone. And so, the question arises: why should we be afraid? Wouldn't it make more sense to stand firm until the end? This is formal logic 101 - I think we only had one semester of formal logic at the university, but I remember it well. I even remember the professor who taught that course. I think those who think this, and especially those who say this, are making another big mistake. Vladimir Putin: Let's take a couple more questions. Go ahead, please. Vera Desyatova: Vera Desyatova, Vesti FM radio. According to reports from the special military operation theatre, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing a new counteroffensive attempt in the Kharkov area. Is there any confirmed information, and are our troops ready to repel it? Vladimir Putin: Our military is preparing for every possible scenario. As for the Kharkov theatre, I have already said this, it is no secret. Six months ago, I made it clear that if they continued to target Russian communities in the border region, we would have to create a security area, a sanitary zone, on Ukrainian territory. They continued the shelling, and we did what we said we would. Yes, we know that the Americans and Europeans are mainly behind this. They are pushing the Ukrainians to drive our units to the state border at any cost - again, I want to emphasise this, to do whatever it takes - and they plan to present this as a major success in 2024 ahead of the planned NATO summit and later the elections in the United States. We will see what actually happens. But this whatever it takes part - I assure you that this is how it is, I know what I am talking about - of course, if it is not based on reality, it will again take a toll on the Ukrainian armed forces. We will see. In any case, as we understand - I did say that we had no intention to advance to Kharkov and so on, but it is still a tactical theatre, and the enemy will try to present it as a strategic success - if they succeed. Let's see what they will actually do. But this has already entailed heavy losses. I think that, most likely, the situation will develop in the same vein. It is very difficult to make any forecasts, because it is hostilities we are talking about, a highly volatile situation - people are being shot at, sustaining losses, you see? Therefore, it is difficult to say anything now, but my assessment is as I said. Yes, please. Gleb Ivanov: Gleb Ivanov, Argumenty i Fakty. Yesterday, after talks with the DPRK leader, you said that the UN Security Council sanctions against the DPRK should be revised. Vladimir Putin: I have just repeated this. Georgy Ivanov: Yes, you have. The question is: how can this be done, given that the main initiator of these sanctions is strongly against this? Can a reform of the UN Security Council be an option, as some of our BRICS friends have suggested? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: Speaking about the reform of the UN and its Security Council, this problem goes far beyond the issues you have raised here. The Security Council is the key body of the UN established after the Second World War based on its results. Of course, the global situation is changing, which calls for reforming that international institution as well. But this reform must be based on a broad consensus, as our Foreign Ministry has recently started saying. If the reform is based on a behind-the-scenes decision taken by a group of countries or one country, it will not benefit the international community, which will lose access to this mechanism of settling disputes. However hard this may be and however large the side effects, the Security Council is functioning, one way or another. This is why we stand for its reform but only on the basis of a broad consensus, as I have said. As for revising sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, I have expressed my view. I understand that this will be next to impossible to do by ordinary means in the current situation, yet we must keep working on it. We must also show that certain instruments, like in the case of labour migration, which were proposed and coordinated under US guidance some time ago, of course, are losing the effect, the essence and the humanitarian purpose for the sake of which they were introduced in the first place. Therefore, we intend to launch and carry on this work. As we say, little strokes fell great oaks. We will see what comes of it. Let us have the last question, and this will be all. Alexei Konopko: Good evening. Alexei Konopko from the Rossiya TV channel. After your talks in the DPRK yesterday, the American media wrote that the US intelligence services were shocked by the speed of Moscow's rapprochement with Pyongyang, Beijing and Tehran. Comrade Kim Jong-un also noted that the treaty was signed only several months after the idea was aired. Can you explain this speed? Has Russia become a more attractive partner, or have third countries revised their attitude to international realities and diplomacy? Vladimir Putin: I have no answer. It is difficult to comment on this because I do not know what the US intelligence community thinks about the current developments. It is one of the best intelligence services in the world. I think that they have all the necessary information, and we can hardly expect such a reaction from them, especially since we are openly speaking about this [rapprochement]. You do not need to work with electronic intelligence or agents on the ground to see where we are headed and how far we have progressed. We did this openly, and all the relevant elements were openly discussed. Of course, some articles were discussed behind closed doors, but overall, they could read the treaty we signed in the 1960s, which we have reproduced almost in full. So, it is strange that this should cause surprise or that the US intelligence community was not prepared for this. We certainly acted energetically, but in the obtaining global situation we need to strengthen the legal framework of relations with our partners, especially in the spheres we regard as important, including in light of the developments in Asia. We do see what is going on in Asia, don't we? A bloc system is being created there. NATO is moving to Asia for permanent residence. This is definitely posing a threat to all regional countries, including the Russian Federation. We must respond and we will respond to that. Thank you very much, all the best, and good-bye. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with graduates of higher military schools In the Grand Kremlin Palace's St George Hall, Vladimir Putin met with top graduates of Russia's higher military schools under the Defence Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, Federal Security Service, Federal Guard Service and National Guard, as well as the higher education institutions under the Interior Ministry, Investigative Committee and Federal Penitentiary Service. June 21, 2024 15:40 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades officers, friends. Beginning this ceremony, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the successful completion of your studies, a truly significant and pivotal stage in your life. You have successfully completed your education at prestigious universities affiliated with the Ministry of Defence, the Emergencies Ministry, law enforcement agencies, and special services. You have inherited the legacy of many generations of your predecessors, and I am confident that you are fully prepared to tackle important tasks in ensuring the security of the Motherland. Traditionally, we celebrate the top graduates of military academies, institutes, and universities in the St George Hall of the Moscow Kremlin. This hall stands as a symbol and guardian of our nation's military glory. Here, one can deeply sense the inseparable bond between the history of our army and Russia itself, embodying sovereign strength, greatness, and victories that will forever be cherished in the grateful memory of our people. We hold dear every chapter of our nation's military history, honouring the names of heroes who spared no effort for the sake of its freedom and future. In times of great battles, the legendary traditions of our military academy were forged, shaping the enduring qualities that define our soldiers, from the lowest ranks to the marshals. These include a love for our Motherland, unparalleled resilience, and courage. These traits determined the outcomes of battles and wars, repeatedly shaping the destiny of our Fatherland, while fostering cohesion and unity among our people, uniting the frontlines and the home front. In just a few days, we will mark a significant and unforgettable event: the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi occupation. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss this with the President of Belarus. This daring and monumental operation was famously named Operation Bagration in honour of our esteemed commander, a hero renowned from Suvorov's campaigns to the Patriotic War of 1812. Soviet forces acted with boldness and professionalism, swiftly and decisively advancing and defeating an enemy force of hundreds of thousands. The road to liberating Europe from Nazism was paved through the courage and valour of our soldiers and commanders, marking a crucial stride toward the Great Victory. Today, the descendants of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War proudly uphold and continue the military traditions of our Motherland. They steadfastly defend our sovereignty and security, protect our territories and citizens in Donbass and Novorossiya from neo-Nazis, prove in practice that our Armed Forces and its pillars - the officer corps and centuries-old cohesion and unity of our multiethnic country - is as an unstoppable force. Friends, Russia consistently advocates enhanced stability on the planet and a just and democratic multipolar world order. Recently, at the meeting with Foreign Ministry senior staff, I described our vision on creating equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. We are ready for a broad international discussion of these key, vital issues, with our colleagues in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the CIS, the EAEU, BRICS, and with other international associations, including European and NATO states. Naturally, when they are ready for it. At the same time, considering the difficult international situation and new challenges and risks emerging, we will continue improving the Armed Forces, building our defence policy based on advanced technologies and sciences, as well as effective financial and economic solutions at today's level, I mean modern trends in the sphere of armed struggle, military strategy and tactics, and of course, based on the tremendous combat experience gained during the special military operation. As a priority, we will increase supplies to the frontline troops of various types of unmanned aircraft systems, armoured vehicles, and high-precision weapons, strike aircraft, enemy detection and counter-battery systems, control and communications systems. We will work on other up-to-date, high-tech weapons and equipment, which are now being mass-produced. Our plans include further development of the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and maintaining the balance of power in the world. We will obviously strengthen our potential, increase the combat capabilities of all branches of the Armed Forces, put on combat duty what our best designers, engineers and workers take pride in - the latest systems that have proven their properties and truly unique characteristics, and we will also work on promising models. We intend to further improve troop and weapons control systems, increase the intensity and quality of combat training, and conduct exercises and training, including together with friendly states. Let me emphasise that the effectiveness of the entire work to strengthen Russia's defence capabilities directly depends on the officers - you and your colleagues. Soon you will lead military units and, I believe, make every effort to master advanced weapons and equipment, to perfectly train personnel, and you will also be an paragon of professionalism, discipline, decency, and personal courage for your fellow soldiers. Comrades, The security of our citizens and society, stable and progressive development of Russia largely depend on the efficiency of its law enforcement system and special services. Here, in this hall are officers, who will continue their service in the Federal Security Agency and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Guard and EMERCOM, Investigative Committee, Prosecutor's Office and Federal Penitentiary Service. You will have to solve a wide range of responsible and important tasks, first of all, to protect the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens, to fight crime, corruption, terrorism and extremism. Active assistance to our servicemen in the special military operation remains a priority, first of all, in maintaining law and order, legality and peaceful life of people in the liberated regions, in investigating the crimes of neo-Nazis and punitive forces, who must answer for their atrocities, for crimes against civilians, for terrorist attacks, for shelling our cities and villages. I am sure that you will work promptly and properly and achieve tangible results in all assigned areas. Friends, Russian citizens believe in you and expect you to perfectly execute your duties. While applying in practice the knowledge you have gained, you will act the way your teachers and mentors taught you. And having chosen a difficult path for yourself, continuing the work of your predecessors, you will always be sincere patriots at all stages of your future career. In his memoirs Georgy Zhukov wrote: "Service to my Motherland and my people was the main thing for me. And I can say with clear conscience: I have done everything to execute that duty." Let these words of the legendary Victory Marshal serve also as a message to you, to all officers of Russia. I wish you and all 2024 graduates health and success. All the best to your teachers and mentors, your family and friends. <...> Vladimir Putin: Comrades, dear friends. Once again, I congratulate you on graduating from the educational institutions of the Ministry of Defence, special services and law enforcement agencies. I wish you good luck and all the best. We have great hopes for you. The people of Russia are closely following every step of our army on the line of battle engagement. I have just heard a report of the Chief of the General Staff. I would like to convey congratulations on his behalf and on behalf of all your combat comrades who are fulfilling their duty to the Motherland on the line of combat contact. All the best. Congratulations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin says Russia ramping up nuclear arsenal to preserve global balance of power Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 6:10 PM President Vladimir Putin of Russia says Moscow will continue to develop its nuclear weapons to preserve the balance of power in the world. At a ceremony attended by graduates of military, police and intelligence service academies in the Kremlin, Putin said Moscow plans "to further develop the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and to preserve the balance of power in the world." Putin has previously said that the "Western model" of global security has effectively collapsed and that the world requires a new and more stable system in its place. In separate remarks on Thursday, the Russian leader also warned the West against "lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use." He said Moscow may justify the use of nuclear weapons if another nation uses them against Russia or if the "very existence of the state is put under threat." Moscow, Putin said, is aware that a "potential adversary" is working on new elements "related to lowering the threshold of nuclear weapon use." He made the warning not long after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said members of the military alliance are discussing increased nuclear readiness in the face of growing threats from Russia and China, The Russian president did not rule out security talks with NATO states. He said on Friday that the Kremlin is ready "for a broad international discussion of these key, vital issues" with the US-led military alliance. "Naturally, when they are ready for this," the president said. Earlier in the day, Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin is open to dialogue with the US-led military alliance, according to TASS news agency. "We are open to dialogue, but to a broad, comprehensive dialogue that covers all dimensions, including the dimension related to the conflict around Ukraine, the involvement of the United States in this conflict." Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Ever since, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $75 billion in military, and financial aid, while other NATO allies and partners have provided over $100 billion. Together, NATO allies account for 99% of all military aid to Kiev. Moscow warned that Washington and its allies were taking the world to the point of nuclear warfare by giving Ukraine an unending supply of Western arms and ammunition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Eurasian security framework faces threats from NATO, warns Russia FM Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 5:11 PM Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says NATO is intervening in efforts to create a Eurasian security framework that would rival the US-led military alliance. "NATO will interfere with such fair processes (the formation of a security architecture in Eurasia), but they have no alternatives," Lavrov said after meeting his counterparts from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)'s member states in the Kazakh city of Almaty on Friday. Lavrov added that the six-nation CSTO "agrees with the need to form security architecture in Eurasia." "Eurasian security faces threats from many different directions, although the main source of these threats is NATO's aggressive behavior," Lavrov said, adding the US-led alliance "wants to privatize and become the sole guarantor of stability in our vast region." His remarks came as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that "the time has come to discuss collective security guarantees in Eurasia." It is also necessary to "limit the presence of extra-regional military forces there," the Russian leader said. According to his remarks, the future security architecture would be open even to NATO members. Russia, along with its allies in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, wants to have serious UN talks on indivisible security. "Russia is interested in the dialogue on creating an indivisible security system being seriously developed at the UN,'' Putin said. That came amid growing tensions between NATO and Russia over the war in Ukraine. In February 2022, Russia launched what it called a special military operation in Ukraine partly to prevent NATO's eastward expansion after warning that the military alliance was following an "aggressive line" against Moscow. The Western countries have been fueling the flames of the war with their unchecked delivery of weapons to Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Week In Russia: A Performance In Pyongyang By Steve Gutterman June 21, 2024 Full of over-the-top pomp and propaganda, Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to North Korea was a strange but predictable spectacle -- emblematic of his trajectory over a quarter-century in power, his focus on the war in Ukraine, and his pursuit of confrontation with the West. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. 'The Purpose Is To Frighten' Throughout the full-scale war he launched against Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has used the threat posed by Russia's nuclear arsenalas a lever, seeking to decrease support for Kyiv by scaring the West and the rest of the world -- and all the while claiming, implausibly, that he is doing nothing of the kind. Russia's nuclear saber-rattling has taken many different forms, from claims to have put its strategic deterrent on "special alert" to tactical nuclear arms drills, just to name two. In each case, it has stopped well short of a threat of imminent use of a nuclear weapon -- after all, among other potential consequences, such a clear warning would deprive the Kremlin of the ability to continue turning to this tactic and to keep the West guessing about its intentions. One of the most recent instances came on June 7, when Putin called Russia's nuclear doctrine a "living instrument" and told a high-profile gathering in St. Petersburg that changes -- which he suggested would lower Moscow's threshold for its use of the weapons -- could not be ruled out. This week, Putin came up with a new way to use nuclear weapons in an attempt to frighten the West, this time with the help of North Korea. On his first visit to the reclusive country since 2000, his first year in office, Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a pact to provide "mutual assistance in the event of aggression." The agreement, whose text was released on June 20, says that if one of the countries "is put in a state of war by an armed invasion," the other will "provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay." Some analysts saw it as a reincarnation of a Cold War-era pact that was concluded by Moscow and Pyongyang more than 60 years ago but was scrapped with the collapse of communism and the Soviet Union. But despite that wording, just what the agreement might lead to was murky. As with many Russian laws, far more important than the text itself is how it's interpreted and applied -- and there's always room for maneuver. Also uncertain was the practical meaning of Putin's statement that North Korea "has the right to take reasonable measures to strengthen its own defense capability, ensure national security, and protect sovereignty." As an article in The New York Times pointed out, Putin "did not address whether those measures included further developing the North's nuclear weapons." The lack of clarity, as with a great deal of Russia's saber-rattling, is anything but an accident, experts say. "The main purpose of the document was to frighten and to demonstrate," East Asia analyst Aleksei Chigadayev told RFE/RL's Russian Service before the full text of the pact was released. 'Eerily Reminiscent Of Stalinism' There was plenty of demonstration going on during Putin's trip to Pyongyang, a one-day visit marked by parades, concerts, and thunderous applause -- a grandiose show that historian Sergei Radchenko said was "so eerily reminiscent of Stalinism. The rhetoric, the adulation, the whole vibe." "It's like [Putin] is trying Stalin's boots on, just to see how they fit," Radchenko wrote on X. "He'll like it. You can just see from the grin." Be that as it may -- and probably is, judging by Putin's penchant for choreographed, cheering crowds at home and his self-portrayal as the savior of a country critics say he has set back decades and may send to its ruin -- the main motivation for the trip was clearly pragmatic, if that word fits Russia's efforts to acquire more weapons for its unprovoked war against Ukraine. The Putin-Kim pact "is based on mutual transactional needs -- artillery for Russia and high-end military technology" for North Korea, The New York Times quoted Victor Cha, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, as saying. Shell Game Russia "really needs" North Korean artillery shells, Cha wrote on X on June 20. It's already gotten millions of them, according to Western governments and South Korea, but it wants more to fuel a war that, with Putin saying this month that peace talks could only begin if Ukraine cedes four regions that Russia occupies partially but claims in their entirety, among other preconditions, shows no sign of ending anytime soon. "I just think it demonstrates desperation that a country like Russia needs to align itself with the DPRK to subjugate the people of Ukraine, and the fact that they have to go to a country like DPRK to obtain munitions demonstrates how isolated Russia is right now," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said. Still, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that Putin's comment on June 20 that Moscow may supply weapons to North Korea was "incredibly concerning," adding that depending on the type of weapons, it might "violate UN Security Council resolutions that Russia itself has supported." 'A New Low' A particular worry is that Russia could provide technologies that "could help the North design a warhead that that could survive re-entry into the atmosphere and threaten its many adversaries, starting with the United States," The New York Times reported. Whatever real-life ramifications the choreographed visit and carefully worded pact may have in the coming months and years, Putin's trip was a sign of the times, a reflection of the path he has treaded since coming to power almost 25 years ago -- and in the last 28 months in particular. "The embrace of the North Korean dictator is the logical extension of Putin's course after he launched his all-out invasion of Ukraine," Eugene Rumer, director of the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote in a June 20 article. "He staked his entire tenure on victory in Ukraine. When triumph proved elusive, he went all in, hell-bent on winning even if it meant destroying his country; severing the critical diplomatic, security, and trade ties with the West; and weaponizing everything at his disposal." "The security pact with North Korea is a new low" for Putin, Rumer wrote. "But it should not come as a surprise." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-northkorea-nuclear- ukraine-us-war/33003886.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin 21 June 2024 17:08 1178-21-06-2024 On June 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin on the sidelines of the meeting of the CSTO Foreign Ministers Council in Almaty. The ministers discussed the main bilateral issues and developments in the Central Asian region. They reaffirmed their countries' commitment to coordinating foreign ministry activities and agreed the schedule of further contacts between their leaders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation member states in connection with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders 21 June 2024 15:15 1177-21-06-2024 June 21, 2024 Almaty We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan, as we approach the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders, honour the heroic deeds, courage, and unwavering fortitude displayed by the heroes during the Great Patriotic War. Belarus was one of the first countries to be attacked by the Nazis in June 1941, enduring severe hardships. The Republic lost one-third of its population during the years of occupation. Numerous towns and villages were burned down and destroyed, and dozens of death camps and other sites of mass destruction were established. The village of Khatyn, which was burned together with all its residents, stands as a symbol of the suffering endured by the Belarusian people. The Maly Trostenets concentration camp, where more than 200,000 prisoners of war and civilians from the USSR and other European countries were exterminated, is also a sorrowful page of the Great Patriotic War. The Nazis failed to break the fortitude and fighting spirit of the Belarusian people. The entire population rose up to fight the invaders. An unprecedented partisan and underground movement were organised on the territory of the republic, which made an invaluable contribution to driving out the enemy. We take pride in the fact that thousands of people from our countries fought shoulder to shoulder with other nations to liberate Belarus from the Nazi invaders. We honour the memory of all Soviet citizens who gave their lives in fierce battles to free Belarus. Their bravery will forever be etched in history as an integral part of the fight against Nazism. The strategic offensive operation Bagration, which played a decisive role in the liberation of Belarus, stands as one of the greatest victories of the Second World War and a significant step towards liberating the entire European continent from Nazi oppression. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders, we call upon everyone to preserve the memory of the unparalleled courage displayed by millions of soldiers, partisans, underground fighters, home front workers, and civilians who gave their lives in the struggle for peace and freedom. Preserving the memory of the victory over Nazism, we firmly reject and condemn any attempts to revise the events and outcome of the Second World War. This includes efforts to assign equal blame for starting the war to both the Nazi criminals and the countries of the Anti-Hitler Coalition. It is essential to maintain and care for war graves and memorials from the Great Patriotic War, and any vandalism of these sites is unacceptable. We call upon all states and nations to reject neo-Nazism and its ideology which justifies and glorifies Nazism and promotes racial, ethnic and religious intolerance. Any celebration or commemoration of the Nazi movement and former members of the Waffen-SS, such as the erection of monuments, renaming of streets or public rallies, is unacceptable and disrespectful. We categorically reject the notion that members of this organisation and those who collaborated with the Nazis while fighting against the Anti-Hitler Coalition were participants in national liberation movements. In honour of all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of our peoples, and with deep gratitude towards the veterans to whom we owe an immense debt, we express our confidence that the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus will become a joyous celebration of peace and harmony. May it serve as a powerful reminder of the catastrophic consequences that can arise from the cultivation and acceptance of Nazi or any other ideology of hatred. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's participation in the meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers 21 June 2024 14:58 1173-21-06-2024 On June 20-21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation in Almaty, which was chaired by the Republic of Kazakhstan. A fruitful discussion on current issues of international and regional security took place. The heads of delegations discussed in detail the situation in crisis regions of the world and in the Organisation's area of aaresponsibility, increasing efforts within the CSTO to counter terrorist and other transnational threats, strengthening foreign policy coordination at international platforms, as well as a number of other issues related to improving the CSTO's activities. Key areas of cooperation for this year were reaffirmed, considering the priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship. Sergey Lavrov presented Russia's assessment of the current state and development prospects of the international situation and its influence on the CSTO member states' security, emphasising the need of joint efforts to form sustainable architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia, free from external dictate, in cooperation with other associations of the continent. The preparations for the CSTO Collective Security Council session, which will take place on November 28 in Astana, were reviewed. A number of documents were approved to be adopted by the CSTO leaders, including the draft decision "On the CSTO targeted interstate programme to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border." At the Russian initiative, the CSTO foreign ministers adopted statements on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as on expanding cooperation in the field of international information security, and on current issues of research and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. At the proposal of the Belarusian side, a statement was adopted on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the CSTO Foreign Ministers Council in Kazakhstan in November ahead of the Collective Security Council session. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sarah Aziza in Lux: My uncles voice reaches me across time and space in the form of fragmentary voice notes. His words are gruff but precise as he recalls the dimensions of the two-room shelter my grandmother constructed with the barest materials on a patch of ground in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, where she arrived as a refugee and a mother of four in 1955. This was seven years after Zionist soldiers ethnically cleansed the 626 inhabitants of her village, Ibdis, along with 750,000 others across Palestine in the war we call the Nakba, or Catastrophe. In the years in between the erasure of Ibdis and their arrival to Deir al-Balah, my grandparents, Musa and Horea, hovered a few miles from their stolen land, subsisting as sharecroppers and sheltering with not-yet-displaced Bedouins. While much of their kin scattered across Gaza, Jordan, and beyond, they strove to stay as near to their village as they could. This, despite their poverty and the mopping up missions of the Israeli army, which sought to expel the Palestinians who remained. They were not ready, not able to believe their exile would be final. Their loss was a reality wider than their imaginations could yet hold. It was not until their fourth child was born their only daughter, Bahiya that the young parents admitted their meager wages and borrowed floors could not suffice. More here. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov congratulates best graduates of military universities in Kremlin 21.06.2024 Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov spoke at a ceremony honoring the best graduates of military universities in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Esteemed officers! The representatives of the new generation of the Fatherland defenders, those on whom we have special hopes when we speak about the present and future of our Motherland are in this room. Russia is now at the forefront of the fight to establish a just and equitable world order. The collective West is seeking to contain the development of our country, break an independent political course, and undermine the security of the Russian Federation. In times of adversity, the Russian Army and Navy repeatedly proved that they are able to respond with dignity to the most serious challenges and threats. Today, during the special military operation, Russian servicemen honourably fulfil their military duty, effectively defend national interests, and decisively fight against Nazi ideology. Thanks to their courage, selflessness and professional work, we are taking the initiative along the entire front line, consistently reducing the enemy's combat potential. In these difficult conditions, the personal responsibility of commanders and chiefs of all levels is multiplying. Esteemed officers! In the troops, you will be required to give the most of your life, your courage in making decisions, your concentration and self-esteem, your knowledge gained at universities and academies. Introduce into operational combat training the experience of the special military operation, advanced methods of warfare, show commander's care for your subordinates, take care of them, always remaining an example of military valour and devotion to duty. Following the orders of Aleksandr Vasilyevich Suvorov, cultivate in yourself the personality of a professional warrior, warrior-citizen, warrior-defender, warrior-victor, serve the Fatherland faithfully and truly. The Russian people can rest assured that the Armed Forces will be able to ensure State sovereignty, protect peaceful lives, and create conditions for the further development and prosperity of the country. Esteemed officers! Congratulations on your successful graduation. My best wishes for your well-being, for your strong faith in yourself, and for further achievements for the benefit of your Fatherland. Way to go! ?? Russian Defence Ministry (https://t.me/mod_russia_en) Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Announces Plans for Further Development of Nuclear Triad Sputnik News 20240621 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday plans to further develop the Russian nuclear triad. "Our plans include further development of the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and maintaining the balance of power in the world," Putin said at a meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions. "Certainly, we will strengthen our potential, enhance the combat capabilities of all branches and types of the armed forces, put into combat duty the pride of our designers, engineers, and workers a the latest systems that have confirmed their qualities and truly unique characteristics, and continue working on advanced models," he continued. Putin also promised to continue improving the command and control system for troops and weaponry, increase the effectiveness and quality of combat training, and conduct exercises, including those with the participation of friendly states. Speaking about the creation of a Eurasian security system, Putin said that Russia is ready to discuss it with various associations, including NATO. "Recently, at a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I outlined our vision of working to create equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. We are ready for a broad international discussion of these key, vital issues, both with our colleagues in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CIS, EAEU, BRICS, and with other international associations, including European and NATO states," Putin said at a meeting with graduates of Russian higher military educational institutions. Such a discussion will be naturally possible only when these associations are ready, Putin added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin Calls West's Reaction to Putin's Visits to North Korea, Vietnam Predictable Sputnik News 20240621 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The reaction of the West to the state visits of Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea and Vietnam was predictable, as any foreign policy activity of Russia is perceived by the West with hostility, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "On the one hand, it [the reaction of the West] is quite predictable... Because any foreign policy activity of Russia, and even that is concentrated in the regions directly adjacent to our country, is perceived with hostility and, probably, is perceived through the prism of the main direction of Western aspirations to suppress Russia and all its activities," Peskov told reporters. The Russian-Vietnamese negotiations were substantive and specific in nature, and any further work will go on at the level of experts, the spokesman said. The spokesman reminded that Russia's cooperation with other states is in no way ever directed against third countries. "On the other hand, it causes complete misunderstanding, because cooperation with our partners is in no way directed against third countries. It is aimed exclusively at increasing the well-being of the peoples of those countries that participate in this interaction," he said. Putin visited North Korea and Vietnam on state visits from June 18 to 20. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-North Korea defense pact moves military cooperation out of shadows By Christy Lee June 21, 2024 A new defense pact signed between Russia and North Korea this week publicly laid out Moscow's willingness to engage in full-fledged military cooperation with Pyongyang, in contrast to their denials prior to the summit, analysts said. Before Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday, it was already widely believed that Moscow was transferring military technology to Pyongyang for weapons upgrades. In 2023, North Korea launched the solid-fuel Hwasong-18 missile for the first time. After analyzing the shape and color of the smoke at the tail of the missile, experts said these technologies appeared to have come from Russia. At the same time, U.S. and other officials have accused North Korea of providing Russia with large quantities of conventional munitions for its war in Ukraine. In September, Kim showed an interest in various military assets during his tour of Russia's satellite launch site, fighter jet factory, and Pacific Fleet equipped with nuclear-capable bombers and hypersonic missiles. Both Russia and North Korea denied any arms dealings between them prior to Putin's visit to Pyongyang. It is still uncertain exactly what types of military technology Moscow could provide Pyongyang. But at the summit, Moscow made explicit its willingness to prop up Pyongyang's military in return for continued flow of munitions to use against Ukraine, according to Bruce Bechtol Jr., a former intelligence officer at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and now a professor at Angelo State University in Texas. In the Treaty of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed between Putin and Kim at their summit, the two agreed to set up "mechanisms" for undertaking "measures" for "strengthening the defense capabilities." They also agreed to develop and cooperate in the areas of science and technology, including space. At a joint press conference following their summit, Putin said Moscow "does not rule out developing military and technical cooperation" with Pyongyang as agreed on in the pact in response to the U.S. and other NATO countries' allowing weapons that they supplied to Ukraine being used against targets inside Russia. Kim and Putin also agreed in the treaty to intervene militarily if either North Korea or Russia is invaded. But Bechtol said the most significant part of the treaty "is military cooperation." "We're not going to invade North Korea. We're not going to invade Russia. It's all about the military cooperation, the arms deals" that have "no limits" and will be made in a "barter" form rather than in a "cash and carry" arrangement, he said. Any arms exports or imports by North Korea would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. Putin trade proposal In an article by Putin published by North Korea's state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday ahead of his arrival in Pyongyang, Putin said Russia and North Korea would develop a trade and payment system not controlled by the West. This would make it easier to circumvent international sanctions on both countries. Joshua Stanton, a Washington-based attorney who helped draft the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enforcement Act of 2016, said, "Russia and North Korea have been talking about setting up ruble-based and renminbi-based payment systems for at least a decade." He continued: "It never worked before. It would probably violate U.N. sanctions, and if our Treasury Department is willing to impose secondary sanctions on the banks that facilitate it, it will fail again." Moscow and Pyongyang are likely to exchange military hardware using railways rather than sea routes to avoid "any kind of interdiction," said David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy. He said the idea of interdiction could be discussed when Washington, Seoul and Tokyo meet on the sidelines of a NATO summit in July. Putin said at a press conference in Pyongyang this week that Russian Railways will participate in the upgrade of the Khasan-Rajin railway crossing between the two countries. 'High intensity of commitment' Even without the treaty, military cooperation a including arms transfers from Russia to North Korea a was likely to have gone forward, according to Bechtol and other analysts. "I frankly don't think that the treaty makes a huge difference," said Michael Kimmage, who from 2014 to 2016 served on the Secretary's Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department, where he held the Russia-Ukraine portfolio. "It's signaling a high intensity of commitment" and "a longevity of commitment," which "in and of itself is quite significant," but "I don't think the treaty itself is that dramatic of a turning point," he said. Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, said, "It is hard to imagine this new agreement makes it easier for Russia to transfer military technologies to North Korea, given the transfers in recent years of Iskander missile technology, liquid oxygen and petroleum fuel for satellite launchers, repair of satellite launcher problems, GPS jammers, and 24 mm MRL precision guidance." He continued: "I think the bottom line is not the greater feasibility of weapons technology transfers but the Russian government's greater political willingness to make the transfers." Putin's outspoken willingness to cooperate militarily with Pyongyang has prompted deep concerns in both Seoul and Washington. A senior South Korean presidential official said on Thursday that Seoul will now consider sending arms directly to Ukraine. Seoul has withheld providing lethal weapons to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. A spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry told VOA's Korean Service on Thursday that Seoul is "gravely concerned" about the treaty and the declaration of military technology cooperation "that outrightly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions." A State Department spokesperson told VOA Korean on Wednesday that "deepening cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is a trend that should be of great concern." The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is North Korea's official name. In contrast, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA on Thursday that Moscow and Pyongyang have "a normal need for exchanges, cooperation and a closer relationship." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Legislature votes down Cabinet's reconsideration request (update) ROC Central News Agency 06/21/2024 04:28 PM Taipei, June 21 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan has rejected the Cabinet's request to reconsider amendments recently passed to strengthen the Legislature's investigative powers, setting the stage for a potential constitutional challenge to the measures. The vote on Friday came after the Committee of the Whole Legislative Yuan convened on Wednesday and Thursday to examine the request made by the Cabinet, with the approval of President Lai Ching-te (), last week for the Legislature to reconsider the amendments. With 62 votes in the 113-seat Legislature, lawmakers rejected Cabinet requests to reconsider amendments to the Law Governing the Legislative Yuan's Power and amendments to the Criminal Code. The 62 votes included the Kuomintang's (KMT) 52 lawmakers, two independents ideologically aligned with the party, and eight lawmakers with the Taiwan People's Party (TPP). The Cabinet effectively vetoed the amendments after arguing they were "difficult to implement" because they violated various Constitutional Interpretations concerning the Legislature's scope of power. Under Taiwan's legal system, a request for reconsideration can be overturned by a simple legislative majority. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming () said the DPP caucus will seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of the amendments after the passed bills are announced by the president. He also said that because a constitutional ruling could take some time, the caucus will also file a motion for "a preliminary injunction ruling" by the Constitutional Court to keep the amended laws from being implemented before a final ruling is made. Executive Yuan spokesperson Chen Shi-kai () said the Executive Yuan will also seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court after the laws take effect once they are announced by the president. Chen said the Cabinet will make the petition on its own, rather than jointly with the DPP caucus, following discussions with scholars and ministers without portfolios. Presidential Office spokeswoman Kuo Ya-hui () said President Lai will also consider whether or not to file a similar petition for a constitutional judgement after receiving the passed amendments. The president is the "guardian of the nation's democratic and constitutional governance" and has the duty to safeguard the constitutional system and act to protect the people's rights, she said. The Constitutional Court Procedure Act states that petitions concerning the constitutionality of laws can be lodged by both state organs and legislators, with the latter having to have a quarter or more of the incumbent lawmakers' approval. The KMT and TPP have argued that the measures are necessary for the Legislature to effectively engage in government oversight because existing legislative powers lacked teeth and allowed the government to avoid providing critical information requested by lawmakers. KMT lawmakers addressed a gathering of its supporters outside the Legislative Yuan after the vote, saying the amendments will "allow sunlight into the Legislature" and expose the ruling party's corruption. TPP caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang () said the rejection of the Cabinet's reconsideration request is "a crucial moment in Taiwan's democratic history" as it signifies the legislative reforms that failed to pass in the last 30 years were finally achieved. He called on Premier Cho Jung-tai () to accept the Legislature's decision in accordance with the Constitution. In response to the DPP caucus' plan to seek a ruling from the Constitution Court, Huang said the TPP caucus respected its right to do so. What mattered for the people, however, was for the Legislature to use its strengthened powers to investigate and hold hearings to "reveal the truth in the corruption cases that the DPP government failed to explain," Huang argued. (By Lin Ching-yin, Lai Yu-chen, Fan Cheng-hsiang, Kuo Chien-sheng, and Alison Hsiao) enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MAC slams China death penalty for 'diehard' Taiwan independence advocates ROC Central News Agency 06/21/2024 10:58 PM Taipei, June 21 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Friday evening denounced a new guideline issued by the Chinese authorities threatening to punish "diehard" advocates of Taiwan independence with the death penalty, calling the move detrimental to bilateral people-to-people exchanges. In a press release, the MAC called the guideline laid out by Chinese officials earlier the same day "regrettable" and described it as provocative and detrimental to exchanges between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. "The Beijing authorities have no jurisdiction over Taiwan," said the MAC, the top government agency handling cross-strait affairs, adding that China's "so-called laws and regulations have no binding force on our people." However, the MAC also urged Taiwanese living in China or considering travel there to exercise caution. At a press conference in Beijing, Chinese officials unveiled the guidelines on punishing "Taiwan independence diehards" convicted of "inciting secession," under which those involved in serious cases against the country could receive the death penalty. The guideline, drafted in accordance with existing Chinese laws, such as the 2005 Anti-Secession Law, detail the offences of splitting the country and inciting secession and the penalties those found guilty of such offences can face. (By Wu Po-wei and Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China threatens death penalty for supporters of Taiwan independence The directive extends Beijing's attempts at 'long-arm' law enforcement to the island. By Hsia Hsiao-hwa for RFA Mandarin, Lee Heung Yeung for RFA Cantonese 2024.06.21 -- China on Friday warned that supporters of independence for Taiwan could be tried in absentia and sentenced to death for "splitting the country," in a move designed to step up pressure on the democratic island. China's law enforcement agencies and courts should "severely punish Taiwan independence diehards for the crimes of splitting the country and inciting secession ... and resolutely defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity," a directive issued Friday by the Supreme People's Court and four other law enforcement agencies said. While those agencies have no jurisdiction in Taiwan, the directive targets anyone working to further formal statehood for a Taiwanese republic, including holding a referendum, promoting the island's membership in international organizations, or "colluding with foreign forces" to promote independence. Taiwan National Party Vice Chairman Yang Chih-yuan was detained in August 2022 under China's national security law as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left Taiwan following a trip that angered China, which launched several days of wargames around the island in response. Yang was arrested by state security police in the southeastern coastal Chinese city of Wenzhou and accused of having founded the pro-independence Taiwan National Party, with the aim of "promoting Taiwan to join the United Nations as a sovereign and independent country." Riskier to travel? Analysts said Friday's move could now make it much riskier for Taiwanese to travel to China or to countries willing to engage in extradition or unofficial renditions at Beijing's request. While only Taiwan's leaders are likely to run afoul of the ruling on independence referendums, the directive warns that anyone who denies China's territorial claim on Taiwan in the media, or through education or cultural activities could also be targeted. Anyone who openly organizes in favor of an independent Taiwan could also be targeted for "active participation in secessionist activities," the directive said. The announcement comes after dozens of Taiwanese artists and actors publicly endorsed Beijing's territorial claim on the island by retweeting a Chinese state media post in support of eventual "unification." That tweet was a response to the inauguration speech of Taiwan's elected President Lai Ching-te, who called on Beijing to stop threatening his island, and respect the will of its people, the majority of whom have no wish to be ruled by the Chinese Communist Party. Lai, who was Beijing's least favored candidate in January's presidential elections, warned on Sunday that China is currently the biggest threat facing Taiwan, which has governed its own affairs as the 1911 Republic of China since the Kuomintang nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek fled to the island after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists in 1949. Anyone who takes part in a pro-independence organization or helps to finance its activities "shall be sentenced to life imprisonment or imprisonment of 10 years or above for the ringleaders or those who commit serious crimes," with harsher treatment for anyone "colluding with foreign powers." "Those who cause particularly serious harm to the state and the people and whose circumstances are particularly heinous may be sentenced to death," the document said, adding that trials may be held in absentia if targets are overseas. There is no retroactive cut-off point for the new regulations, meaning that defendants could potentially be prosecuted for words or deeds that happened before it took effect on Friday. The document said that any pro-independence activists who "voluntarily abandon their stance" and make efforts to "mitigate or eliminate harmful consequences" could be treated leniently, or have charges against them dropped altogether. 'Don't be intimidated' The Taiwan government's Mainland Affairs Council said the island's people have the freedom to do as they please within the framework of its legal system. "Taiwan's 23 million citizens enjoy inalienable freedom, democracy and rights in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China," the council said in a statement. "The authorities in Beijing have no jurisdiction over Taiwan at all, and the so-called laws and regulations of the Chinese Communist Party have no binding force on our people," it said. "The government calls on the people to rest assured and not be threatened or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party." The statement said the directive was an "extremely uncivilized and rude provocation that would seriously affect cross-straits exchanges." Wu Chien-chung, an adjunct associate professor of politics at Taiwan's Soochow University, said the move was another example of Beijing's "long-arm" enforcement of its laws, far beyond China's borders. The move will mean that it's now far riskier for Taiwanese to travel to China or countries allied to it. "The main risk will mean being particularly careful about traveling to China, or to places that have extradition agreements with China," he said. He said the directive, which was jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of State Security, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice, seeks to extend Chinese law enforcement to the whole world, as it could be applied to foreign nationals deemed to be supporters of independence for Taiwan. Chen Wen-chia, director of the National and Regional Development Research Center at Taiwan's Kainan University, said the Chinese directive is a bid to influence Taiwanese politics from a distance. Accompanied by ongoing Chinese military exercises around the island, it will increase tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Chen said, and could affect trade, investment and economic exchanges. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jun. 21, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/06/21 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Thursday to Friday, Jun. 20-21 2.PLA activitiesis 36 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 34 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern, and eastern 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 China issues judicial guidelines on criminal punishment on diehard 'Taiwan independence' forces Global Times Judicial measures taken by mainland to hold separatists accountable: analysts By Liu Xin and Liu Caiyu Published: Jun 22, 2024 12:05 AM Updated: Jun 22, 2024 12:14 AM Chinese authorities on Friday issued a set of guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession, which allows death penalty and a trial in absentia in relevant cases and stipulates that those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institution, organization or individual in committing such crimes should be given a harsher punishment. Analysts said that employing judicial measures to punish the diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists represents a significant response by the mainland to the escalating challenges posed by "Taiwan independence." Those persisting in advocating "Taiwan independence" will face harsher consequences as a result. The guidelines, jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the ministries of public security, state security, and justice on Friday, will take effect upon release. The document, based on the Anti-Secession Law, the Criminal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law, contains 22 articles and provides more specific rules concerning conviction and sentencing in the crimes of splitting or inciting separatism, as well as relevant procedures, serving as a guidance for the judiciary in handling relevant cases. It spells out clearly defined circumstances in which a very few diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists, through acts such as organizing, plotting or carrying out schemes of "de jure independence," or seeking independence by relying on foreign support or by force, should be held criminally responsible. The guidelines hold significant political and legal importance. The use of judicial means to punish the stubborn "Taiwan independence" separatists this time is not only a major countermeasure adopted by the mainland in response to increasingly severe "Taiwan independence" challenges but also a choice that was made out of necessity, Wang Yingjin, director of the Center for Cross-Straits Relations Studies at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times. This is another major move following the issuance of lists to punish stubborn "Taiwan independence" separatists in 2021 and 2022 respectively, which not only demonstrates the mainland's firm determination and will to oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, but also enhances the operational feasibility of holding stubborn "Taiwan independence" forces criminally accountable, said Wang. The guidelines issued on Friday detail the specific circumstances under which the crimes of separatism and incitement to separatism apply to stubborn "Taiwan independence" separatists, Ma Yan, a member of the Adjudication Committee of the Supreme People's Court, said at a press conference on Friday. It provides regulations concerning the identification of "principal perpetrators," "serious offenses," and "active participation," offering clear guidance for judicial handling of relevant cases. Addressing collusion between "Taiwan independence" diehard separatists and foreign forces plotting separatist actions, the guidelines stipulate that under the Criminal Law, severe penalties shall be imposed, said Ma. Moreover, the guidelines stipulate that for stubborn "Taiwan independence" separatists who voluntarily abandon their stance on "Taiwan independence," cease engaging in separatist activities, and take measures to mitigate or eliminate harmful consequences or prevent their expansion, it provides an opportunity for reform. Wang noted that this demonstrates that the Chinese mainland's implementation of penalties against stubborn "Taiwan independence" separatists is not only about punishment but also about education, transformation, and redemption. The guidelines issued on Friday are part of a series of measures taken by the Chinese mainland to counter "Taiwan independence" separatists through legal means and also showed that as the situation in the Taiwan Straits develops, the process of national reunification is continuously progressing, Zheng Jian, professor from the Center for Taiwan Studies of Xiamen University, told the Global Times. The issuing of the guidelines, which comes after Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te has been in office since May 20, is also a warning to separatists on the island, as Lai's speech on May 20 and his later remarks indicated his persistence in seeking "Taiwan independence," said Zheng, noting that for separatists who persist in their obstinacy, what awaits them will be severe legal punishment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update 233 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine International Atomic Energy Agency 56/2024 Vienna, Austria 21 Jun 2024 A recent Swiss-hosted "Summit on Peace in Ukraine" has highlighted wide international recognition of the crucial role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in preventing a nuclear accident during the conflict in Ukraine, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today. "I appreciate the strong support for the indispensable work of the IAEA expressed by the many countries and organizations attending the summit," Director General Grossi said. At the largest of Ukraine's nuclear facilities - the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) - the IAEA team stationed at the site has continued to hear indications of military activity over the past week, including an explosion close to the site on 16 and again on 17 June. The ZNPP informed the IAEA experts that there had been no impact on or near the site itself. On most days, the IAEA experts also heard explosions further away from the site. Persistent risks related to the availability of off-site power remain a source of deep concern for nuclear safety and security, as Ukraine's electricity grid has been severely impacted by the conflict, including extensive damage caused by infrastructure attacks in recent months. In the latest indication of such dangers, the Luch sub-station in the city of Enerhodar was destroyed on Wednesday. The ZNPP informed the IAEA team that the cause of the destruction was a drone attack. This is the second time this sub-station has been damaged since 2022. Following this event, Enerhodar - where most ZNPP staff live and which had been powered by the Luch and Raduga sub-stations - lost electrical power on Wednesday evening. The IAEA team based at the ZNPP went to the Luch sub-station on Thursday, confirming it had been destroyed and was not operational. The Luch sub-station usually provides electricity to parts of Enerhodar and to other areas, such as the water pumping station of the city, the industrial area and surrounding small towns. As of yesterday, parts of Enerhodar received electricity through the Raduga power line instead. Power supplies to the ZNPP were not directly affected this time, as it does not receive off-site power from either the Luch or Raduga power lines. However, Director General Grossi said it was another stark reminder that it is essential to have a reliable connection between a nuclear power plant (NPP) and the external grid for maintaining nuclear safety, both for operational and shutdown plants. Although each NPP is designed to manage situations where the connection to the grid is cut, the loss of off-site power to any NPP is a significant event that must be protected against as a fundamental component of nuclear safety. Any attack affecting the power supplies to any of Ukraine's NPPs would be a violation of the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during the conflict, he said, noting that pillar four states that there "must be a secure off-site supply from the grid for all nuclear sites". "I remain extremely concerned about the off-site power situation for Ukraine's nuclear power plants. The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant - which has already lost access to most of its external power lines - is particularly vulnerable in this regard. It has repeatedly lost all off-site power during the conflict. The damaged sustained by the Luch sub-station had a direct impact on plant staff who live in Enerhodar, immediately adjacent to the plant, and therefore also an impact on nuclear safety and security. It is therefore essential that energy infrastructure be protected and preserved at all times," Director General Grossi said. At the ZNPP, the IAEA experts have continued to conduct walkdowns as part of their regular activities to monitor nuclear safety and security and related developments across the site. They are also continuing to closely monitor maintenance activities at the site, which are vital for maintaining nuclear safety and security but which have faced challenges during the conflict. The IAEA experts this week discussed the ZNPP's maintenance plan for reactor units 1 and 2, especially for the second half of 2024. Over the last week, the ZNPP operated the four diesel steam generators (DSG) commissioned in early 2024 to treat 500m3 of liquid radioactive waste. The resulting treated water is intended to be re-used for plant operation. The generators were put back to standby mode on Tuesday after the completion of this task. Separately on the same day, the main electrical transformer of reactor unit 2 was returned to operation after a month of maintenance, including tests on valves, sensors, electrical components, and oil. The IAEA experts were also informed that the ZNPP plans to purchase a spare transformer in the future. The IAEA team this week also observed the testing of parts of the safety system of unit 5, including its emergency diesel generator (EDG). The ZNPP staff simulated a loss of power, which initiated the start of the EDG and left it in operation for 25 minutes before switching it back to standby mode. On Wednesday, the IAEA experts visited the ZNPP training centre where they observed the installed mock-ups of different components of the plant and two of the three full-scope simulators, including Main Control Room operation shift staff undergoing training on one of them. The IAEA experts present at the Khelmnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict, including air raid alarms on several days over the past week. Early on Thursday morning, the IAEA experts at the South Ukraine NPP went to the shelter in their hotel after hearing small arms fire nearby. They were later informed that a drone had been shot down in the vicinity of the hotel, but that it had not targeted the hotel or the NPP. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Adam Gopnik in The New Yorker: Lyric poets and mathematicians, by general agreement, do their best work young, while composers and conductors are evergreen, doing their best work, or more work of the same kind, as they age. Philosophers seem to be a more mixed bag: some shine early and some, like Wittgenstein, have distinct chapters of youth and middle age; Bertrand Russell went on tirelessly until he was almost a hundred. Yet surely few will surpass the record of the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor, who is back, at ninety-two, with what may be the most ambitious work ever written by a major thinker at such an advanced age. The new book, Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment (Belknap), though ostensibly a study of Romantic poetry and music, is about nothing less than modern life and its discontents, and how we might transcend them. A hard thinker to pigeonhole, Taylor has long been a mainstay of Canadas social-democratic left; he helped found the New Democratic Party, running for office several times in Quebec, though losing, inevitably, to the Liberal Party and the charismatic Pierre Trudeau. Hes also a Catholic and a singularly eloquent critic of individualism and secularism, those two pillars of modern liberalism. He worries about the modern conception of the selfwhat he has called the punctual selfwhich he takes to be rooted in Enlightenment thought, and about the primacy it accords to autonomy, reason, and individual rights. By wresting our identities away from a sense of community and common purpose, the new atomist-instrumental model was, he thinks, bound to produce our familiar modern alienation. We became estranged from a sense of belonging and meaning. More here. Ukraine says over 52,000 troops trained by EU People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:55, June 21, 2024 KIEV, June 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 52,000 Ukrainian troops have been trained under the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Friday. Ukrainian soldiers, sergeants and officers have participated in the training program, according to the country's defense ministry. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Balanutsa urged the EU to extend the training mission as the Ukrainian army is forming new brigades. The two-year EUMAM was launched on Nov. 15, 2022. The mission includes training on demining, medical assistance, maintenance and repair, among others, and is conducted on the EU's soil. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU to formally launch Ukraine membership talks next week Iran Press TV Friday, 21 June 2024 3:26 PM European Union counties have approved launching accession talks with Ukraine next week, a move that will officially pave the country's path toward joining the bloc. The 27 member states will vote in the formal EU accession process for both Ukraine and its neighbor Moldova on Friday. Both countries applied for membership in the EU in 2022. The two ex-Soviet states were granted a candidate status at an EU summit in Brussels in June of that year. In December, Brussels agreed to open formal membership negotiations with the two countries. The bloc's ministers will now start negotiations first with Ukraine and then with Moldova in Luxembourg on Tuesday. But to begin the negotiations the bloc's members still had to sign off on a formal framework for the process. Brussels has been under pressure to move Ukraine onto the next step in its membership bid, as concerns are growing that Hungary could stall progress when it takes over the EU's rotating presidency in July. Hungary has made it clear that it does not intend to hold any further rounds of talks with Ukraine during its six months at the helm. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly argued against Ukraine's continued war against Russia and been opposed to the EU's further aid packages for Kiev. Under a deal he signed with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on June 12, Budapest will not be part of a NATO plan to help Ukraine. Since the start of Russia's "special military operating" in Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $75 billion in military, financial aid, while other NATO allies and partners have provided over $100 billion. Together, NATO allies account for 99% of all military aid to Kiev. Zelensky welcomes EU decision In a message on X, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the start of talks for his country's membership on Friday. He said, "Ukraine is returning to Europe, where it has belonged for centuries, as a full-fledged member of the European community." Zelensky has repeatedly pleaded for his country's accession to the EU. He has also formally applied for a NATO membership in September 2022. Russia also repeatedly warned Zelensky against the move, saying that joining the US-led military alliance would destabilize the region. Before launching the operations in Ukraine, Russia had been demanding legally binding guarantees that Ukraine would never be admitted into NATO. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin warns South Korea sending weapons to Ukraine would be 'big mistake' Seoul said it would consider arming Ukraine in response to Russia and North Korea signing a mutual defense pact. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.06.21 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin warned South Korea that sending weapons to Ukraine would be a "very big mistake" after South Korea said it would consider doing so in response to a pact between Russia and North Korea to come to each other's aid if attacked. U.S. ally South Korea announced on Thursday it would reconsider its stance on arms to Ukraine in response to North Korea and Russia signing a treaty the previous day that includes a mutual pledge to provide immediate military assistance if either is attacked. "As for the supply of lethal weapons to the combat zone in Ukraine, it would be a very big mistake. I hope it will not happen. If it does, then we too will then make the respective decisions, which South Korea's current leadership is unlikely to be pleased with," Putin told a press conference on Thursday during a visit to Vietnam, Russia's Sputnik news agency reported. South Korea's assistance to Ukraine has included first-aid kits, medicine, portable mine detectors and protective gear but it has not supplied weapons in line with a policy of not providing lethal aid to countries engaged in conflict. During Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years, he and leader Kim Jong Un, agreed to offer military assistance "without delay" if either is attacked under a new partnership treaty signed after their summit on Wednesday. South Korea's National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin condemned both countries on Thursday, saying that Seoul would have to think again about supplying arms. "We plan to reconsider the issue of arms support to Ukraine," Chang said in a press briefing at the presidential office. He added that any cooperation that directly or indirectly aided North Korea's military enhancement was a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and would be subject to international scrutiny and sanctions. "The government expresses grave concern and condemns the signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between North Korea and Russia, which aims to strengthen mutual military and economic cooperation," Chang said. John Kirby, the spokesperson for U.S. President Joe Biden's National Security Council, said the announcement by Russia and North Korea of their pact to come to each other's help if attacked was "no surprise" but it boded poorly for the people of Ukraine and the Korean peninsula. "Our view is that this agreement is also a sign of Russia's desperation," Kirby added. "I mean, they're reaching out to North Korea for missiles, and they're getting drones from Iran. They don't have a lot of friends in the world." North Korea has supplied Russia with large amounts of weapons for its war in Ukraine, in particular artillery rounds and ballistic missiles, the United States has said, though both Russia and North Korea deny that. Edited by RFA Staff. 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 Several Dead In Russian Strikes On Ukraine; Kyiv Launches Counterattacks By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service June 21, 2024 At least six people were killed in Russian shelling and missile strikes on Ukrainian targets as Moscow claimed Kyiv had launched a "mass" drone attack on occupied Crimea and several regions inside Russia. Five civilians were killed and 11 others were wounded by Russian shelling of civilian areas in Donetsk, which was targeted 22 times over the past 24 hours, the head of the regional military administration, Vadym Filashkin, reported on June 21. Private houses, nonresidential buildings, and an industrial facility were damaged by the shelling, Filashkin added. In the southern region of Kherson, one person was killed and one was wounded by Russian shelling and air strikes from across the Dnieper River, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. A total of 15 settlements were struck in the region, including the regional capital, Kherson, Prokudin said, adding that a number of private houses were destroyed by the shelling. The northeastern region of Kharkiv, which has been under constant Russian fire for the past several months, was again struck overnight and one person was wounded, regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said. The regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Sumy also came under attack, local officials reported. Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said that its air defense systems shot down 114 Ukrainian drones over occupied Crimea and the Russian regions of Krasnodar, Bryansk, and Volgograd in what it said was a "massive" attack early on June 21 that killed one person and wounded four others. The Ilsky oil refinery in the Seversk district of Krasnodar was hit by falling debris that ignited a fire which was put out by firemen, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram. Drone debris also fell near a bus station in Krasnodar, hitting a boiler installation and killing an employee, Kondratyev added. The ministry also said its forces repelled a drone attack on a military airfield in Yeisk, in the Krasnodar region, adding that local authorities reported no damage or casualties. However, the Crimean WindTelegram channel said several fires could be seen at the airfield in Yeisk, which is located by the Sea of Azov, some 35 kilometers from the Ukrainian shore. Ukraine's General Staff, meanwhile, reported that over the past two nights, its forces "successfully hit" a number of objects in Russia and occupied Crimea, including oil refineries, radar stations, and drone storage sites. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-strikes-ukraine-drones- massive-attack-crimea-krasnodar-refinery/33003377.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 IAEA Will Be Informed About New Ukrainian Attack on Energodar Sputnik News 20240621 SIMFEROPOL(Sputnik) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be informed about a new attack by Ukrainian troops on the key energy infrastructure of Energodar, a satellite city of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, ZNPP spokeswoman Yevgenia Yashina told Sputnik. "We will bring information about the new attack on the substation and the city to the IAEA inspectors. We will also invite them to assess the scale and extent of destruction themselves, as soon as it is safe," Yashina said. She further noticed there are chances to restore the transformer at the Raduga substation in Energodar, which was attacked by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Specialists went to the site to assess the damage. There are chances to restore the damaged transformer at the substation, but it will take time," Yashina said. Earlier reports said that on Friday evening the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a drone strike on the Raduga substation, the only one supplying Energodar; a transformer was damaged. Most of the city was left without electricity and water. Prior to this, the Ukranian army used drones to completely destroy the Luch substation. The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is located on the left bank of the Dneper near the city of Energodar. This is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in terms of the number of units and installed capacity - the station has six power units with a capacity of 1 gigawatt each. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kiev Loses Over 4,200 Soldiers in Battle With Russian Yug Battlegroup in Past Week Sputnik News 20240621 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 4,290 soldiers in battles with Russia's Yug group of forces over the past week, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "The armed forces of Ukraine lost up to 4,290 military personnel, a German-made Leopard tank, 19 armored fighting vehicles, including four US-made M113 armored personnel carriers, 53 vehicles, 47 field artillery guns, as well as two MLRS launchers," the ministry said in a statement. The Tsentr battlegroup has repelled 31 counterattacks and Ukraine has lost up to 2,530 soldiers, while in battles with the eastern group, Kiev has lost up to 970 soldiers. The Zapad Battlegroup of forces has repulsed 12 counterattacks and Kiev has lost up to 3,330 soldiers, while in battles with the northern group, Kiev has lost up to 1,980 soldiers. Additionally, the Vostok Battlegroup has taken full control of the Zagornoye settlement in the Zaporozhye region, the ministry said. The Russian armed forces have carried out 14 group strikes using high-precision ground and air weapons against storage Ukrainian facilities, airfields, electrical substations, training sites for unmanned boats. "From June 15-21 this year, the Russian armed forces carried out 14 group strikes using high-precision air and ground-based weapons, as well as strike unmanned aerial vehicles, during which they hit: storages of military-technical property, infrastructure of military airfields, electrical substations that provided the work of enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine and places of preparation for the use of unmanned boats," the ministry said. Ukraine used a total of 117 drones on civilian facilities in Russia during the past week, and 114 of them were shot down, the ministry said. A total of 37 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered to Russian forces in the past week, the ministry said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungary Opts Out of NATO's Planned Military Mission in Ukraine - Orban Sputnik News 20240621 NATO will conduct a military mission in Ukraine in which Budapest will not participate, announced Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hungary has ruled out participating in a NATO mission in Ukraine, its prime minister has stated. "A minimum goal has been achieved. The European train is heading towards war. If our government supports the people in the European Parliament elections, I can pull the emergency brake, the train will stop, and Hungarians will be able to get off," said Orban on Kossuth radio. According to him, "If the stars align favorably, it will be possible to convince the conductor, and then no one will continue." "We have reached the minimum goal, I agreed with the NATO secretary general that Hungary will get off the train. NATO will have a military mission in Ukraine, but Hungary will not participate in it with weapons, money, or soldiers," he stated. However, "convincing the conductor did not work, he is strong," and now "only former US President Donald Trump, if he returns to the White House following the elections in November, will be able to stop the train," Orban argued. Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister PAter SzijjArtA stated that NATO wants to increase its coordination role in supplying weapons to Ukraine and training its soldiers. Thirty-one countries support this decision, but Hungary does not want and will not participate in it. The Hungarian leadership has declared its refusal to participate in NATO's initiative, fearing further escalation. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that he accepts Hungary's decision not to participate in the alliance's mission to coordinate support for Ukraine. The alliance's mission for Ukraine was announced by Poland in April. According to Polish Foreign Minister RadosAaw Sikorski, this is not about entering the conflict but primarily about training Ukrainian soldiers. Orban opposes military backing for Kiev and criticizes the Western approach to the conflict. Hungary has become the only EU country blocking the allocation of funds to Ukraine. According to Orban, intervention in the conflict "will destroy Europe." A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Slovak Defense Ministry Accuses Former Government of Sabotage and Treason Over Ukraine Jet Transfer Sputnik News 20240621 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Slovak Ministry of Defense said on Friday that it considers the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets and air defense systems to Ukraine in 2023 as an act of sabotage by the former leadership of the ministry. "Based on the results of the discovery of a number of failures of the former government, we, as the Ministry of Defense, are filing an application [to law enforcement agencies] on suspicion of committing sabotage, that is, treason, abuse of power and violation of duties to manage other people's property," ministry spokesman Igor Melicher told reporters. After the inspection, the ministry did not find a document that would justify the legality of transferring fighter jets and air defense to Ukraine, the official added. Earlier, Melicher stated that the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in 2023 was illegal, and legal measures would be taken against former Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad. Melicher pointed out that Slovakia's constitution prohibits a caretaker government from making significant foreign policy decisions, such as transferring fighter jets to Ukraine worth over 500 million euros. Slovak Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodsky reported that the Slovak Ministry of Defense could not find any legal analysis confirming the legality of the MiG-29 transfer to Ukraine by Eduard Heger's government in 2023. In December 2022, the Slovak parliament passed a vote of no confidence in Heger's government, but his cabinet continued to perform its duties with limited powers. In March 2023, Heger's government decided to transfer 13 MiG-29 fighters and part of the Kub air defense system to Ukraine. The party of the current Prime Minister, Robert Fico, sought an investigation into the circumstances of this transfer, claiming that Heger's government lacked the authority to make such decisions. Former Defense Minister Nad, who was part of Heger's cabinet, argued that a legal analysis conducted before the decision confirmed the procedure's legality. Slovakia provided Ukraine with military assistance worth 680 million euros. In April 2022, Slovakia transferred an S-300 air defense system to Ukraine. In April 2023, Slovakia completed the transfer of MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. With the arrival of Fico's government in the fall of 2023, the delivery of military aid to Kiev from state resources was halted. Fico claimed that the MiG-29 fighters were handed over to Ukraine in April 2023 with a blatant violation of Slovakia's constitutional norms. He also criticized the previous government for transferring a fully operational S-300 air defense system to Ukraine. The politician stated that it is entirely unclear how Slovakia will address its air defense needs in the coming years. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Vostok Group Foils Ukraine's Attempts to Strengthen Positions - Defense Ministry Sputnik News 20240621 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian servicemen of the Vostok (East) battlegroup of troops disrupted attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to strengthen forward positions, group spokesman Alexander Gordeyev told Sputnik. "Units of the Vostok group of forces continue to carry out combat missions in the area of the special military operation. During active operations, the group's units improved the situation along the front line, disrupted attempts by the enemy to reinforce forward positions and rotation in strong points in the areas of Vladimirovka, Makarovka, Marfopol and Charivnoye," Gordeyev said. He said up to 140 enemy servicemen, two armored combat vehicles, six other vehicles, a towed M198 howitzer, 19 aircraft-type drones and three ammunition supply points were destroyed. Artillery fire and heavy flamethrower systems were used to defeat manpower and equipment of the 58th Motorized Infantry Brigade, 102nd and 128th Thero-Defense Brigades in the areas of Velikaya Novosyolka, Urozhaynoye and Gulyaypole, according to Gordeyev. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today We Have a Significant Achievement on Our Way to the European Union a the Address by the President President of Ukraine 21 June 2024 - 19:58 Dear Ukrainians! Today - our words of gratitude. In particular, to the entire team of Ukraine that works for the sake of our country and people in the European direction. Today we have a significant achievement on our way to the European Union a the things we had planned for this half of the year are being fully implemented. The European Union has approved a negotiating framework for Ukraine a we fought hard for this at various levels. And it is this framework that determines the format and procedure of accession negotiations with our country. And next week, the negotiations will actually begin. These are indeed historic things. Ukraine is and will always be a part of a united Europe. Today I have approved the composition of the Ukrainian delegation for the start of accession negotiations. I also want to congratulate Moldova a all the people of Moldova and Madam President Sandu. Today, the EU negotiating framework for Moldova has also been approved. And it is important that every country, every society that truly professes European values and aspires to real European strength a that every such nation a be together with all the others in a united Europe. I have just spoken with President of Poland Duda. I thanked him for his support of our country: our defense, our progress towards the European Union, and our global initiative a the Peace Summit. We discussed our next joint steps, diverse steps. In particular, our positions before the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. Moreover, we are preparing further steps to implement the points of the Peace Formula. We also appreciate the fact that Poland can help us to involve other states a those that have not yet joined our common international work for peace. Everyone's efforts can bring results for all. Of course, there was a lot of attention on the front today a our military, our prospects. Among other things, there was a report by the Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. There was a report by the Commander-in-Chief. I'm proud of all our people who are repelling the Russian attacks with great resilience and great courage. The situation in the Kharkiv region is even more stabilized. And this is thanks to our warriors. The situation in the Donetsk region is extremely difficult. Especially the Pokrovsk direction, with dozens of Russian attacks every day. It is very important to withstand there, to destroy the occupier and not to give Russia any reason to hope for any success in its war against Ukraine. We can and must fight to ensure results for Ukraine. In everything. Always. Whenever there is an opportunity, whenever there are chances, and whenever we ourselves have to create our own chances for victory. For the success of Ukraine. And our gratitude today to the National Team. Every time the guys push, try, and strive to win, everything works out. I spoke with them today before the match, with Serhiy Rebrov and Andriy Shevchenko, with the guys. I truly hoped for a good result for Ukraine, for our people, so that everyone would feel supported. Every victory is important on the way to our victory. And today we have this result of the National Team! I thank everyone who gives strength to Ukraine! I thank everyone who fights and believes a believes that we will gain victory! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Simon Torracinta in Dissent: An academic journal article on the technicalities of tax data is not usually cause for much excitement. Yet at the end of last year, one such publication in the Journal of Political Economy set #EconTwitter afire with debate, and prompted a full column in the Economist. The paper, by Gerald Auten and David Splinter, took aim at the famous studies on rising inequality conducted by Thomas Piketty, Emmanuel Saez, and Gabriel Zucman. If one employs different assumptions, Auten and Splinter argued, post-tax income inequality in the United States appears not to have risen much since the 1960s. While Piketty and his collaborators systematically challenged the findings, their detractors were quick to the draw. The Piketty and Saez work is careless and politically motivated, sniped James Heckman, a Nobel-winning Chicago School econometrician. Whether it has risen in recent decades or merely plateaued, income and wealth inequality in the United States remains staggering. But the recent controversy illustrates the high stakes of empirical research on the subject, which burst into public view in 2014 with the publication of Pikettys Capital in the Twenty-First Century. While it is hard to imagine the Biden administrations announcement of a new Washington consensus centered on the challenge of inequality and its push for a global minimum tax without the shock wave of the 2016 election, Pikettys high-profile work supplied a ready explanation for what had gone wrong. The economist Branko Milanovic made his own major contribution to the study of inequality in 2016 with his breakout Global Inequality. More here. Ukraine and Poland Held the Final Round of Negotiations on the Bilateral Security Agreement President of Ukraine 21 June 2024 - 15:43 On the instructions of the President of Ukraine and the Head of the Presidential Office, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva held the final round of negotiations on signing a bilateral security agreement with Poland. The delegation also included Deputy Head of the Office of the President Roman Mashovets and First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha. The Polish delegation was headed by Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Robert Kupiecki. "Our negotiating teams have done a complex job, and now we are close to concluding a bilateral security agreement. Poland's role in helping Ukraine and bringing our victory closer cannot be overestimated. This will be a truly ambitious agreement, reflecting most of our achievements and shared plans for the future," emphasized Ihor Zhovkva. The parties noted the progress made and scheduled further actions aimed at finalizing the bilateral agreement and signing it in the near future. Ukraine and Poland will conclude an agreement in pursuance of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine adopted on July 12 last year. In total, our country has already concluded 17 bilateral security agreements. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine to begin negotiations to join European Union By VOA News June 21, 2024 The European Union has approved starting membership talks with Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that the negotiations will begin next week. Ukraine applied to become part of the European bloc shortly after the Russian invasion in 2022. The EU's decision to go forward with talks and the lengthy process of vetting a new member sends a strong message to Russia that the bloc supports Ukraine in myriad ways, including financial. The negotiating framework for Ukraine's neighbor, Moldova, has also been approved by the EU. "It is important that every country, every society that truly professes European values and aspires to real European strength a that every such nation a be together with all the others in a united Europe," Zelenskyy said. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday that Russia is "ready" for security talks with the United States but specified that any talks must include the conflict in Ukraine, specifically the "direct involvement" of the U.S. In his regular telephone briefing with reporters, Peskov said this kind of dialogue between the U.S. and Russia "is very much required" because "problems are piling up, and there are a lot of problems associated with the global security architecture." Peskov's comments came in response to a question regarding the possibility of holding talks with the U.S. on nuclear risks apart from the Ukrainian conflict. As to Peskov's comments regarding direct U.S. involvement in Ukraine, both the United States and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg have rejected the idea that providing arms to help Ukraine defend itself amounts to "direct involvement" in the conflict. The comments come a day after the White House announced it would move Ukraine to the front of the line for deliveries of powerful air defense missiles, after a barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks damaged energy facilities throughout the country overnight Thursday. National security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at the White House Thursday that hundreds of newly made Patriot and NASAMS missiles a used for surface-to-air defense a will go to Ukraine ahead of other nations who have ordered them, citing Russia's attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, during his visit to Asia, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned South Korea against sending arms to Ukraine. Senior officials in South Korea said Thursday the pact signed this week between Russia and North Korea pledging to come to each other's defense in the event of war was "of great concern," and that Seoul would consider sending arms to Ukraine in response, a reversal of its policy not to send arms to countries actively engaged in conflict. Putin responded Friday, saying South Korea had nothing to worry about regarding Russia's treaty with North Korea, but he added that Seoul's sending arms to Ukraine would be "a very big mistake." "If it happens, then we will be making relevant decisions that are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea," Putin said. Ukraine responded Friday to Russia's attacks with an attack of its own, targeting oil refineries, radar installations and intelligence centers in southern Russia and occupied Crimea. The Ukrainian general staff reported Ukrainian forces attacked a fuel and chemical warehouse in Russia's Tambov region, as well as the "Enemska" oil depot in the Republic of Adygea. Russia reports one person was killed in the attacks. It also claims to have "neutralized" 114 Ukrainian drones. Ukraine's national power provider, Ukrenergo, said early Thursday that an overnight attack on a thermal plant caused serious damage and wounded three workers. "Equipment at facilities in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kyiv regions got damaged," the Ukrenergo statement added. On Wednesday, Ukrenergo announced that hourly rolling blackouts would be implemented throughout the country. Russian drone and missile strikes have cut Ukraine's power-generating capabilities to half of what they were last year, President Zelenskyy said earlier this month. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon changes rhetoric on Ukraine crossfire into Russia By Carla Babb June 21, 2024 The Pentagon says Ukraine can use U.S.-provided weapons to strike back against any cross-border attack from inside Russia, so long as it does not use long-range munitions to strike deep inside Russian territory. "The ability for Ukraine to fire back at those ground forces, using American-provided munitions, it's self-defense, and so it makes sense for them to be able to do that," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder told reporters Thursday. Asked to specify whether that permission extended beyond the Kharkiv region, Ryder responded, "Correct." He added that the U.S. policy calling on Ukraine not to use U.S.-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles to strike inside Russia has not changed. President Joe Biden initially loosened restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S.-provided munitions to allow strikes inside Russian territory late last month. The change was in response to Russian ground forces launching cross-border attacks from Russian territory into the northern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. Before the change, Ukraine could not use U.S.-provided weapons to hit back at launch sites inside Russia. Prior to Thursday, the Pentagon had repeatedly told reporters the loosened U.S. policy permissions were specific to defending the Kharkiv region. "Ukraine requested permission to conduct counterfire in the Kharkiv area using U.S. weapons, and President Biden granted them permission to do that," Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in response to a VOA question last week on whether Ukraine could strike forces inside Russia who were launching attacks on Ukrainian forces outside Kharkiv. "The ability to conduct counterfire in this close fight in the Kharkiv region, that's what this is all about, and the Ukrainians, my expectation is that they'll put that to good use," he added. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh gave a similar response to reporters on June 5. "The policy change that you're referring to, and that was announced last week, was more about the crossfire within the Kharkiv region," she said. 'Self-defense is not escalation' During a surprise appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. for the policy change, which he described as allowing Ukraine to "use HIMARS in the Kharkiv region against bordering territory." He stressed, however, that the policy change wasn't enough. "I've mentioned as an example before of the airfields from which Russia bombs Ukraine, knowing that Ukraine won't bomb them in response," he said. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 7 that limiting Ukraine's ability to strike "legitimate military targets" inside Russia was akin to asking Ukrainians "to try to defend themselves, uphold the right of self-defense, with one hand tied on their back. "Self-defense is not escalation," he said. "The border and the front line is more or less the same." Retired General Frank McKenzie, the former head of U.S. Central Command, told VOA on June 10 that Ukraine should be able to attack military targets inside Russia "with certain limits" on areas such as Russian nuclear-capable sites, rather than geography-specific limitations. National security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed the apparent policy expansion for Ukrainian ground strikes inside Russia in an interview with PBS News on Monday, saying that the permission extends wherever Russian forces are attempting to invade. "It extends to anywhere that Russian forces are coming across the border from the Russian side to the Ukrainian side to try to take additional Ukrainian territory," Sullivan said, adding that it's "not about geography. It's about common sense." Michael Carpenter, the senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, told VOA's Ukrainian Service on May 31 that the U.S. policy change applied to strikes on Russian "counterfire capabilities that are deployed just across the border," but did not limit Ukrainian targets specifically to the Kharkiv region. "This is meant for Ukrainians to defend themselves against what would otherwise be a Russian sanctuary," he told VOA. Hostile aircraft The U.S. has apparently not placed any restrictions on striking military targets in Russian airspace. Earlier this month, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters there was never a U.S. restriction on Ukrainians shooting down hostile aircraft, "even if those aircraft are not necessarily in Ukrainian airspace." "They can shoot down Russian airplanes that pose an impending threat, and they have since the beginning of the war," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seoul reconsiders arming Ukraine as Russia, North Korea align By William Gallo, Lee Juhyun June 21, 2024 For more than two years, Western countries have urged South Korea to directly arm Ukraine, insisting that South Korean weapons could play a pivotal role in helping Kyiv fight off Russia's invasion. South Korea, a major arms producer, has resisted, concerned that directly arming Ukraine could prompt Russia to expand its military cooperation with North Korea, which seeks help on advanced weapons that target Seoul. That calculation may be changing. This week, Russia and North Korea announced a mutual defense treaty. Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted the deal could facilitate the provision of more weapons to Pyongyang. The formalization of North Korea-Russia ties surprised many observers, who had assumed Moscow was mainly pursuing short-term gains with Pyongyang. The move also enraged the government of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. In a briefing Thursday, South Korean National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin slammed the Russia-North Korea treaty as a violation of international law and said his government would reconsider its ban on sending lethal weapons to Ukraine. It is not the first time that Yoon's conservative government has hinted at a change in its Ukraine policy but its latest threat may be more serious, if comments by South Korean officials are any indication. According to the conservative Joongang Ilbo, a senior official in South Korea's presidential office said "we will consider whatever steps Russia would find most painful," while also noting Seoul is watching to see Russia's next moves. Andrii Nikolaeinko, a former diplomat at Ukraine's embassy in Seoul and now a member of the Ukrainian parliament, told VOA that he believes such statements suggest Seoul is prepared to modify its policy. "My contact and sources led me to believe that it's possible and is going to happen soon," Nikolaeinko said, without providing more details. "It's not just only my personal opinion, but also the expectation of Ukrainian officials that this time South Korea will really change its policy on supplying ammunition to Ukraine, probably openly and directly," he added. Though South Korea still faces a tricky situation and may proceed cautiously, some observers argue that Seoul's considerations might be changing in a fundamental way. "Putin signing a comprehensive strategic partnership with Kim Jong Un suggests that South Korea's self-restraint in supporting Ukraine buys it little to nothing in Moscow," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Seoul's Ewha University, said. A Seoul-based European ambassador told VOA he is waiting to see how the situation will develop. But, the ambassador added, "Now it should be clear that one cannot expect that Russia is capable of playing any constructive role in providing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." Major impact It is not hard to see why Ukraine has pushed for more help from South Korea. It is the world's ninth-largest arms exporter and has a reputation for quickly supplying affordable and reliable weapons. South Korea has so far only provided weapons to third parties, such as the United States and Poland, which themselves are directly arming Ukraine. To defend their approach, South Korean officials often cite domestic laws that strictly regulate or prevent sending arms to war zones, although Yoon has suggested in the past that such barriers could be overcome. In April of last year Yoon said South Korea could provide more than just humanitarian or financial support if Ukraine comes under a large-scale civilian attack. Since then, Yoon has not clarified what type of incident would meet those standards. At least in theory, a South Korea decision to arm Ukraine could be a game-changer, more than making up for the munitions that Russia has allegedly received from North Korea, analysts say. "South Korea's ability to produce weapons cannot be compared to that of North Korea," Cho Han-beom, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said. "North Korea's weapons help Russia barely sustain the war, but South Korea's weapons could change the entire landscape of the conflict," he said. Ankit Panda, a Washington-based defense analyst who follows the Koreas, agreed to an extent. "That's assuming a large volume of deliveries. Hard to say at this stage what the magnitude of ROK deliveries might look like," Panda, a senior fellow at Washington's Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said. Two and a half years into the war, Ukraine is searching for whatever help it can find. Russia controls roughly a fifth of Ukraine, according to independent estimates, and has been gaining ground, as Kyiv struggles to find munitions to push back a Russian offensive. "Ukraine needs munitions as it can get them. South Korea has quite a few platforms that would be quite valuable for Kyiv," Panda said, "These capabilities likely won't be transformative ... but will nevertheless offer real benefits." How South Koreans feel South Korea's domestic politics provide another possible barrier to becoming more involved in the Ukraine war. Nearly 60% of South Koreans oppose arming Ukraine, according to a poll published in April 2023. There do not appear to be any more recent surveys on the matter, which has not been a subject of intense public debate. Some left-leaning South Korean lawmakers say it would be foolish to upset the status quo, given there is no public evidence that Putin has yet provided Kim with advanced weapons. Kim Joon-hyung, a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said it would be "reckless" to intervene in a faraway war and become Russia's enemy. If South Korea wants to change its weapons exports policy, it must first get permission from elected lawmakers, Kim told VOA in an interview. Like some other South Korean foreign policy analysts, Kim questioned whether the Russia-North Korea treaty truly established an alliance, noting that Putin refrained from using that phrase in his public comments following the treaty signing. In Kim's view, Yoon should take a more cautious response to the region. "If you want peace, the president must abandon his false belief that you should prepare for war...if you want peace, prepare for peace," he said. Many South Korean analysts disagree, saying Yoon should draw an even harder line to deter Russia from arming the North. "For example, if Russia transfers core military technology and weapons systems to North Korea, we [would] start providing precision strike weapons to Ukraine," Park Won-gon, a North Korea specialist at Ewha University, said. "This treaty is a very serious problem," said Park. "There are plenty of examples historically, in terms of how we should handle Russia. We have no choice but to go strong." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York, United States , June 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Military Wearables Market Size to Grow from USD 8.13 Billion in 2023 to USD 10.20 Billion By 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.29% during the forecast period. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/4611 The military wearables market is expanding rapidly, fueled by technological breakthroughs and rising defence budgets around the world. These wearables, which include smart fabrics, exoskeletons, augmented reality (AR) gadgets, and biometric monitoring systems, aim to improve troop performance, safety, and situational awareness. North America dominates the market because to significant investment in R&D, followed by Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, where rising geopolitical tensions drive demand. Key market players prioritise innovation and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance functionality. Furthermore, the increasing demand for real-time data and communication on the battlefield drives market growth. Challenges such as high costs and cybersecurity concerns are handled by continuous innovation and strategic collaboration among industry leaders. Browse key industry insights spread across 206 pages with 110 Market data tables and figures & charts from the report on the Global Military Wearables Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Wearable Type (Headwear, Eyewear, Wristwear, Hearables, and Bodywear), By Technology (Smart Textiles, Network and Connectivity Management, Exoskeleton, Vision & Surveillance, Communication & Computing Monitoring, Power and Energy Source, and Navigation), By End User (Land Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Forces), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033. Get Buy Now Full Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/checkout/4611 Insights by Wearable Type The bodywear segment accounted for the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. Advancements in smart textiles and rising need for improved military protection and performance are driving the increase. Bodywear encompasses smart uniforms, vests, and exoskeletons that are intended to give real-time health monitoring, increased mobility, and enhanced physical capabilities. Materials science innovations have resulted in the production of lightweight, long-lasting fabrics embedded with sensors, allowing for thorough monitoring of vital signs and ambient conditions. This segment's growth is accelerated by the integration of bodywear with communication systems and situational awareness technologies, which provide soldiers with essential data during operations. Insights by Technology The communication and computing segment is dominating the market with the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. The demand for improved real-time data exchange and battlefield decision-making skills is driving the growth. Wearable gadgets such as sophisticated headphones, wrist-worn computers, and smart glasses enable smooth communication and access to essential information. Technological developments in miniaturisation and power efficiency enable the creation of lightweight, long-lasting gadgets that connect with existing military systems. The rising emphasis on network-centric warfare and situational awareness drives up demand for these devices. Insights by End User The land forces segment is dominating the market with the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. The growth is being driven by an increased emphasis on soldier upgrading programmes and the demand for improved operational capabilities. This sector includes wearables designed primarily for ground-based military operations, such as infantry personnel, special forces units, and armoured vehicle crews. Wearables are becoming increasingly popular among land forces thanks to innovations such as integrated sensor suites, augmented reality (AR) displays, and sophisticated body armour systems. These technologies improve situational awareness, communication, and protection, increasing soldiers' effectiveness and survivability on the battlefield. Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/4611 Insights by Region North America is anticipated to dominate the Military Wearables Market from 2023 to 2033. The United States, as the world's largest defence spender, is an important player in this regional industry, investing considerably in research and development of advanced wearable technologies. These investments aim to improve military performance, safety, and situational awareness using technologies such as smart textiles, biometric monitoring, and augmented reality (AR) systems. Collaboration among the military, technology corporations, and academic institutions helps to speed the development and deployment of cutting-edge wearable technologies. Furthermore, North America's emphasis on modernising its armed services and integrating wearables into existing military systems reinforces the region's market leadership. Asia Pacific is witnessing the fastest market growth between 2023 to 2033. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea are heavily investing in innovative military technologies to modernise their armies. The use of smart textiles, augmented reality (AR) gadgets, and biometric monitoring systems improves troop performance, safety, and situational awareness. Collaborations between defence agencies, local technology enterprises, and multinational corporations are promoting innovation and hastening the creation of cutting-edge wearables. The region's emphasis on integrating these wearables into existing military infrastructure is fueling market growth. Competitive Analysis: The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market. Major vendors in the Global Military Wearables Market are Arralis (Ireland), Honeywell International Inc. (US), Safran Electronics & Defense (France), BeBop Sensors (US), DuPont (US), Panasonic Corporation (Japan), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), Leidos (US), TT Electronics (UK), Xsens (Netherlands)Other Key Vendors. Get Discount At @ https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-discount/4611 Recent Market Developments In October 2022, L3Harris Technologies has introduced a new device called Iridium Distributed Tactical Communications Systems (DTCS). This device is used for push-to-talk speech and data transmission by warriors all over the world. Market Segment This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the Global Industrial Hemp Market based on the below-mentioned segments: Market Segmentation This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2023 to 2033. Military Wearables Market, Wearable Type Analysis Headwear Eyewear Wristwear Hearables Bodywear Military Wearables Market, Technology Analysis Smart Textiles Network and Connectivity Management Exoskeleton Vision & Surveillance Communication & Computing Monitoring Power and Energy Source Navigation Military Wearables Market, End User Analysis Land Forces Naval Forces Air Forces Military Wearables Market, Regional Analysis US Canada Mexico Europe Germany Uk France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Rest of Asia Pacific South America Brazil Argentina Rest of South America Middle East & Africa UAE Saudi Arabia Qatar South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa Browse Related Reports: Global Wooden Satellite Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Nanosatellite, Micro Satellite, Mini Satellite, Large Satellite), By End User (Military & defense, Commercial), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Aircraft Antenna Market Size By Application (Communication, Navigation & Surveillance), By End User (Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, By Geographic Scope And Forecast to 2033 Global Laser Retroreflector Array Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Single Mode Retroreflector, Polarization Maintaining Retroreflector, Multimode Retroreflector), By Application (Satellite Navigation, Optical Instrument, Vehicles & Transportation, Construction & Fabrication, Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Aircraft Fasteners Market Size By Product Type (Screws, Rivets, Nuts & Bolts), By Material Based (Aluminum, Steel, Titanium, Superalloys), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, By Geographic Scope And Forecast to 2033 Spherical Insights & Consulting is a market research and consulting firm which provides actionable market research study, quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight especially designed for decision makers and aids ROI. Which is catering to different industry such as financial sectors, industrial sectors, government organizations, universities, non-profits and corporations. The company's mission is to work with businesses to achieve business objectives and maintain strategic improvements. CONTACT US: For More Information on Your Target Market, Please Contact Us Below: Phone: +1 303 800 4326 (the U.S.) Phone: +91 90289 24100 (APAC) Email: inquiry@sphericalinsights.com, sales@sphericalinsights.com Contact Us: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/contact-us Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter New York, United States , June 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Pleural Diseases Market Size is to Grow from USD 5.0 Billion in 2023 to USD 9.61 Billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.75% during the projected period. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/4631 The tissue lining the inside of the chest cavity and covering the outside of the lungs is affected by pleural illness. Pleural space is the narrow region between two layers, and pleura is the name of the tissue. The pleural gap is charged with a small amount of fluid, which helps the pleural layers to flow easily against one another during breathing. A pleural disease can result from blood or air spreading across the pleural space due to an accident, infection, or inflammation. Pleural diseases come in three different forms: pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and pleurisy. A CT scan and a chest x-ray confirm it. Certain blood tests might also be useful in determining the pleural disease's etiology and severity. One significant market driver is the rise in instances of respiratory conditions including pleural illnesses. Additionally, the field of pleural disease is seeing a rise in the importance of tailored therapy. To improve understanding of pleural diseases and generate new treatments, financing for research and development is essential. However, the main obstacles limiting the treatment of pleural diseases are unawareness and delayed diagnosis. The costs associated with pleural disease diagnosis and treatment might be prohibitive, particularly in areas with inadequate funding for healthcare systems and only limited healthcare resources. For an accurate diagnosis and the optimal course of treatment, pleural diseases require specialized knowledge and resources. Browse key industry insights spread across 240 pages with 110 Market data tables and figures & charts from the report on the " Global Pleural Diseases Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Treatment (Medications, Thoracentesis, Pleurodesis Therapy, Thoracostomy, and Chemotherapy), By End Users (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033." Buy Now Full Report https://www.sphericalinsights.com/checkout/4631 The thoracentesis segment dominates the market with the largest revenue share through the predicted timeframe. Based on treatment, the global pleural diseases market is segmented into medications, thoracentesis, pleurodesis therapy, thoracostomy, and chemotherapy. Among these, the thoracentesis segment dominates the market with the largest revenue share through the predicted timeframe. Thoracentesis treatment is becoming more and more popular as an option for treating pleural diseases, and this presents forecasting opportunities. While pleurodesis can stop pleural effusions from returning, it is used in cases of significant effusions. The hospitals segment dominates the global pleural diseases market over the predicted timeframe. Based on the end users, the global pleural diseases market is segmented into hospitals, specialty clinics, and others. Among these, the hospitals segment dominates the global pleural diseases over the predicted timeframe. The hospitals are directly benefiting from the increase in funding by the players in the pleural disease therapeutics market because of their strong infrastructure, state-of-the-art medical equipment, quick adoption of new medications, and patient-friendly procedures. Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/4631 North America dominates the market with the largest market share during the forecast period. North America dominates the market with the largest market share during the forecast period. Pleural effusions in patients with heart failure and cancer are most often malignant, which increases the market for pleural illness therapies. It is anticipated that the region's rising disease burden will generate opportunities for the pleural disease treatment market to expand. Moreover, the market is expected to rise as a result of expanding technical developments, easy access to organized healthcare facilities, and the rising prevalence of respiratory illnesses. Due to factors like expanding healthcare spending, rising research and development, and rising heart disease incidence, the United States is expected to lead the market among other countries. These factors are predicted to expand the pleural diseases market during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period. Due to several factors, the Asia Pacific region is witnessing remarkable expansion in the global market for pleural illnesses. Rapid urbanization, changing lifestyles, and increasing industrialization all lead to an increase in the prevalence of respiratory illnesses such as pleural diseases. Increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and quality care by nations like China, Japan, and India is driving up demand for pleural disease treatments and diagnostic instruments. Throughout the anticipated period, these factors propel the Asia Pacific pleural diseases market's expansion. Competitive Analysis: The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market. Major vendors in the global pleural diseases market are Boston Medical, Avik Pharma, Hovione, Hoffmann-La Roche A, Bausch Health Companies Inc., WakeMed Health and Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Pfizer CentreOne, Pipelinepharma, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Sanofi S.A., Biometrix, Grena, Smith Medical, and Other Key Players. Get Discount At @ https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-discount/4631 Recent Developments In March 2023, the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc. declared that the Phase 2/3 CCTG IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial, which assessed the efficacy of Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA in conjunction with chemotherapy, has achieved its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) when used as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma that is incurable. Market Segment This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the global pleural diseases market based on the below-mentioned segments: Global Pleural Diseases Market, By Treatment Medications Thoracentesis Pleurodesis Therapy Thoracostomy Chemotherapy Global Pleural Diseases Market, By End Users Hospitals Specialty Clinics Others Global Pleural Diseases Market, By Regional Analysis North America US Canada Mexico Europe Germany Uk France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Rest of Asia Pacific South America Brazil Argentina Rest of South America Middle East & Africa UAE Saudi Arabia Qatar South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa Browse Related Reports Global Nucleotides Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Nitrogenous Base (Purine and Pyrimidine), By Application (Diagnostics Research, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), By Technology (TaqMan Allelic Discrimination and SNP By Pyrosequencing), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Skin Rash Treatment Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Skin Rash Type (Contact Dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis, Hives, Viral, and Others), By Treatment Type (Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressants, Antihistamines, Antifungals, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and Online Pharmacies), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 - 2033. Global Nasal Spray Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Corticosteroids, salt water solutions, Topical Decongestants, Antihistamine, and Others), By Application (Nasal Allergies, Cold Asthma, and Others), By Age Group (Pediatric and Adults), By Distribution Channel (Drug Stores & Retail Pharmacies, Hospital Pharmacies, and Online Pharmacies), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 - 2033 Global Insulin Glargine Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo, Soliqua, Rezvoglar, and Others), By Diabetes Type (Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies and Retail Pharmacies), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 - 2033 About the Spherical Insights & Consulting Spherical Insights & Consulting is a market research and consulting firm which provides actionable market research study, quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight especially designed for decision makers and aids ROI. Which is catering to different industry such as financial sectors, industrial sectors, government organizations, universities, non-profits and corporations. The company's mission is to work with businesses to achieve business objectives and maintain strategic improvements. CONTACT US: For More Information on Your Target Market, Please Contact Us Below: Phone: +1 303 800 4326 (the U.S.) Phone: +91 90289 24100 (APAC) Email: inquiry@sphericalinsights.com , sales@sphericalinsights.com Contact Us: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/contact-us Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter NEW YORK, June 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Lincoln National Corporation (Lincoln National or the Company) (NYSE: LNC). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Lincoln National and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until June 24, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Lincoln National securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On November 2, 2022, after the market closed, Lincoln National released its third quarter 2022 financial results, reporting a net loss of $2.6 billion for the quarter. This was compared to a net income of $318 million for the third quarter of 2021 the previous year. Lincoln National stated that [t]he current quarters adjusted operating results included net unfavorable notable items of $2.0 billion, or $11.62 per share, related to the companys annual review of DAC and reserve assumptions. The Company also disclosed that it incurred a $634 million goodwill impairment to the life insurance business. On this news, Lincoln Nationals stock price fell $17.27 per share, or 33.2%, to close at $34.83 per share on November 3, 2022. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. NEW YORK, June 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UnitedHealth or the Company) (NYSE: UNH). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether UnitedHealth and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until July 15, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired UnitedHealth securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On February 27, 2024, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth. Specifically, the WSJ reported that DOJ investigators have been interviewing healthcare industry representatives in sectors where UnitedHealth competes to determine the possible impacts of acquisitions made through its health services arm, Optum. On this news, UnitedHealths stock price fell $27.04 per share, or 5.15%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $498.28 per share on February 28, 2024. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Vancouver, June 21, 2024 - Tincorp Metals Inc. (TSXV: TIN) (OTCQX: TINFF) ("Tincorp" or the "Company") is pleased to report that all resolutions were approved today at the Company's Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting"). The voting results are as follows: Total issued and outstanding Common Shares as at Record Date: 66,907,423 Total percentage of Common Shares voted: 61.55% Matter Voted Upon Voting Result Fixing the number of directors of the Company at five (5) The number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year was fixed at five (5), by a majority of shareholders: Votes For Votes against 41,168,807 (99.97%) 13,080 (0.03%) Election of Directors The following nominees were elected as directors of the Company until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company, by a majority of shareholders: Votes For Votes Withheld Non Vote Dr. Rui Feng 39,468,607 (99.11%) 355,738 (0.89%) 1,357,542 Lorne Waldman 39,787,230 (99.91%) 37,115 (0.09%) 1,357,542 Bhakti Pavani 39,470,284 (99.11%) 354,061 (0.89%) 1,357,542 Alex Zhang 39,792,116 (99.92%) 32,229 (0.08%) 1,357,542 Hernan Uribe- Zeballos 39,782,302 (99.89%) 42,043 (0.11%) 1,357,542 Appointment of Deloitte LLP, as Auditors of the Company Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, was reappointed as the Company's auditors for the ensuing year, and the directors were authorized to fix their remuneration, by a majority of shareholders: Votes For Votes Withheld 41,159,732 (99.95%) 22,155 (0.05%) Approval of the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") The Plan was approved by a majority of shareholders: Votes For Votes Against Non Vote 38,489,465 (96.65%) 1,334,880 (3.35%) 1,357,542 Approval of the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") The Plan has been approved by the Company's shareholders at the Meeting, it replaces the Company's existing stock option plan and allows for the grant of options to purchase up to 10% of the total issued and outstanding common shares calculated on the date of the grant, and the grant of other forms of equity incentive securities to acquire up to 6,690,742 common shares. The Plan remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Tincorp Tincorp Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focusing on tin projects in Bolivia and a gold project near Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. The Company acquired a 100% interest in the Porvenir Project and SF Tin Project, which are 70 km southeast of Oruro, Bolivia. The Company's 100% owned Skukum Gold Project is approximately 84 km south of Whitehorse by road. An independent mineral resource estimate update in respect of the Skukum Gold Project was completed in October 2022. On Behalf of Tincorp Metals Inc. Victor Feng, Interim CEO For further information, please contact: Investor Relations, Tincorp Metals Inc. Phone: +1 (604)-336-5919 Email: info@tincorp.com www.tincorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collective, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding final approval of the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan by the TSX Venture Exchange, the search for a permanent CEO are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. Additional information in relation to the Company, including the Company's most recent annual information form, can be obtained under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.tincorp.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214015 Karora will assign, or cause its applicable direct or indirect subsidiaries to assign, all of their respective ownership interest in the Transferred Assets (as defined in the Circular) to SpinCo; Karora will spin out to the holders of Karora Shares at the Effective Time 0.3 of a SpinCo Share for each Karora Share held as at the Effective Time; and Westgold will indirectly acquire all of the issued and outstanding Karora Shares, and Karora Shareholders will be entitled to receive for each Karora Share held immediately prior to the Effective Time, (i) $0.608 in cash and (ii) 2.524 fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of Westgold (each one whole share, a "Westgold Share"). TORONTO, June 21, 2024 - Karora Resources Inc. (TSX: KRR) (OTCQX: KRRGF) ("Karora" or the "Corporation") today announced that it has filed and is in the process of mailing the management information circular (the "Circular") and related materials for the annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders of Karora ("Karora Shareholders") to be held July 19, 2024. At the Meeting, Karora Shareholders will be asked to consider and vote on, among other things, a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") approving a statutory plan of arrangement pursuant to Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "Arrangement"), subject to the terms and conditions of an arrangement agreement dated April 8, 2024 (the "Arrangement Agreement") entered into among Karora, Westgold Resources Limited ("Westgold"), 1474429 B.C. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Westgold, and Culico Metals Inc. (formerly 1000853883 Ontario Inc.) ("SpinCo"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Karora, all as more particularly described in the Circular.The board of directors of the Corporation (the "Karora Board") believes that the Arrangement will deliver a premium and other benefits to Karora Shareholders. The Karora Board and the special committee established by the Karora Board (the "Special Committee") have unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Corporation and that the Arrangement is fair to the Karora Shareholders.The Arrangement can only proceed if, among other conditions, it receives the approval of not less than two-thirds (66%) of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by Karora Shareholders in person or by proxy at the Meeting.The Special Committee and the Karora Board reviewed and considered a significant amount of information and considered a number of factors relating to the Arrangement, with the benefit of advice from Karora's management, and the respective financial advisors and legal advisors of the Special Committee and the Karora Board. The Special Committee and the Karora Board unanimously recommends that Karora Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. See pages 37 to 39 of the Circular for a detailed description of the "Reasons for the Arrangement". Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX / OTCQX: WGXRF) is an innovative and progressive West Australian gold producer located in the Murchison and Bryah regions of WA. The company has tenure of more than 1,300 kmand operates four underground mines and three processing plants with an installed processing capacity of approximately four million tonnes per annum.Operating on a 'hub and spoke' model, Westgold's Murchison mines feed ore to its Meekatharra and Tuckabianna processing hubs and its Bryah Basin mines send ore to the Fortnum hub.Westgold owns and operates its mines. With this in-house expertise and a modern underground mining fleet, Westgold has greater cost control and operating flexibility. The company offers substantial career development opportunities across multiple operating mines and processing plants.This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to: information and statements regarding the Arrangement; the impact of the Arrangement on stakeholders, including the expected benefits to Karora Shareholders; receipt and timing of shareholder, regulatory and court approval of the Arrangement; the timing and ability of Karora to complete the Arrangement (if at all); and the timing and ability of Karora to satisfy the conditions precedent to completing the Arrangement (if at all) as set forth in the Arrangement Agreement; the potential benefits, value and synergies in respect of the Combined Company and the upside potential of Spinco.Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Karora to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: failure to obtain required regulatory approvals third party consents, including approval of the Court, the TSX and the ASX; failure to obtain approval of the Karora Shareholders; the ability of exploration activities (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in geological modelling; future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs (including drilling); accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs; and failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Karora 's filings with Canadian securities regulators, including the most recent Annual Information Form, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.Although Karora 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. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Karora disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE Karora Resources Inc. For more information, please contact: Rob Buchanan, Director, Investor Relations, T: (416) 363-0649, www.karoraresources.com Vancouver, June 21, 2024 - Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE: GLDS) (OTCQB: GSPRF) (FSE: L5Y) ("Golden Spike" or the "Company") further to its news on June 7, 2024 and June 19, 2024, the Company is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") of 4,166,166 Units (the "Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $625,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant (the "Warrant"), with each whole transferable Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.30 for a period of 2 years from closing of the Offering. The Company paid $8,000 cash and issued 1,200 Warrants in Finder's fees. The Company received a lead order from Mr. Eric Sprott. Mr. Sprott's investment, combined with his existing substantial shareholding, positions him as an insider with an ownership stake exceeding 10 percent. The Company deeply appreciates the backing from all of our strategic shareholders and the broader investment community. Mr. Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation which is beneficially owned by him, acquired 2,000,000 Units for $0.15 per Unit for a total consideration of $300,000. Prior to the private placement, Mr. Sprott beneficially owned or controlled 3,500,000 Common Shares and 1,250,000 Warrants representing approximately 8.6% of the outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis and 11.4% on a partially-diluted basis assuming the exercise of such Warrants. Following the completion of the private placement, Mr. Sprott beneficially owns and controls 5,500,000 Common Shares and 2,250,000 Warrants representing approximately 12.3% of the outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis and 16.5% on a partially-diluted basis assuming the exercise of such Warrants. The Units were acquired by Sprott for investment purposes. Mr. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional securities of the Company including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell securities of the Company including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors. A copy of Sprott's early warning report will appear on Golden Spike's profile on SEDAR+ and may also be obtained by calling Mr. Sprott's office at (416) 945-3294 (1106-7 King Street East, Toronto, ON, M5C 3C5). The proceeds from the financing will be used for exploration of the Company's 100%-owned Gregory River copper-gold property (the "Property") located in Newfoundland, Canada and for general working capital purposes. Keith Anderson, CEO of Golden Spike Resources, emphasized the significance of ongoing support from Eric Sprott: "We are incredibly excited to launch Golden Spike's 2024 exploration programs, and having the continued backing of a distinguished investor like Eric Sprott is a tremendous endorsement of our vision. His support, especially at a time when key commodities such as copper and gold are entering a major bullish phase, greatly enhances our confidence and momentum as we move forward." The Gregory River Property Golden Spike Resources Corp.'s Gregory River Property is located on the west coast of Newfoundland and was acquired by the Company in July 2022. The Property spans 3,425 hectares and is centered on an 11-km stretch of the prospective Gregory River volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") corridor. Along this trend exploration dates back to the 1920's and since that time several priority Cu-Au-Zn VMS prospects and targets have been identified, along with multiple high-grade copper + gold veins. The Property is located along the same trend as the York Harbour deposit known for its copper-zinc-silver VMS mineralization, and has seen various phases of historical and current exploration, including prospecting, geological mapping, soil sampling, geophysics and diamond drilling. Historical exploration efforts have uncovered high-grade copper veins with grades often exceeding 10% copper. The Gregory River copper-gold property work program will commence this summer and focus on further exploration at the highly prospective Lode 9 and Steep Brook VMS-targets, as well as the Vein Zone, where a series of sub-parallel, high-grade copper-gold veins have been previously identified. All three target areas are fully permitted, allowing the company to complete the necessary work to pinpoint drill targets and execute any subsequent drill programs this coming fall. The work program will include prospecting and sampling, IP/Resistivity surveys over Steep Brook and the Vein Zone, followed by and data interpretation and modelling to generate diamond drill targets. Drilling would follow in a second phase of exploration this fall. Golden Spike is deeply committed to sustainable and environmentally conscious exploration practices. We are working in close partnership with local prospectors, consultants, and the community to kick off our exploration program. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved for disclosure by Mr. Robert Cinits, P.Geo, a Director of the Company and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Golden Spike Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE: GLDS) (OTCQB: GSPRF) (FSE: L5Y) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying, acquiring and unlocking value in mineral opportunities in Canada and other low-risk jurisdictions. The Company currently holds 100% interest in the 3,425-hectare Gregory River Property in Newfoundland, strategically centered over an approximate 11-kilometer-long stretch of the Gregory River VMS-belt, a north-northeast trending corridor of very prospective ground with potential to host Cyprus-type polymetallic VMS deposits. In addition, the Property hosts a cluster of historically explored, high-grade, copper gold vein structures. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Keith Anderson, President and CEO Golden Spike Resources Corp. 830 - 1100 Melville St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 4A6 +1 (604) 786-7774 info@goldenspikeresources.com www.goldenspikeresources.com "Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" occur. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results 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 volatility of global capital markets, political instability, unanticipated costs, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the lack of availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather conditions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, failure of the exploration program, including the recent IP survey and potential future drilling to result in the discovery of significant precious and/or base metal mineralization, and those risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the Company's disclosure record under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained herein. 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 or forward-looking information disclosed herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214060 The Michigan Star Nothing to See Here American Ledger The Center Square Michigan Advance (TNS) A growing number of media organizations with ties to partisan activists are spreading in Michigan in time for the 2020 presidential election.News websites affiliated with Republican and Democratic groups have sprung up in battleground states in the last year. The websites are straightforward about their editorial agenda to varying degrees some described themselves as watchdogs meant to replace trusted community newspapers while others clearly exhibit a partisan slant and use layouts designed to resemble conventional news organizations.Theres never been a more difficult time for information consumers than the time were in right now, said Kathleen Bartzen, director of the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin. There are people who are trying to sway public opinion through misinformation ... and then there are people who are polluting the information environment with disinformation.looked at five news organizations and launched since the end of 2018. Each is connected to partisan donors or political action committees.John Gable, a Michigan native who co-founded a site that analyzes news for bias said the internet has empowered partisans to create media organizations explicitly to promote particular ideas. Readers should be skeptical of what they read and pull their news from multiple publications to get the full picture, he said.Bartzen said the best sources of information are free from government interference, fair to all sides and independent from political influence.Even traditional media should face questions about whether advertisers influence coverage decisions, she said, but Bartzen is particularly concerned about news organizations that hide partisan connections while promising objectivity.Its a trend shes seen in other battleground states as well as Michigan.If you are a person who wants to invest in swaying public opinion and your goal is to affect national-level policy, I think youd be smart to be investing in battleground states," Bartzen said., a self-described conservative news organization founded by Tea Party-connected activists, expanded its network of digital publications to Michigan earlier this year.was founded by CEO Michael Patrick Leahy, acontributor and Republican activist, to publish state and local news "written from a conservative perspective.operates five web publications Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee and Battleground State News filled by journalists who work around the country. Leahy said Michigan was chosen for the latest publication specifically because it will be a battleground state in 2020.Leahy saidis transparent about its conservative leanings. Leahys political ties are outlined on the websites about us section, thoughdoes not make mention of any potential bias in its mission statement.Weve been very upfront and transparent from the very beginning, Leahy said. Were conservative, we have a conservative worldview, but we write fact-based reporting ... Readers want to know what the facts are. I think the more voices, the more opportunities, the better off and more informed they will be as voters."Most of the sites headlines are either attributed to Michigan Star Staff" or reporters with experience at conservative publications. The website also recycles content from other right-leaning organizations likeand, founded by conservativecolumnist Christopher Buskirk.also promotes a daily War Room: Impeachment podcast hosted by Steve Bannon, a former spokesman for Trumps 2016 campaign and former editor-in-chief of. Bannon is often given sympathetic coverage on the website.s website features a photo of downtown Lansing but has no physical office. Leahy said two full-time reporters are based in Michigan, and he has plans to expand in the future.Leahy said fact-based reporting differentiatesfrom other partisan organizations acting in bad faith.Gable said original reporting still has the potential to mislead voters. The most persuasive political messages are factual but ignore facts which dont support their point of view, he said.The sites that are upfront of their partisanship I have no problem with, Bartzen said. Theyre using digital technologies and means of communication to try to win people over to their side. I dont have a problem with that as long as youre upfront about who you are and what it is that youre trying to do. Its those people who are trying to fool citizens that troubled me the most.A sprawling network of nearly 40 websites and their political connections was first reported by. Websites with names like theandfeature identical conservative-leading reports while purporting to provide objective, data-driven information without personal or political bias.The websites are operated by Locality Labs, which is owned by media entrepreneur and Republican activist Brian Timpone.Timpone and conservative activist Dan Proft co-founded Local Government Information Services, a network of 11 print and 20 web publications that look identical to the Michigan websites. Locality Labs also publishes business websites in nearly every state.While the Michigan websites promise objectivity, the Illinois websites state their funding comes from "advocacy groups who share our beliefs in limited government.Recent stories on the Michigan sites focus on a boost in Republican campaign fundraising due to the impeachment inquiry, proposed legislation that would allow taxpayers to declare their fetus as a dependent and a summary of a conservative think-tanks report on voter fraud.Another story focused on U.S. House Rep. Rashida Harbi Tlaib trying to convince a crowd to chant impeach the motherf****r at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol.Articles are written by a handful of freelance reporters, but a majority of the content comes from press releases or the Local Labs News Service. Some of the sites stories are based on independent reports from the conservative-leaning Mackinac Center for Public Policy.The network of websites claims to be a venture of Metric Media LLC and maintains a licensing agreement with the Metric Media Foundation, a Missouri non-profit news organization founded in 2019.An online biography lists Bradley Cameron as CEO of Metric Media. It also states he is presently retained by national conservative leaders to direct responses to government targeting of their operations and initiatives.Gable said the Locality Labs websites represent the chaotic nature of the internet.Its so easy for people to create and manipulate information today, Gable said. We have so much more knowledge today than we did even five years ago about how to emotionally manipulate people with the right kind of headlines. I think its going to get worse and particularly Michigan. Oh my gosh, yall are headed for a firestorm.Democrats are also launching online publications before the 2020 election.American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic political action committee, launched a series of blog posts onto coincide with the Democratic National Committee debates in Detroit.The opposition research PAC is focused on flipping Trumps supporters in rural parts of Michigan. Its website, which hasnt updated since the end of August, is part of a larger effort to target 12 Michigan counties that voted for Trump after supporting former President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.Jeb Fain, communications director for American Bridges Trump War Room, said articles on the website are based on accurate and extensive research, and contain hyperlinked citations." The stories will provide a counterbalance of factual information to conservative websites like, he said.The about us page touts American Bridges dominance in progressive accountability research" and promises investigations into the politicians and the special interests trying to manipulate the system to their own advantage. The website clearly states it is funded by the PAC and links to the American Bridge website.is another relatively new player in Michigan supported by other partisan blogs.It launched online publications in 18 states this year to fulfill the need for high-quality statehouse and statewide news across the United States. The blogs are a project of the Franklin News Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit connected to GOP mega-donors.Franklin News Foundation was supported by Donors Trust Inc., a nonprofit that donates to conservative and libertarian causes. According to the most recent IRS documents available, Donors Trust gave $162,000 to the Franklin News Foundation for general operations and a Texas watchdog project in 2017.The Michigan publication has been active since 2017, but was rebranded this year.replaced, a network of conservative-leaning news websites.No one in our current company was part of the organization before 2017, Publisher Chris Kurg said in a statement. Franklin News Foundation has different leadership, different personnel, and a different mission.shares content with other news organizations across the country and is featured onand several of Locality Labs Michigan news blogs. Kurg said publication is nonpartisan.We would be no more willing to allow our editorial work to be influenced by a donor than a legacy news outlet would allow its editorial work to be influenced by an advertiser, Kurg said in a statement.is another relatively new media organization its founders said was created to fill in the cracks left by the decline of working journalists.The free online publication started in late 2018 as part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit that funds left-of-center media organizations in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.States Newsroom Director and Publisher Chris Fitzsimon said Michigan Advance was started to enhance coverage of the state Legislature. Michigans status as a 2020 battleground had nothing to do with it," he said.The States Newsroom network was a sponsored project of the Hopewell Fund, a left-leaning nonprofit focused on social change projects. Fitzsimon said the Hopewell fund provided back end support while the nonprofit kicked off, but never provided funding.States Newsrooms ethics policy states its publications are nonpartisan. Fitzsimon said the editorial board is on the liberal side," drawing a comparison withWere clearly not aligned with any political party, Fitzsimon said.Editor-in-Chief Susan Demas, a veteran Michigan political reporter with past bylines inand other state publications, said the websites daily news stories are unbiased while its opinion content is progressive-leaning. Demas contributes daily stories but also writes progressive commentary for the website that often criticizes Republicans.We do very tough reporting on people of both parties, Demas said. Weve run plenty of stories on investigations into Democrats into their campaign finances, etc. Theres nothing that is out of bounds."Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes wrote two opinion columns criticizing Trumps policies that were featured on the website this year. The posts were labeled commentary," but did not originally identify Barnes party affiliation.issued a correction afterraised the issue to Demas, who said it was an honest mistake.employs a team of reporters, headquartered in downtown Lansing, who cover daily stories about state politics and policy. The website has access to a D.C. bureau shared by all States Newsroom publications.The organizations mission statement expresses a commitment to cover news largely ignored by corporate media.I think we cover topics that other people dont," Demas said. I think we dedicate ourselves a lot to covering humanitarian and social justice issues, which perhaps a right-wing website would not do ... I dont mind being called progressive because my friends atare called liberal media. So that personally doesnt bother me, but the idea of being lumped in with fake news or having some sort of an agenda that were pushing in our coverage, I think, is wildly inaccurate.about us page states it retains editorial independence from donors. Its original backer funds left-wing organizations.In 2017, the most recent tax filing publicly available, Hopewell Fund contributed $53,000 to Engage Michigan and $40,000 to Progressnow Education, two progressive advocacy nonprofits. The Hopewell Fund also gave $4.98 million to the Democratic-aligned Priorities USA PAC in 2017.Priorities USA launched its own Michigan communications program as part of an organizing effort in four battleground states, including Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. An in-state team is spreading stories across social media to convince voters the Trump economy isnt working for them. Briatore can turn Alpine around in two years Flavio Briatore says he can get the beleaguered Alpine team back in Formula 1's "top four" within "two years". Flavio Briatore, Spanish GP 2024 Alpine The big news as the sport got into action in Barcelona is that the factory team's successful and controversial former boss has been signed by Renault CEO Luca de Meo as 'executive advisor'. Luca de Meo has put him there to stir up the hornet's nest, stir up trouble, change things, because Alpine has very serious problems, F1 broadcaster Antonio Lobato told DAZN. This is de Meo saying 'I'm hiring you as an advisor, but as an executive - meaning you're in charge', he added. Get in there and please sort this out for me because the situation is terrifying. Even team boss Bruno Famin, who has overseen the calamity unfolding at Alpine for the past couple of years, admits he will need to listen to the flamboyant 74-year-old Italian. He's the advisor to the group CEO, but he will advise the team, and we are going to work and to talk permanently together, for sure, Famin said. For his part, Briatore sounded very confident that he can help turn around Alpine's dire situation. It's not something that happened last night, he said of his new F1 role. "We've been talking about it for months. I have a great feeling with Luca, I think he's a genius. The only part missing is Formula 1, but I think I'm a genius in F1, so we found each other well, Briatore smiled. Indeed, Briatore has overseen ultra-successful periods at the Enstone based team in its previous Benetton and Renault guises, powering Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to their first F1 titles. Briatore has essentially been out of F1 full-time since he was banned over the infamous 'crashgate' scandal, but he has remained involved. I think you are less active than me, Briatore smiled at the reporter for French television Canal Plus. I stayed in Formula 1. I am a F1 ambassador, I watch all the races, said the Italian, who also still oversees Alonso's career management. "What I bring back is the culture of winning, the racing spirit. That's what allowed me to win with Renault and Benetton. That's what makes a team - the people. There is technology but also all the members of a team, all together. We can have Alpine in the top four in two years, he asserted. Alpine admits that Briatore will also advise over its next driver line-up, with Famin having already ruled out Esteban Ocon for 2025. That's a problem which is not a problem, Briatore said. "At the moment the problem is having a high-performance car. Pierre Gasly does the job well, and then we can put in a young man or not a young man. But it's not the priority. The priority is to have a competitive car and I hope that next season we will be on the path to do well. It's also rumoured that Briatore has already kicked off discussions with Red Bull, Mercedes, Honda and perhaps even Ferrari, as Renault considers scrapping its own power unit program for 2026. When asked about that sensational rumour in Barcelona, team boss Famin was not ready to talk at length about it. We know we are going to have some problems, which is just normal with this kind of very complex project, he said. "But about these rumours, we just don't comment. We owe a lot of respect to everybody in Viry working on that project and the worst thing would be to comment. (GMM) China urges U.S. to stop arming Taiwan in any form Xinhua) 14:58, June 22, 2024 BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to honor its commitment to not support "Taiwan independence" and stop arming Taiwan in any form. Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to the newly approved U.S. arms sales to Taiwan worth about 360 million U.S. dollars. "We firmly oppose such arms sales and have lodged stern representations to the U.S. side," said the spokesperson. The fact that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of the island attempts to seek "Taiwan independence" by force and the United States stubbornly aids separatism through arms sales poses the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Wu noted. He added that the People's Liberation Army will strengthen combat readiness across the board to smash all "Taiwan independence" separatist schemes. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Apple Intelligence may not come to the EU at launch over regulatory concerns Last week, at WWDC, Apple jumped on the AI bandwagon by introducing Apple Intelligence for iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. However, it may not be available at launch in the European Union since Apple has announced it could block Apple Intelligence's release in the EU over regulatory concerns. Apple said that Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing may not be rolled out in the EU due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which could force the Cupertino-based tech giant into downgrading the security of its products and services. We are concerned that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that risk user privacy and data security, said Apple in a statement to Bloomberg. In a statement to the Financial Times, Apple said, "Due to the regulatory uncertainties brought about by the Digital Markets Act, we do not believe that we will be able to roll out three of these [new] features -- iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence -- to our EU users this year." Apple iPhone 15 Pro (left) with iPhone 15 Pro Max (right) It's unclear how exactly Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing could violate DMA, but Apple's decision not to release them in the EU would mean hundreds of millions of Apple users in the EU won't get a taste of Apple's newest software features and services. However, there's still hope for EU users since Apple is yet to make the final decision about the release and is willing to work with the European Commission to find a solution. "We are committed to collaborating with the European Commission in an attempt to find a solution that would enable us to deliver these features to our EU customers without compromising their safety," said Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz in a statement to The Verge. You can read our Apple Intelligence announcement coverage here to learn more about it. While were still a long way from October but Googles Pixel 9 Pro XL made an early appearance on Geekbench. The listing highlights the Tensor G4 chipsets configuration 1x 3.10GHz prime core, 3x 2.6GHz performance cores, and 4x 1.95GHz efficiency cores. It also comes with the Mali G715 GPU and 16GB of RAM. Oppo announced the global versions of its Reno12 and Reno12 Pro. Both new phones are equipped with the Dimensity 7300-Energy chipset, 6.7-inch curved AMOLEDs (FHD+ 120Hz), and 50MP main cams. The Pro adds another 50MP 2x telephoto cam and a mightier 50MP selfie cam and both phones get 5,000 mAh batteries with 80W wired charging. Oppo Reno12 Pro arrives in Europe with two 50MP portrait cams, Reno12 tags along The Pro model has a 50MP 2x camera on the back and a 50MP selfie camera with autofocus. Both phones are powered by the new Dimensity 7300-Energy Oppo Reno12 Pro 5G in for review A phone with solid specs and looks to die for. Moving on to Samsung rumors, all Galaxy S25 series phones are now expected to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset directly contradicting earlier rumors which said the S25 models would feature Samsungs in-house Exynos chips. In related Samsung rumor news, S25 and S25+ are expected to feature the same camera hardware as their predecessors while the S25 Ultra is said to offer an improved 200MP main camera, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 3x telephoto, and 50MP 5x telephoto shooters. Leaked images show the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, plus the Galaxy Ring in its charging chase The watch has a squircle body but a round display - and is that a digital crown? As for the Galaxy Ring, its case looks similar to Galaxy Buds charging cases. We also got some new official-looking images for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in dark gray and silver, showing a rectangular design with a round display and a digital crown element for controls. Galaxy Ring also made an appearance with its charging case. Sony Xperia 1 VII is expected to bring larger 1/2.3-inch telephoto (70-200mm focal range) and ultrawide sensors with two-layer transistor pixel technology. Sony is reportedly looking to break up the vertical camera alignment seen on past Xperia 1 devices and separate the telephoto lens from the main and ultrawide cameras. Sony Xperia 1 VII camera rumor points to larger telephoto and ultrawide sensors Sony may bring two-layer transistor pixel technology for all three cameras on the Xperia 1 VII. Editor's note: Some information in a previous version of the story was incorrect. The story has been updated to reflect the correct information. The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority acquired a 21-unit housing complex in Yigo which will be fixed up and turned into affordable housing. GHURA Executive Director Elizabeth Napoli reported to the agencys board of commissioners Tuesday that GHURA closed on the property on May 13. A GHURA team is now doing assessments on the property to decide what happens next. The site will be rehabilitated before the affordable rental units are opened up. Napoli said that GHURA has been moving to acquire more properties to add to the affordable housing inventory. Besides the Yigo complex, a duplex and a fourplex in Agana Heights were both recently purchased by the agency. A pot of federal Community Development Block Grant money was reprogrammed earlier this year so that GHURA could begin buying up more housing units, the PDN reported. GHURA was conducting a broad search of projects that would benefit the community which included discussions relating to the potential acquisition of San Vicente School properties, Napoli said. However, GHURA did not get to the point of identifying funds for that acquisition, as discussions specific to the rehabilitation, and potential users of operators of such a facility, still needed to occur, the director said. About $5.8 million in Emergency Rental Assistance remains under the purview of the Department of Administration and requires submission and approval of an application for eligible affordable rental housing purposes to serve very low-income families, Napoli said. GHURA applied for and was granted $650,000 in ERA funds needed to leverage the purchase of the Yigo 21-unit complex, she said. Tax incentives GHURA has also been growing the islands affordable housing units through tax incentives. The units and facilities are being built using funds from the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit project. Tax incentives are given to private developers to either renovate old housing structures or for new construction. The Internal Revenue Service allocates these tax credits annually to housing agencies such as GHURA, which administers the tax incentives through a competitive bid process. In December 2023, 64 additional housing units became available to rent for low-income families at the Summer Breeze I in Radio Barrigada. GHURA said the project is marked as the first Low Income Housing Tax Credit project in Barrigada and the second overall in the central region of Guam. The project site is also near areas of employment, schools, shopping, medical, and recreational facilities. Core Tech Development LLC, through their nonprofit partner Guam Facilities Foundation Inc., will also be providing residents with programs and services with other community partners. A recent approval of Guams Digital Equity Plan will mean more funding to bridge the gap for those who struggle getting access to the internet. The Office of the Governor on Friday announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the US Department of Commerce, has officially approved Guams Digital Equity Plan. This significant milestone not only validates the islands commitment to bridging the digital divide but also unlocks substantial funding opportunities to enhance digital inclusion across the territory, the governors office said in a release. With this approval, Guam is now eligible to apply for the Digital Equity Capacity grant funding, which includes a dedicated allocation of $2.1 million. Additionally, Guam is set to receive two supplementary awards of $750,000 each, further bolstering its efforts to expand digital access and literacy. Some of the programs planned include free Wi-Fi hotspots, digital literacy workshops, providing devices to those in need and online safety campaigns. The plan specifically targets eight covered populations that are most affected by the digital divide: low-income households, aging individuals, incarcerated individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals with a language barrier (including those with limited English proficiency), racial and ethnic minorities, and rural inhabitants. Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio, in a release, said the approval from NITA is a significant step forward for Guam. Our Digital Equity Plan is designed to address the unique challenges faced by our community in accessing digital resources. Many of our residents still dont have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access. Even more people either cant afford it or lack the necessary skills to use it. The gap between those with internet access and those without is significant. With the financial support now available, we are poised to make significant strides in ensuring that all residents have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital world, he said. The Digital Equity Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to enhance internet connectivity, provide digital literacy training, and ensure that all Guam residents have access to the digital tools necessary for education, healthcare, employment, and civic engagement. This plan aligns with the broader goals of the NTIA to promote digital equity across the nation. Several key programs and initiatives will be piloted for eventual island wide launch as part of this effort, including: Community Wi-Fi projects: Utilizing the islands community anchor institutions (CAI) as free Wi-Fi hotspots, offering access to the internet in public spaces such as community centers and schools to ensure everyone can get online. Digital literacy workshops: Offering training sessions to improve digital skills among seniors, veterans, and other covered populations. Device access programs: Providing access to devices for low-income households and individuals with disabilities to ensure they have the necessary tools to participate in the digital world. Online safety campaigns: Educating all residents, especially the aging population and those with limited digital experience, on how to stay safe online. This funding will help us build a more inclusive digital future for all Guam families. Achieving economic equity requires everyone to have access to dependable and affordable high-speed internet. We are committed to leveraging these resources to close the digital divide and create opportunities for every resident to participate fully in the digital economy, Tenorio said. Additionally, Guam is also eligible to compete for Digital Equity Competitive grant funding when the Notice of Funding Opportunity is released later this year. These funds will be instrumental in supporting projects that promote digital equity and ensure that all residents, regardless of location or circumstance, have access to affordable and reliable internet services. As Guam moves forward with its Digital Equity Plan, the Guam Broadband Office will continue to engage with community stakeholders, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and others to implement initiatives that address digital disparities and foster a more connected and equitable society. For more information about Guams Digital Equity Plan and upcoming initiatives, visit Broadband.Guam.Gov or contact broadband@guam.gov. Haiti - FLASH : Signing of an agreement on the legal status of the Mission Friday June 21, 2024 in Washington, Ambassador Gandy Thomas, Acting Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Ambassador of Kenya to the United States, Lazarus O. Amayo signed a SOFA legal agreement Status Of Force Agreement on the status of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS), announced Cristobal Dupouy, the special representative of the Secretary General of the OAS in Haiti. Let's remember that SOFA agreements are international legal agreements allowing for derogations, within certain limits, from the principle of territorial jurisdiction of the host State. This agreement which grants a set of privileges and immunities to members of the Mission, guaranteed by the Haitian State. This agreement was essential and conditioned the deployment of the Mission. "[...] All MMSS personnel, including locally recruited personnel, enjoy immunity from legal process for all acts performed in the exercise of their official functions (including their words and writings). This immunity continues to have effect even when they are no longer members of the personnel or employed by the Mission and after the other provisions of this Agreement have expired [...]" The agreement also indicates that if the Haitian Government considers that a member of the Mission has committed a criminal offense, it must inform the Commander of the Mission with the evidence in its possession. Accused Mission staff will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of their participating State with respect to any criminal offense they commit in Haiti." In the case of a civil offense if the Mission command certifies that the matter is not related to the official duties of the accused person, the proceedings proceed and the courts and authorities of Haiti provide accused personnel with sufficient opportunity to preserve their rights in accordance with due process guarantees. Furthermore, the Haitian Government grants to the participating States that their property, their funds, their assets, the MMSS and its personnel enjoy the privileges and immunities set out in this Agreement. To be continued... TB/ HaitiLibre The Swedish Postal and Telecommunications Authority (Post- och telestyrelsen) has officially complained to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva about disruptions to northern European satellite communications. This was reported by the US news website Bloomberg, citing a non-public letter from the Swedes to the ITU. According to the letter, the Swedish authority contacted the ITU on June 4, after the Russian government had already been confronted with the allegations on March 21. According to the Swedes, the disruptions began a few days after the country joined the NATO defense alliance on 7 March. As a UN body, the ITU monitors the allocation of radio frequencies worldwide, both terrestrial and satellite. Anzeige The radio interference affects the network of television satellites operated by the Luxembourg-based company SES, which is represented in the Scandinavian region by its subsidiary SES Sirius. Specifically, it appears to be the two satellites Astra 4A and SES-5, often referred to as Sirius 4 and 5, which provide satellite television to the whole of Central Europe at the 5 East position. The exact nature and origin of the interference is not known at this time, but only the Northern European region is affected. According to Bloomberg, the Swedes have asked for the interference to be put on the agenda of an ITU meeting starting next Monday. This is likely to be an upcoming meeting of the ITU's Radio Regulations Board in Geneva, which is responsible for reports on radio interference. Apparently France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have also lodged complaints; meanwhile, a Kremlin spokesperson told Bloomberg that they knew nothing about the problems. The radio war extends into space Since the Russian invasion of western Ukraine in spring 2022, a radio war has been raging in Eastern Europe. It is not only military frequencies on Ukrainian soil that are being jammed, amateur radio operators are also jamming various frequencies inside and outside the conflict zone, such as the frequency of the well-known Russian military radio station UVB-76 (also known as "The Buzzer"). Propaganda messages are often broadcast, especially on shortwave. There are also frequent insults and verbal battles between Russians and Ukrainians. This has been a regular occurrence on the 40-meter band in particular since Russia's annexation of Crimea. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) reported on this back in 2020. Recently, satellite communication seems to be affected more and more often. Interference with navigation satellites , especially with the US GPS system and the Russian GLONASS satellite, but also with the European Galileo and Chinese Beidou satellite radio , has been increasing since the beginning of the year. Amateur radio operators refer to this phenomenon as the "Baltic Jammer". Only recently, the Finnish airline Finnair had to suspend flights between Helsinki in Finland and Tartu in Estonia for weeks because of this. The German Amateur Radio Club (DARC) also reports GPS interference in the Baltic Sea region. In turn, amateur radio operators are repeatedly observing how the frequencies of the Russian military's Meridian communication satellites are also being disrupted. (mma) With the death toll rising to 51 by Saturday morning after 14 more people under treatment in different hospitals died, the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu raises disturbing questions about the growing preference for cheap and toxic alcohol. Relatives confirmed that the victims preferred the cheap and risky alternative in the face of government-imposed heavy taxes, which make Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) expensive across the state. The victims included five women and a transgender person; 135 others are still battling for life at different hospitals, making it one of the worst hooch tragedies in the country. Almost all victims were daily wage workers from Karunapuram, a suburb of Kallakurichi town, and autopsies confirmed the tragedy as the after-effect of consuming hooch laced with methanol. Going by the preliminary findings of the police and excise departments, the incident was similar to the 2023 hooch tragedy that killed over 30 people in Marakkanam in Villupuram district and Madhuranthakam in the adjoining Chengapattu district. There is rampant manufacturing of toxic alcohol using industrial methanol as an alternative to expensive IMFL across the state, activists said. While the state government still feigns ignorance over bootleggers' easy sourcing of industrial methanol, police officers, who did not wish to be named, confirmed that it is cheap and easily available in the adjacent union territory of Puducherry. The three people arrested in connection with the Karunapuram tragedy disclosed that it would be easier to smuggle out the industrial methanol from Puducherry than the cheap IMFL brands available, thereby avoiding the checking by excise and prohibition officials. In February this year, the M K Stalin-led DMK government increased the price of IMFL available through the state-owned distribution network TASMAC. The state government, which maintains TASMAC as the sole liquor retail agency, considers it the major revenue source. According to K Arumugam, a relative of Suresh and Praveen, who died in the Kallakurichi tragedy, the unaffordable price of IMFL is the biggest reason for the easy availability of cheap hooch in the state. N B Veerasami, a social activist, said most of the dead were from economically and socially weaker segments of the Dalit community. Located close to the combined court complex of Kallakurichi district and the local police station, Karunapuram is a major Dalit habitation, housing around 10,000 people. Most of them work as daily labourers such as load handlers, painters and plumbers. "A 150 ml sachet of the illicit brew is available for hardly 60 while the same stuff is priced at the TASMAC at 180," said P Kumar, a resident. "The area where the illicit liquor was sold is barely 500 metres from the local police station and close to the district integrated court complex and a few government offices. However, the sale of illicit liquor has thrived here for long without any preventive measures," said Veerasami "Cheap illicit brewing is thriving across the state, mainly in semi-urban and rural areas. It exposes the rural reality of Tamil Nadu. The government says it increases liquor prices to give subsidies and welfare pensions. But it risks the health and financial security of the poor in the whole process by neglecting the harsh realities around," said Madurai-based lawyer and human rights activist Henry Tiphagne. Across Tamil Nadu, hill areas and forest regions are now turning into brewing hubs for toxic liquor alternatives. Despite being the government's main income generator, TASMAC has become a symbol of corruption, mismanagement, and exploitation over the years. An alleged nexus of politician-owned distilleries and TASMAC is also complicating the regulation of alcohol supply in the state. Over 5,000 agency outlets across the state are infamous for charging 2 per cent more than the MRP, amounting to at least s 8,000 crores in bulk from buyers without mentioning it in the bill. "Methanol is a toxic industrial chemical, and the state has legal means to monitor its sale. It is, hence, surprising that despite illicit brew deaths in 2023, where methanol was the culprit, the state has shown laxity in preventing the abuse of this industrial chemical. It has been brought under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, since 2002," said C Lakshmanan, a former Madras Institute of Development Studies faculty member. It has been 86 years since the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act first came into existence as the first such an effort across India. However, prohibition has not been implemented in Tamil Nadu although opposition parties have demanded it following the Kallakurichi incident. While in power in Tamil Nadu, politicians of all affiliations justify the sale of liquor by stating that the revenue generated through heavy liquor taxation is utilised to support social welfare schemes, contributing to a strong social index for the state. They raise prohibition demands only while in opposition. Activist M. Idiyanarayanan, a Chennai-based Gandhian, argues that it is incorrect to sell liquor and make a profit by heavily taxing consumers and using this money for welfare schemes. He believes welfare is a state matter, and its funds should not be sourced from liquor sales. He urges policymakers to explore alternative means of raising funds, stating that liquor is detrimental and the government should avoid funding welfare programmes through its sale, as it creates discord in society. But Veerasami is more practical: "The government must at least subsidise some popular brands, as that would dissuade daily drinkers from going behind bootleggers.'' The 53rd GST Council met under the chairpersonship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Saturday. New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses a press conference after the 53rd GST Council Meeting, in New Delhi, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh)(PTI06_22_2024_000360A)(PTI) The meeting was attended by MoS finance Pankaj Chaudhary, chief ministers of Goa and Meghalaya, deputy chief ministers of Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, besides finance ministers of states & UTs and other senior officers. The meeting took place after a gap of eight months. The 52nd GST Council meeting took place on October 7, 2023. Also Read | Will petrol and diesel come under GST? Nirmala Sitharaman replies Here's what the GST council has recommended: Changes in GST rate India's pension fund regulator plans to launch a balanced life-cycle fund for people who want more equity allocation in their portfolio in the September quarter, said Deepak Mohanty, chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on Friday, according to a Mint report. Representational The fund will be an additional option in the auto choice where equity allocation can be maximum up to 50%, but the tapering would start only after 45 years of age, Mohanty told Mint on the sidelines of the PFRDA's Annual Felicitation Program for Atal Pension Yojana (APY) in New Delhi. Earlier, the allocation for equity funds decreases starting at age 35. Life-cycle funds are asset-allocation funds in which the share of each asset class is automatically adjusted to lower risk as the desired retirement date approaches, according to the article. Also Read | Bihar govt releases funds for salary, pension in state varsities to clear backlog NPS choices Currently, the National Pension System (NPS) offers two choices to subscribers for creating the pension portfolio: Active and auto. In the active choice, subscribers can decide the allocation across equity, corporate bonds and government securities on their own. The auto choice, however, comes with three options: Aggressive fund (75% equity allocation), moderate fund (50% equity allocation) and conservative fund (25% equity allocation). Also Read | Pension benefit to sickle cell anemia affected people in J'khand's Khunti What is tapering all about? The equity allocation starts tapering off in all options after a subscriber turns 35. Auto choice allows a maximum of 20% in the equity fund at 50 years of age, which further tapers down to 15% by the age of 55 years, according to the report. The numbers Mohanty said the PFRDA added 947,000 new subscribers from the non-government sectors to the NPS in 2023-24, boosting the NPS' assets under management (AUM) by 30.5% year-on-year to 11.73 trillion. The total NPS subscriber base stands at 180 million as of 31 May 2024, the report read. The total gross enrolments under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) crossed 66.2 million as of June 20, 2024, of which more than 12.2 million were added in 2023-24. It is the highest ever in a fiscal year since the scheme's inception," Mohanty said. Also Read | Haryana: Govt employees demand restoration of Old Pension Scheme Rubber growers in Kerala are shifting to other income-earning activities due to infrastructure development happening in the state, outgoing chairman of the Rubber Board of India, Sawar Dhanania, said on Saturday, as reported by PTI. Latex drips from a tree at a rubber plantation (Jonathan Klein / AFP) Kerala produces over 90% of India's natural rubber from a total cultivation area of 3.84 lakh hectares, producing around 3.70 lakh tonnes of rubber annually, according to data from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology. Also Read | India's agriculture faces concerns as monsoon rains a fifth below normal The background There are about 10 lakh rubber growers and 3.5 lakh workers engaged in the rubber sector, according to the DSIR. They (rubber growers) are the experts and pioneers in this field, and their continued involvement is crucial for the country, said Dhanania, whose term as chairman came to an end today, after a tenure of five years. If they persist with rubber cultivation, I am confident that within a decade, the country will produce more rubber than it demands. Dhanania requested the rubber growers in Kerala to remain with the practise, even if on a limited scale, urging them to trust and have confidence in the Rubber Board and the union government, PTI wrote. Also Read | Sonepat rubber factory blaze leaves 40 injured Why are they leaving the profession? This comes just two days after Francis George, a Kerala Congress MP, spoke against the exemption of natural rubber from the recent increase in the support price for 14 agricultural crops, according to an article by The Hindu. Rubber farmers often miss out on financial support because rubber is not classified as an agricultural product, said George. The policy of not recognising rubber growers as farmers is unacceptable. There will be a strong push in the Lok Sabha to include rubber on the list of agricultural crops, he said, adding that Rubber is a strategic crop that contributes significantly to the countrys economy. The estimated production and consumption of natural rubber in India for the financial year 2024-25 is 8.75 lakh tonnes and 14.25 lakh tonnes respectively. The figures were shared at the 187th meeting of the Rubber Board at Kottayam, Kerala, according to a Business Line report. Also Read | Budget 2024: CII wants Modi 3.0 govt to push land, labour, agriculture reforms The international scene and prices International rubber prices on the other hand, are expected to soar due to shipping delays, as Chinese exporters have fully booked ships and containers. This is because the US will be imposing additional tariffs on many Chinese products from August 1, causing Chinese traders and agencies to hurriedly export their products as much as possible before the tariff hike, according to a Mathrubhumi article. Currently, the price of RSS (Ribbed Smoked Sheet) 4 rubber stands at 203, according to the article. Tyre companies are facing difficulty in procuring rubber from Southeast Asian countries, the article read. The top exporters of rubber include Thailand, Indonesia, Cote d'Ivoire, Malaysia, and Vietnam, while India remains a net importer, being the 5th largest importer of rubber in the world, according to OEC data. Four members of the Indian-born billionaire Hinduja family were convicted on Friday for illegally exploiting poorly paid servants at their luxurious Geneva villa in Switzerland. The elder Hindujas Prakash Hinduja (78) and Kamal Hinduja (75) who did not attend the trial due to poor health, were each sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison. According to Bloomberg, Ajay and his wife, absent from the courtroom, received slightly fewer sentences of 4 years. Indian-Swiss billionaire family members Namrata Hinduja (L) and Ajay Hinduja (2ndR) at the Geneva'ss courthouse with their lawyers Yael Hayat (C) and Robert Assael (R). (File)(AFP) Family scion Ajay Hinduja, his wife Namrata, and his parents were found guilty of taking illegal advantage of staff hired in India, paying them wages that were only a fraction of the standard rate in Switzerland. The fifth accused, Najib Ziazi, the Hinduja family's business manager, received an 18-month suspended sentence. On Friday, the Hindujas expressed their dismay at the Swiss court's decision to impose jail terms on some family members in Geneva. They announced that an appeal has been filed in a higher court to challenge the verdict, which found them guilty of exploiting vulnerable domestic workers, as reported by news agency PTI. Who are Hindujas? - Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja founded a commodities-trading business in 1914 in British India's Sindh region, which his four sons quickly diversified. They initially found success distributing Bollywood films internationally. Srichand, the eldest son, passed away in 2023. - Following Srichand's death, his brothers Gopichand, Prakash, and Ashok remained. The three younger brothers had previously argued with Srichand and his daughter Vinoo over the family's wealth but settled their differences in 2022. - The Hinduja family has interests in finance, media, and energy sectors and owns stakes in six publicly traded Indian companies. Their collective wealth is at least $14 billion, ranking them among Asia's top 20 wealthiest families. - Prakash Hinduja and his brothers oversee an industrial conglomerate that spans information technology, media, power, real estate, and healthcare sectors. Forbes estimates the Hinduja family's net worth at approximately $20 billion. What are the charges? - Family members were accused of confiscating workers' passports, preventing them from leaving the villa, and forcing them to work extremely long hours for minimal pay in Switzerland. Additionally, some workers, who only spoke Hindi, were paid in rupees to inaccessible bank accounts in their home country. - The family's legal team denied the allegations, arguing in court that the staff were treated respectfully and provided with proper accommodation. - A Swiss court dismissed the more severe charges of human trafficking against 79-year-old tycoon Prakash Hinduja, his wife Kamal, son Ajay, and daughter-in-law Namrata, stating that the workers had at least some understanding of their working conditions. - Last week, it was revealed in court that the family had reached an undisclosed settlement with the plaintiffs. Swiss authorities have confiscated diamonds, rubies, a platinum necklace, and other jewellery and assets to cover potential legal fees and penalties. More details of the current case - According to a Bloomberg report, their conviction arose from a case that began in 2018. Swiss prosecutors, acting on a tipoff, raided the villa, Hinduja Bank offices, and other local businesses owned by the Hinduja Group, seizing documents and hard drives. - The court found the four guilty of exploiting workers, providing unauthorised employment, offering minimal health benefits, and paying wages less than one-tenth of the standard rate for such jobs in Switzerland. - Prosecutors said that workers described a climate of fear created by Kamal Hinduja. They were forced to work with little or no vacation, extended hours for receptions, and slept in the basement, sometimes on mattresses on the floor. - The Geneva court accepted that the four Hindujas exploited the servants lack of local language skills and knowledge, making them work up to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, without statutory time off or benefits, for a fraction of the normal Swiss wages. - The Hindujas employed the workers without proper Swiss documentation, relying on repeatedly renewed short-term Schengen-zone EU visas, in a deliberate attempt to deceive Swiss authorities. (With inputs from Bloomberg and Associated Press) Actor Pavithra Gowda, the prime accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, had beaten up the victim with her slippers, according to a recent remand note presented by the police in court, which suggests that she was at the site of the murder for a certain period of time. Darshan and Pavithra are in police custody as of now and request for bail will be filed after the remand custody is over The actress has been named as accused number one in the case, allegedly for being the instigator, while leading Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa is accused number two, who allegedly executed the murder. The information on the police remand note indicates that Pavithra herself was present at the site of the murder of Renukaswamy. Police have seized the slipper, clothes, materials and other documents connected to Darshan, from Pavithras house. Darshan and Gowda as well as 15 others have been arrested in the Renukaswamy murder case. As part of the investigation, police sources said, they are contemplating on approaching social media giant Meta to retrieve data related to messages shared by Renukaswamy on his Instagram post, which has been deleted. The police said Darshan had contacted several individuals soon after the alleged killing. Another accused has confessed that the victim was administered electric shock. READ | Dog nips child's ear in East Bengaluru; Prompts discussion on pet safety rules Darshans gang member Dhanaraj D alias Raja, who is accused number nine in the case, is the one who had allegedly given Renukaswamy electric shocks, they said. Police have seized an Electric Shock Torch from his house. Darshan had taken 40 lakh from a friend with the aim of escaping from "adverse legal actions" against him and to meet the expenses to "cover up" the conspiracy and destruction of evidence, according to the police. The money has been recovered, they added. Officials have shared an update on the investigation in the remand application filed by the police before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court on Thursday, when they sought police custody of Darshan and three others, and judicial custody of his friend Pavithra and the remaining accused. According to police sources, Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Pavithra, which enraged Darshan and allegedly led to him plotting and executing the murder. Renukaswamy's body was found near a storm-water drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June 9. He was allegedly tortured to death on June 8. Police have said that the 47-year-old male actor and other accused Dhanraj D, Vinay V and Pradosh are not cooperating with the investigation and have tried to hide facts. The court on Thursday extended the police custody of the four by two days till June 22. The rest were remanded into judicial custody. Police have identified accused number one Pavithra as the "major cause" for Renukaswamy's murder, stating that it has been proved from the probe that she instigated the other accused, conspired with them, and took part in the crime. It has been found from the available evidence that Darshan is involved in the crime, using his money, other accused and his fanbase, they said. READ | Singer Lucky Ali alleges senior IAS officer of grabbing farm land in Bengaluru, files complaint During the probe, accused number nine Dhanraj, in his voluntary statement, told police that he assaulted Renukaswamy and used the 'electric shock torch' to administer jolts to the victim. "He has not revealed from where he obtained the device and is hiding the information. He has to be probed further," police said. According to the police, Darshan had contacted several people after the crime, and an inquiry needs to be done in his presence to ascertain the motive and reasons behind it. There were some reports that a few influential people had tried to interfere with the probe. Police have rejected the reports. Darshan, in his revised statement, has admitted to obtaining 40 lakh from his friend Mohan Raj for escaping from adverse legal actions against him and to cover up conspiracy and destruction of evidence, the police said. 37.4 lakh was recovered from Darshan's house, they said, adding that another 3 lakh recovered from his wife to whom he had given the sum. Accused Pradosh played the main role in the destruction of evidence and has not been revealing information, police said. He had taken another person to the crime scene, whose identity he has not disclosed; he needs to be probed further, they added. Pradosh is also said to have thrown the mobile phones of the victim and accused number four Raghavendra in the "drainage" and efforts made to recover them have not yielded result, the police said. A sum of 4.40 lakh has been recovered from Raghavendra's residence in the district headquarters town of Chitradurga. They have also recovered the victim Renukaswamy's gold ring and chain from Raghavendra's residence. Renukaswamy's mother has identified the recovered gold ring and chain. According to sources, 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 the victim was allegedly tortured and killed, a police official said. The investigation team is believed to have gathered evidence including CCTV footage that could establish Darshan's presence during the alleged assault on Renukaswamy that led to his death, sources said. "From the spot of the crime, a lathi, wood pieces, water bottle, blood stains, material evidence, and a DVR containing CCTV footage have been recovered," the official had earlier said. According to the autopsy report, Renukaswamy's death was caused due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries he sustained, the sources added. Karamjit Singh of Chabhal village was arrested for committing sacrilege by tearing pages of a gutka (a prayer book) at the historic Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib, 14km from Amritsar, on Saturday. Karamjit Singh of Chabhal village was arrested for committing sacrilege by tearing pages of a gutka (a prayer book) at Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib, 14km from Amritsar, on Saturday. (Representational photo) Gurdwara sewadars (volunteers) immediately caught him and handed him over to the police. According to eyewitnesses, the Karamjit, who is physically challenged, had come to pay obeisance at the gurdwara as usual on Saturday. Suddenly, he took the gutka from the box and tore its pages before scattering them inside the gurdwara. The sewadars immediately stopped him. Condemning the incident, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami said sacrilege incidents are consistently happening in Punjab but the state government is silent. These incidents are hurting Sikh sentiments. It is the primary responsibility of the government to unearth the conspiracy and expose the forces behind such incidents, he said. Demanding stringent action against the accused, Dhami advocated exemplary punishment for perpetrators of sacrilege. SGPC secretary Kulwinder Singh Ramdas said the FIR had been registered under Section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). New Delhi, After bomb threats over email to schools, hospitals and other establishments in the national capital, the Delhi Police has planned to expand its bomb detection, disposal and dog squads in each of its district for swift action, official sources said. HT Image There are five bomb disposal squads, 18 bomb detection teams and one dog squad with 70 canines for Delhi's 15 police districts. All three units are under the Crime Branch. In the past two months, there have been at least seven instances of hospitals, schools, colleges, museums, railway establishments, prisons and government offices getting bomb threats via email that were sent using virtual private networks or proxy servers. The threats were later found to be hoaxes and are being investigated by the Special Cell. The sources said whenever such a threat is received, the entire machinery of the administration is tasked with sweeping the premises. After the local police, the bomb detection, disposal and dog squads are first responders in such emergencies, they said. But due to the limited resources available with these units, the personnel are overworked and that leads to a higher probability of mishaps, they added. An official source said there is a plan to increase the strength of these squads and setting up dedicated units for each police district of Delhi. This will help the force act swiftly during emergencies, the source said and added that a plan has been drafted and the files sent to the higher authorities for approval. According to the proposal, the bomb detection, disposal and dog squads will be divided with the induction of more personnel. There is a proposal to buy gadgets for bomb detection, disposal as well as bulletproof jackets. The dog squad, which currently has 61 sniffers, six trackers and three for detecting narcotics, may be distributed among each police district. The number of dogs and handlers will also be increased if the proposal is approved, the sources said. According to official data, the Delhi Police's dog squad has 27 labrador retrievers, 18 Belgian shepherds , 16 German shepherd, and nine golden retrievers aged between six and nine months. On average, each dog serves the force for around nine years, after which they are handed over to non-government organisations following their retirement, an officer said. There are dedicated dog squad units at a few locations but the police's plan proposes to set up units in its Shahdara, South, Rohini, Southeast, Outer, Outernorth, Northeast and Dwarka districts, the official source said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Gurugram: A policeman was injured and at least a dozen vehicles, including a police emergency response car, were damaged following a violence that erupted in Gurugrams Sector 35 on Saturday morning, police said. (Representative Photo) According to the police, the violence erupted outside an automobile manufacturing unit located in Sector 35 following a workers death after he was allegedly run over by a factory bus. The incident took place in front of the factory entrance at about 8.30am. The deceased worker was identified as 24-year-old Monu Kumar of Agra, Uttar Pradesh. He was standing behind the bus when the driver reversed the vehicle, resulting in his death. The workers were yet to hand over the body to the police for autopsy. They have kept it inside the factory. We were trying to pacify them to open the factory gates to enter inside, said Siddhant Jain, deputy commissioner of police (south). Jain said that a sub-inspector was injured in the stone pelting by the irate factory workers. The bus driver, factory security guards and officials fled from the scene after the incident. At least 150 police personnel and fire tenders deployed at the spot maintain law and order, said Jain. A traffic policeman was dragged by a speeding vehicle in Faridabad, Haryana after he asked the driver to show documents. The video of the incident at Ballabgarh bus stop has gone viral on social media. The officer was dragged a few metres after leaning through the driver's door to examine the papers, with the driver suddenly speeding the vehicle (PTI Twitter) According to the police, the episode unfolded Friday evening when the driver in an inebriated state, obstructed traffic by parking his car in the middle of the road to pick up passengers. ALSO READ | Haryana bus accident: FIR says 'drunk' driver ignored children's pleas to slow down; 10 points According to an NDTV report, the traffic sub-inspector approached the driver and asked for his vehicle documents to prepare a challan. This exchange turned into a heated dispute, the report added. The officer was dragged a few meters after leaning through the driver's door to examine the papers, and the driver suddenly sped up the vehicle. ALSO READ | Ring road solution to Chandigarhs traffic woes: HC seeks report from Haryana, NHAI In the video posted by PTI, one of the passengers is seen getting out while the driver races ahead and the car hits the roadside curve. ALSO READ | PM Modi to inaugurate Dwarka Expressway today: Gurugram Police issues traffic advisory The video also showed the officer almost inside the car with the door open while the driver sped. The officer was clinging on the door until the car came to a halt, recounted eyewitnesses. Onlookers and other traffic police officers came to his rescue by surrounding the vehicle. Later the driver was taken to the nearest station by the officer. (with inputs from PTI, NDTV) The Jharkhand government is planning to implement a direct cash transfer incentive of 1,000 per month to about four million women in the state, on the lines of the West Bengal governments Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, starting from July-August this year, officials said on Saturday. Jharkhand government is planning to implement a direct cash transfer incentive of 1,000 per month to about four million women (ANI) Indication of this effect first came on Thursday when incumbent Jharkhand chief minister (CM) Champai Soren said that he instructed officials to devise and initiate a cash incentive scheme every month for all women in the age group of above 25 years and below 50 years across Jharkhand. He has also directed officials to create a dedicated portal for this scheme, christened the Mukhamantri Bahan Beti Swabalamban Yojna (MBBSY). We always want to empower women and make them financially strong and self-dependent. We are going to provide cash assistance to every woman in the state in the age group of 25-50 years every month. I have directed the officials concerned to implement it fast. This scheme will be operational by next month, the CM told the media after a review meeting of the women, child development, and social welfare department on Thursday in Ranchi. As per rough government estimates, this scheme will cover about four million women, given the age-group ceiling of 25-50 years, and the state government will have to spend an additional 4,000- 5,000 crore every year. Political analysts said the scheme is a direct leaf out of Mamata Banerjees Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which paid rich electoral dividends to the ruling Trinamool Congress in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, and the step by Soren is being viewed as another measure to woo women voters ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections in four months. We are working on a war footing to start this scheme for all the financially weak and needy women from all categories and castes. The effort is to start collecting applications from the aspirants from July 1 and transfer cash benefits of 1,000 per month to their accounts directly from August, a senior government official told HT on Saturday, requesting anonymity. In full election mode, the CM also launched the Go live of Student Application Module of Guruji Credit Card Yojna on Friday. Our government has started Guruji Credit Card, Mukhyamantri Shiksha Protsahan, Manki Munda Scholarship, and many such schemes for loans and subsidies for higher education, technical education like engineering, medical, law, and competitive exams. Under this Go Live... module, such students who have qualified for higher educational institutions can apply, and the government will give them 15 lakh loan online, Soren told the media on Friday late evening. The Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) in Manipur has imposed a prohibition on all forms of economic interactions and transactions with the Kuki-Zo community and urged the Kuki to refrain from hampering vehicular movements along National Highway (NH)-2. Assam Rifles and Manipur Police personnel recover arms, ammunition, explosives and other items at Charoibung in Imphal West district of Manipur on June 19. (PTI) The students body of Manipur in a statement issued on Friday said, In pursuance of the press statement on June 3, urgently appealing for all concerned parties to refrain from unnecessarily hampering vehicular movements along National Highway 2 (NH-2) and to maintain the highway as a safe zone, free from any form of harassment. The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has, however, completely ignored their statement and plea. Despite our hospitality, patience, understanding, and neutrality in this ongoing conflict, the Kuki miscreants have had the audacity to set a truck on fire within our land and jurisdiction on the night of 19/06/2024, just below Tumuyon Khullen. We strongly condemn this act of arson, which is a direct challenge to our authority and also a grave threat to the safety and well-being of all communities. We demand that the culprits be booked and given befitting punishments as per the law, at the earliest, it added. It is imperative to take immediate and stringent actions to prevent any further escalations and to safeguard the interests of all communities, as per the resolution adopted at the 2nd Federal Assembly, held at Nteiramphung (Tumnoupokpi) on June 1, it added. Any and all eventualities that befall the Kuki-Zo community dwelling and living within Senapati will not hold SDSA responsible or accountable. The responsibility for any adverse outcome rests solely with CoTU and their subordinates, it said. Effective immediately, no goods or commodities shall be permitted to be supplied to the Kuki-Zo areas from Senapati or any other sources within our jurisdiction. This embargo is a necessary measure to respond to the unwarranted aggression and to protect the interests of our community, it said. Individuals, businesses, or firms within Senapati are hereby strictly prohibited from engaging in any commercial transactions, business dealings, or trade with the Kuki-Zo community. This prohibition extends to all forms of economic interactions and transactions, it said. Any person or entity found violating this order shall bear the full consequences of their actions. We will not be held responsible for any harm, loss, or misfortune that befalls those who disregard this directive. The responsibility for their safety and the repercussions of their actions will rest entirely on them, it added. The student body said the order was issued in the interest of maintaining peace, order, and the safety of all communities. We urge all parties to comply strictly with this directive and to act responsibly and considerately to avoid further conflict, it said. The indefinite economic blockade imposed by Kuki CSOs along NH-37 (Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam) has been lifted on Friday after signing a memorandum of understanding between Kuki CSOs and the Tamenglong superintendent of police, Assam Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) also met CSOs of Kuki and Meitei at Tamenglong and Jiribam on Friday. The Naga body cautioned that no group should impose any form of bandh, blockade, or other disruptions along NH-37. RNCM said NH-37 is for all communities and no commuter should be disturbed along the highway. It also warned that if any commuters are harassed, those involved in the crime should take responsibility. Over 100 bullet gas tankers and petroleum tankers that had been stranded at Jiribam started leaving for Imphal on Friday evening. Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) in a statement issued on Saturday condemned the torching of Bharat Infra Project Limited (BIPL) trucks carrying bridge construction material at Tronglaobi village, Bishnupur district, Manipur, by an irate mob on June 15. It also said, Since July 2023, the Kuki-Zo people have refrained from any form of blockade on national highways as appealed and assured by the Ministry of Home Affairs for a peaceful settlement to the political demand of the Kuki-Zo. Though the Kuki-Zo people in the northern and western parts of the state allow free passage, Meitei groups from the valley districts continue to impede the movement of necessary goods intended for hill districts like Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, Chandel, etc. The government of India must intervene promptly to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential commodities to the hill districts before the situation deteriorates further. It warned that if Meitei groups and the chief minister N Biren Singh-led government persist in their unfair treatment of the Kuki-Zo people by withholding basic requirements, the Kuki-Zo people might reconsider their stance on the economic blockade. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been in the limelight after the recent controversies surrounding the result declaration of NEET 2024 and the cancellation of the UGC NET 2024. Students, parents, educators and stakeholders are voicing their strong opposition to the agency's conduct and functionality, which handles competitive exams like JEE Main, NEET, UGC NET, and other exams. Candidates wait to complete the frisking procedure before entering the exam hall to appear for UGC NET Exam 2024 in Patna.(Santosh Kumar) With the SC coming down heavily on the Centre and NTA, asking not to compromise with the sanctity of the examinations, lawmakers are now introspecting about the faultlines within the agency. Also Read: NEET row: Deal strictly with any negligence on your part, SC tells NTA, Centre, court issues notice on cancellation plea In an official notice, the Education Ministry informed the decision to constitute a High-Level Committee of Experts to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA). What is the role of the National Testing Agency The Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GOI) established the National Testing Agency (NTA) in 2017, as an independent, autonomous, and self-sustained testing organization under the Societies Registration Act (1860) for conducting efficient, transparent and international standards tests. NTA conducts the exams to assess candidates' competency for admission to premier higher education institutions. This means that from test preparation, to test delivery and test marking, NTA is involved and also addresses issues concerning the exam the agency is entrusted with. What are the exams that NTA has been entrusted with The following are the exams/departments that NTA holds exams for as per the official website: Examinations conducted by the NTA DHR-ICMR 2024 - Biomedical Research Eligibility Test (BRET) Employees' Provident Fund Organisation Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) - Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) High Court of Gujarat JOINT CSIR-UGC NET University Grants Commission (UGC)-NET ALL INDIA AYUSH POST GRADUATE ENTRANCE TEST (AIAPGET) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Common Management Admission Test Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Joint Integrated Programme in Management Admission Test SWAYAM NTA SHRESHTA Common University Entrance Test Navyug School Sarojini Nagar Entrance Test NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR HOTEL MANAGEMENT NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST (UG) GRADUATE APTITUDE TEST BIOTECHNOLOGY (GAT-B) & BIOTECHNOLOGY ELIGIBILITY TEST (BET) Central Universities Recruitment National Institute of Fashion Technology Military Nursing Service: Selection for Short Service Commission Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade National Horticulture Board Joint Entrance Examination (Main) JEE (Main) YASASVI High Court of Uttarakhand Recruitment Who all are a part of the NTA team According to the official website, the core NTA team members are: Test Item Writers Researchers and Psychometricians and Education Specialists Together, they are responsible for ideating and conducting the assessment tests across the country. Also Read: Cant allow even 0.001% negligence in NEET: SC Who all are a part of the NTA Governing Body Prof (Retd) Pradeep Kumar Joshi, (Former Chairman, UPSC) is the Chairperson and Subodh Kumar Singh, IAS, Director General (NTA) is the Secretary of the NTA's governing body. The other members include: Three Directors of IITs in their ex-officio capacity as the present, preceding and succeeding Chairpersons of JEE (Advanced) Two Directors of the NITs in their ex-officio capacity as the present and preceding Chairperson of CSAB Two Directors of the IIMS in their Ex-officio capacity as the present and preceding Chairpersons of CAT Director, IISER Pune (Representing IISERs, on a rotation basis) Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University (Representing Central Universities, on a rotation basis) Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi Chairman, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bengaluru Dr. Harish Shetty, M.D. (Psychiatry), Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai Why is NTA being discussed in the news The National Testing Agency announced the postponement of the June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR UGC NET) and University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET 2024), citing unavoidable circumstances and logistic issues. The development comes amid controversy around the NEET UG 2024 exam, which is facing allegations of irregularities. Also Read: NEET-UG, UGC-NET row: Centre reveals disturbing darknet angle; Congress to launch protest | 10 points Isha Ambani's cruise style wows Katrina and fans The actor commented on Isha's three looks from the Ambani cruise that were shared by celebrity stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania on Instagram on Saturday. Isha was decked up in looks by top designers, including Gucci, Ashi Studio, Georges Hobeika, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini. She was photographed on the cruise in beautiful settings as she showcased her three looks a yellow and black dress, a fitted black gown and a sleek ivory outfit. Sharing the photos, Anaita wrote, "Isha Ambani's cruise looks 1, 2 and 3..." Actor Katrina Kaif commented, "Stunning (red heart emoji)." A comment also read, "The photography is insane." Someone called Isha's looks 'perfection', while another called her 'iconic'. More about the Ambani cruise Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Salman Khan, MS Dhoni, wife Sakshi, and many other VIP guests were part of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's star-studded luxury cruise pre-wedding festivities. Among other events, the Ambani family hosted a lavish pre-wedding celebration in Italy, featuring a performance by Andrea Bocelli. Ambanis shut down an entire plaza in Portofino for the Anant-Radhika bash that had everyone from Shah Rukh Khan to Janhvi Kapoor in attendance. The itinerary for the three-day luxury cruise in Europe boasted a picturesque 4,380 kilometre journey from Italy to the South of France and back. On May 29, the celebrations kicked off with a welcome lunch, followed by a 'Starry Night'- themed evening gala. On May 30, the guests landed in Rome for a touristy day out, followed by a dinner party and an after-party. On May 31, after a morning of festivities on cruise, the guests landed in Cannes for a masquerade bash, where Katy Perry performed. The festivities ended on June 1 at Portofino, Italy. Maharaja Review: I have never been able to understand why and how films based on true stories get mired in controversies, and land in legal troubles. Aren't they supposed to be the safest bet for there is no risk of any fictionalised depiction, and it's all about stating facts as is? (Also Read: Gujarat HC allows Netflix to release Maharaj, says it doesn't hurt sentiments) Maharaj Review: Jaideep Ahlawat and Junaid Khan in a still from the Netflix film. Nevertheless, a delayed release for Junaid Khan's debut film, Maharaj, after Gujarat High Court ordered stay on its release last week, hasn't really killed the buzz, and if anything, it seems to have only added to the craze and curiosity among audiences. While a particular section might still feel that the film hurts the religious sentiments of people, Maharaj remains an important story that's thoughtprovoking and to some extent, groundbreaking. What is Maharaj about Based on the landmark Libel Case of 1862 that was fought in the Supreme Court of Bombay, Maharaj isn't a courtroom film as it may have implied through its synopsis and initial chatter. The historical film, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, is a dramatic showcasing of the events that led to this case and how it remains of historic significance. Set in the 1980s, Maharaj chronicles the times of Karsandas Mulji (Junaid Khan), a Gujarati journalist, writer and social reformer, who fought for women rights, and waged a war when he decided to stand against the evil practices by religious leader Jadunath Maharaj aka JJ (Jaideep Ahlawat), who sexually exploited his female devotees in the garb of superstitious rituals and practices like 'charan seva'. It's after Karsan witnesses his fiancee Kishori (Shalini Pandey) falling prey to Jadunath's unrighteous act at his haveli, that he decides to expose the religious leader. Jadunath then files a defamation case against Karsan for writing and publishing an article about his erotic escapades in the newspaper Satyaprakash. Not just Jadunath, Karsandas, in his write-up, also mentions fathers and husbands, who offer their unwed daughters and newlywedded wives as sexual objects to Maharaj, believing it to be a service to God. Powerful but lacks impact As a reformist, Karsandas often faced backlash for his pragatisheel (progressive) thoughts that advocated gender equality, widow remarriage and not supporting blind faith in religious leaders who sell themselves as messengers of God. To familiarise audience with his guts, contribution to the society and legacy he has left behind, Maharaj opts for a powerful storytelling yet it lacks the impact. Could it because that Siddharth got burdened by the conventional norms of how Yash Raj characters and particularly the hero needs to look like, and the whole conventional way of mounting a huge set with beautifully choreographed dance sequences, whereas the actual story at hand takes a backseat often and at several places. Holds relevance today Though Maharaj is set in pre-independence era, the story and the fight against 'bhakt culture' holds relevance in today's times as well. There exist several self-styled godmen, who continue to exploit women in the name of religion and sinful practices. There's also a subtle yet significant reference to the freedom of press, and how Karsan, who hailed from a Vaishnav community, tried his best to protect that. There's a scene in the film where Karan, after he has called off his engagement with Kishori, is being schooled by one of the characters who says, Telling people they are wrong is not enough. You need to give them a chance to reform and rehabilitate and that will bring about the real change. I think that's where Maharaj truly wins for me, as it doesn't end at just making Jadunath aware of his wrongdoings, but also acting upon it by passing this landmark judgement. The performances Junaid Khan shines bright and holds his ground strongly in every frame. I really liked the freshness he brings to screen, and honestly, I didn't draw any comparison, while watching him, with his superstar father Aamir Khan. That's the talent and individual persona that Junaid brings forth, which makes watching him worth it. He looks innocent in one scene and showcases immense courage in the next scene. His dialogue delivery in the courtroom scene is worth lauding. Shalini Pandey, who was launched in Hindi films by YRF's earlier outing Jayeshbhai Jordar, has only a handful of scenes, but she excels in those and looks flawless. The portion where she is shown sitting on top of Jadunath and having sexual intercourse with him, is disturbing and aesthetic at the same time. Moments before that scene when JJ opens the string of her blouse, the expression on Shalini face - a mix of fear, nervousness and confusion - is brilliantly portrayed. The innocence with which she surrenders herself to JJ, and how vulnerable she becomes on knowing the truth - Shalini has played both the sides so well. Maharaj Review: Sharvari in a still from the Netflix film. Sharvari, on the other hand, has way more vivacious and loud screen presence. She brings a different dimension to the narrative and blends a myriad of emotions that we witness at various places. The portion when she confesses about her dark past of having been forced to do charan seva by her parents at the age of 16, is heartbreaking, and performed with so much conviction. Amid all these fresh performances, it's Jaideep Ahlawat who steals the show and remains true to his character from the word go. Though he has bare minimum dialogues, his expressions, body language and demeanor are used at their best to convey his concealed rage. The moments where he smirks on bring called out by Karsan, and in sequences where he tries to woo his female followers while maintaining a calm stance, Jaideep makes his morally wrong self look so convincing. In conclusion The climax scene needs a special mention that shows Jadunath sitting on his throne with a cold exterior and sinful smile, while Karsandas stands and gives a monologue questioning people about their blind faith and beliefs. Before the end credits roll and we are shown actual pictures of Karandas and other important characters with a brief on them. The film leaves you with a thought-provoking voiceover asserting that we don't need an intermediary to have a connection with God, reiterating that Dharma does not make one God but is a means to becoming a good human being. Maharaj is now streaming on Netflix. Grooms father speaks up As pictures from the festivities emerged, Zaheer's father spoke to Free Press Journal, and shared some inside details of the marriage. "It will have neither Hindu or Muslim rituals. It will be a civil marriage," he said. The marriage will be as per the Special Marriage Act, 1954 under which the couple had reportedly given the mandatory one-month notice to the marriage registrar. He hinted that the wedding, scheduled for June 23, could be held at his residence on Carter Road. Questioned about the rumours around Sonakshi being converted to Islam, Zaheers father said, She is not converting and that is for sure. Theirs is a union of hearts and religion has no role to play whatsoever. I believe in humanity. God is called Bhagwan by Hindus and Allah by Muslims. But at the end of the day, we are all human beings. My blessings are with Zaheer and Sonakshi," he added. About the union Sonakshi and Zaheer will marry on June 23, 2024, in Mumbai. Recently, Poonam Dhillon and Yo Yo Honey Singh confirmed the wedding. Sometime back, Sonakshis wedding invite was leaked online. The wedding invite also includes an audio QR code which features a sweet message from Sonakshi and Zaheer. The invite says, "We're making it official (finally)! The rumours were true." Their wedding invite stated, The moment where go from being each others rumoured girlfriend and boyfriend, Sonakshi said, before Zaheer added, To being each others definite and official husband and wife. 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." The wedding invite also said, "Dress code: formal and festive, just don't wear red." Sonakshi and Zaheer, who have been dating for seven years, co-starred in the 2022 film Double XL. Darshan Thoogudeepa, accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, had reportedly borrowed 40 lakh from one of his friends to pay off the other accused in the case to destroy evidence. As per the remand application, Times Now reported that the Kannada actor arrested on June 11 confessed that he borrowed the huge sum to give to people who were witnesses to the crime. Also read | Kannada actor Anusha Rai admits Darshan has anger issues but defends him too: Hes been accused, not convicted' Darshan had taken money from a friend to meet the expenses for the coverup in the Renukaswamy murder case, according to police. (ANI) Police recovers 37.4 lakh from bag at Darshan's home As per the report, part of the 40 lakh loan was paid to the security guards at the shed where Renukaswamy was murdered in return for their silence. The report added that police recovered 37.4 lakh from a green Puma bag that was found at the actor's house. Moreover, police reportedly also recovered 4.5 lakh from the home of the head of Darshan's fan association. Pavithra hit Renukaswamy with slippers New agency PTI recently reported that actor Pavithra Gowda, another accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, had beaten up the victim with her slippers. A recent remand note presented by the police in court suggests that she was at the site of the murder for a certain period of time. Police have reportedly seized the slipper, clothes, materials and other documents connected to Darshan, from Pavithras house. More about the murder case According to PTI, Kannada actor Pavithra has been named as accused number one in the murder case, allegedly for being the instigator, while Darshan is accused number two, who allegedly executed the murder. Darshan and Pavithra, as well as 15 others, have been arrested in the Renukaswamy murder case. As part of the investigation, police sources said, they are contemplating on approaching social media giant Meta to retrieve data related to messages shared by Renukaswamy on his Instagram post, which has been deleted. According to police sources, Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Pavithra, which enraged Darshan and allegedly led to him executing the murder. Renukaswamy's body was found near a drain on June 9. He was allegedly tortured and killed on June 8. If theres one Bollywood actor whos perfect for a south Indian-style masala film, it has to be Sunny Deol. The dhai kilo ka haath (two and a half kilo arm) would fit right in with the sureshot, no doubt, puccha pelipoddi (your head will burst) sensibilities of Gopichand Malinenis films. (Also Read: Telugu filmmaker Gopichand Malineni announces his next film with Sunny Deol: Need all your support and blessings) Sunny Deol is teaming up with director Gopichand Malineni for a film. So its a good thing that these two are teaming up for a Hindi-Telugu bi-lingual film that was officially launched on Thursday and goes on floors on Saturday. Talking to Hindustan Times, the Telugu filmmaker explains why hes excited to direct Sunny, his favourite films of the actor and more. Sunny said yes immediately When Gopichand speaks to us, he is in the middle of a look test. While busy, the excitement in his voice is palpable when he talks about landing Sunny for the film. More than nervous about my Bollywood debut, I feel confident that itll be a good film, he says. Ask him why and he adds, I wrote the script knowing itll be perfect for someone like Sunny. Luckily, Mythri Movie Makers (the producers) also agreed and helped me approach him. To my surprise, Sunny said yes immediately because he liked it so much. A racy script with a touch of realism But prod Gopichand about what his script is really about, and he clams up. I wish I could reveal much, but I cant yet. Lets just say the film has a particular plot point that sets it apart. Its not just about the mass elements my films usually have; its going to be a racy script with a touch of realism, he explains. But more than anything, Gopichand is pumped to direct Sunny. Hes a big action hero, Im a mass director and we have the perfect script. And lets be clear, its not a remake, he adds. Gopichand Malineni about working with Sunny Deol. Sunny liked Krack, I liked Ghayal In fact, Sunny and Gopichands vibe matches so much that theyve even seen each others films. Sunny has seen Krack, he liked it, says the director giddily, of his hit 2021 Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan-starrer that revived the box office for Telugu cinema during the Covid-19 pandemic. Me on the other hand, I think Ive seen all his films. My favourites are Ghayal, Damini, Gadar, Border... lists Gopichand as hes called away for work. Azerbaijan has become an attractive investment destination, connecting Europe, Central Asia, Russia, and the Indian subcontinent via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Indeed, over the years, India has explored various options to enhance connectivity with Russia and Europe via Azerbaijan. This brief assesses how the Western Route of the INSTC and the TITR can improve economic relations between India and Azerbaijan. Indias departure from non-alignment to multi-alignment is exemplified by its role in INSTC and Quad. (ANI) The modern India-Azerbaijan relationship is built on cultural and economic ties that materialised via the ancient Silk Route. Evidence of this history is seen at the Ateshgah fire temple near Baku, an 18th-century monument with wall inscriptions in Devanagari and Gurmukhi, and the 14th-century Multani Caravanserai in the town of Icherisheher in the oldest inhabited part of Baku. However, rivalry between Britain and the Soviet Union in the early 20 century (while India was still under British rule and Azerbaijan was a Soviet state) weakened relations between India and Azerbaijan. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, India established ties with the newly independent countries in the Caucasus region through diplomatic efforts. India was among the first countries to recognise Azerbaijan after its independence in December 1991, establishing diplomatic ties in February 1992. In June 1998, the two countries signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, and in April 2007, they signed a deal to establish the India-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation. This allowed India to establish a stronger and more meaningful relationship with Azerbaijan, creating new opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit. However, in recent decades, China's influence in Eurasia and hostility between India and Pakistan have impeded Indias attempts to establish direct connectivity for strong trade and economic relations with the region. Consequently, India has pursued certain connectivity projects to overcome the impediments to direct connectivity and revive its age-old relationship with the Caucasus region. In 2002, India, Russia, and Iran signed an intergovernmental agreement to construct the 7,200-km long INSTC. The INSTC is a multimodal transport route that includes sea, railways, and road links to connect Mumbai (India) to Saint Petersburg (Russia) via Iran. India also invested heavily in the Chabahar Port in the Iranian province of Sistan-Balochistan. However, these initiatives faced delays due to investment challenges after renewed US sanctions on Iran, inter-regional disputes, and bureaucratic hurdles for certain projects (such as the 628 km-long Chabahar-Zahedan railway line and 164 km Rasth-Astara railway line). Still, in July 2022, the INSTC recorded its first shipment from Russia's Astrakhan Port to Indias Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The paper can be accessed by clicking here. This paper has been authored by Ayjaz Wani, ORF. Jackky Bhagnani is in trouble. Several social media users, who claim to have worked on projects under his banner Pooja Entertainment, have alleged that they still haven't been paid their dues for their work. Producer Jackky Bhagnani runs Pooja Films with his father, Vashu Bhagnani. A crew member, Ruchita Kamble, took to Instagram and urged people not to work with the production house owned by Jackky and his father, Vashu Bhagnani. She wrote, Not the one to ever make such posts but sometimes people need to be ousted! Seeing my team and the crew I worked with struggle day in and out to just get hold of our own hard earned money has compelled me to make this post. Read the sheer frustration of these young girls who have beautifully stated the absolute disregard @pooja_ent has and the sheer unprofessional, unethical behaviour that we all have been tolerating for way too long. Vaishnavi Paralikar, whose Insta bio mentions that she works in the production design department for films, also penned a note, "I did a movie 2 years ago with a very well known production house. Me along with atleast a 100 crew members our awaiting our payments (2 month salaries) since 2 years. Meanwhile actor have been paid immediately because they are ACTORS. None of the producers have an answer to our question..." We did our own digging, and several sources confirm that the news is indeed true. "While the Insta post of Vaishnavi says that actors have been paid, in reality none of the actors on Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Jackky's latest production in question- Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha, Alaya F, Prithviraj Sukumaran - have been paid. Much like the crew even the actors were promised payment after completion of the film, but the promise was not kept. The actors promoted the film in good faith as they were told that the payments would come through after release. Even that didn't happen." Says another source, "The producers keep saying there's no money, but they've recently sold their film to an OTT platform. It was surprising to see Jackky and Rakul's destination wedding, at a time the actors and crew were being denied money in the name of lack of funds." HT City reached out to the cast of BMCM. While Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha remained unavailable for comment, Tiger Shroff replied, I have nothing to say at the moment. Ronit Roy, too, responded with Nothing to say. Mumbai/ Pune, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday stressed that all are equal stakeholders in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, his comment coming after a NCP leader quoted party supremo Sharad Pawar as saying that although his outfit contested fewer Lok Sabha seats, the situation would be different in the Maharashtra assembly polls. Talking to reporters, Raut said seat-sharing talks have not commenced among the Maha Vikas Aghadi allies for the Maharashtra assembly polls scheduled later this year. "Seat-sharing talks have not yet commenced - neither with the NCP nor the Congress. So the question of who will contest how many seats doesn't arise. All are equal stakeholders," he said. In the recently Lok Sabha polls, the Uddav Thackeray-led outfit had got the lion's share of seats in the MVA, which also includes the NCP and the Congress. The MVA won 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, with the Congress emerging as the top party with 13 wins. In the Lok Sabha polls, the strike rate of NCP was the highest as it won eight of the 10 seats it contested, while Shiv Sena won nine of 21 seats, but it was the most targeted party by the opponents, Raut claimed. He said the Shiv Sena lost two-three seats by a thin margin or else its strike rate too would have been better. The Congress won 13 of the 17 seats its contested, while a rebel from the party won the Sangli seat, where the official MVA candidate was from the Shiv Sena . Of the three MVA parties, NCP strike rate was 80 per cent, the Congress' strike rate was 75 per cent, while that of the Shiv Sena , which contested the maximum number of seats, was just 41 per cent. On Friday, Pawar held two meetings in Pune, one with the party's functionaries from Pune city and district, and another with its MLAs and newly-elected MPs. City NCP chief Prashant Jagtap, who attended the first meeting, said Pawar told the gathering that the party contested fewer seats in the Lok Sabha polls just to ensure the alliance with the Shiv Sena and Congress remained intact. "He indicated that the picture in the assembly polls will be different," said Jagtap. After the Lok Sabha poll results, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole had said his party expects a good seat-sharing deal in the assembly polls. "There are 288 seats . There will be no shortage of seats for anyone. Everyone will contest comfortably," Raut said. He said the MVA contested the Lok Sabha polls unitedly and showed to the world how Maharashtra stopped the BJP from getting a full majority. All are equal stakeholders, says Raut as MVA allies hint at hard bargaining for assembly seats Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday planted a sapling in Ahmedabad under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. Union Home Minister Amit Shah after planting a tree in the name of his late mother under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'' campaign. (PTI) Mother and nature are symbols of selfless love. On World Environment Day, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji had emphasized on nature conservation by launching #____ campaign. Today, under this campaign, I planted a tree in the name of my late mother. I got spiritual satisfaction from this pious work, Shah said while posting a photo of him next to a sapling. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5 had launched the tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling at the Buddha Jayanti Park to mark the World Environment Day. Under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, millions of trees will be planted across the country. "This morning, I planted a tree in line with our commitment to protecting Mother Nature and making sustainable lifestyle choices. I urge you all to also contribute to making our planet better," the prime minister said in a post on social platform X. "It would make you all very happy that in the last decade, India has undertaken numerous collective efforts which have led to increased forest cover across the nation. This is great for our quest towards sustainable development. It is also commendable how local communities have risen to the occasion and taken a lead in this," he added, while urging people to plant trees in their mothers' names and share pictures online using #Plant4Mother. The Environment Ministry said that both central and state government departments and local bodies will identify public spaces to assist the #Plant4Mother campaign. "Plantation of trees is central to the theme of World Environment Day 2024 namely halting and reversing land degradation, building drought resilience and preventing desertification," the ministry said. Besides the #Plant4Mother campaign, plantation of 80 crore trees by September and 140 crore by March 2025 has been planned following the 'whole of government' and 'whole of society approach', the ministry statement added. Trees would be planted by individuals, entities, community-based organisations, central and state government departments and local bodies, the ministry statement further read. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme or FTI-TTP at Delhis IGI airport on Saturday, a unique initiative that will help faster immigration, with no human intervention or need to stand in queues, for the registered trusted travellers, officials aware of the matter said. Union home minister Amit Shah (File Photo) Under the FTI-TTP, eligible individuals will need to apply online and submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image) along with other required information as specified in the application form. After necessary verifications and confirmation of eligibility, certain charges will have to be paid. Once the application for FTI-TTP is approved, those individuals will not need to go through the arduous process of standing in long queues for immigration clearance while arriving in India, said officials. Specific lanes will be created for such trusted travellers. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a similar trusted traveller program, which allows expedited clearance for pre-verified, low-risk travellers. FTI-TTP is thoughtfully designed for Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. It aims to revolutionize your travel experience, making it faster, easier, and more secure. This initiative showcases the governments commitment to enhance travel convenience and efficiency for everyone, said an officer who did not want to be named. Sharing further details of the process, a second officer said the processing fee for FTI-TTP (non-refundable) would be Rs.2,000 for Indians (adult), Rs.1000 for minors, and $100 for the Overseas Citizens of India. Incorrect or false information, concealing any material facts in the application form shall make the application liable for rejection. Those applicants will not be registered for FTI-TTP whose biometrics, for any technical reason, cannot be captured, said the second officer. The FTI registration will be valid for a maximum of five years or until the validity of the passport, whichever comes first, he added. The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) and Mangalagiri Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC) demolished an under-construction office building of the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in the early hours of Saturday. Responding to the development, YSRCP said it was the beginning of vendetta politics. YSRCP said in a statement that the under-construction office was demolished despite the high court order and called the action a contempt of court. (ANI/Screengrab) The building was on allegedly illegally occupied land measuring 870.40 square meters in R.S No.202-A-1 in the boat yard compound of Seethanagaram in Guntur district's Tadepalli Mandal, The Hindu reported. "TDP is doing vendetta politics. The demolition proceeded even though the YSRCP had approached the High Court the previous day, challenging the preliminary actions of the AP CRDA (Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority). The court had ordered a halt to any demolition activity," the party was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. On Friday, YSRCP Guntur district president M Seshagiri Rao filed a writ petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court asking the court to order the State government, CRDA, and MTMC not to take any action against the building until the hearing is completed. Without considering the Reply furnished by the YSRCP to the CRDA in pursuance of the provisional order on 10.06.2024 vide File No.MAU61-DP0VIJ (UAC)/25/2024-DP as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional and also violative of principles of natural justice and consequently direct the CRDA not to demolish the structures and to pass such other order or orders as this the Court may deems fit just and proper in the circumstances of the case," it said in its plea. YSRCP said in a statement that the under-construction office was demolished despite the high court order and called the action a contempt of court. This unprecedented action, the first instance of a party office being demolished in the states history, commenced around 5:30 am using excavators and bulldozers. It further added, The Court had ordered a halt to any demolition activity, an order conveyed to the CRDA Commissioner by the YSRCPs lawyer. However, the CRDA proceeded with the demolition, potentially amounting to contempt of court. The demolished structure was prepared for a slab before being razed. The CRDAS defiance of the High Courts directive may now draw further legal scrutiny. Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and the state's CM Chandrababu Naidu of taking the political vendetta to another level. In a post on X, Reddy said, Like a dictator, he had bulldozers demolish the nearly completed YSR Congress Party central office in Tadepalli. He disregarded the High Court's orders. Law and justice have completely disappeared in the state. Following the violent incidents after the elections, Chandrababu is spilling blood and, through this incident, is sending a violent message about how the governance will be for the next five years. YSR Congress Party will not bow down to these threats or acts of vendetta, nor will it show any cowardice. We will fight firmly on behalf of the people, for the people, and with the people. I urge all democrats in the country to condemn Chandrababu's misdeeds. The Mumbai Police on Saturday confirmed that the voice samples of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol, an accused in the case of firing outside Salman Khan's house to warn the actor, had Anmol's voice. Actor Salman Khan (ANI) Canada-based Anmol Bishnoi frequently travels to the United States and has claimed responsibility for the April 14 incident. Audio recording of Anmol Bishnoi recovered from the arrested accused matches the samples kept with the agency. The recording recovered from the accuseds phone was sent to the forensic lab for verification, and during the investigation, the forensic lab found that the audio is of Anmol Bishnoi, the Mumbai Police said in a statement, according to news agency ANI. Total five people have been arrested in the case, of whom one allegedly died by suicide while in the crime branchs custody. Also, one of the arrested suspects, Mohammad Rafiq Sardar Choudhari, disclosed during his interrogation that at least five more members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, all from Rajasthan, were involved in the incident. On April 26, the police issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Anmol Bishnoi. Anmol and Lawrence Bishnoi have been named as wanted accused in the case. However, the IP address of the Facebook post, through which the former took responsibility, was traced to Portugal, a police official had said on the LOC. The post read: "We want peace. If the only decision against oppression is war, then so be it. Salman Khan, we have only shown you a trailer so that you understand the magnitude of our strength and do not test it. This is the first and last warning. After this, shots will not be fired outside the house only. And we have dogs named after Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Shakeel, whom you consider to be Gods. Now, I don't have the habit of talking much." Khan resides at the Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra suburb. The Bihar Economic Offences Unit (EOU) is zeroing in on 53-year-old Sanjiv Mukhia, a technical assistant at a government college in Nalanda, who officials believe is one of the masterminds in the alleged leak of the NEET-UG question paper. Police personnel detain Congress workers during a protest over the NEET-UG and UGC-NET issue. (ANI) Mukhia, Bihar police investigators said, is the central figure of a gang that operates across states to earn money by compromising competitive examinations, and has been arrested once before by the Uttarakhand Police in 2016. His son, Shiv Kumar, is currently in Beur jail, arrested from Ujjain for the alleged leak of the Bihar Public Service Commission Teacher Recruitment Examination in April 2024. Mukhia had applied for anticipatory bail before a Patna district and sessions court on June 4, which deferred the hearing to July 4 on Friday. Senior police officers said that they raided Mukhias home in Nagarnausa village of Nalanda on Friday, but he was not there. A police officer said that they were searching various locations on the basis of tip-offs about him. We are hopeful of catching him over the next few days. We are keeping a tab on him, he added. On May 4, a day before the NEET examination was held, the Bihar Police had recovered admit cards, post-dated cheques and educational certificates following raids at a hostel in the state capital, acting on a tip off that the question paper of the examination had been leaked. Over the next few days, the state police arrested 13 people in the case, including four examinees, who were allegedly being trained to solve the question paper that they had allegedly procured, under sections of criminal conspiracy and breach of trust. Mukhia is the only accused named in the FIR who is yet to be arrested. The Economic Offences Unit of the Bihar Police took over the probe on May 11. One senior police officer who is in charge of investigations in the case said that they have been trailing Mukhia since May 6, but he has been absconding from his place of work a government college in Nalanda where he is posted as a technical assistant, and his known residences. A resident of Nagarnausa in Nalanda, Mukhia has been under the police scanner in such cases previously. He was arrested by the Uttarakhand Police in 2016 on charges of leaking the NEET paper. He spent 14 months in Nainital jail, and was released on bail in 2018. The officer said that Mukhia was the kingpin of what they call the Solver Gang, which has links in multiple states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar. It is Mukhia who arranged the NEET question paper and handed it over in turn to a man identified as Rocky, who we are looking into. But we still dont know where the question paper was leaked and how exactly, the officer said. Bihar police officers said that Mukhias son, Shiv Kumar, was arrested from Ujjain on April 20 this year for his role in the paper leak of the BPSC TRE competitive examination held in Bihar, which 375,000 students sat for. In the 2024 NEET case, investigations have thus far revealed that at least four students and their parents paid money to procure the question paper a day before the examination, and then memorised the answers. Interrogations have pointed to a group of people who facilitated the process, including government official Sikander Prasad Yadvendu, junior engineer of the Danapur Nagar Parishad, Amit Anand, a Bengaluru-based IT professional, Roshan Kumar and Nitish Kumar, who are close associates of Anand. Akhilesh Kumar, the father of Ayush Kumar both arrested has told police that Sikandar Prasad Yadvendu had assured him of success and demanded 40 lakh. Similarly, Reena Kumar, the mother of Anurag Yadav had received assurances from Yadvendu, who also arranged their meeting with Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar. A police officer aware of the matter said that Mukhias name surfaced during interrogation and he was the one who made the questions available. The Ministry of Education on Saturday announced a high-level committee of experts to ensure transparent smooth and fair conduct of examinations amid the NEET and UGC-NET row. The panel of experts will make recommendations on reforms in mechanism of examination process, improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency. The panel will be headed by Dr. K Radhakrishnan, former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairperson and the chairman of board of governors, IIT Kanpur. ALSO READ: This is your govt: Centre's assurance to students after UGC-NET cancelled Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The other members include Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Central University of Hyderabad vice chancellor Prof BJ Rao, Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Pankaj Bansal, co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat and Prof Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs at IIT Delhi. Govind Jaiswal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, will be the member secretary. According to an education ministry statement, the high-level panel will analyse the end-to-end examination process and also suggest measures to improve the efficiency of the system. ALSO READ: UGC NET exam cancelled: What is new anti-paper leak law? Punishments under it The panel will carry out a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the National Testing Agency and suggest measures to strengthen them. The members will also suggest monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance at every level. As per the education ministry, the panel will suggest measures for improvement in data security protocols, evaluate the existing data security process and protocols of the NTA and recommend measures for its improvement. The panel has also been tasked with making recommendations on the organisational structure and functioning of the NTA and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level. The Committee shall submit its report to the Ministry within two months from the date of issue of this order, the education ministry statement added. Jodhpur: The Rajasthans Jodhpur police on Saturday detained at least 51 people in connection with a violent clash which broke out in the Soorsagar area between two religious groups late on Friday night, said the police officials familiar with the development. The mob set a local shop ablaze and vandalised two cars, including a police van (Twitter/ video screengrab) According to the police, the clashes broke out over the installation of two new gates at an Eidgah near Rajaram Circle. The dispute has been going on for the last few daysThe incident took place at around 10:15pm (on Friday) when a group of 10 to 15 locals pelted stones at another group from the Eidgah, Jodhpur police commissioner Rajendra Singh said. As the tension escalated, the mob set a local shop ablaze and vandalised two cars, including a police van, Singh added. Also Read | Odisha: Curfew, internet shutdown extended in communal violence hit Balasore According to the police officials familiar with the matter, a dispute has been going on for the past few days over the installation of the two new gates at Eidgahs rear wall after the locals alleged their construction did not follow the legal protocols of the local municipality. Locals protested when the staff proceeded to inaugurate the gates at Eidgah on Friday night, Singh said. He added, however, the police and the local municipality officials reached the spot, and the matter was settled between the two groups at around 9:30pm followed by a negotiation in the presence of five members from both groups. The agreement prompted an immediate closure of the gates and the mob was dispersed, said Singh. He said that tension sparked when a group of 10 to 15 people suddenly started pelting stones in Vyapariyon ka Mohalla and retaliation surfaced from the other group. The incident left two police personnel, including the inspector of the Chaupasni Housing Board police station, Nitin Dave and constable Shaitan Singh, injured. Dave sustained a serious injury to his neck and was rushed to the hospital. He was discharged on Saturday morning. Singh was also discharged after a primary treatment, the commissioner said. Deputy commissioner of police (DCP), (West), Sharad Chaudhary, said that after the stone pelting incident, the agitated mob vandalised the local shops, houses, and a slew of cars. A broom shop belonging to one group was set ablazeThe fire brigade eventually managed to extinguish the flames but it also damaged the gate of a nearby house, DCP Chaudhary said. He added that a tractor, parked near the Subhash Chowk area, was also set on fire while a police van was completely vandalised by the mob. Following the incident of violence, the police swung into action, said Chaudhary. We had to apply a mild force by lathi-charging to disperse them. Around four to five rounds of tear gas were also fired at Vypariyon Ka Mohalla, he added. The situation was taken under control after efforts of about three to four hours, said police. Commissioner Singh also reached the spot late at night to supervise the law and order situation in Soorsagar. The DCP in Jodhpur East, Alok Shrivastava, on Saturday, issued section 144 in parts of Soorsagar, while an additional police force along with the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) force was deployed in the area to reinstate the peace. The situation is now under control. The police are constantly patrolling the area. Around 51 people have been detained so far. However, the probe is underway to detain all the people who disturbed the peace in the area. We are also investigating how the tension was provoked despite an agreement being settled between the two groups, commissioner Singh said. The police have also launched a first information report against unidentified persons in connection with the stone pelting incident. A case was lodged under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with arms likely to cause death), 149 (unlawful assembly), 332 (voluntarily causing harm to deter a public worker from doing his duties) of the Indian Penal Code, said police. This incident marks the third such instance of communal clash within the past five years. In April 2019, a sudden outbreak of stone-pelting during the conclusion of the Ram Navami procession led to chaos in Vyapariyon ka Mohalla. Shops and vehicles were set on fire during the violence resulting in multiple injuries. Another such minor clash was also reported in June 2022 following a small dispute between two groups in the same area. We will probe all the angles and nab the ones who provoked the situation soon, said a senior police official, on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, commenting on the incident, Union minister and Bhartiya Janata Party MP from Jodhpur, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking to the media persons, said, The government is serious about the matter. Necessary action will be taken against the ones who tried to disturb the peace in Jodhpur city. The anti-social elements that created yesterdays incident in Soorsagar will not be tolerated. I urge all communities to uphold peace and harmonyAction will be taken against those found disturbing the peaceCurrently, action is being taken against the guilty and suspects, state minister Jogaram Patel said. The Congress on Saturday slammed the Narendra Modi-led Central government's decision to implement a law to prevent the use of unfair means in competitive examinations. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.(ANI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the lawthe Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024was implemented after several "scams" and termed it a move to damage control. Several opposition political parties and student associations, including the Congress, have held protests across the country over alleged irregularities in medical entrance exams NEET-UG and the UGC-NET. Amid this row and reports of paper leaks, the Centre on Friday enforced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The law aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations and entails provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to 1 crore for offenders. The law was passed by the Parliament in the Budget session, which concluded on February 10 earlier this year. On Saturday, Ramesh claimed that while the law was needed but added that it deals with question paper leaks and other irregularities after they have occurred. On Feb 13 2024, the President of India gave her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means), Bill, 2024, Ramesh wrote on X. Finally, just this morning the nation has been told that this Act has come into force from yesterday, that is June 21, 2024. Clearly this is damage control to deal with the NEET, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET and other scams. He added: This law was needed. But it deals with leaks after they have occurred. More important are laws, systems, processes, and procedures to ensure that leaks don't happen in the first place. The law comes amid a massive row over alleged irregularities in the conduct of medical entrance exam NEET and UGC-NET. 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 petitions in several high courts and the Supreme Court. The Opposition has demanded a probe under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge. Some leaders have also demanded the removal of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the disbanding of the National Testing Agency (NTA). On its part, the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced the formation of a high-level committee to review the functioning of the NTA. Opposition leaders on exam row Several opposition leaders have criticised the Modi government over alleged irregularities in the prestigious exams. NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule alleged on Saturday that the central government had failed completely. It is a complete failure of the government of India because, with so much technology, I can't seem to understand why there are so many glitches every time there's a competitive exam. Students and parents work very hard to cross this big milestone of their lives. If they are going to get cheated like this, it's very unfortunate and the government has failed us, Sule told ANI. She added: "We are going to raise this issue in Parliament. The government is on the backfoot on many issues..." Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha also demanded to abolish the National Testing Agency which conducts the entrance examinations. He also accused the BJP of of making false stories to "save the accused" Dharmendra Pradhan gives a clean chit and later pretends that there are some irregularities. What happened in Gujarat? In Haryana, in a BJP minister's school, 6 children from that centre are on the topper list, so there is an uproar over NEET in the whole country and in such a situation the Union Education Minister should resign, and NTA should be abolished Jha said. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21 with enthusiasm and dedication, focusing on the theme Yoga for Self and Society. The event featured a yoga session led by Anish Dayal Singh, Director General of the CRPF along with senior officers and approximately 600 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) commandos from the 206 COBRA Battalion of CRPF in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, a Naxal stronghold in the Bastar region. CRPF organised yoga sessions at the SDG Camp, Old JNU Campus in Delhi, and various remote locations nationwide.(X/CRPF) Speaking on the occasion, DG Anish Dayal Singh said that yoga is a remedy for various diseases and plays a crucial role in alleviating the stress experienced by personnel performing challenging duties in difficult conditions. Additionally, the CRPF organised yoga sessions at the SDG Camp, Old JNU Campus in Delhi, and various remote locations nationwide. Yoga For Peace: CRPF observed International Yoga Day across its locations in the country. DG #CRPF, and senior officers, performed Yoga along with over 600 brave CoBRA troopers in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, CRPF X handle wrote on Friday. The CRPF acknowledges the immense benefits of yoga in achieving harmony and balance in life and is committed to integrating yoga at every level of the organisation. The force encourages its brave members to incorporate yoga into their daily routines and those of their families to improve overall health and well-being. What is CRPF? The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is an internal security and combat force in India, operating under the Government of India with a primary role to assist State Territories in police operations, maintaining law and order, and countering insurgency activities. The CRPF plays a crucial yet often overlooked role in safeguarding critical Central Government facilities, such as airports, power plants, bridges, Doordarshan Kendras, All India Radio Stations, residences of Governors and Chief Ministers, nationalised banks, and various other government establishments in insurgency-affected states. In these troubled regions, the CRPF ensures the security of democratic institutions and prevents militant groups from taking control of civil society. International Yoga Day 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday. This year's event highlights Yoga's significant impact on young minds and bodies, aiming to unite thousands in the practice of Yoga and promote health and wellness globally. The theme, "Yoga for Self and Society," emphasizes yoga's crucial role in enhancing both individual well-being and societal harmony. Several Union Ministers and other leaders participated in yoga sessions across various parts of the country. Since 2015, the Prime Minister has spearheaded International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations at numerous iconic locations, including Kartavya Path in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysuru, and even the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Friday that the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) examination scheduled for June 25 to June 27, 2024, has been postponed. Aspirants coming out from an examination centre after appeared in the UGC NET exams. (HT/File) Candidates were advised to check the official website (https://csimnet.nta.ac.in) for updates. For any questions, candidates can contact the NTA Help Desk at 011-40759000 or 011-69227700, or email csimet@nta.ac.in. The Education Ministry previously cancelled the UGC-NET, held on June 18, to ensure transparency and integrity. The ministry received inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit indicating potential compromise of the exam's integrity. The matter is now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar noted that 81 per cent of the 11.21 lakh registered candidates attended the exam in 317 cities across the country. What is the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination? The Joint CSIR-UGC NET exam determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS)/Assistant Professor roles in Indian universities and colleges. Applications for the test are invited online twice a year through nationwide press notifications, according to the Ministry of Education website. CSIR-NET is held for five science subjects: Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemical Science, and Mathematics. In contrast, UGC-NET covers all humanities subjects. Read more: Cancellation and postponement of exams puts candidates in zone of despair The exam assesses candidates' eligibility for teaching positions in Indian universities and colleges. Those who qualify for JRF are also eligible for Lectureship/Assistant Professor roles, provided they meet UGC's criteria. Some candidates qualify solely for Lectureship/Assistant Professor based on their test performance, and their qualifications remain valid indefinitely. The Joint CSIR-UGC NET Fellowship is a fixed-term award without guaranteed employment. JRF recipients receive a stipend of 31,000 per month for the first two years and an annual contingent grant of 20,000. Why did the NTA postpone the exam? In a press release, the NTA announced that the exam is being postponed due to unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues. The new exam dates will be shared later on the official website. It said, This is in continuation to the Public Notice dated 15.06.2024 vide which Advance Intimation of Examination City allotted to the applicants of the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination June-2024 along with the schedule of examination was informed to all the candidates. A senior NTA official, speaking to HT anonymously, said that with the UGC-NET cancellation and the retest of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for 1,563 candidates, it was impossible to hold another exam right away. NTA will soon reschedule the exam and declare results at the earliest so that the academic session does not get affected, the official added. Ongoing controversies surrounding paper leaks and exam cancellations The controversy began this year with allegations emerging around the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) after the results were announced, with students and parents protesting on the streets. The issue of grace marks being given to over 1500 students was highlighted after it was discovered that 67 students had topped the exam. Moreover, students at a Rajasthan centre complained of receiving English question papers instead of Hindi, along with reports of damaged OMR sheets and delays in paper distribution. In Patna, a case was filed over a suspected paper leak, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals involved in a cheating racket, including four test-takers. Moreover, on Wednesday, the education ministry cancelled the UGC-NET exam, stating concerns over the integrity of the process. The June edition of the exam was held on June 18, with 908,580 candidates taking the test in 83 subjects at 1,200 centres using OMR sheets. For weeks, protests erupted across India with thousands of students demanding justice over allegations of paper leaks, inflated scores, and arbitrary grace marks. Opposition parties called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu has increased to 53 and many people remain under treatment at various hospitals, officials familiar with the matter said on Saturday. Relatives mourn near the mortal remains of people who died after consuming spurious liquor in Kallakurichi in Tamil Nadu on Friday. (PTI) On Friday, chief minister MK Stalin said in the State Assembly that 47 people had died after consuming methanol-mixed poisonous illicit liquor in Kallakurichi on June 19. The issue had rocked the state assembly and the Madras high court pulled up the government. The Opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) members were evicted enmasse from the assembly after they staged a sit-in protest over the tragedy. This issue cannot be taken lightly by the government. This is about the life of persons. We want to know what action was taken by the governor since the last one year, when a similar incident had taken place, a high court division bench comprising justices D Krishnakumar and K Kumaresh Babu was quoted as saying by Live Law. It posted further hearing of a public interest litigation filed by AIADMK legal wing secretary I S Inbadurai to June 26. A police station is 200 metres away from where illicit liquor was being sold for the last three years, AIADMK leader and former chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami told reporters. Imagine the breakdown of governance here. The chief minister must take responsibility and resign, he added. However, Stalin slammed the AIADMK for drama and the partys alleged attempt to cause confusion and appealed to the Opposition to not seek political mileage from the grievous incident. He termed the incident as painful and said it cannot be taken lightly. Forty-seven people have died so far. A preliminary investigation by the revenue and police departments established that methanol was sourced from Puducherry, he told the House. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and said the state government will take care of the entire education and hostel expenses of children who have lost either one or both of their parents in the tragedy. The government will deposit 5 lakh in the name of the children who lost both parents, which will be given to them with interest after they attain the age of 18, Stalin said. 3 lakh will be given to children who lost one parent. Besides, the government will provide 5,000 each to children who have lost both parents (or) one parent, he added. The assistance is in addition to the 10 lakh compensation that the government had handed over to the families of the deceased on Thursday. (With ANI input) Amid a water crisis in Delhi, workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday staged a protest outside the Delhi Jal Board office in Okhla. Several social media users condemned the Delhi Police's use of water cannons and highlighted the irony of the act.(PTI) Ironically, the police used water cannons to disperse the people protesting the prevailing water crisis in the national capital, PTI reported. The protest was led by BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri. Several social media users condemned the Delhi Police's use of water cannons and highlighted the irony of the act. Delhi is suffering from a water crisis, yet the police are using water cannons on protesters, a user wrote on X. Another user wrote: People are protesting for water shortage and police are using water cannons !! 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 in Delhi 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. People gather near a water tanker to fill water as the water crisis continues in the National Capital, at Sanjay Colony, Okhla, in New Delhi on Saturday.(ANI) The ruling AAP government has also alleged that Haryana has not been releasing Delhi's share of water. On Friday, Delhi water minister Atishi sat on indefinite fast over the water crisis in the national capital. She said that she had tried "everything" but was left with no choice but to sit on a fast when the Haryana government didn't agree to supply the required quantity of water. Also Read | Giving enough water to Delhi: Haryana minister reiterates stand The Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged that Haryana is supplying 100 million gallons per day (MGD) less water every day, which has severely affected the lives of 28 lakh people in Delhi. "This is the second day of my fast. There is an acute shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi receives water from its neighbouring states. Delhi receives a total of 1005 MGD of water that is supplied to the houses in Delhi. Of this, 613 MGD of water comes from Haryana but for the past several weeks, it has been releasing only 513 MGD. Due to this, more than 28 lakh people in Delhi are not receiving water. I tried everything but when the Haryana government didn't agree to supply water, I was left with no choice but to sit on a fast," Atishi said in a video posted on her X handle. "I got numbers from the Delhi Jal Board this morning but even today, the situation of the water crisis persists. Yesterday, Haryana supplied 110 MGD less water. I will continue my fast until the Haryana government supplies water to Delhi, until 28 lakh people of Delhi get water," she further added. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused the ruling AAP government of mismanagement. It also said that the government of Haryana is sending enough water to the capital. "AAP has been in power in Delhi for the last 10 years. They have the Delhi Jal Board, MCD. They have all the important departments. So are they protesting against their own government? The reality is that their own ally, the Congress Party, is now admitting that Haryana is sending more water. It is sending more than it has committed to send. The Supreme Court has also acknowledged this," BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla was quoted as saying by ANI. Delhi water minister Atishi, on the second day of her fast over the water crisis, promised to continue her agitation until the Haryana government supplies water to the national capital. (Atishi also said that she has tried everything but the Haryana government has left her no choice but to go on a fast. HT Photo) The AAP leader stated that, I will continue my fast until the Haryana Government supplies water to Delhi, until 28 lakh people of Delhi get water. According to her, Delhi is supposed to receive 613 MGD of water, but for several weeks, the Haryana government has been releasing only 513 MGD. Read more: Delhi water crisis: Atishi begins fast for more water from Haryana Atishi also said that she has tried everything but the Haryana government has left her no choice but to go on a fast. Delhi has been facing a water shortage, amplified by the record heatwave conditions in the city. The AAP government in Delhi had argued that the neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana were in violation of the tri-party Yamuna water sharing agreement and were withholding water from the national capital. The matter was heard in the Supreme Court, which asked the Upper Yamuna River Board to intervene and make a decision. During this time, the AAP and BJP have been exchanging blame over the lack of water. Read more: Delhi water crisis: BJP accuses AAP of stealing and looting from citizens According to the BJP, the AAP government has mismanaged water supply in Delhi and has not addressed the issue of water tank mafias stealing water before it reaches the people. The BJP-ruled Haryana government has denied that there is any discrepancy in the water being supplied and also stated that Delhi receives more than its agreed upon share of water. Across Delhi, long queues can be seen for people to get water from tankers. Read more: Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini blames Arvind Kejriwal for Delhi water crisis, says Delhi's Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) released a report on Thursday which shows that Delhi has extracted 99 per cent of its groundwater already, making it even more dependent on other states to help meet its water needs. Seasoned diplomat Dr Virander Paul, India's Ambassador to Turkiye (formerly Turkey) passed away in Delhi on Friday after a prolonged illness. Viirander Paul, India's envoy to Turkiye (@IndianEmbassyTR/x) Taking to X (previously Twitter), External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar described Dr Paul's demise as a great loss to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Have worked closely with him (Paul) in his many postings. Always admired his commitment and service and value his many contributions, Jaishankar wrote on X. The Indian embassy said it was deeply saddened' by the Ambassador's untimely demise. We are deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Ambassador Virander Paul, Indias envoy to Turkiye. A dedicated officer, he will always be remembered for his exceptional human qualities and impactful professional contribution, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on its social media handle. 5 points on Dr Virander Paul, the Indian envoy to Turkiye (1.) He started his career with the Indian Foreign Service in 1991. Before his posting in Turkiye, he was New Delhi's High Commissioner to Kenya, Ambassador to Somalia, and Ambassador/ Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT). (2.) Dr Virander Paul, who held various positions during his distinguished diplomatic career of thirty-three years, was India's 27th envoy in Ankara, where his stint began in August 2022; he succeeded Sanjay Panda in the position. (3.) He held a medical degree from the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). (4.) The late diplomat was fluent in as many as four languages: Punjabi, Hindi, English, and Russian. (5.) He is survived by his spouse Racheline, and the couple's two daughters. (With agency inputs) Despite her best efforts, the Sydney woman admits she is 'disappointed' her fine was not revoked by defiant transport authorities. One woman's experience shows why there is concern about new roadside camera technology making expensive mistakes. Source: Supplied A woman has copped a $387 fine and five demerit points for a driving offence she claims she didn't commit, slamming the appeal process as she starts a payment instalment plan to pay off the infringement. And her experience shows why some Aussies are raising questions about the proliferation of new roadside cameras monitoring motorists. Ms Lee, who asked Yahoo News to refrain from using her first name, was driving back home to Sydney from Melbourne on January 9 when a phone detection camera snapped a shot of her along the Hume Highway near Sutton Forest. A square item was pictured on her lap but she claims it's her sunglasses case not her phone. "It was in the evening so I removed my sunglasses, that's what I was doing. It looks like my sunglasses cover," she told Yahoo News. "I've got Android Auto, there's no need to touch my phone, I can give voice commands [in my car]." Driver 'disappointed' by infringement appeal process Lee admits she wasn't massively concerned when she received the infringement in the post a week later, believing she could gather evidence and submit an appeal review to prove her innocence. However, it was ultimately rejected. In a letter seen by Yahoo News, Revenue NSW responded to Lee's appeal and said, "We have reviewed the images and are satisfied the fine was issued correctly... a driver in a vehicle that is not parked cannot hold a phone in their hand or against their body." As part of her appeal, she sent in a photo, which she said reenacted the scene, more clearly showing her sunglasses case. However authorities were unmoved. Yahoo News Australia has sought further comment from Transport for NSW and Revenue NSW. The woman claims her sunglasses case was mistaken for a phone by the roadside camera. Source: Supplied After being made redundant the month prior, Lee had no other choice but to enter into a payment instalment plan to pay back the infringement. "Why bother having a review process if they're not going to do anything about it?" she said. "It's just really disappointing, they say you can apply for a review then do nothing. It's a big sum of money coming at a time when everyone's struggling financially." Effectiveness of roadside camera questioned after mistakes New camera technology will be implemented from July 1 in NSW and some are concerned over their effectiveness to correctly detect an offence, given a number of mistakes have been previously made. Sydney motorist Andy Man told Yahoo News last week he doesn't trust that the cameras are 100 per cent accurate, especially when it comes to phone detection. "There's been plenty of people I know who were mistaken for holding other objects such as wallets, cigarette cases and other objects that were not mobile phones and sadly got punished for holding a mobile phone whilst driving," he said. In May a Sydney driver was wrongly fined $387 and 10 demerit points for handling his wallet while behind the wheel, while another driver last year was fined $362 for holding a children's toy. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Union education ministry on Saturday formed a seven-member committee to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA). Union education minister Dharmendra Prardhan. (File) The committee will be headed by K. Radhakrishnan, who has served as the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the board of governors (BoG) of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur. The panel has been formed at a time when NTA is under scanner over the alleged irregularities during the conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate programs (NEET-UG) this year, cancellation of University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) due to paper leak on darknet, and postponement the CSIR-UGC-NET. Union education minister Dharmendra Prardhan on Thursday announced that the government will constitute a high-level panel to bring reforms in NTA, while emphasising that there is a need for improvement in the functioning of NTA. According to a statement issued by the ministry, the committee will make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and structure and functioning of the NTA. It will submit its report to the ministry within two months. The committee will analyse the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach. It will conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols of the NTA and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures/protocols along with monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at every level, the ministry said. It will evaluate the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement. It will examine the existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system, the ministry said. Besides, it will make recommendations on the organisational structure and functioning of the NTA for implementation of its recommendations and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level. It will also assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency, the ministry said. The other members of the committee include former All India Institue of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Delhi director Randeep Guleria, vice chancellor of the Central University of Hyderabad, Professor B J Rao, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, professor Ramamurthy K, Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat, Pankaj Bansal, Dean Student Affairs, IIT Delhi, Professor Aditya Mittal, and joint secretary, Ministry of Education, Govind Jaiswal. Bhopal, The son of Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that after the landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections, "entire Delhi is bowing down" before his father. Chouhan's son Kartikeya Singh made the statement while addressing a public meeting at Bherunda of Budhni assembly segment of Sehore district, on Friday. The video of the remark is being shared by the leaders of different parties. Chouhan won the recently-held Lok Sabha election from Vidisha seat in the state. State Congress chief Jitu Patwari took a swipe at this statement, saying that it means that Delhi is scared and that there is fear of dissent within the party. In his address, Singh told the people of Budhni assembly seat that they have done a wonderful job of sending a message. "I have just returned after staying in Delhi. Earlier too, our leader was popular as chief minister. But I don't know why it seems that he became more popular when he was not the chief minister," he said. "Now, when our leader has gone after a huge victory, the whole of Delhi also bows down before him today. Entire Delhi also knows him, recognises him, respects him. Not just Delhi, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari if we count the top leaders then our leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan figures in the list," he said. Kartikeya Singh, an alumnus of University of Pennsylvania of US, also thanked the people of Budhni constituency supporting his father in the elections. "It is said that there is a woman behind every successful man...But I will say that there are people in his area behind the success of a leader along with a woman," he said. Taking a swipe at Kartikeya Singh over his statement, Congress' Patwari said in a post on X, "Shivraj ji's yuvraj is saying that Delhi is scared. This is 100% true. Because, the country is also watching the scared dictator carefully." "There is fear of the voice of dissent within the party, rebellion of big leaders, coalition management, decreasing support to government and fear of shaking legs of the chair," he stated. After winning the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat by a margin of over 8.20 lakh votes, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was appointed as the agriculture minister in the Narendra Modi 3.0 cabinet. After winning the Lok Sabha election from the Vidisha seat, Chouhan resigned as an MLA from the Budhni assembly seat. It is likely that the bypoll for Budhni will soon be declared and Kartikeya Singh, being the son of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is considered to be the natural choice for the BJP. Ex-MP CM Chouhan's son says 'entire Delhi bowing down' before his father; Cong takes swipe New Delhi A 54-member three-tier Union council of ministers headed by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao was sworn in on June 21, 1991, by President R Venkataraman at an impressive ceremony in Ashok Hall at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was attended by a galaxy of leading politicians, including former Prime Ministers VP Singh and Chandra Shekhar. Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao with former PM VP Singh at the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 21, 1991. (SN Sinha/HT Archive) The other leaders present included LK Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the BJP, and former deputy prime minister Devi Lai. Some ministers who were to be sworn in could not be informed in time, and three ministers of state and one deputy minister could not make it. They will be sworn in later. Three ministers of state Mamata Bannerjee, Dalbir Singh and Uttam H Patel arrived late but were administered the oath by the President. The 14 Cabinet ministers sworn in were Arjun Singh, Balram Jakhar, SB Chavan, ML Fotedar, Ghulam Nabi Azad, CK Jaffer Sharief, Sheila Kaul, Sitaram Kesri, Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, Madhavrao Scindia, B Shankaranand, VC Shukla, Manmohan Singh and Madhavsinh Solanki. The number of ministers of state with independent charge who were sworn in is 14. They include Margaret Alva, HR Bhardwaj, P Chidambaram, Santosh Mohan Dev, Ashok Gehlot, Tarun Gogoi, Kamal Nath, Ajit Panja, Rajesh Pilot, Kalp Nath Rai, P Ramamurthy, PA Sangma, Jagdish Tytler and Balram Singh Yadav. The surprise choice in the ministry was Dr Manmohan Singh, eminent economist, who also was the only minister to be told in advance that he would be looking after finance portfolio. The portfolios of other ministers are yet to be decided or communicated to them. The oath-taking ceremony lasted nearly two hours and was witnessed by the senior civil servants and political leaders. The President, who generally remained silent during the ceremony, congratulated Rangarajan Kumaramangalam specially for being a third-generation minister. Narasimha Rao also earned the unique distinction of being the first senior minister from the south to take his oath in Hindi. Rao received a big applause on his arrival in the Ashok Hall. For the second time in seven months, the nation witnessed the swearing-in of another Prime Minister. On November 10 last, Chandra Shekhar was sworn in as Indias eighth Prime Minister on the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This was a departure from tradition. Tradition returned as the 70-year-old Narasimha Rao was administered the oath of office and secrecy in the high-domed, chandeliered Ashok Hall as the countrys ninth Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and 49 of his colleagues took the oath in the name of God. Nineteen members of the Council including the Prime Minister, took the oath in Hindi and 34 in English. Four ministers took their oath by solemn affirmation. They are Cabinet minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and ministers of state P Chidambaram, Eduardo Faleiro and Shantaram Patel. The Cabinet is likely to take stock of the situation in the country, especially in the context of the economic crisis and deteriorating law-and-order situation in Punjab, Kashmir and other parts. Prime Minister Narasimha Rao has said earlier he would accord top priority to put the economy back on the rails. The Prime Minister has also called a meeting of high officials to assess the economic situation in the country. Meanwhile, Narasimha Rao will also broadcast an address to the nation. Karnataka has been gripped by protests led by the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding a rollback of the recent fuel price hike. The Congress party, currently in power, has defended the move, citing the states relatively low fuel prices. Similarly, the Karnataka government has controversially decided to change the laws regarding billboards, allowing more of them to come up in Bengaluru. BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra along with other party workers and leaders during a protest against the state government over alleged fuel price hike in Bengaluru on Thursday. (PTI) These are some of the several measures the government has implemented or proposed to bolster its finances. Following the state assembly elections last year, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar initially halted development fund requests from MLAs due to financial constraints. With pressure building on the government to address the funding issues for various guarantee schemes, the government has resorted to increasing fuel prices, reinstating billboards, approving new mining licenses, and raising property registration taxes. Moreover, they have engaged the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to optimise revenue management. The five guarantees promised by the Congress in Karnataka are Gruha Lakshmi ( 2,000 to every woman head of a family), Gruha Jyoti (200 units of electricity free to every household), Shakthi (free travel for women across Karnataka in state buses), Anna Bhagya (10kg rice to every member of BPL families every month) and Yuva Nidhi ( 3,000 doled out to unemployed graduates and 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders for 2 years in the 18-25 age group). This year, chief minister Siddaramaiah has allocated around 52,000 crore for the five schemes, which benefit roughly 51 million people. The governments partnership with BCG aims to mobilise between 50,000 crore and 60,000 crore annually to fulfil electoral promises and fund essential projects. The consultancy will work closely with the states finance department over a month-long period under a contract worth approximately 9.5 crore. BCG in its report suggested that the government should focus on identifying new sources of revenue The decision has found criticism within the party with Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty openly calling out the decision to hire BCG. Chakravartys statement, If one wins elections by outsourcing core political functions to external fee-charging transactional consultants, then one also governs by outsourcing core policy functions to similar consultants. The Congress leader later apologised, clarifying that his remarks were academic and not intended as a personal attack on his partys leadership. However, the statement has given ammunition to the Opposition. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka has questioned the appointment of BCG, which he said is at taxpayers expense. What is the need of the BCG when a self-proclaimed economist like Siddaramaiah is the CM? Ashoka said. Not sure whether it will boost the revenues of the state government, but it will boost the revenues of private consultancy firm (sic) at the cost of Karnatakas taxpayers, he added. BJP state president BY Vijayendra slammed the Congress government for the outrageous move to hire a foreign consultant. This is akin to handing over the reins to the East India Company. he said. When the state government operates under the directions of an external agency, the welfare of the people takes a back seat, and innocent citizens are the ones who suffer, Vijayendra said. During the past month, the government has taken several decisions in line with this move to raise more revenue. Siddaramaiah has been actively reviewing the revenue collection efforts of various departments. In a meeting held on June 12, he warned officials to meet tax collection targets or face consequences. The revision of guidance value and reforms in administration are expected to generate more taxes. In 2023-24, 20,287 crore was collected as against a target of 20,000 crore. At the meeting with mines and geology department officials, he told them to take up auctioning of mining sites which is due. The CM also directed them to increase their revenue collection and to work along with the forest department officials. He also advised them to use drone surveys and AI technology to prevent tax leaks. CM Siddaramaiah has also instructed excise department officials to prevent smuggling of liquor from neighbouring states into Karnataka, as the department remains one of the highest revenue-generating departments in the state. In Bengaluru, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Advertisement Byelaws 2023, which is available with the government for final consent, proposes auctioning licenses for paid advertisements along many roads. These boards can be installed on private properties. The new by-laws replaced the 2018 regulations that banned commercial advertising in Bengaluru, except under public-private partnerships. The new by-laws allow paid ads on metro pillars, outside metro stations, BMTC terminals, bus stops, and public toilets, potentially boosting non-fare revenue for public transport utilities. Monetising land is also among the strategies suggested by BCG to unlock budget potential. The government plans to monetise 15,000 acres in Nandagudi and 9,800 acres in Bidadi for townships, along with 300-400 acres across 73 land parcels. A senior bureaucrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, defended the decision saying that the aim was to optimise the states revenue generation. The guarantee schemes are already making an impact in peoples lives and fund allocation is already in place for these schemes. These changes are being made so that further revenue can be generated for additional development works, he said. New Delhi, India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and entering into new sectors which will chart the future course of their relationship, President Droupadi Murmu said on Saturday. India, Bangladesh moving ahead rapidly to strengthen bilateral cooperation: President Murmu Welcoming Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had called on Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, the President said that "she was delighted to meet her again, just a few days after the swearing-in ceremony of the new government". This is the first State visit hosted by India after the formation of the new government on June 9, 2024. Murmu said these regular interactions reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and cooperation that began with the journey of Bangladeshs Liberation War of 1971. The President noted that India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and are entering into new sectors also. She expressed confidence that this will chart the future course of the India-Bangladesh relationship, according to a statement issued by the President's office. During a warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders agreed to work together to enhance the relationship across all domains, including economic ties, development partnership, defence cooperation, energy security and connectivity, it said. The President was happy to note that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress. India and Bangladesh on Saturday inked a raft of agreements, including to boost ties in the maritime sphere and blue economy, as they firmed up a futuristic vision to expand cooperation in several new areas. The pacts were finalised at the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hasina. The key pacts signed by the two sides included one on forging strong ties in the digital domain and another on having a "green partnership.The two sides also inked an agreement on railway connectivity. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. India on Saturday signalled its interest in taking up the conservation of the Teesta river within Bangladesh, a $1-billion project being eyed by China, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina unveiled a slew of initiatives to enhance cooperation in trade, digital issues and connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on June 22.(Arvind Yadav/ Hindustan Times) Hasina, who was among leaders of seven regional countries invited to the inauguration of Modis third term on June 9, returned to New Delhi within a fortnight as the first foreign leader to make a bilateral incoming visit. Officials from both sides said this reflected Indias continued focus on its Neighbourhood First policy and the importance of bilateral ties. Following talks with Hasina, Modi told a joint media interaction that an Indian technical team will soon visit Dhaka for talks on the conservation and management of the Bangladeshi section of the Teesta, one of 54 rivers shared by the two countries. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi after bilateral meeting with Sheikh Hasina: 'Focus on connectivity, commerce, collaboration' Fifty-four shared rivers connect India and Bangladesh. We have been cooperating on flood management, early warning [and] drinking water projects. We have decided to start negotiations at the technical level for renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty of 1996, he said, speaking in Hindi and referring to a 30-year pact valid until 2026. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that Indias announcement regarding its interest in Bangladeshs long-pending plan to dredge and develop the Teesta river is significant in view of pressure from China over the project. Beijing has submitted a formal proposal for the project, with an estimated cost of $1 billion, while New Delhi has informed Dhaka about its concerns regarding the work being awarded to any Chinese firm. With Hasina set to visit China next month, the people said Indias announcement will help her deflect pressure from Beijing over the project. Besides worries about water flow data and other information on the cross-border Teesta river being scooped up by China, India has concerns about Chinese personnel establishing a presence at the project site located near the chickens neck or narrow strip of land connecting the northeast to the rest of the country. Also Read | India, Bangladesh discuss trade, Teesta development project Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing that the management of shared water resources is a crucial and sensitive matter. He added: Naturally, given our close and friendly ties with Bangladesh, cross-boundary river issues and Teesta is one of them become important. The two leaders discussed the conservation of the Teesta, which requires a fair degree of technical management, Kwatra said. Its less about water-sharing per se, its more about the management of the water flows within Teesta river, he said, adding the two leaders agreed that an Indian technical team will undertake efforts to make progress on this issue. Modi and Hasina signed off on a joint document to guide relations in the coming years the India-Bangladesh shared vision for the future: Enhanced connectivity, commerce and collaboration for shared prosperity that is aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 and Smart Bangladesh 2041 visions. The two sides also unveiled two more joint documents detailed shared visions for a digital partnership and green partnership. Today, we have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. The youth of both countries will benefit from consensus reached on cooperation in many areas such as green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy [and] space, Modi said. We have kept in our focus connectivity, commerce and collaboration. In the last ten years, we have restored the [physical] connectivity that existed before 1965. Now we will emphasise more on digital and energy connectivity, he said. Hasina, speaking in Bengali, said: In the whole world, we see war and conflict in different regions, but in our subcontinent, we have been able to sustain a wonderful friendly relationship. She added, Even in our cooperation in socio-economic development, I think it was very important for us to get the help of a large economic power like India. It is because of our friendly relations that we have been able to make a lot of progress. The two sides announced initiatives to boost connectivity, trade, commerce, and people-to-people exchanges. These include a new passenger train between Kolkata and Rajshahi, the seventh cross-border rail link, the trial run next month of a goods train on Bangladesh Railways from Gede-Darshana to Haldibari-Chilahati cross-border inter-change point, and a new bus service between Kolkata and Chittagong. India will provide a grant for building an inland container depot at Sirajganj in Bangladesh, and there was a commercial agreement between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Bangladesh Bank for launching the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Following a tripartite agreement concluded last year, the export of 40MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid will begin soon. Bangladesh also joined Indias Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. In the field of people-to-people exchanges, India announced it will launch e- visas for medical patients from Bangladesh, and open a new assistant high commission at Rongpur, the fifth such mission in Bangladesh. India will provide 350 training slots for Bangladeshi police officers, and the Muktijoddha Scheme for medical patients, with an upper ceiling of 800,000 per patient, was launched. The two sides also signed five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) including one between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and Bangladeshs ICT and telecom ministry for jointly developing a small satellite for Bangladesh and sending it into space on an Indian launch vehicle. There were MoUs on maritime cooperation and the blue economy, railway connectivity, and cooperation on oceanographic research. The two sides further renewed three MoUs on cooperation in health, disaster management and fisheries. Modi listed the achievements by the two sides in the past year including the transit of cargo for Indias northeastern states through Bangladeshs Mongla port, commissioning of both units of the 1,320MW Maitree thermal power plant, and the launch of trade in Indian rupees and said he and Hasina also discussed ways to strengthen defence cooperation, including the modernisation of Bangladeshs armed forces. We have decided to strengthen our engagement on counter-terrorism, de-radicalisation and peaceful management of borders, he said. Tamil Nadu officials reported on Saturday that the death toll in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy increased from 50 to 53. Relatives mourn near the mortal remains of people who died after consuming spurious liquor, in Kallakurichi. (PTI) Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth stated that out of 193 people who consumed the illicit liquor, 140 are currently safe. At least 30 people passed away at Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital, 17 at Salem's Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, four at Government Villupuram Medical College Hospital and three at Puducherry's Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). 193 people who have consumed illicit liquor have come to the hospital. Out of which 193, 140 are currently safe, while few of them are on ventilators. Right now, 53 people have passed away, Prasanth said. So far, seven people have been arrested in the case. The case has been given to the CB-CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police. The patients are being given best treatment. Special doctors were mobilised in the initial stage. About 56 doctors were brought in from different medical colleges. Many patients who had respiratory problems, have recovered too, he added. In response to the deaths in Kallakurichi, 250 litres of illicit liquor were seized and destroyed in Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu. This action was taken by Tiruchirapalli district collector Pradeep Kumar and superintendent of police Varun Kumar after receiving intelligence on Friday night, according to police. There was chaos in the Tamil Nadu Assembly as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) members shouted slogans, demanding a discussion on the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin announced on Friday that the state government will cover all education and hostel expenses for children who lost one or both parents in the Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy. Earlier, three suspects in the case were remanded to judicial custody for 1.5 days and transferred to Cuddalore Central Prison. The Kallakurichi police presented them before the district court. The district court judge Sriram ordered that the three suspects, Govindaraj, Damadoran, and Vijaya, will remain in judicial custody until July 5. Tamil Nadu police has cracked down on illicit liquor activities across the state. In the Central Zone, police filed 342 prohibition cases over the last two days, with Thanjavur recording the highest. Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha led a meeting to prevent illicit liquor activities with joint efforts of administration and police. Mayiladuthurai district provided contact numbers for reporting illegal liquor and banned tobacco sales via calls and WhatsApp. YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday slammed the Andhra Pradesh government for demolishing his party's under-construction office in Tadepalli, saying chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu took "vendetta politics" to the next level. He also called the TDP leader a dictator. Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy(ANI file photo) YSRCP has alleged that the demolition was carried out in violation of the high court's order. He said the construction of the sprawling building was almost complete. "Chandrababu took vendetta politics to the next level. Like a dictator, he got YSRCP's central office demolished with excavators and bulldozers, which was almost complete," said Reddy in a post on X. The demolition began at 5.30 am on Saturday, said the party. "The demolition proceeded even though the YSRCP had approached the High Court the previous day (Friday), challenging the preliminary actions of the CRDA (Capital Region Development Authority)," said the party's statement. Also read: Vendetta politics': Andhra Pradesh authorities demolish YSRCP office building It added that the court had ordered to halt the demolition activity. It said the party's lawyer later conveyed the decision to the commissioner of the body. YSRCP termed CRDA's action "contempt of court". The former chief minister alleged that law and justice completely vanished in the southern state under the NDA government, comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena. The YSRCP chief said that the opposition party will not be intimidated by vendetta politics. Meanwhile, TDP has said the illegal construction was demolished after taking into consideration prevailing laws and rules. TDP leader Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy said N Chandrababu Naidu never followed the path of political vendetta. Also read: After 500 crore 'hilltop palace' attack, TDP labels Jagan a furniture thief As per the law and prevailing rules, any illegal construction needs to be demolished. Today, the party office of YSRCP which is being built illegally without obtaining any permissions from the concerned departments is being demolished as per the rules. This has nothing to do with any kind of political vendetta as the YSRCP is alleging. First, they should answer whether the constitution which they have taken up has the required permissions or not...TDP and Nara Chandrababu Naidu have never followed the path of political vendetta, he said. The fresh controversy comes amid a row over TDP's allegation that Reddy built a hilltop palace worth 500 crore in Visakhapatnam. With inputs from PTI, ANI As many as four national-level competitive exams across the country are under scrutiny, leaving the future of lakhs of students in limbo. The opposition parties have unitedly attacked the Narendra Modi-led NDA 3.0, which was sworn in just 13 days ago. Here are the four competitive examinations that have courted controversy:- Varanasi: Police personnel try to stop Congress workers during their protest march over the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024 results, in Varanasi, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI06_22_2024_000363B)(PTI) NEET-UG 2024: The NTA faced scrutiny for lapses in the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam, including alleged paper leaks and irregularities. It is now preparing to conduct a retest on Sunday specifically for 1,563 candidates who were originally awarded grace marks due to time loss at six examination centers. UGC-NET: The UGC-NET held on June 18 was cancelled by the Education Ministry to ensure "the highest level of transparency and sanctity" in the examination process. The University Grants Commission (UGC) received inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit indicating potential compromise of the exam's integrity. The matter is now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A day later, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in a briefing that the UGC-NET exam paper was leaked on the darknet, leading to its cancellation. ALSO READ- Who is Pradeep Singh Kharola, new DG of NTA amid NEET, NET exams controversy? CSIR-UGC NET: The June edition of the Joint CSIR-UGC NET was postponed due to logistic issues, announced the National Testing Agency. This exam determines eligibility for junior research fellowship, assistant professorship, and admission to PhD programs in science courses. NEET-PG: The NEET-PG entrance exam, scheduled for June 23, was postponed by the Union Health Ministry as a precautionary measure amid allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive exams. This exam is not conducted by NTA but the National Board of Examination (NBE) for medical students. Meanwhile, the MHT-CET entrance exam for engineering and professional courses in Maharashtra faced controversy after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray raised concerns about the exam's conduct. He questioned the decision to release percentiles instead of students' actual marks. However, authorities assured transparency, stating all student concerns have been addressed. What actions government has taken on exam controversies? Top 5 1. Centre cancelled UGC-NET exam immediately after suspicions arose of compromise in exam integrity and has handed over the case to CBI for investigation. 2. It has established a seven-member panel, led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to oversee fair conduct of exams via NTA. 3. It has notified a tough anti-cheating law, which has provisions of prison sentence of up to 10 years and 1 crore fine for exam malpractice. 4. Centre has shunted NTA director general Subodh Kumar Singh and replaced him with Pradeep Singh Kharola. 5. Centre has sought a comprehensive report from Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit regarding allegations of NEET-UG paper leak. Monsoon is expected to pick up over northwest India and cover most parts of the region between June 27 and July 3, according to the India Meteorological Departments extended range forecast. A school girl with an umbrella rides on her bicycle to school during the monsoon rain as clouds hover over the sky on the outskirts of Guwahati on June 20.(AP) Currently El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions--the transition between the warm El Nino and cool La Nina phases of ENSO is prevailing, according to IMD. La Nina conditions are expected to develop around August, IMD has said in its June ENSO forecast. Under the favourable monsoon conditions, rainfall activity is likely to be near normal to above normal over most parts of the country, except Western Himalayan Region and West Rajasthan, where it is likely to be below normal. Southwest Monsoon likely to advance over remaining parts of Central India and most parts of remaining parts of northwest India during the week, IMD has said in its forecast for the week of June 27 to July 3. Also Read | Heatwave to abate between June 23-25, predicts IMD| 10 points After a hiatus of nearly nine days since June 11, monsoon progressed marginally on Thursday into some more parts of Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Northwest Bay of Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and some parts of Bihar. On Saturday, the northern limit of monsoon continued to pass through Navsari, Jalgaon, Mandla, Pendra Road, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Haldia, Pakur, Sahibganj and Raxaul. Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, remaining parts of Maharashtra, some more parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and some parts of East Uttar Pradesh during next 3-4 days, IMD said on Saturday. Several parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Bihar and West Bengal have been reeling under extreme heat since early June. Also Read | Delhi rain: Has monsoon arrived early in Capital, or a temporary relief? By June 20, monsoon should have covered most parts of Bihar, central India, West Bengal. The normal date for monsoon to arrive over Delhi is June 27. There has been a 17% rain deficiency since June 1 with 61% rain deficiency over northwest India; 7% over east and northeast India; 28% over central India and 10% excess over South Peninsula. But 12 out 36 subdivisions under IMD still remain in large deficient and 12 more are in deficient category. Large deficient means there is a 60% to 90% rain deficiency while deficient indicates there is a 20% to 59% rain deficiency. A trough at mean sea level is running off south Maharashtra-north Kerala coasts and lower-level winds are likely to strengthen along the west coast during next 3 days. A cyclonic circulation lies over interior Odisha and adjoining Chhattisgarh in lower & middle tropospheric levels. Another cyclonic circulation is lying over northeast and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal in lower & middle tropospheric levels. Under their influence, fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning is likely over Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra & Marathwada, Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep; scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal during next five days. Currently el nino southern oscillation neutral conditions are observed over the equatorial Pacific. The sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are above average in the equatorial western and central Pacific Ocean, and below-average over the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The latest Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecasting System (MMCFS) forecast indicates that the ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to continue with strong possibility of transition to La Nina conditions around August-October 2024 season, IMD said in its June forecast. It added that the latest MMCFS forecast indicates enhanced probability for neutral Indian Ocean Dipole conditions to continue. At the same time, the possibility for the emergence of positive IOD conditions during the monsoon season has reduced significantly. Up to last month, many global models including MMCFS were predicting the development of positive IOD conditions during the monsoon season. The term El Nino refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate phenomenon linked to a periodic warming in sea-surface temperatures across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. El Nino represents the warm phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle while La Nina is just the opposite. La Nina refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific that occurs every 3 to 5 years or so. These phenomena are a part of natural climate variability. But, on top of these, ongoing climate change also has an impact on rainfall and temperatures globally. In India, an El Nino is associated with harsher summer and weaker monsoon. La Nina, meanwhile, is associated with strong monsoon and above average rains and colder winters. Heatwave conditions prevailed in isolated pockets of southwest Uttar Pradesh on Friday. Maximum temperatures were in the range of 40-42 degree C in some parts of West Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh; in isolated pockets of Haryana-Delhi and Gujarat and Maximum temperatures departures were below normal by 2-4 degree C over some parts of Northwest India. On Friday, the highest maximum temperature of 44.6 degree C was reported at Orai (West Uttar Pradesh) over the country. Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls occurred at isolated places over Konkan; Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Goa, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, East Rajasthan; heavy rainfall at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Kerala, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoarm, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Karnataka and Telangana. Teena Keys spent her entire life savings building a tiny home on her friend's property. But now she's facing the very real possibility of being 'homeless again at 57'. Teena Keys moved into a 'cabin' on her friend's property after struggling with homelessness for years. Now she's facing losing that home too. after being told she'd require a permit from Geelong council. Source: GoFundMe/ The Geelong Advertiser A woman who spent years battling homelessness but finally managed to put a roof over her head after converting a site hut into a home, said that due to her local council's "unreasonable" demand she's now facing the "realisation of being on the streets again at 57". Geelong woman Teena Keys lost her business and fled an abusive marriage during the pandemic and as a result was forced to couch surf for three years around the state of Victoria, after being rejected from a total of 60 rental properties. Keys says she had all but run out of options when she decided to build a tiny home on her friend's 100-acre property in Anakie, about 73 kilometres southwest of Melbourne late last year, with expressed permission. Yahoo News Australia earlier reported that Keys spent her life savings a little under $20,000 renovating the cabin, and was finally feeling settled when the City of Greater Geelong council told her that she would be required to apply for a permit to remain on the property after attracting a complaint. She was given just days to comply and warned it'd be "unlikely" the permit would be approved. Keys' home in Geelong is located on a 100-acre property owned by her friend. Source: Supplied Teena Keys facing homelessness 'again at 57' Now, a little over two weeks since the mum began her quest to legally remain on the property, she said she's been slugged with almost $8000 worth of fees associated with a planning permit, which she can't afford. "The planning Permit is priced at $7,700, with the council still able to reject the cabin its like playing Russian roulette with my life," Keys told Yahoo. "Do I pay the $7,700 that you dont have, just to be rejected? My cabin is still unfinished and I cant afford to transport it off the farm, unfortunately. So now as a result, Im unable to afford this gamble. "With a very, very heavy heart, Im disappointed to say that I have to complete the cabin and leave the farm within 80 days." The heartbroken 57-year-old said she has "no idea where I go from here with no savings" and that she really doesn't "know what to do" moving forward. Teena Keys spent $19,000 renovating a site hut into a home, but now is facing having to move if her council permit is rejected. Source: Supplied "Im organising a working bee on the cabin at the start of August, so fingers crossed I can sell it or better still, find land to relocated it and finally call it home," she said. "The realisation of being on the streets at 57 is definitely kicking in." The ordeal has been "so hard to swallow", Keys said, and it's been "really difficult" to "watch myself go through this again". "And it's not just me, it's about all the other people who are facing similar," she said. "There are women and children sleeping in cars, there's elderly men sleeping down at the river in tents." Lack of housing 'so common' in Geelong area Keys said the increasingly dire lack of housing "is so common in our little town here in Geelong" and "it's so sad" to see. She's now urging the City of Greater Geelong to adopt a common sense approach when it comes to situations like hers, calling on the authority not to make things harder for people who finally find their own "solution" to the housing crisis. Teena Keys is now calling on the City of Greater Geelong council not to create unnecessary hoops for Aussies to jump through just to put a roof over their heads. Source: Facebook "Wouldn't it be fabulous to get people off the streets and out of their cars and into small homes on properties that are otherwise often only inhabited by lonely farmers?" she said. Council stands firm on stance Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, City of Greater Geelong Executive Director Placemaking Tennille Bradley earlier said she "sympathised with Ms Keys situation" but stood firm on council's stance. "Unfortunately, Geelong is not immune to the housing crisis that is impacting people across Australia," she said. "However, we have received complaints, as Ms Keys is currently living in a relocatable shed on a rural property, which requires both a planning permit and a building permit. "Due to the presence of two dwellings already on the rural property, along with another habitable building, it is unlikely that a planning permit would be issued. "We acknowledge Ms Keys circumstances, but these regulations are in place to ensure proper land use and safety standards. We must also respect the rights of the complainant to have their concerns addressed." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Multiple sections of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, including the ones concerning the governments powers to suspend telecom services and intercept communications in the interest of national security, those regarding offences related to unlawful interception, those allowing the creation of regulatory sandboxes and the ones listing duties of users, will come into effect from June 26, the ministry of communications notified in the gazette on Friday evening. The Telecom Act was passed by both the Houses during the Winter Session in December last year The Telecom Act was passed by both the Houses during the Winter Session in December last year, and it received presidential assent the same month. It replaced the Indian Telegraph Act (1885) and the Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933). Industry bodies had welcomed the Bill, but some MPs and privacy and technology activists had expressed concerns. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 26th Day of June 2024 as the date on which the provisions of sections 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of the said Act shall come into force, the notification said. Significantly, the sections related to the auction and allocation of spectrum, adjudication of certain contraventions, and amendments to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, do not come into force on Wednesday. To be sure, enforcement of some of the sections, such as those related to implementing the Right of Way for telecom network and infrastructure (sections 11, 12, 15, 17) and those related to the procedures and safeguards related to interception and suspension of services (section 20) amongst others are reliant on the notification of rules and regulations. These will be notified later. Until then, extant rules and regulations will continue to ply until and unless they are contrary to the new Act as given under Section 61, a senior government official clarified on the condition of anonymity. Section 61 will also come into force on Wednesday. From Wednesday, the Universal Service Obligation Fund which was created to develop telecom infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the country using funds gathered through the universal service levy imposed on telecom service operators will be known as Digital Bharat Nidhi under sections 24 to 26. Some of the provisions such as suspension and interception of messages that will come into force on Wednesday were already in force through extant laws such as the Indian Telegraph Act. Others related to duties of users, criminalisation of certain acts such as tampering of telecom identifiers, and creation of regulatory sandboxes are new. The government will be able to create regulatory sandboxes where new products, services, processes and business models can be tested on a limited set of users without having to comply with all the obligations of the Act. Section 21, which empowers the central government to order suspension, removal or prohibition of specified telecom equipment and services from notified countries or persons for national security reasons, will also come into effect. Similarly, section 28, which protects users from spam and allows them to report malware, will also come into effect. These measures are already in force through different regulations and portals administered by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunication (DoT). Section 29, which comes into force on Wednesday, forbids users from furnishing false particulars while availing a telecom service. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, had similarly imposed duties on principals that, among other things, forbade impersonation and suppression of material information while getting any document issued by the state. Since the definition of telecommunication services is so wide, it is unclear if this means that users cannot create anonymous or dummy accounts on online services such as Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc., or what happens to anonymity at large on the internet. After the Bill was passed by both Houses in December 2023, the then communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told the Economic Times that OTT communication services such as WhatsApp would not be covered by the Bill. However, this was never clarified on the floor of either house even though multiple parliamentarians had questioned Vaishnaw about it during the discussion on the bill. As a result, while the government will now be empowered to notify standards, including for encryption and data processing in telecommunications, from Wednesday, the concerns around whether the central government can notify encryption standards for end-to-end encrypted services such as WhatsApp, Signal and iMessage still persist. Under section 20, the government is empowered to take temporary possession of any telecom service or network during a public emergency (including disaster management) or in the interest of public safety and to order interception and suspension of services. This section, which comes into force on Wednesday, is almost identical to section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, which has been in effect since 1885. It also allows the government to stop the transmission of any message or class of messages relating to any particular subject. The one change is that it requires the disclosure of messages in intelligible format. Since the class of messages is not defined, it could be defined by the nature of the message (texts, images, videos), or nature of the service (email, messages on WhatsApp), or any other classification category. Since it allows such interception and disclosure to be done for any particular subject, this can be used to monitor all communications as well. For instance, if the officer wants all messages related to Parliament or ice cream to be intercepted, that is possible only if all messages are being monitored. This provision also threatens end-to-end encryption because it requires the disclosure of the message in intelligible format. This is similar to a provision at different times called Chat Control, upload moderation, and client-side scanning that was withdrawn by the European Council on Thursday because of the threat it poses to privacy and encryption. Investigators probing the May 13 hoarding collapse incident of Mumbai's Ghatkopar area, have now directed their attention towards a series of 'money transactions' that allegedly link between the company that owned the illegal hoarding, to a business associate of a senior police officer's wife, The Indian Express has reported. Mumbai, India - A scene from the incident site on May 14, a day after the tragedy ( Praful Gangurde / HT Photo ) In December 2022, IPS officer Quaiser Khalid, the then Government Railway Police (GRP) commissioner allowed Ego Media Private Limited to install the structure; he is accused of doing so without receiving mandatory permission from the police chief of Maharashtra. Khalid has claimed that he is being made a scapegoat. The mishap claimed 17 lives and injured more than 60 people. The money trail According to the Indian Express, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Police has found that Ego Media deposited 46.5 lakh in 39 transactions into 10 different bank accounts between 2021 and 2022; all the money is believed to have been taken by an individual person as Arshad Khan. As per the Registrar of Companies (RoC) records, Khan is a co-director in Mahpara Garments Private Limited, a Mumbai-based company, where Sumanna Quaisar Khalid, the spouse of IPS officer Quaisar Khalid, is a co-director as well. The records also show that both were appointed on June 28, 2022 in the firm which was incorporated in the same month. This information has not been independently verified by HT. Meanwhile, the individuals in whose bank accounts the money was transferred, are not associated with Ego Media, the report says. When we asked Bhavesh Shinde, the arrested Ego Media director, and others at the company, we were told that Arshad Khan had asked them to give him cheques without mentioning the names of the recipients, a source said. The SIT then contacted the account-holders and found that they were not economically well-off. They told investigators that Arshad Khan, who stays in Shivaji Nagar, was known to them, and had sought their bank account details to transfer money. The money was eventually withdrawn by Khan himself, they stated. Their statements have been recorded," the source added. Additionally, an engineer in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is also under the SIT's scanner for a allegedly promising Ego Media a favourable report on the hoarding from the BMCs law department. Thus far, four people, including the former and current directors of the advertising firm, an engineer with a private company that provided a safety certificate for the structure, and the man who oversaw its construction, have been arrested by the SIT. The Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit (EOU), which is leading the investigation into the medical exam National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), has identified Sikandar Yadvendu as the main suspect allegedly responsible for distributing the exam's question papers illegally. Students burn an effigy during their protest against the NEET UG entrance exam paper leak, in Patna. (ANI) The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has arrested 13 people, including four NEET-UG 2024 examinees and their family members, all from Bihar. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manavjit Singh Dhillon stated that the EOU has also issued notices to nine other candidates to join the investigation, with seven from Bihar, one from Uttar Pradesh, and one from Maharashtra. Among those arrested are Anurag Yadav, a NEET candidate, his uncle Sikandar Yadvendu, and two others named Nitish Kumar and Anand on May 5. Anurag told the police that Yadavendu had promised to provide the exam questions before the test. The NEET-UG 2024 results were announced on June 4, leading to an uproar over alleged discrepancies. As per reports, nine candidates, along with the four arrested examinees, received the exam's question paper and answers in a 'safe house' near Patna a day before the exam on May 5. During questioning, the candidates revealed that their parents paid over 30 lakh each to get the question papers in advance. These candidates were brought to a rented house in Ramkrishna Nagar, Patna, where they were given the papers and answers. Police searched the premises and found mobile phones, admit cards, and other incriminating documents. Who is Sikandar Yadvendu and how was he involved in the leak? Yadvendu is a junior engineer at the municipal committee of Danapur and has been arrested as the prime suspect in the paper leak case. The 56-year-old comes from a farmer's family and used to work as a small contractor until 2012, the Indian Express reported. Living in a rented flat in Rupaspur in Patna's Danapur, Yadvendu holds a diploma in engineering and has worked as a contractor for over a decade. Yadvendu's father was a farmer and his family owns around eight bighas of land in Bihar's Samastipur. After finishing class 10 in the 1980s, he moved to Ranchi for further studies and got a diploma. In 2012, when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power in Bihar, Yadvendu secured a job as a junior engineer in the state's water resources department. In 2016, Yadavendu was implicated in a 2.92 crore LED scam in the Rohtas Municipal Council, where he was in charge. He was accused of buying LEDs at inflated prices for Dalmianagar. He was arrested and later released on bail, Indian Express report stated. In 2021, he reportedly used his connections to get transferred to the urban development and housing department, securing a position in the Danapur Municipal Council. Indian Express reported that he had influence there and would approve the layouts for new apartment projects in the area. The political row over Yadavendu On Thursday, Bihar Deputy chief minister Vijay Sinha alleged that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's personal secretary, Pritam Kumar, contacted a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) guest house worker to reserve a room for Yadavendu. On May 1, Tejashwi Yadav's personal secretary Pritam Kumar called guesthouse worker Pradip Kumar to book a room for Sikander Kumar Yadavendu who was jailed in Ranchi. On May 4, Pritam Kumar called Pradip Kumar again to book the room in the NHAI guest house. The word 'Mantri' was used for Tejashwi Yadav. Tejashwi Yadav should clarify if Pritam Kumar is still his PS and he should also clarify who Sikander Kumar Yadavendu is. When Lalu Prasad Yadav was jailed in Ranchi, Sikander Kumar Yadavendu used to be at Lalu's service. He was a Junior Engineer in the irrigation department. They play with the future of the people. They do scams when they are in power and they try to influence the appointment process, he said at a press conference. Responding to the allegations, Yadav said on Friday, The INDIA alliance is united on this issue. We want the NEET exam to be immediately cancelled. The (BJP) have all the investigation agencies, they can call the PS or PA anyone for probe. They want to divert the issue from the kingpin. Those who want to drag my name or my PA's name, this will not benefit anyone. The engineer who is talked about could be a beneficiary but Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar are the masterminds of the paper leak. The people of the country know that whenever BJP comes to power, then paper leaks happen. He added, Only Vijay Sinha is making these claims. The Economic Offences Wing (EOU) has never raised any question. When the arrests happened in May since then we have been raising our voices to carry out a probe. The engineer (Sikandar Yadvendu) about whom they are talking was recruited in 2021 by them in the urban development from the water resources department. Why do they want to save Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar? The truth will prevail soon. When paper leaks happened in the third phase of teachers' recruitment test (TRE) conducted by BPSC the accused get bail without going to prison. For weeks, protests have swept across India as thousands of students hit the streets against this years process amid allegations of NEET-UG question paper leaks (File) NEET UG 2024 row highlights: Amidst the controversy surrounding malpractices in the NEET-UG and the cancellation of the UGC NET exam, the Centre announced on Friday the enforcement of the "Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024." This law aims to prevent unfair practices in public examinations and common entrance tests conducted nationwide and takes effect on Friday....Read More What does the new law say? The Act defines public examinations as those administered by authorities designated by the central government. These encompass various entities such as the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Testing Agency, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and departments of the central government and their affiliated offices for recruitment purposes. Furthermore, the Act prohibits the premature disclosure of confidential exam-related information and unauthorised individuals from entering exam centres to cause disturbances. The law entails stringent punitive provisions for those involved in these offences, including a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to 1 crore. The Bill received approval from both Houses of Parliament during the Budget session, which concluded on February 10. Its primary objective is to curb the use of unfair means in public examinations and enhance greater transparency, fairness, and credibility. All offences outlined in the Bill will be deemed cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. NET UGC/ CSIR NET UGC The CSIR UGC-NET examination has been postponed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) due to unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues, as announced on Friday. On Wednesday, the Centre announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination, after it was held on June 18, following initial indications suggesting a compromise in its integrity. The UGC-NET assesses Indian nationals' eligibility for positions such as 'Assistant Professor' and 'Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor' in universities and colleges across India. The NEET row The release of NEET results on June 4 saw an unprecedented occurrence in the history of the NTA, with 67 students achieving a perfect score of 720. Six students from a centre in Haryana's Faridabad were among those listed, prompting concerns about potential irregularities. Allegations suggest that the inclusion of grace marks may have contributed to the top rank being shared by 67 students. On Friday, the Supreme Court declined to postpone the NEET-UG counselling process, set to commence on July 6, asserting that it is not straightforward. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is preparing to conduct a retest for the medical entrance exam on Sunday for 1,563 candidates who had previously been granted grace marks to compensate for lost time at six centres. New rules governing the classification of occupational disabilities among soldiers and the grant of associated pensions to them have streamlined the system and there is no scope for misuse of the provisions because of strict scrutiny at multiple levels, a top army doctor said on Saturday. Lieutenant General Ajith Nilakantan Each case related to grant of disability pension is scrutinised by the appropriate medical boards and strict adherence to the rules is ensured at all levels, Lieutenant General Ajith Nilakantan, commandant, Army Hospital (Research and Referral), told a group of journalists on Saturday. The 1,200-bed hospital, which has more than 300 doctors, is one of the countrys top medical facilities. A medical downgrade following a disability entitles a service member to better retirement benefits. There is no possibility of misuse, Nilakantan said. He was responding to a question on the possible misuse of the disability pension provisions, a subject which has been at the centre of a raging debate for a few years and even led the defence ministry to announce new rules last year. The revised policy, Entitlement Rules for Casualty Pension and Disability Compensation Awards to Armed Forces Personnel, 2023 and Guide to Medical Officers, came into effect on September 21, 2023. The revised policy aligns with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which came into force in 2017, Nilakantan said. The armed forces have aligned with the Act and things are working smoothly. I dont think it is possible for any undeserving case to get past our procedure of very strict scrutiny by medical boards at different levels. Misuse is not possible because there are too many levels of scrutiny, he said. The government notified the new rules in September 2023, five months after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) told the defence ministry to analyse the reasons for disability among soldiers following its finding that almost 40% of officers, and 18% of personnel below officer rank (PBOR) who retire every year were drawing disability pension. The national auditor examined disability pensions disbursed to personnel discharged from service during 2015-2020. The new rules governing disability pension will safeguard the legitimate interests of people who acquire disabilities during service, prevent the misuse of liberal provisions, help run the armed forces efficiently, ensure battle readiness and encourage physical fitness across the board, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan said last year. His comments were aimed at clarifying the entitlement rules against the backdrop of some ex-servicemen groups questioning provisions related to the grant of disability pension, including its calculation, eligibility and diseases attributable to or aggravated by military service. To be sure, the revised policy tightened the norms for claiming disability pension. But it did not introduce any change in the entitlement of those granted compensation for death or disability or alter the emoluments of war widows, family pensioners and veterans. The previous rules were promulgated 15 years ago. On average for the same rank, a disability pension can be 20% to 50% more than a normal one and comes with tax exemption. The CAG report also flagged concerns about disability pensions being given due to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Disability pension claims shot up in the years following the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission report in 2006 as it significantly enhanced benefits. A decade ago, the militarys senior-most doctor said officers nearing retirement were abusing disability benefits for higher and tax-free pensions, flagging concerns about the trend of fit officers exploiting the welfare measure by getting themselves placed in the lower medical category. I would like to apprise you of an alarming trend evolving in the services, with regards to claims for disability pension being preferred by senior officers of the rank of lieutenant general and major general and their equivalent, Lieutenant General BK Chopra, then director general, Armed Forces Medical Services, said in a letter to the defence secretary in December 2014. These senior officers, who have stayed in Shape-1 medical category throughout their career, suddenly present (themselves) with disease at the fag end of their service, he wrote. Amid a massive row over alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG test and the cancellation of UGC-NET entrance exam, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday postponed the June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and University Grants Commission National Eligibility test. The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET is a test conducted to determine eligibility for junior research fellowship and admissions to PhD in science courses. National Students Union of India (NSUI) supporters stage a protest against ongoing NEET UG and NET examination issue. (ANI) The Centre on Friday notified a stringent law to end malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations. The law entails stringent punitive provisions for those involved in these offences, including a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to 1 crore. Here are 10 points on NEET, UGC-NET paper leak row: The National Testing Agency, which is in dock over the cancellation of UGC-NET exam after paper leak was detected on the internet, postponed the CSIR-UGC-NET citing unavoidable circumstances as well as logistical issues. "The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination June-2024 which was scheduled to be held between 25.06.2024 and 27.06.2024 is being postponed due to unavoidable circumstances as well as logistic issues. The revised schedule for the conduct of this examination will be announced later through the official website," the NTA said in a circular. The Congress took potshots at the BJP-led Central government over the development. "Yet another NTA exam postponed. This time it is the CSIR-UGC-NET. Clearly, NTA has become Narendra's Trauma Agency for youth," said senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. The CSIR-UGC-NET exam is conducted twice a year -- June and December -- in five subjects, including Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences in computer-based format. Its score paves the way for admissions in all premier institutions offering PhD courses in these disciplines, including IITs and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs). More than 2 lakh students were supposed to take the exam. In December last year, over 1.75 lakh students appeared for the test. Meanwhile, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was notified by the personnel ministry on Friday night. The provisions of the law came into force from June 21, four months after President Droupadi Murmu approved it. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of June, 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force," reads the notification. The law was passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 9. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on February 6. It received the President's approval on February 12. Examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the railways, banking recruitment examinations and the National Testing Agency (NTA) come under the purview of the law. Per the law, those involved in organised crimes linked to cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of 1 crore. The BJP government has ordered a CBI probe into the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday that the exam was cancelled after the authorities found the question paper on darknet. The paper was also being circulated on Telegram, he added. He said the paper leak was the institutional failure of NTA. The government has formed a committee of experts that will recommend reforms in the testing agency. "The paper leak is an institutional failure of NTA. We are assuring you that there will be a reform committee and action will be taken," he said. The Supreme Court on Saturday refused to stop the counselling of the NEET exam. Medical aspirants have alleged irregularities in the conduct of the exam after as many as 67 students scored full 720 marks in one of the toughest tests in the country. There is also discontent against the grace marks. The agency has asked over 1500 students to retake the medical entrance test. The authorities have arrested four people in Bihar, including a medical aspirant, for the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG 2024 exam. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the government over alleged irregularities in competitive exams. "In the last five years, papers of 43 recruitment exams have been leaked in the country. Paper leak has become a national problem of our country under BJP rule which has ruined the future of crores of youth so far. India is the youngest country in the world. We have the largest youth population. Instead of making these youth skilled and capable, the BJP government is making them weak," she alleged. With inputs from ANI, PTI Three Opposition leaders, TR Balu of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), K Suresh of the Congress and Sudip Bandopadhyay of the Trinamool Congress, who are in the panel to assist protem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, might not perform their duties as a mark of protest, a top Opposition leader said on Saturday. The Opposition parties alleged that the BJP didnt follow the tradition of appointing the most experienced member of the Lok Sabha as protem Speaker. (File Photo) The Opposition will withdraw its leaders from the panel as it is unhappy with the BJPs decision to overlook K Suresh, an eighth-term lawmaker, for the post of protem Speaker and make Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mahtab the interim Speaker. The Opposition parties alleged that the BJP didnt follow the tradition of appointing the most experienced member of the Lok Sabha as protem Speaker. Newly-appointed parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday slammed the Congress for politicising the appointment of Lok Sabha protem Speaker and asserted that conventions were followed in selecting BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab. Mathab, a seven-time lawmaker was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu as the protem Speaker on Thursday, to which the Congress accused the BJP-led government of destroying parliamentary norms by ignoring the claim of Suresh to the post. Slamming the Congress, Rijiju said that Suresh, though an eight-time MP, was not a member of the Lok Sabha in 1998 and 2004 and hence did not have an uninterrupted tenure in the Lok Sabha. Do you think such an argument is even valid? the minister shot back when asked about the Congress claims that Suresh was ignored for the post as he was a Dalit. Rijiju said the Congress was lying and misleading the people about the government flouting rules in the appointment of protem Speaker. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with the visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Hyderabad House in the national capital on Saturday. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina before a meeting, at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav) (PTI06_22_2024_000126B)(PTI) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi extended a warm welcome to his Bangladesh counterpart and said that the two leaders have met 10 times since 2019. "Deepening India-Bangladesh Maitri! PM Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at Hyderabad House ahead of their bilateral discussions. The two leaders have met each other ten times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship," Jaiswal said in a post on X. Hasina, the first foreign guest on a bilateral State visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan early this morning The Ministry of External Affairs termed this a ceremonial welcome for a "special partner." The Bangladesh PM Hasina arrived in India on Friday on a two-day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A ceremonial welcome for a special partner! PM @narendramodi received PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X today. Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM. Following this, PM Hasina paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. "A heartfelt homage to Bapu! PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Mahatma's ideals continue to serve as guiding principles of our close and warm relationship," the MEA spokesperson said in a subsequent post. This visit will give a "major boost" to India-Bangladesh ties, Randhir Jaiswal earlier said in a social media post. EAM Jaishankar had on Friday called on the visiting Bangladesh PM. Following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her state visit highlights "close and abiding ties" between the two countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9. Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina. The year 2023 witnessed a spur of bilateral activities between both countries as an embodiment of the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 in a virtual format. The Bangladeshi PM also participated virtually in the Inaugural Session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023 and the second Virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on November 17, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday discussed furthering defence ties, defence production, cooperation on counter-terrorism, management of the border and other issues, in their bilateral talks in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina for her ceremonial reception. (ANI) At a joint press meeting with her Bangladeshi counterpart, PM Modi said the neighbouring country is situated at the confluence of New Delhi's Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, Vision Sagar and Indo-Pacific Vision. "To further strengthen our defence ties, we had detailed discussions from defence production to modernisation of armed forces. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation over counter-terrorism, fundamentalism and peaceful management of the border. Our vision for the Indian Ocean Region is the same. We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. We will continue our cooperation at BIMSTEC and other regional and international forums," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. PM Modi said the two countries have together completed many important projects for public welfare. Also read: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina arrives on two-day visit to India, meets Jaishankar "Trade in Indian rupees has started between the two countries. The world's longest river cruise on the Ganga river between India and Bangladesh has been successfully completed. The first cross-border friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh has been completed. Export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid has become the first example of sub-regional cooperation in the energy sector. Implementing such a big initiative in so many areas in just one year reflects the speed and scale of our relations," he said, per ANI. PM Narendra Modi further said the two countries are focusing on connectivity, commerce and collaboration. He said the two nations will enhance focus on digital and energy connectivity to spur their economies. "Both sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to take our economic ties to new heights...54 rivers connect India and Bangladesh we have cooperated over flood management, early warning and drinking water projects. We have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. For the conservation and management of Teesta river in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon," PM Modi added. PM Modi said India and Bangladesh have prepared a futuristic vision, which includes green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy and space. "We have met 10 times in the last one year. However, this meeting is special because Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is the first state guest after the third term of our government, he added. PM Hasina said India is Bangladesh's major neighbour and trusted friend. "Bangladesh greatly values its relations with India," she said. She invited PM Modi to visit her country. "Come to Bangladesh to witness what all we have done and plan to do," she said. Amid the ongoing row over the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre overlooking Congress party's Kodikunnil Suresh for the post of pro-tem (temporary) Speaker, BJP's Kerala unit chief K Surendran asked the grand old party to protest by making Suresh the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha. Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh (File Photo) At any rate, this man (Suresh) should be made LoP. This is how the Congress party should express its protest against him not being made a pro-tem Speaker, Surendran said in a Facebook post on Saturday. His dig at the grand old party came a day after Suresh, the senior-most member of Lok Sabha, stated that as per convention, he should have been made the pro-tem Speaker. The politician, 62, recently won his eighth Lok Sabha election; he is a four-term winner from the Adoor constituency, and now a four-term winner from the Mavelikara seat. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on June 24 and the pro-tem Speaker will administer oath to members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The election for the Speaker's position will be held on June 26. BJP's Bhartruhari Mahtab has been appointed by President Droupadi Murmu as the pro-tem Speaker. Mahtab won six Lok Sabha elections as a BJD leader and the seventh as a leader of the BJP, which he joined just before the recently-held national polls. On a high after winning 99 seats, a significant improvement from its tally of 44 and 52 seats in 2014 and 2019, respectively, the Congress now wants its most prominent face and the party's former national president, Rahul Gandhi, to be the LoP. Gandhi, who won both his seats Kerala's Wayanad and Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, and decided to retain the latter constituency and vacate the former is yet to take a call on being the opposition's leader in the House. (With PTI inputs) Queensland amateur photographer Dave Newman has been photographing wildlife for three decades. He said he's never seen a display quite like this before. An Aussie wildlife photographer has captured the "very special" moment a "spectacular" green tree python ambushed and devoured a rainbow skink, a "rare, incredible" scene to come across during daylight in the predominately nocturnal species. Melbourne man Dave Newman said he regularly takes trips to Iron Range, which is situated on the north-east coast of the Cape York Peninsula, to snap the area's "unique" wildlife not found anywhere else in the country. He said in all his time travelling to the spot, he's "never seen green pythons feed during the day" before. Green tree pythons are only found in rainforests in the Cape York area in Australia. Source: Supplied/Dave Newman Wildlife photographer stunned by 'rare' sight at Cape York "I've always suspected the young ones do, because they're tiny when they're babies of course. The only things they could probably take are skinks and geckos and things. But clearly, adults do it as well," Newman, who has been photographing wildlife for 25 years, told Yahoo News Australia. "They hang from a low branch or vine, virtually at ground level, waiting for prey to pass. None of the elapid snakes in Australia do that." Newman said that in the three decades he's been photographing nature, his recent trip to Iron Range was the first time he's ever managed to capture a juvenile green python, which are, ironically, yellow when they're born. The impressive animals are non-venomous, but have a serious set of teeth. Source: Supplied/Dave Newman Juvenile green tree snakes 'more spectacular' colour than adults Newman argues that the juveniles are "even more" spectacular than the adults. "They transition from yellow to green, at a certain age or size, they will turn from yellow to green. I found a juvenile for the first time on this trip. The colours are pretty incredible," he said. "I've visited that area, probably eight or nine times, it's right at the tip of Cape York, so far northern Queensland. And that particular area is pretty special because it's kind of like an equivalent of a small slice of Papua New Guinea. "Australia was joined with PNG about 10,000 years ago. So it's kind of a remnant of New Guinea, that small section up there. There's quite a few species that are only found in that part of Australia and nowhere else. That's why I often go, it's very unique." Ironically, green tree pythons are a striking shade of yellow when they're young. Source: Supplied/Dave Newman Green tree pythons only found in Queensland's Far North After searching continuously, Newman said he managed to locate a total of 28 green pythons on his latest trip. "I'm reasonably good at finding them because I've been doing it for a long time," he said. "They're just amazing snakes, I can never get enough of them." In Australia green tree pythons are only found in the rainforests of eastern Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland. It is also widely distributed in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. Hatchlings emerge from their eggs in a bright sulphur yellow or sometimes reddish orange, transforming into the adult colouration after one to two years. Green pythons are comparatively short, stout-bodied snakes that rarely exceed 1.5 to 1.8 metres in length. Like all pythons, they are non-venomous, but are armed with a long set of recurved teeth Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government on Friday over frequent exam paper leaks, alleging it has become a national issue under the BJP rule, which has "ruined the future" of millions of young people. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (ANI Photo) Priyanka Gandhi attacked the government amid uproar over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) medical entrance exam and the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam due to integrity concerns. In a post on X, she demanded strict action over the "NEET scam" to ensure justice for 24 lakh students. Congress leaders and workers held protests on Friday regarding the cancellation of NEET medical exams. The NEET exam was held on May 5, with about 24 lakh students taking it. However, after the results came out on June 4, there were allegations of paper leaks. Today, Indian National Congress colleagues across the country protested against the NEET exam scam. Rampant corruption in recruitments, paper leaks and educational scams under the BJP rule are pushing the country's future into darkness. This game of corruption must be stopped immediately. We demand that there should be immediate and strict action on the scam in the NEET exam so that 24 lakh youth get justice, Priyanka said in the post. In another post in Hindi on X. the Congress leader wrote, In the last five years, papers of 43 recruitment exams have been leaked in the country. Paper leak has become a national problem of our country under BJP rule which has ruined the future of crores of youth so far. India is the youngest country in the world. We have the largest youth population. Instead of making these youth skilled and capable, the BJP government is making them weak. Priyanka Gandhi stated that millions of talented students work tirelessly, day and night, to prepare for exams, while their parents make significant sacrifices to support their education. Children wait for years for a vacancy to come. When a vacancy comes, there is the cost of filling the form, the cost of going for the exam, and finally the whole effort is wasted due to corruption. The BJP's corruption is weakening the country, she further said. On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "psychologically collapsed" post Lok Sabha elections and will now struggle to run the government. He also claimed that the main reason for paper leaks was that educational institutions had been taken over by the BJP and its parent organisation RSS. The controversy around this years NEET began when students at a Rajasthan centre received English question papers instead of Hindi ones. There were also reports of torn OMR sheets and delays in distributing the papers. In Patna, a case was filed over a paper leak, leading to the arrest of 13 people involved in solving and supplying answers, including four examinees. For weeks, thousands of students protested across India, alleging question paper leaks, inflated marks, and arbitrary grace marks. Opposition parties demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the issues. Union agriculture minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's son has claimed that "entire Delhi is bowing down" before his father after his victory in the Lok Sabha elections, reported PTI. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.(PTI) Kartikeya Singh made the statement while addressing a public meeting at Bherunda of the Budhni assembly segment of Sehore district on Friday. "I have just returned after staying in Delhi. Earlier too, our leader (Shivraj Chouhan) was popular as chief minister. But I don't know why it seems that he became more popular when he was not the chief minister," he said, according to PTI. Now, when our leader has gone after a huge victory, the whole of Delhi also bows down before him today. Entire Delhi also knows him, recognises him, respects him. Not just Delhi, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, if we count the top leaders, then our leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan figures in the list. added Kartikeya Singh, an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania of US. Also Read | Chouhan, Sarma to lead BJP charge in Jharkhand assembly polls Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan won the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh by a margin of over 8.20 lakh votes. He was appointed agriculture minister in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari, took a swipe at Kartikeya Singh's statement. He said that the statement indicates that Delhi is scared and that there is fear of dissent within the BJP. "Shivraj ji's yuvraj (prince) is saying that Delhi is scared. This is 100% true. Because, the country is also watching the scared dictator carefully," he wrote on X. "There is fear of the voice of dissent within the party, rebellion of big leaders, coalition management, decreasing support to government and fear of shaking legs of the chair," he stated. (Inputs from PTI) Faced with criticism for wide off the mark exit polls, Pradeep Gupta, chief of Axis My India, dismissed calls to ban them as childish. He said that the public wants election results, and banning polls serves no purpose. New Delhi: Chairman & MD, Axis My India Pradeep Gupta during an interview with PTI, in New Delhi, Wednesday, June 19, 2024.((PTI Photo/Kamal Singh) ) Opposition parties have sought a ban and investigations by SEBI and a Joint Parliamentary Committee, alleging that the stock market surged after exit polls predicted a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but plummeted when the election results did not give the party a clear majority. ALSO READ- Wide off the mark exit polls emerge as the biggest losers in Lok Sabha verdict First, they used to call exit polls unscientific, but now they want exit polls to be banned. These are childish talks. Every single citizen and organisation wants to know the election results and banning exit polls would serve no purpose. Exit polls are not just to tell who is winning and losing; it also helps political parties analyse the result, Gupta said in an interview with PTI. Axis My India had predicted 361-401 seats for the BJP-led alliance in Lok Sabha 2024 elections as against the actual tally of 293 seats. ALSO READ- Axis My India's Pradeep Gupta weeps on live TV as exit poll predictions wildly go off mark. Viral video 'No stock market ties' Gupta said Axis My India has no stock market ties and welcomed investigations to prove their integrity. "My personal investment in stocks since April has been merely 35,000. Where have I benefited?" he said, adding that the company has no demat account. 'We need a law on exit polls.' Gupta advocated for regulations to enhance credibility and aid in conducting business. "We wrote to the home ministry; we were guided to the law ministry, which said that there is no law, so first, we need a law. From there, we were referred to the information and broadcasting ministry, where you get to set up a cell. We were told that you would publish a survey, but who would monitor who is right and wrong? Nothing has moved, but I strongly believe that we need regulations," he said. ALSO READ- Pro-tem Speaker row: Congress should protest by making K Suresh LoP, says BJP's Kerala unit chief 'We haven't worked for any foreign investors' He clarified that Axis My India does not conduct exit polls for foreign investors and has no external investments. Gupta said the company focused on corporate clients, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and denied any conflict of interest. Regarding client disclosure, Gupta mentioned that in the 2019 Haryana assembly elections BJP was its cleint, but they accurately predicted a hung assembly. "The prediction is part of a Harvard Business School case study and includes a disclosure. Wherever the client agrees we make a disclosure, there is nothing to hide," Gupta added. (Inputs from PTI) Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party-led city government, accusing its ministers of turning the water crisis into an opportunity' to blame neighbouring states. The shrill discourse of the Ministers of the GNCTD over the last few weeks, has been distressing and questionable at various levels. Drinking water supply has become a challenge in the national capital. Political leaders of Delhi have turned a crisis into an opportunity for blaming neighbouring states, with the sole aim of gaining political mileage, Saxena said in a statement as per ANI. ALSO READ: Delhi Police deploys water cannon against BJP protesters over water crisis Pointing that the capital is dependent on drinking water supply from neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Saxena added,"Interstate water-sharing arrangements are settled through institutional mechanisms created by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI, upheld time and again by the highest court of the land." The states are obliged to release water as per agreements signed under this framework. At the same time, the city government is under an obligation to ensure that this water resource is used efficiently to ensure equitable supplies across the city, the L-G's statement read. ALSO READ: Haryana CM Nayab Saini blames Arvind Kejriwal for Delhi water crisis, says The Delhi L-G's statement comes amid a heated war of words between the governments of Delhi and Haryana over the acute water crisis in the capital. Delhi's water resources minister Atishi is on an indefinite fast since Friday, alleging that the Haryana government didn't agree to supply the required quantity of water. This is the second day of my fast. There is an acute shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi receives water from its neighbouring states. Delhi receives a total of 1005 MGD of water that is supplied to the houses in Delhi. Of this, 613 MGD of water comes from Haryana but for the past several weeks, it has been releasing only 513 MGD, Atishi said in a video on her X handle. Due to this, more than 28 lakh people in Delhi are not receiving water. I tried everything but when the Haryana government didn't agree to supply water, I was left with no choice but to sit on a fast, she added. Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena and Delhi water minister Atishi.(Raj K Raj/HT File Photo) PETA India has donated a life-size mechanical elephant to the Pournamikavu Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. It will be used in all temple ceremonies, allowing real jumbos to stay in the wild with their families. The temple held an inauguration ceremony featuring traditional performances, the animal rights body said on Saturday. PETA India donates life-size mechanical elephant to Kerala temple.(PETA India) Actor Adah Sharma, famous for her role in "The Kerala Story", collaborated with PETA to donate a mechanical elephant, Baladhasan, to the temple in recognition of the temples decision never to own or hire live elephants. Baladhasan, the mechanical elephant, will perform in all temple ceremonies, allowing real elephants to stay with their families in the jungle homes, where they belong, PETA India said. ALSO READ- Elephants use 'names' to communicate with each other: Study Technological progress allows us to preserve our deep cultural traditions and heritage while allowing elephants, who are endangered, to live with their families in the jungle. I am delighted to contribute this mechanical elephant with PETA India, enabling followers to participate in sacred rituals in a manner that is both safe for humans and respectful of animals, said Adah Sharma in a statement. On this auspicious Pournami day, we are delighted to have mechanical elephant Baladhasan with us in honour of all the divine creatures who yearn to roam the earth free and secure with their loved ones, said Pournamikavu Temple Mukya Karyadarshi MS Bhuvanachandran. ALSO READ- Captive elephant transfer rules notified 'Adopt mechanical elephants to prevent cruelty': PETA India PETA India encouraged other venues to adopt mechanical elephants to prevent cruelty against live elephants, who often suffer in captivity due to harsh training and poor living conditions. Many elephants in captivity in India Many have extremely painful foot ailments and leg wounds from being chained on concrete for hours on end, and most do not get adequate food, water, or veterinary care let alone any semblance of a natural life, it said. ALSO READ- Mysore Dasara elephant electrocuted in Bhimanakatte Three life-size mechanical elephants are already in use. They include Irinjadappilly Raman at the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur, Mahadevan at the Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple in Kochi, and Shiva at the Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math in Mysuru. A fourth robotic elephant, Shankara Hariharan, was donated to the Sree Sankaran temple in Gudalur by the founding executive director of Voices for Asian Elephants, PETA India's statement said. PETA India advocated for retiring captive elephants to sanctuaries where they can live freely and recover from the trauma of captivity. The Pournamikavu Temple, known for its unique and large idols, is the latest to embrace this compassionate change. 'Price of liberty is eternal vigilance'- There aren't too many Indian MPs who would quote Thomas Jefferson (third President of the United States) to explain why they have taken up cudgels against the current regime, but Sagarika Ghose is no ordinary politician. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose.( Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times) For the uninitiated, Sagarika Ghose, a former Rhodes scholar and leading journalist of her era, post a brief sabbatical from the TV screens, is back in public life, but this time in a very different avatar -- as a Rajya Sabha MP of the Trinamool Congress. ALSO READ: Who is Sagarika Ghose, renowned journalist nominated by Trinamool Congress for Rajya Sabha polls? Sagarika has been anointed as the deputy chief of the parliamentary party in Rajya Sabha, and is raring to go all guns blazing against the Modi government, which is back in office for the third time with reduced majority. Before her first Parliamentary session, Hindustan Times caught up with Sagarika Ghose where she spoke about her plans, the party's strategy for Modi 3.0, women in politics and how she buried the hatchet with Mamata Banerjee post the infamous viral video of 2012. ALSO READ: Inspired by Mamata's courage: Journalist Sagarika Ghose as TMC names her Rajya Sabha candidate Bengal model of women empowerment in politics: Sagarika Sagarika believes there is a Bengal Model of women empowerment in politics which has paved the way for her and others to get nominated to Rajya Sabha. She credits Mamata Banerjee for not only facilitating schemes like Kanyashree, Lakshmir Bhandar targeted for women but for also ensuring that there is strong women leadership in all the functioning blocks of democracy, from Panchayat to Parliament. Sagarika's promotion into the leadership role is in line with the TMC supremo's plan of empowering women in politics. Sagarika is eager to form a coalition of strong women opposition leaders in the Parliament to corner the government very early in its third term. To push legislative agendas, she is willing to reach across the aisle but remains skeptical about how much BJP members would reciprocate. The NTA saga has hit Modi 3.0 virtually cutting short its honeymoon period. However, the TMC government in the state of West Bengal has also faced several recruitment scams where the smooth conducting of exams has been an issue. Sagarika Ghose believes the trick lies in hiring professionals to run these institutions. "Also excessive centralisation and the 'obsession' with one size fits all solution is leading to erosion of systems," laments TMC's newly minted Rajya Sabha MP. During the Lok Sabha election, the TMC ensured real-time fact check of all claims made by PM Modi on the campaign trail in Bengal. Modi 3.0 in borrowed time, may soon collapse: Sagarika Buoyed by its success, the party plans to continue this during the Parliamentary sessions, too. Sagarika echoes Rahul Gandhi's claim that Modi 3.0 is in borrowed time and may soon collapse. However, contrary to the popular choice inside the INDIA camp, the TMC MP wants Mallikarjun Kharge as the prospective PM, a name first floated by her party supremo in one of the opposition meetings. While it seems that there is no real immediate scope for Mamata Banerjee occupying the top spot in Indian politics, Sagarika believes Didi indeed fits the bill as a woman making it big without any political legacy. Citing examples of names like Indira Gandhi, Jayalalitha, Sheikh Hasina, Benazir Bhutto and Srimavo Bandaranaike among others, Sagarika wonders if Mamata is indeed a rare exception in South Asian politics, where usually women leaders gain power through association and aren't necessarily self-made. As she gushes effusively about her leader, words veer towards that infamous interview in 2012, when Mamata Banerjee lost her cool and left a town hall anchored by Sagarika Ghose. Even at a time when the words 'Reel' and 'Stories' meant something very different, at the infancy of social media, the video had gone viral. Sagarika, when quizzed about it, cites an example of another similar face-off between journalist Karan Thapar and then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi in 2007, and counters by saying would the PM ever think of offering a Rajya Sabha seat to the anchor. Sagarika believes that the fact that Mamata could look beyond that kerfuffle and offer her a Rajya Sabha seat a decade later, shows how big a democrat she is. The former anchor recollects that Bengal CM despite that public fallout had never harboured any rancour against her, and that they were in constant touch. She claims Mamata had called her just ten minutes after walking out of the show, Sagarika ascribes Mamata's knee jerk reaction as a defensive mechanism of a battle-hardened politician who was still learning the ropes of being a chief minister. She was a 'trainee CM' at that time, says the MP citing words of another senior journalist. Hence, even normal queries felt like part of a grand conspiracy. The Rajya Sabha MP also highlights how Didi has faced constant ridicule, mocking, and derision from a section of the society. She goes on to say women politicians face the double assault of being mocked for how they look, their attire, their voice, etc. aside from their work, unlike their male counterparts. As someone who often attracts severe heckling on social media, Sagarika Ghose says her coping mechanism is simple -- "completely ignoring abusive voices". When quizzed about how she is adapting to the challenges of adhering strictly to the party line in her arguments, rather than highlighting all angles of a story, a fundamental requirement for any journalist, Sagarika claims she feels much 'liberated' now away from the 'poisonous prison'. The former journalist believes that TV media is currently completely toeing the line of the ruling regime whereas she doesn't have to filter her views in columns and public engagements. Sagarika claims that she is free to issue her viewpoint openly in meetings and Mamata Banerjee is very open to contrarian viewpoints and gives it a patient hearing. Many journalists had earlier got Rajya Sabha tickets and later stepped away from active politics once their term ended. However, Sagarika Ghose has no such plans and is padding up for a long innings in public life. At 59, Ghose believes she has the time to make some meaningful changes in politics. Over the years, Mahua Moitra's takedown of the Modi government in the Lok Sabha has achieved a cult status. Only time will tell whether Sagarika can create similar ripples in the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations from Srinagar on Friday and said that the world was now looking at the practice as a powerful agent of public good. Modi, who was in Kashmir on the second of a two-day-visit, also said that yoga would soon become a boon for the tourism sector in the region, and morph into a valuable source of employment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads International Day of Yoga celebrations at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on Friday. (ANI) In 2014, the United Nations had declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga with Modi inaugurating the first edition of the event a year later. Since then, the scale of celebrations has only grown, with Modi leading a yoga session at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York in 2023, where he described yoga as truly universal and a unifying force across ethnicities, faiths and cultures. On Friday, even as Modi led a group of people inside the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar, politicians, bureaucrats, industrialists and actors conducted yoga sessions across the expanse of the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari; from Arunachal Pradesh to Rajasthan. In Srinagar, where Modi was initially scheduled to lead the yoga session at 6.30am in the lawns of the SKICC but was forced indoors by the inclement weather, he said, The world is looking at yoga as a powerful agent of global good. Yoga helps us live in the present moment without the baggage of the past. When we are peaceful within, we can also make a positive impact on the world... Yoga is making new ways of positive change in society. Modi said that the number of yoga practitioners was constantly on the rise globally, and wherever he went, he was often told by international leaders of the benefits of yoga. In many countries, yoga is becoming a part of their daily lives, he said. This increased interest, he said, has led to yoga tourism in states like Uttarakhand and Kerala, with people from across the globe travelling to India to gain an authentic understanding of the practice. People are now hiring personal yoga trainers for fitness, and companies are including yoga in mind and body programmes for their employees. It has opened new avenues of livelihood, Modi said. Modi said that the response to yoga from Jammu and Kashmir was heartening, calling it a spectacle of enthusiasm and commitment. Today will be immortalised in the minds of people. Even the fall in temperature amid the rainy weather couldnt dampen the spirit of the people... I have been seeing since yesterday that yoga is growing in popularity with the people of Srinagar and Jammu and Kashmir. This will attract more tourists here, he said. The Prime Minister said that yoga should be approached not just as a spiritual journey to find Allah, Ishwar or God but as a journey towards personal development. If you approach it in that way, there are a lot of benefits. Personal development leads to the benefit of society, which in turn leads to the benefit of humankind, Modi said. Extolling the virtues of yoga for the mind, he said that it helped calm the modern mind which is flooded by information. A solution for this is also in yoga as it helps the mind to focus. That is why from army to sports, yoga has been included in their routine... astronauts and people working on space projects are trained in yoga as it increases productivity as well as tolerance, Modi said. Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, who was at the event in Srinagar with the Prime Minister, said, I am grateful to the Prime Minister for giving Jammu and Kashmir the opportunity to lead the International Yoga Day celebrations. This historic event has put Jammu and Kashmir on the global map. Yoga plays the most significant role in enhancing the physical, psychological and emotional aspects of our well-being. The Prime Minister has taken yoga to the world. Famous for its beaches and vibrant parties in the Southern Hemisphere's summer, Rio de Janeiro now has an attraction for winter: humpback whales. A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) jumps at the coast of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. From Antarctica to Brazil: Humpback whale-watching draw tourists to Rio de Janeiro (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP) The tourism agency of Niteroi, Rio's sister city across the Guanabara Bay, on Thursday launched a whale-watching program that enables tourists to closely observe the mammoth mammals. Between June and November, humpback whales migrate to Brazilian waters to breed. Around 25,000 humpback whales make a 2,500-mile (4,000-kilometer) journey from feeding areas in Antarctica to northeast Brazil. Most concentrate in the Abrolhos region, an area of coral reefs off the coast of Bahia and Espirito Santo states known for featuring the greatest marine biodiversity in the South Atlantic. The whale-watching program is a joint initiative by the municipality of Niteroi and researchers from conservation initiative Amigos da Jubarte (Friends of the Humpback Whale), which also conducts scientific research during the tours. Tourism can be a tool for the protection of species, Andre Bento, president of Niteroi's tourism agency, told The Associated Press on an outing on Thursday. I dont think anyone who gets on this boat comes off the same way, right?" That's certainly true for Romina Gomes, a 49-year-old doctor from Rio, who was left awestruck after spotting five whales and four dolphins. Captivating, passionate, enchanting, she said. I couldn't have predicted such wonder, such beauty. The magnitude, the grace of a 40-ton animal that moves and dances with such lightness." As for the dolphins, they swam deftly alongside her boat and played in its wake. The expedition set off from the Niteroi Yacht Club, and new boarding locations may be used as whale-watching tourism develops, said Thiago Ferrari, Amigos da Jubarte's director. Researchers have spotted, on average, five whales per cruise, he said. Besides that, we have spotted different species of dolphins, turtles and numerous seabird species, Ferrari added, saying that success depends on wind and sea conditions. Each trip lasts about six hours, costing 550 Brazilian reais ($100) on weekdays and 600 reais on weekends. The guides follow federal environmental regulations that require vessels to stay at least 100 meters (328 feet ) from the whales, and for a maximum of 30 minutes. That time limit is halved if a calf is present. This period is sensitive, and these norms are important not just for the animals, but also for us, for our safety, said Luan Amaral, a 27-year-old researcher on the project. An Indian-origin entrepreneur says Bengaluru is on par with San Francisco when it comes to the startup ecosystem. Hardeep Gambhir, founder of The Residency, says he returned to India after seven years of living in the San Francisco Bay Area - a globally recognized hub for technology, startups, venture capital, and higher education. An entrepreneur lists Bengaluru's perks. Gambhir shared an X thread on the aspects where Bengaluru matches or outshines San Francisco. Since I moved out of India 7 years ago, I thought I'd never live here again, the founder of The Residency wrote on X. After spending a lot of time in the Bay, in May, I moved to Bangalore where I had never been to start The Residency. And it has been an immaculate SF-like experience in this city, he added. Uber Zone Gambhir began with his first day in Bengaluru, where he stepped out of the airport and did not have to wait for an Uber. Instead, he reached the Uber Zone at Kempegowda International Airport. At the Uber Zone, one can simply book an Uber and go to the first car in the queue of cars, tell your PIN to the driver and off you go to your destination, he said, adding that there was no waiting time with this method. English is widely spoken Next, he spoke about the prevalence of English in the city. Gambhir, who is originally from Toronto, said he was expecting to speak a bit of Hindi in Bengaluru. Surprisingly when I first spoke Hindi to an Auto-rickshaw driver, I got replies from him in English, he shared. Turns out Bangalore is the city with English as the most spoken language in India. I was so surprised by this. Insane talent HSR layout is like the Hayes Valley of SF here, he continued. Once you're tapped into the startup ecosystem, you start bumping into people in popular places often. Gambhir also praised the talent in Bengaluru and wondered why venture capitalists are not investing heavily here. In 1 month, I have met some insane builders here, he wrote. Services like Swiggy Instamart Next, he spoke about the much-touted convenience of living in India, where food and groceries can be delivered in 10 minutes flat. He urged his American readers to think of quick commerce like Swiggy Instamart as getting Walmart delivery in 4 to 7 minutes and 24x7. I once ordered a bunch of misc things at 2:33 AM and by 2:37 the dude was outside. Delivery charge was $0.03, he offered as an example. Low carrier charges The Bengaluru-based entrepreneur also mentioned low carrier charges in India. For $3.59 I get 1GB of 5G data per day for a month with unlimited calling, he said. For mobility, where San Francisco has Lime, Veo and Baywheels bikes, Bengaluru has Yulu electric bikes. Womens safety Gambhir also touched upon an aspect for which India is often criticised - the safety of its residents. He said that HSR Layout in Bengaluru, at least, is pretty safe, even for women. Mega cheap All in all, life in Bengaluru is mega cheap he wrote. Gambhir said his monthly expenses in Bengaluru come to around 900 USD, as opposed to the 2,500 USD he was spending per month in San Francisco. The city also offers Awesome community events like youd find on Luma in SF, he added. Pleasant weather Gambhir praised the one thing which comes up in every discussion about Bengaluru - the citys amazing weather. India is known to be deadly hot during this time of the year. Bangalore is fortunately in South India and it has mostly been a pleasant 23C on average, he wrote. Of course, there are also things he does not like about the Silicon Valley of India - like its mosquitoes and ridiculous security deposits for renting, he said. All in all, however, Gambhir said that much like San Francisco, Bengaluru offers a vibrant startup scene. Highly recommend for someone curious about another country's startup ecosystem like SF to come visit here. Also, the e-visa should take 3-5 days to get fully remote, he concluded. Police in Pune have arrested a woman and her friend for a dangerous stunt where the former dangled from the roof of a building for a video. The two were identified as Minakshi Salunkhe, 23, and Mihir Gandhi, 27. A third person, who was filming the video, is absconding. A man and a woman have been arrested for a dangerous stunt in Pune.(X/@moonfirescom) According to an IANS report, Bharti Vidyapeeth Police Station managed to trace the duo after a video of their dangerous stunt sparked outrage online. The video shows Salunkhe dangling from the top of a high building, supported by Gandhi who lay on the roof. The Reel went viral and led to backlash against the Pune duo for putting their lives in danger for social media clout. Hundreds of people also criticised them for setting a bad example in a day and age where dangerous stunts for social media have grown in popularity. Take a look at the video below: After the clip went viral, many social media users requested Pune Police to take action against Gandhi and Salunkhe. After we got information about the video, we launched investigations and managed to trace them. They were summoned to the police station late last night and placed under arrest. We have charged them under IPC Section 336 and others, Senior Inspector of Bharti Vidyapeeth Police Station, Dashrath Patil told IANS. Patil, however, said the two would not be remanded to custody as the offence is minor and carries a jail term of less than six months plus a fine, or both. He added that the search is on for the third person who was involved in the stunt - he shot the whole thing on his mobile phone. Leading publishers to promote Chinese academic books to global markets Xinhua) 15:01, June 22, 2024 Guests pose for a group photo after signing a strategic partnership framework agreement between Springer Nature and World Publishing Corporation (WPC) at the 30th Beijing International Book Fair in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Zhao) BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing 30th Beijing International Book Fair is seeing increased cooperation between domestic and foreign publishing institutions to facilitate the international dissemination of China's scientific research and academic achievements. Springer Nature and the Beijing-based World Publishing Corporation (WPC) signed a strategic partnership framework agreement at the fair on Friday, pledging to strengthen two-way copyright cooperation involving multiple disciplines. The WPC is a professional sci-tech publishing house under the China Publishing Group. Previously, cooperation between the two publishers mainly involved introducing Springer Nature's English-language publications to the Chinese market. With the new arrangement, Springer Nature is exploring more opportunities in the opposite direction, seeking to translate Chinese research achievements into English and promote them to the international book market, said Niels Peter Thomas, the publisher's managing director of books. "China has rapidly become a global leader in research output, demonstrating remarkable growth and influence in various academic disciplines," said Thomas, adding that the partnership will enhance Springer Nature's ability to disseminate Chinese scholarly work to a global audience and bring international research to China. Chinese and foreign publishers are also undertaking cooperation in other forms, such as co-publishing, to promote academic achievements from China. People attend the 30th Beijing International Book Fair in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) At last year's fair, Wiley signed an agreement with the Chemical Industry Press, announcing that the two companies will work together to publish more than 20 academic books authored by leading experts and scholars in China's scientific and technological innovation field in the next five years, aiming to enhance the visibility and influence of Chinese wisdom. And, just one year later, Wiley has presented six Chinese authors with certificates of recognition awarded to "excellent book authors." Similar cooperation also covers the humanities and social sciences. At this year's fair, Princeton University Press and Peking University's Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences launched the "Princeton-Wenyan China Lecture Series," which will facilitate the publication of books in English. They also co-hosted the "Globalizing Chinese Scholarship through Books" panel discussion. The 30th Beijing International Book Fair has gathered approximately 1,600 exhibitors from 71 countries and regions, with nearly 66 percent of the exhibitors from abroad. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) In just under 15 minutes, Geelong local Edward said his groceries were both delivered and swiftly stolen. A fed-up Geelong man is calling on Uber to better educate drivers on suitable delivery locations after his groceries were dumped on a footpath, instead of at his front door. Source: Facebook An Aussie man was out of pocket $100 earlier this week after a "lazy" Uber delivery driver dumped a full load of groceries "six metres" away from his home "on the sidewalk" near the road, which was stolen in just 15 minutes. Geelong man Edward Atkin said it's not the first time he's ordered groceries delivered via Uber which were left in an unsuitable location. But despite his many unsatisfactory experiences with the rideshare giant, this week did mark the first time he's actually had them stolen as a result. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Atkin recalled how he was working on Tuesday night when he received a notification at 7.20pm that his groceries, from Woolworths and worth about $105, had been delivered to his home. He said by the time he returned the property at 7.35pm, they'd been stolen. "I was looking for them for about 20 minutes," Atkin told Yahoo. "I went inside asked my roommate if he'd brought them in he hadn't and so then I looked on the the app and that's when I realised what had happened. There was a photo of them just sitting on the footpath." Woolworths partners with Uber for quick deliveries, but a mix-up earlier this week left a shopper $105 out of pocket. Source: Woolworths Aussies deserve better service, fed-up shopper says Branding the ordeal "very annoying", Atkin said "it's not the first time I've had issues with Uber drivers just being generally lazy". "The driver's clearly just been too lazy to take it up to the door," he theorised. "The groceries were about five or six metres away and they would've had easy access to the door, there was nothing blocking it or anything. I've had my groceries left in very weird places many before, too." Atkin said that, particularly in a cost of living crisis when grocery prices are already sky-high, it's not unacceptable that Aussies are forced to "search" for their deliveries, when a clear drop-off point has been established. He's implored Uber "and its delivery partners" to put better systems in place to prevent further delivery issues. Have your say Uber, Woolworths weigh in Yahoo News Australia contacted Uber with regard to Atkin's claims and a spokesperson said the company would commence an internal investigation to understand what went wrong, to ensure mistakes like these are avoided in the future. Atkins said that when he eventually reported the theft to his local store, they replaced the missing groceries for him free of charge. When contacted by Yahoo, a Woolworths spokesperson offered Atkins an apology. "We're sorry to hear about this customer's experience and are glad that our store team was able to assist in replacing the missing groceries promptly," a Woolworths spokesperson said. The spokesperson explained that customers who select "Delivery Now" while online ordering will have their groceries hand picked by their local store and delivered contactless by a partner driver of an on-demand delivery company. If an order is being delivered by one of Woolworths delivery partners, it will be labelled 'Delivery Partner' in the delivery window selection, they said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. An American entrepreneur has shared the story of his younger sister, who bagged a business class ticket out of Doha after running into the CEO of Qatar Airways at the airport. In a post shared on the social media platform X, Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski said his sister was unsuccessfully trying to fly out of Doha, Qatar and reach the United States with a standby ticket. A woman bagged a business class seat on a Qatar Airways flight after running into the CEO of the airline.(AP) A standby ticket is a type of ticket that does not guarantee a seat on a specific flight but allows the traveller to wait at the airport and board a flight if there is a seat available after all confirmed passengers have boarded. Jaroslawski said his sister had been unsuccessful in her attempts to fly out of Doha. Even though there were seats open on a flight from Doha to Chicago, the airline was refusing to take any more passengers due to weight management issues. A similar scenario played out when Jaroslawskis unnamed sister tried to board a flight to Washington DC instead. At the gate for the flight to DC, the Qatar Airways employees tell her the same thing. They aren't bringing on any more passengers due to weight management, the American founder of FreightCaviar wrote on X. At this point, Jaroslawskis sister was getting anxious, nervous and worried. As she stood morosely under the departure screens wondering how she could reach the US, her luck turned. A man walked up to her and asked her why she is so sad. My sister told him everything about the situation, wrote Jaroslawski. The man told her to wait at the business class lounge and assured her that things would work out. It turned out that the stranger was none other than Badr Mohammed Al Meer, the CEO of Qatar Airways. Badr Mohammed Al Meer kept his word and got a business class ticket for Jaroslawskis sister to New York City. As she boarded the flight, a Qatar Airways employee told her she was very lucky because the CEO rarely walked around the airport as he was walking that day. Incredible the power some people hold in this world. With a snap of a finger everything went from sour to super sweet, Jaroslawski wrote in his X thread on June 19. The story reached thousands of people who marvelled at the womans fortune. Great story. Inspiring, wrote one person in the comments section. Let it be a reminder to do something nice for someone today, said another. Amazing, a third person said. Toronto: Canadian law enforcement has said the investigation into the bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, by Khalistani terrorists on June 23, 1985 is active and ongoing. The memorial in Ottawa, Canada for the victims of the terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 on June 23, 1985. (Credit: High Commission of India, Ottawa) In a statement released on Friday, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, Commander of the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, said, The Air India investigation is the longest and certainly one of the most complex domestic terrorism investigations that the RCMP has undertaken in our history. Our investigative efforts remain active and ongoing. He also encouraged Canadians to visit the four memorials for the victims, located in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa. Over the years, attending the memorials have been an opportunity to pay our respects to the victims and their families, and show our appreciation for all those that did so much to respond to and investigate the tragedy, he said. The impacts of the greatest terror-related loss of life involving and affecting Canadians in our countrys history have not diminished with time. The trauma caused by the bombing on June 23, 1985 has impacted generations, he added. The terror attack claimed 329 lives, with two baggage handlers at Narita Airport in Japan also being killed by another bomb that was meant to target another aircraft. In June 2017, Gary Bass, who was associated in various capacities with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigation between 1994 and 2011, told the Hindustan Times that progress was still possible despite decades having passed. Theres always the hope someones conscience will get to them eventually. There are a lot of cases where people feel intimidated or threatened. After the threat has gone away due to a number of things, (like) due to the person making the threats not being around anymore sometimes people feel they can come forward and tell the police what they know, Bass said. While the task force probe continued, till date only bombmaker Inderjit Singh Reyat was convicted in connection with the tragedy. He was released from a halfway house and allowed to return to his family home by the Parole Board of Canada in February 2017. There are at least three persons the investigators had leads on. Among them is a person described as Mr X who spent a week with Reyat as he built the bomb used in the attack. In 2005, Justice IB Josephson of the Supreme Court of British Columbias ruling noted the violently separatist Khalistan movement was the motive behind the attack and Talwinder Singh Parmar was generally acknowledged by both Crown (the prosecution) and defence to have been the leader in the conspiracy to commit these crimes. Despite those facts being reiterated in two separate probes conducted by retired Justice John Major and Bob Rae, now Canadas Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has offered CA$ 5 million from pro-Khalistan elements for another inquiry commission to look into the discredited conspiracy theory of an Indian angle to the episode. A former CNN anchor and a retired chemistry professor are facing off in a Democratic primary to pick a challenger to U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota in an eastern Long Island congressional district that has been in Republican hands for a decade. Former CNN anchor takes on professor in primary aimed at finding Democrat who can win on Long Island John Avlon, who was a senior political analyst at CNN, is running against Nancy Goroff, a professor emeritus at Stony Brook University who was the Democratic candidate in the district in 2020, but lost by about 10 points. Democrats have made the suburban New York City district a priority this year in their bid to reclaim a majority in the House of Representatives. It's one of several districts in the reliably Democratic states of New York and California that are seen as crucial to their chances. The race could hinge on personality and voters' views about which candidate gives Democrats the best chance to win. Their positions on policy matters are so similar that a local newspaper, The East Hampton Star, headlined its story about a recent debate between them: Avlon and Goroff Debate, Largely Agree. Many Democrats, including local officials and incumbent members of Congress, have lined up behind Avlon as a fresh face who might have a better chance of toppling LaLota, the Republican incumbent. Republicans didnt think theyd have to fight in this district, Avlon said in an interview. They didnt think theyd have a real fight on their hands and now they do. But Goroff isn't rolling over. She loaned her own campaign $1.2 million, according to federal records, Her allies have also sought to attack Avlon for his early career job as a speechwriter in the office of Rudy Giuliani when he was the mayor of New York City. She said she's confident a Democrat can win in the district, which stretches from the sandy Hamptons on the eastern tip of Long Island more than 80 miles westward to the outer ring of commuter suburbs east of New York City. I think its very much purple and we are working to make sure that in this district, we activate people who want to see someone whos working hard," Goroff said in an interview. "Whether theyre Democrats or Republicans, theyre looking for someone who is actually willing to do the work." The question looming after the June 25 primary is whether a Democrat can retake the seat from a Republican. President Joe Biden won the district in 2020 by a very small margin, but Democratic state lawmakers changed its borders slightly earlier this year to make it slightly more Republican, potentially giving other Democrats on the island a better chance at winning their races. Since losing her election bid in 2020 to then U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, Goroff helped start an advocacy group that organizes around politically fraught school board races. Her campaign says she successfully helped defeat 20 right-wing candidates. Avlon is best known for his time as a CNN personality, but he also worked as an editor at The Daily Beast, an online news site. He also helped create the centrist political group No Labels and authored books on political polarization. Both Democrats favor protecting abortion rights and warn against what a federal government controlled by Republicans could do to curtail women's reproductive rights more broadly. Their criticisms of LaLota are similar, characterizing the freshman congressman as too deferential to Donald Trump and more interested in political stardom than getting legislation across the line. Both candidates point to a host of explanations for why Republicans have thrived in recent elections on Long Island, which has been receptive to conservative candidates in recent elections. Their explanations include lagging Democratic turnout, the strength of particular candidates and voter fears about crime in New York City spilling over into the suburbs. In a statement, LaLota said, While they fight to see who can appease the far left the most, Im focused on putting results over rhetoric and fighting for the community I grew up in. One exception to the Republicans' success was the recent special election in a congressional district once represented by George Santos that includes parts of the New York City borough of Queens and northern Long Island. In that race, Democrat Tom Suozzi, an established political figure in the area, defeated a lesser-known Republican, Mazi Pilip. He did so in part by running a centrist campaign that Democrats hope to replicate in other suburban races in the fall. Avlon hopes to duplicate that winning formula. He often talks about how Democrats need to pull in moderates and independent voters, as well as some Republicans who have grown dissatisfied with the GOP under Trump. There's a reason I'm running as a common sense Democrat, he said. In any swing district the candidate and the party who seizes the center will win. Ed Cox, chairman of the New York Republican Party, said it's going to be difficult for a Democrat to win on the island this year, especially in this district, given its shift to the GOP over the last decade and its more Republican-friendly configuration after redistricting. Long Island is once again a Republican bastion, he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Proposed European Union tariffs on Chinese goods are not a "punishment", Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck told Chinese officials in Beijing on Saturday. Habeck said that for nine months, the European Commission had examined in great detail whether Chinese companies had benefited unfairly from subsidies (AFP) Habeck's visit to China is the first by a senior European official since Brussels proposed hefty duties on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) to combat what the EU considers excessive subsidies. China warned on Friday ahead of his arrival that escalating frictions with the EU over EVs could trigger a trade war. ALSO READ | US trade sanctions on China can affect multilateralism "It is important to understand that these are not punitive tariffs," Habeck said in the first plenary session of a climate and transformation dialogue. Countries such as the U.S., Brazil and Turkey had used punitive tariffs, but not the EU, the economy minister said. "Europe does things differently." Habeck said that for nine months, the European Commission had examined in great detail whether Chinese companies had benefited unfairly from subsidies. Any countervailing duty measure that results from the EU review "is not a punishment", he said, adding that such measures were meant to compensate for the advantages granted to Chinese companies by Beijing. "Common, equal standards for market access should be achieved," Habeck said. Meeting Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, Habeck said the proposed EU tariffs were intended to level the playing field with China. Zheng responded: "We will do everything to protect Chinese companies." Proposed EU import duties on Chinese-made EVs would hurt both sides, Zheng added. He told Habeck he hoped Germany would demonstrate leadership within the EU and "do the correct thing". He also denied the accusations of unfair subsidies, saying the development of China's new energy industry was the result of comprehensive advantages in technology, market and industry chains, fostered in fierce competition. The industry growth "is the result of competition, rather than subsidies, let alone unfair competition," Zheng said during the meeting. The EU provisional duties are set to apply by July 4, with the investigation set to continue until November 2, when definitive duties, typically for five years, could be imposed. ALSO READ | European dairy, pork producers wary of Chinese retaliation for EV tariffs Habeck told Chinese officials the conclusions of the EU report should be discussed. "It's important now to take the opportunity that the report provides seriously and to talk or negotiate," Habeck said. After his meeting with Zheng, Habeck spoke with Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao, who said he would discuss the tariffs with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Saturday evening via video conference. Climate Dialogue Although the trade tensions were a key topic to be discussed, the goal of the meeting was to deepen cooperation between both industrialised nations for the green transition. This was the first plenary session of the climate and transformation dialogue after Germany and China signed a memorandum of understanding in June of last year for cooperation on climate change and the green transition. The countries acknowledged they had a special responsibility to prevent global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperatures, a level regarded by scientists as crucial to preventing the most severe consequences. China installed almost 350 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable capacity in 2023, more than half the global total, and if the world's second-biggest economy maintains this pace it will likely exceed its 2030 target this year, a report published in June by the International Energy Agency (IEA) showed. ALSO READ | A look at the fight against global warming While Habeck praised the expansion of renewable energy in China, he noted that it is important not to look only at the expansion of renewables, but also the overall CO2 emissions. Coal still accounted for nearly 60% of China's electricity supply in 2023. "China has a coal-based energy mix," Zheng said. China, India and Indonesia, are responsible for almost 75% of the global total coal burned, as governments tend to prioritise energy security, availability and cost over the amount of carbon emissions. Zheng said China was building coal-fired power plants as a security measure. "I still believe that the enormous expansion of coal power can be done differently if one considers the implication of renewables in the system," Habeck replied. Prince Harry is reportedly feeling the increasing weight of Royal disapproval after yet another royal snub, according to a royal expert. Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)(AP) The recent snub that the royal family rubbed on Prince Harry's face was not inviting him and Meghan Markle to King Charles III's birthday parade, Trooping the Colour. Before that, the monarch snubbed his younger son during Prince Harry's brief UK visit in May due to full programme. Since stepping down from his duties as a senior working royal and making a series of explosive comments in his memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex has experienced a rift with his family. Living in the United States and remaining at odds with key royal figures, particularly his father and brother Prince William, Prince Harry is now feeling the weight of their disapproval, as the recent snub suggests. Notably, HindustanTimes.com reported earlier that the Duke of Sussexes changed his country of residence from the UK to US. ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle need to zip this one behaviour to end their long-standing feud with the crown Prince Harry wants to be invited to royal events Earlier this month, Prince Harry was notably absent from Trooping the Colour, an event that saw Kate Middletons public return. Royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror UK, For the second year running, Harry and Meghan have not been invited to Trooping the Colour which always coincides with King Charles official birthday. This did not come as a surprise, but it will still hurt. The Sussexes want to be invited to these things even if they then decide not to attend, he continued. Not only the King Charles' birthday parade, he also missed his old friend, the Duke of Westminsters, recent wedding, to avoid any awkward encounter with his brother. Quinn stated, After missing his old friend the Duke of Westminsters recent wedding and now being kept out of Trooping the Colour, Harry is feeling the increasing weight of Royal disapproval. Whats really frustrating for Harry is that at one time he thought his absence from royal events would lead to increasing efforts to persuade him to attend but those days are long over. ALSO READ| Kate Middleton secretly flying to US for her cancer treatment, Reddit users claim Another royal commentator, Lizzie Cundy, highlighted Harrys decision not to share a public message for his father on Fathers Day could be perceived as an unforgivable move. She told GBN America, Lets not forget, this is a 75-year-old man suffering with cancer, going on with all his duties, at Trooping the Colour he was stood there in the pouring rain. You just think, Wow, this man is absolutely incredible, he is everything Harry isnt, whereas Prince William posted an image with the caption Happy Fathers Day, Pa. W. Taiwan's defence ministry said Saturday it had detected 41 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window, a day after Beijing said "diehard" advocates of Taiwan's independence could face the death penalty. Taiwan's defence ministry said Saturday it had detected 41 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window, a day after Beijing said "diehard" advocates of Taiwan's independence could face the death penalty.(AFP) China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing's control. It has stepped up pressure on Taipei in recent years and held war games around the island following last month's inauguration of new Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te. ALSO READ| US and China hold first informal nuclear talks in 5 years, eyeing Taiwan On Saturday, Taipei's defence ministry said it had detected 41 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels operating around Taiwan during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT). "32 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait," the ministry said in a statement, referring to a line bisecting the 180-kilometre (110-mile) waterway that separates Taiwan from China. The ministry added that it had "monitored the situation and responded accordingly". The latest incursion came after China published judicial guidelines Friday that included the death penalty for "particularly serious" cases of "diehard" supporters of Taiwanese independence, state media reported. On May 25, Taiwan detected 62 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window, the highest single-day total this year, as China staged military drills following the inauguration of Lai, who Beijing regards as a "dangerous separatist". Hundreds of coffee products are being recalled nationwide in the US over fears of a potentially deadly toxin. Snapchill LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of all its canned coffee sold under different roaster names, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported. The Wisconsin-based company is pulling back the products out of concern they may contain lethal botulinum toxin. Hundreds of coffee products are being recalled nationwide in the US over fears of a potentially deadly toxin(Representational Image) Why is coffee being recalled in US? Snapchill issued a voluntary recall on June 17 after discovering its current manufacturing process could lead to the growth and production of botulinum, which can cause botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning. The affected products were distributed across the US through various coffee roasters and retail locations. They were also purchased by customers nationwide via direct orders from the Snapchill website. The problem was identified when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Snapchill that the low acid canned foods process for manufacturing the recalled products was not filed with FDA, as is required by regulation. No illnesses have been reported to-date, and Snapchill is not aware of any instances in which the companys products contained botulin toxin. Snapchill is working on filing the appropriate notification with FDA, the agency said. Which coffee products are being recalled? The recalled canned products are sold under dozens of coffee roasters and brand names. Their sizes range from 7 oz to 12 oz and can be identified by the text Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC mentioned underneath the nutrition facts panel or Snapchill Coffee written on the label, FDA says. You can check out the list of every recalled product in this linked PDF provided by the FDA. Consumers should either destroy the products or return the product to Snapchill or the place of purchase for a refund, the agency said, adding, Snapchill will offer full refunds for any of these products, with appropriate proof of purchase, including a picture of the product(s) before being destroyed. What is botulism? The FDA describes botulism as a potentially fatal form of food poisoning that can cause the following symptoms: general weakness dizziness double-vision trouble speaking or swallowing difficulty in breathing weakness of other muscles abdominal distension constipation The agency adds that the symptoms can begin from anywhere between six hours to two weeks after eating food contaminated with the hazardous botulinum toxin. FDA warns that those experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention. Kyle Rittenhouse's family has claimed that he has abandoned them while they are facing risk of eviction due to weak financial condition. Rittenhouse was found not guilty of fatally shooting two demonstrators during the 2020 civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, following Black Lives Matter protest. Kyle Rittenhouse's sister lost her job as a result of her repeated hospitalisations due to medical conditions. His sister Faith Rittenhouse is trying to raise $3,000 to keep her family in their apartment with the help of generous strangers. Following his appearances at conferences and meetings with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Rittenhouse established himself as a symbol of the right-wing media landscape. However, Faith, 49, has started a GoFundMe campaign to save herself and her mother Wendy from facing homelessness, claiming her "brother's unwillingness to provide or contribute to our family." Our family has been through unimaginable hardships, and now we find ourselves on the brink of losing everything, she wrote on GoFundMe. Faith, 49, has started a GoFundMe campaign to save herself and her mother Wendy from facing homelessness. Kyle Rittenhouse's sister highlights family's financial woes In her plea, Faith said that she is reaching out to everyone with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency, stressing that her "family has been through unimaginable hardships, and now we find ourselves on the brink of losing everything." She also mentioned that her family has been dealing with immense trauma since her brother, 21, grabbed the spotlight for his involvement in "tragic shooting incident" in August 2020. According to her, the family's stability was disrupted following the incident, leaving them to deal with despair, and the upsetting reality of starting over. Highlighting emotional, mental, and financial obstacles being faced by her family in the wake of tragedy, she said, We've had difficulty obtaining and maintaining employment due to the fact many people still believe my mother drove Kyle or was somehow involved in his decision to go to Kenosha. Also Read: Kyle Rittenhouse leaves stage abruptly after being booed at University of Memphis: Put him behind bars Kyle Rittenhouse faces backlash Faith blasted her brother for his unwillingness to offer financial support to the family, adding that "we've been left to navigate this journey on our own." Kyle Rittenhouse's sister lost her job as a result of her repeated hospitalisations due to medical conditions. She hasn't been able to work for the past four month, making the family's financial situation more troublesome. The family has encountered yet another terrible impediment regardless of their utmost attempts to rebuild. Faith said that they are facing eviction since they have fallen behind rent. "The thought of losing our home, our sanctuary in the midst of chaos, is overwhelming and terrifying," she wrote. Kyle Rittenhouse's mother and sister, who stood by him during his murder trial, shifted to a modest apartment in Kissimmee, Florida, from their home in Antioch, Illinois. Faith posted her plea with a picture of herself strapped to a blood monitor while lying in a hospital bed. She has so far raised $3,835, exceeding the $3,000 goal. A new tell-all biography is shedding light on a potential source of tension between once close friends Meghan Markle and Victoria Beckham. In the latest book by Tom Bower, titled The House of Beckhams, the writer alleged that soon after her engagement to Prince Harry, Markle expressed interest in wearing Victoria Beckham designs. But things took a sour turn when her request to get free goodies and handbags from the ace designer was denied, potentially creating a frosty dynamic between the two style icons. David Beckham, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle(File) Meghan Markle denied free clothing request from Victoria Beckham The latest royal rumble involves a fashion faux pas. After bombshell revelations that Meghan felt irritated by Victoria Beckhams wealth, a new story has come to light. Despite their past closeness, with Markle reportedly even staying at the Beckhams' Los Angeles home, things soured when the newly engaged Markle allegedly requested free clothing and handbags from Victoria Beckham's fashion line. However, the palace apparently nixed this request due to protocol. As per Bower the request was, "vetoed by the Palace for being against their rules. Also read: Justin Timberlake's pre-arrest concert footage with bloodshot eyes surfaces, fans worried; he had something.. The book will be made available in the US on June 25; it is currently available for sale in the UK. According to the book, during Markle's stay, a member of Victoria's staff offered her beauty recommendations for facials and hairdressers in London. However, things soured soon after, as Markle lost trust in Victoria due to a suspected leak to the press. This alleged betrayal could explain the reported tension that developed between the two women. The situation escalated further when Harry was forced to confront David Beckham about the leak. Victoria and her spouse blatantly denied the accusation, instead blaming the beautician for the alleged leak." David and Victoria Beckham have been known to be very close to the royals since the 90s. The duo shares a close friendship with Prince William and Harry and has attended major royal weddings, including those of the siblings. However, when Meghan's feud escalated, it was reported that the family was invited only to the wedding and not the party. Also read: Taylor Swifts unexpected Buckingham Palace moment before London concert reveals royals' Swiftie side Bower earlier alleged that Meghan was irritated to discover that the Beckhams had considerably more wealth than herself. They owned five homes, had constant access to private jets, invitations to sail on yachts and much more money. And she was soon to be a duchess. He even claimed that the duchess took advantage of the couples hospitality when she stayed at their Beverly hills mansion. The wildfires in New Mexico recently calmed down with on bringing of the rainy weather in affected areas. The blaze destroyed a 23,000-acre stretch of the land. After four days of intense spread of the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire in New Mexico, the rainy weather turned out to be a blessing initially as it helped prevent the blaze from spreading further. However, the affected areas are now being warned about the flash floods. Mexico wildfires followed by flash floods; thousands evacuated and two killed. Also Read: Rep Pramila Jayapal mocks sensitive news coverage of a rape case of a 13-year-old girl by an immigrant in NYC Flash flood risk after wildfires According to USA Today, The Weather Forecast service issued a flash flood emergency in the area of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. The risks of flash floods have arisen due to the intense rainfall after the wildfires. The blaze washed vegetation and mud from the slopes, which would have held the rainwater otherwise. The rainfalls snapped the fires out but have exposed the residents of Ruidoso to other hazards. The ongoing rescue operations urged the residents to move to higher grounds to avoid the risks of floods. The risks are there with the heavy rainfall, but it cannot be overlooked that the rain helped the officials contain the fire. Also Read: Ukrainian drones knock out two substations near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Russia-installed officials say Evacuation operations rescue thousands of residents After the fires spread on Monday morning in the Village of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, the officials initiated rescue operations in the affected area with the aid of more than 1,000 personnel. According to USA Today, officials informed that 14,000 structures were destroyed by the wildfires. So far, two deaths have been reported by the wildfires in the affected region. Also Read: What is EAGLE Act? Indian American lawmaker disappointed with Biden's stand US President Joe Biden also approved federal funding for recovery on Thursday after acknowledging and declaring the disaster. This funding will aid the affected residents in rebuilding their homes, making them eligible to apply for loans to cover property loss and other requirements. MSNBC Host Joy Reid made a bold move to shut her critics, who accused her stealing former US President Donald Trump's signature look. Reid, a black conservative journalist well-known for her bleach-blond combover, has frequently been likened to Trump's distinctive hairstyle.(X) Reid, a black conservative journalist well-known for her bleach-blond combover, has frequently been likened to Trump's distinctive hairstyle. The similarity peaked recently when Reid was approached by Real America's Voice reporter Ben Bergquam upon entering a New York City courtroom where Trump was standing trial for allegedly purchasing the silence of adult film star Stormy Daniels about their affair ahead of the 2016 election. Youre an idiot! replied Reid when Bergquam asked do people with Trump Derangement Syndrome know they have it? Bergquam continued to grill her, asking: Did you steal Trumps haircut, or did he steal yours? She, however, didn't entertain the reported and walked away without answering his question. Later, Reid appeared on her MSNBC program "The ReidOut" showing off her freshly shaved head with blonde color. Its hair-free summer, everybody! Enjoy it! Reid stated during the program. Sharing her before and after look, the conservative X account End Wokeness wrote, Joy Reid just ditched the Trump hair and replaced it with a prisoner cut. Touche. Netizens not happy with Joy Reid's move Taking a dig at Joy Reid over her latest move, one X user wrote, Yep, Trump wore it better. "Is this her "I no longer wanna be White" look?" another chimed in. A third user said, LOL... she went from a cheap wig to a crew cut... I say go all the way...go bald...Ain't nothin' that's gonna help anyway, while the fourth commented, Joy Reid to jacket designer: I want to look like an abandoned train car in Chicago. Joy Reid targets Trump after Iowa victory During the Iowa Caucuses, Trump solidified his status as the front-runner for the Republican nomination. Reacting to his stunning win, Joy Reid charged that White Christian Iowans were backing Trump. The 55-year-old contributor further accused "racism" for Nikki Haley's defeat. Reid started the conversation about White Christians being responsible for the Iowa caucus results during the live broadcast on MSNBC. Compared to other towns, she asserted, the state has a predominantly White population, adding, "These are evangelical white Christians." Also Read: Internet mocks Donald Trump for looking high as a kite in a Truth Social video She went on to say that Iowa is overrepresented by white Christians... Iowa has about 61% white Christian. Blaming Haley's loss on racism, she said, It's the elephant in the room. The journalist further called Haley a woman of color who must fight to win over members of a party that is vehemently opposed to immigration and believes that immigrants are tainting the fabric of the US. A man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in the attack against former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband was convicted Friday of aggravated kidnapping, a conviction that mandates life behind bars without the possibility of parole. Former Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive to attend the State Dinner hosted by President Biden for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 22, 2023. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson/File Photo(REUTERS) A San Francisco jury found David DePape also guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening a family member of a public official and dissuading a witness. The convictions on the additional charges come weeks after a federal judge sentenced DePape for the 2022 attack against Paul Pelosi. Speaker Pelosi and her family remain in awe of their Pops bravery, which shone through again on the witness stand in this trial just as it did when he saved his own life on the night of the attack," Pelosi's office wrote in an emailed statement Friday. For nearly 20 grueling months, Mr. Pelosi has demonstrated extraordinary courage and fortitude every day of his recovery. DePapes public defender Adam Lipson said he was disappointed with the verdict and plans to appeal it. He called the prosecutors decision to file a kidnapping for ransom charge vindictive. Its really unfortunate that it was charged this way. It was sort of a textbook vindictive prosecution, Lipson said. As soon as they found that the attempted murder charge was going to be dismissed, they added this charge. Lipson earlier argued that the state trial represents double jeopardy following the federal conviction. Even though the criminal counts are not the same, the two cases stem from the same act, he told the judge. ALSO READ| Ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, other US delegation meet Dalai Lama in Himachal's McLeod Ganj DePape convicted and sentenced to life for Pelosi attack San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman agreed and dismissed the state charges of attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. Another judge upheld the decision on appeal. Lipson said that the verdict means that after DePape serves 30 years in federal prison, he will be transferred to California to spend the rest of his life in a California prison. Previously, a federal jury convicted DePape of assaulting a federal officials family member and attempting to kidnap a federal official. On May 28, he was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison during an unusual resentencing hearing that resulted from judicial error. Lipson focused his closing arguments on explaining to the jury that prosecutors did not prove DePape kidnapped Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time, with the intent to exact from another person money or something valuable, which is integral to the charge. Assistant District Attorney Phoebe Maffei told the jury in her closing arguments that DePape had planned to record a video of his interrogation of Nancy Pelosi. Lipson argued the video didnt exist and if it did, it wouldnt have had any value. When he broke into the Pelosis home his intent was to confront and potentially hurt and assault Nancy Pelosi. That was his intent at that time, that has nothing to do with Mr. Pelosi, he said. In her rebuttal, Maffei pointed out DePape told a detective and testified in federal court that he planned to get a video of Nancy Pelosi confessing to what he believed to be crimes and post it on the internet. There is inherent value in a video of the Speaker of the House confessing to crimes in her own home, Maffei said. ALSO READ| Nancy Pelosi admits she did not have any accountability for lack of security at Capitol on Jan 6: Watch Attack on Paul Pelosi The attack on Paul Pelosi was captured on police body camera video just days before the 2022 midterm elections and shocked the political world. He suffered two head wounds including a skull fracture that was mended with plates and screws he will have for the rest of his life. His right arm and hand were also injured. DePape admitted during his federal trial testimony that he planned to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage, record his interrogation of her, and break her kneecaps if she did not admit to the lies he said she told about Russiagate, a reference to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that before the attack, DePape was living an isolated, lonely life and went down the rabbit hole of propaganda and conspiracy theories. This week the judge expelled DePapes former partner from the public gallery and the second floor of the San Francisco courthouse because the judge said she was trying to tamper with the jury. On Monday and Tuesday, Gypsy Taub, a well-known activist in the Bay Area, handed out pieces of paper outside the courtroom with the address of a website she runs that promotes conspiracy theories. The cards were also found in a womens bathroom near the courtroom, where the websites address was scrawled in marker on a wall. ALSO READ| Shooting at grocery store in south Arkansas kills 2 and wounds 8 others, police say DePapes federal public defender said during his federal sentencing that DePape was first exposed to extreme beliefs by Taub, who has two sons with DePape. Taub met DePape in Hawaii when he was 20 years old and she was in her 30s and pregnant, DePapes twin sister, Joanne Robinson, said in a letter to the federal judge seeking leniency. Robinson wrote that Taub isolated DePape from his family and inflicted extreme psychological damage on her brother. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly seeking to end their long-standing feud with the royal family. But how? Royal expert suggests they need to cease one particular behaviour. Criticism of royal family hindering Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's reconciliation, expert suggests. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo(REUTERS) Russell Myers, a royal commentator, told the New York Post, Members from the royal family have told Harry, if he wants a relationship with the rest of the family, then first and foremost, he has got to stop talking about them. They cant go about making money off their associations with the royal family. Theyre going to [have to] sort of realize, if theyre going to have a relationship with the rest of the royal family, they cant go about trashing them. The Sussexes have been under scrutiny for their continued use of royal titles and styles for financial gain, most recently-the Nigeria trip. This has led to what some sources describe as a permanent reprimand from the royal family. ALSO READ| King Charles III pushes Prince Harry and Prince William to amend an ages-old feud Sussexes will never make peace with royal family Royal author Christopher Andersen told the Fox News Digital, Harry and Meghan have drifted so far out to sea as far as King Charles III and Prince William are concerned, and, There is really no foreseeable way in which theyll ever be welcomed back. Even if Harry was to throw himself at the kings feet and beg for forgiveness which Harry is not about to do the best he could hope for would be crumbs from the royal table, and the sort of grudging acceptance that is currently being afforded to Harrys disgraced uncle, Prince Andrew, he added. Since their departure from royal duties in 2020, their Megxit has faced considerable criticism. Andersen emphasized that If Harry and Meghan are determined to monetize their titles, then theyll just be digging that hole deeper and deeper. But if they simply use their California-centric celebrity to build their brand and steer clear of overtly capitalizing on the Sussex name and Windsor connection well, everybody has a right to make a living. And even then, there would still be acrimony and zero chance of Harry getting back into the kings and Williams good graces. ALSO READ| King Charles in talks for official America tour over desperation to meet just 3 people The Duchess of Sussex has not returned to the United Kingdom since Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral in September 2022. In contrast, Prince Harry has made several trips back but has consistently received a frosty reception from his family. Hopefully, theyll see that the royal family is very united without them, and if they do want a relationship, going forward, they need to take the steam out of their relationship and out of the things they sometimes say, Myers concluded. While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their Royal roles in 2020 and moved to Montecito, California to build a new life, their fans and supporters were eager to know what exactly happened behind the Palace walls. Prince Harry discussed his and Meghan Markle's decision to relocate to America and the reasons behind it in his first memoir, Spare. (AP) Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, has revealed his side of the story, stating that he and Meghan left the United Kingdom in fear of their sanity and physical safety. Harry discussed their decision to relocate to America and the reasons behind it in his first memoir, Spare. The couple moved to the US after leaving their five-bedroom house near Windsor Castle called Frogmore Cottage. Recalling his visit to Frogmore Cottage, he wrote: How beautiful it all is, I thought. And also how sad. The Duke stressed that he thought that this was going to be his and Meghan's forever home, but it turned out to be only another "brief stop". Harry had visited Frogmore Cottage following the funeral of Prince Philip. When my wife and I fled this place, in fear for our sanity and physical safety, I wasnt sure when I'd ever come back. That was January 2020. Now, fifteen months later, here I was, days after waking to thirty-two missed calls and then one short, heart-racing talk with Granny: Harry... Grandpa is gone, he wrote as per The Mirror. Harry has since arrived in the UK several times. He recently came to London to attend a number of events pertaining to the Invictus Games. Meghan arrived in the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. She was accompanied by Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the Sussexes' kids, for the momentous occasion. Omid Scobie, the author, has written on Meghan's choice to stay in the United Kingdom in his book Endgame. According to him, the Duchess never wants to set foot again in England. Also Read: Prince Harry and Meghan 'had secret 2.5m home in UK' Is Harry planning to settling down in UK? The speculation about Prince Harry and Meghan's possible plans to find a UK house has been going wild lately. Many Royal experts believe Harry is starting to feel the need to have a permanent address in the UK. In contrast to the heightened rumors, a royal insider has revealed the couple's intentions, asserting that they have no intention of finding a new home in the UK. Despite rumors that Harry is seeking a more permanent spot in the country, Vanity Fairs Erin Vanderhoof said that the Prince is not looking for property in the UK, reported The Mirror. During an interview hosted by Joy Reid on MSNBC, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) laughed when the host read a Fox News chyron about a case where an immigrant bound, gagged and raped a 13-year-old girl in Queens Park. The conversation sparked when Reid highlighted that a strong majority of the population favoured the deportment of illegal immigrants. To this, Jayapal argued that a better way to deal with this is to let the illegal immigrants do their work easily. Pramila Jayapal mocked the sensitive news coverage of rape of a 13-year-old by an immigrant.(Courtesy: Pramilas official website) Congresswoman Jayapal says, Theres a lot of fearmongering According to the New York Post, after Jayapal pushed forward President Joe Bidens order to extend permanent residency status to migrant spouses of US citizens who have lived in the country for at least 10 years, theres a lot of fearmongering, she complained. Reid picked up the conversation again as she cited media coverage of the announcement where the MSNBC banner said, Soon: Biden announces legal protections for undocumented spouses of citizens. CNNs banner said Biden announces new protections for some undocumented spouses. Here was Foxs banner, Migrant arrested for raping 13-year-old New York City girl. Jayapal laughed at the mention of the banners containing sensitive news and said Yes to which the host replied, And so I think thats part of the problem, and Jayapal simply agreed. Reid let out a final remark You have a lot of fearmongering in the conversation. Also Read: Melania may choose Trump's running mate as she breaks cover in Manhattan; ex campaign aide claims A 13-year-old girl was raped by an immigrant in NYC In an appalling incident, as reported by the New York Post, an illegal immigrant named Christian Geovanny Inga-Landi sexually abused a minor and recorded the sick deed. The 25-year-old immigrant from Ecuador who illegally entered the country in 2021 held the victim and a boy at knifepoint and bound them before sexually abusing the girl. Christian was ordered to leave the country by an immigration judge in 2022 but he did not obey the order and extended his illegal stay. Three Columbia University deans have been put on administrative leave for disparaging text exchange during an antisemitism panel. The photographs of the insulting chat between Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick and Cristen Kromm, all associate deans and administrators at Columbia, shared online included a vomiting face emoji and dismissive texts. Three Columbia University deans have been placed on administrative leaves over disparaging text exchange during antisemitism panel on May 31(Getty Images) Three Columbia deans placed on leave over hostile text exchange The insulting texts were captured by an alumnus sitting in the crowd during the May 31 panel about Jewish life on the university's campus. The pictures quickly went viral online, garnering the attention of Congress. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican and chair of the committee, said, I was appalled, but sadly not surprised, to learn Columbia administrators exchanged disparaging text messages during a panel that discussed antisemitism at the University. ALSO READ: Utah weather: Severe thunderstorms lead to closures and outages, here's what to know As the panellists discussed the rising antisemitism on school campuses and its impact, the Columbia leaders mocked and dismissed their viewpoints via text messages. This is difficult to listen to but I'm trying to keep an open mind to learn about this point of view, Chang-Kim texted Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia University, who replied with a Yup. In another exchange, Pataschnick, Columbias associate dean for student and family support, accused an unknown member of the panel of exploiting the situation, saying, He knows exactly what hes doing and how to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential, per NY Post. ALSO READ: Justin Timberlake's DWI arrest left wife Jessica Biel extremely upset: Report However, a spokesperson for the school told Fox News, The Dean of Columbia College informed his team today that three administrators have been placed on leave pending a university investigation of the incident that occurred at the College alumni reunion several weeks ago. We are committed to combatting antisemitism and taking sustained, concrete action to ensure Columbia is a campus where Jewish students and everyone in our community feels safe, valued, and able to thrive, it added. This year's Tech Immigration Summit that took place at the US Capitol shed light on how the problem is haunting several Indians waiting for Green Cards as well as the burden of a backlog with the H-1B visa. EAGLE Act aims to eliminate per-country limit on Green Cards, increase family-sponsored Green Card limit. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)(AP) Bipartisan lawmakers stressed the critical importance of resolving these issues to maintain high-skilled immigrants eyeing to dwell in America. However, since the summit, the Biden administration has not taken any significant steps to escalate the EAGLE Act, a bill aimed at addressing the decades-long backlog for immigrants. Indian-American lawmaker Ro Khanna expressed his disappointment with the House's lack of attention to this bipartisan bill. The EAGLE Act will benefit our economy by lifting the arbitrary per-country green card caps to bring down our decades-long backlog for immigrants. I am deeply disappointed that my amendment to include it in this year's National Defense Authorization Act was not given a vote, he stated in an X (formerly Twitter) post. The summit organized by the Foundation of India and Indian Diaspora Studies proved that the seven per cent country quota on Green Card is disruptive as well. This quota has led to a long time of average wait of over 20 years among the Indians holding green cards. ALSO READ| Indian American lawmaker disappointed with Biden's stand on green cards and H-1B reforms What is the EAGLE Act? The EAGLE Act, or the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment Act, seeks to overhaul the current immigration system. It will expand employment-based Green Cards by removing the per-country limit and raising family-sponsored Green Cards from 7% to 15%. The Trump administration has endorsed the legislation as it may help address the long-standing backlog that has impacted hundreds of thousands of immigrants, many hailing from India and China. US Senators for Colorado John Hickenlooper and Kevin Cramer reintroduced the bill back in 2023 to make it easier for American employers to hire immigrants, regardless of their country of origin. Senators Baldwin and Collins joined hands as original cosponsors. Arbitrary caps on employment-based visas are holding back our economy when so many industries are hurting for workers, said Hickenlooper. This bill is a commonsense fix to our immigration system that will reduce visa backlogs, and fill gaps in our workforce. In rural states like North Dakota, highly skilled immigrant doctors and nurses play a critical role in our healthcare workforce, sometimes providing the only specialty care available in the area, said Cramer. Per-country caps are nonsensical, and its past time our immigration policies reflected a skills-based approach. ALSO READ| Indians in the US applaud Donald Trump's 'automatic' green cards for foreign graduates' promise. Can he deliver? Khanna also expressed the same sentiment, saying, Our industrial base needs more workers to maintain a strong military and outpace our adversaries. Immigrants help fill a critical shortage and bring vital skills to our economy, supporting all Americans. We must end H1B abuse by foreign outsourcing companies. This abuse decreases wages and harms workers. Most prospective employment-based immigrants currently live and work in America on temporary visas while waiting for a long-term visa to become available. As a result, many individuals remain in temporary status for years, sometimes over 100 years or so, due to the caps applied to their country of nationality. Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, has been crowned as the winner of the 2024 Worlds Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma, California. Wild Thang, the winner of 2024 'Worlds Ugliest Dog' contest, with its owner.(Sumiko Moots / NBC News) Born and raised in Los Angeles, Wild Thang recently retired to North Bend, Oregon. This year's competition, which took place during the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, witnessed eight competitors, the most of whom were rescues who initially appeared in shelters before finding their permanent homes. The entries included combinations of Chinese Crested dogs, Pugs, and Chihuahuas. Wild Thang contracted contagious & serious disease Wild Thang has participated five times in World's Ugliest Dog competitions, but this was his victory. The dog got an unusual appearance as he contracted canine distemper when he was just 10-week-old. Due to the disease, he was unable to grow teeth, which is why his tongue dangles and he has a muscular imbalance in one leg. According to Wild Thang's bio, He survived, but not without permanent damage. His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7. Despite having physical issues, he is a healthy, happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy, the bio states. The World's Ugliest Dog contest has been taking place for the past 50 years. The competition is not about making fun of ugly dogs, but to show the world that these dogs are really beautiful. It celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique, as per its website. Being the winner of the contest, Wild Thang and his owner Ann Lewis will be awarded with$5,000 on NBC's The Today Show. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Wild Thang recently retired to North Bend, Oregon.(Sumiko Moots / NBC News) Know about other participants and last year winner Rome, a 14-year-old pug who uses a wheelchair, earned the second spot and won $3,000. Rome was making its debut in the competition. Rome's owner, Michelle Grady, told BBC News, "I love that [the competition] represents dogs that are imperfect imperfectly perfect." Daisy May, a 14-year-old mixed breed rescue dog with a white coat who entered the competition for the first time, placed third and will get $2,000. She was rescued from the streets at the age of two and she has lost her vision, teeth and hair. Last year's winner was Scooter, a hairless Chinese Crested puppy who walks with the help of cart. Due to his birth deformity, Scooter's owner gave him to animal control for euthanasia. He is now being looked after by the Saving Animals From Euthanasia rescue group. King Charles resumed his Royal duties with enthusiasm attending several events and Buckingham Palace parties in order to make up for lost time. Despite his health concerns, the King recently attended Trooping the Colour ceremony with Queen Camilla, son Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton. Earlier, he was reportedly rushed to a hospital just a day before the D-Day commemorations took place in Normandy. Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit Australia and Samoa. (via REUTERS) The King and Queen are set to shorten their upcoming visits due to worries expressed by his doctors that Charles is doing too much amidst his ongoing cancer treatment. King Charles' upcoming tour and worries around it The monarch is scheduled to visit Australia and Samoa with his wife Camilla. However, it is likely that their planned trip to New Zealand may not take place. It will be a bitter disappointment on both sides, an insider told The Mirror. The 75-year-old King, who was diagnosed with cancer in February and has been receiving weekly treatment ever since, has been urged to back off his commitments. The royal tour will include a visit to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the island nation of Samoa, which is regarded as a major trip for Charles. "Naturally, it will be a bitter disappointment on both sides to not have the opportunity for the King and Queen to visit New Zealand, but of course all are aware of the Kings ongoing health and the need for him to pace himself. Its very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future," the source stated. The King was hospitalized for three nights in January due to an enlarged prostate. His weekly treatment is expected to continue for a few more months. Also Read: Prince Harry reveals he fled UK with Meghan Markle in fear of physical safety: When my wife What Buckingham Palace and Australian PM have to say? Although the monarch's visit to Australia will mark the first time a monarch has been there since Queen Elizabeth II in 2011, authorities are currently working with the federal government Down Under to finalize Charles and Camilla's itinerary in the coming weeks. Buckingham Palace has not officially confirmed any of the information, but competition is fierce between government and charitable organisations following instructions that there will be a significant decrease in the number of engagements due to the King's health. According to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the logistics of a potential visit are already being planned. He stressed that the Royal Family is always welcome in Australia, adding that the King has always stood for Australians and shown affection and support during natural disasters. Prince William and Kate Middleton, are reportedly taking a new approach to raising their children, particularly Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. As George being the oldest would ascend to the throne after William, the Prince and Princess of Wales, will make sure not to make the same mistake that caused a royal rift with Harry. This comes after the report surfaced that William backs his father King Charles in his attempts to reduce the power of the monarchy, and he aspires to take this goal even further. Britain's King Charles, Queen Camilla, William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of the Trooping the Colour parade to honour Britain's King Charles on his official birthday in London, Britain, June 15, 2024. (REUTERS) 'William and Kate steer Charlotte and Louis away from royal roles' In the wake of the Dukes well-publicised decision to step back from royal duties, William and Kate are said to be prioritizing a different future for their younger children, one that allows them more freedom and the chance to forge their own paths outside of the traditional working royal role. There are indications that this decision is being considered as part of bold plans to reform the British royal family when Prince William and Princess Kate assume the throne, in light of the major disruption caused by Prince Harry's bitter exit from royal responsibilities. Also read: Travis Kelce and family join Prince William at Taylor Swift's London concert; Bridgerton star spotted The working assumption is that the younger two children will get on and do their own thing, an insider told Daily Beast. They will be encouraged to not become working royals, they added. The palace has yet to confirm the report. Prince William to slim down monarchy The report published in the Daily Mail highlighted uncertainties about whether William will continue inviting new members to join the royal workforce once senior family members retire. There is also doubt about whether he will allow his younger children to take on royal responsibilities. The source confirmed the report, emphasising that Charlotte and Louis are deliberately kept out of the public eye to empower them to make their own choices about their future. Also read: Meghan Markle asked for 'free handbags and clothes' from Victoria Beckham, but request was denied because The anticipated royal decision aims to prevent a repeat of Harry's actions. In 2020, William's younger brother Harry stepped down from his working royal duties alongside Meghan. Subsequently, he criticised the royal family for allegedly discriminating against Meghan. Their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey and subsequent Netflix documentary severely damaged the monarchy's public image. Also read: Melania may choose Trump's running mate as she breaks cover in Manhattan; ex campaign aide claims A close friend of the couple told the Daily Beast, It is no secret that William has been devastated by the destruction of his relationship with Harry. Although he absolutely puts the blame on Meghan and Harry, he does of course also appreciate that the whole system, where one of your kids is less important than the other due to an accident of birth, had a massive part to play in what happened and how it happened. The source stressed that William and Catherine deeply love their children, and their focus is on them. They seek a practical solution to the longstanding challenge of what to do with 'spare' problems. 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 students of the Auburn class of 2024 began high school in their bedrooms, uncertain about their futures. They ended high school Friday in Holland Stadium, still uncertain about their futures but a little more excited about them. "Think about the person you were back then, isolated and scared of what your life was going to be," valedictorian Noelle Pipher told her classmates in her commencement address, referencing COVID-19. "And think about how many obstacles you have overcome and how many times you have endured to get to where you are today. A lot of the time we look back at our lives in the moment and we feel like we're failing. But in the future, we can look at those moments and appreciate the struggles we have experienced that have made us stronger and more successful versions of ourselves today." The 269 graduates of this year's Auburn High School class were surrounded by a couple thousand friends and family under the oppressive sun of this week's heat wave. A late report of rain threatened the ceremony, prompting some speakers to speed up their remarks. One of them was Auburn Enlarged City School District Jeffrey Pirozzolo, who said he had something in common with this year's class that he hadn't with the previous eight he addressed on graduation day. Like those 269 students, he said, he will begin a new chapter in life when he retires in January. "Our story is not over. It's going to continue. And I guarantee your new chapters are going to be exciting," said Pirozzolo, who will have been with the district for 19 years at the end of his time there. "I want to thank all of you for making my wishes come true. I am so proud to have served our students and families, and I just want to thank you very much for letting that happen." Also addressing the class of 2024 Friday was senior class president Ava Pinckney, who praised her classmates for supporting each other through their frequently disrupted high school careers. "I'm proud of what we've accomplished together," she said. "We are a resilient, talented and spirited group." Salutatorian Keegan Brady, along with sharing a touching anecdote about his family and fond memories of some of his Auburn teachers, recalled a classmate unsuccessfully asking a teacher to prom to laughs from the audience. But the student wasn't just looking to lighten the mood he was speaking to the importance of facing the future, whatever it brings, without fear. "The only thing we can expect in the next phase of our lives is many mysteries and very few givens," he said. "That is one of the finest examples of not being afraid of failure that I've ever encountered, and one that will serve as a lifelong reminder that overcoming disappointment is a part of life." Gallery: Auburn High School's 54th commencement at Holland Stadium Milwaukee police shot an 18-year-old pregnant woman, killing her unborn child, after chasing a vehicle that was suspected in a carjacking earlier Thursday, the police department said. Officers tried to stop the stolen vehicle with six suspects around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, and the pursuit ended when the driver moved into a construction lane and got stuck behind a cement truck and the construction work, the police said. As officers approached, they ordered the passengers out of the vehicle, but the driver put it in reverse and slammed into a cruiser twice while an officer was standing behind it. Another officer at the scene fired into the vehicle hitting two people, striking the pregnant woman who received "life threatening injuries." "The baby did not survive," police said in a statement. The other teen shot sustained serious injuries. The four others in the vehicle - ranging in age from 15 to 18 - were also taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman pleaded with parents to monitor their children. "As we're embarking on summertime, it is imperative to understand, 'Where are our children?' As we hear in this particular situation, we have multiple young people involved in unacceptable behavior in this city. This is unacceptable. Parents, what is going on with your children?" he said at a news conference Thursday. The 25-year-old officer who fired his weapon, a four-year veteran of the force, was placed on administrative duty. The suspects, who were arrested, were being pursued in connection to an attempted armed robbery and carjacking and an armed robbery and carjacking. Police said a firearm was found in the vehicle. The investigation is continuing. The ejection of 8 Black passengers from an American Airlines flight after a complaint about body "odor" was "unacceptable," the company's CEO said in a memo to staff, some of whom have been suspended over the incident. CEO Robert Isom said he is currently working to "rebuild trust" among Black customers. The passengers, reportedly all the Black men on board, were not traveling together, nor were they seated together when they were ordered off the plane in Phoenix on a flight headed to New York iin January. Three of the passengers last month filed a federal lawsuit against the airline, arguing they were victims of "blatant and egregious racial discrimination." One of the men recorded a conversation with an airline employee who said that a while male flight attendant had complained about "offensive body odor," according to the suit. The booted passengers were allowed to reboard the flight about an hour later. "I am incredibly disappointed by what happened on that flight and the breakdown of our procedures," CEO Robert Isom wrote of the "unacceptable incident" to staff in a memo obtained by National Public Radio. "It contradicts our values. ... We fell short of our commitments and failed our customers in this incident," he added. An unspecified number of staff have been suspended, though details about a possible return to work were not provided by the airline. Nor was it clear if the suspensions followed the lawsuit, or occurred earlier. "We are holding those involved accountable, including removing team members from service," an airline spokesperson told the Associated Press. The company is also forming an advisory group to focus on the experience of Black customers, promoting the reporting of discrimination allegations, and improving diversity training to "focus on real-world situations to help recognize and address bias and discrimination," Isom wrote. NEW: American Airlines suspends employees who removed eight black passengers from a plane over an 'offensive' odor complaint American Airlines CEO Robert Isom told staff this week that he is 'incredibly disappointed' and that they 'failed their customers' He also mentioned that pic.twitter.com/lFq1FobEJM Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) June 21, 2024 Isom noted that he also reached out to NAACP CEO and President Derrick Johnson. Johnson told NPR that he is pleased American has taken initial steps to "forge a path towards a more inclusive experience for all." The NAACP issued an advisory warning in 2017 for Black travelers to be cautious about flying on the airline because of racial incidents at the time. It was later dropped after changes by the airline. Police in Mississippi say a mother "forcibly" drowned her toddler. Adrienne McDevitt, 35, is accused of killing 2-year-old Kelly McDevitt Jr. Lauderdale County Sheriff's Deputies found the boy's body while responding to a domestic disturbance. They did not release any more information about the domestic disturbance. An emotional Sheriff Ward Calhoun said, "This is certainly a tragic event for this family and for our community." McDevitt was being held for treatment at a hospital and then was going to be transferred to a jail on a $500,000 bond. Calhoun alleged in the press conference that Kelly was "forcibly drowned" and that when deputies responded, Adrienne was alone with the child in the home. According to McDevitt's Facebook page, she has been married since July 2015 and her page is filled with smiling photos of her and her family. Murderous heat claimed the lives of at least 1,300 Muslim faithful participating in this year's annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, according to the latest figures released Sunday by Saudi officials. The death tally reported by 10 countries is the highest in nine years at the event that draws as many as 2 million people to the Saudi desert. More than half of the victims this year were from Egypt, Agence France Presse reported. Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said that 83% of the fatalities were "unauthorized" pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures to perform the Hajj rituals in and around the holy city if Mecca, the Associated Press reported. He said the dead were buried in Mecca. "Authorized" pilgrims are those who fill out necessary paperword to obtain required visas and travel via reputable agencies. Egypt's government said in a statement that 16 travel agencies failed to provide adequate services for pilgrims, and illegally arranged for their travel using visas that don't allow holders to travel to Mecca. An already brutal desert enviroment for the pilgrimage is growing increasingly deadly with climate change. Mecca's average maximum temperature in June is nearly 111 degrees Fahrenheit. But this year's Hajj pilgrims suffered through temperatures soaring to 125.6 degrees Fahrenheit last Monday. Temperatures are far higher as thousands of pilgrims pack together praying for hours under a fierce sun. Government leaders have been attacked for not doing more to protect lives. "The state did not fail, but there was a misjudgement on the part of people who did not appreciate the risks," a Saudi official told AFP in the government's first comments on the deaths. The Saudi government had already confirmed 577 deaths for the two busiest days of Hajj: Last Saturday, when pilgrims gathered beneath a blazing sun to pray on Mount Arafat, and Sunday, when they participated in the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina. "This happened amid difficult weather conditions and a very harsh temperature," said the Saudi official, who noted that the 577 figure was only partial did not cover all of Hajj, which formally ended on Wednesday. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims with the means must complete it at least once before they die. An escaped pet donkey has been spotted by his former owners "living his best life" making like an elk and hanging out with an elk herd. Donkey "Diesel" spooked and headed for the hills back in 2019 during a hiking trip with former owner Dave Drewry near Clear Lake, California. After months of a fruitless search, "we finally kind of gave up," Drewry's wife, Terrie Drewry, told CBS News. "Just no signs of him." Then earlier this month hiker Max Fennell filmed an elk herd with a "happy and healthy" donkey in an area without wild burros, and posted the clip on social media. "It was amazing. It was like, oh my gosh. Finally, we saw him. Finally, we know he's good," said Terrie Drewry. "He's living his best life. He's happy. He's healthy, and it was just a relief." They're "two completely different creatures, but they learn to get along and be each other's family," she added. The family doesn't plan on attempting to recapture Diesel, and have since adopted new donkeys. At least 25 people were killed and 50 wounded at a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Gaza outside Rafah when Israeli forces shelled the ten camp on Friday, according to a report citing emergency workers and health officials. Witnesses told the Associated Press that their relatives were killed in the strikes near an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) field hospital north of Rafah, and that Israeli forces opened fire once again as people came out of their tents. Mona Ashour, whose husband was killed in the barrage, said the attack near the hospital began with a bright flash and an explosion. "We were in our tent, and they hit with a 'sound bomb' near the Red Cross tents, and then my husband came out at the first sound," Ashour said while holding a young girl outside a hospital in nearby Khan Younis. "And then they hit with the second one, which was a little closer to the entrance of the Red Cross," she added. The ICRC said in a statement posted on X that "heavy-caliber projectiles" landed near its offices. "The strike damaged the structure of the ICRC office, which is surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians living in tents," it said. The ICRC said the bombardment sent a flood of casualties to the hospital. The Israel Defense Forces said "there is no indication that a strike was carried out by the IDF" inside the safe zone, the AP reported. The incident is under review, according to AP. A woman who bought a $4 vase at a Maryland thrift shop and then discovered years later tha it was a Mayan artifact dating back nearly 2,000 years returned the ancient treasure to Mexico. Anna Lee Dozier told NPR that she thought she had found a reproduction of a Mayan vase five years ago on the clearance shelf of the 2A Thrift Store in Clinton, Maryland, and shelled out $4 to purchase it. "It did look old to me, but not old-old, like 20 to 30 years old, maybe," Dozier, a human rights advocate with Christian Solidarity Worldwide, told NPR. "I thought it would be just a nice little thing to take home and put on the shelf and to remind me of Mexico," she said. While on a work trip this January, Dozier saw a display of Mayan vases at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. She noticed the similarity between the artifacts on display and the vase she had at home. "I still was dubious that it was real, but just thought it looked enough like that that I asked to speak to someone in the [museum] offices and just ask, if I had something of interest, what would be the process to authenticate that," Dozier said. A museum official recommended that she contact the Mexican embassy. After sending a photo of the vase and its dimensions, she heard from the museum that the ancient vessel was real and "we would like it back." The vase dates back to between 200 and 800 AD, Mexico's ambassador to the US Esteban Moctezuma Barragan said in a posting on X. "A valuable witness of our Maya history returns home ... thanks to the generosity of Anne Lee Dozier," he wrote. "This historic gem will be reintegrated within the collection of [Mexico's National Museum of Anthropology and History] to preserve our rich cultural heritage." Dozier said she was "thrilled" to play a part in returning the vase to Mexico. "I would like it to go back to its rightful place and to where it belongs, but I also want it out of my home because I have three little boys and ... I was petrified that after 2,000 years I would be the one to wreck it," she told WUSA 9. After years portraying Joe Biden as a doddering fool, Donald Trump is already trying to save face in the event he loses Thursday's debate to the president. Trump has insisted that Biden will be using some performance enhancing drug, including cocaine, during the debate, and has called for a pre-debate drug test (which Trump, too, would also be expected to undergo in such an event. Jimmy Kimmel has suggested that the former president be tested for Adderall). At a rally in Philadelphia Saturday night Trump said that Biden will inject drugs "in his ass" to get "jacked up" before the debate. At a rally last Wednesday in Wisconsin, Trump said of Biden at the upcoming debate: "He's gonna be so pumped up, he's gonna be so pumped up," and indicated that president would be using cocaine before the event. Trump referred in the speech to a small plastic bag of cocaine discovered last year (he erroneously said last month) in the White House complex near an entrance to the West Wing commonly used to give tours, and indicated it belong to Joe Biden. "Somebody didn't pick up hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cocaine. I wonder who that could've been. I don't know. Actually, I think it was Joe," Trump said after his "pumped up" comment about the president. Trump is pre-spinning a bad debate performance by preemptively accusing Biden of being on drugs pic.twitter.com/5MbFmsO4Pv Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 18, 2024 Trump pal and Fox News host Sean Hannity has also suggested Biden's performance would be aided by caffeinated Red Bull, caffeine pills or ... something else, just as he falsely claimed Biden was on something for his popular, powerful State of the Union address. Hannity even suggested that Trump skip the debate. In another strategy, Trump is suddenly reshaping Biden into a formidable opponent whom he does not want to "underestimate." "I watched him with Paul Ryan and he destroyed Paul Ryan," Trump said of Biden's performance in the 2012 vice presidential debate. "He beat Paul Ryan. So, I'm not underestimating him ... I assume he's gonna be somebody that will be a worthy debater," Trump said in an interview on the "All-In" podcast released Thursday. Trump didn't specify whether that's with or without cocaine. The whiplash contradictions between the crafty and incompent versions presented of Biden is one Trump critics have long pointed out about attacks by the former president and his MAGA backers. Is Biden a conniving, sinister mastermind out to rule the earth, or a man who can barely put on his pants in the morning? As the debate nears, Republicans are fearful they have set expectations for Biden's performance way too low, so that even a mildly competent performance could be seen as a stellar showing, New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Thursday. "They're trying to move from 'Biden can't tie his shoelaces' ... to trying to suggest that they expect that he will be good in the same way he was in the State of the Union," she added. A labor leader who almost came to blows with a Republican U.S. senator is set to address GOP delegates at the party's presidential nominating convention next month. Sean O'Brien of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters will be the group's first president to speak at a Republican National Convention, a union spokesperson said Friday, according to reports. "Our 1.3 million members represent every political background, and their message needs to be heard by as wide an audience as possible, and that includes all political candidates running for elected office," said Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz. Deniz also said the union appreciated former President Donald Trump's "openness to inviting a labor leader to speak on behalf of working families." O'Brien asked to speak at both the Republican and Democratic conventions, but hasn't yet heard back from the Democrats, Deniz said. The Republican National Convention is set to start on July 15 in Milwaukee, just days after Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in New York City for his conviction last month in the Stormy Daniels "hush money" case. During a congressional hearing in November, O'Brien was challenged to a fight by Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who read aloud a series of social media messages in which O'Brien called him a "moron" and said he was "full of s---." "If you want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here," Mullin said. The men exchanged insults for several minutes, ignoring repeated orders to stop talking from independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who was chairing the meeting, They didn't stop until Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire began her questioning by talking over them. The influential Teamsters union endorsed President Joe Biden in his 2020 race against Trump, but hasn't yet announced its choice for the November election. In a Friday post on his social media website, Trump said: "When I am back in the White House, the hardworking Teamsters, and all working Americans, will once again have a country they can afford to live in and be respected around the world." Biden has repeatedly described himself as the "most pro-union president in American history" and in September became the first president to participate in a picket line when he joined striking members of the United Auto Workers union in Belleville, Michigan. The UAW endorsed Biden in January, with president Shawn Fain saying: "If Donald Trump ever worked in an auto plant, he wouldn't be a UAW member. He'd be a company man, trying to squeeze the American worker." California Gov. Gavin Newsom trolled Fox News while touting the state's latest job growth numbers on Saturday. "Fox News will hate this: Last month, California created 43,700 jobs making up 1 in 6 of the nation's jobs," the two-term Democrat wrote on social media. Newsom also included a screenshot of a Mercury News story with the headline, "Job boom returns to Bay Area and California as hiring surges in May." The report cited figures from the state Employment Development Department that showed 7,000 new jobs created in the nine-county Bay Area despite massive tech industry layoffs, and said they help the state reach a record 18 million-plus nonfarm payroll jobs. A Fox News spokesperson didn't immediately return a request for comment. But when Newsom did something similar earlier this month, writing online that Fox News "definitely" wouldn't report that California was again home to the most Fortune 500 companies of any state, several network hosts bashed him on its top-rated show, "The Five." Jesse Watters called Newsom "Mr. Braggadocious" and said he was "stepping on a rake" because thieves in Los Angeles were reportedly stealing fire hydrants to sell as scrap metal and "it's so dangerous in Oakland, construction workers are quitting and refusing to finish its pothole-paving job." Greg Gutfeld referred to Newsom as "greasy Gav" and portrayed him as out of touch with the state's crime, traffic and homelessness problems, and Dana Perino said, "The guy can't read a room at all." Perino noted that the Rubio's Coastal Grill restaurant chain had closed 48 California locations in the wake of a state law that in April raised the minimum wage for fast food workers from $16 to $20 an hour. Electric vehicle sales are surging in Southeast Asia, led by China's BYD and Vietnam's VinFast , eating into the internal combustion engine car market dominated by Japanese and Korean firms, Counterpoint Research said on Friday. Chinese and Vietnamese electric vehicle sales are booming in Southeast Asia, surpassing traditional ICE car sales dominated by Japanese and Korean com EV sales in the region more than doubled in the January to March quarter from a year before, according to the research firm. Sales of ICE cars, meanwhile, slid by seven per cent. Also check these Cars Find more Cars BYD Seal 82.56 kWh 82.56 kWh 650 km 650 km 41 Lakhs Compare View Offers Toyota Camry 2487.0 cc 2487.0 cc Multiple Multiple 46.17 Lakhs Compare UPCOMING Tesla Model 3 82kWh 82kWh 555 km 555 km 40 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Honda Elevate EV 18 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Tesla Model S 100 kWh 100 kWh 570 km 570 km 70 Lakhs - 1 Cr Alert Me When Launched Mahindra XUV 3XO 1497 cc 1497 cc Multiple Multiple 7.49 Lakhs Compare View Offers "As Japanese and Korean automakers, who dominate conventional vehicle sales, lag in EV adoption, Chinese OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) are stepping in to fill the gap," said Counterpoint analyst Abhik Mukherjee. "Over 70 per cent of EV sales in the region are from Chinese brands, led by BYD," he said. In the first quarter of last year, 75 per cent of all EVs sold in Southeast Asia were made by Chinese car makers. Also Read : BYD outsells Ford as Chinese auto brands make US rivals bite dust for the first time Thailand, Southeast Asia's second largest economy where Chinese car makers have committed more than $1.44 billion (approximately 1.16 lakh crore) to set up new EV production facilities, is leading the charge. The regional auto manufacturing hub where Japan's Toyota Motor and Honda Motor have a major presence accounted for 55 per cent of all Southeast Asia's EV sales in the first quarter, with the segment growing 44 per cent compared to last year. "Vietnam saw an even more impressive growth, with BEV (battery electric vehicle) sales increasing by more than 400 per cent, contributing to nearly 17 per cent of regional sales," the research firm said. Dominating foreign markets Across the region, China's top-selling EV maker BYD maintained pole position, cornering 47 per cent of the regional market leader, followed by Vietnam's VinFast. BYD has had early success in Southeast Asia, which is still a small EV market compared to other regions, on the back of distribution partnerships with large local conglomerates. U.S. electric carmaker Tesla saw its market share in the region drop two percentage points to four per cent in the first quarter, in spite of its sales growing 37 per cent in the same period. Also Read : Chinese carmakers want Beijing to wage tariff war on European cars. Here's why A number of Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand and Indonesia, have rolled out incentives to stimulate EV demand and attract new investments - a call answered by Chinese car makers locked in a bruising price competition at home. "Southeast Asia is becoming a major expansion region for Chinese OEMs," Mukherjee said. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date: Read the full story on Backfire News Elvis Presley's Infamous Pantera Shooting The iconic De Tomaso Pantera, an Italian supercar with a Ford engine, famously became the target of Elvis Presley's heated frustration. Known for its mechanical issues due to being rushed to market by Ford, the Pantera often disappointed its owners, including the King of Rock and Roll himself. Alejandro De Tomaso, the car's creator, had an intriguing past involving a flee from Argentina to Italy, where he founded his car company. Learn why nobody bought David Spades sinister muscle car here. The Pantera, despite its advanced features like power windows and air conditioning, was notorious for its awkward steering, unreliable pedals, and a propensity to overheat and vapor lock. Mechanics detested working on it, yet it maintained a devoted following, partly due to its powerful 351 Cleveland engine and distinctive exhaust sound. Elvis, whose career was declining at the time, purchased a used Pantera for $2,500 (equivalent to $13,000 today) to impress his girlfriend, Linda Thompson. Known for his fiery temper, including shooting his TV over a disliked program, Elvis once took his rage out on the Pantera. After an argument with Thompson, the car refused to start, pushing Elvis over the edge. In his fury, he shot the car twice, with one bullet ricocheting off the steering wheel into the windshield. The Pantera was sold by Elvis in 1976, a year before his untimely death. In 1981, the car was traded for $300,000 worth of diamonds and eventually acquired by Robert Petersen, owner of the Petersen Museum, where the car is now displayed. Petersen expressed his excitement about owning a piece of history tied to one of Elvis' legendary outbursts, adding a unique allure to his collection. 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 When the actor Lily Gladstone was in high school, her classmates voted her Most Likely to Win an Oscar. Fast-forward to this year, it seemed like they were right on the money. In Martin Scorseses sprawling epic Killers of the Flower Moon, she was Mollie, an Osage woman experiencing the systematic slaughter of her oil-rich family. She was warm, flirtatious, grief-stricken, stoic. Such was the power of her performance, its careful grace and wisps of spiky humour, she stole the film right from under Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Gladstone had won the Golden Globe. Shed won precursor awards from critics in places as far-flung as Florida and Dublin. The metaphorical confetti cannons were at the ready. But when Emma Stone ended up taking home Best Actress at the Oscars instead, for her equally marvellous work in Poor Things, a specific narrative was foisted onto Gladstone. She became, in some circles at least, the one that missed out. Today, with a wry smile, Gladstone says she found all of the discourse flattering but also wildly misplaced. As an actor, you learn to distance your own ego from that machine a bit, she says. Otherwise its gonna eat you alive. She mulls over that moment in time, curling her mouth a little. By and large, yeah, there was this collective disappointment in Indian country that the big one didnt come through. But then there was also just a collective celebration that it had gotten that far. Which is what it was supposed to be about anyway. At the Screen Actors Guild awards, held two weeks before the Oscars in March, Gladstone took home Best Actress and accepted her trophy with a speech half spoken in the language of the Blackfeet tribe into which she was born. It sparked a fire: Blackfeet children began sending her videos introducing themselves with their Indian names and speaking of their aspirations in life. Major media publications threw a spotlight on the Native language revitalisation efforts spearheaded by her friends. Steven Spielberg told her the speech had encouraged him to download Duolingo and learn Navajo, the Native language of Arizona, the state in which he grew up. Besides, she adds, the way Indian country is, I think everybody just thinks the Golden Globes are the Oscars. So for a while, people thought that I actually had won it. And tangibly, theyre all just heavy little statues, and Ive got plenty of em on my mantle. Were meeting to talk about Gladstones new film, Fancy Dance, a tough, affecting drama about two Indigenous women on the run. Sitting in a New York hotel room in a pink, floral dress, the 37-year-old possesses an innate pull. Its likely that face of hers: the curious upward slant of her lips, the deep, brown eyes that, on screen, can convey such gravity in a simple glance. You cant help but be drawn in. Shes also at an interesting point in her career: an actor no longer at the centre of the awards-show storm and able to finally relax a little, but also still coming to terms with her newfound power. As the biggest name in the film, shes on a press tour thats been bent entirely to her schedule. Thats one thing thats different now. Another is that, while she worked the promotional trail for Killers, she was the awed newbie sitting next to an A-list star; this time around, its Gladstone who is the veteran. Sitting next to her is Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Gladstones 19-year-old co-lead and an up-and-comer more than happy to bask in her glow. The award is whatever. Im just grateful that its carved out such a space for representation She is such a talented and wonderful human being, DeRoy-Olson says, launching into a run of compliments that makes Gladstone jokingly cover her ears in embarrassment. Getting to know her before Killers of the Flower Moon and then watching her do such incredible things after no one deserves it more than her. Gladstones performance in Fancy Dance builds on her textured work for Scorsese. There she served as the films tragic heroine, a vision of survivalist strength, albeit with a hint of naivety. Her character in Fancy Dance, the dogged aunt to DeRoy-Olsons optimistic teen, is contemporary and street-smart; she uses her tough muscularity as a veil of protection against outside threats. Gladstone thinks both films work in tandem with one another, Fancy Dance operating as a response to critics who claimed Killers focused too little on Osage lives, and too much on the machinations of the white men marrying into and murdering Mollies family to get the rights to their land. The feedback I kept hearing was people wanted more of what was going on in Mollies life, and her sisters life, Gladstone explains. But I knew Fancy Dance was [in the wings] and in the hands of Indigenous filmmakers bringing you inside of that insulated experience. Both Fancy Dance and Killers are also due to sit alongside one another on the Apple TV+ streaming platform, she says. They belong together. They prop each other up. 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 Women on the run: Isabel DeRoy-Olson and Lily Gladstone in Fancy Dance ( Apple TV+ ) Fancy Dance straddles a variety of tones. Its part coming-of-age story, part mystery thriller imagine the gentle, cross-country melancholy of Peter Bogdanovichs Paper Moon crossed with the feminist rage of Thelma & Louise. Jax (Gladstone) is searching for her sister Tawi, a mother of one with underworld connections who has vanished without a trace. Left behind is Tawis daughter Roki (DeRoy-Olson), who is convinced her mum will return to join her at an upcoming powwow, in which numerous Native communities gather to meet and dance. Jax wishes to adopt Roki but the authorities are distrustful of her, while Native leaders are unable to help. It is often a sweet film, but also brutal and unsparing. Notably, too, its violence is obscured for the most part we only hear descriptions of tragic ends, and witness merely their emotional aftermaths. Killers portrayed violence against the Osage more viscerally, which earned it criticism at the time of its release. Gladstone, though, says that there is validity to the choices made by both films Fancy Dance, it should be noted, is directed by a Native American filmmaker named Erica Tremblay. Scorsese was not afraid of showing the reality and the impact of violence, she says. I think it was incredibly stirring in that film, and not gratuitous. It was shot from [the perspective] that it is a horrible thing to watch these murders and see these murdered people. But [the camera] always stayed far back, as if you were somebody witnessing it and the banality of it and how quickly it can happen. open image in gallery Stealing the show: Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon ( Apple TV+ ) The choices made by Fancy Dance are different. There are no brutalised bodies, for instance. But she insists Scorseses vision was essential. He has the ability to shift culture, she says. Few people on this planet can pierce the veil, open the door and get through to people in a way that is real and shocking but compassionate. She speaks slowly and deeply, but with almost regal command. You could hear a pin drop. Gladstone was born in Montana to a white mother and a Blackfeet and Nez Perce father, and raised on the states Blackfeet Reservation. She was first inspired to act after watching the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi, and found early opportunities in local theatre and in school plays. Her professional breakthrough occurred in 2016, when filmmaker Kelly Reichardt cast her as a lonely rancher drawn to Kristen Stewarts community college teacher in her film Certain Women. Gladstones performance aches with longing and uncertainty, while gesturing towards the queerness or at least outsiderness that punctuates much of her best work. Theyre things Gladstone has always seen in herself, too, from her mixed-race ethnicity to the fluidity of her gender identity: she goes by both she and they pronouns. The way that Im able to metabolise a lot of characters has to do with their gender expression, and the gender roles imposed on them by society, she explains. I think of gender as a cultural thing, like Blackfeet dont have gendered pronouns, we have gendered verbs. It means names in the community are symbolic of a persons purpose or skill set, and not chosen to maintain a gender binary. My grandfather had a womans name, for example. open image in gallery Aching with longing: Gladstone in Certain Women ( Shutterstock ) Jax in Fancy Dance is queer and romantically involved if at an emotional remove with an exotic dancer. Its just one of the elements in the film played so matter-of-factly. Elsewhere, the racism of the local Oklahoma police is presented as casual and underhand, while the lack of institutional support for Roki with her mother gone, she is threatened with being taken off Native land and placed in the custody of her absent, white father comes as little surprise to Jax. The characters here are often jaded and battle-weary, long familiar with discrimination and a world set up to work against them. That refusal to conceal the uglier realities of Indigenous life may have been why it took Fancy Dance more than a year to find distribution. But Gladstone also believes that it needed to be released in the wake of Killers of the Flower Moon, not only as her name could help it find a bigger audience now, but because the theoretical audience for the film required a different entry point into stories of Native people. A lot of times a piece of art will emerge thats slightly ahead of the curve, that audiences arent quite ready to contextualise in society, she says. They dont know how to watch it. We all knew how special this film was, and all the beats it hits and the conversations that it spawns. But a broader audience needed to have something as big and immense as Killers to be ready for it. People dont even necessarily know what they want to see until they realise theyre not seeing it. Its also why awards season was so useful for her. I had enough light on me to reflect it back in a concentrated way, onto other projects and other people, she says, turning somewhat maternally to DeRoy-Olson, of the Trondek Hwechin and Anishinaabe nations. The award is whatever, she continues. Im just grateful that its carved out such a space for representation. People were so excited. Kids saw it. It normalised the image of a Blackfeet woman on TV, wearing beautiful gowns and speaking her language. Next to her, DeRoy-Olson beams. Its as if, more than just being her co-star, Gladstone is an example of what, now, could be. Oscar, schmoscar. Fancy Dance is in selected cinemas, and streams on Apple TV+ from 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Fans and critics are tearing apart Netflixs latest hit movie Trigger Warning. The film, which landed on Netflix on Friday (21 June), has shot straight to the No 1 spot in the streamers Top 10 movies in the UK list. Trigger Warning stars Jessica Alba as Parker, a US Special Forces commando stationed overseas who is forced to return home when her father is killed. Parker takes over the family bar in her hometown, where she finds herself caught up in a violent conspiracy as she investigates the circumstances surrounding her fathers mysterious death. Trigger Warning is currently the number one film in the UK on Netflix, sitting in front of Jodie Comers thriller-drama The End We Start From and 24 Hours in Lidl a behind-the-scenes documentary about the supermarket chain. Despite earning the coveted top spot, however, Trigger Warning is receiving dismal reviews from all sides, with both critics and subscribers criticising the action flick. As noticed by Screenrant, the film continues Albas unenviable Rotten Tomatoes streak of late. The actor, best known for films such as Honey (2003) and Fantastic Four (2005), has not achieved a score above 45 per cent in either audience or reviewer scores on Rotten Tomato since Stretch. The 2015 comedy, in which she starred pposite Chris Pine and Patrick Wilson, was well-received overall. Three of Albas films in the last 10 years Barely Lethal, Some Kind of Beautiful, and Killers Anonymous have pulled in Rotten Tomato scores of less than 30 per cent. The latter pulled in a 0 per cent critic score based on nine reviews, and a 16 per cent audience score based on over 100 ratings. ( Netflix ) Unfortunately, however, TriggerWarning will do little to remedy the problem with Albas latest film achieving just a 25 per cent rating based on 20 reviews. It has achieved an even lower audience score of 19 per cent. Writing on X/Twitter, one Netflix subscriber said: Trigger Warning is one of the most boring movies Ive seen all year, but its also far and away the dumbest! A film seemingly made to justify Netflixs ability to watch things at 1.5x speed. 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 Someone else criticised the films writing, calling it one of the worst script [writing[ in a while. ( Netflix ) I watched Trigger Warning on Netflix last night, said a third person. Im a fan of Jessica Alba but that movie is really bad. Top 5 worst movie [sic] ever, agreed another. Total waste of time. Thats a review. Meanwhile, others praised Albas acting ability and action sequences while still deriding the films plot and writing. Some critics were less harsh than others, however, with The Guardian awarding the film three stars in a review titled: Jessica Alba returns in solid Netflix action vehicle. Trigger Warning is available to stream now on Netflix. If youre travelling abroad and want to stream Trigger Warning 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. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider. 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 Bear star Corey Hendrix has predicted that the wildly popular restaurant drama could easily continue for another four seasons. The Independent spoke to Hendrix at Stella Artois Lets Do Dinner series in Los Angeles on Thursday, which was held in collaboration with the FX series ahead of its forthcoming third season. Hendrix, who plays Gary Sweeps Woods in The Bear, said: Of course, I want to say it can go on forever. But I think we can easily do like four more seasons or something. Because the first two seasons were a lot but I still feel like we haven't really gotten there yet. He continued: The first season is the introduction. The second season, it's like we're trying to see if we can build this restaurant and now [in season three] it's like, okay let's see what happens. Lets see if this is a good idea. So I still think its like everyones still trying to get there. So I feel like there are plenty more seasons left in The Bear. The Bear dominated awards season this year, picking up six trophies at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Carmy Berzatto actor Jeremy Allen White. open image in gallery The Bear actor Corey Hendrix at Stella Artois Lets do Dinner: Summer Series in Los Angeles, California ( Courtesy of Stella Artois ) The series follows award-winning chef Carmy as he attempts to turn his deceased brothers sandwich shop into a fine dining destination. Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ayo Edebiri also star and were awarded at this years Emmys. The series debuted on FX in 2022 and has so far released two seasons. The third season will be released on June 27, 2024. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Moss-Bachrach reflected on the shows runaway success while admitting that fans yelling his characters name (Cousin) at him in public had gotten exasperating. 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 Sometimes, you know, youre just not having a great day, he said. And its just like: Im sorry, man, I dont have much for you. open image in gallery Hendrix (centre) with chefs Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak Thai and Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco ( Courtesy of Stella Artois ) Asked whether hed had similar interactions with fans, Hendrix told The Independent: People see me in random places and are like, Hey, whats up, chef? or Hey, chef! Because Sweeps is a supporting character, people recognise me but they dont realise why right away. I just was in Beverly Hills and got a facial, and they were like, You look so familiar. Rather than clearing things up, Hendrix said he prefers to say: I dont know why I look familiar. Before season three has even been released, it was reported that the show had already been picked up for a fourth season, which was filmed back-to-back with the third. It is thought that the decision to film two seasons of the program without a break is due to the schedules of the actors, with Edebiri and White being particularly in demand. In 2023, Edebiri, who plays sous-chef Sydney, starred in several additional projects including Bottoms, Theater Camp, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The 28-year-old also made a cameo in the charming teaching faculty comedy, Abbott Elementary. White, who plays tortured head chef Carmy, recently acted in the Zac Efron-fronted wrestling drama The Iron Claw and is set to play Bruce Springsteen in a biopic titled Deliver Me from Nowhere. The Bear season three is out on Hulu in the US and on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland on 27 June. 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 In a recent interview with The New York Times, returning Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said that he wanted the latest incarnation of the BBC blockbuster to reflect the positive trend among young people to express their emotions in a healthy way. This was in reference to Ncuti Gatwas teary, big-hearted Doctor a Time Lord who isnt embarrassed to shed a tear or jig with joy. But as Gatwas first season draws to a close with its eighth episode, the one emotion Whoivans young, old and in-between, are likely to share is the sting of anticlimax. After stringing us along since last years Christmas special with the so-called mystery of Ruby Sundays origins, the series delivers the mother of all letdowns: Rubys mum is just an ordinary person. The argument Davies proceeds to make, using the Doctor as a mouthpiece, is that it is Rubys average quality that makes Louise Rubys mum so extraordinary. Or as the Time Lord puts it: She was important because we think shes important. Thats how everything happens. Every war, every religion, every love story. Erm, alright. open image in gallery The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) in Doctor Who ( Sophie Mutevelian/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios ) There are echoes, here, of the cop-out at the end of the atrocious 2017 Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi in which writer-director Rian Johnson revealed that the parents of Daisy Ridleys Rey were no one important thus exposing the much-hyped riddle of her heritage to be tacky sleight of hand. That feint almost sank Star Wars theres a case to be made that the franchise has never quite recovered but it is hard to imagine Doctor Who suffering the equivalent reputational damage. For one thing, weve only known Ruby (Millie Gibson) for one season, so its hard to be too emotionally invested in the big mystery of where she comes from. The other point is that much like poor Jodie Whittaker fighting Chris Chibnalls terrible storylines in previous seasons, Gatwa is a great Doctor out of the gate and it is slightly beside the point that hes been saddled with some ropy plots, exemplified nowhere better than in this finale. open image in gallery Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) ( James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios ) But the key to a great season of Doctor Who is a great Doctor and Gatwa has ticked that box. Sooner or later, everything else is going to fall into place. That, at least, will be the hope of the BBC (and Disney +, which has the global streaming rights) following this damp squib of a season closer. Beyond the disappointing denouement surrounding Rubys origins, the finale picks the action up straight after episode seven with the return of 1970s mega-villain Sutekh, accompanied by an avatar of death in the form of the enigmatic Susan Triad (Susan Twist). In keeping with Whos new global profile, the devastation has overtones of Marvel and the snap extinction event from The Avengers. I bring Sutekhs dust, says Triad as she unleashes a storm of annihilation that spreads outwards from UNITs HQ through London and the entire planet. (Susan is a devoted underling and carries out Sutekhs orders to the letter wait for Gareth Southgate to pick her as Englands new holding midfielder). And nor is it just Earth that is in a bad way: the swathe of destruction has hit hundreds of planets. 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 But we get ahead of ourselves. Back in UNITs basement Time Window, Ruby uses her recollections of the night she was abandoned to summon a memory Tardis a new time machine assembled from previous incarnations of the iconic blue box. open image in gallery Mrs Flood (ANITA DOBSON) & Cherry (ANGELA WYNTER) ( James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios ) The gangs attempt at a clean getaway is rumbled, however. As Ruby, the Doctor and Bonnie Langfords Mel are about to escape, Sutekh appears and gives a classic villain monologue. He explains that, while the Doctor thought he had defeated Sutekh back in the Tom Baker era, he has, in fact, been hitching a ride on the Tardis this whole time (the Egyptian iconography of the original Sutekh, the Doctor later dismisses as cultural appropriation). Sutekh has also laid the groundwork for galactic destruction by using the Tardiss perception filter to scatter millions of Susans across the universe all without the Doctor noticing, because his own perception has been filtered. Now, Sutekhs band of Susans is awake and spreading dust to every planet the Doctor has ever visited. Sutekh (voiced by 91-year-old Gabriel Wolf, who played him back in 1975) has won, then. Game over, thank you, and good night, right? Not exactly amid the CGI devastation, one mystery remains unanswered, and its driving Sutekh crazy (it turns out hes both a megalomaniac demon-dog and the nosy neighbour from hell). Who is Rubys mother and why did she abandon her daughter amid that Christmas snow shower? Until that teaser is untangled, he will allow the Doctor to live. While Sutekh is twitching the figurative curtains, the Doctor has landed on a storm-ravaged planet where a depressed woman, played by Fleabags Sian Clifford, hands him the spoon he needs to power the Tardiss computer (metal is a precious currency following the apocalypse). She then turns to dust. The scene adds little presumably, it is a gesture to all those Fleabag fans who also enjoy vintage sci-fi and giant killer space dogs. open image in gallery Empire of Death,Ruby Sunday (MILLIE GIBSON) & The Doctor (NCUTI GATWA) ( James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios ) Resuming their travels, then, the Doctor, Ruby and Mel receive a hint from the Tardis. Its footage of Roger Ap Gwilliam (Aneurin Barnard), the evil Prime Minister from the 73 Yards episode who will set Britain on a course for nuclear oblivion in 2046. The Doctor recalls that, before he went nuke-happy, Ap Gwilliam forced everyone in the country to submit a DNA sample as part of his dictatorial takeover. So, they zoom to 2046 and download Rubys mums DNA shortly before Mel is revealed to have been possessed by Sutekh. With the gang whisked off to Sutekhs lair, all appears lost. At least it does until the Doctor reveals that actually he knew Mel had been body-snatched all along. In a confusing sequence in an overall confusing episode, which you may need to watch more than once to fully grasp, the Doctor uses a yard of intelligent rope to essentially lasso the confused Sutekh before travelling the time channels in his ship. Theres some wonky logic about bringing death to death and we see life restored to the universe as Sutekh hangs from the back of the Tardis. The Doctor proceeds to then cut the rope and jettison his nemesis into the void. Its a decently enjoyable carnival ride though its a shame the Sutekh special effects arent more accomplished. By the time the Doctor gives him the heave-ho, he looks like a Wallace and Gromit Claymation puppet left in the damp for too long. open image in gallery Empire of Death,Rose (YASMIN FINNEY) & Colonel Ibrahim (ALEXANDER DEVRIENT) ( James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios ) Back on earth, with the UNIT team restored to life, the Doctor delivers the big bombshell. Rubys mum wasnt a Time Lord or a superhero; she was just a frightened 15-year-old named Louise who had left her daughter on the church gates in a panic. Again, what an underwhelming twist one that straight-up contradicts the portrayal in previous instalments of the mother as a haunting, hooded figure out of a dark fairytale. Plausible or not, the Doctor and Ruby track down Louise where, against the Doctors advice, Ruby introduces herself. The Doctor is still full of positive vibes but having parked the Tardis at Ruby and her stepmoms London flat, he seems eager to make his excuses. Your life is out there, he tells Ruby, nodding towards her family. Ive shown you monsters and planets and legends. Your adventure is just beginning. He obviously means adventure in the boring, non-adventurous sense of Ruby catching up with her birth mother and living a normal existence. That said, this isnt the end of the character. Davies has already confirmed shell be back in 2025, when the Doctor will be joined by a second companion, played by Varada Sethu. There is at least a sting in the tail as we see Rubys creepy old lady neighbour Flood (Anita Dobson) cackling on the roof, as she promises that the Doctors story ends in terror. Lets hope so - anything would be better than this bland sign-off, which squanders Gatwas charm and fails to give Gibsons Ruby the farewell she deserves. After so much hope, hype, and hoopla, its all a bit of a letdown. 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 China has added the death penalty to judicial guidelines on criminal punishment for "diehard" supporters of Taiwanese independence. The new guidelines, notified on Friday, state that Chinese courts and prosecutors should "severely punish Taiwan independence diehards for splitting the country and inciting secession crimes. The guidelines are in accordance with existing laws such as the 2005 anti-secession law, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Promoting Taiwan's membership in international organisations or official exchanges or military contacts with foreign countries are punishable under the guidelines, according to a legal opinion issued by Chinas top court, prosecutor and several ministries on Friday. The punishment ranges from jail sentences to the death penalty and trials can be held without defendants present, the opinion states. China considers the self-governed island as an integral part of its territory and its position is accepted or acknowledged by all but a handful of countries as well as the United Nations. Beijing has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure on Taipei in recent years and conducted a fresh round of war games around the island last month following the inauguration of new leader Lai Ching-te. The military exercises came after Mr Lai, in his inaugural speech, urged China to accept the reality of Taiwans de facto independence. This month, he accused China of seeing the annexation and elimination of Taiwan as its great national cause. Beijing has criticised Mr Lai as a separatist and the new rules are seen as a move to pile pressure on him. open image in gallery Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te and vice president Hsiao Bi-khim at their inauguration in Taipei on 20 May 2024 ( Getty ) The death penalty under the new rules is applicable only to "ringleaders" who "cause particularly serious harm to the state and the people. Other advocates of Taiwan's independence face jail terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, said on Friday that the guidelines do not concern the majority of the islands people but only a small group of diehard separatists". Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council slammed the rules and urged its people not to feel threatened by China. "Beijing authorities have absolutely no jurisdiction over Taiwan and the Chinese communists' so-called laws and norms have no binding force on our people," it said in a statement. The government appeals to our countrys people to feel at ease and not to be threatened or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party. China has taken legal action against Taiwanese officials before. It has imposed sanctions on the islands former de facto ambassador to the US and current vice president Hsiao Bi-khim and announced similar measures against five Taiwanese political commentators for inciting "hostility and confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait". In a related development, China has banned several business units of American aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp and three of its executives from the country for signing arms deals with Taiwan. Taiwan relies heavily on the US, its chief ally, for arms even as it seeks to boost its military industry and increase mandatory military service for men from four months to one year. Just this week, Washington approved the sale of hundreds of armed drones, missile equipment and related support material worth $360m to Taiwan. 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 }} At least 53 people have died and 20 are in critical condition after drinking illegally brewed liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A total of 117 people from Kallakurichi district are receiving treatment, chief minister MK Stalin said as fears grow of the death toll rising. Mr Stalin said at least 164 people took ill after consuming illicit liquor but locals suspect the number could be higher as deaths in the neighbouring villages went unreported. More people are affected there but they are trying to escape medical teams to avoid being hospitalised, K Kaveri, a schoolteacher, told The New Indian Express. Ambulances, doctors and specialists from nearby areas have been deployed to the district. The men were rushed to the hospital after they experienced giddiness, headache, vomiting and nausea after consuming the liquor on Tuesday. They are receiving treatment at Kallakurichi Government Medical College, JIPMER Puducherry and Salem Government Hospital. Police have arrested four men following the incident and seized 200 litres of liquor. According to investigators, the man suspected of brewing the unlicensed liquor used methanol in the mix. A preliminary investigation found that the methanol used in the brewing of the illegal liquor was sourced from neighbouring Puducherry, Mr Satlin said on Friday, vowing to take stringent action against those responsible. Action has also been taken against the officials who failed to prevent it. Immediate action will be taken if the public informs [us] about those involved in such crimes. Such crimes that ruin the society will be suppressed with an iron fist. Relatives of the victims accused the police of being complicit, saying they knew about the sale of illicit liquor in the area. If someone complains, they will stop for 10 days but resume again. If a person complains, the police will tip the peddler off on who raised the complaint and immediately, that person is threatened by the peddlers, said a family member of an unnamed victim. The sale of illicit liquor is so rampant that even 13-year-old and 15-year-old boys are sold it in packets, said the relative. The state government will take care of the education of children who lost either of their parents in the tragedy, Mr Stalin said, and pay an additional allowance of Rs 5,000 (47 ) a month until they turn 18 to those who lost both parents. The state will also deposit Rs 500,000 (4,728) in the bank accounts of the bereaved children and hand over the money when they turn 18. The Madras High Court pulled up the state government for failing to take action against hooch sales despite over 20 people dying from consuming illicit liquor in 2023. The court ordered the government to file a detailed report on the action taken and a counter affidavit by 26 June. In the wake of the deaths in Kallakurichi, police arrested nine people suspected of selling illegal liquor in the neighbouring district of Salem and seized a total of 13,256 litres of alcohol. This isnt the first time India has reported deaths from consumption of illegally brewed alcohol, which is common in several states where liquor is banned and others where the poor cant afford licensed brands from government-run shops. In May 2023, at least 22 people died after drinking moonshine in Chengalpattu and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu. In 2022, over 30 people died in the dry state of Bihar state after allegedly drinking tainted liquor. The same year, at least 46 people died and close to 100 others were rushed to the hospital after drinking spurious alcohol in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Credit: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Dan Le Batards falling out with ESPN was big news until his departure in early 2021, but Mike Ryan, the longtime executive producer of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, believes Le Batard and the shows staff would have left the worldwide leader much sooner if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with colleague David Samson on his Nothing Personal podcast released Friday, Ryan explained that once former ESPN president John Skipper stepped down in 2017, he felt they could be fired at any time. Had the pandemic not happened, we would have been out at ESPN a lot sooner, Ryan said. We just kind of sat on the ball, still doing really good things, invented new ways to broadcast. But while we were putting out content, ESPN was scrambling to get its post-Skipper management team fully in place, and then we left. Aside from Skipper stepping down over a blackmailing scandal, local changes in their Miami market forced the Le Batard Show crew to re-evaluate their place in the industry. 790 The Ticket, which had combined with (W)QAM, had made the decision that they werent going to do the local hour anymore. And we didnt get a lot of heads up on that, Ryan explained. We collectively made the decision that we have this digital property, we have an audience who still wants this. I see the numbers. I see that the audience that consumes us over the air on 790 pales in comparison to the people that consume that hour digitally, so we decided we need to keep this going. We need to keep our audience. By then, the writing was on the wall with Skipper and ESPN parting ways. Bomani Jones left Le Batards side on Highly Questionable in 2018, as did Le Batards father Gonzalo Papi Le Batard the next fall. With his show a shell of itself and his friend in a high place in Skipper gone, the relationship between Le Batard and ESPN became even more fraught until the network fired producer Chris Cote in late 2020. Ryan & Co. were able to negotiate to keep the rights to their RSS podcast feed as well as their YouTube channel when they left ESPN. That opened the door to a big deal with DraftKings to sponsor and coproduce the show, as the Le Batard Show brought over its monster audience from ESPN Radio to the digital world. Perhaps in a different world, the Le Batard Show became a top dog in ESPNs new digital dominance. Instead, they went it alone and grew a business around their hit podcast. [Nothing Personal with David Samson on YouTube] 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 }} The heat dome is upon us and your first warning sign of heat stroke might be flagged by your watch. This week, much of the central and eastern US is under an oppressive atmospheric event that traps heat and causes extreme heat waves. At least 270 million people experienced extreme temperatures this week. Chicago, Illinois broke a 1957 temperature record on Monday with a high of 97F (36C), while Hartford, Connecticut beat a 1995 record on Wednesday by two degrees as the city also hit 97F. New York City saw its first heat wave since September 2023, with the heat index that is, what temperature it feels like to people reaching into the triple digits. These can be deadly events even for seemingly healthy low-risk people, medical and environmental experts tell The Independent. Last year 2,302 people in the US died from a heat-related illness, the highest ever number in 45 years of record keeping. Heres what happens when bodies overheat and what we can do to prevent it. A man sits at a cooling center in Phoenix, Arizona as the state saw its first heat wave of the year in June. Heat-related illness can prove deadly, experts say, especially for vulnerable populations ( Getty Images ) How an overheated body starts shutting down When heat-related illness begins, one of the first signs is a rapid heart rate, according to Dr Roxana Chicas, a nurse and assistant professor at Emory University. Then, if that lasts long enough, you stop sweating as your body redirects all blood to its vital organs making the body overheat even more, according to Chicas. Before long, the nervous system begins to break down as proteins in the body begin to unravel, according to Dr Lewis Halsey, a professor of life and health sciences at Londons University of Roehampton. Youll feel thirsty dehydration often plays a key role in heat-related illness. As water leaves the body, cells begin to shrink, Halsey explained, and communication between cells breaks down. While all these systems experience a breakdown, the body is working its hardest to protect the brain but once that vital organ overheats, several experts explained, disorientation and other neurological symptoms begin to set in. That means you might start feeling confused, struggle to remember things or say things that dont quite make sense. A doctor works with a defibrillator designated for patients suffering heat stroke. One of the first signs of heat-related illness is a rapid heart rate, experts tell The Independent ( AFP via Getty Images ) These symptoms can come for you even if youre a young, healthy fit person with no previous illnesses, under enough heat stress. But, if caught soon enough, heat-related illness is not a death sentence its a warning, according to Alejandro Saez Reale, a member of the technical support unit for the Global Heat Health Information Network. Its a medical emergency against time, Saez Reale told The Independent. You have 30 minutes to reduce the body temperature after heat stroke if not, the survival rate without medical intervention is one out of five. Emergency interventions for adults can involve simple tasks like taking them to a cooler place and giving them cold water, according to Chicas. More extreme interventions that medical professionals use include placing ice on the neck and under their armpits, as well as starting hydration through an IV, Chicas said. Dr Lisa Harshad Patel, a practicing pediatrician with a background in environmental science, said interventions for children involve similar strategies, like hydration and placing cool towels on them. Infants can be especially prone to heat-related illness, Patel said, because they cannot tell everybody that theyre feeling hot. Plus, infants also have more difficulty regulating their body temperature and depend entirely on the adults around them, Patel said, making them even more vulnerable. But the methods for cooling them down are the same as for big kids. Believe you are not at risk for heat-related illness? Think again While heatwaves are dangerous for everyone, certain groups are at higher risk for heat-related illness, including the elderly, those without air conditioning, the unhoused and outdoor workers. However, experts tell The Independent, there are several overlooked populations who are at high risk too. For example: Patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) both common types of medication, including standard antidepressants and ibuprofen are at higher risk of heat stroke. These medications make patients vulnerable because they can have dehydrating effects, according to Dr Laura Kwong, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. Pregnant people and their fetuses are also at higher risk for heat-related illness with pregnant people usually running hot anyway due to the extra blood pumping through them. Extreme heat increases the chances of birth complications, said Patel, while Halsey noted that pregnant people are more susceptible to heat stroke. A construction worker pictured drinking water on a hot, sunny day. There are many groups that are more vulnerable to heat-related illness, including patients who take SSRIs or pregnant people ( AFP via Getty Images ) Ill tell you the last few shifts Ive worked, when weve had a few days of continued heat, our [neonatal intensive care unit] has tended to fill up, Patel said. Patel also pointed to incarcerated people as an overlooked population because they rely on wardens for safety and are trapped if air conditioning breaks or is absent from their facility. Perhaps surprisingly, anyone who lives in a colder area will be more susceptible to heat-related illness because their bodies have not had time to acclimate when the heat suddenly hits, experts told The Independent. This risk factor will only become more prevalent as the climate crisis drives heat waves in colder regions. But one of the highest risk groups, Kwong said, is older men who live alone. She suspects its because they are less likely to ask for help although there isnt specific data to show that. If you know someone living alone, especially if theyre elderly or they have respiratory or cardiovascular disease, or if they have a disability that impairs their movement or cognitive ability, take time, Kwong continued. Give them a call. Ask how theyre feeling, ask how theyre keeping cool. Ultimately, experts said, no one is immune to heat stroke but being aware of those at the highest risk is essential to preventing heat-related deaths. All heat deaths are absolutely preventable, Saez Reale said. How we can save ourselves and others A whopping 6.3 billion people worldwide experienced at least 31 days of extreme heat since mid-2023. As the climate crisis drives more extreme and frequent heatwaves in the US and around the world, experts say 2024 will likely be the hottest year on record at a global level following the record-setting 2023. There are personal and community-level actions we can take to prevent heat-related deaths but several experts tell The Independent the ultimate solution is stopping the human-driven climate crisis in its tracks. Community members can help themselves and others by staying hydrated, avoiding exercise, and checking in on vulnerable people. Multiple experts said employers and policymakers also have a duty to implement regulations that protect all workers from heat-related illness. Patel, who also serves as commissioner for the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health, says both indoor and outdoor workers are susceptible to heat-related illness, specifically noting that those who work in warehouses, delivery trucks or any facility without reliable air conditioning are in danger. These dangers are exacerbated by the lack of nationwide heat protection regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), meaning there are no guidelines on people requiring breaks, air-conditioning or other contingencies due to heat. OSHA has been trying to work on a heat standard for years, but large industrial lobbies have come out against it and try to gum it up, because they are saying they dont want more regulations, Patel said. Saez Reale noted that some progress is being made on a state-by-state basis. In April, Arizona appointed Eugene Livar as the nations first-ever Chief Heat Officer, who will implement heat preparedness strategies and coordinate communication during a heat crisis. A sign in Arizona warns outdoor hikers about extreme heat. Arizona, which saw its first heat wave of the year in June, is home to the nations first-ever Chief Heat Officer ( Getty Images ) However, other states are going in the wrong direction. Earlier this year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill banning local governments from enacting heat protections for workers. Ultimately, several experts said, the most important solution is to stop the climate crisis in its tracks. In 2023, global warming exceeded 1.5C the upper limit set by the Paris Agreement to stave off the most harmful consequences of the climate crisis across an entire year for the first time. Then, in November, Earth breached the milestone temperature of 2C for the first time. While temporary, experts warned the breach is a dire sign. 2023s biggest climate stories Were talking about vast parts of this country that are going to be experiencing this type of weather that is going to result in death and in harm, Patel said. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Your individual style is what showcases your identity, Ivanka De Koning, a famed queer femme fashion influencer, told us when asked whether individuality can be manifested through fashion. For hers, it did. As my identity evolved, so did my style. De Koning was 26 years old when she came out as queer, making her what she would call a late bloomer. She was born in Heerlen, Netherlands, but traveled around the world for most of her childhood because of her fathers military career, before landing in New York City. Manhattan quickly became her home, a welcoming space free from judgment and expectation. Since starting a fashion blog in 2016, shes now gained more than 422,000 followers on Instagram and 60,000 on TikTok, leading two mass audiences as a figure for inspiration. People look to her, a luxury fashion creator within the LGBTQ+ community, on their journeys to find the same solace and self-confidence she so clearly exudes. On her page, the 36-year-old creator balances a palette of sophisticated brands like Prada, Dior, and Sandro with the playfulness of JW Anderson. De Koning dazzles downtown, decorated in a mix of feminine fashion codes and masculine cues, making even the classic black tie her own with a patent leather skirt. In its entirety, her style is refined. Dark undertones and light washes of vibrancy materialize a striking self-awareness in her, captivating her followers. But though her confidence appears effortless, it took her a while to find the look that eventually mirrored her true character. Ive experienced every stage of style and tried them all, she said. I learned more about myself, what I like, what I hate, and what makes me feel confident. When I first came out, I was so confused on how to dress or fit in. Yet, as I became more confident and comfortable in my identity, I started to develop my own unique style. open image in gallery Ivanka De Koning, a queer femme fashion influencer, inspires her community to be confident in their identity through personal style ( Ivanka De Koning ) For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, fashion allows them to actualize their identity before they know how to define or speak it. MI Leggett, the creator of Official Rebrand, who identifies as non-binary and trans masc, agreed that fashion is a window into self-discovery, forming the different silhouettes of our personas as we experiment with clothing styles to find what fits our vision of and for ourselves. And sometimes our style remains undefined an echo of who we are. I always found myself expressing myself through clothing and art and being able to actualize myself with material, MI told us. Like my inside turned outside because I didnt really relate to the outside in certain ways. open image in gallery MI Leggett is the nonbinary, trans masc designer and creator of Official Rebrand ( Sonia Broman ) MIs gender and sexuality is fluid. Though they identify as trans masc and take testosterone, they present across the spectrum. I identify all over the spectrum, kind of constantly shifting depending on the day. My intention is to be illegible, the artist noted, before adding how this fluidity existed in their style since they were younger. It wasnt until MI was in their late teens did they come to find out identifying as non-binary was an option. They had always been uncomfortable with the compulsory gender binary, feeling like they couldnt define themself under such strict identifications. At the time, when the appropriate language wasnt available, MI turned to clothing and art to visually theorize themself. open image in gallery Official Rebrand model in repurposed clothing ( Sonia Broman ) Growing up, MI would dress in more feminine codes, becoming a caricature of hyper femininity. But MI would also juxtapose these looks with more masculine ones. They said their style was either majorly skewed one way or the other a product of the constricting gender norms theyd been forced to follow. Since then, MI has found influence across the board. Launching Official Rebrand in 2017, MI sought to create a collection fit for everyday and anyone who revels in gay fetish culture and queer nightlife. From imaginative cuts into collared shirts to vintage work jackets with painted outlines of rabbit figures, each design prioritizes utility, function, and preservation, as much as it offers a fun and frisky flare to solid bases. Sustainability is also a main motivator for Official Rebrand. In their eyes, as much as it benefits the environment, reviving and repurposing tossed clothing mimics an important sentiment of self-expression: Make something fit who you are rather than fitting into something youre not. You can just create something to express yourself just for you and if you dont necessarily identify with your body or these sanctified, pre-packaged consumer identities that are shoveled down our throats constantly, you can invent with already made clothing, changing it to make it personal to you, MI explained. Its really more about how you wear it than what you wear. We all have different forms of personal style. However, what makes your personal style special, is that its 100 percent yours, De Koning added. When you feel good in your style, you own it and it shows. That confidence will bring out the best in you and your authentic self. Often, gender fluidity can be epitomized through androgynous dressing, composed of simple, yet timeless bases that are non-conforming. Other times, prismatic patterns and bright hues demonstrate gender fluidity in fashion something Jacqueline Loekitos eponymous brand brilliantly executes. open image in gallery Jacqueline Loekito focuses her eponymous brand on designing with a nonbinary consumer in mind ( Lucia Hunziker ) Loekito identifies as a female earthling and says her sexual orientation is male femininity. Her comfort is her chosen queer family but she was born in Jakarta to an Indonesian father and British mother. Indonesia, an archipelagic country thats made up of over 17,000 islands, exposed the inventive designer to a vast array of people from different religions, races, cultures, and genders at an early age. It was here where she developed unparalleled appreciation and love for the differences between people before she found her strength in crafting clothes that diminished gender divides. When Loekito eventually moved to London to study fashion, she quickly came to realize her signature design style was genderfluid. When I design I dont think of the gender, hence why anyone can wear it. I find designing for specific gender is so limiting, the creative explained. open image in gallery Models pose in custom Jacqueline Loekito ( Tiago ) Designing dynamic pieces with inventive shape and lively adornments for those who inspire her, to her and so many others, is a celebration of diversity in more than just a material way. When you are free from any norm of society, you are honest and this reflects on how you dress and how you treat people, Loekito proclaimed. Be free and let go of any burdens. Life is too short to hold on to something that is not important. De Koning candidly remarked: Ive never been more aware of my identity. Im queer femme and every creative aspect of my career and life makes up my identity. From putting an outfit together or concepting a creative photoshoot, its all fueled by my queer femme identity. To all her followers, anyone discovering their identity, and anybody trying to live their life authentically, she says: Follow what excites you. Say yes. I wouldnt be where I am today if I didnt allow myself to explore and listen to my intuition. MIs advice is simple and concise: Take agency. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch again as a New Mexico judge considers whether to compel a movie set armorer to testify at actor Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial for the fatal shooting nearly three years ago of a cinematographer during rehearsal for the Western movie Rust. Prosecutors are seeking a court order for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to testify with immunity for her against related prosecution. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted in March of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the shooting of Halyna Hutchins at a movie-set ranch. Baldwin figured prominently at that previous trial, which highlighted gun-safety protocols and his authority as a co-producer and the lead actor on Rust. The jury should hear all of the information Ms. Gutierrez has regarding Mr. Baldwin, both exculpatory and inculpatory, special prosecutors Mari Morrissey and Erlinda Johnson said in court filings. Counsel for both sides should be permitted to fully cross-examine Ms. Gutierrez. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed both oppose efforts to compel her testimony. 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 }} North Macedonia's parliament began a two-day debate leading up to a vote on the new government proposed by a center-right party that won May's national elections. Heading the proposed government is Hristijan Mickoski, a 46-year-old former engineering professor who has pledged to continue his center-left predecessors efforts to shepherd the small Balkan NATO member into the European Union. But Mickoski's more nationalist tone could alienate neighboring Bulgaria and Greece, both EU members with the power to hinder his country's accession to the 27-nation bloc. Mickoski is expected to win Sundays vote easily, having secured the support of 78 lawmakers in the 120-seat house. His VMRO-DPMNE party heads a coalition that gained just over 43% of the vote in the May 8 elections, winning 58 seats three short of a governing majority. Mickoski struck a coalition deal with the ethnic Albanian Vredi, or Worth, party and the small leftist ZNAM, securing a comfortable majority. Under the agreement, VMRO-DPMNE will have 15 ministerial positions, while Vredi and ZNAM will get six and two, respectively. Mickoski served as an advisor on energy matters to a previous VMRO-DPMNE government in 2015-2017. His key domestic challenges in government will include enhancing the rule of law while addressing corruption and poverty and reviving a sluggish economy. But the main issue will be North Macedonias path to the EU, which is being blocked by Bulgaria over its demands that the candidate amend its constitution to recognize a Bulgarian minority. The previous, center-left government promised to make the change, but VMRO-DPMNE has denounced the vow as a capitulation (to) Bulgarian dictates. North Macedonia entered NATO in 2019, following a historic deal with Greece that ended a decades-old dispute over cultural heritage and history and saw the small country change its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia. But VMRO-DPMNE has already made clear its distaste for the agreement, which could jeopardize Athens' support for its neighbor's EU accession. North Macedonias new president Gordana Siljanovska Davkova a VMRO-DPMNE candidate riled Greek and EU officials by calling her country Macedonia when she took the formal oath of office. She later insisted that she had a human right to refer to her country as she liked. Mickoski said recently he will use the new constitutional name North Macedonia during the oath and in all official meetings and events. But he added that he would stick to Macedonia in informal communications. EU membership negotiations with North Macedonia and fellow-candidate Albania began in 2022 and the process is expected to take years. Under parliamentary rules, the vote on the government must be held by midnight on Sunday. 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 }} It was the middle of the night at the prestigious Blundells School in Tiverton and all appeared calm as boarding children and staff slept in their beds. But at just before 1am, the quiet of the late spring night was shattered, and the future of three students was about to change forever. It began when maths teacher Henry Roffe-Silvester was woken up by footsteps in a shared bedroom above his boarding house quarters, and went up to investigate. At the door to the dormitory, he was violently confronted by a hammer-welding student dressed only in his boxer shorts. Behind the attacker, blood was splattered across the walls and beds of the pitch-black room. Inside, two students lay severely injured having been bludgeoned in their beds by the 16-year-old boy. On Friday, at Exeter Crown Court, following a trial, the boy, now aged 17, was found guilty of three counts of attempted murder after the jury heard how he set upon the two sleeping students and teacher. The teenager, who will be sentenced in October, was allegedly on a mission to protect himself from a zombie apocalypse when he carried out the attack. He struck me on the head [He] struck me on the head with a hammer, Mr Roffe-Silvester told the jury, as he described being attacked by the teenager and then stumbling backwards before being struck again, and then again. Six devastating hammer blows were directed at his head by the student, before the teacher managed to grasp the weapon in the corridor outside. Walking back into the dormitory, the teacher then discovered in horror the two severely injured boys lying in their beds. I first saw one of the boys the most immediate thing is the amount of blood everywhere, Mr Roffe-Silvester said. There was a large pool of blood on the floor to the left of his bed and there was a lot of blood on his desk and on the floor. He then found the other boy, also with blood on him, groaning in his bed. I am sorry, I was dreaming In the corridor, the attacker slumped down in a state of calm and told another boy: I am sorry, I was dreaming. The ferocious attack by a student, described as understated and quiet by a matron at the school, sent shockwaves through the respectable institution. How was the boy, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, able to have a collection of hammers in his shared bedroom at the school? He told the jury he kept two hammers, a screwdriver and a Swiss army knife by his bed for protection against a zombie apocalypse. During the trial, Mr James Dawes KC, prosecuting, told jurors: The investigation has uncovered an obsession that the defendant had with one of the boys, an obsession with hammers as weapons, and an obsession with killing and killers and the killing of children. He had motive ... he had planned something like this, thought about it in advance. Mr Dawes said the relationship between the attacker and one of the boys, who had been his friend, turned sour in the month before the attack, with the attacker sending the victim messages including, F***ing hate you, die. Then, on 9 June last year, he went to try to end the life of the boy as he lay sleeping in his bed. He would also attempt to murder another student in the same room, and Mr Roffe-Silvester. Attack could have taken just a minute The attack itself may have taken just a minute or so, Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl, a consultant forensic pathologist, told the court, but the multiple head, neck and leg injuries to the boys were devastating. Both suffered skull fractures, with the pair living with the long-term consequences of the attack, but with no memory of it taking place. A paramedic described the scene as like one from a horror film, while another, who had served in Iraq, said they have never seen such a scene of carnage, with blood over the desks, over the walls and the beds. The attacker accepted he carried out the attacks, but told jurors he was sleepwalking at the time. I knew something really bad had gone on and everyone was looking towards me, he told the jury when asked what happened. I didnt remember doing anything so the only rational thing I was thinking was that I was sleepwalking. Detective Inspector Dave Egan welcomed the jurys verdict after the boy was found guilty of attempted murder on three counts ( Devon and Cornwall Police ) I feel very terribly sorry for all three individuals because of what I did to them, he said. But the boys defence failed to persuade jury members, who delivered their verdict after being told he had been on his iPad in the moments before the attack. Detective Inspector Dave Egan, from Devon and Cornwall Police said his officers had worked tirelessly to prove that the offender had been fully conscious when committing the horrendous attack. Showed no remorse And Helen Phillips, of the Crown Prosecution Service, praised the housemaster for bravely intervening and stopping the attack. The boy, who had a macabre interest in murder, serial killers, and violence, showed no remorse and naively thought that by concocting a story about sleepwalking at the time of the attack he could evade punishment, she added. Now, as the boy awaits his sentence from a judge, Blundells School faces the challenging prospect of fixing its outstanding reputation. In the wake of the verdict on Friday, headmaster Bart Wielenga said he hoped it would bring a degree of closure in a letter to parents. He added: No school would ever wish something like this, but the conduct of pupils, staff, parents and the wider Blundells community throughout the past year has only been encouraging and reassuring. Now begins a long journey to recovery, perhaps the most demanding in the schools 420-year history. 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 }} Two people have been arrested after a man was killed in a pub hours after Englands Euro 2024 game against Denmark, with third man wanted for questioning by police. The 57-year-old suffered fatal head injuries at The Dolphin and Anchor Wetherspoon in Chichester, West Sussex after the England draw with Denmark on Thursday. The victim was assaulted at around 11pm, according to the Sussex Police. Paramedics attempted to provide CPR to the victim outside but they were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have since been informed. A 30-year-old man from Birmingham has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 42-year-old man from County Durham was arrested on suspicion of affray. Both remain in police custody. A third man suspected of affray has been identified, and police are appealing for anybody who knows where he is to come forward. Police are also appealing for anyone who was present at The Dolphin and Anchor Wetherspoons during the incident to come forward with information. Detective Chief Inspector Suzanne Joseph said: This incident led to the tragic death of a 57-year-old man, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. It happened in a busy pub in the city centre, and were urging anyone with information to come forward as we seek to establish the exact circumstances. If you saw what happened, or if you captured any relevant mobile or CCTV footage, please contact us. You can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Arunside. Following the incident, officers cordoned off a section of the city centre. Sussex Police have said the public can expect to see an increased police presence in the area as enquiries continue. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Jay Slaters last known movements have been mapped as the desperate search for the missing teenager entered its second week in Tenerife. A major search operation was launched after the 19-year-old, from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle, vanished on the Spanish island last Monday morning. Police, sniffer dogs, firefighters and volunteers were among those who gathered again on Saturday to continue with the hunt as fears grow for the British teenager. Jay Slater, 19, vanished on the Spanish island of Tenerife on Monday morning ( Supplied ) Mr Slater attended the New Generation Rave music festival in Playa de las Americas with two friends on Sunday evening. In his last Snapchat post at 7.30am on Monday morning, Mr Slater tagged Parque Rural de Teno Buenavista del Norte, a remote area to the north of the island, known for its rugged and sparse terrain. He is believed to have travelled to an Airbnb there during the early hours of Monday morning with two men he met at the festival - without realising the distance from his apartment in the tourist area of Los Cristianos. Jay Slaters final movements have been mapped as the desperate search for the missing teenager continues ( PA Wire ) At around 8.15am, Mr Slater called his friend Lucy Law, who had been at the festival with him, to tell her he had missed his bus and was planning to make the 11-hour walk back to his accommodation. He told her he was dehydrated, had cut his leg on a cactus, was unsure of his location, and had hardly any phone battery to use a maps app. This was the last time the teenagers family and friends heard from him. The last known sighting of Mr Slater was by Ofelia Medina Hernandez, whose brother owns the cottage where his two new acquaintances were staying. She said the teenager had asked her about bus times but seemingly decided against waiting the two hours for a bus to take him into town as she later saw him walking out of the village. Search and rescue teams combed a vast area of land in and around the village of Masca on Friday ( PA Wire ) Mr Slaters last recorded location on his phone was at 8.50am in the Rural de Teno National Park, a mountainous area popular with hikers. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and with a black bag. No further trace of him has been discovered. Members of the Guardia Civil near the village of Masca, Tenerife, on Saturday ( PA Wire ) Search and rescue teams combed a vast area of land in and around the village of Masca. Search teams have narrowed their efforts on small isolated buildings close to where his phone last pinged in Tenerife. Officers from the Guardia Civil in the Canary Islands could be seen circling two structures at the bottom of a ravine in Rural de Teno Park. Efforts appeared to be solely focused on the one area after days of searches in the village of Masca and the surrounding landscape. Those conducting the searches on the seventh day of the hunt for Mr Slater could be seen looking into blue barrels outside one of the small buildings. 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 year ago today the US Coast Guard confirmed the Titan submersible had suffered a catastrophic implosion an hour and 45 minutes into its dive to the Titanic wreck site. This week the co-founder of the company behind the disaster, Guillermo Sohnlein, admitted a day has not passed since 22 June last year where he has not thought about the five men who lost their lives. This included his friend Stockton Rush, who he co-founded OceanGate with in 2009 before Mr Sohnlein left the company in 2013. The Argentine-American entrepreneur, 58, wrote on LinkedIn: Last 18 June 2023, my co-founder and friend, Stockton Rush, was killed in a tragic accident at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. One year later, we are all still coping with the loss. The implosion of my old companys research submersible near the wreck of the Titanic not only took the lives of the five explorers in its crew, but the week-long search and rescue effort became a global media frenzy. Mr Sohnlein, who claimed earlier this year that humanity has the capacity to safely send humans to Venus, said the global publicity generated by the disaster made it harder to process his grief. OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein learned of the implosion while being interviewed about the missing submersible ( BBC ) He added: I have spent every one of the past 365 days thinking about Stockton and his family, the other four crew members and their families, the current and former OceanGate employees, and all of the mission specialists and other guests who joined the various OceanGate expeditions Titanic and otherwise over the companys 14-year history. Every one of them suffered a terrible loss, and every one of them has been coping with that loss in their own private way. He then urged people reflecting on the tragedy, which is still being investigated by the Coast Guard, to remember that it affected many many human beings. He concluded: Five explorers lost their lives. Four families lost loved ones, most without the possibility of a proper memorial service for fear of media scrutiny. Dozens of OceanGate employees lost their jobs and abilities to support their families, while at the same time facing the wrath of an uneducated general public. Thousands of members of the global ocean exploration community lost five colleagues and have spent the past year trying to maintain the viability of their own expeditions, projects, businesses, and careers. Human beings learn best from failures and grow stronger through adversity. As we navigate this anniversary week, I hope we will all exhibit respect and empathy. The wreckage of the Titan submersible was discovered on 22 June, 2023 ( AP ) Mr Sohnleins words come following renewed interest in the disaster, with Titanic director and explorer James Cameron stating that OceanGate should have never been able to offer commercial trips to the wreck in an uncertified, experimental vessel at $250,000 a head. San Francisco-born Mr Rush was related to two victims of the original Titanic disaster by marriage. Isidor and Ida Straus were his wife Wendys great-great-grandparents. Mr Rush openly admitted before the disaster that he and OceanGate had broken some rules to make it, including his decision to use a carbon fibre hull. Experts criticised this before and after the disaster because it is a material deemed unsuitable for diving to great depths, such as the Titanics 12,500 feet. There has been speculation that in the Titans case the hull weakened over time, ultimately culminating in last Junes disaster which killed Mr Rush, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire businessman explorer Hamish Harding, Pakistani billionaire businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman Dawood. Stockton Rush was criticised in the wake of last Junes disaster ( OceanGate ) But last years disaster has not dampened Mr Sohnleins desire to explore and he is currently planning a trip to one of the worlds deepest sinkholes, the Deans Blue Hole in the Bahamas, which has a depth of 663ft. The OceanGate co-founder confirmed to The Independent that the dive to the sinkhole will be carried out in classed submersibles and the crew will not be tourists, but trained professionals. He stressed that this was always the plan for the company, and it was not changed in light of last years disaster. After leaving OceanGate, Mr Sohnlein founded the company Humans2Venus in 2020. He described the organisation as [a] global community of Venus-focused professionals dedicated to promoting Venus as a potential long-term destination for humanity. In its most recent update about the disaster, the US Coast Guard said the investigation remains active but will take longer than initially projected to complete. 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 }} Prince William was born on this day in 1982 and was destined to be king from the moment he took his first breath. Then the second in line to the throne, his birth was celebrated the world over, and despite being born relatively late in the evening, royal fans gathered outside Buckingham Palace to celebrate the arrival of the new prince. The news was shared on a gilded easel outside the gates of the palace that read: Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was today safely delivered of a son at 9.03 pm. Her Royal Highness and her son are both doing well. At the time of his birth, William weighed 7lbs 1.5oz. The following morning, the happy couple posed with their new arrival on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St Marys Hospital in London. This was a scene that was recreated by William and Kate Middleton over 30 years later when their son and future king Prince George was born in 2013. The Prince and Princess of Wales leaving the Lindo Wing at St. Marys Hospital after the birth of their baby son, Prince William. ( PA ) The now-King Charles revealed at the time that he had been by his young wifes side the whole time she was giving birth and acknowledged the unusual experience of having a child who belonged to us even though he seemed to belong to everyone else as well. The then-Prince of Wales wrote: The arrival of our small son has been an astonishing experience and one that has meant more to me than I ever could have imagined. I am so thankful I was beside Dianas bedside the whole time because I felt as though Id shared deeply in the process of birth and as a result was rewarded by seeing a small creature who belonged to us even though he seemed to belong to everyone else as well. At the time of Prince Williams birth, Diana was just 20 years old and King Charles was 33. Prince William, now 42, is here pictured when he was just six months old. ( AP1982 ) She married Prince Charles the previous year when she was 20, having got engaged when she was still a teenager. Prince Williams birth was also an interesting arrival for the royals in terms of breaking with tradition, as he was the first future king born in a hospital and not a palace, as had traditionally been the case. Williams early life also broke with tradition in many ways too as Princess Diana sought to give him as normal a life as possible. This meant that he had the opportunity to do things like take public transport and visit fast food restaurants, as was also the case for his younger brother, Prince Harry. Prince William is pictured below at St Andrews University in 2004. ( AP2004 ) Even after Dianas untimely death in 1997, William himself tried to carve out a life that was as normal as possible at university. A deal was reached with the press that they would not take paparazzi shots of the young Prince as he studied at St Andrews University in Scotland in exchange for official pictures and releases. It was at St Andrews University that he notably met his now-wife Kate, who also broke with tradition by marrying into the royal family without an aristocratic background. This desire for a normal life has characterised the most recent year of Williams life more than ever amid his familys ongoing health concerns. Royal commentators have praised the prince for the efforts he has made this year to protect the Princess of Wales, in particular, as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Prince William appeared in public with his wife and children for the first time this year at Trooping the Colour. ( James Manning/PA ) Anotable example came during this years BAFTAs, which the Prince interestingly prerecorded a message for at Windsor Castle instead of his own home, Adelaide Cottage, following intense speculation about the Princesss whereabouts. Some commentators saw this as a commendable effort to protect the Princesss privacy. Now that Prince William has entered his 42nd year, royal commentators are looking to the future of the Monarchy. Writing for the MailOnline, royal expert Richard Eden claims that Willliam has a new plan for the royals and his youngest children, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, may be given the opportunity to live completely normal lives altogether. Eden cited a source who claimed: When the older members of the family retire, His Royal Highness wont be inviting anyone else to become working royals. A new picture of Prince William was shared to mark his 42nd birthday. ( Princess of Wales/Kensington Palace/PA Wire ) It remains to be seen if he will even want his two younger children to be working royals. That is what William wants. He sees the small European monarchies as the model for the future. Williams birthday was celebrated today by Kate on social media, who shared a previously unseen picture of the heir to the throne with his three children. She wrote: Happy birthday Papa, we all love you so much! Cx 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 }} Sir Keir Starmer has set out for the first time how he laid a trap for Boris Johnson over Partygate, luring the former prime minister into the lies that saw him forced out of parliament. The Labour leader, and Britains former chief prosecutor, said he knew Mr Johnsons instinct under pressure was to lie and detailed how he forensically led the then prime minister into misleading the House of Commons. Mr Johnson sensationally quit as an MP last summer before facing the verdict of parliaments privileges committee, which was to rule he lied about the scandal of lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street. Sir Keir Starmer has set out how he forensically trapped Boris Johnson in a web of lies over Partygate ( Getty ) Branding him the first former PM to have lied to the Commons, the privileges committee found Mr Johnson committed repeated contempt of parliament by deliberately misleading MPs over lockdown-busting parties before being complicit in a campaign of abuse and intimidation. Sanctions against Mr Johnson included banning him from having a pass to access P arliament, which is usually available to former MPs. He would also have faced a 90-day suspension if he had not already quit. In an interview with The Guardian, Sir Keir lashed out at Mr Johnson as a guy who is detached from the truth. Whether hes lying or not, it doesnt matter to him, Sir Keir said. And he laid out the specific and intentional way he set a trap for Mr Johnson over the Partygate saga. He told the paper: When I first asked him, Did you apply all the rules? I hadnt seen the video of Allegra [Stratton, Johnsons director of strategic communications]. But he was told about her laughing in response to being asked, What do we say about the parties? So I said [to my team], I think theres something here. Lets get him on record. Because his instinct will be to lie. It was a thread that we pulled over months. I was less bothered by what he was saying to me than trying to be forensic and getting him on the record. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he knew Boris Johnsons instinct under pressure was to lie ( PA ) It paid dividends in the end. He had to leave parliament because hed lied. A report into Downing Street parties by former top civil servant Sue Gray laid bare a culture of repeated violations of the Covid restrictions by senior officials in No 10. It contained multiple photographs of ex-PM Mr Johnson and one of his successor Rishi Sunak attending a birthday gathering with his old boss. Mr Sunak and Mr Johnson both received Metropolitan Police fines for the event, which took place on 19 June, 2020. Britains top polling guru Professor Sir John Curtice has said one of the main reasons for the Tories electoral woes, with Mr Sunaks party on course for a 1997-style wipeout, is because of the legacy left by Partygate. 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 }} Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have led criticism of Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader claimed that the West provoked Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It did not stop Mr Farage from doubling down on his comments, originally made in a BBC Panorama interview which aired on Friday night, in a column piece on Saturday afternoon for the Daily Telegraph, claiming that he should not be blamed for telling the truth about Putins war. Asked about the remarks during an election campaign visit in London on Saturday, prime minister Mr Sunak suggested Mr Farage was emboldening Putin. What [Mr Farage] said was completely wrong and only plays into Putins hands, he said. This is a man [Mr Putin] who deployed nerve agent on the streets of Britain, who is doing deals with countries like North Korea, and this kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britains security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and only emboldens Putin further. Sir Keir, speaking at another campaign event in the capital, said: Anyone who is standing for parliament ought to be really clear that Russia is the aggressor, Putin bears responsibility, and that we stand with Ukraine, as we have done from the beginning of this conflict. Nigel Farage drew a link between Nato and European Union expansion in recent decades and the conflict in eastern Europe ( PA Media ) Parliament has spoken with one voice on this since the beginning of the conflict. He added that Labour was unshakeable in our commitment to Nato because this is about defending Ukraine, but it is also about defending our hard-won democracy and freedom, and anybody standing for public office ought to understand that. The two party leaders were responding to comments made by Mr Farage during the Panorama interview, in which he said Putin had used the ever-eastward expansion of Nato and the European Union as an excuse to invade Ukraine. It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of Nato and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say, theyre coming for us again and to go to war, he said. Ben Wallace, the former defence minister and well-known advocate for Ukraine, described Mr Farage as a pub bore after the Reform UK leaders comments. I think Nigel Farage is a bit like that pub bore we have all met at the end of the bar who often says: Oh no, if I was running the country, and presents very simplistic answers to actually, I am afraid, in the 21st century, complex problems, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. It is not that easy to a) govern a country, but also to find international solutions to problems. Mr Wallace added: If he became prime minister tomorrow morning, what is his solution to dealing with a President Putin that he alleges he admires? Mr Farage then doubled down on his original comments in Saturdays article on the Telegraph website. Mr Farage wrote: So, let me set the record straight. I am not and never have been an apologist or supporter of Putin. His invasion of Ukraine was immoral, outrageous and indefensible. As a champion of national sovereignty, I believe that Putin was entirely wrong to invade the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Nobody can fairly accuse me of being an appeaser. I have never sought to justify Putins invasion in any way and Im not now. But that doesnt change the fact that I saw it coming a decade ago, warned that it was coming and am one of the few political figures who has been consistently right and honest about Russias Ukraine war. What I have been saying for the past 10 years is that the West has played into Putins hands, giving him the excuse to do what he wanted to do anyway. As Mr Wallace pointed out, Mr Farage did not offer an alternative means of dealing with Vladimir Putin. Soon after Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Reform leader claimed that the West had provoked Russia into the attack. 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 }} Labour are set to launch a social media campaign aimed at questioning Rishi Sunaks judgement by ramping up pressure for him to suspend 12 candidates caught up in different controversies including the betting scandal. The new campaign will feature an unnamed cabinet minister who allegedly put a bet on the election date, and 11 named Tory candidates involved in a range of issues highlighted in the campaign. On Saturday night it emerged that the Tory chief data officer, Nick Mason, was also being investigated for alleged betting, according to the PA news agency. Hes taken a leave of absence. With Labour more than 20 points ahead in most polls currently, Labour want to go for the jugular over Mr Sunaks decision not to suspend candidates from his party. Labour are targeting Rishi Sunak over controversies surrounding these 12 candidates ( Labour Party ) Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth described the prime minister as weak for not being able to take a firm stance. The other 11 so-called dirty dozen include: Craig Williams, Mr Sunaks parliamentary private secretary standing in Montgomeryshire, and Laura Saunders, who has worked for the Tories since 2015, married to director of campaigning Tony Lee, and standing in Bristol North West, who are both being investigated by the Gambling Commission for betting on the election date shortly before it was called. Ms Saunders has not responded, but Mr Williams said: I clearly made a huge error of judgement thats for sure and I apologise. Mr Sunak said he was extremely angry about the scandal but insisted he cannot suspend people while the investigation is underway warning those found guilty will be expelled from the Tories. Marco Longhi, standing in Dudley, is accused of stoking ethnic divisions with a letter addressed to voters of the British Pakistani/ Kashmiri community asking who they thought would speak up for Kashmir, him or Labour rival Sonia Kumar, with her common Indian surname in bold, underlined, capital letters. Rishi Sunak is under pressure in the closing stages of the campaign ( AP ) Mr Longhi denied stoking ethnic tensions, saying: I dont know what her ethnicity or religious background is. I am not trying to stoke division. I will always stand up for abuses of human rights wherever they take place. Stephen James, Dover and Deal, is accused of using AI to produce an antisemitic cartoon depicting men with hooked noses at the white cliffs of Dover carrying bags of false hopes, then using it in a now-deleted social media post attacking so-called carpetbaggers standing in the seat. Mr James has unequivocally apologised and said that the image had been created from famous historic cartoons by Thomas Nast and Gerald Scarfe. He said: As someone who has written for The Times of Israel on antisemitism, I am acutely aware of the importance of vigilance against such instances. AI has safeguards to prevent the creation of offensive images, but on this occasion, it fell short and I shall be extra vigilant going forward. I apologise wholeheartedly for any offence caused by this image. Rose Hulse (centre) is one of the candidates being scrutinised ( @BSGMatters/X ) Rose Hulse, Bristol North East, standing against Jewish Labour candidate Damien Egan, liked posts on social media referring to Mr Egan as a fiend of Israel, and another that accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of tap dancing to the idea that AntiSemitismIsAllThatMatters. Ms Hulse told The Independent: The tweet referenced was clicked in error. As soon as I realised, I immediately deselected the tweet. I apologise for any offence caused. Darren Millar, Clwyd North, was filmed bowing before an alleged Islamophobic hate preacher while he delivered a sermon at the launch of a bible centre in Wales, and has been revealed to have links with another pastor accused of homophobia. Mr Millar told the BBC he did not endorse the views of the pastors adding: No one should be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Lee Roberts, Putney, described London mayor Sadiq Khan as a snivelling little drip who had done more to damage the capital than the Luftwaffe. After the recording came to light, Mr Roberts said: I would like to apologise for my comments. They were not intended to give any offence. Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth says Sunak is weak ( Victoria Jones/PA ) Oliver Johnstone, Stockport, has joked about drugging women with the date rape drug Rohypnol in order to have sex. Mr Johnstone said: These comments were made a number of years ago and I wholeheartedly apologise for them. Alex Deane, Finchley and Golders Green, defended Boris Johnson against a groping allegation by quoting the phrase: How do I know my advances are unwanted until Ive made them. Mr Deane has pointed out that he was quoting the late Tory MP Alan Clarke from his diaries and his full quote was about the presumption of innocence in British law when his fellow guest on Sky News at the time had said she believed Johnson to be guilty. Will Goodhand, West Bromwich, was filmed 19 years ago in a dating show boasting about his massage technique, and asking a retail assistant her bra size. Mr Goodhand said: This was a dating show of its time. Its not something that I would do or take part in now. Ashley Fox, Bridgwater, is accused of lying to MPs about his political ambitions when they vetted his candidacy to head up the Independent Monitoring Authority. He told the justice select committee he would not run for political office if appointed. Fox said: I have now stepped down from the IMA. I am very proud to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for Bridgwater and am looking forward to the election on 4 July. Commenting for Labour, Mr Ashworth said: While Labour took immediate action this week to suspend the one candidate for our party against whom serious allegations have been made, Rishi Sunak has refused to take any action against the dirty dozen of Tory candidates, who stand accused of acts ranging from blatant corruption to dog-whistle racism. This is not just about Rishi Sunaks weak leadership, it is about his basic lack of backbone and principle. If any Labour candidate had done any of the things these 12 Tories have been accused of, Keir Starmer would have had them out the door before their feet could touch the ground. A Conservative Party spokesman said: The Conservative Party has spoken to these individuals, and reminded them of the Partys code of conduct and standards expected of candidates, including on social media. 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 }} As gunfire opened at an Arkansas grocery store, several families looking to escape the carnage rushed into the store of retired cop Ken Van Der Zwalms around the corner. So we gave them refuge in the store as a former police officer, I was armed. I told them that they were safe where they were. We kept the children safe, and waited till their family or somebody come to pick them up, Van Der Zwalms told The Independent just hours after the shooting. On Friday afternoon, a gunman opened fire at the Mad Butcher supermarket in Fordyce killing three and leaving six injured, including an officer. Police said they wounded the suspect and had him in custory after the shooting. The motive for the attack in the small town of 3,000 people about 70 miles south of Little Rock remains unknown. Van Der Zwalm said that he had initially thought the gunfire was somebody was throwing stuff in the dumpster. I said, well, thats too much stuff going in the dumpster, so I got to listening, and it was actually rapid fire from a gun, because it was a deeper sound, he said. I listened to it for a while, and then the news started coming out. People were running everywhere, and we had several people that ran to the store that were screaming and crying, and little children traumatized by what was going on. Three people were killed and six were hurt in a shooting at a Fordyce, Arkansas, grocery store. A nearby owner recalled the moment gunfire began and families ran into his store for safety. ( AP ) Van Der Zwalm, who lives in the nearby city of Warren, said that even as a former police officer, he had never experienced [gunfire] like that. Its gonna mark those kids that we took in, he told The Independent. Its gonna mark them for life because they were right there. They were at the scene. Its gonna affect them for the rest of their lives. They definitely need prayers. Officers from multiple agencies, including highway, state and city police flooded the scene. There were also countless ambulances and helicopters to help evacuate the wounded. Graphic footage shared online appeared to show a body lying in the parking lot of the supermarket. Police have yet to release a motive in the Arkansas grocery store shooting and said the suspect was critically wounded. ( AP ) Residents later described the incident as a terrible day for our little town. Charise Ellson said the shooting was a horrific tragedy as she thanked law enforcement for their quick response. To all our family and Facebook friends.. We are ok. Today was a terrible day for our little town of Fordyce Arkansas, Ellson wrote on Facebook. Thank you so much to the police for their quick response to apprehend the assailant and keeping others in nearby stores safe. This is a small town and we personally know several people that were very nearby when the shooting took place. Its just such a horrible thing that happened to people simply trying to grocery shop. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders later praised the heroic action of law enforcement. I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and Im in constant contact with State Police at the scene, she wrote on X. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific incident. 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 }} Terrified grocery shoppers at a Fordyce, Arkansas supermarket hid in freezers after gunshots erupted in a mass shooting on Friday, according to a report. A gunman opened fire just after 11.30am at the Mad Butcher supermarket in Fordyce, killing three and injuring 11 others. The suspected shooter was identified as Travis Posey, 44, who is now in custody. Katrina Doherty, 39, was shopping with her 18-year-old daughter and four-year-old son when the sound of gunfire ripped though the grocery store. Looking for a safe place to hide, she stuffed herself into a freezer, CNN reported. She had already heard nine or 10 rounds of gunfire by the time she and other shoppers entered the chilly refuge. We ran in there really fast. We still heard gunshots keep going off, Doherty told CNN. It was like slow motion. My daughter was like Mama, pinch me, this cant be real. And I was like, Baby, its real. Although she tried to call 911, Doherty said she had no service. They sustained the cold, remaining in the freezer while in panic mode. Travis Posey is now facing counts of capital murder ( Ouachita County Jail ) Her son started crying, she recalled: My son about froze to death. We tried to get him quiet, but he was saying he wanted his daddy. Doherty said she didnt want the shooter to hear. It felt like they were in there forever, the mother said, adding that in reality, they were there for about 15 minutes: I was asking the Lord to protect over everybody. I was just praying. The other lady, she was praying. She was crying. The Fordyce supermarket tragedy underscored an alarming reality mass shootings can happen anywhere. This is a small town and we personally know several people that were very nearby when the shooting took place. Its just such a horrible thing that happened to people simply trying to grocery shop, Fordyce resident Charise Ellson wrote on Facebook. Later on Friday, Arkansas State Police announced that Posey would be charged with three counts of capital murder, with additional charges pending. He was booked in Ouachita County Jail at 6.30pm on Friday, booking records show. The motive for the shooting is still unknown. So far, two of the victims have been identified. Callie Weems, a 23-year-old nurse who had a 10-month-old baby, was fatally shot while shopping, her mother Helen Browning told Fox 16, adding that she had known Posey since he was a child. I just want to know why Joey Posey woke up this morning and decided he needed to go ruin families lives, Browning said. Fordyce has truly been shaken today by a tragic and senseless act, Dallas County Medical Center Family nurse practitioner Cory McMahon, posted on Facebook. Our own Callie Weems, LPN was taken from us and our hearts are broken and lost right now. Callie Weems was killed in the Fordyce, Arkansas mass shooting ( Facebook ) Shirley Kay Taylor, 63, was also killed in the massacre, her daughter Angela Atchley told THV11. She was such a GREAT woman, she didnt deserve this, Atchley wrote on Facebook. The conditions of the victims that were injured range from non-life threatening to extremely critical, police said on Friday. The Independent has emailed the state police for further updates. A former police officer was right around the corner when he heard rounds of gunfire going off, telling The Independent that he had never experienced [gunfire] like that. The supermarket shooting marks the second mass shooting in the state this month alone, Gun Violence Archive data reveals. 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 Miami woman is facing charges after being caught trying to give Botox injections in a malls parking lot, police said. Lina Alexandra Gutierrez-Farfan, 48, was recently arrested by MiamiDade police. She was charged with practicing health care without a license and possession of prescription drugs with intent to sell or deliver. The police investigation started after a client complained that he got multiple injections and one left a lump on his forehead that lasted for a month, according to a police report obtained by WPLG . Gutierrez-Farfan was charging patients $150 to $200 per session, police said. The person who reported the case to police was under the impression that Gutierrez-Farfan was a licensed provider. Lina Alexandra Gutierrez-Farfan is accused of giving unlicensed Botox injections. Florida police say they caught her in a sting at a malls parking lot. ( Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department ) Detectives planned a sting to meet Gutierrez-Farfan in the parking lot of the Midway Crossing Mall. Gutierrez-Farfan had agreed to do the injections for $350, police said. When she arrived in the lot, officers saw her removing a gray cooler bag from her car, the report stated. Police detained her and found two vials that contained suspected Botox and a box labeled with a type of filler. Authorities also said they found syringes and bandages inside the cooler bag. Officers arrested Gutierrez-Farfan and found she was not licensed to perform any medical procedures in Florida, according to WPLG. She was released from prison on $5,000 bond. 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 }} Bryan Kohberger had identified a single target on the night he allegedly murdered four college students in Idaho, a new book has claimed. Murder suspect Kohberger was fixated on Madison Mogen when he entered the off-campus house in Moscow on November 13, 2022, according to journalist Howard Blum. The 29-year-old criminology PhD student is currently awaiting trial for the murders of Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were all found stabbed to death. Officials believe Kohberger was after Mogen because he passed the rooms of two surviving roommates before starting the killing spree, Blum told ABC News. If he was just on a killing spree, it would have been natural, instinctive, to go to one of those doors, he said. Instead he goes up this narrow staircase and he turns directly into Maddies room, and I think Maddie was his target. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed on November 13, 2022. A new theory claims suspect Bryan Kohberger had targeted Mogen. ( Instagram ) Police linked Kohberger to the murders that rocked the college town through DNA found on a knife sheath, cell phone data, an eyewitness account and his white Hyundai Elantra. Blums book also claims that Kohbergers family had concerns about his behavior leading up to his arrest six weeks after the murder. His father said he had been on edge when he picked him up from school after the killings. [Kohbergers father] has been reading the headlines - he knows that four students were killed 12 miles from his sons house. He knows what a troubled son he has, Blum told ABC. One of Kohbergers two sisters had also approached their father to voice suspicions about him, but he had brushed off the concerns, unwilling to confront the possibility. Blums book, When the Night Comes Calling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders is set to be released on June 25. The family of Bryan Kohberger had reportedly voiced concerns about his suspicious behaviour in the days leading up to his arrest ( AP ) It comes after a hearing in the case was set for June 27 where attorneys are expected to discuss dates for the trial and sentencing. They will also discuss whether the trial should be moved outside the county to seat an impartial jury. The state has been opposed to the move, while the defense is in favor of it. Kohberger previously declined to enter a plea prompting Judge John Judge to enter his plea as not guilty on his behalf in May 2023. Latah County prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. Last month, the defense argued that prosecutors had not handed all the evidence over for them to review and have filed multiple motions to compel the state to do so. Prosecutors insisted they are doing all they can to share evidence but have been partly delayed by federal rules, due to the FBIs involvement in the investigation. Earlier this year, Kohbergers attorneys also filed a motion to dismiss the murder charges against him, citing a biased grand jury, inadmissible evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. Judge Judge denied the motion. 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 West Haven, Connecticut father was arrested after being accused of deliberately drowning his children in the Long Island Sound. A West Haven Police Department officer heard significant screaming at 2.30am on Saturday morning while he was patrolling the area near Ocean Avenue and Dawson Avenue. He then saw two small children and an adult man in the water. The man was later identified as Romney Desronvil, 41. As the officer entered the water, Desronvil reportedly moved farther from the officer with his children while yelling at the police to stay back. Desronvil was deliberately drowning his children, the police department said in a release. Officers immediately entered the water, about 100 yards away from shore. The officer who first responded to the incident was able to rescue both of the children, the release said. The children received life saving measures and they were transported to the ICU, where they remained as of 9.30am. Desronvil, from Queens, New York, is in West Haven Police custody. The charges for this heinous act are pending, police said. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. 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 couple has been arrested after locking their two young children in a car for 40 minutes during an excessive heat watch while they shopped at Walmart. Mirianne Pierre and Watson Joseph were arrested on Monday evening on two counts of dependent neglect and booked into Marion County Jail in Indiana. Bystanders called 911 after seeing the children, aged five and just under a year old, alone in a Ford SUV which wasnt running at an Indianapolis Walmart, according to Fox59. One child was sweating while the other appeared dazed, Fox59 reported. The car was likely over 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51C) when they found the children, according to Lawrence Police Department who responded. The children are now in the care of child services. Mirianne Pierre, pictured in a booking photo, was arrested Monday alongside her partner Joseph Watson after leaving two children locked in a hot car ( Marion County Jail ) Mondays temperature in the area hit 93F (33C), the highest recorded this month, according to the National Weather Service. The region was issued an excessive heat watch at the time. Joseph and Pierre, both 31, were released on Wednesday, jail records show. Josephs next hearing is scheduled for June 24. Pierres hearing date is not listed in public records. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Sergeant Anthony Patterson, whose department did not investigate the case, told Fox59 that parents must be extra diligent to protect their kids on hot days. We never want to leave our kids unattended, much less when its hot outside. The moment we shut that engine off, the temperatures rise really rapidly, Patterson told Fox59. Watson Joseph, pictured in a booking photo, was arrested on Monday but released Wednesday. His hearing date is set for June 24 ( Marion County Jail ) Once those doors are shut the temperatures rise really quickly. So you may feel its only a couple minutes, but to the person or child inside the car, thats an eternity. It gets really hot really fast. The high temperatures in Lawrence came amid a nationwide heat wave caused by an atmospheric heat dome that settled over the central and eastern US. At least 270 million people felt the oppressive heat this week. High temperatures are expected to linger through early next week, the NWS forecasts. 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 }} An 88-year-old man will head to prison for robbing two Montana banks. Steven Whitecloud, 88, was sentenced to two years in prison and three years supervised release for the robberies, a federal judge in Montana ruled this week. He previously pleaded guilty to his roles in the heists. Co-defendant Patrick Justice, 26, was previously sentenced to two years in prison for his role. On August 24, 2023, Justice entered a Billings U.S. Bank and gave the teller a note demanding money. He got the funds and fled the area in a Ford Taurus. Four days later, Justice went into a Billings Wells Fargo Bank demanding money. He also told the teller he was strapped, which the worker took to mean the suspect had a gun, prosecutors said. Justice got the money and fled in a Taurus. Responding officers spotted the green Taurus and tried to pull it over. But it sped away. After a chase, officers got the vehicle to stop and found Justice and Whitecloud inside. Whitecloud told officers he suggested the two rob banks, as he had done in the past, as a way to make money. Whitecloud was convicted in 2008 of bank robbery, prosecutors said. He said he told Justice how to rob a bank and acted as the getaway driver. In addition to the prison sentence, the federal judge ordered Whitecloud to pay $3,092 in restitution. 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 23-year-old Indiana mom and a teenager have been charged over the very disturbing death of her 4-year-old daughter, who was found with human bite marks on her arm. Destiny F. Rhoades and 16-year-old Christian T. Gonzalez, who she claimed to be in a relationship with, both face felony counts over the death of Octavia Aquino. Officers responded around 9am June 14 after receiving reports from Rhoades roommate, who found the child unresponsive in their apartment. The youngster was reportedly cold to the touch. She was transported to the hospital alive, but with very little brain activity. However, in a Sunday update, police announced the child had died. Due to the childs passing, Rhoades original charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury was changed to neglect of a dependent resulting in death a level one felony. Destiny Rhoades original charge of Neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily Injury was changed to neglect of a dependent resulting in death a level one felony after the death of her four-year-old daughter ( Vanderburgh County Jail ) Gonzalezs original charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury was changed to murder. According to the original police report, Rhoades had been at work when her daughter was found. Rhoades said that she had left the child sleeping at 7am when she had left for work. An adult roommate stated that she noticed the child had bruises on her body, specifically around her neck area. She also had a human bite mark on her forearm, according to police. Detectives were told the 16-year-old admitted he bit the child, but only after she bit him first. A roommate reported that the child seemed to be staring off and was nauseous while in Rhoades care on June 13. The police report described the circumstances as a very disturbing case. Christian Gonzalez allegedly admitted to biting the four-year-old child, but only after she had bitten him first ( Vanderburgh County Jail ) Detectives had uncovered details of incidents involving Rhoades and her juvenile boyfriend since they arrived in Evansville together earlier this year. In February, officers found Gonzalez, who was 15 at the time, after he was reported missing from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Due to a missing person case being a status offense, officers placed him at Hillcrest Youth Home, though he fled the building shortly after. Officers located him again, this time in the company of Rhoades at her residence. He was placed at the Youth Care Center and eventually transported back to Fort Wayne. At the time, Rhoades was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a level four felony. After being released from jail, she returned to Fort Wayne until her pending court date, which was set for April 11. Gonzalez went missing again, around the same time Rhoades returned to Evansville for that court date. 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 }} Two friends who were expecting to spend a day together on a fishing trip ended up embarking on a fully-blown rescue mission after they spotted 38 dogs treading water in the lake. Bob Gist, 61, from Arkansas had planned on meeting up with his friend Brad Carlisle from Tennessee after they had not seen each other for some time, Gist told Fox News. The pair headed to Grenada Lake in Mississippi, and along with Jordan Chrestman, a local fishing guide, the party went out on the water to spend time fishing. After a few hours of not finding much luck with the spot they were in, the group moved to a different location, where things took a bizarre turn. While they may have been hoping for a successful bounty of catches from their trip, they ended up coming away with a huge haul but instead of fish, they wound up with a total of 38 dogs. "We go about a half mile or so from where we were to another place and we start fishing, and pretty soon we can hear some dogs barking," Gist told the outlet. More than 30 dogs had rushed into the water in pursuit of a stag ( Bob Gist ) The group continued to fish for about 10 or 15 minutes until Chrestman realized that a number of dogs were way out in the water and asked the two friends if it was okay to go over and check on them. Once they arrived in the canine-infested waters, the three men were stunned to see the sheer number of dogs stuck out in the lake. "Were just flabbergasted because its dogs everywhere, and theyre all going in different directions because they can no longer see the bank on either side," Gist told Fox News. The three men grabbed the exhausted dogs by their collars and dragged them into their boat ( Bob Gist ) "And theyre all hunting dogs we can clearly see that because they have expensive GPS radio collars on them. The group later learned that the hounds were part of an annual fox run that was taking place nearby, and Chrestman explained that he spotted a deer in the water that appeared to attract the dogs into the lake after they were chasing it, the outlet reported. The three men, without hesitation, immediately took action and fished them out of the water by grabbing their collars and calling them, encouraging them onto their vessel. They grabbed as many as they could until the boat was swarmed with the wet dogs, but they soon became overwhelmed and had to deposit the first round of hounds to the bank, the outlet said. Chrestman managed to grab 25 to 27 dogs at first, and Gist told the outlet that once they reached the bank, their owners were there in a panic. After they went out to grab the remaining dogs, another man on land said he had a GPS tracker for the dogs and asked to join their rescue mission. Bob Gist said he and his companions were flabbergasted by what they found ( Bob Gist ) The tracker was able to locate around three to four more dogs, Gist explained, saying they were on the verge of drowning, because now they have been treading water for an hour. In the end, a total of 38 dogs were rescued out of Grenada Lake. Gist told Fox Newsthat when they "got back over to the ramp with that last bunch of dogs [and] we were having to drag them out of the boat because they didnt want to get out of our boat. They were scared they were going back to the water. It was terrible." Gist explained to the outlet that Chrestman was the true hero of the dog rescue, saying that the owners even tried to give him money for his quick thinking, but he turned it down. 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 }} Showing little fear, Good Samaritans rushed to help a homeless man who had his arm ripped off in an alligator attack. Now, some of those who helped save his life are speaking out. Kendall Hardester and her high school friend Ismail Rainey came across the gruesome scene around 1:30 am Sunday on a path near Lake Monroe in Sanford, Florida. There, a homeless man was bleeding after losing his arm in an alligator attack. Hardester told The Independent her mom instincts kicked in and she rushed to help the homeless victim. She found the man with flesh hanging loose and the bone sticking out. I wasnt grossed out personally, Hardester said, until I was actually holding it and could feel the bone. Hardester used a small towel to help the man until paramedics arrived. Footage from the scene showed Hardester, Rainey and a small crowd trying to help the man until first responders arrived. Kendall Hardester speaks about her efforts to save a homeless man who had his arm ripped off in an alligator attack. ( Fox 35 Orlando ) The homeless man had gone for a swim in the lake unaware it was infested with gators, according to Fox 35 Orlando . His arm was ripped off in the attack and the man left the water. Hardester told The Independent there wasnt a lot of blood or a trail. She also said the victim and others nearby were afraid the gator would come back and continue to attack. But she wasnt worried and believes the alligator thought the man was food when he went for a swim. Authorities said the victim is expected to survive and Hardester said they tried to see him in the hospital - but couldnt since they didnt know his name. The mom said she hopes she gets to speak to the victim to let him know she is glad he survived, but she also has questions for him as well. They left their names and phone numbers hoping he would reach out. Hardester said she had no doubt that despite the graphic injury, he wasnt meant to die that day. I somehow just knew he was going to be OK, Hardester 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 }} An 86-year-old man who was decapitated after being struck by a truck in Brooklyn was revealed to have been a former mobster-turned-baker once known as Tony Cakes. Antonio Conigliaro, was hit by a 31-year-old Department of Transportation truck driver at 3.30pm on June 12 when the 86-year-old was crossing the street against the dont walk sign in a marked crosswalk, NYPD told The Independent in a statement. The incident occurred at the intersection of 92 Street and Dahlgren Place in Bay Ridge. Conigliaro was once a soldier of the Genovese Crime Family and was also called Tony Cakes, Tony Watches and Little Tony, a 2005 federal indictment revealed. He pleaded guilty to the racketeering charges and was sentenced to 13 months in prison, records show. Years later, he transitioned from crimes to cakes. The once acting mob captain also owned a cheesecake distribution dessert business, court records show. Later on in life he became known as Tony the Dessert Man, Mathew Mari, Conigliaros friend and former lawyer, told the New York Post, which first reported on Conigliaros background. One police source remarked on the ironic end to Conigliaros life, telling the New York Post: He spent his life looking over his shoulder, but he forgot to look both ways before crossing the street. Conigliaro was pronounced dead on the scene, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) driver was not arrested, police said, adding that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. One source told the outlet: Now we know why that DOT guy was crying hes probably asking for witness protection. The Genovese crime family is one of New Yorks so-called Five Families of Italian-American mafiosi, whose power reached its height between the 1940s and the 1970s. 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 mom has filed a lawsuit against the amusement park where her 14-year-old daughter and dozens of others were stuck upside down on an amusement ride for 30 minutes. On June 14, emergency crews in Oregon were called to Oaks Park for a ride malfunction. About 30 people were trapped and dangling upside down on the AtmosFEAR ride. The attraction swings riders around 360-degrees over the top of the ride. But it got stuck at the very top. Fire crews worked to manually lower the ride but were prepared for a high-angle rope rescue if necessary. After about 30 minutes, crews were able to lower the ride and evacuate the thrill-seekers. Now, Amy Yanotta has filed a lawsuit over the incident that saw her 14-year-old daughter stuck, according to KATU . I think that my daughter and potentially other riders are entitled to some compensation for the trauma they experienced, Yannotta told the outlet. Thirty people were rescued from amusement park ride in Oregon after it got stuck. Now, a mom of one of the victims has filed a lawsuit. ( AP ) The teen had abrasions, soreness, body aches and increased blood flow to the brain that caused dizziness, increased heart rate and internal pressure. The mom also said her daughter is dealing with post-traumatic stress and anxiety from the incident. ...[A] lot of the kids had headaches and Evies was pretty severe the first two days. Thats slowly lessened each time. She still has a little bit of soreness. She has some marks on her neck from the harness, the mom said. The suit argues the parks negligence is why the ride was stuck. The lawsuit seeks up to $125,000 as a result of the incident. A park representative told The Independent they could not offer further comment on the lawsuit. Investigations are underway about why the ride malfunctioned. This was a traumatic event and you know there was range of emotions during the event for the kids because there was so little communication from park staff the kids didnt really know what was going on, Yannotta said. 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 }} An Oklahoma father of two who brought ammunition into Turks and Caicos while on vacation has avoided additional prison time. Ryan Watson was fined $2,000 $500 for each of the four bullets authorities found in his luggage but was ultimately not given the minimum prison sentence of 12 years for the offense. A judge overseeing the case cited "exceptional circumstances" in the ruling that allowed Watson to avoid prison, according to ABC News. Watson is expected to pay his fine and return to the US as soon as possible. He was arrested on April 12 on his way home from a trip to the islands. He and his wife were visiting the islands for several friends' 40th birthday parties. Ryan Watson, left, and his wife Valerie, appearing on Good Morning America. Watson was detained in Turks and Caicos and avoided a 12-year minimum prison sentence after he brought four rounds of ammunition onto the islands ( screengrab/Good Morning America ) While he was passing through customs at the Howard Hamilton International Airport officials found four bullets in his carry-on luggage, according to police. Watson said he did not realize the hunting ammunition was still in his bag. He pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition, and was released on a $15,000 bond after his arrest. He remained in Turks and Caicos for the duration of his legal proceedings. The day before his sentencing, Watson made an appearance on Good Morning America where he shared his anxiety over facing potential prison time. "Whatever tomorrow brings, we'll get through it. But I pray that I get to go home tomorrow," Watson said. Turks and Caicos has strict firearms laws that have caught other ammo-toting Americans by surprise during visits to the islands. In April, Tyler Wenrich was fined $9,000 and sentenced to time served for bringing ammunition to the islands. Another man, Bryan Hagerich, was given a 52-week prison sentence and was fined $6,700 for a similar offense. In all three men's cases, a court found that there were "exceptional circumstances" that allowed the men to avoid the mandatory 12-year prison sentence tied to their crimes. Sharitta Grier, another American, has also been detained for bringing ammunition into Turks and Caicos. She has been released on bond and is awaiting trial. Watson was detained in Turks and Caicos on April 12. Watson said he did not realize the hunting ammunition was still in his bag. ( Valerie Watson ) Turks and Caicos' government passed a bill last week amending their firearms law that grants the courts more flexibility in sentencing individuals with "exceptional circumstances." Under the new law, the court will have the "widest possible breadth of discretion" in its sentences, allowing it to issue fines, custodial sentences or both, according to Turks and Caicos' attorney general. Watson's case was adjudicated prior to the passage of the amendment, and prosecutors fought against having an "exceptional circumstances" label applied to his case. Oliver Smith, the defense attorney representing Watson, argued he had taken responsibility for his crime and highlighted the toll that his client's detainment had taken on both his family and his career. Watson's wife, Valerie, also appeared on Good Morning America and said the past couple of months have been a "roller coaster of emotions" for her and her family. "We want him home so bad. The kids and I have been missing him like crazy," she said. "We're ready for him to come back home to us. I'm trying so hard not to get my hopes up." Watson said he wanted to hug his children and cook his family dinner once he returns to 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 }} After hundreds of complaints against her, and one day after a report revealed that she ignored other federal judges who urged her to step away from the case, District Judge Aileen Cannon kicked off the first of a three-day series of hearings in Donald Trumps classified documents case. Cannon has indefinitely delayed a trial against the former president. So the hearings in her Florida courtroom are instead putting special counsel Jack Smith under a microscope. On Friday, Trumps attorneys and his allies argued that Smith who brought federal charges against the former president was unlawfully appointed as special counsel. Cannon, who was appointed to the bench by Trump, appeared somewhat skeptical of their long-shot arguments, which join a long list of motions to dismiss the case. But she also questioned whether Attorney General Merrick Garland has oversight of the case, and took the unusual move of allowing nonparties who support Trump to argue in front of her. At the center of Fridays arguments was a claim from Trumps attorneys that Attorney General Merrick Garland does not have legal authority to appoint a special counsel because, they argue, Smith is a principal officer who needs Senate approval. US district judge Aileen Cannon ( Southern District of Florida ) Cannon appeared to cast doubt on that argument, telling attorneys that judges in a similar case involving Robert Mueller did a fairly comprehensive review. She also pushed Trumps attorneys to explain what they meant by saying that Smiths position amounted to a shadow government. That sounds very ominous, she said. But what do you really mean? She asked whether that is realistic given the well-defined regulations surrounding independent special counsels, and that it wasnt fair to cast aspersions in that direction. Its not unusual for attorneys to throw whatever they can at trying to dismiss the charges against their clients, but judges rarely hold hearings on them and almost never invite people who arent involved with the case to argue on a defendants behalf in an open court. After indefinitely delaying a trial, guaranteeing that the former president wont be tried before Election Day, Judge Cannon has instead blocked off three days this month in her Fort Pierce courtroom to question Smiths legitimacy and hear whether Trump should face a gag order, and if audio evidence against Trump should be tossed out. On Monday, Cannon will hear more from Trumps attorneys who argue that Smith was unlawfully funded. Donald Trumps lawyers claims Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed as special counsel. His attorneys argued in court in his Mar-a-Lago case on June 21. ( Getty Images ) She will also hear a request from prosecutors to restrict Trump from making any other incendiary claims connected to the case, after Trump and his campaign and allies repeatedly falsely claimed that the FBI was going to assassinate him when law enforcement agents searched his Mar-a-Lago compound. Trump is already under limited gag orders in his New York criminal hush money case and in his federal election interference case, which he unsuccessfully tried to block from going into effect. And on Tuesday, Cannon will hear more arguments from Trumps attorneys to block potential audio evidence, including recordings that could be used as evidence of his alleged obstruction in the case. The former president faces 40 separate charges stemming from allegations that he withheld hundreds of classified documents after leaving the White House for his private Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida, then conspired to obstruct government attempts to retrieve them. He has pleaded not guilty. His co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, who are accused of helping Trump mishandle documents at the Florida property, have also pleaded not guilty. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Colorado Republican Rep Lauren Boeberts Democratic rival posted a hilarious new ad speaking from the lawmakers seat during her scandalous Beetlejuice outing last fall. Democratic Congressional hopeful John Padora sat in a maroon movie theater chair, saying in his new ad: Im sitting in the very same seat Lauren Boebert got kicked out of. The same way she got kicked out of Colorados 3rd Congressional district. Boebert was booted from a Denver theater in September during a production of the musical Beetlejuice last September after vaping, singing, taking flash photos, and groping her date in the dark venue. Now shes picked up her bags and fled to eastern Colorado to run in the 4th Congressional district. Thats a race Ive been running since May of 2023, Padora continued. Hopefuls are vying for retired Republican Ken Bucks old seat. The GOP firebrand announced in December that she planned to run in a different district. The switch came after a series of embarrassing public incidents and a narrow victory over a Democrat competitor in her home district in 2022. Boeberts an opportunistic carpetbagger and we deserve real leadership here in Colorados 4th, he said, before asking supporters for donations. Padoras ad, released days before the Colorado primary races on June 25, highlights how the Beetlejuice incident still plagues the embattled GOP incumbent. In May, Boebert was welcomed by chants of Beetlejuice when she visited George Washington Universitys campus amid pro-Gaza protests. Boebert at the infamous Beetlejuice showing ( NBC ) More recently, during a Republican debate, a moderator pressed Boebert about the theater thing. Boebert defended that she had already owned up to my night out in Denver and had gone on a public apology tourbut Im not going to continue to live life in shame and be beat up by this. Although at first Boebert denied the incident took place, she later apologized after video surveillance was released. 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 }} Former President Donald Trump has expressed interest in granting green cards to international students who graduate from US universities. Speaking on The All-In Podcast on Thursday, Trump said: What I want to do, and what I will do, is you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country. That move wouldnt only apply to graduates of four-year universities either, Trump clarified. That includes junior colleges too. Anybody graduates from a college you go in there for two years or four years. If you graduate, or you get a doctorate degree from a college, you should be able to stay in this country. The former president made the comment after one of the podcasts hosts, investor Jason Calacanis, asked him: Can you please promise us you will give us more ability to import the best and brightest from around the world to America? Trump expressed his frustration over how some US graduates leave the country and start businesses in China or India because theyre unable to obtain visas to stay. Former President Donald Trump expressed interest in giving international students green cards during a podcast appearance this week ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) You need a pool of people to work for your companies and they have to be smart people You need brilliant people and we force the brilliant people, the people that graduated from college, the people that are number one in their class from the best colleges. You have to be able to recruit these people and keep the people. Still, there would be conditions put in place to vet prospective graduates. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trumps campaign told CNN that graduates would be screened to exclude all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges. Public charges are people that would be largely reliant on the government for financial assistance. She continued: He believes, only after such vetting has taken place, we ought to keep the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America. This would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would never undercut American wages or workers. The policy marks a shift in Trumps immigration agenda, which up until this point has largely consisted of ways to deport record numbers of immigrants from the US. During his first term, Trump targeted visa programs used by tech companies to recruit foreign workers. Instead, he instructed federal agencies to use a Buy American, Hire American strategy. At one point, he even banned travel from seven Muslim majority countries while in office in effort to limit refugee resettlement. President Joe Biden has also made surprising moves in his immigration policies, including limiting asylum processing at the US border. However, this week, he made an executive action enabling certain undocumented spouses and children of US citizens to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the country. The policies come as both candidates seek to win over voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election in November. 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 }} Giving his customary shout-outs to lawmakers in attendance at an event in Washington, DC on Saturday, Donald Trump gave a somewhat confused version of a story involving one of his allies in Congress. Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition-organized Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on Saturday (June 22), the former president was ostensibly there to tout his supposed Christian credentials to the audience This included his role in overturning Roe v Wade through the nomination of three conservative Supreme Court justices and his support for the recent legislation in Louisiana that requires public schools to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. As he made his introductory remarks thanking those in attendance for their support he specifically named one Republican lawmaker and then appeared to confuse key details of a story about him. Thanks also to Congressman hes fantastic Barry Loudermilk is here someplace Is here someplace. hes doing a fantastic job with all of the things they said he walked through with Russian spies or something, said Trump. It turned out to be constituents young children. These people are sick people. The Republican candidate for the presidency appeared to be referring to how Loudermilk, a representative from Georgia, was accused of aiding people who stormed the Capitol on January 6 2021 by giving them a not typical tour of the complex the day before. Chairman Barry Loudermilk of Georgia speaking at the Road to Majority conference in 2022 ( Getty Images ) In 2022, the January 6 House select committee investigating the Capitol riot released video evidence that appeared to show Loudermilk leading members of a tour group that photographed and recorded areas of the complex not typically of interest to tourists, including hallways, staircases, and security checkpoints. Video footage released by the committee appeared to show the congressman, wearing a facemask, leading the tour through the House office buildings. At one point, he stops to talk to some of the group, while a man can be seen taking a photograph of a stairwell. Individuals on the tour photographed and recorded areas of the complex not typically of interest to tourists, the committees chairman, Democrat Bennie Thompson, wrote in the letter to Loudermilk. The January 5, 2021 tour raises concerns about their activity and intent. Some of those on the tour were alleged to have been involved in the violence the following day and of making threats against Democratic lawmakers. Loudermilk responded at the time by saying that the tourists were taking pictures of childrens art on display at the Capitol complex rather than the tunnels and other sensitive areas. First elected to Congress in 2014 and a staunch ally of Trump, Loudermilk also supports his false claim the 2020 election was rigged. It is not clear why the former president included Russian spies in his retelling of the story. 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 American tourist was killed in Zambia this week after she was trampled by an elephant while on a wildlife excursion. Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, was thrown from a vehicle in the city of Livingstone this week as a group of tourists observed a herd of elephants. One of the elephants attacked the vehicle her, according to CBS News. Tourneaus group stopped near the Maramba Cultural Bridge because of traffic caused by the herd. The woman had been visiting the country from New Mexico. Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, of New Mexico, United States of America, died on Wednesday around 17.50 after being knocked from a parked vehicle which had stopped due to traffic caused by elephants around the Maramba Cultural Bridge, Auxensio Daka, southern province police commissioner, told the countrys national broadcaster ZNBC. Authorities did not release any more details about the attack. Juliana Gle Tourneau, an American tourist, died after an elephant attacked her vehicle during a wildlife excursion in Zambia. (File photo) ( EPA ) Another American tourist was killed earlier this year in a similar attack. Gail Mattson, 79, from Minnesota, was killed in Zambia while on her dream adventure in March, her daughter, Rona Wells, told CBS News. Footage of the attack was captured on a cellphone. The group had been on a safari tour in the countrys Kafue National Park. As a large bull elephant came close to the vehicle, its occupants began to become concerned. Another American tourist was killed earlier this year in a similar attack. Gail Mattson, 79, from Minnesota, was killed in Zambia while on her dream adventure in March. That incident was caught on video ( Collin Rugg/Twitter ) In the video, a person can be heard saying oh my goodness before a man adds, its coming fast. The groups car came to a stop and someone attempted to get the elephant to go away. However, the animal put its tusks into the car and rolled it several times, leading to the womans death. Zambian officials are asking tourists to use caution while on wildlife excursions. 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 }} At least 45 Palestinians were killed and a Red Cross office was damaged in Gaza as Israeli forces pounded the besieged territory and engaged in close-quarter combat with Hamas, Reuters reported. The Red Cross said that its Gaza office was damaged when heavy calibre projectiles fired by the Israeli military landed in Mawasi near Rafah on Friday afternoon, killing at least 25 people living in tents around the compound and wounding 50. The Israeli shelling struck two places in the area which is filled with tents housing Palestinians driven from their homes elsewhere in Gaza by unrelenting bombardment. One of these locations is near a field hospital run by the Red Cross. Relatives of the people killed near the hospital told the Associated Press that the Israelis drew people out by firing a sound bomb and then struck them with a deadly volley. Mona Ashours husband rushed out to investigate and was instantly killed. Then they hit with the second one which was a little closer to the entrance of the Red Cross, she said. Another eyewitness, Hasan al-Najjar, told the news agency that his sons were killed helping people who panicked after the first strike. My two sons went after they heard the women and children screaming, he said at the hospital. They went to save the women and they struck with the second projectile, and my sons were martyred. They struck the place twice. A man walks past destroyed tents the day after an Israeli strike in Mawasi near Rafah, Gaza ( AFP via Getty ) The locations of the attacks provided by the Red Cross appear to be just outside a safe zone designated by the Israelis in Muwasi. "This grave security incident is one of several in recent days. Previously stray bullets have reached ICRC structures," the humanitarian organisation said in a post on X on Friday without mentioning Israel. "We decry these incidents that put the lives of humanitarians and civilians at risk. The Red Cross field hospital, which has 60 beds, was opened in mid-May to provide emergency surgeries, obstetric, paediatric and outpatient care, according to a press release at the time that shows white tents covering a vast area. Two Israeli tanks climbed a hilltop above Mawasi and sent down "balls of fire that hit the tents of the poor people displaced in the area", a resident told Reuters. Israeli forces have bombed locations in the vicinity of the humanitarian zone in Muwasi before as well. They have been pushing to complete the capture of Rafah despite repeated condemnation by Israels Western allies and the UN. The Israeli military said the incident was under review. "An initial inquiry conducted suggests that theres no indication that a strike was carried out by the IDF in the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi," it said. The military earlier claimed its forces were conducting "precise, intelligence-based" actions in the Rafah area, where troops were involved in close-quarter combat with Hamas. Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in an Israeli strike in Mawasi ( Anadolu via Getty ) Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, killed three Palestinians in Khan Younis and at least seven in Beach Camp on Friday. Five Palestinians were also killed in an attack on Gaza City. Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 37,400 people so far, according to the local health ministry, and left nearly the entire population of 2.3 million homeless and destitute. The UN said on Friday it is Israels responsibility, as the occupying power in Gaza, to restore public order and safety so humanitarian aid can be delivered, amid warnings of imminent famine. Israel launched a ground and air assault on Gaza after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October last year and killed around 1,200 soldiers and civilians and took nearly 250 hostage. Warning: the following video has not been independently fact-checked and may contain misinformation. The Independent strives to counteract misinformation across its platforms. Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail today, speaking to conservative Christians at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington, DC. In his speech, the former president suggested he has been through more than any other president in history. I have the wounds all over my body, Trump said. If I took this shirt off, youd see a beautiful, beautiful person but youd see wounds all over me. Rishi Sunak has accused Nigel Farage of playing into [Vladimir] Putins hands with his claim that the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Reform UK leader claimed we provoked this war in a BBC Panorama interview, while drawing a link between Nato and European Union expansion in recent decades and the conflict in eastern Europe. Mr Farage's claim was "completely wrong," the prime minister told reporters on Saturday, 22 June. This is a man [Mr Putin] who deployed nerve agent on the streets of Britain, who is doing deals with countries like North Korea, and this kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britains security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and only emboldens Putin further," Mr Sunak added. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Is this the most vindictive general election ever? Theres reason to think so. The former Conservative MP and junior minister Paul Scully puts it rather well, calling it a punishment election in which the Tories and particularly their leader are coming in for a vengeful kneecapping in a fortnights time. Its not the kind of reception that any party worker knocking on doors in the drizzle dreams about, or admits to, but Scully can say it as it is because he has ducked out of any doomed attempt to hang on to his Croydon constituency: It feels like were shooting ourselves in the foot and were not millipedes. Weve only got two feet. Theres only so much capacity. When you have got effectively what is a punishment election, when youve got people that are wanting to punish the Conservatives and so theyre going to be looking under the microscope at absolutely everything that we do, and then were making it easy for them to punish us even further on that basis. Indeed so, with a particularly grubby betting scandal widening hour by hour, voters are being continually reminded about one of the reasons why theyd like to give the Tories a damn good thrashing. If I were a cabinet minister or other high-profile Conservative politician Id be worried about them meting out especially harsh punishment. The numbers speak for themselves even on the more optimistic poll ratings and a routine level of voter turnout of, say, two-thirds, only about one in six Britons will bother to vote for them this year. This, you may recall, is the Conservative and Unionist Party, which dominated British government during the 20th century, and has been rightly described as the most successful democratic political organisation in the history of civilisation. Now they are about to be destroyed, and, most worryingly surely for them, are already virtually extinct among the young. Come polling day they will be wiped out in London and every great city, as well as across huge swathes of Scotland, the North, the Midlands and the West Country. The home counties, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the south coast seem set to fall. There will be a record number of Tory lost deposits. In more places, the Liberal Democrats and Reform will emerge as the challengers to a Labour MP. Only a few rural hideouts remain. No Conservative government will ever have gone down to such a defeat one that seems to be designed to teach the party a lesson. Like a swarm of angry wasps, the individuals that make up the British electorate seem determined to get their sting into the rump of the Tory party, irrespective of the consequences. More than any other, the 2024 general election actually feels more like a by-election. Conventionally and historically, British general elections are decided on relatively modest swings in the public mood 3, 4 or 5 per cent of the voters changing allegiance was sufficient. The 1945 election and the Blair landslide in 1997 were exceptional above 10 per cent, but this one seems set to be perhaps double even those figures, albeit distorted by the intervention of Nigel Farage and Reform UK. Its like the record-breaking by-elections over the past couple of years in areas such as North Yorkshire and Devon, with shifts of 20 per cent plus. This is indeed unprecedented and suggests an almost blind determination to get the Tories out, or #GTTO as they say. A surge in the last few hours before voter registration closed is also suggestive of a coming earthquake. It takes some imagination to comprehend Labour possessed of a crushing majority of 200 plus MPs. If he wanted Keir Starmer could rejoin the EU and abolish the pound the next day, never mind just harmonising veterinary procedures. Rishi Sunak himself might lose his seat to Labour. Im not sure how he will cope with that humiliation. In his recent public appearances, including the latest BBC Question Time special, the pressures do seem to be getting to him. He seems frustrated, both with the hopeless clowns on his own side as well as the public. Hes been tetchy, even annoyed, and sometimes gives the impression that hes in charge of the voters who are simply slow learners. Its making matters worse. He says he wants to be judged on his record. The voters, inconveniently, arent that impressed, and they would also like to look back on the last 14 years pointless austerity, sleaze, scandals, Dominic Cummings, Partygate, tractor porn, the mini-Budget, Brexit the lot. Its by no means all Sunaks fault, and it must be galling for him to be carrying the can for the series of mistakes and misbehaviour that accumulated and were often caused by David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. But when the music stops, its over. Wont be long now. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Its strange that we spend so much time talking about Nigel Farage. The one-time leader of Ukip and full-time agent provocateur has stood for election as an MP seven times, and successfully managed to become an MP precisely zero times. If you repeatedly reject somebody for a job and then they show up to work anyway, you dont patiently listen to him rant about his ideas on how to run the company you lock the doors and call security. Unfortunately, gluttons for punishment that we are here in the UK, were addicted to Nigel and his poorly thought out, scribbled-on-a-Wetherspoons-napkin approach to policy. And boy oh boy, did he drop a doozy on us yesterday, as he used his undeserved time in our countrys media spotlight to seemingly justify Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. I stood up in the European parliament in 2014 and I said, and I quote, there will be a war in Ukraine, said the Reform UK leader, speaking to Nick Robinson on a special election BBC Panorama show. Why did I say that? It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of Nato and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say theyre coming for us again and to go to war. Farage has been widely criticised for his remarks, with foreign secretary James Cleverly accusing him of echoing Putins vile justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine, and John Healy, Labours shadow defence secretary, branding him a Putin apologist. Rishi Sunak has rightly said that Farages appeasement of the Russian leader only plays into his hands, and is dangerous for Britains security. The comments are disgusting, but isnt that par for the course at this point? Everything that comes out of Farages mouth seems to be said with the aim of provocation first, and coherent policy a distant second. Hes a radio shock jockey who somehow made his way into politics. Every outrageous statement he makes on this campaign trail should be accompanied by the sound of a flushing toilet and an advert for car insurance. What we should really worry about is the fact that we have now reached a point in this country where a politician defending the actions of a violent despot with designs against the West is not immediately disqualifying. Have our standards for public discourse really sunk so low? Do we really expect so little from our politicians? Ten years ago, Ed Miliband was sunk by a picture of him making a funny face while eating a bacon sandwich fast forward to today, and the leader of a major party can apparently go on television and talk about how he thinks the man who regularly threatens to nuke us is just misunderstood. Hell, itll probably give him a bump in the polls. Even more concerning is the fact that Farages comments are perfectly in line with the views of a not-insignificant proportion of prominent far-right personalities, not just here in the UK but throughout the West and particularly in the US, where Farage was bound before taking on the leadership of Reform. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson made headlines a few months ago for a fawning two-hour interview of the Russian leader which he released on Twitter/X. Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that Ukraine has a Nazi army, echoing the Russian leaders justification for the invasion. Do we even need to mention Trump, who has called Putin a genius for launching his invasion, and said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any Nato country that doesnt pay its dues? How much longer are we going to tolerate unfettered propagandising on the part of our countrys enemies in the name of some warped, backwards ideal of free speech? What will it take for us recognise that our democracy is being undermined when its happening right in our face? Id say a Tory-style wipeout for Reform at the upcoming election, but if theres one thing we can be sure about with Farage, its that losing clearly doesnt seem to deter him. With this latest stunt, Nigel Farage has show us exactly the kind of person he is and exactly what type of leader he would be. If he cannot be trusted to identify a clear and present danger to the UK, then how can he be trusted with any kind of political office? From pushing for the economic disaster of Brexit, to his campaign of suspicion and agitation against some of our most vulnerable residents, Nigel Farage has been a stain on our countrys politics for over three decades. He is an irrelevance, disguised as a man of the people its time we recognised that. North Korea is not ones usual pit stop between Russia and Vietnam, but for Vladimir Putin, it was too good an opportunity to miss. Reaffirming Russias relations with its allies of old, Putins diplomatic mission to Pyongyang and then Hanoi offered an occasion, firstly, to garner support for his ongoing war in Ukraine at a time when Russia has few international friends. What is more, both visits aimed to send a clear signal to the United States, its allies, and the West, that no matter what Western leaders say, Russia will do all it can to cause trouble in international relations. Putins visit to Hanoi, after spending two days in North Korea, has more than a hint of irony. It was in Hanoi, five years ago, when the notorious presidential summit between Kim Jong-un and then US president Donald Trump their second in under two years ended without a deal. The two leaders did not even manage to have lunch. Since then, North Korea has only increased its delinquent behaviour, which reached new heights with this weeks visit by Putin. The North Korean leader pulled out all the stops for his Russian counterpart. The streets of Pyongyang were lined not just with Russian flags and cheering crowds, but also with portraits of Putin himself. Bizarrely, it was almost as if Putin were the North Korean leader, ready to be lauded and adored by the North Korean population. It is well known that ever since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has provided North Korea with substantial food assistance and cash in exchange for millions of rounds of North Korean artillery. The exchange of high-level military technology, not least missiles and satellites, has also taken place between the two rogue states, although concerningly, the true extent of this cooperation remains less well-known. The two countries signed a mutual defence pact this week, highlighting how such military cooperation looks set to continue. Putin knows full well that assisting North Korea by supplying satellite technology is a clear breach of multilateral and unilateral sanctions, and a sure way to tarnish whats left of ones global standing; not that the Russian leader seems to care about that. In another sanctions-violating manoeuvre, Russia has, in recent months, provided a direct supply of oil to North Korea, thereby allowing the country to free up financial resources to expand its missile and nuclear programmes. Only seven years earlier, in 2017, Russia and China actively supported the imposition of several United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea, including those that called for the return of North Korean labourers overseas (many of whom, in fact, continued to remain in Russia and China, and are still there), and restrictions on North Koreas fuel imports. Seven years on, and how things have changed. Russia has spent the past year actively courting North Korea and pledging to do all it can to support its former Cold War client state. The very fact that Putin reached out to North Korea to replenish his munitions highlights just how desperate the Russian leader had become. In Kim, Putin not only found a willing supplier in desperate need of cash, but another delinquent state that sought to leverage the war in Ukraine to criticise their common foe of the West, and also gain valuable advanced knowhow and technology to bolster his own nuclear and missile capabilities. Crowds greet Putin in Pyongyang during his state visit earlier this week ( AP ) Whilst Kim may be pleased with Putins visit and the signing of their treaty, Chinas president, Xi Jinping, will be more wary of these relations, and hope that the ties between Russia and North Korea do not go too far. Putin has met Xi no fewer than 43 times since the Chinese leaders ascendancy to power in 2012, and has visited China twice in the last two years. On both occasions, the two leaders have repeatedly reasserted their relationship as a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. Bilateral economic relations are booming, with Chinese exports to Russia reaching over $111bn at the end of 2023, in contrast to declining US and European exports. It is not just North Korea to whom Russia has been turning for weapons, which, though numerous in quantity, may be far from optimal in quality. China has continued to deny that it has supplied Russia with lethal weapons, and has long espoused its ambiguous role as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine. Yet, we cannot rule out Chinas more active role in Russias war, not least as a useful middleman to deliver weapons to Russia. Even though Putin and Xi face their own domestic and foreign policy battles beyond the war, the two leaders together with the likes of Kim remain intent on presenting an alternative multipolar world order in stark contrast to that led by the United States. Xi and Putin have not shied away from highlighting their dissatisfaction with the current world order. Officials in Beijing have been quick and unrelenting in deriding institutions such as AUKUS (the security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and even the G7 as being anti-China and emblematic of malign Western supremacy. The two leaders driving a car around Pyongyang ( Reuters ) In what seems a continuation of Chinas behaviour during the Mao era, Russia and China have also sought to court the developing world, in an attempt to coerce them into shunning the United States-led international order. Instead of choosing to follow the US, the path put forward by China and Russia will, in the view of the two dictators, allow the voices of developing countries to be heard. History has told us, however, that even if there is a common adversary, countries do not always get on. The notorious Sino-Soviet split in the Cold War took place even as Moscow and Pyongyang were supposedly united in the face of the capitalist US-led Western bloc. Just how much value do these two authoritarian countries place on maintaining economic relations with allies of the United States, particularly South Korea and Japan? The answer to this question could influence how their own ties develop. Do they value economics more than politics and ideology? As the United States readies itself for its presidential election in November, global crises continue to ravage the world. These instances are not limited to the ongoing Ukraine War or the conflict in Gaza. A possible Taiwan contingency and the likely bolstering of arms exchange between North Korea and Russia all present worrying situations that will not just be confined to the states involved but will have substantial spillover effects into neighbouring regions. The current nature of international relations is perhaps best summarised by the idea of a polycrisis, as the South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, mentioned last year. Vietnam president To Lam greeting Putin on Thursday ( AP ) With multiple, simultaneous crises and threats to humanity, regional and global alliances are now more important than ever, especially as an anti-democratic alignment of pariah states looks only to bolster with time. Global problems may need global solutions, but in a world where the United Nations Security Council is sclerotic, the importance of bilateral, trilateral, and regional alliances cannot go unnoticed. Relations between China and the United States have far from improved under the Biden administration. Chinas rhetoric towards Taiwan has only increased in aggression following the recent election of Taiwanese president, Lai Ching-te. Whether a Trump presidency will reignite what Trumps former national security adviser, John Bolton, termed a clash of civilisations between Washington and Beijing remains to be seen. But with Xi proclaiming that China is a civilisational state and not just any other ordinary socialist state, conflict, which need not be conventional war, and could take place either in economic, cyber, or other domains, remains possible. Will a second Trump presidency see another attempt to engage in the art of a deal with little rocket man? Will South Korea and Japan be forced to give greater consideration to acquiring their own independent nuclear deterrents given Trumps recent disparaging comments about Washingtons alliances with Seoul and Tokyo? These are all important questions that only time will reveal the answers to. The adage I want, doesnt get, seems not to apply to China or Russia, both of whose intentions to disrupt international relations are now clearer than ever. The West cannot sit idly by until it is too late. Dr Edward Howell is a lecturer in politics at Christ Church, University of Oxford, and a fellow with the Asia-Pacific programme at Chatham House The scene is being set for confusion among vulnerable householders Irelands switch off from traditional copper phone lines could disrupt hundreds of thousands of burglar alarms, elderly peoples home-monitoring systems and leave some rural households without access to emergency calls during power cuts unless a national plan to deal with potential pitfalls is put together now, according to the countrys second largest fibre network provider. Under EU and Irish regulatory plans, Ireland is set to decommission the decades-old traditional copper phone line network, which is owned by Eir, by 2030 at the latest. The legacy copper line networks will be replaced with fibre, due to be available in every home by 2028. But Siro, which currently has the second largest fibre network in Ireland after Eir with 585,000 premises, said the scene is being set for confusion and disruption among vulnerable householders and interruption to the countrys alarm systems unless a new national switchover plan is put in place. Research from Phonewatch suggests the majority of Irelands one million home burglar alarms still depend on older copper networks, while a significant number of 100,000 personal security alarms currently active rely on traditional phone sockets. In the UK which has a December 2025 cut-off deadline for traditional copper network calls some rural pensioners who have been forcibly switched to digital have complained of being stranded without any communications, even for emergencies, during power cuts. Around 100,000 people have vulnerability alarms. So this all needs to be planned and not be a chaotic last-minute process. Were asking to build a stakeholder plan with all the key people in it, said Ronan Whelan, chief commercial officer of Siro, a joint venture between Vodafone and the ESB. The process of copper switch-off will take a number of years, but itll speed up very, very quickly. The operator said many everyday devices used by homes and businesses remain dependent on copper broadband to function. These devices will all be impacted by the switch-off process, it said. Devices include house and security alarms, medical and security monitors, lifts, landline and emergency phones, car park barriers or retail point of sale terminals. Last November, the Irish regulator, ComReg, published a framework setting out some of the conditions that must be in place, including a direction that Eir could not penalise householders for switching from copper to fibre with extra charges. The regulator also said that Eir should communicate to householders what the implications for in-house services should be. We recognise the reliance on the copper network for essential services like health alarms and security systems and will ensure vulnerable or older customers are treated with care and respect, a spokesperson for Eir told the Irish Independent. Our strategy includes engaging with stakeholders, co-ordinating with local employees and implementing a comprehensive plan to guarantee uninterrupted service for all customers. She said that the copper switch-off in Ireland would be managed through a phased approach over several years. This transition is still some way off, and all customers will receive at least one years advance notice before it begins, she said. While there is no exact timeline yet specified in Ireland, the industry has been told by the regulator that it can soon begin switching copper services off in local areas when every premises can avail of fibre broadband. Eir, which operates 1,200 telephone exchanges around the country, has said that it would like to cut off an exchange areas copper network service when 95pc of that area has fibre availability. While this has been rejected by ComReg, the operator has been told that it can stop selling copper-based services to anyone with fibre availability in an exchange area where 75pc of premises can get fibre. It would still be obliged to service existing copper-network customers in that area, however, until 100pc of premises in the locality can avail of fibre. At that point, it will be allowed to discontinue copper services to the entire local area in the exchange regardless of the wishes of householders, according to ComReg. That we are now on the cusp of starting to switch off slow, outdated copper broadband is hugely positive, said Mr Whelan. But it will impact hundreds of thousands of householders and businesses. As a result, its vital we start preparing for it now, particularly to ensure minimal end user disruption. Joseph Lawlor was remanded in custody in connection with the alleged murder of Michael Ryan. A MAN has been remanded in custody after gardai charged him with the murder of a father of two who died following a stabbing in Finglas, Dublin, on Thursday. Sean McGovern profile: Rise of Dubliner to top of Kinahan cartel was surprise to gardai who knew him China urges Philippines to immediately stop infringement, provocation on Ren'ai Jiao issue Xinhua) 15:03, June 22, 2024 BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- China urged the Philippines to immediately stop infringement and provocations on the Ren'ai Jiao issue, and return to the right track of properly managing differences through dialogue and consultation as soon as possible, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on the recent moves by the Philippine military at Ren'ai Jiao, China's Nansha Qundao. The Financial Times, citing six people familiar with the operation, said the Philippine military carried out the mission to reinforce the grounded warship at Ren'ai Jiao to extend its service life. "Reports once again confirm that the Philippine side's claim of sending only living necessities for its grounded warship on Ren'ai Jiao is a complete lie," Lin stressed. In fact, as pointed out by the Chinese side on multiple occasions, the Philippine side has been trying to send construction materials and even weapons and ammunition to its illegally grounded warship in an attempt to carry out large-scale repair and reinforcement in order to achieve long-term occupation of Ren'ai Jiao, he added. Such actions by the Philippine side seriously infringe upon China's sovereignty, which China will never accept. China will respond resolutely in accordance with the law and regulations, Lin said. The cause of the current situation on Ren'ai Jiao is very clear, Lin said. The root cause is that the Philippine side violated its promise, refused to tow away the warship that had been illegally grounded on Ren'ai Jiao for 25 years, and insisted on sending construction materials in an attempt to reinforce it, he added. This warship is irrefutable evidence of the Philippines' long-standing infringement and provocation against China in the South China Sea, its treachery and violation of the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and its destruction of the ecological environment in the South China Sea, Lin noted. "We urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringement and provocative actions and return to the right track of properly managing differences through dialogue and consultation. China's determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests remains unwavering," Lin said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Former Nphet member failed to overturn sacking by Science Foundation Ireland Professor Philip Nolan was appointed by the Taoiseach as head of a new SFI merger. Photo: Collins The Government is refusing to say whether sacked science boss Professor Philip Nolan will now head up a new state agency. Prof Nolan has failed to overturn his sacking by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in the fallout from bullying allegations against him in the research funding agency. A High Court ruling now puts his new job as head of a quango in doubt. Taoiseach Simon Harris had appointed Prof Nolan as head of Research Ireland, a merger of SFI with another smaller research body. But he has failed in his bid to secure a significant extension of High Court orders preventing his dismissal as director general. Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy said the board was entitled to dismiss the director general for no reason at all in accordance with the terms of his contract. But he said the reasons for its decision are no doubt connected to disruption following the making of claims against Prof Nolan by five senior staff members last December. Who is Philip Nolan? The decision on Prof Nolans future position now passes to the new Higher Education Minister Patrick ODonovan. The minister will not say whether Prof Nolan is still going to be the head of the new agency. It would not be appropriate to comment on potential future arrangements at this stage, the ministers spokesperson said. The legislation to set up Research Ireland has passed all stages in the Oireachtas and has been signed by President Michael D Higgins. The establishment date for the new agency will be designated by the minister and drafting of the required secondary legislation arising out of the Act is under way, the department said. The ministers officials say SFI is fully operational and continues to deliver on its mandate to fund and support excellent and impactful research and innovation for the benefit of Irelands economy and society. There will be no disruption to existing services and supports for researchers, or to ongoing research programmes. Yesterday, Mr Justice Mulcahy said Prof Nolan has not met the necessary threshold for granting mandatory orders preventing his dismissal. The case will be listed before him on July 4. Three weeks ago, Mr Justice Mulcahy granted Prof Nolan orders halting his dismissal for one day, after which SFI told the court it agreed, without prejudice, to an extension of these until the judge rules on this application for interlocutory orders, which would have lasted until the case is resolved. The former member of the Covid-19 National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) first turned to the High Court days after receiving a letter from the SFI board purporting to terminate his contract, with three months salary paid in lieu of working out the notice period. The letter noted two reports into claims made against him by five senior staff made no findings of bullying or corporate governance breaches against him. However, the board believed there was a threat of the most serious kind to the foundations performance of its statutory duties and a breakdown in relations between Prof Nolan and the executive committee. The court has heard that, while a barristers investigation into the claims against Prof Nolan made no findings against him, it concluded he engaged in inappropriate behaviour that could ground allegations of gross misconduct. Prof Nolan emphatically rejects the charge. Prof Nolans lawyers argue there was no conceivable justification for his dismissal. The allegations made against him without foundation last December were part of an orchestrated bid to frustrate reform of the foundation, he claims. SFI, represented by Mark Connaughton SC and Shelley Horan BL, instructed by McCann Fitzgerald solicitors, contends Prof Nolan was let go pursuant to the terms of his contract, which it says permits a no-fault termination. The SFI boards chair, Prof James Peter Clinch, said the organisation was not functioning normally and was in a dire situation under Prof Nolans leadership due to a breakdown of trust. Childrens Minister also plans to tackle mistruths about the Green Party Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman believes his senior cabinet and party experience gives him an advantage over Green Party leadership rival Pippa Hackett. Mr OGorman said he has a strong track record on developing policies and building the Green vote during his 24 years with the party, which included serving as party chair. Speaking to the Irish Independent, he highlighted his years working as a cabinet minister and the relationships he developed with senior Coalition figures, which he insisted will be crucial during Budget negotiations. I obviously was engaged very substantially with Paschal Donohoe on last years Budget and received a very significant increase in my own departments funding allocation, he said. I think this is important as we are coming towards the end of this Government. If elected leader, he said he will insist the Coalitions Budget is socially progressive to ensure financial supports are focused on societys most vulnerable. Plenty of parties on the left speak of the importance of supporting the most disadvantaged; weve actually delivered that over a full cycle of government, he added. Cuts to the cost of childcare will come into effect this September. Mr OGorman said his priority is not further decreases, but rather on expanding schemes to help disabled and disadvantaged children. He also ruled out a cabinet reshuffle if he was elected Green Party leader. He said he did not think it made sense to promote someone new to the cabinet unless there was a very strong case because it takes at least a year to master the work of a department. Mr OGorman said the Government has a maximum of eight months left in office. All parties are in election mode, which is a key reason for his reluctance to make any major changes. He expects to remain in the Department of Children ahead of the next general election, where he insists he has the experience of delivering. The minister would not say if he would appoint Ms Hackett as his deputy if he wins the leadership contest. However, he pointed to a really strong working relationship between the two, which he expects to continue irrespective of the outcome of this election. The family and carers referendum campaign came up very little during the recent election campaign, according to the childrens minister. He added that those who raised the issue were not going to vote for the Green Party. He said the cabinet subcommittee responsible for drafting the wording for the referendum heard the perspective of civil servants from a range of departments. Ultimately, however, attorney general Rossa Fanning made the definitive statement on the legal impacts of the constitutional change. Mr OGorman said he expects strong debate among the Coalition parties as the general election draws closer. However, he intends to be very robust in taking on misinformation about the Green Party. I think our party needs to be more vigorous in challenging the huge amount of myths and mistruths about where we stand on issues, particularly in terms of rural Ireland, he said. Muhammad Moazzam Gulzar and Nisa Moazzam Gulzar after becoming Irish citizens at the Convention Centre, Dublin. Photos Rolling News At a ceremony in Dublins Convention Centre, Ashok Prasad Yadav and her partner Kiran Barwisal share what becoming two of Irelands 5,400 newest citizens means to them. The couple have a deep connection to the place where they fell in love 11 years ago. We met at a common friends party in Dublin and got along. We liked each other immediately and have been together since, Ms Yadav, who is originally from Nepal, said. People often ask us what we miss about home but honestly, here is home for me. Id say the community and the very welcoming culture here makes it feel like home. The couple, who live in Dublin, looked well in matching dusty-pink outfits. Mr Barwisal, who is originally from India, had an Irish flag pinned on his lapel. We feel excited and nervous. This is something weve wanted to happen for so long. I mean, its a dream come true, so it was important for us to look good for it, he said. Asked about what this moment means to the two of them, they exchanged knowing glances. Im a bit blank when it comes to speaking about this. I dont really know how to express it because its so important to me, said Mr Barwisal. It took nearly two years to complete this process, so were excited for what comes next. While there was no mandatory colour code for the ceremony in Dublin, countless attendees donned the colours of the nation they are eager to call home. As the doors to the auditorium opened, the Convention Centre was awash with green. Surrounded by their loved ones, newly conferred Irish citizens proceeded into the foyer beaming with pride. Among them were husband and wife Adam Ishag and Estimate Numed. They came to Ireland from Sudan 15 years ago and never looked back. We feel very close to [Irish people] because they know what its like to have suffered a lot in the past, said Mr Ishag. They know what it means to have people help them in times of need. They live in Dublin and have two children and are expecting a third. Both agree that Irish people are open-minded and welcoming. The sentiment is shared by Ahmed Mansur, a doctor based in Drogheda who first arrived in Ireland from Libya in 2017. Even before I arrived, I knew of Irish kindness and community spirit, said Dr Mansur, a father of five. But when I came here, I found it was even stronger than I thought. Ive been to many places around the world where people are kind, but here its unique. Before the ceremony, he looked back at his journey since his arrival seven years ago. The stress [of the ceremony] has subsided a while ago, especially since I got my residency permit. It gave me more stability, he said. My kids are stable and well in school, and my career has also become more stable. When youre moving to a new place, it takes some time to get settled in. More than 5,400 people from 143 countries were conferred with citizenship across six ceremonies at the Convention Centre on Thursday and yesterday, with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee attending. Ms McEntee said of the countrys new citizens: We really acknowledge the fact that they have chosen Ireland as their home, but also the contribution that they have made and they will make with their families. Were truly grateful for that. Natasha OBriens attacker Irish Defence Forces soldier Cathal Crotty avoided jail term this week A woman who was viciously assaulted by a soldier has said victims are being deterred from bringing cases to court because the legal system and authorities have failed to show a zero tolerance attitude towards violence against women. Natasha OBrien (24) accused the Irish Defence Forces of failing to protect the Irish citizens it is tasked to protect after the man who assaulted her walked free from court this week. Cathal Crotty (22), from Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, received a three-year suspended sentence and was ordered to pay 3,000 in compensation after he pleaded guilty to carrying out an unprovoked attack on Ms OBrien on OConnell Street in Limerick in May, 2022. Hours after the assault, he boasted on Snapchat about the incident, saying: Two to put her down, two to put her out. When asked whether she was hopeful that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would appeal the sentence, Ms OBrien said: part of the problem is that this sentence probably isnt lenient when compared to previous decisions before it. The public has been outraged and described it as lenient, but the shocking thing is its quite a normal sentence for this kind of thing, she told the Irish Independent. An appeal can only work if the sentence was extremely lenient. I was hoping the justice system would prove its not OK to assault people. This is a broken system and it needs to be fixed because victims cannot continue to suffer like this. This sends a terrifying message that we are not protected. The DPP said it could not comment on individual cases. A request to the Court of Appeal to review a sentence on grounds of undue leniency can be made within 28 days of the sentence being imposed. Ms OBrien said she felt incredibly let down by the justice system and the Defence Forces. She said she was traumatised when Crottys superior took to the stand and described him as exemplary, courteous and disciplined. The Irish Defence Forces is supposed to be there to protect Irish citizens. They did not protect me one of their members assaulted me, she said. I faced him [Crotty] for the first time since the attack in court and I was hoping that this case would set a precedent that these attacks would not be tolerated. Instead, the opposite happened. It felt horrifically traumatic watching a commander in the barracks testify as to his good character. I felt my suffering was disregarded. The Limerick woman sustained a broken nose, bruising and concussion in the attack. She regularly experienced blackouts in the aftermath and attended multiple hospital and doctor appointments. Recalling how the incident unfolded, she said Crotty and a group of friends had been shouting homophobic slurs at people. They were very aggressive. It was like they were on the prowl for trouble. We had this bad gut feeling. Me and my friend tried to politely say: Ah lads, come on, stop that [shouting abuse]. Crotty, who had been drinking and was off duty, then grabbed her by the hair and punched her to the ground. During the hearing, the defence team said that he wanted to share his sympathy and apologise for the damage caused. However, the court heard Crotty initially claimed she had instigated the attack. Its one thing to be sorry, but its another thing to say youre sorry when you get caught. Victims of attacks are not always fortunate enough to have hard evidence such as CCTV videos and Snapchat messages. I thought I was lucky because I had all the evidence in place. During the hearing, Commandant Paul Togher gave evidence that Crotty was a professional and disciplined officer. He said he was exceptionally disappointed and surprised, describing the attack as very out of character. Commandant Togher said he was required to attend criminal cases involving Irish soldiers and to report back to superior officers on matters that may affect a soldiers future in the forces. The Defence Forces confirmed a disciplinary process is now under way into the incident involving Private Crotty. Pte Cathal Crotty and Natasha OBrien That internal disciplinary process could result in the soldier being dismissed from the forces. At present, he is still a serving member. Ms OBrien revealed how she ended up leaving her job in a bar because she could not perform in the way she used to following the attack. She regularly suffered panic attacks and feared running into Crotty again after her shifts. His defence counsel said he was at a crossroads in his life and a custodial sentence will have very serious consequences for his life and career. There was no thought about the consequences for my life and career, Ms OBrien said. When the judge handed down the sentence, he took into account he had no previous convictions, Crottys army career and his guilty plea. In fairness to him [Crotty], he has come to court and publicly admitted his wrongdoing, and he has made a public acknowledgement of his criminality, Judge Tom ODonnell said. Crotty had been drinking alcohol throughout the evening of May 29, 2022, and hit Ms OBrien, who was walking home with a friend after work, with up to six punches. She lost consciousness during the incident and said she thought she was going to die. Ms OBrien said she felt as though Crottys career took precedence over what happened to her and questioned why a member of the Defence Forces had to testify on his behalf. A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said that the Court Liaison Officer (LO) was there in an official capacity as per Defence Forces regulations. When a serving soldier is in court for any reason an officer attends as an LO to give details on the individuals contract, they said. The role of the Court LO is clearly outlined in DF Regulations, and they are not there to give a character reference. While the Court LO informs the court of the conduct rating of the serving member, this does not reflect any personal opinion of the Court LO. The Defence Forces said it commended the bravery of the victim in this case, and hope for her full recovery from the injuries sustained. The Defence Forces unequivocally condemn any actions by serving personnel that are contrary to or do not reflect our values. Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it then becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities, in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Defence Forces personnel were trained to protect people and he has been working for some time to achieve a culture change in the service in the wake of the Women of Honour revelations about bullying, harassment and other forms of abuse. Its a line that should never be crossed: how protests outside politicians homes could be tackled After a demonstration outside the Taoiseachs house renewed fears for his and other TDs safety, some are calling for tougher policing and security measures may be needed Taoiseach Simon Harris has been the subject of protests at his home in Greystones John Meagher Sat 22 Jun 2024 at 03:30 It was just before 8pm last Friday when a tricolour-sporting crowd wearing scarves and masks to conceal their identities gathered outside a house on an estate in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Marie Clynes, a retired teacher from Dublin, and Tristan McCall who travelled from Co Wicklow to attend the protest in Dublin on Saturday. Photo: Cate McCurry Natasha O'Brien speaking at the No Justice No Peace Rosa protest in Limerick on Saturday. Photograph by Eamon Ward The woman who was viciously assaulted by an Irish Defence Forces soldier in Limerick addressed protesters who came out in the city today to express outrage after he received a suspended sentence. Thousands of people attended events in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court when he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha O'Brien. The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms O'Brien in Limerick in 2022. Ms O'Brien (24) has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. Natasha O'Brien speaking at the No Justice No Peace Rosa protest in Limerick Ms OBrien was cheered by attendees as she spoke with the aid of a megaphone at the protest in Limerick city. Id like to say Im absolutely overwhelmed by your solidarity and your support and without your rage your outrage your fear your horror this would not have been looked at, she told the crowd. And what happened to me has happened to so many - the absolute injustice of the Department of Justice. What happened to me was horrific, I experienced an extremely violent assault, at the hands of a soldier in the Irish Defence Forces. They are supposed to protect us. It is one thing to be subject to a violent and heinous crime at the hands of a man that is pledged to protect the citizens of Ireland but it is another thing when the Department of Justice and the Defence Forces overlook it and swish you away. In an impassioned address, she told thousands of protesters in the city centre: I did not take that stand and face my attacker and put myself through that and bare my soul to Judge Tom ODonnell At this point dozens of supporters interrupted Ms OBriens address, shouting out the word Shame! before she resumed: to be told hes happy he took the guilty plea, that I should be happy he [Crotty] said sorry because he was caught. She added: And to be told that had he received a custodial sentence it would have impacted his career in the Defence Forces. What about me, what about my life, what about so many victims like me? Ms OBrien marched through the city with other protesters and organisers led them in a chant: One, two, three, four, we wont take it anymore. Five, six, seven, eight, no more violence, no more hate. Not the courts, not gardai, were safe through solidarity. Natasha O'Brien marches at Limerick protest Large crowds gathered in other cities on Saturday, with many criticising the suspended sentence. Hundreds of people gathered at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. Men, women and children of all ages carried placards calling for an end to victim blaming in courts and justice for Ms O'Brien and other victims of gender violence. The demonstrators marched from The Spire on O'Connell street to the Department of Justice at St Stephen's Green. Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group, Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the court's decision. Natasha O'Brien speaking at the No Justice No Peace Rosa protest in Limerick Attending the protest in Dublin, Ms Coppinger said: "He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. "His career was placed above the impact on her of the violence and that just says it all about the misogynistic rulings that we're seeing in courts, to be honest, every day of the week, this is not unusual. "We actually have to get that out there. These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. "One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. "People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because he's in the army as well. Marie Clynes, a retired teacher from Dublin, and Tristan McCall who travelled from Co Wicklow to attend the protest in Dublin on Saturday. Photo: Cate McCurry "It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence. "Maybe let's start by suspending a few judges who don't understand the impact of violence against women or girls or LGBT plus people or in general on victims. "We absolutely need dramatic change." Protesters march in solidarity with woman who was beaten unconscious by a soldier Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: "Women's Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. That's how wide spread domestic violence is." Campaigner and women's rights activist Ailbhe Smyth said: "This will not be the only time that we will be standing here or marching through the streets of Dublin on the issue of violence against women. "Quite frankly this is enough. We have had enough. We will absolutely not take anymore. "We will not watch a young woman who has already been traumatised, injured who said I will not be the same again. How sad can that be. "Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again." People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: "A few months ago I criticised a judge in the Dail and you would think the sky had fallen in. "The Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee), the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach all said 'you can't say that, you can't criticise the judiciary'. "I was dragged over the coals for it. "To criticise a judge in this establishment is, to them, a mortal sin. "They appoint them. "And because they appoint the judges, we have to judge them and we will judge them at the next election and tell them they have had their day." Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms O'Brien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: "I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this - the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. "I need to be particularly careful in that context. "But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence." In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: "Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. "Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. "We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case." Crotty is now the subject of a disciplinary process by the Defence Forces which may result in him being dismissed. Former TD took case against Irish Independent to the data watchdog She argued there was no legitimate reason for the media to report on her compensation claim in advance of court hearingsThe DPC has finally ruled that the story was in the public interest Former Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey has lost a long-running privacy case against the Irish Independent over coverage of the compensation claim she made after falling off a swing. The politician made a series of claims to the Data Protection Commission (DPC) including that this media organisation unlawfully obtained her health information, second-guessed her conduct and was hiding behind sources. She also rejected the idea that her position as a TD meant she was open to public scrutiny, saying that being an elected representative was not relevant. The former chair of the Oireachtas Housing Committee lodged a complaint with the DPC in June 2020 and an inquiry began the following March. Ms Bailey found herself at the centre of the so-called swing-gate controversy in 2019 after launching a personal injuries claim against The Dean Hotel in Dublin as a result of a fall from a swing. Over the course of several days, journalists revealed details of the incident and alleged injuries. Ms Baileys lawsuit included a claim that the hotel was liable for the accident because the swing was unsupervised. Legal papers lodged by the hotel showed it planned to counter-argue that she was holding items in both hands at the time of the fall. Further investigation by the Irish Independent uncovered evidence that she ran a 10km race three weeks after the fall despite signing an affidavit which said she was unable to run at all for three months. In her DPC case, the former Dun Laoghaire representative claimed there was intent to malign and that the publication was timed to damage me. Ultimately she says she was intimidated into withdrawing her case from the Circuit Court where awards of up to 60,000 are allowed. She had reported suffering soft-tissue injuries, contusions and concussion, and requiring dental treatment and intense physiotherapy. The hotel planned to argue that Ms Bailey was holding a bottle of beer in one hand and a wine cooler containing a bottle of wine in the other. Her complaint to the DPC was taken against Mediahuis Ireland, publishers of the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and The Herald. She cited coverage in all three newspapers and online. If Mediahuis had been found to have breached data protection law, the company would have been served with a fine. There is no clear precedent for how big that fine might have been. The media organisation argued it had a right to freedom of expression and exemptions to privacy law existed once the story could be proven to be in the public interest. The publisher explained it considered a personal injuries action by a member of a government party to be in the public interest, especially in the context of Fine Gaels well-publicised policy of combating an insurance claims culture. Mediahuis noted there was already an ongoing public debate about so-called compo culture and the effect that was having on insurance premia for people and businesses. A government TD must accept they are exposed to a higher standard of public scrutiny than ordinary citizens. TDs hold themselves out as people of trust and integrity, their character is a central aspect of what voters assess when deciding whether to vote for them, it said. Responding to Ms Baileys claim that malicious prominence was given to her alleged inability to run after the accident, Mediahuis said this piece of information was central to its defence. The publisher said while Ms Bailey sought to downplay her affidavit, the simple factual position is that an elected representative gave sworn evidence in writing that was patently untrue. Mediahuis added that it may never have learned of the 10km race if it had not published the level of detail it did, including her health information. In its ruling, the DPC sought to balance Ms Baileys right to privacy with the Irish Independents right to report in the public interest. It also looked at the accuracy and reliability of the reporting. The DPC dismissed a number of Ms Baileys claims, including that her health information was obtained through illegal means and that Mediahuis had interfered with the administration of justice. The decision noted that in order to pursue a legal claim for damages, Ms Bailey would have to impliedly waive privacy over the medical conditions for which compensation was sought. The reporting did not relate to matters concerning the complainants intimate private life as such, but rather details of personal injury proceedings she had commenced to be heard in a public court, the ruling said. The DPC added that details of her court pleadings were stitched together with other data such as photographs from her Facebook account but this appeared to have relevance to the public debate around insurance. It concluded the Irish Independent was reporting on matters in the public interest and it is clear that the private sphere of the politicians is narrower. The public debate ongoing about personal injury claims and their effect on insurance costs created a public interest in the reporting of the information concerned, the DPC said. While smartphones make it easier to stray, they also increase the chances of getting caught. Photo: Getty Talk about shooting the messenger. As was revealed in the media this week, a businessman in England showed some staggering gumption by preparing to sue Apple because his (now ex) wife clocked his messages to sex workers on the family iMac. Aer Lingus and its pilots are in dispute over pay. Photo: Collins There was a time in Irish industrial relations when government intervention became the status quo. The economy was far smaller, jobs scarcer and international rules and competition were less of an issue. And behind every such state involvement there was a degree of magical thinking. It was as if there were a national money tree which, when shaken with enough muscle, would allow golden apples to fall. It would entice even the most recalcitrant adversaries to reach an accommodation. Those were more innocent times. It may have taken a few recessions and a crash for the brutal lessons of an open economy to be learnt, but learn them we did. Stable, rule-based economies run best with minimum government interference if foreign investment is to flow. So it was scarcely surprising for Tanaiste Micheal Mart to dismiss Sinn Feins call for government intervention in the Aer Lingus pilots dispute. He was responding to the partys enterprise spokeswoman, Louise OReilly, who said: We cannot underestimate the impacts that the uncertainty is having. She urged ministers to engage in a constructive manner to get all sides around the table. All would share her concerns, especially with the carrier preparing to cancel 10pc to 20pc of its flights over the first five days of planned industrial action by the middle of next week. The need to concentrate hearts and minds is obvious, but it is critical to recognise where responsibility to find a solution to this impasse rests. Management and the pilots have the means and method to get off this destructive path. There are also ample industrial relations mechanisms to assist, but it is not the Governments job. As Benjamin Franklin warned: Those who in quarrels interpose must often wipe a bloody nose. Simon Harris is correct in saying: People need to step back from the brink. Holidays hopes do not have to be dashed; if they are, it will be because of deliberate actions. The Taoiseach left no room for ambiguity as to where the Government stands, saying: So Get back in a room and sort this out is my very clear message. Earlier, he said it was utterly reprehensible that children and families could be used as pawns in an industrial relations dispute at Aer Lingus. The travelling public will concur. If there are industrial grievances to be aired, the time to thrash them out should not be at the height of the summer season when any disruption of services is guaranteed to wreak maximum havoc. Many were nonplussed that talks could not start for several days as union negotiators returned to their normal flying duties. It is in no ones interest for the economy and jobs to suffer if tourists cannot get in to the country due to a lack of flights. Mr Martin has appealed to both sides to re-engage with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission. It is not too late. Fine Gael councillor Baby Pereppadan has been elected as the new Mayor of South Dublin County Council (right) with independent councillor Alan Hayes from Palmerstown elected as Deputy Mayor. Fine Gael councillor Baby Pereppadan has been elected as the new Mayor of South Dublin County Council. Cllr Pereppadan, who is a father of two, has lived in Tallaght for the last 17 years. He first made headlines as the first Indian-born councillor in South Dublin County Council. The Tallaght South councillor was elected during the local authoritys annual general meeting, with independent councillor Alan Hayes from Palmerstown elected as Deputy Mayor. The annual meeting was the first sitting of the newly elected members since the Local Elections two weeks ago. At the local elections, Cllr Pereppadan made headlines for a second time, finding himself in the unique position of being elected alongside his son Britto. Cllr Pereppadan was elected for the third consecutive time at the latest local elections for Tallaght South, while his son Britto was elected for the first time as a Fine Gael councillor representing Tallaght Central. Cllr Madeleine Johannsson (PBP) also ran for County Mayor. However, Cllr Pereppadan was deemed elected after receiving a majority vote (23). Thank you to my colleagues who have entrusted me with this responsibility, he said. I wont let you down. This position is not just a title. Its a commitment to the residents of South Dublin to listen, advocate and to work tirelessly for the betterment of our community. I am looking forward to working across party lines and with staff here at the council to make South Dublin a more inclusive place to live, work and build a family. Joining him in the chamber were his friends and family, along with his son Cllr Britto. Cllr Britto, who is in his second year studying to become a doctor at Tallaght University Hospital, spoke to the Irish Independent during the local elections, stating that his dad was his biggest inspiration. He moved to this country and decided to serve people, and when he ran for the first time in 2009, I was just 10, he said. I dont think I knew what I was doing, but I remember helping him hand out leaflets and knock on doors. The father-and-son duo hope to respond to the concerns of the people who voted for them by focusing on their main issues safety, housing, and infrastructure. Labour councillor Brian McDonagh elected Mayor of Fingal (left) with Fianna Fail councillor JK Onwumereh to serve as Deputy Councillor Brian Mc Donagh (Labour) has been elected as the 19th Mayor of Fingal at a meeting of Fingal County Council. Cllr Mc Donagh has represented Howth-Malahide for 10 years, being elected as a councillor for the first time in 2014. He currently works as a parliamentary assistant for TD and now Dublin MEP Aodhan O Riordain. Cllr JK Onwumereh (Fianna Fail) was elected as Deputy Mayor. The new Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mc Donagh, will take up his post in September. "Its a great honour to be elected Mayor of Fingal, he said. "Were a young county, were a really diverse county and one of the places that often people first arrive in when they come to Ireland. "Weve got huge challenges in housing, in transport but it is so humbling that my colleagues have decided that I get the honour of being Mayor for the people of Fingal." The new Deputy Mayor of Fingal is Fianna Fails John Kingsley Onwumereh, hailing from a migrant background and originally from Nigeria. First elected as a councillor in 2019 he said that he was grateful to his colleagues for his apppointment as Deputy Mayor. "Its a huge honour to be asked to serve in this capacity and I look forward to serving the residents of Fingal County Council especially Mulhuddart and Blanchardstown with excellence, hard work and commitment, he said. Prior to the annual general meeting, Social Democrats councillors Paul Mulville and Joan Hopkins urged the Labour Party to join a progressive alliance for a stronger left-wing voice on the council. Cllr Hopkins criticised the traditional secretive deals for distributing mayoral and chair positions among Fingal councillors. She mentioned that some progressive councillors aimed to change this by creating a transparent, policy-led arrangement: After elections, ruling groups of Fingal Councillors have always divvied up Mayors & Chairs in secrecy, in advance of the inaugural council meeting of the new term, she said. Cllr Mulville noted that a comprehensive policy agenda was created and shared with left-wing parties. This document included priorities like climate action, housing, transport, and community safety. It aimed to allocate key roles fairly based on party strength, unlike the current system. A comprehensive policy-agenda was drafted and shared with left-wing parties, with Independents4Change Cllr Dean Mulligan leading efforts to bring progressive Councillors together, he said. For the first time in Fingal County Councils history, there was an opportunity for transparency and openness for the people of Fingal, who rightly demand the very best of their Councillors, as to what the basis of the political groupings in the Council Chamber taking decisions. Labour took part in initial informal discussions to discuss the potential of forming a progressive ruling group; however, they balked at holding a more formal meeting with potential partners, according to Cllr Mulville. It appears that the public pleas from Labour leader Ivana Bacik, calling for greater cooperation between centre-left parties, have been further exposed as empty rhetoric when put to the test, he added. Sligo artists Bradley Farrell is set to showcase his artwork on a national level as part of the Connecting Artists 2024 programme. The Cranmore native is one of ten artists selected from across Ireland to participate in this 10-week online programme, which culminates in an exhibition hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin. The exhibition will be held from Wednesday, 3rd July to Sunday, 7th July. The Connecting Artists programme, designed by Miriam Spollen, founder of Connections Arts Centre, aims to empower visual artists with intellectual disabilities by providing a platform for them to develop their creative practice and gain professional recognition. Bradley has been drawing since the age of five, finding inspiration in the natural world, relationships, his heritage, and past experiences. Sketching is his preferred medium, with a particular focus on abstract and scenery art, and he draws inspiration from the works of Vincent Van Gogh. Previously, Bradley has exhibited his artwork in the No. 45 Art Exhibition in Sligo and has been featured in local newspapers. Reflecting on his upcoming participation, Bradley said: "I am excited to participate in the Connecting Artists 2024 Programme. I'm nervous but looking forward to showcasing my art at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. "My aim as an artist is to spread my work around the world, paving the way for my family and a new generation of artists." The Connecting Artists 2024 exhibition will be officially opened by RTE presenter and broadcaster Miriam OCallaghan. It will feature diverse and exceptional artwork from the participating artists, offering a unique opportunity for the public to appreciate and support their talents and providing attendees the chance to meet the artists and purchase original artwork and cards. Male common pup admitted on June 27, 2023 from Glengariff Co.Cork as an orphaned pup weighing 8kg estimated to be between 4 and 7 days old. Progressed well through rehab and was released on October 3, 2023 weighing around 30kg. Female Common pup named Fergie admitted on June 30, 2023 from Dromquinna, Kerry as an orphaned pup weighing 6.20kg and estimated to be between 7 to 14 days old. Progressed well and was released on December 3, 2023 weighing around 30kg. Female Common pup named Fergie admitted on June 30, 2023 from Dromquinna, Kerry as an orphaned pup weighing 6.20kg and estimated to be between 7 to 14 days old. Common seal pupping season is under way across Ireland and Seal Rescue Ireland are warning beach goers to stay at least 100 metres away to avoid frightening them. There are two species of seal the common seal, otherwise known as the harbour seal, and the grey seal. Common seal pupping season begins in June and will continue until August. The grey seals pupping season can vary but typically occurs during the winter in October, November and December. Senior Animal Care Manager at Seal Rescue Ireland, based in Courtown, Co Wexford, Hayleigh Gray said seals can spend up to 70 per cent of their time on land and its important to give them space to rest, moult and rear their pups. "Common seal pups spend a lot time with their mothers, youd often see them piggyback on their Mom when theyre out swimming, so shell teach them how to swim and how to hunt, said Hayleigh. Grey seal pups are born with a white fluffy coat called lanugo so its not water proof. The grey seals tend to spend a lot of time on the beach so the Mom will leave them on the beach and shell go back into the water and keep an eye on them from there. "Thats why its really important to give them space as well. Once they moult that white lanugo theyll have their water proof coat and theyll go into the water and start hunting for themselves, said Hayleigh. Unlike grey seals, common seals are born with a water proof coat and they can stay in the water from the moment theyre born. Seals are typically attracted to beaches with coves or small sandy beaches and are regularly spotted on beaches in the southeast. We get reports of grey seals from all around the country from Donegal, Sligo and Galway. Common seals are more commonly found on the west coast. "Theres a colony of grey seals down in Ravens Point, theyre off on the sand banks and theres another grey seal colony in Brides Head in Wicklow which there could be up to 100 seals at any one time, weve had lots of reports of pups on Wicklow beaches, she said. Two common seal pups were rescued off the coast of Galway over a week ago and brought to the recue centre in Courtown. They both came in on the same day and they kick-started our season O. We work in seasons so last season was season N." "We got one report and we had the pup transported down here and then we got another call of a seal in Galway so we had to transfer him down to us too. Thankfully, we have a network of volunteers so it really is a nationwide effort to get the pup down to our centre, said Hayleigh. Upon their arrival, the seals underwent an intake exam and were checked for any wounds. The little common pups were orphaned and had been separated from their Mom. Their umbilical cord was just gone so we did wound care for that, said Hayleigh. At the start, it can be a slow process to get the seal pups to gain weight but the centre try to replicate seal milk as much as possible and feed the seals fish soup. Common seals would normally spend around 4 or 5 months at the centre after being rescued. The grey seals are more instinctual with their hunting so they only spend between three and four months there before being released back into the sea. Seal Rescue Ireland advise the public to keep their dogs on a leash on the beach, keep at least 100 metres away and not to touch or put a seal in the water. "Seals are wild animals at the end of the day. They look cute and harmless but they do have teeth and theyre quite sharp as well. They have bacteria in their mouth as well that can cause infections if we get bitten so its best not to approach them. "Seals need their rest as well so theyll haul out on beaches, they spend about 70 per cent of their time on land. This is where they re-oxygenate their blood to go diving and hunting, said Hayleigh. If you think a seal or a seal pup is in distress, call Seal Rescue Ireland at 0871955393 and theyll be able to advise you on what to do. The ongoing wait for short-term letting legislation was raised as a commencement matter in the Seanad this week. Senator Malcolm Byrne was clear that he strongly supports the legislation and addressed his specific concerns such as property owners who are effectively gaming the system by converting properties that should be in long-term rental accommodation into short-term rental accommodation. He also highlighted that a registration system was needed involving Failte Ireland, and that theyve been given money to set up a system. Another issue Senator Byrne highlighted was they do not have clarity on some of the planning regulations for short term lettings in relation to rural tourism. I am thinking about coastal cottages and farm sheds. In many cases, these are self-catering operations, but they have been running for a long number of years." "The Minister of State, being from Mayo, will be as familiar as I am in Wexford with many such properties. He will recall that the Oireachtas tourism committee discussed this in much detail right through 2023, said Senator Byrne while speaking in the Seanad. At the time, the Committee recommended that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media engage with Cabinet colleagues with a view to developing appropriate accommodation strategies for tourism in rural areas that balance the needs of local communities with those of their visitors. He went on to say that no one is disputing the need to have long-term rental properties available in every community but the current difficulty is the lack of consistency in planning enforcement across each local authority. "Certain local authorities are taking a very hardline approach, going after short-term rental properties or holiday cottages that have been in operation for ages and expecting them to meet certain current planning regulations, whereas others are adopting a more pragmatic approach. This is providing great uncertainty within the sector, said Senator Byrne. He also highlighted that Irelands long history of of self-catering cottages and farm tourism, with farmyard sheds being made available for short-term accommodation are critical players in the market. There was a discussion between the Department of housing and the Department of tourism on the short-term letting legislation and that engagement was required with the European Commission which outlined there could be planning exemptions in areas with populations of fewer than 5,000 people. Senator Byrne requested that the Government offer an update on this matter to provide more certainty to tourism providers and that a pragmatic approach be taken to ensure this vital service can continue. Senator Byrne previously served on the Oireachtas tourism committee alongside Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Deputy Alan Dillon who responded on behalf of Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. Deputy Dillion began by saying that the proposed short-term letting and tourism Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for short-term lets in Ireland and for the implementation of the new EU short-term rental regulation, which was adopted by the EU on April 11, 2024. Minister Martin intends to bring the revised general scheme of the short-term letting and tourism Bill to Government for approval shortly and will then proceed with drafting the Bill. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is also engaged with the European Commission on the draft legislation under the notification requirements of the technical regulations information system, TRIS, directive. As part of the TRIS process, the general scheme of the short-term letting and tourism Bill, once approved by Government, will be sent to the EU Commission. This will enable the TRIS process to be concluded. The Government's housing policy titled Housing for All aims to making more efficient use of existing housing and one of the actions to achieve this is the development of a new regulatory control requiring short-term lettings to be registered with Failte Ireland. While the short-term letting tourism Bill is not specifically targeted at reducing the number of short-term let properties in Ireland, it will provide a framework within which planning authorities can identify short-term let properties that are operating without the appropriate planning permission. Planning authorities will then be better able to adjudicate how to deal with applications for change of use planning permission. Deputy Dillon also stated that Minister Martin is aware of the concerns regarding the impact on rural tourism and local economies of the removal of a significant cohort of short-term let properties from the tourism and other short-term letting markets. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media statement of strategy includes the objective of supporting the recovery and economic growth of a competitive tourism sector that is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. Planning guidelines are the critical piece in balancing local housing and tourism needs and they aim to provide the necessary clarity to the short-term let sector and how planning authorities will implement the planning requirements around short-term let properties. The Department will be publishing those guidelines in alignment with the publication of the short-term letting and tourism Bill. The introduction of the register will provide an accurate record of all short-term letting stock across the country. Property owners operating in the sector will be allowed a period of six months from the launch of the short-term letting register to check the status of their short-term letting unit and apply for change of use planning permission from their local authority if required. The proposed short-term letting and tourism Bill will allow Failte Ireland to have a full picture of tourism accommodation across Ireland. Senator Byrne said that a critical part of the Minister of State's response is the issue of the planning guidelines and how they are applied by local authorities. He urged Deputy Dillon to discuss this with Minister Martin. "We want to protect those genuine short-term tourism rental properties. We want to stop those gaming the system. We really need to have clarity with regard to those planning guidelines as soon as possible, said Senator Byrne. Wexford guitar legend Declan Sinnott has joined the line-up for this years New Ross Guitar Festival, taking place from Thursday, July 18, to Sunday, July 21. From his humble beginnings in Wexford town, Sinnott has a career spanning over 40 years, playing alongside and producing music for some of the most iconic Irish musicians known worldwide. Born in Wexford town, Sinnott's father ran an opticians and jewellery shop on Main Street before the family moved to Dublin in the late 1960s. Despite his father's discouragement, Sinnott's determination to pursue music only grew stronger. At the age of 13, he pestered his mother for a guitar after being inspired by the Beatles, setting him on a path that would shape his life. Sinnott learned to play the guitar through sheer determination and a single guitar book he stumbled upon in a local shop. He immersed himself in music, learning both from written notes and by ear, developing a unique blend of academic knowledge and intuitive understanding of music. His journey took a significant turn when he joined the poetry and music ensemble Tara Telephone, which later evolved into Horslips. The band's fusion of Irish music with rock influences garnered widespread attention, catapulting Sinnott into the spotlight. However, it was his collaboration with Christy Moore and Moving Hearts that solidified his place in Irish music history. Christy Moore and Donald Lunny approached Sinnott with the idea of infusing Irish music with a rock and roll element, birthing the iconic band Moving Hearts. Sinnott's role as a guitarist and arranger helped shape the band's distinct sound, blending traditional Irish melodies with contemporary rock and even some jazz elements. As Sinnott says: Horslips and Moving Hearts have something strongly in common in that we were both using Irish music and electric instruments and making more noise than Irish music normally made. Moving Hearts became successful because it was unignorable and we weren't like anybody else. People who saw us live know that it was an incredible live band. It was like a heart attack happening in front of you. It was incredibly energetic and alive and we were all playing for our lives. It felt like it was an incredible thing. Beyond his musical contributions, Sinnott's partnership with Christy Moore provided him with a unique education, into political and social issues not commonly discussed in mainstream media. Moore's insights challenged Declan's perspectives, opening his eyes to a broader understanding of the world around him. It was kind of the first time I was looking around the back of the picture, in political terms particularly, but in all kinds of other ways. I would see a piece of information and accept it as reality and Christie would be saying but is that true? and what are they actually saying and why are they saying it? Sinnott said. In recent times, Evelyn Kallansee and Declan Sinnott joined forces, releasing their collaborative album 'Make for Joy' in February 2020. This album was celebrated as RTE 1's 'Album of the Week.' Sinnott's multifaceted talents in production, songwriting, vocals and guitar enrich the duo's partnership. Hailing from the tropical island of Curacao, Kallansee has carved out a diverse musical path in the Netherlands, before settling in Co Kerry. Together, they offer a refreshing blend of original compositions, covers and Declan's signature tunes. At the New Ross Guitar Festival it will be Evelyn singing and me playing guitar, and I sing a few songs as well, but basically that's the bones of it, and I think we do a great gig. We talk a lot. Well play all the songs from the album that we've made. I sing a couple of my own songs and I sing No Frontiers by Jimmy McCarthy's song that I recorded with Mary Black, Sinnott said. The duo play New Ross Guitar Festival on Saturday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. Secure your tickets now from St Michaels Theatre New Ross, 051 421255. Xuefei Yang is the headline act on Friday, July 19, at 7.30 p.m. Ticket Link: https://stmichaelsnewross.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873660011 Steve Bannon has lost another bid to delay his July 1 deadline to report to prison, leaving the former Donald Trump aide little chance of avoiding incarceration for refusing to testify about efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. With Thursdays ruling, both the judge who oversaw Bannons trial for contempt of Congress and the judges who heard the appeal of his conviction have denied his requests to remain free while petitioning the Supreme Court to overturn the verdict. Police had never seen that many in one place more than 100 raccoons besiege house of woman who was feeding them Image: India in New York X page video grab The tenth International Yoga Day was celebrated across the globe with enthusiasts participating in the traditional exercise form, pledging to keep themselves fit. From New York to Tel Aviv, similar scenes of yoga practising participants were seen in several cities across the globe. In New York, people gathered in the Times Square to join the celebration. The participants were seen performing various Yoga postures to mark the day. " Highlights of 10th IDY celebration at @TimesSquareNYC! The @UN in December 2014, had unanimously adopted a resolution piloted by India to celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21 which is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere," the Indian Consulate in New York posted on X. A similar session was held in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv where participants performed the Asanas while also seeking justice for those hostage kidnapped by Hamas last year on October 7. The Embassy of India in Israel also hosted a yoga event in the city. Similar yoga sessions were held in Shanghai, Ireland,Nepal and many other place around the globe. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay The Indian External Affairs Ministry has said 98 Indians have died during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mecca in Saudi Arabia this year. Pilgrims struggled due to extreme heat during the Haj pilgrimage this year. Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "This year, 1,75,000 Indian pilgrims have visited Haj so far." "The core Haj period is from, I think, May 9th to 22nd of July. So far, we have lost or there are 98 Indian pilgrims who have died in Haj," he said. Speaking on the possible cause of death, he said: "The core Haj period is from 9th May to 22nd of July and so far we have lost 98 of our citizens. These deaths have happened on account of natural illness, natural causes, chronic illness, as also old age. On the day of Arafat, 6 Indians died and 4 Indians have died on account of accidents. I would also like to tell you that last year, the figure of Indians who died in Haj was 187." The holy pilgrimage this year began with people struggling with high temperatures to complete their journey. Thousands more have been treated for heatstroke after an estimated crowd of 1.8 million Muslims contended with the high temperatures, reported CNN. The Saudi government was quoted as saying by the American news channel on Monday that more than 2,700 people had been treated for heatstroke. As per the Saudi General Authority for Statistics, more than 1.8 million people participated in the Haj pilgrimage this year. Haj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The Haj pilgrimage timing changes every year with the Islamic calendar and this year it coincided with June, a month considered to be one of the hottest in Saudi Arabia. Hajj officials asked pilgrims to carry umbrellas and stay hydrated amid the harsh conditions while the Saudi army deployed more than 1,600 personnel with medical units specifically for heatstroke and 30 rapid response teams. Another 5,000 health and first aid volunteers took part, reported CNN. Photo Courtesy: Randhir Jaiswal X page Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday participated in a bilateral talk in New Delhi. Sheikh Hasina is currently on a State Visit to India. She is visiting the neighbouring nation from June 21 to June 22. Image Credit: PIB MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X: " Deepening - Maitri!PM @narendramodi extended a warm welcome to PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at Hyderabad House ahead of their bilateral discussions. The two leaders have met each other ten times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship." Earlier this month, Hasina visited India to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi. Image Credit: PIB Modi returned to power for a record third term in the world's largest demoncracy following a staggering seven-phased election. Earlier, in the morning Sheikh Hasina, who is on a two-day state visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Image Credit: PIB She later went to Rajghat to offer a floral tribute at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. This year, Hasina returned to power in Bangladesh for the fourth straight term. Photo Courtesy: Randhir Jaiswal X page India is planning to open a consulate in Ranpur and initiate e-medical visa facility for Bangladeshi citizens, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday after holding bilateral talks with his counterpart Sheikh Hasina. Modi said: "In the last one year, we have met around 10 times. However, today's meeting is special because PM Sheikh Hasina is our first State guest in the third term of our govt." Addressing the press meet with PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. https://t.co/y9B5ba7V2i Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2024 Modi, who earlier this month met Hasina when she attended his oath-taking ceremony following a victory in the general polls, said the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Satellite will give new height to the bilateral ties. Bangladesh is Indias biggest development partner, and we give utmost importance to our ties with Bangladesh, PM Modi said. He said: "The youths of both countries will benefit from the cooperation agreed upon for Green partnership, Digital partnership, Blue economy, Space and many other fields. Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri satellite will give new heights to our relations." Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Friday to mark her first State Visit to the neighbouring country since Narendra Modi came to power for third straight term. Earlier, in the morning Sheikh Hasina, who is on a two-day state visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. She later went to Rajghat to offer a floral tribute at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. This year, Hasina returned to power in Bangladesh for the fourth straight term. Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Commerce and Industry website Indian and Cambodian officials recently co-chaired a meeting when they looked forward to cooperation into the fields of traditional medicine and e-governance, diversification of the trade basket by identifying new products, bilateral investment treaty, recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia and collaboration in the pharma sector. The 2nd meeting of JWGTI was hosted by India in Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi on 19th June 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Long Kemvichet, Director General for International Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia. The representatives of stakeholder Ministries also participated in the meeting. The JWGTI was first held in July 2022 virtually, read statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This was the first physical meeting of the JWGTI after it was institutionalized. The JWGTI discussed various measures to improve the value and the quantum of trade to facilitate the expansion of trade and to promote investment. Siddharth Mahajan mentioned about measures for deepening bilateral trade and investment and also emphasized on creation of mechanism for cooperation and collaboration in sectors of mutual interest. The meeting discussed the progress of the ongoing efforts for collaboration in Unified Payment Interface (UPI) based digital payment to promote trade and tourism. The Cambodian side elaborated on the numerous investment opportunities that Cambodia presents for Indian businesses. Photo courtesy: Unsplash Noida (UP): The alleged architect of the NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak Ravi Atri has been, finally, arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) amid widespread outrage by students demanding a probe into the exam, media reported. Atri is a resident of Neemka village in Greater Noida and has been involved in previous exam paper leaks across several states, reported NDTV. His modus operandi allegedly involved circulating solved exam papers on social media through a group known as the 'solver gang,' according to the report. Atri's infamy goes back to his arrest in 2012 by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for his suspected role in leaking medical entrance exam papers. Initially, the Bihar Police arrested several people linked to the leak, including a student and accomplices. As the probe widened, it extended the investigation beyond the state. Atri's connections emerged during interrogations, leading to his eventual arrest by the UP STF. Atri was once a medical aspirant. In 2007, Atri's family sent him to Kota to prepare for his medical entrance exam, the NDTV report said. He successfully cleared the exam in 2012 and was admitted to PGI Rohtak but did not attend the exam in his fourth year, it added. Investigators stated that by then, he had come in contact with the 'exam mafia' and was acting as a proxy for other candidates. He also began playing a big role in distributing the leaked papers to students. The NEET exam controversy The controversy arose when 67 students achieved perfect scores of 720 in the NEET-UG exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) said this happened as some candidates were awarded grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical delays in paper distribution at some centers. However, a Bihar Police investigation revealed that the exam paper had been leaked to a select group of candidates. The NEET-UG exam, taken by nearly 24 lakh aspiring medical students, was held on May 5, and the results were released on June 4. Despite the NTA's efforts to manage the situation, allegations of a widespread leak continued with protests and legal actions nationwide. The Supreme Court also got involved, slamming the NTA for its handling of the issue. Image Credit : wikipedia.org Bengaluru: A case has been registered against Janata Dal (Secular) MLC Suraj Revanna, brother of former MP Prajwal Revanna , who faces sex crime charges for an alleged sexual assault, media reported. On Saturday, a man lodged the complaint at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district, claiming that Suraj sexually assaulted him at his farmhouse on June 16, reported India Today. The complainant stated that Suraj Revanna had invited him to the farmhouse, where he forcibly kissed him and bit his lips and cheeks, according to the report. He claimed that Suraj further threatened to kill him if he didn't cooperate. The man also alleged that Suraj then sexually assaulted him and promised to help him advance politically in the district. "Suraj told me youre alone in this farmhouse. You dont know about me and our family. He threatened to kill me if I dont cooperate," the man said in the complaint, stated the India Today report. In his complaint, he mentioned that he had texted Suraj about the incident later, and Suraj had replied, "Dont worry, everything will be fine." Earlier on Saturday, Suraj Revanna and his acquaintance Shivakumar had filed a complaint, alleging that they were being blackmailed by two individuals over a "false sexual assault allegation," the report added. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Friday said his country will initiate talks on becoming European Union membership next week. "On June 25, we will hold the Ukraine-EU Intergovernmental Conference, which will mark the formal start of negotiations on our accession," Shmyhal told a government meeting as quoted by Chinese news agency Xinhua. Ukraine and the EU will launch detailed technical negotiations on dozens of different chapters of the future membership agreement, he said. Ukraine had applied to be a member of the bloc in 2022, the same year when Russia invaded it. The UNs top political affairs official on Tuesday reiterated that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited by international law. More than 170 civilians lost their lives and a further 690 were injured in continued Russian strikes across Ukraine last month. Thats the highest number of civilian casualties in a single month since June 2023, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs told the Security Council. Over half of the casualties occurred in Kharkiv during a new Russian offensive, with numerous attacks in other locations killing civilians and causing widespread destruction. The escalation of attacks impacting Ukrainian civilians is unconscionable, Ms. DiCarlo said. Since February 2022, OHCHR has recorded 11,126 civilians killed, and 21,863 civilians injured. The actual figures are likely significantly higher, she added. Photo Courtesy: UNICEF/Amin Meerzad The humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are alarmingly high and the international community is in crisis management mode, the UN Security Council heard on Friday. Top officials from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) briefed ambassadors at the 15-member Council, describing the impact on civilians since the Taliban took over in August 2021. Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA highlighted massive poverty across the country. Afghanistan remains beset by massive poverty that leaves the population even more vulnerable to the many natural disasters that we have seen over the past few years as a result of climate change, she said. This is despite over $7 billion in international support for humanitarian assistance and over $4 billion for civilian support since the de facto authority assumed power. Brain drain Furthermore, Afghan women civil servants who were told they could not return to work until necessary conditions were approved by the Taliban, are now experiencing major salary cuts. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Special Representative Otunbayeva briefs the Security Council. This provokes concerns over inability to pay rent or to offer familial support. These restrictions deprive the country of vital human capital that it needs to implement the Talibans own policy of self-reliance, Ms. Otunbayeva said. They contribute to a brain drain that undermines Afghanistans future. Impact on women and girls Lisa Doughten, Director of Financing and Partnerships at OCHA, echoed concerns over the situation of women and girls. Afghanistan will soon enter its fourth year under the Taliban de-facto authority, she said, adding: no one has felt the impact more profoundly than women and girls. Further, the de facto authority has restricted girls past the sixth grade from receiving an education a policy that has been set for over 1,000 days. The ban, Ms. Doughten said, fuels an increase in child marriage and early childbearing. It has also led to increase levels of depression and reported suicide attempts in young women and girls. Climate change woes Ms. Doughten also underscored that climate change effects, including extreme weather and more frequent and intense droughts, have further complicated the crisis. UN Photo/Evan Schneider Director Doughten briefs the Security Council. About 120,000 people were affected by flash flooding and mudslides in several regions in the country. Hundreds were killed, villages were destroyed and tens of thousands of acres of agricultural land devastated. Afghanistan remains wholly unprepared to deal with these increasingly persistent threats and will require significant investments in early warning and early response systems, Ms. Doughten said. She called for longer-term solutions to help Afghans overcome poverty and adapt to climate impacts. Nothing is easy in Afghanistan, but with sustained assistance, we can support people in the realisation of a life with peace, stability and hope. A hope to move forward On 30 June, the UN will host a meeting in the Qatari capital, Doha, to continue discussions over the situation in Afghanistan. Special Representative Otunbayeva expressed hope that key stakeholders at the meeting will come to an agreement on what can be done to alleviate the uncertainties facing Afghan people. This will only happen if there is great flexibility among stakeholders and a clearer political willingness on all sides to move beyond crisis management to addressing the larger problems within Afghanistan and among Afghans, and those between Afghanistan and the international community, she concluded. The Sikh community in Pakistan has long struggled with systemic oppression and neglect. Recent revelations from an Urdu daily newspaper, Rozana Mashriq, highlight yet another chapter in this disturbing saga. On June 9, the donation boxes (Golaks) of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, were opened prematurely and without the proper approval of the concerned authorities. This blatant disregard for protocol not only underscores the ongoing marginalization of Sikhs in Pakistan but also raises serious questions about corruption and mismanagement at the highest levels. The report specifically points fingers at Saifullah Khokkar, Deputy Secretary (Admin) of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Acting Additional Secretary (Shrines), ETPB. Khokkar, allegedly complicit in this unauthorized action, abandoned almost 840 Indian pilgrims who had come to Pakistan to commemorate the Martyrdom Day of Shri Arjan Dev Ji. The pilgrims were left stranded as Khokkar rushed to Shri Kartarpur Sahib under dubious pretenses, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the Sikh religious site and the devotees who had traveled to honor their spiritual heritage. The opening of the Golaks in the dead of night, reportedly supervised by Khokkar, resulted in the recovery of Rs. 4 crores. Disturbingly, this significant sum has yet to be deposited in any bank, raising serious suspicions of financial misappropriation. Such actions betray not only a lack of accountability but also a deep-seated corruption that has plagued the management of Sikh religious sites in Pakistan. Adding insult to injury, 15 months ago, INR 25 lakhs were siphoned off by government authorities, and gold worth several crores from the Palki Sahib went missing. These incidents remain unresolved, with the Pakistani government and PMU maintaining an alarming silence. The recurring theme in these reports is not merely administrative incompetence but an insidious pattern of exploitation and neglect. Sikh religious sites, which should be preserved with utmost respect and care, are instead treated as opportunities for personal gain by those in power. This latest incident is a stark reminder of the systemic issues that continue to afflict the Sikh community in Pakistan. Efforts to reach the Project Management Unit CEO, Muhammad Abu Bakar Aftab Qureshi, for comments have been met with silence. This lack of transparency and accountability only further alienates the Sikh community, deepening their sense of betrayal and abandonment by the very authorities tasked with safeguarding their religious heritage. The international community must take notice of the plight of Sikhs in Pakistan. It is imperative that we hold the Pakistani government accountable for these ongoing abuses and demand transparency and justice. The Sikh communitys rich cultural and religious heritage deserves to be protected, and their rights as citizens must be upheld. In light of these grievous revelations, the premature and unauthorized opening of the donation boxes (Golaks) at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, epitomizes the broader issues of corruption and systemic neglect faced by the Sikh community in Pakistan. This act, devoid of any procedural adherence, not only exemplifies the pervasive mismanagement but also highlights the urgent need for stringent oversight and reform within the governing bodies. Pakistan must end the systemic injustice that has plagued Sikhs in Pakistan for far too long. It is time to ensure that the sanctity of these sites is upheld, and the rights of the Sikh community are safeguarded, thereby restoring their faith in justice and equity. (Image and text courtesy: Khalsavox.com) Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A shooting incident at a grocery store in Fordyce, U.S. state of Arkansas, left at least three people dead and 10 others injured, police said on Saturday. The wounded people included two cops. Arkansas State Police (ASP) named the suspected shooter in todays Fordyce grocery store shooting as Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburg. Posey will be charged with three counts of Capital Murder. Additional charges are pending. I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and Im in constant contact with State Police at the scene. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) June 21, 2024 "He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, released to ASP custody, and transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center," Arkansas State Police said in a statement. ASPs Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the shooting that occurred on Friday, June 21, 2024, at approximately 11:38 a.m. at the Mad Butcher grocery store. At least 234 mass shootings have taken place in the United States in 2024, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders reacted to the development and posted on X: " I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and Im in constant contact with State Police at the scene. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific incident." Wild Thang, an eight-year-old Pekingese, was declared the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog competition on Friday, June 21. This long-awaited victory took place at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, after years of competing. Wild Thang, hailing from Coos Bay, Oregon, had participated four times before, securing second place three times. The competition, which has been running for nearly 50 years, features dogs of all breeds and sizes, celebrating their unique characteristics rather than mocking their appearances. According to the contest's website, the event aims to show "that these dogs are really beautiful." NBC news Wild Thang's journey began in Los Angeles, where he was born and raised before retiring to Oregon. This year, he finally claimed the title, walking the red carpet alongside seven other competitors. His owner, Ann Lewis, expressed pride in his achievement, stating that despite his health challenges, he is a "healthy, happy Glugly (glamourous/ugly) guy." Wild Thang's distinctive appearance results from a disease that prevented his teeth from growing, causing his tongue to hang outside his mouth. Additionally, he suffers from a muscular disorder in one of his legs. According to his bio, he contracted distemper as a puppy from a rescue foster and "barely" survived. Ann Lewis explained, His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7. Also Read: People create human chain to save dog trapped in water reservoir In addition to the title, Wild Thang and his owner received a $5,000 prize. A 14-year-old pug named Rome, participating for the first time, secured second place and a $3,000 prize. Daisy May, a mixed-breed rescue dog also aged 14, won third place and received $2,000. Photo credit: Sonoma-Marin Fair Also Read: Telangana police honour retiring sniffer dog with ceremonial send-off after 12 years of service Ann Lewis highlighted Wild Thang's love for people, other dogs, and toys. She emphasized his mission to "promote the necessity of getting your pets vaccinated," showcasing his positive impact beyond his unique looks. The annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest continues to be a fun and heartwarming event, celebrating the individuality and beauty of all dogs, regardless of their appearance. (With agency inputs) For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Imagine this -- you are at the airport and just before you are to board the flight, the airline staff tells you that they can't accommodate you because they are overbooked. What do you do in such a situation? You plead and even scream at the airline staff to accommodate you. Woman accidently complains to airline CEO You can also take out your frustration by posting it on social media, telling how terrible the airline is. To leverage the post, you can also tag the CEO of the airline. But have you ever been able to complain to an airline CEO about not being able to get on a flight? A woman passenger at the Doha airport just did, though unaware of whom she was speaking with. Also read: Passenger Left Standing On IndiGo Mumbai-Varanasi Flight Due To Overbooking REUTERS Woman was a standby passenger Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski, the co-founder and president of Freight Caviar, took to social media to share an incident involving his sister. Jaroslawski's sister was flying from Doha to Chicago on a standby ticket, which only allows a passenger to board the flight if seats are still available after all confirmed passengers have boarded. "My little sister flies standby around the world for dirt cheap because our father worked at Eva Air Cargo for 20+ years," Jaroslawski said. Though there were seats available on flights to Chicago and Washington D.C., Jaroslawski's sister could not get on them due to weight management issues. Stranger offers help "At this point, she's getting really anxious, nervous, and worried. She hadn't slept all night because she was flying from Bangkok to Doha. She had no idea what to do, and so she stood sad under the departure screens wondering what flight she might be able to get on," Jaroslawski said. Qatar Airways While all this was happening, a man approached her and asked her why she was so sad. "My sister told him everything about the situation and he told her, 'go to the business lounge and everything will be okay,'" Jaroslawski said. Gest to fly business class to US What she didn't realize was the person to whom she just spoke was none other than the CEO of Qatar Airways, Badr Mohammed Al Meer. And the brief conversation worked magic for Jaroslawski's sister, who soon got a business class ticket for the next flight to JFK International Airport in New York. Also read: Doha Knocks Singapore Off To Become World's Best Airport REUTERS "An employee at Qatar gave my sister her ticket and told her she is very lucky because he rarely walks around the airport like that," Jaroslawski said. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. The woolly mammoths are one of the most fascinating animals that have gone extinct. Most of us know about woolly mammoths from movies like The Ice Age and the occasional news reports of the discovery of their fossils in the frozen, remote Siberia. There is some evidence to suggest that the woolly mammoth may have coexisted with early humans. Mammoth graveyard in Siberia But a new study has suggested that mammoths may have interacted with humans for hundreds of years. The findings of a recent study that looked into what is widely described as a 'mammoth graveyard' in Siberia have suggested that early humans and the woolly mammoths could have co-existed for at least 800 years. Also read: De-Extinction Of Woolly Mammoth Gets One Step Closer, Through Elephants PHYS Mammoth graveyard was created by humans The 'mammoth graveyard' was discovered in the 1940s along the Berelekh River in Siberia, which got its name due to the presence of thousands of mammoth bones. Initially, it was believed that it was somehow a natural occurrence, but a recent study has said that it was not. According to the study, the mammoth graveyard was created by humans and acted as a factory for ivory and bone tool production. PHYS Close to a human settlement Findings of the study published in Quaternary Science Reviews said that thousands of disarticulated bones, representing a minimum of 156 individual mammoths, were found in the 'mammoth graveyard'. The mammoth graveyard was not too far from a prehistoric human settlement, where excavations uncovered several artifacts made from mammoth bone fragments, including tools and an engraving of a mammoth. No mass death events Initially, it was believed that early humans may have discovered the graveyard and started using the bones from there to make tools. But the new study said that there was an overlap of around 800 years between the mammoth graveyard and the human settlement. Also read: Paleontologists Discover Rare Mummified Woolly Mammoth In Canadian Gold Mine PHYS The Berelekh mammoth graveyard can no longer be considered a natural accumulation in the form of a fluvially-derived concentration, mass death event, or a series of mass death events in the same location, researchers wrote. Instead, it should be considered an example of a humanly created mass accumulation of mammoth remains, now widely known in East Siberia. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Apostolos Lytras, the 52-year-old lawyer currently held in Greeces maximum security prison on charges of assaulting his wife, is preparing for his next legal moves, sources close to the alleged assailant say. They say Lytras is expected to file a request for release in the coming days with the Athens Misdemeanour Court Council. Suchh a motion, though, can only be made ten days after Lytras initial detention in connection with the assault case involving his ex-wife. During a recent prison visit, Mr. Lytras ex-wife and their two daughters were seen at the entrance of Korydallos Prison. They carried a black suitcase containing personal items requested by the attorney. The visit lasted approximately five minutes, as reported by the T-Live television programme. According to the same source, mr. Lytras has also requested books to read during his time in custody. iefimerida.gr The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, detained 300 suspects and seized 190.419 kg of hard drugs between July 2023 and May 2024 in Akwa Ibom. Obot Bassey, the NDLEA Commander in Akwa Ibom, made the announcement at a news conference in Uyo on Friday to commemorate the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this years International Drug Day theme is The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention. Advertisement Bassey stated that 249 of the 300 suspects apprehended were men and 51 were women, and that 61 drug offenders were convicted in the state within this period. She stated that the command has treated and rehabilitated 24 male drug addicts and conducted anti-drug abuse programmes in 82 areas around the state. READ MORE: Kanayo Kanayo Threatens To Disrupt Movie Sets That Hires Angel Unigwe Over Mothers Unprofessional Behaviour Drug abuse negatively impact peoples health and their well-being. Many deadly drugs are permeating the illicit drug market and causing havocs on peoples health, she said. She urged corporations and philanthropists to become active participants in the anti-drug fight. The Federal Government, on Friday, disclosed that Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan, currently detained in Nigeria is facing lawful trial and has access to quality health care. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in a statement after two members of the United States congress paid a visit to Gambaryan at the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja. Advertisement The lawmakers had said Gambaryan was suffering and lacked access to proper medical attention. Idris, in reaction, said the claims are false and should be ignored. It has become necessary for the federal government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive, is being held in unsavory prison conditions in Nigeria, or that his health is deteriorating. Gambaryan is being held in lawful detention and has access to quality medical care whenever required. He also has full access to consular services from his home government. READ ALSO: My Husband Is In Prison With Boko Haram Members Wife Of Detained Binance Executive, Gambaryan, Cries Out The federal government will not do anything to jeopardize his fundamental rights to lawful trial, and to quality care, including healthcare, even as he undergoes trial by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is worth reiterating that his detention is a court-ordered one, and only the court can alter the terms or direct his release, Idris said. According to him, the Federal Government will continue to follow due process in its quest to bring Binance to justice. This adherence to legal and diplomatic standards underscores Nigerias dedication to upholding justice and maintaining the integrity of its judicial processes. The executive is being treated with the utmost fairness, and his legal and human rights are being protected throughout the judicial proceedings, he added. The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, on Friday, ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government, properties valued at over N12.18 billion linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The Presiding Judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the order of permanent forfeiture after hearing an application filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, Chineye Okezie. The judge had on June 5, upheld EFCCs motion filed and argued by its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, for a temporary forfeiture of the properties. Advertisement Oyedepo had told the court that Emefiele is suspected to have bought the choice properties by proxy, with proceeds of fraud during his stint as CBN governor. READ ALSO: Stop Taking Rain Water Kano Govt Warns Residents Amid Cholera Outbreak The EFCC identified two current and one former CBN staff as Emefieles accomplices in the alleged fraud. In an affidavit filed in support of the application by the EFCC, the alleged accomplices were identified as Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo, working with Olubunmi Makinde, a former CBN staff and others. Ruling on the matter, the judge said, Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: that a final forfeiture order of this honorable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The properties forfeited are mostly located in highbrow parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, on Friday, appointed traditional ruler of the Apara kingdom, Chike Worlu Wodo, as the new Chairman of the States traditional rulers council. The Rivers Governor however disclosed that he terminated the appointment of Chidi Awuse, the traditional ruler of the Emohua kingdom, as the Chairman of the council. Awuse is known to be an ally of Nyesom Wike, Fubaras predecessor, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Advertisement In June 2023, Awuse honoured Wike and Fubara with chieftaincy titles in the Emohua kingdom. Meanwhile, Fubara announced the appointment age termination during a meeting with members of the council at the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital. According to him, the state government received a special insult from the Awuse-led council and that the council did not show any sign of working with his administration. He said: I want the council to live up to its responsibility. From my observation, the council is moribund. READ ALSO: Dont Allow Power Drunk Politicians Push You Into Rivers Crisis PDP Chieftain Warns Tinubu So, I can feel that the council, for a while now, has been very inactive. Inactive because, maybe, the chairman has decided not to be responsible as a chairman. I think that is the best way to describe it. I would like to draw your attention to a special insult that was meted out to this government. The council produced a calendar for the year 2024, and the governors picture and the deputy governors picture are not in the calendar. I want to ask you: does it show any sign that the leadership is working with this government? I hope you have a copy of it. Does it show that your chairman is working with this government? So, I have decided today that we have to move forward. By the special grace of God, the administrative life span of the chairman is one year, which is renewable. At this particular time, I have to say that with the power vested in me, I announce that the tenure of Chief Sergeant Awuse has been terminated. Let me announce here that the new chairman from this particular moment will be Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Ohna Apara, the paramount ruler of the Apara kingdom. Fubara asked the new chairman to convene a meeting and unite traditional rulers in the State. Two members of the United States (US) congress paid a visit to Tigran Gambaryan, Binances executive detained at the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja. The lawmakers are French Hill, a representative of the Republicans and Chrissy Houlahan, a representative of the Democrats. Advertisement According to them, they found the executive suffering. As revealed by Hill, Gambaryan was visited on June 19, while the lawmakers were on a national security visit in Nigeria. Recall that on June 5, US lawmakers had accused the Nigerian government of taking the Binance executive, hostage, urging President Joe Biden to help secure his release. Following the visit, Hill called for the release of Gambaryan who is also a former US agent. Yesterday, Houlahan and I visited with US citizen Tigran Gambaryan in Kuje Prison in Nigeria. We found him suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight. Even worse, hes being denied access to adequate medical attention. READ ALSO: Court Strikes Out Tax Evasion Charge Against Binance Executives Although I am pleased that Nigeria dropped tax evasion charges against Tigran on 6/14, its my view that hes being wrongfully detained on charges related to money laundering. Tigran has devoted his professional life to fighting money laundering and tax evasion, having spent ten years as an IRS Special Agent where he successfully led cyber and financial crime investigations. Further, at the time of his arrest, he was working as a contract employee at Binance and was instrumental in criminal investigations and compliance in cooperation with Nigerian authorities. Hill also said he had joined a letter with 16 other colleagues to President Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, US Secretary, and Roger Carstens, special presidential envoy, urging for Tigrans immediate release. Two days later, over 100 former federal prosecutors and agents wrote to Blinken further urging StateDept to use all means available to secure his release. Tigran must be immediately granted a humanitarian release, the remaining charges dropped, and he must return home to America where he belongs, he added. Yuki Gambaryan, the wife of the Binance Executive, on June 20, asked the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) to drop the charges against her husband. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) dropped the tax charges against Gambaryan on June 14, after confirming the appointment of Ayodele Omotilewa as Binances representative with the agency filing a fresh charge listing the exchange as the sole defendant. The Agege Local Government Area in Lagos has suspended food vendors from operating in schools under the council as part of measures to curb the spread of the cholera outbreak in the state. Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, the councils Chairman, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday. According to the chairman, efforts have been made to raise awareness among market stakeholders and schools via radio in order to prevent an outbreak within the community. Advertisement We have suspended all school food vendors to ensure the safety of the pupils and students. We have informed both the pupils and students on radio stations to come with their foods to ensure their safety from the cholera disease. This development will allow us to detect and prevent the outbreaks in our community, he said. READ MORE: Davido Seeks Shared Custody Of Imade, Accuses Sophia Momodu Of Making Unreasonable Demands Egunjobi also stated that schools were visited and inspected to ensure the childrens health and environmental safety. According to him, market traders in various areas were also educated and encouraged to practise environmental hygiene in order to prevent the spread. We are working tirelessly to prevent the menace of cholera outbreak in our community. We are using various means to talk to our people, through landlord associations and others, to caution them on ensuring hygiene in preparing foods and drinks. We urge residents to acquaint themselves with precautionary measures against the deadly cholera disease outbreak. According to NAN, the deadly disease has spread to over 30 states, with 417 cases and 24 deaths reported in Lagos. (NAN) Engineering firm adds staff Apex Engineering Group has added four employees to its Bismarck office. Jenifer Bergstad joins as a survey technician. Her prior survey experience includes interning for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Bergstad is pursuing an associate of science degree in engineering technology from Bismarck State College. As a technician, she works with design and construction surveys as well as land boundaries. Logan Fridgen started interning at Apex during the summer of 2023. He now joins Apex full time after graduating from North Dakota State University with a degree in civil engineering. As a graduate engineer in the transportation department, he assists with urban and rural roadway projects. His prior experience includes an internship with the DOT Support Center. Carter Schoneberg joins as a transportation group graduate engineer. He recently graduated from NDSU with a degree in civil engineering, and he started as an Apex intern in 2023 before joining the team full time. He also interned with the DOT Support Center. In his new role, Carter will assist the Bismarck Transportation Department with design and construction projects. Tony Theurer joins as a senior engineering technician with more than 30 years of experience. He specializes in construction and has extensive experience in roadways, grading projects, paving, structures and underground utilities. Theurer also served in the military for 29 years, spending the last 12 years as a qualified Army instructor teaching engineering courses at the Regional Training Institute. Professional engineer named fellow The National Society of Professional Engineers has welcomed five professional engineers to its 2024 class of Fellow members. An area honoree is Michael H. Gunsch, Bismarck. Gunsch has been a member of NSPE and the North Dakota Society since 1983. The Fellow designation honors active NSPE members who have demonstrated exemplary and devoted service to their profession, the Society and their community. Requirements for the title include holding at least one elected office at any level and active involvement at the national level. The Nigerian government says no fewer than 200 Chinese firms have expressed interest in investing in the country. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this via a press release issued by his spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Friday. The release mentioned that the interest was revealed during a China-Nigeria Business Forum in Beijing, China, which took place on Friday, June 21, as part of efforts to greet Tuggar during his visit to Asia. Advertisement The Minister is currently on an official visit to China by invitation from his counterpart, Wang Yi. The forum, organized by both the Nigerian Embassy and Yingke Law Firm, aimed to facilitate greater trade and investment between the two countries, as well as encourage business collaboration to strengthen economic relations. Amb. Tuggar emphasized the importance of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and China, highlighting mutual respect and shared developmental goals. READ ALSO: Court Sentences Chinese Man To Death For Killing Nigerian Girlfriend This event is a testament to our commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations. By fostering direct business engagements, we are paving the way for increased bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and innovative collaborations that will benefit both nations. Over 200 Chinese companies took part in the event, showing a strong interest in fostering economic collaboration between the two nations, the press release stated. As part of his working visit, the Nigerian Minister is expected to partake in several high-level meetings and events, including the inaugural Plenary Session of the Nigeria-China Intergovernmental Committee in Beijing and the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian. These engagements are expected to further solidify the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China. He is also expected to meet with ECOWAS Ambassadors as well as launch the 4D Cultural Diplomacy Programme of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Embassy of Nigeria, the statement added. Veteran Nollywood Actor, and Labour Party chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo has described viral report over his attempt to join rulling All Progressives Congress as fake news. Recall that Okonkwo had recently left the LP and criticised the leadership of Julius Abure, the partys National Chairman, calling them clown. The LPs campaign spokesperson for the 2023 general election, on Friday, regretted that the LP lacked integrity to exploit the internal turmoil of other political parties. Advertisement He said: I am suspending my relationship in all ramifications with the purported Abure led National Working Committee of Labour Party. For me, its either a new Nigeria or nothing. I prefer to lose doing the right thing to winning doing the wrong thing. Nothing can wash out the criminality, corruption, and incompetence with which the purported National Convention was purportedly organised by Abure. While he didnt rule out joining another party, he took to his social media page to debunk the rumours of his return to APC, calling them fake news and accusing those spreading the reports of being mischief makers. READ MORE: I Cant Remain In Party That Cant Hold Acceptable National Convention LPs Kenneth Okonkwo Hints At Decamping He wrote: Return to APC? FAKE NEWS. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that many chieftains of the labour Party have called for the removal of the partys Chairman, Abure. Some factions in the party believed that Abures led administration might end the opposition partys chance of unseating APCs government in 2027. Meanwhile, former Peter Obis campaign director general, Doyin Okupe, revealed that the party is now left with nothing but people with personal interest. https://twitter.com/realkenokonkwo/status/1804108756323647673?t=xrP19SgFuTlaLu-OaWO3Dg&s=19 The Kaduna State Government (KDSG) reported that numerous bandits had been killed in a coordinated military raid in the states Yadi forest of Giwa Local Government Area. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made the announcement in a statement on Friday in Kaduna. According to Aruwan, coordinated ground and air strikes by Operation Whirl Punch forces successfully neutralised many bandits, including some of their leaders, at an indicated gathering place near Bula community within Yadi forest in Giwa locality. Advertisement He stated that the strike was based on genuine intelligence and was carried out in response to the recent elimination of some bandits kingpins along the Kaduna-Katsina border areas. According to him, an intelligence assessment had previously suggested that bandits were planning a lethal mission within the Yadi forest general region. Arywan said, Close monitoring followed, and at the agreed time, the bandits were sighted bearing arms and approaching the location on motorcycles. Further exploration confirmed the movements and convergence of the bandits in a group of about seven to 10 members at a hub in the location. Upon verification, the location was struck and scores of the bandits including one Alhaji Kachalla Ragas, an ally and childhood friend of the previously neutralised Buharin Yadi were confirmed to have been neutralised by the strike. READ MORE: Davido Seeks Shared Custody Of Imade, Accuses Sophia Momodu Of Making Unreasonable Demands The commissioner stated that Gov. Uba Sani expressed his satisfaction and praised the security forces for their prompt response, diligent efforts, and precise execution. The governor thanked the various sources who provided crucial intelligence leading to the successful strike. Citizens are encouraged to continue to volunteer useful information on suspicious movements to the states security operations room via the following phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999 The Kano State Ministry of health has issued warning to residents against drinking rainwater to avoid the spread of cholera in the state. The warning was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, by the Head of the Public Relations Unit of the ministry, Ibrahim Abdullahi on Saturday. Abdullahi disclosed that the advice was necessary because the rainy season comes up with cholera complications which some states in the country have already fallen victim to. Advertisement The statement reads: Hence, it is necessary to warn and remind the people that prevention is better than cure. People should always examine what they take, most importantly vegetables, fruits and drinking water. People need to be wary in this regard to protect themselves from contaminated food or water. READ MORE: Cholera Outbreak Caused By Unregistered Tiger Nut Drink Lagos Govt. Reveals It is important for people to understand that the rainwater at the beginning of the rainy season is unclean. If one must use it, it must then be purified using water treatment substances, including boiling and filtering before use. This will help greatly to safeguard people against the bondage of cholera. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation. Some parts of Lagos and Ogun State have also announced the viral outbreak of the disease, with numbers of death toll. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Friday, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the face-off between his administration and the union to avoid another nationwide strike. The Lagos Zone of ASUU made the call during a press conference through its Coordinator, Adelaja Odukoya, at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. Advertisement ASUU accused the government of failing to uphold its end of the bargain regarding negotiations and agreements between the two parties. According to Odukoya, Tinubu needs to urgently rise to the occasion and perform the functions of his office by immediately interfacing directly with the leadership of ASUU in order to avoid the destruction of the nations educational sector by those in positions of authority. The union added that the 36 State Governors also need to take urgent and positive steps that will arrest the mindless and deliberate destruction of the education sector in the country. The ASUU chieftain listed some of the pending issues in the unions agitations to include the refusal of the Federal Government to sign and implement the concluded re-negotiated agreement, which ASUU-FGN entered into since year 2009; poor funding of the existing universities; proliferation and mushrooming of universities by state governments, as well as the non-payment of the withheld salaries and arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) among others. READ ALSO: We Can No Longer Guarantee Industrial Peace SSANU, NASU Issue Two-Week Ultimatum To FG Over Withheld Salaries He added issues surrounding the controversial Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) among items that need the Presidents urgent intervention. Before another round of crisis, the issues in contentions do not require rocket science to resolve. All the issues in contention can be immediately resolved if President (Bola) Tinubu as the Commander- in-Chief would perform the functions of his office by immediately interface directly with the leadership of our union. The deliberate refusal of corrupt Government and Ministry officials to migrate the University Payroll System away from IPPIS is unfortunate, condemnable and a confirmation that Nigeria is a becoming lawless State. It confirms that certain beneficial elements within government and their collaborators are bent on continuing to defraud our members and the universities, Odukoya said. Speaking on the student loan scheme recently introduced by the federal government, ASUU described it as a means of creating an army of disenchanted youth who start their life with a burden of debt, and suicidal tendencies. The union therefore called for the review and strengthening of the National Universities Commissions (NUC) laws to arrest the negative trends. We pray Government would see reason and heed this call. ASUU would however wish to put the Nigerian public on notice that Government should be held responsible if our public universities was again goaded into another preventable crisis, Odukoya added. The Nigerian Armys troops in Borno State have rescued seven women and nine children who were kidnapped by terrorists. The victims were rescued as part of a coordinated counter-terrorism operation carried out by troops in coordination with the Vigilante and Hybrid Forces. According to a statement posted on X platform on Friday, one terrorist was killed, while rifles and ammunition were confiscated during the operation. Advertisement The statement partly read, In Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, troops executed an ambush operation targeting terrorists staging areas around Pulka and Ashagashiya. During the operations, troops made contact with the terrorists, neutralizing one, while others fled in disarray, abandoning their belongings. The troops successfully rescued seven women and nine children from the clutches of the terrorists. The troops also recovered one submachine gun, three bicycles, four blankets, cooking utensils, and several other items. The service also reported that forces ambushed militants in Borno States Komala area. READ MORE: Blessing CEO Compares Betting To Yahoo, Calls for Prohibition Of Platforms In Nigeria The military reported that one terrorist was killed during the ambush, and several firearms were retrieved. Similarly, troops conducted an ambush operation in the Komala general area of Borno State. The operations resulted in the neutralization of one terrorist and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with two magazines containing 29 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition and 91 belted links of PKT ammunition. Additional items recovered include one SMG, two AK-47 rifles, one SMG magazine, nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and one motorbike. Donald Trump, former United States President, says he will ensure foreign students get automatic green cards after graduation from universities in the country if he returns to the White House. Trump, who is eyeing a return to the White House, spoke in a podcast hosted by David Sacks, a Silicon Valley investor who backs the former Presidents campaign. Advertisement Repeating his frequent criticisms of how high levels of immigration are an invasion of our country, Trump made a shocking turn when Jason Calacanis, another investor who hosts the podcast, asked him to promise that his policies would not restrict the countrys ability to attract the brightest minds. Calacanis based his request on the countrys need for skilled workers, noting that immigrants comprise a higher percentage of talented recruits. I do promise, but I happen to agree, and that is why I promised. READ ALSO: If Re-Elected, Ill Begin Largest Deportation In American History Donald Trump What I want to do and what I will do is you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country, and that includes junior colleges. Anybody who graduates from a college you go in there for two years or four years, if you graduate or you get a doctorate degree from a college you should be able to stay in this country, Trump said. Following his comments, Karoline Leavitt, his campaigns press secretary, issued a statement saying there would be an aggressive vetting process that would exclude all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters, and public charges. The policy, Leavitt said, would apply only to the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America, Police and detectives are shown on the scene of a shooting at the 2800 block of North Bambrey and Somerset Streets in North Philadelphia on Wednesday. Read more Philadelphia police on Friday night announced the arrest of a 23-year-old man in the shooting of seven people Wednesday evening in North Philadelphia. Tyheed Harvey, of East Germantown, was arrested Friday as he attempted to get into a car that was under surveillance by police. He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, and related offenses. Advertisement In a statement, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel thanked his investigators for diligent work that led to a significant arrest with more to come. The gunfire erupted just after 6:20 p.m. Wednesday on the 2800 block of North Bambrey Street. Police said three men in a car pulled up to the intersection, got out, and opened fire on a crowd of people gathered on the block of North Bambrey. When police arrived at the scene, they found a 46-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her foot, and a 29-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her right thigh. The women were taken by police to Temple University Hospital and were listed in stable condition. Three more victims arrived at Temple by private vehicle, including a 23-year-old man shot in the buttocks, a 19-year-old man shot in the back, and a 34-year-old woman shot in her left hand. The 19-year-old man was admitted in critical condition and the two others were listed as stable. Officers found a 16-year-old girl with two graze wounds, and she was taken to St. Christophers Hospital for Children, where she was listed as stable. About an hour after the shooting, an 18-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the buttocks arrived at Temple Hospital, and she also was listed as stable. I am both proud and thankful of the men and women of our department for the work they do each and every day. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure justice for the victims and safety for all residents of Philadelphia, Bethel said. Local artist Michelle Angela Ortiz maneuvers the Our Market cart through the Italian Market in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Local artist Michelle Angela Ortiz is collecting stories of the immigrant/migrant vendors, business owners, and neighbors who work and reside in the Ninth Street Market for a public art project titled Our Market. The Our Market cart carries all of the tools they need to do interviews and collect information from the public. Read more On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Michelle Angela Ortiz pedaled a vibrant yellow and blue cart down the 9th Street Market, heading to Villa di Roma. No, she was not carrying produce or pasta to the long-standing Italian restaurant. Instead, the local artist was gathering stories from market residents and merchants as part of a public art project called Our Market. JUMP TO SECTION Where to find the Our Market cart on Ninth Street In collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia, Ortiz is creating a digital archive of the 9th Street Market with a focus on stories from immigrant and migrant vendors, business owners, and neighbors who live and work in this beloved neighborhood. Her Our Market media cart is a part of a multiyear project, which launched in April 2019. The cart was unveiled at this years festival. Ortiz uses the cart to draw in folks walking by and has all the necessary equipment to conduct interviews. Ortizs team of researchers is conducting interviews at various market locations, from butcher shops to hair salons, on select Saturdays through July. The goal of the project, which is supported by the William Penn Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Philadelphia250, and Leeway Foundation, is to offer creative community strategies to tackle issues of gentrification, racism, displacement, and erasure in the market. Stuart Rome of Philadelphia (left) is filmed while being interviewed by Our Market project manager Sophia Terry in the Italian Market in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Local artist Michelle Angela Ortiz is collecting stories of the immigrant/migrant vendors, business owners, and neighbors who work and reside in the Ninth Street Market for a public art project titled Our Market. Read more Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer There are extensive archives of the market at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and Temple University, but we noticed that its really centered on one particular group or two particular groups, which are Italian and Mexican, Ortiz said. What we want to do is to honor the flow of all of the people that have contributed to the market, from Jewish vendors and Irish immigrants, to the presence and contributions of the African American community, [who are] often left out of conversations and the history of this work. We want to make sure that [everyones] represented, honored, and valued. Advertisement Outside the restaurant, her team of researchers chatted about the project with people walking by and interviewed some. The recorded stories are then played aloud on a mini-TV screen attached to the cart for passersby to hear, inviting more of them to contribute their own tales of the market. Local artist Michelle Angela Ortiz (left) and Epiphany De Luca at De Lucas Villa di Roma restaurant in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Ortiz is collecting stories of the immigrant/migrant vendors, business owners, and neighbors that work and reside in the Ninth Street Market for a community building public art project titled Our Market. Epiphany De Luca is already a part of the Our Market project. Read more Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer On this Saturday, Villa di Roma owner Epiphany Pip De Luca ventured outside his restaurant to see stories like his and other residents and merchants of the neighborhood displayed on the cart. One of the most important things to me is communication with all the different people moving into the neighborhood and opening business, [Ortiz] has bridged that gap, letting us know whos here, who we are, what were all about, and bringing the merchants together, De Luca said. Advertisement Having spent over 40 years on Ninth Street, De Luca has seen immigrants from all over make a home for themselves in the 9th Street Market. There was an initial resentment to new people coming into the neighborhood, he said, but then you realize, as you got wiser and older, to accept because they are the same as us hardworking, family people. For Brenda Mendez, owner of B&J Estampados y Mas print shop at 1135 S. Ninth Street, the project is changing the perception that the Italian and Mexican residents and merchants are two separate communities. She believes that both the communities are working together to keep Ninth Street looking good for future generations. I came [to Philly] 20 years ago, and I remember [there] was too much discrimination [against] Hispanic people, said Mendez. But right now I feel happy, because were learning [from] them, and theyre listening to us, so thats good we are people who come from different places but we are here for the same reason. A billboard on Washington Avenue advertising the Our Market project on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Local artist Michelle Angela Ortiz is collecting stories of the immigrant/migrant vendors, business owners, and neighbors who work and reside in the Ninth Street Market for a public art project titled Our Market. Read more Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer Our Market also includes murals by 12 local artists and a billboard series on Ninth and Washington Streets showcasing images of community members like De Luca and Mendez. The billboard, which serves as an outdoor gallery, will change every month through November. In September and October, Ortiz and her team will partner with Beyond the Bell Tours for an interactive app and community-led in-person tours showcasing stories focusing on social movements, collective power, immigrant histories, and finding home in the market. The tours, offered in multiple languages, will continue in 2025 and 2026 as a part of the Philadelphia250 festivities. Advertisement The project also features five sets of lightboxes at five businesses located south of Washington Avenue. These provide more lighting along the market and showcase more art. The markets produce stands, too, will get a face-lift. The vinyl fabric awnings will be replaced with Sunbrella fabric and designed with artwork that will depict the particular vendors story. Each stand will include a QR code featuring the stories. For Ortiz, the project is her way of using public art to connect with people directly and offer resources for the community. The 45-year-old artist spent her childhood walking up and down Ninth Street. For 55 years, the market has been home to her mother who worked for the Giordanos, the family that runs Paul & Frances Giordano Fruit and Produce. For Ortiz, the market was her first point of connection to art and creative spaces. I wouldnt have been able to achieve those things [as an artist] without the support of my immigrant parents, without their emotional and physical labor in this particular place, she said. [Our market] is an homage to them, honoring them this is my way of giving back to [the 9th Street Market]. Where to find the Our Market cart on Ninth Street Dr. Parthenia Moore was an educator for half a century, including as principal of Philadelphia's Girls High from 2010 to 2019. Read more Dr. Parthenia Moore, 70, of Elkins Park, a career educator and the former longtime principal of Philadelphia High School for Girls, died Tuesday, June 18, of cancer. Dr. Moore, who spent nearly half a century as an educator, embodied Girls High to many. She graduated from the school in 1971 and was its principal from 2010 to 2019 a leader who was loving but no-nonsense and took seriously the charge former Superintendent Constance Clayton gave Moore: Your job is to serve Philadelphias children. Advertisement READ MORE: A forever teacher retires as principal of Phillys storied Girls High The daughter of Shirley Wilson-Moore and Elmer Moore, Parthenia Arnita Moore was born July 11, 1953, and grew up in South Philadelphia, at 18th and Morris Streets, but her mother insisted that her studious daughter attend Girls High in North Philadelphia. Going to Girls High was the best decision my mother ever made for me, Dr. Moore said. The sisterhood has meant everything to me. Dr. Moore earned an education degree at Pennsylvania State University, then came home to teach in her hometown, working at Rhodes, Cramp and Francis Scott Key schools. She later earned a masters degree from St. Josephs University and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. In the 1990s, Dr. Moore moved into administration, working as an assistant principal, principal, and assistant regional superintendent in the Philadelphia School District, and as an assistant superintendent in the Harrisburg and Bristol school systems. After spending a few more years in central office roles when she returned to Philadelphia, Dr. Moore accepted the Girls High principalship, a role she relished like no other. Dr. Moore called her students phenomenal young women and held high standards for them, academically and personally. She was determined to be a visible principal, an active one jumping double dutch and getting on the dance floor at the prom, but also asking students about their college plans, being stern when they tried to skip class or act in a way that was less than what she deemed decorous. The girls are my daughters, Dr. Moore said in 2019. They are self-determined to be and to know and to grow, and they have confidence. They amaze me with all they bring to the table. Azeb Kinder, the president of the Girls High alumnae association, said Dr. Moore was the epitome of a Girls High girl. She was fierce, she was committed to the schools ideals. And she had an incredible sense of integrity. She said, These are what our standards are, and youre going to live up to them. After her retirement from the district, Dr. Moore was an adjunct professor at several local universities and worked as vice president for education for OIC Philadelphia, the workforce-development nonprofit. Dr. Moores plans to work as a substitute principal in Philadelphia schools were scuttled by the adrenal cancer diagnosis she received in May. She wanted to stay busy, always, said Keith Bunch, one of Dr. Moores two sons. She couldnt stay retired she had to help kids in some capacity, she was an educator. That was her passion. Even during her brief battle with cancer, Dr. Moore took joy in her students. For instance, she was delighted to find a former Girls High pupil of hers administering her CT scan. She was so happy and proud, Bunch said. She was telling people every place she went, Oh, I saw one of my girls. She was the godmother of Philadelphia; she just touched so many lives. Outside of work, Dr. Moore adored her family Bunch and his brother, Kevin; her stepdaughters, Wynter Lyle and Jenifer Mursaloglu; her 17 grandchildren, and her late husband, Eddie Charleston, whom she married in 2016. The two reconnected after attending Penn State together. She was just a dynamic woman, Kevin Bunch Jr. said of his mother. She laid a lot of groundwork to prepare us for our life, for our future. She had a lot of love, and she gave a lot of love. Dr. Moore had a heart of gold, Keith Bunch said. Sometimes, she would forget to eat, because she was making sure everyone else ate. She loved visiting new places, and loved music. She was a huge Luther Vandross fan; she traveled to Las Vegas this year to see Charlie Wilson. She loved to have a good time, said Keith Bunch. In addition to her sons, stepchildren, and grandchildren, Dr, Moore is survived by a sister, Adrienne Warfield. Information about services was not complete. Keep reading by creating a free account or signing in. U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Pa.) will propose a bill next week to hold a commemorative joint session of Congress at Independence National Historical Park in 2026 as part of the nations 250th anniversary celebrations. If the bill succeeds, it will be only the third time a joint session of Congress has been held outside of Washington, D.C., since the capital was moved there from Philadelphia in 1800. Advertisement Boyle said hes been working behind the scenes for months to build bipartisan support for the legislation, which hell introduce on Tuesday during the House of Representatives next session. In late April, I hosted more than 40 members of NATO parliament from nations in Europe and Canada [at Independence Hall] and they were blown away by being in the room where it actually happened, Boyle said. It had a profound impact on all of us, so Im hoping the same thing can happen for my colleagues when we meet there in two years. Boyle will officially announce the bill at a news conference Monday at the Independence Visitors Center along with U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D., Pa.) and U.S. Reps. Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D., N.J.) and Dwight Evans (D., Pa.), both of whom are commissioners for America250, the group planning the Semiquincentennial. The bill seeks to have the joint session held on July 2, the anniversary of the day the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt a resolution for independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence was then drafted by Thomas Jefferson (mainly) and a committee of four other men at 7th and Market Streets and approved on July 4. Since the capital was moved to Washington, D.C., Congress has only held two joint meetings outside of that city, both of which were also commemorative in nature, according to the Congressional Research Service. The first was in July 1987, when 55 members of Congress met at Independence Hall and Congress Hall to honor the bicentennial of the Constitution. The second was in Sept. 2002, when more than 300 members of Congress met at Federal Hall in New York City in remembrance of the one-year anniversary of 9/11. Given there are 535 members of Congress today and there were only 56 back in 1776, its unlikely all members will fit in Independence Hall, which has a listed capacity of 150 people for tours. Practically speaking, one wouldnt expect every member of Congress to show up for this. It would be more ceremonial as opposed to controversial bills being debated and passing, Boyle said. Last time it was held at Independence Hall and that would certainly be the goal this time. If the bill passes the House but not the Senate, the House could hold a session of its own at Independence Hall, Boyle said. Boyle was fueled by both national and Philly pride when crafting the bill, noting that Philadelphia will be in competition with Boston, New York City, D.C., and Baltimore when it comes to hosting the best 2026 events. Holding a session of the House of Representatives or a joint session of Congress would have the effect of really centering the celebration on Philadelphia, Boyle said. Its an advantage and Im ready for battle. Logistical details like whether the public could attend would have to be worked out, according to Boyle, who said the timing for announcing his bill two weeks before Independence Day was no accident. Both abroad and at home we are seeing threats to democracy today in a way which hasnt been the case at any point in my lifetime, he said. So I think this takes on greater symbolic value to remind all of us of the spirit of 1776 and what our founders achieved and how precious it is in this generation that we dont lose it. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks during a news conference in May. Earlier this week, she signed into a law a ban on bump stocks and devices that accelerate the rate at which a gun fires. Read more Lawyers for two Philadelphia gun owners filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the citys days-old law banning rapid-fire gun devices known as bump stocks, a move that rekindles a decades-long debate about whether the city can enact its own gun regulations. The plaintiffs Philadelphia residents Vern Lei and Ross Gilson sued the city in federal court, saying municipalities are prohibited under Pennsylvania law from creating and enforcing local gun laws that are stricter than the states. Advertisement Philadelphia has repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to pass its own gun legislation and overturn state law that prohibits the city from doing so. Those efforts have led to multiple court decisions blocking other local regulations, including a ban on assault weapons and a prohibition on guns in parks and recreation centers. The city has been told over and over again that it cannot regulate the lawful possession of firearms, said Daniel J. Auerbach, an attorney for the plaintiffs. It keeps doing it, even though there is court decision after court decision saying that it cant. While the city expected to face a legal challenge over the law, the suit nonetheless represents one of the first big legal battles of new Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers tenure. The Democrat championed the legislation as a necessary move to improve public safety in the city, and she held a special event Tuesday to publicly sign it just days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks. The local law, which passed through City Council unanimously, bars anyone in Philadelphia from manufacturing or buying devices that are designed to accelerate how fast a semiautomatic gun can fire. That includes bump stocks, which are meant for rifles, and switches, which can be attached to handguns. A spokesperson for Parker said in a statement that the administration strongly supports the ordinance and will do whatever it takes to keep Philadelphians safe from gun violence. The mayors office declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit. Auerbach and attorney Andrew B. Austin wrote in court papers that the city is banning lawful gun possession in violation of both the Second Amendment and state law that generally blocks the city from writing its own gun regulations. READ MORE: Judge bars Philadelphia from enforcing Mayor Jim Kenneys ban on guns at rec centers and playgrounds The law, known as preemption, states that no county, municipality, or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this commonwealth. The attorneys also argued that the bump stock ban as written is vague and could result in arbitrary enforcement. Auerbach said other lawful gun accessories and parts could be inadvertently captured by the citys law, which bans any device that is designed to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm. That language is so badly designed that no one who knows anything about guns has any idea what the city is talking about, he said. Auerbach also pointed out that there is no exception for members of law enforcement who may possess government-issued devices now illegal under the citys law. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department said officers dont have bump stocks or handgun switches, but some SWAT rifles include a part called an auto sear that allows for fully automatic firing. The legislation includes a ban on auto sears. Gun-rights organizations including the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America have in the past organized lawsuits against Philadelphia laws regulating firearms, but Auerbach said the suit filed this week was not funded by an interest group. The suit does not reference last weeks Supreme Court decision that struck down a federal ban on bump stocks, which was implemented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under former President Donald Trump after a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas left 60 people dead. The high courts ruling applied to the ATF regulation, whereas the local ordinance was passed by the citys legislative branch and signed into law. Brooke Johnson of North Jersey lifts up her daughter Elaina Dixon, 8 months old, at Sunset Beach in Cape May on Friday as they weather the first full day of summer. Read more As what is becoming one of Phillys longer heat waves in recent years reaches its crest, it may be taking a dangerous and possibly deadly turn this weekend, health officials are warning. As heat indices rocketed into the triple digits on a blistering Saturday this, after the city may have tied a 114-year-old daily record for the highest overnight minimum temperature the National Weather Service declared an excess heat warning that will remain in effect until Sunday evening Advertisement The intensity of Sundays heat and sultriness are forecast to qualify as extreme and rare, ranking at the highest level on the National Weather Services experimental HeatRisk hazard scale. The city has a heat health emergency in effect. At 3 p.m. Saturday the temperature reached 97 at Philadelphia International Airport the highest of the year and the heat index was 104. The unofficial low Saturday was 75, which would tie the 1910 record for the highest minimum temperature for a June 22. Temperatures overnight may not get below 80 in parts of the city, said Ray Martin, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Mounty Holly, and then Sunday is expected to be a clone of Saturday. But showers, which were isolated Saturday One just happened to be over the city, said Martin may be more plentiful. Of perhaps more concern would be that after several days of cumulative heat, the city may well set more records for the lack of overnight cooling Sunday and Monday, as temperatures fail to get below 75 degrees. Heres why the heat may be so dangerous The thing about heat waves that can cause someone to die is the overnight temperature, said city Health Department spokesperson Jim Garrow. Hot nights are especially dangerous for the elderly who live alone without air-conditioning. That was evident during the deadly Philadelphia and Chicago heat waves in the 1990s and the horrific heat that was blamed for killing tens of thousands in Europe in 2003. If homes, especially the rowhouses, dont cool at night, said Garrow, the interior temperature starts off the next day at a higher starting point, meaning it can get hotter sooner and for longer. Multiply that effect over a series of four or five days, and our homes and bodies dont get the chance to just cool off. Thats why we encourage people to seek out air-conditioning, even if just for a few hours per day, to lower their body temperature. Sunday in Philly is expected to rank as extreme, the highest level on the three-tier heat ranking system developed by Climate Analytics Inc., said company president Laurence Kalkstein, a climatologist and heat-mortality specialist. But given the overnight warmth, he also is calling for extreme conditions again Monday, even though highs are expected to back down to the lower 90s. In his system, Sunday and Monday have the highest probabilities of heat-wave mortality during this hot spell, which is due to continue into midweek. While Philadelphia doesnt use rankings, Kalkstein is well familiar with Philly summers: He helped the city and the weather service develop a highly praised heat-response system, aspects of which are still in play today. That includes the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging heatline 215-765-9040 which will be in operation from 8:30a.m. until 11:59 p.m. through Sunday, along with commonsense advice, such as checking in on elderly neighbors. NOAA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention credited Philadelphias system with saving lives. Four times as many people died from heat-related causes in 1993 as in all of the last 10 years, according to Health Department statistics. Whats ahead The cold front due to push through on Monday is expected to provide a measure of relief later in the day into Tuesday by drying out the air. Still, highs are forecast to rise above 90 degrees on Tuesday and well into the 90s on Wednesday, which would make this a nine-day heat wave. Philly had 10-day stretches in 2022 and 2012. The city hasnt had a streak of 90-plus highs for more than 10 days since the 1990s. Its longest was 18 days, in 1988. And if the forecast holds (and when has that ever failed to happen) this streak will end Thursday, when highs are expected to go no higher than the upper 80s. By then, that might seem cool. June 21, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) In 2017, the Chilean government approved a $2.5 billion expansion of BHP's Spence copper mine - the diversified miner's second largest copper mine behind Escondida. In 2020, BHP became the top shareholder in SolGold (TSX:SOLG), an Australian miner developing the Cascabel copper-gold project in Ecuador. In 2021, chief executive Mike Henry said the company needs more "future-facing metals" such as copper. Two years later, BHP Group (NYSE:BHP), the biggest mining company in the world by market capitalization ($142 billion as of the latest close) was bidding on Anglo American (LSE:AAL), eager to snatch the UK-based miner's copper assets in Chile and Peru, namely Los Bronces, Collauhuasi, El Soldado and Quellaveco. While the deal ultimately failed, the fact that BHP was willing to pay $39 billion for Anglo's copper mines says a lot about the importance of copper to the electrified economy, and the companies that mine it. As this article will prove, it isn't only BHP that is hunting for copper, which is now the most critical mineral on Earth due to it being a required raw material in electric vehicles and renewable energy, yet in increasingly short supply. Indeed the entire supply chain - from upstream miners to downstream users, and everything in between, including majors, mid-tiers, juniors and copper smelters - is screaming for copper, trying desperately to lock up supply before the world runs out, as demand overtakes available quantities as early as next year. Copper Copper is one of the most important metals with more than 20 million tonnes consumed each year across a variety of industries. In recent years, the global transition towards clean energy has stretched the need for the base metal even further. Simply put, electrification doesn't happen without copper, the heartbeat of the global energy economy. Along with the usual applications in construction wiring and plumbing, transportation, power transmission and communications, there is now added demand for copper in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Millions of feet of copper wiring will be required for strengthening the world's power grids, and hundreds of thousands of tonnes more are needed to build wind and solar farms. Electric vehicles use triple the amount of copper as gasoline-powered cars. There is more than 180 kg of copper in the average home. Additional copper is being demanded by the electrification of public transportation systems, 5G and AI. Depletion & production problems Production concerns spread to MSM late last year, when the government of Panama ordered First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FM) to shut down its Cobre Panama operation, removing nearly 350,000 tonnes from global supply. A strike at another large copper mine, Las Bambas in Peru, temporarily halted shipments. Copper specialist Anglo American now says it is scaling back output by about 200,000 tons, owing to head grade declines and logistical issues at its Los Bronces mine. Los Bronces production is expected to fall by nearly a third from average historical levels next year as the miner pauses a processing plant for maintenance, Reuters said Tuesday. Chile's copper output has been dented by a long-running drought in the country's arid north. State miner Codelco's 2023 production was the lowest in 25 years. All four of Codelco's megaprojects have been delayed by years, faced cost overruns totaling billions, and suffered accidents and operational problems while failing to deliver the promised boost in production, according to the company's own projections. There are also concerns about Zambia, Africa's second largest copper producer, where drought conditions have lowered dam levels, creating a power crisis that threatens the country's planned copper expansion. Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) reported a 6.5% quarterly drop in production at the world's newest major copper mine, Kamoa-Kakula in the DRC. The tightness of the copper concentrate market has been reflected in treatment and refining charges plummeting from over $90 per tonne to below $10/t. This drastic reduction compelled Chinese smelters, responsible for around half of global refined copper production, to consider a 10% production cut. In a previous article, we dug deep into the supply cuts to get an idea of how much copper is actually being produced. Our analysis confirmed suspicions that it is considerably less than a few years ago. Biggest copper mines produced 20% less copper in 2023 Our first step was consulting Visual Capitalist's 2021 graphic of the world's 20 largest copper mines by production capacity. The figure below shows Escondida in Chile leading the pack, at 1.4 million metric tons capacity per annum, through to number 20 First Quantum's Sentinel mine in Zambia with its 260,000 tpa capacity. Five of the 20 mines "tied" for having the same amount of capacity. Source: Visual Capitalist These 20 mines have the capacity to produce nearly 9 million tonnes of copper annually, representing 44% of global production in 2020. But how much did they actually produce in 2023? AOTH combed through quarterly and annual reports, press releases and news articles to find out. Of the mines we could find 2023 production figures for, the total came to 5,818,792 tonnes. Only two - now-shuttered Cobre Panama and Grasberg (Freeport McMoRan's 231,836t +204,960t estimated production from PT Inalum and PT Indonesia based on 51.24% ownership) - produced more than their 2020 production capacities. The rest produced less. We had to find a way to compensate for the missing data for six mines. We decided to use each individual mine's 2020 production capacity as the (missing) 2023 production figure. For example, no figures were found for Southern Copper's Buenavista mine in Mexico, so for 2023 we used its 2020 production capacity of 520,000 tonnes. This generously estimates the amount of copper that was actually produced last year, since most, if not all of these mines with missing data likely produced less than their production capacity. Adding 1,592,960 tonnes of estimated 2023 production (for six mines) to the 5,818,792 tonnes of actual 2023 production for the remaining 14 mines gives a total of 7,411,752 tonnes - 19.6% less than 2020's total capacity for the world's top 20 mines of 8,869,000 tonnes. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) forecasts global copper consumption to grow 3.5% to 28 million tonnes in 2024, and for demand to increase from 27 million tonnes in 2023 to 38 million tonnes in 2032, averaging 3.9% yearly growth. Yet the US Geological Survey reports supply from copper mines in 2023 amounted to only 22 million tonnes. If the copper supply doesn't grow this year, we are looking at a 6Mt deficit. As our calculations show, that 22 million tonnes of production reflects roughly a 20% reduction in output from the top 20 copper mines. If supply interruptions continue in some of the top producers, like Chile, Peru, Zambia and the DRC, the deficit could grow even bigger, and likely will. More labor unrest at Las Bambas in Peru is looming. Chile continues to have water problems and according to the International Energy Agency, average copper grades there have declined by 30%. Wall Street commodities investment firm Goehring & Rozencwajg says the industry is "approaching the lower limits of cut-off grades and brownfield expansions are no longer a viable solution. If this is correct, then we are rapidly approaching the point where reserves cannot be grown at all." The importance of making new discoveries in establishing a sustainable copper supply chain is obvious. Exposing the copper surplus myth - Richard Mills Greenfield additions to copper reserves have slowed dramatically, with tonnage from new discoveries falling by 80% since 2010. Average grade of remaining copper reserves Copper discovery cupboard bare Bloomberg New Energy Finance says copper miners need to double the amount of global copper production, just to meet the demand for a 30% penetration rate of electric vehicles - from the current 22Mt a year to 40Mt. Copper consumption by green energy sectors globally is expected to jump five-fold from 2020 to 2030, data from consultancy CRU Group shows. Future copper usage is closely tied to meeting carbon emissions targets. To transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to one run on clean power including the electrification of the global transportation system, will require a colossal boost in the production of mined materials, including copper. Higher penetration of solar, wind and energy storage all will require copious metals. Wood Mackenzie, a commodities consultancy, predicts that usage of aluminum, copper and zinc in photovoltaics will double by 2040. "Copper is used in high and low voltage transmission cables and thermal solar collectors," Kamil Wlazly, Wood Mackenzie's senior research analyst, wrote in the report. Under a base case scenario, consistent with a 2.8 to 3C global warming view, the report expects aluminum demand from solar to rise from 2.4 million tonnes in 2020 to 4.6Mt in 2040; base case copper demand would go from 0.4Mt in 2020 to almost 0.7Mt; and global zinc consumption would double from 0.4Mt 0.8Mt in the base case. There are two ways for the mining industry to increase copper reserves: it can either find large new deposits to develop into mines; or copper companies can lower their cut-off grades and add new reserves that way. Some of the world's largest copper companies are doing everything they can to expand existing mines and acquire prospective new deposits, as they seek to replace their rapidly depleting copper reserves and resources. We've already mentioned BHP's interest in copper, evidenced by its $39B bid for Anglo American last year. Anglo has indicated that South Africa would be a good jurisdiction to explore. Copper, nickel, lead, and zinc are among the base metals the company is focusing its global discovery strategy in greenfield and brownfield projects. Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX) wants to diversify into the red metal from the yellow. The company already owns the Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea, which borders Indonesia to the east, with China's Zijin Mining. Another big gold miner, Newmont Corp (TSX:NGT), in 2021 struck a deal with GT Gold, to take over the junior and its Tatogga gold-copper discovery in the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. Why are major mining companies so intent on securing new supplies of copper? Quite simply, they are running out of ore. Without new capital investments, Commodities Research Unit (CRU) predicts global copper mine production will drop from the current 22 million tonnes to below 12Mt by 2034, leading to a supply shortfall of more than 15Mt. Over 200 copper mines are expected to run out of ore before 2035, with not enough new mines in the pipeline to take their place. Some of the largest copper mines are seeing their reserves dwindle; they are having to dramatically slow production due to major capital-intensive projects to move operations from open pit to underground. Examples include the world's two largest copper mines, Escondida in Chile and Grasberg in Indonesia, along with Chuquicamata, the biggest open-pit mine on Earth. These cuts are significant to the global copper market because Chile is the world's biggest copper-producing nation - supplying 30% of the world's red metal. Adding insult to injury, copper grades have declined about 25% in Chile over the last decade, bringing less ore to market. Greenfield and brownfield reserve additions are expected to disappoint through the decade, according to Goehring & Rozencwajg. S&P Global Market Intelligence estimates that new discoveries averaged nearly 50Mt annually between 1990 and 2010. Since then, new discoveries have fallen by 80% to only 8Mt per year. (I would actually be surprised if 8Mt of copper is being found annually. It is likely considerably less - Rick) Copper discoveries and capital expenditures The degree to which the industry has failed to bring on new mines is evident in a new study by the University of Michigan and Cornell University. The researchers found that copper can't be mined fast enough to keep up with current US policy guidelines to make the transition from fossil-fueled power and transportation to electric vehicles and renewable energies. How impossible? The researchers found between 2018 and 2050, the world will need to mine 115% more copper than has been mined in all human history to 2018. This would meet our current copper needs and support the developing world without considering the green energy transition. To electrify the global vehicle fleet requires bringing into production 55% more new mines. Between 35 and 195 large new copper mines would have to be built over the next 32 years, at a rate of up to six mines per year. Spoiler alert ain't gonna happen, in other words an impossible task. In heavily regulated environments like the United States and Canada, it can take up to 20 years to build one mine from scratch. Source: International Energy Forum China Their reserves dwindling, head grades lower, a lack of new discoveries, and production snafus due to a litany of problems including indigenous relations, NGO's, resource nationalism, global warming/ power cuts and shortages of water is it any wonder that countries (and companies) needing copper are looking elsewhere for it? The posterchild for this trend is China, which in the 1990s and early aughts, went shopping for the minerals it needed to feed its economy that, until 2015, was growing at double digits. Beijing invested billions either through the purchase of mining and energy company stakes, or outright mine acquisitions. At first, the buys were concentrated in Africa, with iron ore and copper the predominant commodities. The idea was that deep-pocketed, state-funded miners would buy projects for China's domestic use. The purchase in 1998 of an 85% stake in Zambia's Chambishi copper mine for about $20 million was one of China's earliest overseas mining investments. China announced a $5 billion loan to the DRC for infrastructure development in 2007, following up another $3.8 billion for mining investments in 2008. The Export-Import Bank of China pledged a nearly $9 billion loan to build and upgrade the DRC's road (4,000 km) and rail system (3,200 km) for transportation routes that connect its extractive industries, and to develop and rehabilitate the country's mining sector, in return for copper and cobalt concessions. China would gain rights to extract up to 10 million tons of copper and 420,000 tons of cobalt (proven deposits) over a 15-year period. The China Non-Ferrous Metals and Construction (CNMC) and Yunnan Copper Industry in 2013 commissioned a $300 million copper smelter in Zambia's Chambishi. (Institute of Developing Economies Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)) More recently the desired metals are those that feed into the global shift from fossil fuel-powered transportation and energy generation to electric cars and renewables. This has meant a search for lithium, cobalt, graphite, copper and rare earths. How China is locking up critical resources in the US's own backyard As part of a plan to reduce debt, Rio Tinto (LSE:RIO) put its Northparks copper-gold mine in Australia on the block. China Molybdeum Co answered the call, in 2013 paying $820 million for 80% of the asset. In the early 2010s, China began moving into South America. State aluminum company Chinalco bought the Toromocho copper mine in Peru from a junior, Peru Copper, and began commercial production in 2010. Chinalco still owns the mine and in 2018 started an expansion. In 2014 a consortium of three Chinese companies - CITIC Metal Co., MMG and Guoxin - acquired the Las Bambas copper mine in Peru from Glencore Xstrata in an all-cash deal worth $5.85 billion. Japanese companies got in on the action too. A news report from 2013 said JX Nippon Mining & Metals was on track to more than double copper production from its mines, the majority coming from JX's 75%-owned Caserones copper mine in Chile. (the mine is now 51% owned by Lundin Mining see below) In 2020, Mitsubishi Materials was also active in Chile, agreeing to acquire a 30% interest in the Montoverde copper mine and associated projects from Mantos Copper for $263 million. The other 70% is held by Capstone Copper (TSX:CS). A third Japanese company, Marubeni, holds a 30% stake in the Centinela and Antucoya copper mines and a 12.48% stake in Los Pelambres copper mine, all of which are in Chile. Marubeni operates the mines with Antofagasta plc (LSE:ANTO). A recent report by Open Mineral studied trends in copper mine ownership. "The most striking takeaway, say the report's authors, "is that Chinese firms have dramatically increased their equity in global copper mine supply, from 5% at the start of the century to 19% by 2023 following a series of forward-looking investments across the developing districts of the African copper belt and western China, as well as moves into more mature mining regions in South America and Europe." "With China's huge copper smelting capacity and manufacturing base, these investments represent a bold, long-term strategy aimed at securing copper supply for the country's future." "While the volume of mined copper owned by Western majors, mid-tier and junior miners has risen from 8.1Mt in 2000 to just over 10Mt in 2023, the overall share of North America, Europe and Oceania has fallen from over 60% of global copper mined at the start of the century to ~46% last year. Companies from these regions have retreated to some degree from Asia ex-China, while despite key investments their share of African mine output has compressed because a larger proportion of new copper belt supply has been developed by Chinese companies." We don't have to look very hard to show this is the case. In 2018, China's largest gold company, Zijin Mining, took over Canada's Nevsun Resources for $1.4 billion, adding the Timok copper-gold project in Serbia and a 60% stake in Eritrea's Bisha copper-zinc mine to its asset portfolio. The same year, Zijin paid $1.26 billion for 63% of Serbia's largest copper mining and smelting company, RTB Bor. In Africa, Chinese state-run conglomerate CITIC purchased a 20% stake in Canada's Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) for $723 million. The news release says Ivanhoe will use the proceeds to advance its development projects in southern Africa, including Platreef, Kipushis and Kamoa-Kakula in the DRC - the largest copper mine to open recently, in July 2021. The project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe (39.6%), Zijin Mining (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the DRC government. Ivanhoe signed two offtake deals, one with a subsidiary of Zijin Mining; the other with Chinese commodities trader CITIC Metal, to sell each 50% of the copper production from Kakula - the first of two mines involved in the joint venture. In other words, 100% of Kamoa-Kakula's Phase 1 production goes to China. 2023 saw China's MMG agreeing to pay $1.9 billion for Cuprous Capital, a private company that owns the Khoemacau copper mine in Botswana. Also last year, South Africa's Sibanye Stillwater (NYSE:SBSW) reportedly planned to bring in a Chinese investor to form a partnership if it won its bid to buy Zambia's Mopani Copper Mines. The story says Sibanye was competing with Zijin Mining, and that Sibanye's CEO wanted to diversify into copper from South Africa's gold and platinum mines, where output has been reduced due to blackouts and rising crime. In the end it was International Resources Holding RSC of Abu Dhabi that won the bid and will invest $1.1 billion in the previously Glencore-owned mine. The latest Chinese copper acquisition again involved Zijin Mining, which in January of this year said it plans to take a 15% stake in Canadian copper company Solaris Resources (TSX:SLS). According to the Financial Post, the $130 million investment would be used to advance Solaris' Warintza copper project in Ecuador. The majors The biggest copper merger to surface among the major miners was BHP's attempted take-over of rival Anglo American. The $39 billion acquisition was centered around Anglo's South American copper assets, but BHP walked away after Anglo rejected a last-ditch attempt for more time, Reuters said. The main reason for the deal's collapse was the requirement that Anglo unbundle its South African platinum and iron ore businesses. Mining.com noted that a tie-up would have given BHP about 10% of global copper production. The mining giant is certainly ambitious in its pursuit of copper. In April 2023 an Australian court approved its $6.4 billion takeover of OZ Minerals, which at the time was the company's biggest M&A transaction since its $12.1B purchase of Petrohawk Energy in 2011. OZ owned two operating copper and gold mines in South Australia, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill, as well as the West Musgrave nickel and copper project in Western Australia. Late last year, another blockbuster copper buy-out plan made headlines. This time it was Glencore's (LSE:GLEN) $22.5B bid for Canada's largest diversified miner, Teck Resources (TSX:TECK). After much back and forth, Glencore agreed to spend $6.93 billion for Teck's metallurgical coal division, and merge it with its own coal assets - leaving Teck's copper assets intact. The owner of the Highland Valley copper mine in British Columbia is also a part owner (with Newmont Mining) of Galore Creek, one of the world's largest undeveloped copper-gold-silver deposits. Teck also has operations in Peru, Chile and the United States. The world's second-largest miner, Rio Tinto (LSE:RIO), is investing in copper mines in Utah and Arizona. In 2017 Rio committed an additional $302 million to the Resolution copper project. To date, partners Rio Tinto (55%) and BHP (45%) have spent over $2 billion to develop the stalled project, which has been in the permitting phase since 2013. The company in 2023 said it intends to invest about $920 million at its Kennecott copper operations in Utah as part of a plan to increase its copper supply in North America. Of course we can't forget about Newmont's $16.8 billion buyout of Australia's Newcrest Mining, which also completed in 2023. A cornerstone of the deal was Newmont diversifying from gold into copper, by acquiring Newcrest's copper assets, including the producing Cadia mine in Australia (17Moz of gold and 3.6Mt of copper in reserve) and the Wafi-Golpu development project in Papua New Guinea. One source said the tie-up doubled Newmont's copper reserves. Newcrest in 2019 purchased 70% of the Red Chris copper-gold mine in British Columbia, forming a joint venture with the mine's owner, Imperial Metals (TSX:III). Newcrest's 70% share transferred to Newmont when the Newmont-Newcrest deal was finalized. Through our own research, AOTH identified more copper investments: Chilean miner Antofagasta has secured $2.5 billion to finance a second concentrator at its Centinela copper mine. Lenders include the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Export Development Canada and the Export-Import Bank of Korea. Commodities group Glencore (LSE:GLEN) is studying means by which to acquire Anglo American, following BHP's failed bid. The two companies already co-own the Collahuasi copper mine in Chile, holding 44% apiece. China's Jiangxi Copper bought 25.9 million First Quantum Minerals' shares, helping the beleaguered Canadian miner to raise CAD$1.5 billion in February. First Quantum (TSX:FM) in 2023 had its Cobre Panama mine shut down by the government. The Chinese firm, which holds 18.4% of FM, also agreed to buy $500 million in copper shipments from a First Quantum mine in Zambia. Russian firm Norilsk Nickel has been forced to close its Arctic copper plant due to Ukraine-related sanctions. Reuters said Norilsk will instead build a new plant in China through a joint venture, with construction slated for completion by mid-2027. Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN) in March of last year acquired a majority interest in Chile's Casserones copper-molybdenum mine. The Toronto-based company paid $800 million for a 51% share of SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile, a subsidiary of JX Nippon Mining & Metals, which operates the mine. Lundin will also pay JX $150 million in instalments over six years, and have the right to acquire an additional 19% interest by paying $350M over five years. Smelters At the top we said that every link in the copper supply chain is wanting metal and worried about not getting enough. This includes copper smelters, which buy the raw ore from mining companies and refine it into finished products, for a fee. While this appears to be a new trend, in fact it goes as far back as 2010. That year, Dowa Metals & Mining, a unit of Dowa Holdings, Japan's fourth-largest copper smelter, planned to double the ore procurement rate from its mines to 30% in five years, facing competition from China and India. "Expansion of China's smelting capacity has caused an ore shortage that will persist through at least 2014, according to CRU Group. Processing fees slumped 38 percent this year as smelters competed to process scarce raw material," Bloomberg reported at the time (Sound familiar? The same thing is happening now - Rick) The news outlet noted that Dowa Holdings, in a venture with Sojitz Corp. and Furakawa Co., said it would spend $183 million to buy a 25% stake in the Gibraltar copper mine in British Columbia from Taseko Mines (TSX:TKO). Staying with Japan, in 2020 the country's top smelter, JX Nippon Mining & Metals, increased ownership of its then-majority-held Caserones copper mine in Chile (it is now 51% owned by Lundin). The company bought Mitsui Mining's 25.8% stake after the cost of the troubled project doubled to $4.2 billion, according to The Northern Miner. The following year, Mitsui Mining & Smelting offloaded its 0.97% stake in the Collahuasi copper mine in Chile to its parent company, Japanese trading firm Mitsui & Co, Mining Technology said. As mentioned, Anglo American and Glencore each own 44% of the open-pit mine. The remaining 12% is held by Japan Collahuasi Resources (JCR). In 2018, a Reuters story said "Chinese copper smelters are looking to make more investments in mines, pushing to shore up supply of concentrate at a time when competition for the raw material is heating up, industry executives said. China is the world's biggest consumer of the metal but its own copper mine production has been stagnating amid a broad crackdown on pollution, exacerbating a heavy reliance on imports. "More direct tie-ups with mines would diversify smelters' sources of supply, as well as potentially giving them more sway in annual supply negotiations with large global miners such as BHP and Freeport-McMoRan Inc." The article went on to say that a private Chinese smelter, which uses 100% copper concentrate and no scrap, was looking to deal with copper mines directly. It quoted the executive vice president saying the smelter is looking at potential investment in mines in South America, Europe and some African countries with stable political environments. Getting more current, Japan's Mitsubishi Materials Corp in 2023 said it aims to more than triple its copper concentrate output through equity holdings by 2030, possibly through buying stakes in early and mid-stage development projects. The company, which owns stakes in several copper mines including Los Palambres and Mantoverde in Chile, wants to boost its copper concentrate production to 500,000 tonnes a year from 150,000t now. The plan would cost $1.9 billion by the end of the decade, including investments in copper mining and smelting. Juniors We found that several majors have been investing in early-stage junior resource companies, who, as I have stated many times before, own the world's next mines. Among recent transactions: Freeport McMoRan (NYSE:FCX), the world's largest publicly traded copper miner, in 2021 acquired all the shares of Carpo Resources and its Yandera copper project in Papua New Guinea. Measured and indicated resources amount to 6.2 billion pounds of copper equivalent, from resources of almost 8 billion pounds of CuEq. Max Resource (TSXV:MAX) cut an 80/20 earn-in deal with Freeport for its Cesar copper-silver project in Colombia. Under the agreement, announced on May 13, Arizona-based Freeport has an option to acquire up to 80% of Cesar by spending CAD$50 million to explore the property. In August 2023 Rio Tinto agreed to buy Pan American Silver's stake in Agua de la Falda S.A., a company with exploration tenements in Chile's Atacama region, and to a joint venture with Codelco to develop Agua de la Falda's assets. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will acquire Pan American's (TSX:PAAS) 57.74% operating stake in Agua de la Falda for $45 million and the grant of net smelter returns royalties. Rio Tinto will also acquire the nearby Meridian property for $550,000 and the grant of NSRs. Codelco, which is the world's largest copper producer and is owned by the Chilean government, holds the remaining 42.26% of Agua de la Falda. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will acquire Pan American's (TSX:PAAS) 57.74% operating stake in Agua de la Falda for $45 million and the grant of net smelter returns royalties. Rio Tinto will also acquire the nearby Meridian property for $550,000 and the grant of NSRs. Codelco, which is the world's largest copper producer and is owned by the Chilean government, holds the remaining 42.26% of Agua de la Falda. Pan American was also involved in a deal with Glencore in July 2023, wherein Glencore bought PAAS's 56.2% stake in the Mara project, located in the Catamarca province of Argentina. The 27-year copper-gold mine has proven and probable reserves of 5.4 million tonnes of copper and 7.4 million ounces of gold. Last year, First Quantum Minerals partnered with Rio Tinto to advance one of the world's largest undeveloped copper resources, the La Granja copper project in Peru. According to the March 30, 2023 news release, La Granja has an inferred resource of 4.32 billion tonnes at 0.51% copper. Rio Tinto has operated the project since 2006. First Quantum will acquire a majority stake and will undertake the feasibility study. In December 2023, Rio Tinto signed a deal with Arizona Sonoran Copper (TSX:ASCU) that could make Nuton, a Rio subsidiary, a partner and de-risk the Cactus project. The collaboration could earn Nuton a 40% stake in the project on the site of the past-producing Sacaton mine south of Phoenix. The collaboration could earn Nuton a 40% stake in the project on the site of the past-producing Sacaton mine south of Phoenix. In February 2024, Midnight Sun Mining (TSXV:MMA) teamed up with privately held KoBold Metals to explore Dumbwa, one of four targets on its Solwezi copper project in Zambia. KoBold will spend $15 million on exploration over the next four years and make cash payments to Midnight Sun of CAD$500,000, to earn a 75% interest in the Dumbwa target. In April, Midnight Sun and First Quantum Minerals agreed to jointly define potential feed sources at the Solwezi project for First Quantum's SW/EW oxide copper circuit at its Kansanshi mine. In April, Midnight Sun and First Quantum Minerals agreed to jointly define potential feed sources at the Solwezi project for First Quantum's SW/EW oxide copper circuit at its Kansanshi mine. Finally, in April 2024 China-focused Silvercorp Metals (TSX:SVM) acquired Adventus Mining (TSXV:ADZN), the rationale being to increase Silvercorp's exposure to gold, as well as metals key to a low-carbon future, including copper. A news release states that Silvercorp has the technical ability to develop the El Domo copper-gold project in Ecuador into a mine - having built eight mines in its current operations, three flotation mills of similar size to El Domo, and three tailings storage facilities. Conclusion The global hunt for copper has been on for decades, at least since the mid-90s, but it has been accelerating, as companies involved in all parts of the copper supply chain realize the structural supply deficit facing the copper market. They understand the need to find sources -existing mines, expansions, brownfield projects, greenfield projects, etc. and are making deals to acquire the base metal, which is not only essential to electrification and decarbonization, but industry in general. Along with the usual applications in construction wiring and plumbing, transportation, power transmission and communications, there is now added demand for copper in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. EVs use triple the amount of copper as gasoline-powered cars. Additional copper is being demanded by the electrification of public transportation systems, 5G and AI. Yet the 22 million tonnes of copper mined last year isn't going to meet the required demand, especially as governments continue to set ambitious, some say impossible to meet, emissions reduction targets. A recent study found that to electrify the global vehicle fleet requires bringing into production 55% more new mines. Between 35 and 195 large new copper mines would have to be built over the next 32 years, at a rate of up to six mines per year. In other words, mission impossible. Automakers are worried about running out of supply and are going directly to the mines. In August 2023, Stellantis announced it would pay $155 million for a 14.2% stake in McEwen Copper (a subsidiary of Canada's McEwen Mining (MUX.TO) and its Los Azules project in Arizona. Some majors are taking the easy way out and buying other majors to top up their copper reserves (none of this activity increases global copper reserves). Examples include BHP's attempted takeover of Anglo American, Newmont's acquisition of Newcrest, and Glencore's failed bid to get Teck and its copper asset portfolio. Others, like Freeport McMoran (NYSE:FCX) are doing the harder work of acquiring juniors like Max Resource (TSX.V:MAX), the owners of the deposits that might become the next copper mines. As the number of mid-tier and major miners on the selling block is reduced, these major miners moving towards the bottom on the mining food chain and earning into junior held projects, will increasingly become the norm. Juniors own the world's future mines, they are the ones the few left standing majors will have to buy, or partner with, in order to increase their reserves. Copper smelters are growing tired of scratching around for copper and receiving a pittance in treatment charges. They too are going directly to the mines to ensure a steady supply of copper feed. So far it's mostly Japanese companies, but how long before Chinese smelters, responsible for around half of global refined copper production, catch on and do the same? China smartly began its global project to acquire the most important metals - not just copper but iron ore, lithium, cobalt, graphite, rare earths - and process them domestically decades ago. A run through recent copper M&A shows China continues to see copper as a top priority. "With China's huge copper smelting capacity and manufacturing base, these investments represent a bold, long-term strategy aimed at securing copper supply for the country's future," reads a recent report. Western countries would be wise to do the same but I fear it may be too late. Existing mines are becoming depleted, head grades are declining, and the copper discovery cupboard is bare. On top of this we have resource nationalism in some of the big copper-producing countries (Chile, Peru, Panama) ongoing labor disruptions, and climate change crimping production. I'll say it again, along with an example of an advanced junior working in a safe jurisdiction, junior mining companies, like British Columbia's Kodiak Copper (TSX.V:KDK), own the world's potential future mines. Every year so-called experts predict a surplus; instead what happens? Deficit after supply deficit. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) forecasts global copper consumption to grow 3.5% to 28 million tonnes in 2024, and for demand to increase from 27 million tonnes in 2023 to 38 million tonnes in 2032, averaging 3.9% yearly growth. Yet the US Geological Survey reports supply from copper mines in 2023 amounted to only 22 million tonnes. If the copper supply doesn't grow this year, we are looking at a 6Mt deficit. Our calculations showed the current 22 million tonnes of production reflects roughly a 20% reduction in output from the top 20 copper mines. If supply interruptions continue in some of the top producers, like Chile, Peru, Zambia and the DRC, the deficit could grow even bigger, and likely will. It should now be obvious why everyone is scrambling to get their hands on copper. Once the workhorse of the global economy, cheap and plentiful, copper has been elevated to the world's critical mineral, with rising prices indicative of over-demand and under-supply. Source: Macrotrends Richard (Rick) Mills aheadoftheherd.com subscribe to my free newsletter Legal Notice / Disclaimer Ahead of the Herd newsletter, aheadoftheherd.com, hereafter known as AOTH. Please read the entire Disclaimer carefully before you use this website or read the newsletter. If you do not agree to all the AOTH/Richard Mills Disclaimer, do not access/read this website/newsletter/article, or any of its pages. By reading/using this AOTH/Richard Mills website/newsletter/article, and whether you actually read this Disclaimer, you are deemed to have accepted it. Any AOTH/Richard Mills document is not, and should not be, construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. AOTH/Richard Mills has based this document on information obtained from sources he believes to be reliable, but which has not been independently verified. 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Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp It's back to reality for me this week after a wonderful week in Greece. It was amazing to get away for a full week - something I dont do very often. I was greeted by the dogs with frantic wagging of tails and howling excitement; it must be so confusing when someone they see every day disappears for a week. Nonetheless, the exaggerated welcome home was very much appreciated. The farm was still in one piece thanks to my Dad and my Uncle Derry. I missed our second milk recording of the year, which revealed a new high cell lady but also a few recently cured which is super after the tough start to spring. The bull has not been brought into work also, Dad had diligently recorded all his lady friends numbers for me to input into the Herdwatch App on my return. Other than that the week was drama-free. I was also back locuming this week with both large and small animals. It is nice to have the mix, especially during the summer months. I saw a calf with a case of pneumonia at grass. The unsettled weather is not helping matters. If your herd is not already in a protocol, it may be a good time to speak with your vet about protecting your weanlings on grass with a pneumonia vaccine. Watching out for coughing is also important to prevent lung damage caused by lungworm larvae migrating through the lung tissue. Lungworms' ideal weather is a dry spell followed by rain, so this June could be a danger zone for coughing calves. Time for a booster One of my first jobs that needed to be ticked off the list post-holidays was giving the cows their IBR Booster. We doubled up the jobs that morning, and the ladies had their summer trip to the tail-clipping salon, which is vital for mastitis prevention. We try and tick off as many jobs as possible once the cows are in the crush. Our IBR vaccination routine on the farm is the six-month live vaccine protocol, meaning all animals on the farm over three months of age get a dose of IBR live intramuscularly every six months. It is important with IBR to vaccinate the whole herd to reduce the overall level of wild virus circulating. IBR is a Herpes virus like the cold sore virus, meaning an infection can lay dormant in the nerve endings until a time of stress, for example, calving or lameness, and it is then that the virus emerges and spreads. The fewer carrier animals established in the herd through early vaccination of younger animals the better for overall viral load. IBR stands for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, which means it is a virus that likes to infect the upper respiratory tract of animals. The main clinical signs are a very high temperature of usually 40 degrees or upwards, laboured breathing, red nose and eyes and usually a harsh cough. In dairy cows, it can cause a severe milk drop and have an impact on fertility with early embryonic deaths and abortions. It can have a huge impact on the animals immune system making them more susceptible to secondary infections such as pneumonia and mastitis. For dairy herds, it is easy to keep an eye on IBR antibodies levels through regular bulk milk samples. All IBR vaccines are marker vaccines which means we can monitor both the response to the vaccine and also the antibodies to the IRB they met in the environment referred to as wild stain IBR. The regular bulk milk will show a pattern over time of increasing antibodies, always talk to your vet if you have any concerns with IBR results. They are also very useful to show if the vaccine protocol you have in place is working well on the farm. In farms that already vaccinate for IBR, the bulk milks are useful for showing the level of immunity in the herd and may indicate that a change in protocol may be necessary. There are different options available, including the six-month Live protocol that we use, a 12-month Live protocol with a particular brand of vaccine and a dead or inactivated 12-month protocol. The in-activated protocol always needs a live dose first or else a two-dose of inactivated, to begin with, this is very important as it is a dead vaccine which needs priming. Last year suckler farmers were able to avail of blood testing through the Beef welfare scheme, this was an excellent way of screening a beef herd for the virus. Thanks to this scheme, farmers now know more about IBR in their herds, and many have begun to vaccinate. Blood testing is also available to all farmers through their vet, which screens for both the wild and vaccinated antibodies. Like any respiratory virus, nasal swaps can be used to diagnose the virus in clinically sick animals. IBR is a very preventable disease on farms, it is important to discuss the best vaccination option for your farm with your vet as there is not a simple one-size-fits-all all. The age of the animals, the biosecurity of the farm (an open or closed herd), and diagnostic results all impact the decision-making for vaccination protocols. Because it can impact both production and fertility on farms, it can cause severe detrimental effects in a herd if it is not controlled. All roads lead to Dublin for me this week, in particular to UCD vet school, where I will attend this years graduation ceremony on behalf of Veterinary Ireland. I am looking forward to meeting all the new graduates and passing on a few words of wisdom. It is such an exciting time for their early careers. Congratulations to the Class of 2024. SHE was a Swiftie even before Taylor Swift had an album out, so for Laura Mahon there was only ever going to be one theme for her hen night. Laura, from Waterford city, who was married last September to Matthew Doncel, from Killarney, Co Kerry, says of the pre-wedding celebration with her pals: It was called Lauras Hen: The Eras Tour. Laura Mahon on her Taylor Swift-themed hen night. Laura, a speech and language therapist, and Matthew, a manager at the Law Reform Commission, live in Dublin and have been together for a decade. We met on a night out in Copper's [Copper Face Jacks] in 2014 and got to know one another as friends as both of us played lacrosse for UCD. We started going out a few months later, says Laura. Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel. Pictures: Bokeh Photography They were married in a registry office ceremony in Dublin attended by family and their wedding party and returned to the Jackson Court Hotel nightclub for a photo on the day. A week later couple then had another wedding celebration in Jacks Coastguard Restaurant, Co Kerry. Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel with their wedding party in Cromane, Co Kerry. Pictures: Bokeh Laura has been a huge Taylor Swift fan from Day One, she says. I discovered her on YouTube before she was really famous, back in her country days, and was absolutely obsessed from the get-go. My poor family can confirm that I listened to Taylor every day throughout my teens! The hen night took place in Dublin. I didn't want to make anyone travel for the hen because weddings are already such an expense for guests, says Laura. Laura Mahon had a Taylor Swift-themed hen celebration. It started with a brunch with plenty of Taylor decorations including Taylor cupcakes with mirror balls. The staff at the brunch spot actually played Taylor for as long as we were there too. We had karaoke after dinner where, unsurprisingly, we sang a lot of Taylor. We then danced the night away at Swiftogeddon, a nightclub event in which they exclusively play Taylor Swift all night. Their wedding did not have a theme but obviously the brides favourite artist featured heavily, she says. She was referenced in two of the speeches, she says. Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel. Pictures: Bokeh Photography Their first dance was to the Taylor Swift anthem Lover. And of course, our DJ played lots of Taylor for the dance floor! Celebrating with them on both occasions were the brides parents Grainne and John Mahon and the grooms mother and father Josephine and Smith Doncel. Lauras close friends were by her side, with Jayne Mulhall as the maid of honour and Ali Cloonan and Roisin O'Mara as the bridesmaids. Laura Mahon chose a colourful veil for her big day. Pictures: Bokeh Photography The grooms pal Micheal O'Se was the best man and his friends Jamie McLoughlin and Darious Lacey joined forces with the grooms brothers Nathaniel and Christopher Doncel in the role of groomsmen. Our vision was really just to have a big party with our friends and family! After their Dublin marriage ceremony, Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel return for a photo to where they first met. Pictures: Bokeh Photography Laura looked stunning in a dress from Wed2B. It was the very first dress I looked at! It's my veil that I love more than my dress though, to be honest. My veil was made by an amazing company called Belle Botanical Creations." The bridal makeup was by Maeve Carey with hairstyling by Amy ODonoghue. The photography team Bokeh captured the big day on camera. Bokeh were not only incredibly talented, but also were such fun on the day. Maura's Cottage Flowers created the bouquets and floral decor. Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel at Cromane Beach, Co Kerry. Pictures: Bokeh Simply Suits in Killarney ensured the groom and his party looked suave. The couple chose wedding band VaVaVoom. The dancefloor was hopping from start to finish! says Lara. They were nearly as entertaining as The Eras tour! Laura is looking forward to seeing her idol next Sunday night in Dublin: Getting tickets was a massive operation, with multiple people involved. I went to the Speak Now and the 1989 tours when she came to Ireland. Both were absolutely incredible experiences! She has already seen The Eras tour in Lisbon and plans to travel to Poland to catch it in Warsaw too. Laura Mahon and Matthew Doncel. Pictures: Bokeh Photography Is Matthew a Swiftie? He had no choice! I think he has a bit of Stockholm Syndrome with me! He and our bridesmaid Ali will be coming to Warsaw with me too it will be their first Taylor concert. Laura and Matthew holidayed in Malta after the wedding and plan to honeymoon in Japan in October. Its a real bucket-list holiday," she said. Enjoy the mysterious Truly off the beaten track, the mysterious Himalayan country of Bhutan limits tourism numbers to preserve its environment. Join World Expeditions 13-day Bhutan Cultural Journey, and experience spectacular scenery without the commitment of extended trekking. Highlights include the capital city of Thimpu, the iconic Tigers Nest Taktsang Monastery; the ancient fort monasteries of Dzongs and crossing the Dochu La and Shertang La passes for breathtaking views. 5,890, flights extra. The Hyatt, Lisbon Culture with custard! A cool city with culture, charm and custard tarts Lisbon is a great choice for a family break. The riverside Hyatt Regency in Belem, a five-minute drive from downtown, is surrounded by historical monuments like Jeronimos Monastery. Belem Tower and Pasteis de Belem, the birthplace of Portugals famous custard tart! With lovely views and a chic spa July prices from 825 per night for a family of four sharing a two-bedroom duplex suite. Concha beach, Canary Islands, Spain All set for the cruise Silverseas all-inclusive 16 night cruise shows off the best of Iberia and the Atlantic islands. Stopping in the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Madeira, Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Gomera, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and back to Lisbon, theres a few sea days too to get your value from the luxury vessel. Departing September 29, from 5,750 with John Galligan Travel, including flights, a 5-star night in Lisbon, and Silverseas ultra-luxury service. Roarr! dino park, Norfolk Roarr! into action Roarr!, the UKs largest dinosaur-themed adventure park, is holding late-night openings this summer for extra prehistoric fun. With dozens of dino attractions and rides, the affordable Norfolk theme park is a 30 minute drive from Norwich, with plenty of accommodation in the area. Along with day time fun they offer a few special late nights, including Park in the Dark (Saturday, August 3) and Dinos in the Dark (UK August Bank Holiday Saturday 24th). Tickets from 16.50 per person. Mayo's Lodge at Ashford Castle Deal of the Week Mayos Lodge at Ashford Castle has a new three-for-two family offer thats just the ticket for a summer adventure. Two adults and two children (12 or under) can enjoy a three-night stay for the price of two with plenty of thrills on the famous Ashford Castle estate, including a cruise on Lough Corrib, dinner one evening and complimentary access to Ashford Estates swanky new pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna. Youll be staying in a rather lovely Quay Suite with two queen-size beds, 999. There are 54 14ers in Colorado, mountains that stand over 14,000 feet high, thats almost 4,300 metres and four times taller than Carrauntoohil. They help make up the Rocky Mountains which run from the far north of Canada to the deserts in New Mexico and define how life is lived here in Colorado. The mountains helped shape the customs and cultures of the Ute tribe, theyve offered a new life to daring gold rush pioneers, and today they call to people looking to live their lives in the outdoors. Staring up at the moonlight mountains from my hotel balcony in the foothills, the stars seem brighter here as The Big Dipper hangs over the tallest, snow capped peak in front of me. Its time to start my Colorado adventure. Colorados wild west past was full of the riches of mining and a sense of lawlessness which attracted throngs of eccentric characters. None more colourful than Spencer Penrose of Colorado Springs who founded The Broadmoor. Nowadays its a five-star, AAA five diamond resort, but it was founded in less glamorous origins. In 1918, when Penrose was denied a drink in a nearby hotel and in a monumental act of stubbornness, he supposedly rode a horse through the hotel lobby and announced that he would build the finest hotel that Colorado had ever seen so that hed never be denied a drink again. Over a hundred years later, Im walking through the halls of his creation and the phrase classic luxury springs to mind. Every touchpoint is plush and ornate, it feels like a place to come to and not leave, rather than using it as a base to explore the area. Meandering around the resort, I make it to the outdoor infinity pool at the base of the mountains. Sunbathers relax along its edge, sipping on cocktails and soaking up one of the 300 days of sunshine that Colorado is famous for. I cant say no to the water slides though and slip and splash my way down with the Rockies surrounding me. With 11 places to eat and drink in the hotel, there are more than enough places to choose from during my short stay. As I enter the buzzing Ristorante del Lago I notice the hallway lined with photos of famous guests throughout the years including James Brown, George W. Bush, and Kenny Loggins. After a couple of spicy margaritas, salmon with a crispy pesto crust, and a great nights sleep, its time to set off for Denver. Even though its 165 years old, Denver feels like a new city. Waves of migration from across the US have flowed into Cowtown, most recently from the Midwest, which combined with the newly revitalised downtown area, makes the city feel like its blossoming. Denver Museum, Colorado. Spearheading this buzz is undoubtedly the foodie scene. Although it mightnt have the glamorous culinary allure of LA or New York at the moment, there are 26 restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide with new contenders popping up all the time not bad for a city of 713,000 people. From the family style plates at The Kitchen, owned by Elon Musks brother Kimbal, to the stylish, modern Italian dishes at the lively Tavernetta, Denver is quickly putting itself on the culinary map. My pick of the bunch has to be Linger in the Highland neighbourhood. Back in 1917, Buffalo Bills remains were brought here when the building was a morgue run by the OLinger family, but nowadays Linger focuses on street food from across the world. These dishes are perfect for sharing and I tuck into lemongrass and pork potstickers, hot honey waffle fries and Devils on Horsebacks, which are dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon. Incredible. Colorados craft beer scene is no slouch either with more than 400 breweries in the state and 150 in the Denver area. Every bar and brewery seems to have its own take on lagers, IPA, and everything in between, but I hear stories of a unique stout over at Wynkoop Brewing Company in the downtown area. Pulling up a stool at the wooden bar, I order their special pint. First advertised as an April Fools joke, the gag gathered steam and the brewery ended up making a Rocky Mountain oyster beer thats a beer with bull testicles to you and me. Im not sure what to expect as I raise the glass for my first sip. Its surprisingly light for a stout, and has the usual earthy and chocolate flavours, despite my best efforts to find a hint of Rocky Mountain oysters in my pint, Im also quite glad that it just tastes like a regular, tasty stout. As much as Denver feels like a city thats looking to the future, theres also a strong sense of pride in its wild west past. So much so that the champion bull of the National Western Stock Show is still paraded around the lobby of the swanky Brown Palace Hotel every year. To get as much of an understanding of Denvers past as possible in just a few hours, I head to the ultra-modern Denver Art Museum where eye-poppingly colourful landscape pieces by Native American artists hang beside deeply dramatic depictions of battles from a settlers point of view. Keen to pick up my own piece of Denver history, I step inside Rockmount Ranch Wear on Wazee St, where the shirt makers invented the now classic snap buttons to prevent bull riders from ripping their shirts apart when they inevitably got bucked by the bull. The rails are lined with classic styles and pieces with some creative embroidery. Expect to pay upwards of $100 or more for a shirt from this iconic Western shop. After two days in downtown Denver, I have a craving for kitsch Americana. Heading south towards Pikes Peak, I find myself in the outrageously quirky Manitou Springs. Theres not a single McDonalds or Starbucks in sight here, in fact, there are no chain businesses at all. Instead, each shop along the main street is a niche and independently owned shops like Red Dog Coffee, Marshalls Curiosity Shop and Mushroom Monday Gifts. Pikes Peak was named after the unlucky explorer Zebulon Pike who roamed this part of the US during the time of the Lewis and Clark expeditions, but he never made it to the top. There are efforts at the moment to revert to the Native American names for mountains, in this case, Tava Kaa-vi Sun Mountain, as the peak is the first thing the sun sees every morning. Manitou Springs is home to a myriad of independently owned stores where not a single chain business can be seen. Manitou Springs sits at the bottom of the mountain, which is one of Colorados most well known 14ers, and has a 2,744 step staircase that runs up its side called the Manitou Incline. Its the most efficient way to have a heart attack in all of Colorado, chips in a local as I stare up at it. Its not the only way up the mountain though. The steep incline is also where youll find Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, started by the same Spencer Penrose of The Broadmoor, the unclassified road race still runs today where competitors race whatever car they want to the top. My mode of transport up the mountain however is a very happy medium between the two. Stepping onto the recently renovated Pikes Peak Cog Railway, my ascent begins at a glacial pace. Grinding its way up the mountain, cog tooth by cog tooth, the train climbs from the balmy town to the chilly snowline, where snowdrifts stop us 2,000 feet from the top at an elevation of roughly 12,000ft. The views up here inspired the American classic song America the Beautiful. As I gaze out east from the mountain tops across the plains of Colorado and into Kansas and Oklahoma, Id have to agree with the lyrics. The proximity to nature and the wilderness is astounding in Colorado. A short drive from downtown Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park brings me to a series of cosy mountain towns with Estes Park being one of the most alluring. Not only is it home to The Stanley Hotel which inspired Stephen King to write The Shining, but its also the main access route to Longs Peak, Colorados deadliest mountain. As I go deeper into the park, the roads narrow and forests of aspens and pines grow denser. It doesnt take long to get off the beaten track and Im reminded that weve crossed the buffer between civilisation and the wild. An 8km hike along Bear Cub Trail crams in so many diverse landscapes and scenes, from open plain meadows to snow whipped lookout points and narrow singletrack trails lined with wildflowers. You hear that? Im following Rico, a trail-tough guide through the park. Thats the wind blowing through the meadow grass. Its like a song. To me it feels more like a soundtrack, setting the scene to the wild and almost never ending wilderness of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorados big four live here: Elk, moose, mule deer, bighorn sheep. Im lucky enough to see three during my two hour ramble with the sheep managing to stay hidden from us. Heading north from Denver to Boulder, I cant help but see a new sort of goldrush. Much like the people in the 1800s, a new wave is moving to Colorado, particularly Boulder for a new life. Instead of gold, these people are here for the great outdoors and a better lifestyle. The University of Colorado gives the town a youthful feel, but as I cycle up the Boulder Canyon Trail for over two and a half miles, I see people of all ages cooling off in Boulder Creek, bookworms lounging in hammocks, and rock climbers ambling up cliff faces beside me. After riding the trail loops, I pop out of the woods and onto the Boulder River Trail, which takes me back into town. This is the new Colorado, and its what makes it so special. Denver, and the state of Colorado, is so diverse. During my few days in the area, I see so many chapters of its stories and feel the irrefutable pull of the mountains and the wild. The area has so many strings to its bow where days can be spent eating pancakes in a trendy city diner for breakfast and watching a sunset on top of a fabled mountain. Settling into my seat to fly back home, Im amazed that the flight to this entirely different way of life is only going to take eight hours and that it took me so long to visit. Elk: one of Colorado's "big four". Escape Notes Aer Lingus operates 4 weekly flights from Dublin Airport to Denver International Airport. Flying from Dublin to Denver took nine and a half hours, while the return flight was eight hours. Economy fares start from 299 each way and business class from 2,699 return including taxes and charges. To book visit aerlingus.com. Stay at the modern Limelight Hotel in Downtown Denver and enjoy the very spacious rooms that overlook Union Station. Its location makes it a great base to visit the citys bars and restaurants. Rooms cost an average of $350 a night. For more information on planning your trip to Denver and Colorado visit colorado.com. Colorados Green Chilli: A local delicacy made with Pueblo green chilies, this sauce is the pride of Colorado. This favourite combines pork, tomato and flour to the roasted chilli and is then used to smother burritos, burgers, omelettes, and just about anything else that can be covered in sauce. Some say it's better in the south of Colorado, but downtowns La Loma is one of the best in Denver. Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs: In the early 1900s, Colorado was a haven for people with respiratory problems thanks to its clean mountain air and spring water. Emma Crawford contracted TB and moved to Manitou Springs, hoping it would help her and it did for a while. Her final wish was to be buried on Red Mountain, above the town. Years passed and heavy rains came, unearthing her coffin and washing it back into town for all to see. Now, every year in October, people come to town to race soapbox derby style coffins down the street in fancy dress in her memory. Environmental campaigners say the Government must pull out all the stops to get an important bill to protect Irish seas and coastlines published before the Dails summer recess. Fair Seas, an umbrella organisation for a range of environmental groups, is calling on the government to publish robust legislation on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) before the Dail pauses for the summer in mid-July. MPAs are areas of seas and coastlines that are legally protected from activities that may damage or disrupt natural habitats, wildlife, and processes that happen there. Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator Donal Griffin admitted the time frame for the bill to be published before the recess is tight but feels all hope is not lost. We are also fairly realistic. We know it is a big task for a government to publish it before the recess, but we hope and encourage the government to do it, Mr Griffin said. The legislation is crucial for help Ireland meet its obligations to contribute to the protection or conservation of the planets land and oceans by 2030. Fair Seas has worked alongside the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and its Minister Darragh OBrien as well as Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan on the bill since 2020. Mr Griffin said Fair Seas were told the bill would be published before the Dail recess last summer and the same promise has been made nearly 12 months later. We have worked openly and constructively with Department [of Housing] officials and the Minister [OBrien]. We have demonstrated the public appetite for a ring protected area. We have surveys, opinion polls and other forms of evidence that shows the people of Ireland really want this bill and to protect our seas properly, he said. The Fair Seas Campaign Coordinator is not convinced that the recent change of leadership at Fine Gael and the upcoming appointment of the next leader of the Green Party has impacted the delay of the publishing. In relation to the changes that we have seen in the Irish government, Im not convinced on that because the responsible minister for this piece of legislation has been Minister Noonan, who is still in place and has been working on this tirelessly for this last while since it was initiated back in 2020. They [Minister OBrien and Minister Noonan] are two incredibly busy minsters with very important portfolios but Im not sure the recent government changes has had anything to do with it but we ultimately dont know, he added. The Department of Housing must work throughout the summer to make sure the MPA bill can receive proper scrutiny in the Dail and the Seanad once the recess is over, according to Mr Griffin. We have been told by government that they are at the cusp of finishing it so that is why all hope is not lost. They need to work extremely hard over the summer to make sure that the bill can be given proper scrutiny in the Dail and the Seanad to make sure the bill that will be enacted will be strong and fit for purpose after the recess. Protecting Irish seas is crucially important to stop further erosion of existing habitats and ecosystems that exist within our seas. We need to protect it, and the government has committed to protecting it at a national, EU and an international scale. Whether we know it or not, we all rely on the seas for our health and they are incredibly important to our lives, whether we live near the coast or inland, Mr Griffin concluded. A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said: "Substantial progress has been made on drafting the Marine Protected Areas Bill. However, some issues require further consideration. It is the Ministers intention to resolve these issues and bring the Bill to Government for publication as soon as possible." Thousands of people gathered in protests in Cork, Limerick and Dublin in solidarity with a woman who was viciously assaulted by a soldier. Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court after he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha OBrien. The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms OBrien in Limerick in 2022. Ms OBrien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. A huge crowd of people and protesters with placards marching as they leave the GPO in Dublin in solidarity with Natasha O'Brien, the woman who was viciously and randomly attacked by an Irish soldier who received a suspended sentence for the assault. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie In Limerick, around 500 people gathered to show their support to Ms O'Brien who addressed the crowd that gathered on Bedford Row. Speaking at the event, she said: I am absolutely overwhelmed by your solidarity and your support. Without your outrage, your fear, your horror this would not have been looked at. What happened to me has happened to so many. The injustice of the Department of Justice. What happened to me was horrific, I experienced an extremely violent assault from a soldier, a member of the Defence Forces, they are supposed to protect us. "It is one thing to subdued to a violent and heinous crime at the hands of a man who has pledged to protect the citizens of Ireland, but it is another thing when the Department of Justice and the Defence Forces overlook it and push me away." The gathered crowd shouted cheers of support for Ms O'Brien, as well as cries of "shame" when she mentioned Judge O'Donnell, who received criticism after he told the court earlier this week that if he imposed a custodial sentence, Crotty's army career would be over. I did not take that stand and face my attacker and put myself through that and bare my soul to Judge Tom ODonnell to be told that I should be happy he took the guilty plea, I should be happy he said sorry because he was caught, she added. Many people taking part in Saturdays protest criticised the suspended sentence. Hundreds of people gathered on Grand Parade in Cork and at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. Impromptu march to dept of justice in solidarity with Natasha #thisisnotjustice pic.twitter.com/QemMA8KW7O ROSA - Socialist Feminist Movement (@RosaSocFem) June 22, 2024 Men, women and children of all ages carried placards calling for an end to victim blaming in courts and justice for Ms OBrien and other victims of gender violence. Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group, Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the courts decision. Radie Higgins in supporting the ROSA Protest that took place on Grand Parade in Cork City centre in light of the Cathal Crotty suspended sentence for assaulting Natasha O'Brien. Picture: Noel Sweeney Ms Coppinger said: He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. His career was placed above the impact on her of the violence and that just says it all about the misogynistic rulings that were seeing in courts, to be honest, every day of the week, this is not unusual. We actually have to get that out there. These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well. It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence. Maybe lets start by suspending a few judges who dont understand the impact of violence against women or girls or LGBT plus people or in general on victims. We absolutely need dramatic change. Protesters gather in Dublin in solidarity with Natasha OBrien (Cate McCurry/PA) Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: Womens Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. Thats how widespread domestic violence is. Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again Campaigner and womens rights activist Ailbhe Smyth said: This will not be the only time that we will be standing here or marching through the streets of Dublin on the issue of violence against women. Quite frankly this is enough. We have had enough. We will absolutely not take anymore. We will not watch a young woman who has already been traumatised, injured who said I will not be the same again. How sad can that be. Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again. A huge crowd of people and protesters with placards marching as they leave the GPO in Dublin in solidarity with Natasha O'Brien, the woman who was viciously and randomly attacked by an Irish soldier who received a suspended sentence for the assault. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: A few months ago I criticised a judge in the Dail and you would think the sky had fallen in. The Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee), the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach all said you cant say that, you cant criticise the judiciary. I was dragged over the coals for it. To criticise a judge in this establishment is, to them, a mortal sin. They appoint them. And because they appoint the judges, we have to judge them and we will judge them at the next election and tell them they have had their day. Margaret Goode holds a sign directly quoting Cathal Crotty' social media posts, in support of the ROSA Protest that took place on Grand Parade in Cork City centre in light of the Cathal Crotty suspended sentence for assaulting Natasha O'Brien. Picture Noel Sweeney Musician Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam raised the protests he saw in Dublin today during their concert in Marley Park. He called on the Irish judiciary to protect women and said more women judges might be a start. He was also heartened by the number of men protesting. Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms OBrien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. I need to be particularly careful in that context. But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence. In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case. When Cara Darmody began her autism campaign just over two years ago, she never believed it would be a short one. True to her word, after the schoolgirl met Micheal Martin in 2022 when he was Taoiseach, she said things needed to change significantly or if they didnt she warned him: Ill be back. Last Tuesday saw another of her many returns since then to the seat of government. Those returns have included addressing the Joint Committee on Autism, in November 2022, telling members she was sick and tired of adults who just talk. Cara, who got 97% in her Junior Cert maths in 2022 to help raise awareness and 82,000 in funding for better services for autism locally and nationally, implored them to just do your job. Schoolgirl Cara Darmody from Co Tipperary protesting outside Leinster House as part of a campaign for better autism services. Her appearance before the committee also saw her enter the history books by becoming the youngest person ever to address a Dail committee. The following year, she sat the Leaving Cert maths paper which she would later pass with another 97%, making her the youngest child to ever sit both Junior and Leaving Cert maths papers. Last year also saw her, yet again, beating a path to the Taoiseachs Office, to see the then incumbent Leo Varadkar. Cara, from Ardfinnan, Tipperary, also met the HSEs chioef executive officer Bernard Gloster. She told him the HSE was a national disgrace. Motivating her is a deeply held conviction inspired by how her 12-year-old brother Neil was failed by the HSE, which took until December 2016 to diagnose him as autistic. This was despite him being referred by a public health nurse when he was aged around 16 months to local HSE child services as a child of concern. As a result of a lack of help from the HSE, Neils autism got steadily worse. His self-harming, for example, started six years ago with intense arm scratching but progressed to very aggressively scratching his elbows which led to deep cuts in his elbows then to smearing. By smearing, this means Neil who cannot be toilet-trained takes off his nappy, dips his hands into it and smears his own faeces over surfaces around him. Considered a flight risk, he has to be watched constantly, which is one of the reasons Caras mother Noelle has to stay at home rather than accompany her on her engagements in her campaign. John, Caras other brother, who was born in February 2017, was diagnosed privately in November 2018. Because of the way Neil was handled by the HSE, Noelle and Mark have since paid for more services for him privately. He has benefitted from early intervention but the family believe the window of opportunity to tackle Neils issues has already passed. While Neil and John inspired her to start campaigning, Cara is also fighting for other families like her own. She says that because so little has changed for them since she started, this was why she was standing outside the Taoiseachs office from just before 8am on a balmy sunny Tuesday morning this week for the start of two protests a week until the summer recess. She has decided one day will be outside the entrance to government buildings on Merrion Street and the other will be outside the entrance to Leinster House, about eight minutes walk away on Kildare Street. Either way, the unedifying sight of a schoolgirl protesting at the heart of government for the next three weeks does not reflect well on the government or the health service. Cara Darmody with Taoiseach Simon Harris. Her protest started very well, with Mr Harris staff inviting her in to meet him shortly before he arrived for work from Brussels on Tuesday. That meeting led him to agreeing to another meeting which a spokesperson later told the Irish Examiner was really good with her and her father Mark on Thursday, at which he agreed he would meet her again in three weeks. The purpose of that meeting will be to see when a date can be set by which time the HSE will be forced to stop breaking its legal commitments to disabled children. Waiting lists Although under the Disability Act 2005 it is legally obliged to have a childs needs assessed within six months, the agency consistently fails to do this. Indeed, figures released to the Irish Examiner this week provide a snapshot of what one set of waiting lists were like in March last year, and what they were like in March this year. They show that compared to March last year, there has been a reduction from 17,157 of just 878 to 16,275 in the number of children waiting for an initial contact with the HSE. That's before they then join another waiting list to be assessed, and before they join another waiting list to access services. The figures also reveal that in at least five of the HSEs nine Community Health Organisations, the number of those waiting more than a year have either increased or only reduced by a very small fraction. Cara Darmody with her father Mark leaving Leinster House in 2022. On Wednesday, Cara also did very well with the Oireachtas, and at the gates of Leinster House round the corner from the Taoisachs office. It started in the morning with her addressing an anniversary meeting for politicians involved in a recent all-party autism report in the Dails Audio Visual Room. Then, she walked from the AV room, across The Plinth with her father, went back out through the security exit and after quickly heading back to the car to get her placards she began her protest at the front gates of Leinster House. Public and political support She was greeted in turn by Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, and former leader Alan Kelly, various Sinn Fein politicians, including health spokesperson David Cullinane, Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins, and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. They all vowed to support her campaign, and committed to changing the system if they ever got into power. Random members of the public repeatedly came up to her and congratulated her for what she was doing and she took it all in her stride, as a number of motorists driving past hooted their horns in support. There were times when she just sank back into her deck chair and played with her mobile phone or watched what was going on around her as her father explained the context behind his daughters campaign. Cara later told the Irish Examiner: I found it all very interesting but what absolutely motivates me is wanting a commitment from the government that they will force the HSE to stick to the law and honour its obligations once and for all. The damage that delays in assessments and access to services cause is, in many cases, irreparable. I know this because my oldest brother Neil was failed by the health service. It is for him and my other brother John, and all those other thousands of children who are being failed that I am doing this, and for whom I will continue to do this." HSE response The HSE said: We are sorry some families are having to wait to access an Assessment of Need (AON). Waiting lists are growing as demand outstrips system capacity. The demand for AONs has increased significantly in recent years, with a 25% increase in the number of applications for AONs received in 2023 compared to the year before. It also says that a new waiting list initiative will target families waiting longest for AONs. Cara, however, is unimpressed, and has dubbed the assurance as little more than just a newer version of what has been said before - it is not hard to see why. Back in August 2020, for example, the HSE secured 7.8m to address overdue AONs when there were (at the time) 5,078 children waiting to get them assessed or for the assessment process to have been carried out. When the money was allocated, the HSE promised it would address overdue AONs and help ensure further backlogs do not occur. Less than two years later, it emerged there were 11,582 children waiting for an initial assessment, around 1,300 of which had been waiting over a year. In May this year, the Government announced funding to try again to sort the waiting lists problem out. This time, the funding 6.89m mis to accelerate an AON waiting list initiative, through the procurement of private assessments for long waiting families. The money will, the Government says, allow the HSE procure up to 2,500 additional AONs, with delivery targeted over the next six months. The funding, the Government also pointed out, is in addition to existing HSE core funding of 5m, which was allocated to pay for private assessments, also targeting 1,800 AONs for completion. Cara says she has heard it all before. Ill be impressed when the day finally arrives when nobody has to wait more than six months to be assessed or to access the services they desperately need, she said. I didnt think my campaign would be a short one, but I am now two years in and if I am honest I didnt think I would be still doing this. But if anybody thinks Im growing tired, they are very wrong. If I have to be here for another two years, I will be. We need to stop fooling ourselves into thinking we have a special relationship with the US, Joe Bidens phone call with the Taoiseach shows its an unrequited infatuation. Mr Biden may love to regale gatherings with the same folksy anecdotes about his Finnegan and Blewitt cousins, but the low-level priority given to engaging on a political level shows where we really stand. This week, not-so-new-anymore Taoiseach Simon Harris had his first conversation with Mr Biden. It took 70 days for the 15-minute phone call to happen. A readout from the White House stated that the president first congratulated Mr Harris on his recent election, before discussing how to deepen cooperation on a range of issues. President Biden highlighted continued cooperation with the Irish Government on shared priorities, particularly deepening US-Ireland ties between our people and our economies, the statement added. When asked why it had taken more than two months to arrange the phone call, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said: There is a lot going on in the world, I suppose. The US president has been quite busy, the spokesperson said, adding that the call had been arranged a week in a advance. Both leaders also spoke about political stability in Northern Ireland. More interestingly, another issue raised was the importance of cybersecurity to ensure a thriving tech sector in Ireland which, as the White House readout stated, is home to many US tech companies. Ask not what you can do for your country, but what you can do for your more powerful cousins country Both administrations will always stress that the relationship has long been based on common ancestral ties and shared value, but its strategically handy for the US to have a small island on the periphery of Europe in its pocket. We provide airspace and stopover facilities in Shannon, along with ensuring US multinational companies have a workforce and a tax rate that works for them. Mr Biden will no doubt be able to use footage from his pilgrimage back home last year to shore up Irish-American support ahead of the November elections. This year, a total of 12 government representatives travelled to parts of the US for the St Patricks festivities. This included the Taoiseach, attorney general Rossa Fanning, Helen McEntee, Heather Humphreys, and Catherine Martin. We sent just one minister to China, Japan, and India which along with the US and Germany make up the top five largest economies in the world. Having a guaranteed face-to-face slot in the Washington calendar is crucial and should be protected. The Taoiseach of the day is welcomed into the White House each St Patricks week. However, beyond shamrocks and pleasantries, we must ask what does a continued hyper-focus on the US achieve? Taoiseach Simon Harris had his first phone call with president Biden 70 days after he became Taoiseach. Picture: Damien Storan/PA When it comes exerting any sort of real influence at political level, Ireland is limited. This was particularly evident this year, when Leo Varadkar who had been called on to boycott the tradition over Americas continued support for Israel travelled to the White House. Were certainly not going to start with uncomfortable truths, weve a really good relationship with the US and weve a really good relationship with president Biden, Mr Varadkar said when pressed on how far he might go in relating the significant Irish opposition to the US position on Gaza. In recent years, successive taoisigh have used their time in the White House to lobby on behalf the thousands Irish living there. This week, Mr Biden did announce new actions for people who have been in the US many years to keep American families together and allow more young people to contribute to our economy. As of yet, there has been no movement on a specific amnesty for the undocumented Irish, many of whom arrived in the US many years ago and stayed on beyond their visa. However, the director of the Clinton Institute at UCD, Prof Liam Kennedy, suggests that the relationship may also be petering out on this side of the Atlantic. The Trump administration signified not just a distaste for a particular American president but a deeper disillusionment with the US, and perhaps the ending of a long romance. Certainly, it crystallised the distance we now are from the mythical moment of Kennedys visit in 1963, Prof Kennedy said. The outcome of Novembers elections could therefore signal a new further departure in Irish-American relations Emigration to the US steadily decreased each year during Trumps presidency, going from 6,500 in 2017 down to 5,200 in 2019. Young Irish people seeking out a new life, a career, or even a year of travel are looking to other destinations from Dubai to Doha and onto New Zealand. In the 12 months up to April 2023, some 4,900 people emigrated to America from Ireland, 5,300 moved to Canada, while 4,700 went to settle in Australia. Britain remains the top destination for Irish people seeking out a life abroad, with 14,600 people leaving this country to live in Britain in the year up to April 2023. Prof Kennedy also points to a seismic paradigm shift in international relations, which is resulting in the emergence of a new post-American world order. This is challenging long-held assumptions about international security and identity. Transatlantic relations between the US and Europe have long been viewed as a symbolic linchpin of the West. In recent years, however, the relationship has experienced drift as American interests turn to China, and even rupture with the Trump administrations promotion of an America First agenda that spurned multilateral engagement with former European partners. As the world changes, so too must our view of and relationship with the US. "Something must be done, people would shout. Things must change every hollow statement Ive heard countless times. "Ive been on this road for a long time. It leads nowhere. I know that sometime soon well be back here, and the view will be just as bleak." It's been over two years since I wrote these words in the wake of the horrific murder of Ashling Murphy, and it's as true now as it was then. Since Ashling was senselessly killed, 21 women in Ireland have been killed by men. Countless others have been raped, attacked, stalked, threatened, and physically, emotionally, and psychologically abused. These women aren't stats, they are people who have the right to live their lives free from fear, abuse, and violence. One of those women is Natasha O'Brien, the Limerick woman who was viciously beaten unconscious by still-serving Irish soldier Cathal Crotty. This man was not only remorseless, he bragged about what he did afterwards. Crotty, entirely unprovoked despite the lie he initially told gardai, beat Ms O'Brien relentlessly until he was pulled off of her by a male passer-by. Ms O'Brien told the court that her last conscious thought was: 'He's not stopping, I'm going to die' Were it not for that passer-by, then 22-year-old Ms O'Brien may have been right. Another name added to the list of femicide victims in this country. When talking about physical and sexual violence against women, we often talk about the concept of the "perfect victim". This is a myth that a woman must fulfill in order for people to accept you as a "true" victim. Natasha O'Brien, 24 , was attacked by Irish soilder, Cathal Crotty, aged 22, Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Clare, in an unprovoked assault in Limerick cty on May 29, 2022. Picture: Brendan Gleeson By all accounts, Ms O'Brien should be that "perfect victim". It was unprovoked, she was attempting to stand up for another potentially vulnerable person, there were witnesses, and there was CCTV evidence. There was Crotty's Snapchat boasting about what he had done, and there was his eventual guilty plea. She faced her abuser and detailed every way in which the attack impacted her life along with all of the ways it has forever changed her as a person. Ms O'Brien still did not get justice What more does she have to do? Please, tell me. I am all ears. Women are being attacked, abused, and killed right in front of our eyes. What has to happen before society wakes up and addresses what Justice Minister Helen McEntee has herself called an epidemic? In the wake of Ms O'Brien's story and the complete lack of justice she received, there has understandably been public outrage and uproar. It's trending on social media. It's on the talk shows on TV and radio. There are columns, just like this one, being written. And it won't change a thing. In a few days, the wider public will move on until the inevitable next big story. In the meantime, women and girls all around this country will continue to suffer, to be victimised, to be dehumanised, and to live in fear. I see so many men hurrying to post about these stories when they make headlines, but where are they every other day? Because I'll tell you, I rarely see them. What I see is men, at best, ignoring poor behaviour from other men and, at worst, excusing and normalising what these men put women through. While writing this, I left the office to take a walk and get some air. In the brief time I was out, I was catcalled on two separate occasions. One was a number of men who were part of a stag do. I walked alone in the city centre on a very busy Friday afternoon. They weren't quiet about it. They bellowed their vile comments. Ashling Murphy died after being attacked while she was jogging along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Offaly, in 2022. Picture: RIP.ie No one batted an eyelid, and part of what makes me so sad and angry is that I didn't expect them to. When I'm catcalled, harassed, grabbed, groped, assaulted, I don't expect another man to step in because I've never really seen it. Of course, male family and friends would, but those that perpetrate these acts won't do it if they see there are men with you. So, I've always stood up for myself and been the one to stand up for my friends without hesitation. I always have and always will. I have been told my whole life that, one of these days, this behaviour will either get me hurt or killed I can't say that that's not true, just look at Ms O'Brien, but unless people call these things out when they happen, they'll never stop. When it comes to violence against women, I don't see active prevention, I don't see real deterrents, I don't see action, and I certainly don't see justice. I see apathy, willful ignorance, hashtags, empty promises, slow-moving legislation that does not go far enough. I see excuses, forgiveness, and understanding for violent men, and I see women dismissed and treated like they don't matter. Now, with my column inches filled and no progress made, all I can do is tell Natasha O'Brien that I am sorry and apologise to every other woman that this country will continue to fail. Until the inevitable next time, dear readers... - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Johnson & Johnson is a name that has been synonymous with healthcare for almost a century in Ireland. The company has been at the forefront of innovation in medicine and medical technology, and its operations in Ireland have played a significant role in the companys global success. The company has announced that its pharmaceutical business segment, Janssen, will adopt the Johnson & Johnson brand name in Ireland. Janssen will become Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and the medical technology segment will continue to be named Johnson & Johnson MedTech. This move marks the next era for Johnson & Johnson in Ireland, leveraging its expertise in innovative medicine and medical technology to prevent and treat complex diseases and introduce solutions that are smarter, less invasive, and more personalised. Operating in Ireland since 1935, Johnson & Johnson has a long heritage and a large footprint here with a workforce of over 6,000 people. Its Irish operations which comprise both the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments, make a significant contribution to the companys global success with ten sites located in five counties (Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Mayo) spanning research and development, manufacturing, shared services and country commercial businesses. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine innovates with the goal of leading where medicine is going. Its ambition is to tackle the toughest health challenges, where patient need is highest. Currently, its research and development is focused on the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiopulmonary and specialty ophthalmology, with a commitment to changing the standard of care including evaluation of new drugs and therapeutic interventions that are personalised for optimised clinical outcomes. Personalised care is about going beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to medicine that leverages deep scientific knowledge and advances in technology to better understand the drivers of disease and develop targeted medicines for specific sub-sets of patients. The company does this in its own labs but also in collaboration with its partners to match the right patients to the right targeted medicines at the right time, depending on the specific biology of their disease. Data is also helping to drive innovation at Johnson & Johnson. Scientific data, when applied through advanced technologies such as AI, is enabling the recognition of never-before-seen patterns in health. This enables greater understanding of unique health challenges to develop innovations that meet patients needs more quickly. Patients ultimately inform and inspire the companys innovations and are at the heart of everything they do. They are represented in all aspects of research, development, and delivery, ensuring their perspectives are included to improve their treatment experience and outcome. Research and development are at the core of how the company evolves. Here in Ireland, the Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine facility in Ringaskiddy in Cork, is contributing to this work through the provision of end-to-end development and manufacturing support to the global biotherapeutics portfolio. The team at another facility, located in Little Island in Cork, manufactures bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients that are exported around the world to be further processed into tablets, creams or injectable medicines. The team in Dublin act as the commercial arm of the business and ensures patients in Ireland have access to its medicines. Between 2012 and 2023, the company brought 14 new medicines to patients in Ireland and currently supports 9 clinical trials for new medicines. The company also collaborates with the wider healthcare system including patient support groups, to help empower patients through education, new programmes, and tools to better help them navigate their journey and manage their disease. Fuelled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, Johnson & Johnson MedTech is developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive and more personalised treatments. Johnson & Johnson MedTech Orthopaedics in Cork provides one of the most comprehensive orthopaedics portfolios in the world that helps heal and restore movement for millions of patients. Johnson & Johnson MedTech Vision in Limerick is re-imagining the future of eye health and delivering an all-encompassing portfolio of solutions to transform patients lives. Cerenovus in Galway, an emerging leader in neurovascular care and part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, is a world-leading research site for stroke, collaborating with physicians globally to develop innovative devices that improve clinical outcomes for stroke patients. With a renewed focus on innovative medicine and medical technology, Johnson & Johnson is poised to continue leading the way in healthcare and making a real difference in the lives of patients. There will be no change to the company names and/or legal status of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine or MedTech companies in Ireland. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine companies are Janssen Sciences Ireland UC and Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences UC. References available upon request. Learn more at www.janssen.com/ireland/ A nuclear-powered United States aircraft carrier has arrived in South Korea ahead of a three-way exercise involving South Korean and Japanese forces. The countries are stepping up their military training to cope with North Korean threats, which have escalated with its alignment with Russia. The arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group in Busan came a day after South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest over a pact reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week that pledges mutual defence assistance in the event of war. An F-18 fighter aircraft sits in the hangar of the Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, anchored in Busan Naval Base in South Korea (Song Kyung-Seok/Pool Photo via AP) South Korea says the deal poses a threat to its security and warned that it could consider sending arms to Ukraine to help fight off the Russian invasion as a response a move that would surely ruin its relations with Moscow. Following a meeting between their defence chiefs in Singapore earlier in June, the United States, South Korea and Japan announced Freedom Edge. The new multidomain exercise is aimed at sharpening the countries combined response in various areas of operation, including air, sea and cyberspace. The Theodore Roosevelt strike group will participate in the exercise that is expected to start within June. South Koreas military did not immediately confirm specific details of the training. South Koreas navy said in a statement that the arrival of the Theodore Roosevelt demonstrates the strong defence posture of the allies and stern willingness to respond to advancing North Korean threats. Crew members walk past aircraft in the hangar of the Theodore Roosevelt, anchored in Busan Naval Base in South Korea (Song Kyung-Seok/Pool Photo via AP) The carriers visit comes seven months after another US aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, came to South Korea in a show of strength against the North. The Theodore Roosevelt strike group also participated in a three-way exercise with South Korean and Japanese naval forces in April in the disputed East China Sea, where worries about Chinas territorial claims are rising. In the face of growing North Korean threats, the United States, South Korea and Japan have expanded their combined training and boosted the visibility of strategic US military assets in the region, seeking to intimidate the North. The United States and South Korea have also been updating their nuclear deterrence strategies, with Seoul seeking stronger assurances that Washington would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend its ally from a North Korean nuclear attack. At least 39 people were killed by Israeli strikes across northern Gaza on Saturday, according to Palestinian and hospital officials. Fadel Naem, director of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that more than three dozen bodies arrived at the hospital. The Palestinian Civil Defence, an emergency group active in Gaza, said it pulled approximately the same number of bodies from a building hit by an Israeli strike in an eastern neighborhood of Gaza City. The group said its emergency workers were also digging for survivors at the site of another strike in Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Israel said that its fighter jets struck two Hamas military sites in the Gaza City area but did not elaborate further. Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) The deaths come a day after at least 25 people were killed in strikes on tent camps and 50 wounded near the southern city of Rafah. A separate Israeli strike Saturday in Lebanons eastern Bekaa Valley killed a member of the military wing of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, or the Islamic Group, a Sunni Muslim faction closely allied with Hamas, according to the group. The member was the seventh killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon since the war began. The Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7 when Hamas militants who stormed southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage. Israel has responded by bombarding and invading the enclave, killing more than 37, 400 Palestinians there according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Also on Saturday, Israels army said an Israeli man was fatally shot in the northern West Bank town of Qalqilya, where Israeli forces fatally shot two militants on Friday, the latest flare of violence in the territory since the Israel-Hamas war erupted. Since the wars start, at least 549 Palestinians in the territory have been killed by Israeli fire, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which tracks the killings. Over the same period, Palestinians in the West Bank have killed at least nine Israelis, including five soldiers, according to UN data. Israeli nationals are prohibited from entering Qalqilya and other areas of the West Bank that fall under the under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Residents in Khan Younis inspect the rubble in the aftermath of an airstrike (Courtesy al-Agha family via AP) In April, the death of a 14-year-old Israeli settler sparked a series of settler attacks on Palestinian towns in the territory. The army said a Palestinian was later arrested in connection with the killing. In 2014, the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank escalated tensions and eventually ignited a 50-day Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, at the time the deadliest round of fighting between the two sides. Over recent years, the Palestinian Authoritys influence in the northern West Bank has waned as militant groups have grown increasingly powerful. Also Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said a 12-year-old Palestinian boy died from his wounds after being shot by Israeli forces in Ramallah last week. Commenting on the shooting, the Israeli army said its forces raided al-Amari refugee camp near Ramallah to arrest a suspect on Friday and then opened fire on a group of Palestinians who were pelting them with stones. Firefighters appeared to conduct the majority of the searches on the sixth day of the hunt for British teenager Jay Slater as they wore helmets to tackle dangerous hillside terrain in Tenerife. Rescue teams, alongside sniffer dogs, set off on a steep gravel track at Rural de Teno Park on the south of the island on Saturday morning. The search parties seemed noticeably smaller compared to other days with only a handful of emergency workers visible in the village of Masca and the surrounding areas. The 19-year-old went missing on the island after missing a bus back to his accommodation (James Manning/PA) Mr Slaters mother Debbie Duncan told the Manchester Evening news that police had stepped up their search efforts. She told the newspaper: Weve been there (the police station) all day today (Friday), and I think its been stepped up. Weve had a problem with the language barrier. Its difficult with all the Spanish police and British police; they have to let the Spanish police do the investigation. They (the police) have actually said that theres too much noise thats affecting it. Theyve got all the plans, their locations. An appeal has gone out to trace Mr Slater (Handout/PA) They have got this map they were showing us, all shaded in different colours. The 19-year-old disappeared following an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. He had attended the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before his disappearance. The festival issued a statement in which it said it was able to give some practical support to Mr Slaters family. Family and friends have appealed for help to trace the teenager (James Manning/PA) The statement read: That such a devastating situation has arisen has deeply affected us all. We have been able to give some practical support to the members of Jays family who have come to Tenerife in such difficult circumstances, and we are inspired by their resilience and determination. The sixth day of searches began after the administrator of an official Facebook page set up to help find Mr Slater said somebody had logged into his Instagram account who was not him. Rachel Louise Harg said a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than 27,000, will go towards family and friends staying in Tenerife while the hunt continues. Ms Harg said people who had been hacking the social media accounts of Mr Slaters family were sick in the head. A crowdfunding appeal has been launched for the family (James Manning/PA) Lancashire Constabulary said it had made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources which was rejected by Spanish authorities. Mr Slater is from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle, where specialist officers are continuing to support his family, the force said. Police, firefighters and search and rescue personnel combed a vast area of land in and around the village of Masca on Friday. On Saturday, the main search areas appeared largely quiet, but firefighters attempted to search in the more difficult hillside terrain near Masca. Helicopters, rescue dogs and drones have been used in an effort to find the teenager, who was last heard from when he called his friend Lucy Law on Monday morning. The area where he went missing is mountainous and potentially treacherous (James Manning/PA) Officers have since been seen peering over the hillside and staring intently at the landscape through binoculars near to his last known location close to the village of Masca. The walk from Mr Slaters last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from a helicopter as it scoured the hillside. Continua el dispositivo de busqueda del joven britanico desaparecido en el barrio de Masca de Buenavista (Tenerife), en la que participan diferentes unidades de la Guardia Civil. pic.twitter.com/U196ywTvZT Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) June 20, 2024 The video, posted to the forces X account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. Ms Law, who attended the music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was lost in the mountains, he wasnt aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%. Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and with a black bag. A British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities. By Marjorie N. Feld, Babson College | Since October 2023, American Jews have been engaged in an intense, fractious debate over Israels war in the Gaza Strip. Media reports say that American Jews are experiencing the great rupture, widening rifts, and stand at a moral, political crossroads. While most American Jews remain broadly supportive of Israel, others have protested vigorously against U.S. support for Israel and are demanding a cease-fire in the Gaza war. They carry signs saying Not in Our Name. Their slogan highlights the fact that American foreign aid to Israel has long relied on the support of American Jews. Unqualified U.S. support for Israel was built, in part, on the promise that Israel kept American Jews and all Jews safe, especially after the Holocaust. But American Jews have never been entirely unified in their support for Israel or in their visions of what role Israel and Palestine should play in American Jewish life. No consensus My new book, The Threshold of Dissent: A History of American Jewish Critics of Zionism, analyzes a century of debates among American Jews over Zionism and Israel. My account begins in 1885, when elite Reform Jews, with a goal of full integration in Jim Crow America, composed the Pittsburgh Platform, which rejected Jewish nationalism out of fear that it would make them targets of antisemitic accusations of dual loyalty. Two years later, Austrian journalist Theodor Herzl founded the modern Zionist movement, relying on European powers for support for a modern Jewish state. The genocide of Europes Jewish population in the Holocaust fundamentally altered American Jews perspectives on Zionism. Many believed that only a Jewish national homeland in what was then Palestine could prevent another genocide. Others insisted that the lessons of the Holocaust meant that Jews must not contribute to making refugees of another group of people: the Palestinians who were then living on the land. The Majority Report with Sam Seder Video: Jewish Voice For Peace Grows In North Carolina There were other issues that contributed to a new understanding of Zionism in the 1950s and 1960s within American Jewish communities. Among them: the Nakba, which was the expulsion of 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 founding of Israel; Israels treatment of immigrant Jews from the Arab and Muslim world known as Mizrahi Jews; and the rise in Israels militarism. Across the 20th century, mainstream Jewish leaders manufactured an American Jewish so-called consensus on Zionism and Israel, in part by silencing American Jewish critics of Zionism. From the late 1940s through 1961, journalist William Zukerman edited The Jewish Newsletter, a publication that captured some of the voices of Jewish dissent from Zionism, including his own. He reported on Israels human rights abuses against Palestinians and documented how American Jewish funds fueled Israels military campaigns instead of supporting vibrant American Jewish communities. Because Zukerman dared to publish this criticism, he faced campaigns of steep resistance, eventually losing funding and support from Jewish communal organizations. Anxious that Zukermans dissent would cause increasing trouble for American support for Israel, Israeli diplomats wrote to American Jewish leaders, and together they convinced some Jewish journalists to exclude Zukermans writings from their publications. Liberation movements, American Jews and Zionism Into the 1960s, as mainstream Jewish leaders emphasized the urgency of Jewish unity on Israel and Zionism and showed growing intolerance for dissent, anti-colonialist activists gained momentum across the world. From 1948 through 1966, Israel held all Palestinians citizens under martial law, limiting their movement and access to opportunities and resources. Across the 1950s, Israel excluded Palestinian workers from the Histadrut, the states largest labor union federation. Activists allied with the cause of Palestinian rights noted Israels alliance with colonial power France during the Algerian war of independence from 1954 to 1962 and criticized Israel as an occupier after the 1967 war. They spoke, too, of Israels growing alliance with apartheid South Africa in the 1970s. Black and Arab leaders in the U.S. taught within, and learned from, these anti-colonial movements. Civil rights and anti-war activists offered new perspectives to debates over Israel and Zionism. Raised in a liberal Zionist family, student Marty Blatt was learning to fight for justice. Blatt was born in 1951 in Brooklyn, New York. His grandfather had died in a Nazi prison camp. In 1970, he joined the anti-war movement at Tufts University in Massachusetts. The Vietnam war was a horrible injustice, Blatt said. From the movement and from members of the Israeli left, he learned that Israel/Palestine was another great injustice. With no access to the history of Palestinians in school, at home or at the synogogue, young American Jews like Blatt who joined the civil rights and anti-war movements learned these lessons for the first time. When they then criticized Israel and American Zionism, they, too, met with hostility from the mainstream Jewish world. Blatt sought to teach his fellow students at Tufts with a course in 1973 titled Zionism Reconsidered. In it, he taught the history of Zionism, Palestinian resistance and Israels Cold War alliance with the United States. He taught students that anti-Zionism was not antisemitism. On March 13, 1973, in the midst of the semester, members of the Jewish Defense League, a far-right, anti-Arab, Jewish nationalist group founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane,disrupted Blatts class. They called it an anti-Jewish outrage and passed out a flyer that read, Not since Germany in the days of Hitler has any university dared to offer a course presenting a one-sided view of any national movement. Boston-area Jewish leaders urged community members to write to Tufts leadership to shut down Blatts class. These letters used apocalyptic language to describe the damage wrought by his course, likening it to the destruction of the Jewish people. During this controversy, Blatt picked up the phone one day to hear someone who clearly knew his family history in the Holocaust tell him: Your parents should not have been saved. An article about Blatt and his course in Bostons Jewish Advocate was headlined Tufts Anti-Zionist Course Seen as Abuse of Academic Freedom. Though Tufts stood behind Blatts right to teach the class for another term, which it still touts on the university website, angry responses to the class appeared in community forums for years. Divided on campus and beyond In the current moment, college campuses have been riven with debates over the boundaries between student safety and free speech and whether criticism of Israel constitutes antisemitism. Young Jews dismayed by the unconditional Zionist agenda of Jewish campus organization Hillel and who founded Open Hillel in 2013 are now active in Gaza protests as Judaism on Our Own Terms. They might be surprised to learn that in late 1972, even before his course began, Blatt and others founded the Tufts Hillel Non-Zionist Caucus. Hillel subsequently expelled them from the organization. For over a century, some American Jews have modeled the idea that unqualified support for Israel and Zionism was not in our name. They prioritized justice as a Jewish value and were motivated not by self-hatred or antisemitism but by abiding commitments to human rights and to Jewish safety and community. Todays activists protesting over the devastation in Gaza are testing the threshold of dissent and the limits of free speech and academic freedom. They embrace what they view as more just visions of Israel and Palestine and more inclusive visions of an American Jewish community, one with space for dissent and earnest conversations about Israel and Zionism, and one in which Jews stand in solidarity with groups working for justice in Palestine, Israel and around the world. Marjorie N. Feld, Professor of History and Society, Babson College This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. EU's tariff plan targeting Chinese EVs detrimental to both parties: official Xinhua) 15:37, June 22, 2024 BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's (EU) plan to impose additional duties on imports of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) will harm both parties, Zheng Shanjie, head of China's National Development and Reform Commission, said on Saturday. Refuting claims of "overcapacity" in China's new energy industry, Zheng called these claims contrary to market principles and common sense. Speaking at a high-level meeting between China and Germany on climate change and green transition, Zheng said China will take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. The development of China's new energy industry is driven by advantages in technology, market and industry chains, Zheng said, adding that it is a result of market competition rather than subsidies or unfair practices. The capacity utilization rate of China's new energy vehicles (NEVs) remains at a relatively high level, with most products sold domestically and exports making up only 12.5 percent of output, official data showed. In recent years, as China continues to expand its high-standard opening up, many foreign automakers have increased their investment in the country. Zheng said that foreign brands establish factories in China not due to subsidies, but because China possesses the most comprehensive EV industry chain and skilled automotive industry workers. The global NEV production capacity currently falls short of market demand, and Chinese NEVs can contribute more to the global green and low-carbon transition, Zheng said. Protectionism cannot enhance competitiveness; it will only hinder global efforts to combat climate change, Zheng added. He urged Germany to demonstrate leadership within the EU and take the right actions. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report this week on Indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks during the conflict in Gaza during the first three months of the Israeli campaign against Gaza. The UN is painfully polite, so you may not be able to tell that the terms indiscriminate and disproportionate are war crimes, of which it is accusing the Israeli government. The report notes, According to the Israeli Air Force (IAF), between 7 October 2023 and 19 February 2024 over 29,000 targets in Gaza were attacked. Again, although OHCHR is agreeably quoting this official Israeli source, it is not paying a compliment to the air force for its thoroughness: The rate at which Palestinians were killed in Gaza during this reporting period was reportedly higher than in any recent conflicts globally. Again, not a compliment. In fact, you have to think of this litany of facts and figures as sort of like the opening statement of a prosecuting attorney, establishing the grounds for a conviction. They are building up to it: The war has also witnessed many tragic instances of entire families killed together, from infants to grandparents, many while in their homes (128,904 housing units have been damaged between 7 October 2023 and 1 April 2024) or in other places they had sought safety. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, as of 3 May 2024, more than 3,129 families have been killed or injured together. The OHCHR subjected reports of Israeli attacks and their aftermath to very sophisticated CSI-style forensics. They found, 87 per cent of the verified fatalities have occurred in incidents that resulted in 5 or more fatalities, and over 60 per cent were killed in incidents that resulted in 10 or more fatalities. What they discovered is that the Israeli attacks werent targeted at, say, a single Hamas militant. The Israeli military went big. Six in ten of their strikes produced 10 or dozens of fatalities. That outcome is weird if you were only trying to kill 37,000 militiamen in a population of 2.2 million people. Youre only targeting 1.6 percent of the population, none of which are women or minors. But the majority of those killed are children and women. So what is the significance of entire families being killed or wounded and over a hundred thousand domiciles being damaged? Heres what the High Commissioners office is getting at: These statistics suggest that Israels choices of methods and means of conducting hostilities in Gaza since 7 October, including the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated areas, have failed to ensure that they effectively distinguish between civilians and combatants. The widespread, large-scale and continuing toll of civilian deaths, notably the high proportion of women and children amongst them, and accompanying destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza since 7 October, raise serious concerns about the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) compliance with IHL, including as to patterns of systematic violation of the principles of necessity, distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack. Violating these four principles is in each case a war crime. Remember that the International Court of Justice is deciding whether Israel is guilty of genocide, and the International Criminal Court has asked for warrants against Israels prime minister and its minister of defense on grounds that they may have committed war crimes. The report gives examples of each of the violations it has identified. Last October 9, the Israeli air force appears to have dropped without warning a 2,000-pound BLU-109/MK 84 bomb on the densely populated Jabaliya Refugee settlement, pulverizing two multi-story buildings and damaging many others, and killing at least 60 people, wounding dozens more. A 2000-pound bomb can have a blast radius of a quarter mile. The point is that this was not a precision strike on a handful of guerrillas. It took out two apartment buildings full of families. The same day, more 2000-pound bombs were dropped on Gaza city: An area of 5,700 square metres [61,354 square feet] was essentially flattened, with at least seven structures, including Taj3 Tower, completely destroyed and three other structures showing signs of significant damage. 61,000 square feet is the size of a town shopping center. In fact, the US Pentagon, which has very good satellite photography, has seen 500 craters consistent with use of 2000-pound bombs. The US military is clearly appalled, since these weapons should not be used on densely populated urban areas, and were not deployed by the US against ISIL in Mosul, for instance. Several Biden administration officials, civilian and military, who have seen these atrocities unfold and recognize them for what they are have resigned in protest. That is why President Biden paused a shipment of 2000-pound bombs to Israel he didnt want them used on Rafah, which had swollen with refugees. Netanyahu, however, just vigorously protested that halt, saying he needs the bombs. What does he plan to do with them? Knock down that last three apartment buildings in Gaza? The report gives other examples of the Israelis flattening entire residential blocks. It concludes that the Israeli army in Gaza has not distinguished between military targets and civilians, and that it has launched indiscriminate attacks on urban infrastructure with no specific military target in sight. Israeli commanders violated the principle of proportionality, which holds that an attack which may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. That is, you cant take out a whole city block and kill hundreds of people to get at three terrorists. But that procedure has been the Israeli war on Gaza in a nutshell. Using 2000-pound bombs on dense neighborhoods also violates the principle of precaution, which requires military commanders to give some thought beforehand to what would happen to unarmed civilians if they chose a highly destructive 2000-pound bomb to accomplish their mission rather than something more appropriate to targeting a small guerrilla band. Moreover, there is no evidence that the Israeli military issued any warnings to the civilians it planned to wipe out. These attacks were not like the US Fallujah campaign in Iraq in fall of 2004, where most of the city was allowed to leave before the assault. So if the Israeli government has committed war crimes, it has to investigate them and punish those responsible. Otherwise, the High Commissioner warns ominously, Member States must support accountability measures at the international level, including through the International Criminal Court. Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant had better enjoy Israel in the summer, because their future ability to travel will be circumscribed when they are convicted of war crimes by the ICC. Middle East Eye Video: Israel dropped hundreds of 2,000-pound bombs on Gaza May 2024 Rupture and Repair is published in pdf format here. Below I excerpt a couple of pages in html with the permission of the authors. This report details a substantial rupture of trust between students, staff, and faculty in the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian (MAP) communities and Stanford in academic year 2023-24. These communities have felt afraid for their safety, unseen and unheard by university leadership, and silenced through a variety of formal and informal means when they assert the rights and humanity of Palestinians. This rupture has been compounded by a longer history of Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiment that stretches through and beyond Stanford. In spring 2024, the question of Palestine remains one of the most pressing political issues of the day, both in our university and on the global stage. A core mission of Stanford is to educate tomorrows global citizens by enabling students to engage with big ideas, to cross conceptual and disciplinary boundaries, and to become global citizens who embrace diversity of thought and experience. This past year, numerous Stanford staff, faculty, and administrators have devoted significant time and effort to honoring these values despite extraordinary scrutiny from Congress, national media, alumni, and others. Yet the findings of this committee indicate that Stanford has not lived up to this mission. The university has undermined speech, teaching, and research on Palestine. For Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian community members, Stanfords decisions have diminished their sense of equality, inclusion, and belonging on campus. These decisions have also sent a message to the whole university that Palestine is an exception to Stanfords stated mission: a topic that one cannot study, discuss, or teach without potentially damaging ones future. In this report, we detail, based on hundreds of hours of listening sessions with students, staff, faculty, and alumni, the challenges of being a member of Muslim, Arab, and/or Palestinian communities at Stanford. In many cases, these challenges extend to students, staff, and faculty of any identity who align themselves with or engage the rights of Palestinians. We show how these challenges are linked to persistent suppression of speech on Palestine; underrepresentation of community members in conversations that matter; a scarcity of scholarly expertise in Palestinian and Arab studies; and institutional discomfort with the diversity of opinion and expertise that does exist on campus. The report makes the following core findings: Students from MAP communities experienced dozens of incidents that undermined their sense of safety and belonging, including physical assaults, threats, and harassment. Although Stanford responded appropriately to some of these incidents and provided security in response to student requests, on many occasions students felt that the institutional response was insufficient given the severity and persistence of incidents . . . Read the whole thing. Amid her longing feelings and memories for Hyun Woo, Go Eun Ha (Han Sun Hwa) unexpectedly crossed paths with Jang Hyun Woo (Kwon Yul). Is he the same person she was looking for? Keep on reading to know what happened in "My Sweet Mobster" episode 4. 'My Sweet Mobster' Episode 4: Go Eun Ha Lost Her Job and House + Seo Ji Hwan Rescues Her Seo Ji Hwan recalled the incident he had in front of Go Eun Ha while drunk, and felt embarrassed. As the days passed by, his feelings for Eun Ha started to grow. He was even hallucinating and seeing her face everywhere he went. When he received a message from Eun Ha, he mistakenly sent a text with a typo and tried to resolve the misunderstanding by hurriedly calling her. However, he was left speechless upon hearing her voice. Elsewhere, Go Eun Ha was notified of the termination of her contract by the company and was kicked out of her accommodation, leaving her with nowhere to go. While wandering around the streets she remembered her memories with Hyun Woo. Later on, Ji Hwan found Go Eun Ha soaked in the rain. He heard about her situation from Joo Il Young (Kim Hyun Jin) and felt upset, so he brought her into his house. He took care of her. Go Eun Ha Helps Seo Ji Hwan Search for Jeong Yun Taek The next day, Eun Ha started looking around the house and thinking of a way to repay him. Meanwhile, Ji Hwa had to see his sister Yeon Yi (Shim Ji Yu) to find out the whereabouts of his missing employee Jeong Yun Taek (Kim Hyun Gyu). Eun Ha, who's familiar with children accompanied him, allowing her to return the favor. While Ji Hwan was looking around for Jeong Yun Taek, Eun Ha was playing with Yeon Yi, and remembered again, her memories with Hyun Woo. A friendly smile appeared on Ji Hwan's lips as he looked at Eun Ha and Yeon Yi, who were having fun flying a kite together. Go Eun Ha Meets Jang Hyun Woo Later on, Seo Ji Hwan's alert mode was activated as a car rushed towards Eun Ha and Yeon Yi. As Yun Taek is presumed to be connected to the rival organization Meow's faction, it was expected that members of the Meow's would come to Jeong Yun Taek's house. However, prosecutor Jang Hyun Woo, who was not a member of the Meow faction, got out of the car and embarrassed Seo Ji Hwan. Above all, Eun Ha's surprise was doubled because she had met Jang Hyun Woo as a witness to an assault incident at a club. Jang Hyun Woo is the same as Hyun Woo's older brother in Eun Ha's memories. Viewers are wondering whether Jang Hyun Woo is the same Hyun Woo that Go Eun Ha is looking for, and what will happen to the relationship between the three people gathered in one place. What can you say about "My Sweet Mobster" episode 4? 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. "Love in Contract" started 2022 with a massive bang as the rom-com series became a huge craze among K-drama fans. Other than the entertaining plot and the unexpected twists and turns, the tvN series boasts a roster of talented stars. Headlining "Love in Contract" is Hallyu queen Park Min Young, who returned to the small screen after 2 years since the melodrama "When the Weather Is Fine." Joining her is his male lead, Go Kyung Pyo, who played the role of Jung Ji Ho, the young CEO who has difficulty experiencing, identifying, and expressing emotions. Lastly, landing the second lead is Kim Jae Young, who took on the character of top star Kang Hae Jin. In the drama, Kang Hae Jin and Jung Ji Ho are both clients of Choi Sang Eun, who offered her service to be her clients' companions. Men hired her to portray a perfect life in the eyes of the public, but as for the two, they became emotionally attached to Sang Eun. "Love in Contract" basically showed the culture of modern day dating. In addition to this, the story also follows the painful background of Sang Eun and why she ended up having that kind of job. After 16 episodes, the tvN rom-com series bid goodbye to viewers, and as of this writing, there were no updates on whether the K-drama would be renewed for a sequel. On the other hand, here are the current and upcoming projects of the "Love in Contract" cast. Park Min Young Two years after "Love in Contract," Park Min Young returns to the small screen with an interesting character. Very different from her bubbly role in the rom-com series, the Hallyu queen stars as the revenge driven Kang Ji Won in "Marry My Husband." She is joined by Na In Woo, Lee Yi Kyung, and Song Ha Yoon as the lead stars. At the height of the drama, "Marry My Husband" became one of the most watched series in the first quarter of 2024, surprising viewers with an unexpected twist to the story. After successfully wrapping up the series, Park Min Young focused on her Asia fan meet called "My Brand New Day." Among the cities that she visited were Bangkok and Manila. Go Kyung Pyo While Park Min Young is busy with her meet and greet within Asia, Go Kyung Pyo stars in back-to-back projects. This includes reprising his role in "D.P." season 2, playing the villain in "Connect," and his movies "Seoul Vibe," "and 6/45." As for Go Kyung Pyo's drama this 2024, he returned to the small screen for the rom-com "Frankly Speaking" with Kang Han Na. Kim Jae Young Last on the list is Kim Jae Young, who will have his K-drama comeback this second half of the year for the crime fantasy series "The Judge from Hell." He is joined by Park Shin Hye, who plays the role of judge Kang Bit Na. The upcoming K-drama is slated to debut in September 2024. IN CASE YOU MISSED: Korean Actresses Who Sparked Concern for Weight Loss: Jung Ho Yeon, Park Min Young, 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 Byeon Woo Seok's popularity continued to grow as the public remained intrigued by the South Korean rising star. Following the fame of his K-drama "Lovely Runner," the 32-year-old actor's past works resurfaced as fans and eagle-eyed netizens unearthed his old photoshoot. For those who don't know, Byeon Woo Seok began his career as a model and decided to hit the fashion runway after majoring in theater and film at university. At the time, he was signed under YG KPlus, which also housed fellow actors Jang Ki Yong and Nam Joo Hyuk. Interestingly, before their fame as K-drama actors, the trio even walked for MUNSOO KWON's runway for the Spring/Summer 2015 collection. After spending years as a model, Byeon Woo Seok has appeared in various ads and shoots. With this, fans managed to unearth some of his past works, which definitely gained huge attention from netizens. Some even posted before and after photos of Byeon Woo Seok, showcasing how his physique changed from slim to buff. However, the actor expressed his honest thoughts about it. Why Byeon Woo Seok Was Embarrased About His Old Modeling Photos In an interview with Jang Do Yeon's "Salon Drip," Byeon Woo Seok opened up about his true feelings regarding the resurfacing of old photos of him during his rookie years as a model. According to him, the actor confessed that he sometimes "feels like being exposed." When asked if he was embarrassed about it, Byeon Woo Seok gets honest and says that he does feel "embarrassed" about it and explains the reason why. "It's a bit embarrassing, but I'm more thankful," he said, adding that he feels great that people would get to see how he has "been through" from modeling and now as an actor. jdy: your past works are resurfacing hy: that's right. a lot are are coming up oppa jdy: the projects you were in are getting talked about again & ppl are rewatching them ws: i feel like being exposed? jdy: are you embarrassed? ws: it's a bit embarrassing, but i'm more thankful. pic.twitter.com/x7nnoiB4L9 j. (@fallinbeen) May 27, 2024 "It felt very strange yet fascinating," he added. I was having so much fun with modeling and acting back then, so I just really got into it and worked hard. Byeon Woo Seok also mentioned that he is enjoying both modeling and acting, and seeing it again on social media makes him look back on himself. "It feels like people like me for who I am, as a person. I've been active since I was about 21, and the fact that people are looking back at my 13 year journey... It's a bit embarrassing, but mostly i'm just really thankful," he added. Byeon Woo Seok Dramas That You Shouldn't Skip Other than "Lovely Runners," Byeon Woo Seok appeared in various K-dramas, portraying a diverse character. Prior to the rom-com series, he played the villain character in "Strong Girl Namsoon" as Ryu Shi Oh. He also headlined the historical series "Moonshine" with Lee Hye Ri as well as "Record of Youth" as his first lead role in "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency." Interestingly, Byeon Woo Seok was also part of the hit K-drama "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo," where he played Nam Joo Hyuk's brother, who appeared on episode 16. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Flores We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Saturday, June 22, 2024 - Jacque Maribes ex-lover and murder convict Joseph Irungu, commonly known as Jowie, will not be permitted to attend his fathers funeral, despite a landmark court ruling that allows prisoners to attend funerals of close family members. In February, High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi ruled that prisoners and pretrial detainees have the right to attend funerals of close family members, asserting their right to humane treatment. This ruling came from a case filed by journalist Moses Dola, who was imprisoned for the murder of his wife. Justice Mugambis order included a directive for Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to establish mechanisms to facilitate such temporary releases High Court Judge Chacha Mwita declined to order the Kenya Prisons Service to escort Jowie to Nakuru South Cemetery for his father, Julius Irungus burial. Jowie had appealed to the court to attend his fathers funeral. His mother, Anastacia Thama, expressed her willingness to cover the costs for his attendance and had written to the Commissioner General of Prisons requesting permission. Despite the urgency and the upcoming burial date, there was no response from the authorities. The Attorney General informed the court that, despite the existing court orders, regulations to facilitate prisoners attendance at funerals were not yet in place. Consequently, Judge Chacha Mwita ruled against Jowies request to attend the funeral, making him ineligible to be the first prisoner to benefit from Judge Mugambis February ruling. Jowies mother, Anastacia Thama, highlighted the emotional distress and the importance of her sons presence at the funeral. She conveyed her concerns regarding the bureaucratic delays that might prevent timely feedback from the prison authorities. Despite her pleas and the courts previous ruling, the lack of established regulations led to the decision that Jowie would remain in custody during his fathers burial. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, June 22, 2024 - Kenyans are angry with MPs who supported the Finance Bill 2024, which introduces a series of taxes on the struggling population. This is after Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie was heckled and chased out from a burial in his constituency on Friday. Kiarie was among 214 MPs who supported the controversial bill that has been opposed by widespread demonstrations across the country. In the embarrassing video, Kiarie was heckled by mourners who told him that they didnt want to hear him. Here is the humiliating video that will cause panic in President William Rutos government. You cannot misrepresent the people who gave you a job and expect them to receive you nicely. We will expose John Kiarie KJ heckled at a burial. Dagoretti south is not happy!#REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 #totalshutdown pic.twitter.com/Q78zyzznJU Young & Different (@evanswakaba) June 21, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 22, 2024 - President William Rutos aide, Farouk Kibet, has threatened Gen Z, warning they will be treated like terrorists for attempting to overthrow a legitimate government. In what can be described as a foolish statement, Kibet, who was not even elected by anybody, stated that those Gen Z demonstrators would be dealt with by the government without mercy. These young people calling themselves Gen Z are just a protege of a terror group who wants to take over the government. "There is a powerful force behind the unsuccessful demonstration. "We will not allow that. Serikali iko Imara na hatutushwi. "President William Ruto will continue executing his mandates because that is what he was elected to do, Kibet told one of the local blogs. Farouk Kibet and Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi are among those close to President William Ruto who are causing him to lose popularity, particularly in the Mt. Kenya region and parts of the Rift Valley. The two uneducated individuals have been portraying opulence and bravado due to their closeness to the Head of state. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 22, 2024 - Prime Cabinet Musalia Mudavadi has panicked over the Gen Z revolution against President William Ruto and his government. Speaking during a development tour in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County, Mudavadi disclosed that rejecting the contentious Finance Bill was commensurate to passing a vote of no confidence against President Willam Rutos government. According to Mudavadi, a vote of no confidence against the government would force Ruto to step down as president. As a result, he called on MPs to remain adamant despite growing pressure for them to drop the Finance Bill. He went ahead to commend the legislators for voting in favour of the bill and urged them not to succumb to the pressures posed by the Gen Zs and the ongoing protests. "Those people pushing to reject the Finance Bill, if it is rejected by any government, the next thing they will say is that it was a vote of no confidence," Mudavadi stated. "So, when you think it's a joke, they're planning to send Ruto home, don't take it lightly," he added. The Foreign Affairs CS reiterated that a Finance Bill was not a strange thing in Kenya and that most nations across the globe had similar bills. He further disclosed that Kenya would have gone into history books as the first country globally to clamp down on a Finance Bill which could have meant an incompetent administration. The Finance Bill is not normal. A Finance bill is the foundation of a government and if it fails then the net effect is always weighty, he revealed. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 22, 2024 Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas bid for the African Union Chairmanship may be in serious jeopardy if Djibouti gets its way. This is after it emerged that Djibouti is forcing Somalias Fawzia Yusuf Adam to step down in favour of Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, who is a fellow Muslim. Fawzia confirmed during a press briefing yesterday that she was being forced out of the race to avoid splitting the Muslim vote, which would benefit Djiboutis candidate. She revealed that she had reportedly received pressure from Djiboutian leaders, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. "The President and the Prime Minister from Djibouti asked me to give up," she stated. She revealed that she was called to a National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting between the two and other leaders during which she alleges that she was asked to stop running for the position. Adam added that she was not given a reason to stop vying. However, she emphasised that the threats and intimidation would not sway her quest. "I am grateful to all the Somali people for supporting me. Victory in Somalia," she added. Her revelation was met with mixed reactions with some locals urging her to remain resilient and continue with her bid to take up the position. However, others asked her to give in to the pressure and give up adding that the Djibouti candidate was more qualified to lead as AU Chairperson. The new chairperson will be selected in February 2025 at the 38th AU summit. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 22, 2024 - Starehe MP Amos Mwago has revealed how President William Ruto blackmailed and threatened MPs before voting on the Finance Bill 2024 on Thursday. Mwago is among the 115 members who voted against the controversial Finance Bill 2024, while 204 members voted in favor of advancing the bill to the next stage. Speaking during an interview, Mwago said there were tremendous efforts to threaten and hoodwink members of the National Assembly to pass the bill. He noted that Ruto, through the Treasury, stated that failure to approve or pass the bill would result in Members of Parliament experiencing cuts in the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and other essential services the government provides. "There were some elements of trying to blackmail the MPs. "The budget-making process is not an event it is a process that entails a lot. "It requires coordination between the Treasury, Budget Committee, and the Finance Committee," he said. "But when these people were trying to draft these bills, they were acting like they were not in tandem with what they were doing, that is why they tried to blackmail us by bringing us Junior Secondary School cuts, medical interns, and Constituency Development Fund cuts." Treasury warning to legislators of cash cuts cornered MPs to pass the bill to the next stage after an intense debate. This was despite countrywide protests from young people who rejected the bill. Mwago reiterated that the move to threaten legislators to pass the bill elicited public emotions and public uproar. The smooth sailing of the bill to the next stage angered many Kenyans, particularly the youth, who have vowed to continue with the peaceful demonstrations in the coming days. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 22, 2024 Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas Azimio has pledged to support and defend Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against impeachment threats. This follows an alleged plot to impeach Gachagua by President William Ruto and his allies over his one-man, one-shilling campaign for the benefit of Mt. Kenya which they claim is divisive and tribal. Speaking in Kiambu during the consecration of Reverend Benson as Bishop, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka affirmed that Azimio was prepared to stand by Gachagua despite the looming impeachment. Kalonzo emphasized that Gachagua had not committed any wrongdoing warranting impeachment. He further criticized President William Ruto, accusing him of undermining his deputy's position. "If they try to impeach Gachagua, as Azimio we will refuse. But we can impeach both Ruto and Gachagua," Kalonzo stated. He also commended the deputy president for being courageous by standing his ground despite resistance and urged him to continue fighting for the people of Kenya. "I admire the courage of the Deputy President, now welcome to the club of courageous people and I call on you to exercise courage for the sake of Kenyans," the Wiper party leader commented. The former Vice president defended DP Gachagua over claims of being termed a villager and called on him not to fall for such comments. While responding to Kalonzo, the Deputy President called on the Azimio leader to adopt his call for regional unity, saying it was the only way to unite Kenyans. Gachagua said he would not relent on his calls for unity in the Mt. Kenya region despite constant criticism. The Kenyan DAILY POST Recently, I completed a rotation at the plastic surgery department of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Reflecting on this experience, I realized a few things. My perception of plastic surgery practice was naive and uninformed. This experience has been an eye-opener as it has challenged preconceived notions and revealed the multifaceted nature of this wonderful specialty. However, I recognize that most African students do not have the same opportunity. Only a few of the 54 African countries have more than three plastic surgeons. Access to these plastic surgeons is further limited by the fact that they have to meet the needs of an overwhelming number of people. Their practice regularly covers emergency cases leaving less time for research and mentorship. Fortunately, the continent has made numerous efforts to increase the plastic surgery workforce. For example, regional training programs such as those offered by the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and scholarships by their partners have helped increase residency program intake. Plastic surgery is not as popular a specialty choice as it should be among African medical students. Research on this phenomenon suggests that it is the result of lack of exposure to the specialty. Considering that todays African medical students are tomorrows plastic surgeons, I believe it is time that the global plastic surgery community targets African medical students. First, I recommend the creation of an Association of Future African Plastic Surgeons (AFAPS) in collaboration with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). I propose leveraging the ASPS experience in mentoring and supporting medical students. The AFAPS would be integrated into the Medical Student Forum but would have dedicated activities that target challenges that are specific to Africa. Secondly, I believe it is essential that the global plastic surgery community changes the narrative around the specialty among African medical students and patients. Based on my recent rotation experience, plastic surgery often conjures images of cosmetic enhancements fueled by media portrayals. However, the reality is far more complex and impactful. During my internship at the National Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery Department at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, I witnessed the transformative power of plastic surgery across a spectrum of cases, from congenital anomalies to trauma recovery. Importantly, African plastic surgery has not leveraged social media to its advantage. Social media has perpetuated several myths about plastic surgery, which I aim to dispel based on my observations: Plastic surgery can offer both functional and aesthetic improvements. Many patients seek plastic surgery for reasons beyond aesthetics, such as restoring functionality after accidents or combating the effects of aging. Accessibility for all. Contrary to the belief that plastic surgery is reserved for the affluent, plastic surgery is becoming more accessible, with various financing options available. Impermanence of results. While outcomes can be enduring, they are not immune to changes such as aging or weight fluctuations. Scarring is a reality. Although the complete absence of scars is unrealistic, skilled surgeons minimize and strategically place incisions to reduce visibility. Not a weight loss alternative. Procedures like liposuction are not weight loss solutions but rather contouring options that complement a healthy lifestyle. Individualized results. Expecting to mirror a celebritys appearance is impractical; plastic surgery enhances ones features within the realm of individual uniqueness. My stint as an intern was revelatory. It showcased plastic surgery as an amalgamation of art and science. Each procedure is a bespoke creation tailored to the patients unique needs. The field demands technical precision, an artistic touch, principles that adapt to diverse challenges, and a commitment to life-altering outcomes. Plastic surgery is a discipline marked by its capacity to profoundly change lives. It is a realm where science meets art, where each surgeons work not only reconstructs physical forms but also rebuilds confidence and hope. As I aspire to join this field, I hope to be joined by my colleagues to change the narrative around African plastic surgery and improve care for billions of Africans. Shirley Sarah Dadson is a medical student in Ghana. In the heart of America, the opioid epidemic continues to surge, claiming lives and livelihoods with an unrelenting grip. While many believe that addiction stems from illicit drug use, a significant portion of opioid addictions actually begin with a prescription from a doctor. This troubling reality is exemplified by the experiences of Dr. Jeffrey Fraser, a family practice physician from Lincoln, Nebraska, who found himself ensnared in the very crisis he was trained to combat. A doctors descent into addiction Dr. Jeffrey Fraser, a respected physician, saw his life unravel after a cancer diagnosis required radiation therapy, which led to a prescription for opioids to manage his pain. Because of my radiation therapy, my testosterone level was dramatically down to 46, Fraser recalls. Initially, the hydrocodone was a godsend, alleviating his severe discomfort. However, what began as a legitimate medical need quickly spiraled into a harrowing addiction. Frasers dependence on hydrocodone grew insidiously. Every morning for probably 300 days, I was thinking, How can I get more hydrocodone?' he admits. His addiction lasted for approximately three years, escalating to the point where he was consuming 60 pills a day. The breaking point came on January 2, 2018, when undercover state patrol agents, armed and ready, stormed his office. The ordeal led to Fraser losing his medical practice and license, plunging his family into turmoil. Prescription opioids: a gateway to addiction Dr. Frasers story is far from unique. According to an article from Johns Hopkins Medicine, its possible to become addicted to narcotics in as little as eight days, with some studies suggesting that addiction can occur even with the first dose. This rapid onset of dependency is a stark reminder of the potency of these medications. Research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse highlights that many individuals who misuse prescription opioids eventually transition to more accessible and often cheaper alternatives, like heroin. Data indicates that 80 percent of heroin users started with prescription opioids. The aftermath and recovery After his arrest, Fraser faced a grueling detox and treatment process. He spent 15 days detoxing in a local hospital before transferring to the Talbott Recovery Campus in Atlanta, Georgia, where he underwent a three-month rehabilitation program designed for professionals. Despite the challenges, Fraser completed his recovery and eventually had his medical license restored. He now works for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), dedicated to combating the epidemic that nearly destroyed his life. Lessons learned and moving forward Dr. Frasers journey underscores the critical need for better education and support systems within the medical community. He advocates for establishing physician health programs offering confidential treatment without jeopardizing medical licenses. Hiding in the dark fuels the addiction, he warns, emphasizing the importance of seeking help without fear of professional ruin. Fraser also highlights the necessity of changing societal perceptions of addiction. Its a disease that changes the brain, he explains, stressing that addiction should not be viewed as a moral failing but as a medical condition requiring compassionate treatment. He calls for increased monitoring and restrictions on opioid prescriptions to prevent future cases like his. Dr. Fraser goes on a hike with his wife after recovering from his opiate addiction in the Fall of 2018. (Photo: Michelle Riggle) Dr. Scott Frasers perspective: monitoring and prevention Dr. Scott Fraser, an internal medicine physician and hospitalist at Ascension St. Vincent in Evansville, Indiana, offers a different angle on the issue. As a hospitalist, he frequently encounters patients who are at risk of developing opioid dependencies. He describes the protocols in place to prevent abuse, including strict monitoring and limited prescribing practices. Indiana limits how much I can send somebody with. Typically, I send two, maybe three days worth of pain medicine, if any at all, Dr. Fraser explains. One of the most effective tools in preventing opioid abuse is the prescription monitoring program, known in Indiana as Inspect. I can access every patient and see every scheduled prescription theyve gotten in the last three years, he says. This system helps identify patients who might be doctor-shopping or showing signs of addiction. Despite these measures, Dr. Fraser acknowledges the delicate balance required in managing pain while preventing addiction. If they come in for certain things that are very, very painful, chances are Im going to give you some level of pain medication, he says. However, he is cautious and prefers to discuss alternatives and the risks associated with opioids with his patients. According to TN.gov, 25 percent of individuals who misuse opioids become physically dependent. Research also indicates that even at low doses, taking an opioid for more than three months can increase the risk of addiction by 15 times. Dr. Frasers approach is influenced by his personal experience with addiction in his family. Having family members whove gone through this has made me a better doctor, he reflects, emphasizing the importance of communication and education in preventing opioid misuse. The biggest thing is just talking to them about it Its not safe for me to give you this. Its going to cause more problems in the long run. Dr. Jeffrey Fraser takes a photo with his son, Dr. Scott Fraser, on his first day of medical school in August of 2016. (Photo: Anna Fraser) The path to prevention The opioid crisis demands a multifaceted approach, combining education, stricter prescription practices, and robust support systems for those struggling with addiction. Dr. Frasers work with SAMHSA focuses on reducing the stigma associated with addiction and promoting recovery programs that offer hope and healing. For those currently battling addiction, Fraser offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: Seek help, talk to your family, and dont be afraid to ask for help. His story serves as a poignant reminder that recovery is possible, but it requires courage, support, and a concerted effort to change the way society views and treats addiction. As America continues to grapple with the opioid epidemic, stories like Dr. Frasers highlight the urgent need for systemic changes in how we prescribe, monitor, and address the use of prescription opioids. We hope to turn the tide on this devastating crisis through collective action and compassion. Christina Fraser is a graduate student. Jeffrey L. Fraser is a family physician. When you have been reviewing physician employment agreements for nearly four decades, you tend to get a little jaded about the possibility of ever seeing reasonable compensation for physicians. Although I am continually preaching to the choir about the need for reasonable physician compensation, I rarely see something that gives me encouragement that physicians may someday be paid appropriately for everything they do. However, recently I have reviewed several agreements titled along the lines of an Individual Specialty Residency Program Agreement. I find the existence of these agreements to be an encouraging sign. Physician employment agreements have traditionally heaped a generous portion of administrative duties on the physician without corresponding compensation. Teaching residents has always been just part of the job for physicians even physicians who are compensated based on productivity. These new agreements actually pay physicians for the hours they spend mentoring residents. Yes, you read that sentence correctly. Physicians are actually being paid for their part in training the next generation of physicians. I am sure that nobody reading this article will be shocked to learn that the pay is not magnificent. It is basically equivalent to the hourly rate a medical director receives. Still, I view this development as positive since it appears to recognize the fact that physicians are performing vital roles even if no superbill is generated from that activity. Naturally, the agreements all have a maximum number of hours per year which will be compensated for mentoring, and the hours provided in the agreements are usually not nearly enough to cover all the hours that will be spent. As everyone expects, physicians will continue mentoring like they always have, whether they are being paid or not. In my mind, the significance of the promulgation of these new agreements is not the amount of compensation paid or the limits on compensable time. These agreements involve paying physicians for activities that have always been considered part of their professional duties. This may be the tiniest recognition that physicians are more than wRVU machines. Recognizing the importance of training the next generation (and acknowledging that the expertise being imparted is valuable) seems like a step towards once again recognizing physicians as true professionals. MGMA already produces benchmarks for call compensation and medical directorships. Are benchmarks forthcoming for mentoring duties? Probably not soon, but maybe in a few years? Physicians, as professionals, are held to a high standard of performance. That has always been the case, and it always will be case. However, no other profession is expected to dedicate vast amounts of time in training the next generation of professionals while still being compensated based solely on productivity. I am not by nature optimistic, particularly when considering the plight of physicians. Physicians are always willing to put their patients and the practicing of their profession above their own welfare. That makes physicians easy prey for administrators who focus on the bottom line. These agreements certainly do not signal the end of physicians being taken advantage of. However, I think it is possible that paying physicians for mentoring residents is a recognition of their professionalism, and maybe, just maybe, a small step toward fairer overall compensation for everything they do. Dennis Hursh is a veteran attorney with over 40 years of experience in health law. He is founder, Physician Agreements Health Law, which offers a fixed fee review of physician employment agreements to protect physicians in one of the biggest transactions of their careers. He can also be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn. 1 of 1 Pre-budget Consultation Meeting : Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari solicits support for rail, road and energy sectors khaskhabar.com : Sat, 22 June 2024 6:01 PM - Positive interaction on issues related to ERCP, road, rail and energy sectors RAJASTHAN WILL GET FULL BENEFIT OF A DOUBLE ENGINE GOVERNMENT: DIYA KUMARI New Delhi/Jaipur : Under the able leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to achieve the vision of the Modi 3.0 Government, a pre-budget consultation meeting was held in New Delhi today with the objective of 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Rajasthan'. The meeting was chaired by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in view of the forthcoming Union Budget 2024-25. Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Diya Kumari presented the development proposals and issues related to Rajasthan to the Union Finance Minister. Diya Kumari urged for an early solution to the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). She also put forth the proposal for further strengthening the 'Jal Jeevan Mission and requested support from the Centre for this project. Rajasthan's Finance Minister also presented the case of 3 major pending rail projects for the State, which will provide connectivity to remote areas. She also urged for the construction of national highways in the State, which will strengthen surface transport. She said it was important for the State to have a network of roads for connecting the far-off and remote villages. This will enable these places to be a part of the mainstream for development. Diya Kumari also said that Rajasthan requires appropriate energy development in view of its agriculture, industries and infrastructure development. She said the union intervention was necessary for Rajasthan to become self-reliant in the energy arena. She also requested the Union Finance Minister to provide special assistance to the energy companies in the State, so that their potential could be fully utilised. After hearing the suggestions and demands of Rajasthan's Finance Minister, the Union Finance Minister assured that all the demands of Rajasthan would be considered favourably for facilitation. Also present in the meeting were the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Akhil Arora and Secretary, Debasish Prusty. 1 of 1 , , khaskhabar.com : , 22 2024 2:36 PM - - As you read this column things are starting to fall into place in our local government structure that will guide Kilkenny County Councils new elected members for the coming five years. This Friday will be the first meeting of the 24 new public representatives since we went to the polls, on June 7. Its new but its the same. The same structures and, mostly, the same people. The hard work of sitting councillors was rewarded by voters in re-electing them. However this meant that there was very little change in the Class of 2024 - Kilkenny elected just six women councillors. Mary Hilda Cavanagh in the Castlecomer area, Deirdre Cullen and Stephanie Doheny in the Callan Thomastown area, Maria Dollard in the city and in the Piltown area Fidelis Doherty and Jenny Catt Slattery. Three of these women won a council seat for the first time in an election. In positive terms this is an increase on the last council election, but women still just make up just 25% of the councillors in Kilkenny. Its not just in the council chamber where women make up a small group. There were just 13 women candidates in the local election in Kilkenny - in a field of 50. While we, of course, celebrate the success of these women, questions have to be asked about why we still see so few women getting involved in political life. Many academic studies have concluded that having more women at decision-making tables makes politics work better for everyone and provides better representation. In advance of polling day Brian Sheehan, CEO of Women for Election, celebrated the fact that glass ceilings are being broken. More women than ever before are running in the local elections in a major milestone for Irish democracy. He predicted that voters across the country would have the opportunity to change the face of local government. This didnt happen. The National Womens Council welcomed the women elected but said it was very disappointed about the missed opportunity to break the critical barrier of 40% for womens representation in Local Government. When all ballots were counted the female representation on local councils across the country remained at 26%. Ireland will remain at 22nd place out of the EU 27 for the number of women in local politics. Some commentators are now advocating for a radical approach to even up the gender balance in local politics. The National Womens Council has called on all political parties to commit to the introduction of a 40% gender quota for local election candidates in their party manifestos. That gender quota is already in place for general elections. If political parties do not have at least 40% women candidates (and 40% men candidates) they will lose 50% of their annual State funding to run their operations. It is very clear that the incentive approach from the Government is not working, as large parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, failed to run at least 40% women as candidates. Neither managed to even reach 30% which is incredibly disappointing, said Rachel Coyle, Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation a the National Womens Council. As was the case with the general elections, a gender quota for local elections is a necessity if we are serious about achieving gender equality in political life for women. A Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality Women for Election proposed the introduction of quotas for the local elections and for the Seanad, with 88% support. The Women for Election group is also calling for local election quotas. The stagnation in the number of women in local government, despite a record number of women candidates, clearly demonstrates that radical new measures are needed to ensure a properly representative democracy, said Brian Sheehan. Women for Election are calling on the Government to implement a candidate quota for the next local government elections at 40%, the same as for the next general election. In the meantime, political parties can take comprehensive steps towards redressing the gender imbalance, including women-only shortlists for co-options and developing internal party rules that mandate 50:50 in all internal positions and in candidate selection conventions, he said. The reasons why women dont get involved in politics in as high numbers as men are both historical and complex. It is widely recognised that much needs to be done to make politics a more family-friendly work environment, and introducing quotas is just one of these steps. Quotas might not be everybodys solution to this question but, as a Women For Election report says, the effect is worth it. Quotas introduce a short, sharp, shock to the political system that makes change happen quickly. Allowing the political system to embrace women naturally has seen a glacial pace of change, the group points out, and an increasing number of countries globally are introducing gender quotas to improve gender balance with impressive results. Local government is an important step in the political careers of many politicians. If women are not on the ballot they cant be elected. Supports along the way are now commonplace, from the See Her Elected group that helps women across rural Ireland get elected to county councils, to Womens Caucuses for female politicians to discuss and campaign on matters that predominantly affect women. Why not take another constructive step and bring in quotas to enhance politics and political life for all? Irish researchers have developed a groundbreaking sensor that will allow farmers to reduce their use of chemical fertilisers. The work of Tyndall National Institute researchers, based at University Cork (UCC), will deliver significant cost savings and a reduction in the harmful environmental impacts of fertilisers, which can cause nitrogen and phosphorous contamination. As concerns about the environmental impacts of agriculture grow, the need for smart farming technologies has become crucial. Farmers need to monitor the nutrients in the soil, as well as track environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and emissions from fertilised soils. This knowledge is vital for crop growth, agricultural production and minimising environmental impacts. Traditional methods of soil monitoring involve taking physical samples to analyse how the soil changes over time. Farmers compare the results over an extended period, to determine what changes are required to improve the soil. This method is costly and can be inaccurate, as the results are not in real-time. Tyndalls ground-breaking Electronic Smart System (ESS) sensor is buried in the soil and monitors nutrient levels in real time. The sensor connects to the Internet of Things (IoT) and uses cloud technology to collect and analyse the data, generating a report for the farmer. The report provides farmers with real-time insights into changing soil conditions, helping them to optimise fertiliser, reduce nutrient losses and environmental impacts. This project, which is funded by the VistaMilk Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre, is in line with the EUs Green Deal objectives and the EUs Farm-to-Fork strategy, which aims to reduce nutrient losses by 50% and address air, soil, and water pollution. It cant have been easy for a young Kathleen Funchion, 15 years ago, taking her seat on the (sadly, now-abolished) Kilkenny Borough Council. Since as far back as 1923, Sinn Fein had no council representative in Kilkenny. In the 1990s, it was Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour. In 1999, Sinn Fein did not run any candidate here. In 2003, they ran one in the city and one in South Kilkenny. Neither were successful. In 2009, Funchion polled 667 first preferences, and missed out on the council seat, eliminated on Count 8. She did, however, manage to win a seat on the 12-seat borough council. In a mostly-male environment among the larger party groupings, it was daunting but help came from nearby. It was definitely difficult, she told the Kilkenny People this week. But I genuinely remember people who were helpful and good to me. So, like the two Joes in particular (Fianna Fails Joe Reidy and Joe Malone). They were always helpful and very good, it was nice to have people willing to look out for you, and just colleagues. It has come a long way in one way, but there was nothing like those five years in the borough council; there was a range of so many things that came up. I really feel it was a forum where people worked. With Gerry Adams Fast forward 15 years, and Funchion has ascended higher than virtually all of her contemporaries. Last week, she made history and won the fifth seat in the Ireland South consituency for the European Parliament. She is the first Kilkenny MEP since Liam Aylward, and only the second woman from here after Phil Prendergast, whose political career was largely Tipperary-based. Its a significant achievement for the Callan-born Funchion, who could not herself have predicted such a career. Her election track record is one the speaks of persistence and tenacity rather than overnight success. She previously contested a European election in 2009, and was not successful. She fought for a Dail seat in 2007, 2011, and the 2015 by-election and each time missed out. In 2016, she made it over the line and won the seat. In 2020, she held onto that seat with a record-breaking, poll topping 17,493 first preference vote that stunned even the most optimistic of party forecasters. It is an election showing unlikely to be bettered by anyone anytime soon. She will continue with her TD duties for another month, and then on July 16 pick up her new portfolio. My plan is to be commuting obviously I will stay in Brussels a number of nights a week, she says. Its a Tuesday morning to Thursday evening, and theres one week where its Strasbourg Monday to Thursday. So thats my plan for now anyway, and see how doable it is. The idea of running for Europe was obviously a goal back in 2009, but the years have seen many changes. Obviously it was a very different time for me personally and politically. I was only elected for the first time that year to the council, she says. But I would have had an interest you see how much of our legislation comes from Europe, and the direction has changed big time. Its not as positive for people, maybe, as it was. She talks of the strides made and new legislation crafted in areas such as childcare, workers rights, and gender equality coming from Europe. Many areas are being squeezed, she feels. Europe is seen as a lot more of paperwork and bureaucracy, rules being imposed upon people. So I thought it was important for the South-East as a region to have a strong voice, and given the fact I have a number of years experience in the council at local level, and now at national level, chairing the cross-party childcare committee, particularly during difficult pieces like mother and baby homes. I thought that would all be good experience. From a personal point of view, my children are at a different age, so it would be a lot more doable. So all that combined to make me think now is the time. Theres no doubt that people who perhaps would not normally vote for Kathleen Funchion or Sinn Fein, did so this time because they saw a Kilkenny name and face on the ballot paper. With Carlows Cynthia Ni Murchu also winning an MEP seat, this constituency has two representatives going to Europe. So, given the nature of the role, is there any inherent value to having a local MEP? I would hope it would be good for this constituency, and the wider region of the South-East, she replies. What struck me during the campaign is there are lots of different groups, not only in Kilkenny community groups, the equivalent of Family Resource Centres, disability groups operating on shoestring budgets. Theres a lot of potential funding there we arent tapping into. On the wider thing, potential funding for the university, for research and development funding. That would obviously have an impact on the constituency. So I do think there are people who maybe saw the benefit in that and who decided to give me a chance. So I will have to work hard now for the next five years, and prove it was a good idea to do that. What would be a positive outcome from this term? I would like to see that we can actually see the direction of Europe kind of changing back to what it was originally supposed to be about. Even the name years ago, European Community, and I think its totally changed from that, Funchion says. On a more practical and local level, Id like to see the impact of my work if possible, for example, with funding streams, local groups. I know theres major issues in the fisheries communities, major issues for small farmers. That you might see changes positive changes in those fields as well. Sinn Fein has been critical of European Commision president Ursula Von der Leyen over a number of issues, including Palestine. Funchion is opposed to her doing another term, although the numbers may not be there to challenge that. Another issue may present in the steady gains made by the far right in this election. They definitely made some increases, but I dont think they made the gains they would have liked to have made, or some people might have feared, she says. But they are registering now definitely. And while I dont think it was as noticeable in Ireland, there are still some people who got significant votes in the European Elections who would have had a more rightwing agenda. So thats why we need, more than ever, strong common sense voices, and to bring that approach. Local elections Sinn Fein is coming off the back of a pretty bruising Local Elections. While 2019 was the nadir for the party here (going from three seats to none), 2024 was only marginally better. No, it definitely wasnt the result we were hoping for. I really was hopeful we would get one councillor in each of the local electoral areas. Weve never managed to achieve that the closest was 2014, when we had three, she says. The 2020 Dail poll topper admits she was extremely disappointed, but feels the eight people who went forward were great candidates, most of them first-time candidates. I suppose there are a number of things we need to look at. In Sinn Fein first of all, to ask ourselves why is that message not resonating? We seem to be able to resonate on a national governmental level, but it doesnt seem to trickle down to local, she says. She acknowledges it has been difficult for those newcomers, but encourages them to stay involved. Its fantastic we have Stephanie Doheny in. My own hometown of Callan really came out behind her; its her own town as well. With a General Election on the horizon, the plan for the party locally is to re-gather. There remains the matter of who will replace Kathleen Funchion in the Dail. They have held the seat now for eight years; Funchion the one constant for so long she is almost synonymous with the party here. They will be big boots to fill, if indeed they can be filled. Still, the party is hopeful of a good General Election, and optimistically, aim to be in Government, potentially. We will definitely have a candidate; in fact, we are genuinely hopeful of having two one in Kilkenny, and one for Carlow, she says. And there are a number of people there, but we have to actually sit down ourselves, first internally, and go through all that ourselves before saying anything publicly. But we do have a few ideas. The death occurred at his residence of Paddy Grant, Smithstown, Mullinavat on May 4. Paddy was born in Knockmoylan on October 31, 1931 to parents Richard and Mary (nee Darmody) Grant, Knockmoylan. The Grant family had been associated with that townsland for generations; they were farmers who took a keen interest in the life of the area. His mother Mary Darmody was from Crowbally, another family of long association and standing in the area. Paddy lived a very long and active life. Growing up in a farming family, he learned the old traits of farming life, of the interaction of the community of people that lived there, the different areas of work that one had to do from milking cows to look after animals, ploughing, sowing, reaping and keeping the cogs of machinery in working order. Workshop Paddy Grant went to Castlegannons two teacher school. After that he was like all young lads on their own, learning from others. Seeing tractors take over he learned about them and excelled; Paddys 1945 Fordson Tractor took him to many vintage events in the area and in the South-East. He learned to repair machinery and make parts in his extensive workshop. He learned to do electrical work and was a great man about water pumps. Together with his late wife Maura - they were married in 1964 - the couple enjoyed a great long life together. They travelled widely around Ireland and, with their son Richard, saw most of Ireland with their camper trailer. Paddy loved areas like Killarney, Mayo, in particular Knock and its shrine, West Cork, the Midlands and Donegal. He trained as a butcher and was employed by Clover Meats, Ferrybank for 27 years until its closure in the early 1980s. He travelled there in all weathers with his colleagues from Mullinavat and was highly thought of by staff and management. Afterwards he turned his attention to work with agricultural contractors and also took up a position with the CIE school bus service for a number of years and later for private hire companies. With Maura, a member of the Ryan family of Lismatigue, the couple danced in Knocktopher for over 30 years. They were familiar to the many people who attended Billy Carrolls dancing lounge. Paddy loved music and listening to local radio. Mauras passing in September 2021 left a great void in Paddys life. Religion was an important part of Paddys life. Fr Liam Barron, the celebrant of the Requiem Mass, cited this in a beautiful tribute to Paddy. He recalled him at all of the church ceremonies during the year and at the weekly mass. He also recalled Paddys long life and of his devotion to his wife Maura and to his son Richard. Vintage club Paddy was a member of the Mullinavat Rod Iron Vintage Club and of the Mullinavat Active Retirement Association. The local vintage club paid a great tribute to Paddy when they provided a guard of honour when his remains arrived in Mullinavat from Donnacha Doyles funeral home. Paddys love for Kilkenny hurling was great. He collected souvenirs from the matches he attended, with his workshop, up to the day of his passing, festooned with all of the memorabilia of great Kilkenny teams. Paddy leaves a rich body of work with his workshop, his farm and his tractors. In communicating with many, he enriched their lives and passed on valuable traits to them. His likes and his vast interests will be a hard act to follow. He was a pupil of the old school, of old and trusted farming methods that stood him in good stead throughout his long and healthy life. Paddys funeral and burial were attended by a large gathering from the sporting, business, farming and political worlds and the many different social clubs that Paddy was involved in. Among those in attendance were John McGuinness TD, John Paul Phelan TD, Cllr Joe Malone, Mayor of Kilkenny City and a native of Rosbercon, together with councillors Fidelis Doherty, Pat Dunphy, Tomas Breathnach, Andrew McGuinness and Pat Fitzpatrick. Celebrant of the Mass was Fr Liam Barron, PP, Mullinavat. Hymns and sacred music were provided by Mary Crosbie from Bunclody and included one of Paddys favourite songs, Our Lady of Knock. The readings were by Matthew Murphy (godson) and Noreen Reynolds. Prayers of the Faithful were read by Richard Walsh, Michael Murphy, Maria Heylin and Ann OCarroll. Gifts were presented by Eimear Grant, Cormac Reynolds, Jimmy Grant, Sinead Grant, Aoibhe Keane, Dearbhla Keane and Eoin Grant. The narrator was Richard Grant, Knockmoylan. Paddy was predeceased by his wife Maura and his sisters Anastasia Kinsella, Knockhouse and Kathleen (Kitty) Roche, Skeard. He is survived by his son Richard (Peace Commissioner), Smithstown; brother Jimmy Grant and his wife Mary in Knockmoylan; Tommy, Matthew and Nicholas Murphy from Lismatigue. Ar dheis Di ar a anam - SM The local business community was out in force on Thursday to attend a Waterford Chamber business event at the Port of Waterford in Belview, Kilkenny. Guests were welcomed by the Chairman of the Port John Treacey and treated to a tour of the activity port side and enjoyed some insights into the latest success at the Kilkenny port and upcoming business developments from the Port CEO David Sinnott. The history of Waterford City and the history of the port are closely linked and for 900 of those 1100 years, the port was the economic engine of the city, said Mr Sinnott. Considering recent announcements and the release of DMAPS for offshore wind development, the link between the city, the region and the port will become even more intrinsically linked for the next 100 years. Mr Sinnott focused on three main points during his speech, the importance of the close ties between the agribusiness community in the region and the port, and the fact that the port facilitates the import of more than one million tonnes of raw material for the South-East dairy industry each year. The increasing use of the port by businesses ensures the delivery of a 27% carbon reduction for businesses who use container shipping via the Port of Waterford versus using Dublin Port. The port closes the loop on transport emissions ensuring a sustainable-friendly journey in the locality. In 2023, 94% of all the export containers that left the Port of Waterford were from four South-East counties - Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford and Carlow, Mr Sinnott said. I thank the businesses behind these containers who already make that 27% carbon saving for us all and I hope to double the number of export containers from the Southeast shortly Id very much like to feel the pressure from businesses in the region to deliver new the shipping routes to make this happen. In addition, Mr Sinnott outlined the future strategic vision and port masterplan. PRIORTISED Within that master plan, we have prioritised the infrastructure needed to get the Port ORE ready, he said. We are pleased to be part of the South East Offshore Taskforce and I am pleased that this task force has commissioned a study that will highlight the economic benefit for the area. Speaking on the potential economic impact for the region from the Offshore wind farm development, Mr Sinnott said: Lets consider just two of the areas on the DMAP being built out. Each wind farm will cost 4 to 5 billion to build; following commissioning it will operate for 25 to 30 years. If the right Port facilities are in place relevant industries will be located in Port areas. Imagine if just 5% of the total cost was to be spent locally that would equate to 200 million of an additional economic stimulus for the region. If two wind farms were to be built out, you could more than double this figure. That is the equivalent of three North Quays projects. "I believe it would have a transformational impact on the regional economy and the city of Waterford for the of a million people who will be living around here by 2040. Also speaking at the event President of Waterford Chamber Niall Harrington said: Waterford Port is progressing with the expansion and development of the port and port-related activity. The initial expansion will require 17m of investment that will allow for port activity growth. "Waterford Chamber sees the business potential of the Port of Waterford, whereby off-shore wind production in the Celtic Seas could transform the port into the equivalent of what Aberdeen is to North Sea oil. As part of the South East Off Shore Wind Task Group, we can see exactly how Waterford and our region, in collaboration with our port, can create an enduring sustainable business opportunity that will underpin the regions economy and GDP. "When you factor in the spin-off potential, from an educational and research perspective around a green energy hub, with the development of alternative fuels etc, the opportunity is enormous and one we must, as a region, strive to grasp," he said. He said the ask from the Government is the initial 17 million of investment to expand the port as planned. Kaleida Health is planning to develop a new psychiatric emergency program at Olean General Hospital, which would improve access to mental health services in Cattaraugus County and fit into efforts to bolster the ailing and under-resourced behavioral health care system. And the project is getting a big boost from the state. Olean General landed $5 million in state funding to add a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, which will provide services to people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The funds are part of an expansive $1 billion effort to fix the mental health care system statewide. A major part of that plan, which was born out of last years state budget talks, is adding needed resources in underserved regions. I would say the need in the community, as well as the surrounding communities in other counties, is high, said Mary H. OLeary, director of the Department of Community Services in Cattaraugus County. So I would say that CPEP is an incredibly positive addition to our community. The planned unit, which is part of a larger Emergency Department project at Olean General, would add another CPEP to Western New York. The regions largest is at Erie County Medical Center, a 24/7 unit that sees an average of 25 patients per day and has an extended observation unit, mobile crisis outreach and childrens services, including an inpatient adolescent unit. It is the lone safety-net mental health emergency department in the Buffalo Niagara region, aside from a much smaller unit at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Its possible that adding another CPEP to Western New York could alleviate some pressure on ECMCs overburdened unit, which can get overwhelmed and lead some patients to wait more than a day to receive care. Buffalo's lone mental health ER overwhelmed as patients, families question conditions The Buffalo News interviewed several patients in recent weeks who painted a stark portrait of what they experienced at ECMC's Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program. Last year, 9,470 patients presented to ECMCs CPEP, with 128 of them or 1.4% coming from Cattaraugus County, said ECMC spokesperson Peter Cutler. Any additional state-supported emergency psychiatric services to patients in our community will help meet the significant, and sometimes overwhelming, mental health patient demand, Cutler said. We also thank our partners at Kaleida Health for recognizing this demand and taking action to meet the needs of residents in the Olean area. A big project at Olean General The new psychiatric emergency program at Olean General is one part of a broader emergency department project that Kaleida has planned for the aging hospital. While the CPEP project is about $6 million mostly covered by the recent $5 million award from the state Kaleida also has submitted a separate $17 million grant application through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program to overhaul its Emergency Department at Olean General. It will significantly improve the flow and the space of the Emergency Department at Olean, said Don Boyd, president and CEO of Kaleida. That space is older, and it hasnt been touched and renovated as health care has changed. Boyd said Kaleida expects to find out whether the larger grant will be awarded later this year. The outcome could determine if and when Olean General is able to move forward with the new CPEP. The two go hand in hand, he said. We cant really do one without the other. As part of the renovated Emergency Department, Boyd said the CPEP project would call for the creation of two units: one for adolescents (up to 18 years old) and one for adults. As the need for mental health services has increased, Boyd said it made sense for Kaleida to include a CPEP as part of the broader Emergency Department project. He referenced a recent community needs assessment report, which found the percentage of adults in Cattaraugus County who reported poor mental health for at least 14 days in the past month was higher than the statewide percentage. If you review that community needs assessment and community health improvement plan, what it found was a need for expanded emergency mental health services, Boyd said. A safety net OLeary has high hopes for a CPEP at Olean General and the role it can play in Cattaraugus County. For one, she noted there are no childrens psychiatric beds in Cattaraugus County, which means children who arrive to an emergency room can sit and wait for a long time. Adults who present to an emergency room in need of stabilization, OLeary said, also can hit roadblocks if there are no beds available or if theyre not in imminent risk and not meeting the criteria for admission. If they are released from the hospital, that can leave officials scrambling to try to get services set up to help stabilize the patient. CPEP provides psychiatric services to those experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including people with co-occurring disorders and substance use disorders. The program, which receives referrals from providers, emergency medical services, police transport and walk-ins, involves an initial screening and then an assessment to determine a persons mental health care needs. A CPEP also can admit patients for up to 72 hours if they need extended observation. OLeary sees a CPEP at Olean General as acting as a crucial safety net in the mental health care system. The program, she said, should help reconnect patients to the care and services they need and also strengthen referrals and collaborations with community agencies. I think thatll be a really wonderful thing about the CPEP, she said. A larger state focus Olean General was one of nine community hospitals to get a piece of $39 million in state funding to develop a new CPEP. Once the nine new units are open, there will be 31 CPEPs statewide, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an announcement last week. Expanding hospital-based psychiatric emergency programs is a critical component of our efforts to strengthen New York States mental health care system, Hochul said in a statement. This funding will provide community-based hospitals with capital to establish new programs, so they can quickly evaluate and provide care to anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Could Hochul's $1B plan help fix the state's mental health system? WNY providers express optimism Hochul unveiled several health care proposals in her 277-page State of the State Book released Tuesday, but the focus on the mental health system was by far the headline within a health care industry facing major challenges. The nine conditional awards, which will be administered by the state Office of Mental Health, went to five hospitals in New York City and four facilities in upstate New York. In addition to Olean General, Arnot Ogden Hospital in Chemung County and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in St. Lawrence County each got $4.8 million and Faxton St. Lukes Healthcare in Oneida County received about $493,000. The funding is part of Hochuls $1 billion plan to bolster the states mental health care system. The plan, unveiled during last years state budget talks, includes $60 million in capital funding and nearly $122 million in operating funding to expand outpatient services across the state. Part of that money is going toward establishing 12 new CPEP units. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Cheektowaga gunman pleads guilty to 5 felony counts in pawn shop holdup A holdup man who exchanged gunfire with Cheektowaga pawn shop employees during a robbery attempt has pleaded guilty to five felony counts, acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced. Jaquail A. Yamani, 30, of Cheektowaga, entered pleas before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to two counts of first-degree attempted robbery and single counts of first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree attempted robbery. Prosecutors said the incident occurred when Yamani attempted to pawn a laptop computer and a Bluetooth speaker at the shop in the 1100 block of Walden Avenue about 4 p.m. on May 1, 2023. As the items were being examined, prosecutors said, Yamani held a gun to the head of a store employee, who pushed the weapon away, went to the back of the store and pulled out his own gun. Yamani, an unidentified accomplice, the employee and a co-worker then exchanged several rounds of gunfire. The store employees were not injured, prosecutors said, but Yamani later that day sought treatment for a gunshot wound at St. Vincents Hospital in Erie, Pa. He remains held without bail and faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 9. Dale Anderson On a lazy summer weekend a year ago, Russia was jolted by the stunning news of an armed uprising. The swaggering chief of a Kremlin-sponsored mercenary army seized a military headquarters in the south and began marching toward Moscow to oust the Defense Ministrys leaders, accusing them of starving his force of ammunition in Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin and his soldiers-for-hire called off their march of justice only hours later, but the rebellion dealt a blow to President Vladimir Putin, the most serious challenge to his rule in nearly a quarter-century in power. Prigozhins motives are still hotly debated, and the suspicious crash of the private jet that killed him and his top lieutenants exactly two months after the rebellion remains mired in mystery. A look at the mutiny and its impact: Prigozhin, an ex-convict, owned a fancy restaurant in St. Petersburg where Putin took foreign leaders. That earned Prigozhin the nicknamed of Putins chef. Those ties won him lucrative government contracts, including catering for Kremlin events and providing meals and services to the military. He founded the Wagner Group, a private military contractor, in 2014, using it to advance Russia's political interests and clout by deploying mercenaries to Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic and elsewhere. Wagner fighters provided security for African leaders or warlords, often in exchange for a share of gold mines or other natural resources. Prigozhin gained attention in the U.S., where he and a dozen other Russians were indicted by the Justice Department for creating the Internet Research Agency a troll farm that focused on interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The case was later dropped. After Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022, Wagner emerged as one of the most capable of Moscows fighting forces. It played a key role in capturing the eastern stronghold of Bakhmut in May 2023. Prigozhin was allowed by the Kremlin to swell Wagner's ranks with convicts, who were offered amnesty after serving six months on the front line. He said 50,000 were recruited, and 10,000 of them died in the ferocious battle for Bakhmut. The war added to Wagner's reputation for brutality. In a video that surfaced in November 2022, a former Wagner mercenary who allegedly defected to the Ukrainian side but later was captured by Russia, was shown being beaten to death with a sledgehammer, the mercenary group's symbol. For months in 2023, Prigozhin complained bitterly about the military brass denying his forces the needed ammunition in Ukraine. In open political infighting, he blasted then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov in profane rants on social media, blaming them for military setbacks and accusing them of corruption. The Defense Ministry's order for Wagner to sign contracts with the regular military appeared to be the final trigger for Prigozhin's extraordinary rebellion on June 23-24. His mercenaries swiftly took over Russias southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, reportedly hoping to capture Shoigu and Gerasimov. But they weren't there. Prigozhin ordered his forces to roll toward Moscow, saying it wasn't a military coup but a "march of justice to unseat his foes. The mercenaries downed several military aircraft en route, killing over a dozen pilots. Security forces in Moscow went on alert and checkpoints were set up on the southern outskirts. At the height of the crisis, Putin went on TV and called the rebellion by his onetime protege a betrayal and treason. He vowed to punish those behind it. But Prigozhin abruptly aborted the march hours later in an amnesty deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The mercenary forces were offered a choice of moving to Belarus, retiring from service or signing contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry. Prigozhin later said he launched the uprising after he lost his temper in the infighting with his foes. Some commentators said he apparently hoped to persuade Putin to take his side against the military brass a grave miscalculation. On Aug. 23, two months to the day after the rebellion, a business jet carrying Prigozhin, 62, and his top associates crashed while flying from Moscow to St. Petersburg, killing all seven passengers and a crew of three. State investigators have yet to say what caused the crash. A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded there was an intentional explosion on board. Western officials pointed to a long list of Putin foes who have been assassinated. The Kremlin has denied involvement and rejected Western allegations that Putin was behind it as an absolute lie. Prigozhin was buried in his hometown of St. Petersburg in a private ceremony. Several thousand Wagner mercenaries moved to a camp in Belarus after the mutiny. Soon after Prigozhin's death, most left that country to sign contracts with the Russian military to redeploy to Africa or return to fighting in Ukraine. Only a handful stayed in Belarus to train its military. Russian authorities formed a Wagner successor, Africa Corps , using it to expand military cooperation with countries there. Moscow has emerged as the security partner of choice for a number of African governments, displacing traditional allies like France and the United States. Elements of Wagner and other private security companies continue to operate in Ukraine under the control of the Defense Ministry and the Russian National Guard. Despite the spectacular demise of Prigozhin himself and the problems that Wagner got itself into as a result of that, the model the idea of a private company profiting from this war is one that is attractive to a lot of people in Russia, said Sam Greene of the Center for European Policy Analysis. Prigozhins demise sent a chilling message to Russia's elites, helping Putin contain the damage to his authority inflicted by the rebellion. A crackdown continued on his political foes, with many either fleeing the country or ending up in prison. His biggest opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic penal colony in February. In a stage-managed election in March, Putin won another six-year term. In a subsequent Cabinet shakeup, Putin dismissed Prigozhins archfoe, Shoigu, as defense minister, replacing him with Andrei Belousov, an economics expert. Shoigu, who had personal ties with Putin, was given the high-profile post of secretary of Russias Security Council. If Shoigus new job had been too junior, it would have been humiliating, and could have triggered such criticism of the outgoing minister as to highlight the armys weaknesses: something to be avoided in wartime, Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said in a commentary. At the same time, Shoigu's entourage faced purges. A longtime associate and deputy, Timur Ivanov, and several other senior military officers were arrested on corruption charges, and other senior Defense Ministry officials lost their jobs. Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff and another Prigozhin foe, has kept his job so far. Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who reportedly had close ties with Prigozhin, was stripped of his post as deputy commander of forces in Ukraine and given a ceremonial position. Surovikin, credited with creating the multilayered defensive lines and fortifications that blunted Ukraines offensive a year ago, wasnt dismissed altogether, and some observers suggest he could eventually be given a new military post. (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and reaffirmed the "vital" importance of the Seoul-Washington alliance during phone talks with his South Korean counterpart, Friday, according to his spokesperson. The call between Blinken and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul came after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty on cooperation in defence and other areas during their summit in Pyongyang, Wednesday. "The secretary condemned deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including ongoing arms transfers that violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, and reaffirmed the vital importance of the ironclad U.S.-ROK alliance in promoting peace, security, and prosperity around the world," Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, said in a statement. ROK and DPRK stand for the official names of South Korea and North Korea, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, respectively. Blinken thanked Cho for Seoul's continued support for Ukraine while the two sides agreed to continue working together to address the "complex and evolving" security challenges posed by the North, as well as to support peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to Miller. This week's summit between Putin and Kim has been a major source of concern for both Seoul and Washington due to its implications for regional and global security. (Yonhap) A deepening military relationship between North Korea and Russia could be a factor pushing South Korea to consider seeking its own nuclear program, a former U.S. official said Friday, amid growing concerns about the security implications of this week's summit between the two countries. Allison Hooker, former senior director for Asia at the National Security Council, made the remarks after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a summit in Pyongyang, Wednesday, in a show of their burgeoning military cooperation. Putin and Kim signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty that included an article calling for one side to provide military assistance to the other "without delay" in the case of an armed invasion. "I think we cannot rule out the fact that South Korea continues to move, maybe more rapidly, toward its own nuclear program. And we have to figure out how we feel about that in the U.S. and the alliance context as well," she said during a webinar hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute. "But I think this definitely, the deepening relationship with Russia kind of pushes them in that direction," she added. Hooker also said that the growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow elevates the importance of the alliance between Seoul and Washington, and heightens concerns about what would happen to the alliance after the U.S. presidential election in November. "It just increases uncertainty," she said. "We are already living in a very uncertain, intense world, but I think this just adds to it." Daniel Russel, a former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, cast the latest developments in relations between the North and Russia as a "serious setback" for Chinese interests. "It gives Kim much more room to maneuver, makes it easier for him to disregard Chinese interests," he said. "A North Korea that has more impunity, that has more running room just isn't going to be responsive to Beijing's preferences." Since last year, the Putin-Kim partnership has seen a significant rise. Washington has revealed that the North has supplied Russia with munitions and other weapons for use in Ukraine, while in return, Pyongyang has been seeking assistance to help advance its weapons programs. (Yonhap) The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) arrived at a naval port in the southeastern city of Busan on Saturday, the Navy said, in a show of force against evolving North Korean threats emboldened by the North's deepening military cooperation with Russia. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the Carrier Strike Group 9 entered the naval base in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, early Saturday, joined by the Aegis-equipped destroyer USS Halsey and the USS Daniel Inouye, according to the Navy. It marked the first arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier in South Korea in seven months since the USS Carl Vinson's visit in November. It also marked the first port call in Busan by the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which took part in a trilateral naval exercise among South Korea, the United States and Japan in April. Saturday's arrival came as the three countries are expected to hold their first-ever trilateral multidomain exercise, dubbed the Freedom Edge, later this month amid joint efforts to bolster security cooperation against North Korean threats. Speaking at a public event, Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of Carrier Strike Group Nine, highlighted that the Freedom Edge drill is aimed at enhancing tactical capabilities, improving interoperability and being capable of responding to contingencies in the area. He pointed out that the exercise is not intended to send a message with relation to the growing security risks amid the recent development in relations between Russia and North Korea, saying it is part of the regular and routine drills. The three sides agreed to launch the exercise during their three-way talks held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference earlier this month. It takes its name from key bilateral exercises the U.S. holds with the Asian neighbors Freedom Shield with South Korea and Keen Edge with Japan. Under the agreement, the exercise will take place across various domains, including air, maritime, underwater and cyber. It also comes as relations between North Korea and Russia are feared to further strengthen after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact pledging mutual defense in the event of war during a summit in Pyongyang on Wednesday. The Navy said the latest visit was conducted to carry out the "ironclad" U.S. extended deterrence commitment and display the robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and will for stern response against evolving North Korean threats. (Yonhap) A Korean Air plane bound for Taiwan's central city of Taichung returned to Incheon due to defects, the airline said Saturday. The plane, which departed from Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, at 4:45 p.m. with 125 passengers on board, detected a problem with its pressurization system in the skies over South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju 50 minutes into its flight. This system is responsible for regulating the internal pressure of an aircraft. The plane returned to its departing airport at 7:38 p.m. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 15 passengers suffered from eardrum pain and hyperventilation during the descent. Among them, 13 were taken to a hospital. No serious injuries have been reported. Korean Air said it plans to use another plane to take off again at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, approximately 19 hours later than the original schedule. (Yonhap) ALBANY Gov. Kathy Hochul will decide the fate of a bill intended to simplify joint bank accounts in New York State and safeguard inheritances handed down from senior citizens and the developmentally disabled. The proposed law would eliminate the states longstanding moiety rule that immediately and unconditionally gifts each holder of a joint bank account 50% ownership of any money deposited into the account. Backers of the legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, and Sen. James Sanders, D-Queens contend that the 1965-era rule is antiquated and leads to extensive litigation. Biden, Hochul yield lowest-ever results in new poll A new Siena College poll released Thursday revealed lowest-ever ratings for President Biden and Gov. Kathy Hochul with more than half of sampled voters saying they believe the country and state are headed in the wrong direction. Joint account holders have a presumption of survivorship upon the death of one account holder, assets transfer to the surviving holder. That holds more weight than a decedents will in governing the disposal of funds. But sponsors say banks do not effectively distinguish between a person appointed as an agent to merely handle the account and an account holder, which can lead assets to be granted to that agent over the rightful beneficiary or heir, according to a memo detailing the justification for the bill. Senior citizens and the developmentally disabled are particularly at risk, the memo said, because they often use agents to make bank transactions as a convenience. It said the moiety rule can also unfairly entangle an account holder in judgments brought against the other account holder. Under the new law, banks would provide signature cards to all holders of bank accounts with two or more owners to clearly identify their status as owners, identify any authorized signers of the account and how the money should be distributed upon the death of an account holder. All owners must agree on any authorized account signer and whether upon death their money should be earmarked for their estates or other account holders. A sample of a card that Wallace displayed stated: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT LEGAL DOCUMENT. THE SELECTIONS BELOW WILL DETERMINE WHO OWNS THE FUNDS IN THIS ACCOUNT AND HOW SUCH FUNDS WILL PASS UPON THE DEATH OF AN ACCOUNT OWNER. YOU MAY WISH TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY. The legislation is for banks and credit unions subject to state oversight regulation, but is expected to be expanded to include all banks, Wallace said. This legislation will protect folks by ensuring that ownership and inheritance rights associated with a bank account are clearly set for when an account is opened, Wallace said. By requiring banks to use a standardized form, this legislation will eliminate the injustice and heartbreak that courts have seen occur, especially when seniors add another person on the bank account for convenience without realizing that theyve just given that person half the money in their account. Under the legislation, account holders would possess funds based on their own contribution to the account; they no longer would automatically reap 50% interest in their fellow account holders funds. On June 6, while arguing on behalf of the bill on the Senate floor, Sanders told the story of what he said can go wrong in opening a joint account. Sanders explained that when one of his distant relatives became ill, the daughter of the mans longtime girlfriend tried to pay the relatives bills. After the relative died, Sanders said, the girlfriends daughter decided to keep all of the mans money. She would not even give money to help bury him and it was a sizable amount, the senator said. And the lawyers were saying that they wont be able to get this money from her. ... Thats the situation that we have now and thats what were trying to address. Hochul signs new law inspired by deadly capsizing in Lockport Cave The law will allow the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to regulate commercial tourism boats in caves. Sanders said under the bill, bank customers could make it clear on the signature card that the other person on the account would not be entitled to money when they die. Sen. George Borrello, a Chautauqua County Republican, questioned what would happen to existing joint accounts in the state. Sanders said under a good faith effort, banks would have to make two attempts to notify customers notifying them about the law change and allow them to update their information. The bill passed the Assembly 92 to 49. It passed the Senate 40 to 21. Among the Western New York delegation, Wallace and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, voted for the bill as did Assembly Members William Conrad, Karen McMahon, Jonathan Rivera and Patrick Burke and Sen. Sean Ryan, all Democrats. Assembly Members Angelo Morinello, Michael Norris, David DiPietro, Andy Goodell and Joseph Giglio voted against the bill as did Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and Senators Patrick Gallivan, George Borrello. Matthew Janiszewski, a spokesman for the governor, said Hochul would review the bill. U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has welcomed Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group's acquisition of a U.S. shipbuilder as a "game-changing" milestone, as he stressed the need to strengthen America's shipbuilding capabilities amid its intensifying competition with China. Hanwha Group said that it has invested $100 million in Philly Shipyard to acquire a 100 percent stake in the U.S. shipbuilder, marking the first entry of a South Korean company into the U.S. shipbuilding industry. "Hanwha's acquisition of Philly Shipyard is a game-changing milestone in our new Maritime Statecraft. This will bring good paying union jobs to Philadelphia, a city with a 250-year relationship with the U.S. Navy," he said in a statement posted on the Navy's website on Thursday. "Knowing how they will change the competitive U.S. shipbuilding landscape. I could not be more excited to welcome Hanwha as the first Korean shipbuilder to come to American shoresand I am certain they will not be the last," he added. During a speech at Harvard University in September, Toro unveiled the pursuit of a new maritime statecraft, which he said encompasses not only naval diplomacy, but a national, whole-of-government effort to build comprehensive U.S. and allied maritime power, according to his office. Founded in 1997, Philly Shipyard is a subsidiary of Aker ASA, a Norwegian industrial investment company. It constructs not only large commercial vessels, including tankers and container ships, but also training vessels for the U.S. Maritime Administration. Hanwha Group said it plans to utilize Philly Shipyard's largest dry dock for shipbuilding, maintenance, repair and operations, tapping into the U.S. naval market, which is in need of additional shipbuilding facilities due to a production shortage for the Navy's fleet. (Yonhap) A French-Chinese satellite blasted off Saturday on a hunt for the mightiest explosions in the universe, in a notable example of cooperation between a Western power and the Asian giant. Developed by engineers from both countries, the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) will seek out gamma-ray bursts, the light from which has traveled billions of light years to reach Earth. The 930-kilogram satellite carrying four instruments two French, two Chinese took off around 3:00 p.m. aboard a Chinese Long March 2-C rocket from a space base in Xichang, in the southwestern province of Sichuan, AFP journalists witnessed. Gamma-ray bursts generally occur after the explosion of huge stars those more than 20 times as big as the sun- or the fusion of compact stars. The extremely bright cosmic beams can give off a blast of energy equivalent to over a billion billion suns. Observing them is like "looking back in time, as the light from these objects takes a long time to reach us," Ore Gottlieb, an astrophysicist at the Flatiron Institute's Center for Astrophysics in New York, told AFP. The rays carry traces of the gas clouds and galaxies they pass through on their journey through space valuable data for better understanding the history and evolution of the universe. "SVOM has the potential to unravel several mysteries in the field of (gamma-ray bursts), including detecting the most distant GRBs in the universe, which correspond to the earliest GRBs," Gottlieb said. The most distant bursts identified to date were produced just 630 million years after the Big Bang when the universe was in its infancy. "We are... interested in gamma-ray bursts for their own sake, because they are very extreme cosmic explosions which allow us to better understand the death of certain stars," said Frederic Daigne, an astrophysicist at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris. "All of this data makes it possible to test the laws of physics with phenomena that are impossible to reproduce in the laboratory on Earth." Once analysed, the data could help to better understand the composition of space, the dynamics of gas clouds or other galaxies. The project stems from a partnership between the French and Chinese space agencies as well as other scientific and technical groups from both nations. Space cooperation at this level between the West and China is fairly uncommon, especially since the United States banned all collaboration between NASA and Beijing in 2011. "U.S. concerns on technology transfer have inhibited U.S. allies from collaborating with the Chinese very much, but it does happen occasionally," said Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the United States. In 2018, China and France jointly launched CFOSAT, an oceanographic satellite mainly used in marine meteorology. And several European countries have taken part in China's Chang'e lunar exploration programme. So while SVOM is "by no means unique," it remains "significant" in the context of space collaboration between China and the West, said McDowell. Once in orbit 625 kilometres (388 miles) above the Earth, the satellite will send its data back to observatories. The main challenge is that gamma-ray bursts are extremely brief, leaving scientists in a race against time to gather information. Once it detects a burst, SVOM will send an alert to a team on duty around the clock. Within five minutes, they will have to rev up a network of telescopes on the ground that will align precisely with the axis of the burst's source to make more detailed observations. (AFP) Cha Eun Woo's styling at Paris Fashion Week received mixed reactions from fans and netizens. On June 21, netizens gathered in an online community titled, "Cha Eun Woo's Getty Images At DIOR Today At Paris Fashion Week." The author uploaded several Getty photos showing the idol posing at the highly anticipated DIOR's Men Summer 25 Fashion Show. The photos featured the idol wearing a brown leather jacket, which was combined with a grey top as the interior, and a pair of grey shorts and high black socks. Cha Eunwoo receives divided opinion on his Dior show's outfithttps://t.co/G55XoNqkua pic.twitter.com/vL5vUV0CzU June 21, 2024 While Cha Eun Woo's charming visuals impressed netizens as usual, the styling didn't make the cut for many. In the comments section, netizens were frustrated with DIOR for the styling, while others commended the idol for still emitting charisma despite the fit. Meanwhile, some pointed out Cha Eun Woo's tired expression. Read their comments below: "No, but his face is more of a treasure than a national treasure." "His face looks so tired and what's up with that outfit? No but why would you make him wear that, huh? That's the worst outfit I've seen him in." "He's handsome but why do his eyes look different? What is it?" "Hobo-looking clothes, plus, the way those photos are shot was so bad, but Cha Eun Woo made it work." "Those f**king clothes." They made Cha Eun Woo look 170." "I'll just look at the face." "Everyone is looking at the clothes? I'm only looking at his face "His face still saved the hobo-looking outfit." In a separate platform, international AROHAs agreed with the mixed feedback regarding Cha Eun Woo's styling at the fashion show. Meanwhile, some were more concerned regarding his health. Others simply vented towards DIOR's styling for the idol and remarked that the outfit can't be "saved" even by someone captivating like Cha Eun Woo. "Let's just ignore whatever that is the lower part of his look and keep focus on the face. He looks tired af though, he's been on a fan-con tour and doing brand jobs back to back." "He just landed and then went to the show straight away of course he looks tired his schedule is no joke either." "You know the outfit sucks when even Cha Eun Woo can't save it." "He looks so tired, I'm actually worried for him." "What's with this? Only the jacket looks decent." "What the hell, Dior." "Boy needs sleep. burn those shorts." "It's like he has no life behind his eyes anymore." "Dior and Channel make me question why they are luxury brands seeing the designs." "A face like that needs better outfits to match, Dior needs to pay him extra having his face try to carry these outfits." What are your thoughts on Cha Eun Woo's outfit? Let us know in the comments below! For more intriguing K-pop news and exciting updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ASTRO Cha Eun Woo Has People Swooning Over His Looks At Chaumet Event: 'Appoint Him As National Treasure' KpopStarz owns this article Written by Israel Monte The lyrics of NewJeans's Japanese debut single, "Supernatural," are drawing mixed reactions online. On June 21, NewJeans officially made their Japanese debut with the release of the double single, "Supernatural." Prior to this, they had unveiled the music video for the B-side track, "Right Now." Both songs are tailored for the Japanese market, and following their release, NewJeans is scheduled to host their first fan meeting at Tokyo Dome. The strategic push into Japan by one of K-pop's leading girl groups has sparked considerable anticipation among music enthusiasts. "Supernatural" showcases a vivid street-style aesthetic that resonates with NewJeans' signature Y2K vibe, showcasing their youthful and dynamic image. Min Hee Jin, the group's CEO, opted for straightforward visual storytelling for the debut, emphasizing the group's vibrant energy. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Is NewJeans 'Supernatural' MV Their Best Yet? Here's What Netizens Are Saying Musically, the lead single "Supernatural" incorporates New Jack Swing elements, echoing the retro feel that NewJeans is known for. The track starts with a melody reminiscent of "Attention," the song that initially kick-started NewJeans into the spotlight. It has been two years since NewJeans' official debut, and now they can cross a huge milestone off their list: breaking into the Japanese music scene. "Supernatural" draws inspiration from classic J-pop, a strategic choice for NewJeans as they navigate this new market. Despite meticulous planning in both music and visual presentation, NewJeans' venture into Japan has not been without controversy. Following the release of "Supernatural", the song's lyrics came under scrutiny. Despite being aimed at the Japanese market, the song unusually blends English, Korean, and Japanese lyrics, with English dominating at 65%, followed by Korean and a minimal portion in Japanese. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: ADOR & Krafton To Take Action Against The Sexualization of NewJeans in PUBG Following Collaboration This unusual mix of languages has puzzled fans and critics alike, as K-pop groups typically release fully Japanese tracks when promoting in Japan. With "Supernatural", however, ADOR seems to be targeting a broader audience by keeping a significant portion of the lyrics in English, presumably to cater to international fans and media. However, this approach risks diluting the focus on the Japanese market and could potentially alienate local listeners. Additionally, the musical quality of "Supernatural" has been critiqued for lacking innovation and failing to make a strong impression. CHECK THIS OUT: NewJeans School Uniform Airport Fashion Draws Mixed Reaction: Is It Inappropriate? Despite these challenges, NewJeans has achieved notable success on streaming platforms. As of the afternoon of June 21, "Supernatural" ranked at number 7 on Line Music, Japan's largest streaming service, and the "Right Now" music video topped Line Musics trending video charts. In South Korea, "Supernatural" debuted at number 17 on Genie and number 34 on MelOn, which are impressive positions for a release primarily aimed at the Japanese market. However, compared to their overwhelming success in 2023, the response to NewJeans' latest release shows a noticeable dip in domestic popularity, highlighting the competitive and ever-evolving nature of the K-pop industry. What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below! IN OTHER NEWJEANS NEWS: NewJeans Characters in PUBG Used for Shocking Harassment: K-Netz Explode KpopStarz Owns This Written by Alexa Lopez A 3-year-old boy was killed Friday night and his 7-year-old sister was injured following a shooting on Domedion Avenue, police said. The shooting happened about 9:30 p.m. at an outdoor gathering, Buffalo police spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge said in a statement. Both children were taken to hospitals, DeGeorge said. The boy was declared deceased at Erie County Medical Center. His sister was grazed by gunfire and is being treated at Oishei Children's Hospital. Police will give an update on their investigation into the shooting later today. DeGeorge said anyone with information can call or text Buffalo police's tip line at 716-847-2255. New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) The Centre on Friday operationalised a stringent law that aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations and entails provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders. Nearly four months after President Dropadi Murmu gave assent to The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the Personnel Ministry on Friday night issued a notification, saying the provisions of the law will come into force from June 21. Also Read | Virander Paul Dies: India's Ambassador to Turkey Passes Away After Prolonged Illness. The move assumes significance amid a raging row over UGC-NET, 2024, exam's question paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday registered a case to probe the question paper leak of the exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Opposition parties have also alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG, the results of which were announced by NTA on June 4. Also Read | International Yoga Day 2024: PM Narendra Modi Urges All To Make Yoga Part of Life; CJI DY Chandrachud Stresses Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of June, 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force," reads the notification. The notification of the Act comes just a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was asked when the legislation would be implemented. The minister had said the law ministry was framing the rules. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 9. The Lok Sabha passed it on February 6. President Murmu gave approval to the bill on February 12, turning it into a law. The Act aims to prevent unfair means in the public examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the railways, banking recruitment examinations and the National Testing Agency (NTA) among others. It has provisions for a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to curb cheating and those involved in organised crimes of cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore. Before this legislation, there was no specific substantive law to deal with unfair means adopted or offences committed by various entities involved in the conduct of public examinations by the central government and its agencies. The Act is aimed at preventing organised gangs and institutions that are involved in unfair means for monetary gains and protects candidates from its provisions, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh had said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 22 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised on the extensive collaboration between India and Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina's two-day state visit and said agreements signed today show the breadth of the bonds, from seas to space, digital, green, and health, military, rail, and disaster. Jaishankar also expressed confidence in the continued strengthening of the partnership under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina. Also Read | Arzoo Kazmi Faces Threat: Pakistani Journalist Voices Safety Concerns Within Her Homeland Amid Threats, View Post . The Bangladesh PM arrived in India on Friday on a two-day State visit at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1804461766887535051 Also Read | Sheikh Hasinas India Visit: Bangladesh PM Calls on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi (See Pics and Videos). "The agreements signed today show the breadth of our bonds. From seas to space, digital, green and health, military, rail, and disaster, our two countries are collaborating across all avenues of human endeavor. Confident that under PM @narendramodi and PM Sheikh Hasina's leadership will keep growing from strength to strength," S Jaishankar said on X. Further Jaishankar underscored the robust and accelerating ties between both nations and stated that Sheikh Hasina's visit reflects the depth of their friendship citing it as 'Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri.' "Today's State visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reflects the depth of the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri. That PM Hasina is the first State guest in our new term shows the importance we attach to the relationship," EAM said in a post on X. "As PM @narendramodi said, Bangladesh lies at the intersection of our Neighbourhood First, Act East, SAGAR, and Indo-Pacific policies. Being truly good neighbours, our ties are consolidating traditional areas and covering new ground," he added. Following this, some announcements were also made, which included India's initiative to start an e-medical visa facility for Bangladesh nationals coming to India for medical treatment India will also open a new consulate in Rangpur, Bangladesh, to facilitate services for people in the north-west region of the country and a new bus service between Chittagong and Kolkata, a new train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata, Joint Technical Committee for discussions on renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty, Commencement of export of 40 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through Indian grid etc Earlier this morning, Sheikh Hasina was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was followed by a visit to Rajghat topay respects to Mahatma Gandhi. PM Modi and PM Hasina also held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House today and after that, she also addressed the media after a delegation-level talk with PM Modi. The discussions focused on deepening collaborative engagement across various sectors between the two neighbouring nations. During the current visit, both leaders engaged in productive discussions covering politics, security, trade, connectivity, water-sharing from common rivers, power, and energy, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate for mutual prosperity and progress."As Dhaka and Delhi have started new journeys, we charted the future course of action to ensure a smart Bangladesh by following Vision 2041 and Viksit Bharat by 2047," Prime Minister Hasina shared, indicating a forward-looking approach towards bilateral relations. Prime Minister Hasina's visit also includes meetings with the Honourable Vice President and President of India later in the day, which are expected to further bolster bilateral ties. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, DC [US], June 22 (ANI): As the US-India INDUS-X initiative commemorates its first year, it stands as a beacon of transnational collaboration in defence innovation. Launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Washington, DC, INDUS-X has swiftly advanced bilateral commitments through the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). "In its first year, INDUS-X has advanced both countries' commitment to build a defence innovation bridge under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)," read a release from US Department of Defence. Also Read | Germanys Habeck Navigates Delicate China Mission. Since its inception, INDUS-X has fostered robust private sector cooperation between the United States and India, paving the way for transformative partnerships among defence technology firms, investors, and researchers. This initiative has not only bolstered technological exchange but has also laid the groundwork for strategic alliances crucial to both nations' defence capabilities. "INDUS-X has strengthened private sector cooperation between the United States and India by facilitating partnerships among defence technology companies, investors, and researchers," the release added. Also Read | Bengaluru: Faheem Firdous Qureshi, Kashmiri Employee of BIEC Makes Pro-Pakistan Post on X, Arrested. Highlighting its growing significance, the White House recently announced the upcoming third INDUS-X Summit, slated to convene in Silicon Valley in September 2024. Co-hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University, the summit will focus on leveraging private capital to propel defence innovation forward. The India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was launched at an event in Washington, DC, USA, on June 21, 2023. The INDUS X event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence, and the US Department of Defence (DoD) and hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC). Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion), MoD, Anurag Bajpai, led the Indian delegation in the two-day INDUS-X event. A reception for Indian and US government representatives, defence start-ups, think tanks, incubators, investors, industries and other stakeholders was organised on June 20, 2023. The event also saw a first-of-its-kind joint showcasing of innovative technologies by Indian and US start-ups. 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups, from multiple domains of maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space, showcased their technologies to Indian and US stakeholders, the Ministry of Defence, said in a release earlier. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Article II of the Constitution states: No Person except a natural born Citizen . . . shall be eligible to the Office of President. Donald Trump thinks Sen. Ted Cruz is not a natural born Citizen and that he is therefore constitutionally ineligible to be president. Is Trump right? Cruz was born in 1970 in Calgary, Canada, to a U.S. citizen mother and a Cuban citizen father. As to his Article II status, its all in how you read the Constitution. There are three leading theories of how to interpret the Constitution today. One is textualism: the Constitution means what its words say. The historical context of the words is important when a modern plain meaning is not self-evident. A second theory, adopted by many liberals, relies on a living Constitution: the Constitution means what is most consistent with fundamental constitutional values as applied to present circumstances. The third theory, championed by many leading conservatives, is originalism: The Constitution means what ordinary people would have understood it to mean at the time it was ratified, which is 1788. People looking to the Supreme Court to settle the debate once and for all are likely to be disappointed. Advertisement Under either a textualist or a living Constitution theory, Cruz is a natural born Citizen, eligible to be president; under an originalist view, however, he isnt. Its the conservative theory that would exclude the conservative Cruz from presidential eligibility. To an originalist, a natural born Citizen is a person who is a citizen of the United States under natural principles of law in 1788. Two such principles were then in play in the U.S. Jus soli the law of soil was the principle that a child was subject or citizen of the sovereign who ruled the land or seas on which the child was born. Jus soli was viewed as a part of the common law of England, which was adopted by the American states. Jus sanguinis the law of blood held that a childs citizenship flowed from the parents allegiance, regardless of place of birth. This principle was prevalent in continental Europe, and in England it was the basis for an exception to jus soli for children born there to foreign ambassadors. The principle of jus sanguinis in 1788 applied to patrilineal descent only: A person born in a foreign country was viewed as a natural born Citizen of his or her fathers country. However odious it seems today, a child born of a woman whose citizenship was different from her husbands much rarer then than today could not be a natural born Citizen of the mothers country. That idea wasnt even considered until 1844 in Victorian England. Advertisement The upshot is that to an originalist, someone like Cruz born in a foreign country (and therefore not a natural born citizen of the United States by jus soli) and to a Cuban citizen father (and therefore not a natural born citizen of the United States by jus sanguinis ) is not eligible to be president. In a textualist view of the Constitution, historical context is also important because natural born Citizen has no modern plain meaning and the words dont appear anywhere else in the Constitution. Textualists, by contrast to originalists, favor written statutes in mining historical context. In this case, two American laws enacted in 1784 and 1790 are applicable, along with older English statutes which use the similar words natural born subject. In 1784, the Maryland Legislature extended all the Immunities, Rights and Privileges of natural born Citizen to the Marquis de Lafayette and his heirs Male forever. And, in 1790, Congress passed a law stating that the children of citizens of the United States that may be born beyond Sea, or out of the limits of the United States shall be considered as natural born Citizens. It didnt specify which parent, mother or father or both, but the background principle of jus sanguinis leads to the conclusion that it referred to American fathers. Advertisement The 1790 statute, however, was not intended to address presidential eligibility. Rather, like earlier English statutes that referred to natural born subjects, it exempted children born abroad from the need to follow any other procedures (to naturalize) in order to be considered citizens. Then in 1940, Congress passed a statute dispensing with the need for a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen mother to naturalize. Taken all together, these laws would cause a textualist to conclude that Ted Cruz, born in Canada to a U.S. citizen mother in 1970, is a natural born Citizen eligible to be president. Finally, living constitutionalists would interpret natural born Citizen in accordance with present circumstances and social conditions. Supreme Court case law is their main source because judicial decisions reflect an accommodation of legal doctrine with contemporary reality. But the Supreme Court has never directly decided the meaning of natural born Citizen. Today, a living constitutionalist would likely regard the ancient, sexist patrilineal rule governing the citizenship of a child born abroad as an anachronism. To a living constitutionalist, anyone born anywhere to a U.S. citizen mother or father would qualify to run for president. People looking to the Supreme Court to settle the debate once and for all are likely to be disappointed. The federal courts have repeatedly refused to allow voters to bring lawsuits disqualifying presidential candidates on the basis of the natural born Citizen clause because voters dont have the proper standing their alleged injury is too generalized to justify a court order of relief. But voters do have recourse: The ballot box may be the final arbiter of the constitutional meaning of the clause. In other words, if you are an originalist, vote against Cruz because he is ineligible to be president. Advertisement Its a neat irony: The most conservative constitutional interpreters must find Cruz ineligible to be president; liberals must grin and bear him. Cruz himself purports to embrace originalism as the correct view of the Constitution. To be faithful to his understanding of what the Constitution means, the senator may have to disqualify himself. Thomas Lee is a professor of constitutional law and international law at Fordham Law School. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook A Nevada judge dismissed an indictment against six Republicans accused of submitting false certificates declaring Donald Trump the winner of the state's 2020 election. This potentially reduces the number of states with pending charges against fake electors from four to three, according to CNN. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford plans to appeal the ruling, as Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus deemed Las Vegas an inappropriate venue. Ford intends to take the case to the state Supreme Court, while defense attorneys argue the Nevada fake electors case is over due to a statute of limitations that expired in December. READ NEXT: Biden Wins Coin Toss; Trump Gets Final Word at CNN Debate Case Dismissed Due to Wrong Venue Margaret McLetchie, attorney for defendant Jesse Law, declared the case dead, stating that filing charges in another venue like Carson City would violate the statute of limitations. Judge Holthus canceled a January trial involving state GOP chairman Michael McDonald and others accused of felonies with penalties of up to five years in prison, CBS News reports. Defense attorneys argued that the Nevada fake electors case should have been brought to Carson City or Reno, where the alleged crimes occurred. Deputy State Attorney General Matthew Rashbrook argued that the crimes affected society and voters statewide. Still, Judge Holthus decided the relevant activities occurred in northern Nevada. After the hearing, Hindle's attorney, Brian Hardy, did not comment on calls for Hindle's resignation from his position as overseer of elections in Storey County. Defendant Shawn Meehan, who ran for state attorney general in 2022 and lost to Ford by just under 8%, chose not to seek the delegate position to the 2024 Republican National Convention. Background of the Case Nevada is one of seven battleground states where fake electors falsely certified Donald Trump's 2020 victory, Newsweek noted. The other states are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Nevada fake electors case, filed last December, involved six defendants, while other states have many more: 16 in Michigan, 19 in Georgia, and 18 in Arizona. Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer who pleaded guilty in Georgia, cooperated with Nevada prosecutors and was not charged. He testified before the Las Vegas grand jury, explaining his role in the scheme and how Nevada was particularly challenging due to oversight and lack of a pending legal challenge. Donald Trump lost Nevada by over 30,000 votes to Biden, and the state's Democratic electors certified the results. Republican Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske defended the election's integrity and faced censure by the state GOP but found no credible evidence of widespread voter fraud in a subsequent investigation. After the dismissal, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford's office confirmed plans to appeal. A spokesperson stated, "We disagree with the judge's decision and will be appealing immediately." Donald Trump supporters celebrated on social media, with Ryan Fournier of Students for Trump tweeting about justice prevailing. Nevada RNC committeewoman Sigal Chattah also supported the court's decision on Twitter. Ford's office emphasized their focus on appealing and exploring other legal strategies to hold the defendants accountable for actions they believe aimed to undermine democracy. Communications director John Sadler noted that appealing the judge's decision is not the only legal strategy available to their office. READ MORE: NY's Highest Court Rejects Trump's Appeal on Hush Money Case Gag Order This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Nevada charges pro-Trump fake electors accused of attempting to overturn 2020 election - From PBS NewsHour A Pennsylvania couple tragically drowned after being swept away by a rip current off Hutchinson Island, Florida, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office. The victims were identified as a Pennsylvania couple, Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, were on vacation with their combined family of eight when the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, according to CNN. Despite efforts from rescuers, including Martin County Ocean Rescue and medical teams, the couple did not survive. READ NEXT: Teen in Florida Fatally Shoots Parents, Injures Deputy, Then Kills Himself Deadly Currents and Rescue Efforts The Pennsylvania couple and their teenagers were swimming outside a lifeguard-protected area where red flags warned of dangerous surfing conditions. Chief Deputy John Budensiek reported that the victims were caught in a powerful Florida rip current shortly after entering the water. While the teens managed to escape and attempted to aid their parents, the situation quickly escalated, The Weather Channel reports. Rescuers promptly pulled Wishard from the water but had to search briefly for Warter, who had submerged. Despite CPR efforts, both adults were pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. The incident occurred amidst heightened surf conditions caused by a weather system off the Southeast coast, increasing rip current risks along Florida beaches. Understanding Rip Currents and Safety Measures Florida rip currents, invisible and swift water channels flowing seaward, pose a significant threat to beachgoers. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that even strong swimmers can be swiftly carried away from shore. Dina Knightly, a meteorologist, highlighted that rip currents have claimed at least 11 lives in the US this year alone, emphasizing their danger despite the apparent calmness of the sea surface. Knightly advised that if caught in a rip current, swimmers should not fight it but allow it to carry them seaward. Once the pull weakens, swimming parallel to the shore is recommended for a safe return. Additional safety measures include checking surf forecasts and understanding personal swimming limits before entering the water. Lifeguarded beaches offer crucial safety advantages, as lifeguards can swiftly respond to emergencies. Responding to the incident, questions arose about Florida's beach warning systems. The state's beach flag program, managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), provides general surf condition warnings at public beach access points, WPTV noted. These flags do not specifically indicate Florida rip currents but aim to alert beachgoers to surf hazards. Ian Montgelas, Martin County Ocean Rescue Chief, noted that lifeguards had observed the victims entering the water before emergency calls were received. He stressed the rapid and unpredictable nature of coastal conditions, which may catch locals and visitors off guard. Montgelas recommended increased public awareness and enhanced beach safety infrastructure, such as expanded flag warnings and additional lifeguard coverage, to mitigate future incidents. READ MORE: Missing Family in Florida Found Burned on Friend's Property This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Couple caught in rip current drowns while on vacation in Florida with six children: Officials - From FOX 32 Chicago The first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Alberto, has already made landfall in Mexico and has turned deadly as rains and strong winds lashed the country and nearby areas, including southern Texas. Tropical Storm Alberto brought a tropical rainstorm over north-central Mexico on Friday, and this included dangerous flash flooding and mudslides in the area. It first made landfall near Tampico, Mexico, as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of around 45 miles per hour last Thursday. It strengthened heading to land but got downgraded on Thursday as it made landfall. Despite this, Alberto still brought heavy torrential downpours over parts of Mexico and southwestern Texas. According to AccuWeather, Alberto is expected to continue to advance inland and slowly unwind into Friday. It was recently downgraded to a tropical depression at mid-morning and was moving at 18 miles per hour while still having sustained winds of 35 mph. Despite being downgraded to a tropical depression, however, meteorologists are warning that Alberto still poses a threat as while the winds and the storm's speed are not as strong, its excessive rainfall can still cause much damage, "Abnormally warm waters and a pocket of relatively low wind shear located in the Bay of Campeche allowed Alberto to gain enough organization on Wednesday to be upgraded to tropical storm status," AccuWeather Meteorologist and Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva stated. He warned that the Big Bend area of Texas can get rainfall totals as high as 8-12 inches. Tropical Storm Alberto Kills 4 People After Making Landfall in Mexico The states of Nuevo Leon and Vera Cruz have been affected by the rains, with one man dying in the La Silla River in the city of Monterrey, while another two, both minors, s died from electric shocks in the municipality of Allende. The fourth person who died was electrocuted when he tried to repair wires in the rain in Nuevo Leon. READ MORE: New Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Spell A Lot More Hurricanes This Year Over in Vera Cruz, 24 families were left homeless in Xalapa after a retaining wall collapsed into three buildings due to the heavy rain. Nobody was seriously injured as the residents all managed to escape safely, according to ABC News. In Tamaulipas state, where Alberto made landfall, schools were closed and shelters were opened so fleeing residents could have somewhere to stay as they tried to escape high water. A New Tropical Storm Could Form After Tropical Storm Alberto in the Gulf of Mexico Alberto kicked off the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, and not long after it made landfall in Mexico, a second storm may be brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, with meteorologists already monitoring this potential development very closely. According to The Weather Channel, the National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance in the southern Bay of Campeche. This disturbance is expected to drift northwestward in the southwest Gulf of Mexico and it is very much possible that it may become a tropical depression or storm. Should it become one, it is expected to also hit Mexico and the southern United States. READ NEXT: Texas Floods: Young Boy Dead as Search and Rescue Operations Continue This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Texas declares disaster as Tropical Storm Alberto nears Mexico - TODAY The key to successful Disneybounding is to start with a comfortable, practical-for-the-park outfit, and then layer on accessories that pay homage to your favorite character(s) or icons. If you can accessorize with a Disney-themed crossbody sling that also holds all your essentials wallet, keys, phone, etc. plus a canteen of your choice, then youll be well on your way to a dream day in Mickeys [Magic] kingdom. You can order yours from Corkcicle in one (or more, of course) of six oh-so-cute designs, from polka-dotted Minnie Mouse and Prismatic Mickey to mint-green Grogu, each available for $70. The Corkcicle crossbody water bottle sling bag is one of our favorite bags to bring to Disney World, because its a streamlined, hands-free and adjustable carryall. Big enough to stow your photo IDs, cellphone, hand sanitizer, sunscreen and lip balm, but small enough to keep your essentials to a tight minimum. The exterior cinch pouch can fit varying-capacity canteens, from smaller 16-ounce sizes to supersized 40-ounce sippers, so you can stay hydrated all day long. Choose your Disney fighter among six delightful designs Minnie Mouse, Stitch (perfect if youll be celebrating 626 Day!), Grogu, Darth Vader, Mickey Mouse - Prismatic and Mickey Mouse - Black. Corkcicle offers free shipping on orders $49+, so with your sling purchase, youll lock in standard shipping at no cost. But if you need the bag in a rush, you can also Buy with Prime to secure it fast and free. Shop the Sling Bag fans say is what dreams are made of for $70. And keep these other Disney sale items on your radar, if you need a fairy tale fix! Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Aldi has signed a new contract with Dawn Meats which could benefit Laois where the meat processor has a big plant in Rathdowney. A joint statement said Dawn Meats will recruit 15 new staff members and add six new lines to the ALDI range under the terms of the deal which also sees Dawn Meats increase their supply to Aldi by 35%. The agreement announced on June 17 involves a new 125 million contract worth 25 million annually over the next five years. Dawn Meats is one of the supermarket chains longest-standing suppliers, having supplied since 2010. The Waterford-based firm has seen incremental growth every year for a decade. Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD said: I welcome this announcement by ALDI of their continued commitment to Irish suppliers and their support for producers around the country. This 125 million announcement with Dawn Meats is an indication of the scale of ALDIs commitment to the Irish beef sector and is an endorsement of the quality of beef produced by Irish farmers every day. Commenting on the announcement today, Niall Browne, Dawn Meats CEO said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with ALDI for this significant contract. For over 10 years now, we have been proud to be involved with ALDI Irelands success story providing an increasing range of consistent quality and sustainably sourced meat products. "We look forward to continue developing, growing and innovating with ALDI, building on our long-standing successful relationship," he said. Colin Breslin, Managing Director of Buying and Services, ALDI Ireland said: "ALDI is deeply committed to supporting our Irish suppliers. This year, we are marking 25 years of operations in Ireland. Our recent economic impact report revealed that since we first opened in 1999, ALDI has spent more than 10 billion with Irish suppliers, demonstrating the scale of our commitment to Ireland. Today, were proud to work with more than 330 Irish suppliers and continue to provide high quality products and unbeatable value to all our customers. We are delighted to extend our relationship with Dawn Meats, a company that shares our commitment to quality and sustainability. This continued partnership ensures that our customers can enjoy the best Irish beef, sourced sustainably, and produced to the highest standards, he said. The Rathdowney plant is one of 11 Dawn sites in Ireland. This year marks the 30th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. In April 1994, Rwanda faced one of the darkest chapters in human history. Over 100 days, extremist Hutu militias systematically slaughtered over 1 million Tutsi in a brutal campaign of mass murder. As I reflect on this significant milestone, I am reminded of the personal stories of loss and resilience. This tribute honors my mother and all those taken from us, ensuring their memories are never forgotten. My mother was the cornerstone of our family. As a dedicated teacher, she instilled in me, her only child, a love for learning from an early age. She was a pillar of strength for our family and the whole community. In the period leading up to the genocide, hatred toward Tutsi had become normalized. People were targeted, killed, or imprisoned simply because of their ethnicity. The identity card, mentioning the bearers ethnicity, became a tool of discrimination and persecution. Despite the escalating danger, my mothers spirit never wavered. She tirelessly tried to shield me and my cousins, her love a beacon of hope. I remember her hushed conversations with her brother, my uncle, who lived nearby. Her efforts were relentless, even as violence closed in on us. A few days after the genocide began, the brutality we feared reached our doorstep. My mothers bravery and desperate attempts to protect us were no match for the savagery that ensued. She was killed, along with my cousins. My uncle, his wife, and their two children were also murdered. The aftermath of the genocide left deep scars. Rebuilding my life was an immense struggle, but I found hope and solace in the family I have built here. Their love and support have been crucial in my journey toward healing. As Consolee Nishimwe, a genocide survivor, aptly said, No matter what horrible circumstances we may face in our lives, we must never lose hope, for losing hope is the beginning of our own self defeat. These words resonate deeply with my experience. As we commemorate 30 years since the genocide, I urge everyone to remember not just the numbers, but the individual lives lost. My mothers story, like many others, is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and the devastating impact of unchecked hatred. We must honor their memories by ensuring such atrocities are never repeated. Listen to survivors stories, and educate yourselves and others about the dangers of hate speech and intolerance. By doing so, we not only pay tribute to the victims but also stand against the forces of division and hatred that still exist today. In Buffalo, the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi will be held on June 22, 2024, Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Mother Cabrini Social Center of the St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 180 Court St., Buffalo. Let us come together in unity and remembrance, committing to a future where such horrors are never allowed to happen again. A business group has asked the Courts Service to back plans to remove prison vans, garda cars and crowds from outside the courthouse on the Main Street in Portlaoise. Downtown Portlaoise business group wrote to the manager of Portlaoise Courthouse asking for support for their proposal to move the congestion outside the courthouse to Church Street. We feel Portlaoise has developed so much in the last few years. Thanks to the huge amount of work by LCC(Laois County Council), an Garda Siochana, Portlaoise Tidy Towns and Downtown Portlaoise all working together, the safety, visual appearance and cleanliness of our Town has improved a lot, Downtown Portlaoise explained in the letter in March. We feel that a plan needs to be designed for the parking arrangement of all Gardai and prison vans plus cars on the days the court is sitting. Perhaps Church Street could be marked out with bollards on the days of the court, where the vans and cars could be parked. They are causing a big obstruction on the footpaths for the disabled and able bodied pedestrians to navigate the street, especially at a time when we are encouraging not just the public to shop on Main Street, but also new businesses to open and take up the incentives offered by LCC for current empty units. Alongside this, a plan also needs to be agreed, to prevent loitering outside the Courthouse on the day of the court. People hanging around the steps can be very intimidating to passers-by, again not just locals shopping or going about their daily chores, but the many visitors to our Town, the business owners wrote in the letter which was released to the Leinster Express under a Freedom of Information request. Regional Manager of the Courts Service Susan Cahill replied to Downtown Portlaoise a a week later. Regarding the proposal for the placement of bollards and parking concerns on Main Street in Portlaoise, it's important to note that the management of Main Street falls under the jurisdiction of Laois County Council. Consequently, it would not be within the remit of the Courts Service to implement such measures there. However, we are open to collaborating with Laois County Council should they seek our involvement in this matter, she stated. I agree that Portlaoise Courthouse is a busy public building who deal with three areas of business civil, family and criminal across two jurisdictions and I do accept the court lists can be busy and can generate large volume of people at times. However, we are obliged to provide access to justice and unfortunately that does on occasion mean large numbers attending outside courthouses, creating an overflow, said Ms Cahill. On a positive note, I can confirm that the Courts Service has acquired a site for the construction of a new Courthouse, and Portlaoise Courthouse is on the National Development Plan. This signifies our proactive approach to addressing infrastructure needs, and we await the availability of funding to advance this project, she said. According to the Courts Service, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 2030 contains Courthouse development projects to be completed during the period of the plan in Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee, Roscommon, Naas, Bray, Navan, Swords, Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire. The Courts Service says it is currently in discussions with the Department of Justice regarding the funding that can be made available for the remainder of its NDP projects over the period 2025 to 2030. 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. It has emerged that the soldier convicted of an unprovoked attack on a woman in Limerick city has been formally brought before his commanding officer and told that he faces dismissal from the Defence Forces. Cathal Crotty, aged 22, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, beat Natasha OBrien, 24, unconscious in a random unprovoked attack, which occurred on May 28, 2022, on OConnell Street in Limerick, and boasted about it afterwards on social media. Mr Crotty, a serving Irish Defence Forces soldier, received a three-year sentence, suspended in its entirety, after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The Journal reports that Mr Crotty was paraded before a senior commanding officer earlier this Friday, June 21, and informed that he is likely to face dismissal from the military in the wake of his conviction. In a statement posted on X this Friday, the Defence Forces confirmed that proceedings had commenced against Mr Crotty, who presently serves as a private, however stated it would be "inappropriate" for them to comment any further at this time. "We wish to address the conversation that is currently taking place on social media, as we are an organisation committed to honesty and transparency," they stated. "Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. We wish to address the conversation that is currently taking place on social media, as we are an organisation committed to honesty and transparency. Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as Oglaigh na hEireann (@defenceforces) June 21, 2024 "Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities, in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. "We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case," the statement reads. The suspended three year sentence, handed down on Thursday by Judge Tom O'Donnell, has provoked ouutrage across the country. There has been a swell of outrage across the nation and the case has been the subject of headlines and long discussions on the national media including RTE's Liveline and The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk. Meanwhile, ROSA, the Socialist Feminist Movement, have organised a demonstration this Saturday, June 22 at 3pm on Bedford Row, the details of which have been widely shared across social media platforms this Friday by members of the public. "The patriarchal justice system makes its priorities clear again, abusers livelihoods mean more than womens lives. Protest the culture of impunity that perpetuates male violence against women this Saturday at 3pm on Bedford Row," ROSA stated in their press release. Over 100 Aer Lingus flights to and from Ireland have been cancelled on the day of strike action. In addition to work-to-rule industrial action due to take place between June 26 and July 2, Aer Lingus has received strike notice from the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) for Saturday June 29 as well. The strike - which comes due to pilots' demands for a 24% pay increase - will reportedly take place from 5am to 1pm (IST) and is expected to cause major disruption to both customers and flight schedules. Customers travelling on this date will reportedly be contacted by the airline today (Saturday June 22) with information on rescheduling and refund/voucher options. A large number of Aer Lingus flights were cancelled yesterday, with further flights added to a rolling cancellation list today. Fifty seven flights departing from Ireland on June 29 have been confirmed cancelled, including flights from Cork, Dublin, Shannon and Knock airports. Passengers flying to Dubrovnik in Croatia, Faro in Portugal, Athens in Greece, London in England and Tenerife in Spain are among those affected. Fourteen flights departing the UK on the day of strike action have also been cancelled, including flights from Birmingham, London and Manchester. Forty three Aer Lingus flights bound for Ireland from across Europe - including areas such as Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Barcelona in Spain, Brussels in Belgium and Rome in Italy - have also been cancelled. One flight from New York to Dublin has been cancelled on the day as well. All Aer Lingus Regional flights (operated by Emerald Airlines) and Aer Lingus UK transatlantic flights to and from Manchester will operate as scheduled. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has issued advice to the thousands of passengers et to be affected by the cancellations. An exciting new competition searching for Irelands top junior racing commentator has been announced by Barretstown. In advance of the upcoming Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse (June 28-30), the Kildare based charity is issuing a rallying call, appealing for budding young commentators, to try their hand at capturing the magic and excitement of a horse race for thousands of festival race goers. The charity is inviting submissions from children aged between eight to 12 to enter and be in with a chance to win, not only a VIP family trip to the festival but also a highly sought after visit to the media commentary box. Best of all, the winning entry could also mark the start of a career in racing broadcast commentary! Barretstown is the largest provider of therapeutic camps and programmes for children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses. Founded in 1994 by Hollywood actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, it has served over 120,000 campers through its residential camps and outreach programmes and is projected to support over 250,000 children and families by the end of this decade. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the charity with a series of celebratory events to mark this milestone taking place throughout the year culminating with a Gala event at the RDS in September. The charity enjoys a long-standing and historic relationship with the Curragh Racecourse as it was at this location over three decades ago that Newman signed the agreement for the establishment of Barretstown. Speaking about the competition, Dee Ahearn, CEO of Barretstown said, One of the standout features of Barretstown is our focus on fun and bringing joy and excitement to children who are impacted by cancer and other serious illnesses. Leaning into that sense of fun and excitement, we are issuing a rallying call to children to try their hand at becoming Irelands next top racing commentator, vying with the likes of legendary racing broadcasters such as Tracy Piggott. Its also a lovely opportunity to be a part of our long-standing relationship with the Curragh Racecourse and to celebrate the historic signing of the Barretstown Estate by Paul over 30 years ago. Since that time, we have served over 120,000 children with that figure set to double by the end of this decade. An independent report, assessing the impact of our services, valued it at over 1.9 billion. Events such as the upcoming race meet in the Curragh Racecourse, provide an important platform to further build awareness of the importance of the work of Barretstown. The full line up for this year's Kildare Derby Festival has been announced. Experience a week filled with unique events and experiences showcasing the best of Kildare's history, culture and horses. Running from Tuesday, June 25 to Sunday, June 30, there will be a great buzz in the town throughout the week. People are invited to come along for an unforgettable celebration, blending tradition with innovation at this years festival. The fun begins on Tuesday, June 25 with an exclusive tour of the Irish National Stud at 10.30am. There will be a Kildangan Studs Foal-To-Fame Tour at 2.30pm at Kildangan Stud followed by the official opening of the Horse Tales Equestrian Art Exhibition at 6pm at the No. 8 Gallery. The gallery is thrilled to announce this exhibition, which is curated by Lauren Hamilton, in association with The Kildare Derby Festival 2024, Into Kildare, and kindly supported by the Kildare County Council. Artists interpret the subject of equine in various mediums from painting, photography and sculpture. Kildare Town Library will host a Literary and Jazz Evening from 7.30pm to 9pm. On Wednesday, there will be an Irish Derby Breakfast with Michael Kinane at 9.30am at the Curragh Racecourse. Join The Curraghs MC Robbie Irwin in the stunning setting of the Lilywhites Lounge, overlooking the Flat Rath gallops, for a continental breakfast in the company of legendary retired jockey, Michael Kinane. Hear about famous horses, jockeys, owners and trainers who won the Irish Derby during Michael Kinanes career int he saddle, including his back-to-back wins on Galileo and High Chaparral Meanwhile, tours of the National Stud kick off at 11am. The Racing Legends Museum Tour with Jim Kavanagh is on at 2pm. Embark on a journey through the realm of sporting greatness as Mr Kavanagh, local historian and legend, unveils this years illustrious Hall of Fame inductees, regaling you with tales of legendary thoroughbred horses, iconic jockeys, and masterful trainers who have graced and triumphed in the revered grounds of the Irish Derby. At 2pm, the Horse Tales Equestrian Art Exhibition will be open from 4pm to 8pm at No. 8 Gallery. Enjoy the Ennio Morricone Experience and Kildare Choir Cathedral Concert at 7.30pm. This iconic ensemble will bring to life the timeless compositions of Ennio Morricone, transporting you through a musical journey filled with emotion and grandeur. Another action packed day is promised for Thursday, June 27. The Curragh Gallops Tour with John Oxx and Breakfast at Orbys by Lucy kicks off at 6:30am. Take a tour behind the scenes at the Curragh Racecourse, to locations that are strictly off limits to the public on race days and gain an insight into what it is like to experience a race day as a jockey, a racehorse trainer and a racehorse owner. This tour takes place at 9.30am. Once again there will be an exclusive tour of the Irish National Stud at 10:30am. There will also be a Kildangan Studs Foal-To-Fame Tour at 2.30pm. The Soap Box Derby will be held in the square in Kildare at 7pm, while the Horse Tales Equestrian Art display continues from 4pm to 8pm at the No. 8 Gallery. There will be a free outdoor concert with Hot Cross Dunnes at 8pm in the square. On Friday, June 28 The Jessica Harrington Racing Experience will be held at the trainers yard at 9.30pm. Further tours take place at the National Stud at 12pm. The Funky Friday Racing at The Curragh returns at 3.30pm, with a concert from Abbaesque after racing. Meanwhile, the Horse Tails exhibiton remains open from 4pm to 8pm. On Saturday, June 29, there will be racing at The Curragh with gates opening at 11am. After racing, Rack The Ashes take to the stage. The Horse Tales Equestrian Art Exhibition will be open from 12 noon to 8pm at No. 8 Gallery. In Kildare town, there will be a free outdoor concert with DJ Owen Fagan and Chasing Abbey in the square from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. On Sunday, June 30, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Race Day takes place at The Curragh. Gates open at 11am with an after racing concert from Electric Dreams. The Horse Tales Equestrian Art Exhibition continues from 12 noon to 8pm. The square in Kildare will host a free outdoor concert with Epilogue Band and Riff Shop from 5.30pm to 9pm. For the full list of events and booking details check out Kildare Derby Festival on Facebook or log on to www.thoroughbredcountry.ie/kildare-derby-festival There are a range of free and paid for events. Italian cellist Davide Forti is performing with the Morricone Experience in the Kildare Cathedral during the community festival which takes place from Tuesday 25th to Sunday 25th June when the Irish Derby takes place at the Curragh Racecourse. The Kildare Derby Festival is a celebration of Kildares history, rich culture and its deep-rooted connection to the thoroughbred horse through art exhibitions, open air concerts, outdoor food, guided interactive equine tours and even a wheelbarrow derby. www.thoroughbredcountry .ie/kildare-derby-festival/ On Wednesday 26th June The Morricone Experience takes the stage at the historic St. Brigid's Cathedral in Kildare Town. This iconic ensemble will bring to life the timeless compositions of Ennio Morricone. Set within the majestic walls of St. Brigid's Cathedral, the concert promises an extraordinary auditory experience. The Cathedral's renowned acoustics will enhance the lush, intricate arrangements, allowing each note to resonate with unparalleled clarity and depth. As the music fills the sacred space, you'll feel every crescendo and diminuendo as if the cathedral itself is part of the performance. Orla Murtagh, chairperson of the Kildare Derby Festival Committee said: We are so looking forward to the Kildare Derby Festival this year which will be an exciting week, culminating in with the Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse at the end of June. We have planned an exciting range of events and activities to suit all tastes and ages and look forward to welcoming everyone to Kildare Town in the last week of June. Kildare Town is steeped in cultural and racing history and we welcome the opportunity to showcase all this through our communitys Festival week. Three police officers have been injured after they were called to a shopping centre after reports of pellet guns being fired at members of the public in Londonderry. Five people, including two teenage girls, a teenage boy and a young boy, were arrested. Police were called to the scene in Derry city centre at around 7.15pm on Friday following a report of BB/pellet guns being fired. While police attended the scene, three officers sustained injuries after being assaulted by a number of people. One officer was kicked while another officers hand was stamped on, which required hospital treatment. A third officers arm was injured after the door of a police vehicle was slammed on it. Police said that that two teenage girls were arrested on suspicion of offences including assault on police, disorderly behaviour, and attempted criminal damage to a police vehicle. A teenage boy and a young boy were arrested on suspicion of offences including possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, common assault, criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, and assault on police. All four have been bailed to return for interview at a later date. A man in his 30s was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour. Police said he remains in custody at this time, and is assisting with inquiries. A police spokesperson said: Our inquiries remain ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone with any information which might assist us to get in touch via 101. Although a BB/pellet gun is legal to sell, purchase and possess, and a firearm licence is not required, owners have a responsibility to use them safely. The use of BB/Pellet guns in a public place can cause injury or damage to property, which may constitute a criminal offence. Police remind anyone who owns one to be responsible because when they are used recklessly they have the potential to cause serious injury. I would also reiterate the message that assaults on police are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated as simply being part of the job. Our ask is that officers and the work they do should not be taken for granted no-one should be treated the way these officers were last night. News / Local by Staff reporter A Harare magistrate has acquitted ZANU-PF activist Sybeth Musengezi of electoral fraud charges after he contested President Emmerson Mnangagwa's legitimacy.Musengezi had filed a court application in October 2021 challenging Mnangagwa's ascension to power within ZANU-PF, arguing it was unconstitutional.Following this, he was accused of falsifying his address and party membership.The magistrate ruled in Musengezi's favor, stating the state failed to substantiate its case with sufficient evidence.The court highlighted that the state's evidence, based on ZANU-PF records, was speculative and lacked credibility.The investigating officer admitted to discrepancies and improper handling of the case, leading to the conclusion that essential elements of the fraud charge were not proven.Consequently, Musengezi was acquitted of all charges. A SPECIALLY organised district court sitting to deal with contested cases was cancelled at short notice as there was no available judge. At Limerick District Court in Mulgrave Street on Friday, June 7, Judge Patricia Harney said she wanted to apologise that the hearing list for Monday, June 10 in court five had been cancelled. I have made representations to the (court) presidents office. I am advised that it is due to the non-availability of a judge. It is very disappointing because we all thought that the additional appointment of eight judges would mean that this would not happen again. I want to apologise unreservedly to the 25 people who have been discommoded by this matter and to the gardai, support services and practitioners, said Judge Harney. The special court list of contested cases was adjourned to December 9, next. Judge Harney noted this is in six months time and is a very, very unsatisfactory state of affairs. The Limerick Leader / Limerick Live sent a query to The Courts Service and a response is awaited. READ ALSO: Man accused of double assault on flight diverted to Shannon flies home two days later When contacted about Judge Harney's comments and the cancellation of the special court sitting, Julianne Kiely, president of the Limerick Solicitors Bar Association, said: We have a state-of-the-art, multi-million euro complex with six available courtrooms. Limerick is the third busiest jurisdiction in Ireland. It is disappointing and unsatisfactory that the resources in terms of staffing and judges don't appear to be available. It is unfortunately, again, a disappointment for Limerick. Its a very busy jurisdiction and we all want to get on with the business of the court. THE MOTHER of a five-year-old girl with a history of breathing difficulties believes the Mid-West region needs another emergency department (ED). Pamela Kellys young daughter Zara has been hospitalised three times due to respiratory issues - most seriously in October when she was admitted to the resuscitation unit. The Castletroy mother told the Limerick Leader that the situation was so grave in October that the doctors were considering the possibility of intubating the girl, before managing to stabilise her in the High Dependency Unit. After a tough winter, more hospital admissions, and a lot of missed school days, Ms Kelly and Zara ended up back in the ED of University Hospital Limerick on May 28. On that day, they had gone to their GP and Zara had fallen asleep in the car, which is very unusual for her. She was limp in my arms, she wasnt talking and she was struggling to breathe, Ms Kelly said. The GP told Ms Kelly that there was a minimal amount of air getting into Zaras right lung and to bring her straight to UHL. She said when she arrived the waiting room of the ED was packed. At that point, Zara was trying so hard to breathe that her heart rate was double the rate it should have been. Anything to do with breathing is very scary, Ms Kelly said. The distressed mother said that she got medical attention as soon as she could and Zara was assessed by a doctor and nurses, but there was no bed for her to go to and so she couldnt be put on oxygen. She goes down extra fast, she literally goes limp and is unable to speak, the traumatised mother told the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live. According to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), on the day Ms Kelly and her daughter were in the ED, there were 110 patients waiting for a bed and 60 of these were in the emergency department. The Limerick Leader understands that a report on overcrowding is due this week, as well as the review into the death of Aoife Johnston, 16, at UHL. Ms Kelly said the hospital needs more resources. The staff were doing their best, they were so kind and helpful, but there should be beds lined up waiting for children and people who need them. READ ALSO: Hollywood power couple apply for planning at 1m luxury Limerick home Zara did get a bed in a cubicle in the ED where she was given oxygen, nebulisers and steroids - she was treated quickly and was not admitted. It was the most horrendous, frightening experience, Ms Kelly said. She said something temporary needs to be set up before a new ED is built to relieve the pressure, and more 24/7 ED services are needed. A spokesperson for the HSE Mid West said: Approximately 22% of all patients attending the ED at UHL are paediatric patients (0-15 years). Most paediatric patients who present at our ED will be discharged following observations, tests or treatment. Where a child does require admission to hospital, there is a total of 49 beds available in the Children's Ark. Long wait times for admission for paediatric patients are uncommon in UHL. The ED at UHL has a separate designated waiting area for children. HE CHOSE the wrong person that night. And the Department of Justice chose the wrong person to ignore because I will not be ignored. The people are listening, Natasha OBrien said this Saturday afternoon in her home city of Limerick. She was right, the people were listening - well over 1,000 of them in total, hanging on her every syllable on Bedford Row shortly after 3pm. The 24-year-old was standing under the shadow of the six-foot bronze statue of the late Richard Harris in which he is depicted holding aloft a reversed sword. The actor - a hellraiser - was said to have been strongly opposed to war and violence. Violence is what brought the young woman to this very site on an overcast June day, as well as the hundreds upon hundreds of others who formed a supportive circle around her - mostly women and children but not exclusively so. On another summers day just two years ago - May 29, 2022, Ms OBrien was viciously beaten by a young man - from a neighbouring county - not far from where she stood this Saturday. She sustained a broken nose, concussion, swelling and bruising during the attack. The court heard she was punched repeatedly on the ground. She was shouting please, stop as the beating continued. Her assailant, Cathal Crotty, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from Limerick Circuit Court last Wednesday after Judge Tom ODonnell handed down a three-year suspended sentence for the attack on the woman on the ground. Her friend Shauna Daly, from Corbally, was by her side this Saturday. She was by her side on May 29, 2022 also. I can thank Shauna for my life, for had she not been able to scream for help, he would not have stopped, Ms O'Brien told Limerick Live at the protest. Ms Daly said she was disgusted at the outcome of the court case. And to see five of his friends were stood there that night and I was screaming for help and none of them helped - what does this send them a message of? If Natasha doesnt get justice, what kind of message have we just shown the people of Ireland? she said. When asked her reaction to comments made by Mr Crottys father to the Irish Mirror in which he is quoted as saying Its the media thats put him here, not the court. The court has done his case, and this is the way its gone, Ms OBrien replied: His father should be apologising to me. Natasha OBrien addresses the thousands who have gathered at a demonstration in Limerick city centre. Soldier Cathal Crotty received a fully suspended sentence after pleaded guilty to beating Ms O'Brien unconscious in a random street attack. pic.twitter.com/bX3RZr1Lzn Limerick Leader / Limerick Live (@Limerick_Leader) June 22, 2024 Redirecting the focus back on the judicial system which she insisted must be changed to protect victims and not perpetrators, Ms OBrien said: I dont believe the focus should be put on Cathal Crotty. I believe that Cathal Crotty made a horrible, horrible mistake and he should have received consequences but the blame and anger should not be directed at him, it should be directed at our justice system and the Defence Forces for being so negligent of our safety. Hundreds of people have gathered in Limerick city centre in a show of solidarity with Limerick woman Natasha OBrien. Soldier Cathal Crotty received a fully suspended sentence after pleaded guilty to beating Ms O'Brien unconscious in a random street attack. pic.twitter.com/SKiOFN0Eje Aine Fitzgerald (@AineFitzgeraldA) June 22, 2024 When asked by Limerick Live if she got to speak to Cathal Crotty right here, right now what would she say to him, Ms OBrien replied; I wouldnt speak to him because I am not speaking up right now to punish him, I am speaking up because of what has happened at the hands of the courts and what has happened to so many victims. Those in attendance at this Saturdays demonstration - which was organised by socialist, feminist movement, Rosa - joined in chorus shouting a number of chants calling out the perceived injustice at last Wednesdays sentencing hearing. Many held placards aloft which were emblazoned with calls for justice for victims of gender-based crime and direct messages to Judge Tom ODonnell who presided over last Wednesdays court case. Ms O'Brien also joined the demonstrators as they marched down O'Connell Street as they chanted, and acknowledged applause from Saturday afternoon shoppers. What a turnout. The message is loud and clear today on the streets of Limerick: What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now! pic.twitter.com/RfhSCfQNYL Manon Gilbart (@ManonGilbart) June 22, 2024 Similar demonstrations were also held in Cork and Dublin this Saturday. Thousands of people have gathered in protests across the country in solidarity with a woman who was viciously assaulted by an Irish soldier. Protests were organised in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court when he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha OBrien. The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms OBrien in Limerick in 2022. Impromptu march to dept of justice in solidarity with Natasha #thisisnotjustice pic.twitter.com/QemMA8KW7O ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement (@RosaSocFem) June 22, 2024 Ms OBrien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. Ms OBrien attended the protest in Limerick on Saturday afternoon. Speaking at the event, she said: I am absolutely overwhelmed by your solidarity and your support. Without your outrage, your fear, your horror this would not have been looked at. What happened to me has happened to so many. The injustice of the Department of Justice. What happened to me was horrific and I experienced an extremely violent assault by the hands of a solider in the Irish Defence Forces, who are supposed to protect us. Its one thing to be the victim of a heinous crime at the hands of a man who has pledged to protect the citizens of Ireland, but it is another thing when the Department of Justice and the Defence Forces overlook it. I did not put myself through that and bare my soul to Judge Tom ODonnell to be told that I should be happy that he took the guilty plea, that I should be happy because he said he was sorry he was caught. There has also been criticism of Judge Tom ODonnell after he told the court earlier this week that if he imposed a custodial sentence, Crottys army career would be over. Large crowds gathered in cities on Saturday, with many criticising the suspended sentence. Hundreds of people gathered at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. Men, women and children of all ages carried placards calling for an end to victim blaming in courts and justice for Ms OBrien and other victims of gender violence. The demonstrators marched from The Spire on OConnell street to the Department of Justice at St Stephens Green. Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the courts decision. Attending the protest in Dublin, Ms Coppinger said: He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well. It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence. We absolutely need dramatic change. Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: Womens Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. Thats how wide spread domestic violence is. Campaigner and womens rights activist Ailbhe Smyth said: This will not be the only time that we will be standing here or marching through the streets of Dublin on the issue of violence against women. Quite frankly this is enough. We have had enough. We will absolutely not take anymore. We will not watch a young woman who has already been traumatised, injured who said I will not be the same again. How sad can that be. Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: A few months ago I criticised a judge in the Dail and you would think the sky had fallen in. The Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee), the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach all said you cant say that, you cant criticise the judiciary. I was dragged over the coals for it. To criticise a judge in this establishment is, to them, a mortal sin. They appoint them. And because they appoint the judges, we have to judge them and we will judge them at the next election and tell them they have had their day. Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms OBrien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. I need to be particularly careful in that context. But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence. In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case. Apple and Google have both entered the generative AI fray, showcasing features that will bring AI features to all our smartphones. While this means that you can probably do much more with your upcoming phones, it also brings some risks to the table. What can your phones do with AI? On 10 June, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligencea suite of features that bring generative AI to iPhones, iPads and Macs. As a user, you can transcribe recorded calls, generate emails and summarize notes, erase objects from images, create illustrations and animations at will, and make emoticons. In September last year, Google had already unveiled similar features, which also include live transcription of audio recordings. Samsung, too, is in the fraythe Korean electronics firm offers a native AI model running on its flagship devices to process audio recordings and phone calls, as well as summarize webpages. Are all these features running locally? Not all of them so far. Apple clarified that while Siri, its on-device digital assistant, can process basic queries on your device, a broader query may need to access OpenAIs ChatGPT based on the GPT-4o multimodal AI model. Googles Pixel phones rely on an internet connection to access large AI models hosted on cloud servers for many of its features. Samsung, too, does the samethe company offers a setting where users can choose to only use local AI features such as live transcribe a voice note, or access an on-cloud AI model to generate summaries of recorded voice notes. Will all phones get generative AI soon? Apples AI features will come only to its Pro iPhones for now, although all of Googles latest phones support its AI chops. Samsung only has AI on its flagship Galaxy S24 series, but may expand to new devices next month. It all depends on your phones processorfor now, only flagship ones by Qualcomm and MediaTek will support local AI processing. So, what is the real trade-off here? Privacy experts have raised concerns around what could happen with all the personal data that each local AI model can see on any phone. Apple claims that no personal contextual data will be transferred online, and privacy will be maintained on OpenAIs servers. Google and Samsung claim they do not collect any sensitive personally identifiable information from smartphones, but they do take anonymized metadata. Audits are yet to take place on whether all the personal information is really local. Also read: Musk declares ban on Apple devices in his companies if OpenAI is integrated amid security concerns Is privacy the only concern? No. AI is prone to hallucinations and even misinformation, while local narrow AI models may not have the full context of understanding, so texts and images generated by them could significantly vary. Local AI models dont need the internet. But without internet they could turn into black boxes of unexplained decision making. Equally, with internet, privacy would be a major concern. This is why most companies are playing safe with the basic features, which may be of limited value. (edited) San Francisco-based Community Investment Management has hired a country head for its India operation, just weeks ahead of the nations entry into a key global bond index. Ravi Vukkadala will lead the firms investment activities in India as it aims to establish a long-term presence in the country, CIMs Chief Operating Officer Vivek Krishnappa said in response to an email query from Bloomberg News. Vukkadala has about 20 years of experience in investing, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to this, he was the chief executive officer at Northern Arc Investments a Chennai-based fund management company. Also Read | Tianqi Slams Chile Regulator, Weighs Legal Options in SQM Deal The appointment comes as Indian bonds prepare to debut on JPMorgan Chase & Co.s emerging market index. The index inclusion goes live on June 28 and foreign inflows into Indian bonds have already hit $10 billion since the announcement in September. Community Investment Management, a financial services player that offers debt financing to under-served communities, joins global firms that have been on a hiring spree in India. Also Read | US Democrats to welcome social media influencers in a convention first LOUDON, N.H. (AP) Daniel Suarez took an oath this week and became a United States citizen, then had a surprise confession from his mother the Monterrey, Mexico native learned he almost was American at birth. Suarezs parents flirted with the idea of heading to America ahead of his 1992 birth and having the future NASCAR star born in the U.S. One problem, the cost was too prohibitive so the idea was scrapped. In Mexico, I dont know expensive it was, but it was cheaper, Suarez said, laughing. Its really funny how my parents, they had that thought before I was born, about being born in the United States, I guess to have more opportunities. They didnt do it. And now, I guess I did it my way. Suarez indeed did it his way, and was one of 48 citizens representing 28 countries sworn in at the field office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Charlotte, North Carolina. The most special part of everything was, you see so many people there, Suarez said Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. I was not expecting it. I was not expecting to see so many people. His fiancee, Julia Piquet, members of his Trackhouse Racing team, and even NASCAR president Steve Phelps were among the attendees that saw the 32-year-old Suarez complete his journey of becoming an American citizen (he will hold dual citizenship with Mexico). Phelps was a surprise guest and delivered the keynote speech at the naturalization ceremony. I didnt think many people were going to really care about it, Suarez said. A lot of people really did. Suarez never actually considered becoming an American citizen as he grew up in Mexico. He just wanted to race. His father packed his car and trailer with Suarezs karting gear for the States the first time when they road tripped to Las Vegas for an event. Just 12, Suarez finished strong enough to further fuel the idea he could have some sort of racing career. As the younger Suarez grew fascinated with stock cars, Alejandro Suarez knew he needed to raise the whopping amount of money needed to support this pricey new venture. He sold his auto restoration business and Suarezs stock car career soon took off in Mexico. Suarez had a ride in NASCARs Mexico series (winning five times in 2014) and NASCARs low-level K&N Pro Series East, and morphed into a teen sensation at home. After a move to the States that included a stint in Buffalo, New York he landed a ride in NASCAR. He won the second-tier Xfinity Series title in 2016 El campeon! and became the first foreign champion in a NASCAR national series. Suarez has two career Cup wins including the closest finish ever at Atlanta Motor Speedway. As he rose through the NASCAR ranks, Suarez at first was focused on his career more than becoming a citizen. It wasnt a dream of mine, Suarez said. I came to this country to race and compete. I had been working really hard to try and go to the next step and be more competitive. In a blink of an eye, Ive been already here 12 years. As he got older, Suarez realized the significance of becoming a citizen. About six years ago, Suarez became determined to start the process that would make him an American. He was quizzed by his team in April over Dover race weekend ahead of his citizenship test on that Monday. He crushed it. If something bad happened to myself in the street, an accident, whatever it may be, with a green card, I could get kicked out an any time, Suarez said. I felt like it was the right time to start this process. Slowly, Im getting more and more responsibilities in my life. It was the right time to feel more secure; that I belong here. Hes set to get married next month in Brazil and perhaps, in the next few years, start a family. First, he has to get to the altar. As we speak, I cant leave the country, Suarez said. I dont have my green card and I dont have my American passport yet. Julia was working her ass off to try and process my American passport to be able to get married next month in Brazil. I thought, hey, if you want to marry me, youll have to help me out with this. ___ DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a commercial ship traveling through the Gulf of Aden but apparently caused no damage, authorities said Saturday, in the latest strike on the shipping lane by the group. The Houthi attack comes after the sinking this week of the ship Tutor, which marked what appears to be a new escalation by the Iranian-backed Houthis in their campaign of strikes on ships in the vital maritime corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the U.S. military ordered the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the aircraft carrier leading America's response to the Houthi attacks, to return home after a twice-extended tour. The captain of the ship targeted late Friday saw explosions in the vicinity of the vessel, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. A later briefing by the U.S.-overseen Joint Maritime Information Center said the vessel initially reported two explosions off its port side and a third one later. The vessel was not hit and sustained no damage, the center said. The vessel and crew are reported to be safe and are proceeding to their next port of call. The Houthis, who have held Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014, claimed the attack Saturday night. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, identified the vessel targeted as the bulk carrier Transworld Navigator. The Houthis have launched more than 60 attacks targeting specific vessels and fired off other missiles and drones in their campaign that has killed a total of four sailors. They have seized one vessel and sunk two since November. 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. In March, the Belize-flagged Rubymar carrying fertilizer became the first to sink in the Red Sea after taking on water for days following a rebel attack. The Houthis have maintained that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the Israel-Hamas war. The Eisenhower had already reached the Mediterranean Sea, said a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ship movements. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed a Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter associated with the Eisenhower flying above the Mediterranean just off the coast of Port Said, Egypt, on Saturday night. The Eisenhower had repeatedly been targeted by false attack claims by the Houthis during its time in the Red Sea. Saree on Saturday night claimed another attack on the carrier but again provided no evidence to support it as the ship already had left the area. ___ 53rd GST Council Meet Today: The upcoming GST Council meeting on June 22 is set to address several crucial issues aimed at streamlining the GST framework, enhancing compliance, and resolving industry concerns. Ankur Gupta, Practice Leader - Indirect Tax at SW India, highlighted key areas of focus for this significant deliberation. One of the primary topics expected to be discussed is rate rationalization, potentially involving reductions in GST rates for specific goods and services. This move is anticipated to boost consumption and provide relief to businesses. Additionally, correcting the inverted duty structure, which currently causes input tax credit accumulation issues in certain sectors, will likely be on the agenda, as per Gupta. Mahesh Jaising, Partner and Leader, Indirect Tax, Deloitte India, shares insights from recent surveys reflecting positive sentiments towards GST implementation. "78 percent of MSMEs have shared a positive sentiment towards GST implementation this year versus 66 percent in 2023. Nearly 70 percent of respondents continue to believe that the quarterly filing of returns for MSMEs is beneficial and improves compliance. Specifically, the key positive area for 70 percent of MSMEs has been called out to be supply chain efficiencies," he said. Deloitte India's third edition of the GST@7 survey underscores the strong support for the GST regime, with 84 percent of India Inc. expressing confidence in its implementation. Key areas for further reform include rationalizing tax rates, improving dispute resolution processes, removing credit restrictions, adopting faceless assessments, liberalizing export rules, and implementing a compliance rating system. Echoing these sentiments, Jaising commented, "India Inc. has enhanced confidence in the workings and efficiency of the GST regime. Such positive sentiment is reflective of supply chain efficiencies, the benefits of tax, technology, and continued stakeholder engagement on GST policy matters." Also Read | 2 people were killed and 8 others wounded in shooting at grocery store in south Arkansas, police say Amit Goyal, Managing Director, India Sotheby's International Realty, said, 'The return of an existing government to power positively impacts the Indian economy and the real estate sector. Political stability significantly enhances confidence among both consumers and investors. We are a young country, poised to become the third largest global economy by 2027, and demand for homes is inevitably going to remain strong, now that we have stability on the policy front and continued focus on infrastructure development. The growing number of affluent in the country, particularly benefits the luxury segment of real estate and we expect the buoyancy to continue." In support of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, the Deloitte survey suggested easing GST registration processes through virtual verification and standardized documentation across the country. These measures are expected to help MSMEs navigate compliance challenges more effectively, contributing to India's economic growth. Iran's allies in Iraq are firing at Israel. What if they draw blood? FILE PHOTO: Protesters and militia fighters carry the logo of the U.S. Embassy, during a protest to condemn air strikes on bases belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces), in Baghdad FILE PHOTO: Protesters and militia fighters carry the logo of the U.S. Embassy, during a protest to condemn air strikes on bases belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces), in Baghdad By Timour Azhari and Laila Bassam BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iran-backed Shi'ite armed groups in Iraq have ramped up rocket and missile attacks on Israel in recent weeks, raising concerns in Washington and among some Iranian allies of potential Israeli retaliation and regional escalation should they draw blood. Though the attacks, often from hundreds of miles (kms) away, are not seen by western officials and Israeli experts as posing the same level of threat to Israel as point-blank strikes by Hamas and Hezbollah, they have increased in number and sophistication. At least two have hit their targets and many have had to be shot down by U.S. and Israeli defences, according to U.S officials and public statements by the Israeli military. New weaponry such as cruise missiles have been regularly used since May and are harder for air defences to destroy. "Overall, the intensity and the types of weapons systems used have steeply escalated," said Mike Knights, a fellow at the U.S.-based Washington institute for Near East Policy, where he tracks the attacks. "It complicates the Israeli task and is an increased financial cost," he said. Reuters spoke to more than a dozen people, including sources in Iraqi armed groups and other factions in Iran's network of regional allies known as the Axis of Resistance, alongside U.S. and other regional officials, most of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to give candid assessments of a sensitive issue. They said the attacks by Iraqi factions, including Kataib Hezbollah and Nujaba, were a cause for rising concern for Washington and also viewed with unease among some in Iran and its powerful Axis ally Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has carefully calibrated its own engagements with Israel to prevent all-out regional conflict. "They could get the Axis involved in something it does not currently want," a senior figure in the Axis of Resistance said, describing the view among pro-Iran groups on condition he not be identified. Iran and Hezbollah, the most organised members of the network, have in the past struggled to rein in Iraqi factions. Hussein al-Mousawi, a spokesperson for Nujaba, one of the main armed Shi'ite factions in Iraq participating in strikes on Israel, told Reuters the strikes were a natural evolution of the role of Iraqi groups and aimed to increase the cost of the war in Gaza. They intend to strike from anywhere, for as long as is necessary. "The operations carried out by the Resistance are not bound by temporal or spatial boundaries," Mousawi said. "We, as a resistance, do not fear the consequences as long as we are in the right and we represent the popular and official will." The Iraqi government, which carefully balances its alliances with both Washington and Tehran, does not officially approve of the strikes but has been unable or unwilling to stop them. Critics say this shows the limits of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's power in a coalition government that includes Iran-backed armed groups, and may undermine efforts to rebrand Iraq as stable and open for business. Iraq does not recognise Israel and a 2022 law punishes those trying to normalise ties with death or life in prison. Israel views Iraq as an Iranian vassal state and main corridor for weapons from Iran to other armed groups including Hezbollah. The Israeli and Iraqi governments did not respond to requests for comment. The U.S. State Department declined to comment. ESCALATING THREAT The Iraqi groups trace their roots to the fight against U.S. troops in Iraq after the toppling of dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. They have since grown their regional reach, mirroring the evolution of other Iranian allies such as the Houthis in Yemen who have launched strikes on shipping in the Red Sea. Iraqi groups joined the Syrian civil war in support of Iran's ally President Bashar al-Assad, gaining a foothold in territory near the border with Israel. A shadowy Iraqi group claimed drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2021 and 2022. The attacks by Iraqi groups on Israel are launched from areas south of Baghdad and in the Iraqi-Syrian border area where Iran-backed factions hold sway, according to Knights. To get from Iraq to Israel, projectiles must fly over Syria, Jordan or Saudi Arabia. While Iran has been keen to have Iraqi factions contribute to the regional battle against Israel, their propensity to miscalculate was a constant cause for concern, the senior figure in the Axis said. He noted that the Iraqi groups had already unwittingly caused a major regional escalation in January, when they killed three U.S. troops in a drone attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan. That attack - which crossed multiple U.S. and regional red lines by hitting a neighbouring Arab state and killing Americans - led to a deadly campaign of U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. So serious was the risk of escalation then, that the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force travelled to Baghdad to tell the factions to dial down their attacks, Iranian and Iraqi sources told Reuters at the time. Attacks on U.S. forces stopped. There was a brief lull. Then, they turned their attention to Israel. A senior Iranian official who asked not to be identified to discuss sensitive matters said this shift in focus was part of a plan to keep the pressure on Israel over the Gaza war. A U.S. defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the attacks on Israel jeopardized the stability of Iraq and the region by increasing the risk of military action, including potentially by the U.S. and Israel. "The sophistication and frequency of these attacks highlight the escalating threat posed by these groups" the official said. "The U.S. military will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defence of our allies." 'FREE HAND' Iraq has posed a threat to Israel before - notoriously during the 1991 Gulf War when Saddam fired barrages of Scud missiles at Tel Aviv and Haifa. At the time, Washington prevailed upon Israel not to retaliate to avoid an escalation that could undermine a U.S.-led coalition, including Arab armies, which had been pulled together to eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait. After Hamas militants launched their attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year precipitating the war in Gaza, Iraqi Shi'ite armed factions, like other pro-Iranian groups, pledged to carry out attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians. They initially targeted mainly U.S. forces based in Iraq and Syria. But on Nov. 2 they claimed their first ever attack on Israel. A handful of other claimed attacks on Israel followed in the next few months, including four in February, even after the groups had publicly halted attacks on U.S. forces, according to public claims of responsibility by the Iran-backed groups. The number of claimed attacks shot up to 17 in March, and doubled again in May, averaging more than one a day, though U.S. officials and the source in the pro-Iranian Axis said they are not certain all the claimed attacks were genuine. Reuters was not able to determine exactly how many attacks have been launched nor how many hit their intended target. The attacks are frequently accompanied by video released on social media purporting to show the projectiles being fired from remote Iraqi desert sites as militants shout the names of holy figures revered mainly by Shi'ites. Reuters was not able to verify the date or location of the videos. While Israel rarely comments on its operations in neighbouring states, it is thought to have struck pro-Iran groups in Iraq before, in 2019, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had given the military "a free hand" to act "to thwart Iran's plans". Asked to provide information on launches by Iran-backed factions in Iraq, the Israeli military declined to comment. Israeli authorities have publicly confirmed at least two impacts on the coastal city of Eilat that Israeli media said came from Iraq, on a school in November and a naval base in April. Additionally, the military has announced many interceptions of projectiles coming "from the east", widely seen as a reference to Iraq. No injuries or deaths have been reported as a result of the attacks. Amos Yadlin, a retired Israeli air force general who formerly headed military intelligence, said he would rate the level of threat the attacks pose to Israel as "one step down" from Hezbollah or the Houthis. The U.S. defence official said projectiles fired from Iraq had been intercepted by U.S. forces operating "from various locations in the Middle East, as part of our commitment to Israel's defence and regional security." "The frequency of these actions has increased in response to the rising number of threats," the official said. (This story has been refiled to add reporting credits) (Reporting by Timour Azhari in Baghdad and Laila Bassam in Beirut; additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; writing by Timour Azhari; Editing by Peter Graff) Demands for special packages and greater funds for building infrastructure without reform-linked milestones topped the wish list of state chief ministers and finance ministers who met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for pre-budget consultations on Saturday. Sitharaman is expected to present the Union Budget 2024-25 in July. Kerala finance minister K. N. Balagopal sought a special package of 24,000 crore from the Centre to address the state's liquidity crunch. In his speech, a copy of which was shared with the press, he said the package could be scheduled over a period of two years from 2024-25. Balagopal said that in a federal set up, the fiscal consolidation path of a state doesnt only depend on the states own efforts and expenditure, but it also depends heavily on the transfer of resources from the Centre and the distribution fiscal powers. The minister said the state has taken all possible measures to enhance its own tax and non-tax revenue. Despite these efforts, the state government is going through a very serious liquidity crunch, he added. Liquidity problems Balagopal attributed the liquidity problems to a reduction in the states share in the Centres divisible pool of tax revenue over successive Finance Commission periods, goods and services tax (GST) rate cuts, cessation of GST compensation, tapering of revenue deficit grants from the Centre and restrictions on open market borrowings. Kerala is of the view that this additional restriction on open market borrowing travels beyond the scope of the road map for fiscal consolidation laid down by the 15th Finance Commission and request that the Government of India may review them. The minister added the state is currently borrowing much lower compared to the limits set for the state on account of changes introduced in the calculation of the borrowing ceiling such as inclusion of public account and the borrowings of state-owned enterprises, the minister said. Hence, this policy has to be reversed. Also Read: Sitharaman delivers a low-decibel, pitch-perfect interim budget Chhattisgarh finance minister O. P. Choudhary sought higher funds for states infrastructure creation without reform-linked milestones. In the Interim Budget 2024-25 announced on 1 February, the Centre earmarked 1.3 trillion for special assistance to states for infrastructure creation, similar to 2023-24. But under Part-1 allocation, which is not linked to reforms, the amount has been revised from 1 trillion to 55,000 crore, the minister said in a statement. Choudhary urged Sitharaman to maintain the allocation at 1 trillion like previous years as it will support ongoing capital projects effectively. He suggested the remaining amount can be kept for state capital as reform-based incentives and for special projects. The special assistance to states for capital investment scheme was launched in 2020-21 to help states after the pandemic. Under the scheme, the Centre provides 50-year interest-free loans to states. New Delhi: Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is meeting in the capital after over eight months to discuss indirect tax matters, including further strengthening the tax ecosystem to make it foolproof. The indirect tax body analyzes trends in tax revenue collection at its meetings, takes up proposals from panels of central and state officials for changes to the law and to tax rates, and ratifies urgent decisions taken by officials since its previous meeting. Mint takes a look at what is on the table at todays meeting. Law change on scope of GST The Council is expected to clear the text of legislative amendments to Central, State and Integrated GST laws to exclude extra-neutral alcohol (ENA), the main ingredient of liquor, from the scope of GST so that this remains within the regime of state-level excise duty and Value Added Tax (VAT). This highly purified form of alcohol produced from fermented molasses or grain is not fit for drinking directly and its taxation has been a subject of litigation given that liquor is exempt from GST and is covered under state excise and VAT laws. The Councils decision will reduce litigation and give certainty to the industry. Duty relief Central and state finance ministers are expected to add a new provision to GST laws to enable tax officials to close the books on certain cases without further demand, recovery or refund on an as is basis. This will help in achieving closure of litigation and disputes in certain cases, especially those seen in the alcoholic spirits industry. If approved, these proposals would become part of the Finance Bill to be tabled in Parliament next month. Ease of doing business Steps meant to improve the ease of doing business, including a possible reduction in the amount to be deposited at the GST Appellate Tribunal by taxpayers for challenging administrative decisions, are on the table. The proposal is to reduce the amount to be deposited from 10% of the tax demand, currently specified in law. Further clarifications on the taxation of corporate guarantees and other issues arising from court cases are also expected from the meeting. The Council had said last October that corporate guarantees are to be taxed at either 1% of their value or 18% of the fee paid to the guarantor when it is given to a related party. Experts expect clarity on the periodicity of taxation on such guarantees. Certain legislative changes to bring clarity on the time of supply of a service is also expected. Tightening of the GST registration system The Council has been exploring the matching of data from various central and state agencies to detect instances of tax evasion and also to make GST registration more foolproof. Strengthening the verification of the person seeking GST registration is likely to avoid instances of violations relating to mis-use of tax credits. Addressing this issue leveraging technology and data analytics has so far helped the authorities to check tax evasion to a great extent. Future direction of GST Although GST revenue collection has been buoyant, Central and state ministers need to decide on two key issues relating to the future direction of GST. One is the need for tax rate rationalisation and correcting the inverted duty structure. Also Read: Online gaming firms likely to be left in the lurch at GST Council meet In sectors, for example, textiles, where the finished product attracts lesser tax rate than that of the inputs going into those products, the duty anomaly acts as a disincentive for new investments. While good economics would warrant a correction, the optics of it makes it hard for the Council to take a decision because of the sensitive nature of the mass-use products. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced pan-India roll out of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication. Sitharaman made the announcement during a press conference held after the 53rd GST council meeting. There is going to be a rolling out of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication on an all-India basis, said Sitharaman. The Finance Minister explained that this will help the government to combat fraudulent input tax credit claims made through fake invoices in the cases. We ran a pilot in Gujarat and in Puducherry. There have been very good inputs coming out of it. This will help us combat fraudulent input tax credit claims made through fake invoices in the cases. So the GST council has recommended to roll-out biometric-based Aadhaar authentication of registration of applicants on an all India basis in a phased manner. Sitharaman said that the Council meeting has taken a lot of decisions which will benefit the traders, MSMEs and taxpayers. The decisions were taken on trade facilitation, easing compliance burden and giving relief to tax taxpayers in terms of compliance easing out, said the Finance Minister. Federal indirect tax body, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Saturday decided to cut tax rates on a few items such as milk cans and solar cookers, signaled the end of the anti-profiteering regime, and took a slew of measures to improve the ease of doing business, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said after the councils 53rd meeting in the New Delhi. The council decided to lower the tax rate on milk cans, solar cookerswhether single or dual energy sourcecartons, boxes and cases such as those used for packaging fruits from 18% to 12%. The indirect tax body also exempted hostel stays of and over 90 days outside educational institutions, Sitharaman said. Hostel stays within an educational institution are already exempt from GST, she added. Also Read: Reset GST to make it a 'good and simple tax' The exemption announced on Saturday applies to hostel fees of up to 20,000 per person a month. This is meant for students, who stay for 90 days continuously, but not for tourists, the minister said. Tax rates on many mass-use items have come down significantly after the introduction of GST and subsequently due to successive rate cuts in the new tax regime. Flour or atta, taxed at 3.5% in the pre-GST regime, and sanitary napkins, taxed at 12% earlier, attract no tax in the GST regime. Unbranded ayurvedic medicines, taxed at 12% earlier, are now taxed at 5%. The tax rate on detergents, televisions and cosmetics has also come down from 28% to 18%. Mobile phones, electric appliances, washing machines and refrigerators, which were taxed at more than 31% in the pre-GST regime, currently attract 18%, shows data from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The council exempted railway platform tickets, retiring room facilities, cloak rooms and battery-operated car services provided by Indian Railways from GST. The services provided by special purpose vehicles to Indian Railways during concession periods will also not attract any GST. The council will again meet in August, Sitharaman said. Also Read: The caveat you need to know while reading the GST record in April Ease of doing business measures To improve the ease of doing business, the council has recommended legislative changes to provide for conditional waiver of interest or penalty or both on certain tax demands raised for fiscal year 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. Considering the difficulties faced by taxpayers, during the initial years of GST implementation, the council recommended waiving interest and penalties for demand notices in cases where the taxpayer pays the full amount of tax demanded in the notice by 31 March 2025," the Union finance minister said. The decision offers relief to businesses and will promote tax compliance, said Sandeep Sehgal, partner-tax at AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm. The council recommended amendment to Central GST Act to provide a sunset clause for the anti-profiteering regime under GST and to provide for the handling of anti-profiteering cases by the principal bench of GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), which is being set up. From 1 April 2025, no further complaints of profiteering by companies will be accepted. That is because the GST system has stabilized. The provision was introduced in 2017 to prevent profiteering during the transition to the new tax system. Also Read: Get GST reform rolling: Review rate slabs The council recommended amendment in Section 9 of the CGST Act for not levying GST on extra neutral alcohol used for manufacturing of alcoholic liquor for human consumption. This will only be taxed by states under their excise duty-value added tax regimes. Agenda for future meetings A person close to discussions in the council said the indirect tax body will start discussions on the GST cess levied on items like cars and aerated drinks at future meetings. Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary will now head a key ministerial group looking into GST rate rationalization. The council decided to reduce the amount to be deposited by parties while filing appeals at the GST appellate tribunal. Introducing measures to address certain issues like fake invoicing aims to enhance the integrity of the GST system. Uniform GST rates of 12% on milk cans and carton boxes simplify tax structures, benefiting industries like dairy and agriculture. Exempting services provided by Indian Railways and certain hostel accommodations from GST will reduce costs for the public, said Sehgal of AKM Global. The council cut the tax collected at source requirement from 1% to 0.5% for sellers on e-commerce platforms. The Ministry of Education constituted a high-level committee of seven experts to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations. The move to form the expert panel came amid controversy over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam 2024. The committee will make recommendations on reforming the mechanism of the examination process and improving data security protocols and the structure and functioning of NTA [National Testing Agency], the Ministry of Education said in a press release. The NTA is an autonomous body that conducts several entrance exams including NEET and UGC-NET. Who are the expert panel members? Koppillil Radhakrishnan, the former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur, will head the high-level committee of experts to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations. Who is K Radhakrishnan? Radhakrishnan is the former chairman of the Indian space agency ISRO. He was born on August 29, 1949 in Kerala's Irinjalakuda. He assumed the concomitant responsibilities of Chairman of Space Commission and Secretary, Department of Space, Government of India as well as the Chairman of ISRO Council (Chairman, ISRO) on November 1, 2009. According to details shared by the ISRO, Radhakrishnan started his career as an Avionics Engineer in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. He held several decisive positions in the ISRO in the domains of space launch systems, space applications and space programme management. Radhakrishnan held the post of the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. He was also the director of the National Remote Sensing Agency. Also Read | Shashi Tharoor urges govt to postpone June 23rd NEET-PG exam In his brief stint (2000-2005) in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, he was the Founder Director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the first Project Director of Indian National Tsunami Warning System. Other members of the panel include: > Dr. Randeep Guleria, Former Director, AIIMS Delhi. > Professor BJ Rao, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad. > Professor Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras. > Pankaj Bansal, Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat. > Professor Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs, IIT Delhi > Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, government of India What's the role of the committee? The expert panel has been formed to make recommendations on: 1. Reform in mechanism of examination process: The panel has been tasked to analyse the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach. It will also conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols of the National Testing Agency (NTA). 2. Improvement in Data Security protocols: The panel must evaluate the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement. It will also examine existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance robustness of system. 3. Structure and functioning of National Testing Agency: The Committee will make recommendations on the organisational structure and functioning of the NTA. It will clearly defined the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level. The panel will also assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency. Americas crackdown on Chinese trade is broadening. On the campaign trail on April 17th President Joe Biden proposed tripling tariffs on steel imports, citing Chinas unfair trade practices. Having choked off Chinas access to advanced semiconductors and moved to ban TikTok, a Chinese-owned social-media app, lawmakers are eyeing a new target: biotechnology. The biosecure act, which has bipartisan support in Congress, proposes to end government contracts for firms that count Chinese biotech companies as clients or suppliers. American officials have previously said they want to guard a small yard" of sensitive technologies with a high fence". This bill illustrates that the yard is getting bigger, with sorry consequences for American consumers. It uses the threat of ending lucrative federal contracts to sever American firms ties with Chinese genomic sequencers, makers of sequencing machines and makers of large-molecule drugs such as weight-loss injectables. It extends the ban to any biotech firm with its headquarters in an adversary country, and mentions four Chinese companies by name. One target is a sequencing firm called BGI, formerly known as Beijing Genomics Institute. BGI is the largest sequencer of human DNA in the world and operates in over 100 countries. It supplies prenatal tests and diagnostic swabs for covid-19 and other diseases. The firm, like its rivals, provides health screenings on the cheap in return for keeping its patients anonymised data. The data in turn are used in cutting-edge drug development. Lawmakers allege that the data hoovered up by BGI are stored within reach of nosy Communist Party officials. The firm says sensitive information is stored privately and that its American operations are limited. But lawmakers need not take BGIs word for it. In February President Joe Biden banned exports of health data to adversaries, including China, mirroring Chinas own controls. Lawmakers did not need to go further. Moreover, having begun with reasonable concerns about a specific firms handling of data, the authors of the bill have widened their scope much further, by bringing in the makers of medical equipment and drugs, such as Wuxi AppTec, which conducts research and manufactures compounds used to make drugs for clients including the worlds biggest pharma firms. WuXi AppTec and its sister firm, WuXi Biologics, are by revenue the worlds largest providers of contract drug discovery and manufacturing. While some diversification away from Chinese producers might have been justifiable, that is not the stated intention of the bill. In any case, the legislation would not merely enforce diversification, but wholesale decoupling. The lawmakers claim that Chinese biotech firms have stolen intellectual property (IP) and collaborated with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinese governments repression of Uyghurs. (WuXi AppTec says it is not aware of unauthorised transfers of IP.) Yet here too the biosecure act is an overreaction. Western biopharma firms are notoriously protective of their IP and are surely best placed to decide whom to trust with their drug recipes. Chinese firms that are militarily or morally compromised should be targeted on an individual basis, not by dint of their nationality or industry. The muddier the motivation behind the legislation seems, the harder it is to escape the conclusion that old-fashioned protectionism is at play. And that is a problem, because it means the bill would unduly hurt American consumers, without delivering any of the supposed security benefits. Small gain, high price If the legislation passes, as seems likely, drug shortages and delayed clinical trials for medicines would probably follow. Every large Western pharma firm and many small ones would have to abandon supply chains and find new partners for trials. Biotech startups in particular rely on cheap Chinese manufacturers to bring their products to market. And that would go against another stated intention of the Biden administration: to lower drug prices. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Buy or sell stocks: Indian stock market benchmarks, the Sensex and the Nifty 50, ended in the red on Friday, June 21. The indices witnessed profit booking at record levels amid the absence of fresh triggers. Nevertheless, the indices ended with mild gains for the week. Sensex rose 0.3 per cent last week, while the Nifty 50 increased by 0.2 per cent. Midcaps underperformed the benchmark index, while the smallcaps outperformed. The BSE Midcap declined 0.2 per cent. On the other hand, the BSE Smallcap index jumped 1.4 per cent for the week. During the week, the Sensex hit its all-time high of 77,851.63, and the Nifty 50 scaled a fresh peak of 23,667.10 before witnessing some profit booking at higher levels. Experts observed that the market's medium-term texture is still positive, but a small bearish candle on weekly charts and a double top formation on intraday charts suggest further weakness from the current levels. Buy or sell stocks for Monday June 24 Sumeet Bagadia of Choice Broking has recommended three stocks for Monday Bharti Airtel, IndiGo, and Dr Reddy's Laboratories Bharti Airtel | Previous close: 1,416.05 | Target price: 1,520 | Stop loss: 1,360 | Upside potential: 7% Bharti Airtel, a prominent player in the telecom sector, has demonstrated resilience and has given a strong breakout above 1,405 level. The stock recently broke above the 1,405 level with high volumes, signalling robust strength. This positive sentiment is further reinforced as it trades above its 20, 50, and 200-day moving averages, indicating bullish momentum. It faces a minor resistance at 1,435 level. Sustaining above this resistance could trigger additional upward momentum, paving the way for further gains. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is presently at 58.11 and trending upwards, highlighting increased buying activity and further supporting the bullish outlook. Given these technical indicators, Bharti Airtel presents a compelling investment opportunity. "The strong bounce from support, a significant breakout, and favourable RSI readings make it an attractive prospect for investors looking to capitalise on its upward trajectory. Investors should be cautious and monitor the stock if it falls below 1,360, which could negate the positive outlook. A short-term target of 1,520 is achievable," said Bagadia. InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) | Previous close: 4,310.15 | Target price: 4,600 | Stop loss: 4,180 | Upside potential: 7% IndiGo is currently trading at 4,310.15 level, demonstrating a robust recovery from the support level of 4,180. The stock has surpassed the small resistance of 4,260 which is also close to its short-term (20-day) EMA (exponential moving average) levels. Currently, the stock is trading above its short-term (20-day), medium-term (50-day) and long-term (200-day) EMA levels. The stock faces a minor resistance near 4,375 level on the higher side. A successful breach of this resistance could trigger a significant upward movement, targeting 4,600 levels and potentially higher. This upward momentum is further supported by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which is currently higher at 54.04, indicating growing bullish sentiment. The stock's recovery from key EMA levels and the upward trajectory of the RSI signal a favourable outlook. Investors should monitor the 4,375 resistance level closely. Surpassing this point would likely validate the bullish trend, providing a strong impetus for further gains. "IndiGo's technical indicators suggest a promising potential for upward movement. The support at 4,180 and the resistance at 4,375 are critical levels to watch, with a breakout above 4,375 paving the way towards the target of 4,600 and above. Investors holding positions can maintain their outlook with optimism, supported by the positive momentum indicators," said Bagadia. "Based on the above analysis, we recommend buying the stock at the current market price of 4,310.15. It can also be added on dips near 4,260 levels for the target of 4,600, with a stop loss of 4,180," said Bagadia. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories | Previous close: 6,011.45 | Target price: 6,380 | Stop loss: 5,800 | Upside potential: 6% Dr Reddy's Laboratories is trading at 6,011.45 level, having displayed significant strength with robust volumes. This stock signals bullish momentum. The stock has surpassed its key moving averages and is trading above its short-term (20-day), medium-term (50-day), and long-term (200-day) EMA levels, indicating sustained strength and a positive trend. The momentum indicator RSI is also on an upward trajectory, currently positioned at 52.39 levels, further supporting the stock's bullish outlook. The upward movement in RSI suggests increasing buying interest and momentum. On the downside, the stock has a strong support level at 5,800, which aligns with its long-term (200-day) EMA. This support level is crucial for maintaining the stock's bullish stance. "Given these technical indicators, the stock shows potential to move towards a target of 6,380 and above. The strong momentum, alignment above key moving averages, and positive RSI movement collectively suggest that the stock is poised for further gains. Investors holding the stock should consider maintaining their positions, capitalising on the upward momentum. In contrast, new investors might find current levels attractive for entry with an eye on the target of 6,380," said Bagadia. Based on the above analysis, we recommend buying the stock at the current market price of 6,011.45 level. It can also be added on dips near 5,920 level for the target of 6,380 with a stop loss of 5,800," Bagadia said. Read all market-related news here Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts, experts, and brokerage firms, not Mint. We advise investors to consult certified experts before making any investment decisions. Also Read | Accenture results: Beware the premature optimism in Indian IT stocks The chip maker powering the artificial-intelligence revolution blew past $3 trillion in market capitalization earlier this month barely three months after passing $2 trillion. It even became the worlds most valuable company earlier this week, briefly surpassing Microsoft and Apple. That seems to have given investors some pause; Nvidias share price has slipped nearly 7% since trading resumed after the Juneteenth holiday. Still, with a value of a little over $3.1 trillion as of Fridays close, Nvidia is hardly cheap. That is merely 2% below that of Apple, a company with more than 2 times Nvidias trailing 12-month free cash flow. The stock is also now at nearly 45 times projected earnings for the next four quarters. That is 11% above its five-year average multiple and about 35% higher than what the stock was fetching when the companys market value first crossed the $2 trillion threshold in March. Nvidias sharp riseand big gains made by stocks such as Dell, Super Micro and Broadcom that are also seen as AI enablershas spawned inevitable comparisons to the dot-com bubble that burst nearly a quarter of century ago. There are some parallels: The early days of the Internet favored companies selling the necessary hardware to get homes and businesses online. Cisco, IBM, Lucent Technologies and Intel were four of the 10 most valuable companies on the market by the end of 1999, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Cisco overtook Microsoft to become the most valuable public company about four months later. Ciscos stock price is about 40% below that level now, adjusted for splits. That seems like a cautionary tale for Nvidias shareholders. But there are also some important differences to consider. Cisco swelled to a much frothier multiple of 131 times forward earnings at its peak in March 2000, according to FactSet data. And that was on less impressive financial performance, as the companys revenue grew 55% in the fiscal year that ended that July with an operating margin of 17%, down from 24% the year before, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Nvidias trailing 12-month revenue at the end of the April quarter was more than triple that of the same period last year, while its operating margin has more than doubled in that time to 60%. Ciscos business also cratered the following year as orders from financially shaky customers that had been propping up its bookings quickly vanished. It actually lost money in the 2001 fiscal year after earning $3.2 billion the year before. This may be the fastest deceleration any company of our size has ever experienced," Ciscos then chief executive, John Chambers, said in the companys earnings release in May of that year. Such a drastic turn is highly unlikely for Nvidia. Deep-pocketed tech giants such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon that operate extensive cloud computing networks account for more than 40% of the companys data-center sales, and they all have clearly signaled plans to spend even more in the coming year. Unlike the dot-com boom that was funded by risky debt-taking, genAI deployment is a mission-critical race between some of the best-funded (cloud) customers," Vivek Arya of BofA Securities wrote in a note to clients this week. Nvidia will also have more software revenue coming into its mix as the growing base of its AI systems will necessitate more use of its software tools by developers. That doesnt necessarily make Nvidias shares safe at their current level, though. The stock has seen a big influx of individual investors since the companys latest financial results last month. Daily retail inflow has averaged nearly $141 million since the earnings compared with a daily average of about $39 million during the month prior, according to Vanda Research. Sell-side analysts are also getting rather exuberant. Several have pushed up their price targets since the stocks June 10 split. And at least four of those targets are now at $160 and higher, which would put Nvidias market capitalization near $4 trillion at its current share count. Nvidia may be the top gun of AI, but investors should be careful not to write checks the stock cant cash. Write to Dan Gallagher at dan.gallagher@wsj.com I love Brief Encounter, I really do. But if it came down to that or the other black-and-white British romance from 1945, Id choose Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburgers I Know Where Im Going every time. Theres nothing in David Leans filmnot even the famous scene at the train stationthat can match the sheer life force of the low-angle shot of an open door, through which bound half a dozen barking dogs followed by Pamela Brown, hunting rifle in one hand, her hair wet and eyes shining, tossing a rabbit aside and embracing a delighted Roger Livesey. Its one of my favourite character introductions in all of cinema. Powell and Pressburger were well-known in their time, though not on the level of their countrymen Alfred Hitchcock and David Lean. Their star really rose across several cycles of reassessment. The initial wave came via the young Americans whod seen their work on TV growing up and were now making movies in 1970s Hollywood: Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma (George Romero, director of Night of the Living Dead, tells a story of how, in their student days, he and Scorsese would be the only ones renting a lone 16mm print of The Tales of Hoffmann). Subsequent generations found their work more easily on DVD, blu-ray and streaming, with the Criterion Collectionwhich has released most of their filmographyproving particularly consistent champions. Scorseses enthusiasm for The Archers (Powell and Pressburgers production company) is well known; his Film Foundation has restored some of their stunning colour works, and he never misses an opportunity to talk up their influence. It is, therefore, unsurprising to see Scorsese take the lead in David Hintons new documentary, Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger. What I didnt expect was for him to be the only talking head. The film is, for all practical purposes, a Scorsese masterclass on Powell and Pressburger, the director seated in a chair and addressing the camera. We hear his feelings on all the major works, interspersed with scenes from the films, still photographs and archival clips of the makers. Imagine a thoughtfully curated box, featuring the best of fiction and poetry books, gourmet snacks or clean beauty products, landing at your doorstep at regular intervals. All you need to do is choose a subscription plan with a service that matches your taste and interests, and a set of curators will put together a box for you. Such subscription box services are quite popular, both as a form of self-care and for thoughtful gifting, internationally, particularly in the US. A May article on The Strategist, a New York Magazine site, states that subscription boxes land right in a good-gift sweet spot of being thoughtful without requiring too much effort. All you have to do is select the one that best matches your recipients interests, and your gift will continue to surprise and delight for several weeks or months. The boxes could range from the regular and mainstream to the nichethere are coffee boxes in which a service uses quizzes to match the subscribers tastes with the offerings by a diverse set of roasters, snack and tea offerings sourced from family-owned businesses in Japan, and even a box set on the choicest sprinkles and decorations required by amateur bakers. There are even kits available on subscription, such as the Bitsbox Basic Box, for budding coders. Also read: Classic tailoring gets a trendy twist In India too, in recent years, there has been rising interest in subscription services. You have a monthly box of 10 healthy snacks, and more, on Snackible, for instance. Flower subscriptions are available on Shades of Spring that can be delivered at frequencies of every seven, 14 or 28 days. Another niche service is Woof Box, a monthly surprise for your pet containing treats, essentials and grooming products. The service also features a special Meow Box for your feline family members. The latest addition to this growing segment is the Boxwalla, which launched in India in April. Described as a discovery platform for curious people, it was founded in 2015 by California-based duo Lavanya Krishnan and Sandeep Bethanabhotla to explore the art of slowness via a subscription box service. In recent years, they have created tasteful boxes on beauty, books, artisanal food, film, fashion, music and more, to be received every two months. In India, the beauty boxes are outside of the subscription model and are available as limited edition ones. In the US, Boxwalla caters to tens of thousands of customers with a majority of women aged between 30 to 55 years. These customers come from all backgrounds and ethnicities from all over the world, with most of them working across various industries. Thats the general age range of the people opting for such services, more so after the pandemic, according to the founders of the subscription box services we spoke with. After covid, people, in general, have become keener to get more personalised and customised services. They dont just want a curation that is tasteful or premium, but also one that satiates their quest for discovery and exploration. The rise in travel in the past three years to find new places or find fresh narratives in previously visited places is being mirrored in the need among consumers to find a selection of product experiences that tell a story as well. The average price points for such services is 1,000 and upwards, depending on what you desire inside the box. At Boxwalla, for instance, most of the curation comes from Krishnan and Bethanabhotla. They often also collaborate with like-minded creative practitioners on boxesboth subscription-based and limited edition. Take, for example, the American Fiction curation by Alexander Chee, author of acclaimed novels such as The Queen Of The Night and the collection of essays, How To Write An Autobiographical Novel. We had been talking about reading diversely for a while now, and so even within American Fiction we wanted to highlight great American writers, beyond the gatekeeping. Chee, also a fan of subscription boxes, had similar tastes as us, and his selections reflected the heterogenous fabric of the country, adds Krishnan. For the India launch, Krishnan and Bethanabhotla focus on beauty, featuring brands like African Botanics, Lovinah & Oio Labs that showcase the range of luxury plant-based beauty, literary fiction for adults and children and film boxes from The Criterion Collection. The book subscription box is available at 1,499 and comes with two books and a bookish gift. For every box, the curators choose one book and the subscriber gets a choice of the second one out of three options such as The Door by Magda Szabo, Gazing Eastwards by Romila Thapar and James by Percival Everett. While the concept of a subscription box is still relatively in India, Bethanabhotla believes the consumers are discerning enough. We all use subscriptionsbe it for Netflix, Prime Video, or to access other kinds of media. So people are already well-versed with the idea. Indian readers want to discover authors and genres hitherto unknown to them, and thats where we come in, he says. WoofBox, founded by Ritika Sharma four years ago, too, has seen the market evolve. It started from a personal need to find premium productstoys, treats, accessories, foodfor her two German Shepherd dogs. Whenever she and her husband would walk into a pet store, they would end up purchasing a lot of things that they either didnt need or the quality was not top notch. That is when they thought that it would be a good idea to come up with a model that could bring good quality premium products to peoples doorsteps. People love to spend a lot on pets but many times they dont know if it is good for them or not. We know from experience about what works for pets, she adds. The couple also looked closely at BarkBox, a similar subscription service in the US. However, their boxes are theme-based. Here, it is important to be necessity-oriented. The model of subscription boxes, while being popular for beauty and wellness segments, is not entirely well-known for pet products. But we feel that it is important for us to continue she says. WoofBox sends out many boxes every month. Also read: Oversized clothes can look cool and hot The consumer mindset is such that why should I pay in advance for something I may or may not like. So, we introduced a one-month box, priced at 1,888, for those who want to try it out. And then, they subscribe for longer three, six and 12-month subscriptions which deliver value for money and customised productsthe last three being for those who have tried the box and realise the value that we provide, says Sharma. No two boxes that are shipped across India are the same. They are curated based on the breed, size, age and allergies of the pet. Every dog is different and so are their needs. So, we have also introduced specialty boxes like Chew Master, which is curated for extensive chewers, Trick2Treat containing mentally stimulating toys that keep dogs engaged for long, and a Birthday WoofBox, which is curated to celebrate the pooches big day, she elaborates. Curation is key to such services. Krishnan says she tries every product before including it. I have enough experience now about how a certain product will work, say with different skin types. I am able to extend that subjective experience to predict how it will work for a range of people, she elaborates. The curation stems from a fundamental questionwhat is your favourite versus what is great? It is completely okay to have a favourite that is not great, but you should know the difference. Anthropic Announces Claude 3.5 Sonnet, First of Three 3.5 Releases OpenAI and Google competitor Anthropic has announced a new member of its Claude large language model (LLM) family: Claude 3.5 Sonnet. This is the first release in the forthcoming Claude 3.5 product line, and the company says it surpasses its predecessors and competitors in intelligence, speed, and cost-efficiency, offering advanced capabilities at the mid-tier model price. Operating at twice the speed of its predecessor, Claude 3 Opus, Claude 3.5 Sonnet sets benchmarks for graduate-level reasoning, undergraduate-level knowledge, and coding proficiency, the company says, and demonstrates significant improvements in understanding nuanced and complex instructions, humor, and producing high-quality content with a relatable tone. Claude 3.5 Sonnet also excels in visual reasoning tasks, outperforming Claude 3 Opus in standard vision benchmarks. Its capabilities include accurate transcription of text from imperfect images. The company is billing the new LLM as ideal for complex tasks such as context-sensitive customer support and multi-step workflow orchestration. An internal evaluation showed Claude 3.5 Sonnet solving 64% of problems in agentic coding tests. Anthropic launched its Claude 3 family in March. The company says it plans to release Claude 3.5 Haiku and Claude 3.5 Opus (the other members of the Claude LLM family) later this year, along with new modalities and enterprise application integrations. The company is also exploring features like Memory to enhance personalization and efficiency. Claude 3.5 Sonnet is available now for free on the company's website and the Claude iOS app, with enhanced rate limits for Claude Pro and Team plan subscribers. It's also accessible via the Anthropic API, Amazon Bedrock, and Google Clouds Vertex AI. The model is priced at $3 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens, featuring a 200K token context window. The company also introduced a new feature called "Artifacts," which is a kind of dynamic workspace designed to allow enterprise users to generate and interact with content, such as code snippets and text documents in real time. Devotees from across the nation are flocking to the Kamakhya temple in Assam's Guwahati for the commencement of the annual Ambubachi Mela today. Following the Pravritti of the Ambubachi Mela, the temple's main door will remain closed for three days, reported ANI. The Nivritti of the Ambubachi Mela is scheduled for June 26, after which the temple's main door will reopen on the morning of the same day. "After Pravritti the main door of the temple will be closed for three days and three nights, said Kabindra Prasad Sarma-Doloi (head priest) of Kamakhya temple. Also Read | Assam floods: IMD issues red alert for heavy rains in 3 northeastern states What is Ambubachi Mela? The Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu fair organised at Kamakhya Temple. This fest marks the celebration of the yearly menstruation course of goddess Maa Kamakhya. Arrangements for the festivities were made jointly by the Assam government and Kamakhya Temple Management Committee. Kamakhya Temple is is one of 51 Shaktipeeths in India that is located atop Nilachal Hills. VIP passes? Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said that the state government will not issue any VIP passes to visit Kamakhya temple on June 26 and 27. "The state government and various departments are working on it. There will be no VIP passes to visit Kamakhya temple on June 26 and 27 when the temple door will be opened," ANI quoted Assam Tourism Minister as saying. The head priest of Kamakhya temple said, The Ambubachi Mela's Nivritti will be performed on June 26 and the main door of the temple will be opened on June 26 morning. All rituals and puja will be performed after Nivritti. He expressed hope that the number of devotees visiting the temple would increase this year as compared to the previous year and added, The Assam government and district administration have also extended their support, including security, transportation, food, etc. Kabindra Prasad Sarma further informed that around 25 lakh devotees visited Kamakhya temple last year, during the Ambubachi Mela. Four members of the prominent Hinduja family were convicted on Friday for exploiting underpaid servants at their luxurious villa in Geneva, Switzerland. The elder family members, Prakash Hinduja (78) and Kamal Hinduja (75), who were absent from the trial due to health issues, received sentences of 4 1/2 years each. According to Bloomberg, Ajay Hinduja and his wife Namrata, who were also not present in the courtroom, were sentenced to 4 years. Ajay Hinduja, his wife Namrata, and his parents were found guilty of illegally underpaying staff hired from India, providing wages far below the Swiss standard rate. The family's business manager, Najib Ziazi, received an 18-month suspended sentence. The Hindujas expressed their dismay at the court's decision and announced an appeal has been filed to a higher court. They hope to overturn the verdict, which found them guilty of exploiting vulnerable domestic workers, as reported by PTI. Also Read | GST Council meeting today: Here are the five key expectations Background on the Hinduja family The Hinduja family's legacy dates back to 1914 when Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja founded a commodities-trading business in British India's Sindh region. The business quickly diversified under his four sons, initially finding success by distributing Bollywood films internationally. Srichand, the eldest son, passed away in 2023, leaving behind his brothers Gopichand, Prakash, and Ashok, who continue to manage the family's vast business empire. With interests in finance, media, and energy, the Hinduja family owns stakes in six publicly traded Indian companies and has a collective wealth estimated at $20 billion by Forbes. This places them among Asia's top 20 wealthiest families. Charges and court findings The Hinduja family members were accused of seizing workers' passports, preventing them from leaving the villa, and forcing them to work long hours for minimal pay. Many workers, only speaking Hindi, were paid in rupees to bank accounts in India, which they could not access while in Switzerland. Also Read | Mukesh Ambani deepfake video leads Mumbai woman lose 7 lakh in share market s The family's legal team denied the allegations, arguing that the staff were treated respectfully and provided proper accommodation. However, the Swiss court dismissed more severe charges of human trafficking but upheld the convictions for exploiting the workers' lack of local language skills and knowledge. Workers reported a "climate of fear" and were forced to work up to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, without statutory time off or benefits, for wages far below the Swiss standard. Details of the case The conviction stemmed from a case that began in 2018 when Swiss prosecutors, acting on a tip-off, raided the Hinduja villa, Hinduja Bank offices, and other local businesses owned by the Hinduja Group. Documents and hard drives were seized as evidence. The court found the four family members guilty of providing unauthorized employment, offering minimal health benefits, and paying wages less than one-tenth of the standard rate for such jobs in Switzerland. Prosecutors highlighted that the workers endured harsh conditions, working with little or no vacation, extended hours for receptions, and often slept in the basement on mattresses. Swiss authorities have confiscated valuable assets, including diamonds, rubies, a platinum necklace, and other jewellery, to cover potential legal fees and penalties. Acharya Laxmikant Dixit, the chief priest who had performed the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, died Saturday morning. Family members said Dixit, 86, was not well for the last few days. His last rites will be conducted at Manikarnika Ghat. Lord Ram's idol was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22 in an event led by Prime Minister Modi. Counted among the senior scholars of Varanasi, Dixit was a native of Solapur district of Maharashtra but his family has been living in Varanasi for several generations. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the death of Dixit. In a post on 'X', he said, "The departure of Acharya Shri Laxmikant Dixit, a great scholar of Kashi and the chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Prana Pratishtha, is an irreparable loss to the spiritual and literary world." "He will always be remembered for his service to Sanskrit language and Indian culture," Adityanath said. In a major development in the ongoing investigation of the Renukaswamy murder case, Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has admitted to borrowing 40 lakh from one of his friends to pay for the destruction of evidence. The Kannada actor was arrested on 11 June as the prime accused in the case. During the ongoing investigation, he admitted to borrowing a large sum of money to give to witnesses of the crime, PTI reported, citing a remand application. Also Read | Darshan case: Kiccha Sudeep demands justice for Renukaswamy Plot to dispose of Renukaswamy's dead body According to a news agency, PTI, the Kannada actor was also responsible for planning how the dead body would be disposed of after the murder. Renukaswamy was allegedly beaten with lathis and wooden logs. He was also given electric shocks during the alleged assault at a tin shade in Bengaluru. Police find 37 lakh from Darshan Thoogudeepa's house During the investigation, the police found a part of the 40 lakh loan the Kannada actor took to destroy the evidence. Of the total money, 37.4 lakh was found in a green Puma bagat the actor's house. The police also recovered 4.5 lakh from one of Darshan's fan house. Actor Pavithra Gowda hit Renukaswamy with slippers was present at the murder site Actor Pavithra Gowda, who was the prime accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, had beaten up the victim with her slippers, reported PTI, referring to a recent remand note. The news agency also suggested that she was present at the murder site. Pavithra Gowda has been named the main accused in the case, as she was the instigator. After Gowda, Kannada superstar Darshan Thoogudeepa is the second accused. In addition to Darshan and Gowda, fifteen more people have been arrested in the Renukaswamy murder case. The police officials are also planning to reach out to Meta to retrieve the deleted messages shared by Renukaswamy to Pavithra on Instagram, reported PTI. The police have found an Electric Shock Torch in the house of one of the accused persons arrested in the murder case. Delhi water crisis: As Delhi residents continue to stand in long queues amid the heatwave to get water, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers on Saturday protested in the national capital. BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri led a protest at Jal Board filling pump in Okhla. Following that, the police used water cannons to disperse the protesters. One does not become a common man by saying 'aam aadmi' and by wearing a long sleeve shirt. You have played with the emotions of the people of Delhi, said Bidhurai, targeting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Atishi blames BJP Delhi Water Minister Atishi, who is on an indefinite fast over the Delhi water crisis at Bhogal in south Delhi, on Saturday once again blamed the BJP. On the second day of her fast, Atishi said that the BJP government of Haryana had stopped the water meant for Delhi. Yesterday also, 110 million gallons per day (MGD) less water was sent than Delhi's share, due to which, today more than 28 lakh people will face water shortage. The AAP leader also said that despite all the efforts, the BJP government of Haryana is not releasing the water meant for Delhi. The AAP minister stated that the 'Water Satyagraha' will continue till the time Haryana's BJP government does not release all the water that is Delhi's right. "Haryana has reduced water share" Atishi said that Delhi receives 1,005 MGD water from neighbouring states through rivers and canals. Of 1,005 MGD, Haryana provides 613 MGD. However, Haryana has reduced its share to 513 MGD for a few weeks, affecting over 28 lakh people. Also Read | Dead in the water: How heatwaves are killing fish Long queues for water In Delhi, numerous poeople continue to stand in queues to fetch water from tankers amid the heatwave. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has refuted claims made by French journalist Sebastien Farcis that he was "forced to leave" India. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that Sebastien Farcis' application for the renewal of his work permit is still under consideration. "Farcis is an OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card holder and, under our regulations, requires approval to carry out journalistic assignments," stated Jaiswal. "He has re-applied for renewal of his work permit in May 2024, and to the best of my knowledge, his case is under consideration. He has the right to make a decision in so far as his travel out of the country is concerned." Farcis had claimed on Thursday that he was "forced to leave" India after the Union Home Ministry refused to renew his permit. "After 13 years working as a correspondent in India, the authorities have denied me a permit to work as a journalist. I have thus been forced to leave the country," he said on X. Sebastien Farcis served as the South Asia correspondent for Radio France Internationale, Radio France, Liberation, and the Swiss and Belgian public radios. "On June 17, I was forced to leave India, a country where I had lived and worked as a journalist for 13 years, as a South Asia correspondent for Radio France Internationale, Radio France, Liberation and the Swiss and Belgian public radios," Farcis reiterated. This incident follows the February departure of French journalist Vanessa Dougnac, who left India after the government revoked her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. Also Read | Centre slaps stock limit on tur and chana till September to ensure affordability Farcis emphasized that he had been working in India since 2011 and had obtained all necessary visas and accreditations. Concerns over press freedom in India Sebastien Farcis, a French journalist, announced his departure from India on Thursday, citing the denial of a work permit as an act of "incomprehensible censorship." He claimed that the refusal to renew his permit prevented him from covering the Indian general elections, describing it as a significant shock and an instance of censorship. Farcis also highlighted that no reasons were provided despite his formal requests. Also Read | Gold and silver prices today on 22-06-2024: Check latest rates in your city Farcis' departure adds to growing concerns about media freedom in India, with critics alleging increasing restrictions on journalists. India has recently been ranked 159 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. Earlier this year, Australian journalist Avani Dias also left India after facing challenges with visa renewals. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the 53rd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting scheduled later on Saturday. The GST meeting will be the first after the formation of the NDA government and after a gap of eight months. The 52nd GST Council meeting was held on October 7, 2023. All the state finance ministers are likely to attend the GST Council meeting. The agenda of the GST Council meeting is not announced yet. At the GST Council meeting, several issues pertaining to the GST regime, such as tax rates, modifications to policies, and administrative challenges are likely to be discussed. The goods and services tax was introduced in the country with effect from July 1, 2017. Earlier in the day, Sitharaman chaired a pre-Union budget meeting with the finance ministers of all states and Union territories. Here are some key areas on which the GST Councils deliberations are expected Fertilisers: Presently, 5 per cent GST rate is applicable on fertilisers, while raw materials such as Sulphuric Acid and Ammonia are charged at 18 per cent GST. The council may discuss the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers to lower GST on nutrients and raw materials. Online gaming: Currently, 28 per cent GST is levied on the full value of bets for online gaming companies. The GST council is likely to review the current GST rate on online gaming. Telecom: An issue related to GST payments, along with the instalments paid towards spectrum charges, by the telecom companies may also be taken up at the GST Council meeting. Extra Neutral Alcohol: At the meeting held in October 2023, the GST Council gave up the right to tax Extra Neutral Alcohol or ENA (raw product for making alcohol for human consumption) to states. The council is likely to vet the amendments in the GST law with respect to the decision. Corporate guarantees: The council may review its decision to levy 18 per cent GST on guarantees provided by corporates to their subsidiaries. The CBIC circular on corporate guarantee was stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Also Read | Budget 2024: A look at what corporate India expects from FM Nirmala Sitharaman Also Read | GST Council set to amend alcohol tax laws, enable dispute settlement Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina held talks on Saturday "to further deepen historic ties between the two countries," the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. The ministry further informed that the talks between the two leaders covered a range of areas of bilateral cooperation including development partnership, energy, water resources, trade, defence cooperation, and more. Sheikh Hasina began her two-day visit to India on Friday. She was the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India. Hasina and PM Modi have met each other 10 times since 2019. PM Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina held a joint press conference to share details of their meeting. Here's what they said in 12 points: 1. India and Bangladesh finalised a shared vision for "green partnership" and Blue Economy following talks between PM Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina. The two sides inked agreements to further broad-base relations, including in areas of digital domain, maritime sphere and railway connectivity. "The youth of both countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in areas such as Green Partnership, Digital Partnership, Blue Economy and Space," PM Modi said at the press meet on Saturday. 2. PM Modi added that India will start an e-medical visa facility for Bangladesh nationals coming to India for medical treatment. He said India will also open a new consulate in Rangpur, Bangladesh, to facilitate services for people in the country's northwest region. "India will start e-medical visas for Bangladesh nationals coming to India for medical treatment. India has decided to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur to benefit the people in the northwest part of Bangladesh," PM Modi said. 3. Emphasizing the focus on 'Connectivity, Commerce, Collaboration', PM Modi said both the sides agreed to start talks on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to take forward economic ties. 4. PM Modi also assured that Bangladesh "lies at the confluence of our Neighbourhood First policy, Act East Policy, Vision SAGAR and the Indo-Pacific Vision". He said the two countries completed many important projects for public welfare in the last year alone. "I reiterate India's commitment to realising Bangabandhu's vision of a stable, prosperous and progressive Bangladesh," PM Modi said. 5. PM Modi welcomed Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. "We will also continue our cooperation in other regional and international forums, including BIMSTEC," he said. 6. PM Modi said the two countries have decided to start talks at the technical level for the renewal of the Ganga River treaty. A technical team will also travel to Bangladesh to review the protection and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh. 7. Ahead of the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash between India and Bangladesh today, PM Modi also gave best wishes to both teams. "I also give my best wishes to both India and Bangladesh cricket teams for today's match," he said. Follow India vs Bangladesh Live Score here 8. PM Modi said talks were also held to strengthen India-Bangladesh defence ties. "...We had detailed discussions from defence production to modernisation of armed forces. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation over counter-terrorism, fundamentalism and peaceful management of the border," he said. He also talked about the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Satellite will give new heights to India-Bangladesh relationship. 9. Prime Minister Modi further said that India and Bangladesh have started trading in Indian Rupees. He also highlighted the electricity export from Nepal to Bangladesh using the Indian grid. 10. Meanwhile, PM Sheikh Hasina invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh to further strengthen the friendly relations of our two countries. 11. In her comments, Hasina said, "India is our major neighbour and a trusted friend" and Dhaka greatly values its relations with New Delhi which were born in "our war of liberation in 1971". Janata Dal (Secular) MLC Suraj Revanna, who is the brother of sexual-abuse accused Prajwal Revanna, reached Hassan Police Station on Saturday evening after a party worker alleged Suraj Revanna of same-sex harassment. A case was filed against the JD(S) MLC for sexually harrasing a man at his farmhouse. Suraj Revanna is the son of Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna and the elder brother of former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna who is in police custody for allegedly sexually assaulting several women. According to an India Today report, a case was filed against Suraj Revanna in at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district. In the FIR it was mentioned that Suraj Revanna sexually assaulted the complainant at the former's farmhouse on June 16. The man in his FIR mentioned that Suraj Revanna had invited him to his farmhouse and he forcefully kissed him and bit his lips and cheeks. According to the India Today report, the complainant also alleged that Suraj Revanna further threatened to kill him if he didn't cooperate. This is the third sexual abuse case that has plagued the kin of former Prime Minister of India HD Deve Gowda. Allegation of sexual abuse emerged against Prajwal Revanna, grandson of Deve Gowda, during the Lok Sabha Elections. This was followed by sexual harassment allegations against Revanna's father HD Revanna. Months later a JD(S) worker has now alleged that HD Revanna's other son Suraj Revanna, an MLC, had committed same-sex harassment against him. Earlier in the day, JD(S) worker and his kin were booked for allegedly trying to extort money from party MLC Suraj Revanna by threatening to lodge a false case of sexual assault against him. Suraj Revanna's close aide Shivakumar filed a complaint on Friday, resulting in an FIR against Chethan K S and his brother-in-law. In turn, Chethan lodged a police complaint accusing Suraj Revanna of sexual assault. According to Shivakumar's complaint, Chethan befriended him and joined the 'Suraj Revanna Brigade'. Recently, Chethan allegedly demanded money for family expenses, threatening to accuse Suraj Revanna of assault when denied. Shivakumar stated the demand started at 5 crore, later lowered to 2 crore. The allegations have sparked a legal confrontation between the parties involved. Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under IPC sections 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (involvement of others in the conspiracy) against Chethan and his brother-in-law. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents are likely to bargain hard for Maharashtra assembly election seats after their performance in the Lok Sabha elections. Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) - the alliance partners in MVA won 30 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats. The Congress emerged as the largest party with 13 seats out of 17 seats it contested, followed by Uddhav Thackeray's party winning nine of 21 seats and Sharad Pawar's NCP emerging winner on 10 out of eight seats. Even though seat-sharing talks have not yet started, with the assembly elections likely to be held in October, all the three parties who recently vowed to fight together, are looking to get maximum seats based on their Lok Sabha performance. Sanjay Raut, the Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP said that all are equal stakeholders in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, adding, The MVA contested the Lok Sabha polls unitedly and showed to the world how Maharashtra stopped the BJP from getting a full majority. His remark gained significance with the NCP saying that the situation in assembly polls would be different as compared to Lok Sabha where they contested fewer seats. "Seat-sharing talks have not yet commenced. So the question of who will contest how many seats doesn't arise. All are equal stakeholders.We will meet after the monsoon session," said Raut. Raut stated that his party's candidates in two-three seats lost by a thin margin, else its strike rate too would have been better. The Sena (UBT) leader added that there are 288 (assembly) seats in the state and there will be no shortage of seats for anyone (to contest). "Everyone will contest comfortably," added Raut. On Friday, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar held meetings with the party's functionaries from Pune, as well as its MLAs and newly-elected MPs. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the monsoon is expected to advance over northwest India and cover most parts of the region between June 27 and July 3. The IMD also said that for next 3-4 days conditions are favourable for Southwest monsoon to advance into some more parts of North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and East Uttar Pradesh. Under the favourable monsoon conditions, rainfall activity is likely to be near normal to above normal over most parts of the country, except Western Himalayan Region and West Rajasthan, where it is likely to be below normal. Southwest Monsoon likely to advance over remaining parts of Central India and most parts of remaining parts of northwest India during the week, IMD said in its forecast. According to the weather department, currently El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions -- the transition between the warm El Nino and cool La Nina phases of ENSO is prevailing. La Nina conditions are expected to develop around August. Currently el nino southern oscillation neutral conditions are observed over the equatorial Pacific. The sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are above average in the equatorial western and central Pacific Ocean, and below-average over the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The latest Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecasting System (MMCFS) forecast indicates that the ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to continue with strong possibility of transition to La Nina conditions around August-October 2024 season, the IMD said in its June forecast. On Thursday, the monsoon made a progress in some more parts of Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Northwest Bay of Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and some parts of Bihar. Light to moderate intensity rain and winds over and adjoining areas of a few places of Delhi-NCR brought respite from the scorching heat on Thursday. On Friday, several parts of Delhi were lashed by rain. The city had received 4 mm of rainfall in 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Saturday. The IMD on Wednesday had said that the monsoon is expected to arrive in Delhi-NCR around June 30. The weather department issued a red alert in Malappuram district and an orange alert for seven districts of Kerala for heavy rains for Saturday. The Union Health Ministry on Saturday said that the NEET-PG entrance examination, which was scheduled to be held on June 23, has been postponed as a 'precautionary measure'. The fresh date of the examination will be announced at the earliest, said the ministry. The NEET-PG exam is conducted by the National Board of Examination for medical students. The development comes amid an ongoing controversy over the NEET-UG results and cancellation of the UCG-NET and Joint CSIR-UGC-NET examinations. Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, the Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of the processes of the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, said the Health Ministry. As a precautionary measure, the ministry said, It has accordingly been decided to postpone the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, scheduled to be held tomorrow i.e. 23rd June, 2024. Further stating that the Ministry of Health sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students, the ministry said, This decision has been taken in the best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of the examination process. NTA DG shunted Meanwhile, amid allegations of irregularities in NEET and NET exams, the National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh was also shunted. He has been put on compulsory wait till further orders. Pradeep Singh Kharola, the Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) has been assigned additional charge of the NTA. Also Read | Centre brings into force stringent law to curb irregularities in exam High-level committee formed The Education Ministry has announced the formation of a high-level committee to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA). The committee of experts will make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of examination process, improvement in Data Security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) examination, Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor urged the central government to postpone the NEET-PG exams scheduled to take place on 23 June. Also Read | Centre brings into force stringent law to curb irregularities in exam Shashi Tharoor also cited the prevalent heatwave-like conditions in northern India as another concern for the candidates appearing in the upcoming examination conducted by the National Testing Agency and National Board of Examinations (NBE). Given the allegations surrounding the conduct of NEET-UG exams, I urge the Government to postpone NEET-PG scheduled on June 23rd, wrote Shashi Tharoor on X. In his social media post, Tharoor pointed out how large number of candidates from Kerala travel to other states to appear in the NEET-PG examinations because of shortage of seats in examination centres in the state. Additionally, as an MP from Kerala, I must point out that due to the shortage of seats in examination centres here, hundreds of people from the Southern states of India are forced to come North to take this exam and the current severe heatwave situation in the North, which has taken the lives of over 100 people in the last 3 months, and resulted in some 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases, puts these students unnecessarily at risk, he added. NEET-UG examination controversy The NEET-UG retest for 1,563 candidates will be held on Sunday, June 23. While conducting the examination, officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and Union education ministry will be present at the examination centres. While hearing separate pleas on the NEET (Undergraduate)-2024 examination, the apex court had on June 18 said even if there was "0.001 per cent negligence" on the part of anyone in the conduct of the examination, it should be thoroughly dealt with. Jodhpur:Several people including two police officers were injured after communal violence erupted in the Soorsagar area here over the construction of an eidgah gate, officials said on Saturday. Police Commissioner Rajendra Singh said 51 people have been arrested so far in connection with the Friday night incident, and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in areas under six police stations. Jodhpur West DCP Rajesh Kumar Yadav said the clash began Friday night over the construction of a gate in the rear side of an eidgah near Rajaram Circle in Soorsagar. The tension escalated and some people hurled stones, injuring two police officers, he said. The residents of the locality opposed the construction of the gate on the backside of the eidgah saying that it would increase the movement of people in that area. According to police, the construction began on Friday evening. The subsequent confrontation turned violent later with stone-pelting, arson and vandalism. "A shop and a tractor were set on fire while a jeep was vandalised," a senior police officer said. DCP Yadav said the police dispersed people to their homes by using batons and fired 4-5 rounds of tear gas shells. While charging at the crowd, police had to face a barrage of stones hurled at them, which for a moment blocked their advancement. A brief peace was also worked out by the police with the help of senior members from both communities but sudden stone-pelting turned the situation tense again. According to police, stones were thrown from houses in the areas including Vyapariyon ka Mohalla, Ambon ka Bagh and Subhash Chowk. Efforts are on to identify the houses from where stones were hurled at the police when they tried to disperse the mob, they said. The police commissioner said that the situation is under control and police have been deployed in the entire area. Two FIRs were filed based on complaints from both sides. "We have imposed CrPC Section 144 and arrested 51 people so far, he said. Police said people from both sides have been taken into custody and teams are still raiding houses in the locality to apprehend suspects. Another FIR has been filed by the police's side under several provisions of law, including perpetrating violence, causing interference in the government's work, damaging public property, disturbing communal harmony and rioting, they said. Also Read | Over 40 injured in communal clashes during Saraswati idol immersion in Bihar Also Read | Communal violence over Ram Mandir inauguration continues for 2nd day in Mumbai Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and others have been sent to judicial custody till July 4, 2023. A court in Bengaluru remanded Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa to judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case. The Bengaluru Economical Offences Special Court passed the order in the Renukaswamy murder case, also remanding the accomplices of Darshan Thoogudeepa Vinay, Pradosh and Dhanaraj to judicial custody till July 4. The actor, Darshan Thoogudeepa, was in the police custody since June 11. Thirteen other accused, including the actor's friend Pavithra Gowda, were remanded to 14 days' judicial custody two days ago. A total of 17 people are accused in the murder case. Police have arrested Darshan along with Gowda and 15 others in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. According to police sources, Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. Renukaswamy was abducted from Chitradurga on June 8 and was tortured to death allegedly by the actor and his aides. As part of the investigation, police sources said, they are contemplating on approaching social media giant Meta to retrieve data related to messages shared by Renukaswamy on his Instagram post, which has been deleted. On June 21, it was revealed that actor Pavithra Gowda, a prime accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, had beaten up the victim with her slippers, according to a recent remand note presented by the police in court. Police have seized the slipper, clothes, materials and other documents connected to actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, also accused in the murder, from Pavithras house. Darshans gang member Dhanaraj alias Raja, who is accused number nine in the case, had allegedly given Renukaswamy electric shocks. Police seized an Electric Shock Torch from his house. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman-led panel on Saturday approved biometric-based Aadhaar authentication to check fake invoicing, during GST Council meeting. On the 53rd GST Council Meeting, Sitharaman said, There is going to be a rolling out of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication on an all-India basis. This will help us to combat fraudulent input tax credit claims made through fake invoices in the cases. The GST Council meet also mentioned It is up to the states to decide and come together and get petrol and diesel into GST. The intent of the Central Government is clear, we want the GST to include petrol and diesel. Here are the top news stories: GST Council Meeting GST Council on Saturday recommended 20 lakh limit for filing of appeal by Tax Authorities before Appellate Tribunal, 1crore for High Court, 2 crore for Supreme Court. Further, the council also recommended a uniform rate of 12 pc on all milk cans. Nirmala Sitharaman also informed that services provided by Indian Railways like platform tickets will be exempted from GST. To read more about GST Council Meeting click here Speaker Protem row flares up As the row over the appointment of the new Speaker Protem, Opposition sources reportedly said on Saturday that Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu and Sudip Bandyopadhyay may not join the panel of chairpersons to assist Speaker Protem Bhartruhari Mahtab in administering the oath to the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha. To read more about Speaker Protem row click here Paytm's laid-off employees allege unlawful termination Paytm is under the spotlight again after several of its former employees have alleged the fintech major over unlawful termination of employment without severance pay. Ex-employees have filed complaints with the Ministry of Labour and Employment demanding a fair and formal termination process for the same. To read more about Paytm layoff click here IMD issues alerts for Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra Kerala, parts of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few days, said the India Meteorological Department. IMD has issued a red alert for Kerala, Konkan, Goa, Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka. It has also issued an orange alert for Madhya Maharashtra and Andaman & Nicobar. To read more about IMD weather updates click here Govt forms committee to conduct exams amid NEET row The Ministry of Education constituted a high-level committee of seven experts to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations. The move to form the expert panel came amid controversy over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam 2024. The week witnessed diverse events shaping global and regional landscapes, from international diplomacy to significant legislative developments. A tragic train collision in West Bengal, Thailand's pioneering move towards same-sex marriage, and the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination were among the pivotal moments. Top news between June 16 and June 22: NTA cancels June UGC-NET, as integrity of exam compromised The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Wednesday cancelled the UGC-National Eligibility Test after reports emerged that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised. The NTA conducted the UGC-NET examination in 83 subjects in OMR (pen and paper) mode on 18 June in two shifts across different cities of the country. In a late-night statement, the ministry of education said that a fresh examination will be conducted, for which information would be shared separately. Simultaneously, the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation. West Bengal: 15 killed in Kanchanjunga train accident A train collision occurred on Monday morning on the busy route between West Bengal's capital city, Kolkata's Sealdah station, and New Jalpaiguri station in Siliguri, which connects South Bengal to North Bengal. A goods train collided with the popular-with-tourists, Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express in Darjeeling district, killing 15 people and injuring at least 60. Thailand became first south Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage Thailand's Senate has approved a marriage equality bill, marking a significant step towards becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. The measure passed its final reading on Tuesday with strong support, garnering 130 votes in favour out of 152 members present. Vladimir Putin visits North Korea Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea on June 18 for his first official visit to the East Asian nation in 24 years, according to reports. The visit follows an invitation extended by North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un in September 2023. Putin's last visit to Pyongyang was in July 2000, highlighting Moscow's growing partnership with the nuclear-armed state, especially in the context of Russia's relations since its invasion of Ukraine. In an op-ed piece in North Korean state media hours before he landed, Putin said Russia and North Korea would continue to resolutely oppose what he described as Western ambitions to hinder the establishment of a multipolarized world order based on mutual respect for justice. PM Modi inaugurates Nalanda University in Bihar Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday. The event was attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor Rajendra V Arlekar, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, marking a significant milestone for the renowned educational institution. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's state visit to India Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM. PM Hasina arrived in India on Friday for a two-day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. International Yoga Day 2024: Yoga Tourism creating new avenues for employment, says PM Modi in Srinagar PM Modi has urged the people of the country to make yoga a part of their daily lives. He was delivering an address at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on the occasion of 10th International Day of Yoga. The PM also took part in the Common Yoga Protocol session. The PM took to social media platform X and stated, As we mark the 10th International Day of Yoga, I urge everyone to make it a part of their daily lives. Yoga fosters strength, good health and wellness. Wonderful to join this year's programme in Srinagar. Water Crisis Row: Delhi Minister Atishi sits on indefinite hunger strike Delhi's Water Minister Atishi commenced an indefinite hunger strike on Friday, accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh and other party members at Bhogal, near Jangpura. Atishi alleged that the Haryana government has been withholding Delhi's allocated share of water amid the ongoing political dispute over the water crisis. Delhi High Court stays CM Arvind Kejriwal's bail The Delhi High Court has temporarily halted the trial court's decision to grant bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. The High Court indicated that it would issue a final decision on the Enforcement Directorate's plea within the next two to three days. The ED contested the Rouse Avenue court's June 20, 2024 order, which had approved bail for Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi Excise policy case. Amid UGC-NET, NEET paper leak row, Centre brings into force stringent law to curb irregularities in exam The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims to curb unfair practices during public examinations and common entrance tests nationwide, came into effect on Friday. This development comes amid controversy about alleged misconduct during the NEET and UGC NET exams. A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said, In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the central government hereby appoints the 21st day of June 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran's Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of a government critic and a popular hip-hop artist, Toomaj Salehi who came to fame over his lyrics about the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022 his lawyer Amir Raisian said Saturday. In a post on social media platform X, Raisian said that the court assessed the case and found Salehis past six years in prison as excessive since the punishment was more than what was allowed by law. He added that another branch of the court will now review the case. Salehis death sentence in April by a Revolutionary Court in the central city of Isfahan created confusion as even Irans state-run IRNA news agency and the judiciary did not formally confirm it. Such courts in Iran often involve closed-door hearings with evidence produced secretary and give limited rights to those on trial. The news quickly drew international criticism from the United States and United Nations experts, who condemned it as a sign of Tehrans continuing crackdown against all dissent following years of mass protests. Salehi was released from prison last November after spending a year there on charges that his supporters said were based on the hip-hop artists music and participation in the protests that broke out in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22. Amini died in the custody of the countrys morality police after being detained for wearing her hijab too loosely. Salehi rapped about Amini in one video, saying: Someones crime was dancing with her hair in the wind. In another verse, he predicts the downfall of Irans theocracy. Shortly after his release last year, Salehi was sent to prison again after saying in a video message that he was tortured after his detention in October 2022. State media at the time released a video showing him blindfolded and apologizing for his words, a statement likely to have been made under duress. Later in 2023, a court sentenced Salehi to more than six years in prison. A Janata Dal (Secular) worker and his kin were booked after Suraj Revanna, the brother of Prajwal Revanna who is accused of sexual assault of a number of women, filed a complaint, stating he was being blackmailed with a false case of sexual assault. The accused has been identified as Chethan KS and his brother-in-law. The complaint was filed by Suraj Revanna's close aide Shivakumar on Friday based on which an FIR was registered against the accused. In his complaint, Shivakumar alleged that Chethan became his friend and started working for the 'Suraj Revanna Brigade'. Chethan requested money from Shivakumar to cover family expenses, but his demand was rejected. According to the reports, Chethan had also asked Shivakumar for a job. Shivakumar provided him with Suraj's number, but when he did not get one, Chethan began blackmailing the JD(S) leader. Chethan and his brother-in-law demanded 5 crore and threatened to file a sexual assault against him if he did not comply. Following the complaint, the JD(S) worker and his relative were booked for allegedly trying to extort money from party MLC Suraj Revanna. Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under IPC sections 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (involvement of others in the conspiracy) against Chethan and his brother-in-law. Who is Suraj Revanna? Suraj Revanna is the son of Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna and the elder brother of former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna who is in judicial custody for allegedly sexually assaulting several women. Meanwhile, Chethan, too, has lodged a police complaint on Friday, accusing Suraj Revanna of sexually assaulting him. A special court in Bengaluru on Tuesday, June 18, remanded former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of rape and sexual abuse, to judicial custody till June 24. The 33-year-old had failed in his bid to retain the Hassan parliamentary constituency in the recent polls. SIT officials arrested Prajwal Revanna soon after he landed at Bengaluru airport from Germany on May 31. From GST Council meeting to talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, June 22 is lined up with a number of events. According to the reports, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to impose Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to prepare for the Assembly elections. There is more to this day, let's read about the top events that are happening today on June 22, 2024. GST COUNCIL MEETING TODAY Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the GST Council meeting likely to review the 28 per cent GST on the online gaming sector. The meeting is being held after a gap of eight months. The 52nd meeting of the GST Council, which comprises finance ministers of all states and UTs, was held on October 7, 2023. The agenda for the 53rd meeting is yet to be circulated amongst the Council members. However, there is word that the GST Council meeting will deliberate on a host of issues, including taxation of online gaming and corporate guarantees on related party services, besides levy of tax on spectrum fees paid by telcos. NARENDRA MODI-SHEIKH HASINA TALKS TODAY Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday began a two-day State visit to India with an aim to further expand the already close ties between the two countries. Sheikh Hasina and PM Narendra Modi will be holding talks today during which both sides are likely to firm up a raft of agreements providing for cooperation in several sectors. Taking bilateral ties to new heights may also feature in the talks between Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladeshi prime minister is scheduled to call-on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. CURFEW RELAXED IN BALASORE, MOBILE INTERNET REMAINS SUSPENDED Curfew has been relaxed in Balasore of Odisha after a improvement in the situation but mobile internet services will remain suspended. The curfew is likely to remain relaxed from 5 am to 2 pm today. curfew will be relaxed from 5 am to 2 pm on June 22, during which all commercial establishments and routine services are allowed to operate, Balasore Collector Ashish Thakare said. WiFi internet services will be restored in the town on Saturday but mobile internet services will continue to remain suspended. MCC IN J&K LIKELY TODAY There are reports that the Election Commission will be implementing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) from June 22 to kick start the process of holding Assembly elections in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that Assembly elections would be held soon in Jammu and Kashmir and plans are underway to restore statehood to the union territory in the near future. The last elections were held in November 2014. Former US President Donald Trump has shifted his stance on immigration ahead of the upcoming US presidential election 2024, proposing automatic Green Cards for foreign students graduating from US colleges. In a podcast interview, Trump expressed support for granting Green Cards as part of diplomas, emphasizing the retention of talent in the United States. He underscored the economic potential lost when highly educated individuals return to their home countries, such as India and China, to start businesses that could otherwise thrive in the US. What I want to do and what I will do is --you graduate from a college, I think you should get a Green Card automatically as part of your diploma, a Green Card to be able to stay in this country. And that includes junior colleges too, Trump, 78, said in the All-In podcast. Donald Trump's remarks came as he was pressed by Calacanis to promise us you will give us more ability to import the best and brightest around the world to America. Donald Trump also lamented stories where people graduated from a top college or from a college, and they desperately wanted to stay here, they had a plan for a company, a concept, and they cant they go back to India, they go back to China, they do the same basic company in those places. "...and they become multi-billionaires employing thousands and thousands of people, and it could have been done here," he said. "Let me just tell you that it's so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, from the greatest schools. and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools also. And what I wanted to do, and I would have done this, but then we had to solve the COVID problem because that came in and, you know, sort of dominated for a little while, as you perhaps know, Trump said in response. Trump's remarks reflect a departure from his previous anti-immigrant rhetoric, focusing now on a merit-based immigration system to attract and retain skilled individuals. He highlighted the plight of top graduates who struggle to secure US residency, despite their academic achievements and potential contributions to the economy. During his presidency, Donald Trump implemented stringent immigration policies, including restrictions on green cards and visa programs, aimed at reducing legal immigration. He also targeted the H-1B visa program, crucial for tech companies hiring foreign skilled workers, which he criticized as detrimental to American interests. The proposal to grant automatic Green Cards to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) graduates aligns with Donald Trump's renewed emphasis on recruiting and retaining top talent. Trump's proposals contrast starkly with earlier executive actions, such as the travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries and efforts to curtail legal immigration. WASHINGTON, - A claim by Yemen's Houthi group on Saturday that its forces had attacked the U.S. aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea is false, two U.S. officials told Reuters. "That is incorrect," one of the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Iran-aligned Houthis first launched drone and missile strikes in the key waterway for trade in November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinian militants in Gaza, where Israel has waged a more than eight-month war. In more than 70 attacks, the Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers. But U.S. warships have successfully intercepted almost daily Houthi attacks and repeatedly struck Houthi targets inside Yemen. The Eisenhower, which ended its deployment to the Red Sea on Saturday and will briefly reposition to the Mediterranean Sea, rushed to the region in the days following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. "The protected ships transiting the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, rescued innocent mariners against the unlawful attacks from the Iranian-backed Houthis and helped to deter further aggression," the Pentagon said in a statement. The Pentagon announced the U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt will follow the Eisenhower, heading to Middle East waters once it completes an exercise in the Pacific. Earlier the Houthi group said its forces had attacked the Eisenhower in the Red Sea and the operation had achieved its objectives successfully, without elaborating. The group also said it attacked a commercial ship, Transworld Navigator, in the Arabian Sea. It did not say when the attacks took place. A Houthi statement said the Transworld Navigator took a direct hit from a missile. In a harrowing incident, a Southwest Airlines aircraft plunged to a low altitude over a residential area in Oklahoma City in the United States. The aircraft flew less than 500 feet above houses near Yukon High School. The incident involving Southwest Airlines Flight 4069, which took off from Las Vegas airport, occurred around at 12:05 am on June 19. It immediateiy triggered altitude alarm and captured the attention of air traffic controller. An air traffic controller alerted the flight crew after the automated minimum safe altitude warning was sounded. Southwest 4069, low altitude alert, an air traffic controller warned over the radio. You good out there? The incident was captured by a local resident who shared it on Facebook. He had said in a post: I thought I was having cool dreams about airplanes the other night but actually had a 737 buzz my house. Another resident said: It woke me up and I thought it was gonna hit my house. Later, the flight was cleared to land at Will Rogers World Airport after it regained the required altitude. This unnerving event came on the heels of another incident involving Southwest plane that dropped to just 400 feet above the Pacific Ocean while en route to Hawaii in April. FAA probe On Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had said it is probing the Southwest Airlines flight that descended to a low altitude 9 miles (14.5 km) from the Oklahoma City airport. The airline had said that it is following its safety management system and is in contact with the FAA to understand and address any irregularities with the aircrafts approach to the airport. In recent months, several incidents involving Southwest Airlines flights have raised concerns. Last week, the FAA and the US National Transportation Safety Board had said that they were investigating a May 25 Southwest flight of a Boeing 737 MAX. The plane had experienced a Dutch roll at 34,000 feet while en route from Phoenix, to Oakland, California. Also Read | Southwest Plane Plunged Within 400 Feet of Ocean Near Hawaii Also Read | Southwest Airlines in US resumes operation after a nationwide halt Through the 1990s, Indian pharma companies had been making their mark on the world stage with their generic drugs. But it wasnt until one legendary Indian pharma boss spoke out of turn at a conference in September 2000 organized by the European Commission in Brussels that the world sat up and took notice of the growing capabilities of the nation. The subject of the closed-door meeting attended by health ministers and heads of government from various countries along with chief executives of major pharma MNCs, was access to medicine in the developing world, especially for the dreaded human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its most advanced stage of infection, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Seated amidst the heavyweights of global pharma like Merck and Glaxo was an oddity, an Indian generics company, Cipla. Its presence was a major surprise since generic makers were looked upon as pariahs by Big Pharma. But what really caused a stir was when the companys boss, Yusuf Hamied, stunned the assembled audience with his offer to supply an anti-AIDS cocktail drug for $800. At that point, the normal cost of the AIDS cocktail in the West was $10,000 to $15,000 a year. Not surprisingly, Hamieds words were received with a deafening silence and there seemed to be no immediate takers for the generous offer. But within months, there was a breakthrough. In February 2001, Cipla offered Nobel Peace Prize-winning Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), a supply of triple-therapy drug ''cocktails'' comprising stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine, for $350 a year. The patents for these were held by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Glaxo-Wellcome and Boerhinger Ingelheim, respectively, but they kept the prices out of reach for most patients. Profit was the key to Big Pharmas existence. Cipla, by contrast, was prepared to lose money because as Hamied said on the occasion: We all have a responsibility to alleviate the suffering of millions of our fellow men who are afflicted with HIV and AIDS." It was a pivotal moment in the history of mankind. The AIDS virus was wreaking havoc across the world. Worst hit were poorer countries in Africa where the infection rate had reached as high as 36% in some places. But that wasnt even the full scale of the unfolding tragedy. By 1999, drugs were available to reduce the pain and extend lives of Aids victims. Sadly, given the exorbitant prices, only a few thousands among the millions suffering from the disease could afford the treatment. This meant that thousands of untreated people were dying every day, even as life-saving drugs were available. It had always been like that. Big drug companies protected their patents and refused to allow cheaper versions of even lifesaving drugs to be made. The situation had led to the passing of The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 in the US. Called the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, its objective was to reduce prices of off-patent drugs in the US by facilitating regulatory approval of low-cost, high-quality generic prescription drugs. Catalyst for change Cipla, Ranbaxy and a clutch of other Indian firms had seized upon the opportunity thrown open by the Act to supply cheaper generics to American drug stores. Tapping chemistry skills abundantly available in the country, Indian pharma companies had become experts at reverse engineering off-patent drugs. In the past, Cipla had produced a less than a dollar anti-malaria drug, while Lupin had launched low-cost medication for tuberculosis. So when Hamied threw down the gauntlet in Brussels, he was speaking with some authority. Cipla and the man who had inherited it from his father in 1972 were no pushovers. Khwaja Abdul Hamied had set up Chemical Industrial and Pharmaceutical Laboratories (Cipla), in 1935 in response to a call from Mahatma Gandhi. His son, Yusuf Hamied, a PhD in Chemistry from Cambridge, knew a thing or two about chemical drugs. Despite that, the pharma barons of the world called him a pirate" and a thief" and cast aspersions on the quality of Indian generic drugs. For once though, they had to eat humble pie. Hamieds offer of February 2001 would galvanize a worldwide move against the refusal of pharma majors to cut their prices for the biggest threat to mankind. Soon, even the big drug companies were forced to lower their prices to more acceptable levels. Cipla wasnt the biggest beneficiary of the boom in sales of AIDS drugs, but the company had the satisfaction of knowing that its actions had led to millions of lives being saved. To the millions who benefitted from the price crash that Cipla had engineered, Yusuf Hamied was the Robin Hood of pharma". WASHINGTONWhen war erupted in Gaza last year, the Biden administration hoped to keep the conflict short, stay closely aligned with Israel and stem the wars spread to Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East. Eight months later, achieving those goals is proving increasingly difficult for the White House, highlighting a political vulnerability for President Biden ahead of his face-to-face debate against the presumed Republican nominee, Donald Trump, on Thursday. U.S.-led talks on a cease-fire to halt the war and free hostages held by Hamas have all but collapsed. Attacks by Hezbollah across Israels northern border have intensified, raising the Biden administrations fears of a full-fledged conflict. And the White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have traded accusations over whether the U.S. has slowed arms deliveries. The strains underscore Bidens challenge of achieving a foreign-policy win ahead of the November U.S. presidential election, a win that would require agreement from warring parties operating under a very different timeline. The Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has shown little interest in concluding a swift cease-fire, and Netanyahus opposition to a Palestinian state has sidelined the Biden administrations broader strategy for the region, including stabilizing a postwar Gaza. Eventually the leaders will tire of war and favor a deal, but not as quickly as Biden hopes. Their clocks are not synchronized with Bidens," said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They are much more in line with one another, and they are ticking much more slowly." Biden has tried to strike a balance between supplying Israel with arms while criticizing a military operation that has killed, according to local health authorities, roughly 38,000 Palestinians in Gaza, many of them women and children. That figure doesnt distinguish between civilians and militants. U.S. officials have touted the deliveries of food aid to the Gaza Strip, and its pressure on Israel to scale back a planned assault on the Hamas stronghold of Rafah so that it used fewer troops and is employing smaller munitions. But acrimony with the Israeli leader recently spilled into the public, when Netanyahu aired a video message in English claiming the U.S. was withholding weapons from Israel. The Israeli prime minister doubled down on the complaints in an interview published Friday by the online publication Punchbowl News. There has been a great slowdown in the provision of the important ammunition and weapons," Netanyahu said. U.S. officials said Friday that they were mystified by Netanyahus comments. There are no bottlenecks," Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesperson, said Thursday. Current and former U.S. officials said Netanyahus comments appeared to be driven by Israeli political calculations and insisted that the administration hasnt delayed any weapons, except for a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs the White House has said is under review because of concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza. Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat, said that the prime ministers behavior is part of a pattern of instigating spats and confrontations with the administration to show he is standing up to the U.S. This is 100% manufactured," Pinkas said. The shipment of 2,000-pound bombs was held up in May in the hope of forcing Israel to rethink its plans for attacking Hamas fighters in Rafah. Since then, Israel has retooled its plan for a two-division sweep through Rafah and has instead concentrated on sealing the border between Egypt and Gaza, conducting smaller-scale ground operations in the city and using smaller munitions in its airstrikes. The White House fears that sustained fighting in Gaza could lead to a spread of the war to Lebanon. Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters have been exchanging tit-for-tat fire over the Lebanese borders since Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack from Gaza on Israel that killed 1,200 people, most of them Israeli civilians. Bidens proposed cease-fire plan in Gaza is the best way to head off a wider confrontation, according to U.S. officials. The plan would start with a temporary cease-fire and exchange of hostages, followed by a permanent end of hostilities and an influx of aid and reconstruction money to Gaza. While Netanyahu has said he favors the initial cease-fire plan put forward by Biden, the Israeli prime minister has yet to outline a workable blueprint for the long-term governance of Gaza, focusing instead on the military destruction of Hamas. The Biden administration has called for revitalizing the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority in hopes that it can also administer the Gaza Strip once the Israel-Hamas war ends, should Israel be persuaded to accept a Palestinian state. But the Ramallah-based government is on the verge of financial collapse, in part because of a suspension of Israeli tax revenue after the Oct. 7 attacks. Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said that both Netanyahu and Sinwar are paying lip service to favoring a cease-fire, but that both in fact gain a political advantage from the war. Sinwar, he said, has seen Hamass popularity rise dramatically throughout the Arab world, despite the high level of Palestinian civilian casualties brought about by the war. Netanyahus ratings have been buffeted in Israel, and he is danger of being ousted after any peace deal, Elgindy said. Netanyahu would love nothing more than to have cease-fire talks drag out forever so that he can stay in power," Elgindy said. Because the moment that this war ends, the clock starts ticking to the end of his term." In public, the U.S. has blamed Hamas roundly for blocking the cease-fire and causing more loss of life in Gaza. But neither Biden nor his Arab partners have been able to exert any meaningful pressure on Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that Netanyahu is committed to the Gaza cease-fire plan, and that if it doesnt progress Hamas will be to blame. The onus, Blinken said after meeting with the Israeli prime minister, was on one guy" hiding 10 stories underground in Gaza" to cast the deciding vote, referring to Sinwar. David Satterfield, who until April served as U.S. special envoy to the Middle East for humanitarian issues, told a recent online event hosted by the Carnegie endowment that obstacles to a peace deal are the worst he has seen in 45 years. One difficulty, he said, is that the respective parties to the conflict, Israel and Hamas, arent worried so much about scoring political tangible gains in negotiations as about their own existence. This is a fundamental clash of interests, where any kind of calculus that works for all the parties involvedand one of those parties is a vicious terrorist organizationis very, very difficult to contemplate," he said. Write to Alan Cullison at alan.cullison@wsj.com, Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com and Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com As the row over the appointment of the new pro-tem speaker, Opposition sources reportedly said on Saturday that Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu and Sudip Bandyopadhyay may not join the panel of chairpersons to assist pro-tem speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab in administering the oath to the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, the India Express reported that the Opposition's INDIA bloc is likely to "reject the role given to Suresh and two other Opposition MPs to assist Mahtab in administering oath to the new members". The reports emerge amid the NDA government and the INDIA bloc sparring on the issue of pro-tem Speaker. Also Read | 5 things to watch out for during first session of 18th Lok Sabha On June 20, President Droupadi Murmu appointed BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem speaker under Article 95(1) of the Constitution to perform the duties of Speaker till election of the Speaker. She also appointed Congress MP Suresh Kodikunnil, DMK MP Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay and BJP MPs Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste to assist pro-tem speaker in "Oath/Affirmation to newly elected Members of 18th Lok Sabha till election of the Speaker". What's the controversy? Congress leader Jairam Ramesh was quick to object to the appointment of the pro-tem speaker, highlighting that "by convention, the MP who has served the maximum terms is appointed pro-tem speaker for the first two days when the oath is administered to all newly elected MPs." The Congress leader said the senior most MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha are Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress) and Virendra Kumar (BJP), who are both now serving their 8th term. "The latter is now a Union Minister and hence it was expected that Kodikunnil Suresh would be the Speaker Protem," Ramesh said in a post on June 20. Congress leader KC Venugopal described the overlooking of Suresh's claim to the Pro-tem Speaker post as an attempt at "destroying parliamentary norms". Also Read | Will Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker be from INDIA bloc? 5 points Union minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the claim as "misleading". He asserted that Mahtab was the senior-most in the House as he was elected for seven uninterrupted terms to the Lok Sabha, while Suresh, though an eight-term member, was not a member in 1998 and 2004. Also Read | Lok Sabha Speaker elected uncontested since Independence. Full details here According to the news agency PTI, Suresh's claim to the post of pro-tem speaker was overlooked as he belonged to the Dalit community. Rijuji dismissed Suresh's statement, saying, I may be the first Tribal to occupy the post of Parliamentary Affairs Minister, but I won't be intimidated by the threats and lies of Congress Party... Who will be the Leader of the Opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha? Amid uncertainties, a Congress leader is likely to be appointed ahead of the upcoming Parliament session. This will break the 10-year spell as there has been no Leaders of Opposition in the Lower House since 2014. But who is the Leader of the Opposition? Why wasn't there any Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha since 2014? Why is the Congress likely to get the post? The answer lies in numbers. Who is the Leader of Opposition? The Leader of the Opposition is the Leader of the largest opposition party. The post was not recognised till 1969 when Ram Subhag Singh became the first recognised LoP of the Lok Sabha. The post received statutory recognition through the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977. The Act defines the term ' Leader of the Opposition' as that member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha who, for the time being, is the Leader of that House of the party in Opposition to the government having the greatest numerical strength and recognised, as such, by the chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the speaker of the Lok Sabha. Who gets the Leader of Opposition post in Lok Sabha? Although several political parties may exist in the Opposition, the post of Leader of the Opposition is said to be taken up by the party that secures one-tenth of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. As per this rule, since the Lok Sabha has 543 members, a political party will need 55 members to appoint a Leader of the Opposition. The Institute of Secretariat Training and Management mentioned in one of its booklet that the recognition of the Leader of Opposition is given by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha provided the largest party in opposition have minimum 55 MP in the House. This institute is managed by the Department of Personnel and Training, under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India. However, no such 10 percent rule for the appointment of the Leader of Opposition is mentioned in the Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act. Why didn't Lok Sabha have Leader of Opposition in the last 10 years? Simply because no political party, other than the ruling party, was able to secure the minimum Lok Sabha seats required to nominate a Leader of the Opposition. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the Congress emerged as the second-largest party with 52 seats. This was three short of the requisite numbers. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress, again the second largest party, won 44 Lok Sabha seats way below the mark. Why Congress will get Leader of Opposition post this time? This time, the Congress emerged as the single larges party in the INDIA bloc (Opposition) by winning 99 Lok Sabha seats comfortably crossing the 55-member mark needed for a political party to appoint a Leader of the Opposition. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Thursday that the Congress will decide on the appointment on the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as it has maximum seats among the INDIA bloc parties in the Lower House of Parliament. "After the Congress decides, it will need the consent of our (INDIA) bloc," he was quoted by PTI as sayin. Who could be the Leader of Opposition in 18th Lok Sabha? Speculations are rife that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may take up the key post in the 18th Lok Sabha. The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution urging Rahul Gandhi to accept the role as Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. Rahul Gandhi has asked for time to convey his decision, news agency PTI reported. Besides Rahul Gandhi, other names doing the rounds for the LoP post are that of Manish Tewari, Kumari Selja and Gaurav Gogoi. How important is the Leader of the Opposition? According to a booklet on "The Indian Parliament", the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha is said to be the "shadow Prime Minister with a shadow Cabinet". The Leader of the Opposition will take over the administration if the ruling government resigns or is defeated on the floor of the House. If you wish to enjoy exceptional savings on top-rated printers with Amazon's latest offers, youve come to the right place. With offers of up to 46%, you can bring home a new top-rated printer and upgrade your home office setup and easily streamline printing tasks in a professional environment. With our selection of Amazon offers on top-rated printers, you can expect crystal-clear printing quality from the best printer brands. 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Key features of this printer include a 2-in-1 (ID) copy button, an intuitive LCD, and a 32 MB memory for efficient operation. In addition, the printer comes with a 250-sheet paper tray and connects via USB, providing seamless integration into your workspace. Automatic duplex printing also helps save paper and reduce costs, making this printer a great long-term investment. Specifications of Brother DCP-L2520D Automatic Duplex Laser Printer: Print Speed: Up to 30 pages per minute. Functions: Print, scan, copy. Paper Tray Capacity: 250 sheets. Connectivity: USB. Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Fast printing speed up to 30 pages per minute Limited connectivity with only USB support Automatic duplex printing saves paper Basic features, lacks color printing options 7. Canon Pixma TS307 Wireless Inkjet Colour Printer The Canon Pixma TS307 is a wireless single-function inkjet printer designed for home use and is available at a great price as part of Amazon deals. This printer supports colour printing with a maximum speed of 4.0 ipm and monochrome printing up to 7.7 ipm. What are its connectivity options? WiFi and USB, with mobile printing supported via Apple AirPrint, Mopria, PIXMA Cloud Link, and Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY. The printer offers A4 size printing, borderless printing, and is compatible with PG745s and CL746s ink cartridges. It comes with a 1-year warranty and is a great consideration for your next printer purchase. Specifications of Canon Pixma TS307 Wireless Inkjet Colour Printer: Printer Type: Inkjet Functions: Print only Connectivity: WiFi, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Print Speed: Up to 7.7 ipm (Monochrome), Up to 4.0 ipm (Colour) Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Wireless connectivity for easy printing No scanner, limiting functionality Mobile printing compatibility No automatic duplex printing Also Read: Epson 3210 printer vs other models: Top 10 models to choose wisely for your printing needs 8. 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Specifications of HP Smart Tank 589 AIO Colour Printer: Printing Technology: Inkjet Functions: Print, Scan, Copy Included Ink: Up to 6000 pages of black and 6000 pages of color ink in the box Connectivity: WiFi Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Economical ink with high page yield Initial setup might be complex Versatile functions: Print, Scan, Copy Larger footprint compared to compact printers 9. HP Smart Tank 670 All-in-One Auto Duplex WiFi Integrated Ink Tank Colour Printer, Scanner, Copier- High Capacity Tank (6000 Black, 8000 Colour) with Automatic Ink Sensor The HP Smart Tank 670 all-in-one printer combines convenience and efficiency for home use, especially at a limited time price with Amazon offers. It prints, scans, and copies with ease, featuring wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi, 2 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports, and Bluetooth. As if all that werent enough, users can enjoy high-quality prints using HP GT53 and GT52 ink bottles. For a user, these specifications mean vibrant colours and clear documents in the long run. You can benefit from a 1-year warranty and reliable support options. With fast print speeds up to 12 ppm (black) and 7 ppm (colour) and duplex printing, this printer handles tasks swiftly and also includes a 60-sheet input tray with support for various media sizes. Specifications of HP Smart Tank 670 all-in-one ink tank colour printer: Print Speed: Up to 12 pages per minute (black), up to 7 pages per minute (color). Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 2 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports, Bluetooth. Ink Capacity: High-capacity ink tanks (6000 pages in black, 8000 pages in colour). Paper Handling: 60-sheet input tray, 25-sheet output tray; supports A4, A5, A6, B5 (JIS), and envelopes. Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Cost-effective ink tanks: Large capacity reduces refill frequency. Limited print speed: Slower compared to alternatives. Versatile connectivity: Includes Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth. No automatic document feeder: Lacks ADF for batch scanning/copying. Also Read: Best Canon colour printer: Top 10 high quality printers for eye-catching and seamless prints 10. ZEITEL Mini Bluetooth Thermal Printer, Portable Label Printer Inkfree Printer for Android & iOS System, Black on White Thermal Printer with 10 Roll of Print Paper, Stickers, Blue The ZEITEL mini Bluetooth thermal printer is a great choice for those who are on-the-go, especially with its great price as part of Amazon deals. This versatile, ink-free device is meant for Android & iOS and can print labels, stickers, and photos. It includes 10 rolls of paper (5 adhesive) and features 200DPI resolution for clear, fast prints on 20-50mm paper widths. Built to be taken for a ride, its a compact printer at 110x80x30mm and perfect for home, school, or office use. A practical gift for students or professionals, this small printer is worth considering for your next purchase. Specifications of ZEITEL mini Bluetooth thermal printer: Print Technology: Thermal print technology (ink-free). Resolution: 200 DPI for clear and fast printing. Paper Compatibility: Supports paper widths of 20-50mm. Connectivity: Bluetooth connectivity for wireless printing from iOS and Android devices. Reasons to buy Reasons to avoid Ink-free printing: Uses thermal technology, no need for ink cartridges. Limited paper width: Supports 20-50mm paper widths only. Portable and compact: Small size (110x80x30mm), easy to carry. App dependency: Requires app for operation, which could affect usability. Top 3 features of the best printers with Amazon offers Best printers with Amazon offers Printer Type Printing Features Ideal for HP Deskjet 2331 Colour Printer Inkjet Print, Scan, Copy Home/Small Office Canon PIXMA E477 Inkjet Print, Scan, Copy, WiFi Home/Student Canon PIXMA E4570 Inkjet Print, Scan, Copy, WiFi, Fax, Auto Duplex Printing Home/Office Canon Pixma E410 Inkjet All-in-One Home/Small Office Epson EcoTank L3210 Ink Tank Print, Scan, Copy, A4, Ink Tank System Home/Small Office Brother DCP-L2520D Laser Print, Scan, Copy, Automatic Duplex, High Print Speed Office Canon Pixma TS307 Inkjet Single Function Printer, Wireless Connectivity Home/Small Office HP Smart Tank 589 AIO Ink Tank Print, Scan, Copy, High Page Yield Ink Tank Office/Home HP Smart Tank 670 Ink Tank Print, Scan, Copy, WiFi, Auto Duplex, High Capacity Ink Tank Office/Home ZEITEL Mini Bluetooth Thermal Printer Thermal Bluetooth, Portable, Ink-Free Printing Android & iOS Systems Best value for money printer with Amazon offers The Canon Pixma E410 all-in-one inkjet printer offers essential print, scan, and copy functions ideal for home and small office use. With its efficient ink usage and reliable performance, it provides cost-effective printing solutions. The compact design ensures it fits well in various spaces, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious users. Best overall printer with Amazon offers The HP Deskjet 2331 colour printer combines printing, scanning, and copying capabilities in a compact, reliable design perfect for home or small office settings. With easy setup via the HP Smart App and USB connectivity, the operation of this printer is seamless. Versatile and user-friendly features make it an excellent choice for those needing a multifunctional device that delivers consistent performance. Factors to consider when buying a new printer with Amazon offers Print technology: Choose between inkjet, laser, or ink tank printers based on your printing needs (e.g., text documents vs. photos). Functionality: Decide if you need basic printing or multifunction capabilities like scanning, copying, and faxing. Print speed: Look for printers with faster print speeds if you have high-volume printing requirements. Connectivity options: Make sure the printer supports your preferred connectivity (e.g., WiFi, USB, Bluetooth) for seamless integration with your devices. Print quality: Check the printer's resolution and quality specifications for sharp text and vibrant colours. Cost of consumables: Consider the ongoing costs of ink or toner cartridges and paper to manage long-term printing expenses effectively. Similar articles for you Best Canon colour printers: Find ideal printer based on your needs and budget, top 9 options Best Epson WiFi printers: Top 9 wireless options to consider for school or office Best printers for students: Top 10 affordable and reliable options for high quality prints to consider Best portable wireless printers for on the go printing: Top 10 compact models to consider Best printers for students: Top 10 budget friendly options for stress free printing FAQs Question : What types of printers are available on Amazon? Ans : Amazon offers a variety of printers including inkjet, laser, and ink tank printers. Each type caters to different printing needs, from basic documents to high-resolution photos. Question : How do I choose between inkjet and laser printers? Ans : Inkjet printers are ideal for vibrant colour printing and occasional use, while laser printers are better suited for high-volume printing with crisp black-and-white text. Question : What are the advantages of multifunction printers (MFPs)? Ans : MFPs combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing capabilities into one device, offering convenience and saving space. Question : What connectivity options should I look for in a printer? Ans : Look for printers with WiFi, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity options for flexible connection to your devices, enabling wireless printing and easy sharing. Question : How can I ensure compatibility with my operating system? Ans : Check the printer's specifications to ensure it supports your operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS), and verify if drivers or apps are available for seamless integration. Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Saturday, June 22, The nonprofit will honor everyone with a special event as they are set to receive more than $5 million in state funds from 6:00 to 10:00pm at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. 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. Chinese, British families cherish eight-decade-old bonds formed in Lisbon Maru rescue Xinhua) 16:56, June 21, 2024 HANGZHOU, June 21 (Xinhua) -- From the stern of a wobbly ferry, Kenneth Andrew Salmon dropped a red poppy wreath bearing the picture of his father into the sea -- the exact same wreath was placed on his father's coffin during his funeral and had been preserved at home for 24 years. The wreath kept afloat, riding away on the choppy, frothy waves off the Zhoushan Islands in east China's Zhejiang Province. Salmon's father, Andrew Salmon, was a sergeant of the Royal Artillery and one of the 384 British prisoners of war (POWs) who were rescued by Chinese fishermen following the sinking of the Japanese-requisitioned ship Lisbon Maru in 1942. On Tuesday, Salmon and a dozen of other descendants of British POWs visited the water of the sunken ship in Zhoushan, where they scattered white chrysanthemum petals -- a Chinese ritual for mourning the dead. Among the visitors was 75-year-old Denise Wynne. She is the daughter of Dennis Morley, a soldier of the Royal Scots and a British POW who survived the shipwreck. "My father always said that the fishermen were heroes, and if it weren't for the Chinese fisherman, he wouldn't have lived," Wynne said. A TRIBUTE TO HEROES In October 1942, Lisbon Maru, requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan, was torpedoed by the U.S. army near the Zhoushan Islands. While the Japanese army were evacuated from the sinking ship, the POWs were left in battened cabins. Some managed to jump off the ship but faced the bullets of Japanese soldiers, who tried to stop their escape. It was at that moment when the Chinese fishermen came to the rescue, with paddles, fishing junks and shampan. Hu Yifang, in his 70s, said his father Hu Keshun (also known as Hu Aagou) rescued eight POWs. The fisherman took multiple trips, as most of the other rescuers did, because his shampan had very limited seats, Hu said. Historical records show 198 Chinese fishermen brought 384 POWs to haven. A total of 843 POWs died in the incident: some of them sank along with the ship, others drowned or were killed by Japanese soldiers during the desperate escape. "I think for the rest of his life, my father felt he was so lucky. He almost felt guilty, because he survived, but so many didn't," Salmon said. When asked why she decided to take on the journey to China, Wynne became profoundly emotional. "I want to say 'thank you' to the relatives of the Chinese fishermen. I just want to say 'thank you', and 'thank you' on behalf of my father as well," Wynne said. "It could have been terrible, could have been worse. They were so brave to come out," she added. Last Friday, they were in Shanghai for the premiere of a documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru." The history consultant of the film, Tony Banham, is one of the early researchers of the incident. "One group of human beings saw another group of human beings in trouble and dropped everything, without knowing who they were, and rescued them at great risk of their own lives. That is a timeless story," said the British historian. "I think it's a very powerful story to tell at any time in human history," he added. A FRIENDSHIP THAT LASTS The descendants of rescuers and the rescued met by chance on Monday evening, a day ahead of their scheduled meeting. Both groups were strolling along the seashore when Chen Xuelian, another rescuer's daughter, recognized Wynne. After a flurry of hugs and tears, they decided to call each other brothers and sisters. "Our forefathers have passed, but we still have each other," Chen said. Many descendants keep a piece of the past with them. Kenneth Andrew Salmon inherited his father's first name as his middle name; Denise Wynne has the female form of her father's first name as hers. Chen operates a home inn overlooking the place where his father dragged the POWs onshore, while Liang Yindi, whose grandfather was a rescuer, provides guide service in a small museum in memory of this incident. "This is a friendship our families left for us, for the present, for our generation," said Wu Buwei, whose grandfather, Wu Qisheng, participated in the rescue. "And it's about two peoples, too," Chen said. "The two countries are thousands of kilometers apart, and yet we met and befriended each other." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Screaming led a Connecticut officer to finding a man attempting to drown his children early Saturday morning, according to West Haven Police Departments Facebook page. The officer was on patrol near Ocean Avenue and Dawson Avenue at 2:31 a.m. Thursday morning, when he found a Nissan SUV parked on a West Haven beach, the department said. He then heard significant screaming taking place from the water. As he followed the sound, the officer came upon a man and two small children who were in the water. As the officer went into the water, the man continued to drift further away with the children all while screaming at the responding officers to stay back, police said. Police identified the man as Romney Desronvil of Queens New York. It was obvious at this point that the male ... was deliberately drowning his children, the police departments Facebook post read. Officers immediately entered the water and were nearly 100 yards away from shore at this time. Other officers on scene and members of the West Shore Fire Department entered the water by using a West Shore Fire boat. The officer who originally found the father and two children, managed to take both children, along with the help of backup officers, and bring them back to shore. Police said that life saving measures were needed for both children and they were immediately sent to a local hospital by ambulance. Both the New Haven Police Department and West Haven Police Department helped in escorting the ambulance to the hospital. Both children remain in the intensive care unit at the hospital, the Facebook post reads. Desronvil is in West Haven Police custody and charges for his heinous acts are pending, the department said. It is without a doubt the swift response by our patrol officers [that] saved the lives of these children, the post reads. The communication and collaborative efforts made by the West Shore Fire Department and eventually the New Haven Police Department allowed for immediate medical aid and also the apprehension of Desronvil. The matter is currently under investigation by the West Haven Detective Division. A Florida man was indicted Thursday in connection with embezzling at least $5.7 million from his employer, a Florida-based portfolio company owned by a Massachusetts investment firm, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office. Paul Schnitzer, 51, of Clermont Florida was indicted on one count of wire fraud, and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, Levys office said. Schnitzer was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on May 21. Schnitzer worked as a finance director for the portfolio company, the statement reads. Between January 2022 and May 2024, he is accused of making over 100 transfers, most disguised as equity and distributions, from the companys operating account into his personal account. To hide these transfers, Levys office said Schnitzer falsified financial reports with inflated cash balances for the company to the investment firm. Read more: Fundraiser held for Springfield officer who was shot in the head Schnitzer was also accused of secretly using a line of credit to replenish the companys operating account after he had stolen from it, according to the statement. The charge of wire fraud could lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the loss to the victim, Levys office states. A 41-year-old man from Haverhill was indicted Thursday after prosecutors said he filed a fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claim for a man living in Brazil who has since been charged in connection with migrant smuggling. Julio Roncaly Morais was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. On June 3, 2020, Morais is accused of filing an unemployment assistance claim in Massachusetts on behalf of Chelbe Williams Moraes, who was living in Brazil at the time, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. In the application, Morais is accused of certifying under the penalty of perjury that Moraes was a resident of Massachusetts able and available to work in the state, but could not because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more: Fundraiser held for Springfield officer who was shot in the head The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance subsequently paid $5,202 in benefits before ceasing payments because it could not reach Morais. In 2022, the U.S. Attorneys office arrested and charged multiple people in connection with human smuggling, Morais included. Chelbe Moraes and his coconspirators smuggled individuals from Brazil into the United States for a fee of approximately $18,000 22,000, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a 2022 statement. Once the individuals were in the United States, Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes allegedly employed them in their restaurants in Woburn, withholding their wages in order to pay off their smuggling debts. The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the DOJ. A Massachusetts man was sentenced Thursday for his role in mailing dozens of kilograms of cocaine into the state, some packed inside air fryers, and stealing over $220,000 in COVID relief funds. Patrick Joseph, 42, of Stoughton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 11 years in prison with five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in March to a number of wire and bank fraud charges, along with charges related to cocaine possession and distribution. From February 2020 until May 2021, Joseph helped ship between 10 and 120 kilograms of cocaine from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, then to Massachusetts through the U.S. Mail. He was part of a drug trafficking organization that sent cocaine to addresses throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Two-kilogram quantities of the drug were found at stash locations during the investigation, stuffed inside air fryers and locking cash boxes. Additionally, investigators discovered Joseph was involved in a scheme to defraud the COVID-19 pandemic relief program. He obtained over $220,000 through 12 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through April 2020 and April 2021. Joseph and his co-conspirator, Yves Montima, would claim independent contractor income that did not exist, giving false proof through fake tax documents. They filled out the loans in their own names and on behalf of others at different financial institutions and received kickback income from those they committed the crime on behalf of. Montima pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud conspiracy in November 2021 and was sentenced in September 2023. Two Massachusetts metro areas made Realtor.coms top 20 hottest housing markets for the month of May and no, neither were Boston. Listings in the Springfield (No. 3) and Worcester (No. 7) metros received three times as many views per property as the national average and sold more than three weeks faster than the national average of 44 days. Thats a record high never seen in the datas history dating back to mid-2017, according to Realtor.com. In a December foreshadowing, both cities were named among the top 10 housing markets for 2024. May listings in Springfield spent a median of 17 days on the market with a median sale price of $400,000, according to the report. Worcester properties were listed for a median 19 days at a median sale price of $545,000. This suggests that the months hottest markets are seeing significantly more demand than the typical home nationally, despite still-challenging housing conditions, Realtor.com economic analyst Hannah Jones said. Downtown Worcester on Oct. 28, 2022. (Ryan Mancini, MassLive) The report described Springfield as hugely popular due in part to its fairly affordable home prices of $400,000 and low unemployment rate. Of the top 20 housing markets in America, nine were in New England in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. All other markets were in the Midwest. The month of May saw a nationwide average home price of $442,500. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, one of the most competitive housing markets in the country, the median single-family home price for May was $636,000, according to the Warren Group, a leading source of real estate data, and the median condo price was $550,000. Cassidy Norton, associate publisher and media relations director of the Warren Group, said May in the Bay State saw a nearly 8% year-over-year increase in the median sale price for single-family homes, reaching an all-time high of $636,000. Typically, increased sales would temper price growth, but the pent-up demand from homebuyers is redefining market dynamics, she said. Last month, Dan Meservey, a real estate agent representing Mathieu Newton Sothebys International Realty in Westborough, told MassLive that pent-up buyer demand devours inventory within days of hitting the market. CINCINNATI The Red Sox 26-man roster no longer includes an obvious first base option vs. left-handed starters now that both right-handed hitters Bobby Dalbec and Garrett Cooper are gone. Boston optioned Dalbec to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday to make room for Wilyer Abreu (activated off the IL). Cooper was released earlier this month after batting just .171 in 75 plate appearances. Who will platoon at first base with left-handed hitting Dom Smith? Manager Alex Cora brought up catcher Connor Wong as a potential first base option against lefties. Maybe a few ground balls for Wong at first and see how he looks and how he feels if we want to go that route, Cora said. But we feel comfortable where were at with the roster. Wong has logged six innings at first base, 19 innings at second base and one inning at third base as a big leaguer. All six innings at first base came this year. He entered in the fifth inning and played four innings there in a game at Cleveland on April 25. He also played first base in the bottom of the eighth inning April 23 at Cleveland and in the top of the ninth against the Cubs at home April 27. BetMGM BET UP TO $1,500! BONUS BET REFUND AFTER A LOSS CLAIM OFFER Promo code: MASS150 STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21 years of age or older to wager. MA Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bonus bets expire 7 days from issuance. In Partnership with MGM Springfield. Play it smart from the start with GameSense. GameSenseMA.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. US Promotional Offers not available in New York. Utility man Romy Gonzalez was the first name Cora mentioned as a right-handed hitting first base option. Romy might play first, Cora said. A lefty (hitter) is going to play in the infield. So were going to pick and choose the at-bat that we like against that certain lefty and I mean (choose) from Hammy (David Hamilton), Valdey (Enmanuel Valdez) and Dom. I think were very left-handed but theyre really good at what they do. And Romy, hes good against lefties. Weve got Ref. Rob Refsnyder, a right-handed hitting outfielder, did start one game at first base on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester earlier this year. He also played first base in the majors earlier in his career but hasnt done it since 2020. Asked if Refsnyder is an option at first base, Cora replied, Nah, nah. Well keep him in the outfield. CINCINNATI Outfielder Wilyer Abreu is here with the Red Sox Friday but he wont be activated until Saturday. Hes probably going to be active tomorrow, manager Alex Cora said. Abreu has been on the 10-day injured list since June 4 with a sprained right ankle. The corresponding move to activate Abreu is unclear as of right now. Right-handed hitting outfielder Rob Refsnyder is dealing with right knee soreness but Cora said the injury is not believed to be serious. Abreu is ready to go Saturday. It feels great to be back, Abreu said through translator Carlos Villoria Benitez in Bostons clubhouse Friday. Its been a few weeks but Im happy to be back. BetMGM BET UP TO $1,500! BONUS BET REFUND AFTER A LOSS CLAIM OFFER Promo code: MASS150 STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21 years of age or older to wager. MA Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bonus bets expire 7 days from issuance. In Partnership with MGM Springfield. Play it smart from the start with GameSense. GameSenseMA.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. US Promotional Offers not available in New York. Abreu has emerged as an AL Rookie of the Year candidate. The 24-year-old is batting .272 with a .344 on-base percentage, .485 slugging percentage, .829 OPS, six homers, 14 doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs, 26 runs, seven steals, 19 walks and 49 strikeouts in 53 games (189 plate appearances). He went 3-for-12 with two homers, three runs, two RBIs, one walk and three strikeouts in three rehab games for Triple-A Worcester. I feel very good at the plate, Abreu said. Hopefully it doesnt take long to get back to the form I was before the injury. So I hope everything goes well. Abreu said he focused on having quality at-bats with Worcester. And then trying to get my timing back, he said. For me, it was a very good three games. More showers and thunderstorms are expected this weekend with the possibility of some of the storms becoming severe and resulting in a localized flash flood threat, according to the National Weather Service. Although Saturday morning may seem cloudy, the June sun will burn through, providing partial sunshine in the afternoon, the weather service said. Some of the hotter conditions will be in the southwest areas of Massachusetts with temperatures going into the mid-90s. The eastern parts of the state will not be quite as warm or humid, the weather service states. Temperatures could reach a high of anywhere from 75 degrees to 80 degrees. Gusts of winds could also reach anywhere from 15 mph to 20 mph. Theres a risk of showers and thunderstorms in Springfield, Worcester and the Berkshires throughout the day Saturday. The chance of precipitation is 60% with new rainfall amounts possibly measuring between a half and three-quarters of an inch, the National Weather Service predicted. There is a high of 85 degrees, with a low of around 67 degrees in the evening. Read more: Fundraiser held for Springfield officer who was shot in the head The bulk of the showers and [thunderstorms] will wind down after sunset, the weather service wrote. But can not rule out at least the low risk for a few showers and perhaps a [thunderstorm] or two overnight. Theres a slight chance of showers before noon on Cape Cod, with the possibility of more showers after 1 p.m. Theres a 30% chance of rain on the Cape with amounts measuring less than a tenth of an inch. Otherwise, the weather report states that Saturday looks to be mostly cloudy with a high near 79 degrees, with 5 mph to 8 mph winds in the afternoon. The weather service added that there is a slight possibility of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday across the state as well, with a 30% chance of precipitation. SPRINGFIELD Fab Passion Fashion Week New England founder Richie Richardson wants his event to help solidify Springfield as the capital of fashion in New England. Through exhibitions at the event, Richardson will highlight the significance of cultural diversity in the fashion industry, a subject he believes is not sufficiently covered in American fashion education. The Springfield Police Department is currently holding a fundraiser for their officer Nestor Santos, who was shot in the head and leg. Santos, a seven-year veteran of the police force, was struck in his vehicle while driving to work, after coming upon an active shooting scene among affiliated street posses, with undercover detectives also present in a nearby car, according to the Hampden District Attorneys office. Social media trash talk and boasting led up the shootings, officials said. What followed was mayhem, with the accused assailants fleeing across the city with police in pursuit, officials said. During a related crash, a pregnant woman and Massachusetts Department of Transportation workers were struck and injured. The sun is both vital to life and a risk to our basic health, and in that sense it truly illuminates the lesson behind one of our favorite cautionary tales. Goldilocks assessed the porridge, chairs and bed for what was just right for her, not too hot or cold, too small or big and too soft or hard. Too much can be harmful, too little can cause health problems. The same can be said for social media and the internet. Although concerns for ones health and safety is important, relying on social media delivering false information rather than science is simply harmful. Social media has been promoting a movement for everyone to avoid sunscreen with false claims about sun exposure, sunscreens and cancer. A sunburn occurs when the skin is exposed to too much sun. It can take several hours after exposure for your body to respond. Often one does not realize and stays out in the sun, making it much worse. It starts with inflammation, then the skin turns red with swelling and pain. Blood vessel dilation causes the sensation of warmth. Skin cells that are damaged by the sun slough off and your skin peels. The remaining damaged cells can no longer provide protection and can mutate into cancerous cells. Approximately 90% of skin cancer is due to solar ultraviolet rays. Avoiding blistering sunburns and excessive sun exposure can decrease the risk of skin cancer. Risk factors for skin cancer include having had five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20, using tanning beds, having fair skin and blonde or red hair, decreased immunity and more than 50 moles. A few myths circulating on social media are professing that sunscreen causes cancer; that there is no link between sun exposure and skin cancer; that skin cancer risk increases with increased use of sunscreen; and that mineral-based sunscreen is safer than chemical-based. Some myths start with a kernel of truth. Some start with a failure to understand the need to weigh risk vs. benefit. Goldilocks saw and touched things herself. She didnt rely on someone elses inaccurate information. Utilizing misinformation can have serious consequences. Social media statements suggest people who use sunscreen get skin cancer. They may get skin cancer, but not because sunscreen causes cancer. Prevention does not just include one application of sunscreen. Repeated application is necessary, in accordance with swimming, sweating, etc. Other prevention includes wearing a hat, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, staying in the shade, umbrellas, avoiding outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is the strongest. Studies show sunscreen prevents skin cancer because of the barrier protection. Another misinformation circulating is that increased use of sunscreen causes increased risk of skin cancer. Increased skin cancer rates can be attributed to an aging population, increased recreational sun exposure, increased awareness and diagnosis and climate change. Mineral and chemical sunscreens are both safe and non-toxic. Social media is suggesting that chemical-based sunscreen is not safe. This one is easily believed. One sees the word chemical and can jump to the conclusion that it is harmful. Mineral sunscreens are usually made of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These act as physical blocker that deflects the UV rays off the skin. Chemical base sunscreens are not toxic. They absorb and scatter UV rays. Mineral sunscreens are less likely to cause rash or allergic reaction for those with sensitive skin. It is recommended to avoid sunscreens with fragrances, scents and perfumes. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are chemicals to avoid in sunscreens because of toxicity to marine ecosystems. PABA (para amino benzoic acid) has been declared unsafe by the FDA since 2019. Also avoid sunscreens with benzene added. It can cause headaches and dizziness, and excessive amounts can be fatal. On the flip side, lack of sunlight has been deemed a real public health problem. It decreases ones immunity, causes vitamin D deficiency, increases incidence of many cancers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers, autism, diabetes and myopia. Supplemental vitamin D has not been shown to prevent these conditions. UV absorption and vitamin D production are affected by latitude, season, skin color and sun protection. Research promotes gradual and protected sun exposure for good health. When choosing a sunscreen, increased amount of zinc provides more protection. Look for broad-spectrum UV A and UV B protection, water resistant for at least 80 minutes and SPF 50. Higher price isnt always more effective. Check the expiration date. To research valid studies regarding skin cancer and sunscreen, I recommend starting with www.skincancer.org, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and www.health.harvard.edu, for starters. Goldilocks, in my storybooks, was blond and blue-eyed, therefore at higher risk for sunburn. Living in the forest, was she getting enough sunlight for good health? At least there were no computers or internet service, so she wasnt subjected to misinformation in social media. Dont fall prey to whatever is said on social media. To protect oneself, follow the conclusions of valid research for ones skin type, geographic location and risk factors. Enjoy the sun while avoiding harm. Stay cool. Take care of yourself and someone else. Juanita Carnes is a Westfield resident and a nurse practitioner with 38 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Westfield Board of Health. THE shortage of female representation among the newly-elected Mayo County Council has been branded as crazy at its Annual General Meeting. Paying tribute to newly-elected Fine Gael college, Cllr Alma Gallagher, Cllr Peter Flynn raised concerns about the low percentage of female representation on the new council. Cllr Flynn said it was incredible that Cllr Gallagher was the first woman ever to be elected in the Claremorris Local Electoral Area. Cllr Gallagher, Cllr Donna Sheridan (both Fine Gael) and Cllr Annie May Reape are currently the only female members out of 30 elected people elected to the local authority. Its still only three of the county councillors, its a crazy percentage, added Cllr Flynn, who said Cllr Gallagher would bring huge experience and a wealth of knowledge to her new role. Mayo County Council now has the second-lowest percentage of female representation (10 percent) of any local authority, behind only Donegal County Council, which has three female representatives out of 37 councillors (8.1 percent). South Dublin County Council had the highest percentage of female councillors of 31 local authorities, with 19 female councillors out of 40 elected. Speaking to The Mayo News after the councils Annual General Meeting, Cllr Gallagher said that there were huge challenges facing women trying to get into politics. Ive been through the process myself and I understand the reasons why women wouldnt put themselves forward because its absolutely relentless and youre putting yourself out there not just through the public but through social media and I think what weve learned in terms of this local election there was a presumption there that women would support women, she said. Mayo County Council has not had more than five female councillors so far this century, according to research conducted by Cllr Gallagher before the election. The Ballyhaunis woman said that her historic election was not gender tokenism, insisting that she had been elected on merit. Citing a Mayo County Council report commissioned in 2019, Cllr Gallagher said that women needed support with childcare, financial resources and confidence to be encouraged to run for election. I have worked in the community for over 20 years. I have a masters from UL, I did my thesis in social housing development, so Im here not just because Im a woman, Im here because Im a credible candidate and I fought a good fight and earned my right of passage to be here in the council chamber, she told The Mayo News. But what I do say is women bring not a different perspective, we bring an added perspective to the table. We have to work ten times harder in order to get elected. Cllr Gallagher said she had also received abuse on social media during her election campaign. It can be a very challenging environment. There was a kind of a mantra out there to keep the bird in Ballyhaunis, that was all out there, she said. In her maiden address in Aras an Chontae, Cllr Gallagher said she was very proud and privileged to be the first woman to be elected in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. The four-seat Swinford Local Electoral Area, which is joined with Claremorris Local Electoral Area at the municipal district level, has also never elected a female councillor. Two female candidates, Antoinette Peyton (Fine Gael) and Marion Gordon (The Irish People) ran in the Swinford Local Electoral Area in the recent local elections. Of the 73 candidates who ran for Mayo County Council this year, only 19 percent were female. The importance of women in politics cannot be understated, Cllr Gallagher said in her address to the council chamber. Womens participation in politics inspires young girls and Im delighted to have my own fourteen-year-old daughter here, Alicebecause it really inspires younger generations. She continued: The time has come that women not only have to take on those supportive roles, but also that they can take on key roles and make a positive impact not just in community but here on the table and across the table here in the chamber. Final results of the intra-GOP brawl in the 5th District between U.S. Rep. Bob Good and state Sen. John McGuire might be a ways off. With McGuires lead of about 300 votes and mail-in ballots being accounted for just this past Friday, the race hasnt been called in any candidates favor just yet. A busy week of work lies ahead for the Virginia Department of Elections to count votes and for the states board of elections to certify results on July 2. From there, the Good-McGuire matchup could be headed for a recount. Virginia law allows for candidates to request a recount if the margins are less than 1%. Such was the case last fall when Kimberly Pope Adams challenged Republican Del. Kim Taylor of Dinwiddie to represent the 82nd District in Virginias House of Delegates. After ostensibly losing by 78 votes, the recount confirmed that Taylor had topped Adams by 53 votes. As of Thursday, Goods campaign had not responded to an inquiry into whether he is considering a recount, but he noted optimism in a social media post on Wednesday. This race remains too close to call. We are in a period where the law provides a process for evaluating the accuracy of all the vote totals from election day to ensure everyone can have full confidence in the certified results, he wrote. Provisional ballots and mail-in ballots are also still to be counted. We are asking for full transparency from the officials involved and patience from the people of the 5th District over the coming weeks as the certification of results is completed. We believe we can still prevail. Indeed, the Department of Elections received mail-in ballots by noon Friday, as long as they had been postmarked on or before Election Day. The department will also review and verify provisional ballots, which are typically used when someone forgot identification while voting or if someone is registering on the same day that theyre voting. After all the various ballots are counted, the commonwealths board of elections will certify election results on July 2. Once completed, Good will have 10 days to file a petition for a recount if he meets the less-than-1% threshold. While the 5th Congressional District is reliably Republican-leaning, the primary matchup between Good and McGuire was hotly contested at times drawing national attention. More locally, it represented the lawmakers different factions and styles. Good hails from Campbell County, where he served on its board of supervisors, and McGuire has represented the Goochland area in the state legislature for several years. Good has previously been insulated by a convention nominating process with tuned-in party activists, while his challenge from McGuire is the first time hes defended his seat in a districtwide primary. But former President Donald Trump loomed large in the Virginia race. Aside from the various high-profile politicians who stumped for both men and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon rallying with Good Trump backed McGuire. Though Good has been a longtime fan of the once-and-possibly-future president, its his brief endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last summer before he dropped out of the GOP presidential primary that has haunted Good. He backed DeSantis shortly after indictments were levied against Trump for cases that are still playing out in court. When DeSantis dropped out of the race, Good supported Trump again. McGuires campaign went on to label Good a Never Trumper. By definition, you cant be a Never Something that you have documented evidence that you currently are [a supporter of], Good said at a campaign event this year. But Trump didnt forget the months Good boosted his former opponent, and fealty to Trump emerged as a key issue between the candidates leading up to the primary. John McGuire has my complete and total endorsement, Trump said in a tele-rally for McGuire ahead of the election. I want that to be understood, because Bob Goods going around saying were friends. I mean, he was fine the last six months, but before that, he was a basic disaster. While Trump loyalty was a litmus test that attracted national attention, congressional races are still somewhat local in nature. If theres one thing I guess we can take away is that a Trump endorsement alone even in one of our most conservative districts does not necessarily guarantee an outcome, Virginias Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said during a press call on Thursday. Whoever wins will face Democrat nominee Gloria Tinsley Witt in Novembers general election. A Republican-leaning district, voters have historically favored GOP candidates, though Democrat Tom Perriello represented the district from 2009 to 2011. In the meantime, McGuire believes hes likely won. On election night, he called it an honor to be the Republican nominee and echoed his stance on X this week. There are still a few votes left to count, he wrote. But its clear that all paths end with a victory. This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury. Mao Zedong was born on 26 December 1893 into relative prosperity in a village in Hunan province. His father, a poor peasant and former soldier, had risen to the level of grain merchant and owned two and a half acres of land. The young Mao disliked his bullying father, later remarking that acting meekly did little to ameliorate his fathers anger, and thus he was encouraged towards rebellion early on. A similar dislike of his teacher instilled a lifelong disregard for intellectuals, whom he would later consign to the ninth stinking category of counter-revolutionary. Maos father arranged his marriage to a local girl, but Mao ignored her. He had to quit elementary school, but spent time in a higher primary and middle school. His first political act came in 1911, as the Manchu Dynasty crumbled and rebellion broke out in Changsha town. Mao enlisted in Dr Sun Yat-sens army, but spent just six months as an orderly. He would later claim to have spent six months in the Changsha library, absorbing Chinese translations of Western classics. In 1913, Mao entered a teacher training college in Changsha, where he established several student organisations. Over the next couple of years, touring Hunan province on foot, he became highly critical of Chinas past governance: the way forward, he believed, would involve amalgamating aspects of Western and Chinese thought. By September 1918, he had qualified as a teacher, but instead of remaining in Changsha, he went to Beijing, where he became an assistant in the university library. News of the Bolsheviks overthrowing the Russian Tsar had filtered east, and Mao came under the influence of Dr Li Dazhao and the universitys dean of literature Chen Duxiu, both Marxists and founder members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Paris Peace Conference also influenced Mao. After 4 May 1919, Chinese students took to the streets, protesting terms that gave German concessions to the Japanese. Caught up in student activism, he gravitated even more towards Marxism. In 1920, Mao returned to Changsha and became principal of a primary school. He also helped set up the Changsha branch of the newly formed CCP. The following year, he became General Secretary for Hunan and was one of 12 delegates to the First Party Congress. At the time, the national membership was less than 60 people; 28 years later, organised and indoctrinated by Mao, the Chinese Communist Party would conquer the largest nation on earth. This is an extract from Tom Farrells two-part article titled Maos Red Army, featured in issue 75 of Military History Monthly. For the seventh straight summer, a section of Lake Anna has been put under a swim advisory due to harmful algae. Samples taken from the upper North Anna Branch, at what is widely known as the Sandbar, on Monday showed cyanobacteria concentrations that pose a public health concern, the Virginia Department of Health reported Friday. As a result, a no-swim advisory has been issued for that section of the lake. The harmful algae issue comes on the heels of an unrelated event in which scores of people fell ill after visiting the lake over Memorial Day weekend. On June 6, the Virginia Department of Health said it was looking into a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses in people who were in the Lake Anna over the holiday weekend. Three of every 4 people involved were children who developed E. coli infections, and more than 25 people were sickened. The investigation eventually determined that those affected had Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, or STEC. Severe cases of STEC can progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome and be particularly serious, according to the health department. The harmful algae forms on the lake when summer brings high temperatures, and that happened this week. Weather and other environmental factors can cause rapid changes in water quality, according to the state health departments advisory. Be aware of algae blooms and avoid water that smells, is discolored, or where there are dead fish present. Mondays water sample also included the cyanotoxin microcystin, but the health department said it was below health-risk levels. The 13,000-acre manmade Lake Anna, which cools the Dominion Energy North Anna nuclear power plant and is a popular summer retreat, has been plagued by harmful algae blooms and no-swim advisories since 2018. In 2022 the lake was added to the states list of impaired waterways because of the algae blooms. Harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can appear when nitrogen and phosphorus pollution combine with warm water temperatures. The toxins can cause a skin rash, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The blue-green algae can affect people and pets alike. The Lake Anna Civic Association is leading state-backed work aimed at ridding the lake of the harmful algae. That work started this week. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality also is conducting a study in a Pamunkey section of the lake. Harry Looney, chairman of the Lake Anna Advisory Committee playing a leading role in treatment projects aimed at the harmful algae, regularly collects samples in problem areas. He said he figured an advisory was imminent. The advisory area, about 600 acres, is one section of the lake being treated as part of the algae bloom projects, Looney said Friday, adding that the first treatment started earlier this week, after the Department of Environmental Quality samples were collected. Its not a surprise, he said of the harmful algae appearing in the treatment area. This is the first year. Its a graduated, slow kind of approach to reducing the phosphorous. So its not a surprise that the lake was in the condition it was in. Looney said he hopes that with continued treatment in that area, maybe the next few visits by the DEQ will actually see the numbers leveling off or actually dipping. Well see. The Yankees are showing interest in free agent Garrett Cooper, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. He hit the open market a week ago after being released by the Red Sox. Cooper is looking for his third team of the 2024 campaign. He cracked the Cubs season-opening roster after signing a minor league contract. Cooper had a solid .270/.341/.432 showing across 12 games for Chicago, yet the Cubs designated him for assignment in April. The front office was evidently alarmed that he had struck out 13 times over his first 41 plate appearances. That skepticism seems to have been warranted, as Cooper struggled upon being dealt to the Red Sox in a cash trade. Over 24 games with Boston, the righty-hitting first baseman slumped to a .171/.227/.229 batting line. He fanned 22 times while drawing only three walks in 75 trips to the plate. Boston elected to stick with Dominic Smith over Cooper once they welcomed Masataka Yoshida back from the injured list. Whiffs have been an escalating problem for Cooper, who has struck out in 29.1% of his plate appearances since the start of last season. He owns a .242/.297/.395 line in 573 plate appearances across four teams over that stretch. Cooper had been a productive middle-of-the-order bat for the Marlins before that. Between 2019-22, he hit .274/.350/.444 and earned a nod to the 22 All-Star Game. Cooper is a former Yankee. New York acquired him from the Brewers back in 2017 when he was still in Triple-A. The Yankees called him up for 13 games late in the year before trading him the following offseason. They sent Cooper and Caleb Smith to the Fish for then-prospect Michael King a move that worked out fairly well for both teams but eventually turned more clearly in New Yorks favor. The Yanks lost Anthony Rizzo for at least two months when he broke his arm in a collision at first base over the weekend. They called up Ben Rice in the wake of Rizzos injury. The 25-year-old has played in his first three big league contests, collecting two singles and a pair of walks in 11 plate appearances. Cooper could theoretically pair with the lefty-swinging Rice in a platoon, though the Yankees already have DJ LeMahieu as a potential right-handed complement. GM Brian Cashman and the front office could explore the trade market for help at either corner infield spot over the next five weeks. Its not easy to land a significant upgrade this far from the deadline, though, particularly with all but five teams still harboring some level of playoff aspirations. Cooper and Jose Abreu are options for teams looking for a stopgap at first base, though its not clear whether either player will command a big league contract offer. J.D. Davis is currently in DFA limbo with the As and will be traded or placed on waivers this weekend. FLINT, MI This is not a performance group, said The Last Poets member, Abiodun Oyewole. We are truthsayers. Thats what weve always been. The intimate crowd of around 30 people listened with intent as the revolutionary group, The Last Poets, broke into spoken word poetry. With only the beat of a drum and the melodic flow of their words, the group told stories of their past, their values and beliefs. The evening event inside of Flints Comma Bookstore and Social Hub, owned by Egypt Otis, celebrated the Juneteenth holiday, was entitled The Black Power Mixtape concert. The walls of the store were filled with biographies of influential civil rights leaders, merchandise by small Black-owned businesses and handmade paintings depicting African culture. The event featured Flints own, Mama Sol, an impromptu poem recited by Jessica Care Moore, of Detroit, and was headlined by the famous and influential Civil Rights era group, The Last Poets. The group has had many members over the years, Abiodun Oyewole, Baba Don and Umar Bin Hassan are the current members of The Last Poets. When asked about The Last Poets influence over the years, Abiodun Oyewole said, Many folks have seen poetry as a way to express their feelings and to say some things that normally have not been said before. So, I feel that what we did opened up a gateway to that type of information. After welcoming words by Comma Bookstore owner, Egypt Otis, who also organized the event, Mama Sol stepped up with a mic. Before performing, Mama Sol recognized the ancestors who are no longer alive with a libation ceremony. By pouring a splash of water into a nearby plant, Mama Sol called out the names of Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Bernard Terry, Malcolm X and finished with honoring all of the ancestors whose names are not known. Following Mama Sols spoken word performance, The Last Poets took their seats at the front of the bookstore. Combinations of stories and poems were executed for open ears to absorb. Members of the audience ranged from teenagers to people in their 70s. One of those teenagers was 19-year-old Antonio Sweeney, born and raised in Flint. Sweeney is currently attending HBCU Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. The reason I drove 230 miles from Atlanta to Michigan was just because of the historical significance of the group The Last Poets, said Sweeney, who learned about the group in high school and again during his social justice leadership course in college. Somebody already paved the way for me, said Sweeney, who gained inspiration for him to continue to pursue his goals like The Last Poets did when they were around his age. The aging group does not perform as much as they used to. I want The Last Poets to exist even after Im gone, said Abiodun Oyewole. When they take art out of the schools and music, theyre killing the possibilities of that happening. Through art and music that we express ways to heal ourselves and when thats not there, theres a frenzy cause theres emotions that cannot be channeled in a proper way. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- An newly elected Democrat to the Ottawa County Board has filed a federal lawsuit, claiming he was fired from his governmental job due to political pressure. Chris Kleinjans, elected in a May recall election, claims his First Amendment rights were violate when he was fired June 4 from his job as a Michigan State University Extension community nutrition instructor. LANSING, MI An attorney for the Republican state lawmaker facing possible sexual assault and firearm felony charges says the facts will vindicate his client. State Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix, was released from Lansing police custody Friday, June 21, as the Ingham County Prosecutors Office called for further investigation before issuing potential charges. Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Darshan called many people after Renukaswamy murder to arrange cash: Cops OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Darshan's partner Pavithra Gowda is 'the main reason' for Renukaswamy murder: Police JINAN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- An international conference on the protection and repatriation of cultural relics removed from their countries of origin in colonial contexts was held on Thursday in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. The conference was held by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the provincial government of Shandong. A total of 150 representatives from Chinese universities, research institutions and cultural institutions, as well as two international organizations and 27 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway and Germany, attended the event. The conference shone a spotlight on the preservation and repatriation of cultural objects that were taken from their countries of origin in colonial contexts or through unjust or immoral means, and explored solutions to repatriation issues related to cultural objects that are outside the scope of existing international treaties. The conference saw the release of a proposal urging increased dialogue, communication, interaction and cooperation to formulate impartial, rational and sustainable plans to address relevant issues. Delivering a report at the conference, Li Qun, vice minister of culture and tourism and director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said that China has responded actively to international society's efforts in the areas of decolonialization and the morally motivated repatriation of cultural relics, and explored diversified solutions to address relevant disputes. Li also urged international society to recognize fully and tackle the injustices of colonial plundering, and called on all countries of origin and countries of possession to undertake cooperative dialogue on the repatriation of cultural relics and diversified, long-term collaboration in such fields as information sharing, scientific research, and protection and restoration. Follow us on: 'Sonakshi Sinha won't convert to Islam after getting married to Zaheer Iqbal,' says groom's father Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Follow us on: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina receives grand welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan; set to hold talks with PM Modi Follow us on: Delhi airport becomes first in India to launch Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme: Here's what it means A new podcast series will focus on Moscows Christ Church and the growing influence of Christian nationalism. NPR and Boise State Public Radio partnered to create a new season of Extremely American, which is a podcast that focuses on how far-right movements are affecting mainstream American politics, according to host Heath Druzin. I think Christian nationalism right now is more influential than its been perhaps ever in America, but certainly in decades, Druzin told the Daily News on Friday. He said the podcast specifically focuses on Christ Church because the organization is a major player, if not the major player in the Christian nationalist movement nationwide. The podcast series, titled Extremely American: Onward Christian Soldiers, launches Wednesday everywhere podcasts can be downloaded. The first two episodes will be released next week, and the rest of the episodes will be released weekly. Druzin said this podcast is the result of a yearlong project where he and reporter James Dawson talked to Moscow community members and Christ Church leaders including Pastor Doug Wilson and Gabe Rench. Druzin said he was pretty blown away by how forthcoming people were during the interviews, particularly the Christ Church members. People were willing to basically tell me to my face that I should lose rights because Im not a Christian, he said. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Delhi Police uses water cannon to disperse BJP workers protesting against water shortage Follow us on: Govt trying to do 'damage control': Cong on implementation of law to curb exam irregularities OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Karnataka revenue minister pitches slew of measures to foster development in state, seeks Centre's backing OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Kumaraswamy directs officials to revive HMT and make it Atma Nirbhar Follow us on: Reach by 9:15 am or lose half-day casual leave: Centre warns of action against latecomers A Washington State University researcher has been awarded a fellowship to study human-robotic interactions and agricultural robotics. Kyle Yoshida, a postdoctoral researcher at WSUs School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, was selected by the Washington Research Foundation to develop better agricultural solutions in Hawaii, according to a news release distributed by WSU. The foundation supports innovative research and early-stage technology companies through grants and investments. Each year, it provides three-year fellowships to around 10 Washington postdoctoral researchers for work with the potential of creating real-world impacts, according to its website. Yoshida was this years only WSU fellowship recipient. He plans to work alongside Ming Luo, an assistant professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, to study autonomous robotic systems which are engineered to perform tasks for extended periods without human intervention, according to the news release. Follow us on: Who are Hindujas and why is UK's richest family sentenced to jail? Follow us on: Boeing's Starliner return to Earth postponed, NASA says no new date set Best cities to find a job in the US OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All German economy minister says EU open for talks on China tariffs Follow us on: Israeli strikes kill at least 42 in Gaza, enclave's government media office says Hundreds of Idaho Democrats will gather over the weekend in Moscow for the 2024 Idaho Democratic Party State Convention. More than 300 delegates who were elected at the May 23 Democratic presidential caucus will travel to the University of Idaho to help build the party platform and elect delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention, according to the party website. The event runs today to Sunday and includes workshops as well as committee hearings and delegate selection. This morning, there will be a breakfast hosted by the LGBTQ Democratic Caucus of Idaho; tickets had to be purchased in advance. In the afternoon there will be a platform committee hearing and presentations on economic messaging and fundraising. Follow us on: UN says up to Israel to restore order in Gaza for aid OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea for military drills 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 L to R Tom Hernandez, Kristen Whitt, Bob Bonomo, Dwight Follien and Jose Hernandez from the Forest Service. -- Photo taken by: Christina Wilkinson, Groveland Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service View Photo Groveland, CA The Groveland Trail Heads, a nonprofit mountain bike club, has been awarded the Presidential Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service by the Biden Administration. The Gold Level Award, a prestigious national honor, recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service over a year, positively impacting their communities and inspiring others to take action. We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the White House, said Dwight Follien, the President of the Groveland Trail Heads. Having this award presented to us by the Groveland Ranger District personnel is especially meaningful, as they, along with the Stanislaus National Forest, have been incredible partners since our inception in 2013. Established in 2003, the Gold Level Award requires over 500 hours of volunteer service for groups, but the Groveland Trail Heads exceeded this requirement with 1,045 volunteer hours, equivalent to six months of a 40-hour work week. We couldnt achieve our goals without the unwavering support of our partners, donors, sponsors, and volunteers, the spokesperson added. This award is a testament to the collective effort and passion of everyone involved. We are committed to continuing our work to enhance our community and create sustainable recreational opportunities. Founded 11 years ago, the club supports local businesses and addresses unique challenges faced by rural communities. The organization has worked closely with local partners since 2013, creating and sustaining a vibrant trail system that benefits both residents and visitors. The club received the prestigious Presidential Award at the Stanislaus National Forest Services Community Meeting held last Wednesday, June 12th, at the Groveland Resiliency Center. For more information about the Groveland Trail Heads, click here. Doug Casey on why conscription is coming back and what you can do about it : UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently pledged to bring back mandatory national service. (Article by Doug Casey republished from InternationalMan.com) The German government has also mulled reinstating compulsory military service. In Ukraine, its not uncommon for government agents to forcibly kidnap civilians off the streets and send them to the front. These are a few recent examples. There seems to be a clear trend of governments preparing their citizens for some sort of mandatory national service. Is conscription coming back in the West generally and the US in particular? Doug Casey: The US is now automatically registering all males between 18 and 26 into the Selective Service databank. Im no fan of conscription. Or the military in general. Of course, it shocks a lot of people when I say Im not a fan of the military, although I tend to like soldiers as individuals. Dont get me wrong; the military can serve a useful purpose. But when youre in the military, youre not necessarily fighting for the country or freedom. Youre fighting for the government and the people who control it. Propaganda and jingoism aside, the kind of people who run governments are not the best and the brightest, just the most ambitious and opportunistic. Without exception, theyre power grubbers who like to control other people. Its one thing if someone joins voluntarily, but something else entirely if theyre coerced. The draft, or any kind of mandatory service or conscription, should be called what it is: Involuntary servitude. Or, as shocking as it may sound, slavery. Anyway, this trend towards conscription everywhere in the West is most disturbing. Its inuring people to the idea that they should serve the State, the government. International Man: Youre well-known for saying, Right now, by paying all their taxes, the government uses you as a milk cow. But they may decide to turn you into a beef cow. Can you elaborate? Does conscription have any place in a free society? Doug Casey: Survive is the prime directive of all living things, from amoebas to governments. That means if the government needs your life to survive or the lives of a million people like you, it will take them. To the State, youre just a resourcenotwithstanding all the rhetoric about democracy, the value of life, and blah, blah, blah. Remember that the government doesnt really represent the country. The government is a separate entity that has its own interests, much as a church, a corporation, or any other organization does. The problem is that the government is the only institution in society that doesnt survive by voluntary trade and production. It survives by force, confiscating assets from the people that it rules. People have an entirely backwards view of what the government is. Its not your friend. When I say that it treats its subjects as milk cows, I mean that they value you only as a cog in the wheel. As a milk cow, you may be relatively well-treated. But, if push comes to shove, theyll turn you into a beef cow. Thats what the military does. Youre forced to put your life on the line, not necessarily to defend yourself, family, and friends, but to defend the interests of the government whove organized the army. To answer the second part of the question, there are basically three types of armyvolunteer armies, mercenary armies, and slave armies. If a truly free society is invaded by a foreign government, its people will volunteer to defend it. Theyre defending their personal home. The ideal military is composed of volunteers in a well-organized militia that will only rise up when an actual threat occurs. The US was once ideally suited for this type of army. But it no longer is since its devolved into an empire. Switzerland is probably the best model in todays world. A volunteer army can only be used for defensive purposes. Part-time citizen soldiers arent interested in being killed or maimed in order to gratify some politician. The second type of military are mercenaries, hired soldiers. Mercenaries, as competent professionals, are excellent for todays hi-tech environment because theyre specialized and enthusiastic; some people are better suited to soldiering than others. The problem with mercenaries is that theyll basically do what their employer tells them to do. Todays US military are basically domestically recruited mercenaries. In many ways, theyre apart and separate from society at large. The third type of army is a slave army. This is what you get with conscripts. Conscripts can get the job done, but mainly out of loyalty to their fellow slaves and for fear of being shot by their officers. Most would desert, except for fear and their loyalty to their fellows. Many would frag their officers if they think they can get away with it. If you need a slave army to defend your country, it should be obvious your country isnt worth defending. The ideal military will naturally and voluntarily defend its country if its attacked but cannot be used to invade other countries. Only a volunteer army, essentially a militia, suits a free country. Conscription has no place in a free society. Some say that, in todays world, conscription might be a good thing because it might imbue discipline into soft, spineless, unruly youths. And you can certainly pick up some good habits in the military, like learning to say, Yes, sir, making your bed, and shining your shoes. But its not the governments, or the armys, place to mold the character of its people. Examples of governments that believe in molding the character of their youth always resemble the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, East Germany, North Korea, and the like. The answer is simple: conscription, or national service, doesnt have a place in a free society. If a society is worth defending, its members will rise up to do so, and they wont have to be forced to. International Man: Historically, conscription has been used in the US during major conflicts like World War II and the Vietnam War. Given todays geopolitical landscape, do you see a potential major war erupting that could bring back the draft? Doug Casey: Let me point out that conscription was not used during the American Revolution. Soldiers during the Revolution were basically all volunteers. And the same is true of the War of 1812. It was only in the War Between the States that conscription started. Most Northerners couldnt have cared less about whether the South remained part of the US. White boys certainly didnt want to be enslaved in order to free black people in a different country. The hatred, death, and destruction from 1861-1865 were enabled solely by conscription. If it hadnt been for conscription, the US couldnt and wouldnt have fought the First World War, either. WW1 was the camel putting its nose under the tent in the destruction of Western civilization itself. It was a completely pointless war, made possible only through conscriptionabetted by the income tax and the Federal Reserve. Its also true of World War II, although that was a more complex situation that is beyond the scope of this brief discussion. The Korean War and the Vietnam War were unnecessary and disastrous foreign adventures enabled by conscription. Conscription gives government the raw material that it needs to fight foreign wars. More recent sport wars, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, lent themselves to professional mercenary soldiers because they were heavy on using high-tech materiel and weapons. Its true that several governments in Europe are beating war drums and pushing for conscription. But the coming war is going to be fought increasingly cybernetically. The battlefield itself wont need much cannon fodder; it will use drones and robots, supplemented by highly trained and motivated spec ops guys. If things get really out of control, bioweapons and nuclear weapons will join the party; the coming war wont require masses of draftees. Its unlikely that many recalcitrant latte-drinking soy boys will be forced to throw their bodies into the cauldron. The coming war will take relatively few but highly specialized and trained individuals. In fact, most boots-on-the-ground soldiers today are special operations types. Theyre essentially mercs, not conscripts who are anxious to get out as soon as possible. Most of the coming war will be fought by pros and remotely by machines. If various governments bring the draft back, its not going to be very useful for the military. The main point of the draft is to get people into the habit of doing what theyre told. International Man: On a related note, a recent bipartisan bill was introduced to expedite citizenship for foreign migrants who serve in the US military. What do you make of this trend? Doug Casey: This is a potential disaster in the making. Hiring foreigners who dont share values, customs, religion, or even language with the native population is asking for trouble. Big trouble. Training them in an army is one of the most stupid and dangerous ideas I can think of. And there are loads of crazy ideas around these days It amounts to hiring foreign mercenaries for your national army. On the bright side, though, they wont be competent professionals. On the not-so-bright side, theyll be easily motivated to fight against citizens. At this point, the government is scaring away the parts of the US population that were traditionally soldiers, namely white men, and trying to replace them with a non-native DEI army that has values that are not just different from but at odds with traditional America. If migrants are given a quick pathway to citizenship by joining the army, theyll mainly be good for controlling the citizenry. Especially now since the current regime has come out and declared traditional AmericansMAGA people, if you will, or about half the countryas being potential terrorists. Foreign migrants are the ideal material for the bad guys whoas incredible as it might seemappear to want a civil war against traditional Americans. International Man: Given the disturbing trends weve discussed today, how can people protect themselves from the danger of conscription and forced national service? Doug Casey: Theres very little you can do other than renounce your citizenship and/or leave the country. Or you can do what a lot of people did during the Vietnam War and simply say, Hell no. I wont go. If you do that, however, youll be imprisoned. But perhaps thats a better alternative than being forced to kill people you dont even know. Theres no easy solution to the problem at this point. The situation is pretty far gone. Ultimately, we have to reform the character of the country because its going in the wrong direction very rapidly. Editors Note: The US government is overextending itself by interfering in every corner of the globe. Its all financed by massive amounts of money printing. However, the next financial crisis could end the whole charade soon. Read more at: InternationalMan.com The FDA is a front organization that has allowed vaccine manufacturers to pillage the world for decades The majority of Americans once trusted their government to tell them the truth about vaccines. However, after the covid-19 scandal of lies, fraud and abuse, more people are questioning the entire vaccine evaluation and regulatory process What if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was originally setup as a front group for the pharmaceutical industry, and its legal and scientific processes were fabricated to only benefit specific drug makers? What if the FDA was intended to be a mafia working on behalf of certain pharmaceutical companies? What if the agency was nothing more than a false authority that was allotted power because the agency was used to pressure Congress into giving Big Pharma dominance over the people of the United States? What if the FDA used empty office buildings no technicians, no equipment, no sampling, no oversight as an affront of regulatory oversight? What if testing and regulations for biologics (vaccines) never existed in the first place? For biologics, the FDA is an affront to the scientific method, a facade of regulatory oversight A paralegal from Pennsylvania Katherine Watt is raising serious questions about the history of the FDA and the NIH. According to Watt, since World War II, the U.S. Congress has been passing legislation that makes it easier for the pharmaceutical industry to destroy peoples lives, using the FDA as a front. As the lies surrounding the covid-19 scandal continue to be exposed, more people across academia, medicine, government, science and the legal system continue to question the history and the motivations of Big Pharma and the federal government. If widespread medical and scientific malfeasance can be swept under the rug today, what other criminal conspiracies have taken place, with government agencies getting away with fraud and mass murder? 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. How are government agencies used to protect criminal organizations, and how might regulators be used by Big Pharma mafias to destroy the lives of whistleblowers and truth-tellers? If the head of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease can change the definition of gain-of-function research to develop bioweapons offshore, then what other acts have occurred where government officials tortured the language and used legalese to coverup crimes against humanity? The pre-1972 statutory and regulatory history of U.S. public health agencies is riddled with clues to mass deception, fraud and coverups. In 1973, the regulation of biological products was transferred from the NIH Division of Biologics Standards to the FDA Bureau of Biologics. This is historically important, as the FDA would go on to consolidate a set of biological product manufacturing non-regulations in the Federal Register. The FDA's facade of regulatory oversight exposed During an email exchange recently, Katherine Watts raised the question Why are they (NIH and FDA officials) lying about the statutory and/or administrative origins of biologics regulation? When modern day NIH and FDA employees tried to explain the origin of the biological product and vaccine manufacturing regulatory systems, their stories did not match the text of the statutes they cite. She believes the FDA owns a network of empty office buildings without technical staff, lab equipment or processing procedures. These physical locations, setup from 1973 and onward, provide mailing addresses so that vaccine manufacturers can fill out fake forms, including establishment license application (ELA) and the product license application (PLA). The ELA and PLA were eventually consolidated into a biologics license application (BLA) in the mid 1990s, eliminating the requirements for establishment inspections and licensing, and obfuscating responsibility at the factories by breaking up the responsible head so that no one would be held responsible in the end. Her analysis also suggests that the factory employees are just paper pushers with no scientific knowledge or responsibility. They carry out the task of producing the toxic formulas, putting them in vials and slapping labels on them, before sending out application forms to the FDA's empty-building addresses. Once the application forms arrive at the addresses, more paper pushers file them away until they are shredded a few years later. Today, the addresses are used for electronic transfer purposes, to make it appear that there is regulatory oversight at the FDA. However, there are no technicians in the buildings, and no equipment nor sample testing. Dr. Michael Yeadon, one of the first medical professionals to warn about the fraud and devastation to come from COVID-19 vaccines, commented on Mrs. Watts assertions. "It looks like deception may have been going on a very long time before covid vaccines were a thing." he writes. If Katherine Watt is right, there are entire administrative processes that exist only on paper, but there are no staff overseeing the technical aspects implied. Effectively, no practical regulation of vaccines (safety, efficacy, and quality) has ever existed. Nothing would surprise me anymore. After all, as I have said repeatedly, there are in the covid-19 vaccines numerous, independent, unnecessary and (to those with relevant expertise) obvious toxicity risks, none of which have been evaluated (because theyre intentional, theyre there by design). The vaccine industry has been a ruse for decades, long before covid-19 vaccines were fraudulently pushed into the marketplace. Sources include: Expose-News.com Bailiwicknews.substack.com Bailiwicknews.substack.com Telegram.com Fmr U.S. Ambassador David M. Friedman demands Americans be imprisoned for antisemitism David M Friedman, former Trump-appointed US Ambassador to Israel, threw a fit Monday on X demanding Americans be imprisoned en masse for "antisemitism." (Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com) Friedman said that President Biden or "whoever tells [him] what to do" needs to "get tough on Jew-hatred" and suggested they launch a "federal" effort to "arrest and prosecute" anti-Semites for "hate crimes." Not doing so will lead to the end of the American Empire, Friedman argued. Friedman wrote on X: Antisemitism is now tolerated and even supported in the United States in ways never before seen in our country. It is a national crisis and an embarrassment. It has gone far beyond criticism of Israel, which itself was violent, vulgar and antisemitic. I see no real effort on the Federal level to arrest and prosecute the criminals for their hate crimes. We have all seen incredibly ugly mobs harassing and assaulting Jews. How many of those creeps are sitting in jail today? Even one? To President Biden and whoever tells you what to do, just for a moment forget the election, ignore the antisemitic votes you hope to garner in Michigan and Minnesota, and get tough on Jew-hatred! History teaches that out of control antisemitism is a precursor to the end of an empire. If we don't stop this now, America is in dire jeopardy. Of course, Americans have been rounded up en masse for talking part in pro-Palestine protests throughout the country -- without any regard for the First Amendment. "More than 2,950 people have been arrested at pro-Palestinian protests on at least 61 college campuses across the U.S. in recent weeks," Axios reported on May 10. The Washington Post reported last month that over a dozen Jewish billionaires working secretly in concert with the Israeli government were part of a private WhatsApp group chat which conspired to push New York City Mayor Eric Adams to launch said crackdown on pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University. Current US antisemitism czar Deborah Lipstadt scolded the Post last week for "fostering antisemitism" through their factual reporting on the leak. In Ohio last month, Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost tried to imprison two pro-Palestine protesters under an ancient KKK anti-masking law but a grand jury rejected his attempt to get around the First Amendment. The only reason more Americans haven't been jailed for their speech as Friedman and other Zionists are demanding is because we still have a First Amendment (or at least some shreds of it). Of course, our Israel First Congress is currently doing everything in their power to eliminate our First Amendment in order to shield Israel from criticism over the Gaza genocide. Read more at: InformationLiberation.com Kansas SUES PFIZER for making misleading claims about effectiveness and risks of its COVID-19 vaccine The state of Kansas has filed a lawsuit against Big Pharma company Pfizer, alleging the pharmaceutical giant made "misleading claims" about the effectiveness and risks of its Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. The lawsuit, filed by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, contends that Pfizer deliberately concealed evidence linking its vaccine to myocarditis and pregnancy complications. "Pfizer made multiple misleading statements to deceive the public about its vaccine at a time when Americans needed the truth," Kobach said. The legal action, initiated on Monday, June 17, claims that Pfizer falsely promoted its vaccine's efficacy despite knowing that its protection diminished over time and was ineffective against certain COVID-19 strains. (Related: Former Pfizer VP warns COVID-19 vaccines intentionally designed to HARM, MAIM AND KILL and reduce human infertility.) Additionally, Kobach argues that Pfizer misled the public by claiming its vaccine prevented coronavirus transmission, despite the company later admitting it had never studied this aspect. Kobach also accused Pfizer of working with social media platforms to "censor speech critical" of COVID-19 vaccines. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer's actions violate the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and seeks unspecified monetary damages. Pfizer has denied the allegations, with a representative stating that the lawsuit has "no merit" and that the companys representations about its COVID-19 vaccine have been accurate and science-based. Pfizer beset by legal challenges over COVID-19 vaccine This lawsuit follows a pattern of legal challenges faced by Pfizer. 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 November, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a similar lawsuit, accusing Pfizer of "unlawfully misrepresenting the effectiveness of the companys COVID-19 vaccine and attempting to censor public discussion of the product." The controversy around Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is not new. In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about an increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, rare heart inflammation conditions, associated with Pfizer and Modernas COVID-19 vaccines. The warning came as reports emerged of individuals experiencing these conditions post-vaccination. Adding to the scrutiny, a study released earlier this month by Amsterdams Vrije Universiteit indicated that medical professionals and recipients reported "serious injuries and deaths following vaccination" in "various official databases." Researchers suggested that "suspected" adverse events associated with vaccination may have contributed to excess mortality in 47 countries between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2022. The Kansas lawsuit also arrives amid ongoing debates about vaccine mandates and the transparency of pharmaceutical companies. The Kansas Attorney General's office argues that Pfizers alleged actions have undermined public trust at a critical time. Kobach emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, particularly during a global health crisis. "At a time when Americans needed the truth, Pfizer's actions only served to mislead and deceive the public," he said. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies, potentially influencing future policies and public perception of vaccine safety and efficacy. Learn more about the alleged crimes of Big Pharma companies like Pfizer at PharmaceuticalFraud.com. Watch this episode of "The Absolute Truth with Emerald Robinson" as she and guest med-legal advisor and biotech analyst Karen Kingston go into detail regarding Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach's lawsuit against Pfizer. This video is from the Prevent Global Genocide channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Kansas AG sues Pfizer for "misleading Kansans on COVID vaccine," alleging numerous counts of FRAUD. DIRTY SHOTS: Study finds Pfizer's COVID-19 injection has MORE THAN 500 times allowable levels of DONA contamination. Pfizer unleashed wave of turbo cancers with its COVID jabs; now the corporation is declaring cancer "our new COVID" profit stream. Pfizer's CRIMINAL RECORD invalidates pharmaceutical giant as FRAUDULENT corporation peddling deadly snake oil. FDA warns of HIGH SEIZURE RISK for children during first few days after receiving COVID-19 jabs by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. Sources include: RT.com Reuters.com Brighteon.com Kuleba: Russia will eventually have to be involved in peace talks with Ukraine Russia will eventually have to be involved in peace talks in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The official made this remark to journalists during the last day of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in the Alpine resort of Burgenstock in Switzerland from June 15 to 16. According to him, both belligerents in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war will have to sit down and negotiate at some point to reach a definitive peace. "The idea is that the next summit should be the end of the war. And of course, we need the other side at the negotiating table as well," Kuleba said. "It is obvious that both sides are needed to end the war." He added that Kyiv understands "perfectly well that the moment will come when it will be necessary to talk to Russia." Until then, he reiterated that everyone backing Kyiv must "ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest position at that time." "Russia isn't invited to the two-day summit and has described the conference as meaningless, given the unwillingness of Kyiv and its Western backers to consider Moscow's terms," Russia Today (RT) pointed out. "Countries do not want to take part in an event that is meaningless," Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on June 4. "To discuss Ukraine without Russia's participation is absolutely absurd. The event is not geared to achieving any result." According to Peskov, "many countries do not want to waste time [on] an absolutely absurd activity and an idle pastime." The summit was largely based on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposed 10-point "peace formula," which Moscow has rejected. In turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated on June 14 his terms for a ceasefire: Ukraine must withdraw troops from territories annexed by Russia, and must abandon its plan to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 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. Kuleba: Other nations see the conflict differently Kuleba also told reporters during the summit that some countries outside Europe and North America have a different view of the Russia-Ukraine war. "There were voices from the Global South about difficult compromises that need to be made," he said. "This is not the language we hear from Western powers." According to a list published by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, 78 of the 92 countries who attended the summit left their signatures on the final communique. Several attendees argued that Russia should have been present at the negotiating table. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud remarked that any meaningful progress toward peace will require "Russia's participation," as well as a "difficult compromise" between the parties. Riyadh did not sign the final communique, according to RT. Notably absent is China, who also proposed to broker peace between the two belligerents. It has refused to take part in the summit as it believes both warring parties should be there. Despite this, Kyiv has accused Beijing of helping Moscow to dissuade countries from signing up for the peace summit. Turkey meanwhile reiterated its readiness to host peace talks. Ankara hosted negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in spring of 2022, but the talks collapsed after then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson convinced Zelensky to scrap the peace deal. (Related: Boris Johnson has meltdown after being exposed for sabotaging Ukraine peace deal.) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that the ongoing hostilities could escalate and potentially trigger a global nuclear conflict. Thus, he argued that both Ukraine's 10-point peace plan and Russia's terms for a ceasefire are "important steps" and a "glimpse of hope" that could eventually end the bloodshed. Head over to WWIII.news for similar stories. Watch Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterating his conditions for a ceasefire and peace talks in the clip below. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Xi to Zelensky: China will work to mediate PEACE. Putin 'tried everything possible' to make peace Ukrainian diplomat. Putin reportedly willing to end war with Ukraine, sit down for PEACE TALKS. Zelensky organizes Peace Summit in Switzerland but leaves Russia out of the picture. Zakharova: Washington's call for Moscow to join peace talks "DETACHED FROM REALITY." Sources include: RT.com IrishTimes.com BBC.com Brighteon.com PAYBACK: Ex-Russian president calls for MAXIMUM DAMAGE in retaliation for the Wests war without rules against Moscow Former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on June 13 called for Russians to take every opportunity to inflict "maximum damage" on Western nations that have declared a "war without rules," with Moscow, imposing increasingly tough sanctions on the Eurasian nation. "We should try every day to do as much damage as possible to those countries that have imposed these restrictions on our country and all our citizens. Hit them where it hurts," the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and President Vladimir Putin's top ally and predecessor wrote on his Telegram channel which has 1.3 million followers. "Do damage everywhere, paralyze the operation of their companies and government agencies. Find vulnerabilities in their critical technologies and attack them mercilessly. Destroy their energy, industry, transportation, banking and social services." He added that Russia needs to respond, not only to the authorities and the state but to all Russian people in general. "After all, they the U.S. and its crappy allies have declared war on us without rules!" Medvedev added. Reuters reported that diplomats are saying Medvedev gives a flavor of hardline and high-level thinking in the Kremlin, though Kyiv and Kremlin critics downplay his influence, casting him as a scaremonger whose job is to deter Western action over Ukraine. "Are they afraid that we would transfer our arms to the enemies of the Western world? We should send every kind of weapon, except nuclear (for now)!" he also wrote on social media. "Are they afraid of anarchy and crime waves in large cities? We should help disrupt their municipal authorities!" 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. He assured that Russia could trigger a war in space, wage a psychological warfare campaign against Western citizens so that they "tremble under blankets in their cozy homes" and unleash a tsunami of narratives "to turn their life into a never-ending nightmare, in which they cannot distinguish reality from the wildest fiction." (Related: Medvedev warns that any U.S. strike on Russian targets will be the start of world war.) Meanwhile, the latest round of American restrictions against Russian entities reportedly targets energy, metals, mining and the financial sector. In fact, it has forced the Moscow Stock Exchange to suspend all trade in the U.S. dollar and the euro. The package is one of the biggest since the Ukraine conflict escalated into open hostilities in February 2022, impacting over $100 million in trade between Russia and its foreign partners, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury estimate. Moreover, without giving out further details, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia "will not leave the aggressive actions of the U.S. unanswered." Meanwhile, Russian leaders think that the sanctions may work in favor of the nation because it has developed "an immunity" to the restrictions over the years. Some members of the State Duma have suggested that additional foreign sanctions could incentivize making Russia's economy more resilient and competitive. "We are actively developing domestic industries and innovations, which contribute to the modernization of our economy," Member of Parliament Dmitry Belik told Ria Novosti on Wednesday. "Despite the statement from Washington and Brussels, saying that they will tear apart the Russian economy, the country is successfully developing, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on Telegram as he cited Russia's gross domestic product (GDP) which grew by 3.6 percent in 2023 and has increased by 5.4 percent since the beginning of 2024. Economist Mikhail Delyagin also said that the Moscow Exchange's regulations could be revised to tackle the sanctions. "The trade can also be moved to a different platform," he suggested. Nuke threats are not a bluff: Medvedev The senior Russian official has previously warned that Moscow is not bluffing about its willingness to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine and said Kyiv's international "friends" are making a "fatal mistake" if they think otherwise. This was the response of President Putin's senior official to reports that Western countries have already allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia. "The current military conflict with the West is developing according to the worst possible scenario," Medvedev wrote on Telegram. For him, such activity does not constitute military assistance to Ukraine, but rather active "participation in a war against Russia." He claimed that such actions "could well become a casus belli," a Latin phrase that means action that provokes war. "Ukraine and its NATO allies will receive a response of such destructive force that the alliance itself simply will not be able to resist being drawn into the conflict," Medvedev said. He also stated that "retired NATO farts" who claim that Russia would never use a tactical nuclear weapon had previously "miscalculated" by asserting that Russia "would not enter into an open military conflict" with Ukraine. "After all, as the President of Russia rightly noted, European countries have a very high population density," Medvedev said, referring to Putin's threats earlier this week amid reports that European nations would allow Kyiv to attack Russian territory with weapons they'd supplied. Medvedev said there is also a "potential" for Russia to strike hostile countries with strategic weapons. "This is, alas, neither intimidation nor bluffing," he said. "There is a constant escalation when it comes to the firepower of NATO weapons being used. Therefore, nobody today can rule out the conflict's transition to its final stage." RussiaReport.news contains more news related to Russia's current situation in its war with Ukraine, the West and their allies. Sources for this article include: RT.com 1 Reuters.com RT.com 2 TheDailyBeast.com Poll: Muslim countries lead way in BOYCOTTING brands that support Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza Muslim nations are leading the way when it comes to boycotting a brand regarded as helping Israel in its genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the results of a new poll. The current edition of the annual Trust Barometer report from public relations firm Edelman polled 15,000 consumers across 15 countries. The nations surveyed include France, Saudi Arabia, the U.K. and the United States. According to the poll's outcome, there was a clear divide over how the war is causing consumers worldwide to make a stand with their wallets. While Edelman's poll didn't state which side respondents sided with in the war, it found that the top five countries engaged in boycotting brands over Israel's actions in Gaza were as follows: Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates (UAE) Indonesia India Germany Of this list of five, three are Muslim-majority nations Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with the last two countries located in the oil-rich Gulf region. India also has a considerable Muslim minority while Germany capped off the list. Saudi Arabia saw the highest number of respondents 71 percent stating that they were boycotting brands over their recognized support for one side. The kingdom's population is strongly pro-Palestine, according to the Middle East Eye (MEE). Meanwhile, 57 percent of respondents in the UAE said they were boycotting purported pro-Israel brands in support of Palestine. In Indonesia, more than one in two people also said they were boycotting brands. The largest archipelago in the world located in Southeast Asia also happens to be the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. The survey also discovered that geopolitics is having a significant effect on brand choice with 78 percent of customers saying they will not purchase from a brand because of where it is based. Overall, 60 percent of customers around the world are choosing brands based upon their politics, a two percent rise from last year. People in other countries ditching pro-Israel brands for local counterparts The number of respondents from Arab and Muslim countries who are boycotting products over the war on Gaza is considerably greater than the worldwide average of 37 percent, somewhat more than one in three respondents. A separate MEE report has shown that consumers in Oman, a major Western partner, have been boycotting western goods over the support the U.S. and its allies have given Israel. They have changed from drinks like Mountain Dew to Kinsa, a Saudi drink brand. In Pakistan, local brands have begun making local products to replace Western soft drinks and cosmetics. The Edelman poll also picked up on increasing consumer nationalism in Gulf states. Most respondents also stated trust ranks before customer service, reputation and convenience when purchasing a brand's product. True enough, Western corporate boardrooms are feeling the impact of boycotts as well. In March, retail giant Alshaya Group, which owns the rights to Starbucks in the Middle East, decided to start laying off more than 2,000 employees in the region and North Africa, or four percent of its total personnel, due to consumer boycotts related to Gaza. (Related: Corporations like McDonalds, Starbucks that support Israel are receiving massive backlash, boycotts over support for genocidal bombings of Gazans.) McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski also announced early this year that sales had been weaker in Muslim-majority nations like Malaysia and Indonesia in addition to the Middle East. The fast food giant caused outrage among pro-Palestine activists in October when its Israel franchise declared it was providing free meals to Israeli soldiers in its branches in the country. "The ongoing impact of the war on these franchisees' local business is disheartening and ill-founded," Kempczinski said on June 10 while talking to analysts on the corporation's conference call. In Pakistan, the franchise decreased its prices and was compelled to issue a statement withdrawing themselves from McDonald's in Israel. Follow IsraelCollapse.com for more news about Israel's ongoing war on Gaza. Watch the video below about demonstrators in Belfast removing Israeli products from shelves in protest of the continuing genocide in Gaza. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related articles: Calls increase to BOYCOTT major corporations for supporting Israeli genocide against Palestinian civilians. Turkish parliament boycotts Coke, Nestle products over the companies alleged support for Israel. Hamas to boycott ceasefire negotiations as long as Israel continues killing Palestinians in Rafah. None of your business: Survey shows Americans prefer companies that stay out of politics. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net TheNationalNews.com Brighteon.com Biden authorizes transfer of two Patriot missile batteries from Poland to Ukraine in bid to bolster Kyivs air defenses President Joe Biden is authorizing the transfer of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems from Poland to Ukraine in a bid to bolster Kyiv's defenses against Russian air attacks. Following the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in 2022, the United States responded by transferring two of its MIM-104 Patriot batteries from the U.S. to the Polish Armed Forces. The batteries were used to secure the Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland, less than 60 miles from the border with Ukraine, a crucial hub for transporting aid from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to Ukraine and to help secure officials traveling in and out of the country. (Related: U.S. runs out of spare "Patriot" missiles for Ukraine, spelling impending Russian victory.) Jacek Siewiera, Secretary of State and head of the National Security Bureau, reacted to the news during an interview with commercial broadcaster Radio ZET, stating that "American Patriots should not be transferred from Poland to Ukraine." He emphasized Poland's critical role in acting as a supply corridor for Ukraine and serving as a deterrent on NATOs eastern flank. Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk clarified that any Patriot battery transferred out of Poland would be promptly replaced by another, reiterating that Poland did not consent to the transfer of its own Patriot system. During his most recent visit to NATO's headquarters in Brussels, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured that there were no plans to diminish the protection of Polish airspace with the Patriot battery deployments. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. In April, Polish President Andrzej Duda responded to calls for European countries to share their Patriot systems with Ukraine by noting Polands ongoing efforts to establish its own Patriot system, stressing that Poland cannot currently provide additional systems. In recent months, the Ukrainian government has repeatedly urged Western allies to enhance their support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine with more anti-aircraft systems, particularly Patriot batteries, to safeguard Ukrainian military forces, cities and critical infrastructure targeted by Russian attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized in April that Ukraine requires at least seven additional Patriot batteries for effective air defense. Currently, the U.S. has dispatched one Patriot system to Ukraine, with promises from the Netherlands, Germany and other countries in recent weeks to contribute additional systems. One U.S. official specified that the system will be transferred from an airfield in southeastern Poland, which has served as a staging area for Pentagon shipments of weapons and supplies to Ukrainian forces since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Multiple Patriot batteries have been stationed there. The move includes plans by U.S. military officials to replace the system in Poland with another Patriot from a different location, said the official. "Ukraine has observed how the U.S. has sought Patriots worldwide while unable to explain why they couldn't provide their own," remarked a Ukrainian official speaking anonymously. "Every level in Ukraine worked towards achieving this outcome." Patriot batteries sought after all over Europe The Patriot system, a flagship U.S. defense system, is particularly sought after for its alleged effectiveness in safeguarding troops, urban areas and critical infrastructure such as power facilities. Notably, it is the sole system proven capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles used by Russia against Ukraine. These missiles are highly maneuverable and fly at low altitudes, making them challenging to detect and counter. The urgency of bolstering Ukraine's defenses was underscored when the Kremlin launched a significant assault, deploying six cruise missiles and more than 20 drones over Ukraine. In Kyiv, air raid sirens blared and explosions echoed throughout the night. Ukraine's air force reported successfully intercepting 29 of 30 incoming targets, including four cruise missiles, one ballistic missile, one aeroballistic missile, and 24 attack drones. This successful defense highlighted the ongoing threat to Ukrainian cities and reinforced the necessity for modern air defense to repel continual Russian attacks. Hours after this overnight barrage, another missile strike targeted Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, resulting in at least nine fatalities, dozens wounded and damage to administrative and residential buildings, as confirmed by officials. Visit WWIII.news for similar stories regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Watch this video about what a Patriot missile does and why it's important to Ukraine. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: America has run dry of Patriot missiles to send to Ukraine so whats next? Russia destroys Ukrainian Patriot air defense missile launchers. Ukraine running out of air defense missiles, giving Russia a FREE PASS to Kyiv. Sources include: RMX.news MSN.com Brighteon.com The West is lighting the fuse of war The Western media is a lie machine. Western governments live in a make-believe world of their own impunity. Consequently, the Western peoples lack awareness of the dangerous situation that Washington has created with Russia. (Article republished from PaulCraigRoberts.org) The so-called peace conference in Switzerland was a fraud. Russia was not included, so how was it a peace conference? It was a propaganda event to rally support around Washingtons puppet, Zelensky, whose term has expired and who is ruling illegitimately as a dictator. Many of the attendees refused to sign the statement. Here is a true description of the situation. The West is acting in behalf of the war continuing and expanding. The puppets term has expired and Zelensky continues in office despite not being reelected. The Western trained and equipped Ukrainian military has been defeated. At any time Russia can increase the offensive and clear Ukrainian forces from the Russian populated areas that have been reincorporated into Russia. The Wests response to its lost war consists of two reckless and irresponsible actions. One is to send NATO troops, with the French being the opening wedge, to replace the depleted Ukrainian troops. The other is to further provoke the Kremlin by firing longer range missiles into Russia. Putin and important members of the Russian government have indicated that if necessary Russian troops will move into areas beyond the reestablished border of Russia, stating that the longer the range of the missiles the deeper into Ukraine the buffer region will be. It is unclear why Washington provoked the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as it was obvious that Ukraine had no chance of winning and as the war was certain to unite the Russian people behind Putin and to destroy any trust of the West in the Kremlin. Most importantly, the West ignored that it was forcing an existential threat upon Russia. The Kremlin is convinced that the West intends Russias destruction. Putins intention after his deception by the West with the Minsk Agreement, was only to drive Ukrainian forces out of the Russian areas that have now been reincorporated into Russia. Apparently Putin did not realize the extent to which the West would involve itself and expand the war. Now that Putin faces an outbreak of a larger war, he clearly stated the conditions for ending the conflict. He said that Russian military action will cease when the remaining Ukrainian forces are withdrawn from the Russian populated areas that have been reunited with Russia and when Ukraine agrees that the country will not become a member of NATO or have foreign bases and missiles on its territory. These are reasonable and generous terms. If these terms are refused, Ukraine faces further conquest and harsher future conditions for ending the conflict. When Ukraine was broken off from Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian provinces which Soviet leaders had attached to Ukraine should have been left in Russia. Whether or not this was a failure of foresight or malicious intent, it was a mistake that resulted in a conflict that has the potential of engulfing the world. The difference between the 20th century Cold War and the 21st century hot war is that in the Cold War era the US and Soviet leadership, understanding the fatal nature of nuclear weapons, were committed to reducing tensions and building trust, whereas in the 21st century only Russia has sought mutual understanding and mutual security. Washington has fomented conflict and raised an existential threat to Russia by expanding NATO to Russias borders and overthrowing governments of former Russian provinces. To avoid war Putin has accepted continuing provocations and insults. But now faced with such reckless and irresponsible proposals as NATO troops in Ukraine and missiles hitting deep into Russia, Putin has made one last effort to state conditions for ending the conflict. The conditions are immensely better than the outbreak of conflict that would destroy Europe and the United States. The danger today is much worse than the Cuban Missile Crisis. In those days Washington recognized the danger. Today Washington does not. President John F. Kennedy realized that the US had provoked Soviet missiles in Cuba by placing US missiles in Turkey. Kennedy and Khrushchev made a mutual security agreement and both removed the missiles. Putins diplomatic effort during December 2021 and February 2022 for a mutual security agreement was cold-shouldered by Washington, NATO, and the EU. With the outbreak of major war looming, Biden has still not met with Putin. Instead, Biden has provoked animosity by calling Putin the new Hitler. This is an unprecedented level or reckless irresponsibility. The question before us is: Will Putin continue to accept provocations in hope that a change in the Washington regime in the November election will permit the West to come to its senses, or is Serbian President Vucic correct that the train has left the station? As the Western world lacks a truthful media, the people might be indoctrinated with the Russian threat. Even if the people realize that the threat is Washingtons pressure on Russia, the people are impotent to affect government policy. Among the Western governments, public opinion is something to be manipulated, not something to which to listen. I believe the West has convinced Putin that the West intends war. Not even Putin has an endless amount of patience. Instead of recognizing the dangerous situation and sitting down with Putin to defuse the situation, the West is lighting the fuse. Read more at: PaulCraigRoberts.org The government of Canada has declared that it will ban open-net pen salmon farming in the coastal waters of British Columbia within five years, a move that was supported by environmental groups but rejected by the aquaculture sector. Salmon Populations In order to safeguard the diminishing wild Pacific salmon populations, the Liberal administration decided in 2019 to switch to closed containment technology. On Canada's west coast, salmon is an important species both environmentally and culturally, but the Pacific Salmon Foundation reports that over half of the 9,000 different populations in British Columbia are in decline. Numerous open-net salmon farms exist in the province, which activists claim have the potential to expose wild fish to disease and lice. "Today, we are delivering on that promise and taking an important step in Canada's path towards salmon and environmental conservation, sustainable aquaculture production, and clean technology," said Jonathan Wilkinson, natural resources minister. Since salmon spend the majority of their adult lives in the ocean after spawning in freshwater, closed containment operations are more expensive and difficult to run than farming salmon in open-net cages that float in the water. Environmental activists claim that by dispersing disease, these salmon farms negatively impact wild salmon populations. Stan Proboszcz, an analyst with the conservation organization Watershed Watch Salmon Society, stated that a substantial amount of research demonstrates how they intensify bacteria, viruses, and parasites directly on the wild salmon migration paths and transfer them to wild fish. According to surveys, the majority of British Columbians are in favor of banning open-net salmon farming, but over 120 First Nations in the region are in favor of closed containment fish farms that are situated on land. The declaration was well received by the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance. According to its chairman, Bob Chamberlin, this date will meet the longer-term needs of shielding wild Pacific salmon from the effects of the open-net pen fish farm sector. It is a great move in that direction. Read Also: Fish Farms Meant to Repopulate Wild Salmons Worldwide Result in Deadly Impacts Economic Loss According to the BC Salmon Farmers Association, salmon farming generates approximately C$1.5 billion ($1.09 billion) in revenue for the province each year and sustains 7,000 jobs in coastal towns. According to Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the organization, the 5-year timeframe required to completely replace traditional farming infrastructure presents obstacles for more investments in technology and innovations and will have a greater influence on the coastal towns that depend on our industry. "The idea that 70,000 metric tons of BC salmon can be produced on land in five years is unrealistic and ignores the current capabilities of modern salmon farming technology, as it has not been done successfully to scale anywhere in the world," he added. By the end of the month, the government promised to unveil a strategy detailing how it would assist communities that depend on open-net aquaculture for their livelihoods, First Nations, and industry workers. Wilkinson stated that in order to make sure that the negative effects on the economy are minimized, they understand the significance of meaningful and careful engagement with First Nations partners and communities going forward. Related Article: Salmon Population Feared To Be Devastated After Thousands Escape From Icelandic Farm A new study showed that people were more susceptible to cardiovascular issues associated with high heat, and that risk increased the longer people were exposed to the heat. This was especially true in typically cooler areas, where buildings frequently lack air conditioning and heart patients are less acclimated to high heat. Cardiovascular Health Issues The potential consequences of climate change on cardiovascular health may include altered physiology, psychological strain, and disruptions to health-related infrastructure. The study team also discovered that long after an extreme weather event occurs, there is still a risk of cardiovascular health problems. Examples of these catastrophes include hurricanes and floods. The research team referenced a 2012 study on Hurricane Sandy's effects on health, which found that the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease persisted for up to a year following the storm. Given that cardiovascular disease is presently the leading cause of death worldwide, members of the research team expressed their hope that their work may inspire people to take action to improve their health as the globe continues to warm. Dhruv S. Kazi, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, said it's extremely salient that individuals do worry about their cardiovascular health and take cardiovascular events more seriously. "And I think we can advance the conversation on climate change. If we point out to people that there are these effects on cardiovascular health, cardiovascular disease is not theoretical or something that is going to happen in the future," he added. Read Also: Poor Oral Health Possibly Linked to Cardiovascular Disease Impact On Human Health The recently published data on the potentially dangerous impacts of heat is growing, and this new study is just one part of it. In May, researchers at the University of California-Irvine declared that they had discovered the molecular elements that, during heat waves, have a deleterious effect on the brain, liver, and digestive system. The study's authors discovered alterations in brain genes connected to motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and a weakening of the blood-brain barrier by examining the heat-stressed tissues of mice. The researchers wrote that the liver-brain axis, which connects the stomach, liver, and brain, is an essential communication network impacting human health. The effects of climate change on neurological conditions, the liver-brain axis, and gastrointestinal health have received particular attention. Consequences for metabolic liver diseases and associated neuropathologies might also arise. Additionally, in March, a different team of researchers reported that they had discovered that brief exposure to high temperatures may worsen immune system function and promote inflammation. The study discovered that for every 5 degrees increase in the Universal Thermal Climate Index-a measurement of how the body reacts to air temperature and a variety of other conditions-killer T-cell levels and other inflammatory markers increased, while B cells, which aid in controlling the body's reaction to pathogens and disease, decreased. The lead author of the March study, Daniel W. Riggs, an instructor at the University of Louisville's School of Medicine, stated that the results may have especially wide-ranging effects on people who work outside on a daily basis. "These findings for our project could be even more extreme for outdoor workers that are just exposed all day, more than the general population," he said. Related Article: Soil Pollution Leads to Increased Risks of Heart Diseases, Study Shows Corporate income tax on smaller enterprises might be cut to as little as 15% The corporate income tax on small and micro-sized enterprises might be cut to 15-17% from a current common rate of 20%, depending on previous revenues. More appropriate tax rates for small and microsized enterprises is one highlight of the draft amendments to the Law on Corporate Income Tax, which with aims to promote the development of the private economic sector and encourage a transition from business households into enterprises, according to the Ministry of Finance. The ministry said that most countries apply tax rates lower than the common rate on small enterprises. Tax rates can vary according to revenue scale and taxable income. In comparison with ASEAN countries, the ministry said that the common tax rate of 20% is equal to that of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, lower than the Philippines (at 30% ), Myanmar (at 25%) and Indonesia (at 22%) but higher than Singapore (at 17%) and Brunei (at 18.5%). Statistics show that there are about 900,000 enterprises in Vietnam, of which small and micro-sized enterprises account for nearly 94%. It is necessary to encourage their development to generate revenue for the State budget in the long term, the ministry said. The ministry is therefore proposing a tax rate of 15% for enterprises with revenues of less than VND3 billion per year and 17% for enterprises with revenues between VND3 billion and VND50 billion. The latest report found that wild chimpanzees exhibit unique self-medicating behavior by potentially using medicinal plants to treat their injuries or other ailments. The animal kingdom is home to many unique species, from creatures that can use tools to animals that can recognize medicinal plants. In the case of wild chimpanzees, their species are recognized for their intelligence. In a new report, researchers discovered that wild chimpanzees can find medicinal plants and use them for their health advantage. Wild Chimpanzees and Use of Medicinal Plants According to a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers studied wild chimpanzees. They found that these species use medicinal plants to treat injuries and ailments. The recent study's findings can offer new insights into how animals have adapted to their environment. Additionally, it can be helpful for protection and conservation efforts. Spearheaded by Elodie Freymann and colleagues from the University of Oxford, UK, the report explains that wild chimpanzees consume various plant matter that can help with their illnesses or injuries. Considering the animal kingdom is competitive and suffers from different environmental threats, understanding how chimpanzees survive can provide new knowledge about their consumption of medicinal plants. In addition, the report highlights the challenges in determining self-medication. The researchers noted that it is challenging to determine why or how these animals seek the said plants, noting whether they look for plants with medicinal value to treat their illnesses or passively ingest plants that happen to be medicinal. To better investigate the chimpanzees' situation, the researchers conducted combined behavioral observations of these animals. Additionally, the study employed pharmacological testing of the plants they consumed. According to the report, the researchers observed at least 51 chimpanzees from areas in Budongo Central Forest Reserve in Uganda. The researchers gathered extracts from different species of trees and herbs, which chimpanzees use to self-medicate. Also Read: Megafauna Facts: 8 Unique Large Species That Became Extinct From Glyptodon to Megalodon Antibiotic and Anti-inflammatory properties When the researchers conducted the testing, they discovered that the plant extracts contained antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Another aspect of the discovery is strong antibacterial activity. They noted that Deadwood from the Dogbane family (Alstonia boonei) exhibited antibacterial properties. This has the potential to treat the wounds of wild chimpanzees. In addition, the plants are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, particularly those from the East African mahogany tree (Khaya anthotheca) and the leaves of a fern (Christella parasitica). It is also likely that injured chimpanzees can feel less or reduced pain when they consume the said medicinal plants. With the role of forests and plants to different species, the report highlights the importance of protecting animal habitats from decline or threats. Additionally, strict measures are crucial to protect forests. Related Article: Remarkable Mothers in Wildlife: 7 Hard-Working Mom Animals From Elephants to Orangutans For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Heatwaves have arrived in different parts of the northern hemisphere, including Europe, India, Canada, and the United States, as of June 2024. High temperatures and humid conditions struck multiple regions in recent days, resulting in heat-related illnesses and deaths. One of the hard-hit areas is Greece, where a series of dead or missing tourists have been reported since earlier in the month. The Greece heat wave phenomenon has been linked by scientists as a potential culprit behind the mysterious disappearances of backpacking or holiday-making tourists in the country. The unusual incidents occurred as some recorded temperatures have reached more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They also coincided with the emergence of dangerous, life-threatening wildfires across the peninsula. The extreme heat in Greece is directly caused by the current northern hemisphere summer season, which annually spans from June to August. In recent years, this period has been associated with deadly heatwaves, high temperatures, and destructive wildland fires. Two years ago, a catastrophic event dubbed "2022 European heatwaves" led to tens of thousands of deaths and widespread evacuations. Greece Heat Wave 2024 The Greece heat wave event has caused temperatures across the country to soar over the past week, bringing risks to both locals and foreigners looking for the perfect summer getaway. While Greece is an ideal spot for vacation during the current season, it made international headlines recently after at least five tourists have died or gone missing, including some who were hiking amid the extreme heat in the region. One of the casualties include an American tourist who was found dead on the Greek island of Meraki last weekend. Over a week ago, a different American tourist, named Albert Calibet, from Hermosa Beach mysteriously disappeared while hiking a trail on the Greek island of Amorgos. Local authorities have not indicated any foul play in the incidents. However, search operations and investigations are ongoing. Based on recent reports, Calibet is said to be an experienced hiker and a frequent visitor to Amorgos. Amid the extreme heat wave, indications of the American national's missing whereabouts came after he failed to meet a friend for lunch after his hiking activity. Also Read: India's Longest-Ever Heat Wave Due to Climate Change Endangers Millions of Residents 2022 European Heatwaves A heat wave, also called a heat dome, has been previously linked by scientists to the current climate crisis. Even Greece's heat wave is not exempted from this attribution. For instance, the 2022 European heatwaves have been considered the deadliest weather-related events during the said year. A 2023 study published in the journal Nature Medicine confirmed the phenomena's heat-related mortality in Europe. Led by scientists from Spain, the research paper estimated that over 61,000 heat-related deaths were reported in multiple countries, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, across Europe between May 30 and September 4 of 2022. In the US, hundreds to over a thousand heat-related fatalities were also reported across the Pacific Northwest region at the start of the decade. Related Article: Dangerous Early-Summer Heat Wave Grips Western US, Millions Brace for Scorching Temperatures Dinosaurs once roamed ancient North America before their extinction around 66 million years ago. However, the last 10 million years of the Late Cretaceous period in the sub-continent was home to the world's most famous dinosaurs, including the apex predator tyrannosaurs, ankylosaurs, pachycephalosaurs, triceratops, and hadrosaurs, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Now, a new study revealed the discovery of a new dinosaur species, called Lokiceratops rangiformis, whose fossil was unearthed in northern Montana, United States. Based on the June 2024 research paper, the fossilized remains of the ancient Montana dinosaur was found in a region along the US-Canada border. Researchers describe the prehistoric animal of possessing two large blade-like horns on its head. The discovery reinforces evidence that dinosaurs lived during the Late Cretaceous western North America. Particularly, it shows the complexity and biodiversity among local dinosaur populations in Montana and its surrounding regions approximately 78 million years ago. The exhumed dinosaur fossil also opens the possibility that L. rangiformis may had also existed in other parts of ancient Earth. Ancient Montana Dinosaur Findings about the discovery of the ancient Montana dinosaur were published in the journal PeerJ on Thursday, June 20, wherein researchers describe the animal as "remarkable" for various reasons, including its unique appearance. The fossil of the horned dinosaur was excavated in the northern Montana Badlands, which is close to the border between southwestern Canada and the northwestern US. The authors of the study classified Lokiceratops rangiformis as a new centrosaurine ceratopsid, whose ancient remains were exhumed from the lower part of the McClelland Ferry Member of the Judith River Formation in the region of Kennedy Coulee along the said border. The discovered specimen also confirms the richness of ceratopsid, whose members were quadrupedal dinosaur species, in the region. In a recent press release, the Natural History Museum of Utah, which led the research, said Lokiceratops or the giant horned dinosaurs lived in the swamps and floodplains on the ancient island continent of Laramidia, existing during Late Cretaceous North America, over 78 million years ago. This means that the newly discovered dinosaur species inhabited the ancient swamps of Montana. Also Read: Unknown Dinosaur Species and Dinosaur Lineage Discovered in South America: Paleontologists Say Did Dinosaurs Live in North America? Paleontological evidence shows that dinosaurs lived and thrived in all of Earth's continents, including Antarctica, since the onset of the Triassic Period approximately 230 million years ago until the Chicxulub asteroid strike during the Late Cretaceous period around 66 million years ago. In North America, Late Cretaceous dinosaurs lived in two separate landmasses in the west and the east, with the Western Interior Seaway between them, according to the NPS. Scientists do not know much about the dinosaurs that lived in this region during the peak of the Seaway, the US Government agency adds. In this context, the discovery of the ancient Montana dinosaur is significant evidence from this mystery. Related Article: Unknown Dinosaur Species Discovered with Dozens of Unhatched Dinosaur Eggs in China Weather experts said the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and parts of Texas could experience doses of heavy rains due to an expected tropical storm. Torrential Rains Over Mexico, Texas Based on the weather forecast, the system will spread torrential rains towards northeastern Mexico and parts of southern Texas. So far, widespread rainfall of four to eight inches is anticipated in northeastern Mexico with some areas along the coast and inland on the east-facing slopes of the mountains picking up eight to 12 inches. Meteorologists said that this would come from a disturbance on the Central America gyre, which is breaking away and expected to roll towards the west-northwestward direction over the weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defined gyre as a large system of rotating ocean currents. The NOAA said that the wind, tides, as well as the differences in temperature and salinity in the oceans usually result in ocean currents. Based on the observation of experts, the ocean churns up different types of currents, and these include eddies, whirlpools, or deep ocean currents. Experts said that the larger, sustained currents-the Gulf Stream, for example-usually go by proper names. When taken together, these larger and more permanent currents make up the systems of currents which are called the gyres. Meteorologists said that there are five major gyres, such as the North and South Pacific Subtropical Gyres, the North and South Atlantic Subtropical Gyres, and the Indian Ocean Subtropical Gyre. In some cases, the term "gyre" has been used to refer to the collections of plastic wastes as well as other debris found in higher concentrations in certain parts of the ocean. While this use of "gyre" is increasingly common among various definitions, the term traditionally refers simply to large, rotating ocean currents. Read Also: Tropical Storm Alberto: Heavy Rains to Trigger Flooding Concerns in Texas, Mexico Plentiful Moisture To Increase Downpours The National Weather Service said that widespread showers and thunderstorms would continue to the northern portion along the quasi-stationary boundary draped from New England west through the Great Lakes and into the Upper Mississippi Valley. Weather experts said that plentiful moisture would increase the chance for locally heavy downpours. On the other hand, the highest chance for potentially significant torrential rains can be felt along the boundary ahead of an upper-level wave over portions of the Upper Great Lakes/Upper Mississippi Valley on Saturday. The weather forecast showed that the ongoing organized storms in the evening of Friday, as well as the risk for more widespread, organized storms into Saturday has resulted in a Moderate Risk of Excessive Rainfall (level 3/4) over southern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa. In these areas, there will be a threat of scattered to numerous instances of flash floods that may put at risk the residents. On the other hand, a broader Slight Risk (level 2/4) covers the region. Aside from that, a few storms could be severe, with a Slight Risk of severe weather (level 2/5) issued by the Storm Prediction Center due to the threat of some damaging winds and a few tornadoes. Related Article: Minnesota, Wisconsin Weather Outlook: Moderate Risk of Excessive Rainfall to Bring Hazardous Travel This Late Week Workers take a break as they clean up an an oil slick at Tanjong Beach in Sentosa, Singapore, June 16, 2024. Photo by Reuters/Edgar Su An oil spill off Singapore has spread to beaches in southern Malaysia, a government official said Friday, with clean-up operations underway. Around 25 people were involved in the clean-up of two beaches spanning one kilometer (0.6 miles) in southern Johor state, local government official Ling Tian Soon told AFP. "Work began today and we hope to complete the task tomorrow. From our observation, marine life or fishermen activities have not been affected," he said. The oil spill resulted from an accident on Friday at Singapore's Pasir Panjang terminal between a Netherlands-flagged dredger and a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel, Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said. Photos posted on Ling's Facebook showed men in white protective gear picking up black sludge from a beach and placing it into plastic bags. Ling added that Malaysia's maritime officials were monitoring to see if the oil spill spread to other parts of the coast. 'Yoga can help women manage stress, anxiety, mood swings more effectively' R egular practice of yoga offers numerous benefits for women in managing their health, such as it can help manage stress, anxiety, and mood swings more effectively, experts said on the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Friday. The International Day of Yoga is celebrated worldwide annually on June 21, following its adoption by the United Nations in 2014. The initiative for "Yoga Day" was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 2014 UN address. According to experts, yoga promotes physical fitness by improving flexibility, strength, and balance, which are crucial for overall well-being. "It also enhances cardiovascular health and supports weight management, which can be particularly beneficial for women at different stages of life. Beyond the physical benefits, yoga cultivates mental clarity and emotional stability through mindful breathing and meditation practices," Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder & Director, Manasthali Wellness, told IANS. This year's theme of IDY was 'Yoga for Self and Society', emphasising yoga's vital role in fostering both individual well-being and societal harmony. Emerging research showed that yoga can significantly benefit women dealing with neurological issues, the experts mentioned. "Yoga encourages neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganise itself, which can aid in recovery from neurological disorders and improve cognitive function. Yoga's physical postures and relaxation techniques can reduce chronic pain by improving flexibility, strength, and pain perception," said Dr Rajnish Kumar, Senior Director and Unit Head, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka. In addition, experts said that whether seeking relief from menstrual discomfort, managing conditions like PCOS or menopause symptoms, or simply striving for greater vitality, the regular practice of yoga provides a holistic approach to "women's health that nourishes both body and spirit". 'Yoga can help women manage stress, anxiety, mood swings more effectively' Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! India committed to realising Bangabandhu's vision of stable and progressive Bangladesh: PM Modi P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated India's commitment to realising Bangabandhu's vision of a stable, prosperous and progressive Bangladesh while asserting that New Delhi will continue to give the highest priority to its relations with Dhaka. "Bangladesh is India's largest development partner and lies at the confluence of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR and Indo-Pacific vision. Together, we have completed many important public welfare projects in the last one year," said PM Modi after holding talks with visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Deepening historic ties between the two countries, the talks covered a range of areas of bilateral cooperation including development partnership, energy, water resources, trade, defence cooperation, and more. PM Modi said that both countries have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. "The youth of both countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in areas such as green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy and space," said Prime Minister Modi. "We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. We will also continue our cooperation in other regional and international forums, including BIMSTEC," he added. The two leaders have met each other 10 times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship which has served as a role model for neighbourhood partnership. Earlier, PM Modi received the Bangladesh Prime Minister at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State visit after the formation of the new government in India. PM Sheikh Hasina also paid respect to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The Bangladesh leader is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9, earlier this month. India committed to realising Bangabandhu's vision of stable and progressive Bangladesh: PM Modi Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Transcending seas and space, PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina launch futuristic India-Bangladesh partnership S etting a futuristic vision for bilateral cooperation in new areas, India and Bangladesh concluded 10 agreements following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina at the Hyderabad House here on Saturday. Turning the historic relationship between the two neighbouring countries into a transformational partnership, both leaders jointly agreed to the India-Bangladesh shared vision for the future, including enhanced connectivity, commerce, and collaboration for shared prosperity. The vision document for a futuristic partnership between India and Bangladesh seeks to realise respective national development visions of having a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 and a 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041. Two other futuristic and forward-looking documents - 'Shared Vision for India Bangladesh Digital Partnership' and 'Green Partnership for Sustainable Future' - were also agreed upon between the two sides. MoUs on maritime cooperation and blue economy; space cooperation; railway connectivity; oceanography; and cooperation concerning military education in strategic and operational studies were also signed. As many as three MoUs were renewed on cooperation in health and medicine, disaster management, and fisheries. Both the PMs also agreed to intensify engagement in counter-terrorism, counter-radicalisation, and peaceful management of the long land border. With connectivity being one of the most significant pillars of the India-Bangladesh partnership, it was also decided to start a new passenger train between Rajshahi and Kolkata, while the trial run for a goods train on Bangladesh Railway from Gede-Darshana to HaldibariChilahati cross-border interchange point is planned for next month. "This will also help sub-regional connectivity with Bhutan. We will also start a bus service from Kolkata to Chittagong," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra after the meeting between the two Prime Ministers. The two sides also exchanged an MoU on space technology that seeks to establish collaboration for the launch of a jointly-developed small satellite for Bangladesh on India's launch vehicle. In terms of bilateral partnership on river management, a joint technical committee has been formed to initiate discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996. "We will also undertake the management and conservation of Teesta River inside Bangladesh with suitable Indian assistance," said the Indian Foreign Secretary. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's commitment to realising Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's vision of a stable, prosperous, and progressive Bangladesh while asserting that New Delhi will continue to give the highest priority to its relations with Dhaka. "Bangladesh is India's largest development partner and lies at the confluence of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR, and Indo-Pacific vision. Together, we have completed many important public welfare projects in the last one year," PM Modi said after holding talks with the visiting Bangladesh PM. PM Modi also said that both countries have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. "The youth of both countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in areas such as green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy, and space," said Prime Minister Modi. "We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. We will also continue our cooperation in other regional and international fora, including BIMSTEC," he added. The two leaders have met each other 10 times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship which has served as a role model for neighbourhood partnership. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted that the State visit of the Bangladesh PM reflects the depth of Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri. "That PM Hasina is the first State guest in our new term shows the importance we attach to India-Bangladesh relationships. As PM Narendra Modi said, Bangladesh lies at the intersection of our Neighborhood First, Act East, SAGAR, and Indo-Pacific policies," Jaishankar said in a post on X on Saturday. "Being truly good neighbours, our ties are consolidating traditional areas and covering new ground. The agreements signed today show the breadth of our bonds. From seas to space, digital, green and health, military, rail and disaster, our two countries are collaborating across all avenues of human endeavour," Jaishankar said while hoping that the partnership between the two nations will continue to grow under the leadership of both the leaders. Transcending seas and space, PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina launch futuristic India-Bangladesh partnership Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Bangladesh PM Hasina calls on President Murmu before wrapping up India visit V isiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan before wrapping up her State visit to India on Saturday evening. "Welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the President said that she was delighted to meet her again, just a few days after the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. She said these regular interactions reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and cooperation that began with the journey of Bangladesh's Liberation War of 1971," President Murmu's office said in a statement after the meeting. During the "warm and cordial conversation", the two leaders agreed to work together to enhance the relationship across all domains including economic ties, development partnership, defence cooperation, energy security, and connectivity. "The President was happy to note that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress. The President noted that India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and are entering into new sectors also. She expressed confidence that this will chart the future course of the India-Bangladesh relationship," the statement added. This is the first State Visit hosted by India after the formation of the new government on June 9. Earlier, PM Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Hasina set a futuristic vision for bilateral cooperation in new areas and concluded 10 agreements following their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. "Bangladesh is India's largest development partner and lies at the confluence of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR and Indo-Pacific vision. Together, we have completed many important public welfare projects in the last one year," said PM Modi. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also highlighted that the State visit of the Bangladesh PM reflects the depth of the "Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri". He highlighted that PM Hasina being the first State guest in the Modi government's third consecutive term shows the importance India attaches to its relationship with Bangladesh. "Being truly good neighbours, our ties are consolidating traditional areas and covering new ground. The agreements signed today show the breadth of our bonds. From seas to space, digital, green and health, military, rail and disaster, our two countries are collaborating across all avenues of human endeavour," stated EAM Jaishankar. Bangladesh PM Hasina calls on President Murmu before wrapping up India visit Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! This story contains original reporting by News-Gazette staff. If you are not a subscriber, please consider becoming one, because local journalism is only possible with your support. A subscription to The News-Gazette plays a vital role in making this reporting possible. Thank you for your support and helping us continue to connect our community. The host Julie Rovner KFF Health News @jrovner. Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News' weekly health policy news podcast, "What the Health?" A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book "Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z," now in its third edition. The presidential election is less than five months away, and while abortion is the only health policy issue expected to play a leading role, others are likely to be raised in the presidential and down-ballot races. This election could be critical in determining the future of key health care programs, such as Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. In this special episode of KFF Health News' "What the Health?" taped at the Aspen Ideas: Health festival in Aspen, Colorado, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join Julie Rovner, KFF Health News' chief Washington correspondent, to discuss what the election season portends for top health issues. Panelists Margot Sanger-Katz The New York Times @sangerkatz Sandhya Raman CQ Roll Call @SandhyaWrites Among the takeaways from this week's episode: Policies surrounding abortion and reproductive health issues, in general likely will dominate in many races, as Democrats try to exploit an issue that is motivating their voters and dividing Republican voters. The topics of contraception and in vitro fertilization are playing a more prominent role in 2024 than they have in past elections. High prescription drug prices which, for frustrated Americans, are a longtime symbol, and symptom, of the nation's dysfunctional health care system have been a priority for the Biden administration and, previously, the Trump administration. But the issue is so confusing and progress so incremental that it is hard to say whether either party has an advantage. The fate of many major health programs will be determined by who wins the presidency and who controls Congress after this fall's elections. For example, the temporary subsidies that have made Affordable Care Act health plans more affordable will expire at the end of 2025. If the subsidies are not renewed, millions of Americans will likely be priced out of coverage again. Previously hot-button issues like gun violence, opioid addiction, and mental health are not playing a high-profile role in the 2024 races. But that could change case by case. Finally, huge health issues that could use public airing and debate like what to do about the nation's crumbling long-term care system and the growing shortage of vital health professionals are not likely to become campaign issues. Credits Francis Ying Audio producer Emmarie Huetteman Editor Liver transplants associated with alcohol-related disease are growing at a rapid pace, shifting research to address pathologies behind the ailments in light of a limited supply of organ donors. At the forefront is Mengwei Zang, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in chronic liver disease research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) who was just awarded a groundbreaking five-year, $2.53 million grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health. Zang, professor at the university's Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies and the Department of Molecular Medicine at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, will use the funding to develop innovative approaches to investigate the pathological mechanisms underlying alcohol-associated liver disease. The research represents a scientific frontier in the study of alcoholic liver disease, proposing abnormalities in RNA splicing as a new causative factor. It could result in new treatments to forestall or reduce the need for transplants. Early transplantation for alcohol-associated liver disease is currently the fastest-growing reason for liver transplants, highlighting the real urgent need to study the mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced liver damage." Mengwei Zang, MD, PhD, Professor, UT Health San Antonio Alcohol-associated liver disease accounts for half of liver disease-related deaths, and its rates are rising worldwide. The main characteristic of alcohol-associated liver disease is excess fat in liver cells. Without proper intervention, it may progress to life-threatening conditions such as cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. Although liver transplantation is only one treatment option available, concerns persist about the short supply of donor livers and the risk of patients relapsing into alcohol use disorder post-transplantation. As a result, many patients lack access to life-saving treatments, while others continue to have poor health even after receiving a transplant. To address this challenge, Zang has led recent research showing that the lipogenic process is a critical factor in the initiation and progression of alcohol-associated liver disease. Particularly, excessive ethanol consumption induces lipid or fatty acid accumulation and disrupts hepatocyte homeostasis, which refers to the stability of a cell type important to many liver functions. Ethanol, in this case, doesn't refer to the fuel additive at the gas pump, but rather a diluted form present in alcoholic drinks. Alcohol-induced lipid accumulation in hepatocytes triggers an amplified inflammatory response and hepatocyte death within the liver, posing a significant threat to health and eventually culminating in death. RNA splicing as a factor Ribonucleic acid, or RNA, is a molecule present in the majority of living organisms, and messenger RNA, or mRNA, carries codes from DNA that essentially tell the body how to make specific proteins. RNA splicing is a critical cellular process in which a precursor mRNA transcript is transformed into mature mRNA. It works by removing introns, or non-coding regions of RNA, and splicing back together exons, or coding regions, which enables the production of diverse proteins from a single gene. For the new study by Zang's team, investigators have proposed RNA splicing abnormality as a factor that contributes to dysregulated lipid metabolism in hepatocytes exposed to alcohol. The team will use innovative RNA sequencing, to reveal the presence and quantity of RNA molecules or spliced isoform, and lipodomics approaches, referring to the large-scale study of pathways and networks of cellular lipids. They will combine that with the use of tissue-specific knockout mouse models, in which genes of interest are inactivated in mice, to uncover the root causes of alcohol-associated liver disease. Zang, as principal investigator, emphasizes that the study is focused on addressing major health challenges associated with alcohol use disorder, such as understanding the complexities of metabolic disorders and liver damage through interdisciplinary collaboration and impactful research. She will collaborate with Xianlin Han, PhD, professor, and Masahiro Morita, PhD, assistant professor, both with the Barshop Institute; and Zhijie "Jason" Liu, PhD, associate professor and CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research with Mays Cancer Center and the Institute of Biotechnology of the Department of Molecular Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. Their efforts will focus on understanding if and how specific RNA splicing abnormalities contribute to the pathogenesis of alcohol-related liver damage, in an effort to develop targeted treatment strategies. "Our investigation aims to discover novel targets and more reliable, effective treatments for alcohol-related liver injury that often progresses to liver failure and other organ damage," Zang said. "Our objective is to combat the epidemic of alcohol-associated liver disease and to provide more treatment options for the alcohol use disorder patient population." UT Health San Antonio is a primary driver of San Antonio's $44.1 billion health care and biosciences sector, and is the largest academic research institution in South Texas with an annual research portfolio of $413 million. Oh, the joy of inflicting pain upon others. The Germans have a word for it: schadenfreude, meaning "malicious pleasure." And tapping into its sentiment properly can, ironically, do a lot of good by raising money for charity. In a groundbreaking paper published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, UC Riverside School of Business marketing professor and associate dean Thomas Kramer and co-authors articulate and quantify the appeal of schadenfreude (pronounced Sha-den-froid-e) through the lens of marketing psychology. Through a series of behavioral scenario studies, their paper provides insights for the highly competitive charitable fundraising industry, which gathers some $485 billion in the United States annually. Firstly, those organizing fundraisers appealing to schadenfreude shouldn't get too carried away. Schadenfreude is about inflicting mild misfortune that falls comfortably short of sadism on those seen as deserving of the misfortune. We're talking about pies thrown into faces and plunges into water tanks not anything too painful or damaging. In fact, when participants of Kramer's studies imagined celebrities they disliked getting shocked with a taser gun, the fundraising potential wasn't as strong as seeing the same celebrities receive the milder misfortune of getting drenched with a bucket of ice water. "If a disliked person gets more than their just desserts, and they're severely punished, you no longer feel happy about that punishment, and donations go down," explained Kramer, who applies his expertise in behavioral psychology to marketing science. Kramer's other key findings include: To maximize donations, the donor can inflict or observe the mild misfortune, and those who inflict donate roughly the same as those who watch. The donors also must have disdain for the person receiving the misfortune, which elicits pleasure when they see that person get their punishment. The study was conducted by having hundreds of participants at the University of Florida and those recruited through a crowdsourcing service called Amazon Mechanical Turk imagine various Schadenfreude scenarios. In one example, they rated levels of dislike and deservingness of the person receiving the misfortune and how much they would donate (between zero and $10) to throw a pie into that person's face. Higher levels of deservingness resulted in higher payments. In another scenario, more mild misfortune paid better than severe misfortune. The paper's title is "The Ironic Impact of Schadenfreude: When the Joy of Inflicting Pain Leads to Increased Prosocial Behavior." Its co-authors are Yael Zemack-Rugar of University of Central Florida, Orlando, and Laura Boman of Kennesaw State University, Georgia. Some 40,600 of the 70,000 guest workers who went abroad in the first six months of the year headed for Japan, according to the Department of Overseas Labor. Pham Viet Huong, deputy director of the department, said Taiwan was next, accepting more than 27,300 Vietnamese workers, followed by South Korea (5,500) and China (1,081). Japan has been accepting Vietnamese workers for over 30 years in various fields for periods ranging from three to five years. A week ago, Vietnam and Japan agreed to increase the number of Vietnamese caregivers in Japan. They plan to send 40 caregivers this year and 500 over the next five years. The new agreement expands both the recruitment pool and the eligibility criteria for sending workers, as Japan aims to boost the number of guest workers in its hospitals. Huong said in future his agency would look for new markets for guest workers, including in Europe, where they would enjoy good working conditions and incomes. Many countries there now have demand for guest workers, especially in agriculture. More than 600,000 Vietnamese workers are currently employed in 50 countries and territories and remit around US$4 billion home each year through official channels. Sobi today announced the European Commission has granted Marketing Authorization for ALTUVOCT (efanesoctocog alfa), for the treatment and prevention of bleeds and perioperative prophylaxis in hemophilia A. ALTUVOCT is a high-sustained factor VIII replacement therapy for all ages and any disease severity. Children, adolescents, and adults can experience non-hemophilia factor VIII activity levels (above 40%) for a significant part of the week with once-weekly prophylaxis, reaching trough levels of 15% in adults and adolescents before the next dose. This results in significantly improved protection from bleeds compared to prior factor VIII prophylaxis. The European Commission also endorsed the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommendation supporting ALTUVOCT's retention of orphan drug designation, granting a 10-year market exclusivity period. The EMA recommendation noted that even considering existing treatments, once-weekly ALTUVOCT prophylaxis demonstrated a significantly lowered annual bleeding rate compared to other factor VIII products, and this constitutes a clinically relevant advantage. Despite advancements, hemophilia still limits the possibilities of patients lives and this means there is still a need for treatments that offer elevated protection. ALTUVOCTs high-sustained factor VIII activity and once-weekly dosing schedule have the potential to significantly improve quality of life for people with hemophilia A. The trials demonstrated substantial improvements in the prevention and treatment of bleeds along with significant improvements in physical health, pain, and joint health, said Professor Robert Klamroth, MD, PhD, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Vascular Medicine and Coagulation Disorders at the Vivantes Klinikum Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany. The granting of Marketing Authorization is based on the results from the pivotal phase 3 studies: XTEND-1 in adults and adolescents and XTEND-Kids in children, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of ALTUVOCT in people with severe hemophilia A. These studies demonstrated that once-weekly ALTUVOCT prophylaxis (50 IU/kg) provided significant bleed protection for any age (mean ABR <1 and 80-88% of patients free from spontaneous bleeds). The outcomes also showed substantial improvement in joint health, physical health, pain and overall quality of life when comparing week 52 and baseline assessments.1,2 No factor VIII inhibitors were observed in the ALTUVOCT clinical program. Todays announcement marks a major step forward in hemophilia care, offering the potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes and quality of life. For the first time, factor VIII activity levels can be sustained for a significant part of the week with simplified once-weekly dosing. We are proud to work alongside the hemophilia community, as we lead the paradigm shift towards normal hemostasis and create new possibilities together. Lydia Abad-Franch, MBA, Head of Research, Development, and Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer at Sobi Hemophilia A is a rare, lifelong genetic condition in which the body does not produce enough, or makes dysfunctional, factor VIII a protein that is essential for blood clotting. It occurs in about one in 5,000 male births annually, and more rarely in females. People with hemophilia can experience bleeding episodes that can cause pain, irreversible joint damage, and life-threatening hemorrhages. Clinical outcomes have improved over time thanks to significant advances in the treatment options available, however important unmet clinical and social needs still exist for those living with the condition. ALTUVOCT was first approved in the US in February 2023 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA previously granted efanesoctocog alfa Breakthrough Therapy designation in May 2022 the first factor VIII therapy to receive this designation, Fast Track designation in February 2021, and Orphan Drug designation in 2017. Early results of an international study examining the risk of arthritis for people with psoriasis have shown a high burden of joint symptoms in 712 patients 25% of the total studied so far. The study led by researchers at the Universities of Oxford, University College Dublin and supported by The University of Manchester has recruited almost 3,000 patients so far. But the team are still on the hunt for 2,000 more patients with psoriasis, a condition that causes flaky patches of skin covered with white scales which affects about 3% of people in the UK and Europe. The 25% figure results confirms existing knowledge that up to a third will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which causes joints and tendons to become inflamed and painful. Professor Laura Cotes, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, is leading the project. She said: At the moment there is no way to predict which patients with psoriasis are likely to go on to develop joint problems. This research will help us to design ways to prevent people with psoriasis developing arthritis, by offering potential drug treatments or lifestyle interventions such as exercise or stress management. Called the HIPPOCRATES Prospective Observational Study (HPOS), the online study monitors people with psoriasis over a three-year period to see who develops PsA. Participants fill in questionnaires online and send small fingerprick blood samples by prepaid post. After launching in the UK in July 2023 the study opened for recruitment in Ireland in August 2023 followed by Greece in February 2024 and Portugal in April 2024. The study team in Oxford are working to open HPOS in a further 12 European countries with the ultimate goal to recruit 25,000 people with psoriasis. This week on 19 and 20 June, researchers from across Europe will be meeting in Manchester to discuss the progress in the study so far. To date, we have baseline data on a total of 2,841 patients, of which 1761 are from Ireland and 1067 are from the UK. Professor Laura Cotes, Associate Professor, University of Oxford Professor Ann Barton from The University of Manchester will be leading on analysis of genetic samples collected in the study. She said: We know that some patients with psoriasis will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis. If we could identify which patients are at higher risk for arthritis development, it could mean that in the future, those people could receive preventative treatment. Manchester is leading the work to identify genetic changes that could be used to predict which patients with psoriasis might be at increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis. The HPOS study will allow us to collect samples from patients with psoriasis to help drive forward this work. Russ Cowper, who lives in Manchester and has lived with PsA for many years said: "Psoriatic Arthritis is so hard to diagnose it can lead to real confusion for patients, they know something is not right but cannot explain it. GPs are not always skilled enough to spot the symptoms and they may manifest themselves in a myriad of different ways. Receiving a diagnosis is in many ways a relief, patients can then plan for the future knowing that they do indeed have an ongoing condition "PsA can be debilitating, with me it is also quite random. I can be quite well for days and then all of a sudden I cannot get out of bed and I'm wracked with painful joints. The only joints that have not been affected are my elbows, everywhere else I have suffered flares, even in my jaw. It is a miserable condition and it is very tiring, pain can cause lack of sleep and if hands are affected then it's a struggle to do day to day tasks. If really bad applying creams to treat the skin becomes difficult and you risk a psoriasis flare." Researchers at The University of Manchester are to trial a system that allows people living with rheumatoid arthritis to send their daily symptoms securely to their health record, in a first for the NHS. The technology will help patients answer a painfully difficult question asked by doctors, plaguing them since time immemorial: How have you been in the last six months? The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Versus Arthritis. The Remote Monitoring of Rheumatoid Arthritis (REMORA) system allows patients to download a symptom tracking app to their smartphone or tablet and sign in at home via NHS login. The system could revolutionize the care of people living with a long-term conditions, who are often asked by doctors to describe their symptoms since they were last seen. Professor Will Dixon from The University of Manchester is co-lead for the REMORA study and is a consultant rheumatologist at Salford Royal Hospital. He said: It can be difficult for patients to recall and describe the ups and downs of their health in a few minutes during a consultation. By tracking symptoms day-to-day and making them automatically available at consultations within the electronic medical record, we will generate a clearer picture of how someone has been in the last six months which could have a transformative impact on treatment and care. The research team are about to start the clinical trial which will test whether tracked symptoms, integrated into the NHS, leads to better outcomes compared to usual care. The trial will allocate patients at random to symptom tracking or not, and will run in 16 hospitals across Greater Manchester and North West London during 2024-25 with the results expected in 2026. If successful, the team hope it will become a funded NHS service available for free to all patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and that it can be expanded to other long-term conditions. Doctors and researchers agree that technology has big potential for improving healthcare, although strong evidence for its efficacy is often lacking. This trial will test not only whether patients benefit from symptom tracking, but will also examine whether it is value for money, how to ensure certain patient groups are not left behind because of the technology, how to get around the barriers for setting up this new technology in the NHS, and how the data generated can be re-used to support research as well as patients direct care. The researchers will conduct interviews with patients, clinicians and other staff within the NHS to understand how to optimize symptom tracking in the future NHS Areas they will consider include the views of older patients, those with dexterity problems, and those with lower digital access. The study is also learning how best to allow patients to control who will have access to their data using an electronic consent system from home. Smartphones and tablets provide a convenient way for patients to record their symptoms and health changes while living day-to-day with their long-term conditions. Real-time tracking from home allows patients and doctors to spot patterns that would otherwise have been missed or forgotten, like flares or gradual changes following treatment. Will Dixon, Professor, The University of Manchester Dr Sabine van der Veer, a senior lecturer in health informatics at the University of Manchester is the other co-lead for the study. She said: A major advantage of REMORA is that we have successfully sent patients data into the NHS. The data is available during a consultation, seen from within the electronic patient record that the clinician is already using to manage the patients care. Patient records have historically only included information entered by clinicians. We are changing this, by learning how patients can contribute information themselves and ultimately improve their long-term health. Karen Staniland, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis at Salford Royal, said: It is very exciting to be involved in this research as one of the patient partners. I believe that REMORA could make a real difference to the patient consultation, as evidence provided directly from the patient will already be available to view in their medical record. It could also allow time for patients to plan future care with their health care professional and definitely help improve their quality of life. 53rd GST Council Meeting: The GST Council on Saturday announced various recommendations relating to taxation, ITC claims and demand notices. GST Council recommended a uniform rate of 12% on all milk cans. Waiver of interest on penalties on tax demand notice was also recommended by the Council. Announcing the decisions of the GST Council, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said, Council recommended to prescribe a uniform rate of 12% on all milk cans meaning steel, iron, and aluminum which are irrespective of the use. They are called milk cans but wherever they are used that will be the rate applicable so that no disputes arise out of it, FM said. Services provided by Indian Railways like platform tickets are also exempted from GST. Carton boxes and solar cookers will attract 12% GST. All types of sprinklers, including fire sprinklers will attract a 12% rate. Hostels located outside educational institutions for students are now exempted from the GST, subject to Rs 20,000 per person monthly rent and a stay of a minimum of 90 days. FM also announced the extension of the time limit for GSTR4 till June 30 from FY 2024-25 onwards. The Council also announced the insertion of functionality in GSTR1A for any omission in GSTR1. For 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 for demand notices, interest and penalty will be waived off if tax is paid by March 31, 2025. To reduce litigation, the Council recommended a limit of Rs 20 lakh for the appellate tribunal, Rs 1 crore for the High Court and Rs 2 crore for the Supreme Court for filing of appeal. Abhishek Jain, indirect tax head & partner, KPMG, said, Interest and penalty waiver for tax demands paid under notices issued under Section 73, is a very pleasing announcement and would go a long way in curtailing unwarranted litigations under GST. This would be specifically impactful for litigations which were majorly linked to interpretative issues specifically those for uncertainties involved with implementation of GST. It will be worthwhile to see the nuances of this amnesty specifically their coverage for cases where interest/ penalty has already been paid or taxes paid before issuance of notices. FM also announced there will be a rollout of biometric authentication pan-India to check fake invoicing in a phased manner. Pan India implementation of biometric-based registration in a phase-wise manner would help weed out fake registrations and fake credits. This measure would be a nip in the bud by the Government for bogus registration, Jain added. Union finance minister chaired the 53rd meeting of the GST Council, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today. Along with her, MoS finance Pankaj Chaudhary, CMs of Goa and Meghalaya; Deputy CMs of Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha; besides finance ministers of states & UTs (with legislature) and senior officers from union government & states are attended the meeting. Saturdays Council meeting was held after a gap of eight months. The 52nd GST Council meeting took place on October 7, 2023. The next Council meeting will be held in mid-August to discuss the remaining agenda. Union Budget 2024: As part of the pre-budget consultation, the union minister for finance & corporate affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, on Saturday, chaired another meeting with finance ministers of states and UTs. This crucial meeting set the stage for the upcoming full budget formulation, bringing together top stakeholders to provide valuable insights and recommendations. The meeting was also attended by senior officials from the ministry. Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman chaired the #PreBudget consultations with the Finance Ministers of States and Union Territories (with Legislature) for the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25, in New Delhi, today, the finance ministry posted on social media platform X. Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman chaired the #PreBudget consultations with the Finance Ministers of States and Union Territories (with Legislature) for the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25, in New Delhi, today.The meeting is being attended by Union pic.twitter.com/kz6dErq1t4 Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) June 22, 2024 The meeting is being attended by the union minister of state for finance, and chief ministers of Goa, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim. Deputy chief ministers of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana also attended the consultation meeting. State finance ministers and other ministers and senior officers from the states and union territories (with legislature) and the union government were also part of the meeting. In her remarks, FM Sitharaman underlined the governments support to states through timely tax devolution, Finance Commission grants, and arrears of GST Compensation being provided for providing stimulus to growth. Regarding the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, Sitharaman mentioned that while most of the loans are untied, a part of it is conditional-linked to citizen-centric reforms by states and sector-specific capital projects and requested the states to avail these loans by fulfilling requisite criteria. Nirmala Sitharaman is set to become the first finance minister to present seven consecutive Union Budgets, surpassing the record of Morarji Desai, who had presented six budgets in a row. Earlier, the ministry had invited suggestions on direct and indirect taxes and changes in laws to reduce compliances for the 2024-25 budget from trade and industry associations. The suggestions could include changes in the duty structure, rates and ideas on broadening of tax base on both direct and indirect taxes giving economic justification for the same, as per the ministry. For changes in customs and excise duties, the trade and industry would have to supplement and justify their demand with relevant statistical information about the production, prices, and revenue implications of the changes suggested. The request for correction of inverted duty structure would have to be supported by value addition at each stage of manufacturing of the commodity. About direct taxes, the ministry said the suggestions could be also on reducing compliances, providing tax certainty and reducing litigations. It said the government policy in the medium term is to phase out tax incentives, deductions and exemptions while simultaneously rationalising rates of tax. Lok Sabha Session The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on June 24 during which new members of the Lower House will take oath and the Speaker will be elected. President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on June 27 and is likely to outline the new governments roadmap for the next five years. The session will conclude on July 3. The first three days of the first session will see the newly elected leaders taking oath and electing the Speaker of the House. Budget Session The full budget for 2024-25 is expected to be presented in Parliament in the second half of July. Both Houses of Parliament are expected to reconvene in the third week of July for the presentation of the Union Budget. The Centre on Saturday announced the formation of a high-level committee of experts to ensure the transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations in the country amid the raging NEET controversy and nationwide protests by students seeking a probe into the exam. Authorities from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have held several key individuals allegedly connected to the paper leak. Here is a timeline of the events connected to this controversy that has created ripples across Indias education system: May 5: The National Testing Agency conducted the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) on May 5 for 24 lakh students at 4,750 centres across 571 cities. There were allegations of paper leaks across centres during the exam but these were dismissed by the NTA and union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The NTA and the government said that the question papers for Hindi and English medium were mixed at six centres, but this was rectified and students were given extra time to complete the NEET exam. June 4: NTA declared the NEET UG 2024 results on the day of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Soon after, students and parents took to the streets to protest the unusual results and the awarding of grace marks to around 1,500 students. The protesters demanded a retest and re-evaluation of all marks after it was found that 67 students had topped the exam. June 13: The matter reached the Supreme Court with multiple petitions seeking cancellation of the exams. In the first hearing, the SC sought the NTAs response but refused to stay the NEET UG counselling process. The court was informed that the Centre had decided to revoke the grace marks awarded to 1,563 students. The government said that if the affected students wished to appear for a re-exam, it would be held on June 23. The results for those students will be declared before June 30 and the counselling will take place from July 6, it added. June 18: The Supreme Court issued a notice to the NTA, seeking a response to the pleas in connection with the alleged paper leaks and malpractices. If there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with. Children have prepared for the exams. We cannot forget their labour, the top court said. June 19: The union education ministry cancelled the University Grants CommissionNational Eligibility Test (NET) after concerns were raised about the exams integrity. The UGC-NET 2024 was conducted on June 18 across 317 cities. The government also ordered a CBI probe into the UGC-NET exam. June 20: The Centre said it was forming a high-level committee to provide recommendations for enhancing the structure, processes, data management, and security protocols of the NTA. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Information Report (FIR) into the UGC-NET paper leak case against unidentified persons on a reference from the union education ministry, officials said. Anurag Yadav, a 22-year-old NEET UG 2024 aspirant, was arrested by Bihar police after confessing that the leaked question paper he received matched the actual exam question paper. The arrest came as part of a larger investigation, which also saw four men from Bihar detained for allegedly accessing the exam paper a day before the test. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the controversy, saying that the PM was more concerned about the Speakers election. A group of NEET aspirants along with their parents on Thursday met Rahul at his residence, to seek his support in demanding re-examination of the MBBS qualifying paper. Also, Bihars deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha claimed the arrested prime accused in the NEET paper leak is linked to officials associated with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. June 21: The Centre on Friday notified a stringent law, which was passed in February, to prevent paper leaks and cheating. Under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, any person or persons found guilty of leaking a paper or tampering with answer sheets will receive a minimum jail term of three years. This can be extended to five years with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. All offences under the Act will be cognisable and non-bailable. The Supreme Court once again declined to stay the process of NEET-UG 2024 counselling. The apex court has issued a notice to the National Testing Agency (NTA). The top court tagged the fresh pleas along with pending petitions and posted them for hearing on July 8. Delhi Congress workers on Friday held a demonstration near the BJP headquarters over the alleged irregularities in NEET 2024. The demonstration was led by Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav. June 22: The ministry of education on Saturday announced a high-level committee of experts to ensure transparent smooth and fair conduct of examinations amid the NEET and UGC-NET row. The panel of experts will make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency. The panel will be headed by Dr K Radhakrishnan, former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairperson and the chairman of the board of governors, IIT Kanpur. A key accused behind the NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak, Ravi Atri, has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). Atri, from Neemka village in Greater Noida, is known for his alleged involvement in previous exam paper leaks across various states. His modus operandi allegedly involved uploading solved question papers on social media platforms through a network known as the solver gang. Bihar police detained six people from Jharkhands Deoghar district in connection with alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET medical entrance exam. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is scheduled to hold the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET PG) tomorrow, June 23. The exam will be administered from 9 am to 12:30 pm on a computer-based test (CBT) mode throughout the country. The NEET PG 2024 admit cards were previously made available batch-wise by the testing authority. Candidates for NEET-PG 2024 can access their admit cards from the applicant login portal on the NBEMS websites NEET-PG 2024 index page. NEET PG 2024: Exam Pattern The examination will be in English. It comprises 200 multiple-choice questions with four options. Candidates will be required to mark the response or answer out of the four distractors as options provided under the question. For wrong answers, the candidate will be penalised with a 25 per cent negative mark on that particular question. The examination duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes. NEET PG 2024: Exam Day Guidelines Candidates should bring a physical copy of their NEET PG admit card with them to the exam venue. Dress in accordance with the dress code established by the exam authorities. Candidates are not permitted to bring electronic devices, calculators, documents, stationery, food, or other objects inside the test venue. Candidates are advised to arrive at the test hall at least an hour before the scheduled time. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the testing facility if they are not carrying any of the following documents: a copy of their NEET PG admit card, a hard copy original of a government-issued ID, or a photocopy of their Permanent/Provisional SMC/MCI/NMC registration of their MBBS qualification. Candidates are urged to familiarise themselves with the exam centres location and arrange their transportation appropriately. Under no circumstances will the board permit late admission into the examination venue. NBEMS shall not be held liable for any delays in the candidates arrival at the centre owing to any cause. Furthermore, candidates are expressly barred from bringing any restricted objects as specified by authorities into the test centre under any circumstances. NEET PG a is an eligibility-cum-ranking examination prescribed as the single entrance examination for admission to various MS/MD and PG Diploma Courses as per Section 61(2) of the NMCA, National Medical Commission Act, 2019 read with 10 (D) of Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. The NEET PG is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) established by the Government of India in 1975. Its primary objective is to elevate the standards of postgraduate medical education in modern medicine and conduct examinations of the highest standards on a country level Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. NEET-PG Entrance Examination, conducted by the National Board of Examination for medical students, has been postponed as a precautionary measure in the wake of recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams. Fresh dates for the examinations will be announced soon, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. The exam was scheduled to take place on June 23. Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, the Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of processes of NEET-PG Entrance Examination, the ministry said in an official statement. It has accordingly been decided, as a precautionary measure to postpone the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, scheduled to be held tomorrow i.e. 23rd June, 2024. Fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest, it added. The Health Ministry further expressed regrets over the inconvenience caused to the students. This decision has been taken in the best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of the examination process, the added. Opposition Attacks Centre Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to his official X account and attacked the government for the postponement of the NEET UG exams. He said, No day is complete without news of cancellation of an exam because of the total incompetence of the non- biological PM and the people around him. The latest exam to be put off is NEET-PG, which was scheduled to be held tomorrow. NCP Spokesperson Clyde Crasto also attacked the ruling government and called this a continuous failure of the Education Department of the centre. Taking to X, he said, Due to their inability to do their job, the government is playing with the lives and future of children. By sacking the #NTA DG (Exam Body Chief), Union Education Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan cannot absolve himself from his failure in doing his duty. He should also step down as minister and accept accountability for all the mess and malpractices in the examination process in our country. On postponing NEET PG exam, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, NEET PG exam which was supposed to be held tomorrow has been postponed tonightThis government is not able to conduct exams. This government has completely lost its trust among the youth. The Education Minister who was giving a clean chit to NTA 4 days ago, is now removing the Director General of NTA. Who is responsible for the exams? Who is being saved? When will this investigation happen? When will this government be able to get the exam done properly? People are not getting answers to these questions. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Bihar are the four biggest states in India in terms of Lok Sabha seats, accounting for 210 constituencies. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, just 25% seats 53 parliamentary constituencies saw improved voter turnout, while on the remaining seats, the voter turnout dropped compared to 2019. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of Lok Sabha seats at 80, followed by 48 in Maharashtra and 42 in West Bengal. Bihar is the fourth biggest state in this respect with 40 Lok Sabha seats. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal witnessed Lok Sabha polls in seven phases while Maharashtra voted in five phases. An analysis of these 210 seats by News18 also showed that on just 64 of these seats, the women turnout was higher than 2019, while on 146, the women turnout was lower than the last time. The analysis of the data from the Election Commission of India shows that in more than half 110 seats the elected party did not change from 2019. Of these 110 seats, 22 saw improved voter turnout, while in the remaining 88 the voter turnout dropped. Similarly, in the 100 seats where the elected party changed in 2024 when compared to 2019, 17 saw improved turnout, while 69 witnessed a drop from the last elections. ALL SEATS IN WEST BENGAL SAW LOWER VOTER TURNOUT In West Bengal, across all 42 seats, the voter turnout was less than that in 2019. In 31 seats, the elected party remained unchanged from 2019, while in 11, it was replaced with a new party. The Trinamool Congress won 22 seats in 2019 and improved its tally to 29 in 2024. The BJP, which won 18 seats in 2019, bagged 12 in 2024. The Congress stood third in both elections. Down from two seats in the last elections, the grand old party won just one constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Maldaha Uttar, Alipurduars, Darjeeling, Balurghat, and Maldaha Dakshin were the seats that reported the highest drop in voter turnout. All these have stayed with the respective parties they elected in 2019. Two seats in the state capital Kolkata Dakshin (66.95%) and Kolkata Uttar (63.59%) recorded lowest voter turnouts and were the only two seats with less than 70% voter turnout. Across 16 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the turnout this time was between 70% and 80%, while 24 other seats recorded turnouts more than 80%. Compared to the average turnout of 81.67% in 2019, the state reported 79.19% this time. Women turnout across 40 seats in the state witnessed a drop. Tamluk and Kanthi were the only seats that recorded marginal improvement in women turnout. 60% SEATS IN MAHARASHTRA SAW HIGHER TURNOUT More than half 27 seats in Maharashtra saw higher voter turnout than 2019. In nine of these seats, the winning party remained the same. Further, of these 27 seats, 25 constituencies also saw higher women turnout than 2019. In 35 seats, the winning party had changed this time from 2019. The actual picture, though, is a much more complex affair. This was the first election in Maharashtra since two of the major state-level parties Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena were split into two factions. The rebel faction, in both cases, got the status and symbol of the original party. Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar got eight seats. Two of these were bagged by the undivided NCP in 2019, while six were with the BJP. In 2019, the united NCP won four seats. This time, the NCP got only one seat that it bagged in 2019 Raigad. The Shiv Sena won seven seats this time, six of these bagged by the undivided party in 2019 and one of these won by AIMIM in the last election. The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackrey won nine seats eight bagged by the undivided party in 2019 and one from the then ally BJP. ONLY 7 SEATS SAW IMPROVED TURNOUT IN UP In Uttar Pradesh, out of the 80 seats that witnessed Lok Sabha polls in seven phases, only seven seats saw higher voter turnout than 2019. All these seats Mainpuri, Rae Bareli, Kanpur, Kaiserganj, Farrukhabad, Phulpur, and Baharaich have re-elected the same party from 2019. On 73 seats, the voter turnout in 2024 was lower than in 2019. The seats that witnessed sharp drop in voter turnout were Mathura, Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat. On 19 seats, the women turnout in 2024 was higher than 2019. The highest jump reported in Barabanki and Raebareli, both of which voted for the Congress. Mathura and Muzaffarnagar reported the highest drop in women turnout. In Uttar Pradesh, in three seats, the voter turnout was less than 50% Phulpur, Mathura and Ghaziabad. None of the Lok Sabha seats in UP reported voter turnout above 70%. Barabanki, Saharanpur and Kheri were the three seats with the highest voter turnout. In 2019, two seats in the state saw turnouts above 70% and only one had turnout below 50%. In 2019, the average voter turnout of the state was 59.30%, but dropped to 57.04% in 2024, analysis shows. ONLY 6 SEATS IN BIHAR SAW HIGHER TURNOUT In Bihar, the situation was no better. Only six seats in the state saw higher voter turnout than 2019. When compared to 2019, across 31 seats in Bihar, the same party or its allies were elected in 2024. On nine seats, the winning party changed from 2019. All these nine seats were with the BJP or the JD(U) in 2019. In three seats, the winning party changed, although the seat remained with the alliance party. The average voter turnout in Bihar this time was 56.33%, down from 57.53% recorded in 2019. In majority of the states, the voter turnout this time was lower than in 2019, despite ECs efforts to improve the participation of the public in elections. The average voter turnout across the country was 65.79%, down from 67.4% in 2019. The Ministry of Education on Saturday constituted a seven-member high-level committee of experts, led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan, to ensure the transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Setting up this high-level committee of experts is the first step in a series of measures to improve the efficiency of the examination process, eliminate all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols, and overhaul and reform the NTA. Student interests and their bright future will always be our governments top priority, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared in an X post. Transparent, tamper-free and zero-error examinations is a commitment.Setting up of the high-level committee of experts is the first of a series of step to improve efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols https://t.co/LDUe4udfXY Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 22, 2024 The committee includes notable members such as former ISRO chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former AIIMS Delhi Director Dr. Randeep Guleria, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad Prof. B. J. Rao, and Professor Emeritus of IIT Madras Prof. Ramamurthy K, among others. The committee is expected to submit its report within two months. This development after the Bihar Police on Saturday detained six individuals from Jharkhands Deoghar district on Saturday in connection with alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET. 6 Detained From Jharkhand In NEET Paper Leak Case According to an official, they were detained from a house near AIIMS-Deoghar in the Devipur police station area on Friday night. The suspects were identified as Paramjit Singh alias Bittu, Chintu alias Baldev Kumar, Kaju alias Prashant Kumar, Ajit Kumar, Rajiv Kumar alias Karu, all residents of Nalanda district in Bihar, and Panku Kumar. SDPO (Deoghar Sadar) Ritvik Srivastava informed news agency PTI that the suspects were allegedly residing at the house of one Jhunu Singh. The Bihar Police gave us a tip-off. On our identification, they were taken into custody. All the suspects have been taken to Bihar, Srivastava stated. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), conducted by the NTA on May 5, saw around 24 lakh candidates participating. The results were announced on June 4, nearly 10 days ahead of schedule, coinciding with the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. Concerns have been raised regarding the unusually high percentiles achieved by some students, with scores of 718 or 719 out of 720, which many claim to be impossible. Aspirants have voiced concerns over alleged irregularities and paper leaks. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), conducted by the NTA on May 5, saw around 24 lakh candidates participating. The results were announced on June 4, nearly 10 days ahead of schedule, coinciding with the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. Concerns have been raised regarding the unusually high scores achieved by some students, with marks of 718 or 719 out of 720, which many claim to be impossible. Aspirants have voiced concerns over alleged irregularities and paper leaks. NEET Retest For 1,563 candidates On June 23 The NEET-UG retest for 1,563 candidates will be held on Sunday, June 23, with National Testing Agency (NTA) and Union education ministry officials present at the examination centers, officials said on Friday. The National Testing Agency (NTA), under scrutiny for lapses in the conduct of NEET and UGC-NET, is preparing to conduct a retest for the medical entrance exam. This retest is for candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks to compensate for the loss of time at six centers in Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Chandigarh. According to NTA officials, the re-exam will be conducted at seven centers. A total of 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in the NTAs history. Notably, six of these students were from a center in Faridabad, Haryana, raising suspicions about irregularities. It has been alleged that grace marks contributed to these 67 students sharing the top rank. Anti-paper Leak Law Amid NEET, UGC-NET Row On Friday, the central government notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims to prevent unfair practices in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country. The Act targets the prevention of paper leaks and malpractices in recruitment examinations like UPSC and SSC, as well as entrance tests such as NEET, JEE, and CUET. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of June, 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force, read the official notification released by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. As per the Act, any person found guilty of leaking a paper or tampering with answer sheets faces a minimum jail term of three years, extendable to five years, with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. UGC-NET June 2024 Cancelled This move comes amid a controversy over the UGC-NET 2024 exams question paper leak. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination due to prima facie evidence indicating a compromise in the exams integrity. The UGC-NET June 2024 examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), took place on June 18 across various cities nationwide in two shifts. Subsequently, on Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case to probe the question paper leak of the exam conducted by the NTA. (With inputs from PTI) Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday alleged that a woman BJP worker from Madhya Pradesh was killed in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh last year but her family was not receiving any support from the police. According to the family of Mamta Yadav of Ashok Nagar district in MP, she went to Prayagraj in UP in September 2023 to meet one Ramapati Dwivedi to take back her Rs 7 lakh but did not return, prompting them to file a complaint at Chanderi police station. They claimed that a body was found within the jurisdiction of Manda police station in UP around the same time but the police buried it as they could not identify it. Her brother visited UP in February this year and identified the body as that of his sister (possibly from photos), they claimed. According to her family, Mamta, aged around 35, was also a former office-bearer of a BJP mandal in Ashok Nagar district. Inspector Manish Jadon of Chanderi police station told PTI on Saturday that they had written to the UP police for the identification of the body and were awaiting their reply. Singh said he raised the case after the family approached him saying they were not getting any help and the UP police were not exhuming the body. I have written to the Director General of Police Madhya Pradesh and I am also writing a letter to the Chief Minister of MP, demanding to assign the investigation to a senior officer or constitute a judicial committee to probe into the matter, he said. The Congress leader claimed many politicians were involved in the killing of Mamta. He said she had talked to a person 86 times in 10 days but the police did not trace the number. Mamtas mother Geeta Bai and brother Rajbhan alleged that she was murdered and they were running from pillar to post to get her body. A clash broke out between some residents and security guards at a residential society in Haryanas Gurugram after an argument over liquor consumption, the police said. The videos of the conflict went viral on social media. The incident was reported on Thursday after a security guard objected to a group of residents consuming liquor in the common area of ROF Ananda Society, which is situated in Gurugrams Sector 95. The visuals show security personnel asking the residents to consume alcohol in a public area which leads to a heated conversation between them. The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated confrontation, with the residents physically assaulting the security guard. The guard then contacted the Quick Response Team (QRT) for assistance. Some videos show residents hitting a QRT personnel as the team arrives. Another security personnel tries to rescue his colleague and hits a resident with a stick. The group snatches the stick from him and thrashes him instead. As the clash intensified, one QRT personnel ran away to escape the chaotic scene amid danger to life while the other one got out of the society in his vehicle. It can also be seen that a biker was hit as the security personnel reversed his vehicle, the video shows. The police said that they had registered a case and were reviewing security camera footage. The investigation into the matter is underway. Six middlemen, four students and three parents a total of 13 people have been arrested so far in connection with the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. The most startling confessions have come from four accused arrested in Bihar a student, his uncle and two middlemen whose purported statements to the police detail how four candidates were made to memorise the question paper and answers on the eve of the May 5 examination for a price of Rs 40 lakh per candidate. But who is the brain behind this hydra-headed operation; who leaked the question paper of the medical entrance exam in the first place? Bihar Polices Economic Offences Unit (EOU), which is investigating the NEET-UG paper leak case, has refused to comment, but sources in Bihar Police told News18 that questioning of those arrested so far yielded the name of one Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind of the racket who remains at large. WHO IS SANJEEV MUKHIYA? Is Sanjeev Mukhiya the first link in the chain, the initial source of the paper leak? Officially, the Bihar Police are tightlipped. But sources within the police force say the investigation so far has led to this resident of Bihars Nalanda district. But who is Sanjeev Mukhiya? To begin with, sources say, his name is not Mukhiya. His actual name is said to be Sanjeev Singh and his wife Mamta Devi was elected the mukhiya or chief of the Bhuthakhar Panchayat, following which even Sanjeev came to be addressed as mukhiya. His wife had also unsuccessfully contested the 2020 Bihar elections from Harnaut seat on a Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJNSP) ticket, emerging the first runner-up. It was Sanjeev who arranged the question paper and handed it over to one Rocky who is still at large, a police source told News18, adding that this is not first time Sanjeevs name has cropped up in a paper leak investigation. His name has come up in paper leak cases of many competitive exams and he has also faced jail, the source said. Sanjeevs son, a doctor by profession, is also said to be currently in jail for alleged involvement in a Bihar teacher recruitment exam paper leak case. Together, the father-son duo is allegedly part of the Mukhiya Solver Gang, a notorious group believed to be involved in exam frauds. Sanjeev Mukhiya, a resident of Nagarsauna in Nalanda district of Bihar, is a technical assistant at Nalanda Colleges Noorsarai branch. Formerly employed at Sabour Agricultural College, he was transferred to Noorsarai after being implicated in similar paper leak scandal, leading to his arrest by Uttarakhand Police in 2016. He has not been seen since May 6, 2024 when his name cropped up in connection with the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak. Multiple arrests into the paper leak in Bihar, Rajasthan and Delhi strengthened suspicions of his involvement, say police sources. The Nalanda College administration confirmed his absence. Sanjeev Mukhiya, however, has not been completely missing in action. He denies any wrongdoing, claims he is being framed and has applied for anticipatory bail through his lawyer in Patna Sadars ACGM 9 Court. HOW THE BIHAR GROUP WAS BUSTED Bihar Police officials say it all began with a phone call on May 5, the day the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET (UG) was held. We never imagined that a simple tip-off could lead to the high-profile gang involved in the NEET-UG paper leak, which has become a national controversy, an officer said on condition of anonymity. The call had come from a Jharkhand-based central agency which alerted the Bihar Police to a gang involved in leaking the NEET-UG 2024 question paper. The inputs contained the details of the car being used by the accused. We acted swiftly and tracked the car. We found the alleged members of the organized gang allegedly involved in the NEET-UG exam leak, said a senior official with the Bihar Police. The discovery was the tip of the iceberg. Further investigation led the police to 13 people allegedly involved in the racket, including students and their parents. Students: Ayush Kumar (19), a resident of Danapur; Abhishek Kumar (21) from Ranchi; Anurag Yadav (22) from Samastipur; and Shivnandan Kumar from Gaya Ayush Kumar (19), a resident of Danapur; Abhishek Kumar (21) from Ranchi; Anurag Yadav (22) from Samastipur; and Shivnandan Kumar from Gaya Parents: Anurags mother Rina Kumari; Ayushs father Akhilesh Kumar; Abhisheks father Awadhesh Kumar Anurags mother Rina Kumari; Ayushs father Akhilesh Kumar; Abhisheks father Awadhesh Kumar Middlemen: Junior engineer Sikander Prasad Yadvendu, resident of Samastipur and Anurag Yadavs uncle; his driver Bittu Kumar from Rohtas; and Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand from Munger Junior engineer Sikander Prasad Yadvendu, resident of Samastipur and Anurag Yadavs uncle; his driver Bittu Kumar from Rohtas; and Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand from Munger Associates: Raushan Kumar (Nalanda) and Ashutosh Kumar (Jamui), associates of Amit Anand THE MODUS OPERANDI Police officials who are part of the investigation told News18 that the gang charged Rs 30 to Rs 50 lakh from the aspirants and used to accommodate them in small lodges in Patna where the students were provided the question papers to be memorised. Middleman Amit Anand reportedly told the police during interrogation that he and his associates used to provide aspirants with the leaked question paper and answers on the eve of the exam. The aspirants were made to memorise the questions and solutions overnight. In his confession statement to police, Anand allegedly admitted that his gang used to charge up to Rs 32 lakh per aspirant. Anands statement was corroborated by the purported confession statement of Ayush Kumar, who appeared for the NEET-UG exam at DAV School and was later detained from the centre. Ayush confessed that he had received the NEET-UG question paper on Saturday night, a day before the exam that was held on May 5. He said that the question paper he got was the same as the one distributed at the examination centre. Ayush added that 25 other candidates like him were made to memorise the answers to the question paper that was given to them in the premises of Learn Boys Hostel and Learn Play School, another Bihar Police officer told News18. In his confession statement, Sikander Prasad Yadvendu, a junior engineer at Danapur Town Council, reportedly confessed to introducing four aspirants, including his nephew Anurag Yadav, to the middlemen. He also allegedly confessed to charging the boys Rs 40 lakh per person, intending to pocket the difference. When contacted, Manabjit Singh Dhillon, DIG, Economic Offences Wing, Bihar Police, told News18: As the hearing of the Supreme Court regarding NEET case is approaching on July 8, so we have been advised by our counsel to not let the investigative part being published/broadcasted in media as some news items tend to interpret the news which may prejudice the stand of the EOU and prosecution in the Supreme Court. So, now only the official press release, if needed, will be released officially with the consent of ADG, EOU. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to defer the NEET-UG counselling process, scheduled to kick off on July 6, saying it is not an open and shut exercise, even as the political pot kept boiling over the controversy-ridden exam with the opposition attacking the Centre over alleged paper leak and other irregularities. The National Testing Agency (NTA), under fire over the lapses in the conduct of NEET and UGC-NET, is gearing up to conduct on Sunday a retest for the medical entrance exam for 1,563 candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks to make up for the loss of time at six centres. A Karnataka court on Saturday remanded Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa to judicial custody till July 4 in connection to the Renukaswamy murder case. Along with the actor, his three alleged accomplices Vinay, Pradosh and Dhanaraj were also sent to judicial custody. He was in the police custody since June 11. Two days ago, 13 other accused, including the actors friend Pavithra Gowda, were remanded to 14 days judicial custody. A total of 17 people are accused in the murder case. As per police sources, Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. Renukaswamys body was found near a stormwater drain adjacent to an apartment in Bengalurus Sumanahalli on June 9. Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Kannada actor Darshan had borrowed Rs 40 lakh to destroy evidence. As reported by India Today, Darshan recently shared his statement with the Karnataka police when he confessed that he had borrowed Rs 40 lakh from one of his friends to pay off other accused to destroy evidence. Besides this, it has also been reported that Darshan had already paid Rs 30 lakh to others to surrender. Darshan is being probed in connection to the Renuka Swamy murder case. Swamy was found dead in Bengaluru. He used to reportedly work at an Apollo Pharmacy branch in Chitradurga. It has been alleged 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. Previously, 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 claimed. (with PTI inputs) The SGPC has filed a police complaint against a fashion designer and lifestyle influencer for hurting religious sentiments by performing yoga at the Golden Temple and sharing those photographs on social media. Archana Makwana, however, has apologised for her actions and said she never intended to hurt anyones religious sentiment. On the International Day of Yoga on Friday, Makwana visited the Golden Temple and performed yoga in the prakrama (circumambulation) path. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex gurdwara body, also suspended its three employees for not diligently performing their duties. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said a complaint has been sent to the police commissioner for taking action against Makwana. No one can be allowed to act against Sikh conduct at the Golden Temple but some people deliberately ignore the sanctity and historical importance of this holy place and commit objectionable acts, he said in a statement. Sikh sentiments and maryada (conduct) have been hurt by the act, so a complaint has been filed with the police, he said. In an appeal, Dhami said Harmandir Sahib has great reverence in the Sikh world and pilgrims from every religion and class come there to pay obeisance. Considering that, the maryada of the place should be followed. Darbar Sahib general manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said the womans action hurt the sentiments of Sikhs and the sangat. Later, in a story posted on her Instagram handle, Makwana apologised for her conduct and said, I posted something without intending to harm anyones religious sentiments. I was unaware that practising yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises could be offensive to some as I was just paying my respect to him and did not mean any harm to anyone. I sincerely apologise for any hurt I may have caused and promise to be more mindful in the future. Please accept my sincere apologies, she said. Scenes similar to the ones from the popular web series Mirzapur emerged at the streets of Uttar Pradeshs Bareilly after violence broke out between two groups who shot at each other over the possession of a piece of land, on Saturday morning. A purported video of the incident, which occurred on the Pilibhit bypass in the Izzatnagar area, surfaced online. This isn't Mirzapur Season 3 shooting. But actual crime scene from Bareilly, UP. Two groups of Aditya Upadhyay & Rajeev Rana open fire at each other. JCB set on fire. Aditya Upadhyay, his son Aviral Upadhyay are arrested, others are yet to be arrested. pic.twitter.com/U6DI3bf8J5 Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) June 22, 2024 Due to the firing, a person walking on the roof of a house nearby sustained injuries. Following the incident, seven policemen were suspended from service. According to police, the main accused were identified as Rajiv Rana and Aditya Upadhyay. On Saturday morning, an argument broke out between the two regarding the possession of a piece of land located near Upadhyays marble shop, police said. However, the argument soon turned violent and one of the accused, who had come with his sons and 40-50 associates, set two JCB machines parked near the disputed land on fire. Following this, firing began between the two parties. The police quickly rushed to the spot with a fire brigade, upon receiving information and doused the flames. However, both parties had fled, the Circle Officer informed. Raids were conducted to arrest the accused. Upadhyay and his son Aviral were arrested, and a gun was recovered from them. The police are on the lookout for the remaining accused in the incident, he said. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police of Bareilly Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan said that seven policemen were suspended, including Station House Officer (SHO) of Izzatnagar Police Station Jaishankar Singh, Sub Inspector Rajiv Prakash, Head Constable Yogesh along with Constables Sunny Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Rajkumar and Ajay Tomar, for negligence regarding the incident. (with inputs from PTI) The mom-to-be actress, Deepika Padukone left her fans floored after she finally shared some breathtaking pictures of herself on social media with her baby bump. The actress dropped some monochrome clicks that showcased her obvious radiant glow and effortless style game as she stunned everyone in a black ensemble with a slit in the back and accentuating her figure. While all eyes were on a dazzling smile, stylish attire and the baby bump, you might have noticed her in matching black stilettoes. This brings light to the question of whether women should wear heels during their pregnancy. Reportedly, the actress is due in three months and will be embracing motherhood in September. In a pre-release event, she was spotted wearing an in-vogue outfit and high heels. But she is not the first actress to wear so. But this does raise questions about safety during pregnancy. Even if you are not pregnant, heels do pose a certain challenge in regular wear. There might be a risk of swollen feet, twisting ankles, sprain and falling. In such a situation, doctors advise moms-to-be to wear comfortable footwear. Wearing heels for a long time can cause pain in the spine, and legs and even in some cases lead to premature labour pain. Mumbais famous gynaecologist, Dr Ganesh Shinde shared, If you are wearing heels during this (pregnancy) time, then do not wear them for a long time. He also advised against wearing extremely high heels and instead recommended wearing footwear with soft and cushioned soles. Wearing high heels for a long time can cause the calf muscles to cramp. The expert further added that mums-to-be should avoid wearing heels after the fifth month of pregnancy. As the pregnancy advances, the weight of the mothers body increases. This can further cause strain on the legs, especially the ankles and the feet. Experts have often recommended alternatives to pointed heels as well. If one does not like flats but still wants to wear heels, it is better to opt for wedges or platform heels during pregnancy. It helps in the weight distribution. It should be worn only for a short period. Bollywood actor Anupam Kher recently fell prey to a robbery in his office. He posted a video on his X platform showing that thieves broke into his office on Veera Desai Road, Mumbai, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. They stole a safe containing cash and film negatives. In a recent development, the Mumbai Police have arrested two men in connection with the theft. ANI tweeted that Majid Sheikh and Mohammad Daler Bahrim Khan were arrested for the theft. The police reported that Rs 4.15 lakh in cash was stolen from Anupam Khers office. Mumbai: Two people Majid Sheikh and Mohammad Daler Bahrim Khan arrested by Oshiwara Police for committing theft at the office of actor Anupam Kher. Both of them are serial thieves and commit thefts in different areas of the city, ANIs tweet read. #UPDATE | Mumbai: Two people Majid Sheikh and Mohammad Daler Bahrim Khan arrested by Amboli Police for committing theft at the office of actor Anupam Kher. Both of them are serial thieves and commit thefts in different areas of the city. https://t.co/p3oFbimTMj ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024 Two unidentified persons broke into the office of Bollywood actor Anupam Kher and stole the negatives of a film produced by his company and Rs 4.15 lakh in cash, police said on Thursday. The incident took place on Wednesday night at the actors office on Vira Desai Road in Amboli area, said an official. It came to light around 9.45 on Thursday morning when the office staff arrived and found the locks broken, he said. Kher himself narrated the incident in posts on his official X handle and Instagram page. Last night in my Veera Desai Road office two thieves broke two doors and stole the entire safe from the accounts department (which they probably couldnt break) and the negatives of a film produced by our company which was in a box. Our office has filed an FIR, the 69-year-old actor wrote in Hindi, without mentioning the name of the film whose negatives were stolen. CCTV footage outside the building showed the duo leaving in an auto rickshaw, Kher added, stating that may God give them good sense (`sad-buddhi). The First Information Report was registered at Amboli police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and probe was underway, the police official had earlier said. In a big development in the Renuka Swamy murder case, it has now been reported that Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa had borrowed Rs 40 lakh to destroy evidence. As reported by India Today, Darshan recently shared his statement with the Karnataka police when he confessed that he had borrowed Rs 40 lakh from one of his friends to pay off other accused to destroy evidence. Besides this, it has also been reported that Darshan had already paid Rs 30 lakh to others to surrender. This comes days after police sources also revealed that the actor allegedly asked three men to take the blame for the crime in exchange for cash. NDTV reported that Darshan reportedly offered Rs 15 lakh to three men and asked them to take blame for Renuka Swamys murder. Darshan is being probed in connection to the Renuka Swamy murder case. Swamy was found dead in Bengaluru on June 8, 2024. He used to reportedly work at an Apollo Pharmacy branch in Chitradurga. It has been alleged 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. Previously, 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 claimed. Reportedly, eight of the accused have implicated Darshan, claiming his presence during Renuka Swamys assault. The Kannada actor was arrested on June 11. Several Kannada actors have come out in support of Darshan, mentioning that they have full faith in the judiciary and hoping that the truth to come out soon. Recently, actress Rachita Ram also urged the media to be unbiased and transparent while talking about the probe. I pray for the departed soul, Renukaswamy. I hope his family gains the strength to bear the loss. I hope justice will be delivered in this murder case. Darshan introduced me to the cinema industry. He is like my mentor. I cannot believe that the person who used to correct my mistakes and guide me was involved in the case. I believe that the police will bring out the truth. Hope the media will remain unbiased and transparent in their reports, her statement read. YouTuber Love Kataria has revealed what Elvish Yadav told him when he decided to participate in Bigg Boss OTT 3. Kataria, who is close friends with Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Yadav, stepped inside the controversial house on Friday night during the grand premiere. Ahead of his entry, Love Kataria spoke to a media portal when he revealed that Elvish asked him to enjoy his Bigg Boss journey. He shared that the Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner told him to take this BB stint as a vacation as he also suggested him be real and raw. He did not give me any tips as such but definitely told me that complete your journey in a good way and treat it like a vacation. Acche se dhedh Mahine ki chutti kaat ke aa andar, Mauj kaat ke aa. He asked me to be real, raw and have lots of fun inside the house. He was very happy when he came to know that I was doing the show, Love told ETimes. Asked if Elvish is also an inspiration to him, the YouTuber added, Theres no inspiration as such we believe in brotherhood. Last year Elvish participated as a contestant, this year Ive come, next year maybe someone else from our team will join. Love Kataria further shared that he decided to participate in Bigg Boss OTT 3 because he believes in doing something new every year and this time I was not getting anything exciting so when the offer of Bigg Boss came my way, I said lets try it. I have always led a fearless life and I will do the same inside the show. Darenge toh tab jab kuch galat kiya ho. Ive not done anything wrong so I am not scared of anything, he added. Bigg Boss OTT 3 premiere was held on Friday night. Besides Love Kataria, other contestants who are participating in the show this time are Deepak Chaurasia, Munisha Khatwani, Sai Ketan Rao, Vada Pav Girl aka Chandrika Gera Dixit, Sana Makbul, Shivani Kumari, Paulomi Das, Ranvir Shorey, Sana Sultan, Vishal Pandey, Naezy and Neeraj Goyat. YouTuber Armaan Malik has also entered the show with both his wives, Payal Malik and Kritika Malik. Mira Nair is renowned for her acclaimed films, including the 1996 movie Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, which starred Rekha and gained international acclaim despite being banned in India. Shabana Azmi had hoped to work more extensively with Nair after a brief role in her 2012 film The Reluctant Fundamentalist, alongside Riz Ahmed, Liev Schreiber, Kate Hudson, and Keifer Sutherland. At the New York Indian Film Festival, Azmi expressed her desire for a more pivotal role in Nairs future projects. When Mira asked Shabana about the directors shes worked with in her five-decade career, the Arth actress jokingly mentioned shes been eager to collaborate with a specific director for years. And finally, she gives me a tiny role that doesnt do justice to our relationship or her faith in me, and that woman is sitting next to me, Shabana added, as per Pinkvilla. Mira laughed and shared a funny story about how she once chased Shabana into a womens restroom at a five-star hotel in Juhu. She jokingly asked, What does Rekha have that I dont have? The director added, Humari pyaar ki ladayi hui in that ladies room. Mira told Shabana that they would work together again soon. Shabana has talked about being competitive with her colleagues before. Recently, she admitted to treating them unfairly. Speaking about her past rivalry with Smita Patil, Shabana told us that while there was some truth to their competition, things were blown out of proportion. There was some truth to it. Smita and I treated each other like rivals, but media ne usko chadha diya, thoda sa tadka, mirch laga kar usko aur badhaya (the media blew it out of proportion), but I wouldnt blame it entirely on the media, said Shabana. On the work front, Shabana Azmi is set to play a special role in Lahore, in 1947, portraying the character of a Hindu matriarch in Lahore. The storyline revolves around her insistence on living in an ancestral mansion, now owned by a Muslim family after the India-Pakistan partition. The film aims to depict the tragedy and pain inflicted upon families during this tumultuous period. Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar will be serving as a jury member for the shorts category for the 2024 edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA). The film gala, which will run from June 27 to 30, will screen 20 films, including seven narrative features, twelve shorts, and one docu-series with a diverse line-up of films from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and the United States, a press release said. The shorts program of the festival includes films such as Hema featuring Rajshri Deshpande, Last Days of Summer, Wire & Cloth, Ade (On A Sunday), Lori and Bobby Beauty Parlour. I am honoured and thrilled to be invited as a jury member for the short film category at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2024. I look forward to attending the festival in LA and watching these stellar shorts by emerging South Asian filmmakers. The atmosphere at film festivals is always creatively energizing and deeply inspiring. Im excited to meet and interact with diverse storytellers and performers, and to witness the incredible line-up of films at IFFLA, Pilgaonkar said in a statement. Filmmaker Tarsem Singhs Dear Jassi will serve as the opening film for the 2024 edition, while Tamil superstar Vijay Sethupathis Maharaja will be bringing the curtains down on IFFLA. The festival will also screen Kill, an upcoming action thriller from filmmaker Nikhil Nagesh, and the Sundance winner Girls Will Be Girls, which is the maiden production venture of actor-couple Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha. Meanwhile, on the work front, Shriya was recently seen in the second season of The Broken News which also starred Jaideep Ahlawat and Sonali Bendre. Released in May this year, News18 Showshas review of the show read, The series falters in its second half, succumbing to convoluted subplots and an over-reliance on sensationalism. The attempt to tie up loose ends in the final episodes feels somewhat rushed. As the series progresses, it veers off course, succumbing to the same sensationalism it critiques. Too many parallel plots intertwine, transforming the newsroom drama into a thriller of sorts. However, you are likely to take home a message as the credits roll as a befitting Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain Tere plays delving too deep into media manipulation can have consequences sometimes, it changes us as much as we try to change it. Sonakshi Sinha and her longtime boyfriend Zaheer Iqbal are all set to tie the knot. The couple will have a civil marriage on June 23, the groom-to-bes father, Iqbal Ratansi has revealed. In a recent interview, Zaheers father shed light on their marriage when he told Free Press Journal, It will have neither Hindu nor Muslim rituals. It will be a civil marriage. Zaheers father further dismissed reports claiming Sonakshi might convert to Islam after her wedding. She is not converting and that is for sure. Theirs is a union of hearts and religion has no role to play whatsoever, he said and then added, I believe in humanity. God is called Bhagwan by Hindus and Allah by Muslims. But at the end of the day, we are all human beings. My blessings are with Zaheer and Sonakshi. Meanwhile, several reports recently claimed that Sonakshis father Shatrughan Sinha was also upset with her due to her wedding plans. However, the actor-turned-politician, in a recent interview, addressed the rumours and called out those who are spreading lies against his family. Tell me, whose life is it anyway? Its just the life of my only daughter Sonakshi, whom Im very proud of and immensely fond of, Shatrughan told Times Now.com/Zoom. She calls me the pillar of her strength. I will be there at the wedding, certainly. Why shouldnt I and why wont I? Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbals wedding will reportedly be a star-studded affair. Previously, Honey Singh and Poonam Dhillon confirmed that they have also been invited. News18 Showsha has also exclusively learnt that Sonakshi and Zaheers wedding wont really be an intimate affair as it will see some of the biggest names in Bollywood gracing their big day to shower blessings and love on the couple. A source close to the couple told us that actors Aayush Sharma, Huma Qureshi and Varun Sharma are likely to attend the wedding. Besides this, Salman Khan has also been sent an invitation. Sonakshi has also invited her Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar co-stars including Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Sharmin Segal Mehta among others. The far-Right sweep in the recent election results shows that the European Union has started addressing the elephant in the room. The beast called radical Islam had entered meekly, in boats from devastated habitats, seeking asylum in liberal democracies and open societies. It has since gone on a rampage, seeking to recreate in its host country the very hell it had escaped. Whether it is the grooming gangs of Birmingham, the Charlie Hebdo massacre, the Nice beheading, Sweden riots over the Quran, the Mannheim knife attack, or the gang rape of a 12-year-old French girl in Courbevoie, Europes patience has been seriously tested over the decades. Israels war on Hamas after the October 7 massacre has given Islamists and communists the perfect excuse to manufacture anger and set European streets and American campuses on fire. All this while, ordinary, law-abiding citizens of the West watched spectacle after gruesome spectacle without speaking a word, their conscience chloroformed by political correctness. But now, voters in nation after nation are speaking out through the ballot. The far-Right a Leftist-liberal label for anybody speaking the inconvenient truth about Islamism is ruling from Hungary to Italy, Poland to the Netherlands. It is on the rise in France, Germany, and the UK. But there is another, less evident movement afoot. Thanks to the reach of social media, people and their representatives from across the world are reaching out to one another and have started forming an informal coalition against radical Islam. So, you will find Indians and Indian politicians vocally supporting Israel against Hamass barbarism. Or Donald Trump supporters lending a voice to the outrage against the French girls gang rape. Interestingly, a very wealthy and influential section of the Islamic world Arab states like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Oman, and even Egypt has been silently part of the coalition against Islamist extremism. Arab nations have steadfastly refused to take Palestinian refugees, convinced that violent Hamas flotsam will come with it. And that will mean trouble. Most Arab states have unequivocally condemned the October 7 massacre, while making perfunctory noises about a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem. Saudi has banned extremist groups like Tablighi Jamaat which freely roam in its birthplace, India. UAE, Bahrain and other countries have such strict anti-terror laws that they have long been under attack from Left-leaning human rights groups. Experts and politicians from the Gulf have long been warning the West to keep away its bleeding heart and take Islamist terror seriously. In the coming days, this global cooperation will deepen. Georgia Meloni may differ from Marine Le Pen on support for Russia, but they are almost certain to be on the same page over immigration and Islamisation. Narendra Modis third innings as Prime Minister has started. India is unlikely to go soft on Islamists. Donald Trump is leading Joe Biden in the opinion polls by a seemingly unassailable margin, and if he becomes President again, he will certainly get tough on who gets to settle in America. Israel is in no mood to relent against jihad. Argentinas Javier Milei is blunt on the subject as well. And in Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro is breathing down on the Leftist President Lula De Silva. Even Fumio Kishidas Japan is not leaving anything to chance and is pumping millions of dollars in counterterrorism in the Asia-Pacific region. In the past, 87 countries had come together in a global coalition against ISIS. Such coalitions will become more formal, focused and ferocious against a savage enemy which burns down cities over real and imagined insults to its Prophet, lynches helpless men and women over blasphemy, or grooms kafir girls for mass rape and conversion. Radical Islam is a brutal and determined imperialistic force that the civilised world will have to at some point shed its political correctness and deal with. It is going to be a matter of survival, not sanctimoniousness. The rise of the Right across the planet is a sign of that. 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. The 2024 Lok Sabha election results have positives for everyone. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though disappointed at its tally sliding from 303 seats in 2019 to 240 this time, is relieved to be in power for three consecutive terms a feat that was last repeated over six decades ago. The Congress-led Oppositions 2024 numbers may be lesser than the BJPs total tally, but it is happy at detecting a chink in Prime Minister Narendra Modis armour or so it seems to believe. The Congress, under Rahul Gandhi, may have delivered its third-worst Lok Sabha performance after being confined to two digits for three general elections in a row, but it is rallying around its supporters with a sense of achievement at keeping the BJP below the 272 mark. The same is the case with their respective supporters: While the Hindu voters of the BJP are elated with their party coming back to power again, the Muslim voters have reasons to believe they have regained their veto power in Indian politics. The Congress-led Opposition may be euphoric with the results, but it is the BJP that should be relieved. It has, after all, realised all is not well within the party without losing the levers of power in Raisina Hill. The party has now got five years to put its house in order. But the problem for the BJP is that, in an election where everyone has a thing or two to be happy about, it is easy to misinterpret the verdict. To begin with, the BJP should own up the Lok Sabha results with cautious optimism, for rarely does a party retain power for three consecutive terms. The Modi government hasnt just been able to beat anti-incumbency; it has also defied a post-pandemic trend of Covid-19 being a graveyard for ruling dispensations worldwide. Hardly any incumbents have made a comeback after the unprecedented coronavirus attack. The danger for the BJP, however, isnt just about not resorting to any corrective measures but, more importantly, taking to a wrong prescription. The latter, unfortunately, is a more likely scenario, given the egoistical tendency among politicians to blame voters rather than the party leadership for the recent electoral reverses. One has seen how the voters of Uttar Pradesh, especially Ayodhya, have been villainised post poll results. Political analysts with dubious intentions are already out with their verdict, highlighting the diminishing returns of Hindutva in Indian politics! The BJP would do well not to fall for such part feel-good, part-dubious analysis. The party may also be tempted to look at the results as a localised, one-off phenomenon. Localised, because if the party lost almost 50 per cent of seats in Uttar Pradesh, it did a complete sweep in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. The truth is that Uttar Pradesh could upset the BJPs applecart because it, unlike Madhya Pradesh, has a semblance of opposition with a solid M-Y vote-bank going for anyone and everyone capable enough to defeat the BJP. Wherever the Opposition had a party infrastructure, even if rudimentary, and some vote-banks to cater to, whether in Uttar Pradesh or in Maharashtra, it did trouble the BJP. And then, of course, one saw a smart ticket distribution by the Opposition, especially in Uttar Pradesh where Akhilesh Yadav, to his credit, liberally gave SP tickets to Dalits and OBCs: less than 10 seats were given to M-Y candidates! In contrast, the BJP had issues with ticket distribution. Many candidates were seen to be misfits, incompetent and corrupt; several others were direct imports from other parties. This caused a lot of dissent, angst and heartburn within the party. The BJP candidate from Ayodhya, for instance, was hugely unpopular, and it was evident well before the polling that he was on sticky ground. Of course, he made things even more difficult for himself and the party through his loose talks on reservations and the Constitution. What further added to the BJPs woes was the perceived ideological fluidity in the party. When a party, which gets 18-20 per cent votes just for being regarded as a vehicle of Hindutva politics, is perceived to distance itself from bhagwa, as its national president publicly did just during the election campaign, it is bound to boomerang on the party. JP Nadda, in an interview with a Delhi-based newspaper, said that the BJP and bhagwa (saffron) are not synonymous, and that the BJP didnt need the RSS to win the 2024 elections! What he forgot was that when a Hindu doesnt look at himself as a Hindu, then there are enough temptations for him to take on caste identities. The BJP must realise that any compromise in its ideological positioning has invariably resulted in a political hara-kiri for the party. It happened in 1984, when the BJP, fresh out of the Jana Sangh, burnt its fingers by overtly associating itself with Gandhian socialism; it could win just two seats in the Lok Sabha. A similar fate awaited the party in 2004 and 2009 when the Jinnah-fied BJP softened its Hindutva identity. The problem for the BJP is that the moment it is seen to be secularised, its core voters either get disillusioned and disinterested, or they switch their loyalties to caste-based parties. The BJP, unlike other parties, including the Congress, can never afford to go soft on the ideological front. It has to live with the fact that it is judged more stringently on the issue of ideology and corruption. Maybe thats the price of being an ideology-oriented, cadre-based party a party with a difference! Theres one more reason for local BJP leaders and workers turning either lax or indifferent this time: they find their bhagidari both in party and administration diminishing. A number of local leaders told this author personally how they no longer are able to get the work of people of their constituency done. As one BJP leader in Bihar said, Earlier, whenever I used to call a district administrator regarding a local work, it was done. Ab koi sunwayi nahin hai. In fact, now when someone comes up to me for work, I categorically tell them that I would call the concerned officer but there is no guarantee that it will be done. The Modi government will have to find a middle path between political interference and bureaucratic highhandedness. Its an absolute compulsion for a cadre-based party like the BJP to be alive to the sentiments of its local leaders and workers. If a party worker in Ayodhya commits suicide over an alleged land encroachment issue and the party is seen to be doing pretty little about it, then it paralyses the whole system at the grassroots. When a resourceful, local BJP leader in Lucknow is unable to find a bed for his ailing wife in a decent hospital and is forced to fend for himself for her treatment, then it raises an alarm bell within the party. In this backdrop, is it any surprise that the Opposition could go around duping the voters with its mindless promises and selling a nightmarish scenario vis-a-vis reservations to Dalits and OBCs, and yet the BJP leadership remained largely clueless about it? The party will have to revitalise its cadre base, and restart a two-way dialogue process. Given the long litany list above, one may be tempted to believe its all over for the BJP. The fact, however, is that the saffron party is still well ahead of its rivals and has a well-oiled poll machinery. The issues that have come up this time are normal for a party that has been in power for over a decade now. But the very fact that the BJP, despite the above challenges, has got more seats than any political party in more than three decades, is self-explanatory. The BJP, by servicing its organisational structure, by providing a voice to its local leaders and workers, and also by sorting out critical differences, if any, between the state and central leaderships, besides ironing out ideological fluidity, can again become an invincible poll machine. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Bharat has often fallen victim to such good intentions from our social and political leaders. A recent example is a report by retired High Court judge, Thiru K. Chandru, on resolving caste divisions. However, before analysing the report, I would like to share my concern about the selective reformism of secular Hindu (even if in name) leaders. Their focus remains solely on reforming Hindu society, neglecting other religions and sects. We can leave aside the pre-Independence period when the British agenda was to keep society under their thumb, for which they did their best to create self-hate and low self-esteem in Indian society through every possible means, including inventing new theories like the Aryan Invasion theory and the north-south divide. They also institutionalised the caste system, exacerbating social divisions and undermining our once equitable education system. Unfortunately, we are still grappling with the consequences of these divisive strategies. The first gift that the Jawaharlal Nehru government post-Independence gave us was the Hindu Code Bill, though the Congress leaders had decided that Bharat would pursue the path of secularism, which would ordinarily mean that there would not be separate laws in the name of religion. However, we had Articles 25 to 30 favouring minorities and discriminating against the majority. The writers of the Indian Constitution never defined minority. The definition of Hindus was also a negative definition those who were not Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Jews meaning the people following religions born outside Bharat. A Times of India article notes that when Dr B R Ambedkar asked the Constituent Assembly to adopt the Uniform Civil Code, the Muslim members staunchly opposed it. All he could get was Article 44 of Directive principles commending the adoption of UCC. Thus, the effort to draft a common civil code culminated in the Hindu Code Bill, while other communities continued to be governed by their own personal laws. Notably, issues like dowry, adoption, polygamy, and divorce transcended religious boundaries, impacting other communities as well. Yet, they were left to grapple with orthodox laws, often rife with regressive and anti-women practices. Nehru felt that enacting a uniform code in the aftermath of Partition would fuel insecurity amongst the Muslims who chose to remain in India. (ibid) Nehru and subsequent Congress governments also opposed any laws to stop conversions, despite their own government in Madhya Pradesh conducting a thorough study of the conversion mafia. Nehrus own statements suggest a naive belief that the Churchs conversion activities were motivated solely by a desire to reform Hindu societya misguided attempt to uplift individuals from a casteist to a supposedly casteless faith. Just as India was embracing modernisation and progress, the Shah Bano case tragically reversed any momentum for reform within Muslim society. Rajiv Gandhi, Nehrus grandson and then-Prime Minister, controversially amended the Constitution to deny Muslim women the right to alimony following divorce. This short-sighted move effectively slammed the door on the possibility of reforming Muslim Personal Laws through judicial means. The Mandal Commission was instituted to address the ills of Hindu society stemming from casteism. However, it did not address similar issues affecting Muslims and Christians. There was no scrutiny of the existence of separate churches among Christians or the prevalent caste bias within them, particularly against Dalits and Scheduled Tribes. Likewise, the nearly 72 sects within Islam, often at odds with each other and accused of perpetuating caste-based oppression, escaped similar scrutiny and calls for reform. Politicians primarily responded by incorporating many of these groups into SC-ST and OBC reservations, overlooking that their conversions were originally motivated by caste-based oppression. Once again, only Hindus were burdened with the responsibility for societal reform. Dravida Kazhagam-led reform movements were also meant only for Hindus, no other communities. Ironically, despite decades of uninterrupted rule, the oppression of lower caste Hindus by higher caste Hindusnot Brahminshas persisted, even though the majority of Brahmins have been largely marginalised in Tamil Nadu. In fact, a one-man committee was constituted under retired Madras High Court judge, K. Chandru, last August after two Dalit siblings were brutally assaulted by their relatively upper-caste classmates in Tirunelveli. This latest effort to reform Hindu society is being undertaken by the DMK government. Tamil Nadu has witnessed violence against Dalits by both Muslims and relatively upper-caste Hindus, despite the state being governed by champions of social equality from various factions of the Dravida Kazhagam (DK). A careful reading of the news reveals such incidents occurring regularly. Ironically, almost all iterations of the DK in the political arena draw their support from specific castes and communities. It happens only in India that parties that denounce casteism and advocate for a casteless society are built upon caste-based voter blocs. This trend is observable in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as well, where purported followers of Lohia have transformed into caste-centric parties like the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, and numerous smaller splinter groups. The recent report by Justice Kundru proposes the periodic transfer of high school and higher secondary school teachers to prevent them from serving extended tenures in one location, especially in areas where their own caste holds influence. On the administrative front, the report suggests that chief educational officers, district educational officers, block educational officers, and headmasters of high and higher secondary schools should not be posted in regions dominated by their caste. This assumes that teachers are also impacted by caste biases. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar became Dr B.R. Ambedkar because his teacher, a member of a higher caste, gave him his surname. He was able to pursue education because Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, another member of a higher caste, provided him with financial support. However, our leaders seem intent on perpetuating caste-based compartmentalisation. Other recommendations include banning caste markers such as wristbands, rings, or forehead marks on school premises. However, unless we change internally, these external efforts may not be effective. After the JP Narayan movement, many leaders opted to drop their surnames and adopt the ubiquitous Kumar as their surname. Did this stop caste politics? Nitish Kumar is still considered a leader of Kurmis. While leaders should work diligently to reform Indian society by fostering values of non-discrimination, instilling discipline, and promoting patriotism that transcends regional, religious, and caste divisions, we witness the paradox of removing signs of caste and religion that connect individuals to their larger community and inspire adherence to good practices. If these signs are deemed discriminatory, why not advocate for the removal of similar practices and symbols in other communities? Shouldnt efforts be made to discourage division by banning the wearing of crosses, topis, burqas, etc? Interestingly, the champions of reforming Hindu societypolitical parties, with the exception of the Dravida Kazhagam (DK), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and Vaikos Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK)also refrained from participating in the deliberations, including the ruling DMK. It shows that these parties basically wish to thrive on caste divisions; reforms are a sham. The report is another attempt to concretise the divisions. Hard data proves that when Hindus rise above caste divisions, the Bharatiya Janata Party scores well. Conversely, when Hindus are divided into caste groups, divisive forces have a field day. The Congress and parties like the SP and DMK have arguably promoted casteism in the name of reforms. Their goal, some argue, is to weaken Hindu society and strengthen minority communalism. This could explain their silence on social ills perpetuated in the name of other religions. It is time for Hindus to reform themselves and not let casteist and communal forces exploit them and weaken society. The writer is a well-known author and political commentator. He has written several books on RSS like RSS 360, Sangh & Swaraj, RSS: Evolution from an Organisation to a Movement, Conflict Resolution: The RSS Way, and done a PhD on RSS. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The NCERT, the central authority in charge of designing the syllabus for academic study in educational institutions has carried out another round of deletions and alterations. This time it has focussed its attention on Class 12 political science textbooks. The so-called course correction, pun very much intended, will mean that Class 12 students will no longer learn about certain seminal events that shaped the Hindutva movement. For instance, Class 12 textbooks will no longer allude to the BJPs Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya or even the saffron partys expression of regret over the Ayodhya happenings. Indeed, references to the Babri demolition (the mosque itself is going to be referred to only as the three-domed structure) have been edited out. This is also true of the mention of Muslims massacred in Gujarat riots and achievements of Mughal emperors. The NCERTs director has been quoted as having said that the deletions were necessary because he was particularly against teaching about riots in textbooks. The reason is that the NCERT wants to create positive citizens, not violent and depressed individuals. Of course, apart from the directors reasons, the NCERT has adduced quite a few in its press statement before helpfully pointing out that these changes have been cleared by pedagogy experts. Expectedly, the decision to gloss over these events in the textbook, some extremely consequential, has spawned a backlash among sections of the intelligentsia and the opposition. Those opposed to the changes accuse the premier education panel of sanitising society and polity. In their opinion, the NCERT is infantilising the learner. One newspaper editorial for instance observed that the NCERT directors comments reveal an overwhelming anxiety to present a picture of a sanitised society and polity by papering over fault lines and events that are constitutive of a nations journey, and even its learning arc. While there can be no quibble with this argument, we cannot allow ourselves to be selective about when we bring ourselves to interrogate the paternalism of the Indian state. If the Left objects to the sanitised history of the three-domed structure, then it should be as worked up about the paternal states erstwhile omissions. Why havent we ever been taught about the oppressive psychological and material impact Muslim colonialism and latter-day separatism had and has on Hindus? How we come to terms with our past will determine how we shape our present and future. Despite the logical infallibility of this cliche, those who shaped our textbooks in the early years of the republic saw our past through an ideologically jaundiced lens. Dr BR Ambedkar, the framer of our Constitution, was a strident critic of the organised effort of the intellectual class when it came to papering over the Hindu-Muslim fault line that palpably ran through the polity. At the time this secularisation of Indias history was deemed important in the interests of national unity and that the needs of a modernising society should be the primary considerations in our choice and presentation of material. Had this not been recorded for posterity in the shape of a recommendation made by the Committee on School Textbooks of the Government of India in 1969, this sleight of history would have been denied. In hindsight, the composite culture narrative insulated generations of Indians from facts that have deeply affected their ability to make informed ideological choices. Especially, when it came to exercising their right to vote. Would for instance those who today lament the NCERTs alleged course correction stand up for a genuine rewrite of Indias textbook history incorporating some of the more painful aspects of Islamic settler colonisation? One seriously doubts it. If anything, these Left activists will dismiss such an endeavour as an example of saffronising education with the aim of weaponising history to punish todays Muslims for crimes committed by their forefathers. Like it or not, the NCERT under the NDA has tactically borrowed from the ideological left the so-called Macaulayputras to win the battle of narratives. One hopes though that in the process the intellectual Right will guard against an overcorrection. Because if it fails to stay within the redlines, it will, much like the Left, end up contributing to Bharat losing the war it is fighting to accurately record its history. While the Trinamool Congress won 29 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the recent elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party bagging 12, and the Congress one, a close look at the results shows that the TMC performed below par in urban areas. Of 121 municipalities in the state, the BJP was ahead on 69 and it had the upper hand in 44 municipal wards of the 144 in Kolkata. Taking note of this, TMC chairperson and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called a review meeting with leaders of all municipalities on June 24. Civic elections are to be held in the state next year and the recent poll outcome in urban areas is a matter of concern for Trinamool. Though Mamata Banerjees Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, providing stipends to women, proved popular in rural areas, it was overshadowed by negative factors for the TMC in urban parts. Party insiders say that Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee picked up on this as soon as the results were out and the TMC chairperson has already started reviewing it. Sources said that Mamata on Thursday met Kolkata mayor and state municipal affairs minister Firhad Hakim and raised various issues regarding urban areas. The CM also gave strict instructions to implement certain measures, they added. The TMC chief will meet heads of all municipalities on Monday and fireworks are expected there, said a party leader. According to experts and party insiders, councillors and local-level leaders high-handedness and faction fighting should be reduced. Some councillors have a bad image and there are complaints that they are not available in times of need, they said, adding that some allegedly also take bribes for various works. Campaigning on the state governments welfare schemes has also not been done properly in various municipalities, said TMC sources. People in urban areas are generally not likely to take advantage of such schemes, they said. Some party leaders also say that people who have not performed well should not be given election tickets next time. As serious water crisis grapples the national capital, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday slammed the Aam Aadmi Party and accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led government of using the water scarcity issue as an opportunity to blame neighbouring states. Asking Delhi government to work in a harmonious way with states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for its water needs, Saxena said, No general has ever won a war by fighting with his own army. He then went on to say that the politically elected governments hostility spills over to its own officers and thereby singularly deflects attention from the inadequacy of its own political leadership. In an official statement, the Delhi LG said, The shrill discourse of the Ministers of the GNCTD over the last few weeks, has been distressing and questionable at various levels. Drinking water supply has become a challenge in the national capital in the backdrop of a searing heat wave, which has gripped northern India. Political leaders of Delhi have turned a crisis into an opportunity for blaming neighbouring states, with the sole aim of gaining political mileage. He further claimed that this has only ended up compounding the problems of the residents of Delhi and antagonizing the neighbouring states, who are themselves grappling with water scarcity. Saxena also pointed out that Delhi is dependent on drinking water supply from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and that interstate water sharing arrangements are settled through institutional mechanisms created by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. He also said that the states are bound to release water as per agreements signed under this framework. At the same time, the city government is under an obligation to ensure that this water resource is used efficiently to ensure equitable supplies across the city. Unfortunately, neither has the city government, demonstrated seriousness in ensuring improvement in water networks and augmentation of capacity, nor has it chosen a path of dialogue, he added. Saxena also underscored the fact that since the last 10 years, the AAP Government did not add a single litre to the water treatment capacity, which it had inherited from its predecessor Sheila Dikshit Government. He also claimed that the supply and distribution network of pipelines are old and leaking. DJB should have invested resources in repairs and replacement of old lines, which has resulted in avoidable leakages and thefts. By the Governments own admission, in its Economic Survey, the unaccounted for water in Delhi is to the tune of 54%. 40% of water is wasted. A network of illegal tankers operated by tanker mafia under political patronage is bleeding the city. This happened even as Haryana kept supplying the share of water assigned to it, the LGs statement read. The Lieutenant Governor also mentioned about the heart rending scenes of people running after tankers and incidents of water shortage, and that this sight not new in Delhi. AAP Hits Back Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj responded to the LGs statement on water crisis said that the LG has ignored the efforts of the Kejriwal government to modernize Delhis distribution system and prevent water losses in the last 9 years. He also said that he agreed with Delhi LG that governance should be conducted in a harmonious environment, with a spirit of conciliation and accommodation. He further said, But we are unable to understand why does the LG not hold the BJP-ruled Haryana government to the same yardstick, despite being fully aware that the Haryana government has been blocking over 100 MGD of Delhis rightful share of water for the past many days. Further, the AAP leader summarized the Kejriwal governments efforts towards water distribution system in the national capital, that was submitted to the Supreme Court. AAP Leaders to Meet LG A delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including its MPs, MLAs and senior leaders, will meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena here on Sunday to find a solution to the deepening water crisis faced by the city. AAP national secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta in a letter to Saxena on Saturday said that all the MPs, MLAs and senior leaders of his party will meet him at 11 am regarding the water issue. Delhi Water Crisis Disrupts Daily Life Amid the blaring heat, residents in several areas of the national capital continue to face severe water shortages as many people line up in queues to collect water from tankers. The areas which have particularly witnessed water cuts are Chilla Gaon in Mayur Vihar, Sanjay Colony in Okhla, and Geeta Colony. Atishi, who is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike in south Delhis Bhogal, said she will continue to fast till 28 lakh people of Delhi do not get their share of water from Haryana. The AAP minister began her indefinite hunger strike on Friday to press on her demand for more water from Haryana. Delhi is facing an unprecedented heatwave, as a result of which the water demand has increased. The issues of water theft and the role of private tankers in aggravating the water crisis have seen the BJP and the AAP taking potshots at each other. The NCP (SP) agreed to contest fewer seats than its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies during the Lok Sabha elections but the situation would be different in the assembly polls, a party leader has quoted its supremo Sharad Pawar as saying. Pawar held two meetings in Pune on Friday, one with the partys functionaries from Pune city and district, and another with its MLAs and newly-elected MPs. City NCP (SP) chief Prashant Jagtap, who attended the first meeting, said Pawar told the gathering that the party contested fewer seats in the Lok Sabha polls just to ensure that the alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress remained intact. He indicated that the picture in the assembly polls will be different, said Jagtap. The NCP (SP) chief also reviewed the situation in assembly segments within the Pune, Baramati, Maval and Shirur Lok Sabha constituencies, he said. A party leader who attended the second meeting said Pawar exhorted the MPs and MLAs to be prepared for the assembly elections. Meanwhile, state NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil told reporters that the party had not yet decided how many seats it would seek during the MVA seat-sharing talks. As to the candidate for the Baramati assembly seat, currently represented by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, the head of the rival NCP, Patil said Pawar senior would take the decision. Anil Deshmukh, another senior NCP (SP) leader, said to a question that there was no elder brother and younger brother in the MVA. All are equal, he said. There was a lot of nervousness among the MLAs who are with the Ajit Pawar-led faction post the Lok Sabha results, and some of them were calling Patil and other NCP(SP) leaders, Deshmukh claimed. Lets see what is to be done with them, he added. While the NCP (SP) won eight Lok Sabha seats out of the 10 it contested, the Ajit Pawar-led faction won only one of the four seats it fought. The Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress have been in a war of words over the appointment of BJP leader and seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro tem speaker, a post active only for the first days of a new Parliament. The 18th Lok Sabha will be convened on Monday. The Congress, which was expecting its senior MP K Suresh to be appointed to the post, was irked. Senior leader KC Venugopal called it an attempt to destroy democratic and parliamentary norms Pro tem speaker is a temporary presiding officer of the Lok Sabha appointed by the President of India to administer oath of office to newly elected members and preside over the election of the Speaker of the House. The system of appointing a pro tem speaker in India is adopted from the Father of the House convention in the UKs Westminster system of parliament which states that this title is bestowed on the member who has the longest unbroken service in the parliament and this member will be responsible for presiding over the House until the Speaker is elected. By that convention, BJP sources pointed out, Bhartruhari Mahtab who has served seven consecutive terms as Lok Sabha MP qualifies for the post of pro tem speaker and has been appointed as such. This allegation of the Congress clearly falls flat, they said, as Suresh Kodukkunil has only served 8 nonconsecutive terms, having lost in 1998 and 2004. This means that this is only his 4th consecutive term as Lok Sabha MP, thus not qualifying him for the post of pro tem speaker. In the 17th Lok Sabha too, the same convention was followed with Virendra Kumar being appointed as pro tem speaker by the President as he was the longest-serving consecutively elected member of the parliament then. Maneka Gandhi who was the senior-most MP but in non-consecutive terms was not selected as pro tem speaker accordingly. The Congress also further accused the government of breaching parliamentary norms and insulting the Constitution by appointing Mahtab as pro tem speaker. BJP sources pointed out that in 2004, the Congress breached these parliamentary norms as it recommended to the President to appoint Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, who was serving his 8th term as MP, as pro tem speaker of the house for the election of Speaker. This was despite the fact that there were more senior members like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and George Fernandes who were serving their 10th and 9th terms, respectively. There have been many previous instances where the convention of appointing the senior-most MP as pro tem speaker was not followed. In 1956, Sardar Hukam Singh was appointed to the post even though he was not the senior-most MP. In 1977 too, DN Tiwari was appointed as pro tem speaker even though he was not the senior-most member of the House. In 2018, hearing a case filed by the Congress that the appointment of a particular MLA as pro tem speaker by the government was unlawful as he was not the senior-most member of the House, the Supreme Court clearly said that there is no such rule and that conventions are not rules to be enforced. The SC did not accept Kapil Sibals arguments on this and quoted many previous instances in which members other than senior-most MP/MLA have been appointed as pro tem speakers. The rules of procedure of the Lok Sabha also state that though normally the senior-most member of parliament is chosen as pro tem speaker, there have been exceptions to this practice. The US will ban the sale of antivirus software made by Moscow-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky. The companys operations in the US presented a national security risk due to the Russian governments offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence or direct Kasperskys operations, the US Department of Commerce said in a statement on Thursday. Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to, among other activities, sell its software within the US or provide updates to software already in use. Private and professional users of Kasperskys widely installed antivirus software should find an alternative due to the risk, the Department added. Russia has shown time and again they have the capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponise sensitive US information, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to safeguard US national security and the American people, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said. The sale of Kaspersky software in the US will be banned from July 20. The Russian multinational will be able to provide software updates to existing users until September 29. Kasperskys software is designed to protect users against trojans, spyware and other cyber threats. In the US, installation on government devices has been banned since 2017, and in Germany, the Federal Office for Information Security warns against using the software. Kaspersky has denied its products pose a risk, stating it is a private global cybersecurity company with no ties to the Russian government. Wild chimpanzees eat plants that have pain-relieving and antibacterial properties to heal themselves, scientists said. They described their findings taking place in the forests of Uganda, where they observed injured or seemingly sick animals to see if they were self-medicating with plants. When an injured animal sought out something specific from the forest to eat, the researchers collected samples of that plant and had them analysed. It turned out that most of the plants tested have antibacterial properties. The scientists, who published their findings in the journal PLOS One, believe the chimpanzees could even help in the search for new drugs. We cant test everything that grows in these forests for its medicinal properties, said lead researcher Dr Elodie Freymann of the University of Oxford in an interview. So why not test the plants we have this information about plants that the chimps seek out? For months over the past four years, Dr Freymann has tracked and carefully observed two communities of wild chimpanzees in the Budongo Central Forest Reserve. They were also looking for signs of pain when an animal limps or unusually holds its body she and her colleagues collected faeces and urine samples to detect disease and infection. They paid particular attention when an injured or sick chimpanzee foraged for something it doesnt normally eat like tree bark or fruit peel. We looked for these behavioural clues that these might be medicinal plants, Dr Freymann explained. She spoke about one particular chimpanzee a male who had a badly injured hand. He didnt use his hand to walk, he limped, she recalls. While the rest of the animals group sat eating, the injured chimpanzee hobbled away and searched for ferns. He was the only chimpanzee who sought out and ate these ferns. The researchers collected and analysed the fern a plant called Christella parasitica, which was found to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. In total, the researchers collected 17 samples from 13 different plant species and sent them to Dr Fabien Schultz of Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany for analysis. It was found that almost 90% of the extracts inhibited bacterial growth and a third had natural anti-inflammatory properties, meaning they could reduce pain and promote healing. All of the injured and sick chimpanzees studied in this study made a full recovery, Dr Freymann is pleased to report. The one who ate fern regained the use of his hand after just a few days, she explained. US-based entrepreneur Matthew Baltzell ignited controversy when he posted a smiling photo of himself and informed that he had fired one of his employees. The CEOs LinkedIn post detailing his decision to terminate his first employee received widespread criticism. Baltzell described the termination process in four parts. In his LinkedIn post, the CEO highlighted how he kept the meeting short and direct, provided one weeks pay per year of service and was honest throughout the process. Despite claiming that the employee handled the situation professionally, Baltzell faced backlash on social media for what many perceived as insensitivity, both in his approach and in the choice of photo accompanying his announcement. Baltzell wrote, I fired my first employee. Heres what I learned. Handling an employees exit can either strengthen or weaken your company culture. Heres how it went down: 10 minute meeting: Kept it short and direct, Severance package: Gave one weeks pay for each year of work, Recommendation: Offered to provide a future job reference and Transparency: Stayed clear and honest. After the meeting, I sent a message over Slack to inform everyone that the employee was no longer with us, without giving details. Gossip doesnt help anyone. I provided the ex-employees contact info to the team and encouraged them to reach out if they wished. This avoids any secrecy. This approach shows my team that if they ever have to leave, theyll be treated with respect, not discarded like trash. In the end, the ex-employee handled it professionally and with grace. Next time, Ill have a structured outline to guide the conversation better, the CEO explained. Reacting to the post, a user wrote, You just made someones exit incredibly problematic for yourself. I would NEVER work for an individual that was so INSECURE about his own leadership that he had to share the semantics in his first firing experience. Grow up. Leaders dont behave this way. Another shared, Once you do it a hundred times you wont smile for the pic. Dont feel so proud. You handled this exactly how it should be handled which speaks to your leadership skills Matthew. I have witnessed a TON of bad exits over the years, a comment read. Another wrote, Maintaining a positive company culture even during challenging times is what defines great leadership. An individual criticised the CEO and shared, Imagine being the fired employee, logging onto here and seeing your boss make a post like this about you. If that wasnt bad enough theres an accompanying photo of him SMILING about it. One more added, This is exceptionally cringe, even by LinkedIns high-cringe standards. Matthew Baltzell is the CEO of Cap X Media, a company dedicated to assisting real estate investors in building their brands and raising capital through digital media strategies. Animals are some of the worlds most loved creatures. While it is considered legal to domesticate certain animals, it is a crime to poach them or traffic them to different parts of the world. Some of the most common examples of wildlife trade include the poaching of elephantss ivory and tigers skin and bones. Recently, a particular case has come into the limelight after a bus was captured in the US, carrying dozens of animals. After the police investigated, they found that there were different species of animals that were being trafficked. They were being abused by the owners for years. The incident has caught the attention of people around the world. According to reports, an incident has come up in Pennsylvania, USA, where a yellow bus was stopped by the police after they became suspicious of the vehicle. What they found when they entered the bus was horrific. They found dozens of different species of animals that were being trafficked to some other part of the country. The whole bus was unmaintained, and the animals were kept in a filthy situation. The staff of the Adams County SPCA were tipped that a bus was trafficking animals. Inside the bus, a total of 30 chickens, ducks, and turkeys were seized from the vehicle, along with three German Shepherds and one Australian Shepherd. During the investigation, it was found that these birds were being fed to the dogs. In the trailer, they also found a pony and a bull. After further investigation, it was discovered that these animals were being used for bestiality. Reports have found that the driver of the bus, Shawn Hirschbine, was arrested for an outstanding warrant in West Virginia. Officials state that a warrant has been issued for charges related to Hirschbine allegedly distributing obscene material to minors. Some pictures of the trailer show that these animals were kept in dirty open buckets of feed and waste tyres, with grass and dirt scattered on the floor. The rescued animals have been kept under observation and are being treated by health professionals. IndiGo Airlines has received frequent criticism for delays and other service issues in the past. In a recent incident, a flight from Delhi to Bagdogra was delayed by four hours due to high ground temperatures, leaving passengers disappointed. They were confined inside the closed aircraft without air conditioning. Despite these challenges, there have also been positive experiences. Recently, a passenger was pleasantly surprised by IndiGos service during a delay on their Delhi to Leh flight. The cabin crew provided water, snacks and organised a fun game to help pass the time. The flight was delayed due to bad weather conditions at the destination. Taking to Reddit, the passenger wrote, Appreciating IndiGo for running the AC, cabin crew constantly serving passengers with water and they handed us a small snack packet. Flight to Leh got delayed due to bad weather still sitting at the tarmac in Delhi. The Reddit post received mixed reactions. Some social media users praised IndiGo as one of the best and most hygienic airlines, while others criticised their services. Reacting to the post, a user wrote, Still people diss IndiGo like anything, on the other hand its far better than any Indian airline right now. Another shared, Now this is hospitality, compared to what has happened previously. I have always appreciated the airlines hygiene and cleanliness. Its always been better. Though, they no longer greet passengers like they used to years ago, a comment read. One more added, IndiGo is getting worse. The corporate meal for which they charge like 300 odd rupees has one 4cm biscuit and the non-saleable pomegranate juice by paper boat. They wont even include a sandwich. Worst food service. Zero VFM. Earlier this year, IndiGo faced public backlash when several flights were delayed or cancelled abruptly, prompting widespread criticism. Citizens, including prominent personalities like Vir Das, Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal and journalists, expressed their dissatisfaction with the airlines operational disruptions A passenger was caught on camera striking the IndiGo flight captain while he was announcing a delay. The flight from Delhi to Goa was grounded due to foggy conditions in the capital city. When the captain began to announce the extended delay over the microphone, the passenger became enraged and hit him in the face. A passenger hit an IndiGo captain inside the aircraft while the pilot was making an announcement. Delhi Police says "We will take appropriate legal action"pic.twitter.com/vpyaiiNJbl Marketing Maverick (@MarketingMvrick) January 15, 2024 The passenger was later arrested for assaulting co-captain Anup Kumar. Mumbai Police has gained a reputation for spreading awareness through quirky and amusing posts. By cleverly tapping into current trends, these posts effectively engage citizens and raise awareness on various issues. At a time when the Bridgerton frenzy is still raging among viewers, Mumbai Police has also joined in the bandwagon. Taking a cue from Lady Whistledown, the secret gossip columnist, they have introduced some creative PSAs aka public service announcements. Giving a royal twist to the general road safety announcements for seatbelts, traffic lights, helmets, driving licenses and more, the Mumbai Police picked famous quotes from the Netflix series. The posts caption also goes Bridgerton mode as it states, Dearest Gentle Reader, We need our most distinguished members of the ton to be vigilant, lest you face a traffic tangle! If a commotion arises, rest assured, we shall uncover every detail. Yours in Devoted Service, Mumbai Traffic Police. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mumbai Police (@mumbaipolice) Coming back to the posts, they drew inspiration from some iconic dialogues and twisted them to elaborate traffic discipline for road commuters. To caution citizens about the importance of wearing helmets, they wrote, You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires. Further, for traffic lights, the department took hints from Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma and added, Just keep looking at me, no one else matters. Another crucial PSA regarding seatbelts states, I will stand with you between the heavens and the earth. Last but not least, Mumbai Police did not forget to quote Queen Charlottes popular phrase Sorrows, sorrows, prayers, in the context of the fines that people can face upon breaking the rules. The post simply left social media users, especially Bridgerton fans, quite impressed. Many took to the comment section and complimented the police departments social media handle for the witty and humourous take. Netflix Indias official handle commented, There is but one thing that humbles even the most highly regarded members of our dear tona traffic violation! A user wrote, This is the absolute best use of social media, while another commented, The handles social media team deserves a raise. Someone should actually give the person who comes up with these ideas for the post an Oscar. You rock, another user commented. One of the comments read, The ton is pleased with this version of Lord Mumbai Police. Shared two days ago, the post has amassed nearly 40,000 likes. Its never too late to fulfil your dreams, even if everything around you seems impossible. An elderly woman from the US, has proved that acquiring education does not have an age limit. The woman, in her 100s, successfully completed her Masters from Stanford. Lets take a look at her inspiring story. As per the reports by the ABC7 website, the 105-year-old named Virgina Ginnie Hislop received her Masters degree from Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), after 80 years of beginning her journey at the institution. Virginia attended the required classes for her course during the 1940s at Stanford. Right before she submitted her final Masters thesis, World War 2 happened, halting her graduation plans. George Hislop, her boyfriend at that time, was called to serve in the war, which forced Virginia to leave the school and marry him. She also worked as a volunteer in the war, while also focusing on raising her family. She is a mother to two children, a grandmother to four and a great-grandmother to nine kids. While taking care of her family, she worked in school and college boards in Washington state, the following decades of the war. When Stanford dropped the need for a thesis, Virginia decided to return to the institution, to complete her graduation. On June 16, Sunday, she walked the stage to accept her Master of Arts in Education. When GSE Dean Daniel Schwartz awarded her the diploma, Ginnie Hislop was heard saying, My goodness, Ive waited a long time for this. Talking to the media, the Dean stated, Fast-forward 83 years, we dont have a thesis requirement anymore, so shes actually satisfied the requirements for a Master of Arts in the Graduate School of Education. He further stated that they are proud to honour a woman who has done so much. Virginia Hislop interacted with the media, revealing that she wished she had completed her degree. Being a college director for a long time and seeing others with advanced degrees prompted her to feel that way. At the ceremony, she was supported by her grandkids, who waved and cheered for her as she graced the stage. Is it possible to be compensated for doing nothing? Is it reasonable to spend your days lounging on the sofa or strolling along the beach, funded by your employer? It is for a French woman named Laurence Van Wassenhove. While Wassenhove has been enjoying an ideal life, it appears that happiness is a myth. She has made the decision to sue Orange, the telecom firm, for failing to provide her with work despite paying her full wage for two decades. Consequently, she is accusing her health condition of being the basis for harassment and discrimination. We mean we get it. Sometimes diamond heels are indeed too tight. According to VN Express, Wassenhove worked for France Telecom in 1993 before Orange acquired the firm. She suffered from epilepsy and was paralysed on one side of her body. Acknowledging her physical constraints, the hiring manager offered her the appropriate post. She had human resources and secretarial positions with the organisation until 2002. She subsequently requested to be transferred to another section of France. However, she did not find her new job satisfactory. But Orange did not change anything. She was, instead, paid in full but received no work. According to Wassenhove, their intention was to terminate her employment without sacking her. This was too much for her to endure. The mother-of-two further claims that in 2015, following her complaint to the government and the High Authority for the Fight against Discrimination, Orange employed a mediator, but little was improved. Laurence Van Wassenhove claims she felt as if she was wasting her time at home. She was quoted by The Sun saying, Being paid, at home, not working is not a privilege. Its very hard to bear. David Nabet-Martin, Laurences attorney, asserts that Laurences extreme and alone surroundings cause her to experience depression. According to Nabet-Martin, employment signifies inclusion in society for an individual with a disability. Citing Laurences personal social situation as a factor, Orange said in a statement to the French publication La Depeche that it had done all in its power to make sure she worked under ideal circumstances. Additionally, they state that although a return to work in adapted position was also intended, Laurence was allegedly frequently absent from work due to illness. Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra on Saturday dismissed concerns regarding the recent so-called India Out campaign in Bangladesh. We need to work together as much as possible to project the correct narrative of people of the two countries, Kwatra said. These campaigns are organised by vested groups. It is important for people to realise that. These are done by an isolated group with vested interests. (These are) not factual (and are a) figment of imagination. Such campaigns are (being) duly addressed, he said while addressing a press conference following the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. India and Bangladesh on Saturday firmed up a futuristic vision to shore up cooperation in several new areas and signed 10 agreements to boost ties in several key sectors including in maritime sphere and blue economy. It should be noted that India is a central theme in Bangladeshs domestic politics and society because of Indias significant role in its independence. Following the release of Bangladesh election results which saw Sheikh Hasina get re-elected amid opposition boycott of the polls, a section of Bangladeshi influencers took to social media to push an India Out campaign calling for boycott of Indian products and propagated hashtags like #IndiaOut and #BoycottIndia. The influencers alleged India was supporting Hasina despite her alleged crackdown on the opposition figures. The campaign was supported by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Indias exports to Bangladesh have grown at an annualised rate of 10 percent, rising from$1.05 billion in 1995 to$13.8 billion in 2022 in the last 27 years, a report by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) said. However, Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged Indian businesses to invest in the countrys special economic zones, highlighting the huge potential for bilateral economic cooperation. Addressing Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) members on Friday evening, Hasina said both India and Bangladesh should work together to do business. All over India, there is a huge market so both the countries can work jointly and share our experiences. There is a good opportunity to do business, Hasina said, stressing that doing business is a key part of the bilateral relationship. The European Union is going through a pivotal juncture in its existence. Its leadership is flailing. New leaders are cropping up to take the mantle. Political acrimony is spilling out in the open. And it is all taking place amidst the scattered rise of the European right and its biggest flag bearer at the moment Giorgia Meloni. To many observers, Giorgia Meloni, Italys first female prime minister, holds the key to the future of the EU. This so-called far-right leader represents the rise of the right, especially in western Europe where left-wing or moderate leaders have ruled the roost for quite some time. Her anti-establishment aura struck a chord with her younger constituents, while her traditionalist right-wing credentials made her appeal to the older voters in Italy. June has been a happening month for Meloni. First, it was the results of the EU parliamentary elections that threw a shocker. Then, there was the G7 Summit in Italy. And finally, a private dinner in Brussels that ended in bad blood. And if theres a star of the show here, its Giorgia Meloni. At the G7 Summit, Meloni was the only leader among the seven who did not have low approval ratings. From Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak to Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau, all G7 leaders are facing fears of being voted out of power in the next elections. With such power come political enemies, and for Meloni, that is the case. And she is not letting up easy just ask Macron, her staunch political rival with whom she has sparred several times. She did not shy away from accusing him of electioneering at the summit when he pushed for the mention of abortion rights in the joint declaration, against Melonis wishes. Then it was the sensational dinner story. After the G7 summit, European leaders went back to the drawing board as the election results earlier this month had given a boost to the right and left the future of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission hanging in the balance. Tensions rose when it was revealed that a pre-dinner meeting took place among leaders from the EUs three largest political parties, excluding Italy PM Giorgia Melonis ECR group. This was a clear attempt to sideline her and she did not take to it kindly. Meloni reportedly confronted Macron, Scholz, Donald Tusk, and the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Greece, and Spain for excluding her while making a deal to present to the rest of the EU. She told reporters, We will not accept a pre-packaged agreement. In fact, reports say that Meloni was said to have been going nuts as she spent hours waiting while the other three parties tried to force a deal by saying they didnt need her. The wait was about three hours. Dinner was late and so was basic courtesy as far as Melonis rivals are concerned. The meeting ended with no deal and a lesson they need Meloni and they need her now. In the recent EU parliamentary elections, which included 720 seats in 2024, Meloni has emerged as a potential kingmaker. Her group, the ECR, has edged out Macrons Renew group to take third place. Both German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Socialists and Democrats group and Frances Macrons Renew group received a drubbing in the EU parliamentary elections and the leftist Green Parties saw an even greater decline in their fortunes, leaving the largest group and political ally, Ursula von Der Leyens EPP, looking outward towards Melonis ECR. The right witnessed growth across Europe with Melonis party securing a big win with about 28% of the total votes. Meanwhile, Frances Marine Le Pens party overshadowed Macron, triggering him to declare a snap election almost daring the French to elect a far-right leader or strengthen his hand against her. Le Pen now wants Meloni to come and join her group at the EU level in a sort of right-wing coalition that would potentially dominate the Union. Hungarys Victor Orban sees this as a golden opportunity and has been urging the two leaders to join forces. He criticised the leaders of Italys and Frances far-right parties on Friday for failing to form an alliance for the next European Parliament. He predicts that such a coalition, if joined by other right-wing MEPs, could become the largest parliamentary faction in Europe. Orban lamented, We used to dream about this, and then we wake up and it turns out that the two ladies cannot come to an agreement. But Meloni is keeping her cards close to her chest and may be open to a tie-up with the EPP after all. And such is the nature of Melonis politics. She is a hard negotiator and gets what she wants. In 2022, Giorgia Meloni stormed to power amid feverish calls for Italy to exit the EU and rein in illegal immigration through the countrys borders. Her anti-EU, anti-climate action, and anti-immigration stance spooked European political establishments, and in every news publication, she was painted in an alarmist light as a far-right leader who drew her inspiration from Mussolini and his Republican Fascist Party. After all, in her teens, she was part of a now dissolved Neo-fascistic movement. And indeed, she is a friend of the ultra-right, making room for leaders who may have a soft side for Mussolini in her government. But she has come a long way from being tagged as a political pariah to a fan favourite in Europe. Today, Meloni is the key piece of the puzzle in European politics. No one had seen this coming, as up until a few years ago, Italy was being led by left-leaning leaders and the right had for long been pushed to a corner. In 2018, Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party had secured only 4% of the vote. But a massive turnaround took place following the Covid pandemic when Italys economy came close to a crash and the peoples faith in the EU began to fade. If someone had told you just a few years ago that there would be a leadership in Italy that would be anti-EU, anti-immigration, anti-climate action, and all for Christian values, you would not have believed them. Italys poor fiscal state including an alarming debt problem had been gripping the country when the pandemic hit and brought its economy on its knees. Then, Russia invaded Ukraine, which was followed by all-out sanctions against Moscow and a crippling energy crisis in the continent. Each of these issues had dug its heels when Meloni stepped in. She pushed for better fiscal management, struck energy deals diversifying away from Russia, and bolstered the Italian economy by shielding its small and medium-sized businesses from expensive climate commitments. The result was that Italys economic recovery has been much better than its peers in western Europe. The surprise from her end was the way she embraced the EU and even NATO after coming to power. Rather than breaking away from the EU, she has been driving desired change from within. She has engaged with Ursula von der Leyen on immigration, including travelling with her to crack deals with Tunisia and Egypt to curb migration to Europe. Moreover, her push for protecting Christian values is finding resonance across Europe. Shes campaigning against the EUs green agenda, and that has worked for her as shes turned into a darling of the farmers and the industrial sector in her country. It is this strategic play that has placed her in high demand. With Europe facing a leadership crisis from France and Germany, Italys Meloni is emerging as a formidable and effective voice of the right, making it difficult to envision Europes future without her. At the age of 47, she is just beginning what is likely to be a long political career. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina met in Hyderabad House in New Delhi for a bilateral meeting on Saturday and inked a raft of agreements focusing on boosting India-Bangladesh cooperation on maritime, healthcare, railways, telecommunications, green and blue economy and information technology sectors. PM Modi and Hasina held wide-ranging talks and signed key pacts aiming to strengthen cooperation in the digital domain and building a green partnership. Pacts were also inked to boost ties in the maritime sphere and blue economy. The Bangladesh prime minister began her two-day visit to India on Friday. It is the first incoming bilateral state visit by a foreign leader after the formation of the new government in India following the Lok Sabha elections. An agreement on railway connectivity was also inked. Today we have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. The youth of both the countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in areas such as green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy and space, PM Modi said in his statement to the media. His counterpart chose to highlight that India remains a trusted friend and a major neighbour while speaking to the media. India is our major neighbour, trusted friend and regional partner. Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born out of the War of Liberation in 1971, Hasina said. The Bangladesh Awami League chief said the meetings were productive and she discussed cooperation in areas of security, trade, connectivity, sharing of water from common rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation. We agreed to collaborate with each other for the betterment of our people and countries. Today, we had very productive meetings where we discussed cooperation in areas of security, trade, connectivity, sharing of water from common rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation, Hasina said. She also paid homage to the brave fallen heroes of India who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 war. I recall with gratitude the contribution of the government and the people of India to Bangladeshs independence, she further added. A Look At Key Pacts Signed The foreign secretary of Bangladesh, Masood Bin Momen, and Indian foreign secretary, Vinay Kwatra, exchanged important documents during the signing of agreements between the both nations. The following are the agreements signed between New Delhi and Dhaka: MoU On India-Bangladesh Green Partnership: This agreement focuses on the environmental initiatives and sustainable development goals. MoU On India-Bangladesh Maritime Cooperation And Blue Economy: The MoU focuses on strengthening maritime security, fostering collaboration between the two countries and exploring new opportunities in the blue economy sector. MoU On India-Bangladesh Cooperation On Health And Medicine: Renewed. MoU Between Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) And Bangladeshs Ministry of ICT and Telecom: This agreement focuses on enhancing cooperation in space technology and satellite communication. Signatories from the respective countries were Chairman and CEO of Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd Shahjahan Mehmood and Secretary of the Department of Space S Somnath. MoU Between Ministry of Railways and Bangladeshs Ministry of Railway: The agreement aims to smoothen railway connectivity and facilitate cross-border transportation. MoU for Cooperation in Oceanography: Aims to deepen collaboration to conduct joint research and exploration in ocean sciences. MoU between the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and Bangladeshs Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief: Aimed at cooperation in disaster management strategies and resilience efforts. MoU between DSSC (Defence Services Staff College) Wellington and DSCSC (Defence Services Command and Staff College) Mirpur: Aims at promoting military education and strategic studies cooperation. In the morning, Hasina visited Rajghat and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Ahead of the talks, the visiting leader was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Hasina was among the seven top leaders from Indias neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Union council of ministers on June 9. (with inputs from agencies) A woman outside a bar in Nashville, Tennessee has become an internet sensation after answering what she would do to make her partner go crazy in bed while speaking to a bunch of YouTubers. This girl is going viral everywhere and is called the 'Hawk Tuah' girl.What does 'Hawk Tuah' mean? pic.twitter.com/kMnzWNpWEz Dr. Clown, PhD (@CW_Insider) June 20, 2024 The woman, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, is trending all over the internet with many calling her the Hawk Tuah girl. It appears that she was talking about her sexual preferences with her partner. The term Hawk Tuah is trending all over social media and the internet is asking questions on what she actually meant by those words and what her real name is. YouTubers Tim and Dee TV sparked the trend when they shared a clip of them interviewing partygoers on a street in the US state of Tennessee. They stumbled upon who is now known as the Hawk Tuah girl and her friend and asked them questions relating to relationships. When the YouTubers asked her: Whats the one move in bed that makes men go crazy every time? The woman then replied: Oh, you gotta give him that hawk tuah and spit on that thang! You get me? The woman has gone viral for this mildly NSFW gesture and a memefest has taken over the internet. Social media posts on Twitter also showed that merchandise with her quote is also being sold on the internet. PADUCAH A local woman has taken the internet by storm after being identified as the infamous "Hawk Tuah Girl" in an infamous viral video. Katie Vickers, 25, of Paducah, is seen in the video clip talking with a reporter about how to properly please your partner while in a pic.twitter.com/AEOmyDzQuX LD Basler (@ArmaLite15OU812) June 21, 2024 I was hoping I was the only one that fell in love with her but I think the whole world did, a person commented on TikTok, according to a report by the Independent. Who Is The Hawk Tuah Girl? Several theories have surfaced about the real identity of the woman. Names like Elayna Robinson, Katie Vickers have surfaced. PADUCAH A local woman has taken the internet by storm after being identified as the infamous "Hawk Tuah Girl" in an infamous viral video. Katie Vickers, 25, of Paducah, is seen in the video clip talking with a reporter about how to properly please your partner while in a pic.twitter.com/AEOmyDzQuX LD Basler (@ArmaLite15OU812) June 21, 2024 Elayna Robinson refuted the claim by uploading a video. It also remains unclear if her real name is Katie Vickers, as some social media users on social media site X have suggested. Health officials in Gaza said Israeli air strikes in two neighbourhoods of Gaza City on Saturday killed at least 24 people and wounded several others. At least 20 people were killed in a strike on a house in Al-Tuffah neighbourhood, while a strike in Al-Shati refugee camp claimed the lives of four others, Gaza civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Basal told AFP. Doctor Mahmud Aliwa of Al-Ahli hospital said 24 bodies were brought to the facility after the strikes. Earlier on Saturday the Israeli military said its fighter jets were striking two Hamas military infrastructure sites in the area of Gaza City. Israeli aircraft bombed a residential complex in Al-Shati camp we recovered bodies of four victims, Basal said. Our crews also recovered 20 martyrs and more than 35 wounded people after the occupation planes targeted a house of the Shabat family in Al-Tufah. Basal said at least 19 people who were working at a factory in Al-Tufah were still missing. Taylor Swift got the London-leg of her Eras tour off to a good start, with the UKs Prince William posting a backstage picture of them posted on social media Saturday. After celebrating his 42nd birthday at Swifts Wembley Stadium concert with his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, William posted their backstage selfie. The US pop sensation seemed equally enamoured, posting a photo with the three royals and her boyfriend Travis Kelce. Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/VlD6V0PiEL Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2024 A widely shared video on social media appeared to show William, who is the heir to the throne, dancing energetically to Swifts hit single Shake it off. Also among the nearly 90,000 fans packed into the stadium was Labour party leader Keir Starmer, who with his wife. Starmer, who after next months election could be Britains next prime minister, said on Saturday that Swift was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I know I will be asked what is my favourite song and I am not going to pretend I have got every album and know every song, he told reporters on the campaign trail. Although Change is the one for obvious reasons, he added, referring to the word which is also his election campaign slogan. Swift is currently touring the UK as part of the Europe-leg of her Eras tour. She is performing two more shows in London on Saturday and Sunday before returning to the British capital again in August. She has already played shows in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff and will be heading to Dublin next. The London Mayors office announced on Thursday that the eight Eras tour performances in London would general 300 million ($380m) for the citys economy. In the lead-up to Fridays show, the mayor unveiled several murals dedicated to Swift as well as a special Tube map with stations named after songs to mark the tour. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on track to make abortion legal in the instances of rape and incest and if legalised, it will make the abortion laws in the Islamic country more liberal than that in many states in the United States of America. This comes at a time when the US Supreme Courts decision in 2022 eliminating federal constitutional abortion has led to 14 US states banning all or almost all forms of abortion. On the contrary, the UAE cabinet has approved a resolution that would allow abortions in cases of rape and incest, hence making it more liberal than the US abortion laws. As per the new resolution in UAE, the abortion will be permitted if the incident is reported immediately and the procedure is performed within 120 days of pregnancy. The UAEs Cabinet Resolution No. (44) of 2024 connected to Medical Liability law states that abortion is allowed if the pregnancy is the result of intercourse with a female against her will, without her consent, or adequate volition and if the person who caused the pregnancy is an ancestor of the woman or one of her mahram [ineligible for marriage] relatives as reported by The National. As far as US abortion laws go, nine out of 14 American states do not allow abortions even in cases of rape or incest, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas. The recent changes in the UAEs stance on abortion highlight the contrasting approaches to the issue between the UAE and several US states, where strict restrictions on abortion persist. Lets delve into the specifics of these state laws in the US and their provisions. Arizona: A new law in the US state of Arizona has banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The states 1864 abortion law is set to be repealed in the fall, temporarily making the ban nearly absolute. Idaho: The abortion bans in Idaho, which prohibit abortion at six weeks and completely, include exceptions for cases of rape and incest. However, these exceptions only apply during the first trimester, and individuals must report the assault to law enforcement. North Dakota: This US state allows abortion in cases of rape or incest up to six weeks of pregnancy. Mississippi: In Mississippi, abortion bans have been put in place with exceptions for cases of rape and incest, but individuals seeking abortion in such cases are required to report to law enforcement. Indiana: In Indiana, a total abortion ban allows exceptions for cases of rape and incest up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. West Virginia: In West Virginia, a total ban on abortion includes exceptions for cases of rape and incest. Abortion is allowed up to eight weeks for adults and 14 weeks for minors, with mandatory reporting to law enforcement. A shooter opened fire at an Arkansas supermarket on Friday, killing three civilians and wounding 10 other people, including two police officers, Arkansas State Police said. The suspect was also wounded in a shootout with police, Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hagar told reporters. The shooting occurred at the Mad Butcher grocery in Fordyce, a town of 3,200 people about 70 miles (112 km) south of Little Rock. Unfortunately, we can confirm that 11 innocent civilians were shot, and three of those are deceased. Two law enforcement officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire. The suspect was also shot and taken into custody, Hagar said. He did not explain the circumstances of the shooting or take questions. The wounded police officers and the suspect were expected to survive, he said. Civilian injuries ranged from non-life-threatening to extremely critical, he said. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on social media platform X that she was briefed on the incident. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific incident, she said. Four from the wealthy Hinduja family have been handed jail sentences for exploiting Indian staff at their Geneva mansion by a court in Switzerland on Friday. The court verdict branded them as selfish for exploiting Indian staff and paying them meagre salaries and keeping them in tough conditions. The Hindujas also faced human trafficking charges but were convicted on other charges. The family which owns the Hinduja group, which has business interests in India and the UK as well as in other parts of the world, are Britains richest, with their fortune estimated at 37 billion pounds ($47 billion) by the Sunday Times. Prakash Hinduja, 78, and his wife Kamal Hinduja, 75, each got four years and six months, while their son Ajay, 56, and his wife Namrata, 50, received four-year terms, the presiding judge in Geneva ruled. What Were The Charges Against The Hindujas? The Hindujas, according to the court filings, were convicted of usury for having taken advantage of their vulnerable immigrant staff to pay them a pittance. The family were accused of bringing servants from their native India and confiscating their passports once they got to Switzerland. Swiss prosecutor Yves Bertossa accused the Hindujas of spending more on their dog than on their domestic employees. Meanwhile, the judge, according to a report by news agency AFP, said the family paid the household staff about 325 francs ($363) a month, up to 90 percent less than the going rate. The prosecutors said that the staff were paid not in Swiss francs but in Indian rupees, deposited in banks back home that they couldnt access. The lawyers also argued that the workers were mostly illiterate Indians. A report by the Associated Press said that Swiss authorities have seized diamonds, rubies, a platinum necklace and other jewelry and assets in anticipation that they could be used to pay for legal fees and possible penalties. The four Hinduja defendants knew the weak position their employees were in and knew the law in Switzerland. The defendants motives were selfish. The employees inexperience was exploited. They had little education or none at all and had no knowledge of their rights, judge Sabina Mascotto said in her judgement. Lawyers representing the defendants said they would appeal. The family has full faith in the judicial process and remains confident that the truth will prevail, the defendants said, adding that they were appalled and disappointed at the courts ruling. The legal team of the Hindujas, comprising of lawyers Romain Jordan, Nicolas Jeandin, Yael Hayat and Robert Assael, argued that the indictment was excessive. Representing Ajay Hinduja, lawyer Yael Hayat had slammed the excessive indictment, arguing the trial should be a question of justice, not social justice. Namrata Hindujas lawyer Romain Jordan had also pleaded for acquittal, claiming the prosecutors were aiming to make an example of the family. We are not dealing with mistreated slaves, Nicolas Jeandin told the court. Indeed, the employees were grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life, his fellow lawyer Robert Assael argued. Who Are The Hindujas The Hindujas own the mega corporate conglomerate the Hinduja Group which leads an industrial conglomerate in sectors including information technology, media, power, real estate and health care. Some of the famous subsidiaries of the Hinduja Group are automakers Ashok Leyland and bankers IndusInd Bank among others. file pic A heavily guarded military convoy has caused a stir as it passed through Masvingo town. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba and two military spokespersons have given conflicting statements on the destination of the haulage trucks convoy that entered the country at night through Beitbridge Border Post on Sunday. The contingent which went through the Beitbridge VIP section, got into Masvingo just after midnight and drove towards Mutare raised eyebrows with many people calling Masvingo Mirror to find out the contents and destination of the convoy. In Masvingo, all intersections along Robert Mugabe Ave were heavily guarded by Military Police as the contingent passed through. Sources who contacted The Mirror said President Mnangagwa is on high alert against possible civil unrest steered by reports of high-level corruption at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and other public entities. Sources said the contingent was destined for one of the Zimbabwe barracks. There is also speculation about military assistance that President Mnangagwa asked for from the Russian President Vladimir Putin having arrived already. However, a statement from the office of the Minister of Defence, Oppah Kashiri said this was part of a Lesotho Defence Forces convoy that entered Zimbabwe through Nyamapanda Border Post on its way from Mozambique to Lesotho. Meanwhile, a statement by Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) spokesperson Colonel Alphios Makotore gave a different destination and said that the Lesotho Defence Forces convoy was coming from Lesotho and going to Mozambique. Charamba said the trucks were transporting food rations to ZNA members that are currently doing drills across the country. It was an escort for army food rations. Its normal for the Military Police to escort such cargo. We hold drills this time of the year in different places of the country so, we were transporting food rations to the areas. If they were weapons why would we let them pass through South Africa? We have no need to arm ourselves and I keep repeating that when the President was in Russia he raised complaints against the behavior of the US in the region. The reference to Zambia was coincidental not intentional. Zambia is our good neighbour, said Charamba. The Lesotho Defence Forces convoy spent the night of June 17, 2024 on their way to Beitbridge Border Post. The Botswana Defence Force and Lesotho Defence Forces requested to use the territory of the Republic of Zimbabwe as part of their movement plan as they were withdrawing from the SADC mission in Mozambique, said the statement from Muchinguris office. It is not true that the convoy of military trucks you saw was ferrying weapons. The military convoy you witnessed passing through Beitbridge Border Post was a contingent from Lesotho Defence Forces. It was on its way to Mozambique. The convoy passed through Masvingo and Mutare. It then exited the country through Forbes Border Post into Mozambique on its way to Cabo Delgado Province where the Lesotho Defence forces are deployed on military operations. You will be informed of any other movements of the military convoy, however without compromising security regulations on such matters, said Colonel Makotore. A statement on the International Crisis Group website, on May 8, 2024 shows that Lesotho and Botswana troops left Cabo Delgado in April this year and the two countries have no troops in the war torn region. International Crisis Group is an independent organisation working to prevent wars and shape policies that build a more peaceful world. Lesotho was part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) operating in Cabo Delgado to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism. In January, SADC said it would withdraw the force when its current mandate expires on 15 July. Botswana and Lesotho pulled out in April, while Angola and Namibia are packing up now, reads part of a statement on the organisations website. Masvingo Mirror Manhattan's district attorney has asked the judge who oversaw Donald Trump's hush-money trial to extend the former president's gag order, with modifications. The Guardian notes that the gag order, which Trump's circle has long pushed back on, was placed on Trump before his felony trial kicked off, barring him from spouting off on witnesses, court staff, jurors, and family members of New York County Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. But on Friday, prosecutors with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office filed paperwork asking Merchan to keep much of the gag order in place ahead of Trump's July 11 sentencing, due to what the New York Times calls a "deluge of threats" that Bragg's team says they've endured. Gag order: The DA's prosecutors say in their 19-page filing that they're OK with taking out the gag order provision protecting witnesses, now that Trump has been convicted. However, they still want the order in place to protect everyone else originally covered. As it stands now, Trump isn't prohibited from verbally attacking Merchan or Bragg themselves. A college in Northern California is now home to a center devoted to educating students and closely studying one of the most consumed beverages in the world known for powering people through their daycoffee. UC Davis launched its Coffee Center in May with research focused on providing support for farmers, examining the sustainability of coffee, and evaluating food safety issues, among other topics, per the AP . UC Davis also has programs focused on researching winemaking and the brewing industries. The launch comes about a decade after the university offered its first course on the science of coffee. At the center in Davis, Director Bill Ristenpart said historically there has been much more of an emphasis on researching a beverage like wine, and less so on studying coffee. "We're trying to elevate coffee and make it a topic of academic research and an academic talent pipeline to help support the industry and help support what's arguably the world's most important beverage," said Ristenpart, a professor of chemical engineering. The 7,000-square-foot Coffee Center facility is the first academic building in the nation devoted to coffee research and education, Ristenpart said. There are other US colleges, including Texas A&M University and Vanderbilt University, that have delved into the study of coffee. But the UC Davis Coffee Center stands out in part because it's focused on many aspects of coffee research, including agriculture and chemistry, said Edward Fischer, a professor of anthropology and director of the Institute for Coffee Studies at Vanderbilt. "Coffee is such a complex compound," Fischer said. "It's really important to bring together all of these different aspects, and that's what Davis is doing." story continues below Most people in the United States buy coffee that's imported from places such as Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam, per the US Department of Agriculture. However, California is one of the few places in the country that grows coffee. The US is the second-largest importer of coffee in the world behind the EU, the agency says. Camilla Yuan, a UC Davis alum and director of coffee and roasting at Camellia Coffee Roasters, a coffee shop in Sacramento, visited the Coffee Center in Davis last week, she said. "Having a center and having resources for folks who are interested in specialty coffee or just coffee world in general ... is super fascinating and cool," Yuan said. "I'm glad that something like this is happening." More here. (More coffee stories.) He met paw patrol, AKA the sniffer dogs, on the frontline of Fijis crackdown on the drug trade. Crime is just one of the many challenges facing this part of the world, plus there's the threat of climate change and choppy geopolitical waters as China and the US ramp up their presence in the region in competition with each other. "We talked about geostrategic competition from multiple powers," said Luxon. He met with two influential members of the Pacific family - new Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa and Fiji's PM Sitiveni Rabuka. Rabuka has called for the Pacific to be an ocean of peace amid those great power tensions and the emergence of AUKUS a military pact between Australia, the UK and US. Part of that pact involves nuclear-powered submarines. Luxon isn't interested in that, but he does have his eyes on Pillar 2 regarding advanced technologies. "Certainly our officials will start that conversation with the AUKUS countries and that alliance agreement," he told reporters. But when Newshub asked Prime Minister Rabuka about it, he appeared unsure of exactly what it was - and even briefly expressed support. "Any development in that area will also benefit us," he replied. Prime Minister Rabuka's office told Newshub afterwards that he may have had difficulty understanding the AUKUS acronym, causing the confusion. He also made the point earlier that Fiji supports the demilitarisation of the Pacific. His chief foreign affairs adviser, Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala, told Newshub that Fiji's position on security cooperation including AUKUS is guided by the "principles of respect for the sovereignty of nations" as well as "non-interference in the domestic issues of nations, among others". "Fiji has welcomed the transparency with which the parties to the AUKUS partnership have shared information with Pacific islands countries, especially to Fiji," Dr Korovavala said. He told Newshub that Australia shared information to Pacific Islands Forum members about AUKUS in 2023, which Fiji welcomed. "We also recognise the difference between being nuclear powered as compared to nuclear armed," he added. While there may have been uncertainty around AUKUS, one thing PM Rabuka was clear on was his gratitude for the New Zealand Government, announcing it will remove visa requirements for Fijians transiting through NZ. But it doesn't go as far as Fiji would like they want Fijian visitors to NZ to be able to apply for a visa on arrival. "That has also got some complexity to it as we think about the broader immigration settings in NZ but we are committed to reviewing that situation," said Luxon. "None of the options is good but the big question is, how much can Israel suffer under this attack?" said Orna Mizrahi, a former official in Israel's National Security Council. "I think most of the government don't really want to get into a war, but it's possible that we are getting there." In Lebanon, Nasrallah's comments left many bracing for a wider war. But some diplomats and analysts said his threats were an attempt to match the escalating rhetoric from Israel. "To me, now this is part of a deterrent strategy," said Hubert Faustmann, political analyst and professor of history and international relations at the University of Nicosia. "There is a high danger of Israel escalating the confrontation with Hezbollah and an all-out, full-scale war, which I don't think Hezbollah wants," Faustmann added, saying Hezbollah was demonstrating what it "could do" if that were to happen. Hezbollah has indicated it is not seeking a wider conflict, even as it has steadily drawn on more potent weaponry. While Israel has the most powerful army in the Middle East, Hezbollah has thousands of fighters, many with experience in the Syrian civil war, and an arsenal of tens of thousands of missiles capable of hitting cities all over Israel. It also has a large fleet of drones, one of which appears to have carried out an extended flight over the port city of Haifa this week, underlining the potential threat to key economic infrastructure including power systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israel would "turn Beirut into Gaza" in the event of a war. But a wider escalation could also overwhelm Israel's famed Iron dome missile defence system that has so far intercepted most of the hundreds of missiles fired by Hezbollah. "My sense is that Hezbollah feels it has some leverage over the Israelis, because an escalating war - as much damage as it might do in Lebanon and Syria - would create terror in Israel," said Seth G. Jones, an analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "It would be a tall order for Israeli air defences to confront the widespread rocket arsenal coming from the north. It would be a huge problem." OPERATIONAL ORDERS For weeks, Israeli commanders have been holding training exercises and assessments in preparation for what the military called "a reality where we will have to fight on a different scale in the north." Fighting in Gaza, the main theatre of war since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, has continued, and Israeli officials have assessed that the end of the main phase of fighting is weeks away. Many units need rest and refitting after intense combat in Gaza, but this week, the army's northern command said it had approved operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon. Energy Minister Eli Cohen said on Thursday the military was working with energy authorities to ensure that Israel's strategic electricity infrastructure was protected and said that Israel would retaliate strongly to any strike against it. Lebanon's power infrastructure is already crippled, a result of decades of poor government and conflicts, including with Israel. Israel has had a bruising experience in Lebanon in the past. After its forces invaded in 1982, they were stuck holding a buffer zone for nearly two decades after a war which saw the birth of Hezbollah. A second war in 2006, started after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers, left the Iranian-backed movement in place miles beyond the U.N.-agreed ceasefire line on the Litani river and steadily strengthening. But the political pressure on Netanyahu has swelled as summer begins, with no indication of when life will return to normal more than eight months after the beginning of the conflict. Dozens of Israeli towns are deserted, with around 60,000 people evacuated to temporary accommodation, leaving empty streets with the occasional building scarred by rocket fire. Some 90,000 have also fled from southern Lebanon. Sarit Zehavi, a former Israeli military intelligence official who runs a think tank that specialises on Israel's northern border said that after the trauma for Israel of Oct. 7, few of those who have left their homes would be ready to return while Hezbollah remained entrenched over the border. "For 17 years, we did nothing against the threat and now dealing with it will cost a very high price." Reuters. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com As Bahrain tightens its grip on regulatory compliance in the hospitality and tourism sectors, stringent penalties are being imposed to ensure adherence. The focus is on five key sectors: hotels, furnished apartments, restaurants, tour guiding, and travel and tourism agencies. Hotels and similar establishments face fines up to 8,000 BHD and possible closure for operating without a valid or expired license. Unapproved activities such as transferring or leasing licenses incur fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 BHD. Violations such as offering tips without authorisation carry penalties of 8,000 BHD. Additionally, non-compliance with security measures and unauthorised advertising attract fines of 2,000 BHD and 300 BHD, respectively. Hotels and Similar Establishments: Penalties for Violations Hotels and similar establishments found operating without a license or with an expired license face fines ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 BHD, in addition to closure. Unauthorised transferring, leasing, or subletting of a license will incur fines between 3,000 and 5,000 BHD. Offering tips or gratuities in any form results in a fine of 8,000 BHD. Operating a new facility or closing an existing one without a license incurs a penalty of 1,000 to 3,000 BHD. Additionally, failure to provide 24-hour security will result in a fine of 2,000 BHD, while publishing advertisements or promotions without approval will attract a fine of 300 BHD. Penalties for Furnished Apartments Owners of furnished apartments operating without a license, or with an expired or revoked license, will face fines between 4,000 and 5,000 BHD. Failure to ensure the safety of pools, maintain 24-hour surveillance cameras, and keep four months of CCTV footage will result in fines ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 BHD. Non-compliance with building and equipment maintenance protocols attracts a 3,000 BHD fine. Failing to adhere to tourism service fee regulations, electronic invoice requirements, or adding unauthorized amounts to approved service fees incurs a penalty of 1,000 to 3,000 BHD. A 100 BHD fine applies for not displaying the license certificate or tourism classification plaque in a visible location. Transferring or leasing the license without written permission from the authority will result in a 2,000 to 3,000 BHD penalty. A 5,000 BHD fine, or 50 BHD per day, applies for failing to submit the audited financial report within the specified period. Lastly, violating the effective decisions, requirements, and circulars issued by the authority will incur fines ranging from 100 to 2,000 BHD. P enalties for Restaurants Catering to Tourists Restaurants catering to tourists that are found guilty of harming the national reputation or the profession will face penalties ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 BHD. Failure to connect the restaurants system to the tourism electronic statistics system will result in a fine of 3,000 BHD, or 100 BHD per day. Non-payment of hotel service fees within the specified timeframe incurs a penalty of 5,000 BHD, or 100 BHD per day. Non-compliance with restaurant operating hours will attract fines ranging from 500 to 3,000 BHD, while failure to adhere to tourism-specific specifications, requirements, and standards will result in fines between 100 and 2,000 BHD. Penalties for Tour Guiding Activities Tour guides operating without a license, or after its expiration, face a fine of 200 BHD. Transferring the license or allowing its use without the authoritys consent incurs a 100 BHD penalty. Engaging in tour guide activities in restricted areas without special permission can lead to fines ranging from 100 to 300 BHD. Non-compliance with standards of professionalism, ethical conduct, honesty, and courtesy in interactions is subject to a penalty of 100 to 300 BHD.Failure to display the tour guide card while working results in a fine of 50 BHD. Penalties for Administrative Offices and Tourism and Travel Agencies The decree outlines six violations in the sector, with the most notable penalties including: A 500 BHD fine for organizing diving trips without ensuring participants have the appropriate license from an accredited international body, or for failing to provide licensed instructors if the participants do not have the international license. A 100 to 300 BHD fine for not including all necessary details and conditions about the services provided in advertisements for activities, thus avoiding ambiguity or confusion for the public. A 100,000 BHD fine for losing any of the licensing requirements during the offices period of operation. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim, CEO of the GCC Interconnection Authority, announced the signing of a second loan agreement worth approximately 43 million BHD with the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development. This financing will support a project aimed at strengthening the Gulf electrical interconnection system and establishing a connection to the southern Iraq network. Al Ebrahim reported that the project is 80% complete, with operations expected to commence by the end of 2024 and full readiness anticipated by 2026. The project includes the construction of the Wafra station in Kuwait, set to be the largest in the Gulf electrical interconnection system. This station will boost Kuwait's capacity from 1,200 megawatts to over 3,500 megawatts, a crucial enhancement for maximizing the benefits of Gulf connectivity and energy trade. Additionally, the project involves building new transmission lines from the Al-Fadhili Station in Saudi Arabia to the Wafra power plant in Kuwait. This initiative aims to amplify the economic and technical advantages for Gulf countries, potentially saving more than $300 million annually. These financing agreements, supporting projects to enhance the electrical interconnection system and connect southern Iraq, mark the first collaboration between the Kuwait Fund and the Interconnection Authority during the network expansion phase. Al Ebrahim confirmed plans for three major projects to improve connectivity with Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and the Sultanate of Oman, along with a project to connect southern Iraq, with a total cost exceeding one billion dollars. Furthermore, Al Ebrahim shared that the Authority is working on expanding the electrical interconnection network with other member states. Several projects are currently under study and are expected to be implemented in the coming years. The goal is to enhance the economic benefits of electrical interconnection by utilizing additional transmission capacities to activate the common Gulf market for electricity. This initiative aims to facilitate the exchange and trade of electricity between GCC countries and beyond, presenting an economic opportunity worth more than $20 billion over the next 15 years. Reporting from the Cosmic Ballroom Venus and Mercury have hung close this week like best friends at the ball. They both dance with the princely Capricorn moon in oppositions that highlight qualities like noble manners, social grace, proper signals of respect and nods to the traditions that keep power structures intact. Whether or not they should be is a topic for another day. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Youre in the role for a reason. If you feel like an imposter, it just means you care to see the bigger aspects of the position and youre aware that theres some growing to do to fill out the potential of the role. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Humility is a strength. The ones who are too sure of themselves tend to make the biggest mistakes. This is why its good to admire others without putting them on a pedestal. Also resist letting others elevate you in this way. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). As a mature person you realize that no life is problem-free. That same maturity steers you toward new problems, not repeats. If the same issue comes up time and again, it means youve been solving symptoms instead of healing the source of the trouble. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Some children fight over who gets to sit in the big chair or drink out of the funny cup, and others find it easy to go with the flow. Youll meet funny-cup fighters in their grown-up form and you may decide its easier to just let them have the cup. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You may not be able to work through problems in a day or a week but at least you can embrace the knowledge that you are better for having to contend with them. Thats when you will see the unique advantages of your position. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The root of frustration is almost always an expectation. Release the expectation, and the frustration dissipates. This one has to do with either time or quantity. Could you be satisfied with half as much? What if it took twice as long? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The more elements you introduce to a scenario, the more organized you must be to handle the complexity. An easy way to order your thoughts is to keep thinking about what you want. What you think about, youll bring about. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Though problem-solving is a strength of yours, you also know better than to invite trouble. Life usually brings it eventually, so theres no reason to seek it. This is why youll spend a good part of the day maintaining things before they become a problem. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It is a basic human need to feel seen. The person who sees something in others changes others. Attention, like the wind, is an invisible force that can move the world. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Resentment is a cumbersome thing to carry around with you. It gets in the way of joy every time. You can overcome it by saying no, advocating for yourself, and making your own pleasure and contentment a priority. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Potential is good, but its not everything. You see whats possible, but you wont let yourself get carried away by it. Ground your dreams in action and watch them grow. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As comedians know, no two rooms are alike. The joke that plays with one crowd doesnt fit at all with the next. Your ability to read the room and adjust to suit your audience leads to a truly wonderful sequence of connections. TODAYS BIRTHDAY (June 22). You will get hard evidence of the difference you make in the world. Love comes in the quiet moments, where words are few and feelings are deep, but it also surges through bigger-than-life adventures, projects and lessons. More highlights: Youll win a numbers game. Youll become self-sufficient in new ways, which gives you a thrilling range of fresh freedoms. Virgo and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 18, 23, 14 and 5. CELEBRITY PROFILES: In Only Murders in the Building, Meryl Streep plays against type, portraying an actress who is inconsistently brilliant. Streeps consistent brilliance has earned her more Academy Award nominations than any other actor. Streep was born when the sun, Venus and Uranus were all in Cancer, the sign of mothers. Streeps natal chart suggests her favorite role is likely the role of mother to four children. Learn more about her new novel How to Fail Epically in Hollywood or contact Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop may have ignited a civil war among Hudson County Democratic leaders when he plucked a handful of loyal party members for his gubernatorial ticket. And then Fulop singled out the new county party chairman for not endorsing him for governor. Fulop, the three-term mayor of Jersey City, took the unusual step of bucking the lock-step, group-think Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) by forming his coalition of candidates for election in 2025, enlisting four Hudson County assemblymembers, the county sheriff and the Guttenberg mayor to run alongside him. But him calling out Craig Guy, the first-year county executive who became chairman of the powerful HCDO earlier this week, for not honoring previous Chairman Anthony Vainieris endorsement could be what some politicos see as the spark that sets the political landscape ablaze. It could be an all-out war in the county, right? said Bill ODea, the long-time Hudson County Board of Commissioner member who is running for Fulops current job in 2025. The Fulop campaign said Thursday that six local incumbents and card-carrying HCDO members assemblymembers Jessica Ramirez, John Allen, Barbara Stamato and Julio Marenco, Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari and Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt will run with Fulop for re-election next year regardless of the HCDOs endorsements. Their commitment came after Guy, who replaced Vainieri as chairman Monday, was critical of Fulop over his positions such as supporting the elimination of the county line, endorsing Andy Kim for U.S. Senate and criticizing the recent changes to the states open public records law, the campaign said. We want to have a big tent and we want to have everybody be a part of it, Fulop said in an interview Friday. Im not apologizing for positions that Ive taken. Were running a campaign that is going to be transformative for New Jersey, and were being clear on policy issues that are important to us. Next years elections will have the entire state Assembly up for election, as well as other local offices. The state Senate will not be up for election until 2027, but Fulop has the support of Sen. Angela McKnight, who will chair the Fulop campaigns Hudson operations. Ive worked closely with Mayor Fulop throughout my tenure in the state legislature and I believe 100% that hes the best candidate for governor, said McKnight in a statement. The only two Hudson assemblymembers that have not joined Fulops ticket are Will Sampson and Gabe Rodriguez. Sampson said he was invited to join Fulops ticket but then added that he stand(s) by my record of independent thinking and decision-making. My commitment to my constituents, my colleagues, and my principles has always guided my actions, said Sampson, who added that he consulted with Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis on the decision. I make my decisions based on careful consideration and what I believe is best for our community. Fulop previously had Vainieris endorsement for governor while Vainieri was the party chairman. Guy did not respond to a request for comment Friday, but he told multiple outlets Thursday that he would meet with the Hudson mayors next week to make a final decision. If (Guy) does not support Fulop, then its clear as day (that) the county is split, Vainieri said. I still stand behind Fulop today ... why wouldnt anybody from Hudson County support Hudson candidates? Fulop has doubled down on his commitments, saying in an email blast Friday morning that if people think they will threaten, bully, or hold things hostage to get us to change course, they obviously dont understand us. Murmurs have simmered for months of a dispute between Fulop and Brian Stack, the Union City mayor and state senator whos considered one of the most powerful figures in the county due to his formidable get-out-the-vote operations, which helped the likes of Guy and Rep. Rob Menendez win by comfortable margins. But Stack has yet to endorse Fulop, and has publicly supported Gov. Jim McGreevey (whom Fulop fired four years ago) as the next Jersey City mayor, and has also appeared alongside Rep. Josh Gottheimer, another potential gubernatorial candidate. Vainieri said the clash between Fulop and Guy will extend into Fulops feud with Stack, while ODea added that civil war could lead to competing slates between Fulops and the HCDOs. If Guy supports a different candidate for governor, (the HCDO) is going to run their own candidates in those (legislative) districts and for sheriff, ODea said, who added that Fulop plans to establish candidate slates in other counties. Itll probably be a very interesting and expensive local primary season here next year. Also complicating matters is the ultimate fate of the county line, the controversial ballot design that was abolished by a federal judge for this years Democratic primary, with many Hudson politicos predicting that the line will be struck down permanently in the near future. Zitt said that the county needs to come back together ... theres a lot of open topics that the mayors need to sit down and talk about and it hasnt happened in several years. Hopefully with Guy coming in, he said his goal was to get the mayors together to sit down and to move this county forward, which I dont think is going to be any easy task, Zitt said. But if he feels he could get that done, that would be great. A Passaic County man has been charged after allegedly sending sexually explicit material to an undercover detective on social media, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office announced Friday. Joseph Velazquez, 25, of Passaic, is charged with second- and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography, authorities said. In February, authorities opened an investigation into Velazquez after a detective monitoring a group chat on the social media app Kik, was contacted by him under the alias blazeitupp1, the prosecutors office said. Velazquez sent sexually explicit material to the detective and expressed interest in having sexual relations with the child, according to officials. Investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office and the Passaic County Sheriffs Office searched Velazquezs home in Passaic and found the sexually explicit material, the office said. He was arrested and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 24, authorities said. Anyone with information about is being asked to contact Detective Anthony Lacher at 800-533-7443. 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. The official July 4th holiday falls on a Thursday in 2024, setting the stage for fireworks, parades, concerts and special events throughout New Jersey this weekend and into next week. From small town celebrations to the massive fireworks displays in New York and Philadelphia visible from New Jersey, scores of events are planned to celebrate Independence Day. NJ Advance Media has combed through events scheduled throughout all 21 counties to provide our readers with this list. Many towns have celebrations scheduled for multiple days. (Have an event we should add? Send the information to press@njnpublishing.com.) 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. Jonathan Randall Kay, a foodie with a sweet tooth, could not resist. As soon as Marc Elliot Rofsky mentioned during their correspondence over social media that he was going to Portugal the next day, Mr. Kay suggested he try the flaky, buttery Portuguese egg tarts, or pasteis de nata at Pasteis de Belem 1837 in Lisbon. He seemed full of life, full of energy, super fun, cool, creative, said Mr. Kay, 35, who had connected with Mr. Rofsky on Instagram in July 2018, after noticing him in photos with mutual friends and friends of friends. A couple of days after Mr. Rofsky returned from his weeklong trip, they met for the first time in person at Malaparte, an Italian restaurant in Manhattans Greenwich Village. Before dessert, Mr. Rofsky handed him a souvenir a crumpled bag containing two pasteis de nata from Lisbon. They were stale and smushed, said Mr. Kay, who was delighted and touched by the gesture. Before taking the subway home to to Park Slope, Brooklyn, where he grew up, we had a sweet smooch, Mr. Kay said. Mr. Rofsky, originally from Freehold, N.J., walked home to Chelsea. After a night of partying in South Florida, the superstar rapper Travis Scott ended his Thursday with two more charges on his record and one more product on his website than he started with. An established swag king whos no stranger to brand deals, Mr. Scott, 33, turned a spotlight on what many would consider an embarrassing moment when he started selling T-shirts featuring his mug shot, just hours after his arrest in Miami Beach. The new merchandise reinforced the idea that for certain celebrities and politicians, brushes with the law can be easily recast as lucrative business opportunities. The rapper made headlines after the police responded shortly before 2 a.m. on Thursday to reports of a fight aboard a yacht docked at a marina. Mr. Scott was charged with trespassing and disorderly intoxication and then released on bond after paying a total of $650 on both charges, according to local news outlets. Mr. Scott, whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster II, later admitted he had been drinking alcohol. Its Miami, he was quoted as saying in the police report. The horrors inflicted on hundreds of boys at a notorious reform school in the Florida Panhandle remain excruciating for survivors to recount, all these years later. Forced labor. Brutal floggings. Sexual abuse. For more than 15 years, survivors of the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, who are now old men, have traveled to the State Capitol in Tallahassee to share their deeply painful memories and implore politicians for justice for themselves and for the dozens of boys who died at the school. In 2017, survivors, many of them Black, received an official apology. On Friday, Florida went further: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation creating a $20 million program to give financial restitution to the victims who endured abuse and neglect at the hands of the state. Mr. DeSantis signed the bill in private, his office announced late on Friday. The compensation program will allow applications from survivors who were confined to the Dozier school between 1940 and 1975 and who suffered from mental, physical, or sexual abuse perpetrated by school personnel. Survivors may also apply if they were sent to the Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee, known as the Okeechobee school, which was opened in 1955 to address overcrowding at Dozier. A Nevada judge on Friday threw out the states case against the six Republicans who claimed to be presidential electors and tried to declare Donald J. Trump the winner of the 2020 election. The judge, Mary Kay Holthus, said that state prosecutors had chosen the wrong venue to file the case. John Sadler, a spokesman for Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, said, We disagree with the judges decision and will be appealing immediately. He declined to comment further. The defendants in the case included top leaders of the states Republican Party, and they were charged with forging and submitting fraudulent documents in a fake elector scheme to overturn President Bidens victory in 2020. Among those charged was the chairman of the state party, Michael J. McDonald. Allies of former President Donald J. Trump charged in a sweeping Arizona election case on Friday began filing what is expected to be a series of challenges, seizing on a new state law aimed at curbing litigation and prosecutions involving political figures. The law was originally crafted by Kory Langhofer, a Phoenix lawyer who worked for the Trump campaign during the 2020 election but who subsequently fell out of favor with the former president. He said the 2022 laws intent was to limit politically motivated prosecutions on both sides of the aisle. The new challenges could have the effect of delaying the election case in Arizona for several months, given the timeline for decisions and appeals. The case was brought in April by the state attorney general, Kris Mayes, a Democrat. The 18 defendants have each been charged with nine counts of fraud, forgery and conspiracy. The indictment lays out a series of efforts by the defendants to overturn Arizonas election results, from the plan to deploy fake electors on Mr. Trumps behalf, despite his loss at the polls, to the steps some took to put pressure on officials responsible for certifying election results. Former President Donald J. Trumps defense team tried on Friday to persuade the judge overseeing the national security documents case to dismiss the indictment, pushing a long-shot argument that the special counsel, Jack Smith, was not properly appointed. Such defense motions are routinely denied in federal cases involving special counsels. But the judge presiding over this case, Aileen M. Cannon, has given Mr. Trumps request extra import by holding hearings and allowing three outside lawyers time in court to make additional arguments about whether there is a constitutional mechanism for naming special counsels. This has been very illuminating and helpful, Judge Cannon said at the close of about four hours of arguments and a steady beat of her own questions, which often began with, Would you agree that. Mr. Trumps team argued that the attorney general lacks constitutional authority to appoint someone with the powers of a special counsel. The text of these statutes really matters, said Emil Bove, one of Mr. Trumps lawyers. He also argued that Mr. Smith should have been confirmed by the Senate because his position is so powerful. The political account that former President Donald J. Trump has been using to pay his sizable legal bills has dwindled to less than $4 million in the bank, after accounting for its debt, according to new federal election filings. So far in 2024, Mr. Trump is averaging nearly $5 million per month in spending through his PAC, which is called Save America, with an overwhelming share going to legal bills. That means that as of the end of May, Mr. Trump had barely enough cash left to cover a single month of legal bills. Mr. Trump has avoided tapping his own personal fortune to fund his hefty legal bills. Instead, he has relied on donor funds through his PAC. He has not used his campaign committee for legal bills. He is balancing an extraordinary series of serious and costly legal threats alongside his 2024 presidential campaign. He was just on trial in New York and found guilty of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal. And Mr. Trump has also been indicted in three other criminal cases all of which require expensive legal work that have yet to come to trial. His PAC has also covered legal expenses in his civil cases From the start, the three conservative board members of the Temecula Valley Unified School District made clear where they stood. On the same night in December 2022 that they were sworn in as a majority, they passed a resolution banning critical race theory from classrooms in their Southern California district. Months later, they abruptly fired the superintendent, saying they believed the district needed someone with new ideas. After that, they passed a rule requiring that parents be notified whenever a student requests to be identified as a different gender at school. The moves were applauded by conservatives, many of them Christian churchgoers who had helped to install the new board members, hoping that Temecula Valley could remain an island of traditional values in a liberal state. But this once rural area, about 60 miles northeast of San Diego, had transformed in recent decades into a diverse bedroom community, and many other families grew frustrated by what they considered to be the unwelcome incursion of national culture wars into their prized public schools. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Organized by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the European Forum of Azerbaijani Engineers - another flagship event kicked off in Germany, Trend reports. The forum drew together 125 engineers and scientists from Europe, as well as well-known and influential diaspora representatives. The forum was graced by Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Elshad Aliyev, Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov, Azerbaijan's ambassador to Germany Nasimi Aghayev, rector of Baku Higher Oil School Elmar Gasimov, rector of Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction Gulchohra Mammadova, rector of Sumgayit State University Rufat Azizov, rector of Azerbaijan Technical University Vilayat Valiyev, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev, employee of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan Ali Khalilov and others. The event commenced with a commemoration of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, followed by the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan. Fuad Muradov, the Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, sent a congratulatory message to the forum participants. The message read: "The European Forum of Azerbaijani Engineers is a constructive platform for discussion and cooperation. Today, the gathering of our engineers and Azerbaijani specialists operating in different engineering fields at the forum creates a unique opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas. As a committee, we in turn support our engineers and scientists living abroad, striving to create opportunities for them for career and development. Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Nasimi Aghayev, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijans State Committee on Work with Diaspora Elshad Aliyev, Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov, Chairman of the Board of the Alliance of Azerbaijanis in Germany Nuran Abdullayev, and other officials also addressed the event. The forum featured a video on the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan, and presentations on various topics by Azerbaijani scholars and specialists residing in different European countries. The forum continued with the panel discussions. When the United States and its Western allies declared that Ukraine could strike Russian territory with their weapons, President Vladimir V. Putin began ratcheting up the threats. He triggered drills in Russia to practice the use of tactical nuclear weapons. He said Moscow would consider changing the doctrine that outlines when it would use its nuclear arsenal. He reminded unnamed NATO countries in Europe of their small territories and dense populations, implying they could be easily obliterated. And this week, the Russian leader took his threats to another corner of the globe, reviving a Cold War-era mutual defense pact with North Korea and warning that he may arm Kim Jong-un in response to the loosened restrictions on Ukraines use of Western arms. The Westerners supply weapons to Ukraine and say that we dont control anything here at all, he said Thursday, failing to acknowledge the limits Washington and its allies have placed on Ukraine. We can also say that we delivered something to someone, and then we have no control over anything. Let them think about that. Irans election for its next president will take place a year early, on June 28, after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash last month. The vote will usher the Islamic republic into new leadership amid domestic discontent, voter apathy and regional turmoil. While the countrys supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has the final say on all state matters, the Iranian president sets domestic policy and has some influence over foreign policy. Heres what to know about Fridays presidential vote in Iran. After months of escalating violence along Israels northern border with Lebanon, the chief of the United Nations warned on Friday that the risk for the conflict in the Middle East to widen is real and must be avoided. Speaking to reporters in New York, the chief, Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said that one rash move by Israel or Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese group targeting Israel in allegiance with Hamas fighters in Gaza, could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border and, frankly, beyond imagination. World leaders have tried for months to calm tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, trying to prevent a full-fledged war. But instead of quelling the conflict, strikes and counterstrikes across the border have become more intense and the rhetoric of leaders on both sides has only become more bellicose in recent days, prompting Mr. Guterres to express what he called profound concern that all-out war would erupt. Many lives have already been lost, tens of thousands of people have been displaced and homes and livelihoods have been destroyed, Mr. Guterres said. He added that the people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza. Dear readers, With apologies to Stephen Hawking, anyone whos ever experienced a root canal or a first kiss knows something about the relativity of time. Who hasnt felt entire weeks go by like flashcards, or wondered why certain situations (a bad date, a flight delay) seem to open up wormhole portals to eternity? Cest la vie, of course, unless you are some type of time-lord wizard. But novelists are wizards, or at least magicians, and one of their favorite tricks is to fit whole narrative worlds inside a single day, book-shaped ships squeezed into bottles. The day itself doesnt have to be noteworthy or even nominally eventful, which is often the point; think of Virginia Woolfs Mrs. Dalloway, preparing to host her umpteenth plummy soiree, or Aleksandr Solzhenitsyns Ivan Denisovich, whose big score in the gulag is getting an extra bread crust and two bowls of gruel. But watch what a smart writer can do with the neat little nesting dolls of diversion and digression, plot and memory. The authors in this weeks newsletter take bigger swings, in that the days they build their stories around are so obviously the kind you would circle in red on a calendar. Plot machinery, though, still takes a second seat to character, observation and style. Because the best magic trick, the one that makes sleepless nights and long empty afternoons disappear, doesnt rest on clever conceits; it just has to be a really good read. Leah With billions of dollars in trade at stake, China and the European Union have agreed to engage in talks to try to resolve an escalating dispute over tariffs. Chinas commerce minister, Wang Wentao, and Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Union trade commissioner, will hold discussions on the European Unions plan for tariffs on electric cars from China, the Chinese commerce ministry said late Saturday. Hours earlier, Robert Habeck, Germanys vice chancellor and economic minister, said that the European Union was willing to hold consultations, and he expressed a hope that tariffs could be avoided. This month, the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, proposed tariffs of up to 38 percent on electric cars from China, atop an existing 10 percent tariff on imported cars. The commission said it found that Chinas electric car sector was heavily subsidized by the government and state-controlled banking system. Chinas exports of electric vehicles pose a growing challenge to Europes automakers. Whitmer is term-limited though her governorship will end in 2026. And given that she is a popular governor in a battleground state, there is a lot of speculation about whats next, which is why I was eager to talk to her. Like many politicians with national ambitions, she has written a book about her life and her vision for the country. Its called True Gretch (she told me thats a play on the 1969 John Wayne classic True Grit). The book is coming out just as the presidential election is heating up, and shes also raising her profile as a co-chair of Bidens re-election campaign. Over the course of two conversations, we talked about Bidens challenges, whether she can deliver the must-win state of Michigan and her own political ambitions. I want to get the elephant out of the room: Youre releasing this memoir in the middle of the 2024 election cycle. Why now? Its less of a memoir and more of a handbook. This is going to be another heavy year. Its going to feel very dark at times, with the political rhetoric and this important election coming up. If I can put some light into the world right now, maybe you can laugh at my expense, or maybe theres a little inspiration here thatll help you get through whatever youre navigating. Columbia University placed three administrators on leave this week, a university spokesman said on Saturday. The moves came a little more than a week after images emerged showing the school officials sharing disparaging text messages during a panel discussion about antisemitism on campus. The panel, which focused on Jewish life on campus amid tensions over Israels war in Gaza, occurred during a Columbia College reunion on May 31. The spokesman did not identify which officials were placed on leave, but The Washington Free Beacon, the website that first published the images, reported that they were Susan Chang-Kim, the vice dean and chief administrative officer; Cristen Kromm, the dean of undergraduate student life; and Matthew Patashnick, the associate dean for student and family support. Ms. Chang-Kim also exchanged texts during the event with Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College, according to The Free Beacon. In one exchange, Mr. Sorett texted LMAO, for laughing my ass off, in response to a sarcastic message Ms. Chang-Kim had written about Brian Cohen, the executive director of Columbia/Barnard Hillel, according to The Free Beacon. In the upscale gay resort town of Fire Island Pines, colorful flags honor L.G.B.T.Q. history makers like the actress Wanda Sykes and the drag queen RuPaul in a small park near the harbor. For a few hours this month, one flag also honored Representative Ritchie Torres, the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress. But Mr. Torres is also an outspoken supporter of Israel, and not long after his flag went up, it was torn down by the gay activist group ACT-UP, which was also honored at the park, and replaced with two flags, one of which honored queer Palestinians. Within hours, the flag for queer Palestinians was also torn down by Michael Lucas, a pornographic performer and filmmaker with a history of anti-Muslim statements. The dispute on Fire Island, just off Long Island, was just one expression of the tensions over the Gaza war that have wracked American public life. But within New Yorks L.G.B.T.Q. community, whose members hail from every ethnic and social background and tend to be highly attuned to issues of social justice, the war has touched off some especially raw conflicts. Silvano Marchetto, an Italian-born restaurateur whose Greenwich Village trattoria, Da Silvano, became a star-studded canteen and a Page Six fixture over four decades, died on June 4 in Florence, Italy. He was 77. His daughter, Leyla Marchetto, said the cause was heart failure. Akin to a downtown Elaines, Da Silvano, which opened in 1975, was one of New Yorks reigning haunts for the art, fashion, media and film crowds. And Mr. Marchetto, a hard-living Tuscan who parked his Ferrari ornamentally outside his establishment, was its rustic host and mascot. He wore Hawaiian shirts and yellow pants, and his wrists were covered in silver bracelets and jewelry. After he fired waiters in fits of passion, he soon missed them, sending emissaries to lure them back. And when everyone from Rihanna to Barry Diller to Patti Smith frequented his restaurant, he greeted them with a friendly growl as he nursed a glass of wine. Before social media democratized the publics access to the lives of celebrities, tabloids like The New York Post and The Daily News relied on Da Silvano as a source of juicy gossip. The patio tables beneath its yellow awning were coveted seating for those who wanted to be seen, and the pictures snapped by the paparazzi posted up along the sidewalk notified New Yorkers about how their favorite celebrities dated, argued, wheedled and canoodled. A few months ago, President Biden seemed so fed up as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel ignored his calls for restraint in Gaza that he finally sounded tough. In March, Biden was asked if his calls for Israel not to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah marked a red line, meaning that an invasion would lead to serious consequences. It is a red line, Biden said, but Im never gonna leave Israel. What that added up to wasnt clear, perhaps not even to Biden. But as someone who generally admires Bidens foreign policy, I wanted to think that the president meant that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would lead to a suspension of transfers of offensive weapons, but no interruption of defensive weapons such as protections against incoming missiles. Then in April, Biden called Netanyahu and seemed again to draw a line that was at least pink. He urged an immediate cease-fire and, according to the White House announcement, made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. On June 21, from 12:25 to 15:35, the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of Mollabayramli settlement of Kalbajar region were subjected to fire by the Armenian armed forces positions stationed in the opposite direction, Trend reports. "The Azerbaijan Army Units took adequate retaliatory measures in the mentioned direction," the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana signs a bill mandating that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public classrooms. He says of the legislation, I cant wait to be sued. *** Mr. Landry is sued by 28 organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Amalgamated Atheists of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Beelzebubbians, the Spouses of U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neighborhood Welcome Wagon Association, and Liberals for the Prevention of Morality. The Republican Party responds with a fund-raising email blitz for a new legal defense fund. The subject line reads, Moses Louisiana (and Trump!!!). *** Donald Trump hails Mr. Landry, calling him the greatest mayor of Louisiana maybe ever. Actually, ever, he adds. Dont mellow my harsh, dude. I was coming to talk to Sean Penn, the notorious Hollywood hothead who helped launch the word dude into the American bloodstream when he played stoner surfer Jeff Spicoli in the 1982 classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I was nervous because the Times photographer was already inside the Spanish-style ranch house with Penn, who has a history of throwing punches at paparazzi. I hurried past Penns three surfboards and silver Airstream in the front yard, half expecting to see the un-pacific denizen of the Pacific Coast wrestling on the floor with the photographer. Nah. Penn, in dark T-shirt, Columbia utility pants and sneakers, was charming, trailed by his adoring dogs, a golden retriever and a German shepherd rescue puppy. When I joked that I was relieved to see him treating the photographer sweetly, he laughed. When I did my 23andMe, he said, I thought I might be part Hopi because they dont like to be photographed. FRONT PAGE An article on June 16 about Chinese swimmers who participated in the Olympics despite having tested positive for drugs years earlier misstated the nature of clenbuterol, a drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It is an anabolic agent, not a steroid. METROPOLITAN An article on Page 1 this weekend about the role that marijuana may have played in the accidental death of a teenager misstates the location of an outing taken by Nico Nuno-Kelley and his mother. It was in Bedford, N.Y., not Connecticut. An article on June 16 about how a sauna master spends her Sundays misspelled the given name of Regina Rockes fiancee. She is Kirstin Huber, not Kirsten. BUSINESS An article on Friday about business executives concerns that the economic platforms of rival parties in the parliamentary election could endanger the French economy misstated Jordan Bardellas age. He is 28, not 29. Deb Schmill has become a fixture on Capitol Hill. Last week alone, she visited the offices of 13 lawmakers, one of more than a dozen trips she has made from her home near Boston over the past two years. In each meeting, Ms. Schmill talks about her daughter Becca, who died in 2020 at age 18. Ms. Schmill said Becca had died after taking fentanyl-laced drugs bought on Facebook. Before that, she said, her daughter was raped by a boy she had met online, then was cyberbullied on Snapchat. I have to do what I can to help pass legislation to protect other children and to prevent what happened to Becca from happening to them, Ms. Schmill, 60, said. Its my coping mechanism. Multiple times each day, President Biden dials up Mike Donilon, a close adviser since the 1980s, to chew on the latest polls and headlines. Whats your instinct? What do you think? Mr. Biden will ask Mr. Donilon, who recently left the White House for the campaigns Delaware headquarters. Once a week, Mr. Biden summons Ron Klain, his former chief of staff, to workshop the best attacks to use against former President Donald J. Trump as the presidential debate draws closer. When he leaves for Delaware on weekends, Mr. Biden seeks out Ted Kaufman, a confidant who represents the presidents ties to the state that introduced him to the national stage more than a half-century ago. It was Mr. Kaufman who was brutally direct with Mr. Biden when a plagiarism scandal threatened his first campaign for president in 1987. Simon An had just arrived with his parents, his older sister and his younger brother at his familys taekwondo school in Katy, Texas, on Tuesday afternoon when they heard a scream so loud it reminded him of a horror movie. That was when the An family, all of whom are taekwondo instructors, sprang into action and stopped a sexual assault at the business next door, delivering the attacker to the police. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of Harris County confirmed the account in a post on Facebook and thanked the An family, calling them a group of good Samaritans. Alex Robinson, 19, faces a felony charge of attempted sexual assault in connection with the attack, according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office. The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, announced on Friday that inspections of avocados and mangos made by U.S. Agriculture Department workers in Michoacan, a state in western Mexico, would gradually resume. It was not immediately clear when that would happen. And Mr. Salazar seemed to suggest that the security concerns that had prompted the suspension last weekend had not been fully addressed. It is still necessary to advance in guaranteeing their security before reaching full operations, he said in a statement, referring to the U.S.D.A. inspectors. On Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico said that two employees of the agencys Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service had been assaulted and detained while traveling in Michoacan, where they were surveying avocado orchards and packing plants a step needed to make sure that the fruit exported to the United States is free of pests. Four days in Asia. Thats all President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia needed to anger Washington, undermine Beijing and rattle a collection of Indo-Pacific nations already scrambling to cope with a jumbled world order. After stops in Pyongyang and Hanoi this week that were draped in Communist red, Mr. Putin left behind a redrawn map of risk in Asia. North Korea sat at the center: a rogue nuclear state that regularly threatens its neighbors, suddenly empowered by Russian promises of sophisticated military aid and a mutual defense pact. Mr. Putin also signed at least a dozen deals with Vietnam a country of growing importance for both China and the United States as they vie for influence where he insisted that reliable security architecture could not be built with closed military-political blocs. The trip was both defiant and disruptive. It showed that the jockeying for power sometimes framed as a new Cold War between the United States and China is less binary than it might seem, and many countries in the region seemed to emerge from the week with a deeper sense of unease. The death toll from tainted liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has reached 53, officials say, and is likely to rise, with many others in critical condition. The victims were sickened by drinking a bootleg alcohol with a high content of methanol. Rajat Chaturvedi, the police superintendent in the Kallakurichi District, where the past weeks deaths have occurred, said that 98 people had been hospitalized. The dead and hospitalized people are mostly daily wage laborers, he said. The first death, from drinking local alcohol sold in small pouches for about 50 cents, Mr. Chaturvedi said, was reported on Wednesday. The village of Karunapuram was the worst hit, with more than a dozen victims receiving last rites in a mass cremation on Thursday. Consumption of tainted alcohol has caused several mass-casualty events across India in recent years. In some states that prohibit alcohol, people turn to smuggled or unregulated liquor. Elsewhere, villagers choose the bootleg product because of its lower price. In 2019, at least 150 people died in two districts of the northeastern state of Assam from drinking bootleg alcohol. Weeks earlier, 100 people had died in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In August 2020, at least 120 people died in Punjab from drinking toxic local alcohol, with 92 of the deaths in just one district. In December 2022, at least 70 people died from drinking tainted alcohol in the eastern state of Bihar. Bihar has banned the sale and consumption of alcohol since 2016, but people consume illegal smuggled alcohol or cross the border into Nepal for cheap local alcohol. Last year, at least 22 people died from consuming similar toxic local alcohol in two other districts of Tamil Nadu, where liquor sales are legal but the number of outlets is restricted. The latest mass casualty has put the states government under pressure from opposition leaders as well as from the states high court. Opposition lawmakers, who arrived at the assembly dressed in black, called for the resignation of Tamil Nadus chief minister, M.K. Stalin. While I was in Edmonton recently to write about the citys deeply ingrained nostalgia for the Oilers glory days and the excitement around the teams trip to the Stanley Cup finals this year, I met with Amarjeet Sohi, who became the citys mayor in 2021. Mr. Sohi has an unusually varied background. When he returned to his native India from Edmonton in the late 1980s the wonder time for the Oilers he was imprisoned for 21 months and endured torture after being arrested on what the Canadian government, and ultimately an Indian court, deemed to be false terrorism allegations. He has been a taxi driver and a bus driver, a federal member of Parliament and a minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. The positions of the Azerbaijani army located in the direction of Mollabayramli settlement of Kalbajar district were fired at from the positions of the Armenian Armed Forces opposite, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. "Azerbaijani army units reacted adequately in this direction," the information notes. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Karim al-Masri was supposed to start his final exams on Saturday morning, just a few weeks shy of graduating. Instead, he spent his morning filling bags of water to freeze into ice, which he sold to support his family. I should have been studying and preparing for my final exams, said Mr. al-Masri, 18. But, more than eight months into the war, Im spending my days working to provide for my family to cope with the situation. Mr. al-Masri was one of nearly 39,000 students in Gaza who were unable to take their high school final examinations scheduled to begin on Saturday across the Palestinian territories and in Jordan, and who would not be able to graduate, according to the Palestinian Education Ministry. The war has devastated Gazas education system, which was already struggling after several wars and escalations since 2008. At least 625,000 children are missing out on education in Gaza, according to UNRWA, the U.N. agency that assists Palestinians, with schools shut since the war began in October, just over a month into the school year. More than 76 percent of schools in Gaza would require rebuilding or major rehabilitation to become functional after Israels monthslong offensive, according to UNRWA, which operates many schools in the Gaza Strip. The majority of these schools have been used as shelters to house the many displaced families in Gaza, most of whom are living in miserable conditions. Mr. al-Masri said that he dreamed of studying information technology at the Islamic University of Gaza or the University College of Applied Sciences both of which have been destroyed by Israeli bombardment. All of Gazas 12 universities have been severely damaged or destroyed by fighting, according to the United Nations. Cyprus found itself at the center of the worlds attention this week when the leader of Hezbollah threatened to target the small island nation if it supported Israel in potential war efforts. Amid intensifying violence between the powerful Iran-backed Lebanese militia and the Israeli military at the Israel-Lebanon border, Hezbollahs chief warned on Wednesday that the armed group would punish Cyprus if it allowed Israel to use its airports and bases to target Lebanon, saying it would be part of the war. The warning from the Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah, came as world leaders were scrambling to contain the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah despite apparent efforts by both sides to keep the cycle of strikes and counterstrikes from spiraling into a full-blown war. Heres a closer look at how Cyprus has been pulled into the situation. What is the relationship between Cyprus and Israel? Cyprus and Israel have economic, political and strategic ties. Their militaries have conducted joint exercises and exchanged visits, and the two countries have a defense cooperation program, according to the Cyprus Ministry of Defense. Cyprus has similar relationships with many other nations, including Britain, Egypt, France and, notably, Lebanon. Cyprus also has a defense attache in Israel and in about two dozen other nations as part of what it calls active defense diplomacy. There is an additional cooperation agreement between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, which Cyprus says is aimed at strengthening peace, stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. How did Cyprus respond to Hezbollahs threat? President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus wrote in a post on social media on Wednesday that his country was not involved in the war conflicts in any way. He added that Cyprus maintained communication channels with the governments of Lebanon and Iran and stressed the importance of diplomacy. Cyprus has helped to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea, and the American military has used the island nation to transport assistance to the war-torn territory. In his statement, Mr. Christodoulides emphasized that Cyprus was part of the solution, an apparent allusion to the countrys efforts to help get aid to Gaza. How did the world react? Officials from the Lebanese government tried to allay the concerns of their Cypriot counterparts on Thursday, assuring them of Lebanons commitment to peace. While Hezbollah is a formidable political force in Lebanon, its parliamentary bloc lost a majority in the national election in 2022, and its positions do not always represent the official government stance. Other allies of Cyprus also condemned Hezbollahs threat. Peter Stano, a spokesman for the European Union, of which Cyprus is a member, on Thursday expressed support for Cyprus, saying that any threat against one of our member states is a threat against the European Union. Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, called Mr. Nasrallahs comments extremely unproductive. Our preference would be for Hezbollah to pursue a diplomatic resolution, he added at a press briefing Thursday. BORD na Mona has said it will soon begin work on its Velo Rail Project which will see pedal-powered rail cars running at Lough Boora Discovery Park. The velo rail is part of what the company says are several significant upgrades at the park to enhance the overall visitor experience. Upgrades of the trail network have already been carried out in collaboration with Offaly County Council. The Velo Rail Project includes a 4.1km loop along the existing Bord na Mona narrow gauge railway, offering new perspectives of the wetlands, sculpture park, wildlife, and biodiversity. The company says it promises to be a unique attraction for visitors. Funding allocated to the Velo Rail project amounts to 445,000 through National Just Transition funding with Bord na Mona providing match funding of 120,000. In a statement, Bord na Mona said that since November last year, a dedicated team has been overseeing an intensive maintenance programme throughout Lough Boora Discovery Park. This programme will continue throughout 2024, ensuring that the park remains in optimum condition for all visitors. Bord na Mona is also investing an additional 250,000 to improve the overall visitor experience, upgrading orientation and wayfinding, thematic experiences and visitor facilities. Lough Boora is home to some of the most innovative land and environmental sculptures in Ireland, inspired by the rich natural and industrial legacy of the bog lands, a series of large-scale sculptures are now part of the parks permanent collection. Bord na Mona and Offaly County Council are working collaboratively on the maintenance and repair of sculptures in the park, with Creative Ireland funding a maintenance programme. New services have been introduced, with the award winning Ballycommon Bake House providing cafe services and Mid-Ireland Adventure offering bike hire, adding to the convenience and enjoyment of park visitors. These services are available from Wednesday to Sunday during the peak season and at weekends during the off-season. The main car park is open from 8am to 6pm and is free of charge. Additional funding for upgrades to the park have been secured through several sources including the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, totalling 500,000, with required match funding by Bord na Mona. This project is focused on making the trail network around the core visitor hub area in the park fully accessible and inclusive, providing the local community a safe, quality and inclusive local recreation resource, but will also help to increase the number of visitors to Co Offaly and encourage greater dwell time and spend in the local economy. Bord na Mona has recruited a dedicated recreation team to work full-time on trails (trail pictured below) and other projects within the park. The company says the developments underscore Bord na Mona's commitment to providing exceptional local amenities and promoting outdoor recreation in the region. Speaking on the announcement, Ger Breen, Head of Land & Habitats said: These upgrades at Lough Boora Discovery Park represent our ongoing commitment to enhancing visitor experiences and promoting sustainable tourism. Through our collaboration with Offaly County Council, we are not only preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the area but also creating new opportunities for adventure and exploration. The dedication of our team and partners ensures that Lough Boora Discovery Park will continue to be a valued destination for all. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Azerbaijan is attractive not only for those who invest in fossil fuels, but also for those who invest in renewables, President Ilham Aliyev said in his interview with the Euronews TV channel, Trend reports. Azerbaijan, a country, which generated wealth from fossil fuel now, is channeling this wealth into renewable energy. As a host country of COP29, this is also our obligation to be among the frontrunners on green transition, the head of state noted. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. The Organization of Intra-European Tax Administrations (IOTA) is a significant international organization that brings together 43 European countries. It also serves as a platform for its members to collaborate and share knowledge on matters pertaining to the practical side of tax administration, as well as new developments and trends in the field, official of the Media and Communications Department of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan Gunel Bahramgizi told Trend. "In addition to serving three terms on the IOTA Executive Board, the State Tax Service has been an active member of the organization since 2002. When Azerbaijan was elected to the IOTA Executive Board, it was the first CIS country to do so. Following this protracted procedure, Azerbaijan's delegate to the position of IOTA president was elected within the General Assembly's purview," she noted. The official noted that this is not only a merit of the State Tax Service, but also a sign of Azerbaijan's increasing clout and credibility on the global stage. "The confidence given to Azerbaijan by the members of IOTA places great responsibility on us and also means a large amount of work. Presidency in the organization also means the emergence of certain obligations. This platform is important for us, first of all, from the point of view of studying progressive practices, and applying best practices in the tax system of our country. At the same time, Azerbaijan, in turn, seeks to share several achievements with the organization members and exchange information," she stressed. Bahramgizi further mentioned that a large number of State Tax Service employees are involved with IOTA in a variety of capacities, including participating in and providing expert testimony at seminars, forums, and other events. "Furthermore, it should be noted that IOTA has several effective tools for cooperation in the tax field. As an example, we can mention the ISORA project, which allows to collect and conduct comparative analysis of information on tax administrations in a single database, as well as the detailed study of international experience in the field of taxation, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills of tax administration staff that meet modern requirements - the VITARA project. As an example, we can mention the tool "technical inquiries," which provides for the expansion of cooperation and is also of exceptional importance," she added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. The notoriously famous Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is launching yet another campaign against Azerbaijan - and, yet again, with the help of the U.S. congressmen. This time, the organization is calling for U.S. House passage of three amendments to the FY2025 foreign aid bill, that would expand U.S. the so-called help to Armenian separatists and prevent the U.S. possible funding for Azerbaijans restoration efforts in Karabakh. In light of the actual situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, all of this appears utterly absurd. The most disappointing part is that this request will be taken seriously in the U.S. what wont they do for the votes of the worlds largest Armenian diaspora? While Washington insists that substantial progress has been made between the two parties, and a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan seems within reach, some politicians continue to sound alarms about aggression, Armenian oppression, and alleged Azerbaijani plans to strike Armenia. This tale is as old as time. Lawmakers are willing to pull out all the stops for that coveted seat, while Armenian-Americans, unable to accept defeat in the Caucasus, resort to their favorite behind-the-scenes maneuvers. Kochi: When Baby Pereppadan, a native of Puliyanam, a small town near Angamaly in central Kerala, migrated to Ireland 23 years ago, little did he know that he was going to make history. On Friday, he became the first Indian-origin person to be elected a mayor in the European country. Pereppadan was elected the mayor of the South Dublin County Council after his party Fine Gael came to power through a post-poll coalition with two other parties after the council elections held on June 7. The results were declared on June 9. South Dublin Council has a population of around 3 lakh. Pereppadan, who has been in to the cosmetics distribution business for a long, was elected as the representative of the Tallaght South electoral area for a second term. His son Britto Pereppadan, a doctor by profession, also tried his luck in electoral politics and emerged winner in Tallaght Central. Fine Gael, the ruling party in Ireland, has got nine members in the 40-member council, including two Pereppadans. Baby Pereppadan was elected the mayor unopposed and power was handed over to him by his predecessor Alan Edge. Kerala model politics Pereppadan was not active in politics when he was in Kerala two decades ago. He migrated to Ireland on a spouse visa six months after his marriage with Jincy Pereppadan, a nurse. She is an advancd nursing practitioner at Premount Hospital now. The couple also has a daughter, Brona Pereppadan, who is a dental science student. "After I landed in Ireland, I started working as a representative of a cosmetics company. Later, I received its distributorship which gave me the opportunity to work with over 100 Irish people. My interactions with them laid the foundation for my politics," Pereppadan told Onmanorama over phone. He made his electoral debut in 2009 as an independent candidate but lost by just 65 votes. In 2014, he joined Fine Gael and he was made a candidate in 2019. The election marked his first win. "In politics, I have tried to emulate the model of leaders in Kerala. If someone faces an issue, I try to interact with them directly to get it solved. Irish people were impressed with that style. My campaign theme was "not just at election time," he said. His Tallaght South has around 38,000 registered voters and only around 450 of them are Malayalis. Pereppadan said he was attracted to Fine Gael because of the party's egalitarian approach to migrants like him. He said as mayor, his focus will be to curb a recent surge in anti-social behaviour of targetting non-Irish people and to solve the housing crisis in the country. He said the price of houses has been skyrocketing in the country and the Malayalis there have been affected badly. Pereppadan thanked his party leadership, especially Prime Minister Simon Harris for the constant support. PM Harris had released video messages canvassing votes for the Pereppadans and also called them to congratulate after the elections. From the CWC Educators United Instagram feed. (Image by CWC Educators United) Details DMCA The right-wing has been largely successful in its decades-long attempt to get rid of unions. Since 1983, the union membership rate has been halved so that today only 10% of workers belong to a union. Unions represented almost 35% of workers in 1954. A stagnation in the incomes of middle-class workers has accompanied this decline in union representation. Private-sector employees have been most affected by these losses. While only 6% of these employees are represented by unions, 32.5% of their public-sector counterparts have these protections. One of the ways that right-wing politicians have tried to reduce these rates is to transfer education funds from public schools to privately run schools whose workers are not represented by unions. Since California voted not to allow school vouchers in 2000, privatizers' primary way has been through charter schools. This has been particularly true in Los Angeles, which has more students in charter schools than any city in the country. Unions do not represent employees in most of these charter schools, but that is starting to change. Alliance College-Ready Public [SIC] Schools has spent over $1 million in propaganda efforts to resist having its employees unionize. A judge found that the charter school chain illegally blocked unionization efforts. To slow down the process, it took UTLA to court to force the union to treat each of its 23 campuses as separate entities instead of unionizing the entire chain as one organization. After some of these individual schools did vote to unionize, the charter chain changed its governing structure and tried to argue that the votes at those schools did not matter. The chain even closed one of its schools rather than negotiate with the union. Another charter school operator that has lost its fight to unionize is the Accelerated Schools. After its workers voted to join SEIU 99, management retaliated by firing Hilda Rodriguez-Guzman, a parent and long-time whistleblower at the schools. When parents and other community members attended an open meeting of the charter's governing board to speak on Rodriguez-Guzman's behalf, they were met with armed security guards. Armed Guard at Accelerated Charter School's Board Meeting (courtesy of anonymous) (Image by anonymous) Details DMCA Citizens of the World is the latest charter organization to have its staff unionize. This nationwide chain of publicly funded private schools has a long history of conflict in the communities where it operates. It was so bad in New York City that the state forced them to shut down. The schools' relationships with their teachers have not been much better. The chain's management admits that a "market analysis showed that [its] teachers, on average, are paid at the 23rd percentile when compared to "competitors". It did try to raise its standing this year but did so with a plan that increased discontent. Newer teachers would have their pay increased, but the increased expense would be offset in part by reducing incentives teachers received for pursuing additional education credits. The school claimed that reducing the pay of its most skilled teachers would increase its diversity efforts. In the aftermath of this plan, 90% of Citizens of the World's teachers voted to unionize. With a margin that large, the union has a strong mandate as it negotiates on behalf of its constituents. Having a union representing the teachers may also bring benefits to the students who attend Citizens of the World schools. Most importantly, the school will be able to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, increasing educational opportunities. Additionally, unions like UTLA have been able to increase services and opportunities available to students. As an example, students benefited from lower class sizes, more nurses on campus, and the expansion of community schools as a result of the 2019 strike. (Image by CWC Educators United) Details DMCA With all schools facing teacher shortages and increased competition for a decreasing pool of available students, Citizens of the World is likely not the last charter school chain to face unionization. Will this decrease their value to their billionaire funders who were hoping that these publicly funded private schools would kill off the ability of workers to organize? Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. The Forum for Cooperation between Azerbaijani NGOs, organized by the Agency for State Support of Non-Governmental Organizations jointly with the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, will begin at the Zangilan Congress Center on June 24, Trend reports. Representatives of about 200 public associations will take part in the forum, and panel discussions will be held on such topics as NGOs of Azerbaijan: results and goals, Environmental consequences of the mining industry of Armenia, COP29 and the movement for solidarity in the name of a green world. The forum will last two days. The Dark Side of Left-Brain Operations (Image by Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism) Details DMCA Author, Bruce Lerro, Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism Orientation Left and right brain divisions and dependencies Why is the brain so clearly and deeply divided? Why are the two cerebral hemispheres asymmetrical? Is the division of labor in the brain complete or do the sides overlap in functions? A lot of what we once thought went on in one hemisphere alone is now known to go on in both. For instance, both sides of the brain can handle words and images, both are involved in thinking and both can process language. Further, there is duplication across both spheres. While the hemispheres need to cooperate, believe it or not, Iain McGilchrist claims there is a power struggle between them, analogous to differences between Freud's id and superego or Marx's divided worker possessing both class-in-itself and class-for-itself identities. It is only at the level of the interpretation of specific events that competition between hemispheres occurs. The left hemisphere is ultimately dependent on the right, though it seems to have no awareness of this fact. As we will find in Part II, the brain does not merely mediate our experience of the world but shapes it as well. Where we are going? This article is divided into two parts. In this part, we will contrast the differences between the left and the right side of the brain. Secondly, we will discuss how the left brain at its worst leads to schizoid or schizophrenic behavior. Lastly, in Part I we will explore the commonalities between schizophrenia and modern art, including painting, music and writing literature. Without arguing that modern art causes schizophrenia there is no question that cases of schizophrenia have multiplied during the industrialization process of the 19th and the first third of the 20th century. In Part II of this article, McGilchrist, the author of the book The Master and His Emissary, ambitiously claims that the difference between the hemispheres is not just inside the brains of individuals. They are expressed in the history of the West of the brain's response to changes in the movements of thinking from ancient Greeks through the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the scientific revolution, capitalism, the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. Differences Between Hemispheres Faust is seen by many as the best representative of modern self-consciousness who declared there were two souls in his breast. The right side of the brain deals with the big picture and emerges first in human development. Its attention is diffused and it searches for unique patterns in the real world. Whatever information it finds, it places it in a context. For the brain's right side, wholes are more than the sum of their parts. Once the new information is in, its function is to stabilize the system (negative feedback). The right hemisphere watches out not only for itself but for the left side as well. It multitasks. In the brain, the right-side does parallel processing of systems at the same time. It generates alternatives to problems. The left hemisphere is its junior partner and is more unpredictable. The left hemisphere is more specialized, focused and sees the parts very well in isolation. The left hemisphere does not seek out new information but focuses on bringing order and logic within the system. It does not seek out the new but organizes information within into types and classifies it. If the right hemisphere, processing wholistically, misses the trees for the forest, the left hemisphere is preoccupied with the trees, missing the forest. At its worst, the right side of the brain has attention-deficient disorder. A corresponding downside of the left side of the brain would be obsessive compulsive disorder. While the focus of the right hemisphere is to bring information from the real world into the system, the left hemisphere abstracts from what the right hemisphere brings in and then generalizes from it. The left hemisphere prefers to do one thing at a time, serially. It prefers linear processes with a beginning, middle and end. The right side of the brain understands that processes recur, they are cyclic, reciprocal and sometimes turn into spirals. The left side likes to break things into parts, analyzing them, while the right side likes to pull processes together, synthetizing them. The left side takes what the right brain pulls together and gives fixity to what was once an ambiguous process. It seizes one alternative and turns it every which way. Believe it or not, a great deal of psychological research shows that most of the normal psychological processes go on in our unconscious, namely the autonomic systems and sympathetic parts of our systems such as heart rate and blood pressure in reaction to emotions. This is part of the right side of the brain. The conscious part of our system. Where we solve problems is the domain of the left side of the brain. The left side breaks processes into bits. The right side of the brain does not see bits, but rather networks. In the evolution of the triune brain stem, the right side of the brain is more directly connected to the limbic and mammalian system. The left side of the brain is connected tothe late-developing neocortex. The right brain is most interested in the dynamics of the world, where things are leading. The left side hungers to turn these events into a history, what has become of events. It follows the left brain and tries to capture the events of the world and freeze them into a static system. The right side is more at home with how things change over time. To use a metaphor the left side is like the noun side of language; the right side in interested in motion. Lastly the right side imagines that all of nature is alive and all relationships are "I-thou" to use Buber's terminology. The left side prefers to make things out of nature, acting as in "I-it" relationships. The left side of the brain is most at home with either/or answers, while the right side can tolerate ambiguity. The left side likes single meaning while the right side can handle meanings that only partly overlap. The left side of the brain is more likely to be dogmatic and the right side more open-minded. The left side prefers the denotation of language with precision of reference and meaning. The right side is more sensitive to the connotation, emotional side of language. Rationality vs reason A number of years ago two rhetoricians, Stephen Toulmin and Chaim Perelman, made a very important distinction between two words we tend to use interchangeably: reason and rationality. These distinctions arose in order to address the question of the difference between formal logic and informal logic. We use our reason when we try to make probabilistic guesses about what is likely to be true when no one knows for sure (informal logic). Formal logic, what they call rationality, occurs in situations that are closed systems where one sure answer is possible. An example of a closed system problem is a word puzzle. You don't search for information outside the problem to solve it. All the information you need is within the problem. The left side of the brain follows rules and manipulates symbols. The right side of the brain is more creative and finds new rules and new symbol systems. The right side of the brain is reasonable, the left side is rational. Rationality is about the relation of means to ends. The right side sees further into the distance by looking at ends in themselves. In terms of processing events, the right side is at its best starting things up and closing things out. The left side at its best is processing things in the middle, once they are under control. This has many other ramifications. Reason understands the world more broadly. It appreciates poetry and metaphor. Rationality takes things literally and prosaically. Reason also has a sense of humor, including irony and sarcasm. The rationality side is dead serious, it doesn't get jokes and as you might imagine, is socially awkward. A rational person acts something like a nerd. It focuses focus on digital communication while reason is sensitive to body language vocal tone, gestures and postures (analogical messages). The rational brain likes the virtual world; the right side prefers the real world. What Can Go Wrong With the Left Side of the Brain? McGilchrist does not have much to say about what can go wrong with the right side of the brain, but he has plenty to say and what can go wrong with the left side. Remember that we said the one psychological fruit of the left side of the brain that can be out of control is in obsessive-compulsive behavior. While repetition brings comfort, past a certain point it can result in mindless pounding or the mechanical and repetitive assembling and disassembling of machines. The left side prefers the codes for non-living things like tools or machines. On one hand it can lead to the perfecting of inventions. Yet this can lead to unrealistic perfectionism. Without the right side of the brain's input, the left side of the brain can create non-realistic, distorted fantastic images that can result in the world being seen as uncanny as we shall see. The left sphere has a precarious relationship with emotional life. It is capable of superficial social emotions but not good at imaging in depth the emotions of others. The left side is good at making judgments when all the information is in but not when judgement is required in situations that are ill-defined. Because it prefers the world of the inanimate things, it often, as in the case of Descartes, treats its body as a thing among other objects. At worst it might not recognize its own body parts as in asomatognosia - a feeling that parts of a person's body is "missing" or have disappeared from corporeal awareness. In any dynamic system, there is positive feedback that amplifiers the system to help it deal with environmental stress. On the other hand, negative feedback cools the system out to regulate the system over time. When the left side of the brain goes haywire the amplification process takes on a life of its own and shows itself in doing and undoing rituals or in pathological gambling. The left side of the brain is individualistic and has to be coaxed into understanding other people. It takes a gods-eye view of things, a view from nowhere so that it barely takes into account people other than its own self-interest, let alone anyone else's. Table A at the end of Part I is a summary of the differences between the hemispheres. Weaknesses in Left Hemisphere To recap, in cases where the right hemisphere is damaged, we will find similar problems that we might identify in schizophrenia. These include: Subjects don't understand context; Subjects don't understand elements of discourse like subjects, predicates and objects; Subjects have difficulty Interpreting emotions; Subjects have difficulty separating wholes (Gestalt perceptions) from parts; There is a decrease in the functioning of the limbic systems; There is difficulty interpreting tone; There is difficulty with interpreting facial expressions; There is trouble understanding underlying points of view; and A lack of common sense. The Left Hemisphere Schizoid and Schizophrenia States and Behavior The old ideas of schizophrenia include: They are a regression from a more mature state; The relationships between thoughts and reality or between thoughts and thoughts is irrational; In schizophrenia there is less sense of self-awareness than there is in non-schizophrenic people; and That schizophrenia is a retreat to primitive emotions and infantile body states. John Cutting in his book The Right Cerebral Hemisphere and Psychiatric Disorders has found that schizophrenia is a state in which the sufferer relies excessively on the left hemisphere. This explains the divorce from the body; detachment from human feeling; the separation of thought from action; excessive concern with clarity and fixity; and the triumph of representation over what is present. This is also the conclusion that Louis A. Sass comes to in his mammoth book Madness and Modernism. Rather than a regression to an earlier developmental state, schizophrenia can happen to a mature adult. Secondly, schizophrenia is far from being irrational. In fact, it is hyper-rational. It is a product of the left side of the brain gone haywire! Instead of lacking in self-awareness the schizophrenic is hyper-reflective and cannot get out of their head back into the world. Rather than being lost in their emotional life, the schizophrenic is disengaged from their emotions and the emotions of others. This results in depersonalization, in which the person loses a sense of their identity in the world. They see themselves as an automaton. Schizophrenics routinely see themselves as machines, robots, computers or cameras. At the other end, they see the world in a derealized way, which is when the real world loses its aliveness and becomes a thing, an object unconnected to the rest of the world. Modernism and schizophrenia: the core phenomenology In Paradoxes of Delusion: Wittgenstein, Schreber and the Schizophrenic Mind Louis Sass explores the idea that madness is the end point of a trajectory that consciousness follows when it separates from the body and the passions from the social and practical world and turns upon itself. Chris Frith's identification of the core abnormality of schizophrenia is an awareness of automatic processes. There is a veering between two apparently opposite positions that are really aspects of the same positions. They are omnipotence and impotence. Either there is no self or an all-observing eye that swallows the whole world into the self. Schizophrenia and Schizoid Disorders are Connected to Industrialization Anthropological psychiatrists claim that schizophrenia goes all the way back to hunting and gathering societies. Yet McGilchrist points out that schizophrenia has grown with industrialization. He claims that in England it was rare if it existed at all before the 18th century. The same was true in Ireland, Yankeedom or Italy. Schizophrenia steeply increased in the first half of the 20th century. Mental health is generally better in rural populations. The risk of developing schizophrenia is doubled in urban environments. Multiple personality disorders are also modern. On the positive side people with schizoid or schizotypal traits will be attracted to and deemed suitable for employment in science, technology and administration, all of which have been influential in shaping our world during the last 100 years. Dissociation is Connected to Both the Left Hemisphere and Schizophrenia This includes: Inability to tell what another is thinking; Lack of judgment of non-verbal cues in communication; Lack of judgement of tone, humor, irony; Inability to detect deceit; Attraction to the mechanical; Treatment of other people and body parts as inanimate objects; Obsession with detail; Amnesia about autobiographical information; Identity disturbances such as depersonalization; Derealization - a lack of a sense of reality of the phenomenal world; and Loss of feeling of belonging to the world (feeling we are spectators rather than participants). The Relationship Between Schizophrenia and Modern Art Self-referentiality, depersonalization and realization and representation McGilchrist says in both schizophrenia and in the modern artist the interpreter begins to interpret himself. Each's focus on paranoia do not allow for accidents or unintended actions. Depersonalization and derealization in each leads to devitalization. Devitalization leads to boredom, and boredom to sensationalism. Emptiness and restlessness lead to gross stimulation. Speech becomes either gross or hyperbolic. Music appears loud and nervous. The left hemisphere with its orientation towards what is lifeless and mechanical appears desperate to shock us back to life. There is concern with materiality and simultaneous impulse in both modern art and schizophrenia. Representation is when real objects are replaced by concepts and concepts turn into things. Objects become more abstract and more thing-like. There is also a preference for inanimate things. In his book The Philosopher's Gaze: Modernity in the Shadows of the Enlightenment, DM Levin writes that representation, rather than the presence of the real world, the left hemisphere's role is the characteristic state of modernity. The heart of the modern art is a dogmatic trampling of all taboos. The artist makes a fetish, a fascination with the amoral restlessness of modern urban life. Shock and novelty become defenses against the boredom and seeming inauthenticity of modern life. There is a fear that without novelty there is only banality. Objects are juxtaposed without being brought into relation. Increasingly, perspective is deliberately disrupted as with the Cubists. Modernism does not build on the past while taking it in a new direction, but it wants to sweep away the past altogether and start from scratch. The left hemisphere prefers cylinders, cubes or spheres. McGilchrist points out that Modernist art appears to mimic the world as it would appear to someone whose right brain was inactivated. He writes: The demonization of the body reaches its most disturbing apotheosis in the bizarrely distorted and dismembered marionettes of Hans Bellmer. Pointillism reduces Gestalt figures to a mass of discrete points. Collage represents the concept of a whole as composed of independent pieces. Futurism declares the left hemisphere's preference for the future over the past. What the artist has written about his work is as important as the thing itself as if the artwork could not stand for itself. Similarly, some painters have made the eye more intellectual and have gone far beyond what was previously called a joy in form or color. More and more the symbolic replaces that which exists in reality. (415-416) Modern artists In fact, a remarkable number of the leading figures of modernism displayed schizoid or schizotypal features: These included Nietzsche, Jarry, Strindberg, Dali, Wittgenstein, Kafka, and Stravinsky. Antonin Artaud had schizophrenia. He told Anais Nin that he wanted a theatre that would be like a shock treatment to galvanize people into feeling. In modern art attention is focused on the medium, not on the world beyond that medium. The content is denied. The self-reflective statements of modern literature and criticism concentrate attention on language and either deny or minimize the world beyond language. Tristen Tzara one of the founders of Dada summed up modernism early when he proclaimed that art is a private affair. The artist produces it for himself and any judgment about it had become completely subjective on the part of the critic. No critic has any objective powers. Modern music Since the 20th century, music has aspired to and attained a high level of abstraction. As Schoenberg put it, how the music sounds is not the point. Gilchrist claims the melodic line has been largely abandoned and its harmonic structures are hard to appreciate intuitively even if they might be appreciated conceptually. Nietzsche writes that our ears have become more intellectual. The meaning in music is confusing because of the way it sounds. McGilchrist writes that the idea is to disturb the listener's feeling of gravitational attraction by combining so many different forms of attraction that this sense of location cannot adjust fast enough. The lack of tonal centers destroys the listener's anchor point. He says we do not have sufficient short-term memory to cope with the degrees of apparent formlessness. On the other hand, harmony in music is an analogues to perspective in painting. Both harmony and perspective is right hemisphere dependent. Coming Attractions The differences between the left and the right side of the brain are not simply bio-psychological phenomena taking place inside the bodies and minds of individuals schizophrenics or modern artists. They are also manifested physically, materially in the world through the social institutions and movements in the West from the ancient world of the Greeks and the Romans through the Middle Ages and on to modern life, beginning in the 14th century. The Renaissance is often contrasted to the Reformation, the Enlightenment to Romantism and Capitalism to Socialism. Can the differences in these European movements be expressions of the left and right brains? Can the common social problems that arose between the Reformation, the Enlightenment and capitalism be attributed to the left brain that has gotten out of control? Through McGilchrist, I will examine this in Part II. Please see table on Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism Its a contest where beauty is in the eye of the leash holder. At the annual Worlds Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, an 8-year-old Pekingese from Oregon named Wild Thang finally became top dog. For attendees, the upcoming Rainbow Family Gathering in Plumas National Forest is a chance to celebrate community, peace, love and healing. But authorities in this sparsely populated corner of California have other words for the affair: nonpermitted, disruptive and potentially destructive. Thats why the thousands of people expected to camp as part of the early July event can expect to have some company this year. The Plumas County Sheriffs Office is warning attendees that there will be a substantial law enforcement presence to enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward any illegal activities or behaviors that threaten public safety or our natural resources. Members of a management team assembled by the U.S. Forest Service have already begun enforcing parking restrictions barring people from leaving their vehicles farther than one car length off the road, an agency spokesperson confirmed to The Times. Despite the pushback, members of the Rainbow Family many of whom have gathered from across the country for the celebration for decades say they arent changing their plans. Between 2,000 and 8,000 people are expected to camp at the site during the celebration, which runs July 1-7. Its a community, said Adam Buxbaum, 36, who has been attending since he was an infant. We go there on paper and its the truth to pray for peace on the Fourth of July. Thats primary, but secondarily, we go there to spend time with all of our dearest friends and family once a year. Each year, the U.S. Forest Service calls attention to the event, pointing out that the Rainbow Gathering refuses to get a special use permit, which the agency says is mandatory for groups of 75 people or more. Authorities have also said attendees participate in public nudity, drink alcohol to excess and use drugs. Some people do go without clothes, Buxbaum acknowledged, though he said thats a really kind of weird thing to accuse people of doing in a malicious way. He said nudity is prohibited around the childrens play areas and alcohol has always been discouraged. And pot? Some people pass on the grass while others partake, he said. We believe in letting people express themselves as long as theyre not harming their neighbors, he said. The Rainbow Gathering is the legacy of the original hippies. Attendees are known to set up extensive infrastructure for the experience with welcome tents, camping areas, outdoor kitchens and areas dedicated for medical needs. Officials have warned residents of Plumas County, a region of about 19,000 people in northeastern California, near where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range meet, to expect traffic congestion and delays as more people arrive in the area. We urge the organizers and participants of the Rainbow Family Gathering to respect our community, residents and local businesses. Any unlawful activities that cause harm or damage will result in appropriate law enforcement action, the Sheriffs Office wrote in a statement Wednesday. Hilary Markin, a spokesperson for the Forest Service incident management team, said the agencys top priorities are ensuring the health and safety of participants and shielding natural resources. We have a large incident thats taking place in a general forest area where there are critical resources that we want to make sure are protected, she said. Buxbaum, whose nickname at the gathering is Finch, calls the movement one of the longest-running acts of civil disobedience. The Rainbow Gatherings date to 1972, when the first one was held in Colorado. Each year since, individuals have converged in different areas but always outdoors. Though Buxbaum is dismayed by the constant police presence, it hasnt dampened his desire to attend. But attendance has been dwindling. In years past, it was typical for 20,000 people to camp. This year, he said, hell be surprised if they reach 10,000. A lot of people have quit coming to the gatherings permanently because theyre tired of being searched and harassed every single year, Buxbaum said. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Foreign direct investment (FDI) from Iran to Azerbaijan stood at $94.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, Trend reports. Calculations based on data from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan show that this figure increased by 5.69 percent ($5.7 million) compared to the figure for 2023. The share of FDI from Iran in total FDI in Azerbaijan made up 6.3 percent. To note, FDI from Iran to Azerbaijan amounted to $395.9 million in 2023. FDI in Azerbaijan's economy amounted to $6.6 billion (6.1 percent growth) last year. 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Azerbaijan decreased the export and import of plastics and its products from January through May 2024, year on year, a source in the State Customs Committee (SCC) told Trend. According to the source, the export volume was 180,756 tons and the value - $163.8 million (down 19.03 percent and 19.7 percent, respectively). "During the reporting period, plastics and plastic products accounted for 1.47 percent of Azerbaijan's total exports and 12.99 percent of non-oil sector exports. Over five months, Azerbaijan imported 117,059 tons of plastic and its products worth $206.44 million, which is 3.9 and 0.4 percent less than last year, respectively. The share of imports of these products in the total imports of Azerbaijan for the above period amounted to 2.83 percent," the source added. To note, Azerbaijan's exports of plastic amounted to $523.42 million, and its imports - $460.79 million in 2023. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Generation Alpha specifies to people born between 2010 and 2024. As the first cohort completely born in the 21st century, it is anticipated to be the biggest generation in annals, surpassing 2 billion human beings. Who Are Generation Alpha? Members of Generation Alpha have been engaged in technology since delivery, spending more time online and using gadgets like computers, smartphones, and tablets than any former generation. With longer life anticipations, many in this follower are possibly to live into the 22nd century. Generation Alpha follows Generation Z, which includes those born from 1997 to 2012, and they are usually the kids of Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996. The term Generation Alpha was invented in 2005 by demographer Mark McCrindle, founder of the Australian consultancy McCrindle. He chose this name to indicate a new inauguration, after the Greek alphabet after cohorts X, Y, and Z. Characteristics of Generation Alpha Researchers are already identifying traits that will define Generation Alpha. Technology Use Generation Alpha is anticipated to be the most technologically adept and digitally empowered generation. Their extensive screen time is considered a social experiment with both benefits and drawbacks. While they will have unprecedented access to information and data, leading to educational advantages, there are concerns about reduced attention spans and social interaction issues. Despite recommendations to limit screen time for young children, many in this generation exceed these guidelines. Education Generation Alpha is expected to achieve higher levels of formal education than any previous generation. McCrindle anticipates that half of Generation Alpha will receive a university degree. Impact of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has essentially impacted Generation Alpha's education, with virtual learning becoming a defining characteristic. This shift has provided them with unique insights into remote education and reshaped their interactions with educators and peers. Environmental Awareness Facing significant environmental challenges, Generation Alpha is more environmentally conscious than previous generations, including Generation Z. Future Outlook Generation Alpha will encounter distinct economic and environmental challenges: Economic Challenges About 65% of Generation Alpha is anticipated to work in jobs that do not recently occur, driven by rising manufacturing like nanotechnology, blockchain, cybersecurity, autonomous transport, and virtual reality. By 2029, when most aged members reach adulthood, their cumulative economic impact is projected to surpass $5.46 trillion, making them an important target for dealers who will want to shape their distinct choices. Environmental Challenges Generation Alpha will face extraordinary difficulties connected to population development and environmental issues. Kids born in 2020 are premeditated to encounter essentially more intense weather events compared to those born in 1960. Many in Generation Alpha will live to see the 22nd century, sharing the planet with over 11 billion human beings. Generation Alpha pursues Generation Z (born 1997-2012), Millennials (Generation Y, born 1981-1996), Generation X (born 1965-1980), Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945), and the Greatest Generation (born 1901-1927). In the United States, Generation Alpha is anticipated to be exceedingly distinct. For the first time, the white population will be an opposition, with 26% Latino or Hispanic, 16% Black, 7% Asian, 6% mixed races, and 2% American Indian or Alaska Native. Generation Alpha, born between 2010 and 2024, is the biggest cohort in history, premeditated to be highly tech-savvy and environmentally knowledgeable. They will face rare challenges due to the developing economy, climate change, and a growing global population, with many anticipated to live into the 22nd century. An Arkansas grocery store shooting has left a small community in devastation after three people were dead and 10 people injured, two of those including armed police officers at the Mad Butcher grocery store. The grocery shooting incident happened on Friday, June 21, at approximately 10:30 a.m. Swift Police Response and Containment Authorities were advised of an active shooter at the grocery store, prompting a rapid-fire response from law enforcement. During a news conference, Mike Hagar, Secretary of Public Safety and Director of Arkansas State Police, detailed how officers engaged in a gunfight with the lone suspect, who was later wounded and restrained. The injuries to both the officers and the suspect are not life-threatening. Hagar assured that the situation is now secure and contained and that there are no ongoing threats to the community. This tragic incident is part of a broader and disturbing pattern of gun violence in the United States, with the Gun Violence Archive reporting at least 234 mass shootings so far in 2024. The recent uptick in similar incidents has been alarming, with 21 mass shootings recorded just in the past week. Eyewitness Accounts of Chilling Grocery Shooting Witnesses have shared chilling accounts of the chaos that erupted. David Rodriguez, who was at a nearby gas station, originally thought the gunfire was fireworks. Rodriguez added that the shots came faster, and he saw people running and became terrified with what was going on. Matthew Gill, a meat manager at the Mad Butcher, was in the back of the store when the firing began. Gill recounted that the suspect came by and started shooting and they swiftly escaped at the back door. He added that he needs to get out there and mentioned he has a wife and kids at home. In the parking lot, sisters Amiya and Ashiya Doherty were in their family's SUV when the shooter opened fire. Amiya recounted the horror of the incident saying the suspect shot at her mother's car and hit the tire. It was like a scene from a movie, describing how she pulled her sister down to avoid being struck by bullets. Fordyce City Council Member Roderick Rogers was on the phone with someone inside the store when the firing took place. "Man, it was bad," Rogers said, adding that survivors are deeply traumatized and that arrangements are being made to provide counseling. Official Responses and Community Solidarity Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed her anguish and confided in the swift actions of law enforcement. Sanders, in a statement she released, expressed her gratitude towards law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic conduct to save lives. The small city of Fordyce, with a population of just 3,396, is reeling from this violent incident. Known for its close-knit community, the city is struggling to come to terms with the senseless violence that has shattered its peace. The Arkansas State Police are continuing their investigation to uncover the motive behind the incident. As the investigation proceeds, the community remains united in its support for the victims and their families, demonstrating resilience in the face of tragedy. This incident follows a series of violent circumstances across the nation, including recent mass shootings in California, Philadelphia, and Oakland, father pressing the critical need for effective measures to address gun violence. Fordyce, a city now marked by anguish, is determined to heal and support each other through this tough time. As the community grieves, they also hope for a future free from similar devastating events. This week marks the end of the diocesan stage in the beatification process of Chiara Corbella, an Italian mom who refused cancer treatment to safeguard her unborn child, a critical step towards her possible canonization as a saint. Chiara Corbella Moves Closer to Sainthood The last session for the diocesan phase of Corbella's beatification process was held on June 21 at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, the seat of the Diocese of Rome. During this session, the findings from a comprehensive inspection of her life, virtues, and reputation for holiness were presented. Born in 1984, Corbella met her husband Enrico during a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 2002. They married in Assisi in 2008. After discovering her first pregnancy involved severe birth defects, which tragically claimed the life of their daughter Maria Grazia Letizia shortly after birth, Corbella faced another difficult pregnancy with her son Davide Giovanni, who also had serious malformations and passed away soon after birth in 2010. Despite consequent health difficulties, including a cancer diagnosis during her third gestation, Corbella delayed medication until after giving birth to her healthy son, Francesco, in 2011. Dreadfully, she passed away of cancer in 2012 at the age of 28 and is buried alongside her children in Rome. Corbella's decision to prioritize her children's lives over her medication accumulated extensive recognition of her exceptional holiness. In 2018, the Diocese of Rome started her cause for beatification, declaring her a Servant of God and initiating an inspection of her life and virtues. The closing of the diocesan phase, overseen by Bishop Baldo Reina and other officials, reaffirms Corbella's sacrificial love and faith. Her story resonates in Italy, where declining birth rates have become a concern, echoing similar sacrifices made by other women like Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, who was canonized for refusing treatment for a tumor to safeguard her unborn child. Read Also : Chemotherapy Drugs Linked to Antibodies Directly Target Tumor Cells; A Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment Italian Mom Refuses Cancer Treatment, Saving Unborn Child In their early years together, they tragically lost two children, Maria Grazia Letizia and Davide Giovanni, both born with incurable disabilities and who died shortly after birth. Despite receiving terminal diagnoses during pregnancy, Chiara chose to carry each child to term, embracing their lives as precious and not to be eliminated. Their son Francesco, born in 2010 and initially healthy, brought brief joy before Chiara was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent surgery to remove a tumor but, as the cancer spread, she faced increasing challenges with speech and vision. Despite this, she maintained a joyful spirit, even after learning of her terminal condition in April 2012, as depicted in a poignant photo with an eye patch. Chiara passed away on June 13, 2012, surrounded by loved ones at home, wearing her wedding gown. Her funeral drew hundreds, reflecting the impact of her life and message. Her husband Enrico emphasized that Chiara's greatest message to the world is her relatability as a beloved child of God, not merely a figure of heroism or sanctity. Bishop Reina, speaking after the diocesan process, highlighted Chiara's profound trust in God's plan, as guided by Revelation 3:7, which shaped her understanding of God as the sovereign author of her life. Chiara's father, Roberto, expressed gratitude amidst his grief, noting the comfort found in the widespread devotion to Chiara and the recognition of her enduring love. A family holiday turned tragic for a Pennsylvania couple and their six children when they were caught in a rip current off the seacoast of Florida, resulting in the couple's early death. Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, along with two of their teenage children, encountered the dangerous current while swimming on Hutchinson Island, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office. Desperate Rescue Efforts To Save Pennsylvania Couple The family's children, who were also caught in the current, managed to break free and tried to help their parents. The situation swiftly turned too threatening, forcing the children to swim ashore for their safety. Martin County Ocean Rescue responded quickly, performing life-saving measures and transporting the couple to a local hospital. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, Warter and Wishard were pronounced dead upon arrival. Authorities underlined the significance of recognizing and responding to rip currents, especially during dangerous surf conditions. On the day of the incident, red flags were posted at the beach, indicating the presence of dangerous surf conditions. The National Weather Service office in Melbourne had issued a warning about the high danger of rip currents along the Atlantic seacoast, partly due to advanced ocean swells caused by a low-pressure system near the Florida-Georgia state line. Rip currents are fast-moving columns of water that flow down from the shore toward open water. Swimmers caught in a rip current are advised to remain calm and swim akin to the shore to escape the current. Florida rip currents can reach speeds of 1 to 2 feet per second, but some can exceed 8 feet per second, faster than even the best Olympic swimmers, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Community Response and Safety Preventives Local officers expressed the ongoing challenge of educating vacationers about ocean safety. Martin County Chief Deputy John Budensiek stated that most of the people are locals, and they understand rip tides. However, they do get tourists and vacationers that come by in the area who are not familiar with the dangers of the current and unfortunately, this ends inadequately for them. Budensiek added that there is no way to get the communication out to all of them. As a result of the tragedy, the sheriff's office reported that an extremity intervention deputy is aiding the couple's children while they stay for other family members to arrive in Florida. The children, whose exact ages weren't disclosed, are receiving support during this delicate time. Martin County Fire Rescue stated that they would assess beach conditions on Friday morning, June 21, before deciding if the ocean would be open to the public. This preventative measure aims to secure the safety of beachgoers and help additional incidents. Hutchinson Island, located about 55 miles north of West Palm Beach, is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the possible dangers posed by the ocean, even in seemingly calm conditions. Support and Condolences The Martin County community has rallied around the grieving family, offering support and condolences. Local authorities continue to emphasize the need for mindfulness and caution when swimming in the ocean, particularly for those unaccustomed with the hazards of rip currents. As the family copes with their loss, officials hope this tragedy will raise awareness about the hazards of rip currents and the significance of ocean safety measures. I was surprisingly sad to leave Switzerland this time. As we were packing up to leave the house in which wed been staying, the couple that takes care of the place arrived to tidy up after us for the absentee landlord, who is a lifelong friend of theirs (but who now resides in the United States and is currently serving a mission with his wife in England). We ended up talking for quite a while. Theyre long-time temple workers in Zollikofen now, but he, at least, had grown up right there in Matten b. Interlaken and he knew all of the old members that I had known (e.g., the impressive Interlaken branch president, Walter Ruf, who [in my opinion] might have been the first Swiss General Authority had he been a generation or two younger; the, umm, challenging Sister Mauderli, with her architect son in Burgdorf, whom I also knew; the Stalder family, with its three beautiful daughters [legendary among the Swiss missionary elders]). They remembered the brilliant and somewhat intimidating temple president, Immo Luschin von Ebengreuth. They remembered my mission president, Edwin Q. Cannon, and his wife, Janath Russell Cannon. As weve done several times before, my wife and I drove by the home where my two Interlaken missionary companions and I lived, at Kanalpromenade 46. I didnt get to know Herr Zbaren very well; he was a chef at a very posh restaurant in St. Moritz, and he was seldom home. (And, by the way, when he was home he did no cooking.) But Frau Zbaren, our landlady, was a sweetheart, very kind. When my wife and I were en route to Egypt not long after our wedding, we spent some time in Switzerland. We paid a visit to Frau Zbaren and she invited us back for dinner that evening. Im glad that my wife had the opportunity to meet her, Both of the Zbarens are long gone now; he went first and, a few years later, I ran into the then-resident of the house and he told us that she had gone into a senior citizens home where she had passed away. I expect that Pfarrer Theo Burk, the admirable Protestant pastor of Ringgenberg, must have long since passed on. A few stays in Switzerland ago, with my wife, I visited his striking old church and the parish community center associated with it. I wanted, if possible, to find out where Rev. Burk was and what might have become of him. There were, though, only a few people there on that weekday, and they could tell me nothing. It has, after all, been decades. Anyway, such reminiscences only served to heighten my nostalgia and to put me in an even more sentimental mood. Among the many reasons for my affection for Switzerland is the fact that so many of my formative memories and so many good people are associated with it. How could I not love such a place? Oddly, the website of the Interpreter Foundation continues to produce. Here are three recent items that I hope youll enjoy: This Stone Shall Become the Great, and the Last, and the Only Sure Foundation: A Nephite Poetics of Dramatic Fusion and Transfer in Jacob 5, written by Matthew Scott Stenson Abstract: In this study, three intersecting images are traced through the small plates until Jacob 5, where they directly (or by implication) culminate in the final section of Zenoss allegory. The three images appear fused together in Nephis and Jacobs writings. Specifically, this literary study tracks the images of the olive vineyard, the sheepfold and pasture, and the cornerstone or rock foundation. These oddly fused (or adjacent) images, though complexly employed, can be understood best as representing not only Christ but a gospel-centered record to be revealed by him. Fundamental to this reading is the idea that the Good Shepherd gathers his sheep by means of a stone or rock comparable to the gospel of Christ. In making this case, it is helpful to compare related texts such as 2 Nephi 25 and 3 Nephi 27. The value of this analysis is to demonstrate a unity amidst complexity in the aesthetic of the Book of Mormon and to offer alternative readings of certain scriptures, especially Jacob 5. Zenoss allegory is read here as tragicomedy and as one locus for the aforementioned images. Interpreting Interpreter: A StoneGreat, Last and Sure, written by Kyler Rasmussen This post is a summary of the article This Stone Shall Become the Great, and the Last, and the Only Sure Foundation: A Nephite Poetics of Dramatic Fusion and Transfer in Jacob 5 by Matthew Scott Stenson in Volume 61 of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. All of the Interpreting Interpreter articles may be seen at https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/summaries/. An introduction to the Interpreting Interpreter series is available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreting-interpreter-on-abstracting-thought/. The Takeaway: Stenson identifies three imagesthe olive vineyard, the sheepfold and pasture, and the cornerstonethat appear to be fused in the writings of Nephi and Jacob, arguing that they represent not only Christ in his role as a Good Shepherd, but also the sacred record by which he gathers his sheep and which they can use as a sure foundation. For Stenson, this process represents a literary tragicomedy, with the tragedy of Israels downfall being countered by the comedy of its unification in Christ. Hugh Nibley Observed: Matthew Black and Mircea Eliade Meet Hugh Nibley, written and presented by Gordon C. Thomasson Over 400 women from Nakpayili and Bimbilla have benefitted from a training in soap making. Organized by Abuya Foundations for Women Empowerment, the two days training offered the women the opportunity to learn first hand skills that will change their lives for good. The training, which originally targeted 300 women, ended up recording excess numbers as women who were initially invited shared the good news with other compatriots. According to its CEO, Iddrisu Aminu, And as an entity with the wellbeing of women at heart we quickly adjusted to take all on board. These women thronged the venues for the training both at Nakpayili and Bimbilla with excitement, beaming with smiles and couldn't simply be turned away. This was an opportunity for the women to be imparted with valuable skills, he added, stressing the point that it will also create employment opportunities for the women of NANUNG. On behalf of the CEO, Tahidu Abdul Jalil, speaking to the media said that Iddrisu Aminu further has intentions of supporting the women with start up capitals soon. He, however, indicated that he was happy to see the women learn and get equipped with knowledge that will change their lives positively. He added that the foundations work is not political. "This is a non-profit non political movement. We are only but an organization with the sole aim of making life comfortable for the Ghanaian woman," he said. The elated women expressed their profound gratitude to the CEO of Abuya Foundation for his generosity and requested his support of funds to kickstart production since this was the only way they could help practicalise the skill acquired during the training. Meanwhile, the Abuya Foundation says it has received a lot of proposals from more women and intends to roll them all in, in its next set of communities, which will be announced soon. 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 Six more Ghanaian nationals have succumbed to the intense heat wave in Mecca, bringing the total number of pilgrim deaths during this year's Hajj to eight. Abdul Rahman Alhassan Gomda, the spokesperson for the Hajj Board, confirmed the report during an interview with Umaru Sanda on Eyewitness News. He reported that the pilgrims, who were staying in Madina, faced extreme temperatures that soared above 41 degrees Celsius. In an effort to protect the pilgrims from the severe heat, Saudi authorities issued a directive requiring all pilgrims to stay inside their tents during the hottest part of the day, from noon until 4 p.m. local time. Initially, fatalities were reported among Georgian nationals, but it soon became apparent that Ghanaians were also among those who fell victim to the scorching temperatures. Sky News has reported that the death toll for this year's Hajj pilgrimage has exceeded 1,000. "The heat was unbearable, reaching temperatures higher than 41 degrees Celsius," stated A.R Gomda. "We were confined to our camps during the critical hours. Unfortunately, we later learned that not only Georgians but also Ghanaians had lost their lives due to the heat wave." Gomda revealed that there was a rumor of 13 Ghanaian deaths within their camp. However, these individuals were not registered with the Hajj Board and were suspected of travelling on non-Hajj visas. "The forensic team at the morgue has been working tirelessly, using fingerprints to identify the deceased," Gomda explained. "So far, they have confirmed six Ghanaians among the casualties. It will take some time to determine the full extent of the losses suffered by our community." Last week, Chairman of the Hajj Board, Ben Abdallah Banda confirmed the death of two Ghanaian pilgrims. The pilgrims, hailing from Damongo in the Savannah region, met their untimely demise on separate occasions, with one passing on Sunday, June 9, and the other on Wednesday, June 12. Mr Banda also confirmed the birth of a boy by one Ghanaian pilgrim. The latest report brings the total number of Ghanaian deaths to 8. Source: ghanaweb.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 ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 22. Kazakhstan's crude oil exports to Turkiye amounted to 172,676 tons in March 2024, Trend reports. According to Turkiye's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), export volume fell by more than 70 percent from the same period in 2023 (576,816 tons). Kazakhstan accounted for 4.13 percent of Turkiye's total crude oil imports in March 2024 (2.68 million tons). Furthermore, Turkiye's crude oil imports from Kazakhstan totaled 637,635 tons from January through March. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan and Turkiye's commercial turnover was $6 billion in 2023. The volume of trade turnover fell by 5.3 percent from the same time in 2022 ($6.3 billion). Exports to Turkiye during the aforementioned period amounted to $3.9 billion, which is 16.4 percent less than from January to December 2022 ($4.7 billion). Furthermore, imports from Turkiye climbed by 27 percent between January and December 2023, totaling $2 billion. In 2022, imports totaled $1.6 billion. Two siblings, Shiraz-Deen Mohammed and Mahama Yakubu, are currently receiving medical care after sustaining gunshot wounds during a recent raid allegedly conducted by men in military uniform. The siblings suffered injuries to their head and arms, respectively, and were immediately transported to the Bole Hospital in the Savannah Region for treatment. Although no official statement has been released regarding the raid, residents speculate that the military presence was intended to expel individuals involved in illegal mining in the district. However, JoyNews sources in Bole suggest that the raid may be connected to a series of recent incidents in the area, where 20 people were mysteriously killed with no arrests made. Authorities suspect that the illegal miners might be linked to these killings, prompting the crackdown to drive them out of Bole. Source: myjoyonline 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 76-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her daughter, Joyce Boateng, at Abuakwa-Asenemaso in the Atwima Nwabiagya South. According to the report, the suspect stabbed her aged mother with a disability after her pastors accused the victim of being a witch. According to Joyce's brother, witnesses saw her heading towards the cemetery with blood stains. The residents thought she was hurt. She later went to an agro-chemical shop and took one of the chemicals. But one of my nephews saw it and took it from her. According to her, two pastors (male and female) told her that her mother was a witch which forced her to kill her mother. The assembly member for Asenemaso electoral area, Isaac Owusu Boateng confirmed the tragic incident and disclosed that Joyce had also attempted to poison herself. He highlighted the need for increased public awareness and education on such sensitive matters. This woman had 5 children and was always in a wheelchair. What I can say it, the media should educate people on issues like this. The pastor told her this but there is no evidence. In Ghana, some women respect their pastors more than their husbands. Source: myjoyonline 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 post on the microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has revealed the shocking number of Ghanaians seeking to migrate overseas for greener pastures. According to Derek Nii Laryea, a popular digital entrepreneur, 63,375 residents of Ghana applied for a Canada visa from January to April 2024. The number of applicants for the first quarter of 2024 exceeded the total number of applicants for the year 2023. In 2023, a total of 62,151 persons applied for a Canada visa, out of which 33,756 were approved. In his tweet, he wrote, Canada visa applications in Ghana. 2021: 9,109, 2023: 62,151. Of these, 33,756 were approved, reflecting a substantial rise in interest and acceptance rates. 2024 Jan to April: 63,375. The first 4 months surpassed the total number of applications for the entire previous year. Approval numbers for January and February were relatively strong, with 6,241 and 5,826 approvals respectively. However, March and April experienced significant drops, with approvals falling to 3,749 in March and further to 3,001 in April. It seems IRCC is tightening the criteria. The phenomenon of mass migration is not exclusive to Canada. In an earlier publication on GhanaWeb, the United States (US) Embassy in Ghana revealed that 6,468 Ghanaians secured visas and traveled to study graduate programs at American universities for the 2022-2023 academic year. According to the embassy, the numbers were unprecedented and represented an over 31 percent increase in Ghanaian students who took graduate programs in the US for the 2021-2022 academic year (4,140). Ghanas failing economy, poor living standards, and high unemployment rate have been listed as possible reasons for which Ghanaians, especially the youth, seek to migrate overseas for greener pastures. Check out the tweet below- Canada visa applications in Ghana 2021: 9109 2023: 62,151 Of these, 33,756 were approved, reflecting a substantial rise in interest and acceptance rates. 2024 Jan to April: 63,375 First 4 months surpassed the total number of applications for the entire previous year. Approval pic.twitter.com/rbF8X40QQ1 HelicopterMan (@LaryeaDerek) June 21, 2024 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 a vibrant and well-attended event, Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei, the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Bekwai, officially launched his 2024 electoral campaign. The official launch of Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei's campaign sets the stage for an exciting election season in Bekwai. With his clear vision, community support, and dedication to public service, Poku-Adusei is poised to make a significant impact as he seeks to represent Bekwai in Parliament. The launch marked a significant milestone in the political journey of Poku-Adusei, who is known for his legal acumen and commitment to community development. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as attendees gathered to show their support for the candidate, whose vision for Bekwai has resonated with many in the constituency. A Vision for Bekwai In his speech, Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei outlined his vision for Bekwai, emphasizing his commitment to economic development, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He highlighted the need for sustainable policies that would bring tangible improvements to the lives of Bekwai residents. Poku-Adusei spoke passionately about the importance of creating job opportunities, particularly for the youth, and enhancing educational facilities to ensure that children in Bekwai have access to quality education. He also underscored his plans to improve healthcare services and develop infrastructure to support the growth of local businesses. Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei as part of the launch of his campaign has rolled out a series of monumental interventions aimed at transforming the lives of the people in the constituency. Some of these include: Bekwai Constituency Sanitation Initiative In addition to the water project, Lawyer Poku-Adusei has also announced plans to address the sanitation challenges in communities such as Adjamesu, Poano, and others. His initiatives include constructing modern toilet facilities, establishing efficient waste management systems, and promoting community-led sanitation initiatives. Constituency Wide Tour As part of his campaign, Lawyer Poku-Adusei will embark on a constituency-wide tour to visit all 119 communities in the Bekwai Constituency. This tour aims to engage with stakeholders, listen to their concerns, and gather information on the specific needs of each community. Lawyer Poku-Adusei has promised to focus his campaign on issues and his numerous interventions, devoid of insults and personality attacks. He has pledged to bring massive interventions in areas such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, aimed at improving the lives of the people in the constituency. A Campaign Built Purely On Issues Lawyer Poku-Adusei's campaign is built on a solid foundation of issues and interventions, demonstrating his commitment to the people of Bekwai Constituency. His approach is a refreshing departure from the usual political rhetoric and a testament to his dedication to serving the people. As the campaign season heats up, the people of Bekwai Constituency can expect to see more of Lawyer Poku-Adusei's monumental interventions and issue-based campaign, focused on transforming their lives for the better. Community Support Attendees and constituents were full of praise for Lawyer Poku-Adusei for his dedication and readiness to serve. Ralph Poku-Adusei has proven beyond doubts that he is the candidate who best understands the needs of his people. His legal background and commitment to justice and development make him the ideal representative for Bekwai," said the chairman. Community leaders also took the stage to express their support, sharing personal stories of how Poku-Adusei's efforts have already made a positive impact in the community. One local entrepreneur noted, "His support for small businesses has been invaluable. With him in Parliament, I believe we will see even more growth and opportunities." Grassroots Engagement As part of his campaign strategy, Poku-Adusei has emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement. He has pledged to maintain an open-door policy, encouraging constituents to share their concerns and suggestions directly with him. This approach has been well-received by residents who feel more connected to their potential representative. A Call To Action The launch event concluded with a call to action from Poku-Adusei, urging all Bekwai residents to participate actively in the upcoming elections. He reminded the audience that their support and votes are crucial in bringing about the change they desire for their community. "Together, we can build a better Bekwai. I am here to serve you, and with your help, we can achieve great things," he declared. Lawyer Ralph's Water For Life Project Lawyer Poku-Adusei has initiated the "Water for Life" project, which aims to construct ten (10) water projects in deprived communities in the constituency. This initiative is expected to provide clean water to thousands of people, reducing the risk of water-borne diseases and improving overall health and wellbeing. Against this development, Edwenase, Huntado, and Asokore communities in the Bekwai constituency are poised to receive a significant boost in access to clean water, thanks to the Water for Life project initiated by Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei, the New Patriotic Party's Parliamentary Candidate (NPP PC) for the Bekwai constituency.* The Water for Life project, fully sponsored by Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei, aims to provide boreholes to these communities, ensuring a reliable source of clean water for residents. As part of his commitment to the welfare of the people of Bekwai, Lawyer Poku-Adusei has fully sponsored the Water for Life project, which aims to provide boreholes to these communities, ensuring a reliable source of clean water for residents. With his clear vision, community support, and dedication to public service, Poku-Adusei is poised to make a significant impact as he seeks to represent Bekwai in Parliament. The project is a testament to his dedication to the community and his promise to deliver essential amenities to the people of Bekwai. The provision of clean water is a critical aspect of human development, and this project demonstrates Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei's commitment to the welfare of the people in the Bekwai constituency. The commissioning dates for the boreholes are as follows: Edwenase: June 20th Huntado: June 27th Asokore: July 4th The provision of clean water is a critical aspect of human development, and this project is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of community members. Improved access to clean water will lead to better health and wellbeing, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Lawyer Poku-Adusei's initiative is a shining example of his commitment to the people of Bekwai and his willingness to go beyond mere promises. His efforts will undoubtedly benefit generations to come and serve as a model for community development initiatives. The Water for Life project is a welcome development that demonstrates Lawyer Poku-Adusei's understanding of the importance of basic amenities in empowering communities. His leadership will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of those in Bekwai and beyond. The people of Edwenase, Huntado, and Asokore are eagerly anticipating the commissioning of the boreholes and are grateful for Lawyer Poku-Adusei's selfless gesture. The Water for Life project is a clear indication that he is committed to making a tangible difference in their lives. All supporters, community people are being encouraged to show up in their numbers as Bekwai and its surrounding communities celebrate this significant milestone. 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 2024 Presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has dropped the former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu as well as former Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka from his campaign team ahead of the upcoming general elections. This development has led many people to believe that rumours about John Mahamas disaffection for the two frontliners of the NDC are not mere speculations, but a reality. The announcement was made in a press statement issued by Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC General Secretary, following a meeting of the partys Functional Executive Committee on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The newly constituted National Campaign Team will be spearheaded by Fifi Fiavi Kwetey as the Campaign Coordinator, Joseph Yammin will serve as the Deputy Campaign Coordinator in charge of regional campaigns, with Richard Quashigah, former MP for Keta overseeing parliamentary campaigns. Joseph Yammin (National Organizer)- serves as the Deputy Campaign Coordinator in charge of regional campaigns, Richard Quashigah is the deputy Campaign Coordinator in charge of parliamentary campaigns, Chief Hamilton Nixon Biney is the deputy Campaign Coordinator in charge of Special Operations, Sammy Gyamfi- National Communications Officer, George Opare Addo- National Youth Organizer. The others are Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei- National Womens Organizer, Alhaji Cole Younger- National Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Professor Joshua Alabi- Head of the flagbearers campaign, Joyce Bawa Mogtari- spokesperson, flagbearers campaign, Beatrice Annan-deputy spokesperson, flagbearers campaign, Alex Segbefia- head of running mates campaign, James Agyenim Boateng- spokesperson, Rlrunning mates campaign. The following personalities complete the list: Eric Adjei- deputy spokesperson, of the running mates campaign, Richard Anamoo- representative of the NDCs professionals forum, Shine Gaveh- Representative of the Cadres Front, Dr. Nashiru Issahaku, former BoG Governor, Obuobia Darko-Opoku and Mary Ewusi. The National Campaign Team shall work under the guidance of a Campaign Steering Committee that comprises: Johnson Asiedu Nketiah- Chairman, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, Dr. Ato Forson, Rt. Hon. Doe Adjaho, Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Betty Mould Iddrisu, Julius Debrah, Marrietta Brew, Dr. Valerie Sawyer, Sam Pee Yalley and Alhaji Alhassan Ligbi. The two close allies were removed from their leadership positions in Parliament in a degrading manner that was described by political watchers as a coup detat. According to sources, Haruna Iddrisu and Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka were initially part of the campaign team but were later dropped following strong protestations by some influential persons close to the NDC flagbearer, as they were seen as haters, who would not work in the interest of the NDC flagbearer and therefore must not be part of his campaign team. The source said the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddirus will be in charge of John Mahamas campaign in the Northern Sector but was dropped last minute after being tagged as Anti-Mahama. Interestingly, the current Minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who replaced Haruna Iddrisu has been given a special place in the Campaign Steering Committee that will supervise all the sub-committees of the team. Haruna Anti Mahama Tag Haruna Iddirisu was removed because he refused to support the current National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketiah during the partys recent congress to elect national executives, as well as friction between him and former President John Dramani Mahama. Then the Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu and Asawase MP Mubarak Muntaka had their fair share of criticisms from party members especially when they approved Hawa Koomson whom the party members wanted rejected for her violent tendencies during the ECs voter registration exercise at Kasoa. The development led to the Council of Elders of the NDC summoning the leadership of its caucus in Parliament on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. In a statement, Chairman of the Council of Elders Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu noted that the Council and the caucus leadership collectively agreed that the incident of March 3, 2021, where some nominees for ministerial positions were approved was regrettable and unfortunate, and runs contrary to the principles and values of the party. NDC Cracks However, the Opposition NDC last year in a dramatic move sacked Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader and replaced with Cassiel Ato Forson, Ranking Member for Finance. His Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Muntaka also was sacked with Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah replacing him, as Kwame Agbodza is now the Minority Whip with Ahmed Ibrahim as the First Minority Whip and Comfort Doyoe Ghansah maintaining her position as Second Minority Whip. The removal of the Minority leadership brought serious confusion within the party as some of the newly elected executives, particularly the National Chairman, Aseidu Nketiah said there was a plan to get new leadership for the partys representatives in the law-making chamber but they had to hold on when the party decided to contest the 2020 election results in the Supreme Court. Asediu Nketia Justification National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said that he kicked out former Minority frontbenchers in Parliament for fighting Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin. He said Haruna Iddrisu and Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Minority Leader and Minority Chief Whip respectively, were having issues with Speaker Bagbin making it difficult to cooperate with the NDC. The former General Secretary gave an example of the difficulties the NDC encountered in electing their member to be Speaker of the House, adding that his topmost priority in parliament is to see the NDC cooperating with the speaker against the government which the previous Haruna Iddrisu led NDC leaders failed to achieve. My priority in Parliament is to see our parliamentary caucus working together and also cooperating with the Speaker of Parliament.Why did we struggle to get an NDC person, elected, as the speaker of Parliament?, Asiedu Nketiah queries. The NDC National Chairman was addressing party members in the United Kingdom where he joined former President John Dramani Mahama last in January 2023, at Chatham House in London on the topic Africas Strategic Priorities and Global Role. Following the removal of Haruna and Muntaka, some 60 NDC MPs signed a petition against the decision. They include; Alhassan Suhuyini, MP for Tamale North; Dr. Kwabena Donkor, MP for Pru East; Dr. Dominic Ayine, MP for Bolgatanga East; Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram; Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, MP for Sagnarigu; Samson Ahi, MP for Bodi and Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South. Following the removal of Haruna Iddirisu, there was serious tension in the party, where the partys national chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, narrowly escaped assault during a party meeting held in Tamale to patch up differences among the regional officers, shedding light on the deep-rooted divisions and internal turmoil plaguing the NDC. The incident unfolded during a stakeholders engagement aimed at promoting peace and unity ahead of the 2024 general election. However, the meeting took an unexpected turn as tensions escalated, culminating in a series of dramatic twists. Supporters from both factions engaged in a frantic chase, verbally attacked prominent figures, and ultimately engaged in a physical altercation. History History dates back to when the late Prof John Evans Atta-Mills was President, and the party was considering a possible ticket after him, and Harunas name was mentioned as a possible running mate to Kwesi Ahwoi, instead of Mahama. Prof Mills was called to glory and Mahama took over because he was then the Vice President. When Mahama won the 2012 elections, his first list of appointments did not include Haruna Iddrisu, giving weight to rumors that there was some confusion between the two. Haruna had been named in the first list of Prof Mills ministerial appointments. He was named the Minister for Communications, even as young as he was in 2009. When Mahama took over in 2013, he removed Haruna from the Communications Ministry. Following Harunas removal and not being appointed again, chaos broke out in Tamale, and Mahama was compelled to appoint Haruna as Trade Minister andvlater shipped to Labour and Employment Ministry. Mahama Speaks Concerning that, John Dramani Mahama, visited the former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, at his residence in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, for a closed-door meeting. Source: Daniel Bampoe/Daily Guide 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 Donald Trump said he will grant green cards to foreign graduates from US colleges, in an apparent softening of his views on immigration. The Republican candidate made the remarks in a podcast published Thursday, June 20, days after President Joe Biden announced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to US nationals. Trump said in the podcast: "What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country." A green card is the commonly used name for a permanent resident card in the United States and a step toward citizenship. Trump said this should include "anybody who graduates from a college," including those who complete two-year programs, known as junior colleges, and doctoral graduates. Trump was initially asked on the podcast if he would promise to help import the "best and the brightest around the world to America." He replied: "I do promise." He added: "I know of stories where people graduated from a top college, or from a college, and they desperately want to stay here and they cant. "They go back to India, they go back to China. They do the same basic company in those places and they become multi-billionaires employing thousands and thousands of people." He also said that US companies need "smart people," adding "T cant even make a deal with a company because they dont think theyre going to be able to stay in the country." "That is going to end on day one," Trump said. During Trumps 2017-2021 presidency, he ordered the construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border and implemented a travel ban on people from mostly Muslim countries and Africa. His comments came after Democrat opponent Biden on Tuesday relaxed visa rules for around half a million spouses of US nationals, making it easier for them to obtain citizenship. 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 21-year-old Harrisburg man was sentenced to just over 19 years in prison on Friday after he was convicted in a nearly two-week-long robbery spree that spanned Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, according to the Department of Justice. Kyle J. Morales pleaded guilty to charges of robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce, bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence, according to a press release. Over 12 days, Morales robbed several McDonalds, Sheetz and United Bank locations in March 2022. In multiple instances he pointed a handgun at employees and took money, the Department of Justice said. PHILADELPHIA U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D.-Pa., will propose a bill next week to hold a commemorative joint session of Congress at Independence National Historical Park in 2026 as part of the nations 250th anniversary celebrations. If the bill succeeds, it will be only the third time a joint session of Congress has been held outside of Washington, D.C., since the capital was moved there from Philadelphia in 1800. Boyle said hes been working behind the scenes for months to build bipartisan support for the legislation, which hell introduce on Tuesday during the House of Representatives next session. In late April, I hosted more than 40 members of NATO parliament from nations in Europe and Canada (at Independence Hall) and they were blown away by being in the room where it actually happened, Boyle said. It had a profound impact on all of us, so Im hoping the same thing can happen for my colleagues when we meet there in two years. Boyle will officially announce the bill at a news conference Monday at the Independence Visitors Center along with U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., and U.S. Reps. Bonnie Watson-Coleman, D-N.J., and Dwight Evans, D-Pa., both of whom are commissioners for America250, the group planning the Semiquincentennial. The bill seeks to have the joint session held on July 2, the anniversary of the day the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt a resolution for independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence was then drafted by Thomas Jefferson (mainly) and a committee of four other men at 7th and Market Streets and approved on July 4. Since the capital was moved to Washington, D.C., Congress has only held two joint meetings outside of that city, both of which were also commemorative in nature, according to the Congressional Research Service. The first was in July 1987, when 55 members of Congress met at Independence Hall and Congress Hall to honor the bicentennial of the Constitution. The second was in Sept. 2002, when more than 300 members of Congress met at Federal Hall in New York City in remembrance of the one-year anniversary of 9/11. Given there are 535 members of Congress today and there were only 56 back in 1776, its unlikely all members will fit in Independence Hall, which has a listed capacity of 150 people for tours. Practically speaking, one wouldnt expect every member of Congress to show up for this. It would be more ceremonial as opposed to controversial bills being debated and passing, Boyle said. Last time it was held at Independence Hall and that would certainly be the goal this time. If the bill passes the House but not the Senate, the House could hold a session of its own at Independence Hall, Boyle said. Boyle was fueled by both national and Philly pride when crafting the bill, noting that Philadelphia will be in competition with Boston, New York City, D.C., and Baltimore when it comes to hosting the best 2026 events. Holding a session of the House of Representatives or a joint session of Congress would have the effect of really centering the celebration on Philadelphia, Boyle said. Its an advantage and Im ready for battle. Logistical details like whether the public could attend would have to be worked out, according to Boyle, who said the timing for announcing his bill two weeks before Independence Day was no accident. Both abroad and at home we are seeing threats to democracy today in a way which hasnt been the case at any point in my lifetime, he said. So I think this takes on greater symbolic value to remind all of us of the spirit of 1776 and what our founders achieved and how precious it is in this generation that we dont lose it. A Lehigh Carbon Community College student accused of cheating says the school failed to accommodate his disabilities, according to a federal lawsuit. The lawsuit says 27-year-old Alexander Saavedra of Allentown struggled to finish his calculus exam due to fatigue from his history of leukemia, so his mother transcribed the answers from his notes. He was taking the exam at home, and the teacher monitoring the students via cameras on their computers accused Saavedra of cheating, the lawsuit says. Donald Trump is coming to Philadelphia Saturday for a rally at Temple University, a first for the former president who famously said bad things happen here. The rally comes less than a week ahead of the first presidential debate of the 2024 election, which takes place Thursday in Atlanta. It will be the first time appearing on a debate stage since 2020 for both Trump and President Joe Biden, since Biden didnt face a serious challenge during the Democratic primary and Trump skipped the debates held during the Republican primary. Trump is likely the first Republican presidential candidate to hold a campaign rally on Temples campus, an area where he struggled to gain support during his previous two presidential runs. In 2020, Trump received just 5% of the vote in precincts within a half-mile radius of Temple Universitys main campus, according to an Inquirer analysis of election data. This isnt Trumps first visit to Philadelphia this election cycle. In February the former president made a brief appearance at Sneaker Con at the Philadelphia Convention Center, where he was booed while unveiling a pair of gold sneakers priced at $400. He also appeared at a beach rally in Wildwood, last month, where he falsely claimed there were riots at his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania and criticized Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Heres what we know about Trumps rally in Philadelphia on Saturday: Where in Philadelphia is the Trump rally? Trumps rally is being held at The Liacouras Center on Temples campus in North Philadelphia. The 10,206-seat venue, which opened in 1997, hosts Temple basketball games and other events. It was originally named The Apollo of Temple but was renamed in 2000 to honor Temple President Peter Liacouras prior to his retirement. What time does the rally start? Doors are scheduled to open at 3 p.m., and Trump is expected to begin delivering his remarks at 7 p.m. Its unclear how long the rally will last. Last month in Wildwood, Trump was late to the stage and spoke for more than 90 minutes At a rally in Racine, Wisc. earlier this week, Trump spoke for about 80 minutes. How can people attend? Tickets are available on Trumps campaign website on a first-come, first-served basis. The rally is free, but attendees must register using their cell phone number and are limited to two tickets. Its unclear how large the crowd will be, Temple Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin told The Inquirer. If youre driving, the Liacouras Center has an interactive map with door-to-door directions from your location. There is also a list of parking garages near the arena. If youre taking SEPTA, the Liacouras Center is just a two-minute walk from the Cecil B. Moore Station on the Broad Street line. Its also a short walk from the Temple University Station at 10th and Berks Streets, if you take Regional Rail. How can I watch or stream Trumps Philly rally? Trumps rally will stream live on C-Span beginning at 7 p.m. The rally will also be available live on YouTube, streamed by numerous news organizations and right-wing channels. Fox News will air a portion of the rally during the 7 p.m. hour, and will stream it in its entirety on its website. What roads will be shut down? There will be rolling closures of I-95 and I- 676 when Trump is moving to and from North Philadelphia, police said. Outside of that, officials havent announced any specific road closures. Streets surrounding the Liacouras Center could be temporarily closed, including parts of North Broad Street, West Montgomery Avenue, and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Will there be protests? The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is hosting a protest at 5 p.m. on Saturday in conjunction with other local groups. State Sen. Sharif Street (D., Philadelphia) told The Inquirer he expects the participation of activists from Philadelphia Young Democrats and organized labor unions as well as clergy and elected officials a whole lot of folks, he said. The national Democratic Party is plastering the area with billboards, pro-Biden kiosks, and a mobile billboard that will drive around the campus highlighting Trumps relationship with Black Americans. North Philly leaders, including State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D., Philadelphia) and City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, plan to speak against Trump at a 10 a.m. news conference. 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. Senator Bob Casey paid a visit to a Dauphin County local union to promote legislation championed by Democrats, aimed at preserving the pensions of union workers. Casey spoke at the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 464 in Hershey on June 21 to promote the Butch Lewis Act, legislation that will protect the solvency of roughly 200 multi-employer pension plans. By COLLEEN LONG, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) A 22-year-old woman who became an abortion rights advocate after she was raped by her stepfather as a child will campaign with first lady Jill Biden in Pennsylvania this weekend as part of a 2024 election push around the anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade. Hadley Duvall of Owensboro, Kentucky, first told her story publicly last fall in a campaign ad for the governors race in her home state, discussing the consequences of abortion restrictions, particularly those without exceptions for rape or incest. In the ad supporting Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, Duvall spoke of how she was raped by her stepfather at age 12, became pregnant and miscarried. Her stepfather was convicted of rape and is in prison. This combination photo shows first lady Jill Biden in Washington, Nov. 13, 2023, left, and Hadley Duvall in Versailles, Ky., Sept. 20, 2023. (AP photos)AP In the ad, Duvall called out the anti-abortion Republican candidate by name and said that anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what its like to stand in my shoes. Beshear won reelection, and Democrats have said Duvalls ad was a strong motivator, particularly for rural, male voters who had previously voted for Republican Donald Trump for president. Now, Duvall is turning her attention to the White House election. She plans to appear with first lady Jill Biden at a Pittsburgh rally on Sunday that is part of President Joe Bidens push to motivate voters on abortion rights, and Duvall will continue to campaign for the Democratic incumbent. Jill Biden will also hold an event in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. The Supreme Court decided on June 24, 2022, to overturn abortion rights that had been in place since 1973. Since then, roughly half the states have some sort of ban in place, and 10 states have no exceptions for rape or incest. The consequences of these bans go far beyond restricting access for those who wish to end unwanted pregnancies. Survivors like me have our childhood taken away from us, and its something we are healing from every single day. At the very least, we deserve to have our own choices, Duvall said in a statement to The Associated Press. But, because of Donald Trump, right now there are abortion bans across the country with no exceptions for rape or incest. I feel like I owe it to myself and to a lot of little girls to speak up. They cant speak up and I can -- and our lives and futures are at stake in this election. The AP does not normally identify sexual assault victims, but Duvall chose to be identified and has spoken out publicly about her experience and its connection to the debate over abortion. More: Pa.s Sen. Bob Casey surprises some with his abortion-rights stance Most abortions can be criminalized in Arizona under 1864 law: court By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer As temperatures and humidity soar outside, whats happening inside the human body can become a life-or-death battle decided by just a few degrees. The critical danger point outdoors for illness and death from relentless heat is several degrees lower than experts once thought, say researchers who put people in hot boxes to see what happens to them. With much of the United States, Mexico, India and the Middle East suffering through blistering heat waves, worsened by human-caused climate change, several doctors, physiologists and other experts explained to The Associated Press what happens to the human body in such heat. Key body temperature The bodys resting core temperature is typically about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats only 7 degrees from catastrophe in the form of heatstroke, said Ollie Jay, a professor of heat and health at the University of Sydney in Australia, where he runs the thermoergonomics laboratory. Dr. Neil Gandhi, emergency medicine director at Houston Methodist Hospital, said during heat waves anyone who comes in with a fever of 102 or higher and no clear source of infection will be looked at for heat exhaustion or the more severe heatstroke. We routinely will see core temperatures greater than 104, 105 degrees during some of the heat episodes, Gandhi said. Another degree or three and such a patient is at high risk of death, he said. These are common signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and some tips on how to stay cool during a heat wave.National Weather Service How heat kills Heat kills in three main ways, Jay said. The usual first suspect is heatstroke critical increases in body temperature that cause organs to fail. When inner body temperature gets too hot, the body redirects blood flow toward the skin to cool down, Jay said. But that diverts blood and oxygen away from the stomach and intestines, and can allow toxins normally confined to the gut area to leak into circulation. That sets off a cascade of effects, Jay said. Clotting around the body and multiple organ failure and, ultimately, death. But the bigger killer in heat is the strain on the heart, especially for people who have cardiovascular disease, Jay said. It again starts with blood rushing to the skin to help shed core heat. That causes blood pressure to drop. The heart responds by trying to pump more blood to keep you from passing out. Youre asking the heart to do a lot more work than it usually has to do, Jay said. For someone with a heart condition, its like running for a bus with dodgy (hamstring). Somethings going to give. The third main way is dangerous dehydration. As people sweat, they lose liquids to a point that can severely stress kidneys, Jay said. Many people may not realize their danger, Houstons Gandhi said. Dehydration can progress into shock, causing organs to shut down from lack of blood, oxygen and nutrients, leading to seizures and death, said Dr. Renee Salas, a Harvard University professor of public health and an emergency room physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dehydration can be very dangerous and even deadly for everyone if it gets bad enough but it is especially dangerous for those with medical conditions and on certain medications, Salas said. Dehydration also reduces blood flow and magnifies cardiac problems, Jay said. Wyatt Seymore pours the last drops of liquid from a water bottle into his mouth as he takes a break from unloading a stiflingly hot trailer of fireworks outside Powder Monkey Fireworks ahead of the opening of the stand, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Weldon Spring, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)AP Attacking the brain Heat also affects the brain. It can cause a person to have confusion, or trouble thinking, several doctors said. One of the first symptoms youre getting into trouble with the heat is if you get confused, said University of Washington public health and climate professor Kris Ebi. Thats little help as a symptom because the person suffering from the heat is unlikely to recognize it, she said. And it becomes a bigger problem as people age. One of the classic definitions of heat stroke is a core body temperature of 104 degrees coupled with cognitive dysfunction, said Pennsylvania State University physiology professor W. Larry Kenney. Humidity matters Some scientists use a complicated outside temperature measurement called wet bulb globe temperature, which takes into account humidity, solar radiation and wind. In the past, it was thought that a wet-bulb reading of 95 Fahrenheit was the point when the body started having trouble, said Kenney, who also runs a hot box lab and has done nearly 600 tests with volunteers. His tests show the wet-bulb danger point is closer to 87. Thats a figure that has started to appear in the Middle East, he said. And thats just for young healthy people. For older people, the danger point is a wet bulb temperature of 82, he said. Humid heat waves kill a lot more people than dry heat waves, Kenney said. Olivia Delvalle, of Tatamy, Pa., carries Dallas, a 2-year-old miniature pincher, through the spray from a Tatamy Fire Company ladder truck at Braden Park on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com, file)Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com Rushing to make patients cool Heatstroke is an emergency, and medical workers try to cool a victim down within 30 minutes, Salas said. The best way: Cold water immersion. Basically, you drop them in a water bucket, Salas said. But those arent always around. So emergency rooms pump patients with cool fluids intravenously, spray them with misters, put ice packs in armpits and groins and place them on a chilling mat with cold water running inside it. Sometimes it doesnt work. We call it the silent killer because its not this kind of visually dramatic event, Jay said. Its insidious. Its hidden. Members of the Ontario Provincial Police investigate the deaths of four people in Harrow, Ont., Friday, June 21, 2024. A mother, father and two young children were found dead at a home in rural southwestern Ontario in a tragedy that has devastated the local community, the area's mayor said Friday as police offered few details on their investigation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dax Melmer ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 22. Kazakhstan has called on Serbia to more actively use the expanding opportunities of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Trend reports. This topic was discussed during a meeting between the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Serbia Madi Atamkulov and the Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade of Serbia Tomislav Momirovic. Thus, Atamkulov pointed out the importance of thinking outside the box when it comes to diversifying bilateral trade turnover. He emphasized the need to seize the bull by the horns and make more proactive use of the expanding opportunities of the Middle Corridor. In turn, Momirovic pointed out that official Belgrade pays great attention to the development of relations with Kazakhstan, both at the political and economic levels. "Serbia is interested in implementing joint economic projects," he said. In this regard, in order to explore new opportunities for cooperation, Momirovic expressed his readiness to visit Kazakhstan with a Serbian business delegation at the beginning of 2025. The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes. Day 2 of Event #52: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed at the 2024 World Series of Poker, held at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas has concluded for the night. Only 37 players successfully bagged their chips and advanced to the third day of play. Some 231 players returned from the first day's play, but because late registration remained open for one more level at the start of day, the total number of entrants increased to 817. This generated a prize pool of $3,762,800 and will award $656,747 to the eventual winner, plus the coveted WSOP gold bracelet. After ten 60-minute levels of play, it was Turbo Nguyen of the United States who topped the counts with 2,700,000 in chips. Nguyen has over $2,200,000 in live tournament earnings but has yet to make his debut at a WSOP final table. This will be his fourth cash during this year's WSOP, and with the chip lead, he has the potential to make this the biggest cash of his poker career. End of Day Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 Turbo Nguyen United States 2,700,000 108 2 Lucas Blanco Spain 2,645,000 106 3 Georgios Sotiropoulos Greece 2,190,000 88 4 Yang Zhang China 2,170,000 87 5 Nenad Dukic Serbia 2,100,000 84 6 Bogdan Munteanu Romania 1,800,005 72 7 Jake Schwartz United States 1,690,000 68 8 Ihar Soika Belarus 1,580,000 63 9 Kharlin Sued United States 1,570,000 63 10 Jose Latorre Spain 1,545,000 62 David Coleman One of the most decorated players still in the field is the United States David Coleman with 1,045,000 chips. He has already made two final tables at this WSOP, finishing sixth in the Champions Reunion Freezeout and fourth in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed. With more than $5,000,000 in live tournament earnings, Coleman's record is highly impressive. Despite these achievements, he has not yet won a WSOP bracelet. As the tournament continues tomorrow, he will undoubtedly be a player to watch as he aims to make a third final table. A major highlight for many players today was the bursting of the money bubble, ensuring they were part of the remaining 123 players who each would secure a minimum cash of $9,963. Unfortunately for Pete Chen, he became the event's bubble boy after a cooler with Jake Schwartz didn't go in his favor. Pete Chen Several big names who missed out on the money today include Josh Arieh, Andrew Lichtenberger, Jack Sinclair, Nacho Barbero, and 2015 Main Event champion Joe McKeehen, who was eliminated after getting his short stack all in against the aces of John Kenner. Notable players who cashed but did not advance to Day 3 include, Sergio Aido, Christian Harder, Kenny Hallaert, Scott Seiver, Eric Baldwin, Bin Weng, and six-time WSOP bracelet winner Jeremy Ausmus. Scott Seiver Day 3 begins at noon on Saturday, June 22, with blinds at 10,000/25,000 and a big blind ante of 25,000. It will take place in the Horseshoe Event Center with the goal for the day being to play down until only five players remain. Be sure to follow PokerNews for all the latest updates on Event #52: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed and other events at the 2024 WSOP at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas! At the start of Day 2 in Event #53: $3,000 Nine Game Mix at the 2024 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, 139 hopefuls took their seats, all looking to navigate their way through the ten levels of play to keep their chances of victory alive. Once the dust settled after a 12-hour day, just 16 remained, headed by Australia's Ashish Gupta, who managed to accumulate an impressive 2,629,000 to be the only player above the 2 million mark. Five-time bracelet winner Adam Friedman is his closest competitor on 1,814,000 while fellow mixed-game specialist Scott Bohlman rounds out the top three with 1,538,000. Other well-known players remain in contention for the $215,982 top prize and WSOP gold bracelet. They include Brazil's Yuri Dzivielevski (1,361,000), Day 1 chipleader Richard Ashby (750,000) and former main event winner Koray Aldemir (552,000). Aldemir found himself at risk a couple of times later in the day, but managed to survive to return for the third and final day. End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chips 1 Ashish Gupta Australia 2,629,000 2 Adam Friedman United States 1,814,000 3 Scott Bohlman United States 1,538,000 4 Warwick Mirzikinian Australia 1,420,000 5 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil 1,361,000 6 Bradley Jansen United States 1,337,000 7 Tomasz Gluszko Poland 1,007,000 8 Nicholas Julia United States 809,000 9 Richard Ashby United Kingdom 750,000 10 Phillip Hui United States 700,000 Just 57 of the 379 original entrants saw a return on their investment so the bubble had yet to be burst coming into Day 2. After a few hours of play, the tournament did reach the money when Kenny Hsiung fell in 58th place at the hands of Nick Guagenti. From that point, the pace of the tournament, which had been slow to start the day, picked up considerably. Many notables fell by the wayside in the process, including newly anointed bracelet winner Maksim Pisarenko (48th-$6,080), six time bracelet winner Shaun Deeb (43rd-$6,080) and Robert Mizrachi (39th-$6,080). The remaining players will return Saturday, June 22 at 1 p.m. local time for Day 3. Limits resume in Level 23 and will continue to increase at 60-minute intervals. The tournament will player down to a winner at that time so be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews as its live reporting team provides updates through to the conclusion of Event #53: $3,000 Nine Game Mix. 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 sees the start of Day 1b of Event #54: $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em here at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. This five-day event gets underway at 10 a.m. local time with the second of three starting flights. Late registration is open for eight levels (until ~8:15 p.m.). There will be a 20-minute break every two levels with a longer 75-minute dinner break after Level 8 (around 7 p.m.). Players are allowed one reentry per flight and may reenter on Day 1c if they fail to bag today. The starting stack is 25,000 chips and the plan for each of the Day 1's is to play 11 60-minute levels. After Day 1a, Ori Elul of Austria is the chip leader of 596 survivors. Many more will join them after today's action. For the surviving players, Day 2 resumes at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 24, and closes after another ten levels of play. Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts Position Player Country Chipstack Big Blinds 1 Ori Elul Austria 673,500 269 2 Muaaz Gani United States 615,000 246 3 Philip Verel United States 573,000 229 4 Justin Belforti United States 453,500 181 5 Michael Hauptman United States 366,000 146 6 Shiina Okamoto Japan 365,500 146 7 Luis Dorneles Brazil 360,000 144 8 Liran Betito Israel 334,500 134 9 Felix Rabas Austria 330,000 132 10 Roman Korenev Russia 329,500 132 Last Year's Champion Pavel Plesuv Last years event saw 10,429 entries, generating a prize pool of $13,905,360. The winner was Moldova's Pavel Plesuv, who defeated Florian Ribouchon heads up to win $1,201,564 and his first WSOP bracelet. "It feels amazing...I had some deep runs at the WSOP but no bracelets. So, its really nice to win my first bracelet in such a big field, and for such a big amount, my best cash. It feels amazing." Plesuv told PokerNews after the triumph. Year Entries Winner Country Payout 2023 10,430 Pavel Plesuv Romania $1,201,564 2022 7,961 Yuliyan Kolev Bulgaria $1,125,141 2021 5,330 Daniel Lazrus United States $1,000,000 2019 8,809 John Gorsuch United States 1,344,930 2018 7,361 Arne Kern Germany $1,173,223 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? The runaway container ship that caused at least $500,000 in damage and briefly shut down traffic on the Ravenel Bridge this month is now free to leave the Port of Charleston. The judge who signed an order June 10 temporarily forbidding the MSC Michigan VII from departing the Holy City said in a new court filing this week that the vessel has been released from that restriction. U.S. District Court Judge David Norton essentially "arrested" the ship after Carver Maritime filed a lawsuit alleging the Michigan VII damaged its berth along the Cooper River in North Charleston. The company, which handles bulk cargo at the terminal, was worried the container ship would sail from Charleston, making it difficult to serve legal papers seeking unspecified damages. The Michigan VII is operated by Switzerland's Mediterranean Shipping Co., also known as MSC, but is owned by a company in Cyprus. Carver, in its request to keep the ship in Charleston, said "it is unknown if the vessel will return to this district during the course of this litigation." Those concerns appear to have diminished, with Norton stating in his order this week releasing the ship that "counsel for all concerned parties have consented to security in the form of a letter of undertaking." The document guarantees payment of a civil penalty regardless of where a vessel or its owner may be located when the penalty is assessed. Today's Top Headlines Story continues below A lawyer for Carver Maritime could not immediately be reached for comment. Norton's order also released James D. Lucas Jr. Co. LLC of Charleston from its duties as Michigan VIIs custodian while legal proceedings are pending. The company was appointed to the role to ensure the vessel didn't leave South Carolina waters. While the Michigan VII is free to go, it was still moored at the port's Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston as of Friday afternoon, according to Vesseltracker.com. The ship was moved upriver from the peninsula on June 14. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 22. Kyrgyzstan imported 34,032 passenger cars from China from January through April 2024, which is 9 times more than during the same period in 2023 (3,435 cars), Trend reports. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the value of these imports reached $576.906 million, increasing by 6.9 times over the figures for January-April 2023 ($83.136 million). South Korea was the second main exporter of cars to the country, from which nearly 10,954 cars were bought, with a value amounting to $85 million. The US follows, with 2,906 cars imported at a value of $59.2 million. In total, Kyrgyzstan imported 57,301 passenger cars from January through April of this year, which is 92.2 percent more than in the same period in 2023 (29,815 cars). The total value of imports reached $980.2 million, doubling from $486.192 million in January-April 2023. Compared to the same period in 2023 ($4.051 billion), Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover increased by 27.7 percent, reaching $5.171 billion from January through April 2024. Exports totaled $760.6 million, up by 19.7 percent compared to $635.678 million in JanuaryApril 2023. Imports grew by 29.2 percent compared to $3.415 billion in the same period in 2023, reaching $4.411 billion from January through April 2024. PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-22 14:45:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 495 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW DELHI, INDIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 22, 2024 /Akshar Yoga Kendraa founded in 2010 under the guidance of Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Akshar Yoga Kendraa emerged from the oldest school of the Himalayas, offering a systematic and approachable practice of yoga. This simplified approach allows practitioners to adopt the form of yoga that resonates most with them, making the ancient practice accessible and relatable.Akshar Yoga Kendraa stands out as one of India's most prestigious yoga organizations, dedicated to spreading the teachings of yoga globally. Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, a revered yogi with deep spiritual and practical knowledge, established the organization, which now boasts a network of centres and practitioners worldwide. The Kendraa is committed to fostering physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual growth through its comprehensive yoga programs.With its roots in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Akshar Yoga Kendraa operates multiple centres across Bangalore and has presence in 80 different countries. The institute offers a wide variety of courses tailored to individual needs, including physical yoga classes and online daily yoga services, as well as healing and meditation courses.Akshar Yoga Kendraa is a significant provider of professional teacher training courses, both online and offline. It has trained over 5,000 teachers in master and advanced yoga courses and has reached 20 million+ practitioners globally through various platforms.The institute is also the official trainer for Indian Military Personnel, specializing in yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation. It has conducted various programs and recurring camps for training NCC cadets and the Karnataka State Police force. Additionally, Akshar Yoga Kendraa has provided services to the Specially-abled and Orphanage children, creating health and wellness programs for them.Akshar Yoga Kendraa's teachers have conducted corporate wellness programs at prestigious companies such as Rolls Royce, Mitsubishi, Reliance, Amazon, Philips, Infosys, Flipkart, SBC, Brigade Group, ABB, and Sheraton. The institute collaborates with numerous universities to devise special diploma and degree courses in yoga studies. Over the past two years, Akshar Yoga has acted as the official Knowledge Partner' for leading publications like Indian Express and Times of India.Expanding its reach, the institute has several upcoming projects for training practitioners in advanced levels of yoga and spiritual practices. It offers cultural training programs in Ayurveda, Siddhapathy, Naturopathy, and Kalari. The Himalayan Yoga Ashram for advanced training will be established in Coorg, Puri, Himachal Pradesh, and in Devanahalli, Bengaluru.Every year, Akshar Yoga Kendraa celebrates International Yoga Day as a grand festival, embodying the spirit of yoga in all its forms. The celebrations include fitness camps, mudra workshops, and meditation sessions, demonstrating the diverse benefits of yoga and encouraging its incorporation into daily life. These events not only educate participants about the different aspects of yoga but also provide practical tools for enhancing physical fitness and mental well-being.Notably, the institute already holds 4 Guinness World Records, underscoring its commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of yoga.Contact details:Name: Ms Manvi Email: manvikapilawork@ gmail.com Phone: +91 89209 59339 Address: 21 Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar, Pvr Priya Complex, New Delhi,IndiaSOURCE: Akshar Yoga Kendraa PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-22 14:01:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 517 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Listen, learn, wonder!PROVIDENCE, RI / ACCESSWIRE / June 22, 2024 /AVID Products, a Rhode Island-based 100% employee-owned audio company, proudly announces the release of WonderEars, a mindfully designed headset tailored for young children and early learning. With their commitment to innovation and accessibility, AVID Products continues to redefine audio solutions, empowering young minds on their listening and learning journey.WonderEars headset for early learning Educator with young student wearing AVID Products WonderEars headsetWonderEars will make its debut at ISTE in Denver, June 23rd to 26th, 2024, showcasing to the education technology community as an audio solution for early learning and young students. ISTE, the premier education technology conference, attracts educators and innovators from around the world, making it the perfect platform to introduce this newly developed headset.Beyond just a headset, WonderEars represents AVID Products' dedication to enhancing educational experiences for children of all ages. With a focus on comfort, durability, and high-quality sound, this headset aims to transform early learning environments, inspiring young learners to engage with their activities."We are very excited to introduce WonderEars to the education community," says Mike Logan, Chief Commercial Officer at AVID Products. "Our goal with this headset is to provide young learners with a comfortable, durable, and high-quality audio solution that enhances their learning and nurtures their listening skills." Key features of the WonderEars early learning headset include:Properly sized for comfort - Tailored for children aged 4-9 to ensure a perfect fit for comfort during learning sessions. Durability - Crafted with robust materials to be durable and resilient to the demands of daily use in learning environments. High-quality audio - Designed to clearly deliver spoken word, enhancing comprehension, literacy, and engagement in educational content. Safer sound - Limited volume to 85dB provides a safer listening experience for young ears, promoting healthy auditory development. KidCom built-in microphone - Ensures consistent voice capture without the risk of breakage or distraction, empowering young voices to be heard. Sturdy cord design - Chew-resistant and tough against tugs and twists, ensuring uninterrupted listening experiences for active young learners. Easy to clean and store - Featuring a sleek design and easy-to-clean materials, WonderEars is convenient to maintain and store. Regulatory compliance - Meets strict safety standards for a worry-free learning experience."We believe in the power of audio to transform early learning experiences," continues Logan. "With WonderEars, we aim to inspire young learners to explore, discover, and grow through the magic of sound." The WonderEars early learning headset is offered at an MSRP of $24.95 for a 3.5mm pin connection and $29.95 for USB-C. This headset is available now at shop.avidproducts.com and through select reseller partners. For more information and to join the AVID Community, visit avidproducts.com and connect with AVID Products on social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.Listen, learn, wonder!' with WonderEars-your trusted friend for early learning.Contact InformationMichael LoganChief Commercial Officermlogan@ avidproducts.com (401) 648-8602Related FilesWonderEars_AP400Headset_ProductSheet_051724Related VideoSOURCE: AVID ProductsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-22 15:02:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 470 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Take a photo and make a custom skinKOLOA, HI / ACCESSWIRE / June 22, 2024 / For those looking to add a personal touch to their phone, APEALZ announces a unique solution - customizable phone skins. APEALZ's reusable and customizable phone skins are made of a durable fabric-like material with a strong, yet non-permanent adhesive. This means they can be easily applied and removed as often as you like, without leaving any sticky residue behind. This cutting-edge combination ensures a secure fit on a device with effortless removal and reapplication.Skin your phone with your favorite photo You can easily create a custom phone skin with photos.APEALZ skins are designed to protect from scratches and other damage, but they do more than just that. With a wide variety of designs, patterns, and customizable options, APEALZ skins allow you to express your personality and style like never before. Choose from sleek minimalist designs, bold statements, or intricate artwork-there's an APEALZ skin to suit every style and mood. Simply pick a favorite image on the Shop by Image page to get started. There's even an option to upload your favorite photo to make a personalized skin in the APEALZ ArtBoard.What makes APEALZ phone skins so unique?Durable fabric-like material for a premium look and feel Strong, non-permanent adhesive for easy application and effortless removal No sticky residue, ensuring a clean surface every time Customizable designs to reflect your individual style Use your own photo to create the perfect personalized phone skin Compatibility with a wide range of smartphone modelsAll phone skins are printed to order in the USA and are only $15.99 each. For customers that buy two Phone Skins, APEALZ is currently offering 30% off the second phone skin. Shop now at apealz.com to create a custom phone skin.Whether you want to protect your device, make a fashion statement, or both, APEALZ has numerous phone skin options to suit every customer. Join the APEALZ revolution today and experience the freedom to express yourself - one skin at a time.For businesses that want to add pizazz to their branding, they can take their marketing to the next level by outfitting their teams' devices with branded laptop, tablet and phone skins. Add a logo, website, or a special message to spotlight your business in an incredibly unique way. Visit the APEALZ For Business page to learn more.About APEALZ:APEALZ is a leading provider of reusable and customizable phone skins, offering smartphone owners a unique way to personalize and protect their devices. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and individuality, APEALZ is dedicated to empowering customers to showcase their personality and style through their phones, and other products.For media inquiries, please contact:info@ apealz.com Contact InformationNancy PittsDirector of Operationsnancy@ apealz.com 9283003371SOURCE: APEALZView the original press release on newswire.com BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 22. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Avazbek Atakhanov, discussed the update of the feasibility study for the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant with consultants from the "AFRY Switzerland Ltd." Swiss company and experts from the World Bank (WB), Trend reports. The meeting occurred in Bishkek, as reported by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from the WB shared details about the upcoming updates to the feasibility study for the Kambarata-1 HPP, including the timeline for the project. Atakhanov stated his belief that the successful execution of this big investment endeavor in Central Asia would be a substantial stride towards achieving sustainable and harmonious regional progress. The participants agreed to actively collaborate to achieve their common goals in the implementation of the hydropower plant construction project. To note, the Kambrata-1 on the Naryn river is the largest hydroelectric project in Kyrgyzstan and is expected to become one of Central Asia's largest hydropower ventures. Once completed, the HPP will have a capacity of 1,860 MW and will produce 5.6 billion kWh of electricity per year. Preliminary estimates indicate that the dam will be 256 meters high and that the reservoir will hold more than 5.4 billion cubic meters of water. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Friday said the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project will be delivered by the first quarter of 2025. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. Mr Soneye said the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari disclosed this during the visit of three cabinet ministers to the project site where they inspected the River Kaduna crossing milestone of the project in Kaduna, on Friday. Without promising too much, we assure you that this Project will be delivered on schedule. Our mission is to work towards delivering it by December this year. But we are confident this project will be delivered by the first quarter of 2025, Mr Kyari said. He explained that the NNPC Ltd recognises the strategic importance and enormous value of the project to Nigerias economy, noting that the company was bankrolling the project on the back of its own balance sheet. The three ministers who visited the project site, according to the statement, were Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Information & National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo. NNPC Ltd said the AKK gas pipeline and stations project is a flagship project that will deepen the integration of the northern region of the country with the Niger Delta and other parts of the country. 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 pipeline can transport two billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to three proposed independent power plants in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and other gas-based industries as well as other identified and proposed commercial off-takers along the entire pipeline route. Since the flag-off of the project by Mr Buhari in June 2020, the NNPC Ltd said it has recorded significant feats and the project is well on course to deliver on schedule. In April 2023, the NNPC Ltd said the project had reached almost 70 per cent completion. Speaking at the project site on Friday, according to the statement, Mr Edun described the AKK gas pipeline as the pipeline of prosperity, which is very dear to the president, because it will deliver the critical infrastructure needed to trigger the nations economic growth and industrialisation. The AKK gas pipeline is crucial for this administration and its delivery is in line with Mr presidents strategy of bringing prosperity to the people, Mr Edun said. Also speaking, Mr Ekpo said the gas pipeline is part of the federal governments many efforts to harness the nations abundant gas resources towards improving power generation, revamping ailing industries, and creating employment opportunities in the country. He urged all stakeholders to support the NNPC Ltd towards delivering the project and several other gas projects as the country depends on it to bring prosperity to the people. In his remarks, Mr Idris said the AKK gas Pipeline project is a testimony to the fact that the federal governments Decade of Gas has commenced in earnest. Nigerians should be proud of the AKK gas pipeline project. With the delivery of this project, the prosperity that Mr president is always talking about is unraveling right here before our eyes, he said. The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, represented by his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe, said the completion of the AKK gas pipeline will herald the much-needed economic and industrial revival in the state. If you know about the Kakuri Industrial Area and how most of our factories there have become moribund, you will understand why we in Kaduna state are all excited about the AKK gas pipeline. Without doubt, the pipeline will revamp our industries and bring about a huge impact on our people. We cant wait for it to be completed. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government has announced the approval of N21 billion for the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to provide meters for electricity customers. The approval was contained in the NERC order No: NERC/2024/072 on the operationalisation of Tranche A of the Presidential Metering Initiative Under the Framework of Meter Acquisition Fund circular jointly signed by the commissions Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and its Commissioner, Legal, Licencing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye. The total fund, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), is the first tranche of disbursement from the MAF scheme based on contributions made by DisCos as of the April 2024 market settlement. According to the commission, the order takes effect from 13 June, and may be amended or revoked by subsequent orders issued by the commission. The funds accrued as at the April 2024 market settlement cycle and available for procurement of meters under the first tranche of the MAF scheme is in the sum of NGN 21.86 billion. The commission hereby approves the use of a sum of NGN 21 billion apportioned pro rata to contribution by the DisCos as Tranche A of the MAF scheme, the commission said. A breakdown of how the money would be allocated among the DisCos showed that Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IE) would be allocated N4.35 billion; Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) woud get N521 million; Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC) woud get N1.22 billion; Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) will be allocated N1.56 billion; Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) will be allocated N1.36 billion and Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) will get N243 million. 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 NERC noted that the inability of DisCos to raise financing in the form of debt or additional equity was identified as the major constraint in the acquisition and deployment of end-use meters and other capital investments. The commission said the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme was therefore developed and approved by the commission, primarily to address the challenge of DisCo credit worthiness inhibiting the deployment of end-use meter in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by creating a credible revenue stream from the market funds on the back of which long term financing may be secured by the utilities. The federal government has approved the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) with the overarching objective of closing the metering gap in the NESI within three years leveraging on smart metering technologies for data analytics. The MAF shall form one of the revenue streams for the repayment of the long-tenor financing for metering. The commission approved the deregulation of meter prices under the MAP scheme vide order NERC/2024/040 to ensure efficient pricing of meters while responding more quickly to changes in macroeconomic parameters. The order provides that all prices of meters under the MAP scheme shall be determined through a transparent and competitive bidding process by eligible MAPs. The commission noted that while the NESI is expected to leverage on the revenue stream under the MAF framework to raise substantial capital funding for metering, there is an imperative to accelerate the closure of the metering gap for all customers currently classified under tariff Band A, for revenue protection and facilitating demand side management for the affected customers. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Davidos colleague turned enemy, Dammy Krane, is not backing down or toning down the allegations despite a cease and desist order served him. The order seeks to hold Dammy Krane accountable for his defamatory statements. Davidos legal action was prompted by a tweet that went viral, in which Dammy Krane alleged that he (Davido) was a murderer and a cheat. This tweet, which made light of Davidos upcoming nuptials on 25 June, was offensive and deemed defamatory, leading to the demand for a retraction. Their on-and-off online spat heated up in October 2023 when Dammy Krane alleged that Davido owed him money for their successful collaboration on their 2017 song Pere and appealed to him to settle the debt, citing his daughters impending school fees as the reason. Responding to the allegations, Davido, in a post on X, claimed he had never received compensation for the three verses he contributed to Dammy Kranes song nine years ago. However, their fight took on a different dimension on Friday when Davido through his legal representative, Ojukwu Chikaosolu & Co. demanded Dammy Krane to take down the defamatory statements about him (Davido). Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In the letter signed by Segun Fiki, Davido gave Dammy Krane 24 hours to remove and retract the offensive publication from all his social media platforms. Our client has further informed us that whilst in Abuja, he became aware of the latest in your series of defamatory posts, which is your publication of June 21, 2024, which you caused to be published on your X (formerly Twitter) page using the handle @dammy_krane, wherein you stated thus: Theres nothing worse than murderer @davido you fit get. Money, but you are no fit to get peace. #Karma. Dont ever get married because your girl caught you cheating. You wan gbe-iya-wo (carry suffer look) (sic). Dammy Krane also urged the EFCC to pay attention to a video which he alleged to be that of Davidos lawyer allegedly abusing the naira. Further demands Davidos lawyer added that the music producers failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated timeframe will attract legal remedies, including initiating legal proceedings. The post insinuates our client is a murderer, which he vehemently denies, stating he has never been charged or convicted of any offence, including murder. The publication lacks verification and includes a malicious statement taunting our client with false allegations. The letter partly reads, The above posts you published to your over 342 600 (Three Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Six Hundred) followers X have been circulated globally and syndicated by numerous blogs worldwide. Given the status of our client, this post has unsurprisingly gained significant traction globally, and our client is, at the time of this letter, trending at No. 1 on X Trends for Nigeria, attracting thousands of negative comments and reactions in the process. Your conduct in publishing these statements, despite knowing them to be false, is not only malicious but also orchestrated to defame and injure our clients reputation, a globally recognised music star. Such actions constitute a civil breach and an infraction of the relevant criminal laws. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ikogosi Warm Springs, a rare and unparalleled gift of nature, has always held a special place in my imagination. I anticipated a visit from the moment I first heard of it during my undergraduate days. The idea of witnessing warm-water and cold-water springs flowing side by side, yet never mixing, before merging at a confluence, has always intrigued me. More than a decade later, visiting Ikogosi Warm Springs seemed like a distant dream, mainly due to my fear of road trips in Nigeria. However, I was determined to conquer this fear and experience the beauty of the springs firsthand. Dont blame me just yet; the insecurity on Nigerian highways dampened that resolve, but recently, I changed my mind when an opportunity to visit was granted. I visited Ikogosi at the invitation of Glocient Hospitality Limited (a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings), which manages Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, where the spring is located. As a build-up to my trip, I did all the research, from travel time to the route and details of the spring nestled in an enchanting town in Ekiti State. I called my Ekiti friends to ask what it was like in their state and to get every piece of information worth knowing. I got my answers and then proceeded to psych myself up. Travelling by road in Nigeria can be an adventure, especially if youre prepared for the journey. I always opt for the window seat to take in the changing landscapes, even when flying. The road trip from Lagos to Ibadan was bustling with activity. But, as we neared Osun, where I finally got to taste Dodo Ikire and, eventually, Ekiti, it was a serene, picturesque view. It was just a preview of the tranquillity I would experience during my weekend stay at the resort. 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 soon discovered that Ekiti State is a haven of tranquillity and natural beauty(picturesque landscapes, the rocks and hills that greet visitors). It is a landlocked state, and its residents proudly proclaim it to be one of the most peaceful in the southwest. Legend of Ikogosi Warm Spring I gathered from my interactions with Ayo Ademuluwa, Cavistas Community Engagement Manager, that Ikogosi town and the warm spring have a rich yet checkered history. Legend has it that Ikogosi Warm Spring was discovered by a local hunter, Oganunganun, centuries ago during his hunting expedition. During his hunt, he heard a noise from the spring and had to stop at the spring. He later discovered that the water was hotter in a pristine environment than in similar streams. With mixed fear and joy, the hunter headed to the Obas palace to reveal the fantastic miracle he had just discovered. The Oba sent a traditional chief to the scene to verify the story. It was eventually confirmed to be true. The hot spring became a place of worship for local deities. He soon appointed a chief as the spiritual leader of the Awo (the traditional name for the warm spring). Similarly, the neighbouring cold springs met at a single point in the exact location and were called Awele. Fast forward to 1952. Southern Baptist missionary Reverend John S. McGee, from his mission base in nearby Igede town in Ekiti, visited the warm and cold springs. He was initially advised not to go to the source of these two springs as he had heard from locals that to do so would bring about the death of the supernatural forces responsible for these strange and highly unusual flows. Despite these warnings, Reverend McGee went through the bush/forest and up the hill to the two adjacent springs. It marked the beginning of a complete transformation of the warm springs and led to the birth of a youth camp, which would later become the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort. However, despite modernisation, the facility managers have maintained the original structure and ambience of the warm springs with some necessary facelights without altering the original plan. From moribund facilities to world-class standard McGees subsequent concise written narration indicates that upon his initial observation of the property, he recognised its potential for noble purposes. Subsequently, the Baptist Convention acquired the land to establish a Youth Camp, which saw regular visits from Baptist youth, adults, missionaries, and vacationers. By 22 December 1973, the government inaugurated a guest house named Western Villa. Reverend McGee and his family resided in and oversaw the camp until January 1974, when the government assumed management of the swimming pool area. Consequently, the McGees relocated to their Baptist Mission residence in Igede, where they continued to manage the facilities (excluding the pool) until they retired from Nigeria in July 1977. After Reverend McGee left Ikogosi Warm Springs, the need to appoint a suitable manager for the Resort arose. The once carefully tended lawns and surroundings quickly became overgrown. It was an eyesore. Describing the derelict condition of the resort upon taking over, the General Manager of Glocient Hospitality, Lanre Balogun, said, You couldnt stay here for one hour. This place here was like a place where bats converged. There was no roof. Some other buildings roofs were falling off. It was dark. The old Ondo State government (Ekiti was a constituent) established a zoological park next to the poolside to boost tourism. The park housed various animals, including snakes, baboons, hedgehogs, and lions. Unfortunately, during the military regime of Governor Abiodun Olukoya in the early 1990s, a careless incident led to the lions attacking and devouring one of their keepers. The governor immediately ordered that they be shot even as they were still feeding on the carcass of the attendant. That led to the end of the zoo to date. During the second republic, the federal governments ambitious construction of the 32-unit, well-furnished lodging area signalled a significant development. Furthermore, under the leadership of Niyi Adebayo, the first civilian governor of Ekiti State, 14 unique rooms and suites were constructed following the Western Villa, and nine-room staff quarters, all exquisitely furnished! The Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort experienced unprecedented growth and recognition during Governor Kayode Fayemis first administrative tenure but faced a setback during the successive governments term, leading to the unfortunate decay of facilities and a mass exodus of workers. As the Fayemi administration neared the end of its second term in 2022, Glocient Hospitality Limited was awarded a 15-year concession for the resorts management. Today, the resort boasts about 91 exquisite rooms and suites in five distinctive options, offering luxury and comfort to patrons. Ikogosi, tourist haven Thanks to the resorts presence in Ikogosi town, the once sleepy community is now a tourist haven featuring numerous side attractions like spring tours, hill biking, hiking trails and camping. It is also bustling with commercial activities. The regent of the Ikogosi community, Princess Omobola Adepoju, said about 75 or 80 per cent of the youths are resort employees. READ ALSO: Security agencies on red alert as unknown gunmen kill two in Ekiti Mr Balogun explained their approach, saying the once moribund facility witnessed a facelift in less than eight months. If Ikogosi Warm and Cold Spring Resort was dead before, it is now bustling with life. The rooms are tastefully furnished to international standards. The environment has the ambience of a resort, with bicycles and in the near future, cable cars to move around the resort. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Shortly after Jumaat prayers on 14 April 2023, Umar Usman, 65, received a phone call that shook everyone in his family. His son, 19-year-old Yakubu Umar, had been shot by the police during the Quds Day procession in Abuja, the voice on the phone told him. Later that day, Mr Usmans family received Yakubus corpse. I couldnt cry immediately until the next morning when they started praying for his corpse, Narjis, the deceaseds sister, narrated at their home in Suleja, Niger State. Mr Usman said he was at peace with the tragic incident as he believes Yakubu died a martyr. Earlier that day, Yakubu had joined other members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), reputed as the largest organisation of Shia Muslims in Nigeria, for a planned procession to commemorate the Quds Day in the Wuse area of the nations capital. Many Shia Muslims across the globe commemorate Quds Day on the last Friday of Ramadan to express support for Palestine in its conflict with Israel. The police started picking up persons suspected to be members of the group immediately after the prayers at the Jumaat mosque in Wuse Zone 3. 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 procession had not even started at the time, Abban Sayyedah recalled. But they already knew we would hold the procession and the police were stationed in different locations where they knew we would carry out the procession. As they trooped out of the mosque, Mr Sayyedah, a member of the group, signalled the start of the procession. I raised my arm and chanted Allahu Akbar three times, he said. Suddenly, he could no longer raise his arms as he felt warm liquid flow down his body. He looked down and found his clothes drenched in blood from a gunshot wound in his torso and arm. He was quickly ushered into a car and taken away for treatment. PICTURE: Abban Sayyedah was shot by the police during the Quds Day procession in April 2023 According to Aliyu Abubakar, another member of the group who was part of the procession, the procession started almost simultaneously with the police shooting. However, the protest did not stop until the protesters marched around parts of the Nigerian capital. We continued walking towards Wuse Market. On getting to the filling station before turning towards Wuse Market, the police shot Yakubu Umar. But we continued with the procession through Banex and down to Berger, he narrated. Earlier that day, the group said in a statement that it was only carrying out the Quds procession and not a protest for the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzakys international passport. The FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, refused to comment on this particular incident last year. Enduring harassment On 25 July 2019, the Federal High Court in Abuja designated IMN as a terrorist group and outlawed its activities. Despite the court order, the groups members have continued their activities, including the annual Quds Day procession. But this has not been without a price. The defiance meant members of the group frequently clashed with Nigerian security agencies who would attempt to disperse their gatherings. There were casualties from many of these encounters. Before its proscription, the IMN spent three years seeking justice for its members who were victims of the Zaria Massacre and calling for the release of their detained leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat. Human rights organisations faulted the groups proscription and accused the Nigerian government of highhandedness in quelling their protests. As the proscription remains, members of the group said it has paved the way for even more violence against them by security agencies whenever they protest or carry out a procession. Zaria Massacre IMN, known in many parts of northern Nigeria, became popular around the country in 2015. The year also marked the beginning of what would become IMNs fight for legitimacy. On 12 December 2015, a blockage of a public road by IMN members at a time the road was being used by the entourage of the then army chief, Tukur Buratai, turned bloody in Zaria, Kaduna State. On his way to attend the Passing out Parade of the 73rd regular recruits at the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, Mr Buratais convoy was blocked by IMN members who were holding a procession. Soldiers attached to Mr Buratais convoy said their attempts to have the IMN members remove their barricade for the convoys passage were rebuffed, forcing them to use lethal force. The clash, which continued the next day when the army arrested leaders of the group, left at least 347 IMN members and a soldier dead, according to a panel of inquiry set up by the Kaduna State government. IMN says the figure is downplayed and insists more than a thousand of its members were killed. The Kaduna State panel report indicted the military in the killings and accused it of using excessive force. It recommended the prosecution of the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Armys 1st Division, Adeniyi Oyebade, who authorised the military operation. It also recommended that the IMN leader, Mr El-Zakzaky, be held responsible for the actions of his followers. However, the government has largely ignored the recommendations contained in the report and has not punished any official for the killings. Instead, Mr El-Zakzaky was arrested alongside his wife, Zeenat. He was kept in custody for the next six years, a situation that resulted in numerous protests by his followers and condemnations from human rights organisations. He was only released on 29 July 2021 after a Kaduna State High Court upheld the no-case submission he filed alongside his wife. Still, he was not allowed to travel abroad for another three years as the government illegally seized his passport until last year. Protests, violence, deaths From January 2016, members of the IMN held regular protests in Abuja, calling for the release of their detained leader and justice for their members killed by the Nigerian Army in Zaria. Despite an Abuja Federal High Court order for his release, the State Security Services (SSS) continued to hold him in one of its facilities in Abuja. The court, on 2 December 2016, asked the SSS to unconditionally release the IMN leader and his wife within 45 days. The court declared their continuous detention unlawful and awarded 25 million in compensation each for Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife. Mr El-Zakzakys followers halted the protests for the initial period granted by the court for his release, said Abdullahi Muhammad, the National Secretary of the Academic Forum of the IMN. They resumed the protests following the governments refusal to comply. Mr Muhammad said the protests became more frequent this time, sometimes occurring thrice a month. As these protests intensified, they began to turn violent, from the police using force to disperse them to the protesters hurling stones and other items at the police. They shot tear gas, arrested people, used water cannons until January 2018 when they started using live ammunition on us and they started killing, Mr Muhammad said. PREMIUM TIMES also documented how the Nigerian military killed dozens of members of the group in the last week of October 2018 when the group was carrying out one of its processions, the Arbaeen. According to a compilation by the group, 51 persons died in Abuja between Saturday, 27 October 2018 and Tuesday, 30 October 2018, in different locations. The compilation showed that five persons died in Zuba on Saturday, 42 in Karu bridge on Monday, and four persons in the Central Area on Tuesday. Between 2018 and 2021, 78 members were killed in 13 different protests and processions in Abuja, according to data collected by the group. Meanwhile, the police have also accused the IMN protesters of attacking their personnel with stones and other items. Passers-by also fell victim during these violent clashes. In July 2019, for instance, Precious Owolabi, a 23-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving with Channels Television, died of a gunshot wound he sustained while covering the clash between the police and IMN protesters. In the same month, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at FCT Command, Usman Umar, died during one of the protests that turned violent. Proscription Worried by the nature of the IMN protests and processions, the Nigerian government secured an ex-parte order from a Federal High Court outlawing the group under the Terrorism Prevention Act. The court declared all the groups activities illegal. Rights groups said the move trampled on the basic rights of religious movements and called on the government to reverse the ban. Amnesty International specifically accused the government of using the ban as a deliberate attempt to divert attention from crucial issues including justice for the massacre of over 350 in Zaria in December 2015 as well many other IMN supporters killed by security agencies over the years. Human Rights Watch said: Allegations of criminality do not present legitimate grounds to ban the activities of a religious group, including protests for justice and the release of their leader. It added that the ban portends an even worse security force crackdown on the group, which could have dire human rights implications throughout Nigeria. In defending its decision, the Nigerian government said it only banned the IMN that was taken over by extremists who didnt believe in peaceful protests and instead employed violence and arson, driving fear and undermining the rights of others and constituted authority. It argued that it did not ban Shiites from observing extant religious activities, including their five daily prayers and going to Mecca to perform the Holy pilgrimage. IMN appeal proscription However, in August 2019, the group filed an appeal against its proscription at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone conversation, Marshal Abubakar, one of the IMN lawyers, said the proscription violates the rights of the members of the group, including their rights to religion, association, assembly and movement. He said it is an all-encompassing rights violation that contradicts the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the United Nations Charter. He added that the violations have been evident in the various clampdowns against members of the group in recent years. We applied to set it aside because the order is unlawful. The order should never have been in the first place. We are asking the federal high court to set it aside, he said. Crackdown predates ban Meanwhile, members of the group say the attacks targeting them predate the 2019 court declaration. Umar Abdullahi said the police killed his then 15-year-old son, Mahmud Yahaya, on 9 July 2019, when he joined other members of the group to protest the continuous detention of their leader at the National Assembly. The policeman targeted Mahmud, put a knee down and shot at him in the nostrils, he narrated, adding that another young man, Jaafar Mikail, was also shot during the protest. Mr Abdullahi said members of the group had taken the protest to the National Assembly after the government consistently failed to release their leader. We were walking towards the National Assembly to get the lawmakers to listen to us since they are elected to represent us in Abuja. I dont know how that changed and they sent police who shot at us with live bullets, he said. We are aware of our rights to protest. And what we were protesting was the detention of our leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. But for unknown reasons, the police descended on us, but we persisted. Theyre enemies of state Police A former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, accused the IMN of having intentions to destabilise the country and plans to create an Islamic State to challenge the legitimacy of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Since 2018 till date, the IMN has engaged in coordinated and organised violent protests within the Federal Capital Territory, he said during a meeting with other police chiefs shortly after the proscription of the group in 2019. The members of the IMN have engaged in extreme radicalism, series of terror-related activities, violence and other unlawful activities which are inimical to the national security interest, good governance, and the corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Henceforth, any person engaged or associating in any manner that could advance the activities of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria shall be treated as a terrorist, enemy of the State, and a subversive element and shall be brought to justice within the context of the Terrorism Act. The spokesperson for the Nigerian Police Force, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, did not respond to phone calls and a text containing the findings of this report and asking for his reactions. Proscription an infringement of rights A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mujeeb Abdulwasiu, aligned with Amnesty International that the proscription infringes the groups rights. The implication is that the government is simply forbidding them from assembly and carrying out further activities. This is obviously an infringement on their right to assemble provided under section 40 of the Constitution, he said. The government cannot just come out to declare them a terrorist organisation without having tried them for terrorism-related activities. This has been held in a plethora of decisions of Supreme Court cases. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Suspected Cholera cases in Lagos have risen to 423 as the state recorded an additional six new infections as of 20 June. The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, disclosed this on his Instagram Saturday morning, 24 hours after he announced an increase in the number of fatalities recorded from the disease rampaging the state. Mr Abayomi, as of Friday, noted that 24 deaths and 35 confirmed infections out of 417 suspected cases were recorded across 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) in the state. Meanwhile, the Punch Newspaper has reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that the country has run out of cholera vaccines as the death toll across the country hits 40. The report, however, noted that the agencys Director General, Jide Idris, said Nigeria has placed an order for more vaccines from donor agencies, but could not ascertain the possible delivery date. Cholera outbreak, response The infographics posted by the Lagos commissioner show that cases were reported from Agege, Badagry, Ikeja, Mushin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo, Alimosho, and Eti-Osa. Others are Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In his latest post, Mr Abayomi noted that the Emergency Operations Centre in collaboration with all relevant partners is actively engaged in contact tracing, community-based surveillance, awareness campaigns, sample testing, and ensuring that confirmed cholera cases receive appropriate medical treatment. He advised residents to adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene. Situation in Ogun The Ogun State Government on Friday also confirmed the outbreak of the disease which has claimed one life, and five persons hospitalised. It has directed school heads to ensure good health and safety of all learners and staff to prevent the spread of cholera within the school communities. The Kano State Government also cautioned the residents of the state on the use of rainwater for drinking and other domestic activities. READ ALSO: Cholera death toll increases to 24 in Lagos Cholera is a highly contagious food and water-borne disease. It spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of handwashing. Symptoms of cholera include acute, painless, watery diarrhoea of sudden onset, with or without vomiting. It may be associated with nausea, profuse vomiting and fever. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A website selling the personal data of Nigerians illegally online has been uncovered by Paradigm Initiative In a publication titled, Major Data Breach: Sensitive Government Data of Nigerian Citizens Available Online for Just 100 Naira, on Thursday, the Paradigm Initiative said the disturbing incident was a major breach of fundamental rights to privacy. According to the digital hub, AnyVerify.com.ng distributes personal and private data of Nigerians under the guise of providing verification services. It stressed that a breach of data privacy rights posed risks to individuals and the economy. According to Paradigm Initiative, the website claims to verify data such as National Identity Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), Driving Licence, International Passport, Tax Identification Number (TIN), Permanent Voters Card (PVC), and phone numbers, among others. However, all these are sold by this website to any interested party for the sum of N100.00 for each data request, the report stated. Due to the severe implication for millions of Nigerians, we have through our legal partners, Vindich Legal, served a pre-action notice to the following government agencies: National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the report added. 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 is not the first time a private website will be linked to the illicit sale of data of Nigerians. In March this year, an online media outlet, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism published an investigative story detailing how XpressVerify, a private website, accesses data of Nigerians for personal gain. FIJ found that the website had access to the National Identification Number (NIN) and personal details of every registered Nigerian, and for as little as N200, anyone could access details such as phone numbers, NIN, address and even photographs. Breach of Data Laws The 1999 Constitution (as amended) recognises privacy as a fundamental human right and guarantees the protection of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications. This birthed the enactment of the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. Among other things, the commission is responsible for regulating the deployment of technology and organisational measures to facilitate data protection. The Act provides guidelines on the management of personal data to institutions and agencies of government such as the National Identity Management Commission, which handles the national database of Nigerians. Section 26 (1) of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 makes it unlawful for the commission to give out information of Nigerians contained in the database, except for reasons bothering on national security. No person or body corporate shall have access to the data or information contained in the Database with respect to a registered individual entry except with the authorisation of the Commission and only if: (a) an application for the provision of the information to that person is made by or with the authority of that individual; or (b) that individual otherwise consents to the provision of that information to that person, the Act stated. When these regulations are flouted, citizens privacy, economic stability, personal safety and financial security are compromised, a cyber security expert, Adedeji Adedoyin explained. As more people depend on online services for their daily activities, they do it in trust that the managers behind these online services will do everything to protect their personal information from illegal exposure and personal risk. But as we have seen over time, enough is not done by these businesses and government agencies to put measures in place to prevent the exposure and sales of private data, which unfortunately has led to personal and financial losses, he added. Paradigm Initiative is a social enterprise that builds information and communications technology (ICT)-enabled support systems and advocates digital rights in order to improve livelihoods for underserved youths. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print British Airways grounded its aircraft at the Murtala International Airport, Ikeja, due to a technical fault. The airline has, however, apologised for the flight disruption. The airlines Regional Commercial Manager, Nigeria and Ghana, Tutu Otuyalo, told journalists on Friday that the carrier had apologised to passengers. She said that the airline would take up the costs of accommodation and meals for affected passengers. Mrs Otuyalo said that the majority of passengers had been accommodated on other flights, while the carriers team continued to work hard to book the remaining customers on a flight as soon as possible. We will cover accommodation and meal costs for the customers. We would never operate a flight unless it is safe to do so. Most of the affected passengers have been re-accommodated to other flights. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We have been in contact with our customers to apologise for the delay in their flight caused by a technical issue with the aircraft, she said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that some of the affected passengers have been endorsed on available carriers such as Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines. Recall that British Airways flight number BA 74, which was scheduled to depart Lagos for Heathrow, London, at 10.50 p.m. on Wednesday, suffered a hitch as the scheduled aircraft developed a technical problem. The flight was rescheduled and later cancelled due to a technical problem. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Pilgrims Welfare Board Agencies and Commissions has rejected the call for decentralisation of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), which would see state governments take over some of the commissions responsibilities. This followed the call for the decentralisation of the commission by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. While addressing Bauchi pilgrims in Muna on Tuesday, Mr Mohammed criticised NAHCON for not living up to its expectation in the 2024 Hajj. He specifically said a significant portion of Hajj services be decentralised to enable state governments assume full responsibility and ensure the wellbeing of pilgrims. This decentralisation, he argued, would greatly improve the overall pilgrimage experience. Therefore, Mr Mohammed emphasised that collective action will be taken by state governments to break NAHCONs monopoly to ensure a more decentralised and effective management of Hajj, if the commission fails to adequately address the issues that arose during this years pilgrimage. He subsequently supported each of the 2,685 Bauchi pilgrims with a Sallah gift of 300 to Saudi Riyals as a Sallah gift. 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 Responding to the governor, NAHCON chairman, Jalal Arabi, apologised for the minor setbacks experienced during the exercise, assuring that necessary corrections would be made to prevent their recurrence in the future. No state can handle pilgrims airlift Forum Meanwhile, speaking at a media forum in Mecca on Friday, the Forum rejected the call for the decentralisation of NAHCON, saying the commission did well and should be commended. Speaking on behalf of the chairman of the in Mecca, the Executive Secretary of Kebbi State Hajj Commission, Faruk Aliyu, said all the states are with NAHCON and would reject such moves. The issue of decentralising NAHCON should not even come up. State cannot handle airlift of pilgrims. I think even Saudi Authorities will not agree to that that every state in Nigeria tranport it citizens to Hajj. Yes we can encounter hitches here and there, but the truth is that NAHCON did extremely well. The 2024 Hajj is splendid so far. No state can handle Hajj activities alone. We should not even think about decentralising NAHCON. If you are not happy today, tomorrow, you might be next tomorrow. The airlift of 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims commenced today (Saturday), with pilgrims from Kebbi, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) being the first to depart Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As deaths from the latest cholera outbreak in the country climbed to 40 yesterday, the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has said that the recurrent outbreaks expose the challenges that force Nigerians to patronise unwholesome water sources and the unsafe management of water delivery systems. RDIs position is coming on the heels of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) alert that the country does not have enough vaccines to address the growing cholera cases nationwide. Deaths attributable to the current outbreak in Lagos were 24 as of Wednesday, representing the highest among the ten states of the federation that contributed 90 per cent to the burden of cholera. Others are Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo and Nasarawa. The cholera deaths are mainly blamed on the delayed presentation of cases. RDI Project Officer Ifeoluwa Adediran said: The periodic cholera outbreaks are very disturbing and reinforce our arguments that the abysmally low investment in the water sector at both state and federal levels are further complicated by poor maintenance of the facilities that house and freight water from the waterworks to the different localities they service. In some communities, the residents resort to unwholesome sources to get water. These are the issues that fuel the cholera outbreaks. In Lagos, where there have been more deaths, we are worried about the integrity of pipelines that convey water to localities. In many communities, the pipelines right of way include gutters where breakages and other breaches usually occur and are not addressed for months and years in some cases. While commending the federal and particularly the Lagos State government for sensitisation efforts to address the current crisis, the RDI project officer insisted that it is time that government at all levels take the issue of provision of water to remote communities and ensuring pipeline integrity as a priority. Our recommendation is that increasing investments in the water sector must be complemented and go pari pasu with ensuring the water delivery systems are regularly maintained. Water must also be available and affordable so that citizens are not forced to patronise other sources that lead to cholera and other illnesses. Ifeoluwa Adediran Project Officer Renevlyn Development Initiative Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 22. Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed bilateral relations, Trend reports. The meeting was held in Almaty in the framework of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states. "The ministers discussed topical issues of Tajik-Russian relations in various directions, as well as the cooperation of the two countries within the framework of international organizations. The sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in the migration sphere," the information notes. To note, Tajikistan's Foreign Minister took part in the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CSTO member states in Almaty on June 2021, 2024. The influence of the current global and regional situation on the security of the member nations of the CSTO was a topic of discussion among the ministers. Following the results of the meeting, the completion of the 11-year negotiation process was noted, and a decision was made to approve the draft CSTO Targeted Interstate Program on Strengthening the Tajik-Afghan Border. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The World Bank has supported the Oyo State Government with a N3.5 billion grant for the renovation of selected 105 public primary schools across the state. The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, disclosed this on Friday in Ibadan, during a symbolic presentation of cheques to representatives of some of the beneficiary schools. Mr Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, said the grant was meant for the renovation of primary schools with critical attention. The governor explained that the works would commence simultaneously in all the 105 schools selected across the three senatorial districts of the state. He admonished those in charge of the exercise to avoid doing shoddy jobs but to ensure that all the projects were in accordance with the prescriptions. He said that doing quality jobs would make the essence of the projects realisable and equally make the general public appreciate government efforts in the education sector. A huge amount of money is being put into this project and the beneficiaries must put eyes into what is being done in their respective schools. 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 standard must be in accordance with prescriptions so that our children will take maximum advantage of the facilities the government is putting in place, Mr Makinde said. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Intervention, Suraj Tiamiyu, said that the renovation of the 105 approved public primary schools mostly in the rural areas was expected to be completed within six weeks. Mr Tiamiyu said the renovation would include the construction of toilets and borehole drilling, among other facilities that would make the learning environment more conducive for pupils. He added that the exercise would be properly monitored for effective delivery to standard and time framework. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grant support is a World Bank Project under Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Additional Funding (AF). The project is a form of educational grant from the World Bank with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) aimed at increasing equitable access for out-of-school children and improving literacy in beneficiary states. Oyo State and two other states, namely Adamawa and Katsina were beneficiaries of the grant, which is also seeking to strengthen accountability for results in basic education in Nigeria. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested two former employees of Union Bank for allegedly stealing N4.2 million from a deceased customers account. The suspects Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute were arrested on Friday, according to a statement issued on Saturday by EFCCs spokesperson, Dele Oyewale. The suspects allegedly perpetrated the fraud using debit cards procured on the account without the consent of account owner or family. The commission said it began investigation into the matter after receiving a complaint from the bank complaining about suspected fraudulent debits on the account of the deceased customer, Emmanuel Agenna. According to the anti-graft agency, the family had approached the bank to request the balance on his account for probate processing. The family disputed the balance provided by the bank, leading to a complaint about unauthorised debits on the account. 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 Based on their complaints, the bank carried out an internal investigation and its findings revealed that a debit card was procured on the deceaseds customer account on 10 May 2023 by Ifah Ogoh, one of the banks Sales and Service Associates, which was authorised by the bank on the same date. Further findings by the bank showed that the procured card by Ogoh was handed over to another Sales and Service Associates, Agbo Omwute, who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds from the account of the deceased. Several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the accomplice, the statement added. The commission said the suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded. Stealing from the dead The case is not the first in which EFCC has accused bank workers of stealing from the dead. In March 2020, EFCC arraigned five workers of another bank before the Akwa Ibom State High Court on charges of diverting N37.69 million from deceased customers accounts for personal use. The accusedMbong Essien, Akwa Akwa, Precious John, Kenneth Udoetuk, and Ubong Udomface 23 counts, including conspiracy, forgery, and criminal conversion of depositors funds. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Defence Headquarters says the military has made operational adjustments to prioritise protection for farmers to ensure successful rainy season farming. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, made this known on Friday in Abuja while giving updates on the operations of the armed forces. Mr Buba, a major general, said the armed forces had intensified intelligence collection efforts targeted at hunting terrorists and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. He said the aim was to eliminate the terrorists and the infrastructure that supports their activities. According to him, troops will continue to employ significant firepower to kill terrorists and disrupt their activities across the country. Winning the war against the terrorists is non-negotiable, he said. Mr Buba said the troops had, in different operations, killed 220 people, apprehended 395 suspects and rescued 202 kidnapped hostages in the past week. 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 added that troops recovered 432 assorted weapons and 9,004 assorted ammunition comprising three PKT guns, one G3 rifle, 83 AK47 rifles and 18 locally-fabricated guns. Also recovered were 16 dane guns, 14 RPG bombs, one RPG launcher, two tear gas launchers, 234 smoke grenades and one bandolier. Others include 5,893 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,064 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 401 rounds of 9mm ammo, 200 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 154 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 195 live cartridges, and 17 magazines. In the North-east, Mr Buba said, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 83 terrorists, arrested 98 suspects and rescued 61 kidnappers hostages. Assorted arms were also recovered, he added. In the North-central, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke killed 37 insurgents, arrested 102 violent extremists and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages, he said. In the North-west, Mr Buba said, the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch, killed 78 terrorists, arrested 103 terrorists and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages. Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 105 illegal refining sites with 51 dugout pits, 38 boats and 51 storage tanks. He said the troops also recovered 215 cooking ovens, two speedboats, 44 drums, three tug boats, three barges, four wheelbarrows, one outboard engine, 15 vehicles, three motorcycles and six mobile phones. According to him, troops recovered 1.09 million litres of stolen crude oil, 1.1 million litres of illegally refined AGO, 27,350 litres of DPK and 150 litres of PMS. Troops also arrested 55 perpetrators of oil theft and denied the oil thieves an estimated sum of N1.8 billion, he said. In the South-east, Mr Buba said, the troops of Operation UDO KA killed 22 terrorists, arrested 37 violent extremists, rescued 15 kidnapped hostages and also recovered a large cache of arms. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government has appointed a US-based broker to sell three ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet amidst plans to purchase new ones. A Nigerian paper, The Cable, reported that US-based airline marketer, JetHQ, has been appointed as the broker to sell a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), which is the presidents designated aircraft, one Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x. JetHQ is to value the three aircraft and subsequently market them. Officials who spoke to the newspaper said the country would use the proceeds from the sales to augment the funds for the purchase of a new plane. PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported that the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended the purchase of two new jets for the president and vice president. However, the committee has yet to submit the report for adoption by the House as the lawmakers are still on holiday. The report by the lawmakers classified many of the aircraft as unserviceable, adding that due to their age, the cost of maintenance is unsustainable. 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 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), which is the main presidential jet, is 19 years old and is currently undergoing maintenance. The committee in the report said the plane is unserviceable. The Gulfstream GV is 23 years old. Debate over purchase of new planes The House report triggered widespread criticisms by some Nigerians who questioned the wisdom in buying new aeroplanes at a time when Nigeria is facing severe economic hardship. The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, condemned the report, urging the government to shelve any plan to purchase new planes amidst economic hardship in the country. However, on the other side of the divide, the argument has been about the safety of the current leaders of the country, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence also backed the move to make the purchase, citing safety concerns. The recent helicopter crash that killed Irans President Ebrahim Raisi and the plane crash involving Malawis Vice President Saulos Chilima have heightened concerns over the safety of the leaders. Aides of the president have used this same argument to buttress their point for the purchase and to tackle critics. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, while replying to Mr Obi, raised the issue of safety. Does Peter Obi want the president dead? Is that his wish? Does he want him to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us. Mr Onanuga said in an interview with the PUNCH newspaper. The plane he (Tinubu) uses now, I learnt, was bought during (former President) Obasanjos era. That was over 20 years ago and I learnt it was a very small plane. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Service Commission (PSC) has challenged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to provide evidence that the recent recruitment of constables into the Force was tainted with corruption and irregularities. It also demanded that its list of successful candidates and that of the police be subjected to a forensic audit using the result of the JAMB computer-based test. The Spokesperson of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. The commission and the NPF have been having a running battle over the recently concluded recruitment. The police had alleged that the exercise was marred with corruption and irregularities. On Wednesday, the Joint Union Congress of the Police Service Commission(PSC) asked President Bola Timubu to immediately relieve the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of his position for alleged anti-ethical behaviour and misconduct, which it said could destroy the peace of the country. The recent sack of the Chairperson of the PSC, Solomon Arase, is believed to be connected to the face-off between the two organisations. 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 Provide evidence Mr Ani denied that the recruitment was marred with irregularities and asked the police to provide evidence. The commission demands that the police should provide verifiable evidence to prove the allegations peddled against it as it is obvious that it is a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. It is important to state that due process was meticulously followed throughout the exercise and the commission wishes to assert its prerogative to exercise full control over recruitments into the Nigeria Police Force. The commission is also insisting that its list of successful candidates and that of the Police should be subjected to a forensic audit using the result of the JAMB computer based test, he said. The commission appealed to President Bola Tinubu to protect it and rein in the NPF to respect the constitutional mandate of the commission to recruit, noting that the Force was created to enforce the law and not to circumvent it in whatever guise. Mr Ani also said the successful candidates should be allowed to proceed on training without delay. Read the full statement POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT PRESS RELEASE 2022 POLICE CONSTABLE RECRUITMENT: OUR POSITION PSC The Police Service Commission has watched with keen interest developments since it concluded and released the list of successful candidates for recruitment as Constables into the Nigeria Police Force. The Commission is disturbed at the flagrant abuse of ethics, the Constitution and valid judgment of the apex court of the land. The Commission wishes to state as follows; a. That the release of the confidential letter sent to the Chairman of the Commission by the Inspector General of Police on alleged lapses in the recruitment exercise to the Media was a gross violation of the Public Service Rules with grave Consequences. b. That since 2019, when a former Inspector General of Police hijacked the soft copy of an ongoing recruitment exercise and forcefully completed the exercise without the input of the Commission the statutory body solely charged with such responsibility, the Commission has not been allowed to perform this constitutional duty. c. The Commission has at every turn suffered several indignities in its attempt to perform functions provided to it by the Constitution even after the Supreme Court decided the matter in its favour. d. That this show of brute force and intimidation by the Police and most recently inducements of hired writers to run down the Commission in the Media is a serious affront on the mandate of the Commission. The Commission has studied the issues around this successfully concluded recruitment exercise and has come to the conclusion that even after the Supreme Court Judgment, the Police is reluctant to allow the Commission perform this constitutional assignment. The Commission demands that the Police should provide verifiable evidence to prove the allegations peddled against it as it is obvious that it is a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. It is important to state that due process was meticulously followed throughout the exercise and the Commission wishes to assert its prerogative to exercise full control over recruitments into the Nigeria Police Force. The Commission is also insisting that its list of successful candidates and that of the Police should be subjected to a forensic audit using the result of the JAMB computer based test. The Supreme Court Judgment delivered on 11th July 2023 in the case of NPF & Ors v Police Service Commission & Anor (2023) LPELR-60782(SC) reinforces the Commissions exclusive statutory authority in the recruitment of Constables. The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on the 30th September, 2020. The Appeal Court among other decisions gave an order of Perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, jointly or severally, by themselves or through Officers, agents or representatives or through any other body or appointee of of the Federal Government of Nigeria from further exercising or purporting to exercise the powers to appoint, promote, dismiss or in any manner howsoever exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or aspiring to hold any office in the Nigeria Police Force other than the Inspector General of Police. It also gave an Order nullifying any act or attempt by the Defendants whether acting jointly or severally in appointing or purporting to appoint any person into 1st Defendant whether by means of enlistment, shortlisting, recognition recruitment or in any other manner howsoever, such act or attempt being ultra vires the functions and powers of the Defendants. It also gave a declaration that any act or attempt by the Defendants in appointing, recruiting and/or shortlisting for appointment, persons aspiring to hold any office in the Nigeria Police Force except the Office of the Inspector-General of Police amounts to unlawful and unjustified usurpation of the exclusive constitutional and statutory functions and powers of the Plaintiff and accordingly null and void and of no effect whatsoever. In this judgment, there was no role assigned to any person or persons outside the Commission in the conduct of recruitment and as such, any claim to that effect is serious contempt of Court. The Commission however had, in its wisdom, invited relevant stakeholders into a Board for the recruitment exercise to ensure inclusiveness and transparency. This magnanimity has since been misconstrued. It is relevant to state that the judgment and even the Constitution did not give the Police any role in the recruitment of any cadre of Officers into the Police Force. It is unfortunate that the Police has attributed its obvious failure to protect lives and properties, and safeguard our nation from banditry and terrorism to bad recruitment. This claim is self indicting and provocative. Since 2019 when the Police forcefully snatched the exercise from the Commission, they have gone ahead against the provisions of the law to Superintendent over the 2020 and 2021 exercises. It is the fraudulent Recruits they brought into the system during these exercises that are currently haunting the Nigeria Police Force. The Commission is aware that this current brazen show of power by the Police with attendant spurious allegations is to perpetuate their stranglehold on the recruitment of Constables, even against the judgment of the Supreme Court. READ ALSO: Police arrest four over killing of student The assertion of recruiting persons who will commit suicide and who are deaf and dumb is uncharitable and preposterous. During recruitment exercises, the physical and medical screenings are handled by Police personnel, so if deaf and dumb persons and those with suicidal tendencies are recruited into the Force, then the Police personnel who screened and recommended them should be held responsible. The Commission is aware that all these distractions are calculated attempts by the Police to hold on, by all means, to the recruitment of Police Constables despite the Supreme Court Judgment. The Commission wishes to appeal to Mr. President to protect it and rein in the Nigeria Police Force to respect the Constitutional Mandate of the Commission to recruit. The Nigeria Police Force is created to enforce the law and not to circumvent it in whatever guise. It is the considered opinion of the Commission that the successful candidates should be allowed to proceed on training without delay. Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations Friday, June 21st 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has faulted reports that musician Burna Boy paid all the medical bills for patients during a recent visit to the hospital. The hospital clarified that Burna Boy only settled the bills of selected patients at the facility, contrary to claims that he paid all outstanding bills of all the patients. Elabha Meni, the institutions spokesperson, clarified this in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Friday. We commend Burna Boys kindness in financially assisting select patients in our hospital to offset their bills during his visit on 11 June. However, contrary to reports stating that all patients bills in UPTH were paid during the visit, only selected patients received cash gifts or donations. The hospital did not receive direct payments from the musician and his team on behalf of patients to support this worthy course of reducing healthcare costs, Meni clarified. Ms Meni commended the musicians charitable act in helping those in need. 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 The details of the judgement of the Federal High Court of Thursday have confirmed that the court nullified the reappointment of Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano but refused to rule on the validity of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024. The judgement specifically said every step taken by the defendants in pursuance to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 are hereby annulled and set aside. The said law repealed the Kano State Emirate Council Law 2019, which created four new emirates of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye in addition to the Kano Emirate. Governor Abba Yusuf signed the new law on 23 May and removed all the five emirs appointed under the old law, including Aminu Ado-Bayero of Kano. A day later, the governor reinstated Mr Sanusi as the sole emir of the state. But that was before a title holder in Kano emirate, Aminu Danagundi, filed a suit at the Federal High Court to challenge the new law. Mr Danagundi also applied to the court to restrain the Kano State Government; the State House of Assembly and its speaker; the Attorney-General of the state; the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; and the State Security Service (SSS) from implementing the law until his case has been determined. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later On 23 May, the judge, Abdullahi Liman, granted the application and ordered the state government and the other parties involved to stop the implementation of the new emirate law pending the hearing of the substantive case. However, the five emirs have been stripped of their roles, including Mr Ado-Bayero who has relocated to the mini palace in Kano and defied the directives of the state government and state high court that he should cease parading himself as the emir. When the federal court next heard the matter on 20 June, the judge chided the governor for reinstating Mr Sanusi, saying the action was in disrespect of his courts order for a freeze of actions on the new law. The judge said despite being served with the court order, the state government went ahead to appoint Mr Sanusi as the 16 Emir of Kano on 24 May. Every step taken by the defendants in pursuance to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 is hereby annulled and set aside. That, however, this order doesnt affect the validity of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 which is the subject of the substantive suit. That the order sought by the plaintiff, which extends to the validity of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 which is the subject matter of the substantive suit, is hereby refused. That the earlier order directing parties to maintain status quo ante still stands, the judge said in the certified true copy of the ruling released on Friday. However, the state government has said the emir was reinstated four days before it was served with the court order on 27 May and has interpreted the status quo to mean the state of events before the court granted the interim judgement. But Mamman Yusufari, a senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), insisted that the ruling of the court on Thursday invalidated Mr Sanusis reinstatement. Mr Yusufari, a professor of law, said on a radio programme, Rigar Kaya anchored by Yakubu Musa-Fagge, that the ruling also voided all actions taken by the governor, including the signing of the new emirate council law. The governor appointed Mr Sanusi after the court order. The court gave the order on 23 May and the governor reappointed Mr Sanusi on 24 May, Mr Yusufari said. He said the governor was aware of the court order because he protested against the order being served virtually, stating that the judge, Mr Liman, issued it from the United States of America. The judge described the governors action as disrespectful and cannot be tolerated in a country with law and order because nobody is above the law. In the eyes of the law, the appointment of Mr Sanusi didnt exist because it was conducted in disregard to the law of the land. The judge was silent on the validity or otherwise of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 but said all other action taken by the governor before the court order is null and void, which includes the signing of the law by the governor, meaning that the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, is still a bill, not a law. With this, all the five Kano emirate councils are still in force because there is no law in place that removed them. The appointment of Mr Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano is illegal, with this, all parties in the crisis are maintaining the status quo as directed by the court. The substantive case will continue at the high court if the appeal court rules on the jurisdiction suit in favour of the applicant, but if it ruled against, the case will definitely reach the Supreme Court because I doubt if any of the contenders will surrender at the appeal court, Mr Yusufari stated on the radio programme. Meanwhile, Mr Liman has transferred the case to another judge, Simon Amobeda, due to his elevation to the Court of Appeal. On Friday, Mr Amobeda halted the hearing of the substantive suit following an appeal by the state government challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain chieftaincy matters. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of properties valued at over N11,140,000,000.00 (Eleven Billion One Hundred and Forty Million Naira) and N1.04 billion (One Billion and Forty Million Naira) linked to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the order of final forfeiture in response to a motion filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, Chineye Okezie. The EFCC had alleged that the properties were acquired with proceeds of fraud. The Commission had previously obtained an interim forfeiture order on 5 June 2024 as argued by its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). The properties, listed in two schedules (A and B), include shops, apartments, lands, and apartments located in highbrow areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The properties were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The EFCC alleged that Emefiele used proxies, including two current and one former CBN staff, to acquire the properties. 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 staff members were identified as Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and Olubunmi Makinde (now a former staff member). According to the EFCC, the properties were acquired through fraudulent means, including the use of proceeds from illegal foreign exchange transactions. The commission alleged that the CBN staff members used their positions and influence to secure retail and special allocation of foreign exchange to different companies in exchange for kickbacks. The courts order was made after no party appeared to contest the interim forfeiture order. The properties will be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some labour unionists on Saturday expressed different views about relocation, in large numbers, in recent times, of Nigerians, especially youth and professionals, in search of greener pastures abroad. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, some said there was nothing wrong with the trend referred to in local parlance as Japa. However, others expressed worry that it was impacting negatively on Nigeria. The unionists, however, urged governments at different levels to provide security, job opportunities and improved conditions of work as well as encourage entrepreneurship to retain more youth and professionals. They cautioned Nigerians intending to relocate abroad to ensure their economic survival and avoid frustration and identity crises. The General Secretary Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Lumumba Okugbawa, said that relocating abroad for greener pastures had been a trend for long. In the past, people travelled abroad to seek better opportunities not found in their countries of origin. It is not new for people to travel abroad for business, work or personal engagements. However, they are leaving now because of their challenges, such as insecurity and lack of opportunities, he told NAN. 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 Okugbawa said that the way forward would be for Nigerias leadership to create an enabling environment for people to feel secure, work and earn a living, and be fulfilled. There is a need for re-orientation about migration, and the government should fix the countrys infrastructure to encourage small-scale businesses to thrive, the unionist urged. The Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Aladetan Abiodun, told NAN that the Japa trend presented opportunities and challenges. According to Mr Abiodun, while the trend opens doors to prospects abroad, it also necessitates a proactive approach to prevent the loss of cultural identity. By promoting cultural awareness, leveraging technology, and encouraging educational initiatives, immigrants and their children can maintain a strong connection to Nigeria. Balancing the benefits of new environments with the preservation of Nigerian heritage is essential for fostering a well-rounded and culturally-rich diaspora community, Mr Abiodun said. The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Chapter, Funmi Sessi, said there was nothing wrong with relocating abroad to seek a better life. According to Mrs Sessi, the trend has some benefits for Nigeria. She said many Nigerians who travelled abroad had been meaningfully giving back to the country and lifting their families and friends. Mrs Sessi said that there was no need to worry about such Nigerians losing their cultural roots. Most Nigerians value family life; when they travel, they have extended family members they relate with back home. They still have connections to their roots; they will not forget. Also, most Nigerians in the diaspora arrange social gatherings and activities that keep their roots intact. One way to ensure that Nigerians keep their roots is to educate and train their children in their culture; some Nigerians do that when they travel, she said. READ ALSO: Africans in Japan want ICT integrated into educational system The NLC chair acknowledged that there could be challenges while residing abroad. It is not always rosy when people are abroad. With this in mind, people who travel should know that when the chips are down, their countries of origin are where they can fall back to, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says the data of Nigerians has not been compromised despite controversial websites like anyverify.com selling such data which NIMC and other government-authorised agencies collected. An investigation by a digital social enterprise, Paradigm Initiative, detailed how the website provided access to the private information of Nigerians for a token. This alarming development presents a major breach of the fundamental rights to privacy, a breach of data privacy rights and poses significant risks to individuals and the national economy, Paradigm Initiative wrote on X. In its response to the apparent data breach, NIMC, which issues the national identity number and handles Nigerias national database, blamed the violation on the carelessness of Nigerians who upload their personal data to such websites. NIMC advises Nigerians to avoid giving their data to unauthorised and phishing sites. This poses the danger of data harvesting. NIMC urges the public to disregard any claims or services these websites offer and should not give their data as they are potentially fraudulent and data provided by the public on such websites are gathered and stored to build the data services they illegally provide, NIMC wrote in a Saturday statement by its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke. AnyVerify.com.ng has since gone offline, although Paradigm Initiative says it archived all the information on the website. 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 Experts weigh in Cyber security experts say NIMC may be wrong on its stand that visitation of rogue websites is the sole reason for the data breach. In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, a cyber security expert, Oluwafemi Obadare, stated that the likely situation is that authorised partners compromised NIMCs database. Mr Obadare explained that while the data of unsuspecting visitors to certain sites can be easily harvested, it is impossible to obtain a large volume of data through phishing alone. In as much as it is possible for websites to harvest data of users based on what some users posted and put on the internet, getting that volume of data cant be from just data harvesting alone, he explained. My assumption is that it is likely there is a gap from any of the authorised partners that have legitimate access to these confidential data, he added. For years, Nigeria has grappled with the issue of data security and data breaches. Earlier in the year, the National Commissioner, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Vincent Olatunji, confirmed that the commission was investigating 17 major cases of data breaches and violations in the country. For Adedeji Adedoyin, another cyber security expert, the problem of illegal access and sale of private data of Nigerians is a very serious situation with dire consequences for Nigerias national security. The exposure of our national database from NIMC to illegal data merchants on the open web is a clear breach of national security and puts innocent citizens at a global risk. This incident is not just a technical failure; it represents a significant lapse in safeguarding the personal information of millions of innocent Nigerians, he stated. Strengthening data laws The 1999 constitution (as amended) recognises privacy as a fundamental human right and guarantees the protection of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications. This birthed the enactment of the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NTDA) 2023 and the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. Among other things, the commission is responsible for regulating the deployment of technology and organisational measures to facilitate data protection. The NTDA provides guidelines on the management of personal data to institutions and agencies of government, such as the National Identity Management Commission, which handles the national database of Nigerians. Section 26 (1) of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 makes it unlawful for the commission to give out information about Nigerians contained in the database except for reasons bothering National security. No person or body corporate shall have access to the data or information contained in the Database with respect to a registered individual entry except with the authorisation of the Commission and only if: (a) an application for the provision of the information to that person is made by or with the authority of that individual; or (b) that individual otherwise consents to the provision of that information to that person, the Act stated. Mr Adedoyin believes the government should enact stronger data laws and hold both private and public institutions accountable for incidents like these. Government urgently needs to strengthen data protection protocols, create a more formidable cyber defence network, rapidly improve cyber response and embark on a national citizen awareness to help citizens better understand how to protect themselves, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has spoken on the sack of his chief press secretary and the suspension of the state commissioner for health. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Otti, earlier in June, suspended the Commissioner for Health in the state, Ngozi Okoronkwo, for gross misconduct. This newspaper also reported that the governor also sacked his spokesperson, Kazie Uko. The State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday night that Governor Otti just replaced him (Uko) with Mr Ukoha Ukoha in a bid to rejig his media team. The commissioner did not give any reason for the decision. Its reorganisation Speaking on Friday during a monthly Media Chat in Umuahia, Mr Otti claimed he did not sack his former spokesperson contrary to reports. The event was broadcast live on local radio and television stations. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A video clip of the event was also uploaded on Facebook. My response is that I did not sack my former chief press secretary. What we did was reorganisation. Reorganisation happened. New blood is brought in. People get reassigned, he said. And anytime you are given an appointment, it is not a permanent appointment. Even my own appointment (as governor) is not permanent. In the next three years, the mandate you gave me will be over and I need to apply again. The governor, however, did not mention where he reassigned the former spokesperson. Suspended commissioner under probe Mr Otti also explained that the State Commissioner for Health, Mrs Okoronkwo, was not sacked, but only suspended for alleged gross misconduct. We have not determined that the position has become vacant. What I explained earlier was that the commissioner was on suspension pending the investigation thats going on, he said. He added that there was nothing wrong with suspending any official, explaining that the commissioner would be reinstated if she was cleared of allegations of misconduct against her. I cannot declare it (the commissioners position) vacant except if the report comes in and shows that shes indicted, the governor stated. Killing of soldiers: Were getting feedback PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that five soldiers were on 30 May killed by gunmen in Obikabia Junction near Aba, the commercial hub of the state. Mr Otti, speaking to reporters, stressed that his administration was committed to tracking down all those involved in the killing of the soldiers. This government takes security seriously. We have been getting the feedback (concerning the killing of the soldiers), he said. We have empowered Operation Crush to crush crime anywhere in the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The UNs resolution sidesteps its 1967 Resolution 242 of 22 November, 1967, which provides a permanent solution for the Israeli-Palestine crises. Its body language is that half peace is better than no peace. But even this resolution may not be implemented. The visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea and the United States yelling against it have diverted world attention this week. It has drawn attention from the immediate needs and steps to save Palestinian lives, especially those of babies and children. How does Putin visiting his North Korean ally, Kim Jong Un, constitute a threat to world peace? US Defence spokesperson, Pat Ryder, wailed that the visit has implications for peace in the Korean Peninsula and the war in Ukraine, without substantiating such claims. White House spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, lamented that North Korea supplies weapons to Russia in the war in Ukraine, implying that the visit may lead to more supplies. So what? Dont the US and its allies supply weapons to Ukraine? There are tons of analyses that the visit may strengthen the trilateral relations amongst Russia, North Korea and China. So? Does the US not strengthen its own trilateral relations with South Korea and Japan? Closely followed are the reports of Hezbollah threatening retaliation against Israeli bombings of Lebanese villages. The tit-for-tat attacks by both sides have been on for years. Maybe the only two pieces of news are the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, revealing that: We now have new weapons. But I wont say what they areWhen the decision is made, they will be seen on the front lines. The other news was Nasrallah declaring that if war were to break out, Hezbollah would also attack countries like Cyprus, which are allegedly aiding the Israeli military. 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 attention of the world should focus on the United Nations (UN), which has taken two potentially live-saving actions on the needless deaths in the Middle East. The first is the release of the Report of its Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. It concluded that the Hamas attacks against Israel from 7-8 October, 2023 had elements of war crimes. These included deliberate attacks on civilians, wilful killing and employment of inhuman or cruel treatment of the victims. The UN body pointedly confirmed the allegations of ongoing Israeli genocide in the Palestine. These had been brought before the International Court of Justice by South Africa on 29 December, 2023. Also, the International Criminal Courts (ICC) Chief Prosecutor has sought arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for war crimes. It was, therefore, not surprising that the UN Report conclusively found that Israel is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It reported that Israel has violated international humanitarian and human rights laws, and weaponised the provision of life-sustaining necessities for political gains. These, it reported, include denial of food, water, fuel and electricity to the Palestinian populace as a means of collective punishment. Due to direct Israeli military actions, the UN has lost 190 of its staff; 108 journalists are dead; 493 doctors, nurses and other health workers have been murdered; and over 13,800 children sent to untimely graves. It was, therefore, not surprising that the UN Report conclusively found that Israel is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It reported that Israel has violated international humanitarian and human rights laws, and weaponised the provision of life-sustaining necessities for political gains. These, it reported, include denial of food, water, fuel and electricity to the Palestinian populace as a means of collective punishment. Israeli soldiers were also found to have carried out sexual and gender-based violence as weapons to dehumanise the Palestinians. The second major action taken by the UN was by its Security Council, which voted 14-0 for a ceasefire in Gaza. Tragically, the resolution is not designed to take immediate effect, which might save more lives. Rather, it is in three phases. The first are negotiations, freedom for Israeli captives and release of Palestinian prisoners. This is to take place within six weeks. It states that within those weeks: An immediate, full and complete ceasefire would come into force. Also, Palestinian civilians would be allowed to return to their homes across Gaza. Apart from humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, it is also envisaged that Israel would withdraw its forces from the populated areas of Gaza. The issue here is which areas of Gaza, a territory laid desolate, qualifies as populated? It is envisaged that the ceasefire would continue if the negotiations exceed the six-week period. The second phase calls for a permanent end to the hostilities, the release of any remaining captives and the complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza. The third phase envisages Gazas reconstruction and the return of the remains of any deceased captives that might still be in Gaza. The resolution rejects any loss of territorial land space, including any actions that reduce the territory of Palestine. Although the resolution claimed Israel had accepted it hours after it was passed, the country still carried out deadly attacks across the Gaza thereafter. Its Representative to the UN, Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, said there would be no end to the war unless Hamas capability to fight is destroyed. China said the draft was ambiguous but voted for the resolution in the face of mounting deaths in Gaza. Japan which had voted for the resolution, added: The catastrophic humanitarian situation is indescribable. To Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama: This text is not perfect, but it offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians as the alternative is continued killing and suffering. Russia, which has a veto, abstained. Its ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said it did so because the exact terms Israel was supposed to have agreed to, were not explicitly stated. He added that: The Council should not agree to any agreement that has vague parameterswhat specifically has Israel agreed to? President Joe Biden, who had guaranteed Israels acceptance of the peace deal, said the resolution was not just a ceasefire that would inevitably be fragile and temporary but also one that would provide a durable end to the war. US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, claimed that if Hamas agrees to the resolution, fighting could stop immediately. She said Hamas should realise that the international community is united behind a deal that will save lives and help Palestinian civilians in Gaza start to rebuild and heal. United behind a deal that will reunite hostages with their families after eight months in captivity. Hamas immediately accepted the resolution. Its official, Sami Abu Zuhri, added: The US administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war in an implementation of the UN Security Council resolution. Although the resolution claimed Israel had accepted it hours after it was passed, the country still carried out deadly attacks across the Gaza thereafter. Its Representative to the UN, Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, said there would be no end to the war unless Hamas capability to fight is destroyed. Israels objectives, she added, are clear: To bring all our hostages back home and to dismantle Hamas capabilitiesand ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future. Ben-Naftaly added: As we have echoed several times in this very chamber, once these goals are met, the war will end. The UNs resolution sidesteps its 1967 Resolution 242 of 22 November, 1967, which provides a permanent solution for the Israeli-Palestine crises. Its body language is that half peace is better than no peace. But even this resolution may not be implemented. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print For President Tinubu, the challenge is to transcend the political expediencies that have hindered past administrations. He must demonstrate the political will to implement substantial reforms that address the root causes of Nigerias systemic issues. Tinubus legacy will ultimately be defined by his ability to rise above partisan interests and deliver on the promise of a truly united and prosperous Nigeria. Before assuming the presidency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) exuded confidence in his capacity to rescue Nigeria from its dire circumstances. Those were the days of big dreams and great visions. Today, BAT confronts the harsh realities of leadership, realising that the complexities of Nigeria are far more formidable than anything he had ever imagined. His handlers had inflated his credentials, touting his economic prowess and promising to replicate his so-called Lagos miracle on a national scale. Unfortunately, his performance thus far has been sub-par; he has not performed any better than his predecessor. You know you are in trouble when you have to be compared to a man who could easily win the contest for the worst president in the entire continent of Africa. Under Tinubus watch, Nigerians have seen their purchasing power plummet to less than half of what it was before he assumed leadership, leading to widespread hunger in the land. Meanwhile, the scourge of kidnapping and rampant violence continues unchecked, casting a long shadow over his tenure. I have always believed that purposeful leadership is not an esoteric science; it necessitates a genuine intention to serve, rather than merely focusing on the optics of it. What extraordinary insight is required for a Nigerian leader to comprehend the urgent need to reduce the exorbitant cost of governance in a struggling nation? Tinubus decision to form a bloated cabinet of 45 ministers, while the United States, with its $21 trillion economy, operates with only 15, was not a mere error in judgment. It underscores a prioritisation of political expediency over sound governance. Another pivotal issue is restructuring, crucial for Nigerias viability. Its evident even to the least discerning individual that devolution of power is an existential imperative. It doesnt require Solomonic wisdom to figure that out. Yet, Nigerias leaders, past and present, continue to shy away from addressing it, fearing a potential political blowback. The prevailing narrative suggests that Northern politicians largely resist this idea, which is true; however, past Southern presidents, from Obasanjo to Jonathan, exhibited little to no interest in genuine power devolution, fearing a diminishment of their executive authority. Jonathan convened the 2014 national confab, but when it came to implementing its recommendations, he demurred, prioritising his political survival. There is no doubt that the current unitary federalism, a distorted imitation of the American presidential system, fails to address Nigerias diverse needs. President Tinubu, more than anyone else, understands this, which is why he helped place it at the forefront of the APC manifesto. Today, he has the opportunity to distinguish himself from his predecessors, and Nigerians are eagerly watching to see if he will seize this moment. One of the most pressing issues among Nigerians today, both domestically and abroad, is the need for a new constitution. During a recent episode of Diaspora Dialogues, my co-anchors, Farooq Kperogi, Moses Ochonu, and I discussed this topic extensively. I reiterated the point that has been repeatedly made before: the 1999 constitution, derived from Sani Abachas deeply flawed 1995 draft, lacks legitimacy and authenticity. One of the most pressing issues among Nigerians today, both domestically and abroad, is the need for a new constitution. During a recent episode of Diaspora Dialogues, my co-anchors, Farooq Kperogi, Moses Ochonu, and I discussed this topic extensively. I reiterated the point that has been repeatedly made before: the 1999 constitution, derived from Sani Abachas deeply flawed 1995 draft, lacks legitimacy and authenticity. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Despite recommendations by Justice Niki Tobis Constitutional Debate Coordinating Committee to adhere to the 1979 Constitution in the months leading up to the transition to civilian rule in 1999, General Abdulsalamis military government steamrolled an illegitimate 1995 document over Nigerians. This constitution centralises power in the presidency, creating an imbalance that favours the North over the South. Nowhere is this structural injustice more glaring than in the allocation of local governments and the distribution of revenue, leading to widespread discontent and secessionist movements. From 1989 to 1996, under the leadership of Generals Babangida and Abacha, both northerners, the number of local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria ballooned from 301 to 774, without clear guidelines for their creation. This resulted in disparities, such as Kano having 44 LGAs for 16 million people, while Lagos has only 20 LGAs for 15 million people. In addition, the South-East has only five states, unlike other geopolitical zones that have six. Constitutional reform and restructuring aim to address these issues, promote national integration, and create a more equitable and united Nigeria. Since the beginning of this year, three different bills have been proposed to restructure Nigerias governance. The first, introduced by 60 lawmakers called the Parliamentary Group, seeks to abolish the current presidential system in favour of the parliamentary system of Nigerias First Republic. They argue that the presidential system is too costly to maintain at this juncture in our nations journey. The second bill, supported by 35 self-identified reform-minded legislators in the lower chamber, advocates for a rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones and a single six-year term for both the president and state governors. This proposal aims to reduce election-related contentions and ensure equitable regional representation. The third bill, proposed by Dr Akin Fapohunda, representing the Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities, calls for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerias governance model. It is the most extensive of the three and suggests a return to a regional form of government, dividing Nigeria into eight regions with the autonomy to manage their affairs and create sub-entities. The bill also proposes a two-tier government structure, consisting of federal and regional levels, and a return to the parliamentary system with a unicameral federal legislature. The task before President Tinubu is monumental. The burden of history weighs heavily on his shoulders, and his ability to navigate Nigerias complex political landscape will determine the countrys future trajectory. By embracing genuine restructuring and constitutional reform, he has the opportunity to lay the foundation for a more equitable and harmonious nation. Tinubu can help steer Nigeria toward a brighter, more inclusive future if he is willing to. While each bill has its shortcomings that need to be addressed and fine-tuned prior to adoption, the urgency for constitutional reform in Nigeria cannot be overstated. The current governance structure that continues to disenfranchise large segments of the population is unsustainable. This imbalance has fostered a sense of marginalisation and resentment, driving various groups to demand greater autonomy or even outright secession. Addressing these grievances through meaningful restructuring is not just a political necessity but a moral imperative to ensure a more just and stable nation. The adoption of a presidential system was initially aimed at fostering national unity by ensuring that the president and vice president must appeal to a broad, diverse electorate. However, the systems implementation has often fallen short of its ideals. Decree 24 of 1999, otherwise known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, contains 68 items in the exclusive legislative list, which only the Federal Government of Nigeria can legislate on. This arrangement effectively renders the states and local government areas (LGAs) as mere appendages of the Federal Government. True restructuring would involve not just a change in leadership but a fundamental rethinking of Nigerias federalism. This means decentralising power, allowing states more control over their resources, and ensuring fair representation and resource allocation. Such reforms would help mitigate ethnic and regional tensions, fostering a sense of inclusion and shared purpose among all Nigerians. For President Tinubu, the challenge is to transcend the political expediencies that have hindered past administrations. He must demonstrate the political will to implement substantial reforms that address the root causes of Nigerias systemic issues. Tinubus legacy will ultimately be defined by his ability to rise above partisan interests and deliver on the promise of a truly united and prosperous Nigeria. The task before President Tinubu is monumental. The burden of history weighs heavily on his shoulders, and his ability to navigate Nigerias complex political landscape will determine the countrys future trajectory. By embracing genuine restructuring and constitutional reform, he has the opportunity to lay the foundation for a more equitable and harmonious nation. Tinubu can help steer Nigeria toward a brighter, more inclusive future if he is willing to. Osmund Agbo is the author of Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles, along with other publications. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print One issue we have observed is the low awareness of SEC activities. This is an area we will focus on, ensuring Nigerians understand the functions of SEC. Not just in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano, but nationwide. SEC will help people understand the importance of the capital market and the benefits of investing in it. We are also working on financial inclusion. In this modern era, technology is integral to everything we do. As times change, we need to adapt. We plan to make our IT robust to accommodate our goals. With the recent appointment of Mallam Mairiga Aliyu Katuka, a long-standing insider in the financial services sector, as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), by the Tinubu administration, there is the very huge hope that many of the issues bedevilling the sector will be contained, if not permanently laid to rest. As Nigerias leading financial market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commissions board that is now led by Katuka, also has Mr Emomotimi Agama as its director-general, and it has evolved over the years since its establishment in 1962, as an arm of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Commission, which was chartered by the Investments and Securities Act No 45 of 1999, had initially been known as the Security and Exchange Commission in 1977, before becoming the Securities and Exchange Commission by virtue of SEC Decree No. 71 of 1979. Mallam Mairiga Aliyu Katuka, who was with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for over three decades, rising to the height of a director in the apex institution, the experiences of which helped secure his sound credentials as an accomplished executive in central banking and financial management, is a major player in the countrys financial landscape. These are experiences he will bring to bear on his newer remit in SEC. Notable for his leadership and team-building skills, Katuka is well versed in financial analysis, budgeting, and investment management, which are core areas of his expertise The jury has been out and a bit vocal on many of the problems considered as afflicting the Nigerian capital markets, now directly under Katukas oversight, as including issues of inadequate regulation, the lack of transparency and accountability in much of the financial dealing, low investor confidence and participation, and insider trading coupled with market manipulation. In addition to the foregoing, there have equally been the concerns around limited financial inclusion and access of small and medium-sized enterprises to the capital markets, alongside other marginalised groups, and political interference, in tandem with weak structures of corporate governance, etc. Hence, at this point, there is the resurgence of expectations that much of the desirable reforms to the capital markets by the Securities and Exchange Commission, would find adequate consideration and expression with the incoming of the Mallam Mairiga Aliyu Katuka leadership. These include the strengthening of the regulatory framework to enhance transparency, accountability, and enforcement; and the greater push for the independence and autonomy of the SEC to whittle down political interference. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later And, in terms of reforming the SEC towards better performance, for Katuka, investor confidence in the Commissions operations is very critical. As he put it, building investor confidence means ensuring that the market is transparent, dynamic, and fair, so investors can invest without fear. We aim to create the credibility and integrity needed to restore investor confidence. We will also engage stakeholders, as their participation is crucial to our strategic plans. Saliently, there is greater hope for the protection of the rights and interests of investors; the implementation of technological upgrades to enhance the work of the Commission; capacity-building and welfare provisioning for the staff; the strengthening of enforcement and imposition of effective sanctions for non-compliance to the Commissions regulations, among others. In Katukas plans for the commission, he regards human resource development as critical, as he noted that: We are already working on strategic plans for the capital market. To achieve these plans, we must have reliable manpower, and thats why we are not going to overlook the manpower we have. Manpower is essential for achieving our goals. So, the greatest resource we have is human resources. And, in terms of reforming the SEC towards better performance, for Katuka, investor confidence in the Commissions operations is very critical. As he put it, building investor confidence means ensuring that the market is transparent, dynamic, and fair, so investors can invest without fear. We aim to create the credibility and integrity needed to restore investor confidence. We will also engage stakeholders, as their participation is crucial to our strategic plans. Born on 15 February, 1961 in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Mallam Mairiga Aliyu Katuka obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accounting from Federal Polytechnic, Bida, in 1985, after which he received a Masters degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University in 2007. He has earned numerous professional qualifications and certifications, and is a Fellow of the Certified National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA), while holding the membership of bodies including the Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM) and the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CCrFA). Katuka commenced his career as an Assistant Executive Officer in Accounts at the Public Complaints Commission in 1982; and he became a Higher Executive Officer in the Police Pay Office, Bauchi, as a staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance in 1987, following his National Youth Service at Esie-Iludun Grammar School in Kwara State. A life-long learner who is currently a PhD student of financial sector regulations at the Institute of Capital Market Studies at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Katuka has attended numerous prestigious capacity-building programmes in Leadership, Creativity and Peak Performance in Dubai (2021); Advanced Governance, Risk Management and Compliance in London (2019); and Corporate Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Control in London (2016), etc. These programmes have enabled his proficiency in governance and strategic financial management. Having resumed at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1990, Mallam Mairiga Aliyu Katuka steadily rose to increased responsibilities across the portfolios of budget and investment management, financial forecasting, and internal controls. While, over his 31 years in the bank he served as the Secretary of CBNs Budget Committee and member of several key panels, he was equally known for being an active participant in the implementation of the Banks Oracle ERP application. A life-long learner who is currently a PhD student of financial sector regulations at the Institute of Capital Market Studies at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Katuka has attended numerous prestigious capacity-building programmes in Leadership, Creativity and Peak Performance in Dubai (2021); Advanced Governance, Risk Management and Compliance in London (2019); and Corporate Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Control in London (2016), etc. These programmes have enabled his proficiency in governance and strategic financial management. He is one who cares deeply about community service, whether in his work or natal environments, hence his years of service as President of the CBN Staff Co-operative Society, on the Board of Directors of Keffi Community/Microfinance Bank from 1998 to 2016, and as a significantly contributing member of the Keffi Development Foundation. One hopes that as he steadily takes on and navigates the reins of leadership in the SEC, his would be a period of renewal and the ascendance of the mandate of the Commission as a durable institution of greater public service and relevance. He professed as much in his observation, that: One issue we have observed is the low awareness of SEC activities. This is an area we will focus on, ensuring Nigerians understand the functions of SEC. Not just in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano, but nationwide. SEC will help people understand the importance of the capital market and the benefits of investing in it. We are also working on financial inclusion. In this modern era, technology is integral to everything we do. As times change, we need to adapt. We plan to make our IT robust to accommodate our goals. Gidado Shuaib, a media and communications expert, can be reached on giddyshuaib@gmail.com. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Many times, the rich fruits expected are so late in coming, some wives lose faith and sight of what they saw and married. Some women give up and move up the road in search of ripe fruits waiting to be harvested. However, there are scores of women whose predictions paid off and are indeed living in mansions, being waited on by uniformed stewards and ferried around by liveried chauffeurs. To many, marriage is about love and passion. To others, it is an investment, and to someone like me, it is all of that and also black market. You can love all you want and not be able to keep the glow. You can be as passionate as you can and still not be able to keep the fire burning or your spouse in your bed and within your vows. As an investor, we all know you cant get it right all the time. Some investments are just not destined to last long or become blue chip. Many just fizzle out. You watch your profit margin diminish as the operations cost soar until you are in the red, bankrupt and then you go into receivership, if you are lucky. Some women get a second chance to re-invest, others have to live sadly forever thereafter with their first bad investment choice. Whatever your description of marriage passion, love, investment or even a divine call, what is common to all marriages is that it is about flying blind, with only faith providing the wind for your wings. Think about it, even when two pastors marry, they are not sure of anything, except their faith that tomorrow will be all right and God will see them through. You just set out on this long journey, hoping for the best, not sure what tomorrow will bring or if tomorrow will come at all. Lets look at the investor-bride for instance. There are women who for reasons of background, or whatever, are clear-eyed when choosing a husband. Hes either rich or not. There is no middle road. Maybe not Dangote-rich but he must be able to afford the good things of life. This bride is not turned on by humble-beginnings or aroused by lets-start-together-from-the-scratch pitch. The soup must not only be cooked and ready to be served, there must also be a servant to serve it. But what is the guarantee that that is a wise choice, that the soup will not go sour one year down the road? There are dozens of cases of once-upon-a-rich men who are today barely picking their bills. There are tons of women who used to be pampered silly but are now breadwinners. You see what I mean by flying blind? You just take off and hope youll land safely, with faith and determination as your wings and wheels. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A dear friend once told me to take a census of women; wives driving choice cars in and out of Banana Island, Lagos. His point? That Id see they are the ones in their 40s to early 50s in Mercedes Benz G-Wagons, Lexuses, Porsches, etc. They are not overly dressed or wearing heavy make-up. According to my friend, these are women who made the right choices years ago. They saw prospect in certain young men and married them and today they are reaping the fruits of their labour in the lap of luxury. What do you think? I didnt, still dont agree with my friend. First, his theory credits women with clairvoyance, the ability to see tomorrow. Yeah, women have uncanny intuition but we are not always on point, our choices and prediction not always on the money. In other words, not all gambles on prospect in a toaster pan out. Some just peter out into near penury. Many times, the rich fruits expected are so late in coming, some wives lose faith and sight of what they saw and married. Some women give up and move up the road in search of ripe fruits waiting to be harvested. However, there are scores of women whose predictions paid off and are indeed living in mansions, being waited on by uniformed stewards and ferried around by liveried chauffeurs. I once watched a movie that got me thinking, again, about the import of the choices we make when it comes to marriage and the staying-power we all must have to wait for our dreams to come true, as women. Ill not reveal the synopsis of the movie, so I dont spoil the fun in case you have not seen the movie. Id tell you another story you and I can relate with. I read in the City People magazine the interview of a man who used to sell rat killers, rat gum, local insecticides, then planks and later cows. For years he suffered. His wife, whether she saw the millions in his future, stood by him. Until four years ago when he hit it big with an herbal drink that is now raking in the big bucks, with choice automobiles packed on the premises of their mansion. I once watched a movie that got me thinking, again, about the import of the choices we make when it comes to marriage and the staying-power we all must have to wait for our dreams to come true, as women. Ill not reveal the synopsis of the movie, so I dont spoil the fun in case you have not seen the movie. Id tell you another story you and I can relate with. Benita and Joe met when they were in their final year in the University of Benin at the graduation party of Joes roommate. Joe studied Geology, while Benita did Biochemistry. It was that kind of relationship that graduated smoothly into marriage plans. The two surely wanted to be together forever. They knew the number of children theyd have, where and what they would be and live in 20 years. Benita was sure Joe would be rich, even if not filthy rich. Hes a geologist and his eyes were on any of the oil companies. Twenty years ago, when they both graduated, those oil company jobs were not as scarce as they are now. Joe promised Benita theyd have a huge fifth year wedding anniversary since he couldnt afford a big wedding. Their wedding ring was from roadside shop. Each time she came home with an Okada burn or torn skirt from alighting from a moving bus, he promised to buy her the latest Range Rover. The couple had non-stop landlord trouble because they were never able to pay their rent as at when due, even though they lived on the outskirts of the city. Joe applied to every International oil major, then he scaled it down to oil service companies, yet nothing happened. Benita had a teaching job which could barely keep them fed and clothed. They made two babies in four years and life just got harder. She took on private teaching and selling this and that to her fellow teachers and neighbours. She moved from wearing old dresses to second-hand dresses. Her kids too. Joes promises and reassurances began to sound like unrealistic dreams. She began to be irritated by his consolation. She simply got tired of the I will make it, just be patient stories. She was perpetually tired and stressed from being breadwinner, running around. Joes golden fleece didnt seem like it would ever materialise. Long story short, all those good things of life that he promised Benita went to another woman, Joes new wife who seemed to have arrived just in time for prosperity. She was the one who got the diamond ring, the society wedding, the G-wagon and the beautiful house on rich peoples island. She got it all. Yet, Benita trudged on, living on hope, though her determination was waning by the day. Then her second child, her beautiful daughter died in her arms because they got to the hospital too late. The poor girl had been running temperature for days and she had been giving her the anti-malaria she bought down the road. She told herself that she would take her to the hospital for test and better treatment when she got her salary the following week. Then the baby started convulsing. She barely made it into the consulting room before the beautiful girl took her last breath. Benita went berserk. Her daughter died because her husband didnt have a job, they were poor. She was just tired of the struggle. She needed a man to take care of her. She was done with this life of dream and promises. Joe just brought her bad luck. The doctor already told her she might not be able to have a third child. Now she was left with one. She was not going to risk losing the remaining one to this poverty-infested life. And so Benita moved out, left Joe to sort himself out. It was over, she said. She filed for divorce. Joe was disconsolate. He couldnt even insist on the custody of his son. He loved his wife and could see her in pain. It was a sad end. Then barely 18 months after Joe and Benita parted ways, fortune smiled on Joe. A friend called him to supply diesel to a company. It was the beginning of open doors. One supply led to dozens and then several. In less than six months, he was able to rent an office, move into a decent apartment. Long story short, all those good things of life that he promised Benita went to another woman, Joes new wife who seemed to have arrived just in time for prosperity. She was the one who got the diamond ring, the society wedding, the G-wagon and the beautiful house on rich peoples island. She got it all. Benitas investment did not lead to harvest. Her stress, pain, and loss were just seeds for anothers comfort. Was she impatient? Was she right to leave after her daughter died? Was she wrong when she saw Joes prospect all those years ago? Why did fortune smile on Joe when Benita had lost a child and her space? My conclusion? Only God knows the dreams that will come true, the prospect that will materialise. The bride can only gamble, fly blind and hope she lands safely and not on her bare buttocks. Funke Egbemode was managing director/editor-in-chief of New Telegraph Newspaper, president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and commissioner for information in Osun State. Email: egbemode3@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Army, on Friday, destroyed about 14 illegal oil bunkering vessels arrested with stolen crude oil in the oil-bearing Asa Community of Abia State, South-east Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the soldiers set the vessels ablaze, including eight large Cotonou boats, at Isimmiri Waterside in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Hassan Dada, who led the operation, told reporters that six suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal oil bunkering. Mr Dada, a major-general, who was accompanied by the Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Olusola Diya, brigadier-general, said that the suspects had been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigations and prosecution. He said that the army was at the creek to carry out one of the mandates of Operation Udoka, which is to make sure that any form of economic sabotage does not happen within its joint operation area. We have been here since Thursday, conducting operations against saboteurs that are trying to take out the crude oil that is the mainstay of our economy, he said. Mr Dada also said that the operation was based on an intelligence report, adding that the suspects had attempted to start siphoning the crude from the pipeline, before they were arrested. 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 further said that the suspects had sunk some crude oil-laden boats in the water before the troops got there, adding that the troops were in the process of recovering others. The GOC said that all the 14 boats were destroyed, in line with the Standard Operating Procedure. The person that is involved in this particular location is on the run, but we will get him, its just a matter of time. This is more of a cartel and we believe that a lot of people are actually involved. The proceeds are being used to finance these acts of terrorism. But as a note of warning, this is just the beginning. We will continue with this operation and make sure no stone is left unturned. The Nigerian Army will in no way tolerate any form of sabotage to the economy of this country, Mr Dada said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday, passed a vote of confidence on the State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with a resolution that he would be supported for a second term in office. This was just as the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked the governor to shun trivialities such as endorsements and unnecessary visitations, and focus on governance. The resolution for him to run for a second term was unanimously taken during a meeting with the governor at the partys secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado- Ekiti where the extended executive council, comprising the state working committee and leaders of the party across the 16 local government areas, reviewed the governors performance and endorsed him for a second term. At the meeting, which was also attended by the deputy governor, Monisade Afuye; the Speaker, Ekiti House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; special adviser on political and inter-party matters, Jide Awe and other dignitaries, Mike Akinleye, the chairman, APC Ado local government, moved the motion for the endorsement of the governor for a second term in office. The motion was seconded by the partys state Secretary, Sola Arogundade. The partys Acting State Chairman, Sola Eleshin said all the state executives had resolved that the governor should continue in office beyond 2026, based on his performance across board. He acknowledged the visits of the governor at various ward meetings and his well formulated policies and programmes, which he said had brought succour to Ekiti people. 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 Expressing the partys backing for Mr Oyebanji, he called on party members to brace up for the tasks ahead by ensuring success in all future elections at both local, state and national levels. Mr Oyebanji thanked the leadership of the party, the state working committee and two of his predecessors in office, Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi, for their support in ensuring that his administration succeeded. Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the governor said he was at the party secretariat to give account of his stewardship to the party that gave him the platform to run in the first instance. He cited the need to balance politics with governance by being accountable to members and non-members of the party, and ensuring that all and sundry felt the impact of government. The governor, who stated that such meetings with party leaders would become regular, thanked party members for their support and urged them to remain steadfast as his administration continues to fulfil its electoral promises to Ekiti people. I must thank party members for passing a vote of confidence on my administration. I am so happy about that and this is going to be a regular meeting to discuss as the situation arises, he said. However, reacting to the development while addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti, a former senatorial candidate in the 2023 election and chairmanship candidate, Funso Ayeni, berated the governor for seeking endorsement for a second term when he was yet to complete half of the present tenure. Mr Ayeni also chided Mr Oyebanji for his penchant for paying endless visits to opposition figures in the state rather than focus on governance, which was the primary reason he was elected by the people. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print WATERBURY, Conn., June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CoreBev is proud to announce the grand opening of Connecticut Distilling, its new flagship distillery located in the heart of Connecticut: Waterbury. CoreBev "Connecticut Distilling is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication," says CoreBev founder and CEO Stelios Stavrianos. "My team and I have been waiting a long time for this moment, and we are thrilled to bring our vision to life in such a historically rich area." Stavrianos notes that the distillery will serve as the new manufacturing hub for all domestic legacy CoreBev products and will feature a tasting lounge where guests can enjoy craft cocktails. Connecticut Distilling uses a state-of-the-art process to create its unique spirits. The team, led by master distiller Brandon Collins' expertise, uses beer from breweries all around Connecticut as a main ingredient to produce 2 out of their 5 flagship spirits. "The new adventure with Connecticut Distilling allows me to direct my talent and energy towards distilling quality, handcrafted spirits that are both innovative and sustainable, while simultaneously expanding our distribution footprint," says Collins. Waterbury boasts a rich history in the alcohol world. During prohibition, numerous secret bars, or "speakeasies," emerged to serve local customers. The legacy of these hidden gems lives on, inspiring Connecticut Distilling's innovative spirit and deep connection to the local community. A fascinating detail discovered by the team includes an old bootleggers' map that highlights Waterbury, marking it as a significant historical hub. "I was shocked when I looked at Connecticut on this map and found just one word written in it: 'Waterbury'. This city was once a hub of creativity and resilience," Stavrianos adds. Connecticut Distilling's distillery manager, Dimitrios Zahariadis, who was born in Waterbury and helped pioneer the craft cocktail movement in Connecticut, expressed his enthusiasm for the new distillery. "It is my absolute pleasure to finally bring production of our spirits and canned cocktails to the area where the ideas were originally conceived," says Zahariadis, who originally founded The Cocktail Chemist Bev Co, which was acquired by CoreBev in late 2021. The opening of Connecticut Distilling marks a new chapter for CoreBev and a bright future for the local community. "Putting our distillery here in Waterbury made sense. The city's rich history and our shared vision for the future create a perfect synergy," Stavrianos concludes. Connecticut Distilling is launching with five new products: "Charred" Whiskey made from beer, "Drops" a clear floral spirit made from beer, "Fort Hill" Bourbon, "Waterville" Vodka, and a Blueberry Rum, which is made by resting hand-picked Connecticut farm blueberries in rum for over 60 days. About CoreBev CoreBev is committed to crafting exceptional spirits that embody innovation, sustainability, and tradition. With a portfolio of award-winning brands, CoreBev continues to redefine the industry standards, offering a unique and unparalleled drinking experience. About Connecticut Distilling Connecticut Distilling uses a state-of-the-art process to create its unique spirits. Using beer from our brewery partners, we use a sustainable brewing process that allows us to repurpose ingredients like sugars, yeast, and flavorful components for distilling. Recreating these flavors from scratch would be costly, but utilizing these tasty compounds from brewing waste marries sustainability with innovation, resulting in something exceptional. That is tradition refined, craft reborn. Dimitrios Zahariadis Chief Operating Officer CoreBev [email protected] This release was issued through WebWire. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com. SOURCE CoreBev BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Uzbekistan and NEDO inked cooperation agreements so that NEDO could help resolve the energy supply issue, a source from the company told Trend. "A stable supply of power and heat is a pressing need in Uzbekistan against the backdrop of the countrys growing economy. In the Fergana region, a highly concentrated and growing population is creating increased demand for power and heat. However, power supply depends on a distribution system that transmits power from a distant area, and the heat supply system is aging, resulting in low energy efficiency. In order to contribute to the resolution of this issue, NEDO signed the cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan in 2015, and the memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a project for disseminating gas turbine cogeneration systems was subsequently signed in October 2016," the source from NEDO said. Based on the signed MOU, the project was carried out to achieve a reliable supply of power and heat in Uzbekistan, according to the source. "KHI's cogeneration system, with an electric output of 7 MW, can supply 31 units of electricity and 52 units of thermal power for every 100 units of natural gas energy input. The overall efficiency of 83 percent was superior to that of European and American products of the same class system. NEDO had planned for the dissemination of this cogeneration system using distributed small to medium-sized gas turbines," the representative of the company stressed. Simultaneously, NEDO hopes to understand emerging business challenges in Uzbekistan and lend a hand with technology deployment if needed. Meanwhile, Uzbekistans volume of heat energy production amounted to 10.07 million Gcal from January through April 2024. The production volume of heat energy has decreased by 0.2 percent compared to the same period last year (10.09 million Gcal in JanuaryApril 2023). At the same time, Uzbekistan produced 27.9 billion kWh of electricity from January through April 2024. The production volume has increased by 7.3 percent compared to the same period last year (26 billion kWh in JanuaryApril 2023). VIENNA, June 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Austrian born Julia Ebner was honored with Central European University's (CEU) Open Society Prize in Vienna on June 21st amid the festivities of CEU's graduation ceremony for its cohort of over 600 doctoral, masters, and bachelor students. CEU President and Rector Shalini Randeria awards Dr. Julia Ebner with Central European Universitys (CEU) Open Society Prize in Vienna on June 21st at CEUs graduation ceremony for its cohort of over 600 doctoral, masters, and bachelor students. Photo credits: Daniel Vegel/CEU "By awarding the prestigious CEU Open Society Prize to Dr. Julia Ebner, CEU acknowledges her extraordinary courage amidst persistent personal peril and applauds her admirable commitment to the core principles of open societies," said CEU President and Rector Shalini Randeria. "A researcher, who has analyzed the mechanisms and root causes of extremism, which is one of the most dangerous threats to democracy, she reminds us of the urgency of putting in place effective counter-measures. Her remarkable scholarly contribution to exposing strategies of radicalization fosters a broader understanding of what's at stake." Ebner is a leading expert in the field of online radicalization, courageously exploring the complex domains of far-right and Islamist extremism. By uncovering recruitment strategies, propaganda machines, and online networks, she has provided unique insight into tactics of extremist organizations as well as recommendations on effectively countering them. A postdoctoral researcher leading the Violent Extremism Lab at Oxford's Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, her scholarship has informed policy and sparked crucial discussions around dismantling the engines of online radicalization. "I am deeply moved and honored to receive the CEU Open Society Prize," Ebner said. "The global shift towards an increasingly illiberal political landscape makes the study of anti-democratic, anti-minority and anti-science mobilization even more important. Against this background, this award is not only an extraordinary recognition of my work, but an encouraging signal to others whose work focuses on analyzing, exposing and preventing the drivers and mechanisms of today's global resurgence of the far-right." The CEU Open Society Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding individual or group of persons whose achievements have promoted democracy and open societies, both of which are founding principles of CEU. Previous winners include Sir Karl Popper, Nobel Laurate for Literature Svetlana Alexievich, the seventh Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, former Minister for Health for Kerala, India, K.K. Shailaja Teacher. Last year, six outstanding women received the prize for their courageous fight against gender discrimination, and championing women's education in Afghanistan. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2445281/CEU_Open_Society_Prize.jpg SOURCE Central European University (CEU) BEIJING and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., June 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (Gan & Lee, Shanghai Stock Exchange: 603087) announced the results of the Phase 1b/2a clinical study of the Company's independently developed glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, GZR18 Injection, in an obese/overweight population in China, along with the results of two other innovative insulins' preclinical studies in poster presentations at the American Diabetes Association'sADA's84th Scientific Sessions. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation Phase 1b/2a clinical study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of GZR18 Injection in Chinese subjects with obesity/overweight after multiple administration on a once-weekly (QW) or bi-weekly (Q2W) dosing interval. A total of 36 obese participants were enrolled in the study and randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive a dose titration of 1.5 mg to 30 mg of GZR18 Injection or a matching placebo for a total of 35 weeks. The study results demonstrated a superior efficacy of GZR18 Injection than placebo for weight reduction in Chinese obese subjects. After 35 weeks of treatment, the mean weight change from baseline in the GZR18 QW group was -16.5 kg (95% CI: -19.9 kg, -13.1 kg); the placebo-adjusted mean percent weight change from baseline was -18.6% (95% CI: -25.5%, -11.6%). Although it was not a head-to-head study, when compared to the published data on weight reduction of similar products currently available on the market, GZR18's weight-reducing ability outperformed Semaglutide and dual-incretin receptor targeted Tirzepatide in similar study duration. Meanwhile, the mean weight change from baseline in the GZR18 Q2W group was -11.3 kg (95% CI: -15.4 kg, -7.2 kg); the placebo-adjusted mean percent weight change from baseline was -13.5% (95% CI: -21.0%, -6.0%). In addition, the percentage of participants achieving weight reductions of 5%, 10%, and 15% from baseline were 100.0%, 90.0%, and 80.0%, respectively, in the GZR18 QW group, and the percentage of participants achieving weight reductions of 5%, 10%, and 15% from baseline were 71.4%, 71.4%, and 42.9%, respectively, in the GZR18 Q2W group. No participant in the placebo group achieved a weight reduction of 5% and above. In terms of safety, GZR18 Injection was well tolerated in obese participants. The most commonly reported adverse events (AE) during treatment were gastrointestinal related AEs, and all were mild to moderate in severity. This is consistent with the incretin-based therapies approved for the treatment of obesity and overweight and occurred mainly in the early dose-escalation period. There were no serious hypoglycemic events in this study and no serious adverse events related to the investigational drug. Gan & Lee also announced that a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, 30-week Phase 2 clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of GZR18 Injection in Chinese adults with obesity and overweight is in progress. A total of 338 adults with obesity or overweight were enrolled in this study, and the study explores a broader dose range and frequency of administration. The main body of the Phase 2 has now been completed, and the priliminary study data further support the results of the reported Phase 1b/2a obese/overweight study, particularly the positive results achieved with bi-weekly dosing frequency. "We are very excited about the clinical results of the GZR18 program to the present day." Dr. Gan Zhong-ru, Founder of Gan & Lee, commented. "Our unique molecular design delays the onset of drug action and attenuates the peak effect, thereby improving drug tolerability and achieving smooth and sustained weight loss in a stepwise manner. Moreover, GZR18 has a longer duration of action, which is expected to be administered once every two weeks. Meanwhile, we hope that the clinical results of GZR18 will provide more evidence to reveal the mechanism of action of different targets of Incretins and Glucagon." In addition, Gan & Lee announced the results of preclinical trials of the company's investigational products: GZR4, a once-weekly insulin analog, and GZR101, a premixed dual insulin analog, at the ADA's 84th Scientific Sessions: Once-weekly Insulin Analog GZR4 GZR4 is a novel ultra-long-acting basal insulin analog designed for once-weekly administration. Results from preclinical studies have shown that GZR4 has a significantly higher affinity for human serum albumin (HSA) and a significantly lower affinity for the insulin receptor than insulin Icodec, another once-weekly insulin analog. Moreover, unlike insulin Icodec, GZR4 maintains its activity in activating the insulin receptor after binding to albumin. In the studies using animal models of diabetes, the glucose-lowering effect of GZR4 was observed to be 2-3 times greater than that of insulin Icodec. Based on the preclinical results, GZR4 is expected to be the fourth-generation basal insulin that can be administered once a week to achieve an effective glycemic control. Premixed Insulin Analog GZR101 GZR101 injection is a premixed insulin analog made from a combination of ultra-long-acting basal insulin GZR33 injection and rapid-acting insulin aspart (Rapilin). Different from traditional premixed insulin analogs, the duration of glucose-lowering effect of basal insulin component (GZR33) in GZR101 can last 72 hours, and there is no significant peak within 24 hours after reaching a steady state with multiple injections. When combined with insulin aspart (Rapilin) to make a premixed insulin analog, it can achieve smooth control of fasting and postprandial blood glucose throughout the day. In diabetic animal models, GZR101 is significantly superior than insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) in blood glucose reduction and safety. As a premixed insulin analog developed based on an advanced concept, GZR101 is expected to make an important contribution to the control of blood glucose and the reduction of the risk of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes globally. Conclusions and Future Directions The ADA's 84th scientific sessions highlighted Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals' leadership in developing next-generation diabetes and obesity treatments. With these latest preclinical and clinical results, the Company will continue to advance the development of innovative therapeutics for diabetes. While ongoing studies and upcoming trials will further support the positive influence of these innovative medicines on public health issues related to diabetes and obesity. Forward-looking Statements Forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and assumptions as of the date of the statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, and we can give no assurance that such results will be achieved in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. References American Diabetes Association. https://diabetes.org/ ADA's 84th Scientific Sessions. https://professional.diabetes.org/scientific-sessions About Gan & Lee Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals developed the first Chinese domestic insulin analog. Currently, Gan & Lee has six core insulin products, including five insulin analog varieties: long-acting glargine injection (Basalin), fast-acting lispro injection (Prandilin), fast-acting aspart injection (Rapilin), mixed protamine zinc lispro injection (25R) (Prandilin25), aspart 30 injection (Rapilin30), and one human insulin injection - mixed protamine human insulin injection (30R) (Similin30). The company has two approved medical devices in China, namely reusable insulin injection pen (GanleePen), and disposable pen needle (GanleeFine). In China's 2024 National Insulin-Specific Centralized Procurement, Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals ranked second overall and first among domestic companies in terms of procurement demand for insulin analogs. The company is also making strides in international markets, with the disposable pen needle (GanleeFine) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 and received GMP inspection approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2024. These achievements significantly boost Gan & Lee's competitiveness in both international and domestic markets. In the future, Gan & Lee will strive for comprehensive coverage in diabetes treatment. Moving forward with its mission to become a world-class pharmaceutical company, Gan & Lee will also actively develop new chemical entities and biological drugs, focusing on treatments for metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and other therapeutic areas. Further Information: [email protected] (Media) [email protected] (Business Development) SOURCE Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A Missouri court has certified a proposed class action that includes Missouri citizens who purchased Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food in Missouri at any time from August 27, 2015, to June 21, 2024. Find detailed information on the certified class and options in this lawsuit at www.MissouriDogFoodClassAction.com. What is this lawsuit about? The lawsuit claims that Defendant falsely and deceptively marketed its Taste of the Wild brand grain-free dog food, in different varieties, to the general public. The lawsuit alleges that Defendant has represented to consumers that its Grain-Free Dog Food is uniquely high-quality, safe, and healthy when, in fact, the Grain-Free Dog Food is associated with increased risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy and related heart issues. DCM is a potentially fatal condition in which the heart loses its ability to effectively and efficiently pump blood because the left ventricle is enlarged and weakened. The lawsuit claims that these representations violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The Defendant in this class action is Schell & Kampeter, Inc., doing business as Diamond Pet Foods and/or Taste of the Wild. Defendant denies the allegations and denies that its product labeling is misleading to Missouri consumers. The Court has not decided whether Defendant did anything wrong. Your Legal Rights and Options in This Lawsuit Do Nothing. Stay in this lawsuit. Await the outcome. Give up certain rights. By doing nothing, you keep the possibility of getting money or benefits that may come from a trial or a settlement. But you give up any rights to sue Defendant separately about the same legal claims in this lawsuit. Ask To Be Excluded. Get out of this lawsuit. Get no benefits from it. Keep rights. If you ask to be excluded and money or benefits are later awarded, you won't share in those. But you keep any rights to sue Defendant separately about the same legal claims in this lawsuit. To ask to be excluded, you must send an "Exclusion Request" by August 31, 2024 in the form of a letter sent by mail, stating that you want to be excluded from Mary Harmon et al. v. Schell & Kampeter, Inc. Be sure to include your name and address, and sign the letter and send it to: Taste of the Wild Dog Food Class Action P.O. Box 2170 Portland, OR 97208-2170 An exclusion form can be found at the website www.MissouriDogFoodClassAction.com. How and when will the Court decide who is right? The trial in this case is currently scheduled to begin on March 31, 2025. Are there more details available? Visit the website www.MissouriDogFoodClassAction.com where you will find additional detailed information on whether you are in the certified class and if so what your legal rights and options are in this lawsuit. You can also reach out to class counsel with any questions by contacting: Chris Shank , Shank & Heinemann LLC, Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 816-482-0562 , Shank & Heinemann LLC, Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 1-866-714-0877 URL: www.MissouriDogFoodClassAction.com SOURCE Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri Cooking Demos of Fresh Pasta and Piadine on Trade Show Tasting Menu ROME, June 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure Flour from Europe, a marketing and promotion initiative run by ITALMOPA, the Italian Milling Industries Association and co-funded by the European Union, has a full menu of cooking sessions on tap during the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, N.Y., from June 23-25, 2024. Ravioli (PRNewsfoto/PURE FLOUR FROM EUROPE) At ITALMOPA's booth #2328 in Level 3 at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center, chef Francesco Allegro will demonstrate how to make delicious Italian favorites including Organic Semolina Cavatelli with Tomato and Basil Sauce, Soft Wheat Flour Ravioli with butter and sage, Piadine, and much more. They'll be showcasing the versatility and high quality of organic flour and semolina from Europe. Attendees will be offered samples since the best storyteller is taste. "Soft wheat organic flour and semolina are at the heart of premium pasta and baked goods and elevate almost any dish made by chefs and home bakers alike," says Andrea Valente, president of ITALMOPA. "Our goal is to educate food lovers about the versatility and excellence of our products." Organic flour and organic semolina are milled from grain grown in pesticide-free soil fertilized with natural substances. This method keeps the bran and germ content intact and the wheat is aged without additives. This process allows the grain to absorb more nutrients from the soil which accentuates its flavors. Exhibitors at ITALMOPA's booth include some of Italy's best known organic flour and semolina producers including Molino Casillo, Molino De Vita and Molino Grassi who are looking to expand distribution to the U.S., Canada, and other international markets. These mills are known for combining their multigenerational heritage with modern agrotechnology. About ITALMOPA Founded in 1958 and based in Rome, ITALMOPA represents 84 companies across Italy that mill soft and durum wheat to produce flour and semolina for pasta, bread, pastries, pizza and more. Learn more and find recipes for Italian favorites at https://pureflourfromeurope.us/. For more recipes: www.pureflourfromeurope.us Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pure-Flour-from-Europe-USA/100083622394587/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pureflourfromeuropeusa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMjDHLPRt0JHVXv0Bs0q1Tg SOURCE PURE FLOUR FROM EUROPE 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 United Nations, June 22 : Yoga symbolises the strivings of the world organisation for global unity, according to its leaders celebrating the International Day recognising the ancient discipline. UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis said on Friday that Yoga is "a powerful metaphor for the United Nations itself". "Just as yoga brings together various aspects of the human experience to create a balanced whole, the United Nations unites diverse nations and cultures to work towards common goals," he said in a video message to the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations here. "In this unity distinct parts come together to form a unified sum greater than its parts, symbolising peace and harmony as we unite today in this celebration," he added. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who attended the event, said yoga's power to unify is visible at the celebrations at the UN. "Yoga is about unity, the unity of mind, of body, and spirit. It is about you, it is about me and it's about us, and at the UN today, we see how it unites people across cultures and countries," she added. She recalled last year's celebration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi which made the Guinness Book of World Records for the most nationalities practicing yoga together. "That achievement was a wonderful and powerful symbol of yoga's global popularity, its universal appeal, and its power to bring people together in their shared interests and their shared humanity," she said. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a written message, "This year's theme -- 'Yoga for Self and Society' -- reminds us of yoga's important role in enhancing people's lives and wider community." "Now embraced worldwide by people of all faiths and cultures, yoga unites people with its values of balance, mindfulness and peace with people and planet alike," he added. As a gentle breeze from the East River wafted across the UN Headquarters North Lawn on a blistering hot day, the celebration featured a mass yoga exercise with the participation of diplomats and UN staff from across the world and invitees from the Indian diaspora clad in white and blue T-shirts emblazoned with the Yoga Day logo. Denise Scotto, the Chair of the UN's International Day of Yoga Committee, said that it was "remarkable" that 177 countries co-sponsored the 2014 General Assembly resolution declaring June 21 the International Day of Yoga. "It demonstrates the unity from across the globe," she added. The UN Chamber Music Society performed Rabindranath Tagore's "Streams of Light" in Bengali. The Indian Raga dance troupe performed classical dances, one of them incorporating "yoga postures". (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Washington, June 22 : The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against a dozen senior executives of Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, one day after the Commerce Department banned the sale of its antivirus software in the US. "Today's action against the leadership of Kaspersky Lab underscores our commitment to ensure the integrity of our cyber domain and to protect our citizens against malicious cyber threats," Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said on Friday when announcing the designations against 12 Kaspersky executives, including the company's chief operating officer. "The US will take action where necessary to hold accountable those who would seek to facilitate or otherwise enable these activities," Nelson added. Separately, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that "Kaspersky is subject to the jurisdiction, control, or direction of the Russian government, which could exploit the privileged access to obtain sensitive data, including personal information, or bypass cybersecurity measures, thereby posing an unacceptable risk to US national security or the safety and security of US persons". The above announcements followed the Commerce Department's decision on Thursday to ban the sale of Kaspersky's antivirus software in the US. "Kaspersky will generally no longer be able to, among other activities, sell its software within the US or provide updates to software already in use," the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said in a statement. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the department's first-of-its-kind action was in response to Russia's repeated show of "capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponise sensitive US information". San Francisco, June 22 : Three people were killed and ten others were wounded in a mass shooting outside of a grocery store in Fordyce, US state of Arkansas, state police said. At a press conference, the state police said that two law enforcement officers were among those injured, and the civilians had injuries ranging from non-life-threatening to critical condition, reports Xinhua news agency. The shooter was critically injured after being shot by police and has been taken into custody, police said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said special agents from its New Orleans field office were sent to the scene to assist in response to the shooting. Fordyce, a city of about 3,400 people, is located some 70 miles south of Little Rock, the state's capital. "I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I'm in constant contact with State Police at the scene. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives," Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on social media. As of Friday, there have been 234 tragic incidents of mass shootings in the US this year, resulting in at least four casualties each, according to the US-based "Gun Violence Archive." BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 15. Iran's imports of products from Uzbekistan decreased by 3 percent in value and 39 percent in weight for the first month of the current Iranian year (from March 20 through April 19, 2023) compared to the same month last year (from March 21 through April 20, 2023), the statistics of Iran's Customs Administration said, Trend reports. According to the statistics, Iran's imports of products from Uzbekistan for the first month amounted to 1,360 tons worth about $3 million. The statistics note that during the first month of the last Iranian year, Iran's imports of products from Uzbekistan amounted to 2,240 tons worth $3.07 million. Furthermore, the information adds that Iran imported cotton, beans, silk, ammonium nitrate, etc. from Uzbekistan during the first month. Meanwhile, Iran imported from Uzbekistan 84,700 tons of products worth $125 million during the last Iranian year (from March 21, 2023 through March 19, 2024). Compared to the previous year (from March 21, 2022 through March 20, 2023), Iran's imports of products from Uzbekistan increased by 72.7 percent in value and 140 percent in weight terms. Moreover, Iran's imports of non-oil products during the first month of the current Iranian year (from March 20 through April 20, 2024) totaled 2.4 million tons worth $2.7 billion. For the first month, imports of non-oil products decreased by 11.4 percent in value and increased by 33.4 percent in weight terms compared to the same month last year. To note, Iran mainly focuses on importing the products needed by the country and imposes certain restrictions on the importation of products manufactured in the country. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Gaza, June 22 : At least 25 Palestinians were killed due to gunfire and shells from Israeli tanks in the Al-Mawasi area, west of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, the Hamas-run health authorities said. The authorities said in a statement that 50 others were wounded on Friday in the Israeli attacks on tents for displaced people, and all victims were transferred to the hospital, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources reported that two Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells in the Shakoush area, west of Rafah, and one of the tanks fired a shell at the displaced people, resulting in casualties. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the incident. New Delhi, June 22 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Saturday. PM Modi welcomed his Bangladesh counterpart at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Later, she paid tributes to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. It is PM Hasina's second visit to the country in June. Hasina arrived in New Delhi on Friday at the invitation of PM Modi to hold bilateral consultations. The visiting PM met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday evening. After meeting the Bangladesh PM, EAM Jaishankar posted on X, "Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her State visit to India underlines our close and abiding ties. Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership." During her visit, Prime Minister Hasina will hold bilateral consultations with PM Modi besides her scheduled meeting with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9, underscoring the importance of Bangladesh-India relations. New Delhi, June 22 : The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of Rs 10,372 crore and started inviting nominations from top institutes, such as IITs, NITs etc, for students who are undertaking projects in artificial intelligence (AI), according to reports. Engineering students pursuing B.Tech or M.Tech degrees at colleges ranked in the top 50 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework will be eligible to receive AI fellowships. The ministry will provide Rs 1 lakh in three instalments to the B.Tech students who are accepted, while the M.Tech students will get Rs 2 lakh funding in four tranches of Rs 50,000 each, the reports mentioned. In a letter addressed to 50 engineering institutes by IndiaAI Mission CEO Abhishek Singh, the ministry has asked each institute to nominate 10 students from each category who are undertaking AI projects. "This fellowship support will supplement existing fellowships and cover the duration of their project: one year for B.Tech students, and two years for M.Tech students," said the letter. "This support is instrumental in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, thereby ensuring a workforce proficient in the essential skills needed to progress in the field of AI," it added. To be eligible for fellowships, B.Tech students must have secured an overall 80 per cent mark or equivalent grade in the last semester and the nominated M.Tech students should be pursuing postgraduate studies in AI-related courses and should be undertaking a thesis on AI and related subjects, as per the ministry. Gurugram, June 22 : Two workers were killed and six others injured in a massive blaze that broke out in a fire safety equipment manufacturing unit in the Daultabad industrial area in Haryana's Gurugram, officials said on Saturday. According to the Gurugram Fire Services officials, the incident was reported at 2.24 a.m., prompting the deployment of dozens of fire tenders to the site. The fire was brought under control by 10.00 a.m. but cooling operations were on. Officials suspect that the fire originated from a short circuit or leakage of some gas in the building. The fire officials said that when the call regarding the incident was received, the fire personnel rushed to the site to find the fire had engulfed the factory. The officials said that nine people were inside the factory when the incident occurred. They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Among the injured, two were declared dead at the hospital, the officials said. Islamabad, June 22 : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement for a 250 million US dollar policy-based loan to assist Pakistan's sustainable investments in infrastructure and services through public-private partnerships. The bank's country director for Pakistan, Ye Yong, and Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) of Pakistan, Kazim Niaz, signed the agreement here on Friday, according to a statement on the ADB's official X handle. In a statement released to the media, the EAD said the program's core objective is to strengthen the governance framework and enable an environment for public-private partnerships at the federal government level, reports Xinhua news agency. The mission will be achieved by strengthening the policy, legal, and institutional frameworks for public investment management and public financial management, the statement said. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Niaz said the program would go a long way to achieve the target of involvement of the private sector in the development process, the EAD added. New Delhi, June 22 : Central government has approved two new Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) schemes to evacuate 9 GW of renewable energy from Rajasthan and Karnataka with an investment of Rs 13,595 crore, the Ministry of Power said on Saturday. These schemes will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mode and are part of the 500 GW renewable energy capacity to be created by 2030 out of which 200 GW is already connected. The power evacuation scheme for Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) entails an investment of about Rs 12,241 crore and will evacuate 4.5 GW of RE power from Rajasthan. It comprises 1 GW from Fatehgarh Complex, 2.5 GW from Barmer Complex and 1 GW from Nagaur (Merta) Complex. This power will be transferred to Mainpuri Region, Fatehpur and Orai of Uttar Pradesh. The scheme is scheduled to be completed in two years. The second scheme to be implemented at a cost of Rs 1,354 crore, involves the strengthening of the transmission system in Karnataka to evacuate 4.5 GW RE power from Koppal and Gadag areas. The scheme will be completed by June 2027. Bhopal, June 22 : In a shocking video that has gone viral in Madhya Pradesh, a woman was seen being brutally assaulted by a group of men in the Dhar district as bystanders were busy filming the act instead of helping her. The video shows the helpless saree-clad woman being thrashed with sticks while three men hold her hands tightly. Around a dozen more surround her to prevent her from running away. Adjacent to the spot where the woman was attacked, the slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' can be seen scribbled on the wall of a building in the video. The police swung into action after Dhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Singh watched the viral video and directed local area (Tanda police station) police to arrest the accused persons as soon as possible. An intense search operation was carried out by several police teams. Seven accused were arrested from different villages, said officials on Saturday. "All seven persons, who have been made accused in the FIR lodged by the victim, have been arrested. They have been booked under Section 307 of IPC and other relevant sections. We assure you that the accused will be punished as per the law," SP Manoj Singh told IANS. The reason for the attack was being probed, said sources, adding that the men were not known to her. New Delhi, June 22 : Older adults living in the community are more likely to continue using Wearable Monitoring Devices (WMDs), such as trackers, pedometers, and smartwatches, if they get support from healthcare professionals or peers, a new study has found. In the study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, the researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University studied data from three randomised controlled trials involving over 150 older adults. "Healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in facilitating the adoption of wearable monitoring devices among older adults," said Dr Arkers Kwan Ching Wong, who led the research. The data indicated that interventions focused on increasing awareness of monitoring and utilising collaborative goal-setting and feedback tools, such as the SystemCHANGE approach, improved adherence to WMDs. WMDs can offer helpful health insights, but their long-term use can be challenging for older adults who may not be comfortable with technology or do not see the value in using it, the researchers noted. However, the research highlighted that providing targeted support to assist older adults overcome these barriers and integrate WMDs into their daily routines can help maximise the potential health benefits of these devices. "By working with healthcare professionals to set specific goals related to the use of wearables, older adults are more likely to benefit from these devices in the long term," the researchers said. Canberra, June 22 : Australian authorities have arrested 15 foreign fishers and seized two Indonesian vessels over alleged illegal fishing activity off the country's north coast. The Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) on Saturday said it detected and apprehended the Indonesian vessels allegedly fishing illegally on Tuesday in the vicinity of Deliverance Island in the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG), reports Xinhua news agency. The crew were transported to Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory (NT), and were placed in detention while the matter was being investigated and prosecution considered. In a joint statement, the ABF and AFMA said that the large vessels were equipped with a substantial quantity of fishing equipment. Both vessels will be disposed of by the AFMA. Under Australian law, anyone found guilty of illegally fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) faces a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment. Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, Commander of the ABF's Maritime Border Command (MBC), said that Tuesday's intercept should serve as a warning to any crews illegally fishing in Australian waters. "If you fish illegally, you will lose your vessel, your equipment, and you will be placed in immigration detention to face potential prosecution in Australian courts," he said. "Maritime Border Command is deploying multiple assets and utilising whatever powers available to deter, detect and take enforcement action in response to illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters." Fifteen illegal fishers who were apprehended on board three Indonesian vessels in separate incidents in March were in April issued fines totalling 31,300 Australian dollars ($20,868.9) after pleading guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act in the Darwin Local Court. Bengaluru, June 22 : The Karnataka Police have filed an FIR against two persons for "blackmailing" Janata Dal (Secular) MLC Suraj Revanna by threatening him with a "false" case of sexual assault. Suraj Revanna is the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and younger brother of Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in the sex video scandal. Suraj Revanna's aide Shivakumar H. L. has filed a case against a JD(S) activist, who alleged that Suraj Revanna abused him sexually, and his kin at the Holenarasipura police station. The complainant said the accused had gone to the Suraj Revanna's farmhouse on June 16 to request a job. As the accused did not get a job, he asked Suraj Revanna to give Rs 5 crore to him failing which he would file a sexual abuse case against the leader. The complainant claimed that the accused later reduced the "extortion" amount to Rs 2.5 crore. The police have registered a case under IPC Sections 384 (extortion) and 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (criminal act by several persons). However, the accused, talking to mediapersons, said: "Suraj Revanna was impressed with me as I had organised a programme in my village. We shared the mobile numbers and after that, Suraj messaged me for a meeting. I was asked to meet him at his farmhouse, where I was sexually abused." BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. On June 18, the French Le Point political magazine published a so-called letter addressed to President Emmanuel Macron, in which French citizens urged their leader to provide additional support to Armenia - specifically, to send French troops to aid the "sister" nation. Among the signatories are the well-known "defender" of Armenian rights, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, along with former politicians, artists, media figures, and other "friends" of Armenia. Jean-Michel Brun, Chief Editor of the Paris-based La Gazette du Caucase online newspaper in his article revealed who these ardent defenders of Armenians are and what their true goals might be. "In the magazine Le Point, known for its Islamophobic covers and summaries, French "prominent figures" have written a "letter" to President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to send French armed forces to Armenia. This letter is a collection of cliches cherished by the defenders of a mythical "Christian West": the evil Turks, and the hatred of Azerbaijan. This is likely because Azerbaijan embodies everything supremacists hate: cosmopolitanism and multiculturalism," the author said. This group of French individuals is primarily "concerned" that Azerbaijan might attack Armenia at any moment, and they believe Armenia needs urgent protection. Jean-Michel Brun rightly pointed out that, unlike neighboring Armenia, Azerbaijan has never seized a piece of land from another country. "Azerbaijan, where a diverse array of peoples, cultures, and religions thrive and coexist, stands in stark contrast to Armenia. For example, the Jewish community in Azerbaijan feels more protected than almost anywhere else in the world. Meanwhile, Armenia is mono-ethnic and homogeneous. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Armenia expelled 350,000 Azerbaijanis who had lived there for centuries. In 2023, Armenia made headlines by burning the countrys only synagogue. Furthermore, one of Armenias national heroes, whose statue prominently stands in major cities, is Nzhdeh Garegin, a true Nazi," the author said. Jean-Michel Brun concluded by saying that it seems the letter's signatories are defending not Armenia itself, but rather Armenian ultra-nationalists who fantasize about a "Greater Armenia". "And thats likely whats happening. The media is brainwashing the French public, with newspapers consistently promoting the views of the Armenian far-right, which vilifies the Armenian Prime Minister. This narrative is echoed by certain French politicians who see it as a reflection of their own supremacist and Islamophobic ideologies. It's not surprising to find, at the bottom of the page alongside the names of Armenian activists, the names of those who constantly attack Muslims in media publications and either deny or diminish the significance of state-sponsored Islamophobia," the article reads. Sure, it's no surprise to see such strong support recently from the French political community for Armenia. Macron's party took a big hit in the recent parliamentary elections, so they're scrambling to win back some votes however they can. And the votes from the Armenian diaspora are a big deal. But will it be enough? New Delhi/Srinagar, June 22 : A Delhi court on Saturday deferred the hearing on former MLA and MP-elect Engineer Rashid's interim bail application till July 1 after NIA sought more time to file objections. New Delhi/Srinagar, June 22 (IANS) A Delhi court on Saturday deferred the hearing on former MLA and MP-elect Engineer Rashidas interim bail application till July 1 after NIA sought more time to file objections. Lodged in Tihar Jail, Engineer Rashid fought the Lok Sabha elections from the Baramulla constituency in J&K. He defeated former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah by more than two lakh votes. Consequently, upon his victory, Engineer Rashid filed an interim bail application before the special sessions judge pleading that he had served more than half of the total punishment prescribed for the charge he was being detained for. He has said in his jail application that he should be bailed out so that he can take oath as a Parliament member. NIA counsel on Saturday sought more time from the Patiala House Court to file objections to the bail application following which the court deferred hearing till July 1. NIA has opposed the interim bail application arguing that Engineer Rashid is being charged along with Yasin Malik of the JKLF, Syed Salahuddin of the Hizbul Mujahideen and Hafiz Saeed, founder of Laskar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit. NIA counsel told the court that granting bail to Engineer Rashid would show the way to others charged with him. Bengaluru: Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa being produced in court following his alleged role in a murder over obscene texts. Image Source: IANS News Bengaluru, June 22 : The Karnataka Police will produce Kannada superstar Darshan and his three associates before the court as their police custody ends on Saturday. Police sources said that they would be remanded to judicial custody. The ninth accused, Dhanraj D. alias Raju (27), the 10th accused, Vinay V. (38), and the 14th accused, Pradosh (40), are the other three accused. The court had earlier sent 13 accused, including Darshanas apartnera Pavithra Gowda, into judicial custody. They are currently lodged in the central prison of Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru. Police sources said that the investigation of the accused was over, and they would not seek further custody unless the need arose. Meanwhile, deceased Renukaswamyas father, Kashinath Shivanagoudar, told media in Chitradurga on Saturday that the Congress government and the police department had done a good job in the case. He mentioned that the police had recovered his deceased sonas gold chain and ring. When asked about the accused, Shivanagoudar said that he does not have anything to say about those who did this to his son. "Let God give them sense," he stated. The police have charged Darshan and others under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 201 (destruction of evidence, giving false statement), 120B (criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death), 364 (kidnap), 355 (assault, using criminal force intending to dishonour a person), 384 (extortion), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), and 148 read with 149 (rioting, being armed with a deadly weapon). The probe has 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. Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others have been arrested on charges of murdering Renukaswamy (33), a resident of Chitradurga. Sources claimed that on Wednesday, Darshan reportedly admitted to his involvement in the murder case, as per the remand copy submitted to the 24th ACMM court. Patna, June 22 : A bridge on the Gandak canal collapsed in Bihar's Siwan district on Saturday. The incident occurred just a few days after a bridge collapsed in the state's Araria district on June 18. The one-pillar bridge, connecting Pateda and Kanauli villages in the Maharajganj sub-division which was built 45 years ago, collapsed around 5 a.m. "The bridge was constructed through public contribution. It collapsed due to the negligence of the district administration," said Mohammad Naim, a villager. "The state government should make alternate arrangements to connect the affected villages. Around 20,000 people will be affected by it. Shockingly, no one from the district administration came here to inspect the bridge," he said. Jaipur, June 22 : The Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) on Saturday demanded the Centre to issue 'DNA cards' on the lines of Aadhaar card after Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar's remark that BAP leaders do not consider themselves as part of the Hindu community. Interacting with mediapersons in Jaipur on Friday, Dilawar said, "The party which carries out activities to break the country and the society will not be tolerated under any circumstances. If BAP leaders do not consider themselves as Hindus, their DNA should be tested." Reacting to the minister's remarks, BAP, which has three MLAs in the state Assembly, said in a post on X: "Madan Dilawar has been making controversial statements. His recent statement about the tribal community that those who do not consider themselves Hindus should get their DNA test done is highly condemnable. We demand the Central government to issue DNA cards on the lines of Aadhaar card which should be made the basis of identification." Commenting on the matter, BAP MP from Banswara, Rajkumar Roat, said, "The Education Minister has lost his mental balance after his party (BJP) lost the Lok Sabha polls in Banswara and elsewhere in the state. People of Rajasthan will tell him whose DNA needs to be tested." Roat added, "This is the Education Minister of Rajasthan, who comments on tribals and Hindu religion. Think what kind of education he will give to the children!" He also reiterated that tribals are not Hindus, as he told Dilawar, "What you are opposing has been proved in various courts." Meanwhile, many tribal leaders have launched a campaign on social media against the Education Minister comments with the hashtag 'Adivasi Hindu Nahin Hai'. Lilongwe, June 22 : Police in Malawi have arrested a Member of Parliament (MP), Kamlepo Kalua, and an activist, Bon Kalindo, for their social media posts regarding the June 10 plane crash that killed the country's Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight other officials. National police spokesperson Peter Kalaya confirmed the arrests in a statement on Friday, saying they had made "inflammatory social media posts which are full of innuendos and insinuations". Kalaya said that the voice notes in question contain serious criminal elements as defined by the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act, Xinhua news agency reported. The police spokesperson further said that the posts have the potential to incite violence and disorder. The social media posts reportedly made by Kalua and Kalindo questioned and contradicted the authorities' narrative regarding the cause of the plane crash. The plane, a Dornier 228 military aircraft belonging to the Malawi Defence Force, crashed on June 10 in a forest a few kilometres away from Mzuzu City in northern Malawi due to poor weather conditions, according to the country's Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba. Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has since engaged foreign experts to join the Malawi Defence Force and the Malawi Police Service in investigating the crash to find out the actual cause. Meanwhile, experts from Germany are scheduled to jet into the country on Saturday to help investigate, Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu said. Mumbai, June 22 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the water resources portfolio, on Saturday slammed the Congress' claims that the state government has increased the water supply rates by 10 times. In a scathing post on X, Fadnavis denied Congress' claims as he called the party a "factory of fake news and fake narrative".a "Congress is spreading the news that the Maharashtra government has increased the water supply rate by 10 times. But, who made this increase," asked Fadnavis. "aOn March 29, 2022, the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) issued an order and accordingly the rate hike took place. This entire rate hike happened during the Maha Vikas Aghadi rule and now they are accusing us," Fadnavis said. In 2018, the rates for run-off and private pump irrigation were different. However, in 2022, flow-through rates were introduced instead of separate rates for private drawals. So it was increased from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000. "This sin belongs to the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Since the farmers should not be penalised, the work to suspend the rate hike is in its final stage. The proceedings will be completed next week," Fadnavis said. "I also request the media to check the fake narratives being spread by the opposition ahead of the Assembly elections. The people of the state should now decide which was the 'Sultani' government," he added. Mumbai, June 22 : Ahead of Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal's wedding on June 23, the actor's father, Iqbal Ratansi, shared that the actress will not be converting to Islam and that the couple will reportedly have a civil marriage. According to media reports, Ratansi shared that the wedding will include "neither Hindu nor Muslim rituals. It will be a civil marriage." He also reportedly said in an interview that Sonakshi will not convert for sure, asserting that "religion has no role to play." Quashing all rumours about Shatrughan Sinha being upset with Sonakshi's wedding plans, the veteran star finally made an appearance with Zaheer, who will soon be his son-in-law. The two posed for the paparazzi, with Zaheer and Shatrughan first smiling and then posing outside the building. Shatrughan also gave his blessings to his soon-to-be son-in-law. After seven years of dating, Sonakshi and Zaheer will be getting married on Sunday, followed by a celebration at actress Shilpa Shetty's luxurious restaurant, Bastian, in Mumbai. Several personalities, including Huma Qureshi and Aayush Sharma, are expected to join the couple on their special day. Talking about work, Sonakshi was recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', which also stars Manisha Koirala, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sharmin Segal Mehta. The actress will also appear in the horror comedy 'Kakuda', directed by Aditya Sarpotdar. The film is set in a curse-inflicted village in Uttar Pradesh. In 'Kakuda', every house in the district has two doors a normal-sized one and a smaller one. The story revolves around a peculiar ritual that requires the opening of the smaller door of each house on Tuesday evenings. Failing to follow this rule invites the wrath of Kakuda, who punishes the man of the house. Seoul, June 22 : Heavy rains pounded southern regions in South Korea on Saturday, including the southernmost resort island of Jeju, with the government initiating anti-disaster operations to brace for emergencies. Heavy rainfall of up to 150 millimetres was expected in Jeju over the weekend and as much as 50-100 mm in southwestern Gwangju city and the surrounding South Jeolla Province, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The Gwangju regional weather agency said it issued heavy rain advisories for the entire Gwangju and South Jeolla regions starting at noon, reports Yonhap news agency. A heavy rain advisory is issued when rainfall is expected to exceed 60 mm in three hours or 110 mm in 12 hours. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said it activated the Level 1 operation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to respond to the heavy rains. The warning level has been elevated to "caution" from "attention", it said. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min called for citizens to avoid visiting regions where the advisories have been issued and instructed related government agencies to proactively prepare for any potential damage. Bengaluru, June 22 : The 24th Additional City Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court on Saturday remanded Kannada superstar Darshan and his three associates to judicial custody till July 14 in the Renukaswamy murder case. Karnataka police produced Darshan and his three associates before the court as their police custody ended on Saturday. The other three accused are Darshan's three aides Dhanraj D. alias Raju (27), Vinay V. (38) and Pradosh (40). The prosecution submitted to the court that the accused should be sent to different jails and should not be kept together. The counsel for Darshan had objected to it after which the court adjourned the matter till June 24. Darshan and his three associates would be sent to Bengaluru's Central Prison. The court had earlier sent 13 accused, including Darshan's "partner" Pavithra Gowda, to judicial custody. They are currently lodged in the central prison of Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru. The police have charged Darshan and others under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 201 (destruction of evidence, giving false statement), 120B (criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death), 364 (kidnap), 355 (assault, using criminal force intending to dishonour a person), 384 (extortion), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), and 148 read with 149 (rioting, being armed with a deadly weapon). The probe has revealed that Renukaswamy was a big fan of Darshan and had allegedly 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. Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others have been arrested on charges of murdering Renukaswamy (33). Sources claimed that Darshan reportedly admitted to his involvement in the murder case, as per the remand copy submitted to the 24th ACMM court. Earlier, in 2011, Darshan was arrested and spent four weeks in jail after his wife, Vijayalakshmi, accused him of domestic violence. Vijayalakshmi had accused Darshan of assaulting her, threatening her with a revolver, and burning her with cigarette butts. Later, Darshan was released after Vijayalakshmi compromised with him and withdrew her complaint. New Delhi, June 22 : Setting a futuristic vision for bilateral cooperation in new areas, India and Bangladesh concluded 10 agreements following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina at the Hyderabad House here on Saturday. Turning the historic relationship between the two neighbouring countries into a transformational partnership, both leaders jointly agreed to the India-Bangladesh shared vision for the future, including enhanced connectivity, commerce, and collaboration for shared prosperity. The vision document for a futuristic partnership between India and Bangladesh seeks to realise respective national development visions of having a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 and a 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041. Two other futuristic and forward-looking documents - 'Shared Vision for India Bangladesh Digital Partnership' and 'Green Partnership for Sustainable Future' - were also agreed upon between the two sides. MoUs on maritime cooperation and blue economy; space cooperation; railway connectivity; oceanography; and cooperation concerning military education in strategic and operational studies were also signed. As many as three MoUs were renewed on cooperation in health and medicine, disaster management, and fisheries. Both the PMs also agreed to intensify engagement in counter-terrorism, counter-radicalisation, and peaceful management of the long land border. With connectivity being one of the most significant pillars of the India-Bangladesh partnership, it was also decided to start a new passenger train between Rajshahi and Kolkata, while the trial run for a goods train on Bangladesh Railway from Gede-Darshana to Haldibaria"Chilahati cross-border interchange point is planned for next month. "This will also help sub-regional connectivity with Bhutan. We will also start a bus service from Kolkata to Chittagong," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra after the meeting between the two Prime Ministers. The two sides also exchanged an MoU on space technology that seeks to establish collaboration for the launch of a jointly-developed small satellite for Bangladesh on India's launch vehicle. In terms of bilateral partnership on river management, a joint technical committee has been formed to initiate discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996. "We will also undertake the management and conservation of Teesta River inside Bangladesh with suitable Indian assistance," said the Indian Foreign Secretary. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's commitment to realising Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's vision of a stable, prosperous, and progressive Bangladesh while asserting that New Delhi will continue to give the highest priority to its relations with Dhaka. "Bangladesh is India's largest development partner and lies at the confluence of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR, and Indo-Pacific vision. Together, we have completed many important public welfare projects in the last one year," PM Modi said after holding talks with the visiting Bangladesh PM. PM Modi also said that both countries have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. "The youth of both countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in areas such as green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy, and space," said Prime Minister Modi. "We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. We will also continue our cooperation in other regional and international fora, including BIMSTEC," he added. The two leaders have met each other 10 times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship which has served as a role model for neighbourhood partnership. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted that the State visit of the Bangladesh PM reflects the depth of Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri. "That PM Hasina is the first State guest in our new term shows the importance we attach to India-Bangladesh relationships. As PM Narendra Modi said, Bangladesh lies at the intersection of our Neighborhood First, Act East, SAGAR, and Indo-Pacific policies," Jaishankar said in a post on X on Saturday. "Being truly good neighbours, our ties are consolidating traditional areas and covering new ground. The agreements signed today show the breadth of our bonds. From seas to space, digital, green and health, military, rail and disaster, our two countries are collaborating across all avenues of human endeavour," Jaishankar said while hoping that the partnership between the two nations will continue to grow under the leadership of both the leaders. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. Trade turnover between Georgia and Russia from January through May 2024 dropped by 5.3 percent compared to the same period in 2023, totaling over $1 billion, Trend reports. According to Georgia's National Statistics Office, Russia's exports to the country decreased by nearly 2 percent. Russia's share in Georgia's foreign trade turnover for the first five months of 2024 was 11.9 percent. Russia remains the largest grain supplier to Georgia. Statistics show that from January through May this year, 101.5 thousand tons of wheat and meslin were imported from Russia. Additionally, 369.7 thousand tons of natural and associated gases, 274.6 thousand tons of oil and oil products, 47.8 thousand tons of carbon steel rods without further processing, and 47.8 thousand tons of glass bottles, containers, and other receptacles were imported from Russia. In 2023, the trade volume between the two countries was $2.4 billion, which is 3 percent less compared to 2022. During that year, Georgia's exports to Russia increased by 2.3 percent, while imports from Russia to Georgia decreased by 5 percent. New Delhi, June 22 : The TDP government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh, soon after assuming power, has started cracking the whip on "illegal" occupations of government land and constructions carried out in the past regime. Ironically, the YSR Congress Partyas under-construction central office in Tadepalli of Guntur district was among the first ones to be demolished by the municipal authorities in the early hours of Saturday, over alleged illegal construction. The action prompted angry reactions from former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who accused the Naidu dispensation of a "political vendetta" and called the bulldozer-led demolition act "dictatorial". It has come to light, amid a series of allegations, that the land was allocated to the party by grossly ignoring the objections raised by then Engineer-in-Chief (Irrigation), C. Narayana Reddy, the documentary evidence of which is available in the public domain. On January 31, 2023, the Superintending Engineer (Irrigation Circle), Vijayawada had written to the then Engineer-in-Chief (Irrigation) requesting to furnish a detailed report along with consent for leasing the land in Tadepalli Mandal for construction of the party office in Guntur district, based on the representation of Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao, Member of Legislative Council and the then District President, YSRCP, Guntur District. The Engineer-in-Chief, in a reply dated February 2, 2023, refused to give consent for the construction of YSRCP's office on the following grounds: 1. Water bodies/ tanks/ FTL areas need to be protected as per Supreme Court orders; 2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has already seized off such issues relating to irrigation lands in adjacent mandal; 3. The proposed land is adjacent to the Krishna Western Main Canal (KW Canal) and within 100m from the bund of the canal; 4. The Water Resources Department has plans to establish the Andhra Pradesh Water Land Management Training Institute (WALAMTI) along with Andhra Pradesh Engineering Research Laboratories (APERL) in the said land. In concluding remarks, the Engineer-in-Chief said: "In view of the above circumstances, it may not be possible to allot the above Boat Yard land for construction of the YSR Congress Party office in Guntur District." The YSRCP overrode objections and went on to build the party office, grossly ignoring all norms and established procedures. The documents are in the public domain and this raises serious question marks over flagrant violations under Jagan regime. Despite the Engineer-in-Chief's objections, Sai Prasad, the then Special Chief Secretary & Chief Commission of Land Administration, issued an order on February 16, 2023, allocating the government land for the construction of the YSRCP office. Notably, during the previous TDP-led government, a different land in the heart of the Guntur City in Koritepadu was allocated for the construction of the YSRCP's Guntur district party office on July 21, 2016. It is clear that the YSRCP-led government circumvented the objections and passed orders to allocate the land for the YSRCP Guntur District Party office, despite the objections raised by C. Narayana Reddy, Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources Department (Irrigation). Expectedly, the Guntur District wing of the YSRCP approached the High Court, which disposed of the petition asking the party to follow the due procedure. New Delhi, June 22 : When Santanu Chanda cleared his B.Com. in Silchar, Assam, his father, who ran a neighbourhood grocery store, said that it was time for him to tie the marital knot with a good-looking Assamese girl. Santanu, though, had other plans. He took a train to Kolkata and from there he set off to Goa for a career of his choice. After working in a shack for some time, he landed a job at the well-known Goan nightclub Titos, where he got paid Rs 900 for rinsing glasses and removing beer bottle caps. That was in 2011. Cut to 2023, and you find him, now a world-travelled bartender presiding over PVR Limited's plush Home lounge and bar in New Delhi, preparing to represent India for the Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year faceoff in Shanghai, China, in September. He got his ticket to Shanghai after a two-stage contest -- Best of 100 followed by Best of 16 -- that engaged the best bartenders from all over the country. Santanu's dream for the competition -- he'll know only on July 4 about the parameters for this year's slugfest -- is to shake up a disco-inspired cocktail to the beat of Parvati Khan's 'Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja' from the MIthun Chakraborty-starrer 'Disco Dancer'. He knows the burden of expectations lies heavy on his shoulders -- because last year, when the competition was staged in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Delhi-born, Pune-based Aashie Bhatnagar was one of the 12 finalists and returned home with the People's Choice Award. Unfazed, Santanu declares with confidence, "I will be this year's winner." It is not an idle boast, but what he calls 'positive manifestation'. Whenever he has a target to fulfil, he makes it a point to wake up seeing a notice pinned on the board next to his bed. It spells out the current target he has set for himself. His wake-up note for himself now says: "I will be the Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year". These notes, according to Santanu, help him get focused on the goal and develop the positivity within himself to achieve them. So, how did Santanu move from being rinser of glasses to a champion bartender? It started in Goa when a bartender friend of his got selected for a cruise liner and landed a Rs 80,000 per month job. The friend's lucrative salary package gave Santanu a purpose in life -- he had to become a bartender, but he needed a mentor, so he tried to get into the good books of a Ukrainian expat, Artem Klymenko, a champion flair bartender who was a trainer at Titos. Artem first tested Santanu's resolve -- he did not even acknowledge his presence for a week -- and then made it clear to his future student that he could never become a good bartender if he only wanted to make money. He had to love bartending and be passionate about it. Santanu agreed, became Artem's disciple, attended a three-month course, read up all the books he could lay his hands upon, and six months later, he made his life's first cocktail, a Cosmopolitan. His next break came because of two rising stars of his profession -- Pankaj Kamble (who's now no more) and Sachin Gowda, who ran Pune's Flairology Bar School and Events. They recommended Santanu for a job at the JW Marriott, Pune. Santanu's friends had to raise money for him to buy decent clothes and a pair of shoes for Pune. Looking back at those days, he said, "I used to earn Rs 8,000 and send Rs 7,000 for my parents, which left me with very little to spend on myself." When he was at the JW Marriott, Pune, Santanu attended his first World Class, becoming a part of a global community of bartenders created by Diageo to enable them to connect, get acquainted with trends, and pick up new skills. That proved to be his gateway to the famous Buddha Bar in Dubai, where he spent six years and won international competitions -- up against French and Italian bartenders. Then the call came from Reynaud Palliere, CEO of PVR's Luxury Collection and Innovations, who head hunted him for Home, which was then a members-only club at a Delhi mall. Home is no longer a private club. Santanu has helmed its transition to a popular, albeit exclusive, lounge bar with a food menu designed by Japanese Chef Yutaka Saito and MasterChef Australia finalist Sarah Todd. Today, Santanu's father is proud of what his son has been able to achieve by not listening to his advice. The dutiful son, in fact, looks after their financial needs, so his parents are back to doing what they love -- they have returned to their paddy fields and his father, who has shut down his grocery store, spends his days fishing when he's not in the fields. Santanu takes immense pride in pointing out that John Walker, the man behind the iconic whisky brand, was a grocer like his father. Well, he may not yet be India's answer to John Walker, but Santanu has up his sleeve a variant of the Johnnie Walker Highball, one of the three cocktails that booked his ticket to Shanghai. Mumbai, June 22 : Days after Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded transparency in the recently conducted Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) for engineering, Dilip Sardesai, the Commissioner of the State Common Entrance Test Chamber (CET Chamber), on Saturday claimed that the exam pattern is completely transparent and without human intervention. "Maharashtra is the first state in the country to make the admission process for professional courses computerized and centralized. This method has been adopted later by the Central government. This method is completely transparent and without human intervention," said Sardesai. He appealed to the students and their parents not to believe in rumours. Sardesai said that the T- 2024 exam was conducted by the State Common Entrance Test cell for admission to Engineering, Pharmacology and Agriculture Education courses at 169 examination centres. A total of 3, 30, 988 male students, 3,94,033 female students and 31 transgender candidates had registered online for this test. Of these registered candidates, 6,75,377 students appeared for the test. "There is no system of giving negative marks to the candidates if the answer to any question is wrong. The said result is declared by percentile method. No grace marks have been given to any candidate in the said examination result. If there are any objections or complaints to the parents, examinees regarding the question or answer under this examination, the objection registration facility was made available through an online system through the CET cell," said Sardesai. He stated that the objections registered by the candidates have been verified by subject wise experts and the answer sheets have been modified accordingly. The reports have been published on the website of the CET cell for the information of the candidates. "The result process has been implemented by incorporating the said revised answer sheet. In this, the marks obtained by the candidate are declared as per the formula of result process and session wise result is declared in percentile form," he added. "This examination system is being implemented from the year 2018-19. It is proposed to provide the opportunity to the students to see their answer sheets to be available on the website of CET Cell on June 27 and 28 after completion of technical matters," he added. New Delhi, June 22 : The Centre on Saturday introduced the new Telecommunications Act, 2023 that will usher in the new era of connectivity from June 26, replacing century-old colonial laws. The Section 20 of the 'Telecommunications Act 2023' stated that the central government of a state government will be able to take control of any telecommunications services or networks in times of emergency after the implementation of the Act. On the occurrence of any public emergency, including disaster management, or in the interest of public safety, "the Central Government or a State Government or any officer specially authorised in this behalf by the Central Government or a State Government can take temporary possession of any telecommunication service or telecommunication network from an authorised entity; or provide for appropriate mechanisms to ensure that messages of a user or group of users authorised for response and recovery during a public emergency are routed on priority," according to the Sector 20 of the Act. Any telecom player who wants to establish or operate telecommunication networks, provide services or possess ratio equipment will have to be authorised by the government. "The Telecommunications Act, 2023 aims to amend and consolidate the law relating to development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks; assignment of spectrum and for matters connected therewith," said the Department of Communication (DoT) The Telecommunications Act, 2023 seeks to repeal existing legislative frameworks like Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraph Act, 1933 owing to huge technical advancements in the telecom sector and technologies. The Act also provides measures for protection of users from unsolicited commercial communication and creates a grievance redressal mechanism. When it comes to the Right of Way (RoW) framework, public entities shall be obligated to provide right of way except in special circumstances. "The fee for right of way would be subject to a ceiling. The Act provides a complete framework for RoW in respect of private property based on mutual agreement. The Act also provides that the RoW to be granted shall be non-discriminatory and as far as practicable on a non-exclusive basis," said the DoT. It also provides that telecommunication infrastructure shall be distinct from the property it is installed on. This will help reduce the disputes when property is sold or leased. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Gati Shakti' vision, the law provides for the central government to establish common ducts and cable corridors. "To ensure national security and promote India's technology developers, the Act lays down powers to set standards and conformity assessment measures for telecommunication services, telecommunication networks, telecommunication security, etc," the DoT said. New Delhi, June 22 : The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ayush Ministry will organise a national consultative meet on traditional medicine in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. To be organised in the national capital, the meet titled aResearch Priority Settings in Traditional Medicine' will be held in collaboration with the WHO-SEARO (World Health Organization-South-East Asia Regional Office) and WHO-GTMC (Global Traditional Medicine Centre). This marks a pioneering effort in aligning traditional medicine research with global standards and priorities, the Ayush Ministry said. Key topics to be addressed include medicinal plant research, quality, safety, and efficacy studies, pre-clinical validations, rational use of traditional medicines, clinical trial monitoring, medical anthropology, and the digitalisation of ancient medical literature. Approximately 100 stakeholders and experts from the Ayush sector are likely to participate in the event, which aims to identify and prioritise key research areas across various traditional medicine systems such as ayurveda, siddha, unani, and homeopathy. This initiative is in accordance with the WHO mandate in traditional medicine, according to Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS. The meet aims to lay the groundwork for a decade-long research strategy in traditional medicine, fostering the exchange of ideas among the stakeholders and aligning the efforts with WHO guidelines. Recently, the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), a peripheral institute of CCRAS in Hyderabad, was designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for 'Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine'. New Delhi, June 22 : Visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan before wrapping up her State visit to India on Saturday evening. "Welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the President said that she was delighted to meet her again, just a few days after the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. She said these regular interactions reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and cooperation that began with the journey of Bangladesh's Liberation War of 1971," President Murmu's office said in a statement after the meeting. During the "warm and cordial conversation", the two leaders agreed to work together to enhance the relationship across all domains including economic ties, development partnership, defence cooperation, energy security, and connectivity. "The President was happy to note that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress. The President noted that India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and are entering into new sectors also. She expressed confidence that this will chart the future course of the India-Bangladesh relationship," the statement added. This is the first State Visit hosted by India after the formation of the new government on June 9. Earlier, PM Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Hasina set a futuristic vision for bilateral cooperation in new areas and concluded 10 agreements following their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. "Bangladesh is India's largest development partner and lies at the confluence of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR and Indo-Pacific vision. Together, we have completed many important public welfare projects in the last one year," said PM Modi. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also highlighted that the State visit of the Bangladesh PM reflects the depth of the "Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri". He highlighted that PM Hasina being the first State guest in the Modi government's third consecutive term shows the importance India attaches to its relationship with Bangladesh. "Being truly good neighbours, our ties are consolidating traditional areas and covering new ground. The agreements signed today show the breadth of our bonds. From seas to space, digital, green and health, military, rail and disaster, our two countries are collaborating across all avenues of human endeavour," stated EAM Jaishankar. New Delhi, June 22 : To empower Indian nurses with global career opportunities, Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, on Saturday felicitated 32 healthcare professionals for successfully completing the B1 level of German language training and said, "committed to making India a global skilling hub". This development reaffirms the government's commitment to making India the global hub for skilled talent and outlines the ambitious strategies under Skill India 2.0. The training aims to equip the nurses with the necessary language skills for a successful career and livelihood in Germany. "In Germany alone, with their aging population, there would be approximately 1.8 million job opportunities available for suitable candidates," the minister said. "Therefore, it's imperative that we have the right approach to fill these positions in a focused manner, and Skill India's International's strong connect can fill this gap and I must congratulate every candidate as each of you is a changemaker and an ambassador of India," he added. The two to three-month comprehensive residential training programme under the Skill India International initiative was imparted to all the candidates who have completed their B.Sc. Nursing or the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) programmes. The Minister also highlighted the successful placement of more than 58,000 skilled Indians in various countries as part of India's mission to become a global skilling powerhouse. "The growing skill gap in Germany, particularly in the healthcare sector, poses a significant challenge. Therefore, we felt the need to find a solution to offer, which is structured migration, which not only caters to the skill gap but also offers us the quality expected to meet the demands of the healthcare Industry," said German Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann. All 32 candidates cleared the B1 German Language Training through TELC. As per the ministry, all the candidates will be placed with the leading hospitals and employers, earning between 2,300 and 2,700 euros per month (over Rs 2 lakh), with B2 training included. After completing B2 in Germany, their salary will increase to approximately Rs 3 to 4 lakh. New Delhi, June 22 : The GST Council meeting held on Saturday recommended a uniform GST rate of 12 per cent on all milk cans whether they be made of steel, iron, or aluminum, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Milk cans will be governed by a standard measurement and not by the material they are made of, in order to avoid ambiguity, the Finance Minister said. They are called milk cans but wherever they are used, that will be the rate applicable so that no disputes arise out of it, she added. The council also recommended a uniform GST rate of 12 per cent on all carton boxes and cases of both corrugated and non-corrugated paper or paper board. This will in particular help the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. A uniform 12 per cent GST has also been recommended on all types of water sprinklers including fire water sprinklers, she added. Nanded : , June 22 (IANS) Days after the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, former union minister Suryakanta Patil on Saturday resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). ''I have learned a lot in the last 10 years, I am thankful to the party,'' she said after quitting. Nanded (Maharashtra), June 22 (IANS) Days after the partyas poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, former union minister Suryakanta Patil on Saturday resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). aaI have learned a lot in the last 10 years, I am thankful to the party,aa she said after quitting. Patil, who had joined the BJP in 2014 after she parted ways with the Sharad Pawar led NCP, had sought the partyas nomination during the Lok Sabha elections from Hingoli constituency in Marathwada but she failed to get the ticket. She had expressed her displeasure on social media after failing to get the nomination. During the seat sharing arrangement, the Hingoli seat was left to the Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena. During the general elections, the BJP had given her the responsibility of poll chief of the Hadgaon Himayatnagar assembly constituency. The Shiv Sena had lost the Hingoli seat to the Uddhav Thackeray led faction. Patil has represented the Hingoli-Nanded constituency four times as MP and once as MLA. She was the minister of state for rural development and parliamentary affairs during the UPA government. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. The Georgian authorities have announced a tender for completing the highway between Tbilisi and Rustavi, which will reduce travel time to the neighboring city to just 15 minutes, Trend reports. Currently, the journey from Tbilisi to Rustavi takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. According to the country's Ministry of Regional Development, the tender is for designing a 3.3-kilometer road section near the Tbilisi district of Ponichala, which will connect the city with the already constructed 13.5-kilometer section. Companies are required to submit a plan for a four-lane cement-concrete highway with necessary communications and a modern lighting system, along with environmental protection documentation. Since the section passes near the Ponichala district, the design will also consider pedestrian safety issues. The tender is valued at approximately 5.5 million Georgian lari (almost $2 million), and applications will be accepted until July 23. The project is funded by the state budget. Mumbai, June 22 : The Centre has published a book on the history of ports and docks in the Mumbai region under the auspices of the Maritime Mumbai Museum Society (MMMS), which was released by Governor Ramesh Bais. Entitled "Gateways to the Sea a" Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region", the book is a compilation of the history of ancient ports/docks in and around the country's commercial capital like Sopara, Vasai, Versova, Mahim, Alibaug, Chaul and others. Comprising 18 chapters, the book has been written by renowned historians, authors, researchers and architects as an initiative of MMMS to tell the maritime heritage of Mumbai. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor Bais said that India's prosperity in the past was attributed to the vast maritime heritage of the country, while noting that those countries which mastered the over the sea prospered. Since then, many cities have been built around ports and Mumbai emerged as the financial capital of India due to the development of the ports in the vicinity. The study of the past and present ports and docks is important in tracing the progress of the country as a nation, and their history could also unravel how some cities emerged or lost their importance or went into oblivion over time, the Governor pointed out. As India strives to become the third largest global economy, the role of the ports in the country will be even more important, Bais added, saying he would recommend the book for inclusion into the study curriculum of colleges and universities in the state. Other dignitaries present included MMMS president Capt K.D. Bahl, Vice-President Anita Yewle, retired Vice-Admiral Indrasheel Rao, book Editor Dr. Shefali Shah, the government's publication department representative Sangeeta Godbole, plus the authors. New Delhi, June 22 : The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council at its 53rd meeting on Saturday decided to roll out pan-India Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to check fake invoicing used to fraudulently claim input tax credit (ITC) by unscrupulous elements, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Two pilot projects for biometric authentication have already been carried out successfully and now the facility will be rolled out nationwide in a phased manner, the Finance Minister said at a press conference. To facilitate GST registration, Aadhaar biometric authentication will become mandatory for new registrations across the country, she added. "This will help us to combat fraudulent input tax credit claims made through fake invoices," FM Sitharaman said. FM Sitharaman also said that a Group of Ministers (GoM) for reationalising GST rates has been set up, which will submit a status report in the next meeting. Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary will chair the GoM. FM Sitharaman said that while a lot of decisions were taken at Saturday's meeting, not all GST issues could be included in the agenda. The GST Council will meet again after the Budget Session of Parliament is over to take up these issues. The meeting is likely to be held in mid-August, she added. Aizawl, June 22 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma that the Central government would provide humanitarian assistance to refugees sheltering in the state, officials said here on Saturday. The Mizoram Chief Minister, who has been in Delhi since Thursday, separately met Union Home Minister Shah, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and DoNER and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in the national capital and discussed various state-related issues including developmental schemes. An official at the Chief Minister's office in Aizawl said that the Union Home Minister has promised to the Chief Minister to provide assistance for the refugees. Home Minister Shah also told Chief Minister Lalduhoma that the Assam Rifles battalion set up would be relocated from central Aizawl to the proposed new headquarters at Zokhawsang, which is located around 15 km east of capital Aizawl, the officials said. The Chief Minister during the meeting also submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister detailing the damage caused by Cyclone Remal in May-June. The Home Minister told the Chief Minister that a Central team would be sent for verification, and financial assistance would follow based on their report, the official said. After the military junta seized power in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, around 34,000 people including women, elderly and children, from the neighbouring country took shelter in 11 districts of Mizoram. Over 1,900 Bangladeshi refugees including 505 women and 810 children have also taken shelter in Mizoram since November 2022 after the ethnic troubles in Chittagong Hill Tracts of that country. Besides, Mizoram is also providing shelter to around 9,000 Kuki-Zomi-Hmar tribals who were displaced after the ethnic strife began in the neighbouring Manipur in May last year. The Myanmar, Bangladeshi and Manipur refugees, all tribals, have close ethnic ties, and traditional and cultural similarities with the Mizos of Mizoram. All the refugees are now staying in relief camps and the houses of relatives or friends across Mizoram, which shares 518 km and 318 km of unfenced borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively. Amritsar, June 22 : The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday filed a police complaint against a woman Instagram influencer for doing yoga at Sri Darbar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple Amritsar, here. The incident sparked outrage among the Sikh community. Also, the SGPC has taken action against three 'sewadars' or employees for duty dereliction in the Darbar Sahib 'Parikrama' by allowing the woman to do yoga exercises in the morning of June 21 that is observed as International Day of Yoga. A marble walkway is known as the 'Parikrama' where pilgrims can take a circumambulation, offering prayers and paying their respects. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said some people deliberately ignore the sanctity of the holy place. He said Sikh sentiments have been hurt by the act of the woman. He appealed to the 'sangat' that Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib has great respect in the entire Sikh community and at the same time pilgrims, belonging to every religion and country, come here to pay obeisance with reverence. An inquiry committee, constituted by the SGPC, questioned the 'sewadars' for dereliction of duty. Pictures of Instagram influencer, Archana Makwana, while performing yoga went viral. Amid the uproar, she has issued a public apology, expressing regret. Golden Temple General Manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said Archana Makwana had posted her photos on her social media account. "After verifying through the CCTV cameras, it was found that she performed yoga exercises at 7.04 a.m. after entering the premises at 6.57 a.m. She spent almost an hour in the 'Parikrama' but she had not paid a reverence during her stay," he added. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is considered the 'Mini Parliament' of the religion. Beirut, June 22 : A leader from the Islamic Group was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle in the village of Al-Khyara, located in the Western Bekaa district of Lebanon, a Lebanese military source told Xinhua news agency. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an Israeli drone fired two air-to-surface missiles at a Cherokee SUV in Khyara, killing Ayman Hashem Ghazme, a field leader of the Islamic Group who was driving the car. The source added that members of the Civil Defense had put out the fire in the car and worked with the Lebanese Red Cross to transport the body to a hospital in the Bekaa region, Xinhua news agency reported. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Bhopal, June 22 : A three-day statewide pulse polio vaccination drive for children will begin in Madhya Pradesh from Sunday. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said on Saturday that 27,371 polio booths have been set up across the state to conduct the drive, while more than 1,000 transit teams will be carrying out vaccination drive in the remote areas. Additionally, for high-risk and migratory areas, around 6,500 mobile teams will be carrying out the vaccination drive. On June 24 and 25, mobile teams would go from door-to-door to administer polio drops to children. Shukla, who also holds the health portfolio, will launch the campaign at the J.P. Hospital here on Sunday. New Delhi, June 22 : The demolition of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)'s under-construction central office in Tadepalli of Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district on Saturday led to a war of words between the ruling TDP and Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP. Jagan Reddy accused the newly-elected Chandrababu Naidu government of pursuing "vendetta politics" while the latter termed it "judicious", claiming that the party office was built illegally on the land of the state's Irrigation Department. As the issue snowballs into a major controversy, here is an explainer on the irregularities and alleged abuse of power by the then-YSRCP-led government in allotting itself a vast chunk of land for building the party office. A slew of government documents, available in the public domain, shows how the previous regime overrode the objections by the Engineer-in-Chief (Irrigation Department) and went on to "illegally" build the party office. The documents also show consent from government departments was either not taken or bypassed. On February 16, 2023, the then Special Chief Secretary & Chief Commission of Land Administration Sai Prasad issued an order, allocating the said land for construction of the YSRCP's office. The District Collector was expected to take due action in this. He was mandated to obtain consent from the Irrigation Department and enter into a lease deed on the stipulated conditions, however, the task was delegated to the Tahsildar of Tadepalli. Further documents show the Tahsildar handing over land to the YSRCP district president, subject to consent from the irrigation authorities. A document, purportedly an RTI reply on the said land, says, "no consent was given by the Water Resources Department to alienate or lease land in Tadepalli of Guntur district for construction of YSR Congress Party office building." Notably, the then Engineer-in-Chief (Irrigation Department), in a reply dated February 2, 2023, had refused to give consent for handing over the land and also concluded that "boat yard land can't be given to YSR Congress Party for building party office". In case of no consent from the Irrigation Department, no lease deed could be entered into and as there is no legal position, the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) cannot entertain the permission for construction. The CRDA rules empower the authority to remove such illegal constructions and the persons who have made such illegal construction are also liable for penal action. Complaints were filed before the CRDA and the Municipal Corporation and show-cause notices were issued on May 20, 2024, to the YSRCP and Ramky Infra, the builder constructing the office. However, both failed to respond to the notices. Following this, the demolition orders were passed on June 14. About a week later on June 22 morning, the authorities of Mangalagiri-Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC) began demolition with bulldozers and excavators. Srinagar, June 22 : An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K's Uri sector on Saturday. Srinagar, June 22 (IANS) An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&Kas Uri sector on Saturday. The encounter started after terrorists opened fire at the security forces when the latter was carrying out searches in Bajrang-Uri after receiving information about the presence of terrorists who infiltrated the Indian side of the LoC. Armyas Srinagar headquartered 15 Corps said in a post on X, "Based on specific intelligence inputs, an anti-infiltration Operation was launched in the Uri Sector. Contact was established with infiltrating terrorists and the operation is in progress." Mumbai, June 22 : Mannara Chopra, who impressed fans with her time on 'Bigg Boss 17', said she will miss Salman Khan in 'Bigg Boss OTT 3' although new host Anil Kapoor has got his own vibe. Talking about Anil Kapoor replacing Salman Khan as the host of 'Bigg Boss OTT 3', Mannara said, "I will miss Salman Khan who has always been my mentor. Even when I was coming out of the House on the final day, he gave me such amazing tips. I will definitely miss Salman Khan, but we cannot deny the fact that Anil Kapoor has got his own vibe." 'Bigg Boss OTT 3' kicked off on Friday with Mannara going live for the opening episode. "I am looking forward to Anil Kapoor as the host. He is looking terrific, especially the way he is interacting with all the contestants and welcoming them in his own 'Jhakass' style... I have all the respect for him," she said. When asked if she would appear in the new season, Mannara said, "Bigg Boss is one platform which got me closer to everyone. Whenever they need me, I will always be there." "My new song is coming out on June 27 and I am hoping to collaborate on something with the Bigg Boss," she Mannara, who has acted in films like 'Prema Geema Jantha Nai', 'Zid', 'Thikka', 'Rogue', and 'Sita'. 'Bigg Boss OTT 3' airs on Jio Cinema Premium. Kolkata, June 22 : In an attempt to ensure free and fair polling during the Assembly bypolls in four seats in West Bengal on July 10, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to have webcasting facilities at all the polling booths across the four constituencies. Sources in the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that in the recent Lok Sabha polls, complaints were received regarding malfunctioning of the webcasting system from some booths. "Strict instructions have been received to make proper preparations so that the webcasting system remains full-proof at all the booths this time," said an official in the CEO's office. The Election Commission also wants the entire polling process to be conducted under blanket security cover of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), for which 55 companies of CAPF are being deployed. "The number is quite high considering that only four Assembly constituencies are going to the polls on July 10," the official said. Of the 55 companies, 51 will be deployed at the polling stations while the remaining companies will be kept on reserve. The maximum deployment (15) will be made in Bagda in North 24 Parganas district, followed by 12 each in Maniktala in Kolkata, Raiganj in North Dinajpur district, and Ranaghat Dakshin in Nadia district. The results of the bypolls will be announced on July 13. The controversial Russian actor Mikhail Efremov, who was convicted almost 4 years ago for a fatal car accident, may be released if he agrees to kill Ukrainians. The organization Veterans of Russia has stated that it is ready to support the star of the films Granitsa. Tayozhnyy roman, The Thaw and others in court, but he must go to war after his release. ADVERTISIMENT This scenario is quite realistic as Yefremov has already supported the Kremlin's criminal policy and has repeatedly begged the court to release him. The new condition was reported by propaganda media. "The decision to release him on parole is made by the court, but Mikhail Efremov should know that he can fully count on our petition if he wishes to volunteer. He has already served more than half of his sentence, including the time in the pre-trial detention center. He has repeatedly repented and reconsidered his views on life," said one of the occupants, Ildar Rezyapov. Soon the actor will receive an official letter to the Belgorod pre-trial detention center. Only then, perhaps, a hearing will be scheduled to decide on the early release of the murderer. ADVERTISIMENT It is noteworthy that Efremov's lawyer Elmar Pashayev, who defended him in 2020, is already serving in the Russian army. He suggested that the star could find a job in the border zone. Four years ago, Efremov drove his Grand Cherokee into the oncoming lane and crashed into a Lada van at full speed. The culprit of the accident, who was heavily intoxicated, was not injured, but the 57-year-old driver of the other car was hospitalized with serious injuries and later died. Before the accident, the artist was the face of the Citizen Poet project, in which he ridiculed the Russian government in political satire, but in 2022, he quickly changed his mind and supported the war. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Mumbai, June 22 : The recent hike in minimum support prices announced by the Centre is peanuts and could further worsen the agrarian distress in Maharashtra, cautioned a veteran farmer's leader, here on Saturday. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Kishore Tiwari said that the MSP for 2024-2025 announced by the government for certain Kharif crops range from Rs 117/quintal to Rs 983/quintal, compared to the previous year (2023-2024). Citing the official data of Ministry of Agriculture, Tiwari said that the difference in the new MSP for certain crops over the previous year is: Paddy Common and Paddy Grade A with an increase of Rs 117/quintal each; Moong (Rs 124/q); Bajra (Rs 125/q); Maize (Rs 135/q); Jowar Hybrid and Jowar Maldandi (Rs 191/q); Soyabean (Rs 292/q); Groundnut (Rs 406/q); Ragi (Rs 444/q); Urad (Rs 450/q); Cotton Medium Staple and Long Staple (Rs 501/q each); Tur (Rs 550/q); Sunflower Seed (Rs 550/q); Sesamum (Rs 632/q); and Niger Seed (Rs 983/q). "This is nowhere near the recommendations of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Commission formula of cultivation costs plus 50 percent profits. The new MSP is just peanuts and will fuel the farmlands crisis, already serious with average 8 farmersa suicides daily in the past few months," warned Tiwari. He said that the official figures released by the Centre has not only disappointed the farming community in Maharashtra and elsewhere but has also raised concerns with the fresh drought situation and their existing debt burdens. Besides, Tiwari said that the farmers are suffering from the impact of global climate change, decline in production, doubling of cost of production and agricultural inputs in the past two-three years, hostile markets and import policy, and ignoring the panels or the farmers representatives before taking the decision on MSP. He reiterated the demand to implement the Dr. Swaminathan Commission directives in toto to curb the farmland suicides, and announce the fresh MSP to avoid the peasants' ire in the coming state assembly elections. Kolkata, June 22 : Confusion has been created over the swearing-in ceremony of two newly elected Trinamool Congress MLAs in West Bengal following a communique from the office of Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. In the communique sent by the Raj Bhavan to the two Trinamool MLAs, Reyat Houssen Sarkar and Sayantika Banerjee, June 26 has been mentioned as the date of the swearing-in ceremony, but there is no clear mention as to who will administer the oath. West Bengal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay claimed the fresh communique breaches the tradition followed for the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected MLAs. "The message just says that anyone nominated by the Raj Bhavan will administer the oath. This is not only insulting, but also against the protocol," Chattopadhyay said. He also questioned the process of forwarding the communique directly to the two MLAs instead of sending it to the Assembly Speaker. "We will discuss the matter and take decisions as per the directive of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," Chattopadhyay said. Although 18 days have passed since Sarkar and Banerjee got elected in the bypolls, their oath ceremony is caught in the middle of a communication gap between the state secretariat and the Raj Bhavan. Earlier, two communiques were sent from the state Assembly to the Governor's office for quick completion of the swearing-in process, but Raj Bhavan sources said there was a procedural error as such messages should come from the office of the state Parliamentary Affairs Minister. Berlin, June 22 : World No.2 Coco Gauff advanced to her second semifinal in Berlin Ladies Open after No.10 Ons Jabeur retired with illness. Gauff edged Jabeur in a tightly contested a 68-minute set, winning 7-6(9). After dropping the opening set, Jabeur was assessed by the trainer and doctor and retired. It was a disappointing end for Jabeur, who gamely saved a total of 10 set points to take Gauff to the brink in the first set. The American saved two set points in the tiebreak but ultimately prevailed to advance to her third career grass-court semifinal. "I was happy with how I was able to play," Gauff was quoted as saying by WTA Tour in a report on its website. "Of course, I send my best wishes to Ons. It's not the way you want to finish a match, especially with someone who is so nice on and off the court." Gauff will face fifth seed Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Pegula closed out her rain-interrupted quarterfinal against Katerina Siniakova to win 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3 and advance to her first grass semifinal of her career. Jabeur's was the second retirement of the day in Berlin. No.24 Anna Kalinskaya advanced to her first grass-court semifinal after No.3 Aryna Sabalenka retired due to a shoulder injury. Earlier in the week, reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova (right hip injury) and No.4 Elena Rybakina (abdominal pain) also retired mid-match. Kalinskaya led 5-1 in the first set before the reigning Australian Open champion decided not to continue. Sabalenka called a medical timeout to have her shoulder and neck area assessed and treated at 4-1, and tried to play through the injury. But after another game, the No.2 seed made the decision to retire. It is the first injury retirement of Sabalenka's WTA Tour career. Agartala, June 22 : Three minors, who reportedly fled from their homes, were rescued by the police on Saturday a day after they went 'missing' in Tripura's Khowai district. Agartala, June 22 (IANS) Three minors, who reportedly fled from their homes, were rescued by the police on Saturday a day after they went 'missing' in Tripuraas Khowai district. The police in Dharmanagar in North Tripura district said that after getting a tip-off from their counterparts in Khowai district, a search operation was launched and the three minors, including a girl, were rescued while they were trying to reach neighbouring Assam by road. The police have handed them over to their parents after completing the formalities. The three minors, all under the age of 16, reportedly had some issues with their parents due to which they fled from their homes in Khowai district. New Delhi, June 22 : The Centre on Saturday announced the postponement of NEET-PG, which was scheduled to be held on June 23, amid the recent allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations. The fresh date of the examination will be notified at the earliest, the Union Health Ministry said. "Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of processes of NEET-PG Entrance Examination, conducted by National Board of Examination for medical students," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said that the decision has been taken in the "best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of examination process". Bengaluru, June 22 : Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday held a meeting with the top officials of the ailing PSU Hindustan Machine and Tools (HMT) in Bengaluru. During the meeting, the Minister had discussions with the company's Chairman and Managing Director Rajesh Kohli, along with other senior officials. The officials observed demonstrations and received comprehensive information about the company's activities. Chairman Rajesh Kohli outlined the various problems HMT was facing, including financial crises, lawsuits, and overall losses. He stressed the need for the Union government's intervention to resolve these issues. In response, Minister Kumaraswamy promised to address these challenges. Minister Kumaraswamy reviewed details on turnover, net profit, and other key metrics. He discussed the financial, production, and operational conditions of the company with the officials. The once-glorious HMT is currently facing significant challenges. The Minister emphasised the need to strengthen the company and instructed Rajesh Kohli to submit a proposal to the Union government for necessary support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative was highlighted as a framework for HMT's revival. Minister Kumaraswamy encouraged the officials to adopt this vision and lead the recovery efforts, assuring them of the Union government's assistance. The Minister noted that HMT produces tools for the Department of Defence and space programmes, and has manufacturing units across the country. He suggested that the company should enhance its capacity. Jaipur, June 22 : Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Diya Kumari, sought the Centre's support for rail, road and energy projects in the state during the pre-budget consultation meeting held in the national capital on Saturday. The consultation meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in view of the forthcoming Union Budget 2024-25. Deputy CM Diya Kumari urged for an early solution to the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). She also put forth the proposal for further strengthening the 'Jal Jeevan Mission', and sought support from the Centre for the project. The Deputy CM presented the case of three major pending rail projects for the state, which would provide connectivity to remote areas. Besides, she sought construction of national highways in the state to strengthen surface transport. She said it is important for the state to have a network of roads for connecting the far-off and remote villages. Diya Kumari further said that Rajasthan requires appropriate energy development in view of its agriculture, industries and infrastructure development. The Centre's intervention is necessary for the state to become self-reliant in the energy arena, she told the Union Finance Minister, urging the latter to provide special assistance to the energy companies in the state, so that their potential could be fully utilised. The Union Finance Minister has assured that all the demands of Rajasthan would be considered favourably for facilitation, the Deputy CM's office said in a statement. Agartala, June 22 : A total of nine Bangladeshi nationals including six women have been apprehended at the Agartala railway station while they were trying to board trains destined to different parts of the country, including the national capital, the police said on Saturday. An official of the Government Railway Police (GRP) said that all the nine Bangladeshi nationals, aged between 20 and 45 years, illegally entered Tripura and came to Agartala. The detained individuals told the GRP officials that they intended to go to Delhi and Bengaluru in search of jobs. Including the fresh detainees, a total of 55 Bangladeshi nationals have so far been arrested in Tripura in less than two months. All of them had entered India through clandestine routes, in search of jobs in various parts of the country. New Delhi, June 23 : The Centre on Saturday ordered a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET-UG on May 5 in the offline OMR mode. "Certain cases of alleged irregularities/cheating/impersonation/malpractices have been reported. For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India after a review has decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation," the Centre said in a statement. "Central government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in the public examinations and to provide for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto," it added. The NEET-UG, an abbreviation for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), is conducted by the NTA for admission in undergraduate medical programs. Patna June 22 : The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police probing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak case submitted its report to the Union Education Ministry on Saturday. Nearly 24 lakh students appeared for NEET-UG 2024 for undergraduate medical programmes on May 5. The results were released ahead of schedule on June 4. However, controversy arose with claims of question paper leak and the awarding of grace marks to more than 1,500 students, leading to widespread protests and legal actions, particularly in Bihar. Nayyar Hasnain Khan, the Additional Director General of EOU, met the officials of the Education Ministry in Delhi on Saturday and submitted the report, which includes the statements of 13 arrested persons, admit cards, partially burnt question papers, booklets, and booking records of the NHAI guest house where the aspirants memorised the answers after the papers were allegedly leaked a day before the test. As per sources, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is likely to do a hold review meeting with the officials, including Khan, on Monday. Large traffic jams have formed on the border with Moldova in the Odesa region. The queue at the Palanka-Mayaky-Udobne checkpoint stretches almost to the Mayaky Bridge. ADVERTISIMENT "If you are going to Chisinau today, you should postpone your trip to tomorrow," advised one of the drivers who sent a video of the traffic jam to one of Odesa's Telegram publics. As early as 6:20 am, traffic was virtually paralyzed by the queues. It is worth noting that this is not the first time that queues have appeared on the border with Moldova. Just four days ago, a similar situation occurred. This is due to both traffic restrictions at other checkpoints and the number of people crossing the border. Traffic can increase depending on the day of the week. On June 21, in the area between Obzhyly (Ukraine) and Plotia (Moldova), five vehicles four minibuses and one escort car were found with 47 people trying to illegally cross the border, as well as seven organizers of the channel. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, as OBOZ.UA reported, border guards told where fugitives from Ukraine most often try to escape. They most often go to Poland using forged documents. As for illegal border crossings outside checkpoints, Ukrainians with military service most often choose Romania and Moldova. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Sanaa, June 23 : The US-British coalition conducted four airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah province, the media reported. The strikes hit the Red Sea coastal district of Alluhayah, northwest of the province, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported on Saturday, without providing further information. The US-British coalition has not commented on the airstrikes yet, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on Saturday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said it received a report of an incident 126 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden. "The master of a merchant vessel reports explosions in the vicinity of the vessel. The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call," the agency said on its account on social media platform X, without providing further details. On Friday, the US-British coalition said its forces had destroyed four drone boats and two drone aircraft launched by the Houthis to the Red Sea. The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, began in November last year to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea, to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In response, the US-British naval coalition stationed in the region has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group, prompting an expansion of Houthi attacks to include US and British commercial vessels and naval ships. In Caroline Woodss The Mesmerist (Doubleday, Sept.), three women in a Minneapolis home for unwed mothers join forces to take down a serial killer. The novel pulls from two historical sources: the women living and working in Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers, and the murders committed by socialite Harry Hayward. What led you to combine them? I live in the Midwest, so I was looking for inspiration in historical stories that took place near home. I was intrigued by the progressive women of the time, like Jane Addams in Chicago, and that led me to Bethany. I was struck by the modernity of the women who ran it. They recognized the need for universal childcare, job training, and support for immigrant women. I brought the idea to my editor, and she said, The Bethany Home is ripe for a story. But wheres the conflict? Then I read some general history of Minnesota in the 19th century, and I came across Hayward. If he really was a serial killer, and were meant to believe his jailhouse confessions, he would have started before the more notorious Chicago murderer H.H. Holmes. How did you select which real-life women to focus on? Abby Mendenhall was one of the founding members of Bethany, and she was at the home the most. I read something she wrote on her 37th birthdayAnother monotonous year has passed. Shouldnt marriage be what all women aspire to?that gave me the sense she was growing bored with her life. She wanted to give her life meaning, and this investigation is how I let her do that. How important was it for you to depict the Gilded Age in a fresh way? I was interested in getting out of the manor house and out of the East Coast. There was so much else happening all across the country. The theme of income inequality is always on the edges of these stories, but I wanted to look at how people were living who werent working in the big houses. Why did you decide to make mesmerism part of the narrative? It was a necessary piece. There was a rumor about the killer, that he was a mesmerist. It used to be a totally acceptable criminal defense to claim you were mesmerized to kill and you got a lighter sentence. That was how strong the belief was in that kind of thing in the postCivil War era. One possible explanation for the belief was the invention of the telephone and the telegraph. If these invisible forms of communication were possible, then people were willing to accept mind control. One of the most uncanny things I came across in my research was that Harry Hayward hired a medium, a young woman, to convince his future victim that it was okay to trust him. When I read that, I thought, Oh, thats how I can tie him to the women who went into the Bethany Home. In Stolen Pride (New Press, Sept.), sociologist Hochschild studies conservative politics in a Kentucky town. Your 2016 book Strangers in Their Own Land also examined conservative politics in rural America. Why return to the subject? A lot has happened since Strangers. I think were in a new and more dangerous moment, and I wanted to understand that moment. One guy that I interviewed in Pikeville, Ky., described Donald Trump as lightning in a jar. I wanted to understand that lightning. Whats the excitement? How does charisma really work? How does what Donald Trump says get heard? I dont think I got there with Strangers. What do you think was missing? A full understanding of the importance of pride and shame as an emotional layer underneath political talk. In red state rural areas hard hit by post-70s globalization, the bad news was viewed through a lens of high individualism that believed if I strike it rich, thats my pride and if I fail, thats my personal shame. Its an economic story of hard luck coupled with a cultural prism that tends to place personal blame on individuals for that hard luck. Whereas in blue states, theres better economic news, but also economic news is understood through a less individual-centric cultural lens. That makes red states a prime target for someone for whom shame is almost a political ore that he picks for. Trump has what I would call a shaming ritual. First, hell say something transgressive. Then, hell make himself the victim of shaming from a punditry that says you cant say that, thats not American. Then hell roar back at his shamers. I think of this as a very powerful ritual that satisfies. Some of the people I came to know, I ran my interpretation of this ritual by them and they would know what I was talking aboutthis cathartic performance of shame was recognized as part of his appeal. When did you realize pride and shame were central to your research? I noticed that people were very hesitant to speak with me. In 2017, coal jobs are out, opiates are in, theyre struggling with all thatand now a white nationalist march is coming to town, which is what I was there to cover. When Id ask people what do you think about this white nationalist march, theyd respond, Why are you interested in that? Are you going to say something bad about us? That was a clue to the fear that I would shame them. When Lyndon Johnson went to Inez, Ky., in 67 to initiate the war on poverty, photographers took pictures of barefoot children with tousled hair and residents felt shamed before the nation. Many liberals saw the initiative as a good thing, but that wasnt the message as it was received there. The message there was we are shamed. LaDarrion Williams is having his I told you so moment. After struggling to have his short film featuring Black boy magic picked up by Hollywood executives, Williams is sitting on a New York Times bestseller: his YA debut fantasy novel, Blood at the Root (Labyrinth Road). It all started in his Alabaster, Ala., high schoolspecifically during detention (for what, he says, he cant be sure, because what was I not in detention for back then?). Sixteen-year-old Williams was handed a copy of Lorraine Hansberrys play A Raisin in the Sun. It was love at first read. Williams said to himself then, I want to write something like this one day. His plan was to become a playwright, but Williams quickly learned that the journey to becoming a writer, particularly as a poor Black boy doing theater, was more challenging than he had anticipated. His high school theater teacher encouraged him to enter the Alabama State Thespian Conference with Katrina, his first play, about two people trapped in a hospital room during Hurricane Katrina. Though Williams had his first taste of success upon winning first place in the playwriting division, when he was unable to attend an acting conservatory in New York due to finances, he realized, I dont have the same access to opportunities as other people. But Williams wasnt deterred. In 2015, he moved from his hometown of Helena, Ala., to Los Angeles to pursue his passion as a playwright, writing and producing his own stage plays while supporting himself by driving for Lyft and Uber. In L.A., he built his own community, collaborating with fellow creatives who were tired of not getting the opportunities on the big stages or film sets. He came up with the idea for Blood at the Root in 2020, following such tumultuous events as the pandemic lockdown and the riots following the murder of George Floyd. In a viral tweet, Williams described the YA fantasy trilogy starterwhich blends the beloved trope of the magical school with Southern culture and a Black castas if Harry Potter went to an HBCU. Williams says, I love to put my father, my mother, my cousins on the page, and everybody who doesnt really get to see themselves reflected, to show that their life matters, too. He adds, Thats what the South is. Its poetry. Its the language of the everyday people. Blood at the Root started off as a short film that Williams released in 2021. Despite the films online success, it wasnt enough to break through the gates of Hollywood, leaving Williams feeling discouraged. When Hollywood kept telling me no, they basically kept telling me Maliks story doesnt deserve to be told, Williams says. Nobody wants to see this. Theyre not interested in this Black boys story. Though Williams was hesitant about entering the publishing industry because he felt his book was too Black, he says, Malik was bothering me day and night. He decided to pivot; the first draft of Blood at the Root the novel was written in a Cheez-It and Oreofueled haze over the course of 12 days. As I started putting words to paper, it just drained out, he says. Id have my computer on the passenger seat and when Id get done with driving for Lyft and Uber, I would go home and write until four in the morning, and then sleep for the rest of the daythen do it all over again. Because Blood at the Root was a story born of anger that needs to be seen, Williams says he wanted his team to be made up only of people who wouldnt compromise the storys voice. He signed with agent Pete Knapp at Park & Fine Literary, who was fully on board with the mission, in 2021. Williamss debut was acquired by Liesa Abrams at Labyrinth Road in 2023; he credits Abrams for being all about pushing the boundaries in publishing. I was like, this books got a lot of AAVE. Its got cursing. Yes, they say the N word. These are Black kids being Black kids. And she understood that, Williams says. Its safe to say that Williamss efforts have paid off. Blood at the Root hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, and with his three-book deal, Williams has more magic in store for readers. It means the world because now I think the doors are opening more for stories like this, he says. I think my publisher made a good investment. They probably were like, I dont know, were a little hesitant. But I was like, trust me: if you build it, people will come. Xin Lis picture book debut, I Lived Inside a Whale (Little, Brown, Feb.), came into being during the upheaval of the pandemic. I thought about this girl wanting to run away from all the chaos and mess, Li says. She remembered a story told by the poet Sarah Kay about the heart of a blue whale, so large that an adult can stand upright inside it. What if I put the girl inside the whale? Li thought. In Lis story, the girl, Emma, tapes a drawing of a whale around a doorway and finds peace inside her make-believe refugeuntil an unexpected guest intrudes. Though she was trained as a designer, Lis early career headed in a different direction. She grew up in a small town in southeast China, got a degree in graphic design in Beijing, left for an internship in Copenhagen, and spent the next 14 years working for software companies in several countries, including a year and a half in Uganda helping design solar-powered computer workstations. In the early 2000s, Li discovered Neil Gaimans The Sandman and the art of visual storytelling. Intrigued, she read all of Scott McClouds books about making comics. I was very curious about the process, she says. I felt like I wasnt talented enough to do that. But then at some point in my mid-30s I realized, if you want to do something you have to start doing it, and she committed herself to feeling uncomfortable. More experienced illustrators will say, Well, if its very hard for you, maybe its not the right thing, which is discouraging. Now I need to grow! Maybe later I can make something beautiful. Around that time, as a new mother living in Oslo (she married a fellow designer shed met while in Denmark), she took her infant daughter to the library. She had always been an eager library-goer but had never entered the childrens section: I never had a reason to go there, she says. She was startled to find titles by Shaun Tan, a favorite of hers, among the picture books. I was like, Oh! You could do this for adults and you also could do things for children, she says. As Li grew more confident, she got an agent and began finding illustration worka lot of it. Basically, I didnt have time to take all the work that was coming my way, she says. She learned to regard her unconventional background as a strength. I felt very much behind because I didnt have an illustration degree. And I was in my late 30s starting a new career, with a toddler at home. There was pressure, both personally and financially. But then I realized that this other experience I had was an asset, not a hindrance. Whatever life experience you have, it ends up in your story. Her design background gave her advantages, too: all my knowledge of color theory, understanding of composition and visual priority, visual organization. Yet none of the manuscripts she was assigned felt quite right. She had been working with Giuseppe Castellano, founder of the online education resource the Illustration Department, and she confessed to him that she really wanted to write her own story. You are writing a story, Castellano told her. Youre already writing a story with your images. Castellano passed some of Lis work to Angharad Kowal Stannus, a former colleague who had become an agent. Earlier on, someone had suggested that Li try writing a STEM book because a lot of houses are looking for that, she says. Kowal Stannus had different advice. Dont worry about what kind of story youre writing, she told Li. You write the story that you want to write, and Ill help you find the right house. Li began working on I Lived Inside a Whale. She had studied visual storytelling; now she had to learn how to write. I dont write well on the first draft, she says. Then I read [Anne Lamotts] Bird by Bird, about the writing experience and the shitty first draft concept. I was so encouraged! Yes, I can do this! After seven months, Li had a finished dummy. It went to auction; four houses were interested. Li was thrilled by the prospect of getting to work with Little, Brown editor Farrin Jacobs and art director Saho Fujii: Farrin Jacobs edited [Vashti Harrisons 2024 Caldecott winner] Big, and Saho Fujii was the art director for Grace Lins A Big Mooncake for Little Star, she says. I think the team really helped me elevate the story, Li says. When I sent it in, it was more than 60 pages. I said to my agent, Do you think I should keep editing it? Ive heard that publishers dont like picture books that are too long, and she said, We should just send it in and be open for her to shorten the story. I was really stressed because I might not want to cut out things I feel are important. But they are very good at asking questions, and once they started giving me notes, I realized, Oh, theres no problem taking out a spread here. This makes more sense! So I was very lucky in the whole process. I feel like I had control of my own story. Feelings of self-doubt about her work persisted even as she finished the final art, according to Li. But the struggle and the frustration were a big part of what made me feel intensely engaged, she says. Making art is a mysterious experience for me. Writing and illustrating stories was not smooth sailing, but right now I cannot imagine stopping. Antonia Saxon is a book reviewer and features writer for PW. To many, the name Cassandra Calin isnt exactly new. Her long-standing career as a cartoonist began on the internet, and 10 years into her career as an artist, Calin is reintroducing herself with the middle grade graphic novel The New Girl (Graphix), her debut long-form endeavor, in which she highlights the parallel experiences of moving to a new country and the start of her first period. A self-described introverted kid who loved art and music and drew on any surface she could find, Calin says she knew early on that art was her calling. But even during her time as a graphic design student at Dawson College, Calin didnt share her work publicly beyond showing friends and family. Ready to stop hiding her art, she came to a decision: she would start posting her work online. Believing that Tumblr felt like the right place, she shared her first webcomic, which featured black-and-white panels depicting a young woman comparing the expectations and the reality of having curly hair. She had no way of knowing how that one moment in July 2014 would alter her life. Her post went viral, and Calinwho had at one point called her parents in excitement over reaching 100 followers on Instagram (she currently has two million)didnt know how to handle the spotlight. It was happening so fast that I was still processing, Calin says of the experience. It was hard for me to grasp how big of a deal it was in that moment. Calins art, which she describes as anime mixed with Tim Burton, continued to gain popularity as she posted more comics highlighting relatable experiences in everyday life. Her social media following skyrocketed over the years. In 2019, she signed to the first agent shed reached out to, straight-to-the-point Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company, whom she met via Sarah Anderson, a fellow digital comics creator. Shortly thereafter she earned a partnership with Tapas, a social publishing platform for webcomics and web novels, where she continues to share twice-weekly webcomics depicting moments in her own life. Her work had previously been published in the collections Still Just Kidding (2018) and I left the house today! (2020), and a long-form project wasnt top of mind. Still, she never imagined that a publisher would come to her. When I saw that it was Scholastic, I was like, Okay, thats a pretty big deal! Calin says with a laugh. With editor Megan Peace, Calin says she felt almost like I was talking to a friend, because she was just so enthusiastic about the project and so confident that it made me feel confident. I thought, if she really trusts my vision, then I think we have a great thing here. Calins graphic novel The New Girl focuses on 12-year-old Lia, whos facing a lot of life changes at once: on the day her family emigrates from Romania to Canada, she gets her first period. And yes, this really did happen to Calin herself, though elements of the graphic novel are fictionalized. Readers follow Lia as she navigates a life in transition, including a new school, language barriers, and the many trials that come with managing menstruation for the first time. For me as a person, not just as an artist, I wouldnt be here if I didnt go through that, Calin says. The parallel between Calin and Lia reminded her that many of her protagonists anxieties around big changes in life can be applicable to anyoneadults included. Art often reflects life, and just like Lia and her childhood self, Calin is once again the new girlthis time on the childrens publishing scene. Her days of working in my cocoon at home, and not talking to anybody are slowing as she prepares to share The New Girl with the world. But being new isnt so scary anymore. I try to see it in a positive light, that change is not a bad thing, Calin says. Its also a new beginning. Its a way to grow and to become better at your craft. It is a big change, but its a positive change. Celadon Nabs ExxonMobil Expose In a preempt, former New York Times editor Jill Abramson has sold North American rights to #ExxonKnew to Bill Hamilton at Celadon Books. Suzanne Gluck at WME brokered the deal. Celadon said the book is Abramsons investigative account of ExxonMobils attempt to cover up scientific evidence of the environmental damage it inflicted on the planet and its upcoming trial in Boston that will be a long-awaited showdown between the third most profitable company in the world and the State of Massachusetts, environmentalists, and members of the Rockefeller family, whose ancestor, John D. Rockefeller, was the founder of ExxonMobils corporate forebearer Standard Oil. The book will be published in 2026. Matt Holt Wins Best Scar Matthew Holt at Matt Holt Books has acquired world rights to Iraq veteran and former West Point professor Matt Cavanaughs Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before, a memoir about how the author became the fastest American, and living kidney donor, ever to run Racing the Planets Four Deserts Grand Slam. Joseph Perry at Perry Literary handled the deal. Best Scar Wins is set for a fall 2025 publication. Kinsellas Personal Novella Goes to Dial Sophie Kinsella, author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, has sold North American rights to a novella, What Does It Feel Like?, to Whitney Frick at the Dial Press. The deal was negotiated by Kim Witherspoon at InkWell Management. Dial said the deeply personal book follows a renowned novelist who is facing a devastating cancer diagnosis and learning to live and love anew. Kinsella said the book is her most autobiographical work to date; it comes after the author revealed in April that she has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous brain tumor. The book is set for publication in October. Saga Lands Edwards Adult Fantasy Debut Senior editor Amara Hoshijo at Saga Press has acquired world English rights to An Ancient Witchs Guide to Modern Dating, the debut adult cozy fantasy by Australian middle grade author Remy Lai, writing as Cecilia Edward. Saga said the novel follows an almost-40-year-old witch who accidentally transports herself from the 16th to the 21st century with a love potion gone awry, catapulting her into the world of online dating and other present-day hijinks. Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal. The book is set to be published in summer 2025. Book Woman Re-ups at Sourcebooks In a reported seven-figure deal, Kim Michele Richardson (The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek) has sold world rights to the as-yet-untitled third novel in her Book Woman series to her longtime editor at Sourcebooks, Shana Drehs. Stacy Testa at Writers House brokered the deal. The publisher said that Richardsons books, which feature beloved heroine and legendary book woman Cussy Lovett, have sold more than a million copies to date. Publication is planned for fall 2025 or spring 2026. Hogarth Takes A24 Directors First Novel After an auction, Hogarth editor-in-chief David Ebershoff has taken North American rights to director Jane Schoenbruns debut novel, Public Access Afterworld. The deal was negotiated by Bill Clegg of the Clegg Agency. Hogarth called the book an epic blend of literary fantasy, coming-of-age, sci-fi, and horror that traces the mysterious transmissions of a secret television network to a wide cast of characters, including two teenage best friends in a suburban New York basement, a housewife during the last days of WWII, and a young trans content moderator at a YouTube-like corporation who becomes an unlikely hero capable of rescuing a century of victims who have disappeared into the broadcasts signal. Schoenbruns most recent film is I Saw the TV Glow. No pub date has been announced. Editor's Note: The Week in Librarians will be off next week, June 28, for the American Library Association Annual Conference, but there will be a June 28 edition of the Preview for Libraries newsletter. There will be no newsletter on July 5, in observance of the July 4th holiday. Ahead of its annual conference, which kicks off next week in San Diego, the American Library Association has announced that Raymond Pun, who was recently elected ALA president-elect (with his presidential term set to begin at the conclusion of the 2025 ALA Annual Conference) has decided not to assume the role, citing health reasons. According to the release, the incoming 2024-25 ALA executive board will fill the vacancy within 30 days of taking office, subject to a confirmation vote by the ALA council. The process to fill the vacant position of president-elect is spelled out in the ALA bylaws. ALA president Emily Drabinski has convened a working group, which includes incoming and outgoing board members, to select and vet candidates. We are devastated that Ray will be unable to serve as ALAs member-elected president in 2025-26, Drabinski said in a statement. The most important thing right now is that he takes care of himself and that we respect his privacy. We are grateful for his service to ALA and the entire profession. LGBTQ Nation reports on Drabinskis efforts to protect LGBTQ+ librarians and how Drabinski is dealing with personal attacks. Drabinski recently created a task force to address the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ library workers, including herself. This is a year when libraries and readers and books have been challenged in many ways because of their LGBTQ+ content, and being an openly out lesbian leader of the association has meant that I have been a target of some of those attacks as well, Drabinski told LGBTQ Nation. The Texas Observer talks with librarian Suzette Baker, who in 2022 was fired from her job as a Llano County librarian after resisting orders to ban books and protesting against censorship, which led to a successful lawsuit by local residents to restore books pulled from library shelves. Baker was recently honored by the Authors Guild. The Alabama Political Reporter reports that Alabama Public Library Service director Nancy Pack sent an email out this week attempting to clarify who is responsible for implementing new statewide rules on appropriate materials in Public libraries. Still seems pretty confusing. In addition, Pack revealed that "that federal LSTA grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services will be delayed until December 1 while IMLS reviews whether the agency remains eligible to receive federal funds with the new code changes." Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen leads off her weekly censorship news roundup with a powerful, spot-on take about a key factor motivating this flurry of book bans: an attack on public education. "Targeting books in public schools and libraries is purposeful. Create a frenzy over lies and disinformation about the content in libraries and classrooms, then profit by claiming students are being indoctrinated, then utilize those lies to push for voucher programs because your student shouldnt have to be around that kind of stuff," Jensen writes. "See also: demand a book be banned, claim that books like those are proof the schools are incapable of doing their job, take time and money away from schools to put the book through the review process, complain about the time and money wasted on such a review process, and repeat the cycle until the money, time, and people are all gone." Also at Book Riot, Jensen takes aim at a new rating system from Midwest Tape/hoopla, a distributor of audiovisual materials and digital materials. "These ratings are the perfect tool for silent/quiet censorship, already a major problem in libraries nationwide," she writes. "Even in learning about the new system, at least one library worker blatantly shared that it would help them decide to simply elect not to buy material 'because budget.' That is censorship and its an unethical practice for any library worker." These ratings are the perfect tool for silent/quiet censorship, already a major problem in libraries nationwide. Marketplace has an interview with Connecticut Library Association's Sarah McCusker on the library e-book market, which remains as fraught as ever. For Mental Floss, Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner shares 10 banned books written by LGBTQ+ authors you dont want to miss. WCVB, Bostons ABC affiliate, reported on how Massachusetts libraries are helping to fight back against book bans. In 2023, Boston Public Library joined Books Unbanned, an initiative started by the Brooklyn Public Library, which creates free digital access to books that have been challenged or pulled in other libraries. "At this stage, we have between 1,500 and 2,000 sign-ups from every state in the nation," David Leonard, president of the Boston Public Library, told WCVB. In Idaho, the Bonner County Daily Bee reports on the drama over the Saga series at the East Bonner County Library District. Roughly a half-dozen people, accompanied by Idaho Senator Scott Herndon, had approached the library board in May asking them to either pull the series from circulation or move it to an adults-only area. My response to this is that this series may be offensive to some in our community, but it has been very popular and circulated 150 times in the last 10 years, library board vice chair Jeanine Asche said at the board meeting, the Bee reported. The Hugo and Eisner Awardwinning series was among the 100 most challenged books between 2010 and 2019, according to the ALA. The New Republic reports on a Right to Read celebration in Miami. There are so many more of us, one of the panelists, author and freedom to read defender Jodi Picoult, said. We just have to be a little bit louder. Other panelists included Jacqueline Woodson, George M. Johnson, and Ellen Hopkins. And finally this week, a fascinating piece in the New York Times explores how New Yorks first Black librarians built communities of writers and readers along with their collections. "At times, they battled overt and covert censorship that would be familiar in todays climate of rising book bans and restrictions on teaching so-called divisive concepts," the article states. "But whether they worked in world-famous research collections or modest public branch libraries, these pioneers saw their role as not just about tending old books but also about making room for new people and new ideas." The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email. Previous columns can be viewed here. On the night of June 22, Russian occupants attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure facilities in the southern and western regions. Two power engineers were injured in one of them as a result of the shelling, and equipment was damaged. ADVERTISIMENT The Ministry of Energy reported on the consequences of the shelling on Telegram. They noted that the wounded were taken to the hospital. "Also, during the shelling, an overhead power line in the eastern region was disconnected, which led to a decrease in the load at the generating facility. The consequences are being clarified," the statement added. On Telegram, Ukrenergo clarified that as a result of the Russian attack, equipment at facilities in Zaporizhzhia and Lviv regions was damaged. Inspection and elimination of the consequences are underway. As a reminder, the head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, said that Russians had hit a critical energy infrastructure facility in the region, causing a fire. "As of this hour, there has been no information about the victims. The extent of the damage will be reported later," the official wrote. ADVERTISIMENT In general, Lutsk, some facilities in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia regions were under attack that night. The missile attack lasted 1 hour and 3 minutes, and the drone attack lasted 5 hours and 30 minutes. The Russians launched X-101/55, Kalibr, and cruise missiles from the Black Sea, as well as attack UAVs. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A complaint has been lodged against the aides of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who was arrested along with 16 others in connection with Renukaswamy murder, for threatening the eye-witnesses in the case, police said in its remand note presented in a court in Bengaluru on Saturday. IMAGE: Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and other accused taken to Central Jail from the Sessions Court. Photograph: ANI on X After producing Darshan and three others before the court, the police stated that they were not making the names of the eyewitnesses public citing their safety. 'A complaint has been lodged against the aides of the accused number two (Darshan) for threatening the eye-witnesses of the case at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station,' the remand note said. 'Actress Pavithra Gowda(A1), Darshan(A2) and other accused involved in the case have been 'creating obstacles continuously' in the investigation of the case.' In the court, police charged all the accused with trying to destroy the material evidences. Regarding Renukaswamy's phone, police said, "The court is requested to grant permission to apply for Renukaswamy's SIM card from the service provider to 're-access' the data in the mobile phone, which the accused had thrown in the Sumanahalli Stormwater Drain to destroy the data." The police also told the court that all the accused contacted each other through web application and destroyed data. Hence, they sought the permission of the court to get the fresh SIM card of the accused. Opposing bail to the accused, the police said the actor could destroy the evidences for being influential, rich and having a large fan base. The court remanded Darshan Thoogudeepa to judicial custody till July 4. His four alleged accomplices too were sent to judicial custody. The actor was in the police custody since June 11. The Special Public Prosecutor prayed the court for a direction to lodge the accused persons separately and in different jails across Karnataka, which was opposed by Darshan's lawyers. Darshan and his aides were taken to the central prison at Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru. A huge number of his fans gathered at the court and raised slogans in favour of Darshan. The actor too waved at the them from the caged police van. Thirteen other accused, including the actor's friend Pavithra Gowda, were remanded to 14 days' judicial custody two days ago. A total of 17 people are accused in the murder case. According to police sources, Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obscene messages to Gowda, which enraged Darshan, allegedly leading to his murder. Renukaswamy's body was found near a stormwater drain adjacent to an apartment in Sumanahalli here on June 9. According to the post-mortem report, Renukaswamy's death was caused due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple blunt injuries sustained. ***** Karnataka police to ask I-T to join probe over involvement of Rs 78 lakh Meanwhile, the Karnataka police have decided to ask the Income Tax department to join the investigation into Renukaswamy murder case in view of the alleged involvement of about Rs 78 lakh in the execution of the crime. According to police, Darshan and his gang have so far spent Rs 78 lakh to cover up the crime and destroy material evidences. There is lot of money involved and we don't know how much money they would have raised through unfair means to get rid of this case. Hence, we have decided to include the I-T department in the case, a police officer said. So far cash to the tune of Rs 70.4 lakh has been seized from the actor, while Rs 7.6 lakh is yet to be recovered. During the investigation, police found Darshan's involvement and subsequently the entire case came out in open. In his revised statement, Darshan admitted to obtaining Rs 40 lakh from his friend Mohan Raj for escaping from adverse legal actions against him and to cover up conspiracy and destruction of evidence, they said. The Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police has obtained National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2024 reference question papers to compare these with documents recovered during a search operation last month from a flat in Patna and is also exploring the 'possibility of conducting narco analysis and brain mapping tests' of accused in the case, sources said on Saturday. IMAGE: Police personnel detain Samajwadi Party supporters during a protest against the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 entrance exam results and the cancellation of UGC-NET exam, in Lucknow on Friday, June 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo They also indicated that the Enforcement Directorate might investigate the money laundering aspect of the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination NEET, conducted by the National Testing Agency in May. "We had requested the NTA for the reference question papers after we began the probe last month. Finally, they did the needful. We will tally these papers with partially burnt papers seized from a Patna flat last month. This exercise is likely to be done before a forensic examination of such documents," an EOU source said. Top officials of the EOU are likely to visit Delhi on Saturday to 'discuss certain aspects of the ongoing probe with the senior officials of the Union Education Ministry and other concerned wings', he said. "Based on EOU's FIR, the Enforcement Directorate may probe into the matter under several sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The central agency is expected to identify proceeds of crime and initiate proceedings to attach properties belonging to the accused or suspects," said another source of the Economic Offences Unit. Commenting on the development, Abhayanand, former director general of police (DGP), Bihar, told PTI: "There is no doubt that grave offences have been committed in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. Prima facie, it appears that the paper was leaked Evidence collected so far is also suggestive of the paper leak. The case must be probed under the provisions of the PMLA as black money is involved in it." The arrested accused in the case are providing conflicting statements or changing their statements during interrogation, an EOU source said. "Officials are contemplating conducting brain mapping and narco-analysis tests. These scientific tests may provide certain fresh leads to investigators," the source said. A narco-analysis test involves intravenous administration of a drug that causes the subject to enter into a stage of anaesthesia, during which the person becomes less inhibited and is more likely to divulge information, which would usually not be revealed in the conscious state. Brain mapping uses neuroscience to determine whether a person has specific knowledge related to a crime. This is done by measuring EEG signals in the brain. Brain mapping and narco-analysis tests are illegal without the subject's consent. The EOU has also started investigating the role of some more private professional colleges in Bihar who allegedly sent solvers on behalf of real candidates in the NEET exam. It is suspected that solvers of private colleges/institutes were allowed to appear on behalf of real candidates in connivance with officials of the examination centres, where the exam was held on May 5, a source said. It is also suspected that officials were bribed so that an undeserving candidate could sit strategically next to a brilliant dummy candidate who was also paid money. Search operations were conducted to nab a few suspects in Nalanda district, sources said. The EOU, which is probing the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case, last month arrested 13 people as part of its investigation into the alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. The arrested accused included Sikandar Yadavendu, the prime suspect who is a junior engineer at the Danapur Municipal Council, aspirants and their parents. ***** 6 held from Jharkhand's Deoghar The Bihar Police detained six people from Jharkhand's Deoghar district in connection with the alleged irregularities in NEET, an official said on Saturday. They were detained from a house near All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Deoghar in Devipur police station area on Friday night, he said. "The Bihar Police gave us a tip-off. On our identification, they were taken into custody. All the suspects have been taken to Bihar," SDPO (Deoghar Sadar) Ritvik Srivastava told PTI. The suspects were allegedly living at the house of one Jhunu Singh, he said. They were identified as Paramjit Singh alias Bittu, Chintu alias Baldev Kumar, Kaju alias Prashant Kumar, Ajit Kumar, Rajiv Kumar alias Karu, all residents of Nalanda district of Bihar, and Panku Kumar, according to a statement issued by the Deoghar Police. An investigating team from Bihar also visited Hazaribag on Friday evening in connection to the case, police said. Hazaribag Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kumar Sibhashish said that an investigating team from Bihar arrived in Hazaribag but they did not share any details. He said that they visited Lohsinghna police station and interacted with the officer in-charge there. The team did not arrest anyone from Hazaribag during its visit. Lohsinghna police station in-charge Sandeep Kumar said that the team discussed the paper leak issue and was in search of a courier in the case. On Hazaribag's reported connection with the alleged paper leak issue, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Nancy Sahay said, "We have not received any information on the district level. However if anything has happened, we will definitely contribute to solving the issue." The team of Bihar Police also conducted an investigation at an office of a courier service in Ranchi under Sadar police station area, sources said. Sadar police station in-charge Kuldeep Kumar, however, said that they have not been officially communicated in this regard. A source in Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit (EOU) said, "Six people have been detained in Jharkhand's Deoghar in connection with the case. Whether to declare them arrested or not would be decided on the basis of evidence and leads found from them." "We will verify every suspect as per due process of law and then take a final call. We can seek clarification from any suspect as part of our investigation," he added. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Rashtriya Janata Dal has postponed its scheduled protest over the NEET paper-leak' issue in Ranchi on Saturday. State RJD general secretary and media in-charge Kailash Yadav said that the women's cell of the party was scheduled to burn an effigy of the union education minister in Deoghar in protest against the paper-leak issue. "We have postponed it, as we have decided to organize the protest on a large scale," he added. Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday stressed that all are equal stakeholders in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, his comment coming after a Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar leader quoted party supremo Sharad Pawar as saying that although his outfit contested fewer Lok Sabha seats, the situation would be different in the Maharashtra assembly polls. IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut. Photograph: ANI Photo Talking to reporters, Raut said seat-sharing talks have not commenced among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies for the Maharashtra assembly polls scheduled later this year. "Seat-sharing talks have not yet commenced -- neither with the NCP-SP nor the Congress. So the question of who will contest how many seats doesn't arise. All are equal stakeholders," he said. In the recently Lok Sabha polls, the Uddav Thackeray-led outfit had got the lion's share of seats in the MVA, which also includes the NCP-SP and the Congress. The MVA won 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, with the Congress emerging as the top party with 13 wins. In the Lok Sabha polls, the strike rate of NCP-SP was the highest as it won eight of the 10 seats it contested, while the Shiv Sena-UBT won nine of 21 seats, but it was the most targeted party by the opponents, Raut claimed. He said the Shiv Sena-UBT lost two-three seats by a thin margin or else its strike rate too would have been better. The Congress won 13 of the 17 seats its contested, while a rebel from the party won the Sangli seat, where the official MVA candidate was from the Shiv Sena-UBT. Of the three MVA parties, the NCP-SP strike rate was 80 per cent, the Congress' strike rate was 75 per cent, while that of the Shiv Sena-UBT, which contested the maximum number of seats, was just 41 per cent. On Friday, Pawar held two meetings in Pune, one with the party's functionaries from Pune city and district, and another with its MLAs and newly-elected MPs. Mumbai NCP-SP chief Prashant Jagtap, who attended the first meeting, said Pawar told the gathering that the party contested fewer seats in the Lok Sabha polls just to ensure the alliance with the Shiv Sena-UBT and the Congress remained intact. "He indicated that the picture in the assembly polls will be different," said Jagtap. After the Lok Sabha poll results, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole had said his party expects a good seat-sharing deal in the assembly polls. "There are 288 (assembly) seats (in Maharashtra). There will be no shortage of seats for anyone. Everyone will contest comfortably," Raut said. He said the MVA contested the Lok Sabha polls unitedly and showed to the world how Maharashtra stopped the BJP from getting a full majority. Facing flak over alleged discrepancies in competitive exams, the Centre on Saturday shunted out National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh and handed over the probe into irregularities in medical entrance exam NEET-UG to the Central Bureau of Investigation. IMAGE: NTA Director General Subodh Singh. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo The Education Ministry also set up a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to review the agency's functioning and recommend exam reforms. It postponed the NEET-PG entrance, the fourth entrance exam to be impacted in recent days. "We stand for transparent, tamper-free and zero error examination. A panel has been formed on exam reforms, strict action has been taken against officials and the case has been handed over to CBI," Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. "Students' interest will be safeguarded at any cost, he said after a flurry of decisions amid litigation and protests in different parts of the country on the issue of alleged irregularities in entrance exams. The opposition hit out at the government, with the Congress alleging that the education system has been "ruined" under the Modi government. According to officials, NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh has been put on "compulsory wait" in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) till further orders. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola has been assigned additional charge of the NTA till the appointment of a regular incumbent. "Certain cases of alleged irregularities, cheating, impersonation and malpractices have been reported in NEET-UG which was conducted on May 5. "For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, it was decided after a review that the matter be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation," the Ministry of Education said announcing the late-night decision. The Union Health Ministry also announced the postponement of NEET-PG entrance, a night before the entrance exam, as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams. The move comes a day after the June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and UGC-NET was postponed. The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET is a test conducted to determine eligibility for junior research fellowship and assistant professor and admission to PhD in science courses. Pradhan, however, denied any leak of CSIR-NET paper and said the exam was postponed due to logistical reasons. He also asserted that anybody involved or responsible for any irregularity in NEET-UG will not be spared. The UGC-NET was cancelled on Wednesday, a day after it was conducted following inputs that the integrity of the exam was compromised. The matter is being probed by the CBI. Bihar Police on Friday night detained six more people from Jharkhand's Deoghar district in connection with the alleged leak of NEET paper in the state, an official said. Its Economic Offences Unit last month arrested 13 people, including prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu, in connection with the alleged paper leak. The EOU is also exploring the "possibility of conducting narco analysis and brain mapping tests" of the accused, sources said. They also indicated that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) might investigate the money laundering aspect. A fresh plea was filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the CBI and the ED to investigate the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG. The petition, filed by 10 students who had appeared for the exam, has also sought a direction to Bihar Police to expedite the investigation in the case and file a report before the apex court. The top court had earlier sought responses from the Centre, the NTA and others on a slew of petitions, including those seeking scrapping of the NEET-UG 2024 exam and a court-monitored probe. The apex court had also stayed further proceedings on similar pleas pending before different high courts. The Education Ministry notified a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through NTA. The Centre has also operationalised a stringent law that aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations with provisions entailing a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders. Nearly four months after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the Personnel Ministry on Friday night notified the law. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, termed it as a "whitewash" and asserted that the BJP cannot evade its responsibility in "promoting corruption and education mafia". In a post in Hindi on 'X', Rahul Gandhi said, "Now NEET-PG is also postponed. This is another unfortunate example of the education system that has been ruined under the rule of Narendra Modi." "Now it is clear -- Modi, who used to silently watch the spectacle every time -- is completely helpless in front of the paper leak racket and education mafia," the former Congress chief said. Education Minister Pradhan asserted that setting up the high-level committee of experts is the first of a series of steps to improve the efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and overhaul and reform the NTA. The panel includes former AIIMS Delhi director Randeep Guleria, Central University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor B J Rao and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Madras K Ramamurthy. People Strong co-founder and Karmayogi Bharat board member Pankaj Bansal, IIT Delhi Dean of Student Affairs Aditya Mittal and Ministry of Education Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal are also among its members. Earlier in the day, the Education Minister had said that the "top leadership" of the National Testing Agency is under the scanner over alleged irregularities in competitive exams NEET and NET. The minister said he is the custodian of students' interests and has to take that into account before taking any step. Pradhan had said earlier this week that he cannot jeopardise the careers of the lakhs of candidates who cleared the exam rightfully. Asked about any inquiry into the NTA's role, Pradhan said, "I have already said there has been an institutional failure. I have taken responsibility. NTA's top leadership is under several types of questions. But I have to safeguard students' interests first. I am a custodian of their interests." Earlier this week, the ministry sought a report from the Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit, which is investigating the allegations of a paper leak in NEET. "The report has not been received yet... But it is certain that nobody involved or responsible for any irregularity will be spared," he said. On alleged irregularities in Gujarat's Godhra, the minister said the issue in Godhra was not of a paper leak but of organised cheating and 30 students have been debarred. "Gujarat case is not of leak... police took preventive action, a few telephone conversations were intercepted. "There were attempts to cheat, 30 students who have been found involved have been debarred. They are in addition to 63 students from across the country who were debarred from NEET for using unfair means," he said. The examination was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres and around 24 lakh candidates appeared. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4. 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. There was also a controversy over grace marks awarded to students to make up for the loss of time at six centres. The Centre later told the apex court that the grace marks were being scrapped and these 1,563 students would be given an option of a retest. The NTA will on Sunday conduct the retest for these students. 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. Hundreds of yoga enthusiasts across China spread their mats on Saturday to showcase their passion and skills in the ancient Indian physical and spiritual practice on the 10th International Day of Yoga, despite the chill in bilateral ties since the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh. IMAGE: People practice yoga in Xiangyang, Hubei province, China on June 17, 2018. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters Year after year, the number of yoga practitioners participating in the official and unofficial events on International Yoga Day in different cities is growing, especially the young people, officials say. Over 1,000 yoga enthusiasts participated in a two-hour-long programme held by the Indian Embassy in Beijing on Saturday. The event was held a day after the US International Yoga Day to coincide with the weekend holiday. Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat, his wife Shruti Rawat, and Deputy Ambassador Abhishek Shukla besides the officials of the embassy joined the multitude of yoga practitioners at the special event held at the old embassy premises. The event had many different aspects of the health and wellness traditions of India. While Master Lokesh Sharma, a teacher of Indian culture from the embassy, led the common yoga protocol, there were also special sessions on meditation by renowned professor Dr R S Bhogal, a meditation expert from Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute in Pune. The event was held in collaboration with four institutes -- YogiYoga, We Yoga, Om Shiva Yoga and Hemanth Yoga. The session also had challenges for the participants as enthusiasts tried their hands at the 'Ashtavakrasana' (eight angle pose) and the winner was awarded at the end of the event, T S Vivekanand, First Secretary of the Indian Embassy in-charge of culture, told PTI. Participants enthusiastically engaged in the common yoga protocol, a standardised yoga practice that includes all aspects of yoga and is suitable for adoption by all age groups, he said. A session on advanced yoga and a yoga challenge was also organised for regular practitioners of yoga, Vivekanand said. The event included a soulful kirtan performance by N K Singh and a captivating kathak performance by Sohini Karanth, integrating the elements of yoga and meditation. Huge yoga events were also held by the Indian Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou besides the eastern city of Yiwu, the global commodity market where hundreds of Indian businessmen reside, engaging in the export of billions of dollars of Chinese products to India. Vivekanand said there is more traction from the Chinese participants in yoga events held by the embassy. While over 270 people took part last year on International Yoga Day, this year nearly 1,000 took part in the event. Similarly, at the Vasant Mela event held by the embassy in March this year, over 4,500 people took part, highlighting the growing interest in Indian culture, food and yoga. The increase in numbers in the events despite the bilateral tensions over the eastern Ladakh standoff in the last four years is seen as an encouraging sign by the officials. For their part, veteran yoga teachers in China say that there is a qualitative difference in the popularity of yoga in China compared to other countries. The unique feature of yoga culture in China is its popularity among young people in the age group of 20-25 years, Mohan Bhandari, Director of Research at YogiYoga Institute, said. Young people are taking part in yoga in large numbers compared to other countries where many people begin to take an interest in the Indian physical and spiritual practice after 30 years of age and beyond. Bhandari, who hails from Rishikesh in India, founded the YogiYoga Institute several years ago with his Chinese wife Yin Yan. The institute has centres in several Chinese cities and runs training programmes, including yoga healing. Already those young people who took to yoga are introducing the practice to their children in China as a result the next generation of yoga teachers will come from China, Bhandari told PTI. Yin Yan, who is the founder president of YogiYoga, says yoga will continue to develop in China because of the needs of the people and its increasing popularity in social life, workplace and the family. However, despite its growing popularity yoga institutes suffered major reverses during the COVID outbreak as hundreds of them have shut down. This also rendered scores of Indian yoga teachers working in China to return to India. Bhandari says the yoga industry in China is on a slow recovery and the enthusiasm of Chinese people will continue to help its growth. Ukraine will soon begin negotiations on a bilateral security agreement with Ireland. On Wednesday, a meeting was held with a delegation from the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sonja Hyland. ADVERTISIMENT During the meeting, the parties discussed Ireland's potential readiness to start negotiations on security guarantees. This was reported by Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. He noted that the signing of a security assurance agreement with Ireland would be an excellent example, particularly because Ireland immediately joined the relevant G7 declaration of July 12, 2023. "Again, it is a neutral country. What security guarantees can it provide? However, security guarantees are not just about weapons. It's also about the economy, about sanctions, about keeping Russian assets working, about establishing a tribunal to punish the aggressor for the crime of aggression, and so on. Ukraine invites other countries that declare or have such a neutral status, such as Austria or Malta, to join the G7 declaration and have appropriate agreements with Ukraine," Zhovkva said. ADVERTISIMENT According to him, active work in this regard is underway with the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Romania and Poland, and agreements with Estonia and Lithuania are ready to be signed. Zhovkva also said that Ukraine has held the final round of talks with Poland on signing a bilateral security agreement. This is expected to take place before the NATO summit, which will be held on July 9-11 in Washington. Ukraine and Poland will conclude the agreement as part of the implementation of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, adopted on July 12 last year. So far, our country has signed 17 bilateral security agreements. As reported, the security agreement between the European Union and Ukraine will be signed in the coming days. In particular, it is expected to happen on June 26. The parties have already agreed on the text of the agreement after several months of negotiations. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The 'top leadership' of the National Testing Agency is under the scanner over alleged irregularities in competitive exams National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test and National Eligibility Test, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday even as he denied any paper leak in the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-University Grants Commission NET, which was postponed a day ago. IMAGE: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addresses a press conference regarding the UGC-NET exam cancellation, at the National Media Centre, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo The minister said he is the custodian of students' interests and has to take that into account before taking any step. Amid a raging row over irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET, Pradhan had said earlier this week that he cannot jeopardise the careers of the lakhs of candidates who cleared the exam rightfully. The June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and UGC-NET was postponed on Friday night. The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET is a test conducted to determine eligibility for junior research fellowship and assistant professor and admission to PhD in science courses. "There was no leak in CSIR-UGC NET, it was postponed because of logistic issues. There is also a retest of 1,563 NEET candidates tomorrow. For smooth conduct of the exam everywhere, the decision was taken," Pradhan told reporters. Asked about any inquiry into the NTA's role, Pradhan said, "I have already said there has been an institutional failure. I have taken responsibility. NTA's top leadership is under several types of questions. But I have to safeguard students' interests first. I am a custodian of their interests." Earlier this week, the ministry sought a report from the Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit, which is investigating the allegations of paper leak in NEET. "The report has not been received yet... But it is certain that nobody involved or responsible for any irregularity will be spared," he said. On irregularities in Gujarat's Godhra, the minister said the issue in Godhra was not of a paper leak but of organised cheating and 30 students have been debarred. "Gujarat case is not of leak...police took preventive action, a few telephone conversations were intercepted. There were attempts to cheat, 30 students who have been found involved have been debarred. They are in addition to 63 students from across the country who were debarred from NEET for using unfair means," he said. The Centre is under fire over alleged irregularities in competitive exams NEET and NET. While the medical entrance exam question paper was allegedly leaked, a case being investigated by the Bihar Police, UGC-NET was cancelled a day after it was conducted following inputs that the integrity of the exam was compromised. The matter is being probed by the CBI. The education ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the NTA. On Friday night, the Centre operationalised a stringent law that aims to curb malpractice and irregularities in competitive examinations and entails provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders. Ahead of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, the National Democratic Alliance government and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) sparred on the issue of pro tem Speaker with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accusing the Congress of resorting to lies and the opposition threatening to refuse to join the panel of chairpersons in the House. IMAGE: Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) leaders in New Delhi. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo President Droupadi Murmu had appointed Bharatiya Janata Party leader and seven-term member Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who is tasked with administering the oath and affirmation to the newly-elected members of the lower house and preside over the election of the Speaker. The President had also named five senior members -- K Suresh (Congress), T R Baalu (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste (both BJP) and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (Trinamool Congress) to assist Mahtab in the process that will take place over the first three days of the Lok Sabha Session commencing on June 24. The Congress had alleged that the government has violated procedures and conventions and ignored the right of eight-term member Suresh to the post of the pro tem Speaker, a claim dismissed as 'misleading' by Rijiju. On Saturday, opposition sources said Suresh, Baalu and Bandyopadhyay may not join the panel of chairpersons to assist pro tem Speaker Mahtab in administering the oath to the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha. Rijiju had asserted that Mahtab was the senior-most in the House as he was elected for seven uninterrupted terms to the Lok Sabha, while Suresh, though a eight-term member, was not a member in 1998 and 2004. Suresh had said his claim to the post of pro-tem speaker was overlooked as he belonged to the Dalit community, remarks that were scoffed at by Rijiju. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said the Congress had deliberately insulted a 'tribal' Parliamentary Affairs Minister by lying on the issue of pro tem speaker. "(The) Congress has always insulted Tribals. They called Droupadi Murmu ji Rashtrapatni and they even abused her," Poonawala said. Rijiju said he may be the first tribal to occupy the post of Parliamentary Affairs Minister but he won't be intimidated by the threats and lies of Congress party. "I will be bound by rules and will strictly follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas," he said. Earlier, Congress leader K C Venugopal had described the overlooking of Suresh's claim to the pro tem Speaker post as an attempt at 'destroying parliamentary norms'. 'I have said this before and say this now, the battle for saving our democracy and constitution isn't over yet,' Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray said in a post on X. Communist Party of India general secretary D Raja said even after a serious reprimand by the people by cutting the BJP in size, they have not understood the seminal importance of democracy, consultation, parliamentary norms and opposition for the country. "However, the totalitarian BJP cannot see an opposition member even as Speaker pro tem and thus appointed a turncoat BJP MP to the post," Raja said. Mahtab, a BJP member from Cuttack, Odisha was appointed as pro tem Speaker by President Murmu under Article 95(1) of the Constitution to perform the duties of the Lok Sabha presiding officer till the election of the Speaker on June 26. Amid a row over irregularities in competitive exams National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and National Eligibility Test (NET), the education ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA). IMAGE: Members of the All Assam Students Union stage a protest against the alleged irregularities in NEET 2024 exam results, in Guwahati on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo "Transparent, tamper-free and zero-error examinations are a commitment. Setting up of the high-level committee of experts is the first of a series of steps to improve the efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and overhaul and reform the NTA," Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. "Students' interests and their bright future will always be our government's top priority," he added. The ministry's notification comes two days after Pradhan announced the setting up of the committee. The panel will make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of the NTA. It is supposed to submit its report within two months. The panel also includes former All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi director Randeep Guleria, Central University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor B J Rao, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Civil Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology- Madras K Ramamurthy, People Strong co-founder and Karmayogi Bharat board member Pankaj Bansal, IIT Delhi Dean of Student Affairs Aditya Mittal and Ministry of Education Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal. 'The panel will analyse the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach. It will conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols of the NTA, and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures and protocols along with monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance at every level,' the Ministry of Education said in a statement. The committee has also been tasked with examining the existing security protocols related to the setting of the papers and other processes for different examinations and making recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system. The NTA, which is under fire over the lapses in the conduct of NEET and UGC-NET, is gearing up to conduct on Sunday a retest for the medical entrance exam for 1,563 candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks to make up for the loss of time at six centres. While medical NEET is under scanner over several irregularities, including alleged leaks, the UGC-NET was cancelled a day after it was conducted as the ministry received inputs that the integrity of the exam was compromised. The death toll in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy rose to 53 on Saturday and the administration said the condition of 140 people is currently stable. IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin pays his last respects to the victims of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, in Kallakurichi on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo About 140 people out of 193 who were admitted to various government medical facilities after they consumed the spurious liquor on Tuesday night were currently stable, Kallakurichi district collector M S Prasanth said. "So far 53 people have passed away. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the spurious liquor tragedy," he told reporters after visiting the victims at the Kallakurich government hospital. Meanwhile, the hooch tragedy echoed for the second consecutive day in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday with the main opposition party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staging a walkout over the matter. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam hit out at the AIADMK for attempting to do politics over the painful issue and dismissed the plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry saying the government is transparent. "The government is transparent, we have not hidden anything, CBI inquiry is not needed," Law Minister S Regupathy said. The AIADMK legislators, led by leader of opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, sought adjournment of the question hour as soon as the House convened and demanded that they be permitted to raise the Kallakurichi issue. Speaker M Appavu said question hour cannot be adjourned and told them that they will be given the time they wanted during zero hour to raise the matter. However, the AIADMK members persisted on their demand and later staged a walkout. Speaking to reporters outside the House, Palaniswami said his party was denied permission to raise the Kallakurichi issue for the second consecutive day. "We have information that out of the 183 treated persons 55 were dead; everyday the death toll is rising," he claimed and said several lives could have been saved had the government acted swiftly. Referring to Health Minister Ma Subramanian's reported statement that a reason for the deaths was delay on the part of the affected people in seeking treatment he alleged: "What he says is a blatant lie; it shows the government's incompetence." The government is responsible for the delay as the former collector himself had initially claimed that the deaths were not due to illicit arrack. Hence, people believed that there was no issue with illicit liquor. Also, several people who turned up at a locality to mourn the death of victims consumed spurious liquor. The former chief minister reiterated his claim that a life-saving drug, an antidote to methanol was 'not available'. He alleged that truth will not emerge from the inquiries of the one-man commission set up by the state government. In order to ensure justice for the poor people the government should order a CBI probe and that is why the AIADMK has approached the Madras high court. Law Minister Regupathi, describing the Kallakurichi deaths as grievous, told reporters that the AIADMK has lost all the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies (39 in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry) in the recent Parliamentary election and hence it is attempting to create problem. Palaniswami attempted to stall the House proceedings for the second successive day and made unfounded allegations. The main opposition deliberately created ruckus during question hour since they have no scope to do politics and have been defeated at the people's court. The people have boycotted them and they are looking for opportunities to do politics, he alleged. In the Thootuhkudi custodial death case (2020), the DMK, as main opposition party had then sought CBI probe as the then chief minister, now LoP, Palaniswami 'concealed' facts, he claimed. Earlier, Appavu said opportunity is given to raise issues during zero hour and the opposition party members should conduct themselves in a civilised manner. Palaniswami had been the CM and taking a position to raise any issue at any time is not acceptable. The main opposition party continuously hindering proceedings is not fair and not acceptable. On August 18, 2016, the then Speaker (P Dhanapal) had given a ruling that permission will be given during zero hour to members following completion of question hour and the then opposition party (DMK) had extended cooperation, he said. Senior Minister (PWD) EV Velu, referring to Palaniswami seeking adjournment of Question Hour and urging permission of the chair to raise the issue said that the Question Hour is common to all party members be it ruling or opposition and the Speaker is giving equal opportunity to all. Motion for adjournment and call attention motions are usually taken up during the Zero Hour. Adjournment motion (on a matter of public importance) is governed by a specific rule and the main opposition party did not submit any request in this regard in the prescribed form to the Speaker. By harping on 'adjournment, they are taking the time of all the members', and they should be briefed on adjournment and call attention motions once again. Why did Hanoi welcome Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, for a state visit this past week? Sure, invite him. Allow Russian state media to speculate on a visit. Meet with his underlings. But to actually unfurl the red carpet for a leader whose global travel has been sharply curbed by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant ? From geopolitical, domestic, economic, and ideological points of view, it makes little sense unless the rising security faction is dictating what happens within the Communist Party of Vietnam. Some 15 deals on economic, educational, and political cooperation were signed. But those items could have been agreed upon without Putin's presence. That was the smokescreen, however. General Secretary of Vietnams Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong, fourth from right, meets with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, center left, in Hanoi, June 20, 2024. (Vietnam News Agency via AFP) RELATED STORIES Putin visits Vietnam, aiming to renew Cold War ties Vietnams fraternal ties with Russia are put to the test Bear East: RFA Special report on Russias influence in Asia The deepening securitization of Vietnamese politics Russia was the largest provider of military equipment to Vietnam until 2022, but that was before it invaded Ukraine and depleted much of its arsenal. Sales to Vietnam have tanked since. Nobody should look at how Russian equipment is faring in Ukraine and conclude, I need some of that. However, thats apparently what the Vietnamese military is thinking. According to a finance ministry document leaked to the media last year, Vietnam thinks it can buy weapons from Russia via payments to a joint Vietnamese and Russian oil venture in Siberia, which would allow it to avoid U.S. sanctions. Missiles in mind The New York Times cited a Vietnamese official saying the secret deal will be worth $8 billion over the next two decades. Some reckon this is now Vietnamese government policy, which might explain Putins visit. Some observers believe Hanoi wants aircraft and new naval vessels from Russia. Its navy badly needs an upgrade. And it really wants BrahMos cruise missiles developed by a joint Russian and Indian venture. Beijing has apparently pressured Moscow not to sell to Hanoi. Given that Russia is now utterly dependent on China, its unlikely that Moscow would agree to the sale. Maybe Hanoi thought that by giving Putin some international publicity and support through the visit, Putin would return the favor with missiles. Maybe Hanoi thought it needed Putin to be there in person to drive a hard bargain: If you dont give us what we want, well go to South Korea for military equipment. Cargo containers are seen in Quy Nhon port in Vietnams Binh Dinh province on March 29, 2024. (Tran Thi Minh Ha/AFP) But its a risky business. Its hard to imagine the U.S. not responding to any such deal to buy Russian weapons, however cleverly its designed to get around sanctions, with very forceful sanctions. Indeed, its hard to imagine this not impacting Vietnams economy more generally. The economy isnt spectacular at the moment, and Hanoi really cannot afford to jeopardize relations with the U.S., its second-largest trade partner and primary export destination. It certainly cannot afford to do so when Donald Trump, who famously remarked that Vietnam is the worst abuser of the U.S. on trade, could soon return to the presidency. Securocrats in charge But this risk-taking may be the consequence of the securocrats having taken over the Communist Party of Vietnam, having used party chief Nguyen Phu Trongs signature anti-corruption campaign to purge their rivals over the past 12 months. Trong, now 80, did not look very well in his meeting with Putin. Its still uncertain if hell make it to the next party congress in early 2026. My guess is that Trong is no longer the arbitrator he seemed to be until very recently. In this vacuum, the securocrats officials of the security ministry have quickly forged a stranglehold over the party. After last months changes to the Politburo, there are now just two economics-minded technocrats in the 16-member elite decision-making body, the lowest number in decades. Vietnam Communist Party official Dinh Tien Dung, left, meets with Chinese Communist Party official Wang Huning in Beijing, Sept. 28, 2023. (Yan Yan/Xinhua via Getty Images) To Lam, the former public security minister and now president, is tipped to become the next party chief. There is talk that the securocrats arent yet finished purging the party of their economic-minded rivalsthose who would put up a fight within the party against any major military deal with the Russians. Dinh Tien Dung, the Hanoi party chief and former finance minister, resigned this week and will likely soon exit the Politburo. It was probably the securocrats who lobbied hard for the Putin visit to happen, silencing those who we know from leaks were dead against it. Flow of information The anti-graft campaign has certainly weakened the bureaucracy. Civil servants are so petrified of being reprimanded for potentially making mistakes, especially when it comes to using state money, that theyve simply stopped making hard choices, leading to a bureaucratic slowdown and major problems in state capacity. The bigger concern should be whether bureaucratic fear has also impacted the flow of information within the party. Are underlings still willing to give their superiors unwelcome but honest news? According to Nguyen Khac Giang, of the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, the new [politburo] leadersare more thinkers than doers, lacking significant achievements that justify their promotions. This reinforces the belief that in the uncertain context of the anti-corruption campaign, it is wiser for bureaucrats to play safe by doing less and surviving rather than taking risks. To Lam is sworn in as Vietnams president at the National Assembly in Hanoi, May 22, 2024. (Nghia Duc/National Assembly via AP) Look north of the border and Xi Jinping, Chinas paramount leader, has fully centralized power and thoroughly purged anyone competent or honest from the bureaucracy. Its not that he has surrounded himself with yes men; Its that no one wants to give him information anymore. The ministries and military have responded, in some instances, by simply stopping collecting data like on youth unemployment. In other instances, theyve gone gung-ho on wolf warrior diplomacy schemes without telling their superiors. It has been reported that Xi only found out that China put that spy balloon above the United States in early 2023 after Biden informed him. Some ministry lackey had apparently decided it was a good idea and, with information no longer flowing upwards, took the initiative. By the time Xi realized what was happening, America had collected so much data on to whom and how the balloon was transmitting data that it was arguably one of the biggest intelligence breakthroughs against China in decades. In Hanoi for now, the securocrats are in charge, and appear to be listening to their yes men. The danger, looking a few years down the line, is whether the alternative factions become so weak and the entire bureaucracy becomes so fearful that unwelcome news no longer flows to the top. David Hutt is a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) and the Southeast Asia Columnist at the Diplomat. He writes the Watching Europe In Southeast Asia newsletter. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of RFA. On the night of June 22, Russian terrorists staged a massive air attack on Ukraine, launching 16 missiles and 13 Shahed kamikaze drones. Air defense forces destroyed 25 air targets: 12 missiles and 13 Shahed drones. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the commander of the Air Force of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk on Telegram. He noted that among the targets downed were: - 7 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles - 4 Kalibr cruise missiles - 1 Iskander-K cruise missile - 13 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs In total, the occupiers used 16 missiles of various types and 13 attack UAVs: - 10 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95 MS strategic aviation aircraft from Saratov region, Russia - 2 Iskander-K cruise missiles from Crimea - 4 Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea - 13 Shahed-131/136 strike UAVs from Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russa and Balaklava in Crimea. As a reminder, at night, a group of Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers launched X-101/X-555 cruise missiles at Ukraine. From 3:30 to 05:06, air raid alert was declared in all regions of the country. At this time, the attack on Ukraine with the use of Shahed-136 kamikaze drones also continued. ADVERTISIMENT In general, Lutsk, some facilities in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia regions were under attack. The head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, said that the occupiers had attacked a critical energy infrastructure facility in the region, resulting in a fire. The head of the Volyn Regional Military Administration, Yuriy Pohulyayko, noted that enemy air targets were also spotted in the region, and air defense systems were engaged. There is no information about the victims. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! 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. One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history. In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group. Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war. RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack? Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences. There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings. Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good. RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis? Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months. RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices? Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term." So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire. Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home? One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective. RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families? Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular. At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families. Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen. RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas? Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk. It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important. Why? For a couple of reasons. First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005. RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future? Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent. I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term. On the night of Saturday, June 22, a group of Tu-95MS strategic bombers took off from Russia, launching X-101/X-555 cruise missiles at Ukraine. As of 3:30 a.m., air raid alert was announced in all regions of the country. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced on the official Telegram channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the Air Force, four Tu-95MS aircraft took off from the Olenya airfield in the Murmansk region of Russia. At 2:20 a.m., the Monitor channel reported that X-101/55 missiles were launched from Tu-95s from the Saratov region of the Russian Federation. At this time, the attack on Ukraine with the use of Shahed-136 kamikaze drones continued. The situation as of 3:40: - A group of missiles in Chernihiv region headed southwest. Targeting Chernihiv and Kyiv. - Another group of missiles in the south near Odesa region. Heading northwest. According to monitoring channels, these are Kalibr cruise missiles. ADVERTISIMENT - UAVs in Rivne region, northeast and southwest of the regional center. They are headed for Lutsk. Updated information from the Air Force as of 3:50: - A group of missiles in the north were moving through Kyiv region towards Zhytomyr region on a westerly course. - A group of missiles in the south was heading northwest along Odesa and Mykolaiv regions in the direction of Vinnytsia region. - Missiles in the south are headed for Uman. - One drone in the direction of Lutsk. As of 4:20 a.m., the Air Force spotted a missile in Ternopil region heading southwest; a group of missiles in Khmelnytskyi region heading southwest; and missiles in Khmelnytskyi region heading north. Later, a missile was also reported heading towards Lutsk. The mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martsinkiv, reported that air defense was working in the region. Monitoring channels also reported air defense activity in Lutsk and Lviv region. ADVERTISIMENT At 05:06, the Air Force announced the threat was over. According to monitoring channels, during the night attack, Russian terrorists used: - X-101/55 cruise missiles launched from 4 Tu-95s from the Saratov region, Russia - Presumably Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea - Presumably guided missiles from the Sea of Azov - Strike UAVs Some of the X-101/55 and Zm14 missiles covered the longest distance of about 1800 km, from Saratov region of the Russian Federation to the Ivano-Frankivsk region, in 2 hours. Lutsk, some facilities in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia regions were under attack. The missile attack lasted 1 hour and 3 minutes, and the drone attack lasted 5 hours and 30 minutes. The head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, said on Telegram that the occupiers had launched a missile attack on a critical energy infrastructure facility in the region. ADVERTISIMENT "A fire broke out. Firefighters are already working at the scene. As of this hour, there has been no information about the victims. The extent of the damage will be reported later," the official said. Yuriy Pohulyayko, head of the Volyn Regional Military District, said that at dawn there were enemy targets in the airspace of the region, and air defense systems were engaged. Currently, the consequences of the falling debris are being eliminated. "Fortunately, there are no casualties. All relevant services are on the ground and doing their job," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT The mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martsinkiv, said that the Russian attack damaged a house and a kindergarten in the city: windows were smashed. "According to preliminary information, everyone is alive and well. The emergency crew will promptly start covering the windows in the homes of the residents of Ivano-Frankivsk," the mayor said. ADVERTISIMENT The Ministry of Energy reported that the occupants attacked the transmission system operator's facilities in the southern and western regions. "Unfortunately, two power engineers were injured at one of the facilities as a result of shelling. They were taken to the hospital. There is some damaged equipment," the statement said. In addition, it is noted that during the shelling, an overhead power line in the eastern region was disconnected, which led to a decrease in the load at the generating facility. The consequences are being clarified. ADVERTISIMENT Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration, said that civilian infrastructure was targeted by the enemy in the Carpathian region. "There was a hit that partially destroyed several buildings and other buildings of one of the educational institutions. Neighboring houses were also affected. There is also damage to residential buildings in one of the communities in the region," the official said, adding that no information on casualties has been received so far. ADVERTISIMENT "As a result, a 20-square-meter crater with a fire center was formed, which was extinguished. One of the educational buildings was partially destroyed, while others were damaged. A car was also damaged," the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported. On Telegram, Ukrenergo clarified that the Russian attack damaged equipment at facilities in Zaporizhzhia and Lviv regions. Inspection and elimination of the consequences are underway. Two fires broke out in Volyn during enemy shelling, the Volyn State Emergency Service reports. An outbuilding and a residential building were on fire in Lutsk district. "There were no casualties, fire at a nearby residential building was extinguished," the report said. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The talents of Traveller and Roma students from County Roscommon took centre stage in a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity, hosted by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Athlone Campus, recently. The event, themed To be Seen and Feel Heard, was a collaboration between the TUS Access Service, current Traveller and Roma students, local schools, and Foroige, and highlighted the rich heritage and artistic talents of these communities. The event composed powerful written statements and personal photographs from current TUS students on display in the university, offering deep insights into their educational journeys and personal experiences, as well as an exhibition in Luan Gallery. Since November, Traveller and Roma students from St Brendans Community School in Birr and Roscommon Community College have worked on a variety of projects exploring identity and belonging, in association with TUS Athlone Campus. Guided by artist and educator Francesca Hutchinson, St Brendans Community School students created visual art reflecting what is important to them growing up in todays society. The exhibition, displayed at Athlones Luan Gallery, saw students navigate and visually translate their place in the world, reflecting on generations past who paved the way forward by embedding a rich culture of history and crafts. Meanwhile, Roma students from Roscommon Community College participated in a five-week project focusing on music production and sound engineering. With support from TUS music production lecturer Dr Shane Byrne, the participating students learned about industry-standard software, recording techniques, and live audio setup. Their efforts culminated in the production of three songs and a dance video, showcasing the musicality, talent and enthusiasm of the group, all showcased at the event and as a part of the Luan Gallery exhibition. *Learn about the pre-entry and post-entry supports available to Traveller and Roma students at TUS Athlone Campus by emailing access.midlands@tus.ie. The Traveller Support Service can be accessed in the strictest of confidence. Thousands of people are expected to descend on Roscommon Town for the annual Day with the Stars, which will see some of Irelands top country entertainers perform at Roscommon Racecourse on Sunday, June 23rd. The event has become a favourite for fans of live music from all over Ireland and abroad. The event, which is presented by Shannonside Northern Sound Radio, will feature some of the best-known names in Irish country music including Derek Ryan, Mike Denver, Jimmy Buckley, Cliona Hagan along with many more. Joe Finnegan from Shannonside Northern Sound stated this week that the event will welcome visitors from right across Ireland and the UK. This year we will also see visitors coming into Roscommon from across the UK, the Netherlands, and Spain. Our aim is to give the festival international recognition and I feel we have succeeded in doing that, he said. Roscommon native, Brendan Shine, who has taken his music all over the world to massive acclaim, will also join a cast of stars on the day like superstar Michael English, Patrick Feeney, Claudia Buckley, Robert Mizzell, Brendan Jermyn, David James, and Olivia Douglas. Carol Manning, Ballyleague; Mary Owens, Tara Keogh and Sarah Casserley, Strokestown, pictured at the Day with the Stars at Roscommon Racecourse last year. Pic. Gerard OLoughlin The Shannonside Northern Sound Orchestra will come together on the day to entertain the crowds. Tickets are currently on sale at local outlets including Flemings SuperValu Roscommon Town; Mace, Castlerea; Corrib Oil, Boyle; Toweys, Ballaghaderreen; Mulveys, Carrick-on-Shannon; Joe OBriens ,Lanesborough, Golden Discs, Athlone, and Ticketmaster.ie On the day a limited number of tickets will be available at the main gate but will be sold on a first come first served basis. Children U-12 accompanied by their parent or guardian will be admitted free of charge. Free car parking will be available on site, including self-contained camper vans. However, camping on site with tents will not be permitted. The event will have full bar and catering facilities on site. Gates open 12 mid-day. Show commences 2 p.m.. Who is Nazey? Know all about Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestant Anil Kapoor is hosting Bigg Boss OTT 3. Who is Naezy, a Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant? Ever since the name of Naezy has surfaced on social media that he is going to be a part of Bigg Boss OTT 3, people have been excited to know who is he. Meanwhile, those who know about her are very excited to see him on the show. This year, the Bigg Boss OTT season 3 would be hosted by Anil Kapoor who is equally excited to host the new season and promised the fans that it will be a new season with a lot of new things. Advertisement Who is Naezy, Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant and what is his real name? Shaikh, also known as Naezy or Baa, is a rapper hailing from Mumbai who is celebrated for his raw and urban hip-hop flair. His personal journey served as the inspiration behind the film 'Gully Boy', starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Naezy is being considered a great contestant for the show considering his fan base and his personality. Now, it would be interesting to see how he acts inside the house. Advertisement (For more news apart from Who is Naezy, Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Who is Poulomi Das, a Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant? Anil Kapoor is to hosting Bigg Boss OTT 3. Who is Poulomi Das, a Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant? Ever since the name of Poulomi Das has surfaced on social media that she is going to be a part of Bigg Boss OTT 3, people have been excited to know who is she. Meanwhile, those who know about him are very excited to see him on the show. This year, the Bigg Boss OTT season 3 will be hosted by Anil Kapoor who is equally excited to host the new season and promised the fans that it will be a new season with a lot of new things. Advertisement Who is Poulomi Das, a Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant? Poulomi Das has around 166k followers on Instagram. Originating from Kolkata, the stunning model kickstarted her career with India's Next Top Model in 2016. Since then, she has made notable appearances in television series like 'Suhani Si Ek Ladki', 'Dil Hi To Hai', and 'Karthik Poornima', as well as in web series such as 'Paurushpur', 'Bakaaboo', and 'Hai Tauba'. Renowned for her captivating appearance, she brings a touch of allure and elegance to every project she undertakes. Poulomi Das is being considered a great contestant for the show considering her fanbase and her personality. Advertisement Now, it would be interesting to see how she acts inside the house. (For more news apart from Who is Poulomi Das, Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Who is Sana Sultana, a Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestant? Anil Kapoor is hosting the third season of Bigg Boss OTT. Who is Sana Sultana, a Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant? Ever since the name of Sana Sultana surfaced on social media that she is going to be a part of Bigg Boss OTT 3, people have been excited to know who is she? Meanwhile, those who know about him are very excited to see him on the show. This year, the Bigg Boss OTT season 3 will be hosted by Anil Kapoor who is equally excited to host the new season and promised the fans that it will be a new season with a lot of new things. Advertisement Who is Sana Sultana, a Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant? Sana, born in Mumbai to a Muslim family, initially made her mark as a model and TikTok influencer before gaining fame through her roles in numerous popular Punjabi music videos. Her distinctive Urdu-speaking flair has been a standout feature, distinguishing her in the industry. Sana Sultana is being considered a great contestant for the show considering her fanbase and her personality. Now, it would be interesting to see how she acts inside the house. Advertisement (For more news apart from Who is Sana Sultana, Bigg Boss OTT 3, 2024, contestant, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Hyundai Alcazar is one of the best 7-seater SUVs on sale in India, offered in petrol and diesel engines with manual as well as automatic gearbox options When evaluating a car, a number of variables need to be considered. Beyond the brochure, a lot more insights and valuable information can be gained from actual ownership experiences. These inputs and feedback help to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in a real-world scenario. Alcazar Ownership Experience To help people make informed decisions, Hyundai Alcazar owners have shared their ownership experience. One such owner is Akhtar Khan, who has shared his one-year experience with the SUV. He drives a 1.5-litre diesel automatic Alcazar and has clocked 9,000 km, averaging around 25 km per day. Primarily driving in city conditions in Hyderabad, Akhtar also makes regular trips to his native place, which is about 550 km away. Akhtar reports that the diesel Alcazar returns a mileage of around 10-12 km/L in the city and 15-17 km/L on highways. Its important to note that mileage can vary based on driving skills, use of AC, traffic conditions, and other factors. The Alcazar offers Comfort, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with Eco mode being the most fuel-efficient. Alcazar Real-World Performance Regarding performance, Akhtar notes that his automatic variant has a linear power delivery, ensuring a comfortable driving experience with smooth and predictable acceleration. The 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 116 PS and 250 Nm, with transmission options including a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. Additionally, the Alcazar offers a 1.5-litre turbo petrol option generating 160 PS and 253 Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT. Akhtar says the SUV is best suited for a relaxed driving experience, delivering comfort during long journeys for passengers in all three rows. Other Alcazar Owners Experiences Stanley Joseph, another Hyundai Alcazar Diesel Automatic Signature 7-seater owner, expressed full satisfaction with the vehicles ride quality, seating comfort, and pickup. He reported achieving 20-22 km/l at speeds below 100 km/h using cruise control and eco mode, and 17-19 km/l at 100-120 km/h on the highway. In city conditions, he gets 10-15 km/l. Overall, Joseph found the Hyundai Alcazar to be a worthwhile investment, expressing happiness with its performance and efficiency. Lekhmani Yadav shared his positive experience after driving 11,000 km in nine months. He highlighted an awesome ride over a recent 1,500-kilometer journey, praising the SUVs excellent comfort, safety, and overall driving experience. Sayan Guha Roy has taken his West Bengal-registered Hyundai Alcazar on impressive journeys, driving to Rajasthans Thar Desert and the White Desert in the Rann of Kutch. Hyundai Alcazar Service Experience During his year-long ownership, Akhtar Khan has not faced any major problems with the Alcazar. On one occasion, he experienced a low pickup issue, which was rectified at the service center free of cost. The issue was caused by rats damaging the wire connecting to the spark plugs. Akhtar has opted for SOT and Super SOT service packages for his Alcazar, designed for complete peace of mind in terms of repairs and maintenance. Overall, he is quite satisfied with his Hyundai Alcazar. South Korea is allegedly considering the possibility of transferring air defense systems and 155 mm artillery shells to Ukraine. The amount of possible assistance to Ukraine will depend on Russia's level of cooperation with the DPRK. ADVERTISIMENT National Security Advisor Jang Ho-jin said that South Korea would consider supplying weapons to Ukraine after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a pact that provides for mutual defense in case of aggression against one of the countries. Yonhap writes about this. As the publication recalled, Putin threatened that South Korea would make a "big mistake" if it decided to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine. "There are various options for supplying weapons, and our stance on the recent developments between Russia and North Korea depends on how Russia approaches the situation in the future," the South Korean official said. Previously, Seoul supplied Ukraine with only non-lethal equipment for its war against Russia in accordance with a policy that prohibits the supply of lethal weapons to countries at war. ADVERTISIMENT Currently, the country is considering providing Kyiv with 155-mm artillery shells, as well as air defense systems that Ukraine needs to protect itself from Russian missile attacks. "Seoul officials maintain strategic ambiguity about the types of weapons, viewing it as a diplomatic move to seize the opportunity to pressure Moscow to refrain from transferring key military technologies to Pyongyang," the publication writes. As reported, the Institute for the Study of War noted that the dictatorial governments of the aggressor country Russia and North Korea formulated the agreement as proof of their mutual support in the joint struggle against Western countries. In this way, they showed that they both share a common goal of challenging the West and the current world order. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Renowned EV maker VinFast will likely enter India via CBU route and later transition to local manufacturing With the Indian EV market expected to register strong growth in the coming years, a number of overseas brands are lining up their respective offerings. Earlier this year in February, VinFast commenced construction plans to set up its integrated EV manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu with a ground breaking ceremony. Initially, two models will be launched VF e34 and VF 5. VinFast VF e34 spied in India When Vinfast VF e34 was first spotted in India, it had no camouflage. But this time around, Vinfast has thoroughly hidden the identity of their test mule. However, the distinct design language of Vinfast is immediately evident. Recent spy shots were taken by automotive enthusiast Avinash Anushe in Punes Ravet area, Maharashtra state. Exterior profile of VinFast VF e34 is largely the same as that of the Vietnam-spec model. VinFast VF e34 has sleek LED headlamps, top-mounted DRLs, boomerang-style fog lamp housings and a prominent bumper. Body panelling is smooth and curvy, something that should help achieve a low drag coefficient. Side profile is distinguishable with thick body cladding, 5-spoke design alloy wheels, door claddings, body-coloured door handles, chrome window garnish and body colour pillars. ORVMs have cameras, indicating the presence of 360 surround view and blind spot monitering. At the rear, the SUV has edgy taillamps in a wraparound and connected format. Overall, VinFast VF e34 has a simple, yet elegant design. It measures 4,300 mm in length, 1,768 mm in width and 1,615 mm in height. Wheelbase is 2,611 mm. VinFast VF e34 will compete with the likes of the upcoming Creta EV, Curvv EV and Maruti eVX. VinFast VF e34 Interiors While interiors have not been revealed in the spy shots, it is expected to be largely the same as that of the Vietnamese model. The SUV has a 10-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch full colour instrument cluster. VinFast VF e34 has ventilated fabric seats, air filter, USB ports, Wi-Fi connection, keyless entry, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A comprehensive range of safety features are available. There is tyre pressure monitoring system, 6 airbags, occupant status detection and rear parking camera. ADAS kit includes rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, rear parking assist, time fencing, remote vehicle location, intrusion alert and self-diagnosis. VinFast VF e34 Performance, range In Vietnam-spec model, power is sourced from a 41.9 kWh LFP battery pack. It connects to a front-mounted single electric motor that generates 150 hp and 242 Nm. Drive modes of Eco, Comfort and Sport are available. VinFast VF e34 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds and has a top speed of 130 km/h. Certified range is 318.6 km as per NEDC standards. With a fast charger, VinFast VF e34 can achieve 10% to 70% charge in around 27 minutes. VinFast will shift to local manufacturing when its India plant is ready. However, it is possible that the battery packs will still be imported from Indonesia. From its plant in Tamil Nadu, VinFast will cater to export markets as well. The VF 5 sub-4-meter compact electric SUV will also be manufactured at the same facility. VinFast VF 5 will take on rivals such as Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV400. A criminal group that sold women into sexual slavery was arrested in Spain. The victims of the group were mostly refugees from Ukraine and citizens of Belarus. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Europol. It is noted that the attackers lured their victims with promises to organize refugee visas, financial support and work for them. According to media reports, the gang was arrested on May 24. It consisted of five people: one Spanish citizen, two Russians and two Ukrainians. Law enforcement identified 14 victims of the group. During the searches, the detainees were found to have two luxury cars, cash, electronic equipment, labor contracts for work in the service sector and other documents related to the club where the victims were exploited. According to the article, the criminals had been operating since 2020. They found their victims on the Internet, mostly through social media, posing as managers of a recruitment agency. The victims were offered a "job" as hostesses at the entrance to the establishment. The alleged traffickers then exploited the women in a brothel in El Ejido, Spain. ADVERTISIMENT It is noted that the criminal group received huge illegal profits from the exploitation of a large number of women. The victims lived in three houses provided by the same person who ran the nightclub. By isolating the women from the rest of society, the traffickers tried to minimize the risks of police discovery or escape, allowing them to keep, control and fully exploit the victims. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Regardless of how the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine ends, Moscow will be a threat to Western countries for many years to come. Moreover, the United States and Europe will face an even angrier and stronger Russia than it is now. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the Commander of NATO's forces in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, National Defense reports. He noted that Russia's defeat in Ukraine is very important, but Moscow has armed forces that are "rebuilding much faster than we could have imagined." According to Cavoli, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is convinced that NATO is Russia's enemy. Therefore, the Kremlin will blame the North Atlantic Alliance and Ukraine's allies for its own defeats. "So, we are going to have a big Russia problem for years, and I think we have to prepare for that," Cavoli said. The general also mentioned Putin's recent visit to the DPRK and the strengthening of alliances with China and Iran, which supplies the occupiers with attack drones and possibly other weapons. ADVERTISIMENT According to Cavoli, the unification of the four nations "is profoundly disturbing, and its going to create a much more complex set of issues for us as a nation, the United States, the alliance and for freedom-loving people, everyone." The American general noted that if a war breaks out, it is likely to last a long time, and NATO must be prepared for it. It is necessary to reach a higher level of arms production and have sufficient stocks. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The United States has decided to close both branches of the Russian visa center in Washington and New York. The diplomats of the aggressor state have already been informed of this. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, Russian diplomats will have their "tax exemption cards" revoked. This was reported by the Russian service of Radio Liberty, citing Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov. He was outraged that after the closure of the visa center, "Russian diplomats and consuls" would have an additional burden on their shoulders. Antonov called the decision on taxes a "petty, nasty attack" by the United States. The Russian also said that the US administration allegedly did not explain the reasons for its decisions. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, NATO's Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, said earlier that regardless of how the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine ends, Moscow will be a threat to the West for many years. Moreover, the United States and Europe will face an even bigger and stronger Russia than it is now. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In contrast to other great artistic movements, like the innovative, even revolutionary currents of nouvelle vague and British free cinema, neorealism was unplanned. Vittorio De Sica, Roberto Rossellini, Federico Fellini, Cesare Zavattini and Luchino Visconti never met in a publications editorial office or in a Tastevere trattoria to map out their artistic, social and political assault. But such was the case in England when Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, Karel Reisz and their ilk, angry young people who would up filming the kitchen sink of their countrys kitchens, went so far as to write a manifesto of their cinematic intent. So too did Claude Chabrol, Alain Resnais, Jean-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut and Jacques Rivette, whose ideology took shape under the auspices of the Cahiers du Cinema magazine. Neorealism was not constructed; it emerged. Neorealism was not planned, it simply sprouted, thanks to (or because of) a series of political, social and industrial circumstances, all of them tragic, that took place in the final days of World War II, during the decline of Mussolinis fascism and amid the economic and moral poverty of a collapsed country. It was then, between 1943 and 1948, that a handful of directors created a series of wonderful films that seemed to speak of the same subject in a similar manner: of the sacrifices of the people, using children as observers of the difficulties of their elders lives, the portrayal of sexual desire previously forbidden by fascist censorship, the ethical cataclysm in the minds of citizens who, stuck between hunger and desolation, were profoundly discombobulated after either resisting or collaborating with Nazi power. When Rome, Open City was released in 1945, Life magazine said that the film helped Italy to begin to recover the nobility it had lost during Mussolinis rule. It was precisely this work by Rossellini that led to the term neorealist, coined by a critic named Umberto Barbaro to describe films like it and De Sicas Shoeshine and The Bicycle Thief, Rossellinis Paisan and Germany, Year Zero and Viscontis The Earth Trembles. Historic works that, still, seem to have no unifying style, given that some were closer to documentary works and others dedicated to the search for truth via fiction. Emanuela Fanelli and Paola Cortellesi, in 'Theres Still Tomorrow.' luisa carcavale Due to all of this, to speak of neorealism, perhaps, hints at fallacy. Or perhaps not. What is left of the movement that provided a radiography of its country, later transformed world cinema with its technique and substance, but failed to change Italy itself, which since those days has largely remained immersed in nearly perpetual political crisis? The question seems timely because people are once again talking about neorealism after the international premiere of Italian blockbuster Theres Still Tomorrow, directed by actress Paola Cortellesi (and which was seen by more than five million people in its home country; not to mention by over 150,000 and counting in Spain after two months in theaters). This renewed interest is also linked to the fact that the severe, devastating, yet beautiful Rome, Open City and Germany, Year Zero are now playing in United Kingdom and Ireland movie theaters. Enzo Staiola, in 'The Bicycle Thief.' Of course, if any film has revived neorealisms legacy, its likely not Theres Still Tomorrow, a popular film in every sense of the word and one that possesses many virtues, but that could almost be considered the movements antithesis, despite its black and white aesthetic and post-war setting, its violence against women conveyed through dance, its surprisingly dramatic finale, its melodramatic touch, and its light humors certain schematism. When someone, be it the public, the state or the church says, Enough of poverty, enough of films that reflect poverty, they commit a moral crime. They refuse to understand, to learn. And by not wanting to learn, consciously or not, they rob from reality, says Cesare Zavattini, one of the primary screenwriters from the neorealism movement, whose auteurs lugged cameras into the open air, their studios destroyed, capturing the ruins of their cities streets and buildings. The filmmakers frequently used amateur performers, and openly critiqued the indifference of authorities, centralizing the transition from the individual to the collective. In Italy, neorealism began to flag and transform after 1948, following the arrival of the Christian Democrats to power and the birth of more commercial cinema thanks to the governments ministry of cinematography, led by the soon-to-be famous Giulio Andreotti. Thus, the beautiful austerity of works like The Bicycle Thief was replaced by a touch of artifice, as in Two Women (1961), to name two titles by the same director, De Sica, in which this evolution is noticeable. Of course, neorealism carried on in films like Viscontis Rocco and His Brothers (1960) and even in the thought-provoking pink neorealism, unjustly lambasted in its day by some critics due to its crime of introducing comedy into the search for truth. This, despite the fact that works by filmmakers like Mario Monicelli and Luigi Comincini (The Great War and Everybody Go Home) could be as rough or rougher, even with the laughs, than some of their predecessors. Meanwhile, neorealisms influence on films around the world was staggering. In India, its pull could be seen in the work of Satyajit Ray and his Apu trilogy. The same could be said in much of new cinema, from Asia to Europe to Brazil. In Italy itself as well, as in the work of the Taviani brothers and Ermanno Olmi. Certainly, in the 1970s new Hollywood, primarily in the Jerry Schatzberg of Scarecrow and The Panic in Needle Park. And even in Spain, despite dictatorial censorship, in works like Furrows (1951) by Jose Antonio Nieves Conde. More than three decades of neorealist influence can be detected across countries and historic periods, through collapse and various attempts and moral rearmament. Where might one locate the neorealism footprint in todays films? Well, not in any current black-and-white movie addressing Italian reality. Nor in the gaze of bourgeois remorse that seems to guide Alfonso Cuarons Roma, which was also described as neorealist. These projects dont speak to the movements essence. Its key lies in films that provoke, in their respective countries, phrases like the one uttered by Andreotti after the premiere of De Sicas overwhelming Umberto D. (1952): Dirty laundry is cleaned at home, not aired outside. Or in the best films of Chinas Jia Zhangke (Pickpocket, Unknown Pleasures, Ash is Purest White); in the work of Abbas Kiarostami and his followers in Iran; in Andrei Zvyagintsev and his chilling vision of contemporary Russa in Leviathan; in the Italian Gianfranco Rosis documentaries Sacro GRA and Fire at the Sea; on poverty in Romes peripheral neighborhoods and the horror experienced by refugees on the island of Lampedusa. Resistance, renewed struggle. Sans apriorism, sans dogma, sans condescension, sans (excessive) formalism. Approached in an open manner, critically, always on the path to authenticity. In the words of De Sica, Neorealism was born in us, in our spirit, in the need to express ourselves in a way that was different from what fascism and a certain type of American cinema forced upon us. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition KYODO NEWS - Jun 22, 2024 - 08:27 | Arts, World, All, Japan Cute animal characters from the Japanese manga "Chiikawa" have recently captivated China, thanks to their "soothing" effect, resulting in exceptional merchandise sales amid a stressful environment for many young people in the country. Chiikawa characters embrace small moments of happiness despite facing everyday challenges, such as living in a modest home or failing to pass an exam. This positive attitude has "struck a chord" with a great number of young Chinese people navigating intense competition, according to local media. People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, has described Chiikawa as "ibuprofen" for young people, or a "painkiller" for those who are emotionally exhausted. Amid an economic slump, the youth unemployment rate remains relatively high in the world's second-largest economy, with the May figure for those aged 16 to 24 standing at 14.2 percent. University entrance exams are also highly competitive in a society that places much emphasis on academic performance. The manga by Japanese illustrator Nagano, also known as "Nanka Chiisakute Kawaii Yatsu" (something small and cute), has been serialized online via Twitter, now X, since 2020 and TV animation adaptation began in 2022. There are three main characters -- Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi. In late March, several hundred fans formed a line before the opening of a pop-up store in Shanghai to buy Chiikawa character goods, with some waiting for nearly five hours before entering the shop. Sales during a three-day period exceeded 8 million yuan ($1.1 million), with each customer purchasing items worth 1,000 yuan on average. A female college student who visited a Chiikawa pop-up store in Beijing said, "I want to sleep with the stuffed animals" of the manga and anime characters. Some avid fans posted comments on Chinese social media platforms, with one saying, "I cannot stop crying when I watch Chiikawa," and another describing the creatures as having "the power to heal our hearts." Related coverage: Japan football manga "Captain Tsubasa" ends after 43-year run World-first "Dragon Ball" theme park to be built in Saudi Arabia When it comes to the national housing market, it all goes back to the rule of supply and demand. When there is a huge demand and low supply, prices are going to rise. And throw in the high mortgage rates as of late, and youll find some areas of the country where homes are being overvalued. Then, there is the opposite effect where an area is ranking higher for affordability. In fact, Buffalo, N.Y. ranked in the top 10 locations where the Real House Price Index (RHPI) shows an area under-valued. Whether affordability drifts over or under in the coming months will depend on whether the supply-tightening response to higher rates is stronger or weaker than the demand-softening response, said Mark Fleming, chief economist for First American Financial Corporation and leader of First Americans Decision Sciences team, in a blog post. In March 2024, mortgage rates increased and affordability fell modestly by 0.1% compared with February, according to the Real House Price Index (RHPI). On an annualized basis, affordability decreased by approximately 5%. Two factors drove the year-over-year decline in affordability a 6.2% annual increase in nominal house prices, according to our First American Data & Analytics House Price Index(opens in a new tab/window), and a 0.3 percentage point increase in the 30-year, fixed mortgage rate compared with one year ago, said Fleming. After tracking 50 housing markets in the country, 22 residential real estate markets were overvalued in March, meaning the median existing-home sale price exceeded house-buying power, said Fleming. But like Buffalo, the majority of markets tracked were still under-valued according to this measure, the report notes. The report tracked by First American Data & Analytics, revealed that the top five markets with the greatest year-over-year home price increase are: Memphis, Tenn. (+17.7 percent), Boston (+16.3 percent), Providence, R.I. (+15.0 percent), Buffalo, N.Y. (+14.6 percent), and Cincinnati (+14.3 percent). Fleming noted that the number of overvalued markets increased since July 2022, when just 15 market were considered overvalued. In markets considered overvalued, the chronic housing supply shortage is preventing prices from adjusting downward enough to reflect the affordability reality. Additionally, house prices are downside sticky. Home sellers would rather withdraw from the market than sell at lower prices, said Fleming. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An accidental hit by a City Department of Transportation (DOT) truck resulted in the gruesome decapitation of one-time Genovese family crime boss, Anthony Conigliaro, 86, known as Tony Cakes, Tony the Dessert Man, which was first reported by the NY Post. Conigliaro was decapitated on June 12 when a truck slammed into him at a Brooklyn crosswalk, the report said. At the time of the accident, it wasnt immediately known the victim was Conigliaro, and the unidentified driver of the DOT trunk was reported to be inconsolable, according to the NY Post. There were no arrests made in the incident, according to Yahoo News. Conigliaro earned his mafia nickname from his involvement in the wholesale dessert industry, according to Times Now World News. He sold desserts across the New York City area, and ran an Italian ice and gelato stand in Little Italy, according to the Post report. In 2005, Conigliaro was one of two alleged Genovese crime family members to be arrested on racketeering, loan-sharking and extortion conspiracy charges, according to the New York Times. At the time, Conigliaro told the judge he operated a cheesecake distribution company, earning about $500 a week, the report said. Conigliaro, who was the father of two, eventually pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge, the Post reported. He received a 13-month sentence, according to court records. According to the Post report, Conigliaro was living a quiet life by himself in a small Bay Ridge, Brooklyn apartment at the time of his death. A neighbor of Conigliaros told the Post he was always looking out for others. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A tie, a Minute Maid wrapper, an Altoids container. These are more than just mere items, they are memories for those still mourning, those who bear the burden of a broken heart from a life taken. Tears were shed and stories shared, as families of victims of gun violence gathered to commemorate the legacy of lost loved ones with a new exhibit at the Staten Island Museum Friday afternoon. The touching tribute, titled We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial is the result of a partnership between the Richmond County District Attorneys Office, the Staten Island Museum, and the families of loved ones lost to senseless violence. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon speaks at the unveiling of the We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete The unveiling of the tribute is part of District Attorney Michael E. McMahons efforts to acknowledge Gun Violence Awareness Month and those whose lives are impacted by such violence. Recently, McMahon joined students and educators for a ribbon-tying event to commemorate those taken too soon. Its our mission to make clear to the people of Staten Island, to the people of the City of New York and to the people of the United States of America, that gun violence has victims, has repercussions, and affects lives forever, McMahon said. And this is why in our office at the Richmond County District Attorneys Office, we take this so seriously. We know, of all the crimes that we deal with, the victims of gun violence is ... the most tragic, McMahon added. And thats why this event is so important to us. Prior to the official unveiling of the exhibit, McMahon welcomed guests and invited a series of speakers to say a few words. Shadow boxes made in memory of victims of gun violence, as seen at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete Joining the families in attendance was the new commander of the 120th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Eric Waldhelm, law enforcement officials, and members of groups, such as True2Life and Mothers Against Senseless Killings (MASK). We hope this exhibition can be a place for remembrance, reflection and healing, Rylee Eterginoso, director or curatorial affairs and programs at the Staten Island Museum, said. Thank you for trusting the museum as a safe space to make and share your artwork and lives. Thank you for finding the strength and courage to talk about love, loss and injustice in a very public and personal way. Flanked by bright orange balloons, the hue standing as a symbol of gun violence awareness, victims family members shared their thoughts. Jody Lordo (left), mother of Michael Evans, speaks at the unveiling of the We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 22, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete It brings me solace to know that I am among a group of my peers who generally understand the heartache that I endure each day without my son, Jody Lordo, mother of Michael Evans, said. There is no outline for us to know how we are supposed to carry on throughout the darkest of times. However, I hope this project that weve dedicated our time and energy into brings a tiny bit of comfort as we all work to keep the memories of our loved ones alive. Slain Police Officer Gerard Carters widow, Jozette Carter, was also in attendance with her son Louis, who was only six at the time Carter was killed by then 17-year-old Shatiek Johnson on July 31, 1998. Mental health is a big thing that we have to all come together for, Carter said. We have to support our younger generation, we have to support them, to help them and lead them in the right path to make sure that they lead valuable lives in our society. Listen, I was raised in the projects, I grew up in the projects. I did everything that everybody could ever imagine, yes, I did. But I did not become a product of my environment. And thats whats so big. If we all come together and we make it better and help our youth, gun violence, we wouldnt even be having these situations, these days, these months. Scenes from the unveiling of the We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete While eyes were already misty by this point, it was the reading of a poem written by Tziporah Pearson, 15, in memory of her 13-year-old friend Jamoure Harrell, that left the room fighting back tears. It was just over a year ago that young Harrell was shot and killed in a Stapleton playground. One mother, forever haunted, faces a vacant chair, a section of Pearsons poem reads. A child, a future stolen, a love beyond compare. Another whispers goodbye, a life cut far too short. Two families forever scarred, forever caught. THE UNVEILING Gathering before the room containing the tributes, loved ones cut the orange ribbon, signifying the official opening of the exhibit. Scenes from the unveiling of the We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete It was a poignant scene, loved ones looked on at the family made boxes with tears streaming down their face. Ten shadow boxes lined the walls of a predominantly barren room. Each case varied in contents, the sunlight streaming in through the windows and shedding light on the commemorative displays. Lordo stood by a case dedicated to her son who was gunned down in 2022, a necklace dangled from her neck with a depiction of his face. He was remembered for being a big brother and a father to three. Scenes from the unveiling of the We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete Lordo shared the symbolic items commemorating her sons life. Among the items were photos, an image of her sons tattoo, and music notes symbolizing his affinity for music. Officer Carter had a box of his own as well. In it, a number of personal items echoed his eternal memory. A San Francisco 49ers shirt could be prominently seen in the case; the top the very one he wore the day he was killed. When you think about it, when that shot rings out and the heart is broken and a life ends, that is not the end of the story., McMahon said. The life that is taken lives on in our hearts and our memories, and the sorrow burns in our hearts and our minds for a lifetime. Yet somehow, we have to find a way to continue to tell the story of the person who we lost, and thats what this initiative does. This initiative, these boxes, are telling the story of the lives that were taken way too early, so needlessly, so that we can continue to tell their story, and your story. We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial will be on display at the Staten Island Museum through July 28. A look at the shadow box made for Police Officer Gerard Carter as seen at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete Janice Monger, President and CEO of the Staten Island Museum, speaks at the unveiling of the We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial at the Staten Island Museum in Snug Harbor on Friday, June 22, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete The warning was for Delaware and Otsego counties. "The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire," according to the National Weather Service. Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away. To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration: 1. Lightning safety plan: When venturing outdoors, it's vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning. Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it's a clear indication of nearby lightning. Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors. 2. Indoors safety measures: Once you're indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors. Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges. 3. Wait for the all-clear: After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities. Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution. When indoor shelter isn't available: If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety: Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk. Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees. If you're in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people. Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning. Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks. In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety. Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain: Beware of rapid water flow: In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger. Maintain safe driving distances: Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain. Slow down and stay cautious: If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid. Choose your lane wisely: Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water. Prioritize visibility Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them. Watch out for slippery roads: The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period. Keep a safe distance from large vehicles: Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely. Mind your windshield wipers: Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots. When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position. By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. 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 KYODO NEWS - Jun 22, 2024 - 11:31 | All, Japan, World Japan's Emperor Naruhito on Saturday departed for Britain with Empress Masako, embarking on the first state visit to the country by a sitting emperor since his father Akihito's in 1998. The couple, bound for London, left Tokyo's Haneda airport in a government plane in the morning. The official goodwill visit is their second overseas trip following a June 2023 visit to Indonesia after the emperor ascended the throne in May 2019. During the weeklong tour, they will attend a luncheon with the royal family and a state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Among other scheduled official events are a visit to the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, also on Tuesday, and a formal dinner at the Guildhall in the City of London on Wednesday. They are also expected to visit Windsor Castle to lay flowers on the graves of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on Thursday. "I want to reflect on the history of exchanges between our country and Britain," the emperor said in a press conference on June 19 ahead of the couple's departure, adding he hopes the visit will "become an opportunity to further deepen friendly ties." The first emperor to be born after World War II, he lamented the fact that Japan and Britain were once adversaries, saying, "We must not forget those who suffered and died, and it is important we deepen our understanding of past history." Outside of the official events, the couple are to travel to the University of Oxford, where they both studied. The emperor recalled the "warm hospitality" he received from the late queen and British royal household while he was studying, saying he was treated "like a part of the family." The empress, who has long battled a stress-induced illness, will not join every event with the emperor due to her health, according to the Imperial Household Agency. Initial plans for an official visit to Britain in 2020 were canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak although they flew to the country in September 2022 to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth. The visit came after Britain extended an invitation to the imperial couple earlier this year to visit as state guests. Preparations had been underway between the British and Japanese governments in consideration of the health conditions of the king and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Buckingham Palace said in February that the king had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment, while it revealed in March that Catherine was also undergoing cancer treatment. Related coverage: Japan emperor thanks visiting Luxembourg crown prince for quake aid Japan's former Empress Michiko recovers after mild COVID infection Japan emperor, empress's rustic holiday photos show relaxed side KYODO NEWS - Jun 22, 2024 - 13:47 | All, World, Japan The U.S. Marines will deploy to Guam a littoral regiment capable of a flexible and rapid response in a "few years" as part of efforts to deal with China's growing assertiveness, its commandant said Friday. Gen. Eric Smith, the commandant of the Marine Corps, told a press conference in Washington that the Marine Littoral Regiment is "designed as a counter to PRC aggression," referring to the acronym for the People's Republic of China, to protect Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Smith said the regiment, due to be based on the U.S. island territory of Guam, "will have responsibility to rapidly deploy inside the first island chain into the Philippines in order to spread the battlespace out and to protect those strategic lines of communication that emanate from Japan, back to the Philippines, back to Hawaii." The island chain refers to an area off of China that includes southwestern Japanese islands, such as the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku islets as well as Taiwan and the northwest Philippines. The new regiment will be the third of its kind that is capable of long-range detection and engagement using mobile missile batteries, as well as deploying small groups of marines to remote islands. The first unit was activated in March 2022 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii and the second one was set up in Okinawa in November last year. He also confirmed that the relocation of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam will begin in December of this year. Gen. Yasunori Morishita, chief of staff of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, who attended the press conference following a meeting with Smith, said, "By strengthening cooperation between the GSDF and the Marine Corps, we will contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific." Related coverage: 1st batch of Marines from Okinawa to have 100 members: Guam governor Bloc backing Okinawa's anti-U.S. base governor fails to win majority U.S. Marines' transfer to Guam from Okinawa to start in December 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 Ten days into his journey walking the Brisbane River, author Simon Cleary and his brother arrived at a remote cabin on a hill near Caboonbah, north of Lake Wivenhoe. They intended to spend one night there. They awoke to the pounding of rain on the corrugated iron roof. It was the wettest May on record, Cleary says of that month in 2022. The banks of the river were impossible to traverse. The creeks were also impassable. They ended up stuck in the cabin for four days not knowing whether or not the rain would stop, not knowing whether we would be able to find a route ultimately around Lake Wivenhoe. Soon, both the nearby highways were cut by floodwaters. To make matters worse, his brother was struck down with COVID-like symptoms. This was the moment when Cleary had to ask himself: had he made a huge mistake? Author Simon Cleary on the Upper Brisbane River, 2022. It took him just under a month to walk its length. Credit: Simon Cleary Clearys self-imposed mission to walk the length of the Brisbane River (Maiwar) from its western source at Mount Stanley to the rivers mouth in Moreton Bay is recounted in his book Everything Is Water (UQP). Advertisement A barrister by trade who has published three novels, Cleary was inspired to hike the river by curiosity about the Brown Snake that winds through our city. It was also a sentimental journey. I grew up on the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range in Toowoomba, so I used to play as a kid in tiny creeks that ultimately fed the river, he says. And the other thread is that a great-grandfather of mine was the chief steel engineer on the construction of the Story Bridge. The 344-kilometre walk, which ultimately took 27 days, required a great deal of planning. Landowners had to be contacted for permission. Food drops organised. A succession of walking companions scheduled, ranging from family members to experts a hydrologist, an academic, a journalist. In the end, he made it but not without grim detours trudging along highways, and a couple of stretches by boat and canoe. He slipped over 100 times, fell into the drink. No days walking ever went as planned. On Day 19 he hiked into riverside scrub so thick that by nightfall there was nowhere flat to pitch a tent. It was one of those nights where youre in a sleeping bag and youre sliding down the incline, he laughs. On the way he collected stories, many related to the creeks he was constantly encountering. Theres the story of John Wickham, who travelled with Charles Darwin on the Beagle and ended up living in Newstead House. Or of flecks of gold found on the banks near Indooroopilly, which led to the naming of the El Dorado Cinema. Advertisement Some stories verge on myth: such as that of horseman Billy Mateer, who rode like Paul Revere from Lake Somerset to Brisbane to warn of a 1893 flood. Or the chilling tale of the Kilcoy Massacre of at least 30 First Nations people given poisoned flour in the 1840s. I feel the surging water vibrating through my body. I stand on the bridge and am suddenly vulnerable: Flood damage at Mt Crosby Weir. Credit: Simon Cleary Everything Is Water also records Clearys learnings on river conservation. For example, the Brisbane River cod is now extinct thanks to the upstream migration of introduced tilapia. There are a thousand ways to kill a waterway, he writes. Build industrial plants on its banks pour effluent into it suffocate a river with nutrients, watch the algae bloom. As you walk through what used to be the lands of five Indigenous nations you cant help but reflect on how that land was managed for many millennia, Cleary says. This is a precious resource, and the city of Brisbane wouldnt exist without it. We just cant afford to treat the river as anything other than essential to our very being. We just cant afford to treat the river as anything other than essential to our very being. Simon Cleary Because of the 2022 floods the rivers contours constantly confounded his expectations. But there were pleasant surprises as well, such as arriving at Wivenhoe Dam, a place of astonishment. Advertisement Fitz: Lately, the serious investment in renewables seems to be specifically in offshore wind farms, as opposed to vast solar farms in the regions. TC: The important thing here is the capacity ratio, the amount of energy a system produces over a period of time against what it is capable of producing at full capacity. Solar has a low capacity ratio because the suns only usefully shining for about 25 per cent of the day, right? And the other downside to constructing solar on a large scale is needing to build extra transmission lines to get the energy from those remote solar farms back to the grid, which can be expensive. Onshore wind has a capacity factor at best of around 30 per cent. But with offshore wind, its capacity factor is around 50 to 55 per cent, as it is so much more windy offshore. So thats why, over the years, globally, the wind farms are gravitating to the oceans. And in Australia, it makes even more sense because as a population, we mostly cling to the coast, and so you can put them offshore near where the energy is needed, with much shorter and less expensive transmission lines. Fitz: But still, even 55 per cent sounds like a relatively low capacity factor which is why people say it is better to stay with coal and then go nuclear because their capacity factor, surely, is 100 per cent their great virtue being that those energy systems provide energy whenever you need it? TC: No! Thats the biggest myth of the lot. The capacity factor of coal in the Australian electricity market at the moment is 60 per cent, and its falling about 2 per cent a year as the plants become less reliable as your generation units and your boilers are not all able to be in service at the same time. Eraring coal power station, for example, has five individual generators of varying sizes, and they cant all be operated flat out simultaneously. These arent my numbers. These are all available on the website of the Australian Energy Market Operator which is the official energy market regulator. So were only a few years away from the ageing coal stations and new offshore wind farms having exactly the same capacity factor. The bulk of Australian coal-fired power plants will exit the grid within 10 years, so their energy has to be replaced not in 20 or 30 years time, but within the next decade. Fitz: Which is one reason the nuclear option is problematic, I get that. But at least its capacity factor is 100 per cent. TC: Again, no. It is the highest of any energy source, but it is about 90 per cent because it, too, has maintenance downtime, where it is pulled back from full throttle. But the factors against building nuclear power stations in Australia right now are incontrovertible. The International Atomic Energy Agency publishes a guidelines handbook basically a step-by-step guide on how to go nuclear in your country. It is the internationally recognised manual on what you have to do to go from zero to a functioning nuclear energy power plant. That manual says that the minimum time of establishment, starting from it being legal which I might add, it is not in Australia at the moment is 15 to 20 years. So the first big problem with nuclear in Australia is, what do we do to have reliable power in the 10-year gap between when most of the coal exits and only the first nuclear power plant could possibly be commissioned? Peter Dutton announces the Coalitions nuclear plan last Wednesday with Liberal MPs Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley. Credit: Rhett Wyman Fitz: You have a certain fatigue in your voice as if youre a little tired of explaining plain facts for the umpteenth time. TC: Anyone telling you for political reasons that we can do this as a nation in less than 20 years or that that delay wont cause terrible problems is divorced from reality in what theyre saying, Peter. I say this from the point of view of being an engineer whos delivered billions, literally billions of dollars worth of energy projects throughout my life. Even 20 years is very optimistic. And then, with nuclear, you still havent solved the problem of cost. The most recent CSIRO annual review shows that the cost per gigawatt out of nuclear is five times more expensive per gigawatt than out of wind. Fitz: Do you foresee the electricity bills in NSW and Australia going lower, as renewables keep coming online? TC: Yes. And the more renewable energy there is, the lower those bills will be. Fitz: OK, but while you may not want to be political about it, we are talking at a highly political time, with the massive wind farm just being announced off Wollongong at much the same time as the Coalition has announced their nuclear plans, with seven sites around the country and ... TC: [With some agitation.] If the Coalition is all in on nuclear and thinks its the best thing since sliced bread, then why did they say nothing and do nothing about it for the last decade that they were in power? Ive asked opposition energy spokesperson Ted OBrien that question many times, and Im yet to receive an answer. The factors against building nuclear power stations in Australia are incontrovertible. Professor Ty Christopher Fitz: You are very strong on it. TC: When people ask me, am I anti-nuclear, I look them in the eye and I say no, Im anti-bullshit. And what were hearing at the moment from the Coalition in terms of the timing and the costs of nuclear and where it fits into the energy grid it is largely bullshit. We need to pull back from all of this. Renewables are the cheapest. They are reliable enough for what we need, they are the best way to bring down customer bills, and they are the best way for us to decarbonise our economy, which is what we have committed to do. Fitz: Critics say, if these wind farms are so great, why not put them off Bondi Beach? Sydneys where our heaviest population is, so does that make a certain amount of sense? And last time I was at Bondi, the wind blew my toupee off! TC: Bondi Beach doesnt have a steelworks. BlueScope steelworks at Wollongong consumes a massive amount of energy every day, about 2400 gigawatt-hours the equivalent of solar export from 240,000 homes. Look, its no accident why Newcastle and Wollongong, the two most important industrial centres of NSW, have had coal power stations nearby. It is for exactly the same reasons two zones off both towns have been designated for offshore wind. They both have large industries that need the power. The problem when people politicise the debate is that the first casualty is truth, and the second one is common sense. Offshore wind turbines in Vietnam. Larger turbines can be twice as tall as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Credit: Bloomberg Fitz: All right, I now get it better than I did. In terms of this current offshore wind project, how does it work? Does the federal government say, All right, were giving a licence for this zone, so what are we bid from those commercial energy providers who want to construct it? TC: Theres a step before that. The government says to the commercial builders, Give us your best-suggested solution because we have to build an offshore energy plant here. And they select from that a smaller list of energy entities with feasible proposals, to whom they will actually give a licence to develop it and go from there with community consultation, which is very important. It was after that community consultation the government moved them further offshore. Fitz: As a local, are you concerned about the visual pollution of those wind farms off the Gong? On such a pristine bit of coast, it is not unreasonable for people to not want to gaze out to sea and see manifestations of industry. TC: Many of us who live in the Illawarra take great pride in and feel personally connected to our ocean. The visual argument is highly subjective. Some people think they look good, others think they are an eyesore. The proposed offshore wind turbines will be 20 kilometres or more out to sea, and they will not be that visible on most days. Regardless, I think most of us can agree that any wind turbine looks better than an open-cut coal mine. Fitz: OK, when all is said and done, and its good to go, tell us about the building of these wind farms. I was amazed to see references to them not being anchored in the sea bed but floating. TC: One of the characteristics of the east coast of Australia is the continental shelf is actually quite close-in to the shore. By the time you are 20 kilometres offshore, its about 300 metres deep, on average. To go down that deep makes it a very long, wobbly concrete stick, and its not viable. So, what they do is use the same engineering used for offshore oil and gas rigs they float and move within a limited range and move up and down with the swells. Fitz: How far above and below the surface do they go? TC: The largest turbines available, the 15-megawatt ones, are actually 260 metres tall from the surface of the water. Fitz: About twice the height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge! TC: Yep. But theyre like an inverse iceberg. Despite that big top, they only go about 25 metres below the surface, apart from the tethering lines anchored on the seabed. And lately, the way of getting those anchors in the seabed tends to use a screw-type technology, which is favoured as having less noise impact, especially on whales and other marine species, than comes from pile-driven technology. Loading Fitz: On the subject of whales, marine species, and birds, the upside seems to be a lot of pundits who previously demonstrated no concern at all for environmental matters are suddenly rabid greenies, devastated at the destruction that the wind farms will visit on the environment. TC: I have looked at academic papers all across the world, as have my colleagues at the University of Wollongong. I remain unable to find any scientific studies that show that offshore wind energy technology has a negative impact on whales once its been constructed. Thats not to say that we dont need to do more detailed environmental studies for the specific locations of these offshore wind farms in Australia. But without wanting to be too flippant, I do note that before any whale has reached the coast of the Illawarra or the Hunter, that whale has had to navigate icebergs, ships, offshore oil and gas rigs and undersea reefs. The ocean is very big, and whales are very good at navigating. Fitz: Thank you. This has been fascinating. So your bottom line is that this is going to happen, and Australia has no choice but to make this happen if we want to keep our industry open? King Charles III and Queen Camilla will reportedly scale back their expected Australian tour in October following the monarchs battle with cancer. The King and Queens tour was first announced in March and was expected to last two weeks across Australia, New Zealand and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in the Pacific Island nation. But according to reports in the UK media, the royal couple will tour Australia and Samoa, but will no longer visit New Zealand. King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot earlier this month. Credit: Getty The Mirror reported the Australian leg of the trip will last about six days and that Buckingham Palace was liaising with the federal government. Knight Franks joint head of South Sydney, Anthony Pirrottina, said retailers outside of shopping centres were struggling in precincts such as Norton Street. I think its something long term, he said. People want to go online or in a shopping centre. Pirrottina said 9 per cent of shopfronts on Norton Street are vacant, but the figure rises to 13 per cent if the much-maligned Italian Forum is included. Otis bar co-owner Dan Teh and Crosstalk Records founder Joshua Gibbs. Credit: Wolter Peeters Glebe Point Road has even more empty shops (16 per cent), followed by Cleveland Street (13 per cent), Illawarra and Marrickville Roads (12 per cent) and Majors Bay Road in Concord (6 per cent). Newtowns much more lively King Street and the nearby Enmore Road are on 5 per cent. Manlys retail vacancy rate was 8.4 per cent in May an improvement from 2023, when it hovered around 10 per cent. Northern Beaches councillor Sarah Grattan said consumer spending had risen in the past 12 months, buoyed by the success of Normas Deli and Butter Boy cookie store, which both have large social media followings, but many Manly businesses were struggling. The Corso in Manly. Credit: Nikki Short Manly Liberal MP James Griffin said parts of the Corso looked very tired and its retail offering had not kept up with changing shopping habits. Griffin wants tax breaks or other incentives to encourage pop-up shops in empty stores. He said the beach suburb had to move beyond its reliance on tourists in summer. He suggested measures such as changing the mix of retail offerings, pushing hard on becoming a health and wellness mecca with great dining options and bringing the Vivid light festival to Manly in 2025. Street upgrades, events and taxing landlords who leave stores empty are solutions to crippled high streets often touted by local councils and politicians, but Gibbs and Teh also want more residents who will potentially buy records and drink beer. More people in the area would help a lot, Teh said. As long as they dont disrupt local businesses with unreasonable noise complaints. That is music to the ears of Planning Minister Paul Scully, whose signature housing reforms face an uncertain future after Liberal planning spokesman Scott Farlow introduced a bill to scuttle plans for more apartment buildings near transport hubs. Our planning reforms are aimed at delivering more vibrant and lively communities. A mix of housing types will attract a wider variety of residents, which will support a mix of small and medium businesses, Scully said. An extra vibe Inner West Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne, whose local government area includes Norton Street, also backs greater housing density around shopping strips. Main streets have declined in suburbs such as Balmain and Haberfield without apartment developments, he said. Loading Theres an extra vitality and a vibe thats created when you have younger people and renters living on top of the main street and then spending money there, he said. But Balmain Greens MP Kobi Shetty said increasing density would not result in people spending more money in their local area if the homes were not affordable. Shetty, who is also an Inner West councillor, wants higher rates on vacant commercial properties to be considered a policy backed by Byrne. Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said Norton Streets decline was linked to Parramatta Road, which the business lobby group wants to be redeveloped with high-density housing and light rail. Committee for Sydney head of policy Jeremy Gill said while cost-of-living pressures have impacted retail demand, high streets have been declining for at least a decade, and COVID-19 really just accelerated these trends. Loading Gill said streetscape improvements may give shoppers more space to walk or sit, but the centre still needs to offer something to people to visit in the first place. It doesnt matter how nice your streetscape upgrades and planter boxes are if there is no reason for people to visit and no activity to sustain local businesses, he said. Gill pointed to Paddingtons Oxford Street, which was kept buoyant as a retail shopping destination, or Enmore Road, which had evolved into a vibrant nighttime precinct, as the way to ensure high streets thrived. He said policy changes to allow a greater diversity of shops and services may help reinvigorate local high streets. Increasing residential densities around centres brings more people into the neighbourhood who need local shops and services, he said. Often people think development will kill their local centre, but in struggling high streets, often it is what can revive it. Nicolaou also believes greater density will rescue beleaguered high streets. A rise in the number of guns in NSW has sparked concern over how they are controlled, with firearms licences this year handed to people with histories of mental illness and violent behaviour, despite police objections. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned a decision not to grant someone a firearm once every two weeks in May and June this year, prompting concern from public health experts. Police tried to block those people from accessing a gun because they alleged they had histories of mental illness, schizophrenia, or violent or threatening behaviour. The number of registered firearms in NSW jumped from just over 1 million in 2020 to 1,112,734 at the end of last year, and some suburbs of Sydney are now home to thousands of firearms. An extra 10,000 people have also been granted a gun licence in that time, with 251,563 now legally able to own and shoot a gun. Police objected to one man obtaining a gun licence who was previously addicted to heroin and had been medicated in 2007 for schizophrenia and depression. He had also been charged with the illegal possession of a pump-action shotgun. Police said his criminal history, mental health history, previous drug use and traffic offences meant he was not a fit and proper person to own a gun. Offshore wind just makes sense While one side of politics is touting an expensive, potentially dangerous solution to our future energy needs (nuclear) which probably wouldnt be operational in my lifetime, congratulations to our federal government for taking a sensible approach which will help take us another step closer to zero carbon emissions (Wind era powers up despite blowback, June 16). For those opposing the offshore wind zone, it is very clear your concerns have been heard. The wind farm has been scaled down and will now be located 20km from our beaches. Thats way beyond where those dirty, polluting coal ships have blotted our horizon every single day for many decades with no one batting an eyelid. Whales moving up and down the coast are smarter than some give them credit for. Not one whale has ever hit a coal or car carrier. Im confident theyll beautifully slalom between the wind turbines on their future travels. Our planet is frying. We are increasingly at the mercy of killer storms, heatwaves, droughts and floods. The time for climate action is now. Why do some people think its ok to leave all our big problems to future generations to solve? Im proud when people we elect to make tough decisions do so, knowing theyre on the right side of history and theyre not shirking their responsibility. How good is it that we in the Illawarra can hold our heads high as playing a leading role in trying to save the planet? We will be at the centre of Australias renewable energy effort, powering well over one million homes. Fewer than one in 10 residents at some aged care homes have received a COVID-19 booster since last winter, as the department cracks down on providers failing to protect residents against deadly viruses. There are 161 more active outbreaks of COVID-19 in aged care now than at the same time last winter. New federal data names and shames 97 aged care facilities where fewer than 10 per cent of residents have had a COVID-19 booster within the past 12 months. At 170 facilities, the vaccination rate was less than 20 per cent. The 12-month figures are an overestimate of vaccination coverage among residents: Vaccine advisory group ATAGI recommends aged care residents receive a COVID-19 booster shot every six months, regardless of whether they have had the disease within that time period. US comedian Jerry Seinfeld didnt back down when hecklers interrupted his Melbourne show on Saturday night, sending the crowd at Rod Laver Arena into laughter. Ten minutes before the evening show was due to finish, at least two protesters chanted free Palestine, prompting Seinfeld to draw on his trademark black comedy. You need to go back and tell whoever is running your organisation (that) we just gave more money to a Jew, the 70-year-old US comedian told the protesters. The response drew raucous laughter from the crowd as he continued with a two-minute spiel in response to the interruption. GAZA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Friday as a result of gunfire and shells from Israeli tanks in the Al-Mawasi area, west of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Palestinian sources told Xinhua. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that its crews were dealing with a large number of deaths and injuries after the Israeli army targeted the tents for the displaced in Rafah, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. Also on Friday, the health authorities in Gaza said nearly 30 bodies have been sent to the Arab National Hospital in Gaza City, north of the enclave. Victorias nurses and midwives will consider a 28.4 per cent pay rise over four years after an in-principle agreement was hammered out between their union and the Allan government. The new offer which follows 48 days of protected industrial action does not include the cash payments that were part of an earlier rejected offer. The payments have instead been absorbed into the overall wage increase. Nurses and midwives at a statewide union meeting in May. Credit: Joe Armao The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, which has about 100,000 Victorian members, said the new deal included allowances for a change of ward, improved allowances for being on-call, better night shift penalties for permanent staff and a 92 per cent increase to the qualifications allowance by the end of the deal. A right to disconnect clause so nurses and midwives are not continually contacted to work shifts they are not seeking will also be included, as will better access to flexible work arrangements. 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 Its the silent drought. Grazing land in Victorias west should be covered in green carpet of grass at this time of year instead, there is dust rising in the paddocks. Much of the state has been experiencing unusually dry weather, with some regions receiving the lowest rainfall on record. As the icy winter settles in, western and south-west Victoria are among the hardest hit. Casterton sheep and cattle farmer Darren Holmberg said the dry conditions were the worst he had experienced in more than 35 years of farming. He said the ground on his farm in Victorias south-west was cracked due to lack of rain and the earth was parched well below the surface. You get an inch down, and its dry, he said. Holmberg said the soil would normally be moist at this time of year, with grass in the paddocks developing a healthy root structure. Advertisement Holmberg says he has not experienced conditions this dry in his 35 years of farming. Credit: Nicole Cleary But he said lambs were struggling to survive the conditions because there was not enough feed. He found 92 lambs dead over five weeks of lambing season. And ewes, he said, were prioritising their own survival. Obviously, the hungry belly overrides the mothering instinct. Holmberg said that in previous years he would try to reunite abandoned lambs with their mothers where feasible, but the dry conditions and sheer number of rejected lambs this year made that task near impossible. He said farmers across the region were being forced to buy hay and grain to feed their livestock, which was highly unusual at this time of year. He said he was spending $1600 a month on buying feed for lambs, and that was a cost he normally wouldnt incur. Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Zhi-Weng Chua said Victorias south-west coast had received the lowest rainfall on record in the nine months to May. Advertisement He said western Victoria had also experienced record dry conditions between February and May this year. At Warrnambool Airport, the bureau recorded 83.6 millimetres of rain during that four-month period, compared to the average of 203.2 millimetres. The low dam levels on Holmbergs farm. Credit: Nicole Cleary Hamilton, in the states south-west, had just 52.2 millimetres of rain in the four months to May, compared to the average of 150.8 millimetres for that period. The industrial town of Portland had 89.8 millimetres during that time, while the average is 225 millimetres. State and federal governments are responsible for declaring drought, which they have not done. However, the Bureau of Meteorology has reported that while far south-western Victoria has received the lowest rainfall on record, other areas had recorded a severe rainfall deficiency. Melbournes water storage has fallen slightly, declining by 3.7 percentage points to 87 per cent capacity, compared to 90.7 per cent this time last year. Chua said the long-term outlook showed Victorias west might not receive consistent and heavy rain. The latest models are favouring below median rainfall, he said. Advertisement This patch of ground is usually a creek that runs through Holmbergs property. Credit: Nicole Cleary In February, the Bureau of Meteorology reported that Melbourne received just 6.2 millimetres of rain that month, and 2.8 millimetres in March. But April was particularly wet, with the gauge at Olympic Park recording 123.8 millimetres. However, the outlook for July to September shows Melbourne has only a 39 per cent chance of above-median rain. CSIRO research scientist Tess Parker said regions could experience drought-like conditions by missing out on just five to 10 days per year of heavy rain: a downpour of between 10 and 20 millimetres. She said a few days of rainfall between two and five millimetres would do little to break the extended dry spell in western Victoria. Thats not enough to get you out of extended drought, she said. Parker said the town of Hamilton had received just 0.4 of a millimetre in February, compared to the monthly average of 25 millimetres. In March, Hamilton received just 0.8 of a millimetre when the monthly average is about 30 millimetres. Holmberg says farmers across western Victoria are being forced to buy hay and grain to feed their livestock. Credit: Nicole Cleary Advertisement Of all the words one could use to describe Peter Dutton, pro-China would not be at the top of the list. Yet thats precisely how the opposition leader identified himself as Chinese Premier Li Qiang was preparing to arrive in Australia for a high-profile visit. Asked whether he, like Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, was pro-panda, Dutton went much further than expressing a fondness for furry animals. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks at Mondays official luncheon with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Im pro-China and the relationship that we have with them, he told 2GB radio host Chris OKeefe on June 11. I want that trading relationship to increase ... We need to make sure we strengthen the trading relationship because there are many businesses here who rely on it. It was a stunning and almost entirely unremarked upon shift in how Dutton has previously spoken about China. And it was no accident, but part of a concerted attempt to win back Chinese-Australian voters at the next election. If only we could power the nation off the clattering of keyboards since the Coalition announced its nuclear policy. The seemingly endlessly renewable resource of hysteria in this country could surely be harnessed. The only trouble, I suppose, is that its a high-emission source, leading to tracts of type, miles of misinformation and acres of assumptions being spewed into the atmosphere. Tragically, the verbal frictions and fictions of partisan politics create nothing as useful as harnessable electricity. If they did, Australia could rely on the mere existence of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to power the energy transition. Peter Duttons proposed nuclear power plants would be built at seven sites around the country. Credit: Monique Westermann Since Dutton became leader, columnists have competed to describe how perfectly awful he is. Niki Savva has described him variously in this masthead as manipulative, nasty and somewhat prematurely, it now seems an asset to Albanese. Literary factualist Lech Blaine used a Quarterly Essay to sketch him as a bad cop, declaring that he eats bleeding-heart lefties for breakfast (I guess the babies were wily enough to escape his maw). Peter Dutton, so Blaine writes, is tall and bald, with a resting death stare. And his lips oh Lech, dont linger too long on those lips! are allergic to political correctness. Australians have backed the right of peaceful protesters to speak out about the war in Gaza but have strongly rejected moves to blockade electorate offices over the issue, amid growing signs that violent activists are targeting politicians. An exclusive survey shows that public protests are weakening support for their cause, with 46 per cent of voters saying they are less likely to favour the pro-Palestinian side of the conflict because of the marches and blockades some activists are using to raise awareness. Only 41 per cent of respondents thought marches in the street were legitimate forms of protest. Credit: Photograph: Chris Hopkins The findings come as political leaders slam the use of vandalism and violence to target federal politicians over the war after months of public protests outside electorate offices, in some cases preventing the public from gaining access. The Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for this masthead by Resolve Strategic, finds clear majority support for public petitions as well as a narrow majority of 53 per cent in favour of public rallies when voters are asked about public protests of all kinds. Tomljanovic was set to use a special ranking of No.33 to enter Wimbledon, but her Birmingham performance and strong background at the event helped score her the final wildcard. She is optimistic she can make the most of that opportunity. Im excited. I have some amazing memories there, she said. The fact that I have about a week to get ready gives me some peace of mind. Tennis-wise, Im in a good spot, and I think that an extra week on the grass will only help me to feel even more settled in. Tomljanovic hits out in the Birmingham final. Credit: Getty Images for LTA In a way, losing today, its keeping that edge in me that Im not satisfied, and Im not coming into Wimbledon like, I just won a tournament, which would be a very different vibe. Loading Im definitely hungry for Wimbledon and to do well there, and hopefully, I can get my happy ending there. Putintseva who won four of her previous five meetings with Tomljanovic was close to flawless and hit Tomljanovic off the court for the first half an hour of the final. At 6-1, 2-0, the 41st-ranked Kazakh had lost only two points on serve. Short ball? Putintseva would crush a winner, most often off her backhand wing. If Tomljanovic managed to get to the net? Putintseva would lob her, and the ball would land centimetres inside the baseline. If Tomljanovic lingered too deep in the court? Putintseva would uncork a wonderfully weighted drop shot. But, suddenly, everything unexpectedly changed. Tomljanovic hammered a forehand return winner, then Putintseva finally missed a shot. Love-30 turned into a break of serve, against the flow. The Australian started winning many of the elongated rallies she was almost always losing earlier. The comeback was on in earnest, and went into overdrive when Tomljanovic scorched an inside-out forehand return winner to break again for a 4-3 lead. Putintseva celebrates her maiden grasscourt title. Credit: Getty Images for LTA However, Tomljanovic stumbled with a third set in sight. Consecutive errors saw her slump to 0-30 then 15-40 as she tried to serve out the second set. Loading She made it back to deuce, then earned a set point prompting Putintseva to walk off the grass and thunder her racquet into the court covers only to double fault on the next three points to drop back to five-all. A seesawing tiebreak followed, which began with Putintsevas first and only double fault before she won the next four points to have Tomljanovic again on the back foot. But while Putintsevas mood darkened at times, the Australian remained stoic. Tomljanovic maintained an aggressive approach for better or worse and roared back once more, smacking a spectacular forehand winner to bring up a second set point. That proved her last chance, and came and went on a missed return. Tomljanovic staved off two championship points, but dragged a forehand wide on the third to concede the title. It shows me that Im not far off, but at the same time, what it shows me the most is that I still have a ways to go physically, Tomljanovic said. Im not 100 per cent happy with how Im moving, but I want to give myself a break because Im finding ways to win and Im very happy with how Ive managed to do that this whole week because I was in some tough moments in the previous rounds. I see so much room for improvement, of getting better physically, but you cant rush that, so thats going to take some time. But nothings hurting more than it should, and thats a big, big plus. Setbacks be damned: Aussie Ajla into grasscourt final but Thompson loses Ajla Tomljanovics latest comeback is gathering steam ahead of Wimbledon, advancing to the Rothesay Classic final in Birmingham and within one victory of her maiden WTA title. But the news was not as good for fellow Australian Jordan Thompson, who needed to win his Queens Club semi-final in London against Italian rising star Lorenzo Musetti to be seeded at a grand slam for the first time. Ajla Tomljanovic is into the Rothesay Classic singles final in Birmingham ahead of Wimbledon. Credit: AP Musetti, who stunned Australias top player and last years runner-up Alex de Minaur in the first round, denied Thompson achieving that feat in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 result that booked him his first grasscourt final, after reaching the semi-finals in Stuttgart last week. Of greater concern for Thompson will be a lower back injury that hampered him throughout the match, and he will hope it does not linger with Wimbledon starting on July 1. Tomljanovic has endured a horror stretch with injury and illness in the past year-and-a-half since a breakout 2022 season, where she made the last eight at Wimbledon for a second time and the US Open, including ending Serena Williams legendary career. Jordan Thompson lost his semi-final. Credit: Getty Images A knee injury ruined her 2023 campaign, while she underwent surgery in February this year to remove fibroids from her uterus, which sidelined her for three months. Tomljanovic has entered this years Wimbledon championships with a special ranking of No.33 to avoid having to qualify and will arrive confident after defeating Russian seventh seed Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in a 90-minute semi-final on Saturday. The 31-year-old did not hide her elation after Potapovas backhand thudded into the net. She will face Yulia Putintseva in the final, after the Kazakh beat Italys Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2, 6-2 in the earlier semi-final. Tomljanovic won a 125-level WTA tournament in Florianopolis, Brazil last year, but this would be her first title on the main tour. I definitely didnt expect to play a final here, just because I really take it one match at a time, as much [of] a cliche it is, the world No.190 said. Whenever Ive done well, Ive never looked ahead and Im not going to do it now either. Im going to do my best to prepare and give it my all tomorrow, then when its over, Ill reflect on the week. But you know youre in a good place when the players lounge is empty. Tomljanovic was the better player for most of the match against Potapova, but stumbled serving for the first set at 5-4 after also having a set point in the previous game and let slip a 5-1 lead in the tiebreak when she double-faulted to fall back to five-all. But some stout defence from the Australian two points later helped her secure the set, when Potapova missed a down-the-line backhand narrowly wide searching for a winner. Potapova, who hit eight double faults and 39 unforced errors, hung in for most of the second set after staving off another break point in the second game, but slumped to 15-40 at 4-5 before another errant backhand cost her the match. Tomljanovic will try to win her first WTA title. Credit: Getty Images for LTA Tomljanovic landed 71 per cent of her first serves and won 36 of those 48 points in an encouraging performance, as she prepares to return to the grasscourt major after a knee injury prevented her from playing last year. I just tried to keep a cool head, she said. I felt like I was a bit too into it in the beginning, and I was losing a lot of energy just caring about every single point. I just tried to let go [and have an attitude of] whatever happens and focus on what I can control. Thompson, who upset top-20 stars Holger Rune and Taylor Fritz this week, will still be one of the most dangerous unseeded floaters in the Wimbledon mens draw, alongside the likes of 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini and 2023 quarter-finalist Chris Eubanks. He lost the first three games of his semi-final, but had consecutive chances in the seventh game to fight his way back into the set before Musetti clinched a one-set lead. The second set could hardly have been more different. Thompson raced to a 5-0 lead, but another back massage at the change of ends preceded a brief fightback from Musetti, who snatched back one of the breaks and almost a second as the match went to a decider. The Sydneysider began rushing the net more often, only for Musettis fabulous shot-making which resulted in 31 winners to Thompsons 22, as well as fewer unforced errors and defence from the baseline to rule the day. Thompson fended off three break points in the penultimate game but not a fourth, with Musetti serving out the match to love. He will play the winner of the all-American clash between Tommy Paul and Sebastian Korda. Its one of the toughest matches of this week, Musetti said. Jordan was playing at a really amazing level, especially the second set and the third set. It was a really close one and really tough game there at 4-3, when I played some amazing shots that gave me the break. I didnt shake, even under pressure ... so Im really proud of what Im achieving this week. BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of 105 million yuan (14.7 million U.S. dollars) has been allocated to support the urgent restoration of flood-damaged roads, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday. The funds will be used promptly to restore roads that have been destroyed by flooding in Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan and Guizhou, and ensure safe traffic during the flood season, according to the ministry. Persistent rainfall has battered many of China's southern regions this summer, damaging roads and buildings, and leading to casualties. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Friday activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Jiangsu, and maintained a Level-IV response in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Chongqing and Guizhou. It also downgraded the response in Guangxi from Level III to Level IV. Taiwan detects 41 Chinese aircraft around island Taipei, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 Taiwan's defence ministry said Saturday it had detected 41 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window, a day after Beijing said "diehard" advocates of Taiwan's independence could face the death penalty. China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing's control. It has stepped up pressure on Taipei in recent years and held war games around the island following last month's inauguration of new Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te. On Saturday, Taipei's defence ministry said it had detected 41 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels operating around Taiwan during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT). "32 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait," the ministry said in a statement, referring to a line bisecting the 180-kilometre (110-mile) waterway that separates Taiwan from China. The ministry added that it had "monitored the situation and responded accordingly". The latest incursion came after China published judicial guidelines Friday that included the death penalty for "particularly serious" cases of "diehard" supporters of Taiwanese independence, state media reported. On May 25, Taiwan detected 62 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window, the highest single-day total this year, as China staged military drills following the inauguration of Lai, who Beijing regards as a "dangerous separatist". US aircraft carrier arrives in S. Korea for joint drills Seoul, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 A US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea on Saturday for a joint military drills aimed to better counter North Korean threats, Seoul's navy said. The announcement came a day after South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to Seoul to protest a defence deal signed by President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang this week, which included a pledge to come to each other's aid if attacked. "The US Navy's aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt... arrived at the Busan Naval Base on the morning of June 22," the South Korean Navy said in a statement. Its arrival "demonstrates the strong combined defence posture of the South Korea-US alliance and their firm resolve to respond to the escalating threats from North Korea," it added. The carrier's visit comes around seven months after another US aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, came to the South in a show of strength against Pyongyang. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is expected to participate in joint exercises with South Korea and Japan this month. Pyongyang has always decried similar combined drills as rehearsals for an invasion. The United States, South Korea and Japan have expanded their joint training exercises and heightened the visibility of strategic US military assets in the region to deter the North, which has declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear weapons power. The carrier arrived a day after Seoul said it had fired warning shots when North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily fortified border in the third such incursion this month. North Korean soldiers have recently been engaged in activities such as laying more landmines, reinforcing tactical roads and adding what seemed to be anti-tank barriers near the border, according to the South Korean military. The two Koreas have also been locked in a tit-for-tat "balloon war", with an activist in the South confirming Friday that he had floated more balloons carrying propaganda north. Pyongyang has already sent more than a thousand balloons carrying trash southward, and Kim's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong warned on Friday the North is likely to retaliate. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi held talks with Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Beijing on Friday. The two foreign ministers also attended the first Plenary Session of China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee. During the talks, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Nigeria is a major African country with extensive influence. The sound development of China-Nigeria relations will serve as an example and a guide for China-Africa relations. China is ready to work with Nigeria as a good brother who supports each other, a good partner for mutual benefit, a good friend who upholds fairness and justice, and a good partner who upholds peace and stability. The two countries will work together to achieve development and revitalization, and elevate China-Nigeria and China-Africa relations to a new level, Wang said. Tuggar said Nigeria will continue to unswervingly adhere to the one-China principle and hopes to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication and carry out closer practical cooperation with China. Nigeria is willing to join hands with China to unite countries of the global South, uphold multilateralism, and safeguard fairness and justice, he said. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on China-Africa cooperation and agreed to work together for fruitful outcomes of the new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to be held in China this fall. While attending the first plenary session, Wang noted that China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation in promoting practical cooperation since its establishment more than three years ago. China and Nigeria, both major developing countries, should continue to build consensus and promote cooperation, inject new impetus into the development of China-Nigeria and China-Africa relations and make new contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang said. The two sides should adhere to the strategic positioning of bilateral relations and always regard each other as important strategic partners, carry forward the exemplary role of economic and trade cooperation and achieve coordinated development of cooperation in various fields so that the fruits of cooperation will benefit the common people, Wang said. The China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee is the first inter-governmental committee mechanism established between China and African countries. The two sides should take the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries as the core task and transform the cooperation plan into concrete results with practical actions. Tuggar spoke highly of the outcomes of the first plenary session, and expressed willingness to continue to deepen mutual trust with China and push for more outcomes in cooperation in various fields. After the session, the two sides issued a joint statement of the first plenary session. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar attend the first Plenary Session of China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Russia launches new 'massive' attack on Ukraine power network Kyiv, Ukraine, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 Ukraine on Saturday said Russia had launched a "massive" overnight attack on energy infrastructure in the west and south, adding that at least seven people died from Moscow strikes elsewhere. Russia launched 16 cruise missiles from land, sea and air as well as 13 attack drones, aiming at energy infrastructure in several regions, Ukraine's military said. Air defences downed all but four of them, it added. Russia's defence ministry said that its troops "carried out a group strike with long-range high-precision weaponry from air and sea and also drones on Ukrainian energy facilities that power arms production". It said it also targeted warehouses containing munitions and "air-launched weapons provided to the Ukrainian military by western countries". "All the set targets were hit," the ministry said, calling its latest attacks retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on its own energy network. The Ukrainian energy ministry said this was Russia's "eighth massive, combined attack on energy infrastructure facilities" in the past three months, targeting the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Lviv in the west. "Equipment at (operator) Ukrenergo facilities in the Zaporizhzhia and Lviv regions was damaged," the ministry said. Ukrenergo said that two employees were wounded and hospitalised in Zaporizhzhia, where Europe's biggest nuclear plant is located. More than two years into the Russian invasion, targeted missile and drone attacks have crippled Ukraine's electricity generation capacity and forced Kyiv to impose blackouts and import supplies from the European Union. - 'Critical facility' hit - Ukrenergo said outages across the country would start earlier than usual Saturday, running from 1100 GMT to 2100 GMT, due to damage from the attacks. In Zaporizhzhia, shelling over the last day also killed one civilian and destroyed residential buildings and infrastructure, according to the regional military administration. Russia controls a part of the region and the nuclear plant. The Russian-appointed administration said Ukrainian attacks had damaged a substation linked to the city's nuclear power plant but did not affect nuclear safety. Maksym Kozytskyi, the governor of the western Lviv region, said Russia "launched a missile attack on a critical energy infrastructure facility", sparking a fire that was later extinguished. Ukrainian troops based in the west shot down seven out of 10 cruise missiles fired by Moscow, the Lviv regional governor said. Russian attacks have destroyed half of Ukraine's energy capacity, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky said this week that all hospitals and schools in Ukraine must be equipped with solar panels "as soon as possible". "We are doing everything to ensure that Russian attempts to blackmail us on heat and electricity fail," he said Thursday. DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, said Thursday that strikes caused "serious damage" at one of its plants. DTEK chief executive Maxim Timchenko warned that Ukraine "faces a serious crisis this winter" if the country's Western allies do not provide military aid to defend the energy network. Zelensky has repeatedly urged Ukraine's allies to send more air-defence systems to protect the country's vital infrastructure. - Donetsk and Lugansk - Front-line clashes were ongoing Saturday in the area near the town of Pokrovsk, northwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, where Moscow is trying to break through Ukraine's defences, Kyiv's military said. Russia's defence ministry said troops had improved positions in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions and northeastern Kharkiv region. Five civilians were killed by Russian shelling in frontline areas of the Donetsk region, the head of the region, Vadym Filashkin said. In the southern Kherson region, a policeman manning a checkpoint was killed by a drone, Ukraine's national police force said. Russia's defence ministry said it had hit 340 Ukrainian targets over the past day. The head of Russian authorities in the Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin, said the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk and the nearby town of Gorlivka had come under heavy attack from Ukraine. Three men working for a construction firm were killed by a rocket releasing cluster munitions, he said. Three more were wounded by a drone attack on a civilian minibus, Pushilin added, and another man was wounded by an anti-personnel mine. In Russia's southern Belgorod region, a man was killed by shelling of an agribusiness near the border with Ukraine's Kharkiv region, said governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Monitor says three pro-Iran fighters killed in eastern Syria strike Beirut, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 A war monitor on Saturday said three pro-Iran fighters, including at least two Iraqis, were killed in an overnight air strike in eastern Syria near the Iraq border. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strike occurred in Deir Ezzor province. Iran wields significant influence in the area, which is regularly targeted by Israel and sometimes by the United States. "Two of the dead were Iraqi nationals with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and the third was not identified," the Observatory said, referring to a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups. The Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, said an explosion was heard coinciding with the strike "in Albukamal countryside... a few kilometres away from Syrian-Iraqi borders". Iraq's Sayyed al-Shuhada Brigades announced the death of a fighter in a strike on "Friday which targeted his vehicle during a reconnaissance patrol on the Iraqi-Syrian border", accusing the United States of being behind the attack. Responsibility for the strike was not immediately claimed, but a spokesperson for the US-led military coalition formed in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group of jihadists told AFP that "neither the coalition nor US forces carried out overnight strikes in Deir Ezzor". The Observatory said that several hours before the strike, drones flew over the area. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes mainly targeting army positions and Iran-backed fighters including from Lebanon's Hezbollah group. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria. In late March, the Observatory said 16 Tehran-affiliated fighters, including an Iranian Revolutionary Guard, were killed in strikes on eastern Syria. The strikes also killed one civilian working for the World Health Organisation. Iran has long been a key ally of the Syrian government, but has said repeatedly that it has no combat troops in Syria, only officers to provide military advice and training. burs-jos/ysm/it Gaza health officials say 24 killed in Israeli strikes Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 Health officials in Gaza said Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed at least 24 people in the territory's north, a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross said 22 people were killed in shelling that damaged its office. The Gaza City strikes added to at least 120 deaths over the previous 48 hours which the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported earlier Saturday. Dr Mahmud Aliwa of Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City said his facility received 24 bodies after the strikes, which left smoke rising over the city. Gaza civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Basal told AFP that at least 20 were killed in a strike on a house in Al-Tuffah neighbourhood, while a strike in Al-Shati refugee camp claimed the lives of four others. Against a grey backdrop of destruction, men used a donkey cart to remove some of the dead in Al-Tuffah. Earlier on Saturday, Israel's military said its fighter jets were striking "two Hamas military infrastructure sites in the area of Gaza City". The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, on Saturday called for a probe into the shelling that damaged the ICRC office. "An independent investigation is needed and those responsible must be held accountable," Borrell wrote on social media platform X. - 'Dangerously close' - Late Friday the ICRC said 22 dead and 45 wounded were taken to a Red Cross field hospital after shelling with "heavy calibre projectiles" near its southern Gaza office. "Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and humanitarians at risk," the ICRC said on X. Gaza's health ministry blamed the shelling on Israel, saying 25 were killed and 50 wounded in the coastal Al-Mawasi area, where thousands of displaced Palestinians have been sheltering in tents. An Israel military statement on Saturday said an initial inquiry found "there was no direct attack carried out by the IDF against a Red Cross facility", but the incident was still under review and "findings will be presented to our international partners". On Saturday witnesses reported gun battles in Gaza City between militants and Israeli forces backed by helicopter fire. The deadliest-ever Gaza war began with an unprecedented October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel. That attack resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. The militants also seized hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza although the army says 41 are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 37,551 people, also mostly civilians, Gaza's health ministry said on Saturday. Exchanges of fire across the Lebanese border between Israel and the powerful Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah have also escalated, raising fears of wider war. On Saturday a security source said a leader of the Lebanese Islamist group Jamaa Islamiya, a Hamas ally, was killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in eastern Lebanon. - 'Precise strike' - Israel's military said an aircraft carried out a "precise strike" in Lebanon's Bekaa area "to eliminate the terrorist" Ayman Ghotmeh, who they said supplied weapons to Hamas and Jamaa Islamiya in Lebanon. In southern Lebanon, Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah targets, the military said. Experts are divided on the prospect of a wider war, almost nine months into Israel's campaign to eradicate Hamas in the Gaza Strip. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the cross-border hostilities must not turn Lebanon into "another Gaza". Citing "bellicose rhetoric" on both sides, he warned: "One rash move -- one miscalculation -- could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border, and frankly, beyond imagination." Violence has also soared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Israeli military said on Saturday that an Israeli civilian died after being shot near Qalqilya city. Months of negotiations towards a truce and hostage release have failed to make headway, but mediator Qatar on Friday said it was still working to "bridge the gap" between Israel and Hamas. The war has destroyed much of Gaza's infrastructure and left residents short of food, fuel and other essentials. On June 16 the army announced a daily "tactical pause of military activity" in a southern Gaza corridor from the Kerem Shalom crossing point to facilitate aid deliveries. But with civil order breaking down in Gaza, the UN says it has been unable to pick up any supplies from Kerem Shalom since Tuesday. Another complication is that "you often have to cross battlefields", said William Schomburg, ICRC's chief in Rafah, near Egypt. Israel says it has let supplies in and called on agencies to step up deliveries. For Umm Mohammad Zamlat, 66, displaced to Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, the result is painfully simple: "We don't see any aid." burs-it/srm * 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. Ms Law, who attended the NRG music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was lost in the mountains, he wasnt aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%. BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has topped the Nature Index 2024 Research Leaders rankings, with six Chinese universities also ranking among the top 10, according to the CAS website. Nature Index's 2024 Research Leaders, previously known as the Annual Tables, has ranked the leading institutions and countries in the field of natural and health sciences based on their output in Nature Index journals in 2023. CAS ranked first globally in chemistry, physical sciences, and earth and environmental sciences, and second in biological sciences. Six Chinese universities also landed in the top 10: the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Science and Technology of China, Peking University, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University and Tsinghua University. In the country rankings, China took the lead in high-quality research output in 2023, followed by the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and France. Nature Index is an open database of author affiliations and institutional relationships. The 2024 Research Leaders were determined based on research output within 145 high-quality natural-science and health-science journals. Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera (C) shakes hands with Michael Usi in Lilongwe, Malawi, on June 21, 2024. Malawi on Friday inaugurated new Vice President Michael Usi after President Lazarus Chakwera appointed him Thursday to replace Saulos Chilima who died in a plane crash on June 10, creating a vacancy in the office of the Vice President. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua) LILONGWE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Malawi on Friday inaugurated new Vice President Michael Usi after President Lazarus Chakwera appointed him Thursday to replace Saulos Chilima who died in a plane crash on June 10, creating a vacancy in the office of the Vice President. Usi, 56, took the oath of office in the Parliament Building Chamber in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, in front of President Chakwera, the Speaker of Parliament, members of Parliament, Judges and heads of foreign missions, among others. The new vice president pledged commitment to serving Malawians by helping the president find solutions to the challenges facing Malawians. "I accept the challenge and I'll work hard to make Malawians happy: I'll spend more time thinking about Malawians than thinking about myself," said Usi in his acceptance speech. The new vice president described his predecessor as a leader "whose shoes were too big to fill" and that he (Chilima) always had the welfare of Malawians at heart. Usi joined mainstream politics when the late Chilima, who was president of the United Transformation Movement (UTM), handpicked him as vice president and running mate in the 2019 elections before the UTM entered into a winning alliance with the Malawi Congress Party in the 2020 presidential rerun poll. Before being appointed Vice President Thursday, Usi was the country's Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change and, before that, he also served as Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Wildlife. The number of positions occupied in public institutions and authorities in Romania was, in April 2024, 1,292,549, up by 3,009 compared to the previous month (plus 0.23%), almost 64% of them being in the central public administration, according to the data published on the website of the Ministry of Finance, consulted by AGERPRES. Out of a total of 826,241 employees in the central public administration (plus 2,351 compared to the previous month), 608,392 worked in institutions fully financed from the state budget (plus 1,530 employees, compared to March 2024). At the same time, in April of this year, 466,308 people (+658) worked in local public administration, of whom 286,443 in institutions fully financed from local budgets (+403) and 179,865 in institutions fully or partially financed from own revenues (+255). Supporting Ukraine is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the defense of the rules-based international order, and in the absence of a regional approach there is a risk of further aggression in the Black Sea, and the long-term solution depends on a secure, prosperous and connected region of Black Sea's, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, said on Friday at The Black Sea Region as a Global Inflection Point event, organized by the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C., a release by the Foreign Affairs Ministry sent to Agerpres on Saturday, reads. "In the Black Sea, Moscow's aggression has clear political objectives. It seeks to create an alternative regional order, in which states have limited sovereignty, unilaterally imposed by the great powers. (...) The final result of Russia's challenge to the international order based on the rules of the Black Sea region will be reflected at the global level. It will have profound and direct implications not only for our security, but also for US security and the ability of the US to lead a diverse global coalition in support of the rules-based international order," the Romanian chief diplomat said. The minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, made, between June 19-21, 2024, a working visit to the United States of America, organized in the context of the 20th anniversary of Romania's accession to NATO, as well as the 9th sessions of the Strategic Dialogue between Romania and the United States of America. GRAND ISLAND, Neb. Gary and Mary Weaver loved taking road trips. It was the Eureka couples favorite retirement activity. They had stopped for several years during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they were finally embarking on their first in four years this week, heading west to see their son in Portland. On the second day of a three-day road trip, they paused at a rest area off Interstate 80 in Nebraska. A man tried to steal their Jeep, which was being pulled by their RV, police say. They were both stabbed. Gary Weaver, 72, was killed, and Mary Weaver, 71, was injured. They had gone all over the place pre-COVID, the Weavers daughter, Victoria Eudy, said in an interview. It was their favorite thing to do. The stabbing happened around 7 a.m. in Hall County. Gary died at a hospital in Grand Island, and Mary remains hospitalized. James Thompson Jr., 22, of Elyria, Ohio, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, robbery and fleeing from police. He left the scene before police arrived, police say, then fled from Nebraska State Police before crashing his car into a river. The Weavers, married for 46 years, were headed to Oregon to see their son, Sam Weaver, play bass in his band, and they had dinner plans with the daughter of Garys cousin. The cousin, J.C. Kuessner, said even though they were only distantly related, Gary was his favorite cousin and friend. He was a true family man, Kuessner said in an interview. Gary and Kuessner hit it off during family get-togethers as children, and continued to grow closer in adulthood, he said. Kuessner, 81, of Eminence, Missouri, said Gary and Mary let Kuessners daughter stay for a while at their house in St. Louis years ago and did not ask for rent. Gary played piano at the funeral of Kuessners father, and Kuessner recalled the pastor noting that Gary was very talented, and not some average guy off the side of the road. Gary was real modest about his instruments, Kuessner said. Eudy said her parents both loved music. Gary was a very accomplished musician in St. Louis, she said, and in the 1970s occasionally played keyboard with Walter Scotts band, Bob Kuban and the In-Men. I grew up listening to him play piano at Third Baptist Church, Eudy said. Gary stopped playing the piano after his mother died in 2012, but last Thanksgiving he shared his love of music with his 2-year-old grandson, Winston. The two sat down and played the keyboard together. Winstons first time playing was Garys last. The Weavers met at a St. Louis elementary school and remained in the St. Louis area for their entire lives. Gary Weaver was an Air Force veteran, and Mary worked at Mercy Hospital. Eudy said she moved back to the St. Louis area four years ago to be closer to her parents. I couldnt have asked for better and more loving parents, Eudy said. He (Gary) loved us so much and never missed a chance to tell us how proud of us he was. SAN FRANCISCO, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and 10 others were wounded in a mass shooting Friday outside of a grocery store in Fordyce, U.S. state of Arkansas, state police said. Two law enforcement officers were among those injured, state police said at an afternoon press conference, adding that civilians had injuries ranging from non-life-threatening to critical condition. The shooter was critically injured after being shot by police and has been taken into custody, police said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said special agents from its New Orleans field office were sent to the scene to assist in response to the shooting. Fordyce, a city of about 3,400 people, is located some 70 miles south of Little Rock, the state's capital. "I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and I'm in constant contact with State Police at the scene. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives," Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on social media. As of Friday, there have been 234 tragic incidents of mass shootings in the United States this year, resulting in at least four casualties each, according to the U.S.-based "Gun Violence Archive." ST. LOUIS COUNTY Two major police unions are calling for a drastic change among leadership in the St. Louis County Police Department amid poor morale, low staffing and operational issues. A pair of letters sent by the unions and obtained by the Post-Dispatch dont explicitly call for police Chief Kenneth Gregorys ouster, but they blame him for severe problems in the department. The abject failure of leadership at the highest level of this department has robbed us of the luxury of remaining quiet any longer, the St. Louis County Police Association wrote in a letter to union members. The Ethical Society of Police, an organization that represents Black officers in the city and county and advocates for equity in the departments, agreed. It is clear that while the Chief may have good intentions and a genuine care for the officers on a personal level, his inability to effectively adapt to the evolving demands of modern policing has led to significant operational and morale issues, ESOP wrote in a letter supporting SLCPA. Chief Gregory has been with the St. Louis County Police Department for more than 40 years and is serving as the first Black chief in the departments 66-year history. He was appointed interim chief in July 2021 and received a permanent appointment six months later. Understaffing woes have been more prominent in the city police department, but the county has seen many of the same issues in recent years. The agency employed 956 cops as of Friday 133 short of its budgeted strength. St. Louis County police Lt. Col. Juan Cox said in November that about 20% of the agencys officers will be able to retire in the next five years. And Joe Patterson, executive director of SLCPA, wrote in the letter sent Monday to union members that the department loses a net total of about five officers per month. Sgt. Tracy Panus, spokesperson for the department, said Gregory declined to respond to the criticism, and she noted that the department and the union are in the middle of contract negotiations. Ultimately, (we all) just want whats best for the police officers and for the community that we serve, Panus said. Thats really the bottom line. And its just everybody has different ways and different ideas of how to go about that. Among the complaints in the SLCPA letter was criticism of Chief Gregorys knee-jerk plan to help the short-staffed north county precinct by bringing officers from the departments special operations and criminal investigation unit to patrol the area. The problem, Patterson wrote, is that the plan was developed only a few days before it was slated to go into effect this week, leaving detectives some of whom have not patrolled or been in a marked police car in a decade on the street with little notice and no training on how to use body or dash cameras, accident report programs and the dispatch system. The launch date was eventually pushed back a week. ESOP, in its response Friday, said the SLCPA had the organizations full support and concurrence and added that they were disheartened that Chief Gregory has shown a disregard for specific challenges facing minority officers. It wasnt the first time ESOP has sharply criticized a police chief. In 2021 the organization took a vote of no confidence in former police Chief Mary Barton over her handling of racist incidents in the agency. Barton, who is white, resigned a few months later capping off a stormy 15 months at the helm. Gregory took over the department after Bartons exit. Patterson, of SLCPA, wrote in his letter that Gregory is very much set in his ways and is not adapting to the new policing environment, which is rapidly evolving at a pace he is unable to keep up with. He argued that Gregory has not focused on the real solutions to understaffing retention and recruitment. Without a full staff, he said, the departments employees experience lower job satisfaction, less opportunity for career advancement and not much work-life balance. We honestly do not believe he is a bad person in any way, shape, or form, Patterson wrote. We do think he cares about each and every one of you on a human level, which is admirable. But, Patterson wrote, It is time for a drastic change to avoid losing more employees and sinking morale any lower than it already is. ST. LOUIS The Board of Aldermen on Friday unanimously approved a resolution honoring the end of a program at four St. Louis Public schools that provides free food, laundry, clothing and other services to students, staff and the community. Unfortunately our school board has decided that the full-service schools are no longer needed and I think that is a gigantic mistake, said the resolutions sponsor, Alderwoman Laura Keys. It is a gigantic mistake for our city, a gigantic mistake for our schools and for our children, and for all of the young adults who utilize that program. But the resolution was also a mistake, district leaders said Friday. The district has not reduced funding for full-service schools. The programs will continue at Walbridge Elementary, Yeatman-Liddell Middle and Vashon High School in north St. Louis and Oak Hill Elementary in south city. The four coordinators of the program were, however, reassigned to other buildings, to help meet the districts goal of placing a social worker in every school, said Millicent Borishade, deputy superintendent of SLPS. The remaining social worker in each of the full-service schools will now run the programs with help from community organizations including the Little Bit Foundation. We are not ending full-service schools or programs, Borishade said. Alderwoman Keys has been very apologetic now that she understands she was misinformed. After the meeting Friday, Keys, of the OFallon neighborhood, said she was under the impression the program was over after attending a farewell luncheon for the Yeatman-Liddell Executive Board and Melissa Nash, who ran the full-service program at the school. Nash is no longer with SLPS. If I have misreported something I am more than willing to beg your pardon, ask for forgiveness and retract, Keys said. The worst thing you can do is put out misinformation. Keys spoke Friday with SLPS board president Toni Cousins, who said they are revamping the full-service program and will send information to Keys for a possible correction to the resolution. This program that was running through Yeatman was really a wonderful, effective program that benefitted the children as well as the parents, so we want to continue that investment in our community, Keys said. The district first opened community education full-service schools in 1968 with a combination of SLPS and city funds. As many as 16 schools served as community recreation centers offering tutoring, dental care, and classes for kids and adults in music, art, fitness and more at night and on weekends. City residents used to receive catalogs in the mail listing all of the classes. At the programs peak, about 123,000 residents participated in 930 programs and 330 special events at the centers annually. The program was gradually cut over the decades along with federal block grant dollars, which were funneled through the city. The last 10 of the original community education full-service schools closed in 2014, though the district continued a version of the program in four schools focusing more on students, staff and their families. Diamond Carr, who was the full-service coordinator at Walbridge Elementary, told the board of aldermen that the program increased the morale of the Walnut Park East neighborhood. SAN FRANCISCO A man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in the attack against former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband was convicted Friday by a San Francisco jury of aggravated kidnapping, a conviction that mandates life behind bars without the possibility of parole. A San Francisco jury found David DePape also guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening a family member of a public official and dissuading a witness. The convictions on the additional charges come weeks after a federal judge sentenced DePape for the 2022 attack against Paul Pelosi, and will add a possible life sentence without possibility of parole. Speaker Pelosi and her family remain in awe of their Pops bravery, which shone through again on the witness stand in this trial just as it did when he saved his own life on the night of the attack," Pelosi's office wrote in an emailed statement Friday. For nearly 20 grueling months, Mr. Pelosi has demonstrated extraordinary courage and fortitude every day of his recovery. DePapes public defender Adam Lipson said he was disappointed with the verdict and plans to appeal it. He called the prosecutors decision to file a kidnapping for ransom charge vindictive. Its really unfortunate that it was charged this way. It was sort of a textbook vindictive prosecution, Lipson said. As soon as they found that the attempted murder charge was going to be dismissed, they added this charge. Lipson said that the verdict means that after DePape serves 30 years in federal prison, he will be transferred to a California prison to spend the rest of his life in a California prison. Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that DePape was guilty of three of the charges but that prosecutors had not presented evidence to convict him of threatening a family member of a public official and aggravated kidnapping. Previously, a federal jury convicted DePape of assaulting a federal officials family member and attempting to kidnap a federal official. On May 28, he was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison during an unusual resentencing hearing that resulted from judicial error. Lipson earlier argued that the state trial represents double jeopardy following the federal conviction. Even though the criminal counts are not the same, the two cases stem from the same act, he told the judge. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman agreed and dismissed the state charges of attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. Another judge upheld the decision on appeal. Lipson focused his closing arguments on explaining to the jury that prosecutors did not prove DePape kidnapped Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time, with the intent to exact from another person money or something valuable, which is integral to the charge. Lipson argued the video didnt exist and if it did, it wouldnt have had any value. When he broke into the Pelosis home his intent was to confront and potentially hurt and assault Nancy Pelosi. That was his intent at that time, that has nothing to do with Mr. Pelosi, he said. In her rebuttal, Assistant District Attorney Phoebe Maffei pointed out DePape told a detective and testified in federal court that he planned to get a video of Nancy Pelosi confessing to what he believed to be crimes and post it on the internet. There is inherent value in a video of the Speaker of the House confessing to crimes in her own home, Maffei said. The attack on Paul Pelosi was captured on police body camera video just days before the 2022 midterm elections and shocked the political world. He suffered two head wounds including a skull fracture that was mended with plates and screws he will have for the rest of his life. His right arm and hand were also injured. On Monday, Maffei told the jury DePape unleashed a reign of terror on Paul Pelosi before bludgeoning him with a hammer as part of a plan he put together over months. The plain facts of this case are terrifying by themselves without embellishment, Maffei said. David DePape broke into the home of an 82-year-old man while he slept, entered his bedroom, held him hostage with a hammer, threatened him, threatened his wife and attempted to kill him. DePape admitted during his federal trial testimony that he planned to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage, record his interrogation of her, and break her kneecaps if she did not admit to the lies he said she told about Russiagate, a reference to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that before the attack, DePape was living an isolated, lonely life and went down the rabbit hole of propaganda and conspiracy theories. This week the judge expelled DePapes former partner from the public gallery and the second floor of the San Francisco courthouse because the judge said she was trying to tamper with the jury. On Monday and Tuesday, Gypsy Taub, a well-known activist in the Bay Area, handed out pieces of paper outside the courtroom with the address of a website she runs that promotes conspiracy theories. The cards were also found in a womens bathroom near the courtroom where the websites address was scrawled in marker on a wall. You have been trying to corruptly influence one or more jury members, Dorfman said sternly before asking two bailiffs to escort Taub out of the courtroom. DePapes federal public defender said during his federal sentencing that DePape was first exposed to extreme beliefs by Taub, who has two children with DePape. Taub met DePape in Hawaii when he was 20 years old and she was in her 30s and pregnant, DePapes twin sister, Joanne Robinson, said in a letter to the federal judge seeking leniency. Robinson wrote that Taub isolated DePape from his family and inflicted extreme psychological damage on her brother. Photos: The scene outside the Pelosi home after attack The B-21 Raider was unveiled to the public at a ceremony Dec. 2, 2022, in Palmdale, Calif. (U.S. Air Force) (Tribune News Service) Billions in federal funding is earmarked for South Dakota as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. The Senate Armed Services Committee passed their version of the NDAA June 13 by a 22-to-3 vote, advancing the legislation which carries a topline of $923.3 billion to the full Senate floor for consideration. The 64th annual NDAA is the tenth crafted in part by South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee and was recently named the second most effective Republican on defense issues by Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginias Center for Effective Lawmaking. There will be some people that will disagree with spending more money on defense, but it looks to us like at this day and age where we have real risks out there in a very dangerous world where theres lots of things on fire we would have been shirking our responsibilities if we would not have acknowledged just how critical some of these additional needs are, Rounds said. If we would not have met these additional needs, we wouldnt have been doing our job. Out of that topline is billions for projects at and impacting Ellsworth Air Force Base, including $282 million for construction projects and $2.6 billion specifically for the B-21 Raider program, which is inching closer to high-speed production, Rounds said. Millions in construction dollars will fund the B-21 Flight Simulator Facility Squadron Operations ($44 million), B-21 Alert Apron Environmental Protection Shelters ($79 million) and B-21 Weapons Generation Facility ($105 million), among others. Part of that legislation will also allow funds from minor projects to roll over into the next fiscal year, streamlining an installations ability to handle renovation projects without additional government red tape. This significant investment, Rounds said, confirms there is still solid support for the development and implementation of the B-21 program. This bomber will be in existence for probably 50 years or longer. It will be continuously updated, Rounds said. And the fact that weve got about $282 million in additional construction authorized at Ellsworth Air Force Base just simply reassures that the bed-down is on its way to completion. In addition to construction and procurement, the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA also authorizes a 4.5% pay increase for military members and 2% bump for Department of Defense civilian employees. Senate Bill 3553, Rounds Military Personnel Confirmation Restoration Act, was also included in the Senate version. SB 3553 would provide backpay and update dates of rank and service records of officers whose promotions were delayed because of Senate infighting. Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville had held up hundreds of military promotions while protesting a Pentagon abortion policy which allowed military members to take time off and be reimbursed for travel expenses if they traveled out-of-state for an abortion. Rounds explained servicemembers affected by the delay lost considerable pay and time-in-rank, something theyre hoping to insulate against in the future. It sends a message to the folks that actually serve in the services that were going to do our best not to make them feel the pain of a political disagreement that we have, Rounds said. The Senate Armed Services Committee version of the legislation will now head to the full floor for consideration. Rounds said he doesnt anticipate significant pushback, but acknowledged there will likely be discussions with the House regarding their version and the $25 billion increase in the bills topline. The House version authorizes $849.8 billion in spending and cleared the floor with a narrow 217-to-199 vote last Friday. South Dakotas lone representative in the House, Republican Dusty Johnson, voted in favor of the legislation. Two policies Johnson authored the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act and Amendment No. 346 were included in the Houses version. The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act aims to curb Chinese influence over global shipping markets, while Amendment No. 346 would require Congress to better understand the production and acquisition of shipping containers from foreign adversaries. Countering China is a crucial aspect of improving our national defense and so is strengthening our supply chains, Johnson said. The NDAA is a strong bill that prioritizes our troops and strengthens our national security. Im glad my provisions were included. (c)2024 Rapid City Journal, S.D. Visit Rapid City Journal Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The SpaceX Starship and super heavy stack (Flickr/Official SpaceX photos) (Tribune News Service) According to numbers provided to Cameron County by SpaceX, the companys Starbase rocket production and testing complex at Boca Chica is having a big economic impact, generating more than $800 million in state and local government capital income and indirect business tax revenue, for instance. The company, which conducted its fourth Starship orbital test flight from Boca Chica on June 6, has in excess of 350 acres of land there, including more than 222,000 square feet set aside for manufacturing and over 20,000 square feet for vehicle high and medium bays tall, narrow buildings inside which the Starship and Super Heavy test vehicles are assembled. SpaceX said it has invested more than $3 billion in infrastructure at Starbase, which the company said has an annual gross economic market value of 6.5 billion. SpaceX said it is building another 1 million square feet of manufacturing space and 329,000 square feet of office space at a cost of $400 million. The company said it has spent over $90 million for goods and services provides by 80-plus Rio Grande Valley businesses since January 2023, and that Starbase indirectly supports more than 21,400 jobs in the community. Starbase itself employs over 3,400 full-time employees and contractors, SpaceX said. Rocket launches from Boca Chica also have an economic impact, according to the company, which said more than 11,000 have come to the Valley for a single Starship launch it didnt say which one or how it arrived at that figure and that 20,000 tourists and 16,500 official visitors traveled to the region in 2023 to see Starbase and/or launches. SpaceX conducted its first two Starship test flights from Boca Chica in April and December of last year. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. thanked the company for its direct investment in the communities and school districts throughout Cameron County and for helping put south Texas on the map. Although SpaceX is located in unincorporated territory within the county, its presence has benefited all cities in the county through an increase in tourism and new job opportunities, he said. We look forward to additional growth and investment in the future as SpaceX carries on their mission to explore space, return us to the moon and colonize Mars, Trevino said. He said SpaceXs vision for Boca Chica has always been ambitious the site broke ground nearly a decade ago and that the companys later decision to build and launch Starship there has made for significant investment in recent years. SpaceXs vision in Cameron County has always been ambitious, and with the companys shift to build and launch the Starship spacecraft, the largest rocket ever built, SpaceXs investment in Cameron County has been significant in recent years. As SpaceX and other new industries establish successful operations in Cameron County, additional investment in the form of high-paying jobs, infrastructure and commerce will continue to follow, Trevino said. Elon Musk, the companys founder and CEO, wrote on X recently that SpaceX is hoping to conduct the fifth Starship orbital test flight as soon as late July. (c)2024 The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Texas) Visit The Brownsville Herald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Battleship New Jersey, seen in May 2024, returned to Camden, N.J., on Thursday, June 20, after a 12-week, $10 million makeover. (Facebook) (Tribune News Service) David McIntyre, of Fanwood, was one of eight people who splurged on a $5,000 ticket for a rare chance to sail on the famed Battleship New Jersey on Thursday. He said his two-hour drive from Union County to Paulsboro where the Navy warship was stationed before departing was worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. As a Cub Master, McIntyre took local Cub Scouts on overnight trips to the Battleship New Jersey, and soon became a fan, regularly tuning into the museums updates, he said. And then when this opportunity came up, I was sort of like well, when am I ever going to get to sail on a battleship, McIntyre said. Over a dozen Battleship New Jersey museum volunteers, veterans and ticket holders, rode on the USS New Jersey during its two-hour ride to Camden. The vessel returned to its home pier Thursday, after a long 12-week repair journey at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The Battleship New Jersey was dry docked at the Navy Yard from March to earlier this month to undergo a $10 million renovation. It was the first time it had left its dock in decades. With repairs completed, the ship started the first leg of its return back to New Jersey on June 14 and made a stop in Paulsboro. It was towed to Paulsboro for deballasting, which involves removing water from the ships hull that was needed for dry docking. Big J was then pulled down the Delaware River by tugboats on Thursday, approaching the Camden pier as hundreds of onlookers anticipated its arrival. It returned with a fresh coat of red paint on its hull, which took around 5,000 gallons to complete, along with a new anti-corrosion system and replaced anodes to protect the ships metal structures from erosion. For Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum, the highlight of the repair project has been witnessing it come alive while underway. Theres probably nothing better than being on the battleship while were underway, Spevak said. To me, thats the ace of the deck and thats been my most memorable experience. While on the ship, guests took turns firing its 40mm saluting gun and explored the deck as it slowly traveled down the river at 5 mph. Some shared stories about their years of volunteering on the battleship, while others recounted their experiences serving in the military during the years when the ship was in commission. The people give the ship life, when you think of the thousands of people that have been on it, said Mike Haddock, who has been volunteering at the Battleship New Jersey museum for over four years. Fifteen tickets, selling for $5,000 each, were available to ride aboard the battleship with Capt. Steven Halle as it arrived in Camden. And, hundreds of others bought tickets to cruise alongside the battleship on the Spirit of Philadelphia or its sister ship, Rendezvous. We take a lot of pride in being named after the namesake of New Jersey, said Halle, the Captain of the PCU New Jersey, a Virginia-class attack submarine set to be commissioned in September. Back in Camden, the festivities kicked off at 11 a.m. as attendees eagerly awaited the ships return, enjoying carnival games, food trucks and live music from the Bruce Springsteen tribute band, the B Street Band. While the ship was in the dry dock, over 6,000 people from all over the world purchased tickets to tour underneath the ship while it was out of the water. In an opportunity that had never been offered before for an Iowa-Class ship, guides provided tours with a 360-degree view of the ship, showcasing its exposed hull and 18-foot tall propellers. According to Navy regulations, decommissioned museum ships must undergo dry docking for maintenance every 20 years. This was the first time in decades that the USS New Jersey had been dry docked for maintenance. Funding for the dry-docking project came from various sources, including $5 million from the state budget, a $750,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust and a $3.25 million bond issued with backing from Camden County. The museum is covering the rest of the repair costs through private fundraisers, officials said. The Battleship New Jersey is not only the most decorated but also the longest and fastest Navy warship in the 248-year history of the U.S. Navy, according to museum officials. Adorned with 19 battle stars, it holds the distinction of being among the last American battleships to serve during World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War. The battleships return to Camden may have been the last time many of those who served aboard could see it come alive again. Crews served on the ship from 1938, when it was launched on the first anniversary of Pearl Harbor, to 1991, when it was last decommissioned for a fourth time. In 2001, the vessel docked on the Camden waterfront and opened for public tours. Its a bittersweet moment, said Spevak as he rode on the ship. But now were going home, were happy to get home...but its been an incredible journey a lot of us will cherish for a really long time. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A sign welcomes visitors to Seibu-Chichibu station in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, Japan. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) The peaceful, culturally rich area around the city of Chichibu, about 50 miles north of Yokota Air base in western Tokyo, provides a near-perfect outdoor experience, including day camping, barbecuing and a visit to an impressive dam. Chichibu, a relatively small city of more than 60,000 residents, is spread across lush landscape surrounded by several forested mountains, including Mount Kobushi, Mount Buko and Mount Mitsumine. Our first stop over the long holiday weekend in May was at a uniquely styled fountain outside a rest stop where we sampled some of the citys fresh, tasty water. Chichibu water is fresh and free to sample at fountains like this throughout the city of Chichibu, in Saitama prefecture, Japan. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) The water is free to drink at sources throughout the city. Its source is Mount Buko, whose groundwater feeds rivers and tributaries that supply the Hashidate Water Purification Plant, built in 1924. A short ride farther into the city led to a secluded area at the Urayamaguchi Camp site, located right next to the Arakawa River. Also known as the raging river, the Arakawa is well known for dangerous, unpredictable currents and is susceptible to changing directions. Dipping a foot into a calmer section of the river, I found the temperature crisp, but it must be a welcome relief for visitors in the summer. My son and I spent time walking along and listening to the soothing sound of the splashing river and spotting wildlife there. Arakawa River in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, Japan, about 90 minutes north of Yokota Air Base. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) The campground provides charcoal grills, and we enjoyed a do-it-yourself barbecue with items we purchased earlier at a city grocery store. The campsite is open from March through November and can accommodate up to 50 visitors for day camping. Day-use only is just 500 yen, or $3.21. Cabins for overnight lodging are also available. After enjoying several hours there, we packed up and drove up to Geopark Chichibu, the birthplace of Japanese geological studies, according to its website. Near the geopark, we made a stop at Urayama Dam, a concrete gravity dam for flood control dam that also provides the city with water and power. The dam, completed in 1998, is 511 feet tall, the second tallest in Japan, according to the Japan Water Agency website. The drive to the top is tricky, but free parking is available when you get there. Its intimidating height overlooks the mountains surrounding the Kanto Plain, and though we missed the open hours, you can tour inside the dam during business hours. The vew from atop Urayama Dam in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, Japan, can be a dizzying sight. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) The walkway across the top of the dam breast is dotted with small monuments, including a mallet sculpted from hardened volcanic ash. The nearby museum is open during business hours. Before leaving the city, I purchased a few local snacks and drinks, among them a bottle of locally made and delicious maple cider and maple gummies. Chichibu is known for its Japanese maple trees that yield maple syrup and other maple products. The serene little city is a great getaway trip, and harbors plenty of sights not very far from the Tokyo metro area. On the QT Directions: About a 90-minute drive from Yokota Air Base; about two hours by train to Urayamaguchi camp site: 369-1802 3-1 Arakawa Uedano, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture; Urayama Dam: 4041 Arakawa Kuna, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, 369-1801. Times: The camp site is open for day use until 5 p.m.; overnighters check out by 10 a.m.; the dam is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Costs: For the camp site, adults pay 500 yen a day; 300 yen for children. The dam is free to visit. Food: No food options at the camping site. The dam offers a cafeteria-style dining area inside its exhibition hall. Information: Online: tinyurl.com/8xan2ue7; tinyurl.com/3f8msrja BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice president of the European Commission, agreed on Saturday to start consultations on the issue of the European Union's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The consensus was reached during talks between the two officials via video link, the ministry said in a press release. People are seen at a tent camp at Mawasi in the Gaza Strip on June21, 2024. (Facebook/ICRC) Israeli airstrikes on four neighborhoods in Gaza City killed at least 38 people Saturday, the Gaza civil defense force said, adding that rescue crews were continuing to search for more dead and wounded in the rubble. The bombardment hit residential buildings in the citys north, south, east and west, with significant damage and a massive crater reported in the densely built Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said its fighter jets struck two Hamas military infrastructure sites in the area of Gaza City, without elaborating. The Gaza civil defense force did not say if combatants were among the dead. Video from Shati verified by Storyful showed entire blocks destroyed by the strike, with residents covered in dust from the debris while searching for survivors. The multiple, heavy strikes were somewhat unusual for Gaza City, where some of the major battles between Israel and Hamas have died down. Still, the IDF carries out regular strikes in the city, including one on Friday that killed five municipal workers, according to local authorities. On Friday, at least 22 people were killed and 45 injured after heavy-calibre projectiles landed near an office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Mawasi area of Rafah. The strike damaged the structure of the ICRC office, which is surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians living in tents, including many of our Palestinian colleagues, the humanitarian group wrote in a statement Friday. Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and Red Cross staff at risk, the organization said, adding that the incident caused a mass casualty influx at the nearby Red Cross Field Hospital. The Israeli military said that it was examining the incident, but that an initial inquiry found there was no direct attack carried out by the IDF against a Red Cross facility. Separately on Friday, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres pleaded for reason and rationality as he expressed his profound concerns over the risk of an all-out war between Lebanons Hezbollah and Israel. Addressing reporters Friday, Guterres said there had been an escalation of exchanges of fire and in bellicose rhetoric from both sides, as if an all-out war was imminent. One rash move, one miscalculation, could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border, and frankly, beyond imagination, he said. Lets be clear: The people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza. This week, the Israeli military said it had approved and validated operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon, as Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned on social media that in an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be severely hit. On the same day, Hezbollah, an Iranian-allied military force and Lebanons strongest political party, said it had new weapons and intelligence capabilities that could be used in a full-scale war. The two sides have been exchanging fire since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel - the worst fighting between the two foes since a deadly, month-long war in 2006. Heres what to know - Yemens Houthi fighters are threatening some of the worlds most vital shipping routes despite months of U.S.-led airstrikes, as The Post reports. The once ragtag rebels are drawing from an arsenal of increasingly advanced weapons to attack vessels in and around the Red Sea, sinking one ship and setting another ablaze just this month. - Around 39,000 Palestinian students are unable to take their final high school exams, which were to begin on Saturday, because of the war in Gaza, Palestinian state news agency WAFA reported. According to humanitarian groups, about 625,000 students have been out of school since the war began in October. - An Israeli citizen was shot dead in the town of Qalqilya on Saturday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF said it was operating in the town in the occupied West Bank after the killing. Israeli media reported that it was the second killing of an Israeli in the town in recent days. - Cuba announced that it intends to join South Africas case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice, according to a statement from its Foreign Ministry released Friday. Earlier this month, Spain became the first European country to ask to join the case; other countries including Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua and Libya have requested to join, according to the Associated Press. - A senior State Department official and skeptic of the Biden administrations bear hug approach to the government of Israel resigned this week, in a setback for U.S. diplomats pushing for a sharper break with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition, said three people familiar with the matter. - At least 37,551 people have been killed and 85,911 injured in Gaza since the war started, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamass Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and it says 312 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operations in Gaza. () DUBAI Despite months of U.S.-led airstrikes against Yemens Houthi fighters, the once ragtag rebels have continued to threaten some of the worlds most vital shipping routes, drawing from an arsenal of increasingly advanced weapons to attack vessels in and around the Red Sea. Just this month, Houthi militants sank one ship and set another ablaze. The fighters, operating on land and in the water, have launched swarms of drones at U.S. warships and deployed a remote-controlled boat packed with explosives, tactics and weapons that experts say are associated with the groups patron, Iran. The recent uptick in Houthi activity has underscored the groups ability to pose a sustained threat, relying in part on a steady flow of Iranian arms and expertise both to withstand U.S. strikes and remain on the attack. The faltering U.S. efforts to halt Houthi operations and protect global shipping have also drawn scrutiny from Congress, where lawmakers say not enough is being done to establish deterrence. Their ability to replace whatever we destroy is unimpeded and our ability to interdict materiel coming into the country negligible, said Gerald Feierstein, a former U.S. ambassador to Yemen who is now a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington. For years, Iran has circumvented a United Nations arms embargo against Yemen, covertly sending weapons and equipment from Iranian ports to the Arabian Sea, or overland from neighboring Oman. The Houthis have also learned how to modify old weapons and manufacture new ones, becoming the first group to use anti-ship ballistic missiles to strike naval targets, according to senior U.S. military commanders. Their capability has definitely increased since they started their campaign, Feierstein said. So as long as they have the incentive to continue these attacks, theyve demonstrated they have the ability to do it. The Houthi movement, whose leaders represent a minority Shiite sect in northern Yemen, first emerged in the 1990s and later seized the capital, Sanaa, amid the chaos of the Arab Spring in 2014. They fought a bruising war with Saudi Arabia, which wanted to eliminate an Iranian proxy on its border, but ultimately stayed in power and expanded the amount of territory they control. Experts estimate that the group has a fighting force of at least 20,000, including a mix of tribal forces and troops formerly loyal to the government. In November, after war broke out between Israel and Hamas, the Houthis announced they would begin attacking Israeli-linked ships in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their first major salvo included hijacking a cargo vessel in the southern Red Sea and detaining its crew. Since then, the Pentagon has recorded more than 190 attacks on either U.S. military vessels or commercial shipping off the coast of Yemen, including nearly 100 since waves of U.S. airstrikes began in January. The Houthis have sunk two ships, including the Rubymar in March and the Greek-owned Tutor coal carrier that was hit in the stern last week by an explosives-filled surface vessel. Also in March, an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Houthis set the Barbados-flagged True Confidence on fire, killing three people. The operations soon broadened to the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea. From there, ships transit through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean, the shortest maritime route between Europe and Asia. But the security threats have cratered Red Sea shipping traffic, and by the end of March, the volume of traffic through the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait had dropped by half, according to the World Bank. The Houthis will continue to understand that theres a price to be paid for harming maritime trade in the region, a Pentagon spokesman, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, told reporters Tuesday, calling the attacks unacceptable. The Pentagon has deployed a rotating cast of warships in the region in an effort to thwart the Houthi threat, shooting down drones over the Red Sea and other waterways and striking missiles and radar sites in Yemen. The effort includes an aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the destroyers and other warships deployed with it. The Eisenhower deployed in October and has seen its mission extended twice by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as the Pentagon prioritizes keeping firepower in the region. But Republican lawmakers, some of whom are pushing for a dramatic surge in Pentagon spending in the year ahead, have accused the Biden administration of underinvesting in the advanced weapons and surveillance technology they now say are necessary for the fight. We just simply dont have the political will to go after them, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), who sits on the Senate intelligence and armed services committees, said in an interview Tuesday. He attributed the rise in Houthi attacks to resources that are being directed to them by Iran, as well as enhanced technology that has made their systems more accurate. Each of the different system types has their own capability, said Rounds, who declined to comment on specific weaponry. I dont want to get into what it is thats the most significant, but its more advanced than what they had to begin with, he said. The administration in March said that it was expanding efforts to intercept Iranian weapons being smuggled to Yemen. And on Monday, the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control said it was targeting with sanctions several individuals and entities involved in weapons procurement for the Houthis. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said that the U.S. naval destroyers and aircraft carrier battle groups in the region have been rather successful at disrupting attacks. U.S. forces, he said, have expended a lot of munitions in order to protect shipping. But if we dont protect that shipping, were going to see increased supply chain problems, Kelly, a Navy veteran who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview Tuesday. He said he had just reviewed classified intelligence on the issue and could not comment in detail on efforts to disrupt Iranian weapons shipments to the Houthis. But he acknowledged that the Houthis were continuing to acquire advanced weaponry from Iran. I think as they get munitions from the Iranians that they feel its in their best interest to use them in disruption in the Red Sea, Kelly said. For the Houthis, the relative success of their Red Sea campaign has given them the flexibility to more easily maneuver in the region and at home. This is an attempt to demonstrate that the Houthis are a serious regional actor, said Hannah Porter, a Yemen researcher with ARK Group, a U.K.-based international development organization. After engaging in direct combat with the U.S. military, Porter said the Houthis can now portray themselves as a power player, and use that to tighten their grip domestically or in ongoing peace talks with Saudi Arabia. On the ground in Yemen, that work is already underway. Images from the conflict - including video of the November hijacking and missile strikes on other vessels - are used by the Houthis to both drive recruiting campaigns and crack down on dissent, according to researchers and local media reports. Houthi media outlets have reported that tens of thousands of additional fighters have joined their ranks since the Red Sea attacks began. The Houthis are very good at seizing opportunities to assert themselves, said Nadwa al-Dawsari, a Yemeni researcher now based in the United States with the Middle East Institute. And in this case, they are using the Red Sea attacks to gear up for escalation in Yemen. Earlier this month, the Houthis launched a widening crackdown abducting aid workers with the United Nations and the Washington-based National Democratic Institute. Dawsari said the arrests are aimed at extinguishing the small pockets of dissent that remain in Houthi-controlled Yemen. These voices have been suppressed, but now the Houthis want to eliminate them completely, she said. Lamothe and Hauslohner reported from Washington. The FBI is investigating Army veteran Richard Kantwill, a Tampa dentist, for making threats of injury or death to multiple people. Kantwill was arrested Tuesday in Pinellas County and is being held without bond. (Pinellas County Sheriffs Office) (Tribune News Service) A dentist ignored the FBIs warning to stop sending threats after he emailed a violent message to a writer and threatened to kill and torture someone he called anti-Christian in a text message, court documents show. Richard Glenn Kantwill, a dentist in Tampa, Florida, sent dozens more death threats and disturbing messages to 42 people over the span of 10 months following his October 2019 interview with the FBI, according to federal prosecutors. In an Instagram message to one victim in July 2020, Kantwill wrote, cannot wait to shoot your ghetto (expletive) in the street and used racist slurs, court documents say. When the FBI tried to interview Kantwill again in July 2021, he refused and denied doing anything illegal, according to prosecutors. Between August 2019 and July 2020, Kantwill sent the threats and messages to politicians, celebrities, authors and others people whose political views differed from his and individuals who were a different race than him. He blamed the Government, minorities, and other entities for being the reason he had been speaking out, prosecutors wrote in court documents. Now, Kantwill, 60, has been indicted on three counts of interstate transmission of a threat to injure, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida announced in a June 20 news release. He was arrested June 18 and appeared in court for an arraignment that day, according to court records, which show hes pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Kantwills court-appointed federal public defender, Samuel Landes, didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on June 21. Kantwill is a U.S. Army veteran with no criminal history and practices dentistry in Zephyrhillis, a Tampa suburb, Landes wrote in a 21-page memorandum in which he argued the court should release him from federal custody. Landes contended theres no evidence that shows Kantwill has even the slightest inclination to act on any of these threats. Victim installs surveillance cameras out of fear Before Kantwills October 2019 interview with the FBI, he sent an email insulting an author, saying he read their article about The Great Donald Trump that he found blatantly prejudiced, according to prosecutors. Hire extra securityyoure gonna need it. I plan on (expletive) you upjust for the fun of it, Kantwill wrote in the Sept. 5, 2019, email, court documents say. A few weeks later, Kantwill texted the death threat to someone he called a fake Reverend, according to prosecutors. We are going to kill you. Torture first, then death. You will deny Christ, just like Judas because you are a coward. Either wayprepare to die, the text message said, court documents show. The person who received this text became fearful and spent nearly $4,500 on surveillance cameras and installed them, according to prosecutors. Kantwills Facebook message history shows Kantwill bragged about having many weapons and would reference his military service, reminiscing on enjoying the violence, prosecutors wrote in court documents. Over Facebook, he once wrote ...and I loved creating widows and orphans, according to court documents. A danger to the community During Kantwills detention hearing on June 18, he went against his legal counsels advice and spontaneously told the Court that his statements were empty threats, Landes wrote in the memo in support of his pretrial release. He said Kantwill experiences depression and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his service in the U.S. military, and that he has struggled with alcoholism. Landes argued Kantwill would benefit from screening for drug and alcohol treatment, and that his history and circumstances strongly suggest that he would continue to practice dentistry and avoid any contact with past or current alleged victims if the court allowed his release. Meanwhile, prosecutors argued against his release. Based on Kantwills explicit and detailed threats of injury and death to politicians, celebrities, authors, and others who disagreed with his political beliefs or were a different race than Kantwill, the government fears what Kantwill may do if a patient were to express such contrasting beliefs or exist as a different race than Kantwill, they wrote in a memorandum. Kantwill is a danger to the community, prosecutors said. If Kantwill is convicted on all three counts against him, he would face up to 15 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. 2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald speaks during a caucus rally on Jan. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS) LAS VEGAS Criminal charges against six Republican officials accused of scheming to throw Nevadas electoral votes to former President Donald Trump in 2020 were dismissed Friday by a judge who said she lacked jurisdiction in the case. District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus ruled in favor of the six defendants, agreeing that the judge lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Clark County because the alleged crimes occurred in Carson City and Douglas County. I cant see jurisdiction here, Holthus said. I would have filed it up north. I dont see any way how I have any jurisdiction over this case based on the facts presented to the grand jury. Attorney General Aaron Ford vowed to appeal her ruling. The judge got it wrong and we will be appealing immediately, Ford said. If an appeal fails, the state will not be able to refile charges in a northern county because the statute of limitations expired late last year. The six defendants Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, Clark County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Law, Republican National Committeeman Jim DeGraffenreid, Nevada GOP Vice Chairman Jim Hindle III, Eileen Rice and Shawn Meehan held a ceremony in Carson City after the 2020 election and signed the electoral certificate to give Nevadas electoral votes to Trump, despite Joe Biden winning the state by over 30,000 votes. The certificate was sent to the president of the Senate, the archivist of the United States, the Nevada secretary of state and U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, according to the attorney generals office. They had met in Carson City and later sent the documents from Douglas County. The documents were later received in Clark County. The motion to dismiss the felony charges was filed in earlyJanuary. The six pleaded not guilty after they were indicted by a grand jury in December. They were charged with offering a false instrument for filing and uttering forged instruments. Local progressive groups including Battle Born Progress, All Voting is Local Action and Native Voters Alliance Nevada held a press conference ahead of the hearing calling for Hindle, who serves as the Storey County clerk, to resign from office. As Storey County Clerk, his ongoing oversight of our elections, while indicted for orchestrating a fake elector scheme, is a slap in the face to the principles we cherish, voters alliance spokesperson Mathilda Guerrero said. Any official who prioritizes partisan maneuvers over democratic principles forfeits their right to serve. A jury trial in the case had been scheduled for Jan. 13, 2025. 2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Andrew Miller had served as deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli-Palestinian affairs since December 2022. (U.S. Department of State) A senior State Department official and skeptic of the Biden administrations bear hug approach to the government of Israel resigned this week in a setback for U.S. diplomats pushing for a sharper break with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition, said three people familiar with the matter. Andrew Miller, the deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian affairs, told colleagues Friday that he had decided to leave his job. He cited his family, saying he has seen them sparingly as the eight-month war in Gaza has become all-consuming. Miller told colleagues that if not for those responsibilities, he would have preferred to remain in his job and fight for what he believes, including in those areas where he disagreed with administration policy. Millers resignation, which has not been previously reported, comes amid growing frustration inside and outside government over the wars steep civilian death toll and concerns among some that influence over policy matters has been dominated by a narrow coterie of President Bidens closest advisers. Miller is the most senior U.S. official to resign to date whose portfolio focuses on Israeli-Palestinian issues. His departure will be a loss for the administration in general and the State Department in particular, said Suzanne Maloney, vice president and director of foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. Its a telling indicator of the general toll that the conflict has taken on those who have been working to deal with its security implications for the United States and its allies. People who know Miller describe him as a principled supporter of Palestinian rights and statehood, and a nuanced thinker about Middle East affairs. Before his job focusing on Israeli-Palestinian issues, he was a senior policy adviser to the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and during the Obama administration, he served as director for Egypt and Israel military issues on the White House National Security Council. Those familiar with Millers decision to leave spoke on the condition of anonymity to be candid about a personnel matter. Andrew brought deep experience and sharp perspective to the table every day, said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. Everyone here is sorry to see him go, but we wish him well in his next endeavors. Aaron David Miller, a Middle East expert who has advised both Democratic and Republican administrations, called Andrew Miller a smart and creative diplomat but said it had become difficult for officials at the departments Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs to influence policy. He was caught in a bureau of well-intentioned and capable Foreign Service officers who have had little or no impact on U.S. policy before and even after October 7, said Aaron Miller, noting the date when Hamas militants led a cross-border attack into Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, rejected that characterization of the bureau, noting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has brought its leader, Barbara Leaf, on all eight of his trips to the Middle East since Oct. 7 and has relied on her extensively as she carries messages from him and the president to leaders throughout the region. Israels retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and divided officials across the U.S. government about the appropriate response. At the outset of the conflict, Biden provided his full backing to the Israelis, surging weapons into the conflict and providing diplomatic and political cover at international institutions - even as Israel was accused of using indiscriminate bombing tactics and impeding access to humanitarian aid. Despite that support, Netanyahu has repeatedly ignored U.S. demands to take a more surgical approach in Gaza and refrain from exacerbating tensions with the Palestinians, such as withholding their tax revenue and using incendiary rhetoric. Though Gaza policy has been deeply divisive in the U.S. government, it has prompted only a handful of resignations at the State Department, Pentagon and other federal agencies. Officials at State have recently been subjected to email campaigns encouraging protest resignations related to the conflict. One U.S. official who knows Andrew Miller said he was ahead of the curve from the beginning in recognizing the risks of what has become known as the administrations bear hug strategy, referring to Bidens physical embrace of Netanyahu during a visit to Tel Aviv in the days after Hamass assault. Miller is said to have believed that the leverage the United States has over Israel as its biggest military, economic and political backer could have been used more effectively. Hes certainly on the more progressive side of administration officials when it comes to the region, including on Israel-Palestine, but he has also never been a burn it all down and forgo pragmatism type, said the official. He has always advocated that the United States should support Palestinian rights and statehood, but his advocacy while in government has generally been quiet and measured. Andrew Millers departure surprised many in the department, and several U.S. officials said he was respected on all sides of the contentious Israeli-Palestinian dispute. During his time at the State Department, he was an unmatched supporter of Israels security and deeply attached to the fight against antisemitism, said a senior State Department official who worked with him extensively over the years. A video screen grab shows a piece of debris that was found on a trail in North Carolina in May 2024. (YouTube) The metallic and almost hairy-looking objects appeared one day in western North Carolina, puzzling residents who came across the debris. NASA has now confirmed the objects came from the trunk of a SpaceX Dragon rocket. Groundskeepers in Haywood County stumbled across a large piece of debris on May 22, according to The Glamping Collective. We dont know what it is, we just know its not from up here, Justin Clontz told WLOS at the time he and a friend made the discovery. He called it a one-in-a-million chance that it landed on the trail where someone could find it, as opposed to in the woods where it could have gone undiscovered. But another local discovered a piece of spacecraft as well when it hit his roof and ended up in his yard, he told WLOS. At first glance it looked like a dead crow had flown into my house and fell there, Mike Wooten told the outlet. But I came down and I took a stick to poke it and I realized it wasnt a crow of course. The piece that hit his Macon County home was smaller than the one found on the trail. Clontz said he had to tow the bigger piece, which appeared to be several feet tall, with a lawnmower. The pieces appear to be bolt-studded metal plates interwoven with fibers. The objects that ended up in North Carolina were supposed to fully burn up in the atmosphere, NASA said in a statement. Most recently, the trunks that supported SpaceXs 30th commercial services resupply and Crew-7 missions re-entered over Saudi Arabia and North Carolina respectively, the agency said. NASA is unaware of any structural damage or injuries resulting from these findings. The trunk, containing cooling systems and hardware for powering the flight, is supposed to separate from the rest of the spacecraft and disintegrate in the atmosphere, according to NASA. The more durable component of the spacecraft uses parachutes to splash down on Earth. The debris found on The Glamping Collectives property is on display at the trailhead where it was found, the company said. NASA advises anyone who finds space debris not to handle it and instead contact the SpaceX Debris Hotline at 1-866-623-0234 or at recovery@spacex.com. 2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Former president Donald Trump speaks to thousands of supporters at an outdoor rally in 2022 in Florence, Ariz. (Melina Mara/Washington Post) Most of the dozen GOP officials or activists interviewed by The Post even ventured that the aim may have been to substitute former national security adviser Michael Flynn for Trump if the former president is sentenced to prison time. Among some on the far right, suspicions have intensified that the former president has surrounded himself with too many advisers beholden to the deep state. PHOENIX - Arizona delegates to the Republican National Convention gathered this month in a Phoenix suburb, showing up to get to know each other and learn about their duties. Part of the presentation included a secret plan to throw the partys nomination of Donald Trump for president into chaos. The instructions did not come from Never Trumpers hoping to stop the party from nominating a felon when delegates gather in Milwaukee next month. They instead came from avowed America First believers hatching a challenge from the far right - a plot to release the delegates from their pledge to support Trump, according to people present and briefed on the meeting, slides from the presentation and private messages obtained by The Washington Post. The delegates said the gambit would require support from several other state delegations, and it wasnt clear whether those allies had been lined up. One idea, discussed as attendees ate finger-foods, was for co-conspirators to signal their allegiance to one another by wearing matching black jackets. The exact purpose of the maneuver was not clear - and left some delegates puzzled and alarmed. People familiar with the meeting, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, said that perhaps the intent was to block an undesirable running mate. Most of the dozen GOP officials or activists interviewed by The Post even ventured that the aim may have been to substitute former national security adviser Michael Flynn for Trump if the former president is sentenced to prison time. Among some on the far right, suspicions have intensified that the former president has surrounded himself with too many advisers beholden to the deep state. Whatever the goal, the Trump campaign rushed to head off the stunt and replace the delegates. One campaign staffer involved in the cleanup described it to at least two Republicans as an existential threat to Trumps nomination next month, two people familiar with conversations told The Post. To another Republican, the staffer described the scenario discussed by the Arizona delegates, however unlikely, as being the only process that would prevent Trump from being the nominee. The episode in Arizona - a swing state where Republicans have been gripped by especially strong doubts about the integrity of elections - unfolded mostly out of sight. The campaign and the Arizona delegates reached an agreement that there would be no disruptions at the convention. Still, suspicions lingered about other state delegations, according to a campaign official who wasnt authorized to speak publicly. He declined to elaborate. The fracas exposed the challenges of choreographing next months convention in Milwaukee, where some 5,000 delegates and alternates will participate - many of them inclined toward the falsehoods and conspiracy theories that animate many of Trumps supporters. See this is what happens in a war between Good and Evil, Chris Hamlet, one of the Arizona delegates involved in the plan, told other delegates in a private messaging chat. Were never going to get along and hold hands and sing kumbaya, thats just not how it works. The 2016 Republican convention briefly descended into a shouting match during a short-lived bid by Trumps Republican opponents to derail his nomination. This time, the Trump campaign has worked quietly and steadily to line up delegates who are unswervingly loyal Trump fans, just in case any of his defeated primary opponents try to disrupt the proceedings. Delegates this year include at least one organizer of the rally that preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as well as individuals who are being prosecuted for participating in a strategy that falsely declared Trump had won their states in 2020. Even so, suspicions have circulated among Trumps supporters that covert saboteurs have somehow infiltrated their ranks. At the Georgia GOP convention in May, one would-be delegate withdrew after being accused of having lobbied for Dominion Voting Systems, a frequent target for false claims of fraud in the 2020 election. I have had to spend far too much time dealing with intra party power struggles, and local intra party animosities, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy said in a resignation letter this month. We have Republicans who would rather fight other Republicans than engage in the harder work of defeating incumbent Democrats by convincing swing voters to vote Republican. Next months convention is supposed to be a pro forma affair, a made-for-television event where the delegates put their stamp on a decision already made by Republican primary voters, who overwhelmingly backed Trump this year. Thats what has made the presentation in Arizona about changing the rules so baffling, according to GOP officials and activists who were interviewed for this story. Suspending of the rules would then allow an open forum to consider alternate candidates to Trump, one person involved in the states delegate drama said. Several other Republicans involved in the discussions suggested motives that revolved around the same idea: money. I suspect that they really dont want us to win theyre making money on the election integrity stuff, a Republican said of efforts by activists aligned with some of the most far-fetched conspiracy theories of fraudulent balloting. They make money when we lose. The group of delegates that caused alarm with the Trump campaign was led by Shelby Busch, chair of the Arizona delegation and leader of a political action committee she helped create in 2020. The group, the We the People AZ Alliance, has raised nearly $1 million, according to state campaign finance records. The group is closely aligned with Senate candidate Kari Lake (R) and is funded largely by entities linked to prominent election deniers such as Flynn and Patrick Byrne, a former Overstock.com executive who is no longer affiliated with the company. On Tuesday, Byrne wrote in a post on X that Trump, based on some of his endorsements, is still surrounded by DEEP STATE nobodies who tell the former president to choose a vice president that wont overshadow him. In two weeks Trump is going to be either in jail or under house arrest, Byrne wrote. His VP needs to be a General. The post tagged Flynns social media profile. Busch convened the June meeting where another delegate and party activist, Joe Neglia, gave a presentation that included information on a maneuver to suspend the conventions rules and take over the proceedings from the floor, according to those present or briefed on the meeting. Neglia declined to comment. When the Trump campaign heard about the meeting, a staffer started working with local party officials and activists to recruit new delegates to replace the six who had gathered. The leaders of this group, Shelby Busch and Joe Neglia, are engaged in a multi-state conspiracy to suspend the rules at the national convention, the campaign said in a memo outlining the plan to recruit new delegates and swear them in instead of the six. Buschs bloc responded by accusing those challenging their status of being part of an anti-Trump establishment group, seeking to sabotage Trump from within his own campaign and the RNC. This is an orchestrated effort by our political adversaries using the same vile Democrat tactics on display against our beloved President Trump, her group said in a statement this week. The Arizona grassroots Patriots that love our President Donald Trump overwhelmingly voted for our delegation because they know us and our work in Arizona to save our state and our country, our unwavering support for Trump, and they know they can trust us to vote for Trump even if he is incarcerated. (Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in New York on 34 felony convictions on July 11, a few days before the convention starts.) On Thursday, Busch reached an agreement with the campaign that Neglia would step aside, the other delegates could remain, and there would be no revolt on the floor, according to people familiar with the conversations. That resolution defused the threat, but it left some of the volunteer replacements feeling jilted for having stepped up to help the campaign, taken heat and then cast off. It was campaign- and RNC-driven, said one of the recruited replacements. There was no reason for any of us to do this other than to help the campaign. Another volunteer said in a private chatroom message obtained by The Post that the juvenile rhetoric used toward fellow delegation members was disappointing to him. These actions were done at the request of the candidate we are all legally bound and proud to nominate in a few weeks. Campaign political director James Blair moved to smooth things over with a public statement thanking them for their service and praising their loyalty to Trump, while also announcing Buschs commitment to cooperate with the campaign. Its not just a question of loyal Trump support, its willingness to not do anything that could distract from the historic nomination and celebration of President Trump, which is a four-day commercial, the campaign official said. Theres Trump supporters on all sides. Sometimes people want to use that forum to fight about little things, and we dont want that. We dont want anything that could distract. Meanwhile, the Arizona Republican Party chair wrote to fellow conservatives that the delegations private chat had become its own distraction. Im closing the thread, the post said. Its hurting the ability to function as a team. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, in Luxembourg, June 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) LUXEMBOURG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Luxembourg's financial institutions are welcome to conduct business in China, visiting Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said here on Thursday during a meeting with the country's Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China values Luxembourg's status as an international financial center and its unique geographical advantages, and supports more Chinese enterprises to choose Luxembourg as an investment transit hub and a financial allocation center. China-Luxembourg relations are developing well, Ding said, urging both sides to strengthen their traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation, and promote the continuous advancement of bilateral ties to new levels. Ding noted that China is willing to work with Luxembourg to boost cooperation in advantageous sectors such as steel and air cargo, accelerate the development of new areas of cooperation in the green economy, aerospace, and high-tech fields, and achieve higher-level and broader win-win cooperation. Labeling China as an important partner for Luxembourg, Bettel said the two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in the financial, trade, and economic fields. Luxembourg highly appreciates China's firm commitment to and implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, and is ready to deepen cooperation with China in the electric vehicle sector to jointly promote green and low-carbon transformation, he said. Bettel added that Luxembourg upholds a pragmatic approach to cooperation with China and opposes the imposition of additional tariffs and trade wars. Europe and China should engage in dialogues to bridge their differences and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. Jose Marquez stands outside of his building, after his return to the United States. (Natalie Keyssar for The Washington Post) NEW YORK - Jose Marquez served three years in the U.S. Army and five years in the reserves, but because of convictions for drug crimes, federal judges ordered him deported to the Dominican Republic, the country he left as a child. His lawyer, voice cracking, told Marquez in a New York detention center that he would be barred from the United States forever. Marquez refused to accept that he would never return, even as immigration officers escorted him onto the airplane. He kept thinking about the mantras he learned in the military. Its not over, he said then, nearly 20 years ago. In 2005, Marquez became one of the estimated hundreds of veterans deported from the United States over the past few decades, though U.S. officials have acknowledged that they have never counted them all. Many were deported because they were arrested for crimes involving drug abuse, which veterans advocates say often stems from service-related injuries, trauma and stress. President Biden, during his campaign ahead of the 2020 election, promised to bring back deported service members, saying he understood their plight because his late son, Beau, had served in Iraq with the Delaware Army National Guard. Anybody whos fought for the United States of America should not be in a position to be deported, Biden said during a 2019 campaign stop in Nevada. After Biden took office, his administration created a program that allows deported veterans to apply to return to the United States for humanitarian reasons. Advocates say U.S. veterans often face danger in other countries, such as inadequate medical care or threats from cartels for their loyalty to U.S. forces. Since the program began, 120 deported veterans have returned to the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Most are on a temporary status for humanitarian reasons, giving them access to U.S. health care and a chance to find a way to stay permanently. Veterans advocates have been urging Congress to create a path to citizenship to prevent such service members from facing deportation again. An old friend runs into Jose Marquez for the first time since Marquez returned to the United States, outside a bodega near his home in New York. (Natalie Keyssar for The Washington Post) They sacrificed for this country and suffered the consequences, said Jennie Pasquarella, a lawyer with the Seattle Clemency Project and longtime veterans advocate who said the number of returned veterans has increased substantially. Its incumbent upon us as a society to take care of them. Marquezs parents came to the United States from the Dominican Republic in the 1960s and then sent for their children in 1976, when he was 12. His mother, Maria, stitched medical scrubs at a factory in New York Citys Washington Heights neighborhood, and his father, Jose, cooked steaks at a grill. Marquez joined the swim team at George Washington High School, sold shoes at Thom McAn and studied at Brooklyn Technical College. After the 1983 attack on a Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 service members, he and a handful of friends enlisted in the military. He served mainly at Fort Hood in Texas, training as a mechanic and marksman. One day, he said, a supervisor told him to apply for U.S. citizenship so he could qualify to be an officer, though he never made it that far, court records show. Marquez said he turned in the paperwork and believed that made him a citizen. Marquez was honorably discharged in 1993. In New York, he found work as a lifeguard and then became a maintenance manager for a fitness club chain. Then, he said, my ma got sick. After his mother was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, Marquez said, he spiraled into depression, alcohol and drugs. From 1996 to 1998, he was arrested and convicted on three counts of buying or selling cocaine and sentenced to seven years to life in prison, court records show. Many veterans struggle after their service, and a recent Council on Criminal Justice report showed that as many as 1 in 3 say they have been arrested at least once, compared with fewer than 1 in 5 nonveterans. Only noncitizens face deportation, and jails are one of the main ways that immigration agents find potential detainees. A photo of Jose Marquez in uniform from when he was in the U.S. Army. (Natalie Keyssar for The Washington Post) Marquez said an immigration agent approached him during a stint on Rikers Island, a city prison complex that at the time allowed federal immigration agents to scour the inmate roster for noncitizens to deport. Im a United States citizen, he recalled telling the immigration agent at the time, believing it was true. The Army had taken care of it, he said then. The Army had not. Marquez did not have a lawyer when a judge ordered him deported. Attorney Peter Markowitz, who had graduated from New York University School of Law, agreed to take on his case for free. Markowitz had also grown up in Washington Heights, a few blocks from the Marquez family. Markowitz argued that deporting veterans was an insult to all those who served, according to federal court records. Marquez had taken an oath of allegiance to the Army, he argued, and that meant he belonged in the United States. The appeals court disagreed, saying he was a foreigner who could be deported. I felt like I was betrayed, Marquez said. Over the next two decades, Marquez and Markowitz fell out of touch. Markowitz felt he had failed one of his own neighbors in his first case. He devoted much of his life to preventing it from happening again. Markowitz, among other accomplishments, led the creation of a public-defender program for detained immigrants facing deportation, which has since been expanded statewide. A wall of family portraits in the living room of the home Jose Marquez shares with his mother. (Natalie Keyssar for The Washington Post) For Marquez, deportation meant arriving in the Dominican Republic as an unemployed man in his 40s. His Spanish was so rusty he needed classes. His immediate family lived in New York - one sister is U.S.-born, and his parents and other two siblings all became U.S. citizens in the 1990s. Marquez founded a small company installing swimming pools, married, raised three children and divorced. All the while, he tracked U.S. news on the internet, which his brother paid for. He connected with other deported veterans to lobby American politicians to bring them back to the United States. I was taught to fight in the military, Marquez said, and thats what I did. As the years passed, that fight grew tougher. Marquezs eyesight and hearing began to fail. He needed better health care and more money, but he said he couldnt get it outside of the United States. After Biden took office, Marquez applied on his own to return. Officials rejected him in May 2022, partly because he had not provided enough reasons to justify his return, records show. Once more, he needed a lawyer. He emailed Pasquarella, then at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, and she connected him to his old lawyer, Markowitz, who was stunned. By then, Markowitz was a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, teaching and supervising students as they worked on real cases. He assigned his students the task that in 2005 had seemed impossible: Bring Marquez back to the United States. Forever. Markowitz and his students rewrote Marquezs parole application to provide more specifics about why he needed to return - such as getting access to higher-quality health care and caring for his elderly mother - and the government approved him for temporary entry into the United States. A bible open on Jose Marquezs bedroom dresser at home. (Natalie Keyssar for The Washington Post) Then what felt like a miracle happened: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in September that certain state drug offenses, including Marquezs, should not be considered aggravated felonies under federal law. Markowitz said that ruling meant Marquez never should have lost his permanent residency - and his crimes never should have caused him to be subject to mandatory detention and removal. Marquez still had to ask an immigration judge to overturn his deportation order, within 30 days of that appeals court ruling. Law students Stacy Moses and Rob Cook pulled all-nighters to draft the court motion, emailing Markowitz their revisions before dawn. Marquez returned in November and reunited days later with Markowitz at the law school in Manhattan. Sitting in a conference room, Markowitz plunked down a piece of paper on a table between them. Do you understand what that means? Markowitz asked Marquez. Does this mean I can apply for my green card? Marquez asked. Nope, Markowitz said. This means you have your green card, right now, sitting here. Shouts and tears filled the room. Finally, Marquez kept saying, they had won. Of the 120 deported veterans who have returned to the United States under Biden, 30 have become citizens, according to DHS. Marquez applied for citizenship in May and said he is also in the process of sponsoring his children for legal U.S. residency. Maria Esperanza Almanzar Liriano at her home in New York. M (Natalie Keyssar for The Washington Post) Now he shuttles between the Dominican Republic to care for his children and New York to watch out for his mother, Maria Almanzar, 85, a spitfire who cracks jokes and listens to Spanish-language prayer services on the radio. She has been diagnosed with cancer again. In New York, he sleeps in his childhood bedroom in the rent-controlled walk-up where his family has lived for more than 50 years. Framed photographs on the wood-paneled walls remind him of the family celebrations that he missed. Much is unfamiliar in the old neighborhood where he grew up playing stick ball. Then, the streets felt barren and dark. Now, lights brighten the avenues. The old Dominican corner store has become an organic deli. In late January, Marquez and others who had won their deportation cases spoke to a packed room of Cardozo law students in hopes of inspiring them to represent immigrants in deportation proceedings. One member of the panel, a nonveteran who returned after being deported, described being kicked out of the United States as a death of sorts, a death of the life you knew, the life you loved. Sitting nearby, Marquez, 60, nodded, his eyes wet. That is how it had felt, he said later, during all those years. Solidifying SCOs Partnerships. The event was moderated by Dr Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC. The speakers at the roundtable included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI; HE Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan; Ambassador Babar Amin, Pakistans first National Coordinator of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); Dr. Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, Professor, University of Peshawar; and Mr. Marghoob Saleem Butt, Pakistans National Coordinator for SCO, MOFA. DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stressed the significance of the upcoming Astana Summit within the SCO framework, underscoring SCOs role as a pivotal trans-regional platform committed to stability, economic development, and cooperative multilateralism. Emphasizing SCOs expansive reach covering 60% of Eurasia, encompassing 40% of the global population, and a significant portion of the worlds GDP, he underscored its evolution into a vital platform for stability and multilateral cooperation. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted SCOs commitment to non-alignment, non-confrontation and inclusivity, offering an alternative perspective in international relations and a different cooperation model in a polarized world. He also acknowledged the internal and external challenges facing SCO, urging coordinated efforts amidst complex regional and global realities. Pakistans active engagement with SCO, he noted, aligned closely with its national development goals and aspirations for regional peace and prosperity, reflecting its proactive role in advancing SCOs objectives. Earlier, Dr. Talat Shabbir highlighted the pivotal role of the SCO in fostering regional stability and prosperity through robust security mechanisms, enhanced economic collaboration, and cultural exchanges. Emphasizing the significance of the Astana Summit 2024, he highlighted the SCOs commitment to promoting peace and cooperation on a global scale. Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin highlighted Kazakhstans role in the SCOs development, emphasizing its contributions to regional stability through robust counterterrorism mechanisms and economic cooperation. He underscored Kazakhstans commitment to fostering deep ties with SCO countries, promoting global peace, and enhancing regional connectivity. Additionally, he discussed bilateral efforts with Pakistan in geopolitical dimensions, digital development, economic collaboration and connectivity, affirming a shared vision for peace, prosperity, and environmental security in the region. Ambassador Babar Amin emphasized the significant role of cooperation within SCO member states, stressing also the importance of people-to-people connections and media engagement. He highlighted SCOs evolving visibility and potential for enhancing development dynamics, suggesting it could surpass BRICS in certain aspects. Addressing challenges such as terrorism and security, he stressed the imperative of collaborative efforts to foster connectivity and mitigate obstacles, including the involvement of groups like TTP. Professor Dr. Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi underscored the interconnectedness of security and economics in global affairs, emphasizing the recent Gaza and Ukraine conflicts as examples. Prof. Dr. Soherwordi proposed key measures including diversifying regional ties, establishing mutual non-aggression agreements among powers, and jointly combating terrorism to ensure regional stability and resilience against foreign intervention. His remarks emphasized the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the regions economic and security interests. In his address, Dr. Marghoob Saleem Butt, Pakistans National Coordinator for SCO, underscored the significant contributions of the SCO in various domains, including food security, climate change, and counter-terrorism. He emphasized the expanding scope of cooperation within the SCO, highlighting initiatives such as joint border operations and enhanced cyber cooperation. Dr. Butt also outlined Pakistans priorities during its chairmanship, focusing on connectivity, poverty alleviation, and youth empowerment through digital initiatives. He also noted that Pakistan would be hosting the meeting of SCO Ministers of Trade/Commerce in September 2024 and the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in October 2024. Looking forward to Astana Summit, he expressed Pakistans commitment to adopt the documents which would reflect shared values of good neighbourliness, trust, and partnership, alongside commitments to initiatives such as safe drinking water, sanitation, and strategies for development, anti-drug efforts, and energy cooperation. Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, in his concluding remarks, said that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) stands committed to its core mission of fostering security and economic cooperation among member states. He added that SCO is an organization focused on addressing diverse security challenges including terrorism, extremism, separatism, and non-traditional threats such as climate change and food security. Highlighting the upcoming Astana summit and the expansion of SCO membership to 10 states with the inclusion of Belarus, he underscored the organizations evolving role and effectiveness in regional stability and development efforts. David Francis Collins was deemed unfit to stand trial on ten counts of abuse. Two victims of a child pervert brother-in-law more than 50 years ago welcomed comments from a judge who said their abuser ruined their lives. David Francis Collins, of Kilmacormick Road, Enniskillen, was deemed unfit to stand trial on ten counts of abuse, including indecent assault, gross indecency and attempted rape. A trial of facts at Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Newry earlier this year, found the 80-year-old had subjected his sisters-in-law Joyce McCormick and Maud Clarke to a catalogue of sexual abuse when they were young children. Collins who when exposed by this paper for his crimes took to social media to give a middle-finger response walked free on Thursday at Newry Crown Court. Despite being pictured recently going drinking in bars in Enniskillen, the 80-year-old sex beast was not present in the courtroom to hear the sentence. Judge Brian Sherrard said his hands were tied by the law and that the only option open to him was to give Collins an absolute discharge but said the pervert had ultimately found himself in a position of trust which he abused in the most egregious manner. Collins was, however, ordered to sign the sex offenders register and has been placed on the barring list for contact with children and vulnerable adults. The judge was very apologetic and spoke with sincere empathy on how that monster earned the trust of our mother and then he abused it, Maud told the Sunday World after the hearing. The judge explained very clearly that while he abused Joyce when babysitting her he had abused me while I was sent to clean for them. He said he recognises we ruined our lives and the lives of our families with alcoholism all thanks to him, and the judge said he was sorry for him abusing us as two little children, not two grown women we are today. He said the courts hands were tied due to the kind of case it was and due to the fact he was 80 and his mental state. We knew he wasnt going to jail but we are happy he will be barred from having access with other kids and that he has to sign the sex offenders register. We really appreciated the words of the judge and now we are just relieved its all over as it has been a long struggle in life and we are delighted we got him convicted on seven counts. Maud Clarke Judge Sherrard set out how the first victim was aged around six or seven when she was left alone with Collins in her own home, when she stayed with him and his wife and when she was learning to swim. The second victim was around 11 years old when she was abused by Collins in his bedroom while she was babysitting his children. The judge said: Both victims have suffered significantly from repeated abuse when they were children. The impact of the offending on them was quite clear from their evidence during the trial. The one aspect of this case that really stands out is that the elder victim did make a complaint in the early 1970s, but not only was she not believed, she was actually beaten. I am acutely aware of the continuing ramifications of that fact, not just for the elder victim, but also the younger. The judge spoke of the girls home environment and said that as a result of the elders complaint not being believed, they wrongly felt guilt. They were only children and ought not to be blaming themselves. There is also sorrow at the loss of family connections at various different stages because of this abuse. Judge Sherrard said: I want to make it clear, the courts hands are largely tied by legislation, but I dont want either victim leaving with the thought this case has simply been dismissed out of hand. The woman was speaking to gardai when Xamse Jamac (35), a stranger, came in and made the false claim. A drunken man who came into a garda station and claimed a woman there who had never met him was his wife has been jailed for two months. The woman was speaking to gardai when Xamse Jamac (35), a stranger, came in and made the false claim. Judge Miriam Walsh sentenced him after hearing he was shouting, roaring and falling around the place in another incident. Jamac, a Somalian national of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to public intoxication and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. Dublin District Court heard on March 21 this year, Jamac came into the public office at Store Street garda station. He approached a woman who was talking to a garda and stated that the female was his wife, a sergeant told the court. That was not the situation, he said. She had never met him before. On May 15, gardai found him shouting profanities at members of the public on Moore Street in the usual tirade of abuse that gardai would encounter, the sergeant said. Jamac was banging into shop windows and was arrested. The accused has an alcohol problem, its as simple as that, his solicitor Brian Doherty said. Ivan Gilder pleaded guilty to seven charges including manufacturing explosives and having firearms Explosives found by gardai that had been manufactured in a residence in a remote location in Kerry were so dangerous they could not be handled or measured the Circuit Criminal Court has heard. Hobbyist explosive manufacturer Ivan Gilder of Gearha North, Blackwater, Sneem, was aware of how dangerous the substances he made from household items were but was blithely unaware of how unlawful, his counsel told the sentencing hearing at Killarney Courthouse. Mr Gilder (63) had pleaded guilty to seven charges at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee in November, including manufacturing explosives and having firearms and ammunition at his home near Sneem in March 2021. The offences are under the Offences Against the State and the Criminal Justice Acts. Five of the seven offences Ivan Gilder admitted to at his home at Gearha North on March 27, 2021, are under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1883, as amended by Section 15 (4) of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998. They include making an explosive substance, namely a white crystalline powder containing Erythritol Tetranitrate (ETN) under such circumstances as to give rise to the reasonable suspicion that he did not make it for a lawful object, according to the charge. Tom Rice, counsel for the DPP, prosecuting, said how a second accused man, Thomas Albright (34), son of Mr Gilder, had pleaded guilty to two lesser offences possession of a firearm without a licence and possession of ammunition. Evidence of the facts was called by Mr Rice. In March 2021, gardai in Dublin became aware through confidential information of activity in south Kerry. A combined operation of defence forces, local gardai as well as gardai from the ballistics unit and from the Garda Special Detective Unit went to a remote area around eight miles from Sneem as well as to a house at Ardeen, Sneem, Mr Rice outlined.. Detective Garda Shay ODonnell of the Garda Ballistics Section in Garda HQ and who has 18 years experience in ballistics and improvised explosive devices, was part of the search team to arrive at the remote residence of Ian Gilder on March 27, 2021. Ian Gilder was living in makeshift accommodation an adapted horsebox without services or electricity with access via an untarred road, the garda agreed with Mr Rice. A native of the UK, he had moved to Kerry in the 1980s and worked as a labourer. He was the sole occupant of the horsebox house. In a locker close to the bed in the small bedroom, there were firearms and ammunition. The guns, including a rifle and an over-and-under shotgun, were not loaded. Gilder agreed there were dangerous substances present and he showed us items of interest, Det Garda ODonnell said. These included tall glass containers and several packages with explosive ETN and another high explosive as well as a lower grade black powder explosive. He was manufacturing them on site, the court heard. The ingredients were available on the internet as well as in household products and hardware stores, the garda told Judge Sinead Behan, and added that Mr Gilder was mixing and boiling them. Some 200 grammes of ETN were stored in the kitchen, enough to make two car bombs causing serious injury to occupants, as evidenced in Northern Ireland, the court heard. There was also a peroxide-based explosive which was very dangerous to handle and so could not be weighted but estimated at about 100 grammes. Yes, its a dangerous amount, Garda ODonnell replied, when questioned by Judge Behan. Peroxide explosives were a relatively new phenomenon and were widely used in Islamic terrorism Det Garda ODonnell said. They would explode on shock, such as on impact with the ground. ETN was more stable and required a detonator. Other items at Gearha North included home-made initiators and pipe bomb casing. The guns recovered were all hunting types and had been used for target practice, the court was told. Det Garda ODonnell agreed with Elizabeth Murphy, counsel for Mr Gilder, cross-examining, that ordinary household items such as bleach were being turned into explosives. Her client was not contesting the fact that he was manufacturing explosives, his father was in the explosive division of the British army and Mr Gilder was a hobbyist, she said. Det Sergeant Ronan Judge of the Special Detective Unit (SDU), said gardai do not believe Mr Gilder was in contact or had any connection with any criminal or political organisation. Gardai believed he was acting on his own. He had admitted the items in his son's house were belonging to Mr Gilder and Gardai accepted this. . Mr Gilder claimed he was living in fear arising from the suspected murder in 1991 of English man Brook Pickard in south Kerry, as well as from the treatment of the Sioux nation in America, Det Judge agreed with Mr Rice, agreeing also that Gardai allowed him to express his views in interviews. He had used the explosives to get rid of rats in ditches and for fishing, he told detectives. There was no evidence he was making money from the manufacture. There were no previous convictions of relevance. Mr Gilder had two minor convictions including for intoxication in a public place in Ireland; 35 convictions between 1977 and 2007 in the UK were for burglary, assault, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and motoring offences, Det Sgt Ronan outlined for Mr Rice. Ivan Gilder also pleaded guilty to having in his possession an explosive substance namely black crystalline powder known as black powder. Mr Gilder has also admitted to having in his possession an explosive substance, a pipe bomb. He further pleaded guilty to having in his possession an explosive substance namely a radio-controlled, multi-channel pyrotechnic initiator and control transmitter which he had made or manufactured. He further admitted to having an explosive substance which he had manufactured and was described as an improvised electric match. Ivan Gilder also admitted to possessing a firearm, a 12-gauge Lamber make shotgun, as well as to having 367 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition and 86 shotgun cartridges, in suspicious circumstances. These two counts are contrary to Section 27 of the Firearms Act, 1964, as substituted by Section 59 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 as amended by Section 38 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 His counsel, Elizabeth Murphy, said her client wished to express his regret to the army and gardai for exposing them to danger. He suffered from a number of medical conditions, physical as well as mental. She said his father was in the explosives division of the British army and her client was a hobbyist While he was aware of how dangerous it was, he was blithely unaware how unlawful it was, she said. He lives in this island of explosives, Ms Murphy added. Judge Sinead Behan said she had a number of concerns in relation to Mr Gilder and would not finalise sentence until she had both a psychiatric and probation office report. This was for his own needs and for the protection of society. She was also concerned about his living conditions without services in a remote area. She adjourned the matter and remanded Mr Gilder in custody, ordering medical and psychiatric attention. She finalised sentencing on his son, Thomas Albrighton, who in November had pleaded guilty at Tralee Circuit Court to possession of ammunition at Ardeen, Sneem on March 27, 2021, including 271 rounds of .22 ammunition and nine 12 gauge shotgun cartridges. Mr Albrighton also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, a .22 calibre Marlin rifle which was not authorised by a Firearms Certificate. Thomas Albrighton was very vulnerable, his counsel Katie OConnell submitted. Now a father of three children of tender age, he had been in foster care until he was aged 16; He had made contact with his father, only in September 2020 when he came to south Kerry to look after him. He was now estranged from him and back living with his mother in Wales. He was involved in his church and worked as a roofer and his employer was in court. These are very serious offences, Judge Behan said of both counts but added that when peeling back the layers, Thomas Albrighton was in a different situation to his father and was co-operative. The court heard, though, that ammunition and a rifle had been found in a bedroom, a place of residence to which children and others had access. Morally, Mr Albrightons culpability was at the lower end and this was a complex case and he had his own vulnerability, the court further heard. Mr Albrighton was described as a man of good character and his employer had travelled from Wales. Judge Behan imposed a two-year sentence, suspending it fully for a period of three years. Mr Rice said he would be seeking a destruction order for the gun and ammunition at the finalisation of Mr Gilder's case. Karl Phipps (41) was using the drug to self-medicate while trying to beat a painkiller addiction when gardai found the drugs in a raid. Karl Phipps (41) was trying to beat a painkiller addiction A Dublin man caught with 3,000 worth of cannabis jellies at his home has been ordered to carry out community service to avoid jail. Karl Phipps (41) was using the drug to self-medicate while trying to beat a painkiller addiction when gardai found the drugs in a raid. Judge Monika Leech gave him 240 hours of community service instead of three months in prison. Phipps, with addresses at Beaupark Mews, Clongriffin, and Bannow Road, Cabra, pleaded guilty to possession of tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to sell or supply at Beaupark Mews, Clongriffin. He also admitted simple possession of cannabis. Dublin District Court heard gardai searched the address in Clongriffin on November 28, 2022, finding cannabis worth 60 and 50 packets of edible jellies worth a total of 3,000. The case was heard previously and when it came back before the court, the judge was told a probation report was entirely positive, with Phipps deemed to be at very low risk of reoffending. Phipps was no longer using the drug and had learned a salutary lesson, his lawyer said. Earlier, defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said Phipps, who is a gas service engineer and devoted father was prescribed painkillers and became addicted to them, then used these tablets to deal with the painkiller addiction and was self-medicating. When Phipps was arrested in 2022, it was the wake-up call he needed to tackle his addiction and he was now living a drug-free life, Ms Bambury said. The vehicle was stopped as part of a garda operation in west Cork on March 14 which resulted in 10 men being arrested. A camper van hire company based in Co Monaghan is suffering financially because one of its vehicles continues to be held as evidence as part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged international organised crime. Gerard OBrien from Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan travelled to Bandon District Court to make a civil application for the return of the Rollerteam Zefiro 675 motorhome that was rented from his company. Mr OBrien said that the continued holding of the vehicle meant that his business has suffered a significant loss. For the State, Inspector Roisin ODea said that the bonafides of the rental company were completely accepted but there was a difficulty in returning the vehicle because it may still need to be examined by the defence in an alleged international organised crime prosecution. The vehicle was stopped as part of a major garda operation in west Cork on March 14 which resulted in 10 men being arrested. They are charged with conspiracy with others to import controlled drugs in excess of 13,000 between February 27 and March 14 into the State. Two of the accused, Juan Antonio Gallardo, 55, of 12 Turina Street, Cadiz, Spain and Aleksander Milic, 26, of Svetorgorska 15, Flat 5, Belgrade, Serbia were in the rented camper van when they were arrested in the village of Leap, Co. Cork. Detective Inspector Joe Young said that defence solicitors for the eight other accused had indicated that they did not intend to examine the vehicle but counsel for these two men had yet to confirm to the State if it would be necessary. Solicitor Plunkett Taaffe acting as agent for solicitor David OMeara who represents the two men said that the difficulty was that the book of evidence in the case had not yet been served. Mr Taaffe said that Mr OMeara did not know if he would need to examine the van or not because he did not know what was in the book of evidence. Det. Insp. Young said that it was not disputed that the two men were arrested while they were actually in the van. Judge Marie Keane said that the van had to be returned to its owner as soon as possible. She told the State that there had to be an answer by July 19 when the accused were next due in court with a clear timeline and indication of when the vehicle would be returned to its owner. Trump was addressing supporters at a rally in Racine, Wisconsin this week when he made the wild comments TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump (R) Democratic Presidential candidate, former US Vice President Joe Biden and moderator, NBC News anchor, Kristen Welker (C) participate in the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 22, 2020. (Photo by JIM BOURG / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JIM BOURG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Donald Trump has implied Joe Biden might snort cocaine to get pumped before next weeks presidential debate. The former White House boss was addressing supporters at a rally this week in Racine, Wisconsin, when he made the wild claims. On June 27, CNN will host the first of two planned general election debates in Atlanta. He's gonna be so pumped up, he's gonna be so pumped up. You know all that stuff that was missing about a month ago from the White House? What happened?' Trump said. "Somebody didn't pick up hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cocaine. I wonder who that could've been. I don't know. Actually, I think it was Joe. On July 2, 2023, a small bag of cocaine was found in a locker room at the White House, to which Trump was likely referencing. When the drugs were found, the building was briefly shut down. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were outside Washington at the time. Internal Secret Service emails obtained in an FOIA by ABC News showed the FBI immediately took control of the "white powder" for further testing at the FBI lab in Quanitco, Virginia. "There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area," the agency said in a lengthy statement. Biden Trump debate "Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence." The Secret Service said the packaging was "subjected to advanced fingerprint and DNA analysis," by the FBI crime lab. "The investigation included a methodical review of security systems and protocols. This review included a backwards examination that spanned several days prior to the discovery of the substance and developed an index of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the substance was found. Trump's latest rally (Getty) "The focal point of these actions developed a pool of known persons for comparison of forensic evidence gleaned from the FBI's analysis of the substance's packaging. "The Secret Service received the FBI's laboratory results, which did not develop latent fingerprints and insufficient DNA was present for investigative comparisons," the statement said. Meanwhile, in court earlier this month, Hunter Bidens ex-girlfriend claimed the Presidents son was abusing crack cocaine every 20 minutes or so when they first met. Hunter was convicted by a jury on June 11 of lying about his drug use to illegally buy a gun. During a radio interview in April, Trump claimed Biden 'was higher than a kite' at the State of the Union address. There is no evidence Joe Biden has ever used drugs. Both he and Trump are reportedly teetotal. A number of local rescue services took part in the operation including the Killybegs Coast Guard and the rescue 118 helicopter The Teelin Bay area in Co Donegal One man has died and another is being treated in hospital following a diving tragedy off the coast of Donegal today. The incident happened around 12.40pm this afternoon in the Teelin Bay area. A local diving event was taking place in the area at the time. Two men were recovered from the water. One of the men who is in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene. A second man, in his 60s, was rushed to University Hospital Galway where he is being treated. Local coroner Dr Denis McCauley was informed of the incident and a post mortem is due to take place in the coming days. A number of local rescue services took part in the operation including the Killybegs Coast Guard and the rescue 118 Helicopter. A Garda spokesperson confirmed "Gardai received a request for assistance form the Coastguard following an incident in Teelin Bay, Co. Donegal on Saturday afternoon, 22nd June 2024. "The incident occurred at around 12.30pm. Two men were recovered from the water. One of these males, a man in his 40s, was later pronounced dead at the scene. "The local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem will take place in the coming days. "The second man, aged in his 60s, is receiving treatment at University Hospital Galway." SANAA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-British coalition conducted four airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah province on Saturday, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The strikes hit the Red Sea coastal district of Alluhayah, northwest of the province, al-Masirah TV reported, without providing further information. The U.S.-British coalition has not commented on the airstrikes yet. Earlier in the day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said it received a report of an incident 126 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden. "The master of a merchant vessel reports explosions in the vicinity of the vessel. The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call," the agency said on its account on social media platform X, without providing further details. On Friday, the U.S.-British coalition said its forces had destroyed four drone boats and two drone aircraft launched by the Houthis to the Red Sea. The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, began in November last year to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea, to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the region has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group, prompting an expansion of Houthi attacks to include U.S. and British commercial vessels and naval ships. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well More than a thousand people have gathered in protests in Dublin and Cork in solidarity with a woman who was viciously assaulted by an Irish soldier. Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court after he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha OBrien. The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms OBrien in Limerick in 2022. 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 Ms OBrien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. There has also been criticism of Judge Tom ODonnell, after he told the court earlier this week that if he imposed a custodial sentence, Crottys army career would be over. Many people taking part in Saturdays protest criticised the suspended sentence. Hundreds of people gathered at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. Men, women and children of all ages carried placards calling for an end to victim blaming in courts and justice for Ms OBrien and other victims of gender violence. The demonstrators marched from The Spire on OConnell street to the Department of Justice at St Stephens Green. Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group, Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the courts decision. Attending the protest in Dublin, Ms Coppinger said: He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. Marie Clynes, a retired teacher from Dublin and Tristan McCall who travelled from Co Wicklow to attend the protest in Dublin on Saturday.Picture by Cate McCurry. His career was placed above the impact on her of the violence and that just says it all about the misogynistic rulings that were seeing in courts, to be honest, every day of the week, this is not unusual. We actually have to get that out there. These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well. It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence. Maybe lets start by suspending a few judges who dont understand the impact of violence against women or girls or LGBT plus people or in general on victims. We absolutely need dramatic change. Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: Womens Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. Thats how wide spread domestic violence is. Campaigner and womens rights activist Ailbhe Smyth said: This will not be the only time that we will be standing here or marching through the streets of Dublin on the issue of violence against women. Quite frankly this is enough. We have had enough. We will absolutely not take anymore. We will not watch a young woman who has already been traumatised, injured who said I will not be the same again. How sad can that be. Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: A few months ago I criticised a judge in the Dail and you would think the sky had fallen in. The Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee), the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach all said you cant say that, you cant criticise the judiciary. I was dragged over the coals for it. To criticise a judge in this establishment is, to them, a mortal sin. They appoint them. And because they appoint the judges, we have to judge them and we will judge them at the next election and tell them they have had their day. Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms OBrien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. I need to be particularly careful in that context. But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence. In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case. Tauranga RSA is preparing for a showcase of Anzac quilts to raise funds for the generous quilters who made them. It has been suggested by a member that the Tauranga RSA hold a function where the past recipients of an Anzac quilt bring them into the RSA for displaying to other members, thereby showcasing the skill of the quilters and hopefully generating some funds for the quilters, says Tauranga RSA club president Morton Anderson. The event will be held in the Jack Hinton Lounge from 1pm-3pm this Saturday, June 22. Morton says two women, Margaret Morunga and Sheryl Farrow, make all the quilts and 155 have been given to returned servicemen. The event requires gold coin donations, which will go to the quilters. Afternoon tea will be provided by the RSA. Morton asks if any member has been presented with a quilt and wishes to participate to please register your details with the office. Our aim is to have at least 40 Anzac quilts on display. Authorities have abandoned plans to attempt to refloat the stricken Interislander ferry Aratere at 9am as they instead send down divers to gather more information about how badly the vessel has run aground. The ferry hit the South Island coastline near Picton just after 10pm on Friday night after suffering a steering failure. Forty-seven people - eight commercial truck drivers and 39 crew - spent the night onboard the grounded ferry, and by 9am had been onboard the ship for nearly 12 hours Pictons deputy harbour master, two pilots and the ports manager are among experts to have boarded the vessel overnight as authorities consider how to tow the vessel back to the citys port. Ship tracking sites showed Picton tugboats Maungatea and Monowai lined up behind the Arateres stern earlier this morning, while other support vessels are also in place onsite. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has confirmed it will be investigating the incident, while KiwiRail bosses are flying from Auckland to Picton to help with the recovery operation. The Interislander ferry Aratere ran aground after a steering failure just out of Picton after 10pm on Friday. Photo: Renee Horncastle. Marlborough District Council mayor Nadine Taylor is among those to have sat in on a morning briefing on the situation. Initial plans had been to launch an operation to refloat the ferry on 9ams high tide. But after consideration, authorities said they needed more information, Nadine says. They want to put divers in the water and have a good look at her hull in the daylight, she says. They want to observe the vessel Aratere as she goes through this full tide just to see what level of buoyancy she has got. The divers would also be investigating the seabed below the vessel. They want to understand exactly where the hull is touching the seabed and get an understanding of the underlying ground that shes sitting on, says Nadine. The next high tide would be this evening but Nadine says authorities would likely want to attempt the operation to refloat the vessel during daylight hours, meaning the ferry might not be freed until at least tomorrow. The ferry departed Picton at 9.45pm Friday before suffering a steering failure and running aground just after 10pm. The Interislander ferry Aratere ran aground just out of Picton after a steering failure on Friday evening. Photo / Renee Horncastle. Horncastle Ship tracking images showed the vessel near Titoko Bay in Marlborough. Last night, emergency services rushed to the stricken vessel with passengers told to wear lifejackets. Interislander General Manager Duncan Roy initially told Newstalk ZB this morning they would attempt to refloat the ship about 9am. Thats the best opportunity with the most amount of water around the ship. Weve done a preliminary investigation and weve spoken to experts in the field, including our naval architects and that theres a plan afoot for nine 0Clock this morning. I think the weather is pretty good for the window. Duncan was on his way to Picton from Auckland alongside KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy. Hed spoken to crew members. Theyve been nothing, but focused on the safety and comfort of their passengers. Ive been really impressed with how theyve performed working through the night. Passengers aboard the Interislander ferry, Aratere, which has run aground. Photo: Supplied. Passengers aboard the Interislander ferry, Aratere, which has run aground. Photo: Supplied. Duncan says they would look at the formal processes once the ship was back in Picton. Were taking it very seriously. And number one focus is on the safety and comfort of our passengers and crew and then its the recovery of the ship and then well look at the next steps after that. No injuries Duncan says last night there had been no injuries and that the vessel is watertight. The Picton Harbour Master is on board and we are working with him to move the vessel back to Picton. He says he is confident harbour tugs will be able to assist the ferry into port. It is too early to understand how freight deliveries across the Cook Strait would be impacted, he says. The Interislander ferry Aratere ran aground near Picton just after 10pm last night. Photo: Renee Horncastle. Coastguard Marlborough volunteers onboard Bluebridge Rescue were also last night on the scene at Pine Bay along with several tug boats. Transport Minister Simeon Brown posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, last night: We have been advised that there is no indication of injuries, danger to life or danger of oil pollution to the marine environment. The vessel is watertight. Both KiwiRail and Maritime NZ are actively dealing with the situation.KiwiRail will provide further updates publicly. We have been advised that there is no indication of injuries, danger to life or danger of oil pollution to the marine environment. The vessel is watertight. Both KiwiRail and Maritime NZ are actively dealing with the situation. KiwiRail will provide further updates publicly. Simeon Brown (@SimeonBrownMP) June 21, 2024 A South Island Fire and Emergency duty manager says they had no direct involvement in the response to the incident at this stage. A man whose father was part of the group of truck drivers on board told the Herald last night all on board were safe. [My father] just said theyre just all on standby and just sitting there ready to go if they need to. He just said everyones been told to get up and just be up in one area and wait. Thats all I know at the moment. Its run aground so youd have to be ready to leave if you needed to, but they dont know anything further at the moment. Itd be f***ing pitch black out there. Aratere has run aground near Picton. Am advised no injuries and Harbour Master on board doing checks. Rachel Boyack MP (@rachelboyack) June 21, 2024 The Marlborough Harbourmasters office says harbourmaster Jake Oliver was involved in the response to the stranded ferry as of 11pm, and that police and fire teams were also at the scene. Police are the lead and weve offered assistance but nothing has been requested of us at this stage. Theyre [police] are dealing with it, the duty manager says. Highly unimpressed over Interislander fleet In February 2023 an electrical fault caused the Aratere to briefly break down in Cook Strait and drift while en route to Picton. Transport Minister Simeon Brown said this week the Government has been highly unimpressed with KiwiRails maintenance of its Interislander ferry fleet. The future of the ferries was the first question Brown faced at a Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee meeting on Thursday. Brown says the Government is committed to a resilient Cook Strait service but ministers also want to see KiwiRail maintain its existing ships to the appropriate standards. MarineTraffic is showing the Interislander ferry, Aratere, has stopped. Which has been a significant issue that weve been highly unimpressed with coming into Government, he says. On Wednesday, the Herald reported annual maintenance costs to keep the ferries running could almost double to $65 million by next year, and keeping the ferries afloat will be an ongoing battle. In December last year, the Government declined KiwiRails request for an extra $1.47 billion for the Inter-island Resilience Connection (iReX) after the projects total cost escalated to almost $3b. A $551 million fixed-price contract to build the new ferries was signed with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in 2021. Before Christmas, KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy suggested the deal could be rescued and the ships could still be built and then sold instead. NZHerald A Severe Weather Outlook has been issued by MetService for the week ahead. On Monday, a slow moving low lying west of New Zealand, with an associated front, is forecast to deliver some rain and easterlies to the lower South Island. Meanwhile, another low is expected to move southward and deepen during the day, just east of the upper North Island. This low is forecast to lie near East Cape late in the day, bringing a burst of rain to eastern Bay of Plenty and northern parts of Gisborne. There is a low confidence that the burst of rain about western Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne will approach warning amounts later in the day. The rainfall amounts about eastern parts of the lower South Island are not expected to reach warning amounts at this stage. On Tuesday, the low near East Cape is forecast to continue slowly south and lie east of the North Island, delivering strong south to southwesterlies and rain over the North Island. Meanwhile, the rain over the lower South Island eases, as the slow moving low west of the country weakens. There is a moderate confidence of warnable amounts of rain about eastern parts of Hawkes Bay south of Napier, and the Wairarapa, with a low confidence about remaining parts of Hawkes Bay, also Tairawhiti/Gisborne south of Ruatoria. In addition, there is a low risk of severe southwest gales affecting coastal parts of Hawkes Bay north of Napier, also southern Tairawhiti/Gisborne. The low is forecast to make slow progress eastward on Wednesday, June 26 with showers and rain persisting about eastern parts of the North Island. These showers are also affecting the top of the South Island. There is a low confidence that rainfall accumulations will reach warning amounts about southern parts of Tairawhiti/Gisborne, and about Hawkes Bay - mainly near the coast south of Napier - with a low confidence of severe southwest gales about coastal areas. On Thursday, southerlies are forecast to slowly ease about the North Island, although showers should persist through the morning with a low confidence of warnable amounts of rain about the Wairoa District. A narrow ridge of high pressure is expected to cover the remainder of the country, however, a weak front is expected to approach the lower South Island later in the day on Thursday. Athenree Road in Western Bay of Plenty, is closed following a serious crash. Police are responding to a two-vehicle crash on Athenree Road, approximately 1km from the intersection with State Highway 2, Athenree. "Emergency Services responded around 2.50pm," says a police spokesperson. "One person is in a critical condition and one person is in a serious condition." The Serious Crash Unit has been advised. The road is closed and motorists are advised to take an alternate route and expect delays. At the scene? Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz Four lucky Lotto players from Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Upper Hutt had luck on their side after each winning $250,000 with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The winning tickets were sold at New World Papatoetoe in Auckland, Trentham Mini Mart in Upper Hutt and on MyLotto to players from Waikato and Wellington. Powerball was not struck on Saturday evening and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $5 million. Meanwhile, a lucky Strike player from Kapiti Coast will also be celebrating after winning $400,000 with Strike Four. The winning Strike ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Kapiti Coast. 17 Lotto players win Second Division Seventeen lucky Lotto players will be jumping for joy after each winning $15,383 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. Two lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $23,597. The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold at Woody Winners in Wellsford and on MyLotto to a player from Wellington. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location Woodys Winners (+PB) Wellsford MyLotto (x2) Auckland PK Superette Auckland Glenview Food Centre Hamilton Woolworths Te Rapa Hamilton Te Ngae Four Square Rotorua MyLotto (x2) Hawkes Bay New World Hastings Hastings MyLotto (x3, incl 1xPB) Wellington MyLotto Nelson MyLotto Marlborough Dennis Bookshop Westport Pak N Save Riccarton Christchurch Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores or on MyLotto should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Lotto NZ exists to return 100% of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board. Hundreds of people are expected to flock again today to see the best of New Zealand's Lego builders at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. This weekend, Mercury Baypark is buzzing with excitement as hundreds of enthusiasts are drawn to see the creations made from the iconic building blocks. The two-day event, held on June 22-23, is showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of all ages, making it a must-see for families and fans. One of the Lego displays at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. Visitors are being treated to an array of intricate and imaginative displays, featuring everything from cityscapes to whimsical fantasy scenes and interactive exhibits. The event is highlighting the talents of both seasoned Lego builders and rising stars, with exhibitors traveling from Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington as well as Hawkes Bay Lego Masters NZ finalist Jono Samson. A display at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. I love seeing the creativity shown in Lego, says Bricks of Plenty Lego User Group president Jesse Ingham. Everyone has a different take on how they imagine their Lego creations, and I love seeing them all together in one place. A display at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. Visitors to the expo today will see huge Lego sculptures including a recreation of the city of Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings and a 4m-long scale model of a World War II ship. It's clear that exhibitors have put in countless hours to bring their creations to life, with the crowds appreciating their hard work. In addition to the displays BoPEx24 features hands-on building areas where children can unleash their creativity. Dottie Crawford-Saunders, 5, programming robot Lego on a tablet. Photo: Supplied. Moss Crawford-Saunders, 6, assembling a Lego truck after visiting the second hand stall at the Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. This is our first year holding a standalone show," says Jesse. "Previously, our events have been in conjunction with local primary schools." BoPEx24 is the biggest brick show in the Bay of Plenty this year and Jesse hopes they will gain new members. A display at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. As well as Lego creations, there are interactive displays and a Brickpit where the public can create their own Lego build and put it on display. There is also new and second-hand Lego available for sale. A display at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. The event is raising money for the Tauranga Hospital childrens ward and Kidz Need Dadz, which helps BOP fathers to play an active part in their childrens lives. BoPEx24 is at Mercury BayPark Stadium, 10am-5pm, on June 22-23 with a sensory hour on Sunday, June 23, from 9-10am. Entry $5 is per person, and under-threes gain free entry. Ford Saunders with Moss and Dottie Crawford-Saunders at the Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. A display at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. A display at Bricks of Plenty's BoPEx24 Lego Expo. Photo: Supplied. KHARTOUM, June 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 17 people were killed and many others injured on Friday in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village in central Sudan, a resistance committee announced on Saturday. The RSF militia attacked and stormed the Aseer village in Gezira State and "committed a massacre against the village's residents as they were leaving the mosque after performing Friday prayers," the resistance committee in Wad Madani, the capital city of the Gezira state, said in a statement on its Facebook page. The committee noted that the RSF's attack led to major displacement among the village's residents. Meanwhile, an eyewitness from the area told Xinhua that "the attack took place as the residents were leaving one of the village's mosques which left nearly 80 people wounded, some of whom suffering serious injuries." "The militia used light and medium weapons, and directly targeted the citizens upon leaving the mosque," the eyewitness said. He said the RSF forces were still stationed outside the village, noting that "the militia is likely to attack the village again," the reason why there is a large displacement movement from the village. The RSF took control of Gezira State in December 2023 after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) withdrew from Wad Madani. Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 2023, which has claimed more than 15,550 lives and displaced over 8.8 million people nationwide, according to estimates by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Fulton, N.Y. A 10-year-old boy threatened to shoot up a Central New York school and called a classmate to say shed be first, troopers said. The boy, who is not being identified by Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard because he is a juvenile, had already been suspended from the school for claiming to have had a gun, according to court documents filed by troopers on Friday. No gun was reported found. Around 8 a.m. Friday, a classmate of the boy approached the principal of Emerson J. Dillon Middle School with texts about a school shooting, Principal Jessica Ariola told troopers in a statement. The texts from the boy, who is in the fifth grade, were included in the court papers filed by troopers. In the texts sent on Tuesday, the boy more than once wrote he would shoot up the school. The girl also told troopers the boy called her to say she would be the first person he shot. The boy who made the threat has already been suspended until the end of the school year, according to documents included in the court filings. The boy had told a student he had a gun in his bag and made threatening gestures, the documents said. He has been disciplined in school at least 14 times, troopers said. Many times, the discipline came from physical fights or physical contact with other students, troopers said. The troopers filed an Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO, against the boy. The order allows them to search the boys home for weapons. A judge granted the order to search his home. Troopers did not say if the boy was charged or if weapons were found at his home. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard has reached out to the state police for more information on the incident. Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com. Two years ago, Lainey Wilson was opening for Morgan Wallen at the Syracuse amphitheater. On Friday night, she returned to the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview as a bona fide country superstar. It was her fourth time performing in Central New York in the past two years, and her first concert in the area since drawing a record crowd of 53,200 fans to the New York State Fair last year. Matt Curatolo Watertown Daily Times, N.Y. Ogdensburg, N.Y. An Ogdensburg police officer is in stable condition in a Syracuse hospital after being shot in what is being called an unintentional discharge of a firearm Thursday night at the police department. In a press release Friday morning, Chief Mark Kearns states that during the late evening hours of June 20, an incident occurred at the police department, 800 Park St., between two unidentified police officers. One officer was shot from what this office believes is an unintentional discharge of a firearm, the police chief stated. The officer is in stable condition at a Syracuse-area hospital. The departments thoughts are with both officers involved and their families as they deal with this unfortunate and tragic event, stated Chief Kearns. The St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Office will be conducting the investigation to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter, according to Chief Kearns. The New York State Attorney General has been notified of the incident. Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley confirmed that a total of seven police officers were placed on administrative leave until they could be interviewed by the Sheriffs Office, with interviews expected to begin on Monday. Included in the seven placed on administrative leave was the officer who discharged their firearm, according to the mayor, who added that the remaining six were potential witnesses to the incident, which took place at shift change. Each of the officers is a potential witness, they were at the event, said the mayor, Im told interviews of the officers would begin Monday and as officers are interviewed then I am told they can return to active duty. Tooley acknowledged that the loss of eight police officers, even for a short time, could make it tough to staff patrols until the officers return from administrative leave. In the press release, Chief Kearns said that while the incident is being investigated, city police patrols will be supplemented by other agencies and the public should see the possibility of a sheriffs deputy or state trooper respond within the city limits over the next several days. The Ogdensburg Police Department thanks the Sheriffs Office for their professionalism while conducting the investigation and assisting with shift coverage, as well as the Ogdensburg Fire Department and Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad for taking care of our members, wrote Chief Kearns. ___ (c)2024 Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) Visit Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) at www.watertowndailytimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with President of Luxembourg's Parliament Claude Wiseler, in Luxembourg, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) LUXEMBOURG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- President of Luxembourg's Parliament Claude Wiseler said Friday that Luxembourg firmly adheres to the one-China policy, recognizing that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Wiseler made the remarks when meeting with visiting 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. Wiseler commended China for lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty through its own efforts over the past few decades, saying it is a significant contribution to global development. During the meeting, Ding said that China attaches great importance to its relationship with Luxembourg, regarding it as a reliable partner within the European Union (EU). Ding stressed the need for both countries to effectively implement the significant consensus reached by their heads of state, steadily advancing pragmatic cooperation in various sectors to better benefit the two peoples of both countries. China is willing to strengthen exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries, share experience in governance, and establish correct mutual cognition to promote sustainable and sound development of China-Luxembourg ties, Ding added. The two countries' commitment to mutual respect and seeking common ground while shelving differences, Ding said, have helped China-Luxembourg relations withstand the shifting international situation and challenges over the past 50 years to reach the current level of development. Luxembourg has long understood and supported China on issues concerning its core interests, a stance that China has highly appreciated, Ding added. Emphasizing that the Taiwan question is at the heart of China's core interests, Ding said China hopes and believes that Luxembourg will continue to adhere to the one-China principle, thus safeguarding the political foundation of China-Luxembourg relations. Wiseler also noted that Luxembourg's parliament supports deepening friendly communications with China and is willing to strengthen exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries, to promote comprehensive development of Luxembourg-China relations. Why it matters: Compared to the monster update in April, this latest Patch Tuesday release is relatively small, but it contains a critical flaw that Microsoft users need to patch immediately: vulnerable products are open to remote attack by anyone sharing the same public Wi-Fi network. Microsoft has also added a new Explorer feature to its latest beta, making it easier to move files around. Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday included updates for 49 CVE-tagged security flaws in its products, including one deemed critical. Microsoft gave it a 9.8 out of 10 CVSS severity rating, and it falls into the category of "exploitation most likely." The bug is a remote code execution (RCE) issue in Microsoft Message Queuing that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code by sending a specially crafted malicious MSMQ packet to a vulnerable Windows system, such as a Windows Server box. It impacts a wide range of systems including Windows 11 and Windows 10, as well as Windows Server 2008 and newer versions. Like all RCE vulnerabilities, this flaw is dangerous because it allows hackers to compromise susceptible systems without physical access. In this case, attackers need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The attackers don't need authentication to access settings or files on a vulnerable device, and it can be exploited through low-complexity attacks namely, all the hackers have to do is send a custom-tailored network packet to a vulnerable device in the Wi-Fi range. As you can imagine, this makes it particularly dangerous for people who like to work from public spaces such as libraries, coffee shops or airports. Redmond said there's no evidence of the bug being exploited in the wild, a contrast to the two zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-30040 and CVE-2024-30051) that were patched in May 2024 and were actively exploited. However, malicious actors tend to rush once a vulnerability is published. Altogether, this was a relatively small patch for Microsoft according to Zero Day Initiative's Dustin Childs, who notes that the CVE count actually comes to 58 if you include the third-party CVEs also being documented this month. Microsoft has also launched a Windows 11 Build 26241 beta, which includes a new feature in Explorer that makes it easier to move files around. It allows users to drag-and-drop files between breadcrumbs through the File Explorer Address Bar. File Explorer has also been updated so it's a little easier to see when you have files or folders selected by adding a thin border to the selected area. The beta also fixed an underlying issue causing File Explorer to crash when going to Home. In context: The quest for smaller and more energy-efficient devices has led researchers to explore integrating energy storage directly onto microchips, thereby minimizing the energy losses that occur when power is transferred between different components. The idea isn't exactly new, but current technology has struggled to meet the requirements of storing sufficient energy in a compact space while also delivering it rapidly. Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC Berkeley have created "microcapacitors" that address this shortcoming, as highlighted in a study published in Nature. Made from engineered thin films of hafnium oxide and zirconium oxide, these capacitors employ materials and fabrication techniques commonly used in chip manufacturing. What sets them apart is their ability to store significantly more energy than ordinary capacitors, thanks to the use of negative capacitance materials. Capacitors are one of the basic components of electrical circuits. They store energy in an electric field established between two metallic plates separated by a dielectric material (non-metallic substance). They can deliver power quickly and have longer lifespans than batteries, which store energy in electrochemical reactions. However, these benefits come at the cost of significantly lower energy densities. Perhaps that's why we've only seen low-powered devices like mice powered by this technology, as opposed to something like a laptop. Plus, the problem is only exacerbated when shrinking them down to microcapacitor sizes for on-chip energy storage. The researchers overcame this by engineering thin films of HfO2-ZrO2 to achieve a negative capacitance effect. By tuning the composition just right, they were able to get the material to be easily polarized by even a small electric field. To scale up the energy storage capability of the films, the team placed atomically thin layers of aluminum oxide every few layers of HfO2-ZrO2, allowing them to grow the films up to 100 nm thick while retaining the desired properties. These films were integrated into three-dimensional microcapacitor structures, achieving record-breaking properties: nine times higher energy density and 170 times higher power density compared to the best electrostatic capacitors today. That's huge. "The energy and power density we got are much higher than we expected," said Sayeef Salahuddin, a senior scientist at Berkeley Lab, UC Berkeley professor, and project lead. "We've been developing negative capacitance materials for many years, but these results were quite surprising." The technology could help meet the growing demand for miniaturized energy storage in microdevices such as IoT, edge computing systems, and AI processors. "With this technology, we can finally start to realize energy storage and power delivery seamlessly integrated on-chip in very small sizes," said Suraj Cheema, one of the leading authors of the paper. "It can open up a new realm of energy technologies for microelectronics." It's a major breakthrough, but the researchers aren't resting on their laurels just yet. Now they're working on scaling up the technology and integrating it into full-size microchips while improving the negative capacitance of the films further. In a nutshell: TikTok has disclosed that it offered the US government a "kill switch" back in 2022 to address concerns over data protection and national security. The ByteDance-owned app made this offer as part of its efforts to prevent a ban in the United States. According to TikTok, the proposed "kill switch" would have given the US government the power to shut down the platform at its sole discretion if certain rules were not followed. These rules were outlined in a draft "National Security Agreement" that TikTok presented to the government in August 2022. The agreement also included provisions such as properly funding data protection units and ensuring that ByteDance did not have access to US users' data. However, TikTok claims that despite its efforts to address government concerns, US officials ceased any substantive negotiations after the proposal was made. In a letter to the Department of Justice, TikTok's lawyer alleges that the government ignored requests for further meetings and did not respond to an invitation to inspect the company's Dedicated Transparency Center in Maryland. The disclosure comes as TikTok and ByteDance begin their legal battle against legislation that would force the sale of the app's US assets or face a nationwide ban. The companies argue that the law is a significant departure from America's tradition of promoting an open internet and sets a dangerous precedent by targeting a specific platform. The legal battle over TikTok's future in the US is set to intensify in the coming months. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hold oral arguments on lawsuits filed by TikTok, ByteDance, and TikTok users in September. The legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in April, gives ByteDance until January 2025 to divest TikTok's US assets or face a ban. Despite the growing pains, ByteDance continues to experiment in the social media space. The company is currently testing a new app called Whee, which offers a private photo-sharing experience similar to Instagram - although it's currently not available in the US. The concerns over TikTok stem from the fear that the app could share data belonging to its 170 million US users with the Chinese government. TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, stating that US data does not leave the country and is overseen by American company Oracle through a deal called Project Texas. To make matters worse, the issue has also entered the European political landscape. Last month, the president of the European Commission did not rule out the possibility of a similar ban on TikTok in Europe, citing security risks posed by the app. It is widely known that Elon Musk is a big cryptocurrency supporter, but his upcoming X Payments service will not include or support crypto in any way. As more and more fintech companies and services add support for crypto, the upcoming Venmo-like payment service from X, which is allegedly coming this year, will not join the adoption. For many years, the tech billionaire flaunted his belief and fondness for cryptocurrency, previously allowing users to buy Tesla EVs and services with Dogecoin and more. Elon Musk is Saying No to Crypto for X Payments New documents behind Elon Musk's soon-to-launch X Payments service reveal that the company will not add or support cryptocurrency transactions, according to Bloomberg's report (via Fortune). The latest 350-page documents and emails, which it delivered to 11 states and their regulators, show its licenses and plans for the service. In its submission to Maine, the company said that it has "no plans" to allow the storage of digital assets in a wallet on X and the sending or receiving of cryptocurrencies. According to Bloomberg, Facebook's attempt in 2019 indicates that social media platforms have historically had difficulty incorporating crypto transactions. Read Also : Elon Musk Announces Tesla Shareholders Back His $56 Billion Pay Package Venmo-Like Service Coming Later This Year? Despite being known as vocal supporters of cryptocurrency, Elon Musk and X will not support it for the upcoming fintech service of the platform, which is one less feature of the "everything app." Recent reports and these latest documents suggest that the "Venmo-like" payment service from X is coming this year, with Musk rushing to bring it before 2024 ends. Elon Musk and Cryptocurrency Back when Musk was only an active member of the social media known as Twitter, he was a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency and, on several occasions, advocated for its global adoption. His support is more than words, as he previously allowed Bitcoin and Dogecoin purchases for Tesla EVs and products but later dropped BTC amidst its coal use for its power needs in mining. While Musk is not the father of Dogecoin, the meme cryptocurrency largely associated with him, he has been one of its avid supporters since it was introduced and back when it rallied in 2021. He was seen frequently talking about Dogecoin and interacting with its creator, Billy Markus, also going as far as to claim he believes in $DOGE's "supremacy." To this day, Musk has not yet sold his cryptocurrency investments, apart from Tesla selling its Bitcoin assets in 2022. He has since been vocal in supporting digital assets, especially DOGE. However, his belief is not enough for them to venture into adding crypto transactions for X Payments, a supposed 'everything app,' in its future launch speculated for this year. Spotify introduced a new tier in its Premium subscription that offers a slightly cheaper monthly payment fee, and this new choice is sacrificing access to Audiobooks for a lower price. This comes after Spotify brought a price hike on its monthly subscriptions for users earlier this month, with this being the first time the Swedish streaming platform introduced a lower tier. While this is a stellar option, the price difference from its previous Spotify Premium pricing is not great, but it still gives the user a choice. Spotify's Cheaper Premium Plan Spotify's latest press release announced the latest update on its Premium tiers, with the company adding a fourth option for subscribers to enjoy its ad-free services. This new tier is called 'Basic,' and it is a cheaper version of the previous lowest tier, a.k.a. Premium Individual, which gets the ad-free, unlimited music streaming experience and not much else. This is because Basic removed the 15-hour Audiobook credits that US subscribers are entitled to on the app, with only the music streaming experience included in its $10.99 monthly fee. Spotify Premium Tier Prices Now Updated Spotify's latest update on its Premium pricing is as follows: Basic - $10.99: Ad-free, unlimited music streaming without audiobooks. Premium Individual - $11.99: Ad-free music streaming with 15 hours of audiobooks for a single user. Premium Duo - $16.99: Ad-free music streaming with 15 hours of audiobooks for two separate accounts. Premium Family - $19.99: Ad-free music listening experience with 15 hours of audiobooks for up to six family members. Audiobook Access - $9.99: Additional 15 hours of audiobook credits per month. Basic and Premium Individual do not differ much and only offer a $1 discount, but this already removes 15 hours of audiobook credits, an add-on that would cost users $9.99 if they wanted to stream this experience. Spotify Premium Certainly, one of the best ways to enjoy Spotify and its massive audio and music streaming library is through Premium, its paid service that delivers the top experience for all. However, June saw a massive price hike from the company, and it follows last year's subscription increase, with this new pricing to cost users an extra $1 to $3 per month. One of the previous changes on Spotify Premium was granting its users more Audiobook credits. This was first introduced in the United States only, but now, other countries are getting it, too. US Spotify subscribers got 15 hours of Audiobook credits before, but they are only arriving in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand without an additional cost. It is known that Spotify Premium has offered unlimited, ad-free streaming since it first started, allowing users to enjoy the latest and most complete music streaming experience in the world. Amidst its new pricing, Spotify added a new tier called 'Basic' under the Premium program, which excludes the 15-hour Audiobook credits for a $1 cheaper monthly payment. Apple has decided to delay the launch of its three new AI features in Europe, affecting consumers in all 27 European Union (EU) member countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. While Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing features will be launched elsewhere this September, they will initially be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices and in American English. Apple Delaying AI-Powered Features Launch in Europe Apple announced Friday that it will delay introducing its latest AI capabilities across Europe, citing concerns over regulatory compliance. The tech giant said that European customers will not have access to these new features due to regulatory issues related to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law aims to make the digital economy fairer by requiring tech companies to ensure that rival products and services can function with their devices. According to Bloomberg, Apple postponed the launch of its iOS 18's flagship AI features, Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing in the EU this year. Apple's decision to postpone the rollout of its advanced AI features in Europe reveals its concerns posed by the EU's regulatory attempts to rein in Big Tech. As the landscape of digital regulations evolves, Apple's actions highlight the balancing act between innovation and regulatory compliance in the tech industry. Read Also : Meta Announces Users in Europe Can Soon Unlink Instagram, Facebook Accounts Apple's Strategic Decision Amid Regulatory Challenges Apple showcased one of its latest AI services, Apple Intelligence, during its recent Worldwide Developers Conference. This service includes text summarization, image creation, and smart data retrieval alongside a revamped Siri. The unveiling sparked a positive response in the stock market, as Apple's shares rose by 9% after the conference, pushing its market value beyond $3.2 trillion. As of Friday afternoon in New York, Apple's shares were trading at $210.48, up 0.4%. As part of the decision, iPhone mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing features will also be delayed. iPhone mirroring allows users to virtually display their device on a Mac screen and fully manage it. SharePlay enables screen sharing from an iPad or iPhone to another device, allowing remote control for technical support purposes. Apple has once again blamed regulations for restricting features for EU users. Earlier this year, the company said it would block the ability to add home screen web apps in Europe due to DMA rules. However, it later reversed this decision, citing unspecified "requests." Google similarly removed third-party apps and watch faces from European devices, citing new regulatory requirements. Apple underscored its apprehensions regarding the DMA, highlighting potential challenges in meeting interoperability requirements that could compromise product integrity. However, the company did not elaborate on how these regulations could impact user data security and privacy. Enacted in 2022, the DMA aims to promote fair competition by curbing Big Tech's practices of suppressing rivals. It prohibits these companies from prioritizing their own services over competitors, locking in customer data exclusively within their platforms, and restricting transparency concerning their use of advertising data. Related Article: EU To Force Apple to Make Major Changes on Apps, Other Services? New Digital Markets Act Includes Siri and More MOGADISHU, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has called for a phased approach to the withdrawal of peacekeepers from Somalia to avoid a potential security vacuum. The AUPSC strongly backed Somalia's request made in May for a phased approach to the Phase 3 drawdown of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to enable Mogadishu to maintain half of the troops that were expected to withdraw by the end of June. "The AUPSC notes that the exit of AU Transition Mission in Somalia needs to be carefully harmonized with the follow-on mission that replaces it, including the harmonization of Troop Contribution Countries (TCCs), to ensure that there is no security gap between Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025," AUPSC said in a communique released by ATMIS Saturday. During its meeting, the AUPSC said the ongoing offensive operations against the al-Shabab terror group and the full implementation of the Phase 3 drawdown could lead to capability gaps that may have significant implications for the security of Somalia and the wider region. The AUPSC, which is the AU's decision-making organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, expects the withdrawal of 4,000 ATMIS personnel to be divided into two tranches, namely 2,000 by the end of June and 2,000 by the end of September. ATMIS withdrew 5,000 troops from Somalia and handed over 17 military bases to the Somali Security Forces during the first and second phases of the drawdown concluded in 2023. The AU organ called for enhanced capacity of the national security sector, including systematic but rapid generation of forces, as the Somalia National Army continues to assume security responsibilities. "The AUPSC expresses concern that the ongoing offensive operations, coupled with simultaneous drawdown, could leave a gap for al-Shabab to reorganize and conduct asymmetric attacks," it warned. It reiterated the importance of force generation, regeneration, integration and capacity building both for the Somali government and the Federal Member States as major components in taking over security responsibilities. The AUPSC emphasized that the new AU-led mission should focus on supporting Somalia to further degrade al-Shabab, provide security and prioritize the protection of civilians in Somalia. According to the AU organ, the new force should engage in counterterrorism operations and also prioritize support for the security and political stabilization of Somalia, among other tasks. GAZA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 42 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on residential houses in two areas of Gaza City, according to Palestinian security and medical sources. "About 18 were killed and dozens of others wounded in al-Shati refugee camp after the Israeli warplanes attacked a residential square," Palestinian medical sources told Xinhua. The medical sources noted that the number of victims is likely to increase as the civil defense teams were still trying to pull out the victims from the rubble, adding that the residential square had become "a huge amount of ruins." Palestinian security sources said that Israeli warplanes launched several raids on al-Shati refugee camp, destroying seven inhabited homes. Also on Saturday, at least 24 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed during Israeli airstrikes on houses in the al-Tuffah neighborhood in the northeast of Gaza City, the Hamas-run government media office said in a press statement. The Israeli army said on Saturday in a press statement that its warplanes had attacked two Hamas military infrastructure sites in Gaza City. According to the Times of Israel, the Israeli army targeted Raed Saad, a senior commander of Hamas in Gaza. So far, there has been no official Palestinian confirmation of his death. Saad, identified as a chief of Hamas operations, was reportedly believed to have been at Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital during an Israeli raid in March, although he was not found there at the time. Israel launched a large-scale war on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out a military attack on Israeli towns near the Strip, killing about 1,200 and capturing around 250 others. The health authorities in Gaza said in a press statement that as of Thursday, the Palestinian death toll from Israeli military operations has risen to 37,431 people, with 85,653 others wounded. Extreme heat is new danger stalking US-bound migrants Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, June 21 (AFP) Jun 21, 2024 In the Mexican desert near the US border, security forces are on alert after a man was found dead from heat stroke on the journey to what he hoped would be a better life in North America. The 45-year-old Mexican man's body was found buried among sand and bushes under the merciless sun, a week after a woman died from dehydration in the northern state of Chihuaha, where temperatures are over 40 degrees Celsius. Migrants from Latin America already face risky river crossings, wild animals and violent criminal gangs that extort, kidnap and abuse them on their path to the United States. The heat is proving a new enemy for migrants exposed to the elements. The Mexican government on Thursday reported 155 deaths associated with high temperatures, with 30 in the past week alone. "It's too hot, I am a little dehydrated since the temperature doesn't go down and it's 43, 44 or 45 degrees," said Dioner Jose Romero, a 25-year-old Venezuelan migrant. His compatriot Nelson Ramos, at a Catholic Church shelter in border city Ciudad Juarez, said he was used to high temperatures, but "the sun is too strong... I feel a little suffocated." - 'Don't do it' - The US Border Patrol says that since October it has recorded the deaths of 77 people in the El Paso sector close to Ciudad Juarez, which extends to other parts of Texas and New Mexico. The main causes of death are heat stroke, drowning, and falls from the border wall -- sections of which are up to nine meters high. Mauricio Rodriguez, the director of emergency management services in Ciudad Juarez, told AFP that people were being urged not to travel to the border "because of the high temperatures." "I understand that people are forced to do so, but we recommend they don't do it. The heat can lead to death," he said. The deceased Mexican man had initially been abandoned by the trafficker who was taking him to the United States, but he returned to bury him in the desert. The trafficker later agreed to reveal the location of the body at the request of the migrant's family, according to emergency services. During the search, Mexican authorities found six other undocumented immigrants, one with symptoms of dehydration. Nearly 1.3 million irregular migrants passed through Mexican territory between January and May of this year alone, according to figures from Mexico's National Institute of Migration (INM). Tourists banned from Italy's Capri over water shortage Rome, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 The Italian island of Capri banned tourists from disembarking Saturday after problems with the water supply from the mainland threatened to leave the holiday hotspot parched. The ban by Capri mayor Paolo Falco forced several ferries on their way to the island from Naples and Sorrento in southern Italy to turn back. The company charged with supplying the island with water said there had been a technical problem on the mainland on Thursday, and while that had since been fixed problems with the supply to Capri remained. Falco warned of "a real emergency" and said that while there was still water on most of the island on Friday, local tanks were "running out". "The emergency would be worsened by the arrival of the thousands of tourists which arrive on Capri daily", he said. Locals could collect up to 25 litres of drinking water per household from a supply tanker, he said. The ban, which does not apply to residents, will be in place until further notice. Capri, in the Bay of Naples, is famed for its white villas, cove-studded coastline and upscale hotels. There are some 13,000 permanent residents but huge numbers of day-trippers in summer months. Egypt to prosecute travel agents for 'fraudulent' hajj trips: government Cairo, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday ordered 16 tourism companies stripped of their licences and referred their managers to the public prosecutor's office for illegally facilitating pilgrims' travel to Mecca, the cabinet said. The order came after various countries reported more than 1,100 deaths, many attributed to high heat, during this year's hajj. Arab diplomats told AFP earlier this week that Egyptians accounted for 658 deaths, 630 of them unregistered pilgrims. "The prime minister has ordered the licences of these companies to be revoked, their managers to be referred to the public prosecutor and the imposition of a fine to benefit the families of the pilgrims who died because of them," the Egyptian cabinet said in a statement. It said the rise in the deaths of unregistered Egyptian pilgrims stemmed from some companies which "organised the hajj programmes using a personal visit visa, which prevents its holders from entering Mecca" via official channels. On Friday a senior Saudi official defended the Gulf kingdom's management of the pilgrimage. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs spur many pilgrims to attempt the hajj without a permit, though they risk arrest and deportation if caught by Saudi security forces. The irregular route, which can save pilgrims thousands of dollars, has become increasingly popular since 2019 when Saudi Arabia introduced a general tourism visa which has made it easier to enter the Gulf kingdom. The senior official said the Saudi government had confirmed 577 deaths for the two busiest days of hajj: Saturday, when pilgrims gathered for hours of prayers in the blazing sun on Mount Arafat, and Sunday, when they participated in the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina. "This happened amid difficult weather conditions and a very harsh temperature," the official said, while acknowledging that the 577 figure was partial and did not cover all of hajj, which formally ended on Wednesday. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims with the means must complete it at least once in their lives. Saudi officials had earlier said 1.8 million pilgrims took part this year, a similar total to last year, and that 1.6 million came from abroad. The timing of the hajj is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, shifting forward each year in the Gregorian calendar. For the past several years the mainly outdoor rituals have fallen during the sweltering Saudi summer. Google Maps deletes AI photos of Austrian landmarks after climate change Vienna, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 Google on Saturday deleted from its maps service dozens of images of Austrian landmarks that were altered by environmental activists to highlight the potential impact of climate change. The images, changed using artificial intelligence, showed the river Danube and Austrian lakes dried up and snowless Alpine peaks as though the pictures were taken in the year 2070. They were put on Google Maps this week by the Letzte Generation (Last Generation) group. "Our policies clearly prohibit content that is not based on real experience or does not accurately represent a location. We are removing the policy-violating photos in question," a Google spokesperson told AFP. Letzte Generation said it was "not very surprised" by Google's action. "They are ignoring the climate catastrophe, just like authorities and big companies in general," said group spokesperson Marina Hagen-Canaval. The group said earlier that it had posted the pictures on Google Maps to alert tourists who use the service to prepare their holidays of the risks of rising temperatures caused by climate change. Letzte Generation has staged other protest stunts including blocking highways and has vowed to take more action, including on the internet. bur-anb/tw/js Thousands march in London to call for 'urgent' climate action London, June 22 (AFP) Jun 22, 2024 Thousands of protestors from across the UK marched through central London on Saturday to call for "urgent political action" on nature. The 'Restore Nature Now' march was joined by some 350 charities ranging from protest groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion to more mainstream organisations like the National Trust and WWF. People came from "all over the UK", according to one protestor, with a list of demands including making "polluters pay" and improving support for farmers in an increased "climate-friendly farming budget". The march also called for an Environmental Rights Bill to establish the right to a healthy environment in the next parliament following a general election next month. Protesters weaved down one side of Hyde park in the British capital, marching past Downing street to Parliament square dressed in wildlife-themed costumes and donning quirky headgear and masks. Accompanied by songs, chants of "restore nature now" and more than one drum circle, protestors called for climate change and nature to be prioritised in the election campaign and by the next government. British actor Emma Thompson led the march, saying that her message was for the government to "stop being so deeply, deeply irresponsible". Thompson told AFP at the march that she couldn't believe the "lack of engagement" of political parties during the ongoing election campaign. "We're in the eye of the storm... Everyone cares about the beauty of our islands and we are losing it so fast", she added. She was joined at the front of the procession by wildlife TV presenter and activist Chris Packham, who criticised politicians for "not taking the action that they need to rapidly enough and broadly enough", adding that he was "not terribly impressed" with parties' election manifestos. "So we have to stand up and make sure that they understand that we're going to hold them to account", he told AFP. - 'Not enough' - One protestor wanted to see water companies nationalised by the next government. Carrying cut-outs of fish, Frances Dismore from a river restoration group said, "all these cardboard critters that we're carrying today, we've met in person on our river, so we're very much concerned about safeguarding them". Dismore added that the river that she was campaigning for, the River Lea in north-east London and east England, was "impacted by all the issues that all other rivers in England are impacted by." River and water cleanliness has been a hot topic this election, with several sewage spill scandals over the last few years drawing the ire of climate activists. Earlier on the campaign trail, leader of the smaller Liberal Democrats party fell off a paddleboard into a lake to demonstrate the severity of England's sewage crisis. The opposition Labour party, which looks poised to win power this election, has pledged to end new oil and gas exploration licences in the North Sea and create a publicly owned clean energy company called Great British Energy. However, Labour leader Keir Starmer was previously criticised for ditching a pledge to spend pound28 billion a year on green infrastructure. The Conservatives' have watered down committments on how they would reach the UK's 2050 net-zero target through pushing back a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2050. For Jane Price, who came down with Extinction Rebellion from Stratford-upon-Avon, the timing of the march was a way to tell political parties "we will vote for you if the climate and the ecology is on your agenda." "Everywhere you look", she added "there's not enough being done". This photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows the site of a forest fire in Diyarbakir province, Turkiye. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) ANKARA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities have brought under control an agricultural fire that killed 12 people and wounded 78 others in southeastern Turkiye, local broadcaster NTV reported on Saturday. The fire started on Thursday night as a stubble fire in cultivated areas spanning the Cinar district of Diyarbakir province and the Mazidagi district of Mardin province, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya's statement on Friday. Fueled by strong winds, the fire rapidly engulfed a large area before being brought under control by firefighters, said Yerlikaya. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on the social media platform X on Friday. Deputy Interior Minister Munir Karaloglu said that a total of 15,100 decares (about 1,510 hectares) of land was affected by the fire. More than 5,000 acres of land affected by the fire were unharvested barley and wheat fields, Karaloglu said. This photo taken on June 21, 2024 shows the site of a forest fire in Diyarbakir province, Turkiye. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Warning: graphic content Police will allege a man charged with manslaughter intentionally held a young tradesman, Rhyce Harding, against the side of his vehicle as he drove through Blackett in Sydneys west in an apparent road rage incident on Thursday. Harding, 27, died after being dragged alongside the vehicle at around 8.45am on Thursday morning. CCTV footage of the incident appears to show Harding either clinging to or being held against the side of a white ute as it was driven Jersey Road in Blackett, near Mount Druitt. Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has ramped up his rhetoric over nuclear power, with an explicit vow to override state premiers objections and steamroll through his energy pitch if elected. I will work respectfully and collaboratively with state premiers, but I dont answer to them, Dutton told fellow Liberals at the partys federal council event in Sydney on Saturday. Peter Dutton says he will not let premiers stand in the way if he wins the next federal election due within a year which could include his LNP counterpart in Queensland after Octobers state election. Credit: Rhett Wyman While talking about the need for a mature conversation about nuclear energy despite questions about its cost and necessity Dutton also reiterated that Commonwealth laws override state laws. So support or opposition at a state level wont stop us rolling out our new energy system, he said. Dozens of liveable Melbourne suburbs, even in far-flung areas, have recorded soaring price growth thanks to sheer buyer demand for green spaces, schools and amenity, rendering them unaffordable. A string of postcodes once considered liveable and affordable by the PRD Affordable and Liveable Property Guide report in the last decade have been pushed further out of reach for buyers. Strong price growth has left their medians surpassing Melbourne median house price of $941,698 and the citys median unit price of $613,023 on PRD data. Doncaster recorded the strongest price growth of 64 per cent since it last featured on the report in 2015 when the series began. The median house price had jumped to $1.55 million by March 2024. It was followed by St Kilda where its median house price has grown 60.2 per cent to $1.3 million since it also featured on PRDs report in 2015. Buyers could purchase a house in the beachside suburb for a median of $826,000. Farage was asked why he had blamed the West for Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The comments in a BBC Panorama interview with Nick Robinson echo arguments made by Donald Trump, the former US president and friend of Farage. The Reform UK leader said that the ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union gave Vladimir Putin a reason to justify war. He said: Right, Ill tell you what you dont know, I stood up in the European Parliament in 2014 and I said, and I quote, There will be a war in Ukraine. Loading Why did I say that? It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say, Theyre coming for us again and to go to war. Pressed on whether his rhetoric was echoing that of the Russian president, Farage said: But, hang on a second, we provoked this war. Its you know, of course its his fault, hes used what weve done as an excuse. Asked if he was saying the West provoked the invasion of Ukraine, Farage responded: Yes. YANGON, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar welcomed 520,000 foreign tourists in the first five months of 2024, the state-run daily Myanma Alinn, citing the Central Committee on National Tourism Development, reported on Saturday. The report quoted General Mya Tun Oo, chairman of the Central Committee on National Tourism Development, as saying that this year's foreign tourist arrivals were up compared to the over 310,000 foreign tourists who visited the country in the same period last year. Mya Tun Oo also emphasized the need to maintain this increase and strive to meet the number of tourists registered before the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of using digital technology to explore markets, attract more foreign tourists, promote online cashless payments and adopt long-term strategies to facilitate business and tourism growth. In 2023, 1.28 million foreign tourists visited Myanmar, official figures showed. LOS ANGELES, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing bird flu outbreak at U.S. dairy farms has heightened concerns among public health experts as more dairy herds test positive for the virus in recent months. The influenza A (H5N1) virus, commonly known as bird flu, is widespread in wild birds worldwide and has been circulating in U.S. poultry since 2022. However, the situation escalated in late 2023 when the virus is believed to have jumped from birds to dairy cows at a Texas farm. This was followed by a human infection in April linked to exposure to infected cattle. To date, three human cases of infection have been reported, bringing the total number of U.S. H5N1 cases to four, including one case in 2022 linked to poultry exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus had been confirmed in at least 115 dairy herds across 12 states as of Thursday, according to the latest tally posted on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website. In a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers found "small, detectable amounts of infectious (H5N1) virus remained in raw milk samples with high virus levels" when treated at 72 degrees Celsius for 15 seconds -- one of the standard pasteurization methods used by the dairy industry, according to an NIH press release last week. The CDC noted that while the current public health risk is low, it is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures. But public health experts have paid attention at the government's slow response and inadequate testing. "Failures in testing, continued. This was a serious problem in the early months of COVID-19, in mpox, and now with H5N1. There will be future disease emergencies -- we have to do better," wrote Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist, on social media X on Thursday. Gronvall, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, called for a public-private partnership between the government, test developers, and clinical laboratories to streamline testing rollout and information sharing at the beginning of an event. The World Health Organization considers bird flu a public health concern, as these viruses, including the H5N1 strain, can result in mild to severe illness and death, and have the potential to mutate to become more contagious, says the organization on its website. While infections have been confirmed in cattle across the country, only 45 individuals have been tested for novel influenza A since March, with 550 under monitoring, according to the CDC's latest update on June 14. Aside from the limited availability of bird flu tests, experts said the low level of trust of farm owners and farm workers towards the government also makes it difficult to detect potential cases. "The United States' response to H5N1 -- 'bird flu' -- has taken too long, showing how risky gaps in coordination and trust can be," wrote Tom Frieden, former director of the CDC, in an analysis published by CNN on Tuesday. "Trust toward the United States government is low, especially among rural Americans who are on the front line of these outbreaks," added Frieden, president and chief executive of Resolve to Save Lives. Many dairy farm workers in the United States are undocumented immigrants or migrants who may distrust the government or be hesitant to miss work if they test positive, CDC Principal Deputy Director Nirav Shah told Axios in a Tuesday report. Despite the allocation of federal funds to incentivize farm cooperation, no farms have enrolled in the voluntary on-site milk testing program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This photo taken on June 22, 2024 shows a vehicle destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Al-Khyara, Lebanon. A leader from the Islamic Group was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle in the village of Al-Khyara, located in the Western Bekaa District of eastern Lebanon, a Lebanese military source told Xinhua. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an Israeli drone fired two air-to-surface missiles at a Cherokee SUV in Khyara, killing Ayman Hashem Ghazme, a field leader of the Islamic Group who was driving the car. The source added that members of the Civil Defense had put out the fire in the car and worked with the Lebanese Red Cross to transport the body to a hospital in the Bekaa region. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) BEIRUT, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A leader from the Islamic Group was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle in the village of Al-Khyara, located in the Western Bekaa District of eastern Lebanon, a Lebanese military source told Xinhua. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an Israeli drone fired two air-to-surface missiles at a Cherokee SUV in Khyara, killing Ayman Hashem Ghazme, a field leader of the Islamic Group who was driving the car. The source added that members of the Civil Defense had put out the fire in the car and worked with the Lebanese Red Cross to transport the body to a hospital in the Bekaa region. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. People work at the site where a vehicle was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Al-Khyara, Lebanon on June 22, 2024. A leader from the Islamic Group was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle in the village of Al-Khyara, located in the Western Bekaa District of eastern Lebanon, a Lebanese military source told Xinhua. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an Israeli drone fired two air-to-surface missiles at a Cherokee SUV in Khyara, killing Ayman Hashem Ghazme, a field leader of the Islamic Group who was driving the car. The source added that members of the Civil Defense had put out the fire in the car and worked with the Lebanese Red Cross to transport the body to a hospital in the Bekaa region. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) This photo taken on June 22, 2024 shows a vehicle destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Al-Khyara, Lebanon. A leader from the Islamic Group was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle in the village of Al-Khyara, located in the Western Bekaa District of eastern Lebanon, a Lebanese military source told Xinhua. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an Israeli drone fired two air-to-surface missiles at a Cherokee SUV in Khyara, killing Ayman Hashem Ghazme, a field leader of the Islamic Group who was driving the car. The source added that members of the Civil Defense had put out the fire in the car and worked with the Lebanese Red Cross to transport the body to a hospital in the Bekaa region. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) State notifies DLC formation For rollout of PM SuryaGhar Muft Bijlee YojanaS By Sagar Mohod : FOR effective implementation of rooftop solar scheme, Maharashtra Government has notified formation of District Level Committees (DLC) that would be headed by the District Collector. The committees scope includes convergence between different departments, targeting 100 per cent solar power usage at G ov e r n m e n t offices and most importantly, co-ordination with National Program Implementation Agency (NPIA) among others. Rooftop solar plants have gained popularity post announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the establishment of DLC would hopefully help iron out the deficiencies in scheme implementation vis-a-vis beneficiaries. The field units have been asked to take up constitution of DLC with District Collectors at the earliest. It may be recalled that rooftop solar scheme is sponsored by Central Government and is named PM Surya Ghar Yojana, wherein subsidy is available upto maximum 3 kW for households. A household is entitled for subsidy upto Rs 78,000 though there is no maximum limit for capacity of rooftop installation of solar module. But for practical purpose and to ensure that maximum households are covered and benefited under the scheme, the subsidy is limited to just 3 kW. The limit was also fixed after considering the capacity and load of current power network. Further, maximum households on average can meet their power demand through 3 kW installation. According to the circular issued by MAHAVITARAN, an undertaking of Maharashtra Government, for information of its field officers, mentions about the composition of DLC and outline of their scope of work.The committee would be a nine-member body with District Collector acting as Chairperson. The other members would include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zilla Parishad; Lead District Manager; Superintending Engineer(s); DISCOMs in District; District Manager; Renewable Energy Development Agency (if any); 2 elected representatives from Urban Local Bodies/PRIs nominated by District Magistrate (DM); and three non-official members nominated by Mission Directorate, MNRE. District Unit of State Implementation Agency for PM Surya Ghar: Muft BijleeYojana, is tasked with providing secretarial assistant to DLC. The MAHAVITARAN circular is dated June 11, 2024, and it was released recently postmeeting held at Headquarters wherein the issue of PM Surya Ghar Yojana and its implementation was deliberated upon by the top brass. Officers from all the Circles in Maharashtra attended the meet and discussed how to go about implementation of PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Among the scope outlined for DLC is that they would take periodic review of progress achieved under the Scheme under all components from all departments. Central Government had announced the scheme on February 29 and its target is to install rooftop solar plants on one crore households in the country. Administrative approval for the scheme was granted on March 16, 2024. The Government of India has provided an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore for the scheme. Recently, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Rooftop Solar Division, issued an Office Memorandum, dated May 29, 2024, directinf constitution of DLC. The committee is tasked with overall management of PM- Surya Ghar: Mufti BijliYojana at District level. They also have to co-ordinate between different departments for implementation of the scheme. The committee is also tasked with drawing up action plan for ensuring that rooftops at all Government offices are covered with solar and in time-bound manner. They are also tasked with implementation of Model Solar Village component of the scheme. Similarly, the convergence angle between different department is meant for awareness, capacity building and rooftop solar installation in existing beneficiaries of other Government schemes. GAZA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 Palestinians were killed on Friday due to gunfire and shells from Israeli tanks in the Al-Mawasi area, west of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, the Hamas-run health authorities said. The authorities said in a statement that 50 others were wounded in the Israeli attacks on tents for displaced people, and all victims were transferred to the hospital. Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources reported that two Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells in the Shakoush area, west of Rafah, and one of the tanks fired a shell at the displaced people, resulting in casualties. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the incident. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a speech while attending the second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Road" Forum for International Cooperation with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, in Luxembourg, June 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) LUXEMBOURG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel have agreed that their two countries should work together to enhance cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The two leaders made the remarks when attending the second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Road" Forum for International Cooperation here on Thursday. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, recalled that in June 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed supporting the construction of the "Air Silk Road" between the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou and Luxembourg. The chair's statement of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October 2023 announced that the second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Road" International Cooperation Forum would be held. The forum here is a practical action to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries to deepen the Belt and Road cooperation, holding significant importance, Ding noted. Ding also said that over the years, both countries have upheld the Silk Road spirit and achieved remarkable results in the construction of the "Air Silk Road," establishing an aerial bridge of connectivity and making it a landmark project of the Belt and Road cooperation. Looking to the future, China stands ready to work with Luxembourg to build a more efficient aviation transportation system, forge closer economic and trade cooperation, and develop diverse and interactive cultural exchanges to boost the high-quality development of the "Air Silk Road," Ding added. Noting that China is further deepening reform comprehensively and promoting high-quality development through high-level opening-up, Ding stressed that China's door to the world will only open wider, offering broader market opportunities for all countries and bringing more chances for win-win cooperation. "We welcome the active participation of all countries, including Luxembourg, in the Chinese modernization process, sharing the fruits of China's reform and development to achieve common development and prosperity," he said. For his part, Bettel said that the "Air Silk Road" between Luxembourg and Zhengzhou has become an important link in strengthening bilateral relations. Highlighting that during the COVID-19 pandemic, this route transported a large amount of Chinese medical supplies, strongly supporting Luxembourg and other European countries in overcoming the pandemic, Bettel said Luxembourg is ready to take this forum as an opportunity to closely cooperate with China in various fields under the BRI framework. After the forum, Ding and Bettel jointly visited the achievements exhibition of the "Air Silk Road." CANBERRA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Australian authorities have arrested 15 foreign fishers and seized two Indonesian vessels over alleged illegal fishing activity off the country's north coast. The Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) on Saturday said it detected and apprehended the Indonesian vessels allegedly fishing illegally on Tuesday in the vicinity of Deliverance Island in the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG). The crews were transported to Darwin, capital of Australia's Northern Territory (NT), and placed in detention while the matter is being investigated and prosecution considered. The ABF and AFMA said in a joint statement that the large vessels were equipped with a substantial quantity of fishing equipment. Both vessels will be disposed of by the AFMA. Under Australian law, anyone found guilty of illegally fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) faces a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment. Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, Commander of the ABF's Maritime Border Command (MBC), said Tuesday's intercept should serve as a warning to any crews illegally fishing in Australian waters. "If you fish illegally, you will lose your vessel, your equipment and you will be placed in immigration detention to face potential prosecution in Australian courts," he said. "Maritime Border Command is deploying multiple assets and utilizing whatever powers available to deter, detect and take enforcement action in response to illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters." Fifteen illegal fishers who were apprehended on board three Indonesian vessels in separate incidents in March were in April issued fines totalling 31,300 Australian dollars (20,868.9 U.S. dollars) after pleading guilty to offenses against the Fisheries Management Act in the Darwin Local Court. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden, in Luxembourg, June 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) LUXEMBOURG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden have agreed to deepen green cooperation during a meeting here on Thursday. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Luxembourg is a friendly partner of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 50 years ago, both sides have adhered to mutual respect and trust, setting an example of mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. China is ready to work with Luxembourg to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in finance, the steel industry, and the green economy, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to elevate China-Luxembourg friendship to new heights and bring benefits to both countries and their peoples, Ding said. Noting that today's world is in turmoil and various risks and challenges continue to emerge, Ding stressed that China and the European Union (EU) should remain partners and properly handle trade frictions through dialogue and consultation. "Protectionism will inevitably harm others without benefiting oneself," he said, adding that China hopes Luxembourg will actively promote the EU's opening up and cooperation with China, fostering the steady and sound development of China-EU relations. Frieden said that Luxembourg and China enjoy a long history of friendship and share deep friendship between their peoples. The new government of Luxembourg will continue to uphold a friendly policy towards China, adhere to the one-China principle, further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, and inject new momentum into bilateral relations. He added that Luxembourg firmly supports multilateralism and free trade, appreciates China's achievements in scientific and technological development, and is willing to work with China to promote green transformation. BARCELONA, Spain, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A deal signed by Spain and China to boost bilateral trade and investment will help create business opportunities for both countries, a Spanish expert told Xinhua recently. "Greater cooperation with China is extremely beneficial to countries like Spain, which are open to imports but traditionally also export a great deal. In fact, the rise in our GDP is not only due to tourism but also to a rise in our exports," said Josep Maria Gomes, International Business Developer at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. The permanent Cooperation and Dialogue Mechanism agreement signed on June 3 was the result of the 29th Spanish-Chinese Mixed Economic and Industrial Commission held in Madrid. Gomes underlined that China is Spain's largest trading partner outside the European Union (EU). At the same time, Spain is the EU country that exports the most pork to China, which is also importing increasing amounts of Spanish wine and olive oil. In recent years, annual bilateral trade between China and Spain has risen to over 50 billion euros (53.5 billion U.S. dollars), according to the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX). "We've only lately realized the importance of China as a growing market for our products, because until now we've seen China as a supplier, and there are sectors in China that are far more technologically developed than ours that can help us become more competitive," said Gomes. He underlined that as well as boosting exports to China, Spain wants to encourage Chinese investment in Spain through such bilateral agreements. "What Spain is looking for is essential investment in such strategic areas as the auto sector or renewable energy, so it wants to show Chinese companies that they are welcome to invest here," he said. According to the Spain China Council Foundation, in 2022 China invested 95 million euros in Spain, while Spain invested 42 million euros in China. Gomes highlighted the recent agreement signed by Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile with Spanish company Ebro-EV Motors, to develop electric vehicles in the former Nissan plant in Barcelona. "Spain is Europe's second-largest producer of vehicles, and has a long tradition in this industry, with a large pool of providers and talent that Chinese companies wanting to invest in the Spanish market can benefit from," he told Xinhua. Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) brands have the largest market share in Spain, with 10.6 percent, behind only Sweden (13.3) and ahead of France (9.6), according to the Transport & Environment (T&E) NGO. Concerning the decarbonization of society, Gomes pointed out that "Spain and China are both leaders in the development and adoption of new technology" and in the area of renewable energy, "they are major actors that complement each other." Another sector that is very important to both countries is "their reciprocal relationship in tourism, which both China and Spain are doing so much to promote," he added. BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- With a set of judicial guidelines targetting diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists, China on Friday revealed a new weapon, precise and legal, to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession were jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the ministries of public security, state security, and justice and took effect upon release. The guidelines can be regarded as a refinement and supplement to the country's Anti-Secession Law. By clarifying the criminal nature of "Taiwan independence" separatist acts, their criminal liabilities, and the procedure to impose penalties, it draws the bottom line and facilitates law enforcement. In the long run, it will undoubtedly play an effective role in advancing reunification across the Taiwan Strait. This move came against a backdrop of escalating tensions across the Strait triggered by repeated separatist attempts made by those advocating "Taiwan independence," particularly since the island's new leader Lai Ching-te, who holds a stubborn separatist stance, took office in May. This judicial document surely serves as a blow to Lai and his fellow separatists. It allows Chinese courts to bring diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists to trials in absentia. In the most severe cases, a convict may receive death sentence. It also acts as a warning and deterrent to external forces who would not keep their hands off affairs related to Taiwan. Those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institution, organization or individual in conducting or inciting secession, would be given a harsher punishment. Despite being a stern action against separatists, the document draws a clear line between a few stubborn separatists and the rest of Taiwan people. Under the influence of the "Taiwan independence" ideology and due to political differences between the two sides, some in Taiwan may have a misguided understanding of their identities and the nature of cross-Strait relations. They are given chances to free themselves from misunderstandings and be aware of the harmfulness and danger of separatist activities. For over 70 years, although the two sides of the Strait have yet to achieve complete reunification, China's sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided. The historical facts and the legal ground for the facts that both sides of the Strait belong to one country and people on both sides of the Strait belong to the Chinese nation have never changed and will not change. A peaceful and prosperous future for people on both sides of the Strait hangs on a strong and reunified nation. In order to facilitate reunification, separatists must face criminal prosecution. High hopes are placed on people of Taiwan to have a clear mind, weigh the pros and cons, and stand on the right side of history. A BJP activist has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against Arjun Biswas, the president of the partys Nadia north district unit, accusing him of misappropriating funds intended for election expenses during the Lok Sabha election. According to police sources, Lal Mohon Ghosh, a resident of Chatina in Tehatta, filed the complaint at the Kotwali police station. Ghosh alleged that on 8 June, he was threatened at gunpoint by Mr Biswas and others when he sought clarification on the election expenses and the amount of funds received from the party. The controversy has stirred unrest within the BJPs local ranks. Recently, a faction of disgruntled party workers locked the district office in Krishnagar in protest against Mr Biswas. The enraged members allegedly vandalized the office before securing it with locks. They accused Mr Biswas of embezzling the funds allocated for election purposes. Advertisement The dispute has also drawn criticism from Amrita Roy, a BJP candidate and member of a royal family, who was defeated by Trinamul Congress candidate Mahua Moitra in elections. Mrs Roy voiced her frustration over the alleged fund mismanagement, claiming she was kept in the dark about the total funds disbursed and how they were spent. When approached for comments, Mr Biswas denied the allegations, stating, I dont know who has lodged the complaint against me. The man has no right to seek any explanation about the expenses. The party has given me funds, and I have furnished the expenses in detail to them. The internal strife within the BJPs Nadia north district unit comes at a critical time as the party faces challenges both internally and from opposition forces. The allegations and subsequent unrest have highlighted the need for transparency and accountability within the partys financial operations, particularly during election campaigns. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter and further developments are awaited as the BJP grapples with the fallout from these serious accusations. It is alleged that without any consultation with the lower-level workers, an alliance was imposed between Left and Congress. Complaints about this had been simmering within the state Congress even before the elections. After the disastrous election results, these complaints have come out in the open. During the review meeting of the state Congress at the Moulali Youth Centre today, district and branch leaders vented their anger about the alliance. Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has always been in favour of an alliance with the CPM. It is alleged that even during the Lok Sabha election, he formed an alliance with the Left parties unilaterally, thinking only of north Bengal and his own district. The concerns of south Bengal were ignored, and the voices of district presidents were not heard. At the state Congress review meeting, block and district leaders expressed their anger about this to the Congress central observer, Ghulam Ahmed Mir. They claimed that there was significant discontent among grassroots workers regarding the alliance with the CPM. This decision was imposed without any consultation. Regarding the alliance with the CPM, Adhir calmly defended himself, saying, You cannot blame just one person like this. You are only thinking about the state. I had to consider the whole country. Given how Trinamul was attacking Congress, opposing Trinamul seemed like my duty. At the review meeting of the state Congress, two main proposals were passed. The first was to propose Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition, presented by the states only MP Isha Khan Chowdhury, who was also honoured on this occasion. The second proposal, which is significant, was for changes in the state Congress leadership, presented by prominent state Congress figure Abdus Sattar. The way district and branch leaders expressed their anger over Adhirs decisions at the meeting suggests that Adhir might lose his position in the future, according to his close associates. Advertisement Adhir showed his strength in response. In a somewhat resigned tone, he said, I am only an interim president. Khargeji asked me to continue, so I am continuing. I have informed Sonia and Rahul Gandhi about this. Most of those invited to the meeting did not want a change in the state presidency. As soon as the proposal to change the state leadership was raised, Adhirs supporters began chanting his name in unison. Sources indicate that Isha Khan Chowdhury and Pradip Bhattacharya are being considered for the position of state president. The enthusiasm surrounding Isha at the meeting was noticeable. Central observer Mir listened attentively to the complaints of the dissident faction and will remain in Kolkata for the next two days to hear more grievances from party workers. Interestingly, the shadow of factionalism was evident even at this review meeting. Veteran leader Abdul Mannan was absent, and Kolkata councillor Santosh Pathak and influential state Congress figure Amitabh Chakraborty were not invited. According to Adhirs supporters, their presence could have led to trouble at the meeting. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has decided to rope in experts from IIT Kharagpur and IIEST Shibpur for categorization of heritage structures under its limits. The matter was brought to the fore by councillor Biswarup Dey, who proposed to expedite the process of categorization of the remaining heritage structures that are awaiting the gradation by the heritage wing of the civic body. He also claimed that many buildings despite getting the heritage tag are in dilapidated condition following lack of maintenance. According to mayor Firhad Hakim, in other big cities of the world like London, there are dedicated funds for the preservation of such heritage structures that are an asset to the society. However, in Kolkata there are no schemes of funds being provided by the central governments for such works. Considering the fact, there are situations, when even after being categorized as heritage, owners of the structures are unable to carry out the maintenance due to financial constraints. The mayor pointed out that it was also observed in some cases that the structures were given heritage status without evaluating the historical or archaeological values of the buildings. For the gradation of the structures, based on their archaeological and historical values, the civic body has decided to rope in experts from IIT Kharagpur and IIEST Shibpur. The experts would categorise and do the numbering of the structures based on the archaeological and historical values that the buildings have. According to sources, the system would be followed for gradation of the remaining more than 300 structures that were identified for heritage status by the civic body. Advertisement A Long March-2C rocket carrying an astronomical satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 22, 2024. China on Saturday launched the astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. (Photo by Chen Haojie/Xinhua) XICHANG, June 22 (Xinhua) -- China on Saturday launched an astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. The satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), was launched by a Long March-2C rocket at 3:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The satellite has been sent into an orbit over 600 kilometers above Earth and has a designed life of five years, though scientists expect it could be operational for as long as 20 years. "We are looking forward to some important discoveries, such as the earliest gamma-ray bursts that occurred when the universe was still in its childhood, which will help us study cosmic evolution," said Wei Jianyan, who is SVOM's Chinese principal investigator and works at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' National Astronomical Observatories. "We also hope to discover special and rare gamma-ray bursts, and perhaps even to see new types of bursts. For example, our satellite is suited to searching for so-called kilonovas, bright blasts of electromagnetic radiation that occur when two neutron stars collide and merge," Wei said. "Such a detection would be of great significance to the study of stellar evolution, and to answering very interesting scientific questions such as where heavy elements like gold and silver come from in the universe," Wei said. Gamma-ray bursts, usually very short in duration, are the most violent explosive phenomena in the universe after the Big Bang, and they occur during the collapse of massive stars or the merging of binary compact stars. The in-depth observation of and research on gamma-ray bursts will help us understand some of science's fundamental questions, Wei said. The main scientific objectives of SVOM include searching for and rapidly locating various gamma-ray bursts, comprehensively measuring and studying the electromagnetic radiation properties of these bursts, studying dark energy and the evolution of the universe through these bursts, and observing electromagnetic signals associated with gravitational waves, according to Wei. Bertrand Cordier, SVOM's French principal investigator who works at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, said, "By using the gamma-ray bursts as a tool to observe the early universe, we can observe maybe the first stars. This is very interesting because this is the only way to get information about the universe at this age." "We will open a new window for the detection of gamma-ray bursts. I hope we will discover new things, new objects we still don't know about," Cordier said. Four scientific instruments are installed on the satellite, two of which have been developed by China and two by France. The four instruments can realize a large field of view and high-precision observation. Their fields of view are capable of covering a quarter of the entire sky, making it easy to spot the unpredictable, fleeting bursts in space. Once a target is detected, the satellite will automatically turn toward it and undertake long-duration and high-precision observation, Wei said. A real-time transmission network will enable unprecedented, integrated, space-based and ground-based observations. Immediately after discovering a target, the satellite will send preliminary position and time data to the ground within a minute, notifying telescopes in various bands on Earth to point toward it. And should scientists discover an interesting target in space from the ground, they can use China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System to command SVOM to point toward it within approximately five minutes. "Previously, the fastest response among similar astronomical satellites globally took about 20 minutes. So this is huge progress," Wei said. SVOM is not only a satellite, but a complex system that uses linked instruments both in space and on the ground. And these instruments can communicate in a very short time. "We are able to observe the gamma-ray bursts in the wavelength from gamma-ray to infrared. And this is unique," Cordier said. China and France have established a joint team of about 100 scientists, with Chinese and French members accounting for approximately 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively. Every member of the team has equal access to all scientific data, and SVOM's scientific data will be shared with the international astronomy community. The SVOM project's overall satellite design, development and in-orbit operations, as well as the analysis of its data and the publication of its scientific research results, have been or are being carried out by both China and France. With the support of the leaders of the two countries, the project constitutes high-level cooperation between China and France, both of which are major players in space. SVOM is a contribution that Chinese and French scientists and engineers have made to the international astronomy community through years of cooperation, integrating high-tech resources from both countries, said Liu Yunfeng, deputy director of the CNSA's international cooperation department. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. SVOM is a landmark cooperative project between the governments of the two countries, characterized by innovative technologies and significant challenges. Both sides have maintained mutual trust and assistance, and the scope of their cooperation is broad, deep, extensive and high-quality, which leads to win-win results and offers a model for cooperation between China and other countries, Liu added. A Long March-2C rocket carrying an astronomical satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 22, 2024. China on Saturday launched the astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. (Photo by Chen Haojie/Xinhua) A Long March-2C rocket carrying an astronomical satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 22, 2024. China on Saturday launched the astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. (Photo by Chen Haojie/Xinhua) A Long March-2C rocket carrying an astronomical satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 22, 2024. China on Saturday launched the astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. (Photo by Chen Haojie/Xinhua) A Long March-2C rocket carrying an astronomical satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 22, 2024. China on Saturday launched the astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. (Photo by Chen Haojie/Xinhua) A Long March-2C rocket carrying an astronomical satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 22, 2024. China on Saturday launched the astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. (Photo by Chen Haojie/Xinhua) The Centre has issued an order imposing stock limits for pulses that can be stored by wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, millers, and importers to prevent hoarding and keep prices in check. The order, which kicks in with immediate effect, prescribes stock limits for tur and chana, including kabuli chana, until September 30, 2024, for all states and Union Territories. The action is part of a slew of measures taken by the government to keep prices of essential commodities under control. The stock limit is aimed at preventing unscrupulous elements from profiteering at the cost of consumers. Advertisement Stock limits applicable to each of the pulse individually will be 200 metric tonnes (MT) for wholesalers; 5 MT for retailers; 5 MT at each retail outlet and 200 MT at the depot for big chain retailers. In the case of millers, the stock limit is the last 3 months of their production or 25 per cent of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher. Importers are barred from holding imported stock beyond 45 days from the date of Customs clearance, according to an official statement. The respective legal entities are to declare the stock position on the portal (https://fcainfoweb.nic.in/psp) of the Department of Consumer Affairs and in case the stocks held by them are higher than the prescribed limits, they shall bring the same to the prescribed stock limits by July 12, 2024, the order said. The Department of Consumer Affairs has been closely monitoring the stock position of pulses through the stock disclosure portal. The Department had, in the first week of April, communicated to the state governments to enforce mandatory stock disclosure by all stockholding entities, which was followed up with visits to major pulses-producing states and trading hubs across the country from the last week of April till May 10. Separate meetings with traders, stockists, dealers, importers, millers, and big chain retailers were also held to encourage and sensitise them for truthful disclosure of stocks and maintaining the affordability of pulses for the consumers. Sowing of Kharif pulses like tur and urad is expected to increase significantly this season due to high price realisation by farmers and above-normal monsoon rains predicted by the IMD. Further, tur imported from East African countries is expected to arrive from August onward. These factors are expected to help bring down the prices of Kharif pulses like tur and urad in the coming months. India has succeeded in reducing the size of its the informal economy to 23.7 per cent in 2022-23 compared to 25.9 per cent in 2015-16 which works out to a growth of Rs 26 lakh crore in absolute terms in the countrys formal economy, according to an SBI Research report released on Friday. The SBI Research report stated that the Indian economy is getting formalised at a faster pace than the growth in the labour force. It cites EPFO figures to show that 65 lakh jobs were formalised since FY19 . Advertisement An increase in the formal sector results in both an increase in productivity that spurs economic growth and higher wages for workers leading to an increase in their standard of living. The governments factsheet of Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises released this month states that on an average, a formal hired worker earned Rs 2.45 lakh per annum as compared to Rs 1.11 lakh earned by an informal hired worker. The SBI report said that the governments e-Shram portal, which has registered 297 million unorganised workers, could further fast-track the formalisation process. The portal is the first-ever national database of unorganised workers including migrant workers, construction workers, gig and platform workers. It facilitates extending benefits of social sector schemes to the workers in the unorganised sector. The top five states account for 58 per cent of total registration, with Uttar Pradesh on the top (with more than 8 crore registrations), followed by Bihar and West Bengal. The report also states: Distribution of labour force (568 million) shows 45 per cent of labour force is still informal, with the usual suspects of agriculture (25.5 per cent) and services (13.9 per cent) accounting for close to 40 per cent of total workforce and 88 per cent of informal workforce, the SBI report stated. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, expressed grief over the demise of Acharya Laxmikant Dixit. CM Yogi wrote on his social media account X, The passing of Kashis esteemed scholar and chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Prana Pratishtha, Vedamurti Acharya Shri Laxmikant Dixit ji to Golok is an irreparable loss to the spiritual and literary world. The Chief Minister added: He will always be remembered for his contributions to the Sanskrit language and Indian culture. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed soul a place at his feet and to give strength to his disciples and followers to endure this grief. Om Shanti! Advertisement It is worth mentioning that Acharya Laxmikant Dixit was the chief priest for the consecration of the idol of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram in Ayodhya after 500 years. He had been unwell for some time. On the second day of Delhi Water Minister Atishis indefinite fast regarding her demand from Haryana to release more water for Delhi, she on Saturday alleged that people sent by the BJP attempted to disrupt her peaceful Satyagrah. Atishi has alleged that, Today some people came to my hunger strike site to create a ruckus, create obstacles and attack me. But I want to tell the BJP that I am following the path of Satyagraha taught by Gandhiji, the path of hunger strike taught by him. The senior AAP leader further said that, I am not going to be afraid of such things, I am not going to stop this Satyagraha due to such actions. Till the 28 lakh Delhiites do not get their rightful share of water, this hunger strike will continue, this Satyagraha will continue. Advertisement Meanwhile, a group of protestors claiming to be civil defence volunteers arrived at Atishis protest venue while AAP leader Sanjay Singh was addressing the gathering. They started shouting slogans demanding their employment, and further questioned that when a protest can be held for water, is their employment not an equally important issue. She has also said that there is a huge shortage of water in Delhi, and at least 28 lakh people are not getting water. I have been on an indefinite fast since Friday to provide them with water, the minister added. Earlier in the day, she also released a video message where she expressed that, she will not eat anything till Haryana releases more water for the people in the city. The CPI has also extended its support to the water agitation by the Delhi Water Minister. CPI leader D Raja reached with his party delegation the protest venue to show their support to Atishi. In his address at the protest, Raja said that Delhi is going through an unprecedented water crisis, and particularly the poor are facing unimaginable hardships. He further said that Atishi has taken up the issue and the CPI also extends support and solidarity. We are with you in your struggle, he said and questioned the Union Government as to what it was doing for Delhi, and condemned the Centre for not helping Delhi on this issue. He further said that PM Narendra Modi should help coordinate with Haryana and solve this problem for Delhi. Raja also appealed to the Haryana government to release water for Delhi. Meanwhile, the citys Water Minister had alleged that the neighboring state of Haryana was not releasing Delhis rightful share of water in Yamuna, and also less water was being received by Delhi via Munak Canal. AAP leader Jasmine Shah, who was also present at the protest venue, claimed that during the last two months, 2000 leaks have been plugged by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). He further raised a question saying if the crisis was due to water leakage, why is the water crisis only happening at present now? The AAP leader claimed that the Haryana officials have agreed in a meeting with Delhi officials that water is there but they are told not to supply it. Taking a dig at the ruling dispensation at the centre, he said that such politics had never been witnessed at the time of the disaster, and when people are facing water crisis amid heat wave, he alleged that the BJP MPs are missing and looking the other way. He alleged that the central government never helped Delhi to get more share of water, and further accused BJPs Haryana government of stopping 100 MGD of water, the reason why Atishi is sitting on indefinite fast, he added. As a part of the recent special drive conducted by Delhi Polices Special Cell to neutralize the threat posed by organized gangs active in the national capital and the neighbouring states, a total of 16 gangsters have been arrested, the police said on Saturday. The major crackdown on different gangs followed after a surge in organized criminal activity was noticed by the police, and the specialised unit began to pursue these crime syndicates, invoking a large network of intelligence, as the said gangs and their nefarious designs were found to be operated from gangsters lodged in jails and also foreign soil based criminal leaders. According to police, a total of 10 pistols and 56 live bullets have also been recovered from the arrested gang members. Advertisement In the operation, a team of Special Cell, led by Inspectors Vinay Pal, Arvind Singh and Manoj Kumar nabbed five gang members from Delhi and Jalandhar, Punjab on June 21, Friday, while two pistols and 12 live cartridges were seized from their possession. Three of the arrested persons are shooters, while the other two, including a woman, were engaged in recruiting gang members through social media and passing on instruction to the shooters on behalf of syndicate leaders and also arranged weapons. The shooters had already conducted recce of a target and their arrest has averted threat to life of a reputed businessman in Delhi, a senior police official added. Similarly, three criminals of a notorious criminal gang were arrested, while one country made pistol and five live cartridges were recovered from them, the police said, adding that one of the arrested gang members was wanted in a murder case, and all three of them were previously involved in cases of murder, attempt to murder, Arms Act. It was on the intervening night of Friday- Saturday, another Special Cell team arrested five more shooters of a notorious criminal gang, recovering 4 sophisticated pistols of different bores with 30 live rounds of ammunition. Four of them have previous involvements in criminal cases, including attempt to murder, robbery, extortion and Arms Act, while the other two were wanted in a case of firing related to extortion in Rohini, Delhi, and a case of attempt to murder in Rewari, Haryana. Meanwhile, another team arrested a henchman of a gang from Faridabad on June 15, with a country made hand gun and five bullets, and talking of the history, this man was previously involved in 20 cases of attempt to murder, extortion, gangster act, robbery, Arms Act etc. in Delhi, Haryana and UP. Two more gang members were arrested by the cell with 2 single shot pistols of .315 bore, along with 4 live cartridges. In the entire anti- gangster drive, the monitoring by the special cell was done through technical means to identify communication patterns of the criminals, since most of the surge in these criminal activities has its origin through foreign soil. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Amit Kaushik, it was noticed that gang leaders who have settled abroad in supposedly safe havens or incarcerated in different jails recruit juveniles, or young boys without prior records to avoid detection. The gangsters usually lure these youths with immature minds in incidents of firing and even murders and later dump them for they easily manage to find more such youth available for exploitation, the official added. Further probe is underway in cases registered in this regard, the police official added. Amid massive controversy over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET examinations, the Centre on Friday notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The law aims to prevent the use of unfair means in job examinations and common entrance tests like NEET-UG and UGC-NET. Passed by Parliament in February 2024, the anti-paper leak law stipulates that any individual found guilty of offenses such as leaking exam papers will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to Rs 1 crore, or both. Furthermore, the Act includes provisions for institutions found involved in such malpractices. If an institution is found complicit in paper leaks, its property will be seized, and the proportionate cost of conducting the examination will be recovered from it. The unfair means in the law are defined as leaking question papers or assisting candidates during the exams by using unauthorised communication or tempering with computer networks, impersonating candidates and manipulating the merit list. The anti-paper leak law comes into force amid massive row over the recently held NEET-UG and UGC-NET examinations. Several candidates have alleged irregularities and paper leaks in these exams. While the issue of NEET-UG is in the Supreme Court, the Centre has cancelled the UGC-NET exam after its paper got leaked and circulated on Telegram. A CBI inquiry is also underway in the UGC-NET paper leak case amid protests from students and Opposition leaders over the paper leak. A newly emerging political party in the state, the Bhartiya Adivasi Party (BAP), along with a few other organisations, including the Adiwasi Mahendra Bhil Jawal (Sirohi), on Saturday deplored Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawars controversial comments about tribals genealogy, suggesting they undergo DNA tests to ascertain their paternity. In a post on X, the BAP party said: Madan Dilawar, the Education Minister in the Rajasthan government, has been making controversial statements. His recent statement about the tribal community is that those who do not consider themselves Hindus should get their DNA test done. This is a highly condemnable and irresponsible statement that shows the Bharatiya Janata Partys hatred towards the tribals, the BAP, which now has an MP, Rajkumar Roat, and 2 MLAs in the state assembly, said. Advertisement We urge the central government to issue a DNA card similar to the Aadhaar card to establish basic identity. Those certified to be from present-day Iran, Iraq, Israel, Egypt, Arab countries, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Ukraine, Mongolia, and Central Asian countries should be declared foreign immigrants and deprived of the right to vote, it said. On Friday, Minister Dilawar triggered controversy by suggesting that a DNA test should be conducted to verify whether Banswara MP Rajkumar Roat is the son of a Hindu. Dilawar was responding to BAP MP Roats statement in the media where Roat refused to identify himself as a Hindu, citing his tribal antecedents. Roat belongs to the tribal community and follows a faith that is different from any organised religion, including Hinduism. Dilawar, in a media comment posted on X, commented, We will not tolerate those who try to divide the nation and society. We can figure out from his ancestors whether he is a Hindu or not. We have people who record genealogies and can confirm whether they should undergo a DNA test to establish their lineage. Condemning Dilawars ugly remarks, Roat reacted: The Education ministers comments have hurt the sentiments of tribal people. We will convene a mahapanchayat of tribal people soon to pass a resolution against Dilawar. We will also burn his effigy. Roat also called for the BJPs response to Dilawars comments, warning that if they dont tender an unconditional apology, the BJP will not be allowed to enter tribal areas in Rajasthan. In his post on X, the Adiwasi Mahendra Bhil Jawal (Sirohi) reacted strongly, saying: Dilawar ji, no one in this country has the guts to question the DNA of tribals. Whether tribals are Hindus or not will be decided by the tribals themselves, not a Sanghi (RSS) like you. And let me remind you, tribals know who their fathers are; perhaps you should find out about your ancestry. Many other tribal people have posted pictures of President Draupadi Murmu to assert their tribal identity. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of sheltering criminals in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP on Saturday staged a dharna protesting the fire incident near Court Complex in Bilaspur that left one injured. State BJP president Dr Rajiv Bindal, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, former Union Minister and MP Anurag Thakur, MLA Randhir Sharma, Trilok Jamwal, J R Katwal, District President Swatantra Sankhyan were present. Advertisement Taking the Congress government to task, Bindal charged the state government of giving protection to mafia, murderers, and drug peddlers. Law and order has completely deteriorated in all the districts of the state. The murder of a Dalit youth in Chamba, more than 300 murders and over 2000 drug cases have been reported in Sirmaur, Solan, Kangra, Nalagarh so far, he said. However, the Sukhu government has not paid any heed to it. Bullets were fired in front of the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Court complex. The public feels insecure. This government has no right to stay in power. When the head of the state gives protection to the offenders then the destruction of the state is certain, he further alleged. Alleging the main suspect behind the Bilaspur firing incident taking out a march outside the BJP sit-in protest carrying big flags of Congress, he said that it was unfortunate. Anurag Thakur said that in these Lok Sabha elections, Congress used money power but could not win, the blot of Bilaspur firing incident will never be washed away from Bilaspur. Our Bilaspur MLA had already informed the administration about this firing incident, however the administration did nothing. The collusion of the administration is clearly visible in this incident, this government is a government of mafia rule and hooliganism, he alleged. The work culture of Congress has become such that the more criminal cases are registered against the person, the ticket will be given to him, the same has happened in Nalagarh, he claimed. This government has become a government of friends and wife. We fail to understand why action is not taken if such incidents happen. Does the government get anything in return for sheltering such offenders, questioned Anurag Thakur. Jai Ram Thakur said, The people of Devbhoomi Himachal had not imagined that something like this would happen. We have heard such incidents in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh but it is unfortunate that we have seen it in Himachal as well. We are protesting peacefully here and outside a rally is being organized with people carrying the Congress flag. This clearly shows that the accused of the firing incident are getting protection. Alleging a former Congress MLA and his son to have been directly linked to the firing incident, he blamed the administration for not doing anything. The phones of BJP leaders are on surveillance, each Congress MLA has been given two security guards. A police cantonment has been set up outside the houses of ministers and CPS. The condition of this government has deteriorated. This government has set new records in theft and robbery, but the head of the government has turned a blind eye to the worsening condition of the state, said Jai Ram Thakur. Taking a dig at the state government, he said that the Chief Minister is asking for votes and firing is going on in Bilaspur. The accused is absconding and efforts are being made to hush up this matter. We pledge that the BJP movement will not stop until a proper investigation is done and the accused is not caught. Today I can say with confidence that there is an atmosphere of insecurity in the entire Himachal Pradesh, he asserted. Amid the oppositions protest over NEET-UG and UGC-NET examination paper leaks, the Centre on Saturday removed National Testing Agency (NTA) chief Subodh Kumar Singh and put him on compulsory wait. Both these examinations were conducted by the NTA. Singh was replaced by P.K. Kharola, the current chairman and managing director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). He has been given the additional charge of NTA DG until a permanent replacement is found or further order. The decision comes amid huge protests by Congress and other opposition parties over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination. Advertisement Moreover, two examinations CSIR UGC-NET and NEET PG have been postponed over similar concerns. The NEET-PG examination, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday, June 23, was the second exam the Centre postponed ever since the NEET-UG controversy broke out. The government said that the exam was postponed as a precautionary measure to check the robustness of the system and ensure the integrity of NEET-PG is not compromised. The Narendra Modi government, which returned to power with a narrower victory earlier this month, is on the back foot over the issue of paper leaks in some of the countrys premier entrance exams like NEET-UG and UGC-NET. While the government has promised to take strictest action against those involved in the paper leaks, the opposition has alleged a larger scam. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that shuffling the bureaucrats is not a solution to the endemic problem in the education system rotted by the BJP. Kharge claimed that in the alleged NEET scam, the buck stops at the doorstep of top-level officials of the Modi government. In the NEET scam, the buck stops at the doorstep of the top echelons of the Modi government. Shuffling the bureaucrats is no solution to the endemic problem in the education system rotted by the BJP, he wrote in a post on X. Kharge alleged that NTA, which was projected to be an autonomous body, was made to serve the devious interests of the BJP/RSS. The Congress chief said that four examinations have been either cancelled or postponed in the last 10 days and the Modi government must be held accountable. For students to get justice, the Modi government must be held accountable. Now, the NEET-PG exam has been postponed. Four examinations have been either cancelled or postponed in the past 10 days. Paper leaks, corruption, irregularities, and the education mafia have infiltrated our education system, Kharge said. This belated whitewashing exercise is of no consequence as countless youths continue to suffer! he added. Congress candidates will win with a record majority in the by-polls being held in three assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh, said Congress State Vice President Harikrishna Himral on Saturday. In a statement issued here, he said that the kind of support the Congress has got in the recent by-elections in the six Assembly constituencies, it reflects that the party will win all the three assembly seats in the by-polls to be held on July 10. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state Congress government has done many unprecedented works in 15 months, the positive result of which has been seen with the support of the public in the recent by-elections. Advertisement The majority figure of Congress in the state has once again reached 38. After winning three assembly by-elections, this figure is going to cross 40 once again, he claimed. The state government has fulfilled 5 out of 10 major guarantees as promised to the people of the state, he said, adding that the remaining guarantees will also be fulfilled in the coming times. The government first secured the future of 1.36 lakh employees of the state by implementing the biggest guarantee OPS, while at the same time, it strengthened the economy of women by giving Rs 1500 each to the women of the state in the form of Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Mahila Samman Nidhi, he said. Apart from this, the state government has compensated the loss incurred during the disaster last year without the help of the central government, he added. While, the World Bank and Niti Aayog lauded the state government for the work done during the disaster, on the contrary, BJP leaders kept doing politics only. Not only this, not even a single word was said by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the natural disaster in Himachal, he said. Modi did come to seek votes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, but even after becoming PM for the third time, he has not helped Himachal, he asserted. He has expressed hope that during the Parliament session starting from June 24, all the four newly elected MPs of the state will talk about the interests of Himachal in the House and will get Himachal its rights. Targeting the BJP, Himral said, The BJP members in the state were waiting for the women of the state to receive Rs 1500, however CM Sukhu government shut their mouths by depositing Rs 1500 each in the accounts of women. However, the promise made by PM Modi in 2014 to give Rs 15 lakh each has not been fulfilled till date. In such a situation, the guarantees of the BJP prove to be mere rhetoric, whereas the Congress respects the public by fulfilling the guarantees and promises it makes. Himral said that the approval in the cabinet to open a Public Works Department and SP office for the people of Dehra Assembly has ushered in the development of Dehra Assembly constituency. In times to come, the people of Dehra are going to get many big welfare schemes that will lead to all-round development of Dehra. The BJP and the Independent MLA have till date toyed with the interests of Dehra. Instead of taking Dehra forward in development works, they have made it a political arena. Now the daughter of Dehra, CMs wife contesting the by-poll will add glory to Dehras development, he claimed. In a move towards a sustainable future, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are contributing to Europe's green transformation, as revealed in a groundbreaking new report. #GLOBALink The Ministry of Education on Saturday said it has formed a high-level committee of experts, headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA). The Centres decision to constitute the seven-member committee comes amid the ongoing crisis around paper leak allegations. The NTA is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in this years National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams and NET exam. This resulted in several protests across the country with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. Advertisement Soon after the announcement of the formation of the panel, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan asserted that transparent, tamper-free, and zero-error examinations are a commitment. Transparent, tamper-free and zero-error examinations is a commitment, Pradhan said in a post on X. Setting up of the high-level committee of experts is the first of a series of steps to improve efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and overhaul and reform the NTA. Student interests and their bright future will always be our govts top priority, he added. The Ministry of Education said Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, who is the Chairman of the seven-member committee, is Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur. The seven-member committee, which also includes Dr. Randeep Guleria, Former Director, AIIMS Delhi, will make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of examination process, improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of NTA, the Department of Higher Education, the Ministry said. The committee will submit its report to the Ministry within two months, it said. Other members of the panel are Prof. B J Rao, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad; Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras; Pankaj Bansal, Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat; Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs, IIT Delhi; Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India (Member Secretary). In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on reform in mechanism of examination process, improvement in Data Security protocols and structure and functioning of National Testing Agency, the Ministry of Education said in a statement. The Ministry further said the committee will look into reforming the mechanism of the examination process by analysing the end-to-end examination process and suggesting measures to improve the efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach. The panel will also conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols of the NTA, and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures/protocols along with monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at every level. The committee will also suggest measures to improve data security protocols by evaluating the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement. They will also examine existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system, the Ministry of Education said. They will also look into the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency by making recommendations on the organizational structure and functioning of the agency (NTA) for implementation of recommendations given under points (i) and (ii) and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level. The committee will also assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency. The Committee shall submit its report to the Ministry within two months from the date of issue of this order. The Committee can co-opt any Subject Matter Expert to assist them, the Ministry added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reassured his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina of Indias commitment to realising Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans vision of a stable, prosperous and progressive Bangladesh as the two neighbouring nations signed ten major accords in diverse fields, including defence, and announced the launch of a train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata and a bus service between Chittagong and Kolkata. We had extensive discussions on further strengthening defence cooperation, from defence production to modernisation of armed forces. We have decided to strengthen our engagement on counter-terrorism, de-radicalisation and peaceful management of borders. We share a common vision for the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Mr Modi said at a joint media interaction with Sheikh Hasina after wide-ranging talks between the two leaders. The Bangladesh PM is the first top foreign leader to pay a state visit to India after the formation of a government by Mr Modi for the third successive time. Advertisement The Indian leader said the two countries have today prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. The youth of both countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in many areas such as Green partnership, Digital Partnership, Blue Economy, Space and Maitri Satellite. Mr Modi said the two countries have decided to start negotiations at the technical level for the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. He said the two countries also propose to take their economic relations to new heights and have agreed to start negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Sheikh Hasina, on her part, described India as a major neighbour, trusted friend and regional partner of Bangladesh. Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born during our war of liberation in 1971. I pay homage to the brave, fallen heroes of India who sacrificed their lives during our war of liberation in 1971, she said. Briefing reporters on the meeting between the two leaders, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said a technical committee has been constituted to look at the Teesta Water restoration Project. The committees mandate has more to do with the management of water flow than water sharing. On the decision to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries, Mr Kwatra said India will help Bangladesh armed forces in modernisation and capacity-building. India will also see how it can fulfil the needs of the Bangladeshi forces. The MoU between the two countries, he said, pertains to cooperation concerning military education in the field of strategic and operational studies. Mr Kwatra said the two leaders agreed to give an impetus to bilateral and sub-regional cooperation in a vision document that seeks to realise Indias vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Bangladeshs vision of a Smart Bangladesh by 2041. The MoUs signed between the two sides include Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership, Shared Vision for Green Partnership, Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy, Railways Connectivity, Cooperation in Health and Medicine and Disaster Management. The two countries also made some important announcements after the talks between the two leaders. These include: e-visa for medical patients from Bangladesh, new Assistant High Commission of India in Ranpur in Bangladesh, commencement of a goods train between Gede-Darsana and Haldibari-Chilahati up to Dalgaon, construction of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sirajganj under grant assistance, commencement of export of 40 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through Indian grid and 350 training slots for Bangladeshi police officers. The under-construction YSRCP central headquarters at Tadepalli was demolished early Saturday morning by authorities citing its illegal construction on government land belonging to the irrigation department. However, YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy described the action as vendetta politics and accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of acting like a dictator. The demolition was reminiscent of the knocking down of Praja Vedika, a grievance hall built by Naidu, by YS Jagan Mohan Reddys government soon after assuming office, citing it as illegal. Significantly, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has also issued a notice to the under-construction YSRCP office in Vizag, terming it as unauthorised. Advertisement Early morning in Tadepalli, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) and the Mangalagiri Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC) deployed bulldozers and excavators to demolish the YSRCP party office. The YSRCP claimed that the High Court had issued a stay order, which had been conveyed to the APCRDA by the partys legal counsel. A dictator bulldozed the nearly completed YSRCP central office at Tadepalli. The order of the High Court was ignored. Law and justice have completely disappeared in the state. Chandrababu, who is shedding blood due to violent incidents that are taking place after the elections, has given another violent message about how this regime will run through this incident, said YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on X while urging all democratic forces of the country to condemn Chandrababu Naidus misdeeds. However, the TDP said that the land belonging to the Water Resources department had been leased out to the YSRCP despite objections raised by the then engineer-in-chief. The tehsildar approved it without seeking clearance from the irrigation department. The TDP further stated that when the YSRCP approached the High Court, it issued orders to follow due procedure and disposed of the petition. Hence, on Saturday, the APCRDA, MTMC, and the water resources department repossessed the land. The complaint was lodged by TDPs Guntur district secretary Pothineni Srinivasa Rao, who demanded action against illegal structures. The LDF governments move to grant special remission to the convicts of T P Chandrasekharan murder case convicts has drawn strong criticism from the opposition. Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Saturday said that the LDF governments move to release the convicts in TP Chandrasekaran murder case is a challenge to the people of Kerala and that the Congress and the UDF will strongly oppose it. Speaking to media persons in Kochi, Satheesan said that this move of the LDF government shows that the CPI-M and the LDF have learnt nothing from the debacle in the Lok Sabha polls. Advertisement Despite setbacks in elections, the CPI-M continues to make mistakes without learning or correcting them. The opposition, along with the people of Kerala, would resist any attempt to release the TP Chandrasekharan murder case accused, Satheesan said. What right do the jail authorities have to recommend commutation to the convicts, who have been sentenced by the High Court for a fixed life term of 20 years without remission, Satheesan asked. He said the move would be dealt with politically and legally. KK Rema, Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) MLA and widow of TP Chandrasekharan, has condemned the governments move to release the accused in the TP murder case, which circumvents the High Courts ruling. She said the government move to release the convicts in the TP murder case, bypassing the High Court order, would be dealt with legally and politically. Former Home Minister and senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has said that the governments decision to release the accused in the TP murder case is against the jail manual. No leniency is possible for those who have committed heinous crimes, he said. How the government is taking action to grant remission to the TP murder convicts flouting the High Court order, Thiruvanchoor asked. A letter sent by the Kannur Central Jail Superintendent asking for a police report on remitting the sentences of TK Rajeesh, Muhammad Shafi, and Anna Sijith, convicts in the TP murder case, has leaked to the public domain. These three convicts were among those who have been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Kerala High Court, which restricted their right to remission. The Kerala High Court in February gave life sentences to all 12 accused in the T P Chandrasekharan murder case. Of these, nine convicts including Rajeesh, Muhammed Shafi and Annan Sijith were awarded life sentences without remission for 20 years. It is learnt that the names of TP Chandrasekharan murder convicts were included in the list for special remission as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. T P Chandrasekharan, 52, a former leader of the CPI-M, was brutally murdered by the gang near Onchiyam on the night of May 4, 2012, as he was riding home on his motorcycle. His body bore 51 hack wounds, and his face was entirely disfigured by the attackers. After the move became a political controversy, the jail authorities have come out with a clarification that the convicts of the TP Chandrasekharan murder case will not receive special remission. Amid ongoing protests, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday made it clear that the OBC reservation will not be affected, and the government will not allow injustice to the OBC community. He said that the state government is positive regarding the demands of the OBC community. CM Shinde also said that the state government will soon set up a cabinet sub-committee for the coordination on the OBC community quota and discuss issues on the lines of a sub-committee established for the Maratha community reservation and related issues. Advertisement The Maharashtra Chief Ministers assurance came at a meeting with the delegation of OBC leaders comprising NCP ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar, BJP ministers Girish Mahajan and Atul Save, former minister Pankaja Munde, BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar and former legislator Prakash Shendge. The meeting, which was also attended by Deputy Maharashtra Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, took place at a time when OBC leaders Ganesh Hake and Nagnath Waghmare have started an indefinite fast, while a few OBC leaders have launched similar sit-in dharna at Pune, stating the OBC quota should not be disturbed while providing Kunbi certificates to the Maratha community. Shinde also assured that Kunbi certificates will be linked to Aadhaar cards to avoid any forgery. The government will take action against those who take and give false certificates. Bhujbal after the meeting, told the reporters that the Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is in favour of the caste census. He said that OBC leaders urged the state government not to take any decision in haste with regard to inclusion of the sage soyare term in the Maratha reservation notification. The term sage soyare in Marathi means through birth relations and relations by marriage. Bhujbal further added that the debate should take place during the upcoming monsoon session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed several issues of bilateral interests, including development partnership, energy, water resources, trade, and defence cooperation among others. A relationship serving as a role model for neighbourhood partnership! PM @narendramodi and PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh held talks to further deepen historic ties between the two countries.The talks covered a range of areas of bilateral cooperation including development partnership, energy, water resources, trade, defence cooperation, and more, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said. Advertisement Hasina, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday, was extended a warm welcome by PM Modi. This was her second India visit in less than a fortnight. The Bangladeshi PM had attended Modis swearing-in ceremony earlier this month. Jaiswal said that the two leaders have met 10 times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship. Earlier in the day, Sheikh Hasina was accorded with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan as the first guest on a bilateral state visit after the formation of the NDA government. A ceremonial welcome for a special partner! PM @narendramodi received PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India, Jaiswal said in a post on X and shared the pictures. Before meeting the prime minister, the Bangladeshi PM went to Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi. A heartfelt homage to Bapu! PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Mahatmas ideals continue to serve as guiding principles of our close and warm relationship, the MEA spokesperson said. Services provided by the Indian Railways to common man, sale of platform tickets, facility of retiring rooms and waiting rooms, battery operated car services are being exempted from GST, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while addressing a press conference after 53rd GST Council meeting on Saturday. Further, intra-railway supplies are also being exempted. Another key announcement that the minister made is that now hostels which are for students but are not in educational institutions are also getting exempted. The Minister said that the service by way of hostel accommodation is presently not exempted, which are provided to students if they are outside of educational institutions. If they are within the educational institutions, then they are already exempted. Hostels which are for students which are within an educational institution are already exempted. Advertisement The Finance Minister further said: The Council recommended to prescribe a uniform rate of 12 per cent on all milk cans meaning steel, iron, aluminium which are irrespective of the use. They are called milk cans but wherever they are used that will be the rate applicable so that no disputes arise out of it. The Council also recommended a prescribed uniform GST rate of 12 per cent on all carton boxes and cases of both corrugated and non-corrugated paper or paper board. This will in particular help the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh, J&K. The Council also clarified and recommended that the clarification be put out that all types of sprinklers including fire water sprinklers will attract 12 per cent GST. She said that the government is working towards new compliance, assuring GST assessees. The FM said that 1.96 per cent of all active tax assessees have been sent tax notices from central gst till Dec 31, 2014. Only 114939 have received tax notices from Central GST. She also said that there will be roll out of biometric authentication pan-India to check fake invoicing in a phased manner, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman. On petrol and diesel, the Finance Minister said that the intent of Centre is clear to bring petrol, diesel under GST, no amendment needed for it. States need to come on board and decide the gst rate on fuel. GOM on rate rationalisation to give a presentation in August GST Council meeting, she said. The GST Council also recommended a uniform rate of 5% IGST to imports of Parts, components, testing equipment, tools and tool-kits of aircrafts, irrespective of their HS classification to provide a fillip to MRO activities subject to specified conditions. According to the statement released by the Ministry of Finance, all solar cookers whether single or dual energy source, will attract 12% GST. Also, to amend existing entries covering Poultry keeping Machinery attracting 12 per cent GST to specifically incorporate parts of Poultry keeping Machinery and to regularise past practice on as is where is basis in view of genuine interpretational issues. To clarify that all types of sprinklers including fire water sprinklers will attract 12 per cent GST and to regularise the past practice on as is where is basis in view of genuine interpretational issues. The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Ministers of Goa and Meghalaya; Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha; besides Finance Ministers of States and UTs (with legislature) and senior officers of the Ministry of Finance and States/UTs. Irate mob indulged in arson in Ferozabad on Friday night after a dalit youth died in judicial custody. According to the incident , Akash, a prisoner who was sent to jail on theft charges, died yesterday after which his family members and supporters created a ruckus. Angry people pelted stones at the police team and burnt a police bike. Many policemen were injured in stone pelting. Many officers including the CO and City Magistrate had to run away to save their lives. Advertisement BSP supremo Mayawati has issued a statement here on Saturday on the death of a prisoner in Firozabad district jail. She has demanded strict action against the guilty policemen. She said that the people who raised their voice against the police atrocities should be released immediately and the cases registered against them should also be withdrawn. Mayawati said on social site X that the way a Dalit youth was killed in jail in Firozabad district of UP is very sad. The government should take strict action against the guilty police personnel and also provide full help to the victims family. Meanwhile ,IG Deepak Kumar has said that the matter will be investigated by the District Level Judicial Officer. Mexicos cultural philosopher Jose Vasconcelos in his widely-read 1925 essay, The Cosmic Race, celebrated the mixture of European, Asian, Indigenous, and African races that made up the Mexican. He foresaw the advent of what he called the Aesthetic Era, in which joy, love, fantasy, and creativity would rule and create a new cosmic race. Vasconcelos sought to celebrate mestisaje (racial or cultural mixing) as the moral and material basis for the people of all races into a universal race. Mexico elected Benito Juarez as the first indigenous person as president in 1857. He remained president for 14 years. His presidency was most transformational. It is this tapestry of cultures, colours and faiths that has produced Dr Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman and the first Jewish person, to be elected president. She has played down her Jewish ancestry telling The New York Times that I know where I come from, but my parents were atheists. And yet, she was attacked viciously by former president Vicente Fox who called her a Bulgarian Jew. Some even questioned if she was a Mexican at all. The election of Dr Sheinbaum is a watershed moment for Mexico. Her victory was of course highly anticipated despite the spirited campaign of the combined oppositions equally dynamic woman candidate Xochitl Galvez. Mexico has joined the growing list of countries in Latin America to have elected women presidents ~ Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Dr Sheinbaums intellectual credentials are formidable. A Ph D in energy engineering, she was part of the UN panel of climate scientists that received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. She has done her scientific research and written books and papers on energy efficiency, sustainability and environment. Mexico, long steeped in machismo and still witnessing high levels of violence against women, has emerged in recent years as a leader in gender parity. Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nicaragua now elect an average of 46 per cent of women to their lower houses of parliament. Through a constitutional change in 2019, Mexico now mandates parity for the executive, judiciary and state organs. Mexico has gone a step ahead by incorporating parity in everything into its constitution. Advertisement This paradigm shift is the result of what President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (referred to as President AMLO) calls the Fourth Transformation, the independence of Mexico in 1810 being the first, separation of state and church in 1858 being the second and the 1910 Mexican Revolution being the third such transformation. Dr Sheinbaums impressive victory is the result of the Fourth Transformation. During her election campaign, La Doctora as she is often referred to, promised to build the second floor of the Fourth Transformation. It implies a commitment to continue President AMLOs major strategic investments in the infrastructure sector like highways, railways, industrial corridors, ports and airports. The new president will continue to pursue a welfare state model through a mixed economy combining aspects of socialism, Keynesianism and the free market. Both President AMLO and Dr Sheinbaum served as mayors of Mexico City. As Mayor, La Doctora established good credentials by opening two public universities and a cable car system known as Cablebus in the Iztapalapa borough. Her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic got her nominated for the World Mayor Prize in 2021. As a protege of the combative current president, Dr Sheinbaum has promised to continue his progressive policies. But she may not follow his populist push with a similar zeal. She is expected to blaze her own path. Mexico has a tradition of new presidents of the same party charting their own course and going against their political mentors. President AMLO is still very popular commanding an approval rating of over 60 per cent. His popular unconditional cash transfers to low-income households have kept his popularity intact. President Sheinbaum will need to raise taxes and perhaps decrease spending on populist programmes to pay the mounting governmental debt. Unlike AMLO, Dr Sheinbaum is not a populist. She told the New York Times earlier that she and AMLO are different people with different priorities. AMLO has long preferred a popular democracy to a liberal one. Those who have known her from close quarters told me that she being much more of a mainstream leftist politician will be less ideological than her mentor. The president-elect who assumes office on October 1 will find it difficult to continue with AMLOs controversial push to undermine the judiciary and the election commission. Even as Mayor, she diverged from AMLOs approach to security, energy transition and handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike AMLO, who embraced the failed policy of militarization, Dr Sheinbaum focused on strengthening Mexico Citys civilian police force through growth, modernization and professionalization. Like the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which ruled Mexico for several decades, AMLOs Morena party has nearly become a hegemonic party. It has won most gubernatorial posts and a majority in parliament. That has emboldened AMLO to push for his controversial reforms even after the new president is awaiting to take charge. Dr Sheinbaum cant afford to continue AMLOs push to have the judges and election commission members elected. AMLO has given Mexicos military a greater role not only in anti-drug campaigns but in other areas of government. Today, the National Guard is deployed everywhere including the petrol pumps and supermarkets. It remains to be seen how the new president handles the endemic drug violence. As a great crowd puller, AMLO filled Mexico Citys central square, the Zocalo, to celebrate him and his governments performance. But when he sought to undermine the Supreme Courts powers and that of other democratic institutions, his critics filled Zocalo, marching to defend Mexicos national institutions. Mexico has seen the rise of strong social movements representing the indigenous peoples, migrants, women, the environment, and victims of violence. AMLO often disparaged them. Dr Sheinbaum will invent her own style. The substance of her presidency too could be different. In all likelihood, La Doctora will set aside her mentors push for broad constitutional reforms, including overhauls of pensions, the judiciary, electoral law and environmental regulations. She doesnt fire up audiences the way AMLO does. How she handles the migrants on Mexican soil by hugs or bullets and how she pushes her green agenda will define both her presidency and legacy (The writer is director, Institute of Social Sciences, Delhi) The visit by US lawmakers to meet the Dalai Lama in India marks a significant moment in the on-going Tibet-China dispute. This gesture, coupled with the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Bill ~ passed by the US Congress ~ signals a shift in US policy that could have profound implications for Sino-American relations and the future of Tibetan autonomy. For decades, the Dalai Lama has been a symbol of peaceful resistance and spiritual resilience. His exile from Tibet in 1959 and his subsequent life in India have highlighted the struggles of the Tibetan people under Chinese rule. The meeting between the Dalai Lama and influential US lawmakers, including Mr Michael McCaul and Ms Nancy Pelosi, underscores a renewed commitment from Washington to support Tibetan rights and challenge Beijings heavy-handed policies in the region. Chinas insistence on controlling the succession of the Dalai Lama illustrates its broader strategy of exerting influence over Tibetan Buddhism and suppressing any form of dissent. Beijings stance that its atheist leaders should approve the Dalai Lamas successor is not only an affront to Tibetan spiritual traditions but also a clear attempt to legitimise its rule over Tibet. The Dalai Lamas suggestion that his successor might be found in India further complicates Chinas narrative and asserts Tibetan agency in spiritual matters. The Resolve Tibet Bill is a legislative milestone that sends a clear message to Beijing that the international community, led by the United States, is no longer willing to passively accept Chinas dominance over Tibet. If President Joe Biden signs this bill into law, it would represent a significant departure from the longstanding US policy of recognising Tibet as part of China. Such a move would undoubtedly escalate tensions between the two superpowers, but it would also reaffirm Americas commitment to human rights and self-determination. Indias role in this geopolitical drama is also noteworthy. As the host country of the Dalai Lama and home to a substantial Tibetan exile community, India has a vested interest in the outcome of the Tibet-China dispute. Advertisement The strained relationship between India and China, particularly following the 2020 border clashes, adds another layer of complexity. Strengthening ties with the US and supporting the Tibetan cause aligns with Indias strategic interests and its efforts to counterbalance Chinas growing influence in the region. This renewed focus on Tibet by US lawmakers could set a precedent for other countries to adopt similar policies, creating a broader coalition advocating for Tibetan rights. The global communitys increased attention on Tibet might pressure Beijing to reconsider its hard-line approach and engage in meaningful negotiations with Tibetan leaders. However, it is crucial to recognise that the Dalai Lama has consistently advocated for genuine autonomy rather than outright independence for Tibet. This middle way approach seeks to preserve Tibets cultural and religious identity while remaining within the framework of the Chinese state. BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- For students who sat China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as the gaokao, earlier this month, another crucial challenge is about to begin as their focus shifts to filling out college applications. They must carefully consider their interests, make full use of their scores, and craft the most suitable academic and career plans possible. CRUCIAL CHALLENGE To some extent, the immense pressure of filling out college applications comes from the fierce competition of the exam. Data shows that 13.42 million young people participated in this year's gaokao, an increase of 510,000 compared to last year, marking a record high since matriculation resumed in China in 1977. Although the planned admission figure for this year is not available, the country enrolled only 4.78 million students into its regular undergraduate programs last year, according to the Ministry of Education. Moreover, the process of filling out the applications itself is quite a challenge for many. A Beijing resident surnamed Guo said that local students can select 30 categories of majors on the application form, with six blanks under each category to fill in specific preferred majors. This hasn't included the options to apply for majors in programs admitted in advance. "Theoretically, students have to make 180 decisions to complete the application form," said Guo, whose daughter will apply for colleges next year. Traditionally, students completed this process with help from their parents and teachers. However, a significant number of families now turn to professional counseling, with fees for such services running up to tens of thousands of yuan. A parent surnamed Chen hailing from the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu spent 12,000 yuan (1,652.7 U.S. dollars) on a one-on-one college application counseling service last year. "It is difficult for parents to digest a large volume of materials, so entrusting this task to professionals is worthwhile," she said. According to iiMedia Research, the market for paid college application consultations in China reached 950 million yuan in 2023, with nearly 90 percent of surveyed students expressing their willingness to pay for such services. The business analysis firm projects the value of this market to grow to 1.22 billion yuan by 2027. Despite the growing market, many parents remain skeptical about the quality of such services. Guo has consulted several agencies on behalf of her daughter. While acknowledging the efforts of these firms in data integration, she has decided not to purchase their services. She cited two reasons: the persistent anxiety these firms fuel in trying to convince people to use their services, and her belief that the data remains too generalized and cannot fully alleviate her from the inherently exhaustive process. "It would not be cost-effective to shell out thousands of yuan on currently available market data," she added. The Ministry of Education on Tuesday urged students and parents to exercise caution when considering expensive consultation services, warning of potential financial losses and application risks caused by engaging such profit-driven businesses. China has this year for the first time launched a free information service to help students with college applications. Like many private consultancies, this initiative offers services including majors and college recommendations, psychological assessments, employment data, and job prospect evaluations. Additionally, more than 2,000 colleges and universities hold online consultation sessions to help students fill out their application forms. Tasked forces comprised of admission officials, teachers and specialists have been set up across the country to interpret admission policies, processes and methods. PERSONAL INTERESTS, ASPIRATIONS Wang Wenlong, an admission official at Sichuan Agricultural University, said that personal interests and hobbies are essential considerations when selecting a major and planning one's life, as what is currently trendy in majors may not necessarily remain popular in the future. Instead of spending tens of thousands of yuan on application services, it's better to start by first helping kids understand college majors and careers, he said. Following the 2014 reform of the gaokao system, schools in China have been tasked with providing career counseling and guidance on subject selection. The reform encourages students to set preliminary academic goals in their first year of high school and choose subject combinations accordingly for the gaokao. In fact, universities have lowered the threshold for changing majors at the undergraduate level, offering students a second chance to select their majors after enrollment. Li Yihua, a recent graduate from Nanjing University, successfully switched her major from Chinese to astronomy in her junior year. She has joined the research team of China's solar explorer "Xihe" and has now been accepted directly into a doctoral program. Shanghai Jiao Tong University has newly introduced a "zero-threshold" policy, allowing students to apply for a change in their major during their first, second, or third year of college, even if this means switching from its main campus to a different one or vice versa. The so-called popular majors cannot suit everyone, said Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute. "Only majors that align with one's interests and aspirations can lead to sustainable personal development." India on Friday said that it has so far not received any request for providing Consular access to Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused by the US authorities of having involvement in a murder-for-hire plot against a Khalistani leader. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic at the request of the US and produced in a New York federal court earlier this week. We have so far not received any request for Consular access for Mr Gupta but his family has got in touch with us and we are in touch with the family members. We are looking at the matter as to what can be done on the request, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday. Advertisement Appearing before Magistrate Judge James Cott on Monday, Gupta made the not guilty plea through his lawyer. Assistant Federal Prosecutor Ashley Nichols told the court that Gupta is charged in the murder-for-hire plot. Cott ordered him to be kept in custody till the next date of hearing on June 28, when a conference on the case is scheduled. South Korea summoned the top Russian envoy in Seoul on Friday to lodge a protest over a new treaty signed with North Korea that calls for immediate military assistance if either is attacked. First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun called in Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev to deliver Seouls position on the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty inked between Moscow and Pyongyang at their leaders summit on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported. The treaty provides for military and other assistance from one side to the other with all means at its disposal and without delay if either of the two gets invaded or put in a state of war. Advertisement Article 4 of the treaty is seen as warranting automatic military intervention in the event of an attack on either country, a provision that restores the Cold War-era alliance 28 years after their mutual defence treaty was scrapped in 1996. Kim was expected to stress that Russias military cooperation with the North is a clear violation of the UN Security Council resolutions banning activities that would help Pyongyangs arms buildup. He was also expected to make it clear to Russia about the possibility of Seoul providing Ukraine with arms support in response to Moscows signing of the treaty with the North, as announced the previous day by the National Security Council. South Koreas presidential office condemned the pact as a threat to national security in violation of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. It warned of a negative impact on its relations with Moscow. After holding a National Security Council meeting on Thursday, Chang Ho-jin, South Koreas top security adviser, said that Seoul will reconsider its stance on the arms supply to Ukraine. South Korea has so far maintained a policy of only providing nonlethal aid to Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was on a state visit to Vietnam, warned that it would be a very big mistake if South Korea provided lethal weapons to Ukraine. Attending a UN session in New York on Thursday (local time), Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said it was deplorable that Russia violated the resolutions that it itself has agreed to adopt as a permanent UNSC member. Cho called on the international community to stand united against any direct or indirect cooperation that would help the Norths military buildup that constitutes a violation of UNSC resolutions. 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. Buckle up! The classic sci-fi fantasy, a flying car, has become a reality. Join Xinhua correspondent at the 2024 World Intelligence Expo, held in the port city of Tianjin to check out the latest developments in China's low-altitude economy. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Worried about filling out your abroad college application? Imposter syndrome got you stuck on your essays? Not to fear, because Professor Sanoj Ranjan's book, The Complete Handbook for Applying to the Top Universities in the US and UK offers a comprehensive guide to the admissions process in the top two education destinations The book equips you for every step, from crafting a strong application to writing compelling essays and securing impactful letters of recommendation. While the book caters more to undergraduate studies for both domestic and international students, it dedicates a chapter to postgraduate and graduate courses and also includes details specific to certain courses. The book even provides valuable links to scholarship and financial aid resources, including FAFSA, IIE, CBIE, and more. Preparation is half the battle won for college admissions; with this book, one can do just that. As a future applicant, you could get an intensive explanation of the colleges and how you should mould and present yourself as a prospective candidate. From what to include to your CVs, your marks and details of the SAT and ACTs as well as a study schedule to prepare for them, the book covers a lot of ground in less than 300 pages. The book serves as a valuable resource not just for students, but also for parents, teachers, and career counselors. It points out the differences and nuances of the UK and the USA two systems as well as further comparisons between different college systems, public, private, community and Ivy League thereby helping you make an informed choice. While the addition of student perspectives and tips on their application process and tests could have provided an even closer understanding for potential applicants the book holds to its title and does simplify the admission process for students. Professor Ranjans The Complete Handbook for Applying to the Top Universities in the US and UK is your first step towards creating a winning strategy for your international university applications. Author: Professor Sanoj Ranjan Publisher: Hornbill Publication Pages: 290 Price: 1799 Tata Steel will not change its plans to shut down the blast furnaces at Port Talbot in Wales, UK, as these assets are causing "unsustainable losses" of 1 million a day. Furthermore, the company may only speed up those plans should there be any risk to safety of the operations, the Tata Group company has said. Tata Steel's statement follows a strike call given by a section of workers there. Around 1,500 Tata Steel workers in Port Talbot and Llanwern have said they will begin an indefinite strike from July 8 in protest against the company's plans to close the blast furnaces and reduce 2,800 jobs. "Tatas workers are not just fighting for their jobs - they are fighting for the future of their communities and the future of steel in Wales. Our members will not standby while this immensely wealthy conglomerate tries to throw Port Talbot and Llanwern on the scrapheap so it can boost its operations abroad," said Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, Britain's largest trade union. Mumbai-headquartered Tata Steel had announced in April this year that following seven months of formal and informal level national level discussions with UK trade unions, it would proceed with its 1.2 billion investment to build a state-of-the art electric arc furnace in Port Talbot and commence closure of the existing heavy-end assets in the following months. Tata Steel has said this would be the largest investment in UK's steel industry for decades, safeguard steel sovereignty in Britain and preserve 5,000 jobs. It had informed unions that Port Talbot's two blast furnaces number 5 and 4 will close by end of June and end of September respectively. A Tata Steel spokesperson said late on Friday that they were extremely disappointed by Unite's "unilateral decision" to call a strike. "Our existing steelmaking assets are near the end of their life, are operationally unstable and causing unsustainable losses of 1 million a day. This is why preparations to close the blast furnaces and associated plants in Port Talbot are unchanged. However, if the safety and stability of our operations are put at risk by this action, we will be forced to accelerate those closure plans," the spokesperson stated. The spokesperson further said after extensive negotiations with unions, the company had substantially improved its support offering for affected employees. It was the "most generous package" in the company's history, the spokesperson claimed. "Rather than taking strike action, we would have expected Unite to put our improved offer to its members, as previously accepted by all unions, including Unite. According to Unite, UK's Labour Party has called for Tata Steel to halt its plans and wait until the general election to engage in talks with the government. Labour has pledged 3 billion for UK steel, if elected next month, a commitment secured by Unite, it further said. In less than a decade in the industry, Shriya Pilgaonkar has had the opportunity to explore various genres, primarily in the digital space, with exceptional work in projects like 'Guilty Minds' and 'Taaza Khabar'. Her recent portrayal as the resolute TV journalist Radha Bhargava in season two of Zee5s 'The Broken News' received rave reviews. While in the first season she was falsely implicated as a terrorist and imprisoned, the new season saw her diverge from her moral standards and adopt a more aggressive stance, significantly intensifying her role. Talking about the TV media series featuring Sonali Bendre and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles, the young actor expresses her concerns about the current race for TRPs. She emphasizes the critical challenge of verifying the authenticity of news in today's media landscape. As someone who made her Bollywood debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the 2016 release 'Fan', Shriya believes that women on screen are portrayed best when they embody a combination of vulnerability and strength, showcasing their full glory. In this engaging conversation with The WEEK, she discusses her journey, reliving a role, and future projects. Q: With remarkable works like 'Mirzapur', 'Guilty Minds', 'Taaza Khabar', and 'The Broken News', you have ventured into new genres each time. Do you perceive this the most exciting phase of your career? A: I prefer to see this not as a phase but as consistency in my career. My goal has always been to avoid being typecast. I strive to be an unpredictable actor and experiment across all genres. It's easy for actors to get boxed in, and I continually aim to break every stereotype with my choices and characters. When shows like 'Guilty Minds' or 'The Broken News' do well, it's easy for people to box you in. Actors often fear being pigeonholed, so I make deliberate choices to break any patterns. This will always be important to me. There is so much inspiring work happening, and it's gratifying when actors are seen in a different light. An actor's greatest desire is to be seen differently. One of my strengths is that I can mold myself into versatile roles. I've been fortunate to play parts with intriguing female arcs. From portraying a lawyer, news reporter, and sex worker, to a double agent in 'Crackdown', and my latest role in 'Dry Day' with Bhuvan Bam, each character has been distinct, complex, and flawed. Living different lives within one lifetime is the exciting part. Despite the variety of characters I've played, I'm more ambitious than ever. There are still many genres and characters I want to explore. Sometimes, it's about someone taking that leap of faith with you. Q: Apart from 'Mirzapur' and 'Taaza Khabar', much of your work revolves around real issues. Do you perceive yourself primarily as a serious actor? A: I don't quite understand the term 'serious actor' (smiles). Every role I've played has had different layers. Yes, many have centered around a profession, like in 'The Broken News' or 'Guilty Minds'. But an actor's job is to be authentic to whatever the genre or role demands. I'd love to explore comedy more. I've done elements of it in 'Taaza Khabar', 'Mirzapur', and 'Dry Day', but dark comedy or an outright comedy or rom-com are genres I haven't really delved into. Given the opportunity, I would love to do them. With good writing today, different facets of a character are explored. I don't see myself as an actor suited only for serious roles. I would also love to work on more cinematic projects. Todays projects are eclectic, mixing various genres. Q: How challenging yet exciting is it to relive a character, both in terms of maintaining the old standard and adding some freshness to it? A: Season two of any show is exhilarating because it builds on the established groundwork. It opens up new avenues for creativity and exploration. Radha's character underwent a significant transformation in season two, which presented both a thrilling and demanding challenge for me. I strived to avoid predictability in my choices. We had the freedom to delve deeper into the story, enriching the characters depth and enhancing their narratives. Q: Does reprising a role in a sequel also involve unlearning from the past and strengthening your weaknesses as an actor? A: Watching my work gives me perspective and feedback, helping me understand what I can improve. Sometimes, you have to let go of control, especially in season two where Radha Bhargava evolves with numerous twists and turns, fundamentally changing as a person. There was a lot of unlearning because I had to shed much of the old Radha and build new instincts for the character. Furthermore, the writing is excellent, and working with actors like Sonali Bendre (as Ameena Qureshi) and Jaideep Ahlawat (as Dipankar Sanyal) has been a privilege. Headlining a series with such incredible actors has been an amazing experience. Q: Do you believe that TV media has become more TRP-driven than a platform for showcasing public opinion and social issues? A: With the advent of digital media, everyone now has a voice and a platform, essentially, anyone with a phone can act as a journalist. There's certainly a race for TRPs, and the real challenge lies in verifying the authenticity of news. The responsibility also falls on viewers and readers to ensure they are consuming news from credible sources. Platforms like WhatsApp can easily twist facts and spread false information, so it's crucial for individuals to verify news from multiple, reliable sources. Journalism is the fourth pillar of our democracy and holds a certain sanctity. I hope those in media positions realize their responsibility as intermediaries between the government and the public. 'The Broken News' explores these aspects, highlighting the human side of journalism and the pressures reporters face. This realistic, honest, and balanced portrayal likely explains why journalists and news reporters appreciated the first season so much. Q: Would you consider Radha Bhargava to be the most intense role thus far, after lawyer Kashaf Quaze in 'Guilty Minds'? A: While Kashaf and Radha share ideals, morals, and ethics, they are two very different individuals placed in distinct circumstances. When portraying characters from specific professions, its crucial to comprehend their life stories and develop a unique backstory for each. Kashaf operated with a weightiness and adhered to an extremely idealistic, black-and-white perspective. In contrast, in season two, Radha diverges from her moral standards and adopts a more aggressive stance, intensifying her role significantly. Portraying Radha was genuinely challenging because her decisions diverged greatly from my own personal choices as Shriya. Revisiting Radha Bhargava was an enjoyable experience. In season two, Radha's storyline takes her through a markedly different trajectory where her intensity is amplified by the circumstances she faces. Despite this, her portrayal also highlights a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength, presenting her character in a multifaceted light. I believe the most compelling female characters on screen are those who embody both vulnerability and strength, showcasing the complexity and resilience of women in all their glory. Q: Having portrayed Radha twice, was there any aspect of the process or the character that personally resonated with you? A: Every human being expresses anger differently, and anger underlies many emotions. In season one, Radha's anger stemmed from her friend's death, driving her to investigate and push Dipankar Sanyal, her former colleague, to do the right thing. However, in season two, Radha is personally maligned and labeled an anti-national. She and her loved ones have endured too much, leaving her with no control over her emotions. I can relate to the fact that when people with good intentions are hurt, it can generate a lot of anger. However, unlike Radha, I have people around me who help me maintain a certain balance. Radha, on the other hand, is completely out of control this time. One aspect I do resonate with is her determination to stand up for herself. In any situation, I wouldn't hesitate to stand up for myself, whether or not I have support. Thats something I strongly relate to. Q: What impresses you most about Sonali Bendre and Jaideep Ahlawat as co-actors and their acting process? A: Sonali Bendre is a delightful presence, and I hold her in high regard. She's not only a superstar but also a friend, making me both a fan and a companion. What truly struck me was her candidness about feeling nervous, given that this marked a second chapter in her acting career. Her approach to the character was brimming with freshness and enthusiasm, which was a joy to witness. In portraying Ameena, her character, she brought a layer of complexity that added depth to her portrayal. Jaideep Ahlawat remains one of my favorite actors. The vigor he infuses into his work is exceptional, making the process of collaborating with him immensely gratifying. His commitment and nuanced portrayal of his character left a lasting impression, enriching the entire experience with its dynamism and depth. Q: What's next on the cinematic front? A: I'm really keen to do more films because I haven't done enough of them yet. My last film was 'Dry Day', directed by Saurabh Shukla. I enjoyed that experience, especially my first big Holi song, which was exciting because I dont often get to dance on screen. That side of me hasnt been explored much, so Im seeking projects that offer that opportunity. I have two films in the pipeline that havent been announced yet, and theres also 'Taaza Khabar' season two. For me, its all about working on different stories and genres. I want to continue with films, series, and theaters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Bangladesh will begin technical-level talks for the renewal of the 1996 Ganga water treaty. He added an Indian technical team will visit Bangladesh soon for the conservation and management of the Teesta River. Addressing a joint presser after bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, Modi said connectivity, commerce and collaboration were key focus areas of their talks. Modi added they will focus more on digital and energy connectivity. Both sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to take our economic ties to new heights. We have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. For the conservation and management of Teesta River in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon, PM Modi said. Modi added they discussed defence production to further strengthen defence ties between the countries. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation over counter-terrorism, fundamentalism and peaceful management of the border. We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, he said. Modi said an e-visa facility will be launched for Bangladeshis visiting the country for medical treatment. India will also be opening an assistant high commission in Rangpur for the convenience of the people of the North West region of Bangladesh, he said. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said, "This is my first bilateral visit to any country after Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections and the formation of our new government in January 2024. India is our major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner. Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born during our war of liberation in 1971, ANI reported. The key pacts signed by the two sides included one on forging strong ties in the digital domain and another on having a green partnership. The two sides also inked an agreement on railway connectivity. -with inputs from agencies. With Bangladesh already working on a plan to modernise its military, where China is a major supplier of key platforms and equipment, India has stepped up its act with the enhancement of defence ties between the two South Asian neighbours being a key agenda item during the talks on Saturday between Indian PM Narendra Modi and visiting Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. Hasina is on a two-day visit to the Indian capital and is the first foreign head of state to visit in the Modi governments third term. Responding to a question by THE WEEK, Indian foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said: The two sides in todays discussion also discussed how the entire spectrum of defence cooperation between India and Bangladesh can be strengthened whether that relates to the modernisation of the Bangladesh Army, that also includes capacity building or training facilities exercises between the two countries, whether there are means of equipment etc of Bangladesh defence forces the Indian side could fulfill. Both sides did hold extensive conversation on this and we hope to progress on this as we go forward. The India-Bangladesh Shared Vision for Future document also stated: We will strengthen our defence cooperation with a long-term perspective. In line with the plans for modernisation of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, we will explore defence industrial cooperation for modernisation of the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, to strengthen their capability for defence. We will continue to work closely with Bangladesh for our multifaceted military engagements of exercises, training and capability development. While India has trained personnel for the Bangladesh Navys submarines, it is China that supplied two submarines in 2017 to the Bangladesh Navy. These two Type 035G diesel-electric attack submarineslater christened BN Nabajatra and BN Joyjatraare about 76 metres long and 7.6 metres wide and can be equipped with lethal torpedoes and mines with considerable capability to attack enemy warships and submarines. Reports speak of China building a submarine baseBNS Sheikh Hasinafor the Bangladesh Navy at Pekua in Coxs Bazar. Bangladeshs Main Battle Tank (MBT 2000) and the Type-69 medium tanks besides an array of anti-tank missiles and rockets, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars, towed artillery, air defence systems including MANPADS, anti-aircraft guns, and radars are also of Chinese origin. Chinas Chengdu F7 is among the frontline fighter aircraft of the Bangladesh air force which operates about 180 military aircraft including 36 Chengdu F-7 aircraft for combat aircraft. According to SIPRI figures, in the 2010-2020 period, 72 per cent of arms imports by Bangladesh were from China in value terms, 12 per cent from Russia and 16 per cent from the rest of the world. On Saturday, India and Bangladesh agreed to undertake conservation and management of Teesta River inside Bangladesh with Indian assistance within a mutually agreed time frame. At the same time, the two sides agreed to continue to engage in prioritising the exchange of data and formulating the framework for interim water sharing based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers Commission. A Joint Technical Committee is also to be formed to initiate discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996. Other important points of agreement include the introduction of e-visas for medical tourists from Bangladesh, a new train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata, a new bus service between Chattogram and Kolkata, a goods train service between Gede-Darshana and Haldibari-Chilahati up to Dalgaon in Assam and joint manufacturing of a small satellite, to be launched by India for Bangladesh. In what appears to be a bid to convey the message that the opposition alliance, INDIA, is strong even after the Lok Sabha polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to campaign for Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is set to enter electoral politics from Kerala's Wayanad. Wayanad Lok Sabha bypolls were necessitated after Rahul Gandhi decided to vacate the seat while keeping Rae Bareli, earlier represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi. Congress chose to field Priyanka Gandhi from Wayanad, a seat won by her brother twice. According to media reports, sources in the Trinamool Congress said Banerjee had not only expressed her willingness to campaign for the Congress leader but had earlier suggested that Priyanka should contest from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move by the TMC chief also comes a few days after senior Congress leader and former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram's meeting with her. The two had talked for 30 minutes, in what was described as a "courtesy call." Besides, ahead of the Parliament session, starting Monday, Banerjee had also sought better coordination among the opposition members, who together have 232 Lok Sabha seats in the House. Following backlash, the higher education ministry on Friday formed a high-level experts panel to recommend measures to reform the National Testing Agency and improve data security. In a release, the ministry said the committee will make recommendations on reforming the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of NTA. The seven-member committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan has experts from all fields. The committee includes Dr Randeep Guleria, Former Director, AIIMS-Delhi; B.J. Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad; K. Ramamurthy, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT-Madras; Pankaj Bansal, Co-founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat; Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs, IIT-Delhi and Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education. As per terms of reference of the committee, it will analyse the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve the efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach. The committee will also review the standard operating procedures of NTA and suggest measures to strengthen them. The committee will also study existing data security measures of NTA and suggest improvements, it will also examine existing security protocols related to the paper-setting. The panel will also make recommendations regarding the organizational structure and functioning of the NTA. The committee has to submit its report to the ministry within two months. The Centres move comes following allegations of malpractices in the conduct of NEET-UG and UGC-NET examinations conducted by NTA. The agency had to announce retest for over 1,500 aspirants after the Supreme Court struck down grace marks awarded by the agency to compensate for lost time. It also cancelled UGC-NET examinations after it found the integrity of the exam was compromised. The Union Education Ministry said the UGC-NET will be conducted afresh and that the matter will be probed by the CBI. The Congress on Saturday urged the Centre to defer the implementation of new criminal laws as it was passed without proper discussion in parliament. The party demanded the laws should be referred to the new standing committee on home affairs. The three new laws come into effect from July 1. Congress Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the three far-reaching Bills were bulldozed through Parliament without proper debate and discussion. On December 25, 2023, the President of India had given her assent to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. The three far-reaching Bills had been bulldozed through Parliament without proper debate and discussion, and at a time when 146 MPs had been suspended from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, he tweeted. The Congress leader charged the bills were bulldozed through the home affairs standing committee without proper consultations or considering dissent notes sent against the bill. Earlier, the Bills had been bulldozed through the Standing Committee on Home Affairs without detailed interactions with stakeholders across the country and completely ignoring the written and very detailed dissent notes of a number of MPs belonging to different political parties, including the Indian National Congress, who were members of the Standing Committee, he said. Ramesh said the implementation of the bills should be deferred for further consultation. The Indian National Congress is of the firm opinion that this date should be deferred so as to enable a thorough review and re-examination by the reconstituted Standing Committee on Home Affairs which should have more extensive and meaningful consultations with various legal experts and organisations who have serious concerns on the three laws as they stand - thereafter by the 18th Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well, he said. In its first presentation to the Centre, Odishas first BJP government has requested for more central allocation to further accelerate infrastructure development. Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singhdeo on Saturday made this request while attending the pre-budget consultation meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to take suggestions of the finance ministers of all states and union territories in New Delhi. Though Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi holds Finance portfolio, Singhdeo attended the meeting. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Finance Vishal Dev. Odisha submitted a written memorandum containing some issues concerning the state in general and some issues specific to the economy and finances of Odisha which could be addressed through appropriate measures in the union budget for the current financial year. A few important issues were flagged by the deputy chief minister, including the support of the Union government for the creation of an enabling environment to attract international investors and semiconductor industries to Odisha, the promotion of the state as an investment hub, and the expansion of the Paradip port to propel the growth of Odisha. He demanded that higher allocation under the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment (SACI), 2024-25 be made to speed up infrastructure development. Singhdeo requested for advance indication of the state-wise annual allocation under CSS schemes at the time of the budget formulation which would enable the states to prepare their budgets on a realistic basis and ensure timely and effective utilization of funds. While Odisha has one AIIMS in capital city of Bhubaneswar which was the first after Delhi AIIMS and set up during Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime, Singhdeo demanded a second AIIMS in western Odishas main city, Sambalpur. He also demanded expeditious completion of the National Highways, specifically the Coastal Highway and Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR) around Bhubaneswar. Singhdeo requested Centre to partially support its Subhadra schemea part of BJPs manifesto in the last electionin which each woman is to get Rs 50,000 in voucher form to buy her needs. He said this is meant for promoting women welfare through entrepreneurship, ease of living and dignity. The deputy CM further requested the Union finance minister to sanction funds for the construction of at least 5 lakh houses for rural and urban areas in Odisha under PMAY. He also sought the Centres support for new city development and rapid urbanization in Odisha. He also sought the Centres help to address issues related to power sector through the inclusion of Odisha DISCOMs under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme(RDSS), financial support for the adoption of new technologies such as green hydrogen and central funding of Green Energy Corridor projects in Odisha. According to state government sources, the Union finance minister assured to look into the demands raised and suggestions given. In the meantime, the state government has decided to bring a vote on account in the assembly in July for 2024-25, according to Singhdeo. He said after the central budget, the state will prepare its full budget keeping in consideration its needs. BAGHDAD, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed on Friday in a car accident when a sedan collided with a fuel tanker on a road northwest of Baghdad, a traffic police official said. Provincial traffic police officer Mahmoud al-Bakri told Xinhua that the incident occurred when a sedan car carrying five people collided with a tanker on a desert road between the provinces of Salahudin and Anbar, causing a fire. A civil defense team arrived at the scene to put out the fire, while ambulances evacuated the victims to the hospital, al-Bakri said. Meanwhile, a source from the hospital in the city of Samarra told Xinhua that the hospital received six burned bodies, five belonged to the small car and another one was the tanker driver. More than 7,000 traffic accidents occurred in Iraq in 2023, mainly due to deteriorating road conditions, inadequate traffic signals and safety barriers, as well as negligence of traffic rules, according to the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights. A group of protesters on Saturday raised slogans and waved placards at the venue of Delhi Water Minister Atishi's indefinite hunger strike against the water crisis in the city, with the AAP alleging the BJP caused the disruption. The BJP hit back terming the hunger strike a political drama and claimed the protesters were civil defence volunteers and bus marshals removed by the AAP government from their jobs. Atishi, who started the 'Pani Satyagraha' on Friday at Bhogal in south Delhi, said some people came to the site of hunger strike to create a ruckus and attack her. "But I want to tell the BJP that I am following the path of 'Satyagraha' taught by Gandhiji. I am not going to be scared by such things. I am not going to stop this hunger strike due to such actions. Till the 28 lakh Delhiites get their rightful share of water, this hunger strike will continue," she said. The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that on the second day of Atishi's fast, the situation escalated as individuals "sent by the BJP" attempted to disrupt the arrangements and obstruct the peaceful protest. A Delhi Police officer said 12 people were detained from the hunger strike venue and taken to the Hazrat Nizamuddin police station and later released. The protesters told the police that they wanted to meet Atishi as they were also holding a 'Satyagraha' at the Raj Ghat for their jobs and salaries from Delhi government, he said. Taking a dig at Atishi, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said it was a "Kejriwal model" of hunger strike in which a "Satyagrahi" can even go home and eat and drink. "A political drama is being enacted to divert attention from the water crisis and the role of tanker mafia in it," he said, adding the civil defence volunteers and the bus marshals protested at against this. "The AAP cannot tolerate dissent. By calling them BJP agents, Party MP Sanjay Singh insulted the bus marshals who went there to raise their voice," he said. Addressing the AAP volunteers at the venue, Singh slammed the BJP saying those who sat at the hunger strike were examined by doctors and anyone who had eaten anything would be caught. He said Atishi was on the stage in the morning and evening. According to AAP leaders, the minister spent two hours in the morning and evening on the stage and rested in a room behind the stage for the remaining time. However, Sachdeva said even AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal sat amongst people when he was on a 'Satyagraha' in Sundar Nagari in 2011. "Minister Atishi is on a five-star Satyagraha, sitting on the stage for four hours and spending 18 hours in an air-conditioned room behind the stage." he charged. The Delhi BJP president claimed Aam Aadmi Party workers assaulted bus marshals who had went to Atishi's hunger strike venue to raise their demands. Earlier, in a video message from her 'Jal Satyagrah', Atishi said 28 lakh people of Delhi were facing water scarcity and she will not eat anything till Haryana releases more water for the city, The minister sat on indefinite fast on Friday, alleging that Haryana was not releasing Delhi's rightful share of water in Yamuna. She said 110 million gallons per day (MGD) less water was released by Haryana on Friday. "One MGD water provides for 28,000 people. Shortage of 100 MGD water means 28 lakh people are not getting water in Delhi," she said. The Water Minister said that Delhi depends on neighbouring states for water. It receives 1,005 MGD water from neighbouring states through rivers and canals, out of which Haryana provides 613 MGD, she said. In the extreme summer heat faced by Delhi, Haryana has reduced its share to 513 MGD for a few weeks affecting over 28 lakh people, she added. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal also visited Atishi at the protest site to know about her wellbeing. CPI General secretary D Raja extended support to Atishi at the venue. AAP leaders from Gujarat and Maharashtra also visited the Satyagrah site. Raja said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have ensured coordination between Delhi and Haryana over the issue of water but he did not do it. The CPI appeals to the Centre and the BJP government in Haryana to release Delhi's share of water, he said. The death toll in the tragic Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy increased to 53 on Saturday and close to 200 persons are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the region. The Tamil Nadu police have arrested seven persons in connection with the case. Newly appointed Kallakuruchi District Collector M.S. Prashant visited persons undergoing treatment at Kallakuruchi government hospital and added a few people are still on ventilators. Out of the 193 people undergoing treatment, 140 are currently safe and a few people are on ventilators, he said. Prashant said as many as 53 persons have died after consuming illicit liquor in the district. He added that CB-CID has taken over the probe of the case and has arrested seven persons. Health Minister Ma. Subramanian visited those undergoing treatment on Friday. The minister visited those being treated at Kallakuruchi government hospital, JIPMER-Puducherry and Salem government hospital and enquired about their well-being. On Friday, former Madras High Court Justice B. Gokuldas, who heads the one-man commission to enquire the hooch tragedy, commenced his probe and visited the families of victims in Karunapuram. Gokuldas also visited the Kallakurichi Government Medical Hospital. Amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said that Lebanon cannot become another Gaza. Guterres expressed his profound concerns regarding the intensifying Israel-Lebanon tensions. He said that the UN is working to calm the situation. While speaking to the reporters, Guterres said "One rash move one miscalculation - could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border, and frankly, beyond imagination." "Let's be clear: The people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza," he added. Since the Gaza war erupted in October, Hezbollah has been attacking Israel in solidarity with the Hamas. Thousands of people, especially in the border regions had fled due to the intensified attacks. With Hezbollahs new threat of waging another war, people are gripped with fear and concerns. Tens of thousands of Lebanese have fled their homes following Israeli strikes in south Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran's mission to the UN said on Friday that Hezbollah has the capability to defend itself and Lebanon against Israel, warning that "perhaps the time for the self-annihilation of this illegitimate regime has come". "Any imprudent decision by the occupying Israeli regime to save itself could plunge the region into a new war," Iran's UN mission posted on X. "UN peacekeepers are on the ground working to de-escalate tensions and help prevent miscalculation," Guterres said."The world must say loudly and clearly: immediate de-escalation is not only possible it is essential," he added. The US has also urged Israel to avoid further escalation in Lebanon. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday told Israeli officials of the need to avoid further escalation in Lebanon amid the war in Gaza. New Hezbollah threats The recent Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallahs threat to Cyprus has sent waves of uncertainty in the country. Nasrallah in its threat told the Middle-East country not to allow Israel's military to use its airports on the island to bomb Lebanon should a full-blown war break out between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Over 400 people, including civilians, have died along the Lebanon-Israel border since the Gaza war began last year. With the recent killing of Hezbollahs most senior commander by Israel, the tensions have intensified. Hezbollah retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets into northern Israel. Cyprus and Lebanon have had close and historic relations for decades and the island became a refuge for thousands of Lebanese who resided on the island during Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war. Following the economic meltdown in Lebanon in late 2019 too many Lebanese citizens moved to Cyprus. (With agencies inputs) In another time with a different temper and temperament, Maharaj, a film about a 19th century journalist-activist-reformer taking on a high priest of a Hindu temple for his blatant sexual abuse, would have simply been taken at face value. But in this day and age, director Siddharth P. Malhotras film, starring Junaid Khan, son of Aamir Khan, is a powerful and subversive political statement at many levels. Maharaj packs in many delicious jollies. Nine years after Aamir Khan was attacked, vilified and victimised for talking about growing intolerance in India, his son is beginning his film career with a film that says faith is a private matter, religion must be practiced in private, and not be brandished on roads. The film also marks the arrival of a star kid who can act, and is course correction for Yash Raj Studios which, just two years ago toadied up to the politics of hate and made the unbearable 'Samrat Prithviraj'. Bollywood is an excellent bellwether. The stories it tells, tell the story of India. And if the countrys biggest production house has mined the past to tell us a story that's full of subversive politics that challenges blind faith, that questions a leader who casts himself in the role and robes of God, that holds courts to a higher standard, samjho ki waqt badal raha hai (the times, they are achanging). READ MORE: 'Pushtaini' review: A small indie film that takes on the big, taboo topic of men's sexual abuse Maharaj, based on a book by Saurabh Shah, tells the real story of the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case about a young Gujarati Hindu, Karsandas Mulji (Junaid Khan), who lives in what was then Bombay, and is inspired by the Parsi reformer Dadabhai Naoroji. In the first scene itself the film establishes its two main characters. While an untouchable with a water pitcher hanging around his head, sprays water as he walks and announces "Be careful, an achoot is walking, Karsan takes some chutney from another untouchable. Meanwhile, in a haveli, which is a temple of sorts of the Vaishnav community, Jadunathji (Jaideep Ahlawat), JJ for short, is getting ready for Holi celebration. With clever editing, we see Lord Krishnas idol and JJ being decked simultaneously, with similar devotion and regalia. He is almost like the god of the Vaishnav community, who sets the rules. As his devotees place their palms for him to walk on, he sets his eyes on their daughters and decides who will sleep with him, when. Karsan, who rallies and writes against the inhumanity with which widows are treated, is engaged to Kishori (Shalini Pandey), but when she is picked by JJ for Charan seva a practice where young brides must first submit themselves to JJ, and only after he has sex with the virgins, can they consummate their own marriages. This sets off Karsan to take on JJ and his brazen sexual abuse and rape under the guise of religion. He does so first with his journalism, and then in court, when JJ files a defamation case against him for an article he wrote in his newspaper, Satya Prakash. Junaid Khan, in a dhoti-kurta-vasket, is a breath of fresh air. Theres the endearing awkwardness of a newcomer, but also an affecting sincerity. He carries an old-world charm as Karsandas Mulji, and beautifully embodies the two things that makeup Karsans character a revolutionarys value system and thirst for freedom. Jaideep Ahlawat here plays JJ not as a priest, but as the doppelganger of bhagwan Krishna. Taking a cue from Nitish Bharadwajs Krishna in B.R. Chopras Mahabharat series, he has a perpetual smile and walks as if hes gliding on air. Giving us only brief glimpses of the evil that lurks under his beatific smile. Both the girls paired with Junaid Shalini Pandey, and Sharvari Wagh who plays Viraaj, a young girl who joins Karsans editorial office are lovely and play their parts with some joy and masti. In several places, Maharaj reminded me of Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (1982), and the films dance and music had many strains and twirls, inspired by Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. But Maharaj belongs to director Siddharth P Malhotra, an old Yashraj-Dharma hand. In 2018 he made Hichki, and before that the terrible We Are Family. Maharaj is his most powerful, accomplished film to date. Its also a film that will be talked about for a long time. What's especially interesting about the film is the deft handling of its politics. The films script, by Vipul Mehta, casts Karsandas & Co are not as nastiks (atheists) fighting faith. Instead, they are cast as respectful, ardent believers, honourable men and women whose faith is pure and touching, while JJs bhakts are shown as servile men and women, sycophants who cant see how he is abusing his authority. Movie: Maharaj Cast: Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, Sharvari Wagh Direction: Siddharth P Malhotra Rating: ***1/2 out of 5 Streaming on Netflix Nagpur, June 22 (PTI) Indian electric two-wheelers are better than any electric two-wheeler in the world and the country can outpace their global counterparts in terms of design and technology, said Ather Energy co-founder Swapnil Jain on Saturday. Speaking at the 'Meet Rizta' event in Nagpur, which saw the attendance of Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, Jain highlighted the strides made by Indian manufacturers and stressed the country has a unique opportunity to become a technology exporter. During the event, Ather showcased its latest family scooter, Rizta, and the innovative Halo helmet to an audience of community members and electric vehicle enthusiasts. Addressing journalists, Jain emphasised the government's supportive role, despite a reduction in subsidies. "Even with decreased subsidies, we are thriving thanks to the 'Made in India' initiative," he stated. Indian electric two-wheeler is better than any electric two-wheeler in the world, he said, adding that the country has a unique opportunity to move ahead of foreign countries in design and technology. Jain elaborated on the potential for India to surpass foreign countries in EV technology and design for the first time. "We have a unique opportunity to become exporters of technology, not just manufacturers. The growth of the electric two-wheeler industry will also boost other sectors such as the semiconductor, software, cell manufacturing, and energy industries," he said. Jain further said the electric two-wheeler industry can become an anchor to pull all new technologies in the country. "EV industry should not be seen just as an automobile industry but as the industry that can pull all the new technology in India, which will flourish various other industries," he added. Ather has experienced significant growth, with a 30 per cent increase in EV sales last year, selling approximately 1,15,000 units. Jain expressed optimism about future sales, particularly with the positive reception of the Ather Rizta, and noted the company's production capacity of 4,00,000 units. Regarding expansion, Jain revealed plans to penetrate the South Asian market, with sales already commencing in Nepal. Mumbai, Jun 22 (PTI) Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar will be serving as a jury member for the shorts category for the 2024 edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA). The film gala, which will run from June 27 to 30, will screen 20 films, including seven narrative features, twelve shorts, and one docu-series with a diverse line-up of films from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and the United States, a press release said. The shorts program of the festival includes films such as "Hema" featuring Rajshri Deshpande, "Last Days of Summer", "Wire & Cloth", "Ade (On A Sunday)", "Lori" and "Bobby Beauty Parlour". I am honoured and thrilled to be invited as a jury member for the short film category at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2024. I look forward to attending the festival in LA and watching these stellar shorts by emerging South Asian filmmakers. "The atmosphere at film festivals is always creatively energizing and deeply inspiring. Im excited to meet and interact with diverse storytellers and performers, and to witness the incredible line-up of films at IFFLA, Pilgaonkar said in a statement. Filmmaker Tarsem Singh's Dear Jassi will serve as the opening film for the 2024 edition, while Tamil superstar Vijay Sethupathi's "Maharaja" will be bringing the curtains down on IFFLA. The festival will also screen "Kill", an upcoming action thriller from filmmaker Nikhil Nagesh, and the Sundance winner "Girls Will Be Girls", which is the maiden production venture of actor-couple Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha. Islamabad, Jun 22 (PTI) Pakistan on Saturday announced to launch a major new operation against terrorism with a renewed commitment to eradicate militancy from the country. The decision to launch Operation Azm-i-Istehkam (strong commitment) was taken at the apex committee of the National Action Plan (NAP), a 20-point multi-pronged strategy approved in 2014 after the Peshawar school attack to eliminate militants and extremism. Azm-i-Istehkam will integrate and synergise multiple lines of effort to combat the menaces of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said in a press release issued after the meeting. The new anti-militancy campaign was launched with the consensus of all stakeholders, including the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir regions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting and it was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, chief ministers, the services chiefs, and chief secretaries of the provinces along with other senior civilian, military and law enforcement agency officers. The PMO said the forum conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign and assessed the countrys internal security situation. The forum reiterated that the fight against extremism and terrorism is Pakistans war and is absolutely essential for the nations survival and well-being. The forum resolved that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state without any exception, it added. The progress on NAPs multi-domain tenets was scrutinised, with particular emphasis on identifying shortcomings in its implementation for addressing them as top priority. The necessity for a comprehensive and reinvigorated counter-terrorism strategy, founded on complete national consensus and system-wide synergy, was underscored. The PMO said in the politico-diplomatic domain, efforts would be intensified to curtail the operational space for terrorists through regional cooperation. The renewed and full-blown kinetic efforts of the armed forces would be augmented by full support from all law enforcement agencies, empowered by effective legislation to address legal voids that hindered the effective prosecution of terrorism-related cases and award of exemplary punishments to them, the press release said. It added that the campaign would be duly complemented by socioeconomic measures aimed at addressing the genuine concerns of the people and creating an environment that discouraged extremist tendencies. Furthermore, the information space would be leveraged to promote a unified national narrative in support of the campaign. The forum also reviewed measures to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Following the prime ministers approval, new standard operating procedures were issued to relevant departments, which would enhance mechanisms for providing comprehensive security to Chinese citizens in Pakistan. The decision to launch a new operation has been taken when the country faces a new onslaught by the Tehreek-i-Taliban militants who, according to officials, are based in Afghanistan. Seoul, Jun 22 (AP) A nuclear-powered United States aircraft carrier arrived Saturday in South Korea for a three-way exercise stepping up their military training to cope with North Korean threats that escalated with its alignment with Russia. The arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group in Busan came a day after South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a pact reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week that pledges mutual defense assistance in the event of war. South Korea says the deal poses a threat to its security and warned that it could consider sending arms to Ukraine to help fight off the Russian invasion as a response a move that would surely ruin its relations with Moscow. Following a meeting between their defense chiefs in Singapore earlier in June, the United States, South Korea and Japan announced Freedom Edge. The new multidomain exercise is aimed at sharpening the countries' combined response in various areas of operation, including air, sea and cyberspace. The Theodore Roosevelt strike group will participate in the exercise that is expected to start within June. South Korea's military didn't immediately confirm specific details of the training. South Korea's navy said in a statement that the arrival of Theodore Roosevelt demonstrates the strong defense posture of the allies and stern willingness to respond to advancing North Korean threats. The carrier's visit comes seven months after another U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, came to South Korea in a show of strength against the North. The Theodore Roosevelt strike group also participated in a three-way exercise with South Korean and Japanese naval forces in April in the disputed East China Sea, where worries about China's territorial claims are rising. In the face of growing North Korean threats, the United States, South Korea and Japan have expanded their combined training and boosted the visibility of strategic US military assets in the region, seeking to intimidate the North. The United States and South Korea have also been updating their nuclear deterrence strategies, with Seoul seeking stronger assurances that Washington would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend its ally from a North Korean nuclear attack. (AP) RUP RUP Ottawa, Jun 22 (PTI) Investigations into the bombing of the Air India Flight 182 remain "active and ongoing", the Canadian police have said, terming it the "longest" and one of the "most complex domestic terrorism" probe, ahead of the deadly bombing's 39th-anniversary memorial. The Montreal-New Delhi Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was to have landed at London's Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board, most of them Canadians of Indian descent. The bombing was blamed on Sikh militants in retaliation to 'Operation Bluestar' to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in 1984. In a statement on Friday, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul called the bombing the "greatest terror-related loss of life involving and affecting Canadians" in the country's history as he offered "deepest sympathies, understanding and support to the families of the victims". "The Air India investigation is the longest and certainly one of the most complex domestic terrorism investigations that the RCMP has undertaken in our history," Teboul said. "Our investigative efforts remain active and ongoing," he said. Asserting that the impacts of the bombing "have not diminished with time" he said that the trauma it caused has impacted generations. "We must never forget those innocent lives lost to this tragedy and other acts of terrorism," he said. Noting that this year marks the 39th anniversary memorial of the bombing, he said that the 40th memorial, a significant milestone, is approaching in 2025. "At the memorials, previous and current employees from the investigation and our greater organisation, past and present, will ensure we remember those lost and those left to deal with the unthinkable," he said. "Over the years, attending the memorials has been an opportunity to pay our respects to the victims and their families and show our appreciation for all those that did so much to respond to and investigate the tragedy," he said, encouraging people to do the same in private or at the memorials in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. India's consulates in Vancouver and Toronto have planned a memorial service to mark the anniversary of the bombing. A memorial is scheduled on June 23 at the Air India Memorial at Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground area in Vancouver. Another memorial service is scheduled at South Lawn, Queen's Park, Toronto. London, Jun 22 (PTI) The grounds of the Commonwealth headquarters in London played host to a first-ever session of yoga on Saturday to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga. A video message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the global impact of the ancient Indian practice of holistic well-being set the scene for the asanas that followed. The world is looking at yoga as a powerful agent of global good. Yoga helps us live in the present moment without the baggage of the past; it connects us with ourselves, said Modi. Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami was joined by his Bangladeshi counterpart Saida Muna Tasneem, Commonwealth representatives and members of the Indian diaspora as yoga mats were spread across the grounds of Marlborough House on a cloudy morning. The hour-long yoga and meditation session was led by practitioners from Heartfulness Worldwide, a not-for-profit wellness organisation. The Heartfulness movement has become a global force for inner transformation, creating ripples, which transcend continents and cultures, sowing seeds of mindfulness, compassion, and spiritual wellbeing across the world, said Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland, in her video message at the start. The yoga and meditation we experience today is both a tool to improve our own health and wellbeing and a celebration of India's spiritual legacy, allowing us to discover the divinity within ourselves, within others and to deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of life, she said. The event formed part of a wider yoga community initiative, a collaborative effort of Heartfulness Worldwide, the Government of India and a range of international organisations, including the Commonwealth Secretariat. I think it is uniquely appropriate that we can celebrate Yoga Day together as a Commonwealth family, said Doraiswami in his address, during which he drew connections between yoga and the Commonwealth of Nations as natural partners. Yoga is holistic. It seeks not to purely build up the body but also to harmonise the body and the mind. Our Commonwealth too is a holistic organisation, it seeks to create everything from opportunities to cooperate in culture, but also to cooperate in development activity, he said. Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary-General, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the Namibian High Commissioner to the UK and Chair of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat Linda Scott also joined the session and addressed the gathering to highlight the many benefits of yoga. The event is expected to become a regular fixture to celebrate International Day of Yoga in the calendar of the Commonwealth an international association of 56 member nations with India as the largest. by Martina Fuchs GENEVA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The chief executive of Art Basel, a world-leading art fair, said he is "extremely bullish" on the outlook for the Chinese art market and is planning to further expand the presence of its Hong Kong edition. "We're incredibly committed to China ... as well as incredibly committed in a more broad sense to the region, so we look forward to leaning in," Noah Horowitz told Xinhua in a virtual interview on the sidelines of the recently-concluded Art Basel. He said that Art Basel's 2024 edition closed on Sunday following a week of strong sales across all market sectors. The show attracted an overall attendance of 91,000 throughout its VIP and public days. Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Switzerland, Art Basel today stages the world's premier art shows for modern and contemporary art with locations in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris. "It's a tremendous fair this year. We're thrilled to welcome our newly appointed director Maike Cruse to lead her first show. There are 285 galleries across 40 countries and territories," Horowitz said. He also highlighted "Unlimited," which is Art Basel's exhibition platform for projects that transcend the classical art fair stand. It provides exhibitors with the opportunity to present monumental installations, colossal sculptures, wall paintings, photo series, and video projections. The 11th edition of Art Basel Hong Kong took place in March and marked a return to the fair's pre-pandemic scale, with a 37-percent increase in exhibitors from the previous year. It featured 242 galleries from 40 countries and territories, including curated presentations and public programs, attracting contemporary art buyers and sellers from around the world. ASIA IN FOCUS On the prospects for the Chinese art market, Horowitz said: "We're extremely bullish on the Chinese market and with our presence in Hong Kong, we've just signed a multi-year partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board." Horowitz said they are seeing more and more visits from collectors from China and throughout the Asian region. Discussing global expansion plans, Horowitz said they are committed to the art fair's four-location platform. "We were thrilled within the past month to announce the name change from Paris+ for our Paris show to Art Basel Paris, which will take place from October 18 to 20 in the Grand Palais for the first time." "We are also excited to return to Tokyo in November for the Art Week Tokyo which has been a really important collaboration between Art Basel and Art Week Tokyo in building awareness for the brand and building deeper relationships between Art Basel and the gallery and cultural and collecting community in Japan," Horowitz said. "We've seen a very material uplift in gallery participations as well as visitations from Japan in Hong Kong especially," said the executive, who was appointed Art Basel chief in October 2022 and previously held the post of Director Americas for the fair from 2015 to 2021. According to the Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2024, global art sales totaled roughly 65 billion U.S. dollars last year, remaining above the pre-pandemic level in 2019. The report revealed that the United States maintained the first position in the global ranks, with its share of sales by value reaching 42 percent in 2023. China surged past Britain to become the second largest market, with sales in China up by 9 percent to 12.2 billion dollars. Dubai, Jun 22 (AP) An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a commercial ship travelling through the Gulf of Aden but apparently caused no damage, authorities said Saturday, in the latest strike on the shipping lane by the group. The Houthi attack comes after the sinking this week of the ship Tutor, which marked what appears to be a new escalation by the Iranian-backed Houthis in their campaign of strikes on ships in the vital maritime corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, US officials reportedly ordered the USS Dwight D Eisenhower, the aircraft carrier leading America's response to the Houthi attacks, to return home after a twice-extended tour. The captain of the ship targeted late Friday saw explosions in the vicinity of the vessel, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. A later briefing by the US-overseen Joint Maritime Information Centre said the vessel initially reported two explosions off its port side and a third one later. The vessel was not hit and sustained no damage, the centre said. The vessel and crew are reported to be safe and are proceeding to their next port of call. The Houthis, who have held Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014, claimed the attack Saturday night. Brig Gen Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, identified the vessel targeted as the bulk carrier Transworld Navigator. The Houthis have launched more than 60 attacks targeting specific vessels and fired off other missiles and drones in their campaign that has killed a total of four sailors. They have seized one vessel and sunk two since November. A US-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. In March, the Belize-flagged Rubymar carrying fertiliser became the first to sink in the Red Sea after taking on water for days following a rebel attack. The Houthis have maintained that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, the US Naval Institute's news service reported, citing an anonymous official, that the Eisenhower would be returning home to Norfolk, Virginia, after an over eight-month deployment in combat that the Navy says is its most intense since World War II. The report said an aircraft carrier operating in the Pacific would be taking the Eisenhower's place. The closest American aircraft carrier known to be operating in Asia is the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Roosevelt anchored Saturday in Busan, South Korea, amid Seoul's ongoing tensions with North Korea. The Eisenhower had repeatedly been targeted by false attack claims by the Houthis during its time in the Red Sea. Saree on Saturday night claimed another attack on the carrier but again provided no evidence to support it as the carrier was reportedly already scheduled to leave the region. (AP) SCY SCY Mumbai, June 21 (PTI) Arif Abubakar Shaikh alias Bhaijan, brother-in-law of fugitive gangster Chhota Shakeel and an accused in a terror-funding case, died on Friday evening at the state-run J J Hospital here, police said. Shaikh (61), a businessman, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in the case which involves several members of the Dawood gang including Dawood Ibrahim and Shakeel themselves. Shaikh was lodged in Arthur Road jail here following his arrest, and was currently undergoing treatment at the J J Hospital, a police official said. In July 2023, his property in Mira Road area in neighbouring Thane district was attached by the NIA as proceeds of terrorism. New Delhi, Jun 22 (PTI) India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and entering into new sectors which will chart the future course of their relationship, President Droupadi Murmu said on Saturday. Welcoming Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had called on Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, the President said that "she was delighted to meet her again, just a few days after the swearing-in ceremony of the new government". This is the first State visit hosted by India after the formation of the new government on June 9, 2024. Murmu said these regular interactions reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and cooperation that began with the journey of Bangladeshs Liberation War of 1971. The President noted that India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and are entering into new sectors also. She expressed confidence that this will chart the future course of the India-Bangladesh relationship, according to a statement issued by the President's office. During a warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders agreed to work together to enhance the relationship across all domains, including economic ties, development partnership, defence cooperation, energy security and connectivity, it said. The President was happy to note that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress. India and Bangladesh on Saturday inked a raft of agreements, including to boost ties in the maritime sphere and blue economy, as they firmed up a futuristic vision to expand cooperation in several new areas. The pacts were finalised at the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hasina. The key pacts signed by the two sides included one on forging strong ties in the digital domain and another on having a "green partnership.The two sides also inked an agreement on railway connectivity. New Delhi, Jun 22 (PTI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday claimed that exam cancellations are happening in the country every day because of the "total incompetence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the "people around him". The scathing attack on the prime minister came on a day the NEET-PG examination was postponed as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams. The exam was scheduled to be held on Sunday. A day earlier, the June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR-UGC-NET) was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances and logistic issues. On Wednesday, UGC-NET was cancelled following inputs that the exam's integrity was compromised. Opposition parties have also claimed irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG, the results of which were announced by NTA on June 4. A probe into the alleged irregularities in this exam has been handed over to CBI. "No day is complete without news of the cancellation of an exam because of the total incompetence of the non-biological PM and the people around him. The latest exam to be put off is NEET-PG, which was scheduled to be held tomorrow," Ramesh said in a post on 'X'. Facing flak over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, the Centre on Saturday shunted out National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh and set up a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to review the agency's functioning and recommend exam reforms. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, however, denied any leak of the CSIR-UGC-NET paper and said the exam was postponed due to logistical reasons. He also asserted that anybody involved or responsible for any irregularity in NEET-UG will not be spared. Chandigarh, Jun 22 (PTI) Punjab Police on Saturday said it has busted a narcotics and organised crime nexus backed by USA-based smuggler Sarwan Singh alias Bhola Havelian and arrested its three operatives from Amritsar's Ajnala. Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said the nexus was busted in a close coordination with the central agencies. Those arrested have been identified as Karanjit Singh of Khalra in Tarn Taran, Akash Seth alias Raghu and Sukhdeep Singh, both residents of Raja Sansi in Amritsar. Police also recovered six pistols along with six live cartridges and 10 magazines, 200 grams of heroin and an electronic weighing machine from their possession. Notably, Bhola Havelian, who is carrying Rs 2 lakh reward on his arrest, is a brother of infamous drug smuggler Ranjeet alias Cheeta and is wanted in a 532-kg heroin haul case, in which the latter was arrested in May 2020. Cheeta was the mastermind behind the smuggling of 532 packets of heroin which were seized by Customs department at ICP Attari in July 2019 and is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency. DGP Yadav said following inputs that associates of alias Bhola have retrieved the weapon consignment and they are going to deliver it to someone, police conducted a special checking in the jurisdiction of Ajnala, and arrested the trio. Later, police teams on the disclosure of Akash alias Raghu also recovered 200 grams heroin, six live cartridges and electronic weighing machine from the location pinpointed by him, he added. The DGP said that as per preliminary investigations, the accused person was directly in touch with USA-based smuggler Bhola and was supplying weapons and heroin. Further investigations are going on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case, he added. Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural) Satinder Singh said the probe also revealed that Akash alias Raghu's cousin Sanjam alias Mathi of Ajnala, presently lodged in Amritsar Jail, introduced him to Bhola Havelian. "We will bring Sanjam on a production warrant for further revelations," he added. He said that Police teams are tracing the financial trails of the accused persons to unravel the entire nexus and more arrests are expected in this case. Jaipur, Jun 22 (PTI) Banswara MP and Bharat Adivasi Party leader Rajkumar Roat hit back at Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar over his "DNA test" remark about the tribal leader and said that the minister's "mentality needs to be tested". Dilwar on Friday made a controversial statement saying that "if BAP leader does not consider himself a Hindu then a DNA test should be done to verify whether he is the son of a Hindu". The minister's remark came after Roat recently said that he belongs to a tribal community and adheres to a belief system distinct from organised religions, including Hinduism. At a programme in Udaipur on Saturday, Dilawar said that the tribal community is an integral part of the Hindu community and hoped that the tribal people will not get misled by some people. In response, Roat said that the ministers mentality needs to be tested. Roat released a video statement and condemned the minister's comments on him. "You are talking about DNA tests, ancestors, that applies to you. Your mentality needs to be tested. Such language does not suit you, you are holding the post of minister, he said. "If you want to talk about the tribal community, then tell us what changes you have brought in the education sector for the tribals in the last six months," he said. He said that the minister made indecent remarks for the tribal community, him and his party and the tribal people will give a befitting reply to this statement in the time to come. Kochi, Jun 22 (PTI) Priests protesting the changes to Holy Mass in the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese on Saturday rejected a fresh note from the synod of the Syro-Malabar Church, calling it an attempt to incite conflict in the parishes. The post-synodal note came amidst a raging row over a circular issued by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church head Raphael Thattil on June 9, 2024, giving an ultimatum to the priests who do not comply with its directive to hold uniform Holy Mass in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese starting from July 3 this year. Thattil and the Apostolic Administrator of the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, Bosco Puthoor, on Friday issued a post-synodal note addressing the priests and faithful in the archdiocese. In the note, the church authorities detailed a set of decisions formulated during the special online meeting of the Synod held on June 14 and 19. Among the decisions, the church said the circular issued by it on June 9 would continue to stand and all priests should hold the mass in a standardised manner as directed earlier. However, it made it clear that canonical punishment, as mentioned in the June 9 circular, would not be initiated against those priests who start performing at least one Uniform Holy Mass on Sundays and other significant days. The relaxation was given based on the directive of Pope Francis to give awareness about the Uniform Holy Mass, the post-synodal note further added. However, the protesting priests said in a statement that the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese is rejecting the post-synodal note issued by Raphael Thattil and Bosco Puthoor. They charged that both Thattil and Puthoor had once again "deceived" the priests and the entire faithful of the archdiocese. Instead of a formula to resolve the stalemate, this is a note that "ignites riot" through parishes in the wake of Uniform Holy Mass issue, they alleged, adding that the priests and laity of the archdiocese do not accept it. The post-synodal note was issued with an intension to bring the entire Archdiocese under the Uniform Holy Mass, the priests further alleged. "This is a gross betrayal of the Archdiocese by the Major Archbishop and the Apostolic Administrator," they said. A complaint, signed by all priests of the archdiocese against the June 9 circular, has already been submitted to the higher authorities of the church, the dissident priests said, adding that they were moving forward with the strong conviction that the synod cannot take any action against them. Five bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church had recently expressed disapproval of a recent circular issued by their church head, which warned that priests in the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese who protest against the changes made to Holy Mass customs would be excommunicated. The bishops had alleged that the circular "smacks of the middle-age culture of the Church." In the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, some priests and members of the church community disagree with the Syro-Malabar Church's August 2021 decision on uniform Holy Mass. This decision mandated a standardised way of conducting Holy Mass, where priests are required to face the congregation only at the beginning and end of the service, turning towards the altar for the rest of the Mass (known as the 50:50 formula). While most dioceses under the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church have adopted this approach, many priests in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, along with their parishioners, continue to oppose it. They argue that it breaks from tradition, where the priest traditionally faces the congregation throughout the entire Mass. Hyderabad, Jun 22 (PTI) A group of people pelted stones on police and HMDA officials during an anti-encroachment drive in Miyapur area here on Saturday, police said. One site official of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) sustained injuries in the stone pelting, they said. According to a senior police official, scores of people had assembled on the land demanding that the government allot it to them and had even erected some temporary structures including huts on it. The land was allotted to the HMDA by the government, but some people tried to encroach on it after which officials along with police went there to get the land vacated, the police official said. Those encroaching were told it was government land and were told to vacate it, but some among them pelted stones on the police and HMDA officials resulting in injury to one official, he said. The police subsequently dispersed the people from the land. Viewed 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. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri in Luxembourg, June 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) LUXEMBOURG, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri met here Thursday and the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in various fields. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes to Grand Duke Henri. He said that China and Luxembourg have always accommodated each other's core interests, and engaged in mutual respect and open cooperation, forging a path featuring mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. China stands ready to work with Luxembourg to earnestly implement the significant consensus reached by President Xi and Grand Duke Henri to advance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields, better benefiting the peoples of both countries, Ding noted. President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, along with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, all aim to promote global unity, stability and cooperation, Ding said. Noting that China remains committed to reform and opening up, Ding said that China will firmly support economic globalization and boost trade liberalization and facilitation. China will work with all countries including Luxembourg to build a better world, Ding said. Grand Duke Henri asked Ding to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi, adding that Luxembourg and China have enjoyed a long history of friendship as well as sound momentum in bilateral relations. Speaking highly of China's remarkable achievements, he said Luxembourg is willing to maintain close cooperation with China in such fields as education, culture, finance, transportation and logistics, to elevate bilateral relations to new heights. Grand Duke Henri also noted that the European Union and China should strengthen dialogue to properly address their economic and trade differences. The IDF carried out an airstrike on Shabbos to eliminate Raad Saad, a senior Hamas terrorist who served as the head of the terror groups operations division. The IDF believes that he was killed in the strike but his death has not yet been confirmed. The strike was carried out in a building he was hiding in in the Shati neighborhood of Gaza City. The IDF believes that Saad was one of the terrorists hiding in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City before the IDF raided the hospital in March. He managed to escape and find another hiding place in the city. Saad was considered Hamas the Hamas leader No. 4 and had an essential role in the terror groups decisions. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel) Britvic has long appeared an anachronism. Down at the Druids Head in Brighton, for as long as I can remember, it sold orange juice in the smallest bottles for the highest prices. One often mused as to how it could survive when the supermarkets sell great cartons of freshly squeezed with a competitive mark-up. Robinsons, its other main brand, will shortly make its annual appearance at Wimbledon. Considerations: Making the case to keep Britvic British is tricky as there is no overwhelming national interest at stake It also brings back memories of sun-kissed birthday parties from childhood. In an age of healthy and energy-giving beverages, cordials appear awkwardly dated. Not it seems to Danish brewer Carlsberg. In a world when alcoholic drinks are being diluted, mixers and soft drinks are coming back into fashion. The UK is good at fizzy drinks. Schweppes crossed the Atlantic way back in 2005 thanks to the ministrations of activist investor Nelson Peltz. He did entrepreneurship a favour. Fever-Tree, which uses superior ingredients, has filled a gap in the UK market. A G Barr, home to Scotland's Irn-Bru (as well as Lucozade), carries on regardless. With exquisite timing, after Denmark somewhat humiliated England in the Euros, it has been disclosed that brewer Carlsberg, which claims a UK heritage dating back 300 years, is seeking control of Britvic with a 3.1billion bid. The board chaired by Ian Durant, a Hanson acolyte who has occupied the chair at Greggs, has told Carlsberg to take a hike twice. The Danes now have until July 19 to provide an enhanced cash offer. Goldman Sachs International, Britvic's biggest investor with a 8.29 per cent stake, will have a significant say. Plans: Jeremy Hunt is seeking to mobilise investor cash and bring it back to the UK Britain's long funds are way down the list of owners. M&G, with a substantial 4.7 per cent holding, is in sixth place. Encouragingly for Labour, a shift leftwards in British politics is not discouraging animal spirits. Quite the contrary, the bids keep coming. Among those live is the unwanted 3.6billion bid by Czech sphinx Daniel Kretinsky for International Distribution Services, owner of the Royal Mail. Labour pledges in its manifesto to 'robustly scrutinise'. Another bid is the 5.4billion offered by private equity and a sovereign wealth fund for investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. A succession of high-profile bids and deals is testimony to the undervaluation of stocks on the London Stock Exchange. Deals can be resisted as Anglo-American, Currys and Direct Line have demonstrated. The loss of the dividend tax break in 2007 led pension fund managers to look more globally for returns, leaving the City in the doldrums. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is seeking to mobilise investor cash and bring it back to the UK. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has similar ideas. It is hard for everyone who believes in Britain's excellence as a financial hub to watch the FTSE 350 being denuded so easily. Making the case to keep Britvic British is tricky. Unlike Royal Mail, there is no overwhelming national interest at stake. There are other considerations which the next government, whatever its stripe, needs to think about. Many overseas takeovers Cadbury and Boots come to mind have had consequences for tax, pensions, intellectual property and jobs. Among the first steps taken by predators is to change tax domicile of targets, depriving HMRC of corporate tax revenues. Consolidation is a polite word for axing factories and jobs and moving production to lower cost countries such as Poland. Britain's talent for innovation is unheralded. In the case of Britvic, the intrinsic value of low sugar drinks, such as Pepsi Max and premium mixers London Essence, fails to be recognised in the offer price. The Tories are always keen to make the case that post-Brexit foreign takeovers show Britain is open still for business. The history of Arm Holdings, the UK's biggest tech escapee, shows how wrong that judgment will be. There is no reason to think that Carlsberg will be a particularly harmful owner. Nevertheless, Britvic has a strong global footprint and is in a growth segment of the beverages industry. If the Danish company comes back with what seems a compelling offer, Britvic's directors must resist temptation to roll out the barrel. Beijing officials have warned that strict electric car tariffs 'may trigger a trade war' with Europe. Tensions have mounted in recent weeks after Brussels said it would slap Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) with additional tariffs of up to 38 per cent. The move is aimed at protecting European carmakers who felt they were being undercut by Chinese firms such as BYD and Geely. Warning: European carmakers feel they are being undercut by Chinese firms such as BYD and Geely The charges add to the existing 10 per cent levy on cars imported into the EU, meaning they now face total tariffs of as much as 48 per cent. But the measures which are the result of a nine-month investigation risk pushing up the price of EVs. Chinese businesses have urged Beijing to hit back against European cars. Now, China's government has ratcheted up the rhetoric. 'The European side continues to escalate trade frictions and could trigger a trade war,' a spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said yesterday. 'The responsibility lies entirely with the European side.' The comments came shortly before Germany's economy minister Robert Habeck kicked off a three-day trip to the region as he looks to allay Chinese anger. German carmakers would be the most exposed to any counter moves from China, as almost a third of their sales came from there last year. EU car exports to China were worth 16.5billion in 2023, while the bloc bought 8.2billion of electric vehicles from China, according to EU statistics agency figures. British brands such as MG and Lotus that are owned by Chinese parent companies could also be caught in the crossfire. US giant Tesla has also suggested it will hike the price of its EVs in the face of tariffs. The Tesla Model Y, which costs around 45,000, is currently the most popular electric car in the UK. The latest European levy is due to come into force on July 5 unless China and the EU can strike a deal. The UK has been silent on whether it will impose tariffs of its own but ministers have previously said they would wait to see the results of the European investigation. And Britain has shown a more welcoming attitude to the Chinese car industry in its efforts to woo its companies to set up manufacturing facilities in the UK. In November, investment minister Lord Johnson said the country could capitalise on Brexit freedoms to sell Chinese firms' electric cars to the rest of the world. 'China have a very powerful electric car industry, they've got a lot of excellent technology and they're making great cars,' he said. Octopus Energy will repay the Government 3billion ahead of schedule following the taxpayer bailout of failed supplier Bulb. The London-based company has already repaid hundreds of millions of the amount owed, with the balance expected to be settled by the end of September. Bulb was bailed out in November 2021 after soaring wholesale gas and energy prices left it unable to buy energy for its 1.5million customers. It was the largest energy supplier to fail during the crisis. On track: Octopus has already repaid hundreds of millions of the amount owed, with the balance expected to be settled by the end of September Octopus bought Bulb out of administration in October 2022, in a move that helped it to become the UK's largest electricity provider to nearly 7m homes. At one point, the Office for Budget Responsibility had estimated that the bailout would cost 6.5billion the most expensive since the financial crisis. However, falling energy prices have slashed the final price to 3.02billion. Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson said: 'This outcome is a great result for taxpayers. 'Octopus worked hard in the energy crisis to create a fair deal. Although Bulb went bust with billions of liabilities, it has cost the Government almost nothing.' The bailout was a test of the UK's special administration regime. It comes as the Government draws up contingency plans in case debt-laden Thames Water collapses. Octopus' repayment represents an approximately 99 per cent plus recovery of amounts owned to HMG,' energy security and net zero permanent secretary Jeremy Pocklington said in May. What's going on? Unilever is a 111billion leviathan, most famous for Marmite and Hellmann's mayonnaise, but also the name behind Cif, Dove, Persil, Sunsilk, Surf and Lynx cologne. This week King Charles has been urged by a Ukrainian campaign group to strip Unilever of its royal warrants because it continues to operate in Russia. Unilever's CEO Hein Schumacher, 52, says that the matter is 'not straightforward' since, if Unilever quits Russia, its assets could be seized by allies of President Putin. The company is making other big changes, however. Tell us more Supersized conglomerates are somewhat out of fashion and Unilever will spin off its ice cream subsidiary. Ice cream is a low-margin business. Is it big in ice cream? I should say so. The division which includes Ben and Jerry's, Magnum and Wall's may be valued at as much as 15billion. It is not yet known what the spun-off business will be called or where it will be listed. Amsterdam or New York could win this prize because some think the London market has the appeal of a melted vanilla cornet. Is the sell-off part of a bigger plan? The group has developed a Growth Action Plan. One of those backing it is Nelson Peltz, US activist extraordinaire (and Brooklyn Beckham's father-in-law). His campaign for a make-over at Unilever won him a seat on the board. Peltz was opposed to the previous focus on sustainability over performance. Fund managers like Terry Smith, of Fundsmith, were also unimpressed by the company's woke agenda. Why should mayonnaise have 'purpose'? What's the strategy behind the plan? Unilever is to concentrate on its 30 power brands which make up 75 per cent of the group's 15billion (12billion) turnover. These brands are seen as having 'pricing power', meaning customers will pay more rather than swap to a rival's cheaper products. The power brands include Marmite and Dove, but also the more obscure Paula's Choice. I am unfamiliar with that product... This range is one of Unilever's upmarket cosmetic and skincare brands, which have prospered despite the cost of living crisis. How have Unilever shares performed? Over the past decade Unilever shares have fallen by 11 per cent. But they are up 17 per cent since January at 4434p. Are Unilever shares worth a bet? Most analysts rate the shares a 'hold'. But Smith is now an enthusiast, arguing that the group has potential. Deutsche Bank analyst Tom Sykes perceives this to be a buying opportunity, setting a target price of 4600p. Revolut is reportedly targeting a valuation of more than 32billion in a share sale that would make it worth more than NatWest. The British fintech start-up plans to sell around 395million worth of stock as it continues to expand, according to the Financial Times. It would see the firm valued at around a fifth higher than the 26billion price tag it achieved in a previous funding round in 2021. Big ideas: Revolut plans to sell around 395m worth of stock as it continues to expand The move would also see the group valued above NatWest, which was worth just under 27billion at its latest share price. But Revolut is still waiting for its UK banking licence to be approved despite claiming more than a year ago that it was imminent. Hargreaves Lansdown's prospective new owners should ban working from home, its co-founder has said. Peter Hargreaves, who launched the business with Stephen Lansdown in 1981, said he hoped more staff would return to the office if the private equity bidders led by buyout firm CVC take control. 'There's a lot of working from home, and the help desk doesn't work if working from home,' Hargreaves told the Telegraph. He added: 'I hope [they get rid of working from home]. You just can't run a business like that. It's just madness.' Moving on: Hargreaves Lansdown's board this week said it would accept a 5.4billion offer from CVC, Nordic Capital and Abu Dhabi-backed Platinum Ivy His comments come after the firm's board this week said it would accept a 5.4billion offer from CVC, Nordic Capital and Abu Dhabi-backed Platinum Ivy. HL, which floated in 2007, is the country's biggest investment platform. A heatwave may be on its way, ending a period of dispiriting weather. But even though Britain is basking in sunshine, many of us will still be booking a holiday abroad. It's a preference that investors carrying out a midsummer portfolio review should note. The unquenchable desire for an overseas break seems to be the most lasting post-pandemic consumer behaviour shift, according to airline bosses. Taking off?: There is no guarantee of up-up-and-away performance, but there are bargains on offer Previously this type of 'revenge' expenditure was viewed by some to be a transitory phenomenon. Luis Gallego, chief of IAG, owner of British Airways, says 'the high demand for travel is a continuing trend' while Wizz Air boss Jozsef Varadi also senses that a fortnight on the beach or by the pool is regarded as a priority. As a result, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is expecting record passenger numbers this year. The recovery is being driven by shorthaul flights, packed with tourists. Corporate travellers are also returning, with tech bosses favouring meeting in person over Zoom. Until other executives decide to get airborne, affluent individuals, willing to pay extra for comfort, are occupying business class seats. Tom Gilbey, at Quilter Cheviot, highlights the benefits flowing from the new mood of rationality in the sector. Post-pandemic consolidation has made the industry leaner. Meanwhile, the problems at aircraft manufacturer Boeing have limited the growth in fleet capacities, thus curbing possibly over-ambitious expansion plans. He comments: 'This combination of a disciplined supply side and a robust demand environment suggests a positive outlook for the airline sector moving forward.' Investors excited at the opportunities on offer must be prepared for global shocks that cause havoc in the airline industry, as Covid illustrated. Also, even before the announcement of the general election, Johan Lundgren of easyJet and Michael O'Leary of Ryanair sensed that some customers were becoming more resistant to high ticket prices. The suspicions surrounding the Labour government's true plans for tax rises may make more households wary about splashing out. Meanwhile, in the longer term, there is the possibility of further legislation to limit the environmental impact of flying. IATA is forecasting that airlines worldwide will use 99billion gallons of fuel this year, an increase of 3 per cent on 2019 consumption. As a consequence of these factors, there is no guarantee of up-up-and-away performance, but there are bargains on offer. IAG International Consolidated Airlines has an empire that encompasses not only British Airways, but also Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. The company's debt mountain has been reduced and Gallego is confident that the turnaround will not be reversed. Yet IAG shares stand at 164p 47 per cent below their level of five years ago and trade at just four times earnings. Analysts at BNP Paribas Exane and JP Morgan are among those who believe that the stock is undervalued. This week, for example, Ruairi Cullinane of RBC reiterated his view that IAG was a 'buy' with a target price of 230p. The average target price is 270p. EasyJet Most analysts rate this low-cost carrier a buy despite the fears that 'revenge' spending on getaways may be slackening. At 449p Easyjet shares are 40 per cent below five years ago, but there are hopes of revival since the average analysts' target price is 706p. Lundgren steps down from the top job next year, having built a profitable package holiday division and slashed borrowings. Ryanair Ryanair, run by the perennially choleric O'Leary, is now Europe's largest airline. But it has been hit hard by the issues at Boeing which have delayed the arrival of new planes for the fleet. Ryanair shares have fallen by 11 per cent since the start of the year to 17. But most analysts still rate Ryanair a 'buy', with an average target price of 24.96. O'Leary pockets a 100m bonus if the share price stays above 21 for 28 days. In this sector, there is little embarrassment over soar- away pay. Jet2 This Aim-listed business is not only an airline, it is also Britain's largest tour operator, an activity that offers chunkier margins. Jet2 shares are up 4 per cent this year to 1298p, having soared by 442p over the past decade. Most analysts consider Jet2 a 'buy', with an average target price of 1892p. Airlines' pricing power is set to be tested. But Jet2's good behaviour during the pandemic deposits were refunded in a timely way could afford the company an advantage over its rivals. BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The first high-level dialogue under the China-Germany dialogue and cooperation mechanism on climate change and green transition was held in Beijing on Saturday. Several key outcomes were announced following the dialogue. The two sides will initiate provincial-level cooperation on green transition and establish a working group on industrial carbon reduction. The two countries will also collaborate on demonstration projects to enhance energy efficiency in key sectors, according to a statement released by China's National Development and Reform Commission. China expressed readiness to further enhance cooperation with Germany on energy efficiency, the circular economy, industrial carbon reduction and energy transition during the dialogue. Germany is willing to explore further collaboration with China in areas such as renewable energy, smart grid development, and the production of zero-carbon and low-carbon products, according to the statement. BAGHDAD, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Seven Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in two airstrikes on their hideouts in Salahudin province, north of Baghdad, the Iraqi military said on Saturday. Based on intelligence reports, Iraqi warplanes carried out two airstrikes on IS hideouts and a tunnel used by the extremist militants in a mountainous area in the northeastern part of the province, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command. According to initial reports, the airstrikes resulted in the killing of seven IS militants, including a leading figure, the statement said, without specifying the timing of the bombings. The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. BRUSSELS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Fabrizio Hochschild, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, has emphasized the crucial need for global cooperation to identify common interests and prevent conflicts, while highlighting China's leadership in this process. "We are living in an ever more fragmented world with greater polarization between East and West, North and South," Hochschild said during an exclusive interview with Xinhua. He added that cooperation among big countries as opposed to polarization is absolutely critical now. "By focusing on the upsides of working together, we can better overcome risks and downsides," he said. Hochschild said China's success in poverty reduction, which is "incredible" and "a monumental achievement", can bring tangible benefits to other countries through cooperation. Hochschild underscored China's significant role in the global economy, citing that China is the largest exporter in the world and one of Europe's largest trade partners. China is the second-largest economy in the world and still growing at a pace faster than most industrialized economies, he said. "What is worrying is that this (China's role) is being treated less as healthy competition with an element of cooperation but more as a threat, with trade barriers and tariffs coming in," he said. Thus, Hochschild emphasized the need for cooperation again, especially in the area of new technologies. "Cooperation is needed to put adequate guardrails in place for new technologies," he said. "Technologies don't recognize borders, so international cooperation on norm-setting and policies is essential." He added that Chinese exports of green energy tools have been critical in helping other countries maintain or promote the transition to clean energy use. A Limerick woman beaten in a random attack by Irish soldier Cathal Crotty has expressed her thanks to supporters. Crowds gathered in Limerick City Centre for a demonstration to protest Natasha O'Brien's attacker being given a fully suspended sentence after pleading guilty to beating her unconscious. Crotty (22) - who reportedly boasted about the 2022 attack on social media - received the suspended sentence on Thursday (June 20). Speaking to the gathered crowd in Limerick, O'Brien - who sustained horrific injuries in the attack - said she was "overwhelmed" by the solidarity of supporters. She said, "Without your outrage, your fear, your horror, this would not have been looked at. What's happened to me has happened to so many." O'Brien - who has called for Crotty's dismissal from the Irish Army - said the Defence Forces "are supposed to protect us" and criticised the Department of Justice for "looking the other way". She said, "I should not have to face my attacker and bare my soul to Judge Tom O'Donnell to be told I should be happy he took the guilty plea. I should be happy he said sorry because he was caught!" According to the Journal, Crotty was paraded before a senior commanding officer yesterday (Friday June 21), and was reortedly informed that he may be dismissed from the military in the wake of his conviction. In a statement posted on X, the Defence Forces confirmed that proceedings had commenced against Mr Crotty, who presently serves as a private, however stated it would be "inappropriate" for them to comment any further at this time. "We wish to address the conversation that is currently taking place on social media, as we are an organisation committed to honesty and transparency," they stated. "Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations." Lots of items to consider tonight as we check police action, court cases and hopeful community outreach. Check TKC news gathering . . . Kansas City, Missouri, police ask for the public's help to find a missing man considered dangerous The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department asked for the public's help Friday to find a missing man they describe as dangerous. Woman charged with arson following Independence apartment fire A 22-year-old woman is facing charges in connection to a fire at the Independence Towers apartments earlier this week. Man accused of breach of privacy charges for taking pictures or video of women undressing A 29-year-old faces two counts of breach of privacy for allegedly shooting video or taking pictures of women undressing. Months after unsolved hit-and-run, victim's family furious about fee to retrieve his truck A family dealing with an untimely death due to a hit-and-run has now had insult added to injury in the form of a tow lot storage fee incurred while his truck was held as evidence. Man convicted of child sexual exploitation pronounced dead in Kansas A man convicted of child sexual exploitation in Johnson County was pronounced deceased at a Lansing hospital. Kansas City, Mississippi men sentenced to life in federal prison Shawn "Deuce" Burkhalter, 35, of Kansas City, Mo. was sentenced to life in federal prison without parole by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on June 21. His co-defendant, Joshua ... Jury convicts Raytown man of fatal April 2023 shooting A Jackson County jury convicted a Raytown man Thursday for his role in a fatal April 2023 shooting. 4 in custody after drugs, live deer found inside Belton home Four individuals are in custody after illegal drugs and a live fawn were found inside a Belton, Mo., home as a search warrant was served. Family creates Kindness for Kaden event after teen's murder Kaden Bauswell, 15, was shot and killed three years ago in front of a Kansas City, Kansas elementary school. His family is making sure his giving spirit is not forgotten. Missouri man charged with endangering 2 girls in street race, police chase A Kansas City street race and sideshow results in a man's arrest for child endangerment and resisting arrest charges. OP Police searching for 'large brown dog' involved in biting incident The Overland Park Police Department is searching for a dog involved in a biting incident Friday morning. Overland Park residents share qualities they want in next police chief Overland Park posted the job description for police chief this week and city leaders want residents to share the qualities they want in the next leader of the police department. 'It can happen to you': KC woman warns others after losing 15K to scammers A Kansas City woman has recently fallen victim to scammers, while authorities in Clay County continue to see a rising trend in scams. Young Kansas Citians experiencing trauma from violent crime want their voices heard Young people in Kansas City are feeling the effects of violent crime. Youth Ambassadors, a Kansas City nonprofit, is helping kids work through the trauma, build resilience and have a voice in their community. Developing . . . This afternoon, biz lady, reality star and hottie Kendall inspire our latest dive into pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Cowtown Crescendo Celebration Michael Stern says farewell to Kansas City Symphony: 'The next chapter is going to be brilliant' After 19 seasons, Michael Stern is stepping down as music director of the Kansas City Symphony, with Matthias Pintscher taking over at the start of the next season. Classical KC spoke with the outgoing maestro and his longtime friend Yo-Yo Ma about Stern's time at the helm and what's ahead for the orchestra. More Building Down By River Plans for Phase 1 of Berkley Riverfront development near Kansas City Current stadium sent to city Documents show the initial phase includes a 430-home apartment complex, 53,000 square feet of retail development, and 400 parking spaces Show-Me DEI Data Fight Missouri AG files suit against IBM for discriminatory hiring practices Missouri's Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against IBM after discriminatory hiring practices were brought to his attention. Meet New Bus Boss?!? KC's World Cup transportation leader brings 25 years' experience to bear - Kansas City Business Journal With just two years before the global phenomenon comes to Kansas City, Julie Lorenz works on a roadmap for the area's transportation during the event. Missouri Stays Losing?!? Poll: How important is it to keep the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals in Missouri? Efforts to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals across state lines - from Missouri to Kansas - have intensified throughout the year as both franchises consider future plan... Broken Agreement Deets KC officials say Kansas violated 5-year-old 'truce' with STAR bonds. Here's what it said Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly agreed in 2019 to end the use of tax incentives to lure companies across the state line. Is Kansas going against that now? Java Machine Out Of Juice Wild Way closing: Coffee camper drips bittersweet blend of emotions as owner's cup runs dry Nearly six years after she began serving lattes in her popular Wild Way coffee camper, Christine Clutton is saying goodbye to the business at the end of the month, she confirmed. Costly Fashion Reconsidered Kendall Jenner Wore The Skimpiest $85 Bikini For Her Latest Swim Campaign Supermodel Kendall Jenner posed in new campaign photos for her partnership with the Italian beachwear brand Calzedonia, this time in a skimpy metallic bikini. MAGA MAKES MORE MONEY Trump's post-conviction fundraising surge wipes out cash deficit Former President Trump's campaign has largely erased a significant cash deficit compared to President Biden's reelection campaign, thanks to an enormous surge in donations over the past two months during and immediately after Trump's New York City criminal trial. Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports filed late Thursday showed the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee... No Gun Rights For Angry Dudes Supreme Court upholds law barring domestic abusers from owning guns in major Second Amendment ruling | CNN Politics The Supreme Court upheld a federal law Friday that bars guns for domestic abusers, rejecting an argument pressed by gun rights groups that the prohibition violated the Second Amendment. Dead-Tree Decline Cont'd After uproar over ethics, new 'Washington Post' editor won't take the job Washington Post Chief Executive and Publisher Will Lewis' pick to be its lead editor has withdrawn from the job. Robert Winnett of the U.K.'s Telegraph was scheduled to start after the U.S. elections. Brit Politicos Offers Excuses For Vlad Nigel Farage claims Russia was provoked into Ukraine war Farage, who has long been accused of being a Putin apologist, tells BBC Moscow was given excuse by EU and Nato eastern expansion Holy Land Hot Mess Worsens Israeli military official says Hamas cannot be destroyed, as rift with Netanyahu widens | CNN Israel's top military spokesman has said Hamas cannot be made to "disappear," casting doubt about whether the government's war aim of defeating the militant group can be achieved and drawing a sharp rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Global Pollution Fear Impacts Performance?!? Microplastic discovery in penises raises erectile dysfunction questions The contaminants have also recently been found in testes and semen, amid concerns about falling male fertility Sweet Treats Endure On Nice Side Of Bridge Drink This Now: Summer Sips at The Little Store on Knox With a new summer menu featuring three refreshing beverages, The Little Store on Knox brings its community into its drinks and decor Meet New Team Player Kansas City Chiefs' Mecole Hardman Jr. Is Engaged to Chariah Gordon: 'Say Hello to the Future Mr. & Mrs. Hardman' Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and entrepreneur Chariah Gordon announced that they're engaged in separate Instagram posts on Monday, June 20. Hope Betwixt Kansas City Clouds Bigger and more colorful - here's when you can see the Strawberry Moon in Kansas City June's full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon. Local Boss Returns Familiar face to return to KC metro as CEO of KCPL A familiar face will return to the Kansas City metro to step into the Chief Executive Officer position at the Kansas City Public Library. Home Team Hype Machine Debunks Disheartening Losing Streak Even after slumping, the Royals are wildly exceeding expectations Let's put it into perspective Fired Up For Weekend Q BBQ Fest sure to make mouths water this weekend The all-you-can-eat barbeque festival runs June 21-22 in Lot M. Tickets can be bought at kcbbqfest.com. Parking is free. Katie Calls This Weekend It's going to be hot and humid to start the weekend There is a chance for a few popup showers in the afternoon Martin Garrix & DubVision feat. Shaun Farrugia - Wherever You Are is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. In Chengdu, China, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has issued lifetime bans to 12 tourists. These individuals, aged between 26 and 61, were found misbehaving around the pandas. Their offenses included throwing objects like bamboo shoots, lollipop sticks, and cigarettes, as well as spitting into the pandas' play area. These incidents occurred from April to June this year, as stated in a recent WeChat post by the research base. China Panda Sanctuary Upholds Strict Rules The Research Base, one of China's most visited tourist attractions, aims to protect and study giant pandas by mimicking their natural habitat. It also focuses on educating visitors about conservation. CNN reported that the center has set clear rules for visitors to ensure the safety and well-being of the pandas. According to the rules, disruptive actions like littering, spitting, and throwing objects at animals are strictly forbidden. Violations of these rules can lead to several punishments, ranging from temporary bans to lifetime exclusion from the park. Despite the severe misbehavior by some, the staff at the Research Base have confirmed that all pandas remain healthy and unaffected. The administration has not disclosed the identities or nationalities of the banned individuals, noting that these tourists were not associated with each other. The Chengdu Research Base has been operational since 1987 in Sichuan province, southwestern China. Its mission is to serve as a top-tier research facility, a center for conservation education, and a destination for educational tourism internationally. This dedication to creating a lifelike environment for the pandas even includes scientists dressing in panda costumes scented with panda urine to blend seamlessly into the surroundings. This enforcement of strict rules highlights the Research Base's commitment to the safety and preservation of giant pandas, stressing the importance of responsible tourism. Related Article : You Should Definitely Visit Chengdu, China If You Want to Meet the Iconic Pandas Giant Pandas Return to China This Year Seven giant pandas, including one named Fubao, have already returned to China this year. Over ten more are expected to return later, as their overseas agreements end and the younger pandas mature. This announcement was made by a China Wildlife Conservation Association official on Thursday. As per the Global Times, China has worked with 20 countries and 26 institutions worldwide on giant panda conservation, receiving positive feedback from those countries. Wang Weisheng from China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration shared these details during a press conference. China ensures these pandas receive excellent care and health guarantees while abroad, according to Si Ping, another official. The management of giant pandas overseas includes strict monthly health assessments and annual check-ups, meeting China's stringent guidelines. Looking ahead, China plans to extend panda conservation efforts with countries like the US, Australia, and Austria. These collaborations have previously led to the successful breeding of 28 giant panda cubs. Additionally, during a recent visit to Adelaide, Chinese Premier Li Qiang mentioned that two pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, would also return to China from Australia later this year, continuing the cooperative efforts on panda conservation and research. Xi stresses Yellow River basin ecological conservation, high-quality development Xinhua) 09:27, June 22, 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a residential community in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) YINCHUAN, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored the ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin during an inspection tour in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, came to Ningxia on Wednesday after wrapping up his inspection in Qinghai Province. Situated in the Yellow River basin, Ningxia is surrounded by deserts on three sides and faces the daunting task of conserving and restoring ecosystems. Xi asked Ningxia to coordinate high-quality development with high-level environmental protection, further reform and opening up, advance new urbanization and rural revitalization, and promote ethnic unity and common prosperity. The autonomous region has a large ethnic minority population. On Wednesday afternoon, Xi visited a multi-ethnic residential community in the regional capital Yinchuan. Of over 18,000 residents in the community, 38 percent belong to ethnic minority groups such as Hui, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a residential community in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Xi first went to the community service center and an activity room where he watched residents practice paper-cutting and dancing, and talked with them. He called for thorough, detailed and concrete efforts to address urgent needs and concerns of the residents, and deliver high-quality services to the people. Xi then visited the home of resident Zhao Shoucheng, where he chatted with the Zhao family to learn more about things related to employment, income, medical insurance reimbursement, and children's education. "I am concerned about the well-being of every family of all ethnic groups," Xi said, extending best wishes to the Zhao family. At the community square, Xi spoke to the residents who gathered there to greet him. Xi said he was delighted to visit Ningxia again and meet with local people of various ethnic groups. "The Chinese nation is a big family," Xi said, calling for continued efforts to foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and pool strength from all sectors to advance Chinese modernization. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a residential community in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) On Thursday morning, Xi was briefed by the Ningxia regional committee of the CPC and the regional government on their work, and acknowledged their achievements. Noting that Ningxia boasts unique geographic conditions and resources, Xi said the region should follow a distinctive and differentiated development path. Ningxia should develop modern coal chemical and new materials industries, clean energy industries including wind, photovoltaic and hydrogen power, as well as its specialty industries of wine and goji berries, Xi said. He called for more efforts to integrate scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. Ningxia should continue to deepen the reform of state-owned capital and enterprises, facilitate the growth of the private sector, and improve the business environment, Xi said. Xi called on the region to actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation and the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and enhance trade and economic cooperation with Arab states. Ningxia should adopt the strictest possible management system for water resources, and strive to protect the ecosystem in the areas of the meandering bends of the Yellow River, Xi underlined. The Yellow River, China's second-longest river, is deemed the country's "mother river." It originates from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and runs through the Loess Plateau, flowing about 5,464 km through Ningxia and eight other provincial-level regions. Xi demanded concerted efforts to achieve common prosperity for people of all ethnic groups, and solid measures to ensure job opportunities for college graduates, migrant workers, and veterans. He emphasized advancing the integrated development of both urban and rural areas and advancing rural revitalization across the board. Xi also underlined governing ethnic affairs in accordance with the law, and building an ethnically integrated society. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Kazakhstan's crude oil exports to Turkiye amounted to 172,676 tons in March 2024, Azernews reports. According to Turkiye's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), export volume fell by more than 70 percent from the same period in 2023 (576,816 tons). Kazakhstan accounted for 4.13 percent of Turkiye's total crude oil imports in March 2024 (2.68 million tons). Furthermore, Turkiye's crude oil imports from Kazakhstan totaled 637,635 tons from January through March. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan and Turkiye's commercial turnover was $6 billion in 2023. The volume of trade turnover fell by 5.3 percent from the same time in 2022 ($6.3 billion). Exports to Turkiye during the aforementioned period amounted to $3.9 billion, which is 16.4 percent less than from January to December 2022 ($4.7 billion). Furthermore, imports from Turkiye climbed by 27 percent between January and December 2023, totaling $2 billion. In 2022, imports totaled $1.6 billion. UNITED NATIONS, June 21 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeepers in South Sudan have intensified patrols in Tonj East to protect civilians and restore community confidence after inter-communal clashes, a UN spokesman said on Friday. The UN Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, also continues to engage with community members and leaders, particularly women, to understand their perspectives on the security situation and better tailor their responses, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Haq said the mission also reported challenges accessing Tonj East because of poor road conditions and heavy rains. The situation often complicates law enforcement in the area, but local authorities are determined to continue providing services to the affected communities. He said UNMISS, in collaboration with the UN Development Programme, organized a two-day forum in Yambio. The forum brought together dozens of county commissioners, community leaders, youth and women representatives from Western Equatoria State to address persistent inter-communal conflict and violence. Insects of Alaska forest humming along Photo by Ned Rozell Insects like this bee clinging to a fireweed blossom seem to be in ample supply in Alaskas boreal forest. Recent long-term studies revealed a three-quarters reduction of insects in parts of Germany and an 80 percent decline of pollinating flies at a field site in Greenland. Whats going on with numbers of Alaska insects? Two scientists recently completed a study on the abundance and variety of insects in the spruce forests of Alaska. If the study is duplicated in the future, researchers will be able to see whether Alaska is changing and how it compares to what is happening elsewhere on the planet. There are lots of disturbing reports coming from a lot of places, said Derek Sikes, curator of the Insect Collection at the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks. Sikes is co-author of a new study of insects sampled in three areas of Alaskas boreal forest. Blanketing land masses of the north from Alaska to the easternmost provinces in Canada, the boreal forest also covers parts of Scandinavia, Russia and Asia. Sikes teamed up with Julie Hagelin of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Fairbanks on the study. Hagelin is researching the olive-sided flycatcher, a songbird that winters as far as South America and flies north to Alaska each summer to nest and raise chicks. Olive-sided flycatchers birds with a 78 percent drop in global population since 1970 eat flying insects like dragonflies, yellowjackets, butterflies and mayflies. Coming and going from a prominent perch like the top of a dead tree, they zoom about to pluck everything they eat from the air. Photo by Sara Germain Birds like this singing olive-sided flycatcher are dependent upon the many insects now buzzing over and on Alaska. As part of her study, Hagelin sampled flying insects to see what flycatchers might eat. Her study sites were in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge near Tok. During three recent years, she, Sikes and their colleagues retrieved more than 115,000 insect specimens from tent-like traps suspended in trees and others on the ground. Sikes and students at the UA Museum of the North identified those insects and the timing with which they were available to birds. Overall, they found a strong midsummer pulse of insect biomass driven in part by temperature (warmer meant more insects). They also found 49 new state beetle records and 10 beetles not only new to Alaska but new to the universe. Those discoveries add to a long list of species Sikes has documented in Alaska. He has been everywhere from the Aleutians to the North Slope to Southeast in his 18 years as the lead entomologist at the museum. Working with Hagelin allowed him a detailed look into the boreal forest in which Fairbanks sits. This was my first deep dive into the insect fauna of my backyard, he said. In identifying all those boreal-forest insects, Sikes found that moths were the most numerous type of insect in Fairbanks and Tetlin, while flies were the most numerous type around Anchorage. Photo by Ned Rozell Insects like these flies clinging to a tent seem to be in ample supply in Alaskas boreal forest. In analyzing those thousands of insects which altogether weighed about as much as an iPhone Sikes and Hagelin found that Alaskas boreal forest is rich in insect life. Besides their ability to feed birds, why should anyone care about insects? Insects are like a glue that holds ecosystems together, Sikes said. Insects flit from plant to plant carrying pollen grains on their bodies, spreading reproductive material and enabling new plants. Those plants are food sources for us and creatures that we eat. Alaska has abundant space for those uncounted billions of insects, with fewer miles of road than Vermont. Unlike the problems we see in the Lower 48 with habitat fragmentation, degradation and bird decline, we have intact ecosystems and thriving populations here, Hagelin said. Alaskas almost 200 years behind the Lower 48 and the Tropics in regards to (habitat) degradation, Sikes said. Since the late 1970s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute has provided this column free in cooperation with the UAF research community. Ned Rozell is a science writer for the Geophysical Institute. Since the beginning of the day, 99 combat clashes have occurred on the front lines in Ukraine. In the Pokrovsk sector, 11 battles are raging. According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in a situation update as of 16:00 on Saturday, June 22, Ukrinform reports. "Since the beginning of the day, the total number of combat engagements along the entire frontline has increased to 99. In the Pokrovsk and Toretsk sectors, the enemy continues to increase the pace of offensive actions, deploying significant forces. Despite this, Ukrainian defenders are confidently holding back the onslaught of Russian troops and inflicting significant losses on the enemy," the statement said. In the Kharkiv sector, Russians are trying to attack near Vovchansk. One battle is currently ongoing. Lyptsi was again attacked by guided aerial bombs from Russias territory. In the Kupiansk sector, Russian troops have already stormed the Ukrainian positions 12 times in the areas of Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Andriivka, Miasozharivka, Stelmakhivka and Pishchane. Nine Russian attempts to advance were repelled. Three combat engagements are ongoing near Stelmakhivka and Synkivka. The situation is under control. In the Lyman sector, Russians attacked Ukrainian forces eight times near Terny and Nevske. Five engagements ended without success for the enemy, and three are still ongoing. In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled eight Russian attacks near Verkhniokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka and Vyimka. Serebrianka was hit by a guided aerial bomb. In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian troops are trying to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from their positions near Ivanivske and Hryhorivka. Two enemy attacks have been repelled and one is still ongoing. In the Toretsk sector, the number of Russian attacks increased to 11. New York, Yurivka, and Toretsk are attacked by Russian aircraft. The defense forces repelled five enemy assaults, six attacks are still ongoing. The Pokrovsk sector saw the highest number of combat engagements. Since the beginning of the day, the invaders have made 32 attempts to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Vozdvyzhivka, Yevhenivka, Sokil, Novoselivka Persha and Novopokrovske. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repelled 21 enemy attacks. Eleven combat engagements are still ongoing. Fighting continues in the Kurakhove sector. Russians are attacking near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Paraskoviivka with the support of aircraft. Kostiantynivka and Kurakhove came under attack with guided aerial bombs and unguided aerial missiles. The total number of attacks in the sector has increased to nine, of which four have been repelled and five are still ongoing. In the Vremivka sector, Russian troops made six unsuccessful attempts to break through the Ukrainian defensive lines near Staromaiorske, Urozhaine and Vodiane. In the Orikhiv sector, four Russian assaults failed near Robotyne, Mala Tokmachka and Kamianske, and another battle is underway. In the Dnipro River sector, two Russian attacks in the Krynky area had no success. In other areas, the situation has not changed significantly. Photo: AFU General Staff CAIRO, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian government is set to ban the operation of 16 travel agencies for arranging "fraudulent" Hajj trips to Saudi Arabia for unregistered pilgrims. At a Hajj deaths crisis unit meeting held on Saturday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said he has ordered the license of these agencies to be revoked and those involved persons and entities transferred to public prosecution, according to an Egyptian cabinet statement. The statement did not detail which agencies or concerned persons were behind organizing such trips through fraudulence or other illicit means for unregistered pilgrims to Mecca. Madbouly updated that among more than 50,000 registered Egyptian pilgrims, a total of 31 people with "chronic diseases" were confirmed dead. The move came amid media reports of over 600 deaths among unregistered Egyptian pilgrims during their performance of Hajj over the past week under the extreme heatwaves in the Saudi city. The temperatures there at times hit 51 degrees Celsius. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told the meeting that the crisis was most deadly to unregistered pilgrims, claiming that the tourism companies transporting them "did not provide any services." He noted that his ministry would continue to coordinate with the Saudi authorities to find missing Egyptian pilgrims as soon as possible and ensure the home return of all Egyptian pilgrims. Hajj, a pillar of Islam, is annually performed in Mecca by crowds of pilgrims from all over the world. The number of pilgrims has exceeded 1.8 million this year, according to Saudi authorities. Serbia is increasing its sales of ammunition to the West, which subsequently finds its way to Ukraine through third countries. The amount of ammunition that Kyiv has received from Belgrade is approximately 800 million euros. According to Ukrinform, this is stated in a Financial Times article. According to the publication, the amount of ammunition exports from Serbia that have entered Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion through third parties is approximately 800 million euros. This figure was confirmed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Vucic presented the situation with arms exports as a business opportunity, insisting that he would not take sides in the Russian-Ukrainian war. The Serbian leader stated that this is part of their economic revival and emphasized its importance. He mentioned that while they export ammunition, they cannot export to Ukraine or Russia. However, they have secured many contracts with the Americans, Spaniards, Czechs, and others. He noted that even if he knew where the sold ammunition ended up, it was not his business. Vucic said that his job is to ensure that they handle their ammunition legally and sell it appropriately. He emphasized his responsibility to take care of his people and noted that Serbia "has friends in Kyiv and Moscow". Asked whether the EUR 800 million export figure was correct, he said it was not for one year, but "maybe for two or three years". According to the president, Serbian weapons are cheaper than Western ones, so the scale of ammunition exports from Serbia could increase. Serbia had a thriving military industry during the Cold War when it was part of Yugoslavia. The country produces ammunition according to Soviet standards, which is still used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As Ukrinform reported, on 5 March last year, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that his country had not transferred any Serbian weapons or ammunition to Ukraine or Russia. Finance ministers of the EU member states considered practical issues regarding the implementation of the G7 decision to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan at the expense of frozen Russian assets, and will continue their work in July so that Ukraine can receive the money by the end of the year. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of Belgium Vincent Van Peteghem said this in Luxembourg on Friday following the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. An internal discussion was held on how to implement the agreement reached by the G7 leaders to provide additional support to Ukraine in the amount of $50 billion. This money may arrive in Ukraine by the end of this year, and this loan will be repaid using future profits generated from blocked Russian assets. Now the European Union will start working on the issue at the technical level, said the Belgian government official. According to him, today's meeting of European ministers, like a month ago, began with the discussion of financial impacts caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Minister of Finance of Ukraine Serhii Marchenko took part in the conference call. The EU ministers assured Ukraines Serhii Marchenko of their steadfast commitment and continued support, said the Belgian minister. Answering journalists' questions, Vincent Van Peteghem emphasized that the two elements of joint work are very important for Belgium, where a large part of blocked Russian assets are located: compliance with international law and risk sharing. The immobilized assets as such will not be used, the official said, noting that any change in ownership could lead to consequences from a legal perspective. Also, he admitted, the distribution of risks is critical in this set of financial instruments so this was a key element in the discussion. He noted that the ministers instructed their deputies and technical teams to work out the modalities of the loan under the G7 initiative, and to submit relevant proposals before the next ministerial meeting in July of this year. As Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on the sidelines of the Council in Luxembourg, EU countries intend to provide up to 60 percent of the $50 billion loan that the Group of Seven previously promised to allocate to Ukraine at the expense of proceeds from frozen Russian assets, Reuters reports. Discussions will start on the share of the USA, Canada, Japan, and the UK, Giorgetti said. At the same time, Reuters notes that his statement actually contradicts that by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who announced at the end of the G7 summit in Italy this month that EU countries will not yet participate directly in providing a $50 billion loan to Ukraine. The G7 plan for Ukraine envisages providing Kyiv with a multi-year loan using future proceeds from about $300 billion worth of frozen Russian assets, most of which have been immobilized in the EU. Russian Central Bank reserves and other assets were frozen as part of G7 sanctions imposed following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. About EUR 190 billion of these assets are held in the Belgian central securities depository, Euroclear, making the EU a key actor in any plan to utilize these assets. The United States holds about $5 billion. As reported, the Group of Seven decided to provide Ukraine with a loan of $50 billion by the end of 2024. This is an American loan, but it can be supplemented with European money or national contributions. This loan to Ukraine is planned to be repaid at the expense of revenues from frozen Russian assets, most of which are located in EU countries. TUNIS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The death toll among Tunisian pilgrims who performed Hajj in Saudi Arabia has risen to 53, Tunisia's state television Wataniya 1 reported. "Until this Saturday, the number of Tunisian pilgrims who died in holy places in Saudi Arabia while performing the Hajj rituals, increased further from 49 to 53," said the report. The Tunisian diplomatic mission in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah are currently coordinating to monitor the situation of Tunisian pilgrims who are missing, deceased, or hospitalized in Saudi Arabia, according to the report. On Friday, Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked Ibrahim Chaibi, the minister of religious affairs, without specifying the reason for the dismissal. Chaibi headed the official Tunisian delegation to Saudi Arabia during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The delegation was tasked with supporting and assisting Tunisian pilgrims during the Hajj. Chaibi attributed the loss of human life to factors including the extreme temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius, a significant presence of elderly pilgrims, and a high number of pilgrims with pre-existing illnesses. Hajj, a key pillar of Islam, is annually performed in Mecca, by pilgrims from all over the world. The number of pilgrims exceeded 1.8 million this year, according to Saudi authorities. In a shocking revelation, Ronald Simpson, a former director of information technology at Webster University, confessed in federal court to orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. His actions, which defrauded both his employer and an IT equipment supplier, have highlighted significant lapses in internal controls and oversight within the university's purchasing processes. The Fraudulent Scheme Simpson's fraudulent activities began in 2018 when he was granted permission by Webster University officials to procure hundreds of pieces of IT equipment for campus use. Instead of using the equipment as intended, Simpson devised a plan to enrich himself at the expense of the university and its suppliers. He sold the newly purchased equipment, valued at over $1 million, to a third party. To cover his tracks, he falsely reported to the IT supplier that the equipment was defective and secured replacements. He then sold the replacement items as well, defrauding the supplier of an additional $780,000. In total, Simpson managed to sell the stolen equipment for $2.1 million, according to prosecutors. His elaborate scheme went undetected for some time, indicating serious gaps in the university's monitoring and auditing systems. READ MORE : Louisiana Enacts Law Excluding Civil Disobedience From Campus Free Speech Protections University's Response and Measures In response to the discovery of Simpson's fraudulent activities, Webster University terminated his employment and notified federal law enforcement authorities. The university's spokesperson emphasized that Simpson's actions were a clear violation of the institution's policies and procedures, designed to prevent such misconduct. "The crimes for which Mr. Simpson has admitted guilt represent intentional deception and deliberate violations of numerous policies and procedures that he was required to follow," the spokesperson stated. "We look forward to seeing this matter addressed through the justice system." To prevent future occurrences, the university has undertaken several measures to strengthen its internal controls. These measures include enhancing purchasing procedures, tightening protocols, and implementing more rigorous audits. These steps aim to fortify the university's defenses against similar fraudulent activities and ensure greater accountability in the procurement process. Implications and Lessons Learned The case of Ronald Simpson serves as a stark reminder of the potential vulnerabilities within organizational systems, especially in large institutions handling substantial financial transactions. It underscores the necessity for robust internal controls, regular audits, and a culture of transparency and accountability. For educational institutions and other organizations, this incident highlights the importance of not only having policies and procedures in place but also ensuring they are effectively enforced. Continuous monitoring and assessment of these controls are crucial to detect and deter fraudulent activities. Training employees on ethical practices and creating a whistleblower-friendly environment can also play a significant role in preventing such misconduct. Moreover, this case illustrates the severe consequences of internal fraud, not just in terms of financial losses but also in terms of reputational damage. For Webster University, the revelation of such a high-profile fraud case could impact its trust and credibility with stakeholders, including students, parents, staff, and suppliers. The fraudulent activities of Ronald Simpson have brought to light significant issues within Webster University's procurement processes. The university's swift action in terminating Simpson and enhancing its internal controls is a positive step towards addressing these vulnerabilities. However, ongoing vigilance and a commitment to ethical practices are essential to prevent similar incidents in the future. This case serves as a valuable lesson for all organizations on the critical importance of robust internal controls and the need for a proactive approach to preventing fraud. The University of Southern California (USC) recently made headlines by dismissing a harassment case against tenured Jewish professor John Strauss. The case, which stemmed from an altercation with pro-Palestinian protesters last November, garnered national attention and sparked intense debate about free speech, academic freedom, and the handling of discrimination complaints. Here's a detailed examination of the incident, its aftermath, and its implications for academic discourse. The Incident and Immediate Fallout The controversy began during a campus protest in November, when Professor Strauss engaged in a heated discussion with students supporting Palestinians. In a moment of intense emotion, Strauss declared, "Hamas are murderers. That's all they are ... Everyone should be killed, and I hope they all are killed." This statement was captured on video, making it seem like Strauss was calling for the death of all Palestinians. The video quickly went viral, igniting outrage and leading to Strauss being temporarily barred from campus. The edited clip, lacking context, misrepresented Strauss's statement and amplified the backlash against him. The situation escalated further when student protesters filed formal complaints of harassment and discrimination, prompting USC to launch an investigation. READ MORE : California State Assembly Unanimously Passes Bill To Ban Legacy Preferences In College Admissions Investigation and Decision The investigation into Strauss's conduct was thorough, involving multiple interviews and a review of the full context of the incident. The Academic Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit faculty advocacy group, publicly supported Strauss, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech and academic freedom. Despite the contentious nature of the case, USC maintained confidentiality throughout the investigation, declining to comment on specific details. Ultimately, USC dismissed the complaints and closed the case, allowing Strauss to return to his academic duties without any punitive measures. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Strauss expressed relief and reaffirmed his commitment to free speech. "I'm relieved," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, I've been fully exonerated and they're not doing anything to punish me, and it's over." USC's official statement on the matter highlighted the university's commitment to addressing allegations of harassment and discrimination seriously, while also maintaining the confidentiality of personnel matters. Implications for Academic Freedom The dismissal of the case against Strauss has significant implications for the broader academic community. It underscores the delicate balance between upholding free speech and ensuring a respectful, inclusive campus environment. This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges universities face in navigating complex and often polarized issues. Strauss's case also raises important questions about the role of social media in shaping public perception and influencing institutional decisions. The rapid spread of the edited video clip and the subsequent public outcry exemplify how digital platforms can amplify misinformation and complicate the resolution of sensitive disputes. Moreover, the case highlights the need for universities to protect academic freedom while also providing clear guidelines and support for faculty members navigating contentious issues. Strauss's ordeal is a testament to the importance of due process and the potential dangers of rushed judgments based on incomplete or misleading information. In the wake of the case's dismissal, Strauss expressed hope that the outcome would serve as a precedent for other institutions. "I hope this outcome will serve as a reminder to universities across the country that professors have a right to free speech both inside and outside the classroom," he stated. His words echo the sentiments of many academics who view the protection of free speech as fundamental to the mission of higher education. The dismissal of the harassment case against Professor John Strauss by USC is a landmark decision that highlights the complexities of balancing free speech, academic freedom, and the need for a respectful campus environment. As universities continue to grapple with these issues, the Strauss case will undoubtedly serve as a crucial reference point for policymakers, educators, and students alike. It underscores the importance of context, due process, and the protection of fundamental rights in the academic sphere, setting a precedent for future cases involving controversial speech and the role of social media in shaping public discourse. ISLAMABAD, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Five troops were killed in a terrorist attack in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday, a military statement said. The incident occurred when an improvised explosive device detonated on a security forces vehicle in Kurram district, said the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani army. The troops, aged between 24 and 33, hailed from various parts of the country, the statement added. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, and the statement did not attribute it to any particular entity. Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists present in the area and perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice, the statement added. President Diplomat Business Club and former ambassador Javed Malik on Saturday urged Pakistani tech businesses to become a part of the digital revolution that was transforming the global business landscape ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jun, 2024) President Diplomat Business Club and former ambassador Javed Malik on Saturday urged Pakistani tech businesses to become a part of the digital revolution that was transforming the global business landscape. He was addressing the Global Business Forum 2024, in Dubai, UAE which brought together delegates from over 30 countries under the auspices of Diplomat Business Club to explore business, trade and investment opportunities through global collaboration. Diplomat Business Club facilitates business leaders to connect, collaborate, and explore new avenues to expand their businesses and also build new alliances to co-create new business ventures, particularly in the digital business landscape. Javed Malik stressed that digital transformation and innovation were changing the nature of doing business and smart investors and business owners should be willing to embrace this change, a press release said. The president Diplomat Business Club further urged them to focus their attention on new and innovative business ideas in the areas of fintech, blockchain, artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, space technology, autonomous vehicles, clean energy, quantum computing and other technology-based businesses ventures that are the future of business. Javed Malik said that the presence of diplomats, business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and CEOs from more than 30 countries highlighted the Clubs position as a premier global platform for business diplomacy in the region. Speaking to the media, he said that the Diplomat Business Club would extend support to Pakistani companies that wanted to reach international markets as well as qualified start-ups that sought funding. He said that the Diplomat Clubs global engagement team has been in discussions with Chambers of Commerce in Pakistan and some tech companies to facilitate them where possible. Other speakers and participants of the global business forum included Trade Commissioner of Italy Valerio Soldani, Consul Generals, Trade Commissioners & Chairmen of business councils from Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, China, Russia, Spain, Mexico, Azerbaijan, South Africa as well as senior officials from the UAE Ministry of Economy. Jerusalem, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jun, 2024) Days after Israel announced a daily pause in fighting on a key route to allow more aid into Gaza, chaos in the besieged Palestinian territory has left vital supplies piled up and undistributed in the searing summer heat. More than eight months of war, have led to dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and repeated UN warnings of famine with outside aid severely restricted. Desperation among Gaza's 2.4 million population has increased as fighting rages, sparking warnings from aid agencies that they are unable to deliver aid including vegetables. Israel says it has let supplies in and called on agencies to step up deliveries. "The breakdown of public order and safety is increasingly endangering humanitarian workers and operations in Gaza," the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, also known as OCHA, said in a briefing late Friday. "Alongside the fighting, criminal activities and the risk of theft and robbery has effectively prevented humanitarian access to critical locations." But Israel says it has allowed hundreds of trucks of aid into southern Gaza, trading blame with the United Nations over why the aid is stacking up. It shared aerial footage of white and black containers lined up on the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom crossing and more trucks arriving to add to the stockpile. (@FahadShabbir) New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jun, 2024) Oscar-nominated actress Lily Gladstone is pleased that Indigenous people are getting better representation on the silver screen, including in her new film "Fancy Dance," but warns there is an "ongoing genocide" of Native Americans that must be addressed. Gladstone, 37, earned critical acclaim for her turn as an Osage woman locked in a duplicitous marriage to a murderous white husband in last year's true crime epic "Killers of the Flower Moon" from Martin Scorsese. She is now starring in "Fancy Dance," about the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people in America, most of them women. The film -- which premiered at the Sundance festival last year but is now hitting a limited number of theaters this month, and will stream on Apple TV+ from June 28 -- is a work of fiction but feels like a documentary. She says the film's strength is in showcasing "the needs that we have as Indigenous women, especially in the face of epidemics like missing murdered Indigenous people" and children being placed in foster care with non-Native families. "Both are tied to an ongoing genocide in different ways," Gladstone -- who is of Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage and grew up on a reservation in Montana -- told AFP at the film's premiere this week in New York. - 'Emergency' - In "Fancy Dance," Gladstone plays Jax, a single and poor woman on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma whose sister disappears, leaving her to care for her niece Roki. Faced with the FBI's indifference and the lack of resources available to her brother, a cop on the reservation, Jax tries to find her sister herself and ultimately hits the road with Roki, who hopes to find her mother at a huge powwow ceremony. Similar cases have made headlines in recent years. In the state of Oregon, the disappearances of Indigenous women were deemed an "emergency" in 2019 in official reports, but more than four years later, not much progress has been made, according to the independent outlet InvestigateWest. Federal and local authorities have become increasingly aware of the disproportionate number of Indigenous women who have been killed or gone missing in recent years, according to InvestigateWest. On the small screen, a handful of television shows have addressed the issue, including "Alaska Daily," starring Hilary Swank, and the most recent season of HBO's anthology series "True Detective" starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. "Fancy Dance" -- which was written, produced, directed, and largely acted by Indigenous women -- takes a stark look at how Indigenous women navigate a world and a justice system that often fails them. - Thousands of murders unsolved - Erica Tremblay, a documentary filmmaker who is making her fiction feature debut with "Fancy Dance," is a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation. She too worries about the epidemic of murders and disappearances. "As an Indigenous person, I can't go online without being, you know, without seeing a missing poster, without people, like, looking for someone who is missing," 44-year-old Tremblay told AFP at the premiere. "And then you go outside of non-Native spaces and people have no idea that this is happening and going on," she said. InvestigateWest, citing official estimates, puts the number of unsolved cases of Indigenous people missing or murdered across the United States in the thousands. And for Indigenous women under the age of 45, murder is one of the Primary causes of death. "Genocide doesn't stop until it either accomplishes its goal or the bad actors stop it. And there's an ongoing genocide that's still happening in modern America that we aren't talking about," Tremblay said. She noted that because of complicated judicial procedures on Native lands, Indigenous people cannot prosecute all crimes affecting them. Gladstone adds that the situation cannot improve "until those jurisdictional loopholes close, until sovereignty is restored, until native people are in positions to really protect ourselves." Isabel Deroy-Olson, who plays Roki, said she is happy that "Fancy Dance" is telling "such a real story." "It's a work of fiction, but it really is so true to our communities here in North America, you know, and that representation is so important," she said. London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jun, 2024) Nigel Farage, leader of Britain's anti-immigration Reform UK party, faced strong criticism Saturday after saying that the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with the BBC on Friday, Farage said "we've provoked this war", while adding that "of course" it was Russian president Vladimir Putin's "fault". Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters that Farage's claim was "completely wrong and only plays into Putin's hands". Labour leader Keir Starmer, who looks set to take Sunak's job after an election next month, said Farage's comments were "disgraceful". "Anyone who is standing for parliament ought to be really clear that Russia is the aggressor", he told reporters on the campaign trail. Farage -- a former European Union parliamentarian who has tried and failed to run for Westminster seven times -- is seeking a seat for Clacton in east England in the country's general election next month. His party is polling third behind the ruling Conservatives and opposition Labour parties, but is only predicted to pick up a few seats. Even so, a surge of popularity for Reform UK since Farage took over as leader this month risks drawing away votes that the Conservative party sorely needs to win a fifth term in power. His comments met with outrage on Saturday. Interior minister James Cleverly criticised Farage for "echoing Putin's vile justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine. " Former Conservative defence minister Tobias Ellwood called the comments "shocking" in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, adding that "Churchill will be turning in his grave". Meanwhile Labour's defence spokesman John Healey called the comments "disgraceful" and said his stance made him "unfit for any political office in our country". Probed further on his views on Putin in the interview, Farage said that he "disliked him as a person" but "admired him as a political operator because he's managed to take control of running Russia". The former Brexit figurehead, Farage is close to former US President Donald Trump, who has said he gets along with Putin "great". Farage has also spoken about his intention to run for prime minister in 2029. He stood by claims that Sunak, the first UK prime minister of colour, does not "understand our culture", in response to Sunak leaving D-Day commemorations in France early. He clarified in the interview that he meant Sunak was "too upper class". Farage's comments on Sunak -- first made in a political leaders debate -- also drew criticism, with one Tory minister saying they made him "very uncomfortable". aks/rox/tw X (@FahadShabbir) UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jun, 2024) A top Pakistani diplomat has told the UN Security Council that, despite promises, the Taliban government has not acted "decisively" to halt the cross-border terrorist attacks by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that have resulted in hundreds of civilian and military casualties. "The highest priority for the international community, for Afghanistans neighbours and for Afghanistan itself remains the elimination of terrorism within and from Afghanistan," Ambassador Munir Akram, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said in a debate on the situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan, he said, has repeatedly conveyed to the Taliban -- at very senior levels -- to act decisively to end TTP's attacks, disarm its fighters, capture and hand over the terrorist group's fighters to Pakistan. "Unfortunately, despite promises, no meaningful action has been taken so far. TTP safe havens remain close to Pakistans borders. Cross-border attacks have continued, including one by a TTP associate that killed several Chinese engineers working on the Dasu hydro power project," the Pakistani envoy told the 15-member Council. "The impunity which some of these terrorist groups seem to enjoy within Afghanistan poses a dire and direct threat to all of Afghanistans neighbours as well as to the international community." Ambassador Akram, therefore, urged the Security Council to call on the Taliban government to sever its links with the TTP and its associates; prevent them from carrying out cross-border attacks against Pakistan; disarm the TTP terrorists and and capture the TTPs leadership and hand them over to Pakistan. At the outset, he said Pakistan has consistently advocated for sustained engagement with the Afghan interim authorities to normalize the situation in that country. While welcoming the Taliban's announced decision to participate in the upcoming UN-sponsored meeting in Doha, Ambassador Akram underlined the need for both the international community and the Afghan interim Government to be clear about the overall objectives they seek. Unless we know where we are going, we will never get there," he added. For its part, the Pakistani envoy said the international community is obliged to help the 23 million Afghans who need urgent aid and to take adequate measures to bolster Afghanistans economy including reviving the national banking system and restoring commercial activity. The Taliban must also take steps to abide by its international obligations, he said, noting that the world remains concerned about restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan. "These do not conform with international law or the tenets of islam", he said, adding, "The AIG (Afghan Interim Government) is expected to ensure the rights of women and girls to education, work and other human rights." Pakistan, Ambassador Akram said, enjoys close bonds of ethnicity, history, faith, language and culture with Afghanistan. "Pakistan has a national compulsion to promote peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. And we will continue to work at all levels bilateral, regional and international and with the UN to achieve these objectives." Opening the debate, Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), noted that the upcoming meeting in Doha, the third one in this format, is scheduled to take place in nine days and the Taliban have stated that they are preparing to attend. We hope that in Doha, key stakeholders will convene around the table, speak to each other face to face, reinforce the principles underlining the consensus to engage, and agree on next steps to alleviate the uncertainties that face the Afghan people. But, she warned, Doha has generated significant expectations that cannot realistically be met in a single meeting. While there is no substitute for engagement with Afghanistan, it cannot be repeated enough that this sort of engagement is not legitimization or normalization, Ms Otunbayeva added. While the Taliban have maintained political stability, they continue to place severe restrictions on women, and there is little space for internal dissent. Stressing the need for internal political legitimacy, she added that although more than $7 billion have been provided for humanitarian assistance, Afghanistan remains beset by massive poverty. APP/ift Free practice in Barcelona was a mixed bag for the teams; generally, being a key track for development and upgrades, it's one of the free practice sessions that is of high importance to the grid. Six of the 10 teams have brought upgrades to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with some being more prominent than others. FP1 and FP2 were specifically important for the teams carrying upgrades, as the teams not only had to adapt the car to the track and conditions but also test and configure their upgrades. Lando Norris topped the timesheets in FP1 with a time of 1:14:228. The McLaren showed pace and style; this practice session was slightly easier for the side as they are one of the few teams not to bring developments. The session was largely uneventful, with most using the track for testing. Sauber had the striking flo-vis paint on their new rear wing with hopes of points this weekend, currently sitting in 10th. The session was briefly brought to a pause in the 22nd minute, with Fernando Alonso losing part of his rear wing in turn 9, resulting in a red flag. Max Verstappen also complained a couple of times on the radio that his clutch was going into anti-stall, which ultimately affected his pace, but he was still only three tenths of a second behind the McLaren. Sergio Perez was also quick with Red Bull's new upgrades but still couldn't touch Verstappens time. The Ferraris looked stronger after their disaster double DNF in Montreal. They were testing their upgrades throughout the session but still managed third with Carlos Sainz, pleasing fans at his home race. Ollie Bearman also ran in place of Nico Hulkenburg; it was the second time the young Brit has been in a Formula One car this year after replacing Sainz in Jeddah. Bearman did well throughout the session, and while he finished 19th, he was only two tenths of a second behind Kevin Magnussen, who is used to the car. Haas has also brought upgrades this weekend. Free Practice 2 This session was busy; starting at 4 p.m., it was slightly later than usual, which meant the grid did not have any representative sessions, simulating Sunday's 2 p.m. race start. Once again, the Mercedes looked strong; they look to have bounced back from their bad start to the year. The team had not used soft tyres in FP1, so this was their first chance to test some qualifying laps. Lewis Hamilton was smooth, driving his car to first on the grid with a time of 1:13:264, beating Sainz by just 0.002 seconds. Most of the teams came out of the pits immediately, testing the medium and hard compounds for race runs. Alpine shocked most with their race pace, and one lap pace looked very good. Pierre Gasly managed fourth, just 0.179s behind front-runner Hamilton. Verstappen was back on the radio complaining this time of understeer finishing in P5, and Perez found himself out of sync managing just P13. Sainz and Norris rounded off the top three, and all teams looked ahead to FP3 and qualifying. Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes trackside engineering director, said: "Our single-lap pace looks competitive and quite close with several other teams. It's always hard to know where you stand on Friday given the range of power modes and fuel loads, but we've also had many a good first day followed by a tough qualifying session. We will therefore focus on improving on the feedback that the drivers are reporting and see where we end up tomorrow afternoon in Qualifying." Free Practice 3 All 10 teams improved in FP3, seemingly adapting well to the slightly cooler track temperature than the day before. At the top of the grid, times once again were incredibly close. Sainz topped the timesheets, but Norris was only 0.03s behind him, with the other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc coming in third. The C1, hard, C2, medium, and C3 soft tyres were used in the session, with each team using mixed strategies throughout the first half; however, the second half looked to be tailored towards qualifying lap pace. 30 of the 33 races held at the track have been won from the front row of the grid, so qualifying was a priority. Hamilton found himself having an incident with Lance Stroll late in the session at turn five. The two cars rubbed bodywork, but no real damage was inflicted. Leclerc and Norris also made contact on the in-lap; the two drivers banged tyres through the straight, with suspected damage being reported via the radio. The two incidents were reported and further investigated; however, it was decided that repremands were the form of punishment given, showing the FIA's leniency in the free practice sessions. The session rounded off with Verstappen and Russell in P4 and 5, with the top five being separated by only one hundreth of a second. Racing Bulls were the only shock throughout the early stages of the weekend. The team couldn't seem to find the sweet spot, and the car seemed slow; they only managed 16 and 18th, being over one second behind the pace. A cruise ship rescued 68 migrants and found five bodies in a traditional fishing boat that was drifting off the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Spain's maritime rescue agency said Thursday. It said an oil tanker traveling from northwestern Spain to Brazil spotted the drifting boat on Wednesday afternoon about 815 kilometers south of Tenerife, one of the seven islands in the Canaries archipelago. Spanish authorities diverted the Insignia, a cruise ship, to rescue the migrants. The Insignia crew also recovered three of the five bodies on the fishing boat. The remains of two people were left at sea because of bad weather hampering their recovery. The canoe-shaped boats, known as pirogues, are used by fishermen in Mauritania and Senegal. It is unusual for cruise ships to make rescues of migrants on the Atlantic route, but the pirogue "was a long way out and they could be in danger," said a maritime rescue's spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity under departmental rules. One of the passengers on the cruise ship, Steve Dilbeck from Huntington Beach, California, said they were not told about the dead. "They did say the boat had been at sea for 20 days," Dilbeck told The Associated Press in a text message. "We were diverted in the evening and took us two hours to reach them. They were brought on board and placed in the Insignia Lounge, which is where they have all their shows." "The area has been closed off to passengers. Told they had them remove their clothes and put on jumpsuits. Then they asked passengers if they had shoes and clothes they could donate, particularly for men. Their announcement said 62 were men, with the rest women and children," he added. The Marshall Islands-flagged Insignia had left Mindelo, a port city in Cape Verde, on Tuesday. Its operator, Miami-based Oceania Cruises, did not immediately comment on the rescue. The Spanish rescue agency emailed a statement saying the Insignia is expected to arrive on Friday at the port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. The Canary Islands is a destination for boats packed with migrants departing from northwestern Africa on a perilous Atlantic route in search of a better life in Europe. Spain's Interior Ministry says a record 55,618 migrants arrived by boat most of them in the Canary Islands last year, almost double the number of the previous year. More than 23,000 have landed so far this year, the ministry said. The Spanish nonprofit organization Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) says more than 5,000 migrants have died so far this year through May while trying to reach Spanish coasts, most of them on the Atlantic route. The figure for all 2023 was 6,600, more than double the number for 2022. Last week in Parkland, Florida, wrecking equipment began demolishing the building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where a gunman's rampage in 2018 ended with 17 people dead. As the rumble of destruction echoed, people in the community set to explaining exactly why ripping the building down was so meaningful and so crucial. From former student Bryan Lequerique: "It's something that we all need. It's time to bring an end to this very hurtful chapter in everyone's lives." And Eric Garner, a broadcasting and film teacher, said: "For 6 years we have been looking at this monument to mass murder that has been on campus every day. ... So coming down, that's the monumental event." Parkland. Uvalde. Columbine. Sandy Hook. A supermarket in Buffalo. A church in South Carolina. A synagogue in Pittsburgh. A nightclub in Orlando, Florida. When violence comes to a public place, as it does all too often in our era, a delicate question lingers in the quiet afterward: What should be done with the buildings where blood was shed, where lives were upended, where loved ones were lost forever? Which is the appropriate choice the defiance of keeping them standing, or the deep comfort that can come with wiping them off the map? Is it best to keep pain right in front of us, or at a distance? How different communities have approached the problem This question has been answered differently over the years. The most obvious example in recent history is the decision to preserve the concentration camps run by Nazi Germany during World War II where millions of Jews and others died an approach consistent with the post-Holocaust mantras of "never forget" and "never again." But that was an event of global significance, with meaning for both the descendants of survivors and the public at large. For individual American communities, approaches have varied. Parkland and others chose demolition. In Pittsburgh, the Tree of Life synagogue, site of a 2018 shooting, was torn down to make way for a new sanctuary and memorial. But the Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New York, and the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where racist mass shootings happened, both reopened. And Columbine High School still stands, though its library, where so much bloodshed occurred, was replaced after much impassioned debate. "Finding a balance between its function as a high school and the need for memorialization has been a long process," former student Riley Burkhart wrote earlier this year in an essay. What goes into these decisions? Not only emotion and heartbreak. Sometimes it's simply a question of resources; not all school districts can afford to demolish and rebuild. Sometimes it's about not wanting to give those who might support the shooter a place to focus their attention. "Denying such opportunities for those who celebrate the persecution and deaths of those different from themselves is a perfectly sound reason to tear down buildings where mass killings occurred," Daniel Fountain, a professor of history at Meredith College in North Carolina, said in a email. Perhaps the most significant driving force, though, is the increasing discussion in recent years about the role of mental health. "There are changing norms about things like trauma and closure that are at play that today encourage the notion of demolishing these spaces," said Timothy Recuber, a sociologist at Smith College in Massachusetts and author of "Consuming Catastrophe: Mass Culture in America's Decade of Disaster." For many years, he said, "the prevailing idea of how to get past a tragedy was to put your head down and push past it. Today, people are more likely to believe that having to return to the scene of the crime, so to speak, is liable to re-inflict harm." In Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, a fence masks the site where the Tree of Life synagogue stood until it was razed earlier this year, more than five years after a gunman killed 11 people in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. David Michael Slater grew up across the street from the synagogue. He understands the ambivalence that can come with choosing whether to knock down. "It's easy to see why decision-makers might have chosen one path or the other. And to me, it seems presumptuous for anyone not part of, or directly affected by, the choice to quibble with it," said Slater, who retired this month after 30 years of teaching middle and high school English. "That said, the decision to demolish such sites, when seen in the context of our escalating culture of erasure, should raise concern." The power of memory cuts both ways From World War II to 9/11, the politics of American memory are powerful and nowhere more intricate than in the case of mass shootings. The loss of loved ones, societal disagreements over gun laws and differing approaches to protecting children create a landscape where the smallest of issues can give rise to dozens of passionate and angry opinions. To some, keeping a building standing is the ultimate defiance: You are not bowing to horror nor capitulating to those who caused it. You are choosing to continue in the face of unimaginable circumstances a robust thread in the American narrative. To others, the possibility of being retraumatized is central. Why, the thinking goes, should a building where people met violent ends continue to be a looming literally force in the lives of those who must go on? It stands to reason, then, that a key factor in deciding the fates of such buildings coalesces around one question: Who is the audience? "It's not a simple choice of should we knock it down or renovate or let it be," said Jennifer Talarico, a psychology professor at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania who studies how people form personal memories of public events. "If we're interested in the memories of the people who directly experienced the event, that physical space will serve as a specific and powerful reminder. But if we're talking about remembering or commemorating an event for other people, those who did not experience it, that's a slightly different calculus," Talarico said. "Remembering and forgetting are both powerful forces." Ultimately, of course, there is a middle ground: eliminating the building itself but erecting a lasting memorial to those who were lost, as Uvalde and other communities have chosen. In that way, the virtues of mental health and memory can both be honored. Life can go on not obliviously, but not impeded by a daily, visceral reminder of the heartbreak that once visited. That approach sits well with Slater, who has contemplated such tragedies both from the standpoint of his hometown synagogue and the classrooms where he spent decades teaching and keeping kids safe. "Like every problem in life that matters, simple answers are hard to come by," Slater said. "If what replaces the Tree of Life, or Parkland, or the next defiled place of worship or learning or commerce, can be made to serve both as proof of our indomitable spirit and as memorialized evidence of what we strive to overcome, perhaps we can have the best of both worst worlds." The alleged rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in a suspected antisemitic attack has sent shockwaves throughout France and thrust concerns about antisemitism to the forefront of campaigning for the country's legislative elections. The anti-immigration National Rally party, which has tried to shed historical links to antisemitism, is leading in preelection polling and has its first real chance of forming a government, if it comes out on top in the two-round elections that end July 7. It would be the first far-right force to lead a French government since the Nazi occupation. Far-left figures, meanwhile, have faced accusations of antisemitism linked to their response to Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel and the ensuing war. Concerns came to the fore after two adolescent boys in a Paris suburb were given preliminary charges this week of raping a 12-year-old girl and religion-motivated violence, according to prosecutors. Lawyer and Jewish leader Elie Korchia told French broadcaster BFM that the girl is Jewish and that the word Palestine was mentioned during the attack. The prosecutor's office did not specify the girl's religion or release her identity, according to policies for the protection of victims, as is standard practice for hate crimes in France. Hundreds of people gathered Thursday evening around the Bastille monument in Paris to protest against antisemitism, in the second straight night of demonstrations. France has the largest Jewish population in Europe, but as a result of its own World War II collaboration with the Nazis, antisemitic acts today open old scars. France also has the largest Muslim population in western Europe, and anti-Muslim acts have risen in recent years. Politicians from all sides were quick to comment on the attack, notably after a surge in antisemitic acts in France since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wrote on the social media platform X that the girl was "raped because she's Jewish," while French President Emmanuel Macron called on schools to hold a "discussion hour" on racism and antisemitism. Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, said that if elected, he would "fight the antisemitism that has been plaguing France since Oct. 7." In the wake of reports of the attack, Bardella announced that his party was withdrawing support for one of its candidates over an antisemitic message on social media posted in 2018. His predecessor as party president and the National Rally's 2022 presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, accused the "extreme left" of "stigmatization of Jews" and of "instrumentalizing" the Israel-Hamas conflict. Leftist leader Jean-Luc Melenchon denounced "antisemitic racism," though the France Unbowed party which he formerly led has itself faced accusations of antisemitism linked to the Israel-Hamas war. "There has never been any ambiguity in our denunciation of antisemitism," lawmaker Manuel Bompard of France Unbowed said on French news broadcaster La Chaine Info on Wednesday, pushing back on accusations that his party's stance on antisemitism and the Israel-Hamas war contributed to an environment of insecurity for French Jews. "To have people believe that there would be a link between what happened and France Unbowed's political positions is offensive and inappropriate," he said. Arie Alimi, lawyer and vice president of the League of Human Rights, called for a united front against the far right. "For some time now there is an awareness that there is antisemitism also on the left and that we need to address it,'' he said at Thursday's demonstration. ''Today it's the camp of the left, of progressives that is gathered with all people who are worried by antisemitism and all kinds of racism in France, in a particular political moment with a far right that could possibly come to power.'' Although the alleged rape has heightened tensions regarding antisemitism in France before the June 30 and July 7 two-round parliamentary election, it is far from a new issue in French politics. More than 180,000 people across France, marched in November to protest rising antisemitism in the wake of Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. Along with then-Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and representatives of several other parties, Le Pen attended the march amid fierce criticism that her once-pariah National Rally party had failed to shake off its antisemitic heritage despite growing political legitimacy. Borne, the daughter of a Jewish Holocaust survivor, tweeted that "the presence of the National Rally is not fooling anyone." Party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine Le Pen's father, was convicted repeatedly of antisemitic hate speech and played down the scope of the Holocaust. Marine Le Pen runner-up in the last two presidential elections and likely a top contender in 2027 has worked to scrub the party's image, kicking her father out and changing its name from National Front to National Rally. Attal announced in May that "366 antisemitic acts " were recorded between January and March this year, an increase of 300% compared to the first three months of 2023. Antisemitism refers to hatred of Jews, but there is no universally agreed definition of what exactly it entails or how it relates to criticism of Israel. The Israeli government regularly accuses its opponents of antisemitism, while critics say it uses the term to silence opposition to its policies. The war has reignited the long debate about the definition of antisemitism and whether any criticism of Israel from its military's killing of thousands of Palestinian children to questions over Israel's very right to exist amounts to anti-Jewish hate speech. SYDNEY, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A male offender armed with a knife has been arrested after three security guards and one nurse got injured at a Sydney hospital. At around 11:30 p.m. local time on Friday night, police were called to a hospital in Westmead following reports of a man having assaulted staff. The health precinct is located approximately 20 km west of Sydney's central business district. Upon arrival, officers were informed that a 39-year-old man had stabbed two male security guards, aged 25 and 24 respectively, with a third male security guard suffering a dislocated shoulder. Besides, a 29-year-old male nurse also sustained minor injuries. New South Wales Police Force confirmed that the male offender remains under police guard at the hospital and inquiries are ongoing. As per reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, he was a patient of the hospital and all four staff members sustained injuries while attempting to subdue him. Authorities in the Central African Republic charged a European aid worker who was arrested last month with terrorism and undermining state security, the public prosecutors office said. Martin Joseph Figueira, a Belgian-Portuguese consultant for the American nongovernmental organization FHI360, has been accused of being in communication with armed groups to plot a coup, thereby jeopardizing national security. On Friday, the prosecutor charged him with six crimes, including undermining the internal and external state security, as well as terrorism. If found guilty, he faces a sentence of forced labor for life. Among Figueira's alleged crimes, the prosecutor's office listed the existence of several contracts with the leaders of armed groups, supply of strategic information on the different positions of the Central African Armed Forces, money and weapons, being identified as an alleged employee of an American nongovernmental organization carrying out research on Fulani herders. Figueira also allegedly defended war crimes and crimes against humanity; the propaganda of armed groups while encouraging them to create an international terrorist branch like the Islamic State, the statement said. Figueira holds Belgian and Portuguese passports. On his Belgian passport he goes under the name of Martin Joseph Edouard. FHI360, a public health organization that manages projects related to family planning and reproductive health, confirmed that one of its workers is in custody in the Central African Republic. Figueira was arrested last month in Zemio, a town in southeastern Central African Republic that has been plagued by fighting between local ethnic militias and anti-government rebels for over a decade. We are working to secure our consultants immediate release, FHI360's spokesperson Jennifer Garcia told The Associated Press immediately after his arrest. So far, The Associated Press has not been able to contact Figueira, and none of his lawyers commented on Fridays statement. Mohamed Ag Ayoya, deputy special representative of the U.N. secretary-general in charge of humanitarian action, told the AP he was monitoring the situation. We learned of the news and the prosecutors press release through the press," Ayoya said. We have no comment to make. But what I can tell you at this level it is his embassy in Bangui which is managing the file. Authorities have warned foreign charity workers against taking part in activities that could jeopardize national security or they could face judicial proceedings. Following Figueira's arrest, the military was deployed to Zemio, after more than six years of absence from the town. The Russian mercenary group Wagner, which for years has had a significant a presence in the Central African Republic, was also deployed there at the same time to train local militias and recruit them for the army. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wagner forces were still present in the city. The Central African Republic has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-president Francois Bozize from office. Mostly Christian militias fought back. A 2019 peace deal helped slow the fighting, but six of the 14 armed groups that signed later left the agreement. A U.N. peacekeeping mission and Rwandan troops are currently deployed in the Central African Republic to try to quell the violence and protect civilians. A fire that apparently started in crop stubble spread through settlements in southeast Turkey overnight, killing 11 people and leaving dozens of others requiring medical treatment, officials and news reports said Friday. In neighboring Greece, authorities evacuated several villages in the southern Peloponnese region because of wildfires. The blaze in Turkey broke out in an area between the provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin. Fanned by winds, it moved quickly through the villages of Koksalan, Yazcicegi and Bagacik, Diyarbakir Gov. Ali Ihsan Su said. The fire was brought under control early Friday. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca posted on X that 11 people were killed. Around 80 others required treatment, including six who were in serious condition. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, which lit up the night sky. Residents believe the blaze was caused by sparks from a power line that set crop residue ablaze, according to independent news website Gazete Duvar. Some of the hospitalized people were villagers who tried to extinguish the fire, it said. Hundreds of farm animals also perished in the fire, according to news channel HaberTurk. Across the country in northwest Turkey, meanwhile, firefighters were battling a wildfire near the town of Ayvacik in Canakkale province, the state-run Anadolu Agency said. No one was hurt, but authorities evacuated the small village of Camkoy as a precaution, the agency reported. It was one of several wildfires that have erupted in the province of Canakkale in the past week amid high winds and scorching summer temperatures. Wildfires also erupted in Greece amid very windy, hot and dry conditions. About a dozen villages or settlements were ordered evacuated as a precaution because of wildfires in the southern Peloponnese region. There were no immediate reports of injuries. State-run ERT television reported at least six homes burned in one southern village that had been safely evacuated in advance. Firefighters on the ground were assisted by water-dropping aircraft. The greater Athens region was on the top wildfire emergency footing Friday because of the weather forecast, with bans on entering forests and parks. A fire in Saronida, south of the Greek capital, was brought under control in the evening. The fire service said late Friday that 64 wildfires had broken out around the country in the previous 24 hours. Hundreds of firefighters struggled Saturday to contain wildfires fanned by gale force winds on two Greek islands and in other parts of Greece, as authorities warned many regions face a high risk of new blazes. More than 30 firefighters backed by two aircraft and five helicopters were battling a wildfire burning on the island of Andros in the Aegean, away from tourist resorts, where four communities were evacuated as a precaution. "More firefighters [are] expected on the island later in the day," a fire services official told Reuters, adding there were no reports of damage or injuries. Wildfires are common in Greece, but they have become more devastating in recent years amid hotter and drier summers that scientists link to climate change. A wildfire near Athens last week forced dozens to flee their homes; authorities said they believed arson and hot, dry conditions were to blame. Meteorologists say the latest fires are the first time that the country has experienced "hot-dry-windy" conditions so early in the summer. "I can't remember another year facing such conditions so early, in early and mid-June," meteorologist Thodoris Giannaros told state TV. On Friday, a 55-year-old man died after being injured in a blaze in the region of Ilia on Greece's Peloponnese peninsula, as several fires burned on Greece's southern tip. Several hundred firefighters have been deployed to battle more than 70 forest fires across the country since Friday. High winds and hot temperatures will extend the risk into Sunday, the fire service said. Earlier Saturday, firefighters tamed a forest fire on the island of Salamina, in the Saronic Gulf west of Athens, and another about 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of the capital. After forest fires last year forced 19,000 people to flee the island of Rhodes and killed 20 in the northern mainland, Greece has scaled up its preparations this year by hiring more staff and stepping up training. As temperatures and humidity soar outside, what's happening inside the human body can become a life-or-death battle decided by just a few degrees. The critical danger point outdoors for illness and death from relentless heat is several degrees lower than experts once thought, say researchers who put people in hot boxes to see what happens to them. With much of the United States, Mexico, India and the Middle East suffering through blistering heat waves, worsened by human-caused climate change, several doctors, physiologists and other experts explained to The Associated Press what happens to the human body in such heat. Key body temperature The body's resting core temperature is typically about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). That's only 7 degrees (4 Celsius) away from catastrophe in the form of heatstroke, said Ollie Jay, a professor of heat and health at the University of Sydney in Australia, where he runs the thermoergonomics laboratory. Dr. Neil Gandhi, emergency medicine director at Houston Methodist Hospital, said during heat waves anyone who comes in with a fever of 102 or higher and no clear source of infection will be looked at for heat exhaustion or the more severe heatstroke. "We routinely will see core temperatures greater than 104, 105 degrees during some of the heat episodes," Gandhi said. Another degree or three and such a patient is at high risk of death, he said. How heat kills Heat kills in three main ways, Jay said. The usual first suspect is heatstroke critical increases in body temperature that cause organs to fail. When inner body temperature gets too hot, the body redirects blood flow toward the skin to cool down, Jay said. But that diverts blood and oxygen away from the stomach and intestines, and it can allow toxins normally confined to the gut area to leak into circulation. "That sets off a cascade of effects," Jay said. "Clotting around the body and multiple organ failure and, ultimately, death." But the bigger killer in heat is the strain on the heart, especially for people who have cardiovascular disease, Jay said. It again starts with blood rushing to the skin to help shed core heat. That causes blood pressure to drop. The heart responds by trying to pump more blood to keep you from passing out. "You're asking the heart to do a lot more work than it usually has to do," Jay said. For someone with a heart condition "it's like running for a bus with a dodgy [hamstring]. Something's going to give." The third main way is dangerous dehydration. As people sweat, they lose liquids to a point that can severely stress kidneys, Jay said. Many people may not realize their danger, Houston's Gandhi said. Dehydration can progress into shock, causing organs to shut down from lack of blood, oxygen and nutrients, leading to seizures and death, said Dr. Renee Salas, a Harvard University professor of public health and an emergency room physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. "Dehydration can be very dangerous and even deadly for everyone if it gets bad enough but it is especially dangerous for those with medical conditions and on certain medications," Salas said. Dehydration also reduces blood flow and magnifies cardiac problems, Jay said. Attacking the brain Heat also affects the brain. It can cause a person to have confusion or trouble thinking, several doctors said. "One of the first symptoms you're getting into trouble with the heat is if you get confused," said University of Washington public health and climate professor Kris Ebi. That's little help as a symptom because the person suffering from the heat is unlikely to recognize it, she said. And it becomes a bigger problem as people age. One of the classic definitions of heatstroke is a core body temperature of 104 degrees "coupled with cognitive dysfunction," said Pennsylvania State University physiology professor W. Larry Kenney. Humidity matters Some scientists use a complicated outside temperature measurement called wet bulb globe temperature, which takes into account humidity, solar radiation and wind. In the past, it was thought that a wet-bulb reading of 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) was the point when the body started having trouble, said Kenney, who also runs a hot box lab and has done nearly 600 tests with volunteers. His tests show the wet-bulb danger point is closer to 30.5 Celsius (87 Fahrenheit). That's a figure that has started to appear in the Middle East, he said. And that's just for young healthy people. For older people, the danger point is a wet bulb temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit), he said. "Humid heat waves kill a lot more people than dry heat waves," Kenney said. When Kenney tested young and old people in dry heat, young volunteers could function until 52 degrees Celsius (125.6 degrees), while the elderly had to stop at 43 degrees Celsius (109.4). With high or moderate humidity, the people could not function at nearly as high a temperature, he said. "Humidity impacts the ability of sweat to evaporate," Jay said. Rushing to make patients cool Heatstroke is an emergency, and medical workers try to cool a victim down within 30 minutes, Salas said. The best way: cold water immersion. Basically, "you drop them in a water bucket," Salas said. But those aren't always around. So, emergency rooms pump patients with cool fluids intravenously, spray them with misters, put ice packs in armpits and groins, and place them on a chilling mat with cold water running inside it. Sometimes it doesn't work. "We call it the silent killer because it's not this kind of visually dramatic event," Jay said. "It's insidious. It's hidden." Hundreds of thousands of immigrants had reason to rejoice when U.S. President Joe Biden unveiled a highly expansive plan to extend legal status to spouses of U.S. citizens, but, inevitably, some were left out. Claudia Zuniga, 35, married in 2017, which was 10 years after her husband came to the United States. He moved to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, after they wed, knowing that, by law, he had to live outside the country for years to gain legal status. Our lives took a 180-degree turn, she said. Biden announced Tuesday that his administration will, in coming months, allow U.S. citizens' spouses without legal status to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship without having to first depart the country for up to 10 years. Some 500,000 immigrants may benefit, according to senior administration officials. To qualify, an immigrant must have lived in the United States for 10 years and be married to a U.S. citizen, both as of Monday. Zuniga's husband is ineligible because he wasn't in the United States. Imagine, it would be a dream come true, said Zuniga, who works part time in her father's transportation business in Houston. My husband could be with us. We could focus on the well-being of our children. Every immigration benefit even those as sweeping as Biden's election-year offer has a cutoff date and other eligibility requirements. In September, the Democratic president expanded temporary status for nearly 500,000 Venezuelans who were living in the United States on July 31, 2023. Those who had arrived a day later were out of luck. The Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has shielded from deportation hundreds of thousands of people who came to the United States as young children and is popularly known as DACA, required applicants be in the United States on June 15, 2012, and continuously for the previous five years. About 1.1 million spouses who are in the country illegally are married to U.S. citizens, according to advocacy group FWD.us., meaning hundreds of thousands won't qualify because they were in the United States for less than 10 years. Immigration advocates were generally thrilled with the scope of Tuesday's announcement, just as Biden's critics called it a horribly misguided giveaway. Angelica Martinez, 36, wiped away tears as she sat next to her children, ages 14 and 6, and watched Biden's announcement at the Houston office of FIEL, an immigrant advocacy group. A U.S. citizen since 2013, she described a flood of emotions, including regret that her husband couldn't travel to Mexico when his mother died five years ago. Sadness, joy all at the same time," said Martinez, whose husband arrived in Houston 18 years ago. Brenda Valle of Los Angeles, whose husband has been a U.S. citizen since 2001 and, like her, was born in Mexico, renews her DACA permit every two years. We can start planning more long-term for the future instead of what we can do for the next two years, she said. Magdalena Gutierrez of Chicago, who has been married to a U.S. citizen for 22 years and has three daughters who are U.S. citizens, said she had a little more hope after Bidens announcement. Gutierrez, 43, is eager to travel more across the United States without fearing an encounter with law enforcement could lead to her being deported. Allyson Batista, a retired Philadelphia teacher and U.S. citizen who married her Brazilian husband 20 years ago, recalled being told by a lawyer that he could leave the country for 10 years or remain in the shadows and wait for a change in the law. Initially, when we got married, I was naive and thought, OK, but Im American. This isnt going to be a problem. Were going to fix this, Batista said. I learned very early on that we were facing a pretty dire circumstance and that there would be no way for us to move forward in an immigration process successfully. The couple raised three children who are pursuing higher education. Batista is waiting for the details of how her husband can apply for a green card. Im hopeful, Batista said. The next 60 days will really tell. But, obviously, more than thrilled because every step forward is a step toward a final resolution for all kinds of immigrant families. About 50,000 noncitizen children with parents who are married to a U.S. citizen could also potentially qualify, according to senior administration officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. Biden also announced new regulations that will allow some DACA beneficiaries and other young immigrants to more easily qualify for long-established work visas. India and Bangladesh on Saturday moved to bolster their defense relationship and signed agreements for expanding cooperation in maritime security, ocean economy, and space and telecommunication sectors, as New Delhi presents itself as a regional power and a counterweight to China. The agreements were signed during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visit to India, the first foreign leader to visit New Delhi since Narendra Modi became the countrys prime minister for a third term two weeks ago. Modi welcomed Bangladeshs decision to join his Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative to expand and facilitate regional cooperation of Indias maritime neighbors. He said the deals with Dhaka were part of his countrys pursuit of a neighborhood-first approach. Bangladesh also enjoys good ties with China, its major trade partner mostly for raw materials. But maintaining a close relationship with Beijing is challenging for Bangladesh, which also balances diplomatic and trade relationships with India and the United States, Chinas main rivals. Bangladeshs garment industry, which brings in more than 80% of foreign currency from exports, is heavily dependent on China for raw materials. Hasina told reporters in New Delhi that the two countries decided to boost the sharing of river waters and cooperation in the power and energy sectors. She also met Indian industry leaders and invited them to invest in Bangladesh, which plans to develop bigger ports, waterways rail, and road connectivity. India loaned Bangladesh $8 billion in the last eight years, to help expand that infrastructure. Since Hasinas Awami League party came to power in 2009, she has acted to address New Delhi's concern about Indian militant groups taking shelter in Bangladesh. However, an agreement on sharing the waters of the River Teesta remains elusive. The question of illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India also has dogged bilateral ties for years. India is Bangladeshs largest export destination in Asia. Trade between the two countries touched $15.9 billion in the financial year 2022-23. New Delhi mainly exports cotton, motor vehicles, sugar, iron, steel, aluminum, electrical and electronic equipment to Bangladesh. It imports cereal, pulp paper and board, cement and raw hides from Bangladesh. Fears are growing of the Gaza conflict widening to engulf Israel and its northern foe, the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia, after both sides claimed this week to be ready to go to war following an intensification of their cross-border attacks. Israels military said it has approved plans for an attack in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has threatened to carry out a war with "no red lines," although it said it would halt attacks if the Gaza war stopped. Saudi Arabias ambassador to the U.K., Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Al Saud, warned this week that failure to end the Gaza war and the broader Israel-Palestinian conflict would risk serious escalation not easily contained. At some stage we will hit a point where the conflict will spread, and it will become regional, he said at Londons Chatham House. Its very important for everyone to recognize the danger that lies ahead, he said. A regional conflict will not remain regional; it will become international very quickly. The reality is that if it continues along the path that it is going, [it] is much worse than what is happening on the ground today or any scenario from what will come from a deal. U.S. President Joe Bidens envoy, Amos Hochstein, has tried to defuse tensions, warning that a miscalculation, accident or errant missile could cause the situation to spiral out of control. Analyst Nicholas Heras of the Washington-based New Lines Institute told VOA that Israel and Hezbollah are currently on a knifes edge of conflict, which could lead to an all-out war. Israels objective is to eliminate Hamas control from Gaza and to force Hezbollah off of the Israeli border north of the Litani River in Lebanon, Heras said. Hezbollahs goal, which is set by Iran, is to continue to apply increasing military pressure on Israel until the conflict in Gaza ends. Hussein Ibish, an analyst with Washingtons Arab Gulf States Institute, told the France24 satellite TV channel that neither Hezbollah nor Iran want a war under current circumstances. The purpose of Hezbollah in the Iranian alliance is to be a deterrent against and a strategic response to an Israeli or American assault on the Iranian homeland, specifically on their nuclear facilities, Ibish said. Still, should a war ignite between Israel and Hezbollah, Heras told VOA that there would be widespread ramifications. If there is a war between Hezbollah, and by extension Iran, in Israel, it would draw the United States in that war because the United States is so committed in terms of military assets to Israels defense, he said. And Iran is so committed to Hezbollahs defense because Hezbollah represents for Iran a key means to apply strategic pressure on Israel. Heras predicts that the entire region would be drawn in and that type of war could have shattering effects on global society. A Nevada judge dismissed an indictment Friday against six Republicans accused of submitting certificates to the U.S. Congress falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the state's 2020 presidential election. Nevada was one of four states with criminal charges pending against so-called fake electors. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford stood after Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus ruled that Las Vegas was the wrong venue for the case and said he'd take the case to the state Supreme Court. "The judge got it wrong, and we'll be appealing immediately," Ford, a Democrat, told reporters, declining additional comment. Defense attorneys bluntly declared the case dead, saying that to bring it now before another grand jury in another venue such as Nevada's capital of Carson City would violate a three-year statute of limitations that expired last December. "They're done," said Margaret McLetchie, attorney for Clark County Republican Party chairman Jesse Law, one of the defendants in the case. 'Society is the victim' The judge called off the trial, which had been scheduled for January, for defendants who included state GOP chairman Michael McDonald; national party committee member Jim DeGraffenreid; national and Douglas County committee member Shawn Meehan; Storey County clerk Jim Hindle; and Eileen Rice, a party member from the Lake Tahoe area. Each was accused of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument felonies carrying a penalty of up to four or five years in prison. Defense attorneys led by McDonald's lawyer, Richard Wright, contended that Ford improperly brought the case before a grand jury in Las Vegas Nevada's largest and most Democratic-leaning city instead of Carson City or Reno, northern Nevada cities in a more Republican region where the alleged crimes occurred. Challenged by Holthus to respond, Deputy State Attorney General Matthew Rashbrook argued that "no one county contains the entirety of these crimes." "Society is the victim of these crimes," the prosecutor said. "Voters who would have been disenfranchised by these acts ... would have been victims of these crimes." But the judge decided that even though McDonald and Law live in Las Vegas, "everything took place up north." After the court hearing, Hindle's attorney, Brian Hardy, declined to comment on calls from advocacy groups for his client to resign from his elected position as overseer of elections in Story County. Meehan is the only defendant not to have been named by the state party as a Nevada delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention next month in Milwaukee. His defense attorney, Sigal Chattah, said her client chose not to seek the position. Chattah ran as a Republican in 2022 for state attorney general and lost to Ford by just under 8% of the vote. False certifications Nevada is one of seven presidential battleground states where slates of fake electors falsely certified that Trump had won in 2020, not Democrat Joe Biden. The others were Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Nevada's case, filed last December, focused on the actions of six defendants. Criminal cases in three other states focus on many more 16 in Michigan, 19 in Georgia and 18 in Arizona. Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer who pleaded guilty in Georgia last October of helping to orchestrate the Trump campaign fake elector scheme in 2020, cooperated with prosecutors in the Nevada criminal investigation and was not charged. In testimony before the grand jury that met in Las Vegas in November, Chesebro said he provided the state GOP with an "organized step-by-step explanation of what they would have to do" to sign and submit certificates falsely stating that Trump, not Biden, won in Nevada. He also called Nevada "extremely problematic" to the fake elector plot, compared with other states, because the meeting of electors was overseen by the secretary of state. Also, unlike other states, Nevada did not have a legal challenge pending in courts at the time. Trump lost Nevada in 2020 by more than 30,000 votes to Biden and the state's Democratic electors certified the results in the presence of Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican. Prosecutors on Friday urged the judge overseeing Donald Trump's criminal hush money case to continue provisions of a gag order aimed at some of the former president's public statements. In court papers, prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney's office argued that parts of the gag order remained necessary given the Republican's "singular history of inflammatory and threatening public statements," as well as efforts by his supporters to "identify jurors and threaten violence against them." "Since the verdict in this case, defendant has not exempted the jurors from his alarming rhetoric that he would have 'every right' to seek retribution as president against the participants in this trial as a consequence of his conviction because 'sometimes revenge can be justified,' " the filing states. The gag order, issued in March, prohibited Trump from making or directing others to make public statements about witnesses, jurors and others connected to the case. It does not restrict comments about the judge, Juan M. Merchan, or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office prosecuted the case. Attorneys for Trump have called on the judge to lift the order following the culmination of his trial last month, which ended in his conviction on 34 felony counts for falsifying records to cover up a potential sex scandal. Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, is set to be sentenced on July 11. Defense attorneys argue Trump should be free to fully address the case as he campaigns for the White House, pointing to comments made by President Joe Biden and the continued public criticism of him by his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen and adult film actor Stormy Daniels, both key prosecution witnesses. "Now that the trial is concluded, the concerns articulated by the government and the court do not justify continued restrictions on the First Amendment rights" of Trump, they wrote earlier this month. In their letter, prosecutors agreed that the provision barring statements about trial witnesses no longer needed to be enforced but said the restrictions on statements about court staff and members of the prosecution, excluding Bragg, should remain in place. They cited an "intensified" threat situation in recent months, with more than 60 "actionable threats" directed against Bragg, his family and court staff since April. The threats include social media posts disclosing the address of an employee of the district attorney's office and a photo showing sniper sights aimed at people involved in the case, according to police. Merchan is expected to rule soon, possibly before Trump's June 27 debate with President Joe Biden. Earlier this week, New York's top court declined to hear Trump's appeal on the gag order, finding it did not raise "substantial" constitutional issues that would warrant an immediate intervention. An Iraqi fighter from an Iran-backed group was killed in an overnight airstrike in eastern Syria near the Iraq border, the group and a war monitor said Saturday. The strike occurred in Deir Ezzor province, where Iran wields significant influence and which is regularly targeted by Israel and the United States, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "An Iraqi member in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq was killed, and two others were injured in a preliminary toll, as a result of an unknown airstrike," the Observatory said, referring to a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups. The Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, said an explosion was heard coinciding with the strike "in Albukamal countryside ... a few kilometers away from [the] Syrian-Iraqi borders." Iraq's Sayyed al-Shuhada Brigades announced the death of a fighter in a strike "Friday which targeted his vehicle during a reconnaissance patrol on the Iraqi-Syrian border," accusing the United States of being behind the attack. Responsibility for the strike was not immediately claimed, but a spokesperson for the U.S.-led military coalition formed in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group told AFP that "neither the coalition nor U.S. forces carried out overnight strikes in Deir Ezzor." The Observatory said that several hours before the strike, drones flew over the area. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes, primarily targeting pro-Iran groups which it rarely comments on publicly. In late March, 16 Tehran-affiliated fighters, including an Iranian military adviser, were killed in strikes on eastern Syria. The strikes also killed one civilian working for the World Health Organization. Iran has long been a key ally of the Syrian government, most notably providing military advisers. ISLAMABAD, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police arrested 22 terrorists during 152 separate operations in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province on Friday night, said a spokesperson on Saturday. A spokesperson from the CTD said in a statement that the personnel conducted the intelligence-based operations after receiving information about the possible attacks by the terrorists. According to the spokesperson, operations were conducted in the 14 districts of the province, and the arrested terrorists included two from the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and one from al-Qaida. The personnel also confiscated explosives, hand grenades, eight detonators, safety fuse wire, improvised explosive devices, electric and digital gadgets, and a large amount of foreign currency. The spokesperson added that the terrorists were planning to conduct attacks at different places in the province. The CTD has conducted 743 combing operations in the province during the week, arresting 104 suspects and interrogating 27,062 individuals, the spokesperson added. A new defense pact signed between Russia and North Korea this week publicly laid out Moscow's willingness to engage in full-fledged military cooperation with Pyongyang, in contrast to their denials prior to the summit, analysts said. Before Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday, it was already widely believed that Moscow was transferring military technology to Pyongyang for weapons upgrades. In 2023, North Korea launched the solid-fuel Hwasong-18 missile for the first time. After analyzing the shape and color of the smoke at the tail of the missile, experts said these technologies appeared to have come from Russia. At the same time, U.S. and other officials have accused North Korea of providing Russia with large quantities of conventional munitions for its war in Ukraine. In September, Kim showed an interest in various military assets during his tour of Russia's satellite launch site, fighter jet factory, and Pacific Fleet equipped with nuclear-capable bombers and hypersonic missiles. Both Russia and North Korea denied any arms dealings between them prior to Putin's visit to Pyongyang. It is still uncertain exactly what types of military technology Moscow could provide Pyongyang. But at the summit, Moscow made explicit its willingness to prop up Pyongyang's military in return for continued flow of munitions to use against Ukraine, according to Bruce Bechtol Jr., a former intelligence officer at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and now a professor at Angelo State University in Texas. In the Treaty of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed between Putin and Kim at their summit, the two agreed to set up "mechanisms" for undertaking "measures" for "strengthening the defense capabilities." They also agreed to develop and cooperate in the areas of science and technology, including space. At a joint press conference following their summit, Putin said Moscow "does not rule out developing military and technical cooperation" with Pyongyang as agreed on in the pact in response to the U.S. and other NATO countries' allowing weapons that they supplied to Ukraine being used against targets inside Russia. Kim and Putin also agreed in the treaty to intervene militarily if either North Korea or Russia is invaded. But Bechtol said the most significant part of the treaty "is military cooperation." "We're not going to invade North Korea. We're not going to invade Russia. It's all about the military cooperation, the arms deals" that have "no limits" and will be made in a "barter" form rather than in a "cash and carry" arrangement, he said. Any arms exports or imports by North Korea would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. Putin trade proposal In an article by Putin published by North Korea's state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday ahead of his arrival in Pyongyang, Putin said Russia and North Korea would develop a trade and payment system not controlled by the West. This would make it easier to circumvent international sanctions on both countries. Joshua Stanton, a Washington-based attorney who helped draft the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enforcement Act of 2016, said, "Russia and North Korea have been talking about setting up ruble-based and renminbi-based payment systems for at least a decade." He continued: "It never worked before. It would probably violate U.N. sanctions, and if our Treasury Department is willing to impose secondary sanctions on the banks that facilitate it, it will fail again." Moscow and Pyongyang are likely to exchange military hardware using railways rather than sea routes to avoid "any kind of interdiction," said David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy. He said the idea of interdiction could be discussed when Washington, Seoul and Tokyo meet on the sidelines of a NATO summit in July. Putin said at a press conference in Pyongyang this week that Russian Railways will participate in the upgrade of the Khasan-Rajin railway crossing between the two countries. 'High intensity of commitment' Even without the treaty, military cooperation including arms transfers from Russia to North Korea was likely to have gone forward, according to Bechtol and other analysts. "I frankly don't think that the treaty makes a huge difference," said Michael Kimmage, who from 2014 to 2016 served on the Secretary's Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department, where he held the Russia-Ukraine portfolio. "It's signaling a high intensity of commitment" and "a longevity of commitment," which "in and of itself is quite significant," but "I don't think the treaty itself is that dramatic of a turning point," he said. Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, said, "It is hard to imagine this new agreement makes it easier for Russia to transfer military technologies to North Korea, given the transfers in recent years of Iskander missile technology, liquid oxygen and petroleum fuel for satellite launchers, repair of satellite launcher problems, GPS jammers, and 24 mm MRL precision guidance." He continued: "I think the bottom line is not the greater feasibility of weapons technology transfers but the Russian government's greater political willingness to make the transfers." Putin's outspoken willingness to cooperate militarily with Pyongyang has prompted deep concerns in both Seoul and Washington. A senior South Korean presidential official said on Thursday that Seoul will now consider sending arms directly to Ukraine. Seoul has withheld providing lethal weapons to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. A spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry told VOA's Korean Service on Thursday that Seoul is "gravely concerned" about the treaty and the declaration of military technology cooperation "that outrightly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions." A State Department spokesperson told VOA Korean on Wednesday that "deepening cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is a trend that should be of great concern." The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is North Korea's official name. In contrast, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA on Thursday that Moscow and Pyongyang have "a normal need for exchanges, cooperation and a closer relationship." In extensive court filings this week, the social media giant TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, laid out their arguments as to why a new law that could see the service effectively banned in the United States is unconstitutional and should be struck down. The filing, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, targets the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a piece of bipartisan legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this year. The law gave the company until January 19, 2025, to either sell TikTok to a non-Chinese company or cease operations within the U.S. TikTok, a platform that allows users to create, publish, share, and comment on short-form videos, has an estimated 170 million regular users in the U.S. American officials have long expressed their concern that the company's Chinese ownership creates a national security risk. They argue that it could allow the Chinese Communist Party access to the personal information of millions of Americans, while at the same time allowing Beijing to exercise control over the kinds of messages that the platform serves up to its users. In its court filing, the company says the law is an unprecedented violation of the right to free speech enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution. "Never before has Congress expressly singled out and shut down a specific speech forum," the complaint says. "Never before has Congress silenced so much speech in a single act." Effective ban In its filing, TikTok expressed several reasons why selling itself what the law refers to as a "qualified divestiture" is a practical impossibility. Among these is that TikTok is a massive global service with hundreds of millions of users built on a foundation of billions of lines of computer code. The thousands of developers who created that code work for ByteDance, and would be ineligible to continue working on the service under a sale meeting the law's requirements. If the company were to sever its United States operations from the rest of the TikTok network, creating an island containing U.S.-only content, it said the value of TikTok to global advertisers would plummet, leaving it unable to compete with other social networks. Finally, the company pointed out that TikTok's "recommendation engine" the algorithm that determines how it individually tailors content to users was developed in China and cannot legally be sold to a foreign company. "Just as the United States restricts the export of U.S.-origin technologies (e.g., certain computer chips), the Chinese government regulates the transfer of technologies developed in China," the filing says. "The Chinese government has made clear in public statements that it would not permit a forced divestment of the recommendation engine." Because the sale of the company is infeasible, the company argues, "The effect of the act is therefore a ban." Vain attempts to negotiate The filing also details extensive efforts by TikTok and ByteDance to resolve the government's concerns without a divestment, including $2 billion spent on "Project Texas," an initiative that would have housed all data related to American TikTok users in equipment owned and operated by Oracle Corp., a U.S. technology firm. It also contains the text of a 90-page agreement that the company negotiated with the Department of Justice that was intended to address all of the government's national security concerns. The agreement, which was not accepted by the government, took the unusual step of providing the government the ability to unilaterally shut down TikTok's operations in the U.S. if the company was discovered to be in violation of its promises. Justice Department comments The Department of Justice released a statement Thursday in which it promised to defend the law in court, saying that it "addresses critical national security concerns in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment and other constitutional limitations." The agency also referred to a national security law in force in China that obligates businesses there to share information they possess with the country's intelligence services if they are asked to do so. "Alongside others in our intelligence community and in Congress, the Justice Department has consistently warned about the threat of autocratic nations that can weaponize technology such as the apps and software that run on our phones to use against us," the department said. "This threat is compounded when those autocratic nations require companies under their control to turn over sensitive data to the government in secret." Speech advocates in support Organizations that support the preservation of the right to free speech told VOA they believe TikTok has powerful arguments on its side in the legal battle to come. "The TikTok ban is a really concerning and misguided attempt to protect Americans' data privacy and security," said George Wang, a staff attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute. "It's concerning because it authorizes the government to ban a wildly popular speech platform that's used by millions of Americans every day, and that poses a serious threat to those Americans' First Amendment rights," Wang said. "And it's misguided because lawmakers simply have better ways to address the privacy and security concerns they've raised." "I think they have a very strong case that this law is eminently unconstitutional," said David Greene, the civil liberties director and a staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Greene pointed out that in the past, Congress has specifically exempted communications services from laws that restrict foreign ownership of companies operating in the U.S. "It seemed to be anathema to democratic principles to restrict the free flow of information around the world and coming into the country," Greene said. Togo authorities said they will lift a suspension on accreditations for foreign journalists imposed in April after a highly contested constitutional reform. The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, or HAAC, suspended accreditations before legislative elections that saw President Faure Gnassingbe's ruling party extend his family's political dynasty. HAAC had said the suspension was because of "serious failures" in the coverage of Togo's politics by French media and issues with a French journalist who was expelled from Togo. The suspension of the accreditation of foreign press organizations for the coverage of news and demonstrations in Togo is lifted as of Wednesday, June 26," HAAC said in a statement issued late Friday. Reporters Without Borders had denounced the suspension as a violation of freedom of information. Gnassingbe's Union for the Republic, or UNIR, party won 108 of the 113 parliament seats in the election in the small West African state. Under the constitutional reform, the presidency becomes a largely ceremonial post elected by lawmakers. Power shifts to a new president of the council of ministers. That position will automatically be taken by the head of the ruling party, in this case Gnassingbe as the UNIR leader. It means Gnassingbe can regain the post every six years if his party maintains a parliamentary majority. Critics called the reform an "institutional coup" tailored for Gnassingbe to evade term limits on his presidency. Former President Donald Trump said in an interview posted Thursday he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges, a sharp departure from the anti-immigrant rhetoric he typically uses on the campaign trail. Trump was asked about plans for companies to be able to import the "best and brightest" in a podcast taped Wednesday with venture capitalists and tech investors called the "All-In." "What I want to do, and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country. And that includes junior colleges, too, anybody graduates from a college. You go there for two years or four years," he said, vowing to address this concern on day one if he is elected president in November. Immigration has been Trump's signature issue during his 2024 bid to return to the White House. His suggestion that he would offer green cards documents that confer a pathway to U.S. citizenship to potentially hundreds of thousands of foreign graduates would represent a sweeping expansion of America's immigration system that sharply diverges from his most common messages on foreigners. Trump often says during his rallies that immigrants who are in the country illegally endanger public safety and steal jobs and government resources. He once suggested that they are "poisoning the blood of our country." He has promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history if elected. Trump and his allies often say they distinguish between people entering illegally versus legally. But during his administration, Trump also proposed curbs on legal immigration such as family-based visas and the visa lottery program. Right after taking office in 2017, he issued his "Buy American and Hire American" executive order, directing Cabinet members to suggest reforms to ensure that business visas were awarded only to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. He has previously said the H1-B program commonly used by companies to hire foreign workers temporarily a program he has used in the past was "very bad" and used by tech companies to get foreign workers for lower pay. During the conversation with "All-In," Trump blamed the coronavirus pandemic for being unable to implement these measures while he was president. He said he knew of stories of people who graduated from top colleges and want to stay in the U.S. but can't secure visas to do so, forcing them to return to their native countries, specifically naming India and China. He said they go on and become multibillionaires, employing thousands of workers. "You need a pool of people to work for your company," Trump said. "And they have to be smart people. Not everybody can be less than smart. You need brilliant people." In a statement released hours after the podcast was posted, campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "President Trump has outlined the most aggressive vetting process in U.S. history, to exclude all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges. He believes, only after such vetting has taken place, we ought to keep the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America. This would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would never undercut American wages or workers." Lawyers for Donald Trump argued Friday that the Justice Department prosecutor who charged the former president with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate was illegally appointed and that the case should therefore be dismissed. The challenge to the legality of special counsel Jack Smiths appointment kicked off a three-day hearing that will further delay a criminal case that had been scheduled for trial last month but has been snarled by unresolved legal disputes. The motion questioning Smiths selection by the Justice Department is one of multiple challenges to the indictment the defense has raised, so far unsuccessfully, in the year since the charges were brought. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon heard hours of arguments Friday from lawyers for both sides, with Trump attorney Emil Bove asserting that the Justice Department risked creating a shadow government through the appointment of special counsels to prosecute select criminal cases. Prosecutors say there was nothing improper or unusual about Smiths appointment, with James Pearce, a member of Smith's team at one point saying: "We are in compliance. We have complied with all of the department's policies. Cannon did not immediately rule, but in an apparent sign that she was taking seriously the Trump team motion, she grilled Pearce on what oversight role Attorney General Merrick Garland who appointed Smith had in seeking the indictment. Pearce said he was not in a position to answer the question but noted, I don't want to make it seem like I'm hiding something. Even as Smith's team looks to press forward on a prosecution seen by many legal experts as the most straightforward and clear-cut of the four prosecutions against Trump, Friday's arguments didn't concern the allegations against the former president. They centered instead on arcane regulations governing the appointment of Justice Department special counsels like Smith, reflecting the judge's continued willingness to entertain defense arguments that prosecutors say are frivolous and meritless, contributing to the delay of a trial date. Arbiter's review ordered Cannon, a Trump appointee, had exasperated prosecutors even before the June 2023 indictment by granting a Trump request to have an independent arbiter review the classified documents taken from Mar-a-Lago an order that was overturned by a unanimous federal appeals panel. Since then, she has been intensely scrutinized over her handling of the case, including for taking months to issue rulings and for scheduling hearings on legally specious claims all of which have combined to make a trial before the November presidential election a virtual impossibility. She was rebuked in March by prosecutors after she asked both sides to formulate jury instructions and to respond to a premise of the case that Smith's team called fundamentally flawed. The New York Times, citing two anonymous sources, reported Thursday that two judges including the chief federal judge in the Southern District of Florida urged Cannon to step aside from the case shortly after she was assigned to it. The hearing is unfolding just weeks after Trump was convicted in a separate state case in New York of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn actor who has said she had sex with him. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is poised to issue within days an opinion on whether Trump is immune from prosecution for acts he took in office or whether he can be prosecuted by Smith's team on charges that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. At issue in Friday's hearing was a Trump team claim that Smith was illegally appointed in November 2022 by Garland because he was not first approved by Congress and because the special counsel office that he was assigned to lead was not also created by Congress. Smith's team has said Garland was fully empowered as the head of the Justice Department to make the appointment and to delegate prosecutorial decisions to him. They note that a similar argument failed in a challenge to the appointment of Robert Mueller, who was tapped as special counsel by the Trump administration Justice Department to investigate potential ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign. On Monday, the two sides will again discuss matters related to Smith's appointment, as well as a limited gag order that prosecutors have requested to bar Trump from comments they fear could endanger the safety of FBI agents and other law enforcement officials involved in the case. The restrictions were sought after Trump falsely claimed the agents who searched his Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents in August 2022 were prepared to kill him even though he was citing boilerplate language from standard FBI policy about use of force during the execution of search warrants. The FBI had intentionally selected a day for the search when it knew Trump and his family would be out of town, and the policy he was citing is meant to limit, rather than encourage, the use of force. Trump's lawyers have said any speech restrictions would infringe on his free-speech rights. Cannon initially rejected the prosecution's request on technical grounds, saying Smith's team had not sufficiently conferred with defense lawyers before seeking the restrictions. Prosecutors subsequently renewed the request. A Swiss court handed jail sentences Friday to four members of Britain's richest family, the Hindujas, branding them "selfish" for exploiting Indian staff at their Geneva mansion. Lawyers for the members of the Swiss-Indian family who were not present in court said they would appeal the verdict. The defendants were acquitted of human trafficking but convicted on other charges in a stunning verdict for the family, whose fortune is estimated at 37 billion pounds ($47 billion) by The Sunday Times of London. Prakash Hinduja, 78, and his wife, Kamal Hinduja, 75, each got four years, six months, while their son, Ajay, 56, and his wife, Namrata, 50, received four-year terms, the presiding judge in Geneva ruled. They were convicted of "usury" for having taken advantage of their vulnerable immigrant staff to pay them a pittance. "The employees' inexperience was exploited," Judge Sabina Mascotto said in her judgment. "They had little education or none at all and had no knowledge of their rights. "The defendants' motives were selfish," she said, adding that the Hindujas were motivated "by the desire for gain." The court acquitted them of the more serious charge of human trafficking, on the ground that the workers had traveled to Switzerland willingly. $363 salary During the trial, the Hindujas were accused of bringing servants from their native India and confiscating their passports once they got to Switzerland. Prosecutor Yves Bertossa accused the Hindujas of spending "more on their dog than on their domestic employees." The family paid the household staff about 325 francs ($363) a month, up to 90 percent less than the going rate, the judge said. "The four Hinduja defendants knew the weak position their employees were in and knew the law in Switzerland," Mascotto said. The family denied the allegations, claiming the prosecutors wanted to "do in the Hindujas." They had reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the three employees who made the accusations against them, leading them to drop their legal action, said the defense. Despite this, the prosecution decided to pursue the case because of the seriousness of the charges. Following the verdict, Bertossa requested an immediate detention order for Ajay and Namrata Hinduja, claiming they were flight risks. The judged denied it, accepting the defense argument that the family had ties to Switzerland. It noted that Kamal Hinduja was hospitalized in Monaco and the three other family members were at her bedside. Both the elder Hindujas had been absent since the start of the trial for health reasons. A statement from the defense lawyers announcing the appeal said they were "appalled and [full of] disappointment" at the court's ruling. But it added: "The family has full faith in the judicial process and remains confident that the truth will prevail." Not mistreated slaves The defense had argued that the three employees received ample benefits, were not kept in isolation and were free to leave the villa. "We are not dealing with mistreated slaves," Nicolas Jeandin told the court. Indeed, the employees "were grateful to the Hindujas for offering them a better life," his fellow lawyer Robert Assael argued. Representing Ajay Hinduja, lawyer Yael Hayat slammed the "excessive" indictment, arguing the trial should be a question of "justice, not social justice." Namrata Hinduja's lawyer, Romain Jordan, had also pleaded for acquittal, claiming the prosecutors were aiming to make an example of the family. He argued the prosecution had failed to mention extra payments made to staff on top of their cash salaries. "No employee was cheated out of his or her salary," Assael added. With interests in oil and gas, banking and health care, the Hinduja Group is present in 38 countries and employs around 200,000 people. The United Nations confirmed Friday that a rare meeting of global envoys with Afghanistans Taliban rulers this month will not address concerns about Afghan civil society and women human rights defenders. Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, emphasized the importance of the world community opening a direct dialogue with the Taliban, suggesting it could create opportunities for Afghan women to participate in future talks. This is what is possible today. It is a process. Lets start to speak, she told reporters in New York after briefing a U.N. Security Council meeting on the Afghan situation. The two-day U.N.-hosted meeting will commence in Doha, Qatar, on June 30. It will be the third session of what is referred to as the Doha process, and the Taliban have agreed to attend for the first time. For the first time, special envoys of all the countries would meet face to face with the Taliban. They would tell them that, 'Look, it doesnt work like this, and we should have women around the table, and also provide them with access to the business,' Otunbayeva said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched and hosted the Doha process in May 2023 to establish a coherent and unified global approach to engagement with the Taliban government, which has yet to be formally recognized by the world. Guterres did not invite de facto Afghan authorities to the first meeting. The Taliban refused an invitation to the second round of talks in February unless their delegates could be accepted as the sole representatives of Afghanistan. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticized the U.N. for inviting the Taliban to the Doha huddle rather than holding them accountable for crimes against Afghan women and girls. Otunbayeva responded to the criticism Friday, saying the U.N. would consult civil society representatives from inside and outside Afghanistan before the June 30 meeting. They also will speak to special international envoys on July 2, a day after the meeting with the Taliban ends, she noted. Help for businesses, farmers The UNAMA chief explained that discussions at the third Doha meeting will focus on helping Afghan private businesses, addressing financial and banking sector issues, and finding alternate livelihoods for farmers affected by the Taliban's nationwide ban on opium poppy cultivation. She said all these issues are related to women: There are 5 million addicted people in Afghanistan. More than 30% [of them] are women. Otunbayeva said the Taliban expect international assistance and capacity building in the security, agriculture and health sectors. What do we need [in return]? We need them to change their minds and let girls go to school. I dont understand what is the reason why they dont let girls go to school. There is no Islamic country out of 57 where girls dont go to schools. The Taliban regained power in Kabul in August 2021 as U.S.-led NATO troops withdrew from the country after nearly 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war. The fundamentalist authorities have since barred girls aged 12 and older from attending secondary school and have suspended female students from universities as well as other higher education. Most Afghan women are prohibited from public and private employment, including the U.N., and they are not allowed to visit public places such as parks, gyms and bathhouses. Women are required to undertake road or air trips only when accompanied by a male relative. The Taliban dismiss criticism of their policies, insisting they are aligned with Afghan culture and Islamic law. Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general at Amnesty International, said in a statement Friday that the credibility of the Doha meeting will be in tatters if it doesnt adequately address the Afghan human rights situation and fails to engage Afghan women rights defenders. Sidelining critical discussions on human rights would be unacceptable and set a deeply damaging precedent, Callamard said. She urged the international community to adopt a clear and united stance to protect the rights of Afghan women. "Caving into the Talibans conditions to secure their participation in the talks would risk legitimizing their gender-based institutionalized system of oppression a system that has sought to erase women and girls from society by callously stripping them of their most fundamental rights, she said. Tirana Hassan, the executive director at Human Rights Watch, described the exclusion of Afghan women from the upcoming Doha talks as shocking. Excluding women risks legitimizing the Talibans abuses and triggering irreparable harm to the U.N.s credibility as an advocate for womens rights and womens meaningful participation, Hassan said in a statement issued Friday. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. A nuclear-powered United States aircraft carrier arrived Saturday in South Korea for a three-way exercise stepping up their military training to cope with North Korean threats that escalated with its alignment with Russia. The arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group in Busan came a day after South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a pact reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week that pledges mutual defense assistance in the event of war. South Korea says the deal poses a threat to its security and warned that it could consider sending arms to Ukraine to help fight off the Russian invasion as a response a move that would surely ruin its relations with Moscow. Following a meeting between their defense chiefs in Singapore earlier in June, the United States, South Korea and Japan announced Freedom Edge. The new multidomain exercise is aimed at sharpening the countries combined response in various areas of operation, including air, sea and cyberspace. The Theodore Roosevelt strike group will participate in the exercise that is expected to start within June. South Koreas military didnt immediately confirm specific details of the training. South Koreas navy said in a statement that the arrival of the Theodore Roosevelt demonstrates the strong defense posture of the allies and stern willingness to respond to advancing North Korean threats. The carriers visit comes seven months after another U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, came to South Korea in a show of strength against the North. The Theodore Roosevelt strike group also participated in a three-way exercise with South Korean and Japanese naval forces in April in the disputed East China Sea, where worries about Chinas territorial claims are rising. In the face of growing North Korean threats, the United States, South Korea and Japan have expanded their combined training and boosted the visibility of strategic U.S. military assets in the region, seeking to intimidate the North. The United States and South Korea have also been updating their nuclear deterrence strategies, with Seoul seeking stronger assurances that Washington would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend its ally from a North Korean nuclear attack. Speaking at Chinas first military political work conference in a decade this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated the need for the military to eliminate corruption and strengthen its loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. He also warned of "deep-seated issues" in the militarys politics, ideology, work style and discipline. "The gun barrels should always be in the hands of those who are loyal and reliable to the party and there must be no place for corrupt elements to hide in the military," Xi said in his remarks, according to Chinas state broadcaster CCTV. In a lengthy overview, Xi urged the military to enhance the thoroughness of its ideological transformation by following the Communist Partys theories, improving the leadership of party organizations, and eradicating conditions that may allow corruption to thrive. Chieh Chung, a military researcher at the National Policy Foundation in Taiwan, said the remarks show that "Xi wants to emphasize the importance for the military to be loyal to the party and his leadership while signaling his concerns about how corruption affects the military" and its capabilities. Xi "hopes the warnings can help accelerate the development of advanced technologies and equipment," Chieh told VOA by phone. Since last July, China has ousted more than a dozen top military commanders, including former defense minister Li Shangfu, and leaders of the Peoples Liberation Armys Rocket Force. While the Chinese government hasnt publicly linked their removals to corruption, some foreign media outlets and experts see their removal as part of the extended anti-corruption campaign Xi initiated since he came to power in 2012. Reuters reported last September that Li was facing an investigation related to the procurement of military equipment. The removal of top military leaders not only highlights the prevalence of corruption; it also raises other questions. "Since corruption has hampered Russias ability to supply its military in the Ukraine war, it raises the question of whether the Chinese militarys capabilities have been compromised by corruption or not," Lin Ying-yu, a military expert at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone. There is also a concern about the impact Xis persistent attempts to eradicate corruption will have on the military internally. "When a former defense minister can be abruptly removed from his position without any clear explanation, it will create a deep sense of fear within the military because no one knows when they might be the next one to be purged," said Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research. Su said this is part of the Communist Partys strategy of "ruling with terror," which allows Xi to concentrate decision-making power on the top leadership within the party. "While tackling corruption in the military is important to Xi, the anti-corruption campaign has become a political tool for him to consolidate his control over the military," Su told VOA by phone. In January, the state-run Peoples Liberation Army Daily published an opinion piece that emphasized the importance of implementing Xis instructions for the military and extending the partys governance to the grassroots level. "By strengthening the supervision of military personnel, it builds a firm first line of defense for soldiers to comply with the rules and refuse to be corrupted," said the opinion piece run by the PLA Daily. While Xi looks to consolidate control and build loyalty, both Chieh and Su see other potential side-effects such as the promotion of unqualified leaders and the impact that could have on the militarys capabilities and readiness. "When Beijing puts so much emphasis on loyalty to the party, it could reduce the militarys combat capabilities and make the military huge but weak," Su said. Xis expressed desire to continue cracking down on corruption also means the Chinese military may need to go through a period of adjustment, Chieh said. "Normally, the militarys combat capabilities will decrease following several rounds of purges, so I expect the Chinese military to go through a tough period of adjustment and reorganization over the next few years," he told VOA. And while top officials in the U.S. have repeatedly highlighted 2027 as the year that the Chinese military aims to possess the capabilities to invade Taiwan, Chieh thinks the purges and Xi's remarks at the political work conference suggest the PLA may be hard pressed to achieve that goal. "Since the Chinese militarys command system and the rocket forces capabilities may not have reached the goal set by the top leadership due to rampant corruption, I think this makes it even less likely for the Chinese military to have the capabilities required to invade Taiwan by 2027," he said. Columbus Mavhunga Zambia says it has called on two regional bodies the African Union and Southern African Development Community to mediate talks with neighboring Zimbabwe. Zambian officials say the diplomatic fallout with neighboring Zimbabwe stems from remarks that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a recent visit to Russia. Namely the accusation that the U.S. has been militarizing Zambia to consolidate power in the region and isolate Zimbabwe. In a televised speech in parliament Thursday, Zambia Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe rejected Mnangagwa's statement as an unwarranted attack on Zambia's sovereignty. He also said Lusaka, which has historically strong ties with its neighbor, wants to maintain cordial relations with it, the U.S. and Russia. For example, in March this year, Zambia was one of the first countries, that called the United States of America, and the European Union to remove sanctions against Zimbabwe when the United States of America imposed new sanctions." Haimbesaid. "Regrettably, however, madam speaker, the sentiments expressed by his excellency President Mnangagwa do not appear to accord with the warm relations highlighted above." Both the Southern African Development Community and Africa Union, to which both Zambia and Zimbabwe are members, could not be reached for comment Friday. Jenfan Muswere, Zimbabwes information minister, played down any deteriorating relations between Lusaka and Harare when reached for comment Friday by VOA. We are a friend to all and an enemy to none. Zambia is our neighbor, and a geographical reality with a long history from the federal days, all the way to the contributions that we were together during the liberation struggle," Muswere said. "And at the same time that we are Siamese twins, I might be able to be aware of some of the questions that he (Haimbe) refers to. But we are a friend to all and an enemy to none. Dr. Alexander Rusero an international relations professor at Africa University in Zimbabwe said Zambia is simply retaliating and expressing displeasure to President Mnangagwas comments. But there is absolutely nothing wrong diplomatically with regards to what President Mnangagwa did," he said. "Zimbabwe has every reason to worry, against the realities of a Zambia that is being militarized. And every neighbor should be worried when such developments happen. And remember, Zimbabwe and United States of Americas relations, they are somehow still very frosty. So, whenever there are developments next door, Zimbabwe has to be worried. But with regards to the utterances President Mnangagwa made, its the public leak which maybe erroneous. But not the utterances themselves because it was a head of state expressing security concerns with regarding a neighbor being militarized by Zimbabwes adversary so to speak. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has denied that his country is being militarized by the U.S. He says Zambias army has exchange programs with a number of countries including the U.S., and that that should not be mistaken for the U. S. setting up a base in Zambia. KABUL, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A total of 60 foreign nationals have been held in prisons in Afghanistan, local media outlet reported on Friday. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is holding the 60 foreigners, including 10 women, in prisons, Ariana News quoted Abdullah Hamdard, deputy head of the office of the prison administration, as saying. Foreigners are imprisoned in the country for various crimes, said Hamdard, adding that there is no torture in the prisons of the Islamic Emirate, rather there are opportunities for prisoners to learn and train. The nationalities of the detainees were not identified. The administration reported 40 foreign detainees in April, adding that they were from various countries, including neighboring ones. According to Hamdard, about 20,000 people, including 1,500 women, are currently held in prisons in Afghanistan. Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images Hes reclaiming the title of London Boy. For his birthday, Prince William took his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, to the first night of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in London and had a grand ol time. He experienced every Swifties dream: meeting American royalty, being a part of Swifts Instagram hard launch of Travis Kelce, and hearing the Hits Different and Death by a Thousand Cuts mash-up; its the surprise-song jackpot. During the show, the future king of England was caught grooving to Shake It Off. The royal guards even played it upon Swifts arrival to London. What more could he have possibly wanted? I am sorry but prince william dancing to shake it off has me wheeeeeezing pic.twitter.com/hDyLxtJIdt nich (@sohighschooll) June 22, 2024 Maybe, just maybe, he was hoping to hear a special song during the surprise-song segment. Here are five guesses of what tracks Prince William had on his wish list. 5. Now That We Dont Talk If we had to pick another danceable 1989 track not already on the set list, itd be this one. Its catchy and about another Brit (Harry Styles). Maybe its also a way for him to understand a different Harry his brother, since theyre still not really on speaking terms. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, do have new icons 4. Message in a Bottle This song was once described to me as a Trolls 2 vibe. Willys got three kids at home who probably have jumped around to the Trolls movies; they have some bangers (and mash), and he clearly loves to bust a move! It also has a small London reference as well; gotta keep it local. 3. End Game While the song itself doesnt have any explicit English references, the music video includes Swifts favorite kebab shop, Kentish Delight. She reportedly places a huge order of kebabs after her Friday concert. 2. Macavity From one London boy to another, Swift sang Andrew Lloyd Webbers Macavity in the Cats movie, and since she did a mash-up with Crazier a few weeks ago, anythings fair game. 1. Livin on a Prayer In 2013, Swift brought Prince William onstage at a Kensington Palace charity event, and they sang Livin on a Prayer together. What if he was hoping to re-create that moment? Swift does bring out her collaborators onstage, and theres still a chance he could be crawling under the stage for his big entrance. For four decades the Orlandi family has sought answers to one of Italy's greatest mysteries. Italy marks 41 years since the 15-year-old schoolgirl Emanuela Orlandi disappeared while returning to her family home in Vatican City on Wednesday 22 June 1983. The daughter of an employee at the Vatican Bank, Orlandi vanished without a trace on her way home to the Vatican after a flute lesson at her music school in the centre of Rome. Over the decades there have been numerous false leads relating to Orlandi's mysterious disappearance but they have always come to a dead end. In 2019 the Vatican opened two tombs in the Teutonic Cemetery, adjacent to St Peter's, following an anonymous tip-off received by the family of the missing girl. However the tombs, which were supposed to house the remains of two 19th-century princesses, were found to be empty, adding further mystery to a case that has enthralled Italian for decades. In 2018 human remains found on the grounds of the Vatican nunciature to Italy, in Rome's Parioli district, sparked speculation that Orlandi might have finally been found. But DNA testing revealed that the bones belonged to a man who died sometime between the years 90 and 230 AD. Netflix promotes new series #VaticanGirl with missing posters around Rome for Emanuela Orlandi, the 15-year-old schoolgirl who vanished almost 40 years ago in one of Italy's greatest mysteries. https://t.co/iO4WC4zcps pic.twitter.com/gsW2CAdDOB Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) October 21, 2022 The unsolved case has sparked conspiracy theories ranging from kidnap by a terrorist group demanding the release of Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish man who shot Pope John Paul II in St Peter's Square in 1981, to the involvement of the Banda della Magliana, Romes notorious criminal gang founded in the 1970s. One of the theories was that Orlandi was buried alongside Roman mobster Enrico De Pedis in the Basilica di S. Apollinare near Piazza Navona. However when his tomb was opened in 2012 there were no clues found. Over the years there have also been numerous alleged sightings of the missing girl, all of which proved unreliable. Last year the Vatican reopened an investigation into Orlandi's disappearance after a four-part Netflix documentary series Vatican Girl purported to shed fresh light on the case. 41 years since Orlandi vanished, the mystery continues. Each year on 22 June, Emanuela's brother Pietro Orlandi organises a sit-in protest in Rome, calling for answers into the disappearance of his sister. PARIS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- China's launch of the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM) developed in cooperation with France has garnered widespread attention from local media which hail Sino-French space cooperation. The launch on Saturday of the astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, aims to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. The regional daily Sud Ouest said on Saturday that, developed by engineers from the two countries, the SVOM mission is a "symbol" of France-China space cooperation. It also recalled that in 2018 China launched the China-France Oceanography Satellite (CFOSat), an ocean-observing satellite, noting that European countries are now also participating in China's Chang'e lunar exploration program. Quoted Saturday by Le Monde, Francois Gonzalez, a project manager at the National Centre for Space Studies of France, described SVOM as "a lookout waiting for a random phenomenon that we know neither where nor when it will occur." On average, SVOM should detect around 100 bursts per year. To fulfill its mission, the satellite is equipped with a quartet of instruments, two French and two Chinese, according to the same media report. "A new chapter in France-China space cooperation. The Asian giant launched on Saturday June 22 a satellite tasked with tracking 'gamma-ray bursts', veritable luminous fossils that should provide further information on the history of the Universe," local channel France 24 reported. Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done? Following adoption of the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) by the European Council, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. reiterated his assurance to farmers that all nature restoration measures will be voluntary. The Minister said: This Government, and I through my position on the AgriFish Council, secured additional flexibilities in the legal text of the NRL to both support farmers and to recognise our specific Irish circumstances. As a result of this intervention, the targets for restoration and rewetting of drained organic soils have been reduced from the original proposal. This means the total area for restoration now targets 50% of such area by 2050, rather than 70% as originally proposed, with a third to be rewetted, rather than a half. In addition, other flexibilities have been secured including an emergency break provision to suspend implementation in agriculture in the event of circumstances with severe consequences on food security. Commenting on the targets set under the NRL, the Minister clarified that: The legal obligation to achieve NRL targets is on the Member States, not individual landowners. NRL targets for rewetting of drained organic soils are proportional to the national figure and these national figures were just recently recalculated by the EPA. This change, that revises the figure downwards from 332,900ha to 141,000ha, accounts for drained organic soils that have rewetted naturally. With the existing national commitments to rewet 33,000ha of Bord na Mona lands, these lands are sufficient to deliver the NRL rewetting targets without recourse to privately owned land to 2050. This fact is a strong reassurance to farmers that there will be no obligatory requirement on farmers to rewet land due to the NRL. The Minister continued: I also want to be very clear that restoration measures will not negatively impact any existing CAP commitment, or any other scheme or incentive delivered by my Department. This was confirmed by Commissioner Sinkevicius. Any restoration measures that landowners choose to participate in will be voluntary, well incentivised, and resourced. Ireland has already announced a 3.15 billion Climate and Nature Fund to support implementation. Farmers are committed to biodiversity and it is only right that they are provided with very strong funding separate to CAP to ensure that they are rewarded for any actions that they might voluntarily contribute to, the Minister concluded. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has launched a strikingly personal attack on Anthony Albanese, deriding the prime minister as a fraud, an appeaser and a child in a mans body as he vowed to override premiers opposed to the construction of nuclear-power plants in their states. Duttons comments delivered to an audience of Liberal Party politicians, administrators and party activists in Sydney on Saturday represent a significant escalation in the oppositions rhetoric and a potential preview of election campaign attack lines the Coalition will deploy in attempting to paint Albanese as a weak leader. Dutton unveiled long-awaited details on Wednesday of his pledge to build nuclear reactors in Australia, stating that two nuclear plants would produce electricity by the middle of next decade and be built with public funding under a government-owned business model. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton with colleagues Simon Birmingham (left) and Sussan Ley at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney on Saturday. Credit: Rhett Wyman Departing from written notes distributed to media outlets ahead of his speech, Dutton said that cartoon memes about the safety risks of nuclear posted on social media by senior Labor politicians in recent days including three-eyed fish and koalas showed the juvenile nature of our prime minister. Barcelona: Barcelona, a top Spanish holiday destination, announced on Friday that it will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for residents. The citys leftist mayor, Jaume Collboni, said that by November 2028, Barcelona will scrap the licences of the 10,101 apartments currently approved as short-term rentals. A banner reading For Rent hangs from the balcony of a residential apartment in Barcelona. Credit: Bloomberg We are confronting what we believe is Barcelonas largest problem, Collboni told a city government event. The boom in short-term rentals in Barcelona, Spains most visited city by foreign tourists, means some residents cannot afford an apartment after rents rose 68 per cent in the past 10 years and the cost of buying a house rose by 38 per cent, Collboni said. Access to housing has become a driver of inequality, particularly for young people, he added. Description Come hear visionary artist Linda Goode Bryant, founder of Project EATS and the legendary JAM gallery, in conversation with Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, the worlds leading institution devoted to visual arts by artists of African descent. Indulge in spring flavors and bid on incredible silent auction items in support of Project EATS mission of creating community-based food systems across New York. Image source: Getty Images Shopping at Costco has many benefits. The warehouse store has high-quality products at competitive prices, so you could find deals every time you visit. The return policy is one of the most customer-friendly of any retailer. And don't even get me started on the delicious (and absolutely enormous) muffins. Lots of members already know about all that. But a Costco membership also gets you access to quite a few other perks that don't receive nearly as much attention. Here are more benefits worth knowing about. 1. Vacation and travel booking It may not be the first place you think of to book a trip, but Costco Travel gets high marks from members. You can book vacation packages, hotels, cruises, and rental cars. People who have booked with Costco Travel report that prices are almost always competitive -- often much less than what you'd pay elsewhere. If you want to save even more on a booking, make sure to pay with one of the best credit cards for Costco. The vacation packages, in particular, are popular for honeymooners and families. Not only can you get a good deal, but these are also a convenient way to book a trip. Packages often include transportation, complimentary breakfast, and activities, so you save a lot of time on travel planning. 2. Affordable prescriptions Since Costco buys prescription medications in bulk, it's able to negotiate low prices. It passes those savings on to its shoppers. While you don't need a Costco membership to fill prescriptions at its pharmacy, members are eligible for discounts. The Costco Membership Prescription Program is available exclusively for members. It offers discounts of up to 80% or more on prescription drugs for people and pets, whether or not you have insurance. 3. Discounts on auto and home insurance Insurance has gotten expensive lately. Car insurance premiums have gone up by an average of $682 just since last year. If you're looking for cheap auto insurance, your Costco membership could help out here, too. It offers auto insurance through CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance. Costco members who switched reportedly saved an average of $595.86 on auto insurance in the first year. It also offers homeowners insurance, so you could bundle both of those and potentially get a discount. 4. Lower prices on non-Costco products with Costco Next In 2017, Costco launched a direct-to-consumer service called Costco Next. It's an online store managed by Costco and with Costco prices, but selling non-Costco products. The suppliers handle order fulfillment. Many members still don't know about Costco Next, but it's an exciting service. You can get excellent deals with some popular brands. Here are a few examples of what you can find on Costco Next: High-end luggage designer Briggs & Riley, known for luggage you can buy for life MOST Inc., which offers popular Korean beauty products Anker, which offers power banks, power stations, and chargers Products from wine storage company Vinotemp 5. Home improvement products and services Summer is a popular time for home improvement projects. If you have any you'd like to check off the list, you can most likely do it with Costco. It has a network of service providers for a wide range of projects, including: Bath remodels Flooring and carpet installation Solar panel installation Custom closet and storage design Heating and air conditioning To make it even better, qualifying home improvement purchases include a 10% Costco Shop Card. So if you spend $8,000, you'd get a card worth $800. With all the ways you can save money at Costco, the yearly membership fee is a bargain. If you're thinking about purchasing a membership, keep in mind that it's effectively risk-free. You can cancel and get a full refund if you decide you don't like it. But most Costco shoppers get their money's worth from their memberships, especially the ones who take full advantage of all the benefits. Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!) If youre shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, youll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period. Click here to read our expert recommendations for free! We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 5 Little-Known Perks of a Costco Membership was originally published by The Motley Fool Tom Tuite A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a father of two who died following a stabbing in Finglas, Dublin on Thursday. Michael Ryan (51), of Carton Road, Poppintree, was found with severe injuries at about 12.30am on Thursday on Hampton Wood Way, St Margaret's Road. He was taken to the Mater Hospital for treatment, where he died from his injuries. Joseph Lawlor (38), of Hampton Wood Road, Finglas, appeared before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court on Saturday morning. Gardai in Finglas arrested Mr Lawlor on Friday, charging him with Mr Ryan's murder. Dressed in a navy sweater, grey tracksuit bottoms, and black shoes, he stood silently with his hands clasped during the brief court hearing. Garda Shane Gallagher told the court that Mr Lawlor was charged at 5.17pm on Friday and was handed a true copy of the charge to which he "made no reply". The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases. Defence barrister Kevin McCrave, instructed by solicitor Niall O'Connor, asked that his client be remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday. Counsel said his client wished to appear in person at his next hearing rather than via videolink. Judge Hughes noted the request and asked if the garda wished for the case to be listed to serve Mr Lawlor with a book of evidence or for the instructions of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to be conveyed. Garda Gallagher said the case should be scheduled for the DPP's directions. Judge Hughes remanded Mr Lawlor, who has yet to indicate a plea, in custody to appear on June 28th. The judge granted legal aid after noting the accused was on social welfare and unemployed. Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in Allianz Malaysia Berhad implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price Allianz SE, Insurance Investments owns 65% of the company Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock Every investor in Allianz Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:ALLIANZ) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 83% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Allianz Malaysia Berhad. See our latest analysis for Allianz Malaysia Berhad What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Allianz Malaysia Berhad? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. We can see that Allianz Malaysia Berhad does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. 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 Allianz Malaysia Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Allianz Malaysia Berhad is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Allianz SE, Insurance Investments with 65% of shares outstanding. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 6.7% and 3.2%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future. Story continues Insider Ownership Of Allianz Malaysia Berhad While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. We can see that insiders own shares in Allianz Malaysia Berhad. As individuals, the insiders collectively own RM88m worth of the RM3.9b company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 11% stake in Allianz Malaysia Berhad. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Allianz Malaysia Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Allianz Malaysia Berhad that you should be aware of. If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Bonniconlon councillor John OHara is the new Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council. He took over the chain from outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Loftus at the annual general meeting of the local authority yesterday (Friday). Fianna Fail Cllr Brendan Mulroy has been selected as Leas Cathaoirleach. Cllr OHara was proposed and seconded by Fine Gael colleagues Cllr Jarlath Munnelly and Cllr Peter Flynn. John OHara is someone who is steeped in community, said Cllr Munnelly. He has represented his community and the Ballina area with distinction since 2011. Its a very easy name to propose for Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council because Johns record electorally is second to none. He has shown at every election that he has contested that he is the choice of the people, Cllr Munnelly added. He said Cllr OHara is known "far and wide and across the world" for his spearheading of the Bonniconlon Show and has helped to transform the event into one the premier agricultural events in Ireland. Cllr Flynn said Cllr OHara goes about his business in a quiet but incredibly efficient manner. He will be a really good chair for the entire county, stated Cllr Flynn. There was no opposition to Cllr OHaras election as Cathaoirleach. Cllr O'Hara said he was honoured and proud to take on the position and thanked his party and his fellow councillors. I want to assure the people of Mayo that I will do my very best to represent them and promote their interests during my term, said Cllr OHara. He commended Cllr Loftus for his efforts while wearing the chain, adding: I have a hard act to follow. The new Cathaoirleach urged the council to keep lines of communication open with the multi-national companies that operate in the county, "so that we can continue to provide sustainable jobs". He also called on the council to continue to support the beating heart of the county and back Mayos small farmers. Cllr OHara said essential services such as roads and broadband cannot be overlooked and stressed the importance of General Municipal Allocation (GMA) funding for community groups and organisations. This funding has been the saviour of small clubs and organisations, he remarked. I want this council to be at the forefront of progress for Co Mayo and everyone who resides here, Cllr OHara added. There was widespread praise for Cllr OHara from colleagues. We are very lucky to have a man like yourself in charge, said new Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mulroy. We all know youre the peoples choice, said Cllr Neil Cruise. You are one of the hardest-working quiet councillors here but you get your work done, he added. Maria Walsh got in trouble during the build-up to the European elections for using the phrase pale, male and stale when describing the political classes in general. I used the very same phrase in these pages in April when referring to the outgoing 30 members of Mayo County Council and I didnt get a single complaint. Maria clearly gets more engagement than I do. Now with a new Mayo County Council for the next five years do we see better balance in terms of age profile, gender and ethnicity? I am afraid it is still pale, male and stale. Only three of the 30 councillors are women. It is an abject figure, the second lowest in the country behind Donegal. Across Europe, we are 22nd out of the 27th member states in terms of gender balance. So, it is reasonable to conclude that we have one of the most patriarchal local authorities in the whole continent. Newly elected Cllr Alma Gallagher (FG) is the first woman ever to be elected in the Claremorris Electoral Area. It is an achievement to be stunned by, as much as one to celebrate. It is hard to credit that in 125 years of local government, only men have represented the people of Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis and surrounds. In terms of age profile, I make it only seven of the 30 councillors are aged under 50 and apologies to anyone I aged prematurely but the ages of councillors are not on the public record. As I have said before, this is not an attempt to disqualify a man over the age of 50 from being a county councillor. Rather, it is about balance of representation. A county council with only seven councillors over the age of 50 would be under-representative of a significant cohort of our population in Mayo. Right now, young people, women and other ethnicities are hugely under-represented. As low as those figures are, they are a slight improvement on the outgoing council there is one more woman on this council than the previous term, the aforementioned Alma Gallagher with outgoing councillors Annie May Reape and Donna Sheridan holding their seats. There are three more councillors under the age of 50 Cllr Gallagher, Cllr Paul Lawless of Aontu and Cllr Joe Faughan (Ind). It is no spectacular transformation but a steady one which brings us to one overarching reality that is central to all of these discussions. Change is very slow at local authority level. Voters are far less swayed by party politics at local level they are more concerned with electing someone who will be able to represent their local area and get stuff done. In this regard, serving councillors have a huge advantage. They have a record of service and people can see it at a local level. They may not have the level of power and influence that local councillors do across Europe in fact, they definitely do not but they are still able to deal with local matters and make people feel there is an import in having a local councillor. I have written in the past that not all the outgoing members of Mayo County Council were necessarily our brightest and best but almost all of them were hard working. Therefore, any newcomers were really up against it. Even though it was his first election, a year on the council since being co-opted to replace Michael Smyth was of huge benefit to Kiltimaghs Cllr Adrian Forkan. There are five new councillors. It is instructive that two of them, Cllrs Gallagher and Faughan, replaced retiring councillors in John Cribbin and Seamus Weir who backed their candidacy and greatly helped them over the line. Of the other three, Harry Barrett unseated Martin McLoughlin in Castlebar but it was never going to take a massive swing for this to happen. McLoughlin was elected on the 13th count in 2019 on 1,396 votes, Barrett not far behind on 1,303. McLoughlins first preference was down from 916 in 2019 to 834. Barretts first preference rose from 620 to 743. Barrett has always proven more transfe- friendly and therefore McLoughlin was always in real difficulty with a slight fall in his vote. With such a strong surge among the people of Louisburgh to elect a local councillor, Chris Maxwell, one of the four outgoing councillors was going to be in difficulty and it was Christy Hyland who suffered. It was not a huge drop in his vote, from 1,442 in 2019 to 1,221 in 2024, but it was enough to be fatal. In Claremorris, spare a thought for Tom Connolly, who actually marginally increased his first preference vote from 1,206 in 2019 to 1,216 in 2024. However, it was not enough to hold off Cllr Paul Lawless. Lawless improved his first preference vote considerably from 677 to 1,117 but was still behind Connolly after the first count and eight votes behind him after four counts. The distribution of Independent Irelands Mark Devanes votes proved crucial for Lawless. He took 271 of these compared to 140 for Connolly and never looked back. All of this is to illustrate that even where there was change it was of a marginal variety for those who lost their seats. So wholesale change in terms of female councillors and younger councillors in general will not happen quickly. However, the parties must have some culpability in this. Fianna Fail ran 13 candidates and only one woman the outgoing Annie May Reape. Fine Gael was slightly better, four women among their 15 candidates. Sinn Fein had by far the most women standing five of their nine candidates were female. Again, though, the numbers will be skewed by outgoing councillors. Fianna Fail ran 12 candidates, ten were outgoing. However, both new candidates were male. Fine Gael ran 15 candidates, ten were outgoing. Of the five new candidates, three were female - and unsuccessful candidates Keira Keogh and Antoinette Peyton both performed strongly. Overall, women running in Mayo commanded less than 14% of the total votes cast. I always baulk at the insinuation women should vote for other women but it is a dismally low number in any circumstances. But you cannot ignore the strength the incumbents have in these elections. Postscript Michael Holmes was standing outside his home polling booth at Tiernaur Hall just after 9pm on the day of the local elections in 1999. The station had closed at 9pm when two local girls drove in the gate frantically at one minute past nine. One of the girls had driven from Cork and picked a friend up from Galway en route and raced home to vote for their neighbour, Holmes, who was standing as an Independent. They were too late. Friday evening traffic had held them up and were bitterly disappointed. Holmes told them not to worry, it wasnt as if it was going to come down to one vote. Little did he know. That weekend turned out to be one of the most dramatic counts in the history of Mayo elections. After several recounts, Frank Leneghan was one vote ahead of Holmes and went on to take the last seat. To be precise, it was a fraction of a vote, 1/50th, that was the gap, the minutiae caused by the division of Pat Kilbanes surplus. It showed the importance of every single vote and it is particularly pronounced in local elections, where the number of votes you need to be elected is considerably lower than in general or European elections. No doubt John Sheahan in Swinford has heard lots of similar stories this week. Sheahan lost to Neil Cruise for the last seat in Swinford by just one vote. John Caulfield was only four more votes ahead of Cruise. Sheahan will know more than anyone just how hard it is to knock an incumbent off Mayo County Council. The looming strike action by Aer Lingus pilots, and reaction to the sentencing of a member of the Defence Forces for an assault on a young woman in Limerick fill Saturday's front pages. The Irish Times reads: 'Strike action called as pilots raise stakes in Aer Lingus pay battle'. The papers also reports the Defence Forces has opened a disciplinary case against Cathal Crotty, a soldier convicted earlier this week of knocking a woman unconscious in an attack on O'Connell Street in Limerick City in 2022. The Irish Examiner carries quotes from the assault victim, Natasha OBrien, who criticised the leniency of Crotty's fully-suspended sentence. Meanwhile, The Echo leads with a story on Cork's new Lord Mayor, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle. Defence Forces tell soldier convicted of brutal attack on woman there is no future for him in the Army... read the full story in Saturday's Mail pic.twitter.com/GkPmiN7f3x The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) June 21, 2024 The Irish Independent reports Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will not intervene in the Aer Lingus dispute. In Britain, criticism of Labour and the ongoing election betting scandal feature amid a range of stories on the front of Saturdays newspapers. The Daily Telegraph focuses on an interview with UK business secretary Kemi Badenoch, who warns Labour will reverse Brexit if they win the UK General Election. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Starmer will reverse Brexit, says Badenoch'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/0VXs7kapkX The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 21, 2024 Labour and leader Sir Keir Starmer also come under fire in The Times, as author JK Rowling says the party has turned its back on women over transgender rights and she would struggle to vote for them. The Daily Telegraph: Starmer will reverse Brexit, says Badenoch #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/k9U4osBWpB George Mann (@sgfmann) June 21, 2024 Conservatives and the scandal around alleged betting on the election date are in the spotlight on the front of The Independent, which says UK prime minister Rishi Sunak failed to deny cabinet members were involved, while the Daily Star says a poll puts Count Binface just behind the Mr Sunak in his constituency. The Daily Mail focuses on Reform leader Nigel Farage who drew fury when he told a television interview that western allies had provoked Russian leader Vladimir Putin into invading Ukraine. The i weekend says the National Trust has challenged political parties to sign pledges to protect rivers from pollution. i weekend: National Trust challenges UK leaders to Save Britains Rivers #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ptLm8tzERQ George Mann (@sgfmann) June 21, 2024 Plans to abolish non-dom tax status are leading to wealthy foreigners leaving the UK, according to the FT Weekend. Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Saturday 22 June https://t.co/M5cEV1K5Jz pic.twitter.com/soMls4zJXu Financial Times (@FT) June 21, 2024 The Guardian focuses on cybersecurity, revealing that Russian hackers have stolen more than 300 million pieces of information from NHS records. The Guardian: 300m NHS patient records stolen by Russian hackers #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ffwdZwcfsa George Mann (@sgfmann) June 21, 2024 David Norris, who was jailed for killing Stephen Lawrence, has applied for parole as the end of his minimum 14-year term nears its end, reports the Daily Mirror. And the Daily Express focuses on Dame Esther Rantzen celebrating a birthday she never expected to see. 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 Credit: Nvidia Nvidia is well known for its high-performance gaming GPUs and industry-leading AI GPUs. However, the trillion-dollar GPU manufacturer is also known for controlling how its GPUs are used beyond company walls. For example, it can be quite restrictive with its AIB partners' graphics card designs. Perhaps not surprisingly, this level of control also appears to extend beyond card partners over to AI customers, including Microsoft. The Information reports that there was a standoff between Microsoft and Nvidia over how Nvidia's new Blackwell B200 GPUs were to be installed in Microsoft's server rooms. Nvidia has been aggressively pursuing ever larger pieces of the data center pie, which is immediately clear if you look at how it announced the Blackwell B200 parts. Multiple times during the presentation, Jensen Huang indicated that he doesn't think about individual GPUs any more he thinks of the entire NVL72 rack as a GPU. It's a rather transparent effort to gain additional revenue from its AI offerings, and that extends to influencing how customers install their new B200 GPUs. Previously, the customer was responsible for buying and building appropriate server racks to house the hardware. Now, Nvidia is pushing customers to buy individual racks and even entire SuperPods all coming direct from Nvidia. Nvidia claims this will boost GPU performance, and there's merit to such talk considering all the interlinks between the various GPUs, servers, racks, and even SuperPods. But there's also a lot of dollar bills changing hands when you're building data centers at scale. Nvidia's smaller customers might be ok with the company's offerings, but Microsoft wasn't. VP of Nvidia Andrew Bell reportedly asked Microsoft to buy a server rack design specifically for its new B200 GPUs that boasted a form factor a few inches different from Microsoft's existing server racks that are actively used in its data centers. Microsoft pushed back on Nvidia's recommendation, revealing that the new server racks would prevent Microsoft from easily switching between Nvidia's AI GPUs and competing offerings such as AMD's MI300X GPUs. Nvidia eventually backed down and allowed Microsoft to use its own custom server racks for its B200 AI GPUs, but it's probably not the last such disagreement we'll see between the two megacorps. To be clear, Nvidia supports both OCP's Open Rack (21-inch) and standard 19-inch EIA racks for MGX. Microsoft appears to use OCP racks, which are newer and should be better for density. Microsoft likely has a lot of existing infrastructure that continues to work well, and upgrading all of that would be quite expensive. A dispute like this this is a sign of how large and valuable Nvidia has become over the span of just a year. Nvidia became the most valuable company earlier this week (briefly), and that title will likely change hands many times in the coming months and years. Server racks aren't the only area Nvidia wants to control, as the tech giant also controls how much GPU inventory gets allocated to each customer to maintain demand, and it's using its dominant position in the AI space to push its own software and networking systems to maintain its position as a market leader. Nvidia is benefiting massively from the AI boom, which started when ChatGPT exploded in popularity one and a half years ago. Over that same timespan, Nvidia's AI-focused GPUs have become the GPU manufacturer's most in-demand and highest income generating products, leading to incredible financial success. Stock prices for Nvidia have soared and are currently over eight times higher than they were at the beginning of 2023, and over 2.5 times higher than at the start of 2024. Nvidia continues to use all of this extra income to great effect. Its latest AI GPU, the Blackwell B200, will be the fastest graphics processing unit in the world for AI workloads. A "single" GB200 Superchip delivers up to a whopping 20 petaflops of compute performance (for sparse FP8) and is theoretically five times faster than its H200 predecessor. Of course GB200 is actually two B200 GPUs plus a Grace CPU all on a large daughterboard, and the B200 uses two large dies linked together for good measure. The 'regular' B200 GPU on the other hand only offers up to 9 petaflops FP4 (with sparsity), but even so that's a lot of number crunching prowess. It also delivers up to 2.25 petaflops of dense compute for FP16/BF16, which is what's used in AI training workloads. As of June 20th, 2024, Nvidia stock has dropped slightly from its $140.76 high and closed at $126.57. We'll have to see what happens once Blackwell B200 begins shipping en masse. In the meantime, Nvidia continues to go all-in on AI. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) put all doubts of a bull market to rest when it hit a new all-time high on Jan. 19. Stocks have continued climbing higher through the first half of the year, and the S&P 500 is currently sitting near its peak. Lofty stock prices may leave some investors nervous about putting their money to work in stocks. After all, every bear market, by definition, begins just after stocks reach an all-time high, so it feels like you could end up buying just as the market's fortunes reverse. But buying stocks when the S&P 500 hits a new all-time high has historically been a smart strategy. It may be a great opportunity to invest your extra money in the stock market right now. Image source: Getty Images. The most recent all-time high won't be the last There's a good reason almost everyone recommends investing in the stock market to grow your wealth. Stocks, as a group, increase in value over time faster than just about any other asset class. Since stocks tend to go up over the long run, that means they'll continually reach new all-time highs. And one all-time high typically leads to another in short order. Since reaching a new all-time high on Jan. 19 earlier this year, the S&P 500 has posted a new intraday high 30 more times this year. That number of new record highs isn't uncommon, either. The S&P 500 has posted 40 or more new record highs in a single calendar year nine times since the 1980s. And since we hit a new all-time high in January, this is far more likely to be one of those years with a large number of new record highs. Not only do stocks typically continue climbing higher after reaching a new high, they actually climb faster than average. The S&P 500 has averaged a 12.7% return in the 12-month periods following an all-time high. It averaged just 12.4% returns for all other 12-month periods, according to data analyzed by Fidelity Wealth Management. If you sold your stocks when the index hit a new all-time high, you'd potentially miss out on a lot of returns. The S&P 500 index currently sits about 13% above the all-time high it reached in January. That may leave some investors worried the current bull market is about to run out of steam. But remember, the statistic above describes the average for all new all-time highs. Some will have much better one-year returns -- like the first in a string of new all-time highs -- and some will have much worse one-year returns, like the last in a string. There's still a lot of room to run in the current bull market. That's readily apparent if you step back further. Investing on the day stocks hit an all-time high between 1988 and 2020 led to a total return of 50.4% after three years and 78.9% after five years, according to data analyzed by JPMorgan. That bests the average three- and five-year returns of the S&P 500 of 39.1% and 71.4%, respectively, during that same period. Story continues Investors can still earn very strong returns even as stocks continue to set new records over and over again. The best way to invest when stocks hit a new all-time high Even when the stock market is trading near its all-time high, some companies' stocks are bound to present a better value and potential returns than others. Spotting those opportunities may be more difficult as more and more stocks zoom higher, but it's possible to find them in just about any market environment. For those who don't want to dive into individual companies' stocks and build a diversified portfolio on their own, it's hard to go wrong investing in a broad-based index fund like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO). The fund has a track record of tightly following the S&P 500, and it charges one of the lowest expense ratios in the industry. The current bull market has been driven by the returns of just a few company's stocks. The "Magnificent Seven" have played an outsized role in generating new all-time highs for the S&P 500. The top three companies in the index -- Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple -- currently account for roughly 21% of the entire index. Investors who want a more diversified portfolio should consider an index fund that tracks the S&P 500 equal weight index, such as the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEMKT: RSP). The index weighs all 500 components of the S&P 500 equally and rebalances quarterly, meaning Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple never account for much more than 0.6% of the fund's holdings. There are dozens of ways to put your money to work while stocks are trading at an all-time high. If you want to grow your wealth over the long run, you can't balk when stock prices climb higher and hope for a pullback. The odds are good that stocks will continue to climb, and you'll miss out on years of great returns. Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF right now? Before you buy stock in Vanguard S&P 500 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 S&P 500 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 $775,568!* 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 Adam Levy has positions in Apple and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Buying Stocks When the S&P 500 Hits a New All-Time High a Smart Strategy? History Provides a Clear Answer. was originally published by The Motley Fool We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) stands against the other Robinhood stocks. The market reacted favorably after the Federal Reserves June 11-12 meeting. The broader market marked record closes. At the June 12 press conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized the Fed's focus on its dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and stable prices. While the labor market remains strong with continued job gains and low unemployment, inflation has decreased significantly from its peak but remains above the 2% target, currently at 2.7% and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) believes it's still high. Key Developments The Fed Chairman reported that GDP growth slowed from 3.4% in Q4 of 2023 to 1.3% in Q1 of 2024. However, underlying demand indicated by private domestic final purchases grew at 2.8%. Consumer spending has moderated but remains solid, and investment in equipment and intangibles has improved. Moreover, the labor market is balanced, with job gains averaging 218,000 per month in April and May, and the unemployment rate was at 4%. Inflation, as measured by PCE prices, rose 2.7% over the past year, while core PCE rose 2.8% and the CPI rose 3.3% in May, with the core CPI at 3.4%. Finally, the FOMC decided to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5% and to continue reducing securities holdings to manage inflation. Powell emphasized a cautious approach to policy adjustments. The Chairman said that while some progress has been made toward the inflation target, more data is needed to ensure inflation is sustainably moving toward 2%. The Fed will continue to assess economic data and adjust policies as needed to support their dual mandate. He reiterated the commitment to restoring price stability to ensure long-term economic health. The Fed chair noted that the median projection for the federal funds rate by FOMC participants is 5.1% by the end of 2024 if the economy evolves as expected. Nevertheless, Jerome Powell highlighted that the projections are not a guarantee and will depend upon the data in the coming months. The CMEs FedWatch tool reveals that 35.8% of the market expects the interest rates to remain the same in September, 59.2% expect a 25 basis points (bps) reduction, and 5% believe in a 50 bps rate cut. These numbers have risen significantly in favor of rate cuts since we reported them on May 31 in our article about the best up-and-coming stocks. Story continues After a long wait, the Fed has finally hinted at potential rate cuts in September, which brings tons of opportunities in the market. Let's take a look at some now. Our Methodology For this article, we used the app to identify over 100 stocks with a $2 billion market cap that were trading under $20, as of June 12. We narrowed down our list to the stocks with positive hedge fund sentiment, analyst ratings, and optimistic prospects and chose the 10 stocks with the highest number of institutional investors. Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). 10 Largest Cruise Ships in The World A luxurious cruise ship sailing the deep blue sea, sun glistening off its decks. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56 Share Price as of June 12: $16.74 Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) provides leisure travel services and operates through NAA Cruise Operations, Europe Cruise Operations, Cruise Support, and Tour and Other segments. The company is one of the best Robinhood stocks under $20 and its portfolio of brands includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Cunard. On June 14, Cruise operators faced challenges as BofA forecasted lower pricing for June. BofA Securities indicated that prices in early June have fallen compared to the previous month. Consequently, share prices of all major cruise lines closed the day in red. However, the recent earnings of these cruise lines, including Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL), show strength in the stocks. The companys total customer deposits and occupancy are consistently increasing. In the first quarter of 2024, the company recorded first-quarter deposits at $7 billion, almost doubling the deposits in the first quarter of 2022. Moreover, in Q1 of 2022, the cruise lines occupancy was at 54% and reached 102% in Q1 of 2024. Carnival Corporation & plcs (NYSE:CCL) sustainable revenue growth is supported by investments in new ships like Carnival Jubilee, Sun Princess, and Queen Anne, as well as the modernization of existing fleets, such as the AIDA evolution program. On June 12, the companys Cunard line announced record-breaking bookings after the launch of its new 3,000 guest ship, Queen Anne. Moreover, exclusive destinations, such as Celebration Key, make a compelling case for the company to generate significant revenue growth and improve guest experiences, which could drive the demand for the companys offerings further. Based on 16 Wall Street analysts ratings in the last three months, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) has a consensus rating of strong buy. The average price target of $22.00 implies an upside of 31.42% from the current levels, as of June 12. Furthermore, while the company is trading at a PE ratio of 52x. analysts estimate that the company will go from posting negative $0.06 EPS in 2023 to a nearly 1800% increase to $1.01 and a further 41% increase in 2025. In Q1, 56 hedge funds held positions in Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) worth $1.5 billion. Point72 Asset Management has increased its stake in the company by 228% to 12.76 million shares worth $208.494 million and is the most significant shareholder as of the first quarter. Overall CCL ranks 3rd on our list of the best Robinhood stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20 to see the other Robinhood stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of CCL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CCL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Read Next: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists have completed the first phase of a joint project to excavate the remains of an ancient empire on the Silk Road. The dig in Surxondaryo, a region in southern Uzbekistan, uncovered a "significant number" of artefacts and dozens of burials from the Kushan Empire, a vital hub on the Silk Road, according to China's state news agency Xinhua. The archaeologists believe that the discoveries, which also include three houses, revealed that eastern Surxondaryo is "a crucial area for Kushan people distributions". 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. Little archaeological work has been done in that particular area and the team said the work helped fill out the historical record. The Chinese team told Xinhua: "The presence of continuous traces of habitation on the eastern side of the Surxondaryo River region during the Kushan Empire ... fills in a gap in the history of this region during that period." The dig unearthed a significant number of Kushan artefacts. Photo: Xinhua alt=The dig unearthed a significant number of Kushan artefacts. Photo: Xinhua> The Kushan Empire, which rose in the 1st century AD, covered most of modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as parts of India and Iran, becoming a crucial hub along the Silk Road. The empire was also seen as playing a vital role in helping the spread of Buddhism, and some histories believe it was the route through which the religion first arrived in China during the Han dynasty. The dig is one of a number of projects which China is using to boost cultural ties with Central Asian republics, with the Chinese Institute of Archaeology, the Shaanxi Provincial Research Institute of Archaeology and Northwestern University playing a leading role. The first joint projects with Uzbekistan began in 2012, with Chinese state media at the time describing it as an effort "to study the civilisational processes of ancient cities and the cultural lineages and routes of the ancient Silk Road". Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly highlighted the importance of such initiatives, both during a visit to Uzbekistan in 2016 and last year, when he hosted the leaders of five countries at the first China-Central Asia summit. He told the visitors it was important that we "carry forward our traditional friendship and promote people-to-people exchanges", promising to boost cultural tourism. Story continues The empire sat in the heart of central Asia, linking China, Persia, India and Rome. Photo: Shutterstock alt=The empire sat in the heart of central Asia, linking China, Persia, India and Rome. Photo: Shutterstock> The term Silk Road was coined by the 19th century German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen to describe the trade networks through which valuable commodities such as silk, porcelain, jade, gunpowder, livestock and fruit were traded in a vast network linking the main Eurasian empires. At the heart of the route was Central Asia, a crossroads for merchants travelling between China, Persia, India and the Roman Empire. Zhu Yongbiao, an international relations professor at Lanzhou University, said China wants to promote joint archaeological projects to strengthen cultural and human-to-human exchanges, which could then help promote the Belt and Road Initiative - a modern-day infrastructure project based on the old Silk Road. The dig in Surxondaryo helped fill in a gap in the historical record. Photo: Xinhua alt=The dig in Surxondaryo helped fill in a gap in the historical record. Photo: Xinhua> "The promotion of belt and road construction requires people-to-people communication, and archaeological cooperation is one of the crucial fields," Zhu said. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian republics are rediscovering their national history after decades-long assimilation and suppression from the Russian-dominated Soviet Union. He said independence has stimulated "a strong interest in their history and national origins", adding this is "a stage that all countries must go through after independence". 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. Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. For Maria de la Cruz and George Fong, a drive down Lake Nona Boulevard was more than just a drive. They were looking for signs that their employer The Walt Disney Co. was building its promised Lake Nona campus, but there was nothing in sight. Thats how their attorney Jason Lohr of Lohr Ripamonti & Segarich LLP in San Francisco described de la Cruz and Fongs early concerns that moving from California to Florida may have been ill-advised. Read: Seminole Countys first-ever Hurricane Action Day De la Cruz and Fong filed a class-action lawsuit against Disney (NYSE: DIS) in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 18, claiming Disney fraudulently induced them to move across the country. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a residential community in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] YINCHUAN, June 21 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping has underscored the ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin during an inspection tour in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, came to Ningxia on Wednesday after wrapping up his inspection in Qinghai Province. Situated in the Yellow River basin, Ningxia is surrounded by deserts on three sides and faces the daunting task of conserving and restoring ecosystems. Xi asked Ningxia to coordinate high-quality development with high-level environmental protection, further reform and opening up, advance new urbanization and rural revitalization, and promote ethnic unity and common prosperity. The autonomous region has a large ethnic minority population. On Wednesday afternoon, Xi visited a multi-ethnic residential community in the regional capital Yinchuan. Of over 18,000 residents in the community, 38 percent belong to ethnic minority groups such as Hui, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a residential community in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Xi first went to the community service center and an activity room where he watched residents practice paper-cutting and dancing, and talked with them. He called for thorough, detailed and concrete efforts to address urgent needs and concerns of the residents, and deliver high-quality services to the people. Xi then visited the home of resident Zhao Shoucheng, where he chatted with the Zhao family to learn more about things related to employment, income, medical insurance reimbursement, and children's education. "I am concerned about the well-being of every family of all ethnic groups," Xi said, extending best wishes to the Zhao family. At the community square, Xi spoke to the residents who gathered there to greet him. Xi said he was delighted to visit Ningxia again and meet with local people of various ethnic groups. "The Chinese nation is a big family," Xi said, calling for continued efforts to foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and pool strength from all sectors to advance Chinese modernization. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a residential community in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] On Thursday morning, Xi was briefed by the Ningxia regional committee of the CPC and the regional government on their work, and acknowledged their achievements. Noting that Ningxia boasts unique geographic conditions and resources, Xi said the region should follow a distinctive and differentiated development path. Ningxia should develop modern coal chemical and new materials industries, clean energy industries including wind, photovoltaic and hydrogen power, as well as its specialty industries of wine and goji berries, Xi said. He called for more efforts to integrate scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. Ningxia should continue to deepen the reform of state-owned capital and enterprises, facilitate the growth of the private sector, and improve the business environment, Xi said. Xi called on the region to actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation and the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and enhance trade and economic cooperation with Arab states. Ningxia should adopt the strictest possible management system for water resources, and strive to protect the ecosystem in the areas of the meandering bends of the Yellow River, Xi underlined. The Yellow River, China's second-longest river, is deemed the country's "mother river." It originates from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and runs through the Loess Plateau, flowing about 5,464 km through Ningxia and eight other provincial-level regions. Xi demanded concerted efforts to achieve common prosperity for people of all ethnic groups, and solid measures to ensure job opportunities for college graduates, migrant workers, and veterans. He emphasized advancing the integrated development of both urban and rural areas and advancing rural revitalization across the board. Xi also underlined governing ethnic affairs in accordance with the law, and building an ethnically integrated society. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wei Xuanyi Key Insights Diaceutics' estimated fair value is UK0.97 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Diaceutics' UK1.20 share price signals that it might be 24% overvalued Our fair value estimate is 44% lower than Diaceutics' analyst price target of UK1.73 Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Diaceutics PLC (LON:DXRX) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. Check out our latest analysis for Diaceutics Is Diaceutics Fairly Valued? We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) -UK3.47m UK1.38m UK5.46m UK5.30m UK5.22m UK5.20m UK5.21m UK5.25m UK5.30m UK5.36m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ -1.42% Est @ -0.46% Est @ 0.21% Est @ 0.67% Est @ 1.00% Est @ 1.23% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.8% -UK3.3 UK1.2 UK4.5 UK4.1 UK3.8 UK3.5 UK3.3 UK3.1 UK2.9 UK2.8 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK26m The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.8%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.8%. Story continues Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = UK5.4m (1 + 1.8%) (6.8% 1.8%) = UK108m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK108m ( 1 + 6.8%)10= UK56m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK82m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK1.2, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Diaceutics as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.922. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price exceeding the intrinsic value? For Diaceutics, there are three fundamental elements you should explore: Financial Health: Does DXRX have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for DXRX's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Wrexham Council Partners with North Wales Trust to Boost Swift Population This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jun 22nd, 2024 Wrexham Council have partnered with the North Wales Trust to help boost the swift population. Swifts are the fastest birds in level flight and spend almost all of the year entirely in the air, flying millions of miles in a lifetime as they repeat their summer migration from Africa to Europe each year to breed. For many, the sight of swifts crescent wings and their distinctive high-pitched calls heralds the start of summer. But swifts are thought to be one of Wales most declined birds, with a 72% decrease since 1995. This decline is thought to be due to a combination of reduced insect abundance, which means less food for swifts, as well as a significant loss of suitable nest sites. As big old trees have largely been lost from our landscape over thousands of years, swifts made the switch from nesting in tree-holes to nesting in holes in buildings. Older buildings often get renovated so established nests get removed and holes get blocked up. New-build house designs usually lack the holes, nooks and crannies within which swifts can make nests. Wrexham Council has now partnered with the North Wales Wildlife Trust to place 100 nest boxes in sustainable locations across the county. Some of the nest boxes will also incorporate speakers that play the sound of swifts calling because this is known to help attract swifts. Sarah Ellis, North Wales Wildlife Trusts Living Landscape Officer, said: Swifts are such wonderful birds but are in urgent need of help. We are so delighted to be able to deliver this project with Wrexham County Borough Council and with Swift Awareness Week starting on 29th June its great to be playing our part in swift conservation. Lead Member Terry Evans, Wrexham County Borough Council, said: Increasing nest sites for these birds is essential for their recovery and we are very pleased to be able to have this Welsh Government funding to be able to fund this project. It is one of a number of important projects we are delivering through our Local Places For Nature funding to assist nature recovery in the county. Swifts often nest near to other swifts so if you know of existing swift nest sites please contact the North Wales Wildlife Trust as it might help us locate the best sites in the county for new swift nest boxes. If you are interested in helping us to save swifts in Wrexham, the North Wales Wildlife Trust will be running two free events where you can learn all about swifts and how to help us record and monitor them. The events will be at Plas Pentwyn Resource Centre, Coedpoeth on the 10 July and at Kenyon Hall in Holt on the 16 July, both starting at 7:00 PM. Each event will be a talk on these birds followed by a walk for those wanting to see the birds for real, weather permitting. Places are limited so please book to attend through the North Wales Wildlife Trust website under Days Out. Amid ongoing unrest over French rule in the Pacific colony of New Caledonia, a police raid on Wednesday morning resulted in the arrest of eleven pro-independence Kanak activists. The operation included a search of the Noumea headquarters of Union Caledonienne (UC), the largest pro-independence party. Anti-riot policeman in Noumea, New Caledonia [AP Photo/Ludovic Marin] According to the public prosecutors office the group was detained for up to 96 hours while under investigation. They face several potential charges, including organised destruction of goods and property and incitement of crimes and murders or attempted murder of officers entrusted with public authority. Among those charged is Christian Tein, leader of the CCAT (Field Action Coordination Committee), regarded as the main organising group behind the past months riots. Tein was arrested as he prepared to hold a news conference at CCATs offices located in the building housing the UC headquarters. Reine Hue, a UC official, said the police entered the offices and took photos, especially of documents. The UC immediately called on all CCAT groups as well as our youth to stay calm and not respond to provocation on the ground or on social media. CCAT also released a statement urging all independence activists not to respond to this new provocation, to demonstrate our determination, and not to fall into the trap of this colonial manoeuvre from another era. Solidarity Kanaky, a pro-independence network in France, denounced the criminalisation of CCAT and the abusive arrests, which once again are designed to meet the expectations of the most radical [pro-French] loyalists. It demanded an urgent visit by a United Nations mission and an independent investigation to establish truth and justice for those murdered and injured in recent weeks. The arrests have the hallmark of a fresh political provocation by the French state. The raid took place two weeks out from the first round of elections for the French National Assembly on June 30. Called by President Emmanuel Macron, the snap election is being conducted amid a sharp rightward shift by the French ruling elites following large gains for far-right parties in the recent European Parliamentary elections. As the French political establishment prepares an intensified war on the working class at home and imperialist war abroad, it is seeking to tighten its grip over its strategically significant Pacific territory. The passage of a constitutional amendment through the National Assembly on May 13 to expand the territorys voter rolls and allow recent immigrants to vote in local elections provoked an eruption of social anger by thousands of Kanak youth. Pro-independence parties say the amendment will dilute the vote of indigenous Kanaks who make up over 40 percent of the population. The unrest has devastated the capital Noumea and the colony is under the heel of a repressive police-military operation. Nine people, seven of them Kanaks, have been killed, hundreds injured and over 1,200 arrested. Nearly 3,700 French security forces will stay as long as necessary to impose Republican order, according to Macron. Lifting a 12-day state of emergency on May 28, Macron demanded the pro-independence leaders use their influence to get protesters blockades around the main island dismantled. Tein was one who obliged. On social networks the day after accepting an invitation to meet with Macron during his Noumea visit on May 23, Teinpreviously dubbed public enemy number onehad called for the easing of security measures to allow him to speak to militants. Despite the massive security operation and pressure wielded by Macron, the rebellion has not been brought under control. The FLNKS (pro-independence Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste) admitted that it failed to persuade protesters to remove roadblocks because the young activists were not convinced Macron would drop the electoral reform. Macron confirmed last week he had suspended, but not withdrawn, the contentious amendment. The FLNKS is an alliance of four pro-independence parties and sub-groups, including UC. It represents the interests of a privileged layer that has benefited from so-called power sharing arrangements under the Noumea Accord (1998) and is now part of the local political establishment. In a letter to Macrons negotiating team on June 4 the FLNKS said Macrons refusal to abandon the reform represents a real difficulty and prevents our activists from hearing the call for calm and appeasement. Amid the tensions wracking the colony of 270,000 people, two National Assembly seats are being contested by the official pro-independence and anti-independence factions. The snap election is exacerbating longstanding differences within the independence movement and widening fractures between anti-independence parties. On the pro-France side, the Caledonie ensemble (CE) is competing against an electoral alliance of two right-wing parties: Les Loyalistes and Rassemblement-Les Republicans who have split the two constituenciesone combining Noumea with the Loyalty Islands and the second covering the rest of the main island of Grande Terrebetween them. A decision to defer the FLNKS Congress on June 15 meant that the main pro-independence coalition could not agree on joint candidates. UC has since nominated two: Omayra Naisseline for the first constituency and Emmanuel Tjibaou, son of the late Jean-Marie Tjibaou, founding president of the FLNKS, for the second. A range of smaller groups have nominated candidates across both constituencies. The postponement of the FLNKS Congress exposed the escalating tensions between its purportedly hard-line faction, essentially the UC, and more moderate parties led by the Kanak Liberation Party (PALIKA). The congress was convened in the village of Netchaot under the responsibility of PALIKA. Radio NZ reported that after the UC delegation arrived late there was a meeting of party leaders behind closed doors at which point it was announced that the congress, including an anticipated debate on sensitive points, would not proceed. A large group of CCAT militants had been kept waiting outside, aiming to take part with the support of UC. But the hosts and organisers made it clear that this was unacceptable and could be seen as an attempt by the movement to take over the FLNKS. Ahead of the congress, CCAT had organised its own two-day general assembly with 300-plus attendees. The moderate components of the FLNKS and organisers declared that if the postponed congress is to resume at another date then all the roadblocks still in place throughout New Caledonia should be lifted. A New Caledonia government spokesperson Charles Wea told RNZ this week that the FLNKS and wider movement want a robust process leading to independence. All the unrest, all the troubles, is the result of the ignorance of the French government, he said. We cannot have peace without the independence of the country. In fact all of the factions of the Kanak movement have been exposed by the social uprising that erupted from below and outside their control. The riots have much deeper roots than unresolved frustrations over independence. The crisis comes at a time of escalating economic turmoil and social discontent. Unemployment among youth is 26 percent, mainly affecting young Kanaks. Any bourgeois program of national independence, amid escalating imperialist antagonisms and capitalist austerity measures, is a dead-end. None of the fragile, impoverished Pacific Island countries is fully independent, nor can they be. All rely heavily on aid from the imperialist powers and their governments are subject to routine interference from Australia, New Zealand, the US and France. New Caledonias Kanak workers and youth can achieve democratic rights and decent living standards only by arming themselves with a program based on the complete political independence of the working class from all the parties and representatives of the ruling elites. This must be aimed at abolishing the capitalist profit system and reorganising society along socialist lines. Such a program requires a movement that is both socialist and international in scopenone of New Caledonias problems can be resolved within New Caledonia alone, but only through a unified struggle with workers throughout the Pacific and within metropolitan France itself. On Tuesday over 3,000 non-academic workers from all universities across Sri Lanka demonstrated outside the finance ministry in Colombo to demand a 15 percent pay hike and a 25 percent increase in their monthly compensation allowance (MCA). The workers, who have been on strike since May 2, protested in defiance of an appeal by University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Sampath Amaratunge that they return to work. Sri Lankan President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has categorically refused to grant a pay rise to university employees or any other state worker, mobilised over 1,000 armed police and navy soldiers to intimidate the demonstrators. Wearing gas masks and holding rifles and tear-gas equipment, police surrounded the protesters, with several water-cannon vehicles on standby. Workers who passed by those vehicles reported eye pain, indicating that the police had toxic chemicals ready to use in a water cannon attack. An additional battalion of anti-riot police was mobilised to the area as the demonstration grew. Refusing to be intimidated, the strikers continued their demonstration for about 90 minutes, holding placards that read: Fill the university vacancies; Resolve salary anomaly issues; Increase the MCA allowances immediately; Ensure the right to education of our children, and Remove the UGC chairman. Some of the 1,000 police and navy personnel and water-cannon vehicles mobilised by the Wickremesinghe government to intimidate striking non-academic workers in Colombo on June 18, 2024 While the government insists that there will be no salary increase, the University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) leadership is backing away from its original demands. Several UTUJC officials met with finance ministry officials during the demonstration. Dhammika S. Priyantha, co-chairmen of the UTUJC, later said: According to the information we received, the main obstacle [in solving our demands] is the UGC chairman. We will continue our struggle to oust him from his position. This was repeated by Chanaka Rodrigo, speaking on behalf of the university administration employees organisation, who said that State Minister of Education Suren Raghavan had told them that the UGC chairman was unwilling to grant their demands. Striking non-academic workers demonstrate in Colombo, June 18, 2024 To claim that UGC chairman Amaratunge is the main culprit and must resigna call echoed by the rest of the union leadership, including those from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and Sri Lanka Freedom Partyis a diversionary cover for Wickremesinghe. While Amaratunge, who was appointed by the Sri Lankan president, adamantly refuses to grant the limited demands of the trade unions, he is simply following the IMF-dictated austerity attacks of Wickremesinghe and his government. This further underlines the fact that striking university employees and the working class as a whole are in a political struggle against the government. The only way they can increase their wages, and defend jobs and working conditions is in a unified struggle by the working class against the government and for socialist policies. Two days before the demonstration, Priyantha told the Sunday Morning something about the trade union leaderships discussions with State Minister for Education Suren Raghavan. [G]iven the lack of funds [for the government] at present, we reached an agreement [with regard to the MCA] for 12 percent to be provided from this June and for the remaining 13 percent from next January, Priyantha said. In other words, the leadership has dropped strikers demands for an immediate 25 percent increase. He also admitted that the union collective leadership had endorsed Raghavans claims that a 15 percent salary increase would cost the government 5 billion rupees and that it could not grant this demand. We agreed to this as well and would do it next year after appointing a separate committee As trade unions we have demonstrated maximum flexibility towards the government, Priyantha said. Neither Priyantha nor any other union leader had previously revealed this climb-down to their members, or that they are now discussing a 12 percent MCA increase, which has also been rejected. While the trade union leadership on Tuesday called demonstrators to continue the strike, they are actively watering down workers demands behind the scenes. As Socialist Equality Party (SEP) Political Committee member W.A. Sunil told an SEP meeting on June 14: There are no solutions to workers demands in the crisis-ridden capitalist system. The financial meltdown in Sri Lanka is part of a world economic crisis and it is this crisis that is driving workers into struggle in other countries, including the major capitalist countries, to defend their wages, jobs and living conditions. Workers must also reject the propaganda promoted by the trade unions and the opposition capitalist parties that their problems will be resolved after the scheduled elections. Any capitalist government that comes to power in these elections will not solve the problems of the masses but will implement IMF austerity and brutally suppress workers struggles. All the capitalist parties in Sri Lanka are committed to the IMF measures. What is needed is not a capitalist regime but a workers and farmers government. Sunil urged striking non-academic workers to take their struggle into their own hands by forming workers action committees in every workplace and explained the need to fight for socialist policies. A section of the 3,000-strong demonstration of striking non-academic workers in Colombo, June 18, 2024 On Tuesday several demonstrating strikers voiced their opposition to the government and criticised the trade union bureaucracy. Anuruddha from Peradeniya University said police were already prepared to crackdown on Tuesdays protest even before demonstrators began to arrive at the finance ministry. It was clear, he said, that the governments policies were against the workers. Its refusal to grant even minimum demands had forced workers to take to the streets. Any suggestion that workers could pressure the government was wrong, he said. How can we believe that the government can resolve these issues in the next budget? he asked, and added, We cant go back to work without winning our demands. If we report to work after being defeated, our leave will be cut, and we will not have any pay. We are being patient and have not received any wages for the past two months. Anuruddha warned that if the strike was defeated workers would still confront high workloads because there were not enough non-academic staff at the universities. Instead of filling vacant positions, he said, university authorities are recruiting new workers on a contract basis. We kept working when university teachers were on strike, but they also have wage problems and other issues. Citing our strike, management has stopped new student admissions. We should organise a common fight involving all of us. A worker from the Visual and Performing Arts University said: I learnt that yesterdays discussion was fruitless. Most of the non-academic workers live on loans and several others I know have begun to do odd jobs to survive. I agree with your suggestion that all the workers should be united. Telecom, Electricity, Health and Water Board workers should launch a united struggle to defend their living conditions, but the trade unions do not have this sort of program. Ive received news that the union leaders are quarreling with each other over how to end the strike, so I have no idea where the unions are going. In the coming days theyll probably ask us to report back to work, he said. A striking worker from Sri Jayawardenepura University said that workers came from universities all across the island, including from Jaffna in the North, to protest on Tuesday. When we arrived early at the UGC protest there were more police than workers. About 45 police vehicles were there, he said. He explained that university authorities had prepared in advance to suppress their struggle and then referred to the governments suspension of 62 Ceylon Electricity Board workers, who had campaigned against the privatisation of the institution. Non-academic workers, however, cannot carry on this strike if they remain isolated. The situation is becoming difficult and strikers are already discussing on social media platforms how to pay their bank loans. Im interested in finding a new program, he said. We recently compiled a list of the 8 Best Rare Earth Stocks and ETFs. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) stands against the other rare earth stocks and ETFs. Rare earth elements (REEs), which refers to 17 metals that are similar chemically, are surprisingly abundant in Earth's crust. However, their dispersion and geochemical properties make them difficult and expensive to extract, leading to them being called "rare." REEs are important for a vast range of technologies, earning them the nickname "vitamins of modern industry." Apart from being irreplaceable for clean energy and consumer electronics production, REEs are also strategic for defense and aerospace engineering, the production of aircraft, missiles, satellites, and communication systems. Hence, it is no wonder that the global rare earth metals market is valued at an estimated $5.65 billion in 2024. Analysts project this market to experience steady growth, reaching $8.63 billion by 2031. This is equivalent to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% over this period, indicating a promising future for the industry. China has been dominating the rare earth metals market for decades producing a staggering 240,000 metric tons last year, over five times more than its closest competitor, the United States, according to US Geological Survey data. China further maintains its control by processing around 90% of the world's rare earths into permanent magnets used in various technologies. In 2022, China accounted for 70% of global production of REEs. This dominance stems from a combination of factors, including historical geological exploration efforts, favorable mining conditions, and government support for the industry. Brazil, along with other Western countries, is currently working towards breaking Chinas dominance of this industry. Brazil has advantages like low labor costs, clean energy, and established regulations. However, challenges include low rare earth prices which have gone down 70%, technical difficulties, and getting funding. Despite these challenges, Brazil is making progress with its first mine in operation and increased government support for the industry. To jumpstart its rare earth industry, the Brazilian government allocated 1 billion reais ($194.53 million) in February to fund strategic mineral projects. Other countries are also working towards diversifying the supply chain. In recent years, the United States has sought to mitigate risks related to the REEs supply chain. This includes restarting domestic mining operations, like the Mountain Pass site in California, and building processing facilities to avoid reliance on China. This objective of supply chain diversification has also led the US to secure deals with Vietnam on minerals and semiconductors. Story continues Similar to the United States, the European Union (EU) is also actively promoting domestic extraction projects in countries such as Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Serbia. This is part of the EU's efforts to enhance its self-sufficiency in critical minerals, including rare earth elements. Our Methodology To shortlist the best rare earth stocks, we relied on Insider Monkey's database of 919 hedge funds as of Q1 2024 to analyze the hedge fund sentiment for each stock. We picked the rare earth stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors. Furthermore, we included two of the best rare earth ETFs, chosen for their impressive 3-year returns. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). A team of scientists in a laboratory observing the sophisticated engineering of specialty chemicals. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39 Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is a prominent player in the global specialty chemicals industry, focusing on three key areas: energy storage, specialties, and specialists. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) recently shared progress on the Kings Mountain Mine project, a significant lithium deposit in the US. The company's plan includes the mine design, key features, and lithium extraction methods. If approved for investment, the mine is projected to produce approximately 420,000 tons of lithium concentrate annually. This lithium will be essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and national defense applications. During the company's Q1 2024 earnings call, it was reported that adjusted EBITDA remained strong at $291 million. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) also highlighted its focus on cost control, delivering over $90 million in productivity savings in Q1 and remaining on track for its $280 million target for 2024. Analysts are optimistic about the Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) stock, with an average 12-month price target of $147.81. This represents an over 49% upside potential from the current price of $99. The price targets range from a high of $188 to a low of $122. Based on ratings from 16 analysts, the stock is considered a Moderate Buy, reflecting positive analyst sentiment. Heres what The London Company said about Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) in its Q4 2023 investor letter: Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) ALB underperformed as weak lithium prices drove downward revisions to earnings expectations, and sentiment became more negative regarding demand for electric vehicles. Commodity prices are inherently uncertain, but we continue to view ALB-as a winner in this growing industry and favorably positioned on the cost curve. Our long- term view of ALB is not affected by short-term supply- demand dynamics for the commodity. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) ranks third on our list of the best rare earth stocks and ETFs. Overall ALB ranks 3rd on our list of the best rare earth stocks and ETFs to buy. You can visit 8 Best Rare Earth Stocks and ETFs to see the other rare earth stocks and ETFs that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of ALB as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ALB but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion "Opportunity" for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Campaign finance reports for May filed June 20 with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) document the domination of the US presidential election, both candidates, their parties and the entire political system by rival factions of billionaire oligarchs. Heading into next weeks initial debate between Democratic incumbent Joe Biden and his presumptive Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, the reports confirm that the so-called choice on offer is between two reactionary camps viciously hostile to the working class. President Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former New York City mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Friday, May 3, 2024 in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] The New York Times on Friday published an article that all but boasts of the decisive role of a tiny clique of billionaires in the outcome of the presidential race. It bears the headline How Billionaire Donors Are Reshaping the Trump-Biden Race and the subhead: Billionaires versus billionaires. The Times writes: Donald Trump has rapidly erased his cash disadvantage against President Biden, out-raising his Democratic rival for a second straight month. Powering that fund-raising haul was a coterie of well-heeled supporters who donated millions shortly after the former president was convicted of 34 felony counts in New York. But wealthy donors are still giving to Biden, and his campaign has used its big early financial lead to build a political machine in key battleground states. That means that success in November may come down in part to which side can keep tapping its billionaire backers for cash. According to the May 30 filings, Trump and the Republican National Committee (RNC) raised $141 million last month compared to $85 million raised by Biden and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). This followed a Trump team advantage of $25 million for the month of April. However, Biden had some $192 million in cash on hand at the end of March, nearly double the cash the Trump campaign and the RNC reported in their accounts. While Trump has largely overcome the disparity, Biden and the Democratic National Committee still have $212 million in their combined war chest, compared to around $170 million for Trump and the Republican National Committee, according to the Times. More significant than the sheer scale of the money wasted on the two right-wing campaigns is the role of individual billionaire donors. Of the $69 million raised in May by Trumps main super PAC, MAGA Inc., $50 million came from one individual, Timothy Mellon, an heir to the Mellon banking fortune whose estimated net worth is around $4 billion. Mellon had already donated $25 million to Trumps campaign, as well as $25 million to the campaign of independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He plowed the $50 million into the Trump PAC immediately after Trump was found guilty by a New York jury of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with 2016 election eve hush money payments to the porn star Stormy Daniels. Mellon is now personally responsible for nearly half of the total taken in by MAGA Inc. Mellon self-published an autobiography that was taken offline after passages became public in which he complained that black people were even more belligerent after social programs were expanded in the 1960s and 1970s and denounced the social safety net as slavery redux. In 2021, he donated $53 million worth of stock to help finance the private construction of a border wall in Texas advocated by Republican Governor Greg Abbott. MAGA Inc. also received $10 million in May from Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein, heirs to the Schlitz brewing fortune with an estimated net worth of $4 billion. According to Wikipedia, the Uihleins are anti-union, anti-tax and pro-deregulation. Richard Uihlein has a history of supporting far-right candidates and opponents of gay and transgender rights, as well as abortion. He and his wife are financial backers of Charlie Kirks neo-fascist Turning Point USA. Another $5 million came from Kelcy Warren, the chairman and chief executive of Energy Transfer Partners, the builder of the Dakota Access Pipeline, who has an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion. These three oligarchs account for $65 million of the $69 million taken in by Trumps MAGA Inc. super PAC in May. On the other side, $19 million of the $39 million reported as raised in May by Bidens main super PAC, FF PAC, came from former New York mayor and media mogul Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg is ranked by Forbes as the 13th richest person in the world, with an estimated fortune of $106.2 billion. Bloomberg also gave the maximum amount of $929,600 to the Biden Victory Fund, a joint fund of the Biden campaign and other Democratic committees. Bloomberg served three terms as mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013. He was elected as a Republican, became an independent and then a Democrat during his tenure. He oversaw a record rise on the stock market while introducing charter schools into the public school system, brutally enforcing the stop and frisk police program, and carrying out a CIA surveillance operation against Muslim communities. Since 2022, he has chaired the Defense Innovation Board, an independent advisory panel attached to the Pentagon. Earlier this month Biden held a $30 million fundraiser in Los Angeles featuring former President Barack Obama and a parade of Hollywood stars, which, like a similar event in March in New York City, mobilized a massive police presence to silence and block pro-Palestinian demonstrators opposing Bidens full support for Israeli genocide in Gaza. This was followed by an $8 million backyard fundraiser last Tuesday at the home of former Democratic Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, with Bill Clinton in attendance. By a 6-3 vote Friday, the reactionary Supreme Court majority upheld the Biden administrations challenge to a lower court ruling that would require the State Department to give an explanation when denying a visa to the bona fide spouse of a US citizen. An anti-scaling fence surrounds the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday, May 5, 2022 in Washington. [AP Photo/(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)] The decision in Department of State v. Munoz dramatically undermines the right of US citizens to marry non-citizen spouses. In a statement issued following the decision, attorney Eric Lee, who represented plaintiff Sandra Munoz before the Supreme Court in April, wrote that the Supreme Court has thrown another shovel of dirt on the coffin of American democracy. The opinions rationalethat fundamental rights do not exist unless enumerated textually in the constitutionposes an imminent threat to the right to marriage, to privacy, to vote, to contraception, and much more, Lee continued. The opinion ominously relies on the explicitly racist policy of Chinese Exclusion and on the National Origins Quota Acts to justify its absurd conclusion that a citizens right to marriage does not include the right to live with their spouse. Lee called the decision, a milestone attack on the right to marriage, the rights of immigrants, and the Due Process Clause. The Due Process Clause, part of amendments to the US Constitution ratified in the wake of the Civil War, is the foundation for the legal framework under which many basic freedoms are recognized under US law, including the rights to bodily integrity, sexuality, and privacy. Luis Asencio-Cordero entered the United States from El Salvador in 2005 without papers. In 2010, following a two-year relationship, he and Sandra Munoz, a prominent Los Angeles workers rights attorney, married and had a child together. Three years later, they began the process of resolving Asencio-Corderos immigration status through State Department channels that promised a pathway to documented, permanent residency. The State Department agreed that their marriage was bona fide, and Asencio-Cordero otherwise met the basic requirements for a provisional waiver of his unlawful status, a prerequisite for acquiring a green card, or legal status as a non-citizen. As instructed by the State Department, the couple traveled to El Salvador in the spring of 2015 for what they thought would be a routine interview in the US consulate. Instead, Asencio-Cordero was summarily denied a visa for re-admission to the United States in an order that simply cited a statute that references the possibility that in the future Asencio-Cordero might engage in unlawful activities. The couple was shocked. Acensio-Cordero has no criminal record in El Salvador nor during his decade in the United States. The couple and their child have been compelled to live separately ever since the visa denial. While foreign nationals have no constitutional right to enter the United States from abroad, once in the United States they are entitled to due process before deportation to their country of origin. Instructing Acensio-Cordero to submit to a consular interview in El Salvadorwhich he and his wife assumed was a pro forma step in the ongoing process that would lead to his permanent residency in the United Statesstripped him of the legal right to challenge his exclusion. To challenge the consular decision, Munoz filed suit on the ground that the forced separation of her family deprived her of the constitutional right to live with her husband and to raise their daughter together. After almost two years of litigation, the State Department for the first time stated that the visa was denied because of Asencio-Corderos alleged participation in the MS-13 criminal gang based on tattoos depicting the Virgin of Guadalupe, psychiatrist Sigmund Freud, smiling and frowning theatrical masks, dice and cards, and a tribal pattern. Munozs expert witness explained the obvious, that none was related to MS-13 or to any other street gang or criminal enterprise. After losing in the trial court, Munoz appealed to the Ninth Circuit, which agreed that that the initial denial of a visa for her husband without any explanation violated her constitutional right to live with her spouse without due process and ordered the case remanded. Rather than accept that ruling, however, Biden administration lawyers petitioned the Supreme Court for review. From the outset, the Biden administration lawyers directed their arguments at the Supreme Courts dominant far-right bloc, asserting that the anti-democratic doctrine of consular nonreviewability of visa denials was necessary for national security, and that Munoz and her child should move to El Salvador if the family wanted to stay together. As Munozs attorney, Eric Lee, explained during the Supreme Courts oral arguments last April, El Salvador is under martial law. The State Department warns American citizens not to travel there. And Ms. Munoz was born and raised in this country. She has a successful law practice here. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the right-wing majority, affirming the Biden administrations position on the most anti-democratic ground presented, that a citizen does not have a fundamental liberty interest in her noncitizen spouse being admitted to the country because no such right is enumerated in the Constitution, nor is it deeply rooted in this Nations history and tradition. Barrett describes how the United States had relatively open borders until the late 19th century, but Congress, starting with the Page Act of 1875 prohibiting the immigration of Chinese women, began imposing restrictions that provided no exceptions for spouses. The citation of this notoriously racist anti-immigrant law in Barretts opinion exposes the thoroughly reactionary and menacing content of the Supreme Courts decision. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, joined by the other two moderates, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Sotomayor began with a citation to Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 ruling that constitutionally protects same-sex marriages, quoting: The right to marry is fundamental as a matter of history and tradition. Sotomayor derided the majoritys decision, which makes no mention of Obergefell, or for that matter Loving v. Virginia, the case that overturned prohibitions against interracial marriages. Munozs right to marry, live with, and raise children alongside her husband, Sotomayor wrote, entitles her to nothing when the Government excludes him from the country. The constitutional right to marriage is not so flimsy, Sotomayor wrote, that the State Department should be allowed to banish a U. S. citizens spouse and give only a bare statutory citation as an excuse. Ironically, the Biden administrations victory in Munoz comes three days after it cynically announced a Keep Families Together initiative supposedly aimed at keeping couples together when they are married, where one spouse is a citizen and the other is undocumented. In his statement yesterday, Lee pointed out that Biden had said at the White House on June 18 that requiring people to leave the US for a consular interview is the type of problem that makes our immigration system unfair, unjust. Biden went on to state that eliminating the requirement of the consular interviews is a better way because it doesnt tear families apart. Lee responded by asking, Why did the administration appeal this case to the Supreme Court and argue the exact opposite positions? Lee denounced the Biden administrations threadbare attempts to posture as an ally and defender of the rights of immigrants in the 2024 US elections. Make no mistake, Lee continued, responsibility for the anti-democratic ripple effects that will follow falls not only on the Court, but also on the Biden administration, which petitioned for review after Sandra Munoz and her husband prevailed at the Ninth Circuit and pressed forward with this case, all while claiming that it values family unity in the immigration context. Socialist Equality Party candidate for US president Joseph Kishore denounced the decision in a statement released on social media: The gang of corrupt fascists that control the court have denied the right of Sandra Munoz and her husband, Luis Asencio-Cordero, to be reunited. I was proud to be the only presidential candidate to sign the petition demanding #BringLuisHome2024. In its decision, authored by Trump-appointee and arch-Catholic defender of the sanctity of the family Amy Coney Barrett, the Court argued that fundamental rights, including the right to marriage, do not exist unless they are specifically enumerated in the Constitution. This sets the stage for a massive assault on the core democratic rights of the entire working class. It was the Biden administration, however, that appealed a lower court ruling favorable to Munoz. It took the case to the Supreme Court knowing that it could rely on the right-wing justices to back its position that the government did not have to provide any evidence whatsoever in refusing Luis reentry into the US. The Democrats always argue that it is necessary to vote for them in every election because of the importance of Supreme Court appointments. But the Munoz case demonstrates that the Democrats rely on the fascist judges to back their joint attack on democratic rights. The Democrats and Republicans represent two reactionary factions of the capitalist oligarchy, bent on the escalation of war, the intensification of exploitation, and the destruction of democratic rights. I call on all workers to support the demand to #BringLuisHome and to defend the rights of all immigrants, as part of the fight for the international unity of the working class. The decision is one of seven issued Thursday and Friday as the Supreme Court clears its docket in advance of the summer recess, which traditionally begins before the Fourth of July holiday. Sixteen cases remain to be decided, presumably within the next week, including the following: Donald Trumps claim for blanket immunity from prosecution for crimes committed while president; Whether January 6 insurrectionists can be charged with obstructing an official proceeding, namely the counting of the electoral votes by Congress; Whether cities can jail their unhoused for the crime of sleeping in public; Whether state laws can prohibit hospital emergency rooms from performing abortions during medical emergencies; Three cases that threaten to undermine the power of federal agencies to regulate businesses; and Three cases involving the regulation of free speech on the internet. Elections for Thailands Senate, the upper house of the National Assembly, are currently taking place. While they are the first since the 2014 military coup, the selection process is entirely antidemocratic, with the vast majority of the electorate having no say in who is chosen. This once more exposes the fraudulent claims of a return to democracy in Thailand after 2014 military coup. Former leader of Move Forward party Pita Limjaroenrat at news conference at the party's office in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, June 9, 2024 [AP Photo/Jintamas Saksornchai] After the previous Senates term expired on May 10, the election began on June 9 and is slated to take place over two and a half weeks. It is divided into three rounds: district, provincial, and national. In a highly complicated process, 45,753 candidates initially vied among themselves for the 200 seats in the new Senate or 50 less than previously. Provincial voting, the second round, took place on June 16. The final, national round will occur on June 26 with results scheduled to be announced on July 2. Candidates have been barred from engaging in public political discussion and were only required to submit a two-page resume outlining their background and professional qualifications. The new Senate will have the power to endorse bills and candidates to the Election Commission of Thailand, the Constitutional Court, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission previously chosen by the military. It will also vote on constitutional amendment proposals. However, unlike the previous Senate, it will not vote to select a prime minister. The election began at the district level, where candidates were divided between 20 so-called professional groups. Candidates, the only group eligible to participate, then cast two votes within their own groups. The top five candidates from this process were then placed in supposedly randomized groups and then voted for by candidates in other groups until the top three candidates from each professional group were chosen to proceed to the provincial level. At the next stage, the process was then repeated until the top two candidates were selected to advance to the national round. The remaining candidates will have ten votes at the national level in order to select the top ten candidates from each professional group, producing 200 senators. The ostensible aim of this absurd operation is to establish a nonpartisan body through a process in which political parties and other interest groups would not be able to influence. In reality, after the 2014 coup, the Thai military wrote these procedures into the 2017 constitution as a means of maintaining control after it had ostensibly handed power back to a civilian government. In order to simply stand for election, candidates had to first pass an anti-democratic screening process set by the Election Commissionitself a military-appointed body. Candidates were not allowed to be public servants or members of any political party. Neither could they be a child or spouse of a current member of the National Assembly. However, candidates who had served in parliament over five years ago were eligible to run. Additionally, candidates were required to have over 10 years of experience within one of 20 accepted occupational fields, including law and justice, government administration, and security. They had to be over 40 years old and were required to pay an application fee of 2,500 baht ($US68.20)approximately a weeks minimum wagepreventing youth and workers from applying. In some districts, it was reported that only one professional group was participating, a reflection of the low candidate registration. This is bound up with these undemocratic barriers placed on potential candidates. Regardless of who is elected, the Senate will be stuffed with a bureaucratic layer of careerists who are hostile to the Thai working class and poor. Despite the claims of nonpartisanship, four distinct factions have emerged in the election. The first and largest has been dubbed the Big House. These candidates have close connections to the political establishment and include people like former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who has moved on to the national round. The second faction is composed of candidates close to the military and government bureaucracy. The third faction is made up of business leaders. The last faction comprise so-called peoples senators, those with some connection to civics groups typically associated with so-called progressive politics and currently grouped around the Move Forward Party (MFP). The MFP seeks to prevent any break from the political establishment while posturing as a democratic alternative to the traditional right-wing elites, including the military. The election takes place as the Thai political establishment is wracked by a growing crisis. The military and its allies in the conservative bureaucracy and monarchy have allowed the election to go ahead under the assumption they will maintain influence over the Senate. However, in the past year, the MFP emerged as the largest party in the National Assembly, though the previous Senate blocked it from forming a government after the May 2023 election. Pheu Thai, which the military removed from power through coups in 2006 and 2014, is now the ruling party in an unstable coalition with the military-aligned parties. As part of the deal to allow Pheu Thai to form a government with military support, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who retains a great deal of influence, was allowed to return to Thailand after 15-years in self-imposed exile. Thaksin was ousted in 2006 though he remains the de facto head of Pheu Thai. He managed to avoid a jail term as part of the deal. However, sections of the military and the traditional elite are dissatisfied with this unstable political alliance amid declining economic conditions. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Pheu Thai faces being removed from power over charges of violating ethics clauses in the constitution. The MFP also faces dissolution for previously advocating for reforming Thailands draconian lese-majeste law. Thaksin faces new criminal charges, accused of lese-majeste for comments made nearly 10 years ago. The legal offensive from the military to destabilize its opponents in Pheu Thai and the MFP amounts to a judicial coup now unfolding. Yet throughout this process, Pheu Thai and the MFP have steadfastly encouraged people to keep faith in the parliamentary system and to place their confidence in the new Senate in order to supposedly democratise parliament. These parties represent sections of big business and the upper middle class, whose differences with the monarchy and the military are centred on the distribution of power within the countrys elite. All factions of the political establishment are fearful of the growing anger in the working class and poor. As the economic situation worsens, the military may very well decide to carry out another direct coup and dispense with the whole democratic facade, particularly if the results of the Senate election do not proceed as it desires. UAW President Shawn Fain and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on Sanders' podcast. [Photo: Bernie Sanders] On June 12, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders posted on his social media accounts an over half-hour long edition of the Berniecast, featuring an interview between himself and president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Shawn Fain. What is perhaps most significant about the interview is what was not said. It was published less than three days after a federal court-appointed monitor in charge of overseeing the scandal-ridden UAW revealed it was investigating Fain, UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock and an unnamed regional director over corruption and obstruction allegations. In addition to arriving in the wake of the monitors bombshell report, the interview was posted the same week UAW Local 4811 called off a strike by thousands of University of California academic workers, following a court injunction. None of this was mentioned in the interview. Nor was the Biden White House role in the genocide in Gaza and the crackdown on protests. This is because it would cut across the main purpose of the interview, which was to counter the growing hatred felt by workers and youth to the Democratic Party and the union bureaucracy. They attempted to paper over this reality through continuous lying. Sanders began the interview by praising Fain for the extraordinary role not only in fighting for his own members...but also I think showing the American people in general what trade unionism is about and how unions could fight to improve life for all Americans. Promoting mass layoffs Sanders asked Fain to talk a little bit about what youve accomplished. As an example of an amazing victory Fain and the UAW allegedly achieved for workers, Sanders offered the contracts at the the big three auto companies. These contracts were imposed after limited so-called standup strikes designed to wear down workers. They also received the endorsement of President Biden, who appeared alongside Fain at a back to work rally, where the UAW shielded him from thousands of anti-genocide protesters. These victories are in fact sellouts that have led to thousands of job losses. Fain, UAW Vice President for Stellantis Rich Boyer and others concealed the fact that companies would eliminate thousands of jobs when they falsely told workers they were historic victories. Fain was unable to speak concretely about anything the UAW supposedly accomplished. Instead, he rambled incoherently: Our strike when I became presidentlook, I really felt like you had radical change in this union and what we did, and so we really brought in some new people combine that with some people that were existing, and revamped how we were going to go about doing things. Sanders claimed to be surprised that when the negotiations began, there were new workers at these Big Three making ... 17, 18 bucks an hour? Fain replied that in 2007 a new worker would start at $19.50 per hour...fast forward to 2019...12 years later the starting rate was $18.04...it actually went backwards. Sanders shock was entirely for show. He knows perfectly well that the Democratic Party is responsible for these poverty wages, especially through the Obama-era bailout of the auto industry which cut starting wages in half. As for Fain, as a top official for many years, he was also responsible for negotiating these cuts. In fact, later on in the interview, Fain specifically singled out the Obama-era bailouts for praise. No explanation for collapsing support for Democrats But the most significant point in the interview came when they turned to the presidential election. Sanders asked Fain why workers no longer looked upon the Democratic Party as the party that will help them more than the Republicans. He nervously acknowledged that people are less than enthusiastic about the Biden campaign. Any genuine socialist or workers leader would welcome the growing hatred towards the Democrats, and use it as the opportunity for an independent, anti-capitalist program within the working class. But this is what terrifies Sanders and Fain, who function as PR men for this Wall Street, pro-war party. They are desperately attempting to uphold the authority of a party which has functioned for generations as the principal means through which American capitalism has attempted to smother social movements, from the mass industrial struggles of the early 20th century to the Civil Rights and anti-war movements. But the Democratic Party has moved so far to the right that it has undermined its ability to continue to play this role. The Democrats long ago abandoned even the pretense of a social program for the working class. Today, it is the preeminent party of the military and the state apparatus, which opposes the Republicans mainly from their perceived weakness against Russia. Fain and Sanders understand this very well, and precisely because of it, they could not give an honest answer to their own question. Fain blamed workers for buying into Republican politician rhetoric, declaring there was a lot of maybe populist rhetoric that comes from Republican Party and that their candidates are good at telling people what they know they want to hear. In fact, one of the paradoxes of American politics is that, while Trump continues to gain in the polls, the American population is moving to the left, not the right. But this can find no expression in a political system where the working class is systematically disfranchised and voters are forced to choose between two right-wing parties. Sanders himself, in wrapping up his own primary campaigns in 2016 and 2020 and backing first Hillary Clinton and then Biden, has been critical in enforcing this. Fain attempts to palm responsibility for Trump on the supposed gullibility of workers, but Trumps main source of strength is the spinelessness of the Democrats. They have refused to seriously prosecute Trump for the January 6 coup attempt, because to do so would cut across their preparations for world war, which requires the support of the extreme right. Promoting nationalism and war Sanders and Fain could not even mention war at all. The words Ukraine, Gaza, Palestine, or genocide never passed their lips. To do so would have been to expose not only Biden, but themselves. Sanders, an ardent Zionist, has voted repeatedly throughout his career for military funding both for the US and Israel. Fain, while occasionally citing a dishonest ceasefire resolution designed to get in front of rank-and-file opposition, also backs Genocide Joe and threw out pro-Palestinian protesters from the hall when the UAW endorsed Biden in January. The UAW also deliberately tried to limit the University of California strike and concealed all knowledge of it from autoworkers in Detroit, who learned about it from the World Socialist Web Site. Sanders and Fains support for war is inextricably linked with their support for American capitalism, which is going to war to maintain its world supremacy. For many years, Sanders has promoted nationalist policies with much in common with the outlook of the extreme right. Since his first years in Congress, Sanders has joined hands with right-wing Republicans in attacking trade with China. He has also repeatedly opposed open immigration policies, dividing native workers against foreign born. As for Fain, he is a critical part of the Biden administrations policy of corporatism, or the joining together of the state with the major corporations and the union bureaucracy in the name of defending the national interest. Fain has taken up Bidens call for a new Arsenal of Democracy, a reference to the US war economy during WWII, and is a newly-minted member of the White House Export Council, alongside top CEOs, where he helps direct trade war policy against China. Crisis in the Democrats and union bureaucracy Towards the end of the segment on the elections, Sanders asked, Im supporting the president, Shawn is supporting the presidentShawn, you go around the country, what is your argument as to why people should be voting for Joe Biden and not Donald Trump? Fain responded by praising Biden for his role in last years strike. [D]uring our strike, Fain said, for the first time in in our history, in our nations history, a sitting U.S. President, Joe Biden, joined us on the picket line. Sanders concurred. All right, thats no small thing, so whatever you want to say about Bidenand I have criticism, I know Shawn doesfor the first time in American history, a president of the United States walked on a picket line in the middle of a very, very, contentious strike. He showed the world which side he was on, and that had an impact. His involvement did not show his supposed support for workers, but the complete integration of the union apparatus with the White House. The standup strike and the contract talks were state operations from start to finish, designed to prepare the way for mass layoffs. Indeed, Fain himself owes his position as union president to a state intervention into the crisis of the UAW. He was elected in a vote overseen by a federal monitor with only 9 percent turnout, with more ballots marked undeliverable than cast. This was done to prevent workers from voting for socialist autoworker Will Lehman, who ran for president on a platform of abolishing, not reforming the apparatus. Sanders interview with Fain was an indication of just how totally reliant the Biden administration is on the union bureaucracy, not only for suppressing the class struggle and preparing for war but even for any semblance of popular support. But if the Democrats believe that Bidens association with the UAW bureaucracy is a source of political strength, they are badly mistaken. The union bureaucracy is widely hated. By openly associating the White House with these betrayals, Biden is inviting the conclusion among workers that they are fighting not just against sellout artists in the UAW, but the entire political system. At the same time, the bureaucracys support for Biden only exposes its support for war and genocide. A handful of deceitful phrases on the part of Sanders and Fain is not enough to paper over this reality. But the opposition from below must find an organized and conscious expression. The critical issue workers confront is building a socialist, anti-capitalist and anti-war movement completely independent of the two official parties, their supporters and their agents in the union bureaucracy. Israel intensified its mass displacement, ethnic cleansing and mass murder in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, on Friday, killing 25 people in a strike on a refugee camp north of the city. A Palestinian family inspects heavy damage to an UNRWA school sheltering displaced persons the day after a nearby house was targeted by Israeli bombardment in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday, June 21, 2024. [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi] The attack by Israeli tanks took place immediately outside a Red Cross humanitarian facility in what the Israeli military had designated as a safe zone. The Red Cross said in a statement that Israeli shells fell within a matter of feet from its offices, damaging them. The building had been surrounded by hundreds of displaced people living in tents. One survivor of the attack told Al Jazeera, We had just eaten and were about to sleep and take some rest, and the next we knew was the sound of resounding explosions destroying our places! We find ourselves alone not knowing what to do. We still cant process what happened! The witness continued, Oh Lord, look at us, oh world, see our condition. ... The fire is consuming us from every direction. Another survivor told Al Jazeera, Today, before the afternoon, a bomb was thrown near the Red Cross. My husband went out after hearing the sound of the explosion. The second bomb was near the Red Cross building. All the young men went there because some people were injured. Fridays massacre is only the latest in the US-backed Israeli assault on Rafah which has displaced over a million people from the citymost of whom had been displaced from other parts of Gaza. Last night was one of the worst nights in western Rafah: drones, planes, tanks and naval boats bombarded the area. We feel the occupation is trying to complete the control of the city, Hatem, a resident of Rafah, told Reuters. While the Biden administration had previously said that an Israeli assault on Rafah would be a red line, the White House has fully endorsed both the ground attack on Rafah and ongoing airstrikes on civilians. Two weeks ago, Israeli forces killed at least 274 Palestinians in a massacre at the Nuseirat refugee camp and injured more than 500 people. The White House called the Nuseirat strikes limited and targeted. Fridays massacre in Rafah was accompanied by mass killing throughout the whole of the Gaza Strip. Gazas health minister said that at least 35 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing the official death toll since October to 37,431. The assault on Rafah and Israels destruction of the Rafah crossing has brought the distribution of food in Gaza to the brink of collapse. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Friday that it could be forced to suspend its operations in Rafah due to the near-total unavailability of medical supplies. It blamed Israels attack on Rafah for the disaster, declaring, The closure of the Rafah crossing following Israels offensive in the south of Gaza in early May, coupled with the endless red tape imposed by Israeli authorities, has led to a dramatically slow flow of humanitarian aid through the crossing that is open, Kerem Shalom entry point. Fridays massacre came just two days after the United Nations commission of inquiry into the war in Gaza gave its official ruling, accusing the Israeli government of extermination, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The only conclusion you can draw is that the Israeli army is one of the most criminal armies in the world, said commission member Chris Sidoti. Navi Pillay, the chairperson of the inquiry, implicitly condemned the United States for serving as the enabler of the Gaza genocide. Had it not been for the help of powerful countries, Israel would not have been able to carry out this perpetual occupation as aggressively as it has, Pillay said. Even as Gazas health system collapses, the severely injured are left in Gaza to die. In a statement Friday, World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that not a single ill or wounded Palestinian has been allowed to leave Gaza since May 7. Since the closure of the Rafah crossing on May 7, no patients have been evacuated from the Strip, Tedros said. That means over 2,000 people have not received critical life-saving specialized healthcare. He added, Medical evacuations must be facilitated through all possible crossings, including Rafah for transfers to Egypt, Karem Shalom for transfers to the West Bank and East Jerusalem referral hospitals, and when needed to other countries for specialized care. In addition to mass killing, the Israeli government is carrying out widespread torture of detainees. In a video that went viral Friday, Gaza resident Badr Dahlan described his torture by Israeli forces. They [Israeli army] beat my hands and legs, Dahlan testified, saying he was subjected to violations and acts of torture. At least 36 prisoners in the Gaza Strip detained by Israeli forces have died due to torture and poor conditions, Gazas government media office said Thursday. The media office said, 54 detainees from various Palestinian regions have died in Israeli prisons due to torture and inhumane detention conditions, amid systematic assaults on prisoners since the beginning of the genocidal war, describing Israeli prisons as mass graves for thousands of Palestinian prisoners, ignored by international institutions. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20. In this article, we are going to take a look at where KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE) stands against the other Robinhood stocks. The market reacted favorably after the Federal Reserves June 11-12 meeting. The broader market marked record closes. At the June 12 press conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized the Fed's focus on its dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and stable prices. While the labor market remains strong with continued job gains and low unemployment, inflation has decreased significantly from its peak but remains above the 2% target, currently at 2.7% and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) believes it's still high. Key Developments The Fed Chairman reported that GDP growth slowed from 3.4% in Q4 of 2023 to 1.3% in Q1 of 2024. However, underlying demand indicated by private domestic final purchases grew at 2.8%. Consumer spending has moderated but remains solid, and investment in equipment and intangibles has improved. Moreover, the labor market is balanced, with job gains averaging 218,000 per month in April and May, and the unemployment rate was at 4%. Inflation, as measured by PCE prices, rose 2.7% over the past year, while core PCE rose 2.8% and the CPI rose 3.3% in May, with the core CPI at 3.4%. Finally, the FOMC decided to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5% and to continue reducing securities holdings to manage inflation. Powell emphasized a cautious approach to policy adjustments. The Chairman said that while some progress has been made toward the inflation target, more data is needed to ensure inflation is sustainably moving toward 2%. The Fed will continue to assess economic data and adjust policies as needed to support their dual mandate. He reiterated the commitment to restoring price stability to ensure long-term economic health. The Fed chair noted that the median projection for the federal funds rate by FOMC participants is 5.1% by the end of 2024 if the economy evolves as expected. Nevertheless, Jerome Powell highlighted that the projections are not a guarantee and will depend upon the data in the coming months. The CMEs FedWatch tool reveals that 35.8% of the market expects the interest rates to remain the same in September, 59.2% expect a 25 basis points (bps) reduction, and 5% believe in a 50 bps rate cut. These numbers have risen significantly in favor of rate cuts since we reported them on May 31 in our article about the best up-and-coming stocks. Story continues After a long wait, the Fed has finally hinted at potential rate cuts in September, which brings tons of opportunities in the market. Let's take a look at some now. Our Methodology For this article, we used the app to identify over 100 stocks with a $2 billion market cap that were trading under $20, as of June 12. We narrowed down our list to the stocks with positive hedge fund sentiment, analyst ratings, and optimistic prospects and chose the 10 stocks with the highest number of institutional investors. Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Aerial shot of a modern real estate development with residential homes. KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42 Share Price as of June 12: $15.97 KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE) is a China-based company that operates an integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The company offers its services through an integrated online and offline platform known as Beike, a real estate brokerage branded store Lianjia, an operating system Agent Cooperation Network, and more. In the first quarter, 42 hedge funds had stakes in KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE), with total positions worth $1.35 billion. As of March 31, Hillhouse Capital Management is the most significant shareholder in the company with a stake worth $400.667 million. KE Holdings Inc.s (NYSE:BEKE) diversified revenue streams highlight its growth potential. The home renovation and furniture business surged by 71.1% year-over-year, with contracted sales reaching RMB 3.4 billion (1 RMB = US$0.1378) in Q1. This segment's contribution to total revenue increased, reflecting the company's ability to capitalize on cross-selling opportunities within its ecosystem. Additionally, the home rental services segment saw an 189.3% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by a significant rise in the number of managed rental units. In 2023, KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE) showed resilience and was one of the few companies that grew despite the challenging circumstances in the Chinese housing market. In spite of its challenges, the company still maintains its focus on shareholder returns. The company allocated around $790 million to share buybacks in 2023 and continued its repurchase program in 2024 with $344 million spent as of May. On May 23, KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE) reported first-quarter earnings. The non-GAAP EPADS was $0.16, which beat the market estimates by $0.05. The revenue generated during the quarter was $2.27 billion and topped the estimates by $60 million. On May 28, a few days after its earnings beat, Barclays analyst Jiong Shao raised KE Holdings Inc.s (NYSE:BEKE) price target to $30 from $20. Shao highlighted the companys Q1 earnings beat and guidance raise and noted strong progress in its new home renovation and rental businesses. Although existing and new homes saw expected year-over-year declines in gross transaction value, management reported that existing home transaction volume for April and the first three weeks of May increased by double digits compared to last year. We think KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BEKE) might be an attractive idea to explore while it trades at a 52% discount to its sector median, at 15.5x its forward earnings (sector median = 32.7x). Analysts expect a 48% year-over-year growth in the company's earnings by the end of this year. Overall BEKE ranks 6th on our list of the best Robinhood stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20 to see the other Robinhood stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of BEKE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BEKE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Read Next: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. (NEXSTAR) You may be living near an uncommon kind of Costco. Of the 600-plus Costco locations currently open in the United States, 28 belong to a group of outlets known as Costco Business Centers, which are essentially Costco locations designed for business and restaurant operators, rather than the average consumer. Described by the company as a different kind of Costco, Costcos Business Centers offer a range of products often in larger quantities not usually found in a typical Costco. Among these products, Costco Business Center customers can expect to find office supplies, food-service equipment and resale-ready goods. But they also offer many of the same staples found in the average Costco meats, groceries, cleaning supplies, etc. though often in different quantities, and sometimes by the pallet or truckload, according to the company. Because of this, Costco estimates that more than 70% of the specific items found at a Costco Business Center (whether in terms of category, brand or size) are not offered at other Costco warehouses. Its more businessy, per se, one Reddit user recently wrote, attempting to sum up the experience for a more casual Costco shopper. Costcos new CFO makes announcement about $1.50 hot dog combo That said, Costco Business Centers can be lacking in other amenities for the retail customer. For instance, shoppers arent likely to find seasonal items, clothing, books, toys or free samples at a Business Center, according to customers. And, as indicated on the companys website, only about half (13) of the locations offer gas, while even fewer (4) boast food courts. Furthermore, not a single Business Center aside from the Honolulu and Salt Lake City locations (which double as regular Costcos) has a pharmacy, a tire center, a hearing department or an optical department. Unlike typical Costco locations, such as the one pictured above in Bayonne, New Jersey, a Costco Business Center does not usually offer food courts, pharmacies, tire centers or hearing/optical departments. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images) For more business-minded customers, though, such amenities might be unnecessary. The lack of these departments combined with fewer products for retail shoppers could actually mean fewer folks in the store, shoppers say. Its never as crowded, one shopper remarked after filming a tour of his local Business Center and its massive refrigerated section. Shoppers hoping to see the inside of a Costco Business Center also dont need any special membership, as the warehouses are open to Costco members at any level. TJ Maxx employees are wearing police-style body cameras at select stores Unfortunately, the Business Center locations are few when compared to the typical stores. There are currently 28 business centers scattered across 16 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, Utah and Washington. But theyre not evenly distributed geographically, with 19 in the Western U.S. (including 11 in California alone). Story continues If youre still up for the pilgrimage, theres nothing stopping the average Costco customer from planning a visit. Just make sure you bring a refrigerated truck and/or some self-control. [The] ability to purchase ultra bulk containers of stuff I really dont need but would justify as emergency preparedness yeah, that feeling keeps me out of that building unsupervised, one Reddit user lamented after tagging along to a local Business Center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. As the field narrows for Trump's V.P., it's like rush week | Celia Rivenbark When the big envelope arrived at the homes of Trumps presumed top choices for vice president recently, the vetting documents were surely greeted with the delighted squeals of a giddy freshman winning a bid to her dream sorority. Doug Burgum, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott and J.D. Vance are believed to be front runners thanks to implementing such extreme levels of toadying and sucking up that even jaded politicians are impressed. Did they jump up and down and, like, totally call each other with loud and highly insincere congrats? Hmmm, maybe they met in person to celebrate Vance: OK, guys. No matter who President Trump picks, I hope you all know that in my book youre ALL winners. Its just like I was telling Don Jr. the other day while we were wrestling gators or something else totally not made up Burgum: (sarcastic) Oh, do you know Don Jr.? I didnt realize you were close. You only mention it every other minute. Vance: Im sorry. What was your name again? More from Celia: Don't bring up politics at the dinner (or breakfast) table | Celia Rivenbark Burgum: Very funny. Im Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota! Fun fact: Mrs. Burgum and I have flown on President Trumps plane more than any other veep candidate. Rubio: North Dakota! Dont make me spit my water out. Seriously. Dont. Look, Ive got the edge. Donald Trump doesnt know youre alive unless he slams you with a few soul-crushing insults. Remember how he called me Little Marco? How he made fun of my ginormous ears and my weird inability to drink from a glass? Thats his love language! Scott: Guys, Im just so gosh-darn happy to be with such fine men during this final selection process. As the only marginally less crazy senator from the great state of South Carolina, I welcome the vetting process Vance: Put a pin in it, Scott. Has anyone ever told you that youre kind of a snooze? Scott: (laughs) Just every pretend girlfriend Ive ever had! Burgum: Hey, lets not turn on each other. I propose a toast. Heres to the Final Four, if you will! Vance: The Final Four! Wait. Tim, is that milk in your glass? More from Celia Beware! Pickleball addiction may affect you or loved ones | Celia Rivenbark Scott: (sheepish) Yes. Im uncomfortable drinking giggle water. (Doorbell rings) Nikki Haley: Cmon guys. Open up! I know youre in there. Scott: Come in, but you can only stay a minute. Were having a little celebration, and its no girls allowed! Haley: Just wanted to pop by. You must feel like youre the top contestants in a beauty pageant. (looks around) OK, maybe not. Scott: Nikki, youre MEAN! Thats why the big guy didnt choose you. Haley (dryly): Yeah, that mustve been it. Burgum: Why are you here? Is it because you want to see our special packet of documents? Ha! You didnt get one. Too bad, so sad! Haley: Just here for the show, boys. Wont be long until yall turn on each other. Burgum: I dont know about the others, but I just want to serve my country. I will be the first vice president whose name everyone will remember! Vance: You kidding? I cant remember it NOW. Burgum: Very funny, J.D. You know we should stick together. We were the only ones who went to President Trumps trial in our matching red ties! We were there to wipe his tears and frankly any other areas that might have needed attention Haley: And so it begins Rubio: OK, thats enough. Time for you to go Nikki. Actually, Ill walk you out. DeSantis wants a meeting to discuss his latest vision for our Florida. Nikki: Close all the libraries and make women wear aprons even if theyre lawyers? Rubio: Especially if theyre lawyers! Later, guys! Burgum, Vance and Scott gather for a final toast. Vance: To Mike Pence! Said no one ever! Burgum: Good one, J.D. Scott: I didnt get it Vance: Of course you didnt. Celia Rivenbark is a humor columnist and NYT-bestselling author. Write to her at celiarivenbark@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Celia Rivenbark imagines a dialogue between Trumps V.P. contenders El Pasoan Marissa Teijo, who is 71, will make history this weekend as the oldest contestant in the Miss Texas USA pageant. The Miss Texas USA pageant is June 21-22 at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel in Houston. It is a preliminary to Miss USA. In an email, Teijo said she wanted to relay a message that it is never too late to chase your dreams. El Pasoan Marissa Teijo will make history this weekend as the oldest contestant in the Miss Texas USA pageant. Teijo is 71. Jackie Garcia-Martinez, CEO of Bazaar Models, who represents Teijo, said that this year, the Miss Universe Organization lifted rules to be more inclusive by removing age limits for contestants vying for the crown.I feel that all women now have a new stage of opportunity, strength and beauty, Teijo said. With nearly 100 women competing against her, she said shes never felt more motivated to chase her dream. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Teijo says shes excited to help El Pasoans and Texans break barriers in their fields of interest, regardless of age. Garcia-Martinez said the agency is also proud to represent diverse women. Seven other young women from El Paso will compete in the pageant. I represent women of all shapes, ages, and races. As I prepare my team to compete at Miss Texas, Im thrilled to support these women who inspire me as a leader every day, she said. More: Celebrate National Chamoy Day with spicy, tangy treats in El Paso Maria Cortes Gonzalez may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 71-year-old woman to make history competing in Miss Texas USA pageant Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese and his owner, Anne Lewis, are on stage after being annouced as the winner during the 2024 Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. on Friday. Photo by John G. Mabanglo EPA-EFE June 22 (UPI) -- A longtime runner-up in California's World's Ugliest Dog Contest finally got his crown. On Friday, fourth time was the charm for Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese from North Bend, Oreg., who previously placed second in the annual competition three times before. Wild Thang is a survivor of distempter, a viral disease that infects animals' respiratory system and can also suppress the immune system, according to his bio. "He survived, but not without permanent damage. His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7," his bio read, noting that, apart from his health issues his is a happy, "glugly" (glamorous/ugly) pup. He and his owner Ann Lewis walked away with $5,000 in prize money. The Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., has hosted the World's Ugliest Dog Contest for nearly 50 year's, according to the fair's website. "This world-renowned event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique," a statement on the website read. Last year's king was a 7-year-old Chinese Crested dog named Scooter. Scooter was born with deformed hind legs and was turned over to animal control by a breeder for euthanasia, but fortunately, a member of the shelter Linda Elmquist adopted him, and the two live happily in Tucson, Ariz. "I am overjoyed and incredibly proud," Elmquist said last year. "Despite the challenges he has faced with his deformed hind legs, Scooter has defied all odds and shown us the true meaning of resilience and determination. He has become an inspiration to countless people around the world." Prince William seen dancing to 'Shake It Off' with his kids at Taylor Swift's concert in London Taylor Swift performing at Wembley Stadium in London on June 21. Jo Hale/Getty Images Prince William attended The Eras Tour with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in London. The British royals posed for photos with Swift and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Footage showed William, who celebrated his 42nd birthday, dancing to "Shake It Off." The Prince of Wales is a certified Swiftie. William rang in his 42nd birthday on Friday at Taylor Swift's concert in London with his two eldest children, 10-year-old Prince George and 9-year-old Princess Charlotte. The British royals were among the massive crowd that arrived at Wembley Stadium, where Swift, 34, kicked off the European leg of The Eras Tour. The trio commemorated the night by posing for a selfie with Swift, whom they thanked in an Instagram post on the Prince and Princess of Wales' official account. "Thank you @taylorswift for a great evening!" the caption read on Saturday. Swift also shared an Instagram photo on Saturday featuring royal family members and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. The group was all smiles in the picture. "Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start," Swift's caption read. William's attendance at The Eras Tour didn't go unnoticed by Swifties, including one who shared a TikTok video of him dancing to "Shake It Off." Neither Catherine, Princess of Wales, nor six-year-old Prince Louis appeared at the concert. Kate, 42, made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis earlier this month at the Trooping the Colour Parade. Kate shared details about her recovery in an Instagram post one day before the parade, saying she's making "good progress" with her chemotherapy treatment. "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," the caption read. "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." Representatives for Kensington Palace, Swift, and Kelce did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider Kenya Moore and her ex-husband, Marc Daly, have settled their divorce five years after announcing their split. According to court documents obtained by In Touch on Friday, June 21, a judge signed off on the exes agreement earlier this week. Moore, 53, was awarded primary custody of the pairs 5-year-old daughter, Brooklyn. However, The Real Housewives of Atlanta star and Daly, 53, agreed to share joint legal custody. Custody exchanges will occur in a public location. Daly also agreed to pay Moore $2,000 per month in child support plus an additional $1,000 per month to fund a college savings account. Neither Moore nor Daly will receive alimony or spousal support. Former Real Housewives of Atlanta Stars: Where Are They Now? The judge ruled that Moore will have final decision-making authority to sign, monitor, and control any and all economic opportunities for the minor child, per the outlet. Moore and Daly also submitted a parenting plan to the court, which stated that Moore would have the final decision on whether to include the minor child on RHOA or Bravo or any other economic opportunities for Moore, but she is required to discuss the opportunity with Daly. In addition to finalizing plans for the twosomes custody arrangement, the exes also agreed on what to do with their Georgia home. At one point, Daly reportedly wanted a portion of the sale of the home. Reality TV Curse: Every Real Housewives Couple Who Filed for Divorce After Appearing on TV Both parties will retain all rights, titles, and possession of any real property located in Georgia, all equity therein as sole and exclusive property, and will be solely responsible for all debt secured by the real property, both personal and business, the settlement read. Both parties will retain all accounts in name as sole and exclusive property and will be solely responsible for all debt in name, both personal and business. Moore announced in September 2019 that she and Daly had called it quits after two years of marriage. It is with profound sadness that I regret to inform my fans that I am divorcing my husband, Marc Daly, Moore said in a statement to Us Weekly at the time. Due to recent and ongoing circumstances, I can no longer continue in the marriage. My sole concern and focus is and will always be my daughter, Brooklyn, my miracle baby. She was made in love and true commitment. I ask for our privacy to be respected moving forward. These spots aren't short on history, scenery, and relaxation. Tony Barber/Moment/Getty Images Nothing beats a sunrise in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tennessee is filled with beautiful spots to visit along the 440 miles it stretches east from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Mountains. Travelers flock to its mountainous peaks and valleys in the eastern half of the state for scenic views, peaceful hiking trails, and quaint mountain towns. With several national and state parks, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, the Volunteer State is a perfect escape for your next mountain getaway. Whether youre looking for a quiet retreat or ample activities, these 10 Tennessee mountain towns are the best spots to rest your head. Townsend Sean Fisher Townsend, Tennessee, is a quiet town with the Smokies at its front door. Townsend, Tennessee, is lovingly referred to as the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, given its more rural vibe compared to its tourism-driven neighbors. If youre looking for quick access to the 11-mile drive through Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend puts you at its front door. Treat yourself to a night at Dancing Bear Lodge and grab lunch at The Townsend Abbey, housed within the old Heartland Little River Wedding Chapel. See Our Guide Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is your Smoky Mountain getaway if youre looking for a stay packed with fun attractions like alpine coasters, a family-friendly visit to Dollywood, and all the pancakes you could possibly eat. Stay at Camp Margaritaville for easy access to both the national park and all the shopping and amenities the town has to offer. Visit The Island in Pigeon Forge for a ride on its 200-foot-high observation wheel. See Our Guide Cumberland Gap Korrin Bishop Pinnacles Overlook offers a beautiful view of the town of Cumberland Gap. Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, is tucked in the valley below Cumberland Gap National Historical Park at the meeting of the state borders for Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Stay in the late 1800s tongue-and-groove wood house of the Olde Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast for easy access to the towns restaurants and shops. Take a drive to Pinnacles Overlook for a gorgeous view of the town tucked below and the Smoky Mountains in the distance on a clear day. See Our Guide Rugby Arnita Sitasari Gray Plan to enjoy a picnic in the shade of Rugby's impressive sandstone cliffs. Rugby, Tennessee, is the states quirky little mountain town with British Isles charm, founded in 1880 by British author Thomas Hughes. Stop by the Historic Rugby Visitor Centre for a guided tour of the town, including Hughess 1884 Kingstone Lisle Victorian home and the 1887 Christ Church Episcopal. Enjoy quick access to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Areas 125,000 acres of Cumberland Plateau wilderness with a 2.1-mile hiking loop to Gentlemans Swimming Hole. See Our Guide Jonesborough Courtesy Jonesborough Tourism Department The historic town of Jonesborough is just steps away from nature. Jonesborough, Tennessee, is the states oldest town and offers quick access to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Cherokee National Forest, as well as hiking trails in the local 130-acre Persimmon Ridge Park. Plan for a stay at the Historic Eureka Inn conveniently located on Main Street. You can learn more about the towns railroad history at the Chuckey Depot Museum or take a walking tour of the town at the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum. The town is best known for its October National Storytelling Festival, which brings mountain tales from near and far to the stage. See Our Guide Johnson City TENNESSEE TOURISM Mountain biking is a favorite pastime in Johnson City. Johnson City, Tennessee, is the big brother of Jonesborough and the best Tennessee getaway for mountain bikers, with miles of trails at Tannery Knobs. Enjoy a more leisurely bike ride on the Tweetsie Trail, a former railroad bed through town, or spend your day hiking at Buffalo Mountain Park. After your fun in the mountains, relax downtown with a beer at Yee-Haw Brewing Company. Bristol Tennessee Tourism Bristol is the capital for fly fishing in the mountains. Bristol, Tennessee, is the perfect mountain town for fly fishers and country music lovers. Stay at the South Holston River Lodge for professionally guided fly fishing excursions included with luxury accommodations and delicious food. While in town, visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and grab a sweet treat at Blackbird Bakery just over the state line in Virginiaa quick stroll across State Street. See Our Guide Chattanooga Rachelle Yingling / EyeEm/Getty Images Chattanooga hosts a beautiful stretch of the Tennessee River through the mountains. Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers an excellent balance between outdoor adventure and city amenities. Walk the Walnut Street Bridge over the Tennessee River, a pedestrian-only thoroughfare with beautiful views. Accommodations at The Edwin Hotel will put you within steps of the bridge and offer an artsy boutique stay. Dont forget to make time for a visit to Lookout Mountain and its magical Ruby Fallsthe tallest cave waterfall open to the public in the United States. See Our Guide Sewanee Courtesy The University of the South Sewanee is home to The University of the South and scenic mountain views. Sewanee, Tennessee, is a nature-lovers paradise. Visit the Sewanee Memorial Cross towering on a well-manicured hill on the University of the Souths campus or take a 2.2-mile out-and-back hike to see the beauty of Bridal Veil Falls. Cyclists may enjoy a stay at the towns Sewanee Bicycle House. For a more traditional stay, rest your head at The Sewanee Inn. Ducktown TENNESSEE TOURISM Ducktown is a mountain town full of outdoor thrills. Ducktown, Tennessee, is tucked in the southeast corner of the state surrounded by Cherokee National Forest, making it perfect for mountain lovers longing for a rustic weekend away. For some adventure, schedule a whitewater rafting trip with Wildwater Ltd. along the Ocoee River. Rest your head at The Company House Bed & Breakfast Inn or find a nearby campground. For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WJHL) The people go where the Rhodendron grows, which is why the Rhododendron Festival was created. The festival has occurred for the last 77 years and is hosted by the Roan Mountain Citizens Club. Ann Campbell, a member of the Citizens Club, said they invite visitors to stop in and enjoy the mountain scenery. We just want people to come out, said Campbell. Have a great time, enjoy the day, enjoy nature, and enjoy each other. Over 100 vendors filled the festival area, each selling local, handmade goods. Vendors Cyndi Ollis and Jennifer Steele have set up tents for almost ten years. For them, the festival gives them a sense of inspiration and community. The Rocky Foundation pairs shelter dogs with mental health patients [Its] very inspiring, said Steele, who handmakes dolls. And it gives me ideas for my crafts, and that makes me excited to make more stuff. Were all from so many different places, said Ollis, who makes pottery pieces. But yet were [diverse], the wares were creating and making. But we come together, and it creates the community. The event sees large crowds enter the area every year. Campbell said the festival tends to be part of the vacation plans of visitors. People make their vacation plans around this festival, said Campbell. So that theyll be in the area for several days and planning one day, particularly at the festival. What makes this festival so popular? Organizers and visitors alike said its the vendors. Theres so many and [so] many varieties, said visitor Sarah Ann OHara. Which I love. Sarah Ann and Daniel OHara traveled to Roan Mountain from their home in Hickory, North Carolina. They said the festivals in their hometown are nothing like the Rhodendron Festival. We have some [festivals], said Daniel. But not near this size, I would say, so this is pretty awesome. The festival will continue on Sunday from 10-5. Information about the festival 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd, a Chinese vehicle manufacturer, has announced its desire to engage in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ethiopia to support the country's transition to electric mobility. The announcement was made on Thursday as the Chinese automaker's delegation met with Dengue Boru, Ethiopian minister of state for transport and logistics, to discuss the company's plan to begin manufacturing EVs in the East African country. Boru said the government welcomes the Chinese company's intention to produce EVs in Ethiopia by offering a wide range of tax-related and other incentives. He stressed that the government is committed to curbing the effects of climate change through the introduction of electric-powered vehicles and the planting of billions of trees across the country. The Ethiopian government has allowed duty-free importation of EV components to promote the use of electric vehicles and facilitate technology transfer in response to a global fuel price hike and climate change. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ethiopia spent 6 billion U.S. dollars on fuel imports in 2023, more than half of which went to fueling vehicles. In addition, pollution levels in city centers from these vehicles are reportedly alarming. The ministry announced earlier this year that the country has set a target of importing 439,000 EVs between 2021 and 2030. Chang Rui, chief executive officer of the Beiqi Foton Motor Company, said his company will make greater contributions to the production of energy-saving and pollution-free EVs in Ethiopia. "The Beiqi Foton Motor Company will also conduct scientific and technological research to further promote the sector in Ethiopia," Chang said, adding that the company will soon start producing and marketing electric cars in Ethiopia. Image source: Getty Images As scam techniques evolve, more people are falling victim. If you travel, it's especially wise to be alert to the latest travel scams to protect your personal information and finances. A sneaky airline customer support scam continues to impact flyers like you. As we head into the busy summer travel season, you may find yourself in a situation where you're at risk for this scam. Here's what you need to know about the scam so you can protect yourself. Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards Beware of fake airline customer support numbers What do most of us do when we need to find the answer to a question quickly? We perform a Google search. But make sure you're clicking on legitimate website links when looking for information -- especially if you're in a hurry. Don't assume the information you see after searching on Google is accurate, because it could lead to a scam. A particular airline customer service scam is still impacting travelers. Travelers dealing with flight changes and delays are unknowingly contacting fake airline customer support lines. After receiving email alerts about a flight delay, change, or cancellation, or finding out about last-minute changes at the airport, some flyers contact their airline's customer service line in hopes of booking an alternate flight. But instead of checking the phone number in their airline's mobile app or on the airline's website, they quickly search Google for the phone number. Online scammers are sharing fake numbers online in hopes of tricking travelers into calling the wrong number. If you contact a fake customer service number like this, you may be tricked into providing payment information to book a new flight or make changes to your existing itinerary. Unfortunately, if the scammer is successful, they'll have access to your credit card information and can charge your card. Since you're dealing with a scammer and not a legitimate airline employee, you'll lose money without solving your flight issue. Here's how to stay safe when contacting airline support It's best to deal with official channels when seeking airline customer support. What's the best way to do that? Here are some options: Send a message within the airline app: If your airline offers message or chat support, you can get help by sending a message within the official airline mobile app. Doing this is a great way to get customer support while on the go. Find an airline employee at the airport: If you need help while at the airport, go to the nearest gate for your airline to find an employee. They can help or direct you to someone who can help you with your flight change needs. Verify the customer support number on the airline's website or app: Before calling the airline's customer service line, verify that the number you'll be calling is accurate. You can find the right number on the airline's website or mobile app. Story continues Be on alert for travel scams Sadly, travel scams are on the rise. It's important to be alert, and if something feels off, trust your gut. If you're asked to provide payment or other personal information when making a flight change after your flight has been canceled or changed, it's likely a scam. Most airlines will rebook your flight free of charge if they cancel it. If you're on a call that feels suspicious, hang up immediately and find an alternate way to contact the airline for help. You don't want to end up with a fraudulent charge on your travel credit card statement. If you ever fall victim to a fraud like this, contact your credit card company as soon as possible to report the fraud. It will cancel your credit card and issue a new one, so your card number is no longer compromised. It will also investigate, and if the charge is found to be fraudulent, it will issue a refund to your credit card account. Staying alert to travel scams like this can help you avoid added stress while traveling. 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Don't Lose Money to This Sneaky Airline Customer Support Scam was originally published by The Motley Fool NEW YORK Coney Island is always a spectacle. And then there's the Mermaid Parade every June, a day when self-described Coney Island freaks set the bar for the rest of the year's whimsy and imagination. Its the day where all the weirdos show up to try to impress all the other weirdos, said Joe Hobaica, 56, who hasnt missed a Mermaid Parade since 1989. Despite a heat advisory that remains in effect through Sunday, more than 200,000 people converged on a slightly overcast Coney Island peninsula in southern Brooklyn on Saturday, according to parade officials. Families, teenagers and longtime New Yorkers said they were there to kick off summer and celebrate ocean life. "Life is too serious," said Marta Berk, 38, who dressed up as a mermaid with sparkly rhinestones on her face and a bright pink wig. Bambi the Mermaid, Queen of Coney Island, right, marches in the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 22, 2024 in New York City. The history behind the parade, which has been happening since 1983, also fills it with spiritual importance for many. The most serious and dedicated mermaids in attendance plan their extravagant costumes in line with a certain annual theme and look ahead to the parade as a time to express themselves to the fullest. This is our high holy day, and we've taken it up many notches," said the parade's Mermaid Queen for 2024, Whitney Ward, who hasn't missed the event for the past 30 years. Even though the parade just goes on for this one day, it literally consumes our entire year," said Ward, 60, explaining how designers work on her costumes for months. Hundreds of thousands transported under the sea The enormous size of the parade means its the best day of the year to see the greatest number of people decked out in quirky, shocking costumes, and be celebrated for it. Iridescent fish scales, fantastical monster puppets and imaginary underwater creatures come to life on Coney Islands Surf Avenue, making attendees feel like theyre in an ocean dreamscape, far away from reality. A man dressed in an underwater and outer space themed costume marches in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 22, 2024 in New York City. Steve Henry, 28, said he came to the parade to celebrate the Earth's oceans and all the life they contain. "It makes up most of the planet, it's most of the life on earth, and this is the only thing I can think of that really celebrates that," said Henry, who traveled from Sussex County, New Jersey, to attend the parade with a group decked out in lobster suits. Kristen Henry, 28, center, watches the Coney Island Mermaid Parade with a group of friends dressed in lobster costumes on June 22, 2024 in New York City. His twin sister Kristen Henry attended the parade for the fourth time because it always makes her feel like she's in an episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants," she said. "It's just better to be among beautiful people like this, like a school of fish," said Henry, 28, who traveled from Dover, New Jersey. "Every person should go at least once, whether you dress up or not." A woman dressed in an underwater and outer space themed costume marches in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 22, 2024 in New York City. Michele Soto, 54, a hospital clerk who lives in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood, said she returned for her seventh parade to see all the pretty costumes and happy people. "Everybody puts a lot of effort into it, it's fun, it's a nice environment," said Soto from beneath a bright green parasol, decked out in a mermaid costume accented by seashell and sand dollar jewelry. Yuli Franklin, with her daughter Olivia Coger, aged 7 months, walk the boardwalk during the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 22, 2024 in New York City. Mermaid Parade celebrates Coney Island history Coney Island has been a seaside resort for nearly two centuries, and many cultural touchstones Americans may take for granted like fast food and roller coasters have their roots in the amusement district, said Adam Rinn, the Artistic Director for Coney Island USA, the nonprofit that runs Coney Island's public events. Coney Island was always the home of spectacle, it was the birthplace of American popular culture," Rinn, 52, said. Parade marchers hold a banner during the Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 22, 2024 in New York City. In addition to the parade, Coney Island is known for its Sideshow, where performers like fire-breathers and sword eaters have been making audiences gasp for about the past 100 years. Burlesque dance performances are an "institution" at Coney Island, said Aurora North, who was crowned Miss Coney Island in September 2023 and marched Saturday as part of the parade's outer-space-themed celestial court surrounding the king and queen. "All the freaks came here," North, 35, said. "Coney Island is a home and a refuge for the weird; it's really the island of misfit toys." People in costume take part in the 42nd annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island on June 22, 2024. The parade is Coney Island's way to mark the unofficial start to Summer. The Mermaid Parade has been going on for more than 40 years, making it just as much a part of Coney Island's history as many other well-known landmarks, like the Cyclone Roller Coaster and Nathan's hot dogs, Rinn said. For years, the event has been the largest art parade in the country, according to Coney Island USA. "The parade continues the tradition of keeping Coney Island this fun, spectacle of a place," Rinn said. People dressed as mermaids prepare to take part in the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 22, 2024 in New York City. Attendees like Kristen Henry said they plan to keep coming back every year, and the "Coney Island stew" of sea creatures will forever keep the weirdness going, said Ward, explaining how the parade brings people together over this huge love for Coney and the beach and for New York." "You realize you're part of something bigger," Ward said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the Coney Island Mermaid Parade? Weird. Nearly one-fifth of American households depend on septic systems to treat wastewater, and those numbers are even higher in rural areas like those found in the Mohican River watershed. Unfortunately, when septic systems are not properly maintained, it can result in backups, malfunctions and early failures that result in costly repairs. To help prevent those problems and connect homeowners with failing septic systems with the resources they need, Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is teaming with Holmes SWCD, Ashland County Health Department and the Holmes General Health District to host a free Conservation Chat: Well-Fair Check on July 13 at the Loudonville Public Library. The Mohican River was the only Ohio river not to meet water quality standards in the Ohio Environmental Protection Agencys most recent large river study. A 5-mile stretch of the river was classified as not healthy due to over-enrichment and sediment according to the study. That means there are excessive levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the waters. Ohio EPA has listed one of the main causes of impairment in the Mohican River watershed as bacteria from failing home sewage treatment systems. So not only are properly maintained septic systems important to individual home owners, but its also important to the rest of the community and visitors to our area who enjoy our local waterways. Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District Have samples tested, learn about healthy waterways At this free event, participants will have the chance to bring in water samples from their home for a free simple analysis that will be performed by members of the Loudonville FFA chapter. Later in the afternoon, participants will have the chance to about how water quality sampling is done and even get their feet wet with Ohio Scenic Rivers as they share what makes waterways healthy and how to sample for macro invertebrates. Ohio is one of the few states to measure stream health by examining the number and types of fish and aquatic insects in waterways. High populations of fish and insects that tolerate pollution are indicators of unhealthy streams, while large numbers of insects and fish that are sensitive to pollution can indicate a healthy stream. Participants will be able to learn key steps they can take to properly maintain septic systems and extend their life expectancy as well as be connected to local resources who can help connect homeowners with resources and cost-share options. Tips on septic system maintenance For example, its important to have home septic systems inspected every three years by a licensed contractor and have the tank pumped, when necessary, every three to five years. And while you may already know you should avoid pouring cooking grease or oil down the sink or toilet, rinsing coffee grounds down the sink, and pouring household chemicals down the sink, its also recommended you eliminate or limit the use of a garbage disposal. Other tips include being careful to not overload the commode. That means dont flush non degradable products or chemicals (feminine hygiene products, condoms, dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, cat littler, paper towels and pharmaceuticals for example). Instead, use a trash can for these items. Similarly, its important not to concentrate your water use by using your dishwasher, shower, washing machine and toilet all at the same time. All of that extra water can really strain your drain. Instead, stagger the use of these appliances and become more water efficient by fixing plumbing leaks. Its also a good idea to consider installing bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators and water-efficient products. Do you know where your septic djainfield is located? If not your local health department might be able to help you determine its location by looking at your installation records. That will help you shield your field. Be sure not to park or drive on your djainfield; the extra weight can damage the drain lines. Similarly, dont plant trees or shrubs too close to your djainfield. The roots can grow into your system and clog it. Instead, consult a septic service professional to advise you on the proper distance for planting trees and shrubs, depending on your septic tank location. To learn more about what you can do to extend the life of your septic system, find resources to help in replacing a failing system, be sure to call Ashland SWCD at 419-281-7645 to register for the event. The event is free, but RSVPs are required to make sure plenty of materials (and snacks!) are on hand. Jane Houin, is the director of Ashland Soil & Water Conservation District. This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Conservation Chat: How to keep septic systems running smoothly If a copperhead bites you in SC and you have no cell phone service, follow these tips to survive A copperhead bite would be a harrowing experience on its own. But also being alone without cell phone service that would be downright terrifying for many. However, it doesnt have to be if you keep your wits about you and follow certain guidelines. While it will be crucial to seek professional medical care as soon as possible if bitten by a copperhead, doing so might prove more difficult if youre out enjoying the outdoors of South Carolina where cell phone service can be sparse to nonexistent. Below are steps to take to increase your chances of survival and minimize discomfort after a venomous snake bite, some experts say. Copperheads & other venomous SC snakes Before taking steps after a copperhead bite, it would probably be helpful to know if you were bitten by one in the first place. The copperhead is the most common venomous snake in South Carolina. The other five types of venomous snakes in the state include the cottonmouth, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the pigmy rattlesnake, the coral snake and the timber rattlesnake, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The copperhead gets its name from the coppery-tan color on its head and on parts of its body, Clemson Cooperative Extension states. Copperheads have triangular-shaped heads, similar to an arrowhead and can grow up to 4 feet long. Copperheads also feature an hourglass-shaped pattern on their bodies from the head down to the tail. When curled up, this camouflage can make them look like a pile of leaves. And like most other venomous snakes in South Carolina, copperheads have yellow eyes with black vertical and elliptical pupils. Stay calm after venomous snake bite Remaining calm and composed can be vital after a snakebite. Panicking can elevate your heart rate and accelerate the spread of venom throughout your body. However, it may be easier to keep calm with knowledge that deaths from snakebites in South Carolina are uncommon. Its pretty rare, said Dr. Jill Michels, managing director of the Palmetto Poison Center. Ive been here 20 years and theres been only one death I know of. Remove constrictive items Michels said you should remove and jewelry or restrictive clothing from around the snake bite. She said swelling from the bite will likely occur and any restrictive items could impede circulation and worsen the situation. Keep the snake bite high Do your best to keep the snake bite high or at a neutral level to help reduce swelling, Michels said. Also, limit the movement of the affected limb and avoid any unnecessary physical activity. Clean the wound Clean the bite wound with water or with soap if possible. While it wont neutralize the venom, cleaning could help minimize the risk of infection. Check your iPhone Do you have an iPhone 14 or later? If so, then you can use Apples emergency SOS via satellite feature. The service, which is currently free (though that could change), is for use in areas where there is no cellular or wi-fi coverage. How it works If you call or text emergency aid and cant connect because theres no cell service, your iPhone will try to connect via satellite. The iPhone will show a prompt, requesting that you point it toward the sky to connect. You must have a clear view of the sky for this to work. If it connects, youll then be able to contact emergency services for help. Get to a hospital You need to go to a hospital for care. Facilities will have anti-venom to treat you, regardless of which kind of venomous South Carolina snake has bitten you. There is no home treatment for a snake bite, Michels said. What not to do There are several things that snake bite victims should not attempt. You dont want to do what you see in the movies, Michels said. Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom. Snakes inject venom with very long, sharp teeth. You will be unable to pull the liquid back out, Michels said. Also, the venom quickly spreads and so you wont be able to bleed it out either. Do not apply a tourniquet. They can restrict blood flow and lead to severe tissue damage. Do not use ice on the bite. You do not want to use ice to reduce the swelling, as that is a symptom doctors use to determine if a patient is suffering from a snake bite, Michels said. (NEXSTAR) Whether or not you know the name of this haircut, youve definitely seen it before. Its something like a bowl-cut-meets-a-Caesar-cut and its hugely popular among young Latinos, especially in California, Texas and Florida. You guessed it, its the Edgar cut. But as beloved as the hairstyle is, it isnt without controversy. If you find one of these outside your home, call police Recently, a Texas business owner sparked outrage after an anti-Edgar meme was posted to the official Facebook and Instagram pages for his restaurant. The photo featured a big X drawn over a boy with the hairstyle and read, NO EDGARS. The San Antonio restaurant also captioned the photo: Should we ban chili bowl/Edgars? While some viewed the meme as a harmless joke including owner Ricky Ortiz, who identifies as Mexican-American many others took offense, considering the hairstyle is culturally linked with Latinos. Angel Gonzalez, 16, getting his Edgar cut touched up by Harlingen barber Eybard Hernandez (Rolando Avila/NEXSTAR) Imagine discriminating [against] your own customers, wrote one Instagram user. LOL you live in an Edgar city. This is the new form of racism. Another user replied to a comment calling El Caminos post racist, by explaining, Its like saying no dreads, no corn rows. Despite the negative reaction, El Camino and its owner Ortiz have not backed down from the posts, including several follow-ups. What is a heat dome, and are you in one? Obviously the meme was a joke, Ortiz told Nexstar this week. But also, its clearly a half joke, too. When you look at whats shown on the news daily car theft and violent crime, etc. its a bunch of kids with the Edgar haircut. El Caminos original post drew the attention of a local news outlet the San Antonio Current, who spoke to Ortiz a few weeks ago. Ortiz told the Current reporter Michael Karlis that he himself wore what was the Edgar of the time (a shaved head) when he was young and doing hood rat s. He says his words are drawn from his experience as a kid and based on what he sees from those in similar communities now. Ortiz echoed these thoughts in his interview with Nexstar earlier this week. The business owner says the way the situation has been portrayed in the media is not wholly reflective of the reality. [One news outlet] brought in a Latinx professor to say that Im doing the work of white supremacy for free, Ortiz told Nexstar. Another person said [I was discriminating against] the working mans haircut I think thats a reach. I can speak to this. I have my past [of being from the same communities as kids with the Edgar]. I can relate. Its funny hearing opinions from people who arent even of the community saying I shouldnt say this. Edgar 101 Last year, Texas barber Eybard Hernandez talked to Nexstars ValleyCentral to discuss the popularity of the Edgar cut. Hernandez said the haircut accounts for about 75% of his barbering, saying all the kids wear the style, from ages 8 to 17. He told ValleyCentral he believes the haircuts popularity took off in the Valley, at least after the 2020 release of the song Puro [Expletive] 956 Cuh by Latin-urban artist Dagobeat. Since then, the haircut has even been lovingly referred to as a Cuh and young Latinos with the style Cuhs. Angel Gonzalez, 16, getting his Edgar cut touched up by Harlingen barber Eybard Hernandez (Rolando Avila/NEXSTAR) But the rise of the haircut goes back even further than 2020, though the hairstyle did become highly fashionable due to the rise of TikTok in recent years. MAGA cookie from Texas bakery goes viral As reported by Latin media outlet Remezcla, the Edgar is an element of trokiando culture, which is similar to Chicano lowrider culture but centered around trucks and a modern ranchera vibe. Other signifiers of this subculture include square-toed boots and Jordans, fitted caps and boot-cut jeans embossed with decorative patterns on the back pockets. There is also some disagreement among scholars over whether the hairstyle has indigenous roots. Per the Texas State Historical Association, the haircut bears some resemblance to a style worn by men of the Jumano tribe, who populated the Valley area between 1500 and 1700. But while the hairstyle may have indigenous origins, its prevalence is relatively recent and its reputation, even among Latinos, can be controversial. California State University associate professor of Chicana and Chicano studies Alexandro Gradilla previously told NBC News that the Edgar, while being tied to culture and a kind of blue-collar culture of [Latino] immigrants in the U.S., it can also have negative connotations for those who wear it. Amazon responds to video showing California delivery driver urinating on porch Gradilla explained the haircut can cause other people to engage in sorts of classism, assuming that those with the haircut are lower class or poor. You dont see what you would call white-passing Latinos with an Edgar haircut, Gradilla told NBC News. It is always very dark-skinned Latinos who have the Edgar haircut. All-in-all, while some Latinos find pride and respect in the cut, others think it conjures too many assumptions and even ridicule for the people who wear it. Even among predominately Latino populations, the Edgar can prove a hot topic. Back in 2021, some residents of El Paso (which has 82.8% Hispanic population, as of 2020s U.S. Census) even attempted to ban the Edgar cut from a local high school, saying the haircut had detrimental effects on education and saying it antagonizes the general student population. While the measure did not pass, tension over the Edgar goes on. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Family wanted: Jaynasha supports her friends, would thrive in family that cheers her on A teen with an approachable personality, Jaynasha loves to be social and cares about her friends. The 15-year-old is a fan of anime and art and loves to express herself through writing as well. Jaynasha who likes to go by her nickname J.J. participates in her schools debate class and is proud of the work shes put in to learn her topics. She would benefit from a family who can support her with her extracurricular activities. J.J. deserves to have a family that cheers her on through lifes milestones and a family that can also help her set and reach goals for herself. If you are interested in becoming an adoptive parent, visit the Adopt Kansas Kids website at www.adoptkskids.org. You can also send an email to customercare@adoptkskids.org or call 855-AdoptKS (855-236-7857). Jaynashas case number is CH-8085. My Health Insurance Company Is Trying To Kill Me skynesher via Getty Images I suspect that my daughter and I are growing too costly and inconvenient for my health plans customer profile. They are genius (and stealthy) in their tactics to exhaust me financially, emotionally and physically. The company manuals must contain strategies for this, cleverly disguised as working together. I have tried to be patient and cooperative. I pay the premiums for my top-tier PPO plan on time. I have accepted the fact I must cover a sizable deductible, copays, and coinsurance. Its harder to swallow the exorbitant out of pocket maximums we are required to pay before a health plan will cover at 100%. Not many people hit that mark, and are likely bankrupt by then. Looking at this logically, it was silly of me to believe the health plan when it said it wanted to help me or my family. After all, this is strictly business for the company, and businesses must make money. Its nothing personal unless we die. I learned the hard way how to survive in this wild world. It entails reading the fine print, contending with confusing website portals, and enduring astonishingly long wait times while being serenaded by repetitive jazz when attempting to reach a live person. Based on my decades-long journey, it appears that a health plans modus operandi is: When in doubt, deny. Unfortunately, at times I discover that a claim has been denied only after being contacted by a collections agency. Why? Because insurance approval or denial decisions can be delayed while providers are grilled for more information to justify their treatment plans, and bills deemed delinquent are routinely sent to collections. Claims are typically rejected for one or more of these reasons: Preauthorization forms or superbills are not submitted properly. The facility or doctor is not in network. The treatment is not medically necessary. (That one is my all-time favorite.) First, dealing with paperwork and shifting protocols during a crisis doesnt help anyones well-being. This, coupled with the medical fields reluctance to share digital files (citing privacy issues despite encryption solutions), means we are sent on a scavenger hunt for hard copies of our medical records, or must play digital hopscotch with external sites trying to transfer data into our insurance portals which frequently malfunction. I believe these portals are programmed to crash multiple times a day. Once documents are submitted successfully, they arent always expedited to address urgent situations. Its mysterious how information I work so hard to obtain seems to vanish into black holes. During my quest for records from a hospital that failed to help my child, I had to revisit the scene of our trauma. Despite being sent to the wrong buildings twice, I persisted and asked another orderly for help. Without breaking stride, she rattled off complicated instructions. She might as well have directed me to follow the yellow brick road, veer left to pass a magic tree house, and then descend floating stairs, all while reciting Hail Marys and clicking my heels three times to reach the golden door. Eventually, I found a dank basement office that matched my mood and the receptionists. I then faxed, emailed and even visited a local post office to ensure the copious paperwork reached a grievance coordinator. Trying to call this aggrieved individual was even more challenging. As I cannot get the same person on the phone twice, I find myself reliving the darkest hours of my life repeatedly with each new person, who inevitably offers different instructions than the last. One such encounter went like this: Me: Hi. Im calling about my daughters ambulance and hospital charges. I havent been able to reach my grievance coordinator about the appeal. Representative: I can help you. Me: (Genuinely excited.) Great! Representative: Oh, I see your daughter turned 18. I cant discuss her information with you. Me: I sent a release of information form by mail, fax and email. I also faxed our conservatorship papers. Representative: Im sorry, its not on file. What office did you send it to? Me: (I give the information.) Representative: Thats the wrong fax number. Let me give you the correct one. Me: Im not inventing numbers out of the ether. This is the third new fax number Ive been given. Are the address and email inaccurate too? Representative: Im sorry, but I cant discuss your daughters claims with you without this information. Can you put her on the phone to give verbal consent? Me: I cant put her on the phone. Shes currently in a treatment center and has no access to a phone, which is why I have a conservatorship to help with her medical care. Representative: Im sorry, maam. Theres nothing I can do without the forms or her verbal consent. Me: Who do you think pays the insurance premium and all her providers? Im just trying to settle her claims, and I dont know what we owe without access. Representative: I can only answer general questions. Me: OK. From the bills Ive received, were being charged out-of-network fees for the ambulance, ER, ER doctor and hospital. Representative: Was this out of state? Me: Yes. Representative: Hang on, I have to transfer you. I was on hold for another 15 minutes, and then got cut off. I called back, was transferred twice and then repeated a version of the above conversation before resuming with a grievance coordinator! Grievance coordinator: The ambulance and ER facility were both out of state and out of network. Me: A treatment center called for an ambulance. I wasnt given a choice of who responded or where they took her. Grievance coordinator: They used out-of-network providers. Me: They dialed 911. No one stops to ask the closest ambulance what their network status is. Grievance coordinator: They did transfer her to an in-network hospital, but the physicians were not participating providers. Me: Under the No Surprises Act, insurance must cover all providers in the case of an emergency, whether they are in network or not even if out of state. (There was a long silence.) Me: Are you still there? Grievance coordinator: Yes, maam. Once you get the conservatorship papers to us, we can look at those claims. Is there anything else I can help you with? Me: Apparently not. As for the incident in question, my daughter sustained injuries severe enough to require ambulance transportation, an emergency room visit and subsequent hospitalization. Yet, on top of the network status squabble, my insurance company disagreed with the triage physicians and determined that the hospitalization was not medically necessary. The hospital discharged her because the insurance would not cover her stay. The result was disastrous, and she was admitted almost immediately to another hospital. Despite this, she is still alive. Challenging this decision initiated the next phase of the appeals process, which mandates patients doctors to engage in peer-to-peer consultations with insurance company doctors to validate treatment plans. How can these decision-makers, who are on the health plans payroll and may lack expertise in the relevant specialty, be impartial or make more informed decisions than the doctors in the room? While dealing with my daughters crisis, I faced my own when my immunologist prescribed infusions to strengthen my severely weakened immune system. The insurance company was the entity with the authority to deny this treatment. Amazingly, insurance companies also get to dictate which medications patients should take. They prefer us to stay on generic versions that often have lower success rates and make us feel sick, rather than approve a brand-name or compounded medication with a better track record. The same approach applies to recommended alternative therapies. Maybe if health plan employees were with members during unspeakable ER experiences, or their company doctors thoroughly examined us, consulted expert colleagues or read our medical histories, there would be fewer catastrophic lapses in judgment. And, before dismissing our prescribed treatments, shouldnt they at least learn to pronounce our names? Health plans are not just failing those they are supposed to serve; they are contributing to the problem of overbilling for health care. Physicians may charge more to offset the administrative burden of working with insurance companies and to account for expected negotiations on their service rates. The health insurance industry is so flawed that around half of the insured population in the United States struggles to afford the cost of care and has substantial medical debt. Others cannot afford coverage at all and go without even basic care. I know I am not alone in my outrage. Though I cant revolutionize an entire industry overnight, I can share intel from my vast experience navigating the current structure successfully, so you can do the same. Laws exist to protect patients, and when staggering under impossible debt, I discovered that the No Surprises Act is one of the most effective. Whats surprising is how few people know it exists. Ill review the most important bits. This act safeguards consumers from being charged more than the in-network rate for services in certain situations: One is when emergency care is provided at any facility, even if out of network or without prior authorization. This includes charges for ambulances, ERs, hospitals and the physicians who work there. Another is when nonemergency care is provided at in-network facilities. If you receive treatment involving out-of-network providers or services such as anesthesiology or radiology, they must be processed at the in-network level. Out-of-network cost-sharing (like coinsurance or copayments) is banned for most emergency and nonemergency services. You cant be billed for more than the in-network cost-sharing rate. Health care providers and facilities must provide information about billing protections with contact information so you can report any suspected violation of these safeguards. You must consent to be balance-billed by any out-of-network provider, and you must receive notice of this. Two additional factors can allow you to choose an out-of-network provider and still have your insurance cover the cost at the in-network level: Distance: When no other qualified providers and specialists or in-network facilities are nearby or accepting new patients. Nearby typically means within a 100-mile radius. Specialty: If your specialty physician no longer accepts your insurance and you wish to remain with them, you can ask for a continuity of care exception. If your case is complex, your doctor can submit supporting documentation. Reviewing and appealing these criteria-related claims have become as routine as brushing my teeth. By appealing, Ive successfully overturned almost $1 million worth of denials. I may now have colorful notes about me in my member profile, but Im rarely patronized. You deserve access to the health care you need without paying extra. Chances are, youve paid for services youre not even responsible for. You also have the right to appeal any denied claim. Instructions and a form on how to do so accompany every explanation of benefits, or EOB. You can also file from your providers website if your member portal is up and running. If you still need help, pick up the phone. Be patient, and dont let the canned hold music defeat you. If you find yourself in a debate with an aggrieved person, mention the No Surprises Act and see what happens. Often, an awkward reversal occurs where you are offered assistance with an appeal to reprocess your claim. The key takeaway: When in doubt, appeal. Even if denied by your insurance company, you still have the option to escalate the matter to its governing agency, which is responsible for supervising health plans. Each state has one. Sure, its annoying, and insurance companies know most members (especially the severely ill) may lack the know-how, luxury of time, or energy to fight back. This exploitation of those most in need can have devastating consequences. There are health and medical billing advocates who specialize in these tasks and typically charge a percentage based on the amount they save or recover for you.The fact that this is a cottage industry further illustrates how badly our health care system needs an overhaul. Yet, as more members challenge the status quo, it creates a ripple effect. Even small actions can lead to reform. I encourage those who are able to call their health plan and request assistance with the appeals paperwork. This costs time and resources. If companies see their profits dip due to employees spending more time managing grievances, they are motivated to resolve the issue. This is how we can dissuade them from kicking back claims they are legally mandated to cover, and how we can effect policy changes, inspire new laws and hopefully keep more cash in our bank accounts. Trust me. I want to keep everyone alive and solvent. Jonna Jerome is a creative writer and content marketing strategist. Her forte is helping people and the causes she cares about through her writing. After years of experience navigating the broken healthcare system and overturning more than $1 million in denied claims, Jonna founded My Patient Voice to help others obtain fair pricing for their medical care. Jonnas personal blog delves into lifes absurdities with a sense of humor, and her work is often featured in other publications. You can read more at janglery.com. She is inspired by her love of family, and fueled by espresso. Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com. Related... Imagine you're a parent, and you go online one day to discover that other parents in your community have been talking about your family online for an entire month, all behind your back. They've circulated a petition to pressure your child's school to prevent your child from being themself and had public Facebook discussions where you discover hateful comments about your kid. And all the while, nobody thought to say anything directly to you. Unfortunately for Mortellus, a 42-year-old parent in North Carolina, they don't have to imagine what that would feel like because they're living it. Mortellus and their spouse Joe have 6-year-old twins who we'll call "Sun" and "Moon" to protect their identities in this piece. Mortellus told BuzzFeed, "While some may ask why we're willing to show a picture including the children's faces, it's to remind people that we they are human beings, not mythical villains that can be spoken about in the way they have so done." Mortellus told BuzzFeed, "As a pagan household, and I myself a trans nonbinary person, my children have had the ability to grow up in a home where there just isnt that idea of being restricted by binary. Of course, its in the media, and they get a passing sense of it, but there is no pressure to conform. The twins are AFAB/AMAB ('girl,' 'boy'), and Moon (not their real name) has been identifying as a 'girl them' for a bit, and pretty recently, Sun (not their real name) has identified as 'she/her.' They both love all kinds of things in terms of play, clothing, and so on, so I wouldnt say liking nail polish and playing dress up in whatever is relating to gender per se since they dont have that binary understanding that most children are exposed to from an early age. While I dont know what these terms and expressions might mean to them at this stage of development, I support whatever feels right to them." Mortellus Recently, Mortellus toured a new charter school for their kids. During the tour, they asked if gender-neutral bathrooms were available, explaining that their kids are nonbinary. Mortellus says that they were assured that although the school is still in the process of adding an ADA-compliant family bathroom, there are already single-stall restrooms available in each classroom, so their children will have a safe place to go. It's worth pointing out that in 2016, North Carolina was the first state to pass a law requiring people to use restrooms matching their assigned gender at birth. Public schools in North Carolina must adhere to this law, but charter schools like the one Mortellus toured are less stringent. In recent years, North Carolina has continued to pass laws aimed at transgender youth, including a prohibition on gender-affirming medical care for minors. Mortellus walked away from that conversation feeling reassured that the school would be a safe and welcoming place for their children to learn. However, somehow, this information about their children's gender identity was leaked to other parents at the school, who started an online campaign against two literal 6-year-olds. According to reporting by WSPA, a petition against gender-neutral bathrooms and opposing the use of "pronouns" in school circulated online, gaining 1,300 signatures from upset parents (FYI, we all use pronouns because that's how the English language works). The petition, which was hosted on Change.org, has since been removed. However, Facebook posts about the petition remain up, and the petition was also discussed at a school board meeting in early May. One parent claimed that gender-neutral bathrooms and pronouns represent a "safety issue" for their family. Another accused Mortellus and their child of being "confused" and attempting to "confuse" other people's children as well. Another parent wrote, "Some want to cram their satanic ideas down your throat so they can make a mockery of God." Others claimed the children were "too young" for ideas about gender, which they mistakenly conflated with sexuality (to clarify, gender describes your own personal identity, whereas sexuality is who you're attracted to). At the board meeting, where Mortellus was unaware their family was being discussed, only one parent spoke in support of the twins. They said, "Every student has the right to an environment that encourages learning and is free of destruction." Facebook / Via Facebook: story.php Mortellus discovered the backlash over their kids after it had been going on behind their back for weeks. They told BuzzFeed, "I became aware of it on June 3, after it had been happening in the public sphere for over a month and behind the scenes for even longer. When I saw it all I sat there quietly for a moment, feeling like my stomach bottomed out." "I felt nauseous. I felt sad. I battled with myself over what the right reaction was but I settled on anger. Theyd all put my children in danger, and the school had done nothing to make us aware." Now, Mortellus is speaking out to clear up the assumptions that so many other parents have been quick to make about their family. "There has been an assumption that I walked in the doors of the school like a cartoon villain shouting HERE ARE MY DEMANDS but thats not true at all. I toured the school, chatting casually with staff and hoping to ensure that my children would get a good education and be afforded nothing more than what school policies already allowed and the same amount of support and protection that other children at the school enjoy." "Id hoped that they would ensure that despite being a little offbeat as a family, we would not be treated poorly. We did, of course, chat casually about things in place that are not very supportive to LGBTQIA+ and/or non-Christian families, and the grammar school principal assured me that they were dedicated to bridging those gaps. I think the biggest thing is that while we chatted about how the grammar school didnt have a gender-neutral or ADA-compliant family bathroom, it's a bit of a non-issue altogether because the youngest students already have a single-stall bathroom in each classroom. I wonder if its a surprise to the most hateful of those who attacked my family that their children already are, and always have been, using a gender-neutral bathroom." Gece33 / Getty Images Mortellus also responded to claims that their children are "too young" to understand gender. "In terms of simple child development, we know that children have a pretty strong idea of gender identity as early as three. Society doesnt really make a fuss about heteronormative binaries being 'understood' by children because that fits within the hegemony but when it is an outsider group like my pagan family with a different idea of morality, ethics, and the world generally, suddenly that understanding is villainized." And they shared what they wish more parents understood about raising nonbinary kids: "That its as simple as letting children just be. That identity is an evolutionnot a destination." Mortellus also has thoughts on how Christianity has been invoked against their family. "Its because, for some people, the right to religious freedom is only for those who share their beliefs. This is about protecting 'Christian' ideas about gender and sexuality, and we do not share those beliefs. We are not Christian. Our faith protects the right to express oneself as we see fitnot as imposed upon us by someone elses god. The fact of the matter is that everyone participating in this discourse is intelligent enough to know that no rules or policies were changed and that kindergartners at that school already have gender-neutral bathrooms and always have." "Its about the fact that staff and through them, parents became aware of a family that believed differently than them, didnt like it, and want to ensure that the rules they have enjoyed the protections of dont apply to that family equally. Its having most of the parking lot be designed for you and parking in a handicapped space. Its everything being closed on Sunday and being angry someone elses child takes a day off of school for a religious observance. Its not wanting to participate in someones rituals but wanting everyone else to participate in your prayers. Its believing everyone should be denied an abortion because your faith demands it." They continued, saying, "They believe with all of their heart that I and my family should not exist in 'their' space, and if that is their assertion, then where are we to exist? I ask you to consider, were the tables turned, what would you want for your family? You would, of course, want to live alongside my children, protected by the law, yet not restrained in your expression of faith." Habesen / Getty Images Finally, to counter the fear, hatred, and misunderstanding their family has been subjected to, Mortellus shared what they love about their twins. "The most joyful thing in the world to me is looking at either of those kids and just knowing that theyre living their best life and getting to explore who they are. So few people get that opportunity, and Im so happy that they get to have it." "As for Moon, they want to grow up to be an astronaut, and hope to go to the Moon, and could tell you the technical name of nearly anything in spaceeven if currently theyre obsessed with unicorns. As for Sun? Theyre an absolute math whiz literally doing algebra at age 5, and I think theyll probably grow up to do the math that sends their sibling to space. One of their current hobbies is inventing new NumberBlocks characters and building them in Minecraft." Ask most wine aficionados about wines from France or Italy, and they'll wax poetic about the differences between the two. Ask about Japanese wine, and you'll likely get a blank look, or even, "Do you mean sake?" Japan has taken on many Western drinking traditions. Beer is Japan's go-to drink; Japanese bartenders craft cocktails with the precision of tea ceremonies. The best Japanese whiskys are now nearly as renowned as its Scottish inspiration. Wine, however, has yet to catch on. Wine makes up just 4% of Japan's alcoholic beverage sector a tiny margin compared to 16% in the United States. Most wine consumed in Japan is imported, and of the wine produced in Japan, 80% is made from imported grape concentrate. In Japan, these wines are labeled "domestic wines;" only wines made with Japanese grapes are classified as "Japanese wine." Authentic Japanese wines only make up 4.8% of the Japanese market, and they're virtually impossible to find outside of Japan. But, thanks to a new generation of Japanese experts and winemakers, that's starting to change. Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have The Early History Of Japanese Wine Daizenji Temple overview - shonenphoto/Shutterstock The history of Japanese wine is murky. Some sources claim that Japanese wine only dates back 150 years but the full history of Japanese wine goes back much further. While the first private, western-style winery didn't open until 1877, the Japanese have been fermenting grapes for centuries. According to legend, the history of Japanese grape cultivation begins with an eighth-century monk named Gyoki. One night, the Buddha of medicine came to Gyoki in a dream holding a bunch of grapes in one hand and a bottle of medicine in the other. The dream inspired Gyoki to found the Daizenji temple in Koshu Valley, where he grew grapes and other plants for medicinal purposes. Soon, farmers were growing grapes throughout the Valley. Damaged grapes were fermented into wine, often heavily sweetened to mask the taste of the low-quality fruit. In Japan, this wine is called budoshu, or grape alcohol. Some Japanese wine drinkers consider it distinct from Western wine, but the similarities are undeniable. Traditionally, budoshu played a smaller role in Japanese culture than shochu or sake. The people who drank it were often grape farmers, who would make the drink to serve on special occasions like weddings or funerals. In the early 20th century, the government cracked down on home brewing. But farmers still fermented the drink in secret, hiding the crocks from authorities. Now, though, Koshu Valley grape farmers make budoshu under a special license continuing an age-old tradition. The History Of Modern Japanese Wine Muscat Bailey A grapes vineyard - Takashi Images/Shutterstock The Japanese first encountered European wines when Portuguese missionaries introduced the drink in the 16th century. Nobles began drinking imported Portuguese wines, and some even tried to make their own. However, when Japan shut itself off to foreign influence, European practices like drinking wine went underground or disappeared entirely. Almost 300 years later, Japan reopened. The country quickly started to adopt Western culture, and had its first European-style winery by 1877. The winery sent researchers to Europe to study winemaking, but the endeavor was literally and figuratively fruitless. Western grape varieties failed, and early Japanese winemakers had a flawed understanding of the process. They approached winemaking like making sake, focusing on technique and technology instead of the grape quality. But sake isn't like wine, and the wine they produced wasn't very good. The Japanese public showed little interest, but the wine industry continued to grow. Suntory, the famed Japanese beverage brand, launched a heavily-sweetened wine as its first product in 1907. In the 1920s, a man named Zenbei Kawakami set out to develop a wine grape that could survive Japan's climate. His efforts produced Muscat Bailey A grapes, now one of Japan's most popular grapes. The industry continued to grow after World War II. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics brought a cosmopolitan crowd to the country and a fresh interest in wine. Popularity boomed in the 80s, and wine developed a reputation as a status symbol. By the '90s, Japanese winemakers were gaining recognition. Japanese Viticulture Koshu grapes on vine - Khun Ta/Shutterstock Perhaps the biggest barrier to Japan's burgeoning wine industry is the country's climate. Despite Japan's long history of cultivating grapes, the weather is too cold and damp for most popular varieties of wine grapes. Koshu grapes, the variety traditionally grown in the Koshu Valley, are well adapted to Japan's climate. However, the celebrated pink-skinned grapes aren't considered true wine grapes. Wine made from Koshu grapes can be bitter and acidic; traditionally, Japanese winemakers added sugar to compensate. Some modern Japanese wineries have been able to make the grapes work, though. The most successful Koshu wines eliminate the traditional added sugar. Without sugar, Koshu wine is very dry with a low alcohol content. It has a clean, crisp, and refreshing taste, often with a strong mineral note. Japanese winemakers also use Muscat Bailey A grapes, which are more in line with traditional wine grapes. Researchers are still trying to develop wine grapes that thrive in Japan's climate. Japanese farmers now grow varieties of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Merlot grapes; grapes from Alpine regions of Europe show promise in the country's chilly, mountainous Hokkaido region. But some aficionados think that Japan's best wines are the ones made from local grape varieties. Instead of poor imitations of European wines made from subpar grapes, these wines are special in their own right, something different and unique. Winemakers just have to learn to adapt, using techniques like removing bitter skins. Wine In Japanese Culture Today Display of Japanese wines - chateau_katsunuma/Instagram Climate aside, Japanese wines have another hurdle to overcome: the Japanese public. Not only is wine relatively unpopular in Japan, but Japanese wines specifically struggle to find a fanbase. When Japanese people drink wine, they typically favor bottles from Europe. Chilean wines are popular, too, thanks to trade agreements with Japan. However, Japanese wine and wine in general is slowly catching on. Younger generations, who approach with curiosity, are more willing to try local wines. And there's clear potential for wine to make its mark on Japanese culture: the Japanese public does have an apparent interest in the drink. In the early 2000s, "The Drops of God", an ode to wine in manga form, became a bestseller; the series helped readers develop a more complex understanding of wine. Japan boasts more sommeliers than any other country, too. The majority of wine sold in Japan is served at restaurants, where sommeliers help diners pair wine with their food. It mirrors the Japanese practice of Omakase, where the chef picks your food for you. Today, there are over 200 wineries in Japan. Koshu Valley, which has long been the center of Japan's grape production, is making a name for itself as an underrated wine region, and many vineyards offer tours. If you're planning a visit to Japan, consider adding one to your itinerary. It's a fun way to support Japan's burgeoning wine industry and a rare chance to taste something unlike any other wine in the world. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Make sure your credit card is never skimmed at the gas pump keep your money safe with this simple hack A TikToker has revealed the best way to check for credit card skimmers at gas station pumps. Dont skim over this information. A safety savvy content creator has revealed how to check for credit card skimmers at gas stations reminding viewers to remain vigilant. The common scam costs both customers and banking institutions more than $1 billion per year, according to FBI estimates. The TikTok tipmeister, who goes by FLM Flight, posted a video showing him pulling on the card-reading apparatus of a gas pump an easy way to tell if the equipment has been tampered with, he said. A TikToker has revealed the best way to check for credit card skimmers at gas station pumps. pathdoc stock.adobe.com POV: You checking the card reader to make sure you dont get scammed, he captioned the clip, which has already scored over 618,000 views on the popular social media app. Some users shared their approval, saying they have performed the same trick to double-check card readers at gas stations, as the number of compromised debit cards soared 96% from 2022 to 2023, per FICO data. Criminals steal credit card information by installing fraudulent card readers known as skimmers at places like bank ATMs or gas station pumps to siphon off funds from unsuspecting fraud victims. According to Experian, gas stations are most vulnerable for malicious tampering, since there is often not an attendant keeping watch over the pumps. For this reason, the FBI recommends choosing a pump that is closest to the gas stations door that employees can keep in view, as well as using tap to pay when available or paying inside with the attendant. According to Experian, gas stations are most vulnerable for malicious tampering since there is often not an attendant keeping watch over the pumps. dtatiana stock.adobe.com Altered card readers that have been replaced with skimming devices may have visual inconsistencies, and the government agency advises customers to closely inspect the card reader for any oddities, such as a keypad with odd coloring, materials and shapes, or a reader that is loose. In addition to skimmers, which steal credit card numbers, there may be a secret camera hidden out of sight to record unsuspecting customers while entering their PIN, and a keypad overlay may be placed over the correctly installed keypad that records whatever PIN users punch in. Experts consider contactless payment methods with a credit card in a digital wallet as the safest course of action when paying at a card reader, as tap-to-pay methods are notoriously more difficult to skim than physical credit card insertions or swipes. Isle au Haut, Maine If you take a ferry to Isle au Haut, an island community way off the coast of Maine, you can visit a gift shop and general store. And that's it, because there are no other businesses on the island. "People who live out here are resilient, they're creative," Bob Olney, president of the Isle au Haut Community Development Corporation, told CBS News. But there aren't enough of them, Olney said. The island's population fluctuates between 45 and 50 people. "It's essential that we continue to attract families," Olney said. Last year, this community put a post on social media and on the island's official website hoping to woo a new family. They were careful not to oversell the place. "Though it's not everyone's cup of tea, who knows, it may very well be yours," the post read. And they got a taker: a young family from central Massachusetts. Dakota and Hannah Waters, and their children Flynn and Amelia, moved here a few months ago. "Our whole family thought we were psychotic," Hannah said. "They're like, 'A remote island in the middle of the ocean?'" And yet here they live, the newest members of a dying breed. At one point, there were about 300 communities out here on Maine's most isolated islands. Now there are just over a dozen. And keeping the communities alive will require attracting people who seek a different lifestyle, people who value solitude over Starbucks, and really don't mind a little adversity. "People have traded the good life for a convenient one," Hannah said. "And convenience isn't always the best." To that point, the Waters raise some of their own food and work multiple jobs. Dakota does plumbing, lawn maintenance and even works on a lobster boat. As for the children, Flynn was one of just two students attending school on the island's K-8 schoolhouse. The place is just that small. But Dakota says the tininess is more blessing than curse. "We have so much more bonding time with the kids," Dakota said. "It's indescribably wholesome." Hannah plans for the family to stay. "I'm not moving my stuff off this rock again," Hannah said. "It was too hard to get it here." 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 Key Insights Chin Teck Plantations Berhad's estimated fair value is RM8.46 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Chin Teck Plantations Berhad's RM7.45 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate The average premium for Chin Teck Plantations Berhad's competitorsis currently 79% In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Chin Teck Plantations Berhad (KLSE:CHINTEK) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Chin Teck Plantations Berhad Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM45.9m RM44.9m RM44.7m RM45.0m RM45.7m RM46.7m RM47.9m RM49.3m RM50.8m RM52.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -4.67% Est @ -2.20% Est @ -0.48% Est @ 0.73% Est @ 1.58% Est @ 2.17% Est @ 2.58% Est @ 2.87% Est @ 3.08% Est @ 3.22% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 8.6% RM42.3 RM38.1 RM34.9 RM32.3 RM30.2 RM28.4 RM26.9 RM25.4 RM24.1 RM22.9 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM306m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.6%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM52m (1 + 3.6%) (8.6% 3.6%) = RM1.1b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM1.1b ( 1 + 8.6%)10= RM468m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM773m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM7.5, the company appears about fair value at a 12% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Chin Teck Plantations Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Chin Teck Plantations Berhad Strength Currently debt free. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat No apparent threats visible for CHINTEK. Moving On: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Chin Teck Plantations Berhad, we've compiled three further factors you should further examine: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Chin Teck Plantations Berhad you should know about. Future Earnings: How does CHINTEK's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Investigators in Louisville, Kentucky, said they are looking for a suspect and clues in a mass shooting at a nightclub early Saturday morning that killed a man and wounded seven others. Officers received a call around 12:47 a.m. for shots fired outside the lounge H20 and first responders discovered a man with gunshot wounds when they arrived, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department. PHOTO: Louisville Police investigate a nighclub where eight people were shot on June 22, 2024. (WHAS) The unidentified man was later pronounced dead at the scene by EMS, police said. MORE: 3 killed, 10 hurt in mass shooting at grocery store in Arkansas A second unidentified victim was rushed to University Hospital "with injuries that are believed to be critical and life-threatening," according to the LMPD. Later in the morning, investigators learned that six other victims from the shooting, who suffered non-life threatening injuries, transported themselves to area hospitals, according to police. PHOTO: Louisville Police investigate a nighclub where eight people were shot on June 21, 2024. (WHAS) The relationship among the victims was not immediately known. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the anonymous Crime Tip Hotline at 502-574-LMPD (5673). 1 dead, 7 wounded following shooting at Louisville nightclub: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 1 person killed and 7 others wounded in shooting outside Kentucky nightclub, police say One person was killed and seven others were injured in a shooting outside a Louisville, Kentucky, nightclub early Saturday, police said. First responders found two people with gunshot wounds when they arrived at the scene outside H20 Lounge at 12:47 a.m., the Louisville Police Metro Department said in a statement. One of the victims, a man, was later pronounced dead. The second person was taken to a hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries, police said. Medical staff later reported that another six victims, all adults, showed up at area hospitals following the shooting. All six were shot, according to Aaron Ellis, a public information officer with the police department. Those injuries are believed to be non-life threatening, police said. Police did not have information on a suspect, and its unclear how many people opened fire or what led to the shooting. The relationship of the victims, if any, is not known at this time, police said, adding that the shooting remains under investigation. The country has seen a spate of shootings in the past few weeks, with at least 21 other mass shootings recorded by the Gun Violence Archive since last Friday. The Gun Violence Archive, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was shot and taken to a local hospital early Saturday morning, June 22 in Northeast El Paso, El Paso Police said. The shooting happened during a burglary of a home at about 4:30 a.m. along the 4800 block of Tholos Court. That is right off Kenworthy Street and near Arlington Park. Police did not say who was shot or what their condition is. Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating the incident. We will update this story when we learn more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 15 Sets of Twins Graduate from N.J. High School: 'I Never Realized There Were So Many New Jerseys Ridgewood High School has 419 seniors in its 2024 graduating class and 30 of them are twins Courtesy of Ridgewood Public Schools 15 Sets of Twins Graduate from N.J. High School As graduation season continues, one New Jersey high school is making headlines for having 15 sets of twins in its graduating class. New Jerseys Ridgewood High School has 419 seniors in its class of 2024, and 30 of those students are twins, according to the Bergen Record. As CBS News reports, the majority of the twins are fraternal and pride themselves on their differing personalities. "We have similar friend groups. But at the same time, we do have different friends. And we like to do different activities," twin Charlotte Sands said of the differences between her and sister Ella. Courtesy of Ridgewood Public Schools 15 Sets of Twins Graduate from N.J. High School Related: 12 Sets of Twins and 1 Set of Triplets Graduate from Illinois High School As for the staggering amount of twins in the class, well, not even all the twins noticed. "I never realized there were so many twins," added Charlotte. 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. Although generally grouped together throughout their lives, the twins of Ridgewood High didn't have to worry about that on June 19, at least when it came to lining up, as the school grouped students for graduation based on height and sex. Courtesy of Ridgewood Public Schools 15 Sets of Twins Graduate from N.J. High School In April, Pennsylvanias Norwin High School also had a notable amount of twins, with 11 sets in its graduating class. "It is my ninth year as the building principal," Norwin High School Principal Dr. Michael Choby said at the time. "I don't remember it happening in the past. It's exciting because of the camaraderie amongst the students." "I also am a parent of twins," Choby added. "So I have twins here at Norwin School District, not in high school yet, but someday. I don't know if there's something the water." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Three injured minors who reportedly escaped Monday from a relatives home in Phoenix while wearing zip ties on their wrists told authorities that they had been abused and that other children were still restrained in the relatives apartment. The victims relative, a 33-year-old woman, has been charged with 12 counts of child abuse and kidnapping, according to court records reviewed by HuffPost. (HuffPost is not naming the relative in order to protect the identity of the children.) A 16-year-old girl and two brothers, ages 10 and 7, said they escaped from the relatives apartment and knocked on a neighbors door seeking help, according to a probable cause statement attached to a release questionnaire obtained by HuffPost. MicroStockHub Illustration: HuffPost; Photo: Getty Images The three kids told the neighbor that they had been zip-tied and that the 10-year-old had been struck with a handgun, according to the arrest document, and that other children were being restrained in the apartment. Officers who responded to the neighbors 911 call conducted a protective sweep but did not find the woman or other children inside, according to the probable cause statement. The neighbor told police that bruises and red marks were observed on the childrens hands, wrists and shoulders, according to the probable cause statement,No other children were found in the apartment, though. One of the boys had bruises all over his body, the neighbor said, according to official documents. More on his face, on the side of his face. And then he had zip ties on his hands. He could barely even walk. He was really pale. He said that he didnt eat for days. The three children were taken into police care and questioned in forensic interviews. They allegedly detailed the abuse suffered in their relatives home. Each child allegedly gave police graphic descriptions of physical abuse, including being struck with a gun, shocked with a Taser and suffocated with a plastic bag. The 16-year-old reportedly told detectives that on Monday, her relative believed the brothers were touching her daughter and punished them, according to the probable cause statement. The woman allegedly ordered the 16-year-old to hit her brothers, but the teen said she did not hit them hard, the arrest documents say. The teenager said that on multiple occasions, her relative used a gun to instill fear by either striking them with it or pressing it to their heads, according to the probable cause statement. The youngest of the three children told detectives that their relative would tell him he was going to die before she assaulted him, according to the court document. A medical examination found several injuries, including older cuts and scars on the 7-year-olds chest, that appeared to be caused by being stabbed or hit with a gun. The 10-year-old boy described the siblings escape in his police interview, according to the probable cause statement. He allegedly told detectives that while he and the 7-year-old were zip-tied to the bar of a bunk bed, their sistercame into the room with scissors and cut them free. Police who searched the home reported that they recovered several items that matched descriptions the kids gave of objects used to abuse them, including two Tasers, a black handgun, a knife and zip ties. The relative was found later Monday in Phoenix and taken into custody along with five other children, police reported. It was unclear how she was connected with the five children. Detectives reported that she told them the children were taken in from her sister but she felt as if she should have given them up, according to the probable cause statement. Its unclear if she was speaking only of the three children who had escaped the apartment. The woman also reportedly told detectives that she was unable to continue caring for the children but believed they would have problems if they went somewhere else, according to the probable cause statement. A man who went to the apartment Thursday told a reporter he was the father of two children whod been staying at the womans apartment and that hed been looking for her, unaware she was in custody and facing child abuse charges. The man said his two children, ages 6 and 3, had also been staying with the woman. Im scared for all of them, but Im just really trying to go find my children, he told AZ Family.He was later told by Phoenix police that his children were inthe care of child protective services. According to court records, the relative who was arrested Monday is expected to appear in court on June 24. Related... CLEARFIELD, Utah (ABC4) Police responded to an incident Friday night after an 18-year-old man was shot twice, according to the Clearfield City Police Department. Just after 10 p.m., police say they received several 911 calls reporting a shooting in the area near 25 E 1800 S. Witnesses reported seeing a man shot and a group of juveniles leaving the area. Police located an 18-year-old man with two gunshot wounds to his lower extremities and transported him to a local hospital. He was later airlifted to another hospital for emergency surgery. Police report he is now in stable condition. Officers issued a shelter-in-place order for residents near the scene while looking for the suspects. Police say they found the suspects after searching nearby areas and receiving tips from the public. The shelter-in-place order lasted about an hour in total. Police detained three juveniles and are currently investigating the incident to determine the suspect responsible for the shooting. No arrests have been made at this time. Police say the shooting was likely related to a confrontation of some kind and they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public. If you have any information on the shooting, officials say to contact them at 801-525-2800. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Oregon Department of Forestry is sending 19 firefighters to New Mexico to help fight several out of control wildfires, officials announced Friday. The department said this will help firefighters brush up on their skills ahead of Oregons fire season peak later in the summer. So far, in 2024, Oregon has deployed dozens of firefighters to other states to fight wildfires including sending nearly 50 firefighters to Texas, 14 to Alaska, five to California, and several others to Tennessee, Washington, and Florida. Oregon has the highest pollen count in the US. Heres when allergy sufferers could see relief Those states have also sent firefighters and equipment to Oregon when wildfires exceed local capacity, officials said. ODF Fire Protection Division Chief Chris Cline said these mutual agreements with other states help bolster the complete and coordinated fire protection system across the continent and create a cache of reciprocal resources for all of us to call on when needed. We do our best to answer the call when it comes in from any of our wildland partners as weve been on the other side of the equation and we understand how difficult it can be to need help so desperately, said Cline. But know that we dont share these resources without appropriate vetting. Before committing to any out-of-state deployment, we make sure that our own fire management system is still adequately staffed and ready to respond to fires here in Oregon. Serving Oregonians is our first and primary priority. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Emergency workers work the scene of the fatal car crash near Los Angeles International Airport early Saturday. (Onscene.TV) Two young men were killed and at least one was injured when their car hurtled off a highway in El Segundo and crashed into parked cars at nearby LAX, according to authorities. Around 3 a.m. Saturday, the driver of a 2016 Lexus sedan was traveling westbound on the I-105 and took the sharp Nash Street exit at high speed, the CHP said. The car hit a concrete barrier and wound up in the FedEx parking lot at LAX. The Lexus struck a car and two pickup trucks before it stopped, the CHP said. The 19-year-old driver and an 18-year-old passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, also 19, suffered cuts and was taken to UCLAs Westwood Medical Center. All three were from the Moreno Valley. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the CHP at (310) 642-3939. 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. Signage at a Rookwood Commons & Pavilions storefront indicates a World Market is coming to the Norwood shopping center soon. Two World Market stores are set to open soon in Greater Cincinnati. The retail chain, which touts their selection of affordable home goods and international food, is opening locations in Norwood and Crestview Hills. Opening dates for the two locations are unknown, but hints that the stores are coming soon are plentiful. The Norwood location is set to open in Rookwood Commons & Pavilions. A store front between Sierra and Mitchells Salon & Day Spa at the shopping center displays signs that indicate a World Market is opening soon and is currently hiring. An employee from the Rookwood Commons & Pavilions leasing office confirmed that the retailer is coming to the shopping center. Crestview Hills Town Centers website lists World Market as "Coming soon." There are 239 World Market stores in the United States, according to the companys website. The website lists eight locations in Ohio, including the Norwood location. The Crestview Hills World Market store will be Kentucky's third. Messages for requesting details on when the stores will open were not returned by the time of publication. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: World Market to open stores in Norwood and Crestview Hills Christian Lindner, Germany's Minister of Finance, speaks at the Real Estate Industry Day. Jens Kalaene/dpa The coalition still has a lot of work ahead of it in its difficult deliberations on the 2025 federal budget, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has said. "We have not yet reached the landing zone," the minister told Saturday's edition of the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung newspaper. It is "not just about a draft budget for next year ... but also about a fundamental turnaround in [Germany's] economy," Lindner stressed. "Redistributing state money and subsidies do not create added value," added Lindner, a fiscal conservative who holds to a tougher line than his coalition partners. In addition, the state must become more capable of acting in its core tasks. "In this respect, the restriction offers the opportunity to tackle the really important projects in education, digitalization, infrastructure and security more intensively," emphasized Lindner. He does not want to make the success of the negotiations dependent on individual measures, but on the "level of ambition overall." The three-party German coalition of Lindner's pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens in fact planned to present a draft budget on July 3, but Lindner had already indicated that the draft could be presented later. The German finance minister is constantly negotiating the budget with Scholz and Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens, Lindner said. SPD leader Saskia Esken had warned Lindner of an overly rigid austerity programme and, in this context, of a "historic mistake." Lindner rejected this once again. He pointed out in the newspaper that social benefits had been expanded since 2022. However, the country lacked economic growth and could not continue as it had done over the past 10 years. "Mrs Esken must also realize that prosperity must first be generated before it can be distributed," the finance minister said. After 22 hours in the wilderness, 4-year-old boy from Torrance found safe The boy was found safe after he was reported missing near the Rancheria Campground. (Fresno County Sheriff Department) After disappearing from a campground in the Sierra National Forest, a 4-year-old boy from Torrance was found by a search-and-rescue party a day later and reunited with his parents, officials said. The boys family reported him missing about 11 a.m. Thursday near the Rancheria Campground, which sits along Huntington Lake and is surrounded by a dense forest of pine and fir trees of the Kaiser Wilderness, north of Fresno. A search-and-rescue team composed of 50 people, including Fresno County sheriffs deputies, forest rangers and volunteers, launched an extensive effort to find the child, who was last seen wearing shorts and a T-shirt, officials said. Around 8 a.m. Friday, roughly 22 hours after his disappearance, the boy was discovered in good condition about a quarter-mile from the campground. In a Facebook post, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office announced that authorities had located the boy in good condition, noting that he was just tired and hungry. The boy has since been reunited with his parents. Authorities credited the collaboration of several law enforcement agencies and community members for finding the boy. This was an amazing show of teamwork and dedication, a post read from the sheriffs office. Many people offered to help join the search, kept their eyes peeled, spread the word on social media and sent prayers up. All of this undoubtedly helped to bring [him] home safely. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The identities of the young men, who were visiting Florida from Alabama, have not yet been revealed Getty The Gulf of Mexico at Panama City Beach Three men have died while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. The swimmers who were visiting Panama City Beach, Florida, from Alabama became "distressed" in the water on the evening of Friday, June 21, according to a news release from the Bay County Sheriff's Office. The sheriffs office received a call around 8:11 p.m. local time reporting three swimmers in the Gulf behind Watercress Condominiums, a local condo building. One swimmer was located quickly and received medical care, while rescue efforts to save the other two continued. Related: Parents Drown After Getting Caught in Rip Current While Vacationing in Florida with Their 6 Kids In an update to its original post, which was provided without a timestamp, the sheriffs office said another swimmer had been located, pulled from the water and administered medical care. In another update also without a timestamp authorities said the third distressed swimmer had been located, and revealed that one of the others had died. The update also said that the young men had arrived in Panama City Beach from Alabama on Friday afternoon and soon after went swimming. In a final update, the sheriffs office announced that all three swimmers died at local hospitals. "It is with profound sadness that we announce all three young men that entered the water around 8 p.m. today and became distressed have passed away," Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families. "I want to thank Bay County Emergency Services, the FWC and the Coast Guard for their help in the rescue efforts, Ford added. The Bay County Sheriff's Office did not release the identities of the three swimmers and did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. 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 an additional statement shared on Saturday, June 22, Ford called the swimmers' deaths a tragedy. "I have such a heavy heart this morning about the loss of three young visitors to our community, he wrote. [Im] praying for their family and ask that you do the same. It is such a tragedy. I witnessed so many people, including visitors to our community, come together last night on the beach to desperately search for them. Ford continued, The acts of courage by first responders were amazing. Many of our rescue swimmers with the [Sheriffs] Office, Bay County Emergency Services and Panama City Beach went into the dark and dangerous waters for over two hours to attempt to rescue and search for the young men. I worry about the emotional toll that these situations take on first responders as I know Im struggling with it as well, he concluded. They have my utmost respect, as I know they are suiting up again today to keep our citizens and visitors safe." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (AP) Three Alabama men have died from likely drowning after becoming distressed while swimming at a Florida Panhandle beach, authorities said Saturday morning. The young men had traveled to the Panama City Beach area Friday evening, the Bay County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post. Motorcycle goes off bridge into water killing woman The sheriffs office received an emergency call about the distressed swimmers shortly after 8 p.m., officials said. The U.S. Coast Guard and others began rescue efforts. The men, who were not immediately identified, were found separately and eventually pronounced dead at local hospitals. Earlier this week, single red flags had been posted at the beach, indicating high-hazard surf and rip current conditions. $70K of cocaine seized in bust on Ohio interstate On Thursday, a Pennsylvania couple visiting Florida with their six children drowned after they were caught in a rip current while swimming. The man and woman were caught in the current on Hutchinson Island, along Floridas southeast coast, the Martin County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. An excavator removes stones from the bed of the Navizence river, which flows into the Rhone, in Chippis, canton Valais, Switzerland, Saturday June 22, 2024. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) VIENNA (AP) Three people were missing on Saturday after massive thunderstorms and rainfall in southeastern Switzerland caused a landslide, authorities said. One woman was pulled out alive after being buried by the landslide in the Alpine valley of Misox in Graubunden. A rescue operation for the three others is ongoing. The rockslide hit a group of houses in the municipality of Lostallo. Rescuers have been searching all day Saturday with excavators and specially trained search dogs. William Kloter from the Swiss police, who is heading the rescue operations, told local media that he was hoping to find the three missing persons alive. Swiss President Viola Amherd said she was shocked by the scale of the damage. My thoughts are with those affected. I thank the emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in this difficult situation, Amherd said on X. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway announced on Saturday evening that it would resume operations between Zermatt and the village of Tasch, where buses would be available for onward transportation. Zermatt in the southern canton of Valais, near the iconic Matterhorn mountain, had been cut off from the outside world on Friday and Saturday after heavy rains and melting snow caused the Mattervispa River to overflow. Dramatic videos showed the otherwise small river that flows through Zermatt turning into a muddy torrent, partially submerging streets in the popular ski resort. Emergency services in the canton of Valais were on high alert over the levels of the River Rhone, which reached its peak on Saturday. Authorities evacuated 230 residents on Saturday, with the municipality of Chippis particularly affected, as it is situated on the left bank of the Rhone. Authorities have warned residents to avoid lower parts of their houses, including cellars, stay away from swelling rivers and refrain from parking on bridges. People were also advised against filming or photographing the floods for safety reasons. A Swiss court convicted four members of the UK's richest family of exploiting staff at their Geneva villa. The family was given sentences ranging from four to four-and-a-half years. More serious charges of human trafficking were dismissed. A Swiss court has convicted four members of the UK's richest family of exploiting staff at their Geneva mansion. The court found Prakash Hinduja, his wife Kamal, their son Ajay, and Ajay's wife Namrata guilty of exploitation and illegal employment, the BBC reported. They were given sentences ranging from four to four-and-a-half years, the report said. More serious charges of human trafficking were dismissed. The ruling followed claims by three workers at the villa that the family had taken their passports, paid them as little as $8 to work 18-hour days, and barred them from leaving the house, which is located in Geneva's wealthy Cologny neighborhood a hot spot for wealthy buyers that has attracted the heirs to several fortunes, including Chanel and Peugeot, per Mansion Global. The workers, who were brought to Switzerland from India, also received little or no vacation time and slept in the basement, sometimes on a mattress on the floor, the Associated Press reported. Lawyers representing the family said they would appeal the decision, per the BBC. Robert Assael, a lawyer for the family, said outside the court: "I'm shocked. We're going to fight it to the bitter end." The Hinduja family The family has a net worth of 37.196 billion, which is just over $47 billion, making them the UK's wealthiest family, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2024. Prakash and his three brothers lead a family conglomerate that has interests in finance, healthcare, real estate, media, energy, and information technology, among other areas. Their companies operate across 48 countries, per the report. The family owns the five-star luxury Raffles Hotel in London, where the cheapest room usually costs more than 1,000 (around $1,200) a night, and the most expensive, the Haldane suite, can cost 25,000 (roughly $31,600) a night. The family also owns a 25-bedroom mansion on Carlton House Terrace, an exclusive street overlooking St James's Park in central London. In 2015, Gopichand Hinduja, Prakash's brother, told the Times of London that the family did not spend more than one in five nights at the 67,000-square-foot home due to fears that it may bring them bad luck. "Indians are very sentimental, emotional and they believe in omens and good luck," Gopichand Hinduja said. "Although this has been built for the whole family, my wife and the family don't want to move here because they say that [our old house] has good luck . . . I can tell you the occupancy [here] is not more than 20 per cent," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider Bipartisan rage against TikTok has been a boon for the social media giants competitors, who have largely escaped public scrutiny over the past year. For Meta, the parent company of Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook, that respite may be ending. The firm faces lawsuits from attorneys general in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., who have accused it of causing harm to young users. The flurry of lawsuits, which The New York Times summarized in a long piece on Saturday, mirrors litigation against tobacco companies several decades ago. The suits claim that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has failed to remedy safety lapses and has rejected his own staff members requests for more manpower to address issues. A lot of these decisions ultimately landed on Mr. Zuckerbergs desk, Raul Torrez, attorney general of New Mexico, told the Times. He needs to be asked explicitly, and held to account explicitly, for the decisions that hes made. As one example of Zuckerbergs decision-making, executive David Ginsberg emailed him in April 2019 citing concern about areas of problematic use/addiction and teens, according to court records. He wanted to conduct research to reduce loneliness and compulsive use, but was told there werent resources available for his project. Mary Rodee, the mother of a teenager who died by suicide in 2021 after being victimized by a sexual predator on Facebook, blasted Meta to the Times. They preach that they have safety protections, but not the right ones, she said. Rodee filed a lawsuit against Meta earlier this year. She added that Meta never responded to the reports she submitted through automated channels on the site about her sons death, the Times wrote. Its pretty unfathomable, she said. The U.S. surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, is also calling for regulations that would place warning labels on social media sites, akin to labels on cigarette packs. The mental health crisis among young people is an emergencyand social media has emerged as an important contributor, he wrote in an op-ed last week. Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, and the average daily use in this age group, as of the summer of 2023, was 4.8 hours. Some members of Congress are pushing to enact the Kids Online Safety Act, which would restrict social media firms ability to use addictive techniques like push notifications on underage users. Meta has pushed back on its characterization in the lawsuits and the press. We want to reassure every parent that we have their interests at heart in the work were doing to help provide teens with safe experiences online, said spokeswoman Liza Crenshaw. She argued that the legal filings mischaracterize our work using selective quotes and cherry-picked documents. Still, some evidence in the complaints is at a minimum highly unflattering. One Meta staffer admitted in a 2016 email that the overall company goal is total teen time spent, according to filings in Tennessee. Court records also revealed communications executive Nick Cleggs critical comments about Mark Zuckerberg to some members of his team. If I was him, I wouldnt want to be asked while your company was being accused of aiding and abetting teenage suicide, why was your only public pronouncement a post about surfing? Clegg wrote. 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. Waters and beach areas along Florida's coastal areas are displaying red flag warnings about dangerous water conditions, including rip currents, which claimed five lives in two days. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI June 22 (UPI) -- A Friday night swim proved deadly for three young Alabama men who drowned while swimming in dangerous Gulf of Mexico waters in Florida's Bay County. One day earlier a couple also died from rip currents farther south in the Atlantic Ocean. The three men arrived at their destination in Panama City Beach on Friday afternoon and went swimming despite flags warning of dangerous waters due to rip currents. "It is with profound sadness that we announce all three young men that entered the water around 8 p.m. [Friday] and became distressed have passed away," the Bay County Sheriff's Department posted on Facebook. A caller reported three swimmers in distress at 8:11 p.m. EDT Friday, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Department. First responders from the sheriff's department, U.S. Coast Guard, Bay County Emergency Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission initiated rescue efforts and recovered the three swimmers. They were taken to a nearby hospital where the three men were declared dead. Their names and ages are unreported. The three young men drowned a day after a couple -- Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48 -- drowned after a rip current swept them out to sea while swimming in Atlantic coastal waters off Florida's Hutchinson Island on Thursday. Hutchinson Island is between Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. The couple was swimming with two teenage children when they were caught in a rip current that swept them out to sea. The teens tried to save their parents but were thwarted by the dangerous water conditions. The five drownings in two days occurred during a week in which Tropical Storm Alberto passed through the southern Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Mexico. Alberto is the first named storm of the Atlantic hurrican season. Tropical storms commonly cause rip currents and other dangerous swimming conditions hundreds of miles away. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines rip currents as "powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water" that are prominent in coastal areas and along the Great Lakes. An 8-year-old girl was sucked into a swimming pool pipe at a Hilton hotel. The management company blamed her parents An 8-year-old girl was sucked into a swimming pool pipe at a Hilton hotel. The management company blamed her parents A hotel management company says an 8-year-old girls parents are to blame after a freak incident where the child was sucked into a pool pipe and drowned. On March 23, Aliyah Lynette Jaico and her family were enjoying an afternoon of swimming at a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Houston, when the girl disappeared. Jaicos family alleges in a civil lawsuit that after searching for the missing girl for 30 minutes, they went to the hotels staff to ask them to review security footage, who refused to do so until police arrived. Area police were not called until nearly an hour after Jaico went missing, and her body was later found in a pipe deep inside the pools mechanical systems. Aliyah Lynette Jaico, 8, died after being sucked into a pool on March 23, at a Houston area hotel. The hotel is aruging in court that the parents are to blame. (Click 2 Houston screengrab) The family sued the management companies operating the hotel, alleging the death was the direct result of negligence at the property to maintain a functioning pool. In documents filed Wendesday, Northwest Hospitality Services, LLC, alleged it was Jaicos family who engaged in negligent acts and/or omissions that proximately caused the alleged injuries and damages. In April, another company named in the suit, Unique Crowne Hospitality, made similar arguments. The family has pushed back on suggestions it is to blame. A lot of people are making comments about her [the mother] that she wasnt there, she was missing or she may have been in the hotel room. None of that is true," attorney Richard Nava, who is representing Jaicos family, said in March. He said Jaico may have been trying to save her 5-year-old sister from being sucked into the pipe. The younger girl was later pulled out of the pool by a 13-year-old cousin, but by then Jaico had gone missing. Her poor little body was contorted when she was sucked into this hole and pipe 20 feet back. Her body was inside of the motor when she had to be extracted," Nava continued at the time. "They had to break up concrete in order to extract her, cut pipe. It was absolutely horrific. Barriers can be seen in front of an apartment building in Essen. Some 80 people in the western German city of Essen had to leave their homes during the night because the safety of their building could not be guaranteed, a spokesman for the Essen fire brigade said on Saturday morning. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Some 80 people in the western German city of Essen had to leave their homes during the night because the safety of their building could not be guaranteed, a spokesman for the Essen fire brigade said on Saturday morning. Underneath the multi-storey building in Essen's Freisenbruch district is an access to a former mining gallery, spokesman Nico Blum explained. After several drilling probes, it is suspected that the backfill of the access is not in the condition it should be. As a result, the stability of the building is no longer guaranteed, Blum said. "Around 30 people have been housed in emergency accommodation," said Blum, adding that the rest were accommodated with friends and relatives. The operation began at around 10 pm (2000 GMT) on Friday and ended at around 3 am on Saturday. The fire brigade assumes that people will not be able to return to their homes for weeks. Several thousand kilometres of shafts and tunnels run through the earth in the Ruhr region, formerly Germany's mining heartland, with frequent collapses as a result of damage from mining activity that appears on the surface. In 2000, a 500-square-metre crater appeared in a residential area of the Wattenscheid district of the city of Bochum and two garages sank into it. Boreholes can be seen in front of an apartment building in Essen. Some 80 people in the western German city of Essen had to leave their homes during the night because the safety of their building could not be guaranteed, a spokesman for the Essen fire brigade said on Saturday morning. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Christian Lindner, Germany's Minister of Finance, speaks at the Real Estate Industry Day. Jens Kalaene/dpa Germany's ruling coalition still has a lot of work ahead amid difficult deliberations on the 2025 federal budget, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Saturday, as left-wing politicians criticized prospective cuts to social spending. "We have not yet reached the landing zone," the minister told the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung newspaper. It is "not just about a draft budget for next year ... but also about a fundamental turnaround in [Germany's] economy," Lindner stressed. "Redistributing state money and subsidies do not create added value," added Lindner, a fiscal conservative who holds to a tougher line than his coalition partners. In addition, the state must limit itself to achieving its core tasks, he said. "In this respect, a stricter focus offers the opportunity to place more emphasis on very important projects in education, digitalization, infrastructure and security," emphasized Lindner. The three-party German coalition of Lindner's pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens had planned to present a draft budget on July 3, but Lindner has indicated that the draft could be presented later. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said the budget needed to be completed before Scholz attends a NATO summit in the United States on July 9. He said Scholz is confident that he "will travel to Washington with a draft budget in his briefcase." Lindner, Scholz and Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens have been locked in negotiations over the budget. A number of government ministries have said they cannot meet strict savings targets, but Lindner is insisting that Germany's "debt brake" on government spending must be kept. SPD leader Saskia Esken previously warned Lindner against an overly rigid austerity programme, which she said would amount to a "historic mistake." Lindner responded on Saturday by saying Esken should recognize that "prosperity must be generated before it can be distributed," arguing that social benefits have been extended by 13 billion ($14 billion) since 2022. However, he said the country is lacking economic growth and cannot continue on the same course. The latest comments were met with criticism from Lindner's coalition partners on Saturday. Labour Minister Hubertus Heil of the SPD said on public radio that "it would be wrong to cut back on labour market policy in times like these," highlighting the need to ensure workers have necessary skills for employment. Story continues Meanwhile, left-wing SPD members submitted a petition to the party leadership calling for no cuts to be made in the budget on social spending, health and education. "An austerity budget would be a wrong turn in economic, environmental and democratic terms," the document said. Boreholes can be seen in front of an apartment building in Essen. Some 80 people in the western German city of Essen had to leave their homes during the night because the safety of their building could not be guaranteed, a spokesman for the Essen fire brigade said on Saturday morning. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Eighty-three people in the western German city of Essen had to leave their homes during the night because the safety of their building could not be guaranteed, a spokesman for the Essen fire brigade said on Saturday morning. A cavity had been discovered underneath the building, Nico Blum explained. The fire brigade's operation began at around 10 pm (2000 GMT) on Friday and ended at around 3 am on Saturday. Access to a more than 100-year-old ventilation tunnel from the region's mining history is located under the multi-storey building in the city's Freisenbruch district, a city spokeswoman explained. The mining authorities carried out exploratory drilling in the area last week. The cavity was discovered in the process. Experts from the building inspectorate then ordered the evacuation of the house on Friday evening after a thorough inspection. The spokeswoman said that having to leave their homes late in the evening without warning and possibly for a long time was extremely unpleasant for the residents of the house, many of whom were elderly. The evacuation was generally calm, but some residents initially did not want to leave their flats. According to the city, 33 of those affected were accommodated in a hotel that is also used for refugees. Some residents in need of care were temporarily taken to hospital. The majority were accommodated privately with friends and relatives. The fire brigade assumes that people will not be able to return to their homes for weeks. Several thousand kilometres of shafts and tunnels run through the earth in the Ruhr region, formerly Germany's industrial heartland, with frequent collapses as a result of damage from mining activity that appears on the surface. In 2000, a 500-square-metre crater appeared in a residential area of the Wattenscheid district of the city of Bochum and two garages sank into it. Active coal mining in Germany came to an end in 2018 after more than 200 years. Long afterwards, the former operating company RAG continues to receive thousands of reports of damage to buildings as a result of coal mining and cavities at great depths. Mining damage is financially regulated by RAG and repaired by specialized companies. In 2014, for example, a primary school building that had subsided and started to lean was hydraulically raised by almost a metre as part of the resettlement process. Claims for compensation for mining damage expire three years after they become known. Barriers can be seen in front of an apartment building in Essen. Some 80 people in the western German city of Essen had to leave their homes during the night because the safety of their building could not be guaranteed, a spokesman for the Essen fire brigade said on Saturday morning. Christoph Reichwein/dpa ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) has ordered Pastor Scott Beard of Fountain Gate Fellowship Church to pay a $3,500 civil penalty due to violations made during his 2023 campaign for Abilene City Council. We caught it when we were doing the report: City Council candidate Scott Beard addresses church donations In an order and agreed resolution from the Texas Ethics Commission, TEC wrote that Beard made extensive contributions from corporate resources to his own campaign. TEC discovered that Beard placed and distributed campaign signs on FountainGates property, filmed campaign videos at the churchs office and worship center, and accepted corporate contributions from attendees who were employed by the church at his campaign fundraising dinner. In March 2023, an employee of FountainGate contacted TECs filer helpline on behalf of Beard. They inquired whether it was permissible to distribute camping signs or display them on the churchs property. The TEC attorney cautioned that candidates are not allowed to accept corporate contributions. Stand up for righteousness: City Council Place 4 candidate Scott Beard shares his focus and plans if elected According to documents, the signs remained on the property after this incident, and Beard invited other candidates to post signs at FountainGates worship center. However, he did not offer to distribute signs for opponents. More than two weeks after the helpline call, the signs were removed. Beard falsely claimed that TEC approved the sign placement. As a result, TEC imposed a $3,500 civil penalty after considering the nature, circumstances, and consequences of the violations described under Section III, the respondents lack of good faith, and the need to deter similar violations. TEC went on to say that by Beard signing the document, The respondent neither admits nor denies the findings of fact and conclusions of law described under Section III, and consents to the entry of this order and agreed resolution solely for the purpose of resolving this sworn complaint. Beard paid the $3,500 penalty on May 28th, 2024. Put forward some kind of official statement: Project Destiny founder Scott Beard addresses misconceptions on Sanctuary City Ordinance Read the full document here: Scott-Beard-Texas-Ethics-CommisionDownload Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. AUSTIN, Texas There was a time when the Austin Women's Health Center would be so full, patients waited outside on benches. Those lucky enough to get a seat inside watched carefully chosen movies on the waiting room television. Nothing with violence the clinic faced enough threats. Nothing featuring food, either, since some patients had to come with an empty stomach. Those days are gone. Nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the nation's constitutional right to an abortion, the waiting room was quiet. On a humid day in late May, just one or two patients waited to see the clinic's nurse practitioner. The television was off. The small counseling rooms where patients once sat with Maria Yarborough before their abortion and the row of massage chairs they recovered in afterward were empty. Prior to the court decision, Yarborough said, the staff came to work every day knowing they were going to make a difference in their patients' lives, but "the purpose of our job has been taken from us." Office manager Maria Yarborough works at the Austin Womens Health Center in Austin, Texas, Thursday June 6, 2024. Austin Womens Health Center is one of many former abortion clinics struggling to keep its doors open since the Supreme Court delivered its watershed decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization on June 24, 2022. Dozens of abortion clinics closed permanently or relocated out of states that banned the procedure, worsening access to both abortion and other forms of reproductive health care nationwide. Those that remain are often independent operations fighting to stay open. The Austin clinic, which opened in 1976, just a few years after the Roe v. Wade decision made abortion legal nationwide, saw it's finances tank in the wake of its reversal. With reduced services and hours, it lost money month after month and did not break even until January. For medical director Dr. L.L. Tad Davis, the financial hit has been personal. He owns the building, but he is not charging rent. He has not taken a salary in more than a year. It's been a difficult, difficult time as we try to reinvent ourselves, he said. More than half of the staff is gone. Many were laid off in June 2023 when Davis could no longer afford to pay them. But the office is filled with reminders of their former colleagues. Their coffee cups still hang in the tiny kitchen beside Yarboroughs sunset-colored mug, their handmade origami figures and Post-it note sketches line shelves stacked with paperwork, their empty lockers are still decorated. Under state law, the skeleton crew cannot perform another abortion. But they continue to provide their patients often Black women and other minorities struggling to make ends meet other forms of reproductive health care: birth control, managing miscarriages, testing for sexually transmitted infections. On top of treating everything from colds to hemorrhoids to Type 2 diabetes," the close-knit staff have taken on a slew of new responsibilities, according to nurse practitioner Ginger Ridout, who has worked at the clinic for 17 years. Yarborough, who started as the clinic's medical receptionist in 2016, oversees the clinics daily operations and assists with patients. She also cleans the office since janitorial services were cut. We are multitasking like you cannot believe, said Ridout, a nurse practitioner for more than 40 years. Advanced Nurse Practitioner Ginger Ridout hugs a patient at the Austin Womens Health Center in Austin, Texas, Thursday June 6, 2024. Why independent clinics are so important post-Dobbs Yarborough calls the clinic in Austin, also known as the Brookside Womens Medical Center, a "little treehouse." It's tucked away off a busy highway beneath a lush canopy of pecan trees. Sometimes patients have a hard time finding the office, but the small team directs them to the right bus line or walking route. That intimate knowledge of the area is one advantage an independent clinic has over a national organization like Planned Parenthood, she said, which has clinics all over the state but takes calls at a center in Dallas. The Austin Womens Health Center in Austin, Texas, Thursday June 6, 2024. And unlike Planned Parenthood, the clinic provides post-abortion medical care nearly impossible to get anywhere else in Texas, according to Davis. He considered moving the clinic out of state, but felt there was a greater need to serve Texans who had complications after having a medical or surgical abortions elsewhere, as well as those who had nonviable pregnancies. There's no place for them to go in the state of Texas for complete care, except our office, he said. And Texas is a big place. At least 65 independent clinics have closed completely or stopped providing abortion care since 2022, the Abortion Care Network report found in a 2023 report. The decline is likely to continue following the implementation of a six-week ban in Florida and the potential enforcement of a near-total ban in Arizona, according to the Guttmacher Institute. There's not enough health care centers, said Erin Grant, co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network. But it's financially impossible to fight the state, stay open for your patients and pay (staff) and give high quality care. The loss of independent abortion clinics, also called indies, is particularly damaging because they often provide multiple types of health care ranging from midwifery and fertility services to gender-affirming care, all of which are under threat, Grant said. Relocating to continue providing abortion services is not only an enormous logistical undertaking for an indie clinic, but also often an ethical dilemma for providers knowing that their expertise in reproductive health care, that void wont be filled. What makes independent abortion providers so important in the wake of the loss of Roe is that indies are really committed to their communities, they said. They don't want to leave those communities. Communities need clinics 'now more than ever' After the Dobbs decision came down, the owners of CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee, opened a new abortion clinic in Carbondale, Illinois. But the expansion didn't mean leaving Memphis. Given how many abortion clinics closed, staying in the city CHOICES has served since 1974 and making a fast pivot was a high priority, said president and CEO Jennifer Pepper. In places like Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, you can't afford to lose a health care provider like that, she said. There's just such a lack that the loss of even one or two really makes a difference. Jennifer Pepper, President and CEO of Choices Center for Reproductive Health, talks to community members in Carbondale, Illinois in September 2022 Since the Memphis clinic can no longer provide abortions under state law, Pepper said, her team is working to serve their patients in other ways, including providing midwifery in the citys first and only birth center founded and run by Black midwives. The center, which aims to support 200 birthing families this year, primarily serves Black women in surrounding counties who are either uninsured or on public health insurance. That need hasn't changed since the Dobbs decision, Pepper said. In fact, the community certainly needs us to be providing those services, now more than ever. Other clinics have focused on providing care for the increasing number of patients who must travel out of state to get an abortion. The proportion of people traveling across state lines to obtain an abortion has doubled since 2020, to nearly 1 in 5 in the first half of 2023, according to a report from Guttmacher. Houston Womens Reproductive Services, 150 miles east of Austin Womens Health Center, began providing care such as ultrasounds for women who have abortions outside the state, according to administrator Kathy Kleinfeld. To keep its doors open, staffing was cut from 12 to four. The clinic downsized from a 5,000-square-foot location to a space less than 800 square feet. Because of a drastic reduction in income we had to make changes in our expenses, of course, Kleinfeld said. The clinic considered adding new gynecological services, Kleinfeld said, but because it had only previously provided medication abortion, it didnt seem feasible. Moving never felt like an option given the increased number of crisis pregnancy centers, which Kleinfeld said often use scare tactics and false information to discourage people from having an abortion. If we were no longer providing the services in Houston, we knew that the only options might be to go to a facility like that, she said. And we were not going to allow that to happen. Dobbs destroyed the trust in medicine Robin Marty literally wrote the "Handbook for a Post-Roe America," but the reality has been worse than she imagined. Marty, executive director of the West Alabama Womens Center, thought even if they could not perform abortions more clinics would stay open to provide other reproductive health care services. But as facilities across the South shuttered, obstetricians and gynecologists changed plans to avoid practicing in states with abortion restrictions. Marty herself considered moving the clinic to Virginia or Illinois but couldn't do it. We can't relocate. There is no place for us to go, she said. Everything is gone around us. Martys Tuscaloosa, Alabama, clinic closed briefly after the Dobbs decision to mark the moment it stopped providing abortion services. It reopened shortly after as a nonprofit reproductive health care center, with a free and sliding scale fee, that provides prenatal care, contraception, and STI testing and treatment which for some, Marty said, can be just as difficult to access as abortion. Marty said the clinic can't direct women to out-of-state facilities to terminate their pregnancies for fear of criminal prosecution, a restriction health care providers are challenging in court. What people don't understand about Dobbs is that it hasn't just eliminated abortion access, it has eliminated any ability for doctors and patients to be able to trust each other from here on out, she said. And it in fact has kind of destroyed the trust in medicine. In the past two years, Marty said the clinic has served about 2,000 patients, the majority of whom are Black and either uninsured or on Medicaid. Cutting through red tape to provide care to patients that need it most has proved the biggest challenge. Though the clinic successfully applied to be a Medicaid provider, Marty said the clinic is unable to get reimbursed for patients' prenatal care because doctors at surrounding hospitals will not agree to deliver their babies. The clinic carries the stigma of having been an abortion provider, she believes. To stay financially afloat, the clinic relies primarily on small dollar donations, foundation grants and the growing number of patients with private insurance, Marty said. But she added, Let's be frank, I dramatically lose money every month. I'm concerned about everything all the time. I'm concerned about our clinics being open and what's going to happen if we can't do that, she said. We have about three months cash on hand and we're burning through that. Clinics face 'sharp increase' in violence, threats The Abortion Care Network has doled out nearly $9 million to help keep independent clinics including Marty's, Pepper's, Kleinfeld's and Yarborough's open. But co-executive director Grant cautioned it's paltry compared to the financial need. They estimated the average cost of operating such a facility is about $1 million a year. In addition to legal battles and operating costs, some of the money is spent on upgrading security because of an increase in white supremacist violence and anti-abortion extremism, Grant said. A report from the National Abortion Federation found a sharp increase in violence and disruption at clinics nationwide including arsons, burglaries, death threats and invasions in the year Roe v. Wade was overturned. A sign in the parking lot at the Austin Womens Health Center in Austin, Texas, Thursday June 6, 2024. Yarborough said the Austin clinic still gets hate mail and groups of up to 30 or 40 protesters still occasionally gather in the parking lot, which is separated from the building by a natural spring creek. Though scary for patients, once they make it inside she said the sound of highway traffic mostly drowns out their jeers and shouts. Yarborough is used to the noise, but she worries one day they protesters will find her on social media or worse, her home address. The stigma around her job is so great shes never told her parents, siblings and some of her friends what she does for a living. Its about time they find out, she said with a laugh. Keeping the doors open Advanced Nurse Practitioner Ginger Ridout and Dr. Tad Davis work at the Austin Womens Health Center in Austin, Texas, Thursday June 6, 2024. Finding money to keep the doors open at The Austin Women's Health Center is a constant struggle. The clinic raised nearly $40,000 through GoFundMe, which helped cover payroll for a time, but the fundraiser ended tens of thousands of dollars short of its goal, Yarborough said. Nurse practitioner Ridout even considered asking for help from a celebrity, such as actor and Texas native Matthew McConaughey. I found him one time, got his address, got everything online and thought, I think I'll send him a letter, she said. But I never did do that. The clinic continues to accept donations from the public through its website, but it has relied on funding from one of the states abortion funds, an organization which helps Texans pay for abortion care. Yarborough also is trying to turn the facility into a nonprofit and secure federal funding through a program known as Title X. It adds to our workload, she said. So when we have moments where we can work towards that we work towards it, and it isn't that often. For now, the clinic still can't afford a cleaning service. At the end of each week, Yarborough and another staff member stay for several more hours to deep clean each room, sanitize the instruments, take out the trash, fold the laundry and set the alarm. She plans to return each Monday. Beyond that, she cant say what the future holds for Austin Women's Health Center. I really hope we are here a year from now, Yarborough said. I really do. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inside the fight to keep ex-abortion clinics open two years after Dobbs After an abortion for fetal anomalies, she hoped IVF would build her family. Now thats in doubt. A blanket given to Anne Angus at the Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado, one of the only clinics in the country that offers termination after the second trimester. Angus said a former patient makes the blankets, called Bananas for Annie, for others who had to terminate for medical reasons. (Courtesy of Anne Angus) Editors note: This is the fifth installment of an occasional States Newsroom series called When and Where: Abortion Access in America, profiling individuals who have needed abortion care in the U.S. before and after Dobbs. The first installment can be found here, the second installment is here, the third is here, and the fourth is here. Anne Angus has been ready to start growing her family for years now. She got pregnant on her first try and felt lucky to escape the morning sickness and extreme fatigue that often comes with the first trimester of pregnancy. She quit her job in anticipation of being a full-time mom. It was so exciting, I was so ready, said Angus, who lives in Montana. Shed bought a few items off Facebook Marketplace by the time she was close to the halfway point, including a bassinet, some toys, a bouncer and the teddy bear onesie that she holds onto when she tells the story of her doomed pregnancy. At her routine 19-week anatomy scan, Angus doctor said something didnt look right with the abdomen. But that could mean any number of things with varying degrees of severity, according to her doctor, and they wouldnt know more until further tests could be completed. And those tests would need to be done by a team of specialists almost 700 miles away, at a childrens hospital in Denver, Colorado. Her appointment was four weeks out from the anatomy scan. At the end of a series of tests, she met with a team of doctors at the childrens hospital to discuss the diagnosis and next steps. It was called Eagle-Barrett Syndrome, a rare genetic defect that can cause the partial or complete absence of stomach muscles, urinary tract malformations and abnormalities of the testes. The little glands running from the kidney to the bladder his were three times the size of an adults, Angus said. Youre not even supposed to be able to see them at an ultrasound, let alone have them be very obvious. Theres a 50-50 chance her future pregnancies would have the same mutation, which led her to decide in vitro fertilization was the safer way to get pregnant and be able to test embryos prior to implantation in the uterus. But like abortion, access to IVF treatments is becoming another political argument at the state and federal level, leaving Angus to worry that her remaining option for having a child is also at risk. Following Dobbs decision, clinic overrun with patients Before arriving in Denver, Angus had told her husband that even if the diagnosis was severe, she didnt want to terminate. He understood and supported whatever decision she wanted to make, she said. Anne Angus, of Montana, holds the teddy bear onesie she purchased when she was about halfway through her first pregnancy which she had to terminate because of severe fetal defects. But after determining the status of the fetus condition, the Denver doctors started to discuss dialysis, kidney transplants, and a variety of other courses of treatment that would be needed after birth. All of which sounded to me like they would just be experimenting on my baby, with the experiment being, How long can we keep him alive? Angus said. That did not feel loving and compassionate to me. While talking it over with her husband, Angus said they discussed a family member who had a terminal illness. It has been devastating to the family to watch this persons pain increase as they slowly fall apart over the years, she said. We didnt want that for our son. It was at that time that they made the decision to let him go without the medical interventions and the idea that he might just slowly slip away in a neonatal intensive care unit, she said. By that time, it was mid-October 2022, four months after the Dobbs decision that allowed states to once again regulate access to abortion and the ensuing legal and legislative chaos. One of the only places in the country where Angus could terminate at her stage of pregnancy was a clinic in Boulder, Colorado. Montana has a gestational age limit of 21 weeks for termination, so she knew she couldnt go back home. That clinic (in Boulder) was overrun because all of the states that used to have access now didnt have it, or they were being pushed until much later, Angus said. We had a two-week wait from when we made the decision. By the time she got to the intake appointment, she was at 26 weeks. There were protesters outside of the clinic, so an escort with an umbrella covered Angus and her husband as they walked inside. I remember feeling so much anger and rage at them. You have no idea whats going on, she said. You dont care at all about my babys suffering if hes born. The termination was a few days later. Angus said it was difficult to face the reality of letting go of any shred of hope she had left. That was probably the most scared Ive ever been. Nobody talks about what its like to get an abortion at the end of your second trimester. What am I supposed to feel? Whats going to happen? Who do I talk to about this? she said. After the procedure, the doctor told her it was a difficult process because of the amount of water retention in the fetus body. Angus said she could tell just by looking at him. I didnt see his whole body just because of how medically fragile he was, but you could just tell that it wouldve been a really ugly death for him earthside, she said. Insurance didnt cover the costs. With the travel, lodging and the price of the procedure, Angus and her husband spent $10,000 of their savings. Frustration continues Throughout 2023, Angus had many appointments for egg retrievals, but she said the process has been emotionally and financially draining. We are extremely lucky that my husband has benefits through his work, but were also at the end of (those benefits), which is why this is our last IVF retrieval cycle, she said. She has a planned embryo transfer in September, but if its not successful, she worries about future political decisions around IVF limiting her options. There is only one clinic that offers IVF treatment in Montana. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that embryos are children and several IVF clinics in the state closed their doors over liability concerns. In the months since, some states have taken steps to ensure access to the treatment, but congressional bills to protect IVF federally have failed to advance and a politically influential religious sect came out against it for ethical reasons, potentially igniting more ideological battles. The new political fight over IVF on top of her experience getting an abortion has made Angus fearful about not having explicit protection for the treatment in her state. It has also made her passionate about telling her story, including at the Montana Legislature in early 2023, when legislators did not advance a bill that would have eased some of the remaining restrictions to abortion access in the state. Although access is still broadly available in Montana, Republicans have tried to change that since the Dobbs decision. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed several anti-abortion bills in 2023, including a 20-week ban, but theyve so far been blocked in the courts. Gianforte continues to use executive authority to try to limit Medicaid funding and who can perform abortions. Republicans in the legislature have also made it clear they dont support a November ballot initiative to amend the state constitution with a right to abortion access, and at least one candidate endorsed by a national anti-abortion group is running for a congressional seat. Im so angry that politicians are inserting themselves into an extremely intimate part of my life. I am trying to grow my family in a way that I can and in a way that is loving and sustainable, and they think they know better than me, and I am so insulted by that, she said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post After an abortion for fetal anomalies, she hoped IVF would build her family. Now thats in doubt. appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Whats happening Americans cant seem to stop fighting about masks. After years of intense debate over mask mandates, the argument has now flipped entirely to become about whether certain face coverings should be banned. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said last week that she is considering banning face masks on New York City subways over concerns that the coverings obscure the identities of people committing antisemitic acts. New York City Mayor Eric Adams supports the idea, arguing that cowards cover their faces. We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior, Hochul said. On a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Hochuls statement came a few days after a video spread online of a group of pro-Palestinian protesters, some of them masked, crowded into a subway car while one man instructed all Zionists a term for people who support the existence of a Jewish state to exit the train. Masks have been a common sight at demonstrations against Israels military campaign in Gaza across the country, with some participants saying that theyve chosen to cover their faces over concerns about spreading COVID or potential punishment for taking part in the protests. There have also been some cases where mask-wearing activists have committed acts of vandalism or made explicitly antisemitic statements. Hochul said theres no timeline on when a mask ban might go into effect in New York, but some other states have already taken action against face coverings. In North Carolina, where a law banning face coverings has been on the books since 1953, the state Legislature recently passed a bill that would increase penalties for anyone who commits a crime while wearing a mask. The Ohio attorney general warned protesters last month that they could face felony charges for obscuring their faces under a law that was passed in the state more than 70 years ago to deter the Ku Klux Klan. Texas and Florida have also relied on decades-old anti-masking statutes in their responses to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The emerging push against masks isnt solely targeted at protesters. Philadelphia banned ski masks within city limits late last year in hopes of reducing crime. A new law in Washington D.C., recently made it illegal for someone to cover their face with the intent of obscuring their identity while committing a crime. Why theres debate Advocates for bans in their various forms say face coverings make it impossible for authorities to identify people who break the law or engage in hate speech. The deceptive use of masks and other facial covering pose a significant risk to public safety, New York State Assemblyman Michael Reilly told the New York Post last month. Some supporters argue that a mask ban wouldnt just make it easier to punish bad actors, but could also prevent some crimes from ever happening because potential perpetrators will be less likely to think theyll get away with it. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Opponents say these bans pose a danger to public health. Hochul has said that any future ban in New York would still allow people to mask for medical reasons and a similar exemption was added to North Carolinas law before it passed. But some health experts and medically-vulnerable people fear that protections for medical masking will really only exist on paper and, in reality, the bans would still create even more barriers for people who want to protect themselves from COVID and other diseases. Critics also warn that the bans will inevitably be used to suppress free speech because they will provide a pretense for authorities to crack down on demonstrations they would otherwise have no legal grounds to stop. Others make the case that the law-abiding protesters should have the right to maintain their anonymity in order to protect themselves from being punished for their views, especially in our era of high-tech surveillance. Whats next North Carolinas masking bill has been approved by both houses of the states Republican-led state Legislature. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper hasnt said whether hell veto the legislation or not, but even if he does, the GOP has a large enough majority to override his veto. With New Yorks state legislative session over for the rest of the year, Hochul will likely need to wait until lawmakers reconvene in Albany in January before any action can be taken on her proposed subway mask ban. Perspectives Masks allow criminals and bigots to avoid punishment for their actions Disruptive protesters wear masks for the same reasons the members of the Ku Klux Klan wore them in the past to avoid being caught and punished and to frighten and intimidate the public. Criminals who wear masks for such purposes demonstrate a heightened level of culpability and merit a heightened level of retribution. Jon Guze, Carolina Journal ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement No one should be punished for trying to protect their health It's not fair to punish those who are medically vulnerable just because some protesters also choose to mask up. Nor is it fair to punish one protester more severely than another simply because one of them chose to wear a mask. Editorial, Charlotte Observer The shield of anonymity fuels bad behavior Being anonymized has always been associated with more deviant and criminal behavior. People who wear masks feel more enabled and empowered to do things that they normally wouldnt have done if their face was seen in public. Bryanna Fox, University of South Florida criminology professor, to Washington Examiner Anyone who thinks that mask bans will prevent crime is kidding themselves At this point, everyone should calm down, do the research and then come back to the table with solutions that will actually work, because this aint it. Ernest Owens, Philadelphia Magazine ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Free citizens are under no obligation to submit to high-tech surveillance The emergence of face recognition technology has changed what it means to appear in public. The push to normalize face recognition by security agencies threatens to turn our faces into the functional equivalent of license plates. Anti-mask laws are in effect a requirement to display those plates anytime one is in public. Humans are not cars. Jay Stanley, American Civil Liberties Union There is no legal right to anonymity Some claim the mask-wearing is to prevent doxxing over their activism, but theres no free-speech right to protest anonymously. No, its all about bullying a license to threaten, and even commit violence. Editorial, New York Post Laws should only target masking that serves criminal behavior An anti-mask provision could be used to enhance penalties for other crimes of which the masked perpetrator is accused, rather than a stand-alone offense. A law that clearly provides that wearing a mask itself is not criminal, but committing a crime with one is, would be harder to use as a pretext for selective enforcement or harassment. Editorial, Washington Post ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Ordinary citizens shouldnt have to live in fear of hordes of masked demonstrators The face mask, which evolved in the pandemic from an inconvenient imposition to a status symbol, has now become the hallmark of danger. Its wearers no longer fear for their safety and that of others. Rather, they seek to instill fear in you. Noah Rothman, National Review A whirlpool about 25 feet from a nearby road swirls as flood waters fill Lake Alvin Friday, June 21, 2024 in Lincoln County, South Dakota. The lake's aging and previously damaged spillway was completely submerged due to large amounts of rainfall, which could be seen surging into Ninemile Creek, a tributary of the Big Sioux River. East of Harrisburg, Lake Alvin has hit the point of bursting. Significant rains, starting Thursday and continuing into late Friday night, filled the lake's spillway, a water control structure meant to control the release of water into Ninemile Creek, a tributary of the Big Sioux River. When an Argus Leader reporter arrived 5 p.m. Thursday at the spillway's confluence with the creek along 480th Avenue in Lincoln County, the spillway was completely submerged with water. A nearby road leading to a fishing dock and vantage point by the lake was also under water. Water levels at Lake Alvin have reached the point where the lakes spillway is submerged, and water is being sucked underneath a nearby road + flowing east. A visible whirlpool can be seen ~25 ft from the road. pic.twitter.com/GW9I5OWERT Dominik Dausch (@DomDNP) June 21, 2024 Lakeside of the road, a visible whirlpool could be seen churning about 25 feet from the road, the reporter observed. Rushing water could be heard tumbling under the road and overflowing Ninemile Creek. Ditches along sections of the road were also partially flooded, but water had not risen above the street. Gov. Kristi Noem addressed the situation during a 7 a.m. press conference Saturday as part of an overall update on flood conditions to the area. She said the spillway's "entire watershed is being impacted by that, and those flows will continue to increase." "Unfortunately, I think that situation, the water will go even higher," Noem said. She added the spillway "still looks to be in good shape, even with that kind of water pressure." The spillway at Lake Alvin, a 105-acre reservoir owned by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, is slated for complete replacement after flooding in 2019 damaged the aging structural integrity of the dam system's infrastructure. According to a 2001 report by the now-defunct state Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, the spillway was built in 1954, but portions of the structure deteriorated and collapsed in the early 1990s. The primary spillway was later repaired and renovated by 1994. The state legislature approved a $5.6 million appropriation to support infrastructure improvements and repairs at Lake Alvin and Newell lake in 2022. More than $4.5 million has been set aside for the now-flooded spillway's replacement. The spillway uses a concrete chute, but the new spillway plans will incorporate a stepped spillway design. State officials in the news conference said they wouldn't be able to check on the potential of overall damage to the infrastructure until waters lower and they can get a better look. GFP closed Lake Alvin to swimmers Thursday after "unhealthy levels" of bacteria derived from rain runoff was detected in the waters. More: Lake Alvin closed to swimmers after recent heavy rains This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Aging Lake Alvin spillway submerged by flood waters Ukrainian air defense shot down all of the 13 Shahed-type attack drones and 12 of the 16 missiles launched by Russia overnight on June 22, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said. Energy infrastructure was damaged in several regions. Since spring, Russia has intensified its attacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure in a renewed assault against the country's energy grid, leading to blackouts. The overnight attack was the eighth such massive strike in recent months. Russia launched the drones from the Russian port town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, located on the coast of the Sea of Azov, and occupied Balaklava in Crimea, while 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95 bomber planes over Russia's Saratov Oblast, according to Oleshchuk. Moscow's troops also launched four Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea, as well as two Iskander-K cruise missiles from occupied Crimea. Ukraine intercepted 25 aerial targets, including seven Kh-101/Kh-555, four Kalibr missiles and one Iskander-K, the commander said. The energy infrastructure in Ukraine's south and west has suffered in the attack. Russia struck facilities in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, Ukraine's state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo reported. Two energy workers reportedly suffered injuries in the latter one. In the western Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Russia hit an educational institution, causing a fire, according to State Emergency Service. Earlier this week on June 20, Russian drone attacks damaged energy infrastructure in Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk oblasts. Ukraine began implementing rolling blackouts on May 15, but they have dramatically increased in the following days, and the May 31 Russian mass-missile attack caused further damage across the country. In a "worst-case" scenario in which Ukraine is unable to repair damaged energy facilities and prevent future attacks, Ukrainians could experience up to 20 hours of blackouts a day, Dmytro Sakharuk, executive director of Ukraine's largest privately-owned energy company DTEK, told the Kyiv Independent in an interview on June 9. 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. Airport to issue permit for ITC grid power poles west of facility BRANCH COUNTY Joe Best, manager of Branch County Memorial Airport, will issue ITC a notice of compliance with the airport zoning ordinance, reversing a May decision. International Transmission Company plans to construct a new 345-kilovolt interstate transmission line from Indiana across Branch County to a new substation near Olivet in Calhoun County. Two corporate jets at the Branch County Memorial Airport terminal Thursday morning. ITC had agreed to move the grid towers west of the airport outside the glide path approaches for the airport after a discussion with Best and board members. ITC area manager Gary Kirsh said power line towers are 100 to 110 feet, not the maximum 150 feet which board members expected. Kirsch said if ITC moved towers further away, the route would impact residential areas. ITC needs airport zoning approval to file a final application for the project expected for construction in 2030. Prior story ITC to move power grid line poles but airport board not satisfied Last month, the board opposed the location of the power lines because they felt the lines were too close and too high for any future airport expansion. The board changed its position after discussions with consultants and the Michigan Department of Transportation Aviation staff. Chairman Mike Kelly said consultants told them there is little likelihood of any federal or state money to expand the airport since the focus now is on expanding larger regional facilities like Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Airport board chair Mike Kelly Kelly said a major Branch County expansion would require the removal of 11 homes at the west end of the runway, which would be very expensive. Best said, "Going up the next-size runway is just never going to happen. We have to focus on maintaining what we've got because this could still sustain a decent-sized freight operation." The 5,200-foot runway can be extended to 6,000 feet, but it is still not long enough for larger jets. ITC grid tower location would not impact that expansion, board member Ethan Kosachuk said after reviewing maps. In 2023, Branch County Memorial Airport reported 13,566 take-offs and landings with 48 planes based on the property just west of Coldwater, south of U.S. 12. Subscribe Support local news. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter. The airport completed a $710,000 apron expansion last year with 95% state and federal money to improve the airport's use by the growing business jet traffic. Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Airport to issue permit for ITC grid power poles west of airport *Above video: Ohios most dangerous highways* TRUMBULL TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said a Thompson Township man was killed in a crash around 8:00 p.m., Friday in Ashtabula County. Video: Sandusky officers run toward gunfire to help victims Troopers said a motorcycle was on Footville Richmond Road and was being driven by 34-year-Aaron R. Atwell, Mr. Atwell failed to maintain control of the motorcycle, driving off the right side of the roadway striking a tree. The motorcycle operator was not wearing a helmet. Mr. Atwell was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to investigators. Father, woman arrested after child fatally shot inside motel room Alcohol or drugs appear to be a factor in the crash, troopers said. In a separate motorcycle crash just a few hours later, troopers also reported another fatal motorcycle crash in Ashtabula County when the bike went off a bridge and killed the female rider. Troopers said that alcohol or drugs appear to be a factor in that crash 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Alec Baldwin was roundly denied the second of four attempts his legal team is bringing to the court seeking to have his involuntary manslaughter charge dismissed for the accidental shooting death of Rusts cinematographer. A New Mexico judge ruled on Friday that justice will be served when a jury decides the fate of the actor accused of recklessly killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and gravely injuring the director on the set of the film in 2021. That Santa Fe jury, set for selection in early July, will decide after hearing the evidence at Baldwins upcoming trial, his second for his involvement in the October 2021 shooting death of Hutchins. His defense team argued at a hearing on Friday that the case does not hold water, as Baldwin and everyone on the Rust set was made to understand that the guns on set were filled with dummy bullets. More from The Hollywood Reporter What they have alleged here is not a crime. If he didnt know of the substantial risk that it had live ammunition in it, he cant be guilty, Bash argued. But Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer shut this notion down, saying, Involuntary manslaughter talks about the defendant should have known of the danger, and I think thats really at the core. New Mexico prosecutors are arguing that Baldwin, the lead actor as well as a producer on Rust, was reckless in not checking the gun himself that day; two actors on the films set, she notes, fired dry rounds into the ground to ensure that they were safe. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey also called Baldwins decades of experience in film and TV production circumstantial evidence in the case, saying he should have known better than to not inspect the gun before pointing it at another person. In the latest legal move, Baldwins defense team is arguing before Judge Sommer that Morrissey withheld from the court an experts report that shows unexplained tool marks on the seat of the Colt .45 revolver that Baldwin was holding on the film set during rehearsals when it killed Hutchins. Such a report would be key to the defenses case, as they argue that the marks indicate that the weapon was susceptible to malfunction. Baldwin has insisted that he did not fire the trigger when it went off that day, even stating this in a nationally broadcast ABC News interview with George Stephanopoulos. The novice armorer who loaded a live bullet into the gun instead of a dummy round has already been found guilty at trial earlier this year and is now serving an 18-month sentence. On Friday, the judge denied a motion for her to be immunized against testifying at Baldwins trial; previously in court, she has painted the actor as less than attentive to details on the movies set during firearms training. The 30 Rock Emmy winner potentially faces the same prison sentence when his case goes to the jury. Another motion to dismiss was heard Friday afternoon, involving the destruction of the gun used in the shooting. Both sides grilled a Santa Fe police detective who oversaw the investigation of the case and an FBI agent who examined the evidence and performed the test that led to the destruction of the gun that killed Hutchins. The judge did not reach a decision on this motion, as more witnesses will need to be heard on Monday. In the fourth motion to dismiss, the defense is claiming that the prosecutors flagrant disregard of her requirement to turn over relevant evidence to the defense merits that the case be tossed, while saying the prosecutors are playing hide the ball. The motion stems from two subsequent reports from weapons expert Lucien Haag following his damning original assessment after he reassembled the rig; that examination, he wrote, indicated that the Colt .45 was in perfect working order and the trigger must have been pulled. The defense team says it learned of the two undisclosed reports, the third of which discusses unexplained tool marks on the gun, while they were interviewing Haag and his son, in preparation for trial in April and May 2024 which ended with prosecutors dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor after learning that the gun may have been modified; but the charge was subsequently reinstated. Additionally, Morrissey is accused of withholding a bevy of other evidence in the case until days before the trial began. Regardless of whether the states discovery violations have been unintentional (which, under the circumstances, is hard to believe), the states singular focus on obtaining Baldwins conviction has caused the state to lose sight of its ethical obligations and forgo any efforts at transparency, the motion states. Despite the tool marks discovered on the gun, Haag says he stands by his conclusion that the Colt .45s trigger had been pulled the day of Hutchins death. This motion came a day after prosecutors filed a motion to introduce new evidence into the trial. They now plan to point to photos of Baldwin allegedly being reckless with guns, which includes an image of Baldwin in which his finger is seen inside the guns trigger and his thumb is on the guns hammer. Baldwin will be standing trial for the second time for involuntary manslaughter in Sante Fe on July 10. Best of The Hollywood Reporter We recently compiled a list of the 10 Stocks Hedge Funds Are Crazy About Right Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) stands against the other hedge fund-approved stocks. Investing, broadly speaking, narrows down to two strategies. These see an investor decide whether to buy a stock for the short term and make quick profits or hold it for years to patiently wait for the returns to accrue. One of the most successful investor of our times, Warren Buffett (see his latest portfolio), is an ardent follower of the latter approach, and his wealth bears testament to his success. Of course, deciding to pick the right stocks to sit on for years isn't easy or else everyone would be rich by now. However, there are ways in which one can gain an edge over others. One such way is to see what the professionals are doing and then emulate their strategy. At Insider Monkey, we get right at the heart of investing by picking out the top stocks that hedge funds are investing in. Why hedge fund stock picks? Well, these professionals, who almost often charge an arm and a leg for their services, conduct extensive due diligence to pick out the right set of stocks. After all, no one would invest with a hedge fund if the fund was simply picking stocks by flipping a coin. Yet, while due diligence is great and necessary to protect investors, investing, at the end of the day, is all about returns. By the looks of it, the funds do seem to know what they're doing. Last year, the top ten hedge fund stock picks ended up outperforming the S&P benchmark stock index by 48.9 percentage points. In other words, while the index returned 26.1% in 2023, the top ten stocks returned 75.1% through price gains. This trend is also present in the top 30 hedge fund stocks of 2023 as these posted 53.2% in gains to outperform the S&P by 27 percentage points. Unsurprisingly, year to May 29th, the top 30 hedge fund stocks of 2024 led the S&P's 11% and posted 20.2% in gains. Unfortunately, though, data shows that as of 2021 end, 14% of the stock market was made of active funds while 16% was accounted for by passive funds. Compared to passive funds accounting for 8% of the market a decade ago with 20% belonging to active funds, it's clear that the broader public believes that shifting to passive is a safer investment approach. After all, while everyone wants to make money, no one wants to lose it either. But what if one could make their own investing decisions and gain an inside track to investing by figuring out what stocks most hedge funds have invested in? Well, at Insider Monkey we regularly compile data from more than 900 hedge funds to see where the smart money is headed. This is how we know that the top hedge fund stocks outperformed the benchmark index last year, and it's also a strategy that's helped us beat the market over the last 10 years. Compared to the SPY's 235.6% in returns between 2014 and May 2024, the 10 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 463.7%. But wait. At this point, you could argue that since hedge fund SEC filings come with a 45 day lag, perhaps they aren't that important. After all, it might be more important to know what the funds are doing now. Well, since we've been compiling top hedge fund stocks since 2012 in our quarterly newsletter, we can guarantee you that the top hedge fund stocks haven't changed by much since 2018. So not only isn't the time lag that significant, but by subscribing to our newsletter, you can gain an early track to see which stocks are falling out of favor among the funds as well. So, all this talk about the top hedge fund stocks might make you wonder about the stocks themselves. Curious? Check out the 31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. We also cover legendary investors through pieces such as Warren Buffetts 12 Longest Held Stocks. Our Methodology To make our list of the top ten hedge fund stocks, we scanned Insider Monkey's database of 900+ hedge fund filings for Q1 2024 and picked out the stocks with the highest number of investors. A close-up of a modern payments terminal with a pile of credit cards on the side. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2024: 166 Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is one of the largest payment processors in the world. Its size and heft offer it stability even in a troubling economy due to the simple fact that customers and retailers are unlikely to make a costly and time consuming switch to alternatives. Like sizeable SaaS companies, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) needs to retain its market through new initiatives and products, and by doing so, it'll be able to grow and retain its current stature in the market, save off nominal or black swan events. 2024 is also a crucial year for Visa Inc. (NYSE:V)'s retailer partnerships since while it and Mastercard agreed to a $30 billion settlement after decades of transaction processing fees, a judge in New York has hinted that she might strike the deal down. Additionally, while some feel that the acquisition of Discover by Capital One might shake things up for Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), this concern isn't on the mind of fund Wedgewood Partners who shared in its Q1 2024 investor letter: Visa stock posted a small negative drop during the quarter. In the 2irst quarter, the Company grew earnings per share +11% as payment volume growth was up +8% and cross-border payment grew a solid +16%, adjusted for currency. Beyond their consistent growth and execution, recent regulatory trends have caught considerable investor attention. The Company's networks and value-added services drive enough economic value to bank customers and retailers that the addressable market for payments should continue growing at a healthy rate for many more years, regardless of recent regulatory changes. Visa's value- added services can be extended to less-sophisticated, emerging non-Visa networks to help grow the overall payment ecosystem that make up the vast global payment addressable market. For example, not long after debit interchange rates were regulated last decade, Visa began an aggressive push to allow non-bank 2inancial institutions access to Visa's networks, which helped drive more interchange volume to banks and offset lower interchange rates. This was a key element that spawned the massive "Fintech" industry that exists today. We continue to expect Visa's scale and breadth of service offerings will help them drive attractive growth at stellar margins along with the overall payments ecosystem. Overall V ranks 6th on our list of the best hedge fund-approved stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Stocks Hedge Funds Are Crazy About Right Now to see the other hedge fund-approved stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of V as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than V but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion "Opportunity" for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) The American Cancer Society hosted the Relay for Life of Greater Lynchburg, a community event dedicated to fighting cancer and supporting those affected by it on Friday, June 21. The event provided an opportunity for the community to come together, show support, and contribute to the American Cancer Societys mission of funding research for all types of cancer. It featured local food trucks, music, and activities for kids, making it a fun and meaningful event for the whole family. Relay For Life is a chance to be part of something bigger than ourselves, said Kevin Mays; Relay For Life Event Co-Chair. Its a day to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has touched us all. The funds raised are crucial for improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support. Roanoke City Sheriffs Office, Advance Auto Parts working together to promote roadway safety Relay For Life also hosted a luminaria event, where guests had the opportunity to purchase a luminaria in memory or in honor of a loved one. This was a larger part of a luminaria ceremony which serves as a reminder of the impact cancer has on our lives and a powerful way to honor those affected by the disease. Visit the American Cancer Societys website for more information on their mission. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AMERICAN FORK, Utah (ABC4) American Fork Police have officially classified a pair of shooting deaths on Thursday, June 20, as a murder-suicide. Police said the two individuals found have been identified as husband Olin Johnson, 57, and wife, Kerilyn Johnson, 52. Police said that based on the investigation, it appears Olin fatally shot Kerilyn before fatally shooting himself. Bodies of husband, wife found in American Fork, investigation underway Police had responded to the area of 1400 North and 80 East in American Fork at 12:41 p.m. Thursday on the report of two individuals being shot. Police said that investigators are waiting for final testing from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner before a final disposition is applied to the case. At this point, the family is requesting privacy as they grieve their loss. We express our most profound and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Olin and Kerilyn, the American Fork Police Department said in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute is one of six TCU's that will receive funding from the American Indian College Fund. (Photo/Courtesy of Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute) The American Indian College Fund received a three-year grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies for a project that will help to build a solid foundation to encourage the advancement of Native arts. The American Indian College Fund will distribute funds to six tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). Each of the participating TCUs will receive $100,000 to enrich their curricula by integrating Indigenous education values and incorporate Native knowledge, language, and cultural practices. The project will also help to expand institutional capacity, developing or revising academic courses, minors, and certificate and degree programs. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. The six participating TCUs and their programs are: Ilisagvik College, Barrow, Alaska Inupiat Art Curriculum Development and Enhancement Northwest Indian College, Bellingham, Washington Xwelxweleqw (A metaphor for the people who survive) Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Montana Puti es sxilwisi: Continuing the Journey by Rethinking Culture and Language Education at SKC Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico Weaving Art into the Curriculum Stone Child College, Box Elder, Montana Neiyahwahk Kahyahs Kahkitahsinahikechik (Traditional Chippewa-Cree Artwork) United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, North Dakota Mitakuye Oyas'i Native Arts Native arts are both the symbolic and the practical embodiment of Indigenous ways of knowing and being in the world. We are honored to support our communities as they increase the visibility of traditional and contemporary Native arts and appreciate the partnership with our TCUs and MACP that makes this possible." American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull, said, 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 American Tourist, 64, Dies After Elephant 'Knocked' Her from Vehicle and Trampled Her in Zambia The New Mexico woman's death marks the second U.S. tourist to be killed by an elephant in Zambia this year Getty An elephant walks around South Luangwa National Park in Zambia A tourist from the United States was killed by an elephant in Zambia this week in what now marks the second fatal elephant attack on an American visitor in the country this year. Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, was pulled from her car by an elephant in the Zambian city of Livingstone on Wednesday, June 19, the Associated Press, the BBC and Forbes reported, citing local officials and Zambia's ZNBC. The New Mexico woman, who was spending time with a group near the city's Maramba Cultural Bridge, was "knocked from a parked vehicle which had stopped due to traffic caused by elephants around the Maramba Cultural Bridge," the Southern Province Police Commissioner Auxensio Daka reportedly told ZNBC. Tourneau was then trampled by one of the elephants in the herd that the group was watching, per the AP. She died at 5:50 p.m. local time. Related: Elephant Roams Streets of Butte, Montana After Escaping from Circus: Man, They Move Fast Henrik Karlsson/Getty An African bush elephant walks through grass The tourist's death comes just two months after another elephant in the country's Kafue National Park attacked a safari group leading to the death of an 80-year-old American woman. As confirmed by hospitality and conservation company Wilderness, the elderly woman and five others had their vehicle charged at by an aggressive bull elephant around 9:30 a.m. local time on March 30. The group was on a photography tour at the time, per The Telegraph, and they had been staying at the Lufupa Tented Camp. Footage of the attack showed the elephant running behind the vehicle and then charging once it stopped. The animal then flipped the vehicle and one person could be heard yelling. This is a devastating incident for everyone involved and we are doing our best to support the family and all affected and to respect their wishes for privacy, a spokesperson previously told PEOPLE. Wilderness' chief executive officer Keith Vincent shared in a statement at the time that the attack was a "tragic event" that occurred as the vehicles route was blocked due to vegetation. The five other guests were injured. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. An Oklahoma father of two who brought ammunition into Turks and Caicos while on vacation has avoided additional prison time. Ryan Watson was fined $2,000 $500 for each of the four bullets authorities found in his luggage but was ultimately not given the minimum prison sentence of 12 years for the offense. A judge overseeing the case cited "exceptional circumstances" in the ruling that allowed Watson to avoid prison, according to ABC News. Watson is expected to pay his fine and return to the US as soon as possible. He was arrested on April 12 on his way home from a trip to the islands. He and his wife were visiting the islands for several friends' 40th birthday parties. Ryan Watson, left, and his wife Valerie, appearing on Good Morning America. Watson was detained in Turks and Caicos and avoided a 12-year minimum prison sentence after he brought four rounds of ammunition onto the islands (screengrab/Good Morning America) While he was passing through customs at the Howard Hamilton International Airport officials found four bullets in his carry-on luggage, according to police. Watson said he did not realize the hunting ammunition was still in his bag. He pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition, and was released on a $15,000 bond after his arrest. He remained in Turks and Caicos for the duration of his legal proceedings. The day before his sentencing, Watson made an appearance on Good Morning America where he shared his anxiety over facing potential prison time. "Whatever tomorrow brings, we'll get through it. But I pray that I get to go home tomorrow," Watson said. Turks and Caicos has strict firearms laws that have caught other ammo-toting Americans by surprise during visits to the islands. In April, Tyler Wenrich was fined $9,000 and sentenced to time served for bringing ammunition to the islands. Another man, Bryan Hagerich, was given a 52-week prison sentence and was fined $6,700 for a similar offense. In all three men's cases, a court found that there were "exceptional circumstances" that allowed the men to avoid the mandatory 12-year prison sentence tied to their crimes. Sharitta Grier, another American, has also been detained for bringing ammunition into Turks and Caicos. She has been released on bond and is awaiting trial. Watson was detained in Turks and Caicos on April 12. Watson said he did not realize the hunting ammunition was still in his bag. (Valerie Watson) Turks and Caicos' government passed a bill last week amending their firearms law that grants the courts more flexibility in sentencing individuals with "exceptional circumstances." Under the new law, the court will have the "widest possible breadth of discretion" in its sentences, allowing it to issue fines, custodial sentences or both, according to Turks and Caicos' attorney general. Watson's case was adjudicated prior to the passage of the amendment, and prosecutors fought against having an "exceptional circumstances" label applied to his case. Oliver Smith, the defense attorney representing Watson, argued he had taken responsibility for his crime and highlighted the toll that his client's detainment had taken on both his family and his career. Watson's wife, Valerie, also appeared on Good Morning America and said the past couple of months have been a "roller coaster of emotions" for her and her family. "We want him home so bad. The kids and I have been missing him like crazy," she said. "We're ready for him to come back home to us. I'm trying so hard not to get my hopes up." Watson said he wanted to hug his children and cook his family dinner once he returns to the US. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Six Dona Ana Community College (DACC) students will represent New Mexico in the national SkillsUSA competition held from Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28 in Atlanta, Georgia. The six students won gold medals at the state SkillsUSA competition in April, according to a news release sent by DACC. DACCs team consisted of 23 students who received awards from gold to silver and bronze medals, read the news release. The competition prepares students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. DACC students competed in areas such as customer service, extemporaneous speech, job demonstration and interview, architectural drafting, information technology, internetworking, computer programming and culinary arts. For more information on SkillsUSA, visit here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Armed and dangerous man in custody after Chester County armed robbery CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A 74-year-old man was arrested in Georgia after an armed robbery on Thursday, according to the Chester County Sheriffs Office. Officials say the incident happened on June 20 in a parking lot near the intersection of Wilson Street and J A Cochran Bypass in Chester County. According to a recent release, Roger Dale Pressley, 74, was arrested in Richmond, Georgia. Roger Pressley, 74; Credit: Chester County Sheriffs Office Truck Pressley is believed to have left in with SC license plate VCE755; Credit: Chester County Sheriffs Office No word yet on when Pressley will return to North Carolina or what charges he faces. 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 CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show is this weekend. It will take place Saturday and Sunday at Dayton International Airport. >>PHOTOS: Army Golden Knights gives News Center 7 a glimpse into air show act Acts spent Friday preparing to perform in front of expected major crowds. The U.S. Golden Knights were one of those groups who practiced. As reported by News Center 7s Xavier Hershovitz at 5:00, he got to ride along with the U.S. Golden Knights. Im loving every minute so far, said Sergeant First Class Zachery Krietenstein. He is in his second year with the U.S. Army Golden Knights. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chad Wissel just started with the team. I was born in Cincinnati, he said. (The) Dayton Air Show happens to be my first live air show. >>RELATED: Dayton Air Shows economic impact more than $5M Wissel told Hershovitz his family would be watching him fly the plane for the parachute team for the first time. Theres so many things that align that you cannot say that its a coincidence, he said. Ive been absolutely blessed to find myself in this position. The team travels the country to perform at air shows. >>RELATED: Dayton Air Show organizers stepping up their game to keep everyone cool amid hot temps They allowed Hershovitz to ride along as they prepared for this weekends performance. The team had a quick meeting before taking off. Hershovitz watched as the team got suited up for their jump. Then, they were in the air. We are slowly getting higher until we reach 12,000 feet for the knights to make their big jump, said Hershovitz inside the plane. When they reached it, the golden knights started jumping. Its exhilarating, said Krietenstein. >>RELATED: News Center 7 hits the sky with organization aimed at honoring veterans ahead of Dayton Air Show Hershovitz watched as each Golden Knight jumped out of the plane, miles above the ground. Thats the most exciting part is jumping in from all the people that we see, Krietenstein said afterward. Hershovitz added that it was very strange to land a plane with less people in it than they started. The jumpers do get the glory, but I think being a pilot is pretty cool too, said Wissel. To share my profession and passion with them, especially in this capacity is something thats going to be remembered for a lifetime. >>RELATED: News Center 7 gets first-hand look at Titan Aerobatic Teams act ahead of Dayton Air Show Hershovitz even got a sticker after the ride. You can see the full Golden Knight show at this weekends air show. The gates will open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Flying will start around 11:15 a.m. Visit this website for more information. On Tuesday, Herring Bank celebrated its 125th year in business with a ceremony at the Civic Circle branch in Amarillo. The bank was founded in 1899 in Vernon, Texas, by CT Herring and has 12 branches in Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. The bank has had a branch in Amarillo since 1996, and three current branches are located near its headquarters. More than 100 bank employees work in Amarillo. Cambell Burgess (left), C.C. Burgess and Andy Nenstiel stand by the vault of the Herring Bank Tuesday at the Herring Bank 125th anniversary celebration in Amarillo. Campbell Burgess, Herring Bank vice chairman of the board, spoke about his bank reaching this rare milestone. We are celebrating over a century of banking in Texas that was started by my great, great-grandfather and has been family-owned the entire time, he said. We love being a part of the Amarillo community and economy. We are a community bank and love to work with our great customers. We are excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to another 125 years. Andy Nenstiel, president of Herring Bank, speaks to the crowd Tuesday at the Herring Bank 125th anniversary celebration in Amarillo. Andy Nenstiel, president of Herring Bank, spoke about reaching the milestone and the importance of Amarillo to his bank. This is an incredibly significant milestone with the consolidation of banking in the United States," he said. There are not many banks over 100 years old left in the country due to the rapid consolidation we have seen in the business. It seems banks are just getting bigger and bigger. We find that we much prefer to serve our customers at our size in our locations. Members of the community and employees of Herring Bank celebrate the bank's125th anniversary Tuesday in Amarillo. Nenstiel said that the Herring Bank has customers in almost every state. We really thank the community for their support, Nenstiel said. We have grown roots in this community with great customers and staff working with us for years. We want to do what we can to give back to the community. Many banks have come and gone, with there once being over 30,000 banks in the United States, which is now down to about 5,000. Employees of Herring Bank celebrate Tuesday at the Herring Bank 125th anniversary celebration in Amarillo. Employees of Herring Bank celebrate Tuesday at the Herring Bank 125th anniversary celebration in Amarillo. The original teller doors of the Herring Bank are seen on display Tuesday at the Herring Bank 125th anniversary celebration in Amarillo. Members of the Herring Bank cut a ribbon with members of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Tuesday at the Herring Bank 125th anniversary celebration in Amarillo. The Amarillo branch at Civic Circle is seen Tuesday at the Herring Bank 125th anniversary celebration in Amarillo. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Herring Bank celebrates 125th anniversary at Amarillo branch location TechCrunch Three Amazon executives in charge of developing new technologies for checking out of physical stores including Just Walk Out, Dash Carts, and Amazon One are leaving or have left the division, TechCrunch has learned. In addition, a former high-ranking advertising executive at Amazon, Colleen Aubrey, was recently put in charge of Just Walk Out, one many responsibilities in her newly assigned role as senior VP of AWS solutions. Dilip Kumar, the co-creator of Amazon's cashier-free Just Walk Out technology, who previously led the division, left the Just Walk Out team in the spring. Astronauts stranded in space due to multiple issues with Boeing's Starliner and the window for a return flight is closing Editor's note: NASA announced on Friday that Starliner's troubleshooting has been extended for a third time, meaning that the astronauts will stay aboard the International Space Station indefinitely until some time in July. Two NASA astronauts who rode to orbit on Boeing's Starliner are currently stranded in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after engineers discovered numerous issues with the Boeing spacecraft. Teams on the ground are now racing to assess Starliner's status. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were originally scheduled to return to Earth on June 13 after a week on the ISS, but their stay has been extended for a third time due to the ongoing issues. The astronauts will now return home no sooner than June 26th, according to NASA. After years of delays, Boeing's Starliner capsule successfully blasted off on its inaugural crewed flight from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:52 a.m. EDT on June 5. But during the 25-hour flight, engineers discovered five separate helium leaks to the spacecraft's thruster system. Now, to give engineers time to troubleshoot the faults, NASA has announced it will push back the perilous return flight, extending the crew's stay on the space station to at least three weeks. "We've learned that our helium system is not performing as designed," Mark Nappi, Boeing's Starliner program manager, said at a news conference on June 18. "Albeit manageable, it's still not working like we designed it. So we've got to go figure that out." The return module of the Starliner spacecraft is currently docked to the ISS's Harmony module as NASA and Boeing engineers assess the vital hardware issues aboard the vessel, including five helium leaks to the system that pressurizes the spacecraft's propulsion system, and five thruster failures to its reaction-control system. Related: China's secret space plane has released another unknown object over Earth After powering the thrusters up on June 15, engineers found that most of these issues appeared to be at least partially resolved, but their exact causes remain unknown. However, the Harmony module's limited fuel means Starliner can only stay docked for 45 days, so the window for a safe return flight is narrowing. RELATED STORIES NASA set to launch 2 rockets into the northern lights China discovers strange glass beads on moon that may contain billions of tons of water 3-ton rocket that will smash into the moon Friday is from China, astronomer argues The issues are the latest in a long list of setbacks and headaches for Boeing's spacecraft. The company built the Starliner capsule as a part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, a partnership between the agency and private companies to ferry astronauts into low Earth orbit following the retirement of NASA's space shuttles in 2011. SpaceX's Crew Dragon also came from this initiative and has racked up 12 crewed flights since it began operating in 2020. But Starliner's first uncrewed test flight in 2019 was scuppered by a software fault that placed it in the wrong orbit, and a second attempt was held back by issues with a fuel valve. After more reviews last year, the company had to fix issues with the capsule's parachutes and remove around a mile (1.6 kilometers) of tape that was found to be flammable. The current mission is Boeing's third attempt to take the crew to the ISS. The previous two were scrubbed by a vibrating oxygen valve on the United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket on which Starliner was mounted (and which was developed by Lockheed Martin) and a computer glitch in a ground launch sequencer, respectively. Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams could remain at the space station until mid-August - CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Nasa has again delayed the return of two US astronauts currently stranded on the International Space Station. Barry Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were due to return to Earth on June 26 after faults with the Boeing spacecraft forced the astronauts to remain aboard the space station two weeks longer than planned. On Friday, Nasa said it was taking more time to review the thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that caused the first delay. The ISS mission was Boeings first crewed space launch after more than a decade of planning, during which two launches had to be aborted at late notice. It was scheduled to last only eight days, but helium leaks and issues with the spacecrafts thrusters delayed its return by two weeks. Nasa and Boeings leadership are adjusting the return to Earth of the Starliner Crew Flight Test spacecraft, Nasa said in a blog post late Friday. It continued: The move off Wednesday, June 26, deconflicts Starliners undocking and landing from a series of planned International Space Station spacewalks while allowing mission teams time to review propulsion system data. Steve Stich, Nasas Commercial Crew Program manager, said: We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process. We are letting the data drive our decision-making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance we observed during rendezvous and docking. The Boeing spacecraft has been hampered by thruster malfunctions and helium leaks - Joe Skipper/Reuters Five of the spacecrafts thrusters were shut down by its computers as it neared the space station and four had to be switched back on, while its propulsion system suffered several minor leaks. Wilmore and Williams, both ex-US Navy test pilots, are said not to be in a hurry to leave the station because it is well stocked with supplies. Nasa added that the stations schedule is relatively open through mid-August. The faults are not critical and such issues often arise when testing aircraft. Stich previously said Nasa did not see any scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home. The craft will land in New Mexico using parachutes. The Starliner was meant to provide competition to Elon Musks SpaceX, which has been ferrying astronauts to the ISS since 2020. Boeing has lost more than $1.5bn (1.2bn) on the project to date. It is due to complete six Nasa missions under a $5bn contract awarded in 2014. The company has faced increased scrutiny from regulators this year over its 737 Max aeroplanes after a door blew off a flight over Oregon in January. 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. Attacker of Nancy Pelosis husband also found guilty of kidnapping, could face more prison time SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A man who bludgeoned Nancy Pelosis husband with a hammer and was sentenced to 30 years in federal court was also convicted Friday of aggravated kidnapping by a state court which could put him behind bars for life. A federal judge last month sentenced David DePape to 30 years in federal prison for the 2022 attack against Paul Pelosi. A San Francisco jury on Friday found DePape also guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening a family member of a public official, dissuading a witness to the charges and aggravated kidnapping. DePapes public defender Adam Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that DePape was guilty of three of the charges but that prosecutors had not presented evidence to convict him of threatening a family member of a public official and aggravated kidnapping. Prosecutors added those two charges in late May, as DePapes federal trial was wrapping up. A federal jury convicted DePape of assaulting a federal officials family member and attempting to kidnap a federal official. On May 28, he was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison during an unusual resentencing hearing that resulted from judicial error. DePape will likely be deported back to Canada after he completes his punishment. Lipson earlier argued that the state trial represents double jeopardy following the federal conviction. Even though the criminal counts are not the same, the two cases stem from the same act, he told the judge. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman agreed and dismissed the state charges of attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. Another judge upheld the decision on appeal. Lipson focused his closing arguments on explaining to the jury that prosecutors did not prove DePape kidnapped Paul Pelosi, who was 82 at the time, with the intent to exact from another person money or something valuable, which is integral to the charge. Prosecutors said the valuable thing DePape wanted from the kidnapping was to create a video of Nancy Pelosi confessing to crimes he believed she had committed, prosecutors said. Lipson argued the video didnt exist and if it did, it wouldnt have had any value. When he broke into the Pelosis home his intent was to confront and potentially hurt and assault Nancy Pelosi. That was his intent at that time, that has nothing to do with Mr. Pelosi, he said. In her rebuttal, Assistant District Attorney Phoebe Maffei pointed out DePape told a detective and testified in federal court that he planned to get a video of Nancy Pelosi confessing to what he believed to be crimes and post it on the internet. There is inherent value in a video of the Speaker of the House confessing to crimes in her own home, Maffei said. The attack on Paul Pelosi was captured on police body camera video just days before the 2022 midterm elections and shocked the political world. He suffered two head wounds including a skull fracture that was mended with plates and screws he will have for the rest of his life. His right arm and hand were also injured. On Monday, Maffei told the jury DePape unleashed a reign of terror on Paul Pelosi before bludgeoning him with a hammer as part of a plan he put together over months. The plain facts of this case are terrifying by themselves without embellishment, Maffei said. David DePape broke into the home of an 82-year-old man while he slept, entered his bedroom, held him hostage with a hammer, threatened him, threatened his wife and attempted to kill him. DePape admitted during his federal trial testimony that he planned to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage, record his interrogation of her, and break her kneecaps if she did not admit to the lies he said she told about Russiagate, a reference to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that before the attack, DePape was living an isolated, lonely life and went down the rabbit hole of propaganda and conspiracy theories. This week the judge expelled DePapes former partner from the public gallery and the second floor of the San Francisco courthouse because the judge said she was trying to tamper with the jury. On Monday and Tuesday, Gypsy Taub, a well-known activist in the Bay Area, handed out pieces of paper outside the courtroom with the address of a website she runs that promotes conspiracy theories. The cards were also found in a womens bathroom near the courtroom where the websites address was scrawled in marker on a wall. You have been trying to corruptly influence one or more jury members, Dorfman said sternly before asking two bailiffs to escort Taub out of the courtroom. DePapes federal public defender said during his federal sentencing that DePape was first exposed to extreme beliefs by Taub, who has two children with DePape. Taub met DePape in Hawaii when he was 20 years old and she was in her 30s and pregnant, DePapes twin sister, Joanne Robinson, said in a letter to the federal judge seeking leniency. Robinson wrote that Taub isolated DePape from his family and inflicted extreme psychological damage on her brother. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) The Aurora Police Department was asking the public for help finding a missing, at-risk woman. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox On Sunday, the department said she had been located out of state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. AUSTIN (KXAN) On Thursday night, Austin ISD trustees unanimously approved a $1.2 billion budget for next year, but the district is still facing a large deficit. Without an increase in funding for public education, without an increase to the basic allotment not only will you see additional reductions that will impact the classroom you will see that state-wide, said Austin ISD CFO Ed Ramos. Ramos said with the district facing a deficit for the next school year, they had to make cuts. But the district also wants to make sure students get the best education. It has put us in a tough position as a district, Ramos said. We have limited dollars we have to work with, but we still have to provide a service to our students. AISD could ask voters to approve a property tax rate increase in November to reduce the deficit, but thats not the fix-all solution. Even with the voter-authorized tax rate election, if that were to pass, that does not take us out of the red, Ramos said. Ramos says if voters approve a property tax rate increase, the deficit would be $41 million. If voters choose not to authorize the tax rate increase, there would be a $78 million shortfall, according to Ramos. We are going to be watching the 2025 legislative session very carefully, Ramos said. Many districts have blamed their financial struggles on the state and the lack of funding they receive. We have a school funding emergency in this state, said Texas State Rep. James Talarico. Talarico has been fighting to increase teacher pay and public school funding for years and says schools should not be struggling. Our local property taxpayers shouldnt have to foot the bill for the growing needs in our city, the state of Texas, said Talarico. State government needs to step up and do its fair share. How would the tax rate increase impact voters if approved? Looking at an average household in the Austin area which, would be about a $563,000 home, that would be a monthly average increase in taxes of about 35 dollars, said Ramos. AISD says because of these financial struggles they are also looking at increasing class sizes and will continue to have discussions on areas they can cut in the future. The board will officially vote on the tax rate election in August, then voters will have the final say. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New axel will allow Tuscora Park's C.W. Parker Ferris wheel to resume operation NEW PHILADELPHIA RTY officials say they think the 1926 C.W. Parker Ferris wheel at Tuscora Park may be back in operation in time for First Town Days in July. The vintage amusement ride was completely rebuilt over a year ago under the direction of the Rotary Club of New Philadelphia and its nonprofit arm, RTY Inc., which operates the rides at Tuscora Park for the city. It operated for about a month in 2023 before it was shut down due to a noise. An inspection later revealed that the main axel was fractured. Crews work on the the main axel of the Tuscora Park Ferris wheel, in New Philadelphia. A new axek was recently installed. Gradall Industries in New Philadelphia engineered, built and donated the new axel, which was installed by Dover Tank & Plate and C&G Erectors of Malvern. Ferris wheel cars sit behind the baseball field at Tuscora Park while the main axel of the ride is serviced. Gradall and Dover Tank & Plate used FEA (finite element analysis) to engineer the new axel, according to Rotarian Greg Rees, who spearheaded the reconstruction project. They tried different materials and designs on a computer to come up with a design. More on Ferris wheel: Rebuilt Tuscora Park Ferris wheel to be dedicated May 28 The new axel is designed to last for 1 million cycles, he said. The old one, which lasted for 28 years, was designed for 12,000 cycles. "It far exceeded the 12,000 cycles," Rees said. "We got our money's worth out of it." New train ride At the same time, RTY is awaiting delivery of a new train it purchased for Tuscora Park. The train is being built in Texas, and the cars are currently in the paint process, Rees said. The project is running behind schedule because of the difficulty in finding skilled workers to do the job. Work is performed on the Tuscora Park Ferris wheel June 17, in New Philadelphia. The train, when completed, will be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, he said. It is being constructed so that two wheelchairs can be loaded on the train. The Ferris wheel will also be ADA compliant, he said. Both the Ferris wheel and the train will have to be inspected before they can begin to operate. Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com. r This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Tuscora Park Ferris wheel gets new axel to allow it to operate again West Midlands Police in England said that the dog, registered as a Belgian Malinois, had since been "humanely destroyed" West Midlands Police Elle Doherty A 7-month-old baby girl died last weekend in Coventry, England, after her family's dog "tragically" bit her at their home. West Midlands Police publicly identified the infant as Elle Doherty on Friday, June 21 five days after officers were called to her home at Shorncliffe Road around 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, June 16. According to The Independent, a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said they received a call at 3:01 p.m. before sending over "two ambulances, a specialist paramedic, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance." The baby was then taken to the hospital via "land ambulance." The release from West Midlands Police said that the ambulance arrived at the scene within "minutes" and discovered Doherty had "received serious injuries to her head after being bitten by the familys dog inside the home." West Midlands Police Elle Doherty Related: 6-Week-Old Boy Dies After Being Attacked By Family Dog in Crib, Family Says "Elle received treatment at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to hospital for further treatment," the police release read. "Tragically, she died a short time later. Our thoughts remain with her family at this devastating time." The dog was revealed to have been registered as a Belgian Malinois and it was "removed from the home on Sunday and humanely destroyed," per West Midlands Police. Elsewhere, the statement said that, "following a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the death" of Elle, "detectives are now satisfied that there have been no criminal offenses." "We have updated Elles family, and a file is now being prepared for the Coroner. Our thoughts remain with the family at this tragic time, and they have now asked to be left to grieve in private," West Midlands Police concluded. In December 2023, The Independent reported that fatal dog attacks hit a record high in the last two years in the U.K., with 16 deaths by dog bites recorded in 2023 and six in 2022. Before that, the outlet noted, the U.K.'s Office for National Statistics had not seen the number surpass five deaths between 1991 and 2021. 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 latest tragic death comes just weeks after a newborn baby in Tennessee died after being attacked by a family dog in his crib while he was sleeping. On May 30, the 6-week-old boy Ezra was pronounced dead after his family's husky who parents Mark Mansoor and Chloe Mansoor said hadn't shown signs of aggression before attacked him in his sleep. "You just think it would never happen to you. But it can happen to anyone, with any dog breed, no matter how long you've had the dog," Chloe told local news outlet WBIR shortly after the incident. The family told the outlet that the dog "just attacked out of nowhere." Chloe also paid tribute to her son, telling ABC 7 that being Ezra's mother was "the biggest honor and the best thing I've ever done." "Really don't take anything for granted, even if it's a moment, you're annoyed in the moment or frustrated in. All of those little moments are still so amazing," she said. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A student walks on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City in April 2024. (Photo by 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, including Iowa, 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 Iowa, the state Board of Regents voted last year to require the three state universities to review and eliminate DEI programs and positions not needed for accreditation or compliance with state and federal laws. The Iowa Legislature put similar directives into law this year as part of their education budget. 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. This story was originally published by Stateline, which 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 Iowa Capital Dispatch. If you rue missing out on the monster rally in Nvidia shares, know that youre in good company. Even the savviest of tech investors can get it all wrong. Masayoshi Son, founder of the legendary SoftBank Vision Fund, missed out on his biggest deal ever even though it was directly within his grasp. Japans wealthiest man owned 5% of the chip vendor behind the AI revolution, a position currently worth about $160 billion. Instead he dumped the entire stake more than five years ago, when it was worth less than $4 billion, after a perilous drop in the stock threatened his funds performance. I had to tearfully sell the shares, Son told SoftBank shareholders today at the firms annual meeting, according to remarks cited by the Wall Street Journal. The fish that got away was big." Had he held on, it would be more valuable than his prescient investment in Alibaba, in which his holding company, SoftBank, was at one point the largest shareholder. Son is best known for being an early investor in Jack Mas Chinese e-commerce platform, when SoftBank poured $20 million into Alibaba in 2000. The value of its stake eventually reached $60 billion when the Amazon rival went public in 2014, the largest IPO in history until that of Saudi Aramco. Son parlayed that success into his next endeavorthe creation three years later of SoftBanks Vision Fund. Until then, no one had ever had the audacity to raise $100 billion for a single investment vehicle that would deploy its capital in disruptive technology. Armed with this unprecedented firepower, the fund made billion-dollar bets in ride-hailing leader Uber, enterprise software provider Slack, and, less successfully, office-sharing company WeWork. One of those firms it bought into straightaway was Nvidia, which had been minting money at the time, selling graphics cards to crypto miners up until a prolonged hangover, as CEO Jensen Huang described it. The sentiment swing led to a brutal 50% drawdown in value in the space of four months, and Son ended up selling his shares in what would turn out to be a premature decision. In February 2019, SoftBank revealed it had exited its position entirely when it was worth around $3.6 billion. Had Son held on, he would have made far more money for SoftBank and its Vision Fund investors than he ever did with Amazon. Its frustrating to remember the ones that I missed, Son conceded. To make good, the SoftBank founder is working on a new $100 billion fund for artificial superintelligence (ASI) named after the Shinto god of creation Izanagi. Asked about the plans, Son declined to go into details but promised it would be as grand as the name implied and even suggested it was why he was put on this earth. Story continues Referring to himself in the third person, he said: I seriously believe the reason why Masayoshi Son was born is to make ASI come true. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com . Tourists will be banned from renting apartments from 2028, mayor says (Getty Images) Tourists will be banned from renting apartments in Barcelona in a controversial move aimed at clamping down on soaring housing costs in the city. Over 10,000 holiday lets, which are advertised on platforms like Airbnb and Homeaway, will instead be made available to residents from 2028, the citys mayor said. Mayor Jaume Collboni claimed home rental prices in the top holiday destination had soared by 68 per cent over the past decade with the cost of property ownership increasing by 38 per cent. We are confronting what we believe is Barcelonas largest problem. More supply of housing is needed and the measures we are presenting today are to provide more supply, Mr Collboni said. Mr Collbonis opposition accused him of undermining property rights and claimed the move resembled the far-left regime of Venezuela. Over 10,000 holiday lets will be barred from renting to tourists in controversial plans set to come into force from 2028 (Getty Images) The Association of Tourist Apartments of Barcelona said the change would lead to flats being illegally rented to tourists and claimed the policy was a smokescreen for the mayors failure on housing policy. Reacting to Mr Collbonis announcement, some left-wing councillors said 2028 was too far in the future for people they said were being forced out of the city now. Janet Sanz asked: Can we wait until 2028? Barcelonas government said it would maintain its strong inspection regime to detect potential illegal tourist apartments once the ban comes into effect. Since 2016, it has ordered the closure of 9,700 illegal tourist apartments and almost 3,500 apartments have been recovered to be used as primary housing for local residents. Tourist accommodation and hotels in Barcelona received 9.7 million tourists in 2022, with 29.8 million overnight stays recorded in all, according to recent figures. The view of Barcelona city from Park Guell (Alamy/PA) In recent months, thousands have protested in parts of Spain, including the Canary Islands, against the effects of mass tourism, which they claim is damaging the environment and driving locals out. In June, thousands took to the streets of the Balearic Islands to protest against mass tourism and overcrowding dubbed massification. Carme Reines, from a collective which organised the protest in Palma de Mallorca, said: We want the authorities to stop people who have not lived here more than five years from buying properties and to put more controls on holiday accommodation. Javier Carbonell, a real estate agent in Mallorca, added: We want less mass tourism and more sustainable tourism. A Spanish National police spokesperson said around 10,000 people took part in the protest in Mallorca, while a few hundred marched in Menorca. (KRON) On Saturday and Sunday, BART will replace trains between Rockridge, MacArthur, and 19th Street stations with buses due to scheduled maintenance. Riders can expect delays of up to 40 minutes in the scheduled maintenance areas. In addition to the track shutdown, there will be no red line service during these weekends. BART said service to and from Millbrae will be via the yellow line. San Mateo County Bomb Squad responds to residential explosion: PD BART said work will take place through the heart of the district on select, non-consecutive weekends into 2026. Riders will enjoy a smoother, safer, more reliable, and quieter ride once this project is complete, BART said. Here is a list of the following weekends where tracks will be shut down: June 22-23 July 20-21 August 17-18 September 21-22 October 19-20 November 2-3 Weekend riders can read more details of the track shutdowns here. BART said maintenance was mainly scheduled to replace a series of interlockings. BART will also replace traction power cables, new train control equipment, new digital display signs at underground stations up to Berkeley and 12th Street stations, and do deep station cleaning. Due to the areas limited workspace, BART said that instead of using cranes or other heavy-duty equipment, crews will transport materials on rail and attach larger components by hand. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. The BBC has been accused of failing to tell viewers that some Palestinians it had described as journalists killed by Israel were Hamas supporters. Media campaigners have pointed out that some of those highlighted by the corporation as having been killed since Israel launched its response to the Oct 7 attacks appeared to be militants who had praised and even worked for the terror group. They said the BBC was too quick to describe Palestinian militants and activists killed in the conflict as journalists. The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) which lobbies for a fair representation of Israel claimed that 55 out of 69 Gazans and Lebanese described as journalists in a BBC Arabic article about media workers killed since Oct 7 had either voiced support for the killing of Israelis or had worked for outlets which did. Two of these Mohammad Jarghoun and Assaad Shamlakh were mourned by friends on social media as members of the resistance and jihad fighters, while a third, Mustafa el-Sawaf, had been a member of Hamass political leadership for nearly two decades. Mohammad Jarghoun was mourned by friends on social media as a supporter of Hamas Additionally, Israels Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre has claimed that more than half the journalists that the Hamas media office says were killed in the Gaza Strip between Oct 7 2023 and Feb 18 2024 were affiliated with terrorist organisations, including 44 from Hamas and 19 from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). The claims came as it transpired last week that three Israeli hostages were being held captive in the home of a Palestinian journalist and his father, a doctor, before they were rescued by Israeli troops. Assaad Shamlakh was painted as a jihad fighter by his friends after his death The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) accused Abdallah al-Jamal, the journalist, of being a Hamas terrorist who had detained Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv in his family home. Jamal, who wrote for The Palestine Chronicle, a news website based in Washington, was killed along with his father, Ahmed, and his wife, Fatima, in the raid that freed the hostages last Saturday. The IDF said Jamal had also been a contributor to Al Jazeera. The claims raise questions about the extent to which some Palestinian journalists can be regarded as independent and objective reporters working for recognised media organisations. A spokesman for Camera Arabic said: The 55 Gazans and Lebanese in question were not listed by BBC reporter Layla Bashar al-Kloub simply because they were civilians in conflict whose deaths are to be regretted. Rather, it is due to their supposed journalistic work that the BBC elevated them apart from other civilians in the first place. Political affiliations Alas, Arabic editors and the ECU [the BBCs executive complaints unit] alike kept insisting that the way these individuals and their workplaces celebrated killings of Jewish civilians and served as propaganda arms for Hamas, PIJ and Hezbollah was simply a matter of political affiliations. By refusing to amend the list, they also indicated Arabic-speaking audiences are better off not knowing anything about this. Camera Arabic added: Evidently, BBC staff members are still under the impression that they share the same profession with people who spent their careers disgracing it for the sake of murderous ideologies a fact which suggests that their own journalism is compromised. This should be cause for concern to both fellow journalists and the corporations funding public. BBC Arabic has faced repeated criticism since Oct 7 for its coverage of the conflict and what some have claimed is the biased attitude of some of its broadcasters towards Israel. The Telegraph disclosed last month that the corporations head office had been forced to correct BBC Arabics coverage of the Gaza conflict every other day on average during the first five months of the war. BBC Arabic corrected its coverage of the Gaza conflict every other day on average during the first five months of the war - Carl Court/Getty Images Europe BBC Arabic, whose output Tim Davie, the corporations director-general, has described as something we should be very proud of, made 80 corrections in the five months after the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. In response to Cameras complaint, Richard Hutt, the complaints director of the BBCs executive complaints unit, said: BBC Arabic have said that the article was a list of journalists and media workers killed in the conflict (on both sides) regardless of their political affiliations. Beyond this, they make the point that such reporting is legitimate notwithstanding any such affiliations or connections between their employers and proscribed groups, given that journalists are nonetheless civilians in a category of worker which is particularly vulnerable in a war. Purpose is to record the loss Moreover, they make the point that reporting the deaths of journalists is not to put them in a positive light or to comment on the quality of their work. He added: In general I would expect BBC Arabic online audiences to understand that those working in the media in Gaza may have their own views, and may work for outlets with particular positions or political affiliations. The purpose of the piece is not to pass judgment, but to record the loss. A BBC spokesman said: Our report covers the deaths of journalists over the course of the conflict, in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel, regardless of their media outlets political affiliations, and takes no account of their views or assessments of their journalism. We reported on journalists who have died who were not BBC staff and therefore not subject to our impartiality guidelines. 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. Housing affordability is a growing issue across Northeast Florida, with the median price to buy a home up almost six percent since last year according to Redfin. Action News Jax also told viewers Friday about a recent University of North Florida study that named Jacksonville the eviction capital of Florida. Now, Beaches Habitat for Humanity is looking to address the issue with a new 44-home affordable housing community. Jaylen Vidal and his mom are one of the families set to move into one of those new homes. Ever since I moved to Florida, I lived in this community, especially in the community, its amazing. Would be our first home, Vidal said at the developments groundbreaking Saturday morning. Its a real blessing, truly honored, truly gifted. This Beaches Habitat for Humanity project addresses a vital issue and housing crisis, not just in the River City, but in Jacksonvilles Mayport area especially. That is actually one of the areas that is facing the crisis at the most, not just for our community, but our for our military families, and for this, you know, the City of Jacksonville, explained City of Jacksonville Director of Affordable Housing Joshua Hicks. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Hicks also outlined at Saturdays groundbreaking the need for even further affordable housing solutions, like those in the $94 million part of the Community Benefits Agreement in the Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium of the Future deal. That $94 million, however, was taken out of and separated from the stadium deal on Thursday in a city council vote. Nonetheless, Hicks says he remains confident the funding will still pass as a separately voted on matter. We do have a housing crisis and we need to get it addressed. So Im fully confident that the 94 million for housing, for affordable housing, homelessness and workforce development, will end up getting passed, Hicks said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] To qualify for Beaches Habitats Homeownership Program applicants must earn a salary between 30 and 80 percent of the areas median income, thats about $32,000 to $52,000 a year for the Mayport area. More information can be found on their website by clicking here. 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. Ben Stiller is speaking out about the Israel-Hamas war, more than nine months after the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7. In an opinion essay published Thursday by Time magazine, the Emmy-winning actor explained why he felt obligated to share his stance on the ongoing conflict, the rise of antisemitism and the need for global peace, saying he cant ignore the crisis that is front and center in the world right now. More from The Hollywood Reporter Saying nothing at this point feels like I am betraying my own conscience, Stiller, who is Jewish, wrote. But what do you say? How does one express the complicated and very real feelings in this scary world of social media, where it seems any sentiment opens you to online vitriol from one side or another? The issues we are dealing with are so nuanced and complicated that short statements cannot in any way express fully what I want to say from my heart. Serving as a public advocate for refugees for several years, the Zoolander star admitted that hes been struggling to reconcile his silence on the matter with that work. I grieve for those who suffered in the barbaric Hamas attack on October 7 and for those who have suffered as a result of those atrocities, Stiller wrote. My heart aches for the families who lost loved ones to this heinous act of terrorism and for those anxiously waiting these long months for the return of the hostages still in captivity. Its a nightmare. I also grieve for the innocent people in Gaza who have lost their lives in this conflict and those suffering through that awful reality now. He continued, I detest war, but what Hamas did was unconscionable and reprehensible. The hostages have to be freed. Terrorism must be named and fought by all people of conscience on the planet. There is no excuse for it under any circumstances. The Tropic Thunder actor added that while he stands with the Israeli people and their right to live in peace and safety, he doesnt agree with all the Israeli governments decisions on how theyre handling the war. I want the violence to end, and the innocent Palestinian people affected by the humanitarian crisis that has resulted to receive the lifesaving aid they need. And I know that many in Israel share this sentiment, Stiller wrote. I believe, as many people in Israel and around the world do, in the need for a two-state solution, one that ensures that the Israeli people can live in peace and safety alongside a homeland for the Palestinian people that provides them the same benefits. The Night at the Museum actor went on to denounce antisemitism, which has increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Stiller said hes witnessed a troubling conflation in criticism of the actions of the Israeli government with denunciations of all Israelis and Jewish people, and as a result, its led to an undeniable rise in global antisemitism. I am seeing it myself, on the streets of the city [New York City] I grew up in. It isnt right and must be denounced, Stiller continued in his essay. Antisemitism must be condemned whenever it happens and wherever it exists. As should Islamophobia and bigotry of all kinds. There is a frightening amnesia for history in the air. We must remind ourselves that we can only manifest a more hopeful, just, and peaceful future by learning from the past. He concluded, Obviously I am no politician or diplomat. I have no solutions for these world conflicts and claim to offer none. I think I, like so many people, am struggling with how to process this all. But as an advocate for displaced people, I do believe this war must end. As I write this, there are about 120 million people all over the world who have been displaced by conflicts. In the Middle East, in Ukraine, Sudan, and many other countries. They all deserve to live in safety and peace. The human suffering must end. We must demand this of our leaders. Peace is the only path. Best of The Hollywood Reporter "Pages of history" features excerpts from The News Journal archives including the Wilmington Morning News and the Evening Journal. June 23, 2004, The News Journal State gets no bids for Sussex road jobs Industry consolidation and a thriving building industry are causing problems for paving projects in Sussex County. Two recent Delaware Department of Transportation repaving and road repair contracts, worth between $1 million and $5 million, received no bidders, and a third received only a single bid that was far above what DelDOT expected. Page B1 of The News Journal from June 23, 2004. Transportation Secretary Nathan Hayward III said the lack of bids is unprecedented in recent history and a concern. When you get one bid 40 percent over estimate, you are almost as unhappy as if you got no bids at all, he said. The three projects covered a variety of neighborhood and back roads. All three projects will be re-bid. Industry officials said they think the recovering economy is the reason for the problem. There is more work than there are companies to do it. And if a company has a choice, it will take a private job over a public job because there is less bureaucracy and a better profit margin, said Richard Piendak, president of Richards Paving Inc. in New Castle. He has turned down lucrative private offers in Sussex County because he simply cannot handle the additional work now. Will Robinson, president of George & Lynch Inc. in New Castle, agreed. Robinson said his company, which has worked for DelDOT on Sussex County projects in the past, did not bid on this round of jobs for the same reason. Haywardthinks the main problem is the recent consolidation in the paving industry downstate. Several paving and hot mix asphalt companies have merged in recent years, reducing competition. June 24, 1974, Evening Journal Year of the tornado kills 371, shapes up as worst for nation From the standpoint of severity, 1974 is shaping up as possibly the worst tornado year in American history. Forecasters said there have been 371 deaths and possibly 5,000 injuries so far this year from 658 twisters that have struck in all but 14 states. Page 7 of the Evening Journal from June 24, 1974. The death toll so far is the worst since the 450 recorded for the same span in 1953. The 1974 total of tornadoes could exceed last years new record of 1,109, a total that led the National Weather Service to call 1973 The Year of the Tornado. Meteorologist Allen Pearson, director of the Weather Services National Severe Storms Forecast Center, says that even if the numerical record is not exceeded, many of the tornadoes that have struck America this year have been a lot more severe that those of last year. He said the unusual number of twisters throughout the spring were caused mainly by the very unusual antics of the subtropical jet stream. This is one of two undulating rivers of rapidly moving air hundreds of miles wide and 20,000 feet deep that whirl eastward around the Northern Hemisphere at an altitude of 5 to 9 miles. June 26, 2009, The News Journal King of Pop dead at 50 Michael Jackson, the King of Pop who reigned over the music world like no other, died June 25 as he prepared for a comeback bid to vanquish nightmare years of sexual scandal and financial calamity. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital where doctors continued to work on him. Front page of The News Journal from June 26, 2009. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known, his brother Jermaine said. Jacksons death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s when he was popular musics premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage. His 1982 album Thriller which included the blockbuster hits Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide. Catch up on history: WWII ends in Europe, four killed at Kent State: The News Journal archives, week of May 5 June 28, 1948, Wilmington Morning News Transport planes rushed to buck Berlin blockade The Air Force is sending a fleet of big transport planes to Germany to help supply the Berlin area which the Russians have cut off from normal surface contacts. About 39 C-54 Skymasters, capable of carrying about seven tons per flight on the Berlin run, will be dispatched. Front pages of the Wilmington Morning News from June 28, 1948. The planes will start within 24 hours, Air Force officers said, leaving their bases singly or in groups as they are readied. Americans and Britons in Berlin were subjected to partial rationing today as the Russian land blockade of the city went into its second week. However, the U.S. Air Forces emergency cargo service into Templehof Airport will be expanded to 100 planes daily, bringing in as many essential items as possible for the German population in addition to supplies for Americans here. Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: News Journal archives June 23-29: Berlin airlift, Michael Jackson dies Biden just erased my student loan debt. If its a campaign ploy, Im all for it | Opinion The check was mysterious and unexpected; the best kind, really. It arrived in a small, nondescript envelope. Through the cellophane or whatever those little windows are made of my full name appeared, printed on very official-looking paper, suggesting it was either a legitimate payout or a meticulously crafted attempt to sell term life insurance. The good news, at least from where Im standing which will become clear in a moment if it hasnt already? It wasnt a fake. There was a real check for $40 inside; not a princely sum, mind you, but better than nothing. Best of all? A no-frills statement was attached, revealing a sender: the U.S. Department of Education. In the simplest terms, it was a refund for the four months of student loan payments Id made since enrolling in President Joe Bidens Saving On a Valuable Education or SAVE Plan. Indirectly, it also served as a winking nod from Uncle Joe after the U.S. Supreme Court Dikembe Mutombod his first attempt at student loan relief, subtly imploring me to go online and pull up my account, just to see where things stand which is precisely what I did. Two decades ago, I borrowed roughly $10,000 attending The Evergreen State College. Earlier this year, having made payments under the terms offered by various lenders and consolidators since graduation, I still owed more than the day I received my bachelors degree thanks to the interest accrued. Today, my outstanding balance is $0. Biden did it, in other words. He made my student loan debt disappear without celebration or fanfare beyond a few vague emails and a surprise $40 kickback almost like it was orchestrated in the shadows, something better left unspoken for fear of jinxing it. Critics of the presidents efforts to forgive millions in student loan debt will call it a blatant abuse of power and a desperate campaign ploy designed to buy votes ahead of Novembers election. At least 18 Republican-led states are now attempting to thwart the Biden administrations SAVE plan in federal court. To suggest that political realities havent factored into the Biden administrations decisions and timing would be daft. Still, Im not complaining or apologizing and neither should anyone whos been tossed a surprise student loan lifeline. As things stand, Bidens complicated legacy now includes providing tangible debt relief to a select but significant number of Americans. Its historic, unprecedented and continues to be extremely divisive. For a generation of college students exploited by the commodification of higher education and an unchecked system, meanwhile, it has the potential to be monumental, unshackling hardworking Americans from a senseless weight thats done nothing but hold them back. As far as (alleged) campaign gimmicks go, thats not bad. SAVE plan debt cancellations In 2020, delivering meaningful financial relief for millions of borrowers in the form of student loan cancellation for some was a Biden campaign promise. Whether it helps the incumbent president come Novembers general election, now that hes waist-deep in the political muck trying to make good on his pledge, is another matter entirely. With more than 40 million borrowers owing a total of $1.77 trillion in loans, according to the Federal Reserve, recent polls suggest the toll of student loan debt will be a significant factor for voters this year. Its also an issue that continues to sharply divide the electorate. When it comes to Bidens approach to the issue? Well, you have to give the old dog credit for perseverance and creativity. When a Supreme Court jam-packed with conservative justices invalidated Bidens big-splash play to erase or reduce student loan debt for an estimated 43 million borrowers last year, he didnt sulk or make excuses; he went full Dark Brandon. Almost immediately, Biden pivoted, turning his attention to arcane authorities provided under the Higher Education Act, including the secretary of educations power to waive student loan debt in certain cases. Simultaneously, Biden unveiled his administrations contentious SAVE Plan, which immediately cut student loan repayments to $0 for millions of qualifying borrowers. Earlier this year despite the ongoing challenges it faces students enrolled in the SAVE Plan who originally borrowed less than $12,000 and had been paying on them for at least 10 years began to have their debts canceled. Thats the lucky category I apparently fell into. The order, originally scheduled to kick into gear next month, was fast-tracked to act as quickly as possible to give more borrowers breathing room, according to the president. In April, Biden announced his most ambitious post-Supreme Court rejection plan yet this one promising some form of debt relief for more than 30 million Americans, provided it passes the expected legal challenges. Biden laid it all out on the campaign trail, during a stop in Wisconsin, including his vision for canceling up to $20,000 in interest for student loan recipients who now owe more than they originally borrowed. During a visit to the same state earlier this week, Donald Trump described Bidens approach to student loan debt relief as a vile publicity stunt. In his typical deranged and incoherent way, the former president equated loan cancellation to illegal amnesty for immigrants and later blamed it for a ballooning federal budget deficit (as if the corporate tax breaks he championed dont factor in). Heres whats certain: With less than five months until presidential votes are cast, dont expect the screeching sound bites or hyperbole to cease any time soon. The nations student loan crisis wont magically vanish overnight even if my loans did. Until theres a real solution, the debt suffocating borrowers whose only real mistake was trying to make something of their lives by attending college in a broken system will continue to hang over us all. Late last month, the Biden administration reported that 4.75 million people had received some form of debt cancellation to date, to the tune of $167 billion. If were lucky and the country, however frothing and divided it may be, comes to its senses and denies Trump another term in the White House itll be only the start for Uncle Joe. A student from the Philippines challenged Pope Francis to refrain from using offensive antigay rhetoric and slurs, citing the immense pain it causes among the LGBTQ+ community. The exchange occurred during a video conference entitled Building Bridges Across Asia Pacific: A Synodal Encounter with Pope Francis and University Students. A series of students from various countries delivered prepared remarks to the Pontiff. Acebedo Rivera, a psychology student at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, used his allotment of time to challenge Pope Francis to ease certain religious restrictions in his country and refrain from using language derogatory to the LGBTQ+ community. I myself am outcasted and bullied due to my bisexuality, my gayness, my identity, and being a son of a single parent. My mother cannot divorce my father. Please allow divorce in the Philippines, Rivera said before returning to the subject of the Popes recent internal comments denigrating the air of faggotry in the Vatican. And stop using offensive language against the LGBTQIA+ community. This leads to immense pain. Due to this, I developed bipolar disorder and I am stigmatized. Last month, anonymous bishops told Italian news outlets Corriere della Sera and Italian dailies La Repubblica that the Pope used the slur during a meeting with church officials who were debating whether or not to allow out gay priests in the clergy. Pope Francis reportedly claimed that while the church should welcome everyone, a gay priest would be leading a double life. He then said that seminaries already have too much frociaggine, which loosely translates to faggotry or faggotness. In a statement to the Associated Press, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said there is room for everyone in the church. The pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term that was reported by others, Bruni said. However, the Pope was accused of using the slur again earlier this month. Following the statements from the students during this weeks virtual synod, the Pope spoke against discrimination in general and against women specifically but did not respond to Riveras remarks. Riveras remarks can be seen in the time-marked video below. On June 20, 2024, Kuntal Verma, Chief Manufacturing Officer of First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR), sold 1,621 shares of the company. The transaction was executed at a price of $260 per share, as detailed in the SEC Filing. Following this transaction, the insider now owns 3,549 shares of First Solar Inc. First Solar Inc specializes in the manufacture of solar panels and the provision of utility-scale PV power plants. The company is known for its advanced thin film solar modules and continues to be a significant player in the global renewable energy sector. Over the past year, Kuntal Verma has sold a total of 7,279 shares and has not made any purchases of the company's stock. This recent sale is part of a broader trend within First Solar Inc, where there have been 32 insider sells and no insider buys over the past year. The shares of First Solar Inc were trading at $260 on the day of the sale, giving the company a market cap of approximately $27.71 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the company stands at 27.14, which is below the industry median of 34.28 but above the company's historical median. According to the GF Value, the intrinsic value of First Solar Inc is estimated at $185.47 per share, making the stock significantly overvalued with a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.4. Insider Sale: Chief Manufacturing Officer Kuntal Verma Sells 1,621 Shares of First Solar Inc (FSLR) The insider transaction trend and the GF Value are crucial indicators for investors monitoring First Solar Inc's stock. The consistent insider selling could be a point of interest, especially when evaluated in conjunction with the company's valuation metrics. Insider Sale: Chief Manufacturing Officer Kuntal Verma Sells 1,621 Shares of First Solar Inc (FSLR) Investors and stakeholders in First Solar Inc may continue to watch these trends and transactions closely, as they provide insights into the perspectives of key insiders and the company's valuation relative to its market performance. 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. Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) is raising suspicions about the integrity of the election systems in Virginia as he trails his primary challenger, an effort that echoes the Stop the Steal movement. He has vowed to pursue a recount in the race, saying there should be a full accounting of every legal vote. Good pointed to alleged fires in three precincts on the primary election day and has charged that one county registrars office improperly started a ballot process two hours early with his opponents representative present, but without notifying his team. The Good campaign sent a legal letter about the ballot canvass process and Freedom of Information Act requests about the fire alarms on Friday. The seeds of doubt about the election are the latest chapter in a contentious GOP civil war of a campaign that saw former President Trump, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), and many House Republicans make endorsements for Goods challenger, former Navy SEAL and state Sen. John McGuire, that were widely seen as revenge. Good, the chair of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus, had endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president and was one of eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, throwing the House into chaos. They are also an example of the election skepticism among conservatives that has been prevalent since Trump and his allies refused to concede that President Biden fairly won the 2020 election. State and local election officials in Virginia said no fires occurred at polling places and signaled that fire alarms that sounded at those precincts had minimal to no impact on election operations. And a local election official pushed back on the Good campaigns concerns about a meeting that occurred prior to a time designated for election canvassing, saying it was a typical process. The McGuire campaign was present because it had called to check on the timing of the meeting, the official said, while Goods campaign did not. It is evident, though, that the Good campaign believes proper procedure was not followed. Good trailed McGuire by just more than 328 votes as of Friday evening, according to Decision Desk HQ. McGuire has declared victory in the race. Good has called to ensure a fair and accurate count of every legal vote and has vowed to head to a recount, which he can request if less than a percentage point separates the two candidates. Were going to have a full recount. Were going to have a full investigation, Good said on Steve Bannons War Room show Thursday, saying that he has a tremendous number of lawyers at our disposal. In a post on social platform X, Good said fires disrupted voting in three precincts on election day. We had 3 fires on election day in 3 precincts, all requiring the precincts to be evacuated for 20 minutes. Albemarle County, Hanover County, and Lynchburg City. What is the probability? Does anyone recall even 1 fire at a precinct on election day? Good said. AI estimates the probability being 0.0000000318% chance. Election officials and spokespeople from the state of Virginia and in those local jurisdictions stressed that no voters were turned away in the three voting locations that dealt with fire alarms on Election Day. In Lynchburg, election officials said that a precinct on the campus of Liberty University had to evacuate for 15 minutes after a fire alarm went off and were told it sounded due to use of cleaning equipment. That location only served students who lived on campus, and with it being summer, only six votes were cast in the precinct. An Albemarle County official said that according to a fire rescue report, a ceiling tile with water damage fell and pulled an alarm, leading election officials to evacuate for 20 minutes. And in Hanover County, a local official said the fire department determined that steam from a water heater caused the alarm, with a state official adding that 15 voters waited and voted when the precinct was opened 30 minutes later. The fire alarm issue is not the only concern Good is raising. On Bannons show, Good alleged that Albemarle County did not properly notify his campaign of a ballot process that started two hours early and that while a representative for McGuire was present, his own campaign was not notified. Bannon compared the situation to the 2020 Stop the Steal movement. Im worried about the canvassing, and people should consider this a test run for November, he said. The 2020 election was stolen, and were never having another election stolen. Lauren Eddy, the general registrar and director of elections for Albemarle County, told local radio station WINA and The Hill on Friday that Good was referring to a closed meeting regarding provisional ballots that started at noon, two hours before a public canvass meeting at 2 p.m. Eddy said it is not her offices normal practice to notify campaigns directly about the provisional ballots meeting, and that a representative for the McGuire campaign had called her office to learn about the meeting time. While the ballots were processed, no votes were counted during that meeting, she said. But the Good campaign evidently disagrees with the appropriateness of the meeting, with legal counsel for his campaign sending a letter Friday obtained by The Hill asking a litany of questions about the provisional ballots being reviewed in the absence of the campaigns observer and outside of the public notice time. A 2023 state department of elections handbook instructs to provide public notice of the date and time of the provisional ballots meeting and canvass on the Friday before the election. As Good brings up complaints about the election process, the McGuire campaign is knocking him for doing so. Rather than accept his fate and the will of the people, Bob Good has chosen to undermine the integrity of Virginia voters, Sean Brown, a spokesperson for the McGuire campaign, said in a statement. His antics now are beneath the dignity of a soon to be former elected official. Bob should put Virginia and our country first, let this process play out, and then congratulate John McGuire on a free and fair election victory. McGuire, notably, attended the Stop the Steal rally at the Capitol on Jan. 6 but says he did not go inside the building. Goods campaign is defending its actions. We are committed to making sure every legal vote is counted in what remains a very close race that will likely be in recount territory, Diana Shores, senior adviser and manager of the Good campaign, said in a statement. We believe the public should be informed of incidents that occurred on both Election Day and in the canvassing process since, and we will continue to educate them on the process. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE PHOTO: A satellite image shows an overview of the International Space Station with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft FILE PHOTO: A satellite image shows an overview of the International Space Station with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft By Joey Roulette and Mrinmay Dey (Reuters) -NASA has further postponed the Boeing Starliner's return to Earth from the International Space Station with its first crew of astronauts, to allow more time for review of technical issues encountered, the agency said on Friday. It did not set a new date, raising questions about the timing of the return of the two astronauts on Boeing's first crewed mission, which had initially been set for June 26, itself a pushback from the first potential date of June 14. "Mission managers are evaluating future return opportunities following the stations two planned spacewalks on June 24 and July 2," NASA said in a statement. The U.S. astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, lifted off on June 5 as a final demonstration to obtain routine flight certification from NASA. "We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process," said Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager. "Starliner is performing well in orbit while docked to the space station," Stich said, adding that the additional time would yield "valuable insight" into system upgrades for future missions. The crewed test of the spacecraft, test-flown to space two times since 2019 without humans on board, has encountered five failures of its 28 maneuvering thrusters, five leaks of helium gas meant to pressurize those thrusters, and a slow-moving propellant valve that signalled unfixed past issues. The issues and the additional tests run by NASA and Boeing call into question when exactly Starliner's crew will be able to make the roughly six-hour return journey home, and add to the program's broader problems. Boeing has spent $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond its $4.5-billion NASA development contract. NASA wants Starliner to become a second U.S. spacecraft capable of ferrying astronauts with the ISS, alongside SpaceX's Crew Dragon, its primary ride since 2020. But Boeing's Starliner program has battled software glitches, design problems and subcontractor disputes for years. When Starliner arrived in the space station's vicinity to dock on June 6, the five thruster failures prevented a close approach by the spacecraft until Boeing made a fix. It rewrote software and tweaked some procedures to revive four of them and proceed with a docking. Starliner's undocking and return to Earth represent the spacecraft's most complicated phases of its test mission. NASA officials have said they want to better understand the cause of the thruster failures, valve issue and helium leaks before Starliner begins its return. While just one thruster remains dead in Starliner's current flight, Boeing encountered four thruster problems during the capsule's uncrewed return from space in 2022. Flight rules set by Boeing and NASA require Starliner's maneuvering thrusters to allow for "six degrees of freedom of control," at a minimum, and each have one backup thruster, a NASA spokesperson told Reuters. That could mean at least 12 of the 28 thrusters, most of them backups, are required for a safe flight. (Reporting by Mrinmay Dey and Joey Roulette; Editing by Diane Craft and Clarence Fernandez) A descendant of the founder of Cadbury has criticised the decision of its US owner to keep selling products in Russia, as he said it goes against the chocolate brands core values. In a rebuke of parent company Mondelez, James Cadbury whose ancestor John Cadbury founded the Birmingham-based company in 1824 said it was disappointing that it hadnt severed ties with Russia. Mr Cadbury said: Cadbury has always stood for peace and corporate social responsibility, so Id say it is disappointing that Mondelez is operating in Russia. If the original founder was somebody who was still involved, Im sure that operations within Russia probably wouldnt be something on the agenda. John Cadbury, who died in 1889, was widely credited as being a pioneer of a more ethical approach to capitalism following the Industrial Revolution. Mr Cadbury said: [Cadbury has] been involved in lots of social reform over the years in terms of working conditions [and the treatment of] women back in the day when women werent treated very well at work. Mr Cadburys comments will increase scrutiny on Mondelez at a time when campaigners are targeting Western companies still operating in Russia despite the war in Ukraine. While Mondelez has scaled back its operations in the country, and split its Russian subsidiary into a separate entity, the Cadbury owner continues to sell goods there. Accounts show that Russia accounted for 2.9pc of Mondelezs global revenues in 2023. The Cadbury brand itself is not sold directly by Mondelez in Russia, but its chocolates are still sold there through third-party distributors, according to recent reports. Mr Cadburys family are no longer involved in the running of Cadbury. However, Mr Cadbury set up his own chocolate company, LoveCocoa, in 2016. It bills itself as an ethical chocolatier that produces environmentally friendly chocolate. Cadbury has been owned by the Chicago-headquartered Mondelez since a hostile takeover in 2010. Mondelez chief executive Dirk Van de Put said last year that investors did not morally care about its continued presence in Russia, which led to a barrage of criticism. Andy Street, the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, wrote to Mr Van de Put in May to urge him to consider the founding Cadbury familys Quaker faith and the role of pacifism in those beliefs. This was followed by a letter from Ukrainian campaigners earlier this month, who urged the King to strip Cadbury of its Royal Warrant owing to Mondelezs sales in Russia. Mondelez, which also owns Toblerone and Oreo, has condemned the war in Ukraine and pledged millions of pounds of aid to Ukrainian citizens. It has also defended its continued presence in Russia by insisting it is not that straightforward to leave the country, largely over fears that its assets could end up in the hands of the state. A spokesman said: Suspending our full operations would mean cutting off part of the food supply for many families who have no say in the war and create great uncertainty for our 3,000 colleagues and more than 10,000 farmers who depend on us. Products sold in Russia are now produced and distributed locally, with no imports of finished goods from Europe into Russia or exports from Russia into Europe. We are continuing to comply with all applicable sanctions. 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. California Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday announced a budget deal to close a roughly $47 billion shortfall following weeks of disagreement over spending priorities. In the $297.9 billion spending plan, Newsom and top legislative leaders announced a deal to fund an embattled state homelessness grant program, cut more of the prison budget than the governor originally proposed, and delay the start of a health care worker minimum wage increase, according to an Assembly floor report of the budget agreement obtained by The Sacramento Bee. It also fills the budget gap by cutting state operations by nearly 8% and dipping into reserves. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, and Newsom who produced his own budget in January and a revised version in May have been far apart on a handful of major issues. They also faced the large projected deficit, making negotiations even more challenging. The budget will provide spending for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Rivas and McGuire touted funding the Legislature received for spending Newsom proposed cutting in his budget. We secured crucial investments to lower housing costs and keep people in their homes, and to sustain essential programs that help vulnerable families thrive, Rivas said in a statement. Several interest groups that were critical of the governors past proposals came out in support of the new agreement. Eileen Cubanski, interim director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California, said in a statement the plan rejects cuts to key social service programs. The protection of these services will help ensure thousands of California residents remain safe, cared for and without fear of falling deeper into poverty. Gov. Gavin Newsom releases his revised $288 billion budget proposal to address a $28 billion deficit on Friday, May 10, 2024. Legislative victories Legislative leaders achieved much of what they pushed for in a placeholder budget they passed June 13. However, they also made some concessions to Newsom, including further delaying the planned health care minimum wage hike which lawmakers recently pushed back by a month. Leaders secured $1 billion for another round of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grants for cities and counties. Newsoms budget did not provide additional money for a sixth version of the program, which the governor signed into law in 2019. But lawmakers and mayors of large cities pushed back, saying local governments rely on the funding to pay for shelters and other vital services. The spending plan also provides some money for other legislative priorities, including public health initiatives and in-home supportive services for undocumented immigrants. To fund some of these programs, lawmakers proposed cutting more money from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Progressive Democrats had been urging reductions to prison spending, saying they did not want to see social safety net programs harmed while the state continues to operate empty inmate beds. The budget agreement features $750 million in CDCR cuts. Thats more than Newsom wanted, although the spending plan does include his suggestion to save $82 million by no longer using 46 housing units in 13 prisons, totaling 4,600 beds, according to the Assembly report. Lawmakers and Newsom compromised on a couple of key issues. That includes setting aside some money for rate increases for health care providers who serve patients enrolled in Medi-Cal, after the governor wanted to cancel them. They also agreed on how quickly the state will suspend tax credits and a deduction for operating losses for business. Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, on Thursday, June 6, 2024 reads a resolution calling for June to be immigrant heritage month on the state Assembly floor. Health care worker wage delayed The Legislature may have achieved some of their budget objectives by agreeing to Newsoms proposal to put off a new health care worker minimum wage contingent on budget conditions. The governor last year signed into law Senate Bill 525 from Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, which created a framework for the wage hikes. The Department of Finance projected it would cost $4 billion to implement in the upcoming budget year. However, Newsom has long said the plan may need adjustments based on financial conditions. In January, he proposed setting up a trigger that would make the increases subject to funding availability. Workers at hospitals and health care facilities were to begin getting the first in a series of increases in June. But lawmakers recently moved to push those hikes to July 1. Durazo in May said she was opposed to the changes Newsom had proposed. But the budget agreement includes a plan to delay the July increase, depending on when the state meets certain financial targets. As a result of workers tireless advocacy, we are confident that the initial raise for workers who have not yet received it will happen in the fall, said Dave Regan, president of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, in a statement. A worker places gravel around a newly drilled water well at a home in Fresno County in 2023. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Over the past several years, Californias water managers have seen a pattern emerge in farming areas of the Central Valley: Even as declining groundwater levels have left thousands of residents with dry wells and caused the ground to sink, counties have continued granting permits for agricultural landowners to drill new wells and pump even more water. A bill that was sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources sought to address these problems by prohibiting new high-capacity wells within a quarter-mile of a drinking water well or in areas where the land has been sinking because of overpumping. Despite support from Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration, the measure was narrowly rejected in the Senate last week after encountering opposition from the agriculture industry, business groups, local governments and water agencies. The opposing organizations which included the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Farm Bureau Federation and more than 30 other groups representing growers and water suppliers said the bill was too restrictive and may impede ways to achieve groundwater sustainability. Kristopher Anderson, a legislative advocate for the Assn. of California Water Agencies, told a Senate committee that the legislation would impose unworkable mandates and be a blanket one-size-fits-all moratorium on approval of new wells that will harm local economies while failing to address these issues. After a brief debate, members of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee rejected the bill in a 5-4 vote. Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), who introduced the bill, said it was intended to address a significant loophole in Californias groundwater law. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, passed in 2014, created local agencies tasked with developing plans for curbing overpumping in many areas of the state, but left counties in charge of issuing permits for new wells. That has led to a situation where there are more straws going in while they're trying to regulate the current straws, he said. In some rural communities, farmworkers and other residents have seen their wells run dry soon after growers drilled new wells to irrigate crops on nearby fields. Too many counties have been unwilling to protect the most vulnerable people's wells because they don't want to take on the most powerful people, who want to keep putting high-capacity wells in, Bennett said. "We've been trying to get people to do something about it, and they refuse. It is the state's responsibility to finally say, enough is enough." Read more: Despite storms, many Californians are still coping with dry wells and awaiting fixes Parts of California have some of the fastest groundwater depletion rates in the world, and matters worsened during the last drought. Scientists have also found that crops' water demands are growing in the San Joaquin Valley because of rising temperatures driven by climate change, which is worsening the long-term water deficit. In parts of the valley, falling water levels have caused the ground to sink at rates of more than half a foot per year. Land subsidence has required costly repairs of levees, canals and other infrastructure, with public agencies footing the bill. The counties that are approving the most high-capacity wells are the ones that have the most land subsidence in California, Bennett said, referring to counties such as Tulare, Fresno and Kern. It just does not make sense that we keep putting more hundreds of new high-capacity wells in areas that have significant land subsidence. Bennett has introduced similar legislation three times. He said the bills defeat this year means that the status quo will reign, allowing the drilling of more wells while land subsidence continues and water levels drop. A lot of families, particularly in the Central Valley, will have their wells go dry because we refused to take action, he said. The legislation was designed to bring permanent requirements similar to a 2022 temporary drought order issued by Newsom, which required counties and cities to secure verification from a local groundwater agency that permitting a new well wouldnt be inconsistent with local plans. The order also called for agencies to issue a permit only after determining that additional pumping would not likely interfere with nearby wells or cause subsidence that would damage infrastructure. In a recent report analyzing the effects of Newsoms executive order, the Department of Water Resources said local agencies took many approaches to gather relevant information on whether the issuance of a well permit could potentially interfere with nearby wells or contribute to land subsidence. But the report also concluded that the continued issuing of well permits in vulnerable areas, where other wells are at risk and the land has been sinking, indicate that in many respects the executive order failed to achieve its goal. Read more: California farming area placed on probation over declining groundwater and sinking land The report said residents in parts of Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties told state officials theyre concerned the drilling of more agricultural wells is putting their drinking water at risk, and that pumping for farms has been prioritized over domestic well users. Drawing on the goals of the governor's order, state officials decided to sponsor legislation that would give firm direction to local agencies. The bill was supported by leaders of advocacy groups such as the Community Water Center and Clean Water Action, who argued in a letter that as the situation stands, local agencies responsible for managing groundwater have no power to stop new wells from being drilled, resulting in an unregulated race to the bottom. Those who spoke in favor of the bill during the Senate hearing included Paul Gosselin, the Department of Water Resources deputy director of sustainable water management. He pointed out that more than 3,000 domestic wells have run dry throughout California since 2020, according to reports submitted to the state. Over the years, those rates of subsidence and dry wells, he said, have been ramping up to new historic levels. He noted that during flooding last year, the state was forced to spend millions of dollars raising the levee that protects the city of Corcoran because the ground has sunk dramatically. It's not a hypothetical problem we have. It's a real-world problem facing people, Gosselin told the senators. Read more: A wet year boosted California's groundwater, but not enough to address long-term declines Gosselin called it a drought resiliency bill intended to complement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. That law required local agencies in many areas to develop groundwater plans and curb overpumping by 2040. There were several exemptions in the bill, such as allowing for the drilling of a replacement well, and easing the prohibition on drilling within a quarter-mile of a domestic well if there is a local ordinance aimed at preventing new wells from interfering with existing wells. But that wasnt enough to convince opponents. Fresno County supervisors called the bill an attempt to fundamentally redirect groundwater management from the original intent of the states law. A group of local agency managers called the California Groundwater Coalition said the proposal would add burdensome requirements. Gosselin said the debate over the legislation brought a good exchange of ideas. "The votes weren't there to keep the bill going," he said. We're hoping the dialogue and the issues that we raised in the legislation will continue." The Department of Water Resources is continuing to pursue other related efforts, including working with local agencies on drought plans and preparing a document outlining best management practices for curbing subsidence, he said. Gosselin said state officials will continue to work with counties and local groundwater sustainability agencies to improve decisions on issuing permits for new wells to hopefully avoid this continued cycle of increasing dry wells during drought periods. Read more: Groundwater depletion is worsening worldwide. Parts of California are suffering rapid declines Experts shared differing opinions about the legislation. I think its critically important, said Jay Famiglietti, a hydrologist and professor at Arizona State Universitys School of Sustainability. Without this type of legislative change, he said, it allows the continued drilling of deep wells that pump a tremendous amount of water. So in addition to sustainability being at risk, we'll see more and more shallower wells go dry, Famiglietti said. Behind the opposition to the bill, Famiglietti said there seems to be a concerted effort to drill more wells and delay restrictions. He called the opposition by the agriculture industry shortsighted. "The state cannot achieve its sustainability goals without leadership from the agricultural industry," he said. We want food sustainability, and we need that water to grow food for generations to come. A pair of agricultural groups, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the California Climate and Agriculture Network, supported the bill . Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, interim director of the University of Californias Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, said some sort of policy intervention is needed, but this type of one size fits all approach usually hurts small farms, who have fewer resources to adapt to new policies and go through additional regulatory hurdles. If a well goes dry on a small farm, under the bill that farm would be treated the same as a large corporation or a hedge fund when trying to replace the well, she said. Dahlquist-Willard said she hopes if similar legislation is proposed again, it will include protections for small farms. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A California man was found alive more than a week after he went missing. Lukas McClish, 34, was reported missing by his family on June 11, officials said on social media. He was last seen on foot in the Boulder Creek area of Santa Cruz, wearing all-black clothing. At around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, several witnesses reported "hearing someone yelling for help" near Foreman Creek, off an area highway, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said on social media. Deputies and other officials responded to the scene and confirmed that it was McClish calling for help. Drones were used to find McClish's exact location in a remote canyon before officials attempted to reach him on foot. State parks rangers met McClish first. Fire crews were then able to assist in bringing him to safety. Photos show officials gathered around a densely wooded area. "There are no trails, no roads, several miles from the closest place to a road, which the closest road that we got into, we had to four-wheel drive probably a quarter of a mile in and then we couldn't go further," Boulder Creek Fire Protection District Chief Mark Bingham told local news outlet The Santa Cruz Sentinel. McClish needed assistance to hike out of the woods, Bingham said, but he had no major injuries and has been reunited with his family, the sheriff's office said. The Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department said on social media that McClish had survived out in the elements for more than a week. "About 10 days he survived in the wilderness, essentially, drinking out of the creek and eating wild berries," Bingham told the Santa Cruz Sentinel. "For the most part, he was disoriented and lost and surviving off of the land, which is pretty impressive to say what a tough individual he was or is." When Social Security mistakenly overpays benefits, you might get a bill | 60 Minutes How one family devastated by Hurricane Katrina finally got closure Legendary surfing dog helps people overcome challenges by riding waves A firefighter carries a hose while battling the Point fire along West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg, Calif., on Sunday. (Noah Berger / Associated Press) Californias summer is off to a fiery start after an explosion of wildfire activity across the state this week, with blazes stretching firefighting resources thin, forcing evacuations and scorching several homes, businesses and bone-dry hillsides. Perilous weather conditions in the last days of spring before Thursday strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures fueled flames from Los Angeles County to Colusa County north of Sacramento, with more than 30 wildfires igniting, including two of the states largest this year that each surpassed 15,000 acres in a matter of hours, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The early boom in wildfires is casting new concerns about what the rest of 2024 will bring, especially with the hottest months ahead and another heat dome forecast for interior California this weekend. Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 100 to 105 expected, the National Weather Service said in an excessive-heat warning for much of Southern Californias inland communities between Santa Barbara and San Diego counties over the weekend. The Weather Service predicts it could reach 107 degrees up north in the Sacramento Valley, 95 in San Jose and 105 degrees or higher in Bakersfield in the next couple of days, with a heat advisory issued across much of the state. Triple-digit heat, gusty winds and the potential for thunderstorms in Southern California brings the risk of another fast-moving fire. There is a risk of heat-related illnesses, and an increased threat of grassfires. Report any wildfires to authorities and avoid creating sparks, the National Weather Services Oxnard office said Thursday on X. "It very much is alarming," Issac Sanchez, a Cal Fire spokesperson, said about the string of late-spring fires, though he noted it wasn't entirely surprising. "We know how quickly things can change. ... We're concerned we're always concerned, though." Through the last full day of spring on Wednesday, wildfires had burned almost 90,000 acres in California compared with only 5,863 acres by the same point last year, according to Cal Fire data. About half of this years acreage was burned in the last week. The previous five-year average for acres burned in California during the same time frame is just under 17,000 acres. To see that we are significantly over acreage on the [five-year] average is a concern, Sanchez said. What that tells us is the fuel is ready to go. Though there have been 2,237 fires so far this year, fewer than the five-year average of 2,689, officials say weather conditions are priming the landscape for more rapid fire spread. The types of fire were seeing are grass fires, and really wind-driven grass fires, Sanchez said, noting that burn scars of recent fires were long and narrow indicative of the windy weather that pushed their growth. The states two largest fires so far, both of which started last weekend, stretched south in an elongated shape, driven by northerly winds. The Post fire, burning primarily in Los Angeles County near Gorman, grew to 15,690 acres by Tuesday and remained at that size through Friday morning, when it was 61% contained, fire officials said. The Sites fire, southeast of Stonyford in Colusa County, grew to 19,195 acres. It was 25% contained as of Friday morning, according to Cal Fire officials. Crews at both locations were preparing for a hot weekend Friday because of the upcoming heat dome, though weather officials say this time it wont bring the gusty winds that created recent critical fire conditions. Read more: 'The situation is ripe': California thrust into fire season amid gusty winds, low humidity It was certainly an active late spring, said Chad Hanson, a research ecologist focused on fire ecology and the director of the John Muir Project, which works to protect federal forests. Its largely a reflection of the fact that we had some really hot, dry windy days in late spring. In a non-drought year such as this one there are more variables that can influence how and when wildfires start and spread, Hanson said, including how dry grasses, plants and trees become and what kind of weather hits. Human-caused climate change is also a factor, with higher global temperatures and more extreme precipitation, or lack thereof, adding challenges for fire suppression, he said. Over the past two decades, weve definitely seen a pattern of increasing fire activity and were also seeing higher temperatures because of climate change, Hanson said. Those two things are related. The fact that this year follows two less active wildfire years and two wet winters also creates further concerns, with most areas covered in layers of new vegetation that readily ignites when dry. Read more: California braces for heavy wildfire activity this fall: 'They're only going to get worse' Theres a significant fuel load out there; theres a significant grass crop out there, Sanchez said, calling wildfires in California now a year-round issue with risks statewide. At this point, its everywhere. Experts have been predicting an active second half of the year in the late summer and early fall, when plants that were once green and healthy will brown and desiccate in the longer, hotter days of summer. Fortunately, wildfires are not all inherently bad, Hanson said. Its not a tragedy when a fire burns in a forest. Theres a lot of plant and animal species that have evolved to depend on a post-fire habitat, he said. The tragedy is when it impacts human communities the good news is its almost entirely preventable. Hanson called for a wildfire management strategy that focuses primarily on protecting human life and development, instead of fire suppression in forests, and decreases our dependence on fossil fuels, which worsens climate change. Community members can also do their part to reduce wildfire risks by maintaining their vehicles and equipment, clearing out dry vegetation and closely monitoring campfires or grills, said Sanchez, the Cal Fire spokesman. The agency says about 95% of the states fires are caused by humans. The public has to take an active role in preventing fire, Sanchez said, adding that Californians can learn more about setting up a home evacuation plan and how to prepare their homes and property for wildfires by visiting ReadyforWildfire.org. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MISSOURI There are still many Republican voters who have yet to decide which candidate for governor they will be voting for during Missouris August 6 primary. A new poll from Emerson College Polling, The Hill, and Missouri Nexstar indicates 46% of registered voters are undecided. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft was the favorite among 23% of those surveyed. Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe came in with 20%, which is within the polls margin of error of +/- 3%. A distant third was state senator Bill Eigel with 6%. Matt Taglia, Emerson College Pollings senior director, sees the polling data as a sign this is a two-person race between the two statewide office holders. He said Ashcroft has a bigger lead with voters under the age of 60. He holds his own among older voters and hes narrowly winning among Republicans who say that the economy is their top issue, Taglia said. Kehoe leads among older voters, according to Taglia. Wheres John Pertzborn? Reporter acts fast after seeing a warning These are high likelihood, high propensity voters, so thats a very good sign for his campaign, he said. Following news of the poll, the campaigns for the front runners released statements. The Kehoe campaign released a statement Friday characterizing the current poll as a positive surge based on previous polling and expects to win over undecided, conservative voters. Ashcrofts campaign stated they have yet to spend money on voter contact and expect to expand their lead when they start airing TV and digital ads. They contested Kehoes campaign has already spent millions of dollars. Eigels campaign director called public polls worthless. She indicated that if polling was accurate, Hillary Clinton would be president and went on to state that Eigel will be elected governor. Below is the full breakdown of the polls results for the race. Undecided 45.8% John (Jay) R. Ashcroft 22.5% Mike Kehoe 19.6% Bill Eigel 5.9% Robert J. Olson 1.7% Chris Wright 1.4% Amber Thomsen 1.3% Darrell L. McClanahan III 1.3% Jeremy Gundel 0.4% Darren L. Grant 0.1% The poll also examined anticipated matchups in November, issues that might appear on the ballot, and the issues voters say are important to them. Emerson College Polling, The Hill, and Nexstar Missouri conducted this poll. Review our methodology and data 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 FOX 2. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) stands against the other Robinhood stocks. The market reacted favorably after the Federal Reserves June 11-12 meeting. The broader market marked record closes. At the June 12 press conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized the Fed's focus on its dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and stable prices. While the labor market remains strong with continued job gains and low unemployment, inflation has decreased significantly from its peak but remains above the 2% target, currently at 2.7% and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) believes it's still high. Key Developments The Fed Chairman reported that GDP growth slowed from 3.4% in Q4 of 2023 to 1.3% in Q1 of 2024. However, underlying demand indicated by private domestic final purchases grew at 2.8%. Consumer spending has moderated but remains solid, and investment in equipment and intangibles has improved. Moreover, the labor market is balanced, with job gains averaging 218,000 per month in April and May, and the unemployment rate was at 4%. Inflation, as measured by PCE prices, rose 2.7% over the past year, while core PCE rose 2.8% and the CPI rose 3.3% in May, with the core CPI at 3.4%. Finally, the FOMC decided to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5% and to continue reducing securities holdings to manage inflation. Powell emphasized a cautious approach to policy adjustments. The Chairman said that while some progress has been made toward the inflation target, more data is needed to ensure inflation is sustainably moving toward 2%. The Fed will continue to assess economic data and adjust policies as needed to support their dual mandate. He reiterated the commitment to restoring price stability to ensure long-term economic health. The Fed chair noted that the median projection for the federal funds rate by FOMC participants is 5.1% by the end of 2024 if the economy evolves as expected. Nevertheless, Jerome Powell highlighted that the projections are not a guarantee and will depend upon the data in the coming months. The CMEs FedWatch tool reveals that 35.8% of the market expects the interest rates to remain the same in September, 59.2% expect a 25 basis points (bps) reduction, and 5% believe in a 50 bps rate cut. These numbers have risen significantly in favor of rate cuts since we reported them on May 31 in our article about the best up-and-coming stocks. Story continues After a long wait, the Fed has finally hinted at potential rate cuts in September, which brings tons of opportunities in the market. Let's take a look at some now. Our Methodology For this article, we used the app to identify over 100 stocks with a $2 billion market cap that were trading under $20, as of June 12. We narrowed down our list to the stocks with positive hedge fund sentiment, analyst ratings, and optimistic prospects and chose the 10 stocks with the highest number of institutional investors. Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). A close-up of a wellhead, showing off the company's production of oil and natural gas. Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41 Share Price as of June 12: $15.58 Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) is a Texas-based independent oil and natural gas company that develops crude oil and related liquids-rich natural gas reserves. The company has assets in the Delaware Basin. The bullish case for Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) is four-pronged. Starting with its strong balance with liquidity of over $2 billion and leverage of approximately 1x, meaning that the companys total debt is roughly equal to its EBITDA as of the first quarter of the current year. In addition, the companys credit facility saw aggregate lender commitments rise from $2 billion to $2.5 billion while maintaining a borrowing base of $4 billion. This financial strength enables the company to sustain its operations and fund future growth initiatives. Moreover, In Q1 2024, the company generated an adjusted operating cash flow of $844 million and an adjusted free cash flow of $324 million. Permian Resources Corporations (NYSE:PR) second prong is its early integration of Earthstone Energy, Inc., which took place on November 1, 2023, and drove significant synergies. Permian Resources has already achieved $175 million per year in synergies and has an increased target of $225 million annually. The Earthstone acquisition was also responsible for efficiency gains, including an 18% reduction in Earthstone drilling days per well and a 50% reduction in completion days per well. In addition, analysts predict significant top and bottom-line growth for Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) in the near future. Based on consensus estimates of 16 analysts, the company is forecasted to post a non-GAAP EPS of $1.64 in 2024, up 32% year over year. The company is offering an attractive entry point as its trading at just 9 times its forward earnings, lower than the sector median of 11x. Another factor that makes Permian Resources one of the best Robinhood stocks under $20 is its focus on shareholder returns. On May 7, the company announced a 20% increase in its quarterly dividend and the board also declared a quarterly variable cash dividend of $0.14 per share. Both dividends were paid out on May 29. In the first quarter, Permian Resources rewarded its shareholders by buying back 2.0 million shares of common stock for $31 million. Including the base dividend, variable dividend, and share repurchases, the total return on capital for the quarter amounted to $0.24 per share. As of June 12, the company has a dividend yield of 1.6% and a low payout ratio of 12.8%, which means that its free cash flows can easily sustain its dividends. Finally, over the last three months, 13 Wall Street analysts have covered Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR), and 11 keep a buy rating on the stock. The average price target of $20.77 represents an upside of 33.31% to the stocks current price, as of June 12. In the first quarter, 41 hedge funds held positions in Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) and their stakes amounted to $1.07 billion. This is compared to 35 funds positions in the previous quarter worth $945.008 million. Overall PR ranks 8th on our list of the best Robinhood stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20 to see the other Robinhood stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of PR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Read Next: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. MILAN (Reuters) - Tourists who have booked a hotel on Capri will be allowed back onto the Italian island as the local administration works to secure water supplies after damage to the aqueduct on the mainland deprived it of running water. "We're preparing a less restrictive new order to allow back residents, people who own second homes, which often have their own water tank, and tourists with a hotel booking. It will be the hotels' responsibility to ensure they have water," Capri mayor Paolo Falco told Italian news programme TGCOM24. Earlier on Saturday Falco had issued an order that halted tourist arrivals after some pipes that burst in the coastal town of Castellammare di Stabia left Capri residents without water. "We've been working through the night to ... secure water shipments and tankers carrying water, which have been arriving. I apologise to everyone but there was nothing I could do ... my priority had to be to prevent a healthcare emergency," he added. In May and June, Capri was the most popular Italian destination among foreign tourists, who accounted for 84% of total visitors to the country, according to a recent analysis from Lybra Tech, a company that provides tech solutions to hotels, and tax free shopping data firm Global Blue. Tourists on average spend four days on the island off the coast of Naples, with almost a third of them U.S. nationals. (Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by Mark Potter) Car wars: NYC teachers battle over spots in parking lot shared by two schools Parking lot guard and security standing at school lot entrance, left; John Dewey HS parking lot at top right; no parking sign at bottom right A parking war has broken out in Brooklyn. Special education teachers claim employees from a neighboring high school are bullying them away from a parking lot that should be shared. Staffers from John Dewey High School in Gravesend guard the lot every morning, bang on cars, plaster windows with no parking signs and even scream at motorists, as confrontations over the lots 100 spots escalate, claim PS 721 staffers. John Dewey High School staff guard the schools parking lot and dont allow more than 10 employees from the neighboring PSK721 to enter and park. A John Dewey staffer guards the gate daily, checking permits and jotting down license numbers. They bogart the gate and theyll start screaming and yelling, threatening that youll be towed, said one paraprofessional who now takes public transportation instead of driving. Nearby construction and the proximity to a third school, NYCHA buildings and an MTA yard make parking in the area a nightmare, staffers at PS 721 say. The principals of the schools worked out an arrangement for the District 75 special-ed employees, who serve kids with disabilities grades K-12, to get 10 allotted parking spots in the lot at Stillwell Avenue and Avenue X. Employees say 10 spots is not nearly enough for their staff of around 400, which includes paraprofessionals and therapists. The battle has been going on for years but fizzles out and returns, a teacher told The Post. PS 721, also known as the Brooklyn Occupational Training Center, opened in 1976. Ongoing construction, the close proximity of three public schools and NYCHA buildings and an MTA yard make parking in the area a nightmare, staffers say. We have dealt with the signage and the threats from John Dewey school aides since September but within the past three weeks, it has gotten worse. On June 4, PS 721 principal Barbara Tremblay sent out an email notifying staff that they would have no access to the lot beyond the 10 spots. I have to leave my house an hour early to get one of the 10 spots they allow us, said a teacher. People park, like, a mile away. I see my colleagues running to get here. I live 10 minutes away but I come an hour early, said one administrator who arrives at 7 a.m. to snag a spot on the grass. Despite a staff of around 400, PS 721 only gets 10 spots in the John Dewey parking lot. Obtained by The New York Post Your license plate number has been recorded, read signs that covered a Buick. If your vehicle is parked in this area again it will be towed away at your expense. Teachers doubt the legitimacy of the warnings. The school aides will transfer the information to Dewey admin, who then call the PS 721 main office to question if the owner of said car is indeed employed at P721K, one teacher explained. The teacher said the Dewey staff mock and belittle anyone complaining about the issue in a UFT Facebook group. Employees arrive early to try and get a spot on the grass outside the John Dewey High School parking lot. J.C. Rice We have dealt with the signage and the threats from John Dewey school aides since September on and off but within the past two to three weeks, it has gotten worse, one teacher told The Post. Obtained by The New York Post The culture that has been created is disgusting . . . even mocking that we are blind, an insensitive and derogatory comment given the nature of students we teach. The woman guarding the entrance and checking for parking passes on Thursday identified herself as a Dewey employee and said there is not a conflict anymore. There isnt an issue People are just dumbasses, she said. Theres not enough parking for our school, she added. People just get aggravated that they cant park here. Employees display parking permits and a guard monitors every car that enters to check for them and jot down vehicle info. The parking lot fits at least 100 cars and many spots remained empty even after school began, The Post observed. She claimed the lot is private, though employees from PS 721 argue its city property. A petition is in the works, the teacher added, and has over 100 signatures so far. This is a schoolwide issue that the majority are upset with, said a teacher. The city Department of Education did not immediately answer questions. Auto dealer system updates to take 'several days' following CDK hack, ransom demand Work has begun to restore systems used by 15,000 auto dealers nationwide, which has been the subject of a cyber hack and ransom demand, Reuters reported Sunday. A group that says they hacked software company CDK Global is demanding tens of millions of dollars in ransom, Bloomberg reported on Saturday. CDK, which provides software to car dealerships in North America, intends to pay the ransom but discussions are subject to change, according to Bloomberg's report, which cited a person familiar with the situation. The source said the group behind the hack is believed to be based in eastern Europe, Bloomberg reported. USA TODAY has reached out to CDK Global for comment. CDK cyberattack updates: CDK Global says restoration underway after auto dealer software supplier hacked Ford Focus compact cars are offered for sale at a dealership on June 20, 2017, in Chicago, System shutdown upends dealership operations The CDK cyber outage affects software management tools and has upended operations at car dealerships across the U.S. The company shut down most of its systems "out of an abundance of caution" for customers on Wednesday, CDK spokesperson Lisa Finney said. The company said it restored some systems later that afternoon, before closing them again when additional cyberattack occurred, according to a letter sent to customers. "Out of continued caution and to protect our customers, we are once again proactively shutting down most of our systems," the letter said. "We are currently assessing the overall impact and consulting with external 3rd party experts." The company did not originally share an estimated time frame as to when systems would be back up and running. Dealerships continued to report issues with CDK systems on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, CDK in an emailed statement to Reuters, said it expected the restoration process to take "several days." In Detroit, the hack and shutdown has caused dealers to move to old-fashioned paper sales records, the Detroit Free Press reported. That included taking documents to the Secretary of State in person to process license plates. CDK Global works with 15,000 retail locations Finney did not respond to questions on how many dealerships were impacted, but CDKs website says the company works with more than 15,000 retail locations across North America. One of the leading providers of cloud-based software to dealerships in the country, CDK's software helps dealerships manage vehicle acquisitions, sales, financing, insuring, repairs and maintenance. The company's website says it offers a three-tiered cybersecurity strategy to prevent, protect and respond to cyberattacks. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hacked CDK auto dealer system restoration to take 'several days' TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WCIA) While high temperatures sweeping Central Illinois this week caused air conditioning complications for many, one local farmer experienced a different side effect of the heat. According to the Teutopolis Fire Protection District, a local farmer contacted the department on Friday just before noon with concerns that the hay inside his barn might ignite as it was getting extremely hot. Firefighters responded non-emergency to the farmers barn where the farmer was moving the bales out. Firefighters responding to large field fire in Tolono Officials with the fire department said there was evidence that some of the hay had began to smolder, captured in photos the department posted to their Facebook page Saturday afternoon. They said while none of the bales ended up catching fire, they were hot to the touch. They added that the property owner was close to losing hundreds of hay bales as well as a barn. Photos courtesy of the Teutopolis Fire Protection District Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. CHICAGO A teen boy is dead and two others are injured after a drive-by shooting in the citys West Ridge neighborhood on Friday afternoon. According to Chicago police, the deadly shooting unfolded just before 7 p.m. in the 5600 block of North Rockwell Street. Officers were called to the area following a report that a person had been shot and when they arrived on the scene, they found the three 16-year-old victims. Police say the teens were hit by gunfire while they were entering a vehicle in the area. A witness later told police an individual driving in a black SUV opened fire on the teens before fleeing the scene. Charges announced in murder of 7-year-old JaiMani Amir Rivera One of the teens suffered a gunshot wound to his back and was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries. Authorities later identified the victim as Benicio Gomez. A second teen suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder and was taken to the hospital in serious condition. The third teen involved was hit in the knee and was transported in fair condition. Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and authorities say no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Thursday night marked the first time all four candidates for the Volusia County Council chairpersons seat had the chance to square off, and one challenger took the opportunity to take a couple of shots at the incumbent. Deb Denys is a former county councilwoman who resigned her District 3 seat to run for the chairmans seat. She lost to incumbent Chairman Jeff Brower in 2020 despite having a much-better-funded campaign. The forum in DeLeon Springs, where Brower lives, tossed multiple real estate development questions at the candidates the topic Brower is most vocal about. He railed about flooding and the need to change how development is done, drawing applause and cheers from some people gathered at the outdoor venue. Some of the questions read by the organizer included criticism of Brower drawing sounds of protest from some in the crowd. One question asked whether in light of the thousands of acres set aside for conservation through Volusia Forever and additional lands for parks and trails in the county and cities, "what's your response to the current chairman putting forth the narrative that there's overdevelopment and soon we won't have any green space left?" Brower said in the town halls he has hosted throughout his term, the same concerns are at the top of everyone's list: overdevelopment, water quality and increased taxes to pay for those things. Candidates for the Volusia County chair's seat attend a candidate forum in DeLeon Springs on Thursday night. From left the candidates are Randy Dye, incumbent Jeff Brower, Deb Denys and Don Burnette. Brower said he is "a champion of preserving necessary land." He said the issue is not how much land is set aside, but how the land is developed that's left over, he said. "And we're doing it wrong. We're doing it legally. We're following the engineers ... designs. We're raising it up. Paving it over. And then we're flooding neighborhoods. You can't deny that. ... We have to change the way that we develop," he said. Denys, who said no one wants overdevelopment, said "rhetoric doesn't help anything" and leadership needs to change. "You can't hear the same campaign rhetoric four years later and there be no change," Denys said. "If there was an answer and it could have been done and you had four years, what changed in those four years? So I'm just saying as a leader we work with all of our partners." Another question asked whether the county chairman has any authority over the cities on development. Everyone split with Brower's position. "We do have that authority," Brower said. "We have the constitutional authority as a charter government that for the health and safety of Volusia County, we can make rules that apply to every one of the cities," Brower said. "I don't want to do that. I don't want to tell any other city what they can do. I want to work together and come to an agreement that this is a quality-of-life issue that affects our children, our grandparents and our day-to-day lives." Denys said Volusia County doesn't have legal jurisdiction over the municipalities. "The only one that thinks that you can maybe do that is if you're a dictator and you ignore all the other electeds," she said. On development and land preservation, Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette said officials need to focus on what they can control and collaborate with other local governments. He gave an example of Port Orange providing utilities for residents in neighboring areas, he said. "We need to look for those kinds of things so that we can spend our money better so we can make our infrastructure better the way it is right now," he said. "I can't stop people from moving to Florida." Denys, Burnette and Randy Dye voiced support for preserving more land in the county. "We definitely need to continue down the path of trying to acquire more green space," Dye said. "Keep it preserved. Don't allow it to be developed or built and at the same time ... absolutely make sure we manage the development and not let it get out of control." The setting of Thursday's forum, held around sunset, looked straight out of a movie on the rural South. The candidates spoke from a wooden gazebo in a field of trees draped in long curls of Spanish moss. Dozens of people stood around the gazebo or sat in lawn chairs. The DeLeon Springs Community Association hosted the event. Each candidate had a couple of minutes to answer each question and a short time to make closing comments. The four candidates will face off in the primary on Aug. 20. If no one wins the majority of the votes cast, the top two vote-getters will face each other in the general election on Nov. 5. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County chairman candidates face off at DeLeon Springs forum CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Two people including a career criminal were taken into custody earlier this month thanks to alert neighbors and the swift actions of Cheatham County law enforcement. It all began on June 8, when neighbors on Bearwallow Road became suspicious that two men were in the area, possibly stealing a lawnmower. Since there had been thefts there in the past, community members called authorities to investigate. When the first Cheatham County deputy arrived at the scene, a member of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) already had the two men in custody. Robbery suspect hit by vehicle after jumping over I-65 divider during police chase Officials identified the men as 24-year-old Austin Steele, who was wanted out of Sumner County for driving on a suspended license, and 42-year-old Robert Myers, who had a much darker criminal history. The ex-con from White House was wanted on parole violation warrants involving an aggravated domestic assault from 2023 in Cottontown. Yall get your stuff straight, man, the TWRA officer said in bodycam footage of the incident. There aint nothing to it. I just missed probation, man, Myers replied. I aint gonna lie, I was on coke bad and I missed probation. I get you, but get your stuff straight, son. Youll be alright, the TWRA officer responded. Man stabbed at Smith Springs Road gas station; police seeking suspect Court paperwork indicates Myers was initially charged with unlawful imprisonment and strangulation. Throughout the arrest, the suspects argued they were legally moving someones lawnmower and they werent doing anything wrong. Authorities continually reminded the men that may have been true, but they both still had outstanding criminal warrants. They had a Ring camera and they thought somebody was stealing the lawnmower, so thats why we got called out there and it just so happens yall had warrants, the deputy explained. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee Myers has reportedly been transferred to Logan County, Kentucky, where his warrants were active. According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, the White House man had been free on five years probation before this recent 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 WKRN News 2. Mississippi Democratic Party Interim Chairman Cheikh Taylor won by a landslide against Columbus attorney Wilbur Colom Saturday during the party's election, earning the position for four years. Through his victory, the party avoided having three separate leaders within 11 months. "I don't know what your definition of continuity is, but its hard to keep the train moving when you keep changing the conductor," Taylor said. Taylor and Colom had been running against each other since early May when Colom contacted several executive committee members to announce his bid for the role. Taylor, who had announced his interest in maintaining his position as party chair since 2023, told those in attendance Saturday he plans to move the party forward by garnering support from the LGBTQ community and minority groups in Mississippi. "No matter who is chairman, let's be unified in the direction we are going because we need a good infrastructure and money to make it work," Taylor said. Colom said he wanted to focus his energies on fund raising, increasing community outreach and working to identify viable candidates for upcoming elections. "I would not say anything against Cheikh Taylor under any circumstances, but what we need now is someone who knows how to raise money," Colom said before the vote. "This is a critical time for the party. You have to decide what kind of leader you want." Taylor, who has been the interim party chair since July 2023, when the party ousted former chair Tyree Irving, won with 51 votes, while Colom received only 14. Mississippi Democratic Party Chair Cheikh Taylor, right, speaks to the party's executive committee Saturday before being elected as it's chairman for the next four years at the Mississippi State Capitol in downtown Jackson. Taylor faced only one challenger, Columbus-based attorney Wilbur Colom, who received only 14 votes to Taylor's 51. Read more about Colom's bid Could MS Democratic Party have third leader in 11 months? Columbus attorney now in race Read about GOP chairman New state GOP chair hopes to work on expanding party foothold in Mississippi Before the voting started at the Mississippi State Capitol, U.S. Senate candidate Ty Pinkins spoke to the executive committee to support Taylor, and to call out Colom for not supporting his bid for Senate. Although, he said both candidates were great public servants. "I said I'm running for the state for the United States Senate and unfortunately the response that I got was you are a loser, you will lose and you will forever be seen as a loser. Therefore I am not supporting you nor your campaign," Pinkins recalled of his conversation with Colom. "When picking a candidate, what better way to measure how someone will be for the Democratic Party than how someone supports or does not support the Democratic nominee," Pinkins later said to the Clarion Ledger. Colom in his address to the committee denied those claims and called out Pinkins for his remarks and creating division. Once elected, Taylor thanked Colom for his many years of service to the party through various fundraising capacities on various state and federal campaigns. He plans to utilize Colom's fundraising skills in the near future. "Mr. Wilbur Colom has been a long standing mentor of mine," Taylor said. "I appreciate his abilities and kindness along the way and i will never lose a step of admiration for this man." Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. Chaya Tong is an Emory University senior and Clarion Ledger summer intern. She can be reached at ctong@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS Democratic Party elects Cheikh Taylor as party chair for next 4 years A Woodstock man has been found guilty of his role in a November 2020 fatal car accident that led to the death of a man, the Cherokee County District Attorneys Office announced. Patrick Emerson Thomas, 69, was found guilty of homicide by vehicle in the first degree (reckless driving), homicide by vehicle in the first degree (DUI less safe, drugs), reckless driving, and driving under the influence (less safe, drugs). [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Nov. 17, 2020, Thomas reportedly drove his black 2018 Ford Mustang through the Eagle Watch subdivision in the Towne Lake area of Woodstock neighborhood at excessive speeds and crashed into Justiniano Papi Pirir-Pirir, 59, killing him on impact. Pirir-Pirir was part of a landscape crew working at a home on Eagle Watch Drive. Thomas told law enforcement that he was unable to see the truck because the sun was in his eyes, however after their investigation, evidence showed that the sun was not a factor for other drivers and that Thomas was accelerating at the time he struck and killed the victim. The Mustang Thomas was driving was traveling at least 13 mph over the posted speed limit at the time of impact, officials say. TRENDING STORIES: Further investigation showed Thomas speeding through the neighborhood and tailgating another driver. Multiple people witnessed the crash, and a home surveillance camera captured the entire incident. Thomas was not injured but showed signs of being under the influence. He admitted to taking a prescription medication, which is known to cause sleepiness and blurred vision. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] His sentencing is set for June 27. Pirir-Pirir lived in Acworth at the time of his death. He is survived by a wife, children, and grandchildren in Guatemala. IN OTHER NEWS: Chesapeake Bay dead zone predicted to be only slightly larger than normal this year A Great Blue Herring stands in brackish water near the Langley Air Force Base nature trail at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., May 10, 2017. Joint Base Langley Eustis is home to species including birds and reptiles like the Great Blue Herring. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Natasha Stannard) The Environmental Protection Agency said Friday that the Chesapeake Bays dead zone is expected to be just 4% larger than normal this summer, despite significantly heavier spring rains that led to a sharp increase in nutrient runoff. The fact that the dead zone will be only slightly above average after a season of relatively high stream and river flows indicate that management efforts to keep nutrient runoff out of the Bay watershed is having the desired effect, said the report from the EPAs Chesapeake Bay Program. An official with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said it could have been worse, but Allison Prost said in a press release that any expansion of the dead zone is worrisome. The continued existence of the Chesapeake Bay dead zone is cause for alarm. During the hottest months, far too many areas of the Bay lack enough oxygen to support healthy ecosystems, said the statement from Prost, the foundations vice president for environmental protection and restoration. But she agreed that the bottom line on the forecast indicates that good work is being done in the Bay watershed. The latest dead zone forecast reflects that the longstanding partnership between the federal government and the Chesapeake Bay watershed states has made some strides, particularly from wastewater treatment plant upgrades, Prost said. The forecast was released by the EPAs Chesapeake Bay Program, a regional partnership between jurisdictions in the watershed: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. Dead zones are created when nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, run into the bay and spur algae blooms. When the algae die off they remove oxygen, leaving behind oxygen-deprived dead zones also known as hypoxic areas that have the effect of suffocating plant and animal life and diminishing available habitat. Conditions were ripe this spring for dead-zone creation, according to the EPA report, with higher-than-average rainfall and nutrient runoff. Stream and river flows to the Chesapeake Bay recorded from January-May 2024 were 63% higher than the previous year and 23% higher than the long-term average, the report said. River Input Monitoring stations on the Bays nine largest tributaries measured 131 million pounds of nitrogen going into the Bay, 77% higher than the 74 million pounds in 2023. Despite the sharp one-year jump, nitrogen runoff this year is roughly equal to the long-term average since 1985, the report said. But the report estimates that the dead zone, measured in volume, will only be about 4% larger that the long-term average of a 0.97-cubic-mile dead zone since 1985, according the the Bay program. Last years dead zone was 0.52 cubic miles, while the largest ever was in 2003, at 1.52 cubic miles. Researchers will follow up on the Bay dead zone this fall. But Aaron Bever, senior managing scientist at Anchor QEA Inc., which contributes to the report, was hopeful, This forecast of an average year for summer hypoxia is further good news, following on the last few years of near or below average amounts of hypoxia in the Chesapeake, Bever said in a statement released with the report. Lets hope weather during the summer helps the Chesapeake realize this forecast. Prost explained that more work still needs to be done to meet the 2025 deadline for states to achieve commitments to reduce pollution under the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. Now its imperative that elected leaders in the Bay watershed states as well as the federal level step up and publicly recommit to the Bay restoration partnership, her statement said. The post Chesapeake Bay dead zone predicted to be only slightly larger than normal this year appeared first on Maryland Matters. Key Insights The projected fair value for Brookfield Renewable is CA$54.50 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of CA$39.77 suggests Brookfield Renewable is potentially 27% undervalued Analyst price target for BEPC is US$42.29 which is 22% below our fair value estimate How far off is Brookfield Renewable Corporation (TSE:BEPC) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for Brookfield Renewable The Calculation We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$826.4m US$1.66b US$1.21b US$972.2m US$844.2m US$771.7m US$730.1m US$707.1m US$696.0m US$692.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ -19.70% Est @ -13.16% Est @ -8.59% Est @ -5.39% Est @ -3.15% Est @ -1.58% Est @ -0.48% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 6.7% US$775 US$1.5k US$998 US$751 US$612 US$524 US$465 US$422 US$390 US$364 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$6.8b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.1%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.7%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$693m (1 + 2.1%) (6.7% 2.1%) = US$15b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$15b ( 1 + 6.7%)10= US$8.1b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$15b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of CA$39.8, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 27% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Brookfield Renewable as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.994. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Brookfield Renewable Strength No major strengths identified for BEPC. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Renewable Energy market. Opportunity Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Dividends are not covered by cash flow. Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Brookfield Renewable, we've put together three important items you should further research: Risks: As an example, we've found 4 warning signs for Brookfield Renewable (2 are a bit concerning!) that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does BEPC's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Canadian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com CHICAGO Buckingham Fountain is closed until further notice after vandals dyed the Grant Park landmarks pool water red and spray-painted messages opposing the war in Gaza overnight. Chicago Park District officials announced the closure Saturday morning, saying the city agency will perform maintenance to restore the fountain to its previous condition. Chicago police said the damage which occurred sometime in the overnight hours was discovered in and around the fountain in the 300 block of South Columbus Drive. No suspects were in custody and detectives were investigating. When Colin Hinkle looked out at the view of Buckingham Fountain from his home around 7:30 a.m., he noticed that the water normally a greenish color was turning red. As the owner of Soaring Badger Productions, a drone video and photography company, Hinkles first thought was to pull out his drone and start snapping photos. I thought they were going to turn (the fountain) on at 8 oclock and this was maybe a water test, or some kind of PR stunt because there is NASCAR being set up there, he said. But then I saw the spray paint, the graffiti, on the ground in support of Gaza so then I realized I had a whole different meaning and this was not something that was sanctioned. Hinkle said Park District employees quickly cleaned away graffiti that was painted outside the fountain, including messages such as Stop the Genocide and Gaza is Bleeding. Visitors could still access the area surrounding the fountain Saturday, but the jets were turned off. Later in the afternoon, around 2 p.m., Hinkle saw employees start draining the fountain, dumping the red water into Lake Michigan. With the water nearly gone, Hinkle said he noticed a red tinge on the fountains brick. The fountain holds around 1.5 million gallons of water, according to the park districts website. Im watching tour boats and personal vehicle boats going through this red dye in the lake, he said. I really hope that its not done any permanent damage, given that the city has some pretty high-profile events coming up quickly, Hinkle added. Itd be a shame to see that in any way damaged. Designated as a Chicago Landmark, Buckingham Fountain opened to the public in 1927 as the centerpiece of Grant Park, according to the Chicago Park District. Philanthropist Kate Sturges Buckingham donated the fountain in honor of her brother, Clarence. The fountain produces a water display for 20 minutes every hour when its in operation, featuring a center jet shooting water up to 150 feet in the air. The fountain usually runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, from early May through mid-October. SULPHUR, Okla. (KFOR) The Chickasaw Nation is stepping up to help two Oklahoma towns devastated by storms in recent months. Theyve started a fundraising initiative to help rebuild and bolster economic recovery. RELATED STORY: Tornado destroys Sulphurs historic downtown Its something you see on TV, Sulphur City Manager Andy Freeman said dauntingly describing the damage the April tornado left behind. Since the storms in late April, Freeman said the help has been humbling. You walk into the expo that people were going to get sent out for jobs, and theres 400 people that youve never seen before from out of state, out of town, he said. Now, more help is on the way. Weve got an opportunity here to restore what was what was lost, yeah, it feels good, Chickasaw Nation Secretary of State Bill Lance said. The Nation announced a the new fundraising initiative to help rebuild Sulphur and Marietta. This effort will be led by the community, Lance said. Its for the community and the Chickasaw Nation is just a part of this community. Lance is the chair of the Business Rebuild and Recovery campaign. The fundraising goal is $6 million and the nation has already put $1 million toward that goal. Theres a lot of people downtown that they didnt have insurance or they dont have the money to build back in this month, Freeman said. This might give them that leg up to help them do that. RELATED STORY: Watch: Dramatic, scary video from the Marietta tornado A big goal in Sulphur is to preserve the concept and nature of their historic downtown facades and buildings by consulting with architects and property owners. In Marietta, theyre working to set up temporary emergency health facilities and restore local food supply chains to restore goods and services. Its a rebuild that will take time, but with help that goes a long way. Weve been very blessed, Freeman said. We will come back from it. A grant program will be established and overseen by the nonprofit Chickasaw Foundation. Theyll be covering all administrative costs of the fund and apply them to grants. Theyre planning to release more information on program eligibility and the application process soon, but for now people can contribute or get more information by contacting the Chickasaw Foundation at (580) 421-9030 or by email at ChickasawFoundation@Chickasaw.net. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sergei Beseda, the head of the 5th Service of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), a unit responsible for gathering intelligence on Ukraine on the eve of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, has been replaced. Source: Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), a Russian news outlet, citing its own sources Details: The media outlet reported that Alexei Komkov, formerly the deputy head of Russia's counterintelligence service, has taken over Besedas position as chief of the FSB's 5th Service. The sources said Beseda became an adviser to FSB Director Aleksandr Bortnikov. Vazhnye Istorii cites two sources a former Russian intelligence officer and an acquaintance of Beseda. The FSB's 5th Service deals with intelligence gathering inside Russia and in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Russian leader Vladimir Putin relied heavily on information provided by this particular FSB unit when deciding to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the media outlet noted. Shortly after the invasion began, it became evident that much of the intelligence provided by the 5th Service was inaccurate. The article says the Russian authorities were confident that Russian forces would not face serious resistance on their way. Early on in the full-scale Russian invasion, a number of media outlets even reported that Beseda and his colleagues had been detained for providing inaccurate intelligence about Ukraine. However, these reports were not confirmed by sources from Vazhnye Istorii. Now, the formal reason for Beseda's resignation is that he has reached his 70th birthday, the maximum term of service. "However, this personnel decision is explained not only by formal reasons: there is a fierce struggle within the FSB between various power groups for several high-ranking positions to be vacated this year, including Bortnikov's own," the article says. The FSB director will turn 73 this year (he is not subject to age restrictions due to his high rank as an army general) and has long been "asking for retirement for health reasons," Vazhnye Istorii's sources say. One of the candidates for his place is Sergei Korolev, First Deputy Director of the FSB, who is associated with the leaders of the Russian underworld, including Russia's "No. 1 assassin" Aslan Gagiyev. Alexei Komkov, appointed head of the 5th Service, is considered to be Korolev's protege. Support UP or become our patron! How China could take Taiwan without even needing to invade Chinas military could isolate Taiwan, cripple its economy, and make the democratic island succumb to the will of Beijings ruling Communist Party without ever firing a shot, a prominent think tank warns. Fears the Communist Party might make good on its promise to one day take control of Taiwan, by force if necessary, have been heightened in recent years by Chinese leader Xi Jinpings increasingly bellicose actions towards the self-ruled island. Chinas refusal to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine has only added to those fears. In such a scenario, analysts and military strategists have long focused on two key options available to China a full-scale invasion or a military blockade. But a Washington think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), warns there is a third way, one that will make it far harder for the United States and other like-minded democracies to counter: Quarantine. Using gray zone tactics actions just below what might be considered acts of war the China Coast Guard, its so-called maritime militia and various police and maritime safety agencies could initiate a full or partial quarantine of Taiwan, possibly cutting off access to its ports and stopping vital supplies like energy from reaching the islands 23 million people, a newly released report from CSIS says. A Chinese warship navigates on waters near Pengjia Islet in northern Taiwan, in this handout image released May 23, 2024. - TAIWAN COAST GUARD/Handout/Reuters The naval, air and ground components of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the worlds largest military force, might play only auxiliary and support roles, authors Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Matthew Funaiole, Samantha Lu and Truly Tinsley write. China has significantly increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years, stoking fears that tensions could erupt into outright conflict. Much attention has been paid to the threat of an invasion, but Beijing has options besides invading to coerce, punish, or annex Taiwan, the report says. At the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore earlier this month, Chinese Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun warned those who support any moves for Taiwan independence will end up in self-destruction. We will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds, said Dong, speaking through a translator, while slamming external interfering forces for selling arms and having illegal official contacts with Taiwan. Chinas escalating gray zone tactics were on stark display this week as China Coast Guard vessels clashed with Philippine Navy boats in the South China Sea. Videos showed Beijings troops threatening Filipinos with an axe and other bladed weapons, and Manila said one of its soldiers lost a thumb in a Chinese-instigated collision. The level of violence was a major step up from previous clashes near Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines maintains an outpost on a beached warship in waters claimed by both Beijing and Manila. Similarly, Beijings military and economic intimidation of Taiwan, a highly developed free-market economy, has grown much more pronounced under Xi. Chinas ruling Communist Party claims the island as its own, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to reunify with it, by force if necessary. But the CSIS report says Beijing has strong options that could not only keep the PLA out of the fight but could actually put the island democracy or its supporters like the United States in the role of initiators of military conflict to preserve Taiwans autonomy. The report notes that the China Coast Guard like most coast guards around the world is considered a law-enforcement agency. This means it can stop and regulate shipping around the island in what is termed a quarantine, which differs from a blockade. A quarantine (is) a law enforcementled operation to control maritime or air traffic within a specific area while a blockade is foremost military in nature, the report says. International law considers a blockade an act of war, experts say. A quarantine led by Chinas coast guard is not a declaration of war against Taiwan, the report says, and would put the US in a difficult position, its authors warn. Washington is legally required under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with the means to defend itself, and it supplies it with defensive weaponry. US President Joe Biden has gone further than the legal requirement, saying repeatedly he would use American troops to protect Taiwan, a warning that appeared to deviate from Washingtons previous stance of strategic ambiguity and one that the White House officials have walked back. But if US military ships or aircraft intervened in what China says is a law enforcement operation, the US could be seen as initiating military hostilities. The report puts the China Coast Guard numbers at 150 ocean-going vessels and 400 smaller ones, like the PLA Navy, the worlds largest force in terms of fleet size. Beijing has hundreds of more vessels in its Maritime Safety Agency and maritime militia, fishing boats integrated into Chinas military and law enforcement services. Taiwans coast guard, with only 10 ocean-going ships and about 160 smaller ones, lacks the numbers to push back a quarantine effort, the report says. The CSIS authors note that quarantine actions taken by Beijing could be extremely limited and still have the effect of strangling Taiwan economically. Few operators would want to face the possibility of having their assets seized by Chinese authorities and might voluntarily stop servicing the island. Demonstrated Chinese willingness to search and seize only a handful of commercial ships could have an outsized deterrent impact and discourage similar transgressions, the report states. Limited search and/or seizure actions have an effect on flights to Taiwan as a quarantine can easily be extended to the air, the report states. Only a handful of flights would need to be warned off by Chinese aircraft to have a stifling effect on all traffic, according to the report. China regularly flies military aircraft around the island, sometimes dozens in a day. In the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. Friday, 36 Chinese military aircraft crossed into Taiwans air defense identification zone, Taiwans Defense Ministry says. Meanwhile, a quarantine, rather than a blockade, would not require China to close or restrict access to the Taiwan Strait, the CSIS report notes. That means Washington and its allies could lose one of their biggest claims to intervene under international law, preserving freedom of navigation in an international waterway. If the quarantine is cast as a law enforcement operation, China can easily announce the end of the operation and claim its objectives were met, the report says. Gantry cranes at the Port of Taichung in Taichung, Taiwan, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. - An Rong Xu/Bloomberg/Getty Images To keep things even more low-key, China might not even need to use the word quarantine to begin an operation to isolate Taiwan, the authors say. Under its claims that Taiwan is Chinese territory, Beijing could require customs declarations to be filed before vessels can call in Taiwan. For those that fail to comply, enforcement mechanisms could have a chilling effect on all shipping. Chinese law enforcement vessels will be authorized to board vessels, conduct on-site inspections, question personnel, and undertake other measures against noncompliant ships, the report said. This idea allows a limited scope of operations for China. For instance, it could just target the islands busiest port, Kaohsiung, responsible for 57% of Taiwans maritime imports and most of its energy imports, according to the study. Plausible, but still fraught with risk for China Outside analysts who reviewed the CSIS report and spoke to CNN found it plausible. But they also harbored important doubts about how things might play out. Some mentioned how the economics dont necessarily play in Beijings favor. Maintaining the quarantine will be expensive and time consuming, said Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Commands Joint Intelligence Center. Taipei wont give up in under 60 days, Schuster contends. Can Beijing sustain the effort and possible international reaction for that long? Efforts to upset the status quo across the Taiwan Strait could further erode Beijings foreign trade, the experts warn. Alessio Patalano, professor of war and strategy at Kings College in London, notes the challenges the Chinese Communist Party is already facing with an economy still struggling to recover from Covid-19 isolation that has seen growth rates plummet and new trade restrictions, like tariffs on its electric vehicle exports. Taiwan is a prominent industrialized economy, a crucial node in global supply chains and a manufacturer of the vast majority of the worlds most advanced semiconductors. A quarantine on the island would have economic repercussions not just domestically, but globally. While most nations diplomatically recognize Beijing over Taiwan, the island has forged increasingly strong unofficial relations with major western democracies, deepening those ties in recent years as Beijings threats have hardened. Taiwan and China are also deeply economically intertwined. Last year, 35% of the islands exports went to the Chinese mainland, most of which were integrated circuits, solar cells and electronic components, according to Taiwans Ministry of Economic Affairs. Imports from the mainland accounted for 20% of the islands total imports in the same year. Between 1991 and 2022, Taiwanese companies invested a total of $203 billion in the mainland, according to Taiwan government statistics, creating millions of jobs in China. Additionally, quarantines can push populations to rally with the government, rather than rise up against it, says Sidharth Kaushal, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. Historical evidence shows that even severe blockades have limited coercive value, and a limited quarantine might result in a rally around the flag effect, he says. A quarantine could also push Taiwans government to declare independence, something Beijing has repeatedly said would likely bring armed conflict, Kaushal warns. This would then leave the (Communist Party) with the options of either escalation or a major setback, he says. Patalano says for China, patience is the key to realizing its goal of reunification. Escalation, and certainly invasion, is not cost-efficient, he says. War costs not only lives but national wealth. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of El Paso announced the appointment of a new director of the Department of Public Health on Friday, June 21. The City says Veerinder Vinny Taneja, MBBS, MPH will be the new director of the Department of Public Health which will be effective this August. The City says Taneja will lead the Citys Department of Public Health in advancing comprehensive public health strategies that promote the health and well-being of all residents. Taneja will also oversee all public health programs including the following: The 211 Texas Rio Grande Region Area Information Center Epidemiology Food Inspection Health Education and Promotion HIV Prevention Immunization Program Laboratory Medicaid Waiver Program Preventive Medicine Clinic Public Health Emergency Preparedness Rawlings Pediatric Dental Clinic Tuberculosis Program Women, Infants and Children The City says Taneja was previously a health director for Tarrant County Public Health, where he led the department since September 2014. Under Dr. Tanejas leadership, Tarrant County Public Health was honored as the Large Local Health Department of the Year by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in 2017, marking a testament to his strategic vision and operational expertise in public health. With over two decades of experience spanning local, regional, and state levels, Dr. Taneja brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his new role in El Paso, the City said. Taneja will take over the directors duties from City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza, whos been serving as the interim director since May 2022. Ocaranza will continue serving as the City-County Health Authority, the City said. Dr. Taneja earned his medical degree (MBBS) from Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India and holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. He furthered his expertise as a fellow of the Mid-America Regional Public Health Leadership Institute (MARPHLI) at the University of Illinois Chicago, focusing on Public Health Leadership under the Affordable Care Act. His contributions to public health extend beyond Texas, including pivotal roles in Wisconsins electronic health records adoption and disease surveillance systems, the City said. For more information about the Department of Public Health, visit ElPasoTexas.gov/Public-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 KTSM 9 News. Andrew Young appears with Mark Dupree at the Kansas Bar Associations annual meeting on June 21, 2024, at Washburn University in Topeka, where Young spoke on his experience in the civil rights movement. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA On a Saturday drive home in the late 1950s in Alabama, Andrew Young then a pastor and future U.S. representative, U.N. ambassador, and mayor of Atlanta found himself surrounded by Ku Klux Klan members. Fortunately, they didnt recognize him. The next day, Young and Martin Luther King Jr. were hosting a voter registration drive for African Americans in Youngs church. That was the first time Young was alone with the KKK. But this instilled a new fear in him that the klan would show up at his family home. He created a plan. If they showed up, he would go outside and talk to them. He instructed his then wife, Jean Childs Young, to wait in the house, and to watch with a rifle. Shoot if things got bad. She refused. I cant point a gun at another human being, Childs Young told him. Dont you realize that under that sheet is the heart of a child of God? Young carried that sentiment into the Civil Rights Movement, where he became a central figure as a strategist and negotiator for Martin Luther King Jr. Young recalls his time marching, and his peoples response: The klan coming down into the streets with their guns and their dogs to be received by people saying, I love everybody, Young said. Young shared that sentiment with Kansas attorneys Friday at the Kansas Bar Associations annual meeting at Washburn University in Topeka, where he was the keynote speaker. The theme of this years meeting was: Civil Rights: 70 Years of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Weve Come a Long Way I think you all are on the right track, depending on the rule of law, Young said. I hope we have enough wisdom and power and despite whatever racial or cultural or economic differences we have on this planet, this is my fathers world. The U.S. Supreme Courts landmark 1954 Brown v. Board decision unanimously declared state laws establishing separate public schools for Black and white students to be unconstitutional. Topeka played a unique role in challenging the separate but equal standard established under Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896 because Black schools in Topeka were in many ways superior to white schools, said Kansas attorney Pedro Irigonegaray. The teachers at the citys Black schools were more educated than their white counterparts, for instance. But civil rights attorneys hoped to prove that separate is inherently unequal. The question that was most important to resolve was the putting away of Plessy v. Ferguson, Irigonegaray said. You may recall that the judge in Ferguson said that even if the conductor couldnt see he could smell a Black person. Thats how offensive Plessy v. Ferguson was. Young believes that Brown v. Board was one of the biggest parts of the movement, and everything catapulted after that. That case gave structure and gave emphasis and quite frankly the pathway to bring about the movement, Mark Dupree, Kansas Bar Association president said. The lawyers today have the same thing. Its our job to give avenues and pathways to make sure that justice is seen and is carried out, even in 2024. Young said he had a lot of faith in the Supreme Court that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson in Brown v. Board. He no longer has the same faith in the court. This is probably the most crucial time of my years, Young said. What happens in the next three months is going to determine the destiny of the planet. Not just in terms of politics and human rights, but in terms of climate change. In terms of what were going to live by our brain, our hearts, our conscience or whether were going to choose some other God that is more powerful and secure in our life. I dont know what motivates people. Last month, one week after Brown v. Boards 70th anniversary, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas criticized the case. Thomas said the case was not backed by the Constitution or the nations history and tradition. Ive never had to give up on anybody, Young said. But Im going to have to give up on Clarence Thomas. The post Civil rights icon Andrew Young shares insights at Kansas Bar Association meeting appeared first on Kansas Reflector. Clarence Thomas was snubbed in the Supreme Courts gun ruling. So were a few other people. The Supreme Court backtracked somewhat on its expansionist treatment of gun rights and on the way to an 8-1 ruling Friday, a few people on both sides of the debate got slighted. Not even the governments top Supreme Court lawyer who won the case handily was safe. Nor was Justice Clarence Thomas, who found himself on an island alone in dissent. The decision, which upheld a federal law barring alleged domestic abusers from having guns, was a recalibration from a landmark 2022 ruling that upended and expanded Second Amendment rights. And despite the near-consensus in the result, some of the justices displayed sharp tongues. Heres a look at four telling disses in the high courts latest gun-rights decision: Clarence Thomas stands alone What a difference two years makes. In June 2022, Thomas wrote on behalf of the Supreme Courts six-justice conservative majority as the court charted a new approach to the Second Amendment. His sweeping opinion declared that modern gun-control laws are invalid unless similar restrictions existed in early American history. But on Friday, Thomas the courts oldest and longest-serving justice stood alone in dissent as every one of his colleagues decided that lower courts had taken his rubric too far. Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, sought to minimize the disagreement with their colleague, but not all the justices were so restrained, with two calling Thomas approach useless. Ouch. Thomas strict view of history is far too exacting, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a concurrence joined by Justice Elena Kagan. They likened it to a too-sensitive alarm that sounds whenever a regulation did not exist in an essentially identical form at the founding. For his part, Thomas complained bitterly that his fellow justices were unwisely handing the government a regulatory blank check. 5th Circuit keeps racking up the Ls The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals the most conservative appeals court in the nation got slapped down by the justices again Friday. The high court overturned the 5th Circuits 2023 ruling that declared the gun law at issue unconstitutional, and in doing so, justices issued an unusually direct rebuke. Some courts have misunderstood the methodology of our recent Second Amendment cases. These precedents were not meant to suggest a law trapped in amber, the chief justice wrote. The Fifth Circuit made two errors, Roberts continued. One was to require the government to show a historical twin to the domestic-violence-related provision. The other was to dwell on hypothetical scenarios not involved in the case, like situations where a weapon was denied to someone due to an unjustified restraining order. That error left the panel slaying a straw man, Roberts declared, even singling out one member of the appeals court Trump appointee James Ho for aggravating the mistake. The New Orleans-based appeals court, which covers Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and has 12 Republican appointees and five Democratic appointees, has been overruled by the Supreme Court in two other cases this year by lopsided margins. A 5th Circuit ruling striking down funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was overturned 7-2, and the appeals courts ruling rolling back the availability of abortion pills was unanimously rejected by the Supreme Court. The Biden admins top SCOTUS litigator gets needled No doubt: Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who defended the gun-control law on behalf of the Biden administration, won the case handily. But she was still left smarting after the entire court all nine members went out of their way to repudiate one of her arguments. Prelogar seemed to trigger the justices last November when she contended that the government had the power to sort the responsible from the irresponsible when deciding who can have a gun. Congress may disarm those who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens, Bidens top Supreme Court lawyer declared. That didnt sit well with the justices. We reject the Governments contention that Rahimi may be disarmed simply because he is not responsible, Roberts wrote, referring to Zackey Rahimi, the Texas man whose case was before the court. Responsible is a vague term. It is unclear what such a rule would entail. Thomas dissent doesnt agree with the majority on much, but he hailed the rest of the court for summarily rejecting Prelogars assertion. Not a single Member of the Court adopts the Governments theory, Thomas declared. The Governments argument lacks any basis in our precedents and would eviscerate the Second Amendment altogether. Zackey Rahimi gets a brutal rebuke Roberts opened his 18-page opinion with a detailed and chilling account of Rahimis actions that seemed intended to underscore the extraordinary danger he posed. Litigants trying to expand rights often try to bring sympathetic cases to the high court. Rahimis is anything but, although it arrived at the court when the Justice Department challenged the 5th Circuits ruling in his favor. Roberts detailed at least six incidents where the Texas resident was suspected of firing a gun at people, including one during an altercation with his girlfriend and his shooting into the home of a man he considered to be talking trash. Other incidents included shooting at a car following a traffic accident, firing a gun at a truck that flashed his lights at him on a highway and firing into the air at a roadside burger restaurant after his friends credit card was declined. Rahimi received a sentence of just over six years in prison on the gun-related federal charge a term he will now likely have to complete due to the Supreme Courts ruling Friday. The Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO), a subsidiary of the private company Tsingshan Holding Group in east China's Zhejiang Province, has started production of pig iron in Manhize, a town in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe, marking a milestone in the revival of the country's iron and steel industry. "This really is a very joyous occasion to see the first stage of production of iron from Manhize," said Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando in an interview with Xinhua after touring DISCO's plant Thursday. Pig iron, also known as crude iron, is the direct product of the blast furnace and yields steel, wrought iron, or high-purity iron when refined. The production of pig iron, which commenced last week, sets the stage for steel billet production, which is expected to begin next month. Chitando said DISCO is expected to produce 600,000 metric tons of carbon steel in the first phase of the project, rising to 1.2 million, then 3.2 million, and ultimately 5 million metric tons per year in the final phase. He said the development is a testament to China-Zimbabwe cooperation. "Zimbabwe and China have got long-standing political relationships, and here we now have economic relationships cementing that political relationship." Wilfred Motsi, project director for the Dinson Group, said the development marks a huge milestone in Zimbabwe's manufacturing industry. "We are going back to our glory days when Zimbabwe was known as one of the industrial hubs in southern Africa because of the opening of the steel industry," Motsi said. "We are no longer talking about the steel industry being dead in Zimbabwe. Yes, some players were there, but (they) were producing at a small scale, but our coming in means that we have revived the iron and steel industry in Zimbabwe." MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Friday that a U.S. decision to ban sales of Kaspersky's software was a typical move by Washington to stifle foreign competition with American products. The Biden administration on Thursday said it would ban the sale of antivirus software made by Russia's Kaspersky Lab in the United States, citing what it said was the Kremlin's influence over the company which poses a significant security risk. Announcing the ban, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters that "Russia has shown it has the capacity and...the intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Kaspersky was a "very competitive" company on international markets and that Washington's decision to restrict its sales was a "favourite technique of unfair competition from the United States." Kaspersky, which has said it will pursue legal options to try to preserve its operations, has said it believes the U.S. decision was not based on "a comprehensive evaluation of the integrity of Kaspersky's products and services" and that its activities did not threaten U.S. national security. The company has said it is privately managed and has no links to the Russian government. (Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Andrew Osborn) The state ordered Cloviss school district to disband its Faculty Senate an employee group that some consider a district-sponsored union substitute after district employees appealed an earlier ruling that ordered the district to stop financially supporting and favoring the group. With the ruling, the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) effectively increased the severity of an earlier ruling, requesting the district and senate end their relationship, citing Clovis Unified School Districts violations of employees rights. The Faculty Senate has been Clovis Unifieds teachers representation group and has operated in the district instead of a formal union. The Association of Clovis Educators (ACE) filed a complaint with the state, claiming the district has unlawfully favored the Faculty Senate and engaged in unfair labor practices for years. According to the resolution, Clovis Unified engaged in such extensive violations because among the several infractions the Faculty Senate is literally dependent on the districts support, and spent more than $162,000 in senator stipends, with total expenses adding up to more than $610,000 between 2020-2022 goes against the Educational Employment Relations Act. Clovis Unified also incorporated the Faculty Senate into its administrative structure. Its president reports to the districts superintendent, per the PERBs findings. When teachers were dissatisfied with the Faculty Senate, the district responded by running the senates election, moving its presidents office closer to human resources and promising the group would comply with district expectations. Clovis Unified School Districts David E. Cook Centers site along Clovis Avenue just east of Sunnyside Ave., photographed Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Clovis. Additional violations, as The Bee previously reported, included providing the Faculty Senate with school and office supplies including business cards, covering copier machine expenses, paying for the senate presidents cell phone bill, giving access to district technology and a Save Mart open purchase order for refreshments for meetings and maintaining a district car including gas costs for the senate president to use. To secure free choice in the district for the first time since EERAs passage almost five decades ago, we must break the ties between the District and the [Faculty] Senate, the PERB stated. The resolution to disband also says that a cease-and-desist order would not have been enough because it, would be insufficient to overcome years (or in this case decades) of advantages given to an employer-dominated organization. This is exactly such a case. On the other hand, the PERB makes it clear that the order does not specifically give additional support, favor, or clears the field for ACE. To place ACE on an equal footing with the Faculty Senate would require providing ACE with company union benefits like the ones Faculty Senate received, the PERB stated, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in public taxpayer money each year for the decades and favorable support Clovis Unified gave its Faculty Senate. To do so would simply replace one employer-dominated employee organization with another, the resolution reads. Doing so would not only deprive employees of free choice but would prejudice ICUE or any other future organization seeking to compete with ACE. Independent Clovis Unified Educators, known as ICUE, is another local educator group seeking to represent district teachers, without any outside influences. Different from ACE, theyre not backed up or supported by the California Teachers Association (CTA). Association of Clovis Educators (ACE) Psychologists and Mental Health Support Providers union and community members supporting them pose for a photo after the Clovis Unified School District board voted unanimously in favor of ratifying the first-ever union-bargained contract in the district on Wednesday evening, June 14, 2023. Yet, overall, ACE sees this resolution as a victory. [The] PERBs decision today paves the way to create an environment where educators can be free to participate and engage meaningfully in those decisions that impact our students learning environment, ACE said in a statement. Todays decision gives Clovis educators space to choose their own organization to have a strong and independent voice in CUSD. ACE spokesperson Kristin Heimerdinger said that it will continue to advocate to become the exclusive representative of Clovis educators and plan to meet and strategize for next years efforts, the group stated in an email to The Bee. Within 15 days of this decision no longer subject to appeal, the districts superintendent Corrine Folmer must read the text specified by the PERB, verbatim, with no additional statements of any kind, where the districts violations are outlined and the disestablishing of the districts relationship with the Faculty Senate clearly stated. This reading must be recorded and shared with district staff. The districts associate superintendent of human resources and employee relations, Barry Jager, sent a statement to district employees on Friday morning, stating that the district was made aware of the PERBs resolution at the end of Thursdays workday. We are still looking through the details of that ruling to better understand its implications for the District and our employees self-representation, Jager told employees. Once the district analyzes and considers the changes it is being ordered to comply with, Jager said it will be decided if Clovis Unified would appeal the PERBs ruling. Regardless of the eventual outcome of this case, he said, our administration remains committed to supporting and valuing every single one of our employees, and will always respect their decisions about how they want their voices represented. Coal does, in fact, 'quit.' No form of energy is 100% reliable | Fact check The claim: Unlike solar and wind power, coal 'does not quit' A May 23 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows three images. One shows windmills spread across an agricultural landscape and is labeled "These quit working at -27C." The second shows solar panels and is labeled "These quit working at sunset." The third shows an apparent coal mining operation and is labeled "Coal does not quit." The post was shared more than 200 times in a month. More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False Solar and wind power do not produce energy all of the time, but neither do coal plants, according to energy system experts. Coal plants "quit" due to mechanical failures, weather events and for scheduled maintenance. Grid operators employ a variety of strategies to maintain constant power flow as weather-dependent renewables proliferate on the grid. Coal does 'quit' for variety of reasons When full and partial outages are accounted for, U.S. coal plants are offline about 12% of the time due to maintenance or unexpected failures, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reported in January. There are multiple recent examples of coal plants failing during major weather events. For instance, while the catastrophic power outages in Texas during the winter of 2021 were primarily caused by failures in the state's natural gas infrastructure, other forms of generation including coal plants also went offline due to cold temperatures. More: Can we count on renewable energy? Four ways wind, solar and water can power the US Coal plants also represented about 23% of the power plant outages during Winter Storm Elliot in 2022, contributing to rolling blackouts in the Southeastern U.S. In May 2022, coal plants unexpectedly went offline in Texas near the beginning of a record-breaking heat wave, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. "As (the grid operator) began preparing for the early season heat wave, it was without almost 20% of its installed, supposedly dispatchable coal-fired generation," the institute reports. That May, coal shortages also resulted in blackouts in India during a heat wave, AP reports. A 2019 study that modeled temperature-related conditions on the PJM grid in the eastern U.S., predicted that both hot and cold weather events would increase the likelihood of unplanned coal plant outages. Unplanned outage rates would reach around 13% when temperatures drop to 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) and 14% when temperatures rise to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), the study concluded. Grid operators account for renewable energy behavior The Facebook post also states that solar panels stop producing after dark and wind turbines go offline at -27 degrees Celsius (-17 degrees Fahrenheit). While researchers are exploring innovations that could allow solar panels to produce power after dark, the technology was not designed to produce electricity at night. And winterized wind turbines are only rated to around -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit) close to the figure given in the post according to Paul Denholm, a researcher at the Grid Planning and Analysis Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. But grid planners know that. "That's absolutely built into the way that the power system is designed," Denholm said. "We don't count on the wind blowing. The wind is used to offset the need for other primarily fossil fuel resources that are expensive. So the basic idea is you can save money by not buying as much natural gas to run your power plants and offsetting that generation with wind." Fact check: False claim that wind turbine generators only last 3 to 4 years As the amount of solar and wind power on the grid increases and fossil fuels decline, storage technologies will become increasingly necessary to keep power flowing as solar and wind switch on and offline, USA TODAY previously reported. "You use the sun when it's available either use it directly or you charge up batteries with solar," Denholm said. "Or when the wind is blowing more than you can use it, you charge a battery or other storage devices." The stored power can then be used when renewables are offline or output is low. Resource diversity incorporating different types of renewable power onto the grid will also be used to stabilize power flow on a renewables-dominated grid, Mark Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University, previously told USA TODAY. He noted that using wind and solar in tandem can be particularly useful. "Wind and solar, which are both ... intermittent resources, are complementary in nature," Jacobson said. "When the sun is not shining, the wind is often blowing ... and vice versa. Thus, combining wind and solar on the grid smooths out the overall electricity supply over time." Transmitting renewable energy from other places via transmission lines is another way to keep the lights on when local renewables aren't producing. Power can be moved from places where electricity is being generated to places where it isn't. "It's not always windy in North Dakota," Denholm said. But "if the wind stops blowing in North Dakota, maybe it's blowing in Iowa. Maybe it's blowing in other locations." When reached by USA TODAY, the Facebook user, Climate Change is Crap, acknowledged that coal plants go offline from "time to time for maintenance." The user didn't mention outages associated with weather or mechanical failures. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No single source produces power 24/7, experts say | Fact check Former President Donald Trump addresses the crowd during his May 1 rally in Waukesha. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner) Milwaukee residents planning to protest outside the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July denounced the plan for parade routes and free speech zones announced Friday by the U.S. Secret Service. The plan adopts the requests of Republican leaders who said that a proposed protest site at Pere Marquette Park was too close to where RNC events would be held. A parade route starting at Zeidler Union Square Park would take marchers southeast of the convention grounds. Tightly controlled speakers platforms had been established in the park and on the north side of the convention area, just across from the Fiserv Forum. The credentialed zone was expanded after Republicans made a last-minute rental of a venue. A group of local organizations collectively known as the Coalition to March on the RNC have denounced the citys preparations for months. They said the latest plan suggests Republican officials can use such tactics to push the security zone out at will. When the RNC was first announced, the coalition applied for a permit to march within sight and sound of the convention. Months passed without the permit being approved, with Republican leaders demanding the city and Secret Service push the protests as far away from the convention as possible. Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the city for violating the free speech rights of the coalition. We are surprised and disappointed to see how many blocks of Downtown Milwaukee the Secret Service has declared off limits to anyone but the convention attendees, said ACLU staff attorney Tim Muth in a statement. The large size of this zone makes it more critical than ever that the City take steps to allow for effective opportunities for expression and assembly by those with differing viewpoints. Both the ACLU and the Coalition to March on the RNC attempted to negotiate terms with the city. Those talks collapsed this week and the ACLU brought its lawsuit in federal court. We hope for a swift ruling that will vindicate the Coalitions plan for a march that passes within sight and sound of Fiserv Forum, said Muth. The expansion of the credentialled zone all the way to the Milwaukee River and including Pere Marquette Park can not be justified. The expansion represents an impermissible concession to the Republican National Committee, which did not want to see or hear demonstrators near its convention. Many local groups have expressed the opinion that the city is working harder to accommodate people who hate Milwaukee than city residents. Republican presidential candidate and convicted felon Donald Trump has said that Milwaukee is a horrible city. For many years, state Republicans have made a point of criticizing Milwaukee, Wisconsins most racially diverse city. A recent Pew Research survey found that one in five Trump supporters believes that diversity weakens the country, with two in five feeling that fewer white people is bad for America. Coalition spokesperson Omar Flores said that the city does not know what they are doingthe city could not be trusted to organize a dinner party. At a press conference Flores said, its been absurd listening to how city officials describe us to the public and to the media as if we havent made our intentions clear. as if they havent been hearing from us constantly in the media, and at their meetings. Flores added, We have a right to be considered here in our own city. It certainly looks like a route only designed by Republicans and law enforcement. Responding to city officials assertion that Milwaukee needs to consider the whole ecosystem around the convention, Flores said, When the community is left out of planning for this event, we form our own ecosystem too. One that will march with, or without a permit, wherever we please. Like Chief [Jeffrey] Norman said, it wouldnt be a protest if it didnt bend the rules at least a little bit. Flores questioned why the Secret Service originally suggested Pere Marquette Park as a free speech zone, only to change course once Republican officials complained that it was too close to the convention. How many last-minute venues will they be renting out? Flores asked. What does it mean for the City of Milwaukee when the RNC has a say over what the security perimeter looks like? Flores added, Isnt it insane for Republicans to say that they know better than the Secret Service? Apparently not. The precedent it sets is that if the Republicans complain enough, they will get their way. At a press conference Friday, the Secret Service said the park is too close to the Milwaukee County Historical Society, which is hosting official RNC events, to ensure safety, and therefore the perimeter for credentialed attendees at the convention was extended to include the park. The post Coalition to March on RNC blasts parade route restrictions appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. COLEMAN, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Coleman Police Department is asking for public assistance in locating a burglary suspect. On June 22 at about 3:05 a.m., police responded to a burglar alarm at RMC Pawn Shop located at 117 East Pecan Street. Officers found several pieces of jewelry, coins, and cash had been stolen. Images were captured of the suspect and his vehicle. The suspect was wearing a long-sleeved, button-up shirt with dark trousers. The shirt is believed to be blue or dark, although some of the video shows it to be a lighter color. Additionally, the suspect was wearing a camouflage face mask that covered everything except for his eyes and a pair of goggles on his head. The vehicle is described as a blue or dark-colored Ford F150 extended-cab pickup from the late 1990s to early 2000s. It also has a black toolbox and a small dent on the front passenger-side quarter panel. At least one additional suspect was involved, who was driving the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was observed leaving the burglary scene, heading south in the alley between Commercial Avenue and Colorado Street. If you have any information about the burglary or recognize the suspect or suspect vehicle, please call the Coleman Police Department at 325-625-4114. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC ) Abilenian Bambi Blaydes is known by many for running a free homeschool co-op. When she isnt in the classroom, you can find her tending and caring for animals at Blaydes Animal Sanctuary, located on Barrow Street. Since 2016, she has combined her passions and served the community free of charge. She provides homeschool classes in various subjects for children of all ages, such as robotics, sewing, and arts and crafts, and even takes students on field trips. As for the animals, she provides them with health care and helps find them homes. Abilene nonprofits react to devastating proposed loss in funding as city adjusts budget However, her life took a turn for the worse on May 13th when she injured her back. While at the ER, she learned she had stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 44, and it unfortunately spread to other parts of her body. Now, the same community she has known and loved is rallying together to help her. Alison Limon is a mom who also runs a homeschool group. She met Blaydes after she reached out about her co-op. Since July 2023, her children have attended the co-op, and she has seen tremendous growth in learning. Honestly, of everywhere we have gone before, not many people have been accommodating of special needs and stuff, and Bambi has always met my kids right where they are. Shes made sure she understands their learning process, gets them involved, and makes them feel like they are important like everybody else, which has been great, explained Limon. Summer Solstice brings weather twist this year, what to expect for the Big Country She shared that Blaydes knew that homeschooled children in the Big Country needed a space to interact with other kids of all ages, and she was able to meet that need. Shes very sweet, shes very kind, shes very understanding. I think the best way I would put her is shes very positive, and her studio has been a safe haven in many ways, added Limon. Limon is one of many people coming together to raise funds for Blaydes. She is hosting a Pet and Charity Benefit to help get the dogs in her sanctuary adopted so Blaydes can focus on her treatment and health. Wendy Logan owns Lads & Lassies, right next door to Blaydes business. Over the years, she has befriended Blaydes because of their shared love of animals. She is very selfless and does a lot for the community free of charge. So we just want to help out with the sanctuary, we want to help out with her medical costs, and the main thing is to get the animals adopted so she can focus on herself, shared Logan. Dyess family saved from house fire by Guardian Angel The fundraiser takes place at Lads and Lassies on 2517 Barrow Street, Abilene, Texas 79603, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. Take a look below to see the pups hoping to find their forever homes this Saturday: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew takes questions from Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) TikTok and its parent company argued Thursday in a federal court in the District of Columbia that the recently enacted law forcing a nationwide ban or sale of the popular platform violates the First Amendment. TikTok Inc., which operates the video-sharing service in the United States, and its parent company, ByteDance Ltd., which was founded by a Chinese national, filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit calling the law President Joe Biden signed in April an unprecedented restriction on the constitutional right to free speech. Never before has Congress expressly singled out and shut down a specific speech forum, the brief reads. Never before has Congress silenced so much speech in a single act. Upholding such an extraordinary speech restriction would require the court to undertake exacting scrutiny of Congress action, but Congress provided only a hypothetical national security argument to advance the bill, the companies said. Congress gave this Court almost nothing to review, the brief continues. Congress enacted no findings, so there is no way to know why majorities of the House and Senate decided to ban TikTok. Many individual lawmakers who supported the law raised national security concerns, saying ByteDances relationship with the Chinese government meant the countrys Communist Party leaders could demand access to TikTok users private data. They also said the platform, which the company says has 170 million users in the U.S., could be used to spread propaganda. But under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, labeling speech as foreign propaganda does not allow the government to overlook First Amendment protections, TikTok said in its brief. Speculation about how the app might or could be used, rather than any concrete examples of misconduct, do not clear the high bar required to restrict speech, the companies added. A claim of national security does not override the Constitution, the companies wrote Thursday. A spokesperson for the Justice Department, which is defending the law, highlighted the intelligence communitys national security concerns with TikTok and said the law was consistent with the First Amendment. This legislation addresses critical national security concerns in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment and other constitutional limitations, the spokesperson wrote in a statement to States Newsroom. We look forward to defending the legislation in court. Alongside others in our intelligence community and in Congress, the Justice Department has consistently warned about the threat of autocratic nations that can weaponize technology such as the apps and software that run on our phones to use against us. This threat is compounded when those autocratic nations require companies under their control to turn over sensitive data to the government in secret. Response to lawmakers The brief said Congress had not included any official findings of harm from TikTok, but several individual members raised specific concerns about the kind of speech found on the platform. The companies said Thursday those specific complaints bolstered the argument that TikTok is being denied free speech protections. The brief cited several lawmaker statements: U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who is ranking member on the House Select Committee on China, and former Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican who chaired the panel, said the platforms algorithm fed an overwhelming share of pro-Palestinian content over videos that favor Israel. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, said the platform exposes children to harmful content. Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, said the law would make TikTok safer for our children and national security. Nebraska Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts noted the popularity of the hashtag #StandwithKashmir, which protests a policy of India, a geopolitical rival of China. Legislators perception of the content reflected on TikTok was misinformed, the companies said. But well-founded or not, governmental policing of content differences is antithetical to the First Amendment. Oral arguments in September Both chambers of Congress passed the law with bipartisan votes as part of a package that included aid to Israel and Ukraine. Biden signed the measure April 24. TikTok pledged to sue and filed its legal challenge last month. Tuesdays brief expands on the companys arguments. The governments response is due July 26 and oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 16. Divestment unworkable, TikTok says TikTok and ByteDance said Thursday the provision in the bill to avoid a ban by divesting the service to a company without ties to China is unworkable, especially within the nine-month timeline required by the law. Such a move would be technically complex, requiring years of engineering work, the companies said. It would also isolate the U.S. user base from the rest of the world, limiting revenue from advertisements. And even if it were feasible from a technical or business standpoint, selling the platform would likely be rejected by the Chinese government, which has the authority to block exportation of technology developed in the country, the companies said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Congress silenced free speech in TikTok law, platform tells federal court appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The two major fires burning near Ruidoso, New Mexico, and the Mescalero Apache reservation have burned more than 24,000 acres but the New Mexico State Forestry Division is reporting progress in containing the fires. The South Fork Fire is now 26 percent contained and the Salt Fire is 7 percent contained, according to the state Forestry Division in an update issued on Saturday morning, June 22. While progress is being made, this is incident still remains in flux and presents danger for the public and firefighters, according to a news release sent out on Saturday. The South Fork Fire is estimated to have burned 16,614 acres, while the Salt Fire has burned 7,652 acres. More than 1,100 firefighters are on the scene fighting the blaze, according to the state Forestry Division. Some full-time Lincoln County residents are being allowed to return home starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday and others at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The Village of Ruidoso is also saying that full-time residents can start returning on Monday morning. Some Lincoln County residents allowed back home starting Saturday While rains assisted with moderating fire activity, this incident is not over. Hazards exist across the South Fork and Salt fires. Downed powerlines, damaged water, sewer, and gas lines, localized flooding, fire weakened trees and other environmental hazards continue to pose risks to firefighters and the public. Extra precautions should be exercised along roads as emergency and fire vehicles, engines and equipment continue to travel and work along roadways. As such, evacuations and road and area closures will remain in effect. These will not be lifted until fire conditions are diminished, and hazards have been addressed, according to a news release sent out by the Forestry Division. Widespread rain helped keep the fire from spreading but also limited what firefighters were able to do on Friday, according to the news release. Conditions are expected to improve on Saturday, allowing crews to continue fire suppression efforts. Saturday, crews on the South Fork and Salt fires will resume constructing fireline in difficult terrain, patrol firelines, and monitor for hotspots near firelines. Residents should remember that while fire behavior has been reduced to smoldering and creeping in heavy duff and dead/down fuels with minimal spread, fire can and will still actively burn across the South Fork and Salt fires, especially with changing weather conditions. Smoke will persist and hazards are still present across the fire area, including fire-weakened trees along roadways and near critical infrastructure. In addition to firefighters continuing the work on securing the perimeter and responding to hot spots within the interior of the fire area, damage and structure assessments are being conducted. Crews will be available to respond to any new starts and flare ups as needed, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division news release. The NM Forestry Division reports the fires produced light smoke on Friday and smoke production will remain light to moderate on Saturday. Evacuation information can be found at www.lincolncountynm.gov and www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire. Contact the Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center at (575) 258-6900 if you have questions. Road and trail closures are in effect throughout the fire area. Both Highway 48 and Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed. The open evacuation route is Highway 70 to Roswell. State Highway 48 is closed from Alpine Village/University to State Hwy 220. U.S. 70 remains closed from Mile Marker 249 (intersection with NM Highway 244), four miles east of Mescalero, to Mile Marker 258, 2 mile east of Carrizo. Resources include 23 crews, 94 fire engines, 14 dozers and 18 water tenders. Helicopters and air tankers remain available for bucket and retardant drops if the need arises and when conditions allow, according to the NM Forestry Division. A closure order was issued on Thursday, June 20 for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. A temporary flight restriction is also in place over the fires. Drone flights are also prohibited within this area. The American Red Cross is reporting that 645 people are staying at Red Cross and independently operated shelters affiliated with the Red Cross and that 114 local and national Red Cross workers are involved with helping out with the Ruidoso fires. The Red Cross has also served 5,869 meals and snacks through Friday. The Red Cross said that there are other shelters that are operating independently and their statistics do not reflect all shelters. Anyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters and all disaster assistance is free, the organization says. The Red Cross is asking that donations not be dropped off at Red Cross shelters. Instead, you can drop off donations at these locations. Roswell New Mexico National Guard Armory (1 West Earl Commings Loop) Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily All items welcome Albuquerque Center of Southwest Culture For details, call: (505) 247-2729 Mescalero Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center (287 Carrizo Canyon Road) Hours: 24/7 Items being collected: Anything and everything except clothing. Red Cross is also wants donations of snacks, food, water, Gatorade and Powerade. Mescalero Apache Community Center (108 Central Ave.) Hours: 24/7 Both Mescalero donation locations are seeking feminine hygiene products. More information about the fires can be found by clicking here. More information about Red Cross services can be found 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 KTSM 9 News. The main point of investing for the long term is to make money. Furthermore, you'd generally like to see the share price rise faster than the market. But Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) has fallen short of that second goal, with a share price rise of 29% over five years, which is below the market return. Meanwhile, the last twelve months saw the share price rise 1.8%. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. View our latest analysis for Lockheed Martin While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, Lockheed Martin achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 7.5% per year. The EPS growth is more impressive than the yearly share price gain of 5% over the same period. So one could conclude that the broader market has become more cautious towards the stock. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Lockheed Martin's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Lockheed Martin, it has a TSR of 47% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective Lockheed Martin shareholders gained a total return of 4.7% during the year. But that return falls short of the market. On the bright side, the longer term returns (running at about 8% a year, over half a decade) look better. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Lockheed Martin better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Lockheed Martin , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Story continues If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: most of them are flying under the radar). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com COVID, other diseases on the rise in WA. Its time for vigilance not backing off | Editorial Americans may think theyre through with COVID-19, but COVID isnt through with us. It is premature to set aside sensible precautions against a still-serious, even deadly, public health threat. A poll conducted by Gallup in March found that 59% of U.S. adults believe the COVID pandemic is over. Thats true for the technical pandemic, but COVID variants are still infecting people. The virus is surging in King County and across Washington as the summer travel season begins. In April, only 1-in-200 visits to hospital emergency rooms in King County involved a COVID diagnosis. By last week, the rate had tripled. Thats still below the threshold for alarm, but the numbers are headed in the wrong direction. The Washington State Department of Healths respiratory disease dashboard is a useful tool for tracking COVIDs and other diseases crests and troughs. The department reports steep increases in the COVID virus levels in municipal wastewater treatment systems around the state, including in the Tri-Cities. Its easy to understand why most people see COVID as something thats in the rear-view mirror. Public health officials have set aside the most intrusive responses to the pandemic such as lockdowns and mask mandates. Meanwhile the weekly death toll nationwide has plunged from its late-2021 peak of more than 25,000. Weekly deaths are now counted in the hundreds. Deaths and infections tapered off as Americans gained some degree of immunity to the virus, either through vaccination or by surviving an infection. Indeed, its harder to find someone who hasnt had COVID at least once than someone who has. Its certainly safer to get together with family and attend a July Fourth barbecue than it was just a few years ago, but sensible precautions will go a long way. COVID is still killing people 97 in Washington state over the past three months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the virus spreads in the coming weeks, that number will only increase. Fatalities are only one deleterious outcome, though. As the virus surges once again, even if death rates remain low, long COVID remains a threat. An estimated 7% of adult Americans suffer lingering health and wellness impacts long after their bout with the disease. They experience symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness and brain fog for months or years. COVIDs resurgence stems partly from the emergence of new variants of the virus. Dr. Eric Chow, King Countys chief of communicable diseases, explains that COVID is continually trying to evolve and find ways to evade our existing immunity. Most Washingtonians received a vaccination when they first became available in late 2020. They havent kept up with boosters, though. Today, only one-in-five people is fully vaccinated against the variants that have emerged. The importance of vaccination cannot be overstated. Those who have gotten their shots are likely to suffer milder symptoms if they become infected. And nearly all of the continuing deaths from COVID are occurring among the unvaccinated. Vaccination is not the only bulwark. Frequent and thorough hand-washing is effective. Testing for COVID when symptoms appear and avoiding social contact after testing positive slows the spread of the virus to family members and the community. And masks remain helpful. Masks might not be required, and theyve certainly been controversial, especially around here, but the fact is that a properly worn N95 mask is a wise precaution that prevents someone who is coughing through the day from spraying, family, friends and co-workers. These arent just COVID precautions, either. Whooping cough cases have increased tenfold over last year. The disease is especially serious for young children and can be almost completely prevented by vaccination. Washing hands and isolating people with symptoms can reduce the spread. Then theres the specter of avian flu. So far only a few cases among humans have been reported. But if the avian flu virus evolves the capacity for human-to-human transmission, the world could have another pandemic on its hands. When it comes to COVID and other viruses capable of causing death and misery, now is not the time to back away from preparation, prevention and vigilance. Spanish police have arrested a criminal group involved in the selling of women for sexual exploitation. Most of the victims were Ukrainians. Source: Europol Details: The group consisted of a Spanish citizen and two citizens from Russia and Ukraine. Currently, 14 victims are known, according to Europol. It is noted that the detainees found the victims via the Internet and introduced themselves as managers of employment agencies. They offered them jobs as hostesses and cleaners, as well as good salaries, paperwork and work permits. But the suspects did not fulfil their promises. They then used the women to provide sexual services in a nightclub in Almeria (a city in southern Spain ed.) It is known that a significant number of the victims are Ukrainians, as well as citizens of Belarus. They were persecuted on ethnic grounds, Europol added. Quote from Europol: "The victims were accommodated in three homes provided by the same individual who managed the nightclub. By isolating the victims from the rest of society, the traffickers attempted to minimise the risks of police detection or the escape of the women, allowing them to restrain, control and fully exploit the victims." It is also known that the arrested persons illegally received huge profits from such "activities". Law enforcement officers searched and confiscated two luxury cars, cash, electronic devices, employment contracts for work in the service sector and other documents related to the club where the victims were exploited. Support UP or become our patron! I was crying Fordyce residents describe shock of mass shooting at grocery store FORDYCE, Ark. The shock of a mass shooting that took three lives and injured several others in Fordyce has left the community shaken. Police identified the suspect in the shooting as 44-year-old Travis Posey of New Endinburg, Arkansas. The shooting took place at a grocery store in town, leaving a population of barely over 3,000 people shocked. LIVE UPDATES: Authorities confirm 11 people shot, 3 dead and two officers injured in Fordyce grocery store shooting; suspect in custody I was crying. I was nervous. I was having a breakdown, Amiya Doherty said. I never saw something like this happening in Fordyce, Arkansas, Otis Allen, a resident of Fordyce for 60 years, said. Krenisha McWilliams has lived in the city for over 30 years said shes never had to worry about stuff like this happening in our town because it never happens. I just keep thinking in my head, Why? Doherty said, who added that she was in the parking lot during the shooting. He shot at my mamas car. I just want my baby back Mother of Fordyce mass shooting victim mourns loss of daughter Many people describe the scene as a scene out of a horror movie. Doherty said as the shooting was taking place she feared for her life. I was praying and holding my sisters hand because I was scared, Doherty said. Arkansas officials issue statements on deadly Mad Butcher grocery store shooting in Fordyce Posey was booked into the Ouachita County Jail for three counts of Capital Murder. Additional charges are pending. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com. CARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM) A Cumberland County man is facing charges for allegedly raping a mentally disabled person. Middlesex Township Police say after a multi-month investigation they obtained an arrest warrant for Waren Mena of Carlisle. Police say Mena has been charged with allegedly raping a mentally disabled person and indecent sexual assault for a person with mental disability. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts Mena is also facing charges for financial exploitation of a care-dependent person, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. With assistance from Carlisle Police, Mena was taken into custody on June 20 and taken to the Cumberland County Prison. Mena is being held on $75,000 bail and is being held in the county prison. Hes scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 3. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) suggested Friday that the New York hush money case against former President Trump was only brought forward because of his name and White House bid. Cuomo, in an interview Friday on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher, argued that the case should have never been brought forward. If his name was not Donald Trump and if he wasnt running for president Im the former AG of in New York, [and] Im telling you that case wouldve never been brought. Thats what is offensive to people, and it should be because if theres anything left, its belief in the justice system, he added. Trump was found guilty late last month on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to a payment to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign to buy her silence over an alleged past affair. Trump, who denies the affair, has pledged to appeal the case. The case was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), who has been repeatedly accused by Trump and his allies of unfairly targeting him as the presumptive GOP prepares for a rematch against President Biden in November. Trumps guilty verdict was unanimous among the 12 jurors, though allies of the former president have tried to pour cold water on its legitimacy, pointing to what they believe was a biased judge and jury selection process. Cuomo was elected as New Yorks attorney general in 2007 and went on to serve as the states governor for 11 years. The former governor resigned from office in 2021 after an investigation into sexual harassment allegations and backlash over his COVID-19 pandemic polices. Cuomo has denied the accusations. The former governor seemingly agreed that an issue exists within the justice system. He warned the Manhattan district attorneys office against using the system to play politics. And you want to talk about a threat to democracy: When you have this country believing youre playing politics with the justice system and youre trying to put people in jail or convict them for political reasons, then we have a real problem, Cuomo said Friday. Trump currently has a razor-thin lead of 0.6 percentage points over President Biden, per The Hill/Decision Desk HQs national polling index. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "Hard Decisions Ahead" is the header of Lane County's proposed 2024-25 budget, which is scheduled to get a vote from county commissioners on Tuesday. In the document, County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky described "a chronically underfunded County public safety system and growing behavioral health and supportive housing needs" as key causes expected to lead to the county's first layoffs in a decade. The biggest change to Lane County's budget in the new fiscal year comes from less federal money going to the county. With the county spending the one-time money it received from the American Rescue Plan, divisions that it expanded then are now contracting. The hardest-hit are Human Services (which includes the county's homeless response) and Public Health. The loss of pandemic-relief funding is the biggest change for the new year, but county officials described the budget challenges as perpetual, thanks to a few key factors: A relativity low property tax rate. With the current jail and parks levies, Lane County, which is just one of the taxing entities that show up on property tax bills, collects taxes at approximately $1.946 per $1,000 of assessed value, the third-lowest rate of Oregon's 36 counties. Historic reliance on timber revenue. Lane County collects compensation from the federal government for logging that occurs in the county, but revenues have been shrinking since the 1990s. Underfunding from the state and federal government. In addition to the expiring American Rescue Plan, examples include Congress not renewing rural school district funding under the 2000 Secure Rural Schools Act this year, and the state mandating county-wide mobile crisis while only partially funding it. Costs rising faster than these revenues. For example, the county paid 6% more into its employee benefit fund this year because of increasing health insurance costs. The proposed net budget is approximately $861 million, but resources are $86 million less than last year. Compared to the current budget, there are net 14.25 fewer full-time employees in the new budget. Those positions must be cut through a combination of closing vacant positions and layoffs. The largest staff decreases are coming to the departments of Health and Human Services (-5.2 FTE), the Sheriff's Office (-3.0 FTE) and Community Justice & Rehabilitation Services (-2.3 FTE). Largest decreases by fund American Rescue Plan Act Fund (-$53.4 million, -100%) Lane County was distributing the federal pandemic relief money around the organization, and now some of that money must be filled from other sources and some will result in cuts. The ARPA money was going toward: $15.1 million to the Department of Public Safety (Sherriff's Office). $9.7 million to the District Attorney's office. $7.8 million to Health & Human Services. $7 million to Community Justice and Rehabilitation Services. $5.1 million to Assessment & Taxation. $4.8 million to County Administration. $1.4 million to Public Works. General Road Fund (-$22.1 million, -14.7%) This fund comes from a combination of state gas tax, highway user fees and National Forest timber revenue and is used for county road maintenance, preservation and construction. Lane County attributed the fund shrinking this year to Congress not renewing direct federal funding to rural schools under the 2000 Secure Rural Schools Act, meaning a greater share of remaining timber revenue instead went to those schools. Despite the decrease, revenue in this fund is still projected as higher than the county's expected cost for the Road & Bridge Maintenance Division. Intergovernmental Human Services Fund (-$13 million, -20.1%) This fund goes toward "human services and homeless resources and coordinated policy," and is shrinking with the loss of pandemic-era federal funding. General (-$5.9 million, -3.1%) This is Lane County's most flexible fund and comes from sources including property taxes, timber revenue, state-shared revenue and investment earnings. The fund is similarly shrinking with a reduction in state and federal pandemic relief money. Lane County's biggest change in expense for the general fund is sending less money to reserves, but it also attributes 6.0 of the FTE reductions to the shrinking fund. Largest increases by fund Capital Improvement (+$8.1 million, +32.3%) This fund comes from Lane County's property sales, rentals and parking revenue and pays for the county's major construction projects. The increased revenue is going to "capital planning." Employee Benefit (+6.8 million, +6.0%) This fund pays for benefits for the county's employees. It's paid into by the departments with those employees, and the increase reflects increasing health insurance costs. Largest decreases by division Human Services (-$13.5 million, -22.0%) The Human Services Division, "is facing a significant reduction," Lane County's budget document says. Compared to this year, the division is shrinking by 9.5 full-time employees, although the county said the division won't have layoffs because of vacant positions and staff rearrangement. Human Services runs the county's programs on utility/weatherization assistance, rent relief, housing, homeless and community services, veterans services, and workforce services. The reduction, "will result in fewer housing, homelessness, and community action programs fewer households who are unhoused being assisted through housing focused street outreach, emergency shelter, re-housing and permanent supported housing," the budget states. The budget anticipates a $4 million reduction in homeless services as well as reductions to rent and utility assistance, programs that were being largely funded by the American Rescue Plan and other pandemic assistance programs. The federal grant funding the county's Dovetail service navigation program is also expiring. Lane County plans to continue this program in-house. Engineering & Construction Services (-$13.2 million, -25.8%) Funding to the county's Engineering & Construction Division is shrinking compared to last year because of the shrinking General Road fund, although the division still projects it has enough money for the 14 road projects it has planned for the fiscal year. Policy Team (-$3.5 million, -42.7%) Lane County formed its Policy Team in 2022 to address "high priority local policy initiatives, as well as the influx of state and federal funding." One of the division's responsibilities was to administer the county's American Rescue Plan funds. With those going away, it is shifting to "focus on revenue generation," primarily by seeking grants. Public Health (-$2.2 million, -8.6%) As the division most directly responsible for pandemic response, Public Health is one of the divisions most impacted by the reduction of pandemic relief funds. Lane County has gradually shrunk the Public Health Division over the 2023-24 fiscal year as it spent the American Rescue Plan money. The 2024-25 budget cuts 34.2 FTE from the 2023-24 one when it was adopted. From the current budget, this is a reduction of 8.75 FTE. Lane County's budget document said most but not all of these reductions were related to pandemic response. Lane County will eliminate the Public Health Operations Supervisor and positions from Environmental Health, WIC and Emergency Preparedness. "The number of community events supported by the team will be reduced and the capacity for supporting emergency responses will be limited," the budget said. "The most significant service impact is in Mobile Public Health which had depended on limited duration workforce funding from the CDC and will not continue, at least in its current configuration. Mobile Public Health has been instrumental in extending services to rural areas of the county, including WIC and flu vaccinations." Largest increases by division County Administration Operations (+$8.9 million, +32.3%) The increase to this division reflects the "capital planning" increase paid for with the increase in Capital Improvement resources. Behavioral Health Services (+$6.7 million, +15.2%) Lane County's Behavioral Health Division has a combination of expansions and contractions in the coming fiscal year. On the expansion side, Behavioral Health is rolling out Lane County's new in-house mobile crisis service which the state mandated but only partially funded, and the county is projected to more than double the cost of its "contracted delivery system." At the same time, Behavioral Health is cutting funding to its outpatient clinics, and the division as a whole is budgeted for 6.25 fewer FTE in the new fiscal year. Community Health Centers (+$6.0 million, +12.4%) Lane County's Community Health Centers are paying for new staff and materials as the division staffs its mobile clinics opened in March and the upcoming clinics in west Eugene and Cottage Grove. It also aims to add providers. In particular, the county said it aims to improve access to pediatric care and urgent care as it aims to deflect from the emergency room now that there are fewer of them in Lane County and takes over the Dovetail program from the Human Services division. The division acknowledged these expansions are drawing from other areas. "The addition of 3 new locations in the upcoming 12 months is a challenge drawing many resources, including impacts to other Lane County teams such as Facilities and Technology Services," the budget said. Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at atorres@registerguard.com or on X @alanfryetorres. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lane County budget includes cuts, layoffs June 22 (UPI) -- Thousands of car dealers in the United States are struggling to handle virtually all areas of their business, including sales and services, because their software vendor was hacked this week. CDK Global, a company that provides auto dealerships software for managing sales and other services, was shut down for a third straight day Friday after cyberattacks crippled the platform. Bloomberg reported a group claiming to have hacked the system is demanding tens of millions of dollars, and the company intends to pay the amount but discussions are subject to change. A Bloomberg source said the hack is believed to be based in eastern Europe. Roughly 15,000 car dealers depend on CDK's dealer management software to run their businesses. That includes payroll, inventory, customer relations and office operations. Dealers also line up with financing and insurance with the system. The computer system includes agreements involving rebates and incentives. A Kia K4 is revealed at the 2024 New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The first New York Auto Show was held in 1900 and it was the first auto show ever held in North America. About 1 million visitors are expected to attend the show. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI WDIV business editor Rod Meloni said "they're flying blind." CDK has not indicated when its systems will be back up and running. But it could take days, according to PC Mag. "We are actively investigating a cyber incident," a CDK spokesperson told CBS News. "Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our customers, we have shut down most of our systems and are working diligently to get everything up and running as quickly as possible." Dealerships on Reddit are sharing that they were relying on spreadsheets and sticky notes to sell customers small parts and make repairs, but no large transactions are being done. Jeff Ramsey, an executive with Ourisman Auto Group headquartered in Maryland, told CNN the shutdown could cost his dealerships some business. Customers could just find a dealer nearby that's not having these issues and buy a new vehicle there, instead. "My selling team can hand-write a buyer's order," Brian Benstock, general manager of Paragon Honda and Paragon Acura in Long Island City, New York, told CNN. Ford is providing assistance to its dealers, including Lincoln. "Although there is an industry-wide system outage for some dealers who use CDK, Ford and Lincoln customers are able to receive sales and service support due to alternative processes available to our dealers," the company said. Vehicle repair/mainteenance servucs also are affected. Tom Maoli, whose dealerships are based out of New Jersey, told Fox Business, his group "has to do everything manually," including putting together the repair order "so they can pay it." "And then what happens is, when there's parts that need to be used to repair the vehicle, there's an inventory system within CDK and those parts are not being deducted from our systems so when we use parts out of our inventory, alerts won't automatically go to the manufacturers to replenish us with those parts," he said, "They're not getting those alerts so the entire supply chain system is being shut down." Brookfield Business Partners, a Toronto-based private equity firm, acquired the company in 2022 for more than $8 billion. UPDATE: Wicomico County's burn ban has been lifted as Tuesday, July 23. Somerset County has also lifted its burn ban. Dangerous drought conditions prompted Lower Shore counties to issue burn bans on Thursday, with Wicomico County even issuing fines for violators. How much could Wicomico residents have to pay for a violation? According to an executive order by the Office of the County Executive, "due to drought conditions, County Executive Julie Giordano has issued a burn ban order for Wicomico County effective June 20 at 12:00 p.m. ... the executive has the authority to issue a ban for 7 days. Giordano said that she expects the dry conditions to continue into the foreseeable future and will recommend to the County Council that they extend the ban until weather conditions warrant a re-assessment by the Burn Ban Committee." Drought conditions have led Wicomico and Somerset counties to impose burn bans. All outdoor burning is prohibited with the following exemptions: Gas and charcoal grills for their proper use; Campfires at Roaring Point and Sandy Hill campgrounds, which must be monitored at all times. All such campfires shall be confined to designated fire rings, grills, fire pits, fireplaces or other facilities constructed for fires. Before breaking camp, fires should be drowned and completely extinguished. Recreational campfires on private property and public campgrounds are permitted. The campfires are limited to a size of 2 feet in width and 3 feet in height; The staging of professional fireworks displays. Burn ban violations carry a $500 fine per incident. County Planning & Zoning administers Burn Ban enforcement. The public may call 410-548-4860 to report violations during regular business hours. At other times, citizens may call the Sheriff's Office at 410-548-4891. More on ballot referendums Wicomico County executive post's future headed to voters on November ballot. All to know. Giordano added that "all burning permits are voided for the duration of the Burn Ban and that the Health Department will not be issuing burning permits until further notice." Worcester, Somerset counties also issue burn bans due to drought Somerset county also issued on Thursday a similar ban from Ernie Leatherbury, Deputy County Administrator. "A burn ban is in effect for Somerset County by authority of the Somerset County Commissioners. No outside burning is allowed due to extremely dry conditions. Residents will be notified when the ban is lifted," the order stated. Worcester County also added such a ban on Friday, saying "effective immediately, Worcester County Fire Marshal Matt Owens issued a burn ban, and ALL outdoor burning is banned for an indefinite period of time in Worcester County." The ban applies to all outdoor ignition sources, with the following exceptions: proper use of gas and charcoal grills, campfires at the countys commercial, state and federal campgrounds, permitted official Ocean City bonfires, private property recreational campfires that are limited to a fire area of 2 feet with a height of 3 feet, public fireworks displays and volunteer fire company training exercises. All existing outdoor burn permits in that county have been rescinded. Heat wave strikes Salisbury area: Hot enough yet? Temperatures will feel like triple digits next week in Salisbury Drought map lists Lower Shore counties as 'abnormally dry' The Drought Monitor summary map identifies general areas of drought and labels them by intensity. D1 is the least intense level and D4 the most intense. Drought is defined as a moisture deficit bad enough to have social, environmental or economic effects. The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A revised drought map released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration places much of Maryland as "abnormally dry" despite recent rainfall. Wicomico County, the data noted, was also "abnormally dry" or "already in moderate drought." Somerset County is largely in "already in Moderate drought" and Worcester County is equally characterized as "abnormally dry" or "already in moderate drought." More Eastern Shore farming Gov. Wes Moore highlights innovation in agriculture with visit to Eastern Shore farm This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: UPDATE: Lower Shore counties lift burn bans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the National Human Trafficking Database Act. That act would establish a national human trafficking database through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and incentivize state law enforcement agencies to report data. APRIL: Majority of victims of child sex trafficking in TN are minorities; Blackburn and state leaders discuss ways to protect them The announcement came as Blackburn pointed to the success of Tennessees data collection program. The program was implemented by Belmont Universitys Data Collaborative and the anti-human trafficking non-profit Engage Together. At the Belmont Data Collaborative, we like to work on projects that do good in the community. We call that data for good, explained Assistant Director of the Belmont Data Collaborative Dr. Marquinta Harvey. We teamed up with a nonprofit called Engage Together to work on Human Trafficking, to understand the data behind it so that we can more so understand the prevalence of human trafficking. That mindset is centered around the Data Collaborative, which partners with organizations and the community to address complex problems by providing a comprehensive and open data warehouse and the processes to provide actionable solutions. Human trafficking is one of those complex problems they have been working to change. By partnering with Engage Together, they were able to identify where those most vulnerable to human trafficking are in Tennessee. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Their approach is to canvas the state, canvas the community, and understand what are the strengths in working to combat human trafficking and what are the gaps, Data Analytics Manager at the Belmont Data Collaborative Tommy Strickler said. Through the data collaborative, our part in this project was to come alongside and help engage together and the organizations that they work with understand the vulnerabilitys within the community that traffickers most often prey on. Currently, there are no tools for tracking human trafficking incidents, especially because so many go unreported. However, through research, the Data Collaborative is able to create a clearer picture of the problem. For the overall vulnerability index (mapped above), as well as each of the vulnerability categories described in the methodology section, the higher the index score, the higher the vulnerability within that community. (Source: Engage Together) The research revealed the top five counties in Tennessee with the highest risk for human trafficking: 1. Shelby County 2. Madison County 3. Davidson County 4. Hamilton County 5. Bradley County Read todays top stories on wkrn.com To our knowledge and looking at the research, there hasnt been this community-level type study done to understand vulnerability amongst these populations, Harvey said. When we are looking at something like human trafficking, we need a deeper understanding. the data really is not there, so in order to understand it, we have to capture whats going on. To get a complete look at the project between Engage Together and the Belmont Data Collaborative, you can see their findings here: click here. If you are interested in joining forces with Belmont, you can contact data@belmont.edu. When we look at the data, what we found were communities have patterns of vulnerability, so its not one size fits all, Harvey said. We can see that if we see a pattern that means there is an issue above the individual, there is a community problem. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An image from a San Francisco police officer's body camera shows conspiracy theorist David DePape, left, fighting with Paul Pelosi for control of a hammer in the victim's home Oct. 28, 2022. (Associated Press) David DePape, the conspiracy theorist who attacked Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, with a hammer and plotted to interrogate the former House speaker on video, was convicted Friday of state charges related to the assault. A jury found DePape guilty of five felony counts in state court, according to several news outlets and a statement from his public defender. The charges resulted from an attack that investigators described as the beginning of a planned rampage to go after high-profile targets, including actor Tom Hanks and Gov. Gavin Newsom. DePape was convicted of imprisonment, residential burglary, threatening a family member of a public official, attempting to sway a witness and aggravated kidnapping. The verdict comes seven months after he was found guilty of federal charges in the attack. DePapes social media accounts, and interviews with friends and former co-workers, detail how he began to descend into baseless right-wing conspiracy theories. He wrote blog posts about several discredited conspiracy theories, including those popularly known as Pizzagate and QAnon, which posited sexual abuse rings run by Hollywood and Democratic Party figures. San Francisco Assistant Dist. Atty. Phoebe Maffei argued during the trial that DePape targeted Nancy Pelosi because of her role as House speaker at the time, making her second in line for the presidency, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. She was not home during the break-in. Read more: Judge reopens Paul Pelosi attacker sentencing after making 'clear error' We havent seen anybody make a plan to break into the home of one of our national leaders, hold hostage and nearly kill that persons spouse, Maffei told jurors, according to the Chronicle. Thankfully this is unusual. But its what happened. In November, DePape was convicted in federal court of attempting to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and assaulting her husband. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Attorneys with the San Francisco public defenders office, which represented DePape, successfully sought to have several charges against him dismissed in the state case, arguing that they were similar to those he had been convicted of in federal court. In response, San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman tossed out the counts of attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. Defense attorneys argued that the states double jeopardy law prohibits defendants from being tried more than once on the same crime. Read more: 'I'm sorry': David DePape resentenced to 30 years for attack on Pelosi family In his closing arguments, Public Defender Adam Lipson argued that his client might be guilty of false imprisonment, residential burglary and attempting to sway a witness. But, he told jurors, DePape should not be convicted of aggravated kidnapping and threatening a family member of a public official, the Chronicle reported. Lipson reportedly argued that DePapes threats were not specific to Pelosis role as House speaker, but rather to find and reach other targets. We are disappointed with the finding of guilt for kidnapping for ransom, Lipson said in a statement Friday. We do not believe he committed kidnapping for ransom. Its unfortunate that it was ever charged. The decision to charge that crime is a textbook case of vindictive prosecution. It was only charged after it became clear that the attempted murder charge would be dismissed under Californias double jeopardy statute. Conspiracy theories continued to play a role as the state trial came to a close last week. On Tuesday, Dorfman barred DePapes former partner from the courtroom and second floor of the building, the Associated Press reported. The decision came after Gypsy Taub, a nudism activist, handed out fliers outside the courtroom with links to her website, which promotes a series of conspiracy theories. The day Dorfman kicked her out of the second floor, the address for Taubs website was spotted on a wall and on a toilet paper dispenser in a womens bathroom at the courthouse. Dorfman accused Taub of trying to corruptly influence one or more jury members and instructed bailiffs to escort her out. 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. FloridaStock / Shutterstock.com Unless youve been living under a rock the last few years, youve likely caught wind of the controversy surrounding the true value of Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate. And with numbers ranging from $18 million to over $1 billion, it makes sense that people are asking where this discrepancy is coming from and what the true value actually is. Check Out: Why a Billionaire Bought a Bunch of Homes In Duluth, Minnesota Try This: 7 Reasons You Must Speak to a Financial Advisor Before Spending $50,000 or More GoBankingRates reached out to professional appraisers to receive their input and was met with various versions of its very complicated because of what Marcus Hill, CEO and appraiser at Plugstar, called, a lot of moving parts. Heres why: After purchasing Mar-a-Lago in 1985, Trump found the $3 million annual upkeep of the property too expensive. He, therefore, changed the designation of the property in 1993 from a residential home to a private club via a deed granted by Palm Beach so that he could charge membership fees to maintain the grounds. He then re-classified himself as an employee to legally live there full time. Due to these deed restrictions, the property is currently valued as a private club by Palm Beach County. But, should the club be down-zoned back to a residential home (with the explicit permission of Palm Beach) if or when it hits the open market, the value of the property would skyrocket exponentially. The first logical question that must be asked: could the deed legally be reversed? That depends who you ask. According to reporting by Darrell Hofheinz of the Palm Beach Daily News, The deed restriction would seem to prevent anyone from buying the estate for use as a private residence rather than a club. (A gaffe that landed Trump in hot water when he valued the property as a residential home to allegedly borrow more money from banks). But, according to real estate attorney John Shubin who testified on behalf of Trump, Mar-a-Lago would revert to a residential use if the club were abandoned. Its rational to assume that whatever legally constitutes abandonment could eventually be under a microscope. Whether Mar-a-Lago should be appraised as a private club or a residential home is not for us to decide. But lets take a look at both scenarios. Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. Private Club According to the Palm Beach County Property Appraisers Office official government website, Mar-a-Lago was assessed at $37 million as of January 1, 2023. Due to the listed $4 million appreciation between 2021 and 2022, and the $6 million appreciation between 2022 and 2023, its logical to assume the value sits somewhere over or near $40 million today. So what factors contribute to this appraisal? Story continues Speaking to Newsweek, the Palm Beach County Property Appraisers Office said they use the income approach. The income approach to valuation capitalizes the net operating income that private clubs could generate. This means that the value of the property is determined based on the amount of income that it generates as a club a number that is kept confidential by law. Its important to note that the market value is typically higher than the assessed value which is used primarily for tax purposes. This assessed value does not take into account market conditions or whose name is on the property. If the club were put on the market, however, a sales comparison could also be utilized. According to state-certified real estate appraiser, Robert Callaway, whose company, Callaway & Price Inc, appraised Mar-a-Lago years ago when the estate was under previous ownership, this comparison becomes difficult because there are no real comparables. The problem then becomes theres not a lot of sales of private clubs, stated Callaway, so you have to look state-wide, maybe even nation-wide for comparable sales. He noted that the age of the property (originally built in 1927) also makes it difficult to utilize any cost approach to value. Residential Home In a scenario where the deed restriction was overturned, or the property improvements burned to the ground, or were demolished by a hurricane or natural disaster, stated Callaway, the value of Mar-a-Lago as a residential property would increase because the value of the land in the area is increasing exponentially. For reference, Newsweek reported that Dorothy Jacks, elected property appraiser of Palm Beach County, said [some individual] home values [] have risen by as much as 25 30 percent per year. Former investment banker John Lefevre cited an empty, 2.3 acre lot in the area listed at $200 million. Mar-a-Lago is 17 acres. Callaway further stated that market value is based on a theory of highest and best use which has several components: legal use, physical use, financial feasability, and maximally profitable use. If deemed legal to down-zone Mar-a-Lago to a residential home, the property scores well on all components. If you have residential land all around you, thats highest and best use. No one would want to limit use to a club when you could sell it for hundreds of millions of dollars more as a residential property, said Callaway. This would also increase nearby property values by eliminating traffic congestion and protestors. From a nuts-and-bolts perspective, Marcus Hill noted the scope of difficulty in appraising a property that is 126 rooms and 62,000 square feet. In addition to taking measurements of the entire estate, an appraiser would have to go into every room labeling the room type, counting bedrooms and baths, with noting the condition of the rooms and any upgrades that have taken place over the last ten years. Then, of course, there is the Trump name that is synonymous with Mar-a-Lago and could influence market price in either direction. And once a number is decided upon, that still may not account for bidding wars amongst wealthy buyers either eager to take ownership of the historic property or content to underbid a heavily tainted estate. While Rosalind Clarke, a Palm Beach real estate agent, estimated a sales price in the range of $500 million in December of 2023 to the BBC, no responsible appraisers GoBankingRates spoke with could even gander a guess at Mar-a-Lagos potential market value. Perhaps time will tell. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im A Professional Appraiser: Heres How Much I Think Trumps Mar-a-Lago Is Worth David DePape, the man convicted in federal court for violently attacking House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, has been convicted of five charges in state court. A California jury found DePape guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment, threatening a family member of a public official, aggravated kidnapping and preventing or dissuading a witness by force or threat. The verdict comes as DePape already faces a 30-year sentence from his conviction last year in connection with the October 2022 attack. In court, DePape showed no visible reaction as the verdict was read, and his lawyer later said they intend to appeal the case. He is facing a sen tence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said at a news conference Friday. Before the trial, Judge Harry M. Dorfman dismissed three of the charges DePape was facing, including attempted murder, assault of an elder and assault with a deadly weapon, because DePapes defense team argued that would amount to double jeopardy. DePape was convicted in federal court last November for assault on the immediate family member of a federal official and attempted kidnapping of a federal official in connection with the attack. Defense attorney Adam Lipson said DePape was disappointed with the Friday verdict, which the jury deliberated for nearly 12 hours over three days. Hes lived a very isolated and lonely life when he kind of just got wrapped up in lot of conspiracy theory-type situations, Lipson said. And, you know, he has some mental illness too, so hes just dealing with that right now. Its really unfortunate he was charged this way. It was sort of a textbook vindictive prosecution, Lipson said. Jenkins said at the news conference that her office charged DePape with what he was guilty of, and the jury agreed as clear by the jurys verdict. So there is no need for any accusations of vindictive prosecution, Jenkins told reporters. We are simply trying to do our jobs to make sure he was held accountable for every act that occurred that night that was criminal. Aaron Bennett, a spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement Friday that the family is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers they continue to receive, adding, Speaker Pelosi and her family will refrain from further substantive comment until sentencing is complete. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. Federal prosecutors claimed last year that DePape broke into the Pelosis home with a violent plan to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and to hold her hostage. While DePapes attorney at the time conceded that DePape had attacked Paul Pelosi, she argued that his motivation for the assault did not match the federal charges against him. DePape testified in his own defense at the trial, telling the jury that he had been looking for Nancy Pelosi and that her husband was not on his list of targets. He was surprised and confused, he said, when he found out the congresswoman was not home. Im telling him, I have other targets, but if you stop me, Ill go through you, DePape said, recounting a conversation with Paul Pelosi. I reacted. I hit him in the head, he continued, I reacted because my plan was basically ruined. The morning before the jury in the state case started deliberating, Gypsy Taub, DePapes ex-wife, was escorted out of the courtroom. She was ordered excluded from the courtroom and the second floor of the courthouse for the remainder of the trial after a judge said she attempted to tamper with members of the jury. According to the AP, on Tuesday, graffiti from a website Taub runs that promotes conspiracy theories was discovered in a womens bathroom near the courtroom. CNN observed her outside the courtroom on Monday handing out pieces of paper with a website address that also promoted conspiracy theories. A San Francisco County Superior Court communications representative said they cannot comment on pending cases. This story has been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Taylor Romine contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The death of an Indian migrant worker in Italy, who was reportedly abandoned on a road after his arm was severed at work, has sparked outrage and prompted calls for a demonstration on Saturday in the town of Latina, in the countrys central Lazio region. Satnam Singh, a 31-year-old farm worker, was left on the street Monday after losing his right arm while working at a farm near Latina, which is southeast of Rome, CNNs affiliate SkyTG24 reported. His arm was reportedly severed by a plastic wrapping machine on the farm. Singh died days later and has come to symbolize the plight of vulnerable migrant workers in the country, with several trade unions and Latinas Indian community organizing demonstrations in the following days. Italian state broadcaster RAI said Singh was hooked by the plastic wrapping machine, towed by a tractor, which severed his right arm and crushed his lower limbs. Singh was then loaded into a van and abandoned near his home, while his severed arm was left in a vegetable collection box, RAI reported. He died Wednesday at the San Camillo hospital in Rome. An investigation into farm owner Antonello Lovato who allegedly left the injured Singh outside his home after the incident has now been opened over potential charges of manslaughter and failure to assist a person in danger, Reuters reported, citing lead prosecutor Giuseppe De Falco. Singh did not have a regular contract or a residence permit, according to SkyTG24, and had been working at the same company for Italy for two years. CNN has reached out to De Falco and to Lovatos lawyers for comment, as well as to the Indian government. Lovatos father, Renzo Lovato told RAI that Singh had been warned not to approach the vehicle and that there is sadness because a man died at work and it should never happen. The familys lawyer, Valerio Righi, told Reuters that Antonello Lovato spontaneously went to the judicial police an hour after the events, as any decent person would do, adding that his client was waiting for the charges to be formalized to defend himself. Responding to allegations that Singh was abandoned without calls to an ambulance, Righi said, You will see during the proceedings that maybe help was called sooner than people think. The farm workers death has shocked the country. Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences and strongly condemned Singhs death at Thursdays cabinet meeting. These are inhumane acts that do not belong to the Italian people, and I hope that this barbarism will be harshly punished, she said in a statement. Unprecedented brutality Trade unions met with the Italian Labor Minister Marina Elvira Calderone and Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida on Friday to discuss changes needed to prevent such events from happening again. What happened to Satnam Singh is much more than an injury: it is an inhuman act of barbarism in which those who abandoned him demonstrated that they had no regard for the value of human life, Calderone said Thursday in an interview with RAI, calling for exemplary punishments against exploitation at work. Several trade unions have organized a demonstration for Saturday in Latina and called for a two-hour strike to demand dignity and respect for the health and safety of workers and to urge political and social forces to combat worker exploitation and inhuman work conditions. Trade unions have also organized a fundraiser to raise funds for Singhs family, with some condemning Italys gangmastering system, which involves the illegal recruitment and exploitation of agricultural workers. In a press release on Wednesday, trade union leader Maria Grazia Gabrielli called the incident one of unprecedented brutality. She said the incident was a result of the irregularity in which we relegate thousands of migrants who arrive in our country in search of hope. She said migrants found themselves as slaves of contemporary society, irregular, without a residence permit, and therefore more susceptible to blackmail by those who consider work only for profit, and rights - such as that of assistance - only as obstacles. Gabrielli added that exploitation in the fields often results in starvation wages, unsafe and inhuman working rhythms and conditions, psychological and physical violence which unfortunately also lead to terrible events like the one in Latina. The Indian community of Latina will take to the streets on June 25 to take part in a demonstration in memory of Singh, and will deliver an open letter to the prefect of Latina, Maurizio Falco calling for action and denunciation of the incident, according to RAI. According to a report from Italys biggest labor union, CGIL, and labor union FLAI, in 2021 there were approximately 230,000 irregular workers employed in the primary sector, which largely includes non-resident foreigners employed in agriculture. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Debate Prep? Not for Trump, Hes Got to Rally in Philly Joe Biden may be immersed in debate preparation at Camp David, Maryland, but on Saturday at least, Donald Trump will not be following suit. Less than a week out from the first debate of the presidential election, in Atlanta on Thursday, the former president, convicted felon, penalized fraudster and adjudicated rapist will stage a campaign event in Philadelphia. Democrats say they know what Trump is up to. Donald Trump is coming to North Philly, but he cant fool us, reads a mobile billboard set to be displayed around the Trump event at Temple University on Saturday evening. Hes a disaster for Black Americans. Trump thinks he isntand his attempts to eat into Democrats historical advantage with Black voters have already taken him to deeply Democratic areas including New York City and Detroit. At both events, Trump was joined by rappers. In New York, Sleepy Hallow and Sheff Gboth charged last year in a sprawling indictment around alleged gang activitiesappeared in support of Trump, shortly before his own conviction on 34 charges arising from hush-money payments made to influence the 2016 election. In Detroit, Sada Baby, Icewear Vezzo and Peezy appeared in Trumps support. Why Biden Chose the Audiences Right Side for Debate Night New York isnt a swing state but Michigan is. And so is Philadelphia, which Biden won narrowly in 2020, a result that confirmed his election. In a statement to The Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday, Trump campaign spokesperson Janiyah Thomas said: President Trump is making inroads with historically Democrat [sic] voters. Such groups, she said, included, Black Americans and Hispanics, because he is unafraid to bring his message to deep-blue areas as evidenced by this trip to Philadelphia and recent visits to Detroit, Harlem, and the Bronx. In response, in a memo sent to The Daily Beast, Kellan White, a senior Biden-Harris 2024 adviser in Pennsylvania, said: Philadelphians havent forgotten how Trump failed us as presidentpresiding over record-high Black unemployment, soaring health-care costs, and hand-outs to his billionaire friends at the expense of working families. Philly voters, White added, have shut down Trumps racist MAGA charade at every turn. We know hes a threat to our families, to our jobs, and to our freedomsand voters have slammed the door on his extreme agenda in every election since 2018. And theyre ready to do it again. After his trip to Philadelphia, Trump is due to spend two days on focused debate preparation at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, aiming to shape his message that at 81, Biden is too old to govern effectively. From Camp David, Biden aides have said the president will prepare for an aggressive performance, prepared to label Trump, 78, as a convicted felon and a threat to democracy itself. Speaking to The Associated Press, Jim Messina, who managed Barack Obamas winning campaign in 2012, said: You can argue this will be the most important debate, at least in my lifetime. On Saturday night, though, Trumps attention will be elsewhere. 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. Delays expected: Construction begins on I-5 south, heres what to know about detours (FOX40.COM) Caltrans is alerting drivers in Northern California about traffic-interfering construction that is expected to affect commuters heading into Sacramento over the next nine days. The road work is scheduled to close the westbound Arena Boulevard on-ramp to southbound (Los Angeles) Interstate 5 in North Natomas. It began at 9 p.m. Thursday and will end at 9 p.m. on June 29, according to Caltrans. Motorists should expect delays and plan for additional travel time for their commute. Serious delays: Major I-5 construction heading toward Sacramento airport begins Detours Continue westbound to Duckhorn Drive and make a U-turn to use the eastbound Arena Boulevard slip on-ramp to southbound I-5 (Los Angeles). Use the Del Paso Road on-ramps as an alternate route for southbound I-5. Caltrans warned nearby residents of loud, intermittent noises from heavy construction equipment, including vehicle back-up warning alarms. Real-time traffic updates can be found at dot.ca.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 FOX40. (KRON) A verdict has been reached in the state trial of David DePape, the man who bludgeoned Paul Pelosi with a hammer in his San Francisco home in 2022. He was found guilty of false imprisonment, residential burglary, threatening a family member of a public official, attempting to sway a witness and aggravated kidnapping. On Oct. 28, 2022, DePape broke into the Pelosis home and attempted to hold Paul Pelosi hostage. He admitted that his intention was to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her kneecaps if she did not admit to the lies he said she told about Russiagate, a reference to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Oakland Mayor Thaos attorney calls FBI raid bad optics Paul Pelosi was 82 years old at the time of the attack. DePape, 44, was already sentenced to 30 years in prison by a federal judge for the attempted kidnapping of a federal official, and assault on a family member of a federal official. His sentence from the state trial will run concurrently with the 30 years he received from the federal judge. DePapes public defender Adam Lipson Lipson told the jury during closing arguments that before the attack, DePape was living an isolated, lonely life and went down the rabbit hole of propaganda and conspiracy theories. I would like to thank the jury for their service, said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. The jurys verdict delivers justice and ensures that Mr. DePape will face consequences for his heinous crimes against the Pelosi family and our democracy. A spokesman for Nancy Pelosi put out the following statement on behalf of the Pelosi family: Speaker Pelosi and her family remain in awe of their Pops bravery, which shone through again on the witness stand in this trial just as it did when he saved his own life on the night of the attack. For nearly 20 grueling months, Mr. Pelosi has demonstrated extraordinary courage and fortitude every day of his recovery. The Pelosi family is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers they continue to receive. Speaker Pelosi and her family will refrain from further substantive comment until sentencing is complete. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. This video above describes an incident where a bear was shot and killed in a Florida neighborhood. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Friday that makes it legal for people to kill crack bears in self-defense. HB 87 allows people to use lethal force against bears as long as certain criteria are met. DeSantis did not comment on the bill specifically, announcing it in a news release alongside 13 other bills he signed. A person can use lethal force against a bear as long as they believe that they, their pet, or their property are in imminent danger, they didnt lure the bear with food or other attractants including training dogs to hunt bears and the person didnt recklessly place themself into the dangerous situation. If lethal force is used against a bear, the person must notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 24 hours of killing the bear, and only the commission may dispose of it. It is unlawful to possess, sell or get rid of the bear or any of its parts. The bill was dubbed the cocaine bear bill on social media after its sponsor said Floridians have the right to protect themselves against the ones that are on crack. They break your door down and theyre standing in your living room growling and tearing your house apart, Rep. Jason Shoaf (R- Port St. Joe), who sponsored the House version of the bill, said while introducing legislation at a committee meeting. When you run into one of these crack bears, you should be able to shoot it, Shoaf said. Period. The bill passed the Florida Senate 24-12 and the Florida House 83-28. An advocacy group started a Change.org petition urging DeSantis to veto the bill. As of Friday night, that petition had nearly 40,000 signatures. The law goes into effect 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 WFLA. A Ventura County Sheriffs vehicle is seen on Avenida de Las Plantas in Thousands Oaks Friday as the agency continues to investigate a fatal shooting Wednesday night involving two 80-year-old roommates. Authorities provided more details Friday about the fatal shooting involving 80-year-old roommates in Thousand Oaks Wednesday night. They also identified the victim as Gerald Sherman. Sherman was shot after he and his roommate, Edward Fegley, had gotten into a physical fight inside a single-family home in the 2400 block of Avenida de Las Plantas, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office previously said. Deputies responded shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday. Sherman was pronounced dead at the scene and Fegley was later arrested on suspicion of murder. On Friday, sheriff's officials said investigators had learned the roommates were lifelong friends. Detectives have confiscated a .22-caliber rifle from the home they believe was used in the shooting, authorities said in Friday's news release. The sheriff's office is contracted to provide police services in Thousand Oaks. While detectives know there was an altercation between the two men before the shooting, the exact circumstances leading up to the gunfire remain unclear, officials said. Investigators have been interviewing friends, family and associates of the men and analyzing physical and digital evidence to piece together what took place at the home. Sherman's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office reported Friday. The manner of death was homicide, the agency said. Records with the Ventura County Assessor's Office showed the home, built around 1960, was owned by a trust in the victim's name. The shooting marks the city's first homicide this year. Fegley remained in custody at the county's Todd Road Jail facility outside Santa Paula Friday night in lieu of $790,000 bail. He had not yet been formally charged by prosecutors. Joey Buttitta, spokesperson for the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, said prosecutors have received parts of the sheriff's report, but more information will be coming in. The DA's office expects to make a decision on what charges may be filed by Monday, Buttitta said. An arraignment has been scheduled for Monday afternoon in room 13 of Ventura County Superior Court. Anyone with information on the homicide is asked to call Detective Michael Marco 805-384-4739. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Details emerge in Thousand Oaks fatal shooting of 80-year-old Did cop pressure city to fire Fresno police chief after wifes alleged affair? What we know 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. After learning that his wife allegedly had an affair with the Fresno police chief, officer Jordan Wamhoff sent a text message to multiple city officials that outlined his demands in exchange for agreeing not to file a lawsuit, including the firing of Chief Paco Balderrama and a new flexible work schedule for himself. Two high ranking city officials confirmed that they have seen the text message and that it contains specific demands from Wamhoff. The Fresno Bee has seen the text and in it Wamhoff calls for Balderrama to be fired within 30 days and for the officer to be provided a new schedule with more flexibility. In return, Wamhoff said that he would drop any claims against the city except for a workers compensation claim. He also wrote he would sign a non-disclosure agreement, if the city would as well. Wamhoff, who is also the District 1 representative on the Madera County Board of Supervisors, has been an officer for more than a decade and won election to a Madera supervisor seat in 2022. He also formerly served as vice president of the Fresno Police Officers Association, the union that represents police officers. Wamhoff, 38, did not return requests for comment on Friday. The Fresno Mayors Office also has previously declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation, and did not return a request on Friday. Two unconnected high-ranking city officials in Fresno confirmed Wamhoff is the officer whose wife allegedly had an affair with Balderrama. The chief has been under investigation for about five months by the city because of the potentially improper relationship. The citys investigation has focused on whether Balderrama skipped over Wamhoff for a promotion, an alleged abuse of authority, so that the chief could keep Wamhoff in a set schedule and more easily continue the affair with the officers wife, one of the high-ranking city officials told The Bee. The report with conclusions from the investigation was turned over to the City Managers Office on Wednesday, but it is not finalized and could linger pending follow-up questions, a city official told The Bee. The city of Fresno started its investigation in February, according to a city news release. Officials have described the investigation as a look into a potentially inappropriate relationship carried on by Balderrama and someone from outside of city government. The city has never named Wamhoff or his wife. The chief was placed on paid administrative leave June 12, City Manager Georgeanne White previously confirmed. Reached by cellphone on June 13, Balderrama said he could not comment about the investigation or anyone involved. Im focusing on my faith and my family, and I am trusting that God is in control of the rest, he said in a text message to The Bee. The city has not released further details about the investigation or what policies might have been violated. Jordan Wamhoff, 2022 candidate for Madera Board of Supervisors, District 1 The Bee confirmed through another high-ranking city official and a secondary source with knowledge of the probe that the investigation centered on Balderramas affair with the wife of an officer under his command as chief of police. Two high-ranking Fresno officials, who spoke to The Bee on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the investigation, confirmed last week that Wamhoff was the officer in question. Wamhoffs name was first made public in a report from KVPR Valley Public Radio late Thursday. The Fresno Police Officers Association union blasted the KVPR report, challenging its journalistic ethics in a news release from President Brandon Wiemiller on Friday. The officers status as a public figure / elected official has absolutely no bearing on or relevance in this situation, the release said. And again, he is the victim, not the accused. Is it legal to make demands? The Bee paraphrased the demands in Wamhoffs text message to longtime Fresno attorney David R. Mugridge, who said it appeared Wamhoff had not done anything improper in his ultimatum to the city because threatening to sue is not illegal. He certainly has the right to sue the city of Fresno, and to sue Paco Balderrama, Mugridge said. Its not as if hes demanded that they pay him any money. Sending demands in a text message to city leaders was a bad idea, however, because Wamhoff exposed it, he said. The text message may also serve as a presumption of a waiver of confidentiality, the lawyer said. As an elected official, Wamhoff retains his right to file a lawsuit as long as hes not taking advantage of his role in office, Mugridge said. But, the Madera supervisor has also given up the expectation of anonymity afforded to a regular citizen, he said. Madera County Supervisor Wamhoff graduated from Reedley High School before moving to Madera Ranchos about 15 years ago, he told the Madera News in January 2023. He replaced the previous Madera County District 1 supervisor, Brett Frazier, who did not seek re-election after winning the seat as Madera County assessor in 2022. Balderrama told reporters at City Hall on June 12 he was not allowed to comment on the investigation. Balderrama took over as Fresno police chief in 2021 when he moved from Oklahoma City, where he was a prominent figure while serving as a public information officer and deputy chief. Balderrama also made history as the first Fresno chief of Hispanic descent. The news that Fresnos chief of police was potentially involved in an alleged inappropriate off-duty relationship was met with anger from at least a portion of the rank-and-file officers. The FPOA executive board met June 12, when the allegation was at least one topic of discussion, according an email from the union obtained by The Bee. Deputy Chief Mindy Casto has been given operational control while Balderrama is on paid leave. Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama holds up a ghost gun confiscated as part of the recent multi-agency Operation Safe Neighborhoods during a media press conference at the Fresno Police Department on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Jordan Wamhoff, a Fresno police officer, won the Madera County supervisor for District 1 seat in 2022. Did you just get fined for skipping SC jury duty or is it a scam? Heres how to tell Got a suspicious jury duty summons lately? The United States District Court of South Carolina is warning residents of jury duty fraud and phishing scams. Recently we have received reports of individuals receiving documents through the mail demanding payment for failure to appear for jury service, a warning on the District Court website says. Any document received through the mail requesting that cash, MoneyPak, Green Dot card or similar be provided to secure a bond for failure to appear for jury service is fraudulent. Posing as law enforcement, scammers reach out by phone, email and mail with threats of fines or jail time for failing to comply with jury service, according to the District Court. The target is then coerced into sharing confidential information that the scammer uses for identity theft and fraud. These calls are not originating from actual court officials. Federal courts do not request sensitive information in a telephone call, the website says. The initial contact between a federal court and a prospective juror will be through the U.S. Mail, and any phone contact by court officials will not include requests for social security numbers, credit card numbers, or any other sensitive information. The District Court website notes that courts never assess fines or penalties for failure to complete jury duty until the person has appeared before a judge. In other cases, scammers pose as court officials and ask for private information like social security numbers or credit card information on fake jury summons. Contact from a federal court is delivered by mail and does not include requests for sensitive information. Our requests to complete a summons questionnaire or qualification questionnaire are initiated by formal written correspondence that provide instructions for the juror and are authenticated over a secure connection, the website says. The scams can cost targets thousands of dollars. In Spartanburg County, scammers have stolen an estimated $1.4 million from residents in 2024 alone. After the money is sent in these scams, it is highly unlikely that the money could ever be recovered, the sheriffs office told WSPCA. If youre targeted by a scammer, the District Court says to get in contact with the Clerk of Courts office of U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina at 803-253-3382 and report the scam to the FBI. Additionally, if youve been targeted by mail, you can save the envelope and its contents to file a mail fraud complaint with the United States Postal Inspection Service. MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A distillery already known for years around Gaston County is set to open its new location Saturday. Muddy River Distillery is set to open at 11 a.m. June 22 near downtown Mount Holly after moving from Belmont. The new 5-acre location is in a historic cotton mill along Dutchmans Creek. Business is booming for downtown Mount Holly Owners Robbie and Caroline Delaney purchased the property, 250 N. Main St., in 2022. The mill was built in 1875 by A.P & D.E. Rhyne and Ambrose Costner and is the oldest mill still standing in the county. After being used for various ventures until the Delaneys purchase, it will experience a new life as a distillery, cocktail bar and event space. Muddy River was founded in 2011 and became North Carolinas first-ever legal rum producer. Its first home was along the Catawba River in Belmont. The companys products can be found at North Carolina ABC stores, many South Carolina packaging stores, as far away as Canada, and soon at their Mill Distillery in Mount Holly. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI) stands against the other Robinhood stocks. The market reacted favorably after the Federal Reserves June 11-12 meeting. The broader market marked record closes. At the June 12 press conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized the Fed's focus on its dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and stable prices. While the labor market remains strong with continued job gains and low unemployment, inflation has decreased significantly from its peak but remains above the 2% target, currently at 2.7% and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) believes it's still high. Key Developments The Fed Chairman reported that GDP growth slowed from 3.4% in Q4 of 2023 to 1.3% in Q1 of 2024. However, underlying demand indicated by private domestic final purchases grew at 2.8%. Consumer spending has moderated but remains solid, and investment in equipment and intangibles has improved. Moreover, the labor market is balanced, with job gains averaging 218,000 per month in April and May, and the unemployment rate was at 4%. Inflation, as measured by PCE prices, rose 2.7% over the past year, while core PCE rose 2.8% and the CPI rose 3.3% in May, with the core CPI at 3.4%. Finally, the FOMC decided to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5% and to continue reducing securities holdings to manage inflation. Powell emphasized a cautious approach to policy adjustments. The Chairman said that while some progress has been made toward the inflation target, more data is needed to ensure inflation is sustainably moving toward 2%. The Fed will continue to assess economic data and adjust policies as needed to support their dual mandate. He reiterated the commitment to restoring price stability to ensure long-term economic health. The Fed chair noted that the median projection for the federal funds rate by FOMC participants is 5.1% by the end of 2024 if the economy evolves as expected. Nevertheless, Jerome Powell highlighted that the projections are not a guarantee and will depend upon the data in the coming months. The CMEs FedWatch tool reveals that 35.8% of the market expects the interest rates to remain the same in September, 59.2% expect a 25 basis points (bps) reduction, and 5% believe in a 50 bps rate cut. These numbers have risen significantly in favor of rate cuts since we reported them on May 31 in our article about the best up-and-coming stocks. Story continues After a long wait, the Fed has finally hinted at potential rate cuts in September, which brings tons of opportunities in the market. Let's take a look at some now. Our Methodology For this article, we used the app to identify over 100 stocks with a $2 billion market cap that were trading under $20, as of June 12. We narrowed down our list to the stocks with positive hedge fund sentiment, analyst ratings, and optimistic prospects and chose the 10 stocks with the highest number of institutional investors. Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Aerial view of an oil and gas pipeline, spanning vast landscapes. Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43 Share Price as of June 12: $19.88 Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI) is a Texas-based energy infrastructure company that runs through various segments, including Natural Gas Pipelines, Products Pipelines, Terminals, and CO2. The company has an ownership interest or runs 79,000 miles of pipelines, 139 terminals, and 702 billion cubic feet of working natural gas storage capacity. Moreover, the companys renewable natural gas generation capacity is nearly 6.1 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year with an additional 0.8 Bcf in development. Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI) is one of the best Robinhood stocks under $20 as it provides healthy shareholder returns and has shown notable growth in recent years. As we discussed in our article about the best natural gas and oil dividend stocks, the company has a strong cash flow position, which makes its dividend payments secure. In April 2024, the company marked 7 consecutive years of dividend growth. It has a dividend yield of 5.82%, as of June 12. With its investment-grade balance sheet, Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI) plans to keep its dividend yield at 6% and focus on share repurchases. Since 2016, the companys adjusted EPS has grown at a CAGR of 8%, leverage decreased by 26%, and it paid out over $20 billion in dividends and share repurchases as of Q1 2024. Similar to utilities stocks, AI data centers also bring good news for energy infrastructure company, Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI). The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing need for reliable and affordable energy. The company's strategic focus on natural gas, along with the challenges of integrating renewables into the grid, emphasizes the importance of its assets in meeting future energy demands. At a stake value of $1.146 billion, 43 hedge funds held positions in the stock in the first quarter. As of Q1, FPR Partners is the largest shareholder in the company and has a position worth $152.167 million. Overall KMI ranks 5th on our list of the best Robinhood stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Robinhood Stocks Under $20 to see the other Robinhood stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of KMI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than KMI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Read Next: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) A DNA match may help authorities solve a 1980 Austin cold case, according to details in a Travis County search warrant affidavit filed earlier this week. Authorities filed the search warrant to obtain DNA swabs from a man who may be connected with the death of Susan Leigh Wolfe. The man is currently in a Massachusetts prison, the search warrant states On Jan. 9, 1980, around 10 p.m., the Austin Police Department received a call from a man who said he witnessed a kidnapping in the 200 block of Franklin Avenue in east Austin. He told police he saw a white woman walking eastbound on Franklin Ave. and described her as being in her mid-20s, 5 feet 8 inches, with a medium build, broad shoulders and long dark hair. He said she was carrying a blue backpack, a blanket and a white plastic bag, according to the affidavit. The man said he saw the woman walking eastbound on Franklin Avenue until she was near the area of Link Avenue. Then, at that time, a two-door white over-maroon car with passenger-side crash-type damage drove by the mans residence and then headed towards the woman, court records said. The driver then got out of the vehicle, grabbed the woman in a bear hug, put a coat over her head and forced her into the car. The man said he also saw the passenger door open but did not see what happened during the kidnapping. After witnessing the kidnapping, the man told police he went inside his home, grabbed his car keys and then tried to find the suspects vehicle. When he drove by the scene where the kidnapping happened, he saw the white bag the woman was carrying on the ground. After he couldnt find the suspects vehicle, he grabbed the bag, took it home and then called police, according to the affidavit. The man confidently described the suspect vehicle as a 1970 Dodge Polara, as he told police he worked in the automotive industry, court records said. The next day On Jan. 10, 1980, around 8:39 a.m., APD received a report of a body found in an alley in the 2000 block of 17th Street. The body was identified as Wolfe. Police said she lived in the 200 block of Franklin Avenue, which was the same block where the kidnapping was reported 10 hours earlier, according to the affidavit. A DNA match in a 1980 cold case that happened in Austin is possibly connected to a man who is currently in a Massachusetts prison, according to a Travis County search warrant affidavit filed earlier this week. (KXAN archive photo) An autopsy performed by the Travis County Medical Examiner determined the death was a homicide. More specifically, the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Court records said DNA found on the victim during the autopsy may have belonged to the suspect. The DNA match On April 27, 2023, the test results of the DNA came in via the Texas Department of Public Safety Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), according to the affidavit. That is when the possible match was connected with the man in the Massachusetts prison. The man was arrested on Feb. 15, 1980, in another Texas county, and that is how officials were able to track down his records containing his fingerprints. Those records documented he was stopped in a 1969 Dodge Polara, court records said. Other homicide cold cases The Austin Police Department has 13 unsolved homicide cold cases and also has a breakdown of Wanted for Murder cases that are categorized by decades, according to the City of Austin website. Anyone who may have any information on those cases can call the APD Homicide tip line at 512-477-3588, Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or via email, the website 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. Speaking to the conservative Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, Donald Trump shared Saturday that he had suggested to UFC head Dana White that they should start a migrant league of fighters. I said, Dana, I have an idea, the former president began. Why dont you set up a migrant league of fighters, and have your regular league of fighters, and then you have the champion of your league these are the greatest fighters in the world fight the champion of the migrants? I think the migrant guy might win! Thats how tough they are. Watch video of the moment here: Trump says he told Dana White that he should set up a migrant fighting league: Its not the worst idea Ive ever had pic.twitter.com/BCh5CzGl0o Acyn (@Acyn) June 22, 2024 Despite Trump and White being longtime friends (as White discussed in a recent interview with TheWrap, in which he talked about how they bro out together), the UFC leader wasnt into Trumps suggestion, according to the Republican candidate. He didnt like that idea too much, but actually, its not the worst idea I ever had, Trump concluded the anecdote, to cheers and appreciative laughter from the crowd. Trump used the story to underscore his continued criticism of the lack of enforcement at the border of immigration laws, as well as the numerous immigrants who are undocumented currently living in the United States. Elsewhere in the speech, he talked about immigrants coming to this country from prisons and mental institutions, as he has before. He transitioned right from talking about undocumented immigrants to making one of his much-talked-about references to Silence of the Lambs and the serial killer cannibal character Hannibal Lecter. Trump also dropped the S from the films name, referring to it twice as Silence of the Lamb. Whenever I say Silence of the Lamb, the fake news back there, they say, oh, hes talking about Silence of the Lamb. And I say, The late, great Hannibal Lecter, Oh, he likes Hannibal Lecter! No, theyre crazy, Trump said. Trump: Whenever I say Silence of the Lamb, they say oh, hes talking about Silence of the Lamb. I say the late great Hannibal Lecter, they say oh he likes Hannibal Lecter pic.twitter.com/eNwspYbHPZ Acyn (@Acyn) June 22, 2024 The candidates point seemed to be that he has been joking around when talking about Lecter in previous speeches and that the media has made too much of those comments. He followed that up by joking about making fun of Bidens alleged mental confusion, noting that hed intentionally wandered into a wall during speeches to mock Biden, but stopped doing it because of people taking that out of context. However, Trump then defended the New York Post and other medias claim that Biden had to be led off the stage by former President Barack Obama at a recent L.A. fundraiser. Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the event, as well as the White House and TheWraps reporter who was at the event, have disputed the conservative characterization of the moment. New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat, is among those who drew attention to Trumps suggestion of a migrant fighting league. The congressman subtly noted, Speaking at a Christian conference today convicted criminal donald trump mused about creating a professional fighting league for migrants. Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko wrote on social media of Trumps comments, This is some really sick st and in and of itself should be disqualifying. You can read social media video journalist Aaron Rupars coverage of Trumps Faith and Freedom Coalition speech in this thread on X and watch the full speech here: The post Donald Trump Told UFCs Dana White He Should Start a Migrant Fighting League | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Donors have raised more than $50,000 in two days for the family of an infant allegedly killed by his babysitter in Pittsburgh this week. According to a GoFundMe fundraising page, six-week-old Leon Katz was tragically killed under horrific circumstances on June 16 while in the care of a family friend. The friend, who has been pursuing a PhD in California, has been arrested for homicide, child endangerment, and aggravated assault. She is also accused of injuring Leons twin brother, Ari. In addition to coping with the unbearable loss of their beloved son Leon, Savannah and Ethan are facing significant financial burdens. Funds raised will cover funeral expenses, medical bills resulting from injuries sustained by both Leon and Ari, essential baby supplies, and relocation costs as they navigate this difficult time, the GoFundMe said. According to Pittsburgh publication WTAE, police are accusing the 29-year-old Nicole Virzi of giving Leon a skull fracture. A CT scan showed the fracture to the left side of the head, as well as several brain bleeds, the outlet continued. A criminal complaint alleged that the the injuries sustained by both [twins are] consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental. Virzi has denied wrongdoing, and has said Leon fell out of his seat while she walked away to retrieve a bottle for him. Her attorney, David Shrager, emphasized that she has no criminal history whatsoever. She is a loving person and a friend to these people and would never harm anyones child, let alone theirs, he added. Were anxious to get our day in court. Currently, Shrager told WTAE, shes charged with a general count of homicide, which, for the most part, bond is not available. Of course, were going to be doing our due diligence on that end and see if we can make some changes there. 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. Dripping grease and grime buildup. The worst restaurant inspections in North Myrtle Beach During recent restaurant reports, inspectors for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control found grease dripping, grime build-up, damaged ceilings, and other violations. SCDHEC routinely inspects restaurants for violations; its reports are up-to-date as of June 20, 2024. These two North Myrtle Beach restaurants received the worst scores. Longhorn Steakhouse #5459 Location: 4723 Highway South 17 in North Myrtle Beach Grade: 82 percent SCDHEC inspected Longhorn Steakhouse #5459 on June 10, 2024, and found several violations. The broiler had excessive build-up, and grease was dripping on the inside racks. Lamb, raw steak, salmon, and other foods werent held at proper holding temperatures, and certain drawers were in poor repair. SCDHEC also reported that the dish machine was covered in grime and that the equipment had grease accumulation. SCDHEC also found a missing ceiling tile over the ice machine and mildew on the walls behind the dish machine. SCDHEC returned to the Longhorn June 10, 2024, and the eatery received a 100 percent. Captain Jacks Seafood Buffet Location: 1400 Highway 17 South in North Myrtle Beach Grade: 87 percent SCDHEC inspected Captain Jacks June 10, 2024, and found violations. Raw shrimp, fish, and other foods were not held at proper temperatures. SCDHEC also observed no thermometers in the refrigerator, cookline, or walk-in coolers. SCDDHEC also found damaged ceiling tiles due to water damage. SCDHEC returned to Captain Jacks June 14, 2024, and gave the restaurant a 100 percent upon a second inspection. A driver crashed into several unoccupied and parked vehicles in Ontario early Saturday morning, leaving two people dead, according to authorities. Officers responded to reports of a crash in the area of 6th Street and Grove Avenue around 2:20 a.m. Saturday, and upon arriving at the scene, they found that a driver crashed their vehicle into several parked cars. Images at the scene from stringer service Key News Network showed a pileup of several vehicles. 2 dead, 1 hurt after car flies off exit ramp and into LAX parking lot Ontario Police Corporal Eliseo Guerrero confirmed to KTLA that two of the occupants of that vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. No identifying information has been released. An additional two occupants were transported to a local hospital. As of Saturday afternoon, the status of their conditions were not made available. All four of the occupants were adults, Guerrero said. He couldnt confirm whether alcohol or speed were factors in the collision. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Durham police are investigating a death after a body was found on the Durham Freeway that shut part of the roadway down for several hours early Saturday morning. Police said an unidentified Hispanic male was found dead on the northbound lanes of NC 147 around 2:20 a.m. Before then, he was last seen walking on Swift Avenue. The cause of death has not been determined. The investigation shut down NC 147 North at Swift Avenue for several hours. There was also a police presence Saturday morning at the intersection of West Main Street, Swift Avenue and Broad Street, according to ABC11, the newsgathering partner for The News & Observer.. This is near Duke East Campus. Durham police confirmed the two scenes are connected. Anyone with any information is asked to call Investigator A. Bongarten at (919) 560-4440 ext. 29529. You can also call CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200 or go to their website, www.durhamcrimestoppers.org. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves (NEXSTAR) Whether or not you know the name of this haircut, youve definitely seen it before. Its something like a bowl-cut-meets-a-Caesar-cut and its hugely popular among young Latinos, especially in Texas. You guessed it, its the Edgar cut. But as beloved as the hairstyle is, it isnt without controversy. Recently, a San Antonio business owner sparked outrage after an anti-Edgar meme was posted to the official Facebook and Instagram pages for his restaurant. The photo featured a big X drawn over a boy with the hairstyle and read, NO EDGARS. The restaurant also captioned the photo: Should we ban chili bowl/Edgars? This Texas city is among the worst U.S. cities for summer trips, per Forbes While some viewed the meme as a harmless joke including owner Ricky Ortiz, who identifies as Mexican-American many others took offense, considering the hairstyle is culturally linked with Latinos. Angel Gonzalez, 16, getting his Edgar cut touched up by Harlingen barber Eybard Hernandez (Rolando Avila/NEXSTAR) Imagine discriminating [against] your own customers, wrote one Instagram user. LOL you live in an Edgar city. This is the new form of racism. Another user replied to a comment calling El Caminos post racist, by explaining, Its like saying no dreads, no corn rows. What will be the song of the summer? Here are some predictions Despite the negative reaction, El Camino and its owner Ortiz have not backed down from the posts, including several follow-ups. Obviously the meme was a joke, Ortiz told Nexstar this week. But also, its clearly a half joke, too. When you look at whats shown on the news daily car theft and violent crime, etc. its a bunch of kids with the Edgar haircut. El Caminos original post drew the attention of a local news outlet the San Antonio Current, who spoke to Ortiz a few weeks ago. Ortiz told the Current reporter Michael Karlis that he himself wore what was the Edgar of the time (a shaved head) when he was young and doing hood rat s. He says his words are drawn from his experience as a kid and based on what he sees from those in similar communities now. Ortiz echoed these thoughts in his interview with Nexstar earlier this week. The business owner says the way the situation has been portrayed in the media is not wholly reflective of the reality. [One news outlet] brought in a Latinx professor to say that Im doing the work of white supremacy for free, Ortiz told Nexstar. Another person said [I was discriminating against] the working mans haircut I think thats a reach. I can speak to this. I have my past [of being from the same communities as kids with the Edgar]. I can relate. Its funny hearing opinions from people who arent even of the community saying I shouldnt say this. IKEA opens new store in Austin with a twist Edgar 101 Last year, Brownsville barber Eybard Hernandez talked to Nexstars ValleyCentral to discuss the popularity of the Edgar cut. Hernandez said the haircut accounts for about 75% of his barbering, saying all the kids wear the style, from ages 8 to 17. Angel Gonzalez, 16, getting his Edgar cut touched up by Harlingen barber Eybard Hernandez (Rolando Avila/NEXSTAR) He told ValleyCentral he believes the haircuts popularity took off in the Valley, at least after the 2020 release of the song Puro [Expletive] 956 Cuh by Latin-urban artist Dagobeat. Since then, the haircut has even been lovingly referred to as a Cuh and young Latinos with the style Cuhs. But the rise of the haircut goes back even further than 2020, though the hairstyle did become highly fashionable due to the rise of TikTok in recent years. What is a heat dome, and are you in one? As reported by Latin media outlet Remezcla, the Edgar is an element of trokiando culture, which is similar to Chicano lowrider culture but centered around trucks and a modern ranchera vibe. Other signifiers of this subculture include square-toed boots and Jordans, fitted caps and boot-cut jeans embossed with decorative patterns on the back pockets. There is also some disagreement among scholars over whether the hairstyle has indigenous roots. Per the Texas State Historical Association, the haircut bears some resemblance to a style worn by men of the Jumano tribe, who populated the Valley area between 1500 and 1700. But while the hairstyle may have indigenous origins, its prevalence is relatively recent and its reputation, even among Latinos, can be controversial. California State University associate professor of Chicana and Chicano studies Alexandro Gradilla previously told NBC News that the Edgar, while being tied to culture and a kind of blue-collar culture of [Latino] immigrants in the U.S., it can also have negative connotations for those who wear it. MAGA cookie from Texas bakery goes viral Gradilla explained the haircut can cause other people to engage in sorts of classism, assuming that those with the haircut are lower class or poor. You dont see what you would call white-passing Latinos with an Edgar haircut, Gradilla told NBC News. It is always very dark-skinned Latinos who have the Edgar haircut. All-in-all, while some Latinos find pride and respect in the cut, others think it conjures too many assumptions and even ridicule for the people who wear it. Even among predominately Latino populations, the Edgar can prove a hot topic. Back in 2021, some residents of El Paso (which has 82.8% Hispanic population, as of 2020s U.S. Census) even attempted to ban the Edgar cut from a local high school, saying the haircut had detrimental effects on education and saying it antagonizes the general student population. While the measure did not pass, tension over the Edgar goes on in Texas and beyond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dear Katie, Last October, my husband and I went on a two week cruise from Seville to Tenerife. Halfway through the cruise, my husband became very sick and the ships doctor diagnosed jaundice and other complications. When we reached Funchal, Madeira, we had to disembark the ship and my husband was hospitalised and had a stent installed. We notified our travel insurer, Co-op Insurance, with which we had platinum level cover, and after 10 days in hospital his surgeons said he was able to return to London. Although we requested that Co-op Insurance pay the hospital bill and to book our flight home, it gave us no indication of when this would happen, so we went ahead and booked the flight ourselves. Now, over seven months later, we have not received any compensation or assistance from Co-op Insurance whatsoever. In spite of numerous phone calls and emails to Co-op Insurance, we have just been shunted from one department to the other. Whenever we have chased, twice we have had to resubmit our claim forms with all the receipts attached (which each was a lengthy, time-consuming process involving many pages of information), as Co-op Insurance had seemingly lost them. Since our return, my husband has been treated by the NHS for obstructive jaundice complicated by pancreatic cancer. We feel that Co-op has treated us, for many years loyal elderly customers, with disrespect in our time of greatest need and vulnerability. We have wracked up a bill of over 10,000, which we would like paid. Regards, BH Dear reader, I was really sorry to hear about all your husbands health troubles, and how they had severely impacted this cruise which you had been so looking forward to. You had travel insurance in place, and therefore a reasonable expectation that should something happen while away, you would receive assistance and financial recompense. However, to your horror, neither materialised. By the end of your ordeal, you were 10,000 down, and you feel all Co-op Insurance has done is continually delayed your compensation. After such appalling treatment, I was only too happy to step in and ask Co-op Insurance why on earth it had let you down so badly. It explained that as per the requirements of its travel insurance policies, if a policyholder is taken ill whilst on holiday, contact should first be made with Zurich Assist, which is one of its travel partners. It said it appeared that your cruise company failed to do this, despite having a copy of your travel insurance documents. However, it explained that under these circumstances, whereby Zurich Assist havent initially been contacted, the customer may pay for medical costs for an interim period whilst the claim is being assessed and medical documentation, records, receipts etc are being provided. This was the case in this instance. However, following Zurich Assist having been contacted by you, and being made aware of your husbands condition, communication broke down between Zurich Assist and the claims reimbursement agency which was assigned to process the claim. Happily following my involvement, your claim has now been settled in full including interest, and additional compensation for the inconvenience caused. A full investigation is also being conducted by the underwriter to make sure that processes and procedures are as robust as they can be. I wish you and your husband all the very best. A Co-op Insurance spokesman said: We are extremely sorry for the delays in processing Mr Hs claim, and for any distress this has caused. Working alongside our underwriting partner, Zurich, we strive to maintain a high standard of service for our customers, however we acknowledge that in this instance those standards were not met. Due to a miscommunication during the claims handling process, this resulted in the delays experienced by Mr H, which we sincerely apologise for. I can confirm we have now spoken to Mr H to offer our deepest apologies and resolve this issue, including making a full settlement, as well as additional compensation for the inconvenience caused. 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. Two military veterans are competing to represent Cape Coral one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States in the Florida House of Representatives. Incumbent Mike Giallombardo (a Republican) and newcomer Denise McCleary (a Democrat) both recently qualified to run for the House District 79 seat. They're unopposed in their respective political parties and will go head-to-head in Florida's Nov. 5 general election. Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village will be located on the Seven Island site in northwest Cape Coral and feature condos, apartments, hotel, marina, commercial and retail, and more. It's another sign of the city's rapid growth. Cape Coral is Florida's second-biggest city in land mass, after Jacksonville, stretching across 120 square miles. Cape Coral has a population of more than 200,000 and is expected to hit more than 318,000 by 2050. District 79 also includes Matlacha and other parts of Lee County. Mail and early voting for Lee County 2024 primary election: Here's what you need to know The House seat pays $18,000 per year, plus a per diem established by Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. Here more about both candidates: MIKE GIALLOMBARDO (REPUBLICAN) Incumbent Mike Giallombardo of Cape Coral is competing for the District 79 seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Age 41 City of residence Cape Coral Why he's running again for District 79 "It has been an honor to represent residents of Cape Coral in Tallahassee," Giallombardo says. "Having grown up in Cape Coral, it will always be home to me. "I look forward to continuing my service to District 79, passing meaningful legislation and bringing vital resources to the residents of Cape Coral." His top three issues Giallombardo says it's hard to pick his top three priorities, since the next regular legislative session doesn't start until March 2025. "We must remain flexible to address any emerging issues." However, he says his top issues are always going to include: Protecting small businesses from "burdensome regulations and excessive fees," Enhancing cyber-security for Florida's digital infrastructure, And protecting individual liberties. Giallombardo says he also wants to streamline Florida's permitting process, address "hurdles imposed by local governments" that hold back affordable housing and continue working on the state's insurance crisis. "After implementing tort reform last year, we're seeing positive changes in the insurance market," he says. "As we approach the next session, I will also be focused on identifying additional measures to attract more carriers to Florida to increase competition and lower costs to homeowners." His work and political background Giallombardo was elected in November 2020 to District 77, which at the time included Cape Coral. He's a chief warrant officer for the Florida National Guard. He's also a combat veteran who served in the Army and was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was part of the 4th Infantry Division and supported special operation missions, according to his website's official bio. Learn more about Mike Giallombardo For more information on Mike Giallombardo and his campaign, visit mikegforflorida.com. DENISE MCCLEARY (DEMOCRAT) Cape Coral resident Denise McCleary is competing for the District 79 seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Age 65 City of residence Cape Coral Why she's running for District 79 "I decided to get into politics because I just didn't like the way things were here in Florida..." McCleary says. "In the last four to five years, I've just seen so many laws and rules that have been put into place. I just got upset and said I need to help do something about this. "And I needed to get Democrats back into the House, because I could see there was such a majority with the Republicans in the House and the Senate." McCleary also wants to see more cooperation in the House. "Lets work together," she says. "We should not be so divided. Republicans and Democrats it's all about the mission and the people. It's not about being a Democrat or a Republican." Her top three issues McCleary says her top three issues are: Passing Amendment 4, which would protect women's right to abortion in Florida, Lowering insurance rates for "the people that need it," And helping protect Florida's water and wildlife. Her work and political background McCleary is a retired military officer and auditor who spent 34 years with the New Jersey and Iowa National Guard and the Army Reserves. She says she was deployed twice: During Operation Desert Storm and then later in Kuwait. "I worked for the New Jersey Army and Air Guard as the chief of the audit department," she says. "So I know a lot about ethics and values, and I want to be able to help bring that back." Learn more about Denise McCleary For more information on McCleary and her campaign, visit denise4florida.com. Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1). This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida election: House District 79 candidates (Cape Coral, Matlacha) In this article, we will reveal the most charming small town in America. If you wish to look at our detailed rankings, you can go to the 30 Most Charming Small Towns in America. Small towns in America play an important role in contributing to tourism and economic well-being. They attract visitors with their charm, history, and local culture, bringing in significant economic benefits. Preserving small towns in America is essential as these towns reflect the core values on which the country was built. Agriculture has traditionally been a major revenue source for towns in rural America. The sector provides jobs not only on farms but also in related industries such as food processing, transportation, services, and retail. The income from these jobs supports the local economy by circulating within the community. However, small towns across the country face many challenges, including limited job opportunities and rising poverty. According to a report from USDA, small towns recorded a decline of over 1.4 million jobs between 2007 and 2010. The 2009 recession played a major role in this downturn. Although employment gradually increased from 2010 to 2019, it never returned to pre-2007 levels. Unemployment in small towns is often due to a lack of available work, even for those actively seeking jobs. Rural communities are experiencing a shift in their workforce dynamics now. According to American Progress, the service industry now employs the largest segment of the small-town workforce. This marks a change from the past when agriculture, manufacturing, and mining were the primary employment sectors in these areas. Data from the US Census revealed that in 2016, 10.9% of rural Americans worked in retail trade, while 7.3% were employed in the entertainment, arts, accommodation, and food services sectors. These roles are all categorized under the service industry. These figures together account for 18.2% of the workforce, almost one-fifth. Amazon's Role in Small-Town Economies Small towns frequently struggle with residents leaving for larger cities in search of work. Creating even a few jobs in these areas can make a significant difference. Companies such as Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) have played an important role in supporting small towns and expanding their economies. Many of Amazon.com Incs (NASDAQ:AMZN) fulfillment centers are situated in small towns across the US, with a population of fewer than 50,000. These centers have a positive influence on these communities by generating employment opportunities and supporting local businesses. In the last five years, Amazon.com Incs (NASDAQ:AMZN) fulfillment centers have averaged employment for over 750,000 individuals, with 40% of these positions in small towns. Story continues The jobs created in these communities open up new opportunities for residents. On average, 47% of individuals hired for logistics positions by Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) did not have jobs earlier. These roles offer an average hourly wage nearly three times the federal minimum wage. Research conducted by economists at Amazon and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, indicated that for every 10 positions Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) directly creates, nine additional jobs are generated indirectly at other places in the county where the facility is situated. Furthermore, the establishment of an Amazon facility is estimated to result in an annual increase of $1,225 in median household incomes and an average decrease in poverty rates by up to 3.3% in the county. The Most Charming Small Town in America Pixabay/Public domain Our Methodology To shortlist the 30 most charming small towns in America, we used a consensus methodology. We referred to multiple credible sources such as Far & Wide, Travel and Leisure, NC Travel Guides, HGTV Quora, and Reddit threads. Our approach focused on gathering insights into each town's scenic beauty, historical significance, and other attractions. Following the shortlisting of the cities, we assigned a score to each city based on the number of times it appeared across our sources. In the case of cities having the same score, tiebreaking was done on the basis of which city was outranking the other in our sources. The most charming small towns in the US have been ranked in ascending order of their scores. At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). The Most Charming Small Towns in America Taos, New Mexico Score: 4 Taos is a small town in northern New Mexico that is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage. The town is surrounded by the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The towns notable landmarks include Taos Pueblo. This multistory adobe complex has been inhabited by Native Americans for centuries. As of 2022, Taos was home to around 6,460 people, with a median age of 49.3. The town has a median household income of $40,185. Over the year from 2021 to 2022, Taos' population saw a slight decrease from 6,524 to 6,458, reflecting a decline of over 1%. During this period, the median household income in Taos increased from $37,083 to $40,185, marking an 8.37% rise. Discover which town secured the second spot. You can visit the 30 Most Charming Small Towns in America. At Insider Monkey, we delve into a variety of topics, ranging from the most charming small towns in America to business aspects; however, our expertise lies in identifying the top-performing stocks. Currently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology stands out as one of the most promising fields. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion Opportunity for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey. A recent decision by the Illinois State Board of Elections dismissing a complaint stemming from the 2022 governor election has revealed a potentially serious loophole in state law regarding campaign finance and a special type of political action committee. Board members voted 7-1 earlier this week to dismiss a complaint filed by Democrats against Dan Proft, a right-wing radio talk show host and political operative who ran an independent expenditure PAC, and unsuccessful Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey. Related Articles The Democrats alleged Proft and his PAC, named People Who Play By The Rules, coordinated with Bailey and his campaign committee to make spending decisions, in violation of campaign finance reporting rules. Under state law, independent expenditure PACs are not supposed to coordinate electioneering communications in connection, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a public official or candidate. The board rejected the complaint, in part, because Illinois law does not specifically describe what activities amount to coordination that would make illegal the actions of an independent expenditure PAC and the candidate it supports. Its a loophole in one respect for getting out of penalties for engaging in coordination. But it also makes it difficult for candidates and independent expenditure committees to know what theyre supposed to do and what theyre not supposed to do, said veteran election law attorney Ed Mullen. Mullen appeared at the Board of Elections meeting Tuesday, hoping board members would discuss their views on the Proft-Bailey case or provide some guidance about what they view to be prohibited coordinated activities. Mullen said he had clients seeking advice for the upcoming Nov. 5 election and he didnt know what to tell them. But the board had no comment on the case, even though its hearing examiner had recommended that the agency pursue rules to specify what activity was prohibited or that the board seek clarification from the legislature. Instead, board Vice-Chair Laura Kent Donahue, who served 22 years as a Republican member of the Illinois Senate until 2003, indicated to Mullen that it was up to the legislature to clarify the law, not the board. Sometimes its a little dicey when you get to spelling it out because then you might leave something out and then you get into, it gets tricky, she told Mullen. So I understand. We hear you, but its got to come from another source and not necessarily from us. But Illinois lawmakers dont return to session until after the general election and, even then, Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is doubtful any action will be taken. The legislature theyre all candidates and theyd like to have maximum flexibility to raise money, spend money, to win elections and so theres not an incentive, said Redfield, a campaign finance expert who has repeatedly seen state legislative action on election cash reforms bent to benefit candidates. If Ive got access to more money or more supporters or whatever, then I want to be able to use that to its fullest extent. Independent expenditure PACs are able to raise and spend unlimited amounts of cash for candidates or causes they support. In the case of the 2022 election, People Who Play By The Rules PAC was started by Proft after national ultraconservative mega-donor Richard Uihlein, the Lake Forest billionaire founder of the Uline office product supply firm, made known his interest in the race. Uihlein, a longtime campaign benefactor to Proft, of Naples, Florida, ended up giving $42 million to People Who Play By The Rules. He also gave $12 million directly to Baileys campaign, but only $3 million for the general election. Testimony in the case showed that the day after Bailey won the Republican primary and defeated five rivals for the GOP nomination, he and his campaign manager flew to a Chicago-area country club to meet with Proft. In a private room, Proft placed an envelope on a table and told Bailey it contained $20 million from Uihlein. If Bailey fired his staff and hired Proft, the money would go to the campaign. If Bailey refused, the money would instead go to Profts PAC. Bailey opted to refuse Profts offer and the PAC continued to run TV ads supporting Baileys candidacy. Democrats had contended the meeting demonstrated that Uihlein had significant money to spend for the campaign and would follow through with more. They also cited the PACs TV ads that used footage from Baileys campaign website and that several ads addressed crime in Chicago, a topic that Bailey talked about in regular visits to Profts radio show. Unlike state law, the Federal Election Commission has specific regulations regarding what constitutes prohibited PAC-candidate coordination in federal races, using a three-prong test involving the source of the payment, the content of the election materials and the interaction between the PAC and the candidate. One example of prohibited interaction on the federal level is if a substantial discussion between a PAC and candidate occurs and if information about the plans, projects, activities or needs of the candidate that is material to the production of election materials, such as a TV ad, is conveyed to the person paying for the communication. In Illinois, theres no regulation. The definition of coordination is very vague, Mullen said. I think the legislature and the state board of elections really need to clarify what it is. The result of the lack of clarification is that, because the rules arent clear, its hard to penalize someone for not following them. But Redfield said the lack of specificity in Illinois law may play into politicians hands because, if were talking about trying to win an election or influence an election, then theres incentive to push the envelope. ***Video above: How much do nurses make?*** CLEVELAND (WJW) Emergency psychiatric services are ending at St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center in Cleveland at the end of June, health officials confirmed to FOX 8 on Friday. St. Vincent Charity will stop accepting new patients after 8 a.m. on June 30. After that, according to a media release, those in need of an emergency assessment or treatment can be taken to the closest emergency department. As the unit at St. Vincent Charity closes, MetroHealth is getting ready to open a new psychiatric emergency department on its Cleveland Heights campus in the fall, the health system announced in the joint release. Where are fireworks illegal in Northeast Ohio? Health officials say the new department will be adjacent to the Cleveland Heights Behavioral Health Hospital. Before the opening of the new facility, and to ensure community needs are met, MetroHealth will continue to provide high-quality psychiatric care and coordination at its four emergency departments, including at its Main Campus on West 25th Street in Cleveland, the release said. St. Vincent Charity and MetroHealth officials say theyre working with the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County through the transition period. Zach Bryans new album to be unveiled early in select bars, including 1 in NE Ohio St. Vincent Charity has been committed to providing all members of our community with the highest quality medical and mental healthcare possible since its founding, said Charles Garven, MD, Chief Medical Officer at St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center, in a statement. Psychiatric emergency care is an essential service and we have been pleased to work with MetroHealth to ensure high-quality resources will continue to be available to everyone. For decades, St. Vincent Charity has provided an essential community service, while supporting the mental health and wellbeing of so many members of our region. I want to personally thank those involved in the entire organization for the incredible work they have undertaken, said MetroHealth President and CEO Airica Steed, Ed.D, RN, MBA, FACHE. MetroHealth is honored to take on this important activity, which is part of our broader institutional commitment to expanding access to the best behavioral healthcare for all members of our community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Emmanuel Macron was given a copy of Michel Barnier's memoir that included warnings Mr Barnier says the French president has not heeded - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP Emmanuel Macron has driven his country to the brink of a Frexit moment, the EUs chief Brexit negotiator has said. In an interview with The Telegraph, Michel Barnier said: I regret that in my country that this warning has not been listened to about migration, about security, about authority of the state, and the respect and development of the poorest parts of the country. The first chapter of Mr Barniers memoir was written as a warning that other countries could quit the European Union if lessons were not learned from Brexit. Shortly after leaving his role as the blocs chief Brexit negotiator, he handed a copy to Mr Macron. But three years later, Mr Barnier believes the French president has failed to heed his warning. The first chapter was written precisely in the spirit of what could happen in [France], he added. It is my conviction that we have to pay huge attention and great respect to what people on the ground think in some very poor regions. That was the case in the UK explaining a large part of the Brexit vote, and I think it could be the same in France. Michel Barnier was the EU's chief negotiator during Britain's departure from the bloc - SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES Mr Macron chose to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections after his centrist alliance was trounced by the hard-Right in a European parliamentary vote earlier this month. The move is an extraordinary gamble by the French president in the hope he can beat Marine Le Pens hard-Right National Rally. If his liberal coalition suffers another embarrassing defeat, he would be forced to appoint a prime minister from another party in an arrangement known as a cohabitation, leaving him with little power over domestic affairs with three years remaining as president. Mr Barnier, a prominent pro-European conservative in France, described the gamble as very risky. Its always risky to take a decision that nobody understands... in reality it is very risky in France to take a decision that nobody understands, he said. We have to be very careful about what could happen in France, as for the election of Ms Le Pen or a new absolute majority for the hard-Right. A recent opinion poll from Ifop has given Ms Le Pen a clear lead with 34 per cent of the vote ahead of the first round of voting on June 30, followed by 29 per cent for the hastily-cobbled Leftist alliance, New Popular Front and Mr Macrons centrists on 22 per cent. But if the National Rally does finish victorious as predicted, Ms Le Pen will likely hand the prime ministers seat to her 28-year-old protege, Jordan Bardella. Mr Bardella told business leaders this week he would cut Frances EU budget payments by up to 3 billion (2.5 billion) if National Rally wins the snap election next month. A second poll published last week by Toluna Harris Interactive also predicted the hard-Right party as the clear winner on 34 per cent of the vote. A third survey by Opinion Way put National Rally on 35 per cent and Mr Macrons liberal alliance on 20 per cent. Many of Mr Barniers pro-European contemporaries have dismissed the threat of Euroscepticism since Brexit. Ms Le Pen has sought to tone down its anti-EU Frexit rhetoric in recent years as part of a plan to make her movement more palatable to the French electorate. European servitude Mr Barnier warned that France should not be complacent about her Eurosceptic intentions, even if she has dropped previous pledges to take the country out of the EU and its euro single currency. I dont think Ms Le Pen and Mr Bardella changed their minds. They are still anti-European, he said. I remember the first sentence of Ms Le Pen on the evening of the referendum in the UK. She praised British voters for freeing themselves from European servitude, and later described the referendum result as the most important moment since the fall of the Berlin Wall. I have never heard from Ms Le Pen that she regrets that sentence or that she was wrong, Mr Barnier added. I think she still keeps the same mind... my answer is to say without any kind of aggression, revenge or satisfaction look at what has happened in the UK since Brexit. But not all hope is lost for Mr Macron, with the current Harris projections not giving National Rally an overall majority in Frances 577-seat National Assembly. In the French elections, candidates must secure 12.5 per cent of registered voters in order to qualify for a second round of voting on July 7. While advisers to Mr Macron had feared they risked being squeezed out of a majority of the second-round run-offs, political analysts from OpinionWay said candidates from his party were more likely than socialists to beat hard-Right candidates at this stage. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Slates guide to the most important figures in politics this week. Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, the newsletter that digests the previous seven days of Slates coverage of Lansing, Michigan. This will be the last edition before the end of normalcy next week, when Donald Trump and Joe Biden enter CNNs Atlanta studios and get permanently lost looking for a Snickers bar. Either that or theyll be citizen-arrested by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. We have a new megadonora reclusive Gilded Age scion, like all the othersto put on our hot list and an update on the always bustling intersection of Matt Gaetz and ethics. First, a preview of hell. Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Scott Olson/Getty Images and Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. 1. Joe Biden and Donald Trump Finally, some action. Next Thursday, for the very first time in this presidential election, something interesting could happen. Barring a last-minute dropout, President Biden and former President Trump will meet for their first of two debates, this one in CNNs Atlanta headquarters, with no studio audience seats behind moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. After a coin toss that the Biden campaign won (rigged?), Biden chose to be on the right side of viewers screens, because of science, leaving Trump to get the debates last word. What will the Surge be watching for? Drool, mostlywhich candidate has more, and whats the consistency? More seriously: whether Trump can avoid his usual pitfalls. Two come to mind. The first is that hes too angry and rude, relentlessly hectoring Biden, which lets Biden off the hook. This marred Trumps first debate in 2020, but he improved by the next one, his demeanor having cooled after he nearly died of COVID. The second trap that Trump, and all other Republicans, repeatedly falls into is lowering expectations for Biden beneath the floor, allowing the president to score a win through the simple act of maintaining a pulse. Trump seems to be aware of this risk, and he said this week, I assume hes going to be somebody that will be a worthy debater, I would say, I think. I dont want to underestimate him. 2. Matt Gaetz A rare update from the Ethics Committee. On Monday afternoon, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz posted on social media that the House Ethics Committee was opening new frivolous investigations into him, calling the ongoing matter Soviet and adding, Kevin McCarthy showed them the man, and they are now trying to find the crime. The following day, the Ethics Committee issued a very, very rare update on its ongoing investigation. The investigation, it said, had begun in April 2021, was paused at the Justice Departments request, and had resumed in May 2023. (Keep in mind, this resumption was just a few months before Gaetz led McCarthys ouster, which McCarthy has blamed on Gaetz wanting him to nix the ethics investigation.) The committee wrote that certain allegations merit continued review and that new allegations arising from the investigation also merit review. Among those allegations: that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. So its unethical to have a good time? Is the nerd committee going to investigate whether he brushes his teeth for the full two minutes? But really it sounds bad (allegedly). The Surge is still not taking Gaetzs primary challenge that seriously. We are, however, taking it seriously enough that we just googled the date: Aug. 20. 3. Bob Good And the winner of the MAGA Civil War is to be determined! The closely watched primary between Virginia Rep. Bob Good (the House Freedom Caucus chairman endorsed by most of the Freedom Caucus) and state Sen. John McGuire (backed by Donald Trump, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene) remains too close to call, several days after the vote. Out of 62,000-plus votes cast and counted, McGuire held a lead of 313 as of Friday afternoon, quite possibly sending the race into a recount. One lesson to take from the closeness of this race is how congressional primary polling has a tendency to be a racket, especially publicly disclosed internal numbers. In a pathetic scene recounted by Politico, Good and McGuire argued about whose polling was betterin front of Trumpthe day they both visited Trumps New York trial in May. McGuire said that his polling showed him up by 14 points, and Good shot back that his internal polling showed him up by 25 points. Just taking a stab here, but could it be that these polling numbers were reverse engineered from the idea of impressing Trump before he had made an endorsement? Now, if McGuires and Goods polling had showed them up 14 and 25 total votes, respectively, the polling would have been spot-on. 4. Jeff Landry Next season on Maybe the Supreme Court Will Go For This? The Republican Louisiana governor signed into law this week a bill requiring that a poster of the Ten Commandments, printed in a large, easily readable font, be displayed in every classroom of every school that receives state public funds. Not allowed to display itrequired to display it, with the poster being no smaller than 11 by 14 inches. If this sounds a bit as if Louisiana might be pushing it, well, thats the point. As Landry himself said, I cant wait to be sued. This law, which would appear to directly violate a 1980 Supreme Court precedent, is the latest volley from the religious right to see what the new, more conservative SCOTUS will let it get away with. Maybe the justices will let this one stand; maybe they wont! But if its not this, it will be something else. This is just what the federal court system is now: a relitigating of fights that the religious right lost toward the end of the 20th century. Isnt this kind of weird? 5. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Not in the debate and taking it very well, very normally. The independent candidate will not make the first presidential debate, falling one poll short of the requirement to earn at least 15 percent in four qualifying national polls, and not currently making enough ballots to theoretically be elected president. So hes taking it graciously, suggesting that only the CNN employees working on the debate should go to jail. His argument is that by excluding Kennedy with flimsy criteria, the debate amounts to a campaign contribution for Biden and Trump. This means CNN, and every member of CNN who is participating in planning, executing, and holding this debate, is at risk of prosecution, as happened to Michael Cohen, for violating campaign finance laws, the Kennedy campaign said in a statement. This risk is now acute given that any further violation would be knowing and willful, and thus could carry with it serious jail time. Well just leave that there and pivot to the next question: Does Kennedy have a chance of making the second debate in September, hosted by ABC News? The network hasnt released its qualifying criteria, so were not yet sure whether it wants to join CNN in jail. 6. Timothy Mellon If we do a felony, can we get $50 million too? National polling since Trumps guilty verdict in New York a few weeks ago has shown a small boost of a point or two in Bidens favor. The biggest impact the verdict has had thus far on the race, though, would have to be the explosion of cash that Trump has received. His campaign, which fundraised heavily during Trumps trial and in the immediate aftermath of the verdict, said it raised $141 million in May, to the Biden campaigns $85 million. The once-daunting fundraising gap between Biden and Trump has now been wiped out. But just as interesting this week was a disclosure from the predominant pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. In its latest filing, it revealed that Timothy Mellonheir to the Mellon fortunewrote a casual $50 million check to the PAC the day after the Trump verdict. Mellon had already given tens of millions to the PAC this cycle, and hes also the largest benefactor to the super PAC of RFK Jr. Hes now, as the New York Times wrote, the first donor to give $100 million in disclosed federal contributions in this years election. Mellon has become a major Republican donor only in the past five or so years, and hes described in the Times as hard to reach. (He lives in Wyoming, where there are many places to hide.) We do know, however, that he has described the social safety net as slavery redux. Hey, someones got to maintain Gilded Age values. 7. Aileen Cannon Maybe the suggestion could have been stronger? Beginning Friday and lasting into early next week, Judge Come On Aileen Cannon will be hearing a series of pretrial argumentsi.e., outlandish claims from the Trump defense that normal judges wouldve dismissed by nowin Fort Pierce, Florida, in the classified documents case against Trump. Cannon, who biffed her handling of the classified documents investigation before she later received the case itself, has been heavily criticized for allowing the Trump team to delay the trial with such ease. This week, we learned a little bit more about the consternation over Cannon on the federal bench itself. The New York Times reported that two more experienced judges in the Southern District of Florida had recommended that she decline the case, with the chief judge suggesting that it would be bad optics for her to take it given her handling of the investigation. Cannon, needless to say, did not follow this advice. And thats why were here, a year after the indictment, reading about her holding a pretrial hearing about how special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Deputies with the Escambia County Sheriffs Office are investigating after ShotSpotter detected a shooting on Baggett Court, News 5 has learned. Pensacola man accused of shooting into girlfriends motel room: ECSO ECSO officials said the shooting happened around 3 p.m. Deputies responded to the scene, where they reportedly found shell casings along with a home and vehicle with bullet holes. Deputies believe the shooting was a drive-by but they are continuing to investigate. In June 2023, ECSO and the Pensacola Police Department began using ShotSpotter, a technology that uses audio sensors to determine where a gunshot is fired. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Loren Berry, left, and Jeff Perry lead a tour of the new Eugene City Hall Council Chambers as the remodel of the old EWEB headquarters nears completion. The city council is scheduled to host its first meeting in its new council chambers this Monday. In Eugene City Council's first week in its new city hall, the body is scheduled to determine how to proceed on a proposal to accelerate housing property tax exemption applications in Eugene's downtown core, vote on the city's 2024-25 budget, and receive a briefing on the Mayor and Councilors' roles in an emergency. Lane County Commissioners are also scheduled to vote on their 2024-25 budget, hear a report on fatal crashes in Lane County, and hold a public hearing on potential changes to the county's charter. Springfield officials are scheduled to discuss which parts of the city to designate as "Climate-Friendly Areas" and hold public hearings and votes on the next steps for a handful of city-owned properties, including the former Vino and Vango storefront. Eugene City Council To attend: The new Eugene City Council Chambers are the northern building on the former Eugene Water & Electric Board property at 500 E 4th Avenue, Eugene. Both Monday meetings will be hybrid, while the Wednesday meeting will be online only. To watch: Meetings stream online at bit.ly/Eugene-meetings, the city's YouTube channel, and the GovHub Media app and are broadcast on Comcast channel 21. To listen: Dial 833-548-0282 and use the meeting ID and passcode. To comment: Fill out the city's request to speak form at https://forms.office.com/g/e65TJf4Spi between 7 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. on Monday. Written testimony can be submitted to the council by sending an email to mayorcouncilandcitymanager@eugene-or.gov. WORK SESSION When: 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 24 What: Eugene city councilors are scheduled to hear a presentation on economic development recommendations from local business owners and decide whether to proceed with a proposal to create an accelerated tax-exemption application for properties planned in Eugene's "downtown core." Link: https://eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/89570707929 Meeting ID; Passcode: 895 7070 7929; council9 REGULAR SESSION When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 24 What: Eugene city councilors are scheduled to hold public hearings and votes on: Editing the city's budget. General fund changes include staff cuts to police training, police records, the library, police communications and custodial and an increase to the city's Adult Recreation Fee. Opting into state revenue sharing for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Editing the city's Urban Renewal budget, which is separate from its main budget. Changes include a land purchase and the increased allotment to the 1059 Willamette project. Raise the "frozen base" of Eugene's Riverfront district, effectively transferring some future money from the Urban Renewal budget to the city general fund and other special districts. Next councilors will vote on loosening the city's definition of "stormwater service" so the city's stormwater fee can go to parks. Lastly, councilors will hear general public comment. Link: https://eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/88089793732 Meeting ID; Passcode: 880 8979 3732; council9 WORK SESSION When: 12 p.m., Wednesday, June 26 What: Eugene's Mayor and city councilors will be briefed on their roles and responsibilities in an emergency. Link: https://eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/82594091349 Meeting ID; Passcode: 825 9409 1349; council9 Springfield City Council To watch: Springfield's system requires registration to watch and to participate in meetings. Use the links for meetings to register and get information to attend. To listen: Dial 1-971-247-1195 or 1-877-853-5247 and use the meeting ID. To attend: Meetings are held in the City Council Meeting Room of Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield. To comment: There are instructions during the regular session for how to provide testimony. WORK SESSION When: 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 24 What: Springfield city councilors are scheduled to review the city's draft Wastewater Master Plan and discuss what parts of the city to designate as "Climate-Friendly Areas" that can be lived in without a car per new state rules. Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_peKHDhTETh-sIb9k3rHBWQ Meeting ID: 889 2401 7707 SPRINGFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY When: 7 p.m., Monday, June 24 What: The SEDA board will hear public comment before holding public hearings and votes on whether to sell the properties on 138 Main Street and Franklin Boulevard, and whether to lease the properties on 236 Main Street and 240 Main Street. Next board members will hear an update on the proposed tax exemption to encourage denser housing development in Springfield. The board voted to implement it in May, but is waiting on consent from other taxing districts in the area. Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rv9UmIEqQ5WebHgJtEBfrQ Meeting ID: 830 3102 6521 Lane County Board of Commissioners To attend: These meetings take place at the Harris Hall at 125 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene. Doors to Harris Hall open at 8:45 a.m. To watch: County commission meetings stream at bit.ly/LaneCounty-meetings, Lane County's YouTube channel, Comcast channel 21, and the GovHub Media app. To comment: In-person commenters can sign up at the door. Online commenters should register for the Zoom meeting. To submit written comments, email publiccomment@lanecountyor.gov by noon Monday with the subject line PUBLIC COMMENT FOR MEETING DATE 6/25/2024 for the Tuesday meeting, or noon Tuesday with the subject PUBLIC COMMENT FOR MEETING DATE 6/26/2024 for the Wednesday public hearing. MORNING SESSION When: 9 a.m., Tuesday, June 25 What: County commissioners are scheduled to hear public comment and a vote on adjusting the county's 2023-24 budget to match what was spent in the fiscal year before voting on their proposed 2024-25 budget. Next commissioners will vote on their support for Springfield's housing tax exemption. Lastly, they are scheduled to vote on an update to the county's emergency preparedness plan. Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u9W_CyJjQBa2pO-43pAXRg AFTERNOON SESSION When: 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 25 What: Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a slate of Health & Human Services contracts, switching to more energy-efficient lighting in several county facilities, and hear a report on fatal crashes in Lane County. MORNING SESSION When: 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 26 What: Lane County commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on amendments to Lane County's Charter, and possibly vote on referring those amendments to the ballot. The most substantive proposed changes center around redistricting. Next commissioners are scheduled to discuss the county's land use appeal procedures. Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u9W_CyJjQBa2pO-43pAXRg Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at atorres@registerguard.com or on X @alanfryetorres. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: On the Agenda: Eugene and Lane County to vote on 2024-25 budgets Last week, a Dutch court convicted three men of the murder of Peter R. de Vries, one of the Netherlands' most famous reporters, who was shot dead on a busy Amsterdam street in 2021. It was a brazen attack that shocked the nation, and is thought to have been related to the huge "Marengo" trial, in which a drugs kingpin, Ridouan Taghi, and 16 others were convicted of six murders and four attempted murders. De Vries was killed, it seems, because of his role as official "confidant" of Nabil B, a former member of Taghi's gang who turned witness against him; Nabil B's brother and his lawyer had also been killed. These killings were seen as a major assault on the rule of law; during the Marengo trial, which concluded in February, it was alleged that Taghi's gang were also plotting to kidnap the prime minister Mark Rutte, and to target the country's royal family. Amsterdam's mayor, Femke Halsema, warned that the Netherlands was at risk of becoming a "narco state", swamped with criminal money and violence. Similar problems have been seen across western Europe. What sort of problems are occurring? "Some EU member states are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of drug market-related violence, including killings, torture, kidnappings and intimidation," reported Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, in March. In Belgium, Brussels has become a hub for drugs coming from Antwerp, and shootings between rival gangs have proliferated. Drug-related homicides in Marseille, France, rose by 50% from 2022 to 2023; last month, two prison guards were shot dead when a prison van carrying Mohamed Amra, a convicted criminal reportedly linked to a Marseille drug gang, was ambushed near Rouen. In Sweden, cities have been blighted by gangs waging turf wars against each other; 11 people were killed in shootings last September alone. What's behind the violence? Most of it is linked to attempts to control the EU's growing drugs market. The illegal narcotics market has grown rapidly in recent years, and is now worth an estimated 31 billion annually, according to EU agencies. The illicit cannabis market alone is worth 11.4 billion a year. Of a similar size, but more profitable and more violent, is the cocaine market worth 11.6 billion annually in the EU. Five of the ten largest cocaine seizures in Europe took place last year. Today, cities such as Lisbon, Brussels and Amsterdam have some of the highest per capita rates of cocaine use in the world. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, people in Europe accounted for 21% of all global users of cocaine in 2021, despite making up just 9.3% of the world's population. Analysis of waste water shows that cocaine use has shot up in many EU cities since 2016. Why is drug use surging? Partly because supply has increased. In Colombia, the world's largest cocaine-producing country, the area planted with coca bushes reached a record high in 2023, with production capacity up by 24% on the previous two years. The same pattern has been seen in Peru and Bolivia; globally, coca production has more than doubled since 2014. With the US market saturated, cartels have increasingly turned to Europe to sell their cocaine, lured by the relative ease with which they can smuggle drugs through major ports such as Antwerp and Rotterdam, and the higher prices at which they can sell: a kilo of cocaine bought for $1,000 in Colombia is worth more than 35,000 in Europe, about twice its price in the US. How does the trade work? Cartels and drug trafficking gangs fight for control of cultivation regions in the Andes, and use smuggling routes to ports such as the crime-ravaged city of Guayaquil in Ecuador. Shipments are sold to crime syndicates in Europe, such as the Dutch-Moroccan "Mocro maffia" in the Netherlands and Belgium, in which Taghi played a major role, the Yoda and DZ Mafia gangs in Marseille, as well as Serb, Albanian and Kosovan gangs, and Calabria's 'Ndrangheta. Authorities say that their methods are becoming more sophisticated. Historically, Spain was the main entry point for Latin American drugs. Now, though, the trade centres on the big ports of the Netherlands and Belgium, and other major container ports, where drugs can be smuggled in among legitimate goods. How violent are the drug gangs? Very. About half of all homicides in the EU are linked to drug trafficking. Europol said in a report in April that some 821 dangerous criminal gangs are now operating in the EU; about half of these are involved in drug trafficking. Police have noted, with concern, levels of violence usually associated with Latin America: in the Netherlands, they have found "torture chambers" hidden among shipping containers; the severed head of a rival was left outside an Amsterdam shisha lounge; in Marseille, youths have used Kalashnikov assault rifles to assassinate their enemies. What are the authorities doing? The EU has launched a "European Ports Alliance" to improve coordination between European ports and law enforcement. Cocaine seizures have risen sharply, thanks in part to new technology, such as drones and thermal cameras. But the sheer number of containers makes it hard to stop entirely; only 10% of shipments from South America are checked in ports such as Antwerp. Refrigerated containers, which must be processed quickly, are particularly useful for smugglers. Europol's chief, Catherine De Bolle, recently warned that traffickers are chipping away at the rule of law, not just by co-opting socially-excluded youth into their gangs, but by corrupting logistics workers, and even the courts and police. In one port, which she didn't name, she claimed, "everyone was corrupted". "We are in a very difficult situation," she said. "We are behind." 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. This election is between a convicted criminal who is only out for himself, and a president who is fighting for your family. Excerpt from a recent Biden campaign ad titled Character Matters With less than a week to go until President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debate face-to-face for the first time since 2020, the Biden-Harris campaign has released the first of multiple television ads that target Donald Trump for who he is, according to the ads anonymous narrator. Its part of a recent $50 million ad blitz effort by the Biden campaign, and it lays it all out there in 30 seconds flat. Hes been convicted of 34 felonies, found liable for sexual assault, and he committed financial fraud, states the narrator, darkly, as Trump appears on the screen, glowering from inside (and outside) multiple courtrooms, the imagery filtered in a noir-esque black-and-white hue. Meanwhilecue the epic superhero-esque soundtrack and brightly colored clips of Biden signing bills and hugging workers across various industriesJoe Biden has been working, lowering health care costs and making big corporations pay their fair share. The ad then flashes Trumps infamous mug shot from the Fulton County jail, taken in August of 2023 after he was indicted by the district attorney in a conspiracy to interfere with the 2020 election. It concludes with another light montage showing a happy, smiling Biden. It should be shocking: a convicted felon running for the highest American office on a platform stuffed with authoritarian promises to degrade democracy and violate human rights. (And lets not even get into Project 2025.) Shouldnt that reality alone trigger a fresh wave of collective outrage? Will it? Or are we completely numb, as a society, to the stakes of this presidential race? The Biden ads stylistic qualities and presentation of dichotomies between the two candidates are nothing new, but never before has one presidential candidate been able to say about the other, That guy is a felon. (The Trump campaign is set to air its first TV ad for the general election on Thursday, the day of the first presidential debate.) After the New York jurys decision to convict Trump in the hush money trial, the Biden campaign didnt immediately jump into creating felon-Trump ad content. Instead, they engaged in a broad discussion about how to use the jurys decision in the campaign, according to a recent New York Times story about the ad. I guess that makes sense, given the current absurdity of our political climate. Trumps conviction may have been a first of its kind in American political history, but it only noticeably weakened support among independent voters, according to recent polling from Politico and Ipsos. (Twenty-one percent of independents said the conviction made them less likely to support Trump and that it would be an important factor in their vote.) And Americans of all walks of life, according to the same poll, saw the trial as politically motivated. Specifically, 43 percent of all polled votersRepublican, Democrat, and independentanswered Agree to this statement proposed by Ipsos: The decision by the Manhattan District Attorneys office to charge Donald Trump was based on trying to gain a political advantage for Joe Biden. Does this make you want to hit yourself in the head with a shovel? Theres more. Following Trumps conviction, Bidens approval ratings, according to FiveThirtyEights polling average, dipped to the lowest so far throughout his presidency (37.4 percent approval). Thats not to say these two factorsTrumps criminal status and Bidens approval ratinghave a direct causal relationship, or that there arent numerous other explanations for Bidens dragging national support. Its just that the presidential election is sort of a zero-sum game, and polled voters dont seem to view the two candidates that way (at least right now). A hit for Trumpeven a felony convictiondoes not automatically equal a win for Biden. The jurys still out (pun absolutely intended) on the long-term effects of the conviction and even on Bidens advertisement blitz, especially in the swing states that will play such an outsize role in November. Although Trump has the remarkable yet terrifying ability to numb the human senses with never-ending and belligerent chaos, the Biden-Harris team is clearly trying to cut through the noise with ads digestible enough for our rapidly shrinking attention spans. Such an effort might not cause any seismic shifts, but its a tacticand a messagethat bears repeating. We recently compiled a report of the 25 Most Segregated Cities in the US, and in this article, we will take a look at the most segregated city. A Brief Account on Segregation in America America has long been subject to the restriction of people to specific spaces based on their race, a phenomenon also known as racial segregation. The nation holds a long history of witnessing African Americans being separated from the Whites up to the extent that Black units were separated from White units in the Armed Forces. In the domain of education, schools were segregated with limited opportunities for Black students. Racial residential segregation further resulted in sore outcomes for people of color. Racial residential segregation has been quite profound in the US under which people of color are denied opportunities for housing. An analysis of this segregation in the country revealed that 81% of the metropolitan regions with over 200,000 residents were more segregated in 2019 as compared to 1990. Segregated communities of color had the highest neighborhood poverty rates surpassing the poverty in segregated white neighborhoods by three folds. Black children also earned higher incomes when raised in white neighborhoods. As reported by NPR, residential segregation began in America in 1933 when the federal government facilitated White families with housing, leaving behind people of color with restricted choices. The Federal Housing Administration aggravated the situation by not insuring mortgages in African-American neighborhoods or nearby. The practice of redlining was used to color those neighborhoods red where African Americans lived to depict that such areas were risky for insuring mortgages. Thus, many of the US areas still remain segregated after between the Whites and the Blacks after all these years. How is the Homebuilding Industry Facilitating Americans Now? While the effects of the prior segregation-inducing housing policies persist across America, the homebuilding industry has come forward with ample opportunities for buyers to find their best fit in the locations they wish to settle in. Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) is a leading American home builder that constructs affordable, move-up, and active adult homes. It also engages in the development of high-quality multifamily rental properties in the country. The company evolved from being a local Miami homebuilder in 1954 to becoming one of Americas largest homebuilders. Its operations span 26 states across the US including some of the most segregated cities such as Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, and Miami. In a nation where the homeownership rate for Black Americans was 44% in 2021 while it was as high as 72.7% for White Americans, Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) has made homeownership and mortgage access easy for those who find it inaccessible. The firm's single-family rental business fosters social equity and upward mobility by providing single-family living to a diverse range of Americans even if they cannot yet own. Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) was successful in being recognized among the top 5% of mortgage lenders in social impact and racial equity by the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA) in 2023. Furthermore, the Lennar Foundation serves underserved communities in the US by aiming to enhance their quality of life. The Lennar Foundation has funded Florida Memorial Universitys Certificate Program in Construction Trades which is the first of its kind in a historically black college. The latest interest rate decision given by the Fed aligns with the companys strategy. Officials have signaled just one rate cut which is expected in September based on Wall Streets best bet, given that inflation continues to fall in the next few months. Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) is in a good position to cater to the pent-up demand as soon as interest rates fall. During the earnings call, Executive Chairman Stuart Miller referred to the macro environment as relatively constructive for American homebuilders. While the nations housing demand remains strong and the supply remains seriously low, the company is catering to working-class families by focusing on community-scale, build-to-rent, and single-family for-rent homes. Multiple markets continue to be strong including most of Florida, Atlanta, the Carolinas, and Texas based on an underlying demand. This proves that the housing demand is enough for the company to strive for profit through residential construction which is also the homebuilding mission of the firm. However, high interest rates and affordability continue to be major concerns among buyers right now. For this purpose, the homebuilder is engaging in the construction of attainable homes for primary purchasers. During the second quarter of 2024, Lennar (NYSE:LEN) started approximately 21,400 homes while it sold 21,300 homes, in line with its overall target for 2024. The Most Segregated City in the US Pixabay/Public Domain Our Methodology: In order to compile a list of the 20 most segregated cities in the US, we did a sentiment analysis on Reddit. First, we aggregated the list of the most segregated US cities by sifting through 5 online rankings. Next, we used Reddit to find 15 threads that asked people about the most segregated cities. We read and analyzed all the comments and added the upvotes for each city on our list. Lastly, we shortlisted cities that had at least a total of 150 upvotes and ranked the cities on our list in ascending order of the total upvotes on Reddit. Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not reflect our opinion. The ranking is solely based on the opinions of Reddit users. At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). The Most Segregated City in the US 1. Milwaukee Upvotes: 441 Milwaukee ranks at the top of the 25 most segregated cities in the US and is a part of the state of Wisconsin. The most notable segregation in the city exists along the lines of race. An analysis of segregation in Milwaukee revealed that its most diverse neighborhoods are positioned on the south, west, and northwest sides. On the contrary, the least diverse neighborhoods are on the north side which is highly segregated and hosts predominantly Black residents. The dilemma concerning the city is that things have not improved over the years although racial integration has been increasing in some suburbs in the citys southwest and northwest. Housing conditions on the north side are worse off. This has resulted in lower mean family incomes for Black and Hispanic city residents. Racial violence has also been exercised against the Black residents who think of the city as prejudiced and have low hopes of getting adequate justice. Poverty is also more concentrated among this group while unemployment rates remain high. The citys current segregated state has been largely a product of the historical practice of redlining. To explore other segregated American cities, you can view our free report on the 25 Most Segregated Cities in the US. At Insider Monkey, we delve into a variety of topics, however, our expertise lies in identifying the top-performing stocks. Currently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology stands out as one of the most promising fields. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion "Opportunity" for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey. Pictures of McGreevey and the blurry image of his moving violation. Thats not Bigfoot behind the wheel. If you look real close, youll see former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey driving a Toyota Prius, snapped as he was making an illegal U-turn in Jersey City. Witnesses reported seeing McGreevey, 66, impatiently pulling the illegal move just outside Lincoln Park, where an Eid al-Adha function was unfolding. An undated photo of the former New Jersey governor. Scott Wintrow McGreevey admits making the U-turn into the bike lane was wrong. u/BossHague Thousands of Muslims attended the prayer event, making parking hard to find. He was in this long line of traffic, and made an illegal left into the bike lane to grab an available spot, the witness behind the blurry shot described. It was a Fk this moment, where he just didnt feel like dealing with the traffic. The witness said someone called out to the former governor, telling him Thats a bike lane intended to keep bikers safe. The witness said McGreevey hollered back, Hey, Im glad you care. Jim has operated his entire political career, thinking I can do what I want whenever I want.' McGreevey, the witnesses said, briefly drove in the bike lane to get around a county-owned pickup truck. McGreevey, a Jersey City mayoral candidate, acknowledged to The Post thats him in the blurry picture. McGreevey is pictured in a campaign image from his official website. jimmcgreevey.com I apologize, McGreevey said. It was wrong period. In January, the Jersey City council approved a resolution barring cars from using bike lanes or parking in them. Violators face a $175 fine if caught in the act. McGreevey resigned as governor in 2004 when he famously came out as gay. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A new affidavit has shed light on a potential lead into the alleged robbery, kidnapping and beating of an Edmond woman last week. A Kasey Alert was issued for 43-year-old Isabel Brown after witnesses told authorities she was abducted outside of an Edmond-area coffee shop at gunpoint June 14. Kasey Alert issued for 43-year-old Isabel Brown. Image courtesy Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The victim was dropped off around I-240 in May after a statewide alert had been broadcast, said Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III at a Monday news conference. She was injured. She had been hit and choked during that incident. She also said the kidnapers had taken $250,000 she had in cash in her car. Investigators also say Brown told police that the suspects had taken her phone and CashApped themselves $10,000; and that they had stopped at a gas station to divide up her money amongst themselves with another suspect. Monday, Johnson named Kadarryus Avair Caples as a suspect, saying that photos that were obtained from Browns Tesla through the help of the FBI, had helped identify him. Brown also identified Caples during a photo lineup as the suspect who beat, choked her and threatened her life with a gun. Oklahoma County authorities have not named any other suspects at this time and a photo of Caples has not been provided to help identify him. An affidavit filed Thursday says police were able to track the vehicle that Caples is accused of driving, using flock cameras at SW 74th Street and May Avenue. Investigators say they observed the suspect vehicle had a temporary tag. Investigators requested the assistance of Fort Worth Police detectives and were able to find the dealership the car belonged to. Intersection where court documents say flock cameras helped track kidnapping suspect {KFOR). Fort Worth investigators determined the vehicle was a rental car and had been registered there under Caples girlfriends name. A social media search for Caples found he had posted pictures with a large amount of cash and a long rifle which investigators say had a rubber band on the weapons magazine. The affidavit says that matches photos obtained from Browns Tesla during the robbery and kidnapping. Browns money has also been a local topic of interest, with many News 4 viewers questioning why she had that amount of money in her vehicle in the first place since investigators believe the crime was targeted. A News 4 employee has been trying to get Brown to answer questions and share her side of the story since Monday morning. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: An unusual abduction ends with the woman unharmed Brown initially agreed to an interview, but cancelled prior to a press conference held by the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office the same day in which details of the investigation were made public. The same News 4 employee has tried every day this week since trying to get Brown to reschedule, but she did not immediately respond to that request. Brown did respond to a Tuesday text message inquiring about her social media and previous history in the medical marijuana industry. News 4 was able to confirm that Brown had two different marijuana licenses for processing and for a dispensary; but both of those licenses expired in 2022 according to a spokesperson. News 4 also found a 2020 item of a Newcastle Public Works agenda in which an Isabel Brown is named as a potential tenant for a marijuana processing facility. The agenda can be viewed below. 2020-10-26-Planning-Zoning-AgendaDownload Browns Instagram accounts list her as the owner of a licensed cannabis processor called Hello Izzy Cannabis. After News 4 questioned her about the inclusion on her account and the expired licenses Brown said that she had been out of the cannabis business for a few years. As of Friday, the affiliation with Hello Izzy Cannabis has been removed from Browns Instagram account. When asked over text to explain how the money got in her car, Brown only replied with that was my lifes savings since I was 21. A News 4 employee again offered Brown the chance to explain that to viewers for clarification, but never heard back and follow up requests after the fact were not returned. Friday, News 4 employees stopped by Browns address to ask the same questions. I dont have to answer to anything right now, said Brown. Im going through the worst time in my life. Tuesday, a News 4 employee asked an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) spokesperson if OBN was aware of a potential investigation into Isabel Brown tied to illegal marijuana activities. A spokesperson could not comment, but said OBN was aware. Johnson said Monday that he could not definitively go on the record that the incident was not a hoax, and that the investigation would uncover the truth. A News 4 employee also asked Johnson if its unusual for victims to drive around with $250,000 in their vehicles. That certainly does, you know, pique your interest as to why that happens, said Johnson. Through the investigatory process, we will find out why. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Explosions heard in Lutsk and Vinnytsia; air defence responds in Ivano-Frankivsk Explosions have been heard in several Ukrainian oblasts during a missile attack on the night of 21-22 June. Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne; Ivano-Frankivsk Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv on Telegram Quote from Martsinkiv: "Attention! Air defence systems are responding in the oblast! Do not take photos or videos, do not help the enemy." Details: Explosions were also heard in Lutsk and Vinnytsia oblasts. Updated: Yurii Pohuliaiko, Head of Volyn Oblast Military Administration, reported that air defence systems were responding in the oblast at dawn during an air-raid. He said there were Russian targets in the airspace. The aftermath caused by falling wreckage is being addressed. No casualties were reported. All services are working at the scene. Background: Ukraines Air Force reported the takeoff of four TU-95MS aircraft from the Olenya air base in Russia on the evening of 21 June. In addition, the Russians deployed Shahed drones and tactical aircraft. Support UP or become our patron! Explosions near Russia's Belgorod: media reports say air defence system was hit video A missile has struck a Pantsir-S air defence system launcher near the village of Dubovoe (Russia's Belgorod Oblast). Source: Telegram-based news outlet Astra; Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov; Russian socio-political newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe Details: Local media outlets are posting photos of a damaged Pantsir-S near Dubovoe the system has been struck by a cluster munition, but the crew managed to survive. Black smoke was rising over the scene. A woman said in one of the videos: "It was our air defence. What now? They won't be able to shoot down missiles now". In addition, Russian pro-war Telegram channel lpr 1 noted: "Dubovoe. The boys are alive". Meanwhile, Gladkov reported a grass fire in Dubovoe, but one of the media outlets clarified that the fire was at the Pantsir's location. Novaya Gazeta noted that the smoke started near the City Mall shopping centre, located on the outskirts of Belgorod but de jure part of Dubovoe. The newspaper said some Telegram channels later removed photos and videos of the smoke in Belgorod Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Falcon Heavy to launch from Cape Canaveral. Here's what to know about this SpaceX rocket. It's time to bring out the big engines. Those on the Space Coast will soon be in for a treat. Not one, but three Falcon 9 first stage rockets making up the Falcon Heavy are tentatively scheduled to blast into the Florida sky in tandem this week to carry a weather satellite into orbit. It's been awhile since Florida has seen this sight: two Falcon 9s supporting the main rocket tasked with carrying the second stage and payload into space. Falcon Heavy last rose into the Florida sky in late December from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A, carrying the secret Space Force spaceplane known as X-37B. The only other comparable launch since then was the triple-core ULA Delta IV Heavy finale, which carried a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office back in April from Cape Canaveral. Why is Falcon Heavy needed for this launch? A bigger payload demands more power, and with NOAA and NASA ready to launch the GOES-U weather satellite as soon as Tuesday, June 25, they needed a bigger rocket. The satellite is comparable in size to a small school bus so one of the heaviest lift rockets will be utilized. Enter the Falcon Heavy. When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida SpaceX Space Coast rockets: Falcon Heavy vs Falcon 9 Simply put, the Falcon Heavy is three Falcon 9 rocket first stages which together give three times the lift. The center Falcon 9 is fully loaded with the second stage of the rocket and the payload atop. The payload, in this case the NOAA satellite, is encased in fairings to shield it on the way to space. By comparison, the Falcon 9 that launches Starlink missions is a single rocket. Just one of these single rockets towers 229.6 ft tall with the second stage and has a diameter of 12 ft. With three of these Falcon 9 rockets, the monster Falcon Heavy stands the same height. However, it's much wider, giving it a width of 39.9 ft, which is comparable to almost three cars parked bumper to bumper. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from Kennedy Space Center Thursday, December 28, 2023. The rocket, carrying the X-37B space plane for the US Space Force, lifted off at 8:07pm EST. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK According to SpaceX, the Falcon Heavy has flown nine launches, 17 booster landings, and 14 booster reflights. The first successful Falcon Heavy took to the skies in February of 2018, carrying as its payload a red Tesla Roadster, along with a mannequin dubbed 'Starman' which was adorned in a SpaceX spacesuit. Falcon Heavy thrust: how powerful is this rocket? Three Falcon 9 rockets each having nine Merlin engines of power gives the Falcon Heavy vehicle the power of 27 Merlin engines at liftoff. Each of these 27 engines provides 190,000 lbs of thrust. According to SpaceX, this power provides more five-million pounds of thrust in total. SpaceX says the Falcon Heavy can lift the weight comparable to a 737 jetliner, along with all its fuel, cargo, passengers, and get that weight into orbit. Space X Falcon Heavy booster landing SpaceX will recover the two supporting Falcon 9 boosters. If they follow the procedure of previous flights, the two boosters will land at the Cape Canaveral landing site giving off a double sonic boom. Should SpaceX continue with the routine of past Falcon Heavy flights, the core Falcon 9 will break up over the ocean after it completes its task. Landing all three boosters has proven to be a difficult task. While a core booster landed on a droneship in the Atlantic in 2019, SpaceX was unsuccessful in bringing it back to port. Get ready for Falcon Heavy sonic booms As the two supporting boosters land at SpaceX landing sites 1 and 2 on the coast of Cape Canaveral, two sonic booms will be heard on the Space Coast. As the boosters fall back to Earth, they travel faster than the speed of sound. This in turn breaks the sound barrier, letting off a noise comparable to a loud clap of thunder. The sonic booms will come as the boosters are already landing, which may seem puzzling. Physics simply explains this situation as light travels faster than sound. The returning boosters will be seen before the sonic booms are heard. It can be a startling sight, especially if one has never witnessed it the boosters appear to land silently before a loud, Earth-shaking sound is heard. When is SpaceX Falcon Heavy launching On Tuesday, if weather on the Space Coast permits, the Falcon Heavy will blast off from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A, ferrying the NOAA/NASA GOES-U satellite into orbit. GOES-U is NOAA's latest weather satellite, which promises continuing hurricane tracking. Weather observation satellites, such as the GOES series, are important to locations which experience these extreme weather phenomena such as Florida. Members of the media get a look at the GOES-U satellite at Astrotech in Titusville Thursday, June 6, 2024. The satellite is scheduled to be launched aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket June 25. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK GOES-U will provide a valuable watch from above observing hurricanes as they form. "We know about them because of the GOES satellites. They sit above the equator about 22,000 miles above the Earth and keep a constant watch," Dan Lindsey, a NOAA program scientist, told FLORIDA TODAY. Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team for the latest updates from the Space Coast. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Powerful rocket: The SpaceX Falcon Heavy will launch NOAA satellite Family of care home resident who choked to death on disinfectant wipe want DNA test on single hair stuck to it that cops missed Lawyers for the family of Cheryl Yewdall, a woman with cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities who died in January 2022, are asking for a DNA test of a hair left on the object she choked on (AP) The results of a DNA test on a strand of black hair could help uncover a mystery around the death of a 50-year-old Philadelphia woman who seemingly choked on a disinfectant wipe at a care facility offering intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services. On January 26, 2022, Cheryl Yewdall was found with her face on the floor, in a pool of urine, suffocating on a large disinfectant wipe at Merakey Woodhaven. She died five days later. The medical examiners office couldnt figure out how the wipe had lodged into her trachea, leaving it an open question as to whether her death was an accident or a homicide. No one has been arrested in connection with Yewdalls death., but attorneys for her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in August 2022. But there was a clue discovered on a magnified photo of the wipe that could serve as a key piece of evidence to solve the mystery: a strand of hair. More than two years after Yewdalls tragic death, on Friday, attorneys representing her family asked the court to order DNA testing on the hair, the Associated Press reported. They are looking for answers as to whether the hair located on the wipe or the wipe itself contains any DNA not belonging to Cheryl Yewdall, said the filing, which was obtained by the outlet. The lawyers attached photos, noting that Yewdalls hair was mostly gray. Cheryls mom hired me to get justice for Cheryl, attorney James Pepper told the outlet. The DNA analysis of this previously unaccounted single strand of hair holds the promise of getting Cheryl that justice. The 2022 complaint states that Yewdall needed 24-hour supervision, noting she suffered from severe mental retardation and cerebral palsy. The lawyers wrote that Yewdall had had no history of dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties. She was just so sweet and innocent and helpless, and she depended on them to care for her and love her and be safe, Yewdalls mother, Christine Civatte, told the Associated Press after the lawsuit was filed. I just thought they would protect her. Merakey has denied any responsibility in her death. A North Texas family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a storage unit business in Arlington where their son was found dead on April 3, 2023. Arlington police found 27-year-old Debony Maffett II inside a Public Storage unit in the 5200 block of South Cooper Street about a week after his family reported him missing. Maffett was lying unresponsive on top of a sleeping bag in the unit when officers arrived, according to police. Authorities were able to find Maffett with the assistance of a private investigator his family had hired. When he was first reported missing, police officers tried to ping his cellphone and searched locations where he was known to go. The private investigator learned that Maffett had purchased a storage unit at the Public Storage complex and might have been living out of it, according to police. When the private investigator went to check out the unit, which the family says was locked from the outside and had to be broken open, he found Maffetts body inside. The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office determined Maffett died due to an accidental overdose of K2, the familys attorney, Justin Moore, told the Dallas Morning News. K2 is a synthetic cannabinoid. Now, his family is suing the storage company, accusing it of negligence causing Maffetts death, including by allowing him to sleep in his storage unit in violation of policy. According to the lawsuit, Debony Maffett IIs father, Debony Maffett I, provided a Public Storage employee with a flyer on April 2, 2023, regarding his son and asked if the complex was renting to him. The employee said that his son was not renting a unit. The father then asked the employee if he could call the police if they located his son, to which the employee responded oddly by saying he never saw him, the lawsuit states. Later that day, the employee called the father and asked, If I did see your son, what would you want me to do, and Maffett I reminded him to report it to police. The employee replied to the father that he might have seen Maffett II in the past and that he might be on the premises of the Public Storage complex. The employee also said Maffett II might be a renter, the lawsuit states. The father asked the employee if he could look on the property for his son, but the employee said no and that only authorized customers had access, according to the suit. The only way the father I could look for his son on the property is if police were to accompany him, the employee told him. When Arlington police arrived at the Public Storage complex that day, the employee locked himself in an office, the suit states. The officers used a code to enter the security gate and search the facility for Maffett II and the employee. Officers told the father that all of the lockers and units were locked and that they saw no sign of his son or the employee, the suit states. It wasnt until the private investigator spoke to a manager the next day and was given access to the storage area that Maffett II was found, according to the suit. The autopsy reported signs of decomposition on Maffett IIs body, indicating he had been dead for some time. Public Storage has not yet responded to the Star-Telegrams request for comment. The suit says Public Storage acted negligently by failing to provide proper accommodations, violating their duties by refusing to rent or lease a storage unit to the father, and failing to maintain a safe environment, resulting in the mans death. Public Storage also acted negligently by failing to let police know Maffett II was on the companys premises when an employee was made aware he was missing, the suit states. Per rental policy and procedures, renters are not allowed to live in storage units, according to the suit. Public Storage aided Maffett II by not taking the steps to eliminate the danger or warn Maffett II and other customers of the dangers of living in units, the familys attorney said. The Maffett family seeks compensation and restitution for economic damages, exemplary damages, court costs, and attorney fees. 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. Father arrested in connection to deadly shooting of 7-year-old at Ohio motel A father is one of two people arrested in connection to a shooting that killed a seven-year-old Friday morning in Ohio. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 7-year-old dead after Ohio motel shooting Stark County Sheriffs deputies responded to the Knights Inn Motel in Plain Township at 1 a.m. on initial reports of a shooting, according to a sheriffs office spokesperson. Deputies found a seven-year-old shot and provided first aid. Medics transported the child to an area hospital where he died from his injuries. William Dolch, 37, the childs biological father, has been charged with having weapons under disability, tampering with evidence, endangering children, and reckless homicide, the sheriffs office said. U.S. Marshalls arrested him Friday. >>Man dies after reportedly jumping in water to help children at Eastwood MetroPark In addition, Brittany Franko, 29, has been charged with complicity to commit reckless homicide, endangering children, and obstructing official business, the sheriffs office stated. This was a tragic incident that affects the entire community, said Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier. I commend our Deputies, Marshalls with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, and other community partners for working together to quickly identify and charge those responsible. The shooting remains under investigation. When it comes to investing, there are some useful financial metrics that can warn us when a business is potentially in trouble. When we see a declining return on capital employed (ROCE) in conjunction with a declining base of capital employed, that's often how a mature business shows signs of aging. This reveals that the company isn't compounding shareholder wealth because returns are falling and its net asset base is shrinking. And from a first read, things don't look too good at Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), so let's see why. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. The formula for this calculation on Northrop Grumman is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.081 = US$2.8b (US$48b - US$13b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2024). So, Northrop Grumman has an ROCE of 8.1%. On its own, that's a low figure but it's around the 9.8% average generated by the Aerospace & Defense industry. Check out our latest analysis for Northrop Grumman roce Above you can see how the current ROCE for Northrop Grumman compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free analyst report for Northrop Grumman . So How Is Northrop Grumman's ROCE Trending? In terms of Northrop Grumman's historical ROCE movements, the trend doesn't inspire confidence. About five years ago, returns on capital were 14%, however they're now substantially lower than that as we saw above. On top of that, it's worth noting that the amount of capital employed within the business has remained relatively steady. Since returns are falling and the business has the same amount of assets employed, this can suggest it's a mature business that hasn't had much growth in the last five years. If these trends continue, we wouldn't expect Northrop Grumman to turn into a multi-bagger. Our Take On Northrop Grumman's ROCE In summary, it's unfortunate that Northrop Grumman is generating lower returns from the same amount of capital. But investors must be expecting an improvement of sorts because over the last five yearsthe stock has delivered a respectable 45% return. In any case, the current underlying trends don't bode well for long term performance so unless they reverse, we'd start looking elsewhere. Story continues One more thing, we've spotted 2 warning signs facing Northrop Grumman that you might find interesting. For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci in a new interview blamed former President Trumps staff for feeding him misinformation and becoming furious over the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci, who spent his career at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and served under the Trump and Biden administrations, became the face of the United Statess response to pandemic. In recent years, hes become an enemy of the right after combating Trumps unsubstantiated claims about the virus and urging Americans to be vaccinated. In the interview Friday with former Washington Post journalist Rick Atkinson, speaking at the Lincoln Theater, Fauci said he and Trump got along very well at times. But, he added, when stay-at-home and social distancing orders were initially placed in March 2020, the former president went along with it, hoping understandably, but not realistically, that it would be similar to the flu and disappear like magic. And I was saying you know, its not, the doctor said, adding that the disagreement happened in front of the press. Fauci noted that he refused to agree to saying the virus would disappear quickly, because thats not the nature of this disease. Weve got to own it. Its a different disease, he said. But, the doctor continued, Trump didnt seem to get that upset with me, but his staff started to be gradually furious with me for doing that. After the former president claimed hydroxychloroquine, a medicine used to treat malaria symptoms, would combat COVID-19 and Fauci publicly rejected the argument, he said the White House team started to try to discredit everything I said. And the White House comms team did something, which the White House people have told me, the first time where they did opposition research on one of their own staff, he argued. Faucis comments came during an event at the Lincoln Theater where he discussed his new book On Call: A Doctors Journey in Public Service. In a recent appearance before Congress, Fauci grew emotional talking about the harassment and death threats he and his family continue to face to this day. It was his first time addressing lawmakers since retiring almost 18 months ago. And in an interview on a late-night show earlier this week, Fauci said he wasnt trying to tear Trump down by diverting on pandemic-related messaging because he has a great deal of respect for the office of the presidency. But he said he had to contradict the former president because he was saying things that were not correct. Joseph Choi 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. TechCrunch Tesla is gearing up to reveal its Robotaxi this Thursday, and everyone wants to know what it will look like, whether Tesla will unveil a commercialization strategy, and what outrageous timelines Elon Musk might announce to bump Teslas stock. Musk had originally planned to reveal the Robotaxi which he has also referred to as a Cybercab on August 8. While Musk initially accused Reuters of lying, over the next couple of weeks, Tesla indeed laid off 10% of staff to usher in a next phase of growth, and Musk said Tesla would be going balls to the wall for autonomy. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) A man who stole a Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) cruiser and led officers on a chase in Fair Oaks on Friday morning was arrested, officials said Saturday. FCPD said that on Friday at about 11:35 a.m., they were informed of a stolen car near the Fair Oaks Mall. Officers injured after person stole police car, crashed near Fair Oaks Shopping Center, police say An officer found the car parked at the mall with three people inside. The driver tried to walk away from the scene when the officer arrived. He was identified as 46-year-old Kenton Smith of no fixed address. While police tried to stop Smith, one of the passengers, identified as 30-year-old Eric Gutierrez of Ashland, left the car and stole the officers unmarked police cruiser. Officers started a brief pursuit with Gutierrez after he failed to stop for police. Gutierrez crashed into two police cruisers before he was taken into custody. He and two officers had non-life-threatening injuries due to the crash. 4 people injured in Southeast DC shooting The other passenger, 28-year-old Natrua Mayfield-Jackson, of Maryland, and Smith were taken into custody at the mall. Gutierrez was taken to the Adult Detention Center and was charged with two counts of Grand Larceny Auto Theft, Grand Larceny and Felony Speed to Elude. He is being held without bond. Mayfield-Jackson was taken to the Adult Detention Center and served with two outstanding warrants. She was held without bond. Smith was charged with Unauthorized Use and Grand Larceny. He was being held on a $4,000 secured 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Ukrainian forces are holding back Russia's assault in the Horlivka Toretsk direction in Donetsk Oblast on June 22 amid ongoing fighting, Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia group of forces, told the Kyiv Independent. His statement comes as Moscow's troops have reportedly increased their attacks near the town of Toretsk after a "long lull" in fighting in the area. Over the past day, Russia carried out six attack in the Toretsk sector, namely near Toretsk and the village of Pivnichne, but failed to succeed, Voloshyn said. Toretsk, the strategically important town located less than 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the front line, had a population of around 31,000 before the start of the full-scale invasion. According to the crowd-sourced DeepState monitoring service, Russian troops allegedly captured the village of Shumy, located some 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Toretsk. Ukraine's General Staff did not comment on these claims in its latest update. "No map can show you what is really happening on the front line. Everything is completely different there, and no conclusions can be made about the front breakthrough or its stabilization," Voloshyn told the Kyiv Independent. Kyrylo Sazonov, a blogger and a soldier of the 41st Separate Mechanized Brigade deployed in the area, said that both Shumy and Pivnichne have been in the "gray zone" which came under constant attacks since 2015. He confirmed that Russian troops knocked out Ukrainian forces from "a couple of positions," but suffered losses. "There is no catastrophe or tragedy. They (Russia) still have a long way to Toretsk and there is no easy option there," Sazonov wrote on Telegram on June 22. "Toretsk and Chasiv Yar are under the control of Ukraine's Armed Forces," he added. Russian troops started storming Chasiv Yar, an elevated town that potentially opens for Russia the way to further advances into Donetsk Oblast, from Toretsk direction a few days ago, Voloshyn said on June 21. Russia lost some 40 soldiers in the Toretsk sectors over the past day, the spokesperson said. The day before, Ukraine's 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade said it had been redeployed to bolster the Armed Forces' defense of Chasiv Yar. Read also: With all eyes on Kharkiv, Russian troops take one Donbas village after another Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The final class of Pittsburgh Technical College students graduated on Saturday. Channel 11 has been breaking details on the downfall of PTC for almost a year now. Graduation day felt bittersweet for the Pittsburgh Technical College class of 2024, knowing theyre the last to get degrees from the school. >> PTC students say they were blindsided, feel deceived by technical colleges closure Its heartbreaking. This school has been around a long time, said Tom Baker, a parent of a PTC graduate. Its hard to explain. Im kind of emotional today. Just how hard he works and everything like that, parent Justin Meager said. Purpose and fulfillment come from individual initiative each day by setting out something to do and achieving it, said Jacob Flasco, who spoke during the commencement ceremony. While these graduates move forward, hundreds of students still enrolled at PTC are trying to figure out what to do next. Other area schools, like the Community College of Allegheny County and Point Park University, are offering teach-out programs for students of PTC. Earlier this month, the school announced its plans to close at the end of the semester after its accrediting agency recently rejected a teach-out plan, calling it insufficient. >> Current quarter will be the last for Pittsburgh Technical College students Channel 11 has reported on allegations of financial misconduct. Sources tell us there is still an active Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office investigation into top PTC leadership. >> State Attorney Generals Office looking into circumstances surrounding PTCs closure, loss of assets But some parents say the college offers a practical and valuable education. She works with somebody that graduated from here in the 80s. They had a very successful career. So, we need more trade schools its a shame. Baker said. Hes great. Hes got a great degree in electrical. And hes already got a job. And its been a great experience for him, said Jennifer Ferrera, a family member of a graduating student. Today, yes is bittersweet, but because of you, PTC will live on forever, PTC President Dr. Alicia B Harvey-Smith said during commencement. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Julie Chrisleys sentence on fraud allegations vacated by appeals court Pennsylvania couple drowns in rip current while on vacation with their kids in Florida Intoxicated man steals yacht on Allegheny River, police say VIDEO: Balloon release held in honor of man who drowned in Beaver County creek DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Fire at Kiel Foundry results in damage to building and no injuries Kiel Fire Department at the scene of a fire at the Kiel Foundry, 304 Park Ave., June 21, 2024, in Kiel, Wisconsin. KIEL A fire at the Kiel Foundry Friday evening resulted in an undetermined amount of damage to the building and no injuries. Firefighters were dispatched to the foundry, 304 Park Ave., shortly before 7 p.m. Friday after a citizen reported fire alarms sounding outside the building and smoke visible from the roof, Kiel Fire Department said in a news release. Kiel Fire Department at the scene of a fire at the Kiel Foundry, 304 Park Ave., June 21, 2024, in Kiel, Wisconsin. When firefighters arrived at the foundry, they found smoke coming from the roof. The first arriving crews forced entry into the secured commercial building and started an offensive attack of the fire inside the building. The building also had a working sprinkler system that assisted in fire suppression. The fire was deemed under control after about 30 minutes. Road closure: Portion of Manitowoc County Highway JJ to close for culvert replacement June 25 The fire department said the origin of the fire was in the ceiling of the building, but cause is still under investigation. No immediate estimate in the amount of damage done to the property was available. Kiel Fire Department at the scene of a fire at the Kiel Foundry, 304 Park Ave., June 21, 2024, in Kiel, Wisconsin. Kiel Fire Department was assisted by Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch Center, Kiel Police Department, Kiel Fire Department Ambulance Service, Elkhart Lake Fire Department, New Holstein Fire Department, Plymouth Fire Department, Glenbeulah Fire Department, St. Anna Fire Department, St. Nazianz Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Kiel Department of Public Works. Brandon Reid is editor of the Herald Times Reporter. Contact him at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com, or follow him on X at @breidHTRNews. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Kiel Foundry fire results in damage to building and no injuries Update at 6 p.m. TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA) Firefighters from across Central Illinois were able to put out a large Tolono field fire on Saturday. It was extinguished within an hour of arriving at the scene. Savoy credits the quick response to a fully staffed engine in house. The high winds and overall dryness of the area contributed to the fire. Danville Fire Dept. battles house fire in intense heat Its hot today. Its very dry and its very windy, and those are the right conditions for a very, very serious field fire, said Eddie Bain, the Savoy Fire Departments Public Information Officer. This time of year, whether the crops are planted or not, field fire can be very destructive. The department said its not safe to burn anything when winds, heat, and dryness are at levels like this. TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA) Central Illinois firefighters are responding to a large field fire in Tolono late Saturday morning. After the fire was called in at 11:11 a.m., firefighters from the Savoy, Bondville, Pesotum and Tolono Fire Departments were dispatched to 1011 at County Road 1200 E where they continue working to extinguish the flames. Pesotum and Bondville Fire Departments also arrived just before noon to assist in controlling the fire. A WCIA reporter on the scene said the flames started from a controlled fire which got out on control, spreading into the long grass nearby. The smoke can be seen for miles out. No one is hurt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Are fireworks legal in Colorado? Laws to know before July 4th People watch the Independence Day fireworks display over Sheldon Lake on July 4, 2023. The display was delayed several times due to severe lightning before the first firework flew into the sky. As Fourth of July preparations start, make sure youre up to date on which fireworks you can use and where. While firework displays can be dazzling, they also pose a risk of accidental fires, injury and death. Cities, towns, counties and the state differ in their laws, but heres a breakdown on what youre allowed to do. As an alternative, you can also watch them on a public display. Fireworks laws in the Larimer County area Fort Collins: All fireworks are banned within city limits. This includes sparklers and snakes. Those caught with fireworks can be fined up to $2,650, according to previous Coloradoan reporting. Windsor: Any fireworks that explode or leave the ground are not allowed. Use of fireworks can result in a fine up to $525, according to the town. Loveland: Fireworks that explode and/or leave the ground, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman Candles, aerials, missiles, and other similar items, are illegal in Loveland, according to Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. Legal fireworks include: Sparklers Fountains Smoke balls Items with crackle and strobe effects Wheels and spinners Children under the age of 16 must have adult supervision. Greeley, Timnath, Wellington and unincorporated Larimer County: These places follow Colorado law and allow fireworks that are not explosive or do not leave the ground. According to Poudre Fire Authority, Colorado legal fireworks include: Cylindrical or cone fountains Wheels and ground spinners Illuminating torches and colored fire Dipped sticks and sparklers Toy propellant or toy smoke devices Trick noise makers Snakes and glow worms Public lands: Fireworks are prohibited on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands, on National Forest System lands and within boundaries of a National Park Service site. The no-fireworks rule also applies to Larimer County's public recreation areas, such as Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake. The fine is $75 if caught possessing or discharging any types of fireworks, including sparklers. Previous reporting by Coloradoan reporter Rebecca Powell contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Legal and illegal fireworks in Fort Collins, Colorado If youre in some spots in Biscayne Bay during the weekend, you might be greeted with an unpleasant sight: dead fish floating on the surface. Thats the unfortunate aftermath of the relentless rain that South Florida experienced last week and a reminder of much larger fish kills that have plagued Biscayne Bay in the past few years. The damage this time seems limited. About 2,000 fish were estimated dead in northern Biscayne Bay, with reports from Morningside to North Bay Village and up to 95th Street. The victims were mostly toadfish, a small species that lives on the bottom in shallow coastal areas that tend to be most dangerous for fish, according to Miami Waterkeeper, a clean-water advocacy group. Biscayne Bay is no stranger to fish kills Since 2020, the bay has experienced at least four fish kills. Miami Waterkeeper said the recent heavy rain was likely to blame for the latest one. The surge of freshwater flowing into the bay lowers salinity, which can drive off or even kill some fish. Little River, which empties into the bay, is one of the countys most polluted waterways and has been overflowing with storm water since June 11, according to Miami Waterkeeper. The freshwater anoxic flow originating from the Little River and Biscayne Canal likely contributed to the conditions that have led to the fish deaths. Its important to note that there are salinity-control structures in place that release freshwater into the affected area to alleviate flooding and lower the groundwater levels, said Adriana Gonzalez Fernandez, Miami Waterkeepers science and research director. The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department said there were several wastewater flows across the region caused by the storms but none made direct contact with surface water. But runoff carries pollutants and animal waste that arent helping fish either. After storms and flooding, residents should generally expect an increase in pollutants such as bacteria, sediment, chemicals and debris in waterways, Fernandez said. The safety of waterways after storms can vary depending on the severity of the event and the area affected. On one of the days of heaviest rains, June 12, Miami Waterkeeper tested South Florida areas, including Little River, for enterococci, a bacteria that is an indicator of human waste, and found that all water they tested was unsuitable for recreational use. Its not necessarily always a result of storms, but it definitely can be influenced by them, she said. Miami-Dade Chief Bay and Water Resources Officer Loren Parra told WPLG-ABC 10 that she was devastated to see these reports, certainly so early in the rainy season. The station shot video of dozens of dead fish floating among debris in murky water in the bay on June 18 days after the region was swamped by up to 20 inches of rain in spots, including Northeast Miami-Dade. Climate change isnt helping either. South Florida had a string of fish kills last summer, which was the hottest on record. Researchers blamed it on rising temperatures, which can reduce oxygen in the water and trigger algae blooms that do the same. Climate scientists say It also can turn storm systems wetter. Changing climates, characterized by more intense and frequent rain events in South Florida, might exacerbate these fish-kill incidents, Fernandez said. This trend suggests that such fish kills may become more frequent unless significant climate-mitigation efforts are undertaken. ***Learn about swimming safety in the video above.*** (WJW) A small group of fishermen are being hailed heroes after making an unexpected catch that day more than three dozen hunting dogs treading water in a Mississippi lake. It all started when Bob Gist, a 61-year-old State Farm agent from Arkansas, went on a fishing trip to Lake Grenada with his friend Brad Carlisle, a State Farm agent from Tennessee, as reported by Fox News. Gist told Fox News they were out on the lake with a fishing guide, Jordan Chrestman, when they suddenly heard dogs barking. Pretty soon we saw some dogs on the horizon in the water, Gist told the news outlet. Ohio scratch-off yields $500K; 2 top prizes left The friends noticed the group of dogs, which were part of an annual fox run, were trying to catch a deer in the water, according to reports. The group went on fishing for another 10 to 15 minutes when the guide said he wanted to check back on the dogs. Were just flabbergasted because its dogs everywhere, Gist told Fox News. Theyre all going in different directions because they can no longer see the bank on either side. The fishermen then sprung into action, bringing as many hunting dogs as they could onto their bass fishing boat. Reports say the rescuers returned about 25 to 27 dogs to shore when their owners came running over, pleading for help. With help from a man on shore with a GPS tracker, they were able to rescue the remaining dogs that, according to Gist, were on the verge of drowning, Fox News reported. Gist posted photos from the rescue on his professional Facebook page, with the caption reading, Like a Good Neighbor Bob Gist was there! The fishermen have received plenty of praise since the rescue, with one commenter saying, All of you guys are true HEROES! Love this story! Our family have dogs of our own and I know how much this means to those owners! Thank you! another said. Live Dungeons & Dragons fundraiser scores critical hit as Browns Myles Garrett joins the party Gist said hes grateful they were in the right place at the right time, but hes giving the most credit to their fishing guide. Jordan realized there might be a problem and said we needed to go check. He was so correct, Gist said on Facebook. We all pulled dogs from the water and Jordan managed (the) recovery like he had done it before. He is the hero here for sure. He told Fox News that the dog owners tried to pay Chrestman for rescuing the pups, but the fishing guide refused to take the money. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR) is taking its analytic and artificial intelligence (AI) expertise to outer space after forming a strategic partnership with Starlab Space. Let's take a look at the deal and whether this could help send the stock to the moon and beyond. Starlab space partnership Already a mission-critical partner to the U.S. and other governments around the globe, as well as the public sector, Palantir is looking to conquer space. The company struck a deal with Starlab to become its exclusive supplier of enterprise-wide software data management solutions for its commercial space station. Starlab is a joint venture (JV) between Voyager Space, Airbus, Mitsubishi, and MDA Space that is working to build and operate a commercial space station. The JV's goal is to maintain a human presence in low-Earth orbit and transition research and science from the International Space Station, operated by five separate government space agencies, to commercial space stations. Starlab is trying to get its space station into orbit in 2028, just ahead of when the International Space Station is set to be decommissioned in 2030. The JV said Palantir's technology will help identify potential issues and predict maintenance, prolonging the life of critical components. It added that they will use "data modeling through digital twins and AI technologies to enhance Starlab's operations throughout the enterprise." This isn't Palantir's first contract involving outer space. Since 2021, the company has been working with the U.S. Space Force, a branch of the U.S. armed forces, by providing cloud and analytic services for the Warp Core project. Last year, the company extended three contracts with the Space Force and the U.S. Air Force worth a combined $110 million. While the terms of Palantir's Starlab partnership were not disclosed, it is yet another example of how the company's technology is being selected when advanced mission-critical solutions are needed. Image source: Getty Images. Can the stock head to the stars? Palantir's Starlab win is another example of the company's inroads into the commercial space, which has seen strong growth recently. The segment had 27% revenue growth in the first quarter to $299 million, with U.S. commercial growth of 40% to $150 million. The company is seeing more types of industries adopt analytical and AIP (AI platform) solutions, as evidenced by the 69% growth in U.S. commercial customers it saw in the quarter. To help draw in commercial customers, the company puts together boot camps to quickly teach them the skills they need to employ AIP and solve their own complex issues. Story continues The problem that Palantir has run into is that its government revenue growth has slowed, particularly with the U.S. government. Government revenue grew 16% in the quarter to $335 million, with U.S. government growth of 12% to $257 million. That growth isn't bad, but for a company valued at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 21 times, overall revenue growth of 21% is not enough to justify that valuation. PLTR PS Ratio (Forward) Chart Going forward, Palantir will have to keep winning both more commercial and government contracts to justify its valuation. The Spacelab deal helps on the commercial side, while a $480 million contract win in late May with the U.S. Army for a Maven Smart System prototype certainly helps on the government side. Its technology is considered top-notch, and its use in critical tasks, such as tracking terrorists and COVID-19, shows how important it is. That said, a lot of expectations are currently priced into the stock. While Palantir's stock could head to the stars, until its revenue growth starts to accelerate, it could be grounded. As such, it is best to size this high-risk, high-potential-reward growth stock accordingly. Should you invest $1,000 in Palantir Technologies right now? Before you buy stock in Palantir Technologies, 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 Palantir Technologies 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 $775,568!* 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 Geoffrey Seiler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Palantir Inks Deal With Starlab. Is the Stock Ready to Head to the Stars? was originally published by The Motley Fool Minneapolis police said Friday that they will investigate a fatal crash involving a motorcyclist who crashed into a Minnesota State Patrol vehicle. Police Chief Brian OHara gave the following details of the crash in a press release: Shortly before 4 p.m. June 14, State Patrol troopers were in pursuit of a motorcycle. When the motorcyclist, later identified as a man in his mid-20s, exited the highway, the troopers terminated the pursuit. A State Patrol helicopter continued to track the motorcyclist, who then struck a marked State Patrol vehicle on Cedar Avenue near 51st Street in south Minneapolis. The motorcyclist was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. He died of his injuries Friday. The Hennepin County medical examiners office will release the mans name and the details of his death, OHara said. Because the crash occurred on city streets, the Minneapolis Police Departments traffic division will be the lead investigative agency of the collision, along with assistance from the State Patrol. The State Patrol will handle the investigation of the pursuit, the chief said. Related Articles Florida Democratic Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell speaks to people during a campaign event on Feb. 22, 2024, in Miami. Joe Raedle via Getty Images TAMPA, Fla. As Democrats gear up for yet another run against Florida Republican Rick Scott, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell hopes the fourth time is a charm. In three statewide campaigns over eight years, Democrats have racked up three maddeningly close losses against the former governor and current U.S. senator. I know I can beat Rick Scott, the former congresswoman from Miami told a room of supporters this week. This is a real unique opportunity that we have here in Florida, and we cant miss this opportunity. She and other Democrats have a whole list of reasons why they can finally beat Scott this time. In his three previous general election races, his margins have gotten progressively thinner: from 1.2 percent against banker Alex Sink in the 2010 governors race to 1 percent against former governor and Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist in 2014 to just two-tenths of a percent against then-incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson in 2018. They point out that Scott has never had to run in a presidential election year, when Democrats in Florida have done a better job turning out their voters than in midterm years. And they argue that Scott is uniquely vulnerable this time, given his public support for both strict abortion limits as well as a phaseout of Social Security and Medicare. These are really losing issues for him, said Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party. The issues important to Floridians today are going to harm him. On top of that, Mucarsel-Powells life story born in Ecuador, put herself through college, fluent in Spanish not only make her a perfect fit for a race against Scott, but her presence near the top of the ticket will help Democratic candidates across Florida, Fried said. We have a really good opportunity to get into the Hispanic communities, she said. If Scott truly is in trouble, though, his campaign is not displaying any signs of it. The former head of Columbia/HCA made his hundreds of millions of dollars running the for-profit hospital chain, which by 2003 had paid a record $1.7 billion in fines for Medicare fraud after coming under federal investigation. Scott personally claimed the Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself 75 times during his deposition with investigators a fact that every opponent since Republican Bill McCollum in the 2010 primary has used against him without success. Chris Hartline, who has been working for Scott since his time as governor and is now with the reelection campaign, said Scott and his team are taking the race seriously, but disagree that Floridas new six-week abortion ban and the constitutional amendment question on the ballot that would restore abortion rights in Florida present a particularly grave threat to him. Nor are they concerned about a second ballot question that would legalize marijuana, and the voters it might draw to the polls. Its possible that both amendments pass and that (presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald) Trump and Rick Scott and a lot of down-ballot candidates have big wins, he said. Organizing Around Abortion On a two-day swing through Tampa earlier this week, Mucarsel-Powell has gathered a dozen activists at the Hillsborough County Democratic Party office a few miles north of downtown on the topic of abortion rights. On one wall is an enlarged quotation from President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech this year when he quoted the Supreme Court Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade: Women are not without electoral or political power. Youre about to realize just how much you were right about that. Just below is a framed pink poster Protect Freedom: Vote Yes on Amendment 4 decorated with a pair of Biden-style aviator sunglasses. If one single issue can lift someone who lost reelection after a single term in Congress to the point of beating an incumbent senator in Florida, it could well be abortion. While Floridas voting population has produced Republican governors and a solid GOP legislature for nearly a full generation now, it has never been strongly anti-abortion. Now, with a six-week ban newly on the books and a constitutional amendment that would undo it on the November ballot, Mucarsel-Powell believes she can ride the hoped-for surge of voter enthusiasm for the amendment into an upset win over Scott. This is a fundamental civil right for a woman, she told her guests, who included leaders of local party committees as well as advocates who try to arrange for Florida women to have abortions in other states like North Carolina. I remember what it was like, pre-Roe versus Wade, said Gail Gibson, an officer with the South Tampa Democratic Club. While Scott had nothing to do with the six-week ban, which was signed into law by his successor Ron DeSantis, he did approve a 2015 bill that required women in Florida to wait at least 24 hours to obtain an abortion after deciding to have one. Whats more, he told an Orlando TV station in April that he would have signed the six-week ban, too, had he been governor. Mucarsel-Powell told the activists that she often muses about organizing a march the length of the state to rally women to action. Im ready to march from Key West to Tallahassee and have women join along the way, she said. Well call it the El Camino. The El Camino for women. A Nine-Figure Senate Race Some seasoned Democratic consultants in Florida, though, remain less sanguine about Mucarsel-Powells chances. One, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that as good a contrast as Mucarsel-Powell, 53, might present against the perennially awkward Scott, who is 71, he retains the advantage that has pulled him through each of his elections: an effectively bottomless bank account. In his three campaigns thus far, Scott has spent $150 million of his own money. If things start looking bad in any of Floridas 10 television markets including one of the nations most expensive in Miami Scott has both the ability and the proven willingness to write a seven-figure check to make things better, the consultant said. A recent imbroglio on the issue of in vitro fertilization provides an example. Scott, like all but two Republican senators, voted against a bill last week creating a national right to the procedure. Almost immediately afterward, he introduced a new television ad proclaiming his support for IVF as part of a previously reserved seven-figure buy. Mucarsel-Powell and her staff doggedly point to the apparent hypocrisy but the reality, the consultant said, was that far more voters in Florida will see the ad than will likely learn that he voted against the legislation. Its good to be able to stroke a check, the consultant said. Scott voted against a bill last week creating a national right to in vitro fertilization. Almost immediately afterward, he introduced a new television ad proclaiming his support for IVF as part of a previously reserved seven-figure buy. A second consultant, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said beating Scott would likely take $100 million in a state whose size and population and wildly disparate demographics by region still require loads of expensive television advertising. I just dont see where that $100 million comes from, the second consultant said, particularly when there are Senate races in other states that Democrats must win to retain control of the chamber, like Montana, Nevada and Ohio. Hartline, Scotts campaign adviser, said he agreed that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and other outside groups are not likely to help Mucarsel-Powell. As to her campaigns charge of hypocrisy on IVF, Hartline said those types of voting decisions happen all the time in Congress. He voted no on the Democrat bill and supported a different version of that bill. Not uncommon, he said. In an interview with HuffPost, Mucarsel-Powell said that Scotts fundamental problem is that voters in Florida already know him. They know him, and because they know him so well, they dont want to vote for him, she said. So a lot of that work has already been done for me. Now, what I need to do is make sure that I have the resources to be in front of Floridians that dont know me yet, so that they can get to know me and I can earn their trust and their vote. And that, she said, will not require $100 million. I dont need all the money that Rick Scott has, she said. I know that I need a certain amount to make sure we beat him. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday signed into law a measure prohibiting ethics investigations from being launched until they are prompted by a complaint from someone with personal knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing. The measure (SB 7014) was widely opposed by government watchdog organizations who warned it will undermine state ethics laws at both the state and local levels. Still, the legislation was approved by wide margins in the Republican-controlled state House and Senate. Supporters said the change was needed to blunt the filing of complaints against elected officials to discredit them, particularly in election years. Those who backed the measure said complaints have been weaponized against candidates. But opponents argued it raised the bar on ethics complaints to impractical heights. They said it was unlikely a witness to wrongdoing would be willing to publicly identify themselves by name and file a complaint under oath, as the new law requires. Anything short of personal knowledge would be considered hearsay. As a result, state and local ethics commissioners would be barred from investigating alleged violations. The new standard also eliminates complaints based on investigative reports that appear in the media and bars local ethics panels from self-initiating probes, forcing them to act only when a valid complaint arrives. A host of organizations had urged a DeSantis veto. Among them were the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause of Florida, the states NAACP, the Florida Ethics Institute and Florida Rising. This bill allows unethical conduct to continue unchecked, thereby diminishing public trust in the Sunshine State, the groups said in a letter earlier this year to DeSantis. Sen. Danny Burgess speaks during a Senate session Thursday, March 18, 2021. Sen. Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican and chair of the Senates Ethics and Elections Committee, proposed the changes during the spring legislative session in an amendment unveiled on the Senate floor. With fall election campaigns looming fear of complaints being filed to tarnish candidates appeared to be a driver of the legislation. I put my former prosecutor hat on and we dont charge people with crimes unless we have something other than inadmissible hearsay, said House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, a former assistant state attorney. The measure, though, goes further than barring filing charges. If only hearsay allegations are involved, even the possibility of ethics officials investigating possibly wrongdoing would be barred. City Council Member Matt Carlucci speaks during a City Council meeting concerning the proposed Jacksonville Jaguars stadium Thursday, June 13, 2024 at City Hall in Jacksonville, Fla. Personal knowledge makes it sound like you have to have been there when the ethics violation occurred, seeing it with your own two eyes, said Jacksonville City Council member Matt Carlucci, who helped form his citys ethics panel more than 30 years ago and who is a former chair of the state ethics commission. Generally, people who violate ethics dont exactly invite friends or members of the public to attend their bad behavior, he added. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis signs bill that makes it harder to file ethics complaints An NYPD spokesperson tells PEOPLE the man was arrested about 15 minutes after he "unlawfully" entered the building and began throwing things off its terrace Google Maps 555 Fifth Ave. Building New York City police arrested a Florida man last Friday after he was seen throwing pieces of furniture off a high-rise building in Midtown, Manhattan. A NYPD spokesperson tells PEOPLE that officers responded to a call shortly after 2 p.m. local time and took Jean Oliver, 33, into custody about 15 minutes after he began hurling pieces of furniture off 20th floor of the building at 555 Fifth Ave., near 46th St. "Once inside of the location, the male proceeded to make his way to the 20th floor outside terrace, where he proceeded to threw numerous furniture items (tables, benches, chairs) down onto the sidewalk and street while pedestrians where passing by," the spokesperson tells PEOPLE. A large crowd of bystanders had gathered on the street below to watch as Oliver continued to yell and throw things off the building. Other groups gathered in office buildings nearby to watch from across the street. Oliver, who police say is from West Park, Fla., was charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and criminal trespassing. Videos of the incident have circulated on social media in recent days. In one video posted to the Citizen App from across the street, a shirtless man can be seen throwing chairs and tables off the high-rise building with the Empire State Building in the background. At multiple points throughout the video, the man is seen continuing to throw pieces of furniture off the roof, putting his arms up in the air, screaming and waving to onlookers, and getting into arguments with bystanders yelling at him from several floors below. Oh my god! one person could be heard in the background of the video, looking on as the man continued to throw heavy items off the roof. Other onlookers discussed why it was taking police so long to respond to the incident and whether the shirtless man might possibly escape without getting caught. I dont think he wants to get away, one person responds to that idea, as the witnesses continue to observe the man. 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. Local PIX11 reported that police appeared to shut down part of the street while responding to the incident. No one was injured from the falling debris, according to the New York Daily News. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A birthday celebration ends in a food contamination lawsuit. One family had decided to celebrate a mans 80th birthday at the Hereford House in Leawood. Woman charged with arson following Independence apartment fire This marks the ninth lawsuit filed against the restaurant, accusing it of negligence because a former kitchen worker contaminated the food. Twelve people were were at the part on April 20 claim they experienced food poisoning symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, indigestions, fatigue, weakness, nausea, stomach cramps and body aches. Jace Hanson worked at the restaurant during that time. Hes facing criminal charges, accused of adding bodily fluids to foods. The lawsuit states that since becoming aware of the contamination at the restaurant, the victims have suffered additional emotional distress. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Hanson is also charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Hanson is being held in the Johnson County Detention Center on a $500,000 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Former Illinois lawmaker sentenced to 1 year in federal prison for tax offenses CHICAGO A former Illinois lawmaker will spend a year in federal prison for tax offenses. On Friday, 62-year-old Annazette Collins, a former Democratic member of the Illinois State Senate and House of Representatives, was sentenced to one year in federal prison for under reporting and failing to file federal income taxes, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of Illinois, Collins According to prosecutors, Collins, who was convicted in February, willfully filed a false individual tax return in 2014 and 2015 and willfully failed to file an individual income tax return in 2016 on behalf of her consulting and lobbying business, Kourtnie Nicole Corp. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines In addition to her prison sentence, Collins was also ordered to pay $110,852 in restitution. According to the Associated Press, the case is one of several that stemmed from an investigation into former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan was indicted in 2022, for his alleged role in a racketeering conspiracy connected to lobbying practices during his time in politics. He later pleaded not guilty to federal charges including racketeering, bribery, wire fraud and extortion. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former OK judge arrested in Ottawa County on DUI complaint MIAMI, Okla. A former Rogers County judge with a history of drunken driving violations is being held in the Ottawa County jail on a complaint of driving under the influence. Kassie McCoy, 42, of Oklahoma City, was arrested Friday on complaints of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash. Cassie McCoy Miami Police officers was dispatched to Taco Bell in reference to a crash in the drive-thru lane, according to a statement released by the Miami Police Department. McCoy fled the scene and was taken into custody near the 900 block of Pine. McCoy allegedly told the arresting officer she would have his job because she was a judge in Rogers County. Miami Police Department statement The former judge was charged in Rogers County with a DUI in 2021, and a misdemeanor charge of actual physical control of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Her blood alcohol content level was .35, court records show. She pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge and the DUI was dropped. She received a three-year deferred sentence. On April 8, 2022 she was charged with a DUI in Mesa County, Colorado, Her blood alcohol level registered .186. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year probation. The Oklahoma Bar Association suspended her license for two years in 2023. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Monica Crowley, a former Fox News personality and Treasury Department official during Donald Trumps presidential administration, showed love to Cold War-era Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wis.) on Friday as she pushed a bizarre conspiracy theory that seemed straight out of the Red Scare. By the way, Sen. Joe McCarthy was right, Crowley said in remarks to the Faith & Freedom Coalitions annual conference in Washington. And he was trying to ring the bell in the 1950s about communist infiltration in our government. Crowley, who was also Trumps pick for a National Security Council role before she declined it in early 2017 amid aplagiarismscandal, added that the deep state removed Richard Nixon, went after Ronald Reagan and is now going after Donald Trump. That deep state became very insidious, and in the 1950s smeared and attacked Joe McCarthy for speaking the truth about godless communism in [the] very halls of our government, said Crowley, who has previously peddled a number of Barack Obama-related conspiracy theories. Her remarks arrive decades after McCarthy famously claimed there were communists and Soviet spies throughout the U.S. government. The Senate would later vote to censure him in a 67-22 vote, less than three years prior to his 1957 death. Speaking in Washington, Crowley said that communists have been grabbing control over all of the aspects of American life and culture. They called it the long march through the institutions, she said. And now they have succeeded because theyve been at it for so long. Earlier this year, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon said he was sure that Crowley was on the short list for national security adviser in a second Trump term as he seeks to retake the White House. Crowley: Senator Joe McCarthy was right The same deep state going after Donald Trump, the same deep state that removed Richard Nixon that deep state smeared and attacked Joe McCarthy for speaking the truth.. pic.twitter.com/2Z1FQYpqdC Acyn (@Acyn) June 21, 2024 Related... RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock.com When buying property in the United States, its important to consider the bigger picture. Location is one of the biggest factors, along with economic opportunity, cost of living, crime and safety, affordability, growth, education and climate. According to the Federal Reserve, the average sales price of US homes is $513,100. Five years ago, that number was just $375,500. While extenuating circumstances led to this jump, prices will continue to climb in the coming years. If youre buying property in the next five years, here are some expert picks for the best U.S. cities to consider. Learn More: 5 Types of Homes That Will Plummet in Value in 2024 Try This: How To Get Rich in Real Estate Starting With Just $1,000 Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Riverside, California Typical home price: $643,521 Year-over-year increase in price: 8.6% Safety index: 59.76 (moderate) Climate index: 86.63 (very high) Crime and safety rating: C- Overall rating: B- Having leased and sold millions of square feet in the Inland Empire, I can vouch for Riversides rapid growth and increasing appeal, said Joe Stance, a broker and founder of Stance Commercial Real Estate. The area could be a great place for investors as well as individual residents to buy. Its located near several major urban centers, including Anaheim, California; San Bernardino, California; Los Angeles; and, to an extent, San Diego. Yet, according to Stance, it still maintains a small-town community feel that makes it attractive to families. Riverside is poised for sustained growth, he said. The citys dedication to arts, innovation and new business development makes it a prime location for both residential and commercial investments. Find Out: 6 Best Florida Suburbs to Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents Trending Now: 7 Reasons You Must Speak To a Financial Advisor Before Spending $50,000 or More Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. aceshot / Getty Images/iStockphoto New Albany, Ohio Typical home price: $599,251 Year-over-year increase in price: 7.9% Safety index in nearby Columbus: 50.66 (moderate) Climate index in Columbus: 71.29 (high) Crime and safety rating: B+ Overall rating: A+ Dimitri Zubrich, a Realtor with Re/Max Affiliates in Westerville, Ohio, said New Albany is a hidden gem thats bound to become a hot spot in the next five years. This lesser-known location is on the verge of a significant economic boom due to Intels new microchip plant, he said. The plant is expected to bring over 3,000 jobs and $20 billion in investment to the area. This project is part of a larger initiative to create a Silicon Heartland in Ohio. It will drive technological growth and economic development. Story continues Having worked extensively in the Columbus area, Ive seen how such developments can transform communities, he said. The Intel project, combined with New Albanys already low property taxes and excellent school system, makes it an ideal spot for long-term investment. Pictured: Columbus, Ohio Discover More: 7 Worst States To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents Nate Hovee / Getty Images/iStockphoto Atlanta Typical home price: $399,879 Year-over-year increase in price: 2% Safety index: 36.02 (low) Climate index: 89.73 (high) Crime and safety rating: C- Overall rating: A For those interested in living in the South, Atlanta is another U.S. city to consider. As an Atlanta Realtor, I wholeheartedly believe Atlanta is the top city for property investment in the next five years. Our city is an economic powerhouse in the Southeast, with major companies like Delta, Coca-Cola and Home Depot continually expanding. These corporations, along with numerous tech startups, are generating job opportunities and attracting people from other states to Atlanta and its surrounding suburbs, said Jeremy Smith, a real estate advisor and Realtor with Engel & Volkers. Compared to other major cities such as New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living, he said. Our suburbs are growing, providing excellent schools and much lower cost per square foot than other major metropolitan areas. Although housing prices are rising, Atlanta still provides more affordable options and promises a better return on investment over the next five years. picmax / Getty Images/iStockphoto Boise, Idaho Typical home price: $491,295 Year-over-year increase in price: 4.8% Safety index: 64.72 (high) Climate index: 65.11 (high) Crime and safety rating: B- Overall rating: A- While based in California, Stance also said hes seen great potential in Boise. Boises rise as an economic and population growth center cannot be overlooked, he said. The citys low cost of living and high quality of life make it a compelling market. Stance also said its likely that the city would make for a great investment opportunity, especially for those who purchase commercial spaces, like office buildings. This is because the rental market there is already high and buildings residential and nonresidential alike have continued to appreciate over time. OlegAlbinsky / Getty Images/iStockphoto Hudson Valley/Catskills Region, New York Typical home price: $446,241 Year-over-year increase in price: 7% Safety index: 49.22 (moderate) Climate index: 79.66 (high) Crime and safety rating: B- Overall rating: B- Several locations in the Hudson Valley/Catskills region could also be great to buy property in the next five years, according to Angelica Ferguson VonDrak, an associate real estate broker at Sothebys International Realty. Kingston is right in the heart of the Hudson Valley and has a lot going for it. The city is undergoing a significant revitalization right now, she said. Catskill is really on the rise. It offers affordable housing prices and is close to both the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. Theres a lot of ongoing revitalization in the downtown area, which is drawing new businesses and residents. And the options dont stop there. Livingston Manor is another great spot to see the positive appreciation, and its a perfect place for those who love the outdoors, she said. Its nestled in the southern Catskills and offers both beautiful natural surroundings and small-town charm. Over the past few years, its become a hotspot for weekenders from the city, which has spurred growth in the local economy. As for Germanton, VonDrak said its a hidden gem thats seen a steady increase in buyers who want to settle down in a more peaceful, rural area. It also has a strong sense of community and a growing number of local businesses a good sign for future property values. Last but not least is Coxsackie. Coxsackie is a town that is really starting to catch peoples attention. Located right along the Hudson River, Coxsackie has beautiful waterfront views and a charming historic downtown, she said. Theres a lot of potential here, especially with new restaurants and shops opening up, and the community is very welcoming. The real estate prices are still relatively low, so its a great time to buy before it really takes off. River towns dont stay cheap for long though! Check Out: Im an Economist: Heres My Prediction for the Housing Market If Trump Wins the Election Drazen Zigic / Getty Images/iStockphoto Bottom Line Ultimately, where you decide to buy property is a personal choice. Its important to weigh all of the factors that matter to you, as well as understand your budget and reasons for doing it. Whether youre buying for your family or for investment purposes, knowing these things and focusing on the bigger picture can help you make an informed decision and choose the best location for you. All home prices and price changes were sourced from Zillow, all safety and climate index figures were sourced from Numbeo, and all crime and safety and overall ratings were sourced from Niche. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Real Estate Experts Say These Will Be the Best US Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (DC News Now) During joint operations with agencies in the region, the Fredericksburg Police Department (FPD) said six people were arrested, guns were seized along with several drugs over a three-day period. FPD said during the evenings of June 10, 11 and 12, officers worked with Virginia State Police Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Interdiction Section (CCI) units in an effort to prevent criminal activity. Leesburg police investigating assault in McDonalds During the operation, police said the following people were arrested: 34-year-old Ryan M. Garcia, of Fredericksburg, was arrested during a traffic stop. During the search, officers found suspect cocaine residue and drug paraphernalia. Police also learned that he was wanted out of Fredericksburg. He was served outstanding warrants. 24-year-old Michael L. Coles, of Macon, Ga. was wanted out of Fredericksburg for two charges of grand larceny of motor vehicles and two charges of obtaining money on false pretenses. While searching his car, FPD said it allegedly found cocaine in the drivers compartment. He was arrested for possession of Schedule I/II substances and served on his outstanding warrants. 26-year-old Benard L. Jenkins, of Spotsylvania, was arrested during a traffic stop. He was charged with a concealed weapons violation. Officers injured after person stole police car, crashed near Fair Oaks Shopping Center, police say 37-year-old Jerome Blake III, of Fredericksburg, was arrested during a traffic stop after police allegedly observed him trying to hide something in the back of his car. During the search, FPD said they found a concealed gun, methamphetamine, and heroin. Blake was charged with false identification to law enforcement, possession of a firearm with Schedule I/II substances, possession of schedule I/II substances (2 counts), driving without a license, and served on outstanding warrants. 44-year-old Maridy Lynn Rogers, of Caroline, was a passenger in Blakes car. Rogers was arrested for possession of schedule I/II substances, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon and possession of a firearm with Schedule I/II substances. 29-year-old Tyronne Johnsons arrest came after a long federal drug investigation by Virginia State Police, the FBI Fredericksburg Regional Narcotics Task Force and FPD. Johnson was charged with distribution of a Schedule I/II Narcotic and distribution of a Weapon of Terrorism containing Fentanyl. FPD said five guns, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine were seized during the operation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. The vast majority of free public parking in downtown Wichita will soon be replaced with metered stalls and other pay-to-park options. Even public parking structures that have traditionally been free, including the Old Town garage, will charge customers beginning on Jan. 1, 2025. The city is also introducing higher meter rates and a fleet of private parking enforcers responsible for ticketing violators. Its the realization of a plan to turn Wichitas downtown parking system into a self-sustaining operation that can support its own repairs and upkeep through user fees while encouraging quicker turnover in parking spaces near high-traffic businesses and restaurants. Having metered parking might help our business. It might hurt it. Mainly, it will cut down on the time that people take when they do park, said Austin Kitchen, who works at Hatman Jacks in Delano. The more we turn over the traffic, it could be better, yeah. Im not exactly thrilled about the meters going in, but it could improve things. The city will charge between $0.75 and $2 an hour for metered parking. Rates will be set and adjusted by the citys traffic engineer based on data collected by The Car Park, a private management company hired by the City Council. Parking on public surface lots and garages, including the long-promised garage near Riverfront Stadium, is also expected to become more expensive, but specific ranges have not yet been set. Under a contract approved by the council earlier this month, Wichita will pay The Car Park $12 million over the next six years $9.7 million to operate the parking system and another $2.3 million in reimbursements for purchasing the soon-to-be-installed meters and other equipment. Revenue from the parking fund is expected to increase to $3.3 million in 2025, up from between $1 million and $1.5 million in recent years. Beyond the roughly $2 million a year that will be paid out to the Car Park, revenue generated annually by on- and off-street parking will be reinvested in the downtown parking fund, which has operated at a loss for the last five years, budget documents show. Parking is not free, unfortunately. It costs money to maintain roads, to maintain parking lots, said Mayor Lily Wu. But were not here to enforce our way to gaining more revenue. Thats not the idea. Upkeep and demand downtown Some of the garages and surface lots in the citys downtown core defined roughly as Central to Kellogg and Seneca to Washington have fallen into disrepair, Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson told the council. We have issues with loitering and illicit activity and graffiti, and the laundry list goes on and on and on, Anderson said. And so one of the challenges we have is, our parking fund, because of the lack of robust revenue structure, were unable to really respond to that ongoing maintenance. Citing safety concerns and lagging demand for parking, the city indefinitely closed the second and third levels of the garage at Old Town Square last August, leaving only the ground floor open. Even assets like the Old Town parking garage that may have been paid for through TIF (tax increment financing) will still see the introduction of paid parking, Anderson said in an email response to The Eagle. While the debt associated with the asset may have been retired, there are still ongoing operational and maintenance expenses that must be taken into consideration. Asked directly if the city plans to eliminate all free public parking options, including the second level of the garage at the River Vista Apartments on North McLean, Anderson said its not quite that simple. At this time, we are not addressing situations like the River Vista Apartment garage/structure, he said. There are a number of factors that contribute to the determination of whether or not to charge for parking at any one particular location. Well continue to rely on the guidance of the 2019 Parking & Multimodal Plan and the advice of our traffic engineer, our parking operator and other parking professionals in the industry to determine where paid parking should be located and what rates to charge to achieve the desired outcomes. Meeting notes from an Old Town focus group included in that 2019 plan state that Free parking by patrons and visitors is really desired and charging for parking would make Old Town less competitive with other areas of the city. Implementation of new plan A combination of public and private parking accounts for about 60% of downtown land parcels, not including rights of way. Wichita owns more than 8,000 of the approximately 12,000 available parking stalls in the city core. Many of the on-street stalls downtown allow people to park vehicles for free for several hours. A dime buys 30 minutes of free parking on Market near the historic courthouse, and a quarter buys an hour and 15 minutes. In the short-term parking lot at City Hall, a dime buys 15 minutes and a quarter buys 24 minutes. Council member Mike Hoheisel, who voted against the parking plan last year but signed off on the citys contract with The Car Park, said he doesnt expect free on-street parking to completely disappear next year. I dont think were going to do every street as far as a meter, but I do think that where theres a high propensity of parking, right in that area is where were going to be doing a lot of the meters, Hoheisel said. Those meters, unlike current ones on most downtown streets that only accept coins or the parking outside Century II that requires mobile app payment, will give customers more options. They will accept card, coins, app pay, and in some cases, bills. Pricing may be adjusted for time of day and special events. The council voted in January to establish higher minimum fines for parking infractions, including increasing meter violation and overtime parking fines from $10 to $35 and increasing all other parking violations from a $35 penalty to $50. If I get a parking ticket downtown for $35, Im going to quit going downtown to shop, service union business representative Esau Freeman told the council at the time. Private parking enforcement officers will use license plate-scanning technology to identify and ticket vehicles that parked without paying or overstayed their welcome in metered stalls. Sharon Dickgrafe, deputy city attorney, said it will be the first time in city history that an independent contractor has been given the authority to issue citations on behalf of the city. The Car Park will have no ticket quota and will not receive revenue from issuing citations. The company can earn a performance bonus of as much as 0.5% of the parking revenues generated in a year on top of its base management fee, if the city deems it appropriate. The 2019 parking plan also calls on the city to strategically sell-off underutilized surface lots and garages to promote development and redevelopment. Wu said ultimately, she expects the implementation of the parking plan next year to have a positive impact on the community. Encouraging people to walk, encouraging people to ride together are not bad things, said Wu, who had not been elected when the council approved the parking plan last year. It will encourage people to come out together and then save on spots. You dont need four cars. You can have four people in one car. Alan Kailer with Bike Walk Wichita said hes also optimistic about the transportation choices the plan will promote. For example, using the Q Line to get to the Wind Surge ballpark. Rather than parking right there in the immediate area at a cost, it might make sense to park further away and just take the Q Line, Kailer said. The city plans to begin its public information campaign informing residents about upcoming changes to the parking rates and fine structure in the second half of the year. Anderson said he expects new meters to be installed across downtown by late October or early November, in time to test them before they go live on Jan. 1. TOPEKA (KSNT) Hydration is very important as we see hotter days in Topeka, and officials are helping people who dont have easy access to drinking water. The Topeka and Shawnee County Homeless Task Force are running hydration stations around the Capital City. These stations offer free bottled water to anybody who asks no questions asked. People who need bottled water can also receive an electrolyte packet to stay hydrated throughout the day. The service will continue throughout the summer or as long as they have water to provide. Ben Broxterman, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Lets Help spoke to 27 News on why it is important for them to host this throughout the summer. Our goal again is to really make sure that the folks who both already come here for services or who maybe who dont come here often just need to know, hey theres a safe place where I can go and get access to some fresh clean drinking water, Broxterman said. Thats really what we want to make sure we provide here. You can find stations at Valeo, Lets Help and Catholic Charities of NE Kansas. These locations also accept donated bottled water to keep handing out to people in need. Pick-Up Locations and Hours for Hydration Stations Valeo 330 SW Oakley Ave 2401 SW 6th Ave Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Lets Help 200 S. Kansas Ave Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. 11 a.m. & Monday Thursday 1:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Catholic Charities of NE Kansas 234 S Kansas Ave Monday Thursday 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. 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. Front-line NATO allies are facing an unconventional Russian threat short of war but still quite dangerous Russian President Vladimir Putin looks to Naval officers during the Navy Day Parade, on July, 31 2022, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Contributor/Getty Images Baltic countries are facing intensifying Russian hybrid warfare threats. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are strong supporters of Ukraine. Officials in these nations have repeatedly raised concerns about Russian hybrid warfare operations. The three Baltic countries of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have been at the forefront of the conflict between the West and Russia since the latter's invasion of Ukraine. Staunch supporters of Ukraine, they along with Denmark have given the most aid to Kyiv in relation to their GDP and have been pushing for strict sanctions on Moscow. Although they are members of NATO and the EU, the Baltics are in a precarious position. Bordering Russia or its ally Belarus, they are small and were part of the Soviet Union until its collapse. Furthermore, over 20% of the population of Estonia and Latvia and 5% of Lithuania are ethnically Russian. All of this has put them in Moscow's crosshairs. Russia seems to be employing unconventional methods against them that blur the line between war and peace and fall into what is called the "gray zone." In July 2023, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna expressed his concern about the possibility of such Russian attacks. "There are hybrid threats. But we never know what kind of hybrid situation may happen. We have witnessed them before as well," he said. NATO has also cautioned against intensifying Russian hybrid warfare in the region and in the rest of Europe that could include "disinformation, sabotage, acts of violence, cyber and electronic interference, and other hybrid operations." Targeting the Baltics Indeed, a year later in May 2024, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed the Baltics for severing most of their ties with Russia, adding, "We will also respond to the hostile actions of the Baltic states with asymmetrical measures, primarily in the economic and transit spheres." Moscow is suspected of following through with its threats. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi (R) accepts congratulations from Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda (L) during an event dedicated to Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images In May, a leaked Russian proposal outlined plans to redraw Russia's territorial waters with Estonia, Lithuania, and Finland. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Petrov said the proposal wasn't politically motivated but implied it was required to ensure Russia's security amid escalating regional tensions. Although the proposal was deleted a day after it leaked, the following day several buoys demarcating the territorial waters between Russia and Estonia on the Narva River were removed by the Russian coast guard. Estonian high officials urged calm, but Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis was more pointed: "Another Russian hybrid operation is underway, this time attempting to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about their intentions in the Baltic Sea," Landsbergis said in response. Additionally, there has recently been increased jamming of the satellite navigation systems of commercial aircraft in region, which appears to be originating from within Russian territory. Although it is not clear whether the disruption is intentional, Tallinn and Vilnius have accused Moscow. Russia and Belarus have also been accused by EU officials of pushing migrants towards the border of Lithuania and neighboring Poland and using them as hybrid weapons. Lithuania temporarily closed off some of its border crossings with Belarus in response, and Poland deployed troops to the border. The Baltics and Poland are prepared to close off their borders in the event of a major migrant push from Belarus. All three Baltic countries have been targeted by influence operations. Estonia has seen a rise in sabotages that included damage to an undersea gas pipeline and telecommunications cables between it and Finland. Espionage, cyber attacks, and election tampering are also a concern, with Estonia having arrested the most Russian agents per capita in the EU. Destabilization is the point Hybrid warfare can use various tools including military, informational, economic, civilian, and others but it falls short of overt military action. Its purpose is to destabilize a country's government, institutions, or population while often preventing attribution back to the perpetrator occasionally, a purposeful and targeted action may even appear to be a random event. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the military parade at the 76th Guards Air Assault Division in Pskov, Russia, March 1, 2020. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images Although hybrid warfare is not a new strategy, nor one employed exclusively by Russia and its allies, it has received increased attention following Russia's 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea as Moscow used a variety of military and non-military tools, which were described as hybrid, to capture the peninsula without meaningful Ukrainian resistance. The murky nature of hybrid warfare can make it hard to identify and address potential threats. Yet, the Baltic countries are prioritizing hybrid threats and fortifying their institutions in response. Tellingly, Latvia, in its 2016 National Defense Concept the country's overarching defense strategy named hybrid threats and Russia as the main threats to its security for the first time. And last week, writing alongside his Polish and Czech colleagues, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics expressed "deep concern" over Russian hybrid threats. "We will act individually and collectively to address these actions, boost our resilience and continue to coordinate closely to ensure that the Alliance and Allies are prepared to deter and defend against hybrid actions or attacks," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Serbian ammunition worth $855 million has made its way indirectly to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on June 22, citing estimates from anonymous experts. Serbian-Ukrainian relationships are complicated by Belgrade's friendly attitude toward Russia, as Serbia has refused to join sanctions against Moscow. At the same time, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has called Ukraine a "friendly country" and had previously affirmed that Crimea and Donbas are Ukrainian sovereign territories. According to the FT, estimates shared with the paper suggest around 800 million ($855 million) worth of ammunition exports have reached Ukraine via third parties. The paper then put this to Vucic. "This is a part of our economic revival and important for us. Yes, we do export our ammunition, Vucic said. "We cannot export to Ukraine or to Russia . . . but we have had many contracts with Americans, Spaniards, Czechs, others. What they do with that in the end is their job. Even if I know [where the ammunition ends up], thats not my job. My job is to secure the fact that we deal legally with our ammunition, that we sell it . . . I need to take care of my people, and thats it. Thats all I can say. We have friends in Kyiv and in Moscow. These are our Slav brothers." Asked about the $855 million figure, Vucic said it was broadly accurate over a period of "maybe... two or three years, something like that." The so-called Pentagon leaks from April 2023 suggested that Serbia had allegedly committed to supplying lethal weaponry to Kyiv, or that it had already delivered it, which the Serbian government publicly denied. It was reported last year that Vucic is "not opposed" to his country selling ammunition to intermediaries who would send it to Ukraine. Read also: It really is insane: Ex-defense minister on Slovakias pro-Russian turn Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Scientists have directly imaged eight dim objects accompanying very bright stars within the Gaia data catalog, including so-called "failed stars," otherwise known as brown dwarfs. The stars and their companions were originally identified from millions of stars in the Gaia catalog. They were considered ideal for follow-up investigations with the ground-based GRAVITY instrument, an advanced near-infrared interferometer located at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) on the peak of Cerro Paranal in Chile. By combining infrared light from multiple telescopes, a process called interferometry, GRAVITY has already achieved the first direct observation of an extrasolar planet, or "exoplanet." Following up on Gaia observations, GRAVITY directly spotted light signals from companions around the eight bright stars, seven of which were theorized objects, undiscovered until now. Three of the companion objects are small and faint stars, and the other five are brown dwarfs. The latter form like stars and have more mass than gas giant planets, but don't have enough mass to trigger the fusion of hydrogen to helium in their cores like main-sequence stars do. That's where their nickname "failed stars" comes from. Related: Could nearby stars have habitable exoplanets? NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory hopes to find out One of the brown dwarfs spotted by GRAVITY orbits its parent star at a distance about equal to the distance between Earth and the sun. This marks the first time one of these failed stars has been directly seen so close to its host star. "We have demonstrated that it is possible to capture an image of a faint companion, even when it orbits very close to its bright host," team leader and European Southern Observatory (ESO) scientist Thomas Winterhalder said in a statement. "This achievement highlights the remarkable synergy between Gaia and GRAVITY. Only Gaia can identify such tight systems hosting a star and a 'hidden' companion, and then GRAVITY can take over to image the smaller and fainter object with unprecedented accuracy." A firefly on a lighthouse Directly observing dim objects like small, faint stars or brown dwarfs around bright stars is no mean feat. In fact, spotting their light signals is akin to seeing the light of a firefly sitting on a shining lighthouse. Understandably, any attempt to image the firefly's light is washed out by the brighter light of the lighthouse, and the same is true for bright stars and their dim companions. While Gaia can't directly spot the dim companions of these stars, the space telescope was able to infer their presence. This is because when a brown dwarf, or small star in general, orbits a larger, brighter star, its gravity tugs on the parent star and this causes a "wobble" in the larger, brighter star's motion. As that star "wobbles" away from Earth (and Gaia), the wavelength of light stretches, shifting it toward the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Conversely, when it wobbles toward Earth, the wavelengths of light are shortened, shifting the light toward the blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum. This redshift and blueshift effect is analogous to the Doppler shift, the phenomenon that affects soundwaves on Earth. For instance, as an ambulance races toward you with its siren blaring, the soundwaves are compressed, and the siren is higher pitched, akin to blueshift. As the ambulance passes you, the wavelengths of sound stretch out, and the siren is low-pitched, just like the redshift of the light from the star as it moves away. An illustration showing the Doppler effect. As the ambulance speeds away from the pedestrian the sound is stretched and is low frequency. As it approaches the soundwaves are compressed and the siren is high-frequency This redshift and blueshift effect is tiny, but Gaia is sensitive enough to spot it. The small companions of these stars in the Gaia sample lie at tiny separation angles from their bright stellar parents of a few dozen milliarcseconds, which is about the size of a quarter viewed from a distance of around 62 miles (100 kilometers) away. "In our observations, Gaia data act as a kind of signpost," Thomas explained. "The part of the sky that we can see with GRAVITY is very small, so we need to know where to look. Gaia's unparalleled precise measurements of the movements and positions of stars are essential to point our instrument to the right direction in the sky." The collaboration of Gaia and GRAVITY helped the team go beyond the mere detection of these companions. The two datasets also enabled the team to separate out the masses of the stars and the masses of the companions. Additionally, measuring the differences in wavelengths of light from the stars and their companion bodies, as well as combining this information with those aforementioned mass estimates, allowed the team to infer the ages of the companions. This revealed that the brown dwarfs were less luminous than expected at the observed ages and masses, which implies these bodies themselves could be orbited by another smaller and even dimmer companion, maybe even elusive exomoons. RELATED STORIES: New trove of Gaia data will uncloak the Milky Way's dark past and future Newfound alien planet has nuclear fusion going in its core Star-mapping Gaia spacecraft spots a pair of Jupiter-like planets The power of the Gaia-GRAVITY tag team means scientists could soon use these two instruments to image smaller companions around bright stars, namely exoplanets. "The ability to tease out the tiny motions of close-by pairs in the sky is unique to the Gaia mission. The next catalog, to be made available as part of the fourth data release (DR4), will contain an even richer collection of stars with potentially smaller companions," European Space Agency (ESA) Gaia scientist Johannes Sahlmann said. "This result breaks new ground in the hunt for planets in our galaxy and promises us glimpses of new distant worlds." The team's research was published on June 10 in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics. I spend a good deal of time in my local Waitrose because I find it relaxing, even when I dont buy very much. Its a sort of temple to soft British capitalism that benign, eccentric mixture of relatively high-quality foods whose chemicals and packaging are held in check by myriad regulations, while its prices, while high, feel like nothing next to a Whole Foods or similar American upscale chain. I love browsing the cutting edge of luxury convenience. Did I know I wanted a new mixture of crab and scallop in a large shell ready to eat; a watercress-infused tzatziki, a large glass tumbler with a bee motif? No: but, now I know it exists, it turns out that maybe I do! What will they think of next, I often mumble internally, strolling happily among the pomegranate syrups and rose-harissa pastes. But this is increasingly a shop whose charms seem to belong to an era in which Britons didnt have to do their shopping under the watchful gaze of ubiquitous cameras and security guards. A period in which we did not expect thugs to regularly swagger in to stores and steal the priciest things they can get their hands on, like spirits and wine. A period when the the general decency governing most daily life seemed to so rarely be disrupted that most customers could remain oblivious to infractions for years at a time. An era, in other words, which is now apparently long gone. Last week, Lucy Brown, director of central operations and security at the John Lewis partnership, said bluntly that soaring shoplifting rates are not, as bleeding heart types insist, to do with the cost of living. Im not seeing that, she said. I describe it as absolutely greed, not need. There are lots of people, they shoplift for as many hours in the week as I work, which is a lot. Its basically their occupation. You get organised gangs . . . They will strip the shelves . . . Theyre doing that for resale. Other thieves are doing it to fund various addictions. Brown is unusual for her straight-talking assessment. Pointing out the obvious moral decay of society, and the proliferation of bad actors, rather than pinning the blame on a harsh and cruel social system, evil Tories in Westminster, or inequality is deeply unpopular. This isnt surprising; assigning people moral agency and responsibility for their actions contravenes the basic worldview of the wokerati. But greed, not need seems, to me, to be exactly the right line. More than once I have been in Waitrose, absorbed in the latest nut medley tin, and have heard an almighty scuffle, shouting security guards and alarms. Staff working in the alcohol section (next to the nut aisle) tell me that the gangs of today dont even pretend to need basics. They swagger right over to the priciest booze, take and run in coordinated grabs. They show no fear, no shame, no interest in consequences (confident there will be none). Staff arent trained in combat or self-defence so dont feel inclined to intervene too extensively, which is understandable. It isnt safe for them to do so. It is amazing that being a Waitrose floor worker has now apparently become one of the more perilous, crime-facing jobs on the high street. How did this happen? It seems clear to me: a combination of general cultural sag and progressive good intentions backfiring visible in excessive lenience from the justice system and the police has produced a new generation of dead-eyed young people, people one can only describe as morally feral. However snooty it sounds, the fact is that when gang thuggery comes to Waitrose and M&S, something has gone badly wrong. This is not because Waitrose shoppers deserve the peace of well-administrated law and order more than Tesco and Asda shoppers, but because it shows the sheer expansion of rank and violent criminality. To see where things are going, we might look at the Co-op, which has outposts in communities across Britain. As its own webpages point out, it has spent more than 200 million in recent years on security. Various effortfully upbeat texts detail the installation of intelligent CCTV, Smart Water fog systems to befuddle thieves looking for the exit, fortified kiosks, a system called MySafety that allows staff to report crime from their own devices and body-worn cameras. Despite this, in April the Co-op said that incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour had risen by 44 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022, running at roughly 1,000 a day. Unless Labour is capable of a transformation in British law and order, which seems extremely unlikely, we will be going the way of shops on the west coast of America, with everything from bottled water to toothpaste locked to cabinets, requiring staff to get them out. It is a sad and bizarre thought; orange juice and loo roll chained to the shelves of Waitrose. Its sad too that more and more electronic eyes will be needed to watch shoppers not because I find it intrusive, but because its a reminder of just how utterly the social contract appears to have been smashed. This deadening of morality is a wider problem of youth culture. City dwellers have become used to a sense of ambient nastiness, with knife crime seemingly out of control. But its the utter lack of remorse the murderers show in the dock that sends chills up the spine, and speaks to the difficulties we will soon face. Getting tough on crime is one thing: convincing Britains new feral youth to grow up is another, and far trickier. 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. Gas prices see a cool down during the summer heat up OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Temperatures are beginning to heat up across the U.S., but over the past several weeks gas prices have began to cool down. As of Friday, the gas average in Oklahoma is $3.00, which is down by one cent in the past week and 19 cents less than one year ago. OKLAHOMA NEWS: Cybersecurity attack leaves car dealerships struggling The national average of gasoline prices remains unchanged, sitting at $3.45 this week. 14 cents less than a month ago and 13 cents less than a year ago. June 21, 2024 A week ago A year ago National $3.45 $3.45 $3.58 Oklahoma $3.00 $3.01 $3.19 Oklahoma City $2.99 $3.04 $3.20 Tulsa $2.98 $2.96 $3.10 Lawton $2.87 $2.91 $3.02 Crude Oil $80.73 per barrel (6/21/24) $78.46 per barrel (6/14/24) $68.91 per barrel (6/23/23) Crude oil prices settled at $80.73 per barrel at the end of the formal trading session on Friday, putting West Texas Intermediate (WTI) at an increase of nearly $3.00 for the week. According to AAA the increased threat of conflict in the Middle East was the reasoning behind the weekly increase of oil prices. Gas prices have cooled off in many areas across the country just as summer temperatures heat up, said Rylie Fletcher, spokesperson for AAA Oklahoma. However, with the Independence Day holiday less than two weeks away, we could see increased demand push prices higher as a record number of travelers are planning road trips for the first official summer holiday. AAA is projecting more than 60 million people will travel by car during Independence Day week, an increase from last year by 2.8 million travelers. To help motorist save money on fuel, AAA has provided several resources: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It seems the flavor of the week for the U.S. Surgeon General and Gavin Newsom is social media, smartphones and how government can better parent children. As if Newsom doesnt have more pressing issues a multi-billion dollar deficit, a homeless crisis, retail theft legislation he is aiming his attention at social media. These two public officials are wading into some very deep waters, the every-day behavior of literally millions of American kids. Their reach may be limited. When you try to tell a teen what to do, sometimes you get the opposite response. Yet the federal government is gearing up to take on social media with mere words. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said Monday that he would push for a warning label on social media platforms advising parents that using the platforms might damage adolescents mental health. The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency -- and social media has emerged as an important contributor, Murthy wrote in the New York Times. Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. According to Gallup, 51% of teens spent an average 4.8 hours a day on social media. The top apps they choose are YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. All these apps have parental guidance guidance features on their platform. Not to be outdone by Washington, the California governor now wants to go further than labels. He wants to take smartphones away from students all together. As the surgeon general affirmed, social media is harming the mental health of our youth, Newsom told Politico. Building on legislation I signed in 2019, I look forward to working with the Legislature to restrict the use of smartphones during the school day. When children and teens are in school, they should be focused on their studies not their screens. Will labels and regulations work? The governor says that we must address the problem of social media, but his proposal doesnt move the needle away from whats already been done in the two generations since smartphones were created. Teachers have been taking phones away from students for the past two decades. And that has proven to not have that much success. But even still, regulating social media is gaining popularity across the political spectrum. On top of the the governors push to ban smartphones in school, certain lawmaker have introduced a couple of bills that could restrict social media. State Sen. Henry Stern, D-Calabasas, proposed a measure that would give school districts the ability to restrict students use of social media while they are on campus. Assembly member Josh Hoover, R-Folsom, is interested in requiring school districts to limit or ban smartphones on school campuses by 2026. Now, when in American history has warning labels stopped a kid from being peered pressured into puffing a cigarette or using a fake identification to get alcohol? Never. Banning smartphones opens up a can of worms that state lawmakers dont want to have. Requiring schools to ban a device is a totalitarian move that will boost suspensions in school, leading to a overwhelmed staff. Not to mention there are students who do need to have a phone on them in case of family emergency. There are answers to the problem The issue should be about the algorithms that run the social media platforms. It is this sophisticated software that sends tons of content to a users doorstep at the tap of the screen. That has much more of an impact than the social media app alone. It would be noteworthy to see whether social media companies would be willing to partner with government to find common ground instead of putting it all on the kids. As attempts at regulating social media remain works in progress, researchers should continue to look into the harm that social media content can have on youth. But the common denominator in this issue is the parent. Yes, the government can impose labels. But the real impact starts at home. We recently compiled a list of the 8 Best Rare Earth Stocks and ETFs. In this article, we are going to take a look at where SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (NYSE:NANR) stands against the other rare earth stocks and ETFs. Rare earth elements (REEs), which refers to 17 metals that are similar chemically, are surprisingly abundant in Earth's crust. However, their dispersion and geochemical properties make them difficult and expensive to extract, leading to them being called "rare." REEs are important for a vast range of technologies, earning them the nickname "vitamins of modern industry." Apart from being irreplaceable for clean energy and consumer electronics production, REEs are also strategic for defense and aerospace engineering, the production of aircraft, missiles, satellites, and communication systems. Hence, it is no wonder that the global rare earth metals market is valued at an estimated $5.65 billion in 2024. Analysts project this market to experience steady growth, reaching $8.63 billion by 2031. This is equivalent to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% over this period, indicating a promising future for the industry. China has been dominating the rare earth metals market for decades producing a staggering 240,000 metric tons last year, over five times more than its closest competitor, the United States, according to US Geological Survey data. China further maintains its control by processing around 90% of the world's rare earths into permanent magnets used in various technologies. In 2022, China accounted for 70% of global production of REEs. This dominance stems from a combination of factors, including historical geological exploration efforts, favorable mining conditions, and government support for the industry. Brazil, along with other Western countries, is currently working towards breaking Chinas dominance of this industry. Brazil has advantages like low labor costs, clean energy, and established regulations. However, challenges include low rare earth prices which have gone down 70%, technical difficulties, and getting funding. Despite these challenges, Brazil is making progress with its first mine in operation and increased government support for the industry. To jumpstart its rare earth industry, the Brazilian government allocated 1 billion reais ($194.53 million) in February to fund strategic mineral projects. Other countries are also working towards diversifying the supply chain. In recent years, the United States has sought to mitigate risks related to the REEs supply chain. This includes restarting domestic mining operations, like the Mountain Pass site in California, and building processing facilities to avoid reliance on China. This objective of supply chain diversification has also led the US to secure deals with Vietnam on minerals and semiconductors. Story continues Similar to the United States, the European Union (EU) is also actively promoting domestic extraction projects in countries such as Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Serbia. This is part of the EU's efforts to enhance its self-sufficiency in critical minerals, including rare earth elements. Our Methodology To shortlist the best rare earth stocks, we relied on Insider Monkey's database of 919 hedge funds as of Q1 2024 to analyze the hedge fund sentiment for each stock. We picked the rare earth stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors. Furthermore, we included two of the best rare earth ETFs, chosen for their impressive 3-year returns. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here). Pixabay/Public Domain SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (NYSE:NANR) 3-Year Return: 13.27% Assets Under Management: $533.88 Million The SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (NYSEArca:NANR) is an investment vehicle that offers exposure to companies operating in the natural resources sector. This ETF focuses on industries such as energy, metals, mining, and agriculture. The ETFs total assets under management exceed $533 million, with a gross expense ratio of 0.35%. As of May 31, 2024, the funds NAV return stands at 12.09% year-to-date, slightly behind S&P 500 Index's YTD returns of 14.75%. The fund's top 10 holdings are diversified across various sectors including materials, energy, and consumer stables through investment in companies like Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX), Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX). The SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (NYSEArca:NANR) has an estimated 3-5-year EPS growth rate of 9.84% and a distribution yield of 2.26%, making it one of the best rare earth ETFs. Overall NANR ranks 8th on our list of the best rare earth stocks and ETFs to buy. You can visit 8 Best Rare Earth Stocks and ETFs to see the other rare earth stocks and ETFs that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of NANR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NANR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Analyst Sees a New $25 Billion "Opportunity" for NVIDIA and Jim Cramer is Recommending These 10 Stocks in June. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Gen Z has a major problem. We are divided. Everyone knows we can be passionate about our politics, which can lead to some differences. But what many might not realize is that Generation Z, spanning from 1997 to 2012, has a major division along gender lines that other generations don't seem to be dealing with. We differ so much that it's starting to be a problem with how we see each other. In America, 40% of young women in America identify as liberal compared with only 25% of their male peers. On the other hand, 29% of young men identify as conservative compared with 21% of their female peers. Gen Z's differences impact how we interact with each other In America, 40% of young women in America identify as liberal compared with only 25% of their male peers. On the other hand, 29% of young men identify as conservative compared with 21% of their female peers. A widening gender divide in ideology is a much deeper problem than the red or blue team winning. The true ramification for the ideological disparity reflects Gen Z men and women entering a difficult path to relationships and friendships. Polling suggests that more than 70% of college Democrats wouldnt go on a date with a Republican, whereas the opposite is just 31%. Thirty-seven percent of young Democrats wouldnt even be friends with a Republican. Women are much more likely to take this position, with 59% of women from both parties saying they would not go on a date with someone who voted opposite them. This environment hostile to the diversity of thought through social pressure goes against what my generation should be looking for at this point in their lives, which is an environment where you can be exposed to a wide array of ideas without fear of social retaliation. My generation will pick the president: Gen Z has the opportunity to decide 2024, but Biden and Trump make us want to sit out. Even beyond just the direct impact of your own political differences in relationships, social pressure discourages cross-party intermingling. I felt firsthand the social impacts of this divide during my time as an outspoken campus conservative in college. Friends of mine were shunned by certain peers, people who were in organizations associated with me were deemed bigoted, and my girlfriend at the time was pressured out of her sorority, all for daring to be associated with someone who spoke ideas deemed controversial. All in addition to the direct harassment I received personally. Instead of reaching out to me to have a conversation or just ignoring it, people who didn't even know what I personally believed took it upon themselves to exert social pressure on those close to me as a form of retribution they decided I deserved. Why is Gen Z so divided? Demonstrators for abortion rights take part in a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2024. The big question is why this is happening. Surely, other generations experienced times of political distress comparable to the state of our nation today. So what gives? While Republican partisanship among women has long lagged below mens, it's not until my generation that we see such a significant chasm, with young women leading the charge in favor of left-wing politics. Since the #MeToo movement, young women have pioneered social media activism. That momentum carried over into the years following, under Donald Trumps tumultuous presidency and into the overturning of Roe v. Wade. At the same time, men are undergoing a somewhat reactionary response to all of this. Faux-masculine influencers like Andrew Tate have become popular among young men, and we have shifted even more in favor of Trump. Student loan forgiveness: Gen Z wants student loan forgiveness without any accountability. It doesn't work that way. The reason is a wide resentment of how their lives have been impacted by shifting gender attitudes. Nearly half of men ages 18-29 now say there is discrimination against us in American society, up double-digit points from just 2019, and 53% of single men say they are reluctant to approach women for fear of being seen as "creepy." Right or not, men have taken a step back in dating for fear of being swept up in the never-ending collection of stories women share about uncomfortable interactions they've had with men. The more we divide politically and socially, the more young men will turn to poisonous ideologies that degrade their understanding of how to interact with women even further. Men need to better understand why women in our generation have shifted, but we dont know how without being criticized. 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. It's up to us to fix this difference and find ways to get along While some writers have contended that this voting rift is yet to appear in voting patterns, I would argue that it is beginning to. If young men and women really were drifting apart politically, you would expect to see evidence on Election Day, wrote Rose Horowitch earlier this year in The Atlantic. Heres where the theory starts showing cracks. Horowitch is correct that Gen Z men and women have voted comparably in recent history. While 18- to 29-year-old women were the largest single age/gender demographic voting for President Joe Biden in 2020, just shy of 70%, Gen Z men were only 2 points behind them as the second largest. Conservatives shouldn't ignore college: Young conservatives like me are told not to attend college. That's shortsighted. However, if we jump to the 2022 election, after the overturning of Roe, the rift widens: 71% of young women voted for a Democrat in their respective House race, whereas men did just 53% of the time. And 42% of young men voted Republican, compared with only 26% of women. Even if the supposed gender divide doesnt appear in the ballot box in 2024 or future elections, there is still cause for concern. The future of Gen Zs relationships, both platonic and romantic, is at stake under such a divide. The ballot box is one issue, but that is left to the parties to capitalize on. The far more daunting issue is a cultural one, which is up to us to fix ourselves. Dace Potas Men and women from my generation must shift our thinking to realize that the issues we face, we're facing as a group. Even if certain issues impact women more clearly, such as the abortion debate, they do impact us all. They impact our compatibility, the scope of our relationships and the future families we hope to start. My only advice to my age cohort is to listen more and judge less. Most people dont disagree with you because they are evil; they disagree with you because they view the world differently. It is OK to think somebody is gravely wrong about abortion or any other political issue. It is OK not to want to date somebody who is directly opposite you on things and topics that matter to you. However, in forming your social network, your best bet is to listen to people, argue if you must, and find common ground. Youll be happier this way, and you might even change your mind about something. Dace Potas is an Opinion fellow for USA TODAY. A graduate from DePaul University with a degree in political science, he's also president of the Lone Conservative, the largest conservative student-run publication in the country. 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: Gen Z's gender divide has turned political. We have to fix it General Staff: Russia has lost 533,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 Russia has lost 533,090 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on June 22. This number includes 1,110 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day. According to the report, Russia has also lost 8,009 tanks, 15,383 armored fighting vehicles, 19,204 vehicles and fuel tanks, 14,188 artillery systems, 1,106 multiple launch rocket systems, 861 air defense systems, 359 airplanes, 326 helicopters, 11,305 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine. Read also: Mediazona confirms identities of over 56,800 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. After a decade, the Genesee County Jail is to expected to resume in-person contact visits in July, starting with inmates and their children who are age 12 and younger, Sheriff Chris Swanson told the Free Press on Friday. Later, in-person contact visits will be expanded to children who are older as well as adults, he said, allowing people being housed in the jail to be reunited with their loved ones. Swanson also told the Free Press he's looking to reduce the cost of telephone calls from 21 cents a minute to 12 cents a minute and video visitation from $10 a visit to $8. From left, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard awards special recognition to Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson on May 17, 2023 in Pontiac for assisting in training Oaklands officers in catching child sex predators on the internet. News of in-person visits, starting July 6, comes months after two civil lawsuits were filed against two counties in Michigan, their respective sheriffs and the companies behind the telecommunications systems at their respective jails, both of which allowed in-person visitation years ago. Genesee County and Swanson, himself, are being sued, as is St. Clair County and its sheriff, in addition to the different companies that run the telecommunications systems at the jails in each of the two counties. The crux of the lawsuits, reported by the Free Press in March, is the plaintiffs allege the defendants are conspiring to prohibit in-person family contact as part of a scheme for the counties and the companies to make money, which the plaintiffs claim violates Michigan law. They allege St. Clair County allowed in-person visits until 2017 and Genesee County allowed them until 2014. Both lawsuits requested class-action status for all individuals with a parent or child detained in jails in St. Clair and Genesee counties at any point since March 15, 2021. Swanson said after he got served that officials in Genesee County needed to take a look at what they could do. "Independent of what the court does, I didn't need a judge to order me to do something that in my heart, I felt was the right thing to do at the right time. That's why I took advantage of that opportunity, that window of time, probably much faster than what the plaintiff's attorneys thought I would. But again, it's the right thing to do, and I think it's going to restore families and ultimately reduce crime." News of in-person visits returning to the Genesee County Jail first surfaced Wednesday night during a story on "NBC Nightly News" in which anchor Lester Holt interviewed Swanson for a report about the lawsuits. "The families bringing this lawsuit have been saying that the jail is keeping them from seeing one another because it's profitable. And now, following this interview, they have confirmation that they were right," Cody Cutting, an attorney with Civil Rights Corps in Washington, D.C., one of the groups representing the families in the lawsuits, told the Free Press on Thursday. "And while it is gratifying to hear that the sheriff admit that he is wrong and that it is wrong for the jail to keep families apart, we will be watching closely to see what he does next," Cutting said. Cutting said Civil Rights Corps was aware the network was working on a piece as the group's founder was interviewed, and the network was aware of the lawsuits and the issue. But, he said, the group and the families bringing the lawsuits who saw Swanson's interview "had no idea that Sheriff Swanson was going to say any of the things that he said on national TV." Swanson's comments could come into play Tuesday, the next scheduled court date in the Genesee County lawsuit. This past Thursday, attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a supplemental notice of fact in support of their motion for a preliminary injunction and referred to Swanson's TV interview. Judges in the circuit courts in Genesee and St. Clair counties previously heard arguments by the plaintiffs for preliminary injunctions and motions by most of the defendants to dismiss the lawsuits. No ruling has been issued in either county. Swanson told the Free Press on Friday the policy change that is starting July 6 "could have been done with a phone call and a visit. I personally didn't need to be sued in order to get my attention. But you have to take into account that it's a big deal, and it's a policy that has to take notice. You have to pay attention." Swanson said the jail has been doing in-person visits through various programs, but years ago "the in-person visits were ended and video visitations were the new norm, and we're reversing course." He called this a policy issue and said: "I agree the family connection and the family unification is vital. That's why we've been doing it. But we haven't done it to this level. So really, the lawsuit I embrace because it got my attention to move even quicker. And I will tell you this, too, the lawsuit is still pending in front of the court, but we're doing this anyways, because I know and I see that times have changed and there's a lot of value in bringing those families together." Swanson said the sheriff's office is not adding staff for the in-person visits, but there are logistics that have to be worked out. He said 90% of the staff has never experienced in-person contact visits in the jail. On Friday, he said, the jail count was 581 people. Swanson said the sheriff's office is working with Motherly Intercession, a nonprofit in Genesee County that works to serve children of currently or previously incarcerated parents, for the in-person visits. He said there will be two, one-hour sessions the first Saturday of the month and families are "going to be able to hug their parents and hug their kids." Within 60 days, Swanson said, they're going to roll out 20-minute, in-person contact visits for older children and adults. According to a preliminary document provided by Swanson, Operation Restoration will start July 6 and continue the first Saturday of every month with two sessions from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon for children age 12 and younger. It states inmates who have been in jail for 30 days or more with children ages 0-12 will be eligible to enroll. It also states that enrollment must occur at least two weeks prior to the next scheduled visitation day to allow for required screening and verification of parental rights and guardian consent by Motherly Intercession. Visitors will be asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to a scheduled session, with security screening protocols, and visits will be one hour and take place with inmate and child/children only under the supervision of Motherly Intercession staff, the preliminary document states. It adds that guardians will remain in the jail lobby during the visit. Another preliminary document provided by Swanson states that starting Sept. 14 and continuing the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, adult in-person contact sessions will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Inmates who have been in jail for 30 days or more will be eligible to enroll and inmates in good standing will be allowed one in-person visit from one approved family member per month, the document states. Another preliminary document Swanson provided states that good standing means not on restricted housing status or under court-enforced restrictions. For that process, it states, inmates must complete a visitor list form identifying immediate family members and not more than five other potential visitors. Individuals placed on the visiting list must complete a visiting application to request approval to visit. It states that enrollment must occur at least two weeks before the next scheduled visitation day to allow adult visitors to be screened and approved. Visits will be scheduled through the sheriffs office and visitors will be notified on Friday before the visit of the scheduled session and expected arrival time, per the document. It states visitors will arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled session, be on the approved visitor list, present a valid ID and have security screening for the 20-minute visit. "If we can scale it up, we're going to do that," Swanson said of the in-person visits, adding, "but we have to start somewhere." Another preliminary document Swanson provided states visitors on parole or probation, employed in the jail, subject to noncontact order by the courts or have been in the jail in the past year will not be eligible for in-person contact visits. The sheriff or designee may deny any approved visitor for facility safety and security, public protection or other reasonable causes, as necessary, it states. Swanson said video visitation will continue as it is as good supplement for people who are homebound, out of state or have transportation concerns to be able to visit with their loves ones in the jail. "I want to make sure that there's no barriers on the inside talking to people on the outside, because on the outside, you know, they're paying the price for decisions made, and they're doing time with them," he said. Swanson said he made an executive decision "to reinvest those profits" the county has made through the use of the telecommunications system to reduce costs to families by lowering the cost of telephone calls and video visitations. He said in the beginning the purpose was for revenue, "but again, I see the value of changing that policy." More: Unconstitutional act keeps Michiganders behind bars despite juries finding them not guilty Swanson said the telephone revenue is $15,000 a month, or $180,000 a year, and it is a flat revenue. For video visitation, he said, it's around $400,000, including a tech grant. "And I'm returning all of those profits back into reducing costs for the families," he said, adding that he will be providing a letter to the county Board of Commissioners telling it that officials need to take board action to reinvest the revenues. Swanson was undersheriff a decade ago, when he said the county had to cut money from the budget of the state's fifth-largest county. He said "at the time, it was a revenue opportunity to try to balance the the profit loss and the state revenue sharing loss. And it was a business decision." Swanson said he was part of the decision, though not the decision-maker, at that time. Now, he said, he's sheriff "and we're in a different position." 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: Genesee County sheriff: Jail to begin in-person contact visits in July German Air Force Tornado crews have begun the hot phase of the multinational exercise "Pacific Skies 24" over North America. Fighter jets dropped practice bombs from extremely low altitudes, the air force announced on Saturday on the WhatsApp channel set up for the manoeuvre. The aircraft descend to up to 30 metres in order to approach undetected and only ascend for the attack itself. The soldiers practised the attack with GBU-54 laser-guided precision bombs. For the large-scale Pacific Skies 24 training complex, the German Air Force is deploying aircraft far beyond Europe. Over 30 fighter jets, helicopters, transport and tanker aircraft are expected to take part in a total of five individual exercises by mid-August: Arctic Defender in Alaska, Nippon Skies in Japan, Pitch Black in Australia, Tarang Shakti Phase 1 in India and RIMPAC in Hawaii. The German Air Force has dubbed it the "largest and most challenging deployment to date." In Alaska, air warfare operations are being trained to NATO standards. The French and Spanish air forces and the host country, the United States, are also involved in the series of exercises. The PEN Center on the Mathildenhoehe in Darmstadt. The German branch of the writers' association PEN does not want any members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in its ranks and has passed a resolution to that effect. Boris Roessler/dpa The German branch of the writers' association PEN does not want any members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in its ranks and has passed a resolution to that effect. The resolution prohibiting simultaneous membership of the party and the writers' association was passed unanimously at a general meeting in the northern port city of Hamburg on Friday, the organization officially known as PEN Centre Germany announced on Saturday. German PEN Secretary General Michael Landgraf explained: "With this resolution, the members of the PEN Centre unanimously underline their commitment to the values and principles formulated in the PEN International Charter." These are in direct contradiction to the goals and ideas of the AfD, he said. The PEN International Charter obliges members to use their influence at all times to promote good understanding and mutual respect between nations and to combat all forms of hatred. The AfD propagates views and goals that are diametrically opposed to these principles, the statement from PEN Centre Germany continued. The AfD's political agenda aims to emphasize and often exacerbate national and cultural boundaries, it added. PEN Centre Germany was founded 100 years ago. The abbreviation stands for Poets, Essayists, Novelists. The writers' association is committed to literature, freedom of expression and international understanding. In 2022, there was a split and the second association, PEN Berlin, was founded. By Maria Martinez SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China and the European Union have agreed to start talks on the planned imposition of tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) being imported into the European market, senior officials of both sides said on Saturday. Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck said he had been informed by EU commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis that there would be concrete negotiations on tariffs with China. The confirmation came after China's commerce ministry said its head Wang Wentao, and Dombrovskis, executive vice president of the European Commission, had agreed to start consultations over the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs. "This is new and surprising in that it has not been possible to enter into a concrete negotiation timetable in the last few weeks," Habeck said in Shanghai. He said it was a first step and many more will be necessary. "We are far from the end, but at least, it is a first step that was not possible before." The minister had said earlier on Saturday that the European Union's door was open for discussions regarding EU tariffs on Chinese exports. "What I suggested to my Chinese partners today is that the doors are open for discussions and I hope that this message was heard," he said in his first statement in Shanghai, after meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing. Habeck's visit is the first by a senior European official since Brussels proposed hefty duties on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) to combat what the EU considers excessive subsidies. Habeck said there is time for a dialogue between the EU and China on tariff issues before the duties come into full effect in November and that he believes in open markets but that markets require a level playing field. Proven subsidies that are intended to increase the export advantages of companies can't be accepted, the minister said. Another point of tension between Beijing and Berlin is China's support for Russia in its war in Ukraine. Habeck noted Chinese trade with Russia increased more than 40% last year. Habeck said he had told Chinese officials that this was taking a toll on their economic relationship. "Circumventions of the sanctions imposed on Russia are not acceptable," he said, adding that technical goods produced in Europe should not end up on the battlefield via other countries. TIME FOR TALKS The EU's provisional duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese EVs are set to apply by July 4, with the investigation set to continue until Nov. 2, when definitive duties, typically for five years, could be imposed. "This opens a phase where negotiations are possible, discussions are important and dialogue is needed," Habeck said. Proposed EU tariffs on Chinese goods are not a "punishment", Habeck told Chinese officials earlier in Beijing. "It is important to understand that these are not punitive tariffs," he said in the first plenary session of a climate and transformation dialogue. Countries such as the U.S., Brazil and Turkey had used punitive tariffs, but not the EU, he said. "Europe does things differently." Habeck said the European Commission had for nine months examined in detail whether Chinese companies had benefited unfairly from subsidies. Any countervailing duty measure that results from the EU review "is not a punishment", he said, adding that such measures were meant to compensate for the advantages granted to Chinese companies by Beijing. Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, responded: "We will do everything to protect Chinese companies." Proposed EU duties on Chinese-made EVs would hurt both sides, Zheng added. He told Habeck he hoped Germany would demonstrate leadership within the EU and "do the correct thing". He also denied accusations of unfair subsidies, saying the development of China's new energy industry was the result of comprehensive advantages in technology, market and industry supply chains, fostered in fierce competition. The industry's growth "is the result of competition, rather than subsidies, let alone unfair competition," Zheng said during the meeting. After his meeting with Zheng, Habeck spoke with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who said he would discuss the tariffs with EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Saturday evening in a video conference. "There's room for manoeuvre, there's room for discussion and I hope that this room for manoeuvre will be taken," Habeck said. In case the negotiations didn't reach a deal, Chinese carmaker SAIC Group has designed an array of creative products in response to the threat of tariffs. Shao Jingfeng, chief design officer of the SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters, released pictures on his Weibo social media account showing products such as skateboards, hoodies, sneakers, cups, umbrellas and table tennis paddles, mainly yellow and black in colour and emblazoned with the EU emblem and the figure "38.1" - a reference to the level of the EU's tariffs. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Shao wrote on Weibo. "Let us remember 38.1." (Reporting by Maria Martinez in Shanghai; Editing by Sharon Singleton and David Holmes) Robert Habeck (L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, and Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, shake hands during a bilateral meeting between the German Minister of Economic Affairs and the Chinese Minister of Commerce as part of a trip to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has again warned the Chinese government of the economic consequences of its support for Russia in the war against Ukraine. German and European security interests are directly affected by Russia's war against Ukraine, Habeck, who also serves as Germany's economy minister, said on Saturday in Beijing at a meeting with Chinese government representatives on climate issues. Habeck was echoing similar comments he made on Friday. The Chinese side was led by Habeck's counterpart, Zheng Shanjie, the chairman of the powerful National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The authority is tasked with steering the development of the Chinese economy. "We would proceed differently and certainly not quite as hard when analysing where we have dependencies on raw materials and technical goods if this war or China's support for Russia in this war did not exist," Habeck emphasized. Things could not be separated, he added. "Our relationship, our direct relationship, has already been negatively affected." In the trade dispute over tariffs on cheap Chinese electric cars, Habeck called on the Chinese side to take the European Commission's findings seriously. The Brussels authority accuses the Chinese government of unfair subsidies and has threatened to impose high tariffs. China retaliated by announcing an anti-dumping investigation into imported products from the European Union, involving pork and by-products. However, it was only on Thursday that China accused the European Commission of asking far too detailed and far-reaching questions in the subsidy investigation. Habeck warned against trade barriers and the sealing off of markets, but also against unfair competition with state favouritism towards companies. Neither Germany nor China could have any interest in this, he said. Robert Habeck (L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, listens to Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, during a bilateral meeting between the German Minister of Economic Affairs and the Chinese Minister of Commerce as part of a trip to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck (R), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks to Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, during a bilateral meeting between the German Minister of Economic Affairs and the Chinese Minister of Commerce as part of a trip to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck (2nd L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, and Zheng Shanjie (2nd R), Chairman of the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC), stand side by side with representatives of implementing organizations in the field of climate and energy after the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission, during a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck (L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks during the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck (L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks to Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC), during the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck, Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks during the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck (L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks during the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has again warned the Chinese government of the economic consequences of its support for Russia in the war against Ukraine. German and European security interests are directly affected by Russia's war against Ukraine, Habeck, who also serves as Germany's economy minister, said on Saturday in Beijing at a meeting with Chinese government representatives on climate issues. Habeck was echoing similar comments he made on Friday. The Chinese side was led by Habeck's counterpart, Zheng Shanjie, the chairman of the powerful National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The authority is tasked with steering the development of the Chinese economy. "We would proceed differently and certainly not quite as hard when analysing where we have dependencies on raw materials and technical goods if this war or China's support for Russia in this war did not exist," Habeck emphasized. Things could not be separated, he added. "Our relationship, our direct relationship, has already been negatively affected." In the trade dispute over tariffs on cheap Chinese electric cars, Habeck called on the Chinese side to take the European Commission's findings seriously. The Brussels authority accuses the Chinese government of unfair subsidies and has threatened to impose high tariffs. China retaliated by announcing an anti-dumping investigation into imported products from the European Union, involving pork and by-products. However, it was only on Thursday that China accused the European Commission of asking far too detailed and far-reaching questions in the subsidy investigation. Habeck warned against trade barriers and the sealing off of markets, but also against unfair competition with state favouritism towards companies. Neither Germany nor China could have any interest in this, he said. Habeck emphasized that the threatened EU tariffs were not punitive tariffs like those imposed by the United States, Brazil or Turkey. Rather, they should ensure a level playing field, he said. "This is an equalization of the advantages granted and that is why it is important to first take the opportunity provided by this report and talk about it, negotiate about it," said Habeck. This could either lead to a different result or a different assessment or even a change in course. "Otherwise, it will certainly not be possible to prevent these countervailing duties from coming into force in order to safeguard common market access," Habeck said. Zheng, on the other hand, called Europe's approach "unacceptable." In the long term, it would reduce the prosperity of European consumers and harm the development of the European automotive industry, he said, adding that it is also not in line with efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. The technical lead of Chinese car manufacturers is hard-earned and not the result of subsidies, said Zheng. His country also exports only 12.5% of its electric cars and sells them abroad at a higher price than at home. Zheng called on Germany to show leadership and for the Berlin government to correct the wrong European approach. Robert Habeck (L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, and Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC), arrive for the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission, as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck (L), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, and Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC), shake hands ahead of the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission, as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck, Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks during the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck (R), Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, attends a meeting with Zheng Shanjie (L), Chairman of the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC), prior to the Sino-German Climate and Transformation Dialogue with the National Reform and Development Commission, as part of a visit to the People's Republic of China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Robert Habeck, Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks behind the Chinese flag and the European Union (R) during a press conference as part of a visit to China. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on Saturday again warned the Chinese government of the economic consequences of its support for Russia. German and European security interests are directly affected by Russia's war against Ukraine, Habeck said in Beijing at a meeting with Chinese government representatives on climate issues. Habeck, who also serves as Germany's economy minister, was echoing similar comments he made on Friday. The Chinese side was led by Habeck's counterpart, Zheng Shanjie, the chairman of the powerful National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The authority is tasked with steering the development of the Chinese economy. "We would proceed differently and certainly not quite as hard when analysing where we have dependencies on raw materials and technical goods if this war or China's support for Russia in this war did not exist," Habeck emphasized. The issues cannot not be separated, he added: "Our relationship, our direct relationship, has already been negatively affected." At a press conference in Shanghai later on Saturday, Habeck highlighted the risk of goods that could be used to harm Western interests ending up in Russian hands. Dual-use goods which can be used both in civilian and military settings are currently reaching Russia via China, he warned. "These are technical goods that can be used on the battlefield," he said. Chinese trade with Russia grew by 40% over the previous year, Habeck added, arguing that around half of the growth could be attributed to dual-use goods. Dispute over electric car tariffs In the trade dispute over tariffs on cheap Chinese electric cars, Habeck called on the Chinese side to take the European Commission's findings seriously. The Brussels authority accuses the Chinese government of unfair subsidies and has threatened to impose high tariffs. China retaliated by announcing an anti-dumping investigation into imported products from the European Union, involving pork and by-products. However, it was only on Thursday that China accused the European Commission of asking far too detailed and far-reaching questions in the subsidy investigation. In Beijing, Habeck warned against trade barriers and the sealing off of markets, but also against unfair competition with state favouritism towards companies. Neither Germany nor China could have any interest in this, he said. Habeck emphasized that the threatened EU tariffs were not punitive tariffs like those imposed by the United States, Brazil or Turkey. Rather, they should ensure a level playing field, he said. "This is an equalization of the advantages granted and that is why it is important to first take the opportunity provided by this report and talk about it, negotiate about it," said Habeck. This could either lead to a different result or even a change in course. "Otherwise, it will certainly not be possible to prevent these countervailing duties from coming into force in order to safeguard common market access," Habeck said. Zheng, on the other hand, called Europe's approach "unacceptable." In the long term, it would reduce the prosperity of European consumers and harm the development of the European automotive industry, he said, adding that it is also not in line with efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. The technical lead of Chinese car manufacturers is hard-earned and not the result of subsidies, said Zheng. His country also exports only 12.5% of its electric cars and sells them abroad at a higher price than at home. Zheng called on Germany to show leadership and for the Berlin government to correct what he labelled Europe's wrong approach. Habeck: 'Genuine and contentious dialogue' Speaking later in Shanghai after meetings with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Industry Minister Jin Zhuanglong, Habeck said the talks were carried out in a "very open and intense atmosphere." "This allowed the arguments to be exchanged bluntly," he added, in what he termed a "genuine and also contentious dialogue." The vice chancellor said he was not criticizing China for over-producing cars, nor for its state subsidies. The problem arises when government funds are used to promote exports, Habeck argued. "I don't want to have tariffs because I believe in open markets," he continued. Wang said that China is ready to negotiate with the European Commission, but said that some countries are weaponizing talks over economic and commercial co-operation. Should Europe decide to act unilaterally, China will be ready to take "all necessary measures," Wang added. Wang was due to speak to European Union trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis via video conference later on Saturday, as was Habeck. Habeck concluded by calling for a solution to the tariff dispute: "For Europe, I can say the doors are open." Germany's Vice Chancellor warns China about economic consequences if it continues to support Russia Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor of Germany, has warned the Chinese government about the economic consequences it will suffer if it continues to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. Source: DPA, the German Press Agency Details: During a meeting with Chinese government officials in Beijing on Saturday, 22 June, Habeck, who also serves as Germanys economy minister, said that Russias war against Ukraine directly affects German and European security interests. Habeck made similar remarks on Friday. The Chinese delegation Habeck met with was led by Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the government agency overseeing the development of the Chinese economy. "We would have acted differently and certainly not looked so rigorously into where we have dependence on raw materials and technical goods if there had not been this war or if China had not supported Russia in this war," said Habeck. He added that these things cannot be separated: "Our relations, our immediate relations, have already been negatively affected." Background: On 18 June, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that there should be consequences for China for supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine. In response, Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, called on NATO to "stop shifting blame" and "rather do something practical for the political settlement of the crisis". On 14 June, 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. Support UP or become our patron! Chinese lawmakers will deliberate the latest draft of a preschool education law at the 10th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, scheduled for June 25 to 28. Huang Haihua, spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said at a Friday press conference that according to the draft law, China would encourage non-government participants to contribute to the development of preschool education. The draft law states that there must be non-profit kindergartens in new residential areas, and highlights the importance of ensuring access to preschool education for rural children whose parents have migrated to cities for work, according to Huang. It also states that kindergartens should take immediate protective measures in cases of child abuse and other emergency situations, Huang said. During the session, legislators will also deliberate a draft law on emergency response work, a draft amendment to the country's accounting law, and draft revisions to the public security administration punishments law and the cultural relics protection law. andresr / iStock.com Whether youre a regular globetrotter or you enjoy the occasional road trip, theres just something about traveling thats hard to resist. Theres just one downside, and thats those pesky travel fees. Like so many other things, travel seems to get more expensive every year. If youre planning a trip this year, here are some of the most expensive travel fees to be on the lookout for. Read More: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024 Trending Now: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy Hotel and Airline Service Fees Service fees for reservation of airline tickets and hotel rooms through travel agents or websites are becoming more widespread, said Erika Pacini, a travel expert and head of marketing at Outdoorplay. These charges vary between $10 and $50 per transaction, which can add up fast if one uses several services. For You: Im a Self-Made Millionaire, but I Still Opt For the Budget Versions of These 6 Items Car Rental Fees Youve probably heard of car rental fees, but you might not be prepared for how much those seemingly small fees can add up, especially if youre a frequent traveler. We have seen an increase in car rental fees recently by municipalities, states and airports, said Mark Mannell, CEO and co-founder of Car Rental Savers. Here are some examples of increasing fees: $3 per day in Colorado to fund rail improvements. Orlando International Airport increased their Customer Facility Charge from $3.50 a day to $6 per day at the end of last year. Denver International Airport increased their CFC from $2.15 to $6 per day this year. Richmond City Council adds 12.5% tax. An additional $6 per day fee for car rentals from Cleveland Airport. These are just a few examples of tourist taxes enacted in the last year, Mannell said. These fees are tricky. Rental customers are required to pay them as soon as they become law, although they are not included in their quoted price. We try to notify customers of changes before pickup but there are so many new fees it can be hard to catch them all. Car Rental Prices If youre thinking about renting a car, be prepared to spend a little more than in previous years and not only on the smaller local fees. Car rental prices are expected to climb due to high demand and a limited supply of vehicles, said Hollie McKay, VP of communications for Hotel Planner. This trend started during the pandemic and continues as rental companies face ongoing challenges in replenishing their fleets. For 2024, car rental rates in the U.S. and Canada are expected to rise by approximately 5%. Story continues Checked Baggage Fees Airfare continues to become more expensive, but more airlines are charging hefty fees for checked baggage and carry-ons. The most egregious fees are the ones that most travelers used to get for free. Most, for example, got checked bags (at least 1) at no extra cost and now many airlines ask you to pay for them, with an extra fee added on based on weight, said Daniel Green, Co-Founder & CTO at Faye Travel Insurance. According to McKay, some major airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines have increased their checked baggage fees by $5 to $10 per bag. Some airlines also require you to pay to bring a bag into the cabin. Health and Safety Fees Another newer cost this year is health and safety fees. A few hotels and airlines are being subjected to [these] so as to offset the expenses incurred in boosting sanitation standards, said Pacini. Although these amounts may seem insignificant at around $5 to $15, they can gradually build up, especially over the course of a long journey. Park Entrance Fees Whether youre off to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon for a few days, be prepared to spend extra money on permit and entry fees as these are increasing, too. Many hiking trails and national parks require permits, particularly for overnight visitors and highly traveled routes, said Pacini. However, permit charges range between $10 to $35 across all of them. In addition, entrance fees at parks have been increasing, sometimes costing $30 to $35 for each vehicle valid for seven days. And if your trip entails camping out at or near those parks, you might need to pay more. Popular national parks may have camping charges ranging from $20 to $50 per night while other sites that are secluded or premium could have even higher rates, said Pacini. Renting a cabin or lodge might cost you around $100 to $200 per night. Food Grocery prices have increased significantly over the past few years. The average price of food in the U.S. rose by 2.1% from May 2023 to May 2024. While this might not seem like much, it can add up if youre feeding several people across multiple days while traveling. And if youre dining out a lot, dont forget to factor in increased expectations when it comes to tipping, VAT and overall increased costs. Right now, the expected tipping rate is between 15% and 20% in many parts of the country. Some establishments also suggest tipping more sometimes up to 25% or 30%. Hotel Rates Booking a hotel was never exactly cheap, but its definitely gotten more expensive in recent years. Even Airbnbs and other short-term vacation rentals are pricier than before in large part due to their excessive booking and service fees. While the base room rate might seem straightforward, watch out for hidden hotel fees that can add up quickly, said McKay. These include resort fees (often for unused amenities), extra person charges, parking fees, early check-in/late check-out premiums and even sneaky mini-bar sensor charges so be cautious about what you touch! Equipment Rental Fees For the adventurous traveler, equipment rental fees are also increasing. Though convenient, renting such things as camping gear, mountain bikes or perhaps kayaks is expensive, too, said Pacini. On average, you should expect a daily rate for a quality kayak of about $40 to $60, whereas mountain bike rentals will be within [the] $30 to $50 per day range. Additionally, another $50 to $75 may be required if you include camping gear like sleeping bags and tents over the weekend period. Angela Mae contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 Travel Fees That Will Cost You the Most in 2024, According to Experts Gingrich urges Trump to lean on humor, not anger, in debate with Biden Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) on Friday suggested former President Trump use humor rather than anger when confronting President Biden at next weeks presidential debate. My advice to Trump would be deal with Biden with humor, not anger, because Biden is pathetic. And as you know, I think hes so dishonest that you cant take him seriously, Gingrich said on Fox News Friday. All Trump has to do is be calm, he added. Maybe ask Biden some questions like, Did you really known Vladimir Putin when he was a lieutenant colonel in the KGB in East Germany? which Biden claimed he did. Or, Do you believe your uncle was eaten by cannibals?' Biden, in April, implied his Army Air Corps aviator uncle Second Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr. was eaten by cannibals after being shot down over Papua New Guinea during World War II. The comment drew criticism from Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who argued his country could not be associated with cannibalism. Gingrich went on to suggest Trump ask Biden questions targeting his son, Hunter Biden, and the laptop controversy, to get the incumbent rolling. Trump and Biden are slated to square off next Thursday in a CNN debate. The two candidates, who are both their respective parties presumptive nominees, met the debate requirements last week, while other candidates including independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not. The debate is widely expected to be a pivotal moment for the two candidates as they try to secure voters as the race moves into the final stretch. Both Biden and Trump face concerns over their fitness for office, from issues related to their age and temperament. Noting the debate comes with months to go until the November election, Gingrich argued anybody could recover from anything, while still pointing to the challenges he believes Biden faces. The problem for Biden is that he has a huge, uphill climb. The morning after this debate, Americans are going to go back to the grocery store, theyre going to be reminded of how expensive everything is. Within two or three days [after] the debate, some illegal migrant is going to commit a crime that makes national news, Gingrich said. Trump, 78, and Biden, 81, are going into the debate with national polling showing the two neck and neck. Trump currently has a razor-thin lead of 0.6 percentage points over Biden, per a national polling index by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ. Trump and his allies last week suggested they would dismiss a strong debate performance from Biden as a charade, repeating baseless claims that if the incumbent has a well-received performance, it would be due to him using a performance enhancing drug. The former presidents allies made the same argument earlier this year in an attempt to downplay Bidens State of the Union speech, with some Republicans trying to depict the incumbent as a feeble, confused old man. Some have warned Republicans against discounting Biden ahead of the debate, including Fox News host and former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), who said Republicans gotta be very careful with setting expectations over the debate. I mean, I dont know why Republicans fall into this trap of setting high expectations, Gowdy responded, presumably referring to setting high expectations for the former presidents performance against Biden. Trump on Thursday said he does not want to underestimate Biden ahead of the debate. Well, all I can say is this: I watched him with Paul Ryan, and he destroyed Paul Ryan, Trump said during an episode of the All-In podcast. And he beat Paul Ryan, so, Im not underestimating him. Biden went up against former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) in the 2012 vice presidential debate before he served as vice president for former President Obama. Biden was largely thought of as the dominant figure in the debate, presenting an energetic and combative performance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The new redevelopment of the Hickory Hollow Mall now known as Global Mall at the Crossings is asking the community for feedback on the projects development. New images of the master plan for the site appear to modernize and revitalize the space. The proposed plan includes a vision for a mixed-use area with renewed streets, elevated parks and new renderings for the development. New images show master plan for former Hickory Hollow Mall site It creates a space for all individuals to come and gather and participate in different community events, Katie Kemezis, Project Manager for the Global Mall Study said. To go to a restaurant and a retail shop, thats what this vision is trying to achieve. Im hopeful that the community can see that when they take a look at the master plan document. For two years this project has been in the works. According to project management, over 1,200 people and 900 comments with ideas for the mall site were passed along. Officials said that most of those comments pushed for a vibrant and walkable neighborhood that serves everyone in the area. According to the renderings, the plan would keep the library, community center, community college, KIPP school and Ford Ice Center. Those already exist on the site. Several new additions, including cultural museums, art galleries, and a theater, would be added to the site. However, there are concerns over the effect this redevelopment will have on Bell Road. Project officials said that nine mobility improvement recommendations are in place that dont necessarily fix Bell Road, but come up with better options for people to use transit. We want to give people a choice to use other ways to get to better places, Kemezis said. Putting in mobility recommendations in the master plan should open up choices for people to connect to places around the area like Mill Ridge Park or Tanger Outlets. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Residents are encouraged to attend community meetings to share their thoughts. For information on how to send comments and feedback click here. Future meeting dates include the following: District 32 Community Meeting: Wednesday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. Southeast Community Center 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway Antioch, TN 37013 Office Hours: Thursday, July 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Southeast Library 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway Antioch, TN 37013 The updated proposal will head to the Planning Commission on July 25. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Glynn County Police Department has announced the apprehension of a suspect in connection with an assault that left a man severely injured at a local gas station over three weeks ago. Corey Burnett, a resident of Glynn County, was arrested on June 21 and charged with Aggravated Battery. According to the GCPS, the incident took place on May 25 at the Sunoco Gas Station located at 2764 Highway 17 South. The victim, who was traveling to Florida, was preparing to fuel his vehicle when he was attacked. The assault reportedly left the man unconscious and with severe injuries, including broken facial bones, a broken nose, and a laceration above his eye that required six stitches. Following the incident, the GCPD Major Crimes Unit launched an investigation and successfully identified Burnett as the assailant. He has since been booked into the Glynn County Detention Center. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the case to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (912) 554-7802. Tips can also be reported to the non-emergency line at (912) 554-3645 or anonymously via Silent Witness at (912) 264-1333. [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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a resolution on Friday, June 21, officially setting Utah to ignore upcoming changes to Title IX meant to add protections for transgender children. Title IX was originally passed in 1972 and provides protections against sex-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs. The U.S. Department of Education recently issued an expansion to Title IX to include gender identity. Utah Treasure Hunt 2024 narrows down location with first set of hints The new Title IX rules are slated to go into effect in August and would directly clash with Utahs new transgender bathroom law. The resolution signed by Gov. Cox utilizes Utahs recently passed Sovereignty Act to ignore those expansions in favor of state law. The Utah Senate Democratic Caucus condemned the Republican-led effort in a statement released this afternoon. This represents a misguided and unconstitutional directive that jeopardizes the future of our states education system, read the statement. By rejecting these regulations, we risk losing $696 million in federal funds that sustain our public education system. Democrats said the resolution risks a conflict with the federal governments Supremacy Clause, which says that federal laws supersede state ones. Sen. Jen Plumb also argued against the resolution during the session: This dialogue is very confusing, frustrating, and saddening, said Plumb. It feels that you have already won this war against a very small group of already marginalized communities. This feels targeted, this feels politicized and it truly feels like we are doubling down on a group of people who are already an unloved section of our population. What remains unclear as of is writing is how the federal government will respond to Utahs new resolution, which was a centerpiece of this weeks special legislative session. Cox signed a total of six bills from the Wednesday, June 19 session. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Government contractors have cut down trees that provided habitats to endangered animals in an Australian national park. As Yahoo reported, officials claimed the trees needed to be cut down to reduce fire threats and protect wildlife. However, at least one endangered animal is already dead, and investigations reveal that none of the trees actually required removal. What's happening? Victoria's Yarra Ranges National Park was home to greater gliders, nocturnal and koala-like marsupials that are endangered and lived in centuries-old eucalyptus trees. Forest Fire Management Victoria marked the trees to be cut down, claiming they posed hazards. Wildlife of the Central Highlands investigators and conservationists pleaded with government officials to spare the trees and greater gliders living inside them. Independent arborists found that only six of the 16 trees in question needed work, but they all had high value, and none of them needed to be removed. "Even if it was a hazardous tree, which we know it wasn't, there was an endangered species in there so why wouldn't you not still work to protect it?" questioned World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia conservation scientist Dr. Kita Ashman. Why are endangered species important? Although government officials claim they made every effort possible to minimize the environmental effects of cutting down the trees, animal advocacy organizations are skeptical. Protecting wildlife is crucial to maintaining healthy ecosystems for all of Earth's creatures, especially as our world becomes more volatile due to the changing climate. "Our wildlife is on the frontline of climate change, habitat destruction, and urbanization, and Australia has the highest mammal extinction rate in the world. It is incredibly distressing to have reports of endangered wildlife impacted under these circumstances and we renew our call for greater wildlife protection," said Wildlife Victoria CEO Lisa Palma. "There are so many claims that they're doing things the right way, but that can't be the case because they're killing endangered species. Where is the oversight? Where is the prosecution for killing endangered animals? It's just complete madness," said Dr. Ashman. What's being done about national park habitat loss? There is an urgent need for endangered animal reform and protecting the habitats of critically threatened habitats. Forest logging is putting our planet's national parks at risk, at the expense of animals that need the space and resources they provide. Individuals can make a difference by sharing news like this with people they know to raise awareness about native forest logging. You can preserve native habits close to home by rewilding your yard to create safe havens for local animals and avoiding pesticides that could affect their health. Another idea is to support innovative conservation techniques like biobanking for future conservation and endangered animal breeding programs. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly approved new restrictions Friday on how watchdog commissions can investigate state and local officials for suspected public corruption and ethical violations, even as local officials say the move will likely result in less government oversight of elected officials. Under the new law, state and local ethics panels will be allowed to investigate complaints against public officials only if someone with personal knowledge other than hearsay is willing to identify themselves by name and file a complaint under oath about suspected wrongdoing. The measure also strips local ethics panels ability to launch their own investigations into ethics violations a powerful tool that has led to the indication of powerful elected officials, including former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla. For decades, Florida law allowed local governments to adopt their own ethics enforcement procedures. The new law which went into effect Friday sets a uniform statewide standards for ethics rules, meaning that local ethics boards will not be able to set more stringent standards than the ones set for the Florida Commission on Ethics. Supporters of the bill say the intent is to prevent politically motivated or frivolous complaints. But in Miami-Dade County, where ethics officers are currently digging into government scandals, officials have said the changes will undermine their ability to investigate some of the most egregious instances of ethical and sometimes criminal violations. Read more: Government watchdogs would lose some teeth under bill headed to DeSantis Jose Arrojo, the executive director of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, recently told the Herald/Times it is unclear what will happen to the cases that are ongoing. I dont know what it would do to the complaints that we have on the pipeline, Arrojo said in April, when he said he had been trying to reach the governor and his staff to urge them to veto the bill. DeSantis did not explain why he approved the changes. His actions, however, come after the governors top lawyer expressed interest in changing aspects of how ethics investigations are handled in Florida after two of DeSantis top aides were investigated for ethical violations, according to a POLITICO Florida report. The aides were eventually cleared. What changes under the new law? Starting Oct. 1, all ethics complaints will need to meet higher standards before there can be an investigation. Among the changes: complaints that are filed anonymously or that are based on hearsay will not be investigated. In other words, unless there is a sworn complaint with personal knowledge of wrongdoing that accompanies the allegation, state law will prevent state and local ethics panels from investigating. The push to weaken the states ethics laws comes as Florida Republicans have said without citing specific examples that the changes are needed to prevent the weaponization of ethics complaints for political gain. I just think the level of weaponization among parties that would seek to use this justifies now a higher standard, House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, told reporters in March. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo had similar concerns. She said she had concerns that in some jurisdictions the self-initiation powers are or could be politicized and weaponized. All too often the current process is weaponized by bad actors, Passidomo said in March. The new law will also put in firm deadlines for how long ethics investigations should take. For instance, the Florida Commission on Ethics will be required to complete the preliminary investigation, which concludes with a determination of probable cause, no later than one year after the start of the preliminary probe. The commission will also be required to begin the preliminary investigation within 30 days of receiving a legally sufficient referral or complaint. Grand Rapids overbilled him for a decade. It only refunded him for four years Grand Rapids overbilled him for a decade. It only refunded him for four years GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A Grand Rapids man says he is out thousands of dollars because the city wont pay back money it got from him by mistake. Abraham Joshua ran an adult foster care home in the Marne area for nearly 11 years. Its a Grand Rapids sewer service customer. Two years ago, city government sent him a letter telling him that a routine audit found that it had billed him incorrectly during that time. The city cut him a check for more than $11,000 but officials told him city policy lets them go back only four years to refund overcharges. They said, We can pay you for four years. And I said, Ive been paying these bills for 10 years, 11 years now,' Joshua said. So what do you say about that? A letter Abraham Joshua received from the city of Grand Rapids. Joshua estimates his business is still owed about $18,000 for overcharges. The mistake was that the system had his property listed in Ottawa Countys Wright Township. It is actually just across the line in Tallmadge Township, where the sewer rate is lower. He had been paying the higher Wright rate. Joshua appealed, but the citys four-year refund cap held firm. City officials would not discuss the policy in person with Target 8 investigators, but did respond to questions in emails. They said the four-year refund cap was created to promote fairness and conclusiveness to matters and encourage people who find billing errors to contact the city promptly to get them corrected. Joshua said he had no idea he had been overbilled until the city letter saying the audit had found a mistake. Grand Rapids is not alone in capping refunds. The city of Lowell recently adopted a three-year limit and Wyoming officials say they have a three-year cap as well. But Lowell allows an appeal to the city council and Wyoming says it might refund further back if someone makes a good case. Joshua called limiting refunds for overbilling self-serving and a brazen attempt by the city to unjustly enrich itself. Its not that I just suddenly paid you extra and you can say, You made a mistake, tough luck. They billed me, he said. Theres a sense that if you shouldnt have paid that money, you should be able to get it back, Michigan State University law professor Daniel Rosenbaum, who specializes in municipal law, said. The law isnt quite where our intuition is at least fully, he added. I think the law is relatively on the citys side, to give you a blunt answer. He pointed out that the law limits how far back people can reach in trying to collect money through lawsuits by invoking statutes of limitations. He suggested that if people dont like refund caps, they may have to resort to political solutions to convince officials to end them. Meanwhile, Joshua is still hoping to somehow get a bigger refund from Grand Rapids. Its not that Im asking a favor, he said. Im asking for what was mine. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One dead in Greek wildfires fanned by gale-force winds Wildifre burns in the village of Latas in southern Greece Wildifre burns in the village of Latas in southern Greece ATHENS (Reuters) - A man died on Friday as several forest fires fanned by gale-force winds battered Greece's southern tip and forced evacuations, the fire brigade said. The 55-year-old man was injured in a blaze in the region of Ilia on the Peloponnese peninsula and died at a hospital, said a fire service official. Some 120 firefighters, assisted by dozens of engines, were deployed to tame forest fires in Achaia region, which spread fast to the nearby district of Ilia and raged uncontrolled. "All forces are making a superhuman effort to tame them," amid winds of up to 120 kph (75 mph), Greek fire brigade spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis said, as about 45 wildfires broke out in the country within a few hours. Wildfires are common in the Mediterranean country, but they have become more devastating as summers have become hotter, drier and windier, which scientists relate to climate change. Residents of several villages in the fire-afflicted areas were told to flee their homes, while some used small buckets to assist in firefighting. Greek television showed the interior of a stone house gutted by fire. Civil protection forces have been on alert as the risk of wildfires remains high for Saturday, Vathrakogiannis told a televised briefing. One forest fire that briefly threatened houses at a coastal town close to Athens was contained earlier on Friday, the fire brigade said. (Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou and Giorgos Moutafis; Additional reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Frances Kerry and Leslie Adler) A green-haired thug bumped into a Queens deli employee and then brutally beat the man to the point that his coworkers did not recognize him, shocking surveillance footage shows. The badly bruised victim was knocked unconscious, lost some teeth and suffered a broken nose and internal bleeding in the senseless attack at the Sunnyside Mini Market Deli in Woodside around 11:20 p.m. on Monday night, according to his friend and cops. Video obtained by The Post shows two men walking in the store when one of them, dressed in black with green hair, accidentally knocks into a worker standing in front of the counter. The green-haired man repeatedly punched and kicked the deli worker. Obtained by NY Post The two exchange words and the green-haired man turns around, gets in the employees face and starts ruthlessly raining blows on his head, sending him crashing to the ground, the clip shows. The attacker then throws the defenseless worker and starts kicking him in the face repeatedly, additional footage posted on social media shows. One kick to the employees face knocks him out cold but the brute continues smashing his foot into the mans bloodied face. The 62-year-old man was brutally beaten while working at the Queens deli Monday night. CEFAAN/Instahgram Abdul had his front teeth knocked out, a broken nose and internal bleeding. James Messerschmidt The assailant yelled something at others in the store and then walked out the door in an unknown direction. The battered deli worker, a 62-year-old Yemeni-American named Abdul, was taken to Elmhurst Hospital. A fellow employee who visited Abdul in the hospital Tuesday said the injured man looks unrecognizable. The green-haired man was walking in the store when he bumped into the deli worker. James Messerschmidt He then turned around and began bashing the worker in the head. James Messerschmidt He repeatedly punches and kicks the man before leaving the store. CEFAAN/Instahgram The employee, who wished not to be named, told The Post he immediately thought this is not Abdul, because his friends face was severely swollen. Abdul lost all of his top teeth, has a broken nose and internal bleeding in his head, said the employee. Abdul, who doesnt even remember the attack, had asked him why is my face like this? and Someone robbed the store? The employee told The Post that he has seen the suspect around a few times and that he hangs out a block over around 65th Street. No arrests have been made. Former President Trump significantly outraised President Biden last month thanks in part to a surge following Trumps conviction in his first criminal trial in New York. The Trump campaign advertised that more than $50 million flowed in to support him within a day after the verdict was announced, contributing to his total. May helped erase the cash advantage that Biden has enjoyed throughout the election cycle, though both candidates have a lot of money at their disposal. Here are five takeaways from the campaigns Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings this month: Trump outpaces Biden Even as polling has shown the race either neck and neck or Trump slightly ahead in the key states that will likely decide the election, one bright spot for Biden has been his fundraising totals. Not anymore. That changed for the first time in April when Trump outraised Biden with $76 million to the incumbents $51 million. And Trump widened the difference much more significantly in May with a huge sum of $141 million to Bidens $85 million. Trumps campaign, along with the Republican National Committee (RNC), received 2 million donations last month, a quarter of which were from first-time donors. Meanwhile, the Biden campaign said May was its operations best with recurring donors so far. Trump also now has more money in the bank both in a direct comparison of the candidates campaigns and when taking into account the totals for the Republican and Democratic national committees. Filings from the FEC show that Trump and the RNC had $171 million in cash on hand, compared to $157 million for Biden and the Democratic National Committee. Experts have noted that both candidates will have many millions of dollars to spend throughout their campaigns and a lack of funds will likely not be an issue, but these past two months mark a shift for Trump after having spent most of the election cycle trailing Biden in money. Trumps conviction supercharged donations The first criminal conviction of a former president and presumptive major party presidential nominee last month was unprecedented in U.S. history, and the fundraising numbers on both sides reflected that. About $53 million, or more than a third, of Trumps total intake for May came through online donations in the 24 hours after the Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush money case. It may be the only one of the four criminal trials that Trump is facing to happen before Election Day. But even as Trump supporters rallied around him in response to the verdict, the Biden campaign also had a jump in its fundraising, with a source familiar with the matter having told The Hill that the campaign had its best fundraising hours to date after the jury revealed its verdict. Story continues A verdict in one of Trumps cases is of course an unusual event in the election calendar that may not reoccur if the other cases are delayed, but it was a major contributor to Trumps ability to close the money gap overall. Down-ballot fundraising is heating up The battle for control of Congress is picking up at the same time as the presidential race, demonstrated by the amount that the parties House and Senate campaign arms raised last month. Both the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) broke records for their totals in a month of May. But the NRCC had the edge over the DCCC for the first time this year last month, bringing in $12.6 million compared to $11.9 million. The NRCC also seemed to get a boost from Trumps conviction, raising more than $1 million from small-dollar donors in the following days. A third of them had not previously donated to the committee. On the Senate side, the National Republican Senatorial Committee also topped the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in May, $12.4 million to $10.6 million. The Democratic committees still have more cash on hand though as June started. The DCCC led its Republican counterpart with $78.8 million to $64.9 million, while the DSCC led its counterpart with $48.3 million to $41 million. Trump is holding on to a lot of his money While Trump significantly outraised Biden in May, he also held on to his funds much more than Biden did, allowing him to enter June with more cash on hand. FEC filings show Bidens campaign spent $30.6 million last month compared to only $7.9 million that Trump has spent. The public wont see the full spending from the candidates until next month when their joint fundraising committees, which bring together multiple campaign committees to a more streamlined entity to raise money, are required to submit their FEC filings for the second quarter of 2024. The Biden campaign has said its spending is allowing it to build campaign infrastructure in key battleground states. One ongoing financial issue that has been plaguing Trump for months and may continue has been the exorbitant amounts he has needed to spend on legal fees. Trumps fundraising committees spent about $50 million in legal fees throughout 2023 and have spent millions more throughout this year. It will continue to be a financial thorn in Trumps side despite the large amounts he has raised recently, though holding on to his funds for now will allow him to concentrate them closer to the election. Billionaires step in to plug fundraising holes Although FEC regulations place limits on how much an individual can donate to a specific candidates campaign, they do not restrict peoples ability to donate to super PACs that support a candidate but act independently of the campaign. And wealthy individuals are showing a willingness to spend grand amounts on both sides. One of the most significant contributions from last month was billionaire Timothy Mellon, who donated $50 million to a super PAC supporting Trump, MAGA Inc. Mellon made the donation on May 31, one day after the New York verdict was handed down, FEC filings show. While Trump cant direct where those funds go, they can be used to support his candidacy. Biden is set to get a lift from billionaire philanthropist and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who reportedly donated $19 million to a super PAC supporting Biden called Future Forward. He also donated nearly $1 million to the Biden Victory Fund, Bidens joint fundraising committee. These funds and others from ultra-wealthy donors may not go directly to one campaign but do still contribute to advocating for or against a candidate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. He had a knack for beer. Can he replicate it with beans? His new coffee shop opens soon Mike Murphy wouldnt call himself a celebrity of local brews, but he has, in fact, achieved fame (to the geeks among us) in one such category. This year, he turned his full attention to another type of brewing and roasting. Outer Dark Coffee Co. is Tacomas newest roaster, officially launched in January. In early July, Murphy, a co-founder of Seattles Holy Mountain Brewing, will open his first shop at 750 Market St. Underneath TractionSpace, across from City Hall and next to Cider and Cedar, it replaces Cafe Azure, which served coffee, housemade soup and baked goods for just more than three years. It feels like a big win for downtown, where, sure, coffee shops abound, but none is directly affiliated with its own brand of beans. Mike Murphy, owner of Outer Dark Coffee, pulls a shot of espresso inside the soon-to-open Outer Dark Coffee cafe at 750 Market St. in downtown Tacoma. Murphy, who was raised in North Carolina and moved to the Pacific Northwest in the late 2000s, has a long history in the Seattle-area beverage industry. He started as a sales manager at age 24, worked with the late Schooner Exact Brewing and then Westland Distillery. In 2015, he and Colin Lenfesty created what became one of Seattles most respected breweries in Holy Mountain. The craft beer world was thrilling then, he recalled in June. Now craft beer is just beer, he said. Importantly, he and his wife Tara settled in Tacoma in 2020. The commute became grueling, but he also felt a tug away from CEO-of-a-company duties and to personal creativity. After selling his share in the brewery, a little roaster setup in the basement helped him hone a new set of skills. I always wanted to spend more time roasting, he said. A couple courses later and he was ready: Tacoma could use more roasters. Outer Dark joins a roster that includes Valhalla, Bluebeard, Manifesto, Lander, Campfire and Naomi Joe, each with their own Tacoma cafes. In January, Murphy began selling bags produced at Roasterworks, a shared facility in Auburn, landing on the shelf at Tacoma Boys and Stadium Thriftway. His brewing background lent a bond with Tacomas own E9 Brewing Co. (We go back, he laughed), at whose Brewery District taproom you can also find bags. This spring, he has set up every other Saturday at the Haunted Farmers Market, a quirky new gathering of food vendors, crafters and creators in South Tacoma. At the new cafe, try the Form and Void, Outer Darks flagship espresso blend that Murphy described as medium-to-dark, depending on the origin and seasonality of the beans, with a consistent profile. The Feels, a dark roast, is somewhat of a throwback, said Murphy. I got into coffee on darker roasts the IPA of coffee. He recounted memories of going to concerts with friends and then drinking too much really terrible, burnt coffee at Waffle House, the Southern diner staple, but there was something very nostalgic about it. Hence, The Feels. Murphy, who spent 16 years in the beer business before digging into roasting, wanted the Outer Dark brand to evoke a sense of meandering, a little out of focus. The cafe walls are black with pops of yellow and white. For single-origins, he turns to a lighter, more fruity style, such as the honey process for a Mexican bean, a strawberries-and-cream sensation from a Colombian and berry notes from an Ethiopian. The cafe itself is on the small side. but it boasts big windows, which Tara and Mike decided to capitalize on with counter seating. They have brought the same artistic sensibility that helped Holy Mountain stand out (beyond the can and the keg, that is), painting the walls and the ceiling tiles some 30 feet overhead black. It makes the space feel bigger somehow, accented by pops of canary yellow. On the walls, Murphy painted curvy white lines that mirror the waves on the bags, designed in assistance with local agency Fosters Creative. He wanted it to be abstract meandering, a little out of focus. In addition to espresso and drip coffee, Outer Dark will serve two types of cold brew: a rotating single-origin and a standard nitro. To eat, he has teamed up with Tacomas own Memoranda Kitchen for breakfast and lunch-y sandwiches and Spilled Butter Desserts for pastries. As Outer Dark grows, Murphy hopes to find the right space for Tacoma-based production, too, and maybe another cafe. OUTER DARK COFFEE 750 Market St., Tacoma, outerdarkcoffee.com Target Opening: July 8, follow instagram.com/outerdarkcoffee for updates Anticipated Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For many in the West, Voodoo invokes images of animal sacrifices, magical dolls and chanted spells. But Voodoo as practiced in Haiti and by the black diaspora in the United States, South America and Africa is a religion based on ancestral spirits and patron saints. Known as Vodou in Haiti, the religion has also served as a form of resistance against the French colonial empire. And unlike many mainstream representations around magic and rituals, scholars have shown how Voodoo serves as a form of health care system by providing religious healing. A religion born out of struggle Haitian Vodou was born from the blending of Catholicism, Western and Central African spirituality. In addition, scholars assert that the religion was influenced by escaped slaves who wanted to inspire rebellions under a common spiritual identity. Historian C.L.R. James described Voodoo as a medium of the conspiracy, meaning Voodoo was at the center of inciting the 1791 revolution in Haiti against slavery and colonialism. In later years from 1835 to 1987 the Haitian government banned Voodoo under laws that prohibited ritualistic practices. However, as historian Kate Ramsey points out, the laws were almost impossible for the Haitian government to implement. As early as the 19th century, Voodoo had already become a dominant belief system even influencing elite culture even if secretly. Haitian elites could not openly support the religion. The Catholic Church based in Rome forced Haiti to adopt Roman Catholicism as its official religion. Over the years, several anti-Voodoo campaigns were launched by the Catholic and Protestant churches. Systematic attacks on Voodoo temples and Voodoo objects over decades paved the way for this religion to become predominately associated with sorcery. The contemporary status of Voodoo In contemporary Haitian society, Voodoo serves in multiple ways. An important contribution is its role in healing. Anthropologist Nicholas Vonarx, who has studied Voodoos role as a health care system, explains how religious spaces can become therapeutic sites where the sick goes to seek help in managing illness and other misfortune. My research looks at how Voodoo is blamed for health disparities in Haiti by the countrys elites and international aid groups who ignore its role in Haitis health landscape. For many, Voodoo remains associated with sorcery and satanic worship. 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: Guilberly Louissaint, University of California, Irvine Read more: Guilberly Louissaint 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. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A Hampton man pleaded guilty on Friday to producing child sexual abuse material after recording minors in a restroom. On Sept. 4, 2021, 29-year-old Corey Mason used a phone to record two videos of minors exposed in a restroom at an amusement park, according to court documents. The videos werent discovered until April 2022, during an investigation into Masons phone. A few months prior, on Feb. 8, 2022, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Police Department requested assistance from the Naval Investigative Criminal Service to conduct a review of Masons cellphone relating to a video voyeurism in Portsmouth. Investigators conducted a digital forensic extraction on Masons cellphone. An initial review of the cellphone extraction revealed several suspected recordings of males while utilizing bathroom stalls. On Feb. 14, 2022, further review identified the two videos of minors. Then on April 13, 2022, NCIS obtained a federal search warrant to review the forensic extraction and found 141 voyeuristic videos taken in what appear to be bathroom stalls, including the two videos of minors. Mason is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 18 and faces up to 20 years in prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Harlem Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs (D-Manhattan) is being accused of illegally firing a former staffer as he battled a health crisis that ultimately resulted in his leg being amputated, according to a new lawsuit. Keith Lilly alleges that Gibbs discriminated against him by firing him as he was laid up in the hospital for several weeks, according to his lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court this week. I was stunned when I was told by the assemblymember while lying in my hospital bed that he was firing me without any explanation, Lilly wrote in a statement to The Post. Keith Lilly says Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs illegally fired him as he battled complications from type II diabetes. Lilly claims Gibbs canned him without explanation just a day before doctors told him he would lose his toes as he battled with Type II diabetes a fight that would ultimately result in him losing his leg, according to the suit. In my darkest hour, I faced both personal and professional devastation, he said in the statement. In my darkest hour, I faced both personal and professional devastation, Lilly said. Gibbs brought on Lilly as a senior adviser after winning his first term beginning in 2022. The progressive pol is currently facing a heated primary from Xavier Santiago, a TV producer who has the backing of Bronx Rep. Adriano Espaillat (R-NY). Espaillat is pushing the primary against Gibbs as well as another freshman pol, Assemblyman Landon Dais (D-Bronx), as he seeks to build a bench of Dominican and Latino lawmakers. Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs, an ex-con, is facing a heated primary Tuesday. Getty Images for The Children's Place, Inc. Former East Harlem Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, whos known Lilly for 30 years, said he was shocked at Gibbs alleged treatment of his employee. Its horrible. Keith Lilly had some medical issues. He doesnt deserve this, said Powell, who is backing Santiago. Keith Lilly is a good dude, he continued. Gibbs did not return a request for comment Friday. (WHTM) A Harrisburg man will spend over 15 years in prison for a multi-state crime spree where he robbed various business in multiple states, the Department of Justice announced. According to the DOJ, Kyle Morales, 21, was sentenced Friday to 230 months, or just over 19 years, in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner. Morales will also have to pay over $5,000 in restitution to the companies, including a special assessment fee of $400, and he will serve five years of supervised release following his sentence. Cumberland County man charged with raping mentally disabled person Morales was convicted and previously pleaded guilty to robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to a news release. According to the DOJ, other than Pennsylvania, Morales committed robberies in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina during a 12-day crime spree in March 2022. Multiple McDonalds restaurants, Sheetz convenience stores and a United Bank were robbed by Morales, who also pointed a handgun at employees and took money by use of force. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Morning Weather The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the East Pennsboro Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated this 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 ABC27. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) One more day of heat and humidity is in the forecast for our Saturday, and then we have some major changes as we head into the work week ahead. We kick off the weekend with temperatures already into the upper 70s to low 80s, with partly sunny skies. The majority of Saturday remains dry; however, there is a chance for an isolated sprinkle or two as we continue to see the hot and humid conditions we have had all week. Heavier rain and storms hold off until Saturday night as a cold front moves in. The Heat Advisory that we have seen for the majority of the week continues today and will expire later tonight at 8 pm. Temperatures for today remain in the upper 80s to low 90s. If you are traveling north of the mid-Michigan area, there could be quite a bit of rain! Storms that move through especially for Northern Lower Michigan into the Upper Peninsula, where localized 2-4 of rain is in the forecast! Depending on how much sunshine we get today will determine how strong the storms are that move in this evening into the overnight hours. The best chance for any activity will be Saturday late afternoon into the evening, and again from the early evening into the overnight hours. This is all associated with a cold front that ends the hot and humid conditions. The Storm Prediction Center has Mid-Michigan under a level 2 of 5, or a Slight Risk for severe weather. This is mainly for heavy rain, gusty winds, and the chance for a tornado or two mainly for Central Lower Michigan. While storms here in Mid-Michigan are unlikely, an isolated damaging wind gust is possible, along with heavy rainfall. Sat 5/22 at 1 pm Sat 5/22 at 5:30 pm Sat 5/22 at 10 pm Sun 5/23 at 1 am Heading into Sunday, a few showers could linger into the early morning hours, but we will be dry, partly cloudy, and comfortable by the afternoon hours with temperatures feeling closer to seasonal in the upper 70s to low 80s. Dew points will be back in the 50s and 60s, so a lot cooler than what we have had over the past few days. As we head into the work week, daytime highs remain in the 80s for Monday with plentiful sunshine and little to no humidity. Humidity returns briefly for Tuesday with highs into the upper 80s, showers and storms could pop up into Tuesday afternoon. The rest of the week features sunny skies with temperatures into the low 80s, which is right around average for this time of year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. A dangerous heat wave is bringing sweltering temperatures to much of the US this weekend, including over parts of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic. Meanwhile, a tropical system could develop this weekend through the southwest Gulf of Mexico. Heres the latest: Millions of Americans under heat alerts: More than 100 million Americans, including those in the highly populated I-95 corridor, are under heat alerts through the weekend. A heat emergency is in effect for Washington, DC, where the temperature skyrocketed to 100 F, the first time the city has recorded a temperature that high since 2012. Tropical system could develop: A new tropical system could develop quick this weekend on the heels of Alberto. A system with a medium chance of tropical development could mimic Albertos track through the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and into northeastern Mexico this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. While this system is not expected to be as large as Alberto, it could bring more rain to South Texas and trigger new flooding concerns there and along the Gulf Coast. Sizzling temperatures return to California: Heat alerts in California span parts of southern and central California, including in Colusa County, where firefighters are working to rein in the Sites Fire spanning over 19,100 acres. High temperatures between 100 and 106 are expected and could hinder firefighting efforts. California is seeing an active early fire year, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Since the start of the year, more than 89,700 acres have burned, compared to 5,747 acres during the same period last year. The City of Rock Valley, Iowa, is seen on Saturday, June 22, 2024. - Sioux County Sheriff/AP Catastrophic flooding in Iowa: On Saturday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for 21 counties in northwest Iowa and directed all available state resources to assist Rock Valley and other communities in response to catastrophic flooding. In Rock Valley, all residences north of Highway 18 were being evacuated amid high floodwaters. Theres a level 2 of 4 risk of excessive rainfall Saturday over northern Iowa, and that corner of the state has seen an estimated 10-plus inches of rain based on radar. The heaviest rain is expected further east. And in nearby Sioux Falls, South Dakota, nine people have been rescued in the past 24 hours from rising water due to heavy rainfall, according to City Emergency Manager Regan Smith. Flood threat in fire zone: A flash flood warning was issued for Ruidoso and other New Mexico areas burned by the South Fork Fire after 0.5 inches of rain fell in the morning and more rain was expected into the late afternoon hours. Rain earlier in the week created a flash flood emergency with water rescues as a torrent of mud and water rushed from burned areas. Ground charred by fire, also known as a burn scar, loses its ability to effectively absorb water and more easily floods. Search for more loss of life in New Mexico fires: In New Mexico, authorities reported that at least two people died, 1,400 structures were destroyed and more than 8,000 residents were evacuated as a result of wildfires. The mayor of hard-hit Ruidoso said they were preparing for more fatalities in the fires and bringing in dogs to help the search for more loss of life. The South Fork and Salt fires have together burned an estimated 24,000 acres and were still 0% contained as of Friday. Evacuations are still in effect for Village of Ruidoso and City of Ruidoso Downs residents and additional evacuation orders have been issued in at least seven more areas. Ruidoso residents will be allowed to return to their homes Monday, and authorities ask that they bring at least a weeks worth of food and drinking water, as grocery stores are not operating at full capacity. Meanwhile, FBI special agents have joined the investigation into the cause of wildfires. Heat wave to intensify and expand this weekend More record daily high temperatures are possible through the weekend as heat expands into new areas and intensifies in others. The extreme heat and humidity will combine to push the heat index or how hot it feels to 100 to 105 degrees over a widespread area, with 110 degrees possible in the southern mid-Atlantic. Record overnight low temperatures will increase health risks by reducing the ability for people to cool down at night. The nations capital could potentially hit 100 degrees for the first time in eight years. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said an extended heat emergency will remain activated throughout the weekend and into next week. The National Weather Service said widespread temperatures in the upper 90s and even triple digits will be possible in the city. The city officially recorded a temperature of 100 degrees Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday signed a state of preparedness declaration ahead of the potentially hazardous heat wave. An excessive heat watch has been issued for most of the region for Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, with dangerous heat possible and the heat expected to feel between 105 and 110 degrees. People relax at an artificial beach in Manhattan on a sweltering afternoon on the first full day of summer on June 21, 2024, in New York City. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images The heat waves prolonged nature is a serious concern. New York City residents could experience 90-degree temperatures or higher this weekend into early next week. The stretch would be the longest ever in June in the city. For the first time this year, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the city. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the opening of the states emergency operations center, which she said will monitor conditions and share resources with emergency management personnel across the states 62 counties. Earlier this week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said cooling centers will be open across the city. Philadelphia has extended a heat health emergency through midnight on Sunday, according to the states Department of Public Health. Philadelphia has heat alerts in place through the weekend, with temperatures expected to feel close to 99 degrees. New Jerseys heat alerts are in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. It will feel around 100 degrees across the state Saturday and Sunday. Heat is also returning in full force in the West following a brief break. Heat alerts are already in place for portions of California, Arizona and Utah. Temperatures are expected to jump back up to 10 to 15 degrees above normal for Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Sacramento and Bakersfield, California, through the weekend. CNNs Allison Chinchar, Eric Zerkel, Brandon Miller, Taylor Ward, Sara Tonks, Taylor Galgano, Andy Rose, Josh Campbell, Rebekah Riess, and Kara Devlin contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Giant Keir Starmer moving through the City Battered by the financial crisis and pandemic, Britain has lost its culture of risk-taking. In the fourth and final part of a special election series, The Telegraph examines how this has affected the economy and whether Labour can bring swashbuckling back to the City. Not long ago, Sir Keir Starmer campaigned on a manifesto that had little good to say about big business. The big polluters, financial speculators and corporate tax-dodgers have had a free ride for too long, Labours 2019 manifesto read. While small companies may have cheered this sentiment, anyone too large stood to be hammered. The upper echelons of corporate Britain have been corrupted by a culture in which the long-term health of a company is sacrificed for a quick buck for a few, the party thundered under Jeremy Corbyns leadership. Sir Keir has sought to distance himself from that language and reassure the City he can be trusted. It has proven tricky. Put on the spot in TV debates, the leader of the opposition awkwardly said that Mr Corbyn would have been a better prime minister than Boris Johnson. Labours manifesto this time around is a lot warmer towards the City of London. Financial services are one of Britains greatest success stories, Labour now claims. It is part of a campaign to show the party is no longer hostile to the wealth-generating, tax-paying industries on which workers, the wider economy and public finances all rely. Shadow ministers have hosted breakfast meetings with bosses. Labour has appointed financial luminaries such as Mark Carney to work out how to harness the City of Londons firepower to the partys ends. And both shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir have sought to channel the spirit of New Labour when it comes to wealth creation. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, right, have been central to the party's pro-business rebrand - Lucy North/PA Wire Executives appreciate the effort they are grateful to have at least some familiarity with the key players in the likely next government. But the key question is whether a friendlier atmosphere will turn into the kind of policy changes that could unleash investment and risk-taking, which in turn power the economic growth Labour so sorely wants and needs. In private conversations I get the impression regulators think theyre going to get an easier ride under Labour, says one leading voice in the City. I think they are both right and wrong. Labour does have it hard-wired into their DNA to focus on consumer and retail issues. So I think they will back the regulators on that. But where I think the regulators are mistaken is if they think that Labour will go easier on them on competitiveness and economic growth. Because I think Labour will come in and will drive as hard as it can for growth. Story continues But is the lawyerly Sir Keir really the leader Britain needs to bring back swashbuckling in the City? Reviving risk taking would certainly be popular in the Square Mile. Much as the Conservatives trade on their historic position as the party of business, the executive class have had plenty to complain about after the last 14 years, first under the Coalition then the Tories alone. What began with a red tape challenge to slash the regulatory burden has become something quite different. The Tories have in fact overseen a blizzard of new rules: from bank capital requirements to unnecessary form filling and a proliferation of quangos and quasi-governmental bodies. Painful new taxes came in under the Conservatives. The bank levy rakes in around 1.5bn per year for the Exchequer. The bank surcharge, introduced to stop lenders benefitting from cuts to corporation tax, brought in 2.5bn in 2022-23, though that haul is falling now that corporation tax has been whacked back up again. Matthew Lesh at the Institute of Economic Affairs says this all pushes up the cost of capital in the City, which hits the real economy. The result you are going to have is less economic growth, lower productivity, lower wages and higher prices, he says. Labour promises in its manifesto to create the conditions to support innovation and growth in the sector, through supporting new technology, including Open Banking and Open Finance and ensuring a pro-innovation regulatory framework. It certainly sounds optimistic. Yet cutting red tape has not been the partys natural preference historically, so the question is whether or not warm words will be matched with action. Many believe Labour does want to stir things up but will struggle. The Telegraph has spoken to a dozen people who have met party officials over the past couple of years, as well as other leading City voices. They collectively believe that those who are hoping for a sea change under Labour are likely to be disappointed. Lord ONeill, who has served as a Treasury minister and advised Labour on its start-ups strategy, warns that the government cannot legislate for growth. Anything that tries to force investors to artificially do something that the fundamentals dont support could create a new performance problem, he says. Labour is very definitely listening, adds Lord ONeill, even though the party may not have the financial firepower to match some of its bold ideas. Cutting red tape ... while dreaming up more One of Labours ideas is to give the British Business Bank a bigger role in investment and open access to government contracts to small and medium-sized businesses. It has also promised to speed up planning for gigafactories, digital infrastructure and laboratories examples of the real world assets which the City wants to finance, if only the rules would let businesses get building. Yet there are also big promises for more regulation, including on ESG, the environmental, social and governance campaigns beloved of political activists. Labour will make the UK the green finance capital of the world, mandating UK-regulated financial institutions including banks, asset managers, pension funds, and insurers and FTSE 100 companies to develop and implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement, the party says. Lesh warns: This is another huge regulatory cost on institutions. Other industries face more red tape too, with a pledge for much tougher regulation of energy. A policy to work with the private sector, including banks and building societies, to provide further private finance to accelerate home upgrades and low carbon heating sounds like a new plan to tell banks what to do. The party also wants to create a new Regulatory Innovation Office, which will help regulators update regulation, speed up approval timelines, and co-ordinate issues that span existing boundaries, the party has pledged. While this may help to streamline rules, a department called Regulatory Innovation may well find itself dreaming up new red tape. Lesh adds: Regulators themselves are constantly pumping out codes of conduct and guidance and consultations. It is really very heavy handed. Civil service enablers Some warn that the UKs safety-first culture is embedded at the heart of Whitehall. It means that Labours traditional instincts to regulate could be enabled by civil servants keen to draw up new rules. The civil service is designed to eliminate the risk of the Government having a mishap that ends up in the press, says the leader of one private sector company who works with civil servants each week. And that is a fundamental problem. The majority want to make the country better, but weve slipped into a system where everybody just worries about ministers putting their foot in it. James Palmer, a senior partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, suggests a big Labour majority may at least usher in more stability, which would be beneficial for the City. He says: The ministerial churn we have had in recent years has been a disaster for long term thinking. Anne Glover, chief executive at Amadeus Capital Partners, a venture capital business that has invested in close to 200 companies, believes Labour is listening. Glover, who was one of 10 City advisers on the partys review of the Square Mile, says: [There is an] intellectual understanding of the importance of entrepreneurship from growth, absolutely. However, Glover is more disappointed with the partys desire to close what it has branded a carried interest tax loophole. Amadeus Capital Partners boss Anne Glover has high hopes for Labour's growth plans but warns against some of the party's proposed taxes - REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Under current rules, instead of receiving a salary or bonus, private equity executives and venture capital investors can take a stake in the funds they manage. This allows private equity fund managers to pay only 28pc tax on their income because any profits are treated as capital gains instead of income. Labour claims this is a loophole and wants to bring the taxation into line with income tax. Glover says the reward reflects the risk these managers take over an extended period of time. Labour believes it will raise more than 500m extra per year by the end of the decade from around 2,000 people who benefit from current legislation. But Glover warns the policy is likely to cost the Exchequer by deterring investment, leaving no money to pay for the mental health staff the money was supposed to fund. I would predict they would lose as much in lost activity because the private equity guys can move. They function globally, theyll just go live somewhere else. Glover herself says the policy would damage her business in a different way. As her focus is on UK start-ups, she wouldnt be able to move jurisdiction. However, the crackdown would lead the venture capitalists of the future to make their money doing something else, she warns. That would mean less funding for innovative businesses. Its a long-term consequence, not a short-term one. Youll just attract less talent into the business, she says. Labour needs to do more to show it really wants to let financial services boost growth. Yet when asked to put forward a shadow cabinet minister to explain why Sir Keir, a leader with a background in the law and the public sector rather than business, is the right candidate to free the City to grow again, the party declined. 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. On Monday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, in an op-ed for The New York Times, called for mental health warning labels on social media apps and support for limiting its influence on young peoples lives. I agree with him, and so do locals working with mental health and the community. At first I was skeptical I know I would scroll past a warning label without reading it, like the terms and conditions. But this label is just a piece of Murthys entire 2023 social media advisory. It incorporates action plans for youths, their caregivers, policymakers, technology companies and researchers. We also need more community initiatives on positivity and mental health discussions, for all ages in Kansas City. Jeni Starr and Sondra Wallaces podcast The Power of Words is a great example. The podcast is sponsored by Kansas City Public Library, where Starr is the manager of the Community Learning Specialist Team. Their podcast invites community members to talk about their mental health journeys and the words that inspire them. Its not supposed to hit you over the head with, you know, mental health terminology, Starr said. We hope people just enjoy listening to it and have fun hearing it. Starr said that for the most part, their speakers focus on words that can bring positivity. Initiatives like this podcast are important because the false perception of perfection on social media makes mental health struggles feel isolating. Murthys advisory reported that 95% of teenagers age 13-17 use at least one social media platform. He discussed possible harms from social media exposure, including depression and anxiety, among others. TikTok, other platforms, offer unlimited content I graduated high school in 2021 and Ive seen anxiety and depression manifest in many people around me, especially during COVID-19. After March 2020, my social media intake increased it was my primary source of breaking news in the world and entertainment and my screen time averaged seven hours each day. Social media, especially platforms such as TikTok, use an algorithm to match videos and posts to users feeds, customizing what they see and encouraging them to stay on the platforms longer. The network spews back content similar to what users have seen because it thinks thats what they want. And maybe they do, but the ease and accessibility at which young people can consume content they want is not healthy. The amount we can access in one click should not be normalized, but at least it should be considered a safety concern as Murthy advocates. Tim Deweese, director of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, agreed. We need to realize that social media is wanting to consume our time, he told me. The fact of the matter is that it is solely based to make money and to engage us in time. Deweese has worked with the mental health center for more than 25 years, serving kids in elementary school up to older adults with individual therapy and other services in the center. He said one of the areas he regularly focuses on is social media and technology use. After working in this sector for over two decades, Deweese noticed trends in how social media became a large part of the mental health conversation and how community involvement created a support system. Weve seen a huge decrease in youth suicide, in particular, in Johnson County. And I think part of that has to do with us talking with young people and listening to them, Deweese said. Although anxiety and depression symptoms have decreased since 2020, more than 20% of Kansas and Missouri populations are still experiencing them. We need to implement more community initiatives to talk about mental health and generate positivity and boundaries. Whether its through a podcast or small group discussions, talking about mental health is an important part of creating a healthy relationship with a social media world. Hit-and-run kills teen on a Sacramento County road with no sidewalk. His family wants justice Shawn Jordan, a soft-spoken musician who loved purple nail polish and his black cat, Razzle, died Thursday after a hit-and-run crash on a North Highlands road with no sidewalk, family said. He was 18. The fatal crash occurred five days earlier, just after 8 p.m. June 15 on Walerga Road. Jordan was walking home and was on the north end of the overpass that crosses Roseville Road, according to family members. The teenager slipped into a coma the next day and later died of his injuries in the hospital. One of his aunts, Liz Ames, said a witness saw a light green Toyota Prius drive away from the scene. Our familys grieving, she said. We want some kind of justice. Its not gonna make him come back, but we want justice. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the fatality. A spokesperson for the CHPs North Sacramento office asked anyone with information about the incident to call 916-348-2300. A homeless man, Dave, heard the crash, ran to Jordans side and called paramedics, Ames said. Jordan had spent the day with his partner. The pair went to lunch and shopped for clothes. They had, like, Ames started to cry, a really nice day together. Jordan was headed back to his fathers house, where he lived part-time with Razzle the cat. He was minutes away from home when this happened, Ames said. He was almost home. A quiet soul Shawn Jordan was born Dec. 12, 2005, to Marie Martinez and Seth Jordan, at Mercy San Juan Hospital. He was premature, and his parents fussed over him during his stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. He grew up incredibly close with his slightly older brother, Seth Jr., who was born in January of the same year. At the time of his death, Jordan split his time with his parents his father lives in North Highlands, and his mother in Citrus Heights. The young man was working on his GED. He loved making music and collaborating with his cousin, Berkeley, who is now 20 and grew up alongside him. Using the artist name Paranoid, he published his work on YouTube and on Spotify, where his icon was a cat. The teenager, his aunt said, was just a quiet soul. He was also a little eccentric. He dyed his hair purple; he painted his nails purple and black; he loved eyeliner, fashion and the moon. Jordan is one of dozens of people killed on roads in Sacramento County this year. A disproportionate number of them were on foot. As of Friday, the Sacramento County Coroners Office had publicly logged 23 pedestrian deaths in the county this year; Jordans death, currently categorized as Other, would mark at least the 24th. A report from the nonprofit Smart Growth America revealed that the capital region was the 20th most deadly metropolitan area for pedestrians in the country. In addition to a close-knit extended family, Jordan is survived by his parents, his older sister, Christina Richardson; his brother, Seth Jr.; and his younger sister, Lennox, who is 10. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) celebrated the Supreme Courts decision to uphold a federal law banning domestic violence abusers from having a gun, noting that it shows a glimmer of hope from the justices. Hochul joined MSNBCs Alex Witt Friday to discuss the decision from the high court and her efforts to disarm abusers in New York state. Witt asked Hochul if she was surprised that the justices upheld the law, given the same conservative justices overturned other gun-related measures. Indeed, I was, Hochul responded, later adding that she wasnt real optimistic about how they would feel about a case that logically, Ill admit, most Americans would say, Why would domestic abusers be able to have a gun? Hochul continued, noting that before, she wasnt sure how the Supreme Court would weigh the case, but thinks survivors across America are breathing a sigh of relief. And hopefully, we can see a different shift in the Supreme Court in other decisions as well, as they realize how out of step they are with keeping Americans safe, she said. Hochul noted that her mother grew up in a household that was abusive, so the issue has been deeply personal for her. Hochul, the states first female governor, said shes had real results with gun legislation. Over 30,000 guns are now out of the hands of potential abusers or assailants or murderers as a result of what were doing here in New York, she said. Hochul continued, arguing that the Supreme Courts decision in the case is a little bit of glimmer of hope from the Supreme Court and hopefully this telegraph a shift in their attitudes about the rights of people to be safe. The Supreme Courts decision rules in favor of President Bidens Justice Department, which appealed to the high court to defend the statute after a lower court ruled that it was unconstitutional. The original case was centered around Zackey Rahimi, who had been placed under a restraining order after he dragged his girlfriend, who is the mother to his child, into a parking lot an attempted to shoot a witness. Rahimi later participated in five shootings and was indicted on the gun charge after police found two in his home. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Berlin police officers work at Kottbusser Tor subway station. A man has been stabbed to death on the intermediate deck. Fabian Sommer/dpa German police are investigating after a body was discovered in a Berlin underground station on Saturday. A police spokeswoman said that the body was found at the busy Kottbusser Tor station in the Kreuzberg neighbourhood at around 1 pm (1100 GMT) on Saturday. A homicide squad is investigating the case, after the spokeswoman said the body was found with significant injuries. The Tagesspiegel newspaper reported that the man was stabbed. The Berlin public transport company said that the U1, U3 and U8 subway lines passing through Kottbusser Tor were not stopping at the station. The area has been well known for its nightlife for decades and is also notorious for street crime and drug dealing. A police station was set up in a nearby tower block in February 2023 to improve the situation, resulting in protests from left-wing groups. Berlin Interior Minister Iris Spranger has said that the new police station has received positive feedback from local business owners and residents. Sweat runs down the forehead of Jon Runyan #76 of the New York Giants, taken after an offseaon workout during New Yorks heatwave (Getty Images) The heat dome is upon us and your first warning sign of heat stroke might be flagged by your watch. This week, much of the central and eastern US is under an oppressive atmospheric event that traps heat and causes extreme heat waves. At least 270 million people experienced extreme temperatures this week. Chicago, Illinois broke a 1957 temperature record on Monday with a high of 97F (36C), while Hartford, Connecticut beat a 1995 record on Wednesday by two degrees as the city also hit 97F. New York City saw its first heat wave since September 2023, with the heat index that is, what temperature it feels like to people reaching into the triple digits. These can be deadly events even for seemingly healthy low-risk people, medical and environmental experts tell The Independent. Last year 2,302 people in the US died from a heat-related illness, the highest ever number in 45 years of record keeping. Heres what happens when bodies overheat and what we can do to prevent it. A man sits at a cooling center in Phoenix, Arizona as the state saw its first heat wave of the year in June. Heat-related illness can prove deadly, experts say, especially for vulnerable populations (Getty Images) How an overheated body starts shutting down When heat-related illness begins, one of the first signs is a rapid heart rate, according to Dr Roxana Chicas, a nurse and assistant professor at Emory University. Then, if that lasts long enough, you stop sweating as your body redirects all blood to its vital organs making the body overheat even more, according to Chicas. Before long, the nervous system begins to break down as proteins in the body begin to unravel, according to Dr Lewis Halsey, a professor of life and health sciences at Londons University of Roehampton. Youll feel thirsty dehydration often plays a key role in heat-related illness. As water leaves the body, cells begin to shrink, Halsey explained, and communication between cells breaks down. While all these systems experience a breakdown, the body is working its hardest to protect the brain but once that vital organ overheats, several experts explained, disorientation and other neurological symptoms begin to set in. That means you might start feeling confused, struggle to remember things or say things that dont quite make sense. A doctor works with a defibrillator designated for patients suffering heat stroke. One of the first signs of heat-related illness is a rapid heart rate, experts tell The Independent (AFP via Getty Images) These symptoms can come for you even if youre a young, healthy fit person with no previous illnesses, under enough heat stress. But, if caught soon enough, heat-related illness is not a death sentence its a warning, according to Alejandro Saez Reale, a member of the technical support unit for the Global Heat Health Information Network. Its a medical emergency against time, Saez Reale told The Independent. You have 30 minutes to reduce the body temperature after heat stroke if not, the survival rate without medical intervention is one out of five. Emergency interventions for adults can involve simple tasks like taking them to a cooler place and giving them cold water, according to Chicas. More extreme interventions that medical professionals use include placing ice on the neck and under their armpits, as well as starting hydration through an IV, Chicas said. Dr Lisa Harshad Patel, a practicing pediatrician with a background in environmental science, said interventions for children involve similar strategies, like hydration and placing cool towels on them. Infants can be especially prone to heat-related illness, Patel said, because they cannot tell everybody that theyre feeling hot. Plus, infants also have more difficulty regulating their body temperature and depend entirely on the adults around them, Patel said, making them even more vulnerable. But the methods for cooling them down are the same as for big kids. Believe you are not at risk for heat-related illness? Think again While heatwaves are dangerous for everyone, certain groups are at higher risk for heat-related illness, including the elderly, those without air conditioning, the unhoused and outdoor workers. However, experts tell The Independent, there are several overlooked populations who are at high risk too. For example: Patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) both common types of medication, including standard antidepressants and ibuprofen are at higher risk of heat stroke. These medications make patients vulnerable because they can have dehydrating effects, according to Dr Laura Kwong, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. Pregnant people and their fetuses are also at higher risk for heat-related illness with pregnant people usually running hot anyway due to the extra blood pumping through them. Extreme heat increases the chances of birth complications, said Patel, while Halsey noted that pregnant people are more susceptible to heat stroke. A construction worker pictured drinking water on a hot, sunny day. There are many groups that are more vulnerable to heat-related illness, including patients who take SSRIs or pregnant people (AFP via Getty Images) Ill tell you the last few shifts Ive worked, when weve had a few days of continued heat, our [neonatal intensive care unit] has tended to fill up, Patel said. Patel also pointed to incarcerated people as an overlooked population because they rely on wardens for safety and are trapped if air conditioning breaks or is absent from their facility. Perhaps surprisingly, anyone who lives in a colder area will be more susceptible to heat-related illness because their bodies have not had time to acclimate when the heat suddenly hits, experts told The Independent. This risk factor will only become more prevalent as the climate crisis drives heat waves in colder regions. But one of the highest risk groups, Kwong said, is older men who live alone. She suspects its because they are less likely to ask for help although there isnt specific data to show that. If you know someone living alone, especially if theyre elderly or they have respiratory or cardiovascular disease, or if they have a disability that impairs their movement or cognitive ability, take time, Kwong continued. Give them a call. Ask how theyre feeling, ask how theyre keeping cool. Ultimately, experts said, no one is immune to heat stroke but being aware of those at the highest risk is essential to preventing heat-related deaths. All heat deaths are absolutely preventable, Saez Reale said. How we can save ourselves and others A whopping 6.3 billion people worldwide experienced at least 31 days of extreme heat since mid-2023. As the climate crisis drives more extreme and frequent heatwaves in the US and around the world, experts say 2024 will likely be the hottest year on record at a global level following the record-setting 2023. There are personal and community-level actions we can take to prevent heat-related deaths but several experts tell The Independent the ultimate solution is stopping the human-driven climate crisis in its tracks. Community members can help themselves and others by staying hydrated, avoiding exercise, and checking in on vulnerable people. Multiple experts said employers and policymakers also have a duty to implement regulations that protect all workers from heat-related illness. Patel, who also serves as commissioner for the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health, says both indoor and outdoor workers are susceptible to heat-related illness, specifically noting that those who work in warehouses, delivery trucks or any facility without reliable air conditioning are in danger. These dangers are exacerbated by the lack of nationwide heat protection regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), meaning there are no guidelines on people requiring breaks, air-conditioning or other contingencies due to heat. OSHA has been trying to work on a heat standard for years, but large industrial lobbies have come out against it and try to gum it up, because they are saying they dont want more regulations, Patel said. Saez Reale noted that some progress is being made on a state-by-state basis. In April, Arizona appointed Eugene Livar as the nations first-ever Chief Heat Officer, who will implement heat preparedness strategies and coordinate communication during a heat crisis. A sign in Arizona warns outdoor hikers about extreme heat. Arizona, which saw its first heat wave of the year in June, is home to the nations first-ever Chief Heat Officer (Getty Images) However, other states are going in the wrong direction. Earlier this year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill banning local governments from enacting heat protections for workers. Ultimately, several experts said, the most important solution is to stop the climate crisis in its tracks. In 2023, global warming exceeded 1.5C the upper limit set by the Paris Agreement to stave off the most harmful consequences of the climate crisis across an entire year for the first time. Then, in November, Earth breached the milestone temperature of 2C for the first time. While temporary, experts warned the breach is a dire sign. Were talking about vast parts of this country that are going to be experiencing this type of weather that is going to result in death and in harm, Patel said. (FOX40.COM) Triple-digit temperatures are expected to return to the Sacramento area following a stretch of cooler days. Saturday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, as the National Weather Service issued a moderate heat advisory for most of the Sacramento Valley, the foothills, and parts of Northern San Joaquin Valley. The advisory is issued from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Officials said temperatures could reach between 100 and 106 degrees in the Valley and Foothills. Temperatures could get as low as the mid 60s to mid 70s in those areas. Live Weather & Maps Live Weather Radar Weather News Weather Email Alerts Live Traffic Map The hottest time of the day is expected to be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and officials urge to limit outdoor activity during the time period. Temperatures in Sacramento are expected to reach 101 degrees on Saturday and temperatures are expected drop to the mids 90s for the following five days, according to the FOX40 Weather Center. The NWS recommends the public to stay hydrated, wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen if being outside during peak hours is necessary. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Houthi claim of attack on US aircraft carrier false, US officials say FILE PHOTO: A flight operating crew member signals a F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet on the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) aircraft carrier in Southern Red Sea WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A claim by Yemen's Houthi group on Saturday that its forces had attacked the U.S. aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea is false, two U.S. officials told Reuters. "That is incorrect," one of the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Iran-aligned Houthis first launched drone and missile strikes in the key waterway for trade in November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinian militants in Gaza, where Israel has waged a more than eight-month war. In more than 70 attacks, the Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers. But U.S. warships have successfully intercepted almost daily Houthi attacks and repeatedly struck Houthi targets inside Yemen. The Eisenhower, which ended its deployment to the Red Sea on Saturday and will briefly reposition to the Mediterranean Sea, rushed to the region in the days following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. "The (Eisenhower carrier strike group) protected ships transiting the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, rescued innocent mariners against the unlawful attacks from the Iranian-backed Houthis and helped to deter further aggression," the Pentagon said in a statement. The Pentagon announced the U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) will follow the Eisenhower, heading to Middle East waters once it completes an exercise in the Pacific. Earlier the Houthi group said its forces had attacked the Eisenhower in the Red Sea and the operation had achieved its objectives successfully, without elaborating. The group also said it attacked a commercial ship, Transworld Navigator, in the Arabian Sea. It did not say when the attacks took place. A Houthi statement said the Transworld Navigator took a direct hit from a missile. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Rod Nickel) SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) A Hugoton woman was killed on Friday evening in a rollover crash in Seward County. The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Road T, which is west of Plains, Kansas. More Kansas lakes added to KDHE blue-green algae advisory The Kansas Highway Patrol said a Wichita man driving south on Road T failed to yield and crashed into Jamee Perez, 42, of Hugoton. Perezs vehicle, a Nissan Rogue, rolled multiple times. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The other driver received minor injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. cmart7327 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Why are business owners leaving states like New York and California to seek friendlier environments? Kevin OLeary, an investor whos well known for his role on Shark Tank, has a great deal to say about the issue. Check Out: Heres How Much the Definition of Rich Has Changed in Every State Read Next: 5 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Loser States After the ruling in the fraud case against Donald Trump in New York, OLeary told Fox Business that he will never invest in the loser state again. According to OLeary, There are many loser states because of policy, high taxes, uncompetitive regulation Other investors and entrepreneurs have voiced similar concerns about the business environments in New York and California. Some have added that high housing costs have also forced them to seek more affordable states for their employees to live. In addition, according to Fox Business, employers want to leave California because of woke public school systems and higher crime rates. According to Bloomberg, Both states have in the past three years lost firms that managed close to $1 trillion of assets, Bloomberg News calculated after going through corporate filings from more than 17,000 firms since the end of 2019. Many Factors Many of the companies and organizations leaving New York and California are going to states with friendlier business climates. Those include Florida, Texas and Tennessee. These states typically have much lower housing prices. Plus, the nicer weather and lower taxes are big draws for businesses. OLeary mentioned uncompetitive regulations in places like New York and California are driving away businesses. His comments come as plenty of CEOs and entrepreneurs in both states have been critical of state and local governments imposing stricter regulations on how and where they do business. Looking Elsewhere OLeary said another big concern in addition to business owners fleeing is that new companies are not looking at New York and California for future investments. He said investors behind data centers, which are helping drive new technology products, are bypassing those states because of unfair regulations, high taxes and state leaders who are not friendly to businesses. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Why New York and Californias Business Owners Are Fleeing and Where Theyre Going Instead The U.S. Ambassador to Hungary hasnt exactly been embraced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbans government. But now, it seems, things are getting petty. David Pressman, a gay human rights lawyer who acts as Washington, D.C.s envoy in Budapest, had been hoping to attend an event in Hungarys parliament building this week. I was honored to have been invited to speak at an event organized by members of Hungarys parliament featuring a diverse array of speakers inside of the house of Hungarian democracy where they were elected to work, Pressman told The Daily Beast. But the gathering, which Pressman says was intended to address the human rights of the LGBT community, never took place. The event had been arranged by a parliamentary group called For a Diverse Hungary. The organization, which is made up of 20 Hungarian lawmakers from five different opposition parties, aims to give a voice to the community in the parliament and represent both the ideas and the interests of the LGBTQ community in Hungary, David Bedo, the groups chairman and a member of the Hungarian parliament with the centrist Momentum party, tells The Daily Beast. Bedo said he contacted the speaker of the parliament, Laszlo Kover, a month ago trying to book a meeting room in the grand Hungarian parliament building for the get-together, which would also be attended by NGOs and other nations ambassadors. But Kovera founding member of Orbans ruling right-wing Fidesz partyinitially ignored the request, according to Bedo. I sent him multiple emails, Bedo said. He didnt respond to any of them. I even approached him after a parliamentary session and he pretty much shrugged his shoulders and told me hell respond. Then on Thursdaya day before the event was supposed to take placeBedo says Kover emailed him saying the request was denied. Kover quoted a parliamentary bylaw saying that one of the speakers responsibilities is protecting the dignity of the parliament, according to Bedo. Bedo found that explanation for the refusal disgusting and said ordinarily, whenever an ambassador is invited to parliament, lawmakers are able to book a room without any questions. Our whole government is very anti-LGBTQ, Bedo said. Some of them are pragmatic and only use this for political purposes. Kover has previously made comments equating LGBTQ adoption to pedophilia. Pressman, the U.S. ambassador, similarly expressed concern at the apparent crackdown. From the outside looking in, the purpose here was to limit the ability of members of parliament to discuss issues involving LGBT rights, and that is obviously concerning to the United States. The Daily Beast has contacted the Hungarian government for comment. The refusal comes in the context of what Pressman calls a concerning situation for the LGBT community. Were at a moment in Hungary where LGBT people are being treated as a group that needs to be stopped from speaking or being seen, he says. People that need to be kept away from children. Whose books need to be sealed in plastic. Photographs of whom need to be kept under guard and behind ropes, because if they are not they may corrupt Hungarys youth. And thats wrong. Last Thursday, the embassies of 35 countriesincluding the United Statesreleased a joint statement expressing alarm at the recent application of legislation and political rhetoric, including in Hungary, that is in tension with principles of non-discrimination, international human rights law and human dignity, and contributes to stigmatization of the LGBTQI+ community. Just one day after that statement was released, Orban gave an interview in which he attacked progressive values, appearing to absurdly suggest that a departure from what he termed the traditional family model could lead to people marrying animals. We defend the traditional family model, and we support young people and families, and we want family life to be as convincing as possible, and we do not want to loosen this up with all kinds of bullshit, he said in Hungarian. Slowly I can marry a chair or an armchair I am sitting on. I do not know when animals come next. This madness does not end here, but we want to forget about it, we do not want to be involved in it, and we certainly do not want our children to be told by others what is right and wrong. On Sunday, Pressman and his family are holding a family picnic at his official residence in Budapest for almost 1,000 members and allies of Hungarys LGBT community. Hes also invited the lawmakers whod hoped to hear him speak at the event which was blocked in the parliament building. Ive also extended an invitation to Speaker Kover to join us, given that parliament is not accessible to the members of parliament, Pressman says. The diplomat says hes asked members of Orbans governing party and the leadership of the government itself to attendbut whether theyll do so remains to be seen. I hope that they choose to join us, because what they will find is theyll find their fellow countrymen who are working hard to advance Hungary and human dignity, Pressman says. And thats something to celebrate. Despite being allies, relations between the U.S. and Hungary have been strained, particularly over the war in Ukraine and Orbans growing affinity for Moscow and Beijing. Earlier this year, Pressman slammed the Hungarian governments dangerously unhinged anti-American messaging and criticized Orbans assertion that the United States government is trying to overthrow the Hungarian government. Pressman was also summoned by an enraged Hungarian government in March after President Joe Biden, in the wake of Orbans Mar-a-Lago meeting with Donald Trump, accused Orban of looking for dictatorship. Pressman acknowledges the relationship between Washington, D.C., and Budapest is facing serious challenges. Part of the clarity with which we are speaking about that relationship and the challenges in it should really be viewed as an outstretched hand, in that we want Hungary to be closer to us, not further away, he told The Daily Beast. And yet at the same time, as we see choices being made by this government to become more and more aligned and closer with Putins Russia and Xis China real issues that are emerging. And those issues are ones that we should speak about clearly, and I hope to see change. The U.S. governments messaging toward Orbana strongman who has expressed admiration for Trumpmay yet soften if Trump reclaims the White House in November. But in the meantime, Pressman stresses that the relationship between the U.S. and Hungary is too important for its fate to depend on whoever leads either country. This is a relationship between two peoples and two countries, two allies, that deserves care, he says. It deserves respect and it needs to be protected. And it is a dangerous road to go down to partisanize the relationship in a way that undercuts it. 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. The Hungarian government has agreed to the 14th package of EU sanctions, which provides for restrictions on supplies of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), in exchange for assurances that no current or future measures will threaten the Paks II Nuclear Power Plants which Russian state-owned company Rosatom is building. Source: Hungarian service of Radio Liberty Details: The Hungarian government has stopped blocking EU sanctions on Russian LNG supplies, but in exchange for this, Paks II has received a horizontal exemption from sanctions. The nuclear project seems to be forever protected from all current and future potential sanctions. The government has excluded Paks II from sanctions in previous packages, but this has always been done on a case-by-case basis. The change from this is that it has now been granted a full sanctions exemption. This concession does not change the position of the Hungarian government, which is that it opposes all sanctions related to nuclear issues, including sanctions against Rosatom executives for their role in the Russian occupation and operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe and occupied since March 2022. Previously, the Hungarian government had ruled out supporting any punitive measures affecting the Russian gas sector, citing security of supply. This is a significant step forward, even if the newly adopted measures do not affect the supply of Russian LNG to Europe, but only prohibit its re-export to third countries from European (mainly Belgian and French) ports. In addition, investments in Russian LNG projects, especially in the North Sea, are prohibited. Last year, the Russian state earned about 8 billion from LNG exports. The current embargo will affect only about a quarter of that amount. At the same time, due to European sanctions, Moscow may have to rethink its business model and deliver LNG via new routes (e.g., through the Arctic Ocean) to markets in Asia. This will require special icebreaker vessels. Hungary had another serious reservation against the sanctions proposal, namely that the proposal would have obliged European parent companies present in Russia to ensure compliance with sanctions if they had subsidiaries in that country. Radio Liberty said this would have been a problem, in particular, for OTP Bank, which has significant interests in Russia. However, the proposal was so softened that interested European investors do not see it as a threat. Background: EU countries agreed on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia earlier on Thursday after more than a month of discussions. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said that this package of sanctions against Russia targets its defence industrial base, financial services, the energy sector, sanctions circumvention and war crimes, including those individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children. As previously reported, Germany was hampering the sanctions package by expanding measures that would have forced EU companies to guarantee that their customers would not be able to sell sanctioned goods to Russia. Support UP or become our patron! BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, UNION COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Officials say, one man is in custody after hitting his wife in the head with a metal hammer. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Friday morning around 11:58 a.m. troopers were dispatched to Evangelical Hospital for a woman who was in the emergency room with a head injury. Tractor-trailer rollover causes road closures on I-80 Troopers said the victim was in her home in Buffalo Township when her husband, 66-year-old Robert Kitchens struck her in the back of the head with a wooden handled metal hammer. Officials say the victim is currently in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. State police have charged Kitchens with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, and harassment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nikson Mathews (left) and Lily Pannkuk (right) give a presentation on the newly rebranded Queer Caucus of the Idaho Democratic Party Nikson Mathews (left) and Lily Pannkuk (right) give a presentation on the newly rebranded Queer Caucus of the Idaho Democratic Party at the party's state convention in Moscow. (Mia Maldonado/Idaho Capital Sun) After years of anti-LGBTQ+ bills making their way through the Idaho Legislature, the Idaho Democratic Party launched its state convention with a presentation from its newly rebranded Queer Caucus, which aims to advocate for policies that protect marginalized Idahoans. The Queer Caucus is a constituency group of Idaho Democrats dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. It first began in 2012, but went under a hiatus until this year, caucus chair Nikson Mathews said in a presentation to convention attendees on Saturday at the University of Idaho. Why bring it back now? Mathews said. Theres just been a terrible increase of bills that are targeting our community. Our mission is to ensure that the issues of the LGBTQ+ community are vocalized and prioritized within our party and state. Some of the bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community that were signed into law this year include: House Bill 668: This bill bans public funds from paying for gender-affirming medications and surgeries. This means transgender and nonbinary people enrolled in the state insurance plan or Idaho Medicaid can no longer receive gender-affirming care. House Bill 421: This bill redefines the legal definitions of sex and gender, making the two synonymous. It also provides legal definitions for the words mother, father, male and female. House Bill 538: This bill provides protections for public employees, including teachers, who are unwilling to use someones preferred name and pronouns. House Bill 710: This bill codifies procedures for Idaho libraries to follow when patrons believe a library material is harmful to minors. The bill includes any act of homosexuality under its definition of sexual conduct. Lily Pannkuk, the vice-chair of the Queer Caucus and executive director of the Ada County Democrats, said other legislation passed that indirectly affects Idahos LGBTQ+ community includes Senate Bill 1352, which lets counselors and therapists opt out of providing care if care goes against their religious or moral beliefs and Senate Bill 1329, which requires medical providers get parental consent before giving treatment to minors under 18. We need our cisgender heterosexual allies to get up and work on our behalf because there just arent enough of us to fight for ourselves, Pannkuk said. With those bills taking effect on July 1, advocating for protections for marginalized groups, including Idahos LGBTQ+ community, is a key part of the Idaho Democratic Partys platform. The Idaho Democratic Queer Caucus is a rebrand of former caucus Mathews said the caucus is a rebrand of the former LGBTQ+ Caucus, which was first formed in 2012 by Chelsea Gaona-Lincoln, the current national committeewoman for the Idaho Democratic Party; and her wife Evangeline Beechler, the former chair of the Idaho Democratic Party. Gaona-Lincoln said the two formed the caucus as bills banning transgender people from using their bathrooms of choice began spreading across the country. The two traveled across Idaho to provide advocacy training for allies who wanted to support LGBTQ+ people. The two, now married with children, fell in love in the process. We just started taking up space and giving queer and trans people a voice within the party, and just offered as many trainings as possible, Gaona-Lincoln told the Sun. But in 2015, after the first and only legislative hearing on Add the Words a movement advocating for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the states human rights act Gaona-Lincoln said the morale within the LGBTQ+ community dropped, leading to a decline in caucus volunteers. The depth of grieving that was felt in the queer and trans community was just so enormous, that there was such a drop in volunteers, she said. But with the annual legislation impacting Idahos LGBTQ+ community, Mathews and Pannkuk saw the need to bring the caucus back, renaming it the Queer Caucus to be more inclusive. Nikson and Lily have amazing energy and theyve got new ideas, and so its time that it was time to pass on, Gaona-Lincoln said. The Idaho Democratic Party Convention is held every two years, and its purpose is to elect delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, and to craft the party platform. The Idaho Democratic Partys draft platform addresses several issues, such as funding for public education, expanding protections for marginalized groups, supporting reproductive rights including access to abortion, contraception, and in vitro fertilization combating extremism, protecting natural resources, and promoting investments in renewable energy. Party spokesperson Avery Roberts told the Sun that there were more than 200 people in attendance on Saturday. The Idaho Republican Convention was held last week at the Coeur dAlene Resort. Idaho reporters were not allowed to attend most of the events. Idaho reporters are allowed to attend all events during the Idaho Democratic Convention. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST On June 10, an Idaho hunter contacted the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to self-report that hed shot and killed a grizzly bear that hed misidentified as a black bear. Normally, the hunter wouldve faced serious repercussions for the mistake. Grizzlies are still federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, and killing one for any reason other than defending human life can result in steep punishments of $50,000 in fines and up to a year and jail. In this instance, however, IDFG officials say the hunter was not cited because they had also misidentified the bear. The agency announced Tuesday that it had concluded its investigation into the incident, which took place over a legal black bear bait site on U.S. Forest Service land near the lower St. Joe River and the town of St. Maries. IDFG pointed to extenuating circumstances around the hunt, including the fact that grizzly bears arent known to inhabit that part of the Idaho panhandle. Wildlife officials also couldnt justify citing the hunter because theyd misidentified the same bear just a couple days before, effectively giving him permission to take the shot. Two days prior to the incident, the hunter recorded video of the bear at the bait site and sent it to Fish and Game for review, IDFG explained in the press release. The hunter expressed concern that the bear was a grizzly and not a black bear. Unfortunately, Fish and Game staff misidentified the young bear as a black bear because it lacked some common features of a grizzly, and shared that misidentification with the hunter. The agency said the incident underscores the importance of properly identifying black bears and grizzly bears, especially since young male grizzlies are known to wander long distances from their home range. Some black bears are brown, and some grizzly bears are black, IDFG points out, so hunters should focus on a few key features that grizzlies typically have, including a dished facial profile, prominent shoulder hump, and two- to four-inch-long claws. This is easier said than done, however, and the key features IDFG points to are more prominent one some bears than others. There have been several instances of hunters mistaking grizzlies for black bears in the northern Rockies, one of which involved a fatal grizzly attack more than 10 years ago. Read Next: Wyoming Officials Euthanize First Grizzly Bear to Wander into Bighorn Mountains in a Century More recently, in a pair of separate instances that occurred in May 2023, two experienced Wyoming hunters mistook grizzlies for black bears and killed them. Both hunters turned themselves in. Wyoming Public Media reports that during one of those court cases, Park County attorney Bryan Skoric testified that in the last 20 years, there have been six instances of black bear hunters mistakenly killing grizzlies in his county alone. People make mistakes, Wyoming Game and Fish regional supervisor Dan Smith told the news outlet. Smith was referring to the May 1 incident involving Patrick Gogerty, who mistakenly shot and killed a grizzly bear during a black bear hunt outside Cody. I think the majority, 99 percent of hunters that are bear hunters know exactly what theyre looking for. But mistakes happen. View comments Bryan Kohberger had identified a single target on the night he allegedly murdered four college students in Idaho, a new book has claimed. Murder suspect Kohberger was fixated on Madison Mogen when he entered the off-campus house in Moscow on November 13, 2022, according to journalist Howard Blum. The 29-year-old criminology PhD student is currently awaiting trial for the murders of Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were all found stabbed to death. Officials believe Kohberger was after Mogen because he passed the rooms of two surviving roommates before starting the killing spree, Blum told ABC News. If he was just on a killing spree, it would have been natural, instinctive, to go to one of those doors, he said. Instead he goes up this narrow staircase and he turns directly into Maddies room, and I think Maddie was his target. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed on November 13, 2022. A new theory claims suspect Bryan Kohberger had targeted Mogen. (Instagram) Police linked Kohberger to the murders that rocked the college town through DNA found on a knife sheath, cell phone data, an eyewitness account and his white Hyundai Elantra. Blums book also claims that Kohbergers family had concerns about his behavior leading up to his arrest six weeks after the murder. His father said he had been on edge when he picked him up from school after the killings. [Kohbergers father] has been reading the headlines - he knows that four students were killed 12 miles from his sons house. He knows what a troubled son he has, Blum told ABC. One of Kohbergers two sisters had also approached their father to voice suspicions about him, but he had brushed off the concerns, unwilling to confront the possibility. Blums book, When the Night Comes Calling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders is set to be released on June 25. The family of Bryan Kohberger had reportedly voiced concerns about his suspicious behaviour in the days leading up to his arrest (AP) It comes after a hearing in the case was set for June 27 where attorneys are expected to discuss dates for the trial and sentencing. They will also discuss whether the trial should be moved outside the county to seat an impartial jury. The state has been opposed to the move, while the defense is in favor of it. Kohberger previously declined to enter a plea prompting Judge John Judge to enter his plea as not guilty on his behalf in May 2023. Latah County prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. Last month, the defense argued that prosecutors had not handed all the evidence over for them to review and have filed multiple motions to compel the state to do so. Prosecutors insisted they are doing all they can to share evidence but have been partly delayed by federal rules, due to the FBIs involvement in the investigation. Earlier this year, Kohbergers attorneys also filed a motion to dismiss the murder charges against him, citing a biased grand jury, inadmissible evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. Judge Judge denied the motion. ILLINOIS (WCIA) Illinois lawmakers and political groups are celebrating a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limits domestic abusers right to bear arms. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority in U.S. vs, Rahimi, noted the country has a precedent of removing firearms from individuals after they are found to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another person. Supreme Court upholds federal law banning domestic abusers from owning guns Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said the constitutional challenge is meritless. Today, the Court reaffirmed that the Second Amendment is not limitless and rejected a meritless challenge to an essential gun safety law. In doing so, they are protecting the lives of women and families across the nation. Durbin said. Unfortunately, Justice Thomas, the lone dissenter in the case, continues to isolate himself from a commonsense view of the limits of the Second Amendment. Durbin is still calling for the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Bruen decision. 2022: Supreme Court expands gun rights with Bruen decision, nation divided Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul previously led a group of state leaders across the country in filing an amicus brief in the case in April. Now, he said the decision was a win for public safety. I am very pleased to see the U.S. Supreme Court uphold these longstanding, commonsense tools that protect victims of domestic violence and prevent gun violence, Raoul said in a statement Friday. Several Illinois gun advocacy groups were working to pass legislation they called Karinas Law which is similar to the court case. The bill has failed after several attempts, but they are hopeful with Fridays ruling. We know that the risk of intimate-partner homicide increases 500% when abusers have access to a gun, Yolanda Androzzo, the Executive Director of One Aim Illinois, said. Karinas Bill would ensure that all firearms are removed when an order of protection is filed, offering critical protection for those at risk. We urge our legislators to use this momentum and act swiftly in the upcoming veto session to pass Karinas Bill and strengthen protections for those who need them the most. Champaign student among gun control advocates fighting to end gun violence The Illinois State Rifle Association said they support the ruling because the restrictions for gun owners would not go into effect until a threat of them has been proven credible, and have criticized Illinois legislation for not allowing due process. Todays opinion applies solely to those who have been shown to be a credible threat to others through due process in the legal system, Richard Pearson, the Executive Director of ISRA said. The ISRA continues to fight for the rights of peaceful citizens to protect themselves through firearm ownership and exercise of their 2nd amendment rights. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. I'm a former TV chef who spends about $150 a week at Costco. Here are 11 things I always get. I'm a former TV chef who loves shopping at Costco. Leslie Antonoff I'm a former TV chef who spends $150 on tasty ingredients and cooking shortcuts at Costco each week. The Minsley cooked rice and Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauce can effortlessly upgrade meals. I also grab ingredients like Kerrygold butter and Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano. Before the first season of my aspireTV series, "Butter + Brown," I trained with a chef whose husband was a corporate executive at Costco. In my mind, Costco was for folks who loved pre-seasoned meat, Kirkland Signature-branded alcohol, and birthday cakes. However, I couldn't have been more wrong. This chef gave me the inside scoop on the best items from the store, and since then, I've joined the nearly 35 million customers who have an executive Costco membership. I use my membership to stock up on ingredients for family dinners and quick meals. Here are 11 items I always get on a $150 budget at my Los Angeles Costco. The Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter is perfect for baking and making excellent sauces. The Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter has a delicious, rich flavor. Leslie Antonoff European-made butter in bulk is an instant "yes" for me. The quality of butter I use in baked goods or sauces can change the dish's outcome, so I always pick up two boxes of Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter to keep in my fridge. European butter is also typically higher in butterfat than its American counterparts, which can make food taste richer and more flavorful. Costco carries a salted version, which is my favorite. A pack of Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter costs $14.50 at my Costco. My kids eat the I Heart Hydros hydroponic strawberries at every meal. The I Heart Hydros hydroponic strawberries taste super sweet. Leslie Antonoff I can't speak for everyone else's children, but mine eat fruit like it's going out of style. These hydroponic strawberries, which are grown without soil, have been a mainstay in my cart lately. One major plus of these berries is their taste, which is sweeter and juicier than many other options I've tried. I can't say if they're better for your health, but they're full of flavor and are a big hit at my house. The hydroponic strawberries cost $6 per case at my store. The Sun Fresh green seedless grapes are perfect for lunches and freezing. I keep cartons of Sun Fresh green grapes in the fridge and freezer. Leslie Antonoff My pantry is stocked with snacks, ranging from veggie chips to cookies and Doritos. However, I also require my daughters to take fruit in their school lunches. At Costco, I can find a variety of grapes, from black seedless and cotton candy to table varieties. I typically buy one container for the fridge and another for the freezer. A 3-pound package of grapes costs $8.50 at my location. I grab precooked rice for when I need a quick meal at home. I use the Minsley organic cooked brown rice in my lunches. Leslie Antonoff Like most people, chefs try to find ways to save time in the kitchen. I focus on figuring out what to feed my family for dinner, and for myself, I keep it simple. The Minsley organic cooked brown rice is great alongside quickly seared salmon or grilled chicken. For $9, I bought a box containing six bowls of rice. I like to satisfy my soda cravings with Poppi. I buy variety packs of Poppi prebiotic soda at Costco. Leslie Antonoff Before Poppi drinks, I hadn't had an orange soda in about five or six years. I was intrigued when I heard about the brand "bringing soda back." And they did, with a vengeance. Now, I pick up a variety pack with cherry-limeade, orange, and strawberry-lemon flavors. With only 4 to 5 grams of sugar per serving, these sodas pair perfectly with lunch. I bought a case containing 15 cans of Poppi for $20. My husband drinks at least four cups of coffee daily, so Horizon Organic half-and-half is necessary. The Horizon Organic half-and-half is a staple for our coffee. Leslie Antonoff Years ago, my husband slung espresso cups behind the counter at Peet's Coffee. Though he's moved on from that job, he hasn't left his coffee obsession behind. This half-gallon carton of Horizon Organic half-and-half ensures we have enough for the coffee enthusiast (and me, the tea girl). At my location, a carton costs $6.90. We need to have a lot of Peet's Coffee on hand as well. Peet's Coffee Major Dickason's Blend dark-roast coffee has a great flavor. Leslie Antonoff I also get a bag of Peet's Coffee when I'm at Costco I choose the Major Dickason's Blend, a dark-roast coffee with a rich flavor. This brew is full-bodied, bold, and not at all bitter. Though big in flavor, it maintains its smoothness as it goes down. We love Peet's, so it's perfect that Costco sells a giant bag we can grind up ourselves. A 32-ounce package of coffee costs $16.90 at my Costco. Breakfast with three kids can sometimes be chaotic, but ready-to-go bagels make it easy for everyone. I buy packs of Kirkland Signature everything, plain, and cinnamon-raisin bagels at Costco. Leslie Antonoff My girls love bagels. I'm convinced it's the New Yorker in them, and Costco allows them to get their fix. My kids have different tastes and preferences, so Costco's two-for-$7 deal on Kirkland Signature bagels is the best way to ensure they each have what they like. I usually pick up everything and plain for the kids, and sometimes, I'll grab a cinnamon-raisin pack for myself. Simply Orange pulp-free orange juice gets a thumbs up from my daughter. My daughter is a big fan of the Simply Orange pulp-free orange juice. Leslie Antonoff We're big fans of the Simply juices. I usually opt for either the brand's Simply Lemonade, Simply Limeade, or Simply Peach flavors, but at Costco, we get the Simply Orange juice. Though I'm not a huge orange-juice drinker, my teenager loves to take a small bottle with her to school. A case of Simply Orange juice is $16 at my location. Serving pasta once a week means there has to be cheese available. I usually grab Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano. Leslie Antonoff There isn't a week that goes by without my kids asking for one of my pasta dishes. Whether it's pesto, a simple Bolognese, or a kale-and-sausage dish, each requires a heaping pile of Kirkland Signature Pecorino Romano or the brand's Parmigiano-Reggiano to make it sing. In my opinion, Costco has excellent wedges that taste just as good as something from a fancy cheesemonger. I bought a block of Pecorino Romano for $16.90 and Parmigiano-Reggiano for $17.10. I like to stock up on my favorite condiments at Costco. I stock up on delicious condiments like Bachan's original Japanese barbecue sauce and the Don Pancho cilantro-lime-crema everything sauce. Leslie Antonoff I'm a self-proclaimed condiment queen. I love a good hot sauce, an aioli, and a great dressing. Though I prefer to make my own, there are moments when I simply don't have the bandwidth to do so. Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauce is handy for salmon-teriyaki cravings, and the Don Pancho cilantro-lime-crema everything sauce is great on tacos. The Japanese barbecue sauce costs $6.80, and the cilantro-lime-crema sauce is $8 at my location. Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one. Read the original article on Business Insider LAS VEGAS (KLAS) An executive accused of siphoning $340,000 from a federal grant was indicted Friday by a federal grand jury, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada. David Ryan Linden, 35, CEO of Silver State Health Services LLC, is accused of stealing funding intended for the services for indigent persons. The company is a not-for-profit limited liability corporation in Las Vegas. The indictment alleges Linden secured a grant for $735,200 from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to pay for projected personnel costs for a health center. But almost half that money $357,000 was deposited into a Silver State Health Services bank account on June 10, 2019. Six days later, Linden became a signatory on a bank account for Freedom Infusions, LLC, a company not affiliated with the grant or Silver State. On June 24, 2019, Linden transferred $340,000 of the grant funds to the Freedom Infusions account. The $340,000 was allegedly used for the benefit of others, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. A jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. Linden could face a maximum of 10 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Myhre and Justin Washburne are prosecuting 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 KLAS. "PEOPLE 50 Years of True Crime Stories" looks back on a half century of the best mysteries and mayhem Hulton Archive/Getty People 50 Years of True Crime Cover; New York City serial killer David Berkowitz, known as the 'Son of Sam' PEOPLE is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a look back at the best of a half-century of true crime stories. For a 13-month period in 1976 and 1977, the streets of New York City were terrorized by a killer known only as the "Son of Sam," the monicker he gave himself in taunting letters he wrote to the police and media during his killing spree. The killer, who struck in the city's outer boroughs, mainly targeted young women with shoulder-length, dark hair. His reign of terror brought the city to its knees, compelling many young women with similar appearances to the victims to dye their hair and get pixie cuts. He murdered six people and wounded seven others before he was ultimately identified and captured. Police tracked him down because of a parking ticket issued near the scene of his last attack and identified him as David Berkowitz, of Yonkers, who told police he'd been ordered to kill by a demon who'd communicated through a barking dog. When he was arrested, he asked officers, "What took you so long?" Now 70 and in prison serving a 365-year sentence, Berkowitz remains a haunting figure in the New York City history. Below, read "Son of Sam Stalks New York" in full, from PEOPLE's June 20, 1977 issue, and pick up People 50 Years of True Crime Stories on Amazon and on newsstands now. It was bitter cold, just after midnight last Jan. 30. Johnny Diel and his girlfriend Christine Freund sat in his 1976 Pontiac Firebird on a deserted street in Forest Hills, Queens, waiting for the car to warm up. They had just finished dinner after seeing Rocky, and Johnny, a 30-year-old bartender, was looking forward to some partying. Leaning toward Chris, he kissed her and said, Were going to the Masonic dance. She replied, Okay, hon. Turning away, he revved the engine three times, then was stunned by a deafening crash. Chris slumped against him without uttering a sound. Chris! Chris! Johnny shouted, putting his arm around her and pulling her down on the seat. Then he saw blood on his hand and heard the crack of another shot as a .44-caliber bullet ripped into the dashboard next to his head. All of a sudden, he remembers, there was no sound. I opened the door and ran down the street with my hands over my head screaming, My girlfriends been hurt! I never looked back. I was too afraid. I never saw who did it. Related: The Moment the 'Son of Sam' Was Captured by Police 40 Years Ago, Ending His Murder Spree: 'You Got Me' Four hours later Chris Freund, a 26-year-old Wall Street secretary who planned to announce her engagement to Johnny in only 15 days, was dead of a bullet wound in the head. She had become the sixth known victimthe second to dieof New Yorks .44-caliber killer, an elusive phantom who has become the object of one of the biggest manhunts in the citys history. Since last July 29, the murderer, believed to be a young man in his 20s or early 30s, has struck six times in the Bronx and Queens, killing five and wounding four, including an 18-year-old woman who is now paralyzed from the waist down. Several of his victims were shot while sitting in parked cars; others he simply met on the street. Most have been young women with shoulder-length brown hair, and he has shot them with a powerful Bulldog revolver held combat-stylehis knees bent, both hands on the gun. NY Daily News Archive via Getty; AP Photo (2) Victims of 'Son of Sam': Donna Lauria; Christine Freund; Virginia Voskerichian Related: Survivor of the 'Son of Sam' Speaks Out 41 Years Later: 'I'm One of the Luckiest Guys in the World' Hes an opportunist, says Deputy Inspector Timothy J. Dowd, who heads a task force of some 50 detectives combing the city for the killer. He kills the person he has the opportunity to kill. Its an unplanned planned crime. Here we have a man we dont know, who has killed a lot of people, and who is unusual in the sense that hes not finished," he says. "We would like to find some way of inducing this man to call us. Its like hostage negotiations. If you dont have the guy talking to you, what can you do? Dowd, 61, a veteran of 37 years on the force and more than 1,000 homicide investigations, was called into the case in April after the killer left a rambling hand-lettered note near the bodies of his two latest victims. In it the murderer described himself mysteriously as Son of Sam and warned police he would shoot it out rather than be arrested. NY Daily News Archive via Getty; AP Photo Victims of 'Son of Sam': Valentina Suriani and Alexander Esau; Stacy Moskowitz Recently the case took an even more bizarre turn when Son of Sam sent a chilling four-page letter to New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin. Sams a thirsty lad, the killer wrote, and he wont let me stop killing until he gets his fill of blood. Then, ominously, he added, I love my work. You will see my handiwork at the next job. Hoping to forestall that lethal possibility, Dowd and his men have been examining the letters for clues. With the help of psychologists and psychiatrists, they drew up a profile of the killer, describing him as a paranoid schizophrenic who is probably shy and odd, a loner inept in establishing personal relationships, especially with young women. Police would like the citys Department of Mental Health to throw open the records of all psychotics answering the killers description but have been frustrated by legal restrictions. This right-of-privacy thing is a real pain, Dowd has observed. Were not asking for diagnoses or anything; wed just like to know if anyones treated this guy. Related: Inside Son of Sam's Life Now: Born-Again as the 'Son of Hope' and He Doesn't Want to Leave Prison So far Dowds men have pored over thousands of arrest records, checked out more than 2,000 phone tips, run ballistics tests on some 60 handguns, examined more than 100 handwriting samples and conducted more than 1,000 interviews. They have canvassed mental hospitals, cabdrivers, tow-truck operators (on the off chance that the killer had an accident fleeing the scene) and all known owners of registered .44 revolvers. They have researched the backgrounds of all the victims, hoping to find the common thread that might unravel the case. And they have hypnotized at least two of the survivors of the shootings in an attempt to unearth details they might have forgotten. Public Record A letter from David Berkowitz taunting the police Dowd, who holds a masters degree from New Yorks Bernard Baruch School of Business and earns more than $40,000 a year [about $225,000 in 2024 dollars], sees the manhunt more as a nuts-and-bolts bureaucratic exercise than a slam-bang cops-and-robbers adventure. We follow an orthodox type of investigation, he says. We do it thoroughly, and that means we cover the field. If some policeman catches this guy on a routine stop, our investigation ends. But we dont wait to get lucky. We prepare to get lucky. Even with the inevitable drudge work, morale in the special unit remains high. Inspector Dowd expects us to get the job done, explains Det. Bill Clark, but hes fair, and he puts out a lot himself. I have never worked on a case where I have seen so many people so motivated. I went to the hospital to see the girl who is crippled, and I can identify her with people in my own life. These are innocent girls. Working seven days a week, often up to 16 hours a day, Dowd tries to spend most of his off-duty time at home with his wife and four children, aged 13 to 25. He never tunes in to Kojak. I dont like to watch crime stories, he says. You have to get away from what youre doing. With Son of Sam still at large, of course, getting away has become more of a problem. Our phones are lighting up like a Christmas tree, he said after the killer sent his letter to Breslin. Its worse than weve ever seen. But in spite of the fact that as of last week his men had no firm leads after months of investigation, Dowd is confident the case will be solved. Theres no doubt in my mind that well get this guy, he says. All we need is a direction. All these things are going to seem so simple when we solve it, well wonder why we didnt see it at once. NYC David Berkowitz in 2003 (mugshot) 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. Johnny Diel may wonder too. Often on a Saturday night Diel finds himself heading back to the Forest Hills neighborhood where Chris Freundhis girlfriend for seven yearswas gunned down. I dont think this guy deserves to live, he says. I keep hoping hell see my car again and stop to look at it. Chris was the first girl I really loved. Its like you got something that belongs to you, and somebody comes and takes it away. And in this case you cant do nothin about it. Now I just hang out with guys from around Ridgewood, Queens, where I live. Most of them are married now. Whenever he thinks of that January nightand he thinks of it oftenthe pain and the anger overwhelm him. I say to myself all the time, Why did you go out there? Why didnt you go someplace else? But its too late. I go to the cemetery twice, three times a week, and I try to bring Chris red roses every week. I stand by the grave, and I say to myself, Could this be possible? Then I walk away, and I know that its over. On Aug. 10, 1977, David Berkowitzaka Son of Sam was arrested after a 13-month murder spree. A parking ticket finally led police to him. A postal worker and Army veteran, Berkowitz pleaded guilty to six counts of second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted second-degree murder. While he initially said hed been commanded to kill by his neighbors dog Sam, he later admitted the story was a hoax. In 1987 he converted to Christianity and in 2002 became eligible for parole. It has repeatedly been denied. Now 70, Berkowitz is an inmate at Shawangunk Correctional Facility in New Yorks Hudson Valley. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) Paul Rusesabagina offered simple advice about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, where he is credited with saving more than 1,200 lives in his hotel, and his more recent imprisonment based on his criticism of human rights violations by that African nation. He told a World Oregon audience in Portland on the 30th anniversary of that genocide: Do not remain silent. My message is simple: Whenever you see people in danger, do not forget to talk about them, he said during a June 10 appearance at Revolution Hall in the final talk of the 2024 International Speaker series. OHSU layoffs will mostly affect staff in communications, marketing and other services The very time you become silent, they will be forgotten. If you raise your voice and talk, by all means, the message will save their lives. The world was silent three decades ago about the events in Rwanda. But Rusesabagina said there is ample time for the United States and the European Union, among others, to speak up about the exploitation of workers mining minerals vital to high-tech devices such as smartphones in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the complicity of neighboring Rwanda and Uganda in that trade. The worst thing, he said, is to close your eyes and ears and pretend not to see or hear what is happening. The world should not close its ears and eyes. The would should open its eyes and see what is going on in the Congo, where Rwanda and Uganda have invaded that country. Read more at PortlandTribune.com The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Father of missing Jay Slater says he just wants the boy back Zak Slater, Jay's brother, and Warren, his father, look for the missing teenager near Masca, in Tenerife - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph The father of Jay Slater, the missing British teenager, said I just want the boy back as he visited the remote spot in Tenerife where his son went missing on Monday. Speaking for the first time since the 19-year-old disappeared, Warren Slater spoke just a single sentence through sobs of tears as the search for Jay entered its sixth day. He spoke to the Telegraph after visiting the remote spot in the north of the Spanish island where Jay went missing on Monday morning. Joined by his other son, Zak, and eight of Jays friends, Mr Slater visited an Airbnb cottage near the village of Masca that his son had visited after attending a music festival with friends. Im just exhausted Earlier, Jays mother, Debbie Duncan, had told The Telegraph: Im just exhausted. Ive not slept for five days, Ms Duncan said. Im still hopeful. Im not feeling negative just yet. I dont know what its been like today because Ive been advised to stay away because I would just break down. My boy might be just up there somewhere. Were all devastated. Hes just a normal boy from a little town in Lancashire. These things dont happen. Speaking to PA, Ms Duncan said she did not know whether the Spanish authorities turning down an offer of help from the UK was because they viewed it as an insult. Lancashire Constabulary said it had made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources, which was rejected by Spanish authorities. I believe they said theyve got enough resources and they dont need the help from English police, Ms Duncan said. Asked what message she would have for her son, Ms Duncan added: We just need you home we just need him home. TikTok sleuths join search TikTok sleuths have flown from Britain to Tenerife to join the search for the teenager. Jay was last heard from on Monday morning when he told a friend he was lost in the mountains and desperately thirsty. He had earlier met two men at a music festival on the Spanish island and followed them back to their cottage. Police and mountain rescue teams are using dogs and drones to comb the barren landscape for the missing teenager, who is from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle. Jay Slater travelled to Tenerife with two friends to attend the NRG music festival on Sunday - CHP/Solarpix At least five British nationals have each spent hundreds of pounds on aircraft tickets to make the almost 2,000-mile journey to help with the search, despite having no connection to Mr Slater. Paul Arnott, 29, who runs the TikTok account Down the Rapids and describes himself as an explorer, spent up to 400 on travel from Fort William, in Scotland. Its cost quite a few hundred pounds so far, he told The Telegraph as he started his first day of searching on Saturday afternoon. Ive been trying to contact mountain rescue all day but I havent been able to get through to anyone. This is the area where he was last seen. The idea is ideally to communicate with mountain rescue and the police and if I cant get a response then Ill do my own thing in this area and try and work out wheres not been searched. Id want someone to help me If something happened to me, Id want someone to come out and help me. I believe what goes around comes around. Mr Arnott has been helped by Andrew Knight, 29, who lives in Tenerife and has been loaning cars to other British nationals who want to help with the search. Mr Knight said he knew of five people who had arrived from the UK so far. The more people looking, the better, he said. Its a very scary, difficult landscape. Its difficult to search and easy to go missing. The case bears a striking resemblance to the disappearance of Nicola Bulley in Lancashire last year, when dozens of amateur social media sleuths descended on St Michaels on Wyre to search for the missing mother-of-two. More than half a million people have joined a group that has begun posting bizarre theories online about Mr Slaters disappearance. Mr Slater travelled to Tenerife with two friends to attend the NRG music festival on Sunday. He left the festival at some time between 3am and 6am in the car of two other British men he had met that night. At 7.30am, he posted a picture on Snapchat showing him smoking a cigarette at the doorway of a cottage in Parque Rural de Teno, more than 30 miles from where the festival was held to the south of the island. At around 8am, Ofelia Medina Hernandez, the owner of the two-bedroom Airbnb property where Mr Slater had travelled to, came across the teenager standing at a nearby bus stop. He asked when the next bus was to Los Cristianos, a resort area where he had been staying, and she signalled it was not for another two hours. Instead of waiting, Mr Slater decided to walk. After setting off, he rang his friend Lucy Law, who had joined him at the music festival, and said he was lost, thirsty, had 1 per cent charge left on his phone, and had cut his leg on a cactus. His phone died shortly after the call. Its last location was north of the cottage, near the village of Masca. It is here that much of the search has been concentrated over the past week. Mountain rescue workers, volunteers, drones, dogs and helicopters have so far been unable to uncover any trace of the teenager. Rescue workers have not yet found any trace of Mr Slater - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph The search is now focused on two ravines in an area thick with undergrowth and with little protection from the sun. The punishing conditions have not stopped around 15 of Mr Slaters friends and family members from flying out to aid in the search. Some have even been collecting cigarette butts in the hope that they will prove useful. His mother and brother have been on the island since Tuesday. Its just traumatic and it doesnt feel real. Its just awful, its horrendous, Ms Duncan said. Hes just a great person who everyone wanted to be with. Hes good-looking, hes a popular boy. Many more have joined efforts by posting on a Facebook page dedicated to finding Mr Slater, which had more than 468,000 members before it was paused after conspiracy theories about his disappearance began to appear. More than 27,000 has also been raised through a GoFundMe page, which has been set up by Ms Law to get Jay Slater home. Lancashire Police said on Friday that it had offered to provide additional resources to the search but said the Guardia Civil rejected the offer as it has the resources they need. 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. Poster reading 'Free Toomaj' during the rally organized by the Souliranation association against the death sentence of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi in Toulouse, southwest of France, on May 5, 2024 - Credit: Pat Batard / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP Toomaj Salehi, the dissident Iranian rapper sentenced to death in April for releasing music critical of the countrys government, had the punishment overturned Saturday and will face retrial. Salehis lawyer Amir Raesian wrote on social media (via the Guardian), As expected, the Supreme Court avoided an irreparable judicial error, and that the supreme court reiterated that even the previous prison sentence (6 years and three months) did not comply with the rules of multiplicity of crimes and is in excess of legal punishment. More from Rolling Stone Salehi was arrested in Oct. 2022 in the midst of the uprising sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who was arrested by Irans morality police and later died in their custody. Salehi was ultimately charged with spreading corruption on earth, a death penalty offense, for releasing music critical of the government and urging his followers to join the protests. Following his arrest, allegations emerged that Salehi was being held in solitary confinement and tortured, with U.N. experts saying he had a broken nose, several broken fingers, and damaged legs. There were also concerns that his court hearings took place behind closed doors without his lawyer present. In April, the 33-year-old Salehi was sentenced to death by hanging, which his lawyers at the time vowed to appeal. The death sentence drew fierce rebukes from various government and advocacy groups, as well as artists like Coldplay and Sting. The office of the U.S. Envoy to Iran said, We strongly condemn Toomaj Salehis death sentence, while also mentioning the five-year prison sentence handed out to another artist, the Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin. Following the Iranian supreme courts ruling, the Index on Censorship, Human Rights Foundation and Salehis international legal team said in a statement, While the supreme courts decision is an important correction to Mr Salehis cruel and unlawful treatment, it is critical that his rights are properly respected. The statement continued, Mr Salehis case has been returned to Branch 1 of the Isfahan revolutionary court for resentencing. Even a shorter period of imprisonment would be an injustice: Mr Salehi has done nothing other than to call for his, and other Iranians, fundamental rights to be respected. He must be free to continue his music and seek the necessary medical care he needs following his imprisonment, free of any continued imprisonment, harassment or persecution. Best of Rolling Stone After the atrocities of last October, Israel had a right to defend itself. So much we may concede. But the killing rage it visited upon the innocents of Gaza was indefensible. It has bombed the Al-Ahli hospital, killed 37,000 people, 70 per cent of whom were women and children, and set dogs on Gazan detainees. It has starved Gaza, a charge for which Benjamin Netanyahu may face an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. So runs the folk story of Jewish genocide. It has been related by international bodies, politicians and the broadcast media, which pumps pictures of civilian suffering and only civilian suffering into our homes. The problem is that it is untrue. Every aspect has been either disproven or cast into irretrievable doubt. The Al-Ahli hospital was bombed not by Israel but Islamic Jihad. The 37,000 casualty figure is not reliable the combatant-to-civilian casualty ratio now likely stands at about 1:1, a historically low figure and the number of women and children has been downgraded even by the UN. There is no case for genocide (the International Criminal Court president clarified that Palestinians had a plausible right to be protected from genocide, not that the claim of genocide was plausible). To this we can now add a further development: the claim of mass starvation in Gaza has been thrown out. Reader, there is no famine. The UN began such talk in February (catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation). Biden officials added their voices in March (food shortage crisis) Save the Children joined in (starvation is already happening), and in May, the World Food Programme went full tonto (full-blown famine). Now, however, a UN body catchily named the Integrated Food Security Phase Classifications Famine Review Committee has debunked the allegation. It does not find the [famine prediction] analysis plausible given the uncertainty and lack of convergence of the supporting evidence, it drily admitted. Officials, it turned out, had ignored the private food lorries that had been sent into Gaza, as well as deliveries to bakeries by the World Food Programme. Nobody would argue that war isnt war. In Tel Aviv last week, I drank with a paratrooper officer who had been fighting in Gaza the previous day. His soldiers had been exposed to asbestos in the rubble and several had become infested with lice. Palestinians had surrendered while strapped with explosives, he said, and children had fired on his men. In almost every abandoned house he had found an Arabic copy of Mein Kampf, common as dictionaries. Such is the nature of this conflict. It is impossible to fight such an enemy without bringing some catastrophe upon the heads of civilians. But what alternative did Israel have? Propaganda is hardly new. Looking back on the Spanish Civil War, George Orwell recalled: I saw newspaper reports which did not bear any relation to the facts Eager intellectuals building emotional superstructures over events that had never happened. And antisemitism has always been based on falsehoods. Just as Hitler wanted to eliminate a supposedly malevolent race for the good of the world, modern Islamists and progressives wish to eliminate a supposedly malevolent country for the sake of regional peace. Which brings us back to the UN. The mobilisation of the West in favour of Hamas is as mendacious as it is shameful. It exposes the progressive elites as guilty of the very racism they decry. Howard Jacobson parodied them best: I have nothing against Jews individually, I only hate them by the country. Jake Wallis Simons is the editor of The Jewish Chronicle 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 IDF drone strike killed Ayman Ghatma, a Hamas terrorist, as he travelled in a car near the town of Khiara, 25 miles from the Israeli border - Hassan Jarrah/AFP A high-profile Hamas terrorist was killed in an airstrike in Lebanons Bekaa district, Israeli media reported on Saturday. At least 42 people were also killed in separate Israeli attacks on districts of Gaza City in the north of the Palestinian enclave on Saturday, the director of the Hamas-run government media office said. The Gaza strikes were reportedly also aimed at assassinating a senior Hamas leader. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a video of the drone strike that killed Ayman Ghatma, a Hamas terrorist, as he travelled in a car near the town of Khiara, some 25 miles from the Israeli border. Lebanese media showed an image of the blackened wreckage of the vehicle, still in flames. The IDF said Ghatma was responsible for supplying weapons to Hamas and al Jamaa al-Islamiyya, an Egyptian terrorist group, in Lebanon and had been targeted for advancing attacks against Israel. Conflict has been escalating along Israels northern border with Lebanon in recent months, stoking fears of a wider regional war. In Gaza, the Israeli military said in a statement that IDF fighter jets struck two Hamas military infrastructure sites in the area of Gaza City. One Israeli strike on houses in Al-Shati, one of the Gaza Strips eight historic refugee camps, killed 24 people, reported Reuters, citing a local official. Another 18 Palestinians were reportedly killed in a strike on houses in the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood. Footage obtained by Reuters and seen widely on social media showed dozens of Palestinians scrambling to search for victims under mangled buildings. The footage showed wrecked homes, blasted walls, and debris and dust filling the dense urban environment of Shati refugee camp. Unverified reports in the Israeli media named the target as senior Hamas commander Raad Saad, who has previously been reported to be the chief of Hamas operations. The reports did not confirm whether he had been killed. Hamas did not comment on the Israeli claim to have hit its military infrastructure. It said in a statement the attacks targeted the civilian population and vowed in a statement the occupation and its Nazi leaders will pay the price for their violations against our people. After almost nine months of war in Gaza, Israels advance is now focused on Rafah and the area surrounding Deir al-Balah in the centre, amid reports that the military may wind down operations to focus resources on a major offensive in the north. The IDF has said its forces are carrying out precise, intelligence based targeted operations in Gaza. The Palestinian health authorities have said more than 37,400 people have been killed - of whom 101 died in the past 24 hours and that nearly the entire population has been left homeless and destitute. The statistics do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. 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 Israeli military is investigating some its own soldiers after footage showed that an injured Palestinian man had been strapped to the front of a military jeep as it moved through the West Bank on Saturday. The man, Mujahed Azmi, was later treated by a medic. In a statement, the Israeli military said the conduct of the forces in the video of the incident does not conform to [its] values and that it will investigate and address the matter. According to Reuters, Azmis family said Israeli forces injured him during an arrest raid, and when the family asked for an ambulance, the army took Mujahed, strapped him on the hood and drove off. The Israeli military said in a statement that it had exchanged fire during a mission and that a suspect, presumably Azmi, was wounded. Roughly 50 miles away from the West Bank, the war in Gaza remains bloody. On Saturday, Israel conducted airstrikes in Gaza City that left more than three dozen people dead, according to local officials. The Washington Post reported that the strikes caused significant damage and a massive crater in the densely built Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City. Israel said it was targeting a pair of Hamas military infrastructure sites. It was not immediately clear how many of the casualties were civilians. The airstrikes followed an incident on Friday in which heavy-calibre projectiles landed near an office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Mawasi area of Rafah, the Post noted, adding that at least 22 people died as a result. The ICRC condemned the operation in a statement on X. Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and Red Cross staff at risk, it wrote. This grave security incident is one of several in recent days; previously stray bullets have reached ICRC structures. We decry these incidents that put the lives of humanitarians and civilians at risk. Israel said it had not directly attacked a Red Cross facility, though the military said it would investigate the claims. 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. Israeli strikes kill at least 42 in Gaza, enclave's government media office says Palestinians search for casualties at the site of Israeli strikes on houses Palestinians search for casualties at the site of Israeli strikes on houses By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - At least 42 people were killed in Israeli attacks on districts of Gaza City in the north of the Palestinian enclave on Saturday, the director of the Hamas-run government media office said. One Israeli strike on houses in Al-Shati, one of the Gaza Strip's eight historic refugee camps, killed 24 people, Ismail Al-Thawabta told Reuters. Another 18 Palestinians were killed in a strike on houses in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood. The Israeli military released a brief statement saying: "A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck two Hamas military infrastructure sites in the area of Gaza City." It said more details would be released soon. Hamas did not comment on the Israeli claim to have hit its military infrastructure. It said in a statement the attacks targeted the civilian population and vowed in a statement "the occupation and its Nazi leaders will pay the price for their violations against our people." Footage obtained by Reuters showed dozens of Palestinians rushing out to search for victims amid the destroyed houses. The footage showed wrecked homes, blasted walls, and debris and dust filling the street in Shati refugee camp. Israel's ground and air campaign in Gaza 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, killed more than 37,400 people, of whom 101 were killed in the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian health authorities, and left nearly the entire population homeless and destitute. More than eight months into the war, Israel's advance is now focused on the two last areas its forces had yet to seize: Rafah on Gaza's southern edge and the area surrounding Deir al-Balah in the centre. Residents said Israeli tanks deepened their incursion into western and northern Rafah areas in recent days. On Saturday Israeli forces bombed several areas from air and the ground, forcing many families living in areas described as humanitarian-designated zones to leave northwards. The Israeli military said forces continued "precise, intelligence-based" targeted operations in Rafah, killing many Palestinian gunmen and dismantling military infrastructure. On Friday, the Gaza health ministry said at least 25 Palestinians were killed in Mawasi in western Rafah and 50 wounded. Palestinians said a tank shell hit a tent housing displaced families. The Israeli military said that the incident was under review. "An initial inquiry conducted suggests that there is no indication that a strike was carried out by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) in the Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi," it said. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Jaida Taha and Ari Rabinovitch Editing by Sharon Singleton and Frances Kerry) Passengers on an El Al flight from Ben Gurion to Heathrow Airport have complained of 'degrading treatment' - Steve Vidler/Alamy Stock Photo The Home Office professional standards unit is investigating a complaint that Heathrow Border Force staff harassed Israeli passengers arriving in the UK. Passengers on an El Al flight from Ben Gurion to Heathrow Airport in London on Monday were asked to undergo extra checks after a customs official discovered one of the passengers had an Israeli flag, according to UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). The passengers had entered the nothing to declare channel of the airport at 10.30pm on June 9. It is claimed a customs official noticed an Israeli flag on one of the passengers luggage and the whole group was ushered into a separate room, where their luggage was scanned. Those passengers have now complained that they felt harassed and were subjected to degrading treatment because they were either Jewish or Israeli. UKLFI has written to the Home Office complaining that the treatment was in breach of the Equality Act. In response, the Home Office replied that it was treating the complaint seriously and had ordered a review of the incident. The Home Office wrote: This matter has been passed to the Home Office professional standards unit and an investigating officer will now investigate the matters you raised about the incident on 10 June 2024 in accordance with the Home Offices formal complaint procedures. We can do what we want One passenger told UKLFI: We were walking towards the exit when a customs official appeared and asked a man in front of me what he had on his suitcase. The man replied that it was an Israeli flag. Immediately the customs official started shouting that everyone on the Israeli flight must go to the room on the left. One traveller said, why us? The official didnt reply. Another traveller said: We are Jewish, why are you doing this to us? The official said I am a customs officer and I can do whatever I want. It was a horrible feeling to be shunted into another room. There were two officers in the hallway one man and one woman. The woman also said we can do whatever we want. In the other room there was a scanning machine. We had to take our luggage off our trolleys and another official put everyones cases through the machine. Then we were allowed to leave. The investigation follows claims survivors of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel faced discrimination at Manchester Airport. The Jewish Representative Council for Greater Manchester said two Israeli nationals who had attended the Nova Musical Festival had faced aggressive questioning by UK Border Force officials at the airport in March. The Home Office launched a review of the incident. About 1,200 people were killed when Hamas stormed across Gazas border into Israel on October 7 in co-ordinated attacks. The council said two survivors had been invited to share their experiences with the Jewish community in Manchester. A Home Office spokesman said: Complaints regarding Border Force are dealt with in accordance with the Home Offices formal complaint procedures. Any complaint about the way in which Home Office staff or contractors staff carry out their duties is viewed seriously. 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. Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas damaged in Russian nighttime attack photo Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas is one of the educational institutions damaged in the Russian missile attack on the night of 21-22 June. Source: Mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk Ruslan Martsinkiv; university on social media Quote from Martsinkiv: "Unfortunately, our university of oil and gas has been damaged." Details: The university has already launched a fundraiser to restore the building. Photos of the university buildings destroyed by a Russian missile are allegedly being posted on social media. The aftermath of the Russian attack. Photo: Social media Quote: "Overnight, our university was hit by an enemy missile attack. In this challenging time, the community of Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas appeals to our alums, partners and all those who care to help and financially support us in overcoming the aftermath of another Russian crime. If you care about the fate of your Alma Mater, oil and gas and energy education and a unique university in Ukraine, please join the fundraising for the recovery." Background: The Russian army launched a missile attack on the territory of an educational institution in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Several educational buildings were partially destroyed, while others were damaged. Support UP or become our patron! Meet Kimiko Hirata, a climate activist on a mission to transform Japan's energy landscape and a recipient of the coveted Goldman Environmental Prize. As a founding member of the Kiko Network, a Japanese NGO dedicated to halting the rise of global temperatures, Hirata worked to build a sustainable future for her country and the world. More recently, she has worked as the executive director of the nonprofit Climate Integrate. Hirata's journey began in the 1990s, after reading about the dangers of dirty gas pollution. Inspired to take action, she quit her publishing job to join the environmental movement. Since then, she's devoted her life to the cause, from supporting Japanese civil society at the Kyoto Climate Summit to launching a national campaign against coal power. In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan turned to coal as a major energy source, as the Goldman Prize website explained. Hirata knew this posed significant climate risks. "To be honest, I was shocked," she said in a Goldman Prize video. "Coal power plants produce millions of tons of CO2 per year. They also emit heavy metals and air pollutants, including mercury, that endanger human health and the environment." She rallied activists, collaborated with experts, spoke at public hearings, and built international partnerships to raise awareness about the hazards of coal and pressure Japan to change course. Hirata's multi-pronged approach paid off. Her campaign prevented the construction of 13 coal plants that would have created over 1.6 billion tons of CO2 pollution. That's like taking 7.5 million cars off the road for 40 years, according to the Goldman Environmental Prize. By averting 42 million tons of pollution annually (the pollution that would have taken place over the lifetimes of the coal plants), she's helping to limit the rise of global temperatures and create a healthier environment for everyone. What's next for this powerhouse activist? Hirata continues to lead the charge for a coal-free Japan and inspire climate action worldwide. She's proof that dedication and collaboration can achieve remarkable results. Hirata proves that we have the power to build a sustainable world if each of us steps up. Together, our actions can change the trajectory of our planet. So let's get to work. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Jay Z wants school vouchers in Pa. The move is 'infuriating' to some. Philadelphia parents learned about school choice on Friday at a lunch provided by an unusual benefactor: Jay Z's entertainment company Roc Nation. The A-lister is making his final push in a campaign to urge Pennsylvania lawmakers to spend millions on school vouchers ahead of the state's budget deadline, June 30. The vouchers would entitle families to use public funds traditionally used for public schools toward private and parochial schools. Jay Z's New York-based entertainment company announced this month it was backing a $100 million private school choice program in Pennsylvania. Desiree Perez, Roc Nation's CEO, said the state's public school system doesn't work for some disadvantaged students, and their families deserve unfettered access to alternative options, including high-performing private schools. "It's an immediate need," Perez said. Jay Z was not available to comment. The free meals, training sessions, advertising and advocacy from the entertainment mogul sparked criticism from public school advocates and national figures who said school vouchers hurt students of color and low-income students. They worry that public schools will lose vital funding: They said schools need all the cash they can get. A recent court ruling indicates the state has not provided sufficient resources for all students. The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled last year that the state's funding system was fundamentally unfair to public school students, and the court directed the state to increase public school funding. Also, earlier this month, the state House passed a plan to spend billions more in state funds on public schools, the Associated Press reported. Amid the added pressure from the court, the state's impending decisions about spending on public education could be a "historic moment," said Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, a senior attorney at the Public Interest Law Center which sued the state, alleging unfair funding. He said he and others will "be back in court" if they feel the state doesn't allocate fair funding in its budget decisions. After the legal victory against the school system, Urevick-Ackelsberg said, Jay Z's activism comes at a particularly inopportune moment. The lawyers, he said, were "right on the verge" of overhauling Pennsylvania's system of education "when an out-of-state billionaire comes in and says, instead 'Let's enact school vouchers.' It's crazy ... infuriating." Roc Nation officials have said they also support public schools, but the organization backs school choice as "a strategic, near-term solution" to help low-performing kids. The argument over vouchers has been around for years. Many states recently passed laws expanding school choice, through vouchers, education savings accounts, refundable tax credits and tax-credit scholarships. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2020 allowing states to spend federal funds on school vouchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Republican lawmakers, conservative parents rights groups like Moms for Liberty and other school choice advocates say parents should have access to all options when deciding where to send their kids to school. What Jay Z said about school access Roc Nation announced earlier this month it would support several Pennsylvania bills calling for funding that could be used toward private schools. The company hosted informational sessions in Philadelphia to teach parents and voters about the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success program, encouraging them to share their support for it with legislators. If the measure passes, the program would grant scholarships to families of students at the state's lowest-performing schools. These families could use the funds to attend private schools and to cover other school-related fees. State Sen. Patrick Stefano, a Republican from Western Pennsylvania, sponsored one of the measures, which calls for taxpayer funding. The state's Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has also said he supports the Stefano bill, according to Chalkbeat Philadelphia. A related bill was introduced by Democratic Sen. Tony Williams of Philadelphia. It calls for $300 million towards school choice scholarships instead of the $100 million in the measure Jay Z has publicly backed. The program Jay Z is backing is also supported by Republican billionaire, megadonor and voucher advocate Jeffrey Yass. Roc Nation has previously contributed to private schools through the company's Shawn Carter scholarship program, which grants eligible students money for tuition and other school costs, Perez said. The case against vouchers One of the largest teachers unions in the nation and the largest in Pennsylvania both said the state should focus on funding the public school system. Following Jay Z's announcement supporting school vouchers, Randi Weingarten, head of The American Federation of Teachers, wrote in a statement: "Vouchers are, in effect, a tax cut for the rich with most going to wealthy families who have never even been part of the public school system. They are bankrupting state budgets and leading to closed schools and programs in Florida and elsewhere." "Instead of spending billions on vouchers in Philly, we should be strengthening and investing in public schools so all kids can thrive," Weingarten said. Aaron Chapin, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, has said the state should focus on funding its public schools. "We shouldnt even think about sending taxpayer money to private and religious schools when our focus should be on fixing Pennsylvanias unconstitutional public school funding system, Chapin wrote. The fundamental questions for families should be what entity should be providing public education and the purpose of public education, said Erika K. Wilson, a law professor and education researcher focused on equity issues at the University of North Carolina School of Law. The purpose should be to make Americans better citizens and improve our democracy, and public schooling is the avenue for that, she said. Black parents have a legitimate gripe about the low performance rates and underfunding of their public schools, she said, and Jay Z and Roc Nation's support for private schools as an alternative might look good on its face. But market mechanisms for education are infused with a lot of racial bias, hurt Black communities, in her view. "If Jay Z really wanted to help, why not partner with public schools and create community schools with wraparound services?" she said. Jay-Z gestures ahead of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, at Wembley stadium, in London. Whats new in the school voucher discussion? School choice programs in the U.S. date back to at least 1869. That year Vermont created its town-tuition program, which provided scholarships to students in towns without public schools, which could be used at public or private schools. In 1991, Wisconsin implemented the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, the first modern school voucher program, according to the nonprofit EdChoice. The program grants low- and middle-income families educational vouchers to pay for private schools "they couldn't otherwise afford," according to School Choice Wisconsin. More recently, school choice advocates won support for state-funded voucher and educational scholarship programs with backing from parents upset about COVID-19 pandemic-related closures. Some parents unenrolled their kids from their neighborhood public schools and moved them to other types of schools, including private schools, home schools and charter schools. Many kept them in those schools, and some in states with voucher and scholarship programs have used state dollars to pay for alternative options. What it means for students and schools: School choice remains popular following COVID closures At least 29 states and the District of Columbia have some form of school choice program, according an Education Week analysis. This year at least six states Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska and Utah enacted new school choice programs or expanded previously existing ones, according to the nonprofit EdChoice, which supports school choice. EdChoice is tracking 83 bills in 30 states this year related to education savings accounts, vouchers, refundable tax credits and tax-credit scholarships, said Chantal Lovell Fennell, a spokesperson for the organization. What research reveals about voucher programs Roc Nation's position on school choice is idealistic but not realistic, said Kevin Welner, a professor of educational policy and law at the University of Colorado Boulder. Research has shown that students who use voucher programs to leave a public school and attend a private school do worse academically, especially in math, Welner said. He cited several studies, including one that showed students who participated in the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program performed worse in mathematics during their first year attending a private school compared with similar students who remained in public schools. "From my perspective as a researcher, it's incomprehensible that were still pursuing these policies that are showing to be so harmful," Welner said. "The explanation for that, I think, is that billionaires really love the idea, like Jeffrey Yass. I think of Betsy Devos pushing it for years, and Donald Trump, and now we have Jay Z." School choice legislation is being pushed, he thinks, "not because of evidence, but because of a lot of billionaires who have a lot of wealthy interests in them." "Part of it is I think is an ideological faith in getting rid of public institutions and moving toward a deregulated free market," Welner said. Joshua Cowan, an education policy professor who has spent nearly two decades studying choice programs, cited findings showing students lose ground in academic achievement in an article for The Brookings Institute. In the meantime, Jay Z's organization plans to continue educating parents about their options, Perez said, even if doing so means, "Weve become the public enemy." Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jay Z and Roc Nation take sides on school vouchers (KRON) A man was arrested after joyriding in a vehicle stolen from San Diego, according to the Colma Police Department. At 9:21 a.m., an automatic license plate reader FLOCK alert was received by the Colma PD regarding a vehicle entering the city of Colma. According to the report, the car was stolen out of San Diego. Oakland Mayor Thaos attorney calls FBI raid bad optics According to Colma PD, the officers located the vehicle near Junipero Serra Boulevard and Colma Boulevard. The officers conducted a felony stop at the location. One person was in the vehicle, according to the Colma PD. The driver was identified as 34-year-old Daly City resident Thiago Cachetaorlando. Cachetaorlando was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for taking a vehicle without the owners consent and being in possession of a stolen vehicle. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New Mexico judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled after prosecutors and the defense made arguments at a June 21 hearing Jim Bennett/Getty Alec Baldwin in 2020 The New Mexico judge presiding over Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter case upheld the charge against him at a hearing on Friday, June 21, despite two motions his lawyers filed to get it tossed. The decision comes less than a month after the judge, Mary Marlowe Sommer, previously upheld the charge against Baldwin, denying the defense attorneys' argument that one of the prosecutors gave prejudicial instructions to the grand jury that indicted the star in January. But before Sommer even heard arguments on that prior motion, Baldwin's lawyers filed two additional motions on May 6. They argued that the case should be dismissed due to the prosecutors failure to allege a criminal offense" and the destruction of evidence." Related: Everything to Know About the Rust Shooting Case and Alec Baldwin's Upcoming Trial Baldwin was holding a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the Western movie Rust in 2021 when it discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. He has insisted he did not pull the trigger and said he did not know how the gun came to contain live ammunition. Regarding the first motion, John Bash, an attorney for Baldwin, argued at the June 21 hearing that his client shouldn't have been charged with a crime because he had no reason to believe the gun contained live ammunition. "If he didn't know of the substantial risk that it had live ammunition in it, he can't be guilty." Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office/ZUMA Press Wire Service/Shutterstock Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust' Prosecutors argued against that, and Sommer ultimately said a jury should decide. "There does exist disputed facts before the court that are not capable of dismissal as a matter of law," she said. After a recess, Sommer then heard arguments stemming from the defense lawyers' motion to dismiss based on the "destruction of evidence." Baldwins lawyers alleged that when the FBI ran tests on the prop gun that Baldwin was holding, the gun was destroyed. Those tests were conducted to see whether the gun could have discharged even if the trigger hadnt been pulled. (Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the weapons on set, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March for her role in Hutchins death.) Mat Hayward/Getty Halyna Hutchins in 2018 Government agents knew that the firearm would not survive their clumsy tests intact. They said so explicitly in emails. But at the insistence of prosecutors eager to prove a celebritys guilt, they nevertheless blundered ahead without preserving the original state of the firearm through photographs, video or other means; without informing Baldwin or his counsel they were conducting destructive testing; and without any realistic prospect that bludgeoning the gun would reveal whether Baldwin had pulled the trigger on the day of the accident, Baldwins lawyers wrote in their motion, adding the destruction of potentially exculpatory evidence violates due process. Related: Alec Baldwin Is 'Understandably Worried' as His Rust Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Looms (Exclusive Source) At the hearing, both prosecutors and defense lawyers interviewed witnesses including Santa Fe County Sheriff Corporal Alexandria Hancock, the lead investigator on the case, about matters including ordering testing on the gun, and FBI firearms expert Bryce Ziegler, who conducted testing on the gun. Ziegler testified that between two and two-and-a-half pounds of force were required to pull the trigger in order for it to fire. But during questioning from Baldwin's side, attorney Alex Spiro zeroed in on the apparent fact, outlined in the gun's user manual, that the trigger could go off on its own when it was in a certain position. Matt Agudo / SplashNews Alec Baldwin in New York City Friday's hearing ended without a decision on that second motion. Judge Sommer said a follow-up would be scheduled at 2:30 p.m. local time Monday, June 24 and end at 5:30 p.m. "no matter what." Four days before the June 21 hearing on the motions to dismiss the charge, Baldwin's attorneys filed yet another motion accusing the prosecutors of misconduct, alleging they withheld evidence. In that motion, they asked for Sommer to dismiss the manslaughter charge. The judge has not ruled on the latest motion. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (Getty Images) Most of the parental bill of rights the Legislature approved earlier this year can remain in effect, for now, but pieces related to when parents can access medical and mental health records cant go forward, a judge ruled Friday. King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott granted a request to temporarily block parts of the law that give parents access to all medical and mental health counseling records for their children and require school districts to turn over the records within 10 days a shorter time than allowed under federal law. Most of the law, created by the Republican-backed Initiative 2081, will remain in place. It allows a range of school materials, such as textbooks and curricula, to be easily available for review by parents. Parents are also given notice and allowed to opt their child out of assignments and other activities involving questions about a childs sexual experiences or their familys religious beliefs. The state Legislature approved the measure earlier this year and it took effect on June 6. The lawsuit, spearheaded by the ACLU of Washington and other legal groups, argues that students, parents and school districts will be harmed by the initiative and that it was drafted in a way that violates the state Constitution. Thats despite the Office of Superintendent of Public Instructions assurance that much of what was in the initiative was already state law. In a ruling from the bench, Scott said he is sensitive to the impacts of the initiative on schools throughout the state but that was not the question before the court. Its not this courts position to determine whether thats good policy or not, Scott said. In his decision to grant the partial preliminary injunction, Scott raised concerns over the sweeping language in the initiative calling for schools to turn over all medical and mental health records and to do so within 10 days. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act requires schools to turn over records as soon as possible, or within 45 days of the request. A written order detailing Scotts ruling will be available next week. The injunction means that the blocked parts of the law will remain on hold while court proceedings continue. The initiative was written by Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, and was one of six initiatives backed by conservative hedge fund manager Brian Heywood. It passed unanimously through the Washington Senate and 82-15 through the House, with only Democrats opposed. Pete Serrano, whos representing Walsh, the Heywood-sponsored group Lets Go Washington and others in this case, said he was extremely grateful most of the law is intact. Theres a lot of opportunity for parents to remain present in their childs education, said Serrano, who is also a Republican candidate for attorney general. In a statement following Fridays ruling, ACLU attorney Adrien Leavitt said he was pleased that parts of the initiative would not go into effect until there is a final decision. But this is not the end, Leavitt said in a statement. We will keep fighting this case in hopes of a final judgment that shows this harmful law violates the State Constitution and should not be implemented or enforced. When the initiative passed the Legislature, Democrats who supported it emphasized that the legislation did not change any protections for marginalized groups. Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, told the Standard that some Democratic lawmakers were uncomfortable with the initiative, but passing it allows the Legislature to amend the statute next session should issues arise. Had the Legislature declined to take action, sending the initiative to the ballot, lawmakers would have to wait two years before they could amend it if it won voter approval. But the ACLU of Washington, Legal Voice and QLaw, the three organizations leading the lawsuit, argue the initiative misled state lawmakers and the public. It violates the State Constitution because it fails to disclose how it revises and affects existing laws, the groups lawsuit says. This causes confusion about the legal duties of schools, their staff and contractors, and school-based healthcare providers, as well as the rights of students. The lawsuit also contends that the initiative would strip important privacy protections for medical and mental health records for LGBTQ+ students, youth of color and students from other marginalized backgrounds. When the initiative passed, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups voiced concerns about the potentially chilling effect it could have on LGBTQ+ youth. Many students simply arent going to seek out those services, Leavitt said Friday. Julia Marks, litigation attorney for Legal Voice, said Fridays ruling would help protect these students by keeping their medical and mental health records confidential. Survivors of sexual assault, LGBTQ+ youth, youth who need reproductive and sexual health care, and other vulnerable students rely on trusted adults at school who can confidentially help them navigate challenges, Marks said in a statement. The initiative came as the socially conservative parental rights movement, which aims to restrict schools abilities to teach about gender, sexuality and race without parental consent, has gained influence across the United States. LGBTQ+ students and advocates across the country say the movement is less about parental rights and more about targeting and silencing LGBTQ+ youth. Among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are South Whidbey School District, equity-focused nonprofit organizations and a parent of two students in Seattle Public Schools. The post Judge blocks parts of WAs new parental rights law appeared first on Washington State Standard. A new weekly series from The Gazette highlighting the activity in notable local court cases for the Pikes Peak region. Damari Sims-Herrick The man accused of causing the death of 32-year-old Darrian Adame in January 2023, pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder at an arraignment hearing on Monday. Sims-Herrick is now scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 15, but will return to court before that for a motions hearing on Aug. 26. Amber Comstock Comstock appeared to court on Monday for a preliminary hearing where an El Paso County judge found probable cause to bind over one count child abuse causing death, according to court records. Comstock, who is accused of causing the death of her toddler in 2022, will appear in court next for an arraignment hearing on July 25. Anderson Aldrich Convicted mass killer Anderson Aldrich, who is responsible for killing five people at the LGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q in 2022, pleaded guilty to 74 charges in federal court on Tuesday. The lack of a death penalty option, however, left many victims unhappy with the outcome of the case. Read more about Aldrichs guilty plea and sentence. Walt Mauro One of three co-defendants in the Top Dollar Pawn money-laundering case was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday after an El Paso County judge refused to revoke Mauros guilty plea. Read more about Mauros sentencing hearing. Jack Jargowsky Jargowsky, one of the other co-defendants in the Top Dollar Pawn case, is now slated to begin his jury trial on July 8 after appearing in court on Tuesday for a disposition hearing, according to court records. Gregory Whittemore The case against the man accused of raping and killing 27-year-old Allison Scarfone and hiding her body in his garage in 2022 continues to be delayed due to ongoing mental health issues. Whittemore appeared in court on Thursday for a review hearing where his attorneys informed the court that they needed four additional weeks for a sanity evaluation currently being conducted to be completed. Whittemore will return to court on Aug. 1, when his attorneys anticipate the sanity evaluation will be completed. Featured Local Savings Whittemore has yet to enter a plea on the 11 charges he faces, including first-degree murder, due to ongoing issues with his mental health. Alejandro Balderas-Avilez Balderas-Avilez had his first appearance in 4th Judicial District Court on Thursday vacated after being arrested for allegedly killing 84-year-old Dolores Holler in a hit-and-run accident in December, according to court records. Balderas-Avilez is now scheduled to make his first appearance on June 27, according to court records. Aee Shawn Mathews Mathews appeared to court virtually on Thursday for an arraignment hearing where he pleaded not guilty to all charges in one of his two open homicide cases. Mathews, who is now out of custody after posting an $800,000 surety bond, is scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 2 Read more about Mathews arraignment hearing. Zain Aguilera-Valdez Court records show that a sentencing hearing scheduled for Aguilera-Valdez was continued on Thursday. Aguilera-Valdez, who is accused of several counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly firing multiple gunshots in front of the New Havana Grill in 2023, will return to court on July 11 for a sentencing hearing, according to court records. Breanna Smith Smith was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 10 years of probation on Friday after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident causing death, according to court records. Smith hit Eduardo Ibanez-Charco who was riding his bike at the time with her car at the intersection of Astrozon Boulevard and Hancock Expressway on Sept. 6, causing Ibanez-Charco's death before fleeing the scene. Smith turned herself in to law enforcement on Dec. 2 after a warrant was issued for her arrest. Linda Guest and Joseary Arizmendi Guest and Arizmendi made their first appearances in 4th District Court on Friday morning. The pair are accused of kidnapping, holding hostage and repeatedly assaulting a couple for allegedly speaking with police that resulted in a person known by the suspects being sent to prison, according to previous reporting from The Gazette. Guest and Arizmendi allegedly made the victims dig their own graves, which is what led to one of the victims escaping. Formal charges were not filed at the first appearance, and both Guest and Arizmendi will return to court on Tuesday, June 25, for their formal filing of charges. The pair were arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery and second-degree assault, according to arrest records. A New Mexico judge denied a motion Friday from Alec Baldwins attorneys asking the court to dismiss the actors involuntary manslaughter indictment in a shooting on the set of the film Rust, in which cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died. A separate motion to dismiss from Baldwins team will be considered at a hearing on June 24. The case is slated to go to trial in July in Santa Fe. In the first motion to dismiss, an attorney for Baldwin, John Bash, argued the shooting death of Hutchins on set in October 2021 was an accident and Baldwin is not criminally liable. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey countered Baldwin is experienced in the movie business. Mr. Baldwin knew he had a real gun in his hand. Mr. Baldwin specifically asked for the biggest gun that was available. Mr. Baldwin knew and understood that dummy rounds look identical to live ammunition, Morrissey said. Furthermore, she argued, Baldwin was aware armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed wasnt following the rules when she was doing gun safety checks on the set of Rust. Gutierrez Reed was convicted in March of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. She is appealing the conviction. In the second motion to dismiss the case, Baldwins team argued the gun used in the shooting was destroyed during forensic testing by the FBI, making it impossible for the defense to attempt to recreate the testing. The judge is set to rule on the motion following a hearing scheduled for next Monday. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer also denied a motion from the prosecution to provide use immunity for Guiterrez Reed. Use immunity protects a witness from the use of their own testimony against them. Trial set for July Special prosecutors have signaled they intend to portray Baldwin as repeatedly flouting safety protocols on the movie set in the days before the fatal shooting, according to a new court filing. In a notice to Baldwins attorneys on evidence they intend to present in court next month, prosecutors outlined repeated instances in which Baldwin allegedly acted dangerously between October 12 and October 21, 2021, and a key focus will be the defendants reckless behavior. Prosecutors in the filing argue the evidence is relevant because it is part of the crime of involuntary manslaughter as it shows defendants recklessness or criminal negligence on October 21, 2021, when he shot and killed Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection to Hutchins death. Luke Nikas, an attorney for Baldwin, had no comment Wednesday about the prosecution document, but referred CNN to the defenses most recent filing asking the court again to dismiss the indictment and accusing the prosecution of selected disclosure of evidence. In a statement to CNN last month following a judges refusal to dismiss the charge, Baldwins legal team said, We look forward to our day in court. Prosecutors cited video evidence from the set obtained during the states criminal investigation, laying out examples of Baldwins alleged mishandling of the replica revolver he used during the movies production, according to the court document filed Monday and obtained by CNN. Baldwin, prosecutors alleged, used his gun as a pointer directing crew members, discharged the revolver after the filming was over and cut was called, engaged in horseplay with the revolver while making videos, pointed the gun and fired a blank round at a crew member while using that crew member as a line of site as his perceived target and shot several scenes wherein he placed his finger on the trigger of the revolver where the scene did not require any shooting of the firearm. Baldwin previously told CNN he did not pull the trigger on the weapon during the deadly incident. I never took a gun and pointed at somebody and clicked the thing, Baldwin said at the time. The special prosecution team also alleged Baldwin was inattentive during the firearms training conducted by on-set armorer Gutierrez Reed, claiming the actor was texting and video conferencing with family members rather than focusing on the safety briefing. In addition to holding the gun when it fired the fatal round, Santa Fe Countys district attorney previously told CNN Baldwins role as a producer for the film also opens him up to potential liability for the alleged culture of unsafe practices on the Rust set. In the filing, special prosecutors repeatedly insisted Baldwin exercised complete control over the set and crew during instances where alleged unsafe practices were identified on video. Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza injured when a gun held by Baldwin fired a live round during a scene rehearsal on the set of the western. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Judge frets over losing entire career after cops stopped her on drunk-driving suspicion amid high-profile murder case Judge frets over losing entire career after cops stopped her on drunk-driving suspicion amid high-profile murder case Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson, whose sudden multi-week absence from the bench prompted concern and confusion, was pulled over as cops suspected her of drunk driving during a high-profile murder trial. New recordings from that night show how the judge pleaded with cops and told them she could lose my entire career. Harris County Kelli Johnson was in a traffic stop on April 12 during a high-profile murder trial (Facebook) The April 12 stop - during the murder trial and before she went missing - came after officers observed her recklessly driving, including driving on the wrong side of the road, eating, looking at her phone, speeding and making an unsafe lane change, according to Harris County Sheriffs Office body camera footage obtained by ABC13. Some of the audio from the 8 pm stop couldnt be heard. But, the report noted it was clear when Johnson reportedly said Im a judge during the stop. Judge Kelli Johnson was absent from court in Harris County, Texas, for over three weeks, prompting questions about her whereabouts and wellbeing. New details show she was pulled over for suspicion of DUI during a high-profile murder trial. (Justex/ District Courts of Harris County) In the footage, the officers can be heard discussing how they believe they could alcohol, and the official appears to mention her position in the hopes of avoiding punishment, according to ABC13. A second officer arrived, and they decided to put the judge through a field sobriety test. If I do this test and you dont think I do well, I lose my career and this, the judge asked deputy Sandy Mace. I mean, can you call, like, a witness? Can we call Ben Katrib? Ill call Sidney Miller. Sheriff (Ed) Gonzalez. This is a huge deal for me. A supervising officer, Sergeant Collin McHugh, then steps in. Everything we do is recorded on that camera. This body camera. Everything here. We are not calling Lt. Katrib, and we are not calling Sheriff Gonzalez. This is an investigation into an impaired driver," McHugh says. "I could lose my entire career," Johnson repeats. "And heres the thing, your honor, I could lose my entire career if I let you use your position of you being a judge to do this," McHugh says "Im not using a position," Johnson replies. The judge also claimed she hadnt been drinking but rather had had a long week after taking part in the trial of Brian Coulter, a man found guilty of beating his girlfriends 8-year-old son to death in 2020. The officers ultimately concluded that Johnson hadnt shown enough signs of impairment in a field sobriety test to warrant an arrest, and let her off with a warning for driving 77 mph in a 65 mph zone. Shes probably been drinking, just not the level of, a deputy said in the footage. Johnson went missing from the bench for weeks after the high-profile trial. (Kelli Johnson/Facebook) The Independent has contacted Johnson for comment. Sheriffs officials defended their actions. "Deputies use discretion with the issuance of citations," a sheriffs department official told ABC13. "If there are not enough signs to indicate impairment, then an arrest would not be an appropriate course of action." The judge was previously in the news for taking a sudden, multi-week absence from the 178th Criminal District Court. Anonymous court staff described concerns about the judges mental wellbeing, describing her as manic and a danger to herself and to the community." A Houston Police Department report, meanwhile, described a May 4 visit to her home citing disturbance/CIT, the latter an abbreviation for crisis intervention. Clay Johnson, the judges brother, said speculation about the absence was unfounded. Shes not missing, shes on medical leave, he told The Daily Beast. Shes in touch with the family, and everything is fine and thats about all I can say. Johnsons absence from the courtroom came weeks after presiding over the Coulter trial. This is probably one of the most horrific sets of facts that I have ever had to witness, to listen to and to imagine, the judge said during the trial. Nevadas case against fake electors in Donald Trumps alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election results just took a massive hit. A Nevada state judge dismissed an indictment Friday against six Republicans accused of submitting certificates to Congress that falsely declared Trump triumphant over President Joe Biden, in a move that could potentially kill prosecutors bid to convict fake electors on criminal charges. Lawyers for the fake electors insisted that the case should have been brought to a court further north, closer to where the alleged crime took place, as opposed to the court in Las Vegas. The phony certificates were signed outside of the state Capitol building in Carson City, while the real ones were being signed inside. Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus granted the defendants motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that it had been brought to the wrong venue. As a result of Fridays ruling, the trial date set for January was subsequently vacated. The judge got it wrong and well be appealing immediately, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford told reporters at the courtroom. He declined to comment further. Meanwhile, the defense attorneys declared the case dead on arrival, as the three-year statute of limitations for filing new charges against their clients had passed months ago. In November, it was reported that Ford was investigating a fake elector scheme in the key battleground state, a plot that was intended to flood Congress with election irregularities so the states votes could potentially be flipped for Trump. The six people in Nevada who signed up to be fake electors included Michael McDonald, the chairman of the Nevada Republican Party; Jim DeGraffenreid, a committee member of the Republican National Committee; and Shawn Meehan, a Douglas County committee member. McDonald and DeGraffenreid testified for special counsel Jack Smith in return for protection from federal charges but were still subject to state-level proceedings. Each of the six fake electors was charged with offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument, both of which are felonies that carry sentences of up to five years in prison. All but Meehan are set to appear as delegates for Nevada at Lara Trumps Republican National Convention next month. Nevada is among the seven battleground states with cases against fake electors who sought to flip the outcome of the democratic process for Trump. The others are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A woman will be imprisoned for at least 14 years after pleading guilty to the 2022 southwest Columbus murder of a 19-year-old. According to the Franklin County Prosecutors Office, Nachyla Halton, 20, pleaded guilty this week to voluntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, along with a three-year firearm specification. The plea stems from the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Jazmine Chester, who was found dead on May 27, 2022, during a wellness check. One-car crash in southeast Columbus leaves driver with life-threatening injuries Police found Chester at her Wedgewood Village Apartment on the 3700 block of Briggs Road in the Holly Hill neighborhood. She died from a gunshot wound to the face. The Wellness check was ordered after Chester had not been heard from in eight days. She was last seen entering her apartment on May 19 at 2 a.m. with an unknown person, later identified as Halton. Halton was interviewed by police in November while in Cuyahoga County Jail, where she was being detained on weapons charges. She told police that she was not in Columbus in May but acknowledged knowing Chester by first name only. This embedded content is not available in your region. Police, however, said they connected Halton to the car that was seen leaving the apartment and she fled to the Cleveland area. She was charged with murder and arrested after her release from Cuyahoga County Jail. Following Haltons guilty plea, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Bill Sperlazza sentenced her to 14 to 19 years in prison, a term jointly recommended by the prosecution and Haltons defense attorney. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Cook County prosecutors on Saturday said that copious surveillance video, multiple acquaintances, police officers and two eyewitnesses helped identify a 16-year-old boy as the gunman who fired a semiautomatic rifle toward a Near West Side housing complex, killing 7-year-old JaiMani Amir Rivera. The teen, Raysean Comer, who had two active juvenile arrest warrants, along with two pending cases, was recognized in still photos by three Chicago police officers who had prior interactions with him, authorities told a Cook County judge during a detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. Comer, of the Henry Horner Homes, was charged as an adult with first-degree murder in connection to JaiManis shooting death. Judge Antara Nath Rivera ordered Comer detained in juvenile custody during the case. Prosecutors said JaiMani left his building complex in the 2300 block of West Jackson Boulevard around 3 p.m. Tuesday to take a cooking pot to a next-door neighbor for his mother. Just as the child stepped outside his building, he was struck once in the back by a rifle shot, Assistant States Attorney Anne McCord Rodgers said in court. With a single spot of blood on his white T-shirt, the wounded child walked back to his buildings lobby and collapsed as someone ran to his aid. Authorities didnt discuss whom they believed was the intended target. Responding police officers applied pressure to the boys chest and took him in a police vehicle to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later, officials said. An autopsy found JaiMani was shot in the torso, and the Cook County medical examiners office ruled the boys death a homicide. Rodgers said a steady network of surveillance video gathered from multiple cameras captured Comer before during and after the shooting, some showing his face. Video captured him walking to the area of Crane High School, pulling a rifle from his pants and firing multiple shots toward the building at 2325 W. Jackson Blvd. at the same time JaiMani was shot. Police recovered 13 spent .223-caliber shell casings from the rear parking lot of Crane Medical Prep High School. Authorities are awaiting DNA tests on the casings. The bullet caliber is typically fired from AK-47-style rifles. The day after the boys death, authorities released still photos of the gunman in a police bulletin seeking help identifying them. Soon after, three police officers identified Comer as the gunman in the photos. Two of those officers personally arrested Comer in March 2023 for criminal trespass to a vehicle, Rodgers said. Authorities received two other tips, including one from a woman who said a teenager fired a rifle near her car and fled the scene. During Comers arrest at his home a mile from the shooting scene, authorities said a loaded 9mm handgun was tossed out of a window and recovered, according to his arrest report. In approving Comers detention petition, the judge ruled that prosecutors had shown clear and convincing evidence that Comer was the gunman and that he remained a threat to the public. The boys shooting death after a violent Fathers Day weekend in the city prompted police Superintendent Larry Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson to voice their outrage at the senseless killing. The random shooting of this 7-year-old is unacceptable, the superintendent told reporters Tuesday evening outside Stroger Hospital. This wasnt a situation where the parents didnt know where their child was, Snelling added. This child was walking out of his residence and was struck by random gunfire. Comer is expected to return to court on Tuesday. Sam Charles contributed to this report. With the Nevada "fake electors' case dismissed, Donald Trump and several key allies still face charges in Georgia accusing them of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election. File Pool Photo by Steven Hirsch/UPI June 21 (UPI) -- A Nevada judge on Friday dismissed charges against six alleged fake electors related to a scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election for Donald Trump. Clark County Judge Mary Kay Holthus ruled her county was not the appropriate jurisdiction for the case, calling off a trial that would have began in January. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford originally brought the case to Clark County, but Holthus sided with defense attorneys who argued the charges should have been filed in Carson City or Douglas County, where the alleged crimes took place. The decision makes the Nevada case the first of five 2020 fake elector cases to be dismissed. "We disagree with the judge's decision and will be appealing immediately," John Sadler, a spokesperson for Ford's office said in a statement. Defense attorneys already are calling the case shut since a three-year statute of limitations on filing charges expired in December, barring the AG's office from filing charges in another county. The defendants included Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, Clark County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Law, Nevada Republican Party National Committeeman Jim DeGraffenreid, Nevada Republican Party Vice Chairman Jim Hindle III, and GOP operatives Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice. They were indicted last December on felony charges of offering a false instrument for filing and offering a forged instrument, which carry up to five years in prison. The Nevada Supreme Court certified the 2020 election results, declaring Joe Biden the victor by some 33,000 ballots. Trump and dozens of his supporters still face criminal charges in Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona related to the fake electors scheme. Trump and 18 other defendants last August pleaded not guilty to all charges accusing them of attempting to overturn the presidential election in Georgia. Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and several Trump allies pleaded not guilty in May to charges that they attempted to interfere in the Arizona election. The Justice Department is coming for AI: 'If your AI fixes prices, you're just as responsible' The Justice Department is cracking down on anticompetitive uses of artificial intelligence. The DOJ has been investigating RealPage for using AI algorithms to set high prices since 2022. The investigation comes amid the Biden administration's wider antitrust crackdown on Big Tech. AI can make many things easier for companies, including price fixing. The Department of Justice is now cracking down on such anticompetitive uses of the buzzy new technology. That means practices like setting prices above the market rates, colluding with rivals, and striking exclusionary deals are unlawful whether humans or algorithms are behind them. The Justice Department has been concerned about AI's impact on antitrust litigation for at least the past few years. Since 2022, it has been investigating RealPage, a rental property management software company, for instance, for using AI algorithms to set prices above competitive levels. The Justice Department says the company used sensitive and private data in an algorithm under the expectation that its competitors would do the same. That practice, it says, should be judged under the same guidelines as humans. "Automating an anticompetitive scheme does not make it less anticompetitive," the agency said in a statement from 2023 . This focus on anticompetitive uses of AI comes amid a broader spate of investigations and antitrust lawsuits the Biden Administration has launched against major tech companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. In the long term, algorithms will likely be even more important to litigate because they can process more information than humans. "If your AI fixes prices, you're just as responsible," Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter told The New York Times in reference to the RealPage probe. "If anything, the use of AI or algorithmic-based technologies should concern us more because it's much easier to price-fix when you're outsourcing it to an algorithm versus when you're sharing manila envelopes in a smoke-filled room." That means stricter regulations around the use of AI and stricter penalties for its misuse could be coming. At the American Bar Association's annual gathering on white-collar crime this March, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the Justice Department's focus on AI means prosecutors will impose "stiffer sentences" on individuals and corporations that misuse AI for white-collar crime, according to the Associated Press. And compliance officers, who ensure companies adhere to legal regulations, should "take note," she said. "When our prosecutors assess a company's compliance program as they do in all corporate resolutions they consider how well the program mitigates the company's most significant risks. And for a growing number of businesses, that now includes the risk of misusing AI." Read the original article on Business Insider The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that citizens do not have a fundamental liberty interest in bringing noncitizen spouses to the country, leading Justice Sonia Sotomayor to issue an impassioned dissent warning that the court is on the way to undermining marriage rights for same-sex couples. The courts 6-3 ruling came in the case of Department of State v. Munoz, with all conservative justices in the majority and Sotomayors dissent joined by fellow liberals Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan. Sandra Munoz is an American citizen who married Luis Asencio-Cordero, a citizen of El Salvador, in 2010. They applied for an immigrant visa for Asencio-Cordero so they could be together in the U.S. The U.S. consulate in El Salvador rejected the application, saying there was evidence that Asencio-Cordero was a member of a criminal gang, based on the tattoos he had. An expert later concluded that the tattoos were not a sign of gang affiliation. Munoz sued the State Department, saying the consulates decision violated her constitutional liberty interests and her right to due process of law. A trial court ruled against her, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed that ruling. The Ninth Circuit found she had a protected liberty interest in obtaining the visa for her husband. Visa denials are not usually subject to court review, but the appeals court rule that the consulate had forfeited its insulation from this review by not giving Munoz more information early in the process. But the Ninth Circuit got it wrong, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed by Donald Trump, said in court Friday, according to Courthouse News Service. This case boils down to who gets to decide, and the answer is the executive branch. A citizen does not have a fundamental liberty interest in her noncitizen spouse being admitted to the country, Barrett wrote in the ruling. Under the doctrine of consular nonreviewability, an executive officers decision to admit or to exclude an alien is final and conclusive, and not subject to judicial review in federal court, she continued, quoting the ruling in a case called Knauff v. Shaughnessy. In her dissent, Sotomayor quoted the 2015 marriage equality ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges: The right to marry is fundamental as a matter of history and tradition. She wrote that there is no question that excluding a citizens spouse burdens her right to marriage, and that burden requires the Government to provide at least a factual basis for its decision. Almost 10 years ago, this Court vindicated the expansiveness of the right to marriage, she continued. It upheld the right of James Obergefell and his terminally ill husband, John Arthur, to have their marriage from Maryland recognized in Ohio. She also referenced Loving v. Virginia, the 1967 ruling that struck down bans on interracial marriage. Munoz may be able to live in El Salvador alongside her husband or at least visit him there, but not everyone is so lucky, Sotomayor pointed out. The majoritys holding will also extend to those couples who, like the Lovings and the Obergefells, depend on American law for their marriages validity. Same-sex couples may be forced to relocate to countries that do not recognize same-sex marriage, or even those that criminalize homosexuality. By leaving U. S. citizens without even a factual basis for their spouses exclusion, the majority paves the way for arbitrary denials of a right this Court has repeatedly held among the most important to our Nation, she continued, referring to the right to marry. The court has gone too far, she added, making the same fatal error it did in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and its national guarantee of abortion rights: It required too careful [a] description of the asserted fundamental liberty interest. One person is dead following a crash involving a semi truck Friday afternoon in Douglas County, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The crash, reported shortly before 4 p.m. on CO 83 and Arfsten Road, about two miles north of Black Forest, shut down the two-lane highway until about 8:20 p.m. Friday. According to state troopers, a Toyota SUV collided with a semi truck head-on while attempting to pass traffic in the oncoming lane. The section of the two-lane highway, where the crash occurred, was striped for no passing, troopers said in news release. The driver of the Toyota died at the scene; the driver of the semi was not injured. The Douglas County coroner will release the victim's identity once family is notified, the release said. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The two men who were found guilty in an August 2023 trial for their roles in a drug trafficking scheme including two murders were sentenced this week in federal court. Shawn Deuce Burkhalter, 35, of Kansas City, Missouri was sentenced to life in federal prison without parole by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on June 21. His co-defendant, Joshua T Nesbitt, 30, of Crowder, Mississippi was sentenced the day prior, also to life in federal prison without parole. The government filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty for both defendants in 2019. The trial began on August 7, 2023. Woman charged with arson following Independence apartment fire On August 28, 2023, Burkhalter and Nesbitt were both convicted at trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, one count of robbery, two counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and a drug-trafficking crime, one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, one count of being felons in possession of a firearm, one count of conspiracy to commit witness and evidence tampering, one count of murdering a potential witness and one count of evidence tampering. Burkhalter was convicted of one additional count of witness tampering. From 2008 to 2018, Burkhalter and Nesbitt engaged in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Six additional co-defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. Trial evidence shows that Burkhalter and Nesbitt stole cocaine from Danny Lamont Dean on September 10, 2015, shooting and killing him with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in the process. Less than a month later, on October 4, Nesbitt and others stole marijuana from Anthony Dwayne Johnson. During the robbery, Nesbitt shot and killed Johnson with the same AR-15 rifle. Trial evidence shows that the crime was at the direction of Burkhalter who was detained in custody at the time of the murder. Trial evidence also shows that Johnson was killed because Burkhalter suspected him of providing information to investigations regarding Burkhalters involvement in Deans murder. Overland Park man accused of taking upskirting photos at Oak Park Mall Burkhalter and Nesbitt robbed a Kansas City, Mo. business in September of 2015, brandishing the same AR-15 rifle. The government provided evidence at the June 20 sentencing hearing that Nesbitt assaulted detention facility staff on more than one occasion while awaiting trial. Co-defendants Shakira Hooker and Autry Hines, both of Kansas City, Joslyn Lee and Nickayla Jones, both of Blue Springs, Rachel Ryce of Raytown and Anthony Peltier of Lawrence have pleaded guilty and had previously been sentenced. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Kansas Legislature passed a tax relief bill in a one-day special session. Legislators worked quickly to pass the bill and begin debate on a STAR Bonds proposal designed to get the Kansas City Chiefs or Royals to build a new stadium in Kansas. Last week we advocated for lawmakers to consider this proposal during the special session but to consider it carefully. Theyll get one shot at this. We hope they make a play tempting enough for Coach Reid and company to set up a gridiron here in Kansas. This tax bill took compromise and a bit of give and take. The Kansas Legislature passed a tax cut bill Tuesday during a special session. We're glad lawmakers and Gov. Laura Kelly came to an agreement on a package of tax cuts that will hopefully benefit working Kansans. Thank you for putting the needs of Kansans forward and designing a strategy that accomplishes that. Nevertheless we can't help but think this could have happened much sooner. I appreciate the Legislature's quick work today to pass this tax relief package," Kelly said in a statement. "Although this package is not perfect and emphasizes income tax reductions instead of property tax relief, it does provide significant relief while preserving our ability to continue fully funding our public schools, roads and bridges, and State Water Plan. I will sign this bill upon receiving it." The Topeka Capital-Journals team reports the compromise plan passed 34-4 in the Senate and 121-2 in the House. Over five years, the compromise plan costs a total of nearly $2 billion. Compared to previous proposals, this plan lowers the amount of exempted property taxes from $100,000 to $75,000, does away with an expedited end to sales taxes on groceries which is already scheduled to be fully eliminated in January and includes a child tax care credit. The bill is by no means perfect. Lawmakers couldnt agree to more property tax relief. We hope theyll try again during next years session. However, it does increase the child and dependent care income tax credit to 50%, up from the current 25%. Wed be remiss if we didnt mention that lawmakers like the plan enough to pass it, and Gov. Kelly has indicated she will sign it. So the Legislature has kept their promise to provide some tax breaks to Kansas. Its also worth noting both chambers have vowed to continue their work to provide more relief. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas tax relief bill took compromise and a bit of give and take Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear decried "extremism" in state abortion bans during a Nashville event on reproductive rights on Friday, pointing to a lack of rape and incest exceptions in Kentucky and Tennessee law as Republicans have effectively banned nearly all abortions in both states. "Extremism pushes everybody off. It's not the right way to govern," Beshear said. "It's not the right way to make policies, because our policies aren't about proving how pure you are to this party or that party. They're about human beings." Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear looks back before walking across the tarmac to greet President Joseph R Biden at Fort Campbell Army Airfield in Fort Campbell, KY., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. A 2023 Vanderbilt poll showed the vast majority of Tennesseans, including a majority of Republicans, support increased abortion exceptions for victims of rape and incest. Increasingly, Tennessee women of all stripes have identified as "pro-choice" in the wake of the abortion ban. Meanwhile, the Republican supermajority in the General Assembly has continually resisted efforts to add narrow exceptions to the state's abortion ban. Hadley Duvall, a Kentucky woman who survived child sexual abuse and has emerged as an outspoken advocate for abortion rights, joined Beshear on Friday to speak to the Tennessee Freedom Circle, a reproductive rights group. Both said abuse survivors urgently need exceptions to the law. Duvall first shared her story on social media in the wake of the Dobbs ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. Duvall, whose stepfather abused her for most of her childhood, became pregnant at the age of 12. Though she eventually miscarried, she recalled Friday how knowing she had options to end the pregnancy gave her a "sense of calm" amid a horrific situation. She's since criticized near-total abortion bans for forcing children and women to carry through with pregnancies caused by their rapists. "I had the options, and the trauma was still indescribable," Duvall said. "... I think at the very least, survivors deserve some sort of power over themselves. At the very least, they deserve options. Why can we not give them that?" The pair on Friday acknowledged abortion can be a polarizing political issue, but Beshear encouraged Tennesseans to approach conversations about it on a personal level, as Duvall has done. Duvall said she doesn't describe herself as "pro-choice" or pro-abortion. "I say all the time, I'm pro mind your own business," Duvall said. More: Women deserve abortion access. Kentucky laws mean rape victims like me have no options. Reproductive rights played a significant role in Beshear's reelection last fall, and the victory in a close race was a major win for Democrats in a state with a Republican legislative supermajority. Duvall fronted an affecting ad directly calling out Beshear's opponent for supporting the Kentucky abortion ban without a rape or incest exception, calling it "unthinkable" to require a 12-year-old to have her stepfather's baby. Kentucky's abortion ban resembles Tennessee's in requiring women and children who become pregnant via sexual abuse to continue the pregnancy. Tennessee lawmakers last year added a very narrow exception to prevent the death or serious injury of the mother, as the initial version made it a crime for any abortion to be performed in the state. Tennessee Republican lawmakers have continually blocked efforts to add rape/incest exceptions or exceptions in cases of extreme fetal abnormalities incompatible with life. "I can't imagine having to hear the news that far too many people who want to be parents do: That your child is not going to make it," Beshear said. "You might have to hear the last gasps of their life the moment that they are born, and you don't have an option. That's wrong. It is just wrong. And again, the vast majority of Americans agree that it's wrong." Beshear's Nashville stop came just days after the Iowa Democratic Party announced the Kentucky governor will be its keynote speaker at an annual fundraiser dinner next month. The announcement added fuel to ongoing speculation that Beshear is eyeing a 2028 presidential run, as Iowa has historically played an outsize role in presidential primary contests. He launched a political action committee this year, which has raised more than $300,000 and endorsed candidates across the country, not just in Kentucky. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kentucky Gov. Beshears decris abortion extremism at Nashville event Kentucky manhunt ends with arrest of fugitive from SC convicted of torturing a 3-year-old A fugitive from South Carolina who officials had warned was possibly armed and dangerous has been taken into custody near Georgetown. The Scott County Sheriffs Office arrested Nathan Ginter, 43, near Newtown Pike and Cynthiana Road, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post early Saturday. Ginter was being held Saturday in the Scott County Detention Center. A woman who had accompanied Ginter, Riley Pearson, was also in custody, according to the Georgetown Police Department. Officials have not said what charges she is facing. Deputies found Ginter and Pearson after being called about a suspicious person in the Cynthiana Road area at about midnight, Scott County Sheriff Tony Hampton said in a news release. Though they initially gave false information about their identities, deputies were able to determine who they were, and they were taken into custody without incident, the release states. Ginter had two handguns, two rifles, $60,500 in cash and 16 fake ID cards with him, according to the sheriffs office. Kentucky State Police had warned people in Bourbon, Harrison and Scott counties Tuesday that they were looking for Ginter after he fled from police. Ginter tortured his young child by means of water boarding and using a taser, a U.S. Marshals wanted poster stated. Despite failing to show up to court for his trial, Ginter was found guilty. He was wanted by the City of Columbia, South Carolina, Police Department for failure to appear and unlawful conduct towards a child. A reward for his arrest had been increased from $5,000 to $10,000, according to the marshals. Columbia television station WOLO reported that Ginter failed to show up for his trial in Richland County, South Carolina, about a week ago, and a bench warrant for his arrest was issued. During a trial that lasted three days, Ginter was convicted on four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, according to the station. Ginter left bruises on his 3-year-old daughter when he used a bamboo stick to beat her, left second-degree burns on her backside with a stun gun and used cold baths and showers to waterboard the child, the ABC affiliate reported. Family members reported the abuse after seeing the burns, and the girls 9-year-old sister testified that she witnessed the incidents, according to WOLO. In addition to the out-of-state warrants for his arrest, Ginter is now charged with four counts of a felon in possession of a firearm and 16 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, according to the Scott County Sheriffs Office. As we approach the second year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, its crucial for Kentuckians to understand the real-life consequences of having one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country. These laws do more than just limit abortion; they limit the number of physicians who will choose to practice in our state, thereby hurting everyday Kentuckians who need health care. Abortion bans lead to fewer future doctors This is not a hypothetical consideration. A recent study by the Association of American Medical Colleges found that medical students are less likely to apply for residencies in states with strict abortion laws. Nearly 60% of applicants stated they would not pursue residency in states with abortion bans, according to a survey by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Here in Kentucky, we have seen a 15% drop in residency applicants overall, especially for ob-gyn programs. When medical students at the University of Louisville conducted a survey of the three medical schools in Kentucky, they found that many will opt for residencies out of state due to these restrictions. Fewer new doctors means less access to health care for Kentuckians, especially women. Women deserve abortion access: Kentucky laws mean rape victims like me have no options. Young doctors shouldnt have to train or work where evidence-based medicine and basic freedoms are restricted. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires OBGYN residents to have access to abortion training. If they cannot get the training they need here, they are unlikely to stay and practice here, leading to a shortage of OBGYNs. Further, doctors without proper abortion training may struggle to handle miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies or complications like infection or hemorrhage from pregnancy loss. Kentucky women are forced to seek health care elsewhere Abortion bans like Kentuckys do not just force women to travel hundreds of miles to another state to access safe and legal abortion, they impact gynecologic and obstetric care as well. Banning abortion means fewer doctors are willing and able to treat other pregnancy conditions like miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies in fear of felony charges. This puts physicians in an untenable position leave the state or risk violating their Hippocratic Oath. When doctors, residents and medical students avoid practicing in Kentucky, it widens the health care gap between urban and rural areas. Rural communities, already struggling with limited health care services, are hit the hardest. Essential care like breast and gynecologic cancer screenings becomes even less accessible. The loss of medical providers due to these restrictive laws is making a bad situation worse for women across the state. With 72 of 120 counties already left without a single practicing obstetrician, is Kentucky prepared to lose even more future doctors? Kentucky's abortion ban is cruel: New legislation must protect women's health care Its why over 300 health care professionals joined together earlier this year to publicly oppose Kentuckys abortion ban, because our collective voice underscores how these bans severely impact our ability to provide essential medical care to Kentuckians. It's time to repeal Kentucky's abortion ban We may be in different stages of our medical careers an OBGYN with over 10 years practicing medicine and a medical student slated to graduate in 2027 but we have both already seen the acute consequences of our states abortion ban. Alecia Fields As physicians, we bear witness to some of the most intimate moments in a persons life. We see the struggles our patients face attempting to navigate care across state lines. We witness the barriers that cost and travel impart on the care they are able to receive. We comfort patients facing a system that is failing them. Lawmakers are playing politics with peoples lives and physicians are leaving because of it. No one should have to leave Kentucky to get necessary medical care. Kentuckians deserve the right to make their own health care decisions without lawmakers interfering, and doctors should be free to provide thorough, evidence-based care without fear of prosecution. It is time to repeal these restrictive abortion bans to protect the health and well-being of everyone in our state. Shriya Dodwani Dr. Alecia Fields is an OBGYN practicing in Kentucky. She is a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health and is board certified in Complex Family Planning. Shriya Dodwani is a second-year medical student at the University of Louisville, where she is president of the American Medical Association/Kentucky Medical Association chapter. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky abortion ban hurts women's healthcare, limits doctors Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) took a swipe Friday at Russian President Vladimir Putin for announcing an official partnership with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during their visit last week. When asked by television host Bill Maher how the new pact will disrupt the balance of power in the world, Kinzinger said, I think it shows that Russia is increasingly desperate. The frontlines have stabilized in Ukraine, the weapons gap is shortening, and he has to go to North Korea to beg for weapons, the former lawmaker said Friday on Real Time with Bill Maher, adding later, So this is really a bad look for Vladimir Putin. In the treaty, reached during Putins two-day state visit with Kim, the leaders vowed to increase trade and defend each other in the event of an attack. The agreement marks a blow to the U.S., which has tried to isolate both nations for security purposes. Kinzinger argued the Russia-North Korea partnership indicates Putin is simply trying to buy time to see if former President Trump wins in November, in which further aid to Ukraine could eventually be cut off. See thats the difference between when you do have a president love him or dont love him [President Biden] at least is doing some pushing back against this axis [of evil] and so they [Russia and North Korea] are driven into each others arms out of desperation, Kinzinger said. Russia has to go because he has had economic impacts. So yeah, theyre coming together, but thats as a result of a stronger U.S. foreign policy, he added. The treaty is a deepening on the alliance that was formed last year when North Korea started to supply artillery shells in Russia in return for food and critical technology for its space and missile programs. While speaking in Vietnam following his trip to North Korea, Putin threatened to send weapons to North Korea if South Korea delivers arms to Ukraine, in the latest sign of increasing tensions. South Korea lambasted the treaty between Russia and North Korea and warned its presidential office was receiving its arms transfer policy for Ukraine, multiple media outlets reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This L.A. County city is the latest to offer unconditional cash. It aims to provide relief to families The Pomona Household Universal Grants Pilot Program, or Pomona HUG, will provide 250 people with $500 each month for 18 months. The money comes with no strings attached. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) The city of Pomona is the latest California locality to offer unconditional cash to some residents in hopes of providing much-needed budgetary breathing room to residents still recovering financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pomona Household Universal Grants Pilot Program, or Pomona HUG, will provide 250 people with $500 each month for 18 months. The money comes with no strings attached, and is intended to support families with young children in the eastern Los Angeles County city who are struggling to afford rent, child care and other expenses. In Pomona, home to about 146,000 people, roughly three-quarters of residents are Latino and about 12% live below the poverty line. Were hoping that it will provide some immediate relief to those families that are still behind on their rent, said Beverly Johnson, the citys acting neighborhood services director. While this $500 is meant to relieve them of some of their stressors, it can also be used in whatever area they need, so theres no restrictions in terms of what they can use the funding for. Read more: California lawmakers approve nation's first state-funded guaranteed income plan More than 200 guaranteed-income experiments have popped up nationwide over the last four years in response to the pandemic, as well as racial injustice and widening economic inequality. Proponents tout unconditional cash as a way to provide greater stability to vulnerable community members. They say the programs can change narratives around poverty by entrusting people to make decisions about their own finances. Critics of a related proposal universal basic income , which would provide a cash benefit to all Americans question the political feasibility of grants that arent tied to work requirements, and whether the funding would come at the expense of existing health and food programs. Southern California has emerged as a leader in the movement. One of the largest experiments in the country, the city of L.A.s Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot, or BIG:LEAP, disbursed $1,000 a month for one year to 3,200 residents who were pregnant or had at least one child, lived at or below the poverty level and experienced hardship related to COVID-19. Read more: These L.A. residents got $1,000 a month. What happened after the cash stopped? L.A. Countys guaranteed income program, BREATHE , is one of the nations longest-running projects, with 1,000 residents in low-income or working-class neighborhoods who were negatively affected by the pandemic receiving $1,000 monthly payments for three years. Southern California is also home to more targeted efforts. There are guaranteed-income programs prioritizing former foster youths and pregnant people , funded by the state, as well as one for unhoused people in L.A . These programs have the potential to address immediate economic hardship, reduce economic inequality and improve health outcomes as well as overall well-being, said Judith Perrigo, an assistant professor at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Social Welfare Department. The experiments are also rigorously studied, with researchers aiming to provide scientific evidence to policymakers considering incorporating direct cash payments into social safety net programs. As researchers, were curious to understand who does this work best for, said Perrigo, who is studying the L.A. County and Pomona programs. The truth is, as researchers, we dont know that answer yet, but were all very interested and very curious to learn that. Read more: Monthly payments of $1,000 could get thousands of homeless people off the streets, researchers say Researchers are also trying to determine the most effective amount of cash, and how long it should be provided, said Sean Kline, a former director of the Stanford Basic Income Lab who is now a global advisor to the behavioral science organization ideas42. As part of the Pomona project, which is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan, researchers will compare the experiences of the group that receives the unconditional cash with those of 350 additional people who get $20 stipends for 18 months. They are also interested in observing participants in their homes, to see how parents and guardians engage with young children, and intend to conduct interviews and surveys. The goal, Perrigo of UCLA said, is to learn more about how extra cash or the lack of it affects the financial security and well-being of families with children under age 4, as well as food security, parenting and early childhood development. We know that the brain is developing rapidly in those first few years, she said. So just to think about the opportunities that every kid could have at that age the investments that they can have, the time that they can have from their parents, because their parents have the opportunity to spend more time with them its tremendous. Read more: Why California officials traveled to Kenya to find solutions to poverty Kline called the Pomona pilot a bold move that could provide more proof for policymakers and the public about the effectiveness of unconditional cash. Its really going to take further work to challenge the harmful, often racialized and gendered stories America holds about poverty, he said. The more pilots there are, the more I think that story reshapes, to engender a more trusting, sort of accepting notion that families know best when it comes to figuring out how to survive and thrive. To be eligible for Pomona HUG , participants must at the time of application be a resident of the city, 18 or older, pregnant or the parent or legal guardian of a child under 4 years old and consent to participate in the UCLA research study. They must meet a lower-income threshold or have experienced unemployment or increased housing or food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for the pilot program are open through July 8 and participants will be chosen by random lottery. First payments are expected to be disbursed via a reloadable debit card by Aug. 26. This article is part of The Times equity reporting initiative , funded by the James Irvine Foundation , exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address Californias economic divide. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Abeny Mach did not expect to be sharing the stage of a Lansing church with six other women, all celebrating the end of their journey earning their high school diplomas with the Global Institute of Lansing. I didnt know I would be standing here. School wasnt in my cards. But then I was introduced to this community, Mach said from the podium at First Presbyterian Church. This class also marks 100 graduates walking through the door of the institute since its start in 2014. Executive Director Paula Frantz says its surreal. These students, not just the class graduating today, but all the students who came before them have just worked so hard, and we just are honored to be part of their journey, says Frantz. For Mach, the journey started in South Sudan. She says she wanted to continue her education after marrying and coming to Lansing. However, age became a barrier until she enrolled in the institute in August of 2020. Escaping from armed conflict to now starting a second semester at Lansing Community College, Mach says she hopes to combine two of her passions. I think computer science and programming and everything else that has to do with technology combined with art will create very good stuff and thats what I want to do with it, says Mach. Machs story is one of thousands being told of new beginnings here in the U.S. every year. Data from the US Department of Homeland Security shows that refugee arrivals in 2022 more than doubled the number of arrivals in the previous two years. Frantz helping create that education foundation not only empowers refugees to find better jobs but also to become better parents. They are now helping their children with school work, feeling more comfortable and confident to be their childrens teacher at home. Its phenomenal to see all the progress they made, says Frantz. Leaders with the Global Institute of Lansing say they hope to expand the space and size of their programs. they add that their degree program is always enrolling new students. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) While Ron Yuhas was driving east on the 215 northern beltway on Thursday evening, a black SUV was traveling in the same direction, but on the other side of the freeway. It was the vehicle Nevada State Police (NSP) said caused a fatal multi-vehicle crash by traveling into oncoming traffic. Yuhas shared with 8 News Now that the disbelief prevented him from initially believing the nearby car was driving the wrong way. I realized that there was an SUV over there on the other side traveling well over 100, and I tried to kind of keep up with him because I knew what was going to happen, Yuhas said Friday afternoon, acknowledging he eventually let the car go due to its high rate of speed. I could hear cars honking and flashing their brights. Two people died after a wrong-way crash in the northwest Las Vegas area Thursday afternoon, according to police. The crash occurred just after 4 p.m. on westbound 215, west of Jones Boulevard. (Victoria Hoang) Yuhas knew he caught back up to the black vehicle by the billowing smoke seen over the center median of the same color. NSP said the SUV collided head-on with another vehicle that then overturned and struck a car. Those two other vehicles caught fire. Yuhas, safe on the other side, felt compelled to pull over. The driver was yelling for help, and so I instantly jumped over the barrier without really thinking about it, Yuhas said. You see stuff like this on TV and you dont relate with it until youre right there in that moment. Two people died after a wrong-way crash in the northwest Las Vegas area Thursday afternoon, according to police. (Victoria Hoang) He joined others helping distressed drivers to safety, or at least those they could safely reach amidst scorching flames that other drivers captured on video. Collectively, Yuhas said they removed the driver of one of the cars on fire off the freeway. He had the gash on his forehead. I think his nose was broken. (His) back was all burnt from the fire in his vehicle, Yuhas said. He was having kind of a hard time even processing (what had happened) as he got out. Of the three adult male drivers, this is the only one that survived. NPS, in a release on Friday, corrected incorrect information it provided on Thursday, saying the wrong way driver and one of the cars he hit both died on the scene. Two people died after a wrong-way crash in the northwest Las Vegas area Thursday afternoon, according to police. The crash occurred just after 4 p.m. on westbound 215, west of Jones Boulevard. (KLAS) Wrong-way driver calls are leaving state troopers strained, according to NPS Public Information Officer and Trooper Shawn Haggstrom, who are unable to follow these drivers to stop them as they typically do for other reckless driving reports. He says the reporting calls typically do not come in until moments before the crash happens. You usually cant ask the driver what they were thinking because theyre dead by the time you guys get there, right? 8 News Now Reporter Ryan Matthey asked during a virtual interview Friday, to which Haggstrom confirmed. The charred portion of the 215 Northern Beltway on Friday, June 21, 2024, that Nevada State Police said was where a wrong-way driver collided with others before combustion on Thursday. (KLAS) The agency gets slight assistance from wrong-way driving technology, which includes flashing wrong way signs on the freeway and interstate off-ramps that detect when a car enters from the wrong way and send video to first responders. There are only four locations in the Vegas Valley that have them, and Thursdays wrong-way driver likely did not encounter any of them. The Nevada Department of Transportation expects to enhance more exit ramps along U.S. 95 from the Spaghetti Bowl around the Rainbow curve later this year, though widespread installation valley-wide is likely years away. Its very intense for us because we dont know whats going to happen, Haggstrom said. For those like Yuhas, the bone-chilling experience may never be forgotten, unless hes no longer required to drive this portion of freeway every day. Its the fastest way to his job and family, he says. It felt cold outside in that moment, and it was like over 100 degrees, Yuhas said. Its scary to know that I am going to get on that road five times a week and that could happen at any moment. Las Vegas driver Ron Yuhas Haggstrom told 8 News Now that a majority of wrong-way crashes happen from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and on weekends. To best protect yourself from a wrong-way driver, he suggests: Scanning the upcoming road 10 to 15 seconds ahead of reaching it At night, avoid traveling in the lane closest to the median where a majority of these crashes happen Utilize headlights and seatbelts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. TAMPA Each day, runners and walkers, tourists and locals pour onto the Riverwalk, the 2.6-mile ribbon of sidewalk that runs along Tampas downtown waterfront. In a few years time, city officials want crowds to be able to trot along the west bank of the Hillsborough River, too. The cost of making that vision a reality has ballooned in recent years. Prepandemic, city staff estimated an approximately 6-mile pedestrian- and bike-friendly path weaving through a swath of land on the west bank of the Hillsborough River, dubbed West Riverwalk, would cost $30 million. On Thursday, the Tampa City Council voted 5-2 to amend the proposed construction agreement to $56.8 million. The contract will require a final vote, which is scheduled for July 18. If approved, as appears likely, the project is expected to break ground in the next few months and to be completed in 2027, city records show. The federal government has agreed to chip in $24 million. The city is on the hook for the rest. About 2 miles of the planned route will hug the waterline, from Platt Street near the Bayshore Publix in Hyde Park north to an area near Ricks on the River restaurant, paralleling the original version on the east bank. Given the Tampa Bay regions deadly track record for pedestrians and cyclists, city officials say the project will emphasize safety. Bike paths will be separated from car traffic by concrete curbing wherever possible part of a city system called the green spine. It will include walker-activated flashing pedestrian crossings, among other enhancements. Plus, therell be over-the-water crossings that run underneath car-traffic bridges at Platt and Brorein streets. The project will ultimately complete a network of 12 miles of continuous bike and pedestrian pathway unspooled across Tampas urban core. Tampas Riverwalk in just a few years has become such a signature part of the community, its hard to imagine Tampa without it, Mayor Jane Castor previously told the Tampa Bay Times. The project on the west side will be even more transformative. While council members appeared united in their recognition of the projects perks, the price tag was a hard sell, especially as the city has streets riddled with potholes and has 1,300 miles of sidewalk gaps. How can we justify to the public that we are not fixing their roads? council member Bill Carlson said at Thursdays meeting. As much as I want this and I am the first person to support mobility we cannot afford it, council member Lynn Hurtak said. She and Carlson were the two votes against the $56.8 million design and construction agreement between the city and firm The Haskell Co. If we say no to this, were giving away $24 million, said council member Luis Viera, not wanting the city to turn down the federal grant and among the majority who voted in favor of the agreement. Then that money is gone. The grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, secured by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, was supposed to cover 80% of the project, according to initial projections. Costs have since soared. The grant now covers 40%. The city plans to pay for the rest by using $6 million from the Community Investment Tax and taking on more than $26.8 million in debt, city documents show. Vik Bhide, the citys mobility director, told council members Thursday that his team continues to search for opportunities to secure additional state and federal funding for the project to make sure that the burden on the city is as low as possible. The cost increases are consistent with every other agency that does large-scale infrastructure projects in the Tampa Bay area and within the state of Florida, he told council members. We have a lot of needs. We have paving needs. We have sidewalk needs. Those needs are critical and must be addressed, he said. Were also a rapidly growing city and we have to consider investments as well. Latvian special service urges country's citizens not to travel to Russia and Belarus for holidays Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) has urged Latvian citizens to refrain from travelling to Russia and Belarus during the Kupala Night holidays [one of the major folk holidays of the Eastern Slavs]. Source: Delfi, a Baltic states news website, as reported by European Pravda Details: The service noted the high risks of reconnaissance and recruitment in these countries. The VDD emphasised the importance of exercising caution when crossing the border of Russia or Belarus. If any suspicious activity occurs, it is necessary to report any contact with a representative of either country's secret services to the VDD. The VDD suggests contacting the service if, when crossing the border of Russia or Belarus, a person is checked or interrogated in an unusually intense manner, if a person is questioned by a person in civilian clothes and not in a border guard uniform, or if questions are asked that are not within the competence of a border guard, including questions of a private nature. The VDD also calls for reporting if a person is falsely accused of a violation or crime, asked to "cooperate", or if they are given a phone number to call the next time they come to the country. Background: Estonia decided to suspend exit permits for two days at the Narva border checkpoint with Russia, where a long queue of travellers heading towards Russia had formed. Finland has closed its eastern border with Russia since the end of November and has kept this decision in place because of Russia's attempts to create an artificial migration crisis there. Support UP or become our patron! Lauren Boebert rival teases her with ad filmed in theater she was thrown out of during Beetlejuice Colorado Republican Rep Lauren Boeberts Democratic rival posted a hilarious new ad speaking from the lawmakers seat during her scandalous Beetlejuice outing last fall. Democratic Congressional hopeful John Padora sat in a maroon movie theater chair, saying in his new ad: Im sitting in the very same seat Lauren Boebert got kicked out of. The same way she got kicked out of Colorados 3rd Congressional district. Boebert was booted from a Denver theater in September during a production of the musical Beetlejuice last September after vaping, singing, taking flash photos, and groping her date in the dark venue. Now shes picked up her bags and fled to eastern Colorado to run in the 4th Congressional district. Thats a race Ive been running since May of 2023, Padora continued. Hopefuls are vying for retired Republican Ken Bucks old seat. The GOP firebrand announced in December that she planned to run in a different district. The switch came after a series of embarrassing public incidents and a narrow victory over a Democrat competitor in her home district in 2022. Boeberts an opportunistic carpetbagger and we deserve real leadership here in Colorados 4th, he said, before asking supporters for donations. Padoras ad, released days before the Colorado primary races on June 25, highlights how the Beetlejuice incident still plagues the embattled GOP incumbent. In May, Boebert was welcomed by chants of Beetlejuice when she visited George Washington Universitys campus amid pro-Gaza protests. Boebert at the infamous Beetlejuice showing (NBC) More recently, during a Republican debate, a moderator pressed Boebert about the theater thing. Boebert defended that she had already owned up to my night out in Denver and had gone on a public apology tourbut Im not going to continue to live life in shame and be beat up by this. Although at first Boebert denied the incident took place, she later apologized after video surveillance was released. TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) In the wake of another nightmarish week for New Jersey Transit rail riders, state lawmakers are sounding off. New Jersey Transit has gone off the rails this week, pun intended, said Republican Assemblyman Chrsitopher DePhillips, who sits on the Assembly Transportation Committee. The first thing we should do is force New Jersey Transit to rescind the 15 percent far hikes that are going into effect in July. More Local News Democratic Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, who chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee, says while he knows no rider wants to pay more, money will need to be spent to fix things up. After evening commute nightmares like Thursdays, he says Amtrak and the federal government need more investment. A lot of what happens along the rail line, especially what you saw [Thursday], its the fault of a lack of investment on behalf of Amtrak, and thats due to just a lack of government funding itself, said Calabrese. It is outrageous that this has not been fixed, said Republican State Senator Declan OScanlon. Why are we not threatening to withhold our payments to Amtrak? Theyre not keeping up their end of the bargain here. The Governors Office referred our questions to NJ Transit. On Friday afternoon, NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett released a statement: We are as frustrated as our customers, and the frequency and impact these issues are having on our customers quality of life is clearly unacceptable. Regarding todays incident specifically, weve had rail maintenance supervisors positioned at Newark Penn Station to inspect trains in light of the recent incidents. The train involved was inspected thoroughly before leaving Newark, including the pantograph, and no defects were found. While we continue to work with Amtrak to identify the root cause of the recent spate of incidents affecting the Northeast Corridor (NEC), which include a range of issues. For instance, Amtrak reported that yesterdays incident was caused by one of their circuit breakers impacting power between Philadelphia and New Haven. What we can say is that we operate approximately 700 trains every weekday along hundreds of miles of track on 11 rail lines with the same equipment and these incidents are mainly occurring on just this one stretch of track on the NEC between Newark and New York. We continue to offer Amtrak our assistance to resolve the issue. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The U.S. Supreme Court building is seen in Washington in 2023. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) To the editor: Just when you think columnist Jonah Goldberg has found his way from the dark side, he goes right back to conservative apologism. Now, he uses some egregious mental gymnastics to say the U.S. Supreme Court is not in fact highly partisan. First, he claims that the recent decision on mifepristone was ruled unanimously "in favor of the pro-abortion-rights position." The ruling had nothing to do with the merits of the pro-abortion-rights side. Rather, it was a technical ruling based on the lack of standing by the plaintiffs, leaving this vital question open to future legal assault. His lauding of the reversal of the bump-stock ban is just as head scratching. This device's sole purpose is to provide the functionality of a machine gun to semiautomatic rifles. The banning of this device by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives adhered to the congressional ban on machine guns. This is exactly the kind of proper interpretation of existing law that federal agencies do all the time. Finally, while the court may eventually rule against former President Trump's immunity claim, its slow-rolling of this case is having what appears to be the effect of delaying the verdict on Trump's insurrectionist activities until after the November election. If it's all the same to Goldberg, we'll continue to believe our own lying eyes. Earle Hartling, Culver City .. To the editor: Goldberg argues that the Supreme Court is more unified than perceived, except in "big" cases such as the 2022 Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe vs. Wade. The same could be said of the Roger Taney-led Supreme Court that decided the Dred Scott decision, which held that enslaved people were not citizens of the United States and, therefore, could not expect any protection from the federal government or the courts. Stephen Smith, Westchester .. To the editor: Goldberg writes, "If Trump is reelected, you can imagine many liberals suddenly looking more favorably on the idea that presidents can't unilaterally rewrite the law." No, but dictators can. And one candidate has already told us that's who he will be. I hope we are not foolish enough to ignore that. Mary Sidell, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Goldberg ignores what the current conservative super-majority has communicated through its smattering of ideologically skewed decisions to send them cases that provide an opportunity to reverse precedent they detest. The Dobbs case, overturning nearly 50 years of precedent, is the prime example. What could be next is Louisiana's enactment of a law that mandates posting of the Ten Commandments in school classrooms. The longstanding precedent that bars such religious indoctrination in public schools probably doesn't matter to this high court's theocracy-indulging super-majority. It will welcome the chance to disingenuously assign some overarching secular purpose to Louisiana's biblical post. Perhaps I should pray that Louisiana's blatant merger of church and state doesn't reach the high court until its pre-Trump ideological balance is restored. Edgar M. Martinez, Orcutt, Calif. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, talks at a roundtable about LGBTQ+ rights in the next election in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024. | Lucy Valeski LGBTQ+ rights advocates and Michigan lawmakers sat on colorful wooden chairs and mismatched couches during a roundtable discussion Friday evening. They are in the Grand Rapids Pride Center, on the eve of the citys annual Pride parade. The state and national leaders gathered to discuss the upcoming election, including how to get voters to show up and cast their ballots for leaders who support LGBTQ+ rights. Theres a lot at stake this year, said Chasten Buttigieg, who grew up in Michigan and is married to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. I think so much of it is just rooted in whether or not our lives will be made better and safer because of the choices that we make. I might get back to the day where I can focus a little bit more on whats happening and what my toddlers are doing in the living room and not so much worrying about whether or not our family will be able to exist. Democrats control both chambers of the Michigan Legislature, in addition to the governors office. Since claiming this trifecta for the first time in about 40 years, lawmakers have passed numerous progressive priorities, including protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson told the Advance the organization is advocating to keep the Michigan Democratic trifecta after the 2024 election cycle, in addition to electing national progressive leaders. When I think about the state of Michigan, the thing that makes it such a beacon for me is that you have been able to show what it looks like to engage your community, to build on the power of people that we know are with us on these issues, to fundamentally change the dynamics in the state, Robinson said during the roundtable discussion. State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Planned Parenthood of Michigan President Paula Thornton Greear also were part of the roundtable. Motivating voters may be a struggle for Democratic candidates in the 2024 election. In 2022, when Democrats took control of the Legislature, abortion rights was also on the ballot, which is a large motivator for women voters, according to a recent poll from KFF, a health policy research organization. Women in states like Michigan, who already have state-level protections for abortion, are less motivated to vote this year, the poll found. Emme Zanotti, the advocacy and outreach director of Equality Michigan, said the organization has already started recruiting voters for the 2024 election. She said the organization contacted tens of thousands of Michigan voters in 2022 and hopes to reach even more people in 2024. Its really like every single door we knocked on, every pledge to vote we collected at Pride, every text message someone sent or phone call someone made, Zanotti said. It might not be as sexy, but I also consider that the revolution. It is also important to connect peoples personal struggles with politicians trying to solve them ahead of the election, Robinson said. What weve got to do is make sure that they understand that theres people out there that actually have a solution and want to work for them and want to fight with them, and make sure that they get to see and talk to those folks, so thats really what a lot of the work is right now, Robinson told the Advance. Policy matters to voters, lawmakers say Five Democratic members of the state House spoke about how their constituents responded well to progressive legislation lawmakers passed in the last 18 months. Pohutsky, a member of the LGBTQ+ House caucus, gave an overview of bills the Legislature passed that protected LGBTQ+ Michiganders. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation expanding Michigans anti-discrimination law to include LGBTQ+ people last year and banned conversion therapy for minors. Additionally, funding for LGBTQ+ health centers appeared in the state Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the first time. The Senate also passed a ban gay and trans panic defenses Thursday. The defense excuses crimes, like assault, of an LGBTQ+ person because it lets the perpetrator blame their identity. The bill will head back over to the House. Pohutsky also touched on legislation that could still be passed, including making it easier to legally change names in Michigan. Ximon Kittok, the executive director of Grand Rapids Trans Foundation, said the policy would help remove barriers for transgender people across the state. I dont think Im overstating it when I say that this legislation will be life-changing and life-saving for a lot of folks in our community, Kittok said. Pohutsky said the bills passage is partially due to how many more openly LGBTQ+ lawmakers serve in the Legislature. We also elected the largest LGBTQ caucus in the history of the state, Pohutsky said. And thats been huge, and its been really transformative in how were able to talk about these issues. State Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) attributed part of his campaign success to people being more empathetic to the LGBTQ+ community now. He said his constituents wanted more progressive policies, like gun reform, and have positively responded to the Democratic majority. This productivity from the legislature could help Democrats retain a majority in the next cycle, Fitzgerald said. I think that thats what really people felt attached to in kind of our mission in 2022 was to just make our community stronger, better, more accepting, more supportive of people in their own personal journeys, Fitzgerald said. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, talks at a roundtable about LGBTQ+ rights in the next election in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024. | Lucy Valeski Paula Thornton Greear, president of Planned Parenthood of Michigan , talks about voting intersectionally during an LGBTQ+ rights roundtable in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024. | Lucy Valeski Chasten Buttigieg, author and husband of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigeig, discusses why he thinks it is important to elect Democratic leaders in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024. | Lucy Valeski Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, talks at a roundtable about LGBTQ+ rights in the next election in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024. | Lucy Valeski LGBTQ+ activists and Michigan lawmakers talk about the upcoming election in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, and Chasten Buttigieg talk at a roundtable about LGBTQ+ rights in the next election in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024. | Lucy Valeski Issues like reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights motivated voters to show up to the polls and elect people who would support them, state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) said. He said campaigning on supporting the LGBTQ+ community helped elect the Democratic majority, which has been able to pass legislation to protect them. The passage of more bills protecting Michigans LGBTQ+ community also let people open up about their experience with topics like conversion therapy, said state Reps. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids). But it takes privilege to even know about policy and be able to easily vote, said Jazz McKinney, the executive director of Grand Rapids Pride Center. They said many people who use the center as a resource dont know about the legislation because they are navigating more existential problems, like unaffordable housing and mental health challenges. I think its hard because especially a lot of community members I serve, theyre so busy trying to survive, McKinney said. I dont know if any of the community members that I saw today would have known that this [ban on gay panic defense] passed yesterday in the Senate. McKinney emphasized the importance of intersectionality and passing legislation that would directly help everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. Its kind of like yes, and, McKinney said. Yes, we need these high level things, but we have to also think about that intersectionality piece and how these things are impacting the way were literally trying to just survive. The post LGBTQ+ leaders say theres a lot at stake for Michigan in the 2024 election appeared first on Michigan Advance. Three young men drowned in the Gulf of Mexico in Bay County Florida Three young men from Alabama have drowned in the Gulf of Mexico in Bay County, the sheriff's office announced. According to a Facebook post from the agency, the men arrived in Bay County Friday evening and went swimming. The sheriff's office said it received a call at 8:11 p.m. Friday about three distressed swimmers behind Watercrest Condominiums, 6201 Thomas Drive. The agency, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bay County Emergency Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, began rescue efforts. Related news: 3 Panama City Beach drownings bring Florida total to 5 this week. How to survive rip currents Related news: Who drowned in the Gulf of Mexico in Bay County? Here's what we know. Bay and surrounding counties have been under a rip current warning this week. Single red flags were flying Friday, which means high hazard: high surf and/or strong currents. The swimmers were found one by one and received medical care. This embedded content is not available in your region. Drowning victims identified; more details released The Bay County Sheriff's Office has notified next of kin and can now publicly identify the three drowning victims from Friday night. They are Harold Denzel Hunter, 25; Jemonda Ray, 24; and Marius Richardson, 24. They were from the Birmingham, Alabama area. The sheriff's office said the men checked in at the Watercrest Condominiums, 6201 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, and were going to head out shopping but wanted to get in a swim first. Other members of their party, women, were with them but came to shore before the men became distressed in the Gulf. 911 was called just after 8 p.m. First responders formed a line from shore to the first sandbar. The victims were found one by one within a half mile of where they had entered the water. They were taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced deceased. Rip currents kill 4 in 48 hours: Panama City Beach on pace to be deadliest in US A large current was running along the shore. This happened on the portion of beach that is in unincorporated Bay County. In addition to personnel on land there were rescue swimmers in the water, boats from the Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and drones and the sheriff's air unit in the sky. Citizens also helped as lookouts from shore. Jim Ross There was a drowning one day earlier in the Gulf A 19-year-old man from Oklahoma drowned in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday (June 20) in Panama City Beach. The News Herald has not previously reported this drowning. Ryker Milton Ryker Milton was from Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is about 35 miles east of Tulsa. He was in his first year of online seminary training and was shadowing the student pastor at New Community Church, a nondenominational Christian church, according to Lead Pastor Simeon Young. Milton was in Bay County on vacation. He's remembered as a gifted soccer player and spirit-filled minister with a bright future. Friday night, he was remembered at an impromptu student service at the church. A video of his last sermon was played. Milton was "a living testament of how we believe students should live their lives," Young said. Jim Ross Sympathy for the victims A veteran beach attendant interviewed Saturday morning said his heart goes out to the victims' families. Tens of thousands of beachgoers visit the Gulf of Mexico in Bay County, and he has seen tragedies like this before. The man, who declined to give his name, was working Saturday morning on the crowded beach, where some people were in the water, but no one had ventured in very far. DeonTay Smith A quiet Saturday morning at the beach Here's a look at the beach Saturday morning at Beach Access No. 12, which is near where the search and rescue operation happened Friday night. Tyler Orsburn An additional statement from Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford The sheriff posted this message to Facebook about 9:30 a.m. Saturday: "I have such a heavy heart this morning about the loss of three young visitors to our community. I'm praying for their family and ask that you do the same. It is such a tragedy. Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. "I witnessed so many people, including visitors to our community, come together last night on the beach to desperately search for them. The acts of courage by first responders were amazing. Many of our rescue swimmers with the Sheriffs Office, Bay County Emergency Services and Panama City Beach went into the dark and dangerous waters for over two hours to attempt to rescue and search for the young men. "I worry about the emotional toll that these situations take on first responders as I know Im struggling with it as well. They have my utmost respect as I know they are suiting up again today to keep our citizens and visitors safe." Jim Ross Another rip current warning Just after 3 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a statement saying dangerous rip currents are expected through 4 a.m. Monday at Bay, Walton, Gulf and Franklin County beaches. "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," the statement says. "Beachgoers are urged to be aware of what color beach flags are flying. Reminder: double red means that the water is closed to the public, but the beach remains open." Bay County is under single red flags today, which means high hazard: high surf and/or strong currents. Click here for the latest weather warnings. Jim Ross Public Beach Access No. 12 This was the scene Saturday morning (June 22, 2024) at Public Beach Access No. 12, the morning after three swimmers died in the Gulf of Mexico in Bay County. The Friday night search and rescue operation began at sunset Friday and lasted into the night. The conditions were relatively calm Saturday morning. Tyler Orsburn What is the best thing to do in a rip current? Image Volusia Ocean Rescue uses to illustrate what a beachgoer caught in a rip current can do to try and escape. By far the most important thing to do is to stay calm, and even try to relax. They can be scary, but rip currents will only pull you along, they won't pull you under the water. The biggest danger is tiring yourself out. Don't panic or thrash about. Don't bother trying to fight the current. You may be able to get out of the current by swimming with it parallel to the shore (or just floating or treading water) until it fades or circulates back to shore, and then you can swim to the beach. You also can try swimming with the current toward breaking waves, where you may be able to swim for shore. If you can't reach the shore or you're being pulled farther out to sea, or you're getting tired, draw attention to yourself by waving or shouting for help. Lianna Norman and C.A. Bridges What is the difference between a riptide and a rip current? Rip currents have also been called runouts, but they're not the same as rip tides or undertow although the terms often get confused. + Rip currents: Strong offshore currents that run along the shoreline or back out to sea. + Rip tides: A powerful current caused by the tide pulling water through an inlet and the mouths of estuaries, embayments, and harbors. Also known as tidal jets. + Undertow: When a wave breaks, a lot of water and sand is pulled rapidly under the surface back into the next breaking wave. Unprepared swimmers or small children can easily be tumbled around in an undertow but it only goes a short distance and only for a moment or so. Lianna Norman and C.A. Bridges Social media reactions to the three drownings As of 7:15 a.m. Saturday, the Bay County Sheriff's Office Facebook post about the drownings had drawn 798 reactions and 266 comments. Many people expressed sympathy and offered prayers for the family and thanks for the first responders. Jim Ross How many people die in rip currents? Rip currents are habitual hazards of Florida beaches. Tens of thousands are rescued from rip currents in the U.S, every year and they make up 81.9% of all surf beach rescues, according to a 2018 report from the Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences on lifeguard data. The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) has estimated that over 100 people drown every year in this country due to rip currents. Lianna Norman and C.A. Bridges What happens in a rip current? You're swimming along, enjoying the cool ocean water off a Florida beach, when suddenly you get knocked off your feet and feel like you're in a rushing underwater river. You try swimming to shore but the current has you in its grip, pulling you farther out to sea. Eventually, the current will dissipate, but not before it drags you along no matter how strong a swimmer you are. Fortunately, they're not difficult to deal with if you keep your head. Lianna Norman and C.A. Bridges Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford's statement Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford released this statement on Facebook late Friday: "It is with profound sadness that we announce all three young men that entered the water around 8PM today and became distressed have passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families." Jim Ross U.S. Coast Guard cautions people about rip currents Details of what happened Friday are still emerging. But in a Facebook post, the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Panama City, which was among the agencies aiding in the search and rescue, cautioned people about rip currents. "All first responder agencies urge locals and visitors to exercise caution in the Gulf waters," the statement says. "Rip currents pop up unexpectedly and can happen on even the nicest days. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be safe everyone. Thank you for the well wishes and support. "Our hearts and prayers go out to all those involved and their families." Jim Ross What are rip currents? Rip currents are powerful, concentrated channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, most often found at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as jetties and piers. Rip currents form when incoming waves create an underwater sandbar. The waves push more water between the sandbar and the shore until it collapses and the water rushes back to the sea through a narrow gap, where it starts to spread out. But they can be difficult to see when you're in the water as the ocean over them can still be smooth. Earlier this year: One tourist drowns off the coast of Panama City Beach, first local beach drowning of 2024 Rip currents often form during or after stormy weather but can form on bright, sunny days just as easily since the weather isn't really what's causing them. Rip currents can be found at any beach with waves, at any time. Lianna Norman and C.A. Bridges This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Florida drownings: 3 swimmers die near Panama City Beach (Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said opposing political groups could govern together to block the path to power of the extremes, as polls indicate his centrist party and its allies are set for an election defeat. Most Read from Bloomberg With just a week to go until voting starts, Macron trails well behind Marine Le Pens National Rally and a hastily reassembled leftist bloc called the New Popular Front in surveys of intentions. One pollster even suggests the far-right party could clinch an absolute majority in the National Assembly, though Frances two-round voting system makes forecasting tricky. If none of the three groups win more than half of the 577 seats in the lower house, the nations parliament risks being in gridlock, making it hard for Macron to chose a prime minister capable of commanding a majority. I am confident in the French people, their intelligence, their strength there are plenty of differences, and respectable differences, Macron said at a music concert at the Elysee Palace late Friday. There are plenty of women and men who will have to govern together, whatever their differences, but there are extremes that must not pass. The comments give an indication of how Macron envisages navigating the situation to keep some degree of control over government. The equation is challenging, as the center-left, with which the presidents party could have found common ground on some policies, is now part of an alliance including far-left parties that hes repudiated. Meanwhile, the center-right has splintered after its leader, Eric Ciotti, led some of the Republicans party into an alliance with Le Pen. There are signs of a breakdown even within Macrons own party, with heavyweights looking for an exit. His interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, said he wont return in the same role even if the president gathers enough support, telling Le Parisien newspaper he wants to rebuild a center-right movement that is firm, social, popular and attentive to others. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has said his own political future will be written differently. During a campaign visit to the northern Pas-de-Calais region on Friday, Le Pen told reporters that Macron may have to resign if the elections lead to gridlock. His mandate runs until 2027 and he has said he wont. A reshuffle in these circumstances doesnt seem very useful, dissolution isnt possible again for a year, so all thats left for the president is to resign in order to exit potentially from a political crisis, she said. Its not a request; hell do exactly what he wants and what the constitution allows him to. The National Rally is set to win 35% of the vote in the first round of voting on June 30, according to a poll of 1,009 adults by OpinionWay for Les Echos newspaper published on Saturday. The New Popular Front would get 28%, with Macrons group garnering 22%. A separate survey of 2,006 adults by Odoxa puts Le Pens party on 33% in the first round, and predicts it could win between 250 and 300 seats in the National Assembly. Thats based on an estimate of 120 to 170 potential three-way runoffs, compared with just eight during the last legislative elections in 2022. The political uncertainty has rattled investor confidence in France, where current ministers were already facing difficulties to rein in budget deficits. A rout on markets has sent the premium to hold French bonds compared with safer German debt to the highest in over a decade, and the European Union on Wednesday reprimanded France for running a deficit that exceeds the blocs 3% limit. In May, before Macron called elections, S&P Global Ratings downgraded the countrys sovereign credit score. A minority government could function in parliament by using a constitutional provision known as the 49.3 to bypass votes and adopt legislation. However, that exposes the government to being toppled by no-confidence votes, especially over budget bills. You mustnt be scared to go and vote June 30, you must go and vote, Macron said at Fridays concert to try to drive home his message. You must vote responsibly. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Madera Judge asks for more information in lawsuit over fees for groundwater projects SJV Water is a nonprofit, independent online news publication covering water in the San Joaquin Valley. Lois Henry is the CEO/Editor of SJV Water. She can be reached at lois.henry@sjvwater.org. The website is www.sjvwater.org. Round one of a lawsuit brought by a group of farmers against Madera County over land assessment fees left both sides standing for now. On June 18, Madera County Superior Court Judge Brian Enos inched forward on the countys attempt to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the California United Water Coalition. He granted the countys motion for judgment on the pleadings, but gave the coalition 60 days to provide more information. Meanwhile, the injunction against the fees remains in place. A new hearing date has not been set. I feel good for now, but this is just round one, said Robert Bishel, board member of the coalition. Coalition attorney Patrick Gorman agreed, predicting the case would likely drag into 2025. Judge Enos wanted to see more details in the original lawsuit about whether coalition members had paid the disputed fees, and if so, when. They are saying that unless you can show that you paid before you filed the lawsuit, youre out, Gorman explained to the crowd of attendees after the hearing. That may be a key issue due to Californias long-standing pay first, litigate later rule. No matter how unfair a fee or tax may seem, it must be paid until a court rules that its illegal. Mojave Pistachios LLC recently lost a case over pumping fees of $2,130 per acre foot in the Indian Wells Valley in eastern Kern County. On June 14, the company was ordered to pay $30 million in back fees. Coalition members feel the Mojave Pistachios ruling doesnt apply because the injunction against the Madera County fees was granted before they were actually due. Regardless, they said, they will canvas their members to figure out who paid and when as requested by the judge. The county does not believe the coalition will be able to find members who paid. You would think they would be able to find someone who is a member of their organization who could demonstrate that they paid before the lawsuit was filed, said Steve Ngo, lawyer for the county. But in fact, they didnt. But Judge Enos also noted other differences in the Mojave Pistachios case. The court finds big nuance in Mojave Pistachios, Enos said. The Mojave Pistachios case involved a quantifiable amount of groundwater subject to fees for known projects. In the Madera case, the land assessment fees were to pay for future water projects, he noted. The constitution requires it to be explained now, he said of government taxation. Tale of the fees The land assessment fees were voted on in a Proposition 218 election and approved by the Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). They were intended to pay to import water, build recharge basins, repair domestic wells harmed by over pumping and more, according to Stephanie Anagnoson, Director of the countys Water and Natural Resources Department and manager for the County GSA. The county is the GSA for 215,000 acres across parts of three subbasins. Those lands are outside of water district boundaries so landowners rely almost exclusively on groundwater. Top map shows Madera County GSA boundaries in the Chowchilla subbasin. Bottom map shows Madera Co. GSA boundaries in the Madera and Delta-Mendota subbasins. In June 2022, the County GSA held Proposition 218 elections to set fees in the Madera, Delta-Mendota and Chowchilla subbasins. Chowchilla landowners voted them down. But owners in the Madera subbasin didnt generate enough protest votes to stop a $246 per acre per year. The election resulted in a $138-per-acre fee in Delta-Mendota. The farmer coalition sued over the fees in the Madera subbasin saying the Proposition 218 election was conducted improperly. It was granted an injunction against the fees on December 6 2022, shortly before the fees were due on Dec. 12, 2022. These fees place an unconstitutional burden solely on farm owners, many of whom operate small family farms who can ill afford it, the coalitions lawyer wrote in the initial petition. Real stakes for farming The County GSA says that without those fees, it does not have funding to move forward with projects in its groundwater plan, which was approved by the state per the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. That puts the entire subbasin in jeopardy, Anagnoson wrote in an email. If subbasin plans are deemed inadequate the state Water Resources Control Board can put the region into probation, a first step toward the state taking control of pumping allotments. If there is no domestic well mitigation program, I think it is likely the subbasin goes into probation and the State Board intervenes, Anagonson wrote in an email after the hearing. These are very real stakes for farming. The state Water Board put the Tulare Lake subbasin, which covers most of Kings County, on probation earlier this year. Now Kings County farmers will be forced to register wells, meter them, report their extractions and pay the state $20 per acre foot pumped on top of fees they are paying their groundwater agencies. MAGA has laid out its plan to sabotage elections, sanction discrimination and steal rights MAGA's plan to crush our future As part of an effort called Project 2025, right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation researched, developed and released a 920-page document that sets out the MAGA agenda for every aspect of Americans lives. Just like they took away our freedom to decide for ourselves whether and when to have kids, they want to ban contraception, eliminate the Affordable Care Act, IVF, Social Security and Medicare. What is Project 2025? The Presidential Transition Project explained. Joyce Beatty: GOP creating chaos as part of effort to classify birth control as 'obscene' and 'illicit' From sabotaging our elections, allowing discrimination and eliminating corporate regulations, to cutting the resources we need for education our children and dictating the religion we can practice, Project 2025 details how the MAGA movement seeks to take away freedoms from every aspect of our lives. It is another MAGA effort to control us, decide our futures for us, and take us backward. Faith Greer, Stow We were treated and respected as heroes I was among the 85 World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War veterans who had the honor and privilege of participating in a recent Columbus Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit our nation's war memorials. Honorably discharged military veterans over age 65 were assigned "guardians," who assisted to ensure a safe, memorable experience. About half needed wheelchair assistance and some used walking sticks. Others were fully ambulatory and walked about four miles. From arrival at Port Columbus Airport, to flight and arrival at Reagan International Airport, to visiting the Air Force, Naval, World War II, Korean, Military Women and Vietnam memorials along with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (including the changing of the guard), we were treated and respected as heroes. Return to Columbus became somewhat overwhelming, with a water cannon salute as our plane taxied to the gate at Port Columbus, to the over 2,000 kind folk who heartily greeted and cheered us as we deplaned. To all those folks, the Honor Flight Columbus Team, guardians (especially Julia, my guardian), the City of Dublin and Washington Township Fire Department - the trip sponsors - and to my fellow veterans, I sincerely say thank you. Dwight "DJ" Johnson, Grove City Mayorkas' response to Rachel Morin death a double standard Officials believe they found the body of Rachel Morin, a Maryland woman who vanished after going for a walk on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. The Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, was asked in an interview whether President Bidens handling of the border contributed to the recent slaying of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother of five. The accused murderer is an undocumented migrant from El Salvador. Mayorkass response was, "A criminal is responsible for the criminal act. The left seems to be okay with that response. If that is an acceptable answer in this situation how is that not an acceptable answer when it comes to gun crimes and gun control? Doesnt the criminal pull the trigger? Its not the gun right, Secretary Mayorkas? William Kloss, Dublin Something messy at the U.S. border Pre-9/11, my wife and I would go to Laredo, Texas, and walk across the river to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. We would shop four to five hours and walk back over the bridge. Now, if we do that, we have to have $330 worth of passports, but immigrants can walk across the border and the government will let them in, maybe even give them money and a free bus ticket. Something sounds messed up here. Robert Griffey, Circleville This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Beware of Project 2025: MAGA's plan for domination Ukraines prisoners flock to the front line for revenge, not amnesty Nearly 5,000 prisoners are said to have volunteered as part of the scheme - DAVID ROSE FOR THE TELEGRAPH Oleksander says he has volunteered to swap his prison cell for a trench for two reasons. The softly-spoken 43 year old wants revenge against the Russians who have killed several of his family, but after nearly half his life behind bars, he also wants to change his direction. His decision has seen him go from serving a prison sentence for robbery in Dnipro, to learning weapons drills in a woodland training camp in central Ukraine. Within weeks, he and his new comrades will be trained up and on their way to join thousands of convict volunteers on the front line. Oleksander signed up under the new initiative. He will serve the country until the war ends - DAVID ROSE FOR THE TELEGRAPH Oleksander and other prisoners have joined up under a new Ukrainian law allowing inmates to enlist in the hard-pressed army. Theres no pressure at all to join up, he said, I just decided to change my life completely. I also have a big motivation: lots of my family died in Mariupol, he said referring to the coastal city devastated during the early weeks of the Russian invasion. I like my choice, because now instead of lying on a prison bed, I can get some new skills and change my life. Under the governments new offer to inmates, prisoners signing up have their remaining sentences cleared and will be given parole if they agree to serve in the army without leave until the end of the war. Thousands have already stepped forward according to the justice ministry, and recruits are already going through training. The prisoner scheme is one of several new initiatives taken by the government as it tries to overcome troop shortages more than two years into Russias invasion. Ukraines predatory neighbour has a population more than four times the size and Ukraines troops are outnumbered and tired. Civilian Ukrainian prisoners are given basic training in a woodland camp - David Rose for the Telegraph Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said last month that his army needed more men to boost the forces morale. He said: We need to staff the reserves... A large number of [brigades] are empty. Many Ukrainian soldiers have been fighting for over two years without the possibility of being discharged. We need to do this so that the guys have a normal rotation. Then their morale will be improved, Mr Zelensky said. Kyiv has recently tightened draft laws to try to mobilise several hundred thousand more soldiers, but that process may take months. In the meantime, brigades are keen to take convicts. Denys Maliuska, justice minister, said last month: There is competition between military commanders to hire [prisoners] since there is a lack of manpower, so they really want to have access to these people. In total across the country, nearly 5,000 prisoners are said to have volunteered as part of the scheme. The minister has previously said he expects between 10,000 and 20,000 inmates to sign up in total. Volunteers told The Telegraph they were driven by different things such as patriotism, revenge, or a chance to turn over a new leaf and end a cycle of crime and punishment. Oleksander made his choice despite his sentence finishing in three months. After three months, I would be free, but I would have to work and hide from the draft officers, he said. He admits some fellow inmates thought he was crazy for taking the deal. Some 300 former prisoners will pass through this camp to be trained up for the 59th brigade, which has seen heavy fighting in Kherson, Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka. Prisoner enlistment is completely voluntary. Inmates have said there are many reasons they have taken up the call, including revenge and redemption - DAVID ROSE FOR THE TELEGRAPH Dima, another recruit, says his main motivation is to protect his country. The 37 year old was serving five years in an open prison for theft and burglary when he took the deal. He only had seven months left to serve and he admits his family think he is an idiot. He says: I have made many mistakes in my life, I love my country and I have decided to work on my mistakes. Also I dont want the Russians to come here. My main goal is not to change my life, my main goal is to protect my country, but of course my life will change. I am looking forward to getting new positive emotions. Konstantin, now aged 32, was only 20 when he was first given a prison sentence. His most recent conviction was for stealing a car. He said: When I was young, I romanticised crime. Now I am more thinking that if I finish this sentence, I will be 37. If I am 37 and have served so long in prison, what can I do? He hopes the army will give him a chance to change his life, as well as to defend his home region of Zaporizhzhia. He said: When I made the decision, some of my friends thought I was playing with death. I let my family know and they were not happy with it. They were worried. It was a free choice. We were put under no pressure. Ukrainian officials are keen to point out the differences from Russias recruitment of convicts to serve in the Wagner mercenary group. Russian prisoners reported being forced to sign contracts, then being poorly trained and equipped before being thrown into suicidal assaults. Each of the Ukrainian recruits interviewed by The Telegraph stressed they had volunteered freely, without any pressure. Nazar, the chief reconnaissance officer for the 59th brigade, who has now switched to training duties, said: We are not afraid of condemnation from society because compared to Russia, where they force prisoners to fight, these men have come voluntarily. Prisoners convicted of certain offences are barred from serving, including the murder of two or more people, manslaughter through drink-driving, sexual crimes, treason and corruption. Most who sign up have been convicted of thefts, robberies and drug offences. Their applications must be approved by a court. The prisoners are vetted and assessed in training units and must pass medical checks. After that, they undergo 60 days of training before they can be sent to the front line. Instructors say the new recruits have been disciplined and they respect the convicts for their decision. Nazar predicts their new units will also have no problems with them. He said: The brigade guys dont care that much if [the new recruits] were in prison or not. They are normal guys and any one can get into trouble and go to prison. Most of them were in prison for small crimes. 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. (NewsNation) Skywatchers could gain new insights about Stonehenge during a rare celestial event coming to the skies this summer solstice on Friday, June 21. Every midsummers night, tens of thousands of people gather at Stonehenge to celebrate and witness the rising sun in alignment with the Heel Stone standing outside the circle, but a longstanding hypothesis is that part of the historic structure is also aligned with the moonrise and moonset at what is called a major lunar standstill. A major lunar standstill happens every 18.6 years when the moon rises and sets at its most extreme points on the horizon while also climbing to its highest and lowest points in the sky, making it appear in the night sky longer. Researchers may have found possible alien megastructure: Study This year marks the first major lunar standstill, also known as a lunistice, since 2006. During the event, the tilts of both the Earth and the moon are at their maximum and will overlap with the summer solstice on Friday night in the northern hemisphere. Similar spectacles linked to Indigenous landmarks in the U.S. will be occurring across these lunistice months at Chimney Rock in Colorado, the Hopewell Sites in Ohio and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. Local high points of the major lunar standstill will vary based on location and weather conditions, but it has a chance of visibility two nights a month from now until November 2025. While the solar system is essentially flat, and the majority of planets and asteroids orbit within a flat plane or disk called the ecliptic, the moons orbit comes from a slightly different angle. Science moves closer to an answer on the mystery of dark matter As the Earth spins along an axis tilted by 23.4 degrees off this ecliptic plane, our moons orbit is tilted by only 5.1 degrees relative to the ecliptic. The result is that the moons rising and setting points, and thus how much of the Earth it traverses in between, can vary by as much as 57 degrees depending on the year. According to English Heritage, the long axis of the rectangle formed by Stonehenges four Station Stones orients to the direction of the southernmost moonrise at the major lunar standstill. Who owns the moon? Stonehenges architectural connection to the Sun is well known, but its link with the moon is less well understood, said Clive Ruggles, emeritus professor of archaeoastronomy at Leicester University. The four Station Stones align with the moons extreme positions, and researchers have debated for years whether this was deliberate, andif sohow this was achieved and what might have been its purpose. Scientists will be at Stonehenge throughout the standstill season to photograph the moments when the moon is in alignment with the Station Stones. Unlike the Sun, tracking the Moons extremes isnt straightforward, requiring specific timing and weather conditions, said Dr. Amanda Chadburn at the University of Oxfords Kellogg College. We want to understand something of what it was like to experience these extreme moonrises and sets and to witness their visual effects on the stonesfor example, patterns of light and shadowand consider modern influences like traffic and trees, and to document all of this through photography for future study. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two children are recovering in a Connecticut Intensive Care Unit after police officers stopped their father from allegedly trying to drown them at a West Haven beach early Saturday morning, according to investigators. A West Haven Police Department patrol officer spotted an SUV parked at Dawson Avenue Beach around 2:30 a.m. and heard screaming from the water as the officer inspected the car, according to investigators. The officer encountered Romney Desronvil, 41, with two children in the water, the police said. PHOTO: In this screen grab from Google Maps Street View, Dawson Avenue Beach is shown in West Haven, Conn. (Google Maps Street View) "As the officer entered the water the adult male continued to drift further away with the children all while screaming at the responding officers to 'stay back,'" the West Haven Police Department said in a statement. "It was obvious at this point that the male...was deliberately drowning his children." Additional police officers and members of the fire department entered the water to assist, going as far as 100 yards from the shore, police said. Officers were able to get the children, who were described as under 3 years old, away from their father and bring them back to shore to give life-saving measures before they were rushed to the hospital, investigators said. PHOTO: In this screen grab from Google Maps Street View, Dawson Avenue Beach is shown in West Haven, Conn. (Google Maps Street View) West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer told reporters later in the day that the victims were showing signs of improvement but remained in critical condition. She commended the actions of two of the officers, who she identified as Officer Williamson and Officer Miller, for saving their lives. "They had guardian angels this morning," Borer said. Desronvil, a Queens, New York, resident, was arrested and charged with two counts each of attempted manslaughter and risk of injury, according to investigators. The investigation is ongoing and more charges may be brought, according to the police. Attorney information for the suspect was not immediately available. Man arrested after allegedly attempting to drown kids at Connecticut beach: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The San Francisco Police Department released video footage recorded on police-issued body-worn cameras and a home security camera of the October 28, 2022, home invasion and attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, by David DePape, a Canadian national. The video footage shows the DePape grasping a hammer, suddenly striking Pelosi, and both men falling to the floor as police officers rushed to subdue the attacker. Photo via San Francisco Police Department/UPI June 22 (UPI) -- A state court in California convicted the attacker of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband on five charges a month after he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. On Friday, the jury found David DePape, 44, guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment, threatening a family member of a public official, aggravated kidnapping and preventing or dissuading a witness by force or threat. He is facing a life sentence without the possibility of parole, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said at a news conference Friday. A hearing hasn't been set. DePape already faces a 30-year sentence from his conviction in November in connection with the Oct. 28, 2022, attack of Paul Pelosi. In San Francisco, Judge Harry M. Dorfman dismissed three of the charges DePape was facing: attempted murder, assault of an elder and assault with a deadly weapon, because DePape's defense team argued that would amount to double jeopardy. DePape broke into the Pelosis' Pacific Heights home because he became convinced Nancy Pelosi was part of an evil cabal of liberals who were ruining the country. He was able to strike Paul Pelosi three times with the hammer before he was tackled by police. The attack was captured on the officers' body-worn cameras. DePape testified in his own defense at the trial, telling the jury that he had been looking for Nancy Pelosi and her husband was not on his list of targets. He was "surprised and confused," he said, when he found out she was not home. "I'm telling him, 'I have other targets, but if you stop me, I'll go through you,'" DePape said, recounting a conversation with Paul Pelosi. "I reacted. I hit him in the head," he continued, "I reacted because my plan was basically ruined." His defense attorney is planning to appeal the verdict. "He's lived a very isolated and lonely life when he kind of just got wrapped up in a lot of conspiracy theory-type situations," defense attorney Adam Lipson said. "And, you know, he has some mental illness too, so he's just dealing with that right now." "It's really unfortunate he was charged this way. It was sort of a textbook vindictive prosecution." Phoebe Maffei, an assistant district attorney in San Francisco, argued in court that DePape had engaged in months of elaborate research before attempting to kill Paul Pelosi in a "reign of terror." She said DePape had bashed Pelosi's skull with a hammer and had damaged Pelosi's left hand so severely that it cannot fully be used. Aaron Bennett, a spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement Friday that the family is "grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers they continue to receive," adding, "Speaker Pelosi and her family will refrain from further substantive comment until sentencing is complete." TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A man was arrested Friday in connection with a deadly shooting in Lithia last month, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Christian Freebourn, 28, allegedly shot Herbert Harris, 58, multiple times on May 10 in the 5500 block of Kinglethill Drive, deputies said. Tampa police investigate after 2 dead, 1 hurt in shooting Thanks to the diligent efforts of our detectives, we have successfully arrested the suspect in this tragic case, Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. Freebourn was charged with second-degree murder, deputies said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The man who broke into former Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) San Francisco home and violently attacked her husband was convicted Friday of aggravated kidnapping in a separate case. A jury found David DePape guilty of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening a family member of a public official and dissuading a witness, The Associated Press reported. His aggravated kidnapping conviction mandates life behind bars without the possibility of parole. Earlier this month, a judge in San Fransisco granted a request from DePapes defense lawyers to throw out some of the most serious state charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse. DePapes public defender Adam Lipson said he was disappointed with Fridays verdict and the defendant plans to appeal it, the AP reported. The attorney claimed the new aggravated kidnapping charge was vindictive, because it was handed down after the prosecution found out that the attempted murder charge was being dropped. Last month in a separate federal trial, DePape was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the attempted murder of Paul Pelosi in October 2022. Lipson told the AP that Fridays ruling means DePape will serve 30 years in federal prison and then be transferred to a California prison where he will spend the rest of his life. Pelosis husband barely survived the attack, during which he was hit in the head multiple times with a hammer. DePape had planned on kidnapping the then-Speaker, but she was in Washington. DePape was found guilty in the federal case in November 2023. During trial, he admitted that Paul Pelosi was never his target, and said he was sorry he got hurt. DePape said in his testimony that his political views shifted after reading comments online about former President Trump. The defendant blamed the violence on a poor mental state and said he has since reconnected with family and improved mentally. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man was critically injured after a shooting early Saturday morning, police say. At 6:13 a.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of Pennington Gap Road regarding a shooting. MPD: Man breaks into Jeep, threatens to shoot woman Officers located a male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to Regional One in critical condition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man in custody after victim, who tried to help him, reports assault Man in custody after victim, who tried to help him, reports assault A 20-year-old Broadview, Ill., man was in custody Friday after police allege he assaulted a victim who tried to help Unger when he was stranded, according to court records. Jamal Unger faces felony charges of first-degree robbery, two first-degree theft charges, and assault while participating in a felony; along with an aggravated misdemeanor charge of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and a serious misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury or mental illness, court records show. Jamal Unger (Scott County Jail) On June 9, Davenport Police responded to Eaton, 2734 Hickory Grove Road, for a report of gunfire, affidavits say. In affidavits, officers say they saw a victim standing in the street. The victim was visibly injured with swelling around both eyes and a cut on the side of their left eye, according to arrest affidavits. The victim stated he observed (Unger) stranded on the side of the road next to a Chrysler 300. The victim attempted to aid (Unger) when (Unger) assaulted him by striking the victim 20+ times in the face. During the fight, affidavits show, the victim attempted to draw his gun, and Unger fought to get it. During the struggle the gun discharged a round. The victim was able to release the magazine from it. Unger took the gun and the victims keys, then left in the car, a 2017 Dodge Durango. The victim, who described what Unger was last seen wearing, received medical treatment for his injuries, police say in affidavits. The Chrysler 300, which was still on the scene, was found to be stolen out of Moline on June 8, affidavits say. Affidavits show officers conducted a search of the vehicle and found items with Ungers name on them and a receipt from a Davenport Kwik Star. Officers followed up with the manager of the Kwik Star and were able to identify Unger, who was wearing the same clothing during the robbery and was observed driving the Chrysler 300. About an hour after the incident, Illinois State Troopers found Unger in the Dodge with the victims firearm. Unger, who was arrested on a warrant, was being held in Scott County Jail on $100,000 cash-only bond. He is set for a preliminary hearing June 28 in Scott County Court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. China on Saturday launched an astronomical satellite, the result of nearly 20 years of hard work between Chinese and French scientists, to capture gamma-ray bursts which flicker like fireworks in the farthest reaches of the universe. The satellite, the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), was launched by a Long March-2C rocket at 3:00 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The satellite has been sent into an orbit over 600 kilometers above Earth and has a designed life of five years, though scientists expect it could be operational for as long as 20 years. "We are looking forward to some important discoveries, such as the earliest gamma-ray bursts that occurred when the universe was still in its childhood, which will help us study cosmic evolution," said Wei Jianyan, who is SVOM's Chinese principal investigator and works at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' National Astronomical Observatories. "We also hope to discover special and rare gamma-ray bursts, and perhaps even to see new types of bursts. For example, our satellite is suited to searching for so-called kilonovas, bright blasts of electromagnetic radiation that occur when two neutron stars collide and merge," Wei said. "Such a detection would be of great significance to the study of stellar evolution, and to answering very interesting scientific questions such as where heavy elements like gold and silver come from in the universe," Wei said. Gamma-ray bursts, usually very short in duration, are the most violent explosive phenomena in the universe after the Big Bang, and they occur during the collapse of massive stars or the merging of binary compact stars. The in-depth observation of and research on gamma-ray bursts will help us understand some of science's fundamental questions, Wei said. The main scientific objectives of SVOM include searching for and rapidly locating various gamma-ray bursts, comprehensively measuring and studying the electromagnetic radiation properties of these bursts, studying dark energy and the evolution of the universe through these bursts, and observing electromagnetic signals associated with gravitational waves, according to Wei. Bertrand Cordier, SVOM's French principal investigator who works at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, said, "By using the gamma-ray bursts as a tool to observe the early universe, we can observe maybe the first stars. This is very interesting because this is the only way to get information about the universe at this age." "We will open a new window for the detection of gamma-ray bursts. I hope we will discover new things, new objects we still don't know about," Cordier said. Four scientific instruments are installed on the satellite, two of which have been developed by China and two by France. The four instruments can realize a large field of view and high-precision observation. Their fields of view are capable of covering a quarter of the entire sky, making it easy to spot the unpredictable, fleeting bursts in space. Once a target is detected, the satellite will automatically turn toward it and undertake long-duration and high-precision observation, Wei said. A real-time transmission network will enable unprecedented, integrated, space-based and ground-based observations. Immediately after discovering a target, the satellite will send preliminary position and time data to the ground within a minute, notifying telescopes in various bands on Earth to point toward it. And should scientists discover an interesting target in space from the ground, they can use China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System to command SVOM to point toward it within approximately five minutes. "Previously, the fastest response among similar astronomical satellites globally took about 20 minutes. So this is huge progress," Wei said. SVOM is not only a satellite, but a complex system that uses linked instruments both in space and on the ground. And these instruments can communicate in a very short time. "We are able to observe the gamma-ray bursts in the wavelength from gamma-ray to infrared. And this is unique," Cordier said. China and France have established a joint team of about 100 scientists, with Chinese and French members accounting for approximately 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively. Every member of the team has equal access to all scientific data, and SVOM's scientific data will be shared with the international astronomy community. The SVOM project's overall satellite design, development and in-orbit operations, as well as the analysis of its data and the publication of its scientific research results, have been or are being carried out by both China and France. With the support of the leaders of the two countries, the project constitutes high-level cooperation between China and France, both of which are major players in space. SVOM is a contribution that Chinese and French scientists and engineers have made to the international astronomy community through years of cooperation, integrating high-tech resources from both countries, said Liu Yunfeng, deputy director of the CNSA's international cooperation department. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. SVOM is a landmark cooperative project between the governments of the two countries, characterized by innovative technologies and significant challenges. Both sides have maintained mutual trust and assistance, and the scope of their cooperation is broad, deep, extensive and high-quality, which leads to win-win results and offers a model for cooperation between China and other countries, Liu added. DENVER (KDVR) A man is dead after the Craig Police Department and Moffat County Sheriffs Office said there was an officer-involved shooting Friday night. Details are limited, but the agencies issued a joint press release about the incident saying officers responded to a report of a man with a handgun at a residence in the Cedar Mountain Trailer Park, located at 925 W. 1st Street, at about 9:40 p.m. Arriving on scene, the officer and deputy were confronted by a male subject brandishing a handgun. An officer-involved shooting occurred, the press release stated. According to the release, the shooting involved one Craig police officer and one deputy with the Moffat County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement provided aid to the man until paramedics arrived and he was taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries, according to the release. No further details about the incident are being released at this time. The officer and deputy involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, and the 14th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating. Additional details will be released when appropriate, while being mindful of the ongoing investigation, the release stated. The involved agencies are responsible for releasing the names of their involved officer/deputy. Members of the CIRT will continue to interview witnesses and those involved in the coming days. An internal investigation will happen separate from the CIRT 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 FOX31 Denver. Man dies with multiple stab wounds following attack in Manhattan subway station An argument inside a Manhattan subway station ended with a man being brutally stabbed to death Friday. Police responding to a 911 call found 40-year-old Johnny Medina bleeding from multiple stab wounds to the torso and neck, near the turnstiles at the 175th St. A train subway station near Fort Washington Ave. in Washington Heights around 5:55 p.m., cops said. Witnesses saw Medina arguing with his killer near the bathrooms at the nearby J. Hood Wright Park before the pair descended into the stations mezzanine, where the other man launched his savage attack, according to police sources. Medics rushed the victim to Harlem Hospital in cardiac arrest, they said, but he could not be saved. Medina was a well-like musician and fashion enthusiast known as J McFly in the community, said a friend. He was a nice kid. He was into fashion and making music, said 50-year-old Alberto Frozani. He was a designer, a real fashionista. Frozani was shocked as paramedics carried his dying friend out of the subway station and into an ambulance. I saw the ambulance pull up to take him out. It was terrible, said Frozani. People dont value life no more. Another friend of Medinas said he couldnt imagine why anyone would want to kill him. Were still trying to wrap our heads around it, said Carlo Peguero, 30. He was a really positive guy. No arrests have been made Man Who Drove Family Off Cliff in Tesla Granted Mental Health Diversion, Stopping Case from Going to Criminal Trial A judge concluded the proper diagnosis for the man was major depressive disorder, which qualified him for the diversion Sgt. Brian Moore/San Mateo County Sheriff's Office via AP The crash site on Jan. 1, 2023 The California man accused of driving his Tesla off a cliff with his family inside the vehicle reportedly will not stand trial. A judge granted Dharmesh Patel, who was charged with three counts of attempted murder in 2023, a mental health diversion on Thursday, June 20. Now, instead of facing a criminal trial, he will be freed in order to obtain treatment, according to a statement from the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office obtained by KRON, CNN and CBS News. The statement said that after reviewing all the evidence, the judge concluded the proper diagnosis for the defendant's mental illness was major depressive disorder, which qualified him for the diversion. The District Attorneys Office added that it would still be several weeks before Patel would be released from jail and allowed to return to his parent's home in Belmont. San Mateo County Sheriff's Office via AP Mug shot of Dharmesh Patel Related: Wife of Doctor Who Drove Tesla Off Cliff Asks Court to Spare Him Prison: 'We Need Him in Our Lives' Patel would still continue to be monitored by GPS and would be prevented from leaving the home, except to attend court hearings, within the first two months of his release. He would also be prohibited from driving and using alcohol and drugs after his release, the office said. The San Mateo County District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Prosecutors claimed that Patel drove his family's car off a 250-foot cliff at Devils Slide with his wife Neha Patel and their two kids an 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son in January 2023. Authorities previously told PEOPLE that Neha was injured, their daughter was hospitalized and their son was left with "bumps and bruises, but no injuries. Deputy District Attorney Dominique Davis previously argued in court against releasing Patel on a mental health diversion, stating that the defendant will pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety. Facebook A photo of Dharmesh Patel and his family. Related: Father Who Drove His Family Of 4 Off Cliff Suffered Psychotic Break, Doctors Say The prosecution also cited testimony from Dr. Yan Chan and said Patel was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which symptoms include hallucinations or delusions and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania." They also argued that Patel was able to mask his mental illness and could do so again. However, both his wife and his legal team have advocated against jail time for the father of two and instead suggested Patel enter mental treatment. I dont want to see Dharmesh prosecuted with any of his charges, Neha told the judge on May 2, via Zoom, per various outlets. I am pleading with the court to grant him his mental health diversion. She also argued that the treatment "will not only restore him back to himself, but will restore our family." Patel is scheduled to appear in court again on July 1. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Thursday afternoon the Enumclaw Fire Department responded to Nolte State Park for a possible drowning. A swimmer had brought the victim to shore, and CPR was being performed when fire medics arrived. Medics took over CPR, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Today he was identified as 52-year-old Aleksandr Karpuk. The Enumclaw Fire Department is thankful to everyone who assisted with the rescue. Knowing CPR could save a life. Classes are often free or there may be a small certification fee. As a first step the American Heart Association has a free video online for hands-only CPR and it is only 60 seconds long. Click here for the video. Police investigate the scene of a shooting at the Metro La Cienega/Jefferson station on Friday. (OnScene.tv) A 39-year-old man was fatally shot on a Metro train in the Baldwin Hills area Friday evening, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police were called to the 5600 block of Jefferson Boulevard near the La Cienega/Jefferson station of the E Line around 7:40 p.m., said Officer Drake Madison, a spokesman for the department. The shooting followed an altercation between the victim and four males that "culminated on the train," he said. One of the males produced a firearm and fired at the victim, he said. The males were described as between the ages of 15 and 20 and were seen fleeing the area on foot or possibly on skateboards, Madison said. Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the shooting, but the victim was declared dead at the scene, Madison said. It was not immediately clear whether the incident was gang-related, he said. Read more: Mayor Bass orders police 'surge' on Metro bus and rail routes amid spike in violence As of 11 p.m., service on the E Line between the Expo/La Brea and La Cienega/Jefferson stations remained disrupted and was replaced with shuttle buses due to police activity, according to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The shooting is the latest in a recent string of violent incidents on the L.A. Metro system. In May, a passenger was fatally shot on a bus in the City of Commerce. That same month, a woman's arm was slashed in an elevator at the Vermont/Athens station, and two people were stabbed during a fight that started aboard a bus in Glendale. In April, a 66-year-old woman was fatally stabbed on the B Line near the Universal City station. The spate of violent attacks prompted Mayor Karen Bass in May to order a "surge" of law enforcement on the bus and rail system, saying that the increase in violent crime is "absolutely unacceptable." Times staff writer Rachel Uranga 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A man was hospitalized Friday night after a shooting in Tampa, according to police. The shooting happened at about 9:30 p.m. in the 2200 block of East Osborne Avenue. Tampa police investigate after 2 dead, 1 hurt in shooting Officers in the area heard gunshots in the area and found a man with upper body trauma, according to the Tampa Police Department. The man was taken to a hospital in what police described as stable condition. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact TPD at 813-231-6130. 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. Man who hurled furniture from 20th floor of NYC building has history of mental illness: family The man who launched a lawn chair and other patio furniture off a 20-story Midtown Manhattan highrise Monday is a Haitian migrant who was in the midst of a delusional, paranoid crisis two days before the bizarre, caught-on-camera episode, his brother told The Post. On Saturday night, Jean Bernard Olivier, 51, received a phone call from his younger brother and the accused furniture-thrower, Jean Luke Olivier, 33, who told his sibling, People are trying to kill me. I told him he needed to go see a doctor, he needed psychiatric help, said Bernard, who learned about Lukes arrest from The Post. Jean Luke Olivier pleaded not guilty, and was released without bail by a Manhattan judge on Tuesday. Citizens App Oliviers brother told him he needed psychiatric help. New York Post It wasnt the first time Luke displayed manic behavior, according to his older brother. Luke moved from his native Haiti to live with Bernard in Miami in early 2023 but was kicked out of the home in the winter because of anger issues, he said. He had some trouble with my wife, my daughter They were arguing, Bernard recalled. When I got home from work one day, I told him he had to leave. He said Luke first moved to Arkansas to live with a girlfriend, then relocated to the Big Apple after the two broke up. From the way hes been acting since arriving in the US, I think he has mental problems, Bernard said. Luke visited the Consulate General of Haiti at 555 Fifth Ave. and East 46th Street before allegedly flipping out, according to police sources. Olivier told his brother, People are trying to kill me on Saturday night. New York Post Hes seen in videos tossing a chair and several wooden planks from a landing one level down from the roof of the building, which is home to offices and a Barnes & Noble on the ground floor. One video shows a motorcyclist narrowly avoiding one of the objects as it falls on the street below, while another shows a wooden plank breaking on top of a city bus. In one clip, Luke waves his arms around as onlookers inside a building across the street film the troubling episode. Thankfully, no one was injured, cops said. Luke was arrested and slapped with felony reckless endangerment and criminal mischief charges. He pleaded not guilty, and was released without bail by a Manhattan judge on Tuesday. Luke could not be reached for comment. Man killed in Sacramento shooting near Granite Park, police say (FOX40.COM) A man was killed in Sacramento on Friday evening during a shooting near Granite Park, according to the Sacramento Police Department. Police said the shooting happened on Cucamonga Avenue just before 5:15 p.m. Uncooperative suspect pepper sprayed, arrested near Sacramento Zoo When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound who was taken to a local hospital. Moments later, police learned the man had died. Police added that no suspect information is available at this time. Homicide detectives remain at the scene gathering information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) A man was sentenced in Hays County on June 7 in connection with the 2021 death of a Manor ISD graduate at a San Marcos apartment complex. According to court documents, 27-year-old Michael Torres pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon related to the death of 19-year-old Lavonte Benford. PAST COVERAGE | 2 charged with murder after death of recent Manor ISD graduate He was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison for the murder charge and 20 years for the aggravated assault charge, according to documents. The sentences will run concurrently. Toward his sentence, Torres has a jail credit of 917 days. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man has been sentenced to more than a year in prison after committing a bias crime while brandishing a knife at a MAX platform in Hillsboro. On Monday, Geovani Barcenas-Ortiz pleaded guilty to second-degree bias crime and unlawful use of a weapon, the Washington County District Attorneys Office said. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison and two years of post-prison supervision. Burglary investigation in Maywood Park area leads to 1 arrest When the crime happened on May 18, Barcenas-Ortiz was on post-prison supervision for a previous conviction, felon in possession of a firearm, officials said. It was during an encounter between Barcenas-Ortiz and a TriMet employee at the Willow Creek MAX station that the bias crime incident involving the knife occurred. As the DAs office explained in a release, A TriMet employee spotted the defendant riding a scooter through the station and asked him to get off his scooter near the MAX platform. The defendant refused, pulled a knife, and threatened to kill the worker. The Hillsboro Police Department responded to the scene and arrested Barcenas-Ortiz. He later admitted to using derogatory comments against the employee based on his Asian descent, in addition to threatening him, 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 KOIN.com. A 33-year-old man was sentenced by a U.S. District Court Judge Tuesday to more than 11 years in prison for leading an international drug trafficking organization operating in Lane County. According to court documents, Victor Diaz-Ramirez, 33, helped lead a drug trafficking organization responsible for smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Diaz-Ramirez operated out of Mexico and used a network of associates to transport the drugs from Southern California to Oregon and deliver them to local distributors in exchange for cash from March 2018 through Aug. 2020, according to prosecutors. "While communities across our state continue to struggle with the ongoing drug crisis, there are criminal enterprises, like the Diaz-Ramirez drug trafficking organization, whose sole purpose is to profit from addiction and suffering," said Nathan Lichvarcik, chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Eugene and Medford. As a part of an ongoing investigation, law enforcement officers seized more than 178 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 pounds of heroin, six pounds of fentanyl, 18 rifles, three rifle optics and ammunition, according to court documents. The organization also forfeited approximately $1.2 million. Thirty-five people have been charged and convicted for roles in the operation, including individuals who sourced the supply in Mexico, who worked as couriers or as local cell operators in Lane County, and who worked as first and second-level distributors responsible for sales in and around Eugene, according to prosecutors. A federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Diaz-Ramirez with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Aug. 2020. On Nov. 1, 2023, Diaz-Ramirez pleaded guilty to a single count superseding criminal information charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. A judgment issued Friday by Oregon District Court Judge Michael McShane sentenced Diaz-Ramirez to 135 months in prison with five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Eugene and Springfield police departments, the Lane County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Victor Diaz-Ramirez sentenced in Eugene drug trafficking case Man stabbed to death in NYC subway station during evening rush: NYPD A man was fatally stabbed in a Manhattan subway station during the evening rush hour Friday, police said. The 40-year-old victim was attacked at the turnstiles of the 175th Street and Fort Washington Avenue station in Washington Heights just before 6 p.m., the NYPD said. He sustained several stab wounds to the torso. The man was stabbed several times in the 175th Street and Fort Washington Avenue station, police said. wikipedia The 40-year-old victim was attacked at the turnstiles of the 175th Street and Fort Washington Avenue station in Washington Heights just before 6 p.m., the NYPD said. The victim was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing. The victim was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing. Straphangers were left feeling unsettled over Friday nights deadly subway violence. Its crazy. Thats just crazy. Its getting real bad out here, said Isaac Santiago, from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Every time I visit, its always something. Its got to stop, said the 22-year-old, who opted for an Uber as A trains were bypassing the station Friday night. Hospital worker Ayan Malakars evening commute from Fort Lee, New Jersey to downtown Manhattan was also disrupted. Ive never heard of someone getting stabbed over here, said Malakar, 38. Its shocking here all of a sudden someone being stabbed. Thats definitely scary something to be worried about. Pittsburgh police say theyve arrested a man suspected in a deadly shooting on Arlington Avenue early Monday morning. According to police, just after 4 p.m. on Friday, the Pittsburgh Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit detectives and the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force arrested Jason Ingram, 37, without incident. Ingram is suspected in the death of Shawn Marcus Czeczely, 53, who was found lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. >>> Fatal overnight shooting in Arlington Heights under investigation; victim identified According to court documents, police used surveillance video from the Pittsburgh Housing Authority to help make an arrest. Police say there were two shooters. They used video recorded at a convenience store to identify one suspect. Through investigating they learned the first suspect had allegedly been in contact with Jason Ingram while he was in jail. Investigators got a photo of Ingram and learned his height and weight. Detectives say the photo of Ingram matched the image of the person recorded at the shooting scene. Police bodycam video of Ingram recorded during the last time he was arrested was also used in the investigation and police say that video also matched the description of one of the suspects involved in the deadly shooting on Arlington Avenue. Surveillance video photos were also sent to a separate officer and police say that the officer was able to identify Ingram, based on his prior interactions with him. He had been released from jail in April. Police say Ingrams fingerprints were also found inside a Lincoln MKT that was found at the crime scene. Ingram is facing several charges, including criminal homicide, criminal attempt - criminal homicide, conspiracy and aggravated assault. Ingram was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and awaits a preliminary hearing. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Julie Chrisleys sentence on fraud allegations vacated by appeals court Pennsylvania couple drowns in rip current while on vacation with their kids in Florida Intoxicated man steals yacht on Allegheny River, police say VIDEO: Balloon release held in honor of man who drowned in Beaver County creek DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The suspect arrested following Tuesdays attempted kidnapping near Mission Valley mall is now suspected in a second attempt in the area, San Diego police said Friday. Rene Lujan, 42, is facing two felony kidnapping counts, according to the San Diego County Sheriff Departments jail log. On Thursday, police arrested Lujan on suspicion of attempting to kidnap a six-year-old girl two days earlier near Buffalo Wild Wings on Camino Del Rio North. Police say around 1:30 p.m., the child was walking alongside her mother, pushing her younger sibling in a stroller, when a man grabbed her. He carried the girl a short distance before she started screaming, at which time he let her go and took off through the mall, police said. Police were able to obtain a description and license plate number of the car the suspect drove away in. Stranger danger: how to talk to your child about abduction prevention Then on Thursday, police say a second kidnapping attempt happened around 2 p.m., this time near an inflatable kid play area in the mall parking lot. Police say a man attempted to carry a five-year-old girl and put her into a vehicle. A short time later, the police departments Automated License Plate Reader system detected the suspected vehicle downtown San Diego. Police then located Rene Lujan, 42, on state Route 94 near Home Avenue, and took him into custody. When police announced the arrest Thursday evening, the department was still working to determine whether the second attempt was connected. But Friday afternoon, police said, through the investigation, SDPD was able to connect the suspect to that incident as well. Lujan will be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon in a downtown courtroom. He is being held without bail. Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the departments Eastern Division at 858-495-7900 or Crime Stoppers 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. Man taken to hospital with multiple gunshot wounds after Bernard St. shooting: BPD BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) One man was taken to Kern Medical with multiple gunshot wounds after a shooting on Bernard Street Thursday night. Police say officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Bernard Street regarding an unknown situation with possible gunshots heard, around 11:21 p.m. Upon the officers arrival, a man was found with a gunshot wound to his back, lower back and shoulder. The man was taken to Kern Medical for treatment. Police say he is expected to survive his injuries. Man pleads not guilty to S Union Avenue homicide During the investigation, they told police there were four suspects wearing masks. Police say a second person was wounded due to falling on the ground. The investigation determined a newer Honda Civic was seen pulling into the north alley in the area and began shooting, according to police. The suspect vehicle then fled. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Many Tennesseans don't like their smiles, but poor dental health can cause health problems A healthy smile is more than just a sign of good oral hygiene, it's a cornerstone of overall health, well-being, and self-confidence. It influences our personal interactions, professional success, and quality of life. According to research by the American Dental Association, 45% of low-income adults say they avoid smiling, and 68% of them sometimes find life, in general, less satisfying due to the condition of their mouths and teeth. Yet for many Tennesseans, and especially those in rural and underserved communities, achieving and maintaining a healthy smile is a challenge due to a lack of quality, accessible care. Accessible dental care is not merely a matter of comfort or aesthetics; it is a critical component of overall health. Nearly half of adults aged 30 or older exhibit signs of gum disease, which has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. The prevalence of gum disease underscores the urgent need to improve access to dental care for all Tennesseans. More: Why Meharry Medical College's new School of Global Health will improve people's lives Partnerships with dental schools serve Tennessee well Two years ago, the state of Tennessee made a tremendous commitment to helping address this issue through the Healthy Smiles Initiative, a five-year, $94 million pilot program that aims to increase access to oral health care for all Tennesseans by increasing the number of dentists practicing in the state. A dental patient is examined at a Remote Area Medical pop-up clinic. A free dental clinic will be available in Nashville on Saturday, March 2, 2024 beginning at 6 a.m. While our shortage of dentists is a complicated problem that were not going to solve quickly or through any one single change the Healthy Smiles Initiative takes several big steps forward, including by increasing class sizes at the states two dental schools University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Meharry Medical College, developing a student loan repayment program, and creating new clinics in strategic locations across the state. I recently had the chance to visit one of those clinics, in Kingsport, which is set to open in July. The clinic, a partnership between East Tennessee State University, Ballad Health, UTHSC, and the city of Kingsport, is a great example of how a community can come together to make this a priority. Business leaders like Eastman Chemical have provided critical support, Delta Dental of Tennessees Smile180 Foundation provided $500,000 for equipment, and Kingsports mayor, Pat Shull, has said its one of the most important things happening in the city. The enthusiasm and support for the clinic is incredibly inspiring, and something that I hope other communities can learn from and will seek to replicate. More: As Meharry Medical dental students, we advocate for alcohol and oral cancer awareness Oral Health Smile Power Week amplified the need for dental care The Healthy Smiles Initiative also strengthens the oral health safety net in Tennessee, which we are thrilled to celebrate now and always. Gov. Bill Lee, in conjunction with the Tennessee Charitable Care Network, recently recognized Oral Health Smile Power Week as a way to recognize and support the incredible work of charitable dental clinics across the state that play an essential role in improving the health of their communities. These clinics play a big role in administering two safety net initiatives that have received a funding boost through the Healthy Smiles Initiative: a program that provides dentures and partials to eligible working age adults, and an oral health education and outreach program aimed at older Tennesseans. Jeff Ballard Improving access to dental care is imperative for the health and wellbeing of Tennesseans. At Delta Dental of Tennessee, we are committed to doing our part to help break down barriers to dental care and ensuring that every Tennessean has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a healthy smile. Jeff Ballard is the president and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dental care in Tennessee leads to better health and better smiles WEST PALM BEACH Two women who said they were raped by a bartender on a Jimmy Buffett-themed cruise ship have agreed to settle their lawsuits against the company for undisclosed amounts of money. They accused a crewmate of sneaking into their room aboard the Margaritaville At Sea Paradise ship and raping them while they slept. One woman, identified in a December lawsuit only as Jane Doe, said she became pregnant as a result and "was forced to terminate the pregnancy, from which she then suffered serious complications." Her cabinmate, identified in a separate lawsuit as HB, said bartender Hoobesh Dookhy pocketed one of their room keys while serving the women drinks aboard the Bahamas-bound ship and used it to enter their room after both women fell asleep. Doe said she woke to find Dookhy caressing her face and sexually assaulting her. She told FBI agents that she demanded he leave, but he moved to HB's bed and began to assault her, too. Doe recorded the assault and reported it to cruise-ship security the following morning. According to court records, investigators found the women's room key in the pocket of Dookhy's work vest and a photo he took of HB, naked and asleep, on his cellphone. The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is ready to whisk you away on a four-night cruise to Key West and Grand Bahama this fall. Bartender's conviction: Server aboard Margaritaville cruise ship pleads guilty to sexually assaulting passenger Margaritaville At Sea Paradise bartender got two-year prison sentence, must register as sex offender Dookhy admitted to having sex with HB but told investigators that their encounter was consensual. Faced with the possibility of life in federal prison on a sexual-abuse charge, he pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact in October forgoing his right to a trial by jury but cementing a deal with prosecutors to have the worst of the two charges against him dropped. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon sentenced Dookhy to two years in prison one year more than federal sentencing guidelines advised and exactly what prosecutors asked for. He is scheduled to be released before his 28th birthday. According to court records, he will remain on supervised release for five years and must register as a sex offender. Neither charge against him stemmed from the rape Doe described in her lawsuit. She was classified as a witness to her cabinmate's sexual assault rather than as a victim to her own, but her attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, said Dookhy's conviction and the subsequent media attention surrounding HB's lawsuit convincedher to file one, too. "We reached an amicable resolution," Aronfeld said this month. "She's pleased with the result." Aronfeld said that as part of the agreement, Doe "can't tell her story to anyone." He declined to say more about the confidential settlement but added that, generally speaking, no amount of money can heal the wounds of sexual assault victims. He said the value of a settlement is in closing the case and allowing victims to move forward. Sexual assault on the high seas: How to keep you and your family safe on vacation cruises HB's attorney, Carissa Peebles of the law firm Morgan & Morgan, declined to comment, and Aronfeld said he did not know whether her settlement was identical to Doe's. In an earlier interview, Aronfeld called the two lawsuits "considerably different" in terms of the damages reported by both women the most notable being Doe's pregnancy and abortion. During the earlier interview, Aronfeld said his client did not undergo a paternity test to determine who fathered the child but said Doe intended to testify that she and her husband were not sexually active before or after the alleged rape. Missouri woman latest to file sexual-assault lawsuit against cruise line's owner Doe and HB belong to a long list of passengers and crew members who say they were victimized aboard cruise ships. More than 500 sexual-assault reports were documented between 2010 and 2022 on 13 major cruise lines, according to data published by the U.S. Department of Transportation. A Missourian woman, identified only as Jane Doe, filed a new lawsuit against the Margaritaville at Sea cruise and its parent company Classica Cruise this month. She said Margaritaville arranged for a sea-side hotel in the Bahamas for guests to stay. According to the lawsuit, when she left her hotel room at night to get a glass of water, a hotel employee forced her into the hotel's theater control room, locked the door and raped her. She is suing the hotel in addition to the cruise line. The alleged rape happened in August 2023. Margaritaville at Sea did not return a request for comment. Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Margaritaville cruise settles two lawsuits over sex assaults on ship Trevor and Hayley Gilmartin found this flooded tunnel under their indoor hot tub in March 2024. They posted a TikTok video, from which this image was taken, on April 13, 2024. MARYSVILLE Trevor and Hayley Gilmartin always suspected there was something under the indoor hot tub in their home. Anytime they filled it with water, the hot tub would slowly drain. In March, the couple decided to renovate the room. They removed the hot tub and found a bigger hole than expected, one big enough for a person to go through, and that was clearly not made by accident. "We ended up checking it out and going down there, and there's a room full of water down there," Trevor said. Since they made the shocking discovery, Trevor and Hayley have been investigating what the space was for and who made it. The couple bought the house on River Road in 2020. It's location along the St. Clair River was perfect for the couple, who are both trained divers. The entrance to the tunnel under the Gilmartins' house, where their hot tub used to be. "I started when I was 16, because my family would visit Hawaii for vacation," Hailey said. Trevor picked up the hobby from her and earned his diving certification. "Ironically, I think he now likes to dive more than I do." The couple tested the water in the tunnel to make sure it was safe, and lowered a camera down with a light to get a look at the room. Trevor then went down to explore it, estimating it to be 30 feet long and 20 feet wide. He estimated the water to be about 15-20 feet deep. The couple's discovery went viral after they posted a video of Trevor exploring the tunnel to TikTok in April. Hayley said she woke up the next day to find it had hundreds of thousands of views. The video has continued to spread and grow in popularity, and now sits with 26 million views. A wooden barricade stands at the end of the room. Trevor said his next step is to remove the barricade to explore the tunnel further. It's slow work though, as the water is cold and hard to see in, and the wooden wall has proven surprisingly sturdy. He tried pumping the water out, but after eight hours the water level was unchanged. Outside the Gilmartin's house the couple regularly dives into the St. Clair River, collecting bottles that once held all kinds of alcoholic beverages. They keep a collection on display in the house; one says A. Van Hoboken & co. and appears to date back to the 1850s. Another's label states it was brewed in Port Huron. Trevor and Hayley have heard suggestions the tunnel may have been used by Prohibition-era bootleggers to smuggle alcohol into Michigan. Trevor Gilmartin shows one of many bottles found during the couples dives. They've seen plenty of alcohol bottles on the river bed, including near a grate they believe leads to the tunnel under their property. "It's the most exciting answer we can think of (for what the tunnel was used for)," Hayley said. After the United States passed the 18th Amendment banning the sale of alcohol nationwide in 1919, the St. Clair River became one of the most popular crossings to illegally transport alcohol into the country from Canada until the amendment was repealed in 1933. Some of the bottles Hayley and Trevor have found while diving were near what they believe to be the exit to their underground tunnel. Grating prevents them from exploring into it, but Trevor said the tunnel must connect to the river, since the water couldn't be pumped out. "If you go straight from where the wooden wall in the tunnel is, they line up almost perfectly," Trevor said. "I think the fact that it's just big enough for a person says something." The Gilmartins haven't been able to confirm that particular possibility: There are no bottles or other signs of bootleggers inside the tunnel itself. And Trevor admitted, there's another possible explanation for the tunnel's existence he thinks is more likely, if more mundane. While trying to find documents on the history of their property, the Gilmartins found an article written by Bob Ankrapp in 1979 for the now-defunct St. Clair County Independent Press stating that before their property was a house, it was a pumping station. A copy of the St. Clair County Independent Press, published in 1979, which includes an article by Bob Ankrapp about the property's conversion from a pumping station into a house. . The 45-year-old article states the pumping station was constructed in the 1940s by the Dow Magnesium Plant. Ankrapp interviewed a man named Phillip Tuttle, who decided to reconstruct it as a house. Ankrapp wrote that the building was constructed with concrete, just like the tunnel, to give it extra protection during wartime. "Since magnesium was a vital part of the wartime production effort, many safeguards were built into the structure to make it safe from bomb blasts," the article states. The Gilmartins wonder if there might be blueprints for the pumping station that might reveal if the tunnel was constructed as part of the tunnel station, but were unable to find any records at the St. Clair County Clerk's Office. The couple hasn't ruled out the possibility it was used by bootleggers, however. Their neighbors told them the property had some other building before the pumping station, but they haven't found anyone who remembers it. Ankrapp now works for the city of Dearborn Heights as its public information officer. When asked what he knew about the property's use before it was a pumping station, Ankrapp said he vaguely recalls someone telling him the property was used during prohibition, though he emphasized that it's been too long for him to be certain. "I'm working off of 45-year-old memories, so it isn't certain, but I do remember, somebody saying it was used during prohibition," Ankrapp said. When not looking into the tunnel's past, Trevor and Hayley are still deciding what to do about its future. They want to find someway to prevent water from pouring in. Once that's done, they've considered possibly converting the tunnel into a basement. Trevor said he has considered everything from a shooting range "We'd need to add a lot of ventilation for that, though," he said to a couple of bowling lanes for private use. "If we can pump the water out and seal it off, there could be a lot of uses," Trevor said. The Gilmartins said anyone who may know about the tunnel's or property's history can reach them at gilmartin9719@gmail.com. Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Marysville couple finds hidden tunnel under riverside house For weeks, rumors have been flying that two of the Oregon wolves released into Grand County were showing signs that the female was about to, or had already, given birth. It's official Colorado has its first confirmed gray wolf pup since voters approved reintroduction of the apex predators roughly four years ago. On Thursday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed that the pup was sighted in Grand County during routine wolf monitoring efforts. That includes attempts to observe the wolves from the air and ground, as well as remote cameras and public sightings. With the confirmation, the wildlife agency said the wolves are now officially considered a pack. The agency named the wolves the Copper Creek Pack. The adult wolves are fitted with GPS collars, and wildlife officials said the female's GPS points stopped uploading in early April and resumed later in April. "The points for the female's collar showed a very localized position," CPW said on Thursday. The agency's biologists interpreted this to mean she was possibly in a den; hence, not in communication with the satellites. Wildlife staffers began working to confirm the den and whether there were pups. Last weekend, in a summit on wolves in Jackson County where Wyoming wolves have been killing livestock for three years staffers commented that the wolf pups would be about eight weeks old by now. Wildlife officials also said they believe there could be more than one pup, given that female wolves typically give birth to an average of four to six per litter. Around half will make it to their first birthday. "Although biologists were only able to confirm one pup at this time, it is possible that other pups may be present, as wolf litters commonly consist of four to six pups," wildlife officials said in a news release. Biologists said they used air and ground observations, remote cameras and public sightings to confirm the new pup. However, the state agency said there are no photos or videos of the pup yet. Ranchers press Colorado wildlife officials for answers in daylong summit on wolves in North Park The pups can disperse from the parents as soon as nine months, but most wait until between one and two years old, the state agency said. Once they disperse, they will form new packs with other young wolves or join an established pack. The state agency previously said it will not collar the pups but left unsaid is whether wildlife officers will collar once they reach maturity. Officials also noted that pups are born in the spring, which "coincides with the time local ungulates give birth, enabling wolves to take advantage of easier prey." The prey wolves in Grand County are chasing have been calves, yearlings, sheep and working dogs, as well as any elk, moose, deer or other prey. The state agency said it's continuing to monitor the Copper Creek Pack and is working with nearby landowners to minimize potential conflicts. We are continuing to actively monitor this area, while exercising extreme caution to avoid inadvertently disturbing the adult wolves, this pup, or other pups, CPW Wildlife Biologist Brenna Cassidy said in a news release. The wolves' reintroduction and the ensuing depredation from both the new wolves and the old pair from Wyoming have strained ranchers in Colorado to the point that some are dealing with the physical toll from stress and high blood pressure. Featured Local Savings The two wolves that are believed to have reproduced have been identified by ranchers in Grand County as chronically depredating, and ranchers with Middle Park Stockgrowers and other livestock groups have been pleading with the state wildlife agency to allow the wolves to be lethally managed, given that they now seem to be relying on livestock for food, rather than "ungulates," such as deer and elk. One rancher, Conway Farrell, has already lost at least six calves or yearlings to those two wolves in less than a month. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis has rejected those requests in letters to the stockgrowers, but the wildlife commission last week approved, as part of three permit processes tied to wolves, a 45-day permit for lethal management. The question now is who will actually obtain those permits. Ranchers have said they do not want to be the ones shooting wolves. Last weekend, ranchers told Davis and his staff they need to make those hard decisions. Davis acknowledged last Saturday the broken trust between private landowners, including ranchers, and CPW leadership, caused by the agency's lack of transparency in communicating about the Oregon wolves, as well as its refusal to deal with the problem wolves with anything other than non-lethal tools. Davis said he hopes to earn back their trust: "I'm more sympathetic to what's going on than it might appear from the letters." The CPW statement on Thursday said staff would "continue to work with landowners in the area to implement practices to minimize the potential for conflict." The pups grow quickly between five and 10 weeks, the wildlife agency said. "In early or mid summer, pups are usually moved to an aboveground 'rendezvous site,' an area pups stay with access to resources like water and shelter. Wolves can use one or multiple rendezvous sites per year, depending on access to resources and level of disturbance," the agency said. Reaction to the news has, not surprisingly, been mixed. Pro-wolf advocates, such as the Center for Biological Diversity, cheered the birth. Its so exciting to be witnessing the early days of wolves return to Colorado, and my heart jumped for joy when I heard about the new wolf pup, Alli Henderson, southern Rockies director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. With wolf families gone from Colorado for nearly a century, this pups arrival is a huge conservation milestone. Wolves belong here, and Im so glad theyre back. This confirmation of reproduction by two of the newly released gray wolves is truly exciting and marks a critical milestone of a successful reintroduction to the Southern Rockies, Kaitie Schneider, rockies and plains representative at Defenders of Wildlife said in a statement. As this pack grows, and the remaining wolves continue to search for mates and territory, we are committed to advancing and advocating for coexistence tools to help ensure we may all share this great landscape. On the other side, those who have been dealing with the slaughter of livestock from those wolves hold a different view. Grand County Commissioner Merrit Linke, a rancher and vice-president of Middle Park Stockgrowers, told Colorado Politics: "We knew it all along because of the behavior and what we were witnessing." Dead cattle and high blood pressure: Wolf depredation takes toll on Colorado ranchers Linke pointed to comments last weekend from Eric O'Dell of CPW, who said they would not collar those wolves. "That will be a problem down the road when (the adults) teach them to hunt. Beef's what's for dinner and there are no consequences" for the wolves killing livestock, he said. An Auburn man has been arrested on child pornography charges, police said Friday. Wildreen Montano, 42, was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, police said. He was initially held on $10,040 bail, and a judge reduced his bail to $2,000 following his arraignment in Worcester District Court. Auburn Police detectives obtained a search warrant for Montanos home in Auburn on Thursday. Detectives also obtained an arrest warrant for Montano. State police assigned to the Internet Crime Against Children Task Force and Cyber Crime Unit also responded to the scene and examined digital evidence at the home. A state police K9 assisted investigators by detecting digital storage devices within the home. Detectives do not believe that any of the children depicted in the images recovered from Montanos home are from the Auburn community, police said. 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 Massachusetts is the only state where fireworks are illegal. Here's what to know. For many, fireworks are the literal highlight of July 4 celebrations. Ending a day of cook outs, music and summer fun celebrating the birth of our nation with a literal bang. We all know the hassle of getting to the site early to grab the best seats, wrangling a number of friends and family into the car, and waiting in the summer heat for several hours. Knowing all this, you may wonder, why not just have your own fireworks show in your backyard? If youre asking that question, it means its time for another July 4 tradition, folks - the annual reminder that fireworks are illegal in the state of Massachusetts. No, you can't buy fireworks out-of-state and bring them to Massachusetts Examples of consumer fireworks, which are illegal in Massachusetts. State law prohibits the possession, use and sale of fireworks without a permit and certification. This applies to fireworks purchased legally in another state. Even if you drove over the New Hampshire border with your buddies and brought them back here, you're in possession. So no, that was never a loophole. There will be professional fireworks shows across the state all through the summer, so even if you can't find a good viewing spot on Uncle Sam's birthday, there will be plenty of just as good ones still to come, even in the next few days. There are 30 fireworks displays in Massachusetts through July 5 to 7 alone, and over 100 planned through the end of the summer. What are the potential punishment for setting off fireworks in Massachusetts? If you are caught by a law officer with fireworks, you can be issued a fine of $10 to $100, and the officer is required to seize the fireworks, according to the State Fire Marshall. An officer can not arrest for possession of fireworks. Selling fireworks carries a heavier penalty, a fine of $100 to $1000 and up to one year of imprisonment. Is Massachusetts the only state the bans fireworks? Yes, Massachusetts is the only state with a total ban on fireworks. Fireworks were banned in 1943 as a World War II measure. Other states, such as Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and New York, partially ban fireworks. They only allow the sale and use of fireworks that are non-aerial and non-explosive. And just over half of all states, including New Hampshire and Maine, permit the majority of consumer fireworks. How many firework accidents have there been in Massachusetts? In the past five years, there have been more than 500 fires and explosions, seven firefighters injured in these incidents, and more than 200 people were treated for burns and other injuries involving illegal fireworks in the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety. In fact, in June 2022, Massachusetts ranked 20th in fireworks injuries during the summer. Total damages from 2019 to 2023 were estimated to be over 1.5 million dollars. Sparklers are prohibited in Massachusetts Fun fact: Sparklers burn at temperatures of over 1,800 Fahrenheit, which is hotter than the melting point of aluminum. So, does giving a six-year-old a toy that can melt metal sound like a good idea? Sparklers fall under "fireworks" and actually account for the greatest portion of fireworks related injuries among young children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said, there were an estimated 1,600 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 900 with sparklers in 2020. This accounted for almost 10% of all fireworks-related injuries that year. Of those 900 injuries from sparklers, 44% were to children under the age of 5. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Fireworks Massachusetts: What laws to know ahead of 4th of July If and when lawmakers call the MBTA to talk about new funding options, officials at the agency, which has faced service and financial troubles, will have some ideas already in hand. A top T official said Thursday that the agency asked a regional planning organization to compile a list of potential taxes and fees as well as how much money each approach might generate for public transit. They got back a menu of 10 options -- congestion pricing, increased highway tolls and higher vehicle excise taxes among them -- each projected to produce tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. MBTA Board Chair Thomas Glynn stressed that his colleagues were not proposing any of the taxes and fees. Instead, he said, T overseers want to have some ideas and figures ready for potential conversations with lawmakers, businesses or others in the year ahead. But the step of soliciting a menu of options in place or under consideration at peer agencies -- all of which would require action by the Legislature to implement -- appears to be a shift. It was an unusually public step for the MBTA, where top officials have been more willing lately to speak up about the big-picture financial debate after long preferring not to make waves on Beacon Hill. The presentation also came one board meeting after T overseers approved a budget that drains the agencys savings to drive up spending, leaving virtually no reserves in place to help manage a nearly $700 million shortfall projected to hit next summer. The study from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization looked at three broad categories that lawmakers could target to drum up more transit funding: Bay Staters access to motor vehicles, road and highway usage, and economic value generated by transit. Youre not proposing anything, and were not proposing anything. We anticipate as the debate plays itself out over the next year or so about transportation finance that were going to get asked these questions, Glynn replied after researchers presented their findings. So the T approached you as a more neutral agency, more like the Congressional Budget Office, to establish some kind of range so when legislators ask us or business groups ask us or transit advocates ask kind of what -- people have different assumptions and different agendas. Thats the role that were trying to establish here, just as a resource. An MBTA spokesperson said the agency paid $125,000 for the study. Increasing the existing 2.5 percent motor vehicle excise tax by another 0.25 to 2 percentage points, the report found, could produce between $36 million and $570 million more, while tacking on higher vehicle registration fees could produce $33 million to $104 million. Researchers said hiking the 24 cents per gallon gas tax -- an idea that ran out of momentum after the House approved it in 2020 -- -- could lead to $22 million to $356 million in additional revenue. If the state increased its existing highway tolls 50 to 100 percent to be in line with other East Coast cities, and the MBTA got half of the new revenue, officials would be looking at an additional $22 million to $80 million, the report found. And congestion pricing -- a controversial but potentially impactful idea that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul moved to halt weeks before it was set to take effect in Manhattan -- could produce $220 million to $440 million annually, with some portion of that available for the T, according to the Boston Region MPO. The report also saw significant financial potential in existing taxes. Increasing the MBTAs share of the 6.25 cents per dollar state sales tax from 1 cent to 1.25 cents could produce $335 million, researchers said, while taking money away that is currently used to support other state spending. Raising the meals tax 1 percentage point in the MBTAs service area could generate up to $175 million, while doing the same with the rooms tax could produce $35 million. Researchers did not include T fare hikes among the options they studied. MBTA officials have been mum on the idea of increasing fares to help drum up more money. The T last hiked fares in July 2019, before the pandemic punched a hole in ridership. Glynn, a former MBTA general manager, added that the final say in all these things will fall to a transportation finance task force that Gov. Maura Healey created in January. The MBTA-solicited analysis of revenue-generating options could overlap with the work of the task force, which has kept all of its meetings behind closed doors. The tone of that panels work also appears to have shifted after Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt set off a political maelstrom with candid remarks about investigating a wide range of tax and fee options, including highway tolls at the states borders. Tibbits-Nutt on Thursday praised the report about MBTA funding ideas and said she really appreciate[s] the disclaimer Glynn made. I think this can be really, really valuable for the work the transportation funding task force is doing. I think were going to have to build off of it, because obviously this just covers a particular service area, she said. For those of us working on this task force, a lot of our [focus] is the MBTA service area, but were also looking across all 351 [municipalities] for all the different modes. But I think this is incredibly helpful. Beacon Hill is set to increase state budget funding for the MBTA in the fiscal year that starts July 1, but even with the added support, T officials expect operating expenses will outpace available revenues by hundreds of millions of dollars in the subsequent year. If Democrats feel inclined to take legislative action to address the approaching MBTA chasm, theyre unlikely to do so this year. Formal business for the legislative term ends July 31, and the T does not appear to be on the long list of priorities that need attention before then. Healeys task force will not produce a report until December, which could help crystallize the next phase of debate. One major option is already on the books: the voter-approved surtax on the states highest earners, whose revenue can only go toward education and transportation investments. Massachusetts collected about $1.8 billion from the new levy through the first nine months of fiscal year 2024, more than $800 million more than the surtax spending Beacon Hill built into the annual state budget. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars will get deposited into a dedicated fund. That money can be spent on one-time education and transportation investments, including pay-go capital and other one-time projects, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. 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 (FOX40.COM) Health officials in a Northern California county recently confirmed that two residents who returned from international travel were infected with measles, becoming the 10th and 11th people diagnosed with the disease in California to date. Yolo County Health and Human Services added that the children of the two individuals have mild illnesses and are recovering at home. Sacramento crow tests positive for West Nile virus, first case of season The agency added that the infected people visited a couple of healthcare facilities in Sacramento County while they were infectious and may have exposed patients, visitors, and healthcare providers at the following venues: Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Emergency Department, 6600 Bruceville Rd, Sacramento; June 12, 2024, between 3:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Kaiser Permanente Downtown Commons Pediatric Clinic, 501 J St., Sacramento; June 12, 2024, between 10:23 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Emergency Department, 6600 Bruceville Rd, Sacramento; June 14-15, 2024, between 10:20 p.m. to 2:10 a.m. Kaiser Permanente Downtown Commons Pediatric Clinic, 501 J St., Sacramento; June 17, 2024, between 10:48 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Individuals who were at the above locations during the dates and times listed may be at risk of developing measles and are advised to contact Kaiser Permanente or Sacramento County Public Healths Communicable Disease Program at (916) 875-5881, or Yolo County Public Healths Communicable Disease Program at (530) 490-3953, Yolo County Health and Human Services said. Will California see the rare Strawberry Moon this weekend? Heres what to know What is measles? According to the World Health Organization, measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. The disease spreads easily through the breathing, coughing, or sneezing of an infected person. The virus infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body, WHO said. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash all over the body. How to prevent getting measles WHO says the best way to prevent getting measles, which is most common in children, is by getting vaccinated. Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year, the organization added. WHO also said that in 2022, nearly 140,000 people died from measles with the majority of them being children under the age of 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Sir Keir Starmer walked onto the stage for last Thursdays edition of Question Time, he was audibly booed. When he refused repeatedly to say whether he had meant what he said when he claimed that Jeremy Corbyn would make a great prime minister, the audience laughed. Yet this is the man who is, we must assume, about to be elected prime minister in an unprecedented landslide. Even though much of the popular anger with the Conservatives is clearly coming from the Right, with voters stating explicitly that they are furious about both the failure to control migration, and exorbitant levels of taxation, the electorate seems about to install a party of the Left which could well end up declaring an effective amnesty for illegal migrants and raising taxes. Nigel Farage, who is going to facilitate that enormous Labour victory by dividing what might have been the Tory vote, is a man whose personality, by all the traditional measures, should be anathema in national public life. His political persona the egregious conceit, bombastic braggadocio, and almost nihilistic disregard for the damaging consequences of his strategy is, paradoxically, quite un-British. So, with apologies for tiresome repetition, I ask again the question that this column has posed before: what is going on here? Let me be clear: I absolutely understand the disgust with the chaotic and visibly irresponsible shambles of a succession of aborted Conservative attempts at leadership. I get that. The expectation that the Tories will lose this election is completely reasonable. What seems odd is the disjuncture between the unprecedented degree of hatred that appears to dominate the political scene, and the daily experience of most people. There have been historical moments within living memory when the everyday lives of much of the population were far more desperate than now and then you could feel fear and outrage in the streets. In the fateful Winter of Discontent of 1978-79 which changed the politics of this country, when the uncollected rubbish was piling up on the pavements, the streets were blocked with uncleared snow and ice, and the lights were going out, nobody talked of anything else. This was not just annoyance or exasperation: it was a sense of existential dread, a truly terrifying vision of a country that was beyond hope of recovery and restoration. The Tories would take power in the May of 1979 with a working majority of 44 seats, but no great hope that they would be able to bring the country out of what seemed like an inevitable doom spiral. Living through that time was a bit like living through the war. There was serious doubt about whether the country could survive in its present form. A great many people who had the chance, simply left to make their lives in America or Australia because they believed that there could never be any future for them here. More than a decade later, the Thatcher government had its own moment of explosive public discontent. The poll tax riots of 1990 came close to rocking the political establishment in a tumultuous wave of rebellion. For a moment, Downing Street trembled. Then it caved, Thatcher faced a leadership challenge, resigned, and her potential successors uniformly announced that the policy would be abolished. Again, there was a palpable outrage which you could hear and feel in the public square. It was a phenomenon that was talked about by real people not just the media in the pubs and in the bus queues because it had an immediate impact on so many households. I would say that the only issue with that sort of resonance today is the state of the NHS which really is a topic of everyday conversation because it has life-changing consequences, and so many people have personal anecdotes to contribute. But Labour has not outlined any credible plan for dealing with this that I can see as unambiguously distinct from what a Conservative government would do. Indeed, given Labours relationship with the trade unions, their demands are likely to take precedence over any reforms that might bring dramatic change. So the question must be: is there something unreal about this present picture? Frustration and disillusionment certainly abounds, especially for the young who are hoping to buy homes or even rent them at affordable prices. But then again, they are not faced with the hopelessness of mass unemployment that previous generations were. There is no shortage of jobs for those prepared to take them. Both taxation and the cost of living are outrageously high but that, as people should understand, is a consequence of a series of emergencies for which no one has an instant remedy. And yet we have an unstoppable stampede to a leader who, according to the polls, is actively disliked by nearly half of respondents and a party whose programme for government is deliberately, almost absurdly, vacuous. Or do we? Rishi Sunak was certainly the wrong person to be fighting this fight. What was needed after the Truss car-crash was an elder statesman of calm and sombre maturity to deliver a grave message that would have put the dilemma in frank terms, and asked the country to help bear the burden with its usual steadfastness. But even allowing for that miscasting, I have never seen a media pile-on against a ruling government like this one. In the literally dark days when militant trade unions were making the lives of ordinary people impossible, or in the febrile anti-Thatcher period, there was still some attempt to describe events and their causes in a way that made them graspable. There was at least some acceptance of the need, when reporting an immediate crisis, to set it in a context that helped to account for government decisions, making it clear how limited the choices were. But now? Can you recall hearing a broadcast interview or discussion which acknowledged the economic damage done by the pandemic and the Ukraine war, and the severe restrictions that they have imposed on the governments decisions? Most crucially, has this relentless news onslaught made it unthinkable to vote Conservative? Or just unthinkable to admit to the pollsters that you are going to vote Conservative? 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. Sergei Beseda has resigned as head of the 5th Service of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Russian investigative outlet Important Stories reported on June 22, citing its undisclosed sources. The 5th Service is in charge of the FSB's relations with foreign partners and gathering intelligence in former Soviet countries, including Ukraine. The service provided Russian dictator Vladimir Putin with information about political developments in Ukraine on the eve of the full-scale invasion, according to Important Stories. The intelligence provided by the 5th Service turned out to be inaccurate in many ways when the all-out war started, Important Stories said. Based on this intelligence, the Russian authorities were confident that the Russian army would not meet serious resistance in Ukraine. Beseda was replaced by Alexey Komkov and was appointed as an aide to Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB, according to Important Stories. Important Stories reported that Beseda's formal reason for resigning was that he had turned 70, the age limit for service. "However, this personnel decision is explained not only by formal reasons: inside the FSB, there is a fierce feud between various power groups for several high-ranking posts being vacated this year, including Bortnikov's job," the article read. FSB's director will turn 73 this year, and Sergei Korolev, the first deputy head of the FSB, is being considered as a potential replacement, Important Stories reported. In October 2023, Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told Ukrainska Pravda that Beseda was "very problematic" for Ukraine. Beseda had done "a lot of evil to Ukraine," Budanov said. He was suspended at the beginning of the full-scale invasion but things "had gotten better" for him, Budanov added. "Now (Beseda) is engaged in his work, unfortunately, not in favor of Ukraine. Active operations on the territory of Ukraine (are being carried out)," the military intelligence chief said. Read also: Suspected FSB collaborator arrested while plotting terrorist attack against military enlistment office, SBU says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Through open-source research, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, confirmed the names of 56,858 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since Mediazona's last update at the end of May, the names of 2,677 Russian soldiers have been added to the list of casualties. The journalists note that the actual figures are likely significantly higher, as their verified information comes from public sources such as obituaries, posts by relatives, regional media reports, and statements from local authorities. Since Russia began its all-out war against Ukraine, over 3,600 officers, with 424 holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or higher have been killed in combat in Ukraine. To date, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, Russia's deputy commander of the Southern Military District, is the highest-ranking Russian military official to have been killed during the war. The analysts note that at least 11,463 Russian inmates have been killed on Ukraine's eastern front. On May 25, the total number of Russian losses surpassed 500,000 military personnel according to Ukrainian estimates. The numbers are seemingly in line with the estimates of the U.K. and France, which said earlier in May that the overall Russian losses are set to be around 500,000, including 150,000 deaths. As of June 21, 2024, the Ukrainian military estimates Russian combat losses at 531,980 troops. On Feb. 24, in a joint study with independent Russian media outlet Meduza, Mediazona reported that at least 83,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in Russia's war. President Volodymyr Zelensky also claimed in February that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have also been killed. Both estimates have likely grown significantly higher as Russia launched its spring offensive in Kharkiv Oblast. Read also: Russia suffered 4,000 casualties in a month of fighting in Kharkiv offensive, Ukraine says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Man shot and killed on Metro train in Los Angeles Man shot and killed on Metro train in Los Angeles A man has died after being shot in the head on a Metro train in Los Angeles Friday night. The shooting happened near the La Cienega/Jefferson station on the 5600 block of West Jefferson Boulevard in the West Adams neighborhood at around 7:22 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim was shot on the E line train as other passengers were nearby. Arriving officers found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head who was not conscious or breathing at the time. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses recalled feeling terrified as the shooting happened during Friday night rush-hour traffic. I heard three shots and I thought it was fireworks because I didnt think people literally shoot on the trains, point blank like that, said a witness who did not wish to be identified. A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) Several men seen covering their face and running underneath the Metro train platform immediately after the Metro train shooting in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) A man was killed in a shooting at a Metro train station in Baldwin Hills on June 21, 2024. (KTLA) The witness had just stepped off the Metro Gold Line at the La Cienega/Jefferson station when he saw three men chasing the victim on the platform. The victim jumped onto the train just as the doors were closing. I saw three guys banging on the door screaming, Snitch! Snitch! the witness recalled. The train car ends up taking off. The next thing you know, it stops because usually train cars will stop and let the late people get on the train. But in this case, those people ended up pulling out a gun and shooting a guy point blank. Three suspects, described as Hispanic males, were seen fleeing the area while riding skateboards. Missing 4-year-old Southern California boy rescued after spending night in wilderness It appears there was some kind of argument between a group of males down here on the ground level, explained LAPD Captain Jamie Bennett. They ran up the stairs and boarded a train that had been waiting here to unload passengers. The shooting occurred on the train. Then the suspects left the platform running down the staircase. Man sitting in park arrested after deputy finds unregistered gun in his backpack Surveillance video captured several males running underneath the train platform immediately after the shooting. One man is seen covering his face. Police have not confirmed whether those men were the same suspects. The witness, however, believes those men were definitely involved. They were 100% the same guys because no one else was up here, just them, the witness said. My train car was very empty. It only had about six people on it and it usually has more people. Sky5 video showed a large police presence blocking off the Metro station as they investigated the scene. All E Line trains will be turning back from Culver City and La Brea stations due to police activity at Expo/La Cienega Station, Metro officials said. Bus shuttles will replace train service between La Brea and La Cienega until further notice. Fridays deadly shooting comes on the heels of a troubling increase in violent crime across public transit. Attacks targeting Metro riders and operators, some fatal, have included shootings, stabbings, assaults, robberies, hijacks and more. In May, Metro officials voted to authorize an immediate surge of law enforcement to patrol buses, trains and stations to address the concerns of drivers and passengers. The latest data on public safety across L.A. Metros public transportation systems can be found here. The victims identity was not released pending an investigation from the coroners 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. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close While Americans still face a long season of political campaigning, more than 80 other nations have completed their federal elections this year or are about to go to the polls. For example, Frances general elections will be held June 30, the United Kingdoms on July 4 and Venezuela on July 28. Previously, the European Union completed parliamentary elections June 9, Indias two-month long election ended June 4, and South Africas election concluded May 29. From an American farmers perspective, perhaps the most interesting 2024 election to date was posted by our second biggest ag customer, Mexico. On June 2, our southern neighbor elected a political novice, Claudia Sheinbaum, as president. Claudia Sheinbaum, the presidential candidate of the ruling MORENA party, reacts as she addresses her supporters after winning the election, in Mexico City, Mexico June 3, 2024. REUTERS/Raquel Cunha Sheinbaum couldnt be more different than any one of Mexicos long line of often wealthy, sometimes corrupt past presidents, explained Dan Restrepo, an expert on Latin American politics and business, on a recent Pod Save the World podcast. According to Restrepo, Mexico, a country known for its machismo, or manliness, Catholicism and political cronyism, now has a female Jewish outsider as president. And, he added, shes a technocrat and climate expert. Farm and Food: Wearing denim while working the dairy farm would help limit damage from an alfalfa bale Equally impressive, Sheinbaum, the recent mayor of Mexico City, didnt just win; she crushed her opponent by amassing the largest number of votes in Mexicos political history. How do you say mandate in Spanish? It may take a mandato for Sheinbaum, the first woman to be elected leader of any NAFTA nation, to surpass the success of her predecessor and mentor, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known better as AMLO, when she is sworn in on Oct. 1. In his (by law) single, six-year term, AMLO delivered huge wins and also suffered large losses. For example, the popular president raised Mexicos minimum wage 116% to both attract international business which it did and stem the flood of Latin and South American migrants passing through Mexico on their way to the U.S. which it didnt. Simultaneously, he had virtually zero success in taming Mexicos notorious drug cartels and their gruesome gang violence. That puts both problems, immigration enforcement and cartel crackdown, high on Sheinbaums to-do list. Each, however, has a critical American component. Much of Mexicos drug demand and its almost unlimited supply of guns is tied to almost bottomless U.S. markets. So, too, is the U.S. service economys insatiable appetite for cheap, illegal immigrant labor. American agriculture, whether it admits it or not, is one of the largest beneficiaries of this river of illegal immigrants. It is estimated that at least 45% of all migrant laborers working on U.S. farms do so illegally. Mexico and the U.S. face two other ag problems as Sheinbaum awaits the election of her American counterpart: a bitter trade fight with the U.S. over Mexican import restrictions on genetically modified corn and glyphosate and a fight over a 1944 treaty that manages water usage of the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers. The trade fight because it centers on only about 600,000 tons of white corn from the U.S., or just a tiny share of the 16.5 million tons of U.S. corn Mexico imported last year should be easy to settle: carve out a GM-free/glyphosate-free exemption for the piddling amount of American food-grade white corn exported south and go in peace. But not the Biden Administration; it won't concede one kernel. Neither will Sheinbaum, however, who recently promised to fight Uncle Sams GM strident trade rules. The water dispute centers on Mexico's failure to deliver on the terms of a 1944 treaty governing shared water of the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers. Mexico claims it cant deliver what it promised 80 years ago because climate change has brought drought, not deliverable water. Want to bet which side of that argument Mexicos President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum, a Nobel Prize-sharing climate scientist, is on? Alan Guebert writes "Farm and Food" Alan Guebert is an agricultural journalist. See past columns at farmandfoodfile.com. 2024 ag comm This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mexico's election delivers new leader to address old problems Michigan group offers counseling to trans clients in states where they otherwise might go without Stand with Trans tent at Motor City Pride. June 9, 2024. Photo by Jon King Updated, 9:01 a.m., 6/22/24 Gender-affirming care. Its a phrase that evokes a myriad of opinions, many of them focused on hormone treatment and surgery for trans individuals. And yet, long before either of those options becomes a possibility, therapy is almost always a requirement, especially when adolescents are involved. But where and how trans-identifying youth obtain that therapy can be a major barrier to receiving the proper care. According to the latest report from Human Rights Watch, nearly 114,000 transgender youth between the ages of 13 and 17 live in the 24 states that have enacted a ban on youth access to gender affirming care as of April. That equates to 38% of all transgender youth nationwide. With that in mind, a Michigan-based organization has initiated a program to surmount those barriers, regardless of geography. Farmington-based Stand with Trans is a nonprofit that was created in 2015 by Roz Keith after her own child had come out as transgender, has recently launched a Therapy Assistance Program (TAP) to provide trans-affirming mental health care for transgender and non-binary youth. Any trans person thats 24 or under can apply through the form online to receive assistance so that they can see a therapist, but its not just any old therapist. We make sure that theyre equipped to deal with trans issues and have experience working with people in the age range, Eridian Dempsey, the TAP coordinator who also leads the Stand with Trans Youth Advisory Board, told the Michigan Advance. The appointments are done online, making it available to individuals no matter where they live. The program runs in Michigan, Utah, Wyoming, California, but only in the Bay Area in California, and Florida, said Dempsey. Some of those areas dont necessarily have a lot of resources for trans, or even just queer folk in general, so its kind of a resource in those areas where there isnt a lot. Dempsey says they have also recently added Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee to the program. Having that resource can make all the difference in how positive an outcome that trans youth experience. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is an international organization of health professionals whose mission is to promote evidence based care, education, research, public policy, and respect in transgender health. According to their latest Standards of Care, health care professionals working with gender diverse adolescents should undertake a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of adolescents who present with gender identity-related concerns, prior to considering other options such as using puberty blockers or initiating hormone treatment. Treatment in this context (e.g., with limited or no assessment) has no empirical support and therefore carries the risk that the decision to start gender-affirming medical interventions may not be in the long-term best interest of the young person at that time, states WPATH. Providing care where it is needed most For youth in a red state like Florida, where the political and social climate is actively hostile to health care for trans and non-binary individuals, Dempsey said, opportunities to receive therapy are limited at best. Around the start of this year we got funding from the Feel Something Foundation, that was for Florida, in particular, they said. And I think that came at a really crucial time because Floridas not not been great, but it feels like over the past year its just got so much worse. Dempsey says having spoken with LGBTQ+ people living in Florida, the level of bigotry being experienced day-to-day makes it clear how much of a need there is. I often will do things to outreach over there and its like, You are going to universities? And theyre like, Were no longer allowed to have an LGBTQ center. And Im like, Are you kidding me? said Dempsey. It is shocking, so to have this as a resource for people in those states is so important. Even in states like Michigan, which has added protections for the LGBTQ+ community into law, finding a therapist to properly assist trans and non-binary youth can still be difficult. When you live in a small town, how many therapists that you go to are going to respect your pronouns and understand the special issues that come with being part of the LGBTQ+ community? Probably not many, Amber Kennedy told the Advance. Kennedy is a licensed therapist in Michigan specializing in transgender and non-binary youth who works with MichiganSafeSpace.com (MSS), which in turn partners with Stand with Trans to provide counselors for the Therapy Assistance Program. She says Stand with Trans is great at surmounting one of the initial barriers for many: the cost. They reached out to us when they started the program, said Kennedy. It was aimed at helping those who are within the LGBTQ+ community, specifically trans youth that maybe didnt have access to good insurance, where copays were a barrier to gaining service, to get them basically a stipend. Kennedy says that instead of billing insurance, they receive a payout from Stand with Trans that covers whatever copays or other fees are required. The organization is funded by donations and grant funding, including from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. It removes that barrier of I cant afford therapy so Im not going to receive therapy, she said, adding that she had some clients whose insurance changed and no longer covered the sessions, but by applying and being accepted for the Therapy Assistance Program, they could continue. So that was also really cool to be able to do. Its actually helped my clientele outside of Stand with Trans to become a part of Stand with Trans so that they didnt lose services, said Kennedy. Once cost is no longer an issue, she said it then comes down to finding an affirmative therapist. Which is a way of saying, I see your identity, I accept your identity, Im gonna honor your pronouns, etc. And finding those locally, she said. But the problem with that is when you live in a small town, how many therapists that you go to are going to respect your pronouns and understand the special issues that come with being part of the LGBTQ+ community? Probably not many. Kennedy says TAP helps to overcome that barrier and give people the opportunity to receive the therapy that they need and might otherwise not get. Expanding Stand with Trans grows to meet a growing need The TAP is just one manifestation of the expansion that Stand with Trans has undergone in recent years, especially since the pandemic made clear the isolation many in the trans community were struggling with. Were now a national organization, especially with TAP being in Florida, Wyoming, Utah, the Bay Area, Michigan, of course, said Lev Levett, who was the organizations program manager when the Advance interviewed them in March. We have a lot more national attraction and were out there, so were trying to help as many people as possible, and its definitely tough being a small organization, but we are growing and I think that were absolutely having an impact on anyone that we service, Levett said. They said while TAP is absolutely an important piece of what they provide, Stand with Trans also has a variety of engagement programs that bring people together over shared interests. One of those they are most excited about is the Banned Books Club. Funded by a grant from the Flagstar Foundation, the fully free and all-virtual program picks books from queer and trans authors that have been banned in one form or another. Levett says it provides an important way for members to both express their lived experiences and also learn new perspectives. We had our first meeting in February, and for each quarter theres a theme, they said. So those themes are BIPOC voices for January, February, March, being [as] Black History Month [is in] February, and its a very important voice of course. Relationships was another one. Intersectionality. And then trans voices specifically, which most of these books have some sort of queer trans element to it. Imagine a pair of shoes, if they fit perfectly and they're comfortable, you're not going to notice you're really wearing them, right? But if they don't fit and they're too tight, or there's a rock in your shoe, you're going to constantly focus on that. You're not going to be able to complete your basic needs until you get that rock out of your shoe. So how can we expect these kids who are living in a body that feels foreign to them and wrong to be functioning members of society, when they don't feel at home in their own body? Therapist Amber Kennedy Levett said that each quarter they invite an art therapist to host a portion of the program who helps participants create a piece around that months selection using simple supplies that people would have at home. They also said while Stand with Trans typically serves 13- to 24-year-old trans and non-binary youth, the Banned Book Club is open to all ages. So if you have a 6, 7-year-old with a parent [or] guardian to watch over during that session, theyre more than welcome because 25% to 30% of the books for the year are childrens books, said Levett. We have a lot of tween books, teen books, and anything that is, you know, maybe 18-plus or even 13-plus. We always give a warning about that content, trigger warnings and stuff. But it is essentially for anyone. Levett says the club is just another example of providing spaces for individuals to be themselves and feel safe, which they also do through the myriad of support groups they offer. The support groups were pretty much the bread and butter for a long time, and still are definitely essential to our model and our organization in general, they said. Some are virtual, some are in person. The in-person ones would take place in different parts of Michigan, but we have all different kinds. I mean, we have a trans-male group, a trans-woman group; we have parents of trans-kids groups, parents of trans-teens, tween groups, non-binary. Levett emphasized that the facilitators who run the groups are licensed professionals, with a preference for trans, non-binary, or queer identifying individuals to offer that kind of representation, although it isnt a requirement. Its important to have a space that you can be safe, comfortable, be yourself, meet other people like you, especially if maybe its not a good environment at school for you to be out or you dont have a supportive family, they said. Doing this work is super-important. Now more than ever, things are terrifying and hard and scary. So, people need our services now more than ever, and Im happy to be a part of that. A rock in your shoe Because she specializes in working with clients as young as 7 years old, Kennedy is often asked whether its appropriate to be talking about gender identity issues with children. However, she says one thing she has learned in her position is that the kids themselves will often have the answers before adults can even figure it out. I think that the best way it was described to me from a 7-year-old. Somebody had asked this young client of mine, Why are you non-binary? How do you know? And my client looks at me and they go, Amber, when did you know that you were a girl? And I was just like, I always knew that and they were like, Exactly! and just kind of stared at me, said Kennedy. And this coming from a 7-year-old. And in that moment I think it just kind of opened my eyes. Why are we questioning these kids? Kennedy says it can get tricky when first talking with the parents of her younger clients, in which she tries to determine where everyone involved is at in what she likes to call the childs gender quest. Are we changing our pronouns? Do parents accept that? Do parents use pronouns at home? I can see a parents perspective, and so I try really hard in navigating that, of trying not to overstep boundaries, she said. However, Kennedy says as the process plays out, even open and accepting parents will learn things about their own child they hadnt expected. I have had youth, upon intake, I think that theyre just queer [because] thats how parents have presented them, she said. And then the next session when parents arent present, the kid is like, Oh, Im actually non-binary, these are my pronouns, this is my preferred name. And parents dont know this yet. Theyre accepting of their sexuality, but theyre not accepting of their gender identity. But once those issues are settled, Kennedy says just navigating the world at large becomes overwhelming for some of her clients. She saw that with the February death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary Oklahoma teen who died a day after being knocked unconscious in a fight in a school bathroom. Despite authorities ruling the death as as suicide, Kennedy says she believes it was still the result of the harassment they endured and that several youth who came into their TAP session the week after it happened had what she called extra heaviness. Kennedy says many of her clients are forced to see the world through a lens that sometimes the adults in their lives arent able to process and are keenly aware of anti-LGBTQ+ measures in states like Florida. There was one youth I had whose parents were like, Lets go to Disney World this summer and [the client] came to session and was like, I dont feel safe in Florida. I dont know if I want to go to Disney World. And for a kid to turn down Disney World because they dont feel safe in the state? So yes, the political climate, definitely, as long as the kids are aware of it, they definitely bring it to session, said Kennedy. And in a society in which LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers with at least one attempt every 45 seconds, Kennedy says providing the counseling that TAP makes possible is more critical than ever. Imagine a pair of shoes, if they fit perfectly and theyre comfortable, youre not going to notice youre really wearing them, right? But if they dont fit and theyre too tight, or theres a rock in your shoe, youre going to constantly focus on that, she said. Youre not going to be able to complete your basic needs until you get that rock out of your shoe. So how can we expect these kids who are living in a body that feels foreign to them and wrong to be functioning members of society, when they dont feel at home in their own body? SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Michigan group offers counseling to trans clients in states where they otherwise might go without appeared first on Michigan Advance. The state Senate in Michigan passed a bill Thursday that would ban gay panic and trans panic defenses from being used in court. The legislation, House Bill 4718, prohibits the legal defense that would partially or completely excuse a persons crimes, like murder and assault, on the grounds that the victims sexual orientation or gender were to blame, the Michigan Advance first reported. The bill passed 24-14 with four Republican senators joining all Democrats in favor of the legislation. The House advanced the bill to the upper chamber last October in a State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D), who introduced the bill in the House last year, said during a committee hearing that the defense was used as a way to assert that crimes against the LGBTQ community carry less weight because we are inherently less human and therefore less valuable, the outlet reported. The legislation notes that evidence of the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of an individuals actual or perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation is not admissible to demonstrate reasonable provocation or to show that an act was committed in the heat of passion. More than a decade ago, the American Bar Associated told federal and local governments to ban legal defenses that attempt to excuse crimes based on the grounds that a persons sexual orientation or gender identify is to blame for the defendants violent reaction. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) posted on social media platform X celebrating the senates vote. Michigan is one step closer to banning LGBTQ panic as a form of legal defense! House Bill 4718 passed the state senate 24`4 yesterday, and is headed to the house, GLADD posted. Thank you to our friends @ActionEqmi for their advocacy efforts on this and other pro-LGBTQ legislation. The bill will now head to the state House for final approval before going to Gov. Gretchen Whitmers (D-Mich.) desk. Whitmer is expected to sign 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 The Hill. Russia has begun firing Kalibr cruise missiles from warships in the Azov Sea as stationing them in the Black Sea is no longer safe enough, Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on June 22. Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks overnight on June 22, targeting critical energy infrastructure in multiple Ukrainian regions. According to Pletenchuk, four of the 16 missiles launched during the attack were Kalibr cruise missiles launched from ships in the Sea of Azov. Earlier reports said they had been fired from the Black Sea. "Four missiles were fired from the Sea of Azov, and this is an important turning point," he said, adding: "They use it, considering it a safer water area than the Black Sea." Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's vessels since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Around 30% of Russias Black Sea Fleet had been destroyed as of December 2023, according to the Ukrainian military. While some of the ships were sunk with long-range missiles, many have been destroyed or damaged by innovative Ukrainian sea drones launched from the part of the Black Sea coast still controlled by Kyiv. On June 10, it was reported that Russia had started using submarines to patrol the Black Sea after a number of ships were attacked by Ukraine. Pletenchuk cautioned Russian forces about feeling too safe in the Azov Sea. "They forget that the Sea of Azov is also quite close to us," he said. Read also: It really is insane: Ex-defense minister on Slovakias pro-Russian turn Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. How milk became the new culture war dividing America For more than 130 years, Americans have been instructed that drinking milk that comes directly from a cows udder can be dangerous. The US dairy industry spends millions of dollars each year heating its product to 70C before sale, to kill microorganisms that can make people ill. But a growing number of consumers would rather they left it alone. No longer the preserve of farmers and hippies, raw milk is now on sale in corner shops and trendy health food stores across America. Its proponents argue that it helps with weight loss, gut health and lactose intolerance. Gwyneth Paltrow, the actress and a longtime promoter of unorthodox health advice, takes it in her coffee every morning. I think there are schools of thought that drinking raw milk is better because once you process it and everything, thats when the dairy becomes harder to tolerate, she said in a recent interview. Pasteurisation, once a consensus issue, has become the latest frontier in Americas never-ending culture war. Public health officials say that drinking the milk is dangerous, and could lead to a spike in potentially deadly bacterial and viral infections. But market data suggests there has been at least a 20 per cent increase in demand for raw milk in the last year nationwide, and state politicians are facing demands to liberalise decades-old food safety laws. This week, the latest bill to repeal an outright ban on raw milk hit the governors desk in Louisiana, after similar efforts in West Virginia, Iowa, Georgia and North Dakota. Gwyneth Paltrow takes 'raw' milk in her coffee every morning - Sebastien Nogier/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Politicians were heard mooing in the state legislature as the bill passed. If the bill is signed, it will be possible from August 1 for Louisianans to buy raw milk from a normal shop albeit with a warning, in capital letters, that it is not for human consumption. Everyone, including the legislators, knows that instruction will be ignored. The law changes are the product of an unlikely alliance between health food enthusiasts and the libertarian Right, which sees raw milk bans as yet another example of shady federal officials eroding the freedom of American consumers. The big push behind the raw milk campaign is that people want to be able to choose what theyre putting into their bodies, said Judith McGeary, the founder of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance campaign group. There is a lot more understanding now than there was in the 1950s when pasteurisation became widespread about the benefits of unprocessed food and probiotic-encouraging foods, such as raw milk. This isnt heroin. Some people are going to get it regardless. All youve done by banning it is make it really expensive and really difficult to buy. Since 1987, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that 143 deaths from various illnesses in the US have been linked to raw milk, and that diseases picked up by those who drink it can then be passed on to other people. Committed anti-vaxxers The milk can contain salmonella, E. coli and various other harmful bacteria that would normally be removed through pasteurisation. The FDA and another federal agency, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued recent warnings that drinking raw milk could lead to the spread of bird flu. Both agencies are widely distrusted by Donald Trumps Make America Great Again (MAGA) wing of the Republican Party some of whom are committed anti-vaxxers. Others simply think that the Government has no business in demanding their milk be pasteurised and that raw milk bans are the product of big dairy industry lobbyists operating in the swamp. Our citizens have the right to buy those products even though they have risks associated with them, said Kimberly Coates, a Republican state representative, during the passage of Louisianas recent bill. Danny McCormick, a GOP colleague, added: I figure free people drink what free people want to drink. This is still America. In a world where health regulations are another front in the war on wokery, drinking raw milk has become an act of civil resistance. Turning Point USA, a right-wing campaign group, sells t-shirts with the slogan Got raw milk? a play on the long-running Got milk? advertising campaign by the dairy industry. Far-right media outlets like InfoWars and The Blaze have been promoting raw milk, arguing that the pasteurisation process is a government conspiracy and that it is safe for consumers to drink. Online, raw milk bootleggers share tips on how to smuggle it into places where it is banned. In some states, it is legal to buy raw milk as pet food, which provides a loophole for those who want to drink it themselves. In others, people simply drive over state lines to buy it legally. I go to Arkansas to get mine. Best natural medicine you can drink, said one pasteurisation sceptic on the Raw Milk For Louisiana Facebook page. Just like the Covid bulls***, said another. I dont need metabolically unhealthy politicians and obese bureaucrats watching out for my health. They cant even watch out for their own. Although it is technically against federal law to transport raw milk between states, the rules are not generally enforced against individual consumers. Farmers who break the rules and sell to the public, however, are subject to criminal penalties if they are caught. In January, an Amish farm in Pennsylvania drew national attention after it was raided by police who suspected, correctly, that it was selling unlicensed raw milk and eggnog. Donald Trump Jr, the former presidents son, waded into the debate. Donald Trump Jr spoke in favour of unpasteurised milk - AP/Carlos Osorio Imagine what law enforcement could accomplish if they went after oh I dont know, say, members of elite paedophile rings rather than farmers selling to their neighbours??? he tweeted. Can I be the only person sick of this s***? Public health experts have warned that the increase in consumption of raw milk is likely to lead to the spread of harmful diseases. Prof Donald Schaffner, a food science expert at Rutgers University, said epidemiologists have not proven that the H5N1 virus commonly known as bird flu can be spread through milk, but there are already concerns about infected cattle. We have an ongoing situation with H5N1 influenza, which has gotten into some dairy herds in the United States, he said. What we know is that when that virus infects a dairy cow, one of the localised sites of the infection is the udder of the cow. The milk that those cows produce is absolutely loaded with the H5N1 virus. A CDC report last month found that several cats had died of the virus after drinking milk from infected cows, and issued a warning to the public that natural milk is not safer. With respect to the question of food being natural arsenic is natural, Prof Schaffner said. Cyanide is natural. Sharks are natural. Those things can all kill you. So just because something is natural does not mean that its safe. 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. PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) Summer is a fun time of year, with holidays like Juneteenth, West Virginia Day, and Independence Day all falling within weeks of each other. Beckley to hold Juneteenth celebration on Saturday During these summertime holidays, it is generally tradition to shoot the biggest and best fireworks to celebrate our great state and nation. However, the loud noise made by fireworks may have harmful effects on some. Fireworks stand operator Jessica Basham said, We actually lost a dog on the Fourth of July two years ago. He was in a kennel. We dont know if it was fireworksit could have been something else. So, we know what its like to think that maybe we lost a pet because he was scared of the fireworks. Not only can dogs be affected by fireworks, but veterans suffering from PTSD and sound sensitivity can also be negatively affected. Mercer County Commission President, Bill Archer told 59News, If you have veterans in your community, please do not sound off fireworks extensively. [You can maybe do some that are] a little bit lightweight. To a lot of them it puts them right back in the middle of combat and its a challenge for them to get through those difficult times. Basham added, Get to know your [neighbors] and then let them know what times youre going to be doing it and that way they can leave or turn the music up or something so that theyre not affected by that. West Virginia hiking trails that are bearable when its really hot As we celebrate all these great holidays, please respect others by being more conscientious of them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Photo via Getty Images The group behind a ballot measure that aims to ask Arizonans in November to raise the minimum wage and do away with the lower wages paid to employees who receive tips is suing over a competing measure passed by the legislature that would decrease wages for tipped workers. The measure, which was brought to the legislature by the Arizona Restaurant Association, would allow restaurants to pay tipped workers 25% less than minimum wage. After being previously voted down in the Senate, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1040, also known as the Tipped Workers Protection Act, finally passed on June 12, one of the jam-packed last days of this years legislative session, by a vote of 16-12, with only Republicans voting in favor. The measure received support from all Republicans and a few Democrats when it passed through the House of Representatives by a vote of 35-24 in April. Currently, state law allows restaurants to pay tipped workers $3 less than minimum wage and use the workers tips to backfill up to the minimum wage. If approved, the ballot measure backed by restaurant owners would allow employers to pay tipped workers 25% less than minimum wage as long as they make at least $2 per hour more than the minimum wage with tips included. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In April, Rep. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix said she felt bamboozled by a group promoting SCR1040 after multiple people wearing Save Our Tips shirts endorsed the legislation in front of the House Commerce Committee in March. Those advocates of the act failed to disclose to the committee that they were either members of the Arizona Restaurant Association or were upper management and not servers at restaurants owned by ARA board members. The political committee Raise the Wage AZ has been gathering signatures for a ballot measure called the One Fair Wage Act since November 2022. The measure would raise the state minimum wage from $14.35 to $18 per hour. It would also incrementally lower the amount of a workers tips restaurants could use to reconcile their wages with the state minimum, until eventually employers would have to pay all workers the state minimum wage, regardless of whether they receive tips. Raise the Wage AZ attorney Jim Barton wrote in the June 19 lawsuit that the title of the legislatures ballot measure is misleading, and therefore unconstitutional, because it does nothing to protect tipped workers. Having two measures on the ballot one that increases wages paid to tipped workers and one that decreases wages paid to tipped workers is likely to lead to voter confusion, Barton wrote. Barton alleged that calling the restaurant-backed proposal the Tipped Workers Protection Act is materially misleading, such that it creates a substantial danger of fraud, confusion, and unfairness, in violation of the state constitution. Arizonas Bill Drafting Manual says that bills must state the subject of the legislation with sufficient clarity to enable persons reading the title to know what to expect in the body of the act. Raise the Wage AZ wants a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to declare that the resolution violates the state constitution to bar the secretary of state from certifying it to be placed on the November general election ballot. SCR 1040s title is misleading to the point of fraud, and creates a significant danger of electorate confusion and unfairness, because it is likely to mislead voters to believe that it will protect tipped workers, when in fact, it exploits tipped workers by subjecting them to an even lower minimum wage than the current subminimum wage that they can be paid and by adding it to the constitution, Barton wrote. In response to the court challenge, the ARA put out a statement saying that the One Fair Wage act would change the tipping system in Arizona in a harmful way. This Hollywood-funded, out-of-state group arrogantly seeks to dictate to thousands of Arizona tipped workers that it knows best how they should be compensated ignoring that a large majority of restaurant workers prefer the current compensation structure and dont want it to change, Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the ARA said in the statement. One Fair Wage is a giveaway to the union bosses driving the effort, but would hike costs for Arizona families and be a job killer for Arizona restaurants and small businesses. If this initiative actually qualifies for the ballot, we are confident Arizonans will not be fooled by its deception. He added that the Tipped Workers Protection Act is a better alternative that would protect tipped workers pay, preserve jobs and save Arizona small businesses. Raise the Wage has not yet turned in signatures to get its measure on the ballot, but plans to do so on July 3. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Steve Boyd wants to lead Americans back to God. Not through church, but through the halls of Congress. The Republican running in deep-red western Minnesota is mounting a campaign that's as religious as it is political. He says the country needs to be steered back to its Christian roots. He's suggested that Democrats have "evil" ideologies, described those prosecuting former President Donald Trump as having a "godless agenda" and said the notion of church-state separation has been misunderstood. Boyd said some have called him a Christian nationalist. He doesn't outright reject the label. "I've still yet to have someone tell me what it is, what that actually means," Boyd said in an interview. "Yes, I'm a Christian. Yes, I love my country. If that's what that means, yes." The businessman from Kensington, Minn., who's the son of a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, has described the country as being in a "spiritual battle." His campaign website states that "His goal is to harness God's power to lead ordinary Americans and their legislators in Washington back towards the Lord." The Rev. Angela Denker, a Minnesota pastor who studies Christian nationalism and wrote a book about Trump's hold on evangelicals, said Boyd's statements seem to align with that ideology. Christian nationalists believe the U.S. is an inherently Christian nation, and that its laws should reflect their values. "It's calls to take over on behalf of God, to be against these 'godless people,'" Denker said. "That kind of rhetoric, maybe it gets some people elected, but what it does is leaves a whole group of people really angry and full of despair and cynicism." Christian nationalism has been gaining acceptance among conservatives, with firebrand Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene proudly saying, "we should be Christian nationalists." A survey published this year by the Public Religion Research Institute found more than half of Republicans adhere to or sympathize with Christian nationalism. Boyd has been barnstorming communities across western Minnesota's Seventh District as he campaigns to oust GOP U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach, whom he's criticized as being too "legislation-driven" and not focused enough on cultural change. He blocked Fischbach from winning the Minnesota GOP's endorsement in April and will face her in an August primary election. The winner of the primary will almost certainly be elected to Congress in November to represent the conservative district. Fischbach said in a statement that her faith and relationship with God are "very important in my life and help guide me everyday." "I also consider that I represent 750,000 people with a wide variety of faiths and beliefs," Fischbach said. "I have my own moral foundation grounded in my faith, and I respect the different beliefs held by the good people across the district." David Sturrock, a political science professor at Southwest Minnesota State University who's active in the Republican Party, said Boyd's religious-forward message will likely resonate with people who are concerned about preserving Christian influence. There are many evangelical Christians in the Seventh District, Sturrock said, though nowhere near a majority of the population. "For a number of devout Christians, that is a powerful message. It's a motivating message," Sturrock said. "Can it broaden?" 'From conception to our final breath' In Congress, Boyd said he would "have no desire to try to legislate or force people to believe the way that I do." But on abortion, Boyd said his "ultimate end goal" would be to enact a federal ban on the procedure, although he acknowledged he doesn't think society is ready to embrace that yet. Boyd was among several dozen people who gathered at a church in Alexandria in December to hear from Pastor Matt Trewhella, a pro-life crusader who once argued that killing abortion providers is "justifiable homicide." Trewhella was there to discuss his book about "a proper resistance to tyranny and a repudiation of unlimited obedience to civil government." Boyd told the Star Tribune he did not know about Trewhella's previous abortion comments and that his attendance had nothing to do with that. "He advocates for the decisionmaking being made as local as possible," Boyd said of Trewhella. "So, reducing the size of federal government and getting back to local control when possible." In campaign statements, Boyd has vowed to defend life "from conception to our final breath." Asked his position on birth control, he said he believes it comes before conception and that he wouldn't try to restrict access to it. Among the figures Boyd has said he looks up to is David Barton, a national evangelical leader who's argued the separation of church and state is a myth. Barton has also espoused anti-gay views, suggesting the federal government should regulate same-sex relationships. The First Amendment's establishment clause prohibits the government from establishing a religion or favoring one religion over another, and a number of the nation's founders wrote of their desire to avoid repeating the sectarian strife that had long been common in Europe. President Thomas Jefferson wrote in an 1802 letter that the establishment clause was intended to create a "wall of separation" between church and state. Boyd previously taught a "Biblical Citizenship" course created by the conservative Patriot Academy, which includes material on "the myth of the separation of church and state," according to the academy's website. He told the Star Tribune he believes the separation of church and state has been misunderstood. "It's important to keep a separation between the institutions. But we've taken that to mean, as Christians, we shouldn't bring our worldview, our faith, our beliefs into the process of how we interact in politics," Boyd said. "It's OK to live out your beliefs in every sector of society. Everyone else does as well." On same-sex relationships, Boyd said he believes marriage is defined by God as being between a man and a woman. But he said he does not think the government should tell people who they can marry. "I don't believe we should get into legislating whether you can be homosexual or not," he said. "When it comes to our schooling do I want that lifestyle promoted in our schooling? No, I do not." 'Right-wing radicalization' Boyd has taken a harsher tone on transgender issues. He lashed out at President Joe Biden for declaring March 31 "Transgender Day of Visibility" when Easter fell on the same day, saying, "This is intentional that it is implemented on Resurrection Sunday. They are anti-God, humanist, worshipers of self and they want you to know they despise you for your beliefs." The Transgender Day of Visibility has been held annually on March 31 for the past 15 years. The date of the Christian holiday Easter changes each year. Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin called the tone of Boyd's rhetoric "dangerous." "When he demonizes people who don't agree with him as evil and godless, it's that kind of rhetoric that leads to right-wing radicalization," Martin said. "The rise of Christian nationalism in the Minnesota Republican Party should alarm every Minnesotan." State Rep. Tom Murphy, who's attended some of Boyd's campaign events, sees it differently. The Republican from Underwood said he thinks Boyd is giving a voice to conservatives who feel the country has turned away from Christian values. "There's really a growing movement of people, I would call grassroots and they're more interested in these things like freedom and family and faith," Murphy said. "One thing that's Steve done a good job is, he's earned the ear of the grassroots. A lot of the grassroots people look at his message and can relate to it, and I think part of that is the Christianity and the patriotism and just making sure we have God mixed in with what we're doing." Mississippi wants to allow some votes from jails and prisons. Red tape may stop it. A view from the corridor of a prison with an incarcerated person inside cell doorway. Andrew Burton/Getty Images A new Mississippi law clarifies that some people held in jail or prison may vote in elections, but widespread confusion and a tangle of paperwork will likely continue to block many of them from casting ballots. The state permanently disenfranchises people convicted of crimes that fall into 22 broad criminal categories. However, people convicted of any other crimes remain eligible to vote. But among those incarcerated people who have not had their voting rights legally taken away, Attorney General Lynn Fitchs office suggested several years ago that state law allows only those who happen to be incarcerated outside their county of residence to cast an absentee ballot. This article was first published by The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system. Sign up for their newsletters, and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Facebook. Under that interpretation of the law, a person who lives in Jackson and was arrested and sent to the local Hinds County jail could not cast an absentee ballot, even if theyd never been convicted of a disenfranchising crime in the past. But if authorities transferred that person to a jail in a different county, they would become eligible to cast an absentee ballot. In their legislative session this year, state lawmakers approved the addition of a new absentee voting excuse that fixes this loophole, ending a system that blocked some otherwise legally eligible voters in jail or prison from voting based only on which side of a county line they find themselves. Were disenfranchising people with no reason to do so, and we shouldnt be doing that, said state Sen. Jeremy England, speaking in favor of the measure during a legislative debate on the bill earlier this year. England, a Republican from the Gulf Coast area, chairs the state Senates elections committee and ushered the bill through the Senate. Civil rights advocates who have conducted voter registration outreach in jails and prisons say that while the new legislation was needed, practical difficulties and common misunderstandings will continue to limit the ability of eligible voters in prison to actually cast a ballot. There is a real intimidating array of logistical issues, said Paloma Wu, a civil rights attorney with the Mississippi Center for Justice. We are extremely skeptical that people will in any volume be able to take advantage of this. Obstacles include mail delays within prisons and jails, in addition to a widespread but mistaken belief that all people with felony convictions are barred from voting in Mississippi. The Legislatures approval of a new absentee voting reason for eligible incarcerated people comes even as some state senators blocked a more sweeping attempt backed by the state House of Representatives to overhaul Missisisppis felony disenfranchisement laws and restore voting rights to thousands of people with nonviolent felony convictions. That means Mississippi remains a study in sharp contrasts. For some people with felony convictions, Mississippi is, legally speaking, among the most lenient states around ballot access, with some felony convictions never triggering a loss of voting rights at all. Nationally, most people in county jails are legally able to cast ballots while detained, but only a few states Mississippi among them allow anyone to cast a ballot from a state prison. There are currently about 19,000 people held in Mississippi state prison custody, and thousands more held in local jails, but theres no clear way to determine how many of those people can still vote. Mississippi court records do show that the majority of people convicted of state felony charges in the last 30 years remained eligible to cast a ballot. For other people, Mississippis disenfranchisement system is one of the nations most punitive and unforgiving, with 22 categories of felony convictions stripping voting rights from someone for life, including a range of violent and nonviolent crimes. Murder and rape convictions, for example, will permanently disenfranchise someone. But so will convictions for bad check writing, felony shoplifting and possession of counterfeit currency. The distinctions can be confusing. Grand larceny convictions are disenfranchising, but burglary convictions are not. Among those with burglary convictions is Tony Qualls from the Mississippi Delta. This past legislative session, lawmakers agreed to restore voting rights to Qualls. Gov. Tate Reeves, a second-term Republican, vetoed the bill without explanation. Qualls, however, never actually lost his voting rights. His three felony convictions are all for burglary, which is not a disenfranchising crime, according to a list of such crimes maintained by the Mississippi secretary of state. Qualls also does not appear on a list of disenfranchised voters provided to The Marshall Project-Jackson by the secretary of states office. Several voting rights experts in Mississippi said they believe Qualls remains eligible to vote and cast a ballot regardless of the governors veto. They also said state leaders, county election officials and people with felony convictions have often shown confusion about how the states felony disenfranchisement laws work and who remains eligible to vote. A spokesperson for Reeves did not respond to questions from The Marshall Project Jackson about the governors veto. Qualls could not be reached for contact. This isnt the first time lawmakers have tried to give voting rights back to someone who never lost them. A review of suffrage legislation by The Marshall Project-Jackson identified that of 206 successful suffrage restoration bills passed since 1997, at least four were for people who didnt actually need their voting rights restored. One man was convicted of burglary in 1978 and committed no further crimes, only for the Legislature to approve an unneeded suffrage restoration bill on his behalf in 2006, a 28-year-long misunderstanding. Among the 288 unsuccessful suffrage restoration bills introduced since 1997, 15 were filed on behalf of people who never lost the right to vote. One person had a bill introduced twice on their behalf, even though their felony conviction did not occur in Mississippi but in another state, and such out-of-state convictions dont impact Mississippi voting rights. If state lawmakers and governors are confused, its no surprise then that incarcerated people often are as well. They all think they cant vote because they have a felony conviction, said Cynetra Freeman, a reentry services provider who has conducted voter registration drives in county jails and state prisons. Freeman was previously incarcerated on a drug conviction, but never lost the right to vote. She never tried to cast a ballot and didnt realize she was eligible to vote until much later. Local election officials have almost sole power over voter registration and absentee voting, but sometimes they dont know the laws much better. Freeman and Wu both said registration applications by eligible people incarcerated by the state have been sometimes rejected by local elections officials for unclear reasons. Circuit clerk education is a big thing that is needed so that they know that there are people who are eligible to register and vote in Mississippi prisons and jails, Wu said. Some clerks say they are following the law and will make sure they heed the new absentee voting rules for people in jail and prison. We never didnt let them vote if they were still able to vote, said Rankin County Circuit Clerk Michelle Adcock. Even when someone knows they are eligible to vote and plans to use the newly created absentee voting excuse to do so, serious hurdles remain. This year, absentee ballot applications must be available beginning on Sept. 6, with absentee ballots themselves not available until Sept. 23. Mailed absentee ballots must be received by Election Day (Nov. 5). That gives incarcerated voters 61 days to send and receive as many as three different documents through the mail, while also obtaining services from a notary twice. I think its a real question if all that can be accomplished within the statutory deadline, Wu said. To cast an absentee ballot by mail, heres the detailed process an incarcerated voter must go through: Request an absentee ballot application from the circuit clerk of the county where the voter is registered. This can be done in writing or by phone, but the applications cannot be accessed over the internet. They must be mailed by the circuit clerk to an eligible voter upon request. Once the application has been received, the voter must complete the application, have it notarized and mail the application back to the county circuit clerk. Voters with a legally recognized disability can use a witness instead of a notary. If confirmed to be eligible, the clerk then mails an absentee ballot to the voter. The voter must complete the ballot, seal it, have the sealed ballot notarized and mail it back to the circuit clerk. Theres ample room for delays throughout this process. Sometimes the mail rooms in these facilities take forever to mail something out, and by the time the clerk gets it, its past the deadline, said Freeman. That is a big issue. The Mississippi Department of Corrections did not respond to questions from The Marshall Project Jackson about voting procedures for eligible state-incarcerated people. Even if the state prisons are processing mail quickly, delays by the postal service can also occur. Such delays have raised national concerns about possible impacts on voting. We have a major problem with the mail in general, said Adcock, the Rankin County circuit clerk. Mississippis failure to meaningfully reduce these logistical hurdles comes as at least one other state is lifting them. Colorado does not allow people held in state prisons to vote, but pre-trial detainees in county jails can vote. This year, the state will require the creation of voting centers in county jails to facilitate voting by those pre-trial detainees. Colorado is the first state in the nation to require such centers. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Mississippi wants to allow some votes from jails and prisons. Red tape may stop it. appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Mom and teen she claimed was her boyfriend are charged after her 4-year-old daughter is found dead A 23-year-old mother and a 16-year-old who she claimed to be in a relationship with have been charged with the death of the womans four-year-old daughter in Indiana (Linda Alvarez/ WFIE) A 23-year-old Indiana mom and a teenager have been charged over the very disturbing death of her 4-year-old daughter, who was found with human bite marks on her arm. Destiny F. Rhoades and 16-year-old Christian T. Gonzalez, who she claimed to be in a relationship with, both face felony counts over the death of Octavia Aquino. Officers responded around 9am June 14 after receiving reports from Rhoades roommate, who found the child unresponsive in their apartment. The youngster was reportedly cold to the touch. She was transported to the hospital alive, but with very little brain activity. However, in a Sunday update, police announced the child had died. Due to the childs passing, Rhoades original charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury was changed to neglect of a dependent resulting in death a level one felony. Destiny Rhoades original charge of Neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily Injury was changed to neglect of a dependent resulting in death a level one felony after the death of her four-year-old daughter (Vanderburgh County Jail) Gonzalezs original charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury was changed to murder. According to the original police report, Rhoades had been at work when her daughter was found. Rhoades said that she had left the child sleeping at 7am when she had left for work. An adult roommate stated that she noticed the child had bruises on her body, specifically around her neck area. She also had a human bite mark on her forearm, according to police. Detectives were told the 16-year-old admitted he bit the child, but only after she bit him first. A roommate reported that the child seemed to be staring off and was nauseous while in Rhoades care on June 13. The police report described the circumstances as a very disturbing case. Christian Gonzalez allegedly admitted to biting the four-year-old child, but only after she had bitten him first (Vanderburgh County Jail) Detectives had uncovered details of incidents involving Rhoades and her juvenile boyfriend since they arrived in Evansville together earlier this year. In February, officers found Gonzalez, who was 15 at the time, after he was reported missing from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Due to a missing person case being a status offense, officers placed him at Hillcrest Youth Home, though he fled the building shortly after. Officers located him again, this time in the company of Rhoades at her residence. He was placed at the Youth Care Center and eventually transported back to Fort Wayne. At the time, Rhoades was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a level four felony. After being released from jail, she returned to Fort Wayne until her pending court date, which was set for April 11. Gonzalez went missing again, around the same time Rhoades returned to Evansville for that court date. A Pride flag taken from a municipal flagpole in Montclair will be replaced during a rally scheduled for Monday. The Out Montclair organization called for the flag-raising and rally beginning 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Church Street and Bloomfield Avenue after the flag, which was raised during a Pride Month ceremony on June 7, was reported missing on June 14. Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller with Out Montclair Director Marie Cottrell at the Pride flag raising event in Montclair on June 7, 2024 Police are investigating the incident that Out Montclair sees as an affront to the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. "Out Montclair condemns in the strongest terms the theft of the Pride flag that was prominently displayed on the municipal flagpole," a statement from the group reads. "This hateful act of intolerance has no place in our community." The statement explains the importance of the flag and having it fly on a municipal flagpole in Montclair while many other towns in North Jersey have resisted doing so. "The Pride flag is a symbol of inclusion, welcome, safety, and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and equality," the group statement reads. "Its colors represent the vibrant diversity of identities and backgrounds, and the unifying values of acceptance that Montclair prides itself on. To see it removed and stolen is not only disheartening but an attack on the entire LGBTQ+ community and our allies who steadfastly support us." Mayor Sean Spiller was among the many town officials who attended the June 7 flag-raising in Montclair. So was state Sen. John McKeon (District 27) and other members of the New Jersey Legislature. Out Montclair is hoping for a similar show of support at the rally on Monday. "We refuse to let this hateful act diminish our pride or silence our voices," their statement reads. "In the face of intolerance, we will respond by uplifting LGBTQ+ visibility and amplifying the values of acceptance, equality, and respect for all. Hatred and prejudice have no place in Montclair." A gay pride parade is flown at the Boonton Elks Club during the Boonton Rainbow Pride event. June 12, 2021 Flags banned in some towns Some other towns, including Boonton and Dover, have passed sweeping ordinances limiting the types of flags that can be raised on municipal properties. Those ordinances have drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ groups in those towns who feel the restrictions are based on bias against the LGBTQ+ community. Elsewhere in North Jersey, Pride flags have been reported stolen or vandalized, including a Madison man who was arrested after he was seen on video ripping six Pride flags from a downtown display. "We take this act very seriously, and this type of behavior has no place in Madison or anywhere else," Madison Police Chief John Miscia said in the department's statement. Boonton, NJ -- April 23, 2024 -- Mildred Concha of Heavenly Juicin looks at a chalk drawing that was partially washed away. Supporters of the LGBTQ community including many local businesses have etched colorful chalk signs and messages on sidewalks after the Boonton town council votes to rescind an ordinance permitting flags other than the USA or MIA flags to be flown on public ground. The Boonton Rainbow Pride organization also reported Pride flag designs drawn on downtown sidewalks protesting the flag ban there had been vandalized. One was quickly redrawn with the added words, "We're still here!." Phone tips to police Anyone with information about the Montclair Pride flag theft is asked to contact Montclair Police Detective Jamar Jones at 973-509-4705."We thank the Montclair Police Department for their swift response and investigation into this bias incident," Out Montclair promised. "[We] will work closely with law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators are identified and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law." This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Montclair NJ to rally and replace stolen Pride flag Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) defended a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments be hung in the states classrooms, arguing to Steve Bannon that America needs morals. We need morals back in our nation, back in our schools. If there's anything we are going to present in front of our children, its going to be, it should be the word of God, Boebert told Bannon on his War Room podcast. Its not some woke fad of the day that you can get canceled for believing in 10 years from now." Boebert claimed children could benefit from a religious message, one which critics say violates the fundamental constitutional principle of the separation of church and state. The Colorado congresswoman highlighted the Bibles anti-adultery message, weeks after showing up to support Donald Trump as he stood trial for payments he made to hide his affair with Stormy Daniels. "Also listed in the Ten Commandments is 'Thou shalt not steal.' Maybe the Left and some of these politicians are having a meltdown over having that, right there, listed in our classrooms Thou shalt not steal, Boebert, whose son was arrested in February on property theft charges, went on to say, per Meidas Touch News. Boebert, who purported to be a champion of the word of God, drew attention in 2023 for committing lewd acts in public during a performance of Beetlejuice, which got her and her date thrown out of a Denver theater. Meanwhile, Bannon, a former advisor to Donald Trump and the chief architect of the infamous Muslim ban, faces an impending prison sentence for violating a Congressional subpoena issued by the January 6th select committee after a federal appeals judge denied his plea to remain free on Thursday. Boebert faces a Tuesday primary in Colorados 4th congressional district, which she chose to run in after nearly losing her seat in 2022. More than 300 Russian servicemen have already surrendered to Ukrainian captivity, using the I Want to Live government-created initiative. Source: Andrii Yusov, representative of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "The number of people willing to surrender has increased. Within the framework of this project alone (I Want to Live ed.), more than 300 Russian occupiers have already surrendered to Ukrainian captivity. Some of them immediately expressed their desire not to be exchanged or even to join the security and defence forces." For reference: I Want to Live is a government project designed to help Russian army soldiers safely surrender. The project was launched in September 2022 by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which operates with the support of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Background: On 10 May this year, Yusov reported that the I Want to Live project had received over 35,000 applications as of that day; they came mostly from active-duty Russian military personnel, with 260 people already having surrendered to Ukraine with the projects help. Support UP or become our patron! More than 50 people killed or missing in Israeli strikes on central Gaza, local officials say Fifty-two people have been killed or left missing in Israeli strikes near Gaza city on Saturday, according to the Hamas-controlled Government Media Office (GMO). The GMO said that 38 bodies had arrived at Al Ahli Baptist Hospital and 14 people are still missing under the rubble of homes and buildings. Video from two of the areas targeted shows extensive destruction and multiple casualties after large explosions. The Civil Defense Directorate said that a number of people remained under the rubble after Israeli aircraft targeted a house near the Batsh cemetery in the Al Tuffah neighborhood, which is east of Gaza City. Another strike was reported against a residential block in Al Shati, another neighborhood near Gaza City. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in a brief statement Saturday, said that IDF fighter jets had struck Hamas military infrastructure sites in the area of Gaza City. The IDF did not specify where the strikes had taken place. CNN is seeking more details. A medical rescue worker in the area told CNN that the airstrike at Al Shati camp felt like an earthquake. There has been a targeting of Al Shati camp near Al Sousi Mosque, which was like an earthquake hitting a whole residential block. There are entire families under the destroyed houses. Local resident Abu Mahmoud Al-Karir said: Just a while ago, people were acting normally, some were buying goods, others were at home. Then the occupations planes came and bombed this residential block. As you can see, an entire block has been obliterated. Tall buildings were leveled to the ground, now buried under the earth. It comes after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said at least 22 people were killed in a strike that hit civilians sheltering in southern Gaza on Friday. Palestinians search for casualties in Gaza City. - Ayman Al Hassi/Reuters The strike hit the tents of displaced people in the Palestinian town of Mawasi, parts of which have been identified by the Israeli military as a humanitarian zone. The ICRC said Friday that its office adjacent to the humanitarian area in Mawasi was damaged by nearby shelling. It did not attribute blame for the shelling, but said that firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and humanitarians at risk. It said heavy-caliber projectiles had landed within meters of the facility and the nearby Red Cross field hospital had received 22 bodies and 45 injured. The IDF said Saturday that it was examining the incident. Following an initial inquiry, there was no direct attack carried out by the IDF against a Red Cross facility. The incident will be quickly examined and its findings will be presented to our international partners. Israel has been intensifying its operation in nearby Rafah, where it launched an offensive last month as part of its campaign to dismantle Hamas in Gaza. A Gazan official said Israels military was pushing deeper into Rafah and was nearing the coast. The total number of deaths in the Gaza Strip since October 7 now stands at 37,551, with 85,911 injuries, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7, which killed around 1,200 people. Israel drops hostage flyers Also on Saturday, the Israeli military dropped at least two different leaflets with the names and photos of hostages over various locations in the Gaza Strip. Leaflets were dropped in the Al-Zeitoun and Al-Sabra neighborhoods of Gaza City as well as in the city of Khan Younis in the south of the Strip, according to Palestinians in Gaza who spoke about the flyers on social media. The Israeli military said flyers had been dropped throughout the Gaza Strip. Look around you carefully the hostages may be next to you, the flyers read in Arabic. If you want to preserve your families, do not hesitate to provide us with any information regarding the hostages or their kidnappers, they add. The flyers dropped in Gaza City were different from those dropped in Khan Younis, displaying different hostages. In total, 62 hostages were shown on the flyers. CNN identified the photographs of six hostages who had previously been declared dead by Israel on the flyers. Four were kidnapped in Hamas October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. CNN identified the other two hostages as Israeli soldiers who were kidnapped prior to the October 7 attack. They are believed to be deceased. Its unclear why photos of hostages who are believed to be dead are included among the images on the leaflets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not immediately respond to CNNs request for comment. The IDF said Saturday it had dropped flyers throughout the Gaza Strip as part of the ongoing intelligence efforts to return the hostages. An Israeli security official told CNN that the families of the hostages listed on the flyers had been notified in advance of Saturdays drop. The official said the selection of the photos stems from various considerations that cannot be detailed. This is a developing story and will be updated. Khader Al-Zaanoun of Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Regardless of party, most Americans in a new poll said they agreed with the recent conviction of President Bidens son, Hunter Biden, in his gun possession case. The Economist/YouGov survey found that 67 percent of respondents strongly or somewhat approved of Hunter Bidens guilty verdict. Earlier this month, a jury of 12 Delaware residents issued three felony convictions, finding the younger Biden guilty of lying about his use of illicit drugs when applying to purchase a gun in 2018. On the Democratic side, about 62 percent of Biden supporters said they approved of the verdict. Roughly 22 percent said they were not sure, and 20 percent disapproved, per the survey. Among GOP supporters of former President Trump, 86 percent of poll respondents said they approved of the conviction, while just 9 percent said they were not sure, and 5 percent disapproved. The pollsters also noted that the results of the survey were wildly different than when a similar poll was conducted after Trumps guilty verdict in his hush money case last month. In that survey, almost all Biden supporters approved of the conviction while Trumps supporters mostly disapproved. During Hunter Bidens trial, which began shortly after the hush money trial concluded, lawyers spotlighted his previous addiction to crack cocaine. The prosecution argued the case was about more than just drugs, but instead Hunter Bidens decision to lie on government forms when purchasing a firearm. The presidents son faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and $750,000, though sentences are often less than the maximum, especially for first-time offenders. A sentencing commission predicted a defendant like Hunter Biden would usually face 15-21 months in prison, but it is ultimately up to the judge to decide. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has yet to set a sentencing date. The president has insisted he that he will not pardon his son but will accept the outcome of the trial. Still, the White House has not ruled out commuting Hunter Bidens sentence once it is handed down by the judge. The younger Biden also faces separate charges in California for failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes and filing false returns. The case could go to trial in September. The Economist/YouGov survey was conducted among 1,600 people June 16-18 and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Eight people were arrested during a retail theft mission at a Vancouver Fred Meyer on June 14, the Clark County Sheriffs Office said. CCSO detectives said they arrested the eight people at the Orchards Fred Meyer on theft charges and outstanding warrants. All were booked into the Clark County jail. Multiple people were arrested in a retail theft mission at a Vancouver Fred Meyer on June 14, 2024. (Courtesy: Clark Co. Sheriffs Office) Multiple people were arrested in a retail theft mission at a Vancouver Fred Meyer on June 14, 2024. (Courtesy: Clark Co. Sheriffs Office) Multiple people were arrested in a retail theft mission at a Vancouver Fred Meyer on June 14, 2024. (Courtesy: Clark Co. Sheriffs Office) Multiple people were arrested in a retail theft mission at a Vancouver Fred Meyer on June 14, 2024. (Courtesy: Clark Co. Sheriffs Office) Additionally, various items were recovered including alcohol, a KitchenAid mixer, a hoverboard, beauty products, an area rug, electronics, power tools, clothing and propane tanks, officials say. According to CCSO, this was their second retail theft mission in June, with the previous mission resulting in 12 arrests. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Police are investigating vehicle break-ins outside two movie theaters just a day apart. Investigators say three people in a black Nissan Altima broke into at least three cars at the Malco Paradiso on Mendenhall in East Memphis Wednesday night. MPD released pictures of the suspects and their vehicle. One of the male suspects was seen wearing a ski mask. Bethel Grove burglars caught on camera The black Altima had a temporary tag, was missing top chrome trim, a rear passenger-side window, and had scuff marks on the front passenger fender. Police are also looking for the individuals responsible for several auto break-ins at the Malco Powerhouse on S. Front Street downtown Thursday night. They have not said if anything was taken from the vehicles that were vandalized at both locations. WREG contacted Malco Friday afternoon to find out what the company was doing to secure its lots but has not heard back from anyone. The Malco theaters have mobile cameras on their lots. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A mysterious row of what looks to be 16 structures, which look to be either spherical or hemispherical, has, at least according to photos circulating online, appeared somewhere in Ukraine. This has led to speculation that this could be some kind of new Russian electronic warfare or other military-related capability, but an agricultural installation of some kind may also be a possibility. Serhii Beskrestnov posted an aerial view of the curious array, on his Telegram channel earlier today. He also shared another shot that looks to show the structures on the back of a truck before they were erected. The aerial view of the mystery array. Serhii Beskrestnov/Telegram The second picture that shows the structures loaded on a truck, apparently before they were erected in a row. Serhii Beskrestnov/Telegram There is what could be camouflage netting or some kind of tarp placed around the array, as well as a cleared area nearby where the apparent truck is situated. A close-up of two of the structures showing what may be camouflage netting between them. Serhii Beskrestnov/Telegram An example of what also may be camouflage netting near where the truck is parked. Serhii Beskrestnov/Telegram Both pictures appear to be either very high-resolution satellite images or were taken by a drone or aircraft flying overhead, which seems more likely. Where and when the images were taken is unknown. Beskrestnov (also known by the pseudonyms Serhii Flash or Flesh; his first name is also sometimes written Serhiy) is a Ukrainian servicemember who has been cited as an expert in radio technologies and other military electronics. It seemed that I already knew everything the enemy had in terms of technological solutions, according to a translation of Beskrestnovs post on Telegram accompanying the images, which are now circulating elsewhere on social media. And here I am perplexed by a set of some hemispheres that are unfolded directly in a row. Mysterious Russian equipment on the frontline:It seemed that I already knew everything the enemy had in terms of technological solutions. At least I can determine the purpose of the product and the priority for destroying the target. And here I am perplexed by a set of some pic.twitter.com/wUs0mkzD1O Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) June 21, 2024 A common suggestion on social media is that these could be inflatable spherical antennas or antenna enclosures, possibly for communications purposes, like the ones made by GATR Technologies in the United States. Beskrestnov addressed that possibility specifically in his post, discounting it given that the structures appear to be hemispherical, as well as rigid and stackable, rather than spherical and inflatable. A GATR technologies inflatable satellite communications antenna. NASA Close-up views of the structures in the pictures that Serhii Beskrestnov shared showing signs of them being hemispherical and rigid in construction.Serhii Beskrestnov/Telegram Beskrestnov also explicitly noted that the array does not conform to Russias 1B75 Penicillin, a counter-battery system that uses acoustic sensors and thermal imaging to detect incoming artillery fire and then geolocate its source, as well as that countrys known REB systems at least to his knowledge. REB here is the Russian acronym for radio-electronic warfare. None of this rules out the possibility that these are antennas, or coverings for them, which are part of an electronic warfare, communications, or sensor system of some kind. Despite limited use initially, electronic warfare capabilities, including GPS and other radiofrequency jamming, has become a major factor for both sides in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It is a particularly important tool for helping counter the increasingly ubiquitous threat posed by various tiers of drones, including highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze types. Ukrainian FPV drones enjoy destroying expensive "no-analogue" russian weapons.This time, they destroyed the Borisoglebsk-2 Electronic Warfare System. The value of the system reaches up to $200 million.: @United24media pic.twitter.com/E2fPDJwzz7 Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 14, 2024 An array like this could also contain sensors capable of detecting signals and geolocating their emitters via triangulation. The structures could be field fortifications or obstacles of some kind, or serve some other military purpose entirely. Its also worth noting that the pictures show what looks to be a relatively well-tended field without large track marks that one might associate with the movement of large numbers of heavy military trucks. This raises the question of whether what is seen in the images might be non-military and possibly agriculture in nature. Ukraine has a very large agricultural sector and farming has continued even in certain areas relatively close to the fighting since Russia launched its all-out invasion in 2022. Civilian farming equipment has been targeted in the course of the fighting. #Ukraine:The MoD claimed the destruction of Ukrainian Leopard 2 tanks during the recent counter-offensive- hitting a new level of cope.The vehicles targeted by ATGM from Ka-52 not only don't resemble tanks but are in fact innocent agricultural equipment- a sprayer & combines. pic.twitter.com/a33ZJJcZgt Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) June 6, 2023 Without more information and context, including where exactly the mystery array is situated and what other signs of military-related activity there might be, it is unfortunately impossible to say for sure at this time what purpose the structures serve. With these images now circulating online, perhaps additional views of these curious structures or other additional information about them will emerge. In the meantime, we would love to hear from you as to what you think they are or if you recognize these kinds of objects. Contact the author: joe@twz.com View comments Namibias High Court found two Colonial-era anti-sodomy laws prejudicially targeted gay men and were unconstitutional in a historic ruling handed down on Friday. The case was filed in June of 2022 by LGBTQ+ activist Friedel Laurentius Dausab and was heard by the High Court of Namibia in October of 2023. Dausab, who was assisted by the Human Dignity Trust (HDT), argued the anti-LGBTQ+ laws unfairly and irrationally discriminate against him and other gay men on the basis of sex and sexual orientation and thus infringe his constitution right to equality, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of association. The three-judge panel acknowledged in its ruling that same-sex sexual relations are not necessarily popular in the culturally conservative country. Still, it declared that the enforcement of the private moral views of a section of the community (even if they form the majority of that community), which are based to a large extent on nothing more than prejudice and that the act of criminalizing such relations for gay men poses a greater threat to the fabric of society as a whole than tolerance. I challenged these laws as a committed activist because I was personally and acutely aware that criminalization was a clear obstacle to my living a full, open, honest life. I can also attest that the sodomy offenses hindered the prevention of HIV infections and access to life-saving treatment, and made gay men like me easy targets for abuse, Dausab said in a statement provided to The Advocate. But most of all, because of this decision, I no longer feel like a criminal on the run in my own country simply because of who I am. I am delighted that Friedel has succeeded in his case against the government of Namibia and proud that our team at the Trust has played a part in his journey to justice, Tea Braun, chief executive at HDT, said in a statement. Huge credit goes to him, the legal team on the ground and the activist community in Namibia who have supported him. These combined and concerted efforts not only mean that LGBT Namibians can look to a brighter future where their rights to love freely are recognized, but also bring much needed and renewed energy to other decriminalization efforts across Africa. While other African nations like Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa have decriminalized same-sex sexual relations, other countries remain dangerous for the LGBTQ+ community. A gay man who was the victim of a violent attack because of his sexual identity was granted asylum in the U.S. after he had to flee Ghana. In Uganda, Steven Kabuye, an activist and editor with Coloured Voices Media Foundation Truth to LGBTQ Uganda, was the victim of an attack by a man wielding a knife while riding a motorcycle. According to a police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, one of the helmeted men jumped off the bike and swung the knife at Kabuye focusing specifically on his neck. A charter school with Republican political ties and a focus on a classical education could circumvent traditional state approvals and open in a few months if OKd by state lawmakers. Trinitas Academy is the only school that meets five detailed conditions lodged in a provision of a 271-page state budget introduced this week allowing an unnamed charter school to expedite its opening. The five criteria include: a 2024 application, in a county projected to grow at least 25% between 2020 and 2030, in the states largest metropolitan area, that the countys public school district has enrollment under 25,000 students and occupancy in a pre-existing, fully furnished school facility purchased from a local school board. The tuition-free K-8 charter school, located in the old Mt. Mourne School building in Mooresville, hasnt started the standard state review process and may never need to. The property was acquired by a Dallas-based investment firm in 2022 from Iredell-Statesville Schools. The charter school then submitted its proposal during the states 2024 application period that ended in April. Forgoing the state review is raising concerns from some educators. Its outrageous and irresponsible to bypass the review process in order to please an apparent political objective, Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Education Foundation, told The Charlotte Observer. The point of the review is to make sure the school can survive. This is a serious taxpayer investment and there needs to be oversight. The typical review process involves the Charter Schools Review Board conducting interviews, examining budgets, curriculum, staffing and market data. The groups goal is to ensure responsible use of public funds from state, local and federal sources. This years budget proposal would give Trinitas Academy permission to skip a planning year and open in time for the 2024-2025 school year. Otherwise, interviews for this years applications start in September, according to the states timeline. The earliest school openings under the Office of Charter Schools regular process would be in 2025. Charter schools are public schools with free tuition, open enrollment and government funding. They have more freedom to pick curriculum and teaching practices as they please. Private schools charge tuition, pick their students and are independent from the state. Its not clear whether the five paragraphs fast-tracking Trinitas opening will make it into the final budget. The provisions letting it bypass state review are contained in the budget proposed by the N.C. House, which is at odds with spending levels with the Senate. Part of page 84 of the 271-page North Carolina House budget bill. Powerful backers While its unclear how Trinitas got a special provision in the state budget, which was first reported by WFAE, the school has a host of powerful backers on its board including: Will Bowen, communications director for Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry. Marcus Long, a retired chief circuit judge from Virginia. Mark Lockman, described on the charter schools website as someone who was in district leadership at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Iredell-Statesville Schools. Joe Higgins, CEO of a classical education charter school group in Colorado and Arizona and helped expedite Trinitas opening. Susan Tillis, the wife of Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, was also listed on Trinitass board but was removed Wednesday and replaced by Higgins. She was described as having an extensive background in state and national politics. In an emailed statement, Tillis said she was an unpaid volunteer on the academys board because she supports the mission to provide greater opportunities for all students to have access to a high-quality education. As a board member, I was not consulted in advance or aware of any provision in the House budget, and I first learned about it when the board was emailed to notify us that a North Carolina media outlet was working on a story, Tillis said. Bowen, Lockman, Higgins did not did not respond to requests for comment. The Observers attempts to contact Long were unsuccessful. When WFAE asked a co-chair of the House Education Appropriations Committee, John Torbett of Gaston County, he said Trinitas was news to me. This embedded content is not available in your region. Trinitas charter school teaching plans The man who helped Trinitas get an exception in the budget is Higgins, according to WFAE. In a March interview, on radio station WSICs Good Morning LKN Higgins said he helped file this years application for Trinitas. Higgins said in the radio interview the No. 1 question parents are asking is is it woke?. In interviews, Higgins often criticizes public schools, labeling them as bureaucratic and not teaching students the right things. In past writings online, he claimed without evidence the Clinton Foundation is engaged in money-laundering. Post-COVID a lot of parents got to see whats going on in classrooms and kind of realized I need to get my kids out of that environment into one that matches their faith, belief system, security or whatever you want to call it, he said in the radio interview. Thats where Trinitas classical education comes in. Trinitas means three in one in Latin a reference to the Holy Trinity. Its curriculum focuses on great books including Robin Hood, 1984 and Huckleberry Finn traditional values and the foundations of western civilization, usually starting with the ancient Greeks and Romans. Teaching methods focus on socratic seminars and helping students learn how to learn and not what to learn, according to Trinitas website. We set up a history foundation in the past. We want you to know the great classics of Greek and Rome and the foundation of this county, Higgins said in the radio interview. We stop our history instruction at 9/11. Trinitas curriculum is also going to be available for home-school students. We are doing full public charter but then dedicating space inside campus for the home school community, Higgins said in the radio interview. The curriculum will match whats being taught in the classroom. Groom the next generation of conservatives Classical education is historically popular among religious and prep schools. It also has become a buzzword for school choice activists since the pandemic, with new schools popping up across the country, usually run by religious conservatives. Classical learning involves chronologically studying literature, philosophy, history and science from the ancient Greeks and Romans through the Enlightenment period. Teachers are tasked with cultivating moral character and effective communication skills by teaching students strong grammar, logic and rhetoric skills. Its estimated there are around 1,000 classical schools in operation today. Republican politicians also have embraced classical education, billing it as an antidote to woke public schools. For instance, Mark Robinson, North Carolinas Republican gubernatorial candidate, has called on public schools to remove agendas from the classroom and said classical education should be restored. However, critics argue classical education places too much emphasis on biblical passages and traditional western thought, and that students read books to shape their opinions toward traditionally conservative ideas, including on race, gay rights and inclusivity. A lot of these classical schools are a part of an attempt to groom the next generation of conservatives so that children leave the school with the mindset that will encourage them to vote conservative when they get old enough, Burris said. Trinitas, which could receive taxpayer money for its operation, is one of those schools, she says. (KRON) Four people were arrested on Thursday in connection with a large theft at a Lululemon, the San Mateo Police Department said. The thieves allegedly took nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise from the store. SMPD responded to the store at the Hillsdale Shopping Center at 1:56 p.m. A witness said three suspects grabbed clothing, ran out of the store and jumped in a getaway car that drove toward Highway 101. Driver shot by person in nearby car in Oakland Officers from several Peninsula police departments searched for the white Subaru that was reported to be the getaway car. It was seen driving northbound on Highway 101 into San Francisco, police said. The officers tried to stop the car, but its driver attempted to get away. The Subaru was later found abandoned in San Francisco. Police said it had been stolen earlier in the day. Four suspects were located and arrested. They were identified as Theodore Gore, 30, of San Francisco, Sierra Mansanares, 27, of San Francisco, Camy Massutti, 32, of San Francisco and Jesus Olivarez, 31, of Antioch. They were all arrested for grand theft and second-degree burglary. Gore, the alleged getaway driver, will also face counts related to escaping police and the stolen vehicle. Images shared by police show a large assortment of pants as the items taken from Lululemon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Negotiations needed to end war in Ukraine but Putin 'cannot be trusted,' says Mark Milley Negotiations are needed to stop Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot be trusted," Mark Milley, the former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on June 21. In a talk at Princeton University, Milley said that from a military perspective the war was now at a stalemate with Russia unable to achieve its original goals. "It is unlikely that anyone will be able to achieve a political solution through military means," he said in the comments as reported by Voice of America. "Therefore both sides should recognize this and achieve an alternative method to solve their political problem, and that would be negotiation." Milley was not optimistic about this possibility, saying Russia is "clearly not ready to negotiate" and the decision to enter talks should be up to Kyiv, which has said it will only happen when the Kremlin withdraws all its troops from Ukraine. "Neither side is ready to negotiate and they are going to keep banging away at each other militarily unless something strange, unanticipated or unexpected happens on that battlefield," he added. Putin on June 14 said 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. Russia occupies most of Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast, and substantial parts of the country's Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The demands also included the recognition of Crimea and Sevastopol as "subjects of the Russian Federation." Putin's terms were immediately rejected by Kyiv which insists a full withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory is necessary for peace negotiations to begin. Read also: Zelensky says Putins ultimatum on peace talks is a revival of Nazism Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This article was originally featured on MIT Press Reader. This article is excerpted from Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilberts book The Secret Life of Data. One of the foundational concepts in modern democracies is whats usually referred to as the marketplace of ideas, a term coined by political philosopher John Stuart Mill in 1859, though its roots stretch back at least another two centuries. The basic idea is simple: In a democratic society, everyone should share their ideas in the public sphere, and then, through reasoned debate, the people of a country may decide which ideas are best and how to put them into action, such as by passing new laws. This premise is a large part of the reason that constitutional democracies are built around freedom of speech and a free press principles enshrined, for instance, in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Like so many other political ideals, the marketplace of ideas has been more challenging in practice than in theory. For one thing, there has never been a public sphere that was actually representative of its general populace. Enfranchisement for women and racial minorities in the United States took centuries to codify, and these citizens are still disproportionately excluded from participating in elections by a variety of political mechanisms. Media ownership and employment also skews disproportionately male and white, meaning that the voices of women and people of color are less likely to be heard. And, even for people who overcome the many obstacles to entering the public sphere, that doesnt guarantee equal participation; as a quick scroll through your social media feed may remind you, not all voices are valued equally. Above and beyond the challenges of entrenched racism and sexism, the marketplace of ideas has another major problem: Most political speech isnt exactly what youd call reasoned debate. Theres nothing new about this observation; 2,400 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that logos (reasoned argumentation) is only one element of political rhetoric, matched in importance by ethos (trustworthiness) and pathos (emotional resonance). But in the 21st century, thanks to the secret life of data, pathos has become datafied, and therefore weaponized, at a hitherto unimaginable scale. And this doesnt leave us much room for logos, spelling even more trouble for democracy. An excellent and alarming example of the weaponization of emotional data is a relatively new technique called neurotargeting. You may have heard this term in connection with the firm Cambridge Analytica (CA), which briefly dominated headlines in 2018 after its role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the UKs Brexit vote came to light. To better understand neurotargeting and its ongoing threats to democracy, we spoke with one of the foremost experts on the subject: Emma Briant, a journalism professor at Monash University and a leading scholar of propaganda studies. Modern neurotargeting techniques trace back to U.S. intelligence experiments examining brains exposed to both terrorist propaganda and American counterpropaganda. Neurotargeting, in its simplest form, is the strategic use of large datasets to craft and deliver a message intended to sideline the recipients focus on logos and ethos and appeal directly to the pathos at their emotional core. Neurotargeting is prized by political campaigns, marketers, and others in the business of persuasion because they understand, from centuries of experience, that provoking strong emotional responses is one of the most reliable ways to get people to change their behavior. As Briant explained, modern neurotargeting techniques can be traced back to experiments undertaken by U.S. intelligence agencies in the early years of the 21st century that used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machines to examine the brains of subjects as they watched both terrorist propaganda and American counterpropaganda. One of the commercial contractors working on these government experiments was Strategic Communication Laboratories, or the SCL Group, the parent company of CA. A decade later, building on these insights, CA was the leader in a burgeoning field of political campaign consultancies that used neurotargeting to identify emotionally vulnerable voters in democracies around the globe and influence their political participation through specially crafted messaging. While the company was specifically aligned with right-wing political movements in the United States and the United Kingdom, it had a more mercenary approach elsewhere, selling its services to the highest bidder seeking to win an election. Its efforts to help Trump win the 2016 U.S. presidential election offer an illuminating glimpse into how this process worked. As Briant has documented, one of the major sources of data used to help the Trump campaign came from a personality test fielded via Facebook by a Cambridge University professor working on behalf of CA, who ostensibly collected the responses for scholarly research purposes only. CA took advantage of Facebooks lax protections of consumer data and ended up harvesting information from not only the hundreds of thousands of people who opted into the survey, but also an additional 87 million of their connections on the platform, without the knowledge or consent of those affected. At the same time, CA partnered with a company called Gloo to build and market an app that purported to help churches maintain ongoing relationships with their congregants, including by offering online counseling services. According to Briants research, this app was also exploited by CA to collect data about congregants emotional states for political campaigns for political purposes. In other words, the company relied heavily on unethical and deceptive tactics to collect much of its core data. Once CA had compiled data related to the emotional states of countless millions of Americans, it subjected those data to analysis using a psychological model called OCEAN an acronym in which the N stands for neuroticism. As Briant explained, If you want to target people with conspiracy theories, and you want to suppress the vote, to build apathy or potentially drive people to violence, then knowing whether they are neurotic or not may well be useful to you. CA then used its data-sharing relationship with right-wing disinformation site Breitbart and developed partnerships with other media outlets in order to experiment with various fear-inducing political messages targeted at people with established neurotic personalities all, as Briant detailed, to advance support for Trump. Toward this end, CA made use of a well-known marketing tool called A/B testing, a technique that compares the success rate of different pilot versions of a message to see which is more measurably persuasive. Armed with these carefully tailored ads and a master list of neurotic voters in the United States, CA then set out to change voters behaviors depending on their political beliefs getting them to the polls, inviting them to live political events and protests, convincing them not to vote, or encouraging them to share similar messages with their networks. As Briant explained, not only did CA disseminate these inflammatory and misleading messages to the original survey participants on Facebook (and millions of lookalike Facebook users, based on data from the companys custom advertising platform), it also targeted these voters by coordinating a campaign across media including digital television and radio ads, and even by enlisting social media influencers to amplify the messaging calculated to instill fear in neurotic listeners. From the point of view of millions of targeted voters, their entire media spheres would have been inundated with overlapping and seemingly well-corroborated disinformation confirming their worst paranoid suspicions about evil plots that only a Trump victory could eradicate. Although CA officially shut its doors in 2018 following the public scandals about its unethical use of Facebook data, parent company SCL and neurotargeting are still thriving. As Briant told us, Cambridge Analytica isnt gone; its just fractured, and [broken into] new companies. And, you know, people continue. What happens is, just because these people have been exposed, it then becomes harder to see what theyre doing. If anything, she told us, former CA employees and other, similar companies have expanded their operations in the years since 2018, to the point where our entire information world has become the battlefield. Unfortunately, Briant told us, regulators and democracy watchdogs dont seem to have learned their lesson from the CA scandal. All the focus is about the Russians who are going to get us, she said, referring to one of the principal state sponsors of pro-Trump disinformation, but nobodys really looking at these firms and the experiments that theyre doing, and how that then interacts with the platforms with which we share our personal data daily. Unless someone does start keeping track and cracking down, Briant warned, the CA scandal will come to seem like merely the precursor to a wave of data abuse that threatens to destroy the foundations of democratic society. In particular, she sees a dangerous trend of both information warfare and military action being delegated to unaccountable, black-box algorithms, and you no longer have human control in the process of war. Just as there is currently no equivalent to the Geneva Conventions for the use of AI in international conflict, it will be challenging to hold algorithms accountable for their actions via international tribunals like the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Even researching and reporting on algorithm-driven campaigns and conflicts will become nearly impossible. Even researching and reporting on algorithm-driven campaigns and conflicts a vital function of scholarship and journalism will become nearly impossible, according to Briant. How do you report on a campaign that you cannot see, that nobody has controlled, and nobodys making the decisions about, and you dont have access to any of the platforms? she asked. Whats going to accompany that is a closing down of transparency I think were at real risk of losing democracy itself as a result of this shift. Briants warning about the future of algorithmically automated warfare (both conventional and informational) is chilling and well-founded. Yet this is only one of many ways in which the secret life of data may further erode democratic norms and institutions. We can never be sure what the future holds, especially given the high degree of uncertainty associated with planetary crises like climate change. But there is compelling reason to believe that, in the near future, the acceleration of digital surveillance; the geometrically growing influence of AI, Machine Learning, and predictive algorithms; the lack of strong national and international regulation of data industries; and the significant political, military, and commercial competitive advantages associated with maximal exploitation of data will add up to a perfect storm that shakes democratic society to its foundations. The most likely scenario, this year, is the melding of neurotargeting and generative AI. Imagine a relaunch of the Cambridge Analytica campaign from 2016, but featuring custom-generated, fear-inducing disinformation targeted to individual users or user groups in place of A/B tested messaging. Its not merely a possibility; its almost certainly here, and its effects on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election wont be fully understood until were well into the next presidential term. Yet we can work together to prevent its most dire consequences, by taking care what kinds of social media posts we like and reshare, doing the extra work to check the provenance of the videos and images were fed, and holding wrongdoers publicly accountable when theyre caught seeding AI-generated disinformation. Its not just a dirty trick, its an assault on the very foundations of democracy. If were going to successfully defend ourselves from this coordinated attack, well need to reach across political and social divides to work in our common interest, and each of us will need to do our part. Aram Sinnreich is an author, professor, and musician. He is Chair of Communication Studies at American University, and the author of several books, including Mashed Up, The Piracy Crusade, and The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property. Jesse Gilbert is an interdisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of visual art, sound, and software design at his firm Dark Matter Media. He was the founding Chair of the Media Technology department at Woodbury University and has taught interactive software design at both CalArts and UC San Diego. Sinnreich and Gilbert are the authors of The Secret Life of Data. View comments Nevada judge Mary Kay Holthus threw out the states case against six Republicans who attempted to subvert the will of Nevada voters and elect Donald Trump by presenting themselves as fake electors in 2020. Per the New York Times, Holthus told state prosecutors that they filed their case in the wrong venue, an assertion that Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford disputed. We disagree with the judges decision and will be appealing immediately, spokesperson John Sadler told the Times. A Nevada grand jury indicted the six Republicans, including Nevada GOP Chairman Michael McDonald, last December for their plot to serve as fake electors, accusing them of tampering with and submitting official documents. Nevada stands alongside at least four other states to launch proceedings against the coordinated attempts to overturn the 2020 election, including Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Michigan. A federal prosecution of Trumps broader efforts to subvert the election, which was indefinitely paused earlier this month, includes the state-level plots. Despite an appeal, Holthus actions mark another setback to the efforts to hold a 2020 campaign to subvert the election of Joe Biden to account. The actions make it unlikely that the six fake electors will stand trial ahead of the November election, allowing several of the indicted individuals, including McDonald and Clark County GOP chair Jesse Law, to maintain their positions. Judge Holthus, who serves as a District Court judge in Clark County, holds that the incidents of forgery took place in Carson City, not Clark County, and thus the state could not prosecute the case in her court. Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers have struck a deal to offset the state budget deficit. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers struck a deal Saturday to make $16 billion in cuts, declare a statewide fiscal emergency and pull money from the states rainy-day reserves to balance a $46.8-billion budget deficit. The agreement for a $297.7-billion spending plan is the result of weeks of contentious negotiations with labor unions and business interests after weaker-than-anticipated revenue forced Newsom and lawmakers to scale back California's progressive policy agenda. The shortfall inspired a tug-of-war over coveted state dollars that has caused rifts between the governor and some of his closest allies at the Capitol. Among the more high-profile changes, the 2024-25 budget plan delays a minimum wage increase for healthcare workers until at least October, cuts $1.1 billion for affordable housing and slashes $750 million in funding for the state prison system. Californias business community also took a hit, with the three-year suspension of nearly $15 billion in tax breaks a year earlier than Newsom initially proposed. This agreement sets the state on a path for long-term fiscal stability addressing the current shortfall and strengthening budget resilience down the road," Newsom said in statement. "Were making sure to preserve programs that serve millions of Californians, including key funding for education, health care, expanded behavioral health services and combating homelessness." The deficit marks a dramatic reversal of California's financial standing from a projected $100-billion surplus two years ago and creates a challenging political narrative for Newsom, who often boasts of the state being an essential economic engine for the nation. The governor is required by law to declare a statewide budget emergency before he can take money from the reserves to address the deficit. But an emergency declaration gives fodder to critics who have accused Democrats of mismanaging the state's finances and overspending. Despite the shortfall, the California economy remains strong, and the state has more revenue to spend than it did when Newsom took office. "This is not a revenue problem," said David Crane, president of Govern for California, a nonprofit that seeks to oppose the influence of labor unions on state government. "The deficit is a result of expenditures." In April, Newsom touted the fact that the California economy held its position as the fifth largest in the world, saying the state "continues to punch above its weight." The state government's financial problem can be blamed in part on poor revenue projections that led Newsom and lawmakers to allocate more money for programs than they had available to spend. The state's progressive tax structure leaves government dependent on revenue from income taxes paid by chief executives and other top earners, which are subject to stock-market fluctuations and difficult to predict. Additionally, the delay of the 2022 tax filing deadline from April to November forced California leaders to craft the current budget without a full understanding of how much state tax revenue had declined. Newsom anticipated California's deficit to grow when he signed the budget last year and said he dedicated much of the new money in his spending plan to one-time funding increases that he could easily halt if revenue were to fall. The cuts include $500 million for a loan program to fund affordable student housing at colleges and a reduction of $485 million for work-study programs. Yet the governor and lawmakers have been criticized for choosing to pull money from the state's rainy-day fund $5.1 billion in 2024-25 and $7.1 billion planned the following year to avoid deeper cuts. Democrats also plan to take $900 million from a safety-net reserve account next year. Tapping into the states piggy bank now has raised concerns about what could happen to programs serving California's neediest if the economy falls into recession and revenue drops even lower. Democrats at the Capitol released a broad overview of some of the cuts the Legislature will vote on next week, before the budget takes effect July 1. Newsom and lawmakers said the agreement includes proposed legislation requiring the state, in the future, to set aside surplus funds for subsequent budget years as a means to protect against revenue swings and a constitutional amendment in 2026 to increase the rainy-day fund. Details were not shared with the announcement. Here's what we know so far about the agreement. Pushing off a healthcare minimum wage hike Newsom signed a bill into law last year to give healthcare workers a minimum wage increase to $25 per hour. He waited a few weeks to explain that he wouldn't allow the law to take effect if the state budget crisis worsened. At the time, the Department of Finance estimated that the law could cost the state $2 billion. Labor unions said the cost was closer to $300 million, if the state required hospitals to cover much of the expenditure. Newsom's concerns, which he said he shared with unions before he signed the law, set off months of private negotiations over when to raise wages and how to pay for the increase. Those talks ended with the budget agreement, which delays the pay hike from taking effect until Oct. 15 at the earliest, instead of this month, as originally planned. The start date for the pay hike hinges on one of two scenarios: state revenue in the first quarter of the fiscal year coming in 3% above projections, or more federal funding for hospitals through a quality-assurance fee. If neither happens, the increase could be delayed beyond October. Lawmakers and the governor are essentially using the quality-assurance fee as a mechanism to ensure that hospitals can pay for the increase. Hospitals pay quality-assurance fees; the federal government matches the money, then remits the funding back to hospitals. The federal increase requested by the state is expected to cover 30% of the cost of higher wages for hospitals. The budget pegs the states cost for the program at $600 million in 2024-25. Dave Regan, president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, said "workers are disappointed" that the wage hike won't kick in this summer but recognized that legislative leaders and Newsom listened to the union's concerns despite the shortfall. Read more: As deficit estimate hits $68 billion, Newsom seeks 'major changes' to healthcare wage law No solution on battle over MCO tax The question of how to use the proceeds of a tax on managed care organizations, known as the MCO tax, turned out to be the most difficult to answer in budget negotiations so challenging, in fact, that talks fizzled out, and Newsom threatened to oppose a ballot measure backed by some of his closest allies. The tax applies to health insurance providers that charge fixed monthly payments for services and acts as a mechanism to allow California to collect billions in additional federal funds for Medi-Cal, the healthcare system for low-income residents. Newsom and lawmakers renewed the tax last June and agreed to use some of the proceeds to raise reimbursement rates to providers who serve Medi-Cal patients. For years, doctors have waged an unsuccessful campaign to raise rates, arguing that the reimbursements are too low, result in a shortage of doctors willing to accept patients and restrict access to care. But Newsom reversed course and proposed taking more than $6 billion from the Medi-Cal rate increases over multiple years and using the funding instead to avoid cuts to the program. The change pitted Newsom against a coalition led by the California Medical Assn. and Planned Parenthood, two groups that have supported the governor's causes and backed his campaigns. The coalition called for the governor to stick to the agreement he made in 2023 to raise rates for providers. It also is leading a charge to pass a measure on the 2024 ballot that would permanently establish an MCO tax to fund higher reimbursement rates and other Medi-Cal services. The governor wants the coalition to take the measure off the ballot. He wants the funds to be flexible so the state can use the money if necessary to support the Medi-Cal system in the future. The coalition has so far declined to take the measure off the ballot, fearing that Democrats would divert the funding again. The talks ended in a stalemate. The final state budget includes $6.9 billion next year to support the Medi-Cal system. Newsom and lawmakers agreed to offer a smaller pot of money for "provider rate increases and investments" from the MCO tax, but far less money than was previously set aside. The budget includes $133 million in 2024-25 and a plan to raise that to $728 million in 2025-26 and $1.2 billion the following year. Democrats said the MCO funding would become "inoperable," essentially eliminated, if the measure is approved on the 2024 ballot. Jodi Hicks, chief executive of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said the tenets of the ballot initiative were negotiated last year with safety-net providers and policymakers. The coalition's measure, if approved in November, would provide the state $2 billion for general Medi-Cal costs, outside of rate increases, annually in 2025 and 2026. "The intent of the initiative was to make historic investments in the Medi-Cal program and provide for a generational change for patients and how they experience access to care," Hicks said. The governor threatened to campaign against the measure as the budget talks soured this year, setting up the possibility that he could challenge his supporters in the November election. Read more: Secret negotiations heat up in Sacramento as budget, ballot deadlines loom A pause on business tax breaks The budget deal limits total tax credits for businesses in the state to $5 million per filer and pauses a net operating loss tax deduction for businesses with income of more than $1 million in 2024, 2025 and 2026. In a concession to the business community, Newsom and lawmakers are allowing companies to receive refunds for the tax credits after the limits end. Newsom originally proposed halting and capping the tax breaks beginning in 2025. But Democrats in the Legislature pushed to apply the changes a year earlier, allowing them to avoid cuts to other programs. The administration said the changes to the tax breaks will increase revenue by nearly $15 billion through 2026. The early start could hurt businesses who were planning to deduct losses from their 2024 taxes and now have to scramble to scale back on employees or inventory to cover the cost of an unexpectedly higher bill. The limit also marks the second time in five years that the state has capped tax credits, which could turn away companies that operate in California. Big cut to prisons Lawmakers previously proposed an additional $1 billion in cuts to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, including at least $12 million in reductions to the governors project to transform San Quentin. Newsoms proposed cuts had included $80.6 million in savings from the newly announced deactivation of 46 housing units at 13 state prisons. The final agreement drops funding for corrections by $750 million through next budget year, which includes $400 million from Newsom's plan to cut state operations and eliminate vacant jobs. Overall, the budget reductions to operations and personnel across all of state government saves nearly $2.2 billion. Read more: With deadline nearing, Newsom and lawmakers disagree over solutions to California budget crisis Newsom supports another round of homelessness grants In late May, Democrats in the Legislature proposed spending $1 billion more than the governor had budgeted on a sixth round of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grants to local governments. At the same time, lawmakers proposed cutting $100 million in funding to clean up homeless encampments in the current budget year. The final budget deal appears to show a compromise. The deal includes $1 billion in additional homelessness grants, which the governor and lawmakers said would be tied to new accountability measures to make sure local governments use the funding appropriately. The agreement also provides $150 million next year for encampment grants. Broadband internet access for all a little later The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the need to improve access to broadband internet in homes across California when K-12 education shifted from the classroom to remote learning. Low-income families and those who live in rural areas often lack the same level of connectivity as more wealthy communities. Newsom has sought to make internet access more equitable under a "broadband for all" initiative. The spending plan delays $550 million in funding for "last mile" work, which connects the network to homes, until the 2027 budget year. The budget agreement still offers $250 million next year for a program to expand and improve the fiber-optic network under "middle-mile" projects, and Democrats intend to provide a total of $2 billion for last-mile work over multiple years. A funding delay for public schools Under Proposition 98, approved by voters in 1988, California has a minimum funding guarantee for schools and community colleges. This year, Newsom proposed an unusual maneuver to re-characterize funding in 2022-23 to reflect the lower-than-expected state revenue. The California Teachers Assn. said the change would have reduced funding for schools by about $12 billion over two years. The union ran a television ad criticizing Newsoms proposal to pressure him to reverse course. Newsom and teachers agreed late last month to a complicated solution that suspends the minimum funding guarantee and delays $5.5 billion in funding until future years. 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. Bhavna Bhargava claimed her concerns were ignored at Epsom and St Helier Hospital, in Surrey - Paul Gapper/Alamy An NHS midwife told a black woman asking for painkillers as she suffered a miscarriage that you people have a high pain threshold, it is claimed. It is one of a number of instances of black and Asian women being subjected to racist treatment and mockery by maternity staff before losing a child. The revelations come as official figures show infant mortality is twice as high in ethnic minorities. The findings were backed up by the report on NHS maternity care led by Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife, which documented repeated instances of discriminatory behaviour by staff mimicking accents, mannerisms and laughing at ethnic minority women. Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife, led the report on NHS maternity care - Jacob King/PA A Freedom of Information request to NHS England disclosed that in 2022-23, the stillbirth rate for babies of black mothers was double that of those of white mothers, while the rate for Asian babies was almost as high. Bhavna Bhargava, a British woman of Indian origin, lost her son, Joshan, seven and a half hours after he was born, on May 27 2019. She said that when she arrived at Epsom Hospital, she told a nurse she had been bleeding profusely and showed her a sanitary towel soaked in blood. She said: I told the nurse, This is the amount of blood I lost while coming to the hospital. It does not feel normal. The nurse told her it was perfectly normal, according to Ms Bhargava. Hours later, her uterus had ruptured 30cm, causing her baby to slip through into the abdomen. I was not listened to She claimed: From the first point of going to the hospital, I was not listened to, and my concerns were not taken seriously. Ms Bhargava said her husband had seen a midwife rolling their eyes at him when he raised his concerns about her extreme pain during labour. A coroners inquest found that a delay in recognising foetal distress more than minimally contributed to Joshans death. Ms Bhargava said she believed women of Indian origin were stereotyped as being assumed to have an extremely low pain threshold and always to prefer Caesarean section over natural delivery. A black woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, said she had repeatedly been addressed as you people by maternity staff at another hospital in the London area. Im in absolute pain She said: I was just a single person requesting assistance with my medical condition. She suffered her first miscarriage in 2011, when she said she was told: You, black people, have a very high pain threshold, after she had asked for painkillers. After she responded, How many people are in this room? What do you mean, you people? she said she was told that all black people were resilient. She said: Im not, actually. Im in absolute pain. And I have been saying this for hours. Between 2011 and 2017, she had five miscarriages without knowing what was causing them. Black women are frightened Alicia Burnett, the founder of Black Baby Loss Awareness Week, said: Black women who are going through miscarriages or had one before or are going through pregnancy are frightened. They are afraid wondering if they will be mistreated again. Despite the argument that most of the nurses are people of colour, it does not rule out acts of racism. If a person is educated within a system that is impacted by institutional racism, they are going to work in a way that does not treat everybody in the same way. The Ockenden Maternity Review the largest inquiry of its kind in NHS history found a lack of communication among the staff and the patients particularly affected women from minority ethnic backgrounds. Systematic racism The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, the charity, said there was a well-documented problem of systematic racism experienced by many black and Asian women and mothers from other ethnic background families when navigating maternity and neonatal care. An NHS England spokesman said: The NHS is committed to ensuring all women, regardless of their ethnicity, receive high-quality care before, during and after their pregnancy, and all maternity and neonatal systems have published action plans to help ensure care is equitable for all mothers, babies and families. An Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said: Our deepest condolences go out to Ms Bhargava and her family for their loss, and we would like to apologise again for the distress caused. We have since reviewed our service and have made improvements including having processes in place to assess blood loss volumes and raised concerns regarding equipment issues with the manufacturer and MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency], which have now been resolved. 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. Britain's Nigel Farage, Reform UK party leader plays on a game in an amusement arcade holds out some coins whilst spending time with supporters in Clacton-On-Sea, Essex, England Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) LONDON (AP) Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform U.K party, is facing wide-ranging criticism across the political spectrum over his claim that the West provoked Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine, including of being an appeaser. In a BBC television interview broadcast Friday evening, Farage, who is seeking to woo voters away from Britains governing Conservatives at the July 4 general election, drew a link between the expansion of NATO and the European Union eastwards over the past few decades and the invasion. Claiming that he warned of a potential war in Ukraine in 2014, when he was a member of the European Parliament, Farage said we provoked this war. It's unclear whether his warning came before or after Russia had annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in February 2014. It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say, Theyre coming for us again and to go to war," Farage said. Its, you know, of course its his fault hes used what weve done as an excuse. Farage's critics from across the political spectrum slammed his statement, with many describing him as a Putin apologist. In perhaps his sharpest criticism of Farage, Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was completely wrong to say the West provoked Putin into launching a full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This is a man who deployed nerve agents on the streets of Britain, whos doing deals with countries like North Korea," Sunak said. "And this kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britains security, the security of our allies that rely on us and only emboldens Putin further. Many Conservatives, including Sunak, have largely held back from overly criticizing Farage, who though not a lawmaker in the U.K. Parliament, was hugely influential in Britains vote to leave the EU in 2016. The worry among many Conservatives is that attacking him too much will further alienate many Conservative voters, who sympathize with his tough rhetoric on issues like immigration and Brexit. In many constituencies around the country, Conservatives have argued that a vote for Reform would see the main opposition Labour Party come through the middle and win. I think Nigel Farage is a bit like that pub bore we have all met at the end of the bar who often says if I was running the country and presents very simplistic answers to actually, I am afraid in the 21st century, complex problems, Ben Wallace, the former Conservative defense secretary who has stood down as a lawmaker, told BBC radio. This is the first general election that Reform U.K. is contesting and it has enjoyed a lift in the polls after Farage said in early June he would lead the party and contest the seat in Clacton in southeast England. Though the party is not expected to secure many seats, Farage is currently favorite to win his contest and finally enter Parliament after seven attempts. Keir Starmer, leader of the left-of-center Labour Party who is widely expected to become prime minister after the election, labelled Farage's comments as disgraceful. Anyone who is standing for Parliament ought to be really clear that Russia is the aggressor," he said. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) NJ Transit riders are heated over service delays and cancellations on one of the hottest days of the year. A power outage knocked out service Thursday on the Northeast Corridor and the issues persisted into Friday. More New Jersey News Ellen, who is visiting New York from California, was directed to the 33rd Street PATH Station when her train at Penn Station was canceled. She had to walk from one station to the other with luggage on one of the hottest days of the year. In a 95-degree heat, its pretty horrible, said Ellen. We live outside of San Francisco. We live in the fog, so our bodies are not used to this. Storm Lewis was trying to navigate her way to Godnieces Rutgers University graduation. She, too, had to move over to a PATH train because of NJ Transit cancellations. I would love to be there on time, but well see how fast the train takes me, said Lewis. On Friday afternoon in Penn Station, several travelers were trying to get to New Jersey for the weekend. The lack of emphasis around building up the train system is really disheartening, said Cat Kerwin, who was trying to visit family. Its really sad, honestly. My train just got canceled, so Im just waiting for the next one to come, whenever that may be, said Arianna Barracelli, whose train to Trenton was canceled. Several riders pointed out that NJ Transit fares are increasing in a matter of days. Ticket prices will increase 15% beginning July 1st and 3% yearly, in perpetuity. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 process behind budgeting the revenue earned by the State of New Mexico was the topic of discussion at a Town Hall hosted June 18, 2024 in Las Cruces by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. The town hall featured a detail presentation by Jon Courtney, Ph.D., deputy director of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee. Courtney pointed to the current work being done in preparation of presenting a 2025 budget to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature while breaking down the steps of the LFC's budgeting process. Jon Courtney, Ph.D. deputy director of the Legislative Finance committee on June 18, 2024 at a Town Hall hosted by New Mexico Foundation For Open Government. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion with Sen. Jeff Steinborn, Rep. Nathan Small and Rep. Joanne Ferrary moderated by Jessica Onsurez, editor of the Las Cruces Sun-News and president of the NMFOG Board of Directors for 2024. The panel explored the complexity of the Legislature's work on the budget and how transparency is important to the process. "The FOG Townhall was important as it allowed the public to voice their concerns and comments and suggestions about the budget process, and if modernizing the Legislature would improve transparency. Its always positive anytime the public has an opportunity to participate in conversations with their government officials," said Melanie Majors, executive director of NMFOG. A survey of New Mexico legislators conducted by NMFOG showed that the majority of respondents would support "reform of the budgeting process" in New Mexico. When asked about their support for reform, panelist said the modernization of the Legislature longer legislative sessions, paid staff and pay for legislators would help improve the current process to the benefit of New Mexicans. Pictured are Rep. Joanne Ferrary, Rep. Nathan Small and Sen. Jeff Steinborn. All were panelist in a New Mexico Foundation for Open Government Town Hall where they spoke about the current Legislative budgeting process. A second town hall is scheduled for the fall. The Town Hall was organized with financial support of the Thornburg Foundation. Find out more about NMFOG at nmfog.org. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: NMFOG Town Hall in Las Cruces brings NM budget process into focus Will you shut up, man? It was hardly oratory worthy of Abraham Lincoln, but Joe Bidens primal plea in the face of relentless interruptions and heckling from Donald Trump provided a defining soundbite of the 2020 presidential debates. The two will face each other again on Thursday for the first of two head-to-head debates for the 2024 campaign, under new rules designed to prevent matters degenerating as they did four years ago. The US president and the former president will meet in a TV studio without the presence of a partisan audience, which some saw as an essential ingredient of Trumps rabble-rousing approach. And to counteract the repeated butting-in that so irked Biden, the candidates will have their microphones muted when they are not speaking. But the debates are also the first in decades to be held entirely by commercial TV networks including two advertising breaks and without the oversight of the Commission on Presidential Debates, the long-established, independent, non-partisan body that has long governed the debate rules. Some critics say they fear that commercialising the process could lead to less substantive, shorter answers, geared more to generating conflict and soundbites than enlightening voters. The verbal volleys in 2020 between Biden and Trump, under the Fox News moderator Chris Wallace, became so vitriolic that the CNN presenter Dana Bash was prompted, live on air, to describe the event as a shitshow. Earlier this year, both campaigns chose to circumvent the Commission on Presidential Debates, which had overseen presidential debates since 1988, and on 27 June, Bash and her CNN co-presenter, Jake Tapper, will have a chance to improve on Foxs effort when they preside over the first debate in Atlanta. A second debate will take place on 10 September, to be hosted by ABC. No props or prewritten notes will be allowed on stage. Candidates will be given a pen, a notepad and a bottle of water. The decisions to switch off a candidates microphone when it is the opponents turn to speak, and to exclude a partisan audience, have been taken in an effort to reduce the theatrical gladiatorial bloodsport element that has threatened to overwhelm recent debates. Some critics said the lack of oversight from the CPD, as well as the inclusion of two commercial breaks during the 90-minute event, undermined the nature of the debate. The introduction of commercial breaks will fundamentally change what makes a debate a debate, since the candidates will constantly be able to stop and regroup, Clea Conner, chief executive of Open to Debate, a research group that has tracked presidential debates over recent decades, told Politico. Even though there will be only two commercial breaks this time, once we deem them acceptable its a classic slippery slope; how many will there be next time, and the time after that? [Candidates] arguments will have to be shorter, truncated for the commercial clock, and will result in more outrageous interactions to bump ratings. Without the presence of an independent broker such as the CPD, she argued, it would lead to pure political theatre. Open to Debates report into the deterioration of debate quality attested to the need for drastic format changes from 2020, in order to arrest a decline in moderator control and candidate decorum. While there were just three interruptions across three debates in the 2004 election between George W Bush and John Kerry administered by the CPD the first 2020 Trump-Biden encounter witnessed 76, the group noted. However, the second debate saw just four interruptions, after non-speakers microphones were muted following criticism of the chaos three weeks earlier. Steven Fein, a professor of psychology at Williams College in Massachusetts, who has studied the psychological dimension of presidential debates, said excluding a loudly cheering live audience was rational and good for democracy. [It] will reduce significantly the chances that the focus of the debate will be not on what is actually said, but on all this stuff around it the reaction of the audience and playing to the audience, he said. I think that changes what the candidates are likely to do. It also changes what the audience at home takes away from the debate, what they remember, what plays the news the next day all based on the audience reaction. Because the audience reaction may or may not be valid. He warned, however, that the commercial TV networks may jettison the new approach because it makes for less exciting television. The candidate with more to lose in the controlled, low-key environment is probably Trump, according to Tammy Vigil, associate professor of communications at Boston University. He tends to feed off of the energy of a crowd, she said. Hell lose some of his energy by not having a crowd to feed off. The other part thatll probably change is that the candidates will be more apt to speak to the cameras directly. I think that will improve the overall feel of the debate for television viewers because itll feel like the candidates are speaking more directly to them. The Makah Tribe long hunted whales in hand-carved canoes, such as this one landing at Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula about 1900. They voluntarily stopped hunting gray whales in 1928 as commercial whaling depleted the species, which has since recovered in the eastern Pacific. (Photo/Courtesy Museum of History and Industry, Negative Number 88.33.122) NOAA Fisheries announced the final rule and decision to grant the Makah Tribe a waiver from the take prohibitions in the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This waiver provides for a limited subsistence and ceremonial hunt of Eastern North Pacific gray whales in accordance with the Treaty of Neah Bay of 1855 and quotas established by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). This waiver authorizes the Makah Tribe to resume hunting up to 25 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over a 10-year period in U.S. waters. Prior to a hunt, NOAA Fisheries and the Tribe must enter into a cooperative agreement under the //uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title16/chapter14/subchapter2&edition=prelim#" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(51, 122, 183); text-decoration: underline;">Whaling Convention Act, and the Tribe must apply for and receive a hunt permit. The final rule includes time and area restrictions, harvest limits, low population thresholds, restrictions on the use of gray whale parts and reporting and monitoring requirements. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. This waiver will allow the Makah Tribe to use the quota which has in past years been transferred to Russia. No more than 2-3 whales may be hunted each year by the Tribe in U.S. waters. In addition, NOAA Fisheries will maintain adaptive management strategies to ensure the protection of endangered Western North Pacific gray whales and the Pacific Coast Feeding Group of Eastern North Pacific gray whales. On September 23, 2021, the judges recommended decision was transmitted to NOAA Fisheries along with the hearing transcript and other required documentation. These documents and public comments on them informed the agencys final decision on the Makah Tribes waiver request. More information about the Makah Tribes request for a limited waiver of the Marine Mammal Protection Act moratorium on take of gray whales including a flowchart is available on the NOAA Fisheries website as well as a historical chronology leading up to this milestone. 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 NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) The New Orleans Police Department is investigating an early morning shooting that happened in the French Quarter on Saturday, June 22. An NOPD spokesperson said the shooting was reported around 4:07 a.m. in the 600 block of Bourbon Street, which is near the intersection of Toulouse Street. Amite man accused in attempted murder of infant and elderly man arrested A man was shot in his body and taken to a hospital. He later died from his injuries, and the shooting was reclassified as a homicide. Crime scene tape could still be seen following the shooting. A source told WGNO the victim was an innocent bystander visiting from Florida. Its really sad, just one bad apple can make everything bad, said street performer Jospeh Rohley. Rohley said he leaves the area before 8 p.m., as it starts to get dangerous. He is calling for more police patrols. If they paid more attention to what to look for and keeping us safe. Having more people on the blocks and watching surveillance would help tremendously. You call them and they wont come for four or five hours, said Rohley. A tourist walking the streets said the news about the shooting has been floating around since he arrived in the French Quarter. He said he stays alert when in the city. Youve got to look at your surroundings, always have to be aware of your surroundings, and protect yourself at all times, said a tourist. William Brown frequents the area regularly, and hes seen a number of incidents occur. He said he believes the police are doing their best. The crime rate, its like you know is going up. I believe the police are trying to bring it down. Ive seen the stop fights and all that, said Brown. Rohley added that criminals dont fear repercussions because they dont believe theyll be caught. He said the public has to get tired of the violence for change to happen. He believes someone always knows something. We got the Superbowl coming this year, so that is going to be a big thing. We just got to fight this as a community and just fight this stuff we cant take it no more, said Rohley. Anyone with information on the shooting can call NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300 or Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111. 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. North Korea has begun building an apparent wall near its border with South Korea, according to new satellite footage reported by multiple outlets. Satellite images from June 17 showed three white structures along the eastern part of the North Korean border, according to a BBC Verify analysis. An area of land inside of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) also appeared to be cleared, per BBC. The 155-mile-long DMZ serves as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea, both of which have a series of troops deployed there. North Korean military members have been performing unexplained activities between the DMZ and the military demarcation line, which divides the peninsula, South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported, citing an unidentified military source. The activities included erecting walls, digging the ground and road construction, though it was not clear if these activities indicated an intention to build a long wall or establish defensive structures at certain points, the source told Yonhap. It comes days after a group of North Korea soldiers, who were doing construction work, crossed the military demarcation line. South Korea broadcast a warning and fired warning shots, prompting the soldiers to retreat. The Associated Press reported last week North Koreas construction could be seeking to make it harder for North Korean civilians to move to the south. Tensions have persisted between the two countries and earlier this month, North Korea sent hundreds of balloons carrying trash into multiple provinces of South Korea, including areas of Seoul. In response, South Korea played Korean pop music on its loudspeakers and anti-Pyongyang propaganda in what it promised would be an unbearable retaliation for the balloons. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE - Hristijan Mickoski, the leader of the opposition conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, speaks during a celebration on the main square after their party announced victory in the presidential and parliamentary elections, in Skopje, North Macedonia, early Thursday, May 9, 2024. North Macedonia's parliament began a two-day debate leading up to a vote on the new government proposed by a center-right party that won May's national elections. Heading the government is Hristijan Mickoski, a 46-year-old engineering professor who has pledged to continue his center-left predecessors efforts to shepherd the small Balkan NATO member into the European Union. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski), File) SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) North Macedonia's parliament began a two-day debate leading up to a vote on the new government proposed by a center-right party that won May's national elections. Heading the proposed government is Hristijan Mickoski, a 46-year-old former engineering professor who has pledged to continue his center-left predecessors efforts to shepherd the small Balkan NATO member into the European Union. Speaking in parliament Saturday, Mickoski said the new cabinet would maintain efforts to bring the country in line with EU standards. "Support continues for Ukraine to defend its national integrity and sovereignty, in the war against Russia, he added, and pledged to build good relations with North Macedonia's neighbors. But Mickoski's more nationalist tone could alienate neighboring Bulgaria and Greece, both EU members with the power to hinder his country's accession to the 27-nation bloc. Mickoski is expected to win Sundays vote easily, having secured the support of 78 lawmakers in the 120-seat house. His VMRO-DPMNE party heads a coalition that gained just over 43% of the vote in the May 8 elections, winning 58 seats three short of a governing majority. Mickoski struck a coalition deal with the ethnic Albanian Vredi, or Worth, party and the small leftist ZNAM, securing a comfortable majority. Under the agreement, VMRO-DPMNE will have 15 ministerial positions, while Vredi and ZNAM will get six and two, respectively. Mickoski served as an advisor on energy matters to a previous VMRO-DPMNE government in 2015-2017. His key domestic challenges in government will include enhancing the rule of law while addressing corruption and poverty and reviving a sluggish economy. Speaking in parliament, Mickoski accused the previous government of having left North Macedonia close to clinical death in several key areas." He promised to cut taxes and raise pensions, while at the same time growing the economy by 5% this year and cutting inflation to no more than 2.5%. But his government's main issue will be North Macedonias path to the EU, which is being blocked by Bulgaria over its demands that the candidate amend its constitution to recognize a Bulgarian minority. The previous, center-left government promised to make the change, but VMRO-DPMNE has denounced the vow as a capitulation (to) Bulgarian dictates. Opposition lawmakers on Saturday charged VMRO-DPMNE with lacking a strategy to overcome the problem with Bulgaria. North Macedonia entered NATO in 2019, following a historic deal with Greece that ended a decades-old dispute over cultural heritage and history and saw the small country change its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia. But VMRO-DPMNE has already made clear its distaste for the agreement, which could jeopardize Athens' support for its neighbor's EU accession. North Macedonias new president Gordana Siljanovska Davkova a VMRO-DPMNE candidate riled Greek and EU officials by calling her country Macedonia when she took the formal oath of office. She later insisted that she had a human right to refer to her country as she liked. Mickoski said recently he will use the new constitutional name North Macedonia during the oath and in all official meetings and events. But he added that he would stick to Macedonia in informal communications. EU membership negotiations with North Macedonia and fellow candidate Albania began in 2022 and the process is expected to take years. Under parliamentary rules, the vote on the government must be held by midnight on Sunday. WINSTON-SALEM The former safety director for the High Point Parks and Recreation Department pleaded guilty April 2 to federal charges of unlawfully dealing firearms and other related offenses, according to documents from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in Winston-Salem. Tiyon Jermelle Weaver of Greensboro was charged with knowingly making false statements on June 21, 2023, during the acquisition of a firearm when he purchased a 9 mm Springfield hand gun at Sportsmans Warehouse in Greensboro, according to a Jan. 16 indictment. During the purchase, authorities alleged in the three-count indictment, Weaver deceived the licensed gun dealer by listing his address falsely as 306 Malamute Lane in Greensboro. A second count in the indictment states that Weaver broke federal law by selling firearms as an unlicensed dealer. And the third count accuses him of providing a false address to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives during the Sportsmans Warehouse Springfield purchase. The city of High Point hired Weaver on Oct. 16, 2000, as the community resource specialist in the citys Community Development and Housing Department. He later held multiple positions, including senior recreation center director and recreation center supervisor. Weaver began his job as safety coordinator for Parks and Recreation on Feb. 12, 2023. As of November 2023, his salary was $72,996, Fox 8 reported. A High Point spokesman said this week that Weaver is no longer with the city. Weaver first appeared suspicious to authorities in June 2023 when investigators began finding his firearms connected with crimes. Police discovered one such gun on Sept. 3, 2022 during a traffic stop and another during a search by the Winston-Salem Police Department on June 29, 2022. On Jan. 31, 2020, Winston-Salem Police found a man dead in a home and learned the murder weapon had allegedly been purchased by Weaver on Dec. 18, 2019, according to a report by WGHP/Fox 8, the newsgathering partner of the Greensboro News & Record and the Winston-Salem Journal. Weaver had allegedly failed to report any of those firearms as stolen, Fox 8 reported. Special Agent Alyson Halonen reviewed reports of multiple sales in Forsyth and Guilford counties in an attempt to find purchases by Weaver. The reports are generated when a person buys two or more handguns from a Federal Firearms Licensee at the same time or within five days, Fox 8 reported. The search showed that since 2017, Weaver had allegedly purchased more than 155 firearms from various Federal Firearms Licensees. Over that same period, 19 multiple sale reports were generated for purchases made by Weaver. Halonen also obtained a federal search warrant for information linked to Weavers Apple IDs. The information led her to images of firearms displayed as if for sale, Fox 8 reported. She also found a text conversation Weaver had with a phone number with no contact information. The anonymous person said: I have been a Sig man, referring to a Sig Sauer model P320 M 18 9mm firearm, a photo of which was allegedly found in Weavers iCloud, Fox 8 reported. Weaver allegedly replied: Never had one jam. I like Sig too. Sold a couple that I had, according to the Fox 8 report. On Oct. 23, 2023, Fox 8 reported, Halonen presented Weaver with her findings and he allegedly said: I just didnt realize it was that many, good lord. Ive got a problem. I didnt know it was that many. Over the next two days, Weaver emailed Halonen documentation of his firearms sales. I hate those crimes were committed with something that I purchased. It has opened my eyes to what can happen when firearms get into the wrong hands. I can definitely say I wont be selling anything else, Weaver wrote in his last email to Halonen, according to the Fox 8 report. Weaver, who is currently out on bond, could face up to five years in prison for unlawfully dealing firearms, plus a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is set for Aug. 21, according to court staff. NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) Residents of North Tonawanda are calling on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to do something about the Digihost crypto mining plant. On June 20, neighbors and advocates gathered for a press conference urging the DEC to deny the operations air permit renewal application and the two-year moratorium on crypto mining. Digihost purchased the power plant on Erie Avenue from Fortistar and began using powerful computers to mine for cryptocurrency in 2022. Using all of this equipment requires a lot of energy and generates significant noise for the nearby residents. Residents say they are frustrated as dealing with loud noises at all hours of the day from the plant has caused a disruption in their lives. Some residents say they barely spend time outside in their own backyards anymore because of the noise. There was always noise coming from them in the beginning, said North Tonawanda resident Mark Polito. Now, the noise has risen to a very loud and unbearable state. Neighbors frustrated with Bitcoin mine in North Tonawanda Residents also say they had no idea the crypto-mining company was moving to their neighborhood until the summer of 2021. I hate it, said a Sherwood Avenue resident. People ask me why I moved here but Ive lived here since I was 2. We didnt know this was coming. Pollution is another major concern. Environmental activists explained that the company is creating large levels of greenhouse gas emissions every day. Digihost purchased this plant and instead of running 5 or 6 weeks a year, now theyre gearing up to run 52 weeks a year, 24/7, said Deborah Gondek, Chair of the North Tonawanda Climate Smart Task Force. Their own estimates are that theyre going to emit over 300,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec is proposing a 2-year moratorium on all similar developments in the city. Tylec says it doesnt necessarily address the existing operation, but its a step in the right direction. Its a piece that hits the breaks so we can look at our codes, look at our comprehensive plans that were working on, said Mayor Tylec. We can figure out how we can change different aspects of our government and our laws, so we dont run into these issues again. The moratorium is scheduled to be up for a city council vote on July 16. Tylec says it sounds like the moratorium is greatly supported by the council. Latest Local News Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. 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 News 4 Buffalo. (FOX40.COM) A Northern California police department is offering community members a secure place to make exchanges in partnership with an online and local selling site, OfferUp. The Stockton Police Department made a public service announcement on Friday to remind people of a safe meetup option to make sales, online purchases, and other exchanges. It is one of several other Northern California law enforcement agencies who began offering the service to the public. Northern California police introduce secure exchange zone for safe meetups This location is under 24/7 video surveillance and will allow people a safe location to conclude exchanges, SPD said. (It) is made up of two clearly marked, green-colored parking spaces outside of the Police Department building. SPD said the designated location will help make the community a safer place. If you are thinking of making an online purchase or sale, please utilize the safe exchange zone, SPD said. Stocktons Safe Exchange Zone is located in the front parking lot of the SPD operation building at 22 E. Market 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 FOX40. Floodwaters surge in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after heavy rain Friday. Flooding is widespread there and in adjacent northwest Iowa, where some residents were being evacuated. Days of heavy rainfall have pushed rivers to record levels across northwest Iowa, shutting down utilities in several cities and forcing evacuations. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration Saturday for 21 counties in the region, and the Iowa State Patrol and Iowa 511 warned against travel there because of flooded roads. The most dramatic situation may have been in Rock Valley, where as much as 15 inches of upstream rain over the previous 72 hours sent the Rock River surging to a record depth of more than 27 feet. That was 5 feet over the previous record and 8 feet above major flood stage, 19 feet, according to the National Water Prediction Service. A levee failed and the city sounded warning sirens early Saturday, telling residents north of Highway 18 to evacuate. State troopers blocked roads into the city to all but local residents, and the city said on its Facebook page that people were being brought out by boat because "the water current and height" had rendered the use of vehicles impossible. KCAU-TV in Sioux City quoted Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo as saying aerial rescues also were underway. Weve got National Guard helicopters coming in where people are on their roofs literally on their roofs or the second floor because their first floor is completely flooded, Otterloo said. A National Weather Service map shows extreme rainfall over the past 48 hours in northwest Iowa and neighboring states. More: How much rain has northwest Iowa gotten? See 24-hour totals The Sioux County sheriff's Facebook page said evacuations also were underway in Hawarden on the Big Sioux River, which likewise experienced record flooding. The city of Akron, just downstream, was warning residents to prepare to leave. And the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, posted a storm watcher report of some evacuations in Spencer. In Rock Valley and other cities across the region, the high water backed up sewage systems, and residents were asked to cease using water until service could be restored. Some areas also reported power outages. Gov. Kim Reynolds said the Iowa Emergency Operations Center had opened to deal with the flooding, which also was reported in Sioux City, Sioux Center, Hull, Sanborn, Spirit Lake and Arnolds Park, according to the National Weather Service. River managers were struggling to contain the flooding, which also affected southeastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota. "In response to the rainfall, which has exceeded 600% of normal over the past 24 hours, we will lower releases today at Fort Randall and Gavins Point dams," said John Remus, chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. "While the decreased releases are expected to bring lower downstream river stages, they cannot offset all the flooding in the Sioux City area." Wind and hail damage from storms Friday also was reported. Here are the 21 counties covered by Gov. Kim Reynolds' disaster proclamation Reynold's disaster proclamation in Iowa covers Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth and Wright counties. It enables authorities to use state resources and activates assistance programs for affected residents, with grants of up to $5,000. More: Plan, prep and don't be overwhelmed, Iowans. Here are 5 tips to prepare for severe weather In a statement, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Hull resident, said he was talking to Reynolds "and we are working with our local, state, and federal partners to deliver relief to our communities in Sioux County and Northwest Iowa. We will do everything possible to help our neighbors rebuild and recover." More flooding to come as water flows south As the excess water surges down Iowa rivers, other communities can expect to see flooding. The National Water Prediction Service shows the Cedar River hitting major flood stage Sunday in Charles City, Monday in Cedar Falls and Thursday in Cedar Rapids. The West Fork of the Des Moines River is at major flood stage in Estherville and is expected to peak near its record level Tuesday, then exceed its record at Humboldt on Wednesday. The main channel of the river is forecast to reach major flood stage Wednesday in Fort Dodge. So far, though, no flooding on the river is forecast in Des Moines, which is protected by the Saylorville Lake reservoir upstream. One bit of good news: The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, which issues forecasts for the region, said Saturday that the worst of the rain was past. "Conditions will quiet down through the upcoming weekend into early next week," it said in forecast guidance. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Disaster declared as flooding forces evacuations in northwest Iowa Now an abortion rights advocate, woman raped by stepfather as a child will campaign with first lady CORRECTS THE AGE OF DUVALL - This combination photo shows first lady Jill Biden in Washington, Nov. 13, 2023, left, and Hadley Duvall in Versailles, Ky., Sept. 20, 2023. Duvall, a 22-year-old woman who became a vocal reproductive rights advocate after she was raped by her stepfather as a child, will campaign with Biden in Pennsylvania on Sunday, June 23, 2024, as part of an election push around the anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade. (AP Photo) WASHINGTON (AP) A 22-year-old woman who became an abortion rights advocate after she was raped by her stepfather as a child will campaign with first lady Jill Biden in Pennsylvania this weekend as part of a 2024 election push around the anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade. Hadley Duvall of Owensboro, Kentucky, first told her story publicly last fall in a campaign ad for the governor's race in her home state, discussing the consequences of abortion restrictions, particularly those without exceptions for rape or incest. In the ad supporting Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, Duvall spoke of how she was raped by her stepfather at age 12, became pregnant and miscarried. Her stepfather was convicted of rape and is in prison. In the ad, Duvall called out the anti-abortion Republican candidate by name and said that anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what its like to stand in my shoes. Beshear won reelection, and Democrats have said Duvall's ad was a strong motivator, particularly for rural, male voters who had previously voted for Republican Donald Trump for president. Now, Duvall is turning her attention to the White House election. She plans to appear with first lady Jill Biden at a Pittsburgh rally on Sunday that is part of President Joe Biden's push to motivate voters on abortion rights, and Duvall will continue to campaign for the Democratic incumbent. Jill Biden will also hold an event in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. The Supreme Court decided on June 24, 2022 to overturn abortion rights that had been in place since 1973. Since then, roughly half the states have some sort of ban in place, and 10 states have no exceptions for rape or incest. The consequences of these bans go far beyond restricting access for those who wish to end unwanted pregnancies. Survivors like me have our childhood taken away from us, and its something we are healing from every single day. At the very least, we deserve to have our own choices," Duvall said in a statement to The Associated Press. "But, because of Donald Trump, right now there are abortion bans across the country with no exceptions for rape or incest. I feel like I owe it to myself and to a lot of little girls to speak up. They cant speak up and I can -- and our lives and futures are at stake in this election. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has repeatedly taken credit for the overturning of a federally guaranteed right to abortion. He nominated three of the Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. But he has publicly resisted supporting a national abortion ban. The Pennsylvania events are part of a larger campaign push around the anniversary of the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. That effort kicked off this week with events by Vice President Kamala Harris. The campaign is holding more than 35 events across the country, including in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia. The events feature women and doctors who have been deeply impacted by the fall of Roe, including Amanda Zurawski and Kaityln Joshua, who have said abortion restrictions put them in medical peril. The majority of U.S. adults, including those living in states with the strictest limits on abortion, want it to be legal at least through the initial stages of pregnancy, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In the two years since Roe's demise, reproductive health in the U.S. has become increasingly more fraught, and Biden and Democrats are seeking to highlight the growing fallout as a reason to reelect the president. Women who never intended to end their pregnancies have nearly died because they could not get emergency treatment. Miscarriage care has been delayed. Routine reproductive medical care is drying up in states with strict bans. Fertility treatments were temporarily paused in Alabama. Duvall is a senior at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky. She has also spoken publicly about a state bill that would provide narrowly tailored exceptions to the state's abortion law. The AP does not normally identify sexual assault victims, but Duvall chose to be identified and has spoken out publicly about her experience and its connection to the debate over abortion. Number of people injured in Kharkiv rises to 56, including three children video Three people were killed and 56 injured, including three children, in a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv on Saturday. Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening address; State Emergency Service; Kharkiv Oblast police; Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote from Zelenskyy: "In Kharkiv, the rubble is still being cleared away at the site of the Russian bomb attack. Four guided bombs hit the city. This is calculated terror. One of the bombs destroyed a residential building in the central part of the city near the bus station. As of now, we know of more than 40 injured people in the city, all of whom are being provided with the necessary assistance. Three people in Kharkiv have been killed in today's attacks. My condolences go out to their families and friends. The rescue operation is complicated. There was a collapse of the building's structures, but rescue workers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, local services, and everyone involved are doing everything they can to help people as much as possible." Details: Zelenskyy added that since the beginning of June alone, the Russians have used more than 2,400 guided bombs against Ukraine, including about 700 against Kharkiv Oblast. , pic.twitter.com/CV546RGnrN (@ukrpravda_news) June 22, 2024 The State Emergency Service has reported that according to preliminary data, three people were killed and 42 injured, including two children, in the massive attack on Kharkiv. Emergency rescue operations continue at the site where the bomb hit a five-storey apartment building. In addition, firefighters are extinguishing a 300-sq-m fire in a residential building in the Kharkiv suburbs. Kharkiv Oblast police have reported three people killed and 43 injured in Kharkiv. Among the injured are two children aged 12 and 13. Six people one man, four women and one child are in a serious condition. Serhii Bolvinov, chief investigator of the Kharkiv Oblast police, said that all the people injured in the Russian attack were civilians. A woman was killed as she waited at a trolleybus stop. A man was caught in the centre of the explosion as he walked down the street. The other man who was killed was a security guard at a nearby business. The Russians are thought to have used four modified unified multi-purpose glide bombs (UMPB D-30s) on Kharkiv at around 15:30. Update: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office has reported that as of 20:20 the number of people injured has risen to 52: 23 men, 26 women, and three girls aged 12, 13 and 17. Three people were killed. Later, police reported that the number of injured had risen to 56. Background: On the afternoon of 22 June, Russian forces launched four strikes on a district of Kharkiv, hitting a residential building. Earlier media reports stated that three people had been killed and 38 injured. Support UP or become our patron! A New York Amazon driver who was viciously attacked by a stranger while on the job says he called her sexy then said he doesnt like Spanish bitches before repeatedly punching and kicking her prompting her hero co-worker to intervene and beat his ass. Tamia Alvarez, 23, told The Post she had just collected some packages from the Amazon warehouse in Jamaica, Queens and was stuck in traffic when the creep, later identified by police as Kevon Wilson, started storming towards her last Sunday. We made a left turn and the guy threw himself into a coworkers car a bit ahead, then he looked at me and my van and started running up to me, Alvarez said in an interview on Friday. Kevon Wilson had his bond set at $7,500 following his arraignment in Queens Criminal Court. He did that thing guys do where they pull up their pants when theyre about to fight someone and I knew it was about to escalate. Then he just started hitting me and pulled me out of the van. CCTV footage of the harrowing incident showed the quick-thinking victim grabbing the keys out of the ignition before her attacker could make off with the delivery van. Alvarez said she hit him back at least once while trying to defend herself and also protect her belongings. During the frightening assault, Wilson was allegedly ranting at his victim, she said. He was like oh youre sexy then he was like I dont like Spanish bitches, Alvarez recalled. I was confused. Then he said, youre broke you work at Amazon, you only work for $15 an hour. He called me a bitch a lot to be honest and kept telling me he makes more money than me. Alvarezs co-worker Daniel Collins raced over to defend her landing several blows of his own against the attacker. Tamia Alvarezs co-worker came to her defense, beating the creeps ass. He beat his ass but the guy just kept coming back. I was telling him to go away, Alvarez said. He got himself handed to him. Collins was filmed repeatedly pummeling the suspect in the middle of the road until Alvarez stepped in to separate the two men. When the pair eventually stopped brawling, the perp then brazenly jumped into the van in an apparent bid to take off with the vehicle again. The suspect first landed two punches on the female Amazon worker. Both Amazon workers, who each sustained minor injuries, could then be seen trying to drag the man back out of the vehicle, the video shows. He stopped for a bit but just kept coming back and trying to get in the van, Alvarez said. The would-be carjacker was later arrested for robbery and assault. The alleged perp, dressed in black, tried to steal the female Amazon workers van. Alvarez, who was born and raised in New York, said she no longer feels safe in the city. Im definitely starting to open my eyes more now due to the fact it happened so quickly and you hear of this sort of thing now happening a lot, she told The Post. We need more people to defend our females in life, in general, she added. Thank God for the young man who came out and helped, and for those who were raised the right way because I dont know how it would have went otherwise, and it can happen to any young female. Amazon didnt return a request to comment Friday. The workers dragged the suspect back out of the van. Wilson had his bond set at $7,500 following his arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on Monday. He is slated to face court again on July 16. The suspect has a slew of prior arrests to his name, including an assault that unfolded in May 2020, law enforcement sources said. He also has an open bench warrant for a traffic violation, the sources added. Food delivery drivers on Friday admitted low tips and a lack of transparency from greedy apps has pushed them to make reckless decisions on Big Apple roads during a heated City Council hearing on Friday. We need protection against these greedy apps that care more about their profits than our safety, Doordash deliveryman Antonio Solis told the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protections. Solis testimony came as representatives from Doordash, UberEats and Grubhub were grilled at City Hall during the three-hour hearing. Grubhub, Doordash and UberEats were on the hot seat at a City Council hearing weighing seven proposed laws regulating the delivery business. Getty Images The committee introduced seven bills that focused on delivery safety and payment, specifically addressing issues with gratuity and paycheck breakdowns for employees. Doordash and UberEats changed when they prompt customers to leave a tip after last years minimum wage laws for delivery workers were nearly tripled. Customers are given the option to leave a tip after they place their order a move that has cost delivery workers $85 million in lost gratuities, City Council member Shaun Abreu said. He proposed legislation that would force the apps to move the prompt back to when the order is placed. Abreu also took aim at how the apps disclose information about their pay rates, which changed after the minimum wage law went into effect April 1. NYC City Council member Shaun Abreu scolded the delivery app companies for their lack of transparency in how they pay their workers. Getty Images We want to know how peoples pay is being calculated, Abreu said. The fact that we are fighting these apps on this is insane. Fellow Council member Oswald Feliz, meanwhile, introduced a proposal that would require delivery companies to provide free bikes to workers and ensure that the bikes meet safety standards. Last year we had 97 fires due to e-bikes, Feliz said. Its not acceptable that [the big companies] look away and wait for someone else to resolve the issue. If passed, it would make New York the only city to implement a law requiring that apps provide bikes. NYC City Council member Oswald Feliz wants the delivery app companies to provide free bikes to their workers and to ensure that the bikes meet safety standards. Getty Images Another bill would require that the app companies ensure that mopeds are registered. A GrubHub representative pushed back on the proposal. We are not the DMV or DOT and cant enforce [that a moped] is properly registered and licensed, the rep countered. The new minimum wage law allows the app companies to pay a flat $29.93 per hour rate, paying drivers only for the time it takes to complete a trip rather than covering their idle time or to pay a set $17.96 an hour minimum wage. The delivery companies had fought the minimum wage law, calling the new pay rates extreme. Doordash has promised to eliminate tipping entirely if the proposals are enacted, the company said an email. The email, which was entered into the public record, states that consumers have already pulled back because of their higher delivery costs. Doordash told its workers this week if the proposed laws pass that it will eliminate the tipping option from its app, according to emails that entered into the public record. AP We estimate that there have been more than 850,000 missed earnings opportunities for Dashers like you, the email states. Abreu called the threat retaliatory. A spokesperson for Uber Eats told The Post that customers have left $25 million in tips this year. Instead of attempting to over-regulate one piece of the industry, the Council should focus on better pay and protections for the thousands of delivery workers who have no minimum wage, or a tipped minimum wage, the rep said. The app companies did back a proposed bill that would loosen a fee cap implemented during the pandemic to help struggling restaurants. New York is the only city that has not reversed pandemic restrictions on how much the delivery companies can charge restaurants, experts testified. The companies are also suing the Big Apple over the fee cap and a judge recently declined to dismiss the lawsuit, which City Council member Rafael Salamanca suggested could cost the city $1 billion in damages if it loses the case. Carlos Ortiz, senior advisor for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, declined to comment on the $1 billion figure, citing the active litigation. UberEats testified along with reps from Grubhub and Doordash at a sometimes contentious City Council hearing. In Pictures via Getty Images Salamanca introduced a proposal that loosens the fee cap, allowing the app companies to charge restaurants up to 25% for marketing fees from the current 5% cap on marketing. Grubhub applauds the Council and amendment sponsors for working to find a reasonable path forward that would finally fix pandemic-era restrictions on restaurant marketing, a Grubhub spokesperson said in an email. The NYS Latino Restaurant Association, among other groups support the change to the rule, while the NYC Hospitality Alliance derided the proposal as the Bigger Fees for Big Delivery Bill. The City Council should not further entertain changing this fee cap law while Doordash, Grubhub and Uber are suing the city of New York to overturn this same fee cap law, Andrew Rigie, executive director of the Alliance said. Rigie was recently subpoenaed by the app companies in their lawsuit against the city. The companies want him to turn over communications the Alliance has had over the years with journalists, its restaurant members and privileged discussions with its lawyer, Rigie recently disclosed in an AM New York Op Ed. They know were a small non-profit organization with limited resources and time, Rigie writes. They know that fighting these subpoenas could destroy our ability to advocate. The delivery companies did not respond for comment on the subpoena. NYC tech mogul killed by assistant over fear girlfriend would leave him if she learned he embezzled from boss: attorney An assistant to a wealthy New York CEO killed the business mogul out of unconditional love for his girlfriend because he feared that she would leave him if she found he was funding their lavish life by embezzling from his boss, his attorney argued Friday. Tyrese Haspils out-of-control passion drove him to suffer an extreme emotional disturbance and butcher investor Fahim Saleh in his Lower East Side apartment in July 2020 to hide his theft of nearly half a million dollars, defense attorney Sam Roberts told jurors in his closing arguments at his clients Manhattan murder trial. Its the first person to whom hes been attached in any way in 19 years unconditional love, Roberts said Tyrese Haspil is accused of murdering his tech CEO boss Fahim Saleh. William Farrington The 25-year-old personal assistant is admitting to the killing, but is claiming his love mania made him do it so as to get the first degree-murder charges downgraded to second-degree manslaughter. His attorney told jurors in Manhattan Supreme court he was ecstatic about Marine Chaveuz, a French foreign exchange, and showered her with weekend getaways for her friends and designer items, his attorney argued. He feared she would abandon him as others had done in his life, and sprung for things like helicopter rides to the airport and a posh apartment, Roberts said. He essentially transitions into the role of paying for her love, Roberts said, after showing jurors pictures of receipts from Louis Vuitton and other pricey items that Haspil purchased for Chaveuz. Haspils embezzlement-fueled romance tab eventually grew to $400,000 by May 2020, said prosecutors who accused him of simply killing Saleh because he feared being outed and losing the lifestyle he had build with the embezzled cash. Tyrese Haspil murdered Fahim Saleh because [Saleh] stood between Tyrese Haspil and what he wanted, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Linda Ford said. Tyrese Haspil gets what he wants. Let me rephrase that he takes what he wants. Haspil testified that he killed Fahim Saleh in his Lower East Side apartment building in July 2020. Manhattan District Attorney's Office Haspil, who prosecutors say premeditated the gruesome murder, was punching above his weight by flaunting a fake lifestyle that he knew wasnt going to last. He takes a helicopter to JFK instead of taking the Airtain. He lives in a luxury building with a gym, not a fourth-floor walkup, Ford said, adding that Haspil does it all with Fahims money until Saleh became a threat to that lifestyle. Haspils attorneys have argued that Chaveuz was due to return to France a year before the murder, but her stay was extended which left him thrilled but also realizing he had to keep stealing from Saleh, Haspil testified earlier in the trial that he contemplated suicide but ultimately decided on killing Saleh, the CEO of motorbike startup Gokada, so that he could buy some time and give Chaveuz the perfect birthday before she was to return to France later in the summer. And when it came to her birthday on July 19, it pushed Haspil to steal $27,739 the most he embezzled between July 12 and July 14, 2020 because he wanted to give her the best birthday yet, his attorney claimed. Fahim Saleh was a venture capitalist and the CEO of Nigeria-based motorbike startup Gokada. AP Hes not occupied with getting away with murder. Hes occupied with buying gold birthday balloons, Roberts said. But prosecutors werent buying the excuse for the killing saying Haspils greed predates finding his one true love. Hes taking Ubers to high school, Ford quipped, a reference to Haspils earlier admission to embezzling $20,000 from a Moes Southwestern Grill he once worked at before making a fake resume to land a job with Saleh. The first-degree murder charges against Haspil carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life behind bars if he is convicted. If his attorneys can convince the jury to buy into the emotional disturbance defense, it would downgrade the charges to manslaughter, which carries just five to 25 years. The electric saw alleged used to dismember Salehs body. Manhattan District Attorney's Office He also faces grand larceny, burglary and other charges for stealing from Saleh. Haspil testified that he killed Saleh because he knew it meant he wouldnt have to pay him back, and that his gal pal wouldnt find out that he was stealing from Saleh to fund their relationship. His attorneys have argued that Haspils tough childhood of living with an abusive mother and moving between several homes caused him to have abandonment issues which explains why he had to prove his worth to Chaveuz. Those claims werent worth buying, prosecutors told the jury. This is not about the birthday party, Ford said, while recognizing Haspils childhood. This is about murdering Fahim Saleh because he was a witness its a simple as that. Jury deliberations will begin on Monday. GREENSBORO Just as passengers were boarding their 7:05 a.m. American Airlines Flight 1716 at Piedmont Triad International Airport Friday morning, a garbage truck struck the planes wing, leaving a piece of metal attached to it. The incident took place around 6:45 a.m. and involved a full-size garbage truck, owned and operated by GFL Environmental, Inc., a waste-management company with a branch located in Greensboro. The truck apparently drove underneath the Dallas/Fort Worth-bound Boeing 737-800s left wing, but lacked clearance. The 56-foot-long wing is made of high-strength, light-weight aluminum alloys, according to Boeing. The rectangular piece of metal appeared to have come from the top of the bed section of the truck and measured about 4-feet by 2-feet. It was not clear why the GFL driver traveled so close to the plane. No injuries were reported among the 143 passengers and six crew members. A spokesperson for GFL was not immediately available. And Greensboro Airport Authoritys Executive Director Kevin Baker was not available for comment. PTI Airport Police Chief Kevin Church said the airline and GFL will handle the situation as a work-related incident and that there would be no police investigation. After the impact, which passengers said shook the plane, the pilot instructed occupants to deboard, one airport worker said. ...the hit felt like a bad turbulence experience,(and) the pilot successfully managed to direct passengers safely and all of the passengers deboarded the plane, said passenger Azeeza Evelyna, 20, of Winston-Salem. American Airlines staff said most passengers were able to reschedule connecting flights at their gate. Destiny Perez and Dustin Tilley, both of Winston-Salem, were sharing a picnic at the airports observation deck, waiting to see their friend Evelyna depart on Friday morning. She was bound for Dallas/Fort Worth airport on the Greensboro flight, then planned to head for her homeland in Asia. Now she has to wait until 1:30 p.m. to board, Perez said, explaining the delay might interrupt her friends connections. A spokesman for American Airlines said the plane has been taken out of commission for repairs. Venices Black community gathered at Oakwood Park last week for an event with all the trappings of a typical Juneteenth celebration; soul music, crisp outfits, fried chicken, cornbread and a bounce house for the kids. But Juneteenth is just what theyve been calling the observance in recent years, since President Biden declared it a national holiday in 2021. For more than two decades, Oakwoods Black residents have celebrated the third Saturday in June under names such as Hood Day, Neighborhood Day, Community Day and Remembrance Day. Some residents said the holiday marks the day Black people first settled in the Oakwood area of Venice, an occasion that was first celebrated more than 100 years ago. Whatever the name, its a time for the community to remember loved ones lost too soon and renew treasured relationships. Naomi Nightingale speaks at the Juneteenth celebration in Venice. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times) These kinds of gatherings have been going on in this park since I was a little girl in the 1960s, said Naomi Nightingale, a Venice native, professor and historian. The word that came to my mind was homecoming. Everyone knew each other well enough to ask after each other's cousins, mothers and siblings by name. It seemed no one could finish a conversation before they were interrupted by new loved ones to greet. But most of the people I spoke with no longer lived in the area and could only point to the homes that they grew up in. Nightingale estimates just a third of the attendees still have Venice ZIP Codes, and most of them are renters. Hood Day has never been about protest, but over the last couple of years, as gentrification pushed more of Oakwoods residents out of the neighborhood, the political dimensions of the celebration have become harder to ignore. A family relaxes at the Oakwood Juneteenth celebration in Venice. Behind them are new houses being built in a neighborhood that has seen much gentrification. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times) Were not going to stop trying to preserve the sacrifices that our grandparents made in this community, said Nightingale, who says she gets at least one call every day from a Realtor trying to buy her house. Theres protest and resistance in trying to keep the community alive, Nightingale said. Bringing Oakwood back to life every year is their way of honoring the sacrifices their ancestors made to live in Venice, she said. Read more: The Venice Heritage Museum tackles a complicated subject the beach town's reinventions Gwen Moseley, 60, remembers the neighborhood as the kind of communal place where kids who stepped out of line might be punished by any of the area's moms, who all worked together to parent, she said. They say it takes a village, and we were a village for sure, said Moseley, who now lives in the Mid-City area. Like most of the people I spoke with, she pointed out the home where she used to live. It sits on a street where a house is currently listed on Redfin for $5.3 million. Her dad owned the family home in Venice, but when he passed away, her brother inherited the property and decided to sell rather than deal with managing it. She has some regrets about that, but at least they have Hood Day, she said. Here she can watch the babies she once bounced on her knee grow into towering college graduates, maintain old friendships and stay a part of the old neighborhood. The Oakwood Juneteenth celebration. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times) We look forward to this day right here. Now we call it Juneteenth, but weve been doing this way before Juneteenth came along. Its the only time we all get to see each other, besides a funeral, Moseley said. Geraldine Holloway, 67, said all of her best memories and loved ones are in Oakwood. She recalled the excitement among the neighborhood kids when McDonalds first opened up on Lincoln Boulevard. The memory of her mother throwing away the Big Mac she and her siblings pooled their money for still makes her laugh. The neighborhood really started to change about seven years ago, she said. Her family always rented in Venice, and she spent a few years in Palmdale and other parts of the Los Angeles area, but there was never any place like Oakwood. She moved back to the neighborhood to be near her grandkids. "I never leave. I mean, I left, but I always come back," Holloway said. Geraldine Holloway, 67, said all of her best memories and loved ones are in Oakwood. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times) Every time somebody passed away, the kids sell the properties. But my familys still here. I got a lot of family here in this park right now, Holloway said, and she pointed to them one by one. Clinton Noble is a case manager at Helper Foundation, a youth anti-violence nonprofit that helped found the holiday. He said the event was born out of a desire to remember friends and family who had passed on. Churches, community groups and private citizens funded the event in the past. Attendees would hang portraits of loved ones they had lost on the parks chain link fences. Read more: Rocco Tha Clown is building a family of hip-hop clowns in South L.A., one party at a time We birthed the idea of remembrance. Whether you had lost somebody or were dealing with some kind of tragedy, we had a common goal to come out and celebrate, Noble said. But it wouldnt be accurate to describe the holiday as a somber time. Whatever tragedy and regrets attendees might face, Hood Day is a full-throated celebration. After the speeches concluded, attendees, including Nightingale, swarmed the dance floor and moved in unison through steps everyone knew by heart. Three cars full of hip-hop dancers dressed as clowns showed up and started krumping, a type of dance born in South Los Angeles. People passed each other plates with the properly sized proportions of their favorite foods. "Da' Moss Lady" Gwendolyn Moseley, 60, talks to customers at her stand at the Oakwood Juneteenth celebration. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times) The day was a powerful testament to the idea that home is more than a property, especially if youre from a group that has been historically denied homeownership by racist real estate practices such as redlining and racially restrictive deed covenants. Sometimes home is just a feeling you carry around with you, or a cooked meal, a familiar flavor. Sometimes it's a gathering once a year, a holiday hidden within a holiday, a time to share a secret feeling of intimacy with the people you grew up with, even if just for a few hours. 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. BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) An off-duty New York City employee was arrested in Brooklyn on Friday, according to the NYPD. Shena Nicholson, 31, was taken into custody at around 12:54 p.m. More Local News Nicholson, a NYPD Traffic Agent, was involved in a traffic accident when it was revealed her license was suspended, according to sources. Nicholson was arrested on aggravated unlicensed operation, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and operating an unregistered vehicle charges, police said. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The recovery of a major body of water is being celebrated in California, with water levels reaching their highest point in over a decade. Big Bear Lake has benefited from the heavy rains in early 2023 and early 2024, which boosted snowpacks and filled the reservoir to above the last high set in 2012. As of June 8, according to the California Globe, Big Bear Lake was just 4 feet away from being considered full, marking a huge turnaround following years of drought conditions in the state. The last time the lake reached capacity was in 2010. "It's magical, because the lake is so pretty, and it's so blue," Brittany Lamson, Big Bear Municipal Water District interim general manager, told the news outlet. "We have a lot of native plants that are coming back, which we haven't seen because it had been so dry," Indeed, conditions were so dry several years ago that many farms had to be cut off from water access, while pumping was strictly limited. Scientists even expected the situation to get worse before it got better. But major storms in the state at the start of 2023 saw reservoirs recover and snowpacks reaching 250% of the levels that would satisfy water demands in the summer, per the Globe. With further storms at the start of 2024, an unprecedented point was reached and water had to be pumped out of Lake Shasta because it was so full. The health of Big Bear Lake is not only crucial for state water supply, but for tourism, too. Boat launches are open again, and the area is anticipating many visitors who want to take advantage of the abundant water for recreational activities. "As always, we need to keep an eye on the water and continue to check water levels and continue to be ready for droughts in the future," Jack Wesley, water systems consultant for farms and multi-family homes, told the Globe. "This is California. But we are going to be OK for a while. Lake Oroville topping off and Big Bear about to top off are extremely encouraging. This is something Californians can feel good about." As Wesley warned, monitoring the lake is extremely important. With human-caused global heating making extreme weather conditions more intense and long-lasting, the next drought could be around the corner. To mitigate the risks of intense heat waves that encourage droughts, cutting planet-warming pollution is essential. Thankfully, California is a leader when it comes to clean technologies, with over 1 million electric cars registered in the state around five times more than Florida, the next highest state in EV take-up, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Officials highlight remarkable transformation of major lake as water levels rebound after drought: 'We should be OK through the summer' In Somerville, Texas, the straightforwardly named Lake Somerville is a fundamental resource. Its reservoir supplies the town's drinking and municipal water, and the lake is a beloved spot for recreational fishing, boating, and swimming. So when water levels dropped roughly 6 feet during last year's hot, drought-ridden summer a heat wave that caused all 11 reservoirs in the area to go under drought warnings it was bad news for residents and visitors alike. Fortunately, the lake's water levels are back up in time for summer. "As of right now, our lakes are full, so it looks like we should be OK through the summer time," local meteorologist Matt Hines said, as reported by the local news. The good news reaches beyond Lake Somerville; other Texas lakes also experienced recent gains in water levels, as did lakes in similarly dry states. However, Hines further said, "Droughts come and go here across Texas and right now, we are getting out of a drought. Now, if we have an extended period of time where we have no rain, sure, the drought can come back." Weather is growing increasingly erratic and severe, and rapid changes in weather patterns like drought are becoming more common. Much of this is due to the impact of global heating; as the air heats up, water evaporates more rapidly. Because of these sudden changes, it's critical to work to conserve water, even when not in drought. You can improve your water usage in almost every facet of life, from using more efficient irrigation methods to replacing grass with a native plant lawn, installing a rain barrel to naturally and cheaply capture excess water, and making good use of your dishwasher. Some researchers are also working on new methods of desalination to ensure a more abundant supply of freshwater. Without water-saving methods like this in place year-round, residents in places like Somerville might find themselves in a difficult situation. For example, residents in Costa Rica are currently being called upon to ration their electricity usage since hydropower levels are dangerously low due to drought. Nevertheless, local Somerville resident Chris Beasley celebrated the good news, stating, "It's making the fishing better. It's making the boating better. It's a win, win." Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Oklahomans step in to help after Ohio barn fire tragedy OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The National Reining Horse Association is a close knit circle. Youre competing against one another, said Brandon Brant of Belle Center, Ohio. But then something like this happens. Its unbelievable how everybodys pulled together. When tragedy struck at Brants barn, about an hour north of Columbus, the news quickly made its way to Oklahoma. The first 911 call went in at 12:15 p.m. Ohio time, which was 11:15 a.m. here. By 12:00 p.m. here, this place was as somber as youve ever seen, said Sean Johnson, a horse trainer from Tulsa and Brants best friend. Earlier this month, flames engulfed Brants 60,000 square foot barn. The fire sent one man, Eric Priest, to the ICU and killed 44 horses. The flick of a finger and its gone, said Brant. Its awful. It is the worst thing Ive ever experienced and like I said, I wouldnt wish it on anybody. I mean, this is one of the biggest tragedies in our industry. Perhaps unsurprisingly Oklahomans and others all around the world have stepped up to help Brant, Priest and their customers get back in the saddle. Oklahoma City selected to host 2028 Olympic canoe slalom, softball Over the last week or so, hundreds of donations have been piling up at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City. This generosity is huge, said Johnson. These people, theyve lost everything.They lost all their equipment, their help, right down to their clothes. I mean, they lost their hopes and dreams. The donated items will be auctioned off next week June 24 through June 26. Its unbelievable. The immense support from Oklahoma City, the NRHA, said Brant. I can never thank everybody. I could try but its just so immense. More information about the efforts to help Brant, Priest and their customers can be found here. A link to the auction is 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An old store in Dill City brought back to life from halfway around the world An old store in Dill City brought back to life from halfway around the world DILL CITY, Okla. (KFOR) It might be the last spot in Oklahoma youd expect to be a crossroads to the whole world, but the old Enseys Gas and Grocery seems to have a knack for international traffic. To understand whats happening here lately, we had to call Andy Gearhart and his wife Letlet on Cebu Island in the Philippines. GREAT STATE: Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute brings the best student artists to Quartz Mountain year after year They met each other on an international dating site a couple of years ago and hit it off right away. I could see through his eyes that he was a good man, Letlet tells us on a Zoom conference call. Switch back to Dill City and the rest of the Gearhart family including Andys parents Jim and Darla, and his brother Scott have been working most of the year to get Dick and Lena Enseys old business back into shape. In June, it was ready to open again as a place for the newlyweds in the family to make a life. Its a work in progress, says Jim Gearhart I love it, gushes Andy. Of course I love it, agrees Letlet. Im so excited to be there in the U.S. Dill City started out as a water stop for steam engines. We came here to this very store in 2010 to consider why Louis Mueller would choose this life over his youth in the Swiss Alps. I like the wide open, Mueller told us then. In Switzerland everything is pretty crowded. Louies vision for the place didnt last much longer than the call of a mountain horn. But Letlets family already had a store on Cebu. She enjoys cooking for a takeout counter there. Lets Stop and Go is almost ready to go. The only thing missing from this recipe is Letlet and Andy themselves. Are you still coming? we inquire as a jest. Of course, Letlet laughed. As of June they are stuck in the immigration process, awaiting a final interview in Manila. Andy says, Its taking a long while. Their business is also waiting for the lucky couple who have gladly invested their future in Dill City Red Devils and a unique international highway intersection. To check on the progress of Lets Stop and Go as they prepare to open their doors, visit the Lets Stop & Go Dill City Oklahoma Facebook page. Great State is sponsored by Oklahoma Proton Center Follow Galens Great State adventures on social media! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Once-in-a-lifetime explosive event in space expected soon: What to know (NEXSTAR) Stargazers and skywatchers have been treated to a stunning show of celestial events already in 2024: the total solar eclipse, the return of the devil comet, and multiple nights colored by the northern lights have undoubtedly topped the list for some. But if that wasnt enough for you, space experts say were due for another stellar sighting: a rare nova explosion thatll bring a new star to the night sky. Earlier this year, NASA reported a star system, some 3,000 light years away, is expected to erupt. Its a once-in-a-lifetime event that will create a lot of new astronomers out there, giving young people a cosmic event they can observe for themselves, ask their own questions, and collect their own data, Dr. Rebekah Hounsell, an assistant research scientist specializing in nova events at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a statement. Itll fuel the next generation of scientists. Heres what you need to know. The rare nova explosion of T CrB Roughly every 79 years, there is an explosive event in the Northern Crown, a binary system roughly 3,000 light-years away from Earth. Nestled within the star system is the nova, T Coronae Borealis, otherwise known as the Blaze Star or T CrB. T CrB is one of 10 recurring novae scientists have found in the galaxy, Bill Cooke, NASAs Meteoroid Environments Office Lead at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, previously told Nexstar. These novae, the plural of nova, consist of a normal or red giant star and a white dwarf about the size of the Earth, Cooke explained. The larger star is dumping material onto the surface of its white dwarf companion; as material accumulates, the temperature keeps rising until a thermonuclear runaway is initiated. That will then cause T CrB to erupt, or go nova. What happens when T CrB explodes? Unlike a supernova which is a final, titanic explosion the white dwarf of T CrB will remain intact during this nova event, Dr. Hounsell explained. Instead, it launches the material that has accumulated on it hurling it into space. It will all lead to a flash bright enough we get to see it on Earth, even with the naked eye. The last time we had such a chance was in 1946. What will T CrB look like from Earth, and how can I see it? When it reaches nova status, T CrB will appear like a new star in the constellation of Corona Borealis, or The Northern Crown. To find T CrB, youll want to look between the constellations of Hercules and Bootes, located toward the north. More specifically, according to the guide below from NASA, itll be roughly in line with Vega and Arcturus. A conceptual image of how to find Hercules and his mighty globular clusters in the sky created using a planetarium software. Look up after sunset during summer months to find Hercules! Scan between Vega and Arcturus, near the distinct pattern of Corona Borealis. Once you find its stars, use binoculars or a telescope to hunt down the globular clusters M13 and M92. If you enjoy your views of these globular clusters, youre in luck look for another great globular, M3, in the nearby constellation of Bootes. Credit: NASA According to Cooke, T CrB will be as bright as the North Star but only for about a week. Unless youre in Antarctica, you should be able to get a glimpse of it then. When will the new star appear? Unlike the solar eclipse, scientists dont know when exactly the rare nova event will occur. Over the last decade, T CrBs behavior has been strikingly similar to its behavior in the years leading up to its 1946 eruption, NASA said earlier this month. That has led some researchers to predict that the explosion will occur by September but others warn it could take longer. NASA, as well as astronomers around the world, have been keeping an eye on the nova. They are also relying on citizen astronomers and space enthusiasts to alert them to any changes they see. Whenever youre able to catch a glimpse of T CrB, just remember the explosion actually happened 3,000 years ago. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. One mine in Donetsk Oblast left without power because of Russian attacks A mine in Donetsk Oblast was left without power as a result of a Russian attack while seven workers were on site, but they have been brought to the surface. Source: press service of Ukraines Ministry of Energy Details: It is reported that a power outage occurred in Donetsk Oblast as a result of the attack on the mine's facilities. There were seven workers in the mine and they were brought to the surface. No one was injured. In addition, ventilation equipment at another mine in Donetsk Oblast stopped working. There were 67 workers in the mine who were brought to the surface. The ventilation equipment has been repaired. It has not been reported whether the ventilation equipment shutdown was related to the attack. Background: On Saturday, 22 June, rolling power outages will be introduced across Ukraine from 16:00 to 24:00. Support UP or become our patron! One of suspects in attempted murder of Kazakh opposition journalist in Kyiv turns himself in in Kazakhstan Altai Zhakanbayev, one of the suspects in the attempted murder of journalist Aidos Sadykov, has been detained in Kazakhstan after he himself appealed to the police. Source: General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan Quote: "The law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, demonstrating efficiency and professionalism, identified the perpetrators of this crime in the shortest possible time. The General Prosecutor's Office sent an international investigative order to the relevant authorities of Ukraine to provide the criminal case file on the involvement of Zhakanbayev and Karatayev in the crime." Details: The General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported that on 21 June, Zhakanbayev independently appealed to the internal affairs bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where he was interrogated on the circumstances of the case. He was detained on suspicion of committing this crime on the same day. The second suspect, Meiram Karatayev, is wanted. For reference: Aidos and Natalya Sadykov moved from Kazakhstan to Kyiv in 2014. Criminal charges have been brought against Aidos Sadykov in Kazakhstan which he says are politically motivated. The Sadykovs obtained refugee status in Ukraine and ran their own YouTube channel, Base (). They are critical of the Kazakh authorities and oligarchs and were supportive of the protests that took place in Kazakhstan in 2022. The Kazakh authorities placed Aidos and Natalya Sadykov on the wanted list in the autumn of 2023, accusing them of inciting hatred. Background: In Kyiv, in the Shevchenkivskyi District, on the afternoon of 18 June, an unknown person approached a car and shot at Kazakh opposition journalist Aidos Sadykov, who was in the car. The wife of opposition Kazakh journalist Aidos Sadykov, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, said that her husband is in intensive care in serious condition. She is also convinced that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was involved in the murder attempt. Later, it became known that two citizens of Kazakhstan suspected of the attempted murder of Sadykov crossed the border with Moldova on the day of the crime and had been put on the international wanted list. Tokayev, commenting on the attack on Sadykov in Kyiv on 18 June, said that, if necessary, the official authorities of Kazakhstan are ready to join the investigation. Support UP or become our patron! An atmosphere packed with high moisture will fuel bountiful rains and threats for thunderstorms across parts of southern and central Ontario through the weekend. The rain and thunderstorm chances comes on the heels of a multi-day heat event in Ontario and Quebec, with temperatures jumping into the 30s and humidex values pushing passed 40. MUST SEE: Your changeable Canada Day forecast may turn into a game of musical chairs Both days will feature rain and the chance of thunderstorms, with a severe weather opportunity in parts of the region on Saturday. Main threats include heavy downpours, gusty winds and large hail. There is also the slight chance of rotating storms for areas south of Georgian Bay and west of the Golden Horseshoe. With the amount of rainfall expected in parts of the region through Monday, anywhere from 50-100+ mm, localized flooding will also be a concern. Ontario atmospheric moisture Saturday evening_June 22 Remain alert for watches and warnings as you head about your weekend. Severe storms possible again on Saturday A low-pressure system will drive the stormy conditions expected across much of Ontario this weekend. The low will move into the Great Lakes into Saturday, forcing multiple rounds of rain to sweep over the province. Widespread heavy rain is expected throughout central Ontario, while communities in southern and eastern Ontario can expect multiple opportunities for thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday. Ontario rainfall totals through Monday_June 22 Showers developed throughout central and eastern Ontario on Saturday morning as a warm front moved into the region. RELATED: Watch? Warning? How we communicate severe weather in Canada Farther south, expect thunderstorms to develop on Saturday afternoon and roll inland from Lake Huron. Theres still some lingering uncertainty exactly where these storms will develop and track, so factor the risk for rain into any outdoor plans through the day. Ontario Saturday afternoon precipitation_June 22 WATCH: What to expect as storms flair up Saturday over southern Ontario Click here to view the video A copious amount of atmospheric moisture lumbering over Ontario will provide a vast reservoir for any showers or thunderstorms to tap into this weekend. Look out for a risk for torrential downpours and strong wind gusts in any thunderstorms that develop. Some areas could see 50-100+ mm of rain through Monday, which could lead to localized flooding in vulnerable areas. For storms that reach severe limits on Saturday, there is also a hail risk. Ontario storm risk map Saturday_June 22 As well, there is a chance of rotating storms and one or two tornadoes in areas south of Georgian Bay and west of the Golden Horseshoe. Storm threat continues into Sunday Our low-pressure system will stick around with unsettled weather to end the weekend. Heavy rains will persist across central Ontario through the day Sunday. Meanwhile, folks across southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area will contend with a cold front swinging into the region on Sunday morning. Showers and thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of this front as it arrives. Sunday Ontario and Quebec storm risk map_June 22 Dynamics are favourable for severe weather across portions of eastern Ontario as the thunderstorms arrive on Sunday afternoon. Keep an eye out for the potential for strong wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and some hail in the stronger storms in the area. The widespread rain will also reach into Quebec, putting a rainy damper on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations. WATCH: Storms, landspouts roar over southern Ontario on Thursday Click here to view the video *Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images/Doctor_bass Creative #: 105934727. Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast across Ontario. Valley Drive running past East Helena High School and Highland Meadows Subdivision will be widened and redone after a $10.2 million federal grant was awarded to East Helena, Sen. Jon Tester announced Friday. The crowd of engineers, Helena-Area Habitat for Humanity representatives and local government employees burst into whoops and applause when Tester broke the news. It was a welcome surprise to most in the room, who had only heard the Montana Democrat was going to announce something about housing. This is a super exciting day for East Helena, East Helena Public Schools Superintendent Dan Rispens said at the press conference, which was held at the high school. He and East Helena Mayor Kelly Harris high-fived each other during Testers speech. That was a rush, Harris said after the conference. Weve been wanting this ever since East Helena (High School) opened. Combined with around $2 million in city funds, the grant will meet the $12 million ask in the original application, proposal writer Laura Erikson explained. Erikson also works for Stahly Engineering & Associates as a grant writer. The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE, proposal was submitted in late February, Erikson said. The $10.2 million will repave and widen Valley Drive from Plant Road to U.S. Highway 12, Harris said. Sidewalks, bike paths, curbs, gutters and Americans with Disabilities Act ramps will be added, making it a safer commute for schools, neighbors and small businesses in the area. The road will also be expanded to three lanes. The current road is dotted with potholes and has only one lane going in either direction a hard system to use when cars and buses are dropping off children at East Helena High and Prickly Pear Elementary School. The new road will also make it easier to expand housing, East Helena councilman Wes Feist said. The area will hopefully be more attractive to developers and will create a stronger throughline to East Helenas Main Street. If the grant hadn't come through, East Helena would've tried to pass a bond for the road repairs, Feist said, so securing a grant is a big relief. Recent bonds and mill levies have had mostly negative results in Lewis and Clark County. The next steps: Getting the labor to Valley Drive and making use of the funds. Were going to put our noses to the (grindstone), like East Helena does, Harris said. Across Montana, other towns received word on their grant proposals. The Blackfeet Tribe received $3.9 million for more accessible roads and Belgrade received $25 million for safety improvements at intersections. Tester said the RAISE money was partially funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which funnels $108 billion into public transportation statewide. In 2023, Tester also added the Buy America rule to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which requires renovations be made using American-made steel and equipment. He said he was the only member of Montanas congressional delegation to vote for this funding. Brighter Clouds Ahead Researchers are warning that geoengineering efforts to help cool temperatures in California could trigger heatwaves in Europe, a "scary" implication given the sheer lack of regulation controlling such measures across the globe. As The Guardian reports, scientists have suggested spraying aerosols into clouds over the ocean to cool down the surface below, a practice called "marine cloud brightening." As the name suggests, the idea is to brighten clouds to make them reflect more of the Sun's radiation back into space. Last month, a team of University of Washington researchers attempted to do just that in the San Francisco Bay using a machine that sprays tiny sea-salt particles, amid criticism from environmentalists. The experiment was later shut down by city officials, citing health concerns. Now, as detailed in a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change today, it turns out the practice could have unintended consequences. While under present-day conditions it may reduce heat exposure significantly, the "same interventions under mid-century warming minimally reduce or even increase heat stress in the Western United States and across the world." In other words, while it may work now, given worsening conditions, that equation may flip on its head by the year 2050, highlighting the potential risks of geoengineering. "It shows that marine cloud brightening can be very effective for the US West Coast if done now, but it may be ineffective there in the future and could cause heatwaves in Europe, " team lead and UC San Diego oceanographer Jessica Wan told The Guardian. Darker Skies The team examined computer models of the climate in 2010 and 2050. They simulated geoengineering operations in the north-eastern Pacific and near Alaska, but found that "teleconnections," which link climate systems in disparate parts of the world, may actually make the situation worse instead of better by the latter half of the century. While heat exposure could be dropped by 55 percent under current conditions near Alaska, results would be diminished considerably by 2050 due to fewer clouds and higher base temperatures. In California, however, geoengineering could actually trigger temperatures to climb not fall in other parts of the world. That's because the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a prominent surface-to-deep current that circulates water within the Atlantic and can affect atmospheric weather, could be slowed down. The researchers are hoping to highlight the glaring lack of international regulation controlling geoengineering efforts. "There is really no solar geoengineering governance right now," Wan told The Guardian. "That is scary. Science and policy need to be developed together." More on geoengineering: Scientists Working on Desperate Plan to Refreeze Arctic The Supreme Courts once immaculate surface is fracturing before our eyes. It may be hard to identify where or when the damage began, but the source is obvious. Its the justices themselves. At the most recent Supreme Court Historical Society Dinner, both Justice Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts were surreptitiously recorded by Lauren Windsor, a documentary filmmaker who baited both justices by making very pro-conservative remarks. Alito took the bait hook, line, sinker, and maybe some of the fishing rod. According to Rolling Stone, the annual dinner is known as an opportunity for right-wing activists to buttonhole Supreme Court justices. This in and of itself makes it a questionable event for the supposedly non-partisan high court, but it also explains why Alito apparently felt quite safe in sharing how he really feels. He told Windsor that between the right and left ideological positions one side or the other is going to win and that there are differences on fundamental things that really cant be compromised. They really cant be compromised. So its not like you are going to split the difference. Alito went on to agree that there is a need to return the country to a place of godliness. Alitos views may come as no surprise, but we should be surprised and shocked at how comfortable he is at stating them out loud in public. This was not a surreptitious recording made in a private moment. It was a sitting Justice speaking to the public at a public event, asserting his view that the ideological differences in cases he listens to cannot be subject to compromise. Glaringly absent is any reference to the law, the calling balls and strikes metaphor that is so often used about what the justices are supposed to be doing. Rather, he sounds like a zealot who believes that only one side of these cases has God on their side. Its impossible to imagine that Alitos view could allow him to apply the law dispassionately. In contrast, Chief Justice Roberts adhered to the central casting image for a Supreme Court Justice when recorded. He disagreed with Windsor that the court should have a role in steering the countrys morality and even disagreed with the idea that we are a Christian country. Parroting politically correct jargonalbeit a little out-datedRoberts used the equivalent of some of my best friends are Muslims and Jews to disagree with the characterization of America as a Christian nation. The contrast between Roberts and Alito exposes a chasm between the espoused public views of the justices. Its hard to see how the law can bridge that ideological chasm which calls into question just how the court can function. The Most Surprising Thing About SCOTUS Abortion Pill Ruling But Roberts cliches about the courts role aside, he could not help but reveal a huge blind spot in his awareness about history and the role of the high court when he minimized the polarization that the nation is experiencing. He cites other times in history, like the Vietnam War era or the Civil War, that were also tumultuous, his message being nothing to look at here and this too shall pass. But Roberts assertion is either painfully naive or deliberately misleading, because much of the tumult in the country and the court is not due to some world event like a war or even a great movement like the Civil Rights movement. No, the tumult is due to the court itself. It comes from the recklessness of the conservative majority in overturning precedents like a womans right to abortion that had stood for a half-century. It comes from the court refusing to acknowledge the glaring conflicts of interest presented by justices accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, in gifts and benefits from benefactors with cases before them. It comes from Alito believing his wife can fly flags that are symbols of the extreme right at his homes, and it comes from Roberts refusing to testify about ethics before Congress under the baseless rationale that it would violate the separation of powers structure of the Constitution. By this behavior, the court encourages such actions as Louisiana passing a law that the Ten Commandments must be displayed in every public school classroom. Such a law likely would not even have been contemplated but for the court shouting out its conservative majoritys willingness to take on radical causes. Even the opinions themselves reveal the growing instability of the institution. In recent reporting, Politico pointed out how right-wing Justice Amy Coney-Barrett was criticizing fellow right-winger Justice Thomas use of originalism. In a remarkable concurrence over a trademark case, Barrett criticized Thomas analysis by noting, It presents tradition itself as the constitutional argument Yet what is the theoretical justification for using tradition that way? She added that relying exclusively on history and tradition may seem like a way of avoiding judge-made tests. But a rule rendering tradition dispositive is itself a judge-made test. These are strange words coming from an originalist like Barrett, but it likely signals the break between the vigor of her youthful analysis perhaps shared by Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh and the staid embittered old-man ideology of Alito and Thomas. The young Turks of the court may want their work to be better rooted in legal analysis than raw revisionist history. That hardly means that Barrett, Kavanaugh or Gorsuch will be the saviors of the court. On the contrary, it signals that even jurisprudential analysis seems in disarray. Heres the thing about fractures. They can start with just a tiny crack, but once the structural integrity is compromised, the whole thing collapses. 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. Opinion: The Supreme Court recognizes we have a right not to be shot Editors Note: Jennifer Tucker, PhD, is a professor of History at Wesleyan University and the founding director of Wesleyans Center for the Study of Guns and Society. She is a member of the Historians Council on the Constitution at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion at CNN. The Supreme Courts willingness to uphold the ban on access to firearms for domestic abusers will save many hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. On Friday, the court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of a federal law that bans the possession of a gun by someone who has been the subject of a domestic violence restraining order, in the long-awaited decision of the US v Rahimi case. In a majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, eight of the nine justices voted to reject a challenge to Section 922(g)(8) of the Violence Against Women Act. The statute was passed in 1994 in response to the high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault against women. Justice Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenting voice, insisting on the need to find justification for the decision in the laws prevailing when the Second Amendment was approved. Jennifer Tucker - Olivia Drake The opinions in Fridays decision suggest that the justices are still grappling over the definition of originalism, constitutional meaning and the role of history in Second Amendment litigation. But Fridays decision should provide some needed guidance. Chief Justice Roberts explained that Since the founding, our Nations firearms laws included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms. As applied to the facts of this case, Section 922(g)(8) fits comfortably within this tradition. The court held that when an individual has been found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another, that individual may be temporarily disarmed, and that this is consistent with the Second Amendment. As Roberts wrote, some courts have misunderstood the methodology of our recent Second Amendment cases. These precedents were not meant to suggest a law trapped in amber. Otherwise, he explained, the Second Amendment would only provide protection to muskets and sabers. This decision is consistent with prior cases in which the Supreme Court acknowledged the danger of armed abusers. For example, in US v Castleman (2014) it recognized that [d]omestic violence often escalates in severity over time, and the presence of a firearm increases the likelihood that it will escalate to homicide. In Voisine v US (2016) it said that [F]irearms and domestic strife are a potentially deadly combination. In the 2022 case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen, the Supreme Court voted to strike down a century old New York gun law that placed restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside the home an opinion that marked the widest expansion of gun rights in a decade. Prior to Bruen, lower courts evaluated gun laws using a combination of historical research and evidence about how the laws served an important national interest, such as public safety. The impact of Bruen on New York and throughout the country cannot be overstated. It led to hundreds of challenges to gun laws in lower courts across the country, over issues from where guns may be carried to large-capacity magazines. It placed a wide range of federal and state gun regulations in jeopardy, with judges ruling against bans on AR-15 rifles, laws restricting adults under 21 from purchasing or carrying handguns in public and other gun-control measures found to be lacking in historical tradition. Judges across the country are clashing over history two years after the Supreme Court upended how courts decide Second Amendment cases. In oral arguments last November, US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar did not critique the doctrine of originalism, nor the courts new history and tradition test which it laid out in Bruen. Instead she argued that history before, during and after the Founding Era allowed the government to disarm individuals who were dangerous. Supporting her argument were briefs from public health researchers, domestic violence experts, lawyers, doctors and law enforcers, who documented the need for restricting domestic abusers access to guns while under a protective order. In contrast, opponents of gun regulation, citing the Bruen decision, argued in amicus briefs that it requires essentially identical laws to have existed at the time of the Founding for a modern gun law to be in conformity with the Second Amendment right to bear arms. This argument was in supporting briefs for Rahimi, which included, among others, the NRA; Phyllis Schlafly Eagles and Eagle Forum; and the Gun Owners of America. What does history say? As historians have noted, in relation to the Rahimi case, even if you look to the past, you wont find broad support for arming abusers. Moreover, in Bruen, the court acknowledged that the many technological and social changes that have taken place since the Founding could be considered in gun cases. At the time of the Founding, guns were only rarely used to murder intimate partners. Few people had pistols, and flintlock muskets were too cumbersome to use indoors. According to Randolph Roth, author of the book American Homicide, Marital murderers seldom used more than their fists or feet. Sometimes they picked up whatever was at handa stick, a stone, a tool. Modern pistols are significantly easier to use, and much more lethal, than the flintlock weapons of the 18th century. Since the Founding Era, the prevalence of handguns in American households has increased roughly tenfold, and their use in homicides has increased nearly fivefold. Drawing an unchanging line from flintlock to AR-15 comparing products like they are all alike is a myth that historian Brian DeLay has described as pushing a myth of continuity. Pepperdine University legal scholar Jacob Charles has called this dilemma being shackled to the dead hand of a silent past. The importance of the Rahimi decision According to law enforcement data, 76% of female murder victims are killed by someone they know and more than one third are killed by an intimate partner. Another study found that an abused woman is five times more likely to be killed by a male partner when there is a firearm in the house. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that the presence of a firearm in the home increases the risk of homicide by 1,000%. Domestic violence is also tied to mass shootings. A recent study found that nearly 60% of mass shootings between 2014 and 2019 were domestic violence-related, and in nearly 70% of mass shootings, the perpetrator either killed at least one partner or family member or had a history of intimate partner violence. Responding to a domestic violence incident is also one of the most dangerous jobs for police. Finally, evidence shows that restricting firearm possession by domestic abusers is often an effective preventative measure. States that have more restrictions on firearms in domestic abuse cases have a female homicide rate reduced by as much as 25% lower compared to more permissive states. The Supreme Court took a step in the right direction. There is still great uncertainty about how lower courts will apply the Bruen history and tradition test in other firearms regulation cases. This uncertainty has empowered gun rights advocates and led to a relaxing of gun laws across the country in the past two years. Amid dueling visions of firearms rights, and the battle over history and tradition,in a country plagued by gun violence, it is important to remember that the Declaration of Independence gave Americans a right to life, liberty, and happiness. People arguably also have a right not to be shot. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Opinion: This Was the Week When the RFK Jr. Fantasy Went Bust As we hurtle toward the first 2024 presidential debate on Thursday, its worth asking: What the hell happened to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.? Back in April, an Emerson College poll had him at 21 percent, and a Fox News poll from around the same time had him at 19 percent. At that moment, it was easy to believe that he might build on that foundation, surpassing the 19 percent Ross Perot garnered in the 1992 presidential election. But since then, Kennedys campaign has stalled. Most recently, Kennedy failed to qualify for the CNN debate, a development that could prove devastating and dispositive. Contrarian Defenses of RFK Jr. Are Not BraveTheyre Boring In terms of qualifying for the debate, Kennedy fell short on two counts. First, he failed to earn 15 percent in four approved national polls (although he came close, hitting the mark in three out of four polls). Second, he failed to appear on enough state ballots to be eligible to win the 270 Electoral College votes needed to be elected president. Make no mistake, this missed opportunity is costly. More than 73 million people watched the first presidential debate in 2020, and there is no doubt that tens of millions will tune in on Thursday. Presidential debates, themselves, are often catalysts to future success. Imagine what would happen if RFK, Jr., had a strong moment (or at least seemed especially sharp when compared with Joe Biden and Donald Trump). Appearing on the same platform with two former presidents might have allowed Americans to at least imagine Kennedy as president, an obvious prerequisite to winning. In a nation full of double-haters where his two opponents are 81 and 78, respectively, its possible that Kennedy would have tapped into the lingering hunger for a third option. Indeed, at different points during this campaign, Biden and Trump have worried that Kennedy might play spoiler and cost them the election. The danger to Biden was that a candidate named Kennedy might peel off some Democrats who revere his famous uncle and father; Trump worried that an outsider, celebrity candidate who espoused vaccine skepticism might outflank him with conspiracy theoristsa key component of Trumps base. Today, when it comes to those worries, both candidates can breathe a sigh of relief. Much of Kennedys early success was due to the near-universal name recognition that comes with being named Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. RFK Jr. Was Always a Crackpot, He Just Switched Political Tribes Many people believed that Kennedy might use that leverage to break out the way Perot did when he appeared on stage at presidential debates and (despite dropping out of the race and then rejoining) garnered 19 percent of the vote. But the more that people learned about RFK, Jr and his kooky ideas, the less they liked him. At least, increased exposure certainly has not boosted his popularity in the polls. In addition to that problem, Team Biden has also shrewdly strangled Kennedys candidacy before it took off. Consider, for example, Bidens unprecedented move to call for a debate in June, which is months earlier than general election debates traditionally begin. Among other positive externalities for Biden, this early date surprised Kennedys team, shortening the time they had to jump through all of the logistical hurdles required for an independent candidate to appear viable. This was a brilliant, if devious, move. [Kennedys] problem is, for the debate, its so fast that its not set up for him to get on, Bernard Tamas, a political science professor at Valdosta State University, told The Washington Post. When it comes to appearing on state ballots, Kennedy is technically less than one-third of the way there; but this point deserves an asterisk. Officials in multiple states told The Washington Post that while Kennedy has either submitted petitions or been nominated by a minor party with ballot access, their certification process is not yet complete. And if pushing up the timing of the first debate wasnt a big enough blow to Kennedys campaign, Biden-backed groups simultaneously worked to stymie his progress in qualifying for state ballots. Why Biden Chose the Audiences Right Side for Debate Night Whether the two major campaigns and CNN in fact colluded to keep him out of the debate (as Kennedy alleges) is almost irrelevant. Barring some unforeseen development, the show will go on without him. And this will have consequences. Nothing succeeds like success, and the opposite is also true; Kennedys failure to appear on stage will make it dramatically less likely that his campaign will get enough oxygen to catch fire. The snarky bottom line? RFK, Jr, might be certifiablebut hes not certified on enough ballots to be a serious contender in this election. Its Biden, Trump, or bust. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Naming a state after the nations first president is pretty patriotic. But Washington cant compete with Oregons love of America, according to a new report. WalletHub has named Oregon the fifth-most-patriotic state in the U.S. Washington, meanwhile, ranked as the eighth-most-patriotic state. WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe said that the website created its rankings by combining 13 different categories of data for each U.S. state, including the average number of military enlistees in each state, the number of veteran residents, voter participation and hours spent on volunteer work. The most patriotic states have a lot of residents who serve or have served in the armed forces, high voter turnouts during elections and a high share of the population volunteering with national or local organizations, Happe said. Patriotism also isnt concentrated in any one particular area the top states are located in vastly different geographic regions. I think I have PTSD: Riders, bystanders recall horror of Oaks Park ride that stalled mid-air Virginia is the overall most patriotic state, according to the list, followed by Alaska, Montana, Maine and Oregon. The Beaver State ranked fairly low in the websites military engagement category (38th). However, Oregon is said to have the second-highest level of civic engagement in the country, with Maine taking the number one spot. WalletHubs Top 10 Most Patriotic States in America Overall Rank State Military Engagement Rank Civic Engagement Rank 1 Virginia 3 9 2 Alaska 1 20 3 Montana 23 3 4 Maine 37 1 5 Oregon 38 2 6 Colorado 11 10 7 New Hampshire 33 4 8 Washington 12 11 9 Maryland 24 8 10 Hawaii 2 28 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After the Oregon Employment Department temporarily shortened its call hours to focus on tackling a mountain of older backlog issues for customers, officials say the strategy is working. However, customers are also complaining about the longer hold times in the interim. Beginning on June 4, OED reduced their phone hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each working day to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, they also closed the call center hours on Mondays. Officials announced that these changes would be temporary to let OED employees focus on chipping away at the 13,500 issues that needed to be addressed and prioritizing problems six weeks or older. Our families are broken: Teen accused of triple murder in broad daylight pleads not guilty Officials said the strategy is working and that theyve now resolved roughly 10,000 of those backlog issues. The change in our phone hours is working to help us get caught up on our workload. Extra time is allowing us to resolve the very issues that people are calling us about, OED Director David Gerstenfeld said. However, some people have reported challenges due to the reduced call center hours. In particular, people like Laurie Godwin, who is trying to set up her paid leave account before her surgery in a few months. She told KOIN 6 News she couldnt get through over the phone. ODOT: Expect congestion and delays during partial I-5 closures this week When I try to call, its like a two-hour wait and I cant wait all day because I have to work, Godwin said. And then, yesterday and today, its been busy signals. Busy signals. And its just its ridiculous. Godwin works from home with her dog, Lulu Mae, by her side. She said shes suffered from chronic pain for the past 40 years. Now shes working to get everything in order to take off at least six weeks from work for surgery months from now. I really dont know what Im going to do, Godwin said. And then I got to take care of her as well because shes a special needs dog and she needs a wheelchair. Godwin is applying for paid leave through OED but she said its a task easier said than done. OHSU layoffs will mostly affect staff in communications, marketing and other services I saw everybody having the same issues. So I thought I better get on this early because theres been like a 29+, 30-day wait just to even get started. Godwin needs to change her address online. The website says she needs a code from the mail. That verification has yet to arrive in her mailbox so shes been trying to call OED, instead. I try to call first thing when they open, she said. Theyre only open from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. and thats Tuesday through Friday. Godwin said shes been trying to complete this address change for nearly a month now, with no hope in sight. She said she doesnt know where to turn next. Tensions rise as Oregon nurses continue Providence picket Im kind of stuck between a rock and hard place right now, Godwin said. In a response to KOIN 6 News request for comment, an OED spokesperson said they were not aware of any issues around address changes that are slowing applicants down in general. That doesnt mean there arent a few complex cases where folks may be running into unique issues, the OED spokesperson continued. We will look into Ms. Godwins case and reach out if theres anything else we need to resolve her issue. OED said their goal with the restricted phone center hours is to reduce the number of unemployment insurance claim issues that were six weeks or older by 80%. Officials said theyre expecting a surge in unemployment insurance claims come July 1, the end of the fiscal year, and that theyll have 23 new employees starting a few days after that. Its a shortage of employees that OED had pointed to as a cause for these backlog issues, something that predates the consolidation of their U.I. system onto a newer site, Frances Online. Anecdotally, the sites launch seemed to coincide with a rise in Oregonians reporting issues with getting processed through OED, as KOIN 6 News has extensively covered in the past several 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 KOIN.com. Orlando mom waits to leave Turks and Caicos after being arrested for ammunition in carry-on In four days, an Orlando woman will learn from a Turks and Caicos judge when she will be able to return home to her family after being arrested for having ammunition in her carry-on luggage at the Howard Hamilton International Airport. Sharitta Grier spoke to WFTV via Facetime from her Airbnb after she was released from jail for having two bullets in her carry-on bag after she flew to the Caribbean Island for a Mothers Day weekend getaway. I want people to understand, dont ever think what happened to me cant happen to you or someone you love because it can, said Grier. Grier has since been released but cannot leave the island just yet. She has been staying in an Airbnb since but said shes ready to be back home with her family, especially her grandchildren, who are not old enough to understand what has happened. Read: Orlando woman arrested on ammunition charges in Turks & Caicos speaks to WFTV I have to tell my grandkids [when they say] When are we going to see your new house? They think this is my new house, and Im just not letting them come, but we know thats not the case, said Grier. Tuesday, Grier said she would go in front of a Turks and Caicos judge to find out her next steps. During that time with the 25th, thats when they are going to let me know when my sentencing date is. You dont know until the actual date. When the judge spoke, she said $500 per bullet. Read: 2nd American sentenced for bringing ammo to Turks and Caicos gets time served In Griers case, its two bullets and the theory of paying $1,000 to get home to Orlando. According to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas, firearms, ammunition, and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearms-related laws. The penalty for traveling to TCI with a firearm, ammunition, or other weapon is a minimum custodial sentence of twelve (12) years. Even through it all, I was still telling God, I trust him. Even in the midst of everything that was happening when I was room chained to the chair. I was still telling God, I trust him, said Grier. Read: American arrested in Turks and Caicos for ammo in bag gets suspended sentence Grier said she is one out of five and the last American who is still on the island after being arrested for small amounts of ammunition. Friday, Ryan Watson was granted permission to head back to Oklahoma after being arrested. Grier said she and Watson became close, and shes happy hes home with his family and has no doubt shell be on a plane back as well. Me and Ryan, are like sisters and brothers. We got a bond together. Me, him, his mom, his stepdad. We were living in the same Airbnb, said Grier. Grier said aside from hugging her family and grandchildren, she cant wait to have a plate of soul food. WFTV will stay connected with Grier and expects to meet her at the Orlando International Airport as soon as she lands. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A 29-year-old Overland Park man faces two counts of breach of privacy. The Johnson County District Attorneys office filed these charges after the suspect, Austin Flynn, was accused of taking photos of young women from an upskirting angle at Oak Park Mall. An affidavit shows that investigators say on June 9, Overland Park police were notified by Sephora asset protection that a man, later identified as Flynn, was using his cell phone to take inappropriate photos of a group of females. Second alleged victim of Blue Springs school board president speaks out The court document says an Overland Park detective witnessed Flynn taking the photos, and after he left, spoke with the group who ranged in age from 11 to 19. While collecting this information, other detectives and officers made contact with Flynn, who was arrested and taken to a police substation. During an interview with investigators, Flynn gave consent to a search of his phone and admitted to taking the photos in Sephora, Forever 21 and on escalators. Woman charged with arson following Independence apartment fire The affidavit says Flynn told investigators he had not had sexual gratification in some time. He also said that he learned how to take the photos on social media, and that while he was unaware of their ages, he preferred to photograph younger women over the age of 18. FOX4 reached out to the attorney representing Flynn, who said they needed time to review the evidence before providing a comment. Flynn posted bond a day after his arrest and is due back in court on July 30 for a diversion hearing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. You paid to bring Arizona better internet access, but bureaucrats are holding it up The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was an early victory for the Biden administration. One of its highlights was $42.5 billion to bring broadband internet access to rural areas. Lowering prices including the cost of high-speed internet service is President Bidens top priority, a White House press release said at the time. Like many of this administrations top priorities, it never happened. Three years after Biden signed the legislation, not a single home or business has been connected to one of these new networks. In fact, the first project to modernize rural broadband has been pushed to next year. It all comes down to a stifling bureaucracy tangled in red tape. Arizona badly needs broadband access Workers install utility poles to bring electricity to remote parts of the Navajo Nation. Broadband access is even worse. Named Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD), the project is being administered by Bidens Commerce Department. States apply for the funds, that department approves them, and Washington opens the money spigot. In theory, at least. To date, a handful of states have been approved. Arizona submitted its documentation, which is still sitting in some bureaucrats inbox. When approved, our state should gain access to nearly $1 billion to modernize our networks. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, more than 18% of people living on tribal lands that's about a quarter of Arizonas land dont have broadband access. In non-tribal areas, thats just 4%. Alan Davidson, who runs the BEAD program, recently admitted to a House panel that the first two years were dedicated only to planning and preparation. This year, he said they will be embarking on the challenge and subgrantee selection processes that will fund providers to build networks. Davidson promises, though, that by next year, there finally will be a shovels-in-the-ground project. Or maybe 2026. It won't happen soon, thanks to red tape The Commerce Department has been too distracted with adding barriers between D.C. and the states. Theyve added a preference for hiring union workers, requiring contractors to favor certain segments of the workforce, such as individuals with past criminal records, and to account for climate change. Commerce also created a byzantine approval process that has delayed progress across the nation. None of this is in the bill passed by Congress and signed by the president. Meanwhile, those in tribal lands and remote areas of our state remain underserved. Sorry, Arizona: There is no federal help on the way Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr has made his frustrations known. There hasnt been a single shovels worth of dirt that has even been turned towards connecting people, he said. None of this is a surprise. Its just how the Beltway operates. EV charging stations have the same problem In that same 2021 infrastructure law, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was given $7.5 billion to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations from coast to coast. Three years later, how many has he built? Eight. Tesla installed double that number in my neighborhood a few months back, no government funds needed. Driving by them the other day, I saw a dozen cars charging as their AC was blasting. Which seems suboptimal for the environment, but I digress. When asked about this failure on Face the Nation, Buttigieg said he had to create a new category of federal investment, that every state was getting formula dollars and that installing a charger is really hard. Still, he promised half a million of these gizmos by 2030. Only 499,992 to go. The EV charger problem is the same as with rural broadband. Washington has attached miles of red tape, complex regulations, reliability and interoperability standards, location approval, and who can be hired to install them. Bureaucrats dither around with your money As always, politicians promise, taxpayers fund, and bureaucrats dither. The idea of progress always collides with the stark reality of governmental ineptitude. While regulations are intended to ensure safety and public welfare, their cumbersome nature results in significant delays, increased costs and even project abandonment. Each hurdle introduces opportunities for legal challenges, public hearings and inter-agency clashes, all of which prevent success. In my neighborhood, Google is installing broadband fiber and Tesla is building EV chargers. Meanwhile, Washington bureaucrats are writing clever excuses about why they cant do either. Jon Gabriel, a Mesa resident, is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. On X, formerly Twitter: @exjon. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona needs faster internet. Bureaucrats are holding it up Panicked Arkansas grocery store shoppers hid in freezer and ran for cover amid shooting that killed 4 and wounded 9 Families were shopping at a local grocery store in a small Arkansas town on Friday when the sound of gunfire reverberated through the store, sending them running for cover or huddling in a freezer. Katrina Doherty who had been shopping for dinner with her 18-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son said she first thought she heard the sound of something falling but then saw glass shatter and someone drop to the ground. Thats when she knew shots were being fired. Outside, David Rodriguez was pulling into a gas station when he heard pops that he initially thought were fireworks. He then noticed the grocery stores front windows were broken as if they had been shot open by gunfire, Rodriguez said. Panicked shoppers then started running away as gunshots were fired rapidly, Rodriguez said. A man had opened fire at the Mad Butcher in Fordyce, killing four people and wounding nine others. Those killed ranged in age from 23 to 81 years old and include one person who police later announced died on Saturday evening. Law enforcement responded to the shooting around 11:30 a.m. and exchanged gunfire with the lone suspect, according to Arkansas State Police. Cellphone video captured a man in the parking lot aiming a long gun and firing in multiple directions. A law enforcement officer works the scene of the grocery store shooting on Friday. - Colin Murphey/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/AP Not finding an escape route, Doherty and others in the store hurriedly hid in a freezer. Dohertys daughter and son, who were in a different aisle, reunited with their mother in the back of the store and followed two store workers into the freezer. The 39-year-old mother said she heard about nine or ten rounds before making it into the icy shelter. We ran in there really fast. We still heard gunshots keep going off, Doherty said. It was like slow motion. My daughter was like Mama, pinch me, this cant be real. And I was like, Baby, its real. From outside, Rodriguez heard sirens and watched as ambulances and police arrived at the scene. Doherty couldnt hear what was happening outside, and when they tried to call 9-1-1, there was no service. The group stayed inside, enduring the freezing cold in panic mode, with some praying and others crying, she recalled. Her son started to cry, but we finally got him calmed down because I didnt want the shooter to hear. We were just sitting there and praying. I was in panic mode. My son about froze to death. We tried to get him quiet, but he was saying he wanted his daddy. It felt like we were in there forever, Doherty said. We were in there maybe 15 minutes. I was asking the Lord to protect over everybody. I was just praying. The other lady, she was praying. She was crying. At one point, one of the workers opened the freezer door, and saw someone dead right outside of it, Doherty said. The door remained shut until one of the store workers heard police outside, and they were then escorted out of the store, Doherty said. Once she was out of the store, Doherty reunited with her 15-year-old twin daughters who were waiting outside in the car during the shooting and ducked down when they heard the gunshots. Sixty-three-year-old Shirley Kay Taylor was one of the victims of the shooting in Fordyce, Arkansas. - Angela Atchley Shirley Kay Taylor, 62, was one of the four dead, her daughter Angela Atchley told CNN and police confirmed on Saturday. Atchley says her mother, who loved her family and kids, was the hardest working woman I know and a great person. We are completely lost, Atchley said. Additional civilians killed in the shooting were identified by police as: 23-year-old Callie Weems, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis and 81-year-old Ellen Shrum. A fourth victim died Saturday evening following three previous deaths that were initially counted by police. The country has seen a spate of shootings in the past few weeks, with 21 mass shootings recorded by the Gun Violence Archive since last Friday. Shootings permeated a Michigan splash pad, a Texas Juneteenth celebration and a Massachusetts car meetup, among other locations. They are among at least 234 mass shootings have taken place in the United States in 2024, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter. The aftermath of the shooting Damage can be seen to a front window as a law enforcement officer investigates on Friday. - Colin Murphey/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/AP Matthew Gill, the meat manager at the Mad Butcher, told CNN a man came into the store with a shotgun and ended up in a shootout with police. Two police officers were wounded in the gunfire, with one released from the hospital Saturday evening and another having minor injuries. The suspected shooter, identified by authorities as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey, was also wounded and taken into custody. Posey, a resident of New Edinburg, is expected to be charged with four counts of capital murder, with additional charges pending, according to an Arkansas State Police news release. He was taken to the Ouachita County Detention Center and is set to appear in court on Monday, according to Dallas County prosecutor Eric Marks. The injuries to the suspect are not considered life-threatening, according to Mike Hagar, the secretary of public safety and director of Arkansas State Police. He noted the situation is secured contained. There are no active threats to the community. The remaining civilian injuries range from non-life threatening to extremely critical, he said. Five women and two men from 20 to 65 years old were injured in the shooting. Four of them are still in the hospital, including a woman who is in critical condition. Three victims were treated and released on Friday. Posey was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, released to ASP custody, and transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center, ASP said in the release. It is unclear if Posey has retained legal counsel at this point. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a statement on X said she had been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce and is in constant contact with state police at the scene. Fordyce, a small city in southeast Dallas County, had a population of just 3,396 in 2020. Fordyce City Council Member Roderick Rogers told CNN affiliate KATV that he was on the phone with someone in the store when the shooting took place. Man, it was bad, Rogers said. The council member said that he spoke with survivors of the shooting who are traumatized. We are trying to get some counseling and everything set up at the moment, he added. CNNs Zoe Sottile and Justin Lear contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The impending closure of a small Rhode Island high school has prompted some rare pushback: Spanish-speaking families have brought a federal class-action lawsuit against the Providence Public School District, Providence School Board, state Department of Education and state education commissioner under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. With an argument that traces a direct line back to Brown vs. Board of Education, the plaintiffs are claiming that the shutdown of 360 High School violates the students and their families right to an equal education. Typically, the act is invoked after a denial of guaranteed services. But these plaintiffs are bringing a case to preserve a school that they say already meets their needs. Attorney Jennifer Wood, director of the Rhode Island Center for Justice, said the act codified in law that schools must remove barriers for English learners and their parents. The act was based on the Supreme Courts ruling in a 1973 case called Lau vs. Nichols, which descended from Brown and determined that failing to provide supplemental language classes violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 14th Amendment. Describing an arc of history from Brown through Lau to the 1974 legislation, Wood said, Each one of those redefines who gets to be in public schools and how we are going to fully include them. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter In February, Providence district leaders, under state oversight, unexpectedly announced that 360 was slated for a merger at the end of the academic year. Students, but not teachers or administrators, would be absorbed into the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complexs new Life Sciences Institute. District and state leaders said closing 360 would benefit its students by providing them access to programs Juanita Sanchez runs through partnerships with the state Department of Health, alongside internships and research opportunities with local industry collaborators, labs and hospitals. They cited 360s 16% dropout rate, 75% graduation rate and 1.5% math and 8.2% English proficiency scores. I have to make some very tough decisions, Superintendent Javier Montanez said at a City Council meeting. Im going to do everything I can to protect my students. The merger was estimated to save the district $1.5 million to 2 million. But 360s families and staff were not convinced. Math teacher Ellen Foley, who has worked at the school since its founding nine years ago, said in an interview that it follows a clear philosophy: Youre building a community when you build a school. In a district where students choose their high school at the end of eighth grade, 360s families specifically selected the school in part due to its reputation for supporting English learners. The students nearly half of whom dont speak the language at home take English classes that are co-taught by ESL teachers, and Student Council meetings are conducted in English and Spanish. Hundreds of alumni, parents, teachers, staff and students attended meetings of the school board, City Council, state Education Department and state legislative committees to plead for the closure decision to be reversed. There were protests and rallies. Some meetings required overflow rooms and were so crowded that police were called. At one meeting, 360 senior Michael Isom said, They didnt let me speak and they didnt let my mother speak. They dont let certain people speak. Related 50 Extra School Days: This District Uplifts English Learners With COVID Aid Still, community members advocated wherever they could be heard. At school board meetings, they donned custom T-shirts and passed out bright orange and blue stickers proclaiming Save 360. They pointed to data showing that 360 outperformed the district in nearly every category in terms of how community stakeholders feel about their schools. After Wood learned about the schools forthcoming closure from student activists, she attended a February school board meeting that lasted nearly four hours. She listened as parent Lucia Mejia told the board through a Spanish translator that her nonverbal son was confused about the closure and testified to the love that he has for going to school. But at every meeting, district and state leaders repeated that their decision to close 360 was irreversible, and families began to look for other options. Wood met with several who had testified. The words they used with us were, We want to fight for our children, she said. Plaintiffs Mejia, Ysaura Mezon, Maria Pirir and Juan Cruz Estevez told Wood their experiences at 360 High School were far better than those at other schools in the district. They had really good communication from the school, which was a contrast to their prior experiences, said Wood. They were also concerned about their childrens safety at other schools, citing fears that they wouldnt be told if something went wrong or that communication wouldnt be conducted in a language they understood. And they worried that students hadnt been given adequate transition planning for shifting over to the new school. Already, at least 17 of the 286 students enrolled at 360 have decided not to attend Juanita Sanchez and are choosing other options. Wood believed the families had a strong case to stop the closure under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act and filed a complaint against Providence Public School District, Providence School Board, the state Department of Education and Commissioner of Education Angelica Infante-Green on April 22. Juanita Sanchez, the lawsuit says, has been classified as chronically low-performing for 13 years, about a decade longer than 360. And while only 6% of 360s English learners met growth targets on standardized assessments, Wood said families fear they will not receive a stronger education elsewhere. The district has struggled for years to comply with the act and provide appropriate services for students with limited or no English. Wood filed a motion for preliminary injunction on April 29, asking the court to halt the closure of 360 until a decision is reached in the case. District spokesman Jay Wegimont declined to comment on the lawsuit other than to say the district and state acted in the best interests of students and are committed to expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities for all students, including multilingual learners. Related Infante-Green & Santos: English Learners Are Left Out of the Conversation About Educational Equity. Its Time for That to Change On June 6, Chief Judge John McConnell of the United States District Court of Rhode Island denied a motion by the defendants for summary judgment and ordered that the parties enter an expedited discovery process. After that, he will rule on the preliminary injunction. While Wood and the plaintiffs are pushing for a decision as soon as possible, it may not come before the last day of school on June 24. But the end of the school year would not mean the end of the lawsuit. If a preliminary injunction is granted after June 24, the school closure will still be halted until the court decides the case. Displaced 360 teachers and administrators, including some who have taken jobs at other district schools, would need to be reinstated, and student placements would need to be adjusted. Wood said this sort of last-minute shuffling is sometimes hard for the community, but it has been done before in the case of lawsuits or settlements in various urban districts. In school closure cases where a preliminary injunction was not granted, lawsuits have proceeded even after specific schools shut their doors for good. Though the eventual rulings did not save particular schools, they could still have an impact on the procedure followed in future closure decisions. Related Test Scores Show Rhode Island Students Still Recovering to Pre-Pandemic Levels Even if the preliminary injunction is granted, the district could close 360 later. Depending on the eventual outcome of the case, what that would look like for students and families could change. Meanwhile, at 360, Foley said the students, teachers and families are pushing forward focused on celebrating their wonderful community and closing with dignity and celebration before their potential last-ever day of school. But Wood believes that if her case prevails, English learners could get a pathway forward where their needs and perspectives are taken into consideration. Rip currents, rip tides, and undertows can turn any sunny beach day into a tragedy. A Pennsylvania family on vacation in Florida just learned how deadly these phenomena can be. According to Martin County police, 51-year-old Brian Water and 48-year-old Erica Wishard were on vacation with their six kids in Hutchinson Island when they were caught in a rip current offshore on June 20. "[The family] started their Florida vacation day on the beach," the authorities wrote in a Facebook post. "While in the water, the couple and two of the teens got swept out by a rip current. The kids were able to break the current and attempted to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim ashore." Related: 4 easy tips for getting out of an ocean rip current Help came to the rescue and they began performing CPR on the victims before they were rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. They were later pronounced dead, and police worked with the children as they waited for other family members to arrive in Florida. Martin County Sheriff's Office chief deputy John Budensiek described the incident to WPBF. "Multiple witnesses told our investigators that both the male and female, who are now deceased, got in the ocean, right into a rip current and immediately were pulled from the shore," he said. "One of the children of the deceased tried to yell to them instructions on how to swim parallel to the shore, but they were in panic mode and unfortunately went under." If you're at the beach and see a patch of water that doesn't have any waves, stay far away, as it could mean there's a rip current under the surface, and follow our guide to ensure you make it back to shore safely. Editors note: This story is based in Virginia, not in California. (KRON) A suspect who fled a homicide scene in Danville has been arrested in North Carolina, according to the Danville Police Department. Around 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday, Danville police officers responded to the Woodside Village apartment complex in the 1300 block of Piney Forest Road. Officers found 24-year-old Danville resident, Tasean Delvecchio Farmer, suffering from multiple gunshots inside an apartment. Farmer was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. Missing 68-year-old woman with mental health-related ailments last seen in San Leandro According to Danville PD, 32-year-old Danville resident Richard Lee Wilson fled the scene. Wilson has since been detained in North Carolina. Wilson with multiple charges, including: second-degree murder possession of a firearm by a convicted felon use of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony reckless handling of a firearm discharging a firearm in an occupied dwelling According to Danville PD, the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Danville Police Department at 434-799-6510 option 4 or via email crimetips@danvilleva.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 KRON4. Like a bad penny that keeps turning up, every few years someone on Capitol Hill decides it would be a good idea to make women subject to a military draft. In 2016, the Republicans suggested it, in 2020 the Democrats suggested it, and now in 2024, Democrats are at it again. The proposal reliably comes around before every presidential election, coincident with the defense authorization bills necessary to keep the military running. Back in 2020, though the Supreme Court refused to weigh in, deferring to Congress, the government commission assigned to study the issue concluded that women should be required to register for the draft. Military chiefs endorse the concept, pointing to the troubling shortfall in recruitment for the all-volunteer military a shortfall of about 41,000 in 2023. Championing the change, Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed, D-R.I., opined that Republican opposition to the proposal just doesnt make any sense. On the contrary, its the proposal to draft women that not only doesnt make sense, but is highly ironic. Lets count the ironies here. And lets start from the reality-based premise that only women give birth to the new generation of Americans. What, at a minimum, must a nation have to survive? It must have protection, even physical protection in the form of soldiers willing to lay down their health and even their lives if necessary to counter threats to the nations security. But protection is not enough for a nation to survive. Even a well-protected nation will die out in the space of a generation if there is no reproduction. Only through reproduction does a nation have a future. These two tasks, protection and reproduction, are the fundamental tasks of the nation. Both of these tasks are personally costly. But only one protection is recognized for that cost. Lets examine the costs of the other. Though we rarely couch it in these terms, women, like soldiers, offer to lay down their health and even their lives so that their nation might have a future in the new citizens brought into the world. That we have not seen this reproductive labor as a patriotic service on a par with mens service in combat says more about our society than it says about the intrinsic value of this work. By the time they reach menopause, about 86% of women in the U.S. have become mothers; far less than half that percentage of men will have served in the military. Indeed, consider that in the history of our nation from 1776 onwards more women have died or been seriously harmed in the processes of childbirth than men have died or been wounded in battle. Examining the time period 1900-2019, comparing combat deaths versus maternal deaths for the entire 120 year period, there were an estimated 432,895 combat deaths and an estimated 854,824 maternal deaths. Think about that there were almost twice as many maternal deaths as combat deaths over the past 120 years. But what if we delimited it to the first few decades of the 20th century, when we had World War I and World War II? And maybe even throw in the Korean War for good measure? From the period 1900-1953, there were an estimated 379,114 combat deaths and an estimated 804,514 maternal deaths over twice as many maternal deaths as combat deaths during the bloodiest part of the 20th century. What about the 21st century? There were an estimated 5,686 combat deaths and an estimated 13,219 maternal deaths again, well over twice as many maternal deaths. Indeed, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is now more than double what it was 35 years ago (currently 19.0 per 100,000). The U.S. has the worst maternal mortality rate of all the developed countries in the world, and it is likely to get even worse under the patchwork of post-Dobbs state laws that make abortion illegal even when the health of the mother is at stake. So tell me again why its only fair that women be added to the Selective Service mandate? More women are already laying down their lives for our society in greater numbers than men are. Drafting women would mean a grossly disproportionate burden of physical risk would fall on women compared to men. And this is not even to mention the mommy tax on a womans lifetime earnings of having a child, which can amount to over $1 million over time. Indeed, the greatest risk factor for being poor in old age in the United States is to be a mother (and not a father). Motherhood is not just a physical, bodily sacrifice then, but can come with a profound economic sacrifice as well. Theres a GI Bill for all the soldiers who volunteered to lay down their health and their lives for their country, so that soldiers are not asked to make both an economic and physical sacrifice for their country. There is no such bill for the mothers. No, indeed, the pay gap between mothers and childless women is wider than the gap between childless women and men. Thats because, I am told, women choose to have children; no one forced them to. Of course, in todays all-volunteer army, soldiers choose to fight for their country; no one forced them to. Theres yet another irony obscured in all the discussion. Part of the the militarys concern over recruitment has to do with falling birth rates. The United States now has a total fertility rate of about 1.62, far below the 2.1 children per woman necessary to keep the population stable. Thats a historic low for our country. Experts suggest the decline is not because fewer women desire to have children, but because our society makes it difficult for women to make that choice. Drafting women makes that decision even more difficult. One last irony to mention who is making the decision to go to war? By and large, its men. Only 25% of U.S. senators are female, and only 29% of representatives are. Women do not have anywhere near an equal say in whether our nation goes to war, and yet would be forced to assume greater burdens to support these wars than they already do. All in all, one has to laugh at this proposal if only to avoid crying. Valerie M. Hudson is a university distinguished professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and a Deseret News contributor. Her views are her own. During the week of Juneteenth, the African American Leadership Society with United Way of Anderson County held the Dream Awards gala on Friday, June 21. The gala celebrated local communitarians and raised money to support the Jane Edna Hunter Empowerment Center. Keynote speaker Dr. James Noble, vice president for Diversity, Community, and Inclusion at Anderson University, spoke about accomplishing things by working together. "My friends, we need each other. It's time that Blacks stop hating whites, and whites to stop hating Blacks," said Dr. Noble. "When we come together, the world will stop and look and say there's a united force that can't be stopped." Dr. James Noble, Vice President for Diversity Community, and Inclusion at Anderson University speaks during the 2024 African American Leadership Society awards at the Westside Community Center in Anderson, S.C. Friday, June 21, 2024. "We're here to celebrate each other with love and fellowship. Live your life so the Lord can use it," said the Rev. Joe Moss, honored with a United Way of Anderson County award. Carol Burdette, President & Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Anderson County hugs Sandra Gantt near Dr. Jerome Hudson, Don Peppers and Juana Slade, during the 2024 African American Leadership Society awards at the Westside Community Center in Anderson, S.C. Friday, June 21, 2024. Carol Burdette, retiring this year after 35 years of leading United Way of Anderson County, honored Sandra Gantt, Don Peppers, Dr. Jerome Hudson, and Juana Slade for their community service. Carol Burdette, middle, President and CEO of United Way of Anderson County, is honored by AALS for her 35 years of serving the community from Dr. Chaka Smith and Caleb Allen, left, during the 2024 African American Leadership Society awards at the Westside Community Center in Anderson, S.C. Friday, June 21, 2024. "Tonight we have honored Juneteenth and recognized the exceptional individuals in our community who have made significant contributions to the betterment of society," Dr. Chaka Smith, AALS member, said in her closing speech. "The stories we've heard tonight are a testament to the power and perseverance, resilience, and unwavering belief in the pursuit of justice. As we leave this gathering tonight, let us carry the spirit of Juneteeth in our heart and minds. Let us be inspired by the achievements of those we have honored and strived to create a future where every individual is seen, heard and valued. Together, we can continue the work of those before us," Chunsta Miller, middle, and Vaughn Newman dance with others at the end of the 2024 African American Leadership Society awards at the Westside Community Center in Anderson, S.C. Friday, June 21, 2024. The fundraiser helping the Jane Edna Hunter Empowerment Center with the Urban League of the Upstate, recognized area leaders. Marcus Brown, left, Cameron Owens Hunter, Crystal Noble, Margaret Reese Rucker and Jason Rucker Jr., Rev. Joe Moss, and Bobby McGowens pose for photographers as African American Leadership Society of United Way of Anderson County award recipients, during the 2024 African American Leadership Society awards at the Westside Community Center in Anderson, S.C. Friday, June 21, 2024. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Photos: Anderson Juneteenth event focuses on community working together Poland reports another "very tense night" for air defence due to Russian strikes on Ukraine Polish and allied fighter aircraft have once again been scrambled due to a Russian attack on infrastructure targets in Ukraine. Source: Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on Twitter (X) Details: Operational Command warned 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. Quote: "Intense activity by Russian long-range aircraft has been observed this night, related to the launch of cruise missiles, Shahed drones and ballistic weapons on targets located in the western part of Ukrainian territory." Polish Operational Command stated that "all necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been initiated" and that it was "constantly monitoring the situation". It became known that the aircraft deployed had returned to base before 06:00. "This night was very tense for the entire Polish air defence system, as a Russian large-scale missile attack covered the entire territory of Ukraine, including regions bordering Poland," the statement said. Background: Poland often scrambles fighter aircraft in response to Russia's missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. The Russians conducted a combined air strike on critical infrastructure facilities in several Ukrainian oblasts on the night of 21-22 June 2024. Ukraines air defence destroyed 12 air-, ground- and sea-launched missiles and 13 Shahed attack UAVs. Support UP or become our patron! DENVER (KDVR) Two suspects were arrested after officers in Fort Collins saw a man bleeding from multiple stab wounds Thursday. The Fort Collins Police Services said officers were on their way responding to a different call when they saw a man walking along College Avenue actively bleeding from multiple stab wounds, at about 8:35 p.m. on Thursday. 2 teens arrested on unrelated charges after Aurora apartment shooting The victim, a 36-year-old man, sustained serious bodily injury but is expected to recover, according to police. The officers stopped and immediately provided emergency care before taking him to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies. Upon further investigation, the police department said officers learned that the victim had been in an argument with two men. After the three men separated, the victim was making his way through Old Town Square when one suspect reapproached him and inflicted multiple stab wounds, the police department said in a press release. Police said the two suspects, identified as Clayton Corbett, 44, and Harley Davis, 34, fled the area together but were arrested at 6:14 a.m. Friday without incident. Officers with the Criminal Investigations Division and K-9 Unit searched Friday afternoon and found a weapon. Police investigating early morning deadly shooting near Generals Park in Aurora The two suspects face the following charges: Attempted first-degree murder deliberation with intent (weapon) First-degree assault, with a weapon Tampering with physical evidence Police said the stabbing appeared to be targeted and they do not believe there is a threat to the community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Early Friday morning police responded to a deadly shooting near Generals Park in Aurora. The Aurora Police Department told FOX31 they responded to a reported shooting around 3:30 a.m. near East Colfax Avenue and Peoria Street, where police found a male suffering from gunshot wounds. This embedded content is not available in your region. Police said they performed life-saving measures and he was able to make it to the hospital, however, the man later died from his injuries. 3 children found after going missing in Arvada for nearly 24 hours Police said suspect information is unavailable at this time, although they do believe this was a targeted attack with no additional victims. The Adams County Coroners Office is in the process of identifying the victim and notifying their family. At this time, the police dont have more information to share on this 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 FOX31 Denver. Police looking for man who exposed himself in Northwest DC WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for the publics help in finding a suspect who exposed himself in Northwest D.C. on Friday night. Police said that at about 10:15 p.m., the suspect was standing in the 2200 block of 12th Place when he exposed himself to a victim who was driving by. Deputies charge Frederick County man with multiple offenses after shooting incident The suspect then left the area. Surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect: Credit: MPD Anyone who can identify this suspect or has any information about the incident should call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Departments TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Police say overdose call ends with man shooting, killing himself A large police presence in Apopka ends after a man shoots and kills himself, following a response to an overdose call. During a press conference on Friday, Apopka Police Mike Mckinley said police responded to the Oasis at Wekiva apartment complex around 4 p.m. for an overdose call. Apopka Fire Department also responded to the scene and was taken to the hospital, his condition is unknown at this time. Read: Orlando woman sentenced to prison after 10 year-old daughter shot, killed her neighbor While officers were questioning another male in the apartment, he pulled out a handgun. The officers retreated from the bedroom for safety and heard one gunshot, McKinkley said. Read: It sounded like a blown tire: Swollen fuel tanks may impact more than just Kia cars The chief said that SWAT was called in and attempted to contact the individual, but when no contact was made, SWAT entered. When police entered the apartment, the found a male with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot. Read: Melbourne man accused of beating 6-week-old son to death appears before judge Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Police say second suspect in Round Rock shooting in custody AUSTIN (KXAN) A second suspect is now in custody in connection to the deadly shooting at Old Settlers Park during the Round Rock Juneteenth celebration last weekend, the Round Rock Police Department said on social media Friday. Around 8:30 p.m., police said a male juvenile suspect was taken into custody and then transported to the Williamson County Detention Center. Round Rock shooting suspect admits to firing shots, court documents say Police said gunfire erupted after two groups got into a fight. Police expect more charges for additional suspects and they continued investigating Friday. 17-year-old admits to firing shots at Old Settlers Park On Friday, KXAN obtained an arrest affidavit saying the first suspect, Ricky Thompson III, admitted to firing shots at the celebration. The defendant admitted to being present at the scene with a 9mm firearm, Thompsons affidavit read. Additionally, the defendant stated that he fired three rounds in the direction of the complainant, striking the complainant in the leg. The newly released court documents explained the person Thompson is accused of shooting and injuring was one of the individuals in the group he was in a fight with. That victim is also 17-years-old. Thompson currently faces one charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. Police said there is a chance his charges could get upgraded. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Q. Can a president pardon a relative? A. The power of the presidential pardon is derived from Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, which grants the president the authority to "grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." This is a substantial grant of power which gives the president a broad and largely unrestricted right to pardon individuals for federal crimes. The Supreme Court has upheld this expansive interpretation in cases such as Ex parte Garland (1866) and Schick v. Reed (1974), reinforcing the president's ability to issue pardons at their discretion, without judicial or legislative oversight. U.S. President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden, who earlier in the day was found guilty on all three counts of criminal gun charges trial in New Castle, Delaware on June 11, 2024. There are four principal categories of presidential pardons that can be issued. The first is an absolute pardon, which serves to officially nullify the conviction and exculpate the offender as if the crime had never occurred. The second is a reprieve, which temporarily postpones or delays the execution of a sentenced punishment. The third is a commutation, which mitigates or reduces the severity of the court-imposed sentence, potentially leading to early release from incarceration. Finally, there is an amnesty pardon, which absolves the recipient of any outstanding legal liabilities or obligations stemming from the offense, such as the requirement to pay fines, penalties or make restitution. Can AI run the government? Can good government and artificial intelligence go hand-in-hand? | Civics Project There is nothing in the case law or the Constitution that prohibits a president from using any of these powers to benefit a relative or even friend. However, the purpose of the pardon power is to offer mercy and correct injustices, not to shield personal associates or family members from legal consequences. A pardon for a friend or family member could be perceived as an abuse of power, undermining the principle of impartial justice and eroding public trust in the presidency. What was the most controversial presidential pardon? From time to time the use of the pardon can create controversies or even accusations of misuse. The most controversial pardons in history often involve difficult national issues. In 1868, President Andrew Johnson pardoned more than 13,000 former Confederates. President Gerald Fords pardon of former President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal was highly contentious, though legally sound. It did, however, hurt the standing of President Ford with the public and likely contributed to his election loss to Jimmy Carter in 1976. Another Civics Project column: Can Florida have its own foreign policy that pre-empts US policy? There have been other more personal questionable pardons. President Bill Clinton faced criticism for pardoning financier Marc Rich on his last day in office, raising questions about the ethical use of the pardon power. However, no president has pardoned a close family member in the modern era. There is an understandable sensitivity surrounding the use of the pardon power in cases where the president has a personal stake. Kevin Wagner Yet, there is little ability to hold a president accountable for a questionable pardon. The corrupt use of the pardon power could, in theory, be subject to other criminal sanction. However, that has never been tested. Potentially, an improper pardon could have political consequences at the ballot box. Even outside of elections, a president could be damaged politically making it difficult for them to pursue their agenda and policies. Nonetheless, impeachment is likely the only legal check, and it is not a particularly likely one. Kevin Wagner is a noted constitutional scholar and political science professor at Florida Atlantic University. The answers provided do not necessarily represent the views of the university. If you have a question about how American government and politics work, email him at kwagne15@fau.edu. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Can Biden pardon Hunter? Constitution gives president sizable power The inmates housed at the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility would be moved out of the prison by Sept. 30 under a proposed transition agreement between the GEO Group and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. That proposal included in the documents sent this week to lawmakers and corrections officials has not yet been authorized or approved by the state Corrections Department. The agreement would essentially function as a three-month contract extension between the state and the GEO Group, from July 1 through Sept. 30. Under the terms of the agreement, the state would pay GEO $4.3 million per month for three months, not to exceed $12.9 million. State officials have not said yet if they would sign the agreement. The agreement follows an announcement by the GEO Group this week that it was terminating the contract between the Lawton facility and the state, and that state corrections officials would need to find new housing for its high-security inmates. The company made its announcement in an email from GEO Group lobbyist Tonya Lee and in letters from George Zoley, GEO Groups executive chairman, which were sent to a handful of state lawmakers and state Corrections Department officials. More: Oklahoma prisons in jeopardy after company to terminate contract "I wanted to make you aware of the termination letter GEO has submitted to DOC regarding the Lawton Correctional Facility, as well as a breach of contract letter for the Hinton Great Plains Facility, Lee, the GEO Group lobbyist, wrote in a terse email to several state lawmakers and corrections officials. These two facilities, combined, house close to 4,000 high-security inmates that the state will need to find alternative housing for." The GEO Group's announcement generated a less-than-cordial response from Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday. In a posting on X, formerly Twitter, Stitt implied that the company was a "bad vendor." "This private, for-profit group runs OK's most dangerous prison multiple prisoners have died on their watch this year alone," the governor's posting said. "As the businessman governor, I hold bad vendors accountable. GEO hasn't improved, yet ask for millions more in taxpayer funding. Enough is enough." Kay Thompson, the spokeswoman for the state Corrections Department, said the GEO Group has received a $6.8 million increase in funding. "Yet, their operations have not improved being the most violent prison in Oklahoma and continues to lack the standard of care expected by ODOC. Our dissatisfaction with the current state of LCF and GEOs facility operations has reached a critical point," she said. What's next for relocating the affected inmates Thompson said corrections officials "have cultivated several options to secure a safer location to house our incarcerated population, and we are meeting with the Board of Corrections next week to finalize the plans." She did not say if the Corrections Department would agree to the GEO transition agreement. The board's next scheduled meeting is June 26 in Taft. The GEO Group owns both the Lawton facility and the Great Plains Correctional Center in Hinton. In Hinton, GEO Group leases the facility to the Corrections Department, which operates it. More: Officials lower number of people injured in 'group disturbance' at Lawton prison to 3, down from 30 The new agreement would require the state Corrections Department to reduce the number of inmates at the Lawton facility to 2,388 on or before July 15 and that the number of inmates "shall be maintained at or below such number through the remaining term" of the agreement. It gives the state the option to purchase or lease the Lawton facility. The agreement indicates the Lawton facility has a total of 2,626 beds 2,140 general housing beds and a protective custody housing unit with 248 general beds and 238 restrictive housing beds. Should the population exceed 2,388, the new contract would require the state to pay $10,000 per day for each day the state exceeds the 2,388 level. The GEO Group's Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Center is the last privately operated prison in Oklahoma. The most recent contract between the Corrections Department and the company for Lawton's operation was for a single year, with an ending date of June 30, 2024. The maximum amount paid for the contract year was not to exceed $49,250,000, excluding additional contracted services and the state will not pay for unused beds. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: GEO Group proposes $12.9M extension to house inmates at Lawton After weeks of searching, investigators found Alistair Barclay in the heart of Monaco - photovideostock/iStockphoto Bankers turned to private investigators to track down one of the owners of The Telegraph in Monaco as part of a bid to have him declared bankrupt. According to High Court documents, Investec drafted in tracing agents to find Alistair Barclay, 34, who had been actively avoiding service since November 2023. After weeks of searching, Investec discovered Mr Barclay was living in a seafront tower block called Le Roccabella, where Sir Philip Green reportedly owns a penthouse. The building, located in the heart of Monaco on Princess Avenue, boasts a heated 25-metre swimming pool, a concierge, a childrens nursery and a gym. Details of the search for Mr Barclay have emerged as part of an ongoing legal case triggered by Investec issuing a bankruptcy petition against him last year. This relates to unpaid debts of almost 1m, court papers show. A hearing was held in the High Court last week to consider the petition against Mr Barclay, during which Investec claimed the Telegraph co-owner appears to own an array of UK assets. This includes a 10,000 loan to a company called Dangerous Don Limited and a multimillion-pound property in Mayfair which is owned through a chain of companies. Since hiring the investigators, Investec discovered Mr Barclay, the youngest of Sir David Barclays four sons, has been renting the Monaco apartment with his mother after selling a townhouse in Chester Square, Belgravia. Alistair Barclay has been living in Le Roccabella with his mother As part of Investecs argument, it claimed investigators discovered that Mr Barclay regularly moves addresses apparently for tax reasons. The bank said: The debtor has been actively avoiding service since November 2023. He has refused to provide an address for service and has instructed his accountants not to disclose his address. Mr Barclay has enlisted insolvency experts at Begbies Traynor to explore a so-called individual voluntary arrangement with creditors. This has led to the bankruptcy hearing being delayed until a future date. As part of its submissions, Investec sought to alert the court to Mr Barclays current financial position, claiming he still has substantial assets in the UK. The bank highlighted Mr Barclays involvement in various property companies, the estate agent Yopa and a Swedish start-up. It said: While the debtor has resigned all his directorships in the Yopa group, he continues to be involved in the management of another estate agency named Hillgate Management. Hillgate Management is a Barclay family company, albeit one founded by Sir Frederick and David Barclay rather than the debtor. It is against the Hillgate entity that Mr Barclay secured a separate 23.5m banking facility with Deutsche Bank. Investec said this loan was secured to fund certain investment opportunities, adding that this is another example of the debtor incurring personal liability to fund his UK businesses. The dispute comes amid broader questions about the Barclay familys finances. Last week, a 278m black hole emerged in The Telegraphs finances as a result of loans extracted by the family, which are unlikely to ever be repaid. Alongside his older half-brothers Aidan and Howard, Alistair Barclay forms part of a trio which controls the bulk of the familys business interests via an offshore trust. This includes The Telegraph, The Spectator and online retailer Very. They are the current owners of The Telegraph but have no control over it. RedBird IMI acquired the option to take ownership last year but was blocked by the Government from doing so over press freedom fears. On Friday RedBird IMI put the business up for sale again. Alistair first came to prominence in 2020 when he was accused of installing a bugging device in a private area of the Ritz hotel, which the family owned and was used by Sir Frederick Barclay for business meetings. Investec declined to comment. Mr Barclay was approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Photo by Peter Dazeley | Getty Images Progressive activists are challenging a ballot initiative that if approved by voters, would give lifetime appointments to state judges, claiming that the name of the measure is deceptive. Prior to passing the budget last week, GOP lawmakers pushed through a number of ballot referrals including Senate Concurrent Resolution 1044 which would eliminate term limits for judges across the state. Superior Court judges usually serve for four years before facing reelection and appellate judges, along with Arizona Supreme Court justices, hold office for six years. If passed, SCR1044 would make judicial terms indefinite and dependent on good behavior as opposed to voters deciding if judges will be retained. That decision would move to the Judicial Performance Review Commission which would see its size increased and any lawmaker could prompt an investigation into a judge by reaching out to the commission. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On Friday, Progress Arizona filed a lawsuit stating that the name chosen by lawmakers for the ballot referral, The Judicial Accountability Act of 2024, is deceptive to Arizona voters. We believe the courts should rule that the title of this rule is fundamentally deceptive, Abigail Jackson, digital director for Progress Arizona said in a call with members of the press Friday adding that the title is intentionally dishonest. Jackson, as well as Democratic Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said the act would override the will of voters, especially given that one provision of the measure would make the term limit elimination retroactive. That means that Arizona Supreme Court Judges Clint Bolick and Kathryn King would remain in office regardless of the outcome of the November election. The two justices have been facing criticism and a campaign to vote them out following their votes earlier this year that revived a near-total abortion ban from 1864. Justice Bolick is married to Sen. Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix, who voted yes to pass the referral in the Senate despite calls from her colleagues that she had a conflict of interest. The people have always enjoyed a right in having a voice in whether their judges are retained, Conover said, adding that Arizona fought to include provisions in its state constitution on judicial retention when it became a state in 1912. We should be very concerned that this SCR1044 is very clearly the loss of a right. The loss of a democratic right for the people of Arizona. Page 1 of SCR1044 lawsuit Page 1 of SCR1044 lawsuit Contributed to DocumentCloud by @JerodMacEvoy (Arizona Mirror) View document or read text Jim Barton, the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Progress Arizona, echoed the sentiments of Conover and Jackson. Barton also added that he believes SCR1044 violates the states constitution. In Arizonas constitution, if a referral aims to change more than one amendment of the Arizona constitution, then it has to be made into a second proposal for voters to decide on. Barton said SCR1044 proposes changes to multiple amendments of the state constitution. Republican lawmakers previously defended the measure saying that it is a way to better inform voters by paring down the number of judges they need to research before voting. The measure passed along party lines and was one of several other resolutions that were created to avoid Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs veto pen. It is blatantly and fundamentally deceptive, Jackson said. It is yet another attempt by lawmakers to throw out Arizonans votes. If Progress Arizona is successful the initiative would be removed from the November ballot. ***CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said that the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct would have the authority to investigate judges under the proposed constitutional amendment that voters will consider in November. However, that power would be given to the Arizona Judicial Performance Review Commission. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Protesters want Minnesota to divest from Israel. How has divestment happened in the past? Dozens of protesters have called for Minnesota's state pension fund to sell off its holdings in Israel since the beginning of the war in Gaza. State leaders say they are bound to consider only maximizing returns on pension investments, to give Minnesota the best chance of paying out pension benefits to retired state employees and teachers. But the state has gotten out of business with other countries before. In recent years, discussion about divestment has centered around the concept of "fiduciary duty," or an obligation to focus on maximizing returns. "The people have only given me the power to consider things that affect the fund," State Auditor Julie Blaha, who sits on the state investment board, said in an interview last month after protesters called for divestment from Israel. "I can't use investments to make a symbolic statement." Blaha said she sees it as the Legislature's job to set investment policy, as has been the case in divestment decisions from the past 15 years. But divestment from South Africa and Namibia in the mid-1980s was driven by executive leaders, according to meeting minutes and other archival materials reviewed by the Star Tribune, and their feeling that Minnesota should not support the apartheid regimes. Russia, Sudan and Iran After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Legislature voted in March 2022 to stop investing in Russia and Belarus, Gov. Tim Walz ordered the state to quit contracting with companies in the two countries and urged the Legislature to pass the divestment bill. The state held about $53 million in Russian investments at the time, and the law gave Minnesota 15 months to sell off Russian and Belarussian holdings. The Legislature's moves in 2022 mirrored earlier divestment from Iran and Sudan. A state law required Minnesota to divested from companies doing business in Sudan in 2007. The state has kept tabs on companies that do business in the country and still does not allow pension funds to be invested in those companies. Divestment from Iran came after members of the Jewish Community Relations Council raised concerns about investments in companies doing business in Iran during a 2008 meeting of the State Board of Investment. Following the group's concerns, the Legislature passed a law in 2009 placing restrictions on investments in companies doing business in the country. South Africa Unlike later divestments, the push for Minnesota to stop investing in companies that do business in South Africa in the 1980s began with the statewide elected leaders who vote on investment decisions, not the Legislature. Then-Gov. Rudy Perpich, Attorney General Hubert H. Humphrey, Secretary of State Joan Anderson Growe and State Treasurer Robert Mattson initiated Minnesota's divestment by passing a resolution at the State Board of Investment in October 1985, over then-State Auditor Arne Carlson's dissent. Following more than a decade of activism against the apartheid system in South Africa, states and state universities began divesting from South Africa in the late 1970s. The Minnesota Legislature introduced a bill to divest in 1982, but the measure failed. Mattson was among the earliest advocates for divestment among state leaders. In a 1985 letter, he reminded Perpich and Humphrey that divestment was part of the DFL 1984 platform on which they had both been elected, and urged them to support divestment. Mattson argued primarily that investment in companies supporting the apartheid system was unacceptable from a moral perspective. Growe proposed a framework for divestment that would express Minnesota's "moral outrage" about the South African regime. In a September 1985 statement, Humphrey said he found apartheid "morally abhorrent. There is no question in my mind that divestment is a proper response from the state," adding that he would support a strategy that would minimize investment losses. Notes in Carlson's files housed at the state archives indicate that Humphrey saw financial risks to both divesting and holding onto South African investments. Carlson, the only Republican serving on the investment board at the time, was adamantly opposed to the idea of even forming a task force to examine the issue, and argued that divestment would lead to lower returns on pension investments. Mattson countered, saying that the growing divestment movement, plus instability in South Africa and Namibia, would make those investments less valuable. Carlson, reached this month, said he did not recall specifics of the South Africa discussion, but said he remained committed to the idea that maximizing returns should be the only principle guiding investment decisions. Though the discussion began with the moral dimensions of divestment, the resolution passed by the State Board of Investment ultimately combined both ethical and fiduciary reasons to divest. The resolution combined both reasons, stating apartheid systems in South Africa and neighboring Namibia were "morally repugnant to all who believe in the inherent rights of individual freedom," and the apartheid system "casts doubt on the safety and stability of investment in companies" that did business in either country. Having trouble seeing the document? Click here. Unlike multiple other crowded races for elected office in Washington state this year, the race for the Attorney Generals Office attracted only three candidates. Those three candidates all Washington attorneys with a host of varying litigation experience will soon be narrowed down to two in the August primary. Those two will advance to the November general election. The winner will replace Bob Ferguson, who has been the states Attorney General since 2012. Ferguson is giving up the seat to run for governor. Heres what the three Attorney General candidates had to say in interviews with McClatchy. Manka Dhingra Manka Dhingra is the current Democratic Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate and has been in the Legislature since 2017 after being voted in during a special election that year. She is also a former Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with King County, she assisted in the creation of 40-hour crisis intervention training, and served on the Shoreline Police Departments Advisory Group for Response Awareness De-escalation and Referral. Dhingra told McClatchy that her background in healthcare aligns perfectly with the needs of the AGs Office, and that it is important because of whats happening with hospital mergers as well as for developing an exit strategy for the states Trueblood lawsuit, which challenged delays in competency evaluations for people in jail. And with a shortage of prosecutors and defense across the state, a lot of civil commitment work is going to have to fall on the shoulders of the Attorney Generals Office. Theyre going to have to step in and really make sure theyre being a partner, Dhingra said. Dhingra also believes that her work in the Legislature negotiating with other Democrats and with Republicans will translate well to the work she would be doing at the AGs Office. If elected, Dhingra said she would prioritize consumer protection laws, access to healthcare, and environmental protections. Weve got to make sure we are holding polluters accountable, Dhingra said. ...I really do think we need to make sure were leaving the planet in a condition where the next generation and the generation after that can actually breathe the air and drink the water. I think it is critical to change that culture where companies are saying its OK to pollute the planet. Dhingra said she also believes transparency is key in the AGs Office. I think thats how you build trust in government, Dhingra said. ...I actually think it is a very positive thing to help build trust and relationships with the community. So to me, thats critical. Dhingra has been endorsed by nearly every other current Democratic state Senator including Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig from Spokane, retiring Olympia Sen. Sam Hunt, and Tacoma Sen. Yasmin Trudeau. Dhingra has collected more than $873,000 in donations, and has spent nearly $492,000 of that, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. Nick Brown Nick Brown is a former Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer and Washington prosecuting attorney who was appointed to be general counsel for Gov. Jay Inslee. He was then appointed U.S. Attorney for Western Washington by President Joe Biden in 2021, a post he left in June 2023, shortly before he announced his run for state Attorney General. Brown told McClatchy that, if elected, he looks forward to managing the states largest law firm to make it run more efficiently. He said he would like to see the office function at a higher level to make sure that the legal services and advice are doing better on behalf of Washingtonians. He believes the AGs Office needs to be on the front line for issues that are nationally important, such as access to abortion and environmental issues. Id like to see the AGs Office be more heavily involved in some of the public safety issues, Brown said. And that means helping the legislature craft good policies, trying to figure out all the ways that we can do the things that build sustainable safety, addressing the housing crisis theres just a litany of things Id love to see the office continue to improve on. Brown said the concerns hes heard from Washingtonians are consistent across the state: housing and homelessness, the impacts of fentanyl on communities, and general concerns about democracy. Public safety issues are one of his major priorities, he said, but said law enforcement, prisons, and prosecution are just some of the tools, not the only tools, needed for public safety. The things that make safety sustainable in my mind are things like housing and jobs, and an education system and a mental health and drug support system for people who are dealing with addiction or other issues, Brown said. And those are the things that make it sustainable. And those are also things that play a really important role and can play a larger role. While Brown said he believes Washington state is transparent in many ways, there is room for improvement, such as making the records process more efficient. I think the government, whether its the state government or local government, should always be trying to get better, Brown said. Inslee has endorsed Brown, as have Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and former Washington State Gov. Gary Locke. Brown has raised the most in donations in the AGs race, with donations totaling more than $1.1 million. The campaign has spent over $464,000 of that so far. Pete Serrano Pete Serrano, the only Republican in the race, is the current mayor of Pasco and a former Pasco City Council member. Previously an environmental attorney who worked for the U.S. Department of Energy at the Hanford site, Serrano also co-founded the Silent Majority Foundation, a conservative non-profit currently engaged in a battle with the state over the high-capacity magazine ban in the Washington State V. Gators Custom Guns lawsuit. As AG, Serrano told McClatchy one of his main focuses would be on environmental issues. He believes his background in environmental law makes him distinct from the other candidates in that respect. I do think the Attorney Generals role could really advise on what is going to protect our environment and preserve it and allow us to utilize the natural resources in a good way, Serrano said. Additionally, Serrano said he would be different from his opponents because he wants to see more criminal prosecution in the state. I am here to make sure the streets are cleaned up, Im here to make sure the laws are enforced, and I will advise the legislature when they overstep their bounds, he said. Similarly, when agency overreach is afoot, I will peel that back. Serrano acknowledged that he would be unquestionably different from the other candidates on the issue of gun control. He said he is not out to protect guns, but wants his team to analyze constitutional questions. He is also against abortion, unlike his Democratic opponents, but told McClatchy that he would not violate abortion laws that have been in place in the state for decades. He also noted that he would not attack other states regarding their abortion laws. In regards to transparency, Serrano said he would like to increase the number of public records officials in the Attorney Generals Office, and would make sure they knew to expedite the release of records. I think the more public and open and transparent we are, the more trust that people have, he said. Thats what people want in their government. They want a body that they believe is looking for their best interests instead of just spending their money to make political plays. Serrano has the endorsements of the Washington State GOP, many current and former Republican state lawmakers, and former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward. Serrano has raised over $162,000 so far for his campaign, and has spent over $115,000. In the Spotlight is a Bellingham Herald series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email newsroom@bellinghamherald.com. Whatcom County Superior Court is allowing the owners of an apartment complex next to the encampment behind the Bellingham Walmart to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the city of Bellingham against the property owner of the land where dozens of unhoused people have been living for years. As an adjacent property owner, 52nd & Brooklyn seeks to intervene in the Lawsuit to preserve its right to protect its interests in the Lawsuit, the motion to intervene states. As a direct result of the public nuisance, many residents have moved away from 52nd & Brooklyns property, which has caused economic harm to 52nd & Brooklyn. As such, 52nd & Brooklyn retains an interest in the swift disposition of this litigation. The owners of the Tullwood Apartments, 52nd & Brooklyn LLC, were granted permission by the court on June 14 to intervene in the citys lawsuit against the encampment propertys owner, Li-Ching Fang, in support of the citys efforts to abate the encampment. The move allows the apartment owners to join the suit as a third party, siding with the city but reserving the right to pursue their own litigation in the future. The Tullwood Apartments consist of 97 residential units in north Bellingham adjacent to the encampment. Many of its residents have publicly expressed fears for their safety. For the better part of one year, residents of the Tullwood Apartments have lived next to a mounting health and safety crisis, the motion states. Occupants of the Walmart Encampment have engaged in illegal and dangerous activities, including shooting guns, distributing and using illegal drugs such as fentanyl, lighting unauthorized fires, and threatening nearby residents. Smoke, trash, and other offensive odors from such illegal activities has invaded the Tullwood Apartments, and an adjacent protected wetland area, causing several tenants to find alternative housing out of fear for their health and safety. In its motion, 52nd & Brooklyn claims it is intervening to protect the safety of its residents and protect its economic interests of maintaining full occupancy of its apartments. In the last 12 months, at least six tenants have disclosed that they have chose to leave the Tullwood Apartments out of fear concerning their health and safety and the presence of unhoused persons in the area. Overall occupancy in the Tullwood Apartments is down 6% from this time last year, said Kimberly Huizenga, director of Landmark Real Estate Property Management, in a declaration in support of the motion. Landmark acts as the property manager for the Tullwood Apartments. On information and belief, residents of the Tullwood Apartments and patrons of the surrounding areas are fearful for their lives when traversing properties adjacent to the Walmart Encampment. Many residents of the Tullwood Apartments remain indoors to avoid the occupants of the Walmart Encampment and cannot freely enjoy the use of their homes, the motion states. The motion by 52nd & Brooklyn states that the city has not provided a date for when the cleanup of the encampment would occur and urges the city to move quickly stating that such relief must be obtained in a timely manner. The motion claims that 52nd & Brooklyn attempted to contact Fang and other adjacent property owners for several months in an effort to clean up the properties that had been harmed by the Walmart Encampment. The group informed Fang and the other property owners that if they did not agree to assist its efforts, then it would file a lawsuit, abate the nuisance, and seek reimbursement of costs associated with such abatement. Fang has allowed and continues to allow the individuals in the Walmart Encampment to engage in various illegal and dangerous activities and construct and maintain makeshift wooden and/or tarp residences, from which offensive fumes and smells, such as drug fumes and human feces, emanate. Fangs failure to abate the nuisance have endangered the health of residents and patrons of the neighboring properties, the motion states. The original lawsuit, filed by the city of Bellingham against Fang in February of this year, alleges that unhoused individuals are trespassing on the property and the encampment is causing a public nuisance, which violates the Bellingham Municipal Code and state law. The city is seeking a warrant of abatement and claims in its lawsuit that Fang had taken no steps to abate the nuisance since city officials began taking steps to declare the property a public nuisance in November 2022 by attempting to contact her and requiring her to abate the encampment. Fang filed documents in March pushing back against the lawsuit, denying the citys claim that she had taken no abatement steps. Russian President Vladimir Putin has a lot to show for his whirlwind trip to Pyongyang this week, including a new mutual defense pact, a gallery of photos with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, and a pair of dogs personally gifted to him by the North Korean dictator. Just as Chinese officials have given giant pandas to other countries in panda diplomacy, dog diplomacy is alive and well in the Koreasand Kim Jong Uns gift of two Pungsan dogsa local breedmight be his way of indicating that North Korea and Russia are closer than ever before. It seems to be designed to protect this image of two nice guys who love animals and are happy to see each other and build the relationship between their two countries and everything is going very well, Jan Kubik, chair of the Department of Political Science at Rutgers and author of The Power of Symbols against the Symbols of Power, told The Daily Beast. Whereas the reality is both of them are autocrats and dictators, and one runs the regime that is by almost anybodys count, the most oppressive regime on the earth, and the other is engaged in an absolutely unthinkable, devastating war against another country, Kubik added. Putin himself is accustomed to foreign leaders giving him animalsand dogs in particular. Brace for Kim Jong Uns Dazzling Date Night With Putin Foreign officials from Japan gave Putin an Akita dog named Yume, or dream in Japanese, in 2012 as a thank you for helping in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake. Bulgarias president previously gave Putin a Karachakin dog named Buffy. In 2017, Turkmenistans then-president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow gave Putin a puppy as a belated birthday gift just days after Putins 65th birthday. And in 2019, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gave Putin a puppy named Pasha, while Kyrgyz leader Sooronbay Jeenbekov gave Putin a puppy and an Orlov trotter, according to TASS. Russian President Vladimir Putin plays with his dog Yume, a female Akita, before giving an interview to Japanese media at the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, Dec. 7, 2016. Sputnik/Kremlin/Alexei Druzhinin via Reuters Kim Jong Uns canine gifts come after North Korea delivered a flurry of ammunition shipments to Putin, including 40 North Korean missiles that have been used in the war on Ukraine. And now, with their new defense agreement, both countries have agreed that if either one is at war, the other will provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delayan agreement which has set the region ablaze with questions about the dangerous alliance. Russian state media, meanwhile, has played up the fact that the Pungsan dog breedthe breed of the dogs Kim gifted to Putincan be quite aggressive. The dog breed, which is quite rare, is loyal to its owner and vicious when attacked, according to a TASS article. The dog is "very intelligent, agile and persistent, Cho Il-kyung, the head of the Korean National Heritage Preservation Agencys department, said. Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow presents a Turkmen shepherd dog to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Sochi, Russia. Oct. 11, 2017. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Putin has long leaned on animals and nature as a way to demonstrate his strength. Moscow regularly rolls out images of him riding horseback without a shirt on, or hunting and fishing shirtless to send not-so-subtle signals that he is a tough, macho leader. The Russian president has relied on his dogs as a PR strategy too, using them for both political intimidation schemes and to bolster his image as a well-meaning leader. The Russian president has claimed publicly that when he gets in a bad mood, he would lean on his dog, Konni, a black Labrador gifted to him by former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. As far as bad moods go, of course I have them like any other person, but in those cases I try to consult with my dog Konnishe gives me good advice, he said, according to CNN. But its not always sweet: in another statement, Putin reportedly told former president George W. Bush, that his dog, Konni, was bigger, stronger and faster than Barney, Bushs Scottish Terrier. And in 2007, Putin went so far as to bring Konni to a bilateral meeting he held with the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, at his Sochi residence. Russian President Vladimir Putin strokes a Kyrgyz greyhound presented by his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbay Jeenbekov, after talks in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan March 28, 2019. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via Reuters Speculation swirled at the time that it was possible that Putin was trying to intimidate Merkel, who is notoriously afraid of dogs; she was bitten by a dog in 1995, according to a New Yorker profile. In footage from the incident, Putin can be seen smiling and patting the dog, a black Labrador, who roamed throughout the room during the meeting, sauntering near a visibly uncomfortable Merkel. Konni also sat down near Merkels feet and sniffed her. The dog does not bother you, does she? Shes a friendly dog and Im sure she will behave herself, Putin reportedly said at the time. Merkel lambasted Putin for his scare tactic. I understand why he has to do this, to prove hes a man, Merkel told reporters after the awkward meeting. Hes afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this. The incident is telling of Putins upbringing through the KGB, where he was trained how to identify vulnerabilities in other people and exploit them, according to Fiona Hill, a former U.S. intelligence official and former deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the White House National Security Council. He wasn't a professional politician. He came out of the KGB. He had learned certain skills there, Hill said on a CBS 60 Minutes interview in 2020, indicating he was likely trying to exploit Merkel's fears. Putin himself claims to have not known anything about Merkels phobia of dogs and said he wanted to do something nice for her. I knew nothing about it, Putin said, according to TASS. On the contrary, I wanted to do something pleasant when I introduced her to my dog. 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. Vladimir Putin, the leader of Russia, has been talking about nuclear weapons for two consecutive days, specifically mentioning the possibility of "lowering the threshold" for the use of nuclear weapons in Russia's nuclear doctrine. The Institute for the Study of War believes that Putin is articulating nuclear threats to hinder further Western support for Ukraine and undermine international efforts to coordinate a strategic vision to counter Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: During his recent speech on 21 June, Putin stated that Russia intends to further develop its nuclear triad to ensure strategic deterrence and maintain global power balance. He also highlighted Russia's efforts to enhance its conventional combat capabilities and defence industrial production. During a press conference in Vietnam on 20 June, Putin suggested that Russia might lower the threshold for nuclear use in its nuclear doctrine. He argued that a potential future defeat of Russian forces in Ukraine could lead to the collapse of Russia's statehood. ISW suggested that Putin's equation of a defeat in Ukraine with an existential threat to Russia could be a strategic manoeuvre. This framing could justify potential deviations from current nuclear doctrine in extreme circumstances. Putin's statement on 21 June appears to align with recent efforts aimed at undermining Western attempts to unite against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and achieve a decisive outcome. ISW maintains that while the threat of nuclear escalation is a key element of Russia's strategy to influence foreign decision-making, actual nuclear escalation remains improbable due to existing nuclear and conventional deterrence mechanisms. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 21 June: Russian leader Vladimir Putin continues to invoke nuclear threats as part of his ongoing information campaign to discourage further Western support for Ukraine and undermine the international community's efforts to cohere its strategic vision for defeating Russias war of conquest against Ukraine. Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov continued to emphasise Russia's initiative to create an alternative "Eurasian security architecture," likely as part of ongoing efforts to establish a coalition of friendly states to act as an alternative to the West and undermine NATO. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) criticised South Korean and Japanese objections to the Russian-North Korean strategic partnership agreement and directly tied the agreement to Russian President Vladimir Putin's "Eurasian security architecture" initiative. Ukrainian forces struck oil refineries and military targets in Bryansk and Astrakhan oblasts, Krasnodar Krai, and occupied Crimea on the night of 20 to 21 June. Moscow State University (MGU) announced on 21 June that it has opened enrollment for a master's program on "strategic communications, information, and hybrid wars" under the guidance of Russian ultranationalist and former State Duma Deputy Zakhar Prilepin and other select Duma deputies. Russian forces recently advanced southeast of Kupiansk, southwest of Svatove and west and southwest of Donetsk City. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) appears to be taking steps to address known bureaucratic issues as part of its efforts to formalise irregular Russian formations. An investigation by Russian opposition outlet Verstka highlights how Russia is importing Russian judges to serve in courts in occupied Ukraine, supporting Russian efforts to control the judiciary while also providing a convenient cover for the resettlement of Russian citizens into occupied Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! The warehouses at the Rockingham Farm Logistics Park can be seen through a thin tree line behind the home of a Buckhalter Road resident. Site prep is underway for another structure, which will be just yards away from their back porch. This week's installment of On Our Radar crunches the numbers behind a new interactive City of Savannah map that tracks its top 20 private developments in 2023 based on their dollar valuations. The top projects have warehouse and industrial uses, while the next largest type of development is for apartments. This edition also features the results of a neighborhood survey from those part of the proposed Hotel Development Overlay Expansion; this recent survey gauges support for "boutique hotels," which the survey defined as ones with 40 or fewer rooms. If you have neighborhood updates, organization events or news tips you think could be of service to Savannahians, send them to elasseter@savannahnow.com. Also reach out if there are stories here you would like to know more about. Deadline for the On Our Radar series will be the end of day each Friday. Warehouses rule, with considerable apartment additions just behind A screengrab of the Invest in Beautiful Savannah map created by the City of Savannah, which shows locations of the city's top-20 private developments. Eight of the top 20 highest-valued projects have industrial uses. The City of Savannah released its "Invest in Beautiful Savannah" map this week, providing residents an interactive tool to track and see details of top private developments in the city Eight of the 20 highest valued developments in Savannah are warehouses or manufacturing facilities with industrial uses. The total value of these industrial developments comes in at $341 million. In Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties, a combined 124 new warehouse facilities totaling nearly 52 million square feet have been added over the last five years alone, according to previous reporting by the Savannah Morning News. More than 4 million square feet of space was added in the third quarter of 2023 in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties in Georgia, and South Carolinas Jasper County, according to the market research firm CBRE. The top two projects in Savannah are located off Veterans Parkway and led by Capital Development Partners, which is the developer of Rockingham Farms Industrial Park. The two Capital Development Partners sites on the list were Central Port Logistics Building One and Rockingham Farms Building 11. Three of the projects sites for Seoyon E-HWA, PHA Manufacturing and Assembly, and Daechang Seat Manufacturing are suppliers of Hyundai. The combined value of these projects is $100.8 million. Apartment projects were the second highest valued development type in the city. Across six different projects these developments are set to bring just over 800 units to Savannah. Those units will contribute to addressing the county's 10,000-unit housing shortage. The total valuation for the six apartment projects is $121.7 million. Three of these top apartment projects are slated for the Thomas Square neighborhood. The future apartments are the 1700 Drayton Street Apartments, Starland Village and Starland South. Rounding out the top development types were hotels, which featured four projects on the top-20 list. The total valuation of those future hotels is $36.4 million and are set to bring 493 rooms to Savannah. South of downtown neighborhood opposes boutique hotels Image with current overlay plus proposed expansion to Victorian and Thomas Square neighborhoods The Hotel Development Overlay Expansion is an initiative aimed at preventing further hotel development in the Victorian, Thomas Square and Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood. The neighborhood associations in these areas have spearheaded the initiative, which was tabled by the Metropolitan Planning Commission in July 2023 to gather more stakeholder input. Since then, neighborhood and business leaders have been meeting as part of working groups, which refined the definition of "boutique hotel" and formed the new survey. The neighborhoods have released the results, which show widespread opposition to "boutique" hotels in their neighborhoods. The survey weighed support based on neighborhood and street corridor, exploring opinions on hotels along Bull Street, Henry and Anderson streets, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Montgomery Street corridors. Cuyler-Brownville reflected the most opposition, where 91% of residents were generally opposed to 40-room hotel development. Cuyler-Brownville was followed by the Victorian Neighborhood with 72% opposition and Thomas Square with 64%. The MLK-Montgomery Street corridor received less opposition than the Victorian and Thomas Square neighborhoods, with opposition coming in at 55% and 52%, respectively. However, Cuyler-Brownville residents expressed 93% opposition to hotel development along the corridors. Cuyler-Brownville sits west of MLK Jr. Boulevard between Anderson Street and Victory Drive. The next stakeholder meeting, which will involve discussion around the survey's results, has not be set. City staff expects it will occur in early July, according to City of Savannah spokesperson Josh Peacock. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah News Update: Industry leads Savannah's highest-valued developments BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Your spanking new office printer might be delayed a few days in transit if it was on a FedEx railcar parked near Bakersfields Union Avenue Friday morning. That rail car the entire train sat on those tracks long enough for opportunistic railcar raiders to carry off as many packages as their arms would hold. It was an odd scene early Friday, on the tracks near Union, north of California Avenue. Perhaps a half-dozen people helped themselves in broad daylight to large packages from the back of a railcar. We dont know how they gained access to the railcar, for how long, or what was taken. We dont know if more than one railcar was compromised or if anyone was detained. But we do know the alleged thieves took off in all directions, including one man on an adolescent-sized bicycle who seems to have noticed he was being tailed by our freelance cameraman. After a slow speed chase that took him through a McDonalds parking lot, the man discarded the package he had taken. Perhaps he intended to come back for it later. This kind of thing is all too common in California, where 54 percent of rail, highway and warehouse cargo theft was reported in 2023. Thats well ahead of second place Texas, which had 16 percent of the total. The concentration of cargo theft cases on the West Coast starts in the Central Valley moves south, exploding into the Los Angeles basin. 20 percent of all cargo theft involves electronics, which appears to be the case in Fridays incident. Second behind electronics is food and drinks, at 15 percent. Overall cargo theft is on the rise, too. In 2023, shippers in the U.S. and Canada reported 1,183 cases of cargo thefts, averaging a loss of $587,000 each, for a total of $694 million, according to the risk management company, Overhaul Risk Advisory Services. ICE to close nations largest migrant detention center in South Texas Thats a 67 percent increase over the 2022 average of $351,000, and Overhaul expects that volume to increase another 35 percent this year. Last year, rail comprised 14 percent of the cargo theft total. The rest is trucking, warehouses, company yards and parked vehicles. Most of those losses are, of course, of a significant nature. Heists of entire truckloads, hijacking and deceptive pickups are among them, but incidents like Fridays broadly known as pilfering represent more than a third of all cargo theft. Who cares? Literally, in this case, who cares? The BNSF Railroad did not return our calls by airtime, and Bakersfield police had no information on the incident. The big question is, who pays? Insurance companies, in most cases, which means, in the long run, we all do. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Flags with the inscription "DZ Bank - Dei Initiative Bank" hang in front of the office tower "Westend 1", also known as the Kronen Hochhaus, which is part of DZ Bank's headquarters. A property subsidiary of Germany's DZ-Bank has fallen victim to a cyberattack, with several tens of thousands of customers of DG Immobilien Management (DGIM) affected, a spokeswoman for DZ-Bank in Frankfurt said on Saturday. Arne Dedert/dpa A property subsidiary of Germany's DZ-Bank has fallen victim to a cyberattack, with several tens of thousands of customers of DG Immobilien Management (DGIM) affected, a spokeswoman for DZ-Bank in Frankfurt said on Saturday. The exact number of those affected was still unclear. Data from DZ-Bank customers were not affected, she said. DZ-Bank and its fund subsidiary has formed a task force, she said. "We are currently in the process of working through all of this," said the spokeswoman. DGIM had warned its customers in a letter that "personal data of investors could have been leaked." Not only address data, but also dates of birth, investment amounts, account data, tax numbers, notifications from the tax authorities and various correspondence and supporting documents could have been leaked, the Rheinische Post local newspaper reported. The fund subsidiary is warning the investors concerned about attempts to defraud them with this data. DGIM is part of the DZ-Bank Group, which is the central institution of the banks Volksbank and Raiffeisenbank. The investors acquired DGIM products via the local cooperative banks, the Rheinische Post reported. Twenty years ago, after Sheryl Kluge was told she was cancer-free, she questioned what her true purpose in life was. She had similar moments of uncertainty thereafter, but as her idea in 2019 to help people in the community struggling with food insecurity has blossomed into a full-fledged nonprofit called 1Can, with 11 blessing boxes scattered across the county, her role in life has become much clearer. I never imagined this was going to be my purpose, Kluge told the crowd during 1Cans second annual gala Thursday night at the Laureate Center in downtown Kannapolis. Over the past six years, she has realized, and lived out, one of her favorite Bible verses in Ephesians 3, Verse 20: Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. With help from scores of active volunteers, including 30 blessing box keepers, who regularly work to ensure the boxes remain fully stocked with food items and essential toiletries, 1Can has made an indelible impact on so many people struggling with food insecurity. As Cabarrus County continues to grow, so too does the need, as roughly one-fourth of residents are food insecure, with roughly 1,000 students homeless as of the past school year. So far, through May of this year, 1Can has distributed more than 23,362 pounds of food to people in need, Kluge said. That is more than the 22,500 pounds of food that was distributed throughout all of last year. Several of the volunteers, many of them young people, were individually recognized by Kluge during the gala. They included Amber Schweitzer-Hough, the blessing box keeper of the year, and siblings Amora and Ahmod Murphy, the youth blessing box keepers of the year. 1Can has been able to grow and expand its operations in large part thanks to a $185,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act. With the funds set to be fully exhausted by the end of the month, the organization needs more assistance from the public, such as helping with food drives and packing events, to continue combating food insecurity. More than ever, we need your help to continue our mission, Kluge said. The public has stepped up in big ways so far this year. As part of its legacy project to address a pressing need in the community, the 2024 class of Leadership Cabarrus built two new blessing boxes one at Weddington Hills Elementary School and the other at Gibson Mill. The class, comprised of 33 members, raised more than $16,000 in sponsorships to stock the boxes with food for a year and collected 915 pounds of nonperishable food. 1Can checked every box for us, said Project Co-Chair Kristy DeSantis. We saw some great presentations, but none of them tugged at our heartstrings quite as much as 1Can did. School social workers know firsthand the great work 1Can is doing, as they distribute food to students through the organizations snack pack program. More than 7,000 snack packs were donated to Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools this past school year. Michelle Gonzales, a social worker at A.L. Brown High, and Dr. LaRhonda Bryson, a social worker at Hickory Ridge Middle and Harrisburg Elementary, work with vulnerable students, including unaccompanied homeless youth, who often are surviving by themselves, without the presence of parents or guardians. 1Cans snack program has been a vital resource for the two social workers, who received the second annual Changing Lives Award. Social workers with both school districts have access to the snack packs located at 1Cans headquarters whenever they need them. Kluge has gone above and beyond in helping the social workers, Bryson told The Independent Tribune. She recalls Kluge quickly creating a food box once she heard from Bryson about a family in dire need of food. Sheryl has been phenomenal, Bryson told the paper. I have appreciated her insight and awareness of food insecurities. Gonzales, as she accepted her award, encouraged people to make a difference by supporting organizations like 1Can. We really, really want to encourage you to continue to contribute, she said. Everybody plays a part in some way. FILE - Todd Chrisley, left, and his wife, Julie Chrisley, pose for photos at the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Reality TV star Julie Chrisley's sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion has been thrown out by federal appeals judges, who have ordered a lower court to redo her punishment, Friday, June 21, 2024.(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) ATLANTA (AP) Reality TV star Julie Chrisleys sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion was thrown out Friday by federal appeals judges, who ordered a lower court to redo her punishment over what the appellate panel called a narrow issue. Julie Chrisley and her husband, Todd Chrisley, who earned fame for the show "Chrisley Knows Best" that chronicled the exploits of their tight-knit family, were convicted in 2022 of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. The Chrisleys were also found guilty of tax evasion by hiding their earnings while showcasing an extravagant lifestyle. The couple's accountant, Peter Tarantino, stood trial with them and was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns. A three-judge panel of 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions of the Chrisleys and Tarantino in a ruling that found a legal error only in how the trial judge calculated Julie Chrisley's sentence by holding her accountable for the entire bank fraud scheme. So the appellate panel sent her case back to the lower court for re-sentencing. Were pleased that the Court agreed that Julies sentence was improper, but were obviously disappointed that it rejected Todds appeal," Alex Little, an attorney for the couple, said in an email message. He added that the Chrisley family was "hopeful for more good news in the future. Before the Chrisleys became reality television stars, they and a former business partner submitted false documents to banks in the Atlanta area to obtain fraudulent loans, prosecutors said during the trial. They accused the couple of spending lavishly on luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel, and using new fraudulent loans to pay off old ones. Todd Chrisley then filed for bankruptcy, according to prosecutors, walking away from more than $20 million in unpaid loans. Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, and Todd Chrisley got 12 years behind bars. The couple was also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution. Their defense attorneys argued unsuccessfully on appeal that at an IRS officer lied at the trial when he testified about the couple still owing taxes and that prosecutors knowingly failed to correct that false testimony. They also asserted that prosecutors failed to show enough evidence to convict the Chrisleys of tax evasion and conspiracy, or that Julie Chrisley participated in bank fraud. Tarantino's lawyer argued that the accountant was harmed by being tried with the Chrisleys. His request for a new trial was denied. The appellate judges found only one error with the case. They ruled that the trial judge at sentencing held Julie Chrisley responsible for the entire bank fraud scheme starting in 2006. The panel ruled neither prosecutors nor the trial judge cited "any specific evidence showing she was involved in 2006." The panel found sufficient evidence tying her to fraud from multiple years starting in 2007. We must vacate Julies sentence so the district court can address the narrow issue of what the proper loss amount attributable to Julie is so that her sentence can be re-calculated, the appeals panel wrote. Todd Chrisley, 56, is at a minimum security federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, with a release date in September 2032, while Julie Chrisley, 51, is at a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, and is due for release in July 2028, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Tarantino, 61, s being held in a minimum security federal prison camp in Montgomery, Alabama, with a release date in August of next year. Red Cross says at least 22 killed as strike hits displaced civilians in Gaza as Israel expands operations The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says at least 22 people were killed in a strike that hit civilians sheltering in southern Gaza on Friday. The strike hit the tents of displaced people in the Palestinian town of Mawasi, parts of which have been identified by the Israeli military as a humanitarian zone. Israel has been intensifying its operation in nearby Rafah, where it launched an offensive last month as part of its campaign to dismantle Hamas in Gaza. Following the strike, a nearby Red Cross field hospital received 22 bodies and 45 injured, the ICRC said. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) blamed Israel for the strike, saying it was dealing with extensive casualties. The Gaza Ministry of Health said that 25 people were killed and 50 wounded in the attack. CNN is unable to confirm the casualty figures. The IDF said Saturday that it was examining the incident. Following an initial inquiry, there was no direct attack carried out by the IDF against a Red Cross facility. The incident will be quickly examined and its findings will be presented to our international partners. The Ministry of Health in Gaza has meanwhile reported its highest death toll in the Gaza Strip over a 24 hour period since June 9. The ministry said that 101 people had been killed in the last day, and a further 169 injured. Palestinians pack their belongings and leave for safer areas after the Israeli attack on Mawasi. - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu/Getty Images According to the ICRC, one of its facilities was damaged in Fridays strike. In a post on X, the ICRC did not attribute responsibility for the strike but said that The ICRC office which is surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians living in tents was damaged by nearby shelling in Gaza. Firing so dangerously close to humanitarian structures puts the lives of civilians and humanitarians at risk. It said heavy-caliber projectiles had landed within meters of the facility. The ICRC said that the incident was one of several in recent days after stray bullets had hit ICRC structures. It said parties to the conflict had an obligation to take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians. The European Unions foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, posted on X Saturday that the EU condemns the shelling which damaged the ICRC office in Gaza and led to dozens of casualties. An independent investigation is needed and those responsible must be held accountable, Borrell said. Expansion into Rafah Tens of thousands of people have fled to Mawasi in recent weeks as Israeli operations have expanded in Rafah, just to the south. In recent days, Israeli military operations have pushed towards the west and north of Rafah, according to accounts from inside Gaza, and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it has encountered considerable resistance from Hamas fighters. PRCS spokesman Raed al-Nims told CNN Saturday that the Israeli army is intensively targeting what it said were safe areas in Mawasi, Khan Younis and Rafah. The PRCS said that in Rafah, the situation is very difficult. There are numbers of martyrs on the roads and in the camps that no-one can reach. Mohammed Al-Mughair, a Civil Defense official in Rafah, told CNN that parts of central and western Rafah had come under fire since Friday and the Israeli army was now about one kilometer from the coast. A Palestinian man points to ashes in a tented area, the day after a strike on Mawasi. - Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images For its part, the Israeli military said Saturday troops are continuing intelligence-based, targeted operations in the Rafah area. Meanwhile, the closure of the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and insecurity close to the Kerem Shalom crossing into southern Gaza, has led to severe shortages of humanitarian aid, according to several agencies. The total number of deaths in the Gaza Strip since October 7 now stands at 37,551, with 85,911 injuries, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that the situation in Gaza has become one of total lawlessness., hampering efforts to deliver aid. Guterres said: Most of the trucks with humanitarian aid inside Gaza are now looted, because this is a war that is different from any other one. Usually, in a war there is one force that attacks, they occupy part of the territory of the force, then they guarantee security and management of the areas that they occupy. Here, we have attacks, we have bombings, then groups move to other places. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, listens to debate in the Alabama House of Representations in the Alabama Statehouse on April 9, 2024, in Montgomery, Alabama Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, listens to debate in the Alabama House of Representations in the Alabama Statehouse on April 9, 2024, in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Reproductive rights advocates and Democratic officials in three traditional red states said Friday the 2024 election could have potentially harmful consequences Friday. The group spoke on a conference call hosted by the Democratic National Committee a few days before the 2nd anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and ended federal abortion rights protections. The speakers came from states that restricted or attempted to restrict abortion access after Dobbs, a ruling in which three of the six Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe were appointed by former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Following the ruling, trigger laws made abortion illegal in many southern and western states. Because of Trump, millions of women living in Republican-led states have fallen victim to dangerous abortion bans, and if Trump is elected for a second term, he, alongside whoever he elects for his VP, is going to take their attacks on women nationwide and enforce a National abortion ban, said Maddy Mundy, deputy state communications director at the DNC. Democrats are planning to highlight abortion and reproductive rights in their campaign to hold the White House and Senate and flip the House of Representatives, arguing that Republicans will attempt to impose nationwide bans on abortion if they win control of federal government. Moodys Analytics released an analysis this week that show the most probable result is that Biden will remain president with a divided Congress, with a 40% probability. A Republican sweep had a probability of 35%. The most likely scenario of Biden remaining president with a split Congress suggests that the GOP would flip the Senate and the Democrats would regain the House of Representatives. Alabama Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, said the state has become ground zero for efforts to roll back reproductive rights. Alabama passed an effective abortion ban in 2019 that went into effect shortly after the Dobbs decision came down. What starts in Alabama seems to spread rapidly to other states, especially in the Deep South, she said. Lands shared her personal experience of needing abortion care two decades ago. I had an unviable pregnancy. My baby had a fatal condition and would not survive, and I was told that my life was at risk. During my campaign, I chose to share my story because it was in stark contrast to women today, Lands said. Lands won a special election in March after campaigning on reproductive rights, flipping a seat held by a Republican. Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass described Kansas as a battleground for abortion rights following the Dobbs decision. In 2022, 59% of Kansas voters rejected a state constitutional amendment that would have outlawed abortion in the state. Despite that, Repass said Kansas Republicans continue to push for restrictive measures, such as introducing a bill to impose a near-total abortion ban and voting against IVF protections. Repass said that another Trump presidency could result in a national abortion ban, overturning state-level protections and furthering the assault on reproductive rights. Donald Trump and his MAGA minions in Kansas and across the country have shown us exactly who they are, and we should believe them, Repass said. Theyre using every tool in their toolbox to chip away at reproductive freedoms nationwide. Rep. Lauren Necochea, chair of the Idaho Democratic Party, said Idahos abortion ban, which criminalizes the procedure without exceptions for the health of the mother, has had a severe effect on health care in the state. She pointed to the exodus of medical professionals from the state and shared stories of women forced to be airlifted for emergency care out of state. Necochea also said its critical to elect Democrats to counteract these policies. Idaho women have lost so much, and we all stand to lose even more. As the mother of two girls, Im heartbroken that I cant encourage them to put down roots in our home state and build families here. Its simply not safe to be pregnant in Idaho, Necochea said. Mini Timmaraju, President of Reproductive Freedom for All, called for a combined effort to elect Democrats at all levels to ensure federal reproductive rights protection. Make no mistake, if Republicans win majorities in Congress and Donald Trump, God forbid, locks in the presidency, a national abortion ban is next, she said. State officials also discussed the significance of the upcoming presidential debate, where they expect President Biden to draw a clear contrast between his administrations support for reproductive rights and Trumps anti-abortion stance. The differences are going to be laid clear. The choices are going to be laid clear, and I think youre going to see President Biden really make it plain what the risk is with Donald Trump, Timmaraju said. This story was produced by Alabama Reflector, a States Newsroom affiliate. The post Red state Democrats, advocates warn of abortion rights threat in 2024 election appeared first on Kansas Reflector. POPE ARMY AIRFIELD About a week after what would have been Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodmans 37th birthday and 15 years after her death, her name will now be permanently known at Fort Liberty and Pope Army Airfield. Friends, family and airmen gathered for a ceremony Friday to dedicate the Senior Airman Ashton L.M. Goodman Airmans Center, which is off Rock Merritt Avenue, between Inceptor Road and Boxcar Street. Goodman was a few weeks shy of her 22nd birthday when she died the day after Memorial Day in 2009, from injuries suffered during a roadside bombing near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. She was assigned to the 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and was part of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, which helped Afghan communities with road and school projects and expansion of medical services and electrical power. Col. Allen Morris Jr., left, and retired Master Sgt. Mark Goodman unveil a portrait and plaque honoring Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman during a building dedication ceremony at Pope Army Airfield on Friday, June 21, 2024. Pope Army Airfield dedicated the Airmans Center building in honor of Senior Airman Goodman, who served at Pope Air Force Base from 2006 until her death in 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan. She was the first female casualty from Pope Air Force Base and the 43rd Airlift Wing in Afghanistan. Col. Allen Morris Jr, commander of the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group at Pope Army Airfield, didnt know Goodman but heard about her in 2018 from his former commander, retired Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly. Goodman was Kellys driver when they were deployed to Afghanistan. Morris said Kelly often spoke about Goodman. She made a big impact on him, Morris said during the ceremony. Morris said that when he took command of the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group last year, and made it a mission to start doing some homework and setting things right, a master sergeant told him that the airman center was supposed to be named after an airman killed in Afghanistan. The renaming got lost in the shuffle with the base realignment and closure of Pope Air Force Base and its assets transferring to the Army. Morris said that after the master sergeant told him Goodmans name, he reached out to Kelly to confirm she was the same airman he frequently spoke about. Once receiving the confirmation, other airmen tracked down Goodmans family, he said. A lot of things had to happen correctly in good time and timing to make this happen, Morris said. It should have happened 14 years ago. Levy Goodman, left, sheds tears during a building dedication honoring his sister, Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman, at Pope Army Airfield on Friday, June 21, 2024. Pope Army Airfield dedicated the Airmans Center building in honor of Senior Airman Goodman, who served at Pope Air Force Base from 2006 until her death in 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan. Family reacts Goodmans family was present at Fridays ceremony, with her father retired Master Sgt. Mark Goodman helping reveal a portrait and plaque that will be displayed at the Ashton L.M. Goodman Airmans Center. Goodman's sister Brianna Goodman spoke on behalf of the family. Through tears, Brianna Goodman shared a quote with the crowd that states, Legacy is not what I did for myself but its what I did for the next generation." Following the ceremony, she and other family members said Ashton Goodman was the eldest sibling. To know that her impact goes further than just the people that she knew directly is really a beautiful thing, Brianna Goodman said. Brianna Goodman speaks about her sister, Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman, during a building dedication ceremony at Pope Army Airfield on Friday, June 21, 2024. Pope Army Airfield dedicated the Airmans Center building in honor of Senior Airman Goodman, who served at Pope Air Force Base from 2006 until her death in 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan. Goodmans biography states that she enlisted in the military after graduating from high school in 2006 and that she was a third-generation woman in her family to serve in the Air Force. Ashton was doing what she loved, and her ability to use her service to help people was really, I think, one of the most important things about her time in the military, her brother Levi Goodman said. I feel like even though it didnt necessarily go so well, I feel like she wouldnt have done it different. Retired Gen. Mark Kelly speaks about Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman during a building dedication ceremony at Pope Army Airfield on Friday, June 21, 2024. Pope Army Airfield dedicated the Airmans Center building in honor of Senior Airman Goodman, who served at Pope Air Force Base from 2006 until her death in 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan. Retired general remembers airman's impact Kelly, who was at Fridays ceremony, said that he only knew Goodmon for a couple of months, but he quickly noticed senior noncommissioned officers going to her for advice. They looked to her for relevance, credibility and experience, he said. Goodman, Kelly said, was already a combat-experienced driver when she arrived in Afghanistan, having served a tour in Iraq before. He recalled one moment when he was en route to meet with provincial leaders and villagers to discuss a wind farm and new antenna that would relay radio signals from Kabul to the Panjshir Valley. Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman is shown during her deployment to Afghanistan. Goodman recommended that everyone in the vehicle remove their body armor before arriving at the location, Kelly said. Our interpreter Rose agreed with her that arriving at someones home in body armor would be considered insulting to local leaders providing our security, he said. As usual, she was right. Kelly said that once they arrived to the destination, he noticed Goodman already had one of her multicolored scarves, and was with the groups interpreter speaking to a group of young girls. Pope Army Airfield dedicated the Airmans Center building in honor of Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman, who served at Pope Air Force Base from 2006 until her death in 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan. Kelly said that once they arrived at the destination, he noticed Goodman already had one of her multicolored scarves and was with the groups interpreter speaking to a group of young girls. That singular optic of empowered, capable and responsible free American military woman was forever seared (in my mind), he said. Kelly said that once he learned about Goodmans death, he tried to keep her memory alive because she taught him about true leadership and what its supposed to look like. He encouraged Friday's crowd to read Melissa Pritchard's article on Oprah.com called "Finding Ashton." Pritchard was an embedded freelance journalist who got to know Goodman when they were in Afghanistan. Senior Airman Ashton Lynn Marie Goodman, right, is shown with writer Melissa Pritchard during her deployment to Afghanistan. According to Goodman's biography, she loved animals and hoped to be a veterinarian or biologist, but was also "an aspiring writer with an adventurous spirit and desire to see the world." Though Pritchard was unable to attend Friday's ceremony, a note she wrote was shared that said when she read Goodman's stories they reflected her personality, which was tender, heroic, wise, honest and funny. "She became a spokesperson for giving Afghanistan women rights using what she called the power of words, not weapons," Pritchard said. Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Pope Army Airfield names building after Senior Airman Ashton Goodman Remy Ma at Michael Rubins Fanatics Super Bowl Party held at Marquee Dayclub Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Photo: Christopher Polk/Billboard (Getty Images) Remy Ma is breaking her silence when it comes to the recent arrest of her eldest son, Jayson Scott. For context, 23-year-old Scott and another man are allegedly being accused of first-degree murder and are facing additional charges of criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment stemming from the death of a 43-year-old man named Darius Guillebeaux, an alleged NYC drug kingpin, back in June 2021, according to TMZ. Investigators are reportedly looking into the possibility that Guillebeauxs death may have been a hit job, though they havent confirmed that yet. In a statement given to TMZ, Remy said on Juneteenth: We stand by JaySons innocence and pray that the NYPD will conduct a complete and thorough investigation to reveal the truth. This is undoubtedly a difficult time for my family and me. While we sincerely appreciate the love and support we have received from all of you, we kindly ask for privacy as our legal team works to prove JaySons innocence. As his mother, I want to address this situation personally but have been strongly advised by his legal counsel not to say anything as most people in similar situations are informed by their attorneys due to it being an active case. Scott is being represented by his mothers attorney Dawn Florio who previously represented Remy back in April 2019 when she was arrested for allegedly attacking her Love & Hip-Hop: New York co-star Brittney Taylor. As previously reported by The Root, Remy turned herself in to New York City police to face a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly punching Taylor in the face during a concert at New Yorks Irving Plaza. She denied the allegations. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Residents affected by Ruidoso wildfires can now apply for unemployment assistance EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Residents that have been affected by the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire can receive help through the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. NMDWS on unemployment claims for those affected by Ruidoso fires President Joe Biden authorized federal disaster aid for the state of New Mexico acting upon a request by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, according to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. The process is two steps: An individual must apply for Standard Unemployment Insurance through this website, they can call the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, or by visiting in person at any Workforce Connection Center. Individuals filing the unemployment insurance claim online should be sure to check the box indicating they have been affected by the fires. After an individual received notice that they are not eligible for the Standard Unemployment Insurance, they may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by calling the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center or visiting in person to any New Mexico Workforce Connection Center. DUA applications are not accepted online To find locations to apply in person for DUA claims can visit the website here. The NMDWS is offering the following extended hours to certain days: Friday, June 21 Roswell Convention Center, 912 N. Main St. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All Workforce Connection Centers normal hours Hours vary by location Unemployment Insurance Operations Center phone line, 1-877-664-6984 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22 Roswell Convention Center, 912 N. Main St. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alamogordo Workforce Connection Center, 901 Alaska Ave. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unemployment Insurance Operations Center phone line, 1-877-664-6984 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 23 Roswell Convention Center, 912 N. Main St. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unemployment Insurance Operations Center phone line, 1-877-664-6984 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last day to file the DUA application is by August 19, according to NMDWS. Application that are send after the deadline may be denied unless the individual provides a good cause for filing late. Individuals who will be eligible for the DUA are those who: Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment. Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits or Extended Benefits (EB) from any state Fall into at least one of the following categories: Were unable to reach their jobs or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster. Can no longer work or person services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster. Cannot physically access the place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state or local government in immediate response to the disaster. Can establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their principal source of income. Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster. Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death related to the disaster/fire. Proof of employment/self-employment must be submitted no later than 21 days after filing for a DUA claim. The following are acceptable documents to show as proof of employment: Payroll voucher closet in date to the last work week. Employment and earnings statement from employer with name, address and contact information. Written statement from employer. Business records. bank statements, business receipts, licenses, advertisements, invoices, appointment books, financial statements. Notarized statement from person with name, address and contact information who can verify your self-employment and unemployment. If individual is self-employed, their 2023 federal income tax return and schedules can serve as proof of prior wage, but does not provide evidence of proof of employment at time of disaster. DUA claims will be available for unemployment from June 23, 2024 through December 21, 2024, as long as the individuals unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster, according to the NMDWS. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Some Lincoln County residents will be allowed to return to their homes starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Lincoln County authorities said residents of Ranches of Sonterra 1, 2 and 3, Rancho Ruidoso Valley Estates and Enchanted Forest are now allowed to return as in June 22. Full-time residents will be allowed to go back starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 23 to the following areas: Ruidoso Downs, Ruidoso Downs to El Valle Loop, Sierra Vista, Sun Valley and Villa Madonna. The Village of Ruidoso (VOR) also announced in a Facebook post that the Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford, along with village council members, have decided to allow full-time residents back into Ruidoso at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 24. As we previously reported, the New Mexico State Forestry Division is reporting progress in containing the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire burning near Ruidoso, New Mexico, and the Mescalero Apache reservation. Containment progress reported in Ruidoso fires The Village of Ruidoso provided the following points to take into consideration about the re-entry: Re-entry will be for local, full-time residents only at this time. The VOR is asking that second homeowners and tourists refrain from coming to Ruidoso to give residents time to get back to their properties and survey any needs or damages. Please bring at least a weeks worth of food and drinking water as grocery stores are not operating at full capacity. Due to the events of the past week, you may arrive to find that your home has no gas, no electricity and no water. If your home has no power, your refrigerator will not be working. You can check the outage maps at PNM.com and ZNGC.com There is no childcare available. If you have breathing issues including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may find that you cannot tolerate the ash, smoke and soot that are in the air. There is currently a Boil Water Advisory in place which is normal after a natural disaster. If any water systems are found to be compromised, there is the possibility for a mandatory Boil Water Order. Resources, support from Ruidosos neighboring communities continue to come in We hope that you will help us make this process smooth. Please remember that we are here to help you, and at the same time, we want to ensure your safety and the safety of everyones property, read the Facebook post. Lincoln County also says that second homeowners and tourists should refrain from coming to the area to allow full-time residents to return. Any questions can be directed to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) phone bank at (575) 258-6900 or more information can be found on the VOR website at www.Ruidoso-NM.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 KTSM 9 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Neighboring communities of Ruidoso, New Mexico continue to assemble resources and support for residents impacted by the wildfires and first responders on the front lines that are battling the flames. We received reports from the incident command that the first responders that were actually in the fight, in the firefight, or in the middle of the situation were in need of water, refreshments, goods like that to just help them move through, said City of Socorro Chief of Police Robert Rojas. The Socorro Police Department partnered with parts of the private sector in El Paso and took a two-day back and forth trip to Ruidoso to drop off donations to first responders and shelters for displaced Ruidoso residents. When things go sideways or things go bad, the first people on the scene are the people who make the decisions in the scariest moments of your life. And the fire that theyre fighting up there is deadly, said El Paso lawyer Justin Underwood, whos office collaborated with Socorro PD on providing support to first responders. The Village of Ruidoso has said shelters have been overwhelmed with donations, and ask that people consider making a monetary donation instead. Underwood said first responders are still in need of AA batteries, sunscreen, chapstick, hydration packets and non-perishable snacks. Operation Hope, the non-profit organization out of El Paso, partnered with El Paso Hotel and Lodging, and other community partners to make room space at six different El Paso hotels for families in Ruidoso affected by the fires. I was laying there and then I saw a report of two elderly people sitting on cots, and thats where they slept. It was sad and I said, if I have a nice, comfortable bed, I wonder how they feel sleeping in a cot, its not comfortable, said Gomez of Operation Hope. Gomez said they had been thinking of a different way to support the Ruidoso community, because of the outpour of donations from people has been great. For the people in Ruidoso in need, they just have to call Operation Hope at (915) 590-0490 with their information and New Mexico ID, so that they can help them find a room to stay. Resources are effectively making their way to Ruidoso, but since the early days of the fires, communication has been an issue with phone lines and internet shutting down. With the help of emergency teams from mobile utilities, residents have been able to access their phones and internet. And thanks to social media forums, people have been able to exchange critical information to each other faster. Its constantly changing, what is needed for the evacuees, for the firefighters, for all these people. So one thing thats very nice about it is as new things are needed, we can post in there and they just start showing up, said Trisha Roberts, an Alamogordo resident that created the Facebook page Ruidoso Fire Support. We would post what was needed and it just started showing up from El Paso, from everywhere. It was amazing, Roberts said. The page rapidly grew and now has over 22,000 members. The page has served as a hub for people affected by the fires to check in on friends and loved ones, and even the status of their homes. People who have been offering support and resources have also been able to use the page to pinpoint where and what kind of help was needed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Longtime civil rights activists and faith leaders are coming together to speak out against white Christian nationalism one day before the Republican National Convention. The "We All Belong" campaign, which was launched last year by multi-faith organization MICAH, will hold a "Rally for Democracy" on July 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts. Organizers said the event will reject white Christian nationalism and promote democracy and what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called a "Beloved Community" that has compassion for and welcomes all. Rev. Joseph Ellwanger of MICAH, seen during a press conference on June 18 about youth in the criminal justice system. The rally's speakers include both nationally and locally renowned civil rights activists, including Rev. Al Sharpton and Milwaukee's own Rev. Greg Lewis and Rev. Joseph Ellwanger. "We're here to say Milwaukee is standing for a campaign and a way of being as Americans where we all belong, barring none, and building that 'Beloved Community,'" said Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition president Janan Najeeb, also a featured speaker. Ellwanger, a longtime civil rights leader and member of MICAH, grew up in segregated Selma, Ala., witnessing the injustices of the Jim Crow South. He served as one the few white pastors of an African American congregation in Birmingham in 1958. Ellwanger worked with civil rights leaders like King to create change, including advocating for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned discriminatory tactics meant to keep Black voters from the polls. Today, as politicians like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene promote white Christian nationalism, he said his work is far from over. Christian nationalism is a right-wing movement that argues Christian values should influence government and that church and state should not be separate. Ellwanger said white Christian nationalism's ideology, which excludes people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, is almost reinstating Jim Crow's policies, which is "neither Christian, nor is it patriotic." "Legal Jim Crow died a slow, difficult death only after Martin Luther King and some Christian leadership put their lives on the line and said, 'Enough is enough,'" said Ellwanger. "And we still have the results." Ellwanger said both the We All Belong campaign and the campaign's event planned for July 14 are nonpartisan. "We're not for Democrats, and con or against Republicans," Ellwanger said. "We're against white, Christian nationalism, wherever it is. Unfortunately, it is in every sector of society." Tickets for the "Rally for Democracy" are available for $5 on MICAHmke.org. A livestream of the event will also be available. Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Quinn_A_Clark. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights leaders to rally in Milwaukee ahead of RNC Rip currents kill 4 in 48 hours: Panama City Beach on pace to be deadliest in US Deadly rip currents off Panama City, Florida, killed four people within 48 hours, a tragic toll setting the area on pace for another year as one of the country's deadliest beaches. The bodies of three young men were found, one by one, Friday evening, authorities said. They had traveled to Panama City from Alabama just a few hours earlier. On Thursday afternoon, rescue officials attempted in vain to save a 19-year-old swimmer behind Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant in Panama City Beach. In 2023, Panama City rip currents claimed more lives than anywhere else in the United States, according to National Weather Service data. At least eight people died there. Overall, Florida rip currents killed more than 30 people last year. That's compared with five who died in New Jersey and three each in California, South Carolina, and Louisiana. The often busy beaches in the summer season carry a hidden danger: fast-moving channels of water that can drag a swimmer away from shore and exhaust them trying to fight their way out. The National Ocean Service estimates thousands of people are rescued from rip currents each year in the U.S. Lifeguards post hazardous rip current flags in the sand on March 22, 2022, at Midtown Beach in Palm Beach, Florida, after making a rescue in the rough surf. While rip currents can happen at any beach with breaking waves, including at the Great Lakes, waters off the Florida coast have proven some of the most deadly. At least six people have died at Florida beaches this week alone, adding to 11 others who have drowned elsewhere in the U.S. and its territories because of rip currents this year through June 9. Visitors killed in dangerous Florida rip currents Drowning incidents at Florida beaches in the past few days have killed at least six people visiting from out of state. Tragedy struck in Panama City on Friday, when three men visiting from Alabama drowned in the ocean while single red flags were flying, meaning conditions were hazardous with high surf or strong currents. The men arrived in the area earlier in the afternoon, the Bay County Sheriff's Office said. Harold Denzel Hunter, 25; Jemonda Ray, 24; and Marius Richardson, 24; all from the Birmingham area, entered the water at about 8 p.m. They had checked in to stay at beachfront condominiums and were going to head out shopping but wanted to get in a swim first. Just over 10 minutes later, the sheriff's office responded to a report of distressed swimmers. Other members of their party, women, were with them but came to shore before the men became distressed in the Gulf. Hunter, Ray, and Richardson were found one by one within a half mile of where they had entered the water. They were taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead. This embedded content is not available in your region. On Thursday, a 19-year-old man visiting from Oklahoma was caught in a rip current and drowned off of Panama City Beach. Ryker Milton was in his first year of online seminary training and was shadowing the student pastor at New Community Church, a nondenominational Christian church, Lead Pastor Simeon Young told the Panama City News Herald, part of the USA TODAY Network. Ryker Milton A couple from Pennsylvania died Thursday after getting caught in a rip current off of Stuart Beach Hutchinson Island, officials said. Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, were vacationing there with their six children when they and two of the teenaged children got caught in the rip current. The two teenagers were able to break free from the current. Live updates 3 young men drowned in Gulf of Mexico in Bay County Florida SEE HOW RIP CURRENTS WORK: Graphics show how rip currents endanger swimmers Rip currents claim dozens of lives every year Last year, about 91 people died in rip currents at U.S. beaches, according to weather service data. That was up from the 10-year average of 74 deaths per year. Most people who drown in rip currents and other surf hazards are boys and men between the ages of 10 and 29, data shows, and most of the deaths happen in the months of June and July. Experts say rip currents are so dangerous because they can cause a swimmer to panic and try to swim toward shore, causing fatigue before they are ever able to break free from the current, which is pulling them out. Always check water conditions before you enter the ocean, officials say, and swim near a life guard. It is illegal in Florida to swim while there are double red flags displayed, which indicate the most hazardous conditions. Single red flags mean strong rip currents are expected, and it's recommended to stay out of the water. Panama City beaches continue deadly record Most Panama City Beach water rescues happen during single red flag conditions, Panama City Beach Fire Rescue Beach Safety Director Daryl Paul told the Panama City News Herald, part of the USA TODAY Network. Deadly rip currents can happen even when the surf seems calm, he said. Two deaths last year occurred under single red flags, while the seven others in Bay County happened with double red flags overhead during very rough surf conditions. "Waves aren't killing people here. Waves aren't the hazard. It's rip currents that are the hazard, and that's what we're flying the flags for," Paul said. If you get caught in a rip current, you should try to remain calm. Swim parallel to the shore instead of toward the shore, then swim back to land at an angle once you're free of the rip current. Contributing: Claire Thornton and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY; Nathan Cobb, Lianna Norman and C.A. Bridges, Panama City News Herald This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rip current drowning toll mounts at Panama City beaches with 4 dead Panama City saw four drownings in the past two days (AFP/Getty Images) Four people drowned in just 48 hours in rip currents in Panama City, Florida, a startling rate that reminds beachgoers of the citys deadly rip current record. Three men from Birmingham, Alabama Harold Denzel Hunter, 25, Jemonda Ray, 24, and Marius Richardson, 24 were pronounced dead on Friday evening after they were caught in a rip current at the Florida beach, the Bay County Sheriffs Office wrote in a statement. I have such a heavy heart this morning about the loss of three young visitors to our community. Im praying for their family and ask that you do the same, Sheriff Tommy Ford wrote. It is such a tragedy. The tragedy arrives just one day after yet another: a 19-year-old from Oklahoma died after being caught in a rip current. The young victim had been swimming on June 21 while one red flag was flying, signaling rough conditions. After the incident, officials prohibited access to the water, WMBB reported. On another beach in Florida, a Pennsylvania couple drowned while visiting Hutchinson Island with their six children. While in the water, the couple and two of the teens got swept out by a rip current. The kids were able to break the current and attempted to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim ashore, the Martin County Sheriffs Office wrote. The couple was identified as Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48. The cascade of rip current drownings follow a stark trend at Panama City beaches. Last year, Panama City rip currents killed at least eight people more than anywhere else in the country, USA Today reported. The states beaches carry a shocking reputation. Florida is home to 24 of the nations top 25 deadliest beaches, according to research by Simmrin Law, first reported by Fox Weather. New Smyrna Beach earned the top title, followed by Panama City Beach, then Daytona Beach and then Miami Beach. The group told the outlet it factored in hurricanes, surf zone fatalities and shark attacks to make its determinations. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A recent document filed in U.S. bankruptcy court lists 12 Rite Aid stores set to close soon throughout Michigan. However, signs outside a Lansing store suggest all Michigan locations will soon shut their doors. The company, headquartered in Pennsylvania, has already closed several locations due to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including 19 in Michigan last year. I used to go to the one on South Cedar but then that one ended up closing, said Rudi Parker, a lifelong Rite Aid customer. As she was checking out today, the cashier told her about the closures. According to MLive, Rite Aid sent a statement saying it made the difficult but necessary business decision to close all stores in Michigan, where it will exit the market. I am sad about Rite Aid closing because this has been our general store for about 15 years, said Christine DeLeon, a Lansing local. She said that she cannot drive so having a pharmacy within walking distance is important to her. I dont know what theyre going to make of it but I do know that it is very sad. A sign outside of a Lansing Rite Aid (WLNS) Not only will these closures affect shoppers, but employees as well. Theyre going to have to find jobs now I just kind of feel bad for people who have families and things like that, said Parker. Employees say that the stores will close in phases starting next month, with some stores in Lansing beginning to liquidate by next week. Calls and emails to Rite Aid corporate representatives were not returned, and workers were not authorized to discuss the companys plans There are currently 185 Rite Aid stores in Michigan. Workers have mentioned that customers will receive letters outlining the procedure for prescriptions in the coming weeks with many being automatically forwarded to Walgreens. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Roasted Salemtown, the restaurant that was the site of a deadly Easter shooting, is delaying its grand opening. The opening was originally scheduled for tomorrow, June 22. However, the restaurant posted to Facebook that the opening would be delayed. The post did not specify when the new opening date would be. Roasted Salemtown chef shot in leg recalls deadly Easter shooting, shares message of resilience We are working hard to reschedule and give yall [sic] the brunch youve been missing, the post read. Officials said that the March 31 shooting was reported just after 3 p.m. Allen Beachem, 33, was shot and killed. Five other gunshot victims ended up with non-critical injuries. Shortly thereafter, the owner spoke out about the incident. We are more committed than ever to fostering a safe haven where love prevails, spirits are uplifted, and everyone is welcome, Ericka Fizer, chef and owner of Roasted Salemtown, said in April. Our hearts remain open to all who seek solace, a warm meal, and a place where they can truly belong. News 2 later reported that 46-year-old Anton Rucker was wanted in connection with the shooting. He was found at a home in Princeton, Kentucky. APRIL: Easter brunch shooting: Salemtown neighborhood continues safety improvements, development According to authorities, Rucker is named in a criminal homicide arrest warrant charging him with Beachems death, but additional charges are expected against him for the non-critical wounding of six additional persons in the restaurant as the case advances. Thank you for your understanding and patience, the Facebook post 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 WKRN News 2. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A suspects claim that he had a gun wasnt enough to get workers at a Georgesville neighborhood bank to give him money, according to Columbus police. The would-be robber walked into the Bank of America at 1580 Georgesville Square Drive around 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday. Inside, he asked a teller about opening an account before handing them a threatening note demanding money, according to Columbus Division of Police. The suspect also told them he had a gun. This embedded content is not available in your region. Security cameras inside the Bank of America captured photos of the suspect, who was covering his face with a black surgical mask. The images showed him entering the store before walking by an advertisement banner. Police described him as being around 57 tall and 200 pounds. A security camera recorded the suspect in an attempted Bank of America robbery. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Police) A security camera recorded the suspect in an attempted Bank of America robbery. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Police) While police didnt go into detail on why, they said that the suspects threats did not work on the employees in the bank. The would-be robber left the store and drove away in a black Nissan sedan. Columbus police asked anyone with information on the incident to call its robbery unit at 614-645-4665. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Robert Dressler, the Fort Lauderdale mayor who led the effort to shut down Spring Break in the mid-1980s, died Monday morning. He was 78. In 1985, Dressler appeared on Good Morning America with an urgent message for Spring Breakers around the country: After years of rowdy partying fueled by all-you-can-drink beer and open containers on the beach, they were no longer welcome in Fort Lauderdale. Under his leadership, the commission passed laws banning open alcohol and overnight parking on the beach. Heavy police enforcement resulted in more than 2,500 arrests that year. Fort Lauderdales beachfront strip, as it was known, had become a tawdry embarrassment, Dressler said at the time. The people who want to come now are the party crowds, the druggies, the hookers and the teenyboppers, he told a reporter in 1986. One of the most important reasons we need to redevelop and revitalize our beach is to get away from the apparent addiction to Spring Break. If we were talking about some area of the city that is on the periphery, it might not be such a big deal. But we are talking about the major focal point of the city. And our focal point and image has to be different than a drunken party for two months. His daughter, Kathryn Dressler, says her dad wanted to leave a legacy of a thriving Fort Lauderdale that was more upscale and family friendly. He loved this city, she said. He wanted to make the city better for all the residents. Thats why he did what he did with Spring Break. Dressler got the ball rolling on the Spring Break clampdown, but the mayor who came after him seemingly got the credit, his daughter said. That would be the late Bob Cox, who took the reins as mayor in 1986. My father is known by most long-term residents for his fundamental role in killing Spring Break, although credit is often attributed to the mayor who took office following him, Kathryn Dressler said. Even after he left politics, Dressler stayed involved behind the scenes and was routinely contacted by newcomers to public office who continued to seek his guidance, his daughter said. A Fort Lauderdale native, Dressler played an early role in leading the effort to revitalize the beachfront and develop the iconic Riverwalk along Las Olas. Dressler was named Florida Man of the Year by Florida Atlantic University in 1993 and Distinguished Citizen by the Fort Lauderdale commission in 2007. In November, Fort Lauderdale honored him again, naming him an Honored Founder an exceptional citizen whose enduring commitment has profoundly influenced the fabric of our city. As mayor, Dressler went to great lengths to reach all members of the community, his daughter said. My father was a true public servant who did not take office for fame or recognition, nor did he loudly boast of his many accomplishments, she said. He was the citys first elected mayor, and he was one of the first politicians to personally go visit and speak with residents in the minority communities to ask them what they wanted and needed, and to make sure their voices were heard. Orderly and punctual, Dressler served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972, rising to the rank of captain. My dad was a politician, an attorney and in the military and people still said good things about him, Dresslers daughter said. Former Mayor Jack Seiler agreed. He was a good guy, Seiler said. A genuinely good guy. For a guy involved in politics, he wasnt real political. He wanted to improve the community. He wanted to make peoples lives better. He was the kind of guy who enjoyed making a difference. Dressler was more of a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type, Seiler said. He wasnt a flashy loud guy at all, Seiler said. He was just a soft-spoken gentleman. He wasnt the loudest guy in the room. But he carried himself as a gentleman and a professional. Dressler graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1963. Four years later, he graduated with honors from Dartmouth College, a private Ivy League university in New Hampshire. He went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School. After law school, Dressler moved back to Fort Lauderdale and went into practice with his father, Philip Dressler. Not one to brag, Dressler was proud but humble, his daughter said. He was honest, loving, caring, she said. Some of my fondest memories of my father are when he used to take me and my brother, James, to Birch State Park and walk us along the nature trails and ask us if we knew the different types of trees, plants and foliage. If we knew, hed give us $1. If we didnt, hed teach us. Dressler also loved taking his children to the beach to take swims in the ocean. I remember him saying float like a goat when he was teaching me to float on my back, his daughter said. Dressler also helped organize the Victoria Park Civic Association. He was very proud of his instrumental role in making Victoria Park the neighborhood it has become today, his daughter said. His grandparents first purchased a home on Victoria Park Road back in the 1930s. His parents purchased a home on Northeast Seventh Street in Victoria Park in the 1940s. And my father purchased his home in Victoria Park in the 1960s. She and her daughter now live in that same home. Dressler was predeceased by his son, James Dressler, who died last year. In addition to his daughter, survivors include his granddaughter Aurora Gawor; his brother Richard Dressler; two nieces; and his former wife, Patricia. A private memorial service is planned for close friends and immediate family. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Medical technology has come a long wayand five hospitals in Michigan now offer robotic technology. Here in mid-Michigan, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow just reached a milestone, completing 15,000 robotic-assisted procedures. Using technology, surgeons say they can perform operations in a less invasive way. Only tiny incisions are needed, which creates less pain for the patients. It also makes for minimal scarring, and patients recover more quickly. Sparrow doctors find new way to tackle lung cancer with robotic help This da Vinci technology can be used in more than 100 types of procedures, including cardiothoracic, urology and bariatric surgery. It was first introduced in 2005, and officials say in the last five years alone they have done 5,000 surgeries. da Vinci robotic surgery (WLNS) 6 News spoke with with Margaret Kavanagh, who underwent robotic surgery from Sparrow. She said its important for people to know exactly what robotic surgery means, which is that surgeons are controlling the technology. These guys are brilliant, and theyre highly skilled, and theyre expertly trained, said Kavanagh. And they know what theyre doing, and without them the technology would just be another tool sitting on the shelf. And they use it to speed things up, and to make things more precise, and to make our lives better. Im very grateful for that. Officials said the hospital had recently taken part in a clinical trial, looking at the newest robotic system. They said this will keep them on the cutting edge of surgery. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Roncallis Pierside Auction tops $310K in proceeds, and more Manitowoc news in brief MANITOWOC The 40th annual Roncalli Pierside Auction not only commemorated an anniversary year in 2024, but also achieved a milestone by raising approximately $10,000 more than the year prior. A news release said this years auction saw more than $310,000 in proceeds raising almost $3,000 more in the online portion of the event alone than that raised in 2023. The funds will benefit students of Roncalli Elementary School, Roncalli Middle School and Roncalli High School. The 40th auction included an online component and in-person event. Items were available for bidding online April 25-29 with a different set of items available for bidding at the in-person event April 27 at Roncalli High School. This is now the sixth year Roncalli Catholic Schools has raised nearly the same dollar amount through the annual fundraiser to support Catholic education in the lakeshore area and serve students within a four-county radius. The Roncalli Pierside Auction provides funding for Roncalli schools primarily in the area of tuition assistance. About 65% of Roncalli families receive some form of tuition assistance. Gifts to the auction allow Roncalli Catholic Schools to continue to serve students of all economic backgrounds. The 41st annual Roncalli Pierside Auction will be April 26, 2025, at the high school. Buried forest: Buried forest in Manitowoc County was first uncovered in 1907. Its discovery changed views on age of last glacier coming through Wisconsin. 73 Lakeshore Technical College students receive Kohler Foundation scholarships With the new Kohler Foundation Advantage Scholarships, 73 students attending Lakeshore Technical College for the 2024-25 academic year will experience reduced financial burdens for tuition. The scholarship, according to a news release, recognizes exemplary students seeking diverse pathways to secondary education. Among the recipients, 23 are 2024 high school graduates from 10 high schools in the LTC district, as well as home-schooled students. The scholarships are renewable if the students continue to meet scholarship requirements. This ensures they can graduate from LTC with little or no student loan debt. Lakeshore Technical College sign at the West Entrance to its Cleveland, Wisconsin, campus. The scholarship was also used to fund 50 students currently enrolled at LTC, each receiving $1,000 for either fall 2024 or spring 2025 to close the gap in their financial need. The scholarship recipients have chosen 14 unique programs for their studies, showcasing a range of interests and career aspirations. These programs include accounting, automotive maintenance technician, business management, CNC (computer-numerically controlled) automation technician, culinary arts, dairy business management, digital marketing, general studies transfer-associate of arts, graphic and web design, information technology-web and software developer, nursing, radiography, and welding. We are thankful for Kohler Foundations investment in students and our communities, and we look forward to these students continuing their education at our college, LTC President Dr. Paul Carlsen said in the news release. For more about LTCs programs and scholarship opportunities, visit gotoltc.edu. Historical Society nets funding to support Past Perfect Web Edition project Manitowoc County Historical Society volunteers use a software program called Past Perfect to manage and maintain the museums archives. Manitowoc County Historical Society has received a mini grant from the Wisconsin Historical Society to help support the museums Past Perfect Web Edition project. Upgrading to an online Past Perfect Museum software will allow for staff and volunteers at the Historical Society to have better access to not only the objects in the museums collection, but also the data and background of the items, a news release said. July 1 deadline to register for next for Leadership Manitowoc County class The Chamber of Manitowoc County is accepting applications for its 2024-2025 class of Leadership Manitowoc County. The engagement program brings together potential leaders who will be encouraged, motivated and prepared to assume more influential roles as leaders. Sessions are on the third Wednesday of the month, September-May, with a typical day running 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $720, or $327 for a non-profit. Class size is limited. Registration deadline is July 1. To register or for more details, contact Melissa at 920-684-5575 or melissa@chambermanitowoccounty.org. The chamber is online at chambermanitowoccounty.org. History: Manitowocs Henry Baetz: a German immigrant, Union soldier and public servant who was Wisconsin's sixth state treasurer FSA accepting nominations for county committees Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency county committees. These committees make decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1. The Manitowoc County FSA is at 4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220, and can be reached at 920-683-5119. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Roncalli Pierside Auction in Manitowoc raises over $310K in 2024 Amid the immigration wars and the trials and the general sense of exhaustion around Washington, its refreshing to find a good-old press conference inveighing against pork, the time-honored jibe at spending in somebody elses Congressional district. A handful of Republican House members last week spotlighted a report by Citizens Against Government Waste taking aim at earmarks, which specify particular state and local projects in appropriations bills a practice banned by a Republican Congress in 2011, but brought back by Democrats in 2021. Douglas Rooks It has to be said the visuals an actor dressed in a pig costume werent especially imaginative. For theater, the Golden Fleece Awards bestowed by Wisconsin Democratic Sen. William Proxmire, during a long congressional career from 1957-89, were better. Proxmire delighted in discovering obscure research grants in Defense bills and in transportation projects that sounded ridiculous, but when checked out by reporters actually had a plausible purpose. Back then, it was all in good fun not an attempt to highlight the existential crisis of a $35 trillion federal debt. Earmarks play, at most, an extremely minor role. Yet Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) fulminated at length on the debt without considering the role mammoth tax cuts and increased Defense spending might play. Whats of greater interest to Maine is that two of the top five offenders are the states two senators, Republican Susan Collins and Independent Angus King. Its no surprise Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) brings home the bacon, nor that Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), like Collins a moderate in her caucus, is top five material. But Collins is the current champion, with 231 earmarks totaling $576 million, a clear leader over runner-up Murkowski. King, a relatively junior senator who doesnt even serve on the Appropriations Committee Collins is ranking minority member obviously has a knack for it. Its a funny thing about earmarks. In at least a theoretical sense, its hard to justify a new fire engine or veterans clinic in one specific town or city. Congress is supposed to be appropriating for the whole country, even-handedly. But earmarks were easier to criticize in Proxmires day. The budget process is now chaotic, with few appropriations bills ever approved by the Oct. 1 deadline. In the current Congress, deadlines passed while Republicans were busy sacking Speaker Kevin McCarthy and replacing him with Mike Johnson, whos opted as usual for continuing resolutions and omnibus bills. What earmarks do provide is encouragement for voters to believe someone is actually listening to them in Washington. Ive never heard anyone in Maine complain about a piece of largesse that King and Collins, or their predecessors, brought home. Case in point: both Augusta and Waterville decided to restore their main streets to two-way traffic, slowing things down and making them more pedestrian-friendly. Augusta accomplished the aim by re-striping and replacing a traffic light at a cost of $100,000. Watervilles project was much more involved, and cost $9 million. Enter Collins with the necessary earmark. Earmarks can be seen as the grease that keeps the legislative mills grinding, the sweeteners that finally get bills out of committee and onto the floor. Theres probably a better way, but in the current state of government were not going to find it. Nor did banning earmarks in 2011 work out as planned. The Republican House Speaker who engineered the change, John Boehner, was run out of town the first in a succession of short-tenured Republicans who certainly couldnt please most of the caucus, most of the time. When we look for patterns, we can see that this is a method for Maine, with just 0.4% of the nations population, to punch above its weight. Our senators clout is much appreciated by their constituents. And its not as if other federal spending is necessarily fair. When dollars poured into the Interstate Highway System in 1956, Maine became a minimum receiver, along with its northern neighbors, Vermont and New Hampshire. Maine, geographically much larger, has 50% more lane miles to maintain than either New Hampshire and Vermont, but gets exactly the same amount in regular appropriations. So its understandable why individual senators look for opportunity. Democrat George Mitchell was quite adept, winning funding for the Coastal Connector in Topsham as a junior member. As Senate majority leader Mitchell swept the field, gaining appropriations for the Downeaster passenger train and several major highway projects, including the Sagadahoc Bridge and the Casco Bay Bridge, which would have otherwise taken years for Maine DOT to fund. In the end, one persons pork is another ones meat. Douglas Rooks has been a Maine editor, columnist and reporter since 1984. He is the author of four books, most recently a biography of U.S. Chief Justice Melville Fuller, and welcomes comment at drooks@tds.net This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rooks: Bringing home the bacon and then some Roscoes House of Chicken and Waffles, a Los Angeles area staple, is closing one of its seven restaurants. A sign posted in front of the Pasadena location confirmed the closure of the eatery, located at 830 North Lake Avenue. The last day it will be open is Sunday. The sign also indicated that the beloved chicken and waffles chain is looking for an upgraded Pasadena location. 2 dead, 1 seriously hurt after cars fly off exit ramp and into LAX parking lot With the closure, Roscoes will now have six locations: Hollywood, South Los Angeles, Long Beach, Inglewood, Anaheim and Mid-City. Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association President and CEO Paul Little told the Orange County Register that he hopes the local institution can find a way to stay in the city. I would love to see them stay in Pasadenathey have been open for a very long time, he told the Register. I hope they can find another location in Pasadena that suits them. According to the O.C. Register, a For Lease sign now stands near the corner of the restaurant. Swimming at SoFi? New L.A. 2028 Olympics venues announced The soul food chain, which was founded by Herb Hudson in 1975, has endured financial difficulties in the past; Roscoes parent company, East Coast Foods. Inc, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016. That said, Roscoes opened their new location in Mid-City in January 2023. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) The 17-year-old arrested in connection with Saturdays shooting in Round Rock that killed two people and injured 14 others admitted to shooting another person in the leg, according to his arrest affidavit KXAN obtained Friday evening. So far, Ricky Thompson III is the only person arrested in the case. Police Chief Allen Banks said Thursday the department is still looking for additional suspects. PREVIOUS: Police announce arrest of 17-year-old suspect related to deadly Round Rock shooting The defendant admitted to being present at the scene with a 9mm firearm, Thompsons affidavit reads. Additionally, the defendant stated that he fired three rounds in the directon of the complainant, striking the complainant in the leg. Police said the shooting happened at the citys Juneteenth celebration and gunfire erupted after two groups got into a fight. The newly released court documents explained the person Thompson is accused of shooting and injuring was one of the individuals in the group he was in a fight with. That victim is also 17-years-old. How to help the victims of the Juneteenth Round Rock shooting Thompson currently faces one charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. Police said there is a chance his charges could get upgraded. Furthermore, police expect more charges for additional suspects and they continued investigating Friday. Banks said the investigation is on-going and fluid, and his officers will work tirelessly to bring about justice in this case. The victims On Monday, police identified the victims as Lyndsey Vicknair, 33, from Manor and Ara Duke, 54, from Pflugerville. Both are mothers. Ara Duke is pictured on the right (photo courtesy: Kimberly Holiday); Lyndsey Vicknair is pictured on the left. Both women were killed in a shooting during a Juneteenth event in Round Rock on June 15, 2024. The Round Rock Police Department said neither one was involved in the altercation that police say led to the shooting. Vicknair was a lawyer. Duke was an educator. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of innocent lives and the injuries sustained by several others in Saturdays senseless act of violence, Round Rock PD Chief Allen Banks said in a statement. Our deepest condolences go out to the families affected by this tragedy. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community and will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice. Together, we will stand strong and support one another during this difficult time for our community. The Round Rock Police Department has not released the names of any of the people injured in the shooting, but KXAN spoke with a woman who said she was one of the 14 wounded that night. I felt it in my leg and I felt myself just sitting down, and my husband had to drag me to the emergency station, and my kids were behind me, LaTonya Ray said. She said the night was supposed to be a family affair, she attended the Juneteenth celebration with her husband and their three children. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Year round Village of Ruidoso residents allowed to reenter at 8 a.m. Monday Fulltime residents of the Village of Ruidoso will be allowed to reenter the community at 8 a.m. Monday, according to a Village news release. Saturday, Mayor Lynn Crawford and the Village Council decided to allow people who live in the community year round to check on properties. Tourists and second homeowners were asked to refrain from visiting. (The Village wants) residents (to have) time to get back to their properties and survey any needs or damages, read the release. The South Fork and Salt fires burn thousands of acres in the Mescalero Apache Reservation and around Ruidoso, June 18, 2024. Fulltime residents are asked to bring at least a weeks worth of food and drinking water as grocery stores are not operating at full capacity. Due to the events of the past week, you may arrive to find that your home has no gas, no electricity, and no water. If your home has no power, your refrigerator will not be working, the release cited. Village officials asked residents to check Public Service Company of New Mexicos website or the Zia Natural Gas Company website for the latest outages. There is no childcare available. If you have breathing issues, you may find that you cannot tolerate the ash, smoke, and soot that are in the air, cited the release. The Village is currently under a boil water advisory, which is normal after a natural disaster. If any of our systems are found to be compromised, there is the possibility for a mandatory Boil Water Order, per the Village of Ruidoso. Further information maybe found on the Villages website. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Fulltime Village of Ruidoso residents allowed to enter Monday People clean debris at the site of a glide bomb attack on a residential building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine on Saturday. Photo b Sergey Kozlov/EPA-EFE June 22 (UPI) -- Ukrainian air defenses shot down 12 of 16 missiles and all 13 drones launched by Russia on Saturday as part of its ongoing attacks against Ukraine's power grid. The attack targeted multiple facilities and was the eighth in three months by Russia targeting Ukraine's power grid, according to Ukrainian air force officials. Two workers were injured in central Zaporizhzhia and equipment was damaged in Lviv during the overnight attacks, the officials said. A subsequent strike by guided bombs on Saturday in Kharkiv struck an apartment building, killing three and injuring 19. At least four explosions were reported in the city during the guided-bomb strike. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russian forces "terrorists" following airstrikes on Ukraine's power grid and a residential building in Kharkiv Saturday and wants to use munitions against military targets in Russian territory. File Photo by Julia Nikhinson/UPI "Russian terrorists have struck Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs again," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on X. "Unfortunately, a residential building was hit." Zelensky wants to use munitions to target nearby Russian launch sites and airfields that are launching such strikes near the border with Ukraine. "Bold decisions from our partners are needed so we can destroy Russian terrorists and Russian combat aircraft where they are," Zelensky said. "It is possible to protect people's lives from missile terror, particularly by clearing the border areas of terrorist launchers" and bombs. The attacks on Ukraine's power grid are the eighth in three months and follow strikes early Thursday morning. Russian strikes hit the central Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Kyiv and Donetsk, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry reported. At least three workers were injured in the strikes and seriously damaged a thermal power plant. Russia kill 5 and injure 7 civilians in Donetsk Oblast in one day The Russians killed five residents of Donetsk Oblast and injured another seven on 21 June alone. Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration Details: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration reported that two people were killed in Selydove, two in Toretsk and one in Druzhba. In addition, seven people were injured in the oblast. People were injured in Pivnichne and New-York in addition to the previously mentioned settlements. The number of civilians that were killed in the oblast, excluding Mariupol and Volnovakha, has risen to 2,013. Support UP or become our patron! Russia launches 'massive' attack on Ukraine's power grid, the 8th in just 3 months, Ukraine's energy ministry says Russia launches 'massive' attack on Ukraine's power grid, the 8th in just 3 months, Ukraine's energy ministry says Russia launched a "massive" attack on Ukraine's power grid overnight. Russia has increasingly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure as the war has progressed. This latest attack marks the eighth since March, Ukraine's energy ministry said. Russia launched a "massive" attack on Ukraine's power grid overnight as it continues to target the country's energy infrastructure, Ukraine's energy ministry announced on Telegram. The latest attack marks the eighth time Russian forces have targeted Ukraine's power grid since March, the ministry added. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 16 missiles and 13 drones in the attack, which targeted a number of different regions. While the air force said Ukraine's air defense systems were able to take down 12 of the missiles and all of the drones, two workers were injured in strikes in Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, and some equipment was damaged. Russian targeting of Ukrainian energy infrastructure has also caused mass blackouts across Ukraine this year. Russia has switched up its tactics from previous attempts to attack the power grid, aiming to strike energy generation infrastructure instead of electricity substations. "We urgently need to close our skies or Ukraine faces a serious crisis this winter," Maxim Timchenko, the CEO of DTEK, a Ukrainian energy company, said following the latest attacks, per the BBC. "My plea to allies is to help us defend our energy system and rebuild in time." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukraine's allies to provide more air defense systems as his forces attempt to repel such attacks, saying they required at least "seven more 'Patriots' or similar air defense systems." Ivan Fedorov, the governor of Zaporizhzhia, echoed this in a post on Telegram following the latest attack. "At night, Russians attacked Zaporizhzhia region again," he wrote. "The enemy will not stop. Ukraine needs air defense systems." In April, Business Insider reported that Ukraine's low stocks of air defense missiles were leaving even the country's best-protected cities increasingly vulnerable to attack after Russia was able to strike a major power plant near Kyiv. The New York Times reported earlier this month that the US had agreed to send a second Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, citing two US officials. Business Insider contacted Ukraine's energy ministry for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian forces struck the city of Kharkiv on June 22, killing at least three and injuring at least 54 people, local authorities reported. Moscow has recently intensified attacks against Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city with the use of missiles, glide bombs, and drones, destroying energy infrastructure and killing civilians. The sounds of explosions were reported as of around 3:15 p.m. local time. The Russian military carried out four strikes against the city, targeting a residential area, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Russian forces used glide bombs in the attack, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Three glide bombs hit an enterprise in the Kholodnohirskyi district, and another one struck a five-story residential building in the Osnovianskyi district. The attack was reportedly launched from Belgorod Oblast, the regional prosecutor's office reported. At least 3 people were killed, while 29 were injured as of 5 p.m. local time, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. The regional prosecutor's office later revised the number of injured up to 41 at 7:45 p.m. local time. Two of the injured were children, girls aged 12 and 13. Six of the injured were in a serious condition. It added those killed were two men and a 41-year-old woman. At 9:30 p.m. local time, Syniehubov said the number of injured had reached 54. President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the attack, saying that "the Russian terror with guided aerial bombs must be stopped and can be stopped." "We need strong decisions from our partners so that we can destroy Russian terrorists and Russian combat aircraft where they are," Zelensky said. "We have already proved that it is possible to protect people and lives from missile terror, in particular by clearing the border areas of terrorists' launchers. We also need to protect (people) against bombs. We need this determination (in actions)." 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. Russian attack on university in Ivano-Frankivsk: 14 buildings and 815 windows damaged photo The aftermath of the Russian strike on a university in Ivano-Frankivsk. Photo: Naftogaz Fourteen buildings belonging to the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas were damaged in a Russian missile attack on the night of 21-22 June. Source: Naftogaz Group, a Ukrainian state-run national oil and gas company Quote: "Early estimates of the damage suggest that enemy missiles damaged 14 buildings belonging to the educational institution, 815 windows, 25 entrance doors, and about 1,160 sq. m of roof." Details: Naftogaz Group said it would help repair the damaged university buildings. Experts are currently assessing the damage caused by the Russian bombardment. , : The aftermath of the Russian strike on the university in Ivano-Frankivsk. Photo: Naftogaz Background: Initially, it was reported that Russian forces had launched a missile attack on the premises of an educational institution in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in Ukraines west. Several teaching facilities were partially destroyed and others damaged. Later, it became known that the educational institution damaged by the missile strike was the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas. Support UP or become our patron! Russian attacks against Ukraine killed eight people and injured 19 over the past day, regional authorities said on June 22. Russia targeted a total of 14 Ukrainian oblasts Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in the latter four regions. The Pokrovsk, Bakhmut and Kramatorsk districts came under Russian attack in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Two people were killed and three injured in the town of Selydove, according to the governor. Russia's attack damaged five high-rise buildings, six houses and a car. Moscow's multiple attacks on the town of Toretsk killed two residents and injured one, damaging 13 houses, an administrative building and an infrastructure facility, Filashkin said. One person was killed and three injured after Russia's attacks on the villages of Druzhba, Pivnichne and Niu-York, the governor reported. The aftermath of Russian attack on Donetsk Oblast on June 21, 2024. (Vadym Filashkin/Telegram) In Kharkiv Oblast, a Russian drone hit an Ukrposhta postal vehicle in the town of Vovchansk, killing the woman who was a driver and injuring a man, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Russian forces struck with a missile a food warehouse in the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, damaging warehouses of a dozen enterprises, according to Governor Serhii Lysak. Two men, aged 22 and 60, were injured, he added. Russia also attacked the Nikopol district 15 times over the past day, injuring a 71-year-old, Lysak said. Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast damaged three houses, a high-rise building and an administrative building, said Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. One person was killed and four injured in the region over the past day, according to Prokudin. One man was killed in a Russian attack on the Polohy district in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Four more people were reportedly injured in the Polohy and Zaporizhzhia districts. Ukrainian air defense shot down all of the 13 Shahed-type attack drones and 12 of the 16 missiles launched by Russia overnight on June 22, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said. Energy infrastructure was damaged in several regions. Read also: Russian attacks damage energy infrastructure in multiple oblasts, casualties reported Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The aftermath of Russian attacks on Kharkiv on 22 June. Photo: social media Russian forces launched four strikes on one of the districts of the city of Kharkiv on the afternoon of 22 June. There are casualties among civilians. Source: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov More updates on this topic: Three civilians killed and 37 injured in Kharkiv: Zelenskyy asks Ukraine's partners for decisive action Quote from Terekhov: "Early reports indicate that Kharkiv has been struck four times. A dense[ly populated] residential area has been reportedly hit." Details: Terekhov immediately added that a residential building had been struck, which led to casualties and fatalities among civilians. The Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration noted that the Russians had used guided aerial bombs for this attack. Later, reports emerged of at least two civilians killed and eighteen injured injured in the attack. Update: It was later reported that at least two people were killed and eighteen injured in the attack. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy subsequently reported that three civilians had been killed and 19 injured in the Russian guided aerial bomb attack on the residential building in Kharkiv. Support UP or become our patron! Russian troops continue to increase the pace of their offensive actions on the Pokrovsk and Toretsk fronts. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 16:00 on 22 June Quote: "The number of combat engagements along the entire front line has increased to 99 since the beginning of the day. The enemy continues to increase the pace of offensive actions on the Pokrovsk and Toretsk fronts, deploying significant forces. Nevertheless, Ukrainian defenders are confidently holding back the onslaught of the Russian occupation forces and inflicting significant losses on the enemy." Details: On the Kharkiv front, the Russians are attempting to advance near the town of Vovchansk. A skirmish is currently underway there. Meanwhile, the settlement of Lyptsi was once again attacked with guided aerial bombs from the Russian Federation. On the Kupiansk front, Russian forces have mounted 12 assaults on Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Andriivka, Miasozharivka, Stelmakhivka and Pishchane since the beginning of the day. Ukrainian defenders are steadfastly holding the line. Nine Russian attempts to advance have been repelled. Three firefights continue near the settlements of Stelmakhivka and Synkivka. Ukrainian forces are in control of the situation. On the Lyman front, the Russians attacked Ukrainian forces eight times near the settlements of Terny and Nevske. Five skirmishes ended without success for the Russians, and three are still ongoing. Russian forces continue to look for weaknesses in Ukrainian defences on the Siversk front. Ukrainian defenders repelled eight Russian attacks near the settlements of Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka and Vyimka. The Russians targeted the settlement of Serebrianka with a guided aerial bomb. On the Kramatorsk front, Russian troops are trying to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions near the settlements of Ivanivske and Hryhorivka. Ukraine's defence forces are putting up strong resistance to the Russians, repelling two attacks. Another is still in progress. On the Toretsk front, the number of Russian attacks increased to 11. The settlements of New-York and Yurivka and the city of Toretsk have been hit by Russian aircraft. So far, Ukraine's defence forces have repelled five Russian assaults, with six attacks still ongoing. The Pokrovsk front witnessed the highest number of combat engagements. Since the beginning of the day, the Russians have made 32 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions near the settlements of Novooleksandrivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Yevhenivka, Sokil, Novoselivka Persha and Novopokrovske. Ukraine's defence forces are holding back the Russian onslaught, having repelled 21 Russian attacks. A total of 11 combat engagements are still ongoing. Fighting continues on the Kurakhove front. The Russians, supported by aircraft, are trying to advance near the settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Paraskoviivka. The settlements of Kostiantynivka and Kurakhove were hit with guided aerial bombs and rockets. The total number of attacks in the area increased to nine, four of which have been repelled, while five are still in progress. On the Vremivka front, the Russians mounted six unsuccessful attempts to break through Ukrainian defences near the settlements of Staromaiorske, Urozhaine and Vodiane. On the Orikhove front, four Russian assaults failed near the settlements of Robotyne, Mala Tokmachka and Kamianske, and another firefight is ongoing. On the Prydniprovske front, two Russian attacks near the settlement of Krynky failed. The situation has not changed significantly on other fronts. Support UP or become our patron! The Ukrainian military has allegedly hit a Pantsir S-1 anti-aircraft missile system in the village of Dubovoe in Belgorod Oblast, Pepel, a media outlet based in the region, claimed on June 22. Air defense was operating at around 12:20 p.m. in the region, Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed. Several aerial targets were allegedly downed as they approached the city of Belgorod, he said. As a result of the attack, grass was set on fire near the village of Dubovoe, according to Gladkov. The governor also claimed that the fire was promptly extinguished. The roofs of two houses and 17 cars were damaged in the village, he said. No casualties were reported. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up The Russian media outlet Pepel later claimed that a Pantsir surface-to-air missile system was hit. The system was struck by a cluster munition, while its crew survived, according to the outlet. Black smoke was rising above the place where the Pantsir was located. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on this attack at the moment of publication. Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk oblasts. Claims of missile and drone attacks against the region have recently become a common occurrence after anti-Kremlin Russian militias' incursions into Russian territory. The U.S. gave Ukraine permission to use American weapons to strike targets in Russia across the border from both Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, Michael Carpenter, senior director for Europe at the U.S. National Security Council, told the TSN news program on May 31. Read also: Ukrainian drones attack metallurgical plant, other facilities in 3 Russian regions, source says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian missile attack damages houses and kindergarten in Ivano-Frankivsk photos Aftermath of the Russian missile attack on Ivan-Frankivsk. Photo: Ruslan Martsinkiv The Russian missile attack on Ivano-Frankivsk on the night of 21-22 June damaged houses on Berehova and Karpatska streets. Windows in a kindergarten were also smashed. Early reports indicated that there were no casualties. Source: Ruslan Martsinkiv, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, on Telegram Details: Martsinkiv noted that the local authorities are going to provide all owners of houses or apartments where windows were smashed with compensation. -, : Aftermath of the Russian missile attack on Ivan-Frankivsk. Photo: Ruslan Martsinkiv Martsinkiv also expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian air defence and all defenders. -, : Aftermath of the Russian missile attack on Ivan-Frankivsk. Photo: Ruslan Martsinkiv Martsinkiv reported that the windows in a kindergarten were also smashed. Background: On the evening of 21 June, Ukraines Air Force reported the takeoff of four TU-95MS strategic bombers from the Olenya airfield in Russia. Ukraine was also bombarded by Shahed attack drones and tactical aircraft. The Russians launched a missile attack on a critical energy infrastructure facility in Lviv Oblast. A fire broke out. Earlier, Martsinkiv said that Ukrainian air defence was responding to the attack in the city. Support UP or become our patron! Russian missile strike damages energy equipment in Zaporizhzhia and Lviv oblasts The Russians carried out its eighth large-scale combined attack on energy infrastructure facilities on the night of 21-22 June, which resulted in two people being injured. Equipment at facilities in Zaporizhzhia and Lviv oblasts belonging to Ukrenergo, Ukraines main power company, was damaged. Source: Ukrenergo Details: Two power engineers were injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and taken to hospital. The equipment is being inspected and emergency repair works are underway. Background: On the evening of 21 June, Ukraines Air Force reported the take-off of four TU-95MS strategic bombers from the Olenya airfield in Russia. Ukraine was also bombarded by Shahed attack drones and tactical aircraft. The Russians launched a missile attack on a critical energy infrastructure facility in Lviv Oblast. A fire broke out. Houses on two streets and a kindergarten were damaged in Ivano-Frankivsk. A Russian missile attack destroyed several educational institution buildings in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks overnight on June 22, targeting critical energy infrastructure in multiple Ukrainian regions. Ukraine's Energy Ministry said that energy transmission systems were attacked in southern and western regions of Ukraine, causing damage to equipment. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, two energy workers sustained injuries and were transported to hospital as a result of the attack, grid operator Ukrenergo wrote on social media. In Lviv Oblast, a Russian missile struck a energy infrastructure facility causing a fire to break out, Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported. No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage in Lviv Oblast. Emergency crews are currently on-scene extinguishing the blaze. In unspecified eastern regions, overhead powerlines were disconnected to "decrease in load on the generating facility," according to Ukraine's Energy Ministry. Restoration crews are currently working to assess and repair damaged infrastructure. Elsewhere, in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, shattered windows were reported at a kindergarten as well as a residential building, Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv reported. Explosions were heard in the northwestern city of Lutsk in Volyn Oblast, and over Vinnytsia Oblast around 4:45 a.m local time, Suspilne reported. Residents also reported hearing sounds of explosions around 5:30 a.m. local time in the city of Khmelnytskyi, according to Suspilne. Ukraine's Air Force warned of missile threats on Ukraine's western and central regions. At 4:50 a.m. local time, Poland announced that it had scrambled military jets to protect Polish airspace amid the Russian attack in western Ukraine. 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 claims attack on 4 refineries, Shahed drone storage sites in Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. At least three people are dead following a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, according to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky. A guided aerial bomb hit a residential building in the city, injuring an additional 25 people, The Associated Press reported. This strike is the latest attack launched in Russias major offensive on Kharkiv, which began in May. Earlier this month, the Biden administration declared that the Russian advance on Kharkiv was all but over after they encountered the first line of the Ukrainian Armed Forces defense and pulled back their advance. Bold decisions from our partners are needed so that we can destroy Russian terrorists and Russian combat aircraft where they are, Zelensky wrote on social platform X in the wake of the attack. The attack comes just over two weeks after President Biden apologized to Zelensky for a delay in U.S. aid to Ukraine and unveiled a $225 million aid package to the country, during the leaders last in-person meeting in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Congress passed a $95 billion emergency foreign aid package in late April, including $61 billion to aid Ukraine, after months of bitter fighting. The State Department announced an additional $1 billion package for Ukraine shortly after Biden signed the congressional legislation. During the U.S. funding break, Russia pushed towards Kharkiv, winning major territorial advances against the Ukrainians. While Russian forces are currently held by the Ukrainian army north of the city, Zelensky emphasized a desire for protection specifically against attacks from the skies. Protection against bombs is required as well, he wrote on X. The White House announced Thursday that it would divert air defense Patriot missile systems contracted for other countries to Ukraine. According to John Kirby, the White House national security communication advisor the delivery would provide Ukraine with enough capabilities over the next 16 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 The Hill. Aftermath of the Russian attack on Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine The Russians have hit educational institution premises in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Several of the institutions buildings have been partially destroyed and others damaged. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES); Svitlana Onyshchuk, Head of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Military Administration Details: The SES reported a 20 sq. m crater had been created and a fire had broken out, which has been extinguished. A car was also damaged. Aftermath of the Russian attack on Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Onyshchuk emphasised that the Russians were targeting civilian infrastructure. Aftermath of the Russian attack on Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Quote from Onyshchuk: "There was a hit that partially destroyed several buildings and other facilities at an educational institution. Damage to nearby houses was also recorded. In addition, residential buildings in one of the oblast hromadas were damaged [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.]. Fortunately, early reports indicate that there were no casualties." Support UP or become our patron! The Russians launched a missile attack on a critical energy infrastructure facility in Lviv Oblast on the night of 21-22 June, and a fire broke out there. Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Kozytskyi noted that firefighters were already working at the scene. There is no information about any casualties. Local authorities promised to report on the extent of the damage later. Background: On the evening of 21 June, Ukraines Air Force reported the takeoff of four TU-95MS strategic bombers from the Olenya airfield in Russia. Ukraine was also bombarded by Shahed attack drones and tactical aircraft. Support UP or become our patron! Russians hit energy infrastructure in Ukraine's south and west, injuring two people The Russians attacked facilities belonging to the power transmission system operator in Ukraines south and west on the night of 21-22 June. Two energy workers have been injured at the scene as a result of the attack. Source: Ukraines Ministry of Energy on Telegram Details: The energy workers affected by the attack were taken to hospital. Equipment was also damaged. During the attack, an overhead power line in the eastern oblast was disconnected, leading to a reduction in load on the generating facility. The consequences of the strike are being established and efforts to respond to them are ongoing. Background: Ukraines Air Force reported the takeoff of four TU-95MS aircraft from the Olenya airbase in Russia on the evening of 21 June. In addition, the Russians deployed Shahed attack drones and tactical aircraft. The Russians hit a critical energy infrastructure facility in Lviv Oblast with missiles, causing a fire. Houses on two streets and a kindergarten were damaged in Ivano-Frankivsk. Support UP or become our patron! Oleksandr Chekhun, an inspector from the patrol police response sector, has been killed in a Russian drone attack while on duty at a checkpoint. Source: National Police Details: Chekhun, being a senior police lieutenant, was seriously injured and died in an ambulance on the way to hospital. The police noted that Chekhun began his service in 2007 at the State Vehicle Inspectorate in Kherson Oblast [these entities were liquidated in the 2015 police reform when the National Police of Ukraine was created ed.]. He served in various units, including the Kherson Special Police Patrol Service Battalion and the Special Police Battalion. Chekhun, 36, is survived by his parents, his wife who is also a police officer and a daughter, 12. Support UP or become our patron! Russian officials have started discussing a future 6th-generation fighter aircraft. But Russia has struggled to operate its 5th-gen fighter, the Su-57 that's been absent from Ukraine. "This is an illusion," an expert on Russia's defense industry told BI. Even as Russia's air force struggles to make a difference in Ukraine, the service and the country's aviation industry are discussing a next-generation fighter that will be deployed by 2050. Not coincidentally, the discussion comes as the US Air Force hints that it may drop its plan for a sixth-generation fighter, a piloted air superiority fighter that will operate with drones. But experts consider the idea of a next-generation Russian fighter to be sheer fantasy at a time when it's struggling to operate its fifth-generation stealth fighters. "This is an illusion," Pavel Luzin, an expert on the Russian defense industry, told Business Insider. "People in the government may even believe that it is possible, but it is not. It is absolute emptiness. Of course, the Russian design bureaus are imitating some research and development activity in this field and getting money for this imitation, but there is nothing serious." Nonetheless, the topic is being discussed in Russian media, regime-controlled outlets that often try to stir nationalism by boasting about the superiority of Russian weapons. "Currently, we are thinking about the concept of a sixth-generation aircraft, conducting search research, exchanging views with military specialists," Evgeny Fedosov, scientific director of the State Research Institute of Aviation Systems, wrote in a column for the state-owned TASS news agency. "Such an aircraft should appear sometime by 2050, but already now it is necessary to understand what the armed conflicts of the future will be like." Discussing cutting-edge aircraft seems almost surreal for Russia, whose air force has enough problems using its current warplanes in Ukraine. Russian airpower has played a marginal role in the Ukraine war, despite superior numbers and technology versus Ukraine's dwindling number of old Soviet-era jets. Russian airpower has mostly relied on fourth-generation aircraft such as the Su-30, Su-35 and Su-27, which are upgraded designs dating back to the 1980s. Russia's fifth-generation fighter, the Su-57, has been conspicuous by its absence in Ukraine. With only a dozen or so built, the Su-57 only recently made news when one or two were damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes on their airbases. Yet Russia is one of the world's top aviation powers, with a massive research and manufacturing base left over from Soviet days. With America pursuing if tentatively its Next Generation Air Dominance project, and China developing a future jet, it would be peculiar if Russia wasn't contemplating its next fighter. Like other nations, Russia must grapple with fundamental design questions. Does it make sense to build a manned fighter, with all the bulk, complexity and survivability that a human in the cockpit requires? Or opt for an AI-controlled aircraft, or perhaps a team where a manned jet works with drones? What sort of stealth features will it have, and will it be armed with traditional cannon and missiles, or laser weapons? In November 2023, a senior Russian aviation official said that no decision had been made as to whether a sixth-generation fighter would be manned or unmanned. "Two years ago, a round table was organized at the Army on the issues of creating sixth-generation aviation complexes," Sergei Korotkov, a top designer at the state-owned United Aircraft Corporation, told TASS. "Both the military and institutes involved in aircraft construction were invited to the round table; specialists from the Moscow Institute and the United Aircraft Corporation were present. The result was that we, in fact, didn't agree." Korotkov seemed certain that a next-generation jet would operate as a team with drones. He also said that the "further direction of long-term development of aviation technology is to increase flight performance, the ability to adapt with other combat control and engagement systems, high maneuverability, versatility, optimal piloting, and multi-mode use of the power plant." Interestingly, Fedosov, the science director at the State Research Institute of Aviation Systems, suggested that modern jets are becoming too complex and expensive. "To go further according to the logic of complication is a vicious practice," he wrote. "And the larger and heavier the plane, the more expensive it is." These are tough questions for any nation. But Russia must also confront issues that other nations don't. It would have to develop a cutting-edge jet while fighting an intense war in Ukraine that sucks up resources, and while international sanctions restrict imports of vital electronic components a future fighter will need. Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider The wife of a chief constable who was sacked for lying about his military service has revealed that she reported him after feeling sickened at the disrespect he had shown genuine veterans. Jenny Eastman, Nick Adderleys ex-wife who is a retired policewoman, said she blew the whistle on him after a former colleague sent her a picture last year of her husband wearing the General Service Medal (Northern Ireland) awarded for service during The Troubles and the South Atlantic Medal. Ms Eastman knew her former husband could not have served in the Falklands as he was just a 15-year-old sea cadet at the time of the 10-week conflict. Mr Adderley, who was the chief constable of Northamptonshire with a salary of 176,000 a year, was dismissed without notice on Friday, after being found to have committed gross misconduct. The Crown Prosecution Service is considering a file of evidence which could lead to criminal charges of misconduct in a public office and fraud by false representation both of which can carry jail terms. Mr Adderley will lose his lucrative police pension if he is found guilty of a criminal offence. Mr Adderley wore medals that he was not entitled to display - PA After Ms Eastman contacted Northamptonshire Police, her complaint was passed to the police, fire and crime commissioners office, which launched an investigation. She told The Telegraph on Saturday: I left him two years after our marriage because I could see the type of person he was and I chose not to be part of it anymore. I got a good idea of his bad character and left him soon after and put it behind me. But when I was sent that photograph, I knew the truth had to be told. There comes a time when you see something so disgraceful that you have to say no. Integrity is not an option Ms Eastman, who met Mr Adderley when the pair were in the same training intake at Cheshire Constabulary in February 1992, emphasised she had nothing to gain from reporting her ex-husband. I was a police officer, serving as a PC, for nearly 30 years and I know integrity is not an option. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she added: The public need to have trust in the police. I found his lies gut-wrenching. It is horrifying to me when you consider the bravery of the police and the people who were actually in the Falklands War. Ms Eastman, who now lives in Cheshire, said her ex-husband was embellishing his past to give himself some sort of war hero status. She said: People in service should be held to a high degree of trust. People like him should not be running a police force. Misleading application Mr Adderley claimed on his CV and application form when applying to become chief constable in 2018 that he had been in the Royal Navy for 10 years when he had served for only two. He had apparently included his service with the sea cadets from the age of 10 in that calculation. He also claimed that he had attended the Britannia Royal Naval College for four years, despite his application being rejected. The former chief constable also said that he had seen active service, been a military negotiator in Haiti despite never visiting the country and that he had been a commander or a lieutenant even though he only achieved the rank of able seaman. In a statement read out on his behalf by Matthew Holdcroft, his barrister, he said he deeply regrets any offence his medal-wearing may have caused veterans. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A 71-year-old Sacramento man died after his motorcycle crashed into the drivers side of a pickup truck late Thursday on Stockton Boulevard in south Sacramento, the California Highway Patrol reported. The crash was reported about 10:45 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Stockton Boulevard at 16th Avenue, near the Colonial Heights neighborhood, CHP officials said. The man who died was driving a 2004 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, according to the CHP. The Sacramento County Coroners Office will release his name after his family has been notified. A 41-year-old Sacramento man was driving a 1999 Dodge pickup and was stopped at 16th Avenue before he visually cleared the road and started making a left turn onto northbound Stockton Boulevard, the CHP South Sacramento office announced Friday afternoon in a news release. At the same time, the motorcyclist on the Harley-Davidson was heading south on Stockton Boulevard and crashed into the Dodge pickups drivers side door, the CHP said. The driver of the Dodge remained at the scene as authorities arrived. The CHP said the motorcycle was found blocking one of the southbound lanes, and the motorcyclist was unresponsive. Medics took the motorcyclist to a hospital, where the man later died. The Dodge driver did not report any injuries, according to the CHP. No passengers were in the pickup. The CHP said officers at the scene determined the driver of the Dodge pickup was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sacramento police said Saturday they had found a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing and was last seen in a North Sacramento neighborhood that morning. In an update just after 7:30 p.m., a police spokesman said the girl was located safe. No other details about how or where she was found were shared. The teen was seen about 11:15 a.m. on the 2500 block of Taft Street in South Hagginwood. Police at the time shared a detailed description of the girl and what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance. She was deemed at risk because of her age, police said. Sailboat washes up on Pensacola Beach after men onboard were rescued south of Panama City PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) The story of how the Lady Catherine II sailboat got to Pensacola Beach began May 30, hundreds of miles away. Michael Barlow and some friends traveled to Key West, to pick up the sailboat Barlow had just purchased, and as they were traveling back to Texas, they ran into some trouble. The storms were way bigger than we anticipated and we lost our headsail, lost our motor, lost the autopilot, Michael Barlow, owner of the Lady Catherine III said. City of Crestview to host food giveaway in July In June, the U.S. Coast Guard received a report of a disabled sailboat about 200 miles south of Panama City. The Coast Guard got in touch with the men on board. A rescue team found the men and lowered a basket to them, lifting them safely to the helicopter, which then flew them to Panama City. That was like a movie it was awesome. The US Coast Guard theyre just fantastic. Top shelf all the way around. Theyre good at what they do and theyre there for us no question, Barlow said. But the boat was left behind. The last thing you want to do is leave your vessel but in the situation, theres no help theres no one even in range to answer the radio so theres no help, Barlow said. Weeks later, the boat sits on Pensacola Beach with its sail ripped to shreds. Barlow says hes in the midst of making plans to get his boat off the beach as soon as possible. Santa Rosa Tax Collector offering appointments during Jay offices closure The boat has been attracting curious beachgoers near Avenida 17. People have been walking up and taking photos of the boat, which is now surrounded by caution tape. We spoke with one woman who said she was there when the boat washed ashore Tuesday night. It was just getting closer and closer and once it caught the waves it came in pretty quickly, Kylie Jones said, I cant believe its still there but I couldnt believe watching it come in. So something Ill never forget so thats for sure. Barlow said hes grateful for the support hes received from people in Pensacola opening their homes to him and watching out for his boat as he figures out his next steps. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A Salt Lake City police team arrested a fugitive Friday night for his alleged connection to a shooting that took place in the Poplar Grove neighborhood more than four months ago. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, Kenneth Ray Washington III, 37, was arrested around 10 p.m. after a judge approved the arrest warrant earlier that day. Officers with the SLCPDs Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located Washingtons car near 1000 South Main Street and safely took him into custody. READ NEXT: 18-year-old shot twice in Clearfield, three juveniles detained According to the press release, Washington is facing one felony charge of discharge of a firearmshooting in the direction of another person and resulting in serious bodily injury. He was booked in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. On Feb. 1, officers responded to an area near 1500 West Gillespie Ave. and located a man with a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital in serious condition. Following the shooting, detectives specialized in violent criminal and robbery apprehension began investigating the incident. On Friday, June 21, officers arrested Washington in connection to the shooting. Police have not provided details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the current condition of the victim. They say no additional information will be released at this time. The SLCPD describes the VCAT as a specialized unit within the department tasked with combating violent crime by identifying and apprehending violent criminals and fugitives. The press release says the unit was created to address emerging violent crime trends and the activities of repeat violent offenders. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed billionaires who have financially supported former President Trump in the 2024 presidential race, calling them greedy. In an interview with MSNBCs Chris Hayes, Sanders who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions called out the billionaires who have embraced the former president in support of their agenda. At a time when we have so much greed out there, when the religion of the billionaire class is greed, they would rather give up democracy can take a hit, he told Hayes in an interview Friday. These guys are so greedy. So wedded to their wealth and their power that they will do anything, anything, to keep that position, Sanders continued, adding that Trump is an outrageous example of selling out for money. The senator, who ran against President Biden in the 2020 election, issued examples of areas where billionaires have had the most influence, including health care and climate change. This guy, Trump, wants to deregulate the fossil fuel industry even more and destroy the planet, Sanders argued, asking Why? Its because the billionaires are willing to spend huge amounts of money to control the narrative, he answered. When pressed about how much money political action committees and donors can give to candidates post-Citizens United a 2010 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to unlimited independent spending in federal elections Sanders decried that it is hard to win an election without billionaires money. If you will have the guts to take on neocon foreign policy [or] you want to take on the corporate interests that are so powerful, tell you whats going to happen, youre going to lose, he said Friday. And that message goes all over Congress: You stand up for working class people, hey, your days are numbered. This is oligarchy. And its an issue that we have got to focus on and deal with, the senator added. Sanders specifically pointed to Biden, who has promoted himself as the most pro-union president, walking the picket line during the United Autoworkers Strike last year and Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan working to combat monopolies as examples of interests billionaires likely dont support. When you dont reinforce the same agenda as the wealthy class, he said, they dont support you. His remarks come after a Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., received $50 million from businessman Timothy Mellon following the former presidents conviction in May, according to NBC News. The investment also followed the presumptive GOP nominees foray into cryptocurrency, seemingly turning away from his previous aversion to the form of payment. The Vermont independent ripped the donation as absolutely disgraceful and called for a reversal of the Citizens United case. We got to get rid of that. And second of all, we have got to do it like many other countries around the world who have public funding of elections: So, you want to run against me, thats fine. But you dont want to have the right to have 50 times more money coming from rich people in order to defeat me, he said. We should be debating ideas. Sanders reiterated that he believes billionaire donors care less about the people and more about their interests. Because of this, he continued, they are going to want someone like Trump leading the country. I think that greed is so incredibly ugly and pervasive that these guys want it. They want more and more, Sanders said of a second Trump term, as Biden and the former president barrel toward a likely rematch. I think they could care less about whats happening to the elderly, the children, the working class of this country. I believe that they will do anything that they can to enrich themselves and Trump is clearly their guy, 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. A busy week for the Sarasota County Commission preparing for next year's budget concluded on Friday with a contentious but largely symbolic special meeting about the costs of illegal immigration. The two-hour special meeting on the impacts of illegal immigration in Sarasota County saw around 30 residents and members of advocacy groups speak out against the agenda. It identified few specific local budget impacts and ended ambiguously, without commissioners addressing any costs they intended to address as they formulate the 2024-25 spending plan, now estimated at more than $2 billion. Commissioners spoke little on the purpose of the meeting, but Commissioner Neil Rainford considered it productive. "Healthy discussion when we're making policy decisions and budget decisions," said Rainford, who faces former sheriff Tom Knight seeking election this year to the seat to which Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him in 2023. The meeting capped a week of budget hearings where county departments presented their projected costs for the 2025 fiscal year to the commission, as the board moves toward setting a maximum property tax rate by August and adopting a final plan for the budget year beginning Oct. 1. The Manatee County Commission held a similar meeting in April, where Manatee Memorial Hospital reported that it spent more than $12 million on care for undocumented immigrants. More: Manatee officials argue over illegal immigration's effects on local hospitals, governments The Sarasota County Sheriffs Office, the State Attorneys Office of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, HCA Florida Englewood Hospital and the Sarasota County School Board were invited to present findings on the financial impacts of those living in the U.S. without legal permission at the special meeting. Only the sheriff and the state attorney attended. Immigration latest cultural issue Sarasota County Commission takes up The immigration issue is the latest example of the commission seeking to assert itself on conservative issues, including disassociating itself from United Way Suncoast and a 211 information system over the potential that clients would be referred to Planned Parenthood; adoption of a symbolic medical freedom "sanctuary" resolution, cutting ties to library organizations and cutting spending on social services. A protest outside the Sarasota County Administration Building preceded the meeting, where demonstrators rallied against the agenda and said the meeting unfairly pinned excess county costs on immigrants living in the country illegally. About 30 protesters held neon green and yellow signs reading stop the hate and we stand with immigrants and chanted outside the building before filing into the commission chamber. Rene Gomez with Hope Community Center, speaks to the media, with protestors behind him, outside the Sarasota County Commission chambers on Friday. The commission was holding a workshop about how much illegal immigration is costing the county. Sarah Parker, the executive director of advocacy group Voices of Florida and a Sarasota County resident, said the commission should address local needs for affordable housing and liveable wages before looking to undocumented immigrants as reasons for undue county costs. Parker was one of around 20 people who spoke during an hour of public comment, most of whom were in opposition to the meeting. Im disheartened and respectfully pissed off that any of us have to be here, Parker said. This isnt fiscally conservative; this is wasting money. Commissioner Joe Neunder, however, called the meeting a necessary component of the budget review process. He cited his Hispanic heritage addressing the crowd in Spanish and insisted he and the commission werent discriminating against immigrants. Fiscal impact, Neunder said. Money, nothing personal. Local officials focused mainly on the costs of illegal immigration within the criminal justice system, relaying statistics on criminal activity from those who immigrated illegally in Sarasota County and across the country. Sheriff Kurt Hoffman said his findings were limited to undocumented immigrants within the local criminal justice system and not those living in the county overall. When I say illegal immigration, Im talking about criminal illegal aliens that have come into my jail, Hoffman said. My understanding was the board wanted me to look at, What are the costs here in Sarasota County? More: Sarasota hospital critics face off with board member and hopeful in candidate forum Hoffman told the commission that his office has responded to 36 overdoses this year, with 12 being fatal. He referenced the activity he saw during his recent visit to the U.S.-Mexico border as a direct cause of the local overdoses, citing an uptick in drugs brought across the border and a spike in fentanyl overdoses nationwide. Does Sarasota County have an immigration problem? Though Sarasota County is about 1,800 miles away from the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, Hoffman said he believes "every sheriff is a border sheriff" because of the widespread impacts of activity at the border. Rainford agreed. "We're a border county," Rainford said. "Even though we're not attached to any specific country, those products and fentanyl and so forth are coming to our community." Financially, Hoffman sourced much of his data from his offices 287(g) program: A U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement measure that allows the department to delegate some of its authority to local law enforcement. The Sheriffs Office works under the Warrant Service Officer model, which authorizes ICE to train and deputize select staff members to issue warrants against undocumented immigrants in custody. The offices 35 WSO officers have identified 30 undocumented immigrants among this years arrests, Hoffman said. These arrests and subsequent reports to ICE have totaled $176,879, he said compared to $378,089 among 57 arrests last year. Of last year's arrests, 33 were violent crimes. Clearly, beyond what Im showing you here, theres a financial impact for Sarasota County, Hoffman said. Commissioner Mark Smith asked Hoffman whether Sarasota County faces an issue with illegal immigration, with Hoffman responding that it depended on Smiths definition of a problem. Though Hoffman reported that the WSO program has identified more than 500 undocumented inmates since the institution of the program in 2018, he said the ratio of inmates who are citizens or documented inmates to those undocumented is around 10 to 1. Hoffman also reiterated that his findings of costs to the community were subject only to undocumented immigrants within the criminal justice system and not the entire community. Thats a problem in the sense that the jail is already an overcrowded place, Hoffman said. Were not going to construction sites. Im not going into restaurants. More: Venice reaches $1.6 million settlement of excess building permit fee lawsuit by Pat Neal Fifty-one percent of Americans see illegal immigration as a very big problem, according to a recent Pew Research study. GOP candidates have ramped up rhetoric against immigration and President Joe Bidens border policies as the election approaches. The commission did not address the impacts of undocumented immigrants in the workforce, and the effects that mass deportations proposed by former President Donald Trump would have on the economy. State Attorney Brodsky says data lacking on local conditions David Cantillo, pastor of the Iglesia Tampa Bay Para Cristo, said the commissions focus on the cost of illegal immigration ignores the positives that immigrants bring to their communities economically, culturally or otherwise. Theyre not looking at the benefits of immigrants, Cantillo said. Its a little bit of a biased perspective this morning. Non-citizen immigrants make up about 11% of Floridas workforce, according to KFF, a policy research and polling organization. More than one-third of Floridas agricultural workforce, about 23% of its construction workers, and about 14% of the states service and transportation workers are non-citizen immigrants according to its estimates. More: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs legislation that makes it harder to file ethics complaints State Attorney Ed Brodsky also presented his findings on the impact of illegal immigration, though he said his office had difficulty gathering local data. Bronsky said the state courts don't have access to a database regarding the immigration status of those on trial, and they can't issue ICE holds on undocumented immigrants. Brodsky said he has not seen a significant increase in undocumented immigrants committing crimes in Sarasota County. We have not seen a great surge of that in Florida, Brodsky said, Weve been very blessed in that regard here in Sarasota County. Tsi Day Smyth, director of operations at voices of Florida, said that the presentations applied more to national trends than local observations. I guess it would be informative if we lived in El Paso, Day Smith said. There doesnt seem to be any information about here in Sarasota. Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Contact him at ccasale@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @vanityhack. Contact Herald-Tribune Growth and Development Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @hmb_1013. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Co. Commission holds session on immigration budget "impacts" Satellite imagery obtained by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) shows three of the six fuel tanks burned down after a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast overnight on June 18. The fire raged for three days. Drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) hit two oil depots in the Russian region overnight on June 18, a source told the Kyiv Independent. Fires were reported at several oil storage tanks in the Russian town of Azov in southwestern Rostov Oblast. According to the source, the drone attack targeted the oil depots Azovskaya and Azovnefteprodukt, where 22 oil storage tanks were located. It took three days to extinguish the fire at the oil depot in Azov. One of the images taken afterward on June 21 shows that a half of the fuel tanks burned down. Three of the six fuel tanks in the Azov fuel storage were burned down as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack on June 18, as shown in a @planet LR satellite image taken on June 21, after three days of constant fire and smoke that covered the area. pic.twitter.com/rtdH0UHy3E Mark Krutov (@kromark) June 22, 2024 In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, the profits of which fuel Moscow's war efforts. Ukrainian drones have also hit two oil depots in Russia's Republic of Adygea and Tambov Oblast overnight on June 20, a source in security and defense forces told the Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian military also reported about an attack on four oil refineries in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and Astrakhan Oblast overnight on June 21 as well as on sites where Russian Shahed-type drones are stored. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine claims attack on 4 refineries, Shahed drone storage sites in Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Last-minute cage bill harms chickens Regarding Dispute over chicken cages brings debate back to lawmakers (News, June 14), some lawmakers, at the behest of one company, have rushed through a last-minute bill to postpone one of Rhode Islands most important laws addressing animal cruelty. The law, passed overwhelmingly in 2018, simply required egg companies to switch to cage-free production. In egg factory farms that use cages, each and every bird lives her life crammed into a space so small she cant even spread her wings. These nightmarish conditions not only lead to higher rates of salmonella, but also effectively torture these animals for their entire lives. In 2018, the only company affected by the law, Little Rhody Foods, was given a generous 8-year timeline to come into compliance. But instead of coming into accordance with the law, the company has egregiously procrastinated, continuing to confine birds in tiny cages to this day. Governor McKee should side with the vast majority of Rhode Islanders who supported this law in the first place, and require Little Rhody Foods to finally cease their maltreatment of chickens. In the meantime, consumers who eat eggs should only purchase cartons with the terms cage-free, organic, free-ranged, or pastured based to avoid supporting cage factory farms. Talia Sherman, Providence Municipal composting is good for Rhode Island Small states (Vermont), large states (California) and in between smart states (Washington) looking to save money and fight climate change are making municipal, curbside compost pickup mandatory. Why not Rhode Island? Johnston's landfill will reach capacity by 2040. Thats in most of our lifetimes. It would be less expensive to offer composting than trying to ship our waste out of state. Yes, initially it would cost money but is it something we should be working on now? Yes! Rhode Islanders need to reach out to their local government to get this conversation started. Susan Dunnington, East Providence Signs for crosswalks please Can anyone explain why pedestrian crosswalks throughout the state dont have signs posting the state law: Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk? I have contacted various officials and have gotten nowhere. In North Providence there is a treacherous crosswalk in front of the Citizens Bank on Mineral Spring Avenue where they have germ infested orange flags that you are suppose to carry while attempting to cross. I guess if you get hit while attempting to cross the flag might help you from getting run over again. If only one persons life is saved by posting this state law at these crosswalks then it is worth it. Put up these signs! Kevin R. Hurley, North Providence Inconvenienced by abortion bans Regarding the story Out-of-state abortion trips more than double" (News, June 18), are we expected to bemoan inconveniences associated with the premeditated killing of the innocent? Why would we do that? William P. McKenna, Cranston This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Saturday letters: Maltreatment of chickens; municipal composting good for the state SBU charges two bloggers suspected of sharing military positions on social media Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) charged two social media bloggers for allegedly sharing the positions of Ukraine's Armed Forces on their social media platforms, the SBU announced on June 21. The first unnamed suspect, a man from Zaporizhzhia, allegedly shared firing positions of Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast, as well as defensive positions near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The man allegedly shared the details to his Telegram channel with a following of over 140,000 users. According to the SBU, the man also livestreamed the movement of armored vehicles and artillery systems. The suspect was reportedly detained while uploading more prohibited military content online. The other suspect, a man from Vinnytsia Oblast, posted the geolocation and a video of a Ukrainian military helicopter in flight on his Telegram channel. The accused were charged under Ukraine's Criminal Code for "unauthorized dissemination of information on the movement of Defense Forces." In its release, the SBU notes that the distribution of photos and videos online that jeopradize Ukrainian military positions are "considered aiding enemy fire and is a crime punishable by law." The SBU's investigation is ongoing and if convicted the suspects face up to 8 years in prison. Read also: Updated: SBU behind attacks on Russian oil refineries, military airfield, source says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SC man charged with death of K9 killed in line of duty, Lexington sheriff says A Prosperity man was arrested and charged in a fatal shooting of a police dog last week, according to the Lexington County Sheriffs Department. James Robert Peterson, 37, was charged with cruelty to a police dog, breach of peace, possession of a weapon by a person convicted of certain crimes, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon and four counts of pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, according to arrest warrants. Peterson is being held at the Newberry County Detention Center. Weve determined these charges are warranted based on Petersons actions during the encounter with Newberry County deputies and SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) agents, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in the statement. On June 11, Newberry County deputies and SLED agents went to serve a felony fugitive warrant near Gravel Road in the Prosperity area. Peterson reportedly was found hiding inside the home of a relative, the sheriffs office said. He failed to follow commands and fired shots at officers, striking K9 Coba, a Belgian Malinois mix who joined the SLED in 2021, as the dog tried to apprehend him. The Eighth Judicial Circuit Solicitors Office will prosecute the case. Today is a somber day, but its also a day of celebration for a server and partner, SLED Chief Mark Keel said at a funeral service. Coba will be remembered for his dedication to SLED and his partner (Cole Powell). No human counterpart ... goes home with their partner, shares their family with their partner and becomes part of the family. Because of the ultimate sacrifice Coba made, the family was preserved as Powell and other officers involved in Petersons arrest went home to their families. Several elementary school students were injured when a school bus carrying 50 people was involved in a traffic crash on Friday in Clinton, Missouri. Students at Sherwood Elementary School were returning from a field trip at the Clinton Community Center around 1:45 p.m. when the bus was hit by an SUV driving northbound on Price Lane, according to the Sherwood School District and the Clinton Police Department. The field trip was celebrating the last day of summer school. At the time, 45 students were on board, along with four teachers and the driver, according to the Clinton Police Department. Police initially reported that the students were in 1st and 2nd grade, while Sherwood School District superintendent Phil Rogers told The Star that they were in 3rd through 5th grade. Rogers described the accident as minor when speaking with The Star on Friday. Kids were shaken up, some little bumps and bruises, but nothing, no major injuries, just little minor injuries from an accident, Rogers said. Everybodys home with their families doing well. But some parents felt abandoned by the school district in the aftermath of the crash. They checked everyone out, and Im very thankful for that, Courtney Peregrine, whose 8-year-old son was on the bus, told The Star. But it was very evident that the school did not know how to handle it. Everyone there had the same feeling. Parents were first informed that their children had been involved in a bus crash around 2:30 when they received an automated voicemail from the school, Peregrine said. The voicemail told parents that emergency medical responders were on scene, but did not say who had been injured and how seriously, said Peregrine, who works as a 911 call dispatcher. Some parents received a text with similar information instead. Peregrine also alleges she knows Sherwood parents who were not notified, even though their children had been in the crash. It would have been nice to give personal messages, Peregrine said. I dont know what they can do, but to me, they could have at least said no serious injuries to at least put us at ease there. Once parents arrived at either Clinton Community Center or Sherwood Elementary, parents were not given any information as to the status of their children, Peregrine said. When Peregrine tried to pull aside school administrators, she said she was redirected three times. They could not give us any answers, Peregrine said. They kept trying to play it off like it wasnt a big deal, but as we were there, parents kept getting calls and then leaving hysterically crying because their kids were injured badly. Peregrine also told The Star that Sherwood staff did not answer any phone calls regarding the crash after the original automated message was sent. Rogers told The Star that the Sherwood School District has been in contact with the families of students who were on the bus during the accident, as well as district families at large. Multiple injuries were reported as a result of the accident, according to the Clinton Police Department. Three students were taken in an ambulance to a nearby emergency room, which the department described as precautionary in a news release. Some children were taken to the hospital later Friday evening with lingering symptoms, Peregrine said. Among them were Peregrines own son, a rising third-grader, who badly skinned his knees when he was thrown from his seat but began complaining of a full-body ache Friday afternoon. His knees were visibly beaten up, Peregrine said. I asked him, Did you hit your head or anything? and he said, Mom, I dont know, it was too scary, it happened too fast. Peregrine told The Star that her son reported seeing several students being thrown from their aisle seats during the crash. Some were flung against the windows, hitting their heads, Peregrine said. A close friend of Peregrine was told her daughter was leaving the accident in a neck brace, Peregrine said. The parent later found out that her daughter was uninjured, and the school had mixed her up with a different girl of the same name. After the accident, students were evacuated to an air-conditioned senior center nearby, Peregrine said. Multiple Sherwood parents, including Peregrine, left work early to pick up their children. Other children were bussed back to Sherwood Elementary School, 22 miles away from the crash, and then bussed home. Initial investigations indicate that the bus driver was at fault for the accident, as the driver did not yield to oncoming traffic, the Clinton Police Department said. The drivers sight line may have been partially blocked by equipment attached to the side of the bus, according to police. Peregrines son told her that the front of the bus was seriously damaged and that the SUV which hit the bus was totaled, Peregrine said. He also remembered seeing smoke coming from the bus, and watching the driver discover that the bus radio was broken. Rogers declined to comment on whether the district plans to press charges or take disciplinary action against the bus driver. The districts response to the event is still taking shape, Rogers said. Since the start of 2024, 286 full-sized school buses have been involved in traffic crashes in Missouri, according to state data. Fifty-six of those crashes, or just under 20%, ended in at least one injury. TechCrunch Lawyers representing Sam Bankman-Fried, the FTX CEO and co-founder who was convicted of fraud and money laundering late last year, are seeking a new trial. Following crypto exchange FTXs collapse, Bankman-Fried was found guilty on all seven counts, then sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $11 billion in forfeiture. Bloomberg reports that Bankman-Frieds appeal focuses on the behavior of U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, alleging that Kaplans rulings were not just erroneous but unbalanced and that the judge continually ridiculed Bankman-Fried during trial, repeatedly criticized his demeanor, and signaled his disbelief of Bankman-Frieds testimony. Senior Tories including Richard Holden and Tom Tugendhat were among those affected The Conservatives inadvertently leaked the phone numbers and addresses of Cabinet ministers online in a data blunder that experts have warned could have been exploited by foreign state actors. Share2Win, the flagship app designed to help activists share party content online, was accidentally revealing registrants personal details. Richard Holden, the party chairman, and Anne-Marie-Trevelyan, the Minister of State for Indo-Pacific, were among those whose home postcode and phone number were available to any users of the app. The app only requires a user to input their email address to sign up. Tom Tugendhat, the Minister of State for Security, and Therese Coffey, who served as Deputy Prime Minister under Liz Truss, had the postcode of their constituency office as opposed to home, listed, but their mobile numbers were also readily accessible. Therese Coffey had her number revealed - BBC Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden was among those affected - Cover Images The party has reported itself to the data protection watchdog known as the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) following the findings. Just by signing up to the app, launched in April, users could see the name, postcode and phone number of all 2,398 registrants in the space of a few clicks. The information was not visible on the app itself, but was accessible to anyone able to view a code version of the apps leaderboard used to display which users had shared the most political content. To see this code version did not require specialist programming skills. Rishi Sunak presides over a Cabinet meeting - Simon Walker/10 Downing Street Theresa Villiers, Vicky Ford, Greg Smith and Sir Desmond Swayne were among the MPs whose home postcode and phone numbers were discoverable. The same details of several Conservative councillors as well as the chairman of one local Conservative Association could also be found. Former MP Andrew Bowies phone number was also accessible. The app was taken offline at approximately 8pm on Sunday 2 June night after The Telegraph contacted the Conservative party for comment. Sir Desmond Swayne's details were made available - Tajikistan Presidency Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty At 4pm on Monday 3 June, the app started working again with the sensitive information no longer accessible. According to cybersecurity experts, the blunder may have left high-profile ministers vulnerable to fraudsters and malignant foreign actors. Jake Moore, an advisor for cybersecurity company ESET, said: Once youve got a persons phone number, its very easy to authenticate as that person and release more information. If this app is giving out phone numbers and names, I would suggest [the individuals affected] think very carefully about even possibly changing their mobile phone numbers. Anne-Marie Trevelyan has her data revealed - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph Foreign state actors are relentless in their attacks on the government. If theyre able to get this sort of data, packaged up for them, it makes their job even easier. There are teams all over the world proactively targeting any vulnerability to exploit. If theyre given a golden ticket, theyre going to try to take advantage of it. Prof Alan Woodward, a renowned cybersecurity expert at the University of Surrey, said: I suspect the app was rushed out and security was an afterthought. If the app is allowing open access to private data then it must be removed until it can be fixed. Email leak Last month, the Conservatives referred themselves to the ICO after revealing 300 email addresses in an email urging supporters to sign up for its annual conference. In April it was reported that senior Conservative party officials were in discussions about launching an app that could track users locations and allow big brands to advertise to Conservative supporters. A Conservative spokesman told The Guardian the app did not progress beyond the pitch stage. Share2Win was launched as a platform to organise Conservative activists and MPs in sharing political content. On the App Store, a description states: Share2Win is the official Conservatives app that empowers supporters like you to share our message with friends and family in real-time. It promises registrants exclusive early access to curated content such as articles and videos from the partys campaign team that can be shared in just a few taps. The app contains a leaderboard ranking users by how much election content they share. We need your help to win Last month, Mr Holden, the chairman of the Conservative Party, promoted the app tweeting: Calling all @Conservatives supporters, volunteers and activists. We need your help to win for our country. #Walking2Win #Ring2win #Share2Win. A Conservative spokesman said: There was a technical issue with the app, which was immediately investigated with our supplier. We have reported the matter to the Information Commissioners Office and will be updating them with our findings. A spokesman for Sprinklr, the software company which developed the app, said: On 2 June, Sprinklr was alerted to an issue with the Share2Win application. Sprinklr immediately disabled the application to investigate the issue which was resolved in under 24 hours. We believe only limited registration data was visible to authenticated users who would need to have technical competencies to actively search for a user and access that data, using specific developer tools. Security is extremely important to Sprinklr. We treat any security incident or concern with the utmost priority and are committed to working with our customers and any relevant authorities as needed to resolve any issues should they occur. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Editors note: This is the fifth in a five-story series that will examine the slow progress being made on reducing harmful agricultural runoff from the Mississippi River basin, which causes a low-oxygen dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico that threatens wildlife and fisheries. An increased use of agricultural drainage tile is one reason a 2025 deadline to reduce nitrate and phosphorus entering the Gulf of Mexico by 20% is unlikely. Drainage tile, a system farmers use to drain water from croplands, is also a contributor to the historic loss of up to about 100 million acres of wetlands in the U.S., researchers say. This hidden underground pipe system stretches over more than 50 million acres in the U.S., with about 84% of those acres in the upper Midwest. It has become essential to modern agriculture, but it brings devastating environmental consequences. About 98% of drainage tile in the nation is located in watersheds with excess nitrate and phosphorus levels. Tile changes the natural movement of water, serving as a conduit for pollution that is flushed quickly into nearby waterways. Drainage tile is the main delivery mechanism for nitrates from farm fields to the stream network, said Chris Jones, a retired hydrologist from the University of Iowa. Before tiles existed, a raindrop might take decades to reach a stream network, Jones said. Now its hours or days. And researchers and agriculture industry experts say the problem is only getting worse. As climate change drives wetter weather in the Midwest and farmers push for greater productivity, many observers agree that drainage tile use is increasing. Yet in many states, tile goes unmonitored and unregulated. Since tiles are considered a nonpoint source of pollution, which comes from places like farms where water isnt tested, they also fall outside the reach of the Clean Water Act. Doug Doughty feeds his livestock on June 2 in Livingston County, Mo. In addition to his 1,200-acre crop operation, Doughty owns roughly 20 cattle, two horses and a collection of farm cats and dogs. Bottom line is we have to make money For many farmers, the math is simple. Tile costs about $1,850 to $3,700 per acre, an up-front investment that can increase annual crop yields by 5% to 25%. Tile installers bury a system of connected drain pipes under farm fields to transport water to an outlet or ditch. The drains suck excess water out of the soil, giving plants room to breathe and allowing farmers to work their fields sooner. Harold Beach, a farmer in Taylor Township, Missouri, said tile significantly improved his fields and his yields. In a recent video, he and his son, Chris, can be seen driving a tractor that pulls a tile plow along a trench in the middle of a field, feeding long stretches of black pipe into dry soil. Beach said he does worry about nutrient pollution. But he also feels pressure to successfully maintain his farm, which has been in the family for decades. Bottom line is we have to make money to stay here, he said. Ive got past generations looking down thinking, You better do it right. The sun shines on Doug Doughtys fields, highlighting the terraced landscape. These slopes slow water down as it heads from the field into the underground tile system, reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Unregulated tile growth, disappearing wetlands Settlers have been draining the land since the 1800s. John Johnston, a Scotsman with a farm in upstate New York, found dense, wet, mushy clay when he first stuck his shovel in dirt in 1838. He knew it was holding too much moisture, waterlogging his crops and reducing his yields, so he laid thousands of clay pipes by hand to drain the excess water. Johnstons yield increased from five bushels of wheat per acre to 50 bushels per acre. Soon after, agriculturalists from all over the world wrote to him asking for advice and information. He answered each letter and published articles, inspiring farmers. By the late 1800s, clay tiles were being mass produced. Drainage tile was embedded into the nations soil and its history. By the 20th century, a quarter of U.S. wetlands had been drained for agricultural use. Once including a 1,500 square-mile stretch called the Great Black Swamp in Ohio and Indiana, the Midwest now has less than 5% of its original wetlands left. One of the few federal laws that could govern drainage tile is the Swampbuster provision of the Food Security Act. Since 1985, it has prohibited farmers participating in USDA programs from converting wetlands into farmland. But the law may have come too little, too late. Besides the fact that the provision doesnt apply to farmers not following USDA programs, many wetlands were already drained in the nineteenth century for agricultural use. And wetlands are still disappearing a 2019 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report found that over 220,000 acres of wetlands were lost in the contiguous U.S. between 2009-2019. A few states, like South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota, delegate regulation of drainage tile to local authorities. In other states, like Missouri and Iowa, there are no permitting requirements to install drainage tile. The local officials have no appetite or inclination to start a permitting process, said John Torbert, executive director of the Iowa Drainage District Association. Water collects at a drainage point at the edge of Doug Doughtys field on June 2 in Livingston County, Mo. Doughty installed a new terraced drainage system in late April. A direct shot into the streams Tile is a major influence on the massive amounts of nitrate that flow into the Gulf of Mexico. About 90% of this nitrate comes from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers, which are connected to highly tiled states like Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Researchers say future precipitation changes may increase nitrate loads in some cases. Excess nutrients spur surplus plant and algae growth, which can degrade water quality and deprive other organisms of oxygen. One 2010 study found that tile drains contributed up to 90% of annual nitrate and heavy metal loads from an experimental field to an outlet. Other chemicals, like PFAS (also called forever chemicals) and microbial contaminants from manure can also be transported through tile. Dana Kolpin, research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Surveys Central Midwest Science Center, said tile effectively mainlines contaminants. They now get basically a direct shot into the streams, he said. Harold Beachs son, Chris Beach, sets up a trench before laying drainage tile. Beach said drainage tile significantly improved his crop yields. Is conservation drainage a solution? Some researchers say new technology can reduce nutrient pollution. Laura Christianson, a researcher in the Department of Soil, Water and Climate at the University of Minnesota, points to bioreactors and saturated buffers as possible options. Bioreactors use a wood chip-filled trench to filter nitrate out of water from tile. Buffers redirect the water through shrubbery to denitrify it. Both reduce the amount of nitrate going into streams. One study suggested that in about two-thirds of sub-watersheds with high amounts of nitrate, conservation methods on and around farm fields may be the best way to reduce excess runoff. But others say this is a losing game. The Iowa Environmental Council, a nonprofit environmental coalition, found it would take up to 22,000 years to achieve the states nutrient reduction plan goals at the current pace of conservation project installation. Those have not been implemented at a scale that offsets the continued installation of tiled drainage, said council staff attorney Michael Schmidt. How tiles work Were responsible for it The way hydrologist Jones sees it, conservation practices work, but there never will be enough to solve the problem. He estimates that one bioreactor treats 40 acres of tile-drained land and costs $15,000 to install, while Iowa has 26 million crop acres. We could cut down every tree in Iowa, and we wouldnt have enough wood chips to make all the bioreactors that we need. Nowhere close, Jones said. So these really arent what we call landscape-scale solutions. Theyre sort of Band-Aids that work at the field scale, but theyre not a real policy solution. Jones said a real policy solution would be for farming to move away from practices that put pollutants into waterways altogether. Farmer Doug Doughty, who raises soybeans, corn and livestock in Livingston County, Missouri, is increasingly concerned about nutrient pollution from farmland. He has built terraced fields, where crops are sectioned out so that some are on higher ground than others. These slopes slow water down as it heads from the field into the underground tile system, reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff. At age 66, Doughty hopes to preserve the health of his land and the environment for the next generation. Doughty has soberly watched the news about increasing Midwestern cancer rates, drinking water contaminated with farm chemicals, and the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico caused by agricultural runoff. It is obvious that we have a problem here. Were responsible for it, and we should have more of a sense of urgency when it comes to nutrients leaving our fields, Doughty said. There are a lot of good practices out there. And there are farmers that are really working on reducing erosion and reducing nutrient pollution. But its not enough yet. Its not enough because the problem is increasing. This story is part of the series Farm to Trouble from the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting collaborative. Data: Purdue University Research Repository Farm to Trouble: As conservation lags, so does progress in slashing Gulfs dead zone Louisiana bears the burden of Mississippi River runoff. Why doesnt it push for solutions? Not just a Gulf of Mexico problem: Mississippi River farm runoff pollutes upstream waters Could Mississippi River benefit from Chesapeake Bays strategy to improve water quality? What it's like setting sail aboard the only remaining US Navy ship to have sunk an enemy warship in battle USS Constitution in the Boston Harbor in August 2019. US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey Scoular/Released USS Constitution is the only remaining US Navy ship to have sunk an enemy warship in battle. It is also the oldest commissioned warship in the world that's still afloat, and it's full of history. Business Insider embarked on the 226-year-old frigate for a recent underway in the Boston Harbor. With sea shanties blaring on the loudspeaker and onlookers taking pictures from the shore, USS Constitution slowly pulled away from the pier on a blistering hot day in mid-June. This US Navy warship, at well over 200 years old, is not like the sea service's other ships, though. It is basically a floating museum, but with a bit of a twist. Unlike others, it hasn't been decommissioned. The Constitution, known as America's Ship of State, needed a tugboat's assistance for the entirety of an hours-long underway in the Boston Harbor to honor women veterans of the US armed forces. When it sets sail, the tall ship moves slowly, escorted by police boats and the Coast Guard and helicopters circling overhead. Aboard are hundreds of people veterans, active-duty personnel, and their family members. As the warship sailed the harbor, a 21-gun salute blanks fired from two of the many heavy cannons rang out, filling the lower deck with smoke that reeked of something like sulfur, an element of gunpowder. People cheered and filmed the celebratory occasion. The Constitution may be old, but it can still put on a show. The Constitution sails in the Boston Harbor in August 2019. US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Samoluk/Released The heavy frigate was launched in 1797 shortly after President George Washington authorized the creation of a Navy. During the War of 1812, the Constitution earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" because British cannonballs seemingly could not penetrate the ship's wooden hull. It is the oldest commissioned warship in the world that's still afloat, and after the much newer guided-missile frigate USS Simpson was decommissioned in 2015, Old Ironsides became the only remaining vessel in the Navy to have sunk an enemy warship in battle a feat carried over from the War of 1812 against the British. "Over her 226 years, she's seen a lot," Lt. Cdr. Robert Dreitz, the ship's executive officer, told Business Insider during the underway. "But she is currently, in our fleet, the only ship that has had actual ship-to-ship engagement. Everything else has been over-the-horizon." A love for history The Constitution was retired from active service in 1881 after a storied career, but naval officers and crew still serve aboard the ship now a museum that occasionally sets sail at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. Back in 1812, there were around 450 officers, sailors, and Marines aboard the Constitution. Today, it consists of three officers and around 80 enlisted Navy sailors a mix of fleet returnees, meaning they've done previous tours, and individuals straight from boot camp. Sailors, dressed in traditional garb, pull a rope before the Constitution goes underway on June 14. Jake Epstein/Business Insider The Constitution underway in the Boston Harbor on June 14. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Sailors operate the cannons during a 21-gun salute on June 14. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Marines fire their guns on the deck of the Constitution on June 14. Jake Epstein/Business Insider Col. Taona Enriquez, a commander at nearby Hanscom Air Force Base, where some Constitution crewmembers live, said sailors come to work on the ship because of its historical significance. "History is what we came from," Enriquez said. "Much like we stand on shoulders of our veterans before us, the new destroyers are standing on the shoulders of the USS Constitution." The sailors tend to agree with this sentiment, but it's not easy to get here. Dreitz said it's "extremely competitive" for sailors to work on the Constitution. They have to apply, and then they're screened and later interviewed to make sure they're a good fit. "I do very much so enjoy history, so I thought this would be a great place to continue to grow in my Navy career," said HM Andre Flamini. Flamini has worked as a medic during his three years with the old warship, but he also does pretty much anything else needed. Tasks can range from training crew members to working the cannons. He applied to work on the Constitution during the Covid-19 pandemic, when order selection for sea duty wasn't great. He thought this looked like a "cool and interesting" opportunity to pursue. Sailors in front of the Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard in August 2019. US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Peter Ticich/Released "I think the history and heritage of the Navy is important to a lot of us here should be important to every single one of us, actually," Flamini said, adding that "being able to see where we come from, and where the Navy's going, has always interested me and everyone else on board." Unlike Flamini, who's a fleet returnee, SN Alec Morris applied to join the Constitution right from boot camp. A recruit division commander had told him at the time that if he planned on spending time in the military, the ship was a great place to be. "It's a huge resume-builder you're going to learn a lot, you're going to get a lot of mentorship," Morris said, reflecting on what the commander told him over two-and-a-half years ago. "And everything he said was absolutely correct." Bridging 'the old and the new' The history and legacy of the Constitution don't just stay confined to the ship. They're reflected in Navy operations today. Dreitz said the missions that the Constitution performed more than 200 years ago protecting the freedom of navigation are similar to those in which the Navy is currently engaged. His remarks specifically alluded to the turbulent waters of the Middle East, thousands of miles away from Boston, where US ships have spent some eight months defending the shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from relentless attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Back in its prime, the Constitution defended American shipping in a tense period of at-sea confrontations with France and against the infamous Barbary pirates. Cannons fire on the Constitution in August 2019. US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey Scoular/Released The circumstances and technology are obviously different; the Houthis, for instance, are firing missiles and drones instead of cannons, and the American warships are significantly more modern and advanced than the Constitution. However, for the Navy, the goal of protecting merchant vessels overseas has remained a constant through the years. "She bridges the gap between the old and the new," Dreitz said of the Constitution. Read the original article on Business Insider As work proceeds to remove four dams along the Klamath River, more than the salmon runs will be restored: The lands long buried by the now-drained reservoirs will be reclaimed by the people who were robbed of them more than 100 years ago. The Shasta Indian Nation celebrated Tuesday as California Gov. Gavin Newsom returned about 2,800 acres of the tribe's most sacred and culturally important lands that were drowned by the Copco I dam in the early 20th century. The date also marked the fifth anniversary of a historic apology made to California tribes by Newsom. It's the latest chapter in the nation's largest-ever dam removal. Christina Snider-Ashtari, tribal affairs secretary and head of the Governor's Office of Tribal Affairs, said Newsom personally delivered the news to the tribe during a visit to review the dam removal process on June 5. The move to return lands to the Shastas was also supported by Siskiyou County. In November, the county board of supervisors unanimously voted to send a letter of support to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on the tribe's request. Karuk Tribal member Lisa Hillman, left, gives her husband Leaf Hillman a hug on an overlook above Iron Gate Dam as crews begin the removal of the top layer of the earthen dam that blocks the Klamath River east of Yreka, Calif. Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The tribe is traditionally and culturally affiliated to these lands, the letter stated, and we believe that returning ownership of certain Parcel B lands will be a positive and important step. It is also the Countys view that Shasta Indian Nation will be good neighbors to the residents and other property owners in the area. Over the next few months, Snider-Ashtari said, the state's natural resources and fish and wildlife agencies will be working with Shasta officials to develop the exact legal documents to finalize the land transfer. That will include preparation of management plans, MOUs, conservation and public access easements, and a wide variety of other legal documents. Snider-Ashtari, an enrolled member of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, said the action felt meaningful to her personally. "For me as a California Indian to help facilitate the deal shows that the Truth and Healing Council is not just an apology from the governor and a talking circle," she said. "It shows that your hope is not unfounded." The Klamath River recovers from being buried underneath a reservoir in June 2024. She said she is also hopeful that the state can continue to accomplish more for Indigenous peoples. And, Snider-Ashtari is hopeful that the state's citizens can see the value in uplifting the pathways and futures of California tribes as a step in jointly stewarding lands. Tribe's hard-won lands lost again to dams For millennia, or since time immemorial, the Shasta people have inhabited a region in Northern California from Seiad Valley east, surrounded by the Klamath, Scott and Shasta rivers and northeast to Jenny Creek and into southern Oregon. The Kikaceki and Kutarawaxu bands of Shastas lived and worked on the lands surrounding the Klamath River about 35 miles northeast of Yreka. Kikaceki land also encompasses Kucascas, a place sacred to tribal members around the mouth of Fall Creek. Their first extended encounters with settlers occurred with the arrival of gold miners in the 1850s. Following the miners came farmers, ranchers, loggers and other settlers. Shastas in the region suffered greatly from a generation of massacres, forcible marriages and rapes, and the loss of their lands. Shasta Chief Bogus Tom Smith labored to rebuild his community by obtaining Indian land allotments, marrying tribal members to landowners and other means. By the early 20th century, he had managed to put together some ranches close by each other to serve as restored homes for his people. But the narrow valley with a meandering river threading its way along the bottomlands was also determined to be a good place to bring electricity to Siskiyou County and other parts of Northern California and Southern Oregon. Just one thing stood in their way: the Shastas, whose reconstructed land base was directly in the area designated for the dams and the reservoirs that would feed water through the turbines. The people of the small tribe were removed from their homes through eminent domain. The Siskiyou Electric Light and Power Company began constructing the first of the dams, Copco No. 1, in 1910. The Siskiyou Electric Light and Power Company began constructing the first of the dams, Copco No. 1, in 1910. The company was reorganized as the California-Oregon Power Company, or Copco. Between 1910 and 1962, the company built three more dams, all to generate electric service. The 300-member tribe has fought to get at least part of their ancestral lands back ever since. Dams come down, hope for land and salmon return rises In addition to the loss of Indigenous lands, the dams also proved catastrophic for salmon, steelhead and other migratory fish since a large portion of their spawning sites were blocked by concrete and rebar. For decades, tribes along the Klamath who have depended on a clean, free flowing river and the fish that once choked the waters have fought their own battle to remove the dams, which also had become breeding waters for toxic blue-green algae, killing fish and fouling waters far downstream. Those efforts came to fruition in 2022 with the final enactment of the dam removal agreement that paved the way for the nation's largest-ever dam deconstruction. Among other provisions, the lands previously owned by PacifiCorp, the dams' last owner, were transferred to the states of California and Oregon or a designee by the state to be managed for public interest purposes. The Shasta Indian Nation formally requested the return of the lands known as "Parcel B" lands that had been drowned under the Copco I dam during the process. Newsom returned that land plus the sacred site of Kucascas, effective with the completion later this year of the dam removal by the Klamath River Restoration Corporation, the nonprofit brought on to oversee the project. The land return is of particular interest because the Shasta Indian Nation is the band of Shasta people not federally recognized. That's due to events peculiar to California history. Several bands of Shastas, known as "Upper Klamath" of the Shasta and Scott rivers, signed onto the third of 18 treaties negotiated with California tribes with agent Redick McKee in November 1851. While the dams brought electricity to Siskiyou County and other parts of Northern California, they also cut off access to salmon and steelhead spawning grounds. In return for ceding all "right, title, claim or interest of any kind which they or either of them have to the lands they now occupy, and to all other lands or soil in California" to the U.S., they would receive reservation lands. The U.S. Senate never ratified that or the other 17 treaties, instead locking them away in secret for decades. The Shastas, along with several hundred other California tribes, had to defend themselves against an ever-growing incursion of gold miners, farmers, loggers and other settlers determined to take land with little to no federal protection. Because the Shastas whose land had been taken for the dams had no land base when the Indian Reorganization Act was signed in 1934, they were left off the list of tribes deemed eligible to receive services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs or other government agencies, a process known as federal recognition. Many tribes lost lands or lost their status during the termination era in the mid-20th century when the federal government was trying to reduce the number of tribes it was serving. As a result, about one-third of California tribes lack recognition. In addition to offering the apology Newsom also issued an executive order establishing the California Truth and Healing Council to study and clarify the relationship between the state and "California Native Americans." 'This is justice for the Shasta people' The tribe is formulating plans for the land, including a cultural center and public trail detailing Shasta history to satisfy the public access requirement. Unlike other land returns, this one comes without restrictions on other development such as housing. The Shasta Indian Nation is taking advantage of that by starting to develop a plan to honor Bogus Tom's original goal of rebuilding a home for the entire community. There are no plans for a casino, one tribal spokesperson said. But they will be restoring traditional food, medicinal and ceremonial plants to the land, plus re-establishing basketry plants. Those activities are expected to generate jobs and business opportunities, plus a reliable source of healthy foods. The Shastas also relied on salmon and once the population has been restored, they may restart traditional fishing. Candice Difuntorum, Shasta's vice-chairman, said the tribe's vision is cultural revitalization, education and landscape stewardship. The dam removal has exposed 35 miles of river that hasnt seen the light of day for over 100 years, and we look forward to restoring the river, our lands, our ceremony and people." Today is a turning point in the history of the Shasta people," said Shasta Indian Nation Chairman Janice Crowe. She said what the Shasta people have experienced over the last 150 years has been a painful story to tell. "Now we can return home, return to culture, return to ceremony and begin to weave a new story for the next generation of Shasta, who will get to call our ancestral lands home once again. "This is justice for Shasta people." Debra Krol reports on Indigenous communities at the confluence of climate, culture and commerce in Arizona and the Intermountain West. Reach Krol at debra.krol@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @debkrol. Coverage of Indigenous issues at the intersection of climate, culture and commerce is supported by the Catena Foundation. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: California returns land to Shasta tribe as Klamath River returns COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Two months ago a new report from the Community Shelter Board showed homelessness reached an all-time high in Columbus. During the summer months when foot traffic reaches peak time periods, many unhoused in the community congregate in the Short North. Business owners in the area want those people to have the resources they need, but are growing tired of the unruly behavior. Its always been an issue. I would say most people kind of kept to themselves. You know, its kind of, they walk by. Nobody says anything. But now theres more groups or packs of individuals, either on the same mission or agenda and a little more bothersome approach. And you get your vehicle, you know, just yell and scream, Jim Berling of Skullys Music Diner said. Ohio U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno sends message about law enforcement Berling has been a Columbus and Short North area resident for almost thirty years. He came to Columbus from Cincinnati to attend OSU and said hes never left. Hes worked at Skullys since 2003 and now manages the business. NBC4 spoke with owners and managers at several other Short North businesses who chose not to do an interview, but did tell stories of things they have seen at their own businesses. Most of them mentioned groups of unhoused individuals congregating together and moving up and down High Street. The business owners said theyve seen these groups harassing patrons of businesses, asking for food or money and becoming disruptive if they are turned away. Others said theyve seen people urinating in doorways, doing drugs in the open, screaming and yelling at people walking down the street, sleeping on stoops, and even exposing themselves in store windows. I know people need help, especially nowadays. But, you know, relying on people and making threats is not the way to go about it, Berling said. At Skullys, Berling said they are forced to kick people off their property frequently. The music venue and bar has an open air back patio area that is fenced off, but Berling said on multiple occasions people will break in and sleep or congregate with others. Our dumpster seems to be a little gathering point every now and again. You know, they leave their trash and stuff, which I get to clean up. They jumped the fence in the evening, [and use it as a] place to sleep or hang out. But we had our front door kicked in randomly about four in the morning a few months back, Berling said. Columbus Police and the Short North Alliance have a partnership to combat violent crime called the Short North Interdiction Unit. The alliance also staffs Short North Ambassadors that are trained to intervene and deescalate situations. Berling said CPD is in the area quite often, but they cant be everywhere and once a person causes problems for a business by harassing patrons, they can get away before police arrive. Berling and other businesses owners and managers want the unhoused population to get the help they need and support the organizations that work to feed and house them. But some behavior in and around the businesses is unacceptable. Mostly harmless, I think. But I think when they get a big group of people, you know, using indecent behaviors and, you know, just drunk or, you know, or drug use tends to scare people when they seem to be outnumbered, Berling said. These business owners said they just want to be able to run their business without the distraction of people asking for money, causing a scene, or harassing and threatening patrons. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Well all brace up and prepare, and get ready for the next court case, said Gretta Gardner of Ujima. Well all brace up and prepare, and get ready for the next court case, said Gretta Gardner of Ujima. Photograph: Kristoffer Tripplaar/Alamy The US supreme court decided to uphold a 30-year-old federal law prohibiting subjects of domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs) from possessing guns. In Fridays 8-1 decision, the justices all save Clarence Thomas agreed that Zackey Rahimis constitutional rights were not violated when his guns were confiscated following a lengthy history of gun crimes and abuse against his then girlfriend and mother of his child. While the ruling is not a surprise to many experts who heard the 7 November 2023 oral argument, it represents a small victory for those who advocate for protection orders like DVROs and work with survivors of domestic abuse. I think were all breathing a sigh of relief that the court did not decide to put more people in direct risk of being killed or seriously injured, said Kelly Roskam, director of law and policy for the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. There seemed to be a general acceptance among the justices that there is this national historical tradition of disarming people who are dangerous. The case focused on Rahimi, a Texas man who assaulted his then girlfriend and the mother of his child in a parking lot in 2019. When bystanders noticed, he pulled out a gun and fired a shot. The woman, referred to as CM in court documents, managed to get away, but Rahimi threatened to shoot her if she reported the incident, the majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts read. Despite the threat, the woman sought and was granted a restraining order by a judge. But the order didnt deter Rahimi, who continued to contact CM via social media and showed up at her home. He was also a suspect in another five shootings. Rahimi was indicted for possessing a firearm while being subject to a DVRO, but he moved to have the indictment dismissed, arguing that the original order and criminal code it was based on, 922(g), which prohibits people under DVROs from having firearms and ammunition, violated his constitutional rights. Despite his history, the fifth circuit court of appeals sided with Rahimi and based its judgment on a rule created by the supreme courts highly controversial 2022 Bruen decision, which voided many state restrictions on carrying firearms in public and established a new standard for gun regulations, requiring laws to be consistent with the nations historical tradition of firearm regulation, according to Justice Thomass majority opinion for Bruen. I would say to a fairly high degree of certainty, somebody will bring an as-applied challenge to the same law Clark Neily of the Cato Institute Fridays decision by the supreme court is in direct rebuke of the fifth circuit ruling, with Roberts admonishing the panel for misapplying the courts precedent when reviewing Rahimis case. Roberts added that the disarming of anyone who is found to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of an intimate partner or parent of their child is consistent with the second amendment. When a restraining order contains a finding that an individual poses a credible threat to the physical safety of an intimate partner, that individual may consistent with the second amendment be banned from possessing firearms while the order is in effect, Roberts wrote. While the decision upholds a 30-year-old federal law, it also leaves the door open for people to bring new court challenges if they believe that a judge placed them under a DVRO erroneously. I would say to a fairly high degree of certainty, somebody will bring an as-applied challenge to the same law, said Clark Neily, senior vice-president for legal studies at the Cato Institute. Someone will say: Im not asking for a ruling across the board. Im simply asking for a ruling that has applied to me personally. Neily, who was a constitutional litigator for 17 years, added that the second amendment, unlike the first, which grants the right to free speech, has not been as refined through supreme court decisions. Also, he said, Rahimi and subsequent cases will continue to set precedents for the ways the second amendment can be applied. There will be sympathetic second-amendment poster children who go to the court, and therell be unsympathetic ones, and thatll just keep going back and forth, Neily added. So its nothing new. Its just happened that [the supreme court] got a later start with a second amendment. Although this was the first case decided in the shadow of the Bruen decision, it almost certainly will not be the last. Waiting in the wings are cases from Pennsylvania and Florida that will determine whether a man with a 30-year-old food-stamp fraud conviction and marijuana users, respectively, will be able to own guns. Related: Both sides of gun issue seek to stir up US voters as NRA influence wanes As these cases make their way through the courts, advocates who rely on policies such as 922(g) and other firearm prohibitions say that they are prepared to continue their efforts to disarm people who are a threat to the life and safety of those closest to them. We have a culture of firearms ownership in the United States, and when you talk about taking someones firearms, even for a limited duration people get uncomfortable with that even though we know that there is a direct correlation between domestic violence and the presence of firearms increasing lethality, said Millicent Shaw Phipps, legal director at Ujima, a non-profit that supports Black women dealing with domestic violence. Well all brace up and prepare, and get ready for the next court case or whatever other impact litigation is out there to remove firearms for people who shouldnt have them, echoed Gretta Gardner, chief legal officer of Ujima. (NewsNation) Researchers have found a significant source of geothermal energy underneath the U.S.-Mexico border along the Rio Grande, which could lead to promising clean energy development in the rural region. The findings came after a monthslong study conducted by the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin, which discovered that the region of Presidio County in Texas, which shares a border with Mexico, has the conditions necessary for geothermal development. Theres a thin, 10- to 15-mile-wide region that runs parallel or along the Rio Grande that has very high heat by at least by most standards, and even in the interior part of the county, which is probably two-thirds of the county, Ken Wisian, head of the research team, told NewsNation. Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable resource energy source that is produced deep in Earths core and can be used to create heat and electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The findings are significant because even though the U.S. is the worlds largest producer of geothermal electricity, it occupies less than half a percent of the total grid, which is incredibly large, Wisian said. The findings were welcomed by county leadership, which is excited at the prospect of creating a geothermal energy plant that will inevitably create new jobs and lower energy costs for local communities. Presidio is one of the poorest counties in the United States. Geothermal energy development would address virtually everything theyve outlined in their economic development plan, Wisian said, adding that the energy could serve as a vital source for agriculture and industry. It could generate far more electricity than they need, meaning the county could potentially sell the excess back into the grid or attract new business, he said. Geothermal has a lot to offer rural communities, underserved communities, something like Presidio checks every block on the very large federal investment in production in tax credits on renewable energy, Wisian said. The community is already looking into how to raise funds for the project. Lets just put our brains together and come up with draft proposals, and then we go to the county and say, Look, this is what weve come up with, Trey Gerfers, who directs the countys groundwater district, said according to ThinkGeoEnergy. While it may be optimal from an environmental perspective, Presidio County has a political resonance sitting on the border with Mexico and serving as an entry point for migrants seeking asylum. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported just over 3,000 migrant encounters this fiscal year in the Big Bend area, where Presidio is located, down 63% from the same time last year. But Wisian says he does not see geothermal energy mining as posing any security concerns for border protection because drilling requires a small amount of space and can be well within the Texas side of the border. The plant could, in fact, potentially inspire Mexico to start its own geothermal energy production on its side of the border, which also has the same underground heat, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Flash Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden have agreed to deepen green cooperation during a meeting on Thursday. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Luxembourg is a friendly partner of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 50 years ago, both sides have adhered to mutual respect and trust, setting an example of mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. China is ready to work with Luxembourg to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in finance, the steel industry, and the green economy, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to elevate China-Luxembourg friendship to new heights and bring benefits to both countries and their peoples, Ding said. Noting that today's world is in turmoil and various risks and challenges continue to emerge, Ding stressed that China and the European Union (EU) should remain partners and properly handle trade frictions through dialogue and consultation. "Protectionism will inevitably harm others without benefiting oneself," he said, adding that China hopes Luxembourg will actively promote the EU's opening up and cooperation with China, fostering the steady and sound development of China-EU relations. Frieden said that Luxembourg and China enjoy a long history of friendship and share deep friendship between their peoples. The new government of Luxembourg will continue to uphold a friendly policy towards China, adhere to the one-China principle, further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, and inject new momentum into bilateral relations. He added that Luxembourg firmly supports multilateralism and free trade, appreciates China's achievements in scientific and technological development, and is willing to work with China to promote green transformation. One Thread Project, a nonprofit organization based in Lincoln, is set to expand its successful initiatives with a new strategic plan. Co-founders Suzanne Campbell and Amy Williams, both Lincoln residents, spent time in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year to activate new initiatives aimed at broadening their impact. In February, Campbell visited One Thread Projects sewing and business center in Kinshasa, Congo. During her visit, she laid the groundwork for extending their programs to new neighborhoods in Kinshasa, incorporating valuable feedback from the local staff. In late May, Williams and One Thread Financial Manager Andrew Smith spent a week in Kinshasa to begin implementing these new initiatives. They met with local leaders, visionaries and educators in the N'Selle neighborhood, aiming to build upon existing community efforts. The core of their expansion plan is the Alternativ Business Curriculum, designed to equip residents with essential business skills. A pilot program will launch in N'Selle, with plans for full-scale expansion by fall. This pilot will refine the curriculum to better suit the communitys needs. One Thread Project is also expanding its Young Scholars Program to include leadership training alongside school tuition support. This comprehensive approach aims to nurture a new generation of leaders who are both academically proficient and practically skilled. The Young Scholars Program enables students to attend classes while ensuring their children are not missing out on educational opportunities. Significant improvements are underway at the current center in the N'Jilli neighborhood of Kinshasa. The Language Literacy program is expanding class offerings. One Thread Projects team plans to integrate the business curriculum into these programs, providing students with a well-rounded education that combines language skills with practical business knowledge. The team also witnessed the tangible impacts of One Thread Projects existing programs during their time in Congo. They visited five successful businesses established by graduates and women who received seed loans through the Ambassador Seed Loan Program. This program, which provides $200 seed loans to aspiring entrepreneurs, has launched 16 businesses with 10 more in the pipeline. Women like Fallone and Nepatalie, who pooled their loans to start a boutique, exemplify the programs success and serve as mentors for future participants. Expanding the Ambassador Seed Loan Program is also planned. This program has proven to be a catalyst for empowering women, fostering economic growth and building a mentor network for new entrepreneurs. Under the leadership of Campbell and Williams, One Thread Project remains committed to enhancing educational and entrepreneurial initiatives, creating more opportunities for Congolese families to learn, grow and achieve economic empowerment. One Thread Project continues to seek support from partners in the Lincoln area and across the United States. Those interested in uplifting women and children in Congo through economic empowerment and the hope of the gospel are invited to learn more by following the organization on social media at @OneThreadProject or by visiting www.onethreadproject.org. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday evening signed legislation that will gut the ability of local ethics watchdogs to investigate allegations of corruption, a bill whose most toxic and sweeping provisions were late-hour additions by state Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, and hardly debated before their passage. In signing the bill, DeSantis ignored the pleas of ethics officials and good-government advocates who hoped he'd veto the measure, throwing in his lot instead with crooked elected officials whose misdeeds will now have a greater chance of flying beneath the radar. In contrast to his usual bravado staging winding and perplexing news conferences to celebrate bills he's proud of DeSanits' office announced the bill signing Friday evening, ensuring scant coverage of the development. Not every Florida county and city has a local ethics commission, but in those that do, like Miami, Jacksonville and Palm Beach, the offices can play sometimes critical roles sniffing out and policing misconduct by local elected officials. That will likely end with DeSantis' signature. "It would change the way we've done business since the 1990s," Jose Arrojo, executive director of the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, told me months ago, during the brief time legislators were considering the bill. The ethics rewrite will prohibit local ethics officials from using anonymous complaints as a basis to start an investigation, and it will severely restrict the kind of evidence they can consider. Going forward, an investigation can only be prompted by a signed and sworn complaint from someone who possesses "personal knowledge" of a potential violation. Those might sound like anodyne changes, but ethics experts fear the new requirements will chill potential whistleblowers from coming forward since their identities will now have to be made part of the public record. And most critically, the "personal knowledge" requirement will likely render the most common kinds of evidence of wrongdoing useless. Who, after all, possesses "personal knowledge" of another's ethical lapse? "People don't commit ethics violations and then invite someone in to witness them," another ethics official told me earlier this year. Remember: this isn't about what's required to actually convict or even charge someone for misconduct; this is merely about how hard it will be for an ethics watchdog to look into an allegation in the first place. Under this ludicrously heightened standard, even public sources of information like campaign finance reports and audits could be ruled out as tools investigators could rely on to form a basis for an investigation. An ethics official could read thoroughly reported allegations in the local newspaper and nonetheless be powerless to do anything: None of those documents or accounts are "personal knowledge" of a potential violation. Burgess has blown off these concerns and claimed he was merely trying to impose a uniform standard across the state for how ethics investigations are done. The basis for this "need" for a uniform standard is that the state ethics commission has long been significantly more hamstrung than the local commissions, a discrepancy Burgess found to be a problem. But he notably chose to impose the worst standard: This law will make local ethics commissions more like their hapless state counterpart, rather than simply giving the state commission the same kind of latitude to probe allegations of corruption. Burgess has successfully imported Tallahassee's rot into local communities across Florida. This was one bit of dirty business even DeSantis was too ashamed to carry out in broad daylight. Nate Monroe is a Florida columnist for the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter @NateMonroeTU. Email him at nmonroe@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs anti-ethics bill into law GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) Community members gathered across West Michigan on Saturday to hold silent marches to end gun violence. It is a part of the Silence the Violence Month of Action, which started 17 years ago in Detroit. This was the second year of the silent march held in Grand Haven, which was a part of the month of action. It went from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Central Park. Participants held up signs that read silence the violence now and end gun violence as they silently marched in downtown Grand Haven. Valerie Martin, the volunteer organizer of gun violence prevention efforts, said she is hopeful that change will happen but that the solution to stop gun violence will not be easy. She said it will take different people coming together for the similar goal of putting an end to gun violence. Its an important event for every place in Michigan because theres really no place that gun violence cant be found, so every community needs to be working on this issue, Martin said. A similar silent march was held in Muskegon Heights on Saturday. It was also a part of the Silence the Violence Month of Action. Alongside the silent march, there was an expungement fair and gun safety event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lakehawks Community Center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Sioux Falls has activated its Emergency Operations Center, with as heavy rains Friday evening expected to add to the already widespread flooding throughout the area. Flooding in Sioux Falls' Rotary Park A press release from the city said that city officials, along with partners from South Dakota and Lincoln and Minnehaha counties, were monitoring the weather with the potential of 2 more inches of rain falling across the city throughout Friday night into Saturday morning, adding to the 3-5 inches that had already fallen throughout the previous 48 hours. More: Live updates: Sioux Falls, parts of Lincoln County under flash flood warning The release said the most important thing homeowners could do is to check sump pumps, ensuring they are not being discharged into floor drains in order to avoid overwhelming the city's sanitary sewer system. Sioux Falls is currently under a flash flood warning until 11:30 p.m. Friday night, a flood watch until 7 a.m. Saturday morning and a flood warning until 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The South Dakota Department of Transportation has encouraged motorists throughout the southeastern part of the state to avoid travel if at all possible. The release said that the last time the city's EOC was activated was in April, when 911 services throughout the city were down for more than two hours. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls activates Emergency Operations Center amid ongoing floods Sioux Falls says residents no longer need to conserve water as flooding strains city wastewater system Update as of noon Sunday: The city is no longer asking residents to conserv water usage. "Thank you for your willingness to do your part and help our wastewater collection and treatment systems," the city posted on its Facebook page. "The City's wastewater collection and treatment systems remain strained, but they are slowly catching up and are back to a point where we believe it is manageable." Earlier: The City of Sioux Falls is asking residents to conserve water until further notice because flooding and heavy rains are straining the city's wastewater treatment system, which is currently running at or near its maximum capacity. The Big Sioux River is seen rushing Friday, June 21, 2024, through downtown Sioux Falls at high levels after torrential rain overnight. In a Friday night post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, city officials asked residents to take steps, including avoiding using dishwashers and washing machines, and reducing their time spent in the shower or waiting to take one until later Saturday. We are asking residents to help us out by conserving wastewater when they can until further notice: Reduce shower time or wait to take one until later on Saturday Avoid running the dishwasher Wait to do laundry Conserve water use when possible City of Sioux Falls (@CitySiouxFalls) June 22, 2024 Officials also asked more broadly that residents "conserve water use when possible." The city has been slammed by heavy rains in recent days, with 3-5 inches falling across Sioux Falls even before another series of storms hit the city Friday, adding to flooding that has closed state highways in the area, including parts of I-29. The area has also seen significant rises in the Big Sioux River. Sioux Falls was under a flash flood warning until 11:30 p.m. Friday, and is under a flood watch until 7 a.m. Saturday morning and a flood warning until 9:45 a.m. Saturday morning. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls says residents no longer need to conserve water as flooding strains city wastewater system Sir Larry Siedentop, who has died aged 88, spent more than 40 years teaching political thought at Oxford, with a special interest in 19th-century French liberalism. He was happy to toil away, winning the plaudits of colleagues, until 2000 when he wrote a book which won the enthusiastic praise of critics and was seized on as required reading in the chancelleries of Europe. He called it Democracy in Europe, a nod to his great idol, Alexis de Tocqueville. Just as Tocqueville, in his classic Democracy in America (1835), turned the cool eye of a European on the still-integrating United States of the 1830s, so Siedentop brought the eye of an American, albeit one who had lived in Britain since 1960, to bear upon the European Union of the 21st century. It remains perhaps the only study of the fraught history of the EU to win admiration from both Eurosceptics and Europhiles. Democracy, to Siedentop, was the heart of the matter. De Tocqueville had been struck by its vigour in America; Siedentop by its feebleness in the EU, an institution which, he observed, had come together in a series of gradual shifts and backroom deals with little of the grand vision and none of the public wrestling with political ideas that led to the miracle at Philadelphia the Constitutional Convention of 1787 which thrashed out the details of the United States Constitution.Where are our Madisons? he asked. The builders of Europe, he argued, had acted as if they got the money right, the politics would take care of itself, approaching the EU solely as if it were a trading club, even though they were clearly in the business of creating a new political entity. While this argument clearly held appeal to Eurosceptics, Siedentop saw the neo-liberal right, especially in Britain, as the worst offenders in making economics Europes all-powerful raison detre. The result had been a debate of such poor quality that no one seemed to know what key terms, such as federalism, actually mean. Siedentop's book was a nod to his idol Alexis de Tocqueville, whose Democracy in America observed the United States of the 1830s To the Germans, it means a decentralised system like theirs, where Berlin cannot dictate to regional governments, while citizens and media are protected by the constitution against an overbearing central government. In Britain, by contrast, it has come to mean the complete opposite a vast overpowerful superstate. Partly as a result of Britains failure to engage in the debate and its strident opposition to anything like the German federal model, the initiative had been taken by the French who set out to shape the EU on its own, centralised, techo-bureaucratic image, threatening the diversity in Europe rooted in the continents history and culture. Far from disliking the idea of a federal Europe, Siedentop favoured it, albeit on the American model. Federalism is the right goal for Europe, he wrote. About how to get there he was rather more vague, other than proposing a European senate of national parliamentarians, so that national parliaments could have some real oversight of European law-making. It would, he conceded, need a change in the political culture of the member states that would take decades, not years. Its incredibly moving, to see a free people governing itself, and thats what you see in America, and what you dont see in Europe, he said. Im not sure how to get there from here, but I know weve got to start. Larry Alan Siedentop was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 24 1936 to Russell and Dorothy Siedentop and attended Hope College, Michigan, before taking an MA at Harvard. He came to Oxford in 1960 on a Marshall scholarship and took a DPhil at Magdalen College under Isaiah Berlin, with a thesis entitled The Limits of Enlightenment (1966) focusing on the philosophy of Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821), and Maine de Biran (1766-1824). From 1968, after three years as a research fellow at Nuffield College he spent most of his academic career as a fellow of Keble College and as a university lecturer in Political Thought. Siedentop at the Edinburgh Festival in 2014 promoting his book Inventing the Individual, which traced western liberal individualism to early Christianity - Colin McPherson/Corbis via Getty Images Before Democracy in Europe he was best known for Tocqueville (1994), a study in OUPs Past Masters series. His last major work, Inventing the Individual: The Origins of Western Liberalism (2014) took on Jonathan Israels passionate advocacy for role of Spinoza and the Enlightenment philosophers as the founders of western liberal individualism. Siedentop, by contrast, traced it back to the early fathers of the Church. In pre-Christian societies, he claimed, individuals were not seen as having rights separate from family, clan or tribe. Christianity, in stressing the individuals relationship with God, made the idea of rights for individuals comprehensible and persuasive. It was not John Locke or John Stuart Mill who said it is a basic human right that everyone should be free to worship according to his own convictions, but the early Christian author Tertullian in the third century AD. Secular liberals, in other words, owe far more to Christian ideas than they might think: If we in the West do not understand the moral depth of our own tradition, how can we hope to shape the conversation of mankind? Siedentop was appointed CBE in 2004 and knighted in 2016 for services to political science. He was unmarried. Sir Larry Siedentop, born May 24 1936, died June 13 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. Sister of man attacked with machete at Athens homeless shelter says hell lose eye, has broken skull A judge denied bond Saturday morning the suspect in the case of a machete attack outside an Athens homeless shelter. Athens Police Department arrested Cedric Smith, 33, Thursday evening, minutes after the assault. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Chris Sullens, a 53-year-old employee at the shelter and has been working with the homeless population for over a decade, is in the Intensive Care Unit at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Sullens sister, Teresa Sullens-Baker, spoke exclusively with Channel 2s Courtney Francisco to share her relief that Smith is staying behind bars. She said her brother is off the ventilator, but he will likely lose at least one of his eyes. She said he has major cuts on his head and face, brain swelling and a broken skull. TRENDING STORIES: Her brother was on the job at Advantage Homeless Day Service Center Thursday when police said Smith saw him in the parking lot and began beating him with a machete. The next morning, co-workers and clients described jumping into action to save Sullens. They did it so fast, said Sullens-Baker. They all put their lives in danger to rush to him. Police said they arrested Smith in under 15 minutes. Digging into court records, Smiths criminal record in Athens dates back to 2013. That is when police said he pulled a knife on a woman on a sidewalk. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] He was charged with parole violations in 2014 and 2015 and in 2017, he cut someones neck with a razor blade, according to an arrest warrant. He served four years in prison for that offense; he was out on parole when the attack happened Thursday. Someone that violent should not be on the street, and thats concerning, said Sullens-Baker. Saturday, a parole violation charge was added to the list of crimes he is accused of in this case. She is finding comfort in friends, family, and strangers. They have all come together to donate thousands to help Sullens recover. Hes precious, said Sullens-Baker. Everybody at work loved him. As far as I know, a lot of people in the community, in the homeless community, loved him. I feel so overwhelmed right now. I want to thank every single person. I dont even know how to start. IN OTHER NEWS: Zerick I. Ozuna, 9, was a master at playing the card game Uno, often beating his teachers and providing his friends strategies for winning, said Farley Elementary School principal Katie Sonderegger. "He truly held a special place in the hearts of many of our students and staff members," she wrote in a message Auburn-Washburn USD 437 sent Friday afternoon to families with children attending that school at 6701 S.W. 33rd. The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office revealed earlier that afternoon that Zerick was the boy found fatally stabbed after deputies were called late Thursday morning to a house just south of Lake Sherwood at 3911 S.W. Worwick Town Road. Zerick was found in the house suffering multiple wounds to his chest and neck and was pronounced deceased at the scene, said Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian. "The mother of the deceased child, Shyla M. Goracke, 29, of Topeka, has been placed into custody in connection with the matter," Christian said. "She is currently at a local hospital." Circumstances of the death remained under investigation. Formal charges hadnt been filed. Zerick Ozuna, 9, died after being found fatally stabbed late Thursday morning in a house just south of Lake Sherwood, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office said. What did Zerick's principal say? "It is with a heavy heart I share with you the news that one of our Farley students, incoming fourth-grader Zerick Ozuna, passed away yesterday," Sonderegger said in her message Friday to Farley Elementary School families. Zerick will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him, including his teachers, staff, and classmates, she said. "Zerick will be remembered as a quiet, kind-hearted and curious boy," Sonderegger added. "He loved to tell stories about animals and play with Legos." Members of Farley Elementary's school-based mental health team were to be available from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday in that school's library to assist anyone who was struggling to cope with Zerick's death, Sonderegger said. "Understanding and processing death can be incredibly challenging, especially when it is sudden," Sonderegger said. "Resource materials are linked here to help facilitate conversations about grief and loss. Thank you for your ongoing support as we navigate this difficult time together." Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Slain Topekan Zerick Ozuna, 9, mourned by his teachers and classmates Slain parole agent remembered as everything to those he leaves behind Officers stand vigil by the casket of slain Parole and Probation Agent Davis Martinez at the Living Word International Christian Church in Silver Spring on Saturday. Photo by Lt. Tonya Caver/DPSCS. More than 1,000 mourners, including scores of law enforcement officers from as far away as Connecticut, gathered Saturday for an emotional farewell to Maryland Parole and Probation Agent Davis G. Martinez, who was killed May 31 in the line of duty. Martinez became the first parole and probation agent in Maryland to be killed in the line of duty. The six-year veteran of the Division of Parole and Probation was found dead in the Chevy Chase home of a convicted sex offender who was on parole and whom Martinez was checking in on when he was killed. During the 90-minute service Saturday at Living Word International Christian Church in Silver Spring, Martinez was fondly remembered as both a friend and family member, and as an agent dedicated to public safety. Gov. Wes Moore (D), who occasionally slipped into Spanish during his eulogy, told Martinezs family that the late agents spirit is with us all. Moore also indirectly addressed the circumstances surrounding the brutal killing of Martinez, who was found stabbed and beaten in the home of Emanuel Edward Sewell. The pain that this family is feeling is unbearably unfair, because he still should be with us today, Moore said. And we have to commit that we continue to be together to ensure that something like this should never and will never happen again. Maryland Parole and Probation Agent Davis Martinez became the first to die in the line of duty when he was killed during on May 31. Photo courtesy Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Carolyn Scruggs, secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, said Martinezs sudden death has profoundly impacted the department. We are here today in numbers, because we too have lost a member of our family, as you, like us struggle to make sense of his short life here on Earth, she said. In the wake of Martinezs killing, the department temporarily suspended home visits by parole and probation agents, a move that has long been called for by union officials who say Martinezs death was preventable. Three top officials in the division were also replaced within days of Martinezs killing. Sewell, 54, was arrested in West Virginia a day after Martinezs body was found. He was returned to Montgomery County where he has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing and is being held without bond. Sewell was sentenced to 40 years for burglary and sex offenses in 1996, but served 24 and was on supervised release after finishing his jail time in 2021. Martinez was last seen visiting Sewell on the morning of May 31 to make sure he was living at his listed address in the 2800 block of Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase. Martinez, who was 33, grew up in Silver Spring and received a bachelors degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. His brother, Michael Garcia, said Davis was my biggest cheerleader. Davis reassurance made me realize that there was nothing to fear, Michael said. Mourners also heard a tearful tribute from Gypsy Barrientos, Martinezs girlfriend of five months. When people ask me to describe you in one word, I tell them everything everything that anyone would want in a son, a brother and a lover, Barrientos said. In addition to his brother Michael, Martinez is survived by another brother and his mother. His father died less than one year ago. The post Slain parole agent remembered as everything to those he leaves behind appeared first on Maryland Matters. Yemen has released a video showing its Tufan-1 (also written Toofan-1) uncrewed surface vessel (USV), or drone boat, blowing apart a target vessel during a test. The video follows photos of the much cruder Houthi USV that struck the bulk cargo carrier M/V Tutor in the Red Sea earlier this month, an incident you can read more about here. Yemeni homemade Toofan 1 USV, carrying a warhead of 150kg and a speed of 35 nautical miles/hour. pic.twitter.com/h6r4T6LywH MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) June 21, 2024 The latest video shows multiple Tufan-1s on display in an exhibition-type environment, providing a good look at the relatively sleek craft, as well as other larger USV types. The little drone boat features a wave-cutting v-hull form, similar to some of the various drone boats that have been used to great effect by Ukraine in the Black Sea. While the Tufan-1 has been presented before, whats really new here is the footage showing one of the craft being tested in a live-fire scenario. This portion includes the Tufan-1 moving at speed through the water. Some shots show a person at the wheel. The vessels are clearly built from a crewed design and can feature remote or hands-on control. The video then cuts to the attack on an abandoned vessel, the interior of which is ripped apart by the detonating warhead. The Tufan-1 maneuvers as it approaches the target. via X Detonation of the warhead carried by the Tufan-1. via X The remains of the target vessel after the impact of the Tufan-1. via X A still image that shows a human operator in a Tufan-1. via X While the overall size of the Tufan-1 indicates a craft thats notably smaller than many other Houthi USVs, this should make it faster, more agile, and tougher to engage, while the size of the explosion indicates a very powerful warhead. According to a caption in the video, the warhead weighs 330 pounds and the craft has a top speed of 35 knots. There is no range specified although the same text suggests that the Tufan-1, which is powered by a commercial-type outboard motor, is optimized for nearby maritime targets, fixed and moving. The Houthis have a track record of developing and utilizing USVs dating back to the mid-2010s. They have attempted multiple attacks using these craft since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, but only struck a ship for the first time when they successfully engaged the M/V Tutor last week. A video showing a Houthi USV attack on a Saudi frigate in January 2017: As we have mentioned, the USV that hit the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned M/V Tutor was a very different type of design, looking like one of the skiff-type fishing vessels that ply their trade in the Red Sea region. It also had a pair of human dummies to confuse defenders, upping the anti-for engaging the craft. The specifications of the USV used to attack the M/V Tutor are unclear. Houthi Skiff-type USVs have been in use as far back as 2020 and a similar-looking craft was found washed up in the Bab al Mandeb Strait in January. That example was carrying a warhead weighing around 110 pounds significantly less than now claimed for the Tufan-1. The explosion that rippled into the M/V Tutor looked quite powerful though, as you can see below. The Houthis released footage from strikes with unmanned, remote-controlled boats laden with explosives targeting a Greek-owned M/V TUTOR bulk carrier in the Red Sea on June 12.The attack caused severe damage at the stern and flooding. The vessel is believed to have sunk, UKMTO pic.twitter.com/kZJFER2s4w Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) June 19, 2024 Photos of Houthi kamikaze USV right before it struck Greek-owned cargo ship Tutor.The ship's guard were totally confused as to what they were observing.They couldn't even react before it hit the ship. https://t.co/ZwFlWnsFAR pic.twitter.com/8ORRrvZWH6 Clash Report (@clashreport) June 17, 2024 The type of guidance used by the Tufan-1, in this video at least, is unclear, although the Houthis have demonstrated the ability to track their USVs using GPS and to utilize a video feed. This would potentially allow them to be controlled remotely from land, as well as from crewed vessels, with skiffs having been used for this purpose in the past. A head-on view of a Tufan-1 from the new video. via X As we have previously reported, the Houthis began employing USVs against Red Sea shipping in its current campaign back in January. In response to the threat, the U.S. and its allies have gone on the offensive to hunt down Houthi USVs as well as missiles and aerial drones both before and after they are launched. Despite this campaign, there appears to be no letup in the Houthi attacks, including the use of drone boats. Indeed, the success of the attack on the M/V Tutor which resulted in severe flooding, damage to the engine room, and left one civilian mariner missing will only have increased the militants resolve. A day after the Tutor was hit, they struck M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier in two separate missile attacks. The crew was forced to abandon the ship due to continued fires and an inability to control them. This is how Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated M/V Verbena cargo ship looks like after Houthi attacks.Two cruise missiles launched by Yemens Houthis struck the ship in the Gulf of Aden, severely injuring one of the crew. pic.twitter.com/UOOmyhGG1u Clash Report (@clashreport) June 15, 2024 The appearance of the Tufan-1 in this dramatic new video may well signal that the Houthis are also preparing to deploy this USV in their anti-shipping campaign in the Red Sea if they havent already. Regardless, it seems that the threat posed by Houthi drone boats will continue to pose an increasing risk to all vessels sailing through the highly important Red Sea and the waters around it. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com View comments Two men rescued after small plane crashes near Turks and Caicos, authorities say After three hours of searching, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued two men in the waters near the Turks and Caicos Islands after their plane crashed on Saturday, officials said. Shortly after midday, air traffic controllers on the Caribbean islands received a report of a plane crashing in the ocean about 10 miles from Northwest Point, Providenciales, which is part of the Turks and Caicos archipelago, said a spokesperson for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. With two people aboard, the plane departed from the United States when it experienced an engine failure. Police believe the plane departed from Palm Beach County. Its unclear where exactly the plane departed from. An intensive sea search began around Providenciales, which included several government agencies on the islands. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was sent from the Bahamas to aid in the search of the Cessna-type plane and the two aboard, Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez said. Around 3:30 p.m., the Coast Guard helicopter rescued the two men after three hours of searching. The men were taken ashore. I wish to express my profound gratitude and acknowledge the invaluable support of our national and international partners, said Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Mat Newton. Miami Herald reporter Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Something Strange Appears to Be Powering "Immortal" Stars at the Center of Our Galaxy Eternal Flame The swirling vortex center of the Milky Way is a weird place, with a supermassive black hole that vacuums up interstellar matter and supernovae torpedoing hapless stars to the edges of our galaxy. Add another strange thing about our galaxy's nucleus, according to new research: stars that stay young indefinitely by feeding off dark matter particles, akin to continuously shooting lighter fluid into a flaming BBQ grill. A team of scientists from Stanford and Stockholm University posed this possible scenario on why certain stars in the Milky Way's center are improbably young by using computer simulations and factoring in the presence of copious dark matter in the galactic nucleus, as detailed in a new, yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper they posted online where it was spotted by Live Science. The researchers were drawn to the strange fact that stars near our galaxy's black hole appear to be very young and yet they live in a neighborhood not friendly to the formation of baby stars and have "spectroscopic features of more evolved stars," the paper reads. The scientists' conclusion? That a strange force is keeping these stars "immortal," in the paper's choice of phrasing. Forever Young Other researchers have differing theories on why there are so many young stars at the center of the Milky Way. One theory is that the stars were pushed into the vicinity of the nucleus, and this journey sparked the formation of these baby stars. But Isabelle John, a doctoral student in astroparticle physics at Stockholm University and the new study's lead author, told Live Science that she and fellow researchers wanted to see if dark matter was a factor in this strange phenomenon. They ran computer simulations, which strongly suggested that these stars may be older than they appear and maintain their vibrant glow by feeding on surrounding dark matter. These stars capture dark matter particles with their gravitational pull, the theory goes, and the particles smash against each other and release powerful bursts of energy inside the stars. This energy works like interstellar botox, keeping these stars in a suspended state of youth essentially staying "immortal" even when they run out of internal fuel for nuclear fusion. "Stars burn hydrogen in nuclear fusion," John told Live Science. "The outward pressure from this balances out the inward pressure from the gravitational forces, and keeps the stars in a stable equilibrium." Advanced new telescopes may be able to confirm these computer simulations, the researchers say shedding fascinating new light on at least one mystery at the heart of our galaxy. More on dark matter: The Earth May Be Swimming Through Dark Matter, Scientists Say The Supreme Court dealt a blow to the fundamental rights of married couples on Friday in an important and ominous immigration case, Department of State v. Munoz. Justice Amy Coney Barrett heldover the dissent of all three liberalsthat American citizens have no constitutional liberty interest in living with their foreign spouses, denying them the most basic protections against arbitrary government discrimination. Justice Sonia Sotomayors fierce dissent condemned Barretts opinion as, among other things, an unsubtle assault on marriage equality for LGBTQ+ Americans. On Saturdays episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the Munoz decision and its alarming ramifications for the constitutional right to marry. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: This is an important case about immigration law thatll be devastating to a lot of binational families. Yet Justice Sotomayor also used her dissent to sound a four-alarm fire about the future of marriage equality. To start, can you talk about this case on its own terms? Mark Joseph Stern: Sandra Munoz is an American citizen. Shes married to Luis Asencio-Cordero, whos a citizen of El Salvador. They have a child together who is also an American citizen. Munoz and her husband sought a visa so he could live with her in the United States. The State Department denied that visa and refused to explain why. Munoz sued and prevailed at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that the Constitution creates a liberty interest for American citizens to live in the U.S. with their immigrant spouses. The 9th Circuit ruled that the government intruded on that constitutional freedom, and so, at a bare minimum, it had an obligation to give Munoz a reason for denying the visa. So how does Justice Amy Coney Barretts majority opinion turn this case into an arrow aimed straight at the heart of marriage equality? Well, to start, the majority ruled against Munoz. Barrett wrote that, no, you do not have a right to be given the reason for your spouses visa denial. The majority could have stopped there, but it didnt. Instead, for the first time ever, it held that there is in fact no liberty interest under the Constitution for an American citizen to live with her spouse in her country of citizenship. The State Department could do anything it wanted because there was no constitutional right at play. Its worth noting that the court didnt even need to get into this discussion of marital rights, correct? Justice Gorsuch has an uncharacteristically restrained, un-Gorsuch-y concurrence saying his conservative colleagues didnt need to get that far. Thats exactly right, because the government has already given Munoz the reason it denied the visa. It gave her what she asked for! Now, that reason is dubious: The government claimed he had gang tattoos, which doesnt appear to be true, and she contests it. But because it gave her the answer she demanded, this appeal shouldve been over. Gorsuch says, basically, I dont understand why the majority keeps going when Ms. Munoz has already gotten the relief she sought. She would be free to seek the visa again. But the majority was hungry to go further, as Justice Sotomayor said in her dissent. The majority wanted to cut back the constitutional right to marry, so it weaponized this case as a cudgel against that right, rather than practicing judicial restraint. Lets walk through the Sotomayor dissent, because it reads like an elegy for something that isnt gone yet. She starts right out of the chute: The right to marry is fundamental as a matter of history and tradition, quoting Obergefell. She suggests that the majority is doing something to imperil Obergefell and even breaking a promise it made in the Dobbs decision. What is she mourning? I think shes preemptively mourning Obergefell and suggesting that it will be the next casualty of Dobbs. Really, theres no other way to read it. She points out that in Dobbs, the majority said it was not undermining the right to marry, the right to reside with relatives, and the right to make decisions about the education of ones children. But the majoritys decision undermines all those rights! It takes away an American citizens right to live with their spouse and their children here in the U.S. And in doing so, it sabotages one of the key aspects of the courts marriage ruling. Sotomayor talks about how Jim Obergefell and his husband could have stayed in Maryland after they got married there, but didnt wantthey wanted to go back home to Ohio and live together there. So when the Supreme Court struck down same-sex marriage bans, it specifically said that same-sex couples had the right to have their marriages recognized so they could live together in whatever state they wanted. Same thing in Loving v. Virginia: The Lovings could have stayed in D.C., which allowed interracial marriage at the time, after they got married there. But they didnt want tothey wanted to go back home to Virginia and live as a married couple there. The state wouldnt let them, so the Supreme Court struck down Virginias ban on interracial marriage. Sotomayor says those principles are enshrined in our marriage precedents. And she sends up this flare to say that marriage is not just about a piece of paper; its about the constellation of liberties that accompany it. And a big one has always been the right to live together. Justice Sotomayor seems to zero in on Obergefell for another reason, tooshes worried the majoritys decision will have a disproportionate burden on same-sex couples. Why is that? So the majority suggests that if Munoz wants to live with her husband, she can just move to El Salvador. But for many binational, same-sex couples, that option does not really exist. Because one spouse might live in a place where marriage equality isnt legal and where homosexuality might even be criminalized. Sotomayor points out that the majoritys rule is effectively discriminating against same-sex couples. She writes that it will punish those couples who, like the Lovings and the Obergefells, depend on American law for their marriages validity. Lookthe justice does not whip out this rhetoric in any low-level case. She is explaining that the majority reached far beyond the facts here to call into question some of the bedrock principles of the courts marriage jurisprudence to say that the majority is very much open to changing its mind. And is that any surprise? No member of the conservative supermajority joined the Obergefell majority in 2015. It is very much a new court. It really does raise all the questions we discussed after Dobbs about what substantive due process was meant to protect, right? How families work, how marriages work, where you live, the ability to travel together. Is there any chance Sotomayor is overreacting? I dont think shes overreacting. Its all too easy to imagine this court overruling Obergefell in a few years and citing Barretts decision in this case. The court could easily say, just down the road, that it already called Obergefell into question, and overruling it is the next logical step. I think thats why Sotomayor also hinges her dissent on Dobbs, pointing to false assurances that the court would overturn abortion rights but go no further. We all knew that was bogus at the time. And remember, Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson signed on to this dissent in full. I think all three liberals are ringing this alarm so everyone can see that overturning marriage equality is very much on the table at this Supreme Court. FILE - South Africans gather ahead of the inauguration of South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa as President at the Union Buildings South Lawns in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 19, 2024. In a country where racial segregation was once brutally enforced, South Africa's new coalition government has brought a Black president and a white opposition leader together in what is on the face of it a picture of unity. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File) CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) In a country where racial segregation was once brutally enforced, South Africa's new coalition government has brought a Black president and a white opposition leader together in an image of unity. Yet the power-sharing agreement sealed a week ago between President Cyril Ramaphosa's African National Congress party and the Democratic Alliance, one of South Africa's few white-led parties, has unwittingly renewed some racial rifts. Many Black South Africans have expressed discomfort with a white-led party being back in power, even in a coalition. The country is haunted by the apartheid system of white minority rule that ended 30 years ago but is still felt by millions among the Black majority who were ruthlessly oppressed by a white government and remain affected by unresolved issues of poverty and inequality. South Africa is now faced with the likelihood of seeing more white people in senior government positions than ever since apartheid ended. White people make up around 7% of the countrys population of 62 million. The ANC liberated South Africa from apartheid in 1994 under Nelson Mandela, the country's first Black president. Its three-decade political dominance ended in the landmark May 29 election, forcing it to form a coalition. The DA, with its roots in liberal white parties that stood against apartheid, won the second largest share of votes. Both have promoted their coming together in a multi-party coalition as a new unity desperately needed in a country with vast socioeconomic problems. But history lingers. The DA suspended one of its white lawmakers Thursday, days after being sworn into Parliament, over racist slurs he made in a social media video more than a decade ago. Renaldo Gouws reportedly a student in his 20s at the time used an especially offensive term for Black people that was infamous during apartheid and is now considered hate speech. Gouws faces disciplinary action from his party, and the South African Human Rights Commission said it will take him to court. The DA, which previously fended off allegations of favoring whites, is again under scrutiny. The Congress of South African Trade Unions, an important political ally of the ANC, asserted that Gouws outburst was symptomatic of a DA that is soft on racists. The DA needs to reflect on and address this if it wants to be accepted as a partner in the government of national unity by ordinary South Africans, it said. DA leader John Steenhuisen denied in a television interview that his party is dedicated only to white interests, saying it wouldnt have won the second largest share of votes in a Black majority country if it was. The DA has Black and white lawmakers and supporters, but its only Black leader left the party in 2019, questioning its commitment to Black South Africans. Political analyst Angelo Fick said the DA does have a sense of whiteness in the eyes of many South Africans and has created that by being utterly disinterested in speaking to the concerns about race from Black South Africans. Shortly before Gouws' case, racially charged language came from another direction when the MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma once an ANC leader called Ramaphosa a house negro for entering into the agreement with the DA. Zuma's party also referred to white DA chairperson Helen Zille as Ramaphosa's slave master. The MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters the third and fourth biggest parties in Parliament have refused to join what the ANC calls a government of national unity open to all. They said the fundamental reason is the DA, which they say is committed only to the well-being of South Africa's white minority. We do not agree to this marriage of convenience to consolidate the white monopoly power over the economy, EFF leader Julius Malema said. Malema has sometimes provoked racial tensions in demanding change, once saying, We are not calling for the slaughtering of white people, at least for now, and that South Africas white man has been too comfortable for too long. He now says his party is not against white people but against a perceived white privilege that leaves 64% of Black people in poverty compared with 1% of white people, according to a 2021 report by the South African Human Rights Commission. Malema represents a new opposition to the ANC by many Black South Africans frustrated over the race-based inequality that's evident after 30 years of freedom. White people generally live in posh neighborhoods. Millions of Black people live in impoverished townships on the outskirts. That frustration led many voters to give up on the ANC. The concerns about teaming up with the DA could weaken the party even further. In his inauguration speech Wednesday, Ramaphosa recognized the toxic divisions that remain decades after Mandela preached racial reconciliation. Our society remains deeply unequal and highly polarized, Ramaphosa said. The ANC is trying to use the coalition as a kind of reboot of Mandela's ideals. To us, it doesnt matter whether the cat is black or white," ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said of the agreement with the DA. Mandela had used the phrase to signal he was open to all races serving in South Africa's government. Fundamentally," Mbalula said, the question is how do we move the country forward. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) As crews battle the South Fork and Salt fires near Ruidoso, New Mexico, long-time residents know this isnt the first time the community has been impacted. Some even say they just finished unpacking their go-bags from the Blue 2 fire when the latest fires hit. KRQE News 13 spoke with Colin Hood, the owner of Alto Ski Shop. Ive owned it since October of 2021. And since then, Ive gone through three wildfires, Hood says. We just got over the Blue 2 fire a few weeks ago. Wildfires raise flood risk for New Mexico communities A review of data from the U.S. Forest Service shows that the Ruidoso area has been hit by around 20 fires in the last century. Some, like the Little Bear fire in 2012, burned tens of thousands of acres of land and destroyed homes. Others ripped through the landscape, impacting the ability of soils to absorb water essentially raising the risk of flash floods. So debris flow and flooding are the two big ones we see, but we also have erosion and sedimentation coming out of the burned areas, because the vegetation has been stripped off. Whenever it rains, the rain just falls directly on the soil, and raindrops can be pretty erosive and kick up a lot of soil, says Steven Bassett the director of conservation at the Nature Conservancy. Really whats downstream is what makes these floods and debris flows damaging if theres communities downstream, in this case, Ruidoso. Ruidosos location, near steep slopes along Cedar Creek and Rio Ruidoso, makes the community particularly vulnerable to flooding and post-fire impacts, Bassett says. We can see 10 to 100 times the volume of water that would be normal before a fire, Bassett says, especially in the Ruidoso area, because its so prone to high-intensity monsoonal precipitation events and also has really closely connected headwaters to downstream communities. Story Continues Below Data from the U.S. Forest Service shows the footprints of fires near Ruidoso from the 1970s to 2016. It does not include recent fires like the Blue 2 fire. Ruidoso and neighboring community streets shown in pink. The White Fire, in 2011, impacted two municipal water systems and wells near Ruidoso. That fire caused moderate-to-high severity burns on about 7,000 acres east of Ruidoso and filled some natural drainage areas with up to eight inches of ash, according to a post-fire report. Several homes were burned as well. Fires have been happening for decades in the mountains around Ruidoso. In 1967, the Gavilan fire burned 3,000 acres near Ruidoso, and an Amarillo Globe-Times newspaper report from the time says around 600 men, along with five converted bomber airplanes worked to put out the fire, just several miles from the town. The forests in the Ruidoso area, the Sacramento Mountains, theyre very dry, very fire-prone, Bassett says. Were in a very dry, very arid time of year, where we havent had precipitation, where the forests are drying out. That happens on an annual basis, and its getting worse with climate change. But the forests near Ruidoso are also prone to fire. Historically, they would have burned everywhere from 10 to 20 years the fuels would build up, and then a lightning strike would cause a small fire that would spread. Every time that happened, it would leave lower fuel density for future fires to run into, and then they would stop. New Mexico offering free childcare for wildfire evacuees Essentially, natural burns would remove fuel from the landscape and act to some extent as a limiting factor on future burns. Some of Ruidosos previous wildfire burns are likely to do just that an area that has burned within the last decade or so is less likely to burn again at least until plant coverage returns. Were going to see big, high-intensity fires. But fortunately, burn scars do act as kind of mitigation for future fires, and well see some of that limiting effect, Bassett says. Crews can also work to reduce fuels on the landscape and thereby help limit forest fires. But once the landscape builds up fuels again, the risk for a high-intensity burn increases. And that is inevitable. The forest down there evolved with fire, and they will burn. Theres nothing we can do about that. We just have to be prepared for the fire response to safely and also get ahead of it if we can, Bassett says. Despite the ever-present threat of fires, some residents say they are going to keep living in the picturesque mountain town. Whats not to love, other than the fires? Its a great place, clean air, beautiful views, good hiking, says Brenda Brandt, who was evacuated from her home due to the recent fires near Ruidoso. We came from Florida, so weve been evacuated there. Brandt and Larry Darmer say they moved to Ruidoso after a hurricane impacted their home in Florida about two decades ago. Now, they say that as long as they have a home to return to, they will return home. We can do this. Weve been evacuated before for different things, Brandt says. Were not thinking of leaving, Darmer adds. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Western culture has long seen fire as a force of nature to be subdued. As Don McLeans lyric in the song American Pie said, Fire is the Devils only friend. A society built on property lines and bank loans will look differently at a wildland fire than a culture built on harvesting native plants that evolved within a cycle of fire. Some plants have an essential relationship with fire. The National Forest Foundation describes how some pine cones are literally glued shut with a strong resin waiting for fire to open the cones and release seeds. But there is a difference between good and bad fire. A low-intensity fire helps nature turn the page to renewal and destroys non-native plants not adapted to fire. However years of fire suppression can allow fuels to stack up. Instead of low-intensity, good fire, flames can escalate to high-intensity, bad fire. Much of the pine forest along Highway 190 near Ponderosa, CA was incinerated in the 2020 SQF Complex fire. This photo from Aug. 8, 2021, shows the destruction of what had been a cool green canopy. Even the fire-resistant Sequoias can be felled by bad fire. Though there are signs that some redwoods are recovering from the devastating series of fires that swept California in the early 2020s, a tree that can live thousands of years can be demolished in a flash. And Californias iconic state tree is not being replaced at the rate it is falling. Unfortunately, the forests around Sequoias are filled with trees that were weakened by drought or beetles and far less armored against fire. Today there are efforts being made to responsibly help protect California from devastating wildfires. Firefighter Mark Linane of U.S. Forest Service shaves using his truck side mirror after taking a four-hour rest period while fighting the Hi Mountain Fire on July 7, 1988. Recently the yak titu titu yak tihini Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo Region and County partnered with local agencies to conduct the countys first cultural burn. The fire covered 15 acres at the Johnson Ranch. Kelsey Shaffer, a cultural burn practitioner with the ytt Tribe, explained that fire can be seen as an elemental life force. Tyler Mata lights the first corner of the cultural burn with a traditional torch at the Johnson Ranch Open Space on June 18, 2024. Though there have been previous agricultural- or agency-initiated controlled burns, this was the first of what the tribe and involved agencies hope will be an ongoing practice. Nine decades ago, however, the priority was on putting out what was called the biggest fire in county history. At its height, the fire was active along a 20 mile front and was called the Rinconada-Lopez canyon fire. Research and record keeping was not what it is today, and mapping is more accurate in the modern era, so the largest fire claim might be disputed, but it was on the front page for several days. Smoke and high winds faced firefighters in the Flora Street neighborhood of San Luis Obispo during the height of the fire July 8, 1985. Las Pilitas Fire began July 1, 1985. The nine-day fire consumed 75,000 acres of brush, 10 homes, cost $6.3 million and jumped fire lines twice. Even among modern fire totals for SLO County it would place high up, coming in at about third with 50,000 acres burned. Meanwhile, the banner headline of Aug. 9, 1929, concerned rumblings of what would soon become a devastating stock market crash, ushering in the Great Depression. The fire was the second headline on the page for most days. The most complete story ran Aug. 10, 1929 in the Daily Telegram: Rinconada blaze nearly under control: Big fire is held in hills; Twenty mile blaze is stopped by fighters The largest fire in county history, according to the Daily Telegram on Aug. 10, 1929 was the 50,000 acre Rinconada-Lopez Canon fire. It only merited second deck headlines in the paper with the stock market rising and falling on the way to a record crash and stories about the travels of the Graf Zeppelin. With nearly 50,000 acres of land burned over, 400 firefighters on Saturday were gradually putting under control the grass and brush fire in the Rinconada section, southeast of Santa Margarita, the biggest fire in the history of the county. The blaze on Saturday was being confined largely to the upper end of the Lopez canyon, after the floor of the Rinconada valley had been burned over and large sections of the Santa Margarita ranch had been swept by the flames. Backfiring saved a number of ranch homes in the fire area as well as the Rinconada quicksilver mine, and except for the grain on the Santa Margarita ranch, and some excellent grass which burned, the loss will be small as most of the area was in rough brush, in the national forest. Saturday several firefighters were returned to San Luis Obispo, suffering from slight burns to the face and hands, and released from duty and one Paso Robles youth with a small burn on his ankle also was sent to his home. None of the burned men required more than first aid treatment, and none had to be taken to hospitals. Started Wednesday The fire which started on Wednesday afternoon, has been fought continuously since that time by varying sized crews of men, all under the general direction of F.H. Hayward, U.S. forest ranger, stationed at San Luis Obispo. The blaze was stared by sparks from a tractor on the Santa Margarita Ranch. It was announced, although another fire started at the same time in the pasture on the ranch, the cause of which has not been discovered. At times the fire line was 20 miles long, and the men engaged in the fight had to be wildly scattered over the entire area. Two camps have been established, one in the Pozo district and one in the Lopez canyon area. Truck loads of supplies were sent out to both camps Saturday morning, and B.R. Bettencourt, county fire warden, working under Ranger Hayward was in the city again gathering more fighters to take to the blaze. Damage Uncertain Just how extensive the damage to the grazing land in the area will be could not be ascertained, firefighters said Saturday, as the entire area burned over is covered by a dense pall of smoke, and until this clears, it will not be known just what parts of the district may have been jumped by the fire. The St. Johns County Sheriffs Office is introducing its new K9: Tonic. Tonic is a 2-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever trained to detect explosives. According to a Facebook post, the dog was born in Bulgaria. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] When hes not detecting explosives, he likes to go on walks, get brushed, and take naps in the patrol car. Deputy Stephanie Stuart describes Tonic as a big teddy bear who loves his job. [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. HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called upon Democrats in the New York City suburbs to reelect Rep. Jamaal Bowman in order to take a stand against the deep-pocketed super PACs bankrolling Bowmans primary challenger. Bowmans bid for a third term is one of the most significant elections in the modern history of this country, Sanders told a crowd of about 200 supporters gathered in a park on the bank of the Hudson River, because this election is not about a clash of ideas, this election is about whether billionaire super PACs can buy our democracy. Sanders argued, with a touch of humor, for Democrats to vote for Bowman for the sake of democracy even if they dont see eye to eye with him on other matters. I want to say a word to the people in the district and Jamaal may not agree with me, but this is what I think even if you disagree, youre a Democrat, youre going to vote in this primary, and you disagree with Jamaal on this issue, or that issue vote for Jamaal, he said. And the reason is, the most important part of this election is whether we have the courage as people to stand up to the oligarchs and tell these billionaires theyre not going to control our government. Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a more moderate Democrat, is seeking to defeat Bowman in Tuesdays primary in New Yorks 16th Congressional District, a solid Democratic seat where the general election is not competitive. With the support of well-resourced pro-Israel groups who have endorsed him, as well as a cryptocurrency industry super PAC, Latimer now has a double-digit lead over Bowman, according to the only public poll in the race. Super PACs backing Latimer have outspent Bowmans allied super PACs by a roughly 9-to-1 margin, with a group tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) alone spending more than $14.6 million to blast Bowman. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), left, waves to supporters Friday as Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) speaks during a reelection rally in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Joy Malone via Getty Images AIPAC and a smaller group, Democratic Majority for Israel, have it out for Bowman because of his vehement criticism of Israel, which they see as insensitive to Jewish security needs. Bowman, who nows describes Israels attacks on Gaza a genocide, called for a cease-fire in the war less than two weeks after the retaliatory strikes began in response to Hamas Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. For Bowman and his supporters, the lopsided spending war has turned AIPAC, which indeed counts some billionaire Republicans among its top donors, into as much of a villain in the race as Latimer himself. Speaking before Sanders, Bowman gave the crowd time to boo when he said special interest group AIPAC, and then repeated it again to elicit louder jeers. They are spending more money in this race than has ever been spent in congressional primary history, he said. They have money; we have the many. They have power, weve got the people. They have an oligarchy, but weve got us! He then led the crowd in a chant of We got us. Rally attendees, many of whom were from the small, progressive river town where it took place, received paper bracelets with one of three words: hope, change or peace. Those bracelets corresponded to labeled buses that transported them to fan out and knock on doors for Bowmans campaign after the event. On Saturday, Sanders will also co-headline a rally for Bowman alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) at a park in the South Bronx in an area that will be part of Ocasio-Cortezs district after the next elections. Sanders does not use the term genocide to describe Israels war in Gaza, but he voiced his agreement with Bowmans calls for a cease-fire and objection to the massive suffering Israel is inflicting on Gazas civilian population as a result of its war with Hamas. He cited estimates that Israel has killed 38,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians, as well as the destruction of the majority of buildings and the prevention of adequate humanitarian aid entering the region. Israel, like any other country, had a right to defend itself, Sanders said. But what it does not have the right to do is go to war against the entire Palestinian people. He's given a voice to the Palestinian people, and it seems like not many people in Congress are.Zach Arno, a data scientist The Bowman campaigns choice of Hastings-on-Hudson for the first rally with Sanders was a deliberate play to turn out the progressive, middle-class part of his base. New Yorks 16th District consists of a sliver of the northeastern Bronx and the lower half of suburban Westchester County. Bowman is expected to perform the strongest in the Bronx, as well as in the inner-ring suburbs with large Black and Latino populations, such as Yonkers and Mount Vernon. But among the more affluent and whiter parts of the district, the towns along the Hudson River have historically been redoubts of progressive activism and voting. Bowman carried the village of Hastings-on-Hudson in 2020, when he ousted then-Rep. Eliot Engel, and again in 2022. Hastings has not been immune, however, to the internecine rancor plaguing other parts of the district based on disagreements over Israeli-Palestinian policy. In November, pro-Israel residents of the village mounted an eleventh-hour revolt against progressive Mayor Niki Armacost, a Bowman supporter whom he thanked onstage Friday. Armacost, an international development professional raised by aid workers, had stoked their ire because she waited 10 days to issue a statement about the Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,100 Israelis and the taking of about 240 hostages. When the statement arrived, some of the hamlets 8,000-plus residents felt as though her evenhandedness rather than a black-and-white statement against anti-Jewish hatred resembled the conservative all lives matter response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The news of the devastating terrorist attack on innocent Israelis by Hamas horrified all of us, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza breaks our hearts, Armacost wrote. These Jewish constituents led a last-minute write-in campaign against Armacost. Village trustee Thomas Drake, a write-in candidate, got more than 700 votes to Armacosts 1,372. Armacost, who is now the only mayor in the district supporting Bowman, is quick to point out that under most circumstances a two-thirds majority is a sweeping victory. It was clear to me someone had to be blamed, she told HuffPost earlier this month. It was my job to absorb that blame in that moment, and that is what I did. She doubts her result is an ominous portent for Bowman, predicting Hastings would go for Bowman a third consecutive time. Hes delivered big time for my municipality and other municipalities across the district, Armacost said, citing, among other things, a grant he helped secure to power the local library with geothermal energy. But the opposition to Bowmans candidacy in Hastings among at least a vocal minority of residents is such that some Bowman critics circulated a lengthy letter questioning the cost-sharing and permitting rights for Bowmans rally and whether the village was prepared to handle potential paid agitators aligned with Bowmans campaign. Rep. Jamaal Bowman welcomes Hastings-on-Hudson Mayor Niki Armacost onstage. Armacost, the only mayor in the district backing Bowman, faced an Israel-related challenge in November. Joy Malone/Getty Images The rally itself attracted a handful of pro-Israel residents, some of whom were there to observe quietly and one of whom, Judah Shapiro, held up placards listing Bowmans controversial comments about Israel and other topics. Bowman called proof of sexual assault and brutality by Hamas lies and propaganda, one of Shapiros signs read, referring to Bowmans comments at a pro-Palestinian rally in November in which he cast doubt on reports of sexual assault committed by Hamas. (He has since said he accepts the evidence as documented by the United Nations.) Theres no difference if youre extreme left or youre extreme right and you dont care about facts, said Shapiro, an attorney who plans to vote for Latimer. Other Jewish rally-goers told HuffPost they were specifically there because of Bowmans support for the Palestinian cause. Hes given a voice to the Palestinian people, and it seems like not many people in Congress are, said Zach Arno, a data scientist. In still another instance, the Israel-related divide over Bowman ran through a father-daughter duo. I like how progressive he is, said Rachel Shornick, a recent college graduate from Dobbs Ferry. He kind of pushes for the more progressive things, and to me, Latimers more content with how things are right now and the status quo. Shornicks father, Mitch, an attorney, was happy to hear Sanders and Bowman speak as he attended the rally alongside his daughter. But he is firmly in Latimers corner. Mitch Shornick sent HuffPost a follow-up email to make his feelings about Bowman clearer. As Bernie said, you dont need to agree with Jamaal on every issue, Shornick wrote. But my feeling is this: He failed my Jewish Lives Matter test. The world was silent when everyone should have been calling for the Red Cross to have access to the hostages to confirm they were alive and being treated well. Related... Standing up to the heat: Women firefighters gather in Green for true-to-life training City of Green fire Capt. Keith Geiger checks the group before the doors are closed for a fire simulation for women firefighters who gathered for a training event Friday in Green. The fire and smoke were real Friday as 19 female firefighters from Summit and Stark counties battled a blaze near Green's Fire Station No. 1. The fire was real, but was part of an agility and fire training session organized by the nonprofit organization Female Firefighters of Ohio. The organization, founded by Green Fire Medic Alexandria Brown in December, supports women with training and mentorship from experienced firefighters. It's a field that men have traditionally dominated; even today, less than 10% of firefighters in the U.S. are women. Some estimates range as low as 3%. Dover firefighter Tracy Zurfley speaks with fellow female firefighters before going into the burn trailer for training Friday in Green. Brown said Friday during the Ohio Fire Academy training session that it was a unique experience for female firefighters to gain experience in a fire behavior lab setting. "It's all females," she said. "That's the cool, unique thing about the training." Brown said Female Firefighters of Ohio was founded to help women advance their firefighting careers, but is open to all. "We allow guys to (join)," she said. "We love our brothers in the fire service." The organization tries to schedule two to four different types of training per month, she said. Destiny Herschberger, a North Canton fire medic, said many women firefighters are seeking to move from part-time to full-time positions. The training helps them gain the certifications and experience needed to make that move. "I didn't have anything like this when I started this service," she said. Casey Garner, a Chippewa Township firefighter who participated Friday, said training helped her gain valuable experience. "I learned techniques I never tried before," she said. City of Stow firefighter Marissa Fabrizi smiles after her training time in the burn trailer Friday in Green. Brad Hemphill, assistant fire chief in Green, said the department has seen an increase in women interested in pursuing a firefighting career. The department, he said, had interviewed two women Friday. "Years ago, we used to have maybe one female take a test," he said. "I think it was 10 the last test." Green Mayor Rocco Yeargin was at the training exercise to see firsthand what firefighters contend with. "I tip my hat to the men and women in this profession," he said. "I got a taste of how difficult it is to navigate a fire (in) 1,100 degree (heat)." 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: Women firefighters from Summit, Stark gather for training in Green Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) An Anchorage Superior Court judge has ruled that opponents of Alaskas ranked choice election system violated state campaign finance laws in their effort to gather signatures for a repeal ballot measure. In a 54-page order, Judge Laura Hartz upheld almost all fines issued in January by the states campaign finance regulator and concluded that Alaskas true source disclosure laws apply to ballot measures. Those laws state that if a nonprofit contributes to a political campaign, it must reveal the names of its donors, the true source of the money. Hartz said one fine, levied for the misreporting of $2,358 in cash contributions, may not have been warranted and remanded the issue back to state regulators. That was a small aspect of the overall case, which involved more than $94,000 in fines levied by the Alaska Public Offices Commission against groups and individuals who backed a ballot measure that seeks to eliminate both ranked choice voting and the states open primary, which places all candidates regardless of party into a single election for each office. The repeal measure is slated for the November general election. A separate lawsuit has challenged the signature-gathering process used to put it on the ballot. Preliminary orders in that case, including one issued Friday, have been in favor of allowing the repeal measure to go forward. A trial on the issue is scheduled to begin Monday. Hartzs 54-page order did not touch on that case, only the matter of the fines. The Alaska Public Offices Commission, which regulates campaign spending in the state, concluded last year that Art Mathias, an opponent of ranked choice voting, contributed $90,000 to the Ranked Choice Education Association, an organization incorporated as a church in Washington state. RCEA then gave money to Alaskans for Honest Elections, which campaigned in favor of the repeal measure. Members of the Public Offices Commission concluded that was a violation of state campaign laws that forbid donations in the name of another person and require nonprofits to list their donors if they pass money to a political campaign. Some ranked choice opponents appealed the fines, as did Alaskans for Better Elections, a pro-ranked choice group that sought larger fines. The Alaska Department of Law, representing the commission, sought to uphold the commissions decision. Hartz ruled almost entirely against both appellants, finding that only one fine involving the handling of cash donations gathered at campaign events may not have been warranted. She sent that issue back to the Public Offices Commission for further consideration. In 2020, Alaskans passed Ballot Measure 2, which included ranked choice voting, the open primary and a law stating that nonprofits that donate to a political campaign must disclose who gave them the money, revealing its true source. That law didnt directly address ballot measures, but Hartz said that ballot measures are included in the law because of an older law that forbids donations in the name of another person or group. Her order said in part, the court concludes that true source reporting requirements do apply to contributions in support of a ballot initiative when the contribution is passed from the true source through an intermediary to an initiative sponsor. Using that conclusion, Hartz upheld most of the commissions actions. Because RCEA derives its funds from contributions, donations, dues, or gifts, RCEA is an intermediary and not, by definition, the true source of a contribution, she wrote. Hartz rejected arguments suggesting that the First Amendment gives donors a right to privacy, thus negating the true source law. There is no constitutional right to make anonymous contributions for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election, she wrote. There is likewise no right to contribute through an intermediary or in the name of another, and the court declines to create such a right. Supporters of the ranked choice repeal suggested they might face threats, harassment or reprisals for their donations and support, but in her ruling, Hartz said that they failed to show any evidence of a reasonable probability that would happen. Fridays order is unlikely to be the final word on the matter. Appellants could request a review from the Alaska Supreme Court. In addition, since the initial filing against Alaskans for Honest Elections, supporters of ranked choice voting have filed additional complaints alleging further problems. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST State police searching for suspect, last known address is in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania State Police in Harrisburg are searching for a man wanted on drug charges and for a fleeing and eluding offense. Taj Aaron Lesane, 35, is 6 feet, 2 inches tall. He has black eyes and brown hair. Police say Lesanes last known address is in Pittsburgh. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 717-671-7500. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Pennsylvania couple drowns in rip current while on vacation with their kids in Florida Armed robbers get away with $60K in jewelry from Fayette County store, state police say 2 people, including teenager, charged in Homestead shooting VIDEO: Pittsburgh woman is 1st patient to receive new early-stage breast cancer vaccine DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts State Route 8 northbound in Akron is down to one lane Saturday after a maintenance issue. The problem has closed the right two lanes to traffic at Tallmadge Avenue. It's not clear when the road will reopen. State Route 8 northbound in Akron is down to one lane Saturday following a maintenance issue. The Ohio Department of Transportation said the issue was being handled by the city of Akron, which has not returned a request for information Saturday. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Route 8 north partially closed in Akron due to maintenance issue Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) on Friday ripped into New Yorks judicial process, calling it corrupt to the core, in the wake of former President Trumps hush money conviction. Were seeing the illegal weaponization of our courts and radical district attorneys like Alvin Bragg, going after Joe Bidens chief political opponent, that is Donald J. Trump, Stefanik said during a speech Friday at the Faith & Freedom Conference. Trump was found guilty last month on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide alleged affairs during his 2016 campaign. The case was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), who has been repeatedly accused by Republicans of unfairly targeting Trump ahead of the 2024 election. Stefanik repeated some of those claims Friday, alleging the case was a form of election interference, that was illegal and unconstitutional. We must do everything we can as the American people to make sure that we restore equal justice under the law, that we stand up against this radicalization, this corruption of our courts, she said. Stefanik touted ethics complaints shes filed against Bragg and brought up the corrupt jury selection process. Think about this. It is so corrupt that in the jury selection process, the jurors were asked, Do you follow any social media accounts of President Donald J. Trump? If any of them said yes, they were not allowed to serve on the jury. They were not asked that about Joe Biden, Stefanik said. They jury shopped, and then they illegally judge shopped. The New York Republican also went after Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the trial. Trump and his defense team sought to force Merchan to recuse himself from the trial, pointing to his daughters work with Democratic campaigns and $35 in donations Merchan made to the Biden campaign and two liberal-leaning groups before taking on the case. The fact that this is a judge that donated to Joe Biden, it is corrupt, corrupt to the core! she quipped. We must save our country at the ballot box this November. It will be the American people that save our Constitution and save this country and fight back. Stefaniks name has been floated as Trumps potential vice-presidential pick and has repeatedly advocated for the former president on Capitol Hill. Stefanik said shes honored to have her name mentioned as part of Trumps running mate discussions, but her focus is working to elect Republicans up and down the 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 The Hill. A stolen clock continues to captivate crowds. It's the timepiece that once hung on the Detroit train station built in 1913, returned by a thief shortly after Ford Motor Co. purchased Michigan Central Station. The station had been abandoned for three decades. The act of kindness went viral. The clock was left by an abandoned building, wrapped in a blanket and the subject of an anonymous call to The Henry Ford Museum (and, later, text to the automaker) for pickup. Thief: "I only have the clock. No other material. I left it leaning against a burned-out building on Lawton. It is between Warren and Buchanan. The building is between the train tracks and 4470 Lawton. Please send two men and a truck immediately. It has been missing for over 20 years and is ready to go home. Thank you so much." Ford Land: "Thank you! I will try to send a crew right now." Thief: "Please have them lay it face up in the truck. The paint is very delicate. You can tell the front from the back by looking at the exposed legs." Ford found the stolen train depot clock on Friday, June 15, 2018, wrapped in a moving blanket after an anonymous tipster reported where it would be left in Detroit, just 2 miles from the station. It was left just 2 miles from the depot in a low-activity area north of Corktown that includes Bargain Office Equipment and Faithful Mount Triumph Baptist Church. The clock is one of hundreds of antiques and decorative parts stolen from the 18-story Beaux Arts structure, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. And America celebrated a thief who displayed a bit of civic responsibility. Yet time can change how we see things, including the stolen clock scenario. "I dont like to refer to it as having been stolen because the Detroiter who took the clock did so in order to protect it from being melted down for scrap and preserved it," said Dan Austin, communications director at Michigan Central. "In many ways, he didnt steal it; he saved it. Had it not been for him, we would not have it today. And we would not be able to return it to the carriage house," He hated referring to the man who returned the carriage house clock as a thief. "As a preservationist," said Austin, who runs the historicdetroit.org website, "hes a hero to me and not a thief." While the man returned the clock anonymously, a member of the Michigan Central community engagement team later revealed knowing the person. Ford actually reached out to celebrate his generosity but the man declined and requested to remain anonymous, Austin said. The Original Carriage House Clock hangs in the back of the room while people tour the first floor of the Michigan Central Station for the Summer at the Station on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Detroit. Eventually, the clock will be installed again on the exterior of the renovated former train station. But that's not the only Easter egg at Michigan Central as visitors pour through the grand halls that once shipped soldiers to war and later welcomed them home. An empty beer bottle wrapped in mystery There's a message in a bottle from 1913 discovered during demolition of the historic reading room. While finding old beer bottles and cigarette tins stuck behind the crumbling plaster walls was not unusual for restoration workers, the bottle of Stroh's Bohemian Beer had a handwritten note inside. It was among more than 200 items found from more than a century ago and collected. Stephanee Borger, 41, of Oak Park, and Adam Sekuler, 46, of Detroit, stopped Friday night to take a closer look of the Message in the Bottle, while touring the first floor of the Michigan Central Station for the Summer at the Station self-guided tours. Were trying to make out the indecipherable word, Sekuler said. Its interesting, in general, the ways people left treasures in the building. You get to kind of make up your own narrative. Stephanee Borger, 41, of Oak Park, and Adam Sekuler, 46, of Detroit, look at the message in a bottle display while touring the first floor of Michigan Central Station in Detroit on Friday, June 22, 2024. Learning of the found artifacts impressed Borger. The fact that they even had the thought to preserve and look inside the bottle is something that probably would not have happened anywhere else but Detroit," Borger said. The pair continued to talk about how the items on display made the opening of Michigan Central Station more than just about restoration of the building, but more about reconstructing and connecting them to the past and how special that makes Detroit. Leaving graffiti in areas of the iconic building, though controversial to some, is also about honoring the past, Ford said. Lost, ruined, scrapped Jeremy Dimick, manager of collections at the Detroit Historical Society, said in 2018 that it's encouraging to see a building that meant so much to so many "go from being unused and unwanted for so long come back and find a second life." "This building is priceless," he said. "And a lot of times, when things disappear, they never resurface. They're lost, ruined, scrapped. Just the fact that this clock survived is incredible." A ticket to ride Another tiny treasure on display is a collection of old train tickets found during renovation. "They had just been stuffed into walls and the ceiling and maybe used as insulation or something," Austin said. "Back in the day, there was an unsheltered individual named 'Catfish' living there. I was told he would use the tickets as bedding, and he would sell tickets to people. But there were still more in the station after the resurrection began." Mention of Catfish has come up during interviews repeatedly with people familiar with the site. The Free Press learned that the man was able to buy back his childhood home, but he's struggling to meet city code requirements related to extreme disrepair. Catfish reportedly used money collected from various sources including bottle returns to buy the home off West Grand Avenue, and Detroit officials are working with him. Distressed homes in Detroit can still be found for less than $10,000. A stack of train ticket stubs sit on display for people to look at while taking a self-guided tour of the first floor of the Michigan Central Station for the Summer at the Station on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Detroit. So many colorful pieces of paper, old train tickets, were found in the ticket lobby ceiling as Ford crews dismantled an unsafe portion of what was left of the building, said Austin Giesey, project manager responsible for the interior historic finishes for the Christman/Brinker Corktown Joint Venture. "They didnt expect to find artifacts while carefully dismantling the ceiling," he said. "Soon after, one of the crew members saw a ticket that found its way like a feather to the ground. These are actual tickets of passengers going to Cleveland, New York, Chicago. We found hundreds of them," he said, also mentioning the presence of someone living in the building at the time. The restoration team holds campaigns on restoration projects that include signs that say,"Don't pocket the past." And workers helped put together a collection of treasures now archived by Ford. A ram's head is recreated When Ford bought Michigan Central in 2018, the company knew something ornate went on the tops of the rectangular columns known as pilasters in the once-elegant tea and reading room with windows overlooking Michigan Avenue and the Vernor Viaduct. The room had so deteriorated after years of being exposed to rain and snow and cold and heat, and no known historical photos existed for restoration guidance, Austin said. Antique collector Terry Fadina in Detroit came forward and told Ford that there were ram's heads in the room. And he loaned one to Ford to make 3D digital scans with a handheld device. People stop to look at the ram's heads from the reading room. The originals were duplicated from a digital scan of the missing piece in a private collection. This is on display on the first floor of the Michigan Central Station for the Summer at the Station were visitors take self-guided tours from 5- 9 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 31. After a specialist adjusted the digital file to correct for any errors and the wear related to age, they made several prototypes, said Ford spokesman Dan Barbossa. Restoration workers made an impression of the ram's head pieces for a silicone mold, which allowed the casting of final pieces in plaster, Barbossa said. These were painted by hand on-site to mimic the original pieces. "What they did back in the day in the United States, they would often use plaster that was painted to look like wood or stone in places people couldnt touch as a cost-saving move," Austin said. "If you look at top of the waiting room, what's the Grand Hall now, its actually plaster and not stone up there." A sign posted during the renovation and restoration of Michigan Central Station reminded the thousands of workers on site to look for treasures and collect them, especially during demolition. They found items in ceilings and behind the walls. In photos from when the station was vacant "ruin porn" widely viewed as a national symbol of Detroit's diminished stature the half-moon windows were surrounded just by brick. Moisture caused the plaster to disintegrate. "It wouldve taken a lot of time and money to have somebody hand carve all those column capitals," Austin said. It was far cheaper and uniform to have a sculptor sculpt one (ram's head) out of clay, make a plaster mold from that and paint them to look like wood." Fadina, who told the Free Press that the original ram's head is hanging on his living room wall in Detroit, said working with Ford on the project was "kind of a miracle." The Ford team had known that there was special trim above the wainscoting in this room, but historic drawings lacked detail to provide needed direction, and historic photography was also not clear enough. With the rams heads in hand, the drawings and photos were enough to verify that this piece was from the room, Ford told the Free Press. Ford then approved a change order that would allow the team to devote resources to re-creating these pieces. A Sherlock Holmes investigation team at Ford Giesey worked with the team to hunt down missing pieces of the abandoned train station, antique pieces that had been scavenged and sold. Early in 2021, Terry showed up with the ornament. The aha moment was the rams head. We wanted to make sure we documented the piece. This was incredible, Giesey said. All credit to Terry for having it. At times, Giesey sounded like a Sherlock Holmes when talking about the hunt for items all across the U.S. The process toward restoration, including something as basic as re-keying all the temporary doors, brought people into the station who knew people who knew people who helped in the search. A restoration worker is making a 3D digital scan of an original decorative ram's head removed from the 1913 Beaux Arts-style Michigan Central Station in Detroit. Ford connected with a wealthy man in Maine who owned ornate Mankato limestone from above a doorway in the Grand Hall, and that has been used for re-creation. Ford flew Giesey's team out east to laser scan the items. Open weekends now The interior of the building on Michigan Avenue in Corktown, the city's oldest surviving neighborhood, has been renovated. Big plans remain for parts of the exterior and park that will be part of the 30-acre campus in southwest Detroit. The $950 million architectural restoration and renovation, which includes Michigan Central and other buildings (such as the abandoned Detroit Public Schools Book Depository now known as Newlab), has stunned visitors since the grand reopening on June 6. Within the first 10 days of opening to the public, more than 65,000 people were counted coming through the doors of Michigan Central, Austin said. When free tickets became available online, the surge in activity initially crashed the system. On Friday, the first day of the first weekend open to the public, 737 visitors entered within the first 50 minutes, Austin said. Now the station is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through August. Tickets are not required. However, the depot will be closed July 5-6. The site is not open to the public during the week. Ford CEO Jim Farley has characterized the architectural miracle as something that feels like sweet revenge on longtime critics who failed to believe in the potential of the city. Henry Ford reportedly had hoped to develop the Corktown area but his plans were disrupted by the Great Depression. Irish immigrants settled the area named for County Cork, Ireland, which the Ford family visits to celebrate their heritage and an early auto plant. Now Bill Ford, executive chair of the company founded in 1903 and great-grandson of the founder, has fulfilled the family dream. More: Childhood memories of Detroit explain emotion of Michigan Central Station opening More: Michigan Central Station: How secret basement, flooding nightmare led to renovation delays Editor's Note: The reporter's husband worked on the train station as an electrician employed by Conti. And her great-great grandfather founded T.J. Wall & Sons paint company in Corktown in the 1800s. Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Central Station in Detroit full of Easter eggs like clock The tornado raced across southern Iowa at nearly 45 mph, shredding wind turbines like string cheese. In the town of Greenfield, it overturned cars and ripped homes from their foundations, leaving a gash of destruction that can be seen from space. The twister, which the National Weather Service later rated an EF4, killed five people May 21, making it one of the deadliest so far this year, and injured 35. More than a dozen tornadoes touched down in the state that day. While most everyone in the area hunkered in basements, a team of nine scientists storm chasers sought to get as close as possible to the twisters. Just before 3 p.m., they saw their opportunity. As a tornado began to brew on their radar screens, the group scrambled into action. They rushed one of their radar trucks to a location about 10 miles west of Greenfield, a community of about 2,000 in southwest Iowa. Another team dashed to deploy a pod of scientific instruments directly in the twisters path. There was debris falling on us, said Jennifer Walton, a storm chaser and photographer on the team. A third truck drove through town, suddenly surrounded by trees and buildings that blocked their radar view of the twister. They knew they were ahead of the storm; they didnt know by how much. Thats probably the most anxious time for all of us, because we know a tornado is coming, said Joshua Wurman, a University of Illinois research scientist. We really dont know whether its coming in five minutes or three minutes or two minutes. It worked. The team achieved an intercept, as they call it, collecting data on the storm with the pod and two mobile radar devices and giving scientists a rare, detailed and close-range view of one of the most powerful twisters ever recorded this way. The data they gathered marks only the third time that scientists have calculated wind speeds that reached more than 300 mph within a tornado. And because the storm chasers took the readings from multiple angles while the twister pummeled Greenfield, the findings now offer a grim view of the winds and inner dynamics of a vortex powerful enough to level homes. The Greenfield tornado on May 21 was strong enough to overturn and crush a car. The Adair County Medical Clinic, in the background, was spared a direct hit. Tornadoes producing this intensity and this kind of damage are rare in the United States. We only get a handful of these each year, said Tony Lyza, a physical scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, who was not involved in the research. This is a really important study to have a tornado of this intensity and have a mobile radar there observing while the tornado was doing peak estimated damage. Many basic elements of tornado science remain unsettled because high-quality data is so hard to obtain. These new findings could help untangle critical questions about tornado formation and structure, how wind speeds in the air correspond to damage on the ground and the factors that can cause tornadoes to intensify or break down. The team of nine researchers that set off for Greenfield on May 21 was led by Wurman and Karen Kosiba with the University of Illinois Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) team, which is funded in part by the National Science Foundation. The two are among the worlds top academic storm chasers. The FARM researchers started the day in McCook, Nebraska, weary after a night of storm-chasing in Colorado, where all theyd caught were hailstones. The roving team travels with two radar trucks and several other vehicles, including a pickup truck with a pod of instruments designed to survive a tornado long enough to measure temperature, pressure and other factors. They set off for Greenfield a nearly six-hour drive. Chasing a tornado is like playing a board game against nature. Researchers evaluate the conditions, calculate odds and move pieces radar trucks, balloons and pods so that they can capture the best measurement of the storm from a relatively safe distance. A Doppler on Wheels satellite dish sends out a narrow beam of radar waves to gather data close to a tornado near Duke, Oklahoma, on May 23. This kind of work can be deadly in 2013, three tornado chasers died while pursuing a powerful tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma. In Iowa, the FARM researchers day began like a game of whack-a-mole. Storms were moving through the area rapidly, which left them guessing as to where to position their equipment and how to keep a safe distance. They found themselves zigzagging down country roads as storms popped up on radar, only to watch them fizzle out. But as the Greenfield tornado approached the town, it touched off 10 minutes of intense action. This isnt a safe sport. You have to be able to make change on a dime, Walton said. Kosiba and Wurman stationed their radar truck about a mile east of the towns center, which was about 300 yards from the twisters edge. They lowered the trucks metal hydraulic feet and lifted its wheels to create a stable, level platform to ride out the storm. We dont want to be bouncing around and messing up our radar, Wurman said. Winds ripped by the truck at about 80 mph, but the researchers dont remember much of how it looked outside they were glued to their screens. I never look out the window, Kosiba said. Im always looking at the radar. The truck sends out a narrow beam of radar waves that hit objects flying through the air, everything from raindrops to two-by-fours. The device measures the energy that returns, providing data so detailed that researchers can understand the shape of raindrops falling. Inside the truck, they watched colors flash across displays as the tornado splintered house frames and ripped apart trees. Karen Kosiba analyzes a radar display inside a Doppler on Wheels truck during the Greenfield tornado May 21. At times, multiple vortices swirled within the tornado, which lasted for about 45 minutes and traveled about 44 miles. For less than a second, the researchers calculated wind speeds of more than 300 mph in a portion of the tornado. This was a violent day in Iowa, said Tim Marshall, a veteran storm chaser based in Texas who was not involved in the research. The weather service said the twister was up to 1,000 feet wide at times. But when it hit Greenfield, it had narrowed. Scientists arent quite sure why that happened its one of many mysteries this kind of detailed radar data could eventually help solve. Well be chewing on this for years, Wurman said. The ingredients necessary to form a tornado wind shear, lift, instability and moisture are well known and allow forecasters to put out reliable tornado watches but, beyond that, much remains mysterious. Once a storm forms and makes a tornado, we have very little skill in knowing whether that tornado is going to be large or small, long-lived or short-lived, or the exact track that that storm is going to take, Wurman said. The May 21 twister downed wind turbines southwest of Greenfield. Tim Marshall, a veteran storm chaser, said it takes winds of 120 mph to 140 mph to tear such structures down. "This is the type of damage that probably got rated EF4," Joshua Wurman, a University of Illinois tornado researcher, said of the May 21 twister in Greenfield. Storm chasers execute their dangerous dance with the elements to push their field forward. The recent measurements of the Greenfield tornado, in particular, could offer insight into how wind speeds aloft translate to damage on the ground. Kosiba plans to correlate the detailed wind speed data her team gathered with surveys of ground damage. She also plans to model the events thermodynamics, which could offer clues to what factors can lead to more intense wind speeds. This work could help scientists develop better tornado prediction systems and help builders construct more resilient structures. We dont want to see the destruction, but this is how we learn, Marshall said. The damage is Mother Natures fingerprint. Its how we evaluate how it happened. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A car is partially submerged in a flooded area of Lincoln County on June 21, 2024. (Courtesy of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office) A car is partially submerged in a flooded area of Lincoln County on June 21, 2024. (Courtesy of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office) Sioux Falls is asking area residents to limit their contributions to the wastewater system, while state officials are warning of river crests that will arrive Monday and Tuesday as southeast South Dakota recovers from several days of historic rainfall totaling more than 17 inches in some locations. Mayor Paul TenHaken said Sioux Falls is diverting wastewater into holding facilities that have never been used before, and those facilities are full. This is the most strained the system has ever been, he said. He asked people in the Sioux Falls area to temporarily avoid doing laundry, taking showers, running their dishwasher or doing anything else that would contribute unnecessary wastewater to the system. TenHaken participated in a media teleconference Saturday morning with Gov. Kristi Noem and other officials. Noem encouraged everyone affected by flooding to document their property damages and relay that information to their insurance agent and their county emergency management director. She said the state will collect that information and apply it toward the $1.6 million statewide damage threshold needed to unlock assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is the most strained the system has ever been. Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, while asking residents to avoid unnecessary contributions to the city wastewater system The governor said rainfall totals since Thursday include 18.2 inches in Canton (Noem said that figure twice, and her spokesman confirmed the figure to South Dakota Searchlight afterward), 7.48 inches in Mitchell, 7.3 inches in Sioux Falls and 7.15 inches in Chamberlain. She said 21 of the states 66 counties are experiencing flooding. We have seen a tremendous amount of rainfall, Noem said. There are widespread reports of flooded roads and basements, but officials on the call said they have not received any reports of deaths, while reported injuries have been minor. TenHaken said Sioux Falls emergency responders rescued six people during the prior 24 hours, including one man in the Big Sioux River near the falls. TenHaken said that man is lucky to be alive. People may want to view the water roaring over the falls, TenHaken said, but they should stay away and view it through webcam feeds on the internet. Just maybe avoid going to the falls, would be appreciated, TenHaken said. Its not really a safe place right now. Noem warned against complacency as the rainfall ends. All of that water is moving through our system and moving through our tributaries, our streams, our rivers and our dams, she said, and we are expecting high water flows to come downstream. Officials said several rivers are expected to crest Monday or Tuesday, including the James River near Yankton at 25.1 feet, the Big Sioux River near Sioux City at 38.4 feet, and a portion of the Vermillion River at around 30 feet. The Big Sioux figure would be a record for that segment, Noem said. Estimated three-day rainfall totals in southeast South Dakota as of 7 a.m. Central time on June 22, 2024. (Courtesy of National Weather Service) Those are all tributaries of the Missouri River, which is managed with dams. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Friday that rainfall in eastern South Dakota, northeastern Nebraska and northwestern Iowa was 600% of normal during the prior 24 hours. The corps responded by lowering releases at Fort Randall and Gavins Point dams. The lower releases, continuing through Sunday, are expected to raise the water level behind Gavins Point by 2 feet. John Remus is the chief of the corps Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. While the decreased releases are expected to bring lower downstream river stages, they cannot offset all the flooding in the Sioux City area, Remus said in a Friday news release. South Dakotas secretary of public safety, Bob Perry, said a portion of Interstate 29 south of the Canton exit remains closed due to water over the road. He said an alternate route that had been established through Iowa seems also closed at this point. Perry urged drivers to visit https://sd511.org or download the SD511 mobile app to view all current road closures, no-travel advisories and highway obstructions. Further information about South Dakota flooded roads is available at https://dot.sd.gov/travelers/travelers/flooding-information, and information about roads in Iowa and Minnesota is available at https://www.511ia.org/ and https://511mn.org/. The National Weather Service forecast for southeast South Dakota includes scattered showers and storms through early Saturday afternoon with less than a quarter-inch of new rain in most areas. The forecast for Sunday is mostly dry with a chance of isolated showers and storms, and there are more widespread rainfall chances Monday night into Tuesday. EDITORS NOTE: Since its initial publication, this story has been updated with additional information about rainfall totals from the National Weather Service. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Strained wastewater systems, swollen rivers remain threats in flooded southeast SD appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. These student-loan borrowers qualify for debt cancellation through the government, but they're struggling to get the same relief on their private balances: 'I feel so defeated. I feel trapped.' The federal government has discharged student loans for thousands of defrauded borrowers. However, private borrowers who attended the same schools are still trying to get relief from Navient. BI spoke to 5 of them who struggled to access Navient's new debt relief process. Raised in Venezuela, Leandro Pucci moved to the US when he was 27 years old and he wanted to get started on his education right away. After struggling with residency complications, he finally enrolled at an Art Institute campus in California. It was the early 2000s, and digital media was really taking off; he thought it was the perfect opportunity to launch a career in the field. However, the Art Institute was far from what it seemed on paper. According to findings over the past decade by a group of state attorneys general, the for-profit chain misrepresented the value of its programs and forced students to take on unaffordable debt. For example, they found that the schools advertised that over 80% of graduates land jobs within six months of graduation, which was not always the case. All remaining campuses shut down in September 2023. While President Joe Biden's Education Department discharged federal student loans for thousands of Art Institute attendees, many more still hold debt that a private loan company, Navient, hasn't relieved. For Pucci, it's nearly $60,000. "I basically work for Navient. Every paycheck I get goes to Navient," Pucci, 59, told BI. "The stress has been really killing me. I feel so defeated. I feel trapped, and this has been so traumatic, especially the last couple of months, it's been really, really difficult." Leandro Pucci. Leandro Pucci While defrauded borrowers like Pucci are eligible to apply for relief from private lenders, Navient's application for the relief is not yet publicly available. Even if a borrower manages to get the application, it can take hours to fill out and still result in a denial. The larger issue at play extends far beyond Navient. As millions of Americans struggle with student-debt loads, with some of them being forced to make payments on loans for schools accused of fraud that did not deliver on their promises. While the Education Department has taken a range of steps to cancel student debt for borrowers who went to schools it found guilty of fraud, those with private loans do not qualify for the same relief. The lender, instead, can decide how it wants to craft a relief process, if at all. Relief is 'still in its early stages' Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants answers. In April, she sent an inquiry to Navient about the process and its responsibility to discharge fraudulent loans under a consumer protection tool known as the Holder Rule. A Navient spokesperson referred BI to excerpts from the company's response to Warren, which stated that the discharge process is "still in its early stages." "As part of this enhanced process, we have started to communicate to borrowers who may qualify. As the process continues to roll out, we expect that more borrowers will submit applications, leading to increased levels of cancellation," the company told Warren. Navient said that it increased its reserves by $35 million in anticipation of relieving debt for defrauded borrowers, and it's "committed to addressing valid school misconduct claims" to fulfill its responsibility under the Holder Rule. The company also told Warren that "in light of the circumstances of some private loan borrowers who attended certain for-profit colleges particularly those borrowers who suffered a negative impact from school closures or false promises," it would be appropriate to develop a discharge process similar to that of the federal government for defrauded borrowers. While Navient promises that more borrowers will gain access to relief through the new application, the lack of clarity surrounding the timeline can impose a financial burden on those borrowers. Pucci said he obtained an application after filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in April, and just two weeks later, he received a denial from Navient. It stated that while Navient "carefully considers a variety of factors in determining whether a private loan should be discharged based on school misconduct," Pucci did not meet the requirements. Since then, he's filed another complaint with the CFPB but has yet to get a clear reason as to why he was denied. The CFPB's Private Education Loan Ombudsman Julia Barnard told BI in a statement that "for years, my office has heard from frustrated victims of predatory schools who are now struggling to get their private lender to cancel their fraudulent loans." "A key measure of a relief process is whether qualifying borrowers get their fraudulent loans cancelled," Barnard said. "My office (and the CFPB more generally) is watching to make sure that student borrowers get appropriate relief and we will step in to help where we can." Pucci said he cannot afford to pay off his private loans for much longer, but he doesn't know what else he can do aside from wait and hope that Navient will eventually give him the same relief the government already did. "I made my decisions. I took my responsibility," Pucci said. "But all the investments I need to do for my own business are impossible. I can forget about buying anything anymore because of how much I have to pay Navient." 'I've spent so much time feeling so alone and isolated' Theresa Christman's story is similar to Pucci's. The now 40-year-old attended the for-profit International Academy of Design and Technology, which was included in the 2022 Sweet v. Cardona settlement that discharged student loans for federal borrowers who attended a long list of schools. However, she still has about $22,000 in private student loans serviced by Navient that she can't shake. "That $400 a month payment was hard, especially when I couldn't afford to eat or pay my bills for a really long time," Christman told BI. She said she had to forgo car insurance, live on food stamps, and drop out of school so she could work full time. "I was still only bringing in $11 an hour, and I was in California, which is not cheap. So it was hard." Theresa Christman Theresa Christman. After filing a complaint with the CFPB, Christman said she received the school misconduct discharge application from Navient but due to the lengthy application and the amount of proof required, she hasn't had the time to put it together yet. "For each section, I am writing pages and pages and pages for each answer. So it's taking me a really long time to do," Christman said. "I don't want to give Navient any reason to deny my claim." The Project on Predatory Student Lending an advocacy group working to help defrauded borrowers launched an awareness campaign earlier in June to make borrowers aware of Navient's discharge application, including an example of the blank 12-page application borrowers are required to complete. Eileen Connor, director of PPSL, told BI that the process "is really opaque" for borrowers, and it's forcing them to jump through unnecessary hurdles to get relief. In contrast to Navient's process, most federal borrowers "haven't had to apply at all because the department has said that they have enough information in their possession to know that there was a widespread pattern that impacted, in some cases, everybody who went to the school," Connor said. "So I don't really know why that wouldn't be the same for these loans." The lack of clarity going forward has left Christman in a limbo state, not knowing where she'll land once she submits her application. "I've spent so much time feeling so alone and isolated," she said. "The financial aspect has been absolutely devastating, but it's also affected my mental health so much." 'I can finally breathe again' For some borrowers, the time spent on the application paid off. Victoria Linssen, 59, and Jennifer Nave, 60, attended the for-profit Brooks Institute and DeVry University, respectively. Both received federal relief through the Sweet v. Cardona settlement and then struggled to be free of their private debt through Navient. Earlier this year, Linssen received the school misconduct discharge application. "I just slowly but surely made my way through it. I would say it took me somewhere between eight and 12 hours to fill it out," Linssen said. "You almost need to be your own attorney to understand how to figure it out," she added. "There's a huge amount of confusion and misunderstanding about what needs to be included, and some students aren't properly following the directions and are getting declined." But Linssen's efforts paid off she got $70,000 in private loans discharged in May. "I will never fully recover from what happened to me. When I left Brooks, I was in so much debt that I didn't want to get married. I was in deep humiliation and shame at the decisions that I had made that put me in so much debt," she said. Victoria Linssen Victoria Linssen PPSL encourages borrowers who are denied relief through Navient to continue filing complaints with the CFPB. Connor also emphasized the importance of strengthening consumer protection laws not just for Navient but for the private lending industry as a whole, given that there are "different rules when talking about the federal government versus a private actor." Linssen can now finally start to see a future that doesn't include any student debt. "I am only just now in the place where I can finally breathe again and start feeling like a normal human being and start planning for the future," she said. "I have that tiny, tiny spotlight of hope at the end of a really long tunnel that I may be able to retire or have a life again." While Nave also eventually got her private loans relieved after filing complaints with the CFPB, she doesn't understand why it has to be this way. "It feels like I'm trying to prove to them something they already know," Nave said. "It took me seven hours to fill out, and it's very confusing, so many students are afraid of answering these questions because they're not exactly sure what is being asked." Jennifer Nave. Jennifer Nave On June 14, Nave was shocked to see her efforts paid off Navient effectively discharged her remaining balance after over a decade of payments. Nick Eucker, 38, hasn't been so lucky. Eucker attended the Brooks Institute and graduated with a bachelor's degree in commercial photography in 2008. While he was fortunate to find employment in the field, he wasn't making as much as he was promised so he struggled to manage his student-loan payments while also juggling rent and other basic necessities, calling it "a huge financial burden.'" As has been the case with many other borrowers, Eucker received a school misconduct discharge application after filing a complaint with the CFPB. He submitted his application over 200 pages to Navient in early May, and in June, he received a denial. The reason was the exact same as the one Pucci received: "You do not meet the requirements for discharge based on misconduct by your school." While Navient said it's committed to ensuring all borrowers who qualify for relief receive it, it did not comment on the specific criteria it uses to evaluate borrowers' applications rather saying that it will continue to evaluate and update the process as it makes sense. But it's leaving borrowers like Eucker and Pucci without any information on how to proceed, keeping them saddled with debt they're struggling to afford. "You get your hopes up, and it seems like this program might actually work. But then I got that letter that said I didn't qualify, and it ruined my entire day," Eucker said. "It's this big letdown, once again." Read the original article on Business Insider This weeks Sunday news shows will likely focus on the upcoming debate between President Biden and former President Trump next week. The two presidents are set to debate on CNN June 27 at 9 p.m. EDT in Atlanta. Advocates for both Biden and Trump, including Mitch Landrieu, the national co-chair of Bidens campaign, and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.), a possible running mate for the presumptive GOP nominee, are set to hit the airwaves Sunday. Burgum will appear on CNNs State of the Union and Landrieu will appear on NBCs Meet the Press. Trump recently said on a podcast that he is not underestimating Biden before their next debate. I was never a fan of his, but I will say he beat [former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)] still years ago, but he beat Paul Ryan badly, Trump said. And I assume hes going to be somebody that will be a worthy debater, I would say, I think. I dont want to underestimate him. Other hopefuls in Trumps veepstakes, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), will make appearances on the shows this week, with Noem on Meet the Press and Donalds on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. The two-year anniversary of the striking down of Roe v. Wade is also coming up next week. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who is set to appear Sunday on ABCs This Week, said in a post on social media platform X last week that Overturning Roe is just the tip of the iceberg for extremist anti-abortion politicians. Republican politicians are pushing to ban abortion nationwide, restrict access to birth control, and even limit prenatal care. Its extreme, and its dangerous, the Massachusetts senator said in her post. Vice President Harris is heading to Maryland to mark the second anniversary of the ruling by the Supreme Court which ended the constitutional right to abortion access, the Biden-Harris campaign said earlier this week. The Vice President will remind voters that Donald Trump is responsible for overturning Roe and the chaos that has followed, and she will highlight the threat a second Trump presidency would pose to reproductive freedom nationwide, the campaign said in a statement. Trump touted the ending of Roe v. Wade while headlining the Faith & Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority conference Saturday. I want to thank the six Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett for the wisdom and the courage they showed on this long-term, very contentious issue, he said. This has been a long time its been fought. We did something that was amazing, the former president added. The big problem was it was caught up in the federal government, but the people will decide, and thats the way it should be. The people are now deciding. Some states are a little bit more conservative, and some states are much more liberal. Other issues that will likely come up are the recent treaty between North Korea and Russia to defend one another, the crisis at the southern border and the Israel-Hamas war. Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this weeks Sunday talk shows: ABCs This Week Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). NBCs Meet the Press Mitch Landrieu, national co-chair of President Bidens campaign; Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.). CBS Face the Nation Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.); former national security adviser Robert C. OBrien; former Deputy CIA Director Michael Morell. CNNs State of the Union Govs. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.), and Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.). Fox News Sunday Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Fox News Sunday Morning Futures Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization; Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.); Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas); retired Army Gen. Jack Keane; Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Supreme Court sides with woman suing city officials over arrest that she says was political retaliation Sylvia Gonzalez, a former a city councilwoman in Castle Hills, Texas, who was arrested for criticizing the city, is pictured in this handout photo. | Institute for Justice A decision handed down by the Supreme Court means a Texas woman can continue to sue over her arrest, which she says was retaliation for criticizing a city manager. The woman, Sylvia Gonzalez was elected to the city council in Castle Hills, Texas in 2019. While she was campaigning, Gonzalez heard complaints about the city manager, and after her election she started to help gather signatures to oust the city manager. The petition became the subject of a city council meeting that lasted two days. When the mayor asked for the petition, Gonzalez said he had it, not her. When Gonzalez was asked to check her binder, she found the petition and said she didnt intend to put it in her binder. The incident triggered an investigation and Gonzalez was charged with tampering with a government document. Gonzalez was arrested and spent the evening in jail. The charges were dropped and she said stepped back from politics as a result of the incident. A while after, Gonzalez sued city officials and the private attorney who led the investigation and claimed she was arrested in retaliation for the petition, alleging her First Amendment rights were violated. To support her case, Gonzalez included records of other times the misdemeanor she had been charged with have been levied against other people and those cases usually dealt with fake Social Security numbers, green cards or drivers licenses. The defendants moved to dismiss Gonzalezs suit. While the District Court denied that motion, Gonzalezs case made it up to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled against her, saying that she did not provide comparative evidence of otherwise similarly situated individuals who engaged in the same criminal conduct but were not arrested. But this week the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in favor of Gonzalez. Justice Clarence Thomas was the dissent. In an signed opinion, justices said the Fifth Circuit took an overly cramped view of Nieves. In other words, the court said the Fifth Circuit had defined too narrowly what qualified as comparative evidence. The only express limit we placed on the sort of evidence a plaintiff may present for that purpose is that it must be objective in order to avoid the significant problems that would arise from reviewing police conduct under a purely subjective standard. Justice Samuel Alito released a concurring opinion to provide further guidance on the scope of that decision. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote a concurring opinion, too. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a concurring opinion with Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Writing about evidence from Gonzalez, the justices wrote, Those categories of evidence, too, can support the conclusion that Gonzalez was arrested when otherwise similarly situated individuals not engaged in the same sort of protected speech had not been. Thomas, the lone dissent, said he was not persuaded that an abuse-of-process claim is analogous to Gonzalezs retaliatory-arrest claim. I would adhere to the only rule grounded in history: Probable cause defeats a retaliatory-arrest claim. I respectfully dissent, said Thomas. Sylvia Gonzalez, a former a city councilwoman in Castle Hills, Texas, who was arrested for criticizing the city is pictured in this handout photo. | Institute for Justice NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) On Friday, June 21, the Supreme Court ruled that people under protective orders are banned from owning firearms. Local domestic violence advocates are praising the courts decision. It provides an added level of safety for our survivors. Survivors can be, a lot of people assume its just women, but it can be men as well. Its men, women and children, said Executive Director for Metro Centers for Community Advocacy Darlene Santana. Amite man accused in attempted murder of infant and elderly man arrested This comes after a Texas man under a protective order challenged the federal law, arguing his weapons could not be taken away as it would violate his Second Amendment right. One advocate explains firearms are the most common weapon used in domestic homicides. We are consistently in the top five of homicides for domestic violence. And to have when the restraining order goes into place, they have to do the acknowledgments and then also it prevents them from buying a gun if they try legally, said Program Director for Metro Centers for Community Advocacy Rebecca Rainey. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was the only one to dissent, but advocates are not surprised knowing others may also feel the same way. There are some people who feel everybody should have a gun. We also have to protect the rights of victims and the people who are being threatened on a daily basis with guns. Or come home to find the guns laid out on the tables and the bullets being lined up, said Rainey. $175K awarded to Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office to support re-entry of formerly incarcerated Advocates say this is a win, but more changes are needed to protect domestic violence survivors like higher bond amounts. Making sure the law is enforced is another thing, adding it also protects officers. When these abusers dont have guns, everybody is safer. A lot of police officers are shot because they go into domestic violence cases or domestic violence calls, said Santana. Councilmembers Helena Moreno and JP Morrell commend the Supreme Court decision protecting domestic violence survivors. Councilmember Morrell and I fought for landmark protections for domestic violence survivors, including disarming aggressors through gun confiscation, said Moreno. This ruling affirms and endorses that work and Im thankful for survivors here and across the country that the Court ruled in their favor. We know this will save lives. In 2014, we had to fight tooth and nail against powerful special interest groups like the NRA to secure these protections for domestic violence survivors, said Morrell. Our bill passed in a majority Republican legislature with the tremendous help of advocates because common sense gun laws are a bipartisan issue. Todays SCOTUS decision in Rahimi is a huge win because lives will be saved by this ruling. 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. Now through Aug. 28, Angela Carroll's photography is on exhibit in The Landing Art Gallery, 3500 Faulkner Drive. Carroll, a self-taught photographer since 2010, is from Lincoln and lists landscape and nature photography as her special interests. Carrolls photography has been published in three books: Seeking the Light, The Art and Architecture of First-Plymouth Church and Nebraska: 150 years Told Through 93 Counties. She is also a contributing photographer for Nebraska Life Magazine. Visitors may meet Carroll at a Meet the Artist" program Thursday, June 27, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Williamsburg Square at The Landing an Immanuel Signature Community. Another crucial gun ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court Friday as justices upheld a law that bans domestic violence abusers from having guns. This was the first major Second Amendment ruling by Supreme Court Justices since they expanded gun rights in 2022. Obviously extremely relieved that the justices listened to survivors like me, said Kate Ranta, domestic violence survivor. Kate Ranta was shot and almost killed by her husband more than a decade ago. She said shes grateful the Supreme Court upheld a federal 1994 law that bans anyone who has been the subject of a domestic violence restraining order from having a gun. Gun rights groups challenged the law arguing that it violates the Second Amendment. Their case stems from Texas where Zackey Rahimi was accused of hitting his girlfriend during an argument in a parking lot and threatening her with his gun. ALSO READ: Retail theft investigation uncovers alleged scheme to resell stolen guns In the 8-1 ruling, justices rejected this argument because the law fits comfortably within the traditions of the countrys gun restrictions. In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote since the founding, our Nations firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms. Justice Clarence Thomas filed the only dissent. In this dissenting opinion, Thomas wrote, the question is whether the Government can strip the Second Amendment right of anyone subject to a protective ordereven if he has never been accused or convicted of a crime. It cannot. The Court and Government do not point to a single historical law revoking a citizens Second Amendment right based on possible interpersonal violence. Ranta believes Thomas dissent is offensive to domestic violence victims. It is very, very difficult to get a conviction on domestic violence, plea deals are made, you know, felonies are pled down to a misdemeanor, said Ranta. His descent is not based in the reality of what women go through trying to stay safe. The National Rifle Association called the courts ruling narrow. The Supreme Courts narrow opinion offers no endorsement of red flag laws or of the dozens of other unconstitutional laws that the NRA is challenging across the country that burden the right of peaceable Americans to keep and bear arms. This decision holds only that an individual who poses a clear threat of violence may be temporarily disarmed after a judicial finding of dangerousness, said Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) in a written statement. Meanwhile, Ranta believes this law will maintain the bare minimum of protection for victims. Its hard to fully celebrate just only because I know the reality and women and children are still in grave danger from abusers who can get their hands on guns and it really is just still far too easy, said Ranta. ALSO READ: Fossil fuel opponents score victory in a UK Supreme Court ruling on case near a London airport This ruling comes as federal data shows guns are the most common weapon used in homicides of spouses, partners and children. In a statement, President Biden said he will continue urging Congress to strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors. Rahimis attorney did not have a comment in response to the ruling. Statement from the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) in response to the Supreme Courts decision in United States v. Rahimi: As we explained in our amicus brief, the federal government has no constitutional authority to impose gun control on peaceable individuals at all, let alone the statute at issue in this case. While we disagree with the Courts holding and dispute federal authority to enforce this regulation, we are encouraged that the Court confirmed the textual and historical analysis required under its Heller and Bruen decisions. We will continue to eliminate disarmament schemes and restore the right to keep and bear arms through our high-impact FPC Law strategic litigation program and other efforts. VIDEO: Retail theft investigation uncovers alleged scheme to resell stolen guns A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. With Democrats divided over the Israel-Hamas war, uninspired by their presidential nominee in Joe Biden and planning a convention in Chicago, there have been multiple comparisons to 1968, when Democrat Hubert Humphrey lost the White House to Republican Richard Nixon. The Vietnam War divided Democrats that year. Humphrey was uninspiring to younger voters opposed to the war. There was violence outside their convention in Chicago. Democrats today should hope that a better comparison is to 1948, when then-President Harry Truman, an unpopular incumbent, pulled off a surprise reelection versus Thomas Dewey, then the Republican governor of New York. That year, 1948, was also a much better year for Humphrey, then the young and inspiring Minneapolis mayor who helped push Democrats on the road to embracing civil rights legislation that would ultimately remake both political parties over the coming decades. I talked to Samuel Freedman, a Columbia Journalism School professor, about his recent book about Humphrey and the 1948 Democratic convention in Philadelphia. The books title, Into the Bright Sunshine, is taken from a line in Humphreys rousing speech on civil rights. The crackling audio does not hide the competing jeers and applause when Humphrey says: My friends, to those who say that we are rushing this issue of civil rights, I say to them we are 172 years late. To those who say that this civil-rights program is an infringement on states rights, I say this: The time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states rights and to walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights. It is a particularly important time to remember right now, when there is an effort on the American political right to reinterpret the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Heres my conversation with Freedman, conducted by phone and edited for length and clarity: Lessons for 2024 Biden from 1948 Truman WOLF: The fulcrum of the book is this 1948 Democratic convention and Humphreys civil rights speech there. Until 2016, 1948 was probably the biggest presidential election upset in US history. What could 2024 Joe Biden, who trails Donald Trump in much of the polling, learn from 1948 Harry Truman, who trailed Thomas Dewey right to the end? FREEDMAN: They are very comparable experiences, even with the fact that Truman had not one third party, but two third parties also to worry about Henry Wallace to his left and Strom Thurmond to his right. We dont know about the effect in the tight election of RFK Jr., and even for that matter, of (the Green Partys) Jill Stein. So Biden has a complicated course to run. Truman went back and forth on civil rights he was very bold, amazingly so in 1946 and 47, then he backed away out of fear it would cost him the election in 48. Really what Humphreys triumph with the civil rights plank at the 48 convention did is it forced Truman to run as a civil rights candidate, which ended up being the reason he won the race. He really starts it in July, Truman, by desegregating the military and the federal workforce, and he culminates it the last weekend before Election Day, having a rally and giving a campaign speech in Harlem, which no major party presidential candidate had ever done. So I think part of the lesson of what Truman did, for Biden, is to try to be bold, to be assertive, to take some of the risks that need to be taken. Humphrey went from heroic to ridiculed Mayor of Minneapolis Hubert H. Humphrey addressing the Democratic National Convention. Humphrey submitted a minority report urging the adoption of the civil rights plank in the Democratic platform. When the convention adopted the plank, part of the delegation from Alabama and all 22 of Mississippi's delegates walked out of the convention in protest of the adoption of the plank. - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images WOLF: Today, we look at Hubert Humphrey as an also-ran of American politics. What were you trying to accomplish writing a book that leads up to this single speech at the 48 convention? FREEDMAN: I wanted to fill two gaps. I wanted to, first of all, fill a biographical gap about Humphrey, because if people know him at all today, its from a largely disparaged and ridiculed latter part of his career supporting the Vietnam War as Lyndon Johnsons vice president, getting the presidential nomination in 1968 amid the police riot in Chicago, and then really fecklessly, almost pathetically, running as the establishment candidate against George McGovern for the Democratic nomination in 1972. And yet, there was this amazing chapter in his earlier life when he had been out there in a way few White Americans of the time were, really putting his entire career at risk to fight the fight for civil rights. People who felt betrayed by Humphrey in the 60s because he was no longer being a liberal hero forgot why they thought he was a liberal hero in the first place. And what he did in the 1948 convention is the epitome of it, to get the Democratic Party to endorse the civil rights agenda for the first time ever, and to accomplish something that FDR hadnt been willing to do, which was to defy and ultimately oust the Southern segregationist wing of the party. The other gap I wanted to fill was a historical gap, because a lot of the great writing thats been done about the Civil Rights Movement tends to position its origins in the 1950s with the Montgomery bus boycott and Brown v. Board of Ed decision, and so forth. And yet, there was all this activity in the 40s, very much catalyzed by Black GIs and the Double V movement (victory in the war and victory over oppression at home). You know, very much affected by the global war against fascism, and that activity really anticipates and makes possible everything that happens in the 50s and 60s, and yet has gotten much less attention, comparatively speaking. So those were the two gaps I was aiming to address. 2024 vs. 1968 WOLF: Humphrey is certainly more associated with that 68 convention. This year, theres obviously a fractured Democratic Party, as there was in 1968, and the convention is again in Chicago. What are the similarities you see between this year and 68? FREEDMAN: There are a couple of takeaways from Humphreys campaign in 68. One is youve got to really hit the right tone. The speech that he made in April of 1968 to announce his campaign was so tone-deaf. It talked about the politics of happiness, the politics of joy, and it was completely out of tune with the tenor of the times. This is like three and a half weeks after Martin Luther King had been killed. Its just about as long as after Lyndon Johnson decided not to run. There was a massive anti-war movement. It just felt like Humphrey, who usually had such a keen sense of retail politics, totally misread the mood of the country. He struggled, really for the rest of the campaign, to come back to finding a way to stick to things he wanted to stick to about hope and unity and possibility, while trying to find the words, and I think never really quite succeeding, to acknowledge the hurt, the anxiety, the division within the country. Its also a lesson about the importance of optics, and this is even before the 24-hour news cycle. Humphrey is giving his speech at the 68 convention, where in the middle of his speech, the live TV coverage cuts away to show the Chicago police beating demonstrators and journalists on the streets of Chicago. Its the most catastrophic optic you could imagine. Another similarity is that although Joe Biden has run essentially unopposed in primaries, its almost as if he didnt really have to face the Democratic voting public this year, the way he definitely did in 2020, and comes in as feeling more coordinated and less chosen. In 1968, the Democratic Party was operating under old rules in which primary voters actually had relatively little direct effect on delegates. Humphrey enters late, after Bobby Kennedy had been in, after Eugene McCarthy had been in, and won most of his delegates by going through the party apparatus. So it looked like he had this nomination kind of handed to him by the machine, over and against the passions of the voters, who had turned out in large numbers for Bobby Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy. That also presents a problem of how do you build up the requisite passion? At the end of the day, he did something in late September that almost saved his campaign, which was finally to break away from Lyndon Johnson on Vietnam and to stake out a much bolder peace plank on Vietnam. In fact, it was a peace plank that was defeated at the convention where Humphreys forces opposed it. Had Humphrey done that sooner would he have won? Good question. The other important thing Humphrey said, that I think Biden really has to find a way to express, came from the speech accepting the nomination. Im going to read you this paragraph, because I think its so prescient. He says: I say to those whove differed with their neighbor or with those whove differed with their fellow Democrat, may I say to you that all of your goals, all of your high hopes, all of your dreams, all them will come to naught if we lose this election, and many of them can be realized with the victory that can come to us. That is so exactly right, and its something that Joe Biden has to communicate. Just like for people, particularly young liberals, who couldnt bring themselves to vote for Humphrey in 68, what they got was Nixon. What they got was, instead of peace talks and a bombing halt, and an internationally supervised ceasefire, which was Humphreys stance by the end of the campaign, they got the war going on for seven more years, with tens of thousands more American deaths and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, more Vietnamese deaths. They got Watergate. They got the race-baiting that Nixon engaged in. They got the proto-Trump pseudo populism of Spiro Agnew as vice president. So theres a real price to pay there for hanging on to your purity of not being able to vote for Hubert Humphrey and forgive him even the egregious mistake on Vietnam because of everything else he brought to the table that was absolutely consistent with the liberal agenda. Correcting the counterfactual about Republicans and civil rights WOLF: As I was reading the climax of this book, there was an interview on CNN with Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican from Florida, who was arguing this counterfactual and you can find many other instances of it that a lot of present-day Republicans are pushing that they deserve credit for the Civil Rights Movement, because Abraham Lincoln was a Republican, because there were Southern Democrats who opposed the Civil Rights Act. This comes up in your descriptions of the 48 convention, particularly with Strom Thurmond (the South Carolina Democrat turned Republican). I was hoping to get your historical analysis of that idea. FREEDMAN: Its preposterous for the Republicans to make that argument in 2024 or at any time in the last 60 years, to be honest. When Strom Thurmond and the Dixiecrats bolted from the Democratic Party in 1948, thats the beginning of the vast majority of the White South becoming Republicans, stepping away from the Democratic Party. Even though (Adlai) Stevenson in 52 and 56 and JFK in 1960 tried to lure them back in, it was still the beginning of a process by which with Barry Goldwater in 64, who opposed civil rights legislation; Nixons Southern strategy in 68 and 72; (Ronald) Reagans appeals to racial resentment in 80 and 84; the Willie Horton ad in 88; and then to Trump in all of his races that all began in 48. Those people who walked out with Strom Thurmond and the voters who voted for them never really went back to the Democratic Party again. While the party labels have remained the same there is still the Democratic Party and there is still the Republican Party the people who are voting have totally exchanged places, because the parties exchanged places on the issue of civil rights. Its true that, going back to Lincoln, the Republicans were seen as the party of emancipation and the amendments that created, at least on paper, racial equality. On that basis, until 1948 really with Truman, and then in even larger numbers in 1964 with LBJ and consistently since then, the White Southern vote that used to go to the Democrats, because the Democrats were the party of Jim Crow, has become the solid White vote for the Republican Party. Show me a major Republican politician in the MAGA movement who is a fervent supporter of civil rights legislation. In any kind of iteration, you dont have (Republicans) now like Mitt Romneys father, (former Michigan Gov.) George Romney, or (former Pennsylvania Gov.) William Scranton, or Edward Brooke, a Black senator from Massachusetts You dont even have people like Nixon, before he went bad on civil rights, who was a really active member of the NAACP. That doesnt exist in the Republican Party anymore, and its just absurd to say that because 80 years ago to 100, 120 years ago, the Democrats were indeed the party of segregation, that thats somehow still the case. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Suspect in attempted murder of Kazakh opposition activist in Kyiv reportedly surrenders in Kazakhstan Altai Zhakanbayev, one of the two suspects in an assassination attempt of Kazakh opposition activist and journalist Aidos Sadykov in Ukraine, was detained in Kazakhstan after surrendering to the local police on June 21, Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General's Office reported. Sadykov was shot in the head on June 18 by an attacker who approached his car in the central Shevchenkivskyi District of Kyiv, where the activist lives after fleeing Kazakhstan 10 years ago due to political persecution. The activist was hospitalized and reportedly remains in a serious condition. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies suspect two residents of Kazakhstan, Altai Zhakanbayev and Meiram Karatayev, in the attack on Sadykov. They were put on an international wanted list. The two arrived in Ukraine's capital on June 2 and rented apartments in different locations, according to the law enforcement. Four days later, Zhakanbayev bought a car, allegedly to follow Sadykov. The suspects learned the victim's schedule, social circles, and routes to Sadykov's home, the statement read. The two reportedly rented an apartment near Sadykov's home on June 8 for the next nine days. According to the prosecutors, Karatayev was supposed to approach Sadykov's car when he was in it, shoot him, using a firearm with a silencer, and flee. Zhakanbayev was on the lookout for the police. After the murder attempt, the suspects threw away the gun and crossed the border into Moldova the same day, Ukraine's National Police said. Zhakanbayev surrendered to law enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan on June 21, according to the Kazakh prosecutors. He was questioned and detained, the prosecutors said. The search for the second suspect, Karatayev, continues. The activist's wife, Natalya Sadykova, accuses Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of involvement in the assassination attempt. Tokayev said that the Kazakh authorities are ready to join the investigation. Aidos Sadykov and his wife Natalya Sadykova fled Kazakhstan and were granted refugee status in Ukraine in 2014. The couple ran the Base YouTube channel, which is critical of the Kazakh government and oligarchs and has over 1 million subscribers. Until 2010, Sadykov was the leader of one of the branches of the opposition party Azat in Kazakhstan. He then founded the Gastat movement and organized actions in defense of civil and political rights, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RLE). The Kazakh court sentenced the activist to two years in prison for "resisting the police" in a case the couple called politically motivated. The Sadykovs have been placed on Kazakhstan's wanted list in October 2023. Read also: Reuters: Russia asks Kazakhstan to resupply gasoline in case of shortages, sources say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The man accused of opening fire at a grocery store in southern Arkansas, fatally striking three people and wounding 11 others, has been identified. Travis Eugene Posey, a 44-year-old from New Edinburg, is facing three counts of capital murder in connection with the shooting on Friday at the Mad Butcher, according to a press release from Arkansas State Police. Authorities also noted that additional charges are pending. The gunfire broke out at the store in Fordyce, a small town about 70 miles south of Little Rock, just before 11:40 a.m. local time, state police director Mike Hagar said during a news conference. Video from the scene, verified by NBC News, shows a man firing a long gun in the parking lot outside the store, with some of the rounds seemingly directed at vehicles. Unfortunately, we can confirm that 11 innocent civilians were shot, and three of those are deceased, Hagar told reporters. Two police officers also suffered injuries that were not life-threatening in a shootout with the suspect. The conditions of the rest of the victims ranged from not life-threatening to extremely critical, Hagar said. The suspect was also shot and taken into custody, he added. Posey was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and then booked Friday evening at Ouachita County Detention Center. None of the victims have been identified and few other details have been provided. Hagar told reporters its still too early in the investigation to determine Poseys motive. What exactly occurred in the moments leading up to the gunfire were also unclear. In wake of the shooting, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised law enforcement for their speedy response, hailing them as heroes. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives, she said on X. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific incident. The deadly violence in Arkansas came on the heels of a mass shooting in Oakland, California, where 15 people were wounded during a Juneteenth event near Lake Merritt. Another seven people were shot in a separate incident in Philadelphia on Wednesday. An 18-year-old man was arrested after an hours-long SWAT standoff at a north Lubbock apartment complex Friday afternoon following a reported aggravated assault that left one person seriously injured. Shortly before 4 p.m., Lubbock police on scene confirmed that Eddie Casias was arrested on an aggravated assault charge following the standoff at the apartment complex in the 200 block of Indiana Avenue. Lubbock SWAT was called out to an apartment near 2nd Street and Indiana Avenue Friday afternoon in reference to an aggravated assault. According to police, a call came in at 12:46 p.m. pertaining to Casias allegedly stabbing a coworker at a restaurant in the 3200 block of 4th Street. The person suffered moderate injuries from the aggravated assault. Casias then fled the scene to hide in what is believed to be his residence at an apartment complex in the 200 block of Indiana Avenue, according to police. "Witnesses observed Casias, armed with a knife, fleeing the area," reads a statement from LPD. Patrol officers responding to the initial call were able to find Casias barricaded in his residence, which initiated the SWAT callout. According to LPD Lt. Brady Cross, negotiators were able to maintain communication with Casias throughout the incident. This eventually led to Casias peacefully walking out of the residence and being taken into custody at 3:16 p.m. He was transported to the Lubbock County Detention Center and charged with aggravated assault. He remains booked in the detention center. Other details, including what prompted the violence, were not immediately clear as the investigation is ongoing. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Teen arrested for aggravated assault following SWAT callout The moon known as 'Strawberry Moon' rises over the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion in Athens, Greece on June 21, 2024. | Credit: Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images The first full day of summer 2024 ended with the ultimate cherry on top, or, in this case, a strawberry. The Strawberry Moon of 2024, the full moon for the month of June, rose across the world just after sunset last night, delighting stargazers across the world. The Strawberry full moon gets its name from the Algonquin tribe of the northwestern United States, according to Space.com's list of full moon designations, but has also been recognized by other names, such as the Rose moon, in Europe. This year, the Strawberry Moon occurred one day after the June summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the first day of summer, leading some to dub it the Strawberry Solstice Moon. The moon officially reached full illumination last night at 9:08 p.m. EDT (0108 GMT on June 22), shining its face for skywatchers across the eastern U.S. and beyond as it climbed above the horizon westward. Taking advantage of the warm weather and exceptional display from our nearest celestial neighbor, photographers around the globe grabbed their cameras and gazed toward the skies to some amazing results. The moon known as 'Strawberry Moon' rises over the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion in Athens, Greece on June 21, 2024 TOP TELESCOPE PICK A Celestron telescope on a white background Looking for a telescope to see the full Harvest Moon? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide. In Athens, Greece, photographer Costas Baltas took advantaged of the iconic ruins of the Temple of Poseidon to capture the Strawberry Moon rising behind the ancient monument at Cape Sounion for the Anadolu and Getty Image news services. Skywatcher Kevin McCarthy of Charlotte, North Carolina captured a stunning image of a orangish-pink full moon during the Strawberry Full Moon and seemed surprised by the moon's color. "The summer solstice Strawberry Moon rising through the trees as seen from Charlotte, North Carolina," McCarthy told Space.com in an email. "Color was not enhanced -- this was the natural color as seen with the naked eye." An orange and pink hued Strawberry Full Moon over Charlotte, North Carolina seen by Kevin McCarthy. In Fort Worth, Texas, skywatcher Matt Lantz went the video route, recording a stunning time-lapse of the the Strawberry Full Moon as it rose over the city. He shared the video on X (formerly Twitter) for all to enjoy. "June's Strawberry Moon rising beautifully over the downtown skyline of Fort Worth, Texas," Lantz wrote in his post. Related: Full moon calendar 2024: When to see the next full moon Dan Martland, a New York City-based digital producer, managed to capture a series of captivating views of a ginormous red-hued Strawberry Moon as it rose behind the Empire State Building and other skyscrapers. "Tonight's Strawberry Moon risking over Midtown Manhattan," he wrote on X, where he shared the images. Getty Images photojournalist Gary Hershorn did not wait until the official full moon date for the Strawberry Moon to start capturing amazing views. On June 20, the night before the event, he found they perfect spot to see the full moon rise behind the torch of the Statue of Liberty in New York City as seen from nearby Jersey City, New Jersey. The Strawberry Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty as the sun sets on the summer solstice in New York City on June 20, 2024, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. But Hershorn didn't stop there. On the actual night of the Strawberry Moon he ventured to Weehawken, New Jersey to find a clear view of the Empire State Building, with the full moon appearing to crown the NYC icon. The full Strawberry Moon rises behind the Empire State Building in New York City on June 21, 2024, as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. While the Strawberry Moon marked the first full moon of summer for skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere of Earth, for folks south of the equator it was the opposite. The June solstice marks the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere and photographer Robbie Pesiwarissa of Robbiesydney Photography was ready. "Full Moon over Sydney Tower Eye," Pesiwarissa wrote in an email to Space.com while sharing a stunning image of the full moon. "Strawberry Moon coincided with the winter solstice last night on Friday, 21 June, it was the 'shortest day of the year' in Sydney, Australia." The full Strawberry Moon of June 2024 shines over Sydney Tower Eye in Sydney, Australia on June 21, 2024. In Italy, photojournalist Manuel Romano watched the full moon rise over the ancient Tower of Roca Vecchia in Lecce to stunning effect. The tower is part of a Bronze Age settlement in southern Italy that was settled from the 17th to late 11th centuries BCE, according to the Archaeological Institute of America. The full moon rises behind over the Tower of Roca Vecchia in Roca Vecchia, Lecce, Italy, on June 21, 2024. Remember Getty photography Gary Hershorn? He didn't just capture photos of the moon and NYC views. He spotted some moon gazers, too. Here, Hershorn captures the moment a group of skywatchers snapped a photo with the Empire State Building, Strawberry Moon and NYC skyline from Weehawken, New Jersey. The full Strawberry Moon rises behind the Empire State Building in New York City on June 21, 2024, as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. Skywatcher Lisa Shislowski almost missed the Strawberry Moon while observing at Fort Lauderdale Beach in Florida Friday night due to the bane of all stargazers: clouds. But, luckily, the moon pulled through. "It was a beautiful evening in Fort Lauderdale Beach last night, and the Strawberry Full Moon did not disappoint," Shislowski told Space.com in an email while sharing her photo. "Even through the clouds, the full moon was just stunning." The full Strawberry Moon of June 2024 shines over Fort Lauderdale Beach in Florida despite a cloudy sky in this photo by Lisa Shislowski on June 21, 2024. Related Stories: Night sky, June 2024: What you can see tonight [maps] The brightest planets in June's night sky: How to see them (and when) Strawberry Solstice Moon of June 2024 shines tonight for summer stargazers (video) The next full moon will be July's Full Buck Moon on July 21. If you are hoping to catch a look at the next full moon, these telescopes and binoculars are a great place to start, and our guides on how to photograph meteor showers, and the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography are great for shooting the night sky in general. Editor's Note: If you snap an image of the Strawberry Moon and would like to share it with Space.coms readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com. Three people were missing on Saturday after massive thunderstorms and rainfall in southeastern Switzerland caused a landslide, authorities said. One woman was pulled out alive after being buried by the landslide in the Alpine valley of Misox in Graubunden. A rescue operation for the three others is ongoing. The rockslide hit a group of houses in the municipality of Lostallo. Rescuers have been searching all day Saturday with excavators and specially-trained search dogs. William Kloter from the Swiss police, who is heading the rescue operations, told local media that he was hoping to find the three missing persons alive. Swiss President Viola Amherd said she was shocked by the scale of the damage caused by severe weather. My thoughts are with those affected. I thank the emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in this difficult situation, Amherd said on X. Elsewhere in Switzerland, the popular tourist destination of Zermatt in the southern canton of Valais near the iconic Matterhorn mountain remains inaccessible. Heavy rains and melting snow have caused the Mattervispa River to overflow, cutting off the village. Dramatic videos showed the otherwise small river that flows through Zermatt turning into a muddy flash flood, partially submerging streets in the popular ski resort. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway halted operations with no alternative transportation available, the railway company announced on social media on Saturday morning. Emergency services in the canton of Valais were on high alert over the levels of the Rhone River, which reached its peak on Saturday. Authorities there evacuated 230 residents on Saturday, with the municipality of Chippis particularly affected, as it is situated on the left bank of the Rhone River. Authorities have warned residents to avoid lower parts of their houses, including cellars, stay away from swelling rivers and refrain from parking on bridges. People were also advised against filming or photographing the floods for safety reasons. Poland Meanwhile, thunderstorms and hailstorms have lashed southeast Poland, with the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management issuing the highest weather alert for the area. The State Fire Services said it had received over 900 damage reports. Heavy rains and "hurricane" wind gusts up to 120 kilometres per hour were forecasted by a spokesperson for the agency in the region, as well as winds strong enough to uproot trees and blow over billboards. "Those are really serious alerts", said Brygadier Marcin Betleja, spokesperson for the Sub-Carpathian Regional Commander of the State Fire Services. "Meteorologists are forecasting heavy rainfall and hurricane gust winds in the region," he added. "It is better for your own safety to stay indoors. You should close all windows, doors and remove all your possessions that could be blown away from your balconies or gardens and potentially harm others. Under any circumstances do not enter parks and forests broken branches or fallen trees could harm you," Betleja said. Tampa man leads chase at 110 mph on I-4, crashes into car, FHP says Tampa man leads chase at 110 mph on I-4, crashes into car, FHP says TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Tampa man was arrested Friday night after leading a high-speed chase on I-4, according to an arrest report. The Florida Highway Patrol said at around 9 p.m., Edwin Carrion-Andino, 39, of Tampa was spotted by a trooper patrolling I-4 in Hillsborough County. The trooper was put on alert for Carrion-Andino after the Lakeland Police Department reported that the suspect was being chased in a stolen car. The trooper stated that the suspect refused to pull over and continued to speed past him, using evasive maneuvers and speeding at over 110 mph. According to the FHP, Carrion-Andino tried to merge onto I-75 but lost control, crashing into another vehicle. Authorities said the suspect then tried to run away into the tree line but was apprehended by a K9. The report said when he was questioned, the suspect admitted to using ecstasy and marijuana before driving and that he was aware that he was driving a stolen car. Driving records also showed that Carrion-Andino was driving with a suspended license and that he was a habitual traffic offender. He was charged with several crimes, including fleeing, resisting, grand theft of a motor vehicle, DUI, and battering a police animal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story contains reporting from Linnie Supall. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Tampa police are investigating after two people were killed and another person was injured in a shooting. Police found a man dead with gunshot wounds in the 8000 block of New Tampa Boulevard, not far from Regents Park Drive, where a man was found shot to death in the roadway on Monday. Law enforcement later found a vehicle involved near Bearss Avenue and found two more people with gunshot wounds. One of those people was pronounced dead, police said. The other person was taken to a hospital and is expected to be OK. The Tampa Police Department said the shooting was not random and it is believed everyone involved knew each other. Several witnesses said their sense of safety has been shattered. I just hear tires screeching and then next thing I know, gunshots, Jonathan Smith said. Witnesses said they saw a man running from the neighborhood. He falls down right in front of the gate, turn around, start running away and I heard loud screeching of tires, Smith said. Just miles away, police found a car and two men. One of those men was dead. It was the most terrifying thing I ever experienced I have ever seen, Smith said. This gives me chills, said Victoria Wolfe, a friend of Kyle Prisco, the man who was found shot dead on Regents Park Drive. It makes my hands sweaty because, like I said, this is Wesley Chapel. Many people are still in disbelief. Theres no shootings, bank robberies, carjackings, she said. That doesnt happen here. Another investigation is underway after a badly decomposed body was found near New Tampa Nature Park. Officials are working to learn who that person is and how they died. 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. A Tarrant County Jail inmate whose mother says shouldnt have been incarcerated due to an intellectual and developmental disability has been released and transferred to a state supported living center. KaiYere Campbell, 21, was incarcerated for six months at the Tarrant County Jail, but he didnt understand why, according to his mother Shantel Taylor. He is a child who cannot comprehend the adult world, Taylor said in a statement sent to the Star-Telegram. But now he is being punished by the justice system for behaviors that are a symptom of his developmental disability. Taylor says her son has the cognitive ability of an 8-year-old. Campbell was arrested in December on charges of assault of an elderly person, which occurred at a group home. When police were called to the incident, the group home staff asked officers to take Campbell to the JPS Health Network for treatment. Instead, he was taken to the county jail, according to Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons. An undated photo of KaiYere Campbell, who is 21 years old and has been held at Tarrant County Jail since December. KaiYere is now in an environment in which he should have been initially and not the county jail where he was taken after he experienced an episode in his group home and hit a worker, said Simmons in a statement Friday. Although Campbell was deemed incompetent to stand trial and was ordered to a mental health facility, authorities said in May that there was no space to send him anywhere. Simmons says Taylor is relieved and grateful that her son has been moved out of the jail. I am grateful to United Fort Worth and the Texas Jail Project for bringing KaiYeres case to my attention so that I could assist in expediting his transfer out of Tarrant County Jail to a facility equipped to provide the appropriate care for his disability, said Simmons. Campbell was taken to a living center in Mexia, Texas. The person Campbell allegedly assaulted was a 72-year-old nurse in a group home where the 21-year-old was living. However, the nurse never wanted charges filed against Campbell, United Fort Worth organizer Pamela Young told the Star-Telegram. Taylor and Young previously asked the Tarrant County District Attorneys Office to drop the charges against Campbell, emphasizing Campbells need for care and not punishment. While I am pleased to see he [Campbell] will be getting the support he needs, I am repeating my call for Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells to use the power he has, known as prosecutorial discretion, to dismiss the charges against KaiYere, said Simmons in the statement. Then, and only then, can KaiYere Campbell and his family find peace while he receives the care that he needs. MONDAYAl-Anon: 8 p.m., Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3350 Lathrop Ave. Retired Nurses Association: Meets first Monday of every month. For more information, call Marge Orth, secretary, 262-884-0742. WEDNESDAYCaledonia Senior Card Club: Sheepshead, for ages 55 and older, noon to 3 p.m., Franksville Memorial Park, 9614 Northwestern Ave., Franksville. For more information, call 414-856-9550. Kiwanis Club of West of Racine: 7:30 a.m., in-person at Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave. Kiwanis is an international organization dedicated to serving the children of the world. To attend a meeting, contact Shirley Meyer, membership chair, at 262-260-8101 or email aquashirl4@yahoo.com. FRIDAYRacine Founders Rotary Club: 7 a.m., Racine Country Club, 2401 Northwestern Ave. DAILY/OTHERSCaledonia Historical Society Meeting: 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month May through October at Caledonia Historical Village, 7330 5 Mile Road. The meeting is open to the public. https://caledoniahistoricalsociety.org. Overeaters Anonymous: 7 p.m. Monday and Thursday, Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., a free fellowship group for all eating disorders using the 12 steps and 12 traditions. For more information call 262-652-5635. Racine Duplicate Bridge Club: Each week two ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games are played in at 12:15 p.m. Monday and Friday at The Lanes, 6501 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant. Call Henry Kensler, club manager, at 262-652-6173 for reservations. Recent winners are: June 14: Gloria Arneson and Richard Arneson, first place; Daniele Langer and Mark Langer, second place; George Urquhart and Janet Urquhart, third place. June 17: Dee Becker and Robert Gentz, first place; Alan Horowitz and Donald Urquhart, second place; Henry Kensler and Marilyn Wescott, third place. Lighthouse Quilters Guild: Open to quilters of all skill levels, 7 p.m., on the last Monday of each month at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio St. For more information, lighthousequiltersguild.com. VFW Post 10301: VFW Post 10301 meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Fifth Street Yacht Club, 761 Marquette St. Racine Welcome Club: The Racine Welcome Club is hosting drop in coffee from 9-11 a.m. Friday, June 28, at the Dish 1220 N. Ohio St. The group is open to women interested in making new friends, learning about community resources, and being involved in philanthropic and social activities. Call 262-994-0957 for more information. Friends of the Racine Public Library: The Friends of the Racine Public Library is looking for board members. The group meets from 5-6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month in the Lee Room, 75 Seventh St. Board members help to promote and raise money for library programs and resources. There will be no meeting in July. For more information, contact friendsracine@gmail.com. The Club Calendar is published weekly. Send notices by noon Tuesday to community@journaltimes.com. TAUNTON Taunton has invested millions of dollars over the last four years to resurface and restore more than 44 miles of roads. The city recently received national recognition for its efforts to better its roadways. The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), a long-time trade association representing the road infrastructure improvement industry, awarded the City of Taunton the 2023 Quality in Construction Award for excellence in resurfacing city streets. Mayor Shaunna OConnell said during a June 18 press conference outside City Council Chambers the award is an acknowledgement of the citys commitment to improving its roads and sidewalks. We have paved and repaired a record number of streets within a very short period of time. I am pleased that our team is receiving this national recognition, stated Mayor OConnell. O'Connell said $30 million has been spent on 44 miles worth of road resurfacing and related costs in Taunton over the last four years. Related costs include drainage, sidewalk restoration, curb installation, and all necessary traffic detail and detour plans for each road resurfacing plan. This is the first award Taunton has ever received from NAPA, said Ligia Madeira, chief of staff for OConnells administration. Receiving the NAPA Award for Quality in Construction. From left to right: Taunton Chamber of Commerce President, Kris Silva; Executive Director of Downtown Taunton BID, Colleen Simmons; CFO Patrick Dello Russo; Public Works Commissioner, Fred Cornaglia; Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell; PJ Keating VP of Construction, Andy Brewer; and PJ Keating Area Manager Rick Pavao. Photo taken June 18, 2024 in Taunton City Council Chambers. OConnell added the ones to thank the most are contractor PJ Keating, whos quality of work got this award, Tauntons DPW for prioritizing and planning out the roadwork schedules and knowing every nook and cranny of this city, the Citys finance team for ensuring there is funding for every road improvement project, and City Council for its support and input to departments and the administration. Criteria Andy Brewer, vice president of construction for PJ Keating, explained to City Council on June 18 the quantifiable criteria for the Quality in Construction Award comes down to gradation, asphalt content, air voids, and density of the pavement. Think of a cake recipe, and how well you follow that recipe, said Brewer, simplifying to Council and the public how the award is achieved. POTHOLES: How big of a problem are potholes in Taunton? Here's how to report one to the city. Independent engineers with NAPA assessed several roads in Taunton resurfaced between April 1 and Oct. 16, 2023 for this award. Resurfacing work assessed included parts of Bay Street, County Street, Norton Avenue, Winter Street, Summer Street, and Washington Street. Two hundred eighty-eight awards from NAPA were distributed this year across the country, with only 10 of those awarded in Massachusetts, said Brewer. These awards are not easy to get, added Brewer, when you take into account the billions spent nationwide every year in transportation. Andy Brewer, vice president of construction for PJ Keating, speaking at a press conference, held June 18, 2024, about the City of Taunton receiving the NAPA Award for Quality in Construction, for the resurfacing roadwork Keating did. Work planned out far in advance Fred Cornaglia, commissioner of public works for Taunton, explained during the press conference that a lot of planning and coordination goes into annual roadwork projects. Data on street conditions is recorded with the citys road service management system, which helps determine priority areas. Public works matches data on roads with information on drainage, water and sewer mains to determine if that infrastructure should be upgraded when the old road is ripped up for resurfacing. At the same time, the DPW is in communication with entities who also have stake in the roadways, including TMLP, Eversource, Comcast and Verizon, to coordinate efforts to handle as much as can be done at once, whether on the street or under it, like upgrades and maintenance to gas mains, electrical infrastructure, cable, and telephone poles. Cornaglia said street plans, including resurfacing and other projects, can be in place as much as two to three years in advance. Symbol of city's health Colleen Simmons, executive director of the Downtown Taunton Business Improvement District, said at the conference the state of a citys roads is a reflection of the overall health and prosperity of the city. She added all the funding and work the OConnell administration has put into roadways the last few years is a testament to its vision of having a thriving connected community." Kris Silva, president of Taunton Chamber of Commerce, said well-maintained roads are the backbone of economic development which facilitate commerce, attract investment, and creates a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. City Council President David Pottier pointed out that while this has been a challenging year for other municipalities, where many are struggling with layoffs, cuts to services, and overrides to make the numbers work, thats not happening here in Taunton, a clear indication the current administration is not resting on its laurels. This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton gets roadwork award from National Asphalt Pavement Association Ted Cruz says Biden is breaking the law by taking credit for infrastructure projects President Joe Biden speaks to a crowd in Kentucky about his economic and infrastructure plans. Michael Swensen/Getty Images Sen. Ted Cruz has an issue with signage touting projects funded by the 2021 infrastructure law. Construction sites across the US note that projects were made possible by the Biden-signed law. "These displays are nothing more than campaign yard signs," Cruz argues. Across the United States, scores of construction sites are emblazoned with signs that read: "Project Funded By President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law." For many people, it's an innocuous notation of the thousands of projects financed by the sweeping $1.2 trillion infrastructure law Biden signed into law in 2021 and was backed by both Democrats and a sizable contingent of Republicans. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was not one of them. Cruz is now pushing for a government probe into whether the Biden administration has run afoul of the Hatch Act by using taxpayer funds to promote the law's impact, according to Politico. In a letter obtained by Politico, Cruz argues that the Biden administration has "highly politicized" the infrastructure law, pointing to the signs that explicitly state that projects were made possible by the legislation and include the president's name. Cruz, in the letter, then argues that Biden "unilaterally rebranded" the bipartisan infrastructure law as "President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," which passed the House by 228-206 votes and the Senate by 69-30 votes. "I write to refer this to you for investigation as a possible violation of the Hatch Act, federal law that broadly prohibits using taxpayer dollars for campaign activity," Cruz said in the letter addressed to the Office of the Special Counsel's Hampton Dellinger. "Congress, not President Biden, wrote [the infrastructure law], and it did not do so to aid the President's reelection campaign." "These displays are nothing more than campaign yard signs courtesy of the American taxpayer," the senator added, according to Politico. Cruz vociferously opposed the law and voted against its passage. White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson told Politico in a statement that the project signs "promote transparency and inform taxpayers how federal dollars are being spent." "If Senator Cruz were half as concerned about Texas kids getting safe drinking water as he is about signs, he might have voted for the Infrastructure Law and to send $31 billion to tackle essential infrastructure needs across Texas," the statement added. According to Politico, Cruz also said the "Investing in America" logo was "purposefully designed to look like the Biden-Harris campaign logo." The infrastructure law by far Biden's signature domestic accomplishment is being touted by the president himself and Democratic candidates on the campaign trail as one of their biggest legislative wins. The law provided federal funding for long-awaited upgrades for bridges and tunnels, highways, and rail infrastructure, among other projects. Biden aims to set himself apart from former President Donald Trump on the issue. In 2016, Trump ran on enacting a broad infrastructure plan, but during his term in the White House, he never proposed a workable bil for lawmakers. Still, Biden has hit a wall on the issue ahead of the November election, as some voters remain skeptical of the law's effectiveness while a significant slice isn't giving him much credit for it at all. A Politico-Morning Consult Poll conducted in April showed that 40% of registered voters gave Biden the edge on infrastructure upgrades and job creation, while 37% of respondents gave Trump the advantage. And in the seven battleground states, Biden's edge over Trump on the issue was just six points (42% to 36%). Read the original article on Business Insider Lucca Ruggieri (left) is campaign manager for U.S. House candidate Neil Young, his former teacher (Photo courtesy Neil Young) By Davis Giangiulio Eighteen-year-old Lucca Ruggieri made headlines a few years ago when he launched a polling firm while still in high school. Now bound for college in the fall, Ruggieri, who will vote in his first presidential election this year, is heading up his former teachers campaign for Congress. Ruggieri, who graduated from Great Valley High School in Chester County this month, is the campaign manager for Republican Neil Youngs effort to beat U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-6th District). Few options are available for teenagers to work on political campaigns other than volunteering particularly in federal-level races. The average age of a congressional staffer is 31, according to Legistorm, an independent database that collects information on Congress and state legislatures. Ruggieri has memories of politics from as early as the 2012 presidential election, when he was 6 years old. He volunteered for David McCormicks 2022 U.S. Senate run where, despite the disappointing loss, he learned how to door-knock and converse with voters. Later that year, when emails to local congressional offices seeking an internship didnt pan out, he started a polling company with a friend. Patriot Polling earned national recognition, including a place in FiveThirtyEights statistical analysis for the 2022 midterms. In January, Ruggieri first reached out to Young, his computer applications teacher from middle school. I had no clue that he was going to run for Congress, Ruggieri said. He thought the campaign was an opportunity to help someone he had a good relationship with and who he trusted. I thought, my teacher, is a good guy. I had just finished up with all my college applications, I might as well offer to help out. Ruggieris initial message was straightforward, Young said: he simply asked to meet and discuss the campaign. When he showed me some of the other things that he was doing, I found it hard to believe, Young said. I found myself Googling Lucca, who I literally knew, and said Lets hear your ideas. Ruggieri was originally placed in an advisory role. During that trial period, he was analyzing how to turn news stories into messaging for Young and writing a few strategy reports. Young said he was impressed by both the quality and turnaround time of Ruggieris work and his back of his hand knowledge of the district that meant he didnt have to spend hours researching it. He took on the campaign manager role while he was still finishing his final assignments of senior year. But, Young said, he would remind Ruggieri that school came first. Whenever I do something, I sort of go overboard, Ruggieri said. As soon as I got anything Id be on top of it. I sort of worked through class, he admitted. Both Young and Ruggieri acknowledge the race is an uphill battle, running against three-term incumbent Houlahan, who beat her Republican challenger in 2022 by 18 points. While Mitt Romney in 2012 was able to narrowly win Chester County in the presidential contest, where most of the 6th District is located, President Joe Biden won Chester County in 2020 by 17 points. Houlahan also is arguably one of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegations best fundraisers. At the beginning of April, campaign finance records show Young had $1,231 cash on hand, compared with Houlahans nearly $3.8 million. Part of the GOPs poor track record in the region is why Ruggieri thinks his voice could be valuable. A lot of people who are involved in politics, theyve been doing things the same way for a long time, he said. Coming from a young person and having a different perspective, that allows me to have some alternative takes. Young said that Ruggieris age enables him to understand mass communication, like using social media platforms, extremely well, even better than those who may even be only just a few years older than him, since hes had more exposure to social media. Young believes that skill is critical for his campaign particularly. When youre trying to run a race where youre going to be outspent, the more exposure and ability to reach a wider audience at a price point that isnt in the millions has gotta be one of the most valuable things that you can have, he said. I dont think anyone does it better than the young generation right now. Ruggieri has also advised his former teacher to talk about education, an issue he thinks works in the suburbs and that Young said many are concerned about. According to his campaign website, Young supports expanding charter and private school options and public-private partnerships. Republicans in Philadelphias collar counties have struggled in recent elections on education issues, losing school board seats in nationally-watched races after some conservative majorities implemented anti-LGBTQ policies and removed certain books from schools. Ruggieri said the Young campaign can avoid that outcome, however. Were trying to focus on the issues that impact Chester County, and not try to turn this into a polarized culture war thing that you see in a lot of races. Eric Roe, a Chester County Commissioner sees opportunities in engaging younger voters in campaigns. The average age of Republican voters in Chester County is 67 years old, Roe said in a statement. In order to win elections now and in the future, the Republican Party needs to appeal to young voters. Part of that appeal must involve opportunities for roles on campaigns. While Ruggieri is set to be in New York City in the fall for school, he and Young have no plans to change his title right now. Ruggieri is confident hell be able to manage starting college and running this campaign. I can just take the train down and come back here on the weekends, he said. Im going to keep on doing what I was doing. Im looking forward to continuing this campaign through November. The post Teenage campaign manager working on former teachers bid for Congress in PA-06 appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. BOUAR, Central African RepublicA pair of twin sisters were happy to escape a harrowing abduction when Russian paramilitaries rescued them from kidnappers who had snatched them from their home on motorbikes. Their joy was to prove short-lived. Armed men had abducted Fatou and her twin sister, 17, from their home in the northwestern Central African Republic (CAR) market town of Bouar in September. The girls were being spirited out of town when Russian paramilitaries in a pickup caught up with them, arrested the men and rescued the girls. We were so relieved when we saw the white soldiers, Fatou told The Daily Beast. We thought we were the luckiest girls in the world. But that wasnt the end of the girls terror. For three days, Fatou said, she and her sister were kept in a small, dirty, rat-infested room inside a military base in Bouar. As soon as they arrived, she said, Russian paramilitaries gave them injections which they said were meant to treat any injuries they had sustained. We were surprised they were giving us injections for wounds because neither of us was injured, Fatou said. It wasnt just the injectionswhich Fatou believes were contraceptive shotsthat were sinister. Fatou also said the girls were given medicine that was intended to make them unaware of themselves and their surroundings. They told us we couldnt return to our home immediately, as they needed to treat the wounds we sustained and be sure we were of sound health before letting us go, Fatou said. But whenever they gave us the medicine, which they usually dissolved in water, we slowly became unconscious. The girls usually became fully conscious of themselves hours after the drugs were administered, according to Fatou, who said she and her sister often realized their underwear had been removed and that they sometimes felt pain around their vaginas. On the first day they gave us the medicine, my sister woke up hours later and discovered she was bleeding from her private parts. The girls were convinced they had been raped by the Russians. They then confronted the men, who denied the accusation but warned them never to tell anyone about what happened: They said theyll find us and kill us if we ever told anyone that we were raped by white soldiers, Fatou said. In the three years since the town was recaptured from rebels in February 2021, Russian paramilitaries have drugged, raped and administered contraceptives to hundreds of young women, according to dozens of witness accounts. The sexual violence continued even after the restructuring of the Wagner Groups operations in Africa following the death of its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash last August. Under the supervision of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which has now named the paramilitary structure Africa Corps, the abuse has not ended. In many cases, the girls say they were raped after being drugged and injected with contraceptives without their consent. Some say they were forced to take the shot at gunpoint, and were given emergency contraceptive pills after being raped. The victims are mostly teenagerssome as young as 13. This report is based on interviews with a dozen young women who say they were injected and raped by Russian paramilitaries inside an army base in Bouar, a town about 100 miles from the CAR border with Cameroon. The Daily Beast also interviewed three former rebel fighters who were later recruited by the Russians, and four soldiers from the Central African national army (FACA), including a medical officer who worked in the military base. All were aware of the incidents. The abuse of young women in the Bouar military base has been happening on a regular basis for three years, according to witnesses. Women who were either rescued from armed male kidnappers or arrested for associating with rebel fighters were held at the base for days or weeks. The victims were often told that the injections and pills were aimed at preventing them from contracting viral diseases. Those who refused to comply were often tortured and then forcibly injected, according to two FACA personnel. Karmel was picked up from home by Russian paramilitaries who drugged and raped her at the Bouar military base when she was 17. Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images, Public Domain and Philip Obaji Karmel*, 19, told The Daily Beast that Russian paramilitaries arrived at her compound near a primary school in Bouar two years ago and ordered everyone to leave the premises. The Russians, she said, claimed they had received intelligence that rebels were about to attack the area. The teenager recounted how the paramilitaries then decided to take a few young girls to the Bouar military base, where they said the girls would be safer. When we got there, they gave us food and something that tasted like fruit juice which they served in cups for us to drink, said Karmel, who was 17 at the time. I fell asleep and when I woke up I was bleeding from my private parts. Someone had raped me. Karmels neighbor, Bibi*, who was one of five girls taken from their compound by the Russians, confirmed her account. We knew we had been raped when some of us woke up with pain and blood coming out of our private parts, Bibi, who was 15 when the incident occurred, told The Daily Beast. At the age of 14, Bibi was one of five girls taken from their compound to the Bouar military base by Russian paramilitaries who raped them. Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images, Public Domain and Philip Obaji Not every girl who was taken to the military base survived, according to Karmel. She said one of the girls was shot by a Russian paramilitary after she confronted camp officials whom she accused of raping her. She was cursing the soldiers and threatening to expose all of them for what they did to us, said Karmel. Suddenly, we heard a gunshot and before we knew it our friend was dead on the floor with blood everywhere. The event was corroborated by Bibi and Nidal*, another teenager from the same compound who was taken with her friends to Bouar military base on the same day. I saw the white soldier pull out a gun and shoot her at close range, Nidal, who was 14 at the time, told The Daily Beast. Minutes later, two [FACA] soldiers came and took her body away. Russian paramilitaries were not active in the northwest of CAR until early 2021, when FACA forces and the Wagner Group began a campaign to reclaim territories in the region seized by rebels from the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an alliance of CARs armed groups formed in 2020 to disrupt the countrys presidential election. Realizing that it needed to boost its size to effectively take on the rebels, Wagner used the Officers Union for International Security (OUIS), a Russia-based company sanctioned last year by the United States Treasury Department, to obscure an increase of so-called Russian military instructors operating in CAR. Since their arrival, locals have consistently recounted incidents of human rights abuses. Whispers about rape started as a trickle when Bouar, CARs fifth largest city with about 40,000 inhabitants, descended into conflict in 2020. The trickle became a flood in the years that followed. Young women have been trapped in the fighting between Russian paramilitaries, backed by FACA forces, and rebels from the CPC. In the last three years, tens of thousands have been forced to leave their homes, mostly to camps for internally displaced people. Others who encountered Russian paramilitaries either during rescue operations or when the Russians showed up in their areas ended up in the military base, where they say they were drugged and raped. Alleged rape survivors in Bouar and their families are trapped in more ways than one, between their trauma and the fear that, in the highly insecure and volatile area they live, they could become victims again. Nidal was 14 when Russian paramilitaries drugged and raped her at a military base in Bouar, Central African Republic. Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images, Public Domain and Philip Obaji It seems everyone who carries a gun in Bouar also carries an intention to rape a woman, said Nidal, who told The Daily Beast that armed rebels raped her on her way to the market weeks after she and her friends were let go by the Russian paramilitaries who had sexually abused them. Soldiers are raping us and rebels are doing the same. Rebels from the CPC took control of Bouar, which sits strategically on the route leading from the capital Bangui to Cameroon, on Dec. 27, 2020, and immediately began to rape young girls, including a minor, according to a United Nations report (PDF). In February 2021, FACA forces and Russian paramilitaries regained control of the town. The U.N. said the fighters who recaptured Bouar committed rapes. An aerial view of the RN1 road in Bouar, Central African Republic, the main road linking the capital Bangui with Cameroon, on Sept. 26, 2020. Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images and Public Domain But it is from the Bouar military base, where the Russians are present, that the most devastating stories have emerged. Two FACA soldiers told The Daily Beast that some of the girls brought to the military base were gang-raped by Russian paramilitaries who often drugged the victims to ensure that they werent fully conscious. There were often two or three white soldiers raping a little girl, one of the soldiers said. The victims were always given pills and injections to make sure they dont get pregnant. This started when FACA and Russian paramilitaries took control of the town in 2021, according to accounts from soldiers. Witnesses said the perpetrators usually kept their victims in the base for days until they were sure that the girls had the required pill dosage to avoid pregnancy. Dozens of Russian paramilitaries are involved in the atrocities, according to witnesses. The rapes, they said, often occurred in small rooms with two or three fighters sexually abusing between two and six victims. The abuse did not only occur in Bouar, according to two of the victims who told The Daily Beast how the Russian mercenaries who drugged, raped and injected them in Bouar transported them to Beloko, a town near the border with Cameroon about 70 miles west of Bouar, where Russian paramilitaries at another military camp also sexually abused them. After two days [in the Bouar military base], the white soldiers put four of us in their [pickup] vehicle and drove us to Beloko without even telling us why they were taking us there, said a 17-year-old fruit seller who claimed she was lured by Russian paramilitaries to the Bouar military base last August. On the night we arrived, they took us to a room, turned off the lights and forced themselves on us. A FACA soldier and a former rebel fighter later recruited by the Russians corroborated the claim that girls who had been raped in Bouar were later transported to Beloko, where they faced more abuse. Sex trafficking occurred often [at the Bouar military base], said the former rebel fighter who became part of a group of local recruits commonly referred to as Black Russians. Sometimes, 10 girls could be taken at once to Beloko where the white soldiers [at the military camp] also rape them. Since 2021, when they helped FACA to retake the town from CPC rebels who had seized it at the end of the previous year, Russian paramilitaries have been active in Beloko. The town is CAR's first customs checkpoint on the trade corridor between Bangui and the Cameroonian port city of Douala. Russian and CAR officials did not respond to requests for comment from The Daily Beast on the rape allegations. Attempts to interview Aleksandr Ivanov, director of OUIS which in the past claimed to represent Wagner mercenaries in the country, were unsuccessful. In the same vein, emails sent to the Russian Embassy in Bangui, where Denis Pavlov, an intelligence official deployed by Moscow to keep an eye on Russian operations in the restive African nation, has an office, went unanswered. Russias Ministry of Defense, which currently oversees the operations of Russian paramilitaries in the CAR, also failed to respond to requests for comment. The CAR is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women. Every hour, two people in the country become victims of gender-based violence, according to a U.N. report which stressed that the statistics only include cases where survivors had consented to sharing information. Last year Doctors Without Borders, a charity that provides humanitarian medical care, reported that its teams took care of more than 19,500 survivors of sexual violence across CAR between 2018 and 2022. During the same period, the U.N. documented nearly 15,000 other cases of sexual violence in the country reported by other humanitarian organisations working in CAR, or by state structures. In May 2019, the Central African government and the U.N. special rapporteur on sexual violence in conflict signed an agreement to tackle sexual violence by armed groups, including bringing attackers to justice and providing necessary services for survivors. But widespread and systematic use of rape as a tactic of war has continued, even by U.N. peacekeepers whove long been in the spotlight over allegations of child rape and other sexual abuse. In 2021, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ordered the immediate repatriation of the entire peacekeeping contingent from Gabon following credible reports of sexual abuse by some of its 450 members. Of the dozen girls who told The Daily Beast that they were raped in Bouar, only half obtained medical care and none disclosed the rapes to medical personnel out of fear that they might be stigmatized, meaning that they were unable to get essential post-rape treatment. The victims said theyve been depressed and traumatized since the incidents. Decades of violence and instability, including six coups, have rocked the CAR since independence in 1960. Despite being rich in diamonds and gold, the country is one of the poorest in the world. Its resources have been plundered by those in authority, and rebel groups have funded their operations through the illegal gold and diamond trade. More recently, the Russians have got in on the act, seizing goldmines often through brutal attacks that leave dozens of locals dead, and colluding with CARs political leadership, enabling billions of dollars in gold to bypass the Central African state and depriving the fragile nation of hundreds of millions in state revenue. In 2013, the country was plunged into civil war when a mainly Muslim rebel coalition called Seleka took control of Bangui and toppled the government. In response to rebel uprisings and looting, Christian vigilantes began a bloody ethnic cleansing of the countrys Muslim minority. The U.N. imposed an arms embargo on CAR in December 2013 and established a peacekeeping mission in response to widespread human-rights abuses, but much of the fragile nation remains controlled by rebel fighters (who now call themselves ex-Seleka) and Christian militants, who struggle for control of territory and rich natural resources in a conflict that has killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera meet on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg in 2023. Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Reuters and Public Domain In 2016, Faustin-Archange Touadera, who previously served as prime minister, was elected president of the war-torn nation, but not long after he was sworn into office, the former colonial power Francewhich had sent troops to the country in late 2013 in an effort to prevent violence between the religious militiasended its military mission in the troubled country. Touadera then turned to Russia for help in strengthening his countrys military and overturning the U.N. arms embargo. The Kremlin accepted the request, but not without the African nation agreeing to allow Russia to explore its natural resources. (The U.N. approved a Russian training mission to CAR in 2017.) Initially, Valery Zakharov, a former Russian military intelligence officer was installed as the national security adviser to Touadera, overseeing the operations of Wagner paramilitaries across the country. He quit the role in 2022 and was replaced by his former proteges Dmitry Syty and Vitaly Perfilev. For months, Syty, who was placed under financial sanctions by the U.S. Treasury in September 2020, acted as Wagners operational leader and communications adviser to President Touadera, while Perfilev played the role of national security adviser to the CAR leader, supervising all Wagner contractors present in the country. Both men, who oversaw Russian paramilitary operations in the country as the rapes in Bouar and Beloko grew, are still in the country, but their influence has reduced since Russias Ministry of Defense created the Africa Corps and took control of its operations. Syty and Perfilev did not respond to The Daily Beasts requests for comment. Two FACA personnel told The Daily Beast that some soldiers who werent comfortable with what was going on had written to top government and security officials in Bangui to inform them that young girls were being raped by Russian paramilitaries in Bouar and then trafficked to Beloko where they were further abused. The letter was sent to the president, the national security adviser (Perfilev) and to the head of the military, but nothing was done about it, one of the soldiers said. Instead, some [FACA personnel] were moved from Bouar and sent elsewhere. When contacted, a senior adviser to President Touadera told The Daily Beast that the CAR government is not aware of incidents of rape by Russia paramilitaries in Bouar and Beloko. We have not received such a report, he said. Some of the victims of rape by Russian paramilitaries in Bouar and Beloko have had very challenging pasts. Fatou and her twin sister lost their father, a carpenter, and older brother on Dec. 27, 2020, the same day CPC rebels took full control of Bouar after seizing a part of the town a week earlier. Fatou said both father and son left home early in the morning to visit an extended family member not far away from where they lived. In the evening, a neighbor found the bodies of the two men lying on the street. They had both been shot in the head. The death of our father, who was our breadwinner, and our brother brought hardship for our family, said Fatou, who lives with her twin sister and ailing mother near the Bouar main market. Because of lack of money, my sister and I have been forced to stop secondary school. When Russian paramilitaries rescued Fatou and her sister from their kidnappers last September, the girls were asked about their background and their responses proved how vulnerable they are. When we told the white soldiers that we had lost our father and that our mother was bedridden, they laughed at us and called us orphans, said Fatou. What we told them about ourselves made them believe we were poor children who had nobody. The sisters were let go after three days which Fatou described as the worst days of my life. The paramilitaries, she said, gave no explanation as to why the girls were finally allowed to go home. They came to us in the morning and told us we could go home, Fatou said. We were still in pain but we managed to trek home. Unlike Fatou and her sister, who were told that the injections and pills the were given at the Bouar military base were meant to prevent diseases, other girls told The Daily Beast that the soldiers forcefully gave them injections and pills without offering any explanation. Theyll threaten to kill you if you dont comply, one victim told The Daily Beast. I took the injection because I didnt want to be killed. Two FACA officialsone of them a medical officialwho were at the Bouar military base for some time told The Daily Beast that the victims were often given the Depo-Provera contraceptive injection. Also administered, according to the FACA officials, is Levonorgestrel, an emergency contraceptive that is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. A common brand given to the victims in Bouar is Postinor-2, the officials said. I didnt see anyone react adversely to any of the drugs, said the FACA medical personnel. But it was necessary that they took them if they were to avoid being pregnant. Medical experts told The Daily Beast that women who seek to take Depo-Provera usually need a prescription for the injection from their health-care provider, who would likely review their medical history and possibly check their blood pressure before prescribing the drug. Research suggests that Depo-Provera might cause a loss of bone mineral density especially in teens who haven't reached peak bone mass. And that the loss may not be reversible. There are other side effects like depression, decreased libido, leukorrhea, ectopic pregnancy, retinal thrombosis and pulmonary embolism which may not be noticed immediately, Dr. Collins Anyachi of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Nigeria, told The Daily Beast. Thats why its important for those who are given the shot to be closely monitored. For some of the rape victims in Bouar and in Beloko, the pain inflicted on them by their rapists will never go away. I cry every day when I think about the way I was abused, Fatou said. I will never forget what these white soldiers did to me. *Names have been changed to protect identities This story was supported by the International Center for Journalists through the Jim Hoge Fellowship. 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. More than a month after a news report revealed that the Combat Infantryman Badge Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, wears on his lapel was revoked since he was never eligible for the award to begin with, the congressman refuses to take the pin off. Nehls' stubbornness has garnered growing criticism from veterans and others in the community of stolen valor researchers, who say the issue is simple: The rules for the CIB are clear, and Nehls did not qualify. "The veteran community is starting to get to the point now where there's no room for forgiveness at this point because now they see, Hey, this wasn't an error. He's doubling down now," said Anthony Anderson, an Army veteran who runs Guardian of Valor and was instrumental in uncovering Nehls' revoked award. "He knows he didn't earn this award." Read Next: Air Force Captain, Staff Sergeant Permanently Disabled in 2023 Search and Rescue Tactical Vehicle Rollover CBS News and Anderson's Guardian of Valor first revealed in May that the Army revoked Nehls' CIB in March 2023 because at the time he was awarded it in 2008 he served as a civil affairs officer, not an infantryman or Special Forces soldier. The Combat Infantryman Badge originated during World War II, both as a means of establishing the infantry as a prestigious role in the Army to help with recruitment and to reward soldiers who saw combat. Enlisted recipients of the badge at the time were paid $10 extra per month. The law establishing that bonus was rescinded in 1948. "He gets in the infantry, we build his ego, his pride in his branch," Maj. Gen. Miller White, who oversaw Army personnel policy at the time, said to lawmakers during a 1944 hearing on the badge. The establishment of the badge also came with the Expert Infantryman Badge, an accolade for showing a high level of proficiency in combat tests such as marksmanship, grenade handling and physical fitness. In effect, infantrymen who did not see combat still had an opportunity to identify themselves and distinguish themselves from the non-combat roles in the Army. To qualify for the CIB, a soldier must be an infantryman or Green Beret, be serving in those roles at the time of the award, and engage an enemy in direct ground combat. In 2005, the Army established the Combat Action Badge, or CAB -- effectively the same award but for soldiers in all other roles. The award was spurred after tank and cavalry units played a significant role in the invasion of Iraq, but were not awarded recognition as their infantry counterparts were. It was also retroactively awarded to soldiers who qualified for it in any action after 9/11. Nehls was awarded a CAB in 2006 for a 2004 deployment to Iraq that no one is calling into question. While Nehls first enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard in 1988 as an infantryman, his military occupational speciality in 2008 was civil affairs, according to documents published by Guardian of Valor. CBS and Guardian of Valor also found that Nehls' military record shows only one Bronze Star while Nehls has claimed he was awarded two. After their reporting, Nehls posted certificates for both Bronze Stars on social media. His refusal to stop wearing the CIB is what has attracted the most criticism a month later. "It was revoked," Frederick Bourjaily, national commander of the Combat Infantrymen's Association, a nonprofit group that supports CIB veterans, told Military.com in a phone interview. "He should take it off." While Nehls has the right to appeal the revocation, Bourjaily added, he should not wear the pin while that process is playing out. "If the Army told me I couldn't wear mine, I'd take it off," Bourjaily said. Nehls' office did not respond to Military.com's request for comment for this story. But the congressman has defended himself on social media and in comments to other news outlets, casting himself as a victim who is being targeted for his conservatism and support for former President Donald Trump. "I disagree with the Awards and Decorations Branch revocation of my CIB, which was awarded by the 101st Airborne Division," Nehls wrote in a letter to the Army he posted on social media. "I further believe this is a concerted effort to discredit my military service and continued service to the American people as a member of Congress." Nehls has also questioned whether any other CIBs have ever been revoked, rhetorically asking news outlet NOTUS whether it is "just Troy Nehls, Mr. MAGA guy?" It's unclear how common administrative errors are, but it isn't unheard of for soldiers to be improperly awarded accolades due to poorly trained personnel staff, misunderstandings or fraudulent documentation. But soldiers should also know whether they receive an award they clearly were not qualified for, given how clear service regulations are on most accolades. "Any soldier that has served a week in the military knows the requirements for the CIB," Anderson said. "Everybody knows the CIB is an award for infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers only. Period." Those who have made it their life's mission to uncover stolen valor say the Nehls case is egregious. "We are fed up with politicians doing this and still get accolades, re-elected and having no consequences," Mary Schantag, chair of the POW Network and a historian who verifies accusations of stolen valor, said in an email to Military.com. "He is not the first pol and certainly will not be the last to make headlines over [stolen valor]. It never ends." Criticism of Nehls is also coming from other Republicans. Several of his GOP House colleagues who are veterans have accused him of stolen valor, including former Trump administration interior secretary and current Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., who told NOTUS that "if you didn't earn it, you shouldn't wear it." Anderson was admanent his work on Nehls is not political. "I've got friends that I visit every Memorial Day that have earned this award, and it's put them in the ground," Anderson said. "That's why this is such a big issue. We have to protect these awards because if we just let anybody and everybody wear them just because they claim them, it waters them down, and it doesn't make them as prestigious, and it just hurts the award system altogether." Related: Stolen Valor Researchers Sound Alarm on House Proposal to Curtail Access to Military Records A Muslim advocacy group on Friday called for a hate crime investigation after a Texas woman allegedly tried to drown a 3-year-old Palestinian American girl in a swimming pool. Elizabeth Wolf, described by the Council on American-Islamic Relations as a White American woman, was arrested May 19 and initially charged with public intoxication, according to a press release from police in Euless. The 42-year-old was later charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child. onurdongel via Getty Images According to CAIR, the incident began when the 3-year-olds mother, who wears a hijab, was at the pool with her Muslim family. Wolf approached the 32-year-old, identified only as Mrs. H, with racist interrogations, CAIR said. Wolf asked where the mother was from and if two kids playing in the pool were hers, according to police who spoke with the mother. The mother said that Wolf made statements about her not being an American and other racial statements, per authorities. At one point, Wolf jumped into the pool to pull Mrs. Hs daughter and 6-year-old son into the deep end, CAIR said. The boy managed to pull away, but Wolf then allegedly attempted to force the 3-year-old underwater. When Mrs. H tried to rescue her daughter, Wolf snatched off the mothers head scarf and used it to beat the mother as well as kicking her to keep her away while forcing her daughters head underwater, CAIR said. When Wolf was finally taken into custody by officers, she allegedly shouted to a bystander who was comforting the mother, Tell her I will kill her, and I will kill her whole family. Witnesses told officers that Wolf appeared intoxicated at the time of the incident. Mrs. Hs two children were medically evaluated and cleared after the ordeal, police said. We are American citizens, originally from Palestine, and I dont know where to go to feel safe with my kids, the mother said in a statement provided by CAIR. My country is facing a war, and we are facing that hate here. Mrs. H said that her daughter remains traumatized. Whenever I open the apartment door, she runs away and hides, telling me she is afraid the lady will come and immerse her head in the water again, Mrs. H said. Wolf was released on bail a day after her arrest last month, according to CAIRs Shaimaa Zayan. The organization now seeks not only a hate crime probe, but a higher bail bond and a dialogue with officials about Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiment, Zayan said. We are seeing a new level of bigotry here where a person deeply believes they get to decide, based on religion, spoken language, and country of origin, whose kids deserve to stay alive and whose dont, Zayan said. CAIR published a report earlier this year stating that it received 8,061 complaints about anti-Muslim incidents across the U.S. in 2023, citing the recent escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza as a driving force behind the figure. Related... How is Mayorkas' response to Rachel Morin's death acceptable to liberals? Officials believe they found the body of Rachel Morin, a Maryland woman who vanished after going for a walk on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was asked in an interview whether President Joe Bidens handling of the border contributed to the recent slaying of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother of five. The accused murderer is an undocumented migrant from El Salvador. Mayorkass response was that a criminal is responsible for the criminal act. The left seems to be okay with that response. If that is an acceptable answer in this situation how is that not an acceptable answer when it comes to gun crimes and gun control? Doesnt the criminal pull the trigger? Its not the gun, right Secretary Mayorkas? William Kloss, Dublin This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Alejandro Mayorkas' response to Rachel Morin's slaying a double standard Surveillance video captured two suspects ransacking parked cars at an apartment complex in Irvine. The incident happened on June 2 at the Metropolis Apartments located at 2100 Sullivan, according to the Irvine Police Department. Video of the theft showed a man using a key card to open the doors of a Tesla before grabbing the valuables inside and escaping. Police confirmed the man had stolen a key card from a nearby parked Tesla that belonged to the same family and was able to use that car to unlock the second car. The two suspects were also seen stealing tools from a pickup truck that was parked in the garage. The duo, a man and a woman, escaped with around $9,000 worth of valuables, authorities said. They fled the scene in a white SUV. A man seen stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from parked cars at an Irvine apartment complex on June 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) A man seen stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from parked cars at an Irvine apartment complex on June 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) A woman and man seen stealing tools from a pickup truck at an Irvine apartment complex on June 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) A woman and man seen stealing tools from a pickup truck at an Irvine apartment complex on June 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) A man seen stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from parked cars at an Irvine apartment complex on June 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) Police have released security video of the thieves in hopes someone may recognize them. Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Irvine police at 949-724-7000 or email amena@cityofirvine.org. Footage of the theft can be seen in the video player 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 KTLA. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A third man has been charged in the shooting death of two men and a pregnant woman in Tunica County, Mississippi. The Tunica County Sheriffs Office says 20-year-old Monterrius Woods has been charged with four counts of capital murder, four counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, one count of drive-by shooting, and one count of shooting into a motor vehicle. Triple homicide near Mississippi casino leaves family seeking answers Woods has been charged in connection with the deaths of 23-year-old Steven Burts, 24-year-old Deshun Isabell, and 25-year-old Tednequa Moore and her unborn child. The three were found shot to death in a burned car on Casino Center Drive on November 10. Because Moore was pregnant at the time of her death, officials decided to pursue capital murder charges. The Tunica County Sheriffs Office says Woods is currently in custody at the DeSoto County Jail on unrelated charges. The sheriffs office says 18-year-old Deonte Taylor and 20-year-old Anthony A.J. Carter also face charges in this homicide and that more arrests are expected. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. REC offers Voyager Series workshops RACINE The Root River Voyager Series environmental education workshops for community members ages 9 and older is scheduled to begin Tuesday, July 2, at the Root River Environmental Education Community Center, 1301 W. Sixth St. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register, email rec@uwp.edu. The cost is $10 and participants are not required to attend every workshop. Youth under 18 must have a guardian present to participate. The Basics of Canoeing and Kayaking 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 2. Learn the basics of canoeing and kayaking, including how to wear a personal floatation device, how to enter and exit a boat, how to paddle and steer, and how to handle various scenarios in the water. Canoe/kayak paddle included. Water Quality 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 9. Learn about water pollution, identify pollution sources surrounding the REC, use chemistry kits to measure water pollution and discuss methods to prevent it. Canoe/kayak paddle to collect water samples is included. Root River Turtles 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 16. Learn about turtles living on the Root River. A canoe/kayak trip to search for local turtles is included. Invasive Species 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 23. Learn about invasive species at the REC and what you can do to help stop the spread! Canoe/kayak paddle included. The REC is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and the City of Racine, with a mission to provide community members with opportunities to explore the Great Lakes and connected ecosystems through recreation, education, demonstration, and research. Activities at the REC are coordinated by the College of Natural and Health Sciences at UW-Parkside. For more information email rec@uwp.edu, call 262-595-2912 or visit www.uwp.edu/REC Aurora offers classes BURLINGTON Aurora Health Care is offering the following programs: Babysitting Classes 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 14, Aurora Wellness Center, 300 McCanna Parkway. This course is designed to prepare students to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting. Students learn how to practice important safety skills, handle emergencies, care for children and treat illness and injuries. For more information, visit aurora.org/events. Free Blood Pressure Clinic 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m. every Wednesday. To make an appointment, call 262-767-8000. Childbirth and Beyond Get ready for a new addition through free, ongoing classes, including Preparing for Labor and Birth, Bringing Baby Home, Breastfeeding Basics and Infant CPR & Safety. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/ALMCchildbirth. Movement and Music This free class for people with Parkinsons disease incorporates stretches, strength training, posture, balance and walking drills, as well as vocal exercises. Manage Parkinsons symptoms and improve quality of daily life while having fun. Modifications will be provided to ensure a safe and effective setting for all participants. Caregivers are also welcome. Register at mail@wiparkinson.org or 414-312-6990. Stroke Support Group This group provides emotional support through opportunities to interact with others who have experienced a stroke. Informational programs also will be provided about stroke/brain attack. The group welcomes individuals newly diagnosed, those with a history of stroke and caregivers. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/ALMCstroke. Memory Cafe Memory Cafe is a comfortable, free social gathering that allows people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect and build new support networks at the Aurora Wellness Center, Classroom C. For information, or first-time attendees, contact Chad at 262-212-3596 or csutkay@touchinghearts.com. Walk with a Doc Get out, get active and enjoy good conversation from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month at Burlington High School, 400 McCanna Parkway. Learn about a current health topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a walk at your own pace and distance with a medical provider. The program is free, and no registration is required. Meet at the front entrance vestibule by the flagpole. Art Therapy Open Studio Open Studio is an art group designed to aid in self-expression relaxation, and personal growth. Open Studio is open to current and past cancer patients, companions and caretakers. Each session is facilitated by a credentialed art therapist and will include a featured project. All supplies provided. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/AMCBarttherapy. Medicare Counseling Free counseling and support services are available from a certified counselor with the Wisconsin State Health Insurance Assistant Program. The counselor can help with a variety of things including enrollment. Contact Amy Waldoch at 262-948-5862 or amy.waldoch@aah.org to schedule an appointment. For more information about Aurora Health Care programs, www.aurorahealthcare.org/classes-events/ or call 800-499-5736. By Anita Komuves BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Carrying rainbow flags and dancing through the streets, thousands of Hungarians celebrated the annual Budapest Pride parade on Saturday and vowed to keep protesting over the government's anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in power since 2010, promotes a Christian-conservative agenda and in 2021 banned the "promotion of homosexuality" among under-18s despite strong criticism from rights groups and the European Union. "It's very important to be here ... to show we exist and that we matter," said 30-year-old Anna Reti, who took part in the march in the capital, adding that many LGBTQ+ Hungarians face discrimination and hostility in everyday life. "For example, I went out in the street the other day with some rainbow accessories and people stared," she said. Gay marriage is not recognised in Hungary and only heterosexual couples can legally adopt children. Orban's government has redefined marriage as the union between one man and one woman in the constitution, and limited gay adoption. His government has said the 2021 law is meant to protect children and does not target the LGBTQ+ community, but it has caused anxiety among gay, bisexual and transgender Hungarians. Last year, some booksellers were fined for selling books depicting homosexuality, which were not wrapped in plastic as required by the legislation. And in November, a museum director was sacked after the institution allowed under-18s to visit a World Press Photo exhibition featuring LGBTQ+ content. Ahead of Saturday's march, the embassies of the United States, Germany and 33 other countries urged Hungary to protect LGBTQ+ rights and scrap laws that discriminate against members of the community. U.S. Ambassador David Pressman was one of several diplomats to join the Pride event. "This is an amazing country with a rich history of people standing up and fighting for freedom," he told reporters. "The people here who are marching today are doing so in the best traditions of the country." (Reporting by Anita Komuves; Editing by Helen Popper) Thousands lose power in Bergen County as thunderstorms roll in during heat wave A number of smaller, local thunderstorms whipped through portions of Bergen, Essex, Passaic and Union counties late Saturday afternoon, causing minor damage and thousands of customers to lose power. The National Weather Service reported that trees were felled in the Rutherford area and PSE&G reported that more than 3,000 customers had lost power. A the worst of it, Bergen County had nearly 4,000 customers without power. By Sunday morning Bergen was down to only a handful of people without power. Morris County, though, had over 1,400 customers without service Sunday morning. It's a particularly inopportune time to lose power as the region remains stuck in a heat wave that's lasted most of the week. In Linden, there were numerous reports of trees down as well as a lightning strike but while PSE&G's outage map showed numerous outages there were relatively few customers reporting outages. The National Weather Service has extended the heat advisory for the North Jersey area until 6 p.m. on Friday. Bryan Ramsey, meteorologist with of National Weather Service New York said the storms were small and isolated and after passing through, moved out to sea. The storm's gusts were straight line winds, which while noticeable were not severe. NWS weather stations reported winds of 31 mph at Newark Liberty Airport, and 51 MPH at Linden airport. "That's just under what's considered a severe thunderstorm," Ramsey said, According the NWS severe thunderstorm wind gusts range between 58 and 74 mph. Weather Some North Jersey towns mandate, other urge residents to conserve water during heat wave Portions of New Jersey remain vulnerable to the potential for isolated but severe thunderstorms, Ramsey said. The hot, humid weather means that isolated storms could crop up. Local radar indicated that another thunderstorm popped up in Sussex County between 4:30 and 5 p.m. and appeared to be heading for northwest Passaic County towns of West Milford and Ringwood as well as northwest Bergen County in the late afternoon. The forecast remains to be dangerously hot and humid through Sunday with AccuWeather predicting a brief respite in the 90-degree plus weather on Monday before returning on Tuesday and Wednesday. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen County NJ residents lose power during heat wave Travis "Joey" Posey, 44, was named as the suspect in a mass shooting in Fordyce, Arkansas, on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Screenshot from Ouachita County Sheriff's Office jail booking page) A Friday morning shooting at a Fordyce, Arkansas, grocery store left three people dead and 11 wounded, including the suspect and two law enforcement officers, according to Arkansas State Police. The suspect and the law enforcement officers are not considered to have life-threatening injuries, ASP Director Mike Hagar said at an afternoon press conference near the scene of the shooting. The condition of the remaining victims range from non-life-threatening to extremely critical, Hagar said. State Police later identified the suspected shooter as Travis Posey. A booking record on the Ouachita County Sheriffs jail website shows Travis Posey, 44, as being held for another county. Posey is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, according to inmate search site VINELink, which was first reported by SouthArkansasReckoning, an online news site. ASP later confirmed that information in a press release. South Arkansas Reckoning also noted a LinkedIn page lists Posey as the owner of Posey Tree Service in Kingsland in Cleveland County. The shooting occurred about 11:30 a.m. at the Mad Butcher, part of a regional grocery chain, located at 920 W. 4th Street in a small shopping center. Fordyce (population 3,238 in 2022) is about an hours drive south of Little Rock in Dallas County. Hagar did not release the identities of any of the dead or wounded nor of the shooter at the his 4 p.m. press conference, but said there was no continued threat to the community. Its tragic, our hearts are broken, he said. KARK 4 News reporter Caitrin Assaf said she spoke to the parents of one of the victims who died. They told her their 23-year-old daughter, a nurse, was off work on Friday and likely was shopping when she was shot. A video posted on Facebook by Casey D. Rodriguez from the vantage of a nearby gas station convenience store shows a person lying on the ground behind a vehicle; 11 shots can be heard along with sirens. Other online video and photos show storefront windows with dozens of bullet holes. Another video shot from inside a store on X posted by user @LRHNcash shows a man with a long gun shooting methodically in different directions. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette interviewed Ronald Clayton, who said he and his wife were pulling into the Mad Butcher parking lot when something hit the windshield of his Nissan Sentra. He thought at first that it was a rock, then realized it as bullets, he told the newspaper. A photo accompanying the report show a car with about a dozen bullet holes in the right front fender and door. In a post on X early Friday afternoon, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she was thankful for the heroic actions of law enforcement and other first responders and said her prayers were with the victims. I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Fordyce, and Im in constant contact with State Police at the scene. I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives. My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) June 21, 2024 Data on the Gun Violence Archive shows Fridays mass shooting was the second this month in Arkansas and the sixth this year. A mass shooting, per the site, is one with a minimum of four victims, either wounded or killed, and excluding the shooter or shooters. Anna Morshedi of Greater Little Rock Moms Demand Action and Insherah Qazi, a member of the Students Demand Action National Organizing Board from Arkansas, both issued statements about the shooting Friday afternoon, calling for action to stem the rash of gun violence in the United States. Our hearts are with those who were wounded and their families after todays shooting where yet another trip to the grocery store ended in tragedy because of Americas gun violence crisis, Morshedi said. Were fed up with having to live in fear every day because our lawmakers refuse to put our safety first. Its heartbreaking to see such senseless violence continue to cycle throughout our communities. But this is what happens when our state lacks basic gun safety laws, Qazi said. Arkansas has the weakest gun laws in the country and our gun violence rates show for it. Going to the grocery store shouldnt be a death sentence. The answer to solving this crisis is clear, its just a matter of whether lawmakers have the courage to act. The Arkansas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action are part of Everytown for Gun Safety. Arkansas has the weakest gun laws of any state in the country, ranking 50th in the Everytown Gun Law Rankings. Lawmakers in 2021 repealed an Arkansas law requiring a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public and in 2023 amended the law to clarify that concealed carry licensing is solely to allow reciprocity for licensees who travel to other states that require a permit to carry a concealed handgun. Act 777 also specifies that a person is not required to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun in Arkansas. According to Everytown, Arkansas has the 9th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. In an average year, 638 people die by guns and another 1,247 people are wounded in Arkansas. This story was updated at 12:33 a.m. June 22 to attribute the original source of some of the information, later verified by the Arkansas Advocate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Three shot after gunmen open fire at a funeral banquet in Blue Island The city of Blue Island said Friday night the Salvation Army banquet facility where three people were injured in a drive-by shooting will not be allowed to reopen until a full security assessment is conducted. The city is in communication with the Salvation Army management and no events of any kind will occur at the facility until further notice, the city said in a statement. The announcement came hours after multiple gunmen opened fire Friday afternoon at the Salvation Army Worship and Community Center during a funeral banquet, officials said. City Administrator Tom Wogan said shots were fired at 3:30 p.m. at the center, 2900 W. 127th Street. One person was taken into custody Friday for questioning and an active investigation to identify the vehicle and remaining offenders is ongoing, according to a news release from the village. Wogan said it was a drive-by shooting with three victims, two receiving minor injuries and one receiving critical care. Blue Island paramedics escorted two victims to nearby hospitals, a third victim was self-admitted to a different hospital, according the news release. Multiple gunmen shot from a vehicle in front of the building, Wogan said, and someone inside the building who had a concealed carry permit returned fire. Glenn Holt, who lives down the street from the center, told the Daily Southtown the TLC Learning Center, a day care at 2844 Burr Oak Ave., near the Salvation Army, was locked down immediately after shots were fired. Its just a scary moment, especially after shooters, Holt said. The children are fine, but unfortunately, its a tragedy that happened as well. Wogan said the center was rented for a repast funeral banquet where family members share a meal after the service honoring their deceased loved one. Its certainly not the only violence that this region has seen, Wogan told reporters. And its always tragic. And its always sad when you see these incidents layer on top of each other. Wogan said Blue Island police officers, along with members of the Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and Illinois State Police, are assisting with the investigation. A timeline of the Rust movie set shooting and the ensuing criminal cases Actor Alec Baldwin and several crew members gathered in a church at a New Mexico ranch on October 21, 2021, to rehearse a scene from their upcoming Western film Rust. Then came the unexpected gunshot. A promising cinematographer was killed, a director was wounded and a film production was left in shambles. Since that days fatal shooting of 42-year-old Halyna Hutchins, the films armorer and its assistant director have been convicted of criminal charges. After nearly three years of back-and-forth legal arguments, Baldwins trial on the involuntary manslaughter charge began on July 10 with opening statements but ended abruptly on July 12, when the judge ruled prosecutors did not properly turn over evidence to the defense, and dismissed the charges. The details of what happened the day of the shooting have been made public in affidavits, probable cause statements, interviews with the main participants and testimony at criminal trials. Heres a timeline of the on-set shooting and the resulting legal cases. The shooting May 29, 2020: Baldwin, the three-time Emmy winner for his roles on 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live, was announced as producer and star of the Western feature film Rust, based on a story by Baldwin and Joel Souza, Deadline reported. In the film, Baldwin plays a grizzled outlaw on the run from authorities with his 13-year-old grandson. October 6, 2021: Filming of Rust began at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a movie set outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. October 20, 2021: Several crew members walked off set, citing safety concerns. One crew member stated there had been two accidental weapons discharges and a special effects mess-up that set off explosives around the crew between takes. October 21, 2021: Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer for Rust, loaded a prop six-shot revolver with what she believed were dummy rounds, a term for ammo that contains no explosive elements but appear to be real, according to investigators and her defense attorney. Baldwin and several crew members began rehearsing a scene in a rustic church on set before breaking for lunch. After the break, Baldwin, Souza, Hutchins and a few others returned to the church for rehearsal. Assistant director Dave Halls fetched a prop gun from a cart outside the church and yelled cold gun, indicating it was unloaded. He then handed the gun to Baldwin. Baldwin practiced a cross draw pulling a gun from a holster on the opposite side of his body from his draw hand. The scene required him to point the gun toward the camera, helmed by Hutchins, Souza and a camera operator. Suddenly, they heard a loud bang. Hutchins stumbled backward, slumped to the floor clutching her stomach and said she couldnt feel her legs. Souza, who had been standing beside her, noticed blood on his shoulder. This handout image courtesy of Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office shows the scene of the shooting on October 21, 2021. - Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office/AFP via Getty Images At 1:48 p.m., the crew reported the shooting to emergency responders. Hutchins was transported by air helicopter to the hospital and was pronounced dead at 3:37 p.m. Souza was treated at the hospital, and a projectile from a live round was removed from his back. Sheriffs deputies arrived to the scene and began investigating the series of events leading to the shooting. October 22, 2021: Baldwin released a statement calling the death a tragic accident and said he is fully cooperating with the police investigation. December 2, 2021: In an interview with ABC, Baldwin said he cocked the gun and let go of the hammer, and the gun then fired. He said he was aiming the gun just to the side of the camera toward Hutchins, as she instructed him to do. I would never point a gun at anyone and then pull the trigger, never, he said. The investigations August 14, 2022: FBI testing of the firearm found it could not be fired without pulling the trigger while the gun was cocked, according to a forensics report. The report noted the gun eventually malfunctioned during FBI testing after internal parts fractured, causing the gun to go off in the cocked position without pulling the trigger. August 20, 2022: In an interview with CNN, Baldwin placed responsibility for Hutchins death on Gutierrez Reed, the film armorer and props assistant, and on assistant director Halls, who handed him the gun. October 5, 2022: The family of Hutchins and Baldwin reached an undisclosed settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the actor and others. As part of the settlement, Matthew Hutchins, the cinematographers widower, was named an executive producer on Rust. January 19, 2023: Prosecutors announced Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins death. Halls, the assistant director, agreed to plead no contest to negligent use of a deadly weapon, the district attorneys office announced. The terms of that deal include six months of probation and a suspended sentence, prosecutors said. Alec Baldwin in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office after being questioned about the shooting. - Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican January 31, 2023: Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed were formally charged with involuntary manslaughter. February 23, 2023: Baldwin pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges and was released on personal recognizance. April 20, 2023: New Mexico special prosecutors dismissed the charges against Baldwin, citing new facts in the case. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled, they said. August 9, 2023: Gutierrez Reed pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. January 19: Baldwin was indicted by a grand jury on charges of involuntary manslaughter. January 31: Baldwin pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges for the second time. The trials February 22: The trial of film armorer Gutierrez Reed began. Prosecutors alleged her failures allowed six live bullets to make their way on set, and she did not make vital safety checks that would have caught the problem. Her defense blamed Baldwin for failing to follow common-sense gun safety rules and on the films production team for creating a chaotic and unsafe environment. A photo of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is displayed during the trial of Hannah Gutierrez Reed in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 22, 2024. - Eddie Moore/Pool/The Albuquerque Journal/AP March 1: Souza, the director and screenwriter, testified about the moment he was shot on set while standing behind Hutchins. March 6: Gutierrez Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after jurors deliberated for nearly three hours. She was acquitted of a charge of evidence tampering. April 15: At her sentencing hearing, Gutierrez Reed said, My heart aches for Hutchins family and friends, and she asked the judge to sentence her to probation. The judge criticized her statement and sentenced her to a maximum of 18 months in prison, saying, You alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon. Hannah Gutierrez Reed wipes her tears at her sentencing hearing in state district court in Santa Fe on April 15, 2024. - Luis Sanchez Saturno/Pool/Santa Fe New Mexican/AP May 24: A New Mexico judge denied Baldwins motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter indictment. Baldwins attorneys had accused prosecutors of misconduct during the grand jury process. June 3: New Mexico prosecutors asked the court to grant use immunity to Gutierrez Reed and compel her to testify at Baldwins trial, according to court documents. Gutierrez Reed invoked her Fifth Amendment right to silence in a pre-trial interview, and prosecutors said if she is not granted immunity then she would not be able to testify in the trial. Gutierrez Reeds attorney, Jason Bowles, told CNN he will oppose the motion. June 17: Prosecutors signaled their intention to portray Baldwin as repeatedly flouting safety protocols on the movie set in the days before the fatal shooting, according to a court filing. June 21: Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer denied a defense motion asking the court to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter indictment. The defense had argued the shooting death was an accident and Baldwin was not criminally liable, but the prosecution countered Baldwin was experienced in the movie business and knew he was handling a real gun. The judge also denied the prosecutions motion to grant use immunity to Gutierrez Reed to compel her to testify at Baldwins trial. June 28: The court denied a motion to dismiss the charges related to the gun that was damaged during forensic testing. Separately, attorneys for Gutierrez Reed in a court filing on June 27 accused prosecutors of withholding evidence that would have favored the defendant during her manslaughter trial and requested she be released from prison, Reuters reported. According to the filing obtained by Reuters, prosecutors had a report from their own weapons experts that the gun used on set had unexplained toolmarks on critical surfaces of the trigger and sear. July 3: Judge Sommer denied two motions filed by Baldwins legal team alleging prosecutors had improperly handled evidence, paving the way for Baldwins trial to start. July 8: The judge ruled Baldwins role as a producer on the film Rust would not be considered at trial. The prosecution had sought to show Baldwin had more responsibility and influence on the set than just as an actor, but the judge said the evidence was prejudicial and confusing to the jury. July 9: Twelve jurors and four alternates were empaneled in Santa Fe for Baldwins trial. July 10: The trial of Baldwin on a charge of involuntary manslaughter began with opening statements. Alec Baldwin attends court on July 10, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. - Pool Prosecutors alleged Baldwin was reckless with firearms on set and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety. He pointed the gun at another human being, cocked the hammer and pulled that trigger, in reckless disregard for Ms. Hutchins safety, prosecutor Erlinda Johnson said. The defense blamed the films armorer and the first assistant director for allowing a live round to be loaded into the prop gun. This was an unspeakable tragedy, but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. He was an actor, acting, playing the role of Harlan Rust. An actor playing a character can do things that are lethal, attorney Alex Spiro said. These cardinal rules are not cardinal rules on a movie set. July 12: The involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin was dismissed in dramatic fashion after the judge overseeing the case ruled prosecutors did not properly turn over evidence to the defense. Sommer sided with the defense and dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought again. The states discovery violation has injected a needless, incurable delay into the jury trial, she said. Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice. Your motion to dismiss with prejudice is granted. CNNs Ray Sanchez, Faith Karimi and Josh Campbell contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Tipton County inmate has been charged with second-degree murder after another inmate died from a drug overdose in the jail. The Tipton County Sheriffs Office said Krystal Berry, 39, supplied the drugs that killed the woman. On Saturday, Vicki Holifield was found unresponsive inside the womens pod at the Tipton County Correctional Facility. The sheriffs office said other inmates told staff that she had ingested fentanyl. Holifield died two days later at the hospital. Sheriff Shannon Beasley said Berry was arrested and brought into the jail late Friday night on drug charges. He said Berry was strip-searched but likely smuggled the fentanyl in a body cavity. I first want to offer our condolences to the family of Vicki Holifield for the loss of their loved one, said Sheriff Beasley. This is a sad and tragic death from what appears to be the result of the ingestion of the powerful narcotic, fentanyl. We have charged Krystal Berry with second-degree murder and intend to see that she is held responsible for the death of Ms. Holifield after supplying her with the narcotic that resulted in her death. I want to commend our correctional and nursing staff for the quick response and life-saving measures they took to save Ms. Holifiled. Although Ms. Holifield sadly did not survive, I am proud of their efforts and how they handled this very unfortunate situation. 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. He said staff gave Hollifield Narcan and administered CPR. In the State of Tennessee, anyone who furnishes narcotics that result in the death of another person can be held criminally responsible for the death. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tire came off mans truck, causing crash that left a KY teen dead. Why he is now jailed. A Cincinnati man whose truck lost a tire, causing an 18-year-old to crash on Interstate 75 in Northern Kentucky last summer, has been indicted after police say they later learned he knew about the collision but drove away. Lauren Collins, an 18-year-old University of Kentucky student from Independence, was driving southbound on I-75 in Boone County when a tire from a northbound pickup truck crossed the concrete barrier and hit her windshield, according to a news release from the Boone County Sheriffs Office. Sheriffs deputies were called to the scene at 12:15 a.m. July 16. Collins later died at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. While police initially did not know who the driver of the pickup was, the sheriffs office said Ricky A. Raider, 37, notified the Independence Police Department July 22 that he was the driver. Raider allegedly told police at the time that he had lost a tire on the interstate the previous weekend, but didnt believe his tire had hit anyone. However, the Boone County Sheriffs Office said investigators later learned that Raider talked to an inmate at the Bullitt County Detention Center on the same day the crash happened, telling the woman he talked to in a recorded phone call that he saw the tire hit Collins vehicle and knew that the collision likely resulted in someone being hurt or killed. After the collision, his tire rested near the concrete barrier that divides northbound and southbound I-75, the news release states. Raider allegedly remounted the tire on his truck and left. He was indicted June 4 by a Boone County grand jury on one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid with death or serious physical injury. He also was indicted on a charge of first-degree persistent felony offender. He was being held in the Boone County Detention Center on $40,000 cash bond. He was arrested June 11, according to the jail website. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) On Thursday, June 20, 2024, a joint operation by the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division (DPS-CID) led to a significant drug bust in San Angelo. Investigators arrested Freddrick Lewis, 46, after discovering 1.5 pounds of marijuana, nearly two ounces of suspected methamphetamine, and a large amount of U.S. currency. Lewis faces charges of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance PG1 >=4G<200G (F1) and Possession of Marijuana >4OZ<=5LBS (FS). He was booked into the Tom Green County Detention Facility. The operation saw collaboration from Deputies with the Patrol Division and Texas DPS Highway Patrol Division. The Sheriffs Office expressed gratitude to the public for their support and information, which are crucial in the ongoing efforts to combat drugs and crime in San Angelo and Tom Green County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Editors Note: This article originally incorrectly stated CIVIC is a program put on by the YWCA of Northeast Kansas. The YWCA promotes the CIVIC program, but they are separate entities. TOPEKA (KSNT) One local group is looking to reduce violent crimes in Topeka and Shawnee County. The Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition (CIVIC) is a program promoted by the YWCA of Northeast Kansas. 27 News spoke with the YWCAs director of operations, Courtland Davis, about the initiative on Friday. Violence it spreads almost like a virus, Davis said. Itll start in an area, and then itll spread from there. It can even jump to different parts of the city. All it takes is for one that leads to another that leads to another. Davis says CIVICs ultimate goal is to intervene on the cycle of violence. One way they do that is by getting community feedback. The people most likely to experience violence, he said, are also the people who are going to have the best understanding on how to change those incidents. CIVIC has three upcoming town-hall style events called Action Planning Sessions. All are welcome and the events include prizes, food, and activities for any kids in attendance. Details can be found in the flyer below. To learn more about CIVIC, visit their info page on the YWCAs website here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A Plymouth man who had been missing since Tuesday was found dead on Saturday, according to Plymouth Police. Rodney Riviello was 69-years-old. Riviello had been discharged from Beth Israel Plymouth Hospital around 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday and had not been seen since. His family said he only lived in the Plymouth area for about 18 months and has a history of dementia. Emergency crews and members of the South Shore community have been searching for him for four days, A $5,000 reward had been offered for information leading to Riviellos safe return. His family shared a statement with Boston 25 News reporter Bob Ward. We are devastated by the loss of our dad. said the family. This entire ordeal has been extremely difficult and unbelievable. The only comfort weve had this week was holding on to hope that dad would come home safe and relying on the incredible support that our family, friends, the media, and the community of Plymouth have shown us. Thank you to the Plymouth Police Dept. and all of the public safety agencies who have worked tirelessly since Tuesday to find our dad, said the family. And to the volunteers who have organized, searched, prayed, donated food, and held us in their hearts, we will never be able to adequately thank you enough. With immense gratitude, Julie, Michelle, & Dan. The members of the Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Fire Department offer their sincere condolences to Mr. Riviellos family and loved ones, said police in a statement. Chief Flynn and Chief Foley would like to thank all of those who assisted in the search effort this week. No further information is available at this time, however, an update will be provided in the coming days, according to the statement from police. The Chiefs are asking that the familys wishes for privacy be respected. 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 Thousands of Muslims from across the Triangle came together for the first time on Saturday to celebrate one of the most important holidays in their faith. Eleven Triangle mosques and Islamic organizations joined forces to hold what was billed as North Carolinas largest Eid festival.. More than 8,000 people were expected to walk through the Jim Graham Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh to celebrate Eid Fest 2024. Its wonderful, said Tanko Braimah of Durham, who came to the festival with his wife and two daughters. It shows the unity within the Islamic community. The festival comes as the Muslim community continues to rapidly grow in North Carolina. North Carolina has the 11th-largest Muslim population of any U.S. state with 130,000 people. Festival organizers say 30,000 Muslims live in the Triangle area. Commemorating Eid al-Adha Eid Fest 2024 marked the celebration of Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated by Muslims across the world. Eid al-Adha marks the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and the celebration of Abrahams willingness to follow Gods command to sacrifice his son. Previously, local Islamic groups held their own festivals for Eid al-Adha. The Islamic Association of Raleigh had the largest, drawing 8,000 people, But Ali Zelmat, a spokesperson for the Islamic Association of Raleigh, said it was becoming more challenging with parking and crowding concerns holding the festival at its campus in the Method community. Zelmat said having all 11 Islamic groups work together allowed them to hold a bigger festival than any one group could put on. The concept of community and building that structure of community is very central with Islam, Zelmat said. We work with the other mosques on a regular basis. It just came together this time. Another advantage of holding the festival at the Jim Graham Building, Zelmat said, is that most of the events were being held indoors, out of the extreme heat. Weather-wise, especially at the end of June, its much better because people can actually enjoy the cool air indoors, said Danielle Ivanova of Raleigh, who came to the festival with her husband and four children. Plus its easier to find your kids if theyre running around. Celebrating Muslim holidays Children were running around all through the indoor gaming area as their parents listened to music, enjoyed the food and shopped from local vendors in the bazaar. Braimah said Eid festivals allow Muslim families to celebrate religious holidays just like Christian families. During the months of the traditional Christian calendar, you have the Christmas holidays and festivities where we as Muslims dont get to celebrate that piece, Braimah said. Sometimes our kids miss out on group gatherings like that. This helps to bring all the children and their family and the community to ... to help our kids grow in solidarity. Tabassum Sk made the transition Saturday from festival attendee to being a vendor as she sold Indian dresses and scarves from her new business in Fuquay-Varina. It was a two-way exchange as she shared her Indian culture while hearing from the people browsing at her table. Its great. Im meeting new people, Sk said. Im experiencing everybody elses culture, Raising money for Palestine The festival took place amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Life continues and we still recognize the holiday, Zelmat said. Its a little bit tempered by our concern for the suffering going on in the world. Hiva Alayyan and other members of N.C. States Muslim Students Association did what they could Saturday to bring attention to the issue in Gaza. They asked their fellow Muslims to donate money that will be used to provide humanitarian relief. We still acknowledge whats going on to the people in Palestine and we still grieve for them, Alayyan said. Triangle residents can now travel directly from RDU to Panama thanks to Copa Airlines Raleigh-Durham International Airport welcomed a 160-seat, blue-finned Boeing 737 Friday touting the name of an airline that may be new to some Triangle residents: Copa Airlines. Its because of the new-to-RDU airline that customers can now fly directly to Panama City, the airports first nonstop flight to Latin America. Fridays inaugural flight is the airports 10th international destination, a number that has doubled since 2019. Copa reaches 85 destinations in 32 countries across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Seventy of those are now accessible from Raleigh. RDU is the airlines 16th destination in the United States. But the Triangle wasnt always on Copas radar. Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron told The News & Observer it was RDU officials who first brought the idea to the airline. When they discovered that 275 people each day were flying between RDU and Central and South America, they started to look for an airline that could provide those customers with nonstop flights. On Friday, that goal became a reality. Under two soaring arches of water in the customary cannon salute, the jet taxied to the terminal with an official landing time of 2:22 p.m., about six minutes ahead of schedule. Cheers and exclamations erupted from the crowd of guests and RDU employees watching from the tarmac when the pilot and copilot unfurled Panamanian and American flags from the planes cockpit. The flight crew of the inaugural Copa Airlines flight from Panama City, Panama to Raleigh-Durham International Airport wave the Panamanian and American flags as they get a water cannon salute as they arrive at their gate Friday, June 21, 2024. Nearly 2,200 travelers fly to and from destinations outside the U.S. every day at RDU and more than 200 of them are going to Central and South America, RDU president and CEO Michael Landguth told the crowd gathered at the gate Friday. We reached out to our regions Latin American community, who overwhelmingly supported the new route during the recruitment process, he said Record growth The new nonstop service to Panama City is not the first international addition this summer and its not the last. Earlier this month, on June 6, the first nonstop flight between the Triangle and Frankfurt, Germany, via Lufthansa landed in the Triangle. And on July 1, Aeromexico will begin daily flights between RDU and Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. RDU estimates that the added Frankfurt destination will bring $3.3 billion to the North Carolina economy over the next 25 years. Partly thanks to its expanding international service, RDU saw record-high traffic last month. More than 1.4 million people flew through the airport in May, a new record for monthly traffic. Landguth expects passenger traffic to increase as the airport adds new international destinations. RDU was the fastest-growing large airport in the United States in 2023 with a rate of 22%. San Francisco International Airport, Washington-Dulles International Airport and Luis Munoz Marin International Airport followed RDU with growth rates of about 18%. Landguth said that RDU moved domestic carriers Breeze Airways and Sun Country Airlines from Terminal 2, the hub for all international flights, to Terminal 1 to manage the increase in traffic. Were also starting to better manage the gates we have to make sure we can get the best utilization out of every available gate weve got every time during the day, he said. Its a combination of trying to be more efficient with our operations plus moving some folks over to Terminal 1. The inaugural Copa Airlines flight from Panama City, Panama to Raleigh-Durham International Airport lands at the airport Friday, June 21, 2024. Latin American connection David DeFossey, who heads commercial sales for Copa in the United States, Mexico and Canada, said the new service bridges the Triangle and Latin America like never before. Today, we take a giant leap forward in enhancing our presence in the United States by connecting the vibrant Raleigh-Durham region renowned for its academic brilliance, rich cultural scene and cutting edge innovation to our dynamic Copa Airlines hub in Panama City, Panama, DeFossey said. Francis Lewis opened the celebration hosted at Gate C17 with a performance. Wearing a colorful dress and headpiece from the province of Colon, she danced the congo for the crowd of guests and travelers. Lewis, who is originally from Panama and lives in Raleigh, said shes been dancing for more than 50 years. Larissa McGrath also danced at the event following comments from Landguth, DeFossey and RDU Authority Board chairman Ellis Hankins. She wore Gala Pollera, the national dress of Panama that originated in the central provinces of the country. Both performers dresses and headpieces were completely handmade. Whenever you see any of our folklore represented outside of the country, this is what you will see, McGrath said. Beginning Friday, weekly departures are planned for Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. DeFossey said Copa may increase to daily service from the current schedule. With a growing Latino community and several universities with foreign students in the Triangle, DeFossey said Copa saw an opportunity to make it more convenient to visit relatives and friends in Latin American countries. He added that all Copa flights feature a complimentary hot meal catered from Panama, whether the flight is two hours or four. It is a pride of Panama to work with Copa and it really reflects on our services, he said At 4:20 p.m., Josue Andrade, his wife and three children from Wilkesboro departed RDU on the nearly full Copa flight back to Panama City. They were traveling to Honduras, but planned to stay overnight in Panama. Andrade was also on the first nonstop flight from Baltimore to Panama City. He said the direct flight from Raleigh is more convenient for Triangle residents. Its going to be good for more tourists to travel to Panama instead of going from here to Miami or from here to Houston or from here to Atlanta or from here to New York, he said. Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring a tropical disturbance off the coast of Florida. 9:30 p.m. Update: Invest 92 is nearing the Florida Georgia line on Friday night but is slowing down as it approaches. As the system moves inland, it will weaken throughout the weekend, but is helping to draw in lots of humidity for us. Tropical disturbance nears coastline bringing storms across Central Florida this weekend Scattered afternoon and early evening storms are expected both Saturday and Sunday. Storms will continue into next week especially along the I-4 corridor where well have some heavy rainfall - over 2-3 inches. These storms may interfere with tailgating and early game conditions for Orlando City vs Chicago on Saturday. Tropical disturbance nears coastline bringing storms across Central Florida this weekend Original Story: A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft is flying into the storm system Friday morning to gather more detailed information on its strength and heading. Its a tiny system, but it is also getting better organized. Read: Flagler County considers new beach tax to support coastal restoration projects It is feeding off the warm water of the Gulf Stream. It could become a brief and small tropical storm. If the system strengthens into the named storm, it will be Beryl. Read: Parents arrested after baby left alone on beach while they went on boat The models have the disturbance moving into Georgia. What does it mean for Central Florida? Our forecast will remain the same regardless of if it gets a name or not. Watch: Tropical disturbance spins showers into Central Florida The biggest concern is the high seas and dangerous rip currents. The tropical air mass could also fuel storms that could be strong to severe this weekend. Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates: A nonprofit organization aligned with former President Trump paid $100,000 of legal fees for the six so-called fake electors in Nevada, according to people familiar with the payment. Personnel Policy Operations, or PPO, shelled out the fees to assist the Trump-supporting electors who faced charges for falsely claiming the former president won the state in the 2020 presidential election. The case was dismissed Friday after a judge ruled the Nevada attorney generals office chose the wrong venue in which to file it. Theres a strong and wide network of America First patriots doing our best to support each other and prevent the unjust weaponization of our legal system, Joshua Whitehouse, director of strategy at the nonprofit, told The Hill. PPO serves as one of the hubs for said network. PPO aligns itself with the Reagan-era adage that personnel is policy, describing its aim as providing support and resources to conservative, America First civil servants and their advisors. Its mission echoes that of the conservative Heritage Foundations Project 2025, a sweeping effort to advance right-wing policies and prepare for a possible second Trump presidency. Troup Hemenway, the groups president, joined Project 2025 as a senior advisor and associate director of personnel placement last fall. He previously worked in Trumps White House in the Presidential Personnel Office, which shares an acronym with the legal fundraising group. Others in leadership positions at PPO, including Whitehouse, also worked under the former president. Hemenway said that PPO does not provide funds to defendants but instead pays their fees directly, confirming the group contributed a substantial six-figure sum to support the legal defense of the Nevada patriots. We will continue to help fight lawfare in this country as we aim to restore American greatness, he added. The financial assistance came from the groups Courage Under Fire Legal Defense Fund, which has lent cash to Trump allies, like John Eastman and Jeffrey Clark, in their various legal matters, according to a person associated with the organization. The Washington Post first reported the funds existence in May. The Hill requested comment from Brian Hardy, an attorney for Durand James Hindle III, one of the pro-Trump electors, who helped coordinate the payment. The alternate electors in the Silver State were scheduled to head to trial in January before the case was dismissed on Friday. Its the first case against any slate of pro-Trump electors to be thrown out. John Sadler, a spokesperson for the Nevada attorney general, told The Hill Friday that the office intends to appeal the decision immediately. The electors who were charged were Hindle, Michael McDonald, Jesse Law, Jim DeGraffenreid, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice. They each faced felony charges of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged document, which carry penalties up to four or five years in prison. Now-President Biden won Nevada by more than 33,000 votes in 2020. But Trump lawyers spearheaded a scheme that relied on former Vice President Mike Pence to certify slates of pro-Trump electors in battleground states instead of the true Electoral College votes cast for Biden. Pence refused on Jan. 6, 2021, the date the election was formally certified, after which a mob stormed the Capitol as the certification was underway. Fake electors in Michigan, Georgia and Arizona also face criminal charges in connection with the plot. Some Trump lawyers have been charged over their roles, and the former president himself faces federal and state charges in connection with efforts to swing the 2020 presidential election in his favor. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hello, its the weekend. This is The Weekender Thatll Do It The attorney general in the state of Missouri, Andrew Bailey, is making a bunch of headlines for announcing on his podcast Thursday that he intends to sue the amorphous state of New York and officials there for what he describes as their direct attack on our democratic process through unconstitutional lawfare against President Trump. The Guardian reported that the lawsuit will be part of a series of legal actions that he intends to take against New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, both for what he describes as wrongful prosecutions of Donald Trump. Radical progressives in New York are trying to rig the 2024 election. We have to stand up and fight back, he later told Fox News Digital, before his office acknowledged to the news outlet that the suit hadnt been filed yet but when it is it will be titled Missouri vs. New York, they say! and because its a state versus state action, itd have to go straight to the Supreme Court. Its a Trumpian move by a MAGA fan meant for an audience of one or six, if he ever actually files it. Heres what else TPM has on tap this weekend: Hunter Walker digs into what happens when Trumps enemies also try to Stop the Steal. Kate Riga expands on how conservative justices may have been shamed into their ruling on Rahimi this week. Khaya Himmelman reports on a federal judge in Nevada shutting down the RNCs effort to cause voter roll chaos in the state. Emine Yucel highlights GOP hypocrisy on IVF. Lets dig in. Nicole Lafond Stop My Steal Donald Trumps chosen candidate in Virginias 5th congressional district is getting a taste of MAGA medicine. The Republican primary race there devolved into a full on grudge match with former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Trump both backing upstart state Sen. John McGuire over incumbent Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), the current chair of the House Freedom Caucus. Trumps beef stemmed from Goods initial endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential primary race. McCarthy wanted revenge of his own because of the role Good and the right-wing caucus played in ousting him from the speakership last year. Thanks in part to the interventions from Trump and McCarthy, McGuire finished ever so slightly ahead of the incumbent. As of Friday afternoon, according to NBC News, McGuire was up by 328 votes with 96 percent of the result in. Local papers have noted the race could be headed for a recount. McGuire declared himself the victor and Good reacted exactly how you might expect someone who voted against certifying the 2020 election to respond: with baseless conspiracy theories and anger. In an appearance on Steve Bannons podcast on Thursday, Good vowed to have a full investigation of the matter and touted his readiness to mount legal challenges with a tremendous number of lawyers. The thing is, Good (and Bannon, who backed him) arent the only 2020 deniers in this race. McGuire admittedly attended the Jan. 6 protests against that election. And, of course, McGuires biggest backer, Trump, is the leading promoter of the election conspiracy movement. Trump is already preparing to question and challenge the next election if he loses. This Virginia race shows how his refusal to accept reality opens the door to his enemies doing the same thing. Apparently, allowing a political party to be consumed by internecine feuds and conspiracy theories makes things messy. Hunter Walker Roberts Tries To Put The Bruen Toothpaste Back In the Tube Five different justices wrote concurrences in Fridays United States v. Rahimi, a case about whether domestic abusers can keep their guns. Thats five separate opinions, on top of Chief Justice John Roberts majority opinion and Clarence Thomas dissent (only Justice Samuel Alito, who joined the majority alone, and Justice Elena Kagan, who also joined Justice Sonia Sotomayors concurrence, did not write individually). That amount of over-explanation does not exactly speak to a majority confident in the ruling most of them signed on to in 2022, from which this one stems. Thomas dissent, in which he argues that there is no historical analogue to a law taking firearms from a domestic abuser under a protective order, is (horrifyingly) probably closer to the truth of what Bruen established. Roberts stretches the need for a historical predecessor into generalities, finding laws from the founding that took a bond as punishment if someone committed violence, or that removed weapons from those whod menaced others. Its clear that the Courts sanctified history and traditions test is more flexible than it appears; when it comes to a drug dealing respondent who has fired his gun at his ex-girlfriend, at cars in traffic, in a fast food restaurant, and kept his weapons in his home nearby a copy of the restraining order forbidding him to have them, our history becomes much more forward-looking. To be clear: Thank God. Anyone with half a brain already knows that this Court is almost entirely results-oriented, and if the conservatives need to pretend that the founders cared about wife-beating to stop domestic abusers from so easily murdering their victims, so be it. But it also amplifies the mortification all of the right-wing justices should feel for signing onto Bruen in the first place, in which Thomas made abundantly clear that virtually all gun regulations were now at existential risk. Im glad the conservatives were shamed into this ruling; itll mean fewer dead women. But its yet more proof that these justices are fundamentally political actors, and that their supposedly ironclad interpretive tests are worth no more than the paper theyre written on. Kate Riga (Credit to John Light for the headline) Federal Judge Dismisses Nevada Voter Roll Challenge Case A federal judge dismissed a case filed by the Republican National Committee and the Nevada Republican Party, who alleged there were inconsistencies with the states voter rolls and argued that the states maintenance of its voter rolls violated the National Voter Registration Act. The judge ruled on Tuesday that the plaintiffs lacked standing to file the lawsuit. Campaign Legal Center in conjunction with the ACLU of Nevada filed a friend-of-the-court brief in May of this year asking the court to dismiss the case, which they argued in their brief, rests entirely on implausible theories that courts have repeatedly debunked for years. These dubious efforts sow unwarranted and harmful doubts about election officials diligent efforts to maintain Nevadas voter rolls and administer free and fair elections, including the upcoming 2024 election, the brief further argues. Justin Levitt, a professor of law at Loyola Law School, in an interview with TPM, said he isnt surprised that this case has been dismissed, noting that this case, and cases that similarly perpetuate the false narrative that voter rolls arent properly maintained, are merely a way to perpetuate the false narrative that elections are not safe. Theyre not actually pointing to any problem with the way that states are actually maintaining the rules. And so of course theyre not going to win, he said. The RNC filed a similar lawsuit in Michigan in March of this year. Khaya Himmelman Words Of Wisdom Thats what Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), an obstetrician, told me last Thursday when I asked him if he was worried about the possibility of states taking away access to IVF. He is not the only Republican who expressed this sentiment to me. A handful of other Senate Republicans gave me similar answers indicating they dont think access to the widely popular procedure is under threat or theyre just pretending not to. I already debunked that. But as further proof, I reported this week on the Idaho Republican Party affirming its support for the fetal personhood ideology when the party proclaimed that they oppose the destruction of human embryos. Its common practice for doctors to create more embryos than are needed as part of the IVF process. Later, unused embryos are discarded either because they are not viable or because storing them for long periods of time is often too expensive. So, using the concept of fetal personhood to describe embryos as people with all the same rights as children or adults is dangerous to IVF and those who rely on the procedure. Weve already seen how the Alabama Supreme Court interpreted a similar idea limiting access to the procedure. Its not a big leap to think that the same may happen in Idaho. Emine Yucel Former President Donald Trump's campaign mobilized to quash suspected disloyalty within the Arizona GOP this week, but walked back the effort within days because the matter was resolved, NBC News has reported. The controversy has bitterly divided the state party in recent weeks, with both sides claiming to be carrying out Trump's will. Party insiders had speculated that several members of Arizonas delegation to next month's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee were involved in a plot to undermine the former president. The suspected ringleader was Shelby Busch, chair of the elections-focused group We The People AZ Alliance PAC and the chair of Arizonas delegation to the GOP convention. She had come under suspicion from some factions of the party because of her ties to Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, and was accused of exhibiting what one circulating newsletter deemed anti-Republican behavior within the Maricopa County Republican Committee. Buschs critics accused her of lobbying for a rule change at the Milwaukee convention that would allow delegates to nominate someone other than Trump. Some believed that unruly delegates wanted to put Flynn into nomination for the ticket, NBC News reported. Reached for comment, Busch identified herself on the phone to The Arizona Republic but said she was not immediately available for an interview. Shelby Busch (center) is sworn in during the Kari Lake election challenge trial on May 17, 2023, in Maricopa County Superior Court in Mesa, Ariz. This week, at the request of a Trump campaign official, alternate delegates from Arizona challenged the status of the delegates suspected of disloyalty, according to the NBC News report. They did so to prevent unnecessary distractions from being organized during President Trumps formal nomination, the Trump campaigns political director, James Blair, wrote in a social media post on Thursday afternoon. Buschs organization has claimed that she, not the challengers, had the greater loyalty to Trump. We the People AZ charged the plan to boot her and other delegates was an effort to replace pro-Trump delegates with their preferred RNC loyalists who not only lost their elections, but are also suspected of being part of an anti-Trump establishment group, they wrote in a June 17 social media post. The group said that all of Arizonas GOP delegates were invited to the planning meeting that drew suspicion, and dismissed the idea that they had any intention of unbinding delegates from Trump. Common sense would show that if a plan to unbind delegates were at play by us as our accusers claim, we would not invite sitting legislators and known and very public political adversaries to observe, the statement continued. The Trump campaign has since called on the six alternate delegates to drop their challenges. Given AZ delegation chair Buschs public clearing of the air and commitment to following the campaigns lead, we feel it is appropriate for the six to withdraw their challenges, Blair wrote Thursday. All six challenges had been dropped as of Friday morning, NBC News reported. Busch has been a vocal proponent of unfounded conspiracy theories related to elections security and is an ally of U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump campaign targeted disloyalty in Arizona GOP, NBC reports You cant say you werent warned: At the upcoming presidential debate on June 27, Donald Trump plans to highlight a handful of horrific murdersallegedly by undocumented migrantsand blame them on President Biden. We know this because Trump told us so right on his Truth Social feed. We have a new Biden Migrant Killingits only going to get worse, and its all Crooked Joe Bidens fault, Trump seethed, referring to the horrible death of a 12-year-old Texas girl. I look forward to seeing him at the Fake debate on Thursday. Let him explain why he has allowed MILLIONS of people to come into our Country illegally! Now that Trump has telegraphed this coming assault, the Biden campaign has time to prepare a response. What should it be? First, lets be clear on why this line of attack is pure nonsense. Trump and MAGA figures have aggressively highlighted such killings lately, in many forms: Trump sometimes brings up victims at campaign events. MAGA lawmakers put them on T-shirts. Fox News airs visuals of migrant mug shots. And as Aaron Rupar shows, Fox sometimes even puts individual crimes in chyrons. The argument is always that Bidens policies are to blame for these horrors. But at the most obvious level, this is absurd, because immigrants do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans do. That includes undocumented immigrants. There is no link between immigration and violent crime. Of course, the real Trump-MAGA message is that all undocumented immigrants should be presumed violent and dangerous, regardless of what any pointy-headed statistics say. MAGA figures are highlighting specific killings to smear millionsthat is, theyre arguing by anecdote. But even at the anecdotal level, the claims implode under scrutiny. Take Rachel Morin, a young mother who was horrifically murdered in Maryland, allegedly by a migrant from El Salvador. Trump highlighted her at a recent rally, and MAGA figures regularly cite her to criticize Bidens new legal protections for the undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. Fox News is now excitedly reporting that her alleged killer is a gotaway migrant, caught and expelled from the United States three times in early 2023 before getting in undetected and carrying out the killing. This is supposed to indict Biden. But it actually undermines the Trump-MAGA case. Thats because a repeat border crosser like this isnt remotely like the people eligible for Bidens new policy. Those half-million undocumented immigrants have lived and worked here for over a decade, have no criminal history, have deep ties to U.S. communities, are married to U.S. citizens, and are often raising American kids. Using a gotaway transient thug to smear these people itself reveals what an absurdity this whole propaganda trope truly is. Whats more, as that Fox report established, this particular migrant was repeatedly kicked out under the Title 42 Covid-related health rule first instituted under President Trump and temporarily kept by Biden. This was a near-total ban on asylum-seeking that Trump initiated. Yet this alleged killer entered even though the tightest possible restrictions on asylum were in place. So you cant blame this on supposedly lax asylum policies by Biden, either (hes made them as draconian as possible, regardless). Heres the rub: Such migrants eventually get in precisely because they keep trying. Some percentage will inevitably be violent criminals, but that number has been really, really tiny under both Trump and Biden. Regardless, presidential toughness cant do much here anyway. Such gotaways rose substantially under Trump, as the Cato Institute shows, apparently because Title 42 encouraged repeat efforts to cross. They did rise further under Biden but then came way down again (after Title 42 ended). Toughness didnt dissuade crossings under either administration. By the way, as president, Trump also released hundreds of thousands of detained migrants into the interiorbecause resource constraints leave presidents no choice. And lets recall that Trump recently ordered Republicans to kill billions of additional dollars for border security. The Trump-MAGA claims collapse on every level. Granular facts can only go so far here, of course, because Trumps meta-messages are emotional and visceral: All undocumented migrants are violent and dangerous by definition. Biden wants to let all of them stay, and Trump would deport them all, because Biden is weak and Trump is strong. So I asked Democratic strategists how Biden should respond when Trump brings up migrant killings at the debate. James Carville says Bidens best move would be to tell a bigger story on crime, supercharged by new information. As Carville told me, Biden should say directly to Trump: When I took over from you, crime in the United States was rising. I inherited a rising crime rate. We are now in one of the greatest declines in crime weve had in modern American history. Carville added: The public doesnt know that. Dan Pfeiffer, a former top communications adviser to President Barack Obama, said Biden should avoid fights over any specific murder. Instead, the President should express concern about the victim and their family, he said, and pivot to a broader comparison on immigration that stresses the chaos that Trump unleashed in our immigration system with his cruelty and incompetence. Bidens protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens offer an opening for this contrast. He can point out that Trump would cancel these protections and rapidly ramp up an effort to deport all those spouses and all other undocumented immigrants in the country. Bidens protections humanize the people Trump would subject to extraordinary disruption and cruelty. Indeed, former Obama adviser Jon Favreau noted that Biden can spotlight the absurdity of blaming isolated murders on that sympathetic population, people who are understood to belong to American families. Biden should say, My plan is to keep families together, said Favreau, who details polling on the appeal of that framing on a forthcoming podcast episode. Trumps plan is to rip those families apart. A truly strange thing about this attack is that it is everywhere in the MAGA information universe, yet its unfolding under the radar of the national media. Trump and his propagandists are seizing on isolated horrible killings to smear large classes of people in the vilest terms imaginable. To repurpose Brian Beutlers formulation, this kind of shamelessness, malice, and pathological bad faith in public life is incompatible with a decent society. Yet all this is rarely covered as aggressively as Trumps other excursions into authoritarian politics have been. Coverage of this might involve stand-alone pieces pointing out the broader Trump-MAGA pattern of cherry-picking such killings, the absurdity of applying them to immigrants as a class, and the whole exercises obvious intent to stoke racial paranoia. The New York Times has done excellent articles surfacing such subterranean racialized language in other contexts. Why not here? Such pieces might also feature warnings from experts about why such language about migrants is deeply dangerous and socially combustible, and what history tells us about where it leads. Pulling out the isolated crimes of a minority group and giving them outsized media attention has a deadly historical precedent. It is designed to dehumanize and paint the entire group with the brush of criminality, so that any awful thing you do to them can be justified. https://t.co/UsdQyEbqlP pic.twitter.com/9Y8mBmAwTT Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) June 21, 2024 The repetition of the phrase "migrant crime" is a tactic stolen from Victor Orban, who used to use "Gypsy crime" in the same way https://t.co/s8WSyuJ6CC Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) March 10, 2024 If any good can come of Trump bringing up Biden migrant killings at the debate, perhaps its that it might force such a media reckoning. Either way, Biden should be ready to meet all of it head-on, frontally and forcefully. TOWN OF WATERFORD An agreement is in the works with one of three Waterford Police Department employees under investigation. Town Chairwoman Teri Jendusa Nicolai said would not say what the agreement would cover or whether the employee would return to work. The employee remains on administrative leave, Nicolai said. The employees identity and the nature of the investigation have not been disclosed. Two other police department employees also have been on administrative leave during investigations. Whether the three investigations are related has not been disclosed. The town announced the employee suspensions and investigations May 6. The police department, which serves both the town and neighboring Village of Waterford, has been without a police chief since the previous chiefs retirement in January. The Racine County Sheriffs Office is temporarily overseeing administration of the department during the investigations. The Waterford Town Board held a special meeting Wednesday to discuss the conclusion of one of the investigations and to discuss the individuals employment status. The board discussed the matter in closed session for about two hours. Nicolai said details would be disclosed once an agreement with the employee has been finalized. 20 vintage songs that topped the charts again over a decade later 20 vintage songs that topped the charts again over a decade later 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers 'Stand by Me' by Ben E. King 'Do You Love Me' by The Contours 'Twist and Shout' by The Beatles 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac 'Under Pressure' by Queen and David Bowie 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson 'Purple Rain' by Prince and The Revolution 'Somebody's Watching Me' by Rockwell 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)' by Kate Bush 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)' by Whitney Houston 'Potential Breakup Song' by Aly & AJ 'Goo Goo Muck' by The Cramps 'The End' by The Doors 'Lust for Life' by Iggy Pop 'Candle in the Wind' by Elton John 'Murder on the Dancefloor' by Sophie Ellis-Bextor Donald Trump privately hinted at a shift in immigration policy at a Business Roundtable meeting last week. He told the group we need brilliant people in this country, according to one of the attendees, who was granted anonymity to describe a private meeting. And when he talked about finding ways to keep American-educated talent at home, some top CEOs, like Apples Tim Cook, were seen nodding their heads. The public move came a week later: On The All-In Podcast on Thursday, Trump said foreign nationals who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities should automatically be given a green card upon graduation. It was the latest major policy shift from a candidate who has proven equal parts hardline and chameleon-like over time. Trumps pivot on immigration followed his reversal on TikTok, embracing an app he once tried to ban, and his shift on cryptocurrency. To the former presidents allies, the reversals are evidence of a nuanced politician taking thoughtful new positions on rapidly changing issues. But there is also plainly a pattern of Trump aligning his political stances with the views of wealthy donors and business interests. What Trump has always had an instinct for is figuring out how to scoop up people that he might not have previously thought he could get, said Republican strategist Scott Jennings. Now some people might say thats craven or he doesnt have any core values or whatever. But hes got to win the election. Trumps latest comments on visas did not come out of the ether, but evinced an evolution on immigration, an issue that has been a raison d'etre of his political story. When he spoke to the Business Roundtable last week, some of the titans of the tech industry seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when Trump appeared to support keeping high-skilled immigrants in the United States. Then, on Thursday, Trump fielded a question on The All-In Podcast, hosted by Silicon Valley venture capitalists and Trump donors David Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya: Can you please promise us you will give us more ability to import the best and brightest from around the world to America? "Let me just tell you that it's so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, from the greatest schools and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools also, Trump said. But what I want to do, and what I will do is you graduate from a college I think you should get, automatically as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country, and that includes junior colleges too. Anybody graduates from a college, you go in there for two years or four years, if you graduate, or you get a doctorate degree from a college, you should be able to stay in this country. For Trump who has demonized undocumented immigrants and railed against the record levels of migration at the Southern border as a cornerstone of his 2024 presidential campaign it was a significant change. Trump has called for mass deportations on the first day of his administration, has said that migrants are poisoning the blood of this country, and has highlighted high-profile crimes committed by migrants in the U.S. illegally. On Friday, Trumps critics pounced on his green card remarks. "Im very happy some adviser told him maybe he could take his foot off the massive deportation, prison camp, theyre all rapists and murderers narrative, said Ben Johnson, of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. I just dont know how serious to take this coming from somebody whos spent 95 percent of his time being horrible on immigration." And a spokesperson for President Joe Bidens campaign, Kevin Munoz, said, Trumps empty promise is both a lie and an insult, especially to the countless people that have been permanently damaged by his first-term in office. Trump floated a similar idea during his 2016 campaign, saying at the time that forcing non-citizens to leave the U.S. shortly after graduating from college was ridiculous and that they should have a path to citizenship. But once elected president, Trump reversed himself, restricting immigration and limiting visas for high-skilled professionals and employers, much to the frustration of business leaders who rely on those visas to keep engineers and scientists in the U.S. Trump issued an executive order, Buy American Hire American, which encouraged businesses to protect American jobs and resulted in fewer H-1B visas. Biden revoked the order soon after taking office. Trump, his campaign and his allies have sought to distinguish between those who have immigrated illegally versus those who have legally made their way through the immigration system. The former first lady, Melania Trump, immigrated to the U.S. on an employment visa, and last December spoke at a naturalization ceremony for immigrants at the National Archives. On Friday, the Trump campaign said any green cards would come only after the most aggressive vetting process ever. President Trump has made it clear that on day one of his new Administration, hes going to shut down the border and launch the largest mass deportation effort of illegal aliens in history, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said in a statement, adding that he has outlined the most aggressive vetting process ever to exclude all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges. She said that Trump believes, only after such vetting has taken place, we ought to keep the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America. This would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would never undercut American wages or workers. Trump has changed course before not so much moderating on his positions but accommodating allies who have briefed him on the complexities of changing technology and business. In office, Trump tried to unilaterally restrict social media platform TikTok from operating in the U.S., but he reversed course recently amid its popularity with youth, whose votes he and Biden are courting. As a candidate, he said he would end a tax preference that is highly lucrative to private equity and some Wall Street financiers. Ultimately, however, the 2017 tax overhaul he assembled with GOP lawmakers included only some tweaks that made it somewhat harder to claim the tax break. Trump took several positions on whether China should be labeled a currency manipulator vowing to do so in the 2016 campaign and backing off after he took office. His administration ultimately made the move in 2019. And then theres Trump's new embrace of cryptocurrency, which he criticized during his first term. Trump told the crypto faithful at Mar-a-Lago last month that they "better vote" for him because of the Biden administration's regulatory clashes with the industry. It was by no means an unexpected shift. Though Trump tweeted in 2019 that I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies," top GOP policymakers have spent the ensuing years rallying around crypto interests and working to advance industry-friendly regulation. People's positions evolve, said Republican strategist and Trump ally David Urban, who lobbied for TikTok. With cryptocurrency, TikTok, technology, Urban said, a lot of these newer issues, there is some room for some thoughtful reflection. He's hearing from different people, different voices, weighing different opinions. He gathers information about any topic, whether it's the Vice President or a trade deal, he talks to people. He takes input from Steve Schwarzman to the police officer in the receiving line, and so his positions evolve. On TikTok, for example, Trump now has a personal account with over 6.5 million followers. He became interested in getting on the app, which has alleged Chinese connections, after learning about its potential and political reach from advisers and lobbyists. Trumps malleability on these issues is, according to detractors, a craven campaign ploy. But Trumps flip flops, according to his own supporters, are unlikely to cost him anything with his base. At the Faith & Freedom Coalitions annual Road to Majority conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday, a gathering of social conservatives, attendees said they trusted Trump with his new green card idea. Acknowledging, when pressed, that they would prefer students to have come to the country legally and have undergone a vetting process, Trump supporters nevertheless deferred to him. If its an immigration policy Trump is suggesting, several attendees said in interviews, he will ensure its one without safety risks. Obviously it's following other immigration policies that he's going to go through and put in place, said Shea Thompson, a 20-year-old college student from Spokane, Washington. Because as it stands, no, that would be a horrible thing, because of the problems with illegal immigration and everything. But its likely a smart idea from Trump, Thompson explained, with Trump having figured out how it would fit in with his plans to secure the southern border and streamline legal immigration. Abigail Galan, 45, who co-pastors a predominantly Hispanic church in Columbia, Maryland with her husband and is originally from Puerto Rico, cheered on the proposal. It's a good idea because the worry of the border is not students who want to do good in this country, its the bad people we're scared of, Galan said. If they make the effort, if I had a son in that position, I would be thankful for that. Others were of a similar mind. Irving Widelitz, a 65-year-old conservative Jewish voter from Houston, said he could get behind Trumps green card proposal as long as they're properly vetted. And if the student enrolled in college while in the United States illegally? Thats a slippery slope, Widelitz conceded. Nick Niedzwiadek and Zachary Warmbrodt contributed to this report. Graduates attend Utah Valley University's 75th commencement in Orem on Thursday, April 28, 2016. In a podcast on Thursday, Donald Trump announced his desire to provide foreign nationals with automatic green cards after graduating from a U.S. college. | Jeffrey D. Allred In a podcast on Thursday, former President Donald Trump announced his desire to provide foreign nationals with automatic green cards after graduating from a U.S. college. The move was surprising to some. According to Reuters, the proposal is contrary to the former presidents call for hardline immigration. Trump reportedly spoke with Silicon Valley tech investors on an podcast called All-In. When angel investor Jason Calacanis asked Trump if he could promise the ability to import the best and brightest around the world to America, Trump responded, I do promise. But I happen to agree, otherwise I wouldnt promise. ... You graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country and that includes junior colleges too, he continued. According to a statement from the Trump campaign to The New York Times, this process would include aggressive vetting. Karoline Leavitt, Trumps campaign press secretary, said in a statement that the distribution of green cards would exclude all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges. The strategy would apply to the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America. How are people reacting? The announcement has received multiple reactions. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, shared his opinion with the New York Post: If someone earns a Ph.D. at a university in a hard science, I personally will drive to their house and give them a green card, he said. The issue is any foreign college graduate, even from a bogus two-year masters program or gender studies (major), would get a green card. If this proposal were adopted, you would see an explosion of quickie, one-year masters programs around the country as a way of selling green cards to foreigners, he told the Post, suggesting people could exploit and earn profit from billions of people around the world. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, told Reuters about his reaction: I almost have to laugh because his administration adopted multiple policies aiming to restrict student visas and make it harder for people to stay in the country after graduating, he said. The Biden campaign also expressed skepticism. Spokesperson Kevin Munoz told Reuters: Every chance Donald Trump got in office, he made it his mission to rip apart immigrant families for his own political gain. Trumps empty promise is both a lie and an insult, he continued, especially to the countless people that have been permanently damaged by his first-term in office. Several Reddit users also exchanged thoughts on the nature of Trumps declaration. One user commented: He was in a podcast with CEOs and telling them what they want to hear. Another said: If I thought he actually meant it Id love it. I worked throughout grad school with some brilliant folks from Chile, Colombia, Pakistan, and China all of whom would be assets to the US if they decided to stay. But I dont think he means it. Kris Soltis Anderson, a Republican pollster, posted her thoughts on social media: Surprised Trump backs green cards for college grads? Dont be, she wrote. After quoting, 60% of voters overall and 89% of GOP voters agree with Trumps call for a big, beautiful door pairing tough border policies with a welcoming legal immigration system for those who can contribute to our economy. Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally outside Schnecksville Fire Hall on April 13, 2024 in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. . (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA Former President Donald Trump will be in the most important swing states biggest city for a campaign rally on Saturday. And for the first time in the 2024 campaign, GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who received Trumps endorsement in April, is expected to join him. President Donald Trump loves the people of Pennsylvania, Trumps campaign said in a release announcing the rally at the Liacouras Center on Temple Universitys campus. But the former president has not always expressed love for the city of Philadelphia. In 2020, Trump called Philadelphia one of the most corrupt political places in our country, and said during a 2020 debate with Joe Biden that bad things happen in Philadelphia. He also falsely claimed in the 2020 election that there were more votes than people in Pennsylvania. North Philadelphia, home to Temple University and the Liacouras Center, is a primarily Black neighborhood in the city. Black voters are a key demographic for both presidential candidates, and played a decisive role in the 2020 election in Pennsylvania. Ninety-two percent of Black voters in Pennsylvania voted for Biden in 2020, while 7% voted for Trump. A Suffolk University/USA TODAY survey released earlier this week showed the margins narrowing a bit. Biden received 56% of support among Black voters in Pennsylvania in the latest survey, while Trump received 11%. So while Biden may not yet have the level of support he had from Black voters in Pennsylvania four years ago, Trump is still well behind him. The state Legislative Black Caucus held a rally last week in Harrisburg to endorse Biden. Think about where we were four years ago, hearing from Trump occupying the White House that drinking bleach was OK to treat COVID-19. Sometimes we get lost and forget the history, but every indicator indicates that Black folks are better off and this country is better off with Joe Biden and Kamala Harriss administration, state Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said. On Friday, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) blasted Trump ahead of the rally in his district. We have a guy, who is about to come to my district, actually, to lie, to make up stuff, and to engage in complete revisionist history after four years of failure, Kenyatta said. He called Trumps administration one of the most incompetent and corrupt. And now you have this guy coming to Philadelphia, bringing all 34 of his felony convictions to the Liacouras Center, Kenyatta said. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts in a New York courtroom in May. Hes scheduled to be sentenced next month. Saturdays visit is a part of the Trump campaigns attempt to appeal to Black voters. On June 15, Trump visited Detroit another city he previously disparaged, as hell and totally corrupt for the launch of his Black Americans for Trump effort. Trump claimed he had done more for the Black population than any American president since Abraham Lincoln, and said Biden is all talk. The Trump campaign continues to push the messaging that the former presidents policies were better for Black Americans than Biden. In a statement announcing the launch of Black Americans for Trump, the campaigns Black Media Director Janiyah Thomas said while Black Americans have been left behind by Joe Biden, President Trump has prioritized the Black community. Saturday will be Trumps fourth visit to Pennsylvania this year, and his second to Philadelphia after delivering brief remarks at Sneaker Con in February to promote his new line of gold, Trump-branded shoes. Although Trump has held numerous rallies in the Philadelphia suburbs since his first campaign for president, Saturday is his first rally in the city proper. The Trump campaign has ratcheted up its efforts in the Keystone State in recent weeks. On June 4, the campaign opened its first Trump Force 47 office in Philadelphia, headlined by U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), who spoke at a podium with a sign that read Black Americans for Trump. Later that evening, Hunt joined U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) for a Congress, Cognac, and Cigars event aimed at speaking to Black voters in Philadelphia. On June 12, the Trump campaign opened an office in Reading with a focus on Latino American voters, and on Tuesday the Republican National Committee brought its effort to recruit poll workers and poll watchers and rally support for Trumps candidacy to the Philadelphia suburbs. The Biden campaign made a Pennsylvania presence a high priority earlier in the 2024 race, with the president making eight appearances in the Keystone State so far this year, most of them in the Democratic-heavy southeast region of the commonwealth. His most recent campaign visit was in late May to Philadelphia with Vice President Kamala Harris. to launch of Black Voters for Biden-Harris at Girard College. The Biden campaign has 24 coordinated offices across the state, opening its first round of offices in March. The Democratic National Committee has launched an ad campaign ahead of Trumps visit, releasing a billboard, a mobile billboard circling Temple Universitys campus calling the former president a disaster for Black Americans, and pro-Biden kiosks across campus. McCormick, who trails incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) in most recent polling by around 6 points, said on social media Thursday that he was looking forward to joining @realDonaldTrump in Philly this weekend to talk about the leadership needed to get our country back on track! Together, we will RETIRE Joe Biden and Bob Casey. During a campaign event in Philadelphia on Friday, Casey said he didnt want to comment on campaign tactics, but hopes Trump and McCormick have to answer questions on various pieces of proposed legislation. I hope he is asked some basic questions, Casey said. I hope Mr. Trump and Mr. McCormick are asked do you support the John Lewis legislation to protect the right to vote? Do you support the Womens Health Protection Act? Do you support the right of workers to be organizing and vote for the PRO Act? On Friday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s campaign announced he has filed enough signatures to make the ballot in Pennsylvania, although his nominating petitions will likely be challenged by Democrats and Republicans. Polling over the past few months shows Kennedy typically registers a few points in Pennsylvania, which could potentially help tip the scales in a close race between Biden and Trump. Which candidate might benefit from having RFK Jr. in the race remains unclear, however. Polling throughout the 2024 cycle has shown Biden and Trump locked in a close race in Pennsylvania, although some recent ones show the former president with a slight edge. An Emerson College poll released on Thursday showed Trump leading Biden by 2 points in Pennsylvania. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Trump rallies in Philadelphia as 2024 campaign heats up appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) Former President Donald Trump is set to hold a rally in Chesapeake next week, according to his website. The rally is planned for Friday, June 28 just one day after he is scheduled to take the debate stage with President Biden in Atlanta. The debate will be hosted by CNN. Trump to be joined by Youngkin at Virginia rally after first debate Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), is expected to join the former president at the rally, a source confirmed to TheHill.com. The rally will take place at the Historic Greenbrier Farms, 225 Sign Pine Road on Friday, June 28 at 3 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. 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. Tunisian President Kais Saied receives the Heads of State and Government at the beginning of the 18th Summit of La Francophonie. Khaled Nasraoui/dpa Tunisian President Kais Saied has sacked the country's minister of religious affairs after 49 Tunisian pilgrims were confirmed dead in the annual Islamic Hajj in Saudi Arabia amid scorching heat. Saied has decided to terminate Ibrahim Chaibi's tasks, Tunisia's official news agency TAP reported on Friday, quoting a presidential statement that did not give an explanation. The step came shortly after Chaibi confirmed 49 deaths among Tunisian pilgrims mostly due to high temperatures during the rituals. The fatalities included 44 unregistered pilgrims, who had gone on the religious journey on tourist visas, Chaibi said. He acknowledged the possibility of negligence in supervising the pilgrims, according to TAP. The temperature in the Saudi city of Mecca and other nearby holy sites hovered around 50 degrees Celsius through Tuesday's final pilgrimage day. Several Arab governments said most of the pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia, Islam's birthplace, were not registered and had travelled on tourist visas, which made it harder to find them. Some 1.8 million pilgrims took part in this year's Hajj, one of Islam's five pillars. Tunisian President Kais Saied receives the Heads of State and Government at the beginning of the 18th Summit of La Francophonie. Khaled Nasraoui/dpa Tunisian President Kais Saied has sacked the North African country's minister of religious affairs after 49 Tunisian pilgrims were confirmed dead in the annual Islamic Hajj in Saudi Arabia amid scorching heat. Saied has decided to terminate Ibrahim Chaibi's tasks, Tunisia's official news agency TAP reported on Friday, quoting a presidential statement that did not give an explanation. The step came shortly after Chaibi confirmed 49 deaths among Tunisian pilgrims mostly due to high temperatures during the rituals. The fatalities included 44 unregistered pilgrims, who had gone on the religious journey on tourist visas, Chaibi said. He acknowledged the possibility of negligence in supervising the pilgrims, according to TAP. The temperature in the Saudi city of Mecca and other nearby holy sites hovered around 50 degrees Celsius through Tuesday's final pilgrimage day. Videos circulating online purportedly showed Muslim pilgrims lying dead on roads in Saudi Arabia after suffering heat strokes during the Hajj. So far, there has been no official Saudi comment. Several Arab governments said most of the pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia, Islam's birthplace, were not registered and had travelled on tourist visas, which made it harder to find them or determine their actual numbers. Unregistered pilgrims usually have no access to accommodation and transportation services. The Egyptian government is set to revoke licences of 16 tour operators for having organized illegal Hajj trips, Egyptian media said Saturday, amid unconfirmed reports that most of the deaths among unregistered pilgrims were Egyptians. Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly ordered the operators' licences withdrawn over fraud and their officials referred to prosecution, state-linked al-Qahera News TV reported. Egypt's official Hajj mission this year comprised more than 50,000 pilgrims and 31 deaths were recorded dead among them due to chronic illnesses, Madbouly said, according to the online edition of the Egyptian state-run newspaper al-Ahram. There was no official word on fatalities among the unregistered pilgrims. "The pilgrims, who lost their lives during this crisis are mostly unregistered. The tour companies, which arranged their travel, did not provide them with any services," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said at a government crisis meeting, according to Egyptian state TV. Some 1.8 million pilgrims took part in this year's Hajj. One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj is a mandatory duty for all Muslims to complete once in a lifetime, if they have the financial and physical means to do so. Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, during the Hajj pilgrimage. Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be carried out by all adult Muslims at least once in their lifetime. It takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa At a press conference held at the Turlock Police Department on Friday, state and county officials, as well as members of the community, protested the planned release of convicted child sex offender Kevin Gray. Gray, 72, was convicted of four separate sex crimes against children age 11 and younger. However, hes admitted that he was not prosecuted for most of his crimes saying that hes fondled 50 young girls and indecently exposed himself to 1,000. State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero, Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden, Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa and Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke all spoke against his conditional release to a housing unit off Central Avenue in Turlock. I have successfully fought to protect four other counties in my district from becoming dumping grounds for sexually violent offenders, Alvarado-Gil said. And today I reaffirm my commitment to keeping all of our communities safe. Outside the press conference were dozens of community members also protesting Grays release. Some held signs and brought their children. Megan Bellamy, who lives with her two young daughters near the housing facility, said she didnt know exactly what she was going to do if Gray is released into her neighborhood. But the lives of her children would change. Im going to keep my kids a lot closer ... I have an 8-year-old little girl, Im gonna have to really keep my eyes on her, Bellamy said. We used to let them run free and, you know, just go down the dirt road and have fun. Now, Im taking that away from them and they dont understand that, so its gonna be really hard on them Megan Bellamy brought her 11-month-old daughter, Sofie, to a protest against the pending release of sex offender Kevin Gray outside the Turlock Police Department on June 21, 2024. Gray has been incarcerated since his last conviction in 1992. Once his sentence was completed, he was sent to the state hospital in Coalinga. There, he underwent treatment and numerous psychological evaluations. His progress, according to these evaluations, was enough to qualify him for conditional release. The DAs Office has since filed a petition to revoke Grays conditional release. During Grays first hearing on this petition, Judge Carrie Stevens said there were substantive issues she had concerns with in regards to the filing. As far as revoking his conditional release, thats going to be a heavier lift, Laugero said. Assessment found planned release location unsuitable Instead, the DAs Office is trying to call into question the assessment of the location where Gray is to be released. Laugero said he had his own Bureau of Investigation conduct an assessment, which found the location unsuitable. Because of the children in the area, (a) home-school bus stop, theres a lot of disqualifiers there, the district attorney said. So I feel very confident were going to succeed there. That would mean that the search would continue for a new location. Laugero added that he believes placing Gray at the proposed Central Avenue location would violate the law. While the search for a new location would be kicking the can down the road, he said the effort to prevent Gray being placed at this location is in the interest of public safety. The only organization in California that facilitates conditional release programs (CONREP) for sexually violent predators is Liberty Healthcare. The organization was the subject of scrutiny from many speakers during the press conference on Friday. An audit of Liberty Healthcare is being pushed for by State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, who said the organizations handling of sexually violent predators is poor management. He called the system for their release broken and alarming. The petition for the audit has gained nearly 1,600 signatures. Its my opinion that Liberty Healthcare has failed to demonstrate the ability to adequately protect the community, Laugero said. And its my opinion that sexually violent predators should not be released into a conditional release program at this time. When asked what public safety precautions the Turlock Police Department would take if Gray is released into the proposed facility, Hedden said there would be some form of electronic monitoring and extra patrols at the very least. This is a known convicted pedophile, four-time convicted, Hedden said. Every time that he has gotten out of custody, he is re-offending. Thats concerning. He belongs in custody at the state mental hospital for the rest of his life. Grays next court appearance is scheduled for July 1 in Stanislaus County Superior Court. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A 3-year-old boy was killed and his 7-year-old sister was injured after a shooting Friday night in Buffalo, police officials said. Police responded around 9:30 p.m. to the first block of Domedion Avenue, where officials said two young children had been shot during an outdoor family gathering. Both children were taken to local hospitals, with the 3-year-old being rushed in a police vehicle to ECMC where he was later declared deceased. The 7-year-old girl was grazed by gunfire and is being treated at Oishei Childrens Hospital. I am heartbroken by what occurred, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said during a Saturday press conference on the shooting. I think all of us are sick and tired of standing up and announcing situations like this to the community. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, but Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said that a gun was recovered and is currently being tested and that two persons of interest were interviewed and released Friday night. Gramaglia said the target of the shooting is unknown but that theres no way it was the children, adding that the current belief is there was one shooter and one gun. He declined to go into further detail on how the shooting happened. Officials repeatedly expressed their sadness and frustration about the shooting, with Brown praising the childrens mother, Shakenya Griffin, as a strong woman and active figure in the community with Most Valuable Parents, working to keep families and children safe. Additionally, officials strongly called out lawmakers for their inaction regarding gun violence. There are too many illegal guns on the streets of the United States of America, and something could be done about it in a heartbeat if 50 percent of the lawmakers in Washington D.C. didnt value the gun lobby over human life, Brown said. This is a difficult day for all of us, this is a painful day for all of us. This family out on the street just trying to enjoy a beautiful summer night, and theyre not allowed to do so because of the violence taking place, Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon added. If certain legislators had incidents like this taking place on the corners of the Middlesexes and the Nottinghams of the world, you would see them fighting to have the National Guard out in those neighborhoods to protect against this type of stupid, senseless violence. With no arrests made, officials continued to call on the public to come forward with information regarding the shooting. We are receiving cooperation, good cooperation, I would like to receive more, Gramaglia said. We are talking about a 3-year-old baby that didnt see his fourth birthday. We need your help. Anyone with information is asked to text or call Buffalo polices confidential tip line at (716) 847-2255. You can watch the full Saturday press conference with City of Buffalo officials above. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. 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 EMPORIA (KSNT) Friday, the National Teachers Hall of Fame honored two educators that died in the line of duty. In this case, teaching. The National Memorial to Fallen Educators honors teachers around the country that died while doing their job. One of those was high school principal Dan Marburger. He sacrificed his life in a school shooting in January in Perry, Iowa. The shooting resulted in the death of Marburger and one of his 6th grade students. Marburgers wife, Elizabeth, was in attendance today. She said todays ceremony was a rollercoaster of emotions. Its bitter that youre a part of it, she said. But, Im honored that after whats happened, my kids will have a place that we can come and see his name etched in stone forever. And, come and pay tribute to him. Carol Strickland, the Emeritus Director of the Hall of Fame, wants people to walk away with a sense of appreciation. They do a lot more than just go to the classroom, or drive the bus or serve lunch. They touch childrens lives, and they sometimes become the first responder. And, a lot of people dont think about that. Its not in their contract that says youre going to throw yourself in front of a bullet, Strickland said. But, through it all, Elizabeth Marburger said she still tries to stay positive. Theres so much awful in the world that we have to work really hard to see the good. And sometimes you get bogged down by the awful situation, she said. But, it has been amazing and we get to see the good every day. We get letters, we get comments from complete strangers. Hopefully we can offer all of that support to each other day to day instead of just in times of tragedy. The other educator honored is West Virginia teacher Ryan Lantz. He died in February after being hit by a car in his high school parking lot. This evening, there was a separate ceremony that inducted five teachers from around the country into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. 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. Two men found shot to death after truck crashes into Raleigh County church BEAVER, WV (WVNS) Two men were found dead with apparent gunshot wounds on Saturday, June 22, 2024, after a truck they were in had crashed into a church in Raleigh County. According to a press release from the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, deputies were alerted to a shooting on Oxley Circle in the Beaver area just before 2 AM on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Deputies were quickly on scene where they found a truck had crashed into the Beaver First Baptist Church. Raleigh County high school teacher being investigated due to possible inappropriate communication with student Deputies found two men dead inside of the truck and had been reportedly shot due to the wounds they had. Their identities were not released at this time. An investigation into the incident remains active. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office immediately at (304) 255-9300. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers of West Virginia through their P3 Tips App. Stick with 59News for updates 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 WVNS. Two men wanted after man was shot in the face in Brooklyn: NYPD Two men wanted after man was shot in the face in Brooklyn: NYPD BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) A man was shot in the face while sitting inside a vehicle in Brooklyn on Thursday, June 20, according to the NYPD. The shooting occurred at 10 p.m. in front of 320 Lincoln Place. More Local News Two suspects approached the Black Mercedes Benz. One pulled out a gun and fired a round, which struck the 52-year-old victim in the face, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The two suspects fled the scene on foot. Police describe the first suspect as a male approximately 18 to 25 years old last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and black sneakers. The second suspect is described as a man approximately 18 to 25 years old last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, gray pants, and black sneakers. Police released the following surveillance images of the suspects. Credit: NYPD Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. FILE PHOTO: Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea HANOI (Reuters) - U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink on Saturday said the situation in the South China Sea is deeply concerning, and said China's recent actions in the disputed waterway were "deeply destabilising". Kritenbrink made the comments during a visit to Hanoi, amid rising tension between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, where Vietnam is also a claimant. "We think that China's actions, particularly its recent actions, around the Second Thomas Shoal, vis-a-vis the Philippines have been irresponsible, aggressive, dangerous, deeply destabilising," Kritenbrink said at a briefing for selected media in Hanoi, a recording of which was reviewed by Reuters. "We're going to continue to stand with our Filipino allies," Kritenbrink said, adding that Washington had made it clear, both publicly and privately, to Beijing that the mutual defence treaty obligations it has with the Philippines were "ironclad". On Friday, Philippine officials said they did not consider invoking the mutual defence treaty with the U.S. after accusing China of aggressively disrupting a resupply mission in the disputed South China Sea earlier this month. China's foreign ministry disputed the Philippines' account, with a spokesperson saying on Thursday that the necessary measures taken were lawful, professional and beyond reproach. "We think every country in the region, including China, needs to respect international law and needs to behave responsibly in the maritime domain," Kritenbrink said. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected. Kritenbrink arrived in Hanoi on Friday on the heels of a visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin that was sharply criticised by Washington. "Only Vietnam can decide how best to safeguard its sovereignty and advance its interests," Kritenbrink said when asked about his view on Vietnam's foreign policy and its hosting of Putin. Vietnam and the U.S. officially upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam's highest tier of its diplomatic ranking, during a visit to Hanoi by President Joe Biden in September last year. Kritenbrink said upgrade was "historic and momentous", and said he wanted to maintain momentum to make sure that all of the agreements reached are implemented. "We continue to believe that the U.S.-Vietnam partnership has never been stronger," he said. (Reporting by Khanh Vu and Phuong Nguyen; Editing by John Mair) U.S. says avocado inspections may resume in troubled Mexican state, opening way for imports The U.S. Department of Agriculture will "gradually" resume inspections of avocados from the Mexican state of Michoacan, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City said Friday. (Ted Shaffrey / Associated Press) The United States will gradually resume inspections of avocados and mangoes from the Mexican state of Michoacan, the U.S. Embassy here said Friday, opening the way for a prospective resumption of exports to the U.S. Inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture were suspended Monday after two inspectors were attacked and detained, according to Ken Salazar, U.S. ambassador to Mexico. In a statement Friday, Salazar did not specify when inspectors would return to Michoacan, which is Mexicos top producer of avocados but is convulsed by gang violence. We are optimistic that this matter is going in a positive direction, Salazar said. But he added that the issue continued to be a challenge and that Washington would not be satisfied until inspectors can continue their work free of threats to their security. The halting of Michoacan's shipments of the popular and highly profitable fruit known colloquially as green gold sparked a bilateral controversy. Read more: Avocados toast? Price and availability could suffer after USDA halts some Mexican inspections U.S. and Mexican officials are scheduled to meet Monday in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state, to discuss the inspection issue. Mexican authorities, including President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, have vowed to bolster security measures if needed to resume inspections and reopen the avocado pipeline. If they feel that there are threats to their inspectors, we will look to protect them, as we have always done, and help them to do their job, Lopez Obrador told reporters Wednesday at his regular news conference. There wont be any problem. Read more: Inside the bloody cartel war for Mexico's multibillion-dollar avocado industry The suspension of USDA inspections did not affect fruit already in transit or produced outside Michoacan. In the Michoacan city of Uruapan, a center of the avocado industry, out-of-work field workers have been seeking handouts from motorists in recent days, local media have reported. Michoacan, a sprawling state that stretches from west of Mexico City to the Pacific Ocean, exports more than $3 billion annually in avocados, officials say, mostly to the United States. Mexico is the worlds largest avocado producer. But Michoacan is also a violent battleground for organized crime syndicates that compete for an array of lucrative rackets, including drug smuggling, kidnapping, illicit timber harvesting and extortion in the avocado sector. Criminals prey on avocado orchard owners, field hands and drivers who transport avocados for export, among other targets. Read more: The Times podcast: How violence taints Mexican avocados U.S. and Mexican officials have provided conflicting accounts of the incident that led to the shutdown of inspections. Mexican authorities have challenged Salazar's characterization that the inspectors were attacked and detained. On June 14, according to Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, the USDA inspectors both Mexican citizens were traveling in a vehicle that was among about 50 trapped during a road blockade in the municipality of Paracho. Criminal groups and residents protesting various issues regularly shut down roads in Michoacan and elsewhere in Mexico. That day, police officers blocked the road, demanding missed back pay, the governor told the Mexican news outlet Radio Formula. The inspectors were not targeted, according to the governor. The inspectors stayed overnight in Paracho, the governor said. They werent kidnapped. They were never in captivity, he said. This was not the first time that U.S. inspectors have faced problems in Michoacan. Two years ago, Washington suspended avocado imports from Michoacan for a few days after a plant safety inspector was threatened. In December 2020, the U.S. stopped importing avocados from one region in Michoacan for a month after an armed group burned shipments, Mexican officials said. Avocado imports to the United States typically surge before Cinco de Mayo and Super Bowl Sunday, as U.S. consumers stock up for guacamole. The best avocados in the world come from Mexico, Ambassador Salazar told reporters this week. Without avocados we couldnt have the Super Bowl. Times special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal and staff writer Kate Linthicum 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. LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 14: Eric Brandon of Nevada tries out a semi-automatic pistol at The Gun Store November 14, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Store manager Cliff Wilson said he's seen a large spike in sales since Barack Obama was elected president on November 4, with customers citing fears about the president-elect's record on firearms. The election, combined with a slumping economy, has contributed to an overall increase of 25-30 percent in gun sales at the store, Wilson said. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision in United States v. Rahimi, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that our Nations firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms. When an individual has been found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another, that individual may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment, Roberts wrote. Justice Clarence Thomas, a staunch advocate of the Second Amendment, was the lone dissent. Thomas argued that the question before the court was not if someone can have their firearms taken away under the Second Amendment, but instead whether the Government can strip the Second Amendment right of anyone subject to a protective order even if he has never been accused or convicted of a crime. It cannot. The White House and gun safety advocates welcomed the long-awaited decision as a major victory. No one who has been abused should have to worry about their abuser getting a gun, President Joe Biden said in a statement. As a result of todays ruling, survivors of domestic violence and their families will still be able to count on critical protections, just as they have for the past three decades. That was echoed by Maryland lawmakers, who said the high courts ruling will help protect lives. This ruling is a step in the right direction, helping to keep survivors and their families safe from preventable gun violence, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a prepared statement. Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher (D-Montgomery), the vice chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, called the 8-1 ruling a vindication for Marylands bold and comprehensive approach to gun violence. By its own logic, the Court in Rahimi upheld two important Maryland policies: the removal of guns from domestic violence abusers, and our states red-flag law, Waldstreicher said. 2022 decision This was the first major test of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that struck down a New York law limiting carrying firearms. Thomas wrote that decision, which greatly expanded gun rights. Because of Bruen, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Zackey Rahimis conviction on the grounds that the federal law violated his Second Amendment rights. Rahimi had assaulted his girlfriend in Arlington, Texas, in 2019 and threatened to shoot her if she told anyone, according to the Justice Department. That led to a restraining order that suspended his handgun license and prohibited him from possessing firearms. But Rahimi did not adhere to that order and then threatened another woman with a gun, and two months later opened fire in public five times. J. Matthew Wright, Rahimis North Texas federal public defender, declined to comment on Fridays decision. Roberts says appeals court was wrong Roberts argued the courts decision in Bruen does not help Rahimi, and said the 5th Circuits decision was wrong in its methodology. Roberts said instead of reviewing the circumstances in which the federal law was most likely to be constitutional, the panel instead focused on hypothetical scenarios where the provision might raise constitutional concerns. He said that lower courts have misunderstood the methodology the high court used in the Bruen decision and that those precedents were not meant to suggest a law trapped in amber. Roberts said that lower courts should discern why and how the regulation burdens on the Second Amendment right are central to this inquiry. For example, if laws at the founding regulated firearm use to address particular problems, that will be a strong indicator that contemporary laws imposing similar restrictions of similar reasons fall within a permissible category of regulations, he said. As Bruen explained, a challenged regulation that does not precisely match its historical precursors still may be analogous enough to pass constitutional muster. In a concurring opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said that while she agreed with the Rahimi decision, she still believed Bruen was wrongly decided. But she added that Rahimi clarifies Bruens historical inquiry. Rather than asking whether a present-day gun regulation has a precise historical analogue, courts applying Bruen should consider whether the challenged regulation is consistent with the principles that underpin our regulatory tradition, she said. Sotomayor said in the Rahimi case, the government did not identify a founding-era or Reconstruction-era law that specifically disarmed domestic abusers, but that it didnt need to because there is shared principle in restricting gun use by those who pose a threat. History has a role to play in Second Amendment analysis, but a rigid adherence to history, (particularly history predating the inclusion of women and people of color as full members of the polity), impoverishes constitutional interpretation and hamstrings our democracy, she said. Historical precedent During oral arguments before the court in November, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued on behalf of the Biden administration that the 5th Circuit misinterpreted the Bruen decision. She said there is historical precedent in the ability of Congress to disarm those who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens. Under a 1994 federal law, anyone who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, or is subject to domestic violence protective orders, is prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms and ammunition. During those arguments, the justices both liberal and conservative seemed to side with Prelogars argument that the federal law is in line with the longstanding practice of disarming dangerous people and does not violate an individuals Second Amendment rights. More than half of female homicide victims are killed by current or former male intimate partners. Firearms are used in more than 50% of those homicides. Besides, more than two dozen states have laws that prevent someone subject to an order in a domestic violence case from buying or possessing a gun and ammunition. Some of those states include Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Protecting victims Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement the decision upheld a law that protects victims by keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals who pose a threat to their intimate partners and children. As the Justice Department argued, and as the Court reaffirmed today, that commonsense prohibition is entirely consistent with the Courts precedent and the text and history of the Second Amendment, Garland said. Angela Ferrell-Zabala, the executive director of the gun safety advocacy group Moms Demand Action, said in a statement that the courts decision will ensure that millions across the country will be protected over the desires of gun rights extremists. This is a win for the gun safety movement and another loss for the gun lobby hellbent on putting lives in danger, Ferrell-Zabala said. Douglas Letter, the chief legal officer of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a statement that he hopes lower courts will follow the advice from Fridays ruling. Guns are the number one weapon of choice for domestic abusers, and there is no reason why anyone who is a known danger should be permitted access to firearms, Letter said. Maryland Matters reporter William J. Ford contributed to this report from Annapolis. The post U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns appeared first on Maryland Matters. A customer tries out a semi-automatic pistol at The Gun Store on Nov. 14, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) A customer tries out a semi-automatic pistol at The Gun Store on Nov. 14, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision on United States v. Rahimi, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that our Nations firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms. When an individual has been found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another, that individual may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment, Roberts wrote. Justice Clarence Thomas, a staunch advocate of the Second Amendment, was the lone dissent. Thomas argued that the question before the court was not if someone can have their firearms taken away under the Second Amendment, but instead whether the Government can strip the Second Amendment right of anyone subject to a protective order even if he has never been accused or convicted of a crime. It cannot. When an individual has been found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another, that individual may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment. Chief Justice John Roberts The White House and gun safety advocates welcomed the long-awaited decision as a major victory. No one who has been abused should have to worry about their abuser getting a gun, President Joe Biden said in a statement. As a result of todays ruling, survivors of domestic violence and their families will still be able to count on critical protections, just as they have for the past three decades. 2022 decision This was the first major test of the 2022 Supreme Court decision New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that struck down a New York law limiting carrying firearms in the open in a decision from the high court that greatly expanded gun rights. Thomas wrote that decision. Because of the Bruen decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit vacated Zackey Rahimis conviction on the grounds that the federal law violated his Second Amendment rights. In 2019, Rahimi assaulted his girlfriend in Arlington, Texas, and threatened to shoot her if she told anyone, according to the Department of Justice. That led to a restraining order that suspended his handgun license and prohibited him from possessing firearms. But Rahimi did not adhere to that order and then threatened another woman with a gun, and two months later opened fire in public five times. J. Matthew Wright, a federal public defender in North Texas who argued for his client, Rahimi, declined to comment on the decision. Roberts says appeals court was wrong Roberts argued the courts decision in Bruen does not help Rahimi, and said the 5th Circuits decision was wrong in its methodology. Justice Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenting vote in a ruling that upheld the right to deny firearms to those convicted of domestic violence.(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Roberts said instead of reviewing the circumstances in which the federal law was most likely to be constitutional, the panel instead focused on hypothetical scenarios where the provision might raise constitutional concerns. He said that lower courts have misunderstood the methodology the high court used in the Bruen decision and that those precedents were not meant to suggest a law trapped in amber. Roberts said that lower courts should discern [w]hy and how the regulation burdens on the Second Amendment right are central to this inquiry. For example, if laws at the founding regulated firearm use to address particular problems, that will be a strong indicator that contemporary laws imposing similar restrictions of similar reasons fall within a permissible category of regulations, he said. As Bruen explained, a challenged regulation that does not precisely match its historical precursors still may be analogous enough to pass constitutional muster. Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a concurring opinion in which she said while she agreed with the Rahimi decision, she still believed Bruen was wrongly decided. However, she added the decision clarifies Bruens historical inquiry. Rather than asking whether a present-day gun regulation has a precise historical analogue, courts applying Bruen should conside(r) whether the challenged regulation is consistent with the principles that underpin our regulatory tradition, she said. Sotomayor said in the Rahimi case, the government did not identify a founding-era or Reconstruction-era law that specifically disarmed domestic abusers, but that it didnt need to because there is shared principle in restricting gun use by those who pose a threat. History has a role to play in Second Amendment analysis, but a rigid adherence to history, (particularly history predating the inclusion of women and people of color as full members of the polity), impoverishes constitutional interpretation and hamstrings our democracy, she said. Historical precedent During oral arguments in November before the court, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Biden administration, argued that the 5th Circuit misinterpreted the Bruen decision. She said there is historical precedent in the ability of Congress to disarm those who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens. Under a 1994 federal law, anyone who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and, or, is subject to domestic violence protective orders, is prohibited from purchasing and having possession of firearms and ammunition. During those oral arguments, the justices both liberal and conservative seemed to side with Prelogars argument that the federal law is in line with the longstanding practice of disarming dangerous people and does not violate an individuals Second Amendment rights. More than half of female homicide victims are killed by current or former male intimate partners. Firearms are used in more than 50% of those homicides. More than two dozen states have laws that prevent someone subject to an order in a domestic violence case from buying or possessing a gun and ammunition. Some of those states include Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Protecting victims Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement the decision upheld a law that protects victims by keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals who pose a threat to their intimate partners and children. As the Justice Department argued, and as the Court reaffirmed today, that commonsense prohibition is entirely consistent with the Courts precedent and the text and history of the Second Amendment, Garland said. Angela Ferrell-Zabala, the executive director of the gun safety advocacy group Moms Demand Action, said in a statement that the courts decision will ensure that millions across the country will be protected over the desires of gun rights extremists. This is a win for the gun safety movement and another loss for the gun lobby hellbent on putting lives in danger, Ferrell-Zabala said. Douglas Letter, the chief legal officer of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a statement that he hopes lower courts will follow the advice from Fridays ruling. Guns are the number one weapon of choice for domestic abusers, and there is no reason why anyone who is a known danger should be permitted access to firearms, Letter said. The post U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns appeared first on Tennessee Lookout. A customer tries out a semi-automatic pistol at The Gun Store on Nov. 14, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada A customer tries out a semi-automatic pistol at The Gun Store on Nov. 14, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision on United States v. Rahimi, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that our Nations firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms. When an individual has been found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another, that individual may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment, Roberts wrote. Justice Clarence Thomas, a staunch advocate of the Second Amendment, was the lone dissent. Thomas argued that the question before the court was not if someone can have their firearms taken away under the Second Amendment, but instead whether the Government can strip the Second Amendment right of anyone subject to a protective order even if he has never been accused or convicted of a crime. It cannot. The White House and gun safety advocates welcomed the long-awaited decision as a major victory. No one who has been abused should have to worry about their abuser getting a gun, President Joe Biden said in a statement. As a result of todays ruling, survivors of domestic violence and their families will still be able to count on critical protections, just as they have for the past three decades. 2022 decision This was the first major test of the 2022 Supreme Court decision New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that struck down a New York law limiting carrying firearms in the open in a decision from the high court that greatly expanded gun rights. Thomas wrote that decision. Because of the Bruen decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit vacated Zackey Rahimis conviction on the grounds that the federal law violated his Second Amendment rights. In 2019, Rahimi assaulted his girlfriend in Arlington, Texas, and threatened to shoot her if she told anyone, according to the Department of Justice. That led to a restraining order that suspended his handgun license and prohibited him from possessing firearms. But Rahimi did not adhere to that order and then threatened another woman with a gun, and two months later opened fire in public five times. J. Matthew Wright, a federal public defender in North Texas who argued for his client, Rahimi, declined to comment on the decision. Roberts says appeals court was wrong Roberts argued the courts decision in Bruen does not help Rahimi, and said the 5th Circuits decision was wrong in its methodology. Roberts said instead of reviewing the circumstances in which the federal law was most likely to be constitutional, the panel instead focused on hypothetical scenarios where the provision might raise constitutional concerns. He said that lower courts have misunderstood the methodology the high court used in the Bruen decision and that those precedents were not meant to suggest a law trapped in amber. Roberts said that lower courts should discern why and how the regulation burdens on the Second Amendment right are central to this inquiry. For example, if laws at the founding regulated firearm use to address particular problems, that will be a strong indicator that contemporary laws imposing similar restrictions of similar reasons fall within a permissible category of regulations, he said. As Bruen explained, a challenged regulation that does not precisely match its historical precursors still may be analogous enough to pass constitutional muster. Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a concurring opinion in which she said while she agreed with the Rahimi decision, she still believed Bruen was wrongly decided. However, she added the decision clarifies Bruens historical inquiry. Rather than asking whether a present-day gun regulation has a precise historical analogue, courts applying Bruen should conside(r) whether the challenged regulation is consistent with the principles that underpin our regulatory tradition, she said. Sotomayor said in the Rahimi case, the government did not identify a founding-era or Reconstruction-era law that specifically disarmed domestic abusers, but that it didnt need to because there is shared principle in restricting gun use by those who pose a threat. History has a role to play in Second Amendment analysis, but a rigid adherence to history, (particularly history predating the inclusion of women and people of color as full members of the polity), impoverishes constitutional interpretation and hamstrings our democracy, she said. Historical precedent During oral arguments in November before the court, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Biden administration, argued that the 5th Circuit misinterpreted the Bruen decision. She said there is historical precedent in the ability of Congress to disarm those who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens. Under a 1994 federal law, anyone who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and, or, is subject to domestic violence protective orders, is prohibited from purchasing and having possession of firearms and ammunition. During those oral arguments, the justices both liberal and conservative seemed to side with Prelogars argument that the federal law is in line with the longstanding practice of disarming dangerous people and does not violate an individuals Second Amendment rights. More than half of female homicide victims are killed by current or former male intimate partners. Firearms are used in more than 50% of those homicides. More than two dozen states have laws that prevent someone subject to an order in a domestic violence case from buying or possessing a gun and ammunition. Some of those states include Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Protecting victims Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement the decision upheld a law that protects victims by keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals who pose a threat to their intimate partners and children. As the Justice Department argued, and as the Court reaffirmed today, that commonsense prohibition is entirely consistent with the Courts precedent and the text and history of the Second Amendment, Garland said. Angela Ferrell-Zabala, the executive director of the gun safety advocacy group Moms Demand Action, said in a statement that the courts decision will ensure that millions across the country will be protected over the desires of gun rights extremists. This is a win for the gun safety movement and another loss for the gun lobby hellbent on putting lives in danger, Ferrell-Zabala said. Douglas Letter, the chief legal officer of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a statement that he hopes lower courts will follow the advice from Fridays ruling. Guns are the number one weapon of choice for domestic abusers, and there is no reason why anyone who is a known danger should be permitted access to firearms, Letter said. The post U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns appeared first on Kansas Reflector. Russian firefighters try to extinguish a blaze at after an alleged drone attack - Russian Emergencies Ministry/REUTERS Kyiv has complained that the United States has set limits on how far it can strike within Russia, hindering its ability to target airfields. Ukrainian officials have claimed that Washington has limited how far it can strike inside Russia to within 62 miles of its border, which puts air bases used by Russian warplanes out of reach, according to The Washington Post. Officials have denied the claim, with a Pentagon spokesman insisting that Ukraine has the ability to hit back. The US gave Ukraine permission to strike targets inside Russia with US-made missiles at the beginning of this month after the Kremlin launched an attack across the border towards Kharkiv. Washington had been reluctant to allow US missiles to strike Russia because it was worried about escalating the war. The row over US rules for Ukrainian missile strikes reignited as Russian forces claimed to have used a FAB-3000 M-54 glide bomb, twice the size of its standard FAB-1500 bomb, for the first time in Ukraine. A video circulating on Telegram showed massive damage to the village of Lyptsi, in the Kharkiv region, after an alleged FAB-3000 glide bomb strike, even though commentary admitted that it had missed its target. The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, described the attack as a significant development that increased the Kremlins firepower. The strike was not particularly accurate, but the destruction radius of the FAB-3000 will compensate for its lack of accuracy, it said. The Kremlin has developed winged navigation equipment called UMPK that is retrofitted to standard bombs. These kits give bombs a basic guiding capacity and also allow warplanes to drop them a safe distance from the target. Some Russian military bloggers, though, have been less impressed with the emergence of the FAB-3000 glide bomb. Fighterbomber, which has 468,000 subscribers on Telegram and specialises in aviation warfare, said that Russias Su-34 warplanes can only carry one FAB-3000 glide bomb, rather than three FAB-1500s, and that advances to Ukraines electronic warfare systems were denting their accuracy. The age of the UMPK with cheap satellite guidance systems is ending, it said. Electronic warfare is winning. Accuracy is dropping. 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 Financial Times reported that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Serbian exports of ammunition that have reached Ukraine through third parties have amounted to about 800 million. Source: European Pravda with reference to the Financial Times Details: Serbia has been quietly increasing its sales of ammunition to the West, which ultimately contributes to Ukraine's defence capabilities even though Serbia is one of only two European countries that have not joined Western sanctions against Russia. Estimates provided by the Financial Times indicate that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Serbian exports of ammunition that have entered Ukraine through third parties have amounted to around 800 million, a figure that President Aleksandar Vucic has described as broadly accurate. He presented the situation as a business opportunity, insisting that he would not take sides in the war. Quote from Vucic: "This is part of our economic revival, and it is important for us. Yes, we export our ammunition. We can't export to Ukraine or Russia... but we had a lot of contracts with the Americans, the Spaniards, the Czechs, and others. What they do with it in the end is their choice. Even if I know [where the ammunition is going], it's not my job. My job is to make sure that we handle our ammunition legally, that we sell it... I have to take care of my people, and that's it. That's all I can say. We have friends in Kyiv and Moscow. These are our Slavic brothers." More details: Asked if the 800 million figure was correct, he said it was not for one year, but "maybe two or three years, something like that". Background: Serbia participated in the inaugural Peace Summit and signed the final communique. Serbia, Russia's ally in the Balkans, has repeatedly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the UN and other international forums but has refused to join international sanctions against the Kremlin. Since 2022, Serbian President Vucic has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three times during international events abroad, most recently at the Ukraine-Balkans summit in Tirana in February. During the summit, Vucic insisted that references to sanctions against Russia be removed from the final declaration. Support UP or become our patron! Russia began launching Kalibr long-range cruise missiles from the Sea of Azov late Friday night. This was the first time this is said to have occurred. The Russian Navy had previously been firing sea-launched Kalibr land attack missiles at Ukraine from the Black Sea, but that became more dangerous for them because of repeated attacks by Ukrainian missiles and aerial and sea dones. This marks a significant turning point because the Russians consider it a safer area compared to the Black Sea, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk told a national television audience on June 22. At night, Russians, for the first time, launched 4 Kalibr missiles from the Azov Sea, not the Black Sea Ukrainian Navy"This is an important turning point because they now consider the Sea of Azov safer," the Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk. pic.twitter.com/SZEoSrR6E5 Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 22, 2024 The Russians launched four Kalibr missiles from the Sea of Azov, said Pletenchuk. It was part of a combined attack on cities and power installations involving six Shahed-136 drones and a total of 16 air-, land- and sea-launched missiles. Cites and energy facilities across Ukraine were hit, including Ivano-Frankvivsk, Lutsk, and Lviv in the west and Kyiv and Vinnytsia in the center of the country, and Zaporizhzhia in the south, the Ukrainian RBC news outlet reported. Of 16 missiles, 12 were downed by Ukrainian air defenses as well as all six drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Russian missile attack at night:Energy facilities in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia regions were damaged;In Ivano-Frankivsk, several buildings of educational institutions were destroyed;In Kryvyi Rih, windows were broken in the buildings of three educational institutions. pic.twitter.com/gP1guNkOi0 MAKS 24 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) June 22, 2024 The Russian Navy moved nine ships into the Sea of Azov on June 20, the Ukrainian Navy said. However, it has not abandoned all kinetic operations from the Black Sea. During the overnight attack, the Russian Navy also launched Kalilbr missiles from that body of water as well. The Navy spokesperson noted that there are now three Russian ships in the Sea of Azov capable of carrying a combined 20 missiles and one submarine in the Black Sea that carry up to four cruise missiles. He did not name those ships. Having submarines continue to launch from the Black Sea would make sense as the Russian Kilo class boats are far less vulnerable than their surface warfare counterparts when out to sea. Russia is now firing missiles at Ukraine from the Sea of Azov. Google Earth image While the Russians have decided they can use the Sea of Azov for positioning their ships and launching attacks, Pletenchuk offered a warning to Russia. They seem to forget that the Sea of Azov is also quite close to us, he added. While Ukraine can strike Russian ports there with missiles and drones, hitting ships underway or at anchor will be a lot harder. The sea drones Ukraine has been using to good effect in the Black Sea will have a very difficult time accessing the Azov Sea. They would have to pass under the Kerch Bridge, which is now highly defended against such infiltrations. Beyond that, Russian controlled territory surrounds the body of water by a sizable buffer zone and a very defense air defense overall sits atop the region. The Kerch area, where these ships are likely operating, sits nearly 150 miles from the front lines. Still, Ukraine and its foreign backers have been very crafty about ways to reach strike into Russian controlled territory. Denying Russia this area for launches will certainly become a pressing objective if they continue. Before diving into more developments from the conflict in Ukraine, The War Zone readers can review our previous coverage here. The Latest Russian forces continued to conduct offensive operations across the battlefield, with few territorial gains. Moscows troops advanced to the west and south of Donetsk City, according to the latest Institute for the Study of War assessment. They also gained ground along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line in Luhansk Oblast amid continued ground attacks. Fighting also raged in northern Kharkiv Oblast, Donestk Oblast and Zaporizhia Oblast with no confirmed changes to the frontlines, according to ISW. NEW: Putin continues to invoke nuclear threats as part of his ongoing information campaign to discourage further Western support for Ukraine and undermine the int'l community's efforts to cohere its strategic vision for defeating Russias war of conquest against Ukraine (1/X) pic.twitter.com/VnXEn4GseD Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 22, 2024 The Biden administrations decision to allow Ukraine to fire American weapons into Russia extends beyond just over the border from Kharkiv Oblast, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told PBS on Tuesday. Ukraine can use weapons like M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS anywhere that Russian forces are coming across the border from the Russian side to the Ukrainian side to try to take additional Ukrainian territory. Ukraine is still prevented, however, from using U.S.-donated Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles. Ukraine has received variants that can strike about 186 miles and 100 miles. The first Ukrainian attack using HIMARS-fired Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions which have a range of about 50 miles took place in the Belgorod region in the beginning of June. You can read more about that here. However, Russia has in recent days indicated it may soon move on the northeastern city of Sumy, Politico noted. That city, about 90 miles northwest of Kharkiv, sits almost equidistant from both Belgorod and Kursk oblasts. If Russia attacks that city, the Biden administrations weapons policy would apply there as well, Sullivan added. This is not about geography. Its about common sense, Sullivan surmised. If Russia is attacking or about to attack from its territory into Ukraine, it only makes sense to allow Ukraine to hit back against the forces that are hitting it from across the border. Sumy Days later the Pentagons spokesman said there was no change to U.S. policy. That even though it was rolled out indicating that Ukraine could only use U.S. weapons near Kharkiv, which is about 20 miles south of Belgorod Oblast. There has been no change in the policy, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Thursday. And really, at the end of the day, this comes down to counter-fire, right? And what you saw in the Kharkiv region is Russia was conducting its offensive, was the massing of forces, artillery fire, preparatory fire into Ukraine as they conducted these operations. And so, he added, the ability to be able to fire back when fired upon is really what this policy is focused on. Pentagon press sec: "There has been no change in the policy & really, at the end of the day, this comes down to counter-fire right?#Ukraine can & does have the right to fire back to defend themselves.@NatashaBertrand So it's broader than #Kharkiv to be clear?Ryder: Correct. Carla Babb (@CarlaBabbVOA) June 20, 2024 Speaking of strikes into Russia using NATO weapons, the head of Germanys Bundestag Defense Committee shrugged off concerns about how Moscow might react. Russia will have one less plane, said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann. One less plane heading to Ukraine to kill Ukrainians. Recall that back in January, a German-provided Patriot air defense system was responsible for shooting down a Russian A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft over the Sea of Azov, according to a U.S. Army officer. Col. Rosanna Clemente, Assistant Chief of Staff at the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, described that engagement as a SAMbush, or surface-to-air missile ambush. You can read more about that here. What if a Russian jet is shot down by Western weapons in Russian airspace?"Russia will have one less plane. One less plane heading to Ukraine to kill Ukrainians," Says the head of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann. pic.twitter.com/nzEYu3TQg9 UNITED24 Media (@United24media) June 4, 2024 The Netherlands and another country are going to supply Ukraine with a Patriot system, The Times, a Dutch news outlet, reported. Outgoing Defense minister Kajsa Ollongren announced on Friday that they succeeded in collecting parts that can then form a complete system, the publication reported. However, she would not reveal the other country helping supply the system. She thinks the country involved should announce that, The Times reported. She had been working on accomplishing this for some time. The Dutch Defence Minister says that they have been successful in getting a commitment for these other Patriot components from an unidentified donor country. So Ukraine will have an additional Patriot battery coming this year. https://t.co/JpFdpdwWCj Colby Badhwar (@ColbyBadhwar) June 21, 2024 The announcement follows one by the Biden administration that it is temporarily delaying sales of Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS interceptors to any nation but Ukraine and Taiwan. It also comes a day after Romania announced it would provide Ukraine with a Patriot battery. Romanias decision to transfer one more Patriot system to Ukraine is a truly strong move. It will increase security throughout our region and for all of our neighbours. For Moldova, the Baltic states, and Romania. We have the ability to overcome Russian imperial ambitions and pic.twitter.com/nkb8pkqNJi Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 20, 2024 Russian Telegram channels are complaining they are seriously outgunned when it comes to First-Person View (FPV) drones, according to research compiled by drone expert Samuel Bendett. The ratio of UAVs at the front is now approximately 1 to 6 not in our favor., one Telegram channel bemoaned. One of the biggest reasons is stifling Russian bureaucracy. In Russia, a lot of promising projects have stalled either because of bureaucracy or due to lack of funding, the Telegramer explained. By contrast, there is a quicker Test & Evaluation (T&E) process in Ukraine, where much of the effort is crowd sourced and driven by small entities, not massive conglomerations. 4/ "about this, and very quickly otherwise we will be hopelessly behind. We need to invest not only in state corporations for state defense orders, but also in promising DIY/garage workers. It is not that difficult to identify them." pic.twitter.com/sWAlp4E26K Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) June 21, 2024 Another Telegram channel suggested that Russia follow Ukraines lead and create its own drone unit. Ukraine has a separate branch of the military called the Unmanned Systems Forces. I would create a separate UAV regiment 3,000-4,000 people who could fight along the entire front, said Mikhail Filipov, founder of the volunteer Project Archangel effort. We need approximately 100,000 kamikaze drones per month this is the average consumption. Such a regiment should work with EW and electronic recon systems. 1/ QUICK TAKE on the comments made by Mikhail Filipov, the founder of Russia's "Project Archangel" volunteer effort, on the drone war in Ukraine: "Even before the (invasion), Ukraine was doing very well with UAVs." pic.twitter.com/ABBDeiQI6e Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) June 21, 2024 In an effort to protect themselves against drones, especially FPV models, Russians have begun to deploy the Tetrahedron Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems/Counter-FPV Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment on many more of its vehicles, according to the Russian Two Majors Telegram channel that first posted the video. Little is known about the system or how well it works, if it even works at all. The Tetrahedron CUAS/Counter-FPV EW system, is now getting installed on many Russian military vehicles, including on this donated SUV. https://t.co/07yTBymHCj https://t.co/Vknqw6jK4P pic.twitter.com/QMoZsYpaIf Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) June 21, 2024 In a brutal moment in a horrible war, a Russian soldier begs a comrade for help or possibly to put him out of his misery after being hit by a Ukrainian FPV drone. In this chilling video below, you can see him comply. Warning, this is graphic. Russian soldier, at the request of his wounded comrade, finishes him off after he was hit by FPV drone strike. pic.twitter.com/fkIWvZxYoC Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2024 The Russian soldier in this drone video never really had a chance against this FPV drone. You can it back him into a rut caused by a heavy armored vehicle. He rolls into the rut, then out, where the drone strikes him. Just dont go there then its too late to beg the drone for mercy.Entering a foreign country with weapons with the intent to ill must have this consequence.https://t.co/kKkvfqUrdY pic.twitter.com/S9nvoFbI4Z KIU Russian Officers killed in Ukraine (@KilledInUkraine) June 22, 2024 A Russian Osa air defense transporter, launcher and radar (TLAR) vehicle tried to shoot down a Ukrainian drone. Instead it was hit by an FPV drone from Ukraines 79th Air Assault Brigade. You can see the TLAR being hit in this video below. Video from Ukraines 79th Air Assault Brigade showing an FPV strike on a Russian Osa air defense TLAR after it attempted to shoot down an ISR UAV. https://t.co/tXu4qkDJtl pic.twitter.com/zIsDxbbIZC Rob Lee (@RALee85) June 22, 2024 A new Ukrainian mystery drone is causing havoc in Russia. The twin-tail boomed drone is made out of a honeycombed composite, according to Twitter user Daniel R (@DanielR33187703), who describes himself as an imaging physicist. They are powered by Chinese-made DLE 120 engines that can make 12hp engine and are able to carry 20 kg (about 44 pounds) of munitions at least 300 km (about 186 miles). The drones have no known name. Daniel R surmised they might be the Dragon or Splash drones that Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) told us hit the Morosovsk Air Base deep inside Russia on June 14. 18. A recent article citing Budanov reported Ukrainian Dragon and Splash drones attacked Morosovsk Airfield in russia. I cannot find anything on Dragon & Splash. Thus, the mystery drone is likely named either Dragon or Splash.https://t.co/SJUtbCRCwQ pic.twitter.com/ILeit5ZWG3 DanielR (@DanielR33187703) June 20, 2024 Another Ukrainian drone innovation is this large quadcopter holding nine munitions that can be dropped on targets as if being released from a bomb bay. A Ukrainian drone with a bomb rack carrying nine 3D printed shaped-charge munitions. The long metal rod projecting out in front of the bombs is part of the impact fuze, and provides crucial stand-off distance for the Explosively Formed Jet (EFJ) to fully form. pic.twitter.com/yWn99Qg3zr Roy (@GrandpaRoy2) June 21, 2024 Both sides are now using drones made out of cardboard. Ukraine was the first to use them after they were provided by Australia. Russians apparently then made copies. Both sides in Ukraine are using versions of the Australian Corvo cardboard drone. The crashed drone on the left is made in Ukraine and called PM-752, while the Russian Kovrovets-01 on the right is a simplified copy of the Australian original.1/2https://t.co/WJwhr1NNy4 https://t.co/gcs1adFBNn pic.twitter.com/rwi0AP7cTY Roy (@GrandpaRoy2) June 21, 2024 A Ukrainian Shark drone is seen in the video below being launched and used to spot Russian drone operators, who were then bombarded as a result. The Ukrainian military, using the Shark drone, discovered the location of Russian drone operators and transmitted coordinates to strike them pic.twitter.com/DCXMwjYZpH UkraineNewsLive (@UkraineNewsLive) June 21, 2024 A Russian tank in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, is seen getting blown to smithereens after reportedly being attacked by a Ukrainian FPV drone. It is claimed the drone flew into the cope-cage on top and penetrated the turret, exploding the tanks ammunition. However, it is hard to make out the drone in the video below. Avdiivka, a Ukrainian FPV munition flies into a Russian tank, penetrating the turret and causing an immediate catastrophic ammunition detonation. pic.twitter.com/OE8GFhPuyn OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 20, 2024 A Russian Turtle Self-Propelled Mortar (a cousin of the infamous Turtle Tanks) sporting added armor plates on the top and sides was struck by an FPV drone, which you can see from the drones perspective in this video below. It flies under the shell-like covering, striking the 2S9 Nona self-propelled mortar on the hull. Another drone captures it erupting in flames. Detonation after a Ukrainian drone strike. pic.twitter.com/XUoMivHj0l UkraineNewsLive (@UkraineNewsLive) June 20, 2024 Ukrainian troops displayed the Turtle Tank they captured earlier this month. It turned out to be an old T-62M clad in sheet metal with a non-operational gun, no ammunition and a turret locked in place. Check out their tour below: The Ukrainian Army released an extensive video of the infamous Russian turtle tanks. They are far worse than expected.Underneath that garbage is an old T-62M. The gun is not operational, there is no ammunition and the turret is locked in place. The panels are sheet metal pic.twitter.com/s33mm5zg5w (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) June 22, 2024 Speaking of Turtle Tanks, retired Australian Army Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan, now a military analyst, posted a Twitter thread with his thoughts about those armor-clad contraptions. While they are weird-looking beasts, they address a specific battlefield need. They are a particular solution to a particular problem, he wrote. After 26 months of war, adaptations on both sides have led to an increasingly difficult environment for the conduct of offensive operations. In particular, closing with the enemy and breaking into their defences is difficult. The Turtle Tanks are therefore testbeds for new tactics and tech. They provide the following: 1. Survivability against drones, loitering munitions & FPV; 2. electronic breaching operations as part of ground assault; 3. integration of drone & EW defenses into combined arms operations; 4. integration of physical and electronic breaching in a single platform. 9/ The turtle tank is also a demonstration of the adaptive capacity of the Russian Army. While they have been generally slower at learning than the Ukrainian military, they have managed to learn and adapt throughout the war. Read my full assessment here:https://t.co/juTpKbrYg4 pic.twitter.com/iHpdYZEvEV Mick Ryan, AM (@WarintheFuture) June 19, 2024 One minute, these Russian troops were standing in their trench dugout, the next minute, all hell broke lose after it was hit by a Ukrainian artillery shell. This video below vividly captures the horrors and chaos of war. Artillery shell hits Russian trench. pic.twitter.com/SdOHHGHNhZ Clash Report (@clashreport) June 20, 2024 Two days ago, we told you about a fire at a Russian refinery in Azov, southern Russia, had been burning for 36 hours after a Ukrainian drone strike. It was still burning as of Friday, but Vasily Golubev, the governor of Rostov Oblast, said on his Telegram channel that by noon local time it has been extinguished. 3 days later " Due to strong winds, the fire at the Azov oil depot became stronger the flames are visible even from Rostov. Smoke blows to Azov, Bataysk and Rostov" pic.twitter.com/V3z1XdioDo PS01 (@PStyle0ne1) June 20, 2024 Satellite images show a before and after view of that facility. Before / After damage to the Russian oil terminal in Azov, Rostov Oblast, Russia.Imagery shows June 14 vs June 21Satellite imagery collected on June and 18 and 20 shows sustained smoke plumes. pic.twitter.com/EQx45jQb2A George Barros (@georgewbarros) June 21, 2024 Russian troops apparently tried to hide some ammunition in ammonia fertilizer stored in Russias Kursk region, but it didnt work out so well. You can see the explosive results below. If you love huge explosions, this video is for you Reportedly ammo was hidden in the middle of ammonia fertilizer in the Kursk region pic.twitter.com/kFUVC4CQGn PS01 (@PStyle0ne1) June 22, 2024 Russia is continuing to build out its aforementioned fortifications of barges designed to protect the twice-damaged Kerch Bridge. The barges are designed to prevent drone boats from striking the bridge, as was the case last July, when Ukrainian Sea Baby drones caused extensive damage to Vladimir Putins prized $4 billion span linking Russia to the Crimean peninsula it illegally occupies. The video below, compiled by AEI Foreign Policy spokesman Brady Africk from satellite imagery from May 12 to June 21, shows the barrier growing from one barge west of the bridge to 24 arrayed in an upside-down L formation. Russia continues adding barriers around the Crimean bridge to defend against Ukraines naval drones in the Kerch Strait. pic.twitter.com/sTirLnxDuv Brady Africk (@bradyafr) June 21, 2024 On Thursday, we told you that video emerged possibly showing Russias use of its massive FAB-3000 M54 bomb equipped with a with a UMPK-series glide bomb kit. Those modules consist of a pop-out wing kit and a guidance package, as you can read more about here. It was possibly seen striking a building in Liptsy, a village in the Kharkiv region. On Friday, another video was posted showing what is claimed to be a second 6,600 pound behemoth striking a building in that town. The drone view shows the building being targeted then the massive munition landing to the left of the building instead of directly on it. FAB-3000s are fucking brutal. The shed to the left seems to be like 100m? from the impact and still had the blast wave and possibly shrapnel penetrate it.However it seems the actual target, the building to the right, was missed by 10-15m.I suppose weight affects accuracy. pic.twitter.com/syDjxksKIM WarVehicleTracker (@WarVehicle) June 21, 2024 While the FAB-3000 offers massive explosive power, turning the weighty weapon into a glide bomb is a terrible idea, the Russian Aerospace Forces-connected Fighterbomber Telegram channel seethed. Its too big for its bomb truck to carry more than one and there are better options for that conversion kit, he steamed. On March 22, I wrote my opinion about the uselessness of UMPC of this caliber in modern warfare, Fighterbomber complained. About the next day, a decision was made to create a UMPC for this bomb. The designers of the aircraft, the designers of the UMPC, quickly built a new UMPC from scratch for a bomb and made it friends with the Su-34 [Fullback fighter-bomber]. But the miracle did not happen, Fighterbomber continued. And the Su-34 cannot carry more than one 3000 bombthe customers fucked everyone up and paid huge amounts of money from the state so that the Su-34 could bomb one bomb per target. Thursdays video clearly shows that the power of the FAB-3000 is only slightly greater than the power of the FAB-1500. By the way, this was the main reason why their production was curtailed. Judging by the depth of the crater, the bomb was set for an instant explosion, so all the energy was spent on high-explosive fragmentation, and not on digging a hole. The Russian Aerospace Forces-connected Fighterbober Telegram channel does not love the FAB-300/UMPC bomb combination. Fighterbomber Telegram Thats it for now. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com View comments The Russians have conducted a combined air strike on critical infrastructure facilities in several Ukrainian oblasts on the night of 21-22 June 2024. Ukraines air defence has destroyed 12 air-, ground- and sea-launched missiles and 13 Shahed attack UAVs. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: In total, the Russians used 16 missiles of various types and 13 attack UAVs, namely: 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic aircraft (from Russias Saratov Oblast) 2 Iskander-K ballistic missiles (from temporarily occupied Crimea) 4 Kalibr cruise missiles (from the Black Sea) 13 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs (from Russias Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Balaklava in Crimea) As a result of combat efforts, the following aerial targets were downed: 7 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles 4 Kalibr cruise missile 1 Iskander-K ballistic missile 13 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs. Background: The Russians attacked facilities belonging to the power transmission system operator in Ukraines south and west on the night of 21-22 June. Two energy workers have been injured at the scene as a result of the attack. Support UP or become our patron! The Ukrainian partisan group ATESH has claimed one of its agents successfully infiltrated a Russian air base and hinted at carrying out sabotage operations. In a post on Telegram on June 22, the group said it had scouted the Baltimore airfield in Voronezh, around 220 kilometers north-east from the border with Kharkiv Oblast and home to Russia's 47th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment. Pictures and videos accompanying the post show several aircraft including a helicopter and what ATESH say are SU-34 fighter-bombers, a plane Russia frequently employs to launch missiles at Ukrainian cities. "In some of them, Russians now have surprises waiting for them," the post reads. ATESH also claimed to have passed on information about the base to Ukrainian authorities, adding: "Soon, we will see the result of our work." #ATESH has been successfully infiltrated into the 47th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment at Baltimore Airfield in Voronezh. Su-34 fighter-bombers are based here and used in operations against Ukraine. Expect further developments soon.#UkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/YP9qzxYWxL ATESH_eng (@atesh_eng) June 22, 2024 The Kyiv Independent could not verify the photos or the claims made by ATESH. The SU-34 is reported to have been the aircraft used in Russia's recent first use of the three ton FAB-3000 high-explosive aerial bomb in Kherson Oblast earlier this month. A video claims to show a FAB-3000 bomb striking the end of a building used by the Ukrainian army as a temporary deployment point (TDP). The post accompanying the video explains that the bomb did not succeed in making a direct hit on the target but still caused massive damage. Ukraine could not confirm that Russia used the bomb, Air Force spokesperson Illia Yevlash said in a comment for the Kyiv Independent. The ATESH movement is highly-active in both occupied areas of Ukraine and inside Russia itself. On June 12, the group said a Russian satellite communication station was destroyed in a sabotage attack in Moscow Oblast. In a video posted by Atesh partisans on Telegram, an Atesh agent is seen pouring a flammable liquid on an R-441 Liven communications satellite. The communications station is seen subsequently catching fire. The incident allegedly occurred in the Klin district of Moscow Oblast - approximately 85 kilometers (over 50 miles) northwest of the Russian capital. Read also: Inside occupied Ukraines most effective resistance movements Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Some of the Russian forces are withdrawing from the area near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast for replenishment due to a loss of combat capability, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia group of forces, Nazar Voloshyn, said on June 22 on national television. Russia launched a new offensive on May 10 in northern Kharkiv Oblast, and Vovchansk became the scene of some of the heaviest fighting. Moscow's forces had advanced as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) in the region but had been halted by the first line of defense. Russia was "bogged down" in the embattled town of Vovchansk but was constantly replenishing its forces with units from other directions, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on June 12. The withdrawal of Russian units was also seen near the villages of Lyptsi and Tykhe, where the Russian armed forces suffered losses, Voloshyn said. Voloshin said that the Russian army had lost 60 of its troops, including both killed or wounded, in that direction of the front line. "This indicates that the enemy has suspended its active hostilities in that area, as they were not conducted over the past day and in the morning," Voloshyn said. Subscribe to newsletter War Notes Subscribe The Russian military yet continues to use guided aerial bombs and missiles against the settlements in the oblast, the spokesperson added. On June 21, a Russian drone hit an Ukrposhta postal vehicle in the community of Vovchansk in Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast, killing a courier and injuring a driver, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported The injured individual reportedly walked to the nearby village of Buhaiivka, where he was taken to the hospital by Ukrainian military personnel in the area. Syniehubov said access is restricted to the site of the attack due to constant shelling. 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. British politician Nigel Farage has doubled down on his controversial claim that Russia was provoked into launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the expansion of NATO and the EU. In an article for The Telegraph on June 22, titled "The Wests errors in Ukraine have been catastrophic. I wont apologize for telling the truth," Farage denied he was "an apologist or supporter of Putin." The politician, who heads a newly-resurgent Reform UK party, drew widespread criticism on June 20 when he said the EU and NATO "provoked" Russias invasion of Ukraine by expanding eastwards. "I am not and never have been an apologist or supporter of Putin," he wrote in the June 22 article. "His invasion of Ukraine was immoral, outrageous and indefensible. As a champion of national sovereignty, I believe that Putin was entirely wrong to invade the sovereign nation of Ukraine. "Nobody can fairly accuse me of being an appeaser. I have never sought to justify Putins invasion in any way and Im not now." Farage then insisted he saw the war coming "a decade ago," saying the West has "played into Putins hands, giving him the excuse to do what he wanted to do anyway." Farage's comments echo Kremlin disinformation lines used to justify the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, namely that Russia was forced to start the war to protect itself from the threat from NATO. The stance ignores the fact NATO is a defensive alliance and one of the main motivating factors for countries in Eastern Europe including Ukraine to join, is an understanding of the Kremlin's imperialist ambitions rooted in a long and bloody history of falling victim to it. Russia has invaded two European countries this century Ukraine and Georgia, neither of which are members of the EU or NATO. Sweden and Finland both joined NATO as a direct response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Putin himself has in recent years revived a distorted version of Russia's imperialist past in an attempt to create a new national identity and convince Russia's citizenry that in order to survive, it must wage war on the West. In a 2021 essay titled "On the historical unity of the Russians and Ukrainians," often overlooked by those saying Russia was provoked into invading Ukraine, Putin laid out what he saw as Russia's rightful historical claim to Ukraine. In an analysis of the essay in July 2021, the Atlantic Council wrote: In one particularly ominous passage, he openly questions the legitimacy of Ukraines borders and argues that much of modern-day Ukraine occupies historically Russian lands, before stating matter of factly, Russia was robbed. Elsewhere, he hints at a fresh annexation of Ukrainian territory, claiming, I am becoming more and more convinced of this: Kyiv simply does not need Donbas. Putin ends his lengthy treatise by appearing to suggest that Ukrainian statehood itself ultimately depends on Moscows consent, declaring, I am confident that true sovereignty of Ukraine is possible only in partnership with Russia. Despite being around 5,500 words long, the essay only made reference to NATO once in a paragraph that falsely claimed the "Ukrainian authorities, security services and armed forces" were under the influence of "NATO infrastructure." In June 2022, Putin admitted the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was an imperial war to "return" Russian lands. Read also: It really is insane: Ex-defense minister on Slovakias pro-Russian turn Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By William James LONDON (Reuters) - Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's right-wing Reform UK party, said the eastward of expansion of the European Union and NATO had provoked Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The remarks, made in an interview with the BBC aired late on Friday, drew strong criticism across the British political spectrum ahead of a July 4 election in which Farage's party is predicted to win millions of votes. Farage said he stood by comments made shortly after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when he posted on social media that the move was a "consequence of EU and NATO expansion". He said he had been predicting a war in Ukraine as early as 2014. "It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say, 'They're coming for us again' and to go to war," Farage said in Friday's BBC interview. "We provoked this war ... of course it's his (Putin's) fault - he's used what we've done as an excuse." Russia 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 reject this and accuse Russia of waging an illegal war of conquest. Farage's decades of campaigning against Britain's membership of the EU and mass immigration has made him one of the country's most recognisable and divisive politicians. His surprise entry into the election race has further hit Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's hopes of closing the centre-left Labour Party's opinion poll lead. Even though Reform is unlikely to win many seats in parliament, it could split the right-of-centre vote across the country. The party held only one seat in the last parliament, which it gained when a Conservative lawmaker defected. Farage's remarks on Ukraine drew immediate condemnation. Sunak said Farage was "completely wrong", accusing him of appeasement that put Britain and its allies' security at risk. Labour's defence spokesman John Healey called Farage's comments disgraceful and labelled him a "Putin apologist". Farage later posted on X: "Putin was wrong to invade a sovereign nation, and the EU was wrong to expand eastward. The sooner we realise this, the closer we will be to ending the war and delivering peace." (Reporting by William James; Editing by Helen Popper) FILE - Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva speaks to the media at a polling station during the presidential election in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan,on Oct. 30, 2011. U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva was pummeled with questions Friday, June 21, 2024 from journalists about criticism from human rights organizations at the omission of Afghan women from the meeting in Qatars capital Doha on June 30 and July 1. (Sultan Dosaliev/Pool Photo via AP, File) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United Nations' top official in Afghanistan defended the failure to include Afghan women in the upcoming first meeting between the Taliban and envoys from 22 countries, insisting that demands for womens rights are certain to be raised. U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva was pummeled with questions Friday from journalists about criticism from human rights organizations at the omission of Afghan women from the meeting in Qatars capital, Doha, on June 30 and July 1. The Taliban seized power in 2021 as United States and NATO forces withdrew following two decades of war. No country officially recognizes them as Afghanistans government, and the U.N. has said that recognition is almost impossible while bans on female education and employment remain in place. Human Rights Watch Executive Director Tirana Hassan said that, in the face of the Talibans tightening repression of women and girls, the U.N. plans to hold a meeting without womens rights on the agenda or Afghan women in the room are shocking. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said, The credibility of this meeting will be in tatters if it doesnt adequately address the human rights crisis in Afghanistan and fails to involve women human rights defenders and other relevant stakeholders from Afghan civil society. Otunbayeva, a former president and foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan, insisted after briefing the U.N. Security Council that nobody dictated conditions to the United Nations about the Doha meeting, but she confirmed that no Afghan women will be present. U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo will chair the meeting, Otunbayeva said. She will attend, and a few of the 22 special envoys on Afghanistan who are women will also be there. The meeting is the third U.N.-sponsored gathering on the Afghan crisis in Doha. The Taliban werent invited to the first, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said they set unacceptable conditions for attending the second in February, including demands that Afghan civil society members be excluded from the talks and that they be treated as the countrys legitimate rulers. Undersecretary-General DiCarlo visited Afghanistan in May and invited the Taliban Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to attend the upcoming meeting. The Taliban accepted and said they are sending a delegation. We do hope that delegation will be led by de facto Foreign Minister Muttaqi, Otunbayeva said, but the Taliban may send another minister. Just before the Doha gathering, there will be a hybrid meeting with Afghan civil society representatives from inside and outside the country, Otunbayeva said. And on July 2, immediately after Doha, well be meeting all the civil society people. The Taliban have used their interpretation of Islamic law to bar girls from education beyond age 11, ban women from public spaces, exclude them from many jobs, and enforce dress codes and male guardianship requirements. Otunbayeva said the upcoming gathering will be the first face-to-face meeting between the Taliban and the envoys and will focus on what she said were the most important acute issues of today private business and banking, and counter-narcotics policy. Both are about women, she said, and the envoys will tell the Taliban, Look, it doesnt work like this. We should have women around the table. We should provide them also access to businesses. She added that if there are, lets say, 5 million addicted people in Afghanistan, more than 30% are women. Otunbayeva told the Security Council the U.N. hopes the envoys and the Taliban delegation will speak to each other, recognize the need to engage, and agree on next steps to alleviate the uncertainties that face the Afghan people. The U.N. expects a continuation of the dialogue at a fourth Doha meeting later in the year focused on another key issue: the impact of climate change on the country. Lisa Doughten, the U.N. humanitarian offices finance director, told the council that the particularly acute effects of climate change are deepening Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis, saying over 50% of the population some 23.7 million people need humanitarian aid this year, the third-highest number in the world. Extreme weather events are more frequent and more intense, she said. Some areas in Afghanistan have warmed at twice the global average since 1950 with the country experiencing increasing droughts and deadly flash flooding. Otunbayeva said another outcome from the Doha meeting that the U.N. would like to see is the creation of working groups to continue talks on how to help farmers replace poppies producing opium with other crops, how to provide pharmacies with medication to help addicted people, and how to address crime and improve banking and private businesses. As for what the U.N. would like to see, she said, we need badly that they will change their minds and let girls go to school. Otunbayeva said Afghanistan is the only country in the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation that doesnt let girls go to school, which she called a big puzzle. Afghanistan has been very male-dominated and we want to change the minds of young people from such a traditional society towards women, Otunbayeva said. The humanitarian offices Doughten told the council the ban on girls education is fueling an increase in child marriage and early childbearing, with dire physical, emotional and economic consequences. She also cited reports that attempted suicides by women and girls are increasing. Flash Taufiq Rahman, editor-in-chief of the Jakarta Post, delivers a speech at the 2024 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum on June 21, 2024. [Photo courtesy of China International Communications Group] The media plays a crucial role in bridging cultural and political divides, especially amid current global competition, said Taufiq Rahman, editor-in-chief of the Jakarta Post, at the 2024 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum on June 21. Speaking to China.org.cn, Rahman emphasized the significance of the forum, themed "Amity and Innovation for a Shared Future," in promoting positive narratives through media platforms. "The media plays a crucial role in bridging cultural and political divides," Rahman said. "With the current global competition, it's even more important for us to promote positive narratives through our platforms." Rahman believes that the media can significantly impact how people perceive international relationships. "The media can play a role in putting things in perspective, telling our audience that the prosperity of Indonesia lies with working with China, simply because of the economic ties," he said. He illustrated this by citing the recently inaugurated Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative. He also highlighted the cultural ties between Indonesia and China. "Cultural exchanges should be more intensive," he suggested. "In the 70s and 80s, martial arts movies from China were a significant part of Indonesian culture." Rahman expressed his desire to see more such exchanges, as they foster mutual understanding and appreciation between the two nations. Addressing Indonesia's apprehension towards China's development, Rahman stressed the need for a unified and cooperative stance. "We should approach China's development with an open mind and seek win-win solutions through dialogue and cooperation," he said. Looking ahead, Rahman expressed optimism about the future of China-ASEAN media cooperation, emphasizing that stronger ties and a shared future for the region can be built with the right approach and commitment. Bob Bauer has been counsel to presidents and campaigns. His clients included Barack Obama and Joe Biden. In 2020, he played Donald Trump in debate prep. He was as personally insulting and unhinged as Trump can be, he writes in The Unraveling, his latest book. Think politics 24-7-365, with stellar Democratic connections. Bauer is married to Anita Dunn, a veteran of the Obama White House and a presence in the Biden West Wing. Way back at the end of the 1990s, during the impeachment of Bill Clinton, Bauer counseled Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD), the Senate majority leader. In 2018, after 35 years, Bauer left Perkins Coie, the go-to law firm for Democratic campaigns. He teaches law at New York University. But he witnessed the first Trump presidency and dreads a second. Bob Bauer: I Played Donald Trump to Get Joe Biden Ready for Debate Under the subtitle Reflections on Politics without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis, Bauer offers a readable mixture of lament and autobiography. It is part memoir, part rumination, in his words. He was in the room where things happened, but play-by-play is limited. A serious lawyer, Bauer reveals far less than he knows. The Unraveling is no kiss-and-tell, but it is informative. Bauer decries where politics can lead in the absence of ethics and respect for institutions. Considering lawyers place in government, he draws a straight line between Richard Nixon and Trump. The rise and fall of John Dean, Nixons White House counsel who went to jail for his part in the Watergate cover-up, was reflective of what ailed that presidency. As for Trump, he preferred his lawyers to be enablers, to get him what he wanted, Bauer observes. His model is Roy Cohn, the infamous lawyer who worked hand in glove with vicious demagogue Joe McCarthy during the communist witch hunts of the 1950s. Years before becoming a convicted felon himself, Trump made Cohn his lawyer of choice as he carved out a niche in New York real estate. Until Cohn was brought down by AIDS. Then, Trump abandoned him. Donald pisses ice water, Cohn reportedly said before he died. Bauer sees lawyers more recently retained by TrumpRudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark and Sidney Powellas cut from the same rancid cloth. Powell pleaded guilty in Georgia, to charges arising from Trumps election subversion. Giuliani and Clark labor under indictment. Giuliani is bankrupt too. Elsewhere, Bauer acknowledges that once precedent has been set, it is hard to reset the clock. Take lawfare. Back in May 2000, House Democrats and Bauer filed a private racketeering (RICO) lawsuit against Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), then House majority whip, accusing him of extortion, racketeering and money laundering. These are not random acts of coercive fundraising, Bauer said then. This is a systematic effort to build a political organization based on illicit fundraising and the use of organizations to conceal that money. Less than a year later, the case settled. Both sides claimed victory. We had cast DeLay as a partisan John Gotti, Bauer admits. He voices mixed feelings about the suit. The criticism we faced, for a major escalation in the partisan conflict, had merit, and we did not have the most convincing response. Now he tells us. DeLay eventually earned fame, if not fortune, on Dancing With the Stars. So did Giuliani. Still, it appears Bauer has learned a lesson: he advises Democrats against packing the U.S. Supreme Courtthat is, expanding its size in response to Trumps installation of three right-wingersif they ever see a chance to do so. The temptation would be strong. Democrats and Republicans play the norm-busting game, Bauer observes, because it is intolerable that one side would allow the other to play it and not answer in kind. The Clinton impeachment yielded to two Trump impeachments, which begat investigations of Joe Biden and his family and the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security. It doesnt stop there. The Senate Finance Committee, held by Democrats, is poised to investigate Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, and his company over funds from Gulf states. Elsewhere, Bauer takes Al Gores 2000 presidential campaign to task for lying about the voting record of Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ), a rival for the Democratic nomination. Gore not only egregiously misrepresented Bradleys position, but he did so citing a vote on a bill that his own administration had originally opposed, Bauer writes. The press covering the contest saw this as a failure of the Bradley campaign. It was also impressed with the blood-toothed ruthlessness of the Gore operation. A winner, that Gore. Ouch. During the primary, Bauer represented Bradley. After the convention, Gore became a client. Yet when it came to the denouement of the 2000 election and the Supreme Court decision that handed Gore a crushing defeat, Clintons vice president put country ahead of self. In January 2001, Gore presided over the counting of ballots and formally declared the election for George W. Bush. Bauer expresses mixed sentiments about another vice presidentMike Pencefamous for presiding over the counting of ballots. But Bauer approves of Pences stand on Jan. 6, when Trump tried to stay in power but his VP refused to stop certification of Bidens win. At a crucial moment, Pence took the decisive step of breaking with Trump and meeting his constitutional obligations, and did so when to have acted differently would have had grave and lasting consequences for the democracy. The Unraveling is more than an intellectual exercise. Bauers father arrived in the U.S. in 1940, from Austria, a refugee from Hitlers Europe whose mother was shot dead by the Nazis. Bauer describes his dad as an ardent Democrat, one who took politics seriously and who cried when Nixon resigned and Gerald Ford succeeded. The republic and the Constitution had held. These days, Bauer is not sanguine. The crisis of democratic politics is a crisis of public faith in politics, Bauer writes. To restore faith in government, the role of politics has to be defended. 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. SEOUL (Reuters) - A nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, the Theodore Roosevelt, arrived in the South Korean port city of Busan on Saturday to take part in joint military exercises later this month with the host nation and Japan, naval officials said. The leaders of the three countries agreed at a summit last August to hold annual military training drills as they sought to project unity in the face of China's growing power and nuclear threats from North Korea. This month's drills, called "Freedom Edge", will involve the three countries' navies and include maritime, anti-submarine warfare exercises and air defence exercises, said U.S. Rear Admiral Christopher Alexander, commander of the Carrier Strike Group Nine. "The intent is to improve the interoperability between our navies and ensure that we are ready to respond to any crisis or contingency," he told a press conference, saying the Theodore Roosevelt would serve as the command ship for the drills. Last year, the three counties also staged joint naval missile defence and anti-submarine exercises to improve responses to North Korean threats. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea this week for the first time in 24 years and signed a deal with leader Kim Jong Un that included a mutual defence pledge. It was one of Russia's most significant moves in Asia for years, which Kim described as amounting to an alliance. The visit comes seven months after a South Korea trip by another U.S. aircraft carrier, the Carl Vinson, in a show of extended deterrence against the North's nuclear and missile programmes. (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Stephen Coates and Helen Popper) Informal discussions on nuclear weapons between the United States and China resumed in March for the first time in five years, Reuters first reported on June 21, with Beijing delegates assuring their American counterparts that they would not resort to using nuclear threats over Taiwan. According to Reuters, Chinese representatives assured U.S. delegates that China has no intentions of using or threatening to use nuclear weapons if it was faced with a hypothetical defeat in a conflict against Taiwan. The semi-official discussions, led by delegates that include former government officials and scholars, did not involve the U.S. State Department, although a spokesperson for the State Department told Reuters that the talks were "beneficial." Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Western nations have raised concerns that China may invade the island, emboldened by Russia's invasion. In the lead up to the Taiwanese presidential election, China renewed threats to annex the island, claiming that it will "all necessary measures to firmly safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity" - referring to Beijing's One China policy that includes Taiwan. Participants in the discussions said that China "told the U.S. side that they were absolutely convinced that they are able to prevail in a conventional fight over Taiwan without using nuclear weapons," David Santoro, the U.S. organizer of the Track Two talks, told Reuters. Russia has been deepening ties with both North Korea and China throughout its full-scale war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize, and Russia continues to wage its all-out war without its nuclear arsenal. China remains Russia's key economic lifeline amid international sanctions and the leading source of dual-use goods feeding the Russian defense industry. Read also: Japan sanctions China-based companies, other entities over support for Russias aggression Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE - Avocados from Mexico are for sale at a grocery store in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, Feb. 17, 2022. The U.S. government has temporarily suspended inspections of avocado and mango shipments, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico said Tuesday, June 18, 2024, after two employees of the United States Agriculture Department were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in the Mexican state of Michoacan. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File) MEXICO CITY (AP) U.S. government inspections of avocados and mangoes in the Mexican state of Michoacan will gradually resume, U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar announced Friday, a week after they were suspended over an assault on inspectors. The U.S. Agriculture Department inspectors will gradually begin to return to the packing plants following recent aggression against them, Salazar said in a statement. However, it is still necessary to advance in guaranteeing their security before reaching full operations. In fact, more work still needs to be done so that the (agriculture) inspectors are safe and can resume inspections and thereby eliminate the impediments to the trade of avocado and mango to the United States from Michoacan. Last weekend, two USDA employees were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in Michoacan, Salazar said earlier this week. That led the U.S. to suspend inspections in Mexicos biggest avocado-producing state. The employees work for the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Because the United States also grows avocados, U.S. inspectors work in Mexico to ensure exported avocados dont carry diseases that could hurt U.S. crops. Earlier this week, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla said the inspectors had been stopped in a protest by residents of Aranza in western Michoacan on June 14. He downplayed the situation, suggesting the inspectors were never at risk. He said that he got in touch with the U.S. Embassy the following day and that state forces were providing security for the states avocado producers and packers. Many avocado growers in Michoacan say drug gangs threaten them or their family members with kidnapping or death unless they pay protection money, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars per acre. There have also been reports of organized crime bringing avocados grown in other states not approved for export and trying to get them through U.S. inspections. In February 2022, the U.S. government suspended inspections of Mexican avocados until further notice after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Michoacan received a threatening message. The halt was lifted after about a week. Later that year, Jalisco became the second Mexican state authorized to export avocados to the U.S. The new pause in inspections didnt block shipments of Mexican avocados to the United States, because Jalisco is now an exporter and there are a lot of Michoacan avocados already in transit. Salazar said he was optimistic things were moving in a positive direction, but would not be satisified until the inspectors can work without threats to their safety. A US Navy carrier strike group is headed home after months battling the Houthis in the Red Sea Components of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Group steam in formation with the Italian Navy in the Red Sea. US Navy photo A US Navy carrier strike group that's fought the Houthis for months is finally returning home. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group left the Middle East on Saturday, the Pentagon said. It will soon be replaced by the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. The US Navy carrier strike group that's been battling the Houthis in the Red Sea is finally heading home after spending months in the region protecting shipping lanes from relentless attacks by the Iran-backed rebels. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group left the Middle East on Saturday and will remain briefly in the US European Command area of responsibility before returning stateside. It will not see its deployment extended for a third time. Its departure follows "more than seven months deployed in support of US regional deterrence and force protection efforts," Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced in a statement. The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, operating in the Indo-Pacific region, will soon head to the Middle East to replace the strike group. The Eisenhower strike group which consists of the aircraft carrier Ike and several other warships originally deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean in October but was quickly redirected to the Middle East to defend shipping lanes from unrelenting Houthi attacks. Since then, the Eisenhower strike group has intercepted scores of missiles and drones both in the air and in the water and also targeted the rebels directly in Yemen. These have been a mix of joint strikes alongside the British military and preemptive strikes designed to eliminate a threat before the Houthis can launch it. "During its deployment, the IKE CSG protected ships transiting the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf Aden, rescued innocent mariners against the unlawful attacks from the Iranian-backed Houthis, and helped to deter further aggression," Ryder said. The reshuffling of American naval assets comes amid concerns over the long-term sustainability of the counter-Houthi operations. US intelligence suggested last month that the Houthi threat is likely to remain active for some time, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had already extended the Eisenhower strike group's deployment twice. During its time in the Red Sea, the strike group fired off more than 500 munitions, totaling some $1 billion, and sailed more than 55,000 miles. Its aircraft have also flown over 30,000 hours. Despite the Eisenhower's presence, the Houthis continue to attack shipping lanes. The rebels have already struck multiple commercial vessels in June alone, including one with a naval drone for the first time since they began their campaign in the fall. Ryder, meanwhile, said the Roosevelt strike group will leave the Indo-Pacific region next week upon completion of a scheduled exercise and sail for the Middle East "to continue promoting regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region." Read the original article on Business Insider US offers assurances to Israel this week in the event of full-blown war with Hezbollah Senior US officials reassured a delegation of top Israeli officials visiting Washington this week that if a full-out war were to break out on Israels northern border between Israel and Hezbollah, the Biden administration is fully prepared to back its ally, according to a senior administration official. The in-person assurances came as an increase in cross-border attacks in recent weeks between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah have intensified concerns about the possible outbreak of another full-fledged conflict in the Middle East and also as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly accused the US of withholding weapons and ammunition from his country, touching off a tense back-and-forth between Israeli and US officials. Top Israeli officials including Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi participated in a series of meetings with Biden administration officials like national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House Middle East affairs coordinator Brett McGurk in Washington this week. They discussed a wide range of topics including the situation on Israels northern border, Iran and the ceasefire and hostage negotiations, sources said. When discussing the issue of Hezbollahs provocations, US officials made clear this week that the Biden administration would offer Israel the security assistance it needs, the senior administration official said, though the US would not deploy American troops to the ground in such a scenario. Since Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Hezbollahs provocations against Israel have continued and escalated in recent weeks. Biden administration has repeatedly stated that it does not wish to see yet another war break out on Israels northern front, urging diplomatic de-escalation. This week, US envoy Amos Hochstein was dispatched to the region to try to help de-escalate the conflict. Still, with Hezbollahs attacks across the border into Israel continuing in the absence of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, US officials are on heightened alert about the eruption of a full-blown conflict in the region. If Hezbollah were to significantly expand the scale of its attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of Israelis, US officials expect Israel to respond with full force. As CNN reported, US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israels air defenses in the north including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system. That reality would make the US full support of Israel all the more critical. In this weeks meetings, US and Israeli officials discussed possible off-ramps to try to lower the temperature along the so-called Blue Line that separates Lebanon and Israel, the senior administration official said. Those talks touched on ways of returning Israelis and Lebanese people who have been displaced from the border back to their homes, they said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. health safety inspectors are gradually restarting inspections of avocados and mangos in Mexico needed to export the farm commodities to the United States, the U.S. ambassador said in a statement on Friday. Ambassador Ken Salazar stressed that more work needs to be done to ensure the safety of inspectors, after a security incident in Michoacan state last weekend caused U.S. authorities to pause the safety checks. "It's still necessary to make progress to guarantee the safety (of the health safety inspectors) before we can achieve full functioning," said Salazar, pointing to recent aggressions they faced. The ambassador did not go into further detail, but he did express optimism more progress can be made at meetings scheduled for next Monday with government and private sector representatives. Avocados, in particular, are a top Mexican farm export to its northern neighbor worth billions of dollars each year, as demand for the fruit has steadily grown. Mexico's top-producing Michoacan state, where the security incident took place, has for years dealt with extortion rackets perpetrated by powerful organized crime groups that has sought to profit from the lucrative trade. (Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by David Alire Garcia) US Secretary of State thanks South Korea for supporting Ukraine Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, has had a conversation with Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea (DPRK) and Russia, including ongoing arms transfers that violate numerous UN Security Council resolutions. Source: US Department of State Details: Blinken thanked Cho for Korea's continued support for Ukraine. The two officials also agreed to continue working together to address the complex and evolving security challenges caused by the DPRK and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. Blinken also pointed out the vital importance of a strong US-Korea alliance in promoting peace, security and prosperity around the world. Background: During a press conference in Vietnam, Russian leader Vladimir Putin responded to reports that South Korea would consider supplying weapons to Ukraine after Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. Putin said that it would be a "very big mistake" if South Korea provided Ukraine with lethal weapons. Chang Ho-jin, South Korea's National Security Adviser, stated that his country would determine the scale of armament supply for Ukraine depending on how Russia would build its relations with North Korea. Support UP or become our patron! Seoul said the arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt 'demonstrates the strong defence posture of the South Korea-US alliance' - PAUL L ARCHER/US NAVY/AFP/Getty Images The United States has sent an aircraft carrier to South Korea for joint military drills in a show of strength after Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un met in Pyongyang. The announcement came a day after South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to Seoul to protest against a defence deal signed by Putin and the North Korean leader this week, which included a pledge to come to each others aid if attacked. The Theodore Roosevelt, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, arrives in Busan - AFP/Getty Images The US navys aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt... arrived at the Busan Naval Base on the morning of June 22, the South Korean navy said. Its arrival demonstrates the strong combined defence posture of the South Korea-US alliance and their firm resolve to respond to the escalating threats from North Korea, it added. The carriers visit comes about seven months after another US aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, came to the South in a show of strength against Pyongyang. Crew members walk near aircraft in the hangar of the Theodore Roosevelt - Song Kyung-Seok/REUTERS The USS Theodore Roosevelt is expected to participate in joint exercises with South Korea and Japan this month. Pyongyang has always decried similar drills as rehearsals for an invasion. The US, South Korea and Japan have expanded their joint training exercises and heightened the visibility of strategic US military assets in the region to deter the North, which has declared itself an irreversible nuclear weapons power. The carrier arrived a day after Seoul said it had fired warning shots when North Korean soldiers crossed the border in the third such incursion this month. The USS Theodore Roosevelt will participate in joint exercises with South Korea and Japan - (Song Kyung-Seok/AP North Korean soldiers have been engaged in activities such as laying more landmines, reinforcing tactical roads and adding what seemed to be anti-tank barriers near the border, according to the South Korean military. The two Koreas have also been locked in a balloon war, with an activist in the South confirming that he had floated more balloons carrying propaganda to the north. Pyongyang has sent more than a thousand balloons carrying trash southward, and Kims powerful sister Kim Yo-jong has warned that her country is likely to retaliate. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A harder push by the U.S. for Israel and Hezbollah to reach a truce has so far failed to halt an escalating conflict at the Lebanese border that increasingly appears headed toward a full-blown war. Hezbollah has tied its daily cross-border rocket and artillery fire into northern Israel to the Israeli military operations in Gaza. But with no end in sight to the war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the conflict in Lebanon inches closer to a crisis. Even a cease-fire between Hamas and Israeli forces is unlikely to de-escalate tensions in Lebanon, as Israel sees Iranian-backed Hezbollah as a persistent threat for its some 80,000 displaced residents in the north. The U.S. has offered a diplomatic solution that would create a buffer zone at the border, but the plan is unlikely to be accepted by both sides or it would create, at best, a temporary solution, experts say. Asher Kaufman, director of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, said the U.S. and Israel are in a bind because Hezbollahs mission since its founding in 1982 remains the same: to destroy the state of Israel. Whatever the case, it would be a temporary agreement with Hezbollah, because the long-term strategy of Hezbollah and of Iran remain the same, he said. Nothing will change in that respect. Kaufman explained that for the diplomatic track to work, at least temporarily, Hezbollah will need some incentives, such as an agreed-upon boundary line. Its very hard to think now about the constructive way forward, but the alternative of full war between Israel and Hezbollah would be so devastating, he said, adding a large war could drag in the U.S. and other Iran-backed militias. It would devastate Lebanon. It would devastate Israel. Amos Hochstein, the U.S. special envoy who is in the region trying to defuse the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week as the crisis worsened. In remarks from Beirut, Hochstein said that families are shattered and innocent people are dying, while Lebanon is suffering for no good reason. Its in everyones interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically, he said. That is both achievable and it is urgent. The U.S. plan reportedly includes enforcing a United Nations resolution, called 1701, that helped end a brief war Israel had waged against Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006. The resolution demands a de-arming in the southern area of Lebanon, from the Litani River to the Blue Line, a U.N. demarcation line dividing Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights. In the U.S. plan, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and a U.N. peacekeeping force would be allowed to operate in the area, and there would be a phased withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters. But that is likely only to be possibly after a cease-fire in Gaza. And its unclear if Hezbollah would agree to the deal. Israel has threatened to enforce the lines by force if needed. Seth Krummrich, a retired special forces U.S. Army colonel who worked for decades in the Middle East, expressed doubt that a Gaza cease-fire would lower Hezbollah tensions for good. He assessed the situation has now escalated into a wider problem that cannot be solved without regime change in Iran and an established, brokered peace. Its like asking a scorpion not to sting, he said of Hezbollah. The solution there is coming to an actual peace deal and creating some sort of stability in northern Israel and in Gaza. That is not going to happen in our lifetime. Just the amount of damage that was done in Gaza, the number of family members that were lost for those that survived, they will always hate Israel, said Krummrich, now vice president at Global Guardian, an international security services provider that works in Israel. There is some precedent for Hochstein, who brokered a 2022 agreement between Israel and Lebanon on a maritime border dispute that paved the way for natural gas exports. But the conflict raging now is much more complex, and Hochstein cannot directly talk to Hezbollah because it is a U.S.-designated terrorist group. He is limited to discussions with the Lebanese government and the LAF, despite Hezbollah being a major power player in the country. In recent weeks, Israeli officials have increasingly warned that a wider conflict is inevitable with Hezbollah, which first fired rockets into Israel on Oct. 8, a day after Iran-backed Hamas invaded southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people, while taking another roughly 250 hostages. As the cross-border shelling has become more intense, Netanyahu warned earlier this month that one way or another Israel will restore security to the north. Netanyahu has been less combative than some of his allies, such as Gallant, who has been warning of war with Hezbollah since the end of last year. Netanyahu is especially more willing to pause bigger action in Lebanon as he struggles with the goals of destroying Hamas in Gaza and returning some 120 hostages still in the coastal enclave. Michael Makovsky, president and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, said Netanyahu appears resistant to a wider war in Lebanon, but an end to the Gaza war could free up an Israeli operation in the north. That might make it easier for Netanyahu to do something more strongly in the north, he said. But I think they prefer not to deal with it now, even if things are less intense in Gaza, because they [have] got to resupply their weapons. The Lebanon conflict spiraled even further out of control this week, when Hezbollah released what it claimed was aerial surveillance footage of Israeli military sites in the port city of Haifa. In response, Israel Katz, the Israeli foreign minister, threatened that all-out war was a possibility. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech Wednesday mourning the loss of senior commanders killed in Israeli strikes and also warning Israel against an invasion, saying it would be unable to win a conflict in Lebanon. When it comes to Lebanon in general, there is great readiness and manpower for the resistance, he said. If a war was imposed on Lebanon, the resistance will fight without any constraints, without any rules, without any ceiling. The rhetoric on both sides, along with the escalation of border fighting, only renewed existing fears that a full-blown war could be approaching, and that the U.S. will be unable to stop it. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby stressed Thursday that conversations are ongoing between officials in the region who are still holding out hopes for a diplomatic solution. We still dont want to see a second front opened up, he told reporters. Obviously, we take the tensions and the rhetoric seriously by both sides. And were doing everything we can to try to prevent that outcome. If diplomacy fails and Israel moves forward in Lebanon against U.S. wishes, its not clear how much leverage Washington will have to stop the conflict. Netanyahus administration has resisted pressure from the U.S. over the Gaza war and repeatedly bucked the Biden administrations demands. Relations have hit a sore spot Netanyahu had a highly public spat this week with the White House over what he claimed was a holdup of arms sales to Israel but President Biden remains very supportive of Israel. Boaz Atzili, a professor of foreign policy and global security at American University, said there is a good chance that Netanyahus government, if it continues to stay in power, will move into Lebanon against U.S. advice because Israel sees it as a defensive strike to return its displaced residents and ensure another Oct. 7 attack can never happen again. They think that the right thing to do is to fight, he said. They might defy what the U.S. administration is telling them. Also, they might draw the lesson that the consequences of defying this might not be very terrible. Still, a war in Lebanon would be much costlier than the one raging in Gaza, as Hezbollah is the star proxy for Iran and has built up its forces in the past roughly two decades since the last war. The armed group also has tens of thousands of rockets, much more than Hamas. If the U.S. were to halt all arms sales, Israel could struggle to prosecute the war. But Krummrich, the retired special forces colonel, said Israel believes it has a righteous position to defend itself after Oct. 7 and could procure weapons through other channels. The U.S. could cut off all arms supplies, he said, but I still dont think that that would stop Israel from doing it if they truly believe [in] 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 The Hill. A US veteran died at a nursing home, abandoned. Strangers came in droves to say goodbye. AUGUSTA, Maine Former U.S. Marine Gerry Brooks died alone at a nursing home in Maine, abandoned and all but forgotten. Then the funeral home posted a notice asking if anyone would serve as a pallbearer or simply attend his burial. Within minutes, it was turning away volunteers to carry his casket. A bagpiper came forward to play at the service. A pilot offered to perform a flyover. Military groups across the state pledged a proper sendoff. Hundreds of people who knew nothing about the 86-year-old beyond his name showed up on a sweltering afternoon and gave Brooks a final salute with full military honors Thursday at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta. Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles escorted his hearse on the 40-mile route from the funeral home in Belfast, Maine, to the cemetery. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars paid tribute with a 21-gun salute. Volunteers held American flags next to the casket while a crane hoisted a huge flag above the cemetery entrance. Some saluted while filing by. Others sang The Marines Hymn. Its an honor for us to be able to do this, said Jim Roberts, commander of the VFW post in Belfast. Theres so much negativity in the world. This is something people can feel good about and rally around. Its just absolutely wonderful. He said Brooks son, granddaughter and son-in-law came to the funeral but did not speak during the service. Roberts said the VFW is called a couple times a year about a deceased veteran with no family or with one that isnt willing to handle the funeral arrangements. But we will always be there. Like other veterans helping out Thursday, he hadnt known Brooks. So many groups volunteered to take part in paying tribute that there wasnt enough space to fit them into the 20-minute burial service, said Katie Riposta, the funeral director who put out the call for help last week. It renews your faith in humanity, she said. More than 8 million of the U.S. veterans living are 65 or older, almost half the veteran population. They are overwhelmingly men. Thats according to a U.S. Census Bureau report last year. As this generation dies, it said, their collective memory of wartime experiences will pass into history. Much about Brooks life is unknown. He was widowed and lived in Augusta. He died on May 18, less than a week after entering a nursing home, Riposta said. A cause of death was not released. The funeral home and authorities reached his next of kin, but no one was willing to come forward or take responsibility for his body, she said. It sounds like he was a good person, but I know nothing about his life, Riposta said, noting that after Brooks death, a woman contacted the funeral home to say he had once taken her in when she had no other place to go, with no details. It doesnt matter if he served one day or made the military his career, she said. He still deserves to be respected and not alone. The crowd on Thursday wasnt all strangers and it turned out Brooks hadnt been one, either. Victoria Abbott, executive director of the Bread of Life shelter in Augusta, said he had come every day to eat at their soup kitchen, always ready to crack dad jokes and make the staff smile. He had a favorite table. Your quintessential 80-year-old, dad jokes every day, Abbott said. He was really great to have around. He was part of the soup kitchen family. But most people there Thursday met him too late. The memorial book posted online by Direct Cremation of Maine, which helped to arrange the burial, had a few strangers good wishes. Sir, one began, and ended with Semper Fi. The two others, a couple, thanked Brooks for his service. We all deserve the love kindness and respect when we are called home. I hope that you lived a full beautiful life of Love, Kindness, Dreams and Hope, they wrote. They added: Thank you to all those who will make this gentlemans service a proper, well deserved good bye. Linda Laweryson, who served in the Marines, said this was the second funeral in little over a year that she has attended for a veteran who died alone. Everyone deserves to die with dignity and be buried with dignity, she said. Laweryson read a poem during the graveside service written by a combat Marine who reflects on the spot where Marines graduate from boot camp. I walked the old parade ground, but I was not alone, the poem reads. I walked the old parade ground and knew that I was home. VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has appointed Giuseppe Yang Yongqiang as bishop of Hangzhou, the capital of China's eastern province of Zhejiang, Vatican said on Saturday as it strives to strengthen relations with Beijing. The prelate will be relocating from Zhoucun, in northern Shandong province, it added. The appointment follows a landmark accord the Vatican first struck with China in 2018, renewing it for a further two years in 2022, over the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the communist country. The deal was an attempt to ease a longstanding divide across mainland China between an underground flock loyal to the pope and a state-backed official church. For the first time since the 1950s, both sides recognised the pope as supreme leader of the Catholic Church. Conservative Catholics have criticised the bishops' deal as a sellout to communist China, but the Vatican has defended it as an imperfect means to have some form of dialogue with the authorities for the good of all Chinese Catholics. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said last month the Vatican would like to establish a permanent office in China in what would be a major upgrade of diplomatic relations with Beijing. (Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by Angus MacSwan) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia Beachs commitment of taxpayer funding for the redevelopment of the old Pembroke Mall would be slightly lower under a revised plan from developers. Under the new proposed terms, presented to the public on Tuesday during Virginia Beach City Councils informal session, the city would pay no more than $22.35 million for the construction of two public parking garages with a total of 745 spaces at the site. The parking would be free like Town Center across the street. The new proposal comes just over two years after council initially approved a $23.8 million cost-participation agreement for the garages. The new terms, like the ones previously approved, project that the city will recoup its investment through real estate tax revenue from the redeveloped property, with future revenue past that going toward the citys general fund. Also an extra 45-cent special service district SSD (similar to the one at Town Center) fee on the property will help pay for maintenance of the garage. This all comes as redevelopment ramps up further at the former mall. Previous coverage: Pembroke Mall owners ask Virginia Beach for $24M to help pay for redevelopment A $64.3 million, 153-unit senior living community, Aviva Senior Living, is getting ready to open in the fall after starting construction in December 2022. Then a $69 million, 272-unit multi-family, mixed-use development will go up in late 2025, per the latest update from the city. Thats expected to be complete in 2027. A look at the Aviva Senior Living building under construction at Pembroke Square as of June 2024 (Courtesy of City of Virginia Beach) Previous coverage: Roof getting ripped off at former Pembroke Mall to make room for living spaces Phase III for the project includes a 156-room, $30 million hotel expected to go up starting at the beginning of 2025. The rendering of the proposed Pembroke Square hotel (Courtesy of City of Virginia Beach) City Planning Director Kathy Warren said the developer, Pembroke Square Associates, LLC, suggested the changes after the planned number of parking spaces was reduced from 791 to 745 spaces. The changes from the original proposed to the new proposal for Pembroke Square (Courtesy of City of Virginia Beach) Councilman and mayoral candidate Chris Taylor asked on Tuesday whether the roughly 3,000 current parking at the mall site could be sufficient. Warren said the idea is that having parking garages and vertical development frees up space for future development opportunities at the site. Previous coverage: Developers create plan for reimagining of Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach Councilman Joash Schulman said having free parking at the site is important for getting people to come to the planned mixed-use retail and other attractions at the site, which will include an expanded Funny Bone comedy club in August 2025, especially if parkings free across the street already at Town Center. Free parking is what made Town Center and that mixed-use development possible. Without free parking there wouldnt have been any traffic for the retail, and equally so for the residential, said Schulman, who pointed to the tax revenue generating opportunities for the site. The overhead view of planned changes to the Pembroke site (Courtesy of City of Virginia Beach) We have a historic property, historic developer who has been at this corner in the middle part our city forever. And theyre looking to do exactly what our strategic planning documents are asking them to do and create a vibrant city center this is an incredibly important strategic corridor in our city. We ought to be and we should be encouraging this kind of a thing because it is exactly in line with every everything that weve been working towards. Council members Worth Remick and Amelia Ross-Hammond also suggested encouraging developers to provide affordable housing, something thats not currently included, in the area going forward. Im not saying that necessarily we pass this, support this subject to that. But I would highly recommend that we ask the developer to carve out this is a great site for future affordable housing, Remick said. Council could vote on the changes as early as July 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 WAVY.com. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has released the identity of the man killed in a stabbing near Remington Park on the citys east side on Monday, June 17. According to CSPD, 24-year-old Tadeo Francisco Villavicencio-Ramirez died of stab wounds he sustained during a large fight in the 3100 block of Heather Glen Drive, southeast of North Carefree Circle and Peterson Road. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department CSPD originally responded to the area of Remington Park just before 9 p.m. on Monday after a report of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found Villavicencio-Ramirez dead on scene of an apparent stab wound. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police searching for suspect in fatal stabbing While the coroners office will determine the official cause and manner of death, Villavicencio-Ramirezs death is being investigated as a homicide. CSPD said no suspect has been taken into custody, and detectives continue to investigate the stabbing as well as develop potential suspect information. This is the 21st homicide in Colorado Springs in 2024. At this time in 2023, there were 14. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three private astronauts assigned to a future Delta-class mission aboard Virgin Galactic, representing the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences. From left: Shawna Pandya (Canada), director of ILAS's space medicine group; Kellie Gerardi (U.S.), ILAS director of human spaceflight operations; Norah Patten (Ireland), aeronautical engineer and bioastronautics researcher. | Credit: Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic has named one of the first commercial astronaut crews for its Delta-class planes, set to fly no earlier than 2026. The crew, announced on Thursday (June 20), includes past Virgin Galactic American private astronaut Kellie Gerardi, who flew aboard Galactic 05 in November 2023, along with Canadian Shawna Pandya and Ireland's Norah Patten. All three are part of the non-profit International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), whose mandate includes testing technologies in suborbital aircraft and performing educational activities. The three crew members will expand on research that Gerardi (also IIAS director of human spaceflight) performed during Galactic 05, focusing on fluid behavior with applications to human health, Virgin officials said in a statement. Virgin, founded by Richard Branson, announced the news two weeks after the final flight of its VSS Unity spaceplane on June 8. That flight carried a Turkish researcher and three private astronauts to space after being released from the VSS Eve carrier vehicle. Delta will allow for more frequent flights than the earlier generation once it flies, Virgin has said repeatedly, but as the upgrade happens no spaceflights will occur. Related: Virgin Galactic launches VSS Unity space plane on final suborbital spaceflight with crew of 6 (photos, video) "Beyond honored to lead the next IIAS research mission, advance the scientific knowledge gained from my first spaceflight, and to introduce my fellow payload specialists," Gerardi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Pandya, director of IIAS' space medicine group, thanked the organization for nine years of support so far. "It is not lost on me that I am the first named Canadian female commercial astronaut, and the fourth Indian origin female astronaut," she wrote on LinkedIn. "These communities have shaped who I am, and I promise to do you proud." RELATED STORIES: Watch an awe-inspiring video from final flight of Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity spaceplane Virgin Galactic launches VSS Unity space plane on final suborbital spaceflight with crew of 6 (photos, video) Virgin Galactic launches 1st Ukrainian woman to space and 3 others on Galactic 06 suborbital flight (video) Patten, an aeronautical engineer and bioastronautics researcher who currently expected to be Ireland's first private astronaut, reposted Virgin Galactic's announcement on X with the message: "This", along with emojis for a rocket and a star. The European Space Agency also has an Irish astronaut, Rosemary Coogan, who has not yet flown to space as she only graduated from her approximately two-year basic training in April. Former NASA astronaut Daniel Tani, who is married to an Irish citizen, has also called himself an astronaut from Ireland. The Delta vehicles should be able to fly up to twice a week, Virgin representatives have said, and test flights are expected in 2025 with commercial operations beginning the following year. Virgin's tickets currently cost $450,000, but other passengers bought at lower prices over the decades. The main competitor for Virgin in suborbital space tourism is Blue Origin, founded by Amazon creator Jeff Bezos. The company sends people to space on a rocket and capsule both called New Shepard. Blue Origin has not revealed its ticket prices. Blue Origin most recently sent its seventh group to space, including Ed Dwight, a 90-year-old first U.S. black astronaut candidate. Blue Origin had a two-year pause in crewed operations after an uncrewed research mission failure in September 2022. Volunteers from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department have made their way to Greece as the search for a retired deputy ramps up. Albert Calibet, 59 of Hermosa Beach, went missing June 11 while on a hike on the Greek island of Amorgos. The island was experiencing an extreme heat wave at the time, with temperatures as high as 97 degrees. After he went missing, Calibets girlfriend and brother traveled to the island to aid with the search. Now, according to an online fundraiser, two waves of volunteers with the Sheriffs Department have flown out to Greece to help bring Calibet home. Good morning. Its Friday evening 6pm on Amorgos. thanks to your generosity, our 2nd wave just got to the island after 30hrs of 3 plane rides and one ferry, said Robin Winston, the GoFundMe organizer who was identified as Calibets best friend. Theyre briefing with Oliver now and anxious to get started. Thank you for keeping Albert in your prayers. Ret. L.A. deputy sheriff missing on remote Greek island The money raised from the fundraiser, which has brought in more than $35,000 as of Saturday morning, goes toward plane tickets, drones, hotel stays and meals for those helping with the search. Winston told KTLA that Amorgos, about half the size of Catalina Island, is low on resources and doesnt have an airport, making it tough to access. In a statement, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - As former President Donald Trump weighs his pick for vice president, one of his most loyal former aides waits in the wings. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, now serving a four-year term as governor of Arkansas, isn't at the top of any of the lists of potential running mates floating around, but only Trump ultimately knows who he will choose and he's long valued reliability above all else. Few people have been as dedicated to Trump as the woman who defended him during the 2016 campaign and on television while he was president. She made her reputation deflecting questions and criticism, and parrying queries from the White House press corps for more than two years in briefings on contentious topics that ranged from banning travel from several Muslim-majority countries to separating children and parents at the Southern border and whether the campaign knew Russia was interfering in the 2016 election. Sanders, 41, consistently tells reporters that she's happy in her current job, and she has the prospect of a second term before her. But those who know her well say they expect she would return to Washington if Trump asked. Accepting the running mate role means that win or lose she'd also be catapulting herself from governor of a small ruby-red state to an instant frontrunner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. "I've got to believe that if he asked her, she would think about it long and hard, but I can't imagine that if she felt like she could serve the country... that she would not step up into that role," former Trump communications director Michael Dubke, who had a White House office next to Sanders for several months in 2017, told USA TODAY. Trump has long signaled that he is looking for a vice presidential pick who is trustworthy, loyal and would defend him on cable news, just like so many other people who he's hired for his political campaigns, first-term administration and legal teams. He is expected to announce his vice-presidential pick by the Republican National Convention, which starts July 15 in Milwaukee. Inside Trumps VP selection process: Formal vetting takes backseat to informal lobbying Chip Saltsman, who worked with Sanders on her famous father's 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns, said he can't imagine a better choice. Sanders puts family at the center of her life, he said, and the political candidates she's previously worked for are quickly added to that protective circle. "She clearly knows the universe. She knows the boss. I think she would be incredible," he said. Well known as a witty, bright and capable campaign operative who made seismic shifts in Arkansas politics she is her home state's first female chief executive Sanders became an unflappable advocate of Trump and his policies as the face of the Republican administration. Her plainspoken delivery and references to her southern and religious background served as a gateway into swaths of America for the East Coast real estate mogul. Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks to supporters as his wife Janet (C) and their daughter Sarah look on during a caucus event on Jan. 3, 2008 in Des Moines, Iowa. Huckabee defeated Gov. Mitt Romney to win the Iowa GOP caucus. Politics in her blood Sanders' career has paralleled Arkansas' shift from one of the last Democratic strongholds in the South to a place where Republicans were elected to hold every major lever of political power in the state. She stuffed envelopes as a 9-year-old during her father's first foray into politics, an unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid by Mike Huckabee against Democratic institution Sen. Dale Bumpers in 1992. Bill Clinton's election from Arkansas governor to the White House that same year meant his former lieutenant governor Jim Guy Tucker, a Democrat, got the promotion to lead the state. Mike Huckabee leveraged his name recognition from the Senate race to win the lieutenant governor slot in 1993, narrowly edging out his Democratic opponent. Fast forward three years: A federal jury in 1996 convicted Tucker of a felony related to the Whitewater scandal that embroiled Clinton's first presidential term and the Democratic governor had to resign under state law. That allowed the Huckabees to move into the governor's mansion in Little Rock, and where Sarah Huckabee Sanders would attend historic Central High School. Sanders next went to her parent's alma mater, Ouachita Baptist University, graduating with dual degrees in politics and communications. She won elections to be her freshman and sophomore class president and in her senior year as president of the student senate. Professor Emeritus Hal Bass, who taught her American presidency course and other classes, said Sanders was a driven, organized student who got things done. It was clear politics would play a major role in her life. "I certainly thought that if she didn't run for office herself, she would be involved in campaigns for other people running for office. It was always kind of an interest and a passion," Bass told USA TODAY. After graduating, Sanders worked briefly for the Department of Education during then-President George W. Bush's administration before joining her father's burgeoning 2008 campaign for president. In landing the job, Mike Huckabee asked Saltsman to interview his daughter. The campaign veteran quizzed her on whether she was there to actually work. "My conversation with her at that point was, I just need to know are you going to be the candidate's daughter? Are you going to be my field director?" Saltsman recalled. "If we make a hard decision in there, are you going to go run to your dad and complain about it? And she never did. And you know, we didn't always agree on everything, but she was unbelievable." Sanders served as national political director, and she embedded with a team of staffers in Iowa in the months ahead of the Iowa Caucuses. "She wanted to be right with the volunteers. She wanted to be helping with events. She wanted to be the door knocker," Saltsman said. "She just wanted to be in the middle of it all, and that was from day one." Huckabee won the Iowa Caucus, and several Super Tuesday states in 2008. But Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain would go on to win the party's presidential nomination that year. Sanders shifted over to help conservatives through her father's political action committee, which raises money for candidates. As a for-hire political operative, Sanders helped pull off an unexpected takeover by flipping both of the U.S. Senate seats in Arkansas from Democrats to Republicans for the first time since the 1870s: In her first job as campaign manager, she helped Sen. John Boozman unseat Sen. Blanche Lincoln in 2010 and then worked as a senior advisor on Sen. Tom Cotton's 2014 campaign to topple Sen. Mark Pryor. Mike Huckabee made another run for president in 2016 with his daughter as campaign manager. But his White House bid didn't last long, and Trump's team took up her father's suggestion to hire Sanders. Trump was talking about a lot of the same economic populism issues that Huckabee cared about, but was delivering it in a very different way, Saltsman said. "I don't think that was a big jump for Sarah to go help Donald Trump. She was always a good person on TV. She was a good communicator," Saltsman said. "When she got on TV, she was a star. She was as very natural as her dad, smart as a whip, able to able to take different questions." White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders answers questions during the daily briefing at the White House on Jan. 17, 2018, in Washington, DC. Sanders fielded a range of questions relating to pending immigration legislation, continued funding of the federal government, and U.S. President Donald Trump's recent physical examination. Speaking for the Trump administration That early entrance into the Trump campaign gave her a depth of understanding about what Trump wanted and thought that few could match, Dubke said. It also put her front and center as one of the Republican 2016 presidential candidate's chief defenders, a role that continued into his White House. Serving as deputy press secretary, Sanders frequently conducted the daily briefings with reporters after repeated missteps by her boss, Sean Spicer. By mid-2017, she'd landed the top presidential spokesperson job, where her staunch Trump defenses, even when caught in lies, led to a fractious relationship with the White House press corps and where the pace of news, push back and questioning from journalists was relentless. She frequently responded with jokes or a story about her children. Under more intense grilling, she'd default to calling a question inappropriate or say she hadn't yet spoken with the president and then move on. She always kept her cool. I dont know that I ever saw her lose her temper or her composure, said Steven Groves, a former Sanders colleague who served as a White House deputy press secretary. Still, reporters grew frustrated with Sanders over the lack of briefings and their short length. They openly questioned her credibility when she repeated easily disprovable statements or information. In a June 2018 briefing, where reporters and Sanders argued over immigration issues, she insulted the intelligence of one reporter, prompting a dramatic outburst from another. That December, when Sanders ended the first briefing she'd held in weeks after only a few minutes, reporters could be heard yelling after her, "This is a 10-minute briefing, Sarah!" and "Do your job, Sarah!" At least one reporter openly called for her to be fired when then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report in May 2019 stated that she had lied to the press in the briefing room. Trump also often preferred to act as his own press secretary, spending long amounts of time answering reporter questions before boarding Marine One and sending tweets making policy or firing and hiring decisions at all hours of the day. Former Trump White House officials say it was an intentional plan to get the administration's message out. "Sarah saw the futility of the White House press briefings. The juice was almost never worth the squeeze, Groves said in arguing that the White House press corps had narratives that they were sticking to regardless of what was said during the briefings. President Donald Trump stands with Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who announced that she is stepping down as the White House press secretary, during his rally where he announced his reelection campaign on June 18, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 'It was clear she had national aspirations' Sanders decision to step down in June 2019 to move back to Arkansas was seen by many as declaration of her intent to run for governor three years later. Trump openly encouraged her to run. On the campaign trail, Sanders proudly nationalized her run for state office. In January 2021, she launched her bid by vowing to defend Arkansas from the radical left now in control of Washington. The closing image of her first campaign ad showed her walking down a hallway with Trump. She won in November 2022 with nearly 63% of votes, claiming the office her father once held. University of Arkansas political science professor Janine Parry, the founding director of the nationally-recognized Arkansas Poll, said Sanders' run for governor felt inevitable. When she entered the race, longtime Arkansas politicians abandoned the governor's race and ran for other offices. The general opinion was "that she was an unstoppable force and that returning to Arkansas was a means to an end, Parry said. "It was clear she had national aspirations." Sanders' campaign communications usually "offered a nod to her Arkansas roots, and then moved swiftly into a series of highly nationalized talking points," Parry said. Along with those talking points, Sanders kept the captious relationship with the press when she came home. She also brought along several members of Trump's White House communications office. Local reporters in Arkansas grumble in private that Sanders answers few questions at the sprinkling of press conferences she holds in place of the rambling, free-flowing press events offered regularly by her predecessor governors, Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, and Mike Beebe, a Democrat. Politicians and politicos say her staff closely regulates access to her, granting few one-on-one press interviews and moving as a protective bubble around her at public events. At humanizing events like her Capitol for the Day program, which brings the governor and her cabinet to small towns to hear and address local concerns, reporters largely aren't allowed to view and document her interactions with regular Arkansans. But Republican political consultant, and longtime Sanders friend, Jon Gilmore, said that description of the governor doesn't mesh with his experience. "I don't think she's ever met a stranger," Gilmore said. "I don't see that inaccessibility." Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (center) calls the hogs during a timeout in the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Western Carolina Catamounts at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 56-13. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports It's at times resulted in a stilted image of the governor that clashes with the personable, snarky, but warm person that those who know her describe. Standing in a grocery store parking lot a few blocks from the governor's mansion in Little Rock, Al Myles, 62, of Jacksonville, Ark., said it doesn't feel like Sanders represents the whole state and that he thinks becoming Trump's vice president was probably her "end game" all along. "What I'd like to see her do is be more open and have more opportunities for people to have open dialogue, so that it's a back and forth type of thing. And I understand that she's the governor, she's the boss as far as all that goes, however, just be open and a little more understanding. Even her father, who I wasn't a huge fan of, I thought was much more effective," Myles said, adding that he did not vote for her in 2022 and wouldn't vote for her again. With a population now of more than 3 million people, Arkansas politicians once joked about needing to shake everybody's hand to get their vote. Candidates crisscrossed the state to attend the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, the Gillette Coon Supper and the Hope Watermelon festival. But times have changed, Hutchinson said, and so has where Arkansans get their information. Things do change. Any state leader now has to recognize that the average Arkansas voter gets their news through national media as well as local media, Hutchinson told USA TODAY. Everybody has a different style and she has implemented a style that works for her. Hutchinson, the previous Arkansas governor before Sanders, ran against Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination and has been a vocal detractor since. He praised Sanders' accomplishments, including passing a school choice initiative that also raised teacher salaries, lowering taxes and creating jobs. From every measuring stick of [passing her agenda], serving the state as governor, I think she has done remarkably well, Hutchinson said. Still, her first year as governor was dogged by the type of scandal that presidential campaigns try to avoid. Sanders' office used a state-issued credit card in June 2023 to make a $19,029.25 payment for a lectern to Beckett Events, a boutique event planning company whose owners are close with the governor. Similar lecterns can be found online for about a third of the price. The state Republican Party later reimbursed the state for the amount. Matt Campbell, a Little Rock attorney and progressive blogger, first questioned the purchase, which soon became national news labeled as #lecterngate or #podiumgate. Late-night comedians pounced. Lawmakers ordered a months-long audit of how the lectern was procured and purchased, which found that Sanders' staff potentially violated several state laws. Sanders responded by releasing a rap video on X featuring the podium and telling them "to come and take it." The Republican state attorney general and a local prosecutor declined to bring any charges, saying it is ambiguous whether state purchasing laws apply to the governor's office. Voters split on Sanders' odds Arkansans are split on what should be next for Sanders. Brad Clark, 69, of Little Rock who doesn't support her said it seems like the governor has an eye on the door. "I have no comment, because I'm trying to be nice," Clark said with a laugh. "I know that's what she's running for. I believe she's running to get out of the state of Arkansas to be the president or something." Michael Thrasher, 32, of Little Rock, who does support her, said Sanders has brought the kind of business to the state that will draw young people back to Arkansas. He said he thinks it is too soon for her to move on and join the Trump ticket. "I would love it, but she needs to stay here," Thrasher said. "With her only getting in here and only being in the governorship for a year or two now, it's still kind of early for someone that doesn't have a lot political experience. I loved her as press secretary, she did really good at that, and I think she could continue to do good as governor. She doesn't need to jump to the national stage just yet." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Trump's VP pick could be loyal ex-aide Sarah Huckabee Sanders An image of a young boy with a black eye and a gun is projected on an overhead screen before a group of teens at Sandrell Rivers Theater in Liberty City. A circle of teen participants stared at the art during the Peace Summit, a three day summer camp hosted by Dream Defenders, an organization that aims to empower youth with life skills and expose them to cultural arts. The teens are from historically Black and brown neighborhoods like Miami Gardens and Liberty City. In this exercise, summer camp leader Calvin Early asks the group to give their interpretations of what they see in the image and what the imagery means to them. He pointed to those who eagerly raised their hands. Gun violence is slowly taking over his mind and he doesnt know how to stop it, says one of the teens. Theres no way to [stop] it because of the stigma. A kid growing up from a place he cant feel comfortablehis life is just falling apart and theres no one to tell him that everything will be OK, another said. More of the youth shout out their interpretations: He cant escape the projects. Peer pressure. Pressure to pick up a gun. Pressure to defend himself and his neighborhood. Early and his summer camp co-leader James Klinn ask, Who thinks a lot of people are having the same thoughts as the teen in the illustration? Almost everyone raised their hands. The purpose of the exercise was to give context to the Grammy-award winning artist, Nas and his songs about gun violence., exposing the students to artists that resemble them. Later on, the group would analyze his song I Gave You Power, and take note of how the artist used his music as an outlet to rise above his circumstances. Dream Defenders was launched in 2012 after the killing of Trayvon Martin, a teen born in Miami who was shot to death in Sanford, Florida. Since its founding the organization has marched through the streets, launched urgent care centers and started summer camps for teens. This is the organizations first year hosting the Peace Summit, a shorter summer camp focused on violence intervention and healing for at-risk youth. Over 120 kids ages 10 to 18 signed up for the program. Some of the teens were a part of youth planning committees established through year-long partnerships with Dream Defenders during the school year. Aniyah Oliver, right, reads her poem she wrote about inanimate object experiencing gun violence during the Dream Defenders Peace Summit camp for kids and teenagers on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Sandrell Rivers Theater. This summer camp was the brainchild of Vivian Azalia, the youth director at Dream Defenders, who was also once a teen in South Florida who was impacted by gun violence. She was 20 when a friend was killed by Miami Beach police, she said. Since then, she said, every year she met at least one person who was impacted by gun violence here in Miami. Its less about the violence, and more about who you surround yourself with and how you can show up for people and especially for young people, she said. That was kind of the pivot of my life, of me joining Dream Defenders. Azalia and Dream Defenders partnered with some schools throughout the school year. Some of those students attended the camp and were part of the youth planning committee. Other participants came from foster care homes across South Florida. The students designed the flyers for the Peace Summit, some of the summits swag and even choose the topics of the breakout sessions. Thursday the students participated in workshops that covered the basics of self defense, arts and crafts and creating vision boards. Teens in the vision board group were asked two simple questions: What does art mean to you? and What two words describe you? The purpose of the exercise was to create a board of how the teens envisioned themselves or their future. Sariyah Everett, 8, left, does crochet with Pam Zapata, clinical therapist, in the Quiet Room during the Dream Defenders Peace Summit camp for kids and teenagers on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Sandrell Rivers Theater in Miami. Everett taught herself to crochet on Youtube. But 17-year-old student from My Life My Power International Preparatory Academy, Jorace Bryant never thought about those two questions. Thirty minutes later, he came up with two visuals to describe how he feels about himself and how he thinks others perceive him. One side showed the abstract lines flowing out of a magazine cut out that said eternal. The abstract lines depict the energy that flows out of him, like if he lifted his hands you could almost feel his energy, he said. The right side purposely looked plain with a few sad faces to represent how others often think hes sad because of his face. But at the Peace Summit he was talkative, and enjoyed the opportunity to sit and think about himself in the form of art. Its peaceful and great for the youth, Bryant said. This is like free time. When I was at recess and we had to go outside, that was fun for me. Sometimes you do stuff for your inner child. Akilah Evans said in her breakout group they discussed school board budgets, access to free health clinics and affordable transportation. This was the first in her 17 years that anyone has asked for her opinion on her own community, she said. I know that some people care or at least organizations care, Evans said. In another breakout, Kimberly Muhammad taught the kids how to prevent looking like a mark, or a victim. Being aware of your circumstances, walking around, being alert, looking people in their face, those are the types of things that hopefully can deter somebody from attacking you, she said. DMari Mays, left, and Kesley Mondesir, right, watch Kimberly Muhammad teach a self defense class during the Dream Defenders Peace Summit camp for kids and teenagers on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Sandrell Rivers Theater in Miami. Muhammad grew up in the suburbs of Tampa Bay but moved to Liberty City around 20 years ago with her husband. Her childrens experience growing up was a stark contrast from her own childhood, which made her want them to be prepared to defend themselves. Theyve been a witness to a lot of things that, me as a child in high schoolI hadnt seen anything like that, she said. So definitely, the seriousness and wanting to teach[self-defense] to my children and other young people and keeping them in a certain mindset is definitely a personal thing from what Ive experienced in living here as well. Friday will be dedicated to peacemakers in conflict and how to get the youth to walk away from violence. The team will focus on mental health crises, and coping with emotions. On Saturday, teens will make personal pledges to walk away from violence and commit to peace this summer. The peacemakers always say, walk away to live another day, said Azalia. WASHINGTON COUNTY (ABC4) Mia Bailey, 28, the suspect accused of killing her parents in Washington City earlier this week, has been charged with 10 felonies but will not face the death penalty, according to the county attorneys office. Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke filed nine first-degree felonies and one third-degree felony against Bailey in the death of her parents, Joseph and Gail Bailey. Mia Bailey allegedly entered their home on June 18 and shot them to death. PREVIOUS: I hate them: Murder suspect accused of killing parents said she would do it again Mia Bailey is officially charged with two counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, seven counts of felony discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated burglary. After a careful review of the alleged facts involved, the office is not seeking the death penalty in this tragic case, stated a press release from Clarkes office. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Bailey said she had no remorse for her actions, and was quoted as saying, I would do it again. I hate them. A neighbors security camera caught Bailey arriving at the home of her parents on June 18, and arrest documents said Bailey admitted to entering the home and shooting at her mother almost immediately. According to an affidavit of probable cause, Bailey went to the home on Tuesday night with the intent to kill both of her parents. Documents said she shot both of her parents multiple times, going back to their bodies to make sure they were dead. An hours-long manhunt for Mia Bailey followed, and she was eventually arrested in St. George after a few hours of negotiations with police. Documents made note of the fact that Bailey was in the process of transitioning from male to female, and legally changed her name and gender. A GoFundMe has been set up for funeral expenses for Joseph and Gail Bailey. Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or in an emergency, please call 911 immediately. 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. In a video posted on social media, Natalie Clawson, running mate to gubernatorial candidate Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, confronts members of the lieutenant governors office and claims signature-gathering petitions of primary candidates are being withheld from her campaign. But state law prevents the lieutenant governors office from releasing those petitions without redactions because the signatures are considered protected information. Its different than what state code says about referenda and initiatives. Earlier this month, Lymans campaign along with fellow GOP candidates Frank Mylar (running for attorney general) and Tina Cannon (seeking the office of state auditor) announced they had submitted government records requests to obtain the signature-gathering petitions of candidates in the race. Clawson submitted a request for the petitions of Gov. Spencer Cox, attorney general candidate Derek Brown and U.S. Senate candidate Brad Wilson. The Lyman campaign pointed to a case in Washington County where a company gathering signatures for state Sen. Don Ipson, R-St. George, came under scrutiny due to irregularities. Ipson ended up qualifying for the ballot through the Republican county convention since he didnt receive enough verified signatures. The company that collected signatures for him, Gathering Inc., was also used by Wilson and Cox, though financial disclosures show Brown used a different company called In The Field. These irregularities are being investigated, said Eric Clarke, Washington County attorney, to the Deseret News in a phone call. But Clarke also said there was no evidence of a candidate or the company acting inappropriately. He said he was looking into the matter to do his due diligence and build public trust. I want people to be able to trust the processes that we have and know that there are checks on all the processes to make sure that they work, said Clarke. In a statement to the Deseret News, Clawson said, There is a strong public interest to know that the candidates who are on the primary ballot received the necessary verified signatures to be placed on the ballot. We are not making any allegations. We are only asking for transparency. We urge the state to use its discretion to release all information it legally can release for the sake of transparency and to ensure confidence in the election process. The Deseret News obtained a copy of Clawsons original government records request, which says the records should be released even though they are protected due to a compelling public interest, citing state law. Davis County was in charge of verifying the signatures for Cox, Brown and Wilson. All of these signatures were verified weeks before the deadline, so if they hadnt collected enough signatures, they could have collected more. The lieutenant governors office certified the signatures after the verification process. Tanner Leatham, owner of Gathering Inc., told the Deseret News on the phone that the company works through independent contractors. Its an Ogden-based company that gathers signatures for races across the country. He said a couple of contractors gathering signatures for Ipson werent using the tools or training the company provides. Some of the signatures, Leatham said, were not valid because they were collected from people who dont live in Ipsons district. Leatham explained that signatures can also be considered invalid if they dont match up with how you signed previous records like voter registration. So, if you alter your signature, it could be marked invalid, even if it comes from you. Leatham said he spoke with the Washington County Clerk early in the spring and made amends with Ipson over the matter. I have nothing to hide here. I have so many awesome hundreds of people that have worked with us that do a good job, said Leatham, adding he hasnt gotten a call about what happened since either February or March. Speaking about signature gathering for Cox, Leatham said if there were verification problems with the signatures that were submitted, there were thousands more they gathered that could have been used by the Cox campaign. If they could disqualify five of them, there are thousands of extra signatures, said Leatham, adding he wasnt concerned about it. Brian McKenzie, Davis County Clerk, issued a statement on Friday saying he affirmed that all petition signatures were verified in accordance with Utah law. There have been questions raised about the validity of candidate petition signatures verified by Davis County, wrote McKenzie. I affirm that each signature was reviewed by trained election workers and either validated or rejected in accordance with the requirements set forth by Utah law. McKenzie said workers checked to make sure the people signing on to petitions lived in the right area, were affiliated with the proper political party, their signatures were substantially similar to their voter registration records and that their addresses and age also matched their voter registration records. Clawsons government records request was denied. In a copy of an email obtained by the Deseret News, the lieutenant governors office said it could either allow Clawson to view the signature packets in person after they were redacted, which would be around the end of July. Or, the other option the office gave was paying a $50 fee per candidate for a report with the names of signatories on the petition, unless their names were private or withheld this could have been available as soon as one business day after it was requested. The records cannot be handed out or even reviewed in person without redactions due to state law. What does state law say? State law does not allow for the lieutenant governors office to give out the petitions outright because signatures are considered protected information and some voters may have requested to have their information withheld. For initiatives and referenda, the names, voter identification numbers and date of signatures need to be posted on the lieutenant governors website for several weeks. But thats not true for petitions for candidates to get on the primary ballot. A law passed in 2020, which Lyman voted for, says signatures on political petitions, including for candidates using them to get on the primary ballot, are considered protected information (the language underlined from line 519 onward was added to code). It went into effect in May 2021. This means the lieutenant governors office cannot give requesters copies of signature-gathering petitions with signatures on them. Also, Utahs voter registration laws allow for voters to request their identifying information be withheld from all political parties, candidates for public office, and their contractors, employees, and volunteers, by submitting a withholding request form. Some voters who choose to have their identifying information withheld may be public figures, members of law enforcement or the military, individuals who have experienced domestic violence or people who are currently under protective orders. Before people are allowed to view the signature-gathering petitions in person, withheld identifying information would need to be redacted by the lieutenant governors office. The petitions cannot be photographed. Requesters can obtain a list of the names of registered voters who signed a candidate petition, unless the voters are classified as private under Utahs voter registration laws. SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) A Seattle police officer was fired for calling his Chinese American neighbor racist and sexist slurs while off duty in 2022, according to a news report. Officer Burton Hill was fired in May, The Seattle Times reported. The termination stemmed from an altercation with his neighbor, Zhen Jin, over the disposal of dog bones at the condominium complex where they lived in suburban Seattle. Teen accused of triple murder in broad daylight pleads not guilty The Seattle Office of Police Accountability had recommended a range of disciplinary actions, from a 30-day suspension to termination of employment. Hill was fired by then-police Chief Adrian Diaz on May 2, police spokesperson Eric Munoz said. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Hill for comment werent immediately successful. The former police chief himself was removed from his post in late May by Mayor Bruce Harrell after lawsuits alleging Diazs police force was unwelcoming and discriminatory toward women and people of color. Diaz has vehemently denied the allegations. Audio originally published by The Stranger newspaper of the altercation between Hill and Jin, which was quoted at length in the final OPA report, includes Hill barraging Jin with threats and insults over Jin allegedly throwing food scraps outside that Hills dog tried to eat. In the recording, which was given to the accountability office by the nonprofit Chinese Information and Service Center, Hill uses derogatory terms for women and East Asian people, also repeatedly calling Jin stupid. At one point, Hill told her, Youre going to jail. OPA Director Gino Betts Jr. sustained two of the three allegations against Hill related to officer professionalism and bias-based policing. A third allegation about officers not using their authority for personal gain was found inconclusive. The OPA report was published earlier this month. Messages seeking comment from The Seattle Times to the Seattle Police Officers Guild and Office of Police Accountability were not returned Thursday. Michael Itti, executive director of the Chinese Information and Service Center, which launched its Anti-Hate and Bias program in 2020 to address anti-Asian behavior or action, said Jin showed tremendous courage by filing the complaint against Hill. Itti said he has heard from many people involved with his group who are pleased with the result. They want to know the Police Department is upholding its values of professionalism, Itti said. According to the investigation, after hearing the recording, Hill told investigators, Sounds like me, yeah, but also said you shouldnt say those things And it actually it makes me sick that I actually said that to her. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The final NOAA satellite in NOAA's GOES-R series of weather satellites, GOES-U, is set to head to space. The two-hour launch window opens at 5:16 p.m. EDT (2116 GMT) on June 25 and the mission will aim for the stars on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Florida's storied Space Coast. If you're going to be in or around Cape Canaveral, there are many spots from which you can watch the rocket soar into the sky. Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism has compiled a map and list of launch viewing venues including beaches, parks, and restaurants surrounding Kennedy Space Center you can camp out at. Don't want to leave the house or travel to Florida? You can watch the launch live here at Space.com thanks to NASA. Coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT). a triple-core rocket blasts off under a sunny, partly cloudy blue sky. smoke expands below next to an obscured launch tower, near a long white hanger with SPACEX written on the side. To the left, a bird flies away. "Every launch is worth watching, it's something fun and exciting," Rex Engelhardt, GOES-U Mission Manager for NASA's Launch Services Program, told Space.com. "It is kind of a show and it's over quickly. With the booster return you get, it's nice you get to stretch it out a little bit." Related: The GOES-U satellite will catch a ride to space on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket a large white cylinder with a nasa logo and an emblem reading The first launch of the series, GOES-R, was in 2016, followed by GOES-S and GOES-T in 2018 and 2022, respectively. But compared to its three predecessors in the series, GOES-U will be quite the shining star in the constellation. Not only will GOES-U have all the bells and whistles like its siblings featuring instruments that provide state-of-the-art advanced imagery, take atmospheric measurements of Earth's weather, oceans and environment, as well as real-time mapping of total lightning activity but GOES-U will also have improvements to each component based on what adjustments NOAA found were needed from the earlier trio. a large white cylinder with a nasa logo and an emblem reading Related Stories: Next-gen satellites will paint a clearer picture of a changing Earth 2024 hurricane season should be busy, NOAA says Next-gen satellites will paint a clearer picture of a changing Earth "Our five-decade partnership with NOAA has resulted in the successful operation of more than 60 satellites dedicated to weather forecasting, severe storm and hurricane prediction, and climate observations. We're very excited to complete the four satellite GOES-R series with the most capable geostationary weather satellites in our nation's history," John Gagosian, director of NASA's Joint Agency Satellite Division, said in a virtual media briefing last month. "I'm proud that NOAA and NASA have collaborated so well over the life of the GOES-R program. We are poised for a very strong finish." The successor to NOAA's GOES-R series will be the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite system , which is scheduled to launch in the early 2030s. Man dies after reportedly jumping in water to help children at Eastwood MetroPark A man is dead after trying to save children who were in the water. As reported on News Center 7 at 11, around 6:47 p.m. Dayton firefighters were called to Eastwood MetroPark for reports of a man in the water. Witnesses told firefighters that children were on intertubes near a kayak feature in Mad River when they fell off into the water, according to District Fire Chief Nick Judge. The victim jumped in to save them but quickly needed help. Another man jumped in the water to try and save him and the children. He was able to save the children but not the victim. >> 5-year-olds death ruled a drug overdose; police still investigating After around an hour into a search, divers from the Wright Patterson AFB Fire Department pulled the victim from the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Judge warned about the hidden dangers in lakes and rivers. >> PHOTOS: Man dies after reportedly jumping in water to help children at Eastwood MetroPark Theres lots of objects, trees, and things that end up in the river that creates some very chaotic currents and underwater, what we call eddies, kind of circulating motions with water, he said. That is why swimming is not permitted at Eastwood MetroPark. Firefighters said it is important for people to wear lifejackets whenever they are near or on the water. The name of the victim has not been released. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. (FOX40.COM) West Sacramento is receiving nearly $2 million in funding to extend a trail to Clarksburg. The money will be utilized to develop the last-mile right of way for the Great California Delta Trail Clarksburg Branch Line Trail Extension project, according to a press release. Trails, parks and outdoor areas near Sacramento to stretch your legs and get some fresh air The Great California Trail is set to extend around the shorelines of five Delta counties, linking trail systems from Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay, according to the California Delta Protection Commission. West Sacramento has owned the 6.4-mile trail, which starts near Barge Canal Access and Locks Drive and extends to Pumphouse Road near Clarksburg, since 2005. The extension would go from Pumphouse Road to Willow Point and Clarksburg Road. Along with extending the trail, officials also plan to use the money for outreach, marketing, and promotion reasons that could benefit local reasons and residents. West Sacramento is proud to be the gateway to the Great California Delta Trail network, West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said in a statement. The Clarksburg Branch Line Trail will provide our community with a safe and inviting way to experience the Deltas rural and natural beauty. City officials said the grant was through the Carbon Reduction Program and was awarded by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Whatcom Co. nixes bacteria advisory for Boulevard Park; alerts for two other sites still in effect A new beach has been cleared of the no-contact advisory in Whatcom County, and is safe for swimming. The Whatcom County Health Department on Friday, June 21 announced that testing at the southern end of Boulevard Park, near Taylor Dock, has shown low levels of fecal bacteria. The health risk to the public has been reduced, and it is safe to be in and around the water. Whatcom County Health and Community Services issued the advisory May 31 notifying the public to Swim at your own risk, as measured bacteria levels in the water exceeded health standards and could cause illness. The outfall near Bennett Avenue still has high levels of fecal bacteria and is unsafe. People are advised to avoid the beach area near the outfall. The no-contact advisory at Little Squalicum beach remains in effect. Children and those who are immunocompromised may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses. A variety of health impacts can result from contact with fecal-contaminated waters, according to the Washington Department of Ecology, including: Gastroenteritis. This intestinal infection can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever, according to the Mayo Clinic. Skin rashes. Upper respiratory infections. Swimming tips to minimize risk Avoid swimming for 24 hours after heavy rainfall or anywhere you can see discharge pipes. Keep your face and head out of the water or wear nose plugs and goggles. Dont swallow beach water. Shower after swimming or recreating at a beach. Wash your hands before eating, especially if youve been playing in the sand. Help keep beach water safe for swimming Pick up pet waste and trash. Swim only when well to protect yourself and prevent transmitting illness-causing bacteria to others. Recreational boaters should only discharge bilge water and sewage-holding tanks in approved disposal facilities. Anglers should properly dispose of fish entrails in the trash. Dont feed wildlife. If you get sick If you believe that you are sick from swimming in contaminated waters, see your physician immediately, and contact the Washington Department of Ecology or Whatcom County Health and Community Services to report which beach may have caused your illness. Heres where the four new high-rises proposed for Miamis Wynwood would go MIamis trendy Wynwood district faces a potential high-rise building boom with at least four major projects proposed that could transform the community. The end of Wynwood? Massive projects would remake Miamis hippest neighborhood Here are basics on the initial proposals, according to city records: A 48-story tower with 544 apartments atop a massive parking garage with 621 spots. The tower proposal from Bazbaz Development would go up at North Miami Avenue and Northwest 21st Street. A 39-story tower with 336 apartments located four blocks north of the Bazbaz project, also on North Miami Avenue, by an affiliate of New Yorks Hidrock Properties. A 19-story highrise with 401 apartments located one block west of the Bazbaz site. As part of the project, Miami Court Holdings would preserve and protect an adjacent two-story Art Deco building as part of the project. A 25-story building complex with 996 apartments and 693 parking spaces located along Northwest Sixth avenue between 24th Street and 26th streets, on the western edge of Wynwood along Interstate 95, is proposed by property owner David Sedaghatis Ultimate Equity. Others are likely in the pipeline as well. The proposals, all exceeding local rules limiting buildings to 12 stories in Wynwood, are fueled in large part by a controversial new state law, the Live Local Act, that overrides local building controls and encourages developers to supersize projects in exchange for setting aside apartments as ostensibly affordable housing. Critics say the law mainly profits developers and that new rental units could remain unaffordable to most people. Almost 1.5 million in taxpayer funding has been awarded to a research project that aims to decolonise folk singing. Taking place at the University of Sheffield, researchers will take an unflinching look at the white-centricity of folk music repertory, performers and audience by conducting fieldwork to shed light on long-standing vernacular singing practices of ethnic minority cultures in England. They then hope to increase accessibility to the folk club scene and take the first step in a process of decolonisation within the folk music canon. The project has been awarded 1,485,400 from the taxpayer-funded UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), under its future leaders fellowship. It has also been granted extra funds on top of this from bodies such as Research England (which also falls under the remit of UKRI). Researchers describe one of their methods as, ask a friend, which involves community researchers interviewing acquaintances. The lead investigator also says that she has made systematic reflections on music published throughout my career and how they relate to various notions of Englishness. Researchers from the University of Sheffield said the aim is to 'break down the barriers for people to get involved in folk music' - iStock Prof Dennis Hayes, director of Academics for Academic Freedom, told The Telegraph: Journalists will be pleased to know that there will be an endless supply of stories about disciplines being told by universities to decolonise and of money being spent on studies of whiteness in any and every conceivable subject. The reason for this is institutional groupthink in universities. Universities have adopted the need for decolonisation, and the victim hierarchy of intersectional theory, as essential to upholding their inclusive values. This groupthink is a threat to academic freedom. It silences almost all opposition as academics fear being charged with racism if they speak up against being told what to think. But the only solution is for academics to speak up and put in the time-consuming work on university committees and at university meetings where they can challenge institutional groupthink. Academics For Academic Freedom (AFAF) branches know that once a lone academic speaks up, they will soon find they are not alone. Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Taxpayers are fed up with research councils marching to the beat of their own drum and ignoring all concerns for value for money. Time and time again, these institutions force hard-pressed households to pay millions for academics to rewrite history and achieve minute goals in return. The next government needs to clamp down on research councils to ensure that only worthwhile projects are being greenlit and that any funded research will be of value to taxpayers. A UKRI spokesman said: UKRI invests in a diverse research and innovation portfolio. Decisions to fund the research projects we support are made via a rigorous peer review process by relevant independent experts from across academia and business. UKRIs future leaders fellowships provide long-term support to enable fellows to break down barriers, tackle ambitious programmes and multidisciplinary questions, and to build new research and innovation areas and partnerships. The fellowships are open to applicants with a wide range of career paths, from all disciplines, based in businesses, universities and other research organisations. The aim of the scheme is to develop the next wave of world-class research and innovation leaders. Fay Hield, professor of music at the University of Sheffield, said: The term decolonisation is often misinterpreted. Our research highlights the different under-recognised communities who have helped to establish cultural life in England. Folk music is a constantly evolving genre, which has taken influences from a diverse range of people over centuries. It is part of the UKs cultural heritage and should be celebrated. Our aim is to break down the barriers for people to get involved in folk music. Opening up the genre to different audiences will help to sustain the nations folk music for decades to come. 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 party of U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is headed for a historic defeat in the July 4 general election, after 14 years in power. Illustration:Jianan Liu/HuffPost; Photo:Getty Images Conservatives in the U.K. are projected to get wiped out in next months general election. The party of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which has led the country for more than a decade, is faced with a historic defeat, as voters have grown frustrated by the state of public services and by political scandals that have plagued the Tories in recent years, among other things. While the center-left Labour Party is on track to win a huge majority, everyone seems to be focused on the Conservatives. Were so used to thinking about elections in terms of whos going to win, but this one, its much more about actually the state of the loss and who is going to be in opposition, Louise Thompson, a senior lecturer in politics at The University of Manchester, told HuffPost. Bad news has been piling up for Sunak. On July 4, he could become the first sitting prime minister to ever lose their seat in a general election, while his party may not even win enough seats to become the official opposition, according to a recent poll conducted by market research company Savanta for The Daily Telegraph, which forecasts the centrist Liberal Democrats winning just three fewer seats than the Tories. The findings illustrate the risk of electoral extinction that the Conservative Party is now having to contemplate, Savantas political research director wrote in an op-ed. NEW Savanta MRP for @Telegraph Lab projected for 382 majority Cons fighting with LDs to be Official Opposition Seat forecast Lab 516 (+316) Con 53 (-319) LD 50 (+42) SNP 8 (-40) PC 4 (+2) Other 0 (-1) 17,812 UK adults, changes to last GE notional results pic.twitter.com/JNfSE82XQr Savanta UK (@Savanta_UK) June 19, 2024 Meanwhile, a YouGov poll released last week showed Reform UK the populist right party of Nigel Farage, whos an ally of former President Donald Trump overtaking the Conservatives for the first time, spreading even more alarm in Tory circles. No other poll reported the same finding, though every poll has reported a fall in Conservative support and nearly all a narrowing of the Conservative lead over Reform, polling expert John Curtice noted on the BBC. Standing at just 20%, Conservative support is now at its lowest ever in British polling history, Curtice added. The current projections indicate a stunning reversal of the electoral map following the 2019 general election, in which the Conservatives won nearly 44% of the vote under Boris Johnson and Labour came in second with just over 32%. At the time, the Brexit Party Reforms predecessor, which didnt run candidates in constituencies held by the conservatives came in sixth and didnt win any seats. Robert Johns, a professor of politics at the University of Southampton, told HuffPost its not surprising that the Conservatives have become unpopular after 14 years in power, noting that in theory their party should have faced similar struggles in 2019. Then-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks away after driving a backhoe, with the phrase "Get Brexit Done" inside the digger bucket, through a fake wall emblazoned with the word "Gridlock" in Uttoxeter, England, while on the 2019 general election campaign trail. Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images However, the framing of that years race as the Brexit election in which Johnson promised to deliver on the countrys vote to leave the European Union, effectively making the Tories both the insurgents as well as the mainstream conservative option compared with Labour gave the party a brief respite. It was like normal politics suddenly became suspended, Johns said. The Conservatives became temporarily the leave party, and that was enough to see them through. This time around, though, it seems like nothing can interrupt the Conservatives fall from grace, with the Tories now appearing focused on limiting the scope of a defeat rather than hoping for a win. Sunaks flaws, highlighted further by his poorly run campaign, have done little to change the trajectory of the race. Clawing back to what was still a catastrophic defeat in 1997 for the Conservatives [when they lost to Labour by 12.5 percentage points] would now likely be seen as a good result, Luke Tryl, the U.K. director of research group More in Common, told Times Radio. The Chickens Have Come Home To Roost Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, traced the projected demise of the Tories back to 2010 when a Conservative-led government imposed austerity measures on the country, leaving public services weakened to this day. Although it seems like a long time ago, whats essentially happened is that the chickens have come home to roost, Bale said. The fundamentals really matter. The fact that public services are falling apart is crucial, Bale continued. That, coupled with the inability to deliver on Brexit promises around reducing immigration numbers, has contributed to the frustration of voters. Conservatives rhetoric on immigration has had the simultaneous effect of inflaming right-wing voters, many of whom have pivoted to Farages party, and alienating the moderate liberal voters who are now backing Labour or the Liberal Democrats. In recent years, the Conservatives have also been through back-to-back changes in leadership, which led voters to question their competence to govern. Amid the resignation of Theresa May, Johnson won the Tory leadership race in the mid-2019 ahead of the general election in December, when he secured a landslide victory. Yet in 2022 he was forced to step down as the prime minister and leader of Conservatives, following allegations of misconduct against a top ally and growing public anger about violations of COVID-19 restrictions by his government. Liz Truss, who won the next Tory leadership race amid Johnsons departure, went on to become the countrys shortest-serving prime minister, after her botched economic plan spooked the markets and caused the value of the pound to tumble, undermining Britains reputation for economic competence and leaving her no option but to resign. Enter Sunak, who after nearly two years in office has struggled to turn things around. Sunak stands in the rain outside 10 Downing St. in London on May 22, 2024, as he announces the date of the next U.K. general election. Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images While things were always going to be difficult for Sunak, his lack of political skill and the perception that hes out of touch mixed with a series of campaign blunders, including his decision to depart early from D-Day commemorations in France and travel home for an ITV interview have worsened his position. It would have taken a miracle to win this election for a Conservative prime minister, but hes turned a bad situation into what looks like it could be a disaster, Bale told HuffPost. The Farage Effect Farage, a provocateur and one of the main architects of Brexit, had intended to stay out of U.K. general election and instead focus on the U.S. presidential race to help get Trump back in the White House. But he abandoned this plan after catching wind of the dire state of the Conservatives. In early June, Farage announced that he would run as a candidate in the Clacton constituency and become the leader of Reform UK. The Conservatives were already on the way out, and he has ensured that the defeat will probably turn into a landslide of what looks at the moment like epic proportions, Bale said. And Conservatives current messaging that a Labour majority is all but certain could backfire, making right-wing voters perceive their choice as low risk and pick Reform UK over Sunaks party, warned Polly Mackenzie, who served as the director of policy for then-Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg from 2010 to 2015. That sense that theres no jeopardy anymore may encourage people away from the Conservative Party, Mackenzie said on the How To Win an Election podcast. If Farage manages to snag the Clacton seat and get into Parliament, he could end up being invited to join the Conservative Party as part of a potential merger between the Tories and Reform UK, despite the fact that many moderate conservatives would detest the prospect, Bale said. The Reform Party's Nigel Farage speaks to an audience at Princes Theatre on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Clacton-on-Sea, England. Dan Kitwood via Getty Images This could potentially lead to Farage becoming Conservative Party leader sometime before a 2029 general election, which would be a stunning turn of events, especially since Farage has so far failed to get elected to the House of Commons seven times. (Farage served in the European Parliament from 1999 until 2020, when the U.K. officially left the European Union.) While Farage has appeared evasive when asked about whether he would join the Conservatives, he said he absolutely would vie to be prime minister in 2029. Despite the momentum that Reform UK is experiencing, the countrys first-past-the-post system means it would win just a handful of seats, at best. Still, a scenario in which the Reform UK leader and a few others in his party get elected to British Parliament would be a Farage honeymoon, as this would give him outsize influence over the future of the Tories, a senior Conservative source told the BBCs Chris Mason. Thompson told HuffPost that if Reform manages to win even just one seat, that would give it a foothold in the House of Commons, but perhaps even more crucially make it eligible to receive public funding intended for opposition parties. As Thompson explained, that would help it recruit staffers and get a more prominent role in Parliament, as opposed to just being a party on the fringes. What About Labour? Bale said that although Farage has garnered a lot of attention in the campaign, his presence shouldnt distract from the main message that voters are expected to send in this years election, which is that they are fed up with the Conservatives. If Labour makes a decent fist of being in government, then, you know, whatever happens to Nigel Farage and the Conservative Party probably isnt going to make very much difference even in 2029, Bale said. But More in Commons research shows that while voters across the country are indeed disappointed with the Tories, this sentiment isnt just limited to the Conservatives, pointing to a deeper challenge, Tryl told Times Radio. Its not just the usual apathy and cynicism, but something a bit deeper this sense that after the past few years, people arent convinced that any politician of any stripe can make a difference, Tryl said. Meanwhile, Johns added that some people expect Labour to win a titanic majority in July but worry that the legitimacy of the result could be questioned by antiestablishment figures like Farage, since the left and the right could get a similar amount of electoral support when adding up the vote tally of Conservatives and Reform UK, but the right would get disproportionately fewer seats due to the countrys electoral system. If he starts questioning an elections legitimacy in a slightly Trump-like fashion, things might get messier than they ever have before, Johns told HuffPost. Related... Wife of Late TV Doctor Michael Mosley Pens Heartfelt Message About Continuing His Work: 'We Miss Him So Much' "Michael was an amazing man. Thank you for seeing that too," Clare Bailey Mosley wrote Maureen McLean/Shutterstock Michael Mosley and Clare Bailey Mosley in 2013 The wife of British TV doctor Michael Mosley, whose body was found after a headline-making search this month, is speaking out about his death. In her first Instagram post since his death, Clare Bailey Mosley an author and Daily Mail columnist, like Michael shared a heartfelt message dedicated to her late husband on Saturday, June 22. Thank you all for your wonderfully supportive messages, she wrote alongside a photo of him. The outpouring of love from so many people has meant a huge amount to me and my family. "I'm going to be quiet for a while. Im sure you will understand, she said. Related: TV Doctor Michael Mosley Died of Natural Causes: Reports Clare noted she will be back here soon to pick up where her husband left off. I very much want to continue with the work that gave Michael and myself so much joy and such a sense of purpose, she continued. Once more thank you so much for respecting my family's privacy so kindly. Michael was an amazing man. Thank you for seeing that too. We miss him so much, she concluded. After Michael's body was found on June 9 he disappeared while vacationing in Greece on June 5 Clare reacted to his death in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "I don't know quite where to begin with this, the author said. It's devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband. We had an incredibly lucky life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together." Clare also said she was "incredibly proud" of the couple's children for "their resilience and support over the past days," adding: "My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world. It's clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you." According to multiple outlets including the BBC, Associated Press and The Guardian Michael's body was found on a beach in Agia Marina. Lefteris Papakalodoukas, the mayor of Symi the island where Michael went missing said that the body was lying face-up against a fence after appearing to have fallen down a steep slope. SYSPEO/SIPA/Shutterstock Michael Mosley in 2022 Related: TV Doctor Michael Mosley Goes Missing While on a Walk in Greece: 'No Trace of Him' Clare said that she and her loved ones are currently "taking comfort in the fact that Michael whom she described as a special and adventurous man so very nearly made it." In her statement, she said, "He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldnt be easily seen by the extensive search team. 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. She also thanked those who helped search for the TV doctor. "We are so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi who have worked tirelessly to help find him, she said. Some of these people on the island, who hadnt even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked." "Were also very grateful to the press who have dealt with us with great respect," Clare continued. "I feel so lucky to have our children and my amazing friends." "Most of all," she concluded, "I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael. Thank you all." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Indiana State Police Major Jerry Williams, a Gary native, announced Saturday he will run for Lake County Sheriff in the 2026 election. The timing is right for the next chapter of my career, and thats to take all these achievements and successes that Ive gained over the years with the state police and bring those accomplishments and experiences closer to home back here in Lake County, Williams said in an interview with the Post-Tribune. Williams began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer for the Lake County Sheriffs office before going to work for the Indiana State Police, where hes worked for the last 31 years, he said. Alongside ISP Superintendent Douglas Carter, Williams spearheaded an intensive 15-month effort starting in early 2022 to assist the City of Gary with reorganizing and implementing industry-wide best practices to improve public safety and make the department a better place to work. He served as Garys interim Police Chief for the first half of 2023. Over the years with Indiana State Police, Williams said he was a road trooper in Lake County and then a member of a gang task force, where he worked investigations in East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Munster and Highland. Then, Williams said he became a sergeant and worked in Indianapolis in the state polices fiscal division. In that role, Williams said he worked on grant writing and bid specification writing. Williams also worked in the Indiana State Police internal investigations division, before being assigned as lieutenant of the Indiana State Police Lowell District, which encompasses seven counties, he said. As lieutenant of the Lowell district, Williams said he oversaw urban areas like Gary and East Chicago to rural areas like Pulaski and Starke counties. Williams said he currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Police executive staff as assistant chief of staff of logistics, which means he supervises the state polices supply, maintenance, engineering, transportation as well as overseeing all property and facilities the police agency owns. At the end of the day, Im a crime fighter. I pride myself on being that. Im passionate about doing just that, Williams said. Being able to bring that level of understanding to an office like the Lake County Sheriffs department will be paramount. Itll give me a leg up, I believe, because it will shorten my learning curve. Williams said hes talked to some Lake County officials about his run for sheriff, though he declined to share who he talked to. But, Williams said those he talked to seemed excited that he is running for sheriff. The race for sheriff wont be decided until the 2026 election, but Williams said he sees his announcement as a six-month head start to the typical schedule of announcing in late 2024 or early 2025 for that election. Were excited about it. My team is 100% committed to doing the best we can for Lake County. Our goal now is to get out here and get an early start with sharing our message, our vision and our values with the community, Williams said. Williams said his values for the Lake County Sheriffs office are public safety, integrity and transparency. Williams is the second person to announce his candidacy for Lake County Sheriff. In January, St. John Police Chief Steve Flores announced he will run for the sheriffs office as well. People ask why I want to run, and its very simple. Public service and protecting our community has always been part of my life, it has led us to stand here today where a new dream has taken over for me, and that is to maintain and create a safer Lake County, Flores said in his announcement. Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Wieser said more than a couple of people have told him they would like to run for Lake County sheriff. He declined to give an exact number and the names of the people who expressed interest in the position. I understand the nature of the position and its an important position in county government, Wieser said. He added that as more candidates announce for the sheriffs race that he hopes they are mindful of the Democratic partys focus to reelect Congressman Frank Mrvan in November. Current Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. is not eligible to run for re-election as he is in the middle of his second term. Under state law, county sheriffs can only serve up to two four-year terms within a 12-year period. akukulka@chicagotribune.com Meredith Colias-Pete and Post-Tribune archives contributed. WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A resolution was reached Friday on a controversial rezoning proposal in Wilson County. On Friday, June 21, Wilson County farmers rode about 35 tractors through Lebanon, with a police escort, in a show of protest against this plan, which would develop approximately 1,400 acres of farmland into an industrial park. This parade acted as a precursor to the countys 10 a.m. planning commission meeting regarding the plan. Seeing the community grow and be strong in a time like this is a heartfelt moment for me, said Jack Pratt, a lifelong farmer in the Tuckers Crossroad area. This community is a family. Its family farms, people that live out there, and were sticking together to let them know that we do not want this. Theres a disconnect in our country right now; theres a disconnect even right here in Tennessee. People dont realize how their food, where it comes from. We want them to realize that we grow it right here, locally, and this affects them. PREVIOUS: Wilson County farmers plan protest against industrial development Ahead of a decision by the planning commission, opposition towards the plan was on full display inside the countys courthouse. They think they can push us out?! exclaimed resident Judy Harrington at the podium. Weve lived there for 32 years! We moved there in 1992! We love our place! We bought it for our kids, to pass it onto them, not to give to people that already have billions of dollars! Im mainly up here for my kids, said another resident. I got two little ones. One day, they may want to farm, and if we dont stand our ground now, there may not be any farmland in the future. We already have an industry [here]: its called agriculture, Pratt said during the meeting. (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) The developers from a Texas-based company, Hillwood, presented an updated plan that promised cooperation with farmers, miles of new and needed water pipelines, and other boosts to the local economy. Additionally, Hillwood officials said they would build the park in phases, meaning farmers would still have the ability to work parts of the land that are untouched. Late into the afternoon, the Wilson County Planning Commission finally came to a vote: a unanimous no to rezoning the land for industrial use. The battle isnt necessarily over, however. The Wilson County Commission has final authority on this proposal, and Hillwood developers may decide to press on. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com For now, though, its a win for farmers. Were not going anywhere. Were Tuckers Crossroad strong, and were going to stand strong, said Pratt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The San Bernardino County Coroner is trying to determine what caused a 50-year-old woman to collapse and die at a park in Rancho Cucamonga late Friday morning. Authorities were called to Golden Oak Park shortly before 11:30 a.m. on a report of a female experiencing a medical emergency. Deputies arrived and located the victim lying on the ground, and she was not breathing, the sheriffs department said in a statement. Paramedics provided medical treatment and rushed the woman to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her name was not released. She was a resident of Ontario, the sheriffs department said. Anyone with information was urged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriffs Station at (909) 477-2800. Rancho Cucamonga and many other communities in Californias Inland Empire were under a heat advisory as temperatures climbed into the 90s Friday afternoon and were expected to hit triple digits over the weekend. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A womans ex-boyfriend has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of her mother in Maryland 23 years ago, authorities said. Eugene Teodor Gligor, 44, was arrested on June 18 by U.S. marshals in Washington, D.C., in connection with the May 2, 2001, killing of Leslie Preer, 49, at her Chevy Chase home, the Montgomery County Police Department announced. Gligor was linked to the crime scene through DNA evidence, the MCPD said. Leslie Preer was brutally killed in her Chevy Chase, Maryland, home in 2001. Her daughters ex-boyfriend has been charged with first-degree murder in the 23-year-old cold case. Montgomery County Police Department Leslie Preers daughter, Lauren Preer, and Gligor had dated for five years, she told The Washington Post. They were no longer a couple at the time of her mothers death, when Lauren was 23, and hadnt spoken for three years. While they were dating, she said, the couples families, who lived near each other, socialized together, and Gligor accompanied her on family trips. She told the Post that Gligor had never shown any signs of violence, but her father, who died in 2017, repeatedly warned her that there was something off about him. Her mother, however, had always been fond of Gligor, Lauren Preer said. Her father and a co-worker of her mothers found her body in her upstairs bedroom after she didnt show up for work, authorities said. She had been beaten to death, The Washington Post reported. This was a pretty brutal crime scene with a lot of blood, a Montgomery County police detective told Washingtons WTTG-TV, Fox 5, in August 2022, when authorities announced that a cold case team was investigating the case and seeking information from the public. The Texas-based forensics lab Othram said that it had teamed with the MCPD in September 2022 to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the then-unknown suspect using blood evidence from the crime scene. Genetic genealogy analysis which uses DNA databases to construct family history profiles identified Gligor as a potential suspect, police said. DNA evidence collected from Gligor was a positive match for DNA recovered from the crime scene, they said. Investigators did not say how they had obtained Gligors DNA. HuffPost reached out to the MCPD, the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office and Gligors attorney but did not get an immediate response. Gligor is being held without bond, court records show. His next court hearing is scheduled for Monday. The Georgia Attorney Generals Office announced a Clayton County woman was indicted in DeKalb County for multiple charges related to human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children. According to the AGs office, 37-year-old Virginia Anne Bates was indicted in DeKalb County after the offices Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit recovered a 16-year-old girl in March 2023. The unit investigated Bates, who was accused of knowingly harboring the girl and another woman to provide them to sex buyers in DeKalb County, and receiving portions of money earned by both victims for performing commercial sex acts, according to officials. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Bates was taken into custody on March 25, the AGs office said. As we have said since the beginning those involved in the sex trafficking of a child will be held accountable, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in a statement. Our investigators and analysts work each day to identify and locate victims and offenders throughout our state, and this is another example of the results were able to achieve thanks to their efforts. We will never stop fighting to protect our most vulnerable Georgians. TRENDING STORIES: Now, Bates faces eight charges related to the case, including: 4 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of Children 3 counts of Pimping A DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Bates on May 29. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Heading home after a guided food-tour excursion in Mexico with her girlfriends, Gretchen Stelter settled into her window seat in business class on American Airlines and began editing a book manuscript for her new job. The 42-year-old editor, worried about a fast-approaching deadline, said she hoped her open laptop and the AirPods in her ears would discourage the chatty passenger next to her. When her plan failed, Stelter said, she gave up on work and made small talk with the man during their two-hour flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Chicago. But according to Stelters pending lawsuit, American Airlines employees failed to protect her from what happened next: Her seatmate, who ordered two double vodka sodas, became uncontrollably drunk and loudly sexually harassed her. He also grabbed her buttocks as she moved to exchange seats with a sympathetic passenger, the complaint alleges. Stelters lawsuit, filed in Cook County in late May, also alleges American Airlines employees victim-shamed and blamed her in the hours and days following her Oct. 29 ordeal. A spokesperson for the Fort Worth-based carrier declined to comment Friday, citing the pending litigation. The suit is the latest in a series of recent public relations headaches for the airline. Federal authorities said a former American Airlines flight attendant attempted to record a 14-year-old girl last September while she used a lavatory and that he was in possession of recordings of four other minors. Some of the girls families have sued the airline. The man pleaded not guilty last month to attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. Also last month, three Black men sued the carrier alleging discriminatory behavior after they and other Black passengers were temporarily removed from a January flight over a complaint of offensive body odor. In a June 18 letter to his employees, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom called the incident unacceptable and pledged several actions to improve diversity and inclusion. Isom said he also has spoken with NAACP leaders, who had threatened to issue a travel advisory against the carrier. In a Tribune interview, Stelter said she had a long day of travel on Oct. 29 after enjoying a nine-day vacation in Mexico with several girlfriends. Traveling alone, she began her journey at 6 a.m. in Oaxaca; her itinerary included stops in Mexico City and Dallas-Fort Worth, where she boarded American flight 1551 to OHare. She planned to drive from Chicago to the home she shares with her husband in Madison, Wisconsin. Stelter said she splurged on a business-class seat so shed have more space to tackle the manuscript from a romantic fantasy series she was editing for her new job at a Naperville-based publishing house. She said the man directly next to her in 3B the aisle seat ordered a double vodka soda and struck up a conversation. It was pretty clear right away that he wanted to chat, she said. He just kept talking. Stelter said the conversation began innocuously enough with chitchat about their lives, their trips and even the writings of Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Her seatmate was speaking coherently at first, Stelter said. About one hour into the flight, the man ordered a refill of his drink, according to the suit. Stelter, who had finished her soft drink, decided to order an alcoholic drink as well, she said. He was not slurring, and he did not start off being inappropriate, she said. It definitely escalated the more he was served alcohol. Stelter said she grew increasingly uncomfortable as he complimented her appearance, complained about his girlfriend and said he wished the woman was more like her. Stelter, who was wearing her wedding ring, said she politely rebuffed him, telling the man she was happily married. He called himself stupid and told himself to shut up, the lawsuit said, but still persisted. The complaint alleges two flight attendants were nearby when the man made vile, offensive, and harassing comments to Stelter, saying he was going to perform a sex act on her, using crude language, and that he would wear her down and f her.) Stelter said she consistently told him no and asked him to stop talking and to stop drinking. Honestly, I was trapped, she told the Tribune. I was in 3A. He was in 3B. My only way to get out of that seat was either to have some sort of help or to clamber over him, giving him full access to parts of my body that I did not feel like giving him access to. Other passengers took notice, including a man seated directly in front of Stelter in 2A who summoned a flight attendant after he inquired if Stelter was OK and she told him she wasnt, according to the lawsuit. Her seatmate told the employee he was just having fun, and Stelter said the flight attendant took no action to protect her. He walked away, allowing the assailant to keep the alcohol (that) was left in his glass as well as the bottle of vodka then remaining in plain sight on his tray table, the complaint said. Stelter said the mans harassing behavior continued throughout the flight. He told her they were going to party, repeatedly touched her hair, and tried to hold her hand and kiss her, according to the lawsuit, and began spitting on the floor. Stelters complaint alleges two flight attendants in the business-class section of the plane witnessed much of the mans behavior and failed to help her despite her complaints that he was harassing and touching her and that he was going to be sick. The lawsuit acknowledges they did warn the man to stop touching other passengers; Stelter also mentioned in an interview that they gave him water and offered assistance to the bathroom. Feeling trapped, Stelter said she tried to de-escalate the situation by responding to the man calmly but firmly, drawing on her training from working part time with a rape crisis center. I think I was in a little bit of shock that no one was helping me, she said. I wanted to curl into a ball and be as tiny as possible because I didnt want to be touched anymore. Shortly before landing, the male passenger in 2A offered to trade seats. The lawsuit alleges Stelters assailant grabbed her buttocks as she stepped over him to leave the row, while the two flight attendants stood nearby. She said he continued to verbally harass her through the gap between the seats. Upon landing at OHare, the lawsuit said, passengers were asked to remain seated as police removed the man from the plane after they determined he was too drunk to move safely. Stelter said emergency medical personnel later removed him from the airport on a stretcher. The lawsuit alleges airline gate agents chastised and blamed Stelter during a conversation immediately after the flight and suggested she hadnt done enough to stop his behavior. She filed a complaint on Americans website the next day. Four days after her flight, she received a form email in response, the lawsuit said. At her request, a customer relations employee called her. After explaining that she had alerted the American flight attendants to the assailants behavior and they had not taken any action in response, the American customer relations employee yelled at and blamed (Stelter) for the incident, leaving (her) in tears, the lawsuit alleges. A few days later, Stelter said, a member of the airlines executive team called and acknowledged the previous employee had not handled the situation properly and promised someone with their global investigations team would be in touch. She said that never happened. Stelter said she has been in touch with the FBI and signed a complaint against the inebriated passenger. Her attorneys, Deanna Pihos and Benjamin Blustein, said they are unaware if he is facing criminal charges or a civil penalty. He is not named in the lawsuit. The Federal Aviation Administration reported a sharp spike in passenger unruliness in 2021, leading to a zero-tolerance policy that replaced warning letters with monetary fines. There were 5,973 unruly passenger incidents that year, according to the FAA. The number of incidents dropped to 2,455 in 2022, 2,075 in 2023, and 915 cases in 2024 as of June 9, with 106 of those incidents connected to drinking. Last month, the FAA filed a federal lawsuit to collect a nearly $82,000 fine from a San Antonio woman who tried opening an American Airlines cabin door mid-flight in July 2021 and was eventually restrained with duct tape. In January, a passenger on an American Airlines flight out of Dallas-Fort Worth was accused of assaulting a flight attendant and later kicking a police officer. And in March, an intoxicated passenger on an American Airlines flight to Tampa was removed when he was accused of threatening to take this plane down. Once an avid traveler who said she has lived in Australia, became engaged in Paris and visited such far-flung destinations as London, Fiji, Ireland, New Zealand and Italy, Stelter said the ordeal has left her mostly grounded by anxiety, panic attacks and other emotional distress. She accepted a voluntary demotion at her full-time job and has been unable to fill her shifts as a part-time on-call advocate for rape survivors, according to her lawsuit. Thats one of the hardest things about trauma, she told the Tribune, when it takes away from you something you love. Stelter said she is suing for damages, lost earnings and to send a message to American Airlines to improve its employee training to better handle in-flight incidents and passenger complaints. I was retraumatized at every step instead of being listened to and supported, she said. It was just a complete failure at every turn to do anything to protect me or to validate me. Had someone at some point said, Im so sorry that this happened to you, and then they had handled it in that way from then on, it would be a very different situation. cmgutowski@chicagotribune.com AUSTIN (KXAN) In March, the Austin City Council approved a measure that would convert over 100 parking spaces on and near South Congress into paid spots. More recently, new paid parking signs have popped up as a result, and its a change that has frustrated some workers. PAST COVERAGE: Austin installing paid parking along South Congress Isabell Quinn, a server at restaurant Two Hands on South Congress, is displeased with the current parking situation. Two Hands doesnt provide parking permits to Quinn and her coworkers, so they have had to resort parking further from their workplace for free parking. Now it can take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes to find (free) parkinglet alone walk from that spot to your place of work, Quinn said. The cost of parking is dependent on how long you park for and where you park. If you were to park in new paid street parking spots for 10 hours in day, you would pay around $40 according to the Park ATX app. There are other places on South Congress that have even higher rates, such as the Music Lane Garage, which charges $60 for 8-12 hours of parking. In Austin, you make less hourlynot including tipsthan what you would have to pay for parking that day, Quinn said. When you calculate those costslike per monthits crazy. Jillian Dodson, another server at Two Hands, said she has reconsidered working on South Congress with the inconveniences. I love my jobthis is my favorite job that Ive ever had, Dodson said. Having to park in these conditionshaving the struggle getting to workis starting to a point where its not as enjoyable. In response to these complaints, the Austin Public and Transportation and Public Works put out a statement: Parking on or near South Congress best serves short-term visitor parking, and the paid parking update has resulted in better availability for people visiting the area. The City is working with merchants to address employee parking concerns, if there is not a sufficient off-street option in the area. Many of the merchants in the area have access to off-street parking facilities that can help accommodate employee parking needs. TPW will continue to work with merchants and stakeholders to address employee parking concerns, including the potential for affordable parking options similar to what is available to downtown service industry workers. Austin Transportation and Public Works Dodson feels more still needs to be done to accommodate workers on South Congress. Were bringing in money to the street. Were bringing in foot traffic, Dodson said. I feel like we should be looked out for. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WSU Master Plan approved by KBOR, what do former students think of it? WSU Master Plan approved by KBOR, what do former students think of it? WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Wichita State University has already made big changes to its campus in the past 10 years, and now its looking to make even more. The school got its Master Plan approved by the Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday after the board saw it for the first time. The plan includes tearing down some buildings, making renovations to some, and building new ones. What do some former students think of the schools efforts in the plan theyve laid out? Spirit AeroSystems workers learn if their jobs are cut I think, as of right now, they are in need of revamping a lot of the actual classrooms and buildings. I know they just redid the business building, former WSU student Leon Chau said. The university says they wont tear down any buildings without finding a replacement or temporary home for programs first. I know the buildings are pretty old so I think its going to do great things for the students and open more opportunities for them, former WSU student Haze Jones said. The university says changes will happen over several 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 KSN-TV. This week at a resort in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, delegates at the Republican Oarty convention quietly approved a platform with a retooled Right to Life plank. Journalists were barred from the proceedings, but reporter Logan Finney of Idaho Reports obtained the language ahead of the event and, reading it, its clear why the party hoped to avoid media attention: Even by Idaho standards the state is currently fighting the federal government over whether it can force hospitals to let pregnant patients bleed out instead of providing an abortion its extreme. We were shocked two years ago when the Idaho Republican Party passed a platform opposing abortion in every case even when it was necessary to save the life of the patient, Idaho Democratic Party chair and state Rep. Lauren Necochea tells Rolling Stone. During the GOP convention that year, Necochea says, there was a proposal to carve out an exception in the platform for abortions that would save the mothers life, but it was voted down, handily. At this years gathering, the party ratcheted up that existing language, changing it from a blanket statement opposing abortion at any stage, for any reason, to one that still condemns all abortion, but also opposes in vitro fertilization as it is currently practiced. The new language reads: We oppose all actions which intentionally end an innocent human life, including abortion, the destruction of human embryos, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. In order to have a chance at creating a single successful birth, IVF requires the fertilization of as many embryos as possible; embryos are often cryogenically preserved for extended periods but, once a patient decides their family is complete, they can be donated or destroyed. If the Idaho GOPs platform becomes policy, it could threaten access to IVF across the state. There is a good chance it will eventually become policy too: In Idaho, the Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, attorney general, as well as both chambers of the state legislature. In recent years, the state partys hard-right leadership has taken to holding tribunals, censuring and otherwise punishing party members who step out of line. Whats striking about Idaho Republicans opposition to IVF is the fact that it is both considered and deliberate and it is part of an emboldened Republican movement that could threaten IVF around the country. Thats something of a reversal from just a few months ago. In Alabama earlier this year, when a state supreme court decision triggered the abrupt suspension of fertility treatment across the state, GOP lawmakers rushed through legislation to shield IVF providers from criminal charges and civil lawsuits, while publicly professing their support for fertility treatments. National Republican figures including Donald Trump, and his more pious former VP Mike Pence made similar supportive pronouncements. But the mask is falling off, and not just in Idaho: Earlier this month, GOP senators blocked a proposal that would have offered federal protection for IVF. In Texas, the state GOP ratified a new platform that promises equal protection for the preborn, and asserts fertilized eggs are entitled to the right to life from the moment of fertilization. As the writer and activist Jessica Valenti has pointed out, that language equates the destruction of embryos with murder. If enacted into policy, it would effectively criminalize anyone who seeks an abortion, in addition to ending IVF access in one the most populous states in the country. At the same convention, Texas Republicans ratified a plank that would ban human embryo trafficking a measure that could prevent patients from transporting their embryos out of state if fertility treatment comes under threat in Texas, or, as former state Sen. Wendy Davis (D) told HuffPo, be used against pregnant people seeking an abortion outside of Texas. In Missouri, the GOP reaffirmed that life begins at conception at their convention this year, adding that the party endorses fetal personhood, or legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendments protections apply to unborn children. Such recognition would threaten access to both abortion and fertility treatments. The Kansas GOP has a similar amendment in its platform this year. Ditto North Carolina. The committee tasked with overhauling the national Republican Party platform ahead of the convention in Milwaukee next month, meanwhile, is currently weighing whether to retain its own explicit support for fetal personhood a fixture of the party platform since the 1980s in this years version. In Idaho, Necochea says, the threat to IVF is very real. Earlier this year, as lawmakers in Alabama were scrambling to find a fix to restore IVF services in the state, Republicans in Idaho were having a very different conversation. They wanted to replace fetus with unborn child everywhere in our statute. So they wanted to use inaccurate language based on ideology, and not based on science, and put it into our statute. Fertility doctors raised alarms about the change, but, Necochea says, it was an objection from the states attorney general that may have slowed that effort. Our Republican attorney general was worried about it muddying the waters of the EMTALA lawsuit that we have at the Supreme Court right now. That case considers whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, a federal law that requires hospitals to provide stabilizing care for all patients, protects pregnant patients who may need abortions. The law also includes its own reference to an unborn child. The Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision on it in the coming days. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Yolo County reports 2 measles cases, first since 2015. Both were in unvaccinated children Two Yolo County children were diagnosed this month with measles, marking the countys first cases in nearly a decade, county officials said Friday. The children recently returned from international travel and became ill with the disease, according to a news release by Yolo County health officials. The patients were not vaccinated for the disease and are recovering at home with mild symptoms, the countys health agency said. Officials said the children visited a Kaiser Permanente hospital and pediatric clinic while contagious with the disease four total times over the span of a week: Kaiser Permanente South Sacramentos emergency department, 6600 Bruceville Road, between 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. June 12 and between 10:20 p.m. June 14 and 2:10 a.m. June 15. Kaiser Permanente Downtown Commons pediatric clinic, 501 J St., between 10:23 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. June 12 and between 10:48 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday. Kaiser Permanente notified patients and employees who were in close proximity to the infected patients of their potential exposure, according to the release. County officials advise anyone who was at the facilities at the same time as the children to contact Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento County Public Healths communicable disease program at 916-875-5881, or Yolo County Public Healths communicable disease program at 530-490-3953. The last confirmed case of measles in Yolo County had been in 2015, county officials said. The two recent cases mark Californias tenth and 11th cases in 2024. In May, at least 200 people were exposed to measles after an infected child visited UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. According to data from the California Department of Public Health, measles cases are increasing after four consecutive years of relatively low case numbers. The state saw four cases of the disease in 2023, while 2020 had five diagnoses. There were no diagnosed cases of measles in the state 2021 or 2022, which was also the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Measles symptoms typically develop eight to 12 days after infection. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. This can further develop about three to five days later into a rash that begins at the top of the head and spreads downwards, health officials say. The airborne disease is typically spread through contact with the bodily fluids of other infected patients or breathing the same air as someone with measles, according to the World Health Organization. Measles can be prevented with two doses of a measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) or a measles, mumps, rubella, varicella vaccine. They have been proven to be highly effective at preventing the diseases spread two doses are 97% effective against the disease, and even one dose is 93% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yolo Countys health officer, Dr. Aimee Sisson, in a prepared statement said the latest measles case highlights the risk of getting infected with measles during international travel, especially if you arent vaccinated. Sisson was not immediately available to answer further questions about the recent cases. Kaiser Permanente provided an emailed statement, strongly urging all parents to ensure children are up to date on vaccinations. New York City voted to increase rent on stabilized apartments. Is Westchester next? New Yorkers living in stabilized apartments in the five boroughs face higher rents this fall, and the Lower Hudson Valley may be poised to follow suit, with the Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board set to vote on rent increases later this month. The city of New York recently voted to allow an increase in prices for rent-stabilized apartments. According to the press office of Mayor Eric Adams, residents who live in rent-stabilized apartments will see their rents increase this October. In a 5-to-4 vote, New York City's Rent Guidelines Board voted to approve rent increases. One-year leases will rise by 2.75%, while two-year leases will rise by 5.25%. Last Week in Real Estate: Tenant Protection Act to be addressed at hearing in Mount Vernon Housing cost burden on Westchester families at a 'breaking point' Like New York City, Westchester is in the process of determining whether there will be rent adjustments for leases of rent-stabilized apartments, also known as apartments subject to the Emergency Tenants Protection Act (EPTA), which regulates the amount that the rent on such apartments can be increased. (This is not to be confused with rent control, a system implemented right after World War II to protect tenants living in private buildings from illegal rent increases.) A number of public hearings have taken place this month ahead of June 27, the date when the Westchester Rent Guidelines Board is scheduled to vote on changes. "The level of housing cost burden on families in Westchester is at a breaking point," said Marlene Zarfes, the executive director of Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc., the company that handles the marketing of affordable housing for the county. "Westchester has a housing market that is increasingly unaffordable to all but higher income households." Lewisboro Commons in northern Westchester is home to 42 affordable apartments. The Westchester County Rent Guidance Board is set to vote on potential increases for leases subject to the Emergency Tenant Protection Act June 27. Zarfes' comments highlight the need for rent prices to remain level. Like her, Dennis Hanratty, the executive director of Mount Vernon United Tenants, a community organization that provides tenant assistance, said "tenants are going to get hurt" should the county decide to increase rents. "People are spending 70% of their income for rent," Hanratty said. He said many of the people Mount Vernon United Tenants works with head single parent households. "They can't get the kids a change in shoes or clothes or clothes and stuff like that, because everything goes to rent," Hanratty said. Hanratty said that "the deck is really stacked against low to moderate income tenants in today's housing market." He advocates for no rent increase for both one- and two-year renewals. According to Charni Sochet of the New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR), the Westchester Rent Guidelines Board makes its decision on rent adjustments using factors that include the economic condition of the residential real estate industry, cost of living indices for the area and other factors. That's where the HCR, the state's affordable housing agency, comes in. Some of the information the board uses is provided each year through HCRs tabulation of the results of surveys of income and expenses, which are sent to owners of rent-regulated buildings within the county annually, Sochet said via email. The Rent Guidelines Board also uses the public hearings it holds throughout the county to gather additional information needed to make its decision. The next public meeting of the Westchester Rent Guidelines Board will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 24 at Yonkers Public Library, Grinton I. Will Branch in the auditorium (1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers). Visit hcr.ny.gov/rent-guidelines-board-hearings for more information. Samantha Antrum is the community news and outreach reporter for The Journal News/lohud. She reports on cultural and social justice issues and events, with a focus on BIPOC and underrepresented communities. You can reach her at santrum@lohud.com. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Stabilized apartments: Will Westchester raise rent after NYC vote? A teenager and a minor have been charged with planning a terrorist attack on Jewish targets in France, just days after a 12-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped in an anti-Semitic attack. Jews living in France, which has the largest Jewish community in western Europe and the biggest outside Israel and the United States, say the country has become a frightening place to live since Oct 7. Its terrifying to see that once again in France, in 2024, we can be physically attacked because we are Jewish, said Caroline Maury, secretary-general of the Jewish collective Nous Vivrons (We Will Live). The attack is all the more terrible as the victim was 12 years old. She was a little girl. The suspects were also between 12 and 13, which reinforces the horror of it all. A new threshold has been reached, she said. Nous Vivrons was created following the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel, in response to a rise in anti-Semitism. Reports of Tuesdays alleged violent sexual assault and taunting with anti-Semitic slurs, in the Paris suburb of Courbevoie, had forced some Jews to consider leaving France, Ms Maury said. Terror charges Separately, on Friday, prosecutors charged a 19-year-old man and a youth in the Paris region with planning a terror attack on Jewish targets. The pair became connected on social media and were planning a violent action notably aiming at Jewish targets, a judicial source said. The 19-year-old faces changes of terrorist conspiracy and acquisition and possession of arms for a terrorist enterprise. The youth was arrested on June 13. Investigators have expressed concern over the young age of some suspects detained in recent months for planning attacks. This is a necessarily worrying phenomenon, senior anti-terrorist prosecutor Olivier Christen said at an evidentiary hearing on Wednesday. Reports of the alleged rape caused protests to erupt on the streets of the capital and other French cities this week ahead of the imminent snap election and the Paris Olympics. On Tuesday, three boys aged 12 to 13 were charged with rape, making death threats and insulting the victims religion. Death threat The girl says she was dragged to an isolated location, where she was beaten to the ground, gang-raped and forced to perform a sex act. During the attack, she claims her assailants put a lighter to her cheek and threatened to kill her if she went to the police. This very young girl suffered everything. She suffered anti-Semitic insults, humiliation, threats, physical violence, sexual violence, Oudy Bloch, lawyer for the victims family told French news channel BFM TV on Friday. She really believed that she was going to die in this abandoned building, Mr Bloch said, adding that she is doing poorly, physically and psychologically. She is not doing well, her family is in shock, said Mr Bloch. Details have emerged about the accused, one of whom lived with his mother and was described as violent and angry. According to Le Figaro, one of the alleged attackers was in a puppy dog relationship with the victim, who led him to believe she was Muslim as an act of self-preservation. Hatred in his eyes The adolescent, who allegedly had photos of a burning Israeli flag on his phone, is said to have become irate upon learning the girl was in fact Jewish. Hes a lost kid and very easily influenced. He has a screw loose, one woman said of her 13-year-old neighbour in a social housing complex. You can see that hes uncomfortable in his skin. You see rage and hatred in his eyes. Others said the family, led by an overwhelmed single mother of four, had a bad reputation in the building for screaming and fighting, and claimed that the accused was abusive and hit his mother. These are particularly poorly behaved people who live without worrying about others, another unnamed resident told Le Figaro. The shocking details of the attack have made anti-Semitism an election issue. According to government figures, 366 anti-Semitic acts were recorded between January and March this year, marking a 300 per cent increase on the same period the year before. Attacks rise four-fold The latest figures continue an alarming trend from 2023, when the Ministry of Interior recorded 1,676 acts of anti-Semitism, nearly four times the number from 2022. A government report warned that last year was marked by an explosion in hate crimes after Oct 7, 12 per cent of which took place in schools. Anti-Semitism is now everywhere, you can be a victim of it anywhere. Theres no longer a safe place, Ms Maury added. Behind these numbers, there are actual lives. Its not just statistics. Since the Israel-Hamas war, Jews living in fear have taken to removing the Mezuzah, a religious symbol, from their doorpost, or their kippah skullcap from their heads, and are changing their names for deliveries, Ms Maury said. Others are considering leaving France altogether and returning to Israel. Theres a lot of fear. I think Jews are afraid and its legitimate, its not a question of paranoia. Theres been a terrifying reality since Oct 7. 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 Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) ripped Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for dropping the charges against many of the pro-Palestinian protestors who occupied a Columbia University building during an April demonstration. There is no justice system when you have Alvin Bragg as your prosecutor, Zeldin, also a former New York gubernatorial candidate, said on Fox Newss Fox and Friends. So, for those helpless Jewish students and members of the faculty who were hoping that there would be consequences after watching all of these crimes getting committed, this is another day of disappointment. In a court hearing Thursday, the Manhattan district attorneys office announced it would not pursue criminal charges for 31 of 46 people initially arrested for trespassing after they took over an administration building on Columbias campus. The DAs decision came in part from a lack of evidence linking the protestors to specific acts of property damage, coupled with the students lack of criminal histories, the district attorneys office said, per The Associated Press. The takeover of the building, known as Hamilton Hall, occurred on April 30 when dozens of student protestors barricaded themselves inside the building, marking a significant escalation in the weeks-long demonstrations at campuses across the country. The New York Police Department (NYPD) were called in to break up the barricade and Columbia threatened to expel those involved. Zeldin, speaking on his disagreement with the decision, pointed to a New York Post piece that suggested three Columbia administrators allegedly sent hostile text messages during a panel discussion about antisemitism. So, if youre not going to have the accountability that you need on campus and the culture is going to continue to get eroded, laws are going to get broken, the prosecutors not going to prosecute, Zeldin said. This will get worse that people who have committed these crimes only get emboldened. Columbia University served as the epicenter for the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that quickly spread across the country and led to the arrests of hundreds of students and faculty. Demonstrators were calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and for U.S. schools and businesses to sever all ties with Israel. The Manhattan DAs office said it is continuing to purse cases from Columbia and Citty College, including all assaults against police officers. School disciplinary proceedings are ongoing for the students whose cases were dismissed, the DAs office told The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Barbados and the Marshall Islands have signed the joint communique of Ukraine's peace summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 22. "We see growing global support for (Ukraine's) Peace Formula, meaning the support for the UN Charter, which we want to restore to full force," Zelensky wrote on Twitter. "We value our island state partners and call on everyone to join us in developing a vision of a just peace for Ukraine and all nations around the world." Switzerland hosted Ukraine's global peace summit on June 15-16, with over 90 countries and organizations in attendance. Russia and China did not attend. Seventy-eight states and four organizations signed the final joint communique of the peace summit on June 16. Some countries that were notably absent from the list of signatories included India, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Colombia, South Africa, Thailand, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. On June 17, Rwanda's signature disappeared from the document. Six more signatures were added to the joint communique after the summit, according to Zelensky. "We keep working to ensure that their number will continue to grow," he added. Zelensky previously announced on June 19 that Antigua, Barbuda, and the Organization of American States had joined the communique following the peace summit. Zambia had also signed it the next day. Kyiv is planning to arrange the second global peace summit before the end of 2024. Ukraine's Ambassador to Singapore, Kateryna Zelenko, said in an interview published on June 20 that Kyiv would also consider participating in a Beijing-led peace conference with Russia's presence if the talks are based on the principles of the "U.N. Charter and international law." Read also: Ukraines peace summit falls short of engaging Global South can Ukraine expand its coalition? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Three civilians killed and 37 injured in Kharkiv: Zelenskyy asks Ukraine's partners for decisive action The aftermath of the Russian strike on Kharkiv on 22 June. Photo: Screenshot from video by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported earlier today that three civilians had been killed and 19 injured in a Russian attack on a residential building in the city of Kharkiv which involved the use of guided aerial bombs. Later reports indicate that at least 37 people were injured in the attack. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko The aftermath of the Russian strike on Kharkiv on 22 June. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Quote: "The rubble is being cleared away. All necessary services are at the scene. So far, reports indicate that 19 people have been injured and three killed. My condolences go out to all those who have lost loved ones." Details: The president stressed that Russian terror with guided aerial bombs "must be stopped and can be stopped". "We need strong decisions from our partners so that we can destroy Russian terrorists and Russian combat aircraft wherever they are," he stressed. The aftermath of the Russian strike on Kharkiv on 22 June. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine "We have proved that it is possible to protect people and lives from missile terror, in particular by removing terrorist launchers [i.e. Russian missile launchers ed.] from the border areas. We also need protection against bombs. We need this resolve," Zelenskyy stated. The president also released a video from the scene. Update: Oleh Syniehubov later reported that three people had been killed and at least 25 injured in the bombardment. A total of 16 civilians have been hospitalised, including two children. Four are in a serious condition. Syniehubov stressed that the Russian strike damaged only civilian infrastructure: an apartment building, shops and public transport stops. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko subsequently reported that as of 17:00, three people had been killed and 29 injured in the Russian attack on Kharkiv. Update: At 17:57, Syniehubov reported that the number of people injured had risen to 37. Doctors are battling to save the lives of four people two women and two men who are in a serious condition. Background: On the afternoon of 22 June, Russian forces launched four strikes on a district of Kharkiv, hitting a residential building. Earlier reports indicated that two people had been killed and 18 injured. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that two new signatures appeared under the decision of the first Peace Summit held a week ago in Switzerland. Source: European Pravda, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Twitter (X) Details: Zelenskyy thanked Barbados and the Republic of the Marshall Islands for joining the final communique of the inaugural Peace Summit. Quote Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "We value our island state partners and call on everyone to join us in developing a vision of a just peace for Ukraine and all nations around the world. Everyone can make a contribution." "I look forward to working together with the island countries on issues that are greatly important to all of us, such as environmental and food security," Zelenskyy added. According to Zelenskyy, these are the fifth and sixth new signatures to the communique since the inaugural Peace Summit. Quote: "We keep working to ensure that their number will continue to grow," the president said. Background: The participants of the Global Peace Summit held in Switzerland issued a joint communique on the foundations of peace. The President's Office says that the outcome document of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland may be supported by additional countries that have not yet joined it. Support UP or become our patron! SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A specialty coffee concept is expanding its presence in California with a new shop slated to open in San Diego County this coming week. Ziggis Coffee, a Colorado-born brand, will debut in Valley Center on Tuesday, June 25, marking the second location in the Golden State. The other shop is operating in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of Hawthorne. San Diegans will soon be able to sip on uniquely handcrafted drinks and wide variety of eats and treats, a spokesperson for the shop announced. Are flamingos pink when they hatch? Originally launched by husband and wife Brandon and Camrin Knudsen about 20 years ago, the pairs goal for Ziggis Coffee was to create space where people could gather and feel right at home. As for the new Valley Center location, its owned by the San Pasqual Economic Development Corporation, an organization authorized to pursue the economic development and sustainability activities on behalf of the San Pasqual tribal government and its members. We are excited to open our first Ziggis Coffee location within the San Pasqual Tribe, said Brandon, whos also the coffee brands CEO. We look forward to bringing our uniquely positive customer experience and diverse menu to the area, supporting the tribes economic development and serving the residents of Valley Center. The shop will be located on the property of the Horizon Fuel Center. The 642-square-foot space will include a drive-thru design to meet the needs of customers on the go. When it comes to the menu, there will be specialty coffees, chai and teas, energy infusions, smoothies, Italian sodas, boba and more. Ziggis Coffee will also serve a variety of food items such as breakfast sandwiches, burritos, paninis, as well as baked goods like breads, cinnamon rolls, scones, cookies and cake pops. Located at 31269 Valley Center Rd., Ziggis Coffee will be open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. If youve been wanting to build your own website, whether personal or business-related, youll be surprised at how easy it is to build a website with Squarespace. Not only that, but Squarespace has a lot of extra add-ons that you can check out, with a lot of them being included in the subscription cost and a lot of them you wont find on other website builders. As for the subscriptions themselves, theyre actually quite reasonable, and if you go for an annual plan, you can get up to 36% off, or if youre a student, you can get an impressive 50% off, so its well worth considering Squarespace for your website needs. Besides just website building, there are a ton of perks of subscription, from hosting to email campaigns and even Squarespace Courses, which is pretty unique for a website-building website. So, if that sounds like something youd like to be a part of, weve listed all the ways you can save on Squarespace subscriptions below. Todays best Squarespace deals Should you use Squarespace? Yes, go for it. While there are a lot of website builders out there to choose from, Squarespace has quickly risen to the top of many peoples favorites list. It makes our list of the best website builders, as its packed with features and for the most part easy to use. Features included across all of its plans are one free custom domain, mobile-optimized websites, and beautiful templates to get your site build going. Squarespace is an easy platform to say yes to if youre a website beginner, but its also rolled out some impressive high-end features over the last few years. A Business Plan will allow you to build your very own fully integrated e-commerce shop, and if you bump up to either of the Commerce Plans youll get access to things like merchandising, advanced shipping, and the ability to offer customers advanced discounts for your online store. Several features can be added to a subscription as well, and these include email campaigns, paid members areas, and courses. Squarespace makes a lot of sense for a lot of people. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a hobbyist, a teacher or a content creator, theres bound to be something Squarespace has amongst its ranks that will make your life easier. Its a great option for building beautiful websites with little backend know-how, and with the deals mentioned above you can save a few bucks on the process. Jensen Huang is on top of the world. The AI frenzy briefly made his company, Nvidia, the most valuable in the world this week. Its future growth hinges on generative AI succeeding. It's been a week to remember for Jensen Huang. The 61-year-old CEO of Nvidia watched as his company briefly surpassed Microsoft to become the world's most valuable company for the first time with a $3.34 trillion valuation. Though Nvidia has since slipped behind Microsoft again, with Apple now breathing down its neck too, its position among two titans of American tech battling for the bragging rights at the top spot is a sign of just how far it has come. No longer is Huang's company once on the brink of bankruptcy in the 1990s just a purveyor of niche graphics cards designed for the gaming industry, but a near-indispensable component of the generative AI boom. Nvidia's chips, known as GPUs, have been the subject of hot demand from the likes of Meta, Google, and OpenAI as they've sought to get their hands on hardware that can help them train and build increasingly powerful AI models. Last month, the company showed just how relentless demand has been when announcing results for the first quarter of its fiscal year: it set a record quarterly revenue of $26 billion, up from 18% the previous quarter and 262% from the same quarter a year ago. It helps explain why the frenzy around Nvidia has been reminiscent of the stock market rally during the dot-com boom. The company has not only left its roughly $400 billion valuation from January 2023 in the dust, but is now worth about as much as the 100 biggest companies on the UK stock market. The question now is how long will it last. AI forever? Jensen Huang with a Blackwell processor (left) and the H100. Nvidia For the bulls, Nvidia's rally still has plenty of room to run. Since the launch of ChatGPT, the most optimistic proponents of the generative AI boom driven forward by Nvidias H100 GPUs have made the case that we are still in the beginning stages of a revolution that has the potential to be as influential as smartphones and the internet. In a research note on Thursday, analysts at Wedbush including Dan Ives, who has called Nvidia's CEO the "Godfather of AI," wrote that "the AI party is just getting started as its 9 p.m. in a party going till 4 a.m. with the rest of the tech world now joining." Huang has done his own bit to make the case for AI mania just getting started, too. Speaking in Taipei this month, the Nvidia boss boldly claimed that "the intersection of AI and accelerated computing is set to redefine the future" and laid out a road map for releasing upgraded chips every year to help achieve this future. In other words, Huang suggests that companies engaged in fierce competition to make generative AI smarter will do so by working closely with a company like Nvidia, which can give them the computing power they need. Boom or bust? Nvidia's position as the primary provider of that computing power has been helped by its CUDA software, which has made it easy for companies to use their GPUs no matter how varied or complex their AI is. However, Nvidia's run faces one big risk: it depends on the generative AI boom lasting. That's a bet facing considerable uncertainty for a few reasons. Though tech giants, including Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, now appear to have made generative AI their priority, there appears to be awareness of the technology's weaknesses. Earlier this month, for instance, Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple Intelligence the company's bold new package of AI features for iPhones, iPads, and Macs was "not 100%," acknowledging that the technology was liable to making mistakes. Such mistakes have already threatened the reputation of its peers. Google, for instance, was forced to apologize earlier this year after its generative AI image generator created historically incorrect images in response to user requests. Race to $4 trillion Meanwhile, Meta's AI chief Yann LeCun told The Financial Times last month that large language models, the tech powering the generative AI boom, were not going to lead to the field's holy grail of artificial general intelligence. If others start to feel LLMs are a bit of a dead-end on that path, too, there could be a knock-on effect that impacts demand for Nvidia's chips as AI leaders try to figure out if alternative paths forward are viable. For now, though, the industry seems intent on moving ahead with LLM-enabled generative AI. That should keep Nvidia in the race with Microsoft and Apple to a $4 trillion valuation. Read the original article on Business Insider Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shouts out OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever for sparking 'the big bang of deep learning' Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, right, credited OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever, left, and two renowned computer scientists for pioneering the field of deep machine learning. Jack Guez/AF, Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever left his company in May after a failed attempt to oust Sam Altman. He announced on June 19 that he would start a new AI project called "Safe Superintellgence Inc." Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Sutskever's past work sparked the "big bang of deep learning." Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had high praise for Ilya Sutskever, the OpenAI cofounder who left his company after a chaotic attempt to oust its chief executive, Sam Altman. During a commencement speech on June 14 at the California Institute of Technology, the Nvidia cofounder name-dropped Sutskever and two other renowned computer scientists for their pioneering work on a convolutional neural network (CNN) called AlexNet, which is a program that can conduct image recognition. The CNN relied on Nvidia's graphics processing units or GPUs the very chips that turned the tech company into a multi-trillion dollar company amid the AI boom to successfully recognize more than a million high-resolution images in 2012, according to the research paper on AlexNet. The model was designed by Alex Krizhevksy, Geoffrey E. Hinton, and Sutskever. "Geoff Hinton, Alex Krizhevsky, and Ilya Sutskever used Nvidia CUDA GPUs to train AlexNet and shocked the computer vision community by winning the 2012 ImageNet challenge," Jensen said, referring to the challenge, in which teams of researchers compete to see which one of their programs can most accurately recognize images. "This was the big moment, the big bang of deep learning. A pivotal moment that marked the beginning of AI revolution." A 2017 article from Quartz attributed the 2012 competition as the "single event" that sparked the artificial intelligence boom as AlexNet swept its competitors. "Well, I endorse his comment, that's all I can say :)" Krizhevsky said in a brief email to Business Insider. Sutskever and Hinton did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside business hours. Three years after AlexNet, Sutskever started OpenAI with Altman, Elon Musk, and a team of researchers. His tenure as OpenAI's chief scientist ended in May, six months after he and the company's board members pushed to oust Altman in November. Business Insider reported that his role in the chaotic attempt to remove Altman clouded his future at OpenAI. Sutskever later said he regretted his decision to support Altman's dismissal. In June, a month after he announced that he would leave the company he cofounded, Sutskever said he was starting a new artificial intelligence venture: Super Safeintelligence Inc., a research lab. The lab stated in a release that Super Safeintelligence Inc. has "one goal and one product: a safe superintelligence." A spokesperson for Super Safeintelligence did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Fireworks may be a Fourth of July tradition for Americans, but amateur use of the explosives also are a seasonal issue for Wisconsin and Minnesota law enforcement. "The rule of thumb is that if it leaves the ground and explodes, it's illegal," said La Crosse Police Department Det. Sgt. Dan Mandujano. Mandujano said La Crosse takes violations seriously. In 2022, the city increased the fine for setting off illegal fireworks from $124 to $502. The department wrote 15 citations in 2023, and drones will be deployed for the first time this year to help track down violators. Mandujano said fireworks ordinances are easy to understand and don't vary among municipalities. "Our ordinance is based off the state statute and is consistent with all the other jurisdictions in La Crosse County," he said. Chippewa Falls police chief Ryan Douglas said people often don't wait for Independence Day to light pyrotechnics. He said the mild winter has gotten the illegal fireworks season off to an early start. "We see it as soon as the weather warms up," he said. "We've been getting calls already." Douglas encouraged citizens to read the city ordinance, which is posted online. Anybody who wants to set off fireworks must apply for a permit with the city clerk's office. Permits required He said one area of confusion stems from laws covering vendors who sell fireworks. What's legal to buy and possess and what's legal to ignite aren't always the same thing. "These places can sell the fireworks, but that doesn't mean they can be used," Douglas said. Pyrotechnics that require permits include fireworks, bottle rockets and roman candles. Legal pyrotechnics include sparklers, smoke bombs and toy snakes. Ryan Wieczorek owns R&T Fireworks in Fountain City. He sells a variety of pyrotechnics, including aerial fireworks, fountains, cakes, sparklers and smoke bombs. He limits sales to customers 18 and older. He said recent rainfall will help with firework safety this year. He said last year's drought suppressed sales. That kind of dissuaded people from buying, Wieczorek said. He urged people to keep a fire extinguisher and water or water hose nearby when lighting off any pyrotechnic. Consumer laws, courtesy Wisconsin and Minnesota have similar fireworks laws for consumers. Like Wisconsin, Minnesota prohibits launching firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles without a permit. Douglas said fireworks raise both safety and courtesy issues. He said illegal fireworks can spread burning debris a wide distance. "People need to be mindful that the stuff doesn't all burn off right away," he said. "You could set fire to somebody's house or property." Dan Thoron, a patrol officer with the Winona Police Department, said he hasn't witnessed a fireworks injury during his four years on the force. He said the biggest issue he confronts is noise. "We can tell when it's fireworks season by the volume of calls for noise complaints," Thoron said. Mandujano said noise is a major reason his department is looking to crack down on illegal use of fireworks. He said loud pyrotechnics can disrupt sleep or impact a military veteran dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome. "When you live in the city, you have to take your neighbors into consideration," he said. Mandujano said citizens can help by giving police the most detailed information possible about sources of flash and noise. "A caller who's a good witness can help us narrow things down," he said. Fireworks injuries Fireworks are also an issue for hospital emergency rooms. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, there were 107 emergency room visits in the state due to fireworks-related injuries in 2022. Five resulted in hospitalization. Mayo Clinic Health System family physician Jenna Mullins said both legal and illegal pyrotechnics can send people to the emergency room. "The biggest thing we see is burns," Mullins said. "Even a sparkler can get up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit." She said children younger than 15 account for 40% of fireworks-related injuries. "The safest fireworks are going to be the ones you watch that are set off by professionals," she said. Mandujano agrees. "Fireworks are fun, and we don't want to ruin anyone's Fourth of July," he said. "We just want people to be safe." - River Valley Media Group Reporter Rachel Mergen contributed to this story. For more than 15 years, a group of scientists in Texas have been hard at work creating smaller and smaller devices to "see" through barriers using medium-frequency electromagnetic waves and now, they seem closer than ever to cracking the code. In an interview with Futurism, electrical engineering professor Kenneth O of the University of Texas explained that the tiny new imager chip he made with the help of his research team, which can detect the outlines of items through barriers like cardboard, was the result of repeat advances and breakthroughs in microprocessor technology over the better half of the last two decades. "This is actually similar technology as what they're using at the airport for security inspection," O told us. The chip is similar to the large screening devices that we've all had to walk through at airport gates for the past 15 years or so though those operate at much lower frequents than this device, which uses electromagnetic frequencies between microwave and infrared, which are invisible to the eye and "considered safe for humans," per the university's press release. As a nod to his colleagues in the electrical engineering field, O credited "the whole community" for its "phenomenal progress" in improving the underlying technology behind the imager chip though of course, it was his team that "happen[ed] to be the first to put it all together." As New Atlas recently explained, the chip is powered by complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS), an affordable technology used in computer processing and memory chips. While CMOS tech is often used in tandem with lenses to power smartphone cameras, in this case the researchers are using it to detect objects without actually seeing them. "This technology is like Supermans X-ray vision," enthused O in the university's press release about the imager. "Of course, we use signals at 200 gigahertz to 400 gigahertz instead of X-rays, which can be harmful." Indeed, the Man of Steel came up multiple times in our discussion with the electrical engineer, who indicated that safety was priority number one when it came to developing this still-experimental technology. For instance, as New Atlas noted, the chip's wave-reading capabilities have been deliberately curtailed so that it can only detect objects through barriers from a few centimeters away, assuaging concerns that a thief might try to use it to look through someone's bags or packages. When we asked O whether the imager had been tested on anything living, or perhaps even human skin, he said that it had not but that's mostly because the water content in human skin tissues would absorb the terahertz waves it uses. This comes as something of a relief, given that the idea of someone using their smartphone to look at your bones or organs without your knowledge is pretty terrifying. And speaking of security, the engineer iterated that rather than seeking swift commercialization, keeping the imager chip's capabilities as hemmed in as possible to make sure it's not used for nefarious purposes is far more important though he acknowledges it's impossible to entirely prevent inventive bad actors from figuring out their own versions. "Trying to make technologies so that people do not use it in unintended ways, it's a very important aspect of developing technologies," O told Futurism. "At the end, you have to do your best. But if somebody really wants to do something... yeah, it's really hard to prevent." While it's good news that this imager technology is, for now, limited to seeing through boxes and more insubstantial mediums like dust or smoke, the researcher said that it should be able to see through walls too though, admittedly, he and his team haven't tried to yet. More on wave-reading: The Earth May Be Swimming Through Dark Matter, Scientists Say Tesla Cybertruck. Robyn Beck/Getty Images Dozens of Tesla Cybertrucks were vandalized in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this week. The Cybertrucks were spray painted with a message attacking Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Cybertrucks have become a symbol of ire for Elon Musk's many critics. Tesla Cybertrucks have become symbolic. But probably not in the way Tesla CEO Elon Musk hoped. Nearly three dozen Cybertrucks were vandalized this week in Florida with disparaging messages aimed specifically at Musk. A 35-second viral video showing the aftermath of the vandalism spree in a Fort Lauderdale parking lot first gained traction on Instagram on Friday. The footage shared to the Only in Broward account showed a fleet of Cybertrucks with the phrase "Fuck Elon" spray painted across the metallic exteriors. The man filming the video said Tesla recently leased the parking lot, and Cybertrucks began arriving three days ago. ADVERTISEMENT "Looks like someone doesn't like Elon" the caption read. Elon Musk. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Local authorities told NBC Miami that 34 vehicles had been vandalized within the parking lot, which housed Cybtertrucks and other Tesla models. The person who called the authorities said the vehicles were in fine condition on Thursday night but were damaged by Friday morning, the outlet reported. The vehicles were quickly cleaned or taken off the lot. Representatives for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Tesla began delivering Cybertrucks to the general public in November 2023. Cybertrucks start at $60,990 for rear-wheel drive and increase to $79,990 for all-wheel drive. The Cyberbeast, which can reach 130 mph and tow 11,000 lbs, costs an estimated $99,990. While Tesla Cybertrucks have received a decidedly mixed response in the United States, they have been embraced elsewhere. The Dubai Police General Command added a Cybertruck to its fleet of patrol vehicles this month. Musk and the official Cybertruck account applauded the decision on X. "Very cool to see thanks for the trust!" the Cybertruck account wrote. Tesla has faced a string of bad news in recent months. The automaker slashed 10% of its global workforce in April and laid off more workers in the weeks after. And some traders say the company's stock is overvalued. One short-seller recently called Tesla's stock was one of the "biggest stock market bubbles" in history. Read the original article on Business Insider Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Last year, the Vigilance Bureau of Punjab uncovered a gang that was involved in scamming common people with the help of a local Senior Town Planner of Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar. The scam was exposed after multiple individuals sought official assistance, leading to the apprehension and subsequent imprisonment of accused of a minimum of six months to get bail. A similar nexus is now reportedly operating in Zirakpur, Punjab which is working with the involvement of a local Patwari, a real estate developer and a lawyer. In October 2023, The Punjab and Haryana high court has ordered a CBI probe into an alleged scam aimed at usurping land worth over Rs 100 crore in Zirakpur in which a woman judicial officer of the subordinate court in Punjab was also party, and had allegedly passed some unusual orders, as per a report by Times Of India. This time again, the nexus is involved in the sale of Government-owned land by making fabricated documents and selling them to regular people at massive amounts. Residents have indicated that this criminal enterprise operates throughout Zirakpur, targeting long-vacant government lands. These often include properties embroiled in legal disputes or awaiting judgments from the High Courts or the Supreme Court. Reports specifically name one Tajinder Singh, a local Patwari responsible for several areas, including Chatt Village of Zirakpur, as a key figure in the operation. Singh reportedly boasts about his close connections with Vigilance Bureau officials, claiming to be "fearless." Other than the Patwari, two other individuals namely Pawan Garg AKA Stephy, and Puneet Garg are major stakeholders in this nexus. While talking to a journalist impersonating as land buyer, Tajinder Singh said, I am well connected to high rank officers in the government and have close ties with officers in vigilance bureau. So, there is no chance that any officer or department would act against me. Similarly, the third partner, lawyer boasts of having close ties with the judiciary, claiming he can secure injunctions from the court using fabricated documents. This lawyer, identified as a close aide to Tajinder Singh and the Garg brothers, allegedly exploits these connections to manipulate legal outcomes. Inside reports also said that the Enforcement Directorate is also planning a raid to uncover the land mafia nexus in the Tricity area, including Zirakpur. Considering the significant connections between Patwari and officials of the Vigilance Bureau, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has assumed control of the investigation. According to reliable sources, the ED is set to probe the financial transactions and payments received by Patwari Tajinder Singh or his associates, particularly in relation to the sale of government lands. The ED has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the investigation, stating that no statements can be made until the inquiry reaches a conclusive stage. This development marks a critical turn in the case, as the ED's involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough examination of the financial dealings in question. Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday lifted its temporary stay on the release of Aamir Khan's son, Junaid Khan's, debut film 'Maharaj.' Following the decision, the makers of the film took to Instagram to express their gratitude. "We are grateful to the judiciary for allowing the release of Maharaj, a film that celebrates one of the most important social reformers of our country, Karsandas Mulji," the post read. "Yash Raj Films has a 50-year-old legacy of championing India, its stories, its people, culture & heritage. We have never produced a film that tarnished the reputation of our country or our countrymen," the post added. The court ruled that the film, based on events related to the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, was not intended to hurt the sentiments of any community. Some members of the Pushtimarg sect had filed a petition against its release on Netflix, claiming that it hurt religious sentiments. After the hearing, one of the petitioners, Shailesh Patwari stated, "The hearing had been going on for a few days, and the judge didn't find anything objectionable in this film. We accept the High Court's decision because the High Court judge has sanctioned it. We don't need any more evidence beyond this." 'Maharaj,' which focuses on an 1862 libel case involving Vaishnavite religious leader and social reformer Karsandas Mulji, is currently streaming on Netflix. New Delhi: To address the issue of latecomers, The Centres Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has implemented a new rule which requires all government employees, including senior officials to arrive at the office by 9 am. The employees are expected to punch in by 9:15 am with a grace period of 15 minutes is allowed. Biometric Attendance Resumes After Four Years All employees including senior officers have been instructed to resume using the biometric attendance system. It has not been used since the Covid outbreak four years ago. The directive to reintroduce biometric services was initially issued in 2022, according to a report by TOI. (Also Read: Budget 2024: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Chairs Pre-Budget Meeting With State, UT Finance Ministers) For any reason, if the employee is not able to attend office on a particular day, it should be informed in advance and casual leave should be applied for, the circular cited by The Times of India mentioned that officers will monitor the attendance and punctuality of employees in their sections. (Also Read: FMCG Sales Growth In Rural Areas To Outstrip Urban Markets: Report) Penalties for Late Arrivals The report states that staff members have been warned that arriving after 9:15 am will result in a half-day casual leave deduction. Central government offices operate from 9 am to 5:30 pm. However, junior-level employees often arrive late and leave early which is especially inconvenient for public-facing roles. Senior officials argue that they often work beyond regular office hours and leaving after 7 pm so they do not have fixed working hours. Efforts to Enforce Office Hours In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government tried to enforce strict office hours but employees resisted, citing long commutes as a major challenge. Last year's directive urged central government employees to resume using biometric attendance, stressing the importance of seriously addressing habitual lateness and early departures. New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the 53rd GST Council Meeting announced that biometric authentication will be implemented nationwide in phases to curb fake invoicing. For efficient GST registration the council recommended making Aadhaar biometric authentication mandatory for all new registrations across the country. There is going to be a rolling out of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication on an all-India basis. This will help us to combat fraudulent input tax credit claims made through fake invoices in the cases, the minister announced during the briefing following the 53rd GST Council meeting. Here are the key announcements made by the Finance Minister after the GST Council meeting: - The GST Council has recommended waiving interest penalties on demand notices issued under Section 73 of the GST Act for the fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20. This waiver applies to cases that do not involve fraud, suppression, or misstatement. Taxpayers who settle the full tax amount demanded in the notice by March 31, 2025, will be eligible for this benefit. - For returns submitted by November 30, 2021, the deadline for Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims for the fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 is considered to be November 30, 2021. - To curb government litigation, the Council suggested establishing monetary thresholds for filing appeals by departments: Rs 20 lakh for the GST appellate tribunal, Rs 1 crore for high courts, and Rs 2 crore for the Supreme Court. - The Council extended the deadline for submitting returns from April 30 to June 30 for the fiscal year 2024-25 and onwards. - The Council clarified that all types of sprinklers, including those for fire and water, will now have a uniform GST rate of 12 per cent. - In addition, accommodation services valued at up to Rs 20,000 per person per month which are provided continuously for at least 90 days will also be exempt from GST. - The Council proposed a uniform GST rate of 12 per cent on all milk cans, regardless of the material they are made from (steel, iron, aluminum), aiming to resolve disputes. -The Council also proposed a 12 per cent GST rate for all types of carton boxes and cases made from both corrugated and non-corrugated paper or paperboard. This change is expected to especially benefit apple growers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The Finance Minister announced that the next meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is tentatively scheduled for sometime in mid to late August. She pointed out that the groundwork for this inclusion was laid during the initial implementation of GST and stressed that the final decision now rests with the state governments. Rajasthan Police have detained around 40 individuals following a violent clash between two communities that rocked Jodhpur's Sursagar area late Friday night. The incident, marked by stone-pelting and arson, stemmed from a simmering dispute over the construction of shops near Idgah, ultimately escalating into a confrontation between two communities. What Led To Communal Clash In Jodhpur? The clash erupted over objections to the construction of a gate near the eidgah, a conflict that had simmered for two days. Police intervened initially to defuse tensions, but the situation escalated when protests reignited on Friday night. Arguments escalated into violence, with stones thrown and property damaged, including a shop and a tractor set on fire. As tensions flared, stones were hurled and property was vandalized. A shop was set ablaze, and a tractor was also targeted in the unrest. Police responded with lathicharge and deployed tear gas shells to disperse the agitated crowd around 1 a.m. During the chaos, two policemen sustained injuries from the stone-pelting. Police Action And Detentions: Police responded with lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd around 1 a.m. Two policemen sustained injuries during the stone-pelting. Authorities swiftly identified and detained suspects involved in the violence. Additional security measures, including deployment of drones, were implemented to monitor the area. Jodhpur Police Commissioner Rajendra Singh assured that the situation is under control, with continuous monitoring and patrols in affected areas. Two FIRs have been filed based on complaints from both sides, and further arrests are expected as police continue to raid localities to apprehend suspects By late Friday night, the situation was brought under control but the area remained tense. Heavy police and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary forces continue to be deployed on Saturday morning to maintain law and order. The Congress on Saturday intensified their offensive against the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led central government on implementation of the law dealing with the use of unfair means in competitive examinations. INC leader Jairam Ramesh labelled it a damage control, he said, This law was needed. But it deals with leaks after they have occurred. Amidst controversies and allegations of paper leaks in notable entrance examination conducted by the National testing Agency (NTA), the Centre implemented the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 on Friday. This law aims to reduce cheating and irregularities in competitive exams, with penalties including a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and fines reaching Rs 1 crore. Ramesh highlighted the four-month delay in implementation of the laws, he wrote in a post on X, On Feb 13 2024, the President of India gave her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means), Bill, 2024. Finally, just this morning the nation has been told that this Act has come into force from yesterday, that is June 21, 2024. Ramesh acknowledged the necessity of the law but pointed out that it addresses issues such as question paper leaks and other irregularities only after they have already taken place. Clearly this is damage control to deal with the NEET, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET and other scams. This law was needed. But it deals with leaks after they have occurred, said Ramesh. Students as well as political parties are staging nationwide protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 and cancellation of UGC-NET entrance exams. Ramesh asserted that there is a need for a robust system and procedures to ensure that leaks don't happen in the first place. Accusations of question paper leaks in states such as Bihar and other misconduct in these significant exams have sparked protests across various cities and prompted petitions in multiple high courts and the Supreme Court. The Opposition is calling for an Supreme Court mandated probe along with the dismissal of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Several protesting candidates have demanded the dissolution of NTA and a re-conduction of the medical entrance examination. The Hindujas, Britain's wealthiest family, on Friday said they were apalled by a Swiss court's decision to impose jail sentences on some members in Geneva. They have filed an appeal in a higher court to challenge the verdict that found them guilty of exploiting vulnerable domestic workers. A statement released by the family's Swiss lawyers emphasized that their clientsPrakash and Kamal Hinduja, both in their seventies, and their son Ajay along with his wife Namratawere cleared of all human trafficking charges. They also refuted reports suggesting any family members were facing imprisonment, despite court reports from Geneva indicating sentences of four to four and a half years. The statement, signed by lawyers Yael Hayat, Robert Assael, and Roman Jordan, declared, "Our clients have been acquitted of all human trafficking charges. We are dismayed by the remaining decision of this first-instance court, and have naturally filed an appeal to the higher court, rendering this portion of the judgment non-effective." They further clarified, "According to Swiss law, the presumption of innocence remains until a final judgment by the supreme adjudicating body is executed. Contrary to certain media claims, no family members are currently detained." The lawyers also noted that the plaintiffs had retracted their complaints, affirming to the court their lack of intention to be involved in such legal actions. Concluding the statement, they expressed, "The family trusts the legal system and is confident that the truth will emerge victorious." This announcement came after a session in Geneva, where prosecutors initiated proceedings for alleged illicit activities, including exploitation, human trafficking, and breaches of Swiss labor laws, against the family members who were charged with confiscating workers' passports and preventing them from leaving. New Delhi: The Ministry of Education on Saturday announced the formation of a high-level committee of experts to focus on recommendations for reforms to enhance the examination process, and improve the data security protocols and functioning of NTA. After the continuous allegation in connection with the NEET paper leak, a 7-member committee formation was announced which is led by ISRO Former Chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan and will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months. "In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of National Testing Agency," the ministry said, ANI reported. The committee will also examine existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system, the Ministry of Education said in the statement. The ministry said that the Committee shall submit its report within two months from the date of issue of this order. According to the ZEE News TV, 6 people were arrested from Jharkhand in connection with a paper leak case. Earlier, the Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit on Saturday, claimed to have obtained reference question papers of the NTA test and planned to compare these with documents recovered from a flat in Patna. "We had requested the NTA for the reference question papers after we began the probe last month. Finally, they did the needful. We will tally these papers with partially burnt papers seized from a Patna flat last month. This exercise is likely to be done before a forensic examination of such documents," an EOU said, PTI reported. Amid the political tug-of-war on the water crisis, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers staged a protest outside the Delhi Jal Board office on Saturday. The police also used water cannons to disperse the people protesting the prevailing water crisis in the national capital. A video of the police using water cannon on protesters part of a protest led by BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri at Okhla Jal Board filling pump is going viral on social media. Internet users are fuming over the Delhi police for adding to the water crisis by wasting it to disperse the protestors. VIDEO | #Delhi water crisis: BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri leads a protest at Jal Board filling pump, Okhla. Police use water cannon on protesters. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/THrwjXZgg6 June 22, 2024 BJP Attacks AAP Over Water Crisis BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla attacked the AAP, saying that Haryana is sending enough water and the Supreme Court has also acknowledged this. "AAP has been in power in Delhi for the last 10 years. They have the Delhi Jal Board, MCD. They have all the important departments. So are they protesting against their own government? The reality is that their own ally, the Congress Party, is now admitting that Haryana is sending more water. It is sending more than it has committed to send. The Supreme Court has also acknowledged this," the BJP leader said. "Today, instead of taking action against the water tanker mafia, they are again doing drama and demonstrations. The question is why are they protecting the water tanker mafia? Is it because they are getting a commission on every water tanker?" Poonawalla added. AAP Minister's Indefinite Hunger Strike Continues Meanwhile, Delhi's Water Minister, Atishi, sat on an indefinite hunger strike on Friday, alleging that the Haryana government is not releasing Delhi's share of water. She was accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh and other members of the party at Bhogal, near Jangpura, where she sat on an indefinite hunger strike. Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, read a message from the Chief Minister, who is under judicial custody and said Arvind Kejriwal is hurt to see Delhi's public suffering from water scarcity. Sunita Kejriwal stated, "Kejriwal says that when I see on TV, the way Delhi people are suffering due to water scarcity, it hurts me. I hope Atishi's 'tapasya' will succeed and residents of Delhi will get relief. I wish all the best to Atishi, may God protect her." New Delhi: The BJP-led central government is facing criticism against the NEET paper leak. The exam is conducted by the NTA for the selection of medical aspirant students. The recent development was raised after the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions issued a notification saying the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 comes into an effort which aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country. This bill was passed in two Houses of Parliament in the Budget session which concluded on February 10. The bill aims to prevent the use of "unfair means" in public examinations and bring "greater transparency, fairness and credibility", as per ANI reports. President Droupadi Murmu gave her approval to the the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means), Bill, on February 13. The primary objective is to tackle cheating in government recruitment exams. What Is Anti-Paper Leak Law According to the anti-paper leak law, there are provisions for punishment for both paper leaks and the use of dummy candidates. In cases of paper leaks, offenders can face up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 crore. Those who are found guilty of taking exams on behalf of others may be sentenced to 3 to 5 years in prison and fined Rs 10 lakh. If any institute is implicated in examination irregularities then the entire cost of the examination will be recovered from that institute and the institute's property can be confiscated as well. The notification refers to the Indian Judicial Code and specifies that the provisions of the Indian Penal Code will remain in effect until its implementation. These laws and other criminal laws are scheduled to take effect on July 1. Will This Law Affect The Candidate As Will? Candidates appearing in competitive examinations are not included under the scope of this law, and there is no provision for any action against them. Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted this during the bill's presentation in Parliament. He said that the Anti Paper Leak Law aims to bring transparency in all public examinations and stop those who are playing with the future of the youth. Therefore, candidates have been excluded from the purview of this law. New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a pre-budget meeting with the Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories on Saturday morning.The Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs organised a Pre-Budget Meeting with the Finance MInisters of all States and Union Territories with Legislatures. The purpose of the meeting was to gather suggestions for the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25. Ministers of State and other stakeholders are attending the meeting. Visuals showed Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna and Rajasthan Finance Minister Diya Kumari at the Bharat Mandapam venue before the meeting started this morning. (Also Read: Beware! Claiming False HRA While Filing ITR Could Cost You THIS Much: Check Here) The Union Finance Ministry had begun consultations on the budget a few days ago with different stakeholders of economy. Sitharaman has met economists, finance and capital market experts and industry bodies. (Also Read: Govt Imposes Stock Limits On Traders To Keep Prices Of Pulses In Check) Sitharaman chaired the first pre-Budget consultations with leading economists on June 19. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, the finance secretary, secretaries of the departments of economic affairs, revenue, financial services and corporate affairs and the chief economic adviser. Meanwhile, Sitharaman will also chair the 53rd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council Meeting scheduled in the second half of the day. This is the first meeting of the GST council after the formation of the new government. State finance ministers will also be present at the 53rd meeting of the Goods and Services Tax Council. As is the norm, the GST Council gets together to discuss issues pertaining to the GST regime, such as tax rates, modifications to policies, and administrative challenges. The Council is a key player in shaping India's indirect tax system, making sure that it facilitates company and citizen tax relief while also being in line with the country's economic objectives. The information on the agenda of Council meeting is not yet in public domain. However, the decisions and recommendations arising from the 53rd GST Council meeting will be closely watched by various stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, and the general public, as they have the potential to influence taxation, trade, and overall dynamics. Goods and Services Tax was introduced in the country with effect from July 1, 2017, and states were assured compensation for loss of any revenue arising on account of the implementation of GST as per the provisions of the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 for five years. Meanwhile, preparation has commenced for the Union Budget 2024-25, the first for the third term of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government. (With ANI Inputs) New Delhi: The investment market is now flooded with scamsters who are lurking around spotting gullible and vulnerable people and dupe them of their hard earned money. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday issued an advisory on Friday cautioning investors of certain individuals and entities promising assured returns on investment in the stock market. In a corporate statement, NSE said, "It has been brought to the notice of the Exchange that person named Amisha Thakur operating through mobile number 9366171650 is providing securities market tips and assured returns on investment in stock market." It added that the said person/entity are not registered either as a member or authorized person of any registered member of the National Stock Exchange of India Limited. NSE has also cautioned and advised investors not to subscribe to any such scheme/product offered by any person/entity offering indicative/assured/guaranteed returns in the stock market as the same is prohibited by law. Check NSE's Direct Link To Know, Locate Your Stock Broker Exchange has provided a facility of 'Know/Locate your Stock Broker' under the link https://www.nseindia.com/invest/find-a-stock-broker on its website, to check the details of the registered member and its authorised persons. Further, the designated bank accounts named as client bank accounts to receive/pay money from/to investors as disclosed by the trading members to Exchange are also displayed under the said link. Investors are advised to check the details while dealing with any person/entity, it added. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra New Variant: Samsung introduces a refreshing new Titanium Yellow colour to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The handset is already available in Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet and Titanium Black colour options. The Made in India Galaxy S24 Ultra powered by Galaxy AI comes with powerful features such as Live Translate, Interpreter, Chat Assist, Note Assist and Transcript Assist features. The company offers seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates to help users reliably experience the optimized performance of their Galaxy devices for even longer. Notably, the Galaxy S24 Ultra Titanium Yellow variant has the same look and specifications as the other colour options. (Also Read: Infinix Note 40 5G Launched In India With AI Voice-Activated Halo Lighting System; Check Specs, Limited Time Offer) Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Price And Availability: For the base 12GB + 256GB storage model, the new variant of the smartphone is priced at Rs 1,29,999. The 512GB storage variant is priced at Rs. 1,39,999, while the 1TB storage model is priced at Rs. 1,59,999. Consumers can purchase the smartphone from Samsung's online store in Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange shades. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Specifications: The smartphone comes with a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an adaptive refresh rate of 1Hz120Hz. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. The South Korean tech brand offers the Galaxy S24 Ultra with a robust 5,000mAh battery, supporting 45W wired charging and 15W Fast Wireless Charging 2.0. The device operates on Android 14, layered with One UI 6.1, and integrates advanced Galaxy AI features. (Also Read: Vivo Y58 5G Launched In India With Eye-Care Sunlight Display; Check Specs, Price And Bank Offers) On the optics front, the smartphone houses a 200MP OIS-enabled primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto camera, a 10MP telephoto sensor, and a 12MP ultrawide camera. For selfies and video chats, there is a 12MP shooter at the front. Actor June Squibb is the star of Thelma, a new action-comedy about a grandmother seeking revenge. Her part in the film required many physically demanding actions, called stunts. Even though she is 94 years old, Squibb was able to complete many of the stunts herself. These included scenes where she had to repeatedly fall, as well as drive a motor scooter during a chase scene. Squibb said she knew what she was getting into before she accepted the part, or role. She told Reuters news service, "It was great fun, and I came into it having read the script and deciding, 'Well, I think I could do that.'" Thelma is about a grandmother who seeks revenge against telephone scammers. These phone criminals stole $10,000 of her savings. But the movie shows the scammers chose the wrong grandmother to cross. Squibb demonstrates Thelmas revengeful ways by performing numerous stunts. Most actors even ones more than half her age do not complete their own stunts. So, she had to persuade filmmakers that she could perform them effectively and safely. Josh Margolin directed the film for Magnolia Pictures. He noted that one movie star who is known for doing his own stunts is Tom Cruise. He said that in Thelma, he saw Squibb successfully channel her "inner Tom Cruise." Squibb noted she became more and more comfortable doing her own stunts as filming progressed, saying, "I got more crazy about it." She added that while she may be in her 90s, she still feels 35. Squibb's level of energy was not surprising to Fred Hechinger, who plays her grandson in the film. He said, "We met before we started filming, we just developed a friendship and a kind of artistic kinship, so I was well aware of her magic." Squibb has played many different roles throughout her long movie career. She has also acted in plays on Broadway as well as in television shows. She was nominated for an Academy Award as best supporting actress for the 2013 film Nebraska. While the film is a comedy, Margolin said it also shows how many scammers target older people. It even happened to his own grandmother. Margolin said his grandmother received the same kind of money scam phone call as Thelma. And just like in the film, his family quickly became concerned. "And then luckily in real life," Margolin said, "we were able to step in before she sent the money." He added, "The things she's doing are fictionalized but the character is still very drawn from a lot of elements of my real grandma. Margolin said real-life moments and details were included in the film to demonstrate the real risk of such scams. The film currently has a 99 percent rating on the website Rotten Tomatoes. And many film critics have particularly praised Squibb's performance. For Squibb, it is especially important that women around her age can see the movie. She said, "We have been at screenings, and especially older women are seeing it and coming out just glowing. They just are enjoying it so much." One woman even showed Squibb what she would do if she had a scooter. "She went through the whole thing of riding a scooter for us. I just think that's wonderful. I'm so proud of that, that someone can see it and it can give them such joy," Squibb added. Thelma arrives in U.S. theaters June 21. Im Anna Matteo. Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________ Words in This Story revenge n. to get even for a wrong done script n. the written text of a stage play, screenplay, or broadcast specifically : the one used in production or performance scammer n. a person who commits or participates in a fraudulent scheme or operation channel v. to direct toward or into some particular course : to direct something into a particular place or situation: kinship n. a feeling of being close or similar to other people or things fictionalized adj. made into something invented or imagined by the addition of made-up elements screening n. a showing of a motion picture proud adj. having or displaying excessive self-esteem : a proud manner : much pleased Rescue efforts ramp up after rainstorms leave 38 dead in south China county Xinhua) 09:30, June 22, 2024 Rescuers clear a flood-damaged road connecting Wengui Village and Sishui Township of Pingyuan County, in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, June 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) GUANGZHOU, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Rainfall-triggered disasters have left 38 people dead and two others missing in Pingyuan County in south China's Guangdong Province as of 3 p.m. Friday, local authorities said. Heavy rains battered the county from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 16, triggering landslides, flooding and mud flows. Since entering its flood season on April 4, Pingyuan's cumulative precipitation has reached 1,221.6 mm, almost double the normal level for the period in past years. "This is the worst flooding the village has ever seen," said Qiu Zhimiao, 42, who is from Daxin Village in Pingyuan and works in the county. After hearing that Daxin had been affected by the flooding, Qiu volunteered to return to the village with the first rescue helicopter to assist with the local rescue work. Daxin Village is located deep in the mountains of Pingyuan. The heavy rains over recent days at one point blocked all roads to the village, making it an isolated island accessible only by helicopter. Preliminary statistics show that some 55,388 people in the county have been affected and 2,247 houses have collapsed. Direct economic losses are estimated at an approximate total of 5.85 billion yuan (about 822 million U.S. dollars). In response to the torrential rains and flooding, authorities have mobilized all-out efforts to safeguard the people. On Monday morning, the first group of 11 rescue workers arrived in Daxin Village by helicopter. By the afternoon on Wednesday, local authorities had dispatched approximately 150 rescue personnel and over 1,000 tonnes of food, medicine and equipment by helicopter to the village. On Thursday, road access to Daxin was restored. As of Wednesday morning, about 1,500 rescue personnel have been dispatched to Pingyuan and at least 43 roads to the county have been repaired. To prevent the post-flood outbreak of infectious diseases, local authorities have rapidly organized disinfection work in Pingyuan's affected townships. On the main streets of Tuanxi Village in the township of Chagan, most flooded areas have been restored following days of dredging and disinfection work. Due to recent high temperatures and serious damage to roads, Tuanxi is working to disinfect the whole village before Saturday, said Ling Hao, deputy Party chief of Chagan. Relevant government departments are also testing water quality and disinfecting water sources to ensure the safety of drinking water in affected areas, said Rao Lianghong, deputy director of the Pingyuan County center for disease control and prevention. Further rescue, disaster-relief and post-disaster reconstruction efforts are underway. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Eden Turner Education/Politics Reporter Follow Eden Turner 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 2022, Dustin Henkelmann, a teacher at Canyon Ridge High School, noticed potential in Tayhia Hoskin. Shes a shy student, he says, but her drive, observant nature and quick wit showed she could be a strong journalist. Henkelmann pulled Tayhia and a few of her classmates into the hallway one day and gave them a proposition. As the new advisor of student newspaper, The Riverhawk Review, he needed a core group of students to rebuild the publication. Tayhia knew little about journalism then, but she was interested in the offer and willing to try something new. She took a chance, dove into her new journalism class and discovered a love for investigative profile features and hard-hitting news stories. Two years later, her hard work and dedication paid off. Tayhia represents Idaho until Thursday at the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. At the conference, Tayhia and 49 other rising seniors are learning what it means to embody a free spirit in journalism, which includes an enthusiastic blend of leadership, courage, innovative thinking and perseverance. Students also attend panels featuring journalism professionals and explore the city. After the program, each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship toward the school of their choice. Applying for the conference took some courage, Tayhia said. When Henkelmann gave her a flyer and suggested she apply, she summoned the confidence and put her best foot forward. Now that shes traveling outside of Idaho for the first time, shes nervous but grateful for the opportunity. Honestly, I have a lot of imposter syndrome right now, Tayhia said. It doesnt feel real... As time goes on, I keep getting more and more anxious, but at the same time, more and more excited because this is the first really big accomplishment that Ive done for myself. Im proud to be going and representing Idaho. Using an assortment of energy and writing styles, she and her classmates revived the student newspaper to its former glory. During an interview with the Times-News, Tayhia recalled a story the team worked on that she was proud of. After a hoax school shooting, she and the Riverhawk news staff returned to class and went to work, writing an article about the incident for the paper. She loves that everyone on The Riverhawk Review team possesses a sense of eagerness and collaboration that allows them to create well-written, impactful work. What journalism needs is in a classroom at Canyon Ridge High School KIGGINS: I talked journalism with the student editors and reporters of The Riverhawk Review this week. One hour wasn't enough. Advisor Dustin Henkelmann encourages his students to let their passion inspire their work every day because once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like Tayhias dont happen often, especially for students in rural communities. When talking about this idea with his students, Henkelmann often recites a quote from comedian and writer Trevor Noah: If theres one thing youll never waste your money on, its traveling. I try to impress this idea upon all my students, Henkelmann said. Getting outside of yourself and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations where youre outside of your comfort zone (is) where the most growth happens. In every situation she faces, just a tiny bit of courage pushes Tayhia outside her comfort zone, allowing her to try new things and pursue great opportunities. When she graduates, she hopes to pursue a dual degree in journalism and criminology. In the future, Tayhia wants to become a criminal justice reporter and write profile stories about criminals and their psyches. Ultimately, her passion for writing with a purpose fuels her journalistic talent, and she advises other aspiring journalists to keep this in mind. Write for yourself as much as you write for the people, she said. Journalisms whole thing is about serving the community, serving the people around you and giving them information, but you arent going to have any fun, will, or want to write if you dont find something in it for yourself. What is the Freedom Forum? Established to honor Al Neuharth, the founder of Freedom Forum and USA Today, the Free Spirit and Journalism Conference has inspired more than 1,500 student journalists since 1999. The forum is a testament to Neuharth's concept of freedom in journalism, which breaks down into three key ideas: free press, free speech and free spirit. A handful of Magic Valley students have attended over the years, including two from Jerome and three from Pocatello. To learn more about the Freedom Forum and its programs, visit https://www.freedomforum.org/. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Explosions were reported near a ship east of the Yemeni port city of Aden on Friday, Britains maritime safety agency UKMTO said. The agency, which did not identify the vessel, said the ship was able to continue its journey and the crew are reported safe. - Advertisement - Yemens Iran-backed Huthi rebels 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 Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. The rebel attacks have prompted reprisal strikes by US and British forces and the formation of an international coalition to protect the vital shipping lanes through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The US military said Thursday that it had destroyed four Huthi nautical drones and two aerial ones over the Red Sea off Yemen. Washington also called on the Huthis to release humanitarian workers detained earlier this month. The Huthis are engaged in a long-running civil war that has triggered one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises. More than half of the population is dependent on aid in the Arabian Peninsulas poorest country. Japans Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive in Britain on Saturday ahead of a three-day state visit hosted by King Charles III. The royal couple are due to touch down on a flight from Japan and spend Sunday and Monday at private engagements before the official programme begins on Tuesday. - Advertisement - The highlight will be a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, with all eyes on a possible appearance by heir to the throne Prince Williams wife Catherine, rarely seen in recent months due to cancer treatment. Naruhito, 64, will also go to Windsor Castle west of London to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, whose state funeral he and the empress, 60, attended in September 2022. With Britain in the midst of a general election campaign, it was not immediately clear if there would be any meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Visiting heads of state have typically held talks with the premier and opposition leader, or addressed lawmakers in parliament. But there are no MPs as parliament has been dissolved before the July 4 vote. The trip will be the emperors second official state visit since his accession to the throne in 2019, following a visit to Indonesia last year. For Charles, 75, it will be the third state visit he has hosted since he ascended to the throne following the death of his mother. Like Catherine, he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year but has made a limited return to public duties, and was seen this week with his wife Queen Camilla at the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting. Recent events in Burkina Faso have ignited concerns about potential instability within the countrys military government. A devastating attack on an army base in Mansila, reportedly claiming over 100 soldiers lives, has become the focal point of widespread speculation about unrest in the security forces. The incident, attributed to the jihadist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), was followed by an explosion near the state television headquarters in Ouagadougou. These events have fueled rumors of internal tensions within the military, which has governed the country since 2022. Burkina Fasos junta leader, Capt Ibrahim Traore, appeared on state TV to address the situation, denying reports of mutiny. However, his delayed response and the governments overall reticence about the attacks have raised eyebrows. The militarys press release dismissed claims of discontent as unfounded and misleading information spread by ill-intentioned individuals. The public reaction has been mixed, with some criticizing the governments handling of the security crisis, while others defend the junta against perceived external threats. The incidents have also highlighted the ongoing challenges Burkina Faso faces in combating Islamist insurgents, despite the militarys promises to end the jihadist threat. These events coincide with deepening military ties between Burkina Faso and Russia, following the expulsion of French troops. The timing of the attacks, coming shortly after a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. As Burkina Faso grapples with these security challenges, the stability of its military government and its ability to effectively combat the insurgency remain critical concerns for the country and the wider Sahel region. The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africas second-largest political party, has suspended one of its Members of Parliament, Renaldo Gouws, following the emergence of videos containing racist and offensive comments. This suspension comes at a sensitive time, just days after the DA formed a coalition government with the African National Congress (ANC). The controversy erupted when a video clip surfaced showing Gouws using extremely offensive racial slurs, including the K-word and the N-word. In the video, which appears to be from 2010, Gouws also claimed that black people were discriminating against white people and referred to the situation as a new apartheid. The DA swiftly responded to the scandal, confirming the authenticity of the video and immediately suspending Gouws pending disciplinary charges. This action highlights the partys attempt to distance itself from racist rhetoric, especially given its recent alliance with the ANC. Gouws, who is also a YouTuber, had previously apologized for a different video from 2008 where he spoke about reverse apartheid against white people. However, the more recent revelations have intensified scrutiny of his past statements and behavior. This incident has reignited debates about racial tensions in South African politics. It has also put pressure on the DA, which has long faced accusations of favoring the interests of the white minority a claim the party denies. The controversy surrounding Gouws extends beyond racist comments, with additional videos surfacing where he uses homophobic slurs and mocks traditional African practices. These incidents collectively paint a troubling picture of the newly sworn-in MPs past conduct and raise questions about the vetting process for political candidates in South Africa. Africas top lithium producer, Zimbabwe attracts more and more investors as the long-term outlook for the metal remains positive. Cluff Africa, a British company led by businessman Algy Cluff, has signed an agreement with Mutapa Investment Fund, Zimbabwes sovereign wealth fund, to secure a 45% interest in the Sandawana lithium project. We are pleased to have reached this pivotal point, from which we can now begin to develop what we believe to be a world-class, high-grade lithium resource, alongside our partner Mutapa, Algy Cluff, CEO Cluff Africa, ws quoted by ecofinagency as saying. The UK-based firm has not yet disclosed the deals terms but local and international media indicate that the company will launch a drilling program imminently. Works conducted by state company Kuvimba Resources identified a lithium-bearing mineral resource of 38 million tonnes. Cluff Africa is one of the few non-Chinese players to invest in lithium mining in Zimbabwe. Earlier this month, a company owned by Nigerian Benedict Peters announced it would start producing lithium in the country by 2025. Over the past three years, Chinese investors were the most active in the Zimbabwean lithium industry. The Asians spent over $1 billion to acquire projects, some already operational. The various investments reinforce Chinas control over the global lithium supply chain. According to UBS AG, by 2025, over 30% of the worlds lithium production will be controlled by China, compared with 24% two years ago. Global lithium prices have fallen sharply in recent months. Still, the long-term outlook for the sector remains optimistic, as the demand for lithium-ion batteries keeps growing driven by the adoption of electric vehicles. 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 manufacturers of the most popular weight loss drugs are being challenged in court. A federal court in Philadelphia will soon evaluate claims against the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy and similar products. Dozens of patients who suffered gastrointestinal problems after taking these drugs brought lawsuits alleging that these companies failed to properly warn patients about the risks. Weight loss drugs are among the most successful products sold in the U.S., with prescriptions rising 40-fold from 2018 to 2023. Scientific studies have backed up their safety and efficacy, and doctors prescribe them for a variety of reasons, including to lower the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular events. Over the past few years, celebrities and word of mouth made these drugs go viral on social media. More than 15 million Americans have reported using these drugs as of May 2024. So, what do patients' claims about the risks associated with weight loss drugs mean for the future of these products? I'm a health law professor who studies pharmaceutical drug regulation and access to medicines, and I've been watching the legal developments closely. Regardless of how the trial turns out, I think it could have a big impact on public trust and on the market for weight loss drugs. The drugs: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity and Mounjaro Several types of medications fall under the umbrella of "weight loss drugs." The five drugs at stake in the lawsuit belong to the same class: GLP-1 agonists or analogs, short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 agonist drugs help manage blood sugar levels. They were originally approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. These drugs make people feel full. Doctors started prescribing them for weight management even before the FDA approved them for that purpose. This is a practice known as off-label prescribing. Off-label prescribing is legal and accounts for more than 20% of prescribing activity in the United States. The companies: Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk The Danish company Novo Nordisk makes Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. The American company Eli Lilly makes Trulicity and Mounjaro. In 2023, Eli Lilly became the world's most valuable pharmaceutical company. Sales of Trulicity and Mounjaro played a large role in making that happen. For instance, in 2023, sales of Mounjaro surpassed US$1 billion per quarter. Eli Lilly and analysts alike predict that revenue from the company's weight loss drug will rise substantially between 2024 and 2030. Novo Nordisk has also made a mint on weight loss drugs. Its sales of Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus have made it the most valuable company by market capitalization in Europe. It is currently more valuable than companies such as Tesla and Visa and has been described by one reporter as the "single company propping up" the entire Danish economy. Analysts expect sales of weight loss drugs will hit $150 billion annually by the early 2030s. The lawsuit The lawsuit consolidates dozens of cases brought by patients who took one of these five drugs. They were consolidated partly because the legal grounds for all these cases were similar. The trial is happening in Pennsylvania because that was the state with the most pending legal actions. Also, Novo Nordisk's U.S. headquarters are located nearby in New Jersey. The patients in the lawsuit each took one of the drugs described above. They all suffered gastrointestinal or related problems. These include intestinal obstructions and gastroparesis, a slowing or halting of the movement of food in the stomach. On the medical side of things, the patients allege that these drugs increase the risk of gastrointestinal injuries. On the legal side, they allege that the companies failed to properly warn patients of the risks. The lawsuit also raises the question of whether the companies made incomplete or misleading representations about these drugs. The companies have signaled that they will challenge these claims. The implications We won't know the outcome of the case for a while. But this lawsuit will have immediate implications. First, it brings attention to the risks associated with these popular drugs. Recent studies have shown that the use of GLP-1 agonists is associated with higher rates of gastroparesis, intestinal blockages and pancreatitis. These problems, and many others, including an increased risk of certain tumors, are listed as potential side effects both by the companies and the FDA. The lawsuit will likely remind people that no drug is free of risk and that patients need to be aware of these risks before and during treatment. Second, while these drugs present risks, the FDA has reviewed the best available scientific evidence, performed a benefit-risk analysis and decided that the benefits are worth the risk. For the past decade, however, the FDA's credibility has been under attack. Conspiracy theories about the agency abound on social media. The FDA is often the target of baseless accusations that it approves harmful drugs and suppresses good ones. A major legal challenge to weight loss drugs could contribute to the ongoing erosion of trust in the FDA itself. And in an era of misinformation, conspiracy theorists could use the lawsuit to improperly suggest that these, or all, FDA-approved drugs are bad or unsafe. Finally, less trust in weight loss drugs may eventually lead to a decline in demand. In the past, litigation and misinformation have caused sales declines, which in turn prompted manufacturers to stop making some drugs. This was the case with a Lyme disease vaccine that was approved by the FDA in 1998 and discontinued in 2002 because of low sales. Since then, Lyme disease vaccines for dogs have been brought to market, but humans still can't get one. While sales of weight loss drugs are currently stratospheric, sometimes a seemingly isolated event such as a lawsuit can set in motion cascading long-term effects. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. An original play gives audiences a view into recovery meetings and the successes, struggles and kinship people experience there. Unless you're in the recovery community, you don't really get inside those meetings, and so people don't really understand a lot of what's happening, said Leah Joki. Shes directing Fellowship Hall, for No Joke Theater, a nonprofit she founded that works with people in pre-release programs, under court-ordered supervision, and local residents in recovery from addiction. Aside from a few professional actors, most are going on stage for the first time. Playwright Ean Miles Kessler consulted with them to make sure that his script felt authentic. It needed to ring true to people from that community, he said. Specifically, he wanted to know what he wasnt getting right. I cannot say enough how generous they were both in what they suggested, but also the gentility with which they told me when I was off the mark, he said. Kessler knew the cast ahead of time, which is unusual for a playwright, and wrote parts to suit them. The characters include a young woman searching for her father and shes heard he attends meetings at this particular hall. An accountant who struggles to admit to herself that she has a problem. A father whos been sober for years and fears a misstep. A man trying to attend a meeting for the first time. One of the actors whos in recovery, Laura Plonsky, said that working on the show has been a really healing process. While it can summon complicated feelings, No Joke created a safe space to process through it and have people to support me, she said. Socially minded theater Joki grew up in Montana and attended The Juilliard School, then spent more than 20 years teaching drama in California state prisons. After retiring and moving to Missoula, she started No Joke. In either case, she hopes the actors walk away with the ability to reflect on and manage the inevitable chaos in life, she said. Last year, they staged Broken Toys, a series of eight individual pieces, at the University of Montana. Joki thought it would be the theater group's swan song. However, it yielded a grant from the Legacy of Living Art Foundation and gave them financial footing to commission their first play. She turned to Kessler, a Broken Toys collaborator whos had his work produced in New York, Chicago, Miami and more. A classically trained actor who's studied and performed at Shakespeares Globe Theatre, his main focus now is new plays and new play development. He enjoys research for his writing, and moved to Montana almost sight unseen to learn more for a novel about wild horses and the process of taming them. He enrolled in Montana Reins of Hope to learn more, and having found himself in a town with an active theater community, decided to stay. Writing an authentic story Kessler wanted the story to speak to multiple audiences: People who are in treatment, people who might be considering seeking help and the public as a whole. The scenarios and themes include parenting and how your children will view you; preserving the anonymity of meetings; the joy to be found in a mundane, sober life; and more. The script has humor, too, including recurring jokes about the quality of the coffee. The form was inspired by a play from 1897 called La Ronde, written by Arthur Schnitzler, an Austrian doctor who stirred up controversy with a story that focused on the characters sex lives. Its been adapted many times before, and No Joke thought they could change the subject but retain the format: There are seven characters whose connections are laid out in a series of seven two-person scenes. Person A meets Person B. Person B meets Person C, and so on. It also simplifies the process for actors, almost all of whom are performing for the first time, Joki said. While Plonsky grew up around theater and enjoys practicing her skills in this environment, she gave much credit to her cast members who are new to it. Its scary to go up there and do something so vulnerable in front of people for the first time, she said. The cast members are from the recovery community and Missoulas ROAD Court. Short for Responsibility, Opportunities, Accountability for Drivers, the program treats people accused or convicted of alcohol- or drug-related traffic offenses, according to the county website. Working with No Joke is one option for their community service. There are also two professional teaching artists in the cast: Penelope Baquero and Mark Plonsky, Lauras father. The recovery communitys feedback was valuable to Kesslers final draft. I discovered things for the play that became pivotal moments, just from putting out a piece that I'd written, getting feedback on it, and having people say, This works, this doesn't, this works, this doesn't, this, no one would ever say this, this is ridiculous, this is not what it is, he said. The details included small things that would only be obvious to people in recovery. It could be the terminology used. It could be social aspects, such as the way people of similar ages and the same gender naturally develop kinships. Or the fact that sponsorships fall into gender as well. It could be the ages that people enter recovery: One person was a teenager. Others might join after theyve retired and become a grandparent. Laura, who's playing the young woman trying to find her father at his regular meeting space, said its opened her eyes to different vantage points on the subject, from families to people who've found sobriety or those who haven't found their way there yet. There's just so many perspectives on the issues that we're dealing with, she said. If you go No Joke Theaters Fellowship Hall will play four times at different venues around Missoula. It contains adult language and themes. Monday-Tuesday, June 24-25, 7:30 p.m., ZACC Show Room, pick what you pay, $10-$30, zootownarts.org. Friday, June 28, 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, free, donations accepted. Saturday, June 29, 7:30 p.m., Masquer Theatre, University of Montana, pick what you pay, $10-$30. No Joke fundraiser Featuring music by jazz vocalist Patti Nolan, a silent auction, and more. Wednesday, June 26, 7:30 p.m. ZACC Show Room, $30-$50, zootownarts.org. Gov. Greg Gianforte is coming for your rights to freedom and privacy, and hes proud of it. Quote We dont need an extremist politician like Greg Gianforte making our health care decisions or deciding when we start our families. In his time as governor, Gianforte has fought tirelessly to insert the government into our private lives, outlaw abortion and make it harder for Montana women to access reproductive care. Last year, Gianforte signed a slate of restrictions into law after the legislative session, including a 15-week ban on abortion which was stopped from going into effect by the courts. Before that, as a member of Congress, Gianforte voted to pass a national abortion ban, outlaw in vitro fertilization (IVF), defund Planned Parenthood, criminalize doctors, and allow companies to fire workers for getting an abortion. Montana voters have told Gianforte the freedoms enshrined in our Montana Constitution are non-negotiable. Those freedoms are not for him to interpret or change. He does not care and hes not listening. Fortunately, Montana has fighters running to replace Gianforte and his dangerous, anti-freedom agenda and protecting a womans right to make her own private decisions is one of the centerpieces of their work. The Democratic candidate for governor, Ryan Busse, is an outspoken defender of reproductive choice and Montanans constitutional right to privacy. He believes that Gianforte has absolutely no business sitting in the doctors office with anyone, making private healthcare decisions for women, including whether or when to start a family, or if she can elect to have an abortion. And the candidate for lieutenant governor, Raph Graybill, has a proven track record of fighting for Montanans and our freedoms blocking 18 unconstitutional laws passed by Gianforte, including his abortion ban bill. Gianforte called the overturn of Roe v Wade a historic win. As we remember when that happened two years ago, we must reflect on whats next if we keep extremists like Gianforte in office: a national abortion ban. Less freedom. Less privacy. More unwanted pregnancies. More danger to women and girls. Deciding how and when we want to start our families is one of the most personal decisions a person can make. We dont need an extremist politician like Greg Gianforte making our health care decisions or deciding when we start our families. Montana voters have spoken: We do not support an abortion ban. Now we must elect Ryan Busse and Raph Graybill to protect our constitutional rights. Julianne Denny was 13 years old when she participated in her first search effort for a missing Indigenous woman. Denny and her family traveled to Saskatchewan to help look for Tamra Keepness, a 5-year-old girl from the White Bear First Nation who was last seen in 2004. Twenty years later, Tamra still hasnt been found. Even at a young age, for Denny, the idea of searching for a missing relative didnt come as a shock. My mother raised me with the awareness that you cant trust anybody as an Indigenous woman, she said. I learned what that meant at my first search. The disproportionate number of missing or murdered Indigenous people is a nationwide crisis, and experts say Montana is an epicenter. While Native Americans comprise 6.7% of Montanas population, they account for on average 26% of the states active missing persons reports. As an adult, Denny has received professional search and rescue training from renowned expert Lissa Yellow Bird-Chase and has participated in searches for Indigenous people across the country. She helped search for Rita Papakee, a 41-year-old woman who went missing in Iowa in 2015. Now, Denny wants to share her expertise with others. She and Tasheena Duran, who has also participated in a number of searches, are offering a free training in how to conduct a search this Sunday on the Rocky Boy Reservation. Attendees will learn how to conduct a grid search, how to identify and report evidence and how to conduct big searches safely and effectively. The three-hour training begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 23 at Browns Dam in Box Elder. Participants should wear brightly colored clothing and bring a hat, closed-toe shoes, water, sun protection and a snack. Knowing how to search advances a communitys toolkit, Denny said. It also helps with mental health. It may not give you closure, but its a way for Indigenous people to exercise their own autonomy. The search training comes at a critical time for the community. Nineteen-year-old Rickisha Bear, a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, went missing in February and several law enforcement entities across jurisdictions are investigating her case. While attendees will not be searching for Bear at the training on Sunday, Denny hopes the training will create a ripple effect, prompting people to share their knowledge with others. People need this in their toolkits, she said. Its being human. Its having each others backs. LILONGWE, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Police in Malawi have arrested a Member of Parliament, Kamlepo Kalua, and an activist, Bon Kalindo, for their social media posts regarding the June 10 plane crash that killed the country's Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight other officials. National police spokesperson Peter Kalaya confirmed the arrests in a statement dated Friday, saying they had made "inflammatory social media posts which are full of innuendos and insinuations." The voice notes in question contain serious criminal elements as defined by the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act, Kalaya further said. The police spokesperson further said that the posts have the potential to incite violence and disorder. The social media posts reportedly made by Kalua and Kalindo questioned and contradicted the authorities' narrative regarding the cause of the plane crash. The plane, a Dornier 228 military aircraft belonging to the Malawi Defense Force, crashed on June 10 in a forest a few kilometers away from Mzuzu City in northern Malawi due to poor weather conditions, according to the country's Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba. Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has since engaged foreign experts to join the Malawi Defense Force and the Malawi Police Service in investigating the crash to find out the actual cause. Meanwhile, experts from Germany are scheduled to jet into the country Saturday to help investigate, Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu said. 21:35 The Rajkot Municipal Corporation's chief fire officer and deputy CFO were arrested on Saturday in connection with the massive blaze at a game zone here on May 25, which resulted in the deaths of 27 persons, including children. CFO Ilesh Kher and Deputy CFO Bhikha Theba as well as Mahesh Rathod, who was the supervisor of the fabrication work going on at the ill-fated TRP Game Zone, were arrested, the official said. "Theba is already in jail in connection with a corruption case and his custody was taken through a transfer warrant. With this, we have so far arrested 15 persons in connection with the blaze," he said. Kher was accused of not inquiring about whether the unit possessed a valid fire NOC certificate as well as proper fire fighting equipment after a similar blaze broke out during welding work at TRP game zone on September 4 last year, a statement from the police said. Rathod was held for alleged negligence in his duty and not ensuring proper safety during the welding work, it added. Among those arrested earlier include the civic body's Town Planning Officer MD Sagathia, who is presently under suspension. He is also an accused in a disproportionate assets case being probed by the Anti Corruption Bureau. These persons have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing grievous hurt by act that endangers life or personal safety of others, forgery, criminal conspiracy, among others. Police probe so far has found the game zone was running without a no objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. -- PTI New Delhi [India], June 22: Cognizant Foundation India, in collaboration with Y4D Foundation, has undertaken a significant initiative to empower women to work in the electronics manufacturing industry. This strategic partnership has launched a pioneering skill training project in the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assembly domain in Pune and Bhubaneshwar. The project is designed to bridge the skill gap and enhance the employability of underprivileged women in the electronics manufacturing sector. It is set to benefit 500 women each in Pune and Bhubaneshwar over a period of one year, with a particular focus on fostering gender equality and workforce development. "Enabling skill training for women is an investment in the future of Odisha. We are pleased to partner with Y4D Foundation for this unique initiative that will empower the women trainees to get placed in a technical role in the relevant industries." Deepak Prabhu Matti, Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant Foundation. "We are excited to partner with Cognizant Foundation in this initiative. This program will support the national priorities in India becoming self-reliant in the electronics manufacturing industry through availability of industry ready talent."Praful Nikam, Founder of Y4D Foundation. Under Cognizant Foundation's Tech4All initiative, the project promises a robust training framework comprising comprehensive coursework, practical sessions, and industry exposure for women trainees. The participants will undergo rigorous training conducted by experienced professionals from Y4D Foundation, ensuring proficiency in PCB Assembly. The initiative will offer support mechanisms such as career counseling, job placement assistance, and continuous skill upgradation to ensure sustained success for the participants. Cognizant Foundation has been leveraging such collaborative approach to emphasize a broader commitment to creating sustainable career opportunities for women, driving personal and professional growth, and fostering socio-economic progress in the region. (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) BusinessWire India Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 22: QpiAI, a leader in quantum computing and generative AI, announced its maiden external funding of USD 6.5 million to build Quantum computing and Generative AI products and platforms. Dr Nagendra Nagaraja CEO and Founder of QpiAI quoted, "The pre-series A round of QpiAI will be remembered as a landmark funding round in Indian Deeptech. This round should allow us to lay a foundation of intelligence modelling and intelligence compute via Quantum computers and Generative AI. This funding will enable us to achieve breakthrough innovation in vertical integration of Generative AI and Quantum computing in enterprise and industrial applications. We will also be demonstrating 25 Qubit Quantum computers in our Bangalore HQ by Q4 CY2024/ Q1 CY 2025. With integration of HPC built out of our lab infra and integration all our 7 Quantum and Generative AI platforms we will have prototype of Quantum-HPC QpiAI datacenter, this can be scaled further to offer QCaaS (Quantum Compute as a Service). There is also good traction with our current customers to provide Quantum-HPC solutions with our software and compute infra. A very advanced Compute infra with Quantum capability that we will be deploying with this funding will allow us to innovate in Generative AI and Quantum software. QpiAI Quantum and AI stack, including hardware and software, will have tremendous impact on pharma, non-energy transition materials, chemicals, manufacturing, logistics and finance." Dr Nagendra further added, "There is also tremendous traction in the B2G segment with QpiAI thought leadership in Quantum and AI that has helped shape technology and infrastructure roadmaps. QpiAI is a Global company with its HQ in Bangalore, India and subsidiaries in US and Finland. As we work with Global enterprises and Governments including the US, Europe, Japan, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, we will be expanding our presence in these regions to create value to our customers and partners." Dr Manjunath R.V., Vice President for Quantum computers QpiAI, further added, "Building Scalable Quantum computers that can solve real world problems and bolster our industry verticals is a very key technology development. At QpiAI, we are very excited to have our own Quantum computers to further build Quantum and AI data centers. Our team is really happy to have multiple QPUs in our dilution refrigerator to make sure we achieve high quality quantum compute infrastructure. We can't wait to see the next steps in our roadmap to advance Quantum computers scaling 25 qubits to 1000 qubits." Sachin Kumar, Lakshya Priyadarshi and Aswanth Krishnan, who leads software products and solutions on Generative AI and Quantum software, suggested, "In the last 4 years, we were able to commercialize our software platforms and achieve traction across large bluechip enterprise customers. With this funding and with all our 7 software products ready to scale, we envision scaling our software platforms globally. We anticipate a great time ahead for us. There is lot of customer interest to see QpiAI Quantum and AI software platform working on QpiAI Quantum-AI HPC datacenters to implement their next gen applications in pharma, materials, fintech, automotive and manufacturing." Sunil Goyal MD, Yournest who led the funding round, further added, "By investing in QpiAI, we're helping to propel India to the leading edge of quantum computing. This technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like materials science, drug discovery, automotive, and manufacturing. QpiAI's innovative approach makes them a key player in unlocking this potential, and we're thrilled to join Dr Nagendra and the QpiAI team on this exciting journey." Debraj Banerjee, President at SIDBI Venture capital and Board of Director of QpiAI who led the funding round from SIDBI ventures, further added, "SVCL is very excited to be part of this very important deeptech journey of national importance. Quantum computers will change the world when we commercialize it. The technology is of immense importance for national security and advance computation. Having a home-grown Quantum computer will be very important for our national institutes to further our progress in computation technologies. We are eagerly looking forward to a working 25 qubit machine from QpiAI by Q4 of CY24 /Q1 CY25." Ramesh Radhakrishnan, a very successful serial entrepreneur, a veteran VC and Board of Director at QpiAI, further added, "Quantum computers and AI are the future for all applied technologies in many different market segments including pharma, transport, cybersecurity, and financial among others. Integrating Application software with Quantum System software and hardware to make AI and Quantum computing work together is a fundamental innovation whose significance is going to be enormous. With centers in the US and Finland, QpiAI is well positioned to scale Quantum and AI technologies and address markets globally. I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful journey." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 22: Today, on June 21st, The Art of Living received the Best CSR Impact Award for the JalTara Project at the NGI CSR Summit in Hyderabad. Representing The Art of Living Social Projects, Chairman Prasana Prabhu delivered a compelling keynote address and industry presentation. He highlighted the significant environmental and social contributions made by The Art of Living and shared the organisation's future plans for making India water +ve. This is the second CSR Award bestowed upon The Art of Living in 2024. On February 15, the organisation won the Best CSR Impact Award for Solar Electrification with its collaborating partner Schneider Electric India Foundation. Additionally, in December 2019, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, awarded Prasana Prabhu for the remarkable progress achieved by the Jaltara project over the last four years. Scaling Impact Across India The JalTara journey began in 2021 with a modest 1,400 recharge structures in 4 villages. In just 3 years, that number has escalated to 45,500+ recharge structures, transforming 115+ villages. This initiative has also led to the planting of 90,000+ trees and benefited over 1,70,000 acres. What started as a focused effort in Maharashtra and Karnataka has expanded to Haryana, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. The Success of JalTara The secret behind JalTara's success lies in its simplicity and the dedication of its architects. The recharge structures are unpretentious in design, tailored to diverse terrains, supported by an expert technical team and active local involvement - they offer a sustainable solution to water scarcity. JalTara has significantly boosted crop production by ensuring year-round availability of groundwater and preventing waterlogging. This has led to a 19% increase in labour demand during the Kharif season and an 88% rise during the Rabi season. Furthermore, land usage during the Rabi season has surged by 58%, reflecting improved water accessibility and fertile land conditions. Collaborations for the JalTara Project * MOU with the Government of Maharashtra to conserve water across all districts * MOU with WIPRO Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. to construct 500 JalTara Recharge structures in Karnataka* Extension of Antarjala Chetana Yojana, Karnataka for capacity building and constructing JalTara Recharge Structures * 'Aakhri Boond Bhoomi Jal Mission' with the Government of Haryana to elevate groundwater levels in rural areas The JalTara Vision * To Solve India's Groundwater Crisis in the next 5 Years * 15 Trillion litres of ground water to be recharged annually across India* 5,00,00,000 Recharge Structures to be built in 1,00,000 Villages in 5 years The JalTara story is all about farmers taking charge of their own destiny, about communities fostering sustainability. The story continues, quietly transforming the lives of those it touches, one recharge structure at a time. About The Art of Living Social Projects The Art of Living is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to peace, well-being, and humanitarian service. Committed to holistic development, The Art of Living champions various initiatives, including water conservation, sustainable agriculture, afforestation, free education, skill development, women empowerment, integrated village development, renewable energy and waste management. Through these multifaceted efforts, The Art of Living strives to create positive social and environmental impact, fostering a more sustainable and harmonious future for all. Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/artofliving.sp/Like at: https://www.facebook.com/artoflivingsocialprojectsTweet at: https://twitter.com/artofliving_spMessage at: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/artofliving-sp Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2444865/AOLSP_JalTara_Impact_Awards.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1979631/AOLSP_Logo.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) VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 22: Centricity, a Gurugram, NCR-based wealthtech startup, proudly announces the grand inauguration of its new office in Hyderabad, expanding its footprint into the south market. Strategically located on the bustling Ameerpet, the state-of-the-art Hyderabad office will cater to a diverse set of requirements in wealth management and financial product distribution. Centricity has started hiring select talent across a range of capabilities and is welcoming new hires in Hyderabad. Since Centricity started operations in April 2023, it has created a vast network of more than 3000 financial product distributors across 12 states and 20 cities, onboarding over 7500 clients. The inauguration ceremony, graced by distinguished guests and the Centricity team, featured the symbolic lighting of the lamp and ribbon-cutting, by Manu Awasthy, CEO & Founder, Centricity. Highlighting the strategic significance of the Hyderabad office, Anirudh Mahanot, Founding Team Member and Business Head (South & West India) at Centricity, expressed, "Hyderabad is a pivotal market for us, and this new office represents our commitment to innovation. With this new office we are aiming to reach more people and bridge the Gap Among Investors, Wealth Managers & Asset Managers. Our tie-up with IIT Madras research park is working on specialized modules to integrate elements of AI and ML to make this platform efficient." Manu Awasthy (CEO), along with other founding team members Vinayak Magotra, and Sachin Jasuja, graced the event. The Hyderabad office will be led by Himansu Parida (Territory Manager, AP & Tel) and his dedicated team, including Anuradha R (Branch Manager, Hyderabad). Centricity's "OneDigital" is India's first tech-enabled multi-asset class, multi-product platform that enables MFDs to access a comprehensive digital financial product listing, execute transactions digitally and deliver multi-product and multi-advisor client portfolio reports seamlessly. It also equips MFDs with tools such as goal planning, a learning & development library, portfolio analytics and more. Centricity's second platform, "INVICTUS," caters to single-family offices, UHNI, and corporate treasuries with portfolios exceeding 100cr. INVICTUS serves as an insight's engine, simplifying investment management processes and offering holistic reporting, investment reckoner, portfolio scanner, liquidity profile, and performance tracking. Looking ahead, Centricity has ambitious plans for the upcoming year, including adding 25 new locations, expanding business development teams, adding tech talent, acquiring new licenses, setting up a support call centre, conducting distributor partner roadshows, and offering mortgages for distributors. For more information, please visit: https://centricity.co.in/ & www.centricitypartners.co.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) BusinessWire India Gurugram (Haryana) [India], June 22: JSW MG Motor India, on the occasion of World Music Day, announced a heartwarming initiative under MG Taal. The carmaker, in collaboration with Songdew - India's largest music business administration platform, will nurture visually impaired students from AICB Captain Chandan Lal Special School for the Blind, Gurgaon, Haryana. These students will receive professional training in music besides a chance to showcase their talents at relevant platforms, thereby boosting their confidence and broadening the horizon of opportunities. The company under its community service initiative - MG Sewa has adopted students from the school. Recognizing their talent in music, the automobile maker stepped forward with its initiative to nurture them and help them advance their musical journey through MG Taal. These students will be selected to form a band and trained by professionals over a period of one year. During the training, the band will benefit from multiple mentoring sessions with professional musicians. These sessions will cover various aspects of music, providing invaluable insights and allowing the students to interact with seasoned artists. This mentorship will significantly enhance their musical skills, provide career guidance, and inspire them to pursue their dreams. Upon the completion of training, the band will collaborate with a professional producer and lyricist from Songdew to create an original song. This track and its music video will then be distributed across all major platforms and promoted on Songdew TV, as well as social media. Furthermore, the band will participate in a jamming session with the MG Taal Season 3 winners and will get access to curated opportunities on Songdew platform, to highlight their talent within the music community. Satinder Singh Bajwa, Chief Commercial Officer at JSW MG Motor India, stated, "This initiative is not only about creating music; it is about empowering these students, and providing them with opportunities that can lead to a more inclusive and fulfilling life. Through MG Taal, we aim to offer these talented students a platform to showcase their abilities and pursue their dreams. This exposure and the skills they acquire will help them build confidence, improve social skills, and unlock potential career paths in the music industry." JSW MG Motor India is renowned for its innovative approach and commitment to creating exciting experiences. Beyond automotive excellence, the brand has integrated music deeply into its identity, supporting and promoting various musical talents and initiatives through its MG Taal platform. Two seasons of MG Taal have been successfully completed, offering a platform for emerging talent and cultivating a vibrant community of music enthusiasts and creators. To View the Video, Click on the Link Below: World Music Day | MG Taal | JSW MG Motor India (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 21, 2024. Liu Jianchao led a CPC delegation to visit Pakistan from June 20 to June 22. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) ISLAMABAD, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, led a CPC delegation to visit Pakistan from June 20 to June 22. During the visit, Liu met with President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, as well as with people of all social sectors in Pakistan. The CPC senior official also attended the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the third meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism and delivered a speech. Both sides agreed that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and the two countries' friendship is unbreakable. The two sides agreed to implement the new important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, strengthen inter-party exchanges, deepen exchanges and mutual learning on governance experience, promote high-quality joint construction of the CPEC, and promote the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (1st R) in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 21, 2024. Liu Jianchao led a CPC delegation to visit Pakistan from June 20 to June 22. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) PNN Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 22: The initial public offering of Durlax Top Surface Ltd, leading company involved in the business of Solid Surface for over a decade received overwhelming response for its Rs. 40.80 crore SME IPO and got subscribed over 160.93 times as per NSE Data on 21 June 2024. Non institutional investor category received the highest interest among investors and was subscribed over 415 times. Retail segment was subscribed over 202 times and Qualified Investor segment was subscribed over 48 times. Company's shares will be listed on the NSE EMERGE Platform of National Stock Exchange on June 26 2024. * Company's shares will be listed on the NSE EMERGE Platform of National Stock Exchange on June 26 2024. * Grey Market premium on company's share is trading around Rs. 68 per share indicating a listing gain of over 100% as per https://www.investorgain.com/ . The Proceeds of the public issue will be utilised to fund company's expansion plans including meeting working capital requirements and general corporate purposes. Expert Global Consultants Private Ltd is the book running lead manager of the issue. Company received bids for over 87 crore equity share aggregating total subscription amount of Rs. 5,924 crore against the 60 lakh shares offered in the public issue. Grey Market premium on company's share is trading around Rs. 68 per share indicating a listing gain of over 100% as per https://www.investorgain.com/. Expert Global Consultants Private Ltd is the book running lead manager of the issue. The initial public offering of Rs. 40.80 crore, comprises of a fresh issue of Rs. 28.56 crore (42 lakh equity shares) and offer for sale of Rs. 12.24 crore (18 lakh shares) of face value Rs. 10 each. Company has finalized price band of Rs. 65-68 per equity share for the public issue. Out of the fresh issue of Rs. 28.56 crore, company plans to utilize Rs. 17.50 crore towards part finance the working capital requirements and Rs. 6 crore towards general corporate purpose. Shravan Suthar, Chairman and Managing Director, Durlax Top Surface Ltd, said "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our investors for their trust and confidence in the company and its management. With the steadfast support of all our stakeholders, we are confident in our ability to implement our growth strategy effectively, generating exponential value for everyone involved." Source: NSE Established in 2010, Durlax Top Surface Ltd manufactures solid surface materials. The company has two brands, namely LUXOR and ASPIRON. The LUXOR brand offers acrylic UV solid sheets while ASPIRON offers modified solid sheets. Both brands offer seamless designs, antibacterial and fire-retardant properties, ensuring a comprehensive range of high-quality solid sheets. The products are used in residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, outdoor and various other industries, providing stylish and durable solutions for countertops, vanities, offices, retail spaces, hotels, hospitals, outdoor projects and more. The company's manufacturing facility is located in Vapi, Gujarat. Company also exports to 19 countries. Company's manufacturing facility has been certified to conform to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. Business Highlights:- Company has reported excellent operational and financial performance over years. The Company has witnessed a multi-fold growth in revenue and profitability over the years. For FY23-24 ended March, company has reported net profit of Rs. 5.05 crore (Y-o-Y growth of 141%) and revenue of Rs. 90.84 crore (Y-o-Y growth of 141%) as compared to profitability and revenue of Rs. 2.09 crore and Rs. 66.84 crore in FY22-23. As on March 2024, Net Worth of the company was reported at Rs. 21.84 crore, Reserves & Surplus at Rs. 9.42 crore and Asset base of Rs. 105.53 crore. As on March 2024, ROE of the company was 26.20%, ROCE at 20.20% and RONW at 23.12%. Shares of the company will be listed on NSE's Emerge platform. Corporate Video:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6Bgs1Oka8I&t=235s (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) The central government will be able to take control of any telecommunications services or networks in times of emergency after the implementation of the Telecommunications Act 2023, which will be effective on June 26. The Centre, though partially, notified the Telecommunications Act on Friday to be effective from June 26, and provisions including sections 1, 2, 10, and 30 will be in place. "The Central government hereby appoints the 26th day of June 2024, as the date on which the provisions of sections 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44, 46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of the said Act shall come into force," the Gazette notification said. According to the notification, the government may take control of the telecom services on the grounds of security, public order, or prevention of offences. Section 20, which will be effective on June 26 states, "On the occurrence of any public emergency, including disaster management, or in the interest of public safety, the Central Government or a State Government or any officer specially authorised in this behalf by the Central Government or a State Government can take temporary possession of any telecommunication service or telecommunication network from an authorised entity; or provide for appropriate mechanisms to ensure that messages of a user or group of users authorised for response and recovery during a public emergency are routed on priority." As per the act, any telecom player who wants to establish or operate telecommunication networks, provide services or possess ratio equipment will have to be authorised by the government. After the rules of the Act comes into effect, the Universal Service Obligation Fund will become Digital Bharat Nidhi, which can be used for funding research and development, and pilot projects instead of just supporting the establishment of telecom services in rural areas. However, some other sections of the act such as the administrative allocation of spectrum, including for the satellite services, and adjudication mechanism etc will be notified later. The act, after it comes into effect, will supersede the existing rules within the telecommunications sector, which come under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933), among others. (ANI) ATK New Delhi [India], June 22: Celebrating the 10th International Yoga Day 2024, the event embraced the transformative power of yoga with the country's pride: the esteemed Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Administrative Service (IAS), and Haryana Civil Service (HCS). With the theme of Women Empowerment, the ancient practice, on this special day, emphasised how yoga can contribute to women's physical and mental well-being. The Haryana Institute of Public Administration, known for its commitment to excellence in public service training, provided a fitting venue for this significant event. The engagement of IPS, HCS, and IAS officers further highlighted the importance of yoga in fostering a balanced and resilient mindset among those serving the nation. Adding to the significance of the day, Zen Yoga, founded by Anya Malhotra of GD Goenka School, collaborated with Shiva ya Yog Sansthan under the guidance of Acharya Shisher Pokhriyal to hold a session for 70-100 police officers, encouraging them to practice yoga every day to balance their mind, body, and spirit. Anya, a high school student currently in Class 12, has been on a mission to spread the transformative power of yoga to all sections of society and embrace wellness. Inspired by her own transformative journey, she is dedicated to sharing the gift of yoga and meditation with others. During the one-hour session, attendees were taught various relaxation techniques, including yoga practices like pranayama and Nadi shodhan, to help them adopt an stress-free lifestyle. By empowering police officers with the tools to manage their stress and improve their overall health, the initiative will help to create a safer and healthy environment for both police officers and the communities they serve. Having a room full of police officials all enjoying the act of yoga was a special and memorable experience for all involved. Venue: Haryana institute of public administration Time 6-7 am (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the next meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is tentatively scheduled for mid to late August. GST Council proposes exemption for specific services offered by Indian Railways to the general public, as well as for intra-railway transactions. The sale of platform tickets and services such as retiring rooms, waiting rooms, cloakroom facilities, and battery-operated car services are now exempt from GST. This session aims to address the pending agenda items from today's meeting. Today's GST Council meeting was marked by several key decisions aimed at easing the compliance burden and providing relief to taxpayers. FM Sitharaman said, "Todays GST Council meeting has taken a lot of decisions on trade facilitation, easing compliance burden and relief to tax payers in terms of compliance easing out." Among these, significant measures were taken to facilitate trade and simplify processes for businesses and individuals alike. The GST Council recommended waiving interest penalties on demand notices issued under Section 73 of the GST Act for fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20. This section pertains to cases not involving fraud, suppression, or misstatement. Taxpayers who pay the full tax amount demanded in the notice by March 31, 2025, will benefit from this waiver. The Council approved an extension for availing input tax credit (ITC) on any invoice or debit note. For returns filed up to November 30, 2021, the deadline for ITC claims for the fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 is now deemed to be November 30, 2021. To curb government litigation, the Council recommended setting monetary thresholds for filing appeals by departments: Rs 20 lakh for the GST appellate tribunal, Rs 1 crore for high courts, and Rs 2 crore for the Supreme Court. In a move to assist small taxpayers, the Council extended the deadline for furnishing returns from April 30 to June 30 for the fiscal year 2024-25 and subsequent years. The Council clarified that all types of sprinklers, including fire and water sprinklers, will attract a uniform GST rate of 12 percent. Furthermore, accommodation services valued up to Rs 20,000 per person per month, provided for a continuous period of at least 90 days, will also be exempt. This exemption will benefit hostels and similar accommodations run by various social and community organizations. The Council recommended the phased rollout of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for GST registration applicants across India. Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has been appointed as the Chairman of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Rate Rationalization. The GoM will present a status report in the next meeting, followed by work on rate rationalization. The Council recommended a uniform GST rate of 12 percent on all milk cans, regardless of their material (steel, iron, aluminum), to eliminate disputes. A 12 per cent GST rate was also recommended for all types of carton boxes and cases made from both corrugated and non-corrugated paper or paperboard, a move that will particularly benefit apple growers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. A uniform GST rate of 12 percent was recommended for solar cookers, whether single or dual energy source, reflecting the Council's support for renewable energy initiatives. Sitharaman reiterated the central government's intent to bring petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. She highlighted that the groundwork for this inclusion was laid during the initial implementation of GST and emphasized that the decision now lies with the state governments. Nirmala Sitharaman recalled the foundational discussions led by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who articulated the vision of eventually including petrol and diesel under GST. "GST was implemented, I distinctly remember senior minister Arun Jaitley talking about that the progress so exists already in that meaning, GST, petrol and diesel can be handled for which the law has been already embedded", Sitharaman stated. The central government has long maintained that incorporating petrol and diesel into GST would streamline tax rates and potentially reduce prices for consumers. However, the Finance Minister clarified that this move requires consensus among the states, as they play a crucial role in determining the rate of taxation. The 53rd meeting of the GST Council, presided over by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. The meeting saw the participation of Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Ministers of Goa and Meghalaya, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, alongside Finance Ministers from various States and Union Territories (with legislatures), and senior officials from both Union and State governments. (ANI) Tributes have been pouring in for the veteran actor Donald Sutherland, who died in Miami on Thursday at the age of 88 following a long illness. Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan is one of the members of the cinema world who hailed Sutherland. Taking to Instagram Story, Kareena shared a picture of Sutherland and wrote, "forever (Red heart emoji)." In a career spanning six decades, the legendary actor had featured in varied roles with his breakthrough performances, including the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen and Robert Altman's M*A*S*H. Throughout his career, the actor starred in such films as Klute, Kelly's Heroes, Don't Look Now, Ordinary People, 1900, The Hunger Games series and Ad Astra, as per The Hollywood Reporter. For his contributions to cinema, he received an Honorary Award from the Academy in 2017. Sutherland is survived by his wife, Francine Racette; sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus and Kiefer; daughter, Rachel; and four grandchildren. Kiefer paid tribute to his late father online, writing, "With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived." Sutherland portrayed President Snow in the Hunger Games franchise films, with the official account paying tribute to the late actor: "We asked the kindest man in the world to portray the most corrupt, ruthless dictator we've ever seen. Such was the power and skill of Donald Sutherland's acting that he created one more indelible character among many others that defined his legendary career. We are privileged to have known and worked with him, and our thoughts are with his family." Helen Mirren also paid tribute to Sutherland. (ANI) Actor Jennifer Lawrence will be seen in a new murder mystery titled 'The Wives. Not only will she star in the project but she is also associated with 'The Wives' as a producer, reported The Hollywood Reporter. Joining Lawrence on the producing team is Justine Ciarrocchi, her partner at the duo's Excellent Cadaver production banner, as well as Tony and Independent Spirit Award nominees Jeremy O. Harris (Zola, Slave Play) and Josh Godfrey. Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley have penned the script for the project, which is described as being in development. Breslin may be best known for his stage work. He recently directed Invasive Species by Maia Novi at the Vineyard Theater and, as a creative director of Fake Friends with Foley, made Pulitzer finalist Circle Jerk and This American Wife from FourthWall Theatricals. Exact plot details have not been disclosed yet, but it is being described as "being partly inspired by the Real Housewives franchise, which focuses on the soap operatic and over-the-top theatrics of well-to-do women in areas ranging from Orange County to Miami to Atlanta." Wives will be co-produced by Apple Studios and A24. The two companies, as well as Lawrence, previously teamed on the 2022 drama Causeway. Apple and A24 have quickly become one of the town's reliable partnerships. The companies are in production on High and Low, a Spike Lee drama starring Denzel Washington; recently released STEVE! (Martin) a Documentary in 2 Pieces from Academy Award winner Morgan Neville; and will soon premiere dark comedy series Sunny starring Rashida Jones. Lawrence was last starred in the R-rated comedy 'No Hard Feelings' and appeared opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Don't Look Up'. She also led the cast of "The Hunger Games" (but you know that). (ANI) Following Paramount Network's announcement of the premiere date for the final episodes of 'Yellowstone', Kevin Costner has put an end to all speculations regarding his return to the hit series. In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Costner confirmed that he will not be reprising his role in Season 5B or beyond. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8dgouZIWlR/?hl=en "An update for you guys. I'll see you at the movies," Costner began in his Instagram post, addressing his decision. "I want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that's required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love, I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future," he conveyed in the video. "It was something that really changed me. I loved it. And I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won't be returning and I love the relationship we've been able to develop and I'll see you at the movies," he added. Paramount Network had earlier revealed that the second half of the fifth and final season of Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone will premiere on Sunday, November 10 at 8 pm ET/PT. The network's announcement did not confirm whether Costner's character, John Dutton, would appear in these concluding episodes, prompting fans to seek clarification from recent interviews with Costner regarding his potential involvement. In recent media interactions, Costner expressed disappointment over the narrative surrounding his absence, particularly regarding scheduling conflicts related to his work on Horizon: An American Saga. "I read all the stories. I was disappointed that nobody on their side... ever stepped up to defend what it was I actually did for them. There came a moment where I thought, 'Wow, when is somebody going to say something about what I have done versus what I haven't done?'" he lamented in an interview with People magazine. Despite his departure, Costner hinted at the possibility of returning to conclude the Yellowstone saga under specific conditions. "I've always felt that... It might be an interesting moment to come back and finish the mythology of this modern-day family," he remarked in the interview, emphasizing his openness to revisiting the role if the circumstances align with his vision. Earlier remarks made by Costner in a chat show interview obtained by People magazine indicated his willingness to continue with Yellowstone under favourable terms. "Number one, I did it for five years, OK, and I want to work more than once a year. We lost an entire year at one point and I thought, 'Well that can't ever happen again.' It was well over a year." In a prior conversation with Deadline, Costner detailed contractual negotiations and the complexities that ultimately led to his departure from the series. He reaffirmed his commitment to the truth of his agreements but acknowledged the challenges posed by scheduling conflicts and evolving production plans. Paramount Network's decision to reshape 'Yellowstone's future and explore franchise extensions, including potential involvement from Matthew McConaughey, followed reported disagreements over Costner's filming schedule and the series' creative direction. The network expressed optimism about ongoing franchise developments under Taylor Sheridan's guidance while refraining from disclosing further details about the spinoff or the number of episodes fans can anticipate for 'Yellowstone's conclusion. (ANI) Taking to Instagram, Katherine shared a touching tribute accompanied by a carousel of cherished moments with her husband. "Happy birthday my love @prattprattpratt Can't wait to celebrate you all day long! We love you!" wrote Katherine, expressing her love and admiration for Chris on his special day. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8fO4xfvTcx/?hl=en&img_index=1 The couple, known for their public displays of affection, has been a pillar of support for each other since their marriage in June 2019. Recently, Chris Pratt reciprocated the love on their anniversary, commemorating five years of marital bliss with a heartfelt message on social media. "Happy Anniversary to my honey! Five years has flown by. Thank you so much for the joy, stability, and fun you've brought to my life. I thank God for you every day," Chris Pratt wrote alongside a stunning picture of the couple, reflecting on their journey together. Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger's relationship blossomed after they began dating in June 2018. Following their engagement announcement in January 2019, the couple exchanged vows on June 8th of the same year in a ceremony held in Montecito, California. Their family grew with the arrival of their first daughter in 2020 and welcomed their second daughter in May 2022. (ANI) James Gunn, the renowned director behind the blockbuster hits 'Guardians of the Galaxy' shared a quirky picture alongside Pratt. Gunn took to social media to express his gratitude and admiration for the actor who famously portrays Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the MCU. In his tribute, Gunn wrote, "Happy Birthday @prattprattpratt. Couldn't have asked for a better person to be by my side making movies all these years." https://www.instagram.com/p/C8fWGx0Pq63/?hl=en The post quickly garnered attention from fans who flooded the comments section with birthday wishes and speculation about potential future collaborations between Gunn and Pratt. "Is this a sign of his DCU joining?" questioned one fan, hinting at the actor's potential involvement in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Another fan expressed their admiration for the director-actor duo, hoping for a reunion in future projects by writing, "Happy Birthday @prattprattpratt ! I legit LOVE this duo and hope you guys work together again one day!!!" Earlier in the day, Chris Pratt received another touching tribute from his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. Taking to Instagram, Katherine shared a carousel of cherished moments with her husband, captioning it with heartfelt birthday wishes. "Happy birthday my love @prattprattpratt. Can't wait to celebrate you all day long! We love you!" she wrote, reflecting the couple's strong bond and affectionate relationship. Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger tied the knot in June 2019 after a whirlwind romance that began in June 2018. Their wedding, held in Montecito, California, was a joyous affair attended by close family and friends. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2020 and expanded their family with the birth of their second daughter in May 2022. (ANI) The audio recovered by Mumbai Police from one of the arrested suspects in a firing incident outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence, has matched with the voice of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi, police said. The audio recording from the accused's phone was sent to the forensic laboratory for verification. The firing incident took place on April 14 outside Salman's residence, Galaxy Apartments, in the Bandra area of Mumbai. Anmol, the Canada-based brother jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has claimed responsibility for the April 14 incident in Mumbai's Bandra. Recently, the police recorded the statements of Salman Khan and his brother Arbaaz Khan. As per Mumbai Police's official, Salman's statement was recorded for nearly four hours, while Arbaaz's statement was recorded for more than two hours. In his statement, Salman informed police about what actually happened on the night of the incident. He told police that he was home on the day of the incident, having slept late at night as there was a party at his residence. Hours later, the sound of a bullet woke him up, as per the police. Salman stated the incident was serious. He also thanked Mumbai Police for their efforts in investigating the case. The subsequent arrests revealed connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, leading the Mumbai Police to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all involved in the shooting. Earlier, police said that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Vishnoi, played a key role in motivating the shooters. After receiving weapons delivery in Panvel on March 15, 2024, Anmol provided the shooters with the target's information, instructing them to carry out the firing at the actor's residence. The planned firing incident was executed as per instructions, during which the shooters received a total of Rs 3 lakh. A few days after the shocking incident, Arbaaz issued a statement on behalf of his family. In the post, Arbaaz stated that the particular "disturbing" incident has affected the family." "The recent incident of firing by two unidentified person in a motorcycle at Galaxy apartment the residence of the Salim Khan family is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place. Unfortunately, some people claiming to be close to our family and pretending to be the spokesperson have been making loose statements to the media saying it's all a publicity stunt and the family remains unaffected which is not true and these views should not be taken seriously," the statement read. "No member of the Salim Khan family has made any statement regarding this incident to the media. At this time the family is helping and cooperating with the police in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in the Mumbai police and we have been assured they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family. Thank you everyone for your love and support," Arbaaz wrote. (ANI) DUSHANBE, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A readers' seminar on the book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was successfully held here in the capital of Tajikistan on Saturday. More than 150 representatives across various sectors of China and Tajikistan, including politics, academia, and publishing, attended the event. The attendees believe that the book deeply explains the meaning and development context of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and concentrates on President Xi's in-depth thinking on China's national governance and global governance issues. The publication of the Tajik version of the book provides an authoritative reading material for Tajik readers to understand China in the new era and Chinese modernization, said the attendees. Under the leadership of President Xi, China's successful experience and remarkable achievements in governance have provided valuable references for developing countries, the participants said. China upholds the common values of humanity, including peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, playing an active role in building a community with a shared future for mankind, implementing the three major global initiatives, jointly building the Belt and Road, fostering exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations, and promoting global prosperity and stability, they added. This event was jointly hosted by China's State Council Information Office, China International Communications Group, and the Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan. Choreographer Bosco Martis recently delighted fans by sharing an unseen picture with actor NTR Jr. from Thailand where the actor is shooting for a melody for the upcoming action thriller 'Devara.' Martis took to his Instagram account on Saturday to post a candid snapshot from what appeared to be a set. In the picture, both Martis and NTR Jr. are beaming with smiles as they pose for the camera. Alongside the photo, Martis added a caption expressing his excitement, stating, "At last we get to VIBE with the exceptionally talented @jrntr #devara #boscocaesar @blmdancestudios @boscolesliemartis" https://www.instagram.com/p/C8g1B0rAe-Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link NTR Jr is also joined by his co-star Janhvi Kapoor who is currently shooting a romantic melody in the picturesque locations of Thailand. The upcoming film 'Devara' promises to blend Martis's choreographic brilliance with NTR Jr.'s charismatic performance, set against the backdrop of an action-packed narrative. Fans eagerly anticipate more updates from this dynamic collaboration between Martis and NTR Jr. Directed by Koratala Siva, 'Devara' will unfold in two parts. The film is produced by Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts, and presented by Nandamuri Kalyan Ram. Saif Ali Khan is also a part of the film, which was earlier scheduled to release on October 10, will now hit the theatres on September 27. Janhvi recently expressed her immense gratitude and excitement about being a part of 'Devara: Part 1'. "My character is very entertaining. I had a great time on that set because the way those people carry out their work with love, the way they do it, the passion with which they do their work, their stories are so beautiful. They present every story with conviction. It is very unique, a different temperament, passion, attitude is there in their films. And I consider myself very lucky to have got this opportunity," she said. The buzz around 'Devara: Part 1' has been growing steadily, especially after NTR Jr's recent comments during an event in Hyderabad. The actor assured fans that the wait for the film would be worth it, stating, "It's my promise to you all that the wait for Devara will be worth it and every fan will raise their collar in pride once the film releases." His words have only heightened the anticipation for the film, which promises gripping action sequences and an extraordinary musical score. (ANI) Following her performance on Friday, Swift took to her Instagram account and dropped a group selfie with her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the royal family, celebrating Prince William's 42nd birthday. Along with the group selfie, Swift wrote a caption that read, "Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start," marking the special occasion. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8hIungMPmD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Prince William reciprocated the sentiment with another photo of the group, thanking Taylor Swift for a memorable evening. As per Deadline, Swift was earlier welcomed to London with a traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where soldiers performed her hit song 'Shake It Off.' The Royal family shared a video of the ceremony, humorously titled 'Changing of the Guard (Taylor's Version),' before reportedly watching Swift's show from a private box. The audience of 89,000 included celebrities such as Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, actress Salma Hayek, model Cara Delevingne, opposition leader Keir Starmer, and London mayor Sadiq Khan. During her performance, Swift debuted 'The Black Dog,' a bonus track from Tortured Poets Department, which is rumoured to reference a London pub frequented by her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. (ANI) "On June 21, 2024, a search operation conducted by the BSF and Punjab Police led to the recovery of a Pakistani drone in the border area of Tarn Taran district. The drone was found in a farming field adjacent to Noorwala village in the Tarn Taran District," the BSF posted on X. The recovered drone has been identified as a China-made DJI Mavic- 3 Classic, the force said. This successful operation is a result of prompt information sharing and well-coordinated efforts between BSF troops and the Punjab Police, underscoring their commitment to eliminating the illicit drone menace. Earlier on June 20, the Border Security Force recovered a China-made drone in the border area of Tarn Taran district. According to the release, "BSF and Punjab police conducted a joint search operation based on intelligence information on June 20 in the border area of Tarn Taran at around 9 am." The drone was recovered from a corn field in Mastgarh village in Tarn Taran, the release said. (ANI) The incident occurred on Friday late at night. Upon receiving the information, around 24 fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Fire Officer Ramesh Kumar said that around three to four people were injured and shifted to hospital. "We brought fire tenders from nearby fire stations and blasts were still happening then. Around 24 fire tenders were deployed in the operation. This factory manufactures fireballs which is like a fire extinguisher. Nearby buildings suffered damage. We are being told that two deaths occurred and three to four injured people were shifted to hospital before we reached here," Kumar said. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Thousands of devotees have gathered in Puri to witness the 'Snana Yatra' of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on the occasion of Deva Snana Purnima on Saturday. Deva Snana Purnima of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra commenced on Saturday morning. All deities were brought to Snana Mandap to take a bath. Lakhs of devotees gathered outside the temple to see the rituals. Debasnana Purnima, also known as Snana Yatra, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, which usually falls in June. This festival holds immense religious significance, as it is believed to be the birthday of Lord Jagannath. The deities are taken out in a grand procession from the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple to the Snana Mandap, an elevated platform where the bathing ritual takes place. Lord Jagannath along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, are brought out from the sanctum sanctorum to the Snana Mandap, a special bathing platform. On this day, the deities undergo a ceremonial bath with 108 pitchers of sacred water. After the bath, the deities are adorned in Gajanan Besa, which means they are dressed to resemble Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. This unique attire, also known as Hati Besa, has deep symbolic meaning. On this day, the deities undergo a grand ritual bathing with 108 pitchers of sacred water, a practice believed to purify and honour them. This is one of the rare occasions when the deities are publicly visible, giving devotees a close view before the famous Rath Yatra. Following this bath, it is believed that the deities become unwell and are moved into a period of seclusion known as "Anavasara," where they are kept away from public view for about 15 days. This period is considered a time of recuperation, as the deities are believed to suffer from fever due to the extensive bathing ritual. During Anavasara, the deities are offered special medicinal preparations known as 'Phuluri Tela' to aid in their recovery. Devotees can have a glimpse of the 'Patti Dians' (painted images) of the deities during this time, instead of the actual idols. After the Anavasara period, the deities re-emerge for the grand Rath Yatra, where they are placed on their magnificent chariots and taken on a procession through the streets of Puri. This marks their annual journey to the Gundicha Temple, and it is one of the most celebrated and attended events, symbolising their blessing and grace upon all devotees. Thousands of devotees from Bangladesh and ISCON have also gathered at Puri to see the deities. During the period between the Snana Yatra and the Rathyatra, people from all across the world come to Puri. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the 'Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme' at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here in the national capital later on Friday to revolutionize travel experience, making it faster, easier, and more secure. Shah will inaugurate the Fast Track Immigration - Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) programme soon after his arrival from Gujarat, where he stayed on Friday and e-inaugurated 30 smart schools. The FTI-TTP is a visionary initiative by the Central government thoughtfully designed for Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of india (OCI) cardholders. FTI-TTP aims to revolutionise your travel experience, making it faster, easier, and more secure. This initiative showcases the government's commitment to enhancing travel convenience and efficiency for everyone. Eligible individuals will need to apply online and submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image) along with other required information as specified in the application form. Registration under FTI will be completed after the necessary verifications and confirmation of eligibility. Applicable FTI-TTP processing charges must be paid when submitting the application. The application shall be submitted only after the non-refundable processing fee has been successfully paid. Applicants will be registered after their identity has been successfully authenticated through mobile OTP and email verification. Incorrect or false information or concealing any material facts in the application form shall make the application liable for rejection. Those applicants will not be registered for FTI-TTP whose biometrics, for any technical reason, cannot be captured. The FTI registration will be valid for a maximum of five years or until the validity of the passport, whichever comes first. Approved applications would receive a message to schedule an appointment to provide their biometric details. The applicant may provide their biometrics at a designated international airport in India or the nearest FRRO office as per the prior appointment schedule. Biometrics is compulsory for the completion of the application processing. The applicant may ensure a minimum passport validity of at least six months while applying for FTI-TTP. Membership of programme will be co-terminus with passport validity. Applicant needs to provide current residential address to avoid the rejection of application. The FTI-TTP processing fee (non-refundable) to be charged is as follows: Indian Nationals Rs 2000, Indian Nationals (Minor) Rs 1000, and OCI cardholders $100. Applicants need to upload one passport size photograph in JPEG format (size ranging from 10 KB to 1 MB) and passport first and last page containing passport holder's information (size not exceeding 1 MB). Besides, two scanned copy of documents like OCI card in case of Indian settled overseas in PDF format (size ranging from 10 KB to 1 MB) as applicable is needed. Present Proof of address in PDF format (size 3 ranging from 10 kB to 1 MB) is also needed. (ANI) A large number of devotees from across the country thronged Kamakhya temple in Guwahati as the annual Ambubachi Mela (fair) started on Saturday. After Ambubachi Mela's Pravritti, the temple's main door will remain closed for three days. After the Ambubachi Mela's Nivritti, its main door will be opened on June 26. The annual mela is held a day before the 3-day closure of the temple. It is believed that the goddess menstruates for these three days. This event symbolises fertility and womanhood. On Saturday, as part of the holy ritual, the priests chanted the goddess' mantras and the sound of conches echoed in the air. The devotees worshipped the goddess. Some lay down on the ground as a mark of devotion. Some devotees were also seen posing for pictures, wearing devotional headbands. Earlier on Friday, Kabindra Prasad Sarma-Doloi, the head priest of the historical temple, told ANI that, the Ambubachi Mela's Pravritti will be performed at 8:45 am today. "The Ambubachi Mela's Nivritti will be performed on June 26 and the temple will be opened on June 26 morning. All rituals and puja will be performed after Nivritti. The Assam government and district administration have also extended their support including security, transportation, food etc. Last year, around 25 lakh devotees visited the temple during the Ambubachi Mela and we hope the number will be increased this year," Kabindra Prasad Sarma said. Kamakhya Temple located atop Nilachal Hills, is one of 51 Shaktipeeths in the country. The annual mela is one of the biggest religious congregations in Eastern India. During these three days, the temple's main door remains shut, as it is believed that "Mother Earth" experiences the annual cycle of menstruation during this period. Farmers often avoid the cultivation process these days to avoid disturbing the goddess. (ANI) He was remanded to judicial custody on May 31 after his interrogation in AAP MP Swati Maliwal's alleged assault case. Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal extended judicial custody till July 6. Advocate Karan Sharma counsel for the accused appeared through video conferencing. The court has directed to produce the accused through video conferencing on the next date of hearing. Earlier, an order was passed by the court in application of the accused seeking direction to produce him through video conferencing due to safety and security reasons. He was arrested on May 18 by Delhi Police. A case was registered by Delhi police after receiving a complaint from Swati Maliwal on May 16. The incident of the alleged assault occurred on May 13. (ANI) Tamil Nadu minister S Regupathy said on Saturday that the opposition, headed by AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami, in the Assembly, wants to politicise the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which has claimed 53 lives so far. He said that Retd Judge Justice Gokuldas has been nominated as a one-man commission and he has now inquired into the matter. "52-55 people have died in the incident. It is unexpected but our Chief Minister has immediately ordered a CB-CID inquiry as well as a judicial inquiry. Retd Judge Justice Gokuldas has been nominated as a one-man commission and he has now inquired into the matter. But the Opposition headed by Edappadi Palaniswami, in the Assembly, wants to politicise this and they raised slogans during Question Hour. But they can raise questions only during Zero Hour," Regupathy said. The DMK leader said that CM MK Stalin has requested the Opposition to come to the Assembly and say whatever they want, but the Opposition has refused to come to the Assembly. "They gheraoed Speaker of the Assembly. But the Speaker himself requested the Opposition Leader that he can say anything he wants to say now. But he doesn't want to say anything inside the Assembly but outside the Assembly. Our CM has also requested the Opposition to come to the Assembly and say whatever they want, but the Opposition has refused to come to the Assembly, they have not said anything inside the Assembly," he said. "They met the press for publicity. They made false allegations against the government but it is not correct. The Government is taking proper steps," Regupathy added. Meanwhile, the AIADMK legislators staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly in protest over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. Ruckus erupted in the House after AIADMK leaders demanded a discussion on the Kallakurichi illicit liquor tragedy. AIADMK leaders donned black clothes and raised slogans against the state government in the Assembly. The opposition also demanded the resignation of CM Stalin. The death toll in the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy rose from 50 to 53, officials said on Saturday. Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth said that out of the total 193 patients who consumed illicit liquor, 140 are currently safe. "193 people who have consumed illicit liquor have come to the hospital. Out of which 193, 140 are currently safe, while a few of them are on ventilators. Right now, 53 people have passed away," he said. The leaders staged a walkout after Speaker M Appavu rejected AIADMK leaders' demand to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the issue. On Friday, AIADMK MLAs were evicted from the House after they staged a sit-in protest. Meanwhile, AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami lashed out at the state government on Saturday and said that, according to the information they have received, 55 people have died in the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi. "Speaker Appavu refused to give time to speak about the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy. According to the information we got 183 were affected by the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The government is so lethargic. 55 died according to the information we got. 183 was affected. If the Government acts in a rush many lives could have been saved," he said. "The Minister says people died because they came for treatment with delay. But who is responsible for that? The government is the reason. The first day, the District Collector refused the illicit liquor in Kallakurichi," the AIADMK leader added. The Tamil Nadu government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy. The inquiry will be led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas. Justice Gokuldas will submit a report within three months. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announced Rs 10 lakh each for the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the persons under treatment. A one-man commission, comprising former judge Justice B Gokuldas, announced to probe the matter, and submit a report within 3 months. The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam. Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased victims, with those under treatment to receive Rs 50,000 each. Victims are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital and in hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. (ANI) Following TMC leader Kunal Ghosh's allegations that the Congress party is "supporting" BJP in West Bengal, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has cautioned the Congress party that it needs to draw a "Lakshman Rekha" and avoid attacking its own allies. The Aam Aadmi Party leader said that if Congress keeps attacking its INDIA bloc partners, it will weaken the alliance. "By keeping in mind, the alliance, Congress needs to think. If they keep talking against their own allies then it will weaken the entire INDIA alliance. How can we have one opinion on political issues? How will we take on central govt inside the Parliament? Congress should draw a 'Laxman Rekha', especially in those states, where Congress is against the parties who are part of the INDIA alliance," Bhardwaj told ANI. This comes after TMC leader Kunal Ghosh attacked the Congress party accusing them of "disturbing" TMC in West Bengal and said the party has no organisation in the state. Ghosh lashed out at Congress and said that the party is in a terrible situation in West Bengal. "Congress is in a terrible situation in Bengal. First, Congress has no organisation. Second, in Delhi, the Congress is playing the anti-BJP role but in Bengal, they are disturbing TMC and supporting the BJP. The people of Bengal have rejected this. Third, Congress being in alliance with the CPI (M)," he said. Notably, this was not the only incident showing friction within the INDIA bloc parties. Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai confirmed that the party will contest the Delhi Assembly elections on its own and not in alliance with Congress. He noted that the two parties had come together only for Lok Sabha polls. "This is clear from the very first day that the INDIA alliance was formed for Lok Sabha elections. As far as Vidhan Sabha is concerned, no alliance has been formed. AAP will fight elections with its full strength," Rai, who is Environment Minister in Delhi government, told ANI. AAP and Congress fought Lok Sabha polls together. While AAP contested four of seven seats, Congress had fielded three candidates. However, the two parties drew a blank in the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital with BJP winning all the seven Lok Sabha seats. (ANI) Thousands of Kenyan youth demonstrated against the governments plan to increase existing and introduce new taxes through a bill before parliament. Placards and slogans of Zacchaeus, come down! were seen in the streets of the capital Nairobi and other cities across the country comparing President William Rutos ambitious tax plans to Zacchaeus the tax collector in the Bible, in Luke 19:1-10. The peaceful yet growing protests started in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday 18, but spread to other cities and towns. What started as an online opposition to the bill through the #RejectFinanceBill2024 hashtag, spread to the streets thanks to young Kenyans in their late teens and early 20s who used social media to mobilize and lead the protests. Generation Z or Gen Z as they are popularly known, demanded Members of Parliament vote against the Finance Bill 2024 and accused Rutos government of being insensitive to the plight of Kenyans burdened by increasing costs of living. In response to the protesters, the police lobbed tear-gas canisters and barricaded roads leading to parliament as banner-carrying demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans. The ruling coalition dropped most of the controversial tax proposals but more protesters took to the streets on the third day of the demonstrations demanding a recall of the Finance Bill 2024 instead of the amendments that were presented in parliament. Several groups, including Church associations had made their thoughts on the bill known during the public participation phase weeks before the protests began. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Speaking to Christian Daily International, the General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), Kepha Nyandega, explained how the alliance was deeply involved in the public participation conducted by parliaments Finance and Planning Committee. "We knew we had to present our analysis of the bill and realized that as Church leaders in Kenya, we needed expert consultant services to provide an in-depth review of the Finance Bill 2024, said Nyandega. While submitting EAKs position to the committee, Nyandega maintained that raising taxes would not lead to Kenyas prosperity. If Kenyans are not going to be left with disposable incomes to provide for their needs, the economy will continue to shrink and the government will have less to collect. The problem in Kenya is spending not revenues, said Nyandega. Earlier in June, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) had warned that the punitive taxes proposed in the Finance Bill would have a negative effect on the economy and impoverish the majority of Kenyans if passed into law. We urge the government to establish a tax regime that is predictable and conducive to economic growth, rather than one that stifles the private sector and overburdens the poor and vulnerable, said the Catholic Bishops in a statement. The Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop, Jackson Ole Sapit, acknowledged the governments need to raise revenue but challenged the approach to overburden citizens with new tax demands without commensurate service delivery. The stark contrast of allocating funds for luxuries like new car allowances and office amenities, while necessities such as vaccines remain inaccessible to our children, underscores a fundamental failure in our approach to public finance, said Ole Sapit. He also cautioned MPs that an increase in tax on bread, sacrament and altar wine and medical dressings would adversely impact the church's service to its faithfuls. The bill had also proposed an increase on tax on other basic essentials such as cooking oil, fuel, financial transactions, sanitary pads and diapers, and an introduction of new taxes on motor vehicles and a new levy for a planned national health fund, as well as an eco levy that will impact the cost of many products. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the Health Minister, said on Saturday that, after the family members of a brain-dead patient donated two kidneys of the brain dead patient, an expert doctors team at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital successfully did a kidney transplant to two other patients. "We are very much thankful to the family members of the brain-dead patient. The expert doctors team of GMCH successfully did a kidney transplant here and it is the first in Guwahati as well as North East India. The kidneys were transplanted to two other patients. If we start a culture of donating kidneys of brain-dead patients then it will save the lives of many people," CM Sarma said. He further said, "We will also try to conduct a liver transplant in Guwahati." The Assam Chief Minister also said that the GMCH doctors also successfully gave birth to a child through IVF. "The GMCH doctors transplanted embryos to 36 and 8 women were pregnant and conducted one cesarean birth. In GMCH the cost of IVF is around Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh. 28 bone marrow transplant also done at GMCH," Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He further said that more than 53,000 patients get benefits from PM schemes at GMCH. The Assam Chief Minister on Saturday reviewed the progress works at GMCH. (ANI) Chairing a crucial meeting of the Energy Department on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the department's presentation and emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about the timely payment of electricity bills, an official statement said. He noted that, just as people pay their mobile bills on time, they should also be encouraged to do the same with their electricity bills. To achieve this, he urged the department to establish a robust mechanism. CM Yogi also stressed the importance of installing smart meters across the state, highlighting that the public should be prepared for this transition as smart meters are essential for modern needs, the statement added. Chief Minister Yogi directed that electricity bills should reach every consumer's home on time and without any errors. It is crucial to hold meter readers accountable for this. The Chief Minister emphasized the need to educate consumers about the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme so they are fully aware of the options available for settling outstanding electricity bills. The Chief Minister insisted that consumers should not be harassed over electricity bills under any circumstances. He noted that while the first five years were focused on developing infrastructure, the emphasis must now shift to maintaining quality. The Chief Minister emphasized that if power is cut due to maintenance, consumers must be given prior notice about when and for how long the power supply will be disrupted. He advised using social media extensively for this purpose. The Chief Minister emphasized the need to expedite the implementation of smart meters, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing 'ease of living' and providing genuine relief to consumers. The officials informed the Chief Minister that there has been an increase in the hours of power supply in the state. Despite the intense heat and except for minor local faults, the government has effectively ensured uninterrupted 24-hour power supply since March 15, with no electricity shortages reported anywhere in the state. According to the officials, there are 3.45 crore electricity connections in the state, with an increase of 30 lakh connections over the past two years. They reported that as of 2024, the revenue generated amounts to Rs 70,000 crores, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, consumer turnover stands at approximately 92 per cent in urban areas and 51 per cent in rural areas. The Chief Minister was informed that in the state, 40 per cent of electricity bills are received online, 32 per cent are paid at counters, and 30 per cent are processed through various e-wallets. Online services have been strengthened to include facilities such as increasing load capacity and updating personal details like name and address through the app. Additionally, an average of 7 SMS reminders are sent each month to prompt payment of electricity bills. The Chief Minister was briefed that Maintenance Month was observed during October-November 2023, yielding positive outcomes. Officials highlighted that the average electricity demand has surged during April, May, and June in the state. On normal summer days, the demand ranges between 27,000 to 28,000 MW, whereas during intense heat, it has peaked at 33,000 to 35,000 MW. It is anticipated to decrease following the onset of the monsoon season. The Chief Minister was told that the installation of 10 units of 5255 MW in the state is progressing rapidly. Work is also going on on three big projects of 5120 MW, Obra D, Anpara E and Meja II. Furthermore, efforts have been made to minimize transmission losses of electricity in the state to 3 per cent, achieving a considerable reduction. The Chief Minister was informed about several major departmental projects slated to commence in Noida, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, and Lucknow. Additionally, as part of the first phase of the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Project, 1 crore solar rooftops are planned nationwide, with 25 lakh in Uttar Pradesh alone. For this, 16 lakh 97 thousand registrations have been completed. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for expeditious implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. (ANI) Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that since the day he became the Agriculture Minister, he has been thinking day and night about how to take agriculture forward and ensure the welfare of farmers. While addressing a national seminar and alumni get-together at ICAR, Chouhan said, "We have to take agriculture forward and ensure the welfare of farmers. The vision of the Prime Minister is our mission. From the day I became the Agriculture Minister, I have been thinking day and night about how to do it better." The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare expressed his pride in being Indian, citing India as the birthplace of Vedic hymns, composed at a time when other developed nations had not yet seen the rise of civilisation. "At present our country is progressing rapidly... India is a very ancient and great nation. We all know this. When the sun of civilization had not risen in the developed countries of the world, the hymns of the Vedas were composed here. It is truly an amazing country and I am proud to be an Indian," he said. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on June 11. Meanwhile, PM Modi, after assuming office for the third term, authorised the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi, which aims to benefit 9.3 crore farmers and distribute around Rs 20,000 crore. PM-KISAN scheme was launched in 2019, to supplement the financial needs of all land-holding farmers subject to certain exclusion criteria of higher income status. The financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal installments, every four months, is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers' families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Till now, over Rs 3.04 lakh crore has been disbursed to more than 11 crore farmers across the nation and with this release, the total amount transferred to the beneficiaries since the inception of the scheme will cross well over Rs 3.24 lakh crore. (ANI) The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is scheduled to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Post-Graduate (PG) 2024. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Dr Rakesh Sharma, OSD to President and Member, Governing Body, NBEMS said, "All eyes of the nation are on NBEMS for the conduct of NEET PG 2024 and we will not let down the hope of the nation. We will conduct the test through a computer-based test (CBT) mode throughout the country." On Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for successfully delivering and maintaining transparency, he said, "NBEMS has robust SOPs for conducting exams because of which NBEMS has been successfully delivering the exams year after year. These SOPs are stringently followed. NBEMS has worked very hard on maintaining the secrecy of the question paper and there is no chance that there will be any leakage of the question paper." He further said that NBEMS is supported by medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW, Flying Squads, Deans and Principals, Vice-chancellor and other agencies, "NBEMS has support from various medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW and other agencies. NBEMS has already briefed the chief secretaries and DGP of all states for safe and secure conduct of the exam." The NEET-PG 2024 will be conducted in 292 cities, the participating candidates are 2,28,757 including 1,05,791 female and 1,22,961Male candidates, five transgender, Overseas Citizens of India 223, Non-OCI 195 and 119 NRI. NBEMS has also introduced the concept of the flying squad which enhances the surveillance of examination centres over and above the routine protocols. Flying squads include chancellors of Universities, current and former members of the Governing Body - NBEMS, Vice Chancellors, Member - NMC, Principals, Dean's HODs of Medical Colleges, and Faculty of NBEMS accredited Institutes. The Flying Squad members will be visiting all the test centres and submit their report focusing on exam security and the use of unfair means. The command centre will also be set up at NBEMS Headquarters, 10 regional command centres and other monitoring centres will work in close coordination with continuation supervision of test Centres. The Candidates are advised to arrive at the test hall at least an hour before the scheduled time. Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in this year's National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams and NET exam. This resulted in several protests across the country with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. (ANI) Former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy allegedly allotted two acres of irrigation land in survey number 202/A1 in Tadepalli in the capital area of Amaravathi to his party office, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said. The ruling party claimed that Jagan had prepared a plan to occupy the neighbouring 15 acres by building the party office on these two acres. It has now been clarified that the Irrigation Department has not given the clearance to hand over these two acres to the YSR Congress party, the TDP said. The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), or the Mangalagiri, Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC) or even the Revenue officials did not hand over the land belonging to the Irrigation department to the then ruling party, the ruling party said. The TDP further said that what is more surprising is that the YSRCP did not even apply for the clearance of the plan to build the party office and began the construction. Learning about all these matters, the general secretary of the Guntur district unit of the TDP lodged a complaint with the Commissioners of the CRDA, MTMC officials on the illegal occupation of this two acres land and wanted necessary action be taken against the illegal occupants, the TDP said. Following this, the demolition of these illegal constructions of the YSRCP leaders has been launched under the supervision of the MTMC officials, it said adding that the letter was sent to the YSRCP leaders by the Irrigation department. Meanwhile, the YSR Congress party a notice from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) over "illegal construction" of another party office in Vizag. In its letter to the YSR Congress, GVMC Corporation officials objected to the construction of two acres of land at Yendada in Visakhapatnam district in survey number 175/4 without permission. "You have applied for permission to Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) instead of GVMC, as the area falls under its limits," the letter stated. The Zone-2 Town Planning Officer has put notices on the YSRCP office that if a proper explanation is not given on this matter within a week, further action will be taken. "Therefore, you are hereby directed to show cause in writing by you/your authorised agent. Further, you are hereby directed to stop the work and submit a reply within seven days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which further action will be taken as per due procedure," the notice further stated. This has raised speculation that the Visakhapatnam YCP office might also be demolished for being built "without any permission." This comes after an under-construction central office building of the YSR Congress Party was demolished by the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority in the early hours of Saturday. (ANI) BJP workers in Tamil Nadu on Saturday staged a protest over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in which 53 people lost their lives. The protestors were later detained by the police. The death toll in the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy rose from 50 to 53, officials said on Saturday. The Director of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, S Ravivarman on Saturday visited Kallakurichi Government Hospital to meet the victims admitted after consuming illicit liquor. Kallakurichi Superintendent of Police, Rajat Chaturvedi, said that raids are going on in the state over the incident and the police will release a statement soon. "The CB-CID is taking over the investigation...Victims are better, it's getting better...Raids have been going on since yesterday, on this we will be giving a press note," he said. As per the Kallakurichi Collector, seven people have been arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. "So far, seven people have been arrested in the case. The case has been given to the CBI CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police. The patients are being given best treatment. Special doctors were mobilised in the initial stage. About 56 doctors were brought in from different medical colleges. Many patients who had respiratory problems, have recovered too," the Kallakurichi Collector said. Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth said that out of the total 193 patients who consumed illicit liquor, 140 are currently safe. "193 people who have consumed illicit liquor have come to the hospital. Out of which, 140 are currently safe, while a few of them are on ventilators. Right now, 53 people have passed away," he said. The Tamil Nadu government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy. The inquiry will be led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas. Justice Gokuldas will submit a report within three months. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased victims, and Rs 50,000 each for the persons under treatment. The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam. Victims are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital and in hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. (ANI) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday attacked the BJP government over the irregularities surrounding the medical entrance exam NEET-UG 2024 and targeted the Central government saying that wherever BJP is in power, paper leaks happen there. Speaking with the reporters, Yadav said, "Wherever there is BJP government, paper leaks are happening there...It is my appeal to investigation agencies to probe Sanjeev Mukhiya. I urge the government to probe this. Sanjeev Mukhiya is said to be the head of Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand who have been nabbed (in NEET issue). This should be investigated." He added further, "Otherwise, we will have to reveal the pictures of Sanjeev Mukhiya with the politicians that we have with us. So, it is better that the probe agencies probe this impartially. This is not going to be hidden...Those who leaked the paper won't be spared. Those who cheated will not be spared... We will not leave them." Notably, Patna police had arrested several people including some candidates who had taken the NEET exam. Out of them, four have been identified as Anurag Yadav, a NEET candidate, his uncle Sikandar Yadavendu, and two others - Nitish Kumar and Anand. The RJD leader also targeted the Education Minister and said, "Dharmendra Pradhan is a senior leader of the BJP and a seasoned politician. He was not even accepting that a paper leak has taken place. You are bringing out laws regarding paper leak but there should be a law for those also who didn't accept the incident of paper leak..." Yadav was referring to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 which aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country which came into effect on Friday. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in this year's National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams and NET exam. This resulted in several protests across the country with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. An unprecedented 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns. The Education Ministry, meanwhile, has formed a seven-member committee to reform the examination process and the functioning of the NTA. (ANI) Amidst the NEET exam row, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday called on Governor Ramesh Bais to seek his intervention on the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MH-CET) "chaos" and demanded the disclosure of MH-CET marks and answer sheets. Thackeray took to his social media handle on X and posted, "This afternoon, we called on His Excellency, Governor Ramesh Bais ji, to seek his intervention on the MH CET chaos." "We have requested him to ask the CET cell to release the answer sheets of students, declare marks of students, just not percentile, hold the paper setters accountable for 54 mistakes in options and provide a full refund for those who raised 1,425 objections," Thackeray's post read. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also humbly requested the Governor to hold the Mumbai University Senate elections at the earliest. "We also humbly requested him to hold the Mumbai University Senate elections at the earliest. I was accompanied by Pradeep Sawant ji and Rajan Kolambekar ji," he said. MH-CET, also known as MHT-CET, is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, for admission to undergraduate engineering courses in the state of Maharashtra. The exam is conducted in offline mode and tests candidates' knowledge in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. MH-CET is a computer-based test (CBT) comprising multiple-choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. As the Education Ministry and the National Testing Agency (NTA) grappled with allegations of paper leaks, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule on Saturday termed it a "complete failure" of the government of India. Sule said that they will raise the issue in the forthcoming Parliament session. The Ministry of Education said it has constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The 7-member committee, led by ISRO former chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan, will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months. The NTA is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in this year's National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams and NET exam. This resulted in several protests across the country with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. "In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of National Testing Agency," the ministry said. As per the ministry, the committee will look into reforming in mechanism of the examination process by analysing the end-to-end examination process and suggesting measures to improve the efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach. The committee will also conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols of the NTA, and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures/protocols along with monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at every level. "The Committee shall submit its report to the Ministry within two months from the date of issue of this order. The Committee can co-opt any Subject Matter Expert to assist them," the ministry said. (ANI) Delhi LG VK Saxena on Saturday launched an attack on the AAP-led Delhi government over the Delhi water crisis, saying that the same blame-game story is repeated by the government year after year. "Heart-rending scenes of people running after tankers and incidents of water shortage are not new in Delhi. This has been happening year after year and every year, the same blame-game story is repeated by the Government on social media and in press conferences," Saxena said in an official statement. VK Saxena also expressed his anguish at the AAP government's approach to governance and service delivery in Delhi. "The AAP Government will do well to go to the drawing board and revisit its model of governance rather than abusing, accusing and scooting through social media and press conferences. The absence of seriousness in governance is disturbing. As the Constitutional Head of Delhi, I feel anguished at the approach of the AAP government, on almost every subject concerning governance and delivery of services to the people of Delhi," Delhi LG said. Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi, who is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike against the water crisis, said on Saturday that she tried "everything" but was left with no choice but to sit on a fast when the Haryana government didn't agree to supply the required quantity of water. "This is the second day of my fast. There is an acute shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi receives water from its neighbouring states. Delhi receives a total of 1005 MGD of water that is supplied to the houses in Delhi. Of this, 613 MGD of water comes from Haryana but for the past several weeks, it has been releasing only 513 MGD. Due to this, more than 28 lakh people in Delhi are not receiving water. I tried everything but when the Haryana government didn't agree to supply water, I was left with no choice but to sit on a fast," Atishi said in a video posted on her X handle. The AAP leader, who is also the Water Minister in Delhi government, began her strike on Friday at Bhogal, near Jangpura. She was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and other party leaders. Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, read a message from the Chief Minister, who is under judicial custody, and said Arvind Kejriwal is 'hurt' to see Delhi's public suffering from water scarcity. "Kejriwal says that when I see on TV, the way Delhi people are suffering due to water scarcity, it hurts me. I hope Atishi's 'tapasya' will succeed and residents of Delhi will get relief. I wish all the best to Atishi, may God protect her," she stated. (ANI) Former Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy claimed that the ruling Telugu Desam Party has been targeting YSRCP leaders and damaging their properties and that the police are not taking any action despite complaints. Reddy alleged that the TDP has been trying to weaken the YSRCP by targeting its leaders and damaging their properties. He claimed that the TDP has been using private individuals to attack YSRCP leaders and damage their properties, without even serving notices in some cases. The former minister also alleged that the TDP is trying to eliminate the YSRCP and that the people are watching everything. He warned that the TDP's actions will backfire and that the party will face the consequences in the future. Reddy's comments come in the wake of recent attacks on YSRCP leaders and damage to their properties in various parts of the state. The YSRCP has been accusing the TDP of unleashing a reign of terror against its leaders and cadres. In a recent incident, a rice mill belonging to YSRCP leader Ranga Reddy was set on fire in Kudur village of Gudur mandal in Nellore district, causing a loss of Rs 50 lakh. Despite complaints to the police, no action has been taken against the culprits, Reddy alleged. Former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy allegedly allotted two acres of irrigation land in survey number 202/A1 in Tadepalli in the capital area of Amaravathi to his party office, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said. The ruling party claimed that Jagan had prepared a plan to occupy the neighbouring 15 acres by building the party office on these two acres. It has now been clarified that the Irrigation Department has not given the clearance to hand over these two acres to the YSR Congress party, the TDP said. The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), or the Mangalagiri, Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC) or even the Revenue officials did not hand over the land belonging to the Irrigation department to the then ruling party, the ruling party said. The TDP further said that what is more surprising is that the YSRCP did not even apply for the clearance of the plan to build the party office and began the construction.Learning about all these matters, the general secretary of the Guntur district unit of the TDP lodged a complaint with the Commissioners of the CRDA, MTMC officials on the illegal occupation of this two acres land and wanted necessary action be taken against the illegal occupants, the TDP said. Following this, the demolition of these illegal constructions of the YSRCP leaders has been launched under the supervision of the MTMC officials, it said adding that the letter was sent to the YSRCP leaders by the Irrigation Department. (ANI) A heightened sense of impunity and nationalism contributed to a surge in attacks on Christians and church properties in Israel in 2023, according to a Jerusalem-based inter-religious organization report. While hostility towards the Christian presence has been a longstanding occurrence in some local communities, it has now escalated to a broader and more severe phenomenon, the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue stated in a report released this month. A growing sense of insecurity among Christians is linked to the wider socio-political context, according to Christian leaders and experts on Christianity in Israel, the report states. As the Cardinal of Jerusalem, Pier Battista Pizzaballa, said regarding the spike in attacks, These people [the attackers] feel they are protectedthat the cultural and political atmosphere now can justify, or tolerate, actions against Christians, states the report, entitled, Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem. Christian communities saw a significant increase in both the frequency and intensity of harassment, according to the report. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up The targeting of Christianity is not, on the whole, explicitly encouraged by the political leadership or the Israeli authorities, the report states. However, the rise in attacks correlates with a broader socio-political climate marked by a shift towards the far-right, growing nationalism, and an emphasis on Israel as a state for the Jewish population which has impacted the unique majority/minority dynamics of Jewish-Christian relations in the Holy Land. The center documented 32 attacks on church property in 2023, seven violent attacks on Christians, 11 cases of verbal harassment, cemetery desecration and 30 cases of spitting on or toward clergy and pilgrims. Spitting has been a known occurrence in religious life in Jerusalem for decades, but it has transformed from a covert act to perpetrators openly spitting at clergy, holy places, and even pilgrims, in broad daylight, before crowds and in the presence of security cameras, the report notes. Spitting constitutes felony assault according to Article 378 of Israeli penal law, and if done for a racial or religious reason, punishment is either doubled or 10 years in prison, whichever is lesser, the report states. Victims are generally not aware of the law and do not report it, and police would tend to dismiss most reports as non-violent and irrelevant, it states. Consequently, a common attitude among religious individuals, particularly those from Eastern traditions, is a form of acceptance of this insulting behavior, mostly out of humility, the report states. A smile and a silent blessing are typically the response to unknown passersby who engage in spitting. Besides spitting, physical attacks included pepper spraying and hitting. A group of Jewish Orthodox men in March 2023 forcibly entered a shop in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, pepper-sprayed a U.S. Christian working there as a volunteer and punched him in the face, according to the report. Subsequently, a group of Jewish children barricaded the door to the shop. He was spat at from the synagogue located above the store on multiple occasions, and liquids were poured on him from above while he was opening the shop door, the report states. Additionally, Jewish Orthodox men would display knives in his presence, while others verbally harassed him during work hours, labeling him as a missionary. The accusation tarnished his relationships with potential Jewish customers, and eventually the intimidations compelled him to leave his position, the report states. Two young Jewish men on Jan. 28, 2023 attacked a car carrying two Armenians near an Armenian compound, and when the victims asked why, they were pepper-sprayed in the eyes, according to the Armenian Patriarchate. They received hospital treatment and reported the attack to police, and an hour after police apprehended one of the assailants, a large group of young Jewish men tried to climb the Patriarchates building with the intention of removing its flag and the Armenian flag. Young Armenian men prevented them from doing so, causing the Jewish group to flee, but some members returned and started provoking the Armenian youth, according to the report. The Jewish young men ran towards the police station, falsely claiming a terrorist attack was taking place, the report states. In response, the police attacked the Armenian youths and detained one of them. Following the intervention by His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, and with court approval, the detained Armenian was released, and after medical examination and treatment for his injuries, placed under house arrest for 20 days awaiting trial. He was eventually released, but it is not clear if the case is still pending. Some communities near Jewish neighborhoods, such as the Armenians in the Old City of Jerusalem and a Polish monastery on the border of the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, endured repeated attacks throughout the year, according to the Rossing Center. Based on compiled records of known attacks in previous years, 2023 also witnessed a notable increase in both severe property and physical assaults, it states. The Polish monastery bordering Mea Shearim experienced various forms of harassment over several months.The abuses ceased only after the community began reporting to the Religious Freedom Data Center hotlineThe heightened police presence successfully deterred assailants, leading to a halt in the most severe assaults. Nevertheless, instances of spitting, verbal harassment, and the throwing of objects and garbage into the compound from a nearby building persisted. Christians make up about 1.9 percent of Israels population, of which 75.3 percent are Arab Christians 6.9 percent of the total Arab population in Israel, according to report, citing Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics. Jews constitute 73 percent of Israels 9.8 million people, with Ultra-Orthodox members accounting for 13 percent of the total population. Arabs represented 21.1 percent of the total population. Missionary activity is not illegal in Israel, the Rossing Center noted. It is often wrongly believed that the practice is outlawed in Israel, while the only restrictions declare that it is illegal to proselytize to a person younger than 18 without the consent of both parents and to offer material benefit to potential converts while proselytizing, the report states. Delhi unit BJP Chief Virendraa Sachdeva termed the indefinite hunger strike of Delhi Minister Atishi against the water crisis a "political drama" to distract attention from alleged water theft. Speaking to reporters, the BJP leader said, "This is a new 'Satyagraha' of the Kejriwal government, where you stay in an AC room for 18 hours after protesting for 4 hours... It is just a political drama to distract from the matters of water theft, tanker mafia and black marketing..." Replying to a query on the water crisis in Delhi, the BJP leader said, "Haryana is releasing the full amount of water. I have spoken with the Haryana Chief Minister... The officials in Delhi have repeatedly accepted that the Haryana government is releasing water more than is required". Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi, who is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike against the water crisis, said on Saturday that she tried "everything" but was left with no choice but to sit on a fast when the Haryana government didn't agree to supply the required quantity of water. "This is the second day of my fast. There is an acute shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi receives water from its neighbouring states. Delhi receives a total of 1005 MGD of water that is supplied to the houses in Delhi. Of this, 613 MGD of water comes from Haryana but for the past several weeks, it has been releasing only 513 MGD. Due to this, more than 28 lakh people in Delhi are not receiving water. I tried everything but when the Haryana government didn't agree to supply water, I was left with no choice but to sit on a fast," Atishi said in a video posted on her X handle. The AAP leader, who is also the Water Minister in Delhi government, began her strike on Friday at Bhogal, near Jangpura. She was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and other party leaders. Meanwhile, Sunita Kejriwal wife of Arvind Kejriwal, read a message from the Chief Minister, who is under judicial custody, and said Arvind Kejriwal is 'hurt' to see Delhi's public suffering from water scarcity. "Kejriwal says that when I see on TV, the way Delhi people are suffering due to water scarcity, it hurts me. I hope Atishi's 'tapasya' will succeed and residents of Delhi will get relief. I wish all the best to Atishi, may God protect her," she stated. (ANI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday came down heavily on the ruling government amid the irregularities surrounding the NEET-UG exam, saying that the BJP cannot evade its responsibility in "promoting corruption and education mafia". He also said bringing a new law is merely a "BJP whitewash." In a post in Hindi on 'X', the Congress president claimed that 70 question papers were leaked in the last seven years and sought to know why the BJP has taken no action so far. "No matter how much effort BJP makes in the NEET scam, it cannot escape its responsibility in promoting fraud, corruption and education mafia," Kharge said on X. Talking about the anti-paper leak law, Kharge said, "The law against paper leak was not notified, when the Education Minister was asked about it in the press conference, he said that this law has been notified. This law got the assent of the President on 13 February 2024, but the law was notified only last night. Why did the Education Minister of the Modi government lie that the law has been notified and the Ministry of Law and Justice is yet to frame its rules?" Kharge further said that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan first denied the paper leak, then when arrests were made in Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana, he said that since the papers were leaked locally in some places, the exam will not be held again," Kharge said. The fact is that in 2015, 44 students were involved, yet the Pre-Medical Test was held again for six lakh candidates on the orders of the Supreme Court," the Congress president said. Questioning the government for taking exams again, Kharge said, "On NEET too, the honourable Supreme Court has said that if even 0.001 fraud has taken place then action should be taken, but why is the Modi government not conducting the exam again, even though the education minister has admitted to the irregularities?" The Congress leader also targeted the National Testing Agency (NTA) and said, "In nine days, NTA has cancelled or postponed three major exams. Even after passing the law, the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) paper was leaked in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, which has been found to be linked to a company in Gujarat." Questioning the paper leak, Kharge said, "Why are papers still being leaked despite passing a law against paper leak? When 70 papers were leaked in the last seven years, why did the Modi government not take any strict action against it?" Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education said it has constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols and functioning of the NTA. The 7-member committee, led by ISRO former chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan, will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months. "In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of National Testing Agency," the ministry said. NTA is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in this year's National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams and NET exam. This resulted in several protests across the country with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. An unprecedented 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns. (ANI) Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah on Saturday targeted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's DMK government over the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy, stating that the state government should do more than just give Rs 10 lakh to the families of the victims. At least 53 people have died and many are under treatment at various hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor in Kallakurichi. Notably, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased victims, and Rs 50,000 each for the persons under treatment. He also mentioned that he and BJP party workers met with the victims of the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy, totalling 29 families in Karunapuram village, on Saturday and gave each family Rs 1 lakh to conduct last rites and address their immediate needs. He added, 'We also promised to provide central government schemes such as free housing and education for the victims' families to improve their lives.'" "Today afternoon, we met victims of 29 families in Karunapuram village, which is one small village where 29 victims (of the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy are there). To all 29 families, we have given Rs 1 lakh each. Like our state, President Anamali says it's not an encouragement of any kind but to conduct their last rites to take care of their immediate needs. We also promised to give central government schemes like free housing, and free education for the victim's family... to make their lives better. The state government should do more than just give Rs 10 lakh," Suryah told ANI The Director of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, S Ravivarman on Saturday visited Kallakurichi Government Hospital to meet the victims admitted after consuming illicit liquor. Kallakurichi Superintendent of Police, Rajat Chaturvedi, said that raids are going on in the state over the incident and the police will release a statement soon. "The CB-CID is taking over the investigation...Victims are better, it's getting better...Raids have been going on since yesterday, on this we will be giving a press note," he said. As per the Kallakurichi Collector, seven people have been arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. "So far, seven people have been arrested in the case. The case has been given to the CBI CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police. The patients are being given the best treatment. Special doctors were mobilised in the initial stage. About 56 doctors were brought in from different medical colleges. Many patients who had respiratory problems have recovered too," the Kallakurichi Collector said. The death toll in the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy rose from 50 to 53, officials said on Saturday. Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth said that out of the total 193 patients who consumed illicit liquor, 140 are currently safe. "193 people who have consumed illicit liquor have come to the hospital. Out of which 193, 140 are currently safe, while a few of them are on ventilators. Right now, 53 people have passed away," he said. The Tamil Nadu government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy. The inquiry will be led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas. Justice Gokuldas will submit a report within three months. The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam. Victims are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital and in hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. (ANI) The Hindu College, in collaboration with the Government of Manipur, is set to conduct an intensive Skill Training in Fragrance Formulations for Wellness Products under the mentorship of Justice Gita Mittal Committee. This initiative has been organised in partnership with Ultra International Limited and CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow. The training program is designed to empower distressed women from Manipur by equipping them with skill sets that help them look at self-employment avenues and become entrepreneurs in their state. Principal Hindu College Professor Anju Srivastava said that from June 24 to July 14, Hindu College will host a group of 30 women from Manipur for the Skill Training in Fragrance Formulations program. Chief Secretary of Manipur Vineet Joshi will inaugurate this event as the Chief Guest. She further added the curriculum includes comprehensive modules on the extraction of essential oils from herbs and plants, as well as the creation of perfumes, candles, and soaps using these oils. The program aims to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical experience through structured sessions and industrial visits. The training will encompass special lecture sessions on various introductory aspects related to fragrances. Each lecture session will last four hours, covering topics such as the definition and history of fragrances, their role in everyday life, fragrance classification, and sustainable fragrance design. Detailed sessions will also focus on India's context in the fragrance industry and the principles of green chemistry and sustainability. In addition to lectures, the program includes hands-on skill-inheriting sessions that last four hours each day. Participants will learn essential oil extraction methods, including steam distillation and greener methods. Upon completion, these women will implement their skills in real-world settings. Ultra International Ltd., as an industrial partner, will support the establishment of a fragrance unit in Imphal and commit to purchasing the products created. This collaboration ensures the creation and sustainability of livelihood opportunities for the trained women, fostering economic growth and self-reliance in the region. (ANI) The representatives of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) met Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Secretariat on Saturday under the leadership of President Padma Vikram Singh. He informed the Chief Minister about the tourism activities being conducted in Nepal. The Chief Minister said, "India has a close relationship with Nepal and asserted that the tourism businessmen of Uttarakhand and Nepal can together help give new dimensions to the tourism business." Describing tourism as the basis of the economy, he also appreciated the efforts of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel in this direction. The primary purposes of NATTA have been to protect the professional interests of those engaged in the travel trade business, to promote its orderly growth and development, and to safeguard the travelling public from exploitation by unreliable agents. It was established in 1966 by a group of leading travel agents. On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami performed yoga with local people, security personnel and tourists at Parvati Sarovar in Adi Kailash in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh on Friday. He also offered prayers at Parvati Kund in Adi Kailash. While in Adi Kailash, Uttarakhand CM Dhami said, "First up of all, I want to thank PM Modi Ji, as after he presented the resolution at the UN, Yoga has expanded throughout the world under his leadership. It is possible due to his efforts that the whole world is continuously celebrating June 21 as International Yoga Day." He further stated, "Today we are celebrating International Yoga Day at Adi Kailash, which is situated at such high altitudes. Also, Modi Ji is the first PM who visit the border area of Adi Kailash. He communicated with the locals and had meetings with them. "Highlighting the increased tourism in the area, CM Dhami asserted, "The tourism has grown in this area a lot as PM Modi through his visit drew the attention of people in the border area of Adi Kailash. The tourism potential has grown significantly. In the upcoming days, this area will see many more pilgrims." (ANI) Taking to its official X handle, the DGP Punjab Police posted, "Amritsar Rural Police in close coordination with central agencies has busted Narcotics-Organised Crime nexus by arresting three associates working on the directions of USA-based smuggler Bhola Havelian (brother of Ranjit Cheeta)." Ranjit Cheeta was the mastermind behind the smuggling of 532 packets of heroin, which were seized by the Customs Department at ICP Attari in July 2019. Giving details about the recovery, the DGP Punjab Police further said, "Six pistols and 10 magazines were recovered. "FIR under the Arms Act registered at Police Station Ajnala and investigations are ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages. "Punjab Police will take stern action against all involved in organised crime and illegal weapon smuggling networks," DGP Punjab Police added. On June 20, the DGP Punjab Police took to its official X handle and informed about the trans-border illegal arms and narco-terrorism hawala racket. It said, "In a major breakthrough, Amritsar Commissionerate Police busts a trans-border illegal arm and narco-terrorism hawala racket with the arrest of eight accused." Informing about the recovery, it said, "4.1 kg Heroin, three pistols, 45 live cartridges, Rs 2.07 lakh drug money and seven vehicles were recovered." It added further, "FIR under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) has been registered and investigation on-going to establish backward and forward linkages." (ANI) This year around twenty thousand Hajj pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh went for the annual Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca. Upon their return, pilgrims praised the government and Hajj authorities for the better facilities provided to them in Mecca and Medina. Mohsin Raza told ANI that this year the service given to pilgrims was magnificent and thus all the pilgrims returning to their homes are praising the Yogi-led government and Modi-led Central government. The Haj is one of the world's largest religious gatherings and the major annual event in Saudi Arabia. It is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage consists of various elaborate rites, such as wearing unique clothing that represents human equality and unity before God, a round, counter-clockwise march around the Kaaba, and the symbolic stoning of wickedness. People who have completed the pilgrimage might add the words al-Haj or hajji (pilgrim) to their names. Saudi Arabia has committed billions of dollars over the last decade to improve transportation, technology, and accommodations for Haj pilgrims, which are a major source of revenue for the world's largest oil producer. (ANI) "Revival of HMT is aligned with PM Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative," he said. Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy today held a meeting with the top officials of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) Ltd in Bengaluru. During the meeting, the Minister had discussions with the company's Chairman and Managing Director Rajesh Kohli, along with other senior officials. They observed demonstrations and received comprehensive information about the company's activities. Minister Kumaraswamy reviewed details on turnover, net profit, and other key metrics. He discussed the financial, production, and operational conditions of the company with the officials. The once-glorious HMT is currently facing significant challenges. The Minister emphasized the need to strengthen the company and instructed Rajesh Kohli to submit a proposal to the central government for necessary support. Prime Minister Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative was highlighted as a framework for HMT's revival. Minister Kumaraswamy encouraged the officials to adopt this vision and lead the recovery efforts, assuring them of central government assistance. The Minister noted that HMT produces tools for the Department of Defense and space programs, and has manufacturing units across the country. He suggested that the company should enhance its capacity. Chairman Rajesh Kohli outlined the various problems HMT is facing, including financial crises, lawsuits, and overall losses. He stressed the need for central government intervention to resolve these issues. In response, Minister Kumaraswamy promised to address these challenges. Senior officials, including Kolar MP Mallesh Babu and company director Samina Kohli, were present at the meeting. (ANI) Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Central Government is committed to procure tur, Urad and Masur at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to ensure crop diversification and achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production. Chairing a virtual meeting with Agriculture Ministers of various states at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that e-Samriddhi portal has been started through National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited (NCCF) for the registration of farmers and the government is committed to procure these pulses at MSP from the farmers registered on the portal, as per a Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare press release. He urged the state governments to encourage more and more farmers to register on this portal so that they can avail the facility of assured purchase. Union Minister Chouhan said that the country is not self-sufficient in the production of these three crops and the target is to achieve self-sufficiency by 2027. Shivraj Singh Chouhan appreciated the efforts of the states to increase the production of pulses by 50 per cent from 2015-16 but called for more efforts to increase the yield per hectare and motivate farmers to cultivate pulses. He appreciated the fact that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in moong and chana and mentioned that the country has reduced dependence on imports from 30 per cent to 10 per cent during the last 10 years, the release stated. Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged the states to work together with the Centre so that India not only becomes self-sufficient in food grain production but also becomes the food basket of the world. He informed about the new Aadarsh Pulses Village Scheme being launched from the current Kharif season. The Minister requested that the State Governments to utilize the fallow land available for pulses after rice harvesting. Shivraj Singh Chouhan also asked the State Governments to vigorously adopt inter-cropping of tur. He said that the state governments should share their best practices with each other and visits should be made for this. He said that elected representatives like MPs, MLAs should actively engage in KVKs, as per the release. Union Minister Chouhan spoke about the need for crop diversification towards cash crops and the need to restore soil fertility. He stressed the need for timely and quality inputs, such as good-quality seeds to farmers to increase productivity and assured maximum assistance in this regard. He informed that for the availability of good quality seeds, the Government of India has opened 150 Pulses Seed Hubs and Cluster Front Line Demonstrations (CFLDs) are being given by ICAR in low productivity districts. He highlighted the need to develop climate-resilient varieties and short-duration varieties to combat the effects of climate change. He urged the State Governments to strengthen their seed distribution systems by strengthening the State Seed Corporations. The meeting was convened in view of the need for immediate attention to increase the production of pulses in the country and reduce imports. Agriculture ministers of major pulse-producing States like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar, and Telangana were present at the meeting. (ANI) As many as 12 proposals were approved at the cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Secretariat, the first one after the Lok Sabha elections. Proposals related to many departments, including urban development, housing, finance, revenue, personnel, planning and higher education, were taken up for discussion and then approved. According to the Uttarakhand government, the important decisions taken by the Cabinet included the reorganization of the postal structure of the Electrical Safety Department under the Energy and Alternative Energy Department. The cabinet meeting also approved the proposal regarding the promulgation of the Uttarakhand Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority Bill, 2024. Additionally, the decision was taken by the Cabinet regarding the adoption of the rules of the Personnel Department regarding centralized and decentralized service in the ministerial class cadre in various authorities of the state under the Housing Department and appointment of the appointing authority. The proposal regarding the professional training course of finance officers selected through direct recruitment under Uttarakhand Finance Service was also approved. The decision to provide the facility of a corporate salary account package to the salary accounts of the employees of the state government was also taken by the Cabinet. The proposal for amendment in Tourism Policy, 2018 as well as regarding the creation of outsourced posts for the operation of mobile units Food Safety on Wheels for testing food items under the Department of Medical Health and Medical Education was approved by the Cabinet. Under Medical Health and Medical Education, the proposal regarding setting up of a Analysis Laboratory in Dehradun under Garhwal Mandal and the creation of related posts for the analysis laboratory was approved by the Cabinet. The proposal to provide relaxation and exemption in the Procurement Rules, 2017 (as amended from time to time) for payment of the amount spent by the concerned firm/institution in organizing the regional conference organized on April 6-7 in Dehradun on the matters of family courts in collaboration with the Supreme Court and High Court of Uttarakhand, Nainital, was approved by the Cabinet. The proposal to amend Rule-80, 81, 415, 456, 470-A and 473 of Uttarakhand Cooperative Society (Amendment) Rules, 2004 and Rule-28 and 47 of Uttarakhand State Cooperative Society Election Rules, 2018 to eliminate nepotism in cooperative societies, making the election process of the management committees of cooperative societies more transparent and increasing the quality and efficiency of the work of the committee, as well as reserving 33 per cent of the posts for women on the post of member and chairperson of the management committee of cooperative societies of Uttarakhand state, was also approved by the Cabinet in the meeting. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the policy decision to displace the families residing in the premises for the planned development of Mahasu Devta under the Master Plan in Dehradun. The decision was also taken by the Cabinet to promulgate the Consolidation Rules-2024 on the Uttarakhand Medical Service Selection Board Ministerial Cadre posts and to make the service period of specialist doctors 65 years. (ANI) The Frauenkirche Dresden has found its new organist in Niklas Jahn. The 27-year-old Fulda native bested 28 other applicants at the audition finals, begun earlier this month. He was chosen for, among other things, his skill at improvisation-a necessity for a church organist. In fact, Jahn has received extensive training in improvisation from Profs. Hans-Jurgen Kaiser and David Franke. He also won first prize in the improvisation category of the Albans International Organ Competition and was a finalist in the 53rd International Organ Improvisation Competition in Haarlem. Nahl is no stranger to church organ music, either, having played the organ at the Christuskirche in Mainz, and worked as a church musician at the Liebfrauenkirche in Freiburg-Gunterstal. The Frauenkirche's original Silbermann organ was destroyed in the Second World War. The current instrument, built by Daniel Kern, is capable of playing a vast repertoire, including Baroque and contemporary music. The instrument has 4, 876 pipes and four manuals. It was completed in 2005, and inaugurated by Samuel Kummer, who served as the Frauenkirche organist from that year until his dismissal in 2022-making Jahn only the second Fraunkirche organist since the Kern organ's construction. (Kummer died in April of this year.) "Niklas Jahn impressed with his extraordinary skills in the area of organ improvisation-a form of music that is crucial for the diverse services in the Frauenkirche Dresden," said Markus Leidenberg, head of the selection committee, and regional church music director. "His talent and feel for the possibilities of the core instrument were immediately audible. We are convinced that we have made an excellent choice with him." Jahn expressed his eagerness to assume his new role, and his admiration for the instrument: "When I climbed up to the organ gallery of the Frauenkirche for the first time, I was impressed by the core instrument and fascinated by the baroque formal language of the church interior." He will accompany this year's first Advent service on December 1. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will be honoured with the prestigious Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Award in Mumbai on June 23 for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand. The Deep Kamal Foundation will honour Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with the Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee award for implementing UCC in Uttarakhand, the first in the country and fulfilling the dream of the late politician and barrister. The event will take place on the occasion of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee's martyrdom day on June 23, in a ceremony organized at Veer Savarkar Hall in Dadar, Mumbai, confirmed the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Dhami expressed his views on the importance of Yoga and on International Yoga Day at an event in Adikailash. The Chief Minister also outlined the measures that can be taken to boost tourism in the region. The Uttarakhand Chief Minister on Thursday held a high-level meeting with officials on various issues related to law and order at his official residence. Instructions were given to run the verification drive going on in the state more strictly at the meeting. The Chief Minister directed the officials to make a detailed action plan and complete all the preparations for the efficient management and operation of the Kanwar Yatra to be held in the state. Along with this, he also directed to do a complete background check of the people buying land in Uttarakhand.CM Dhami said that our state is 'Devbhoomi', and there is no place for crime and criminals here. He said that better law and order is very important for any developing state and our government is determined to maintain a peaceful and fear-free environment in the state. (ANI) Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, along with his wife Lakshmi M Puri visited the residence of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Krishna Advani and sought his blessings. Taking to his official X handle, Hardeep Singh Puri posted, "Sought the blessings of political stalwart, nationalist icon, mentor and guide to many, Bharat Ratna LK Advani at his residence today." He added further, "Lakshmi and I have had the good fortune of knowing him for nearly five decades even as we witnessed his exemplary dedication towards Bharat and contribution towards furthering our nation's unity and cultural resurgence in the decades he has selflessly dedicated towards public service." Born in Karachi (present-day Pakistan) on November 8, 1927, Advani joined the RSS as a Swayamsevak in 1942. He served as the BJP National President from 1986 to 1990, then from 1993 to 1998 and from 2004 to 2005. Advani had served as the President of the party for the longest period since its inception in 1980. Capping a parliamentary career of nearly three decades, LK Advani was first the Home Minister and, later, the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004). In the run-up to the 2009 elections, Advani being the Leader of the Opposition in a parliamentary democracy was assumingly considered the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate for the general elections, ending on 16 May 2009, according to the official website of BJP. On 10 December 2007, the Parliamentary Board of BJP formally announced Advani as its prime ministerial candidate for the general elections due in 2009. But when Congress and its allies won the 2009 general elections, Advani paved the way for Sushma Swaraj to become the Leader of the Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha. (ANI) Noting that the outcome of Lok Sabha polls had given a message to the BJP-led government, Shafi Parambil, newly-elected Congress MP from Kerala's Vadakara has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders ran "a divisive" campaign while Rahul Gandhi laid thrust on unity in his election meetings. In an interview with ANI, the MP said there was also a lesson for the opposition parties in the verdict. Parambil won against CPI-M's KK Shailaja Teacher and BJP's Praphul Krishnan in Vadakara in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections. "In multiple instances during the election campaign, PM (Narendra Modi) made derogatory remarks about Rahul Gandhi... He was trying to divide, saying that if the INDIA bloc came to power, Ayodhya temple will return to the tent... He was hitting us below the belt but Rahul Gandhi stood for unity," Parambil said. "Rahul Gandhi walked the length and breadth of the country to protect the democratic India. He walked 4000 km to protect India's integrity. Bharat Jodo Yatra and Nyay Yatra turned out well for us." The MP said people in Vadakara also supported Rahul Gandhi's yatra. Talking about Congress and INDIA block's performance in Uttar Pradesh, Parambil said that people gave a strong reply to the BJP. "In Uttar Pradesh, seats won by INDIA alliance show you can't take people for granted. Just dividing the people communally won't help you. And that was a befitting and strong reply by the electorate." "PM's majority has gone down in Varanasi. And the results of Ayodhya tell us not to take people for granted. So it's a huge message given by the people (to BJP) and it's a message for us too. Stick to the Constitution and speak for them (people)," he added. The INDIA bloc, which has major opposition parties, won 234 seats in Lok Sabha while BJP-led NDA won 293. The BJP, which got absolute majority on its own in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls, got 240 seats in this year's Lok Sabha polls. In electorally crucial Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) won 37 seats, BJP 33, Congress six, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) two, and Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) and Apna Dal (Soneylal) one seat each. Asserting that formulas and strategies secured the win in Vadakara, Parambil said, "The people of Vadakara wanted Congress to be in power again...even in Hindi Heartland, people voted against the government." The newly-elected MP also talked about the way forward for Vadakara and reiterated that he will stand for growth and development of Vadakara. "I will roll out programmes, especially for youngsters, women and education. Vadakara is a constituency with a rich legacy. I will use my term as a bridge to connect that legacy with the future." "I am going to prioritize sports. I will focus on growth and development irrespective of politics and religion. I will voice the same politics the INDIA alliance has put forward. And it's my responsibility." On the incident of the death of a person while making crude bombs in the state's Kannur, Parambil said that the "politics of bombs and communal discrimination was rejected by the people of Vadakara." "There was one death while making bombs...Police can't act due to political pressures that are disrupting the harmony of Vadakara. CPI-M is not trying to discourage the workers, even the government is keeping a lid on this matter," he alleged. On the issue of controversial "alleged fake screenshots" in which two pro-CPI (M) profiles had posted a screenshot of the message attributing it to the Indian Union Muslim Youth League (IUML) activist PK Khasim with the purported message appealing to Muslim voters to not vote for the "non-believer" Shailaja and instead lend their support to the Congress candidate, Shafi Parambil said someone created a communal post on behalf of youth and "he approached the police station and said 'if there is a so-called group in my phone, you can arrest me'." "Police checked his (PK Khasim) phone and confirmed he hadn't committed this and the screenshot turned out to be fake... there are people's representatives who haven't deleted the post from their wall. So who did this? This post was created and circulated with communal intentions." "This was done with the sole intention to disrupt the harmony of Vadakara. So I want the truth to come out. We will follow it up legally. These shouldn't set a precedent in the politics. If someone from our side has done this, we will take action against that party worker. But this cannot be one-sided," Parambil added. The Kerala Police told the court on June 15 that it had found no evidence against the IUML worker over the message. Parambil also talked about Congress leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy."No one can match his charisma. And that doesn't happen frequently. He was a person who dedicated his whole life to the people, not only during election campaigns or being in power. What makes us happy is that we are the ones who want to follow the path that has been walked by Oommen Chandy..." On the query about morphed videos created against CPIM candidate KK Shailaja and circulated on social media, Parambil said, "There was a situation where people raised allegations that I circulated morphed videos of K K Shailaja. It turned out to be a baseless allegation..." He said that as a follower of Oommen Chandy, he would not tarnish someone's reputation or degrade people. "...It seems those baseless allegations against me were intentional by the senior members of the opposite party. People of Vadakara gave a befitting reply to those allegations," he said. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the progress brought about by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the past decade was merely a trailer and the complete picture of development will become apparent in the coming years. Singh was addressing BJP workers in Lucknow and later he held a meeting with party office bearers. It was his first visit to his constituency after being re-elected as Lucknow MP for the third consecutive term. He held a meeting with the workers on his arrival after being elected Member of Parliament for the third time. "Progress made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade was merely a trailer, the complete picture of development will be apparent in the coming years," he said. "BJP will keep doing development work for all sections of the society, especially the weaker section, irrespective of whether they voted for BJP or not. This Lok Sabha election presented the strength of the country's democracy and the depth of its strong roots to the world with full power," he said. He added that more than 64 crore people in the country have voted in this election. BJP got 23.59 crore votes and Congress got 13.67 crore votes. Further, he said, "This year marks the 100th anniversary of Atalji's birth, a significant event for us. We are fortunate to have the chance to honour Atalji's birth centenary. I ask all workers in Lucknow that we should celebrate Atalji's birth centenary with great zeal." He emphasized that he will not let the pace of development stop in Lucknow. He will try his best to build a developed Lucknow in the next five to ten years. "For the first time in 62 years after 1962, Narendra Modi has succeeded in becoming the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive time," he added. "The last ten years have been truly unprecedented. At present, India's growth rate is the highest in the world. In the last ten years, India's exports have increased and the current account deficit has reduced. In the last ten years, both opportunities and income have increased," he added. (ANI) Apna Dal (S) and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) have dissolved all of their units and executive committees following a poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Both the constituent parties of NDA in Uttar Pradesh issued a press note and informed about this and cited poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the state as the reason for dissolving these units. SBSP said that soon after reviewing for the 2027 assembly elections, new organization units will be started which will contest the elections with new energy. Speaking on the issue of dissolving the organization and units, Apna Dal state spokesperson Rakesh Srivastava said that this is a common process and after the defeat in the election, a review is done and changes are also made in the organization and dissolving the units is one of the processes. Even though the results of the Lok Sabha elections were in favour of BJP-NDA, the results from Uttar Pradesh were not very much in favour of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). NDA was able to get only 36 seats in 80 Lok Sabha, while on the other hand, Congress and Samajwadi Party together won 43 seats in the India Alliance. After this result in Uttar Pradesh, the process of review is going on where BJP is reviewing the defeat on one hand, and on the other hand, Apna Dal and Om Prakash Rajbhar's SBSP have dissolved all their state units and executive committees. In Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party threw up a big surprise as it won 37 seats, becoming a single party in the state that sends the highest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha. Congress, which fought in alliance with the SP and is part of the INDIA bloc, won six seats in the state. Collectively the opposition INDIA bloc has won 43 seats in Uttar Pradesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which was locked in a tense competition with the SP, managed to bag only 33 seats. Thus, marking a steep decline compared to its 2019 UP tally of 63 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi won with a declined margin of over 1.5 lakh votes against Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajai Rai in Varanasi. In a major setback to the BJP, Union minister Smriti Irani lost the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. Dimple Yadav defeated BJP's candidate Jayveer Singh in Mainpuri, while her husband and party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, won Kannauj against BJP candidate Subrat Pathak. In Faizabad, encompassing the Ayodhya Assembly seat, the Samajwadi Party's Awadesh Prasad leads BJP candidate Lallu Singh. (ANI) The delegation aims to fortify Karnataka's position as a premier investment destination by engaging with key stakeholders and industry leaders in these nations. During the visit, the delegates will emphasize Karnataka's business-friendly policies, showcasing the state's well-developed ecosystem that facilitates smooth operations and growth for foreign investors. They will highlight the abundant availability of skilled human resources in Karnataka, strengthened by the state's dedicated efforts in skill development among students. Furthermore, the discussions will cover the efficient single-window system implemented by the Karnataka government, which is designed to streamline business processes and approvals. Accompanying Minister Patil on this important mission are prominent officials including Selvakumar S, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, and Smt Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Commerce and Industries, along with other senior officers. The delegation will strategically engage with industry leaders from key sectors including Manufacturing, Semiconductors, Technology, Automobile, Petrochemicals, Gas, and Energy. In Japan, high-level meetings are scheduled with executives from prominent corporations such as Nissin Foods, Hitachi, Nissan Motor Corporation, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Yamaha Motor Company. Similarly, in South Korea, the delegation will hold discussions with major players like Hyundai Motors, Samsung Electronics, HL Mando Corporation, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and Krafton. These engagements are designed to explore and secure collaborations, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships, aiming to significantly bolster Karnataka's industrial growth and drive innovation. Furthermore, the delegation will extend invitations to stakeholders for the Invest Karnataka 2025, Global Investor Meet, scheduled to be held in February 2025 in Bengaluru. This event promises to be a significant platform for showcasing Karnataka's investment potential and fostering global business partnerships. This strategic tour underscores Karnataka's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for global investors and enhancing bilateral relations with Japan and South Korea. The delegation's efforts aim to attract substantial investments, driving economic growth and creating new opportunities within the state. In the past year, this will be the third delegation trip led by Minister Patil. Previously, the Minister led a 12-day delegation to the United States, engaging with 36 companies and securing investment interests totalling around 3 billion dollars. Additionally, he led the state delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where they participated in meetings with over 50 firms. During this visit, the state signed seven MoUs valued at Rs 22,000 crore and garnered over INR 700 crore in investment interest from top-tier companies. (ANI) Former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy allegedly allotted two acres of irrigation land in survey number 202/A1 in Tadepalli in the capital area of Amaravathi to his party office. The ruling party TDP claimed that Jagan had prepared a plan to occupy the neighbouring 15 acres by building the party office in these two acres. It has now been clarified that the Irrigation Department has not given the clearance to hand over these two acres to the YSR Congress party, the TDP said. The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), or the Mangalagiri, Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC) or even the Revenue officials did not hand over the land belonging to the Irrigation department to the then ruling party, the TDP said. The TDP further said that what is more surprising is that the YSRCP did not even apply for the clearance of the plan to build the party office and began the construction. Learning about all these matters, the general secretary of the Guntur district unit of the TDP lodged a complaint with the Commissioners of the CRDA, MTMC officials on the illegal occupation of this two-acre land. Following this, the demolition of these illegal constructions by the YSRCP leaders has been launched under the supervision of the MTMC officials, it said, adding that the letter was sent to the YSRCP leaders by the Irrigation department. Meanwhile, the YSR Congress party received a notice from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) over the "illegal construction" of another party office in Vizag. In its letter to the YSR Congress, GVMC Corporation officials objected to the construction of two acres of land at Yendada in Visakhapatnam district in survey number 175/4 without permission. "You have applied for permission to the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) instead of GVMC, as the area falls under its limits," the letter stated. The Zone-2 Town Planning Officer has put notices on the YSRCP office that if a proper explanation is not given on this matter within a week, further action will be taken. "Therefore, you are hereby directed to show cause in writing by you/your authorised agent. Further, you are hereby directed to stop the work and submit a reply within seven days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which further action will be taken as per due procedure," the notice further stated. This has raised speculation that the Visakhapatnam YCP office might also be demolished for being built "without any permission." This comes after an under-construction central office building of the YSR Congress Party was demolished by the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority in the early hours of Saturday. The construction of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) office building in Tadepalli village has come under intense scrutiny following allegations of illegal activity. According to recent developments, the office was constructed on government land without the necessary consents, violating multiple legal provisions. Government Order Ms. No. 52, issued on February 16, 2023, mandated the allotment of 2 acres in Sy.No.202/A-1 to the District President of the YSR Congress Party for the construction of an office building. This order was contingent upon obtaining consent from the Irrigation Department, a requirement outlined in G.O.Ms.No. 340 dated July 21, 2016. However, it has been revealed that the District Collector delegated this responsibility to the Tahsildar of Tadepalli, who then handed over the land on March 31, 2023, without securing the necessary consent from the Irrigation Department. The Irrigation Department later confirmed that no consent had been given for the alienation or leasing of the land in question. Deputy Secretary to the Government, D Nagabhushana Rao, emphasised the lack of consent from the Irrigation Department, which invalidates any lease deed. Consequently, the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) cannot authorise the construction of the building. Despite these legal requirements, the construction proceeded, allegedly encroaching on irrigation land. Complaints were lodged with the CRDA and the Municipal Corporation, leading to the issuance of show-cause notices on May 20, 2024. These notices highlight the illegal nature of the construction under Sections 108 and 115 of the CRDA Act, 2014, which mandate development permissions and empower authorities to remove illegal constructions. Violators may face penal action, including imprisonment of up to three years under Section 114 of the Act. The situation continues to evolve, with authorities expected to take further action to address the violations and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. (ANI) "We are not against the Maratha reservation. However, the OBC community should not be ignored. We should maintain peace and discuss this", Bhujbal told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra. He said, "the state government wants to provide reservations to Marathas and OBCs separately". Earlier this month, Manoj Jarange Patil suspended his indefinite fast and set a deadline for the Maharashtra government to accept the community's demands. He gave the state government one month until July 13 to meet the community's demands. Jarange has been demanding reservations for the Marathas community under the OBC category for several years. Earlier, Patil said that if the Maratha reservation is not provided this time, he will contest the Maharashtra Assembly elections that are expected to take place in October later this year. He criticized both the ruling Mahyuti tripartite alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi for "doing nothing" regarding the Maratha reservation. "We have been misled by the state government of Eknath Shinde. Mahayuti has not given us Maratha reservation...When Maha Vikas Aghadi was in power, they did nothing for the Maratha reservation," he had said. In February this year, the Maharashtra government, during a special assembly session, approved a Bill to extend 10 per cent reservation to the Marathas, based on a report submitted by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC). (ANI) In this conference, the Border Defence Forces of India and Bangladesh will discuss border disputes, cross-border crimes, illegal infiltration, and other issues related to border management. The Bangladesh delegation led by Brigadier General Shamim Ahmed, SGP, SPP, PBGM, Additional Director General, Region Commander, South Western Region, Jessore, arrived in India from ICP Petrapole Saturday morning. On reaching Petrapole, he was welcomed by the DIG of BSF Sector Headquarters Kolkata and the BSF jawans gave a guard of honour, after which he left for Kolkata. He is accompanied by Brigadier General Khandaker Shafiquzzaman, PSC, Region Commander, Rangpur, North West Area, Rangpur and 10 other delegates. A 14-member Indian delegation led by Shri Ayush Mani Tiwari, IPS, IG, BSF South Bengal Frontier, held talks with an 11-member Bangladeshi delegation led by Brigadier General Shamim Ahmed, SGP, SPP, PBGM, ADDL DG, Region Commander, SW. In this conference, which started today, various issues of mutual interest for effective border management, including joint efforts against cross-border crime, pending development works of the border area, and measures to prevent illegal cross-border movement, were discussed between the two forces. It may be noted that the annual Border Coordination Conference between the Border Guard Forces of India and Bangladesh is an important conference to resolve border disputes and enhance border management effectiveness. Such conferences contribute significantly in promoting a safer and more secure border environment, ensuring stability and prosperity in the region. In the conference, efforts will be made towards furthering bilateral relations and strengthening the spirit of cooperation between India and Bangladesh. (ANI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party government over the postponement of the NEET-PG examination and said that this is "another unfortunate example that the education system has been ruined". "Now NEET PG is also postponed! This is another unfortunate example of the ruined education system under the rule of Narendra Modi". The Congress leader further said that under the BJP's rule, instead of building their careers by studying, students are forced to fight the government to save their future. "Now it is clear - Modi, who used to silently watch the spectacle every time, is completely helpless in front of the paper leak racket and education mafia. Narendra Modi's incompetent government is the biggest threat to the future of students - we must save the future of the country from it," he added. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare postponed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) Examination on Saturday, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday and said that a fresh date will be announced at the earliest. The NEET-PG exams were scheduled to be held on June 23. "Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, the Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of the processes of the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, conducted by the National Board of Examination for medical students," the ministry statement read. "It has accordingly been decided, as a precautionary measure, to postpone the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, scheduled to be held on 23rd June 2024. The fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest," the ministry added. "The Ministry of Health sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students. This decision has been taken in the best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of the examination process," the health ministry said. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the exams. This resulted in several protests across the country, with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns. The Ministry of Education said it has constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols and the functioning of the NTA. The 7-member committee, led by ISRO former chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan, will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months. (ANI) Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare postponed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) Examination on Saturday, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday and said that a fresh date will be announced at the earliest. The NEET-PG exams were scheduled to be held on June 23. "Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, the Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of the processes of the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, conducted by the National Board of Examination for medical students," the ministry statement read. "It has accordingly been decided, as a precautionary measure, to postpone the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, scheduled to be held on 23rd June, 2024. The fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest," the ministry added. "The Ministry of Health sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students. This decision has been taken in the best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of the examination process," the health ministry said. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) was fully prepared to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Post-Graduate (PG) 2024. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Dr Rakesh Sharma, OSD to President and Member, Governing Body, NBEMS said, "All eyes of the nation are on NBEMS for the conduct of NEET PG 2024 and we will not let down the hope of the nation. We will conduct the test through a computer-based test (CBT) mode throughout the country." On Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for successfully delivering and maintaining transparency, he said, "NBEMS has robust SOPs for conducting exams because of which NBEMS has been successfully delivering the exams year after year. These SOPs are stringently followed. NBEMS has worked very hard on maintaining the secrecy of the question paper and there is no chance that there will be any leakage of the question paper." He further said that NBEMS is supported by medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW, Flying Squads, Deans and Principals, Vice-chancellor and other agencies, "NBEMS has support from various medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW and other agencies. NBEMS has already briefed the chief secretaries and DGP of all states for safe and secure conduct of the exam." The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the exams. This resulted in several protests across the country, with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns. The Ministry of Education said it has constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols and the functioning of the NTA. The 7-member committee, led by ISRO former chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan, will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months. "In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of National Testing Agency," the ministry said. (ANI) The US Supreme Court, in its decision on Friday, announced that the government can take guns away from people subject to restraining orders for domestic violence, The New York Times reported. The court's decision amounted to a retreat from what had been an unbroken series of major rulings favouring gun rights that began in 2008, when the court first recognised an individual constitutional right to keep firearms in the home for self-defence. In the 2022 decision, the court said that it was a right to carry guns outside the residence and announced a new test to check all sorts of gun control laws. That new test has sparked confusion in the lower courts, with some judges striking down laws that were mentioned in the books for years. The decision was announced in a case, United States v Rahimi, which asked whether a Texas man could be prosecuted under federal law, making it a crime for people subject to domestic violence restraining orders to have guns. Chief Justice John G Roberts Jr, writing for the majority in the 8-to-1 decision, said that the response was yes and that Second Amendment rights have limits. The chief justice wrote, "When a restraining order contains a finding that an individual poses a credible threat to the physical safety of an intimate partner, that individual may -- consistent with the Second Amendment -- be banned from possessing firearms while the order is in effect." The chief justice added, "Since the founding, our nation's firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms." Justice Clarence Thomas, the author of the majority opinion in the 2022 decision, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen, was the only one against the decision. Legal experts called the court's decision on Friday a victory for supporters of gun regulations. Adam Winkler, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said, "This decision will make it much easier for gun laws to survive legal challenge." Winkler added, "Broadly, it sends a signal that the court's majority is not completely hostile to gun laws. Lower courts may feel they have more leeway to uphold gun laws in the future." The decision in the Bruen case said gun laws are constitutional only if courts can find a historical analogue. However, that inquiry, Chief Justice Roberts wrote on Friday, does not need locating an exact match and can rather focus on broad principles. He wrote, "The appropriate analysis involves considering whether the challenged regulation is consistent with the principles that underpin our regulatory tradition." Justice Thomas disagreed with the decision of the majority judges. He wrote, "The court and government do not point to a single historical law revoking a citizen's Second Amendment right based on possible interpersonal violence." Justice Thomas stated that the government has a better way to disarm dangerous people by prosecuting them for criminal violence. He noted that what the government cannot do, is to "strip the Second Amendment right of anyone subject to a protective order, even if he has never been accused or convicted of a crime." The court's three liberal members, who had disagreed in the Bruen case, wrote that they continued to think that the decision was a grave error. However, they said that they were happy to embrace the new limits. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Elena Kagan, welcomed the court's decision, calling it the clarification of the Bruen standard. She wrote that "the court's interpretation permits a historical inquiry calibrated to reveal something useful and transferable to the present day, while the dissent would make the historical inquiry so exacting as to be useless, a too-sensitive alarm that sounds whenever a regulation did not exist in an essentially identical form at the founding." Justice Sotomayor further said that Justice Thomas's analysis will have a perverse result. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in her own concurrence, said the Bruen decision had left lower courts in a state of deep confusion. She wrote that chief justice's majority decision was "a tacit admission that lower courts are struggling." She further said, "In my view, the blame may lie with us, not with them." The case started in 2019 when a drug dealer in Texas, Zackey Rahimi, assaulted his girlfriend and threatened to shoot her if she told anyone, leading her to obtain a restraining order. The court's order has suspended Rahimi's handgun licence and stopped him from possessing firearms. According to court records, Rahimi defied the order in flagrant fashion. He threatened a different woman with a gun, resulting in charges of assault with a deadly weapon. He opened fire in public five times in two months, The New York Times reported. For instance, he shot an AR-15 rifle into his former client's home as he was upset over a social media post from someone to whom he had sold drugs. He fired several bullets into the air after a fast-food restaurant declined a friend's credit card. Following the shootings, a search warrant was issued for Rahimi's residence, which uncovered weapons, and he was charged with violating a federal law that makes it a crime for people subject to domestic violence orders to possess guns. After a judge rejected his Second Amendment challenge to the law, Rahimi pleaded guilty and was sentenced to over six years in prison. The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit at first affirmed his conviction in a short decision and rejected the argument that the law violated the Second Amendment in a footnote. However, the appeals court reversed course in 2023, a year after the apex court decided Bruen case. It rejected various old laws identified by the government as possible analogues, saying they did not sufficiently resemble the one concerning domestic violence orders. Judge Cory T Wilson, who was appointed by former US President Donald Trump, wrote that the government's insistence that it could disarm people who did not abide law "admits to no true limiting principle," The New York Times reported. He asked, "Could speeders be stripped of their right to keep and bear arms?" He questioned, "Political nonconformists? People who do not recycle or drive an electric vehicle?" Judge Wilson said that the federal law at issue in the case "embodies salutary policy goals meant to protect vulnerable people in our society." However, he noted that the approach required by the Bruen decision did not permit courts to consider the benefits of the law against its burdens. Quoting the decision, he wrote that what was significant was that "our ancestors would never have accepted" the law on domestic violence orders. Chief Justice Roberts wrote that old laws required people suspected of future misbehaviour to give surety bonds and ones barring going armed to inculcate fear, among others were sufficiently analogous to the domestic violence law. He wrote, "Taken together, the surety and going armed laws confirm what common sense suggests: When an individual poses a clear threat of physical violence to another, the threatening individual may be disarmed," adding that the challenged modern law "is by no means identical to these founding era regimes, but it does not need to be," The New York Times reported. The chief justice called court's opinion "modest." While concluding his decision, Chief Justice Roberts wrote,"only this: An individual found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment." The three justices appointed by Donald Trump each filed concurring opinions, musing on the scope of the majority's approach and how originalism ought to work in practice. The Fifth Circuit, which ruled for Rahimi, is dominated by Republican appointees and has issued a series of conservative rulings that have met a frosty reception at the Supreme Court. In the case's ruling on Friday, Chief Justice Roberts said the appeals court's decision was an exercise in "slaying a straw man." (ANI) Dubai [UAE], June 22 (ANI/WAM): Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has announced the establishment of the Mexican Business Council to boost bilateral trade and investment opportunities and strengthen the ties between the business communities in Dubai and Mexico. The launch reflects Dubai's growing attraction among Mexican companies and investors, with the number of companies from Mexico registered as active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce reaching 108 at the end of Q1 2024. The Business Council's inaugural Annual General Meeting took place recently at Dubai Chambers' headquarters. The meeting focused on the council's key objectives, which include strengthening economic relations between Dubai and Mexico and building mutually beneficial partnerships. In addition, participants discussed the scheduled programme of events for the months ahead. Maha Al Gargawi, Vice President of Business Advocacy at Dubai Chambers, commented, "We are committed to empowering Business Councils to contribute to increasing promising opportunities between the private sector in Dubai and business communities around the world. We aim to strengthen economic and investment partnerships across all sectors both locally and internationally as part of our drive to boost foreign trade and further strengthen Dubai's position as a leading global business destination." The Business Councils under the umbrella of Dubai Chamber of Commerce represent the interests of companies and investors from specific countries operating in Dubai. Each council partners with the chamber to foster the sustainable growth of bilateral trade and investment between Dubai and the market represented. The chamber is currently working to increase the number of Business Councils to support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by driving growth in foreign trade, and supporting the expansion of local companies into global markets. (ANI/WAM) A Swiss court on Friday found members of the UK's wealthiest family guilty of exploiting domestic workers at a luxury villa in Geneva. The court, however, acquitted the family members charged with human trafficking of their servants, The New York Times reported. On Friday, the court sentenced Prakash and Kamal Hinduja to four years and six months in prison, while Ajay and Namrata Hinduja were sentenced to four years. It also directed them to pay about USD 950,000 in compensation and USD 300,000 in procedural fees. Prosecutors had charged four members of the UK family - Prakash Hinduja; his wife, Kamal Hinduja; their son Ajay Hinduja; and their daughter-in-law, Namrata Hinduja with trafficking and exploiting several workers from India. The family members were accused of confiscating the passports of the employees and forcing them to work 16 hours a day or longer without overtime pay in the villa. Lawyers representing the Hindujas had rejected the allegations. Najib Ziazi, a business adviser for the family who also faced charges, was found complicit in the exploitation. In a statement sent through email, Romain Jordan, a lawyer representing the Hindujas members of the family said they were "disappointed" by the decision and had filed an appeal to a higher court, according to The New York Times report. The statement further reads, "The family has full faith in the judicial process and remains determined to defend themselves." The Hinduja family leads a multinational conglomerate with large holdings in real estate, automotive manufacturing, banking, oil and gas and health care. Arguments in the trial started on June 10, with the lead prosecutor, Yves Bertossa, claiming that the family had budgeted more for a pet than it had for the salary of one domestic worker, The New York Times reported, citing reports in the Swiss news media. According to the indictment, some domestic workers, who took care of children or housework, were paid as little as 10,000 rupees a month (about USD 120 currently). It said that many of the workers were from poor backgrounds in India and had toiled "from dawn until late in the evening" without getting paid for working overtime. The indictment said that they received salaries below Geneva's minimum wage for domestic workers and money was paid into Indian bank accounts that they could not easily get access to. Prosecutors had alleged that the Hinduja family had taken the passports of domestic workers and told them not to leave the villa, where they slept in bunk beds in a windowless basement room. According to the indictment, the workers were expected to be available at all times, including on trips to France and Monaco, where they worked under the same conditions. The Hinduja family's lawyer, Jordan, rejects the allegations, calling it "exaggerated and biased allegations." In a statement issued before the verdict, he said, "The members of the Hinduja family vigorously deny these allegations," The New York Times reported. A civil case involving the main accusers, who worked for the family, was settled last week, The New York Times reported, citing Swiss news reports. Jordan refused to discuss the terms. He, however, said that the agreement was "confidential" and that the plaintiffs had withdrawn their complaints. In the criminal case, prosecutors had requested that the court sentence them for up to five and a half years, along with millions of francs in fines and compensation, The New York Times reported, citing Swiss news media. Three Hinduja brothers lead the family's conglomerate, with two based in UK and around Europe. The family owns properties in London, including a 25-bedroom residence, a five-star Raffles Hotel in a historic former government building, the Old War Office, according to The New York Times report. The most senior of the brothers, Srichand P Hinduja, who was also joint chairman of the Hinduja Group, passed away in 2023 at 87. Prior to his death, factions of the family were involved in a protracted battle over the control of family assets. (ANI) A state jury has found David DePape guilty on all charges related to his home invasion and hammer attack on former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi, CBS News reported. DePape was found guilty of the five counts he faced in the stand trial, including aggravated kidnapping resulting in bodily harm or death, false imprisonment of an elder or dependent adult, threatening the family of public officials, first-degree residential burglary, and preventing or dissuading a witness by force or threat. According to court officials, the jury reached a unanimous decision on all five counts. The jury started its deliberations in San Francisco on Tuesday afternoon. Court officials announced that the verdict had been reached on Friday afternoon and would be announced shortly after 4 pm (local time). There was no court on Wednesday due to the Juneteenth holiday. In his closing arguments, San Francisco Public Defender Adam Lipson said DePape had been living a solitary life and had gone "down the rabbit hole of propaganda and conspiracy theories" when he broke into Nancy Pelosi's residence on October 28, 2022, CBS News reported. Nancy Pelosi's spokesperson, Aaron Bennett, stated on behalf of the Pelosi family. Bennett said, "Speaker Pelosi and her family remain in awe of their Pop's bravery, which shone through again on the witness stand in this trial just as it did when he saved his own life on the night of the attack." "For nearly 20 gruelling months, Mr Pelosi has demonstrated extraordinary courage and fortitude every day of his recovery. The Pelosi family is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers they continue to receive. Speaker Pelosi and her family will refrain from further substantive comment until sentencing is complete," he added. David DePape was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in May after a jury in November 2023 found him guilty of trying to hold then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi hostage and assaulting her husband at their residence in San Francisco, CBS News reported. The attack on Paul Pelosi was captured on police bodycam video after officers responded to his 911 call and found him struggling with DePape, who then bludgeoned Pelosi with a hammer. The incident happened just before the 2022 midterm elections, sending shockwaves through the political world, and was attributed to the predictable impacts of rising demonizing political rhetoric. The opening statements in the state trial started in May, a day after DePape's federal sentencing was reopened to permit him to speak after a procedural error during his original sentencing, CBS News reported. Earlier this month, the judge in the state trial permitted a defence motion to dismiss three counts in the case against DePape, which included attempted murder, assault of an elder, and assault with a deadly weapon -- based on the public defender's argument that the counts fell under double jeopardy. (ANI) As the US-India INDUS-X initiative commemorates its first year, it stands as a beacon of transnational collaboration in defence innovation. Launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Washington, DC, INDUS-X has swiftly advanced bilateral commitments through the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). "In its first year, INDUS-X has advanced both countries' commitment to build a defence innovation bridge under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)," read a release from US Department of Defence. Since its inception, INDUS-X has fostered robust private sector cooperation between the United States and India, paving the way for transformative partnerships among defence technology firms, investors, and researchers. This initiative has not only bolstered technological exchange but has also laid the groundwork for strategic alliances crucial to both nations' defence capabilities. "INDUS-X has strengthened private sector cooperation between the United States and India by facilitating partnerships among defence technology companies, investors, and researchers," the release added. Highlighting its growing significance, the White House recently announced the upcoming third INDUS-X Summit, slated to convene in Silicon Valley in September 2024. Co-hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University, the summit will focus on leveraging private capital to propel defence innovation forward. The India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was launched at an event in Washington, DC, USA, on June 21, 2023. The INDUS X event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence, and the US Department of Defence (DoD) and hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC). Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion), MoD, Anurag Bajpai, led the Indian delegation in the two-day INDUS-X event. A reception for Indian and US government representatives, defence start-ups, think tanks, incubators, investors, industries and other stakeholders was organised on June 20, 2023. The event also saw a first-of-its-kind joint showcasing of innovative technologies by Indian and US start-ups. 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups, from multiple domains of maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space, showcased their technologies to Indian and US stakeholders, the Ministry of Defence, said in a release earlier. (ANI) Amidst chants of devotion and ceremonial farewell, a group of Sikh pilgrims embarked on a journey to Pakistan to pay homage to the revered sites associated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh on his death anniversary. The group departed for Pakistan from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office on Friday. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was the first king of the Sikh empire in the 19th century. He is popularly known as 'Sher-e-Punjab.' Led by interim committee member Khushvinder Singh Bhatia, the delegation comprised 317 pilgrims, who expressed heartfelt enthusiasm as they set out for this spiritual voyage. "I am going to Pakistan to offer my prayers. We will return on June 30. This is my second visit, and I am very excited," shared Lakhbir Singh, one of the devotees. Among the pilgrims was Lovepreet Singh, embarking on his inaugural pilgrimage to Pakistan. "I am going for the first time with a group of five-six people. I am very happy to have this opportunity," Lovepreet remarked with joy. The journey, organised under the auspices of SGPC, holds profound significance as it aims to connect devotees with the historical and cultural legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the erstwhile ruler known for his leadership and contributions to Sikh heritage. The pilgrims, equipped with visas and passports, are scheduled to visit various gurdwaras and other religious landmarks in Pakistan before returning to India on June 30. Apart from Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, tourists from other countries also visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Last week, Pakistan issued 509 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend Maharaja Ranjeet Singh's death anniversary. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born on November 13, 1780, in Budrukhan, or Gujranwala [now in Pakistan], and died on June 27, 1839, in Lahore [now in Pakistan]. According to Sikh beliefs, he ruled Punjab for 40 years. It is said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh fought against the Mughals and also conquered Lahore. Also, religious tolerance was promoted during his time as many important ministers of his were Muslims. (ANI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM. PM Hasina arrived in India on Friday on a two day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit will give a "major boost" to India-Bangladesh ties, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post. "PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh arrives in New Delhi on a State Visit to India. Warmly welcomed by MoS @KVSinghMPGonda at the airport. Bangladesh is a key partner and trusted neighbour of India. The visit will give a major boost to this celebrated bilateral partnership," read Jaiswal's post on X. Jaishankar had yesterday called on the Bangladesh PM and following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her State visit highlights "close and abiding ties" between the two countries. "Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her State visit to India underlines our close and abiding ties. Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership," said Jaishankar in a post on X. Newly-appointed External Affairs Minister of State (MoS) Kirtivardhan Singh welcomed the visiting Bangladesh PM at the airport upon her arrival. This is the first incoming bilateral State Visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections, MEA said in a statement a day ago. "During the visit, apart from holding bilateral consultations with the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to call on the President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar," the foreign ministry statement read. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9. Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina. The year 2023 witnessed a spur of bilateral activities between both countries as an embodiment of the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 in a virtual format. The Bangladeshi PM also participated virtually in the Inaugural Session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023 and the second Virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on November 17, 2023. (ANI) Paying her tribute, the visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister laid floral wreaths at the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was laid to rest. After she paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, PM Hasina was gifted a book and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Earlier today she received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina and Prime Minister Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM. PM Hasina is in India on a State visit from June 21 to 22 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit will give a "major boost" to India-Bangladesh ties, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post. "PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh arrives in New Delhi on a State Visit to India. Warmly welcomed by MoS @KVSinghMPGonda at the airport. Bangladesh is a key partner and trusted neighbour of India. The visit will give a major boost to this celebrated bilateral partnership," read Jaiswal's post on X. Jaishankar had yesterday called on the Bangladesh PM and following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her State visit highlights "close and abiding ties" between the two countries. "Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her State visit to India underlines our close and abiding ties. Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership," said Jaishankar in a post on X. Newly-appointed External Affairs Minister of State (MoS) Kirtivardhan Singh welcomed the visiting Bangladesh PM at the airport upon her arrival. This is the first incoming bilateral State Visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections, MEA said in a statement a day ago. "During the visit, apart from holding bilateral consultations with the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar," the foreign ministry statement read. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9. (ANI) The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) faced an unprecedented backlash in the National Assembly with lawmakers from even the treasury benches joining their opposition counterparts in lashing out at the government over the federal budget, Dawn reported. The legislators on Friday slammed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb for presenting a "tax-loaded and International Montery Fund (IMF)-dictated budget". The second day of the budget debate yesterday was also marked by fierce criticism of the government by the members from both sides over the absence of the ministers, especially the finance minister, from proceedings. The PPP, a key partner in the ruling coalition, continued its protest by only having a "token participation", as its members attended the session but didn't participate in the debate as a mark of protest over the alleged violation of an agreement reached with the PML-N at the time of the formation of the government after the February elections and for "not consulting" it on the preparation of the budget. The boycott of the debate by the PPP came despite reports that the issues between the two parties had been settled after a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday evening It is pertinent to note that five PML-N members also participated in the debate on Friday, but none of them supported the government's economic policies and almost all of them complained that they were also "not consulted" by the finance minister and bureaucrats while preparing the budget. Taking part in the debate, the opposition members belonging to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) took the government to task over the alleged "political victimization" of the party and demanded the immediate release of PTI's founder and former premier Imran Khan, as well as other party activists who had been jailed in different cases. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif also attended the sitting for a few minutes, but most of the time the front treasury rows remained empty, drawing criticism from the lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. The lawmakers grilled the finance minister over indirect taxation and for putting more burden on the salaried class, besides imposing sales tax on each and every item, including stationery items, books, packed milk, and medical equipment. Most of the leaders termed it an "IMF-dictated budget" which, they said, had been presented only to appease foreign masters and to get more loans, Dawn reported. (ANI) Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket lifts off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a mission to the International Space Station, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) John Raoux/Associated Press NASA and Boeing have delayed Boeing Starliner's departure from the International Space Station for the fourth time this month, pushing back a return to Earth until at least early July. Agency officials said in a news release Friday night the decision was made so the undocking wouldn't conflict with planned spacewalks and allow for a continued review of mission data. It has not been a smooth few weeks for Boeing's first crewed mission in space. The Starliner capsule had thruster issues during its flight that saw five thrusters fail to work in addition to five helium leaks on the vehicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process, said Steve Stich, NASAs Commercial Crew Program manager, in a statement. We are letting the data drive our decision-making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance we observed during rendezvous and docking." ISS currently has spacewalks planned for June 24 and July 2. Boeing Starliner, with a two-person crew of NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, launched on the morning of June 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch was supposed to occur June 1 but a computer issue caused it to be scrapped four minutes before takeoff. The Starliner arrived at the International Space Station on June 6. The first takeoff date was scheduled for May 6 but a valve issue caused that launch to be called off as well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The original plan was for Wilmore and Williams to spend a week at the station before returning to Earth's surface June 14. Then that date was pushed back to June 18. Then it was delayed to June 22. Then it was changed to June 26. Now it has been indefinitely postponed, as Friday's press release didn't give any specific date in July for when to expect the departure. Starliner is performing well in orbit while docked to the space station, Stich said in a statement. We are strategically using the extra time to clear a path for some critical station activities while completing readiness for Butch and Sunis return on Starliner and gaining valuable insight into the system upgrades we will want to make for post-certification missions." There are currently nine people aboard the International Space Station. This mission is the third trip on ISS for both Wilmore and Williams. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The calendar for the International Space Station is light during the summer and NASA said there are enough supplies on hand to accommodate Wilmore and Williams if their stay continues to be extended. Dana Weigel, NASAs International Space Station Program manager, during a Tuesday press conference said the station has used Wilmore and Williams. "We continue to be flexible on the ISS side in terms of supporting Butch, Suni and the Starliner as long as needed. Our schedule is pretty flexible throughout the summer," Weigel said. "We'll be ready to support Starliner's undock when Starliner and the rest of the team is ready." THE JUNE 1 DELAY: Computer issue scrubs the first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, the Starliner vehicle has only been equipped for a maximum stay of 45 days attached to the station. Forty-five days after June 6 is July 21. The authorities conducted raids in PTI leader's homes and offices in Lahore and other districts, ahead of the planned countrywide demonstrations. Raiding parties allegedly smashed furniture and other articles in the houses of party leaders and workers, who shared accounts of the raid on social media. PTI leaders and workers mobilized in several cities of Punjab, waving party flags, carrying banners, and chanting slogans advocating Imran Khan's 'freedom.' In Lahore, rallies were staged in constituencies such as PP-163, PP-174, and NA-129, as reported by Dawn. PTI Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar took to social media platform X to highlight defiance against what he termed "de facto Martial Law & illegal Curfew in Punjab." Similar protests also gained momentum in Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Okara, Jhang, Burewala, Khanewal, Zafarwal, Vehari, and other areas despite the ban's enforcement under Section 144. Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal had said the ban has been imposed due to 'security concerns' and the risk of 'terrorist attacks' on large gatherings. Incidents of arrests were reported alongside the raids. Chaudhry Mubeen, advocate and brother of Chaudhry Mudassar, was detained in Lahore, while PTI workers including Chaudhry Nazir, Malik Allah Din, and Malik Khawar were picked up in Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, and Okara. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, condemned the imposition of Section 144 as a deliberate attempt to sabotage PTI's protests, urging judicial scrutiny into the decision by Punjab's chief minister, interior minister, and secretary. PTI termed the government action "unconstitutional" and accused authorities of creating a "lawless environment" in Pakistan. PTI's central information secretary, Raoof Hasan, slammed the "shameful acts" by the administration and accused them of suppressing democratic rights. The situation remains tense as PTI supporters face off against legal and governmental restrictions, highlighting ongoing tensions between the ruling administration and opposition forces in Pakistan's political landscape, Dawn reported. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], June 22 (ANI/WAM): In another demonstration of the continuous improvement in the quality of education, 81 per cent of Dubai students now attend private schools rated Good or higher compared to 77 per cent during last year's inspection cycle, according to results released by Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). This equates to nearly 49,500 students who have benefitted from this improvement. A total of 209 schools with more than 3,60,000 students enrolled were inspected this year, including 10 schools that were inspected for the first time. A total of 23 schools were rated Outstanding, 48 were rated Very Good, 85 Good and 51 Acceptable, while two were rated Weak with no schools rated as Very Weak. Overall ratings improved for 26 schools while three schools saw a decline in their ratings. Commenting on the results, Aisha Abdulla Miran, Director General of KHDA, said, "The continuous improvement by the schools indicates their commitment to offer high quality educational opportunities for students. Our schools are among the world's highest performing, according to international assessments, ranking sixth for literacy in PIRLS, top 10 globally for maths, and top 14 for science and reading in PISA assessments. These results reaffirm Dubai's competitiveness as a world-class destination for education, in line with the leadership's vision set out in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Social Agenda 33." She added, "We are grateful to the school community, principals, teachers, and parents for their efforts in enriching the learning experiences for students and contributing towards making Dubai one of the top 10 cities in the world for quality education. We look forward to increasing the number of students who are receiving good or better education and providing more distinguished education opportunities to Emirati students." This year, 90 per cent of schools improved in one or more quality indicators. Of these improvements, 67 per cent are related to student outcomes, 26 per cent to schools' provisions for learners, and 7 per cent to leadership. Schools in Dubai improved the progress of students in Arabic as a first language, with 64 per cent of schools rated Good or higher, compared to 52 per cent in the previous year; and 77 per cent of schools rated good or higher for progress of students in Islamic education, compared to 68 per cent during the 2022-23 academic year. Private schools in Dubai have made great progress in reducing barriers to learning and ensuring equitable access to education. Inclusive education has improved, with a substantial 76 per cent of schools now providing Good or higher rated provisions for students of determination. Wellbeing provision remains a strong focus, with 83 per cent of schools offering wellbeing provision rated Good or higher. Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), said, "Private schools continue to achieve significant improvements in the quality of their overall performance, which reflects the commitment of school leaders and teachers to ensure that high-quality educational opportunities are available to our students." She added, "We are proud of the efforts of the education community in Dubai to enhance the quality of education and its global competitiveness. We encourage parents to read the reports and gain insights about the quality of education in their children's schools. We are committed to work with our education community to raise the quality of education in Dubai and align with the future goals of Dubai." Private schools in Dubai will not be subjected to full inspections during the 2024-25 academic year, with the exception of new schools that will complete their third year of operation during the next academic year. This decision aims to support the teaching and learning process for students and gives schools the opportunity to implement changes to support their development and improvement plans. The DSIB team will conduct quality assurance visits that target specific focus areas to monitor schools' progress on improvement plans during the next academic year. Schools that wish to undergo a full inspection may submit a request to the inspection team, which will be subject to review and approval upon KHDA's discretion. (ANI/WAM) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is the first foreign guest on a bilateral State Visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government, received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. The Ministry of External Affairs termed this a ceremonial welcome for a "special partner." "A ceremonial welcome for a special partner! PM @narendramodi received PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1804365760770245048 Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM. Following this, PM Hasina paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. "A heartfelt homage to Bapu! PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Mahatma's ideals continue to serve as guiding principles of our close and warm relationship," the MEA spokesperson said in a subsequent post. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1804368403618001033 PM Hasina arrived in India on Friday on a two day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit will give a "major boost" to India-Bangladesh ties, Randhir Jaiswal earlier said in a social media post. Jaishankar called on the Bangladesh PM on Friday. Following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her state visit highlights "close and abiding ties" between the two countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9. Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina. The year 2023 witnessed a spur of bilateral activities between both countries as an embodiment of the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 in a virtual format. The Bangladeshi PM also participated virtually in the Inaugural Session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023 and the second Virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on November 17, 2023. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with the visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Hyderabad House in the national capital on Saturday. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi extended a warm welcome to his Bangladesh counterpart and said that the two leaders have met 10 times since 2019. "Deepening India-Bangladesh Maitri! PM Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at Hyderabad House ahead of their bilateral discussions. The two leaders have met each other ten times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship," Jaiswal said in a post on X. Hasina, the first foreign guest on a bilateral State visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan early this morning The Ministry of External Affairs termed this a ceremonial welcome for a "special partner." The Bangladesh PM Hasina arrived in India on Friday on a two-day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A ceremonial welcome for a special partner! PM @narendramodi received PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X today. Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM. Following this, PM Hasina paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. "A heartfelt homage to Bapu! PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Mahatma's ideals continue to serve as guiding principles of our close and warm relationship," the MEA spokesperson said in a subsequent post. This visit will give a "major boost" to India-Bangladesh ties, Randhir Jaiswal earlier said in a social media post. EAM Jaishankar had on Friday called on the visiting Bangladesh PM. Following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her state visit highlights "close and abiding ties" between the two countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9. Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina. The year 2023 witnessed a spur of bilateral activities between both countries as an embodiment of the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 in a virtual format. The Bangladeshi PM also participated virtually in the Inaugural Session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023 and the second Virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on November 17, 2023. (ANI) Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland stumbed over a question posed to her on why Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was on the no-fly list and had his bank accounts frozen before his death, is now being honoured with a tribute in the Canadian Parliament. In a video that has now gone viral on social media, a journalist asked Freeland on the paradox of honouring Nijjar despite past government actions against him. The journalist questioned the reason behind this sudden change. Freeland responded, emphasising the recent solemn anniversary and condemning the murder of a Canadian on Canadian soil. She praised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's stance post-assassination, calling it necessary but challenging. "I do want to start by saying that this week was a very sad and solemn anniversary of the murder. I was in the House of Commons, and I guess all three of us were (referring to the two men sitting beside her). It was important to have a moment of silence to recognise this was the murder of a Canadian in Canada on Canadian soil, and that is entirely unacceptable. Second of all, I do want to say I was very proud of the prime minister and of the strong position he took after the murder." She further stated, "It was the right thing to do, but it wasn't an easy thing to do." https://x.com/OnTheNewsBeat/status/1804015628094968020 Freeland reiterated Trudeau's commitment to equality under Canadian law and protection against threats, regardless of consequences. However, she evaded direct answers on why Nijjar was on the no-fly list, why his accounts were frozen, or the rationale behind Parliament's tribute to him. "The government of Canada will enforce our laws and protect all Canadians regardless of who is threatening them and what the consequences might be. Doing that was a big thing for the prime minister, and I think all of us should feel safer and more secure knowing that he will stand for Canadians and against the killers of Canadians no matter what", she said. However, Chrystia Freeland avoided answering the question of why there was sudden support for Nijjar after his death when the same government had put restrictions on him when he was alive. The minister even did not comment on why Nijjar was on the no-fly list, why his bank accounts were frozen, or why such a person was paid tribute in Parliament. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, born in the Jalandhar district of India's Punjab, migrated to Canada in 1997 and worked as a plumber in British Columbia. Desingated as a Khalistani terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Surrey Gurudwara on June 18 last year by unidentified assailants. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in the national capital on Saturday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishakar, NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra were also present at the meeting. PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh is on a two-day state visit to India from June 21 to 22, marking the first foreign guest on a bilateral state visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government. PM Modi and PM Hasina also held bilateral talks today. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi extended a warm welcome to his Bangladesh counterpart and said that the two leaders have met 10 times since 2019. "Deepening India-Bangladesh Maitri! PM Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at Hyderabad House ahead of their bilateral discussions. The two leaders have met each other ten times since 2019, making unprecedented transformations in the relationship," Jaiswal said in a post on X. PM Hasina also received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. The Ministry of External Affairs termed this a ceremonial welcome for a "special partner." "A ceremonial welcome for a special partner! PM @narendramodi received PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X today. Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM. Following this, PM Hasina paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. "A heartfelt homage to Bapu! PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Mahatma's ideals continue to serve as guiding principles of our close and warm relationship," the MEA spokesperson said in a subsequent post. This visit will give a "major boost" to India-Bangladesh ties, Randhir Jaiswal earlier said in a social media post. EAM Jaishankar had on Friday called on the visiting Bangladesh PM. Following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her state visit highlights "close and abiding ties" between the two countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9. Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina. The year 2023 witnessed a spur of bilateral activities between both countries as an embodiment of the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 in a virtual format. The Bangladeshi PM also participated virtually in the Inaugural Session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023 and the second Virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on November 17, 2023. (ANI) Lauding the bilateral partnership between New Delhi and Dhaka, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the ongoing visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a part of sustained high-level political engagement between the two countries. Underlining that Sheikh Hasina was among the first leaders to congratulate PM Modi on his historic third term, Kwatra noted that back-to-back diplomatic exchanges between the nations underscore how "special" India and Bangladesh ties are. "The ongoing visit of the Bangladesh PM is a part of our sustained high-level political engagement between the two countries. Bangladesh PM was one of the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony on June 9 of the Union Council of Ministers following the 18th Lok Sabha elections earlier this month," Kwatra said at the special briefing on the State Visit of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on Saturday. Earlier this morning, Sheikh Hasina was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was followed by a visit to Rajghat to pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi. "PM Sheikh Hasina's last state visit to India was in September 2022, which was followed by her visit as a guest country to participate in the G-20 leader summit in September 2023... PM Sheikh Hasina was among the first leaders to congratulate PM Modi on his historic third term as the prime minister of India," Kwatra said. "These back-to-back exchanges between the two countries underscore the special nature of our relationship, strategic partnership, and the trust and the respect that the two prime ministers share..." he added. He further stated that Sheikh Hasina, as a part of her ongoing India visit, would also call on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and President Droupadi Murmu. "PM Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina have concluded an extensive discussion at the Hyderabad House... Later this afternoon, PM Sheikh Hasina will call on The President and the Vice President," he said. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is on a two-day State visit to India from June 21-22. The visit of Sheikh Hasina marks the first foreign guest on a bilateral State visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government. PM Modi and PM Hasina also held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House today. (ANI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina underscored the robust and accelerating ties between Bangladesh and India following her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. The discussions focused on deepening collaborative engagement across various sectors between the two neighbouring nations. The visiting Bangladesh PM was addressing the media after a delegation-level talk with PM Modi. Prime Minister Hasina expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi for the invitation extended to her, marking her first bilateral visit abroad since Bangladesh's 12th Parliamentary Elections and the formation of the new government earlier this year. She highlighted India as a major neighbour, trusted friend, and crucial regional partner, emphasising the enduring bond that originated during Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971. "I recall with gratitude the contribution of the government and the people of India to Bangladesh's independence. I pay deep homage to the brave fallen heroes of India who sacrificed their lives during our War of Liberation in 1971," said Prime Minister Hasina. The recent years have seen sustained high-level engagements between the two countries, with notable visits including the Honourable President and Prime Minister of India attending significant celebrations in Bangladesh in 2021. Prime Minister Hasina herself visited India in September 2022 and participated in the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023. During the current visit, both leaders engaged in productive discussions covering politics, security, trade, connectivity, water-sharing from common rivers, power and energy, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate for mutual prosperity and progress. "As Dhaka and Delhi have started new journeys, we charted the future course of action to ensure a smart Bangladesh by following Vision 2041 and Viksit Bharat by 2047," Prime Minister Hasina shared, indicating a forward-looking approach towards bilateral relations. Prime Minister Hasina's visit also includes meetings with the Honourable Vice President and President of India later in the day, which are expected to further bolster bilateral ties. "I believe all these meetings would give us more insights into enhancing our two countries' cooperation. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience," Prime Minister Hasina also said. PM Modi and PM Hasina also held a bilateral meeting earlier in the day. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is on a two-day State visit to India from June 21 to 22. (ANI) He referenced operations carried out in the 1970s and the "kill and dump" policy of 2009 under Pakistan People's Party (PPP) governance. "#PPP has conducted military operations against the #Baloch people in the 1970s & started the Kill and Dump policy in 2009. And each time they come into government they ask for forgiveness from the Baloch people, but they continue to conduct #militaryoperations against the Baloch," Marri posted on X (formerly Twitter). Marri asserted that despite repeated apologies, the PPP continues to perpetuate military terror and operations against the Baloch whenever they are in power. In a subsequent social media post, Marri mentioned former President Asif Ali Zardari's presence in Balochistan, expressing concern over potential future military actions. "Now #AsifZardari is in #Balochistan and talking about the security situation. I foresee another intensive military operation against Balochistan. But the Baloch people are ready to face the #Pakistani #Punjabi army," he wrote. https://x.com/hyrbyair_marri/status/1804058413938180543 In a press statement, the FBM elaborated, "It should be noted that apart from the military terrorism of Punjab, the existence of Pakistan in political, economic, and social terms has ended in Balochistan." The statement continued, "The independence movement of Balochistan is continuing successfully. Despite the strictest state intimidation, the Punjabi army cannot end the Baloch movement because this movement has popular public support." This ongoing conflict underscores the persistent tension and struggle for independence in Balochistan, with significant implications for the region's stability and future. (ANI) Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, condemned activist Naveed Baloch's extrajudicial killing in a post on social media platform X. The statement denounced the Pakistani army's increasing crackdown on dissenting voices, citing Naveed's case as yet another instance of a systematic campaign of abductions and killings. Paank stated, "We condemn the extrajudicial killing of Naveed Baloch in Panjgur this morning, following his abduction from Hoshab, Balochistan, on 18th of June, 2024. This tragic event highlights the Pakistani army's involvement in alarming increase in enforced disappearances, with dozens of individuals disappearing each month. This systematic campaign of abductions must end, and those responsible must be held accountable" https://x.com/paank_bnm/status/1804100767642468824 The lifeless body of Naveed Baloch was discovered in a desolate corner of Panjgur, bearing signs of torture and brutality. His death sent shockwaves through the community, where whispers of fear and anger mingled in the air. Baloch Yakjehti also raised concern over the matter and stated, "From Enforced Disappearance to extrajudicial killing, is the ongoing policy and practice of Pakistani military in Balochistan. Naveed Baloch was forcibly disappeared from Hoshab, Kech on 18th June and today his bullet-riddled and tortured body was found in a remote area of Panjgur. The entire State machinery is involved in the genocide of the Baloch Nation. The military carries out operations making Balochistan a war zone." https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1804115098476085578?t=dxSg4CyoWMl90mKaHDEMeA&s=08 Human rights groups have documented numerous cases where individuals have disappeared under mysterious circumstances, only for their bodies to be found later showing signs of torture. This pattern of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and dumping of bodies has created a climate of fear and mistrust among communities affected by these actions. The practice has sparked protests within Pakistan and abroad, with calls for accountability and justice for the victims and their families. International human rights organizations have repeatedly called on Pakistan to investigate these cases thoroughly, prosecute those responsible, and uphold its obligations under international law to protect the rights of all individuals within its borders. (ANI) Commentary: A precise, legal strike on "Taiwan independence" separatists Xinhua) 09:30, June 22, 2024 BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- With a set of judicial guidelines targetting diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists, China on Friday revealed a new weapon, precise and legal, to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession were jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the ministries of public security, state security, and justice and took effect upon release. The guidelines can be regarded as a refinement and supplement to the country's Anti-Secession Law. By clarifying the criminal nature of "Taiwan independence" separatist acts, their criminal liabilities, and the procedure to impose penalties, it draws the bottom line and facilitates law enforcement. In the long run, it will undoubtedly play an effective role in advancing reunification across the Taiwan Strait. This move came against a backdrop of escalating tensions across the Strait triggered by repeated separatist attempts made by those advocating "Taiwan independence," particularly since the island's new leader Lai Ching-te, who holds a stubborn separatist stance, took office in May. This judicial document surely serves as a blow to Lai and his fellow separatists. It allows Chinese courts to bring diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists to trials in absentia. In the most severe cases, a convict may receive death sentence. It also acts as a warning and deterrent to external forces who would not keep their hands off affairs related to Taiwan. Those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institution, organization or individual in conducting or inciting secession, would be given a harsher punishment. Despite being a stern action against separatists, the document draws a clear line between a few stubborn separatists and the rest of Taiwan people. Under the influence of the "Taiwan independence" ideology and due to political differences between the two sides, some in Taiwan may have a misguided understanding of their identities and the nature of cross-Strait relations. They are given chances to free themselves from misunderstandings and be aware of the harmfulness and danger of separatist activities. For over 70 years, although the two sides of the Strait have yet to achieve complete reunification, China's sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided. The historical facts and the legal ground for the facts that both sides of the Strait belong to one country and people on both sides of the Strait belong to the Chinese nation have never changed and will not change. A peaceful and prosperous future for people on both sides of the Strait hangs on a strong and reunified nation. In order to facilitate reunification, separatists must face criminal prosecution. High hopes are placed on people of Taiwan to have a clear mind, weigh the pros and cons, and stand on the right side of history. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. The investigation into the murder of Bangladesh Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who was found dead at a flat in Kolkata is underway, and the Indian government is extending all possible support to the Bangladesh side, said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Saturday. Kwatra said that the law enforcement agencies from both countries are in close coordination to investigate the brutal murder. "The incident regarding the Bangladesh MP is currently under investigation and law enforcement agencies from both countries are currently coordinating and necessary information is being shared in respect of the investigation," the Foreign Secretary said at a special briefing today. "And the government from our side is extending all possible support to the Bangladesh side as part of the investigation..." he added. Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan had said that Anar, who had gone missing in India, was found murdered in Kolkata on May 22. The Chief of the Bangladesh Detective Department is currently in India to investigate the murder case of Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar. Harun-or-Rashid arrived with a police team in Kolkata, soon after the murder came to the fore and described the killing of Anar as "cold-blooded, barbaric murder." He said that he had never seen such a heinous planned murder. He said that the prime suspect in the murder case was identified as Akhtaruzzaman and they suspect he could have probably escaped to the United States via Dubai from Kathmandu. According to the findings, the MP was allegedly killed in a Kolkata apartment, where his body was chopped and suspects proceeded to dispose of the remains by packaging them in multiple plastic bags. (ANI) Both sides underlined their deep-rooted historical ties, and also shared views on various issues including economic and developmental partnership. "H. E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh called on Hon'ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at Vice-President's Enclave today," the official handle of Vice President of India posted on X. "Both sides underlined their deep-rooted historical ties as they shared views on various issues including economic and developmental partnership, regional connectivity, green energy, digital linkages, space collaboration among others," it added. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is on a State visit to India from June 21-22. Prior to her meeting with VP Dhankhar, Sheikh Hasina called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital. During the meeting, President Murmu and Sheikh Hasina agreed to work together to enhance the relationship across all domains including economic ties, development partnership, defence cooperation, energy security, and connectivity. "The President was happy to note that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress," the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in an official press release. "The President noted that India and Bangladesh are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and are entering into new sectors also. She expressed confidence that this will chart the future course of the India-Bangladesh relationship," it added. It is pertinent to note that Sheikh Hasina's visit is the first State Visit hosted by India after the formation of the new government on June 9, 2024. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and PM Hasina also held a bilateral meeting. Sheikh Hasina underscored the robust and accelerating ties between Bangladesh and India following her meeting with PM Modi here in the national capital today.The discussions focused on deepening collaborative engagement across various sectors between the two neighbouring nations. During the current visit, both PM Modi as well as Sheikh Hasina engaged in productive discussions covering politics, security, trade, connectivity, water-sharing from common rivers, power and energy, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Saturday articulated their shared vision for peace, prosperity and development of the two neighbours and the entire region driven by connectivity, commerce and collaboration. Significant agreements encompassing connectivity, commerce and power sector were signed during the visit of PM Sheikh Hasina to India. PM Modi had "very substantive and purposeful" discussions with his Bangladesh counterpart during their bilateral meeting on Saturday. The two countries agreed to start a new train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata, a new bus service between Chittagong and Kolkata and commencement of goods train services between Gede-Darsana and Haldibari-Chilahati up to Dalgaon. They agreed to the construction of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sirajganj under grant assistance and the commencement of export of 40 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through Indian grid. The two leaders agreed for a Joint Technical Committee for discussions on the renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty and a technical delegation will visit Bangladesh for the project on the conservation and management of the Teesta River inside the neighbouring country. There will be 350 training slots for Bangladeshi police officers and Muktijoddha Scheme for medical patients will have an upper ceiling of Rs 8 lakh per patient. Bangladesh joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. A commercial agreement was signed between NPCI and Bangladesh Bank for the launch of UPI. In their wide-ranging discussions, PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina recognized that the India-Bangladesh partnership, which is founded on deep historical, linguistic, cultural, and economic linkages has strengthened in the last decade inspired by the spirit of their shared sacrifices of 1971 and guided by their new aspirations of the 21st century. To realize the immense potential of this extra-ordinary relationship and to turn it into a transformational partnership for mutual benefit and prosperity of their people and the entire region, the two leaders jointly articulated Shared Vision for peace, prosperity and development of the two neighbours and the entire region, driven by connectivity, commerce and collaboration: The shared vision document said that ties reflect of an all-encompassing partnership that transcends a strategic partnership, built upon shared values and interests, equality, trust and understanding and rooted in mutual sensitivity to each other's aspirations and concerns. "Together, we will pursue a transformative partnership that advances the shared interests in promoting multi-faceted connectivity for both our countries as well as the entire region by transforming our geographical proximity into new economic opportunities. This will include connectivity in its broadest form - physical connectivity covering multi-modal transport and cross-border trade & transit infrastructure for seamless cross-border movement of people, goods and services, as well as energy connectivity and digital connectivity. As part of our sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India will extend transit facilities for movement of Bangladesh goods to Nepal and Bhutan through railway network," the document said. "We are committed to early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement to promote sub-regional connectivity. In this context, we welcome a new MOU on Railway Connectivity as well as the decision to commence goods-train service from Gede-Darshana through Chilahati-Haldibari up to Hasimara via Dalgaon railhead (as and when operationalized) at the India-Bhutan border," it added. The document said the two countries will continue to expand power and energy collaboration and together develop intra-regional electricity trade, including of competitively-priced power generated from clean energy projects in India, Nepal and Bhutan, through the Indian electricity grid. "To this end, we will expedite the construction of 765 kV high-capacity interconnection between Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar with suitable Indian financial assistance, to act as the anchor for our grid connectivity," the document said. Underlining the pivotal role played by emerging technologies to build inclusive, sustainable and digitally empowered societies and to bring larger benefits to people of both countries, the leaders agreed to forging a new paradigm for future-oriented partnership through a "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership" and "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future" in line with respective broader Vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047" and "Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041". "These will build a transformative collaboration between India and Bangladesh by leveraging green and digital technologies to foster economic growth, sustainable and climate-resilient development, environmental conservation, cross-border digital interchange and regional prosperity," the document said. "We will also pursue collaboration in frontier technologies, including civil nuclear, oceanography and space technology. To this end, we will partner in joint development of a small satellite for Bangladesh and its launch using Indian launch vehicle," it added. The two leaders agreed to strengthen trade and investment linkages including through early commencement of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), early operationalization of two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) offered by Bangladesh to India in Mongla and Mirsharai, opening of new border-haats, trade facilitation to enhance bilateral trade, improving road, rail, air, and maritime connectivity and trade infrastructure which can transform the geographical proximity into new economic opportunities for our peoples. "We will also encourage and support our private sector to seek new investment opportunities in each other's priority areas of economic development," it said. Recognizing the importance of water resource management in bilateral relationship, India and Bangladesh agreed to continue to engage in prioritizing the exchange of data and formulating the framework for interim water sharing based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers Commission. "We welcome the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to initiate discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996. As part of our development cooperation, we will also undertake conservation and management of Teesta River inside Bangladesh with Indian assistance within a mutually agreed timeframe," the document said. India and Bangladesh agreed to strengthen defence cooperation with a long-term perspective. "In line with the plans for modernization of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, we will explore defence industrial cooperation for modernization of the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, to strengthen their capability for defence. We will continue to work closely with Bangladesh for our multifaceted military engagements of exercises, training and capability development," the statement said.. "We will further bolster India-Bangladesh development cooperation by concluding a new Framework Agreement for Development Partnership, which will expand the reach of our projects and programmes in line with the priorities of the people and the Government of Bangladesh and our long-term vision of closer connectivity. We will work together to expand our capacity building programme for civil services, judicial officers, police and other specialized services of Bangladesh," it added. The two countries signed 10 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) or vision documents and made several announcements. PM Sheikh Hasina is the first leader on state visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government. She is in India on a two-day visit. The Bangladesh leader had come to Delhi to take part in the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told a media briefing that the visit, the discussions, the substance of the outcome between the two leaders "has been very, very substantive and purposeful". (ANI) The sit-in at Fida Chowk in Balochistan's Turbat has emerged as a central point of protest, highlighting the grievances of those seeking justice and accountability for individuals who have been forcibly disappeared in the region. In a post on X Baloch Yakjehti Committee, an organization that addresses issues affecting the Baloch community stated, "Baloch people have been peacefully protesting for their fundamental rights for decades. They have utilized every possible means, including long marches, protest rallies, and sit-in camps. However, their peaceful struggle has resulted in disappointment and helplessness. Nako Mayar Baloch, along with other family members of the forcibly disappeared, has been protesting for one week. They have been in a sit-in camp at Fida Chowk for five days, and now are protesting in front of the DC office. " https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1804181593311056023 As days pass at Fida Chowk, the protesters' resolve remains steadfast. They advocate not only for their own families but also for countless others searching for answers. In the post, BYC further stated, "BYC supports the social media campaign announced by these families and urges the Baloch nation to participate in this campaign by tweeting and posting about the stories of the Baloch genocide. It is our duty to support and protect these elderly people in their struggle for their loved ones." Pakistan's Balochistan largest but least populated province, has been marred by a prolonged conflict involving allegations of enforced disappearances, where individuals are allegedly abducted by state authorities or unknown groups and held without legal recourse or public acknowledgment. Human rights organizations and local activists accuse security forces and intelligence agencies of being involved in these extrajudicial killings, which occur outside the legal framework and without due process. This issue has deeply affected the Baloch community for many years, with numerous families enduring the anguish of not knowing the fate or whereabouts of their loved ones. The Baloch people have utilized various forms of peaceful protest to highlight these grievances. (ANI) In recent developments, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir has been gripped by a growing crisis involving missing persons, sparking widespread concern and protests among residents. The issue has gained significant attention due to the alleged involvement of security forces and the perceived lack of transparency in investigations. The recent kidnapping of Khwaja Khursheed Ahmed, a resident of PoJK, has triggered significant protests in the region. On Wednesday, activists and student leaders organised sit-ins and demonstrations across various districts of the area, calling for the immediate release of Ahmed and other political activists without any conditions. Student leaders further cautioned that if their demands were not met by the authorities, they would launch a prolonged march from Kotli to Muzaffarabad. Recently, the 38-year-old poet Ahmed Farhad, who belongs to the Bagh district of PoJK, was reportedly abducted in May. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was later informed that Farhad was in the custody of Dhirkot police in PoJK and subsequently, Farhad was recovered 15 days after disappearing. Farhad is well-known for openly criticising both the influential establishment and military of Pakistan Over the past few months, the number of reported missing persons in PoJK has steadily increased, alarming local communities and human rights organisations. The families of the missing individuals have been vocal in their demands for answers and accountability. Many families accuse the security forces of being responsible for the disappearances, alleging arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances without legal recourse. These claims have further fueled public outrage and calls for justice. The frustration over the missing persons issue has spilled onto the streets, with protests becoming a common sight across major towns in PoJK. The local government in PoJK has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with accusations of inadequate investigation and reluctance to confront security forces implicated in the disappearances. Calls for an independent inquiry have intensified amid growing mistrust in official investigations. The missing persons crisis has not only strained trust between the residents of PoJk and security forces but has also highlighted broader concerns regarding civil liberties and human rights in the region. As the protests continue and pressure mounts on authorities, the resolution of these cases remains a critical issue for the affected families and the wider community. (ANI) The Islamabad High Court instructed the defence ministry to provide a report signed by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) sector commanders regarding the case of Khawaja Khurshid, a missing resident from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Taking to social media platform X, Professor Sajjad Raja, former Chairman of the National Equality Party Jammu Kashmir Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh (NEP JKGBL) stated, "Islamabad High Court has ordered ISI and MI to produce Khawaja Khurshid who was abducted from Neelum." "This is the second high-profile case since May 14 when PoJK poet Ahmed Farhad was abducted by Pakistani agencies. People of Pakistani-occupied Jammu and Kashmir should now simply ask the Pakistan Army to quit PoJK as directed by the UN Resolutions. That's the only way forward to stop Human Rights Violations in PoJK," Sajjad Raja added. https://x.com/NEP_JKGBL/status/1804429558675849505 Khurshid, a resident of Neelum Valley in PoJK, disappeared on June 7. According to reports, he traveled from Rawalpindi to Islamabad but did not come back home as expected. Enforced disappearances are a serious concern in PoJK, Balochistan, and other parts where individuals are allegedly abducted or detained by state actors or groups associated with them, often without legal process or disclosure of their whereabouts. These incidents typically involve security forces or intelligence agencies. Recently, the 38-year-old poet Ahmed Farhad who belongs to the Bagh district of PoJK was reportedly abducted in May. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was later informed that Farhad was in the custody of Dhirkot police in PoJK and subsequently, Farhad was recovered 15 days after disappearing. Farhad is well-known for openly criticizing both the influential establishment and military of Pakistan. The issue of enforced disappearances in PoJK has received attention from international human rights organizations and bodies, which have called for investigations and accountability for those responsible. These organizations document cases and provide support to affected families. There is often a lack of transparency in the legal and judicial processes related to missing persons cases, leading to frustration and distrust among affected families and communities. (ANI) Arzoo Kazmi, a prominent journalist based in Pakistan, took to social media to voice serious concerns about her safety within her homeland. In her post on X, Arzoo stated, "Unfortunately, today, I have to say that I don't feel safe in Pakistan. Some people are trying to target me on social media and even outside social media. I must tell those people that do whatever you want to do; I am not one to run away out of fear". https://x.com/Arzookazmi30/status/1803909545380433929?t=iPODSU4n1M_Wkx-aCbdyKA&s=08 Arzoo Kazmi is known for her courageous reporting and outspokenness on various social and political issues. She has gained recognition for her work in journalism, particularly for addressing sensitive topics and advocating for transparency and justice. Journalists in Pakistan, especially those who cover controversial topics, often face threats. Reporting on issues such as corruption, human rights violations, or political controversies puts journalists at risk of intimidation, harassment, or even physical harm from various quarters including powerful individuals, criminal elements, or extremist groups. Targeting journalists in Pakistan has a profound and longstanding history. In 2011, journalist Saleem Shahzad's abduction and brutal murder sent shockwaves through the media community, his investigative reports into links between the Pakistani Navy and extremist groups proving fatal. Human Rights Watch (HRW), an American-based non-governmental organization, alleged that the Pakistan intelligence services were responsible for his murder. The CIA subsequently declared that they possessed "reliable and conclusive" intelligence supporting this claim. In response, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) refuted the accusations, dismissing them as "completely baseless." The following year, another journalist Wali Khan Babar's coverage of crime and politics in Karachi met a tragic end when he was gunned down, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists exposing uncomfortable truths. In 2014, Hamid Mir, known for his criticism of governmental and military powers, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Karachi. Similarly, Raza Rumi, known for his outspokenness against extremism, survived a harrowing attack in Lahore the same year. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], June 22 (ANI/WAM): The Government of Umm Al Qaiwain is committed to intensifying efforts to promote environmental sustainability by preserving natural resources. This commitment is demonstrated through the launch of initiatives aimed at achieving positive change in alignment with sustainable development goals. The emirate has adopted and implemented various initiatives to protect the environment, most notably the Umm Al Qaiwain Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy. This strategy lays out a clear foundation for the future growth of the emirate. It is a comprehensive developmental and transformative strategy that identifies promising economic opportunities in line with global trends. The strategy aims to increase the share of the blue economy in the emirate's GDP to no less than 40 percent by focusing on several marine economic sectors, such as maritime transport, eco-tourism, blue carbon, sustainable fisheries, and climate-neutral industrial zones. On the sidelines of the COP28 conference, the Government of Umm Al Qaiwain launched an initiative to develop a set of guidelines for the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy. This initiative is in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, the Emirates Nature-WWF, and the World Wildlife Fund. The initiative includes key sectors that encourage the private sector to adopt sustainable practices, such as tourism, recreation, the built environment, and seafood. In an effort to protect the environment from the dangers of plastic pollution, reduce the negative impacts of incorrect practices, and promote a culture of environmental protection and sustainability, the Executive Council of Umm Al Qaiwain issued a decision in January of this year regarding the regulation of single-use products in the emirate's markets. This decision mandates the reduction of production and consumption of single-use products and ensures the continuous availability of sustainable and reusable alternatives in all shopping centres, retail stores, and sales outlets. The environmental initiatives in the Year of Sustainability 2023 have continued into this year, 2024, as part of extending the Year of Sustainability initiative to enhance the quality of life in the emirate. Umm Al Qaiwain Municipality has implemented numerous initiatives and campaigns contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. These efforts are in line with the strategic plan of the Government of Umm Al Qaiwain to enhance strategic partnerships and build effective best practices in sustainability. These initiatives include signing agreements to improve agricultural services in the emirate and enhance the quality of life by maintaining green spaces, launching a tree-planting initiative in the emirate's industrial areas, specifically in the Umm Al Thuoob area, where ghaf tree saplings were distributed to over 150 factories to promote sustainable agricultural practices, and preserve a healthy environment and the emirate's overall aesthetic. Additionally, the Planting Week, "Together, Let's Plant the UAE," was implemented in February, during which various environmental initiatives were carried out, including the distribution of free plant saplings to the residents of the emirate. Awareness campaigns and educational programmes were also conducted in schools and universities to emphasise the importance of environmental preservation. Community initiatives supporting sustainable environmental practices were launched to promote a healthy environment and a sustainable lifestyle for everyone. In light of the importance of innovation and its role in achieving sustainability, Innovation Month in Umm Al Qaiwain saw the implementation of numerous programmes and activities by government agencies and institutions in the emirate, highlighting the significance of innovation in promoting sustainability. These activities included exhibitions, workshops, and educational lectures. Community initiatives in Umm Al Qaiwain were diverse, including those that highlighted the connection between art and the environment. One such event was the "Art UAQ" held in February, which integrated art and environmental culture by showcasing the works of 25 local artists. This festival presented a unique blend of cultural heritage with a series of interactive activities that helped spread awareness and encourage participation in environmental events. Another notable community initiative was the "Greening Our World" campaign, recently executed by Umm Al Qaiwain Mall. This initiative aimed to promote environmental stewardship by planting 1,000 saplings in various schools across the emirate. Additionally, the mall hosted an exhibition of handicrafts inspired by sustainability principles and a clean energy inventions exhibit featuring eco-friendly products. Various institutions in Umm Al Qaiwain continue to implement initiatives in the second half of this year that emphasise the importance of environmental protection, the Year of Sustainability, and the preservation of natural resources for future generations. These efforts aim to achieve sustainable development that balances economic growth with environmental conservation. (ANI/WAM) The authority operates three applied agricultural research stations that support research and development activities. These stations develop and adopt agricultural technologies suited to the country's environment and climate, ensuring optimal resource use and addressing soil, climate, and water scarcity challenges. The stations are managed by highly skilled national staff experienced in innovative methods and modern agricultural technology transfer, including advanced irrigation systems, integrated pest management, plant disease control, crop cultivation, and livestock development. In May 2019, the ADAFSA signed an MoU with the Korea Rural Development Administration (KRDA) to enhance cooperation in agricultural research and technology. This partnership led to the KOREA-UAE Smart farm Research Project at the Al Kuwaitat Research Station in Al Ain. Established in 1969, the Kuwaitat Research Station in Al Ain covers 50.6 hectares and focuses on innovative research to achieve food security and environmental sustainability. It collaborates with local and international research centres and universities, trains agricultural students and graduates, and facilitates knowledge exchange among researchers. Under the KOREA-UAE Smart Farm Research Project, a greenhouse model suitable for desert climates was developed, alongside a closed hydroponic system for growing various fruits and vegetables. The greenhouse covers 2,070 square meters, with a 1,536-square-meter area for soil-less cultivation experiments. Suhail Mohsen Saleh Al-Thaibani, a lead agricultural researcher, highlighted the project as a prime example of bilateral cooperation, sharing agricultural expertise, and developing best practices for greenhouse farming to benefit local farmers. Noura Saeed Al Nuaimi, principal agricultural researcher, emphasised the project's role in strengthening the strategic partnership between the UAE and the Republic of Korea, and international cooperation for agricultural sustainability. Al Nuaimi noted the introduction of modern agricultural technologies like advanced cooling systems and hydroponics to enhance the climate inside greenhouses and increase productivity. She added that ongoing field experiments aim to identify the best modern farming practices to boost agricultural sustainability and food security in the UAE. Awad Khalifa Al-Nuaimi, agricultural researcher, stated that the ADAFSA aligns with the government's sustainability and food security strategy, implementing projects focused on smart and sustainable agricultural practices, including various greenhouse and crop cultivation methods. In collaboration with Khalifa University, the authority implements a modern agricultural technologies programme to improve productivity and environmental sustainability, enhancing crop quality and reducing resource use. The programme includes three initiatives: "Agriculture 4.0" using Information Communication Technology (ICT) and AI, "Post-Harvest Management" to minimise agricultural product loss, and "Climate-Smart Practices" to establish Abu Dhabi-specific standards for climate-smart agriculture. (ANI/WAM) Enraged over prolonged load-shedding, residents stormed the power distributor's customer care center on Abul Hassan Isphani Road in Pakistan's Karachi on Saturday, forcing the employees to flee from the spot, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. The protest turned violent as protesters shouted slogans against the power distributor K-Electric, and pelted stones at the customer care center, shattering windows. Angry residents took to the streets due to the worsening power crisis in Karachi, with people calling for an end to frequent load-shedding. The protesters blocked both sides of the road, resulting in a massive traffic jam. After the protest, the K-Electric employees fled from the office, leaving the protesters to express their anger, according to ARY News report. On Friday, people held protests in various city areas over the non-availability of electricity and water. Protesters held a sit-in at North Karachi Power House Chowrangi and Gulzar-e-Hijri Scheme 33, blocking traffic and setting tyres on fire. A large number of residents of the area near North Karachi held a protest against the load shedding of electricity, which resulted in traffic jam on both sides of the road in Nagan Chowrangi and Surjani Town, ARY News reported. The protesters called for an end to load shedding and cable faults and shouted slogans against K Electric. Meanwhile, a large number of residents of Scheme 33, PCSIR Society, Sachal area, took to the streets to hold a protest against the non-availability of water, blocking traffic and shouting slogans against the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, calling for resumption of immediate water supply. Protesters also set tyres and other objects on fire. Earlier in May, angry residents of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa restored electricity by storming into the Hazar Khawani grid station, after prolonged load-shedding led to protests amid the scorching weather, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. People in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa entered the grid station after holding a protest outside its gate with heavy police deployment to deal with any potential law and order situation. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Fazal Elahi, who led the protest, said that the elders of the area will restore electricity at the grid station. Speaking to Geo News, Elahi said that the protesters will go to all feeders and restore electricity or will cut power supply of other areas. He said, "If our electricity is cut off, everyone's electricity will be cut off." Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) officials said that Fazal Elahi and protesters surrounded and stormed into the Rehman Baba grid station. Pesco officials further said that the protesters forcibly switched on nine high-loss feeders, including Yaka Tut, Hazar Khawani, Akhunabad, and Newchamkani, according to Geo News report. The officials said, "Losses due to power theft and non-payment of dues on these feeders are more than 80 per cent," adding that an operation will reduce the losses on these feeders. (ANI) A 46-year-old man was killed after being struck by a vehicle early Saturday on the Northeast Side. Douglas Sacha/Getty Images A 46-year-old man died after being struck by a vehicle Saturday morning on the Northeast Side, police said. According to a preliminary report, the man was walking southeast across the Interstate 35 North access road near OConnor Road around 10:30 a.m. when the driver of a white Honda Pilot struck him. The unidentified man was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Antonio police said there were no marked crosswalks or pedestrian light signals at the intersection. The driver of the Honda remained on the scene after the incident and cooperated with police. According to the police report, the driver showed police his phone and text records to indicate that he was not distracted at the time of the crash. Police noted he showed no other signs of impairment. Police said no criminal charges are expected in the case. A flooded southeast South Dakota road on June 21, 2024. (Courtesy of South Dakota Department of Transportation) The Department of Transportation issued a no-travel advisory this afternoon for all state highway sections in southeastern South Dakota experiencing flooding, including a blocked portion of Interstate 29. Some locations in the area received more than 5 inches of rain in the past two days, with 2 to 4 additional inches of rain in the forecast for some locations today into Saturday. The Department of Transportation said heavy rainfall and saturated ground conditions are causing widespread flooding, making travel difficult to impossible in the southeastern region. A majority of state and local routes are impassable due to standing or flowing water across the roadway, and many of the major streams and rivers will continue to rise and are not anticipated to peak until this weekend or later. A rainfall totals map published on the morning of June 21, 2024, showing totals from the prior 48 hours. (Courtesy of National Weather Service) Interstate 29 is blocked at exit 50 (Centerville) and exit 62 (Canton). An alternate route has been created in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to allow motorists to safely travel from Sioux Falls to Sioux City, and Sioux Falls to the South Dakota Highway 48 junction north of Junction City. The alternate route diverts motorists in Sioux Falls to eastbound I-90 to Worthington, Minnesota, turning south on U.S. Highway 59, turning southwest on State Route 60 through Sheldon, Iowa, and continuing south on U.S. Highway 75 from Le Mars, Iowa, to access Sioux City, Iowa. Motorists can also use Iowa State Highway 3 heading west out of Le Mars to access South Dakota Highway 48 and I-29. Its highly recommended that motorists use the alternate route, said the South Dakota Department of Transportation, as other secondary highways in the area are impassable due to high water. A map of the alternate route as well as additional flooding traveler information can be found at https://dot.sd.gov/travelers/travelers/flooding-information. Travelers can also find road condition information for the state of Iowa at https://www.511ia.org/ and the state of Minnesota at https://511mn.org/. Interstate 90 is currently open but is anticipated to close this evening as the weather system becomes stronger and rainfall increases. Areas on I-90 near Salem and Mount Vernon are significantly impacted by flooding. Travel impacts are expected to increase throughout the evening hours, with a high likelihood of rain continuing through Saturday. An additional storm system is anticipated to move into the area around 5 p.m. Central today, which will bring heavy rainfall, damaging winds, hail and possibly a tornado. Motorists can expect additional road closures if conditions continue to worsen. Motorists are reminded to respect all road closures and not drive around barricades. They should not use secondary highways to avoid road closures or highway obstructions. Driving into floodwater areas can lead to potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations. Due to the expected length of this weather event, all motorists are asked to plan their travel accordingly and not travel in southeast South Dakota if possible. Visit https://sd511.org or download the SD511 mobile app to view all current road closures, no-travel advisories and highway obstructions. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated since its initial publication with additional information about the blocked segment of I-29 and its detour. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Flooding causes no-travel advisory in southeast SD; portions of I-29 blocked appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. The heavily armed men burst through on 10 motorcycles under a dark sky, traversing dirt roads, passing mango and coconut trees to reach their destination, a small rural community of thatched roof houses inside Haitis upper rice-growing Artibonite region. Their mission: to kidnap a local teacher in Lagon. But instead of a kidnapping, the incident in the rural communities of Lagon and Grand Plaine quickly descended into a chaotic bloodbath after residents tried to fight back. Armed with nothing but their bare hands and rocks, they set up barricades, trying to block the motorcycles and thwart the abduction. When that didnt work, they threw rocks, driving the bandits into a deadly rampage. By the time the gang members finished, more than a dozen homes had been set ablaze and at least 11 people killed, said Hubert Ceneac, the mayor of the nearby commune of Gros-Morne. Among the dead was Dieubon Desrameaux, the teacher and presumed target of the gang spree. Unable to take him on the back of their bikes, the gang members dismembered his body with a machete, according to a human rights group investigating the killings. Ceneac said among the dead were a pregnant woman, pastor and a deacon. The gang-orchestrated rampage that unfolded June 14 and 15 more than two hours north of Haitis capital illustrates not just the rampant violence engulfing the country, but its deadly expansion into once quiet communities. Haitians fleeing the kidnappings and violence in Port-au-Prince now find themselves left to fend for themselves in the absence of police patrols and outside help. People feel that they are not living, said Ceneac. For the first time in their history, they are living in a situation where they are prisoners in their own country, they are prisoners in their own communities, they cannot move, they cant evacuate, they feel exposed. Since last year, United Nations officials have been sounding the alarm about the rise of violence in the countrys rural outskirts, while calling for the rapid deployment of a police force from Kenya to help Haiti battle the gangs. Even before the latest gang assaults forced the displacement of more than 100,000 people from Port-au-Prince and led to a months-long shutdown of the main international airport and seaport, the situation was described as cataclysmic by the global agencys top human-rights expert. Gang terror spreads beyond capital The incident in Lagon shows that after the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, the Artibonite is the biggest target for gangs, said Samuel Madistin, a Port-au-Prince lawyer and human rights advocate. There is a need for the Artibonite to figure in the plan to dismantle the gangs. Madistin said several communes in the region, considered the breadbasket of the country, are controlled by criminal armed groups. These include the communities of Petit Riviere de lArtibonite, Lestere, Gros Morne and Tele-Nueve, where the killings unfolded in the dead of night. It is impossible for the farmers to work and harvest what is planted today in the Artibonite, he added. Schools do not function in many places, the rural economy is degraded, he said. He added that he hopes the Kenyan police force, known as the Multinational Security Support mission, sends cops to the provinces. In a recently published report on Haitis security crisis, the Boston-based Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti said farmers, especially those in the Artibonite Valley, are among the marginalized groups in the country who are vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. In the case of the Artibonites peyizan, Creole for farmers, they are being forced to pay taxes to water their crops by gangs reportedly controlling irrigation systems and diverting irrigation canals, the group said. As a result, many peyizan have been forced to abandon their land, the report noted. Attacks highlights challenges new government faces The timing of the latest criminal attack in the Artibonite underscores not just the rise of gang violence with the new alliances that have paralyzed much of the capital, but of the challenges facing the new transitional government and the armed international force. The incident is raising fears among some experts that as the force prepares to deploy, those communities could become a casualty as bandits flock there for refuge. The gangs killing spree did not happen right away. After arriving in Lagon late Friday, the bandits went to the home of Desrameaux, the teacher, and spoke to his wife . They said they were taking him somewhere, Ceneac said. She wanted to go too, and told them her husband wasnt leaving without her. They threatened the wife and then they left with him by force. As the gang was leaving, some of the towns residents attempted to stop the abduction. The residents didnt have anything in their hands, said the mayor, adding that the heavily armed gang members then opened fire on the residents. The killings spread from Lagon, where gang members returned after being unable to get through barricades, to Grand Plaine. Audalbert Norvilus, who lives in Grand Plaine, 12 miles from the center of Gros Morne, said the gang members first passed through around 9:30 p.m. Friday to get to Lagon. They returned around 3 a.m. and killed four people in the community while setting fire to 18 homes belonging to a dozen families. Several people were injured, including a baby who is currently hospitalized. During the time between the gang members passing and their return, Norvilus, a member of the Association des Originaires de Grand Plaine (Association of Natives of Grand Plaine), said he and other community leaders frantically tried to reach the local police commissioner. After writing him at 11 p.m. he responded to us at 9 a.m., he said. Between 3 and 3:30 a.m., gang members were setting fires and killing people in Grand Plaine, Norvilus said. Police wouold have had time to set a trap for the gangs, but never showed up, he said. There was no police before, during or after the attacks, he added. Norvilus said since the rampage there has been no presence of authorities.... The people who died, they were buried without the presence of authorities. A spokesperson for the Haiti National Police could not be reached for comment. On Friday, Haiti welcomed a new head of its national police, Rameau Normil. Normil previously served 15 months as police chief before he was ousted in November 2020 over the lack of results in combating gangs. During his swearing-in, where he declined to shake hands the hands of his predecessor, Frantz Elbe, Normil promised, among other things, to put an end to the gang terror. Armed and criminal gangs will be neutralized and dismantled, he said. Normil will need to instill hope in a force increasingly being targeted by gangs, and will need to work with the seven-nation security force led by Kenya. The forces. operational plans have been kept under wraps. Haiti, which under Elbe and the previous government negotiated the rules of engagement between the countries taking part in the mission, hasnt provided details on how the foreign cops and Haitian police officers will team up to battle the gangs. Security experts openly question the impact of the police mission, given its relatively small size. The force will be made up of about 2,500 personnel. By comparison, the last U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti had as many as 6,700 troops. The multinational mission, approved in October, has been hobbled by legal challenges, funding shortfalls and changing leadership in Haiti. Though Kenyan President William Ruto, who recently met with Haitis new leaders, has been insisting that his troops will go to HJaiti, there have been protests in Nairobi against the deployment. On Friday, the U.N. Security Council got a private briefing on the mission at the request of the U.S. and Ecuador, which wrote the resolution supporting the deployment. Hope and skepticism The gang members reportedly responsible for the carnage in the Artibonite Valley operate in the nearby community of Tibwadom and are an offshoot of the Kokorat San Ras gang. One of the regions most violent criminal groups, the Kokorat San Ras gang was recently highlighted by a U.N. panel of experts in a report to help guide the Security Councils decisions on sanctions. The gang, experts said, commits murders, kidnappings, rapes and attacks on farmers land and livestock. In its 62-page report, the experts provided photos of the gangs torture of kidnapping victims that were so gruesome they didnt allow the public to see them. On Thursday, the Canadian government sanctioned one of the leaders of Kokorat San Ras, Ferdens Tilus, along with three other Haitian gang leaders for gross and systematic human rights violations. Tilus, 28, goes by the name Jeneral Meyer and Jeneral Meye. Ceneac, the Gros-Morne mayor, said the people of the region have placed a lot of faith in the arrival of the Kenya-led force. But like others, he wonders about whether they will have a presence outside the capital. The public feels that the [police] cannot respond to the actions of the bandits, and they are thirsty for help. They are waiting for... the arrival of the multinational security support force, he said. All of their hope is there, because they believe that it is the force that is going to give them a new lease on life. Norvilus, the resident and community leader, is more skeptical about the multinational mission. The international force is coming to do what? he said. When you chase [the gangs] in the capital, they are going to come and seek refuge in the provinces, and the problem will just change location. Insights from DW, El Pais, Associated Press, and Telemundo The News Honduras announced new measures to tackle organized crime, including the building of a megaprison that could host up to 20,000 inmates, doubling the countrys current prison capacity. The plan also includes holding mass trials and labeling gang members as terrorists. Honduras President Xiomara Castro placed the country in a state of emergency in December 2022, giving the government more power and suspending parts of the Constitution, in an effort to curb the gangs dominance over parts of the country, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Plan echoes El Salvadors zero-tolerance approach to violent gangs Sources: DW, El Pais, Semafor, GORSTRA Honduras megaprison plan and broader crackdown on violent crime closely resembles that of neighboring El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele. Bukeles tough-on-crime strategy has led to a drop in murder numbers and a rise in his approval rates. Other Latin American countries like Ecuador have attempted to follow the Bukele plan, and the president of Honduras reportedly met him in early June to discuss his successful measures. But human rights groups say Bukeles approach has led to widespread human rights abuses, and in Honduras, has proven largely unsuccessful so far, with gangs and drug-trafficking groups still controlling large swathes of the country, El Pais reported. Environmentalists oppose controversial Honduran Alcatraz plan Sources: El Pais, Telemundo, Associated Press The new megaprison project in Honduras follows another 2023 plan for a maximum-security detention center a Honduran Alcatraz to be built on a remote island off the coast of the country to imprison gang leaders. El Pais characterized it as a desperate measure from the government to try and curb violence, and the plan also drew criticism from biologists over its potential environmental impact on the island, an uninhabited and diverse ecosystem that was designated as a protected territory. The government recently claimed they had obtained the required environmental permits to go forward with the island prison. Inmate violence at megaprisons raises questions about their effectiveness Sources: Associated Press, El Faro, InSight Crime Other megaprisons across Latin America housing thousands of inmates see violence, riots, and the dominance of gangs, InSight Crime wrote, raising questions about the effectiveness of such detention facilities in combating violence. One Latin America expert predicted last year that this could likely happen in Honduras: A new prison is quite useless if you dont first regain control of the others you already have, he told the Associated Press. Criminal gangs have shown throughout their history that they can adapt. A wave of violence in a womens prison last summer that resulted in the death of 46 inmates prompted El Faro to describe it as another episode in the tradition of death in Honduran prisons. Thursday marked 100 days until the Virginia 10-miler and runners celebrated with a fun run. The 10-miler will mark its 50th year on Sept. 28. The challenging course that winds through Lynchburg's midtown brings out elite athletes and casual runners alike for the course that runs up Langhorne Road to Rivermont Avenue before looping around back to E.C. Glass High School. NARA, Jun 22 (News On Japan) - In July two years ago, former Prime Minister Abe was shot and killed. It has been revealed that the man accused in the incident said he 'did not expect the situation to become what it is now.' The defense team of Tetsuya Yamagami, 43, who has been indicted for murder and other charges, revealed on June 21st that Yamagami said he 'did not expect the situation to become what it is now' following the incident's exposure of issues related to the Unification Church and second-generation religious followers. Furthermore, Yamagami commented on the widespread awareness of the plight of second-generation religious followers, stating, 'I don't know if this has been good or bad for them.' Nearly two years have passed since the incident, but there is no indication of when Yamagami's trial will begin. Source: ANN TOKYO, Jun 23 (News On Japan) - Voice actor Toru Furuya has announced his resignation from his roles in the anime series 'Detective Conan' as Amuro Tooru and 'One Piece' as Sabo following revelations of an affair with a woman 37 years his junior. On June 22, Furuya's agency issued an apology on its official website, stating, 'After extensive discussions with Furuya regarding his recent misconduct, we have decided that it is in the best interest of both the productions and the characters to request his resignation from the roles of Amuro Tooru in "Detective Conan" and Sabo in "One Piece." We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused.' Furuya also released a personal statement, saying, 'I sincerely apologize for the trouble and concern my selfish actions have caused. I have decided, after much deliberation, that stepping down from my roles in "Detective Conan" and "One Piece" is the only way I can atone for the damage done to the characters and the series. I deeply regret any distress caused to the fans and those involved in the productions. I am truly sorry.' Furuya had previously admitted to an extramarital affair with a woman 37 years his junior, which included allegations of an abortion and assault. These revelations were reported by Bunshun Online on May 22, leading to his public apology. Source: ANN TOKYO, Jun 23 (News On Japan) - The 24-hour unmanned sweets shops have gained immense popularity, expanding to 98 stores nationwide in just a year and a half. What is the secret behind their success? We spoke with the 29-year-old founder and CEO to find out. The recently opened 24 Sweets Shop in Hiratsuka offers a variety of famous sweets from across Japan. Inside the store's frozen cases, you can find everything from shortcake from Tokushima to jarred mitarashi dango from Fukui, with prices ranging from 200 yen to over 1000 yen. Customers can purchase their desired sweets through a self-checkout system. I come here often to buy sweets for myself or as gifts. It's great that the store is open 24 hours, especially for late-night cravings, said a customer. The items here are really photogenic too. Shoya Kubota, the 29-year-old CEO, founded the first store in his hometown of Hiroshima in January last year. Since then, the chain has rapidly expanded to 98 stores, with sales increasing ninefold compared to a year ago. Kubota's approach focuses on creating an inviting atmosphere that appeals to social media users. 'We incorporate elements like neon lights to create a space that people want to share on social media, he explained. Before venturing into unmanned sweets shops, Kubota ran construction and security companies. The idea for 24-hour unmanned sales came from his company officer's mother, who often bought sweets online but faced issues with high prices and limited availability. Kubota saw a business opportunity in offering a wide selection of sweets available 24/7. The response to our first store was overwhelming, with over 200 customers on the first day alone, Kubota recalled. He also emphasized the benefits of an unmanned business model, which reduces labor costs and operational expenses. The 24 Sweets Shop differentiates itself by offering a constantly changing selection of over 40 to 50 types of sweets at any given time. Initially, it was challenging to source products as suppliers were hesitant. But now, thanks to media coverage, suppliers are approaching us, Kubota said. Currently, the company collaborates with about 80 suppliers, offering around 700 to 800 products. Kubota plans to release 200 new products annually to keep the offerings fresh and exciting. Kubota's goal is to expand to 500 stores within five years. He believes that constant product rotation is crucial for sustaining customer interest. We plan to source products not only from Japan but also from places like South Korea, which is known for innovative trends, he added. The shops' higher-priced sweets, compared to convenience store offerings, cater to customers seeking unique and Instagram-worthy items. Kubota envisions his stores as places people visit for special occasions rather than everyday purchases. The unmanned model has also attracted franchisees, with some stores generating impressive sales, such as 20 million yen in the first month. Franchise owners, like the CEO of a machinery manufacturing company in Aichi Prefecture, appreciate the business model's low labor requirements. The key to success is the location. Stores in suburban areas with parking facilities perform better than those in city centers, noted a franchise owner. As the business grows, Kubota remains focused on his core strategy: maintaining a dynamic and appealing product lineup. We want customers to always find something new and exciting when they visit our stores, he said. Kubota's dedication to innovation and customer engagement is driving the rapid expansion of 24 Sweets Shops across Japan. Source: TBS A woman in her 20s has been detained in connection to the shooting death of a 30-year-old man early Saturday. Dave Thompson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images Police have charged a woman with the death of her boyfriend, who was shot and killed early Saturday inside a West Side apartment. Shortly before 2 a.m., San Antonio police responded to a shooting in progress in the 8800 block of Timber Path. Upon arrival, officers found a man lying on the sidewalk and bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound. The 30-year-old man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police said his girlfriend, Alexis Salazar, 24, first told police they had been outside when an unknown person approached the victim and shot him. A group of Canadian nationals originating from the restive and independence seeking Kabylie complained of harassment by Algerian intelligence and consular services in the country, Radio Canada reported. Kabylie is an Amazigh speaking breakaway region in northern Algeria which has a government in exile led by Ferhat Mhenni. Members of the regions independence movement, known as MAK, have been labeled as terrorists and thrown in jail in cham trials, forcing many activists into exile. In Canada, several Kabyles have been intimidated by Algerian diplomats and intelligence services for their alleged ties to MAK. Radio Canada zoomed in on many such stories, including that of Kamal Sehaki an artist and cameraman in Montreal. Sehaki said that any member who has ties to MAK should brace for trouble with the Algerian regime, which follows them even in Canada! Sehaki said he received a call from an Algerian diplomat asking to meet him and saying the Algerian government would help him move forward in his musical career. When Sehaki met the Algerian agent, most of the conversation was about MAK as he was threatened to stop attending or filming MAK events. Sehaki said he was a cameraman and filming was his job adding that the Algerian agent showed him pictures of himself filming with exact dates. Afterwards, he named two people. They are friends that I meet here in Canada. We come from the same village. He told me: these friends you have to stop meeting them for good because they are MAK activists, he said. Sehaki was also asked to sign a document promising to stay away from MAK in exchange for letting him visit Kabylie, an offer which he said he refused obviously. Head of the oldest Kabyle association in Canada, Centre Aqvayli, Kamel Serbouh said a climate of fear grips the kabylian community in Montreal because of Algerias intimidation. Many Canadian Kabyles are being interrogated once landing in an Algerian airport he said. Morocco rejected the foreign interferences in the domestic affairs of Sahel countries, which do not need a tutor in managing their internal issues. The remark was made by foreign minister Nasser Bourita following talks in Rabat with his Burkinabe peer Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore. Bourita denounced meddling by some European countries as well as a country that shares a part of the borders with Sahel countries. The allusion points to French and Algeria whose relations worsened with Sahel countries in recent months. With their men and skills, Sahel countries are capable of settling their own issues, Bourita said. Morocco is more concerned about the regions stability, he said, noting that a Sahel that lives in chaos is a threat to its population and neighborhood. Stability is at the heart of the vision of his majesty the King for the region, he said. Democratic transition is necessary and it is up to the elites of the Sahel countries to find their way through, he said. Morocco is against interference in the Sahel, against condescending policies and against the actions of those who think having borders with Sahel gives them the right to blackmail, he said. Unfortunately, these are not only visions by European countries. Even in the Sahels neighborhood, there are countries that think they can deal with the Sahel through blackmail in order to solve their own problems at the expense of stability in the Sahel, Bourita said. Moroccos policy is that of supporting instead of substitution, he said, noting that Sahel countries are well-placed to solve their own problems. Algerias president Abdelmadjid Tebboune was invited to the latest G7 summit held in Italy due to the pressure exerted by French President Emmanuel Macron, says a London-based think-tank in its latest report. If, as expected, French party Rassemblement National (RN) wins upcoming snap parliamentary elections and takes control of the government, it will almost certainly recognize Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara, affirms Menas Associates, which provides intelligence to decision-makers. The far-right government will also cancel the key 1968 Franco-Algerian treaty which created a special status for Algerian nationals in terms of movement, residence, and employment in France, making the Algerian regime and their French protectors, especially those of the centrist Renaissance party, extremely nervous. After suffering a crushing defeat of his party in the European Parliament elections, M. Macron called for a snap legislative vote to take place on June 30 and July 7. Tebounes last-minute invitation to attend the G7 summit, which was celebrated by Algerian-state media as a diplomatic achievement, was arranged by President Macron following the results of the European Parliament elections on June 9, says the British think-tank. The upcoming elections are likely to have serious consequences for French-Algerian relations and the remaining three years of Macrons presidency. On the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, Tebboune met Macron. While it was publicized and commented extensively by the Algerian media, the Elysee did not immediately publish any photo or comment on it. No official French source discussed or published anything about their encounter, say the experts of Menas Associates. Eventually there was a press release from the Elysee but the smoke and mirrors statement fooled no-one into believing it because talks between the two presidents are believed to have focused on Frances legislative elections and their implications for Algeria. If the RN wins the majority of the votes and takes control of the government, it will have severe consequences because the party of Marine le Pen is known for its hostility towards Algeria. A victory of RN would also affect Tebbounes state visit to Paris and complicate further an already difficult bilateral relationship, say the British analysts. Tebboune therefore wants to obtain reassurances from Macron about the possible impacts on bilateral relations. For his part, the French President, who is very aware of the Algerian diasporas electoral weigh, expects the Algerian regime to encourage its expatriates to vote against the far right in the forthcoming elections. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images During an X Spaces event earlier this week, Martin Shkreli claimed that he and Barron Trump are behind a mysterious new Trump-branded cryptocurrency. If you think this sounds like a Mad Libs about some of the most controversial topics of the 21st century, youre not alone. But is it true? Lets investigate. A Trump-themed memecoin was registered on the Solana blockchain platform earlier this week. The coins value quickly shot up more than 385 percent, generating more than $363 million in trading volume, following rumors that Donald Trumps 18-year-old son was behind it. As The New Republic explained, a hefty reward was offered to anyone who could figure out who was really responsible for the DJT token, which led convicted former hedge-fund manager Shkreli to speak up: It wasnt long before Arkham Intelligence, a data analytics firm, promised a $150 thousand bounty to anyone who discovered who was behind the asset. Within hours, blockchain sleuth ZachXBT posted a series of screenshots to X, formerly Twitter, claiming that hed cracked it: The token was invented by the infamous Pharma Bro himself Shkreli sent a series of DMs to ZachXBT in which he claimed that he and Trumps youngest son were behind the coin. I have over 1000 pieces of evidence, I created it with Barron, read one message. For those who are confused and need additional context. Earlier today Arkham announced a $150K bounty for the identity of the DJT creator 11:49 pm UTC I reply to Arkham saying I submitted for the bounty 11:57 pm UTC Martin Shkreli panic DMs me 12:27 am UTC Martin Shkreli pic.twitter.com/pKCQDOo7AZ ZachXBT (@zachxbt) June 19, 2024 Shkreli elaborated during a live X Space event on Wednesday, saying that he had originally been approached by a friend of Barrons and that Trumps son was on the 40-to-50-person team behind the coin. The so-called Pharma Bro said he had formed a friendship with Barron and even advised him on where to go to college. Were friends; he wants to make money, Shkreli said during the event. Its unclear whats actually going on here, and not just because the whole crypto world is fairly shady and confusing. Shkreli has yet to produce any of these 1,000 pieces of evidence that prove Barrons involvement. And hes not the most trustworthy source: The former pharmaceuticals CEO was once dubbed the most hated man in America after jacking up the price of a life-saving drug by 5,000 percent; he was convicted of securities fraud in 2017 and served more than six years in federal prison. Yet this is a pretty weird story to make up. While the office of Melania Trump quickly shot down a recent report that Barron would be a delegate to the Republican National Convention, it has yet to confirm or deny this far wilder story about the former presidents youngest. Both of Barrons parents have dabbled in blockchain-based moneymaking schemes: Melania has released several NFT ornament collections, and Donald put out two batches of NFT trading cards. So perhaps Barron is just looking for a way to join the family business. DJT crypto certainly beats selling T-shirts emblazoned with his mug shot. Trump cant be trusted to keep his hands off reproductive rights past Election Day. Photo: Scott Olso/Getty Images Donald Trump is trying very hard to convey the impression that abortion policy wont be on the table during the second-term administration he hopes to begin next January. As he repeatedly says, the reversal of Roe v. Wade that his Supreme Court nominations made possible leaves abortion policy up to the States, where, he hilariously claims, all legal scholars, both sides, wanted and, in fact, demanded it be determined. Problem solved, lets move on, right? What really happened is that Trump has grasped two important facts: (1) the winds of public opinion are blowing very hard against abortion restrictions, making this a very bad issue for his 2024 candidacy, and (2) any federal legislation banning abortion nationally isnt going to happen as long as the Senate filibuster exists, which Senate Republicans are strongly disinclined to do anything about. So he might as well act as though its not an issue until hes in office. But if and when he is, theres no particular reason to assume hell sustain his hands-off posture. Thats true not just because Trump is a habitual liar, or even because he would undoubtedly have other fish to fry (you know, like pursuing vengeance against his political enemies). Its because there are some strategies for restricting abortion that dont require legislation. Indeed, theres one strategy that can be rationalized as simply enforcing a law thats already on the books. That would be the 1873 Comstock Act, an all-but-forgotten bit of Victorian legislation that is receiving new and unsavory attention from forced-birth advocates, as the KFF explains: The Comstock Act an 1873 anti-vice law banning the mailing of obscene matter and articles used to produce abortion could be used by a future presidential administration opposed to abortion rights to sharply restrict abortion nationwide. A literal interpretation of the Act could potentially also apply to materials used to produce all abortions, not just medication abortions; would not have exceptions; and could affect other medical care, such as miscarriage management Anti-abortion organizations have asked federal courts to interpret the Comstock Act as a ban on the mailing and distribution of mifepristone one of two drugs in the medication-abortion regimen. While former President Trump has not publicly endorsed the enforcement of the Comstock Act, enforcement of the law has been outlined as a strategy recommended by conservative and anti-abortion leadership. The recent Supreme Court decision rejecting a challenge to the distribution of abortion medications turned on procedural grounds and didnt reach the Comstock Act interpretation. But a Justice Department seeking to impose abortion restrictions as a matter of enforcing Comstock could be a different matter. And as New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg notes, thats exactly what the people planning a second Trump administration are recommending to him: The 920-page blueprint for a second Trump administration created by Project 2025, a coalition of conservative organizations, calls for enforcing Comstocks criminal prohibitions against using the mail widely understood to include common carriers like UPS and FedEx to provide or distribute abortion pills. Some MAGA legal minds believe that Comstock could also be wielded to prevent the mail from transporting tools used in surgical abortions. We dont need a federal ban when we have Comstock on the books, Jonathan F. Mitchell, a crusading anti-abortion lawyer who represented Trump before the Supreme Court this year, [explained] in February. In taking that advice (backed by the leadership of Trumps avid conservative Christian constituency), a 47th President Trump could simply claim hes enforcing existing laws governing interstate commerce, not interfering with state prerogatives on the legality of abortion generally. And why wouldnt he? At that point, Trump would be in his final term of office, drifting toward his 80s, and happy to antagonize the liberals who tried to stop his 2024 comeback. This possibility is motivating Senate Democrats, led by Minnesotas Tina Smith, to push for a repeal of the abortion provisions of the Comstock Act, as the Washington Post reports: There is a very clear, well-organized plan afoot by the MAGA Republicans to use Comstock as a tool to ban medication abortion, and potentially all abortions, said Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), who on Thursday introduced legislation to repeal the Comstock Acts abortion provisions. My job is to take that tool away Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 17 other Senate Democrats have signed on to the legislation, according to Smiths office. Reps. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) introduced companion legislation in the House, and in an interview Balint said she believed House Democratic leaders support the effort. Because Republicans control the House and have also been willing to filibuster any and all reproductive-rights legislation, this is a classic messaging bill designed to draw election-year lines between the parties. In this case, though, the additional purpose is to raise awareness of Team Trumps plans for use of the Comstock Act so as to build resistance to them before its too late. Perhaps Trump will deploy his time and resources on other conservative objectives, but it would not be wise to bet on it. . Trump has repeatedly threatened to weaponize the power of the presidency to target Joe Biden and his family. I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family, he said after one of his indictments in 2023. Trump insists that the Bidens are guilty of various crimes, including corruption, and he makes it clear that prosecuting them will be revenge for the various cases against him since leaving office. This talk has intensified from Trump and his allies since he was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records by a New York jury in the Stormy Daniels hush-money trial. Look, when this election is over, based on what theyve done, I would have every right to go after them, and it would be easy because its Joe Biden, because its Joe Biden, and you see all the criminality, all of the money thats going into the family and him, Trump told Sean Hannity in an interview in early June. The development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has hit many hurdles since it was initially proposed in 2013. There was great optimism around connecting Uganda with Tanzania to export crude from Ugandas oilfields via the Port of Tanga, Tanzania on the Indian Ocean, but construction has been stalled due to widespread opposition to the project. Many investors have been forced to pull out, leading many to ask whether the project would ever get off the ground. However, EACOP has recently attracted new funding and TotalEnergies continues to be committed to developing the pipeline. The development of EACOP is aimed at connecting the Tilenga oilfield operated by TotalEnergies, and Kingfisher operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), with the Port of Tanga in Tanzania. This would help landlocked Uganda to export its crude supplies internationally. Although oil was discovered in Uganda 17 years ago, oilfield development has been slow as there is currently no easy way to export its crude production. If developed, EACOP would be the longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline in the world, measuring 1,443 km. Until recently, EACOP had $2 billion in funding from the oil companies developing the project but required a further $3 billion to ensure its completion. Several funders backed out in recent years due to repeated delays and widespread opposition to the project, largely due to environmental reasons. Shareholders of EACOP include TotalEnergies, CNOOC, the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), and the Tanzanian Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). Year after year, Total and CNOOC have committed to start construction on the pipeline and yet no building has commenced. This is largely because of investment uncertainties, with many commercial banks, such as JPMorgan Chase and BNP Paribas, having opted out of financing EACOP. Over 20 major insurance companies, such as Aegis, Canopius and Britam, have also said that they will not get involved with the project. This has left the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Standard Banks Ugandan subsidiary, Stanbic, with the job of looking for new investors to ensure EACOP goes ahead after more than a decade of planning. This month, South Africas Standard Bank announced it would be providing $5 billion in funding for the development of EACOP. This came as a surprise to many considering the long list of banks refusing to get involved in the project after the European Parliament passed a resolution opposing the project in 2022. Nonetheless, the governments of both Uganda and Tanzania hope to complete the project by December 2025. Nonkululeko Nyembezi, the chair of Standard Bank, stated We have completed our internal governance process and the environmental and social due diligence, which was a lengthy undertaking. Nyembezi added, We have all the lenders. There is complete commitment from the sponsors of the oil projects to see it through. TotalEnergies, which holds the majority stake in EACOP, says that it is acting transparently and hopes to complete the EACOP project with support from the two countries. The Lake Albert region in Uganda has over an estimated one billion barrels of crude reserves, which the Ugandan government wants to develop through the Tilenga and Kingfisher production projects. Total acknowledges that the Tilenga and EACOP projects are situated in a sensitive social and environmental context and require land acquisition programmes with close attention to the rights of the affected communities. Nonetheless, the French oil major believes it can develop EACOP for the export of Ugandan crude in a thoughtful manner. However, many environmentalists and citizens of Uganda and Tanzania continue to oppose EACOP. Activists warn that the development of EACOP will devastate thousands of peoples livelihoods in Uganda and will exacerbate the global climate crisis. Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlights that once complete EACOP will have dozens of well pads, hundreds of kilometres, camps and other infrastructure, and a 1,443-kilometer pipeline, which will destroy vast amounts of land and the displacement of over 100,000 people. While TotalEnergies has offered compensation to those who would be displaced by the project, a recent HRW report suggests the project has suffered from multiyear delays in paying compensation and inadequate compensation. The planned route of the EACOP includes sensitive ecosystems, including protected areas and internationally significant wetlands, posing threats to biodiversity and ecosystems that local communities depend on for their sustenance, according to HRW. In addition, following several years of delays, many environmentalists worry that starting such an immense fossil fuel project now goes against international climate aims. After more than a decade of delays and controversy, TotalEnergies has finally attracted the funding needed to go ahead with its major EACOP project, with support from the governments of Uganda and Tanzania. However, there continues to be widespread local and international opposition to the project, with huge concerns over the displacement of tens of thousands of people, environmental degradation and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the project. These challenges will not make it easy to complete EACOP, even with a massive new investment from South Africas Standard Bank. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Rolls-Royce has cemented its status as a darling of the London Stock Exchange after its value passed 40bn for the first time ever. The Derby-headquartered aerospace giant has seen its share price soar like almost no other London-listed company since its low point during the Covid-19 pandemic. Spearheaded by its relatively new CEO, Tufan Erginbilgic, Rolls-Royces shares passed the valuation milestone after rising to more than 485p each. Erginbilgic took up his role with the business at the start of 2023 when the share price was 93p and has overseen its remarkable rise. In May, Rolls-Royce reaffirmed its full-year guidance for profit and cash flow as booming travel demand saw flying hours for its engines return to pre-pandemic levels. In a trading update, Rolls-Royce said large engine flying hours had hit 100 per cent of 2019 levels in the four months to 30 April, driven by recovery in international travel to Asia and its growing fleet. Large engine flying hours are forecast to hit 100 to 110 per cent of 2019 levels this financial year, Rolls added, alongside a target of 500 to 550 OE (original equipment) deliveries. At the time, Deutsche Bank analysts said they believed the evolution of large engine flying hours will be key to assessing the companys performance as the turnaround under its chief executive, Tufan Erginbilgic, continues. The companys half-year results are expected to be revealed on August 1. By Jon Robinson via CityAM More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: On the upper floors of the Tower Life Building, aggressive-looking dragon ornaments peacefully coexist with expressive human faces. Bob Owen Gothic revival elements of the Tower Life exterior include gargoyles technically grotesques, as these dont actually carry water away from the building. Cast-stone dragons adorn the 23rd and 29th floors; terra-cotta human faces grace some lower floors of the buildings exterior. Courtesy Ed Cross Gothic revival elements of the Tower Life exterior include gargoyles technically grotesques, as these dont actually carry water away from the building. Cast-stone dragons adorn the 23rd and 29th floors; terra-cotta human faces grace some lower floors of the buildings exterior. Courtesy Ed Cross Tall windows surrounding the 28th floor of the Tower Life Building include views of other landmarks such as the Tower of the Americas and Alamodome. Courtesy Photo Part of the former Sears store that occupied the lower floors will be redeveloped as retail and restaurant space. Courtesy Photo Letter boxes like this one conveyed tenants mail from each office floor to the lobby of the Tower Life building. Courtesy Photo As one of the owners of the Tower Life building, we are trying to get the details on the big dragon gargoyles on the top of the building. Do you know who conceived them and where they were made? I spoke to the original terra-cotta manufacturer, Boston Valley, about them. They did all the other terra cotta on the building but have no records of these particular gargoyles. We have a longtime building engineer who thinks they were conceived by a local San Antonio artist, but he isnt sure who made them. I thought they were downspouts, but no, just ornamental. Ed Cross Advertisement Article continues below this ad As ornamental features that dont actually conduct water away from the building, the architectural term for both the expressive human faces and the snarling dragons that adorn the Gothic Revival tower would be grotesques. Local architecture firm Ayres & Ayres went to Boston Valley in New York state for the faces placed on the exterior walls starting with the lower floors of the 30-story building but found a source closer to home for the larger snarling animals that project from the upper floors. That was Harvey Perrins Southern Cement company, according to Paul Kahl Jr., who has researched the work of local artisan Hannibal Pianta (1875-1937), known for his cast-concrete artwork art stone in his advertisements and building trimmings in the San Antonio city directory for Thomas Jefferson High School and other structures. Gothic revival elements of the Tower Life exterior include gargoyles technically grotesques, as these dont actually carry water away from the building. Cast-stone dragons adorn the 23rd and 29th floors; terra-cotta human faces grace some lower floors of the buildings exterior. Courtesy Ed Cross As Southern Cement Products Co. at 2807 W. Houston St., Perrins business was established in 1924, when the companys name first appears on building permits. His U.S. census records for 1910, 1920 and 1930 show him rising in the building trades, from carpenter to construction supervisor to manager of a cast-stone manufactury, or producer of molded concrete as building material. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ayres & Ayres probably became acquainted with Perrins company when the firms founder, Atlee B. Ayres, worked on a project that didnt come to fruition. Ayres whose son Robert was lead architect on the Smith-Young Tower (now Tower Life building) was a member of a committee promoting the erection of a memorial arch on Alamo Plaza, says the San Antonio Light, Oct. 23, 1925. The Tower Life building at 310 South St. Marys St. will be converted from office space into apartments. William Luther, Staff / Staff At that time, the elder Ayres announced that this committee of the Fiesta Association had commissioned a model of the proposed arch, certain of a large public backing for its building, which would cost an estimated $40,000 to be built on Alamo Plaza at East Crockett Street. When completed, the model was to be brought before the City Commission (now council). Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was a miniature arch, planned by Ayres & Ayres with materials (plaster of Paris or cement for molded decorations) donated by Southern Cement and worked out in the model by Charles Covey, whos found in the 1926 city directory as a modeler for the company. The sign for a Sears, Roebuck & Co. store can be seen in this early 1930s photo of the Smith-Young Tower (now Tower Life building). When the building opened in 1929, the department store occupied its first six floors. Sears moved in 1938 to a larger, newly built store in Romana Plaza. UTSA Special Collections Although Mayor John W. Tobin expressed approval of the plans for an 80-foot, white stone arch with bronze tablets bearing the names of war heroes, says the San Antonio Express, Nov. 8, 1925, it was never built. A photograph with this story shows an arch similar in design to New Yorks Washington Square Arch, but with less ornamentation. Also in the picture is Covey, a cheerful-looking young man shown in suit and tie, holding a chisel to the model, which was displayed in one of the South Alamo Street windows of Joske Bros. (department store, covered here Dec. 20, 2009; Sept. 21, 2013; and Sept. 27, 2016). Southern Cement last appears in the 1931 city directory. The company didnt survive the Great Depression, Kahl said, as the need to cut costs and trends toward more streamlined architecture cut demand for building decorations. Perrin went on to become a successful construction supervisor for some big projects, such as Baptist Memorial Hospital in 1951 and a 156,000-square-foot Sears store on the South Side in 1956. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Major makeover With the Tower of the Americas, the Tower Life Building dominates the San Antonio skyline. The first was the theme structure of HemisFair 68, in the tradition of 20th-century worlds fairs; while the older tower was unofficially the theme structure of 1920s visions of prosperity and growth for San Antonio. A late 1920s advertising poster for the Smith-Young Tower touts the Smith-Young Tower, center; Plaza Hotel, lower left; and Federal Reserve building, lower right, among building accomplishments of the Smith Bros. Properties Co. Courtesy Ed Cross While researching this column, I had two opportunities to visit the Tower Life building once with Brent Salter of Amigo Walking Tours, followed by a developers tour led by co-owner Cross. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shown under construction in the late 1920s, the Smith-Young Tower (now Tower Life building) was the tallest building west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1929. UTSA Special Collections If youve been in San Antonio long enough, and it means something to you, the Tower Life building is practically a member of the family, a tall and perhaps distant relative who appears in the background of some of your pictures photobombing, as Salter says. Now its about to get a major makeover that will leave that noble exterior mostly unchanged, while repurposing the interior from office to residential space. Some highlights of those recent tours illustrate aspects of the transformation of the building, which will respect its status on the National Register of Historic Places and restore some original Smith-Young features. At the same time, the renovation will open the building to the River Walk, which didnt exist at the time the tower first opened. TOWER TOURS: Tower Life Building tours extended through end of June With demolition of the recently vacated offices on the second through 29th floors looming, the building soon will be closed to the public. When it reopens, its expected to have 244 one- and two-bedroom apartments in 26 different floor plans for four different sections of the octagonal building. In a basement storage room with a door marked with a handwritten sign that says KEEP, there are doorknobs removed decades ago during ownership and name changes remember the Pan American Building and the Transit Tower? including boxes of ornate doorknobs, with the SYT monogram of the Smith-Young Tower. An original doorknob with the Smith-Young Tower logo was found with others in storage at what is now the Tower Life building. The doorknobs will be used in the conversion of offices to apartments. Courtesy photo They cant be used on the new apartment doors because handles are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, but theyll be featured on the wall next to each door, alongside a plate inscribed with the apartment number, when the building reopens to its new residential tenants, projected for early 2026. A copy of the original Ayres & Ayres blueprints for each floor will be framed and hung next to the elevator. The elaborate interior of the Tower Life lobby is essentially unchanged from its original state when the building opened in 1929 was advertised as the Souths most prestigious address. Portal to Texas History In part of the old Sears store that occupied the first six floors of the building from 1929 to 1938, there will be retail space and restaurants. Environmental activists in Kyrgyzstan are worried about the rising potential for a disaster following the parliaments decision to resume uranium mining after a five-year hiatus. The Kyrgyz parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, earlier in June approved a government bill to lift a ban on the mining of uranium and thorium that had been in place since 2019. The new rules will go into effect after the law is signed by President Sadyr Japarov, as is widely expected soon. In pushing for a resumption of mining, the government contended that uranium production could supply a much needed financial infusion for the Kyrgyz economy, which has struggled to overcome disruption caused by the Covid pandemic and Russian sanctions. Japarov has stated the resumption of mining could create a $2 billion windfall for state coffers. We must continue to do any work that will provide even a small economic benefit to the state. Lets at least in the next 10 years reach the level of neighboring countries, Japarov has said. While casting mining as an economic imperative, the countrys leadership has promised to use new technologies in the development of deposits to safeguard operations and maintain strict environmental standards. Kyrgyzstan has a number of known uranium deposits that have not been exploited since the ban went into effect. Some of the largest deposits are found in environmentally sensitive areas, including adjacent to Lake Issyk-Kul, which is widely viewed by citizens as the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. That lifting of the mining ban is seen by some environmentalists as paving the way for a nuclear power plant in the Central Asian state. Officials are moving forward with efforts to build a reactor with the help of the Russian state-run entity, Rosatom. Kyrgyz officials have confirmed interest in building a Small Modular Reactor that could supply power for about 1 million citizens. Kyrgyzstans interest in nuclear energy is an outgrowth of global warming and climate change, which is inhibiting the countrys main generator of electricity, hydropower. The governments embrace of uranium mining and nuclear power has environmentalists on edge. The prospect of a nuclear reactor operating in a country prone to earthquakes is unsettling to many. Beyond the threats posed by a natural calamity, Kyrgyzstans poor safety record in containing the toxic consequences of mining for precious metals, including gold and uranium, is another major concern. Popular protests against environmental contamination, after all, were what prompted the government to press pause on uranium mining back in 2019. In May of this year, a group of Kyrgyzstani activists appealed to the Ministry of Environment, warning that the resumption of uranium mining could exacerbate already existing environmental challenges. They are citing figures of up to $2 billion in profits from [uranium mining], but no one is saying what the cost of restoring the destroyed lands will be, the activists wrote. Fears of new hazards and accidents arent unjustified. On June 1, an accident in the Dzhumgal district of the Naryn Region saw a Rosatom truck careen into a river. The vehicle was involved in an ongoing operation to clean up uranium tailings. Officials at the Emergency Situations Ministry said the truck in question was empty at the time of the accident. But footage circulating on the Internet appeared to contradict official accounts, seeming to show black sludge had spilled from the truck into the river. According to a report published in April by the Reuters news agency, reservoirs with large volumes of uranium tailings are contained by unstable dams. The dams experienced significant damage from landslides in 2017. Another such landslide or earthquake could cause the structures to fail threatening a possible Chernobyl-scale nuclear disaster, according to the Reuters report. Toxic waste could spread across the river network that supplies water for agricultural lands in the FerghanaValley, encompassing Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. By Ayzirek Imanaliyeva via Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Michael Coleman has reasons to like his little apartment near the heart of Dundee. Ive got some good neighbors around here that I love, said Coleman, whos 62 and disabled because of a bad back. Theres one lady who lives down on the first floor, she and her family took the place of my mom and dad, because theyre up in heaven. He can afford the $411 monthly rent he pays for his one-bedroom apartment at Underwood Tower, a public housing apartment building for senior citizens owned and managed by the Omaha Housing Authority. The utilities are paid. Colemans cat, named Millie for Colemans mother, can live with him. He would have a hard time finding a similar situation at that cost. But he also has a reason to dread his home. He can live with occasional hot water outages, stove burners that dont work right and heating that sometimes goes out. But bedbugs for years, thats too much. This is what I have to sleep on every night, Coleman said, walking into his bedroom and lifting a pillow and sheet corner to reveal mattress seams stained with dark splotches and littered with tiny dead bugs this spring. I itch at night sometimes. I cant get no sleep. Complaints from residents and advocates about pests, mold, faulty heat in winter, leaking pipes, hot water failures and other issues have led to state legislation and intense criticism of the Omaha Housing Authority and its maintenance of its properties, especially its 11 apartment towers. In interviews in their homes, Coleman and several other people who live in OHA towers described problems with their apartments and buildings and slow or faulty responses from the agency. However, several other tenants said theyre happy with their apartments and with the housing authoritys maintenance and management. OHA officials acknowledge problems, but say they are responsive to residents complaints about their living conditions and that the housing the agency provides is safe. What we are doing is we're working to achieve our mission, which is safe, quality, affordable housing for individuals and families that we serve, and we serve a very vulnerable population, said Joanie Poore, CEO of the agency. Do we do that perfectly? No, we don't. Do we do that in unsafe situations? No, we don't. The Omaha Housing Authority owns and operates public housing in the City of Omaha. That includes 11 apartment towers spread around central, South and North Omaha; the Southside Terrace Homes apartment complex in South Omaha; and scattered-site housing around the city. The agency also manages Section 8 rental assistance in the city. The housing authority receives federal funding and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Omaha mayor appoints the Omaha Housing Authority Board. 'Something needed to be done' The housing authority has been on the defensive for nearly two years, since a family took to social media to complain about an elderly relatives living conditions at Evans Tower in North Omaha. Community advocates, including Sherman Wells, amplified the familys concerns. Wells, who said he has relatives at every OHA apartment tower, went on to post videos of mold, leaks and pest infestations at several towers and scattered-site homes. He said he initially tried to work through city government and OHA channels. But then he joined the search for Levi Blake, an 80-year-old Omaha man who went missing in North Omaha in August and was found dead in May of this year. As part of Wells' search, he explored the vacant and abandoned Spencer public housing complex. The housing authority had left Spencer East to rot, leaving dangerous conditions behind. Clearly, OHA has been unchecked for so long, something needed to be done, Wells said. He and other advocates, including Cheryl Weston and Celeste Butler, pressed for action. They continue to do so. Activist Paul Feilmann, a retired mental health therapist known for conducting vigils outside the governor's residence in Lincoln, has stood outside Underwood Tower with signs for months to attract more attention to the situation. The concerns reached the Nebraska Legislature. They helped spur lawmakers to pass legislation that shakes up the composition of the housing authority Board, tightens conflict-of-interest rules for board members and prescribes a detailed process for handling and publicly reporting tenants complaints about their living conditions. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha had introduced similar measures in the prior session but they got nowhere. This year, he combined them with a bill Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced to give OHA tenants more rights in the eviction process. The legislation passed as part of LB 840, McKinneys Poverty Elimination Plan Act. McKinney, whose Legislative District 11 includes North Omaha, said the housing authority's board and management were not being responsive to tenants complaints about their living conditions. And I didnt feel like they cared about being responsive, he said. McKinney said he hopes the legislation leads to fewer people being evicted from their OHA housing and the OHA board and staff improving relations with residents. And," he hopes one day to be able to say that, "overall that the living conditions in OHA-owned properties are improved." OHA officials unsuccessfully lobbied against McKinney's and Cavanaugh's bill, contending it would make a difficult task more difficult. What the Omaha's public housing authority is doing to fix problems To be sure, providing housing to low-income, vulnerable Omahans, many of whom are elderly and disabled, is a challenging task. Poore said the housing authority has "areas where it can improve." But we also have aging infrastructure, limited finances, and a lot of complicating factors that come into play, Poore said, noting that the towers are all more than 50 years old. We are landlords. We are not assisted living or nursing home facilities. So there are limitations on things we can and can't do, especially with aging and vulnerable populations. Poore conceded that the towers have pest problems, including bedbugs. Our properties, like any properties across the city, have bugs at times, Poore said. She said pests are a problem in about 10% of OHA units, on average. The numbers are not dramatically increasing or dramatically decreasing for us, she said. The agency works with experts and follows nationally recommended pest control practices, she said. After public attention to the issue this spring, OHA consulted with a University of Nebraska extension educator who specializes in urban entomology. Poore said OHA preventatively sprays apartments monthly. The agency tailors individual plans for tenants who report problems. So if somebody has some sort of an infestation, depending on what that is, that unit is typically then treated every two weeks, Poore said. She said OHA gives tenants information about what they can do themselves and how to make sure that the treatments that we're delivering are most effective. We work hard to work right alongside tenants because we cannot address any infestation issues without tenants, Poore said. Any action that we would take alone would not address any of those issues. Some efforts at working with tenants are more successful than others, Poore said. "Some people have very strong mental health issues that are barriers," she said. "Sometimes people have physical barriers. There's a number of different things that happen." Poore said conditions in apartments, such as clutter and infested furniture that does not get thrown away, can render spraying for bugs ineffective. Asked about Colemans situation of a five-year bedbug infestation, Poore said she is not authorized to speak on a specific tenants issues. However, I can tell you that, depending on the condition of the unit, it might not be all that uncommon for someone to have a situation of that nature, she said. If you have a piece of furniture that was brought in with bedbugs or that now has an infestation, and that piece of furniture hasnt been appropriately treated. If your mattress, your sheets, I dont know how often those things are being laundered or vacuumed or cleaned. I dont know the condition of the unit. Wells called that response scapegoating. If the housing authority believes apartments have pests because tenants cant keep up with housekeeping, then the agency should help those people by connecting them to outside resources, he said. The housing authority does connect people with helpers. It has resource fairs, where people that provide services come into the towers and talk with residents. Some take applications on the spot and begin providing services within weeks, as happened this spring with a resource fair at Crown Tower in northwest Omaha. Coleman said the bedbugs came into his apartment when a generous neighbor gave him a couch five years ago, not long after he moved into his apartment. Theyve never gone away. The housing authority regularly sprays his apartment for insects, he said. He squirts his bedding and surrounding areas with rubbing alcohol. But the infestation persists. When they come in and spray, they spray here, they spray there, but they dont spray the whole apartment like theyre supposed to, Coleman said. He said he could use help with housekeeping, although he added that the laundry room in his building often does not have hot water for washing sheets. He said he has reached out to agencies for help with cleaning, but has been told that they cant come in because of the bedbugs. Hes far from alone in reporting pest issues in his OHA apartment. And bugs are far from the only problems plaguing tenants. A lot of the attention that has been focused on Underwood Tower came after a man, Hasani Lee, and his wife moved into his ailing, elderly fathers apartment there as his caretakers. The apartment was infested with bedbugs and the heat didnt work, Lee said. He has unsuccessfully sued OHA, and the agency has unsuccessfully attempted to evict him and his wife. Marty Klotz, 68, has lived at Underwood for about four years. He said his apartment got invaded by bedbugs shortly after he moved in. He got rid of them with the help of a spray he buys at a hardware store, he said, picking up a bottle he keeps handy on a counter, along with mousetraps to deal with an ongoing mouse problem. Everybody has mice, but not like here, Klotz said. Klotz said his heat went out in January and it took weeks for OHA to fix it. He got through the winter with space heaters he bought at Ace Hardware, he said. OHA officials acknowledged that some of their buildings have had heat failures. They said theyve provided space heaters until repairs can be made. They have also encountered issues where people reported their heat not working, and OHA workers returned to find the tenants windows open, which exacerbates the heating systems problems. LaTonia Freeman, who was president of the Underwood Tower residents association, said OHA started spraying for bugs every two weeks this spring. She said the bugs have remained an issue in many apartments. Mold has also been a problem, she said. Freeman said a part of her shower wall fell down, revealing mold inside the wall. She said the housing authority eventually patched the hole without doing anything about the mold. I have asthma really bad, Im jeopardizing my health, Freeman said earlier this year. My doctor wrote two letters stating that I was allergic to mold and that I needed to move. Nothing got done. Working together to make 'safe and happy' homes Some tenants said they are happy with their apartments and they have no significant problems. Jeffery Nelson, 62, lives at Underwood with his bulldog, Fats. Hes lived there about three years. He said he has no issues with pests. His heat works fine. When he reports a need for a repair, OHA workers come and make the fix, he said. Melvin Sanders, 65, has lived at Evans Tower for 2 1/2 years with his rat terrier, Mr. Cool. Sanders said he feels comfortable and safe there. "This is real beneficial to me," Sanders said. "It's close to everything in the neighborhood, like local stores, and there's no issue with a bunch of problems. I guess that comes from good management and tenants getting along with the management." A fellow Evans resident, 68-year-old Catherine Cooper, agreed. She said the building has some issues, particularly with the old plumbing, Usually, when we have a complaint, especially with the new little manager, it is seen to right away, Cooper said after a meeting of residents with the site manager, Kahla Stanley. The manager had bought donuts for the tenants and made coffee. She told the people her door is always open and her phone always on. She urged to them to let her know about any problem, and pledged to work to resolve it. "As always, we shall continue to work together to make this a safe and happy home for everybody," Stanley said. It hasnt always been that way in the nearly four years Cooper has lived there at Evans, Cooper said. She credits the new manager with improving conditions at Evans. The energy of her, she seems to relate to all individuals and see them as humans, Cooper said. I dont want to get anybody in trouble, but theres things that happened to me that wasnt right with past management, but shes like a little light. Conditions have improved at Evans in recent months, Wells said, showing that its possible with a concerted effort and management focused on people. They put a manager in there who cares about the residents, he said. She actually cares about the residents. She actually cares about their conditions. Photos: Inside Omaha's public housing Sister M. Angeline Hakel doesnt worry about tomorrow. Or the days, months and possibly years that follow. Im hoping and trusting God to get me into heaven, she said. For now, Hakel, 97, spends her days at the Servants of Mary Motherhouse, a convent situated next to Marian High School in Omaha. She tracks important social justice issues online human trafficking and abortion. She doesnt get around as she once did, she admits, so guests now come to her. Everything is much slower for me, said Hakel, who made her final vows in 1951 with the Servants of Mary, a religious order founded in France in 1845. Youd be surprised how I can make mistakes these days. But Im still learning and couldnt be more grateful. I just love the life I have. The order, which founded Marian High School, is down to 50 members in the U.S. Hakel is one of 21 Servites, as theyre called, still living in the 99-year-old convent. They are its final residents. The remaining sisters are gradually transitioning from the convent into senior living facilities. Eventually, when the communitys last member dies, it will mark the end of the orders presence in North America. I am sure all of us thought we would like to live here, make our vows here, celebrate our Jubilees here, die here, said Sister Jackie Ryan, who heads the orders leadership team. That was not going to be. The Servites story has become a common one. In 2022, there were reportedly fewer than 42,000 nuns in the United States, a 76% decline over 50 years. At the rate sisters are dying, there could be fewer than 1,000 nuns left in the United States by 2042, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Like Hakel, many of the sisters in Omaha have come to clear-eyed comfort with the future. This is what it is and what we must do, said Sister M. Peter Caito, 87, who joined the Servites in 1955 and came to the motherhouse from Michigan after 62 years of teaching. God made everything beautiful, so enjoy it. The Servites roots in the U.S. date to 1892 in Indiana. More sisters followed and the order expanded west. In 1918, the Servants of Mary established a school in the newly formed Holy Name Parish in Omaha. Two years later, the order bought 20 acres of land outside Benson. Construction soon began on their convent. In 1954, the Servites broke ground for an all-girls high school and expansion of their motherhouse. Marian High School opened one year later. Throughout the past century, Servites taught in and led Catholic schools across the country. At its peak in 1968, the orders United States-Canada-Jamaica Community had 268 members. Decades ago as their median age continued to rise the order stopped seeking new members. Besides the 50 Servites in the U.S., another seven are in Canada and two in Jamaica. Sisters in the U.S. have been asked to come to Omaha to be in fellowship as they exit the motherhouse, Ryan said. That departure involves a gradual transition to Immanuel senior living facilities. They wait for openings, with the hope that their transition will be complete by December 2026. Along with the 21 who still live in the convent, 12 live independently in houses or apartments, 10 already reside in a senior living facility and seven live elsewhere in the U.S. Sister Hakel is the oldest, while Sister Lisa Sheridan is the youngest at 62. As the sisters have aged, the order has transitioned from active to contemplative. Our ministry has become one of prayer and presence, said Sheridan. Still, coming to terms with the long-term plan took time, Ryan said. There was at first emotion grief, fear, wondering. In the course of the past two years, weve moved to: This is something we accept. When the time comes, Marian High School will assume operational ownership of the nearly 60,000-square-foot building. Marian bought the convent from the order in 2019 and will make a final payment in September. Because the Servants of Mary and Marian High School share history, Ryan said, it was the obvious decision that the convent be placed in Marians care. Marians president, Michele Ernst, said the school is grateful. It will continue to honor the Servites legacy long after they no longer have a physical presence on campus. Everything we were founded on remains, Ernst said. We have everything they dreamed of for Marian and brought to reality. Our job is to embrace that and carry it forward in their name. Marians plan is to determine by years end, after receiving input from community leaders and planning experts, how it will use the space. Whatever the outcome, Ernst said, the buildings next use must benefit Marian students and be self-sustaining. It will be a difference maker for Marian in the education space. One portion will remain untouched: the cemetery north of the convent. That is sacred space, Ernst said. Thats our history. Two hundred sisters have been buried in the cemetery. Plain white crosses mark their graves. Ryan said the cemetery serves as a visual reminder of the Servites lives of service and devotion. When I think of the cemetery, I think of courageous, faithful, compassionate women who came before us and we are standing on their shoulders. Hakel said she hopes to donate her body to a medical cause. Her ashes eventually will be buried in the cemetery. Sisters Ryan, Caito and Sheridan also plan to be buried there. Knowing where they eventually will spend their remaining time, Ryan said, is reassuring to the Servites living in Omaha. They know they have a place to go while theyre living and while theyre dying, she said. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2024 Two siblings who happen to be Christian missionaries has been Dragged to court after they refused to pay their tax to the Australian Taxation Office, saying such act goes against Gods will. The Supreme Court of Tasmania ordered Fanny Alida Beerepoot and her brother Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot on Wednesday to pay over AUD$2 million to the Australian Taxation Office after they both failed to pay $930,000 in 2017. After prosecutors showed evidence that the missionaries were served separate notices to honour their tax obligations, they argued that they belong to God who is supreme in Australia, hence paying tax to the authorities contravenes his will. We rely on the blessings we receive from God which we give to him and not to an outside entity such as the tax office. We dont own anything because we are His. Transferring our allegiance from God to the Commonwealth would mean rebelling against God and therefore breaking the first commandment. As we reject God, the curses upon us become greater, but if we return to Gods teachings there will be healing, Fanny Alida Beerepoot is quoted as having told the court. Her brother, Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot backed her by claiming that they used to pay taxes to the taxation office ignorantly until they became enlightened that God was unhappy about it. He further warned that continuing to pay taxes to the Australian authority would trigger the wrath of God on the country. As we move outside of Gods jurisdiction, this country has received curses which were already seeing in the form of droughts and infertility, Rembertus warned. After listening to the prosecutors and the arguments of the Beerepoot family, Associate Justice Stephen Holt gave the defendants an opportunity to back their defense with any scripture in the Bible, but they reportedly failed. If you cant find me a passage in scripture or gospel that says thou shall not pay tax then can you see I have difficulty finding a starting point? the judge asked. According to Odditycentral.com, Justice Stephen Holt ordered the duo to pay to the Australian taxation authorities an estimated AUD$1.159 million and AUD$1.166 million respectively covering their income tax debt, penalties, administrative costs and running balance account deficit debts. Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq In a renewed bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19, Kwara state government on Thursday announced a total lockdown on the state for 14 days, The Nation reports. This is exactly 48 hours after the state took a similar step in Offa, Offa local government. The state added that the total shutdown is necessary to flatten the curve of transmission of the coronavirus pandemic in the state. The government said violators of the pronouncement may face prosecution in line with the state regulations on the pandemic except vehicles carrying goods and services such as food and drugs and categories earlier exempted in a recent address by President Muhammadu Buhari. The administration also commended Abuja and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their technical supports, including recently helping to strengthen governments response team and training of its LGA disease surveillance and notification officers (DSNOs) on COVID-19 preparedness, response and surveillance. The government hereby bans all vehicular movements, including private and commercial vehicles, from 6p.m. tomorrow, Friday 10 April, 2020, stat Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Technical Committee on COVID-19, Kayode Alabi said at a news briefing in Ilorin, the state capital. The only exceptions are commercial trucks carrying goods and services who would operate with absolute respect for social distancing and other COVID-19 safety protocols. All kinds of shops, bars, pubs, and markets are hereby shut until further notice. Markets, where foods and medications are sold, will open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, between 10 a.m. and 2p.m. Contractors working on government projects are allowed to proceed to work with no more than 20 workers on site at one time. He said previous restrictions remain and would be enforced. Commending the Federal Government and the WHO, Alabi said the NCDC has sent down a crack team of experts to strengthen its capabilities to combat the spread of the virus. The government also commends the World Health Organisation for the recent training of our health officials across the 16 local government areas on community-level COVID preparedness, response and surveillance. All our LGA Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) are now back in their localities to do a step down training for community informants and focal persons, he said. Alabi also expressed strong disapproval of the alleged stigmatisation of COVID-19 patients or other persons and communities on account of their contacts with any patient. He warned that anyone caught doing so may be prosecuted in line with the regulation and relevant laws. Said he: The government is dismayed by reports of some people stigmatising the families, relations and acquaintances of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19. This development is not only unhealthy but it is in fact inimical to the efforts to trace contacts and flatten the curve of transmission of the virus. As was aptly observed by His Excellency in his live press briefing of Tuesday April 8, the government repeats clearly that contracting COVID-19 is neither a death sentence nor a crime. Anyone who has contracted it is a victim of an unknown enemy. They are not villains to be stigmatised. Just anyone can be victim of the deadly virus. All the patients and their families are persons to be catered for at this time. This is a tough time for them and nobody will be allowed to add to their worries! We state also that the government has carefully refused to mention the names of patients or their families. It has accorded the patients and their families all the rights, privileges and confidentiality due to them under relevant laws and ethics. The government will not hesitate to prosecute anyone found guilty of stigmatising patients and communities, or robbing them of their dignity. We warn that sharing of the picture of any COVID-19 patient qualifies as a crime and government will treat the despicable characters behind it as suspected criminals going forward. We assure the public that everything is being done to prevent community transmission and there is no use destroying years of community peace and relationships in the guise of identifying (COVID-19) contacts, whether primary or secondary. The cases at the isolation centre are stable and without any symptoms, and are getting the right care and support every step of the way. Fellow Kwarans, we repeat that this is no time to panic. Please stay calm. The Government will do everything to keep you safe. But we also need you to play your own role. Stay at home. Keep social distancing. Avoid crowd. Prioritise personal hygiene. And please do not spread unverified news. Once again, we pray for all those infected to get well soon. We assure them of getting the best care possible. We also thank all our healthcare givers for their priceless contribution to humanity. We are grateful to all of you and we urge you to do your best for us at this time and always. President Joe Biden tours the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso. An executive order he signed on June 4 bars migrants from applying for asylum in the U.S. when unauthorized crossings surge. DOUG MILLS, STF / NYT SANDERSON President Joe Bidens executive order cracking down on asylum-seekers put a damper on Mexicos postelection celebration the country's first woman president was just voted into office. It also left residents along this stretch of the border in West Texas unimpressed. After all, many of the undocumented migrants crossing through this area are Mexican men, traveling alone or in small groups and heading for jobs in oil fields, factories and farms in the U.S. interior. Bidens move is certainly a political stunt, said Terrell County Sheriff Thad Cleveland, who spent 26 years in the Border Patrol. Were five months away from the (U.S. presidential) election, and this is pure politics. I also dont think this is fair to our vecinos (neighbors) back in Mexico. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The response in Terrell County, which runs along 54 miles of the Rio Grande in the Trans-Pecos region, highlights a hidden irony: Many employers want to hire able-bodied Mexicans but are less welcoming to non-Mexican migrants. Cleveland, 50, a Republican, has a message for Mexicos newly elected president, Claudia Sheinbaum: Lets work together to provide more work permits for Mexican men, bring in guest workers. Our economy survives and thrives on illegal alien labor. Thats just a fact, and our neighbors to the south are the ones who migrate back and forth. Bidens June 4 executive order issued two days after Sheinbaum's election was his latest attempt to bring order to what critics call an overrun and chaotic U.S.-Mexico border. It seeks to slow the entry of families from Central America, Venezuela, Haiti, Africa and elsewhere. Those migrants are taxing an already overwhelmed asylum system. Thousands are currently huddled on the Mexican side of the border, waiting to cross the Rio Grande and apply for asylum. Claudia Sheinbaum, center, was elected Mexico's first woman president on June 3. She takes office Oct. 1. Eduardo Verdugo/Associated Press 'Good neighbors' The order bars migrants from seeking asylum in the United States whenever unauthorized crossings reach a seven-day average of 2,500 per day. The border would reopen only after the average dropped to 1,500 a day and stayed there for two weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Migrants who petition for asylum normally are released into the U.S. to pursue their claims in immigration court, a process that can last years. The new system is designed to close that pathway during times of heavy border traffic, with exceptions for unaccompanied children, victims of human trafficking and those who apply for asylum from south of the border using a U.S. Customs and Border Protection app. Biden's order jolted Mexico's incumbent president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Sheinbaum, his handpicked successor, who will take office Oct. 1. About this story This article is published in partnership with the Puente News Collaborative, a bilingual, nonprofit newsroom, convener and funder whose mission is to provide high-quality news and information about the U.S.-Mexico border. Alfredo Corchado is executive editor and correspondent for the collaborative. Eduardo Garcia, who has 30 years' experience as a financial journalist in Mexico, is a Puente News contributor. Journalist Dudley Althaus reported from Sanderson. Angela Kocherga, news director at KTEP public radio in El Paso, contributed to this report. On the migration front, we had been working well, an irritated Lopez Obrador said at one of his regular meetings with the media. He said Mexico and the U.S. need a relationship of respect for our own sovereignties. We need to look for a policy of good neighbors, and we need to protect our economic-trade integration. The American Civil Liberties Union and several migrant rights organizations, along with El Paso County, have filed suit to overturn Biden's order. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Olive branch On Tuesday, in a move widely seen as an effort take the edge off the asylum order, Biden announced an executive action to protect undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens, allowing them to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the country. Eligible are noncitizens who have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years and are married to Americans. The action will provide legal status and protection for about 500,000 spouses and 50,000 noncitizen children. Many of those who qualify are Mexican citizens. The worldwide flows of migration are keenly felt in Mexico. Migrants are now a visible presence in Mexico City, where they sweep streets, panhandle, collect election materials from polling stations and row trajineras, the brightly colored, flat-bottom barges that ply the canals of Xochimilco in the southern part of the capital. The migrants are straining some public services. On Wednesday, Mexicos National Guard and immigration agents evicted migrants from a plaza in downtown Mexico City. Dozens of people from Haiti, Venezuela and other countries had been camping there for months. Authorities said the migrants were taken to refugee centers in nearby states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mexican attitudes toward migrants vary depending on their country of origin, according to a poll sponsored by the Puente News Collaborative, an El Paso-based nonprofit news organization. The poll found that 57% of Mexicans gave a good or very good approval rating to Americans living in the country, followed by a 54% approval rating for Chinese. The approval rating declined to 39% for Guatemalans and about the same percentage for Venezuelans. The poll suggests that Mexicans overwhelmingly favor issuing temporary work permits to migrants rather than detaining them or building walls to stop them. Puentes poll also showed that more than a third of Mexicos 128 million people would like to move to the U.S., though far fewer said they would do so without legal documents. 'Securing our border' Sheinbaum hasnt commented on Biden's immigration moves. Analysts believe she will support whatever position Lopez Obrador takes on the issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With Claudia Sheinbaum, its likely that migration policy wont change drastically, said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. But she might focus more on intentionally integrating migrants and refugees in Mexico, as she did as mayor of Mexico City, Selee said, and on positioning Mexico as a leader on migration issues in the hemisphere. Whatever Mexico does, the priority for Texans living along the border is to reimpose order, said Cleveland, the Terrell County sheriff. The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has called on the government to release, at least, fifty percent (50%) of the money needed to conduct the July 2024 Basic Education certificate Examination (BECE). WAEC maintains that, the 2024 edition of BECE faces a possible postponement should the government fail to meet the examination half-way, as far as their financial demands is concerned. The Head of Public Affairs of WAEC, Mr. John K. Kapi explained that, the BECE comprises of candidates from both the public and private schools. Speaking in an exclusive interview on UTVs 'Mpu Ne Mpu' on Friday, June 21, 2024, Mr. Kapi noted that, students from the private schools have all had their registration fees paid in full whiles students from the public schools are waiting on the government to have their fees sorted out. According to the Examination Council, a total of four hundred and forty-seven thousand, eight hundred and seventeen (447,817) candidates from the public schools are supposed to pay two hundred and fourteen Ghana cedis each (GHS 214). The government is supposed to pay the fees for the public school candidates since the introduction of the free basic education which saw the government absorbing all fees for students in public schools. The government is expected to pay a total of ninety-five million, eight hundred and thirty-two thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight Ghana cedis (GHS 95,832,838), but WAEC urges the government to pay 50% of the total cost in order to conduct the examinations. If we receive the 50% part payment we can start the process. The 50% we are demanding will only sustain the process to the 15th of July because, the script markers ought to be paid for marking the exams script. We also need part of the money to run the examination process," he said. Watch video below 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 Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo Constituency, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi together with the Constituency Chairman in the area, Hon. John Atteh Matey joined Mr. Thomas Ayisah at Piengwa Osiekuse Durbar ground to celebrate his birthday with widows. They gave away rice, cooking oils, and assorted drinks to over four hundred and fifty widows at the Piengwa Osiekuse Durbar ground. Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi later led the team to Odumase to donate rice and cooking oils to forty widows. Another donation, including toiletries, tissues, washing powder, soap, detergents, and mineral water, was made to enhance the activities of the Atua Government Hospital Children's Ward staff and patients. Further, they proceeded to Nectar Foundation (Orphanage Home) at Nuaso New Town to donate another set of Rice, toiletries, tissues, washing powder soaps, and detergents. The last donation was made at Nuaso Pentecost Church where over a hundred widows in the constituency benefitted from cash donations. The beneficiaries of these goodies used the opportunity to thank and pray for Mr. Thomas Ayisah, the birthday celebrant together with Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi for this kind gesture shown them. In 2022, Agazy Homes CEO Thomas Ayisah donated some medical equipment and paid some patients' bills at the Tema General Hospital of the Greater Accra Region to mark his birthday. The renowned CEO has played a significant role in developing the human and capital resources of the good people of Tema and its environs by providing infrastructural development such as affordable homes, good roads and also helping to provide employment for the youth. 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 federal government is selling three ageing presidential jets to reduce excessive spending on fleet maintenance, according to The Cable. This decision follows the recommendation from the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, which advised purchasing two new aircraft for the president and vice president. Shehu Buba Umar, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, also supports this recommendation. Selling the three aircraft will halve the current presidential air fleet, which currently includes six airplanes and four helicopters. The fleet, managed by the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), includes a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7x, and one Challenger CL605. Insiders revealed that at least half of the fleet comprises unserviceable or failing aircraft, prompting the need to dispose of those that are more burdensome. The jets marked for sale are the presidents designated Boeing 737 BBJ, one Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x. The government has appointed US-based airline marketer JetHQ as the broker for the sale. An exclusive marketing agreement has been signed, allowing JetHQ to value and market the aircraft. Proceeds from the sale will be used to procure a new jet for the fleet, with an ongoing search for a cost-effective option. We noted the lawmakers' report and recommendation. However, we cannot afford to buy two aircraft simultaneously, even with the sales. The approval now is to find one affordable jet, supplementing with the sale proceeds, a senior fleet management official said. It was also gathered that JetHQ has submitted three bids from buyers to the NSA for consideration. We received two offers for the BBJ and one for the Falcon X. However, the NSA insists on pressing for a better deal rather than rushing into a bad one, a PAF official involved in the process stated anonymously. Zakari Mijinyawa, a spokesman for the NSA, confirmed the ongoing disposal process without providing further details. The condition of the presidential air fleet has been a recent topic of concern, with safety issues raised about the aircraft transporting Nigerian leaders. The presidents BBJ has been under maintenance since March, necessitating the use of other fleet aircraft. In April, President Bola Tinubu had to use a commercial aircraft to attend the World Economic Forum in Riyadh after the plane he traveled with to the Netherlands developed a fault. Around the same period, Vice-President Kashim Shettima was seen arriving in Ogun State in a chartered aircraft. In early May, Shettima aborted his trip to the United States mid-air due to an engine fault in the aircraft transporting him. For his recent trip to South Africa, Tinubu had to use a private airplane, a situation some diplomatic experts believe could negatively affect Nigeria's image on the global stage. While federal lawmakers and some Nigerians support purchasing new aircraft to address these issues, others argue that it would be insensitive given the current economic hardship. However, lawmakers emphasize that the safety of all citizens, including the president and other government officials, should be a top priority for all Nigerians. 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 Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, the running mate for the flag bearer of the national Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has cautioned Ghanaian electorates to be weary of the New Patriotic Party and their mantra, it is possible, stating that the NPP has not been able to deliver on their numerous promises. . Professor Opoku-Agyemang lamented over the hardships Ghanaians have been innocently plunged into coupled with the unfulfilled promises made by the NPP government. She made this call during an engagement with female media professionals in Accra on Thursday, June 20, 2024. According to her, the picketing by pensioner bondholders at the ministry of Finance demanding the release of their monies is a classic example of a failed governmental administration. She added that, it is about time Ghanaians thoroughly scrutinises the NPPs promises and align them to the reality of their delivery when making electoral decisions. She said, At a time of different haircuts, and at a time old people picketing at the ministry of financeat that time they also thought that none of this will happen, they didnt even imagine that it is possible. But that has been possible, so when you hear about it is possible, think about it. It is possible to picket at the Ministry of Finance, its possible to have a different style or haircut. She posited that the NDC has innovative ideas that will propel Ghana to the better Ghana that is envisaged by all and sundry. She, however, strongly dismissed criticisms that the NDC lacks ideas and the vision to govern effectively if elected. Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang stated, When we say it is a peoples manifesto, we mean it, I keep saying that you can just shut a couple of us in a room for a couple of weeks and we can draft one for you nicely. But for who are you doing the manifesto for? Does it include journalists? Yes, it includes journalists of many areas of focus. But what about the women? What is worrying them that we have to know? And if you dont talk to them as a group, how will you know? Its not that you lack ideas, no, those are childish. Were a serious party. That is why were engaging all of you, he said. 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 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's Starliner blasted off from Florida following years of delays and safety scares -- as well as two recently aborted launch attempts that came as astronauts were already strapped in and ready to go. NASA said on Friday the Boeing Starliner's return to Earth from the International Space Station, which was scheduled for next week, has been delayed again. The delay of the rescheduled June 26 return will allow more time for the review of the thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that caused the first delay, it said. Starliner's first crewed mission to the ISS, which had initially been scheduled to last about eight days, has been extended to a date yet to be determined. The spaceship blasted off from Florida atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on June 5 following years of delays and safety scares, as well as two aborted launch attempts that came as astronauts were strapped in and ready to go. "NASA and Boeing leadership are adjusting the return to Earth of the Starliner Crew Flight Test spacecraft," NASA said in a blog post late Friday. "The move off Wednesday, June 26, deconflicts Starliner's undocking and landing from a series of planned International Space Station spacewalks while allowing mission teams time to review propulsion system data," it said. NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich said, "We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process." "We are letting the data drive our decision making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance we observed during rendezvous and docking," he said. Stitch said Starliner, which is crewed by two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, both ex-US Navy test pilots, is "performing well in orbit while docked to the space station". NASA said the crew was not in a hurry to leave the station because it is well stocked with supplies and the "station's schedule is relatively open through mid-August". The initial ISS docking was delayed by more than an hour after some of Starliner's thrusters that provide fine maneuvering initially failed to kick in. It was known there was one helium leak affecting Starliner before the launch. While non-combustible, helium provides pressure to the propulsion system. However, other leaks emerged during the flight. 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: A Long March 2-C rocket carrying a satellite jointly developed by China and France to measure gamma-ray bursts lifts off from a space base in Xichang in southwestern China. A French-Chinese satellite blasted off Saturday on a hunt for the mightiest explosions in the universe, in a notable example of cooperation between a Western power and the Asian giant. Developed by engineers from both countries, the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) is carrying four instrumentstwo French, two Chinesethat will seek out gamma-ray bursts, the light from which has traveled billions of light years to reach Earth. The 930-kilogram (2,050-pound) satellite "successfully" took off around 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) aboard a Chinese Long March 2-C rocket from a space base in Xichang, in southwestern Sichuan province, China's National Space Administration said. Gamma-ray bursts generally occur after the explosion of huge starsthose more than 20 times as big as the sunor the fusion of compact stars. The extremely bright cosmic beams can give off a blast of energy equivalent to more than a billion billion suns. Observing them is like "looking back in time, as the light from these objects takes a long time to reach us", Ore Gottlieb, an astrophysicist at the Flatiron Institute's Center for Astrophysics in New York, told AFP. 'Several mysteries' The rays carry traces of the gas clouds and galaxies they pass through on their journey through spacevaluable data for better understanding the history and evolution of the universe. "SVOM has the potential to unravel several mysteries in the field of (gamma-ray bursts), including detecting the most distant GRBs in the universe, which correspond to the earliest GRBs," Gottlieb said. The most distant bursts identified to date were produced just 630 million years after the Big Bangwhen the universe was in its infancy. "We are... interested in gamma-ray bursts for their own sake because they are very extreme cosmic explosions which allow us to better understand the death of certain stars," said Frederic Daigne, an astrophysicist at the Paris Institute of Astrophysics. "All of this data makes it possible to test the laws of physics with phenomena that are impossible to reproduce in the laboratory on Earth." A Long March 2-C rocket carrying a satellite jointly developed by China and France to measure gamma-ray bursts lifts off from a space base in Xichang in Chinas southwest. Once analyzed, the data could help to improve understanding of the composition of space, and the dynamics of gas clouds or other galaxies. The project stems from a partnership between the French and Chinese space agencies as well as other scientific and technical groups from both nations. "It's a great success. We've managed to work well with our Chinese colleagues," Philippe Baptiste, CEO of France's CNES space agency, told AFP after the launch. Space cooperation at this level between the West and China is fairly uncommon, especially since the United States banned all collaboration between NASA and Beijing in 2011. Race against time "US concerns on technology transfer have inhibited US allies from collaborating with the Chinese very much, but it does happen occasionally," said Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the United States. In 2018, China and France jointly launched CFOSAT, an oceanographic satellite mainly used in marine meteorology. Several European countries have also taken part in China's Chang'e lunar exploration program. So while SVOM is "by no means unique", it remains "significant" in the context of space collaboration between China and the West, said McDowell. Once in orbit 625 kilometers (388 miles) above the Earth, the satellite will send its data back to observatories. The main challenge is that gamma-ray bursts are extremely brief, leaving scientists in a race against time to gather information. Once it detects a burst, SVOM will send an alert to a team on duty around the clock. Within five minutes, they will have to rev up a network of telescopes on the ground that will align precisely with the axis of the burst's source to make more detailed observations. 2024 AFP Low water levels are shown in July 2021 at Elephant Butte Reservoir near Truth or Consequences, N.M. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a settlement between Texas and New Mexico over the management of one of North Americas longest rivers. The 5-4 decision rebuffs an agreement that had come recommended by a federal judge overseeing the case over how New Mexico, Texas and Colorado must share water from the Rio Grande. Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated Press The dry Rio Grande riverbed is seen from the air in July 2022 in Albuquerque, N.M. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a settlement between Texas and New Mexico over the management of one of North Americas longest rivers. Brittany Peterson/Associated Press The dam at Elephant Butte Lake in Elephant Butte, N.M., is seen in this undated photo. Roberto E. Rosales/Associated Press The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a deal struck between Texas and New Mexico over the management of water in the Rio Grande, ruling the federal government should have a say in any agreement reached. The 5-4 opinion is the latest twist in a conflict dating back to the 1930s, when Colorado, New Mexico and Texas agreed to share water in the Rio Grande. Most recently in 2022, Texas and New Mexico sought an agreement that sidestepped the federal government. Federal regulators objected because it would affect an international water treaty with Mexico. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the majority opinion, the court said we cannot now allow Texas and New Mexico to leave the United States up the river without a paddle. Fridays ruling comes as Texas and other states clamor for water. The region along the Rio Grande, in particular, is still considered in a drought. Water is never an issue until there isnt enough. When there isnt enough, suddenly everybody starts to look at the various agreements that share this water source, Amy Hardberger, a water law professor at Texas Tech School of Law, said about the water conflicts. The decadeslong dispute centers around an 80-year-old water agreement, known as the Rio Grande Compact, which legally binds Colorado, New Mexico and Texas to share the water in the Rio Grande. The 1938 agreement ended years of water disputes between the three states and directed how the states should split surface water. Under the compact, Colorado must deliver a proportion of water each year to New Mexico at the state line and New Mexico must deliver a certain amount of water to the Elephant Butte Reservoir, located in southern New Mexico, for Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a 2013 complaint, Texas sued New Mexico, alleging groundwater pumping by New Mexico was taking water from the Rio Grande owed to Texas, causing river levels in the state to drop and depriving Texans of the water theyre obligated to. Texas accused New Mexico of violating the interstate compact that has governed water allocations between the two states and Colorado for decades. Water law experts say the Supreme Courts recent decision has significant implications for future interstate water disputes, which would allow the federal government to intervene in water conflicts between states moving forward. Texas and New Mexico came up with a compromise that allowed for a higher amount of water pumping from New Mexico than the original 1938 agreement stated, but not big enough to run Texas dry. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which also is responsible for delivering water to Texas and New Mexico, did not agree with their allocations and requested intervention because that same water, in the Rio Grande, affected the international 1906 water treaty that requires the U.S. to deliver 60,000 acre-feet of water from the Elephant Butte Reservoir to Mexico. The federal government argues it cannot meet its obligation if New Mexico does not comply with their obligations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Youve got all these competing responsibilities here that have never been put together in one agreement, said Gabriel Eckstein, a legal expert on water issues at Texas A&M University. Its a number of different projects and agreements that now have to work together so this is why the U.S. government thought to intervene in the dispute. The U.S. Supreme Court decided that the U.S. needs to be in agreement with Texas and New Mexico. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the International Boundary and Water Commission, which oversees the international treaty, both declined to comment on the ruling. A spokesperson for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. Gage Zobell, a water law expert and attorney with Dorsey & Whitney said the decision will allow for the potential increase of federal involvement in water management. This has turned that long held principle on its head, Zobell said. What we have here is Supreme Court precedent that states that there are federal interests that can actually be brought forward as claims when two states are fighting over water, and that the federal government has a seat at the table, and that has been unheard of. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hardberger, the water law professor at Texas Tech, said Texas, U.S. and New Mexico will need to go back to the drawing board to figure out how they are going to resolve this conflict. She said theres an opportunity to continue negotiating, but the court has made it clear that all parties have to be in agreement. Theres definitely not enough water in South Texas and Southwest Texas. I think everyone knows that, said Alex Ortiz, the volunteer Water Reservoir Chair for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, adding that the ruling doesnt mean there will be more water or less water available. It means that its possible that theres more water than what the consent decree would have allowed for, but its up to the United States now. The water disputes come at a time when South Texas battles severe drought conditions, tremendous water shortage issues affecting farmers, and there were these impending conflicts between the U.S. and Mexico about how that water is being shared. While the water in dispute is not directly related to water deliveries in South Texas, one environmentalist group argues there are downstream effects. If theres not enough water coming into the state as a whole, that puts more pressure on the upper part of the Rio Grande, Ortiz said. It changes a little bit of the management strategies for reservoirs that might already be struggling. A Moline man found guilty of second-degree murder in a 2023 shooting death was sentenced to 65 years in prison during a hearing Friday in Scott County District Court. Washington was convicted of the May 21, 2023, shooting death of 37-year-old Andre Clanton, of Davenport. District Court Judge John David Telleen sentenced DeShawn Armal Washington, 26, to 50 years in prison for the charge of second-degree murder. Washington must serve 70%, or 35 years of that sentence. Telleen also sentenced Washington to a consecutive term of 15 years in prison on a conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge is usually a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years. However, Washington was adjudicated a habitual offender, which enhanced the gun charge. He must serve a minimum of three years on that sentence. Washington must serve 38 years in prison before he becomes eligible for parole. During the hearing, Telleen asked Washington if he had any statement for the court. I feel like you didnt give me a fair trial, was all Washington said to the court. Senior Assistant County Attorney Richard Kirkendall told the court that even during the trial a motive for the shooting was never discovered. No one knows why this happened, Kirkendall said. No one knows why the defendant killed Andre. He added that Clantons family has suffered over the mans death. Telleen, who presided over Washingtons trial, said Clanton went to visit the mother of his child in the 1300 block of Judson Street on May 21, 2023. You suddenly and senselessly pulled out a firearm and shot him in the head, Telleen said to Washington, adding that Washington then threatened the woman to keep quiet. You showed a total lack of respect for life and the law, Telleen said, adding that in hearing the totality of the case, it was a totally senseless shooting. Washington responded to Telleens statements by saying, You wasnt there so you dont know. Telleen ordered Washington to remain quiet as he had had his chance to talk. To protect the public, Telleen said he needed to keep Washington locked up as long as possible, and ran the sentences consecutively, or back-to-back. Washington had been charged with first-degree murder in the case. However, a Scott County jury found him guilty of second-degree murder on May 7. Washington also was ordered to pay restitution to Clantons family in the amount of $150,000. At the time of the shooting Washington was on mandatory supervised release from the Illinois Department of Corrections on drug and gun convictions out of Vermilion County. Washington was sentenced on those drug and gun convictions and was placed in the Sheridan Correctional Center on Jan 10, 2020. He was released on mandatory supervised release on June 15, 2022, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections website. New research finds young gun violence survivors experience lasting physical and mental trauma Firearms are the leading cause of death among children New research finds young gun violence survivors experience lasting physical and mental trauma CAMBRIDGE Two representatives from the Illinois workNet Center spoke to Henry County Board members Thursday, encouraging the board to be their "eyes and ears" regarding companies that need training programs to keep employees. Theresa Cherry and Laurie Warren explained the programs offered by the Illinois workNet Center and said board members could help them. "You know who your people are. We need you to be out there and let us know when there's a need," Cherry said, giving as an example when a company is laying people off because they don't have the skills the company needs. "What we do is a really good thing. What we need is your help," she said. "If we don't have the funding for it, we will find it some way." Cherry said their program basically helps three groups: adults financially in need, adults who are receiving unemployment and youth ages 16-24 who didn't graduate from high school and need their G.E.D. and potentially more training. She said the federally funded Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act receives $2 million per year and can qualify for additional grants. Prior to 2014, the program was known as Workforce and before that it was the Job Training Partnership Act. They recently got a grant for virtual reality headsets for career exploration and will start going into schools to help youth answer the question 'what do I want to do for a living?' In other business, the board voted 17-0 to authorize the chairman to execute a joint funding agreement for construction work on County Highway 5 at Interstate 80 at Atkinson where rock and sediment has washed away. The work has been needed for a long time. "We can do this jointly or it won't get done," said Dave Dobbels of the transportation committee. Board members also approved an intergovernmental agreement between the county and the village of Orion for police protection in Orion. There is an existing agreement for two deputies in Orion, but the county is unable to fulfill that because of a manpower shortage. Sheriff Josh Verscheure explained the new intergovernmental agreement doesn't do away with the existing contract but supplements it because it will take five or six months in training to replace the officers. Halfway through the fiscal year, the county has received 50% of budgeted revenue and has only spent 44% of budgeted expenses. Finance chair Mark Burton said the county is $600,000 in the black which he said is "a little unusual for May" because property taxes are not in yet. The board also approved a $50,000 loan from its rural revolving loan fund for Habanero's Mexican Grill which is planning a $321,140 project in Geneseo at the former Great Revivalist Bar and Grill on South Oakwood Avenue. The project will create five full-time jobs and six part-time jobs. The owner is Josue Sanchez, owner of Cruz Enterprises LLC. Terms of the loan are 4.25% for seven years. The restaurant is planning its grand opening in October. HURON The patchwork nature of the rural and reservation health care system in South Dakota sometimes requires innovation, compassion and a healthy dose of teamwork to keep people healthy. While the existing health care network contains numerous barriers to access to care and troubling negative health outcomes, occasionally an "it takes a village" approach is employed to help heal those in great need. That played out recently in Huron when an immigrant family on a work visa arrived in this east-central South Dakota city without money, insurance or English skills but full intentions of working at a local turkey processing plant. The family from Myanmar also brought their 2-year-old son who was suffering from leukemia. They were introduced to Leonard Wonnenberg, a physician assistant who provides primary care to patients of all incomes and backgrounds at the James Valley Community Health Center operated by Horizon Health. Like most clinics in small cities and towns across the state, the Horizon clinic does not have specialists to provide high-level medical treatment, so outside help was a must. Furthermore, the family spoke only a Karenic language, so Wonnenberg enlisted an interpreter from a local church to help communicate, then found a volunteer willing to drive the family and their sick son two hours to Sanford Children's Specialty Clinic in Sioux Falls. Once there, the boy received treatment and medications that have put his cancer in remission for the past couple years and allowed him to attend school as a healthy youngster. "Now, he's doing well. He's thriving. He's just like any other ordinary kid," Wonnenberg said. "He's really cute and he talks a lot." Tribal health mentor knows the ropes Sara DeCoteau is seen as a health care hero to many people in Sisseton and within the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (SWO) tribe on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation in northeastern South Dakota. Several medical workers News Watch spoke to during a recent visit to Sisseton called DeCoteau their mentor. With 50 years of tribal and public health employment on her resume and a deep knowledge of how things work or sometimes dont in tribal and rural health care, its easy to understand why so many look up to her. These days, DeCoteau, 70, runs the health program for the SWO tribe, and works from an office in the Indian Health Services (IHS) hospital on the east end of Sisseton. In discussing the current state of medical care on the reservation, DeCoteau said tribal residents have ready access to a strong medical network, with a local public hospital and combined offerings of the SWO tribe and IHS. Compared to other reservations in South Dakota, including on Rosebud and Pine Ridge, DeCoteau said SWO tribal members are well served, despite a handful of chronic challenges facing Indigenous health care systems. Like almost every rural or reservation provider in South Dakota and the U.S., DeCoteau pointed to staff recruitment and retention as a major issue for SWO and IHS. She said transportation challenges, a lack of health literacy and limited service hours all create barriers to obtaining proper health care for tribal residents. Funding shortfall a chronic issue But no local issue can top the challenges created by the chronic underfunding of IHS and other government tribal health programs. In a July 2022 report from the Office of Health Policy within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the initial bullet point in the report confirms this. There are long-standing and persistent health and health care disparities among American Indians and Alaska Natives, which are a result of centuries of structural discrimination, forced relocation, reduced economic opportunities, and chronic underfunding of health care for this population, the report states. DeCoteau said tribal residents of South Dakota, thanks to treaties signed with the federal government generations ago, are generally able to access medical care without insurance or a payment if they use IHS or tribal facilities. But for services not offered, tribal members can obtain treatment outside the reservation through a purchase-referred care payment system, in which the federal government pays non-tribal providers for services. While that system is working well now in Sisseton, DeCoteau said, there have been times where the referral funding has run out near the end of the fiscal year each summer. For years and years, we used to say, 'Dont get sick after June, because funding would evaporate by then, and only the highest priority cases would be considered for care, she said. It is so aggravating, so unfair to the American Indian people to be treated like that." Creative ways to fill the gaps DeCoteau and other members of her team at SWO are willing to go the extra mile, and be extremely patient and diligent, to find new ways to serve the local population. In late 2023, after a two-year effort, the tribe was finally able to launch its Asniyapi Field Health Clinic program, in which a nurse practitioner travels the region in a mobile clinic to provide a wide range of medical, behavioral health, addiction, education and pharmacy services to people in their communities and neighborhoods. To develop the mobile clinic program, DeCoteau and others combined a U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development grant with funding from IHS and money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to buy a large van and equip it with technology, diagnostics and a nurse practitioner. In recent weeks, the mobile clinic has helped diabetes patients manage their weight and wounds, it offered Suboxone treatment for opioid addicts, and provided physicals to children who need one to quality for Head Start programming. Now, were able to provide medicine without walls and take health care to the people in our communities, she said. Personal experiences reveal gaps DeCoteau has her own telling experiences navigating the rural health care system in South Dakota. A friend recently drove 160 miles to an appointment in Sioux Falls but had to turn right around because her provider was unable to keep the appointment. A while back, DeCoteau needed cataract surgery on both eyes, so her sister traveled from Minnesota to drive Decoteau two hours to Sioux Falls for the two-day procedure, costing money for gas and a hotel stay. When complications arose months later, DeCoteau had to arrange for transportation to Sioux Falls again, but a blizzard required her to travel a day early and pay for more fuel and several nights in a hotel. That's rural health care, she said. You're at the mercy of the system and the weather, too. Wahleah Watson, who works in tribal health education in Sisseton, said she decided to drive an hour to Watertown to give birth last year due to concerns that birthing services at the local public hospital were inadequate. "I heard from relatives that they had a bad experience, and I didn't want to go through that," she said. Watson said she received prenatal services through IHS and then made the drive to Watertown, hoping she had planned well and did not undergo any last-minute complications. When the Coteau des Prairies Health Care System in Sisseton ended its child delivery program on March 1, Watson said all pregnant women in the area will now be forced to make that drive for a hospital delivery. "That's a huge barrier to our young mothers, and in general, its scary to get pregnant because we dont have that medical facility here to give that care and deliver babies here," she said. Counseling services not meeting the need People who need behavioral health or substance abuse treatment and counseling have options to get help in rural areas, but access is limited or can be difficult to obtain for some. The American Psychiatric Association recently labeled South Dakota as one of the worst "mental health care deserts" in the country, with nearly half of all counties not having a single behavioral health provider. The expansion of telehealth services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has helped open doors to behavioral health for more people. But poverty and geographic isolation prevent some people, especially those on reservations, from having computers or access to the internet. Richard Bird, director of the Dakotah Pride Center operated by the SWO tribe, said the facility offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment services to tribal and non-tribal patients, but it's limited in its ability to accept new clients due to space and funding limitations. The inpatient facility has 12 beds but could easily fill double that number at any time with people who need services, Bird said. And the programs sober living halfway house that accepts former prison inmates and others in transition is insufficient to meet the need, he said. We could always use more bed space, and our halfway house could be expanded to meet the need, Bird said. Bird said the program makes accommodations to help people get to the facility, including sending transport buses as far as Sioux Falls to pick up patients who qualify. But like many other health programs in reservation areas, the facility suffers from stagnant financing from the Indian Health Services, which contracts for services with the Pride Center. Costs have gone up, but the funding remains the same, he said. We do what we can, because its a difficult population to work with, but were making some progress. Rural hospital 'does what it can' within limits Craig Kantos has spent decades in health care administration, often in small towns or rural areas, so he is well positioned to manage the many challenges that come with being CEO of the Coteau des Prairies health system. The small hospital has a medical staff of eight, with a general surgeon, three physicians and four mid-level providers handling family medicine, emergency care and respiratory and physical therapy treatment. It has a lab, X-ray, MRI and CT machines, telehealth stations and a helipad for emergency transports. Kantos said the hospital continually struggles to hire new medical staff when openings arise. The hospital could accommodate three more family physicians and five or six additional nurses if it was able to recruit them. But finding quality, affordable local housing is a big barrier for potential new hires, he added. Even with current staffing, Coteau des Prairies is able to stabilize patients in emergency situations and can then transport or refer patients with conditions in more serious categories of cardiology, orthopedics, major fractures and now OB/GYN conditions to hospitals in Sioux Falls, Watertown or Fargo, North Dakota. Kantos said the hospital system faces regular challenges in balancing revenues and costs, especially since 70% of gross revenues come from sources, including Medicaid, Medicare and IHS, that do not cover the full cost of treatment. Still, Kantos is confident that his staff and facility are well-equipped to provide quality primary care and handle most health care emergencies that arise. The hospital was recently named a Top 20 quality critical access hospital in the nation by the National Rural Healthcare Association. You do the best with what you have. But the staff here, they will bust their butts to save a life, he said. Kantos said he and hospital leadership meet regularly with other health providers in the area, including the leadership of the local IHS and tribal medical facilities to maintain cooperation and share critical information about the local health care landscape. Since March 1, when the hospital stopped delivering babies, Kantos said his remaining medical staff has undergone regular training in order to make an emergency delivery if needed. If we cannot safely transfer you, we have to deliver you, he said. But that being said, if you have a baby that's not in the correct position, we have to figure out how to get you out of here quickly. Like providers across rural South Dakota, Kantos said Coteau des Prairies offers primary and preventative care options but is aware that some people are unwilling or unable to take advantage of services offered. You can get access to preventive care here, and you can for sure get it if you want it, he said. And that's the clinker of it. It's not that we don't provide it, it's that the patients don't think they need it, or they don't necessarily come for one reason or another. 'If we aren't here ... conditions can worsen' With a caring demeanor, a commitment to helping others and a family history of living and working with minority populations, Wonnenberg might be the perfect person to work in family medicine in a place like Huron. He comes from a family of health care workers and educators who have spent much of their careers working on American Indian reservations in the state. Huron is a small city in east-central South Dakota with a population of 14,000 that includes people from a wide diversity of backgrounds. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Huron, which is home to a huge turkey processing plant and a strong manufacturing base, has 2,600 Hispanics, 2,000 Asians and 1,300 other non-white residents, and many speak no English or English as a second language. The median household income in 2022 was $57,700, about $12,000 less than the state average. In the lobby of the Horizon Health clinic where he works, a sign greets patients with the word welcome translated into more than a dozen other languages. In his time in Huron, Wonnenberg has become adept at using resources within and outside the clinic to provide health care to people from other cultures and ethnicities, those without insurance or money, patients who have no access to transportation and those whose cases require more care than is available at the Horizon clinic. Some of these folks, they would rather spend their last $10 on groceries for their families rather than $10 on medicine for their health, for treating something as simple as strep throat, Wonnenberg said. But you know, a strep throat if left untreated, it can lead to things like rheumatic fever, which can be very devastating. A sense of compassion on the part of medical workers in rural settings, he said, can go a long way to breaking down patient barriers to health care, especially for a diverse patient population in Huron where some people may come from a place of distrust. "One of the things that drives people here is the amount of compassion that we have for our patients, and they really see the helping hand in our care," he said. "Then they tell other people about it, and word of mouth goes a long way." Wonnenberg worries that systemic barriers to getting health care in rural areas that surround Huron will prevent some people from being healthy and may lead to increased mortality. "These are people that have moms, these are people that have dads, these are people who have kids, and so we want them to be successful in their communities," he said. "So we need to treat these people like human beings." 'Figure out that jigsaw puzzle' The nursing shortage and lack of desire of health workers to move to rural areas are tops among his concerns, and he hopes incentive programs can be created to lure more providers to small towns and reservations. Wonnenberg would like to see higher reimbursement rates to providers from Medicaid and Medicare to help offset rising costs and supports expansion of Medicaid in South Dakota, which he said has allowed more low-income people to obtain preventative medical care. He believes pharmacists can play a larger role in providing not just medicines but working more closely with local practitioners to create a holistic approach to patient care. And he sees an even larger role for telehealth to connect rural patients with specialists in larger cities. He recalled one recent case where a patient on a work visa had kidney disease that caused 30 pounds of excess fluid to form on his body. The man had very little money and no insurance and was referred to Wonnenberg through a local church that also helped with interpretation. Wonnenberg used telehealth services to connect the patient with specialists who helped stabilize him and later, an insurance navigator helped the man obtain government insurance. Youve got to figure out that jigsaw puzzle to get people treated, he said. But new challenges still pop up regularly to providing health care in small towns and rural areas, Wonnenberg said. For instance, a state program that helped pay for community health workers is ending, which could reduce contacts and home visits between patients and providers. Some of those patients are likely to forgo preventive care that would prevent conditions from worsening and could force some patients without insurance into medical bankruptcy, he said. Wonnenberg, who soon will leave the James Valley clinic to pursue a specialty in orthopedics, said his time working in Huron has solidified his belief in the critical role rural clinics and health care workers provide across South Dakota. Its a safety net because if we aren't here, conditions can worsen and get out of control and it can end badly for patients, he said. We're always trying to bridge barriers, to bridge gaps, to ensure the best outcomes for patients and their families and their communities. This article was produced by South Dakota News Watch as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2023 Impact Fund for Reporting on Health Equity and Health Systems. News Watch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization, is online at sdnewswatch.org, where readers can sign up for an email every few days to get stories as soon as they're published. Contact Bart Pfankuch at bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org. Last week the California Civil Rights Department announced that Snap Inc. will pay $15 million to settle allegations of sex-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation against female employees during the previous decade. The department alleged that just three years after the company was founded, as it was experiencing rampant growth from 250 employees in 2015 to 5000 in 2022, the company failed to create an environment of non-discrimination for women, including in pay and promotions. According to the announcement, [W]omen encountered a glass ceiling and were told to wait their turn, were actively discouraged from applying for promotions, or lost promotion opportunities to less qualified male colleagues. CRD also alleged that women suffered unwelcome sexual advances and other harassing conduct. When women spoke up, they allegedly faced retaliation, including in the form of the denial of professional opportunities, negative performance reviews, and termination. Likely, the company didnt set out to discriminate against an entire gender of employees. Unfortunately, too many organizations fail to create systems to make sure that discriminatory practices can be avoided. Virginia employers with just six employees can be subjected to the non-discrimination provisions of the Virginia Human Rights Act, while employers with 15 or more employees are subject to most of the federal anti-discrimination laws, other than the Age Discrimination in Employment Act which applies to employers which employ 20 or more employees. Snap seems to have failed in all aspects of employment in treating women in a non-discriminatory way. For hiring and promotions, employers need to implement fair and objective processes. While referrals are a good way to find candidates, they shouldnt be the only way. And even when a candidate is referred, employers should avoid the post and fill where pre-selection occurs, and this includes for promotions. Promotions processes are where diversity and inclusion can play a big role, where managers should make sure they are giving opportunities for growth and development to those within their chain of command looking for promotional opportunities. This will allow those employees to be qualified for future opportunities. Nothing about D&I is about affirmative action, but about promoting equity in opportunities. In compensation, employers should stop trying to get a good deal on a candidate. Transparency around pay is a growing trend, and for good reason. Job postings should have a pay range, and employers should pay the appropriate rate for the candidates skill and experience in the role, even if the candidate states he or she is agreeable to lower pay. A significant weakness I see in organizations is the failure to properly address allegations of harassment, as evidenced in the Snap settlement. Too often employers retaliate against employees who complain of harassment and/or ignore the complaint altogether. Over the last few years Ive investigated countless instances of harassment, and despite the conversations around me too, sexual harassment is too common, and this has a negative impact on women as most (not all) of the complaints are women claiming to be sexually harassed by men. Organizations need a process to address claims of harassment through an objective investigation process. Once complete, if misconduct occurred, employers should take action to stop the harassment (i.e., fire the harasser). They also must guarantee no retaliation. Retaliation is also too common in our workplaces. Employees have a legal right (and many times obligation) to report harassment and must be able to do so without fear of or actual retaliation. The Virginia Board of Education approved the states 15th lab school on Friday and allocated the rest of the states $75 million lab school fund. State leaders accelerated the approvals of lab school applications, as the fund can only be used until June 30, the last day of this fiscal year a deadline imposed by the new two-year state budget that legislators finalized last month. Lab schools, which are K-12 schools that partner with higher education institutions, are Gov. Glenn Youngkins signature school choice initiative. The schools are free and open to the public, set their own curricula and budgets, and are associated with their corresponding institution of higher education. State leaders expect all 15 lab schools to be up and running by the 2025-26 school year. The lab school initiative is a historic expansion of nontraditional options for public school students in Virginia, which has only seven public charter schools. Neighboring states like North Carolina and Maryland each have more than 100 charter schools. The approved lab schools will teach curriculums that cover an array of specialties from space to maritime to welding and hands-on apprenticeships, to addressing such issues as health care needs and helping prepare skilled workers for high-demand fields in their local areas. The board, up against a tight deadline, approved 11 lab schools in the past three months while facing several hurdles. Five Virginia colleges that had already been awarded millions in state funding for lab schools scrambled to find new partners and resubmit their lab school applications before Fridays meeting because budget language finalized last month emphasized that state code does not allow lab school funding to go to private or two-year colleges. Old Dominion University stepped in to partner with those five schools and act as the eligible higher education institution. Some Democratic legislators criticized the board for approving lab schools before the budget was finalized and said it would be counterproductive to ongoing budget discussions. These challenges that weve had politically, I think people take an eye off the ball of what this is all about. I think its been very unfortunate because there has been so much good going on, said board member Bill Hansen, who also sits on the boards lab school committee. This is actually going to be an amazing mosaic of projects that are going to really, I think, help build up the commonwealth, and its going to be done community by community, region by region, and literally student by student. The budget compromise that General Assembly budget leaders and Youngkin reached in May allowed Youngkin to keep most of the funding the assembly had appropriated in the current budget for his lab school initiative. Any lab school funding not used before June 30 would revert to the states general fund. The finalized budget did not include the additional $60 million that Youngkin had sought in the budget he proposed in December. To help meet the June 30 deadline, the boards lab school committee decided in a split vote in April to alter the lab school application process by eliminating the standard second review of applications and instead recommending the approval of lab schools upon first review. The committee chair and vice chair raised serious objections to forgoing the standard process that applies to all state Board of Education standing committees. The board on Friday approved the Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore, which is a lab school partnership among Old Dominion, Eastern Shore Community College, Accomack County Public Schools and Northampton County Public Schools. Together, we are expanding innovative educational opportunities for students and parents, empowering them to reach for the stars, Youngkin said in a statement Friday after the boards approval of the lab school. The Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore not only provides an innovative learning environment for Virginias Eastern Shore students, but also addresses a crucial economic need of the Commonwealth by creating an educated and trained workforce that meets the demands of the future. Youngkin campaigned on advancing school choice in Virginia, but the only significant school choice initiative to take off since his inauguration in January 2022 is his signature lab school program. Youngkin won a partial victory for his lab school proposal in 2022, when Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears broke a tie vote in the Senate to rescue his amendment to triple the number of higher education institutions that can partner with local school divisions. The Senate then voted to block his proposal to use state per-pupil funds to pay for them. While the states lab school fund will be emptied by the end of the month, the channel for lab school applications remains open. Any higher education institutions that want to start a lab school can still apply, but they would have to secure another funding source. Virginia Department of Education spokesman Todd Reid said the board looks forward to considering applications of school divisions and higher education partners that may come forward in the coming months with interest in starting new lab schools. Anna Bryson (804) 649-6922 Authorities hold press conference on second developing Gulf system Riviera Maya, Q.R. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) held a press conference Friday in relation to the development of a second low pressure system. The conference was held jointly with the National Water Commission (Conagua) who are part of Mexicos Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Conagua reported on the formation of a second system with the potential for cyclonic development as forecast by the National Hurricane Center (NOAA). According to the NOAA, a broad low pressure system located over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system as it moves slowly west-northwestward or northwestward, and a tropical depression could form before the system reaches the coast of northeastern Mexico Sunday night. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could cause localized flooding across portions of northeastern Mexico and Deep South Texas through the end of the weekend. The second system, which developed on the heels of now-dissipated Tropical Storm Alberto, has brought additional rains to the state. In the joint Friday press conference, the General Coordinator of the SMN, Alejandra Margarita Mendez Giron and the General Director of Conagua, German Arturo Martinez Santoyo, reported that the low pressure system is west of Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, moving west-northwest at an approximate speed of 20 kilometers per hour (km/h). Alejandra Margarita Mendez Giron explained that the interaction of the low pressure with the monsoon trough has been generating more rain in Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Campeche, Tabasco, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Puebla and Hidalgo. A leaning highway sign in waterlogged ground is rescued by municipal authorities in Playa del Carmen Thursday. Cloudiness associated with the system will extend to the southeast of Mexico including the Yucatan Peninsula and by Saturday afternoon, the center of the system is expected to be located off the coast of central-northern Veracruz with clouds and rain extending to the Peninsula. A very flooded municipality of Othon P. Blanco June 21, 2024. Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa says the additional rains is expected throughout the state until Monday. In particular, the southern region of Othon P. Blanco is forecast to be hit again, this time with between 50 and 75 millimeters of rain Saturday and another 75 to 150 millimeters Sunday and into Monday. Crews spend three days clearing 583 tons of sargassum from Isla Mujeres beaches Isla Mujeres, Q.R. An intense sargassum cleanup is now finished on beaches of Isla Mujeres. In three days, more than 580 tons was removed after washing up due to a week of bad weather. Around 250 people, along with at least one backhoe and several dump trucks, attended to the collection of the sargassum that continued to arrive despite their manpower efforts. Isla Mujeres crews began their removal project Wednesday after torrential rains hit the island Tuesday night leaving streets under water and two main beaches covered in seaweed. Municipal workers removed approximately 100 tons of the wet algae in the first 24 hours, however, continued bad weather has meant the continued arrival of sargassum. Isla Mujeres City Hall says around 250 people that included paid municipal workers, state police and military help along with island volunteers, worked on removing what washed up. In response to the challenge of the atypical arrival of sargassum in Isla Mujeres, the Municipal Government, headed by Mayor Atenea Gomez Ricalde, continued to address the contingency that began Wednesday where more than 150 tons of the seaweed had been removed. Gomez supervised the work early in the morning where more than 250 people, including City Hall workers, Zofemat Isla Mujeres personnel, fishermen and volunteers, joined to remove the sargassum that continued to wash up until Saturday. The cleanup has been ongoing since Wednesday. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres June 21, 2024. The Mayor made it clear that the affectation only covered about 150 linear meters of the north beach and not the entire public beach, emphasizing that the beaches remain open to the public and there is no problem in Playa Centro for the enjoyment of locals and tourists. In order to keep the beaches of the municipality clean, tidy and free of sargassum in the face of the atypical seaweed wash-up that occurred a few days ago as a result of adverse weather, the Municipal Government, through Zofemat Isla Mujeres, has strengthened the actions to collect seaweed from the sand, she said in a statement. Fishermen are seen using their nets to collect sargassum in the water. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres June 21, 2024. The Mayor explained that the atypical seaweed wash-up occurred in Playa Norte, for which she immediately gave instructions to activate the sargassum operation to provide a solution and restore the beauty of this emblematic beach of Isla Mujeres that is visited by thousands of tourists and island families. Machinery was brought in to help with the collection. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres June 21, 2024. We have activated this operation to which collaborators from all the departments of the City Council, fishermen from the Temporary Employment Program, the Mexican Navy, street vendors and local merchants have joined, who are supporting and teaming up with our Zofemat warriors, said Atenea Gomez. Marina and island police also helped with the removal. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres June 21, 2024. Dayana Alejandra Perez Medina, the Director of Isla Mujeres Zofemat, said from Wednesday to Friday, we removed 364 tons of sargassum, however, the cleanup continued until the beach was completely free of sargassum. Photo: Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres June 22, 2024. As of mid-day Saturday, cleaning crews completed the sargassum removal after having pitchforked, shoveled, netted and collected by hand, 583 tons of sargassum from the affected areas of Playa Norte, which extends from Nabalam to the Hotel Mia, she reported Saturday afternoon. Judge gives woman 25 years for throwing girl off third floor of Cancun apartment Cancun, Q.R. A Cancun judge has sentenced Adelaida del Socorro N to 25 years in prison for attempted femicide. The sentence was handed down Friday along with a fine for 126,000 pesos and nearly 72,000 for moral damages. Adelaida del Socorro N was sentenced for the attempted murder of a minor girl after, on December 19, 2020, she threw the girl out of a third story apartment as revenge. The woman was drinking in the company of the child at an apartment on Wallis Street in the Paseos del Mar subdivision of Cancun when the incident occurred. In a statement, the State Attorney General (FGE) said the girl lived but suffered head trauma as well as a fractured wrist. The woman was drinking intoxicating drinks when she called the minor, whom she took in her arms while saying that this was her revenge, and threw her from the third floor of the building causing head trauma and a fracture of her left wrist, the FGE (Fiscalia General del Estado) reported. A Cancun judge handed down a sentence of 25 years in prison for Adela del Socorro N as well as a fine of 126,735 pesos and 71,968 pesos as compensation for moral damage. U.S. authorities aid in Cancun capture of known pedophile Cancun, Q.R. Local authorities have reported on the capture of a suspect in Cancun in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy. Joel N, a known pedophile, was located and arrested from a home in SM 23 of Cancun after months of investigative work. Elements assigned to the Special Prosecutors Office in Combating Human Trafficking located and arrest the alleged pedophile in a home in SM 23, Quintana Roo authorities reported Friday. At the time of his arrest, he had in his company an 11-year-old minor, whom, taking advantage of his family closeness, he allegedly raped since she was 7 years old. Authorities say he took photographs and videos that he added to his pornographic library on his cell phone, which contained images and recordings of thousands of girls and boys, they said in a statement. Joel N was located and finally captured by local authorities with help from the U.S. organization National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Mexican officials have not said if Joel N and/or the minor child are of American nationality. Police in England say the tragic death of a 7-month-old girl was simply due to a bite from the family's dog and nothing the family could have predicted. An investigation cleared the family of any criminal charges, the West Midlands Police announced on Friday. Police were called to a property on Shorncliffe Road around 3 p.m. last Sunday. Elle Doherty was found with serious head injuries from being bitten inside the family's home. Paramedics gave little Elle treatment at the scene before they rushed her to the hospital for care. She died a short time later. The pet dog, registered as a Belgian Malinois, was removed from the home on Sunday and put down. Police released a heartbreaking photo of a smiling and bubbly Elle on Friday in announcing the closure of the investigation. "Our thoughts remain with the family at this tragic time," the police said. "The have now asked to be left to grieve in private." SAC CITY, Iowa David Schultz had been working for nearly 30 straight hours, with little or no rest, the night he parked his semi-truck along a Sac County road and entered an adjacent farm field last November, the county attorney said Friday. Intoxicated from using meth, Schultz died from hypothermia in the field, about a quarter-mile from where his truck, hauling a load of hogs, was discovered abandoned the next day, on Nov. 21. Six months later, on April 24, a farm worker, while driving a tractor through the field, came across Schultz's body. Dr. Kelly Kruse, a state medical examiner, listed Schultz's manner of death as an accident, according to the death certificate, a copy of which was obtained Thursday by The Journal. The certificate lists the immediate cause of death as: "Hypothermia In the Setting of Acute Drug (methamphetamine) Intoxication." In the "description of injury line," Kelly listed: "Ingested drug and exposed to environmental cold." "The combination of severe sleep deprivation and methamphetamine use is believed to have induced a medical emergency, causing Schultz to abandon his truck and ultimately succumb to the elements in the field where he was later found," Sac County Attorney Ben Smith said in a news release Friday. Temperatures on Nov. 20, the night Schultz disappeared, dipped to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The low the following day, Nov. 21, was 35 degrees. During the week that followed, the overnight low temperature at one point fell as low as 11 degrees. For three straight nights that week, the low temperature was 18 degrees. Hypothermia can affect people even in cooler temperatures over 40 degrees if they become chilled from sweat, rain or submersion in cold water, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In the days after Schultz disappeared, local authorities, assisted by scores of volunteers, searched a reported 100,000 acres in a wide radius of where his truck was abandoned. "The vast size of the search area and environmental conditions made it challenging to locate Schultz's deceased body," Smith said in the news release. "Search operations focused on areas of fields where shrubbery and vegetation were present, such as fence lines and field borders, under the belief that a person would be more easily seen in open areas. In addition, the search teams focused on areas that appeared more probable for someone to seek refuge or become trapped." The field where Schultz died presented unique challenges, Smith said. The corn stalks in the field, both flattened and standing, with some approximately at shin height, effectively hid or camouflaged Schultz's body, which was lying supine, he said. The farm worker, who was preparing the ground for spring planting, did not even notice the body until his tractor was within about 30 meters, Smith said. Despite lying only about a quarter mile from N-14, the body also was not visible from the road or a farmstead across the road. "I think it was close enough to the road that searchers thought, 'Well, we dont need to look here because we could definitely see him,'" Smith told The Journal Thursday. Based on the final results of the autopsy, the medical examiner ruled out homicide. In the months that followed the discovery of Schultzs body, law enforcement officials also conducted an exhaustive investigation, which yielded no signs of foul play, Smith said. "It is clear from the evidence gathered at the scene and the bodys state of decomposition that Schultz had been in the field for months," Smith said in the release. Investigators learned that Smith had been operating his truck for nearly 30 hours, with little or no sleep, motivated by his desire to support his business and young family. A married father of twin boys, Schultz was last heard from in the early morning hours of Nov. 21. He traveled to a hog confinement unit near Eagle Grove, Iowa, on the night of Nov. 20 to pick up a load of hogs and deliver them to a hog buying station in Sac City. Video footage showed him at a truck stop near Fort Dodge around 11:15 p.m. on Nov. 20. After leaving the truck stop, his truck was seen heading west on U.S. Highway 20. After reaching the intersection of Hwys. 20 and 71, the truck turned north on county road N-14, rather than travel south toward the Wiechman Pig station in Sac City. His red Peterbilt semi with white stripes was parked in the middle of the northbound lane of County Road N-14, not far from where it intersects with D-15. Cell phone data shows the truck might have been just north of the intersection of N-14 and D-15 since 12:40 a.m. on Nov. 21. A county roads worker discovered the truck later that afternoon. The truck was reportedly shut off, the lights were off and the key was in the ignition. Deputies found Schultz's wallet and cellphone inside. A towel, cellphone charger and pocketknife were found with his coat on the opposite side of the road, according to Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure. His mysterious disappearance attracted media attention around the globe, generating an outpouring of support for Schultz's family. His wife, Sarah, posted nearly daily Facebook updates about the search for her husband and details of his life, drawing scores of followers. The Journal's Dolly Butz, Mason Dockter and Jared McNett contributed to this story. As law enforcement officials scrambled to find a motive behind the Arkansas grocery store shooting that killed three and wounded 11, harrowing tales of people clambering for cover began to surface, including how a mom and her children cowered in a freezer. Gunfire erupted at the Mad Butcher store in Fordyce, Ark., about an hour south of Little Rock, at about 11:30 a.m. Friday, sending people inside the grocery in a frantic search for safety. A video clip posted on social media showed alleged shooter Travis Eugene Posey, 44, of New Edinburgh, firing on police in the parking lot. He also sustained non life-threatening wounds. Katrina Doherty, 39, was shopping with her 18-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son when the shooting began, leaving the mother initially thinking something had fallen off the shelves, CNN reported. Then she saw glass shatter and a person nearby drop to the ground. She, her children and other shoppers quickly followed a couple of store workers into a freezer. "We ran in there really fast. We still heard gunshots keep going off," Doherty said, adding that she counted about nine or 10 shots, CNN reported. "It was like slow motion. My daughter was like 'Mama, pinch me, this can't be real.' And I was like, 'Baby, it's real.'" She said her son began to cry but they calmed him down, hoping the noise wouldn't attract the shooter. "We were just sitting there and praying. I was in panic mode. My son about froze to death. We tried to get him quiet, but he was saying he wanted his daddy. It felt like we were in there forever," Doherty said, CNN reported. "We were in there maybe 15 minutes. I was asking the Lord to protect over everybody. I was just praying. The other lady, she was praying. She was crying," Doherty added. David Rodriguez was pulling into a gas station nearby when he heard "pops" that he first thought were fireworks. But then he noticed the Mad Butcher's windows were shattered and saw panic-stricken shoppers running away. "The police started to show up, and then there was massive gunfire and ambulances pulling up," he said, the Associated Press reported. "The bullets were just flying." Two police officers who confronted the shooter and exchanged fire with him were also wounded with non life-threatening injuries. Posey was arrested and charged with three counts of capital murder. Other charges are pending. He is being held in the Ouachita County jail. Police said the motive for the shooting remains unclear. A mass shooting last week at a Michigan splash park for kids that injured nine still appears to be a random attack, according to police. Investigators have been unable to find any connection between the park and shooter Michael William Nash, 42, who was later found dead in a nearby house with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. A cache of 11 other guns were found in Walsh house. He reportedly had a history of mental illness and believed he was being tracked by the government. There have been 234 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. HAWARDEN, Iowa -- Floodwaters took the City of Hawarden, Iowa's wastewater treatment plant offline and forced some residents to evacuate the area Saturday. The city issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents located west of Avenue D, as of 10:30 a.m. Earlier Saturday morning those living in Frog Pond and Calliope were ordered to leave their homes. Then residents at Parkview Terrace Apartments in Hawarden, across from the city offices on Central Avenue were evacuated. A Facebook post asks citizens to monitor the city's Facebook page for further evacuation notices. The National Weather Service issued updated flood predictions for the Big Sioux River in Hawarden Saturday afternoon. The river was expected to crest at 39.1 feet around 1 p.m. Saturday, according to a press release from the city. The flood took the city's wastewater treatment plant out of service. A posting on the Sioux County Sheriff's Facebook page asked residents to refrain from drinking city water or using the bathroom. The city is under an emergency water restriction, according to a posting on the city's Facebook page. Citizens should be prepared for the potential of phone, internet and power outages, according to city officials. Residents with sump pumps are asked to not drain sump pumps into city streets or storm drains. According to a press release sent out by city officials at 9 a.m. Saturday, West Sioux High School has been designated as a shelter for those who have been forced to evacuate their homes. Central Avenue from 10th to 16th streets and areas west are underwater and closed to the public, according to a 3:30 p.m. Facebook post by the Sioux County Sheriff. The power has been shut off west of Highway 10 North, according to Hawarden city officials. No travel is permitted in the city limits. ROCK VALLEY, Iowa The sound along 10th Street in Rock Valley was a mix on Saturday. Floodwater could be heard burbling. Birds were chirping. Earthworms were strewn across 10th Street and, occasionally, mushed as citizens shuffled along sidewalks. A baby was crying off in the distance. Residents were talking on their phones, in both English and Spanish, trying to figure out how to put their lives back together. "It's been really tough. We were prepared to withstand a flood that was parallel or equal to the 2014 flood," Rock Valley City Administrator Tom Van Maanen said Saturday outside city hall. "But this just kind of hit that point where we're in good shape, we thought, and then that next rain came and brought so much rain here. We had a flash flood on top of the flood we were fighting so (there was) no place for the water to go. "Upstream, we were told (it reached) six inches north of Doon. And with the river at capacity, for what we could take care of, it was a very helpless moment because there was not a lot we could do." From June 16 through June 22, the town, home to slightly more than 4,000, received 8.84 inches of rain. The Rock River crested at 27.64 feet which smashed a previous record of 22.7 feet set in June 2014, according to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls. As a result of the deluge, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Saturday morning for Sioux County. "(I) directed all available state resources to assist Rock Valley and other communities in northwest Iowa in response to catastrophic flooding," Gov. Reynolds said via her @IAGovernor account on Twitter. "Please keep all our families in your prayers," the city of Rock Valley posted on its Facebook page. Around 9 in the morning, it added: "The City of Rock Valley is without running water and wells are unusable because of infiltration. The city is currently purchasing water from rural water." Everything north of Highway 18 Kris Gesink, a spokeswoman for the command center in Rock Valley and the daughter of Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo, estimated about 1,500 had to be evacuated but said there were no medical calls associated with the flood. "We evacuated everything that was north of Highway 18," Gesink said. Throughout the morning, city officials and emergency responders were filtering in and out of Rock Valley City Hall where the command center was located. Every so often they would stop to talk with Gesink. In 2014, she was doing similar work when the floods came. She said a lot of the same city officials and emergency personnel are still around from then. Following that incident, the city set up berms around the city. Those ridges and embankments were supplemented with sandbags throughout the night but to no avail. "Unfortunately, because the water was so high, those berms were not able to keep the water in." Gesink said she had a cousin affected in 2014; she said her cousin's house was affected yet again. Friday night, Jeff Elgersma and his family returned to Rock Valley from Yankton, South Dakota (which could see major flooding on Tuesday). Their home was spared the worst of the flooding but he still called the scene a mess. "I remember 2014 and I would say this is 10 times worse than 2014," Elgersma said. Elgersma's father-in-law and mother-in-law, with a house on Main Street, had what he assumed would be a total loss after they got eight-to-10 feet of water on the main floor of their home. They relocated to Elgersma's residence as did his brother-in-law and sister-in-law. "They're OK. Their spirits are broke but it's not impossible. We serve a good God and so we can come back from this." The early relief efforts were numerous. The city informed its residents, at 8:03 a.m., "If you are looking for sand bags for personal use, sandbags and more sand has been delivered to the Sioux County Shed on 28th Avenue." The message concluded: "Please bring your own shovel. Thank you." Dive teams, swift boats and task force teams were in the water prior to 7:43 a.m. when Sioux City Fire Rescue announced it had deployed Urban Search and Rescue team-Iowa Task Force 1 to Rock Valley to assist in evacuating the town. Several of its vehicles, including a watercraft with wheels, were stationed in the parking lot of a dentist's office later in the morning. "Thirteen team members with multiple rescue boats have rescued many people and animals stranded in the floodwaters," Sioux City Fire Rescue said on Facebook. Van Maanen said at one point during the night, a payloader was used to rescue some residents. The Red Cross sent out an email at 10:51 a.m. that it was supporting two shelters at Faith Reformed Church, 1305 Seventh St., in Rock Valley, and Central Lyon Elementary School, 1105 S. Story St., in Rock Ridge. "When you see this kind of devastation, you don't know if there's enough help out there," Elgersma said. "So it's heartening. It's nice to see all the people come together but the devastation is so much. It's hard. It's hard to even grasp what you need to help right now, to be honest." Van Maanen's eyes were watery as he described the communal bonding in the face of an unprecedented situation. "We've seen it in every flood before. Kids show up. Parents show up. People from out of town show up ... take leadership roles and do all those things," he said. "You sit in the command room and it's lonely and there's so many things going on. I can't imagine trying to do it without them." A number of folks were attempting to maintain some sense of normalcy while helicopters flew overhead, MidAmerican Energy crews worked on powerlines and utility task vehicles rumbled up and down 10th Street. One man was walking his Australian shepherd along a sidewalk on 10th Street. Children pedaled around on bicycles. Shanelle LeLoux and her friend sat on an orange bench at the city park and watched as their kids ran around the playground. She said the activity calmed the kids down. "They're all overwhelmed. Me and my husband, my daughter, we had to evacuate twice," LeLoux said. "We evacuated our house and went to their house and then we evacuated from their house up to by the GrandStay Hotel." Eventually Shanelle and her husband Caleb helped other volunteers sort through, and deliver, clothes for churches for three or four hours. "They said about 85 to 90% of the community didn't have shoes, just had what was on their back," LeLoux said. Levee breach At 1:28 a.m., Saturday, the Sioux County Sheriff's Office set off sirens in Rock Valley to alert residents that a levee was breached north of 16th Street and west of Main Street. "This means to evacuate your house if able," the Sioux County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "Faith Reformed Church is a safe center." A little less than two hours later, at 3:15 a.m., the Sioux County Sheriff's Office sent out a message asking for "any available tractors with loaders" to respond to an evacuation needed at Sunshine Foods in Rock Valley. Then came a message at 5:03 a.m. about a bridge being washed out at K64 between 350th & 340th and a message at 5:06 a.m. about a roadway being "washed out and gone on 340th Street between Dove and Eagle Avenue." An hour later, at 6:04 a.m., the Sioux County Sheriff's Office gave word a bridge was out on B30 "just west of Ironwood, 1/2 west of Middleburg." Blockages throughout Siouxland The Iowa Department of Transportation issued a warning Saturday that "travel is strongly discouraged" in Sioux, Lyon, O'Brien, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties due to flooded roadways. The DOT stated roads were flooded and quickly becoming dangerous. High water also wreaked havoc on Interstate 29. The South Dakota Department of Transportation notified motorists at 7:05 a.m. an alternate route from Sioux Falls to Sioux City was no longer viable as several sections of the Iowa portion of the detour are "now impassable due to high water. I-29 remains blocked at exit 50 (Centerville) and exit 62 (Canton)." The Iowa Department of Transportation reported a flurry of blockages on Saturday morning as well. Blocked routes were encountered along IA 10, IA 4, US 18, US 71 and US 75. L iving up to its name Seventy miles east of Rock Valley, in Arnolds Park and Okoboji, flooding was severe enough for Dickinson County Emergency Management to caution residents late Friday night, "DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADS." Highway 71 was reported flooded and as were "many streets." The Nutty Bar Stand, a popular stop at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park, posted a video on Facebook where water could be seen sweeping all across Lake Street. "Lake Street is living up to its name tonight!!! Hope everyone stays safe tonight!" the video was captioned. In Okoboji, 3.6 inches of rain (overnight) were reported. Major flooding has still been forecast for a number of Siouxland communities including Akron, Alton, Hawarden, Linn Grove and Merrill. Moderate and minor flooding has been forecast by the NWS-Sioux Falls office for other parts of the area. Last updated 7:10p.m., Saturday ROCK VALLEY, Iowa With two-to-three more inches of rain expected tonight, an evacuation order has been issued for Rock Valley (pop. 4076). "Due to rising floodwaters posing a significant risk, the following emergency evacuation instructions are being issued to ensure the safety of all residents in the affected areas. Please follow these instructions carefully," a release from Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo began. The advice then proceeded: Stay Calm. Gather your family, and a neighbor or someone else who needs help. Take essential items (diapers, baby food, clothes, money, personal toiletries, medicines, etc.). Turn off all appliances (stove, lights, heaters, etc.). Lock your house. Do not use more cars than necessary. Go immediately to the home of a friend or relative outside the evacuation area, or to the shelter located at: Faith Reformed Church, 1305 7th St, Rock Valley, IA 51247. If you need transportation, call: 712-737-3307 Any party that refuses to evacuate during an emergency evacuation will need to sign a refusal agreement. According to a Facebook post from the city, the church "is currently stocked and ready with food, cots, blankets, pillows and more ready for anyone who needs a place to stay for the night." The National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls forecast showers and thunderstorms mainly before 3 a.m., Saturday for Rock Valley. "Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall," NWS - Sioux Falls said. For Saturday, mainly before noon, there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Rock Valley is under a flash flood warning until 12:15 a.m. as is Spirit Lake, Iowa. Sibley, Iowa; Rock Rapids, Iowa; and George, Iowa are under flash flood warnings until 12:45 a.m. Spencer, Iowa; Sioux Center, Iowa; and Orange City, Iowa are under flash flood warnings until 1:30 a.m. Major flooding events are still being forecast for the the coming days in other Northwest Iowa towns such as: Akron, Alton, Hawarden, Linn Grove and Merrill. The NWS - Sioux Falls office also issued a severe thunderstorm warning including Hartley, Iowa; Melvin, Iowa and May City, Iowa to run until 10:30 p.m. Due to the dangerous weather, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported a number of road closures and blockages. At 9:51 p.m., the Iowa DOT alerted motorists to IA 9 eastbound/westbound being blocked from County Road L32 to County Road L36 (four miles east of Little Rock). At 9:27 p.m., the Iowa DOT gave notice of flooding from County Road 40 to US 75 on Iowa 9 eastbound (near Rock Rapids). Flooding on US 18 eastbound, at County Road A42 (5 miles west of Rock Valley) was reported at 9:21 p.m. A judge in Nevada tossed an indictment against six Republicans accused in a fake electors scheme falsely claiming that Donald Trump won the state in the 2020 presidential election, according to a report. Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus said state prosecutors filed the case in Las Vegas, the wrong jurisdiction. Defense lawyers claimed that Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford should have filed the case closer to where the alleged crime occurred instead of in Clark County. "We disagree with the judge's decision and will be appealing immediately," said John Sadler, a spokesperson for the Nevada attorney general's office, the Hill reported. But defense attorneys declared the case "done" because prosecutors trying to bring it to another grand jury would violate the three-year statute of limitations on filing charges, which expired in December. Holthus called off the trial scheduled to begin in January. The six charged are: Michael McDonald, Jesse Law, Jim DeGraffenreid, Durward James Hindle III, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice. They faced felony charges of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument. If convicted, each one could have been sentenced to up to five years in prison. The fake electors scheme was supposed to begin with former Vice President Mike Pence refusing to certify Joe Biden's presidential election victory during a joint-session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump supporters and Republicans in battleground states like Nevada and Michigan would then put forward a new roster of electors who would vote for Trump over then-President-Elect Joe Biden, allowing the former president to overturn his loss. Other "fake electors" cases are underway in a number of states, inlcuding Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin. The Supreme Court dealt a blow to the fundamental rights of married couples on Friday in an important and ominous immigration case, Department of State v. Munoz. Justice Amy Coney Barrett heldover the dissent of all three liberalsthat American citizens have no constitutional liberty interest in living with their foreign spouses, denying them the most basic protections against arbitrary government discrimination. Justice Sonia Sotomayors fierce dissent condemned Barretts opinion as, among other things, an unsubtle assault on marriage equality for LGBTQ+ Americans. On Saturdays episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the Munoz decision and its alarming ramifications for the constitutional right to marry. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Dahlia Lithwick: This is an important case about immigration law thatll be devastating to a lot of binational families. Yet Justice Sotomayor also used her dissent to sound a four-alarm fire about the future of marriage equality. To start, can you talk about this case on its own terms? Mark Joseph Stern: Sandra Munoz is an American citizen. Shes married to Luis Asencio-Cordero, whos a citizen of El Salvador. They have a child together who is also an American citizen. Munoz and her husband sought a visa so he could live with her in the United States. The State Department denied that visa and refused to explain why. Munoz sued and prevailed at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that the Constitution creates a liberty interest for American citizens to live in the U.S. with their immigrant spouses. The 9th Circuit ruled that the government intruded on that constitutional freedom, and so, at a bare minimum, it had an obligation to give Munoz a reason for denying the visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how does Justice Amy Coney Barretts majority opinion turn this case into an arrow aimed straight at the heart of marriage equality? Well, to start, the majority ruled against Munoz. Barrett wrote that, no, you do not have a right to be given the reason for your spouses visa denial. The majority could have stopped there, but it didnt. Instead, for the first time ever, it held that there is in fact no liberty interest under the Constitution for an American citizen to live with her spouse in her country of citizenship. The State Department could do anything it wanted because there was no constitutional right at play. Its worth noting that the court didnt even need to get into this discussion of marital rights, correct? Justice Gorsuch has an uncharacteristically restrained, un-Gorsuch-y concurrence saying his conservative colleagues didnt need to get that far. Advertisement Thats exactly right, because the government has already given Munoz the reason it denied the visa. It gave her what she asked for! Now, that reason is dubious: The government claimed he had gang tattoos, which doesnt appear to be true, and she contests it. But because it gave her the answer she demanded, this appeal shouldve been over. Gorsuch says, basically, I dont understand why the majority keeps going when Ms. Munoz has already gotten the relief she sought. She would be free to seek the visa again. But the majority was hungry to go further, as Justice Sotomayor said in her dissent. The majority wanted to cut back the constitutional right to marry, so it weaponized this case as a cudgel against that right, rather than practicing judicial restraint. Advertisement Related From Slate Amy Coney Barrett Sounds Fed Up With Clarence Thomas Sloppy Originalism Read More Lets walk through the Sotomayor dissent, because it reads like an elegy for something that isnt gone yet. She starts right out of the chute: The right to marry is fundamental as a matter of history and tradition, quoting Obergefell. She suggests that the majority is doing something to imperil Obergefell and even breaking a promise it made in the Dobbs decision. What is she mourning? Advertisement I think shes preemptively mourning Obergefell and suggesting that it will be the next casualty of Dobbs. Really, theres no other way to read it. She points out that in Dobbs, the majority said it was not undermining the right to marry, the right to reside with relatives, and the right to make decisions about the education of ones children. But the majoritys decision undermines all those rights! It takes away an American citizens right to live with their spouse and their children here in the U.S. And in doing so, it sabotages one of the key aspects of the courts marriage ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sotomayor talks about how Jim Obergefell and his husband could have stayed in Maryland after they got married there, but didnt wantthey wanted to go back home to Ohio and live together there. So when the Supreme Court struck down same-sex marriage bans, it specifically said that same-sex couples had the right to have their marriages recognized so they could live together in whatever state they wanted. Same thing in Loving v. Virginia: The Lovings could have stayed in D.C., which allowed interracial marriage at the time, after they got married there. But they didnt want tothey wanted to go back home to Virginia and live as a married couple there. The state wouldnt let them, so the Supreme Court struck down Virginias ban on interracial marriage. Sotomayor says those principles are enshrined in our marriage precedents. And she sends up this flare to say that marriage is not just about a piece of paper; its about the constellation of liberties that accompany it. And a big one has always been the right to live together. Advertisement Justice Sotomayor seems to zero in on Obergefell for another reason, tooshes worried the majoritys decision will have a disproportionate burden on same-sex couples. Why is that? Advertisement Advertisement So the majority suggests that if Munoz wants to live with her husband, she can just move to El Salvador. But for many binational, same-sex couples, that option does not really exist. Because one spouse might live in a place where marriage equality isnt legal and where homosexuality might even be criminalized. Sotomayor points out that the majoritys rule is effectively discriminating against same-sex couples. She writes that it will punish those couples who, like the Lovings and the Obergefells, depend on American law for their marriages validity. Lookthe justice does not whip out this rhetoric in any low-level case. She is explaining that the majority reached far beyond the facts here to call into question some of the bedrock principles of the courts marriage jurisprudence to say that the majority is very much open to changing its mind. And is that any surprise? No member of the conservative supermajority joined the Obergefell majority in 2015. It is very much a new court. Advertisement It really does raise all the questions we discussed after Dobbs about what substantive due process was meant to protect, right? How families work, how marriages work, where you live, the ability to travel together. Is there any chance Sotomayor is overreacting? Advertisement Advertisement I dont think shes overreacting. Its all too easy to imagine this court overruling Obergefell in a few years and citing Barretts decision in this case. The court could easily say, just down the road, that it already called Obergefell into question, and overruling it is the next logical step. I think thats why Sotomayor also hinges her dissent on Dobbs, pointing to false assurances that the court would overturn abortion rights but go no further. We all knew that was bogus at the time. And remember, Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson signed on to this dissent in full. I think all three liberals are ringing this alarm so everyone can see that overturning marriage equality is very much on the table at this Supreme Court. 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. This election is between a convicted criminal who is only out for himself, and a president who is fighting for your family. Excerpt from a recent Biden campaign ad titled Character Matters With less than a week to go until President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debate face-to-face for the first time since 2020, the Biden-Harris campaign has released the first of multiple television ads that target Donald Trump for who he is, according to the ads anonymous narrator. Its part of a recent $50 million ad blitz effort by the Biden campaign, and it lays it all out there in 30 seconds flat. Hes been convicted of 34 felonies, found liable for sexual assault, and he committed financial fraud, states the narrator, darkly, as Trump appears on the screen, glowering from inside (and outside) multiple courtrooms, the imagery filtered in a noir-esque black-and-white hue. Meanwhilecue the epic superhero-esque soundtrack and brightly colored clips of Biden signing bills and hugging workers across various industriesJoe Biden has been working, lowering health care costs and making big corporations pay their fair share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ad then flashes Trumps infamous mug shot from the Fulton County jail, taken in August of 2023 after he was indicted by the district attorney in a conspiracy to interfere with the 2020 election. It concludes with another light montage showing a happy, smiling Biden. It should be shocking: a convicted felon running for the highest American office on a platform stuffed with authoritarian promises to degrade democracy and violate human rights. (And lets not even get into Project 2025.) Shouldnt that reality alone trigger a fresh wave of collective outrage? Will it? Or are we completely numb, as a society, to the stakes of this presidential race? Advertisement The Biden ads stylistic qualities and presentation of dichotomies between the two candidates are nothing new, but never before has one presidential candidate been able to say about the other, That guy is a felon. (The Trump campaign is set to air its first TV ad for the general election on Thursday, the day of the first presidential debate.) After the New York jurys decision to convict Trump in the hush money trial, the Biden campaign didnt immediately jump into creating felon-Trump ad content. Instead, they engaged in a broad discussion about how to use the jurys decision in the campaign, according to a recent New York Times story about the ad. I guess that makes sense, given the current absurdity of our political climate. Trumps conviction may have been a first of its kind in American political history, but it only noticeably weakened support among independent voters, according to recent polling from Politico and Ipsos. (Twenty-one percent of independents said the conviction made them less likely to support Trump and that it would be an important factor in their vote.) And Americans of all walks of life, according to the same poll, saw the trial as politically motivated. Specifically, 43 percent of all polled votersRepublican, Democrat, and independentanswered Agree to this statement proposed by Ipsos: The decision by the Manhattan District Attorneys office to charge Donald Trump was based on trying to gain a political advantage for Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Does this make you want to hit yourself in the head with a shovel? Theres more. Following Trumps conviction, Bidens approval ratings, according to FiveThirtyEights polling average, dipped to the lowest so far throughout his presidency (37.4 percent approval). Thats not to say these two factorsTrumps criminal status and Bidens approval ratinghave a direct causal relationship, or that there arent numerous other explanations for Bidens dragging national support. Its just that the presidential election is sort of a zero-sum game, and polled voters dont seem to view the two candidates that way (at least right now). A hit for Trumpeven a felony convictiondoes not automatically equal a win for Biden. The jurys still out (pun absolutely intended) on the long-term effects of the conviction and even on Bidens advertisement blitz, especially in the swing states that will play such an outsize role in November. Although Trump has the remarkable yet terrifying ability to numb the human senses with never-ending and belligerent chaos, the Biden-Harris team is clearly trying to cut through the noise with ads digestible enough for our rapidly shrinking attention spans. Such an effort might not cause any seismic shifts, but its a tacticand a messagethat bears repeating. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/bird-flu-risk-among-us-dairy-herds-high-possible-impact-on-individual-farmers-worrisome-1119055786.html Bird Flu Risk Among US Dairy Herds High, Possible Impact on Individual Farmers Worrisome Bird Flu Risk Among US Dairy Herds High, Possible Impact on Individual Farmers Worrisome Sputnik International A bird flu virus is spreading at a concerning rate across hundreds of dairy farms in the US, and the risks it poses for individual farmers can be tragic, industry experts told Sputnik. 2024-06-22T01:53+0000 2024-06-22T01:53+0000 2024-06-22T01:53+0000 americas us colorado ohio texas us centers for disease control (cdc) bird flu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/10/1095550627_0:113:2001:1238_1920x0_80_0_0_12ead5ac4c8b53f803adfd2c4d563d17.jpg As of June 20, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that 115 dairy herds across 12 US states have been infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu. This specific strand of bird flu, H5N1, was first detected in the United States in February 2022. Bird flu infections have been reported in cattle in Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Wyoming, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and North Carolina. Three human cases of bird flu virus infection have been reported in the United States, but the CDC claims the risk of severe infection in humans is low. South Dakota State University Veterinary Professor Russ Daly said the steady spread of bird flu among dairy herds concerns him. Daly said its difficult to determine the number of cattle that have died directly from bird flu, but based on his conversations with dairy owners and a veterinarian, it seems to be very low. Daly also doesn't expect it will have much of an impact on the dairy industry. However, bird flu has been more severe among poultry, he said. As of May 2024, the CDC has reported outbreaks in poultry flocks in 48 US states. The virus causes serious illness and death in infected chickens. The poultry industry has for some time learned to evolve and put measures in place to mitigate biohazards, but the dairy industry is barely confronting its own farms biosecurity or lack thereof, Daly said. "This is not an industry thats really had to worry about diseases being brought in," Daly said. Meghan Harshbarger, head of communications at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, warned that nationwide economic impacts could be significant for the affected producers. For now, the bird flu has only had a minimal impact on dairy farms in Ohio, Harshbarger said, and there is no evidence of spread or additional detections in the state. Harshbarger noted that cattle mortality rates are low from infection, only a limited number of dairy cows have died due to secondary infections or metabolic issues after poor response to medical treatment. Colorado Department of Agriculture Communications Director Olga Robak told Sputnik that they've seen several cases of cows having to be removed when they were no longer able to produce milk after recovering from the bird flu virus.Ten dairies in Colorado have confirmed bird flu cases in their herds, according to Robak.The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) communications department told Sputnik it continues to actively work with federal, state, academic, and industry partners to learn more about the evolving situation and to respond effectively. The TAHC has only seen a "normal" level of removal of dairy cows from herds despite bird flu infections, but there have been some cases of cow deaths due to secondary bird flu infections. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231025/catastrophic-arrival-bird-flu-strikes-antarctic-threatening-unique-wildlife-1114462771.html americas colorado ohio texas 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 bird flu virus, us bird flu, us dairy herds, dairy farms in us bird flu risks, human cases of bird flu https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/china-accuses-eu-of-provoking-trade-war-over-planned-ev-tariffs-1119061884.html China Accuses EU of Provoking 'Trade War' Over Planned EV Tariffs China Accuses EU of Provoking 'Trade War' Over Planned EV Tariffs Sputnik International The EU is provoking a conflict that could lead to a "trade war" with China, according to a statement from Beijing's Ministry of Commerce. 2024-06-22T14:59+0000 2024-06-22T14:59+0000 2024-06-22T14:59+0000 economy china europe european union (eu) european commission world trade organization (wto) electric vehicles electric cars trade war https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101845/19/1018451922_0:108:2048:1260_1920x0_80_0_0_ba928eb5678860222404c20ae92cefda.jpg The EU is provoking a conflict that could lead to a "trade war" with China, according to a statement from Beijing's Ministry of Commerce. The European Commission recently conducted an investigation into electric vehiclesimported from China and found what Brussels considers to be "unfair" government subsidies. As a result, the EC may impose anti-dumping duties on these imports, with tariffs ranging from 17 to 38% depending on the manufacturer, effective from July 4.In response, China's Ministry of Commerce announced the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into pork imports from the EU. "The current trade frictions between China and the EU are not what China wishes to see," said the ministry spokesperson in a statement posted on its website on Friday.The ministry highlighted that China has always adhered to WTO rules and exercised caution and restraint in using trade protection measures. "Unfortunately, the European side continues to provoke trade disputes The EU continues to escalate trade disagreements, which could trigger a 'trade war.' The responsibility lies entirely with the EU," the statement noted.Earlier, China stated that the EU's plans to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles harm the legitimate rights and interests of China's EV industry, expressing sharp dissatisfaction and vowing to take decisive countermeasures. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230918/why-is-eu-revving-up-battle-against-chinas-ev-supremacy-1113437218.html china 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 china, europe, european union (eu), trade war, tariffs, electic cars, electric vehicles https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/cuba-joins-south-africas-lawsuit-against-israel-at-icj---foreign-ministry-1119055385.html Cuba Joins South Africa's Lawsuit Against Israel at ICJ Cuba Joins South Africa's Lawsuit Against Israel at ICJ Sputnik International Cuba has decided to join South Africas case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israels alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 2024-06-22T00:08+0000 2024-06-22T00:08+0000 2024-06-22T05:00+0000 world cuba israel gaza strip international court of justice hamas palestinians lawsuit https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/15713/50/157135097_0:600:2724:2132_1920x0_80_0_0_3d12d6bec7914d0f942a2c2bb74e5077.jpg "In accordance with a firm and permanent commitment to support and participate to the fullest extent possible in the legitimate international efforts to stop genocide against the Palestinian people, the government of the Republic of Cuba has decided to participate in the lawsuit of the Republic of South Africa against the State of Israel in the International Court of Justice," the ministry said in a communique. On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit with the ICJ against Israel over alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. On January 26, the ICJ ruled provisional measures ordering Israel to take urgent steps to prevent acts of genocide and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the enclave. At the same time, the ICJ did not order an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.In early March, the African nation went back to the ICJ to call for additional provisional measures against Israel that would address widespread starvation among Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others 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 and rescuing the hostages. More than 37,300 people have been killed and over 85,300 others have been wounded in Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip since October 7, according to local authorities. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/disproportionate-violence-israel-hamas-struggle-to-reach-ceasefire-as-both-come-under-review---1118939208.html cuba 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 south africa case against israel, israel gaza strip genocide, israel icj lawsuit, cuba lawsuit sues israel https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/frances-left-wing-parties-vow-to-scrap-macrons-controversial-pension-reform-if-elected-1119056289.html France's Left-Wing Parties Vow to Scrap Macron's Controversial Pension Reform If Elected France's Left-Wing Parties Vow to Scrap Macron's Controversial Pension Reform If Elected Sputnik International The New Popular Front promised to introduce a bill to cancel President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform and lower the retirement age to 60 years if it wins the snap parliamentary elections. 2024-06-22T02:57+0000 2024-06-22T02:57+0000 2024-06-22T09:49+0000 world europe france emmanuel macron european parliament snap election https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/17/1115763746_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1fd21a4813660d58fa30de1f53ffe8a0.jpg "If we win, we will present a major bill on the pension at the age of 60 before 2027. We will rely on joint work with our social partners in it," Eric Coquerel, a lawmaker from La France Insoumise party from the coalition, told a press conference.If the coalition is victorious, Macron's reform will be canceled as early as 2024, he said. The parties then plan to organize a large-scale conference to discuss with social organizations the legal framework for returning the retirement age to 60, the lawmaker added. The slogan "Pension at 60" was one of the main slogans at the protests against the pension reform that took place in France from January to June 2023. Over 1 million participants took part in mass actions across the country, but the law gradually raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 years came into force in September 2023. On June 9, Macron announced the dissolution of the French parliament's lower house and holding of two-round snap parliamentary elections on June 30 and July 7. The decision was made in the wake of the European Parliament elections in which France's right-wing National Rally party emerged victorious, finishing with over 15 percentage points ahead of Macron's centrist coalition. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/french-politics-wont-get-less-complicated-after-election-1119055521.html 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 new popular front, french pension reform, president emmanuel macron's pension reform, new snap elections in france https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/french-politics-wont-get-less-complicated-after-election-1119055521.html French Politics Wont Get Less Complicated After Election French Politics Wont Get Less Complicated After Election Sputnik International Following a surprising defeat of centrist parties across Europe in European elections, French President Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections, but they are unlikely to bring a stable government. 2024-06-22T00:38+0000 2024-06-22T00:38+0000 2024-06-22T00:38+0000 analysis jean-marie le pen marie le pen national assembly national rally global policy institute (gpi) george szamuely france emmanuel macron https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/12/1117399515_0:0:3070:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_db5bcae4ceb3c590d668ba3679a483e8.jpg Macron was likely hoping that the higher turnout for National Assembly elections and long-held French fear of a party run by the daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen (Marine Le Pen) would mobilize voters into supporting centrist parties to stop them. Recent polling indicates that is not likely to happen, at least not by choosing Macrons Renaissance Party.No matter the outcome next month, we are unlikely to see an end to the drama in French politics, particularly if the National Rally does not secure a clear majority or if it cannot find allies to create one.Its unlikely any one political grouping will be able to get 51% of the vote and therefore, be able to form any kind of stable government, explained George Szamuely, a senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute on the Sputnik's Fault Lines. If the National Rally secures a plurality but not a majority, Macron will not be obligated to pick likely National Rally candidate Jordan Bardella.Further complicating matters for Macron is a new coalition of leftist parties, named the New Popular Front, that includes the Communists, Socialists, Greens and France Unbowed (LFI). That group has rocketed past Macrons center-right coalition and is now seen as the National Rallys biggest threat.While Macron has been and will likely continue to court the left to keep the National Rally out of power, they seem unlikely to join him due to Macrons conservative immigration reform, his decision to raise the retirement age in France and spending cuts. Fearing a complete defeat at the hands of both the New Popular Front and the National Rally, Macrons allies have also started attacking the left in France in hopes of maintaining some of their power.Currently, the National Rally leads national polling in France with 31%. The New Popular Front is a strong second with 28% and Macrons alliance remains below 20%. That means it is unlikely that his party will make it to the second round in most districts.His voters would then have to choose between the leftist coalition candidate and the National Rally, and could make the crucial difference.Though his party looks likely to suffer massive losses, Macron has pledged to finish his term, which ends in 2027. If that happens, France will be stuck with a lame-duck president, ruling in what is called cohabitation with the Prime Minister from either the New Popular Front or the National Rally. France hasnt had a cohabitation government since 2002 and this one looks to be far more contentious than any previous iteration.That is the best case scenario for stability in the French Government. Current polling indicates that it is more likely that neither the National Rally nor the New Popular Front will gain enough seats for a true majority and France could be stuck in a limbo, unable to field a government that can actually govern.Worse, Bardella has already indicated that he wont accept the post of Prime Minister if the National Rally does not secure a majority.I dont want to be the Presidents assistant, Bardella explained. Im not going to sell the French people measures or actions that I couldnt follow through.French politics are complicated and often chaotic. It looks like it will stay that way. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240609/macron-announces-dissolution-of-frances-national-assembly-holding-of-snap-elections-1118886616.html france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino french elections, new popular front, national rally party, who will win the french elections, how do french elections work https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/germanys-tornado-fighters-practice-dropping-laser-guided-gbu-54-bombs-in-alaska-1119061769.html Germany's Tornado Fighters Practice Dropping Laser-Guided GBU-54 Bombs in Alaska Germany's Tornado Fighters Practice Dropping Laser-Guided GBU-54 Bombs in Alaska Sputnik International Germany's Tornado combat aircraft have practiced dropping GBU-54 laser-guided precision bombs as part of the Pacific Skies 24 exercise in Alaska, the German air force said on Saturday. 2024-06-22T14:28+0000 2024-06-22T14:28+0000 2024-06-22T18:03+0000 military alaska germany luftwaffe https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103131/51/1031315118_0:125:3431:2054_1920x0_80_0_0_f3a89f25c0599d38f87b80da03cfc4cd.jpg "The Tornadoes of [the Luftwaffe] also drop bombs at Pacific Skies 24 in Alaska. GBU54, laser-guided bombs," the air force said on X. During the drills, for the first time in many years, the German fighters descended to a minimum flight altitude of 30 meters (98 feet), rising only right before dropping the bombs, German newspaper Munchner Merkur reported. "That is exactly why we bought the Tornado fighter jets in the 1980s. With these aircraft, you can fly under enemy radars. This means that they can remain almost undetected by enemy air defense for a long time," Lt. Col. Christoph Hachmeister was quoted as saying by the newspaper. More than 30 fighter planes, helicopters, transport aircraft and tanker aircraft are taking part in five individual maneuvers in Alaska, Japan, Australia, India and Hawaii as part of the Pacific Skies 24. The joint exercises of the German, French and Spanish air forces will last until mid-August. https://sputnikglobe.com/20201108/german-mps-greenlight-6-bn-contract-on-purchase-of-advanced-eurofighter-warplanes-1081094123.html alaska germany 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 geman drills over alaska, tornado fighter jet, gbu-54 laser-guided bomb https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/houthis-iraqi-militia-say-attacked-israeli-linked-ships-in-haifa-mediterranean-sea-1119067952.html Houthis, Iraqi Militia Say Attacked Israeli-Linked Ships in Haifa, Mediterranean Sea Houthis, Iraqi Militia Say Attacked Israeli-Linked Ships in Haifa, Mediterranean Sea Sputnik International Yemen's Houthis said that together with a Shia militant alliance known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked five ships linked to Israel in the port of Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea. 2024-06-22T22:51+0000 2024-06-22T22:51+0000 2024-06-22T22:51+0000 world israel haifa ansar allah houthis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105810/26/1058102621_0:124:5760:3364_1920x0_80_0_0_c62e51274762b642391081c4b29a5b7e.jpg "The Yemeni armed forces carried out two operations using drones together with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeting five ships in the port of Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea. During the first operation, four ships were attacked in the port of Haifa for violating the ban on entering the ports of occupied Palestine," the movement said in a statement, adding that all the ships were attacked on Saturday.Earlier in May, armed Shiite militias affiliated with the Islamic Resistance of Iraq movement claimed to have launched a drone strike on the Israeli port of Haifa.According to the text of their statement, the attack was in response "to the killing of Palestinian civilians." The "Islamic Resistance of Iraq" promised to "continue attacking enemy strongholds." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240406/iraqi-shia-groups-take-credit-for-attack-on-israeli-oil-refineries-1117774108.html israel haifa 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 houthis, houthi strikes at haifa, islamic resistance in iraq attacked ships in haifa, israel gainst houthis, attack on israeli ships https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/idf-spokesman-says-israel-cannot-defeat-hamas-so-what-are-they-doing-1119056423.html IDF Spokesman Says Israel Cannot Defeat Hamas, So What Are They Doing? IDF Spokesman Says Israel Cannot Defeat Hamas, So What Are They Doing? Sputnik International The top spokesman of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said that his military cannot defeat Hamas, the stated goal of the Netanyahu government. So what is their real goal? 2024-06-22T03:44+0000 2024-06-22T03:44+0000 2024-06-22T03:53+0000 analysis benjamin netanyahu margaret flowers garland nixon israel middle east lebanon hezbollah hamas israel defense forces (idf) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1a/1116395688_0:0:811:457_1920x0_80_0_0_73591783c220ddb72ed59bb7936be686.jpg This business of destroying Hamas, making Hamas disappear its simply throwing sand in the eyes of the public, said the spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. Hamas is an idea, Hamas is a party. Its rooted in the hearts of the people whoever thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong.But if defeating Hamas is impossible, what are Israels real goals in Gaza?For Netanyahu, it may just be political survival. Before October 7, there were regular protests against him by Israelis over his reforms of the countrys Supreme Court. Those protests have now renewed, as have protests accusing Netanyahu of not prioritizing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.He believes that continuing to wage this genocide against the Palestinian people is critical for his political survival, argued the co-editor of Popular Resistance, Dr. Margaret Flowers on Sputnik's The Critical Hour. Everything is falling apart around him.The Critical Hour co-host and political analyst Garland Nixon speculated that when Israeli officials say Hamas it is really a euphemism for Palestinians. I know someone that was in the Iraq War and he would say Yeah, we were in the desert and we looked out and we knew Saddam was out there everywhere. He just meant Iraqi soldiers. They use that. VC, Charlie, hes out there everywhere, Nixon explained. The reality is, to me, when Netanyahu says I want to destroy or kill Hamas hes just saying destroy men, women, children, all of them.Last week, the official X account of the Israeli government posted a video that included the quote, There are no innocent civilians there (in Gaza). The video was also posted on several other official Israeli government accounts.In addition to Gaza, Israel has also been in a tit-for-tat war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Earlier this week, Hezbollah released a nine-minute video of drone footage over Israeli airspace, highlighting critical security infrastructure and even the homes of some high-ranking officials. On Wednesday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah warned that Hezbollah could move into the Galilee region in northern Israel.On Friday, Israeli media reported that the CEO of a company that manages Israels electrical systems said that Hezbollah could make Israel uninhabitable within 72 hours by attacking its power grid.We are not ready for a real war. We live in a fantasy world, in my eyes, the CEO, Shaul Goldstein, said.Yet the war drums continue to beat in Israel. On Tuesday, following the release of the drone footage by Hezbollah, Israels foreign minister said his country is ready for an all-out war in Lebanon.If the state of Israel really wanted to make its people secure, they would have negotiated a ceasefire a long time ago and ended these hostilities. But thats definitely not their goal. Complete eradication of the Palestinian people is their goal. And they dont care what the civilian cost is," said Flowers. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240617/israeli-insiders-slam-arrogance-bullst-of-netanyahus-leadership-1118991617.html israel lebanon palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino genocide in gaza, idf cannot defeat hamas, what are israel's goals in gaza, lebanon israeli war InPics: China Coast Guard retrieve illegally obtained fishing nets by Filipinos in China's Ren'ai Jiao Xinhua) 09:33, June 22, 2024 Law enforcers of China Coast Guard take back the fishing nets deployed by Philippine personnel near the illegally grounded Philippine navy transport ship in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 10, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) SANSHA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Recently, in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, personnel from the illegally grounded Philippine navy transport ship repeatedly damaged Chinese fishermen's nets and deployed the illegally obtained fishing nets to the nearby waters of their ship to obstruct the law enforcement of China Coast Guard (CCG). CCG law enforcers have retrieved these illegally obtained fishing nets and returned them to Chinese fishermen to recover their economic losses. A law enforcer of China Coast Guard waves goodbye to Chinese fishermen after returning the retrieved fishing nets in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 11, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) Law enforcers of China Coast Guard return the retrieved fishing nets to Chinese fishermen in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 11, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) Law enforcers of China Coast Guard prepare to take back the fishing nets deployed by Philippine personnel near the illegally grounded Philippine navy transport ship in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 10, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) A law enforcer of China Coast Guard is pictured on the way to Chinese fishing boats with retrieved fishing nets in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 11, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) A law enforcer of China Coast Guard is pictured on the way to Chinese fishing boats with retrieved fishing nets in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 11, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) Law enforcers of China Coast Guard help Chinese fishermen arrange the retrieved fishing nets on a fishing boat in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 11, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) Law enforcers of China Coast Guard (1st and 2nd, L) and Chinese fishermen pose for photos with retrieved fishing nets on a fishing boat in China's Ren'ai Jiao and the surrounding territorial sea, June 11, 2024. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) A pair of billionaire twins exceeded federal limits by each donating $1 million worth of Bitcoin to former President Donald Trump and received refunds to bring them into compliance with the law, according to a report. The hefty contributions from Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss were more than the legal maximum of $844,600 per person and the overages were returned to them, Bloomberg said Friday, citing an unidentified Trump campaign official. It's unclear whether the Trump 47 Committee made the refunds in Bitcoin or cash, Bloomberg said. Trump has been courting cryptocurrency investors and attacking Democratic efforts to regulate the industry following revelations of widespread fraud, including last year's conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried in the $11 billion collapse of his FTX crypto exchange. On Thursday, President Joe Biden's presumptive Republican challenger told the "All-In" podcast that he met the Winklevoss twins at a San Francisco fundraising event with tech executives earlier this month and called them "very nice," Bloomberg said. He also met with Bitcoin miners at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida this month and he has reportedly discussed cryptocurrency policy with billionaire Elon Musk, who favors the rival Dogecoin brand of digital money. The Winklevosses, 42, founded and run the Gemini crypto exchange and are each estimated by Forbes to be worth $2.7 billion. In February, New York state regulators said Gemini would return at least $1.1 billion to investors and pay a $37 million fine for engaging in unsafe and unsound business practices involving the since-bankrupt Genesis Global Capital firm. The twins, former Olympic rowing champions, gained fame by accusing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their idea for the popular website, as dramatized in the 2010 movie "The Social Network." They settled a lawsuit over their claims for $65 million in cash and stock. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/new-russian-radar-can-spot-tiniest-drones-1119060515.html New Russian Radar Can Spot Tiniest Drones New Russian Radar Can Spot Tiniest Drones Sputnik International Russia's Iney (lit. 'hoar frost') compact radar station is capable of detecting very small drones, Georgy Antsev, general director and chief designer of producing company Radar mms, told Sputnik. 2024-06-22T11:48+0000 2024-06-22T11:48+0000 2024-06-22T11:48+0000 military russia radar drone https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/16/1119060363_0:114:3238:1935_1920x0_80_0_0_fc39f12f1029bd0fccb63a9e6cc32a4d.jpg Russia's Iney (lit. 'hoar frost') compact radar station is capable of detecting very small drones, Georgy Antsev, general director and chief designer of producing company Radar mms, told Sputnik.According to him, Iney can detect very small UAVs at a distance of up to 5 kilometers, while it sees larger targets "much further." The system includes a database that allows it to distinguish between different types of drones and birds."Several Iney complexes can be installed at airfields and extensive critical infrastructure sites, creating a continuous radar field around them. Moreover, due to its small size, Iney can be mounted on various weapon systems, turning it into an onboard radar," Antsev explained.Research and production enterprise Radar mms is one of the Russian leaders in the creation of radio-electronic systems and complexes. The companys areas of work include radar systems, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, meteorological and magnetometric systems, as well as high-speed vessels and sea-based complexes. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/russia-creates-worlds-first-ground-based-fpv-kamikaze-drone-1118729684.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 new russian radar station, radar station can spot tiny drones, radar mms, radar iney https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/pope-francis-russian-ambassador-to-holy-see-discuss-putins-peace-proposal-for-ukraine-1119060911.html Pope Francis, Russian Ambassador to Holy See Discuss Putin's Peace Proposal for Ukraine Pope Francis, Russian Ambassador to Holy See Discuss Putin's Peace Proposal for Ukraine Sputnik International Pope Francis and Russian Ambassador to the Holy See Ivan Soltanovsky have discussed Russian President Vladimir Putin's peace proposal for Ukraine, as the Vatican recognizes the futility of any peace process without Russia's participation, the Russian embassy to the Vatican said on Saturday. 2024-06-22T12:54+0000 2024-06-22T12:54+0000 2024-06-22T12:55+0000 world pope francis vladimir putin russia vatican ukraine nato https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/1a/1110597246_0:0:1689:951_1920x0_80_0_0_34c32ededa897a3ed497863621394fe8.jpg Earlier this month, Putin said that Russia would immediately cease fire and begin negotiations with Ukraine after Kiev withdraws troops from the territory of Russia's new regions and officially abandons plans to join NATO. However, Ukraine's Zelensky rejected the proposal, slamming it as an ultimatum. "The Ukraine issue was discussed, including the conditions for a peace settlement voiced by Russian President Putin during a meeting with key officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Soltanovsky expressed his gratitude to the pontiff for his consistently balanced and invariably peaceful stance on the matter," the embassy told reporters. "The Vatican realizes the futility of the peace process without Russia's participation," it emphasized. The embassy added that the Russian mission shares the Vatican's concerns about the steadily deteriorating situation in the world, and expressed its readiness to continue regular and confidential dialogue between Russia and the Holy See. Pope Francis has on many occasions expressed readiness to travel to Russia and Ukraine to promote peace and assist efforts to end the ongoing conflict. In May 2023, the Vatican formed a peacekeeping mission on Ukraine, headed by Zuppi. In June, the cardinal traveled to both Ukraine and Russia, where he met with officials and discussed with them the Holy See's humanitarian efforts. Moscow welcomed Pope Francis' initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine, Soltanovsky told Sputnik in January. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240615/rejection-of-putins-peace-offer-exposes-true-motivations-of-natos-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1118967820.html 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 russia, holy see, the vatican's stance on the ukrainian conflict, pope francis, ivan soltanovsky https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/putins-visits-to-north-korea-vietnam-show-failure-of-us-policy---ambassador-1119056881.html Putins Visits to North Korea, Vietnam Show Failure of US Policy - Ambassador Putins Visits to North Korea, Vietnam Show Failure of US Policy - Ambassador Sputnik International The visits by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea and Vietnam demonstrated the failure of the US policy of dictatorship and sanctions, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said. 2024-06-22T04:48+0000 2024-06-22T04:48+0000 2024-06-22T04:56+0000 world russia white house anatoly antonov north korea vietnam us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/13/1119024104_0:0:3070:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_66d028f43e74e0c1b26b71dbb8fc4200.jpg "Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin's visit to North Korea and Vietnam has landed the Americans in a puddle. Their policy of dictatorship, their policy of sanctions, has completely failed. It has once again been confirmed that the countries of the Global South are watching with great attention what the Russian Federation is doing, are reaching out to us, Antonov told reporters.US 'Shivering' From Russia's SuccessesThe US authorities are shivering from Russias successes, they are avoiding a serious conversation with Moscow, including a discussion of President Vladimir Putin's peace initiatives, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said."You see that the [US] administration is shivering from the success that we are demonstrating. Look at what is happening at the Capitol when new laws are being put forward to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. In essence, many officials are simply running from us and dont want to start a serious conversation, ignoring the proposals that our president put forward regarding, first of all, settlement of the situation in Ukraine, Antonov told reporters.He also said he sees no prospects for even a pause in the degradation of Russian-US relations, not to mention their improvement.I would like you to understand: I dont see any prospects, opportunities even for some kind of a pause, not warming, not improvement, but a pause [in deterioration] of Russian-American relations, Antonov told reporters.Russia Will Not Discuss Arms Control With US Separately From Other IssuesRussia is not evading dialogue with the United States, but does not consider it possible to separate strategic arms control from the general package of issues, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said.Earlier, the US National Security Council told Sputnik that the United States is open to talks with Russia on nuclear risks and arms control, but without reference to the Ukrainian conflict.It is impossible to resolve the issue of disarmament when Russian strategic targets are attacked by Ukraine with American weapons, the diplomat added.Antonov said that in the coming days he will have a meeting with White House officials, and he will ask them where the United States is heading in relations with Russia.In the coming days, I have a meeting with representatives of the White House. I want not from the press, but specifically to raise this issue with them, so that they give us a clear answer about where America is heading in relations with the Russian Federation, Antonov told reporters. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/kremlin-calls-wests-reaction-to-putins-visits-to-north-korea-vietnam-predictable-1119046870.html russia north korea vietnam 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 putin's visit to north korea, putin visits vietnam, russia-us relations https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/romania-to-launch-domestic-drone-production-by-year-end-1119061144.html Romania to Launch Domestic Drone Production By Year-End Romania to Launch Domestic Drone Production By Year-End Sputnik International Romania plans to design an indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and open a center preparing drone operators this year, Economy Minister Radu Oprea said on Saturday. 2024-06-22T13:32+0000 2024-06-22T13:32+0000 2024-06-22T13:32+0000 military romania china drone uav https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/18/1116953537_0:0:3075:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_8f8765931313d9b4dcefdc08e35cb0ee.jpg "We are convinced that by the end of summer we will have a project plan ready for the Romanian drone. By the end of the year the plan will be implemented. Carfil, the company representing the state-owned Romarm, intends to open a center preparing UAV operators both for civilian and military purposes," Oprea was quoted by Radio Romania. The Carfil company has signed an agreement with US Periscope Aviation to move the production of its drone from China to Romania, Opera added. In May, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that the country was working on a drone production project as part of the army rearmament. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240615/nato-hawks-plans-for-new-bases-in-poland-romania-slovakia-wont-transpire-any-time-soon---analyst-1118968257.html romania china 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 romania, drones, unmanned aerial vehicle (uav), drone operators https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/russian-forces-hit-ukrainian-energy-infrastructure-and-depots-with-western-weapons-overnight-1119059996.html Russian Forces Hit Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure and Western Weapon Depots Overnight Russian Forces Hit Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure and Western Weapon Depots Overnight Sputnik International Russia's Armed Forces hit Ukraine's energy facilities supplying the defense industry overnight, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Saturday. 2024-06-22T10:50+0000 2024-06-22T10:50+0000 2024-06-22T14:47+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian defense ministry ukraine russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/13/1111293817_0:0:2177:1225_1920x0_80_0_0_7c9959524ab7ad410f3edd8e5373e5a1.jpg Russia's Armed Forces hit Ukraine's energy facilities supplying the defense industry overnight, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Saturday. "In response to attempts by the Kiev regime to damage Russian energy facilities, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a group strike tonight with long-range precision weapons from air and sea, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry's summary stated.It noted that the strike targeted Ukraine's energy facilities supporting the operation of the military-industrial complex, as well as ammunition and aviation weapon storage depots supplied by Western countries."The strike objectives have been achieved. All designated targets have been hit," the ministry added.The Defense Ministry also reported that a Canadian Senator armored fighting vehicle operated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces was eliminated for the first time. Additionally, in the area of responsibility of the Vostok Battlegroup, the enemy lost over 140 soldiers."Units of the Vostok Battlegroup occupied more advantageous positions and inflicted damage on the personnel and equipment of the 58th Motorized Infantry Brigade of the UAF, the 102nd and 123rd Territorial Defense Brigades, and the 21st Brigade of the National Guard in the areas of Varvarovka, Novoivanovka in the Zaporozhye region, Prechystovka, and Neskuchnoye in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. The enemys losses amounted to more than 140 military personnel and a Senator armored fighting vehicle of Canadian production," the ministry said.In addition, the UAF lost four vehicles, a 155-mm FH70 howitzer of British production, a 155-mm M198 howitzer of US manufacture, and a Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station.Menawhile, the Zapad Group of Forces has taken more advantageous positions, repelled two attacks, destroyed an ammunition stockpile over the past 24 hours, while Ukraine has lost up to 370 soldiers in clashes.The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 370 soldiers, two vehicles, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. A field ammunition stockpile of the Ukrainian armed forces has been destroyed, the ministry said.The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 590 soldiers in battles with the southern group of the Russian forces, up to 425 soldiers in battles with the central group of the Russian forces, over 140 troops in battles with the eastern group of the Russian forces, and up to 90 soldiers in battles with the Dnepr Group of Forces, the ministry added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240526/russia-strikes-ukrainian-airport-adapted-for-f-16-jets-blasts-energy-infrastructure-1118640860.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/russias-vostok-group-foils-ukraines-attempts-to-strengthen-positions--defense-ministry-1119040818.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 russian special military operation, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian crisis, war in ukraine, russian strike on ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/russian-forces-strike-ukrainian-military-facilities-depots-near-lvov-1119057614.html Russian Forces Strike Ukrainian Military Facilities, Depots Near Lvov Russian Forces Strike Ukrainian Military Facilities, Depots Near Lvov Sputnik International Strikes were delivered on military facilities and depots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where parts for aircraft were stored, in the Lvov region in western Ukraine, the coordinator of pro-Russian underground network in Nikolayev, Sergei Lebedev, told Sputnik. 2024-06-22T05:40+0000 2024-06-22T05:40+0000 2024-06-22T05:47+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia lvov region arms depots https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/19/1114471581_0:21:1196:693_1920x0_80_0_0_1e61fd132a7ea43d885d61346a7469a7.jpg Earlier, Lebedev reported damage to the energy infrastructure in the Lvov region, as well as in Vinnitsa, Khmelnytsky, Volyn, and Ivano-Frankovsk regions of Ukraine. A critical energy infrastructure facility has been damaged in the Lvov region of Ukraine, the head of the regional military administration, Maksym Kozytsky, said on Saturday. The strike on a critical energy infrastructure facility in the Lvov region. The fire broke out, firefighters are working at the scene, he wrote on Telegram. There has been no information of victims yet, Kozytsky said. Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian armed forces started striking critical Ukrainian infrastructure on October 10, 2022, two days after a bombing attack against the Crimean bridge, which Russian authorities believe was carried out by Ukrainian security services. The strikes target energy, defense, military administration and communications facilities across the country. ukraine russia lvov 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 russia strikes ukrainian military depots near lvov, russian special military operation, the ukrainian conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/three-ukrainian-drone-strikes-target-energodar-city-near-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant-1119067623.html Three Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Energodar City Near Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Three Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Energodar City Near Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Sputnik International Energodar, the satellite city of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, is under Ukrainian attack again, with three drone attacks recorded over the past hour, the Russia-appointed head of the city, Eduard Senovoz, said on Saturday. 2024-06-22T18:59+0000 2024-06-22T18:59+0000 2024-06-22T19:01+0000 russia ukraine zaporozhye russia drone attack https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/16/1119067463_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b75c93d033193c14d9cfe56cadf59976.jpg "The Ukrainian armed forces are attacking Energodar again. Over the past hour, three Ukrainian drone attacks have been recorded. One of them was downed near the Raduga substation, which was under attack yesterday as well," Senovoz said on Telegram. Another two drones exploded over the residential part of the city, injuring a woman, the official also said, adding that the woman is currently receiving medical assistance. More attacks are possible, Senovoz warned and advised residents to take caution. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/there-are-chances-to-restore-substation-damaged-by-ukrainian-attack-near-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant-1119054697.html ukraine zaporozhye 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 enerhodar, zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, ukrainian drones https://sputnikglobe.com/20240622/us-supported-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-since-2023-despite-ban---report-1119067053.html US Supported Ukrainian Neo-Nazi Azov Battalion Since 2023 Despite Ban - Report US Supported Ukrainian Neo-Nazi Azov Battalion Since 2023 Despite Ban - Report Sputnik International The Ukrainian neo-Nazi Azov Battalion* received US assistance in 2023 despite official bans from Washington, the Intercept reports. 2024-06-22T18:02+0000 2024-06-22T18:02+0000 2024-06-22T18:02+0000 world us state department ukraine azov battalion https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/16/1119066991_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_9f7ce827a205066e56e7e2da53bdd09b.jpg "A photo, posted by the [Azov] unit itself (...) seems to suggest that the US was providing support as far back as December of last year," the article has stated.The photo in question was published on social media and included an Azov commander with a certificate dated December 2023 for military training under US Special Operations Command in Europe. Beside him is a person in American military attire with a concealed face. Another image shows individuals in military gear holding a US flag next to people with an Azov emblem flag.These photos question the enforcement of the ban. Former US officials also expressed doubts about the State Department's decision, given the complex reorganization and official status of the unit. The State Department should have better explained its decisions, the publication noted.Last week, The Washington Post reported that the US lifted an arms embargo on Azov. According to the media, this unit "passed Leahy vetting," which prohibits military aid to foreign units involved in severe human rights abuses. The State Department said it found "no evidence" of such violations. The State Department declined to clarify when the ban was lifted or if Azov militants received US weapons.The US had banned aid to Azov due to its neo-Nazi ideology. However, last year, The Washington Post quoted a State Department source admitting that the ban had no practical effect. Congressman Paul Gosar mentioned that the restriction became diluted after Azov members were integrated into the Armed Forces and National Guard of Ukraine and formed separate armed units with their involvement.Russias Supreme Court has designated Azov as a terrorist organization and banned its activities. Experts concluded that Azovs ideology includes "extreme biological racism," plans for legal segregation of other races, and the rejection of democracy, morality, and international law. They claimed Azov members attacked ethnic minorities and political opponents, intimidated Russian-speaking Ukrainians, abducted and tortured Donbas residents, and committed numerous war crimes.*Azov Battalion is a terrorist organization banned in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230806/nato-instructors-trained-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-soldiers-in-2021-1112420084.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230522/watch-azov-militant-confesses-to-killing-family-with-young-child-in-mariupol-1110509592.html 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 us, ukriane, azov battalion, ukrainian neo-nazis, ukrainian neo-nazi battalion In this week's Rewind Robert Smith offers the second and concluding story of the long and colourful history of Exhibition Park, located in Belleville, Ont. His piece includes a number of old and current pictures of the racing facility which was closed a number of years ago. After countless years of harness racing at Belleville's Exhibition Park the end of a very long existence became a reality. In the later years of operation under the guidance of track manager Jack McDonnell who was at the helm from the 1980's until 2006, the track did quite well. However, in 2006, the decision was made to close the annual racing program. The last night of racing was held on Sept. 29, 2006. To mark the occasion an informal party was held in the L Barn after the races. For a very long time the Belleville track was an important spot on the "B" Circuit list of tracks and served -- as did many small town tracks -- as a training ground for young horses and often young horsepeople as well. The fans in the area supported the racing programs which were held throughout the summer months. Like many small tracks it served as a meeting place and an outing for those who enjoyed harness racing without having to travel a long distance. In 1984 The Standardbred magazine Christmas issue carried its usual year end review of small town track activities and the following is an edited version of that summary. "The Belleville half-mile track underwent some costly renovations during 1984. A new lighting system that cost $110,000 and a new hub rail was installed. Both improvements drew rave reviews from fans and horsemen alike. Guy Larush and Rejean Boily the kingpins of Belleville's driving colony were at it again in 1984. Larush led all drivers in wins with 32 and Boily was tops in the percentage race. A new track record was established when Armbro Chuck paced in 1:59.4 on July 2 in an OSS event. This young horse from the stable of Garth Gordon was catch driven by Harold Stead in this event for owner Bruno Comegna and Robert Fox. May Darlen, a local favourite, set a new record for aged mares when Guy Larush piloted her to a winning effort of 2:02.4 in mid July." The following is a summary of the current situation at the former racetrack at Exhibition Park courtesy of Todd Ferguson. Todd was among the last horsemen to be stabled at the Belleville track. "The old backstretch stabling was removed approximately 15 years ago," noted Ferguson. "The only stabling left is 'The L Barn' along Sidney St. but it is locked up and has not been used for years. The paddock still stands and is used for winter storage of boats, etc. The grandstand is still standing. The fire department uses it for storage and training purposes. The track still remains but is off limits to horses. There have been motorcycle races there during some years. "The City of Belleville is in the process of building a new fairgrounds out of town at the corner of Hwy 37 and Black Diamond Road. There will be no racetrack at the new site. It is supposed to be ready for the fall fair in 2025. The fair still operates at the QER site until the new property is ready. When the transition takes place, a new YMCA is proposed to be built on the former QER property along with a mix of commercial and residential properties." The 2006 demise of the Belleville track marked yet another in a long succession of small town racetrack closures. Many lasted for parts of three centuries. As so often happens when the old tracks close they are not replaced and soon fade into the pages of history. Over the years countless tracks have followed this path. The following photos show the current condition of the racetrack area after many years of decline and neglect. A view from the grandstand looking at Belleville's famous square first turn as it was known. A view of the "L" Barn as it now exists. Todd Ferguson and his father John along with Brian and Darlene Anderson were the last to have stalls there. Everyone had to vacate by Dec. 31, 2006. The old grandstand still remains as a reminder of days and nights gone by when large crowds gathered for race nights. A view from the paddock looking down what used to be backstretch shedrow. A view from the backstretch Closing Night Party Photo Resident trainer Todd Ferguson, his wife Debbie and father John Ferguson. Closing Note: I would like to thank Todd Ferguson for his assistance with photographs, old and current, and for his help in providing information relating to the old Exhibition Park location. Quote For The Week: "Walk slow, talk slow, think FAST." Theory of Bruce Bochy, Texas Rangers manager. Who Is It? Can you identify this young gentleman who once held a track record at the Belleville track? Who Else Is It? Can you identify these fellows who were on hand when Belleville held their last race program in 2006? An American tourist was killed in Zambia this week when an elephant pulled her from a vehicle and trampled her to death. It was the second fatal elephant attack on a US. tourist this year in the African country. Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, of New Mexico, was riding with a group of tourists when their vehicle was stopped Wednesday by a herd of elephants near the Maramba Cultural Bridge near Livingtsone, the Associated Press reported. As Tourneau and the others watched the elephants, one pulled her out of the vehicle and stomped her, the wire service reported, citing Southern Province Police Commissioner Auxensio Daka. In March, 80-year-old Gail Mattson of Arizona was killed when an "aggressive" bull elephant charged the truck she was riding in with six others during a tour of Kafue National Park in Zambia. The elephant flipped the truck over, killing her. The Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has decided not to file felony charges against a Longview man who was accused of assaulting his Wingstop co-worker. Instead, the case against Brandon Jacob Matthews, 32, of Longview is being referring to a lower court for possible prosecution of lesser crimes. He was arrested June 2. In a June 5 email, prosecutors confirmed they would not pursue charges of unlawful imprisonment with sexual motivation or fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation against Matthews. The case, instead, has been referred to the Longview Municipal Court. The email also states that the protection order against Matthews will no longer be valid. According to the police report, on June 2, an officer from the Longview Police Department was dispatched to Triangle Center regarding an assault that took place at Brunos Pizza at 1108 Washington Way. The victim told authorities she was part of the staff preparing for the grand opening of the new Wingstop, 100 Triangle Shopping Center. For lunch, she and Matthews, her Wingstop co-worker, went to the nearby pizzeria to pick up a pizza. At one point, Matthews allegedly reached across the table and gave an unsolicited kiss to the victim; she told him to stop, the report states. After they drove back to Wingstop, while the victim was exiting the vehicle, Matthews allegedly aggressively grabbed her by the wrist and started to kiss her again, according to police. The victim told authorities she believed Matthews was attempting to pull her back into the car and that his actions only ceased upon the approach of another co-worker. The officer wrote in the report that after receiving a tip about Matthews whereabouts, they found him in a blue Jeep Cherokee in the area of 1400 block of Ninth Avenue. Matthews admitted to police that he had romantic feelings toward the victim. However, when questioned about what transpired at the pizzeria, he responded by saying I dont remember and kept repeating I didnt do anything wrong. First responders face exceptional difficulties accessing child care. In Clark County only about 23.59 percent of child care needs are being met, according to the state Department of Children, Youth & Families. Many first responders work swing shifts or odd hours. Some are required to be on call. Others travel long distances for work. Theres just a lot of variability, said Vancouver Police Detective Tanya Wollstein. And the need for child care is overwhelming. Wollstein was speaking at a roundtable event Thursday hosted by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, at Vancouver City Hall. Perez convened multiple first responders with the Vancouver Police Department and the Vancouver Fire Department to discuss the challenges of child care access and potential solutions. The event was moderated by Vancouver Councilor Sarah Fox. Our conception of what it means to support first responders needs to evolve and reflect a fuller picture of modern parenthood, Perez said. Im really excited to hear from you all about your families and your situation, and what the hustle has been like to find child care and how its impacted your roles, and how I can be useful. Wollstein said many younger officers often leave the force because of child care constraints. We did a lot of research into it and found that 20 percent of mothers would reenter the workforce if they were able to find child care options, she said. Thats a huge percentage of people that we could bring to the table, both in policing and in fire, if we could provide that. She added that Southwest Washingtons new regional law enforcement training academy has improved the situation, but that there is still work to be done. I feel like were halfway there, she said. This is a huge issue, as far as talking about whats hurting retention. Overcoming barriers The Vancouver Police Department is working to bring more women onto the force and is participating in the 3030 campaign, which aims to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30 percent by 2030. Currently, women make up only 12 percent of sworn officers and 3 percent of police leadership in the United States. Lack of child care access makes meeting that goal difficult, said Assistant Police Chief Kristine Buist. It doesnt solely affect women, but it does make it harder to meet, Buist said. Women bring such an amazing element to law enforcement that I think we need to do everything we can to enable women to come and join us and have this great career. Perez said that she wants to learn from the first responders experiences to help her advance legislation that will make an impact. She added that she has experienced the difficulties of accessing quality, affordable child care and would have to drive long distances or bring her son into work at the auto repair and machine shop that she owns with her husband. (Lack of child care) really is a barrier to coming into law enforcement, Wollstein said. Its a huge need, and were just so happy that youre here and interested in the topic. Perez introduced the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act to make it easier and more affordable for parents to access childcare, and has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to help families facing rising costs of care. A College Station man was sentenced Friday for recording women in the restroom with a secret camera, according to the Brazos County District Attorneys Office. Peter Baty, 59, has been sentenced to one year in state jail on five counts of invasive visual recording, according to the DAs office. In May 2019, Baty was working at Texas A&M Universitys Transportation Services when a spy camera disguised as a phone charger was found in the womens restroom. The Texas A&M University Police Department began investigating the cameras origins and eventually received a search warrant for Batys residency. Baty was found to be in possession of over 100 recordings of transportation employees, Texas A&M students and other members of the public. According to UPD, the camera had been recording for 24 hours a day for around five months. During the investigation, police said they also found evidence of Baty being involved in an unsolved case from 2013. The case involved a then-A&M student finding a box with a note at her apartment containing several photos of her in various states of undress, according to the DAs office. The note was described as being explicit. According to police, copies of the 2013 photos were found on his computer. The DAs office said the statute of limitations had run out for that crime. The maximum sentence for invasive visual recording is two years and the DAs office said the state asked the presiding judge Kyle Hawthorne of the 85th District Court to sentence Baty to 10 years, two years for each of the five counts. APCs home uninterruptible power supplies, among other brands, can be used to run a home internet router, modem or gateway in the event of a power failure. APC-Schneider Electric photo Ankers 737 GaNPrime power bank has enough juice to charge an iPhone 15 almost five times, and can quickly charge a laptop that supports USB-C charging. Anker photo Tropical Storm Alberto may not have been a haymaker in the Houston area, but its mid-June emergence reminds us that it pays to get ready now for the long (and predicted-to-be active) 2024 hurricane season. That includes getting your tech affairs in order. In the event of a major storm knocking out power, possibly for days, the best way to keep your battery-powered tech running is with more batteries! External batteries, or power banks, that recharge smartphones, tablets and even laptops can be a lifesaver, but theres one thing to keep in mind: They also must be recharged, and after a big storm finding available AC power can be challenging. Power banks Most users of mobile devices are familiar with power banks, and many keep one in their gear bag or purse when on the go. Theyre small, light and able to fully charge a phone a few times. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But when electricity is knocked out by disaster, one is not enough. A smartphone can be a lifeline in an emergency, and on the Texas Gulf Coast, its a good idea to own several power banks and keep them fully charged. Id suggest that you have enough of them to be able to keep an essential smartphone powered up for at least a week. Power banks come in different sizes, shapes and capacities and prices. Check the specs. Battery capacities are typically expressed in milliamp hours, or mAh. A small power bank with a 5,000-mAh capacity can typically charge a smartphone once, though it may not charge it completely if its an large model with a big battery. Check your phones specifications to see the capacity of its own battery. For example, my iPhone 15 Pro Max has a battery capacity of 4,422 mAh. Because the charging process is never 100 percent efficient, losing some of its energy to heat and other factors, its likely that a 5,000-mAh power bank wouldnt fully charge my device from zero to full. If I needed a power bank to reliably charge that device multiple times, Id want one with at least a 15,000-mAh capacity or more. You also can buy power stations, which are larger versions of power banks that supply enough electricity to power appliances. These can run into the thousands of dollars, and also need to be charged via AC. Some have available solar panels for recharging. Theyre big some are about the size of a small suitcase and very heavy. Some, like the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus or Ankers Solix line, can be combined and even plug directly into the wiring of a home with an adapter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Check the connections. Charging ports on new iPhones, old iPhones, Android phones and on the power banks themselves can require different cables. Android phones have been using USB-C connections and cables for a long time, while iPhone 14s and older rely on Apples proprietary Lightning cable, but last years 15 models switched to USB-C. Also, some older power banks only have a USB-C-in port used to charge the bank itself, with charging-out via an older USB-A port. Check the price. Higher capacity power banks cost more, but prices have dropped in the past few years and continue to come down. Those with fewer features also cost less. Power banks are frequently on sale at Amazon and other e-commerce sites, and often get steeper discounts during Amazons Prime Day and Black Friday sales. For example, I paid $120 for Ankers 24,000-mAh 737 GaNPrime power bank in December 2022, which I reviewed at the time. At this writing, Amazon has it for $89, and it might even be less when Prime Day rolls around. It can charge an iPhone 15 more than 5 times, which would likely get you through a week. UPS devices During the February 2021 freeze that dropped the Texas power grid to its knees, I was able to access my home internet service using several uninterruptible power supplies. These are battery backups that stay plugged into the wall, and when the electricity dies, they continue to supply electricity for a while thanks to a built-in power cell, and have multiple AC outlets. Home units typically cost $75 to $200. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They are designed to power devices like a monitor, desktop computer or laptop, giving you time to finish your work and power down safely. They are rated in terms of wattage, and if you need to keep a big desktop computer powered for a while with its accompanying monitor, youll need a one with lots of power. But if you just want to have internet access during a power outage, you dont need a higher-end model. Consider using one to power your home internet equipment, such as a modem, router or a combined gateway. These devices typically dont draw much power and if you use them for brief periods, you can have decent internet speeds, on and off, for several days. When I wanted a faster internet connection than my phone would provide during the freeze, I turned a UPS on and then switched on my modem and router. I got done what I needed online, then shut everything down again. (Comcast, by the way, rents a device called Storm-Ready that switches your home network to a 4G LTE cellular connection when the power goes out.) Today I have several UPS devices, including one on my newly installed AT&T Fiber gateway. When a major storm finally hits Houston and its a matter of when, not if my gear is about as ready as it can be. Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyns mom, center, is comforted during a candlelight vigil for her daughter on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Jocelyn Nungarays mom, Alexis, reacts as she listens to a family member talk about her daughter during a vigil on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Friends and family members comfort each other before a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Jocelyns body was recovered in a creek in north Houston on Monday, two men have been arrested and charged in her death. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Houston Police Dept. acting police chief Larry Satterwhite prepares to say some words during a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Two men have been arrested and charged with her death. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Family members of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 listen to a speaker during a candlelight vigil in her honor in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A family member wears a t-shirt with a photo of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray during her vigil on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Camila Martinez, 4, holds onto a candle during a vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Camilas sister, Allyson, was a classmate and friend of Jocelyn. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Julie Gonzales, great aunt of Jocelyn Nungaray, speaks during a vigil for the 12 year old on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Brenda Loza, April Aguirre and Natalie Gonzales set up balloons that spell out Jocelyns name before a vigil for the 12-year-old on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Jocelyns body was recovered in a creek in north Houston on Monday, two men have been arrested and charged in her death. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Mayor John Whitmire addresses family, friends and community members during a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Two men have been arrested and charged with her death. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale, left, and Mayor John Whitmire wait before a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Two men have been arrested and charged with her death. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Acting Houston police chief Larry Satterwhite talks to the media next to mayor John Whitmire before a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Two men have been arrested and charged with her death. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer With hands cupped over burning white candles, mourners joined friends and family of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray Friday night to share stories, pray and remember the north Houston girl whose death earlier this week shook the community. "That little girl was just the sweetest, kindest soul ever," Jeny Torres, Jocelyn's science teacher, told the crowd. "Like, every time I saw her, I saw red hair and braces ... I just wish I would have given her a tight hug when I saw her." Attendees of a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, share a flame before sunset on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Torres described Jocelyn as a quiet child who always smiled. She said her last memory of her was of the student teaching her how to make slime from laundry detergent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad More than one hundred people gathered near Kuykendahl at Rankin in north Houston around sunset for the vigil. Many came bearing gifts like flowers and stuffed animals, which they gently placed around silver balloons spelling out Jocelyn's name. Family, friends and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Two men have been arrested and charged with her death. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Jocelyn's younger brother remembered how the two used to play board games and Roblox together. Friends talked about how they used to keep up over the phone. "I have a bunch of gratitude for everybody that's made an appearance," Jocelyn's mother, Alexis, told the media prior to the vigil. "It just really reminds me how much she really was cared for in this city and was loved, and she meant something to everybody even if they didn't know her." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Franklin Pena, 26, and Johan Martinez-Rangel, 22, were arrested and charged with capital murder of a person older than 10 years old and younger than 15 in connection with Jocelyn's death. The two are accused of luring her under a bridge and killing her, court records indicate. The men are from Venezuela, and a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated that they were "illegally present" in the country. POLITICIANS WEIGH IN: Abbott, Cruz call for death penalty for men charged in Jocelyn Nungaray killing Mayor John Whitmire shares a flame with Vayden Robertson, 7, during a candlelight vigil for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer At Friday's vigil, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite called for the men to stay in custody. "We do not want them to go back out on the streets ... We want them to stay in jail," Satterwhite said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, who was also at the event, is planning to pay for Jocelyn's funeral costs to lift the financial burden off the family, Whitmire said. With RIP Joclyn written on her hand, a close friend of Jocelyn Nungaray gives a hug to a family member during a candlelight vigil for Jocelyn on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Rene Gonzales, a relative who directed the event, asked each attendee to turn and tell their neighbors that they loved them. Gonzales finished the vigil with a prayer before guiding the crowd to blow out their candles. "I promise if my niece heard that, she would still be here with us today," he said. "You can never tell somebody 'I love you' enough." Advertisement Article continues below this ad A patient has their finger pricked during a free HIV testing event in 2012 in Humble. Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle Social media posts garnered the attention of Houstonians after claiming that more than 46,000 people in the city were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease in one week, but the health department says thats incorrect. The viral screenshot was reposted by others on social media, including Spiritual Word on Instagram. It showed an activity summary of STDs reported as of Monday, with numbers listed for each disease under columns titled "last week" and "average." The screenshot read, This is how many people were diagnosed with an STD in Houston last week. Yall be careful in these streets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, the Houston Health Department said in a statement the numbers werent of diagnoses. The numbers were actually laboratory tests reported for the state, regardless of whether they were positive or negative. Statewide, about 1.2 million HIV tests and 1.6 million syphilis tests are reported every year, according to the health department. The post includes grossly overstated numbers and incorrect information, the statement said. UPDATES ON SYPHILIS CASES: Houston doctors launch 'cutting-edge' testing program Allies of Hope Chief Executive Officer Jeffery Campbell said he knew the social media claim was false when he was made aware of it circulating online. Campbell worked at the Houston nonprofit for 23 years and has been fighting the stigma behind HIV and STDs to help residents live safe lives within their sexuality. I saw some of the comments that people posted that were attached to the (social media) post, and they were not good comments, he told the Chronicle. Individuals seem to readily believe that the (diagnostics) were true, and immediately began to do what I call the finger-wagging talking about people in a judgmental tone. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The negative attitudes toward those at risk of or living with HIV and STD can affect communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, Campbell said. He believes misinformation and data being exposed online will make people less likely to want to get tested. Some people tend to readily believe anything that is even remotely connected to those communities, he added. Health department officials said the intent behind sharing the screenshot may have been to communicate a public health message, but that sharing the data was a policy violation that created confusion and misled the public. Spiritual Word's repost of the photo had more than 70,000 likes and 10,000 comments on Instagram as of Friday. Some TikTokers also shared their posts while telling others to be careful or be thankful for being single. This is what happens when you disobey Gods Word and ignore His plan to follow your own lustful desires, Spiritual Word said in their comment section. The post was still up as of Friday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Campbell said education in HIV and STD transmission is needed to ensure people dont spread misinformation online. Knowledge of how to prevent the transmissions and treatments will help people who may not be well-versed in the subject. We have to continue even to take opportunities like this, to educate people, to undo the myths, to undo the stigma and to encourage people to take care of their sexual health, he said. SURVIVING CANCER TOO: Donnell Walker has battled HIV, diabetes, a heart attack and two strokes Campbell also encourages people who are sexually active to get tested regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race or ethnicity. Theres PREP pre-exposure prophylaxis for those who tested negative for HIV to reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use, according to the CDC. There are also options for those who tested positive for HIV, including treatment as prevention, or U=U, which refers to an undetectable viral load having "effectively no risk" of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative sexual partners, according to the CDC. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The health department has issued an investigation into the screenshot circulating online and plans to include more security measures to prevent future incidents. Peter Warren is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at peter.warren@houstonchronicle.com. Peter previously lived in Dallas, where he covered the sports as a freelancer for the Dallas Morning News and other outlets. He has been published in Texas Highways Magazine, DMagazine.com, the Star Tribune and Bowlers Journal International. Peter graduated from Northwestern University in 2021. George Strait heads to the stage on Saturday night. @alivecoverage / Courtesy of Messina Touring Group Sylvia Gonzalez, 77, sits for a portrait in her Castle Hills home the weekend before testifying to the Supreme Court of the United States on March 16, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Thumbs up: Maybe our fool-hearted memory is acting up again, but we could have sworn that the legendary country crooner George Strait announced his retirement some years back. Maybe he only hung up his guitar for touring but in any case, the Texas troubadour is still going strong on stage. At age 72, he just broke the U.S. record for attendance at a ticketed concert, drawing 110,905 to Texas A&Ms Kyle Field, eclipsing a 1977 Grateful Dead gathering in New Jersey. While Aggies are an easy lot to impress, reports have him nearly bringing the house down in performing classics such as his beloved dance hall mainstay Amarillo by Morning and at another point when he took the liberty as an Aggie dad to let out a Whoop! with permission from his son, Bubba. At this rate, the cowboy will never ride away. And thats fine by us. Hes a flame we cant put out. Thumbs up: Sylvia Gonzalez is one tough Texas grandma in her fight to protect First Amendment rights and this week she picked up a new ally: the U.S. Supreme Court. She won the right to continue her civil rights claim after the high court ruled that she had a right to sue over a retaliatory arrest. Gonzalez, the first Latina council member in the San Antonio suburb of Castle Hills, was arrested, handcuffed and tossed in jail after she was charged with stealing a government document. The charge was eventually dropped but the trauma of the ordeal ended her brief political career. It turned out shed mistakenly held on to the document after a meeting for only a few minutes. It was really the content of the document that Gonzalez says the mayor and others didnt like: it was a nonbinding citizens petition to get rid of the city manager whom many felt was failing in duties such as street maintenance. If Gonzalezs treatment wasnt retaliation for exercising her constitutional rights, we dont know what is. Were glad the Supreme Court agrees. Thumbs up: Take note, criminals. Dont plan your next attack next to a martial arts studio, especially not Yong-In Tae Kwon Do in Katy where Grandmaster Han An an eighth-degree black belt, former instructor to the South Korean Marine Corps and sword fighting expert heard a woman call out for help Tuesday from the mobile phone store next door. Along with his wife and three children, all black belts as well, he rushed over to help. In an interview with KHOU 11, they said they found a man on top of a woman. Automatic tae kwon do style is how 22-year-old daughter Hannah described her fathers response. Turns out the suspect was no drunken master. Han An quickly pinned the man to the floor and endured scratching and biting until police arrived. No word yet on which Hollywood studio has optioned the rights to the story and who will be cast as the humble strip mall hero in Grand Master on the Prairie. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thumbs down: Not sure what to put on your summer reading list? We recommend consulting the 19 books recently removed from classroom instruction by Conroe Independent School District, including Alice Walkers The Color Purple, Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye, Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse-Five, and Aldous Huxleys Brave New World. While the district is not unique in banning books, theyve certainly focused on a set of real classics, some dating back decades and the latter nearly a century old! The ones we havent had the pleasure of reading are now on our list. (TBTCO) - Ke tu nam 2022 en nay, chi so S&P 500 cua chung khoan My a tang hon 60%, chu yeu nho ong luc tang manh cua cac co phieu cong nghe lon. ieu nay ay muc o tap trung cua thi truong vao mot so it co phieu tang len muc cao nhat trong nhieu thap ky. o thi thong tin duoi ay the hien cac ot lao doc manh cua S&P 500 trong cac lan suy thoai kinh te o My ke tu nam 1970 en nay, dua tren du lieu tu ngan hang Goldman Sachs... The world's primary aluminium production in May experienced a month-on-month increase of 3.86% to repossess the 6 million tonnes level. This monthly growth followed a decline in April by 3% from 6.1 million tonnes to 5.9 million tonnes. As per the latest data revealed by the International Aluminium Institute, the global primary aluminium production in May amounted to 6.134 million tonnes, the highest in the past five months and up 3.44 per cent from 5.93 million tonnes a year ago. The daily average production in May was 197,900 tonnes, an increase of 0.51 per cent from 196,900 tonnes in April and up by 3.45 per cent from 191,300 tonnes in May 2023. The upstream aluminium sector (encompassing bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium) recorded some significant milestones this week in terms of production, trading, inventories, and market developments. Some of the key highlights of the week are: Chinas 2-year high production, worlds primary aluminium production exceeding 6 million tonnes, Irans steady metal output in the first two months of FY2025, Vedantas strategic plans to face the EUs CBAM tariff, Italys proposition to enhance procurement and reprocessing of critical raw materials and discovery of valuable minerals in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. As part of a strategic shift from imported raw materials to domestic products, particularly from China, Italy has outlined a comprehensive action plan, such streamlining permitting procedure designed to accelerate the release of mining concessions. Italy estimates to domestically source 16 out of 34 raw materials deemed critical by the European Union, including lithium and bauxite. In early June, accumulated inventory of alumina at aluminium smelters across China stood at 2.8815 million tonnes. While some smelters in the Northwest Chinese regions, such as Ningxia, Qinghai, Gansu, and Xinjiang, had lower in-plant alumina inventories due to considerable orders, some smelters had relatively stable inventories for sluggish buying sentiment. In May, Chinas primary aluminium production reached a 2-year high of 3.65 million tonnes as smelters in Yunnan resumed operations due to replenished hydropower reserves because of heavy rains. Insights from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI), a trusted source in the financial industry, indicate that an additional 330,000 tonnes of capacity is expected to resume in Yunnan this month. With the resumption of other capacities in China, the countrys annual aluminium operating capacity is anticipated to reach 3.27 million tonnes by the end of June. This incessant rise in production is also expected to leave an impact on domestic aluminium prices, according to SMM. Meanwhile in Malaysia, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Premier of Sarawak, has disclosed that the state possesses valuable minerals estimated at RM1.25 trillion. This discovery positions Sarawak as a potential player in the mining industry, capable of generating substantial economic benefits. Among the high-value minerals identified in Sarawak are gold, silica, and bauxite, all of which are in high demand across various industries, promising to pave the way for economic growth in the region. According to the latest data revealed by the Iranian Mines and Mining Distribution Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), Irans aluminium ingot production during the first two months of FY2024-2025 (March 20-May 21) saw a slight drop of 0.44% year-on-year. From 112,767 tonnes in April and May 2023, Irans primary aluminium production grew to 112,273 tonnes this year. The European Unions Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) tariff, designed to regulate the import of carbon-intensive products, is set to come into effect in January 2026. In preparation, the European Union has already begun requesting reports on the carbon emissions of goods exported to the EU. Vedanta Aluminium is filing reports on its Scope 1 emissions, which states that the company is progressively reducing greenhouse gas intensity through conscious efforts like including renewable energy in the power mix, expanding the usage of biofuels for smelting aluminium, and deploying Indias largest fleet of electric forklifts across their operations. Rio Tinto will invest $165 million in its Grande-Baie aluminium smelter to refurbish two anode baking furnaces that have reached the end of their useful life. The company will also carry out feasibility studies for the eventual replacement of the scrubbers and overhead bridge cranes at the anode production centre. The work to rebuild the concrete shell and refractory lining of the anode baking furnaces will be carried out over two years, in 2025 and 2026. The new equipment will ensure a competitive supply of anodes to the Grande-Baie and Laterriere plants for decades to come.-TradeArabia News Service Amanda Perry, senior keeper, penguins and sea lions, watch Humboldt penguins swim in the Houston Zoos Galapagos Islands exhibit on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Houston. The zoos latest exhibit, that is scheduled to open April 7, 2023, will immerse guests in an environment evoking the archipelagos unique landscapes and oceanic habitats. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Two baby meerkats were born at the Houston Zoo in February 2022. Recently, they've been venturing out of their underground den to explore and play alongside the rest of the zoo's "meerkat mob." David Suttinger/Houston Zoo Construction continues near the new sea lion habitat in the Houston Zoos Galapagos Islands on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 in Houston. The zoos latest exhibit, that is scheduled to open April 7, 2023, will immerse guests in an environment evoking the archipelagos unique landscapes and oceanic habitats. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Houston Zoo staff and volunteers forming a human barrier to move 54 Chilean flamingos from their temporary home to the new South American Aviary Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Houston Zoo in Houston. The new Birds of the World complex will open to the public in fall. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Mayor John Whitmire is upset about what he thinks are exorbitant costs to visit the citys historic zoo and is vowing to do all he can to drive down costs for consumers. Hes challenging zoo officials to cut costs at the attraction, while renewing questions about salaries for top administrators at the zoo. I dont need spin or excuses from the zoo, Whitmire said of the attraction, where tickets for a family of four can easily exceed $100. It has become too expensive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Zoo officials, for their part, said the attraction is affordable and that few visitors pay the full admission price. A spokesperson also noted that the mayor received 500 free tickets to give residents this past January and that none of them have been redeemed. The zoo gives 17,000 single-day tickets to the mayor and City Council members to hand out as they wish. We're a cherished destination for Houston's diverse communities who visit our zoo to see our incredible animals and award-winning ecosystem habitat, said Jackie Wallace, spokesperson for the Houston Zoo. As the mayor ramped up his criticism, Wallace announced that the zoo would be doubling its free day ticket allotment from 10,000 to 20,000 tickets for its July 2, Aug. 6 and Sept. 10 free days. Tickets will be available 7 p.m. Wednesday. The mayor, who took office in January, said hes been concerned about zoo costs for years, since serving in the Texas Senate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whitmire said he did not know he had access to the tickets the zoo said were distributed. He later clarified his statement, saying they were given to his community outreach office and handed out to agencies like the YMCA and churches. Mary Benton, the mayors spokesperson, said the office has given away 150 tickets. Regardless of having free tickets, Whitmire doubled down on his affordability concerns. The zoos questionable hand out to city officials does not address the fundamental question, Whitmire said. How much does it really cost to visit the zoo? The 55-acre Houston Zoo, located in Hermann Park, has been a community staple for more than 100 years. Its home to more than 6,000 animals and 900 species, and draws 2 million visitors each year. It is the second most visited zoo in the country, behind the San Diego Zoo. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houstonians pay more for full-priced general admission tickets to see animals like African lions, tigers and black bears at their local zoo than most Texans do at zoos in the states other major cities. If a family of four booked full-priced general admission tickets this past Thursday for a Saturday trip, they would have paid $63 to $139 to get in the zoo. Unlike some other zoos, the Houston attraction allows outside food and drinks as long as it isnt alcohol or in a glass container. That same family of four would have paid between $28 to $108 for a weekend day at the Dallas Zoo and between $38 to $76 at the Austin Zoo. Wallace challenged Whitmires assertion that the zoo is too expensive. She said only 34% of the zoos 2.1 million patrons in 2023 paid full price for admission. The zoo uses dynamic pricing, so a family of four visiting the Houston Zoo would see different ticket prices depending on the day and the time they wanted to enter the park. That price fluctuates based on childrens ages. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wallace said tickets are cheaper the further out you book, especially if youre booking on a less popular zoo entry day. While some customers pay full price, there are also many free or cheap ways to visit. Zoo members dont pay full price, Wallace said, and college students, those coming in on school field trips, and those coming on any one of the zoos free days enter the park at no cost. Wallace said those with Lone Star Cards can get $9 children and adult tickets. Despite the number of zoo patrons not paying full price, Whitmire said the zoo needs to be more affordable. Its a public asset and they have outpriced many Houstonians, he said. Zoo CEO pay While Whitmire takes issue with ticket prices, he also takes issue with how much the zoos administration is paid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston Zoo CEO Lee Ehmke made more than $605,700 in 2022, according to a salary study provided by the zoo. The mayor makes $236,000 a year; the highest paid City of Houston worker is City Attorney Arturo Michel, who makes $318,000 a year. Wallace said Ehmkes pay is in line with leaders of other similarly sized zoos, and that his pay was in line with what other leaders are making at nonprofit attractions. Houstons highest paid arts official is Fine Arts Museum CEO Gary Tinterow, who made more than $1.5 million in 2022, according to the same salary study. Who decides ticket prices? The city has some say over ticket prices, mostly in the form of its contract with the zoo. The zoos contract with the city limits how much the zoo can increase ticket prices in a given year, with a cap at 10%. Last year, the zoo could have charged $43 under the contract but only charged $33, Wallace said. The mayor has some power in changing ticket prices through board appointments. The City of Houston has seven members who sit on the 36-member Houston Zoo Inc. board, who are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council, according to Scout Odegaard, the mayors senior adviser for boards and committees. Wallace said the 36 board members decide ticket prices with guidance from zoo employees. The city also provides the zoo an annual subsidy. In 2023, that $10.5 million taxpayer subsidy covered 17% of the zoos operating budget, Wallace said. She added that it was critical to the quality and accessibility of the zoo. If the city were to cut the subsidy, "it would significantly limit our ability to continue to provide free and low-cost access, Wallace wrote in an email. Whitmire said he supports having a great zoo and knows operations are expensive. He plans to review the citys zoo subsidy, and said he would be taking the ticket and salary factors into consideration when it came time to make appointments for the citys representatives to the zoos Board of Directors. The mayor said that when he served in the Legislature, he raised zoo affordability issues to past zoo directors, but got nowhere. He has plans to speak to the current director soon. Maybe better results as mayor, Whitmire said. The mother of the suspect in the double murder of Tara Geeta Ramsaroop and her infant daught New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill that would restrict social media users under 18 years old to platforms' automated algorithms, preventing their "addictive" factor. Under the signed legislation, parents are allowed to block their children from receiving suggested posts from platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Read Also : TikTok Accused of Violating Children's Privacy in Newest FTC Complaint New York Advances Limited Social Media Feed for Young Users According to the bill, minors would have to seek "verifiable parental consent" to disable the provision that limits their usage. Under 18 users will only see posts from accounts they follow with no intervention from the automated algorithm. In addition, the state also proposed to block platforms from sending notifications of suggested posts between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. State Attorney General Letitia James is assigned to draft the rules and mechanics of the verification process. "We can protect our kids. We can tell the companies that you are not allowed to do this, you don't have a right to do this, that parents should have say over their children's lives and their health, not you," said Hochul during the bill signing ceremony. U.S. Government Continues Attempts to Regulate Social Media for Youth The bill is the latest reiteration of attempts to regulate social media platforms, especially for children, after a series of probes linked them to mental health issues. Social media companies are known for their elaborate algorithm to suggest endless content for their users. Meanwhile, NetChoice, a tech industry trade group, questioned the legislation and tagged it unconstitutional. According to the group, it is an "assault" on free speech to the state. Other states are also actively reviewing ways to mitigate social media's impact on minors. Earlier this week, California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed that smartphones should not be allowed during school days - a move also criticized by others. Once the rules are finalized, companies like Meta and ByteDance will be given 180 days to comply and implement the regulations. Corey Kent arrived at Cains Ballroom on Friday expecting to sing for a sold-out crowd. They sang for him, instead. Kents wife walked onto the stage to interrupt the show, telling the crowd they know what to do. More than a thousand people joined her in singing Happy Birthday. Kent sold out his Friday and Saturday shows at Cains, a fitting way to celebrate his 30th birthday. The Bixby natives history with Cains goes back as far as the line to enter his shows. Ive been playing music for a long time, and being here at 11 years old and then being back here at 30 , (a) 19-year gap, Kent said. And Im still going at it, and Im still loving every second of it and celebrating the wins. Kent played Cains for the first time at only 11 years old when the band he was in opened for Asleep at the Wheel. He remembers the nerves gnawing at his stomach as he gazed into the crowd and tried not to be sick. Kents first Cains performance was only the beginning of his career, and he got his nerves under control. His passionate performances and relatable lyrics drew fans of all ages and backgrounds to watch him play. Brice Harader lifted her 3-year-old son, Owen, up to sit on a barrier and watch the first night of Kents show. Harader, who is from Tulsa, met Kent back in 2006 when he sang the national anthem at a SkillsUSA conference, and shes been a fan ever since. Caitlyn Coffman of Grove hasnt been a fan of Kents for nearly as long but was hooked after she saw him open for Parker McCollum at the BOK Center in December. She said Kents energetic performance convinced her that she needed to see him again. I was like, OK, hes legit, Coffman said. The crowd seemed to agree. They went crazy for Kents most popular song, Wild as Her, and new songs such as This Heart and Never Ready, waving flashlights in the air and cheering for the entirety of the hour-and-half-long show. Kent said it never gets old. The travel, studio work and song writing may lose their novelty, but he started playing music because of his love for live shows. Ive never once been on a stage and said, I wish I was somewhere else, he said. Although Kent has gained national popularity, he said that only a few years ago he couldnt think about selling out Cains. He remembered Zach Bryan selling out the venue for two nights in a row, and he couldnt believe it. Kent said selling out Cains was a full-circle moment as he reflected on his first performance. As an Oklahoma boy, its a dream, and it also is inspiring to think about whats possible after this, he said. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Editor's Note This article originally published in April 2007. KGOU reports that the pageant continues annually, even moving to October in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. A Lawton minister led his small congregation 16 miles into the roadless Wichita Mountains on April 4, 1926, to hold Easter Sunday services in what he called the holy city of Jerusalem. The Rev. Mark Anthony Wallock had told members of the First Congregational Church at midweek services that they should wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes for the service on the mountain. And he asked several male members to help him carry an organ up the mountain. "We are the first, but some day there will be thousands who will return with us," he said as they walked over gullies and hills. That was prophetic. From that small mustard-seed beginning, the annual Lawton Easter Pageant became the longest-running Passion Play in America and in 1939 attracted 225,000 to watch the retelling of the story of Jesus' last hours before his crucifixion. But the crowds have diminished for several years, and only about 10,000 were expected for two performances this year. About 1,000 attended the first performance March 31, a much smaller turnout than expected, probably because of heavy rain that started on March 30. About 9,000 were expected at the second performance that started at 6 p.m. Saturday but chilly weather may have cut that number. For several years, the show has ended about 10 p.m. In the early days, it ended at daybreak. Wallock was born in Austria near Oberammergau, Germany, where a Passion Play has been performed every 10 years for several hundred years. He came to the United States as a small child with his parents in 1892. During his study at a Bible institute in Chicago, Wallock spent his weekends and holidays exploring by hitchhiking and telling motorists who gave him rides "I'm looking for a mountain." It wasn't until after he accepted the pastorate in Lawton in 1918 that he discovered what he was looking for -- a mountain in the Wichitas that looked like the hills of Judea and a valley that created a natural amphitheater large enough to build a city in. As the cast and the audience for his play grew, Wallock realized that his small congregation and the city of Lawton couldn't finance the setting he needed for his pageant. Wallock wrote letter after letter to Harry Hopkins, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's adviser, and to Oklahoma congressmen seeking assistance. One of his letters finally found its way to Roosevelt, who directed that a $94,000 grant be sent to Wallock to build his holy city on 640 acres contributed by the federal forest reserve. The entire miniature Jerusalem was built of native stone as a Works Progress Administration project. It was the first and possibly the only project of a religious nature ever financed by the federal government. The government agreed to build the facility because the pageant is nonsectarian and the facility was available for use by others. The holy city, 22 miles from Lawton, extends six city blocks and is a half-mile wide. A 1949 movie called "The Lawton Story" told the story of Wallock and his Passion Play, using the Jerusalem-like structures for the pageant scenes. The movie had its premier in Lawton on April 1 that year, with seats selling for $1,000 each. Proceeds went to the pageant. The movie climaxes at dawn with the resurrection scene from the pageant and a sky-writing airplane spelling out the words "He is risen" high above the audience. Wallock, who died the day after Christmas 1948, had been told 30 years earlier that he had less than a year to live because of a heart disease. But he lived long enough to see his dream develop into a play with a cast of 3,000 that attracted several hundred thousand viewers. He had been named Lawton's outstanding citizen of 1938 and was inducted into Oklahoma's Hall of Fame in 1939. Although Wallock started the pageant and directed it until his death in 1948, he never took part in the portrayal. "I'm not good enough," he once explained. 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 University of Oklahoma undergraduate and graduate students will pay 3% more in tuition and mandatory fees beginning this fall. The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents approved the increase on Friday at its meeting in Ardmore, where the regents also approved the universitys fiscal year 2025 budget. School officials said the new budget will keep tuition affordable while investing in strategic priorities, ensuring that the university is well-positioned to sustain its upward momentum. OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said: Next years budget reflects our commitment to offering a life-changing education at exceptional value especially in an era when rigorous fiscal discipline has never been more important across higher education. Officials said the budget will allow OU to fund several critical priorities in its strategic plan, including a merit-based raise program for faculty and staff, increased stipends for graduate assistants, and critical upgrades to OUs physical infrastructure. Its the fourth straight year for an increase affecting OU students. Over the past five years, OU tuition and fees have risen by 1.2% per year for resident undergraduates and 1.8% per year for nonresident undergraduates. The increase comes after Oklahoma State Universitys recent announcement that it will not be increasing tuition or mandatory fees for students next year. It marks the third straight year and fifth year in the past six years that OSU has had no increases. OU undergraduates paid an estimated $14,155 in tuition and fees in 2023-24, compared to OSUs $13,920. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Its been a wild weather year so far for northeastern Oklahoma, but the destructive wind storm that hit the Tulsa area a year ago this month wont be forgotten anytime soon. The record-setting 2023 Fathers Day storm, which struck overnight on June 17-18, 2023, toppled trees onto many homes, cars and fences across midtown Tulsa, where wind speeds of near 100 mph were recorded. The storm, which also left behind widespread power outages, marked the first time the National Weather Service in Tulsa had issued a warning for 100 mph winds. Lasting for months, the massive clean-up effort that followed would total $15.7 million in greenwaste costs, ranking the storm second only to the historic 2007 ice storm in that category. Enjoying a busy but normal schedule so far this summer, Tulsa-based BP Trees was one of several local tree services that devoted months of their time to storm-related tree cleanup. Owner Brady Paselk and his team spent three whole weeks, he said, just removing trees off of houses after last years storm. That was followed by six to eight months of dealing with lighter storm damage to trees, such as trimming broken branches. A normal year for us we remove maybe 50 trees off of houses just from regular storms. We did that easily in that first three weeks, Paselk said. Those were some long, hot 12 to 16 hour days. The storm response forced him to delay for months several weeks worth of previously scheduled jobs. But his customers were understanding given the circumstances, he said. Paselk, who helped with cleanup from the 2007 ice storm, said the two storms are comparable in the amount of debris left behind. But 2023s was much worse in terms of damage to homes and property. After the ice storm every single tree had some damage, but not the catastrophic kind where you have entire trees toppling over, he said. With this one, you had trees inside houses. On somebodys kitchen table or in their bathroom. It was a really bizarre experience to be in someones house using a chainsaw. More comparable than the ice storm, Paselk said, was what he witnessed just last month in Claremore, where he worked the aftermath of the recent tornado. Thats exactly what midtown Tulsa looked like last year, he said. Allison Emanuel, co-owner of Trees by Jake, said her company also prioritized trees on houses for the first few weeks after the storm, before shifting to the milder damage. All told, storm-related jobs kept the company tied up through October. We had two months of work already scheduled, which is pretty standard for the time of year, said Emanuel. So were grateful to our customers, who were very patient and understanding of having to wait. Emanuel said she and her husband, Jake, built their tree company with disaster response in mind. The 2023 storm was a real learning experience, she said. Its allowed us to improve what we do and even expand our services out of state. She said Trees by Jake crew members just returned from working the recent tornado damage in northwest Arkansas. Not that theyd forget the 2023 storm anyway, but a few Tulsa homeowners are still living with visible reminders. Austin Taylor, like most of his neighbors near LaFortune Park, sustained wind damage to the roof of his house. One year later, it still hasnt been repaired, as he tries to work through a disagreement with his insurance company. Meanwhile, the damaged sections of it, where shingles are missing, remain covered by a tarp. Its not like we can see the sky through it or anything. Its just frustrating, said Taylor, who lives in the home with his two children. All my neighbors had similar damage and theyve all had theirs repaired. His insurance company offered to pay only half of the repair cost, he said. After months without further word, he had a meeting with an adjuster and roofer set for Friday. While large destructive storms are inevitable, Paselk cautions against one recent response-trend hes noticed. Concerned over storms like 2023s, more homeowners are seeking to have branches on large trees especially branches that face their homes preemptively removed, Paselk said. Thats actually the last thing you want to do, he said. If the tree falls, without those branches, its going to hit your home like a hammer. The branches actually absorb a lot of the impact. So I tell people to definitely keep the branches. 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 An Oklahoma man who was detained in Turks and Caicos since April returned home to his family late Friday. Ryan Watson of Arcadia, who took his wife on a trip to the Caribbean island territory, was unable to leave the airport during his scheduled departure after a few rounds of ammunition were found in his duffel bag. Taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos without permission is a criminal offense that can be punished by up to 12 years in prison under the Firearms Act. On Friday morning, Watson was released from custody. He will have to pay a $2,000 fine, a punishment of $500 per round for the four shells he said were accidentally still packed from a hunting trip. He also received a suspended sentence; as long as he does not violate any other laws in Turks and Caicos over the next nine months, he will not have to serve the 18-month term of imprisonment. The judge believes 12 years would be arbitrary in this case, said Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for Watson and other American tourists who recently were detained in Turks and Caicos. The judge implored visitors from the U.S. to be more careful in their packing and called on the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to adopt advanced screening measures for those flying to Turks and Caicos. Four other Americans, in addition to Watson, were detained in Turks and Caicos under similar charges; two are yet to be adjudicated. In May, a congressional delegation led by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., went to Turks and Caicos to discuss the detention of the five Americans after small quantities of ammunition were found in their luggage. Gov. Kevin Stitt and several other governors signed a letter urging Turks and Caicos to release the American detainees. I am glad to see that Ryan Watson will finally be allowed to return home to his family, but this whole fiasco should have never happened in the first place, said U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., who was among the delegation that visited Turks and Caicos with Mullin. The threat of a 12-year prison sentence for accidentally leaving a few bullets in your bag is not justice. Thankfully, Turks and Caicos has now repealed this draconian law. No American should ever again have to go through what Ryan Watson and the four other detainees had to go through for making a simple mistake. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Chinese, Nigerian FM hold talks, attend first plenary session of inter-governmental committee Xinhua) 09:40, June 22, 2024 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi held talks with Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Beijing on Friday. The two foreign ministers also attended the first Plenary Session of China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee. During the talks, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Nigeria is a major African country with extensive influence. The sound development of China-Nigeria relations will serve as an example and a guide for China-Africa relations. China is ready to work with Nigeria as a good brother who supports each other, a good partner for mutual benefit, a good friend who upholds fairness and justice, and a good partner who upholds peace and stability. The two countries will work together to achieve development and revitalization, and elevate China-Nigeria and China-Africa relations to a new level, Wang said. Tuggar said Nigeria will continue to unswervingly adhere to the one-China principle and hopes to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication and carry out closer practical cooperation with China. Nigeria is willing to join hands with China to unite countries of the global South, uphold multilateralism, and safeguard fairness and justice, he said. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on China-Africa cooperation and agreed to work together for fruitful outcomes of the new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to be held in China this fall. While attending the first plenary session, Wang noted that China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation in promoting practical cooperation since its establishment more than three years ago. China and Nigeria, both major developing countries, should continue to build consensus and promote cooperation, inject new impetus into the development of China-Nigeria and China-Africa relations and make new contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang said. The two sides should adhere to the strategic positioning of bilateral relations and always regard each other as important strategic partners, carry forward the exemplary role of economic and trade cooperation and achieve coordinated development of cooperation in various fields so that the fruits of cooperation will benefit the common people, Wang said. The China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee is the first inter-governmental committee mechanism established between China and African countries. The two sides should take the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries as the core task and transform the cooperation plan into concrete results with practical actions. Tuggar spoke highly of the outcomes of the first plenary session, and expressed willingness to continue to deepen mutual trust with China and push for more outcomes in cooperation in various fields. After the session, the two sides issued a joint statement of the first plenary session. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar attend the first Plenary Session of China-Nigeria Inter-governmental Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Even though there is no need to work from home anymore, people have found that they can be just as productive working remotely as they would in an office. Even with companies dangling potential promotions to encourage workers to return to the office, many are convinced that they would be happier in the comfort of their homes. Dell Workers Chose Remote Work Over Promotions Earlier this year, Dell joined the list of companies who have begun to call back their employees to offices since the pandemic has died down. Still, many argue that there's no need for it, while others say that it would be an unnecessary inconvenience. Other companies had more drastic consequences wherein staffers who refused the mandate would be fired, but Dell simply took away the possibility of a promotion when employees want to remain remote, and about half of its workforce is fine with that. Ars Technica reports that this was seen through internal Dell tracking data, which is bad news for Dell as it aims to establish the old working system before the pandemic forced people to stay home to avoid contracting the virus. A couple of Dell workers have been interviewed to determine why they chose to remain remote, and there were those who brought up their finances, saying that it costs less to work from home than to come to the office. Of course, there were others who didn't have that much of a choice since their local offices had closed since the pandemic, meaning that they might have to move or suffer a long commute. Others were simply not interested in promotions. Those who have spoken to employees who followed the hybrid schedule said that their co-workers were working in mostly empty offices, and were conducting with video calls other hybrid workers who were also in almost empty offices. Why Are Companies Insisting on On-Site Work? A lot of reasons have floated regarding the return-to-office policy. Some companies believe that having workers in the same environment would create a culture of collaboration and innovation, seeing as staffers can communicate in person. It's likely that others simply prefer on-site work since leaders can monitor workers better to see whether they are productive or not. After all, it is much easier to fake working when you're at home with nothing but monitoring software to keep watch. Several workers have figured out ways to cheat the system, especially those that measure productivity based on the movement of a remote worker's mouse. This, however, is not always foolproof, such as the situation Wells Fargo went through. Workers were caught using mouse movers to move cursers, which resulted in over a dozen employees being fired, as reported by The Verge. There is already monitoring software that can detect patterns in mouse movements as well. The incident definitely hurts the argument that remote workers can put forth, but it doesn't change the fact that the same kind of work that can be done in the office can also be accomplished at home. An air traffic controller was temporarily suspended from duty to facilitate the investigation into an incident where he confused two flights with nearly identical flight numbers, resulting in two aircraft violating safe airspace distance under the jurisdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Area Control Center (ACC Ho Chi Minh). The incident occurred around 6:30 am on Wednesday, as confirmed by Dinh Viet Thang, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday. At that time, ACC Ho Chi Minh was managing 12 flights. The incident involved a conflict warning between flights HVN 1575, HVN 1557, and VJC 244, where the similar flight numbers HVN 1575 and HVN 1557 led to the confusion. During this period, the air traffic controller directed HVN 1557 from Hanoi to Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong to adjust its flight level, mistaking it for HVN 1575. Meanwhile, VJC 244 from Ho Chi Minh City to the north-central province of Thanh Hoa maintained a flight level close to HVN 1557. This incident resulted in aircraft with flight numbers HVN 1575 and VJC 244 traveling in opposite directions maintaining the same altitude, separated by only eight nautical miles, approximately 15 kilometers, Thang explained. Safety regulations mandate a horizontal separation of at least 10 nautical miles, approximately 18.5 kilometers. This means that the two planes violated this separation by about three kilometers. During the incident, both the ground system and the planes collision warning systems alerted the pilots and the air traffic controller to the conflict, urging them to manage the situation. The staff promptly issued clearance for the two planes to alter their courses, reasserting compliance with horizontal separation regulations. CAAVs preliminary assessment classified this incident as a threat to flight safety. Southern Air Traffic Services Company has temporarily suspended the involved air traffic controller pending verification of the incident and reporting to relevant authorities as per regulations. Upon receiving the news, Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation decided to establish a team, led by the head of its quality safety department, for an internal investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many trees along streets in Ho Chi Minh City are suffering due to having their roots covered with concrete and their trunks tied with iron chains and spiked with nails, according to complaints from Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper readers. The readers made their complaints after the city opted to remove bricks and concrete around the roots of the trees along Nguyen Thai Son Street in Go Vap District. In particular, trees along Nguyen Kiem Street in Go Vap District, Ho Van Hue Street in Phu Nhuan District, and Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in District 1 have had their roots covered with concrete and their trunks tied with chains and spiked with large nails for days. On Nguyen Kiem Street, more than 10 trees measuring 40-50 centimeters in diameter have had their roots fully cemented. A tree on Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City has its roots covered with concrete. Photo: Dinh Duong / Tuoi Tre Local traders have also used nails to hang signs from some of the trees, causing sap to leak and the bark to peel off. Similarly, trees on Ho Van Hue Street face the same fate. They are also suffocating under concrete blocks, iron chains, and iron nets. Thuy Hoa, a 36-year-old resident in Go Vap District, said she is upset that the trees are not being properly cared for by residents. Along a Hoang Van Thu Street section from the Lang Cha Ca Roundabout to the Bay Hien Intersection in Tan Binh District, there are only about 10 trees, but all of their roots have been covered in concrete. Concrete covers the roots of a tree on Bach Dang Street in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dinh Duong / Tuoi Tre Sau, a motorbike taxi driver, said the area often sees high traffic volume, but the number of trees on the section is low, adding that the trees do not seem to be in good health. A row of ancient trees on Ly Thuong Kiet and Xuan Hong Streets in Tan Binh District and Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11 have had their roots covered by concrete. A tree near the intersection of Ba Thang Hai and Ta Uyen Streets is even wrapped in chains. Tying ropes and chains around trees, and striking them with nails, is popular in Tan Phu and Binh Tan Districts. Traders hang things on trees in the Bon Xa Intersection in Binh Tan District. Street vendors take advantage of the concrete over the roots of a tree on Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City to sell products. Photo: Dinh Duong / Tuoi Tre A similar situation is also seen on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District. A representative of Ho Chi Minh City Greenery Parks Co. Ltd., a state-run company, told Tuoi Tre that covering tree roots with cement would cause the trees to die. The company has regularly patrolled and detected residents acts that do harm to trees. It has coordinated with local authorities to remove concrete, nails, chains, and advertising boards from trees. Many trees on Nguyen Kiem Street in Ho Chi Minh City find it hard to grow as their roots are covered with cement. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre A large tree on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City has its roots covered with concrete and its trunk spiked with nails. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre Many sign boards are hung on a tree on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre Residents spike nails on a tree on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City to hang trash bags. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre A tree in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City is wrapped in electric wires. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre A household hangs many products for sale on a tree in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre An altar is hung on a tree on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre Signboards are attached to a tree. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre A large concrete block is tied to a tree on Ho Van Hue Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially recognized Vietnams Cat Tien National Park as the 72nd addition to its prestigious IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. The Cat Tien National Park, located in southern Dong Nai Province, is the first national park in Vietnam to achieve IUCN Green List certification, Pham Xuan Thinh, director of the park, said at a ceremony held at the park on Friday to receive the valuable recognition from the IUCN. This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to preserving the unique biodiversity and natural heritage of Cat Tien, Thinh stated. This certification has followed a comprehensive assessment, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the USAID Biodiversity Conservation Activity in Vietnam (VFBC project). As a global standard that describes successful area-based conservation, the IUCN Green List offers an assured verification process, awarding certificates to sites that can demonstrate that they meet and maintain the full set of 17 globally consistent criteria and 50 indicators that address four themes: good governance, sound design and planning, effective management, and successful conservation outcomes. The IUCN remarked that the Cat Tien National Park's journey towards Green List certification began with an in-depth assessment of its conservation measures, which included the protection of endangered species and the preservation of its diverse ecosystems. The park has implemented educational programs and initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of protecting natural resources, and local community members have been involved in conservation activities, providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities. It has strengthened its management practices by enhancing its monitoring and enforcement capabilities, with advanced technologies and methodologies adopted in patrolling, protecting, and monitoring wildlife. The park has also undertaken biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration, and species conservation projects, while its staff has received appropriate training to effectively perform their duties. Achieving Green List status is not merely about pursuing a title, it represents a long-term and persistent commitment: The evidence that needs to be assembled to demonstrate compliance with the standards 17 criteria is demanding, the IUCN cited said Jake Brunner, head of IUCNs Lower Mekong Sub-region, as saying. The fact that two of the three Green List sites in Southeast Asia are in Vietnam: Cat Tien National Park and Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve in northern Ninh Binh Province, which was recognized in 2021, reflects the determination of the government of Vietnam to improve standards of protected area management. The inclusion of Cat Tien National Park on the IUCN Green List is a significant milestone not only for the park itself but also for the broader conservation community in Vietnam, said Vu Van Hung, director of VFBC project, deputy head of the Management Board of Forestry Projects under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This achievement is a testament to the efforts as well as reemphasizing the VFBC projects commitment to protecting the rich biodiversity of Vietnam. The IUCN oversees the Green List evaluation through an independent expert panel. The Green List Standard, which remains globally consistent but is adapted and applied to the local context, can be used as a diagnostic framework to conduct gap analysis so that managers can develop solutions to improve management practices through performance outcomes, according to the IUCN. In addition to Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam has many other protected areas that are candidates or in the registration stage for the Green List certification, such as Cuc Phuong National Park, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Vu Quang National Park, Bach Ma National Park, Dong Chau - Khe Nuoc Trong Nature Reserve, Song Thanh National Park, Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park, Pu Mat National Park and Con Dao National Park. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Breakout TV star Robert Irwin is currently filming a new reality series, believed to be for 10. Irwin took took to Instagram to tease the upcoming series, seen in bed wearing Australia Zoo khakis. Do you ever get that strange feeling when you wake up that youre being watched? He turns the camera to show a film crew capturing his every move. 10 has previously teased a second project for its Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star. We have a show with Robert Irwin, but we havent announced a title, 10 programming boss Dan Monaghan recently told TV Tonight. Its heading into his wheelhouse its reflected back on what Steve had done, and then handing over the baton to Robert, Bindi and the kids. While the family has previously starred in Crikey! Its the Irwins, could the new project be carrying on the Crocodile Hunter legacy for a new generation? Irwin will learn later today if he is also getting a Logie nomination. Duh. Musheera Ashraf, TwoCircles.net Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh): Twenty-five-year-old Shaheen, determined to secure a Ph.D. seat, chose to remain in her hostel room in Hyderabad for her exams despite Eid festivities back home in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, where her family resides 1,600 kilometers away. They supported her journey with meager financial resources. Confident of her success in this years University Grants CommissionNational Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) examination, she expressed frustration, saying, We dont trust these exam-conducting agencies anymore; they are playing with the time, careers and lives of students. Support TwoCircles Her fathers monthly stipend now feels futile. At the core of Indias education system lies a mounting crisis that jeopardizes the dreams of countless aspiring researchers. Competitive examinations like the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and NET (National Eligibility Test), once hailed as gateways to prestigious careers, have transformed into arenas of cutthroat competition, mental strain and systemic disparities. The UGC-NET plays a crucial role in determining the eligibility for assistant professorship and awarding junior research fellowship (JRF) in universities and colleges across the nation. According to figures released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the examination, 908,580 candidates appeared for the test on June 18. The Ministry of Education acknowledged in a statement that the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) alerted the UGC about potential compromises to the examinations integrity one day after its completion. In response, the ministry decided to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination to uphold the highest standards of transparency and preserve the integrity of the examination process. It announced that details for a new investigation will be provided separately. Professor Khwaja Ziyauddin, head of the department of sociology and associate director at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, attributes the issue of the UGC-NET paper leaks to several factors. He highlighted deep-rooted corruption within the examination and education systems, emphasizing, Inadequate oversight and accountability foster an environment where unethical practices thrive. The UGC-NET faces significant stakes that create a market for leaked papers, albeit smaller than that of NEET, which decides medical college admissions. Technological vulnerabilities and ineffective security measures exacerbate these risks and unauthorized access. The desperation for shortcuts undermines the aspirations and dedication of Indian youth who strive to contribute to national progress. The allure of leaked papers reflects not just collusion among candidates, officials and stakeholders, but a symptom of deeper systemic issues in our education system, he pointed out. Farrah Jaffri, a resident of Poonch in Jammu, criticized what she perceives as negligence on the part of the NTA. Having traveled 280 kilometers from her village to sit for the examination, she expressed deep dismay over the NTAs decision. I was shocked and deeply disturbed by the NTA decision. It has kept me awake at night and caused panic attacks, shared the political science student. I had hoped to qualify this time. After a long and challenging journey, I was eager to crack the examination and secure top marks. Now, this devastating situation has engulfed us. Adding to the ordeal, Shahzan, a student from Uttar Pradesh, expressed his frustration, saying, I was shocked when I heard that the UGC-NET has been canceled. He traveled 75 kilometers under extreme heat waves to Bareilly just to appear for the examination. A year of hard work is now worthless. The postgraduate in journalism and mass communication further lamented, The cancellation of the NET exam is a significant failure of the NDA government and the NTA. Recently, the NEET exam was a fiasco and now the NET cancellation is proof that the NTA is failing day by day in conducting exams. This government, filled with illiterates, does not understand the importance of education. They want students to be unable to study so they cannot demand employment. Who will take responsibility for playing with the students futures? Will the education minister resign? If the exam is held again, will it be fair? These are the questions students want answers to. UGC Chairperson M. Jagadesh Kumar highlighted the impressive turnout for the NET examination, noting that approximately 81 percent of the over 1.12 million registered candidates had participated across 317 cities nationwide. Professor Anisur Rahman, former director of the UGC HRDC at Jamia Millia Islamia, added, It is indeed extremely sad that question papers are often leaked out. This demotivates the young minds and the nation. This must be stopped immediately. Dr Meraj Ahmed Mubarki, assistant professor and assistant director of the UGC-HRDC at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, expressed concern for the students. I feel for those who genuinely prepared for the examination. It is a disheartening move. Their efforts have gone to waste. Months of preparation, all for nothing. Yet, on the other hand, if there were serious lapses in the conduct of the examination, then canceling it is the right decision. As the crisis deepens, voices like those of Shaheen, Farah and Shahzan resonate with countless students across India, their dreams and futures hanging in the balance. From 2012 to 2024, the BSP, under Mayawatis leadership, suffered defeats in three assembly and three general elections. These consecutive setbacks, coupled with a perceived lack of grassroots effort, have gradually eroded her influence over the past 12 years. Lucknow: Amid the Bahujan Samaj Partys (BSP) existential crisis, Dalits seem to have begun exploring new political alternatives. They are apparently weighing their options between the Congress and the newly formed Azad Samaj Party-Kanshiram (ASP-Kanshiram).The communitys disenchantment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seemingly evident. At the same time, they are also reluctant to align with the Samajwadi Party (SP) due to historical Dalit-Yadav rivalries in villages. In 2017, amidst this backdrop, a new young leader, Chandrashekhar Azad, emerged as a prominent Dalit figure in western Uttar Pradesh. His electoral victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Nagina parliamentary seat marked a significant milestone, nearly seven years after his initial rise to prominence. Chandrashekhar entered Parliament at a time when the BSP did not have any lawmakers in the Lok Sabha. All eyes are now on him to see how he champions issues faced by his community on the parliamentary floor. In the 2024 general elections, Dalits largely supported the Congress-led India bloc. The Oppositions narrative highlighting the Constitution in danger under the BJP regime resonated strongly within the marginalised community. In several constituencies, Dalits also voted for SP candidates to safeguard reservations and protect the Constitution. They showed diminished reliance on Mayawati, who seemingly facilitated an easier contest for the BJP by withdrawing her nephew Akash Anand from the campaign and making changes in key constituencies. Dalit intellectuals perceived that the SP garnered Dalit support due to its alliance with the Congress. They placed their trust in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and voted for the SP in his name. They also believe that once Dalits leave the BJP, they are unlikely to return soon. The community recognizes that supporting the BJP means undermining both the Constitution and reservation. Therefore, despite leaving the BSP, Dalits will not go to the BJP for the time being. It is said that very few sub-castes currently aligned with the saffron party will continue to support it. Consequently, the party is not seen as an alternative to the BSP for 23 percent of Dalits in the state. The SP cannot serve as a viable political alternative for dissatisfied Dalits who have left the BSP, due to the SPs reliance on Yadav votes and the historical tensions between the two communities in villages. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections also highlighted Dalits reluctance to support the SP. During the SP and the BSP alliance, the SP transferred its votes to the BSP, but the BSP did not reciprocate. As a result, the BSP won 10 seats while the SP only secured five. The ASP chief contested against candidates from the BJP, the BSP and the INDIA bloc in the election and won by 1,51,473 votes. He received a total of 5,12,552 votes, while the BJP candidate got 3,61,079, the SP received 1,02,374, and the BSP candidate garnered 13,272 votes. This Lok Sabha constituency comprises five assembly constituencies: Dhampur, Nathaur, Najibabad, Noorpur and Nagina. Nagina was previously part of the Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency before becoming a separate constituency following the 2007 delimitation. Due to its significant Muslim and Dalit populations, this Lok Sabha seat has been pivotal in Dalit politics. In 1989, BSP leader Mayawati won this seat as an MP, and Congresss Meera Kumar was victorious in 1985. In 2019, BSP candidate Girish Chandra, part of the SP-BSP alliance, won the seat. Noted Dalit thinker Arun Khote says Chandrashekhars victory in the Nagina seat was largely due to strong support from Muslim and Dalit voters. The BSP traditionally considered this constituency a stronghold, but this time Dalits and Muslims chose Chandrashekhar over Mayawati in order to defeat the BJP. Ukraine has said that President Vladimir Putins latest visit to Pyongyang this week, which saw the two states sign a defence pact, requiring the countries to provide military assistance in the event either nation is attacked, means the FATF must take further action. Ukraine has called on the worlds anti-money laundering standards body to blacklist Russia after the nation bolstered its ties with North Korea. Ukraine has called on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to penalise Russia in order to better protect the security of the global financial system. The Paris-based group, which meets tomorrow, suspended Russia in 2023, and in February it issued a statement expressing serious concerns about its deepening connections with blacklisted states. However, Ukraine has said that President Vladimir Putins latest visit to Pyongyang this week, which saw the two states sign a defence pact, requiring the countries to provide military assistance in the event either nation is attacked, means the FATF must take further action. It said Russia must be added to the FATFs blacklist, which would require all jurisdictions to conduct enhanced due diligence when dealing with Russia, further isolating it from the international financial system. The Kremlin has been intensifying military and economic ties with North Korea and Iran, financing terrorist organisations inside and outside Russia, weakening anti-money laundering institutions and sponsoring rampant cyber-crime, Ukraines Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko said in a statement. FATF has one clear way to counter these violations and provide protection to the global financial system by blacklisting Russia, he added. Tom Keatinge, the director of the Centre for Finance and Security at think tank RUSI, said that the explicit strengthening of ties between the two nations could trigger a response from the FATF. There is a very specific requirement in the Financial Action Task Force standards to comply with UN Security Council resolutions related to North Korea, he told City A.M. So the question is, how is the FATF going to respond to a country blatantly violating its standards?, he said. Its so in your face that for the FATF to ignore it would be, personally, I think, damaging to the legitimacy of the FATF, he added. While the normal route by which countries would be added to the groups so-called grey or blacklists is following an evaluation, which takes place every couple of years, Keatinge suggested that process could be bypassed in extreme circumstances. Technical people might say, well, you know, Russia needs to go through an evaluation before it could be added to the blacklist, he said, but added there is a way of short-circuiting that process, and the very blatant deepening and intensifying of relationships between Russia and North Korea, which, in turn, funds North Koreas WMD programme, could be a trigger for that to happen. The FATF was contacted for comment. Protest for Israeli hostage Naama Levy, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv Protest for Israeli hostage Naama Levy, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday to mark the 20th birthday of Naama Levy, who has been held hostage in Gaza since Oct. 7, and to call for an immediate ceasefire in the war with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Releasing balloons and chanting to the beat of drums, protesters shared bite-sized cupcakes decorated with birthday candles, while demanding the release of all hostages taken by Hamas following its deadly raid on Israel eight months ago. "She needs to be here with her family, with her friends, said Yoni Levy, 52, Naamas father, wearing a shirt emblazoned with his daughter's image. On Thursday Naama's elder brother Amit shared memories of his sister with Reuters, pointing to her smiling face in a magazine picture with the headline: "Bring Her Home". "I really can't wait to see this smile when she comes back soon," he said. A video of Naama posted by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 - showing her with hands tied behind her back, dressed in tattered pyjamas and visibly injured - went viral on social media. She had just begun her duties in the Israeli Defense Force when she was seized, along with four other female army conscripts, in the raid that triggered Israel's war on Gaza. Hamas killed around 1,200 people in the raid and seized more than 250 hostages. Israel's response has left Gaza in ruins and killed more than 37,400 people, including 101 in the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian health authorities. (Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Mark Potter) Lynching, hate crimes mar two weeks of Modis 3rd term Since the day Modi became Prime Minister for the 3rd term, Hindus have started taking revenge from Muslims by one way or the other. They are angry because it is alleged that the Muslims were responsible for not making the BJP's dream of 400 par a reality Sunday June 23, 2024 9:34 AM , Raqif Makhdoomi It has now been couple of weeks since the NDA government under Narendra Modi has taken oath for the third time. Since then, four Muslims from different Indian states have been beaten to death. Among the four, three lost their lives to cow vigilantes while the fourth was lynched to death on suspicion of theft. They call Islam cruel for its punishment of cutting of hands of a person who commits theft but are fine with lynching a person for transportation of beef and mere suspicion of theft. Chand Miya Khan, was 23-year-old, and lived in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He was traveling from Saharanpur to Odisha with buffaloes in a truck when cow vigilantes beaten him to death on 7th June in Chhattisgarh's Raipur. Guddu Khan was 35 years old and was a resident of Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. Guddu was traveling with Chand Miya in the same truck carrying buffaloes to Odisha when they were attacked. They tried to contact their families several times while they were being beaten. During one of the calls, a family member heard them screaming and crying as the vigilantes attacked. This call lasted 47 minutes. Saddam Qureshi was 23-year-old youth who lived in Saharanpur (UP) was cousin of Chand Miya. He was also beaten on the same day (June 7) by the cow vigilantes. Saddam suffered serious injuries during the attack. He remained in coma until his death on June 18 at Raipurs Shri Balaji Super Speciality Hospital, without ever regaining consciousness. Mohammad Farid, 35-years-old man was a resident of Aligarh. Farid, alias Aurangzeb, was attacked on suspicion of theft and succumbed to his injuries. Disturbing videos online show a group of men brutally beating him with lathis, punches, and kicks. Another video shows him lying lifeless on a hospital bed, his eyes hauntingly open. Since the day Modi became Prime Minister for the 3rd term, Hindus have started taking revenge from Muslims by one way or the other. They are angry because it is alleged that the Muslims were responsible for not making the BJP's dream of 400 paar a reality. Interestingly, the BJP expected the Muslims to vote for the party even after Yogi and Modi calling the largest minority in the country different names and giving them warnings. While Yogi in one of his election campaign speeches warned Musliman Azaan bhooll jaye ga (Muslims will forget Adhaan), Modi called the 20 crore Indian Muslims ghus-petiya (infiltrators). After such hate campaigns, it was but obvious that the BJP will lose a huge Muslim vote and it did. But who will explain this to the Bhakts? All they wanted was by hook and crook make Modi Prime Minister again so that their aim of converting India into a Hindu Rashtra is fulfilled. Eid ul Adha has been one of the worst phases for the Indian Muslims under the Modi rule. Hashtags such as #AllEyesOnbakra was trending. Suddenly, a lot of people became animal rights activists . Albeit eating KFC for whole of the year they suddenly became animal lovers on Eid al Adha. They have nothing to do with who does what but when it comes to Muslims they find everything very much interesting. People who worship Kali also have practice of animal sacrifice and this goes on for whole year but no one bats an eye. But when its time for Muslims to do something each one of them come together to make sure that things are made horrible for Muslims. Houses of Muslims were demolished just because they were holding beef in fridge. Rapists are getting payrolls and people who have beef in their refrigerators are finding their homes demolished. A major role in these hate campaigns is played by the troll on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, having followers in lakhs. They dont miss a second to keep things against Muslims. It has often been seen that its they who build the narrative but they arent even touched because they campaign for BJP and support them in whatever they do. If a Muslim will tweet what they tweet each day he or she would be arrested and slapped with stringent laws such as UAPA. Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khaild and many others continue to remain in jails just because they dont have their thoughts matching with the BJP while as rape convict BJP supporters are getting easy payrolls. A shop was attacked by mob because its owner has uploaded a video on WhatsApp, showing sacrifice of a calf. The Police present on the spot was watching them loot the shop. We all remember what they did with the Shaheen Bagh protesters. Goli maro saalo ko slogans have again found place in anti-Muslim protests. The guy who introduced this slogan was a minster and continued to be one after raising the hate-slogans. Chief Ministers are being arrested but the guy who chanted this first is still out. Everything is justified till it is against Muslims. You have full immunity against arrest if you are a Hindu with BJP support. All the anti-Muslim propaganda is fully supported by the mainstream media which legalise every single act. They have shifted themselves from being news reporters to whitewashing machine of the BJP. [The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi, is a student of law and a human rights activist. Hindus here refer to those affiliated to the right wing Hindutva groups who enjoy impunity, and have the support and backing of the government. India still remains by and large a peaceful country owing to the fact that the vast majority of Hindus are secular and peace loving, and they too voted against the BJP in the 2024 General Elections in a large number. The views are writers own and personal.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Firefighters safely rescued a 20-month-old child who was trapped inside a Tesla Model Y in Scottsdale, Arizona after the car's battery went dead. According to the relative of the child, the car went dead after she loaded her granddaughter inside the car for a supposed trip to the Phoenix Zoo. Tesla Traps Child After Battery Dies Renee Sanchez, the owner of the Tesla, shared that the car's battery died after settling her granddaughter. She was supposed to go around the front seat but the dead Tesla did not allow her to, leaving the child alone inside. "I could not get in. My phone key wouldn't open it. My card key wouldn't open it," she recalled to On Your Side. She immediately dialed 911 and had the firefighters help with the situation. The firefighters stated that it was difficult for them to get inside any Tesla, leading them to force break a window with an axe. The rescuers covered the window with tape to prevent any glass from flying and injuring the child inside. Tesla's Battery Dies Without Warning During the summer season, it is unsafe for children to be left alone inside a car. These days temperatures often exceed 100 degrees due to the heatwave. According to Sanchez, her granddaughter started crying after seeing the commotion outside the car. In addition, the temperature inside was getting hotter every minute. Tesla provided a hidden latch on the driver's side armrest to manually unlock the car once the battery has died. However, this is only usable for people who are locked inside and not outside. Many Tesla users are also not aware of this feature. Sanchez recalled that the 12-volt battery of her car died without warning. Tesla is required to alert drivers three times before the battery dies but the company's service department confirmed that the owner did not receive any warning. The child was safely removed from the car as the firefighter climbed through a window. The rescuers also calmed the little girl. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Now, allegations of irregularities in MHT CET 2024 results Even as the nationwide protests against the National Testing Agency (NTA) over alleged malpractices in NEET UG 2024 and UGC NET 2024 continue unabated, students are now alleging irregularities in MHT CET 2024 results Saturday June 22, 2024 10:18 AM , ummid.com News Network [AI generated image used for representation purpose.] Mumbai: Even as the nationwide protests against the National Testing Agency (NTA) over alleged malpractices in NEET UG 2024 and UGC NET 2024 continue unabated, students are now alleging irregularities in MHT CET 2024 results. MHT CET Entrance MHT CET is conducted online (computer based test) by the Maharashtra CET Cell for admission in first year engineering, medical, pharmacy and other undergraduate courses. While MHT CET PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) score is used for admission in engineering, MHT CET PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) score is used for admission in medical, pharmacy and paramedical courses. A total of 725,052 candidates from Maharashtra and outside had registered for this year's entrance for PCM and PCB both. Of them, 675,377 students - 295,577 in PCM and 379,80 in PCB, appeared for the exams held in April / May, 2024. MHT CET Answer Key was published on May 21. The result along with Toppers/Merit List was announced on June 16, 2024 . 54 errors in question papers The candidates now alleged that there were serious discrepancies in the MHT CET 2024 Answer Keys and the entrance test result. Standing on behalf of the students, senior Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray while referring to 54 errors in question papers identified by students, questioned the competence of those responsible for the conduct of the exam. Thackeray also demanded an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the exam and suspension of the commissioner of the CET cell. MHT CET Counselling 2024 Thackeray also demanded a temporary stay on the admission and counselling process till the issue is resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra CET Cell is yet to publish the MHT CET Engineering, Medical and Pharmacy counselling schedule for the year 2024-25. The CET cell normally starts CAP based admission counselling soon after the MHT CET results are announced. The CET Cell however is so far silent of the counselling dates. NEET UG 2024 Re-exam demand In the related development, the Supreme Court of India has once again refused to stay the NEET UG 2024 counselling. The Ministry of Education had earlier submitted in the apex court that NEET UG 2024 counselling will start from July 06, 2024. Amidst all the furore against the entrance exams, the National Testing Agency in a sudden decision postponed CSIR UGC NET June 2024 exam . The cancellation of CSIR UGC NET 2024 exam came days after the Ministry of Education cancelled UGC NET 2024 a day after the NTA claimed it was held successfully. Meanwhile, students demanding re-exam of NEET UG 2024 continue to hit the streets, alongside fighting legal battles. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Though free trade agreements (FTA) have so far helped Viet Nam boost exports significantly, domestic enterprises need to further study markets and better focus on the countrys strengths to optimise the deals. According to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT), since joining the first FTA with ASEAN more than 30 years ago, Viet Nam has so far signed and implemented 16 FTAs while negotiating another three FTAs. Viet Nam is also the only country that has signed FTAs with all major economic partners globally such as the US, Japan, China, the EU, the UK, and Russia. The FTAs have opened up many doors for Vietnamese products to enter potential markets, including many demanding markets with high requirements and standards. Expert Doan Huu Tue said FTAs helped Viet Nam significantly increase export output, with a growth rate of more than 20 per cent, much higher than the general export growth rate. In 2022, Viet Nam's trade surplus with FTA markets was more than US$30 billion. Dominik Meichle, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocharm), said with the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) alone, Viet Nam's export turnover to the EU market increased to more than 48 billion euros in 2023 from about 35 billion euros in 2019. Hindrance The signing and implementation of the FTAs have brought many positive export impacts for Viet Nam, but there remain limitations related to origin and non-tariff barriers that have meant many opportunities have not been fully exploited. According to experts, the certificate of origin (C/O) plays an increasingly important role as a golden key to help Vietnamese businesses expand exports and take advantage of tariff incentives under FTAs. However, the Vietnam Import-Export Report 2023 recently published by MIT shows Viet Nams total export turnover which used preferential C/O types under the FTAs in 2023 reached $86.1 billion, accounting for 37.35 per cent of the countrys $230.5 billion total to the FTA markets. Nguyen Thuong Lang, PhD, from the National Economics Universitys Institute of International Trade and Economics, cited MITs data as saying that for the EVFTA alone, after three years of implementation, Vietnamese enterprises could only take advantage of 26 per cent of the agreement's incentives while the rate for FDI-based Viet Nam enterprises was significantly greater. Specifically, FDI disbursement in Viet Nam hit a record high of more than $23 billion in 2023, most of which headed into the export sector to take advantage of FTA opportunities. More than 70 per cent of Viet Nam's export turnover was a result of FDI enterprises. As for FTAs, Vietnamese exporters had mainly focused on traditional products with low labour cost advantages, such as textiles-garments and assembled industrial goods and natural resource advantages such as agricultural products and wooden products. Furthermore, these products had not yet been fully exploited through the increase of added value by using supply chain and professional marketing development. Meanwhile, the fields which associate with the development of international investment relations in the new stage, have remained moderate, not commensurate with the great potential of the economy and mainly implemented by transnational companies, according to the International Investment Research Institute (ISC). Viet Nam, Lang said, was optimistically forecast to be the base for manufacturing electronic products worldwide after a series of FTAs take effect. However, this role was unlikely to be played by Vietnamese enterprises in the short term. FTAs had not been used to create enough momentum to form a wave of innovation in domestic businesses. According to a recent report submitted to the Prime Minister on the results of implementing the CPTPP, EVFTA and UKVFTA, though exports to large FTA markets, such as the EU, CPTPP and the UK, are growing positively, their proportion is still relatively modest and the preferential utilisation rate has not met expectations. The preferential utilisation rate in the new CPTPP, EVFTA and UKVFTA is about 5 per cent, 26 per cent and nearly 24 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, FDI enterprises still account for the majority of Viet Nam's key product export turnover, the report notes. Vietnamese businesses, Tue said, had only participated in some stages of the supply chain. The ability to meet and comply with quality, food hygiene, safety and technical requirements of Vietnamese goods was still limited, especially in the context that many import markets had increasingly improved technical standards and non-tariff barriers. Vietnamese enterprises still mainly made processed products according to orders so the added value was not high. Solutions To optimise the FTAs, Vietnamese businesses needed to take advantage of market opportunities, participate in the global value chain and access modern technology, according to Lang. The first and biggest impact of FTAs is to maximise market expansion in both width and depth. Therefore, to effectively exploit this, domestic businesses need to proactively invest in surveying and understanding the market to firmly grasp the needs of partners. They should actively take part in trade fairs, exhibitions, forums, conferences, trade connections to find suitable partners. Participation in FTAs means the connection and deep penetration in the global value chain. To gain a genuine connection, domestic businesses need to meet origin standards as committed in each FTA. They absolutely do not cheat on origin or avoid trade defence measures to avoid a loss of credibility with relevant entities. Most Vietnamese businesses are small and medium sized, so it is difficult for them to cover the entire large market, create scale advantages and invest in high technology, besides being easily dominated by competitors. Therefore, the businesses need to proactively connect and cooperate with each other to increase support and complement each other to enhance the capacity to meet large-scale orders. Domestic businesses need to invest in research, development and innovation, which create differentiating factors, know-how and core competitive advantages for them. VNS HA NOI Pacific Airlines will return to operations on June 26 with an aircraft transferred by its parent company Vietnam Airlines Group. This is the first of three planes that Pacific Airlines plans to lease from the national flag carrier, tuoitre.vn reported. Pacific Airlines has reported to the authorities and relevant units about the return flight time slated for the next few days, the online newspaper said. It added that the airline is expected to operate six flights on some domestic routes from and to Ha Noi, a Nang, Hue, Chu Lai, Thanh Hoa and Vinh. On March 18, Pacific Airlines suspended flight operations to restructure its fleet and flight network to ensure operational efficiency. Pacific Airlines was established in 1991, and was the first low-cost airline with state-owned enterprises as shareholders. The airline has faced operational difficulties for many years. In 2022, the company incurred a loss of nearly VN2.1 trillion (US$84.5 million) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. VNS BANGKOK Central Retail on Friday inaugurated the "Vietnamese Lychee Promotion Event" at CentralwOrld Shopping Mall in Bangkok, Thailand. The event aims to introduce Thai consumers to premium, in-season lychees from Viet Nam, certified with GlobalGAP and geographical indication labels. Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand, Pham Viet Hung, highlighted the importance of such events in promoting Vietnamese exports and strengthening trade ties between Viet Nam and Thailand, with a bilateral trade goal of US$25 billion by 2025. Jariya Chirathivat, Executive Vice President of Central Group, emphasised Tops' commitment to sourcing top-quality products globally, noting that this is the seventh consecutive year Tops has promoted Vietnamese lychees in Thailand. The event runs from mid-June to early July at 32 Tops Food Hall and Tops Market stores across Thailand. Due to challenging weather, Bac Giang Province's lychee production is expected to reduce by 30 per cent compared to last year's output. Despite that, Central Retail has maintained competitive prices to boost consumer support. Lychees are offered at a promotional price of 299 baht ($8.16) per kilo, down from 399 baht/kg. Paul Le, Vice President of Central Retail in Viet Nam, expressed confidence in the export potential of Vietnamese lychees, thanks to improved cold storage and packaging techniques. "With increasingly improved cold storage and packaging management, we believe Vietnamese lychees will soon be exported to many countries worldwide," he said. "In the Thai market alone, Central Retail has successfully exported to Thailand continuously since 2017. Thai people now often wait for Vietnamese lychees in season to enjoy the world's best quality lychees." VNS HA NOI The northern mountainous province of Son La held a departure ceremony to export red-fleshed dragon fruit products to the Italian market on Friday. Accordingly, five tonnes of red-fleshed dragon fruit from Quynh Thuan agricultural cooperative, Chieng Pha Commune were exported via official channels through Ngoc Hoang agricultural cooperative, Mai Son District and the Viet Nam Organic Foods Company Limited. Red-fleshed dragon fruit is currently one of eight production chains for sustainable fruit development in Thuan Chau District. To date, the entire district has 50 hectares of red-fleshed dragon fruit, of which 44 hectares are linked in chains, concentrating mainly in the communes of Chieng Pha, Phong Lai, Phong Lang, and Muong E. This year's output is estimated to reach over 500 tonnes, with an average selling price of VN30,000 - 35,000 (US$1.2-$1.4) per kilogramme. It is expected that 60 tonnes of Thuan Chau's red-fleshed dragon fruit will be exported to markets such as the UK, France, Russia, Italy, some Middle Eastern countries and the EU market, striving to achieve the export value target of VN325 billion this year. VNS NEW YORK - Vietnam has urged the UN Security Council, with its function of maintaining international peace and security, to pay more attention and resources to the settlement of cyberspace-related challenges and cyber security-related aspects in preventing conflicts, preventing and controlling terrorism, and protecting essential infrastructure. Addressing the high-level debate on Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Addressing Evolving Threats in Cyberspace held by the UN Security Council on June 20 in New York, Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, affirmed that threats in cyberspace were increasing in both scale and complexity, posing risks of escalating geo-political tensions and directly threatening all countries, with developing countries the most vulnerable due to their limited cyberspace security capacity. To address those threats, multi-dimensional approaches and uniform solutions were needed, the ambassador said, stressing that the UN played the key role in strengthening and perfecting international frameworks via such initiatives as the Global Digital Compact and the Convention on Cyber Crime. At the same time, cooperation should be enhanced to raise cyber defence capacity and narrow the gap in information technology among nations. The Vietnamese representative said that with the adoption of the Law on Cyber Security in 2018, Viet Nam was taking a comprehensive approach to dealing with cyber security threats. Viet Nam backs and actively participates in international cooperation in this regard on the basis of respect for national independence and sovereignty, no interference into internal affairs and sharing of responsibilities in promoting responsible behaviours on the cyberspace, according to the ambassador. Under the chair of Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul, participants expressed deep concern about the global cybersecurity and proposed solutions, including shoring up multilateral cooperation, consolidating the international legal framework and further enhancing the role of the UN Security in this regard. VNA/VNS HA NOI - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the 15th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions, which will take place in Dalian City, Liaoning Province of China, and have working sessions from June 24-27, a Foreign Ministry's statement said. The trip will be made at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, according to the announcement. VNA/VNS HA NOI - Through a joint statement issued, 11 cooperation agreements signed as well as high-level meetings held during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Viet Nam from June 19-20, the two countries have agreed on major orientations to further deepen bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in five key aspects, stated Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Firstly, Son said, the two sides concurred to strengthen dialogues and meetings at high and all levels, while effectively implementing cooperation mechanisms to promote collaboration in all fields, continuing to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, APEC, and ASEAN-Russia cooperation mechanisms. Russia affirmed its support for Viet Nam to host APEC Year 2027, pledging that it is ready to coordinate with Viet Nam to successfully organise this important event, and continue to support ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture, Son said. Secondly, Viet Nam and Russia affirmed that economy would continue to be a pillar and a focal point of the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, the FM said. The two sides would work together to settle difficulties and seek solutions to improve cooperation efficiency, enhancing the operational efficiency of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic - Trade and Scientific - Technical Cooperation. They would soon reach and implement a master plan for the development of the Viet Nam - Russia cooperation to 2030, he said. The FM added that the two sides would also coordinate to maximise the advantages of the Viet Nam - Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement, continuing to remove trade barriers, further facilitate bilateral trade, expand access to the Russian market for Viet Nam's consumer goods and agricultural and aquatic products, and promote investment cooperation, especially in infrastructure and energy. Thirdly, both sides would expand their defence-security partnership in order to respond to non-traditional security challenges, and closely coordinate at multilateral forums on defence and security, especially ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM ), thus contributing to peace, stability, and security and safety in the Asia-Pacific and the world. Fourthly, Viet Nam and Russia would beef up cooperation in the fields of education-training, science-technology, tourism, labour, culture, arts, sports, locality-to-locality cooperation, and people-to-people exchange, thereby strengthening the solid humanistic foundation for the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. During the visit, 11 cooperation documents were signed among ministries, sectors, and businesses of the two countries, creating motivation to promote bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese citizens in Russia and Russian citizens in Viet Nam to live, study, and work stably and act as a bridge of friendship between the two nations, Son stated. Fifthly, leaders of the two sides discussed in a straightforward and trustful manner international and regional issues of shared concern. Both sides affirmed their support for an equal international relations system based on international law and the United Nations Charter, especially the peaceful resolution of disputes without threatening to use and using force, and without intervention in each other's internal affairs. Regarding the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue, both sides showed their support to ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the sea area, not using force or threatening to use force, settling disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), as well as support to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). Son highlighted the significance of Putin's visit, underlining that it was considered an outstanding event of Viet Nam's external relations in 2024, showing Viet Nam's constant external policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations for peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, active and proactive international integration, and being a friend and a trustworthy partner of the international community. It also demonstrated Russia's great attention to Viet Nam in its "Turn to the East" policy, the FM held. He said that the issuance of the joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership and building on the achievements of the three-decade implementation of their Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations reflected their determination to make bilateral cooperation more effective and substantive across all fields. Russian President Putin's visit was a success, Son affirmed. Along with the warm sentiments that Vietnamese people have for Russian people, the achievements recorded during the implementation of the 1994 Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations between Viet Nam and Russia and important outcomes of President Putin's visit would be a solid foundation for the further promotion of the traditional and long-lasting friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, FM Son concluded. VNA/VNS When Spotify first announced that it was getting a price hike for the first time, a lot of people already expected it since other streaming services have already done the same recently. Unlike others, Spotify is reverting back to its old monthly subscription fee. Spotify is Back to $11 per Month US subscribers would be happy to know that the popular streaming service is adding an option without the $1 increase to its subscription fee for the Basic tier, where users will have access to an ad-free experience as they listen to Spotify's content. However, one selection is being removed, particularly audiobooks. It was a recently added feature where users will gain 15 hours of audiobook access as part of the new plan, as reported by Engadget, although it might not be a feature that subscribers would miss. The increase was supposed to arrive in the US by July, but it has already been implemented in the UK with subscription prices going from 11 per month to 12 for the Premium service for the addition of audiobook access. Spotify's move has been somewhat shrouded in controversy as it was accused of using the added access as a "scheme to increase profits by deceiving consumers and cheating the music royalty system" by the National Music Publishers' Association. The Association even asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the audiobook feature, as the company would pay around $150 million less in music royalties over the next year because of it. Spotify, of course, denied the accusations. Even if Spotify does roll its prices back, there are still many ways it can cut costs. For instance, the company laid off about 9,000 employees in late 2023 citing "the gap between our financial goal state and our current operational costs." If you want to switch back to the old plan since it's already available, you can head to your account page and select "Manage your plan." under "Change plan" you can select the Basic tier which costs $11. More Ways Spotify Cuts Costs Spotify has also faced some backlash after announcing the changes it's making around the royalty payment system, which appeared like good news at first seeing as $1 billion would be reallocated to artists over five years. The company said in a blog post that since the royalty pool and catalog on Spotify have surged, many factors have been its funds meant for compensating artists for their content. Some of them include artificial streaming, wherein users post noise for the sake of earning. One of the policies in the new system is said to be disparaging indie artists, as it would demonetize tracks that only earn less than five cents per month. This can prevent emerging artists from establishing a bigger listening audience as they are pushed out just as they are starting. Spotify will charge labels and distributors per track when it detects flagrant artificial streaming as a new deterrent. The company will be using its "improved artificial streaming detection technology" to detect such instances. HA NOI President To Lam delivered a keynote speech at the 18th National Press Awards 2023, the highest award for the Vietnamese media, held in Ha Noi on June 21. In his address, President Lam extended Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs greetings and best wishes to all generations of journalists and media workers, both at home and abroad, on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day. He praised the press for upholding the role as a sharp weapon of the working class, the flag of the revolution and contributing importantly to the cause of national liberation and reunification in the past and the oi Moi (renewal) and national construction and defence at present. Generations of journalists have joined hands to develop Vietnamese journalism that is truly the voice of the Party and the people, a reliable bridge between the people and the Party and State; and between the Party, State, people and international friends over the past 99 years. Congratulating winning journalists and teams, he highlighted their works as a symbol of the press sector's achievements as Viet Nam approaches the centenary of the Revolutionary Press Day. The leader highlighted the presss role as a tool for national and social progress, urging journalists to uphold high ethical standards and master modern media technologies. He called on them to be well-informed, honest and dedicated, while preserving Vietnamese cultural values and shaping social conduct. This year's awards saw a record number of entries, with 1,905 submissions. A total of 10 first, 26 second, 45 third and 41 consolation prizes were awarded. VNA/VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has asked ministries and departments to closely direct and coordinate in organising the 2024 high school graduation exam. During a meeting with various ministries and departments on Friday afternoon regarding the preparations for the exam, Deputy PM Long highly praised the preparation of the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), as well as other ministries and relevant agencies. He underscored the special importance of this exam, given the significant societal concern for education and examinations. He asked all those involved continue to proactively fulfil their assigned tasks including applying information technology to facilitate the exam, ensuring the security of exam questions, and enhancing measures to prevent and combat exam fraud. Students must not be allowed to bring technological devices into the exam rooms for cheating purposes. There should also be a strong emphasis on inspection, supervision, and auditing both before and during the exam. Deputy PM Long also emphasised the need for proactive measures to address unexpected situations, such as abnormal weather conditions. He directed the health sector to focus on disease prevention, environmental sanitation, food safety, and ensuring medical care for candidates and exam personnel. The Ministry of Public Security will ensure absolute security and safety for the exam. The deputy PM also requested the Central Youth Union to actively support candidates, ensuring full and safe participation. MoET reported that the 2024 high school graduation exam will follow the 2006 General Education Programme for the last time before transitioning to the 2018 programme in 2025. This year, 1,071,393 candidates have registered, an increase of over 45,000 from 2023. Of these, 46,978 are independent candidates. About 94.66 per cent of candidates registered online. About 200,000 personnel, including educators, police, military, health workers, and power company staff, will be mobilised. In Ha Noi, 15,115 educators will proctor, and nearly 600 will grade. Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong, head of the national steering committee for the exam, affirmed readiness for a safe, serious, thorough, and friendly exam, with special support for candidates from disadvantaged areas. He reiterated the strict prohibition on bringing technological devices into exam rooms. Ngo Van Cuong, Secretary of the Central Youth Union, reported the establishment of 1,593 exam support teams with over 58,700 volunteers. These volunteers will assist with traffic control, help candidates find their rooms and complete procedures, provide free water and meals, and support disadvantaged candidates. Every exam site will have youth volunteer teams on standby to support candidates. VNS HCM CITY The Can Tho-based Orient Oil And Gas Joint Stock Company (Orient Oil) has a tax debt exceeding VN760 billion (US$29.85 million), according to the Can Tho Tax Department. The amount accounts for nearly 36 per cent of the total tax debt in Can Tho City as of the end of May, according to the department. The tax debt of Orient Oil has resulted in the temporary restriction of the companys CEO, Huynh Tran Hong Hai, from leaving the country. Established in 2010 in Can Tho City, Orient Oil is engaged in the production and trading of petroleum, solvents, liquefied gas, and petrochemical products, with a production plant capacity of 130,000 metric tonnes per year. Under the leadership of Nguyen Thanh Tung, its former chairman, Orient Oil has faced challenges related to tax debts. Its tax responsibilities amounted to VN108 billion in 2018, which escalated to nearly VN1 trillion by the end of June 2021. Last year, the company also defaulted on bank loan repayments, prompting asset recovery measures by the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) due to its failure to repay VN1.19 trillion in principal and interest. In addition to Orient Oil, the Can Tho Tax Department has also identified 162 companies with unresolved tax obligations worth a total of VN1.37 trillion. Vietnamese authorities are implementing stringent measures to combat tax evasion, including restricting individuals with outstanding tax debts from leaving the country until their obligations are settled. The initiative aims to recover tax debts, particularly land use and lease taxes, to uphold state budget revenue. Connection to Van Thinh Phat scandal Nguyen Thanh Tung, the former chairman of Orient Oil, has been implicated in the Van Thinh Phat scandal, according to police investigations. Tung was identified as a key figure in the scandal involving financial fraud with Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat group. Tung was accused of collaborating with Lan to create fake loan documents to obtain loans from the Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB), resulting in a loss of over VN1.2 trillion to the lender. Truong My Lan at a trial earlier this year 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. Lan owned a significant stake in SCB under various peoples names and was found guilty of using the bank to fund her own company, Van Thinh Phat. In 1992, Lan and her family founded Van Thinh Phat, one of the countrys most prominent real estate companies. Her arrest was part of a national anti-corruption campaign which has intensified since 2021. VNS At a banking sector conference themed "Boosting credit growth in 2024" held on June 19, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) reported that industry-wide credit growth by the end of May had reached 2.41 per cent compared to the end of 2023, but by June 14, it had reached 3.79 per cent, showing a strong upward trend in just two weeks. The SBV assessed that the pace of credit growth has gradually improved month by month. Notably, the credit volume supplied by financial institutions to the economy in nearly the first half of 2024 exceeded the volumes of the same period over the past three years. However, in some localities, credit growth remains low, and some financial institutions have reported credit growth lower than the industry average, with some even experiencing negative growth. "This indicates that overall domestic credit demand has not recovered strongly, with production and service sectors, which are traditional drivers of the economy, still facing certain difficulties. A segment of customers with credit demand have yet to develop viable business plans or meet loan conditions, coupled with shifts in consumer trends," said an SBV representative at the conference. While the overall outlook is positive, growth drivers within the commercial banking system are showing deep differentiation. Growth leadership is thus expected from banks proactively managing substantial resources with favourable balances. Meeting these safety limits, the advantages are concentrated at several large commercial banks like Techcombank, HDBank, and ACB, where the loan-to-deposit ratios are well below the 85 per cent threshold, such as 78.5 per cent at Techcombank and nearly 71 per cent at HDBank. This indicates significant room for growth. At ACB and HDBank, the latest financial reports show favourable balance positions, with the ratio of short-term funds for medium- and long-term loans maintained at 20-25 per cent, providing ample resources to drive growth. At HDBank, the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) continued to rise to 13.8 per cent at the end of Q1, while operational efficiency remained solid in a leading industry position, with return on equity (ROE) increasing from over 24 per cent to 26.7 per cent. Similarly, at Techcombank, the CAR has held at around 15 per cent in recent updates, the ROE has decreased but remains favourable at 15.6 per cent, and the ROA continues to be high at 2.5 per cent. Based on this data, the commercial banking sector possesses more significant growth space and momentum than the state-owned commercial banking sector. This group is well-positioned and expected to lead the overall growth trend in the last six months of the year, after demonstrating comprehensive growth rates in Q1 with more positive news anticipated to follow in Q2. Banks post huge profits despite low credit growth Credit growth throughout the banking sector in the first quarter remained low at 0.26 per cent, but many banks still reported significant profits. Banks struggle to increase CASA ratio amid low credit growth The current account savings account (CASA) ratio witnessed a significant decline in the first three months of this year, prompting banks to almost unanimously adopt technology policies and 'zero fee' initiatives to attract new customers. Democrats on Monday evening will choose their candidate to fill the Precinct 2 seat on the McLennan County Commissioners Court that became vacant when incumbent Patricia Miller died unexpectedly on Jan. 28. Announced candidates include Travis Gibson, son of longtime Commissioner Lester Gibson, whose experience includes serving as Bellmead mayor; Tracy Guillory, Millers office manager who is married to Waco Fire Department Lt. and Waco ISD Trustee Keith Guillory; and Jeremy Davis, who founded Mentor Waco and also serves on the Waco ISD Board of Trustees. The candidates have attended three public forums to discuss their priorities and what they can bring to Precinct 2, which includes East Waco and eastern McLennan County, local Democratic Party Chair Mark Hays said. Hays said no other person has announced interest in running for the Precinct 2 seat, but anyone interested in becoming a candidate should inform Hays before the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Monday at the Waco Multipurpose Center at 1020 Elm Ave., located on the former Paul Quinn College campus. Hays said the public is invited to the meeting at which Democratic chairs of the voting precincts in the countys Precinct 2 territory will choose from among Gibson, Guillory and Davis as nominee to run against the Republican nominee in the Nov. 5 election. Miller was the only Democrat on the commissioners court. Commissioners Jim Smith, Ben Perry and Will Jones are Republicans, as is County Judge Scott Felton, who has declined to appoint an interim commissioner in Precinct 2, saying he wanted voters to decide the matter in November. Local Republican Party officials have said they would start accepting applications from hopefuls after mid-June. New Republican Party Chair Chris DeCluitt could not be reached for comment Friday. Republican Donis D.L. Wilson has said he again would like to run against the Democratic nominee. He ran twice against Miller, having been swamped 6,016 votes to 4,573 the first time, but losing by 239 votes the second time in 2022. Cruise, General Motors' subsidiary for self-driving vehicles, paid the $112,500 fine to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) after failing to provide full information about an accident. The settlement will clear Cruise from litigation and could help relaunch its operations in the state soon. Cruise, CPUC Reach Agreement to Settle Dispute Last year, Cruise was under scrutiny for not providing detailed and significant information about an incident that involved its robotaxis. The CPUC released a settlement agreement for Cruise, allowing the company to pay a fine instead of pursuing litigation. The ruling stated that CPUC would focus on distributing its resources to Cruise's regulatory oversight instead of engaging in a process of long legal action. The company then expressed gratitude for the decision, citing that they are taking steps to improve their service. "We conclude that by taking these corrective measures, Cruise is on its way to restoring public trust by making itself a more transparent and cooperative entity that will not hide material information from regulatory agencies who oversee its AV transportation services," the ruling read. Cruise Takes Responsibility Amid Previous Incidents Cruise had massive backlash after a robotaxi ran over a pedestrian after it was hit by a human-driven vehicle. The incident caused the pedestrian to be dragged by 20 feet. The issue quickly escalated as Cruise failed to disclose important information to the CPUC during the initial investigation. Due to this action, Cruise's permit to operate autonomous vehicles in the state was suspended. According to the settlement, Cruise has been working on its corrective measures which satisfied CPUC's concern about the company's operation. An internal investigation was also conducted to observe the company's operational structure. Cruise is now required to share incident information with the CPUC regularly. The robotaxi company must also report all collisions reporting and provide monthly reports on all incidents involving its autonomous vehicles. One of the renowned Greek storyteller Aesops 725 fables was called The Donkey and His Purchaser. In summation, a man wished to purchase a donkey and decided to give the animal a trial to see how the donkey would fit in with his herd. He took the donkey home and put him in the field with the other donkeys. Quickly the donkey on trial joined the laziest and greediest donkey. Seeing who the new donkey chose to spend time with, the man returned the donkey to its owner because he knew it would also become lazy and greedy. The moral of the story: A man is known by the company he keeps. The phrases are all about ethics and morals. If you hang around dishonest people, your association with them reflects a lack of good judgment, moral standards and character. Your choice for president could also be a direct reflection on your judgment, moral standards and character. Lets examine Biden and Trumps respective election associates as they seek to become the 47th president of America. To date, Joe Bidens re-election campaign is based on seeking advice, guidance and counsel from Julie Chavez Rodriguez (campaign manager), Quentin Fulks (principle deputy campaign manager) and Mike Donilon (chief strategist). Bidens national campaign co-chairs include Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (Delaware), Rep. Jim Clyburn (South Carolina), Sen. Chris Coons (Delaware), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), Jeffrey Katzenberg (media proprietor), Louisiana Emeritus Rep. Cedric Richmond (Democratic National Committee senior adviser) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Thirteen others assisting in Bidens re-election campaign include Colleen Coffey, Jennifer OMalley Dillon, Mia Ehrenberg, Grace Landrieu, Charles Lutvak, Alana Mounce, Kevin Munoz, Michael Pratt, Michael Press, Roohi Rustum, Sara Schreiber, Becca Siegel and Michael Tyler. None of Bidens 23 re-election associates have a criminal record, are under investigation or on trial. Donald Trumps national staff campaign is composed of two co-campaign managers (Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles), two senior advisers (Brian Jack and Jason Miller), Steven Cheung as communications director and Karoline Leavitt as national press secretary. These individuals have no criminal records. The remainder of Trumps re-election campaign aides, allies, assistants and associates who according to Reuters News have faced criminal prosecution include Steve Bannon, Elliot Broidy, Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, Paul Manafort, Peter Navarro, Stewart Rhodes (Oath Keepers), Roger Stone and Allen Weisselberg. Four more people can be added to the Reuters News list by what MSNBC has referred to as Trumps team of felons: Tom Barrack, Kenneth Chesebro, George Papadopoulos and Sidney Powell. USA Today notes five additional Trump election associates whove had legal trouble include Jeffrey Clark, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows. The right-wing, conservative-based Wall Street Journal notes to not forget Ray Smith III (one of Trumps 18 co-defendants in the criminal conspiracy to alter the outcome of the 2020 Georgia election) plus Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, alleged for mishandling with Trump federal secret classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. And, lets not forget Trump acolytes and Republican Representatives Andy Biggs (Arizona), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Kevin McCarthy (California) and Scott Perry (Pennsylvania) have violated congressional ethics rules by defying legitimate congressional subpoenas related to their involvement in or knowledge of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol meant to overturn the results of a free and fair election. The Washington Post described the number of people in Trumps orbit whove been convicted of crimes is so great as a remarkable universe of criminality. Those statements were made in 2019. The size of Trumps current universe of criminality is even more daunting. William J.H. Boetcker (1873-1962), a revered Presbyterian minister, is credited for stating, A man is judged by the company he keeps and a company is judged by the men it keeps, and the people of Democratic nations are judged by the type and caliber of officers they elect. What will be the caliber of officers will We the people elect Nov. 5? Will the ethics, morals, judgment, character and the company Biden and Trump respectfully keep be a plausible voting guide? 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14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) Boeing Starliner's two astronauts are currently stranded in the International Space Station as the company scrambles to fix multiple spacecraft issues for their return voyage. Earlier this week, NASA delayed astronauts Butch Wilmore's and Suni Williams's return flight by three weeks to give enough time for engineers enough time to fix all issues on the Boeing Starliner. NASA and Boeing engineers have detected at least five helium leaks to the propulsion system and five thruster failures in its reaction-control systems shortly after the Starliner exited Earth's atmosphere. Despite emerging problems, NASA remains confident to bring Williams and Wilmore home no later than June 26. This was not the first time NASA had to resolve unexpected flight return delays in its decades of experience, many of which brought all passengers safely home. Even if Boeing failed to reach the re-scheduled flight, NASA said the astronauts could stay at the space laboratory for 45 more days. Also Read : Boeing Starliner Finally Launches Crewed Flight After Repeated Delays Boeing Starliner Mission Faced with More Delays The delay with the Starliner's return flight is only the recent setback Boeing had to overcome in its long overdue and over-budgeted space mission. Boeing had already delayed the Starliner four times before due to various technical issues in the rocket system, each adding more expenses to this costly project. Bloomberg earlier estimated that the repeated delays have ballooned the spacecraft's cost to over $1.5 billion, nearly depleting the budget NASA allotted towards the project despite still being at first leg. On the other hand, its competitor and fellow NASA grantee SpaceX is already preparing for its lunar missions as the space agency aims to launch the Artemis II flight by September 2025. It does not help that the delays continue to power growing safety concerns on the company amid other controversies it is currently facing. Safety Concerns, Legal Battles Haunt Boeing Productions Just weeks ago, the Department of Justice said it is now posing to file criminal charges against the company for potentially violating its previous settlement agreement to improve the safety of its planes. This is in addition to reports of the Federal Bureau of Investigation contacting passengers of the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 telling they could be a "victim of a crime." The federal them crackdowns follow a series of emergency landings involving Boeing planes malfunctioning shortly after takeoff. Amid controversies, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced to step down as chief executive by the end of the year. With 21 Academy Award nominations and three wins (for Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophies Choice and The Iron Lady), Meryl Streep, who turns 75 on June 22, is the undisputed queen of Hollywood honors; for reference, Jack Nicholson, 87, and Katharine Hepburn are tied for second with a relatively measly 12 nominations apiece. What has always set Streep apart is her incomparable range: She can sing (Into the Woods), she can master complicated accents (A Cry in the Dark), she can make us laugh (Postcards From the Edge, Only Murders in the Building), and she can play an elderly male rabbi (Angels in America), the worlds worst opera singer (Florence Foster Jenkins) or the American president (Dont Look Up). Trying to pick her best roles is a fools errand, but these 10 performances show off what we love about her most a willingness to throw herself completely into any project. If your favorite didnt make the list, tell us about it in the comments below! Members only 10. Donna Sheridan-Carmichael in Mamma Mia! (2008) Much like the ABBA jukebox stage musical that spawned it, this film is the definition of a crowd-pleaser even if critics didnt quite know what to make of its decidedly cheesy disco vibes. Nevertheless, audiences instantly warmed to Streeps casually lived-in performance as Donna, a hotel owner on a Greek island. Her bride-to-be daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) spices things up when she invites three men from Donnas past to her wedding to figure out which one is her father. Expect plenty of singing, dancing and flirting under the Aegean sun. The Most Meryl Moment: After decades of intense roles, theres something immensely joyful about watching Meryl jumping on a bed in overalls as she sings Dancing Queen with her best friends and former bandmates, played by Julie Waters, 74, and Christine Baranski, 72. Awards Attention: Golden Globes (nomination), plus three more critics award wins Watch It: on Max 9. Madeline Ashton in Death Becomes Her (1992) In this comically macabre cult hit by Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis, 72, Streep and Goldie Hawn, 78, play rivals for the affection of plastic surgeon Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis, 69). When both women drink an elixir to stay eternally youthful, they learn that immortality is no walk in the park, and their undead rivalry yields increasingly grotesque results. The film won the Oscar for best visual effects for its cartoonish body horror, and both actresses are clearly having a hell of a good time in these deliciously vicious roles. The Most Meryl Moment: Streep revels in over-the-top campiness during a Dynasty-style catfight that leaves her with a broken neck that bounces and twists like Silly Putty. Awards Attention: Golden Globes (nomination) Watch It: on Apple TV Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images 8. Linda in The Deer Hunter (1978) The role that would earn Streep her first Oscar nod didnt immediately catch the future legends eye in fact, just the opposite. She called Linda essentially a mans view of a woman, marked by passivity and vulnerability, but she took the part to spend more time with her boyfriend, actor John Cazale, who was dying of lung cancer. In this brutal, three-hour Vietnam War epic, Linda stands out as the emotional core, and Streep mines real emotions from the stock girl back home character. Its easy to see why best friends Mike (Robert De Niro, 80) and Nick (Christopher Walken, 81) were both smitten with her. The Most Meryl Moment: When Mike returns from Vietnam, Linda is the only one left at his welcome home party, and her warm and exuberant Oh, Michael! conveys so much about their shared history and affection. Awards Attention: Academy Awards (nomination), BAFTAs (nomination), Golden Globes (nomination), plus wins from the American Movie Awards and the National Society of Film Critics Awards Watch It: on Prime Video When it comes to traveling at your own pace, theres nothing quite like getting behind the wheel for an exhilarating road trip. Over the years, Ive explored various regions of the United States, including the towering redwood forests of northern California and glowing vermilion cliffs of Arizonas Grand Canyon. Im not alone in my passion for road trip adventure, as a recent AARP study noted that 49 percent of 50-plus travelers are planning to travel domestically via car. Recently, I took my road trip aspirations abroad fueled by a desire to discover the celebrated culinary traditions of Italys Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Liguria regions all within 3.5 hours of each other via car or train. Armed with recommendations from friends, my journey included stops in Bologna, the birthplace of the ubiquitous Bolognese sauce and a bechamel-based lasagna from NOI that was one of the best bites Ive ever had. Members only Under an hours drive from Bologna sits the UNESCO World Heritage city of Modena, home to some of the most well-known balsamic vinegars in the world. I recommend visiting the Spilamberto Traditional Balsamic Museum for a history and tasting and tortellini in brodo, little pockets of pasta stuffed with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, mortadella and prosciutto that swim in a savory chicken broth. Next up, a nearly 1.5-hour drive north to the land of the lovelorn Romeo and Juliet in Verona included a wine-fueled lunch at Antica Bottega del Vino, where a tender beef cheek braised in Amarone wine was perfectly paired with an Allegrini Valpolicella Classico with notes of baked black cherries. On my last leg, in Lake Como, incredible food highlights included a red sauce spaghetti from Visteria, the restaurant at Hotel Royal Victoria. It was the type of dish you stumble upon when youre craving something simple, but the sheer freshness of ingredients used ripe tomatoes, handmade pasta, a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan cheese make it unforgettable. If a sensory journey that delights the taste buds is of interest, here are three chefs who have shared their favorite foodie road trips to inspire your next big trip. Lisa Dahls journey from Sedona, Arizona, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, includes food from her restaurants and three other restaurants in Santa Fe. Courtesy Dahl Restaurant Group Chef Lisa Dahl Executive chef/owner of Dahl Restaurant Group, Sedona, Arizona Arizona-based chef Lisa Dahl is the powerhouse behind six restaurants in Sedona: Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano, Cucina Rustica, Pisa Lisa (two locations), Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill and Butterfly Burger. A self-taught veteran in the industry for 29 years, Dahl was awarded Arizonas highest culinary honors of Top Chef of Arizona and Food Pioneer for two years in a row, in both 2018 and 2019. Dahls most memorable food-focused road trip began in Sedona and ended in Sante Fe, New Mexico. I choose to road trip, as its a way to disconnect from my day to day and invigorates me on a soul level. I unwind we all need it and thats what a good road trip will do to you, she says. (Photo : Pexels/Photo by Nata Romualdo) American Airlines faces another controversy as employees were put on suspension after allegedly offloading black passengers from a flight in Phoenix reportedly due to a complaint about body odor. While the number of suspended employees and their job titles remain undisclosed, an American Airlines spokesperson assured that the airline would hold those involved accountable, including removing some team members from service. Racial Discrimination in American Airlines The recent allegation is not new in the airlines' racial bias controversy. Previously, the NAACP issued a warning to Black travelers about flying with the airline, alleging that several African American passengers had encountered discrimination from troublesome employees. NAACP President Derrick Johnson expressed concern about a series of incidents suggesting racial bias, describing them as indicative of an unacceptable corporate culture that cannot be disregarded as ordinary. As a result, American Airlines committed to implementing changes, which resulted in the NAACP rescinding the advisory approximately nine months later. READ ALSO: Tesla Settles with Black Worker, Pays $3.2M Over Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Black Passengers' Alleged Racial Discrimination Lawsuit American Airlines faces a lawsuit from Black passengers who were allegedly removed from a January flight due to racial discrimination. Three out of eight men who were ordered to leave the plane filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York, stating they were instructed to disembark from an aircraft preparing for takeoff in Phoenix. The three individuals, who were strangers to each other and had been seated separately on the plane, reported that an airline employee informed them they were being removed due to a complaint from a flight attendant about another passenger's body odor, believing they were singled out for removal based solely on their race. American Airlines offered to rebook them. However, after approximately an hour, and no other flights to New York were available that evening, they were permitted to reboard the plane, as stated in the lawsuit filed by a consumer advocacy group established by Ralph Nader, Public Citizen. Susan Huhta, an employment law attorney based in Washington, D.C., representing the three men, criticized American Airlines, stating that if the airline received a complaint about a Black male passenger's offensive body odor without being able to verify it, ejecting eight different Black men from the plane should not have been the solution. American Airlines' Acknowledging an Unacceptable incident American Airlines emphasized its commitment to taking all allegations of discrimination seriously and ensuring a positive experience for its customers. In a statement, American Airlines indicated that its teams are currently looking into the matter, which does not reflect its core values and mission of caring for people. Meanwhile, American CEO Robert Isom called the incident unacceptable, conveying deep disappointment over what occurred on the flight and the breakdown of their procedures, which contradicted their values. Acknowledging the shortcomings of their commitments and failing their customers in this incident, Isom announced that American Airlines would establish an advisory group aimed at enhancing the experience of Black customers, promoting the reporting of discrimination allegations, and enhancing diversity training that will specifically target real-world scenarios to improve the recognition and addressing of bias and discrimination. RELATED ARTICLE: United Airlines Held Liable for an Accident Crushing Worker's Foot, Demanded $14,502 for Negligence on Safety Procedures 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tgthr Mumbai won a Silver for its campaign done for Reckitt Benckiser brand Harpic, titled Loocator #BeFreeToPee, in Glass: The Lion for Change category. As part of the campaign an app was launched that helped women find directions to a public toilet nearby, rate the public toilets and even add new toilets to the network. It was a tech-driven crowdsourced initiative. A short video was also launched as part of the campaign that depicted the travails of women outside their homes struggling to find a restroom and facing acute personal discomfort. The film states how 70% women struggle to find a usable public toilet, and how the Harpic Loocator app helps women find a public toilet, along with ratings. Be free to pee with Harpic Loocator App While the campaign was ideated and executed by Tgthr Mumbai, Avian WE handled public relations in the India market. Reacting to the Silver win at Caness Lions 2024, Avian WE commented, We are delighted to bring home Silver for Glass Lions for the Harpic Loocator #BeFreeToPee campaign. We are proud to partner with Reckitt Benckiser and Harpic and leverage the power of communication to help women locate public restrooms while on the move. A big shout out to the team for pushing boundaries and making meaningful change. Honda India Foundation (HIF) celebrated International Yoga Day at the Honda Samajik Vikas Kendra, promoting health, wellness, and mindfulness among participants. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 300 individuals from 20+ surrounding villages, including Naurangpur, Shikhopur, Nakhrola. The event was graced by the august presence of Shri Vinay Dhingra (Trustee, Honda India Foundation), Shri Satyaprakash Patil (Operating Officer, Honda India Foundation) along with other dignitaries including the sarpanches of 10 villages. The theme for the International Yoga Day 2024, Yoga for Self and Society underscores the holistic benefits of yoga in fostering both physical and mental well-being. This theme resonates deeply with Hondas commitment to enhancing the quality of life in communities through health and wellness initiatives. Certified trainer Shri Nithin Yogi, recognised by Aayush Ministry, led the participants through a series of Yoga and Pranayama exercises designed to enhance their physical and mental health. The session provided a holistic approach to wellness, reflecting the essence of this years International Yoga Day Theme. In addition to the yoga activities, Honda India Foundation launched Project Anand, an innovative online yoga platform specifically designed for villagers. This initiative will provide accessible yoga instruction, allowing participants to continue their practice and incorporate yoga into their daily lives, regardless of their location. Additionally, the Sambhav Hai campaign video for Yoga Day was unveiled, promoting the message that achieving health and peace through yoga is indeed possible. Speaking on HIFs commitment towards building a relationship of trust with community to contribute towards developing a sustainable society, Vinay Dhingra, Trustee, Honda India Foundation said, Yoga is not just a form of exercise but a path to achieving holistic health. At Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), we are committed to promoting initiatives that enhance the well-being of our communities. Todays event is a testament to our dedication towards fostering a healthier and more mindful society. Hondas corporate philosophy is founded on the fundamental principles of Respect for the Individual and the Three Joys to support Hondas universal passion: to improve the quality of peoples daily lives. Todays event aligns with Hondas fundamental principles and harmonises its long-term mission of becoming a Company that Society wants to Exist. The event concluded with a heartfelt expression of gratitude towards all participants, trainers, dignitaries and all HMSI associates who contributed to the success of the celebration. Honda India Foundation continues to support such initiatives, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for positive change in the society. Infra.Market, Indias pioneering construction materials company, has announced the launch of the "Ghar Dhadakne Do" campaign by its direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand IVAS. Rooted in the essence of acknowledging the profound connection between homemakers and their homes, the campaign is a celebration of the fact that our homes breathe and live, just as we do. It is intended at the idea of nurturing our homes with the same care and devotion that we give to our beloved family members. IVAS reinforces that homemakers spend significant time of their lives at home, finding comfort and companionship in its corners. With a heart full of affection, they cherish their homes as their child, family member, or friend. Much like we all prepare themselves for special occasions, IVAS encourages the grooming and enhancement of our homes, acknowledging the emotional investment we put in them. Empowering homemakers, IVAS offers a complete range of home renovation products that encourages the creation of homes radiating comfort, beauty, and functionality, transforming homes into living beings, because when you love your home, it loves you back. IVAS has joined hands with renowned actresses Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Genelia Deshmukh to evoke this sentiment within every homemaker. This partnership emphasizes the significance of embracing our homes as integral family members. Emphasizing the campaign's core message, 'Ghar Dhadakne Do, Infra.Market, Co-founder Aaditya Sharda said, We believe that the idea of a home is not just a physical space but a reflection of one's identity. Our campaign celebrates the emotional connection people build with their homes. It showcases how IVAS can be their trusted partner in building their dream abode. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, known for her compelling screen presence, expressed her excitement about the campaign, Building a home is a deeply personal experience. As someone who is House Proud, I value the importance of a well-designed home. I believe products from the brand IVAS offer the perfect blend of style and functionality, enabling homemakers to easily create their dream home. Together, let's celebrate the love we have for our homes. Genelia Deshmukh, known for her vibrant and aspirational personality, expressed her enthusiasm, A home reflects one's dreams and aspirations. IVAS understands the desires and challenges of young homemakers. Their innovative products empower them to transform their homes into a reflection of their personalities, making the process enjoyable and rewarding. When your home feels happy, it reflects on your personality. The core philosophy of the Ghar Dhadakne Do campaign stems from the consumers journey that allows them to create a home that is uniquely theirs. IVAS is revolutionizing the home building and renovation space by offering a comprehensive range of stylish products including Tiles, Bath Fittings, Sanitary ware, Fans, Lighting, Appliances, Modular Kitchen and Wardrobes, Designer Hardware and much more all under the same brand. The campaign designed by the leading global creative agency BBH, within the Publicis Group underscores the pivotal role that a HOME plays in the life of a HOMEMAKER. It encapsulates the essence of nurturing and caring for our homes, thereby recognizing its true significance in our lives. (Photo : Pexels/Photo by ELEVATE) A company's culture undoubtedly lures top talents in today's competitive workplace environment. However, American culture lags behind other countries. One American worker, @eliseacrossthepond, on TikTok, described the UK's culture as insane. Originally from New England, Elise has amassed over three million likes on her TikTok page by sharing insights into her life since relocating to London. Here's what her viral TikTok video talks about: Brits Don't Tip Despite previously expressing dislike for how small the washing and dryer machines in the UK are, Elise was impressed with how Apple Pay is widely accepted as a means of payment everywhere and was surprised by the absence of a tipping culture. While many establishments automatically include a discretionary surcharge, customers are not required to pay if they deem the service to be unsatisfactory and have the option to request its removal from the bill if they are genuinely dissatisfied with the service, Laura Windsor, founder of an etiquette academy in the UK, told CNBC Make It. An Insanely Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) In the video, Elise is recording herself applying makeup while preparing to go out. She highlights the significantly increased amount of paid time off she now receives from work, which she describes as insane. In contrast to the United States, where no paid holiday requirement is mandated, UK employers must offer their staff a minimum of 28 days of holiday annually. A Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) study revealed that nearly one in four Americans does not receive any paid vacation time. According to a LinkedIn article, recent government statistics also indicate that the average private-sector worker in the US typically receives approximately 10 days of paid annual leave and around six paid public holidays each year. READ ALSO: Millennials are Quiet Vacationing: A Sneaky Trend Sweeping The Workplace Brits' Exceptional Messaging Etiquette Elise continued to talk about the friendly greetings commonly used by Brits. Many are accustomed to inquiring about colleagues' well-being before requesting or concluding emails with phrases like "kind regards" or "best wishes." However, Elise mentioned that she initially found this practice to be unusual, highlighting the notable difference in the UK's email and messaging etiquette compared to the US While Americans might request tasks without formal greetings, the UK has this common practice of starting messages with friendly greetings before making a request. The Brits' Drinking Culture The UK's drinking culture has also surprised Elise, where drinking with your co-workers is more common than in the US Elise recalled her experience in business school in the States, where there was a strong emphasis on knowing limits and not drinking excessively. Meanwhile, having a few drinks with colleagues in the UK is generally more acceptable unless things get out of hand. While Britons are accustomed to the notion that visiting the pub is a routine part of daily life from a young age, drinking in the US is more closely associated with social gatherings like birthdays and get-togethers. According to the San Francisco Examiner, it is often viewed negatively or frowned upon in American culture. RELATED ARTICLE: Team Chat Etiquette: The Do's and Don'ts When Reaching Out to Colleagues 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Leading Telugu news channels Sakshi Telegu, NTV Telugu, and TV9 Telugu have been unofficially banned by the state's multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs), in a development that could impact the media landscape in Andhra Pradesh. Viewers in Andhra Pradesh can no longer access these channels through traditional cable services, leaving direct-to-home (DTH) platforms as the only alternative. This suspension has raised concerns over compliance with the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017, which mandates that service providers must provide at least three weeks notice before discontinuing signals, clearly specifying the reasons for such action. Industry insiders reveal that the suspension has disrupted nearly 60% of the distribution network for these channels. The banned channels collectively hold a substantial market share of 56.6% in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions, according to the latest Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) report for Week 24 of 2024. This significant market presence underscores the potential impact on viewers and the broader media environment in the state. The YSR Congress Party, recently ousted from power, has accused the newly elected Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government of exerting undue influence over media channels. S. Niranjan Reddy, a Rajya Sabha member from the YSR Congress, has demanded an investigation by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) into what he describes as the illegal blocking of these channels. In a letter to TRAI's chairperson, Reddy emphasized that the channels were taken off-air without lawful justification or procedural compliance, describing the action as an attack on press freedom. He urged TRAI to enforce regulations rigorously to prevent governmental overreach and ensure media organizations can operate without fear of censorship or retaliation. The suspension of these major news channels raises critical issues about the publics right to access diverse sources of information, a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. The move has been widely criticized by media watchdogs and civil society groups, who argue that such actions could deter media organisations from reporting on contentious or sensitive issues. As the situation unfolds, there is mounting pressure on regulatory bodies to address the suspension and ensure compliance with established norms. The Andhra Pradesh government has yet to comment on the allegations. Meanwhile, viewers and stakeholders in the media industry are closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a swift resolution that reinstates the channels on cable networks and upholds the principles of a free press. Dear Readers: The following Q&A first ran in 2020. Dear Amy: My family and I came to America from the Soviet Union when I was a teenager. We became citizens. I got educated here and own a successful business. I write well and speak correctly, with almost no accent. I feel like I am an American. I love America, and try to learn new things every day, but I feel like something is missing in me. Since I spent my formative years in a communist country (truly like another planet, compared to the USA), my autopilot reactions are not like those of typical American-born people. For instance, my manners, topics of conversation, humor, dress, attitude toward money, and even body language can seem foreign. I feel like it is hurting me to be culturally different. I dont think I say or do anything straight-up offensive its more like a lot of little things. How can I fix this handicap? I would love to know how to be more American, but I cant find any books or courses on the subject. NOT Born in the USA Dear NOT: As we approach the celebration of another Independence Day, I appreciate this unusual and provocative question, which, honestly has no correct answer. First, I urge you not to see your own cultural background and habits as a handicap, but as an asset. Yes, America is a country. But America is also really a series of concepts, experiments, and experiences. It is no one thing. But here is a beautiful American ideal (so different from the culture you were raised in): All Americans have the right to be uniquely themselves, and that definitely includes you. However, reinvention is baked into the American experience, and so if you want to affect American mannerisms, I suggest you become a student of American culture. Take a history course at your local community college. Follow up with a class on cinema and popular culture. Read Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, Sherman Alexie, Gary Shteyngart, and Jericho Brown. Listen to Dolly Parton. Watch Singing in the Rain, Goodfellas, Barbershop, 13 th, and Ramy. Become a volunteer firefighter. Teach English as a second language to other newer citizens (teaching American concepts to others will show you how much you actually know). Work at your local polling station during the next election. When you say or do something you believe is off, ask a friend to break it down for you. They might choose to tell you what Im trying to tell you now which is that your effort makes you the most American person they know. Read more Ask Amy and other advice columns. Ask Amy is coming to an end on June 30, 2024, after 21 years. You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. Venus and Mercury have hung close this week like best friends at the ball. They both dance with the princely Capricorn moon in oppositions that highlight qualities like noble manners, social grace, proper signals of respect and nods to the traditions that keep power structures intact. Whether or not they should be is a topic for another day. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Resentment is a cumbersome thing to carry around with you. It gets in the way of joy every time. You can overcome it by saying no, advocating for yourself, and making your own pleasure and contentment a priority. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Potential is good, but its not everything. You see whats possible, but you wont let yourself get carried away by it. Ground your dreams in action and watch them grow. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As comedians know, no two rooms are alike. The joke that plays with one crowd doesnt fit at all with the next. Your ability to read the room and adjust to suit your audience leads to a truly wonderful sequence of connections. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Youre in the role for a reason. If you feel like an imposter, it just means you care to see the bigger aspects of the position and youre aware that theres some growing to do to fill out the potential of the role. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Humility is a strength. The ones who are too sure of themselves tend to make the biggest mistakes. This is why its good to admire others without putting them on a pedestal. Also resist letting others elevate you in this way. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). As a mature person you realize that no life is problem-free. That same maturity steers you toward new problems, not repeats. If the same issue comes up time and again, it means youve been solving symptoms instead of healing the source of the trouble. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Some children fight over who gets to sit in the big chair or drink out of the funny cup, and others find it easy to go with the flow. Youll meet funny-cup fighters in their grown-up form and you may decide its easier to just let them have the cup. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You may not be able to work through problems in a day or a week but at least you can embrace the knowledge that you are better for having to contend with them. Thats when you will see the unique advantages of your position. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The root of frustration is almost always an expectation. Release the expectation, and the frustration dissipates. This one has to do with either time or quantity. Could you be satisfied with half as much? What if it took twice as long? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The more elements you introduce to a scenario, the more organized you must be to handle the complexity. An easy way to order your thoughts is to keep thinking about what you want. What you think about, youll bring about. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Though problem-solving is a strength of yours, you also know better than to invite trouble. Life usually brings it eventually, so theres no reason to seek it. This is why youll spend a good part of the day maintaining things before they become a problem. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It is a basic human need to feel seen. The person who sees something in others changes others. Attention, like the wind, is an invisible force that can move the world. TODAYS BIRTHDAY (June 22). You will get hard evidence of the difference you make in the world. Love comes in the quiet moments, where words are few and feelings are deep, but it also surges through bigger-than-life adventures, projects and lessons. More highlights: Youll win a numbers game. Youll become self-sufficient in new ways, which gives you a thrilling range of fresh freedoms. Virgo and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 18, 23, 14 and 5. CELEBRITY PROFILES: In Only Murders in the Building, Meryl Streep plays against type, portraying an actress who is inconsistently brilliant. Streeps consistent brilliance has earned her more Academy Award nominations than any other actor. Streep was born when the sun, Venus and Uranus were all in Cancer, the sign of mothers. Streeps natal chart suggests her favorite role is likely the role of mother to four children. Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com. Three swimmers from Alabama died Friday evening after being rescued from the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach, according to the sheriffs office in Bay County, Florida. It is with profound sadness that we announce all three young men that entered the water around 8 p.m. today and became distressed have passed away, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said in an update on Facebook. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families. [Update: Birmingham-area fathers identified as men killed in Panama City Beach rip current: They were inseparable] The young men were reported missing near the Watercress Condominiums at 6201 Thomas Drive. All three swimmers were rescued and sent to local hospitals for treatment where they died. I want to thank Bay County Emergency Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the Coast Guard for their help in the rescue efforts, Ford said. Local officials havent released the names of the deceased. More details will be reported as they become available. The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals issued two rulings Friday in the lawsuits over business licenses for the states new medical marijuana industry. A group called the Patients Coalition for Medical Cannabis issued a news release saying that one of the decisions marked a breakthrough that would lead to the removal of some of the legal hurdles that are delaying the issuance of licenses and availability of products for patients. But a second decision issued by the Court of Civil Appeals was hailed as a victory by one of the companies denied a license and will allow that companys lawsuit to proceed. The litigation involves the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, which was created by the Legislature to oversee the new industry, and companies that applied for but were denied licenses by the AMCC. The AMCC issued a statement Friday about the two rulings. The two decisions issued today by the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals highlight the procedural complexities of the litigation against the Commission over the past year, the AMCC said. AMCC is pleased that the Court, in one decision, dismissed the Master Case, which is the first step in untangling the legal web spun by dissatisfied applicants. The AMCC legal team will continue to defend the Commissions actions in carrying out its statutory duties, including in the case that the Court of Civil Appeals returned for further proceedings in the trial court. The Legislature passed the medical marijuana law in 2021, setting up the AMCC to oversee an intrastate industry, including the companies that will cultivate, process, transport, test, and dispense the medical products. The AMCC has issued license to cultivators, processors, transporters, and a testing lab. But licenses for integrated companies, those that can cultivate, process, transport, and sell the products, are on hold because of the litigation. Licenses for dispensaries are also on hold. More than 30 companies applied for integrated licenses, but the AMCC, by law, can issue only five. Alabama Always, a Montgomery-based company that applied for but was not awarded an integrated license, first sued last year in Montgomery County Circuit Court, challenging the AMCCs procedures in awarding the licenses and alleging violations of the states administrative procedures act and open meetings act. Other companies sued, and Circuit Judge James Anderson consolidated most of the claims into the Alabama Always case, which became known as the master case. Alabama Always and other plaintiffs asked the circuit court to allow discovery, or permission to obtain documents and depositions from the AMCC as part of their lawsuits. Anderson ruled that the companies could proceed with limited discovery and denied the AMCCs motion to dismiss the case. The AMCC appealed those decisions to the Court of Civil Appeals. On Friday, the Court of Civil Appeals ruled that the AMCCs appeal was moot because the original Alabama Always case, the master case, was barred by sovereign immunity because of a technical flaw, it did not name the individual commissioners as defendants, only the agency. The Court of Civil Appeals ordered the circuit court to dismiss the master case and said all orders that were issued as part of that case were void. All five judges concurred with the decision. Alabama Always had previously acknowledged the problem with its original case and moved to dismiss it. Alabama Always filed a new lawsuit on April 3. Three weeks later, the AMCC asked the Court of Civil Appeals to order the circuit court to dismiss the new Alabama Always case. In Fridays second ruling, the Court of Civil Appeals denied the AMCCs request to order the dismissal of the new Alabama Always case. William Somerville, an attorney for Alabama Always, said the company will again ask the court to allow it to obtain documents and depositions from the AMCC to better determine how the commissioners made their decisions on awarding and denying licenses. We will be able to now ask for discovery where we can determine exactly how this commission has operated and bring everything out in the open, Somerville said in a press release. A Birmingham man has been charged in the killing of his ex-girlfriends 15-year-old daughter, and the wounding of her younger brother. Lee Otis Montgomery III, 27, is charged with capital murder in the Thursday shooting death of Cornelia Rose Lathan. He is also charged with aggravated assault/attempted murder, and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. Montgomery was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 3:04 p.m. Friday and is being held without bond. The warrants against him were obtained Friday morning. The deadly shooting happened shortly before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of 25th Street North at Park Place apartments. Officers were called to the apartment earlier Wednesday, Chief Scott Thurmond confirmed. They responded to a domestic disturbance, which was verbal not physical. Thurmond said there have been previous domestic calls at the apartment. Hours later, sometime before 12:30 p.m., police said the ex-boyfriend of the woman who lived in the apartment returned. He stood in the parking lot and opened fire. Witnesses said they heard three to four shots and then saw the suspect running away. Cornelia was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:25 p.m. Her 5-year-old brother was shot in the leg and transported to Childrens of Alabama. His injuries arent life-threatening. The childrens mother, who is pregnant, was later transported by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to an area hospital for observation. Birmingham police arrest a 27-year-old man after a domestic shooting that left a 15-year-old girl dead and her 5-year-old brother injured.(Contributed) Montgomery was quickly taken into custody after a short manhunt in Woodlawn. He was arrested in the 6000 block of First Avenue North. The chief praised the swift arrest of the suspect. This shows when the Birmingham Police Department gets information and can act on it, how quickly we get people off the streets and in custody to make our city safer, he said. Theres a lot of men and women who worked hard today to get this individual off the streets of Birmingham and Im extremely proud of them and I cant thank them enough for their sacrifice and their hard work every day. Court records show Montgomery was arrested last year on a charge of third-degree domestic violence involving the same woman. Charging documents state he punched the victim in the side of the head and the shoulder with a closed fist. That charge was later dismissed for want of prosecution. Thurmond called the fatal shooting heinous. We have kids out of school, trying to enjoy the summer and weve got someone so angry they believe they have to take violence into their hands and shoot into an apartment. We continue to see these things in our city over and over again, Thurmond continued. Its people who know each other and its just really sad to see these continue. Cornelia is Birminghams 70th homicide this year. Of those, seven have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 93 homicides including the 70 in Birmingham. Attorneys representing plaintiffs challenging Alabamas ban on gender-affirming care for minors were given a Saturday deadline to turn over any public comments they made after a three-judge panel determined they judge shopped. Liles Burke, a U.S. District Court judge in Montgomery -- a Donald Trump-appointed judge whom the attorneys were found to have attempted to avoid hearing the case -- on Thursday gave the attorneys a 5 p.m. Saturday deadline to submit copies of any public statements they or their organizations have made about these attorney-disciplinary proceedings, according to court records. Those statements include press releases, website content, social media posts, interviews, public speeches, newsletters, and public emails about the three-judge panels ruling following the 1 1/2-year judge shopping investigation. In the panels report, Senior U.S. District Court Judge W. Keith Watkins, U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor and Chief U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of Alabama Jeffrey Beaverstock, said the investigation showed counsel intentionally attempted to direct their cases to a judge they considered favorable and, in particular, to avoid Judge Burke. Efforts to reach Barry Ragsdale, an attorney for some of the lawyers subject to Burkes order, were not immediately successful, but Ragsdale told the Alabama Reflector he intends to file an objection to the order. He is also planning on disputing another Burke order finding that some expert witnesses used by the attorneys could not testify in the case. Several of the 11 attorneys from three separate cases fighting the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act -- two of which have been withdrawn -- dispute the panels report, which was issued under seal Oct. 23 and unsealed in March. Potential disciplinary actions against the attorneys, Burke said in a previous order, range from private reprimand to suspensions from practicing in the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama to fines. The president of the United Auto Workers says Mercedes-Benz is not coming through with promised pay increases, improved benefits and other promises made prior to Mays union election at the Alabama auto factory. In a June 19 letter to the German works council and IG Metall, a German metalworkers union, UAW President Shawn Fain said the company is telling workers it cannot follow through on promised improvements because of the union. German workers councils are made up of elected employees working with management on behalf of employees. The UAW collaborated with the workers councils in its successful union vote at Volkswagens Chattanooga plant. Fain says workers are being told the company is unable to follow through on promised increases in wages, benefits and working conditions because the UAW has filed objections to last months vote at the Tuscaloosa County plant. Breaking: Mercedes claims the existence of the UAWs charges, under U.S. labor law, prohibited it from granting improvementsa blatant lie. UAW President Shawn Fain set the record straight in the following letter to the German works council and IG Metall. pic.twitter.com/oELHEtmkst Luis Feliz Leon (@Lfelizleon) June 20, 2024 Workers at the plants in Vance and Woodstock in May voted to reject UAW as its union representative, with 2,642 ballots cast against unionization and 2,045 in favor. The union petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to reject the election results at the German automakers Vance plant and order a new election, saying employees faced an unprecedented, illegal anti-union campaign waged against them by their employer. In the letter, Fain said the company is blaming the union rather than keeping their commitments to make improvements for workers. Around June 5, MBUSI VP of Operations Rolf Wrona told several Group Leaders that MBUSI could not pay workers for an upcoming plant shutdown because they were still in status quo, Fain wrote. Status quo refers to a specific legal standard in U.S. labor law that requires unionized employees to notify the union prior to making any changes to wages, benefits or working conditions... As MBUSI is not unionized, Fain argued, no status quo condition should exist. In a statement by a company spokesperson, Mercedes-Benz said the plant has worked during the union process to communicate fully and accurately with all of its Team Members about the implications of union representation. Over 90 percent of MBUSI Team Members made their voices heard and we continue to work directly with our Team Members on measures to ensure we remain an employer of choice and provide a safe and supportive work environment, the spokesperson said. We have a proven record of competitively compensating Team Members and providing many additional benefits. As we wait for final review of the election by the NLRB, we continue to work to build upon our strong record of success over the past 25+ years operating as One Team in Alabama. An all new episode of When Calls the Heart is set to premiere on the Hallmark Channel Sunday, June 23 at 9/8c. During episode 12 of the new season, Nathan and Elizabeth exchange secrets while Rosemary and Lee pitch Lucas an idea for the future of Hope Valley. Although this weeks new episode will premiere on the Hallmark Channel, those without a basic cable set up can still watch new episodes of When Calls the Heart on Sundays with either Philo or Fubo. Both streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers. However, Philo is the cheaper streaming option at $25 a month after its 7-day free trial. What is the difference between Philo and Fubo? Philo is considered one of the cheaper live streaming services available as it allows users to stream over 70 live TV channels for just $25 a month after its free trial. Popular channels offered with Philo include the Hallmark Channel, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET and more. Meanwhile, Fubo is also an alternative to a regular cable subscription, but with more exclusive channel options that Philo does not offer such as ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, FOX and more. While Fubo considers itself a sports-focused streaming service, its standard streaming package comes with over 100 TV live channels for $79.99 a month after its free trial. What is When Calls the Heart about? The official series description of When Calls the Heart is as follows: Elizabeth Thatcher is a young teacher accustomed to high society, so she experiences culture shock when she gets her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley. Life in the small mining town is filled with challenges. A recent explosion has killed more than a dozen of the towns miners, compelling the widows of those men to work in the mines to earn money. One of them - Abigail Stanton, whose husband was foreman at the site of the tragedy - welcomes Thatcher and tries to help her adjust to frontier customs. Constable Jack Thornton is not as welcoming, though, because he believes Thatchers wealthy father doomed his career by assigning him to Coal Valley so he could protect Elizabeth. Janette Okes books about the Canadian West inspired the program. Recently, Congressman Thomas Massie suggested that the House of Representatives should retroactively withdraw the subpoena against Steve Bannon. This would nullify Bannons D.C. jury conviction for contempt of Congress and offer Bannon's lawyers a chance to vacate Bannons prison sentence. Massie is right, and heres why. Political prosecutions have become the Democrats first-line mode of attack in recent years, posing a multifront threat to the Constitution. These show trials undermine the First Amendment by targeting conservatives whose public speech opposes the lefts radical views. They also attack the constitutionally protected right to freedom of association. Figures like Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, and others were prosecuted primarily for their association with Trump. Moreover, the Democrats prosecution of Trumps legal counsel such as Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Ray Smith, and John Eastman aims to destroy the attorney-client privilege, which is rooted in the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and the Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel. This privilege ensures that private conversations with lawyers remain protected. Selective prosecution is another issue. Remember Big Jim Comeys infamous statement in defense of Hillary, that no reasonable prosecutor would prosecute, despite the fact that she illegally had classified information on her personal computer? Remember the treasure trove of classified documents in Joe Biden's basement, after he was vice president? Yet Democrats prosecute Trump, even though Trump has legal access to those documents under the Presidential Records Act (PRA), when Biden, a former V.P. at the time, and Hilary broke the law by possessing classified documents, and did not have protection for possessing and viewing the documents under the PRA. Selective prosecution occurs when the Executive Branch prosecutes conservatives primarily for their political beliefs while letting others go, particularly Democrats, who go unpunished. In the current landscape, Republicans are prosecuted, whereas Democrats are not. Hillary Clinton was not prosecuted for having classified information on her personal computer, and Joe Biden was not prosecuted for classified documents in his basement. Yet Trump is prosecuted despite having legal access to his presidential documents, even classified documents, under the Presidential Records Act. Trumps lawyers in Florida have appropriately filed a motion to dismiss based on selective prosecution, which should be granted. This is also a fatal flaw in the DOJs contempt prosecution against Bannon (and Peter Navarro). Selective prosecution violates Americans constitutional rights to due process and equal protection of law under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. If theres a case screaming selective prosecution, its the contempt of Congress cases against Bannon and Navarro. Before Bannon, no prosecution for contempt of Congress had occurred in over sixty years. The last such prosecution before Bannon occurred in 1961. Meanwhile, numerous Democrats, like Eric Holder, Lois Lerner, and Kathleen Sebelius, defied congressional subpoenas but were not prosecuted. In Bannons case, to make his prosecution even more egregious, the Democrat DOJ pressed forward with its contempt prosecution even after Bannon, with the consent of President Trump, withdrew his objection based on executive subpoena and offered to testify. Bannons offer wasnt good enough. So Bannon was going to testify, but that wasnt good enough. For Garlands corrupt DOJ, the order of the day was to prosecute Bannon, come hell or high water. Bannons real crime is his powerful, influential voice and command of American history. He galvanized conservatives around issues like border security, the need to wage war against the Deep State, and exposing the real threat to national security (Communist China). Bannon advocates America-First policies, contradicting the religious tenets of globalist, Deep State orthodoxy. His widespread reach and his clear, forceful rhetoric make him a threat to the elite class, which doesnt like his views or his association with Trump. Next to Trump himself, and following the death of Rush Limbaugh, Bannon stands alone as the second most powerful advocate in the world for MAGA. If the MAGA/America First movement had a Mount Rushmore, Trump would be its cornerstone, its George Washington, prominent and larger than all others. But Steve Bannon and Rush Limbaugh would make the monument, in the second and third spots, with the final two being subject to debate. This is why they prosecuted him for contempt of Congress, to remove his powerful pro-Trump, pro-MAGA voice headed into the 2024 presidential election. This brings us to Republican speaker Mike Johnson. To many conservatives, Johnson has been a mixed bag at best. Although he has sometimes has talked tough, his actions have often fallen short of his lofty rhetoric. For example, in the fall of 2023, Johnson insisted that Ukraine aid would be contingent on border security, but later, in April of 2024, he led the House in passing a $95-billion military aid package for Ukraine without addressing border security. He also pushed for extending Section 702 of the National Defense Authorization Act, expanding warrantless surveillance of Americans, in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Johnson has presented no plan for addressing the national debt and has funded the government with an unaccountable continuing resolution, keeping Garlands corrupt DOJ in business. This has frustrated many Republicans, who feel that their leaders talk a good game but fail to take meaningful action against the Democrats. In the Bannon case, the issue is about preserving and protecting the Constitution by imposing checks and balances against an out-of-control Executive Branch that has turned the once-respected DOJ into a politically weaponized death star. Johnson can change that do-nothing perception, at least to a degree, and take a stand to defend the Constitution in the process, if he is willing. The Republican majority in the House has the authority to retroactively withdraw both the subpoenas Bannon and Navarro are accused of defying and the underlying findings of contempt. This would allow Bannons attorneys to argue that the case is now moot and that Bannons looming prison sentence should be vacated. Navarro could be immediately released. With a July 1 report-to-prison order looming, Speaker Johnson must act quickly. If he doesnt think he has the votes, he should rally support. It was nice to see Johnson support Trump in New York against the prosecution by Alvin Bragg, but that was largely symbolic. The real test is whether Johnson will use his power as speaker to end the unconstitutional prosecutions against Bannon and Navarro. Is Johnson, like so many hapless Republican speakers of the past, all bark and no bite? Or will he actually use the Bannon case to strike back against tyranny? Were about to see what kind of stuff Johnson is made of. Don Brown, a former U.S. Navy JAG officer, is the author of the book Travesty of Justice: The Shocking Prosecution of Lieutenant Clint Lorance, The Last Fighter Pilot: The True Story of the Final Combat Mission of World War II, and CALL SIGN EXTORTION 17: The Shootdown of SEAL Team Six, and the author of 15 books on the United States military, including three national bestsellers. He is one of four former JAG officers serving on the Lorance legal team. Lorance was pardoned by President Trump in November 2019. Brown is also a former military prosecutor and a former special assistant United States attorney. He can be reached at donbrownbooks@gmail.com and on Twitter at @donbrown. Image: Steve Bannon. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Given the medias reporting on and/or suppression of a host of issues surrounding the Russia Hoax, COVID, BLM riots, January 6th, the Hunter Biden laptop, the DOJ lawfare, and so many more, dont hold your breath that their representatives will ask the most important questions in the upcoming presidential debates. President Trump should thwart them by working those questions into his own answers. In other words, he might say something like, Look, folks, you arent asking the questions that the vast majority of Americans want answered. Here is one of the questions you should ask my opponent... If he is accused of not answering the question, he should simply reply that he is giving his answer whether they like it or not. Following are a few straightforward questions President Trump could suggest that they ask President Biden. He can invite President Biden to answer them even if the debate moderators refuse to ask them. Image by AI First, Mr. President, during the 2020 debate, President Trump pointed to the information found on your sons laptop and claimed it incriminated both you and Hunter. He called you corrupt. You answered that President Trumps assertions were a bunch of garbage and referenced an open letter from some 51 retired intelligence officers who said that the laptop should not be taken seriously and had all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. Subsequently, the Wall Street Journal and others have reported that not only was the laptop genuine, but that your own campaign adviser at the time, now Secretary Blinken, orchestrated creating and publicizing that false letter. Now that we know Mr. Trumps claims were not a bunch of garbage, how would you amend your response from 2020, and will you commit to providing all banking, email, and phone records requested by the House Oversight Committee? Second, Mr. President, in the 2020 debate, you said that your son had not made any money from China. We now know through just some of the records that the House Oversight Committee obtained that Hunter, his associates, and other Biden family members received more than $24 million between 2014 and 2019, much of it from China. Two questions: Firstly, why were so many Biden family members receiving money from these foreign entities? And secondly, do you concede that, to most voters, this has the appearance of impropriety? Third, Mr. President, many people say that the story about your sons laptop is really a story about you, given that emails, other documents, and your sons recent deposition testimony reveal that you are, in fact, the big guy. Whether you agree with that or not, several surveys show that the overwhelming majority of Americans believe the suppressed laptop story altered the 2020 election results. Technometrica, recognized as the most accurate pollster in recent presidential elections, found that 79% of Americans believe Donald Trump would likely have been president if the truth about the laptop being real had been known. Was fraud-based censorship about this story election interference and, if it was, does this make you an illegitimate president? If not, why not? Fourth, Mr. President, you have claimed that Americans who question the results of the 2020 election are threats to democracy. The active suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story has become a story in and of itself. Given that we know that the media, your own campaign adviser, Mr. Blinken, and the FBI all participated in suppressing the truth, isnt it quite understandable that most voters would be suspicious of the election results? Fifth, Mr. President, the House Oversight Committee claims that the Biden family and its business associates created a complicated web of more than 20 companies, most of which were LLCs, meant to conceal money received from foreign nationals and then distributed to at least nine different Biden family members. Did nine different Biden family members really receive money from foreign nationals? If the shell companies were not created for the purpose of hiding distributions to family members, what was the purpose of the many obscurely named shell companies? Sixth, Mr. President, last year, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board published a piece in response to the House Oversight Committees 36-page report on the Biden family business ties. It stated that Bank records show that more than $10 million was delivered to Biden family members, associates and companies from these foreign entities, and in curious ways. It also says that the report suggests the main Biden family business is influence peddling. Is that true? If not, what is the main family business? Those are questions that ought to be asked of Biden, but realistically, there is about as much chance of an MSM representative asking one of these questions as there is of President Trump getting a fair trial in New York or Georgia. The debate moderators wont ask these questions for two simple reasons. Firstly, in many cases, their companies were complicit in the effort to quash or trivialize the factual information provided in the questions themselves. Secondly, they know there are no good answers President Biden can provide and that his responses (even or especially if he goes into his lying dog-faced pony soldier routine) will most likely make matters worse for him. For Westerners to denounce their own cultural inheritance became a provocative, embarrassing, and ill-conceived political ritual in the late twentieth century. A case in point is the Swedish social democrat Mona Sahlin. A Western counterpart of anocratic movements from the Third World, e.g. the Institutional Revolutionary Party of Mexico, Sahlins democratic party has ruled Sweden for nearly a century on end. Without any substantial interference from the center-right opposition, it has had ample time to create a modern myth, which goes by the name Folkhemmet (i.e. the Peoples Home), and effectively appropriates the state apparatus, educational institutions, and public news media. In addition, state subsidies have provided a reliable means of managing trends in cultural life. Instilling the tripartite idea of (a) social justice, (b) redistribution, and (c) social democratic government in the citizens, the party has achieved an ideological dominance comparable to that of the communist parties before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The former Prime Minister Olof Palme, if any single person, symbolized the arrogance of power; he took government for granted and loathed his political adversaries. A rising star in the social democratic party, Sahlin accepted her first appointment as a minister in 1990. A series of scandals, however, suggesting a fearless person with an insatiable appetite for power and privilege, compelled her to leave office in 1995. She had not entirely run out of luck yet, though. In 1997, she was nominated as chairperson of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance. It must have looked as if she were born for that position, a person so perfectly void of judgment and fidelity. Then she became minister again in 1998. Finally, as the crowning glory of her career, she became party leader in 2007. Having nothing to show for it, given the traditional party expectation of infinite government, she resigned as leader in 2011. A champion of the socialist cause, Sahlin would be expected, if only for ceremonial purposes, to show interest in the living conditions and expectations of ordinary workers. However, she left the impression of a shallow person whose sole purpose in life could have been her own narcissistic gratification. She did not foster any original thoughts on any subject. She had no depth of spirit. A genuine opportunist, she was prepared to adopt the hypocritical-fashionable, if also, at least occasionally, rather extreme, attitudes of her time. Whenever she appeared in public, she revealed an astonishing ignorance of and indifference to Swedish history. She made it obvious that she did not love her own country. Instead, she indulged in ridicule and depreciation of national rites, including Maypole. Characteristically, Sahlin displayed a complementary fascination of foreign habits as if they represented a richer, worthier culture. They intrigued her. In short, she cultivated a romance of sorts: Malignant exoticism a phenomenon implying more than an escapist interest in everything alien and mysterious, i.e. the additional willingness to sacrifice your own culture for another. An opportunist, but not necessarily a coward, at heart, Sahlin consistently avoided criticizing the barbarism, including street and family violence, introduced to her home country as a way of life by non-Western immigrants. In a Europe tormented by terrorist actions, she similarly refused to acknowledge jihadist responsibility but turned the charge against the Europeans whom she blamed for Islamophobia and provoking hostility from extremist circles. So an opportunist, yes, but not without a cause: The Fall of the West. Eventually, the self-willed socialist darling lost everything because of a behavior pattern raising the suspicion of unbridled narcissism (bordering on the antisocial). She acted as if the rules that governed the lives of everybody else in her social democratic society, i.e. the model welfare state par excellence, did not apply to her personally. Thus, she the epitome of hypocrisy and falsehood thought that she could get away with everything and (a) abuse her working-expense credit card, (b) ignore her parking tickets (altogether nineteen at the time), (c) hide parts of her salaries and exempt herself from income tax, refusing to pay some of the highest income taxes of the world, and (d) commit document forgery without penalty. Promoting the socialist cause of redistribution, income taxes in particular, but also taxes and charges in general, form the basis of the Scandinavian welfare state: The millennial kingdom of the social democratic party. Hypocrisy on a grand scale pervades the social democratic movement. In October 2014, having formed his cabinet in the wake of the parliamentary election, former Prime Minister Stefan Lofven declared his government the first feminist government in the world. With a puffed-up sense of self fit for a Third-World head of government (bent on ruling indefinitely), he thought it would become a global role model. However, Sahlins feminist sisters showed their true colors in Teheran, February 2017. To the amazement of the world press, they were all seen wearing headscarves and accepting the denial of handshakes in front of the Iranian hosts a sickening picture of submission! In a display of privileged, drama-seeking egocentricity, Western feminists seconded by equally aggressive anti-racism and LGBT+ activists may engage in furious attacks on alleged inequality and (white) male privilege. Fortunately, this belligerence in public debate or even extended to public space as in connection with street protests does not carry any particular risk. (By contrast, you literally risk your life by fighting for womens rights in Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.) It is a foregone conclusion that nobody should seriously expect violent reprisals from the declared archenemy (i.e. the white man). In fact, from a security point of view, it is perfectly safe to proceed with increasingly fanciful accusations as they are in fashion these years. Hence, it does not require any real courage to speak up for gender equality in the West, if not so-called equity. As indicated, the demand for emancipation, liberation, or whatever is exclusive. Far from expressing true sisterly solidarity, it is usually limited to white women who benefit from Western rule of law as long as they narrow the scope of their polemical interference to purely Western affairs. In reality, the feminists Swedish or otherwise do not have to move far away from the (safe spaces of) auditoriums, newsrooms, or cafes to see the true misery of this world for themselves. As a rule, however, the same polemicists, who surpass each other in accusations against the straw man of white maleness, are reluctant to interfere publicly in the living conditions of their veiled sisters. They simply dare not condemn the enslavement of women in the suburban enclaves because interference is associated with, not only accusations of bigotry, racism, and intolerance (i.e. the standard heresy of today, preceding cancellation, peaching, and other social sanctions), but also an imminent, credible risk of violence. Sweden, the self-perceived role model of social engineering, is disintegrating. The experiment failed. Demography is destiny. Now, demographic changes are taking their toll. It is for all to see. Sweden is not Sweden any longer. The Swedish people have primarily their elected rulers to blame. Swedish streets belong to immigrant gangs. Hence, Swedish women are losing their personal freedom in public space; they cannot move freely for fear of faith-based molestation (e.g. catcalling, groping, and rape), considered second-rank persons as both women and infidels. Robbery, homicide, and gang rape are skyrocketing. Leading to unsuspecting victims, the use of automatic weapons and grenades is now commonplace in the gang wars. Sweden is becoming the horror example of a homogenous, civilized, and peaceful society that collapses in the face of cultural-moral decadence, self-denial, and hostile mass immigration in conjunction. Division replaces social cohesion. With cold contempt for Christianity, patriotism, and the plight of Swedish workers (i.e. the deplorables of Hillary Clinton), Sahlin and like-minded people from the political elite have staged the suicide of a nation. Folkhemmet, the myth from the foundation of the welfare state, is irretrievably dead. Worse yet, Swedes have lost their only home in the world. Image: Public domain. True peace, one that sees people of good will living in harmony with each other despite differing attitudes on some issues, is a wonderful thing. Id certainly like to see a world like that, although faith tells us it wont happen without divine intervention. In the real world, there are bad actors, but some once-naive peace activistsincluding one former Israeli hostageare giving up on their Utopian dreams and finally facing reality. To understand the lunatic nature of leftist peace activists, lets take a walk through the animal kingdom. Porcupines speak softly and carry big stickers (pun intended). Skunks speak softly and carry big stinks. If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. If you attack, they will respond in very unpleasant ways. Peace activists, however, dont understand this defensive principle. They believe that, if youre a rabbit who sees a fox coming your way (a fox that has as its raison detre eating rabbits) and you lie down on your back and show your tummy, the fox will be so charmed by your peaceful attitude that it will refrain from eating you. Image by AI. If these activists werent dumb bunnies, theyd figure out that being a peace activist means encouraging the fox to be a vegetarian rather than encouraging the rabbit to serve itself up on a platter with a carrot in its mouth. Moreover, if theyre making this journey, Id advise them to revisit the fable about the frog and the scorpion, the one that sees the scorpion sting the helpful frog carrying it across the river because thats the scorpions nature. Put another way, some people have value systems that will yield to reason, and some do not. In the latter case, as we learned with the Nazis, only brute force will change their minds. Even Israel has its peace activists, although their numbers are shrinking as they realize theres no mileage in convincing Israeli bunnies to yield while providing excuses for the ravening Hamas fox. One new peace activist is someone who found herself spending two-and-a-half months in the foxs den. Ada Sagi once believed peace was possible between Israel and Hamas, but has concluded that Hamass nature makes such peace impossible: An Israeli peace activist who was seized from her home on 7 October and held hostage for 53 days in Gaza has told the BBC how her ordeal destroyed her belief that peace is possible between Palestinians and Israelis. In her first UK interview since being freed in November, Ada Sagi, 75, also told Emma Barnett on Radio 4s Today programme how she was held in an apartment by paid guards, that Hamas kept her in a hospital before her release - and that she now believes the world hates Jews. I dont believe in peace, no. I dont believe, sorry, the Arabic and Hebrew teacher said. I understand Hamas dont want it. Ms Sagi lived for decades in the Nir Oz kibbutz near the Israel-Gaza border, trying to help reconciliation efforts by teaching Israelis Arabic to speak to their neighbours. One of the truisms of leftism is that its a fantasy that sees totalitarians manipulate dreamers and psychopaths, which has been the case from the French Revolution to Marx to the Russian Revolution to present-day college campuses and Israeli kibbutzim. Leftist peace activism has survived for as long as it has in the once-civilized West because American capitalism propped it up. Looking at Europe, which has long served as the American lefts role model, America absorbed the worlds defense costs during the Cold War and drove unprecedented prosperity. This meant that Europes socialist nations had surplus money for luxury things such as socialized (American-funded) medicine, cradle-to-grave (American-funded) child and elder care, six-week-long (American-funded) vacations, etc. It helped that, up until Europe invited in unlimited immigration from Third World countries that didnt share their values, these nations also had the benefit of strong social cohesion, which allowed them to bask in their low-crime, gun-free status. Now, though, America is on the way to being bankrupted itself, the Third World (especially the Muslim world is on the move), and the lefts self-loathing (including among the Israeli left) has denied the reality of human nature, something that permeates modern leftism in all countries which it appears, including Israel and America. Raw human nature, once leftism has stripped it of the Judeo-Christian reverence for the human soul, reveals us to be animals ourselves, only with cars and smartphones. And then, as Tennyson said, Nature is indeed red in tooth and claw, and never more so than when Nature appears in the form of Hamas. Its to be hoped that Ms. Sagis terrible experience, and that of others in Israel, brings American leftists to their senses without our first having to be so terribly mugged by reality. How often do Americans use guns in lawful self-defense? Its a difficult question to answer, in part because many who send a criminal to flight by merely demonstrating they are armed, never report the incident. The same is true for many who brandish their handguns, or even point them at criminals, instantly convincing them running for their lives is the better part of valor. Refusing to report is surely common in blue states, where law-abiding citizens can be virtually certain if they report lawful self-defense, theyre far more likely than the criminal that forced them to defend themselves to be arrested and prosecuted. Even in red states, many dont want to take the chance. Graphic: Glock 19, Author. Another factor that has become obvious during the Biden administration is as many as 7,000 police agenciessurely most if not all bluehave stopped reporting crimes, particularly violent crimes. This represents about a 35% reduction in the number of cities reporting crimes. No reports of crime, no crime exists, and leftists can claim huge reductions in violent crime even as they decriminalize crime and refuse to prosecute criminals. There have, however, been a number of studies whose results are revealing. The Clinton administration conducted such a study, secure in their belief the results would conclusively prove lawful self-defense with guns was rare, a result they planned to use in pushing even more gun control schemes. To their horror, they found as many as 1.5 million such cases per year. They tried to hide the result, but it eventually leaked. Another study, which, to the horror of anti-liberty/gun cracktivists has stood the test of time and every attack, indicates as many as 2.5 million defensive gun uses per year, and in only 8% of those cases, was it necessary to shoot the criminal attacker. In 82% of cases, merely revealing a handgun and/or demonstrating the will to use it were sufficient to end an attack. In such cases, we can never know if the criminal was intent on robbery, rape, kidnapping or even murder. The Centers For Disease Control have long been prohibited by law from using taxpayer dollars to advocate for gun control, which has not, of course, stopped them. A recent CDC report has been revealed to be ridiculously unprofessional and invalid. Conducted entirely by telephone, it had these four primary problems: Graphic: Screenshot, public domain. 1. They were unable to determine whether firearms were stored loaded or unloaded during the phone interviews. 2. They were only able to obtain data from the eight states, which is statistically meaningless. 3. Some respondents did not want to disclose whether they had a firearm in their home. This is surely a major factor in that Americans have never been more mistrustful of the government, particularly when speaking about gun ownership. 4. All of the data was self-reported to the researchers, and therefore subject to social desirability and recall biases. One might also wonder why the CDC, which is ostensibly supposed to be dealing with disease vectors, should be spending time and money on an incompetently done telephone survey about gun storage in the home. As one might imagine, the survey ignored lawful defensive gun uses, the need for which is one of the primary reasons Americans keep firearms in their homes. By the way, the CDC was forced to admit the aforementioned flaws. Why would anyone want to suppress the truth about lawful, defensive gun uses? They do irreparable damage to the anti-liberty/gun narrative, which holds guns are inherently evil, and so are those who own them. They have the mystical power to compel their owners to murder. Guns exist only to kill the innocentthat would be leftist favored victim groups--and far fewer people own guns than the gun lobby claims, yet guns are everywhere, are responsible for unimaginable carnage and must be banned. Despite there being few guns, anyone owning a gun is virtually certain to kill a family member, despite firearm accidents being at a 100 year+ low. Theres no logic or reproducible results supporting anti-liberty/gun research, which is why those that advocate that position simply resort to lying, which lies are eagerly and uncritically trumpeted by most of the media. Fortunately, Americans have wised up. For nearly 60 consecutive months, theyve bought more than a million guns a month. They may not be willing to tell the government how many guns they own or how they use them, but theyre more than willing to use them to protect their families, and if necessary, to preserve our representative republic. Thats what really scares our self-imagine elite. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Lots of college campuses saw pro-Hamas protests this spring, but few were quite as accommodating of these Jew-hating disruptors as Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. According to Campus Reform Emerson College President Jay Bernhardt appeared to apologize for the arrests of anti-Israel campus occupiers in late April and said that staff members were sent to bail students out of jail. According to Boston.com, 118 students were arrested during an anti-Israel encampment on the Emerson College campus during the early morning hours of April 25. They were charged with trespassing and disturbing the peace. And as a result, they got a lot of disruption. Today, they pay the piper: Now, in a related development, enrollment at the school is down, and theyre laying off staff members. That's from Legal Insurrection, whose writer, an Emerson grad, said it didn't give him any joy to report this. But it's about par for what happens when university administrators decide to coddle rather than expel screaming creeps who harass Jewish passers-by on the street in the name of supporting Hamas as well as bellow with noise, trash and roadblocks, set up smelly campsites, spray graffiti, and refuse to leave when it's time to go home. That kind of crap interferes with paying students who are trying to study, so it's not surprising that prospective students decided they'd rather not deal with that and enrolled someplace else. And Emerson's wokesterlies in its administration should have thought about this before they did it because the phenomenon is quite well known. Remember this from Inside HigherEd? Early undergraduate applications to Harvard fell by 17 percent this fall, according to data shared by the university. Harvards early-action program drew 7,921 applicants this cycle, compared to 9,553 last year. Its a marked decline amid a sea of rising troubles for the institution. Harvard came under fire earlier this month for President Claudine Gays responses during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. And this summer the university lost a landmark Supreme Court case on affirmative action, resulting in a nationwide ban on the practice. That was from before the campus protests, so goodness knows what the admissions figures look like now, and this is Harvard. Any lower-ranking school is bound to lose even more. And let's not forget the Black Lives Matters protests and riots on campuses from a few years ago, the one where crazy Prof. Melissa Click tried to shut down student journalists from covering her protest. Here is what I wrote at Investor's Business Daily in 2016: Education Bubble: The University of Missouri reported a near-25% drop in student enrollment following its unrest. This is the result of political correctness run amok, weak university leadership and inflated college costs. "I am writing to you today to confirm that we project a very significant budget shortfall due to an unexpected sharp decline in first-year enrollments and student retention this coming fall," wrote Interim Chancellor Hank Foley in a university memo Wednesday. Instead of a 900-student drop, as Mizzou expected, the university was looking at a 1,500 student drop, and that meant a continuing revenue shortfall as a smaller freshman class moves toward graduation, he explained. With U.S. News and World Report reporting a 46% four-year graduation rate for the school, it's a steep loss indeed. As a result, Mizzou has been hit with a $32 million revenue shortfall, and will have to cut expenses 5% and impose a hiring freeze. That's toxic. Now Emerson has decided to take its turn in the dunking barrel, a completely preventable disaster for them premised on their inability to understand that universities have missions to educate, and that mission comes first, and any extracurricular activity needs to be fenced off and kept from getting out of control. In going woke, and coddling these creeps, they Budlightified themselves and are now experiencing exactly Budlight brought onto itself. That's job one, and they had one job. They flunked it, so now they are out on their ear. One hopes that other universities will take note of this idiocy, and act with a firm hand when disruptors invade campus life, interfere with education, and try to shove their disgusting agenda down everyone's throats. Image: Twitter screen shot Words matter. They reflect and define our thoughts, our self-image, our collective beliefs, our government and our laws. Thats why legislators, lawyers and judges argue interminably over the presence or absence of single words in statutes, and their interpretation. Such an argument over the nature of our government is currently on a low boil. Are we our democracy, or a constitutional, representative republic? Whats the difference and why does it matter? Isnt a representative republic just another kind of democracy, and whats the difference between democracy and our democracy, which is the term Democrats/socialists/communists (D/s/cs) use to try to define our current, and they hope future, system of government. As the story goes, at the conclusion of the Constitutional ConventionSept.17, 1787Benjamin Franklin was asked what kind of government the Convention gave the American people. He replied: A republic, if you can keep it. Article IV, section 4 of the Constitution provides: The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. One may find more of the intentions of the Founders in The Federalist No. 22 (Alexander Hamilton), The Federalist No., 39 (James Madison), The Federalist No. 51 (James Madisonpossibly Hamilton) and The Federalist No. 59. All provide insight into why the Founders gave us, as Benjamin Franklin said, a constitutional, representative republic rather than a democracy. To be sure, one may argue our republic has some characteristics of a democracy, but democracys tendency toward corruption makes all the difference, which is why D/s/cs insist on referring to our form of government as our democracy. Its also why they recoil from speaking the words representative republic as does a vampire from sunlight. In 2020, Mike Lee, one of our senators who has actually read and understands the Constitution, spoke the words: Graphic: Twitter screenshot As one might expect, D/s/cs, relying on the constitutional illiteracy of much of the Congress and public, immediately engaged in faux outrage: Graphic: Twitter screenshot How dare anyone say were not a democracy! What D/s/cs mean and intend by our democracy is a tyranny of the majority. Madison addressed this very human tendency in The Federalist No. 51: But what is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controuls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to controul the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to controul itself. In our democracy, a tyranny of the majority, all that matters is what 50.00000001% of the population, the barest majority, wants. The Constitution may be ignored and the minority may be deprived of property, liberty even life at the whim of the majority. It makes no difference to the deprived minority if the majority deprives them for intentions pure or vile. One need only have been paying minimal attention the last four years to see those tyrannical intentions. D/s/cs continue to try to abolish the First and Second Amendments. Theyre established a two-tiered system of injustice, and are doing all they can to bankrupt, imprison and destroy Donald Trump, the presidential front runner, the man who represents perhaps half the electorate. In our representative republic, every citizen has unalienable rights, rights given by God, which cannot be taken away by government. Among them are life, liberty and property, and no majority may steal them. Nearly 250 years of jurisprudence has confirmed and defined our representative republic and more effectively secured individual rights. Some leftist judges continue to prefer their policies over the text of the Constitution, which as Sen. Lee observed, does not contain the word democracy, and one can certainly argue the rule of law is damaged if not deceased, but for the time being we remain a representative republic. D/s/cs would keep Americans ignorant about this fundamental governing difference. They would lie, have us believe anyone who opposes our democracy is anti-American, the better to fully establish a tyranny of the majority and with it, eternal one-party rule. The Federalist Papers, the history of the Constitutional Convention and the very text of the Constitution make clear the importance of words, words over which the Founders argued and compromised. If America is to endure, it can only be under the representative republic the Founders established. D/s/cs, as Franklin warned, are determined we do not keep it. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Senator Ted Cruz got some good news this week. First, the latest poll shows that he is up by 11: With less than five months before Election Day, incumbent Ted Cruz leads Democratic challenger Colin Allred by 11 percentage points in the states U.S. Senate race, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll. Cruz, a Republican who is vying for a third term, was favored by 45% of the surveys respondents compared to Allreds 34%. Six percent of voters said they would prefer someone other than Cruz and Allred and 14% said they hadnt thought about it enough to have an opinion. Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, said Allred, a three-term Dallas congressman, has yet to make an impression on a lot of people. Part of the upshot of that is having gone through such a relatively easy primary, he added. His lack of recognition at this point is in part a product of the success of his primary strategy which was to ignore his opponent. But the lack of newsworthy in a primary I think hurt him. Yes, it's true that Congressman Allred is not well known. It's up to the Cruz campaign to paint him "Pelosi" or run TV ads about Colin and Nancy. By the way, Allred ran into an unexpected stop at CNN. He went there to talk about how he's distanced himself from President Biden on the border. He was reminded of saying this not long ago: "the congressman dismissed the issue as one playing out in the right-wing echo chamber, despite a sharp increase of migrants at the US-Mexico border at the time." As Beto learned in 2022, what you say on the internet stays there forever. The second bit of good news is about money: Miriam Adelson, the billionaire casino tycoon and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, gave $1 million to a super PAC supporting Sen. Ted Cruzs reelection, according to the groups monthly finance report. The donation was the largest single contribution in May to the Truth and Courage PAC, which is independent of Cruzs official campaign. The group reported receiving over $176,000 from other sources last month, leaving it with over $1.6 million in the bank as of the end of May. The group has so far spent over $700,000 supporting Cruzs reelection. Adelson is a major donor in Republican politics, continuing the legacy of her late husband Sheldon Adelson, the founder of the Sands casino empire. Her profile in Texas political circles has only grown since her deal to purchase the Dallas Mavericks went public last year. She has supported efforts to legalize gambling in the state, spending generously to support pro-casino members of the Legislature and has also been a backer of pro-Israel candidates. Adelson has previously given handsomely to Republican congressional efforts, routinely giving millions to super PACs associated with House and Senate Republican leadership. She has also been close to Gov. Greg Abbott, appearing on stage at his 2023 inauguration. There you go. It's late June and Senator Cruz is well funded and positioned. What I hear is that the Cruz campaign is not taking Allred lightly. They are playing to win and borrowing a page from Governor Abbott's campaign, i.e. paint your opponent liberal over and over again. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr The liberal business establishment has long supported progressive causes, even to the detriment of their bottom lines. Conservative consumers and investors often feel helpless to curtail such support in the face of the massive financial power of these firms to resist pressure from protests or boycotts. However, a new activist has appeared on the scene, rattling corporate boardrooms. The new kid on the block is the anti-woke shareholder, who is the killjoy of shareholder meetings. These protestors oppose the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mandates that are entering their corporations. They are spoiling the party by bringing anti-ESG measures to the floor for votes. Although most proposals fail to pass, they do raise awareness among shareholders, forcing management into crisis management mode. To keep the peace, corporate officers are toning down or eliminating their support for liberal causes. The proposals finally provide a platform for conservative shareholders to express their legitimate concerns about woke management. The effort is having an impact that is not small. The new tactics are largely the brainchild of conservative think tanks that have studied corporate vulnerability. They carefully phrase the proposals to make reasonable requests that will safeguard the resources and reputation of targeted companies. Thus, groups like the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) have crafted dozens of shareholder measures readymade to question the wisdom of corporate involvement in climate, diversity, and environmental issues that clash with shareholder interest. Other measures ask for more oversight of existing ESG efforts or call for transparency on donations to LGBTQ and other controversial causes. The results have been encouraging. ISS-Corporate, a company that monitors investor issues, reports that shareholders at S&P 500 companies have voted on 70 measures opposing ESG initiatives in the first five months of 2024 alone. That number is up from 30 in 2022 and a mere seven in 2020. Ironically, anti-woke shareholders are adopting tactics first introduced by their woke counterparts years ago. ESG activists argued that not investing in these liberal causes would bring risk to the companies reputations since the public would expect them to be woke and progressive. The anti-woke activists respond by pointing to consumer disasters like the transgender-friendly ad of Bud Light and Targets 2023 Pride merchandise offensive as examples. They say the real risk lies on the other side of the rainbow. Activists stress that woke agitators have weaponized business policy. Companies should stay out of politics and stick to making profits. Carefully crafted anti-woke proposals are aimed at risk-averse executives facing shareholders. For example, measures ask the company to provide reports on the risks of voluntary carbon-reduction promises, doing business in Red China, or using child labor in supply chains. Others propose oversight or the ending of donations or partnerships with LGBTQ groups or other liberal causes. Another tactic of the anti-woke shareholder is to negotiate with company management to keep measures off the ballot. In exchange, they can receive assurances that actions will be taken to reduce exposure to risky policies and avoid controversy at shareholder meetings. Most measures, however, do make it to the floor. Many times, shareholder action coincides with consumer backlash, which increases the effectiveness of the activism. The Target disaster was a perfect storm that put management in a tight place. Activist shareholders are suing the company for its lack of judgment in imposing its aggressive Pride collection upon consumers last June. Thus, even management in those publicly-owned companies who want to support the woke agenda find themselves in a bind. Shareholders, after all, own the companies and have a right to say how they should be run. Introducing carefully crafted questions into the debate forces companies to go on the defense. Despite statements assuring pro-ESG advocates of their sympathy despite the cut in support, companies are backtracking, awaiting less vigilant times when they can return to their woke ways. For now, anti-woke activists are on the rise and growing. Their inconvenient questions are enough to raise doubts in the minds of shareholders that management would prefer not to appear. Their intelligent tactics prove that anyone can be effective, even in the face of the financial might of major corporations. Image: AT reader Per a document exclusively obtained by The Daily Wire: The top intelligence agency in the United States is celebrating Pride Month by inviting agents to have the transgender flag painted on their nails. Not kidding. Agents can also: participate in a Pride Ally Challenge, and learn from a non-binary, Filipinx activist who teaches children about her own non-binary identity. The Wire continues: The intelligence document outlines nine different Pride Month activities held by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), a cabinet-level agency overseeing the rest of the IC, including the CIA, FBI, NSA, and intelligence components in each branch of the military. Over the course of the month, intelligence officers will be encouraged to have their nails painted with trans flags, or learn to crochet their very own Pride flags, among other critical intelligence-related skills. The document states: For nail painting, well have our pro team of FVEY artistes ready to decorate you ... ... and later adds: If you dont normally paint your nails, or have never done so, all the better! Well do everything for you, and you might just love it. What better way to show your allyship to the community? Stupefying. Good to know that our hard-earned tax dollars are being used efficiently and for such a critical need. We may be running low on human intel sources, navy ships, ammunition, and other hardware but by God, well never run out of Pride flags! Even if we should run low, our intelligence and military leaders will be able to make them on the spot! Continuity breeds cohesion, especially in our defense forces. I believe it was Col. William Prescott, at the Battle of Bunker Hill, who famously told his troops, Dont shoot until you see the designs on their nails! And, of course, Gen. Douglas MacArthur stated, I shall return. And my nails will be fabulous! President Obama successfully fundamentally transformed the U.S. from a fundamentally Christian, serious nation focused on merit, to a fundamentally secular, unserious nation based on intersectionality. Were screwed. But at least were colorful! Image: Pexels / Pexels License In the last few hours, multiple Pixel 8 series users have been reporting random internet connectivity issues. Apparently, some websites simply refuse to load for them. It seems that the VPN by Google app is to blame for the situation. Yesterday was the date for the announced Google One VPN shutdown. Users of supported Pixel devices should now move to the VPN by Google app. The latter arrived in October last year with the Pixel 8 series. That said, several people have been facing connectivity issues on their Pixel 8 devices while using the VPN. There are even a few cases of people using Pixel 7 phones. VPN by Google preventing sites and apps from loading on some Pixel 8 devices According to reports, there are sites and apps failing to load with no apparent explanation. The problem does not affect all services, but rather some in particular. For instance, 9to5Google describes Amazon as one of those apps/sites failing to load. On the affected platforms, both the dedicated app and the website version are unusable. The issue does not seem to affect everyone equally, since some even report not being able to access any app or website. There are also cases of devices that are totally free of problems. For those affected, VPN by Google causes problems on any platform, be it Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac. Just disabling the VPN by Google would fix internet connectivity in most cases. Also, the app got a new version hours after the reports emerged, and some claim that its problems were fixed after updating. However, it is possible that you still do not have the new update available due to a possible gradual rollout. More potential workarounds while a fix arrives If you are still facing issues and have not received the latest app update, Googles support page offers some potential workarounds for connectivity issues related to its VPN. You can try to disable the VPN directly from the system settings instead of from the app. You can also delete your Google One VPN account from your device. Dame Emma Thompson told politicians is to listen up as she led thousands of people on a nature march in London. More than 350 charities, businesses and direct action groups were taking part in the Restore Nature Now march on Saturday, along with Dame Emma, businessman Dale Vince and naturalists Chris Packham and Steve Backshall. An estimated 60,000 protesters marched from Hyde Park to the Houses of Parliament, urging politicians to act to protect the environment. Protesters sat on Whitehall during the Restore Nature Now demo (Aaron Chown/PA) Speaking before the march, Dame Emma told the PA news agency that her message to politicians in Westminster was: Well, they better listen up. I mean, I presume they feel the same concern as we do, but theyre not talking about it much. So thats been very disappointing. Its probably the most important issue of our day, and were losing our countryside at the rate of knots. Dame Emma and Chris Packham led protesters to Parliament Square (Aaron Chown/PA) The march began at Hyde Park at 12.30pm and protesters walked calmly in a line, led by Dame Emma and Packham, who held a banner reading Restore Nature Now. Dame Emma said: We need to actually observe and honour the promises that we have made decade upon decade at every single agreement that we then have reneged on, I mean, in the most extraordinarily blinding ways. David Cameron went and signed the Paris Agreement, came back and then signed off on 200 fracking contracts. Thats just, thats just beyond hypocrisy. Its just wrong. And we are all suffering for it. All of us. TV naturalist Chris Packham took part in the demo (Aaron Chown/PA) Everyone needs nature. We all need it. And we have presided over the destruction of our country. We have had governments whove just taken absolutely no notice. And there is not nearly enough discussion about that. Banners reading Theres No life Without Wildlife, There Isnt A Reset Button and Make MPs A Rare Species were visible in a sea of green foliage and wildlife cut-outs as people marched past Hyde Park and towards Whitehall. The Red Rebel Brigade took part in the march (Jeff Moore/PA) Two 3D birds hovered at the front of the march, along with a bright blue butterfly and umbrellas coated in green mock foliage. People carried soft toy birds, wore animal masks and waved flags as the march processed. Chants of Restore nature now echoed down the line of protesters, as people rang bells, whistled and cheered. Packham told the PA news agency: Im here along with all of these other people to share a commonality of purpose. Is everyone ready to save our world? Then lets get to it! The next generation inspiring us all at the Restore Nature Now march!@Aneeshwar_K | #RestoreNatureNow pic.twitter.com/LAyGwuK5Rz Restore Nature Now (@RNNMarch) June 22, 2024 We love life, we want to protect our life. We want to protect our childrens lives and the lives and everything that creeps, crawls, slithers, slimes and stings on this planet, because we know we have the capacity to do that. He added: What we need to do today is send a clear message to the future government that we need to do it now. Packham said his message to politicians was: Were here today, were going to make a very polite, pleasant noise. But were not going away. Were going to make a last stand for nature. And we will be banging on that door on July 5, if you dont listen to us. Colourful costumes and banners were out in force during the demo, which urged politicians to protect the environment (Aaron Chown/PA) As the march went down Whitehall, boos could be heard as the crowd passed Downing Street, with people shouting disapproval and gesturing. The booing was because theyre useless in acting against any policies to do with wildlife. Its the booing of all politicians, said Gary Smith, 64, an ex-veteran from Eastbourne. Nigel Farage has become mired in a row about his attitude towards the war in Ukraine, after suggesting in an interview that the West provoked the conflict. Here are the key moments from day 31 on the General Election campaign trail: Putin the boot in Reform UK leader Mr Farage is facing fallout for suggesting that we provoked this war in Ukraine during a BBC Panorama interview. As the day began, Mr Farage was likened to a pub bore by Tory former defence secretary Ben Wallace over his claims that he predicted war in Ukraine, and his other remarks on the topic. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a strong response to Mr Farages claims (Benjamin Cremel/PA) But reprimand was more harsh from the political party leaders, with Mr Sunak describing the remarks as completely wrong and suggesting Mr Farages attitude was akin to appeasement of Vladimir Putin. Sir Keir Starmer meanwhile called the remarks disgraceful and said anyone standing for Parliament should make clear Russia is the aggressor. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and the SNPs John Swinney also weighed in to criticise the Reform chiefs remarks. Mr Farage was on the campaign trail in Clacton on Saturday as the fallout unfolded. Quote of the day Ben Wallace, Conservative former defence secretary: I think Nigel Farage is a bit like that pub bore we have all met at the end of the bar who often says if I was running the country and presents very simplistic answers to actually I am afraid in the 21st century, complex problems. Rowling with the punches While Sir Keir was dishing out criticism to one of his political rivals, a former Labour donor and well-known author had some for him. JK Rowling wrote in the Times overnight that the Labour leader had abandoned women because of his past stance on gender self-identification. The Harry Potter author said she would struggle to vote for the Labour leader, saying she had a poor opinion of his character. Sir Keir pointed to Labours long history of real progress on womens rights in response. Sounding out new battles on this front in recent days has been Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, who this week told the Guardian she wants to eliminate the gender pay gap once and for all. War stories Veterans minister Johnny Mercers row with his Labour competitor Fred Thomas as the two contest the Plymouth Moor View constituency was described as sad and desperate by Sir Keir. Sir Keir Starmer said the veterans ministers claims were sad and desperate (PA) Mr Mercer has cast doubt on his opponents combat record when he served in the Royal Marines, describing it as bloated. Labour has defended its man, with Mr Thomas claiming that much of his military service is not in the public domain due to its sensitive nature. Windrush memories The Labour leader and his shadow foreign secretary David Lammy visited Vauxhall and Brixton, in south London, to mark 76 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived in England. The ship brought people from the Caribbean who answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages. During the visit, the Labour leader spoke of the need to expedite compensation for the victims of the Windrush scandal. Elsewhere in the capital, Mr Sunak defended the Home Offices record of awarding compensation to those hit by the scandal. Fresh out the Starmer Sir Keir also faced questions from reporters about his attendance at Taylor Swifts Wembley stadium gig on Friday night. He named her song Change from the 2008 album Fearless as his favourite, because it shares a name with Labours manifesto. Nights roundtable The Prime Ministers visit of the day took him to a meeting with representatives of the night-time economy in London to hear their concerns ahead of the election. The capitals bars, restaurants and clubs have had a difficult few years following the pandemic, and their troubles featured heavily during the mayoral elections earlier this year. Fowl play Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey visited a chicken farm in East Sussex, where he handed out grain and was pecked by the farm birds as they surrounded him. Despite facing the sharp end of their beaks, Sir Ed was heard to describe the event as the best photo chicken op ever. Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said the coop photoshoot was something of a coup (Anahita Hossein-Pour/PA) He was promoting the Lib Dems messaging on sewage in the UKs waterways, including its rare habitat chalk streams. The Lib Dems plan to tackle pollution of chalk streams across the country, including a public consultation which could see rivers and lakes awarded a new Blue Flag status to protect them from sewage dumping. Social media moment of the day Elsewhere in sewage news, the Labour Party turned to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the Conservatives for allowing sewage dumping to continue and has said if people want to end the Tory shit show, they need to vote for change. In a post to X, it wrote: A vote for Labour on Thursday 4 July is a vote to clean up our waters and our politics. Change will only come if you vote for it. The post is accompanied by a video of waste coming out a sewer and entering a vast expanse of water, with the words: Its time to end the Tory shit show at the start, followed by the words: Change will only come if you vote for it. A vote for Labour on Thursday 4 July is a vote to clean up our waters and our politics. Change will only come if you vote for it. pic.twitter.com/pnLW7uQGKq The Labour Party (@UKLabour) June 22, 2024 What is happening tomorrow? The Prime Minister will be campaigning in North Yorkshire without a media presence. The Lib Dems deputy leader Daisy Cooper will be canvassing for votes in the Home Counties. Farage doubles down on Ukraine claims following criticism from Sunak and Starmer Nigel Farage has doubled down on his claims that the West provoked Vladimir Putin into invading Ukraine. The Reform UK leader has insisted he will not apologise for his remarks during a BBC Panorama interview, and said he was not an apologist or supporter of Putin. Mr Farages defence comes after both Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak condemned his earlier comments. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with representatives of the night-time economy in central London (Benjamin Cremel/PA) Prime Minister Mr Sunak said the Reform UK leader was completely wrong and only plays into Putins hands, and likened the comments made in the interview to appeasement of the Russian president. Labour leader Sir Keir called the remarks disgraceful and said anyone standing for Parliament should make clear Russia is the aggressor in the conflict. Mr Farage claimed we provoked this war in the BBC interview, while drawing a link between Nato and European Union expansion in recent decades and the conflict in eastern Europe. Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, in an article entitled the Wests errors in Ukraine have been catastrophic. I wont apologise for telling the truth, Mr Farage said the political establishment had been echoing a slur about him. He added: I am not and never have been an apologist or supporter of Putin. His invasion of Ukraine was immoral, outrageous and indefensible. As a champion of national sovereignty, I believe that Putin was entirely wrong to invade the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Nobody can fairly accuse me of being an appeaser. I have never sought to justify Putins invasion in any way and Im not now. He added: But that doesnt change the fact that I saw it coming a decade ago, warned that it was coming and am one of the few political figures who has been consistently right and honest about Russias Ukraine war. What I have been saying for the past 10 years is that the West has played into Putins hands, giving him the excuse to do what he wanted to do anyway. The Reform leader, in his interview broadcast on Thursday night, drew a link between Nato and European Union expansion in recent decades and the conflict in eastern Europe. It was obvious to me that the ever-eastward expansion of Nato and the European Union was giving this man a reason to his Russian people to say, theyre coming for us again and to go to war, he told the BBC Panorama special. Mr Farage said he had been making similar comments since the 1990s, ever since the fall of the (Berlin) wall, and added: Hang on a second, we provoked this war. Mr Sunak said the comment was completely wrong and only plays into Putins hands. The Prime Minister added: This is a man (Mr Putin) who deployed nerve agent on the streets of Britain, who is doing deals with countries like North Korea, and this kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britains security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and only emboldens Putin further. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer (Aaron Chown/PA) Sir Keir meanwhile said: Anyone who is standing for Parliament ought to be really clear that Russia is the aggressor, Putin bears responsibility, and that we stand with Ukraine, as we have done from the beginning of this conflict, and Parliament has spoken with one voice on this since the beginning of the conflict. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said he did not share any values with Mr Farage, while Scottish First Minister John Swinney accused the Reform leader of being a traitor to the interests of the people on these islands. Conservative former defence secretary Ben Wallace had earlier in the day joked about Mr Farages claims to have predicted the likelihood of the war in Ukraine. I think Nigel Farage is a bit like that pub bore we have all met at the end of the bar who often says if I was running the country and presents very simplistic answers to actually I am afraid in the 21st century complex problems, Mr Wallace told BBC Radio 4s Today Programme. He also claimed the Reform leader need to learn to deal with the real world of politics. Chat show host Lorraine Kelly has said she is so happy at the lovely news of her daughters engagement. The Scottish TV presenter, 64, previously expressed delight when Rosie Smith, her only daughter with husband Steve Smith, disclosed she was pregnant. On Saturday, podcaster Smith announced her engagement to fiance Steve White, sharing a selection of photos of her sitting at a table wearing an engagement ring. In an Instagram post she wrote: There are too many lovely things going on and Im not quite sure what to do with myself. Everyone always told me youll know when its about to happen but I had absolutely no idea. Kelly commented on the post: So happy its such lovely news and I will have a son as well as a grand daughter. TV doctor Amir Khan and presenter Christine Lampard offered their congratulations. In April, Kelly posted a photo of Smiths sonogram on her Instagram and said she: Cannot wait to be a granny. The mother and daughter host a podcast together called What If?, in which they discuss lifes defining turning points with celebrity guests. Kelly, who is known for hosting her eponymous ITV chat show Lorraine, was presented with a special award at the TV Baftas ceremony in May. On stage she thanked her mother and father for her work ethic, and her fantastic husband and daughter. And my daughter Rosie, who is working on the most exciting production. Shes having a baby and making us grandparents and Im so proud this means the world, she said of the award. A member of the McLaren team has been hospitalised after a fire broke out in the British Formula One teams hospitality suite at the Spanish Grand Prix. The fire started shortly after 12:00 local time with smoke emerging from the building at the Circuit de Catalunya outside of Barcelona. British driver Lando Norris was among those evacuated from the two-levelled suite which houses the team during a race weekend. The Pirelli and Alpine buildings, which flank McLarens hospitality suite, were also ordered out. A member of McLaren staff has been hospitalised (Philip Duncan/PA) Emergency services worked for four hours to bring the situation under control with McLaren revealing the fire had been extinguished at 16:10 local time. A statement from the British team read: This morning a fire was detected in our trackside team hub. The team hub was evacuated of all staff and guests and circuit emergency services attended the scene within minutes. The circuit emergency services and local fire department have since extinguished the fire. One McLaren team member has been taken to hospital as a precaution, and all McLaren personnel and guests are accounted for. The team hub was evacuated ahead of third practice (Philip Duncan/PA) We would like to thank all the marshals and emergency services for their quick and professional response. We would also like to thank Formula One, the FIA and our competitors who have offered to help our team and guests this weekend. The PA news agency understands four fire marshals were also assessed at the track for smoke inhalation, with two of those then taken to a local hospital for further assessment. A fire also broke out in the Williams garage at this race in 2012. Sixteen people were injured in the blaze. Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, the widow of late TV doctor Michael Mosley, has said she wants to continue with the work that gave Michael and myself so much joy. The broadcaster, credited with popularising the 5:2 diet, died earlier in the month, aged 67, after he went missing on the Greek island of Symi. His body was found in a rocky area near Agia Marina beach on June 9 and a Greek police spokeswoman, Konstantia Dimoglidou, told the BBC that he died of natural causes. In an Instagram post on Saturday Dr Bailey Mosley said the outpouring of love her family has received following the death of her husband has meant a huge amount. She added: Im going to be quiet for a while. Im sure you will understand. But I will be back here soon. I very much want to continue with the work that gave Michael and myself so much joy and such a sense of purpose. Once more thank you so much for respecting my familys privacy so kindly. Michael was an amazing man. Thank you for seeing that too. We miss him so much. The TV personality was with his wife and friends at Agios Nikolaos beach on June 5 before he embarked on a walk alone to the centre of the island and went missing. A view of Pedi, a small fishing village in Symi, Greece, where Michael Mosley went missing (Yui Mok/PA) Mosleys four children had joined their mother, a GP and cookery book writer, to help with the search effort. Among those who paid tribute following Mosleys death was TV chef Jamie Oliver, who called the news absolutely devastating, and physicist and TV presenter Brian Cox, who said Mosley was a genuinely lovely man who helped him out when he started his TV career. Dr Bailey Mosley hosted theatre show tours with her husband and in May they attended the Hay Festival, where Mosley presented a special edition of his Radio 4 series and podcast Just One Thing. Mosley first trained as a doctor in London before moving into the world of media, becoming a presenter, documentary maker, author, and columnist. During his career he presented a host of science programmes and films including the BBC series Trust Me, Im A Doctor, which looked at healthcare in Britain, and his podcast Just One Thing, where he revealed tips to help improve your health. Mother of Jay Slater issues direct we just need you home plea to son The mother of Jay Slater has issued a direct plea to her missing son on the sixth day of the hunt for the British teenager, saying: We just need you home. Debbie Duncan told the PA news agency she has not slept since the 19-year-old disappeared on the Canary Island of Tenerife. She said she did not know whether the Spanish authorities turning down an offer of help from the UK was because they viewed it as an insult. Mr Slater, from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle, disappeared following an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus and was last heard from on Monday morning. He had attended the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before his disappearance. The teenager went missing during a holiday in Tenerife (Handout/PA) The walk from Mr Slaters last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. Asked how the family was coping with the situation, Ms Duncan told PA: Were not. Im not coping very well at all. Ive not slept, Im exhausted. Its been awful. I cant give up on him, I just cant. The search for the teenager taking place near the village of Masca (James Manning/PA) Lancashire Constabulary said it had made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources, which was rejected by Spanish authorities. Questioned on whether Spanish police should have accepted help from the UK force, Ms Duncan said: I believe they said theyve got enough resources and they dont need the help from English police. I dont know if they find it an insult I really dont know. I really dont know. They say theyve got enough resources to get on with the investigation I dont know, I dont know. The Lancashire 19-year-old went missing after attending a festival (James Manning/PA) Asked if her head was spinning from the past few days, she said: It is, it is. People say: Yeah, I understand no, you dont, you dont understand. Speaking about what message she would have for her son, Ms Duncan added: We just need you home we just need him home. Family friend Rachel Hargreaves told PA that those close to Mr Slater were staying in Tenerife until weve got an outcome. She said: Weve got to live in hope havent we you cant give up on anything can you really. Were here and were staying until weve got an outcome. Addressing the support the family had received from well-wishers, she said: Were happy for anyone who wants to help or anyone with information or anything like that like I say were still living in hope that were going to get a positive outcome. We just feel like well leave it to the professionals now, and thats the best thing to do. The search parties for Mr Slater seemed noticeably smaller on Saturday compared to other days with only a handful of emergency workers visible in Masca and the surrounding areas. Firefighters appeared to conduct the majority of the latest searches, as rescue teams, alongside sniffer dogs, set off on a steep gravel track at Rural de Teno Park in the morning. The NRG festival issued a statement in which it said it was able to give some practical support to Mr Slaters family. The statement read: That such a devastating situation has arisen has deeply affected us all. We have been able to give some practical support to the members of Jays family who have come to Tenerife in such difficult circumstances, and we are inspired by their resilience and determination. A GoFundMe page for Mr Slaters family has raised more than 27,500, and will go towards family and friends staying in Tenerife while the hunt continues. Alec Baldwin in New York in 2021. Photograph: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Lawyers for actor Alec Baldwin have filed a fourth motion for a New Mexico court throw out charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the on-set shooting death of the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. Attorneys for Baldwin, who is due to face trial early next month, argue in a new court filing that prosecutors withheld evidence showing that the contemporary Colt .45 revolver he used on the set of the western Rust was damaged at the time of the accident. Related: Prosecutors say Alec Baldwin engaged in horseplay with gun before fatal shooting Baldwin has claimed that he pulled back the hammer but not the trigger when the gun went off accidentally, firing a fatal round into Hutchins. Baldwins defense team has argued that the gun was prone to malfunctioning. Last year, prosecutors dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin, saying they were informed the gun might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned. The charge was later reinstated. A second analysis of the weapon by ballistics experts relied on replacement parts to reassemble the gun after parts of the pistol Baldwin used were broken during the earlier testing by the FBI when its experts hit the gun with a mallet to see if it would fire erroneously. In the new motion, reported by Variety, attorneys for the actor accuse prosecutor Kari Morrissey of improperly withholding an experts report showing unexplained toolmarks on the guns sear the part of the trigger mechanism that holds the hammer in place. Baldwins defense contends that competing analysis contradicts the states theory that the gun was in proper working order, and that prosecutors withheld supplemental reports into the guns condition for nearly nine months. They argue that prosecutors showed flagrant disregard in their obligation to turn over relevant evidence to the defense and had played hide the ball in order to win at all costs. On Friday, a New Mexico judge denied an earlier request from Baldwins team to dismiss the charges against him, and will consider a separate motion at a hearing on Monday. Nigel Farage and Lee Anderson, visiting Ashfield on June 11, are leading the race according to a recent YouGov poll - Darren Staples Each week, The Telegraph will be taking the temperature in key constituencies around the country whose result could point the way for how the country will vote in Julys election. This week: Sutton-in-Ashfield There are plenty of streets in the country right now where evidence of the general election is scant. Not so in Ashfield. In the Nottinghamshire constituency currently held by Reform UKs Lee Anderson, election placards outnumber England flags with even the Euros seemingly second to politics in peoples priorities. Most of the boards trumpet either Reform or Jason Zadrozny, a local independent candidate who is the leader of the district council and by his own reckoning, at least threatens to snatch the seat. The only hitch for Zadrozny: hes currently awaiting a criminal trial for what he says are false allegations cooked up by his political opponents. And while Labour, for its part, has realistic hopes of winning back this one-time brick in the Red Wall after losing it in 2019, recent polling suggests Anderson who defected to Reform in March, becoming the partys first-ever MP will hang on. But the outspoken former Conservative deputy chairman is taking nothing for granted. Its anybodys really, he says of the seat. The constituents will judge me on my record. Why is it a bellwether seat? Since Nigel Farage announced he was taking over as leader of Reform and standing for Parliament in Clacton, theres been a keen focus on the Essex seat, where hes threatening to overturn a Conservative majority of 24,702. But as support for the Tories collapses across the country, Reform is targeting some of their weak spots elsewhere too not least in Ashfield itself, the only constituency already held by the hard-right party. Post-industrial Ashfield has been "left behind" according to many voters - Julian Simmonds During the week, Ipsos published its first MRP (multiple regression and post stratification) model of the July 4 poll, projecting Reform could win a minimum of three seats, and perhaps as many as 10. Survations latest MRP survey, which likewise uses constituency-level polling to forecast local results, paints a similar picture, suggesting Reform could fill as many as seven seats in the new parliament. In a scenario where the Conservatives are reduced to a rump of under 100 seats an exclusive Telegraph poll this week has them on track to win just 53 a Farage-led takeover of the party would not then seem entirely impossible. On the other hand, The Telegraphs poll, conducted by Savanta, predicted Reforms seat tally would be zero, offering perhaps a sliver of hope for moderate One Nation Tories anxious not to see their party swing further to the right, post-election. Either way, Ashfield is a seat firmly in Reforms sights. The Survation poll puts its vote share here at 31.11 per cent, translating into a 3.1 per cent majority. A YouGov poll this week put Reform at 32 per cent in Ashfield, Labour at 29 per cent and Zadroznys Ashfield Independents at 15.6 per cent. Less than five years after triumphing here under Boris Johnsons leadership, the Conservatives trail in fourth place, on just 14.8 per cent. When Farage visited the constituency last week, no-one threw anything at him. Ashfield Independents candidate Jason Zadrozny is also ahead of the Tories, according to recent data - Julian Simmonds Anderson is a popular incumbent, having won the seat for the Tories in 2019 with a majority of 5,733. In February, he was stripped of the whip after refusing to apologise for comments about Sadiq Khan, which the London mayor described as Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist. Within weeks, hed been reincarnated as the first-ever Reform MP, having defected to the party. I want my country back, he said at the time. I was booted out, cast out like an odd sock, Anderson says now of his exit from the sinking Tory ship. It feels like my constituents have followed my political journey and stuck with me. Theyre very loyal. Quite the journey its been, too: before joining the Tories, Anderson was a Labour councillor. Hes just like a weathervane, says Zadrozny. Anderson said 'I want my country back,' as he joined Reform UK - Darren Staples Behind all this is the story of a once-solid Labour stronghold backing Leave in the 2016 referendum and then, three years later, electing a candidate seen as most in tune with Brexits ideals. Andersons success marked the Tories first victory in the constituency since 1977, when Tim Smith narrowly triumphed in a by-election triggered by the resignation of Labour MP David Marquand, who went to work for his mentor Roy Jenkins after he was appointed President of the European Commission. Today, the vexed issue of the UKs relationship with Europe is seldom mentioned by voters. But immigration remains a hot-button topic. About the area A former mining and textiles area, parts of post-industrial Ashfield have been characterised variously as left behind and being home to the somewhere demographic rooted in a specific place, socially conservative and less likely to be university educated. Census data from 2021 shows almost a quarter (23.6 per cent) of residents in the Ashfield local council area had no formal qualifications. The district was ranked the 63rd most deprived local authority out of 317 around the country, according to Index of Multiple Deprivation figures from 2019. The shift from mining town to service industries has been tough on Ashfield - Julian Simmonds In the 80s and 90s, when cotton moved to China and coal stopped, nothing ever regenerated these towns, says locally-born Zadrozny over a cup of coffee in the Sutton-in-Ashfield branch of Costa. The premises next door to the cafe are boarded up. So are multiple others throughout the town centre. Among those that arent are a vape shop and some nail bars and bookies. People lost hope, says the former Liberal Democrat. Nothing ever happened and nothing ever changed. Thats why they voted heavily for Brexit, because it was the loudest you could shout on a ballot paper. One thing that has happened since then is reflective of the broader shift from industrial Britain, with its close-knit communities and inbuilt sense of security, to a fractured, service-led economy: in 2020, Amazon opened a 550,000 sq ft distribution centre in Sutton, which the company said would create a thousand new jobs. Restoring civic pride might take longer. Who are the candidates? Anderson, a former miner, and Zadrozny, a former community centre manager, will go up against Labour candidate Rhea Keehn. Originally from Bedford, Keehn moved to Ashfield in 2022 and works as a compliance manager in the legal team at Volkswagen Group UK. We meet next to the sundial in Sutton thought to be one of the biggest in Europe, yet destined for removal in an impending town centre redesign. Im finding a lot of support from former Conservative voters, says Keehn, hopefully, adding shes been the bookies favourite from day one. The biggest rival is apathy: people having this belief nothing can change, she says. Labour candidate Rhea Keehn says she is getting support from many Conservative supporters - Julian Simmonds But she acknowledges the challenge also posed by Anderson, who was raised in Nottinghamshire by a coal miner father and factory-worker mother and in his youth joined Arthur Scargills National Union of Mineworkers. He was suspended by the Labour group on Ashfield District Council in February, 2018 after using boulders to block off a site where Travellers wanted to set up camp. Anderson joined the Conservative Party the following month, saying the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn at the time had been taken over by the far Left. Keehns message for anyone tempted to either vote for him or stay at home: The Labour Party is now offering something really exciting and fresh, and thats huge because weve had a lot of decline here for a long time. Both she and Anderson are keen to point out, when the subject of Zadrozny arises, that he faces criminal charges. The 43-year-old has pleaded not guilty to a series of allegations of fraud and tax evasion and will stand trial at a later date. Also running are Alexander Coates for the Green Party, Daniel Holmes for the Liberal Democrats and Debbie Soloman for the Conservatives. View from the high street Its not hard to find Reform supporters in the shops and on the streets of Ashfields towns. They tend to like Anderson, dislike immigration and feel sick to death of the Tories. Only seven per cent of the population in the local council area of Ashfield said they were not born in England at the last census. But according to Pam Cooke, 75, immigration is nonetheless a talking point wherever you go. She says: At the doctors you cant get an appointment, and certainly the dentist. There are too many [immigrants]. Then she adds: We dont have so many here, but we have got a few of them. Cooke, a long-time Conservative voter who co-runs a family business selling trophies and rosettes from a small shop called Showstoppers in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, plans to vote Reform this time, as does her husband, Alan. They speak for the people, she says. The Conservatives are totally useless. "I think they do, to a certain degree, talk the language of anyone north of Watford," local voter Alan Cooke says of Reform - Julian Simmonds Anderson dubbed 30p Lee after claiming in 2022 that food poverty was mainly due to a lack of cooking and budgeting skills and that good meals could be cooked for 30p will stand up for the working man, she believes. What does Alan, 75, like about Reform? I think they do, to a certain degree, talk the language of anyone north of Watford. And what does he think of their manifesto (or contract), which proposes a rollback of the state, and which economists were quick to criticise, saying the sums do not add up? It adds up about as well as Labours or the Conservatives, Alan replies. Indeed, concerns about sums adding up seem secondary here to the force of Andersons personality, his effectiveness as a local MP, and the general anti-immigration stance of Reform. Anything Ive asked [Anderson] for, help-wise, hes been very supportive, says Kelly, who works in a local sandwich shop. He comes in a lot, she says, and is quite down to earth and massively respected around here. Inside The Posh Meze Grill & Bar on Kirkbys high street, Roland Johnston, 67, is enjoying a quiet early afternoon drink with a companion who doesnt speak fluent English. Johnston is voting Reform. Why? Hes [Andersons] doing everything he can to help England get back on its feet. He helps small businesses around here. The retired forklift driver always used to vote Labour. What turned him off? [Keir Starmer] is full of bull. And the Conservatives? How can you have a multimillionaire in charge? Theyre not bothered [about] us pensioners. Weve been let down. In Sutton town centre, there are more Labour voters to be found. Sitting near his phone repair stall in Idlewells Shopping Centre, 33-year-old Tahir says hes ditching the Conservatives (Boris Johnson was alright) and voting Labour for the first time. Lets see what changes [Starmer] brings, he says. There are also a number of undecideds, even just two weeks out from polling day. At 58, Helen Orton has never voted. She now plans to do so for the first time. Which party will she opt for? I really dont know, she says from behind the counter of Birds, a bakery festooned with England flags. Maybe Reform. Janet Abbott, 60, who co-runs Nanas Personalised Gifts with her husband Steve, is also yet to make up her mind. Small businesses owner Steve Abbott sees the vote as a battle between Labour and Reform - Julian Simmonds The same goes for Steve, 58, though he says that Labour seems to be supportive of small businesses like his. He sees the poll as a choice between Starmers party and Reform. Anderson has been alright from a small business point of view he says. But Steves views on immigration diverge from those of Reform. Ive got no issues with immigration, he says. It doesnt bother me. We need it to help the economy. What are the burning local issues? Immigration is obviously a big thing, says Anderson. Zadrozny disagrees. Lee wants it to be about immigration because hes failed on everything else, he says. Hes trying to make it a single issue electionBut immigration isnt the reason you cant get your kid into a dentists or you havent got your first choice of school. Thats 14 years of Tory cuts, and Lee was part of that. The real issues here, Zadrozny says, are infrastructure (we have the worst roads, weve lost the HS2 leg, connectivity is really poor) and healthcare provision, which is on its knees in Ashfield. Keehn pinpoints potholes as a major concern on the doorstep. Theyre so bad and dangerous, weve had a number of serious accidents, she says. Antisocial behaviour is also flagged as an issue. Weve got kids who are just bored because there are not enough opportunities here and kids being dragged into county lines, says Keehn, referring to a trend which has seen criminals befriend children and manipulate them into drug dealing. Parts of post-industrial Ashfield have been characterised variously as 'left behind' and being home to the 'somewhere' demographic - Julian Simmonds Local voters want to see better support in schools for children with special educational needs, she adds. Anderson, for his part, cites lack of housing as an issue. Theres a general feeling we need to raise our standards and take more pride in our area, says Keehn. Theres a whole chunk of people who just feel like nothing could get better because theyve had 14 years of this and theyve forgotten what its like to have a government that works for them. The local support for Reform reflects a national feeling of failing government, she says. You have a frustrated group of people who believe what theyre being told about the reasons why theyve been let down. She hasnt got long to try and convince them otherwise. For now, it seems likely that Anderson will reap the rewards of widespread disillusionment with the party he represented until so recently. He is too busy campaigning to meet up when The Telegraph visits Ashfield, but can spare a minute to speak on the phone afterwards. Im snowed under, he says. The demand for posters and boards has been phenomenal. He runs through what hes achieved as the MP for Ashfield; all the investment hes brought in. But what of those claims from economists that the sums in Reforms manifesto dont add up? Your minutes up, darling, he says. Got to go. Tim Stanley and Bertie join Tom Tugendhat on a walk in Tonbridge as the MP drums up support - John Nguyen/JNVisuals Tonbridge, Kent: I thought Id go canvassing with Tory hopeful Tom Tugendhat, and as its a nice day, why not bring the dog? Ah, but that means dragging Bertie away from his mid-morning nap, the critical rest between breakfast and lunch. Hes never been a fan of politics. Bert once barked at Mrs Rees-Mogg because she wanted to have another brandy and he wanted to go to bed. So Tom and I drag a grumpy cavalier around the village of Borough Green. Tom, cries a lady, its Pat, from the rotary club! Pat has always believed he could be a future prime minister. I suggest that if Rishi resigns before July 4, he might get the chance. Does Mr Tugendhat have any serious ambitions to win the Tory leadership, I wonder? The 50-year-old minister for security smiles like a little boy, and says, I want to win this seat. The minister for security says he is fully focused on retaining his Tonbridge seat - John Nguyen/JNVisuals He will. Even the worst polls show Tonbridge clinging on, like Rorkes Drift. Hence Toms been flying about the country, helping other candidates on majorities that would once have been considered safe. A curious incident happened in Tunbridge Wells: I was helping Neil Mahapatra a Conservative of Asian heritage I knock on the door, say, Hello, will you be voting for Neil? No, Im not voting for you any more. May I ask why? Opera. What? Apparently our opera policy is absolutely dreadful, we pushed opera out into the regions or something... So, I went, OK, so maybe if you speak to Neil he might be able to help you with this? She takes a look at his picture and his name and says, No, that sort dont like opera. It was offensive and bizarre: A combination of liberal, high-art racism. At least she was willing to talk. The Kentish, of which I am very much one, believe an Englishmans house is his castle and a vote is between me and the ballot box. In past elections, people have refused to tell Tom how theyll vote even though he knows theyre members of his own party. He met them later and theyve whispered, Im glad you got in. In the past, people have refused to tell Tom Tugendhat how they would vote even though he knew they were Tories - John Nguyen/JNVisuals We say hello to a man who is loading his car. The yeoman raises the horror of Tory insiders allegedly betting on elections (a subject that has clearly cut through). Its not on, is it? replies Tom. Its just one damn thing after another. Youve got people with fingers in pies! Toms take is: Betting on inside information stinks. Its wrong, and those involved must go. Having thus established that the two men see eye to eye, the grubby question comes: How will you vote on July 4? No idea, he says, and returns to loading his car. Youd think hed been asked for his PIN and mothers maiden name. Greater illumination is found outside the fish and chip shop, where we bump into Will, a friend of mine from university. Youre going to get re-elected, he informs Tom, with the remaining 15 seats that are still Conservative. Will is thinking of moving abroad for the duration of the Labour government, and wants to know why the Tories abandoned Thatcherism. Tom replies that conservatism has always been a broad church to which Will retorts that it seems to contain a lot of Lib Dems, which is exactly the problem with the Big Tent thesis. Tom, were he to run for leader post-election which is to ask whether the Pope will attend Mass on Sunday would like to unite conservatism, but conservatives are violently tugging in opposite directions. Will turns out to be a sceptic of the Ukrainian war and reminds us of the prophecies at Fatima an appearance by the Virgin Mary in Portugal in 1917 that warn that if Russia is not converted to Catholicism, the world will end. Tom looks lost. Its like an encounter with the comments section. When I finally sit Tom down in a pub (Bert stretches out on the floor and sniffs for crisps), I also decide to bring up religion. He is the archetypal English Tory. He is also a Catholic with Jewish ancestry who studied Islamic theology at college why? I like the language Arabic its difficult and challenging, and studying a different religion forces me to think about what I believe, to ask, If that person doesnt believe the same as me, why do I believe this? He served in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the fight was against Islamism. The Islamic faith, by contrast, is perfectly reconcilable with modern Britain. When you look at Islam in the UK as it is actually lived, most of it is lived in a very British way, in the sense that it is a private faith that is practised in the mosque on a Friday with no particular impact elsewhere. Picking up on Wills point about Ukraine, I explain that a lot of us just want the killing to stop. I fundamentally agree, says Tom. How can you not? But if we know Putins going to win, why does he continue to support the conflict? First I dont accept that we know Putins going to win. Second, I dont accept that we are supporting a conflict We are supporting a free people to make their choice and the choice they are making is not to be raped and murdered. Alas, people have forgotten what evil looks like. Evil does exist... If you refuse to protect people, youre not neutral, youre siding with hostility. I raise something he said in Parliament on Feb 24 2022, when the war broke out: We can expel Russian citizens all of them. Wasnt this extreme? Tom insists that he wasnt saying Britain should do this but warning us what could be on the table if relations get worse: When you get into conflict situations, very often the first thing to happen is that citizens of a different state get treated in different ways My great-uncle, who was an Austrian Jewish migrant to the UK, was interned on the Isle of Man. When one re-reads his original remarks in full, however, its hard not to conclude that he was indeed recommending expulsion (the next sentence went, We can make a choice to defend our interests Or we can do what, sadly, we have done too often in the past, which is to watch until it is too late.) I tell him I dont want a wider European war, and he agrees. The policy, he stresses, is to help Ukraine defend itself, not drag us into a fight. Back to the election: If the Tories are to win again, will you court Nigel Farages vote? I want everybody to vote Conservative, he replies diplomatically. Farage has made it very plain what hes trying to do, so I dont think thats a valid question for now. What might change in the future, God knows What we need to be doing is talk to as many people as possible and build as much unity as we can. Tom Tugendhat believes the Conservative Party needs to 'build as much unity as we can' - John Nguyen/JNVisuals His themes are security and prosperity; people assume hes wet, but on economics hes dry, he voted against the second lockdown and he supported Liz Truss. What is Conservatism? Greater individual rights, greater liberties, greater opportunities to develop yourself and see your family and your children succeed. What is the danger from Labour? A greater intervention of the state in the lives of everybody. And what is his position on dogs? Hes all for them. My children are pro dogs and pro the causes of dogs. Bertie, who is pro lunch, signals that it is time for the interview to end. Liz Weir says she waved and screamed at the pilot, who shook his head before taxiing off and abandoning her A disabled writer was left stranded on the tarmac of Belfast airport after the Easyjet plane she was due to take took off without her. Liz Weir, 73, said she had waved and screamed at the pilot, who shook his head before taxiing off and abandoning her at Belfast International Airport. Im in my seventies, I have a heart condition and I do not need the stress and trust me, when you see your plane reversing without you on it, it is very stressful, she told the Belfast Telegraph. A bus might go by you at the bus-stop, but you dont expect a plane to go without you when you are scanned in and waiting at the gate. Ms Weir was one of three passengers in wheelchairs using the special assistance service to ensure they got on the flight but all were left behind even though her luggage was aboard. The county Antrim writer accused the budget airline of discrimination after missing a speaking commitment at a literary event in Edinburgh on Friday evening. Ms Weir was one of three passengers in wheelchairs using the special assistance service Easyjet said it would launch an investigation into the incident on the 1pm flight. Ms Weir had arrived early for the flight from her home in Cushendall to check in on time and get to the gate early. A lady in a high viz jacket came and took me and another wheelchair user down to the runway as passengers began boarding at the gate, Ms Weir said. We waited for everyone to get on and thought it was our turn next, but then the steps were taken away from the plane and they closed the doors. She added: We were sitting there waving and screaming to the pilot. But he shook his head to say no and just kept moving off with my suitcase in the hold. All the able-bodied people were on board and we were left behind, what else could you call it other than discrimination? Passengers put on later flight Ms Weir said she was in tears and a basket case after the incident. People had paid for tickets to hear her Irish tales of magic at the Penicuik Community Arts Association but were left disappointed. My daughter has pointed out youre not Taylor Swift, but thats not the point, she told the Belfast Telegraph. I cant blame easyJet for the actions of one person, but I do expect to be compensated for the inconvenience, stress and loss of earnings, she added. We have urgently raised with the provider and our ground handling team to understand why this happened, an Easyjet spokesman, who said the company was very sorry, said. The stranded passengers were put on flights later on Friday evening. People walk through the rubble of destroyed buildings in al-Shati in Gaza City on Saturday. Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images Dozens of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on two densely populated locations in Gaza City. According to initial reports in the Israeli media, the bombings were aimed at assassinating a very senior Hamas commander. Amid initial reports of tens of casualties, including some still buried under the rubble, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement it had struck Hamas military infrastructure sites. The strikes hit the al-Shati neighbourhood, known as Beach camp, and the al-Tuffah district, which were both struck by significant explosions, killing 38 people according to Ismail Al-Thawabta, the director of the Hamas-run government media office. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 42. Emergency services had earlier described large numbers of casualties, many of whom were taken to Al-Ahli hospital. Footage shared by social media users showed a scene of substantial destruction in al-Shati, streets thick with dust and smoke and a rising column of smoke. It said more details would be released soon. Hamas did not comment on the Israeli claim to have hit its military infrastructure. It said the attacks targeted the civilian population and vowed in a statement that the occupation and its Nazi leaders will pay the price for their violations against our people. Footage obtained by Reuters showed dozens of Palestinians rushing out to search for victims amid the destroyed houses. The footage showed wrecked homes, blasted walls, and debris and dust filling the street in al-Shati refugee camp. Israels ground and air campaign in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The offensive has left Gaza in ruins, killed more than 37,400 people, of whom 101 were killed in the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian health authorities, and left nearly the entire population homeless and destitute. More than eight months into the war, Israels advance is now focused on the two last areas its forces had yet to seize: Rafah on Gazas southern edge and the area surrounding Deir al-Balah in the centre. Related: At least 17 killed in Gaza refugee camps after latest Israeli strikes, say medics Residents said Israeli tanks deepened their incursion into western and northern Rafah areas in recent days. On Saturday, Israeli forces bombed several areas from air and the ground, forcing many families living in areas described as humanitarian-designated zones to leave northwards. The Israeli military said forces continued precise, intelligence-based targeted operations in Rafah, killing many Palestinian gunmen and dismantling military infrastructure. On Friday, the Gaza health ministry said at least 25 Palestinians had been killed in Mawasi in western Rafah and 50 wounded. Palestinians said a tank shell hit a tent housing displaced families. The Israeli military said the incident was under review. An initial inquiry conducted suggests that there is no indication that a strike was carried out by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) in the Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi, it said. Agencies contributed to this report Parkfield school in Dorset has no natural catchment area, the trust that runs it admits. Photograph: Karen Robinson/The Observer One of the governments vaunted free schools, whose site was beset with so many problems it is estimated to have cost 35m, is set to close, having failed to attract enough pupils. Free schools were launched by Michael Gove in 2010, when he was education secretary, with the promise that they would close the attainment gap in England. Groups of teachers, parents and charities were allowed to start schools in old offices, shops and houses regardless of whether local authorities believed they were needed. More than 650 are open, with more understood to be looking for premises. In many cases, the costs of opening the school have spiralled upwards. Latest figures from the Department for Education show five free schools cost more than 30m each, while the National Audit Office found 24 free school sites had cost over 10m each. Experts say there may be more shocks to come, because the government has taken years to reveal the capital costs of some free schools and has failed to publish any data on capital costs for more than four years. Tim Warneford, a consultant who advises academies on their buildings, said: There has long been a suspicion that the free school policy resulted in fire sales without sufficient due diligence. Parkfield school, which was built on an old air traffic control site next to the runway at Bournemouth airport, is estimated to have cost 35m. Reach South, the academy trust that runs the school, told parents last week that it had exhausted all possible avenues of making Parkfield viable, and the DfE had agreed it would close for most pupils when this term ended. The letter said the school, which runs from primary through to secondary, was less than half full and had no natural catchment area. Joanna Howard, the Labour candidate for Christchurch where the school is based, said: There has been little notice and parents and carers now have the additional worry of trying to find a new school for the start of term in September. The governments Education Funding Agency bought this site, with what Warneford describes as an unbelievable absence of standard due diligence, on the basis of a four-page vendors report. Detailed surveys were not carried out until after purchase, and building work was delayed by years as they uncovered a catalogue of obstacles, including asbestos, a colony of protected bats and drainage issues. There was even the potential threat of unexploded bombs from the second world war, although the DfE said the site was as safe as any in the south of England. In the four years it took to open the site, pupils were taught in an old office block in central Bournemouth and parents withdrew their children in large numbers, according to papers from a trust board meeting. When the school finally opened, the fact it was so far out of town proved a major problem. The school spent 90,000 a year transporting pupils, and the trust noted that understandably not many parents are comfortable sending their four-year-old to school on the bus. Total costs are believed to have reached 35m. Andy Jolley, a schools campaigner who has been investigating asbestos in schools and shared documents on Parkfield with the Observer, said: Opening a school right by an airport with no easy access was always going to be a disaster, yet they kept on pouring money into it. Parkfield was also affected by the DfEs decision to approve a second primary free school, Livingstone Academy, in the city centre. That opened last year, although the police and neighbours raised objections to the conversion of the former magistrates court into a school, because it was housed between a probation centre, where convicted criminals were required to go to register, and a strip club. The government has said its latest wave of 15 planned free schools have been approved where there is the greatest need for good new places. The DfE was approached for comment. Billie Joe Armstrong performs with Green Day at Old Trafford in Manchester - Myles Wright/Shutterstock At five past eight on Friday evening, conflict permeated the Manchester air. As Green Day stepped out of the wings for their first appearance in the city for seven years, an unfathomable sky conspired to throw both rain and sunshine onto the house-full crowd below. As a double rainbow arced east to west, this meteorological dichotomy provided a fitting environment for the band onstage. More than three decades after their maiden visit to Britain, the Oakland trio have built a career that handily marries the opposing forces of punk-rock purity and pop-star status. When it comes to injecting heroic doses of hey ho, lets go into vast stadiums, no one does it better. For the first time on British soil, a pan-generational audience saw Green Day play their two most commercially successful albums Dookie and American Idiot front to back. With its dependably adolescent themes of marijuana, masturbation and murder, when excavated in full, the songs from Dookie were like a restorative holiday in the company of old friends who had grown distant with age. With sales of 20 million copies since its release in 1994, the success of this accidental blockbuster catapulted its authors towards the kind of fame that would spook any band, let alone one that made its bones in the avowedly ascetic punk scene of Berkeley, California. After a buffer zone of select favourites and finer cuts from this years Saviors LP, at Old Trafford, Green Day duly leaned into the album on which they finally got the hang of superstardom. With 17 million sales, 2004s American Idiot is both the last blockbuster of the rock-and-roll age and the kind of creation that sounds as if it could have been recorded yesterday. As gems such as Letterbomb, Give Me Novocaine and the once ubiquitous Boulevard of Broken Dreams were let loose into the crepuscular night, Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass) and drummer Tre Cool (together with a compliment of touring musicians) no longer sounded like men vacationing with their younger selves. Maybe Im the faggot America, Im not a part of a redneck agenda, Armstrong declared, reaffirming his side in a war that runs hotter today than it did two decades earlier. Mike Dirnt performs with Green Day - Myles Wright/Shutterstock Underpinning it all was the kind of fierce joy that comes from rock and roll fashioned by experts. Though illusory, Green Days gift of orchestrating mass gatherings in a manner that seems effortless is of a piece with Tre Cools memorable observation that watching Armstrong write a song is the closest thing to magic you will ever see. One notable aspect of the rousing and joyous racket conjured in Manchester is that its shards of unease and defiance can be easily overlooked by ears that are captured only by the sing-a-long supremacy of the sound itself. The music as whole, though, is substantial. Its persistent anxieties are not diminished by having the colour settings dialled up to the max. Troubled times, Armstrong once sang, you know I cannot lie. Maybe not, but for 160 minutes, Green Day were able to persuade a bopping and bouncing audience that problems both personal and political could be overwhelmed by the muscle of their music. I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies, they sang, this is the dawning of the rest of our lives. Green Day are on tour in the UK until June 29 More than 800 illegal migrants crossed the Channel on Tuesday, the highest daily total for 18 months - Sameer al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Labour risks opening the door to 100,000 migrants who entered Europe illegally if Sir Keir Starmer joins an EU quota scheme, the Home Secretary has claimed. James Cleverly said this was the opposite of what British people wanted and claimed it was part of Sir Keirs plan to reverse Brexit by the back door. Labour last year denied it planned to join an existing scheme under which countries accept up to 120,000 asylum seekers a year, but said it would be willing to accept migrants from Europe as part of an EU-wide returns deal. However, Mr Cleverly warned that Sir Keir wanted to go further with new concessions to the EU. Immigration is a key battleground for both the Tories and Labour in the general election campaign. Last Tuesday, more than 800 migrants crossed the Channel, the highest daily total for 18 months. Writing for The Sunday Telegraph, see below, Mr Cleverly said: Labour has indicated that they are considering joining an EU quota scheme for migration. Thats likely to mean the UK taking 100,000 more illegal migrants into our country from the EU the opposite of what the British people want. Funnily enough, they werent sufficiently honest to front it up and stick it in their manifesto. Together with their plans to scrap the Rwanda deterrent and a possible illegal migration amnesty, they would cement our position as the soft touch capital of the world for illegal migrants. Under Rishi Sunaks plans, migrants who arrived at the UK illegally will be sent to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed. However, Labour has pledged to scrap the Rwanda scheme and instead allow those arriving in the UK on small boats to apply for asylum in the UK, which the Conservatives have dubbed an amnesty for illegal immigrants. Mr Cleverly added: So far Keir Starmers schemes amount to a spectacular betrayal of the British peoples vote. Clearly he can still not accept their democratic decision. He seems still to want to cast away all of our newfound freedoms to be back in his familiar territory of the EUs orbit. Sunday marks the eighth anniversary of the vote to leave the European Union, which the Tories are using as a launch pad for a series of attacks on Labour and the partys record on Brexit. The Prime Minister has warned that Labour would put Brexit in peril while Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, said that instead of using the opportunities, Sir Keir wants to renegotiate the Brexit deal, taking us back to square one of being a rule-taker from Brussels. Rishi Sunak speaks to Home Office staff during a visit to Dover last year - Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool/AFP via Getty Sir Keir has called for closer cooperation with Brussels on education, defence and security. He has also said he does not want to diverge from EU standards on workers rights and food standards. These are among 15 ways in which the Labour party wants to rejoin the EU by the back door, the Conservatives have claimed. The list also includes that Labour wants to tear down barriers to trade with the bloc and give millions of EU nationals the right to vote in general elections. Last year, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said that Britain would take asylum seekers from the EU as part of any returns deal under a Labour government, but would not formally join the European quota scheme. Ms Cooper said that Labour would be willing to accept people from mainland Europe as part of deal that would enable the Government to send Channel migrants back to France, which has not been possible since Brexit. But she insisted any returns deal would focus on reuniting children with their families in Britain and would not involve signing up to be a member of the EUs quota system. Under the European quota scheme, northern states would take at least 30,000 migrants and up to 120,000 asylum seekers a year, from countries most under pressure from cross-Mediterranean migration such as Italy and Greece. Meanwhile, Sir Keir insisted that Labour has no plans to rejoin the EU, the single market or the customs union. The plane that was due to take asylum seekers to Rwanda - Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Speaking on the campaign trail on Saturday, he said he wanted a better trade relationship with the EU and much more collaboration on research and development, education, security, and other areas, adding that it was all subject to negotiation. But I do think we can get a better deal with the EU, and if we are elected to government that is what we will endeavour to do, he added. It comes as exclusive polling by Savanta for the Daily T podcast reveals that just a quarter (24 per cent) of British adults say that Brexit has helped the UKs ability to control immigration. The majority (53 per cent) said that Brexit has in fact hindered the UKs ability to control immigration. A further quarter (23 per cent) said they did not know. While Remainers were far more likely to say that Brexit has hindered (71 per cent) the UKs ability to control immigration than helped, Leavers were far more divided with just over a third (36 per cent) saying it was a help compared to 34 per cent saying it was a hindrance. A Labour spokesman said: These are just desperate lies from a party that has totally failed to control our borders or manage the asylum system, and is spending hundreds of millions of pounds on failing gimmicks. Labour has repeatedly ruled out joining the EU member states quota scheme. Devoid of ideas, the Tories have resorted to making things up. ---------------------------- Every hard-won Brexit benefit is now at risk By James Cleverly Sir Keir Starmer didnt just oppose Brexit, he voted to block it 48 times in Parliament and led the charge for a second referendum to overturn the first. So it comes perhaps as no huge surprise that he appears to want to get Britain back into the Brussels bloc by the back door. James Cleverly says Starmer appears to want to get Britain back into the Brussels bloc by the back door - Stefan Rousseau/AFP via Getty Keir Starmer has never thought the UK could survive and thrive as an independent country and Brexit Britain has shown him how wrong he was. Defying his dire predictions, the UK has grown faster than Germany, Italy and Japan since the referendum in 2016. Britain is the fourth-biggest exporter in the world behind only China, the US and Germany. Since leaving the EU, we have signed trade deals with more than 70 countries, partners that accounted for 1.1 trillion of UK bilateral trade in 2022. We have revoked or reformed more than 2,000 EU laws, freeing our businesses from burdensome red tape. We have taken back control of our fishing waters and our support scheme for farmers. We made use of our freedoms to be the fastest to roll out the life-saving Covid vaccine in Europe. Despite this, Starmer doesnt believe in Britains future as a sovereign nation. Instead, he and his manifesto talk gleefully about the need to deepen Britains relationship with our European friends and build on our current thin deal with the EU. But he is refusing to be upfront and honest with the British people about what he will accept in return for his fatter deal. The EU could not be clearer that removing barriers to trade comes hand in hand with accepting the supremacy of EU law and diktats from the European Court of Justice. But Britain voted for Brexit to take back control of our laws. A more comprehensive trade deal like the one Switzerland has with the EU requires free movement of EU citizens into their country. But Britain voted for Brexit to take back control of our borders. And despite Starmers denials, senior figures in the Labour party still appear to be eying up rejoining the Customs Union. That could put British taxpayers on the hook for a hefty annual bill and prevent the UK striking its own trade deals. And Britain voted for Brexit to take back control of our money and trade. So far, Starmers schemes appear to amount to a spectacular betrayal of the British peoples vote. Clearly he can still not accept their democratic decision. He seems still to want to cast away all of our newfound freedoms to be back in his familiar territory of the EUs orbit. Worse still, he wants to go further with new concessions to the EU. Labour has indicated it is are considering joining an EU quota scheme for migration. Thats likely to mean the UK taking 100,000 more illegal migrants into our country from the EU the opposite of what the British people want. Funnily enough, they werent sufficiently honest to front it up and stick it in their manifesto. Together with their plan to scrap the Rwanda deterrent and an illegal migration amnesty, they would cement our position as the soft touch capital of the world for illegal migrants. And if that werent enough, Starmer wants to try to undermine Nato too by entering a new defence pact with the EU. Anyone who has seen the EU trying to decide how to respond to a defence threat as a bloc will be horrified at the idea of the UK being bound by their inertia. It would alienate our Five Eyes allies and weaken our position on the world stage. In fact, they cant convincingly rule out going whole hog and rejoining Britain to the EU as a fully paid-up member. Make no mistake, Brexit would be in grave peril under Labour. In contrast, the Conservatives have a plan to go further still in seizing our Brexit benefits. We will complete the process of joining the Transpacific Partnership (CPTPP) of fast-growing nations. Once we join, the CPTPP will have a combined GDP of 12 trillion, an exciting opportunity for British businesses and entrepreneurs and a huge boost to our economy. We will scrap more defective EU law to build 100,000 more homes for families to get their feet on the housing ladder. And we will control migration with a new legal cap to get numbers falling every year for the next five years and give democratically accountable MPs a vote on annual levels. Thats the clear choice at this election between the Conservatives clear plan to seize even more benefits of Brexit, protect our democracy and build a more secure future for our children and grandchildren, and Labour, which has no ideas other to overturn the democratic will of the people, raise taxes and take us back to square one. James Cleverly is the Home Secretary Labour says the claims are 'desperate nonsense' - Stefan Rousseau/PA Labour would face an immediate 2 billion black hole in their public spending plans which would require early tax rises, the Conservatives have claimed. The Tories said that Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, would have to announce the tax increase in a Budget as early as September to plug the gap. However, Labour said the claims were desperate nonsense. The Conservatives have pointed to a statement from Sir Keir Starmer that there will be an immediate injection of cash into public services if Labour forms a government, along with comments from Ms Reeves that every spending commitment will be fully funded. However, the Tories have claimed that their analysis shows there is a funding shortfall for 2025-26 between Labours plans for public services and the tax increases announced in their manifesto, because their revenue-raising measures will not be delivered in full until the final year of the parliament. They said that an admission from Labour that their plan to charge VAT on private school fees will not come in until the 2025-26 financial year at the earliest means they will be left with a further immediate revenue headache. Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, said that the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn provided more detail on its spending plans than Sir Keir and Ms Reeves. Mr Hunt said: By only publishing her tax and spending plans for the last year of the parliament, Rachel Reeves was hoping to get through the campaign without explaining the immediate tax rises she will have to implement. This is a trick even John McDonnell and [former shadow chancellor] Jeremy Corbyn didnt try to pull. Labours repeated refusal to rule out higher council tax and other tax rises this week means there is only one conclusion Labour will be raising more taxes this year as part of their 2,094 tax bill for working households. The Tories have claimed that Sir Keir could seek to raise taxes by carrying out a revaluation of council tax bands in England something which Labour has denied. Darren Jones, Labours shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said: This is more desperate nonsense from a Conservative Party whose manifesto promises 71 billion of unfunded tax cuts and is set to hike mortgages for families by 4,800. Not only did Jeremy Hunt admit this himself this week, but he went on to praise Liz Truss and her economy crashing policies, saying he wanted to do it all over again. Labours manifesto is fully funded and fully costed, in contrast to the Tories unfunded plans which will lead to higher mortgages. The choice on 4th July is clear: stability with a changed Labour Party or five more years of chaos with the Conservatives. In the partys manifesto, Labour has said that every fiscal event making significant changes to taxation or spending will be subject to an independent Office for Budget Responsibility forecast. With the OBR requiring at least 10 weeks to complete its work, the Tories said that the earliest that an incoming Labour government could commit to an immediate injection of public sector funding would be Friday September 13 The Tories said that an earlier commitment would only be possible if Labour admits that their immediate injection would not constitute a significant change. A voter at a polling station set up at a Muslim community centre in Ilford, east London, in the 2017 general election - DANIEL LEAL/AFP The British Muslim vote could play a crucial role in the majority of swing seats around the country, a new analysis has found. Of the 220 most marginal seats in the general election, Islam is the largest minority religion in 129 of them (58.6 per cent), according to the Henry Jackson Society (HJS), a think tank. The second largest minority religion in marginal seats is Hinduism in 23 of them (10.5 per cent), followed by Sikhism in six marginal seats (2.7 per cent), and Judaism in three (1.4 per cent). The swing seats were identified by the political consultancy Electoral Calculus, which defines a marginal seat as one where the margin of victory is expected to be 10 per cent or less. The 220 marginal seats at the general election make up a third (33.8 per cent) of all available seats. Martin Baxter, chief executive of Electoral Calculus, said that the results of their most recent MRP poll with Savanta found that religion is a significant factor in how people vote. It is not the biggest factor in voting patterns, but there is a measurable correlation between someones religion and the way they vote, he said. It is one of the several things that influence peoples vote. Martin Baxter of Electoral Calculus - Teri Pengilley Mr Baxter added that other factors include age, education level, ethnicity, social class and previous voting pattern in elections and the EU referendum. In the local elections earlier this year, dozens of candidates around the country ran on a Gaza ticket and defeated their Labour rivals. Across the country, Labour votes plummeted in areas with a high Muslim population including Blackburn, Bradford, Pendle, Oldham and Manchester, where support for Sir Keir Starmers party dropped by an average of 25 points. In Pendle, wards with Muslim populations higher than 10 per cent saw Labour support decline, on average, by 43 per cent. Meanwhile, those with smaller populations saw support surge by 15 per cent. In Blackburn, support in those Muslim areas fell by 35 per cent. Across all five areas, Muslim areas dropped support by at least 12 per cent. Several Labour candidates including shadow cabinet minister Stephen Morgan have promoted leaflets on social media, designed in the colours of the Palestinian flag, with their position on the Gaza conflict. The leaflets, created by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, pledge MPs support for various causes including an immediate ceasefire, Palestinian statehood, getting aid into Gaza and releasing hostages. Other Labour candidates to have shared the leaflets include those on the Left of the party, including Kate Osborne, Kim Johnson and Sarah Owen. Alan Mendoza, executive director of HJS, said: The first thing to note is that we cannot assume by any means that all members of a particular religion will vote in the same way. All of our religions are very diverse communities with very different backgrounds. He pointed to the organisation Muslim Vote, which encourages British Muslims to vote for specific candidates it has approved. The website declares that this election signals a shift for Muslims no more political apathy. It goes on to say: We will no longer tolerate being taken for granted. We are a powerful, united force of 4 million acting in unison. We are focused on seats where the Muslim vote can influence the outcome. We are here for the long term. In 2024, we will lay the foundations for our communitys political future. If this proves to be a path we see voters going down, it will hail the beginning of a dangerous sectarianism in British politics. In the local elections, it was clear that in Labour-held seats with large Muslim populations, the Labour vote fell substantially. The Muslim Vote campaign group was established in response to the war in Gaza and the Labour Partys decision not to oppose Israels military response to Oct 7 from the start. It is aiming to make sure Britains 3.9 million Muslims turn out on polling day and vote for their approved candidates, putting pressure on Keir Starmer to adopt The Muslim Votes 18 demands. These include immediately recognising Palestine as a state, cutting military ties with Israel and investing seven per cent of public pensions in ethical and Islamic funds. Fiyaz Mughal, founder of the charity Tell Mama which counters anti-Muslim hate, claimed that the Muslim Vote website is highly divisive. While there is no block voting along religious lines in the UK, he said he believes a handful of seats could be affected. Farage being interviewed next to a picture of Vladimir Putin - JEFF OVERS/BBC Nigel Farages analysis of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine could hardly be more wrong. He claims that Nato and EU expansion was provocative. In fact it was Western weakness and timidity that encouraged Putins aggression in 2022. Rather than making any attempt to oppose Russias seizure of Crimea in 2014, or helping Ukraine to do so, Western governments called on Kyiv to take no action that might lead to escalation. In spirit, it was a foreshadowing of Joe Bidens offer in February 2022 to give President Zelensky a ride out of Ukraine. When Putin saw the West was unwilling to confront him, he rapidly followed up with aggression in the Donbas. In the face of that, Europe desperately sought to revert as soon as possible to business as usual with Russia, even taking steps to increase energy dependence. Seeing he had nothing to fear, an assessment reinforced by Natos abandonment of Afghanistan, Putin returned to the charge in Ukraine in February 2022. To give credence to Putins frequently trotted out excuse for starting this war is, to say the least, naive. Farage says that he admires him as a political operator. Well, the political operator understood only too well that Russia had nothing to fear militarily from Nato, having rubbed shoulders with the heads of Western governments for so many years. Not one of them has any aggressive instinct let alone intent. Quite the reverse. As we have seen repeatedly in the pusillanimous responses from both Europe and the US to the 2022 invasion, with pretty much whatever Ukraine has needed to fight back being provided reluctantly, inadequately and with crippling restrictions, if at all. If Putin has any genuine fear of Natos eastward expansion, why has he withdrawn 80 per cent of Russian forces from the border with Finland shortly after it joined the alliance? Beyond his imperialist motivations to recreate a greater Russia with him as Tsar, what Putin did actually fear was a democratic Ukraine and a Ukraine that has benefited increasingly from alignment with the West. He recognised the dangers to his own regime of growing economic prosperity just across the border, with the potential to create envy inside Russia that could lead to popular challenges to his repressive authority as he leads his country into economic decline and marginalisation on the world stage. A serious political leader should not parrot the talking points of Vladimir Putin. Instead Farage should be encouraging our country and the West to stand up to this dictator against his criminal assault on a sovereign state. We have seen the consequences of appeasement play out over the last two years in Ukraine, and we can be sure that anything short of Russian defeat there will inevitably lead to even greater aggression and bloodshed in Europe in the future. Peacekeepers in South Sudan sent to protect civilians from more communal violence: UN Xinhua) 09:58, June 22, 2024 UNITED NATIONS, June 21 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeepers in South Sudan have intensified patrols in Tonj East to protect civilians and restore community confidence after inter-communal clashes, a UN spokesman said on Friday. The UN Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, also continues to engage with community members and leaders, particularly women, to understand their perspectives on the security situation and better tailor their responses, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Haq said the mission also reported challenges accessing Tonj East because of poor road conditions and heavy rains. The situation often complicates law enforcement in the area, but local authorities are determined to continue providing services to the affected communities. He said UNMISS, in collaboration with the UN Development Programme, organized a two-day forum in Yambio. The forum brought together dozens of county commissioners, community leaders, youth and women representatives from Western Equatoria State to address persistent inter-communal conflict and violence. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Vladimir Putin It looks to me as if Nigel Farage and the Reform party have just blown their chance to become a major voice in the British Parliament. The suggestion that the West provoked the tyrant in the Kremlin into launching his bloody war in Ukraine is utterly wrong-headed. The results of Putins aggression have been abominable. He is directly responsible for the deaths of the soldiers and civilians who have suffered in his conflict. Natos expansion to the east did not force Putin into an invasion. It is a defensive alliance, not a military threat, and the idea that a desire to join the European Union was any more of a justification is laughable. Putins actions directly violated the Budapest Memorandum signed by Russia in 1994, which promised to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine. What independent, sovereign country would confer upon its neighbours the right to veto its foreign policy? I feel great frustration over Farages comments. If he had said that our pathetically small Army and lack of conventional defence meant that Putin thought he had the green light to invade Ukraine, because we no longer cared for our security and the defence of Europe, then I would have agreed with him enthusiastically. So, I suspect, would those in middle England who see Farage as the answer to years of Tory wets, and the grindingly dull and grey future which awaits us under Keir Starmer and his crew. After all, many of Reforms ideas are excellent, and resonate with many of us in this country. Stopping the boats, cutting taxes, ensuring that those who dont want a job are not continuously propped up by taxpayers and increasing defence spending straight away to 3 per cent, are all things that I and millions would vote for in a heartbeat. Farage is by far and away the best orator and debater around and says, sometimes, what huge numbers of us think. In a politically stagnant age, of the crushingly dull Starmer and the rabbit in the headlights Sunak, Farage adds much colour to the hustings and would certainly do so to the House of Commons. But this error of judgment on foreign policy is simply catastrophic. The most pressing task facing Britain on the 5th of July will be to ensure our national security, and that begins by seeing the task in Ukraine through. Vladimir Putin must be defeated, utterly. There can be no rewards for starting wars on the European continent, and destabilising the global economy. If we get this wrong, the cost of living, small boats and climate change could become horrifically irrelevant. The risk that we would find ourselves facing another conflict on our continent would rise. And that means I cannot vote for a man who, however unintentionally, has almost certainly given Putin a ray of hope. The West must present a united front of this issue. Every time we hint at wavering, we strengthen Russias resolve, giving it the sense that if it just holds on a little longer, Western support will wane, the flow of ammunition will dry up and victory will be in sight. It is a self-inflicted wound, and all the more frustrating for that. Peter Dutton has used an address to the federal Liberal party council in Sydney to spruik his controversial nuclear energy plan. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP Peter Dutton has vowed a Coalition government would override the states legislated ban on nuclear power, telling party officials on Saturday that state premiers wont stop us. The opposition leader made the comments in an address to the federal Liberal party council in Sydney, where he escalated his attacks on Anthony Albanese. He called the prime minister a fraud and a child in a mans body that is still captured in his university years. On Wednesday, the Coalition unveiled its controversial nuclear energy plan in the event it wins government, including seven proposed sites for nuclear reactors across five states. The nuclear pledge drew unanimous blowback from state premiers. In question time this week, the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, said he wanted to make it clear that his government would not be repealing the ban on nuclear energy in the state. The premiers of Victoria and Queensland said the same. In responding to the criticism, Dutton said he would work respectfully and collaboratively with state premiers, but I dont answer to them. The decisions I make will be in our national interest to the benefit of the Australian people, he said on Saturday. Commonwealth laws override state laws even to the level of the inconsistency. So support or opposition at a state level wont stop us rolling out our new energy system, he said to a round of applause erupting from the room. Some state opposition leaders have also opposed the Coalitions nuclear pledge, with Victorias opposition leader, John Pesutto, saying his party had no plans for nuclear and Queenslands opposition leader, David Crisafulli, also saying it was not part of the partys plan and would remain that way. In his address, Dutton said Crisafulli had taken a perfectly understandable position on nuclear power and was getting a hard time from the worst premier in Australia, Steven Miles. Dutton said Australians would decide their energy future, saying the the next election will not only define the next political term, it will define the future and fate of this nation. Related: Confusion reigns about the Coalitions nuclear proposal. Heres how the rhetoric has shifted During his speech, Dutton slammed Albanese as being out of his depth, later adding visionary Labor leaders like the late, great Bob Hawke knew that zero emissions nuclear energy was a good thing. But Labors current crop of leaders have been reduced to posting juvenile social media memes of three-eyed fish and koalas. Frankly, their behaviour is an affront to the intelligence of the voters whom they seek to represent, he said. He then diverged from his scripted remarks to say our prime minister is a man with his mind still captured in his university years, hes as a child in a mans body. [Albaneses] more interested in appeasing the international climate lobby than sticking up for the interests of everyday Australians, he said. Dutton said people between the ages of 18 and 34 were looking at a Liberal party for the first time [that] is offering environmental policy which is superior to that which the Labor and the Greens party will offer at the next election. Theyre comfortable with [nuclear energy] because theyre well read, because they understand modern technology and they have a passion for reducing emissions, Dutton said. Prof Anne Twomey, a constitutional law expert at the University of Sydney, said the commonwealth can override state laws, but there were a number of hurdles the government would face. Related: Power bills could rise by $1,000 a year under Coalition plan to boost gas until nuclear is ready, analysts say The first would be enacting legislation that overrides any inconsistent state laws and passing that through the Senate, while ensuring government decision-making processes around the laws were done fairly. If you get through both of those, then so long as the commonwealth enacts laws that are valid, that are supported by the Constitution, then those laws will override state laws that are inconsistent. Victorias premier, Jacinta Allan, said in a statement after Duttons remarks: There is no plan that sits behind Peter Dutton and his Liberal National colleagues announcement to bring a nuclear power plant to Victoria and no detail about how much it would cost, how long it would take, where the waste would go, the impact on water supply and the water security for the Gippsland community. When you look at all that uncertainty, it makes no sense when you have an alternative. Well continue to stand with the Gippsland community and stand against this toxic, risky, uncertain pathway that Peter Dutton wants to go down. Wild Thang, a Pekingese dog, competes during the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest - JOSH EDELSON/AFP An eight-year-old pekingese named Wild Thang has been crowned the worlds ugliest dog. The pooch, from Coos Bay, Oregon, has entered the competition at Sonoma-Marin Fair in California for five years running, but was named the most hideous pet on show at this years contest on Friday. Wild Thang has a medical condition called canine distemper, which prevents the growth of its teeth and has caused a muscular disorder in one of its legs. It beat Daisy Mae, a mongrel that has lost its teeth, hair and vision, and a pug named Rome, to the top spot. Ann Lewis holds her pet Wild Thang after it won the World's Ugliest Dog contest - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America The contest, held annually in Californias Petaluma, carries a $5,000 prize and an appearance on NBCs Today show for the winning owner, Ann Lewis. She described her dog as glugly, explaining: Its glam meets ugly. This is our fifth year in the competition, this could be our year! she said before the results. Ms Lewis and Wild Thang raise money to rescue pekingese dogs from the war in Ukraine. So far, they have brought seven dogs over to the US. She said the dogs medical issues had left it with a wonky leg and a tongue that hangs out of its mouth at all times, due to the missing teeth. The Acropolis was closed for five hours on 12 June due to a heatwave of 39C in Athens and higher in central Greece. Photograph: Petros Giannakouris/AP It will be a familiar scene for many in the next few weeks: a busy airport packed with people setting off on their summer break. But tourists may find peak travel periods are no longer so predictable now that more people are going away during shoulder season the time between a regions most popular months and the offseason. Travel companies are reporting an increase in demand between March and early May, and September to October, as holidaymakers try to avoid heatwaves and overtourism. Small group-adventure travel company Intrepid Travel said last year it saw a 61% increase in shoulder-season bookings to western Europe. It reported a 29% increase to southern Europe. In response, this year Intrepid has increased the number of departures to Spain, Italy, Portugal and France by 47% in April and 27% in October. Intrepid said the shift in interest from holiday-goers is due to soaring temperatures across Europe. The company no longer offers hiking trips in Spain and Portugal in July and August, and only has one departure of its active Greece trip in early July. It then doesnt resume until September. Greece recorded its earliest-ever heatwave in June this year as temperatures reached 38C (100F) for more than three days in a row. Temperatures in Turkey went above 40C last week, with 66 million people exposed to extreme heat for days, according to independent climate science group Climate Central. Raph Giacardi, chief editor for the UK at the website HolidayPirates, said people are not willing to travel while a heatwave is raging in Europe. He added: To avoid extreme heat, we may see more holidaymakers take advantage of travelling to European destinations during shoulder season in September and October, when temperatures are still warm but more comfortable and there are much better deals on flights, hotels and package holidays. Not to mention that crowds are usually much smaller too. The Travel Trends report by Mastercard Economics Institute noted a shift to shoulder-season travel last month. The report, based on aggregated and anonymised transaction data, said the share of overnight stays in the European Union during shoulder season has increased by 1.8 percentage points over the last decade. The countries with the biggest shift away from peak summer months include Mediterranean hotspots such as Croatia. However, countries like Sweden have seen similar shifts. This suggests its more than just hotter summers driving this change, the report authors noted. Two major demographic shifts are likely also at play: more retirees who are free from work obligations, and more households without children that are free from school calendars. Colum McLornan, managing director of Friendship Travel, which caters for solo travellers, said they are actively increasing the number of off-season trips due to customer demand. Last year we saw a number of customers request trips outside peak season, in particular to Mallorca, when the island had quietened down and there were fewer crowds. As a result, we have added further trips in October to Mallorca and will look to expand this offering to other popular destinations if required, he said. A large proportion of Friendship Travel customers are over 40 and, as with the rest of the travel industry, we have noticed that this age demographic has the freedom and flexibility to travel outside peak season and chooses to do so to avoid busy crowds and peak season prices. As they are no longer fixed to school holidays, travelling outside this time is a luxury they can afford. Concern has also been raised recently about overtourism in certain popular destinations. A new tourist fee has been introduced in Bali since February. There are also higher hotel taxes in Amsterdam and Paris, and stricter rules on public drinking in Milan and Mallorca. Related: Be a better tourist! 28 ways to have a fantastic holiday without infuriating the locals In some areas of Milan, city leaders have banned outdoor seating after 12.30am during the week and 1.30am on the weekend in response to resident complaints. They have also limited the late-night sale of takeaway food and drinks. Kelly Jackson, managing director of the travel company The Travel Corporation, said: We have been promoting off-season travel, also known as shoulder-season or low-season travel, which is visiting popular destinations during times when tourist activity is lower than peak periods. This approach offers numerous benefits for both travellers and the destinations they visit for example, fewer crowds, lower costs and year-round support for local economies. Hazel McGuire, general manager for the UK and Europe at Intrepid Travel, said: The reality is that having too much tourism in one destination isnt good for local people or the environment. Travelling offseason is another great way to avoid the crowds and ease the impact on busy spots. Mike Martin, the Lib Dem candidate for Tunbridge Wells, believes the election is 'on a knife-edge' - Eddie Mulholland Tunbridge Wells is synonymous with conservatism. Its a reputation which owes itself not just to the Royal appellation and the Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells stereotype, but to the fact that for the last 114 years this affluent west Kent town has been represented by a Tory MP. But with a little over a week before the election, people are starting to contemplate the previously unthinkable: are the Conservatives about to lose this seat? That was the prediction by a YouGov MRP poll last week, which forecast the Liberal Democrats winning the constituency with 40 per cent of the vote to the Tories 31 per cent. Two other MRPs had Rishi Sunaks party clinging on, but that this once impregnable fortress is even in doubt is remarkable. The last non-Tory MP for Tunbridge Wells was Alfred Paget Hedges, elected for the Liberals in 1906. In 2024, Mike Martin is the Lib Dem candidate trying to emulate the feat. Sitting in the partys constituency office a stones throw from The Pantiles the Georgian colonnade at the heart of the town he believes the election is on a knife-edge. A campaign advert for Mike Martin is displayed in the party's office - Carl Court An ex-Army officer who served in Afghanistan, Mr Martins background would seem perfectly designed to appeal to the retired colonels of Tunbridge Wells legend. While there may be the odd former colonel who still calls the place home, Mr Martin says the seat has really come into play for the Lib Dems because of a huge shift in the demography. Like other commuter belt towns in the Conservatives Blue Wall, recent years have seen a steady stream of professionals in their twenties and thirties relocating to Tunbridge Wells from London to get on the housing ladder and start families your author included. An early straw in the wind was the 2016 EU Referendum, when Tunbridge Wells was the only seat in Kent where a majority backed Remain. In 2021, the Tories lost their majority on the council, and at the local elections in May, the Lib Dems took control. Mr Martin says the party has momentum. Across the constituency, Lib Dem winning here signs have been sprouting up like orange mushrooms. Key issues coming up on the doorstep include the state of the high street, access to GPs and the need for more affordable housing. But Mr Martin claims there is a wider disillusionment with the Tories. When people talk to me now about the Conservative Party, the things that they mention the most are dishonesty, incompetence, infighting, he says. Hamish McLean, a 29-year-old completing a PhD in crop science who moved to Tunbridge Wells three years ago, is one such voter. After the Liz Truss fiasco he believed Mr Sunak had potential, but he thinks the Prime Minister has had to spend too much time managing his party. He plans to vote Lib Dem, partly for tactical reasons. Hamish McLean plans to vote for the Lib Dems in the general election - Eddie Mulholland In a close race, the result could hinge on all sorts of variables. One question is how many votes Labour will pile up? The Lib Dem insurgency was meanwhile given a boost when Greg Clark, the MP who had represented the seat for nearly two decades, announced he was standing down. To give Greg Clark his due, he was a sort of quietly conscientious constituency MP, Mr Martin says. Neil Mahapatra is the man who has taken up the challenge of keeping Tunbridge Wells blue. Arriving at a cafe on the sun-baked Pantiles after an afternoons leafleting, he says he is running on double espressos. Unlike Mr Martin, whos been laying his groundwork for 18 months, Mr Mahapatra was only chosen as the Conservative candidate three weeks ago. He says the Tories have gone from a standing start to 1,000 miles an hour in a very short period of time but have a real machine going now. A successful businessman who was president of the Oxford Union and a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard, Mr Mahapatra also has the sort of CV likely to impress Tunbridge Wells. Making the case for why he can sort out local services, he remarks that he founded three infrastructure companies. Neil Mahapatra has the tough task of keeping Tunbridge Wells blue - Eddie Mulholland Earlier in the campaign, he raised eyebrows by telling a local paper that he was so very sorry that the Tories had let people down since 2019. Its an unconventional approach, but Mr Mahapatra is sticking to it. People react to authenticity and truth, he says. While discussing his own beliefs, he savages Ms Truss for her handling of the mini-budget. I do believe in a low tax regime, I think it was implemented by Liz Truss with appalling and arrogant incompetence, he says. The fact that she hasnt said sorry she has tripled everyones mortgage payments and has not really shown genuine contrition. Everybody makes mistakes in politics and life, but youve got to be able to front up to it and say, Im sorry. Mr Mahapatra argues that Tunbridge Wells has a sophisticated, educated electorate who have read the runes that there will be a Labour government in two weeks. Given that, what is most important is who can fight best for Tunbridge Wells?... Having a strong opposition to the Labour government is something that Tunbridge Wells appears to be incredibly keen on. He says Tunbridge Wells needs an MP who can defend it against impending tax grabs, like Labours plan to charge VAT on private school fees a horrible punitive measure on people that are, in their opinion, trying to do the best for their families. The future of capital gains is also a huge elephant in the room. Labour will look to do something with capital gains tax and thats something that needs to be fought against, he says. So many people here will have made investments. On The Pantiles, there are voters who are sticking with the Tories. Alma Hyde, a senior citizen, has voted Conservative all her life and probably will again this time though she suspects the party would be prospering more under Boris Johnson. Hes a liar and everything else, but he has charisma, she says. Iain Fraser, a retiree, finds the prospect of a huge Labour majority very worrying. He thinks they would run the country as they did in the 70s, when he almost emigrated. Alma Hyde has voted Conservative all her life - Eddie Mulholland Iain Fraser finds the prospect of a huge Labour majority 'very worrying' - Eddie Mulholland More ominously for Mr Mahapatra, some traditional supporters are planning to vote for Reform UK. Lisa, a primary school teacher, says the NHS is in such a state, while Steve, a retired private equity worker, claims he hasnt left the Tories, the party has left me. But for all the talk of change, Mr Mahapatra believes the essence of the place endures. Do I think there is a sea change with regards to Tunbridge Wells being Conservative? No, no I dont. Theyve always been a moderate Conservative vote base. And I hope to show them that moderate Conservatives still exist. The study found that retirees felt they had been 'sold' different ideas of what retirement living could deliver - RUNSTUDIO/THE IMAGE BANK RF Younger residents of retirement villages are at war with older generations who feel they are being treated like lepers, according to an academic study. Researchers interviewed 40 residents at four developments across England and were surprised to find the people they termed the Peter Pans were often at loggerheads with their older neighbours, who they said felt ostracised and othered. John, a 73-year-old resident, said: We dont want to be tripping over Zimmer frames the whole time. 78-year-old Margaret, another retiree, said of residents with mobility issues: They shouldnt be here! She added: They should go into a care home. Were not carers! On the other side of the divide, David, 80, said. The care and tolerance in the community isnt there. I dont think people here understand what getting old is all about. Peter, a 78-year-old resident, said younger members of the community treated his dementia-afflicted wife as a leper, and that no one actually wants to get close to her. The researchers found that companies trying to appeal to those who want an active retirement risked causing ageism - PASCAL DELOCHE/STONE RF Findings from a study called We Are Good Neighbours, But We Are Nor Carers, put the clash down to how the communities are advertised to both types of potential residents as somewhere they would fit in. Presenting the study in Liverpool this year, Dr Sam Carr, a senior lecturer at Bath University and Dr Chao Fang, a sociology lecturer at Liverpool University, found that companies approaches to marketing older peoples developments could, ironically, promote ageism. The interviews done in England were added with 40 interviews done in Australian developments. All residents were aged between 55 and 93, with an average age of 79, and the developments had a mixture of purchased and rented houses and flats, built for independent living. Such communities are well established in Australia and the United States and are becoming more and more sought after in the UK. The study, which aimed to explore experiences of living in retirement communities, found that half of those interviewed had moved into a village prompted by dependency. The other half formed a pre-dependent group whom they called Peter Pans. Sold different ideas Research also found both groups felt they had been sold different ideas of what retirement living could deliver. The researchers said that trying to appeal to those who want an active retirement risked causing ageism. Ageism may be amplified by retirement villages that strongly promote an image of active independent living, the study says. Other UK retirement community residents supplied more evidence to the study of there being an us and them. Ralph, 72, said: The average age here is nearly 80. Thats not active retirement, is it? Someone moved in who was 94?! Paul, 74, said about his community: I dont think people are vetted enough. I think the main criteria is youve got the money. Roy, 72, said: This is advertised as independent living for the over-55-year-olds [but] we feel we are in an old peoples home. The study says: The tensions this created when such residents lived alongside each other were clear to see in our data set, and careful consideration is required in relation to what older people are sold when they move to a retirement community. It also questioned whether communities designed for older people are a desirable model, if they inadequately recognise the diverse and conflicting needs of an extremely wide range of people. But it adds that some residents deeply value supporting those more dependent than themselves and do contribute to a sense of inclusivity within the community. Volodymyr Zelensky has called for bold decisions from Kyivs allies after a Russian guided bomb strike killed at least three people in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. In a post on X, the Ukrainian president said: This Russian terror with guided aerial bombs must and can be stopped. Bold decisions from our partners are needed so that we can destroy Russian terrorists and Russian combat aircraft where they are. Mr Zelensky also expressed condolences to those who had lost loved ones in the strike and shared footage of rescue teams working among the debris. The move comes amid reports that US restrictions on how far Ukraine can strike within Russia have put key air bases out of range. On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the US has limited Ukraine to firing less than 62 miles into Russian territory. The strike on Kharkiv hit residential buildings and injured a further 18 people, local officials said. The city is around 20 miles from the Russian border and has come under increased attacks since Moscow launched an offensive in the region on May 10. Russian terrorists have struck Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs again. Unfortunately, a residential building was hit. The debris is being cleared. All necessary services are on the scene. As of now, there are 19 wounded and 3 dead. My condolences to everyone who lost their loved pic.twitter.com/iSpKjjevtC Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 22, 2024 Follow the latest updates below 05:57 PM BST Todays live coverage has ended. Todays live coverage has ended. Heres a roundup of the days events: Zelensky demanded bold decisions from allies after the US was accused of restricting cross-border attacks. A Russian guided bomb attack killed at least two people in Kharkiv. Three people were killed in a cluster munitions attack in Russian-controlled Donetsk, the head of the Donetsk Peoples Republic said. Russia unleashed a major overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraines power grid. Russia accused Ukraine of disregard for nuclear safety after an alleged attack on two substations near the Zaporizhzhia power plant. 05:36 PM BST US-Vietnam trust at all time high, days after Putin visit A senior US diplomat has said that trust between Washington and Hanoi is at an all time high, just days after Vladimir Putins state visit to the Southeast Asian country. We continue to believe that the US-Vietnam partnership has never been stronger, Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, said during a visit to the country. The US embassy in Hanoi has previously criticised Vietnams hosting of the Russian president. No country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities, a state department spokesman said as Putin arrived in the country. 05:02 PM BST Ukraine hits air defence system in Belgorod, Ukrainian media says Ukraine has hit a Pantsir S-1 anti-air missile system in the Belgorod Oblast of Russia, Ukrainian media has reported. Earlier, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regions governor, said that air defence systems had been activated and that several targets were shot down before they reached the city of Belgorod. Explosions were heard less than a minute after an air defence warning sounded, a Russian news agency correspondent said. No casualties have been reported, and Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the attack. 04:31 PM BST Ukraine charges bloggers for revealing troop positions Kyivs security service (SBU) said it has charged two people for allegedly publishing Ukrainian military positions on social media. One suspect reportedly posted firing locations in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region, as well as defensive positions near Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. The man allegedly shared the details to his Telegram channel, which had a following of over 140,000 users. According to the SBU, the man also livestreamed the movement of armoured vehicles and artillery systems. The other suspect, a man from the Vinnytsia region, posted the geolocation and a video of a Ukrainian military helicopter on his Telegram channel. The SBU considers the distribution of photos and videos online that jeopardise Ukrainian military positions as aiding enemy fire. If convinced, the suspects face up to 8 years in prison. 03:01 PM BST Watch: Zelensky shares footage of Kharkiv strike aftermath Volodymyr Zelensky has shared footage on X of what he says is the aftermath of a Russian guided bomb strike on Kharkiv (see our post at 2:07pm). Russian terrorists have struck Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs again. Unfortunately, a residential building was hit. The debris is being cleared. All necessary services are on the scene. As of now, there are 19 wounded and 3 dead. My condolences to everyone who lost their loved pic.twitter.com/iSpKjjevtC Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 22, 2024 02:29 PM BST Meet the Ukrainian convicts heading to the front line As Ukrainian forces battle endless offensives and low moral, Kyiv has turned to recruiting prison inmates to bolster its hard-pressed army. My main goal is to protect my country, said Dima, who has volunteered to swap his prison cell for a trench. Ben Farmer interviewed several inmates conducting their training for the front line. You can read the full story here. 02:07 PM BST Russian guided bomb attack kills two in Kharkiv, governor says A Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv killed two civilians and injured at least 18 others earlier on Saturday, the regions governor said. Writing on his Telegram channel, Oleh Syniehubov said that residential quarters had been hit and that rescue teams were working at the site. Kharkiv is around 22 miles from the Russian border and has come under increased attacks since Moscow launched an offensive north of the city in early May. 01:52 PM BST Latvia urges citizens not to travel to Russia and Belarus Latvias security service (VDD) has urged Latvian citizens to refrain from travelling to Russia and Belarus for a major Slavic holiday. Kupala is a major Eastern Slavic folk holiday set to take place on June 23. The VDD said there is a high risk that Russia and Belarus will attempt to gain information and recruit informants from those travelling from Latvia for the festivities. Ethnic Russians are the largest minority in Latvia, accounting for roughly a quarter of the countrys population. 01:18 PM BST Russia unleashes Shahed drone attack on Ukraine power grid Russia launched a new barrage of missiles and drones in an overnight attack on Ukraine, officials in Kyiv said on Saturday morning. Ukraines air force said it shot down all 12 Shahed drones and 12 of the 16 missiles launched by Russian forces. Missiles hit energy facilities in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia, with the latter strike injuring two workers. Air raid warnings sounded for several hours throughout the night while firefighters fought to extinguish fires and repair squads rushed to fix the damage, regional officials said Ukrainian media said the drones were launched from the Russian port town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Balaklava in Crimea, while Tu-95 bomber planes fired Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from the Saratov region. Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraines power grid in recent months, destroying roughly half of Kyivs generating capacity and causing rolling blackouts. The overnight attack was the eighth such massive strike in recent months. 12:49 PM BST Pictured: Putin lays wreath at Moscows Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Vladimir Putin participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexandrovsky Garden near the Kremlin wall in Moscow - MIKHAIL METZEL/AFP Putin lays a wreath at Moscow's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - MIKHAIL METZEL/AFP Putin walks past an honour guard during the ceremony - SERGEI GUNEYEV/AFP 12:19 PM BST Explosions heard in Belgorod, Russia Explosions were heard within a minute of missile danger alerts being sounded across Belgorod, Russian media has reported. The entire territory of the Belgorod region is in a missile danger, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Belgorods governor, wrote on his Telegram channel. Belgorod lies close to the Ukrainian border and is considered a vital stop for Russian forces advancing in the direction of Kharkiv. 12:04 PM BST Three killed in Donetsk cluster munition attack, Russia says A Ukrainian attack on the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk killed three people and injured four, the head of the Donetsk Peoples Republic has said. During shelling of the Budennovsky district of Donetsk the enemy used M26 missiles on a HIMARS MLRS with a cluster warhead (644 M77 cumulative fragmentation submunitions) for the first time, Denis Pushilin wrote on his Telegram channel. As a result of the shelling, three men, employees of a construction company, were killed, he added. Russian media reported that four other people were wounded in the Kuibyshevsky district of Donetsk and in Horlivka. 11:44 AM BST Names of 56,858 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified Mediazona, an independent Russian media outlet working with the BBC, has identified the names of 56,858 Russian soldiers it says has been killed in Ukraine. The figure was collected using publicly available information, such as social media posts by family members, local news reports and official announcements from regional authorities. Since its last update at the end of May, the names of 2,677 Russian soldiers have been added to the list of casualties. The analysts also note that at least 11,463 Russian inmates have been killed. Mediazona stresses that the figures offer only a partial picture and do not encompass the full scope of the losses. 11:02 AM BST Ukraine attacks nuclear power plant substations A Ukrainian drone attack destroyed two electricity substations near to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Russian-installed local officials have said. Quoting the stations management, Russian news agencies said the substation could be repaired and that nuclear safety measures remain fully operational. The station is Europes largest nuclear plant with six reactors and was seized by Russian forces in February 2022. Moscow and Kyiv have since routinely accused each other of endangering safety around it. In April, the UNs atomic watchdog urged restraint after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the plant in a drone strike. Ukraine denied any involvement. 10:36 AM BST Pictured: Russian jet unleashes salvo during air show A Sukhoi Su-35S jet fighter of the Russian Knights aerobatic team performs during the International Maritime Defence Show 'Fleet-2024' in Kronstadt, near St Petersburg - Dmitri Lovetsky/AP 10:31 AM BST Ukraine charges 2 for posting army positions online Ukraines security service (SBU) said it has charged two people for allegedly publishing military positions on social media. One suspect allegedly posted Ukrainian firing positions in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region, as well as defensive locations near Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. The man allegedly shared the details to his Telegram channel, which had a following of over 140,000 users. According to the SBU, the man also livestreamed the movement of armoured vehicles and artillery systems. The other suspect, a man from the Vinnytsia region, posted the geolocation and a video of a Ukrainian military helicopter on his Telegram channel. 10:23 AM BST Russian attacks kill 8 and injure 19 Russian attacks on Ukraine over the last 24 hours killed eight people and injured 19, local officials said. Two were killed and three injured in the town of Selydove, the regions governor reported, while adding that the strike damaged five high-rise buildings and six houses. Multiple attacks on the town of Toretsk killed two residents and injured one, local officials said. Strikes on the villages of Druzhba, Pivnichne and Niu-York killed three, according to local reports. In the Kharkiv region a drone hit a postal vehicle, killing its female driver, the areas governor said. The Scottish Greens have urged the next UK government to lift the block on Scotlands controversial gender reforms. Under the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon, the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed in Holyrood, but a Section 35 order was later issued by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack to stop the legislation receiving royal assent over fears it interfered with the UK-wide Equality Act. The Scottish Government decided to challenge the Section 35 order, but the Court of Session found it had been lawful. The legislation would have removed the requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria for a person to apply for a gender recognition certificate, as well as lowering the minimum age and shortening the period the applicant would have to live in their preferred gender. Maggie Chapman wants the Section 35 order to be lifted (Andrew Milligan/PA) On Saturday, Green equalities spokeswoman Maggie Chapman urged the parties running in the General Election to commit to rescinding the Section 35 order which she described as a disgraceful attack on the rights of transgender people and allow the legislation on to the statute book. She said: Gender recognition reform was one of the most scrutinised Bills in the history of the Scottish Parliament. It was supported by MSPs from all parties, including the vast majority of SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs. The Act should be in effect right now, with trans people benefiting from the basic rights that we voted for. Instead we have seen even more disgraceful culture wars and hostility towards the community, all cynically stoked and fuelled by some of the most powerful people in the country. Lots of countries already use self-identification. The decision to block the reform was a calculated and cruel political stunt by a bigoted Tory Government that has never seen a minority group that it didnt want to punch down on. With the curtain finally coming down on 14 years of Tory rule, a new government must end the hostility and lift the veto. Spanish search and rescue teams have gathered again in Tenerife for the sixth day of the hunt for British teenager Jay Slater. Officers were joined by rescue dogs and firefighters as they reconvened at Rural de Teno Park on the south of the island on Saturday, after another day without a major breakthrough. The sixth day of searches began after the administrator of an official Facebook page set up to help find Mr Slater said somebody had logged into his Instagram account who was not him. Rachel Louise Harg said a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than 26,000 will go towards family and friends staying in Tenerife while the hunt continues. Ms Harg said people who had been hacking the social media accounts of Mr Slaters family were sick in the head. Lancashire Constabulary said it had made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources which was rejected by Spanish authorities. Mr Slater is from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle, where specialist officers are continuing to support his family, the force said. The 19-year-old disappeared following an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. He had attended the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before his disappearance. In a statement, the force said: Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. The village of Masca, Tenerife, where the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues (James Manning/PA) They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change. Police, firefighters and search and rescue personnel combed a vast area of land in and around the village of Masca on Friday. Emergency workers met in various locations throughout the day, combing bushes, overgrown terrain, hillsides and rivers but failed to find the missing teenager. Search and rescue personnel carefully looked through dead palm trees covering a river at the bottom of the hillside near to an Airbnb property he had reportedly been driven to. The owner of the property, who gave her name as Ophelia, told reporters she saw Mr Slater walk up the road past her property but did not see him again after that describing the situation as worrying. Jay Slater was last heard from on Monday (Family handout/PA) A post was issued on Facebook on Friday which said Mr Slaters family and friends were drained beyond words. Helicopters, rescue dogs and drones have been used in an effort to find the teenager, who was last heard from when he called his friend Lucy Law on Monday morning. Officers have since been seen peering over the hillside and staring intently at the landscape through binoculars near to his last known location close to the village of Masca. The walk from Mr Slaters last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. On the fifth day of the hunt for Mr Slater, search teams paid close attention to a river called Barranco Madre del Agua at the bottom of a ravine, where personnel with sticks carefully searched through fallen dead trees. They later moved to other areas, focusing a lot of their resources in an area near Rural de Teno park. In a post on the Facebook page called Jay Slater Missing, the administrator of the group Rachel Louise Harg said family and friends of Mr Slater were in a living nightmare. A police officer looks over terrain near Masca in Tenerife (James Manning/PA) Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from a helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the forces X, formerly Twitter, account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. Ms Law, who attended the NRG music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was lost in the mountains, he wasnt aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%. Mr Slaters mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, previously said searching for her son was an absolute living nightmare. Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and with a black bag. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Home Office is working hard on the compensation scheme for the Windrush scandal, as Sir Keir Starmer called for reform to the department to ensure injustices are put right. The Conservative and Labour leaders were both asked about the delayed compensation scheme for victims of the scandal as Saturday marked 76 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived in England. The ship brought people from the Caribbean who answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages. The Windrush scandal erupted in 2018 when British citizens were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in Britain. Many lost homes and jobs and were denied access to healthcare and benefits. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer attends a coffee morning with members of the Windrush generation at a school in Vauxhall, London (Aaron Chown/PA) Latest figures show that nearly 90.6 million had been paid out for 2,519 claims as of the end of May, an average of about 35,960 per claim. A total of 8,477 claims had been made by the end of May, with 928 still in the system, 59 suspended and 7,490 had been given a final decision. On Saturday Sir Keir met people who came to Britain during that time, and their family members, at the Lilian Baylis Technology school in Vauxhall, south London. The Labour leader outlined his partys plans to tackle delayed compensation for those affected by the scandal. He said: Today is Windrush day so its a day about telling the history of Windrush, the great contribution thats been made to this country and the change that brought about, but it also needs to be a reset day. And thats why I was very pleased to be able to talk to people about this reset today because the compensation scheme which is there to deal with the real injustice is going too slowly. Weve got too many examples of people whove died before theyve got the compensation that theyre entitled to. The Windrush unit needs to be re-established in the Home Office and we will set up a permanent commissioner to be a champion and an advocate for the Windrush generation to make sure that these injustices are put right. Meanwhile Mr Sunak defended the Home Office amid claims from Windrush campaigners that thousands of people still have not been granted citizenship. When the scandal was uncovered, the Conservative Government promised to right the wrongs of what had happened, but the compensation scheme has been repeatedly criticised for the speed at which claims are being processed and payments made. The High Court ruled that a Government decision to drop two proposed measures, related to a commitment to establish a migrants commissioner and to increase the powers of the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration (ICIBI), was unlawful and had a disproportionately prejudicial effect upon Windrush victims. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with representatives of the night-time economy in central London (Benjamin Cremel/PA) The Prime Minister told broadcasters: So many people suffered an injustice under successive governments over a long time. And since all this came to light a while ago, the Home Office has been working hard to rectify things. I think over 16,000 people now have been given the appropriate documentation that they deserve and tens of millions of pounds in compensation has been paid out and something like 200 different community and outreach events have also been organised. But of course the Home Office is always reflecting, taking on feedback and seeing how it can improve and make sure that we right the wrongs of the past. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also said that all political parties should commit to proper compensation for victims of the scandal. Asked about Labours promise to expedite compensation, the Lib Dem leader said: I think thats right. I think we have been disappointed that the Conservatives said they were going to compensate people affected by the Windrush scandal. I think the British public want them to, theyve seen how people have been so badly treated. He added: I think all parties should commit to proper compensation for people whove been victims of the Windrush scandal. Taylor Swift hosted an unforgettable night in London in front of famous fans, reportedly including the Prince of Wales and his children, as she finally brought her Eras Tour to the capital. Celebrity fans and friends, including Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, Queer Eyes Jonathan Van Ness and model Cara Delevingne, joined Swifts boyfriend, the NFL star Travis Kelce, his brother Jason and their parents, as well as her parents Andrea and Scott Swift, as she performed for almost 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium. Swifts billion-dollar juggernaut tour takes fans through her back catalogue, including hits from albums 1989, Red and Midnights. The revamped set list, which she first unveiled at the Paris shows, also includes songs from her latest offering The Tortured Poets Department. Fans gather outside Wembley Stadium, ahead of Taylor Swifts first London concert (Lucy North/PA) Opening the show, she told the crowd: What an absolute honour it is to say these words to you London, welcome to the Eras tour. Im going to say something that is going to sound crazy but its true there are 88,446 people in this stadium. Look what youve done for us London, thank you from the bottom of my heart. She continued: Thinking about how many people Im looking at and how you could spend your time in the most exhilarating city in the world, especially on a Friday night in the summer on a beautiful day in London, and you decided to be here Thank you for all the effort you made to be here, dressing up to be here, memorising song lyrics to be here. During the show, Swift reminisced about gigs at Kings College London and the Shepherds Bush Empire that she performed earlier in her career. She said: You just continued to support me more and more and the rooms got bigger then bigger and now youve done this, sold out three nights in June and five in August. Swift will return to London again for five nights in August (Ian West/PA) Im not the best at maths but I think that means we get to play Wembley Stadium eight times. Swift has already played shows in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff and will take to the stage in Wembley again on Saturday and Sunday before the tour moves on to Dublin. She will return to London again for five nights in August. She told fans: We have a lot of fun memories, but this feels more special and more fun than any tour Ive done. We get to take all the memories weve made over the years and put them all in one tour. It was an extra special night for two of Swifts fans, who got engaged during her rendition of her hit Love Story. Jamie Walters, 25, got down on one knee to propose to girlfriend Cate Crowe, 25, at the climactic moment of the song. The couple, from Eastbourne, have been together for eight years. After the proposal, Crowe told PA: It was a total surprise, I didnt know I was even coming to the show until today. He surprised me with the tickets as well as the ring. Nearly 90,000 fans poured into Wembley Stadium in London for Swifts first London concert (Lucy North/PA) The acoustic set, which features surprise songs every night, also offered a special treat for fans as Swift performed a track live for the first time ever. Fuelling fire to the reports her song The Black Dog is about a London pub, she performed it live on the piano for the London crowd, mashed up with Midnights track Maroon. On guitar she performed a mash up of It Hits Different and Death By A Thousand Cuts. Ahead of her final song Karma from Midnights she told the crowd: This has been an unforgettable night. That song also offered up a special treat for fans of her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Kelce as she included a special shout out to him. She changed the lyrics in her final song to: Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me. It is a change she has made before when Kelce is in the crowd, but still drew screams from the assembled devotees. It was revealed on Thursday that Swifts fans were expected to boost the London economy by 300 million as the capital hosts more Eras Tour shows than any other city in the world, with nearly 640,000 people expected to attend across the eight dates. To celebrate her arrival in the capital, murals, a special Tube map, a Taylor trail and a series of events have all been created. The Conservative Partys chief data officer has taken a leave of absence amid claims he placed bets on the timing of the General Election. The PA news agency understands that Nick Mason has taken a leave of absence after becoming the latest Tory to be investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on the timing of the election before the date had been announced. The latest allegations were published by The Sunday Times, which claimed dozens of bets had been placed with potential winnings worth thousands of pounds. The revelations are a fresh blow to Rishi Sunaks hopes of getting the Tory election campaign on track after three other Conservative figures were caught up in the scandal. (PA Graphics) Tony Lee, the partys director of campaigns, and his wife Laura Saunders, are under investigation by the Commission. Ms Saunders, a Conservative candidate in the Bristol North West constituency, has said she will co-operate fully with the investigation. Craig Williams, who was the Prime Ministers parliamentary private secretary and is the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, has admitted to putting a flutter on the date of the election and is also facing a probe. Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, has condemned the latest reports, and likened the controversy to Partygate. Minister for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Michael Gove (Aaron Chown/PA) It looks like one rule for them and one rule for us, he told the Sunday Times, adding: Thats the most potentially damaging thing. Mr Gove went on to suggest it was just not acceptable for those in a privileged position close to the Prime Minister to use what he described as inside information to make additional money for yourself. He added: You are, in effect, securing an advantage against other people who are betting entirely fairly and without that knowledge. So if these allegations are true, its very difficult to defend. A Labour spokesperson described the latest allegations as utterly extraordinary and called for Mr Sunak to suspend those implicated in the betting scandal. The Liberal Democrats meanwhile called on Mr Sunak to personally intervene, with a Cabinet Office inquiry into the reports. Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: This is now an all-out scandal at the heart of Rishi Sunaks Conservative Party. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said the matter was an all-out scandal (Will Durrant/PA) Sunak must personally intervene to order a Cabinet Office inquiry and suspend all those under investigation by the Gambling Commission. People are sick and tired of this sleaze. Day by day, hour by hour, the Conservative Government mire themselves in more of it. A Conservative spokesman said: As instructed by the Gambling Commission, we are not permitted to discuss any matters related to any investigation with the subject or any other persons. The revelations come as the opinion polls continue to suggest poor public support for the Conservative party. In the latest Savanta poll published for the Sunday Telegraph, Labour are on 42% of the vote, and the Conservatives are on 19%, their lowest ever vote share in a test of public opinion by the company. Nigel Farages Reform UK meanwhile are on 16% of the vote, in a poll of 2,103 UK adults conducted between June 19 and 21. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faced criticism over comments on the war in Ukraine (Joe Giddens/PA) The Reform leader faced criticism from both Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer for his remarks in a BBC Panorama interview that the West provoked Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. He refused to apologise for the comments, writing in the Sunday Telegraph that he was not and never have been an apologist or supporter of Putin. Mr Farage added: Nobody can fairly accuse me of being an appeaser. I have never sought to justify Putins invasion in any way and Im not now. Holidaymakers are being urged to avoid a car hire company ranked last in a customer satisfaction survey. Goldcar, which operates in countries such as Spain, Portugal, France and the US, achieved an overall score of 52% in the annual report by consumer group Which? It was awarded just two stars out of a possible five for value for money, car description matching reality, record given of damage to car, and customer service. One fifth (20%) of respondents who used Goldcar said they had issues with the condition of the car, and 23% reported being charged extra either when they picked up or returned the car. Which? said its previous investigations found cases of the business engaging in pressure selling tactics to encourage customers to buy extra insurance at the desk. The car hire company with the second-lowest overall score was Dollar (56%), followed by Record Go (57%), Budget (61%) and Sixt (64%). Two brands based on the Canary Islands had the highest scores AutoReisen (92%) and Cicar (91%) while the top-ranked broker was Zest Car Rental (90%). Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: Booking car hire should be straightforward, but all too often it feels like the wild west, with travellers lamenting fraught experiences, poor customer service and spurious fees. Goldcar in particular is best avoided, with customers repeatedly reporting serious issues from pressure selling to poor customer service. To ensure you have the best possible experience this summer, make sure you book with a reputable firm. A spokesperson for Goldcar, which is owned by Europcar Mobility Group, said: Goldcar is of course disappointed about the results of the Which? report. The company takes customer care very seriously with a code of ethics for counter sales and a guide of good sales practices, both of which are reviewed annually based on customer feedback. We offer very attractive prices, making travel affordable while giving our customers the freedom to choose additional options including premium insurance cover for a seamless process should damage occur during their rental. The spokesperson added: We are committed to investigating any incidents where a customer believes they have received a service that does not match expectations for a low-cost brand and continue to invest in staff training and best practices. A spokesperson for trade body the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association said: Customers can take a number of steps to make their rental experience as positive as possible. Booking early secures a good price for the desired vehicle. Understanding what is included with the price and the level of risk being taken on is also essential. The company is providing access to a high-value vehicle and it is important that drivers understand their responsibilities. Only then can they make informed decisions. The research was based on a survey of 2,324 adults, who were either in the Which? Connect panel or members of the public, in February and March. BLUE ISLAND, Ill. (CBS) -- At least three people were shot when gunmen opened fired during a service at a Salvation Army community center in Blue Island, Illinois, Friday afternoon, a suburb of Chicago. Blue Island police said a repass, or repast, service was under way Friday afternoon at the Salvation Army Cross Generations Worship & Community Center, at 2900 W. 127th St. The service was Princess Jamya Bell, 19, who was shot and killed as an unintended target in Chicago on June 3. An 18-year-old acquaintance of Bell's was also killed in the shooting. The worship and community center was filled with Bell's friends, family, and loved ones at the time. Around 3:30 p.m. local time, a vehicle pulled up, and multiple gunmen opened fire in the direction of the building, police said. One person at the service who had a concealed carry permit returned fire, police said. "Mayhem, you know, just broke out," said Bell's grandmother, Kenneth Allison. It was not yet known late Friday whether the shooting was retaliatory in nature. But Bell's grandfather believes it was. "There's a lot of young people, and they're upset because my granddaughter you know, they loved her, and then of course, some of her friends are wanting revenge," said Allison. "So I guess this is all retaliation." First responders took two people who were shot to area hospitals with minor wounds, and a third with critical injuries. These victims were brought to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where public safety staffers were seen at the emergency entrance. About six or seven family members of one victim were also in the Advocate Christ parking lot, consoling and speaking with each other. They were not ready to speak to reporters. One more person self-tranpsorted to Roseland Community Hospital with a gunshot wound, though police have not firmly identified this person as a victim. "If this is indeed a retaliatory incidentwe do not know for sure yet, but obviously, this area has seen so many of these," said Blue Island City Administrator Tom Wogan, "and it's always tragic, and it's always sad, and to see that sadness doubled on top of itself is terrible." In the parking lot of the Salvation Army center on Minnesota Avenue, just off Francisco Avenue a cluster of evidence markers were seen on the pavement following the shooting, along with shattered glass in the entryway. Glenn Holt said he rushed to pick up his son from a nearby daycare. "The daycare did a good job putting the kids on lockdown and things like that, making sure all the children were safe," Holt said. A woman who works at the daycare told CBS Chicago she heard as many as 10 gunshots and saw two men running down an alley, trying to hide. The daycare employee said she also heard there was a car full of bullet holes on the street. Meanwhile, a nearby car dealership, Napleton Lincoln, was locked down after the shooting. A representative of the dealership said rounds came through but did not hit anything. Later, as police frantically searched for shooters, officers could be seen running toward a potential suspect. Moments after that, a man was put in handcuffs. "We are deeply saddened that a shooting has occurred at The Salvation Army Blue Island, IL Worship & Community Center and during a repass for a young woman who was shot and killed earlier in the week. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this act of violence, especially those injured Friday afternoon. We pray for their full recovery and for the healing of the Blue Island community. We also pray for the Blue Island Police Department as they continue their investigation," the Salvation Army said in a statement. There was no word Friday night on when charges might be expected. When Social Security mistakenly overpays benefits, you might get a bill | 60 Minutes Legendary surfing dog helps people overcome challenges by riding waves Glitches force NASA to again push back return of Boeing Starliner Knoxville woman sent her car in for repairs but then the dealership sold it. Heres how you could be at risk too When you leave your car parked on the street in the middle of the night, theres always the chance that someone might jack it. But those thoughts dont tend to cross peoples minds when leaving cars with a dealership. However, Knoxville, Tenn., resident, Lindsey Thompson, would be the first to caution you to be careful with your dealership. She and her fiance, Larry Cole, had their 2005 Ford Taurus sold out from under them after theyd brought it to Cherokee Auto Sales in North Knoxville for repairs. 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 I just want my money back or a car, Thompson told ABCs WATE 6 On Your Side. Heres what happened and how you can protect yourself from something similar. What happened Thompson and Cole bought the car from Knoxvilles Cherokee Auto Sales on June 21, 2023. They paid $6,000 for the car as is (without a warranty) and another $955 for a service contract, which would cover repairs for the first 12 months, or the first 12,000 miles, whichever came first. When the transmission went out five months later (in November), Cole immediately called Cherokee Auto Sales to fix it, as it was covered by the service contract. A tow truck came to pick up the car to take it back to the dealership for repairs. Ten days later, on Nov. 27, Cole and Thompson went to retrieve their car, only to discover it was already gone and sold. Cherokee Auto Sales didnt give the couple much of an answer as to why they did it. They said something vague about there being too many miles on the warranty, despite Thompson having shown them the service contract. ABCs WATE 6 tried to find out exactly what happened, but the dealership called the Knoxville Police Department when they came to ask about the strange situation. Even Officer Josh Seder, the cop who showed up after Cherokee Auto Sales called the police on the news outlet, thought the situation seemed fishy. It sounds like you have the resources to make a pretty good civil case out of it, Seder said to the couple. As of May 2024, the State Department of Tennnassee still has Thompson listed as the owner of the Ford Taurus. However, shes doing everything she can to get her name removed and off their credit. They are speaking with a legal aid attorney to see if theres any recourse. According to the bill of sale from Cherokee Auto Sales and bank records, Thompson had already invested $2,700 into the car. Read more: Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free) How to avoid this happening to you Thompson and Cole arent the only car owners getting scammed. Pennsylvania-based truck-parts reseller AmericanTrucks discovered that 35% of Americans have been scammed by a mechanic with car owners paying an average of $832 on scams, according to their 2023 survey. Those surveyed reported that upselling unnecessary repairs (50%), falsely diagnosing problems (39%) and overcharging for parts and/or labor (35%) were among the most common scams they'd encountered. However, there are ways to protect yourself from these con artists. Although Thompson held onto her services contract paperwork, she could have also requested paperwork from when the tow truck came to bring her car to the dealership. Keeping a paper (or email) thread is essential to protecting yourself from a scam. Definitely get an estimate in writing before you agree to any work, said Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network. And if youre not comfortable, its OK to walk away. Nofziger also recommended checking the reviews of your dealership or mechanic ahead of doing business with them, especially via the Better Business Bureau website. That way, you can see if other people have reported unsavory behavior before trusting them with your property. If you arent exactly a car aficionado or get anxiety at the thought of taking your car in for repairs, Nofziger recommended that you bring a knowledgeable person with you in order to spot any possible scams. What to read next 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 Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month Stop crushing your retirement dreams with wealth-killing costs and headaches here are 10 'must-haves' when choosing a trading platform (and 1 option that has them all) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. The Pope of Trash opens up to PEOPLE about what he considers his best work and the current status of his potential 'Liarmouth' film starring Aubrey Plaza Stefanie Keenan/Getty John Waters in Los Angeles in September 2023 For about six decades, John Waters has been making audiences laugh, shriek and think. Since crafting his first short film in 1964, the iconic Pope of Trash has pushed boundaries with uber-successful (and often controversial) works like Hairspray and Pink Flamingos making the late drag queen Divine a star in the process to fan-favorites like Cry-Babyand Serial Mom. From establishing his own Dreamland collective of actors including Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Pat Moran and more to casting high-profile faces like Johnny Depp, Kathleen Turner, Christina Ricci and Selma Blair in his movies, Waters has undeniably become a Hollywood legend without ever fully moving out of his native Baltimore. Related: John Waters Loves Hosting Mosswood Meltdown Festival Because 'Punks' Have 'Always Been My People' (Exclusive) Kevin Mazur/VF24/WireImage Selma Blair and John Waters in Beverly Hills in March 2024 A-list actors are still clamoring to work with him today. Aubrey Plaza has been officially cast to star in the film adaptation of his 2022 book Liarmouth despite the movie currently having no production company attached to actually execute the project. Waters hasn't directed a film since 2004's A Dirty Shame, but he's since received a fair share of his flowers. Last year, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Academy Museum dedicated an ongoing 12-gallery exhibition to his cultural contributions. In the midst of gearing up to return as the host of punk music festival Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland, California, in July, PEOPLE sat down with Waters to discuss the potential Liarmouth film, his biggest regret and what he predicts his obituary will say about his career. Jim Spellman/WireImage John Waters in New York City Your fans, myself included, have been buzzing about the potential Liarmouth movie. Is there any update? Every time I talk about this, it becomes a news story and there is nothing new. We don't have the money to make it, period. That is, today, the answer. How does John Waters struggle with getting funding for a film after all this time in the industry? I mean, you have an Academy Museum exhibition. Because have you seen what the film business is going through? Nobody can get a movie made unless it's a $90 million very commercial movie. What do you think about people like Kevin Costner and Francis Ford Coppola investing millions into their own films? Well, I think it's great Francis did it. I wonder what his kids think about their inheritance. He got a standing ovation in Cannes, from even people that maybe didn't like the movie, all for him. I don't have $140 million to invest. They always say, don't ever put your own money in your movie, and I kind of agree with that. I did in the old days. I raised the money, and I personally owed it back to people, and all those people got their money back. Not all the studios did later, but that's their business. VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty John Waters That's not something you necessarily have control over. No, but most of my films are still in print, and they all did way better than when they came out. A lot of people are simply excited to see whatever happens with you and Aubrey Plaza. Oh, she wants to do it, I want her to do it, but we don't have a nickel to pay her. It's all talk. It's speculative. As of now, we are not making the movie because we don't have anyone that said yes. Are there any other actors you haven't worked with that would be a dream for you to cast? Sure. But they're going to be in this movie, so I can't talk about it yet. Yeah, there's plenty of them. Meryl Streep I always loved. I met her. She never said, "Let's have a meeting." J. Vespa/WireImage John Waters in Toronto in 2004 You're known as a huge reader. Would you ever adapt anyone else's book into a film? Never. I have never even read a script that I didn't write. The fun of it for me, if there's ever fun, is thinking it up. I wouldn't know how to direct somebody else's stuff. I'm a writer. Once I think it up, "Oh, now I have to do it." A lot of it to me is writing the script. Then, I've played all the characters in my mind for a year before we even get there. Whoever gets the parts, the stars, don't ever have to read. They just, if they ever use the word journey, I never hire them. Why is that? I hate that word. It's so overused, especially in LA. You're not on a journey. People that are escaping Ukraine are on a journey, not winning the [Independent] Spirit Award. When you look back on your career, which film do you think you'll be most remembered for? When I die, the first paragraph will be Hairspray and then Pink Flamingos. Related: 'Hairspray' Turns 15! Nikki Blonsky, Director Adam Shankman Reveal Secrets from Set of Iconic Movie Musical Catherine McGann/Getty John Waters and Divine Which do you think you should be most remembered for? They're all exactly the same to me. I think my best movie is Serial Mom. The best Divine movie is Female Trouble. But Pink Flamingos still caused the most trouble. They're all the same to me. They have the same message "Mind your own business. What people use against you, turn into a style, and you'll win." Every movie's about that. Do you have any regrets from your career? One regret in my life is smoking cigarettes. Its terrible. I know many of my friends are dying of cancer right now. How long did you smoke for? Oh, I haven't had a cigarette in 7,782 days roughly. I write it down every day. But I smoked five packs a day. Not always, but long enough. Camel Cools. Oh, even saying that word makes me cough. Amanda Edwards/Getty John Waters in Los Angeles in March 2024 You've always been somewhat private about your personal life. Is that a decision you made early on in your career? I always did because none of my boyfriends have ever been in the public eye. They don't want to be, and I like that. I don't want a boyfriend whos dying to walk the red carpet. And they don't want me to talk about it, so I never have. I'm friends with all my exes. I don't think its been that many four or five in my whole life. I don't deny it, but I don't give you details because they don't want me to. Is there anything at this point in your life and career that your fans would be pretty surprised to learn about you? Well, I wouldn't tell you, PEOPLE magazine, if I was keeping it secret. I know PEOPLE is where to come though if you do tell secrets, and they treat you fairly. Every time a star is in a scandal, the right press agent will tell them to go to PEOPLE. And I would too. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Days before the National Transportation Safety Board is set to explain why first responders were wrong to blow open five tank cars and burn the toxic chemical inside after the East Palestine derailment, Norfolk Southern said Friday it plans to lead an industrywide effort to improve the way those decisions are made. The railroad said it promised to lead this effort to learn from the aftermath of its disastrous derailment as part of its settlement with the federal government. The NTSB will hold a hearing Tuesday to discuss what caused the Feb. 3, 2023 derailment and how to prevent similar derailments in the future. More than three dozen railcars came off the tracks that night and piled up in a mangled mess of steel with 11 tank cars breaking open and spilling their hazardous cargo that then caught fire. Three days later, officials in charge of the response decided they had to vent and burn the five vinyl chloride tank cars to prevent one of them from exploding. That action created massive fireballs above the train and sent a thick plume of black smoke over the town on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. Half the town had to evacuate for days and residents are still worrying about the potential health effects from it. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told Congress earlier this year that didn't have to happen. She said experts from the company that made the vinyl chloride, OxyVinyls, were certain that the feared chemical reaction that could have caused those tank cars to explode wasnt happening. But Ohios governor, first responders and the hazardous materials experts who made that decision have said the information they had that day made them believe an explosion was likely imminent, making the vent and burn their best option even though it could unleash cancer-causing dioxins on the area. Drew McCarty, president of the Specialized Professional Services contractor the railroad hired to help first responders deal with the hazardous chemicals on the train, said in a letter to the NTSB this spring that The Associated Press obtained that the OxyVinyls experts on scene expressed disagreement and surprise with that Oxy statement from Dallas that polymerization wasnt happening inside the tank cars. McCarty said that ultimately, Oxys input to us was conflicting. Over the past year, that chemical manufacturer has declined to comment publicly on the situation that is already the subject of lawsuits beyond what its experts testified to last spring. Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw said he hopes the industry can improve the way these decisions which are a last resort are made to improve rail safety. When a vent and burn procedure is being considered, the health and safety of surrounding communities and emergency responders is top priority, Shaw said. Announcing this new workgroup Friday may put Norfolk Southern ahead of one of the recommendations the NTSB will make Tuesday. North Korea has started construction on what appears to be tranches of wall near its border with South Korea, new satellite imagery shows. The satellite images captured on June 17 and provided to CBS News by Planet Labs PBC show three white structures along the most eastern part of its border. BBC Verify was first to report on the new construction and satellite imagery. Satellite images show new structures near North Korea's border with South Korea. / Credit: Planet Labs PBC The images also reveal that land was cleared for an access road on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. There have been recent reports of North Korea clearing land within other parts of the DMZ as part of a tougher stance against the South. Established in 1953, the DMZ is a 150-mile long and 2.5-mile wide buffer that separates North and South Korea. It was created as part of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Given that a peace treaty was never signed, the two sides are still technically at war. Satellite images show a new structure near North Korea's border with South Korea. / Credit: Planet Labs PBC Dongsei Kim, an assistant professor at the New York Institute of Technology who has researched the DMZ, confirmed to CBS News that the cleared land and new road is within the original DMZ area. However, he said both sides have pushed into this original area multiple times over the past 70 years. While the exact date that construction began is unclear, these structures and roads were not visible in satellite imagery from November 2023. Satellite images show cleared land and a new access road near North Korea's border with South Korea. / Credit: Planet Labs PBC The new images come just days after South Korean forces fired warning shots for the second time this month at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the military demarcation line, said the South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff in a text message to media outlets. South Korea's military has said North Korea has been increasing construction activity in frontline border areas, including installing suspected anti-tank barriers, reinforcing roads and planting landmines. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week signed a strategic partnership agreement in Pyongyang as part of an effort to expand their military and economic cooperation. The agreement included a pledge for "mutual assistance" in the event of "aggression," according to Russian media. 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 Sean OBrien at a picket outside a UPS centre in Brooklyn last summer. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Sean OBrien, the president of the Teamsters union, will speak at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee next month, a move that could spell trouble for Joe Bidens support among blue-collar workers ahead of the November election. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, announced on Friday on his Truth Social platform that OBrien had accepted his invitation to speak at the convention and that he was looking forward to seeing him represent the Teamsters. Our GREAT convention will unify Americans and demonstrate to the nations working families they come first, Trump wrote. When I am back in the White House, the hard-working Teamsters, and all working Americans, will once again have a country they can afford to live in and be respected around the world. A Teamsters spokesperson confirmed the news, saying it was truly unprecedented since it will be the very first time a Teamsters general president has addressed the RNC. The powerful union represents more than a million members across sectors such as trucking, packaging, manufacturing and logistics. Our 1.3 million members represent every political background, and their message needs to be heard by as wide an audience as possible, and that includes all political candidates running for elected office, the spokesperson said. We appreciate former President Trumps openness to inviting a labor leader to speak on behalf of working families. Related: Trump declares love for Milwaukee at rally days after calling it a horrible city The Republican national convention will kick off on 15 July, where Trump will once again be nominated as the GOP presidential candidate. The Teamsters spokesperson said OBrien had made an identical request to appear at the Democratic national convention in Chicago the following month. The Teamsters endorsed Biden over Trump in the 2020 presidential election. But OBrien, who took over in March 2022, has yet to publicly back a candidate in this election cycle. OBrien has invited Biden, Trump and the independent presidential candidates Robert F Kennedy Jr and Cornel West to speak to his group. OBrien drew anger from the unions progressive members after he held a private meeting with Trump earlier this year. OBrien later met Biden, who he described as having been great for workers. But he stressed there was still a lot of work to be done to bolster unions. OBriens appearance at the Republican national convention would challenge Bidens historic alliance with organized labor and threatens to undercut his claim that he is the most pro-union president in US history. Biden kicked off his re-election campaign last June at a union-backed rally, and has since been endorsed by the United Auto Workers (UAW) after he walked the picket line with union president Shawn Fain during its strike against Americas three biggest car manufacturers. New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched a special programme to fast-track the immigration process for pre-verified Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. The system, known as the "Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme" (FTI-TTP), is a "visionary initiative" of the government, thoughtfully designed for Indian nationals and OCI cardholders, Shah said. The FTI-TTP is similar to the Global Entry Programme offered by the United States, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival at select US airports, officials said. The home minister said the initiative would provide more facilities for Indian nationals and OCI passengers coming from other countries. The launch of the programme is one of the key agendas set for "Viksit Bharat by 2047" and reflects the Narendra Modi government's commitment to enhancing travel convenience and efficiency for everyone, he added. The home minister further said the facility would be available free of cost for all passengers. The FTI-TTP will be launched at 21 major airports in the country. In the first phase, it will be introduced at seven major airports Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Ahmedabad. The programme is designed for faster, smoother, and safer immigration clearance for international travellers. Eligible passengers will be allowed to use e-gates and bypass regular immigration queues for a seamless journey. Passengers will need to apply online and submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image), along with other required information as specified in the application form. FTI registration will be valid for a maximum of five years or until the validity of the passport, whichever comes first. Travellers can apply through the government website www.ftittp.mha.gov.in and provide the required details, which will be verified by the Bureau of Immigration. Approved applicants will receive a message to schedule an appointment for providing their biometric details. Applicants may provide their biometrics at designated international airports in India or at the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), according to the prior appointment schedule. Biometrics are compulsory for completing the application process. Applicants should ensure a minimum passport validity of six months while applying for the FTI-TTP. The membership of the programme will be co-terminus with the passport validity. The programme will run on e-gates or automated border gates, which will minimise human intervention in the immigration clearance process, according to an official statement. The programme will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, Indian citizens and OCI cardholders will be covered, and in the second phase, foreign travellers will be included. The objective of the programme is to make international travel easy and secure by developing world-class immigration facilities through an accelerated immigration pathway for international travellers screened through automated gates (e-gates). The FTI-TTP will be implemented through an online portal, and the Bureau of Immigration will be the nodal agency for the fast-track immigration of various categories of travellers under the program. After the necessary verification, a White List of "Trusted Travellers" will be generated and fed for implementation through the e-gates. The biometrics of a "Trusted Traveller" passing through the e-gates will be captured at the FRRO office or during the passage of the registered traveller through the airport. Under the process, as soon as a "registered passenger" reaches an e-gate, they will scan their boarding pass issued by the airline to get their flight details. The passport will also be scanned, and the biometrics of the passenger authenticated at the e-gate. Once the genuine identity of the passenger is established and the biometric authentication done, the e-gate will open automatically, and immigration clearance will be deemed granted. The programme aims to significantly reduce congestion at airports by offering expedited immigration clearance for pre-verified travellers, both arriving and departing, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said in a statement. Delhi airport's terminal 3 is equipped with eight electronic gates four for arrivals and four for departures to facilitate a seamless experience for the program participants. The number of counters may increase based on demand, DIAL said. The Union home ministry also shared a support helpdesk email ID: india.ftittp-boi@mha.gov.in. Mumbai: At least 14 policemen were injured while trying to save a rape accused from mob lynching. The incident took place in a tribal village of Jalgaon district on Thursday night after the police arrested a man accused of rape and murder of a six-year-old girl. The accused was absconding for days after committing the heinous crime. When the villagers learnt about the arrest, they surrounded the police station and demanded that the accused should be handed over to them. Subsequently they attacked the police station in which policemen on duty were injured. Around 10 days ago, a six-year-old girl belonging to Bhil community from Schedule Tribe (ST) was raped and murdered in a village of Jalgaon district. The accused has been identified as Subhash Bhil (35), who was the neighbour of the victim. The police had registered an FIR against Subhash under section 376 and 302 of IPC and relevant sections of POCSO (The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. According to the officials, the accused was arrested from Bhusawal on Thursday afternoon. The news of arrest of Subhash spread in villages around Jamner, and a mob began to gather outside the Jamner Police Station from Thursday evening. The accused had been sent in police custody and kept at Jalgaon district headquarter. The crowd had swelled to over 700-800 persons. When police inspector Kiran Shinde of Jamner Police Station came back to the Police Station from Jalgaon, the mob demanded that the accused be handed over to them. When the mob felt that the accused had not been brought back to Jamner, they became agitated and started pelting stones on the cops, the officials said. The officials said that the accused was caught on CCTV camera of the Gram Panchayat Office, while he was taking the victim to a temple hall and then to a field after giving her a puffed rice cone worth Rs 5 on for pressing his legs. The accused accused had escaped into the field and forest areas after raping and murdering the child. A senior official, who is familiar with the entire incident, said that the child had a head injury. It appears that Subhash had murdered the child with a stone, the Bhil community wanted to kill the accused by hitting the bricks and stone. Therefore, they wanted the police to hand over the accused, he said. According to the sources, six companies of SRPF (State Reserve Police Force) including two from Dhule district were deployed to disperse the mob by tear gas. Maheshwar Reddy, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Jalgaon District, told this newspaper that 14 police personnel were injured in the stone pelting at Jammer. Of these, six police personnel have been hospitalised. None of them are serious, he said. Mr. Reddy said that they have arrested 15 people in connection with the rioting and stone pelting on the police. We have booked them under sections 307, 353 and 332 of the IPC. All of them are produced before the Court, which sent them to Police custody for five days, he said. According to the SP, 500 to 700 people were mobilized and demanded to hand over the accused to them. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina signed 10 agreements covering various domains from space cooperation to rail connectivity and maritime collaboration. Among the significant announcements, both nations agreed to start negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (free trade pact) and the renewal of the 1996 Ganga water sharing pact, with a technical team from India set to visit Bangladesh for discussions on the Teesta river waters. India also committed to open an assistant high commission in Rangpur to serve the north-western region of Bangladesh. The bilateral talks underscored a commitment to bolster defence ties, including initiatives for modernising the Bangladesh armed forces and enhancing cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. Additionally, India announced the introduction of e-medical visas for Bangladeshi citizens seeking medical treatment in India. Modi highlighted the development of a "Maitri" satellite and emphasised future collaborations in areas such as Green Partnership, Digital Partnership, Blue Economy, and Space. Other important announcements included the commencement of export of 40 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian power grid, construction of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sirajganj in Bangladesh under Indian grant assistance, a new train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata, a new bus service between Chittagong and Kolkata, and commencement of goods train services between (border areas) Gede-Darsana and Haldibari-Chilahati upto Dalgaon. It was also decided to launch a Muktijoddha (freedom-fighter) Scheme for medical patients with an upper ceiling of Rs 8 lakh per patient, and also create 350 training slots in India for Bangladeshi police officers. India also decided to further enhance scholarships, training and capacity building for Bangladesh and its people. A Commercial agreement between the National Payments Corportaion of India (NPCI) and Bangladesh Bank for launch of UPI (Indian digital payment platform). Bangladesh also joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Oceanography, disaster relief, fisheries, health and medicine, and strategic studies were also among the subjects of pacts inked at the conclusion of Ms. Hasinas two-day State visit to New Delhi on Saturday. Welcoming Sheikh Hasina and her delegation, PM Modi in his remarks said, I am confident that together we will take the resolutions of 'Developed India 2047' and 'Smart Bangladesh 2041' to fruition. In the last one year, we have met ten times. But today's meeting is special because Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is our first state guest in the third term of our government. On defence cooperation, he said, We had extensive discussions on further strengthening defence cooperation, from defence production to modernisation of armed forces. We have decided to strengthen our engagement on counter-terrorism, de-radicalisation and peaceful management of borders. We share a common vision for the Indian Ocean region. We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. We will continue our cooperation in other regional and international forums, including BIMSTEC. In a joint statement, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors and promoting regional stability and prosperity. Prime Minister Hasina invited Modi to visit Bangladesh, underscoring the enduring friendship and partnership between the two nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent meeting with Pope Francis in Italy has given fresh hope to the Christian community here that the Roman Catholic Church leaders long-awaited visit to India will finally fructify. This optimism is based on official reports that Mr Modi invited the Pope to visit India even as a photograph of the two exchanging a warm hug went viral. However, sceptics in the Christian community are convinced there will be no forward movement on the papal visit, for this is not the first time that Mr Modi has invited him. A similar invitation was extended to Pope Francis when Mr Modi called on him at the Vatican in 2021. But nothing came of it even though the Pope has visited countries in the Indian neighborhood twice over the past few years. Insiders in the Christian community maintain the Vatican is keen on a papal visit to India but the Modi government has not evinced much interest in following up on the Prime Ministers invitation. The Modi government apparently is ambivalent on this issue as it is not sure about the reaction of the Bharatiya Janata Partys ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and its other affiliate organisations which had objected to the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1999 when Atal Behari Vajpayee was Prime Minister. It is an acknowledged fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi prefers not to share the stage with anyone else. He also likes to be centrestage at all public functions, big or small. But the situation has changed after the 2024 election results. Now that he is heading a coalition government, the Prime Minister has to be more accommodative towards his own colleagues and his alliance partners. Consequently, Mr Modi has been seen in the same photo frame with Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) on several occasions. On his first visit to Varanasi last week, Mr Modi was seated on the dais with the new agriculture minister Shivraj Chouhan, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister and a host of BJP leaders. Though it was Mr Modi who announced the new package for farmers at that meeting, his speech was preceded by Mr Chouhans lengthy welcome address when he gave details of the various initiatives being undertaken by the Modi government for the welfare of farmers. Clearly, Mr Chouhan is back in favour after his spectacular win in the Lok Sabha elections. Media-persons on the Congress beat are well aware of the not so warm relations between the senior members of the partys communications department. This was evident at a dinner hosted for journalists recently by the media department head Jairam Ramesh. During the course of a conversation, there was a disagreement between Mr Ramesh and his colleague Pawan Khera, regarding the rules on moving a no-confidence motion against the newly-sworn in National Democratic Alliance government. Mr Ramesh maintained that it could not be moved while Mr Khera insisted rules allowed for it. You people never let me go to Parliament but I know the rules, he remarked. Though he laughed this off, it is well known that Mr Khera has been eyeing a Rajya Sabha berth but without success. There was a time when former Punjab chief minister and Congress leader Amarinder Singh strode across the state like the proverbial Colossus. But he lost his cachet after he walked out of the Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on being removed as chief minister. The former Maharaja of Patiala has been virtually underground for nearly two years now. He did not campaign during the recent Lok Sabha elections and was not present when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Patiala for an election rally. Mr Singh is said to be sulking as the BJP has not taken note of his seniority and accommodated him suitably. The Lok Sabha election result proved to be another setback as Mr Singhs wife Preneet Singh lost the Patiala seat, considered a family bastion. To make matters worse, Ravneet Singh Bittu, another Congress turncoat, has been appointed junior minister at the Centre even though he failed to win the Ludhiana seat. The rivalry between Mr Bittus family and Amarinder Singh is no secret in Punjab. Kiran Chaudhary, the former five-time Congress MLA from Haryana, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party along with her daughter Shruti, is learnt to have been promised a Rajya Sabha berth. Her daughter, it is said, has been assured a ticket in the next Haryana Assembly polls. A Rajya Sabha seat from the state quota has fallen vacant as Deependra Hooda, son of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, will now move to the Lok Sabha. However, the numbers game in this election will be interesting as several BJP MLAs left the party shortly before the Lok Sabha polls while its alliance partner, the Jannayak Janata Party, has severed ties with it though some MLAs are supporting the ruling party. The presence of Independent members will further complicate matters. The senior Hooda, whose bitter relations with Kiran Chaudhary are well known, can be expected to do his best to deny her a win. If Ms Chaudhary is fielded by the BJP as speculated, the election will set the stage for a bitter battle between the two arch-enemies. Joseph Yang Yongqiang, 54, served as bishop in Zhoucun, Shandong. He is one of two Chinese prelates who participated in the Synod last October. He is slated to occupy an historically important see for the Church in China, where the last bishop was chosen following a row in 2000. Zheijang is the same province where the authorities do not recognise and persecute Bishop Shao Zumin. Vatican City (AsiaNews) A Chinese bishop is changing see, but this time the move has been agreed with the Vatican, under the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the Peoples Republic of ChinaolHoly See Hol on episcopal appointments. The prelate in question is one of two Chinese bishops who took part last October in the first session of the Synod Assembly in the Vatican. The Holy See Press Office announced today that Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang, a 54-year-old prelate from Shandong, was appointed bishop of Hangzhou, Zheijang province, transferring him from Zhoucun, in his native province. A priest since 1995, Bishop Yang Yongqiang was ordained coadjutor bishop in Zhoucun in 2010 with the assent of Rome and succeeded Bishop Joseph Ma Xuesheng who died in 2013. It is interesting to note that the press release says that the appointment took place on 12 June but was made public only today, while the official invitation for the bishops entry to the diocese on 27 June is already in the public domain, indicating that the decision to move the prelate came from higher authorities. Another significant fact is the fact that Hangzhou is treated as a diocese and not an archdiocese, adapting to the "official" ecclesiastical map imposed by Beijing, which does not distinguish metropolises with a different rank from other local churches. A successor in the Diocese of Zhoucun is also not indicated, which leaves the total number of Chinese bishops unchanged, despite the fact that a third of dioceses six years since the Agreement was signed are still vacant. As with the transfer of Bishop Joseph Shen Bin to Shanghai whose unilateral character in April 2023 strained relations between the Vatican and Beijing, healed three months later when he was also appointed by Pope Francis it is clear that this is part of a plan to fill a "strategic" seat for Chinas Catholic community. Zheijang is in fact one of the Chinese provinces where the Christian presence is strongest. Some 300 kilometres south of the provincial capital of Hangzhou lies the city of Wenzhou, known as the Chinese Jerusalem. Matthew Cao Xiangde, a prelate consecrated unlawfully during the 2000 row with the Holy See, served as the archbishop of Hangzhou. Before him, two other "patriotic" bishops were appointed to this episcopal chair: Matthias Wu Guo-huan in 1960, and John Zhu Fengqing in 1988. In 2004 Archbishop Cao Xiangde asked to return to communion with Rome, a request the Vatican accepted in 2008, but without recognising his jurisdiction. He died at the age of 93 in July 2021. With todays appointment, a long wound closes for the local church, which occupies a great place in the history of Chinese Catholicism. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Hangzhou is one of the oldest churches in China, built in 1661 by the great Jesuit missionary Martino Martini who died and is buried there. Hangzhou is also remembered for Li Zhizao and Yang Tingyun, two great Chinese figures who converted to Christianity after meeting Matteo Ricci. Together with Xu Guangqi, the first disciple of Shanghai, they are remembered as the three pillars of Chinese Catholicism. As important Hangzhou is in Church history, it should not be forgotten that Zheijang is one of the provinces where Christian communities have been the subjected the most to repression in recent years. No more than a decade ago it was the epicenter of the bitter clash over crosses officially torn down by the authorities for "esthetic reasons. More recently, the Diocese of Yongjia/Wenzhou, vacant" according to Beijing's official count, is the episcopal see of the underground Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin, ordained coadjutor with the mandate of the Holy See in 2011, and constantly persecuted for his refusal to join the Patriotic Association. Bishop Shao Zumin was arrested again this January, after he challenged the authorities' decision to entrust the government of the diocese to Fr Ma Xianshi, a member of the Patriotic Association. by Stefano Caprio Like Crimea, Korea is key to destabilising Asia as well as Europe, amid permanent tensions and growing winds of war elsewhere. This seems to be the real purpose of Putin's visits, which from China and Uzbekistan to Korea and Vietnam are part of a plan for a new "world order" while trying to instil fear in both East and West. With his recent visits to North Korea and Vietnam, Vladimir Putin has crossed every limit in degrading Russia's reputation. According to an expression attributed to the poet Anna Akhmatova, the "Vegetarian Years" are over in Russia, as the great dissident of the Stalinist era wrote in her diaries in the 1950s. Comparing the 1920s under Lenin after the revolution to the 1930s under Stalin's terror, she said that the Soviet Union went from a "relatively vegetarian period" to full cannibalism with the most appalling repressions. Akhmatova went beyond her own family tragedy, which had overwhelmed her husband Nikolai Gumilev, another major figure in Russian literature of the early 20th century, who was caught up in the first waves of deportation to penal colonies. Along with 96 other members of the intelligentsia of Petrograd (later Leningrad), accused of taking part in the so-called "military conspiracy by Prof Vladimir Tagantsev (similar to the attempt to discredit the armed forces of Putin's Russia), he was eventually shot. As Akhmatova recounts, the Vegetarian Years ended in December 1934 with the assassination of Sergei Kirov, the rising star of Leningrad communism, whose shadow had become too big for the Georgian-born dictator, ushering in the years of the "Great Terror. With the death in another penal colony of Putin's main opponent, the martyr of street protests Alexey Navalny, we are back to the feelings of the most triumphant Stalinism, celebrated in recent days by Kim Yong-un and Nguyen Phu Trong. This symbolic story illustrates precisely this aspect of the most extreme Putinism, as is increasingly evident after his recent plebiscitary re-election and enthronement. A notorious criminal, a Satanic cult member and cannibal, Nikolai the Duke" Ogolobyak, redeemed himself in the war in Ukraine, but was arrested again, on his way home, for drug trafficking. In 2010 he was sentenced to 20 years and sent to a maximum security colony for the ritual murder of four teenagers, but last year, he enlisted in the so-called Shtorm Z, a penal military unit sent to the front in Ukraine, and then rewarded with a presidential pardon. In 2008 the "duke" led a Satanic cult that delighted in dismembering youths, with several blood rituals in which they sacrificed cats, dogs and young people, getting a kick out of eating their flesh and drinking their blood. Ogolobyak, who was the only adult in the group, received the harshest sentence. But in Ukraine, he fought for only six months, returning home triumphant and free, but no one at the front wants him back after his latest offences, given his rather appalling behaviour even among his fellow soldiers. Now he lives quietly at home with his mother, wearing the badge of hero of the fatherland. An even more paradoxical case is that of Andrei Orlov, a mild-mannered Russian from the Tomsk region in Siberia who shot his best friend with a rifle in the side during an ordinary vodka drinking binge. Sent to a penal colony camp, he finally got to go to the war, earning money, after his initial application as a volunteer had failed because of some bureaucratic mess-up. At his trial, he said that "if I hadn't been drunk, I would have killed him, but at least I earned my ticket to Ukraine." The cannibals of Russias war are thus looking with enthusiasm at the parades of their great leader in Pyongyang and Hanoi, where Putin went in the first place to stock up on weapons and ammunition, and perhaps to work out some other, more effective nuclear threat than the warships sent to Cuba, a threat that fizzled on arrival in Havana harbour. In addition to the "eternal and strategic" friendship with Pyongyang, the visit to Hanoi revived memories of 20th century glories when the socialist republic was at war with France and then the United States, when the Soviet Union also protected its ally from China, which now looks disdainfully at Putin's parades around its realm. While North Korea can help Russia militarily, Russia provides Vietnam with about 70 per cent of its military strength, although concerns about international sanctions are pushing Hanoi to envision other suppliers like South Korea, Japan, India, and Czechia. Yet, standing with Russia can help rebuild a protective wall against the "great colonisers" of the Western world. At the same time, Russia relies heavily on Vietnamese raw materials, while Russian tourists can indulge in the charms of Southeast Asia since they are now excluded from Europe and the West. In his meeting with Kim Yong-un, Putin again reiterated that "Russia is fighting the gegemon," the US hegemonic devil, and greatly appreciates North Korea's support in its holy war. I am talking about our struggle with the colonising and hegemonic policy that has been imposed on us for many decades by American imperialism and its satellites, especially against the Russian Federation, the Kremlin boss said. In fact, US sanctions envoy in Europe, David O'Sullivan, insisted that new forms of pressure must be found against Russia in order to stop the war in Ukraine, which will only end when Putin is forced to withdraw troops. O'Sullivan spoke of Russia's "policy of cannibalism", stripping technologies and other parts of the weapons industry, which is causing suffering not only for the people in Ukraine, but also in Russia, as well as South Asia and the Pacific, where Putin is trying to extend his influence with these visits. After all, lest we forget, Kim Yong-uns grandfather, the "great leader" and "eternal president" Kim Il-sung, was a Red Army captain, and came to power thanks to Moscow, when Stalin created the "Korean People's Democratic Republic" and sent weapons to Pyongyang, the same way Putin did when he annexed Crimea and Donbass and gained recognition of Russian sovereignty over those territories. The main difference is that Stalin did not annex North Korea, even though he could have, as he did with the Mongols of the Siberian republic of Tyva (formerly Tuva). As late as the 1940s Tuva was considered part of China but was annexed by Stalins Soviet Union, a situation only recognised by one other state, Mongolia. Now it is part of the Russian Federation, but not without challenges as both Tuva and Buryatia are pushing for independence. An iconic figure in Tyva is former Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who despite recent purges, is still in the Kremlin's security council, to maintain control over these Asian territories from which most of the fighters in Ukraine come. Now the visit to North Korea underscores Russia's ghastly East Asian alliances, which could implicate North Korea in nuclear threats against the entire world. Like Crimea, Korea is key to destabilise Asia as well as Europe, amid growing tensions and winds of war elsewhere. This seems to be the real purpose of Putin's trip, creating a new world order, from China and Uzbekistan to Korea and Vietnam, while trying to instil fear in East and West. At such junctures, Russians are increasingly overwhelmed by cannibalism, erasing all traces of the "Vegetarian Years. If before the invasion of Crimea 10-12 per cent of the Russian population was interested in politics, now it is closer to zero. Political psychology and social anthropology show that the will to oppose a totalitarian regime depends not only on fear and personal risks, but also on repulsion towards Russias alliances with the various Frankensteins in Asia, Africa, and to some extent in Europe and America. The paradox is that in Mary Shelley's gothic novel, Frankenstein was a vegetarian. Today's headlines: Israeli protests Armenian recognition of the Palestinian state, continues to attack Rafah, killing 45. China wants to execute supporters of Taiwanese independence. Five Pakistani soldiers are killed in a TTP attack near the Afghan border. Russias parliament further restricts immigration. THAILAND In his first monthly televised address, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that the government wants to curb illegal gambling by legalising casinos and build a nuclear power plant to reduce electricity costs. ARMENIA PALESTINE ISRAEL Armenia is the latest country to recognise the Palestinian state amid military and diplomatic tensions over the war in Gaza, which has caused tens of thousands of civilian victims. Armenia also reiterated its support for the UN ceasefire resolution. Israel's response was immediate, with the foreign ministry summoning the Armenian ambassador to Israel for a severe reprimand. At least 45 Palestinians have died in Rafah in the last few hours in Israeli attacks. CHINA TAIWAN China threatens to impose the death penalty on supporters of Taiwanese independence, who could be tried in absentia and convicted of "splitting the country". The Supreme People's Court and four other police agencies issued the directive yesterday. Notwithstanding the lack of jurisdiction over the island, it can target anyone who works for the "rebel" island. IRAN Law enforcement in North Khorasan arrested 29 people in a raid on a villa on charges of "Satanism" and possession of illegal substances. Police Chief Saeed Motahhari-Zadeh reported the discovery of "alcoholic beverages, satanic paraphernalia and various hallucinogenic substances." The identity and fate of those arrested is unknown at present. SINGAPORE Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli announced that directives will be issued in the coming months to regulate the use of electronic devices like smartphones, tablets as well as social media platforms, now an integral part of daily life but whose use must be managed to reduce their negative effects and the mental health challenge they represent. PAKISTAN AFGHANISTAN At least five Pakistani army soldiers were killed in the attack on a convoy in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghan border, which was claimed by the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban. The raid marks the end of the unilateral truce announced by the group for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, while relations between Islamabad and Kabul are becoming increasingly tense. RUSSIA Russias State Duma has approved further amendments to a bill that would increase controls on foreign migrants, with restrictions that virtually leave them without legal defence. Advocacy groups have slammed the draft proposal, which increases the list of reasons to refuse entry, and cuts by half the staying period to 90 days a year. UZBEKISTAN The Academic Lyceum of the Westminster International University in Tashkent will offer the Cambridge International As&A Level programme. Such internationally recognised, high-quality education will provide candidates with the opportunity to prepare for enrolment in the most prestigious higher education establishments in the world. Supported by abundant local resources, Garabagh has immense potential for developing competitive industries such as mining, construction materials, green energy, and processing. These sectors are expected to drive economic growth alongside agriculture, construction, and services. As reported by Azernews, Vahid Hajiyev, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts in the Eastern Zangazur economic region, highlighted these developments at the 29th High-Level Meeting on "Pathway to COP29: Sustainable and Resilient Future" in Zangilan. He emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to sustainable development in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, citing the country's significant strides in combating climate change and pursuing UN Sustainable Development Goals. "We are currently amidst rapid global changes," noted Hajiyev. "Despite technological advancements that have improved living standards worldwide, humanity faces challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and environmental issues. Under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership, Azerbaijan is dedicated to overcoming these challenges through sustainable development initiatives. Following the liberation of our territories, comprehensive strategies including the National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development until 2030 and the 'Great Return' State Program have been implemented to rejuvenate Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur. Today, ongoing construction projects span various sectors in these regions." According to "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development," such as enhancing public-private sector collaboration, promoting entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic growth, and expanding non-oil sector financing are central to Azerbaijan's economic strategy. The "State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan (20222026)" program aims to stimulate business and support private entrepreneurship, thereby boosting employment opportunities. Industry in the Eastern Zangazur and Garabagh economic regions is currently in the early stages of recovery following the 2020 Patriotic War. Efforts are ongoing to clear mines and implement extensive infrastructure projects, with Azerbaijan allocating 10 billion manats from its state budget between 2021 and 2023 for these purposes. Ensuring complete security remains crucial for facilitating widespread local economic development, albeit requiring time due to objective circumstances. Industrial parks in Aghdam and Jabrayil have been established to promote local industry in our liberated lands, with active involvement from the business community. Under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership, Azerbaijan has made significant strides in developing its non-oil sector and bolstering export capabilities. The establishment of industrial parks and clusters has created favorable conditions for the production of competitive, export-oriented goods. High-tech enterprises in industrial zones, particularly in polymers, rubber, cables, and aluminum-based products, play a pivotal role in this transformation. In the recently liberated regions of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, extensive efforts are underway to promote economic recovery and integration. Restoration of Garabagh's industrial potential is a key focus, aiming to stimulate economic reintegration and generate employment opportunities. Notably, industrial parks in Agdam and the "Araz Valley Economic Zone" in Jabrayil district have been set up, providing conducive environments for entrepreneurial ventures and business activities. These designated zones aim to revitalize business activities by offering entrepreneurs access to various concessions. Residents benefit from state-funded pre-built infrastructure and are granted exemptions from property tax, land tax, income, or profit tax for a decade after registration. Additionally, VAT exemptions apply during the importation of machinery, and customs duties are waived for ten years. Recent amendments to the Tax Code, effective from January 1 of this year, introduce further incentives for entrepreneurs operating in liberated territories. These include subsidies for social insurance fees, additional vacation days for local professionals, monthly salary supplements, one-time allowances, simplified work permit procedures, and exemptions from labor migration quotas for foreign specialists. Moreover, entrepreneurs engaged in production activities in liberated territories will receive financial assistance equivalent to 20 percent of their monthly utility service payments for a decade, further encouraging sustainable business growth and development in these vital regions. One such ambitious project is the reconstruction of the Horadiz-Aghband railway line. During his visit to Zangilan, President Ilham Aliyev announced the commencement of this strategic railway project, which will connect Azerbaijan's main territory to Nakhchivan through the Zangazur corridor. This railway line, initiated by President Aliyev three years ago, holds significant strategic and economic importance for Azerbaijan, forming a crucial element of the Zangazur corridor. Currently, Azerbaijan Railways operates trains up to Hekari station along the 110.4 km railway line. Construction progress includes 9 stations, a landmark 771-meter bridge spanning 23 spansthe longest in Azerbaijan's railway historya pioneering closed railway tunnel built during Azerbaijan's independence, and around 500 other engineering structures. Upon completion, this railway infrastructure will extend into Turkiye via Nakhchivan, effectively creating a second railway network linking Azerbaijan directly with Turkiye. Notably, Azerbaijan oversaw the successful launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway in 2017, marking the first historic railway connection between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The ongoing construction of this second railway network holds immense strategic significance, bolstering trade and tourism ties between Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Moreover, fostering new partnerships and ensuring operational efficiency is vital for enhancing security and stability in the South Caucasus region. In addition to the railway project, significant progress is also underway on the Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband highway, starting from Ahmadbeyli village in Fuzuli. This modern highway will feature a 6-lane, 80-kilometer section with 3 entrances and exits, and a 43.8-kilometer stretch with 4 lanes and 2 entrances and exits. The road bed widths will accommodate traffic needs, with detailed provisions including 3 car tunnels totaling 6,015 meters, 2 viaducts, 23 bridges, 8 overpasses, 50 underpasses, and numerous water transfer structures. Additionally, plans include 60 backup crossings for water and communication lines. These infrastructure developments underscore Azerbaijan's commitment to regional connectivity, economic growth, and enhancing living standards for its citizens. In addition, Azerbaijan's determination in the political arena and its foresight in both domestic and foreign policy make it a significant advantage in the face of forces that have a strong influence in the region and beyond. Azerbaijan can successfully advance in politics as well as in the economic field. Because until today, its reaching this peak is only a successful result of a robust political course. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 June 2024 15:11 (UTC+04:00) After the anti-terrorist operation carried out in September 2023, as a result of the searches conducted in the territories liberated from occupation, bone remains believed to belong to two people were found near the Bugdadag elevation in the direction of Dashkasan district and the Camel mountain in the direction of Kalbajar district. According to Azernews, it has been determined that the remains belong to two Armenian soldiers who died during the military operation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in September 2022. The Republic of Azerbaijan once again demonstrated its goodwill and commitment to the principles of humanism and handed over the remains of two Armenian soldiers to Armenia on June 21, 2024, without the participation of a third party or any other intermediary. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 22 June 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) On June 21, from 12:25 to 15:35, the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of Mollabayramli settlement of Kalbajar district were subjected to fire by the Armenian armed forces positions stationed in the opposite direction, Azernews reports citing the Ministry of Defense. The Azerbaijan Army Units took adequate retaliatory measures in the mentioned direction, the ministry said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 22 June 2024 18:00 (UTC+04:00) Turkmenistan has strengthened the development of trade and economic cooperation within the China-Central Asia format, Azernews reports. According to an official source, representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan took part in events to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. This is a meeting of senior officials of China - Central Asia and a business forum on trade and economic cooperation between Shaanxi Province and Central Asia, which took place on June 18 in Xi'an city (China). The meeting of senior officials on trade and economic cooperation "China-Central Asia" was chaired by the Director of the Eurasia Department of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. During the meeting, priority areas of trade and economic relations in the China-Central Asia format, strengthening cooperation in the field of the production chain, and the and the creation of working groups on trade facilitation and investment cooperation within the framework of the ministerial meeting of the dialogue countries were discussed. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan's cooperation in the China-Central Asia format is actively developing, reflecting the growing importance of the region in geopolitics and economics. Turkmenistan participates in regional initiatives aimed at strengthening the country's role in logistics and trade, and cooperation with other Central Asian countries contributes to the stability and economic growth of the region, creating new opportunities for integration and mutually beneficial cooperation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 22 June 2024 22:20 (UTC+04:00) Kyrgyzstan imported 34,032 passenger cars from China from January through April 2024, which is 9 times more than during the same period in 2023 (3,435 cars), Azernews reports. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the value of these imports reached $576.906 million, increasing by 6.9 times over the figures for January-April 2023 ($83.136 million). South Korea was the second main exporter of cars to the country, from which nearly 10,954 cars were bought, with a value amounting to $85 million. The US follows, with 2,906 cars imported at a value of $59.2 million. In total, Kyrgyzstan imported 57,301 passenger cars from January through April of this year, which is 92.2 percent more than in the same period in 2023 (29,815 cars). The total value of imports reached $980.2 million, doubling from $486.192 million in January-April 2023. Compared to the same period in 2023 ($4.051 billion), Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover increased by 27.7 percent, reaching $5.171 billion from January through April 2024. Exports totaled $760.6 million, up by 19.7 percent compared to $635.678 million in JanuaryApril 2023. Imports grew by 29.2 percent compared to $3.415 billion in the same period in 2023, reaching $4.411 billion from January through April 2024. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 22 June 2024 21:18 (UTC+04:00) The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Avazbek Atakhanov, discussed the update of the feasibility study for the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant with consultants from the "AFRY Switzerland Ltd." Swiss company and experts from the World Bank (WB), Azernews reports. The meeting occurred in Bishkek, as reported by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from the WB shared details about the upcoming updates to the feasibility study for the Kambarata-1 HPP, including the timeline for the project. Atakhanov stated his belief that the successful execution of this big investment endeavor in Central Asia would be a substantial stride towards achieving sustainable and harmonious regional progress. The participants agreed to actively collaborate to achieve their common goals in the implementation of the hydropower plant construction project. To note, the Kambrata-1 on the Naryn river is the largest hydroelectric project in Kyrgyzstan and is expected to become one of Central Asia's largest hydropower ventures. Once completed, the HPP will have a capacity of 1,860 MW and will produce 5.6 billion kWh of electricity per year. Preliminary estimates indicate that the dam will be 256 meters high and that the reservoir will hold more than 5.4 billion cubic meters of water. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz In September 2023, Biden's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formed a "DHS Intelligence Experts Group" to advise on domestic terrorism and extremism. Because the composition of the group was highly partisan, lacked appropriate authority or public input, a lawsuit was filed against them by former Ambassador Rick Grenell and investigations were begun in the US Congress. Confronted with both the Congressional investigation and the lawsuit, the Biden regime disbanded the Group in May 2024. Now some of the documents from the group that were obtained in the lawsuit are being made public and the direction this group was headed was frightening. Essentially they were trying to project their political opponents as terrorists and extremists. There was no discussion of actual terrorists like ANTIFA. This group was focused on identifying people as extremists and domestic terrorists based on three criteria, being religious, being ex-military, or being a Trump supporter. But when one looks at who headed this committee, this is somehow not surprising. One co-leader was John Brennan, an admitted former communist sympathizer who also admitted voting for pro-Soviet stooge Gus Hall on the American Communist Party ticket for president of the United States over Jimmy Carter or Gerald Ford in 1976. The other co-leader was James Clapper who had to resign in disgrace from his intelligence post after being caught lying to Congress while under oath over collecting intelligence on millions of Americans that he should not have. Brennan, Clapper, and a number of other members of the Group were signers of the bogus letter on the Hunter Biden laptop claiming it was "Russian disinformation". https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dhs-intelligence-experts-group-classified-military-service-religion-trump-support https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/06/chilling-biden-regime-declares-trump-supporters-domestic-terror/ There certainly seems to be a distain for democracy and a tendency to favor a police state within the Biden regime. Bob Gomes, CEO of Community Medical Center in Missoula, Mont., has resigned, according to the Missoulian. Mr. Gomes announced his resignation on June 19, according to the publication, which cited an email he wrote to staff. He told employees he is stepping down "to take a position closer to my family in eastern Oregon," and that July 12 will be his last day at the helm. Another top company official will notify staff about plans for interim leadership, Mr. Gomes said, according to the Missoulian. Mr. Gomes joined Community Medical Center as CEO in June 2021. His resignation comes after other leadership moves at the hospital, including the departure earlier this year of COO Jim Gillhouse, according to the Missoulian. Hollie Nagel, RNC, who has been with the organization since 2018, was recently promoted to chief nursing officer. Sandy Leggett, DNP, RN, is the current COO. Community Medical Center is part of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health. A trade union has raised concerns around the buy-out Boeing is nearing a deal to buy back Spirit Aerosystems which would include the former Northern Ireland plant belonging to Bombardier and Shorts. A key supplier and former subsidiary, Boeing has made progress with its other chief customer, Airbus, to separate the divisions that handle its rivals work, Forbes has reported. The deal would include the NI plant - which makes the wings for the Airbus A220 and the former BAE Systems plant in Prestwick, Scotland, which builds Airbus airframes and wings. However a trade union has raised concerns over the potential deal. Unite said they were seeking assurances that jobs in both Belfast and Prestwick would be safe. Spirit Aerosystems Belfast employs around 3,600 workers, with Unite estimating that around 7,000 jobs in Northern Ireland rely on the companys activities in the area. The majority of Spirits NI production is for Airbus, but around 40% of jobs are tied to production for other aerospace companies, including Bombardier and Rolls Royce. General Secretary Sharon Graham said: The livelihoods of workers must not be put at risk as corporate giants carve up the future of this company. It is vital that all workers are quickly given cast iron guarantees over their futures. Unite will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the future of this highly skilled and dedicated workforce at Spirit is fully protected. Negotiations between the two parties to being Spirit back under Boeing control began earlier this year in an effort to stabilise the supply chain and address quality issues after an incident in which a doorplug blew out on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 flight in January. The NTSBs preliminary investigation has determined that this blow out was most likely due to four missing plugs which were removed during an undocumented repair during which the door plug was removed and reinstalled by a Spirit AeroSystems worker at the Boeing plant. Boeing is also expected to take SpiritAerosystems plants in Wichita, Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma, which would restore the structure of operations before the company divested the division in 2005. You might not have heard of the Pinnacle Guide yet, but the chances are you will in the future. Its an exclusive new directory of the worlds top cocktail bars curated by the founders of London Cocktail Week, and already their insistence on excellence has led to Pinnacle being described as a Michelin Guide for bars. Inclusion in the guides rating system of one pin for excellent, two for outstanding, and three for exceptional requires venues to comply with a strictly defined set of criteria and, in true Michelin style, is only awarded after an anonymous visit by one of the guides reviewers. So, given the exacting requirements, its hardly surprising that the team at Rattlebag in Belfasts Ann Street are thrilled to be included in Pinnacles inaugural list of 37 global bar recommendations. Rattlebag was awarded a one-pin rating in the guide, alongside cocktail bars like New Yorks Dead Rabbit and Artesian at Londons Langham Hotel, a four-times winner of the Worlds Best Bar. Read more Review: Investigating the calorific Asian drink craze that has now arrived in Belfast Its always been our mission to create an elevated cocktail experience that puts Belfast on the map, says Rattlebags bar manager Chris Wareing. To be recognised on a global scale is a real credit to our team. Hundreds of applications to appear in the Pinnacle Guides first list were received from bars across the UK, America, Australia, Dubai, Mexico, Singapore, and Spain. Twenty-five were awarded one pin and 12 received a two-pin rating, but as yet, no bars have been awarded the highest three-pin rating. Along with the other recipients, the Rattlebag team will receive a plaque to mark their inclusion in the Pinnacle Guide, which can be displayed at the Belfast bar for the next two years. World At least eight dead and millions still in the dark following Hurricane Milton NI couple on their adoption journey: 'You have to be 100% committed or its not going to work' Pacemaker Press 21-06-2024: The annual 'Tour of the North' parade has taken place in Belfast as spectators gathered to watch hundreds of bandsmen march through the city centre. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press 21-06-2024: The annual 'Tour of the North' parade has taken place in Belfast as spectators gathered to watch hundreds of bandsmen march through the city centre. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press 21-06-2024: The annual 'Tour of the North' parade has taken place in Belfast as spectators gathered to watch hundreds of bandsmen march through the city centre. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Pacemaker Press 21-06-2024: The annual 'Tour of the North' parade has taken place in Belfast as spectators gathered to watch hundreds of bandsmen march through the city centre. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. The annual 'Tour of the North' parade has taken place in Belfast as spectators gathered to watch hundreds of bandsmen march through the city centre. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. The annual 'Tour of the North' parade took place in Belfast on Friday night as spectators gathered to watch hundreds of bandsmen march through part of the city centre. The parade is regarded as a major event in the Orange Order marching calendar and one of the key parades in the run up to the traditional marching season. The parade set off from Carlisle Circus before making its way through the city centre and along Donegall Street before heading towards Twaddell Avenue and concluding at Carlisle Circus. Nine bands took part in the parade. The County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast also confirmed a letter of protest addressed to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was to be handed to a senior police officer at the Carlisle Circus and Crumlin Road junction at the start of the parade. They said the letter is a complaint about the actions of the Parades Commission in curtailing our cultural celebrations. Ahead of the parade the Parades Commission had made a determination that only a single drumbeat, on a single side drum, should be played on the part of the notified route between the junction of the Westlink and Clifton Street and the junction of Union Street and Donegall Street. They added: "No supporters shall accompany the parade between the junction of the Westlink and Clifton Street (the second junction when travelling out of the city towards Carlisle Circus) and the junction of Union Street and Donegall Street. No paramilitary-style clothing is to be worn at any time during the parade and flags, bannerettes and symbols relating to a proscribed organisation shall in no circumstances be displayed. North Street was once a popular site in the city An SDLP MLA has branded the condition of a Belfast street as a thundering disgrace as he demanded more action to regenerate the city centre. The partys leader of the opposition in Stormont was responding to an online post by popular pub The Deers Head, who hit out at the current state of North Street in the city centre. In their post, the establishment shared a picture of the largely deserted street at 6pm on a Friday, before adding: What on earth would make a visitor to the city walk down this street? We are trying.but its hard work. Responding, Matthew OToole said: A thundering disgrace. Getting on for two decades of indulging progressive dereliction. "Which other region or major Irish or UK city would tolerate it? "This fiasco needs brought to a head with concerted action by Belfast City Council and, if necessary, Executive departments. The North Street area of the city has seen much debate about its future over recent years, with regular calls for action to regenerate the area. Part of the regeneration involves the controversial and much delayed Tribeca Belfast. 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 It is a 500m urban regeneration scheme by Castlebrooke Investments on a 12-acre site located beside St Annes Cathedral and bounded by Royal Avenue, Donegall Street, Lower Garfield Street and Rosemary Street. It was approved by the Belfast Planning Council in early 2020. The plans involve the pedestrianisation of North Street, a new North Street Arcade, a ten-storey office block, the reduction of Writers Square by over 50%, and the introduction of new streets and green spaces. It will involve residential, business and commercial space. In April, a planning application for the scheme was submitted for renewal. Last June, Castlebrooke said it was still trying to deliver a commercially viable development, adding that nobody is more frustrated than us at the pace of progress with this scheme. Belfast City Council said they received an application to renew the Tribeca Phase 1B full planning permission and applications to renew three associated applications in early March. Council officers are continuing to explore the possibility of acquisition and /or vesting of the Tribeca site as agreed by Councils Strategic Policy & Resources Committee. A report on options will be brought before elected members for consideration in due course, they added. Belfast City Council said the regeneration of this part of the city was a priority for them. Council officers are continuing to explore the possibility of acquisition and /or vesting of the Tribeca site, as agreed by Councils Strategic Policy & Resources Committee, said a spokesperson. "A report on options will be brought before Elected Members for consideration in due course. "However, as the council is not the owner of the Tribeca site or the regeneration authority for the city, it has also written to the relevant government departments to raise concerns about the lack of progress in delivering the Tribeca scheme and has sought meetings with them to address the issue." Thousands of people have gathered in protests across the country in solidarity with a woman who was viciously assaulted by an Irish soldier. Protests were organised in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court when he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha OBrien. The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms OBrien in Limerick in 2022. 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 Ms OBrien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. Ms OBrien attended the protest in Limerick on Saturday afternoon. Speaking at the event, she said: I am absolutely overwhelmed by your solidarity and your support. Without your outrage, your fear, your horror this would not have been looked at. What happened to me has happened to so many. The injustice of the Department of Justice. What happened to me was horrific and I experienced an extremely violent assault by the hands of a solider in the Irish Defence Forces, who are supposed to protect us. Its one thing to be the victim of a heinous crime at the hands of a man who has pledged to protect the citizens of Ireland, but it is another thing when the Department of Justice and the Defence Forces overlook it. I did not put myself through that and bare my soul to Judge Tom ODonnell to be told that I should be happy that he took the guilty plea, that I should be happy because he said he was sorry he was caught. There has also been criticism of Judge Tom ODonnell after he told the court earlier this week that if he imposed a custodial sentence, Crottys army career would be over. Large crowds gathered in cities on Saturday, with many criticising the suspended sentence. Hundreds of people gathered at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. Men, women and children of all ages carried placards calling for an end to victim blaming in courts and justice for Ms OBrien and other victims of gender violence. The demonstrators marched from The Spire on OConnell street to the Department of Justice at St Stephens Green. Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the courts decision. Attending the protest in Dublin, Ms Coppinger said: He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. Protesters gather in Dublin (Cate McCurry/PA) These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well. It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence. We absolutely need dramatic change. Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: Womens Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. Thats how wide spread domestic violence is. Campaigner and womens rights activist Ailbhe Smyth said: This will not be the only time that we will be standing here or marching through the streets of Dublin on the issue of violence against women. Quite frankly this is enough. We have had enough. We will absolutely not take anymore. We will not watch a young woman who has already been traumatised, injured who said I will not be the same again. How sad can that be. Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: A few months ago I criticised a judge in the Dail and you would think the sky had fallen in. The Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee), the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach all said you cant say that, you cant criticise the judiciary. I was dragged over the coals for it. To criticise a judge in this establishment is, to them, a mortal sin. They appoint them. And because they appoint the judges, we have to judge them and we will judge them at the next election and tell them they have had their day. Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms OBrien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. I need to be particularly careful in that context. But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence. In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case. Nigel Farage has become mired in a row about his attitude towards the war in Ukraine, after suggesting in an interview that the West provoked the conflict. Here are the key moments from day 31 on the General Election campaign trail: Putin the boot in Reform UK leader Mr Farage is facing fallout for suggesting that we provoked this war in Ukraine during a BBC Panorama interview. As the day began, Mr Farage was likened to a pub bore by Tory former defence secretary Ben Wallace over his claims that he predicted war in Ukraine, and his other remarks on the topic. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a strong response to Mr Farages claims (Benjamin Cremel/PA) But reprimand was more harsh from the political party leaders, with Mr Sunak describing the remarks as completely wrong and suggesting Mr Farages attitude was akin to appeasement of Vladimir Putin. Sir Keir Starmer meanwhile called the remarks disgraceful and said anyone standing for Parliament should make clear Russia is the aggressor. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and the SNPs John Swinney also weighed in to criticise the Reform chiefs remarks. Mr Farage was on the campaign trail in Clacton on Saturday as the fallout unfolded. Quote of the day Ben Wallace, Conservative former defence secretary: I think Nigel Farage is a bit like that pub bore we have all met at the end of the bar who often says if I was running the country and presents very simplistic answers to actually I am afraid in the 21st century, complex problems. Rowling with the punches While Sir Keir was dishing out criticism to one of his political rivals, a former Labour donor and well-known author had some for him. JK Rowling wrote in the Times overnight that the Labour leader had abandoned women because of his past stance on gender self-identification. The Harry Potter author said she would struggle to vote for the Labour leader, saying she had a poor opinion of his character. Sir Keir pointed to Labours long history of real progress on womens rights in response. Sounding out new battles on this front in recent days has been Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, who this week told the Guardian she wants to eliminate the gender pay gap once and for all. War stories Veterans minister Johnny Mercers row with his Labour competitor Fred Thomas as the two contest the Plymouth Moor View constituency was described as sad and desperate by Sir Keir. Sir Keir Starmer said the veterans ministers claims were sad and desperate (PA) Mr Mercer has cast doubt on his opponents combat record when he served in the Royal Marines, describing it as bloated. Labour has defended its man, with Mr Thomas claiming that much of his military service is not in the public domain due to its sensitive nature. Windrush memories The Labour leader and his shadow foreign secretary David Lammy visited Vauxhall and Brixton, in south London, to mark 76 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived in England. The ship brought people from the Caribbean who answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages. During the visit, the Labour leader spoke of the need to expedite compensation for the victims of the Windrush scandal. Elsewhere in the capital, Mr Sunak defended the Home Offices record of awarding compensation to those hit by the scandal. Fresh out the Starmer 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 Sir Keir also faced questions from reporters about his attendance at Taylor Swifts Wembley stadium gig on Friday night. He named her song Change from the 2008 album Fearless as his favourite, because it shares a name with Labours manifesto. Nights roundtable The Prime Ministers visit of the day took him to a meeting with representatives of the night-time economy in London to hear their concerns ahead of the election. The capitals bars, restaurants and clubs have had a difficult few years following the pandemic, and their troubles featured heavily during the mayoral elections earlier this year. Fowl play Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey visited a chicken farm in East Sussex, where he handed out grain and was pecked by the farm birds as they surrounded him. Despite facing the sharp end of their beaks, Sir Ed was heard to describe the event as the best photo chicken op ever. Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said the coop photoshoot was something of a coup (Anahita Hossein-Pour/PA) He was promoting the Lib Dems messaging on sewage in the UKs waterways, including its rare habitat chalk streams. The Lib Dems plan to tackle pollution of chalk streams across the country, including a public consultation which could see rivers and lakes awarded a new Blue Flag status to protect them from sewage dumping. Social media moment of the day Elsewhere in sewage news, the Labour Party turned to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the Conservatives for allowing sewage dumping to continue and has said if people want to end the Tory shit show, they need to vote for change. In a post to X, it wrote: A vote for Labour on Thursday 4 July is a vote to clean up our waters and our politics. Change will only come if you vote for it. The post is accompanied by a video of waste coming out a sewer and entering a vast expanse of water, with the words: Its time to end the Tory shit show at the start, followed by the words: Change will only come if you vote for it. 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 is happening tomorrow? The Prime Minister will be campaigning in North Yorkshire without a media presence. The Lib Dems deputy leader Daisy Cooper will be canvassing for votes in the Home Counties. Another long day of searches for Jay Slater saw no breakthroughs (James Manning/PA) Spanish police have rejected an offer of support from Lancashire Constabulary as the hunt for British teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife continues. Rescue teams on the Canary island appeared to make no breakthroughs after another long day of searches. Lancashire police said it had made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources in their efforts. Mr Slater is from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle, where specialist officers are continuing to support his family, the force said. A Lancashire Constabulary statement said: First and foremost, our thoughts are with Jays family at this time. They must be going through the most distressing ordeal not knowing what has happened to their loved one. Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. The village of Masca, Tenerife, where the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues (James Manning/PA) They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change. Police, firefighters and search and rescue personnel combed a vast area of land in and around the village of Masca on Friday. Emergency workers met in various locations throughout the day, combing bushes, overgrown terrain, hillsides and rivers but failed to find the missing 19-year-old. Mr Slater disappeared following an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. Jay Slater was last heard from on Monday (Family handout/PA) He had attended the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before his disappearance. Search and rescue personnel carefully looked through dead palm trees covering a river at the bottom of the hillside near to an Airbnb property he had reportedly been driven to. The owner of the property, who gave her name as Ophelia, told reporters she saw Mr Slater walk up the road past her property but did not see him again after that describing the situation as worrying. A post was issued on Facebook on Friday which said Mr Slaters family and friends were drained beyond words. A police officer looks over terrain near Masca in Tenerife (James Manning/PA) Helicopters, rescue dogs and drones have been used in an effort to find the teenager, who was last heard from when he called his friend Lucy Law on Monday morning. Officers have since been seen peering over the hillside and staring intently at the landscape through binoculars near to his last known location close to the village of Masca. The walk from Mr Slaters last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. On the fifth day of the hunt for Mr Slater, search teams paid close attention to a river called Barranco Madre del Agua at the bottom of a ravine, where personnel with sticks carefully searched through fallen dead trees. They later moved to other areas, focusing a lot of their resources in an area near Rural de Teno park. In a post on the Facebook page called Jay Slater Missing, the administrator of the group Rachel Louise Harg said family and friends of Mr Slater were in a living nightmare. She said: There isnt an update for anyone unfortunately. Struggling to find words at this time but all I can say is we are looking still and everyone is doing all they can. We are drained beyond words I just cant say no more, I wish I could. I wish this would end now, this living nightmare. Searches are ongoing and we remain positive. Thanks to you all supporting and helping we cant thank you any more, much love. Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from a helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the forces X, formerly Twitter, account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. Ms Law, who attended the NRG music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was lost in the mountains, he wasnt aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%. Mr Slaters mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, said searching for her son was an absolute living nightmare. Ms Duncan told ITV News: Hes the life and soul, hes a beautiful boy. Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and with a black bag. A fundraiser set up by Ms Law to get Jay Slater home has since received more than 24,500 in donations. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has asked voters not to sleepwalk into the General Election on July 4 (Aaron Chown/PA) Rishi Sunak has faced further questions on gambling by Conservative candidates on Friday as he sought to move on from the scandal, telling voters not to sleepwalk to July 4. The Prime Minister launched the Tories Welsh manifesto where he acknowledged voters frustrations but told them the General Election is too important to be used to send the party a negative message. In the Labour camp, Sir Keir Starmer has faced questions about his support for Jeremy Corbyn, after the partys leader said his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn would be a better prime minister than what we got Boris Johnson, a man who made massive promises and didnt keep them. He continued to face questions about his positions as Saturdays newspaper headlines emerged, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling telling The Times she has a poor opinion of his character and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch warning Labour could thwart Brexit, which she described as a 10 to 20-year project. On the campaign trail in Wales, Mr Sunak said: I warn you, dont fall into Labours trap, dont sleepwalk to July 4. I know you want to send us a message, but this is not a by-election. He also said: They want to give 16-year-olds a vote not because on principle they think that they are adults, but because they think theyll vote for them. Once they have got power they will change every rule to make sure that they keep it. The Prime Minister took questions from journalists about allegations a string of people with links to the Conservative Party or Number 10 bet on the timing of the contest before he announced it. Mr Sunak refused to be drawn on whether he is aware of other Conservative candidates or officials who placed bets on the date of the election, saying there are multiple investigations under way that are independent and confidential. He added: What I can tell you is, as I said, if anyone is found to have broken the rules, they should not only face the full consequences of the law, but I will ensure that they are booted out of the Conservative Party, too. Craig Williams, the partys candidate in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr and Mr Sunaks parliamentary aide, admitted to having a flutter on the date of the election after it was disclosed he was under investigation by the Gambling Commission. It has since been reported that another candidate, Laura Saunders, and her husband, Tory director of campaigning Tony Lee, were also facing a Gambling Commission investigation, while a member of Mr Sunaks close protection team has been arrested and removed from operational duties over similar allegations. The matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which said, at this stage, the Metropolitan Polices Directorate of Professional Standards should investigate. Ms Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, said she will be co-operating with the Gambling Commission investigation, while Mr Lee took a leave of absence from his role with the party on Wednesday, just 15 days before the polls open. Labour has called for both Mr Williams and Ms Saunders to be suspended as candidates. (PA Graphics) Speaking to journalists on Friday, Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of a total lack of leadership over his decision not to suspend either candidate. He said: Of course, he should suspend these candidates. If they were my candidates, theyd be gone by now, out of the door. He needs to take tough action. Hes not even saying today whether there are more involved. The Gambling Commission confirmed its probe is into potential criminal offences, with a spokesperson saying: Currently, the commission is investigating the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election. The watchdog noted that if someone uses confidential information in order to gain an unfair advantage when betting, this may constitute an offence of cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act, which is a criminal offence. The gambling scandal overshadowed the launch of the Conservatives Welsh manifesto (Aaron Chown/PA) Former prime minister Boris Johnson waded into the row over Sir Keirs statements about Mr Corbyn, who is contesting the Islington North seat. He wrote in his Daily Mail column: Starmer must now be put remorselessly on the spot. He must take it back. You cant back Corbyn and back Ukraine at the same time. Sir Keir set out his position in a GB News interview which aired on Friday evening and said: Well, look, the last election, we had a very poor choice in 2019 and what transpired was obviously Jeremy Corbyn got rejected by the electorate not the right person and weve expelled him now from the Labour Party, so thats how far weve changed the Labour Party. Boris Johnson was elected as prime minister and a number of years later was booted out of Parliament for breaking the rules. Thats why Ive been so determined to change the Labour Party, to always say country first, party second, and make sure at this election there is a real choice between continuing with the Tories or now turning a page and rebuilding the country with Labour. Towards the end of the week, on Saturdays front pages, it emerged JK Rowling accused Labour of turning its back on women. She wrote in the newspaper: The women who wouldnt wheesht (be quiet) didnt leave Labour. Labour abandoned them. Sir Keir had said on Thursdays Question Times leaders special that there are some people who dont identify with the gender that they are born into and they go through a lot of anxiety and distress, and my view in life is to respect and give dignity to everyone, whatever their position. On Brexit, Ms Badenoch told The Telegraph: This is a 10 or 20-year project. Weve just started. Its like building a house and someone comes in and says oh, its not done yet, hes failed. The Labour Party manifesto commits to no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. The team hope to beat the boys while being pink and pretty (Eleanor Fleming/PA) Four female engineering students have said they are ready to beat the boys while being pink and pretty at the Red Bull Soapbox race to prove they have beauty, brains and brawn. Keya Patel, 23, Isra Shaikh, 22, Belle Singleton, 19, and Meg Thurgood, 22, are competing at the Red Bull Soapbox Race, with the name The 12%, for the first time this year. The Loughborough University students decided to apply to compete in the race because they wanted to represent the women and show the fans what (theyre) made of. (from left to right) Isra Shaikh, Meg Thurgood, Keya Patel and Belle Singleton (Eleanor Fleming/PA) The Red Bull Soapbox Race challenges teams to prototype and create the wackiest homemade soapboxes and the groups design, called Peaches Peaches Peaches, is inspired by racing video game series Mario Kart. With individual costumes designed to represent characters Mario, Toad, Bowser, and Princess Peach, the four women hope to have fun and stay intact on the course at Alexandra Palace. Ms Patel, who will be driving the teams soapbox as Princess Peach and is a product design engineering final year student, told the PA news agency: Were just hoping to have some fun, not crash too much so that it stays intact, and I stay intact. Just to have a good time, really, and to show the fans what were made of. The event is being held at Alexandra Palace (Eleanor Fleming/PA) Ms Shaikh, an engineering management final year student, and Ms Singleton, an aeronautical engineering first year student, both added: (We want) to show the girls that you can have beauty, brains and brawn. Red Bull has held more than 100 soapbox races around the world in countries including Australia and the US, since the first one in Brussels in 2000. The UK last hosted the event in 2022, when 20,000 spectators were treated to whacky soapbox designs and this year, 60 amateur teams will race down the course at Alexandra Palace. Each team has 20 seconds to impress the judges with crowd-pleasing antics before taking to the specially built track and The 12% team are hoping to navigate the course in style. After being accepted for Red Bulls Young Constructors Grant, where they had access to tools and materials to construct their Soapbox masterpiece, the four women built their soapbox in just three days with some of them working on their dissertation at the same time. Using materials such as metal, wire, and polycotton, they wanted to showcase their engineering skills while making the soapbox pretty, creating a shape that resembles Princess Peachs dress. Ms Shaikh said: What screams prettier than a princess? Ms Thurgood, a product design engineering final year student, added: We wanted it to look like a dress, not a structure. With their combined engineering skills and enthusiasm, the four women are feeling confident ahead of todays race and are hoping to achieve a podium finish. Ms Patel said: We just wanted to be a group of women engineers, showing that we can beat the boys and we can still make something cute and fun and pink and pretty. Palestinians gather at the edge of a crater after an Israeli airstrike (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) At least 39 people were killed by Israeli strikes across northern Gaza on Saturday, according to Palestinian and hospital officials. Fadel Naem, director of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that more than three dozen bodies arrived at the hospital. The Palestinian Civil Defence, an emergency group active in Gaza, said it pulled approximately the same number of bodies from a building hit by an Israeli strike in an eastern neighborhood of Gaza City. The group said its emergency workers were also digging for survivors at the site of another strike in Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Israel said that its fighter jets struck two Hamas military sites in the Gaza City area but did not elaborate further. Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) The deaths come a day after at least 25 people were killed in strikes on tent camps and 50 wounded near the southern city of Rafah. A separate Israeli strike Saturday in Lebanons eastern Bekaa Valley killed a member of the military wing of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, or the Islamic Group, a Sunni Muslim faction closely allied with Hamas, according to the group. The member was the seventh killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon since the war began. The Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7 when Hamas militants who stormed southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and took some 250 others hostage. Israel has responded by bombarding and invading the enclave, killing more than 37, 400 Palestinians there according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Also on Saturday, Israels army said an Israeli man was fatally shot in the northern West Bank town of Qalqilya, where Israeli forces fatally shot two militants on Friday, the latest flare of violence in the territory since the Israel-Hamas war erupted. Since the wars start, at least 549 Palestinians in the territory have been killed by Israeli fire, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which tracks the killings. Over the same period, Palestinians in the West Bank have killed at least nine Israelis, including five soldiers, according to UN data. Israeli nationals are prohibited from entering Qalqilya and other areas of the West Bank that fall under the under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Residents in Khan Younis inspect the rubble in the aftermath of an airstrike (Courtesy al-Agha family via AP) In April, the death of a 14-year-old Israeli settler sparked a series of settler attacks on Palestinian towns in the territory. The army said a Palestinian was later arrested in connection with the killing. In 2014, the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank escalated tensions and eventually ignited a 50-day Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, at the time the deadliest round of fighting between the two sides. Over recent years, the Palestinian Authoritys influence in the northern West Bank has waned as militant groups have grown increasingly powerful. Also Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said a 12-year-old Palestinian boy died from his wounds after being shot by Israeli forces in Ramallah last week. Commenting on the shooting, the Israeli army said its forces raided al-Amari refugee camp near Ramallah to arrest a suspect on Friday and then opened fire on a group of Palestinians who were pelting them with stones. DUPs policy chief privately told leadership it was misleading the public on Irish Sea border deal, letter reveals Partys director of policy was paid to advise Sir Jeffrey Donaldson but Dan Boucher says he had no role in the most complex negotiations the party ever conducted, and doesnt know who was advising Donaldson Dan Boucher sent a 14-page letter to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Robinson, critiquing the DUP deal Sam McBride Sat 22 Jun 2024 at 08:00 Dan Boucher is a man whose name, face, and voice are largely unknown, even to those who follow Northern Ireland politics closely. One-time high-profile paramilitary accused of drive-off Former top UVF man Darren Moore is on the run after he failed to attend court and a warrant was issued for his arrest. DUPs Phillip Brett hails Gary Mitchell plays positive spin on marching bands Sold-out run of Pride of the Shore ends on Sunday Members of the real-life Pride of the Shore Flute Band have been cast in the play Sarah Henderson Sat 22 Jun 2024 at 19:00 Politicians at Stormont have heard a rave review of a play that deals with the views and struggles of loyalist communities in Belfast. Philippine official asserts recent clash does not constitute an armed attack under treaty terms. This screengrab taken from a handout video filmed on June 17, 2024, and released by Armed Forces of the Philippines on June 19 shows Chinese coast guard personnel (left, right) aboard their inflatable boats blocking Philippine navy boats (center) during a confrontation at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines dismissed calls Friday to invoke a defense treaty with the United States over a highly charged confrontation between the Chinese coast guard and Filipino navy personnel in disputed waters during which a sailor was injured. After the Philippine military released footage on Wednesday of the chaotic June 17 standoff at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, Philippine nationalist groups and hawkish politicians have been clamoring for the Marcos administration to use that to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty. The treaty, signed in 1951, binds Manila and Washington to come to each others military aid in the event of an attack by an external power. On Monday in the U.S. capital, officials at the White House and State Department condemned Chinas alleged conduct at the shoal as escalatory and irresponsible actions. We are not yet ready to consider this as an armed attack, Lucas Bersamin, the executive secretary of the Philippines who reports to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., told reporters on Friday when asked if the incident would trigger the treaty with Manilas oldest security ally. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed that during the encounter, one of its boats was forcibly towed, looted and damaged, and that Chinese personnel used machetes, blades and pikes to threaten sailors and damage equipment. A Filipino sailor lost a finger during the standoff, the AFP said. The incident was probably a misunderstanding or accident, Bersamin said. A day earlier, Senate President Francis Escudero had described the escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea as alarming, while he requested a full briefing from the foreign affairs department about the incident. He said the department should now go beyond the filing of diplomatic protests each time an incident occurs. Bersamin said the foreign office had not received an official response from China about the incident, although Beijing had publicly defended its coast guards actions in the shoal, which lies within the Philippines exclusive economic zone but is claimed by both countries. The incident occurred only two days after Chinas coast guard began enforcing a new regulation authorizing its personnel to intercept and detain foreign boats and crews suspected of trespassing in South China Sea waters claimed by Beijing. For their part, the Chinese accused the Philippine side of attempting to transport firearms and material needed to refurbish the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War II-era navy ship that Manila deliberately grounded at the shoal in the late 1990s to mark its territorial claim there. A contingent of Philippine marines is stationed aboard the ship, and rotated in and out of the shoal, which is known as Ayungin to Filipinos and Renai Jiao to the Chinese. The Philippine vessels secretly carried construction materials and even weapons and equipment, and they deliberately rammed Chinese vessels. The Philippine side threw water and hurled objects [at] Chinese enforcement personnel. These acts clearly escalated tensions at sea, and severely threatened the safety of Chinese personnel and vessels, Lin Jian, a spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry, said in a news briefing on Thursday. The Chinese side took necessary measures in accordance with law to safeguard its sovereignty, which was lawful and justified and done in a professional and restrained manner. It was beyond reproach, he said. During Mondays incident, which occurred close to the Sierra Madre, small boats from Chinas coast guard intercepted a rigid-hulled inflatable boat belonging to the Philippine Navy. Initial reports from the AFP said that seven Filipino troops were hurt in the skirmish at sea, but on Friday Philippine officials clarified that the sailor who lost a finger was the lone casualty among the Filipinos. PH-Ayungin 2 Philippine coast guard personnel and journalists sail aboard a rigid inflatable boat (left) as they head back after filming the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, Nov. 10, 2023. [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP] The Philippines runs regular rotation and resupply missions to the Sierra Madre. The old ship serves as Manilas military outpost in the contested waters and lies near Mischief Reef, an artificial island where Beijing built a naval base in the 1990s. I think this is a matter that can be easily resolved very soon by us and (if) China wants to work with us, we can work with China, Bersamin told reporters after he chaired a meeting of the National Maritime Council, a government body established in March to boost Philippine security in the West Philippine Sea. Manila refers to South China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as the West Philippine Sea. As a result of the meeting today, the [National Maritime Council] agreed on policy recommendations for the Presidents consideration, Bersamin said. Among these recommendations is the announcement of the rotation and reprovision missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, which will remain routinary and scheduled regularly. We will not yield and will not be deterred in fulfilling this duty, he said, adding that it would be wise for the president to accept the recommendations and publicize the schedule of the governments activities. Jojo Rinoza and Mark Navales contributed reporting from Manila. Manila is seeking to extend its continental shelf in the South China Sea. An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023. Vietnam is asking Manila for talks to discuss its lodging of a claim with the U.N. to extend the Philippine continental shelf in the South China Sea. Last week, Philippine diplomats submitted documents to the United Nations to register the countrys entitlement to an extended continental shelf in the West Palawan region of the contested waterway. The submission could bring legal challenges from Vietnam and Malaysia as they see their extended continental shelves overlapping with that claimed by the Philippines. While coastal states have a right to determine their outer continental shelf boundaries under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in submitting such claims they must respect the legal and legitimate rights and interests of other relevant coastal nations with opposite or adjacent coasts, the Vietnamese foreign ministry said on Thursday. Vietnam [is] ready to discuss with the Philippines to seek and achieve a solution that is mutually beneficial for both countries, ministry spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said. An extended continental shelf is the stretch of seabed that extends to a maximum of 350 nautical miles (648 km) from the shore of a coastal state, which has exclusive rights to explore it or exploit its natural resources, according to UNCLOS. On June 14, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the Philippines is entitled to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf, and that the seabed and subsoil hold significant potential resources that will benefit our nation and our people for generations to come. Continental shelf can extend beyond 200nm to a maximum of 350nm from the shore, or baseline. (The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea) The U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) said it would look at the Philippines submission during a session between January and March next year. Malaysia has yet to say anything publicly but will likely submit a diplomatic protest to the U.N., according to Malaysian sources. China, which claims most of the South China Sea despite regional countries objections, has rejected the Philippine submission, saying it infringed upon Chinas sovereign rights and jurisdiction and violated international law. Beijing said the submission should not be recognized nor considered. In 2009, when Vietnam and Malaysia made a joint submission on their extended continental shelves, both China and the Philippines protested. The submission, however, was considered by a U.N. body and that may have led to a Vietnamese proposal to make another joint submission, this time with the Philippines. At a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Jan. 30, the Philippine leader acknowledged Vietnams interest in pursuing a joint submission on the extended continental shelf, according to a Philippine statement. Marcos was quoted as saying that the Philippines was willing to work with Vietnam for a joint submission at the appropriate time. Questions remain over why Manila decided to make its submission unilaterally now, especially when it is facing an escalating confrontation with China in the South China Sea and seeking the support of the ASEAN regional grouping. Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news service affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. BENNINGTON An Arlington man accused of an ongoing sexual assault of a child during the spring and summer of 2023 was remanded back to jail after a Bennington judge refused to release him to his family due to safety concerns for the community and doubts his proposed living conditions would take away that risk. Richard Brown, 26, is accused in three felony counts of the repeated sexual assault of a fifteen-year-old victim during the spring and summer of 2023. He is charged with aggravated and repeated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a victim less than 16, and sexual assault without consent, all serious felonies, with the first and third counts carrying a possible life sentence if he is convicted. At a weight of evidence hearing in Bennington Thursday afternoon, Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady denied a defense request to release Brown from custody with conditions, including a 24/7 curfew under the supervision of his mother and brother. Instead, Judge McDonald-Cady continued a hold without bail due to the seriousness of the charges, Browns former and current penchant toward violence, and several questions about Browns relationship with his family, including questions on past misdeeds by his mother, violence-related charges brought against Brown by his brother, and whether Brown can abide by court conditions. During live testimony, Browns mother, who would be one of the people responsible for Browns supervision if he was released, at first denied she had any convictions on her record. After State Prosecutor Robert Plunkett confronted the mom, it was revealed she indeed had 12 misdemeanor convictions on her record, including for a domestic assault. Browns mother testified, I love my son, but Im not going to let him do anything wrong. Thats what a mother does. Testimony by Browns brother, the second individual who would be responsible for Brown if he was released and whose Bennington apartment Brown would be staying in, revealed that the brother contacted the police and filed paperwork for a relief from abuse protective order last year against Brown after Brown allegedly attacked him with a hammer. On the stand, the brother denied Brown attacked him, contradicting a sworn statement the brother signed attesting to the alleged hammer attack. Further, there was also an incident in early 2024 in which the brother called the police after Brown allegedly attacked another relative during a family melee, which resulted in a pending charge of simple assault against Brown. In a sworn statement in that case, it was revealed that Browns mother was also involved in a physical altercation with her sister during the same incident. Mr. Brown, this was not a relationship you were having, said Judge McDonald-Cady when she returned to the bench after a brief recess to make her decision. You have demonstrated on several occasions a penchant for violent acts as recently as early 2024. It doesnt seem that conditions would act as any deterrent to protect the public against violence. You are ordered held without bail. Certain serious felony offenses in Vermont carry a presumption of a hold without bail. That means that, unlike in most criminal cases before the court, the burden is switched from the state to the defense in proving to a judge that a defendant can and will abide by conditions if released. According to Judge McDonald-Cady, that burden was unmet. During the emotional hearing, Brown, sitting at the defense table in handcuffs and leg irons a few feet away from a watchful sheriffs deputy, kept looking back at his mother, then back at the judge. After the judge rendered her decision, Brown yelled out, I love you toward his mother and brother sitting in the back row as he was led back to jail. Both responded and then lowered their heads as he departed. According to a police affidavit, on January 19th, 2024, Browns sister told police that her brother admitted having sex on numerous occasions over several months last summer with a fifteen-year-old. The victim confirmed to the sister that she had non-consensual sex with Brown and that he was physically and verbally abusive, allegedly threatening the victim, telling her he would hurt her if she didnt have sex with him. Brown later told police he never had sex with the victim and denied any relationship. He also confirmed to police that he knew she was fifteen. Brown has three previous violent felony convictions on his record dating back to 2016, including domestic assault, aggravated domestic assault, and aggravated assault. He also has convictions for burglary and petty larceny. The simple assault in early 2024 is currently pending Brown pleaded not guilty to all counts at his arraignment in early June. He is being held without bail at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland, where he will remain until trial unless the hold without bail is removed. The next status hearing in the case is scheduled for sometime in July. This is a subscriber exclusive story. Subscribe today to access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home PITTSFIELD When Deysi Cruz couldnt find a Space Jam pinata for her nephews birthday party, she did what any aunt would do she made one herself. That was in 2021. It was the first time that Cruz, a native of Mexico living in Great Barrington for the past eight years, made a pinata. Equipped only with the instructions of a few YouTube videos and the necessary materials, she gave it a try to preserve the Space Jam party theme for her nephew. The pinata's end result was so well-received that people at the party told her she had to make more and put them up for sale. The people who were at the party started asking where we bought the pinatas, because they were very cool pinatas, Cruz said with a smile. That was how Cruzs business Mama O Pinatas got its start. She followed up the "Space Jam" pinatas with Christmas varieties, but shell match any theme for any party. I make what the people want, Cruz said. If you want any princess or superhero or things like that, Ive made it for them. For the past three years, Cruz has been making the pinatas out of her house and selling them online. She dreams of eventually having her own store and employing Latina single mothers like herself. But shell need some help to grow the business first. The Latinas413 Mentorship Program was designed to help with that. The program is a three-month course helping area Latinas achieve their entrepreneurship and education goals. The 12 women who completed the program this year were honored at an awards night ceremony on Friday in the Connector common area at Berkshire Community College. Participants received scholarships and financial support for their businesses. Carmen Guevara, coordinator of the nonprofit Latinas413 Mentorship Program, said this was the programs third year offering mentorship opportunities for women seeking business guidance, education and companionship. The education course assists participants who want to pursue their college degree, Guevara said, while the companionship program mentors Latinas who are newly arrived in the area and helps them make connections with other women and resources. Cruz has the skills she can make a large pinata in about two and a half hours, she said. But her mentor, Alexandra Aguirre, has the financial knowledge to help Cruz take her business to the next level. Aguirre is a business owner and volunteer mentor who specializes in finance and accounting. Quote Every time when we were talking about [the business], her eyes were getting some brightness. She was starting to get happy and inspired, and she was like Okay, I want to do that. That was the joy of my mentorship. Alexandra Aguirre, on her mentee Deysi Cruz Together, Aguirre helped Cruz figure out the business's operating expenses, a new logo and marketing plan, and set prices to help Cruz make the pinatas her main source of income. But most importantly, Aguirre said, the mentorship program gives mentees like Cruz a space where they can imagine the future and expand what they think is possible. As Aguirre put it, the women need a place to make their plans more cohesive and big. She had the opportunity to dream, Aguirre said. Every time when we were talking about [the business], her eyes were getting some brightness. She was starting to get happy and inspired, and she was like Okay, I want to do that. That was the joy of my mentorship. Aguirres support gave Cruz the confidence to commit to the business when she had doubts, she said. She gave me the security to keep going, Cruz said. For Cruz, the program is about more than just the business it gave her an avenue to express herself. Making pinatas is an art form, Cruz said, and being able to work on them helps to take her mind off her troubles. When you do art or something you really like, you take everything out, Cruz said. All the stress, all the sad things are out. In some cases, mentees decide to follow in their mentors footsteps directly. Sherlyns Viviana, a native of Honduras who has been in the United States for about a year, is currently in the application process at BCC with hopes to attend in the fall semester. Viviana worked with her mentor, Nicole Rivera, to figure out what she needed to do to make it happen. The last big hurdle that Viviana needs to clear is paperwork; getting her high school transcripts from Honduras will help her learn what steps she may still need to take, Rivera said. Viviana said the mentorship program provided her with great support, but also helped her figure out what she wanted to do next. Viviana wasnt sure what major she wanted to pursue when she first started the program. But Rivera, a social worker, set a great example for her. I fell in love with the way she talked about social work, Viviana said, as translated by Rivera. Viviana especially wants to help immigrant children and families, she said, and find pathways to higher education for them. One of the program's key strengths is the shared experiences between the mentors and mentees, Rivera and Aguirre said. Knowing the challenges firsthand helps mentors relate to the women they're paired with, and help them navigate the often confusing systems standing between them and their goals. The most important thing, Guevara said, is making sure that the participants dont give up. When mentors are working alongside their mentees, they can encourage them to keep going for their own sake, for their families or wherever the motivation may come from. If you go to a place where they help you with your business, they might give you resources, but its not the same as hearing from someone else who has their own business, Guevara said. At Latinas413, thats what were doing. A recent Boston Globe analysis revealed that roughly $380,000 is paid annually to the Democratic leaders of a dozen do-nothing state committees. This absolutely should be a campaign issue this fall, but with so few Republicans running for office and with the party having so little credibility with voters, it wont be. Pittsfield Public Schools are in a tight spot. In the spaces where city residents hope their kids can get a quality education, stubborn systemic issues persist, from lagging performance measures to bullying. The district is dealing with the new reality of budgeting on the edge of the COVID cliff, without a sizable assist from federal aid for the first time since the pandemic struck in 2020. The city it calls home is on shaky fiscal footing, too, so local funding is limited. Every year, hundreds of Pittsfield students go to school somewhere else. They take millions of dollars with them According to fiscal 2023 state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education data, 585 full-time equivalent Pittsfield school children attended schools outside the city limits via school choice. That's more children leaving the city every school day than the enrollment of Herberg Middle School. Amid all this, hundreds of Pittsfield students choice out to surrounding districts every year and millions in vital state aid dollars follow them out the door. That is the reality of school choice, a public school enrollment option available to Massachusetts families since 1991. More than three decades later, its time for state lawmakers and education leaders to reconsider what this program practically means for school communities like Pittsfields. School choice was conceived as a way to give parents more public school enrollment options and channel those decisions into incentives for school districts to innovate and improve on their services to students. School districts receive a baseline of $5,000 for each student who choices in, and that reimbursement is paid for by the district from which the student choices out. Districts can decide whether to receive choice-in students, but they cannot opt out of allowing students who reside in their district to choice out. Consider a frequent example that plays out hundreds of times per year: When a family who lives in Pittsfield chooses to send their child to the neighboring Lenox district, Lenox gets a bump in funding to their schools budget siphoned off from Pittsfields pool of Chapter 70 state aid. As such, the intended incentive of school choice takes two very different forms, depending on whether your district is receiving more choice-in students or seeing more students choice out, a sweet carrot for the former but a harsh stick for the latter. Its not surprising that Pittsfield gets the short end of that stick, given its geographic and socioeconomic conditions. Its the most populous district in the county with a more tenuous tax base and uniquely urban challenges compared to surrounding districts with more wealth per capita and smaller classroom sizes looking to fill seats to stave off dwindling rural enrollment. No wonder that Pittsfield saw more students choice out (586) than any Massachusetts community except for Springfield (827), according to the most recent data from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. And since Pittsfields population is about one-third that of Springfields, the back-of-the-envelope math suggests Pittsfield is number one when it comes to the ratio of choice-out students to total population. That dubious distinction results in Pittsfield losing more than $3.8 million annually in state aid due to the outflux of school choice students in the 2022-23 school year. To be sure, the existence of school choice is not the root of all problems for Pittsfield and other districts facing similar struggles. Yet its reasonable to ask whether the program in its current form is helping or hurting the underperforming school communities it was designed to help. Regardless of the lofty intentions of school choice, how exactly are districts like Pittsfield supposed to innovate their way out of their problems while paying out more of their precious but limited state aid every year? In the states annual report card reviews of public schools, Lenox Memorial Middle School scored in the 94th percentile in accountability last year an exceptionally high mark that considers achievement, growth, English learner progress, chronic absenteeism, high school completion, and advanced coursework completion. Meanwhile, Pittsfields two middle schools scored significantly lower. Herberg Middle School was rated at the 24th percentile in the bottom quartile of the states schools. Reid Middle School received an abysmal rating in the 1st percentile, which is to say among the bottom 1 percent of schools statewide on the aforementioned critical metrics. Its worth noting that DESEs overall assessment of the two Pittsfield middle schools concerningly low scores is that they require assistance or intervention in the form of focused/targeted support. Yet the school choice status quo offers the opposite of targeted support. It means well-off districts like Lenox that are already excelling by all meaningful metrics are given budget boosts on the backs of districts with deep systemic issues that serve, on average, much more economically and socially vulnerable families. By our lights, that is not a push toward innovation or improvement but a pull into a vicious cycle for districts like Pittsfield trying to serve lower-income and more diverse school communities. We urge the Berkshire delegation and Beacon Hill leadership to begin a hard but necessary conversation: What are the observable and predictable consequences of school choice on public education in poorer districts? After three decades, we believe a hard look at improving the formula is warranted. We dont anticipate the Legislature to take up the matter amid the current sessions hectic final stretch; at the most optimistic, wed like to see lawmakers take it up later this year in the light of a fresh two-year session. That means for at least one more school year cycle, Pittsfield must do its part to address the issue internally within its district. Pending any potential rethink of school choice from the top, district officials must address this worrying trend from the bottom up with not just words but a solid plan to stanch the bleeding. What are the specific measures being considered to address bullying and other behavioral concerns? What are the realistic improvements to pursue at the citys poorly performing middle schools? In addition to clear-eyed assessments of weakness, the district still has strengths that attract some choice-in students even as it loses more choice-out students; what are those strengths, and how can they be built on? All that is easier said than done. It will require city education leadership and city councilors to heal an unproductive communication breakdown that resulted in an ill-timed and ill-considered last-minute cut to the districts budget in city spending talks. Pittsfields schools and the community they serve deserve better from local leadership as well as the states school choice paradigm. China shares experience at int'l symposium in Ethiopia on enhancing public service delivery Xinhua) 10:02, June 22, 2024 ADDIS ABABA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 experts, scholars, and diplomats exchanged ideas on Friday at Oromia State University (OSU) in Batu Town, Oromia regional state of Ethiopia, on improving public sector transformation, public service delivery, human resource development, and capacity building. In his welcoming speech, Geremew Huluka, president of OSU and organizer of the event, said the university has played a vital role in the region's development efforts by building the capacity of the regional government and providing training, reform, and consultancy. Now, its role is going beyond the region, and networking is even becoming global. "Oromia State University has opened an opportunity for more than 60,000 leaders and public servants to at least move their level of education one step up. And now, we are opening the same opportunity to help the leaders and public servants move one step upper. That is to PhD level," said Huluka. For his part, Shen Qinmin, charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, shared with the audience the Chinese experience of poverty alleviation, the Chinese path to modernization, and China's foreign policy. "It is the hard-working public servants that have made the poverty alleviation of nearly 100 million Chinese a reality. We are now embarking on the Chinese path to modernization. It is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development," Shen said. He also drew similarities between China and Ethiopia in public service delivery, indicating that both Chinese and Ethiopian public servants share the value of persistence, devotion, and patriotism. "As all-weather strategic partners, China and Ethiopia are expected to enhance cooperation across the board, and I think there should be no exception in public servant development," the Chinese diplomat stressed. This two-day international research symposium, organized by OSU for the first time, features a wide range of activities, such as exhibitions, keynote speeches, discussions, and award ceremonies, among others. Guests from the diplomatic communities in the country, including the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia and the African Union, were invited to attend the event. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing) Demonstrations will be held in cities across the country on Saturday in solidarity with a young woman assaulted by a member of the Defence Forces. Natasha O'Brien (24) was knocked unconscious during an attack on O'Connell Street in Limerick City in May 2022. Advertisement Earlier this week, serving soldier Cathal Crotty (22) was convicted of assault and received a three-year fully-suspended jail term. The leniency of the sentence has drawn major criticism and calls for changes to the criminal justice system. Protests called by @RosaSocFem in Limerick, Dublin and Cork this Saturday against the misogynistic judicial system. #NoJusticeNoPeace pic.twitter.com/6zKgOzwLY4 ROSA Limerick (@RosaLimerick) June 21, 2024 Advertisement A series of protests to show solidarity with Ms O'Brien and highlight violence against women will be held on Saturday, organised by social feminist group Rosa. The demonstrations will take place in Limerick, Cork and Dublin, while a protest has also been organised by a group of activists in Galway. Protesters are set to gather on Grand Parade in Cork City from midday, at the Spire in Dublin City Centre from 1pm, and on Bedford Row in Limerick from 3pm. Advertisement The demonstration in Galway is due to take place in Eyre Square at 2pm. Speaking to Newstalk ahead of the demonstrations, Rosa spokesperson Ruth Coppinger said a number of steps need to be taken to keep women safe. Ireland Taoiseach praises woman beaten unconscious by sold... Read More "We need a massive overhaul of the legal system to make it possible for women and for LGBT+ people to get justice in this country. "[The demonstrations are] to show solidarity, but also reflect that there has to be change, and the only way that that's going to happen is by people coming out onto the streets and putting pressure on the political establishment who've done very little on this issue." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information. Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112. More than a thousand people have gathered in protests in Dublin and Cork in solidarity with a woman who was viciously assaulted by an Irish soldier. Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court after he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Natasha OBrien. Advertisement The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms OBrien in Limerick in 2022. Impromptu march to dept of justice in solidarity with Natasha #thisisnotjustice pic.twitter.com/QemMA8KW7O ROSA - Socialist Feminist Movement (@RosaSocFem) June 22, 2024 Advertisement Ms OBrien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system. There has also been criticism of Judge Tom ODonnell, after he told the court earlier this week that if he imposed a custodial sentence, Crottys army career would be over. Advertisement Many people taking part in Saturdays protest criticised the suspended sentence. Hundreds of people gathered at The Spire in Dublin city centre calling for an end to gender-based violence and for legal reforms in how the judicial system deals with gender-based crime. Men, women and children of all ages carried placards calling for an end to victim blaming in courts and justice for Ms OBrien and other victims of gender violence. The demonstrators marched from The Spire on OConnell street to the Department of Justice at St Stephens Green. Advertisement Ruth Coppinger, a spokesperson for the campaign group, Rosa, said the entire country is outraged by the courts decision. Attending the protest in Dublin, Ms Coppinger said: He pleaded guilty to the most brutal assault on a young woman, beaten into unconsciousness with years long impact on her life, her job, her mental health, and was given a suspended sentence. Marie Clynes, a retired teacher from Dublin and Tristan McCall who travelled from Co Wicklow to attend the protest in Dublin on Saturday (Cate McCurry/PA) Advertisement His career was placed above the impact on her of the violence and that just says it all about the misogynistic rulings that were seeing in courts, to be honest, every day of the week, this is not unusual. We actually have to get that out there. These type of cases are a daily occurrence in the court. One in three rape cases ends in a partial or full suspended sentence. So this is not unusual. People may be reacting in a shocked way and I think that this has come to light because Natasha spoke out and probably because hes in the army as well. It has captured the imagination of people, but unfortunately, this is too regular an occurrence. Maybe lets start by suspending a few judges who dont understand the impact of violence against women or girls or LGBT plus people or in general on victims. We absolutely need dramatic change. Laura Fitzgerald, also from the Rosa organisation which organised the protests, said: Womens Aid this week reported the highest number of domestic violence disclosures in one year in 2023. Thats how wide spread domestic violence is. Campaigner and womens rights activist Ailbhe Smyth said: This will not be the only time that we will be standing here or marching through the streets of Dublin on the issue of violence against women. Quite frankly this is enough. We have had enough. We will absolutely not take anymore. We will not watch a young woman who has already been traumatised, injured who said I will not be the same again. How sad can that be. Her life was dragged through our courts but she was brave enough to stand up and say it must not happen again. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said: A few months ago I criticised a judge in the Dail and you would think the sky had fallen in. The Minister for Justice (Helen McEntee), the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach all said you cant say that, you cant criticise the judiciary. I was dragged over the coals for it. To criticise a judge in this establishment is, to them, a mortal sin. They appoint them. And because they appoint the judges, we have to judge them and we will judge them at the next election and tell them they have had their day. Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms OBrien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty. Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence. I need to be particularly careful in that context. But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence. In a statement on social media on Friday, the Irish Defence Forces said: Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law, it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations. We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case. The looming strike action by Aer Lingus pilots, and reaction to the sentencing of a member of the Defence Forces for an assault on a young woman in Limerick fill Saturday's front pages. The Irish Times reads: 'Strike action called as pilots raise stakes in Aer Lingus pay battle'. Advertisement The papers also reports the Defence Forces has opened a disciplinary case against Cathal Crotty, a soldier convicted earlier this week of knocking a woman unconscious in an attack on O'Connell Street in Limerick City in 2022. The Irish Examiner carries quotes from the assault victim, Natasha OBrien, who criticised the leniency of Crotty's fully-suspended sentence. Advertisement Meanwhile, The Echo leads with a story on Cork's new Lord Mayor, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle. Defence Forces tell soldier convicted of brutal attack on woman there is no future for him in the Army... read the full story in Saturday's Mail pic.twitter.com/GkPmiN7f3x The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) June 21, 2024 Advertisement The Irish Independent reports Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will not intervene in the Aer Lingus dispute. Advertisement In Britain, criticism of Labour and the ongoing election betting scandal feature amid a range of stories on the front of Saturdays newspapers. The Daily Telegraph focuses on an interview with UK business secretary Kemi Badenoch, who warns Labour will reverse Brexit if they win the UK General Election. Advertisement The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Starmer will reverse Brexit, says Badenoch'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/0VXs7kapkX The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 21, 2024 Labour and leader Sir Keir Starmer also come under fire in The Times, as author JK Rowling says the party has turned its back on women over transgender rights and she would struggle to vote for them. The Daily Telegraph: Starmer will reverse Brexit, says Badenoch #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/k9U4osBWpB George Mann (@sgfmann) June 21, 2024 Conservatives and the scandal around alleged betting on the election date are in the spotlight on the front of The Independent, which says UK prime minister Rishi Sunak failed to deny cabinet members were involved, while the Daily Star says a poll puts Count Binface just behind the Mr Sunak in his constituency. The Daily Mail focuses on Reform leader Nigel Farage who drew fury when he told a television interview that western allies had provoked Russian leader Vladimir Putin into invading Ukraine. The i weekend says the National Trust has challenged political parties to sign pledges to protect rivers from pollution. i weekend: National Trust challenges UK leaders to Save Britains Rivers #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ptLm8tzERQ George Mann (@sgfmann) June 21, 2024 Plans to abolish non-dom tax status are leading to wealthy foreigners leaving the UK, according to the FT Weekend. Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Saturday 22 June https://t.co/M5cEV1K5Jz pic.twitter.com/soMls4zJXu Financial Times (@FT) June 21, 2024 The Guardian focuses on cybersecurity, revealing that Russian hackers have stolen more than 300 million pieces of information from NHS records. The Guardian: 300m NHS patient records stolen by Russian hackers #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ffwdZwcfsa George Mann (@sgfmann) June 21, 2024 David Norris, who was jailed for killing Stephen Lawrence, has applied for parole as the end of his minimum 14-year term nears its end, reports the Daily Mirror. And the Daily Express focuses on Dame Esther Rantzen celebrating a birthday she never expected to see. Nigel Farage has stood by his comment describing Andrew Tate as an important voice for men as he greeted supporters in Clacton-on-Sea. The Reform UK leader had praised Tate while speaking on the Strike It Big podcast in February for defending male culture and said the jury is out on investigations into the influencer, The Guardian reported. Advertisement Since December 2022, Tate has faced charges in Romania of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, which he denies. Advertisement Asked whether Tate was an important voice for men as he was leaving a meeting with supporters, Mr Farage said: Hes got a massive following and that shows you how big the gap is. I mean, clearly hes facing some serious allegations and has said some things that are difficult to level with, but the fact that hes got the following shows you how big the gap is. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage arriving in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (Joe Giddens/PA) Advertisement Mr Farage did not specify what gap he was referring to. The Reform leader went on to take a punt on an arcade machine in front of journalists after the event, which took place near Clacton pier. Asked by French news channel BFM TV if he was hopeful of winning in Clacton, Mr Farage said: I hope so, but never take anything in life for granted. Spanish search and rescue teams have gathered again in Tenerife for the sixth day of the hunt for British teenager Jay Slater. Officers were joined by rescue dogs and firefighters as they reconvened at Rural de Teno Park on the south of the island on Saturday, after another day without a major breakthrough. Advertisement The sixth day of searches began after the administrator of an official Facebook page set up to help find Mr Slater said somebody had logged into his Instagram account who was not him. Advertisement Rachel Louise Harg said a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than 26,000 will go towards family and friends staying in Tenerife while the hunt continues. Ms Harg said people who had been hacking the social media accounts of Mr Slaters family were sick in the head. Lancashire Constabulary said it had made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources which was rejected by Spanish authorities. Mr Slater is from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle, where specialist officers are continuing to support his family, the force said. Advertisement The 19-year-old disappeared following an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus. He had attended the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before his disappearance. In a statement, the force said: Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. Advertisement The village of Masca, Tenerife, where the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues (James Manning/PA) They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change. Police, firefighters and search and rescue personnel combed a vast area of land in and around the village of Masca on Friday. Emergency workers met in various locations throughout the day, combing bushes, overgrown terrain, hillsides and rivers, but failed to find the missing teenager. Advertisement Search and rescue personnel carefully looked through dead palm trees covering a river at the bottom of the hillside near to an Airbnb property he had reportedly been driven to. The owner of the property, who gave her name as Ophelia, told reporters she saw Mr Slater walk up the road past her property but did not see him again after that describing the situation as worrying. Jay Slater was last heard from on Monday (Family handout/PA) A post was issued on Facebook on Friday which said Mr Slaters family and friends were drained beyond words. Helicopters, rescue dogs and drones have been used in an effort to find the teenager, who was last heard from when he called his friend Lucy Law on Monday morning. Officers have since been seen peering over the hillside and staring intently at the landscape through binoculars near to his last known location close to the village of Masca. The walk from Mr Slaters last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. On the fifth day of the hunt for Mr Slater, search teams paid close attention to a river called Barranco Madre del Agua at the bottom of a ravine, where personnel with sticks carefully searched through fallen dead trees. They later moved to other areas, focusing a lot of their resources in an area near Rural de Teno park. In a post on the Facebook page called Jay Slater Missing, the administrator of the group Rachel Louise Harg said family and friends of Mr Slater were in a living nightmare. A police officer looks over terrain near Masca in Tenerife (James Manning/PA) Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from a helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the forces X, formerly Twitter, account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs. Ms Law, who attended the NRG music festival with Mr Slater, said he called her at about 8.30am on Monday and told her he was lost in the mountains, he wasnt aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink and his phone was on 1%. Mr Slaters mother, Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, previously said searching for her son was an absolute living nightmare. Mr Slater was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts and trainers and with a black bag. A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities. Canyon Hills Worship | DREAM Label Group Los Angeles, CA (June 21st, 2024) - Seattle, Washington worship group Canyon Hills Worship releases Good To Me today. Available on all streaming platforms via DREAM Worship, this beautiful encouraging and hopeful worship song also features Michael Monroe. The song is available in both standard definition and high definition formats. The song was produced by Nick Bays and co-written by Michael Monroe, Nick Bays, Koby Orr and Jess Soccorsi. Good To Me is the sixth offering from their upcoming EP due out this fall. "Good To Me" is a reminder of the goodness of God. This worship song, lead by Michael Monroe, proclaims the kindness, blessing of salvation and the appreciation of relationship in Him. - Canyon Hills Worship Listen or Buy Good To Me here. Jordan Feliz - Praise God For That | Rick Hoganson RIAA Platinum-selling, Dove Award-winning pop recording artist and songwriter Jordan Feliz releases Praise God For That worldwide today (June 21) from Centricity Music via http://jordanfeliz.lnk.to/PGFT. The song follows the Top 10 hit The King Is Alive to radio and is the second radio single from Felizs fourth full-length album (title and release date TBA). This song is all about how much gratitude and acknowledging the blessings God has given us, no matter how small or large, can change the perspective of your mentality every day, says Feliz, who wrote the song with Jonathan Gamble and longtime collaborator Colby Wedgeworth. And sharing in that together as believers shows the world that Jesus changes everything. So let's praise God for that together, Feliz encourages. CHORUS: Can I get a hallelujah Someone saying Amen Can I get a thank You Jesus Lord have mercy Praise Him For all the goodness that Hes shown in your life If you gotta song inside your soul dont hold it back Somebody praise God for that Taking his new music and fan favorites on the road, Feliz is featured as a headliner for the Explo Music Fest in Guatemala June 28 followed by a series of significant fairs and festivals across the US this summer. For all the latest Jordan Feliz album, tour and more news, visit https://jordanfeliz.com/, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Controversial radio star Kyle Sandilands has become the target of an advertising boycott by the activist group Mad F---ing Witches (MFW) as The Kyle & Jackie O Show launches in Melbourne ahead of the rest of the country. However, MFWs claims they have convinced big-name advertisers, including Myer, AAMI, Bunnings, Samsung and Hamilton Island, to abandon the show have been denied by the companies, all of which confirmed they were unaware of the campaign. Kyle Sandilands at home in Vaucluse. Credit: Nic Walker A spokeswoman for parent company ARN said there was no record of advertisers pulling out over concerns regarding content. However, Sandilands said on air last week that listeners had been complaining. He did not respond to questions put by this masthead. ARN network bosses are privately anxious about the MFW campaign and have pointed to the experiences of other broadcasters, such as Alan Jones, who was targeted in a highly publicised MFW campaign in 2019 over his remarks about former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. Dont forget your walking shoes. Bordeaux is best explored by roaming its magnificent streets, squares and boulevards. Yes, plenty of other French cities have glorious architecture, but only Bordeaux has 1800 hectares of its city centre protected by a World Heritage listing. Bordeauxs other great claim to fame is, of course, its acclaimed local wines. You can dive deep into the history and culture of wine at the riverside La Cite du Vin. (Its gleaming, swirling surface was inspired both by the Garonne River and by the swirling motion of wine in a glass.) Alternatively, settle in at one of the citys inviting wine bars. Soif has a 35-strong wine list and a menu of seasonal bites based on whatevers freshest in the local markets. The local restaurant scene is equally lively: try Symbiose, where you can graze from small plates then pass through the hidden entrance to its speakeasy-style cocktail bar. In the north of the city, former industrial areas have been reinvented as hip neighbourhoods. Head to Chartrons for intriguing art studios and boutiques as well as the CAPC contemporary art museum, tucked into an atmospheric former warehouse. One more thing: housed in a former submarine base, the dazzling Bassins des Lumieres is Europes largest digital art centre. Have a long lunch in Lyon Historic Lyon. Credit: Travelpix / Stocksy United Ask any French foodie where to find the countrys best cuisine and the answer will always be the same: Lyon. The city is reputedly home to 4300 restaurants, including a phalanx of Michelin-starred restaurants and the famous bistros known as bouchons. These traditional diners are the place to sample classic Lyonnais dishes such as coq au vin, tablier de sapeur (breaded tripe) or the delicious fish dumplings known as quenelles all washed down with a local drop of Beaujolais. Its not just the restaurants that are worth checking out. Lyon is also home to some spectacular bars including Le Dome, a glorious former chapel where you can down designer cocktails beneath a 32-metre-high dome. The city is also famous for the secret passageways known as traboules that wind through the Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse neighbourhoods. About 40 of them are open to the public some with vaulted ceilings, others with spiral staircases and tracking them down is half the fun. Originally created as shortcuts for fetching water, the citys silk workers later used them as a way to transport the delicate fabric under cover. During World War II, they were favourite meeting places for agents of the French Resistance. One more thing: Lyon has some magnificent trompe-loeil murals, including Le Mur des Canuts and La Fresque des Lyonnais, an 800-square-metre painting featuring portraits of 30 famous Lyonnais. Be enchanted by Nantes Oysters in Nantes. Credit: Yaroslav Danylchenko / Stocksy U There is one word that always crops up when people write about Nantes: former. As in, the former capital of Brittany. Or, the former slaving port. But a visit to Nantes is not just about looking back at the past. Of course, it has some glorious old buildings. There is the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne, which houses the citys history museum; the art deco Passage Pommeraye shopping arcade; and the gorgeous art nouveau brasserie La Cigale (stop in for a dozen local oysters). Loading The real reason to visit this university town, however, is to enjoy the art of living well. The people of Nantes have it nailed. They revel in their green surrounds; there are more than 100 parks, including the verdant Jardin des Plantes, with its waterfalls, ponds and 10,000 plant species. Art is everywhere, too, including the delightful Estuaire art trail, 30 monumental sculptures arrayed along the riverbanks, including everything from a giant sea snake to a semi-submerged house. A three-hour cruise is the best way to take it all in. And of course, there is fabulous food. Head to the lively Marche de Talensac to find the best fresh produce and seafood, stop in at one of the many creperies, or try a local cake such as the aromatic gateau Nantais, fragrant with almonds and rum. And dont forget a glass of the local drop, muscadet. One more thing: the old shipyards are now home to delights such as Les Machines dIle, giant mechanised animals and insects beloved by both children and adults. Mix it up in Marseille Marseilles old harbour. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Forget what you think you know about Marseille. Considered a no-go zone for many decades, the city has had a makeover and is now an inviting destination. In fact, if you are looking for the proverbial something-for-everyone, Marseille hits the spot. Lively neighbourhoods? There are plenty to choose from including the Vieux-Port waterfront district; the colourful Panier, with its steep streets and stairways; and Le Cours Julien, originally home to the citys fruit and veg market, now a hub for street art and second-hand stores. For a truly amazing experience, I recommend Restaurant LAssiette, a Michelin-star French restaurant in the 14th arrondissement. What makes this place fabulous is chef David Rathgebers famous cassoulet. Its the best in Paris a combination of beef, pork, duck confit and sausages. His cooking is world-renowned, and I love that he has opened a produce store next door called LArriere Cuisine, where you can walk in and purchase meals from the shelf. Its small, fast food but great quality. French markets are always an essential when in Paris, too. Le Marche aux Puces is where all the antiques can be found. I bought a set of old copper pots and saucepans. Everything from weird taxidermy to vintage glasses, its a crazy, full-on and worth visiting. Michael Lo Sordo, fashion designer Fashion designer Michael Lo Sordo love to browse the shelves at Librairie 7L. Credit: Steven Siewert I love browsing the shelves at Librairie 7L the Left Bank bookshop founded by Karl Lagerfeld in 1999. Its known for its art, architecture and fashion books. I always visit Le Bistrot Paul Bert; the steak and peppercorns changed my life and the dessert souffle is a must-order. The Louis Vuitton Foundation designed by Frank Gehry is highly recommended, and take in The Centre Pompidous modernist exterior, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. A trip to Paris isnt complete without going to Officine Universelle Buly 1803 a beautiful curation and where I like to get my carrot oil, as its the best for a healthy sun tan without the sun. My home away from home is Hotel Crillon, which is also my hotel showroom during Paris Fashion week. Its a Rosewood hotel that is truly special. Its where Marie Antoinette learnt to play the piano, and now you can have breakfast in the spot where she did. I also like to go to Blondie Coffee Shop, which is near Holybelly, a cafe run by a couple from Paris who lived in Melbourne for a while. I have been going there for years. He makes a fabulous honey stacked pancake dish when you need a bit of love. Rafael Bonachela, artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company Visit The National Theatre for Dance and see any performance says Rafael Bonachela. I took the Sydney Dance Company to perform in Paris on two occasions, in 2018 at the Palais de Chaillot, and again in 2022. That really started our dance companys love affair with the city and I got to explore a lot of Paris. The French live and breathe culture, its ingrained in who they are. Dance is a discipline they really support too. I recommend you visit The National Theatre for Dance and see any performance any day of the year. Or visit Palais de Chaillot because its right in front of the Eiffel Tower and you get a great view of the iconic tower. I also love to shop when in Paris. The menswear buildings dedicated to mens fashion is outstanding; I recommend Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marche; its where you find all the designers under one roof, from my favourite YSL and Loewe to discovering designers you have never heard of before. When it comes to cocktails, I visit Le Mary Celeste they specialise in French style tapas and great drinks. Being Spanish, I love the approach to tapas here. I also love to find quirky gifts at Merci Paris - a fabulous concept store where I buy a cool lampshade or an incredibly designed wine opener. Chyka Keebaugh, businesswoman, author and ambassador for Blue Illusion Chyka Keebaugh says that LAvenue is perfect lunch with a side of people watching. Credit: Getty Images My favourite restaurant in Paris for lunch is LAvenue perfect for people watching, and where all the fashionistas love to go. Girafe Paris is also iconic, with the Eiffel Tower in the background for the perfect photo. Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris is another pitstop. My husband Bruce always orders a martini and I have a cocktail special. I love the sexiness of this bar design. I discovered a unique shop in Paris via Instagram seven years ago, and I go back and visit every time. Its called Marin Montagut. He is a famous French illustrator and creator, known for his interior decorations. He is quirky and puts chairs around parks in Paris, makes watering cans and has a unique way of styling things. I was in heaven here. Its a touch of France where you find something special to bring home. I also love walking around the Marais and buying a quiche, drinking a glass of rose and enjoying the outdoors. I went to Paris twice last year and cant recommend the train from London to Paris enough. Its a 2.5-hour trip, they serve beautiful champagne and a great lunch, and you watch the world go by and arrive in the middle of Paris. Jacqui Felgate, radio host on 3AW and Chadstone ambassador Jacqui Felgate recommends searching for Celine handbags you cant source in Australia at Le Bon Marche. Rohan Browning is an athlete, best known for running the second-fastest time by an Australian over 100 metres. Here, the 26-year-old reflects on the generosity of his grandma, the early encouragement from his mother, and the ongoing support from his partner, Alix. I am naturally inclined towards women who are curious, honest and understand themselves. Credit: Courtesy of The Iconic My maternal grandmother, Ruby, lives in the Illawarra, NSW. Wed go there to visit when I was young, and my grandparents would look after me if my parents had to go away for work. I remember the flat lemon squash that was always in the fridge who knows how old it was and enjoying it with a bowl of Cheezels. My grandma would always slip me some money. My mum, Elizabeth Jackson, worked as an ABC radio journalist and raised three sons with my dad, Andrew. Mum always had a global consciousness, attuned to the ways of the world, and had her finger on the pulse when it came to the news cycle. Mum was outnumbered by men in our home. There was a lot of male energy and sport activities were her life. She set the tone early for us, though, to always respect motivated and ambitious women because that is who she was. She taught her sons that nobody was better or less than us. She had a brilliant wit and gave us a curiosity for the world. I always look up to her and appreciate her work ethic. Network Ten will ask the Federal Court to order Bruce Lehrmann to pay $200,000 in security as the price of continuing his appeal against his defamation defeat, in a move that could result in the proceedings being axed. In a landmark judgment in April, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee dismissed the former federal Liberal staffers multimillion-dollar defamation suit against Ten and presenter Lisa Wilkinson over an interview with Brittany Higgins aired on The Project in February 2021. Bruce Lehrmann outside the Federal Court in Sydney in November. Credit: Kate Geraghty Lee found Ten and Wilkinson had proven on the balance of probabilities that the central allegation in the broadcast, that Lehrmann raped his then-colleague Higgins in Parliament House in March 2019, was true. Lehrmann, an unemployed law student, filed a notice of appeal against that decision in the Full Court of the Federal Court last month. The document was filed by Lehrmann himself rather than a lawyer, and it is not clear if Lehrmann will have legal representation at any hearing. For all of his time as a school and university student, Keith Houghton guarded a secret. Concealed out of a sense of self-preservation, only his family knew the daily hurdles he had to leap. By late 2000, Houghton was in his 40s and had been working as a professor at the University of Melbourne for a decade. But a student was about to change his approach to life. Keith Houghton is among those in the dyslexic community to welcome changes to the way children are taught to read. Credit: Daniel Heath Houghton was a committee member on the academic board that was considering whether a second-year students enrolment should be discontinued due to poor academic performance. This student had done well in first year and then poorly in second year, Houghton said. Given one last chance to argue his case, Houghton said the young man looked around the room before saying: Im dyslexic. With Western officials more inured to Putins threats than during the early days of the war, the Russian leader has changed the content and turned up the volume, asking rhetorically at one point on Thursday why Moscow shouldnt go all the way an apparent reference to nuclear war if the West was indeed seeking its strategic defeat. Loading From the start, Putin has used the threat of nuclear war as a way to deter Western nations from supporting Ukraine. When he launched his full-scale invasion in early 2022, he warned any country considering intervening that they would face consequences such as you have never seen in your entire history. Initially, the threat worked. President Joe Bidens administration made the avoidance of nuclear war the North Star of its Ukraine policy. The United States and its allies withheld a full suite of sophisticated weapons from Ukraine out of fears that Putin would carry out a nuclear strike or retaliate directly against a NATO member state. The latest change permission for Ukraine to conduct limited strikes into Russia to defend itself against cross-border attacks appears to have Putin feeling the heat. Since that shift, he has frequently mentioned his nuclear arsenal and suggested other ways Russia could escalate in response to the West. Sceptics of Putins rhetoric say they see little reason for him to use a nuclear weapon. A senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private assessments, said the alliance judged it unlikely that Putin would use nuclear weapons in the conflict and hadnt seen any changes to Russias nuclear posture to suggest otherwise. Old friends: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese President To Lam at a gala reception in Hanoi on Thursday. Credit: AP But Putin showed in North Korea that he can take measures short of firing off a nuclear weapon and far afield from Ukraine, and still unnerve the United States and its allies. The Russian leaders willingness to brandish the possibility of arming North Korea, which earlier in Putins tenure as president would have been unthinkable, shows how much the war in Ukraine has become a singular, defining principle of his foreign policy and his rule. Russian foreign policy is now structured around the war, Gabuev said. In every relationship, there are three goals: first, support for the Russian military machine; second, support for the Russian economy under sanctions; and three, how can I instrumentalise this relationship to inflict pain on the US and its allies for their support of Ukraine? The discomfort could go beyond arming Kim. A comment Putin made earlier this month in St Petersburg led some analysts to suggest that he was considering giving weapons to the Houthis, the Iran-backed Shiite militants in Yemen, who have been attacking US vessels and aircraft in and around the Red Sea, or other groups hostile to the United States and its allies. Loading Doubters of Putins nuclear saber-rattling reason that Russia is on the front foot in Ukraine, making him unlikely to do anything dramatic that could further mobilise Ukraines backers or jeopardise his battlefield trajectory. Former president Donald Trump, who has made clear his distaste for US spending on Ukraine, may be back in the White House in seven months. If Russia is fundamentally confident that the future is better than the past, then that makes the use of nuclear weapons very unlikely, said Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and a former UK ambassador to Belarus. Still, some analysts worry that Western desensitisation to Putins warnings have created a precarious situation. In Moscow, a foreign policy expert who has advised the Kremlin acknowledged that Russia at times has cried wolf, but the wolf never appeared. Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un outside Pyongyang on Wednesday. Credit: AP Loading There is a growing sense in Moscow, the person said, that Russias threats directed at the West had not been sufficiently convincing and that it was necessary to raise the temperature a little bit. Beyond arming Americas adversaries, including North Korea and Iran, experts in Moscow were discussing the possibility of cyber or space attacks, the person said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared retribution for speaking with an American news outlet. Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, said there was now an increased risk of an unintended escalation, where one side takes an action based on a misperception of what the other is doing. Officials in the United States, for example, recently expressed worries about the Kremlin misinterpreting Ukrainian attacks against Russian sites that are part of Moscows nuclear early-warning system. Russian President Vladimir Putin during a national address in Moscow in December. Credit: AP I think we keep focusing on nuclear escalation, and its distracting us from fully coming to grasp all the ways he is escalating out of that domain, Kendall-Taylor said. Rogue arms transfers or increased sabotage attacks outside Ukraine would be a logical escalation for Putin, analysts say, given Russias unique Soviet inheritance: global reach, weapons-making prowess and intelligence services skilled in unconventional warfare. Bardellas appeal is clear: young, well-spoken and impeccably dressed in slim-fitting suits and turtlenecks, not a hair in his short haircut out of place. Youthful but confidently grown-up, hes often described as handsome or the perfect son-in-law. Hes derided by some (older) opponents as the king of TikTok for his enthusiasm for social media, where hes often shown posing for selfies with his fans. Yet, his carefully curated clips of him taking down opponents in debates, climbing aboard a boat to meet fishermen, driving a tractor or sipping a regional wine reach millions. Meanwhile, Bardellas mentor, Marine Le Pen, daughter of Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen, waits in the wings for her chance to claim Frances greatest prize the presidency, next up for grabs in 2027. The snap election that French President Emmanuel Macron called in June was seen as a referendum on his leadership, and a gamble that the French people might fall into the arms of the ascendent far-right party National Rally (RN). Macrons centrist alliance did indeed perform poorly in the first round of the two-stage election process, held on June 30 and July 7. RN said it wanted to govern with an outright majority and to make its 28-year-old president, Jordan Bardella, prime minister. RNs Marine Le Pen, whose father founded the party, looked to have positioned herself well for a tilt at the presidency in 2027, seen by most observers as her ultimate goal. Yet in the second round, it appeared that voters blinked, turning out in greater numbers than usual to support a cobbled-together left-wing coalition called Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP). In a surprise, NFP won the most seats overall, though not an outright majority of the 577 on offer. RN finished in third place, although it did increase its seats from the last election. France had not yet swerved all the way to the right. As for Le Pen: stay tuned. The coming days are going to be extraordinary within the French political landscape, says Romain Fathi, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University. Political alliances will be made and broken while the French are holding their breath and thinking hard about their vote. But that was before the fateful gamble by French President Emmanuel Macron to call a surprise snap election, the first round of which fell on June 30. If Macron had been hoping the French voting public would reaffirm its one-time support for his centrist party, he seems to have been mistaken. Instead, as the second round of voting looms on July 7, Macron looks ever more likely to become a lame-duck president , sharing power with the new face in French politics: Jordan Bardella, who at 28 is poised to become Frances youngest ever prime minister, leading the countrys first far-right government since World War II. Bardellas party, the National Assembly, gained a third of votes on June 30 ahead of a left-wing coalition (28 per cent) followed by Macrons alliance (22 per cent). We have to go back to 2015 to find anything remotely spicy, when Bardella, then a baby-faced 20-year-old, was campaigning for a place in regional government among the hardscrabble housing estates in northern Paris. For a potential future prime minister, surprisingly little is widely known about Jordan Bardella. French media have dug deep to find any skeletons in his closet, mostly without success. According to news outlet Le Monde, a French television program investigated Bardella for 18 months and claimed to have found just one blemish: an anonymous Twitter account sharing questionable content, an association he denied. What does Bardella actually believe? What explains his extraordinary rise? And what is happening in French politics? Exactly what he and his party, Rassemblement National National Rally, or RN stand for these days is not entirely clear. Their policies are still thinly sketched. One French newspaper warned that it was not about reading the fine print there was no fine print at all. This is what he says politicised him. In April, he told television channel France 2: Like many families, many people who live in these neighbourhoods, I was confronted with violence, and my mother struggled to make ends meet. The truth is that the sense of urgency that led me into politics has never left me. Bardella has a curated origin story. Born to Italian parents, one of whom has some Algerian heritage, he grew up in social housing in a tough part of Paris called Seine-Saint-Denis, a multicultural northern banlieue, or suburb. His father left when he was young and, in Bardellas telling, he witnessed much crime and social unrest in his neighbourhood, which was once singled out in a special newspaper series as the suburb left behind . Instead, Bardellas social media features broad, patriotic messaging that speaks to a particular world view. He has recast some would say sugarcoated the angry message of the nationalist right so effectively that there is talk of Bardellamania, writes Roger Cohen in The New York Times. Evidence of that campaign still lingers online although Bardella probably wishes it didnt. He and Betesh are ancient history. So, too, is the overtly racist messaging that was once the French National Fronts stock-in-trade. A similar poster, just featuring Tricolour Betesh, declared: Les Banlieues Patriots, or the Patriot Suburbs. The crudely populist campaign what kind of neighbourhood do you want to live in? caused a splash. Bardella, running for the right-wing National Front, was subsequently elected to the regional council. Betesh became a minor far-right celebrity, appearing on TV as a youthful pundit and even agreeing to an interview with a curious reporter from The Wall Street Journal , whom she told: Im a patriot. His girlfriend, Kelly Betesh, posed for a series of campaign posters. In one, she appeared twice: on the left side, shes wearing a red beanie with her cheeks streaked in red, white and blue paint the French Tricolour. On the right, Betesh, also 20, is veiled in a niqab, the Muslim head covering. Choose your banlieue [suburb], the poster says, Vote Front! [National Front]. The three of us were there, Jordan, Kerridwen and me, Legrand said (in translation). We meet Marine Le Pen She already knows him, yes, like she knew everyone, but thats where she spots him, that hes someone important. He goes on: In fact, its always the same thing, private life in the National Rally makes careers, its always the same circus in this party. From that moment on, he is with the Chatillon girl, so he is reliable, so he is a bit part of the family, so we can be interested in him. (Bardella has rejected this story as a necessary factor in his rise.) The next acceleration in Bardellas ascent may have occurred courtesy of another companion, Kerridwen Chatillon, daughter of right-wing French businessman Frederic Chatillon, a longtime confidante of Marine Le Pen. It was she, reports Fort , who brought Bardella and Le Pen together in person for the first time (as told to him by Bardellas former friend, right-wing activist Aurelien Legrand). In 2015, the publication Le Point described him as the blond guy in the blue blazer fond of quoting the Islamologist Gilles Kepel and the geographer Christophe Guilly, who was known for his theory on peripheral France, those mainly rural areas where working-class people have been forgotten by the political elite. These are themes that inform Bardellas messaging today: indeed, there are few posts on his social media from urban environments, but many of him walking around agricultural fairs, patting cows. Bardella qualified for university but dropped out, apparently, to focus full-time on politics. He joined the National Front when he was 16 and by 19 had become the partys youngest-ever department secretary. The following year, he made his first tilt at public office, running in the 2015 departmental elections to represent the commune of Tremblay-en-France. He lost, but rebounded later that year as the National Fronts lead candidate in Seine-Saint-Denis, which saw him elected to the regional council of Ile-de-France. His father, meanwhile, was a successful small businessman who was the likely source of funds for Bardella to attend a private Catholic school. They saw each other weekly and, according to investigative reporter Pierre-Stephane Fort, went on a trip to the United States. It seems likely that Jordan Bardellas father, never mentioned in his speeches, provided them with financial assistance, he writes in his new French-language unauthorised biography. In short, Jordan Bardella, like many children of divorcees, had one foot in two different social environments. Marliere describes Bardellas young voters as typically white and not university-educated. Its a generation which is politically volatile above all more than being right wing or racist and that gets information now from social media. Bardella is also appealing to older right-wing voters, conservative on cultural issues and highly sceptical of immigrations impact on French society. He has the kind of fame youd expect from a model, a reality TV star or a celebrity, even though hes a politician, Cassandra, a 17-year-old Bardella supporter, told a documentary by public broadcaster Arte . Philippe Marliere, a professor of French politics at University College London, tells us about 30 per cent of the 18- to 24-year-old vote is drawn to Bardella. Not all young people, not even a majority of them, are drawn to conservative values, but some of them, for sure. Probably more than in the past. By 2020, Bardella was dating another woman with close ties to the Le Pen circle: Nolwenn Olivier, Marine Le Pens niece, who is credited with opening an account on TikTok for him. On social, he appears unflappable, approachable, considered almost presidential. Attacked for his far-right views by top-rating French YouTuber Squeezie, he recently took to TikTok with a written retort, accusing multimillionaire influencers of copying and pasting arguments as crude as they are mendacious (4,700,000 views and counting). In 2018, Bardella won the partys top spot on what is known as its list for the European Parliament elections for 2019. National Rally finished in first place, winning 23 of the then 79 French seats in the European Parliament, and Bardella became the second-youngest Euro MP in history, a position he holds today. His campaign manager was a man the Financial Times described as a propaganda expert: Philippe Vardon , an agitprop specialist who made his name distributing bacon soup to the homeless in Nice, a city with a big Muslim population. In early June, about 200 million voters across Europe turned out to elect members of the European Parliament. For politicians and pundits, these polls are a bellwether for national sentiment. In France, the National Rally received 31 per cent of the vote, more than double that of President Emmanuel Macrons centrist Renaissance Party. They mobilised anger over fuel duties, says Monash Universitys Ben Wellings, of the so-called gilet jaunes, or yellow jacket, protests as well as over immigration, terrorism and security, and relations between French Muslim communities and secular visions for France. A protest vote against a sitting government is common in these elections, says Romain Fathi, a senior lecturer at ANU, but the scale of this slap in the face is definitely unprecedented. As the humiliation of the Renaissance Party sunk in, Macron called a snap election that surprised the French public and even members of his government, propelling some 250,000 people into anti-far-right protests in several cities, carrying posters that read, Young people hate the FN (Front National) and Liberty for all, Equality for all and Fraternity with all. Emmanuel Macron has been president of France since 2017. Credit: Photo: AP. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac Said Macron: France needs a clear majority to move forward with serenity and harmony. He is just over two years into a five-year term, and the vote will not decide his presidency. The election is a decision on the make-up of the French parliament the 577 seats of the National Assembly. Parliamentary elections need to be held every five years, but the president can call them once a government has sat for at least 12 months. To understand why Macron called the election, its worth rewinding to 2022. Macron had won a second (and final) presidency, and two months later, his party contested a parliamentary election where his governing coalition, Ensemble, which included Renaissance and several other parties, lost its majority. His prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, was forced into a situation of using a special constitutional power, Article 49.3, that enables a government to bypass a logjam in parliament. It has upset the French a lot because it means that the government is acting alone, says Fathi. Borne resigned in January after the passage of controversial immigration laws that strengthened the governments power to deport some foreigners. Macron then appointed Gabriel Attal, 35, who is Frances youngest modern prime minister, in an attempt to boost the partys popularity and fight off rising populism ahead of the European elections. Those elections, however, were the final blow, leaving Macron with more disruption in the parliament and emboldening his critics, says Simon Tormey, a professor of European politics at Deakin University. Macron is in his second term, and there is no third term, he says. What youve got is a lame duck, and that is what Macron hates. He is a chancer, a buccaneering figure with swagger, wanting to get stuff done. Gabriel Attal, now 35, became the youngest prime minister in modern France when he accepted the job in January. Credit: Photo: AP. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac Macron calculated the election would return his parliamentary majority, says Tormey. That reintroduces [his] mandate and legitimacy. Aurelien Mondon, a senior lecturer at the University of Bath, described Macrons move as incredibly risky. It is likely to normalise the far right further, whether they win or not, as they will most likely set the agenda in the campaign. Rather than a savvy move, I would qualify that as the actions of a petulant child. Macron called the snap election an opportunity for clarification. The ANUs Fathi says parties on Macrons moderate left and right have been playing political games with the far left and far right. Its been extremely difficult for Macron to find allies with the moderate left and the moderate right. Calling an election, says Fathi, was intended to divide them and make the moderate parties pick a side. News of the election initially caused chaos in the conservative Republican Party when its leader, Eric Ciotti, advocated an alliance with Le Pen, leading party heavyweights to attempt to oust him. However, Macron appears to have been relying on dividing the left, too. Instead, the left united under the banner of the New Popular Front, which includes former president Francois Hollande, who made a surprise comeback for this election. Opening up the possibility of government to your main political rivals is sailing close to the wind, politically, says Monash Universitys Ben Wellings. If Macrons gamble fails, Le Pens National Rally could take control of the parliament, in which case Macron would have to share power with a government formed by his opponents. The French call this cohabitation, a situation where the president and the prime minister are from opposing political sides (more on that below). In France, the president and prime minister share the duties of government, with the president ultimately having the upper hand. Macron has broad powers over foreign policy and national defence, can dissolve parliament (as he has just done) and chooses the prime minister, although his pick does need the confidence of the National Assembly. The prime minister comes from the majority, says Fathi. Surprisingly, the prime minister does not have to be a sitting member of parliament; about a quarter since the time of Charles de Gaulle, who ushered in Frances Fifth Republic in 1958, have not been MPs. A president cannot, technically, sack a prime minister but can strongly suggest that they step down; typically, if a prime minister is struggling to lead the government, he or she will be asked to resign. Cohabitation first occurred in the 1980s when president Francois Mitterands socialists lost the parliament to a centre right led by Jacques Chirac. There were United Nations summits where the French prime minister would fly in his own prime-ministerial aircraft to represent France, and the president would do the same in his own different aircraft, says Fathi. In a way, the weirdest thing was the French were quite happy because half of the French felt represented, and so did the other half. Mitterand was forced into cohabitation again from 1993 to 1995, this time with conservative politician Edouard Balladur. Chiracs turn again, this time with Lionel Jospin from 1997 to 2002, followed a snap election after his government was weakened by protests against pension reform and plans to reduce Frances deficit that Jospins socialist government won. Should Macron be obliged to appoint Bardella, what might their cohabitation look like? An incredibly tense one, suggests Ben Wellings. Cohabiting: French prime minister Jacques Chirac (left) and president Francois Mitterrand at a European Union summit in The Hague in 1986. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Where does Le Pens party fit in France today? Bardella is the first person to lead the National Rally party who is not a member of the Le Pen family. It was founded in 1972 as Front National by Jean-Marie Le Pen, a former member of the French Foreign Legion who had served in Vietnam and Algeria. A far-right organisation, it grew out of a neo-fascist movement called the Ordre Nouveau (New Order), which was broadly based on the defence of the West, a fear of mingling and of otherness, and the search for a third way between communism and capitalism, writes Gregoire Kauffmann in the journal Pouvoirs. Le Pen had some electoral success as a member of the National Assembly and the European Parliament and ran unsuccessfully for president five times. But he would be best known for his unsavoury views as a Holocaust denier, defender of French colonialism and opponent of Muslim immigration. By 2011, he had largely run his race, and in 2012, leadership of the National Front passed to his daughter, Marine, who endeavoured to detoxify the party and make it more acceptable to mainstream voters. Distancing herself from her fathers views, in 2015, she went so far as to expel him from the party and, in 2018, renamed the party National Rally. Yet, the underlying values remained, says Michel Eltchaninoff, French philosopher and author of the investigative biography Inside the Mind of Marine Le Pen. Jean-Marie Le Pen with two of his daughters, Marine (centre) and Marie-Caroline, in 1992. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted She has been distancing herself from her father for years and even got angry with him, Eltchaninoff tells us from France. By softening her speech, by speaking in allusions, she managed to convince a good part of the French that her party no longer had anything to do with the violent and racist National Front of yesteryear. Nobody, or almost no one, at the National Rally is caught in the act of racism or homophobia. But these impulses still exist, silently for the moment, in the party and its electorate. She wants to reassure and show that she is comfortable among the people but against the elites. Philosopher and author Michel Eltchaninoff on Marine Le Pen These days, Le Pen presents herself more as a motherly cat lover than a far-right warrior, especially after standing down as party chair in 2022 to make way for Bardella. She shows her love of pets, she uses humour, says Eltchaninoff. She wants to reassure and show that she is comfortable among the people but against the elites. In June, the National Rally cut ties with a candidate after discovering he had written an antisemitic post on social media in 2018. It is widely believed that Le Pens decision to promote Bardella to party leader and to stand down from official party leadership herself (while remaining a potent public figurehead) was to clear the way for her own tilt at the presidency in 2027. Younger voters, says Ben Wellings, are one of the groups that the far right, radical right and hard right appeal to across Europe. Young people disaffected with the political system and its abilities to address the various crises with which Gen Z is faced. The other group is middle-aged women, whom Le Pen symbolises. For his part, Bardella has disavowed the partys unpalatable past: what, he has asked, would he know about World War II? I was born in 1995. Young people protest against the far right this month after Macron called a snap election. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Behind the window dressing, though, says Eltchaninoff, the National Rallys ideological affiliation remains that of the extreme right. It is based on the idea that the indigenous people are threatened by foreigners who want to conquer the country, by an internal fifth column (the Muslims), and by elites ready to sell the body and soul of the country to these foreign forces. Like the representatives of the far right, she presents history as a plot against ethnic French people and politics as a fight against enemies ready for anything. And where does he think Bardella fits into this picture? Eltchaninoff says: Ideologically, he is more right-wing than Marine Le Pen. He discreetly adheres to the theory of the Great Replacement, which considers that the elites organise the replacement of the French by Muslim immigrants. Above all, he is very clever and politically plastic. Bardella has also been given an easy ride in some quarters, says the University of Baths Aurelien Mondon. Unfortunately, much of the media and those who should scrutinise these politics have taken these actors at their word. This is why we have seen the rise of euphemistic terms such as populism, which are not only less accurate but allow for the normalisation of the far right. As for actual policies, the party initially opposed Macrons controversial raising of the pension age from 62 to 64 in 2023, then appeared to walk this back after criticisms that reversing the change would have a dire effect on the French economy. However, in the lead-up to this election, Bardella has said he would introduce a repeal of the age increase by September, according to Le Monde. Other economic policies include a lower value-added tax on electricity and gas bills from 20 per cent to 5.5 per cent. Says Fathi: What he says is empty, unrealistic, unfunded on any economic reasoning, but it is simple language that is understood by people who were previously disconnected from French politics. If I am prime minister, I will pass in the first weeks an immigration law that will facilitate the expulsions of delinquents and Islamists. Jordan Bardella The partys position on immigration mirrors views Marine Le Pen has expressed for the past decade. If I am prime minister, Bardella says, I will pass in the first weeks an immigration law that will facilitate the expulsions of delinquents and Islamists. The party also plans to exclude undocumented migrants from state benefits and introduce a double border with Europe. He tells a radio talkback caller [translated from French]: I want to assure everyone today, our fellow countrymen of foreign birth, or foreign origin, who work, who pay their taxes, who pay their contributions, who respect the law, who love our country, have absolutely nothing to fear. Former National Rally president Marine Le Pen, a member of the recent National Assembly, could seek election as president in 2027. Credit: Photo: AP. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac Could Bardella really become prime minister? Some French people, tired of their leaders, want to embark on this unpredictable adventure, a bit like Trumps voters in 2016 or like Brexit supporters, says Eltchaninoff. The unknown is exhilarating and exciting. At the same time, the National Rally embodies order: merciless fight against delinquency, against immigration, against leftists, against liberals. To actually become prime minister, Bardella needs to either gain an absolute majority in the National Assembly or form alliances. He has said he would prefer to govern alone. Ahead of the June 30 poll, professor Philippe Marliere of University College London anticipated a chaotic situation where no party received an absolute majority. If the National Rally falls short by a narrow margin, the party might be able to negotiate with other parties to form a government. A close result could also force Macrons party to negotiate a coalition that would return it with diminished power. Or, the left-wing alliance could theoretically succeed. The union on the left could pay off and, depending on their campaign, they may bring people out of abstention, Mondon said ahead of June 30. Could French voters opt for the unpredictable adventure of Jordan Bardella? Credit: AP, digitally tinted Macron thought that by dissolving parliament, the nation would return him a majority, said Marliere. Im pretty sure this has failed. It wont work. Macron had been holding hopes a silent majority of voters would prove to be against political extremes; he still hopes to rally more support for the next, and final, round of voting this coming weekend. French polling happens over two rounds: unless a candidate receives a clear majority in their electorate in the first round, the top candidates move to a second round. This will be on July 7. Shortly thereafter, it will be clear whether France has a far-right government, a hard-left government, or a government of moderates united against both extreme sides of the political spectrum, says Romain Fathi. Given Frances traumatic experience of the Second World War and the collaboration of its far-right Vichy government with the Nazis, some French people who did not vote on Sunday may well head to the polling booth on July 7 to prevent the far right from winning these legislative elections and forming government. Marliere says the election is the most dramatic hes seen in his lifetime. If National Rally were to form a government, it would be the first time the French people had elected a far-right party during this republic. Thats why its historic. This Explainer was first published on June 23 and has been updated to reflect developments following the June 30 poll. Get fascinating insights and explanations on the worlds most perplexing topics. Sign up for our weekly Explainer newsletter. FILE PHOTO: Chinese and U.S. flags flutter outside a company building in Shanghai, China April 14, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Aly Song) The United States and China held their first informal nuclear arms talks in five years in March, focusing primarily on concerns related to Taiwan. This semi-official dialogue, known as Track Two talks, included former officials and academics from both countries, who can speak authoritatively on their respective governments' positions. The discussions took place in a hotel conference room in Shanghai, with the U.S. delegation comprising about half a dozen delegates, including former officials and scholars. The Chinese side included scholars and analysts, among them several former People's Liberation Army officers. According to David Santoro, the U.S. organizer of the talks, the Chinese representatives assured their U.S. counterparts that Beijing would not resort to nuclear threats in a conflict over Taiwan, Reuters reported. "They told the U.S. side that they were absolutely convinced that they are able to prevail in a conventional fight over Taiwan without using nuclear weapons," Santoro said. This reassurance came after U.S. delegates expressed concerns that China might use or threaten to use nuclear weapons if it faced defeat over Taiwan. These informal discussions are part of a broader, two-decade-long nuclear weapons and posture dialogue that had stalled after the Trump administration withdrew funding in 2019. The dialogue resumed in part due to escalating tensions over Taiwan, a democratically governed island that Beijing views as its territory-a claim rejected by the government in Taipei. A State Department spokesperson acknowledged the potential benefits of Track Two talks, though the department did not participate in the March meeting. "Such discussions cannot replace formal negotiations that require participants to speak authoritatively on issues that are often highly compartmentalized within [the Chinese] government circles," the spokesperson said. The Pentagon estimates that China's nuclear arsenal increased by more than 20% between 2021 and 2023. It has also noted that China "would consider nuclear use to restore deterrence if a conventional military defeat in Taiwan" threatened Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule. Despite these concerns, the Chinese delegation maintained that Beijing's policies of no-first-use and minimal deterrence remain unchanged. The Track Two talks occurred against a backdrop of strained U.S.-China relations over major economic and geopolitical issues. The two countries briefly resumed formal Track One nuclear arms talks in November, but those negotiations have since stalled. Bonnie Jenkins, the top U.S. arms control official, expressed frustration in May over China's lack of responsiveness to U.S. proposals for nuclear-weapons risk reduction. China's expanded nuclear arsenal, which includes anti-ship cruise missiles, bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and submarines, has raised concerns in Washington. According to William Alberque of the Henry Stimson Centre, China's reliance on "risk and opacity" mitigates U.S. nuclear superiority, but this strategy limits constructive dialogue. "It's important to continue talking with China with absolutely no expectations," Alberque said. The U.S. side sought clarity on whether China still adhered to its no-first-use policy and minimal deterrence doctrine, which date back to the 1960s. Santoro noted that the Chinese delegates reaffirmed these policies, stating, "'We are not interested in reaching nuclear parity with you, let alone superiority.'" His account was corroborated by fellow U.S. delegate Lyle Morris, a security scholar at the Asia Society Policy Institute. The discussions also highlighted Chinese concerns about the survivability of their nuclear weapons in the event of a first strike. One Chinese delegate pointed to studies suggesting that Chinese nuclear weapons were still vulnerable to U.S. strikes, indicating that their second-strike capability might be insufficient. Despite the challenges, both sides see value in continuing the dialogue. More discussions are planned for 2025, with the aim of reducing misunderstandings and managing the strategic competition between the two nuclear-armed powers. Santoro described the latest talks as frustrating but necessary, emphasizing the importance of keeping communication channels open. FILE PHOTO: A police officer stands guard near Japan and South Korea national flags at hotel, where South Korean embassy in Japan is holding the reception to mark the 50th anniversary of normalisation of ties between Seoul and Tokyo, in Tokyo June 22, 2015. (Photo: REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo) Authorities in South Korea are investigating a potential leakage incident at the Wolseong No. 4 nuclear power plant, located in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. This inquiry follows the release of approximately 2.3 tons of water from the plant's spent fuel storage facility into the sea. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) received a report from the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), the plant's operator, on Saturday morning regarding the incident. The KHNP discovered the water level decrease in the spent fuel storage at 4:34 a.m. and promptly implemented measures to halt the leakage. The NSSC was notified at 7:53 a.m., and experts from the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) were immediately dispatched to assess the situation, including the volume of water leaked and the cause of the spill. The radiation level from the suspected leakage was estimated at 0.000000555 millisieverts (mSv), significantly below the annual radiation dose limit of 1 mSv for an individual. "We have blocked the storage to prevent any further leakage and are investigating the exact cause," an NSSC official stated. The preliminary suspicion is that there was an issue between the coolant water, used to cool the spent fuel, and the device meant to cool this coolant water. The NSSC plans to announce the results of its investigations along with an environmental impact assessment. The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols and measures in place at the Wolseong nuclear facility. The Wolseong Unit Four reactor has been shut down for planned maintenance since April 20. Despite this, the discovery of the water release has prompted a thorough investigation to ensure there are no further risks or potential hazards to the environment or public health. This incident comes amidst growing scrutiny of nuclear safety measures worldwide. The swift response by KHNP and the NSSC reflects the stringent safety standards and rapid action protocols designed to mitigate any potential risks associated with nuclear power generation. After 23 years in power, 13 of them in Gujarat as chief minister, this will be Prime Minister Narendra Modis first experience of governing in an environment of contested politics. The most fiercely contested new space will be the 18th Lok Sabha, set to convene later next week. Despite the National Democratic Alliances (NDAs) comfortable majority, the rejuvenated and united Opposition INDIA bloc will match the numbers and throat-power of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mr Modi, and the BJP under him, has never had to deal with such a challenge either in the Gujarat Assembly or in New Chandigarh: Senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari addresses a campaign program for Lok Sabha elections, in Chandigarh, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo: PTI) Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Saturday urged industries to initiate skill development institutes to create a skilled and industry-ready workforce. Addressing the CII-Industry Academia Conclave in Nagpur, Gadkari emphasised the need for collaboration between industry and academia to develop skilled manpower. "Coordination between industry and academia is essential for the skill development of students and enhancing manpower," he stated. Gadkari suggested that industries should progressively establish their own skill development centres, as well as engineering and polytechnic colleges, to provide both knowledge and practical experience, thereby making students more skilful. He acknowledged the issue of skilled manpower shortage in industries while educated individuals remain unemployed, attributing this to a lack of coordination and communication between educational institutions and the industry. "I am of the opinion that step by step, deemed industries should establish their own skill development centres, engineering and polytechnic colleges, which will impart knowledge as well practical experience making the students more skilful," he said. The Union minister further said every industry should train the manpower as per their requirements and appealed to the industry to collaborate with deemed and private universities for skill development. Talking about industries in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Gadkari informed that the Reliance-Dassault plant in Nagpur will export Rafale jets across the world within two years. Similarly, the Falcon business jet will be completely made at the Reliance-Dassault plant in Nagpur. The Nagpur MP also pitched for the creation of wealth in agriculture and tribal belts for overall development. PMC Biogenix, the leading sustainable producer of specialty fatty amides and high-value biobased products, announces the construction and expansion of its new Armoslip facility in Gyeongju, South Korea allowing for a production capacity increase of 50%. Construction will begin late 2024 with new supply available by mid-2026. We are excited to announce plans to build a new facility in Gyeongju. This investment will allow us to significantly increase production capacity to meet growing customer demand for our Armoslip products, said Debtosh Chakrabarti, President, PMC Group N.A., Inc. Adding, This project solidifies our commitment as the industry leader, delivering products and solutions to our customers, as well as to the local Gyeongju community. We appreciate the continued support of the Gyeongju, South Korea local government, community, and our customers. As part of PMCs ongoing commitment of ensuring long-term sustainability and success of the Biogenix business world-wide, a comprehensive strategic product review of the Memphis facility was conducted resulting in a focus on higher value Fatty Amides and Bisamides (Armoslip and Kemamide), Glycerol Esters (Kemester), Metallic Stearates (Lubrazinc), and Specialty Esters (Kemester) and the decision to exit the merchant market for certain commodity bulk fatty acids. This restructuring will enhance operational efficiencies, focus on core strengths, align resources with market demand and bolster PMCs oleochemical derivatives business. About PMC PMC Group is a growth oriented, diversified, global chemicals and plastics company dedicated to innovative solutions to everyday needs in a broad range of end markets including plastics, consumer products, electronics, paints, packaging, personal care, food, automotive and pharmaceuticals. The Company was built on a sustainable model of growth through innovation while promoting social good. PMC operates from a global manufacturing, innovation and marketing platform with facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. More information about PMC and its activities around the world can be found at www.pmc-group.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240621545202/en/ Vfx producer Framestore has announced that it will shut down its Vancouver studio, effective July 5. In a statement provided to Cartoon Brew, the global vfx giant attributed the shutdown to an industry-wide slowdown in content production following the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023. It further added that the decision has nothing to do with the teams creativity or commitment, which is always outstanding. Framestore, which employs roughly 3,000 workers according to its website, continues to operate studios or offices in London, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York, Mumbai, and Melbourne. Its work can be seen in recent films such as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Bad Boys 4, and IF, as well as series such as Fallout, The Crown, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The Vancouver facilities were formerly part of Method Studios, which Framestore acquired in 2020 and integrated into its own operation. Here is the full statement about the Vancouver closure that Framestore provided to Cartoon Brew: Framestore has made the difficult decision to close our studio in Vancouver, effective from the 5th July 2024. The industry-wide slowdown in content production following the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023 has led to the need to consolidate our global footprint for Film & Episodic work across our other studios. We understand the impact of this decision and wherever possible we will offer positions in our other sites to those affected. Alongside this we will also keep some colleagues to support the slate of projects going through our other studios in 2024 and 2025. The Vancouver team is incredibly talented and has produced exceptional work over many years. This decision has nothing to do with the teams creativity or commitment, which is always outstanding; it is only a reflection of the market conditions. Our recruitment team will help our Vancouver colleagues to try and find new work, reaching out to industry contacts. Framestore will continue to offer our Film & Episodic work from our Studios in London, Montreal, Melbourne, Mumbai, New York and Los Angeles. The company declined to provide any further details, such as the number of workers who would lose their jobs as a result of the Vancouver studios closure. CALEB announces the Mountain Arts Community Center's School Board Candidate Forum for Hamilton County District 2. This event is scheduled for this Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at 809 Kentucky Ave. in Signal Mountain.Officials said, "School Board Candidate Forums offer Chattanoogan residents a pivotal opportunity to engage directly with candidates vying for the District 2 School Board seat. Attendees will hear candidates' perspectives on pressing education issues, including but not limited to: school infrastructure, school safety, budget priorities, teacher and staffing pay, special education and discipline policies."This forum will equip voters with essential insights into candidates' stances on critical education matters.It's crucial that we use our voting power responsibly to advocate for the best interests of our community's children."By participating in the School Board Candidate Forum, Chattanooga residents can: fain firsthand knowledge of candidates' platforms and priorities; learn about local education policies that directly impact our schools; and engage in meaningful dialogue to influence the direction of education in our community."Join us on June 23 at the Mountain Arts Community Center, to participate in the School Board Candidate Forum. Your presence and engagement will contribute to an informed electorate committed to advancing the well-being of Chattanooga's children."RSVP and get more information here CHI Memorial Center for Healthy Aging has achieved special recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence in its ongoing efforts to ensure age-friendly care for all older adults.The clinic, which specializes in geriatric medicine, collected data over a three month period about the number of older adults who received a set of evidence-based elements of high-quality care, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation (Mind) and Mobility.We have always been committed to care excellence and are humbled to have achieved this recognition, said Alycia Cleinman, MD, geriatrician, CHI Memorial Center for Healthy Aging.The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative continues to be an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible.Officials said, "In 2020, about one in six people in the United States was age 65 and over, according to the US Census Bureau. By 2030, the agency predicts one in every five Americans will be 65 years of age or older."I want to express my gratitude to the team at CHI Memorial Center for Healthy Aging for your dedication to age-friendly care, said Leslie Pelton, MPA, vice president, Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Because of your efforts, more older adults are receiving safe, high-quality care that is based on what matters most to them as individuals their specific goals and preferences. And, we can learn from the work you are doing to help inform others across the globe. Thank you for making this happen.Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the U.S. For more information, visit.ihi.org/agefriendly.Officials said, "In addition to CHI Memorial Center for Healthy Agings Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence recognition, CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga is recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System Participant and is working toward the Committed to Care Excellence recognition. CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga also received Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) from the American College of Surgeons, which has 32 surgical standards designed to improve surgical care and outcomes for older adults, and earned the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Geriatric Emergency Department Level 3 Accreditation (GEDA). This program is part of an effort to improve and standardize emergency care for older patients. CHI Memorial is the first hospital in the Chattanooga area to earn GEDA and is one of only five hospitals in Tennessee with the designation." A resolution supporting the superintendents decision not to arm school staff failed Thursday night at the school boards monthly meeting. School board member Jill Black proposed the resolution in support of Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertsons April announcement that Hamilton County Schools will not pursue the option to arm some teachers, in the wake of a new Tennessee law. A bill passed in April allows individual school superintendents, county sheriffs and school principals to choose to arm existing school staff after multi-layered vetting and training. The law is aimed at districts that cannot find or fund armed security officers in all of their schools, Dr. Robertson said. His statement, released in April, reads, We have partnered with Sheriff Garrett to ensure that every campus has an appropriately equipped School Resource Deputy or School Safety Officer. I recognize that other districts in Tennessee are not as well positioned to provide trained SRDs or SSOs in their schools. Given the ability of our community to provide armed personnel in every building, I will not recommend arming any other person in a Hamilton County School. School board member Joe Wingate, who voted against the resolution, told the board he would not support any resolution instructing a superintendent on any topic. He said he had spoken with Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett Thursday, and that there are too many questions about how to integrate the practice with a non-law enforcement firearm. He feels like some things have been rushed, Mr. Wingate said. I dont feel informed enough, or good enough, about any of it. Therere just way too many factors here. School board member Larry Grohn agreed. Weve got a lot of dangling issues here, he said, and called the resolution well-intentioned but premature. School board member Marco Perez, who voted in favor of the resolution, said the new state law leaves superintendents exposed as one of the sole players in a big decision. I want to back up our superintendent, he said. School board member Rhonda Thurman added that school districts across the country have implemented the practice of arming school staff since 2007. I have yet to find one problem, she said. Board members Larry Grohn, Gary Kuehn, Faye Robinson, Rhonda Thurman, Joe Wingate and Chairman Joe Smith voted against the resolution. At a recent celebration of the 75th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, I had the opportunity to spend time with some exceptional Patriots. Among them were fellow Tennesseans who are the descendants of the most famous World War I Medal of Honor recipient, SGT Alvin C. York, whose life story was immortalized in the film Sergeant York. York embodied the tough and resilient Scots-Irish ancestry of many early settlers in East Tennessee, as do his descendants. As you may recall from the amazing accounts of his actions in October 1918 with the 328th Infantry, during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in the Argonne Forest, Alvin demonstrated his backwoodsman marksmanship skills by taking out German machine gunners. Realizing they were no match for his sniping capabilities, the German commander and his men surrendered to York and his seven-man unit. How many men surrendered? Yorks brigade commander, BG Julian Lindsey, later greeted him by saying, Well, York, I hear you have captured the whole German army. York replied: No, sir. I got only 132. Yeah, an eight-man unit marched 132 German prisoners off that hillside. Recently, SGT Yorks grandson COL Gerald E. York (USA, Ret), Debbie York (executive director of the Sgt York Patriotic Foundation), and Angela York joined us for a reception at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. They and many other York family members still live in SGT Yorks rural community of Pall Mall, now the home of the York State Historic Park. I asked Gerald about his grandfathers children and grandchildren who were inspired to serve our country, and the list is considerable. Among SGT Yorks Veteran sons was Geralds father, George Edward Buxton York (USA) (named after Alvin Yorks 82nd Division Major, Woodrow Wilson York (USA), and Thomas Jefferson York (USAF). SGT Yorks Veteran grandchildren include Alvin C. York Jr.s sons, Kenny and Ronnie, both U.S. Army. Woodrow Wilson Yorks daughter Mary served in the Air Force, his son William was a Marine, and his son Woody served in the Tennessee National Guard. And SGT Yorks great-grandchildren are continuing that legacy, including Geralds son, Gerald E. York II, an Operation Iraqi Freedom Army combat Veteran. As for Gerald, he joined the Army through the ROTC program at Vanderbilt University and volunteered for service in Vietnam, reporting for duty in November 1969. Once deployed, he recalls: A major said, 'We have a special program in MACV [Military Assistance Command, Vietnam], and we want to make you an adviser. I said, Sir, I appreciate it, but I really didnt volunteer to come over here to observe. I want to be here with an American unit. I dont want to be an adviser. But then-LT York became an intelligence officer advising Phoenix Loc Ninh District units on where to capture or kill top Viet Cong leaders. After a month in a compound near the Cambodian border, his unit came under a fierce attack lasting five days. Im like, Well, welcome to Vietnam. Soon thereafter, Gerald received orders to report to his Colonel in Bien Hoa (near Saigon). Wondering what he had done wrong, Gerald told his commanding officer, Sir, I thought I was doing a decent job. The response was, Youre doing an excellent job, but the Colonel had recently learned that Gerald was the grandson of Alvin York. The Colonels concern: I had a guy in my command whose father won a Silver Star in World War II. He was determined to get a Silver Star. And he did posthumously. So I need to know, whats your objective here? You volunteered to come. Why are you here? Gerald replied, Sir, I volunteered to come with an American unit because I figured I was going to go to Vietnam sometime. Im here to serve my country. His Colonel responded, Youre not trying to outdo your grandfather? Gerald said: Sir, what my grandfather did, he didnt set out to do. It was something he did to save lives, not to take lives. It was just the time and the place, and he had the skill sets to accomplish what he did. I could never equal my grandfather. My objective in Vietnam is to do the best job I can do, keep my people safe, and go home safe. Im not planning on doing anything crazy. He said, Okay, and sent Gerald back to Loc Ninh. (He offers more insights on his grandfather and Vietnam in an interview with HistoryNet and the American Veterans Center interview.) After returning stateside, he served as the 18th Airborne Corps intel officer at Fort Bragg and then as Defense Intelligence Agency base commander at Fort MacArthur, California, and in Yongsan, South Korea. The last of his 31 years of active service were as Chief of Operations, Defense HUMINT Service, Defense Intelligence Agency offices in Washington. His awards include the Parachute Badge, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Meritorious Service Medal (3). On how he was inspired by his grandfather, Gerald says he first became aware of his heroic service when he was in fifth grade: The teacher called on me one day and said, I would like for you to come up and get the encyclopedia and look up your grandfather. Im thinking, Why would my grandfather be in the encyclopedia? I opened the encyclopedia, and she said, I want you to read what it says. So I read it to the class and thought, Wow, my grandfathers in the encyclopedia. Even though Id seen visitors coming in and I knew there was a movie [Sergeant York, 1941, starring Gary Cooper] because we had a copy of it, thats the first time I really realized that he was known outside of our family. Seeing his grandfather soon thereafter, Gerald said, Grandpa, youre in the encyclopedia! Youre famous! Alvin York laughed and responded, No, no, not really, and would change the subject, choosing not to speak much about his experience in warfare. Humility was the order of the day: To me, he was just a grandfather and was always jovial. One time, I got in trouble and hid behind him, and he wouldnt let my father spank me. He said, "No, no, its OK. He was just a very nice, very good grandfather. The values he gave me had more of an impact than him being famous. You always told the truth. You always respected others. Asked how his grandfather recalled World War I, Gerald says: His thinking was we had gone and won peace [in World War I], won freedom forever. Later in life, as World War II was coming, his thinking changed. We learned that freedom is not something that you win once and have forever. You only get a lease on freedom. We made a payment on it in World War I." Regarding the challenges to freedom which followed, Alvin said: "Now that the worlds involved again in conflict, its time for us to make another payment. Freedom is not something you are guaranteed. Freedom is something that you have to constantly defend. Since 2005, in addition to his professional security consulting business, Gerald has been the Chairman of the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation. To the York family Veterans: We are grateful for your example of valor humble American Patriots defending Liberty for all. Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends. (John 15:13) (Read more Profiles of Valor here (https://patriotpost.us/tags/Profiles%20of%20Valor)) Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis Pro Deo et Libertate 1776 Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen standing in harms way in defense of American Liberty, and for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support our hometown National Medal of Honor Sustaining Fund. Make a check payable to NMoH Sustaining Fund and mail to: Patriot Foundation Trust, PO Box 407, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0407. Visit the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at Aquarium Plaza. (https://www.MOHHC.org) Sarah Joy Rice Martin, born September 27, 1937, went home to be with the Lord on June 20, 2024. Raised in Wheaton, Il., she attended Wheaton College with a BA in English Literature and an MFA in Music and Speech from Bob Jones University. She was the daughter of the well-known evangelist and founder of the Sword of the Lord, Dr. John R. Rice. She married Roger Martin on Aug. 26, 1960, who pastored churches in Kentucky, Colorado, Missouri, and Chattanooga. She served as a pastors wife for many years, taught countless students music, speech and English over the years, directed the concert choir at Tennessee Temple University, and conducted marriage conferences throughout the US and several countries. She lived a life of service and ministry. The impact she made on the lives of others is innumerable. She was a brilliant storyteller, loved music and was a beautiful pianist. She was especially known for her radiant smile that could light up a room. She loved everyone unconditionally and never met a stranger. She is survived by her beloved husband, Roger Edward Martin, children, Roger Jr. (Joy), David (Doreen), Bruce (Marlina), Marilou Lyons (Daniel), Melody, Holly (Trina), 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and sisters, Libby Handford and Joanna Rice. She was preceded in death by her father, John R. Rice, mother, Lloys Cooke Rice, and sisters, Grace, Mary Lloys, and Jessie. The visitation will be on Sunday, June 23, from 48 p.m. at the Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 24, at Grace Baptist Church (First SDA Church at 7450 Standifer Gap Road) in Chattanooga with burial services to be followed at the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro. Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family and view memorial tribute. Amber Portwood and Gary Wayt's relationship was going well until last week, when he suddenly disappeared. What does the disappearance mean for their future together? Amber Portwood and Gary Wayt were planning to spend their lives together until earlier this month. The Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star made headlines last week when she reported her fiance missing in North Carolina. He has since turned up safe and sound, but his disappearance has led to plenty of questions from fans. So, are Amber Portwood and Gary Wayt still dating? Are Amber Portwood and Gary Wayt still together? Amber Portwoods life continues to be as dramatic as ever. Both Portwood and Wayt have fallen off the radar following Gary Wayts disappearance. Neither has spoken to the press or discussed the state of their relationship at this time, although most fans assume the romance has officially ended. Amber Portwood | YouTube/MTV While neither Wayt nor Portwood have issued a statement about the state of their relationship, the romance is more than likely over. An insider spoke to the U.S. Sun this week to discuss the situation. The unnamed source said Portwood and Wayt have not talked since his disappearance. According to the insider, Portwood has not reached out to Wayt, and he has not tried to contact her. Reportedly, Portwood is devastated by what happened. Prior to Wayt being found alive and well in Oklahoma, Portwood appeared on Elle Bee and said that Wayt had no reason to run off. She said they did not have a fight, but an emotional conversation about their relationship did happen before he drove off. Fans familiar with the Teen Mom franchise theorized that Portwood was downplaying the severity of their discussion to make herself look better. Gary Wayts disappearance timeline Amber Portwood reported Gary Wayt missing on June 11 in Bryson City, North Carolina. The couple was in town for a family wedding when Wayt left a cabin he was sharing with Portwood with his keys and wallet on June 9. A search was launched for the Indiana native. Days later, he was spotted in Oklahoma at a Verizon store. He was also reportedly seen in New Mexico. Wayt connected with the police and said he was fine. It is still unclear why Gary Wayt decided to leave North Carolina and traverse the country. After connecting with Wayt, the Bryson City Police Department issued a statement that he was no longer considered a missing person. They did not offer additional details about his whereabouts. It is unclear if he has since returned to Indiana or where he is living. He was believed to have resided with Portwood at her Indiana home before his disappearance. When a famous painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Titian goes up for auction in July, it could sell for up to $32 million. The painting is titled Rest on the Flight into Egypt, and it is thought to date back to the 16th century. The masterpiece will be featured in Christies Old Masters Part I sale in London. It is the first time that the painting will come onto the market in more than 145 years. The auction house estimates that the art will rake in between roughly $19 million and $32 million. Inspiration for the painting came from an event recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. Joseph received a warning in the form of a dream that Herod, the King of Judea, wanted the young Christ murdered. So, Joseph, Mary, and their baby traveled to Egypt to escape him. The painting depicts the family stopping to take a break on their way to Egypt. According to the auction house, Rest on the Flight into Egypt was created by Titian when he was likely in his late teens or early twenties at the end of the first decade of the 16th century. Titian is regarded as the most important artist of Renaissance Venetian painting. He was also the first painter to have a primarily international clientele. No one elses talent was comparable. One of the last religious works from the artists celebrated early years to remain in private hands, the picture has passed through some of the greatest collections in Europe and was last auctioned by Christies in 1878 before entering the collection at Longleat House, Christies said in a statement. Throughout the years, the artwork was previously owned by dukes, archdukes, and Holy Roman Emperors. The 4th Marquess of Bath, United Kingdom, acquired the painting in 1878 when Christies put it up for auction. In 1995, it was stolen from the Longleat estate, and the robbery made headlines. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. For many years, a man named Gary Johnson took a unique and deceptive approach to fighting crime. He was popular with people looking to hire an assassin to take out their coworkers, spouses, or other family members. In reality, he was an undercover cop, posing as a professional hitman to entrap these individuals and bring them to justice, all while conning them out of their money. Over the course of his career, he aided in the arrest of more than 60 people. Johnson grew up in rural Louisiana and had a nice, normal childhood. His first experience in law enforcement was in Vietnam, where he worked as a military policeman for a year. Afterward, he spent a short time as a sheriffs deputy in Louisiana. In the 1970s, he served as an undercover mole for a Texas police department, helping them bust drug dealers. It turned out that he was quite skilled at being undercover. However, at the time, his dream was to be a college professor of psychology. He earned a masters degree in psychology from McNeese State University in Louisiana. In 1981, he moved to Houston, hoping to enroll in the doctoral program at the University of Houston. He was rejected, which led him to accept a job as an investigator for the district attorneys office. That was how he became a fake hitman. In 1989, the Houston Police Department found out that a 37-year-old lab technician named Kathy Scott was looking for a hitman to murder her husband. The department designated Johnson as the hitman. He created a fake persona and met up with the woman at a bowling alley. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. The wreck of the ship on which Ernest Shackleton made his final voyage was recently discovered on the seafloor off the coast of the Labrador Sea in Canada. Shackleton was a famous British-Irish explorer of Antarctica. He suffered a heart attack on board in 1922 while trying to reach the Antarctic. The ship continued to be used for Arctic research until it sank in 1962 during a whaling trip. The vessel, called Quest, was found by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. A team of researchers used sonar scans to locate the ship under thousands of feet of frigid water. The Quest was found sitting upright on its keel. Its main mast was splintered and hung over the port side. The mast likely broke off when the vessel struck ice. The Quest has great historical significance. Shackleton was revered for his travels to the Antarctic because very few people had been able to venture into the frozen landscape at that time. His death marked the end of what is known as the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. The adventurer led three expeditions to the Antarctic. He died of a heart attack at the age of 47 during a fourth journey. The ship had been just off South Georgia, east of the Falkan Islands located in the South Atlantic. Shackleton had originally bought the schooner-rigged steamship to travel to Canadas High Arctic. But, he ended up changing his mind and set sail for the Antarctic once again. The ship was built in Norway and measured about 124 feet in length. Its remains were in excellent condition, even though it experienced damage from ice. Researchers dont have plans to haul the wreckage to the surface, as it would be too costly. Instead, they will conduct a series of dives in the near future to study and document the details of the vessel further. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In Georgia, more than 200 newborn babies were illegally sold or given away in the 1950s and early 1960s. As a result, people today are still searching for answers as to who their biological families are. They are known as the Hicks Babies. The person responsible for these black-market baby adoptions was Dr. Thomas J. Hicks. He ran a clinic in the small town of McCaysville, Georgia. He performed illegal abortions for $100, so women from all over the state came to see him for his services. He also secretly placed infants with parents in adoptions that were kept off the record. His black market business began in the early 1950s. Hicks advertised illegal abortion and adoption services on phone booths, bridges, and bus stations. He managed to talk some of the women out of having an abortion. Then, after they had their babies, he would sell the infants to couples for $800 to $1,000. Apparently, he lied to some of his patients, telling them that their baby had died. Hicks gave the adoptive parents a fake birth certificate, erasing all evidence of the birth mothers. In 1964, he gave up his medical license to escape prosecution after he was caught performing an illegal abortion. He died from leukemia at the age of 83 in 1972, which was 25 years before the story of the undercover adoptions was revealed. The truth came to light in 1997 after several Hicks Babies learned more about their backgrounds. In 2014, they were able to conduct DNA tests on themselves in the hopes that it would lead to family matches. One of the Hicks Babies, Melinda Dawson, is just one among hundreds of the doctors victims. In 1962, her adoptive parents paid $1,000 for her. They were instructed to walk in through the front door of the clinic, pick up the baby, leave out the back, and return home immediately. Dr. Hicks has a large mausoleum that bears his name at Crest Lawn Cemetery. During an investigation into the illegal adoptions, experts entered the mausoleum, hoping to discover more information. However, it was empty. The doctors body is believed to be buried next to the mausoleum. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home News Archbishop who called Pope Francis 'servant of Satan' summoned for potential excommunication Roman Catholic Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, 83, who served as the Vatican's ambassador to the United States from 2011 to 2016, was summoned to an extrajudicial trial at the Vatican for "the crime of schism" this week, he announced Thursday on X. "I have been summoned to the Palace of the Holy Office on June 20, in person or represented by a canon lawyer," wrote Vigano, who faces potential excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church after years of publicly questioning the legitimacy of Pope Francis and portions of the Second Vatican Council. "I assume that the sentence has already been prepared, given that it is an extrajudicial process," the archbishop added, posting the two-page decree he received from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith summoning him to trial. 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 ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? (art. 2 SST; can. 1364 CIC) The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has informed me, with a simple email, of the initiation of pic.twitter.com/sVQmV2U4Af Arcivescovo Carlo Maria Vigano (@CarloMVigano) June 20, 2024 Vigano remained defiant in the face of the ecclesiastical action against him, describing them as "an honor." "I believe that the very wording of the charges confirms the theses that I have repeatedly defended in my various addresses," he continued. "It is no coincidence that the accusation against me concerns the questioning of the legitimacy of Jorge Mario Bergoglio and the rejection of Vatican II: the Council represents the ideological, theological, moral, and liturgical cancer of which the Bergoglian 'synodal church' is the necessary metastasis." The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has yet to make a public statement on the proceedings against Vigano, according to Vatican News. "Archbishop Vigano has taken some attitudes and some actions for which he must answer," Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on Thursday, according to Vatican News. "I am very sorry because I always appreciated him as a great worker, very faithful to the Holy See, someone who was, in a certain sense, also an example. When he was apostolic nuncio, he did good work," Parolin added. "I don't know what happened." Vigano has repeatedly made headlines in recent years by calling for the resignation of Pope Francis, to whom he refers to using his given name Jorge Mario Bergoglio. In 2020, Vigano accused a cabal of leaders within the Catholic Church of allowing "heresy, sodomy and corruption" to run rampant in the institution. In a letter to then-President Donald Trump, Vigano coined the phrase "deep church" to describe a group of "mercenary infidels who seek to scatter the flock and hand the sheep over to be devoured by ravenous wolves." In 2018, Vigano penned an 11-page letter accusing dozens of former and current high-level Catholic officials of covering up the accusations of sexual abuse against disgraced former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, according to the National Catholic Register. Vigano took special aim at the pope, accusing him of ignoring his predecessor's sanctions against McCarrick and urging him to resign to "set a good example for cardinals and bishops who covered up McCarricks abuses." In November 2020, the Holy See published a report refuting Vigano's accusations, according to Vatican News. McCarrick, who served as archbishop of Washington, D.C., from 2001 to 2006, was laicized in 2019 amid allegations of abuse against boys and seminarians, though a district court judge in Massachusetts dismissed the case against him last year after concluding that he was unfit to stand trial. Since the Vatican issued the "Fiducia Supplicans" guidance that allowed "spontaneous blessings" for same-sex couples last December, Pope Francis has weathered fierce criticism from Vigano and other conservative prelates around the world. In a scathing op-ed for LifeSiteNews in the wake of the guidance, Vigano accused Pope Francis and his allies of serving the devil. "The delirious Declaration Fiducia Supplicans, recently published by the parody of the former Holy Office renamed the Dicastery, definitively pierces the veil of hypocrisy and deception of the Bergoglian hierarchy, showing these false shepherds for what they really are: servants of Satan and his most zealous allies, beginning with the usurper who sits an abomination of desolation on the Throne of Peter," he wrote. In recent weeks, Pope Francis has repeatedly drawn criticism for using a vulgar Italian word to denounce homosexuality within the Catholic Church. Speaking to approximately 160 priests at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome earlier this month, Francis reportedly advised against permitting men with homosexual inclinations to attend seminary, noting that that "un'aria di frociaggine" in the church, which translates to "an air of faggotry." His comment came weeks after the Vatican apologized for the pope's use of the same slur to make the same point last month. Home News Archbishop slams Catholic leaders for allowing heresy, sodomy and corruption to run rampant Roman Catholic Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a prominent critic of Pope Francis, has accused a group of Church leaders of subverting the Church from within by allowing "heresy, sodomy and corruption" to run rampant. In a recent interview with Vatican expert Marco Tosatti, the 79-year-old Vigano elaborated further on what he sees as the "deep church." Vigano, who previously served as the Vatican's ambassador to the United States in one of the top diplomatic positions, first coined the phrase "deep church" in a June letter to President Donald Trump in which he described it as mercenary infidels who seek to scatter the flock and hand the sheep over to be devoured by ravenous wolves. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to Vigano, there's an effort by the leadership of the Catholic Church, including the pope, to downplay the role of sodomy and homosexual behaviors in the sexual abuse of minors. Throughout the interview, Vigano referred to Pope Francis by his given name of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. For Bergoglio and his entourage, sodomy is not a sin that cries out for vengeance in the presence of God, as the Catechism teaches," Vigano said. "Bergoglios words on this topic and even more the actions and words of those who surround him unfortunately, confirm that an operation of legalization of homosexuality is currently underway and that prelates and theologians are carrying this discussion forward who have manifested without equivocation that they are unfaithful to Catholic teaching." After declaring that a "gay lobby" consisting of now defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Cardinal Joseph Tobin and others has infiltrated the Catholic Church, Vigano spoke of another interest of a political nature. He alleges the interest can explain the Catholic churchs response to McCarrick, who faced allegations of sexual abuse. Vigano quoted from an article in Church Militant that alleged that Francis unshackled him [McCarrick] from Benedict-imposed restrictions just weeks after becoming pope. Sources in China show that McCarrick may have been instrumental in working out the ongoing secret payments of billions of dollars from the Chinese communists to Francis Vatican, Church Militant claimed. Vigano alleged that it was hardly a coincidence that the Vatican remained silent when China ordered Christian villagers to renounce their faith and worship the nations Communist Party leaders instead. The implication from Vigano was that a secret agreement made between the Holy See and Beijing explains the Vaticans decision to remain silent on the human rights violations perpetrated by the regime. Vigano added that he remains pessimistic as to whether Catholics worldwide will ever learn the whole truth about McCarrick. McCarrick, who served as archbishop of Washington, D.C., has faced a multitude of sexual abuse allegations dating back half a century when he allegedly grabbed the genitals of a teenage boy on two occasions. While multiple priests and seminarians have accused McCarrick of predatory sexual behavior over the years, most of those accusations were ignored. The dynamics of McCarrick's situation changed considerably in 2018 when an investigation conducted by the Archdiocese of New York deemed allegations against McCarrick to be credible. McCarrick resigned from the College of Cardinals that summer and the pope placed him in seclusion for a "life of prayer and penance." The Vatican laicized McCarrick in early 2019, stripping him of his clerical status. Lets not forget that the legitimization of homosexuality is part of the agenda of the New World Order to which the Bergoglian church adheres openly and unconditionally not only for its destabilizing value in the social body but also because sodomy is the principal instrument with which the Enemy intends to destroy the Catholic priesthood, corrupting the souls of the Ministers of God, Vigano said. For this reason, at least as far as what seems possible, the entire truth about McCarrick will never officially come to light. Vigano concluded the interview with Tosatti by calling for action from the sons of light to expose the complicities and crimes of those who make war on the Good so as to establish the New World Order. In May, Vigano penned a document titled the Appeal for the Church and the World to Catholics and all people of good will." In the appeal, he criticized the restrictions on religious services during the coronavirus pandemic. He also warned of a world government beyond all control and an odious technological tyranny. Vigano caused a stir in the global Catholic community in 2018 by publishing an 11-page letter calling on Pope Francis to resign and accusing the pontiff of covering for McCarrick. The Vatican responded to Viganos allegations by calling them monstrous and blasphemous. In 2019, the Vatican held a global summit focusing on the need to combat the sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic church. The summit featured about 200 leaders from across the world. During his introductory remarks at the summit, Pope Francis implored leaders to find ways to fight this evil afflicting the Church and humanity. However, critics contend that the Vatican still has not done enough to halt clergy sexual abuse since the summit. Home News Kari Lake says God told her through 1 Timothy 1:6 to quit news job: 'I'm out' WASHINGTON U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake called for the return of God in American culture Friday as she claimed at a Christian conservative summit that it was God's plan, not her own, that she run for public office. Lake, a Republican who narrowly lost the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election to Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs and is currently running for an open U.S. Senate seat against Democrat Ruben Gallego, addressed a group of Christian conservative activists gathered at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton. Lake, a 54-year-old former television news anchor, issued a plea for unity, urging the audience to "work through" the division currently engulfing the Republican Party. She called for the party to work to "bring in independents and Democrats" to vote for her and bring "the whole country back." 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 She proclaimed, "I want to bring Him back," as she pointed to Heaven, indicating that she was referring to God. "We need to bring Him back into our culture, into our lives, into our hearts and souls." Lake, who has received national attention for alleging voter fraud in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race, spoke about her faith and how it played a role in her decision to leave her job as a journalist and enter the political arena. She said she felt "immoral" by working for an Arizona-based local news outlet because of the "half-truths" it was putting out, explaining: "What mattered more than a paycheck was the meeting I'm going to have someday with this guy," as she pointed to Heaven. "I'm not super worried about being called names down here," she said. "I want to get a big old welcome and a hug when I go up to Heaven." Lake said she experienced "a little moment of fear" when she quit her job, outlining how she was "praying at my desk in my office" and asked God to "give me some answers." "At that time, I grabbed my Bible," she said. "I literally opened the Bible; I didn't know where I was opening it." Lake opened to 1 Timothy 6:7, which declares, "You bring nothing into this world and it is for certain you take nothing out." She asked the audience, "Can you believe that is the answer God gave me?" "I said, 'Got it loud and clear. I'm out,'" Lake said. Lake said before she felt called to run, she envisioned living a "quiet life" that was "out of the public eye" after having been in the public eye for 30 years. "God said, 'No, no, no, I've got a few things I have planned for you before that quiet life,'" she recalled. "'I'm going to throw you into the middle of politics. You're going to end up in the middle of the political world,'" He told her. "'You're going to help lead a movement in Arizona, you're going to fight for election integrity, you're going to be called every name in the book. The media's going to hate you, the media's going to write 100% negative coverage of you.'" Lake continued to elaborate on God's plan for her: "You're going to run for an office, you're going to run for another office and you're going to actually win." "I think sometimes we pray for what we want," she acknowledged. "I've stopped doing that because you know what I was doing? I was praying to God. I was saying, 'I need strength, please give me strength.'" Lake came to the realization that "God is amazing" because "He does give you what you ask for." She asked herself, "How do you get strength." She stated, "by difficult circumstances to strengthen you up." "And then I realized I keep praying for strength, so I keep getting difficult circumstances," she added. Lake urged the audience to "never lose the joy of being a child of God." "Don't let this evil in this world take our joy away," she added. The RealClearPolitics average of polls measuring voter intentions in the Arizona Senate race, based on surveys taken between April 28 and June 18, shows Gallego leading Lake by 5.9 percentage points. Home News KC pastor placed on leave, resigns from school board amid grooming, sex misconduct allegations A Kansas City Assemblies of God pastor has been placed on leave and resigned from a local school board as police are investigating sexual misconduct and grooming allegations made against him, including one by a woman who says she was a child at the time. Epic Church KC announced Thursday that its board of directors has independently placed Lead Pastor Bobby Hawk on administrative leave pending further review of the allegations made against him in recent days. Bobby and Vanessa Hawk planted the church in 2009. The church has campuses in Independence, Missouri, and Pontiac, Michigan, and also operates the EPIC Center KC. 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 Our board of directors has been working diligently for the past 36 hours since allegations were made against our Lead Pastor Bobby Hawk, the announcement reads, adding that church staff have been instructed not to engage on social media or with the news media as it works through the situation. You can expect further communication from our board as we navigate through this, but we ask for your patience and your prayers as we try to honor God and His people in the way we handle these serious concerns. On Wednesday, Hawk also resigned as president of the Blue Spring School Districts Board of Education, a role he has held since 2022. It is with a profound sense of responsibility and commitment to transparency that we acknowledge the recent allegations concerning Board President Dr. Bobby Hawk. Out of respect for the important work of the Blue Springs School District, Dr. Hawk voluntarily submitted his resignation from the Board of Education, a statement from the school board reads, according to KMBC. The Board has unanimously accepted his resignation." The Blue Springs Police Department confirmed Thursday that it is reaching out to people who may be able to provide more information and investigating potential crimes. The department confirmed it took a report from an alleged victim, according to Fox 4, which notes that at least two victims have reached out to accuse Hawk of sexual misconduct, including one who was 12 years old at the time. A blog post published by 23-year-old Isabelle Davis garnered the community's attention. In it, she shared past experiences with Hawk. The Kansas City Star reports that the blog post describes an encounter that took place roughly a decade ago during a sleepover at his home. She accused Hawk of grabbing her hand and placing it underneath his thigh while they watched a movie. Davis alleges Hawk told her not to tell anyone about the experience. The blog post also alleges that on two occasions, Hawk made her hold his hand as if they were dating. Ali Terwilliger, a 22-year-old church volunteer in 2011, told Fox 4 she was inspired to speak out after seeing Davis come forward. She said that on one occasion, Hawk touched her butt and discussed how he wanted a sexual relationship with her. Terwilliger said she complained to church leadership but eventually left the church. It definitely is not an environment, at least it was not at that time, an environment where they were helping victims, Terwilliger told the outlet. It was more of trying to cover up what was going on with the pastor. Don Miller, who heads the Southern Missouri Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, told Fox 4 that the organization has an established process for dealing with allegations such as those facing Hawk and is following that process in the matter.